Original subtitles

♪The tempestuous northern wind, the tempestuous martial arts world♪

♪Blades and bows drawn♪

♪What is youth without bravado?♪

♪With a wave of my hands, the world flows through my fingertips♪

♪Traveling the world with a damsel♪

♪The wind blows, the moon's reflection on the water♪

♪The night has been cut short♪

♪Who there is hiding in the shadow?♪

♪Oh, the long journey. Fate wills if we live or die♪

♪But let's give our shot at this world♪

♪Fight together as two♪

♪Right or wrong, I'll brave the storm, watching as things rise and fall♪

♪Black and White, as the drum sounds, it's for passion and justice♪

♪The fury, the wavering blades♪

♪I catch a glimpse of the divine beauty♪

♪How can we determine if the soul is flawless?♪

♪Let's see who can rule the world♪

=Who Rules The World=

=Episode 17=

(Memorial Tablet of Queen Shengchun)

(Memorial Tablet of Queen Shengchun) I'm sure you must be able

to see what I did from above.

I wonder if you would be glad to see them

or would you abhor them?

In fact, ever since you left,

I've long been all alone without anyone to rely on.

However, I refused to surrender to fate.

I want to fight as well.

Mother.

I've met someone

that reminds me of you.

After I met her,

I could feel warmth in my heart.

It was as though you were alive.

(Memorial Tablet of Queen Shengchun)

But I was a little scared

at first.

I was worried she might distract me.

But still, I couldn't let go.

When she was around,

I felt confident.

That is good.

(Memorial Tablet of Queen Shengchun)

(Feng Chang's Residence)

Your Highness,

Queen Baili has sent you

the wedding gown.

She wants you to try it out.

If it's uncomfortable,

I'll order the tailor to make some adjustments.

The gown can be changed to fit the body,

but when there is no love,

how can that be changed?

Forget about trying it on.

Whatever happens,

I'll have to put it on anyway.

Dismissed.

Dismissed.

My mother is very thoughtful.

Tomorrow,

we're holding a memorial ceremony for the late queen,

but she is still concerned about me.

How thoughtful of her.

She wants what's best for you, Your Highness.

Uncle De.

Have you convinced yourself

of your own lies?

I wouldn't dare.

However...

I'm going out.

Your Highness.

Check out the fabrics!

Check out these lanterns!

All sorts of lanterns for sale!

Toys and fun stuff!

Check out the fragrance pouch!

Fragrance pouch!

Look at these!

They seem interesting.

This looks pretty.

Buy one.

This is great!

(There is certainly more freedom)

(living as a martial artist.)

Look at this.

It doesn't look good on you.

Why not?

It's you again.

What are the odds?

It's almost New Year.

I have been busy.

I came out for some fresh air.

We've known each other for so long,

but I still don't know what you do for a living.

We are a small sect.

We are only visiting.

Do you have other friends

from the martial arts world in the capital of Yongzhou?

I mean,

if it isn't too much trouble,

could I have the honor to meet them?

I long for a life such as theirs.

Do you not know what danger lies in their path?

It's best you don't know these people.

The martial arts world may be perilous,

-but there is freedom. -Sir,

Uncle De requests you to return.

He needs you to check the wedding litter

in person.

Understood. You may go now.

Yes.

Are you getting married?

You're getting married! Congratulations.

It isn't something worth celebrating.

It was my mother's decision.

There goes the saying,

"A child's marriage

is the parents' duty and decision."

However, this will decide

the rest of your life.

If you don't love her,

neither of you will be happy.

Life is short.

Decades pass

in a blink of an eye.

Sometimes, we mustn't compromise.

If you ever need help

while you're in the capital,

you could let me know.

So long.

It's the 31st year of the Chunxi Reign.

Respectfully, we have prepared food and wine

as our offering

to the benevolent, wise, dedicated, and intelligent late Queen Shengchun.

Her heart was ever so generous.

She was a great exemplar in the Queen's Palace.

Her passing had dulled even the moonlight.

Many were overcome with grief.

Spring had become dreary.

It was a great loss for the royal family.

Offering from His Lordship.

May the late queen accept our offering

and be pleased with it.

Offering from Prince Yongping.

May your spirit be pleased with our offering.

Offering from the Second Queen.

If your spirit could hear me,

please accept my offering.

Noble Consort Baili comes from a humble background.

Please reconsider, Your Lordship.

That's her. Have you heard the rumors?

The gold-digger.

That's her.

That seems nice.

Indeed.

Your Highness?

Your Highness?

Mother, what's wrong?

Get up.

Stop standing there.

End this ceremony.

Silence.

The ceremony is not over.

Mother, come with me.

Offerings from the officials!

Your Lordship,

I didn't mean it.

I know.

I don't blame you.

Those officials are insolent!

I would never disrespect Yige.

My hand slipped,

but they insisted on saying

I had embarrassed the entire nation!

I will punish them.

Your body is frail.

Don't dwell on the incident.

Rest well.

What about those rude civilians?

They are saying

it's divine retribution.

Your Lordship,

help me.

That's enough.

You feel humiliated today,

but what about me?

I had told you many times

the ceremony must be carried out flawlessly,

but you couldn't even hold a wine cup properly!

What was wrong with you?

I was overwhelmed by fatigue.

The ancestral temple was cold.

Is it colder than the Cold Palace?

Your Lordship,

this can't be serious.

Do you know

why I didn't reprimand you in front of the people?

I have an image to uphold!

You came from a lowly background.

I argued with the officials for six months

to finally be able

to crown you the new queen.

It's my duty

to take care of your embarrassment!

However,

my effort to care for you has been left unanswered.

It did nothing but bolstered your arrogance!

Perhaps

you've enjoyed the title of a queen for so long

that you forget who you really are.

Your Lordship!

I've shown you love for two decades.

I've spoiled you into a fool!

You interfered with the court affairs

and caused disruptions.

Your embarrassed the nation!

I took pity on you

for the hardship you went through.

I turned a blind eye to your scheming,

but your ambition grew by the day.

How dare you try to

usurp the title of my heir for your son!

Are you so eager to watch me die

so you can be the queen dowager?

Your Lordship!

I wouldn't dare in a million years!

So tell me, why have you

ignored my warnings?

Do you think I wouldn't find

the mastermind

of the royal examination scandal because you played the fool?

Are you not worried

I will track down the missing funding used

for the horse trading?

There is nothing

I cannot give you

or take from you.

Send out my decree.

Due to her gratitude for her bond with the late queen,

Queen Baili will go into seclusion and fast for the next 30 days

to pray for the late queen's afterlife.

(Everlasting Virtues)

Your Highness, we received reports

that Queen Baili has been grounded.

Understood.

I came to the palace at a young age.

I've been with Your Highness and the late queen since then.

Now that Your Highness has won against Queen Baili,

the late queen would be very pleased.

I will carry out her dying wish

and serve Your Highness for the rest of my life.

Miss Huan,

I know you are loyal

to my mother.

You are an adult now.

If there is someone you love...

My loyalty has never wavered.

I will serve you until I draw my last breath.

I will never leave.

I'm not banishing you.

Calm down.

I came to the Palace as a child.

I've served you since I came of age.

The life outside is not for me.

Please, have mercy on me.

Very well.

You may go now.

Thank you, Your Highness.

(Everlasting Virtues)

Have a look around!

Accessories and ornaments!

We didn't

get to see the capital of Yongzhou last time.

The capital of Yongzhou is more exciting than I expected.

Master wants us

to buy some goods for New Year.

Don't forget why we're here.

Just let her have some fun.

Master made it back in one piece.

She is overjoyed by his return.

You know me the best.

Martial Sister,

do you know

why I insisted on celebrating New Year in this capital

and sent a notice

to summon all the disciples?

It's almost New Year

and Master is wounded.

Our best option is to stay in the capital of Yongzhou.

My father is wounded,

but he's more than capable

of going home.

So, why are we staying?

Do you not know?

Is it because of me?

Lu Shi,

let's buy them some snacks.

Let's go.

My father is giving you a chance

to quench your yearning.

Wait.

What yearning?

Don't be silly.

I'm serious.

Can't you tell from the way Hei Fengxi looks at you?

Don't you like him?

Langhua,

enough with this nonsense.

The Black Foxy and I

are just friends.

Is that so?

Why do you treat him differently?

That's because...

That depends on the person.

I have this urge to challenge him when I see him.

So, I treat him differently.

It's the same way with you,

Lu Shi, and Jiurong.

If I treated Jiurong the way I treated you,

wouldn't you be jealous?

Come on, don't be silly.

What is he doing here?

Martial Sister!

We bought a lot of snacks.

-Martial Sister. -Let's go.

There are more over there.

Let's check them out.

Come on.

Let's go.

We found Bai Fengxi.

Keep an eye on her.

Yes.

But this time,

we suffered heavy losses.

The Soultaker Sect

was almost wiped out.

The Han family's medicines,

Xuanyuan Sect's formation,

the Tie family's cast iron,

and the Ma family's secret manual,

I have everything.

Is there any purpose

for the Soultaker Sect to exist?

The Soultaker Sect

was formed based on the legend of the Locust and Cricket.

Without me,

you could only dream of leading this sect.

Forgo what you must.

Do not forget

our true goal.

Understood.

I went to Mount Wu

for the Sacred Jade Moon.

But it fell into the hands

of the Hei-Bai Fengxi.

It seems things are

more complicated than I think.

We should spend more time

in the capital of Yongzhou.

Am I beautiful?

Your Highness, you are ever so elegant and gorgeous.

No one here can match your beauty.

In this palace,

even Royal Consort Xu of the lowest rank

is more prestigious than me, the daughter of a fabric merchant.

You may speak freely.

After the recent memorial ceremony,

people now know about my past as a lowly civilian

even though I had spent years

making everyone forget.

That's Feng Lanxi's goal.

If I could

become a queen all those years ago,

I certainly wouldn't

let anyone look down on me again.

Your Highness!

What are you doing?

I'm not trying to end my life.

His Lordship wants me to fast for a month.

I might as well do more by copying scriptures with my blood.

Let's see if anyone would still look down on me!

Your Highness, you mustn't do this!

The physician said you were suffering from anemia.

I simply need a wound to fool them all.

There are plenty of pet birds in the palace.

Since I'm grounded,

I can't leave the palace.

Chamberlain,

I need you to go out.

Tell my brother

the marriage between Duke Qi's daughter

and Prince Chang must be settled before New Year.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

A message from Queen Baili.

She wants you to finish the betrothal proposal

and submit it to His Lordship.

Understood.

Prince Yongping sent you a present.

The messenger says

it's information about Duke Qi's family.

According to him,

he wants Your Highness to follow the heart's calling.

If Your Highness decides to marry Miss Qi Cheng,

there is some information

you may use as leverage in your marriage.

(To my brother: Feng Chang)

(Life is short.)

Decades pass

in a blink of an eye.

Sometimes, we mustn't compromise.

Your Highness.

Where are you going?

My mother has been grounded.

It's only right for me to visit her.

But...

Your Highness,

Prince Chang is here.

Let him in.

Yes.

Greetings, Mother. May you live well and be blessed.

You found out

your father has grounded me.

Don't worry. I'll be fine.

What happened to your hand?

I drew some blood to copy scriptures.

Now you know what I went through.

Just not that long ago,

I traveled far and wide for Buddhist prayer on your father's behalf.

And now,

the slightest mistake

warranted such punishment for me.

He is ever so unpredictable.

Come on.

That is precisely

why I'm so concerned with your marriage.

Your father has become even more unpredictable lately.

I'm at the end of my rope.

I could lose my life

at any moment.

You and your brother will have to fend for yourselves.

I must find each of you

a partner that will care for you.

Only that will put my mind to ease.

I check the calendar.

Every day until the end of this month is a good date.

Pick a date

and ask for your father's consent to the betrothal proposal.

Tell him you and Duke Qi's daughter are love at first sight.

He will grant you this request.

Mother.

I have no plan to marry Duke Qi's daughter.

Now is not the time to throw a tantrum!

I am not throwing a tantrum.

I am visiting you

because I want to tell you

I changed my mind.

I don't care

whose daughters you're matchmaking me with,

as long as it's your decision,

I will never marry any of them.

I won't lie to myself anymore.

Rest well and heal, Mother.

I take my leave now.

Stop right there!

Stop!

What is wrong with you again this time?

I ordered Duke Qi to prepare the dowry for your wedding.

This is your marriage, not a child's play!

When you got flustered, you forgot you were a mother.

You saw yourself as the queen again.

Are you saying

you will make me fulfill the wedding by force?

Feng Chang!

Mother!

Manners matter in the palace.

The servants are watching.

Come with me to my room.

We can talk this out.

There is nothing to talk about.

Your Highness,

do you really think

I was ignorant of

why you're suddenly treating me with such motherly love?

You want me to marry Duke Qi's daughter

and make enemies with Feng Lanxi.

I've played the filial son for too long.

I'm tired of it.

I should never have had

those meaningless dreams.

You only have one son,

and his name is Feng Ju.

Do you think you can get away so easily?

Do you think when I was defeated,

Feng Lanxi would spare you from misery?

Do you really think he sees you as his kin?

From what I learned,

you chased him out of your residence

when he visited you.

It seems the two of you

aren't that close.

I can't force you into submission.

However, I can bring you down with me.

I had plotted against Feng Lanxi.

If your father found out

you were part of the plotting,

who do you think he would believe? You, or me?

I thought you merely disliked me.

As it turned out, you hated me.

We are mother and son.

You should have seen this coming,

am I right?

Do not force my hand.

If I got desperate,

I would tell the world about your epilepsy.

A repulsive condition that disgusts all,

should ruin your reputation in the court for good.

Chang.

We are in the same boat.

You will never come out unscathed.

I bet you must hate me to the bone.

It's not like you can do anything about it.

Do as I say.

I know.

You and Feng Lanxi are very close.

If you help me with my plan,

you have my word

that I will never trouble you again.

It's not just you.

Pretending to be your loving mother

is just as revolting for me.

Look at you!

The thought of getting married

has got you so excited.

Go back to your residence.

I'll have everything arranged for you.

Your Highness.

Submit it for me.

(Southern Market)

(Stellar Talent)

What brings you here?

Am I not welcome here?

Master invited him.

This capital is such a merry place.

Three of the Four Gentry

are gathered here.

Yu Wuyuan is in the capital?

Yes.

Martial Sister and I even saw him

on the street.

Martial Sister, I'll lead Mr. Feng inside.

Master is waiting for him.

Go ahead.

Master Bai,

why have you summoned me?

I need the Fountain Abode

for an investigation.

You may speak freely.

You will have full support from the Fountain Abode.

This is the fake token Huang Chao tried to return.

This wasn't the token Yan Yingzhou had.

There was another fake token?

Master Bai,

why are you interested in a fake?

Have you heard of the Token Keepers?

Rumor has it that the Imperial Family of Dadong Empire

has powerful martial artists

to protect the Empyrean Token.

They are known as the Token Keepers.

Master Bai,

you are one of them.

The Token Keepers

are not only charged with protecting the token

but also

limiting the Imperial Family's power.

When Xi returned

to the Tianshuang Sect,

she told me all about Yan Yingzhou

and the fake token.

I wrote a letter

to inform another Token Keeper.

It was Wang Shuilong.

In his letter, he mentioned

the other fake token he found.

To meet him,

I went to Mount Wu.

I see.

I need you to find out

who is behind all of this

and why they are using fake tokens to cause confusion.

I will investigate.

Do not tell Xi for the time being.

I don't want her to worry.

I understand.

Go on.

Someone is expecting you.

I shall

take my leave now.

What did you and Master talk about?

I promised him

not to tell you.

How mysterious.

Keep the secret to yourself, then.

It's not like I'd love to know.

Why are we here?

To keep my father and Queen Baili from knowing

that I know martial art,

I would come here every night

to practice in secret.

Were you

very lonely?

Indeed.

Even with the bustling city below,

I couldn't help but feel lonely.

I kept telling myself

I had to endure that loneliness

to realize my goal.

What is your goal?

At first,

I wanted to protect myself.

Then,

I wanted to become my father's heir.

And then,

I want to conquer the world.

Next...

What's next?

The greed is endless.

I told you,

you have a choice.

Why not give up on conquering the world?

That's because

this isn't how the world should be.

I've been drawn to people.

There are the helpless,

the living,

and those who make me feel alive.

I want all of them

to have a better life.

I'm curious.

What is the world full of warmth and simplicity

that you envision?

What is this?

When I first met you,

I had this strange feeling

that our fate was intertwined.

As it turns out,

you're such a nuisance.

We are human beings,

it's normal to have worries.

To acquire the Sacred Jade Moon,

we must create an opening

and wait for both of them to make a move.

Keep an eye on them.

Yes.

Sir.

Yu Wuyuan is in the capital of Yongzhou,

but the Fountain Abode doesn't know?

I'll see to it.

Watch him.

I want to know every action he takes.

Yes.

Your Highness,

a message from the palace.

Prince Chang has submitted his betrothal proposal to His Lordship.

He is going to marry Duke Qi's daughter.

Is this his decision?

Duke Qi has been our enemy.

If this marriage is approved,

how should we face Prince Chang

from here on?

Brother, you're leaving me.

Don't worry.

I'll always be there with you.

Brother!

Perhaps he made this decision

because I failed him.

In that case,

we shall adapt and overcome.

Yes.

(Youzhou)

(Princess of Youzhou, Hua Chunran)

Greetings, Father.

Long live the Lord.

(Lord of Youzhou)

Chun, you've come.

Get up.

Come on. Stand up.

Thank you, Father.

You two, dismissed.

Father, why am I summoned?

I haven't seen you in a while.

I wanted to see you.

Earlier today,

a batch of silk gauze was sent here as a tribute.

You may use them

for your new dresses.

Thank you, Father.

Come, have a seat.

Father, I've missed you.

But you're always busy with work.

I barely have any chances to serve you.

This is all thanks to your good-for-nothing brothers.

They can't help me with my work.

I have to see to everything personally.

Chun.

I wish you were a man.

Father, my elder brothers are all outstanding men.

It's just that you outshine them

by a league.

But still,

like father, like sons.

With enough time,

they will follow in your footsteps

and become lords as wise as you.

It's nice of you to say that.

I merely tell the truth.

But Father,

why not

leave the trivial matters to your officials?

Why see to them personally?

I heard that Official Qian Qi,

Official Wang Qing, and Official Xiang Ya from the court

are all loyal and capable

despite their low ranks.

They are the best out there.

Therefore,

you should task them with greater responsibilities.

That will show the people you value talented people

and prevent you from overworking yourself.

You will have more time for your children.

We can take better care of you.

That is a sound plan.

I'll be sure to spend more time with you

whenever I have the time.

However, I summoned you

because there is a matter to be discussed.

You are of marrying age.

Isn't it time to find you a husband?

Are you saying I'm annoying you

with my presence?

Not at all!

Men and women should get married when they are of age.

It's a big world out there.

If I leave the palace,

I might never see you again for a very long time.

Well...

Chun.

Perhaps I could find you a husband that takes our family name.

Father,

a real hero would never agree to be married into a woman's family.

You're right.

Perhaps I could hold a spouse selection contest.

A spouse selection contest?

I want only

the best among the men.

Find out

who suggested the idea of maternal marriage to my father.

Yes.

I read the betrothal proposal

you submitted.

Are you sure you want to marry Duke Qi's daughter?

Yes.

I am in love with her,

just as you were when you met my mother.

Very well.

Duke Qi is one of the nobles of Yongzhou.

His child is worthy of my firstborn.

Queen Baili has done well in this matter.

Indeed.

She was very concerned about me.

Ask the Astronomy Officer to divine their birth date.

If nothing goes wrong, we'll exchange the dowry and dower.

On the first day of the upcoming year,

I will grant you the betrothal decree.

Consider it a new beginning for a new year.

Queen Baili's fasting

will have come to an end.

Much obliged, Father.

Send out my decree.

Feng Chang will be given the title of Prince Yongxin.

He will be granted a fief of 3,000 households.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Congratulations, Prince Yongxin.

Much obliged, Father.

♪Like the dissipating fog, you become clearer♪

♪Like the hawk that soars freely, you reject the shackles♪

♪Your white silk is as light as a feather and yet it moves my heart♪

♪Ripples come at me but I don't want to dodge♪

♪Wind is just the outline of the cloud♪

♪Black is the lock of the White♪

♪Night is when the Day sleeps♪

♪You are a part of me♪

♪Right or wrong, don't worry about the why♪

♪Pain or joy, they are from our obsession♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Let tears run dry♪

♪Let's stop in another place♪

♪Let love sever all happiness and sadness♪

♪And pierce through the vicissitude of life♪

♪With a merry start, don't worry about a sorrowful end♪

♪A full moon will be more intertwined♪

♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪

♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪