Original subtitles

💞Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Tale of Twin Cities Team @ Viki.com💞

[Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities]

[Episode 1]

In ancient mythology, there was a holy land called Yunhuang.

There was Kongsang, Quanxian, and Cangliu:

the three major kingdoms that reside there.

Lang Gan and Bai Wei from Kongsang expanded their territory with the power of the universe.

In the depths of Yunhuang's Biluo Sea, the Quanxian Merpeople were nurtured.

They were music experts and their tears turned into pearls.

Cangliu is located far away in the mountains.

Seven thousand years ago, Lang Gan waged war across the lands.

He trapped the dragon deity and sealed the Biluo Sea.

The merpeople were unable to return home for thousands of years.

Seven thousand years later, in order to save his people, [Tianque - Snow Mountain]

a merperson wreaked havoc in Yunhuang and disappeared after.

Now, he's back.

Careful.

[Su Mo - Quanxian Merperson]

Mother, I'm very hungry.

After we pass this mountain and reach Yunhuang,

- we'll then have food to eat. - I have food!

I have food!

Thank you, miss.

- No need to thank me. - Thank you, miss. Hurry, eat.

Girl, what are you doing?

We told you already, the ones with children can't cross Tianque.

They'll just be holding us back. Look at the snowstorm.

Where will we find food for them?

It's okay, it's okay. I don't eat much.

- Don't eat much? - I can share mine, it'll be okay. Let's go.

We're going to Yunhuang to escape disaster.

Who's able to take care of that kid?

We all want to go to Yunhuang to have a better life, right?

Not everyone can get to the sacred land of Yunhuang.

Remember to forget.

Bai Ying.

[Na Sheng - Refugee from Central Plains]

Are you new?

What's your name?

I'm Na Sheng. I'm from the Central Plains.

There is a war over there, so I escaped.

I want to settle down in Yunhuang.

You're quite good looking, but why the constant long face?

Dull and uptight.

Since you won't tell me your name, then I'll call you Brother Ice Cube.

Why don't we go to Yunhuang together?

We can talk and laugh, and even take care of each other.

How about it?

Don't underestimate me! I'm quite capable.

Otherwise, how else would I have made it here?

Yunhuang isn't a good place to be.

How's that possible?

People from my hometown said Yunhuang has treasure and riches everywhere, and the people are healthy and happy.

It's a paradise to us Central Plains people.

Brother Ice Cube, let me read your fortune.

I'm telling you my fortune telling is very accurate.

Ever since I was little, this is how I made money.

Things like spirit writing, reading dreams, etc. I'm good at all of it.

I'll read your fortune for free.

The goddess in heaven, please tell me this person's past, present, and future.

The sky is dark and the earth is golden.

A rare gift, my connection to the divine is.

The head is surrounded by a halo and feet are treading on stars.

Use your divine powers to shed me some light.

Please write down your prophecy on the ground.

Tell me this person's past, present, and future.

I'm done. Hurry, go take a look and see if the answer you seek is on the ground.

I can't read it just like how I cannot read my own fortune.

Hurry and take a look. After you're done, I'll wipe it away.

Every beginning starts with an end.

The only way to fight the void is through creation and protection.

What's the last line?

Write it again.

I don't know either. I can only read the same person's fortune once a year.

Small tricks.

Small tricks? My fortune telling has always been really accurate.

It didn't say anything about your Bai Ying?

If you lied to me about closing your eyes just now,

I'll kill you immediately.

I-I didn't read it. I didn't read it.

You were having a nightmare just now.

You kept calling her name in your dream.

I wasn't eavesdropping, I wasn't.

The village elders said that the person you remember in your nightly dreams

it's either a person you love or a person who's died.

Sour-faced Ice Cube! Weirdo!

If we hadn't met a hundred years ago,

then there wouldn't have been an end.

[A Hundred Years Ago]

[Bai Ying - Eldest Princess of the Kongsang Bai Clan]

A'Ying, your royal father sent a letter

asking you to return to Jing City immediately.

You have been learning skills on Kongji Mountain for three years now.

It's now time for you to put what you have learned to use in the world.

Do you remember the rules of our Holy Sword sect?

Hold the Sword of Light, embrace mercy,

uphold righteousness, protect the people.

I have them memorized by heart.

Good. Always remember them.

You're a disciple of the Holy Sword Sect. You must protect the people.

You may leave the mountain.

Farewell, Master.

[Royal City of Kongsang - Jing City]

My Lord, please give me some water to drink.

I'll let you drink if you cry me some tears.

How dare you!

Who's that?!

What have these merpeople done?

Why are you being so cruel?

Looking at her appearance, she seems to be a disciple of the Holy Sword Sect.

We can't afford to offend her.

A disciple of the Holy Sword Sect?

- Isn't that the same sect as Lord Xi Jing? - Yes.

It's like this. These merpeople are runaways from the Qing royal residence.

We caught them to take them back.

Prince Qing?

Where are you taking them?

Naturally, the Qing Royal Residence.

They... They want to take us to Xinghan Paradise.

Shut your mouth!

We still have matters to tend to, so we'll take our leave.

Brothers, let's go.

Move aside! Move aside!

Why would that person walk himself into a trap?

This isn't the Qing Royal Residence.

Get out. Hurry.

Let's go.

Stop dawdling.

[Xinghan Paradise]

Young Lady, wait.

Without an invitation, you can not enter Xinghan Paradise.

I'm the eldest princess of the Bai Royal Residence.

Come with me.

Why are you here?

I'm here to take a look. After all, this place is magnificent and luxurious. I've never been here before.

This isn't a place you should come to.

You can come, but why can't I?

So I just came then.

All these years and you still have a habit of talking back.

Tell the truth. Why did you come here?

I heard that you were here, so I wanted to come and see you.

[Madam Ru Yi - Quanxian Merperson]

Now you've seen me.

Since you've seen me, hurry and leave.

You're driving me out of here so quickly?

Aunt Ru, it's been two years since we last saw each other.

Don't you miss me?

If you drive me away so quickly, I'll be really sad.

With that nonsense of yours, you may be able to trick others.

Don't waste it on me.

I still have a lot to do.

Don't stay here and cause trouble for me.

What stuff?

Aunt Ru, are you going to retrieve the Sea Soul Pearl?

If you're not going to say, that's fine. I'll go ask someone else.

Stop.

How do you know about this matter?

The Sea Soul Pearl is connected to the fate of the whole Quanxian tribe.

The person you asked for help from died on the ship.

He told Yan Xi.

No matter what happens,

it has nothing to do with you.

Do you know what kind of place this is? Yet you forcefully broke in.

Aunt Ru, how do you plan to get the Sea Soul Pearl?

Don't you need a helper?

I've already arranged everything.

Just stop asking.

Once you leave here, continue walking forward.

When you walk to the end of the street, there's a house.

Wait for me there.

After I'm done, I'll come and see you.

There's something important I need to tell you.

Aunt Ru, the Pearl Showing is about to start.

Boss Jin has asked you to prepare.

I got it.

Here.

Wipe your face.

Please excuse me for not coming out. I didn't know that you would be honoring us with your presence, Princess Bai.

My surname is Jin. I'm the boss of Xinghan Paradise.

Boss Jin, the pearls sent by Lord Kong have arrived.

Today happens to be the Pearl Showing.

The whole city's great pearls and jade all happen to be at my Xinghan Paradise.

I've already organized a private room for you to rest.

This way, Princess.

The blood tear pearls that Lord Kong sent over aren't pure enough.

We have a Transformation Pool.

As long as they enter,

they can transform into a man or woman, anything they choose.

And the merpeople who fail to transform will become a pearl.

Could the Sea Soul Pearl be in there?

Have a look, yang qi is red,

yin qi is indigo.

When the vitality of yin and yang increases, it becomes a green jade.

When the vitality declines, it becomes black ink.

When it comes to our Pearl Showing,

this is the most interesting part.

If the princess would like to...

I don't understand pearls.

It doesn't matter if you understand pearls or not.

The quality of the merperson you choose is the important part.

Since you've come, I definitely won't let you leave empty-handed.

As long as you like, Princess,

you may choose any of the merpeople here.

Merpeople?

Boss Jin, you're quite straightforward.

Then... how many merpeople are there to choose from?

As long as Princess asks, however many you'd like, then there will be that many.

As long as you have this elegant desire,

in the future, as long as there are good quality merpeople,

I'll have them sent to your manor.

The Pearl Showing is about to begin.

Princess, please.

This princess isn't a good person either.

Stop chasing after me.

Your horse can't catch up to me. [Zhen Lan - Wrangler - Shuchu Tribe ]

Let me down.

I... I'm so thirsty.

[Xi Jing - Great General of Kongsang]

Go throw up.

Where are we?

The royal city of Kongsang.

Jing City.

Jing City?

Excuse me, Brother.

You can now tell me why you brought me here, right?

Someone wants to see you.

What?

You're saying that someone here in Jing City wants to see me?

Nonsense.

You haven't gotten it wrong, have you?

I've lived in the village since I was young.

I've never left the village before.

You'll know soon.

Then, what if I don't go?

- Be careful. Would you like some? - Sure.

It's not bad.

Master, would you like some of this, too?

Save me! Save me, Brother!

Save me!

Away you go!

Many thanks, Brother!

Move out of the way! Get out of the way!

Hurry and move aside!

After him!

After him!

The Sea Soul Pearl isn't here.

It's you? Why are you here?

Why are you here again? Boss Jin told me to come here and get something.

Again? You knew that I was here before?

You're trespassing in Boss Jin's room.

What exactly are you up to?

I'll go and report this to Boss Jin right away.

There are two guards outside. Are you planning to just walk out?

What exactly are you up to?

I should be asking you that.

You hid in a prison carriage and entered Xinghan Paradise.

And you are now in Boss Jin's study.

What are you trying to do?

A princess from the Bai residence who isn't out there enjoying the food, drink, and fun,

is in here doing what?

You've been following me.

I wanted to know what you came here to do.

Do you know now?

Did you come here to save people?

Stop! Stop running!

Stop!

Hurry!

This is bad.

I knocked out those two guards.

Will we be discovered?

- I don't have a grudge or feud with you. Why are you chasing after me? - Stop!

These two don't seem to be from Xinghan Paradise.

They seem to be chasing after someone.

Take these pearls.

A merperson's tears can transform into pearls,

it's also letting the pearls flow back to the sea.

Then let's go.

Act according to this plan. I've already made the arrangements.

When the Pearl Showing starts, there will be the least number of guards in the dungeons.

Rescue them.

I'll get the Sea Soul Pearl and meet up with you later.

I've already prepared clothes to change into. [Xiao - Quanxian Merperson]

Just in case, I've prepared a token belonging to General Xi Jing's residence. [Ting - Quanxian Merperson]

- Rest assured. - You must act carefully.

[Baihua Hall]

When the Quanxian were alive, they had nowhere to go.

Their souls couldn't return home after death.

The Quanxian will not be forgotten.

Even until now, the seven thousand years of sorrow will be settled today.

When you're taken down to the Transformation Pool, you'll be forced to transform.

We don't have a choice whether to transform into a man or woman.

You must endure the pain of having your bones erode

and find the Sea Soul Pearl at the bottom of the pool.

With it, we can open the barrier at the bottom of Jing Lake.

In the future, we won't be bullied or humiliated again.

This battle is critical. Do you understand?

Understood.

Great! Outstanding!

Dear prosperous merchants and gentry.

The Pearl Showing has officially begun.

Great! Great!

Boss Jin, the pearls for the showing are missing.

Hurry and find them. Also, notify the Qing Royal Residence immediately.

Yes.

- Go on stage. - Yes.

Su Mo?

Aunt Ru?

Why are you here?

I'm here to get the Sea Soul Pearl.

You don't need to meddle with the Sea Soul Pearl. I've already made arrangements.

Tell me, Aunt Ru.

Is the Sea Soul Pearl in the Transformation Pool?

I already told you to mind your own business. Just listen to me.

- This is? - The pearls for the Pearl Showing.

Do you know what the consequences of going down into the Transformation Pool are?

I do. Actually, whether I turn into a man or a woman, it doesn't matter.

What nonsense are you spouting?

- That fellow is over there. Grab him! - Help me!

Su Mo!

Stop!

Aunt Ru, leave the Sea Soul Pearl to me.

- Come back! - I'm leaving now.

Hurry, go!

Go! Now!

Capture her!

[Transformation Pool]

[Sea Soul Pearl]

Elder Brother.

I didn't run. I just came here to wait for you.

By the way, I brought food for you too.

Surround them!

Capture them!

Stop! Who is this presumptuous?

Senior Brother.

General Xi Jing, this has nothing to do with you. Please leave.

I don't care about the others. Prince Bai has ordered the princess to return to her residence.

I need to take my junior sister with me.

Senior Brother, take him along too.

This person can't leave.

General Xi Jing, I don't want to make this matter any bigger.

Junior Sister, let's leave now.

Keep up with me.

They're escaping.

Hurry up.

Ting, what's going on?

There's a fire inside.

- Is anyone else left? - There may be a few merpeople still inside.

Is anyone still here? This...

Why is it you? Why are you here?

- I was worried. - Save me!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Is anyone there?

Be careful!

Save me.

Save me.

Let's go.

Come. Grab hold.

Be careful! Come. Hurry and come up here.

Over there!

Capture them! Hurry!

Hurry, go! Ensure that they're safe first.

What about you?

Stop.

Bai Ying?

- Uncle. - She—

[Qing Chen - Prince Qing of Kongsang]

Weren't you training on Kongji Mountain?

Why have you returned? And you're here messing around.

I received Royal Father's letter and came back to Jing City.

I discovered that someone here was trafficking merpeople.

This is against our Kongsang laws.

When something is against the law, someone will naturally deal with it.

However, as Princess Bai, your intervening is not appropriate.

You don't know the whole story, how do you know that I was intervening?

In any case, you shouldn't be here.

Ying'er, hurry home.

Don't keep your royal father waiting.

Aunt Ru, where are the others?

I've already had arrangements for them near Jing Lake.

Once we get the Sea Soul Pearl, we can go into Jing Lake.

The Sea Soul Peal isn't with me.

You went into the Transformation Pool, and didn't get the Sea Soul Pearl?

I did get it.

But the situation in the Xinghan Paradise was a complete mess.

So I placed it with someone else.

Are you talking about the princess from the Bai residence?

Yes, her.

However, later I didn't have time to get it back.

General Xi Jing and the princess are disciples from the Holy Sword Sect.

I can find an excuse to go to the Bai residence and get the Sea Soul Pearl back.

No, no. I should go.

If you fail, it'll be hard for you to stay in the Xi Jing residence.

Why don't I go? You went into the Transformation Pool

and into the fire, you shouldn't put yourself in any more danger.

We shouldn't do anything tonight.

Ting, go back to the Xi Jing residence. We'll think of a plan tomorrow.

Then, I'll head back with Ting. We'll discuss this tomorrow.

Why are there so many people trying to kill me as soon as I came to Jing City?

- Someone wants to stop you from going into the Jing Pagoda. - Jing Pagoda?

I'm telling you! You have to tell me. Where exactly are you taking me?

And where is this place?

I told you that this is the royal city of Kongsang: Jing City.

This is Jing Pagoda.

Where we are standing right now is the royal palace of Kongsang.

What does this have to do with me?

Your father is the king of Kongsang.

And you're a prince of Kongsang.

Stop joking!

My birth mother was a typical herder out in the country.

Since birth, I've never seen my father.

Forget him being some king of Kongsang.

Elder Brother, if you want to trick a small kid. You have to put in some effort, right?

This story will take a long time to tell.

Right now, you're the only heir to the king of Kongsang.

At this time, Kongsang is experiencing difficulties. Only you can save Kongsang.

I'll take you to meet His Majesty right now.

Which is to say, your father.

I don't believe you.

I want to head back. Take me back.

- Let's go! - We can't.

I don't understand! Why should my life and destiny be arranged by others?

Out of nowhere, I've been abducted by you to come here, to Kongsang, Jing City.

And I even have to save Kongsang!

Whoever wants to be this prince can be it. I'm not doing it!

Isn't it just death? What's the big deal?

I'm leaving.

- Do you not care about your father? - No!

Don't you want to protect your village?

I don't!

Your mother's already passed away.

According to the secret messages, Cangliu has already passed the Shuchu Tribe and is approaching Ye City.

Your honored mother had a jade pendant shaped like a crane.

The messenger found your mother's body.

[Bai Royal Residence]

- Elder Sister. - I haven't seen you in a few years. You've grown taller.

Elder Sister, you've changed, too. [Bai Lin - Younger Princess of the Kongsang Bai Clan]

You have more of a heroine's aura now.

I want to tell Royal Father that I also want to go to Kongji Mountain to practice martial arts.

Elder Sister, there's so much I want to tell you.

Then let's not sleep tonight.

Let's have you say everything you want to say.

One night is not enough for me to say everything.

By the way, where is Royal Father?

Royal Father said he urgently needed to report to the royal palace.

Elder Sister, rest assured. He'll be back soon.

Summon Prince Zhen Lan into the hall. [High Priest - Kongsang Priest]

[King Cheng Guang - King of Kongsang]

Your Majesty, I've brought the prince.

Prince?

How does he look like a prince?

[Bai Liao - Prince Bai of Kongsang]

Tell me.

In the past few years, Kongsang has been involved in quite a few wars.

The crown prince died young while bringing glory to our ancestors.

Our king secretly ordered General Xi Jing to bring the prince back.

Prince Zhen Lan is the child between Kongsang and Shuchu.

He can be considered the king of Kongsang's heir.

Once the powers of Heaven and Earth are joined together, it will be a blessing for Kongsang.

Madam Ziya of the Shuchu tribe was gentle and virtuous. Her posthumous title is Zhenyi.

Your Majesty,

a country man from who knows where is also qualified to be a Kongsang prince?

If this gets out, won't we become the joke of Yunhuang?

What's more, this child's mother is probably some wild horsewoman who doesn't understand etiquette whatsoever.

Who can prove that he's of the royal bloodline?

Whether Zhen Lan's identity is legitimate or not,

we need to see if the heavens will acknowledge him.

High Priest, summon the six princes to the heavenly temple.

Yes.

Aunt Ru, do you have something to tell me?

You've gone into the Transformation Pool, is there anything different with your body?

There's nothing too different.

Right! I went into the Transformation Pool.

But I didn't transform.

Because you're different than other people.

Young Master.

The Heavenly Ring has been prepared.

Your Majesty, we can start the royal recognition ceremony.

Then begin, High Priest.

Young Master.

Aunt Ru, what are you doing?

Hurry, get up.

Young Master, you went into the Transformation Pool but didn't transform.

That's because you have the Emperor of the Sea's blood inside you.

You're the Emperor of the Sea.

Aunt Ru, you must've gotten it wrong.

Get up first.

Back then, you were still young.

I didn't dare to tell you this.

Perhaps everything that happened at Xinghan Paradise was destined.

Seven thousand years ago, when the late Emperor of the Sea died during battle,

he sealed his bloodline in a pearl.

Seven thousand years later, Her Ladyship consumed the pearl with his bloodline in it,

and had you and A'Nuo.

The mark on your backs is that of the dragon deity.

Perhaps that's why you didn't transform when you entered the Transformation Pool.

You're the master of Quanxian. Emperor of Biluo Sea.

Young Master, you've grown up.

Xinghan Paradise... it was because you were there that I went.

You wanted to get everyone out and obtain the Sea Soul Pearl.

Aunt Ru, you're my family.

I didn't want to see you get hurt. I had no other reason.

But you got the Sea Soul Pearl and saved us.

- Those were all coincidences. - Young Master!

Don't call me that.

Aunt Ru, you should still call me Su Mo.

It's getting late.

Rest early. I'm going back.

Su Mo!

💞Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Tale of Twin Cities Team @ Viki.com💞

Wanting to Return by Zhou Shen

♫ Among the frosty clouds is the cold moon ♫

♫ A strange light in the night ♫

♫ In the dream, there is longing and fear ♫

♫ The layers of waves build up ♫

♫ Repeating the promise ♫

♫ Yet they disappear in the end ♫

♫ We've met several times ♫

♫ Yet it is hard to mention our fated relationship from the past ♫

♫ Sighing over the past is as frivolous as smoke ♫

♫ Split open the cocoon in my heart ♫

♫ You live in there ♫

♫ and have never been discovered by anyone ♫

♫ Ask time to borrow a chapter ♫

♫ The unforgettable memories ♫

♫ have disappeared, disappeared ♫

♫ I once thought there was a deep bond ♫

♫ Using ten fingers to painstakingly ♫

♫ play the ancient chords ♫

♫ In exchange for only a moment of your smile ♫

♫ Use a lifetime to love only one person ♫

♫ How do you calculate the debt between each other? ♫

♫ Yet unwilling, unwilling ♫

♫ to make an exchange for a promise and apology ♫

♫ Our next lives are too far away ♫

♫ I would rather turn into ash and be lost in a reverie ♫

♫ When I want to return, it will be time for my dream to come true ♫