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 23=

What brings you here today,

Chancellor Ren?

To tell you honestly,

I came

to discuss the matter of Miss Fengxi.

Xi?

I've heard of the matter

between His Highness and Miss Fengxi.

The Tianshuang Sect may be renowned,

but it is still a sect of the martial arts world.

It would be difficult for Miss Fengxi

to marry His Highness.

Moreover,

I heard she is used

to a carefree life.

I believe

she wouldn't take well to the lifestyle of the royal family.

So you want me

to help separate them.

If they carry on with things,

nothing good will come out of it.

It is better to plan ahead.

It is for their good as well.

What do you think, Master Bai?

I am aware

of what you mean, Chancellor Ren.

However,

I cannot control what she does.

We should leave the young ones

to settle

their own matters.

Master Bai.

You are a leader of a sect, after all.

Are you just going to sit idly by?

What you're saying

is that my disciple

is not good enough for Prince Yongping

because she is a member of the martial arts world.

These are my words for you.

You

need not worry.

Miss Fengxi might be famous

in the martial arts world,

but within the court...

Pardon my bluntness.

No matter how heroic or powerful she is out there,

she is but a civilian.

That is all from me.

I hope you will reconsider, Master Bai.

Farewell.

(I can't believe he was trying to confess to me.)

Martial Sister, you're finally back.

What's the matter? You look unhappy.

What happened?

Um... Today...

Chancellor Ren from Mr. Feng's faction

came by today.

His tone was unpleasant.

He wanted Master to discipline you

and have you cut off ties with Mr. Feng.

How was Master?

He's fine. He rejected the idea.

But are you...

I'm all right.

Please, don't do anything reckless.

We should think this through.

Don't worry.

I'll handle it with care.

Let's go.

Miss Fengxi.

Zhong Li.

His Highness wants to meet you by the river on the Lantern Festival night.

You must be there.

Don't stand him up again.

(It seems he doesn't know about it yet.)

Sure, I got it.

(Chancellor Ren's Residence, Yongzhou)

Sir,

a guest outside wants you to have this box.

She says you will see her once you take a look inside.

Open it.

(Nimbus)

Nimbus Liquor?

Who sent this precious gift?

Let her in.

Yes.

Greetings, Chancellor Ren.

Miss Fengxi, it didn't take you long.

Since you brought this gift here,

I want you to take it back.

Wait, Chancellor Ren.

Do you know about this liquor?

It's as clear as water

and smooth as a flowing nimbus.

Thus, the name.

Indeed.

It's said that after tasting this liquor,

the person will feel as though they are walking among the clouds

and carried by the gale.

It's also called the Liquor of Gale.

Do you know

where this liquor originated from?

It's said Old Taiyin of Mount Wu brewed the liquor personally.

There is only a handful of this liquor in the entire world.

It's thoughtful of you

to send me this precious gift.

I didn't come here

only to send you a gift.

There are some matters that I can't wrap my mind around.

You are a high-ranking official of Yongzhou.

You've seen your fair share of the world.

I brought you the liquor

so you could clear some of my doubts.

Speak away.

My doubts

are with the liquor.

You must know about

Lanxi's trip to Mount Wu.

This liquor

was a reward given to us

after we survived many dangerous encounters.

Tell me,

how many people in this world

can brave the perilous trials

with Prince Lanxi?

Whether it's your love for him

or your marriage,

it's always the parents' duty to arrange their children's marriage.

The two families must come from similar backgrounds

and treat each other with respect.

What has been may not always be right.

From what I see,

love is a matter

of doing what we love with the person we love.

Life is short.

One shall be content

with having a soulmate.

Now, my second doubt.

Do you

find my thoughts reasonable

or nonsensical?

Your thoughts are justified.

But as a subordinate,

reminding His Highness to be mindful of his circumstances

is my responsibility.

Speaking of circumstances...

I'm just a normal person.

I've spent years wandering the land.

I've come to realize

that nothing lasts forever.

When one dynasty falls,

another takes its place.

The Dadong Empire is falling apart.

Do you think

Yongzhou is capable

of maintaining its status quo

among the Six States?

Do you think Prince Lanxi could use a marriage of convenience

to secure his place as the heir of Lord?

That is my last doubt.

Pardon me,

I cannot answer your doubts.

However, I will consider what you said.

Very well.

In that case,

I'll take my leave now.

Keep the liquor.

(Miss Fengxi)

(is knowledgeable with matters of the world.)

(She lives up to her reputation.)

(I have overstepped the line this time.)

Your Highness, I went to the courtyard and passed the message.

Did she say yes?

Miss Fengxi seemed to be in a hurry.

Perhaps she had matters to see to.

She asked me to leave.

She didn't really

give an answer.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

The agent I sent after her

says she headed for Chancellor Ren's residence.

She went to Mentor's residence?

Yes.

Your Highness.

I came to apologize.

Why do you apologize?

For the good of Your Highness' future,

I had gone to the courtyard

and warned Master Bai to restrain his disciple

from bothering you.

A vagabond of the martial arts world and a noble prince of the royal family

do not belong together.

How dare you!

I took the matter into my own hands. It was wrong of me to do so.

However, it concerns Your Highness' marriage.

The late Queen entrusted you to me.

I can't allow you to ruin your own future.

My mother's trust

doesn't give you the right to do so!

I've told you,

no one must interfere with matters of Bai Fengxi.

Mentor,

have you forgotten everything?

I will never forget that.

But she is a civilian.

Compared with Your Highness' noble status,

she is not unworthy.

On top of that,

Your Highness hasn't been selected as His Lordship's heir.

If I refuse to obey you,

you might try to justify your nonsense!

I wouldn't dare.

It's wrong for a subordinate to disobey a direct order.

I am willing to accept your punishment.

Mentor, you have never been so reckless.

Who instigated you into doing this?

Mentor, you may go now.

Your Highness.

I will go now.

Huan.

Tomorrow morning,

leave the residence.

Your Highness, I was wrong.

I shouldn't have gone behind your back.

But, I did it for you!

That's why...

Enough!

Spare me your excuses.

Your action

was nothing short of treason.

Your Highness.

Please forgive me!

I have no place

in the world outside.

All I ask is to let me stay.

That's all I'll ask.

Zhong Li, get her out of here.

Give her 100 golden leaves.

Send her home.

Come on.

Do you like this?

I didn't know my mentor

had visited your residence.

I apologize on his behalf.

Did you ask me out

just to apologize for his action?

By the way,

it's a custom in Yongzhou

to watch the lanterns.

It smells great!

Can you smell it?

The scent is nice.

Look over there.

(I seek only to have your heart.)

(I seek only to have your heart.)

Did you prepare this?

I asked you out

because I have something to tell you.

This is only part of it.

And...

Your Highness.

Understood.

If it's urgent, you should see to it.

Your Highness, time is running short.

Let's go.

That looks nice.

"I seek only to have your heart."

(I seek only to have your heart)

"Till the end do we part."

How thoughtful of you.

The high tide of spring will soon arrive.

Yu Ming channeled the water to Qingzhou

to prevent a flood.

The heir of Lord of Qingzhou, Xieyue,

massed his troops 50 li outside Liangcheng.

Yu Ming is asking for aid.

What should we do about the situation?

I think

this is good news.

Liangcheng is a remote place.

Yu Ming massed an army to secure his position.

I think we shouldn't aid him.

It's best to let them fight each other.

I disagree with the plan.

By doing so,

we may weaken Yu Ming's influence,

but the people of Liangcheng will suffer greatly.

As far as I know,

Yu Ming's water canals

were built halfheartedly.

If they don't finish building the dam

before the spring tide,

Liangcheng might become flooded.

If we proceed with Minister Wang's plan,

both parties will suffer heavy losses.

What do you propose, Minister Qin?

I suggest

we send troops as reinforcements

and use this chance to retake Liangcheng.

Minister Qin,

who do you think is best suited for this task?

Your Lordship, Prince Yongping is here to see you.

Let him in.

Greetings, Father.

Long live Your Lordship.

At ease.

Are you here because of the trouble at Liangcheng?

Yes.

News travels fast.

What do you suggest?

I will go to Liangcheng

and resolve the situation.

How?

When I was at the Ministry of Work,

I studied how dams

were constructed.

I plan to build a dam

between the two cities

based on the terrain.

Please have a look.

Your Lordship,

if this dam is completed,

it can fend off an army of 100,000 strong.

It will also benefit the people. The feat will be sung for generations.

That is a sound plan, Your Highness.

However,

His Highness' action was inadequate.

The princes must not leave the capital or control garrison towns.

That was the rule set by the late lord.

Prince Yongping cares about the people of Yongzhou,

but perhaps

he has his own agenda.

From what I see,

all the land in this state belongs to Your Lordship.

Prince Yongping merely plans to build a dam.

What could he be after?

Prince Yongping worked at the Ministry of Work.

When there was a flood,

His Highness personally saw to the building of the drainage system.

His Highness' plan

is for the greater good of Yongzhou.

Send out my words.

Prince Yongping shall take 500 soldiers with him

and set out tomorrow morning.

I accept the order.

He's going to Liangcheng for flood control?

Yes.

Why would Prince Yongping go to that forsaken place?

To prevent the princes from dividing the lord's power,

the late lord of Yongzhou set a rule

that only allows the princes to rule from the capital.

But, His Lordship broke this rule

for Feng Lanxi

and gave him 500 soldiers.

That means

he alone has command over the troops in Liangcheng.

But still,

the cunning Feng Lanxi might not be a match

for the Military Commissioner

of Liangcheng

when it comes to military tactics.

(To Xiyun: The border between Qingzhou and Yongzhou could be flooded.)

(Everything is fine at home. Do not be worried. By Xieyue)

(Troops stationed at Liangcheng...)

(Trouble is brewing in Qingzhou.)

Xi.

Master.

You should be in bed.

Master, I must go to Liangcheng.

(Xi)

Go.

We will wait in the capital of Yongzhou.

Yes.

Miss Huan.

(Everlasting Prosperity and Peace) I didn't expect you to send me off.

His Highness has left for Liangcheng.

He won't be returning for quite some time.

His Highness especially delivered a letter to me

asking me to find an opportunity

to see you depart from away from the capital.

I know I've committed a grave mistake and deserved to be punished.

Yet, His Highness is still concerned.

I have never left the capital of Yongzhou before

from the day I entered the palace.

If I leave this time,

I won't know when I can return.

His Highness has arranged everything.

He said

you were Queen Yige's maidservant.

Naturally, he wouldn't let you suffer.

So he asked Fountain Abode

to buy a house in your hometown.

He also prepared a shop for you to make a living.

His Highness said

you were the one in charge

of the money in the residence.

You'll be able to manage this shop too.

You might never know

if His Highness will borrow money from you.

I'll take it

as managing the shop for His Highness, then.

He also said

you should live without restraint.

Don't ever meddle in other things anymore.

Otherwise,

he'll feel guilty toward you

and the late Queen Yige.

I understand.

May you have a safe journey.

Be safe always.

This way, please.

Your Highness.

Is everything ready?

Yes.

I told Miss Fengxi you had to leave

for an urgent matter.

Good.

Your Highness.

We were promised 500 elite soldiers.

They don't look elite at all.

These are riff-raff.

The crisis at Liangcheng is serious.

Who could have interfered

to set you up?

No one would dare to do it

without my father's permission.

His Lordship?

Why would he do this?

For two reasons.

He doesn't want to prevent war.

He wants to start one.

If Liangcheng is lost,

it will be a great opportunity to attack Qingzhou.

He'll have a reason to attack.

Secondly, my father is paranoid.

If he sent me the elite soldiers,

I might rebel against him.

Therefore,

he must weaken my military strength.

If you knew,

why would you agree to go?

Effort determines the outcome.

Black Foxy!

Miss Fengxi.

What brings you here?

I just sent Zhong Li to inform you.

You're fast.

If you could leave without a goodbye,

I could certainly sneak behind you.

You're here for me.

No.

I am going to Liangcheng.

Do you have work there?

It's a secret.

By the way,

are these your soldiers?

I sneaked in like an intruder,

but none was there to stop me.

They aren't my soldiers,

but they will be.

Liangcheng is at the border of Yongzhou and Qingzhou,

near the Nu River.

There aren't many farmlands,

but the plain is wide.

It's great as a training ground.

These soldiers

seem tardy,

but I can sense their strong will.

These people survived the battlefield.

Impressive.

You have keen eyes.

You saw through my intention.

But still,

how do you know so much about Liangcheng?

I was there years ago.

Let's be honest.

You know what I plan to do.

You said you didn't want to

get involved.

Who says I'm getting involved?

Your Highness.

Prince Yongping has left the capital.

Are you sure?

(Prince Yongping leads the Fountain Abode and the House of Jade.)

(Hei Fengxi is Feng Lanxi's secret identity.)

(Hei Fengxi is Feng Lanxi's secret identity.)

Your Highness, what's wrong?

Your Highness.

This is a serious matter.

Should we inform the Queen?

Not now.

I need time to think.

Feng Lanxi is Hei Fengxi of the Fountain Abode?

That's what Prince Ju's scout

tells us.

It's probably confirmed.

Feng Lanxi is beyond cunning and evil.

This is truly... terrifying.

Your Highness, if he is so powerful,

how should we deal with him?

That is good.

If I am worried,

so is His Lordship.

He wants to hide his trump card.

So, we must find a way

to expose it.

It's a downpour out here!

I'm totally drenched!

Fall back!

Forget about going to Liangcheng

in this heavy rain!

I quit!

I quit!

We quit!

I quit!

Take a break.

I quit!

I'm done!

I can't walk anymore!

I quit!

I quit!

We quit!

A bunch of instigators.

You are disobeying His Lordship's order!

What if we are?

I quit!

Yeah! We quit!

Stop!

Your Highness.

It's hard to march on muddy soil!

Lean on and support each other!

If you're tired,

lean on the rope and take a break!

Stand up.

Stand up.

Get up.

I'll lead the way!

Come, follow His Highness.

Let's go!

Push harder!

Well? Have you found anything in the capital of Yongzhou?

Feng Lanxi is Hei Fengxi of the Fountain Abode.

They are one of the same.

I thought the princes of Yongzhou were unworthy of my time,

unlike their father, the Lord of Yongzhou.

Mr. Lanxi is a man of poise and good deportment,

but he's never a threat.

But surprisingly, Feng Lanxi is Hei Fengxi.

It seems the fight over this land

will be even more interesting.

Indeed.

But if the Lord of Yongzhou finds out,

Mr. Feng might not survive his fury.

Wuyuan, with your help, the odds are in my favor.

I was told you had executed Grand Tutor Ran.

Yes.

I thought Jizhou would be free from internal struggles.

It seems there are still some people with ill intent.

Eliminating Grand Tutor Ran isn't enough.

Wuyuan, I need your help.

Why are you getting so impatient?

Princess Chunran of Youzhou is looking for a spouse.

I will use this chance for a marriage of state.

But, before I head for Youzhou,

I must take care of the trouble within Jizhou.

A wise decision.

Your Highness.

There is a ravine beyond this valley

where we can take shelter.

We will make camp

after we go over

the mountain pass!

Hang in there, everyone!

If you slow us down,

there will be no liquor for you!

Your Highness.

Are you sure you have enough liquor?

You can't get drunk during a march.

When we arrive in Liangcheng,

drink and eat heartily!

Yes!

Press on!

No.

The cliff is collapsing!

Run!

Run!

Hurry up!

Pick up the pace!

Hurry!

Hurry!

Hurry!

Hurry up!

Hurry!

Move!

Pick up the pace!

Hurry!

Let's go!

Pick up the pace!

- Pick up the pace! - Hurry!

Hurry!

Run!

Run!

Run!

Run!

- Run! - Watch out!

Run!

Go.

(Youzhou)

Your Highness,

I got news from the Royal Study.

Apart from Yongzhou,

other States have all replied.

They said

they would send their princes for the marriage proposal.

I see.

I also heard

that the heir of Lord of Jizhou, Huang Chao, will come too.

I heard he

is both educated and skilled.

He's touted as the cornerstone of Jizhou.

Some even claim

that should Dadong fall,

Huang Chao is most likely to be the new Emperor.

Your Highness, if you can tie the knot with him,

you might become the future empress consort.

Huang Chao?

If he's coming,

that changes everything.

How so?

Huang Chao wants the world.

If he's coming,

it's not for me.

It's for Youzhou.

If I pick a slightly disfavored husband,

I might have a chance to stay in Youzhou.

But if he's here,

even if Father wishes me to stay,

it will be difficult.

Why do you wish to stay in Youzhou, Your Highness?

The first ruler of Qingzhou was a queen.

Why can't I do the same here?

I have to try.

In that case, Huang Chao is not the best suitor.

I need a solution.

I heard that yesterday,

someone sent father a sarira as a tribute.

Indeed.

His Lordship rewarded the minister handsomely for it.

A sarira...

This is my chance.

Here. The bread is ready.

Come.

If His Highness

hadn't intervened, we would have been dead by now.

-Right. -Come on.

We owe our lives to him.

If he needs our help, just ask away.

Up the mountain or to the ocean,

we will not say no to it.

Definitely!

All of you were walking in the rain.

Please do not catch a cold.

His Highness has prepared this liquor

to warm you up.

- Thanks, Your Highness. - Thanks, Your Highness.

Also, His Highness

said that all of you were his first army

to escort him to Liangcheng.

This special bond is invaluable.

His Highness

will forever cherish everyone's contribution here.

A fine leader!

Give them liquor and meat.

Here.

Have some meat.

Come. Have some meat.

To be able to hear those chants,

your small injury is worth it.

I didn't give it much thought.

I just thought that morale was the important thing on this trip.

Besides,

if I'm to amass an army in Liangcheng,

they will be the backbone.

Naturally, I'll treat them with sincerity.

You look cunning

but you have a kind soul.

Shall I take it as a compliment?

Yes.

But don't get ahead of yourself.

All right.

You'll sleep here today.

I will sleep with them.

Sharing a night with your comrades is a good gesture

but your reverence will diminish as well.

When you command an army, you still need to comport yourself.

You know this too?

Aren't you injured?

If I ask you to leave,

I'll look like a pedantic person, won't I?

Stay then.

I've been in this martial arts world far too long for petty rules.

The bed is soft.

It sure feels cozy to sleep on it.

However, knowing your condition,

a soft bed will make you tired.

In that case...

I'll take the floor. You'll take the bed.

Exactly.

(This military trip is long and arduous.)

(But with you by my side,)

(it feels like the best days)

(in my life.)

(Yong)

Look!

So many ravens!

So many ravens!

So many ravens!

That is a bad sign.

Indeed.

An omen.

Bad luck.

Over there too.

What is that?

There are so many of them!

Will we ever reach the city?

So many!

Yes.

So many ravens.

This is a very bad sign.

Won't we even arrive at Liangcheng safely?

Enough. Don't jinx it.

Chuanyun,

inform His Highness.

Okay.

We can't go like this.

Exactly.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Why the ruckus?

A flock of ravens flew by.

The soldiers saw it

and thought it was a bad sign.

Ravens?

They prefer to dwell in the mountain or the woods.

The winter just ended so that means they are looking for food.

There are a lot of leftovers

from the bonfire we had last night.

That's why they came.

But this will dampen our morale.

After all, the raven is a sign of bad luck.

Not necessarily.

What do you mean, Miss Fengxi?

What you did yesterday won their heart

but you have yet to command their respect.

Now is your chance.

To command their respect?

Even in the past, before we do anything,

we seek a good sign first.

Revolutionaries like Chen Sheng and Wu Guang hid notes in the fish.

Liu Bang slaughtered a white snake.

And now, you have a flock of ravens.

Isn't this a good opportunity?

♪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♪