Original subtitles

=A Puppetry=

=Episode 1=

(Legend has it)

(that those who master a Flesh Puppet)

(can obtain the Book of Yuji and rule the world with it.)

(Song Keyang, a manga artist) (This long-lost art)

(is closely associated with Liu Xiaoxiao,)

(an apprentice from the Chen Theater Troupe.)

(However, Liu Xiaoxiao's past)

(is the subject of many debates.)

Your dumplings.

You are a musician?

Yes.

(Song Keyang, Wandering musician)

Do you have a troupe?

No.

Then,

are you looking for one?

I can help you.

It'll be a reliable troupe, I assure you.

The sky is starry but the moon is gloomy.

The world is full of lives but justice does not prevail.

In the mortal martial arts world,

the vainglorious pursuit

is but a dream.

Until Master arrived at the Ruins of All Endings...

(Liu Xiaoxiao, Chen Theater Troupe's Apprentice) Why are you waving the puppet about?

And he found an Immortal Herb.

He took a careful look.

- It's none of your business! - It's none of your business!

The Immortal Herb

can infuse Yuji

with mystic energy.

Applause!

Bravo!

The Master bathed Yuji

with the Immortal Herb.

The herb

nourished Yuji with its power.

For days and nights,

days and nights,

days and nights.

And then?

One day,

Yuji

came back alive.

Yuji was so moved

and she threw herself into the Master's arms with teary eyes.

She swore to marry him.

I beg to differ.

My Master has told me

this story

more than a hundred times.

What happened was

the Master wanted to kill Yuji.

The Celestial Emperor sacrificed part of his life

to keep Yuji alive.

Here.

Silence, please.

Miss.

You sound like

you know the origin of this story

very well.

Decently well.

I'll give you the stage today.

Why don't you

go tell us the story?

(I'm glad you asked.)

(Recruitment)

Chen Theater Troupe?

Exactly.

Lin'An and its spectacles,

Chenmen and its puppets.

If puppetry is your thing, you should join Chen Theater Troupe.

They are in the town beside, the Chenmen Town.

You'll be popular once you join them.

♪In a night, the fallen petals adorn the floor♪

(Puppetry, or Puppet Show, in which performers acted with their puppets,)

(is usually characterized by brisk and swift character movements.)

♪They say all things have a soul♪

♪Why am I traveling alone?♪

(Unbeknownst)

(to Liu Xiaoxiao,)

(an accident)

(awaited.)

Liu Xiaoxiao!

Liu Xiaoxiao!

It's the Eldest Martial Brother.

Oh, no.

(Mai Prefectural Theater, Southern Song)

♪The ancient lyrics sang about departures♪

♪Who is bringing up the sealed memory?♪

♪Lost in the drawing, I'm part of the story♪

♪The sky turns misty and my eyes glassy♪

Mister.

Let me hide in here.

Thank you.

You can't do that.

Let me hide in here.

Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao.

Come out now.

Come out.

Why come find me this soon?

You think we want to be here?

(Chen Youyao, the daft Second Martial Brother)

(Chen Youhe, the know-it-all Third Martial Brother) If it weren't because Master

and the Eldest Martial Brother worry about you,

I wouldn't come to find you.

Xiaoxiao,

come back with us already.

When you went missing,

I waited for four hours

before telling anyone.

You have had your fun.

Third Martial Brother!

(Chen Youhai, the strict Eldest Martial Brother)

Enough already.

Eldest Martial Brother.

Eldest Martial Brother.

I bought you

your favorite green bean cakes.

Come.

Let's go home.

Come.

I'm so sorry.

My martial sister can be mischievous.

Sorry for the trouble.

As expected from the Chen Theater Troupe.

All of its members

are handsome.

They

are the Chen Theater Troupe?

Yes.

If you join them,

you'll be popular!

(Yes!)

(Chen Residence)

You are irreverent.

Master!

Don't hit me, please.

You'll never learn if I don't spank you.

I know you're too kind to spank me.

You're the best master there is!

I indulged you too much.

That's why you're spoiled.

(Chen Shide,) You know nothing

(the scary but soft-hearted troupe leader) except for

barging in and performing in front of anyone else.

That's why

I never let you perform. You'll make a fool of yourself.

I didn't do anything.

My play is captivating.

You'll kneel here today

and practice your techniques.

You will not go anywhere.

For the performance on the ship tonight,

Troupe Leader Chen and our seniors will perform.

I heard it will be an amazing performance.

Everyone is busy.

Bravo!

(One day,)

(all of you will)

(watch my puppet show.)

(I will make a name for myself.)

Madam,

any dumplings left?

One last portion.

One portion it is.

Okay.

After I fill my tummy,

I'll continue to travel.

Oh, no.

Where's my purse?

Master.

Seniors.

Are you inside?

Master?

The sky is starry but the moon is gloomy.

The world is full of lives but justice does not prevail.

In the mortal martial arts world,

the vainglorious pursuit

is but a dream.

Bravo!

Until Master arrived at the Ruins of All Endings...

And he found an Immortal Herb.

And then,

a slap.

He took a careful look.

(Why is it happening again?)

♪The dusk outside the window is spreading♪

♪The lanterns light up with anticipation♪

♪The sea of lights illuminates the entire theater♪

♪The galaxy sprawls across the sky♪

♪The moon shows itself♪

♪Gazing at the myriad lives♪

♪The bell chimes and the lady dances♪

♪Her movements are mysterious and graceful♪

♪A woman can solicit cheers and applause too♪

♪Chatters fill the well-lit hall♪

♪Holding a red candle by the stage♪

♪Witnessing the blooming and wilting, oh, the freedom♪

♪The theater welcomes you♪