Original subtitles

[Episode 01]

[First Year of Tianqi*] *Chinese era name

[Wilderness - Far North]

Long, long ago, many unknown lands existed.

In those unknown lands [Demon Sect envoy, Tang]

were many unknown people. [Heaven Pillar Sect envoy, Qi Nian]

were many unknown people. [Know & Obey Monastery envoy, Ye Qing]

Ants and hawks belong to different worlds.

In hawks' eyes, ants are black dots.

But there are always a special few

struggling against fate for survival. [First Professor of Tang Academy, Li Manman]

This world is thus no longer the same.

This is the world of Heavenly God and King of Hades.

Legend says, every 1000 years, King of Hades launches Ever Night.

Eternal night approaches, enveloping all, freezing Earth.

Humankind can't survive.

Each sect sends Envoys to find traces of King of Hades.

[Dean of Tang Academy, Fu Zi]

[Fifteenth Year of Tianqi]

[Laozi: 'Treatise on Response of the Tao']

Ning Que, let's cut firewood.

[Ning Que]

Something's wrong. Go look.

Be careful!

It's a trap!

No good! Retreat toward the canyon!

Know who I am?

I'm the Shubi Lake woodcutter.

You're Shubi Lake woodcutter?

Loser! ('useless firewood')

Loser!

~ EVER NIGHT ~

[The Golden Horde]

The Golden Horde is between Tang Empire and the northern wilderness.

To improve ties with Tang, Golden Horde Chief made a marriage alliance with Tang two years ago.

Emperor of Tang married Princess Li Yu to their Chief.

[Princess of Tang, Li Yu]

Ban Xia.

Princess!

Ban Xia is willing to die for Princess.

In Tianqi 15th year, the Chief suddenly died.

Under a Golden Horde royal decree, Chief's wife must die with him.

You can't harm my Tang Empire princess!

[Ascetic, Lu Qingchen]

I'm late to save Princess.

Forgive me.

- Lu Qingchen. - Present.

Speed to Wei City.

Allow no error.

As you command.

[Wei City, Tang Empire]

General!

[Wei City Guard: Ma Shixiang]

Ning Que is back!

- It's Ning Que! - Ning Que

is finally back.

Ning Que...!

- You're finally back! - Great. - Ning Que!

Ning Que...!

[Sang Sang]

Why'd he return alone?

Young Master.

There were seven others.

Tell someone to bring them back.

Yes.

Where'd you get a big wild horse?

This dark horse is powerful and lightning fast.

- You're back. - I'm back.

That horse must eat a lot.

No kidding.

- Bro, give him more feed. - Alright.

- Ning Que, you're back? - Yep.

Young Master, you caught another lizard.

He's my brother,

alright?

- Hungry? - Mm. Noodles with scallions.

Okay. Thirty scallion slices.

What else?

Fried egg.

Okay!

Young Master, the water is heated. Hurry and bathe.

Little Brownie. I'll feed you egg tonight.

[Xiling Shrine]

Today's debate begins.

Please welcome Prince of Yan, Long Qing.

[Prince of Yan State, Long Qing]

Greetings, Prince Long Qing. [Princess of Yue Lun State, Lu Chenjia]

Please welcome Heaven Decree Academy dean, Grand Priest.

Greetings, Reverend.

Today's debate regards earthly ant kingdoms [Deputy Dean, Cheng Lixue]

and application of principles.

I once caught sight of countless flying ants. [Grand Priest]

Flying ants will fall eventually.

They never reach the sky.

But they don't fear sacrifice, and pile up to reach heaven.

Hawks don't fear ants. They don't qualify as food.

Through millenium, there'll always be a few special ants.

By chance, they lift their eyes from rotten leaves and broken shells to blue sky.

They change.

They fear because they see.

Have you experienced fear?

Run!

Bro!

- Go cultivate qi at Xiling. - No.

Only when strong enough, one can achieve one's goal.

This is your mother.

If I kill her now, how can you stop me?

Go to Xiling and be an ascetic.

That's the only way to truly protect Yan.

Protect those you love.

Have you ever feared anything?

Never.

Have you heard Eternal Night is nearing?

King of Hades's son will be born; Earth will freeze.

The world will end in eternal darkness.

Grand Priest, eternal night, so what?

Hades' Son, so what?

This is God's world.

If eternal night, there'll be a brighter light.

If there's a Son of Hades, a Son of Light will fight for God.

They fear because they see.

But I won't because I believe.

What belief?

I believe in light.

I believe this world will be full of light.

Light won't be extinguished.

Hao Tian (God) is everlasting.

Young Master, hurry up. The noodles are ready.

They should be eaten warm.

Has the big black horse eaten?

It eats too much.

I'll sell it tomorrow.

Who has final say?

Little maid talks of selling my horse.

Rebelling?

Careful, you might get sold.

Let me scrub your back.

Lean forward.

Long Qing, you completed studies.

How about joining my Light Palace Hall?

I thank you two priests for your kindness.

Getting into Light Palace Hall, closer to the light, would be my wish come true.

It's great you think that way.

If you want to stay in Xiling, you must pass tests from three departments. [Head of Justice Department, Luo Kedi]

Luo Kedi.

You're only Justice head,

yet dare to intervene in Light Palace Hall business.

With powerless eloquence,

do you plan to use your mouths to protect Xiling?

A sordid mob.

Though I stay in Serene Pavilion,

I won't let mad dogs like you bark in my Light Palace Hall.

Welcome, Priest Wu Ming. [Priest Wu Ming of Light Palace Hall]

[Priest Wu Ming of Light Palace Hall]

This student is good.

He should enter Light Palace Hall.

But—

Leader.

Long Qing is willing to face the three tests.

Thanks, Priest Wu Ming.

Good. Your courage is laudable.

Our Justice assignment this time is to locate Demon Sect headquarters.

I think Prince Long Qing won't disappoint priests' expectations.

He will enter the Hall openly.

Demon Sect are in the wild.

This journey will be perilous.

You're still willing to go?

Long Qing is certain.

[Wei City]

We're at Wei City.

Little Man, we'll be safe in Wei City.

General, Tang Princess Li Yu's maid is here to see you.

Princess?

Sang Sang, though you dislike my black stallion, I still brought your favourite.

- What? - Guess.

The best twice-steamed wine of Jiujiang.

- Is it good? - Mm.

- It's so good. - So drink more.

Don't let drunkards outside see.

We're over our budget for wine. Spend less.

So stingy.

Young Master, let's brush your hair.

Sang Sang, comb my hair straight or I'll shave my head tomorrow.

You'll also look good bald.

Shave your own head first.

Ning Que, come and drink.

General Ma.

General Ma.

Here I'm Ma Shixiang.

I'm Princess's maid, Mei Shu.

What's Princess want?

She wants to traverse Mount Min to the capital,

but crossing Mount Min is dangerous.

We need an experienced guide.

If Princess insists on crossing Mount Min to the capital,

I can send guards to escort you.

No. Princess will travel lightly.

We mustn't leave tracks.

The guide must be loyal and reliable.

Do you have suitable people?

People, oh!

Men!

Here!

Princess's maidservant said she needs a guide.

Go help her.

Yes! This way!

Maid Mei Shu takes her leave.

Please go on.

One princess, you can hold.

Two princesses, he can hold.

Three princesses, I can hold.

Me, too.

Sang Sang, is the wine warmed?

Coming!

Wine's gone.

Coming!

- Let's do it again. - C'mon...

I'm running.

- Sweating? - Yep.

Hurry up.

One princess, you can hold!

Two princesses, he can hold!

Three princesses, I can hold!

Drink it.

I'm holding it!

It's mine.

You held it often,

it's my turn.

Come on. Let me.

Are you here for fun?

You guys, let me hold it once.

Look at you! What resembles Tang soldiers?

You're a pack of hoodlums.

Who are you?

Coming in rudely.

When did Tang soldiers get a maid?

I... I'm not a maid.

I was picked up by Young Master from a pile of corpses.

He treats you as harshly as livestock.

Why still speak for him?

Do you plan to marry its owner?

Scoundrel!

How's my country have men like you?

Sure you won't marry its owner?

What's its owner like?

What business is it of yours?

Miss Mei Shu, he's the guide General Ma picked.

Ning Que.

Who's she?

Loser.

Whatever. Let's continue.

[Serene Pavilion in Xiling]

[Great Priest of Light, Wei Guangming]

Please go no further, Prince. Be careful of injunctions.

The light never dies, Heaven lasts forever.

Long Qing pays respects to Great Priest of Light.

You're the one whom Wu Ming calls Son of Light?

It is indeed Long Qing.

The Son of Hades will awaken soon.

Ever Night will be upon us.

Long Qing is willing to help restore Great Priest's name by seeking the Son of Hades

so you may leave this chamber sooner.

Your trip to the wilderness may be a turning point.

Go ahead.

Long Qing takes my leave.

Teacher, as Prince Long Qing is named Son of Light, he's our Temple of Light's hope.

Ever Night is upon us; how can there be light?

Go.

It's been 15 years.

Wei GuangMing has been locked in the chamber for 15 years. [Xiling Shrine Leader, Xiong Chumo]

Since Wei GuangMing was sentenced to life in the chamber, [Great Priest of Judgement, Mo Yu]

what worries Shrine Leader?

Long Qing went to the chamber today.

That young lad dared to enter the forbidden area!

We should teach that Son of Light a lesson.

He needs to be clear who is the real owner of Xiling Shrine.

Great Priest of Judgement, you're wrong.

The owner of Xiling Shrine is Heaven.

You and I are both servants of Heaven.

Anyone who goes against Heaven will be punished!

[Wei City Barracks]

- Ning Que, the General awaits you. - Got it.

- You're back. - You're back.

You're back, Ning Que.

Boss, I'm here.

Get out!

Reporting to General Ma.

Soldier of Wei City Army, Ning Que, is here on your orders.

Get in here.

This kid got more thick-skinned.

On General's order, this soldier is ready to give up his life.

Why will I bother to save face?

I heard the Academy replied.

Due to the army's recommendation, you finally get a chance to attend the Academy.

The reply arrived, but whether you can get in depends on your luck.

Where's the reply?

You're really lucky.

As it happens, a helpful person is returning to the capital.

I arranged for you to go with her.

On the way, you two can watch out for each other.

I'm not going.

This says Academy exams are in 2 months' time.

I don't want to go so early.

Will you listen to my command?

I want you to go tomorrow. You must!

Old Ma, I can't bear to leave you.

In the past, you saved Sang Sang and me from wolves.

How can I leave just like that?

Tell me the truth.

What are your thoughts?

I don't want to die.

You? Even if everyone dies, you'll still be alive.

I humbled myself and begged them to take you along.

I told them you can be their guide, so they agreed.

Think. You'll get free food and drink and reach the capital without spending a dime.

Isn't that great?

Don't waste effort.

I just don't want to die.

Ning Que, how can I bear to let you die?

[Wei City Border Army Barracks]

Old Ma.

- Have you seen their carriage? - What about it?

It has marks from knives and arrows. This shows the carriage was attacked previously.

Furthermore, Great Khan of Golden Horde just died.

- That servant girl has fair skin. - Hold on.

The carriage was attacked.

Great Khan just died.

The servant girl has fair skin.

Fair skin. What...what's that mean? What's the link?

Old Ma, you're ignorant or pretending?

- I don't know. - Think.

Tang has only 1 princess; 2 years ago, she married into Golden Horde on Great Plain.

Her husband died recently, so she's fleeing back to Tang.

You said she's helpful.

That servant girl is full of lies.

Still can't tell whom she is?

Shut up!

Even if Tang's culture is liberal, it doesn't mean you can be disrespectful here.

What kind of person is Princess?

People love and respect her and she's known to be virtuous.

- It must've been bandits. - Impossible.

I'm familiar with bandits' methods.

Golden Horde soldiers.

Old Ma, think.

How'd they dare to openly kill Tang Princess?

Won't the new Khan be fearful the Emperor will wipe them out in fury?

Tang is a military country.

Despite Yan to the north, Jin to the south and Yue Lun to the west,

who dares to be foes of Tang?

Seems like

someone is out to harm Princess.

So who do you think it is?

Someone in the Palace.

Since they made their move, they won't give up easily.

As long as Princess is alive, this journey will be fraught with deadly battles.

That's why, Old Ma,

isn't your wanting me to go

like sending a lamb to slaughter?

It's better to let me stay here as Woodcutter of Shubi Lake to 'cut wood' a few more years.

Didn't you want to attend the Academy for Cultivation (of qi)?

Well, that carriage has a Cultivator who attained upper Mystery Knowledge.

Lu Qingchen.

You'd know him, right?

A Cultivator who attained upper Mystery Knowledge.

I'll go.

[Ever Night]

~Hey, I can only say sorry~

~You, who has forgotten time, look a little lost~

~In front of me, yet faraway~

~Time blinks by~

~Take it easy~

~Life is still the same~

~Hey, let me change the ending~

~Yet covering it all is only for a short while~

~Don't obsess or say sorry~

~Loser just treats winner~

~Better not meet rather than cry on parting~

~Night is long and dark~

~Don't leave regrets~

~I've seen right, wrong, gratitude, grudges, words, acts~

~I risk danger, desperate for you~

~Umbrella in old Chang'an~

~Night nears, talismans burn~

~Fight till all is gone in chaos and darkness~

~See us blaze through darkness, changing Heaven and Earth~

~Spur the horses forward~

~Geese fly south before snow~

~Get drunk at a warm coast~

~Under slashes of the sword, we love each other still~

~Under slashes of the sword, we love each other still~