Original subtitles

♪ Your silhouette in the twilight's glow ♪

♪ Awakens like snow, delicate and cold ♪

♪ Within your gaze, countless destinies intertwine ♪

♪ A lifetime, a world of illusion of just one person ♪

♪ As moonlight shimmers ♪

♪ Falling petals rest in my palm, it's your sacred promise ♪

♪ Cultivating amidst the fleeting time of this mortal world ♪

♪ To be as one, inseparable, like a shadow in rhyme ♪

♪ Grant me a lifetime of enchanting sights ♪

♪ I defy fate, turning it around ♪

♪ Fearless of heavenly decree ♪

♪ It is the courage that blooms for you, profound ♪

♪ Unafraid of the destined trials ♪

♪ I only wish to make a vow with you ♪

♪ Like our initial encounter etched deep within my heart ♪

=The Longest Promise= (Adapted from "Zhu Yan" by Cang Yue)

=The Longest Promise= (Adapted from "Zhu Yan" by Cang Yue)

=The Longest Promise= =Episode 3=

Could it be that she's your...

Who am I to him?

Kill her quickly!

So, you weren't after my life.

Watch out!

Seek High Priest of Grand Preceptor!

Hurry!

Okay!

Lord!

You can talk?

Doesn't that mean

he has heard everything I said just now?

Be careful!

It's Xueying's dance dress!

It's Xueying's dance dress!

It's Xueying's dance dress!

Reinforcements are here! Retreat!

Why are you still here?

I...

I still have questions for you.

Lord Immortal Official.

Where am I?

(What a nice smell.)

It's the smell of Snowy Rosa.

Lord Immortal Official...

Where did he go?

Your Supreme Majesty,

the assailants have left.

You still have to

take your medicine, right?

It's an Ice Clan magic technique.

Search the area.

See if any of them are still here.

Yes.

So, you're here.

Lord Immortal Official,

hurry and bring me out!

Don't tell me

you're just an illusion?

We were lucky that you were here today.

We were able to prevent a calamity.

If it's anyone else,

I'm sure no one can stand its power.

The Ice Clan has never gotten a chance

to step into Kongsang

ever since they were banished.

Why did they suddenly

invade the Emperor Valley today?

If they're seeking for treasures,

the only treasure here

will be the legendary Ring of Houtu.

It is odd.

Although Heavenly Divine Ring

has the power to destroy the world

and the Ring of Houtu has the power to protect Kongsang,

only the chosen ones

can wield them.

They're useless to both of us,

not to mention the Ice Clan.

If they invaded us

in order to acquire the Ring of Houtu,

it wouldn't make any sense.

Even though I've been in the Emperor Valley for many years,

I still haven't found out

where exactly the Ring of Houtu is.

I have no idea.

Could it be that the Ice Clan

knows where it is?

But at least one thing

is confirmed.

Not many people know about

the period when Jiuyi Mountain is unguarded.

The Ice Clan can never figure that out

by themselves.

Your Supreme Majesty, according to you,

there must be an important figure in Kongsang

who's acting as their spy.

The State of Kongsang has prospered

for over 7,000 years.

The Menghua Dynasty may seem peaceful and prosperous,

in reality, it's rotten to the core.

The Six Ministries

fight for power and wealth.

Even if one of them

is colluding with the Ice Clan,

I wouldn't be surprised about it.

We must keep this a secret.

Do not let anyone else find out.

I know.

It's an illusion. This must be it.

Someone new has arrived at the valley.

It's not the Ice Clan.

Have you met anyone else?

No.

You have your reasons

for trapping me here.

I'll just wait here.

(For some reason, )

(you feel endearing to me)

(even though it's our first encounter.)

Both you and he

have the same widow's peak.

What's the matter?

Ying,

do you still remember the tale of calamity

five years ago?

Your Supreme Majesty, if you're suspicious of me,

you can do an investigation.

Many people have joined

the ministries lately.

There's an overabundance of women within the Six Ministries.

I'm being paranoid

for your sake.

Your Supreme Majesty,

I detect no signs of the Ice Clan nearby.

We've already expanded our scope of search.

Search thoroughly.

Do not let anyone get away.

Yes, sir.

Eyelashes.

Why do they look

just like Crown Prince's eyelashes?

How are you moving?

Aren't you an illusion?

Just now...

-What you saw just now -Just now...

was just an illusion.

The person you touched was just an illusion too.

Actually,

I just wanted to ask

that how did you do that?

How did you hide me away

in an instant?

You don't need to know.

However,

how did you know

that I touched you?

Enough.

Do not mention that again.

No way.

I need to explain myself

to you.

I'm not

a casual girl.

It's all because

that illusion

looked just like you.

I couldn't tell the difference.

I...

Anyway,

I wouldn't dare to do so

if it was the real one.

Enough. Stop it already.

Anyway, no matter what I say

or do,

I'm sure you can see through them.

You're amazing indeed.

I have a question.

Since this plant

can revive withered plants,

can it revive the dead too?

It's the same for you

no matter if I tell you or not.

It's because what happened today

will be just a dream to you.

No!

Lord, don't tell me

you're going to erase my memories?

Why are you hiding your forehead?

Do you think I need to cast a spell on your forehead

to erase your memories?

Where is it then?

It's your forehead.

What?

You lied to me!

(It's been tough on you.)

Are you done with just

erasing her memories?

Don't forget,

she's destined to bring calamity to you.

She's just a girl who wandered

into the valley by accident.

What?

By accident?

Did you forget about the prophecy?

You and I have been living in seclusion

within the valley for eons.

But now, everything is ruined.

Not everything.

Before I was 18,

every girl I met

was destined to bring calamity to me.

She's a reckless person.

We're merely strangers.

And, she would never do anything

that was related to me.

It's impossible for us to encounter each other in the future.

So,

don't you worry.

I've spent

a long time with you.

You've never been visibly moved.

But you broke the rule right after encountering her.

I'm sure she's...

Don't spout nonsense.

You have gone soft.

(Initially, it would've worked out)

(if the puppet died on your behalf.)

However, the convergence of three coincidences

has become a calamity for you.

If you meet this girl

before you become 18,

you'll die in her hands in the future.

You have to be wary of her.

When we head to the Emperor Valley

to steal the Ring of Houtu,

the place wasn't unguarded, unlike what you'd said.

We encountered tough adversaries instead.

We returned empty-handed.

Tough adversaries?

He lived at the bottom of the Emperor Valley.

He's a youth that has tremendous magical power

even before reaching 20 years old.

His cultivation

might even be stronger than the Four Grand Marshals.

There was a girl too.

However, the girl

seems ordinary.

It seemed like she wandered into the valley by accident.

Who will she be?

Azure King, I'm here to tell you

that you need to verify your source

before you deliver the news to us.

This is my negligence.

However, I promise you

that I'll definitely verify my sources in the future.

I'm just curious

as to why the sage sent you

to steal the Ring of Houtu.

What is he

up to?

Laymen like you need not fret upon

the motives of our sage.

This will not affect

your profits in any way.

Please stop asking questions.

Check that place out.

Who's there?

Your Lordship, please spare us!

There's a bunch of

unknown crooks on the Mountain.

We've repelled them.

We're here to search for

those who have gotten away.

Your Lordship, have you seen or heard

anything suspicious?

No.

All right.

If so, we will stop interrupting you, Your Lordship.

Don't worry.

Since I'm joining hands

with the sage,

I'll watch his back.

I won't let expose your location.

Pardon me,

but I don't see the need

for you to join hands with our Ice Clan.

You don't need to second-guess me.

I'm joining hands with another strong faction

just in case anything happens.

Young Lady, you're awake.

What's with my getup?

Did I fall asleep?

Yufei,

what happened yesterday?

Young Lady, you're actually asking me that?

You drugged me

and went somewhere

last night.

I feel so giddy.

My hands...

Shouldn't I be

at the Emperor Valley last night?

Princess, it's not worth it for you to risk your life

for some firefly powder.

The firefly powder is just an excuse.

The Star Gazer

is mine now.

The legendary Ring of Houtu

was hidden within the Emperor Valley.

However, no one knows where it's.

If I can find it,

I'll be able to ascend

the throne of the empress for sure.

(Pavilion of Books, Jiuyi Mountain)

(The name list of all noble ladies in Kongsang)

(is kept within this library.)

(We'll know if the princess of)

(the Crimson Clan is a harbinger of doom)

(by checking her background.)

(Zhu Yan of the Crimson Clan, )

(born on the third year, Month of the Cicada, on the 7th.)

(Luckily, she's not it.)

(I was being paranoid.)

Shiying!

Shiying!

Shiying!

This is great.

I've checked the Elixir Book.

The princess of the Crimson Clan was born in the Month of Yang.

She's not

your harbinger of doom.

I know that.

Is that all?

That can't be.

You've escaped

a calamity, you know?

Don't you think you should celebrate the occasion?

Look at you.

You spend your time at the bottom of the valley all day long.

On your left face, it says "boring".

On your right, it says "uninteresting".

On your forehead, it says "zombie".

After thinking about it,

although that young girl

was pretty rude and reckless,

she was good with jokes.

Since she's not

your harbinger of doom,

why don't I capture her

so that she can tell you jokes?

I just pray for divine justice

and powerful skills,

so that I could uphold justice for my mother

when I grow up and return

to Jialan.

How am I boring?

Stop talking about

those ridiculous stuff.

You're just too stubborn to admit it.

Back then,

when Emperor Xingzun saw Bai Wei,

his expression

was just like yours

when you saw that young girl...

Please return to the valley entrance

and stay devoted to your post.

A stranger has entered the valley.

However, it's not a martial artist.

Don't tell me it's that young girl again?

Ying.

Since you don't want to see her again,

I shall...

Up to you.

Ring of Houtu, please bless me

so that I can fulfill my wish soon.

I want my mother

to rest in peace in the underworld.

This girl

is not as interesting as the last one.

However,

she's fair and young too.

Why don't I

gobble her up?

Chong Ming,

don't do so.

She should be my cousin.

She's not the one in the prophecy.

You don't need to kill her.

Everyone says that the Emperor Valley is a treacherous place.

But now, all these princesses

are visiting us in turn.

It's as if I serve no function

as the guardian bird.

So,

are you going to erase her memories

and let her go?

I've never received news about Mother

ever since I left the palace.

I guess this Princess of the White Clan

should know about my mother's condition.

Chong Ming, I wish to ask her about it.

Since you're the princess of the White Clan,

have you seen Madam Bai Yan lately?

She was trapped

within Kunyuan Palace.

His Majesty has forbidden anyone

to visit her within five years.

If so...

If so,

do you know how she's been doing lately?

It's been some time since I last saw her.

I do not know how she's doing.

Really?

I heard that it was

tough for her.

The palace servants do not send her food from time to time.

Even when she's sick,

there's no extra blanket for her to use.

That's nonsense.

Mother is the empress of the nation.

Why would His Majesty do this to her?

This is...

Chong Ming, send her back.

I'll look for High Priest of Grand Preceptor.

I cannot let my mother

suffer like that.

(Zuowang Palace, Jiuyi Mountain)

Your Supreme Majesty!

Your Supreme Majesty!

Your Supreme Majesty!

I don't care. I'm heading to Jialan.

Ying,

where are you going?

Your Supreme Majesty,

do you know the kind of life

my mother is leading right now?

Ying,

you don't need to go.

I just came back from Jialan.

Your mother...

She has already passed away.

Your Supreme Majesty,

you must be kidding me.

Why would Mother suddenly...

She committed suicide by swallowing charcoals.

She committed suicide?

That's impossible!

That's impossible!

That's impossible! What are you saying?

That's impossible!

What happened?

Ying.

What happened?

Listen to me.

When I was there,

she could no longer speak.

She told me to pass this letter

to you.

(Mother, )

(I miss you very much.)

(I will definitely bring you back)

(when I'm 18 years old.)

Your dinner is here.

Leave it over there.

Your Majesty,

what's wrong with your voice?

It's...

It's nothing.

Ying sent me this.

The Bell of Cleansing.

You actually mastered a powerful skill

like that

within five years of training in Jiuyi Mountain?

You didn't disappoint me indeed.

But Ying,

you should

stop being concerned about me.

It's too risky.

They'll trace you down

and find out that you're still alive.

I want you to stay safe.

But my life

is the biggest threat

to yours.

(Consort Qing, )

(it seems like)

(the Empress has recovered her voice.)

Is that so?

I wonder who treated her?

I need to find out

and tell the Emperor.

(Ying, )

(I did everything)

(so that you could live peacefully)

(in Jiuyi Mountain.)

(I don't need you to avenge me.)

(It's because there's no one)

(for me to hate.)

(Ying, it's not worth it for you to hate them too.)

(You're born a noble.)

(Do not be consumed by your temporary emotions)

(and bring yourself to ruins.)

(When you master everything in the future, )

(you can protect all living beings with your power.)

(That's my wish as well.)

Ying,

you must avenge her.

It's all because of me.

So, I was the cause

of my mother's demise.

No.

Ying,

it's not your fault.

It's the fault of those people

who landed you and your mother

in such a plight.

No.

It's me.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

Ying.

It's all my fault.

Go to hell.

It's all my fault.

Go to hell.

Go to hell.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

You're actually powerful enough

to move the celestial phenomena

with your thoughts?

Go to hell.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

Ying,

calm down.

Calm down.

It's all my fault.

Control your state of mind.

The rich and powerful figures within the Six Ministries

have hidden many martial arts experts in the mountain.

If you cannot control

your state of mind

and they find out that you faked your death,

all of your mother's effort

will be in vain.

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Ying.

If I can exchange my life

for Bai Yan's,

I will do so without hesitating.

This is her own choice.

From now on,

only you and I are left.

Our servant said you ran off somewhere last night.

They found you unconscious in the courtyard.

Tell me.

What did you do last night?

I just wanted to take a walk before sleeping.

But I got absent-minded

and I didn't know where I went.

I didn't know why I fell unconscious too.

I don't remember

what happened last night.

As the princess of the White Clan,

how could you

act so recklessly?

If Azure King hears about this,

he'll use this as his excuse

to cancel the wedding with you again.

Father, if that's how you think about me,

I have no need to defend myself.

When Prince Shi Yu

are observing the ceremony from the mountains,

please allow me

to do what I do best

and approach him

so that I can reduce your burden.

You!

Your Lordship,

this is an emergency carrier pigeon from Jialan.

All of you may leave.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Father, what's on your mind?

I'm willing to share your burden with you.

Bai Yan is gone.

It's said that she committed suicide by swallowing charcoals.

I think she couldn't endure the suffering in Cold Palace.

But His Majesty didn't hold a funeral or send her body into the mausoleum.

When did Aunt Bai Yan pass away?

Last night, at the hour of Zi.

(Maybe aunt's death)

(was somehow related to my behaviors.)

I understand now.

It was at the hour of Zi when I became

absent-minded

and fell unconscious.

I guess I predicted

aunt's death.

Right before it happened,

I always spent time with her in the palace.

She always praised me for being intelligent

and that I would lead a prosperous life.

She said I had the look of an Empress.

And, I actually sensed that she was going to pass away.

I guess

this must be fate.

(Although Xuelu came from a poor background, )

(she's much better at scheming)

(than Xueying.)

(Maybe she could)

(become the Crown Princess.)

Xuelu, get up.

Someone.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Tell the kitchen to prepare some bird's nest soup

for Princess Xuelu.

Yes, Your Lordship.

Father...

I am heading to the Chamber of Council now.

Xuelu, it's been tough on you.

Have some bird's nest soup.

The selection of the next Empress

is directly related

to the survival of the White Clan.

Xueying's personality

is too soft.

Xuelu,

in my opinion,

you're my best candidate.

Father, thank you for regarding me highly.

Ying,

get up.

I'm sure your mother

doesn't want to see you

in this dejected state.

It's all because I tried to be witty.

I sent Mother the Bell of Cleansing.

That's how she died.

It's all my fault.

You better sober up.

Your mother wrote that in the letter

because she wanted you to be safe.

But as her son,

you should know what you can do

for your mother, who died

a wrongful death.

You better listen closely.

When you become 18

and the prophecy is over,

you may leave the valley.

By then,

I shall confer you the title of Priest of Grand Preceptor.

Over time,

when your cultivation

has reached its peak,

you may remove your clergyman outfit,

return to Jialan, and take back your throne.

You have to make sure

the culprits of your mother's death

suffer the humiliation

she did,

and take back everything

she has lost.

You hear me?

Take everything back?

Mother died because of me.

It's all my fault.

Mother died because of me.

What gives me the right to do so?

What gives me the right to do so?

What gives me the right to do so?

What gives me the right to do so?

(Judging from Ying's mental state, )

(it seems like we can only take it slowly.)

Ying,

in an hour,

the Six Clans will hold a discussion in the hall

to decide

how to handle your mother's body.

You should join it.

I've received

the donation of you all.

Now, I will read out

the allotment of empresses from previous dynasties.

For Emperor Xingzun,

3,000 goats, 3,000 cows,

3,000 oriental pearls,

600kg of lapis lazuli,

6,000 liters of rose wine,

10 dan of millennium tea leaves,

and 1,000 night lanterns.

For the late empress, Bai Yan deserves...

High Priest of Grand Preceptor,

did I hear wrongly?

Why does Bai Yan deserve

what an empress deserves?

Although Bai Yan was removed from her post,

her name was still

included in the Book of Elixir.

She will be revered by the future generations, just like the others.

It's not unreasonable

for her to be included.

I beg to differ.

Bai Yan swallowed charcoals and committed suicide

for fear of punishment.

His Majesty only buried her

in a random corner in Jialan

instead of the Emperor Valley.

It's obvious that His Majesty

doesn't want to acknowledge her as his empress.

We only worship virtuous figures

during our rites.

Even the Emperor Valley

has no place for Bai Yan.

How could we include her

in the funeral rites?

Guys, what do you think?

Azure King, you have a point.

Since she's a sinner

who's detested by His Majesty,

we mustn't treat her with such respect.

White King,

what about you?

She's a sinner.

Naturally, she doesn't deserve it.

But this...

Enough.

Only priests and clergymen

are located in Jiuyi Mountain.

It's common for them

to be ignorant about the changes in the court.

High Priest of Grand Preceptor, you can follow our ancestral rules

and remove her name.

Divine servant,

get me a brush.

You may leave.

Continue.

For Emperor Yunqi,

1,000 goats, 1,000 cows,

600kg of lapis lazuli,

6000 liters of rose wine,

and 100 night lanterns.

(Ying, )

(today I show you)

(how cruel this world is.)

(You will understand)

(my intention sooner or later.)

Crown Prince, stop.

(As the saying goes, spare the rod, spoil the child.)

(It's all because the Empress was too conceited.)

(Even the Emperor Valley)

(has no place for Bai Yan.)

(How could we include her)

(in the funeral rites?)

(I just want you to stay safe.)

(But my life)

(is the biggest threat)

(to yours.)

You told me to protect all living beings.

But are you seeing this?

This unlawful world

and these heartless scums

don't deserve

your pity and forgiveness.

I will avenge you!

Shi Ying!

Shi Ying, what's the matter?

Scram!

♪ How fateful was our encounter ♪

♪ How tragic, destined by fate's decree ♪

♪ How fragile, like glass and snow's embrace ♪

♪ Love and hate entwined, indistinguishable ♪

♪ How prophetic, a single word spoken ♪

♪ How transient, the rise and fall of destiny ♪

♪ How balanced, each sip and bite, no debts owed ♪

♪ Tears well in eyes with jade-like brows ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Securing my path, thousands of miles long ♪

♪ Never apart from you ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Even if our hearts and guts are torn apart ♪

♪ Our gazes forever intertwined ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Securing my path, thousands of miles long ♪

♪ Never apart from your side ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Even if our hearts and guts are torn apart ♪

♪ Our gazes forever intertwined ♪

♪ How fateful was our encounter ♪

♪ How tragic, destined by fate's decree ♪