Original subtitles

♪The evening breeze kisses my brows♪

♪Allows a cloud to stay for me♪

♪After a long time, I still keep looking back♪

♪The sleepless universe accompanies me as I sleepwalk♪

♪How can we stay together in a mirage♪

♪A vast desert, with no oasis in sight♪

♪Time takes away the eternity I promised♪

♪Who can have your gentleness♪

♪Who still stays there♪

♪Finally, I silently endure but cannot be saved♪

♪The sorrow of the world turns into stars♪

♪Flowing over a few hills with the moonlight♪

♪I wish to follow behind you until we grow old♪

♪I will silently wait♪

=Everlasting Longing=

(The world remains unsettled.)

(Wars between nations rage on.)

(Xixiang, Beixuan, Yannan) (There are three nations.)

(Beixuan is known for its valor in battle,)

(but its Five Clans, Xuan, Xi, Luo, Sun, and Su,)

(act independently,)

(embroiled in constant strife.)

(Electing a Wolf Lord is urgent.)

(With its flourishing commerce,)

(Yannan is barely able to contend with Beixuan.)

(Weapons designed by Yannan's Jun family)

(are key to national defense.)

(Ten-Arrow Crossbow Blueprint)

(Father, rest assured.)

(I'll fulfill my duty as Baigong's heir,)

(protecting both Yannan and the Jun family.)

(Jun)

(Xuan Shu, Leader of Beixuan's Xuan Clan,)

(was killed by a weapon crafted by Baigong's heir.)

(His son, Xuan Lie, investigated for years)

(and finally found out Baigong's heir)

(is Jun Feifan, eldest son of Yannan's Jun family.)

=Episode 1=

(Jun Qiluo, eldest daughter of the first family branch, Yannan)

Father,

have you found the black iron crystal?

(Jun Chengliu, head of the first branch) We've searched all over Yannan.

There's still no news.

Tomorrow, our trade caravan will head to Xixiang.

I can use this chance to search for them there.

I won't allow you to go.

Father.

You'll need to pass through the Uncontrollable,

which borders Beixuan and is full of bandits.

Right now, Beixuan's Five Clans are competing for the Wolf Lord.

The border is in chaos.

I worry that if anything happens...

Father,

I can defer to you on routine escort matters.

But the black iron crystal is crucial for improving the crossbow.

Once Beixuan elects its Wolf Lord,

their next move will be to attack Yannan.

If we can't find the black iron crystal before then

and solve the crossbow's wear-and-tear issue,

I fear the King will hold us accountable.

So, I must go and try,

even if it's Beixuan,

let alone Xixiang.

You...

Father.

Listen to my advice.

Return to your identity as a girl.

Stop taking such risks.

Father,

even if I return to being a girl,

I'll still need to design weapons as Baigong's heir

for the King.

Our ancestral rule doesn't allow women to lead the family.

Are you willing to hand over the family legacy

to the second branch?

I guarantee that within a year,

Jun Yujue will squander the family fortune,

which has accumulated over decades.

Moreover, since I was seven, I've made this decision.

Unless a better heir appears in the family,

I will remain Jun Feifan for life.

You caught me again.

(Jun Jiangjuan, youngest daughter) You always use the same tricks.

Try something different.

What do you need?

(Noble Characters)

I heard Father wants you to return to being a girl

and marry Qimin.

Did you agree?

Just a stalling tactic.

I knew it. How could you agree?

Qimin is great,

and he follows your every word,

but I always feel you two aren't the same type of people.

Don't you agree, Xiukun?

Qimin is the only outsider

who has earned Feifan's trust over the years

(Jun Xiukun, second daughter) and knows her identity.

I think he's the best choice.

Feifan has expanded the family business

to 80 shops across Yannan

and created a joint capital management system,

leading Yannan's people toward prosperity.

How could any ordinary man be her match?

If Feifan truly returns to being a girl and getting married,

her match must be an exceptional man.

I don't need a man.

My greatest wish in this life

is to protect the family,

you two,

and Father.

Tomorrow, I'll travel to Xixiang for trade.

Xiukun,

you have the best embroidery skills among us three.

Keep an eye on the embroiderers of Gold Embroidery

and Brocade Embroidery.

Jiangjuan,

you're full of clever ideas.

While I'm away,

cheer up Father often,

and help Uncle Ling manage the shops.

If anything happens at the jewelry store,

inform Father immediately.

Feifan, when will you return?

I'll be back before the business conference.

Father,

while I'm gone,

if the second branch

stirs up trouble again,

you must punish them severely.

Don't be lenient or indulgent.

With me here, they can't do anything.

This journey is dangerous.

Be extremely careful.

Father, don't worry.

It's not my first trip to Xixiang.

Young Master, all goods have been checked.

Father, we're leaving.

Alright.

Qimin, keep Feifan safe.

(Shao Qimin, guard) Rest assured.

I'll protect the young master with my life

and ensure her safe return.

- You... - Feifan.

For some reason,

I feel uneasy today.

Take this sachet for protection.

Xiukun embroidered this,

but I sourced the fragrant stones inside.

Their scent calms the mind and steadies the nerves.

Where did you find such wonderful things?

These could be next year's new products for the jewelry store.

Feifan,

stop thinking about goods and business all the time.

Pay more attention to your safety.

We're leaving now.

Alright, go ahead.

(The Uncontrollable, Leather City)

What happened?

Oh, no, it's horse plague.

The climate here is unstable.

We should leave as soon as possible.

Notify everyone:

Deal with all infected horses on the spot.

Inspect thoroughly. No mistake is allowed.

Understood.

Young Master,

I just checked.

Less than half of our horses remain.

We might not make it to Xixiang on time.

Arriving late

means triple compensation

and a delayed search for black iron crystals.

Chief,

the official road ahead has collapsed.

If we don't reach Xixiang soon,

it may hinder the Leader's plan.

Let's see if there's another route.

Alright.

Everyone, rest here.

(If we could borrow their horses,)

(we might make it to Xixiang on time.)

Who do you think has the best chance

of winning the Wolf Lord Election this time?

Of course, Xuan Lie.

(They're from Beixuan.)

I heard he was born

with the Xuan's eagle totem as a birthmark on his neck.

That's the sign of a chosen Xuan Leader.

He and the King come from the same lineage.

The Wolf Lord position is his for sure.

Our Leader is formidable too.

What's the use of that?

Young Master,

Beixuan and Yannan have a century-old feud.

- They're immoral. - What do you know?

They only kill and rob.

Merchants value profit.

If we offer them a better choice

than killing and robbing,

they'll agree.

Negotiating with tigers is too risky.

We should wait for the next caravan.

When will that be?

Let's go.

Gentlemen,

I am the chief of a caravan

heading to Xixiang for trade.

We encountered horse plague en route,

so we came here

to propose a business deal.

Let them approach.

What's the matter?

- We wish to borrow horses. - No deal.

One bolt of kesi for borrowing your horses

until the next post station.

Kesi?

The Juns' kesi from Yannan is renowned worldwide,

exclusively supplied to the royals, and nearly unattainable.

Haven't you heard of it?

I've heard of its reputation, of course.

But it's so rare.

I wonder

if your kesi is genuine.

True kesi appears as if carved in mid-air.

When sunlight penetrates its weave,

the gaps shimmer from afar

like dewdrops, vivid and lifelike.

Fine.

I'm from Xixiang

and have traveled this road for years.

With the official road collapsed,

I know of a canyon trail.

If you need me,

I can guide you.

These people don't act like merchants,

and they've been guarding their goods closely along the way.

I'm afraid it's not that simple.

Once we pass the canyon ahead,

we'll break away asap

before we reach the post station.

Oh, no. They're bandits.

Bandits are coming.

Everyone, stay alert.

Kill them. Leave no survivors.

Young Master, are you alright?

I'm fine.

Young Master,

the bandits of Tiger Stockade have entered the canyon.

They're going to raid the caravan.

Find Jun Feifan for me.

Leave no bandits alive.

(Xuan Lie, Xuan Leader, Beixuan)

(These people's clothing and weapons are different from the bandits.)

(It seems they're not together.)

They're Xuan Lie's men.

Chief,

has our plan been exposed?

Let's fight our way out.

- We must hide our identities. - OK.

Go.

Young Master!

(Young Master?)

Are you the chief of this caravan?

Qimin, are you okay?

Young Master, let's go!

Young Master, we didn't find Jun Feifan.

Chase them. They're just ahead.

Follow this slope and go.

Find a way to return to Yannan.

I'll hold them off.

No, I'll stay and fight alongside you.

Listen to me.

My life belongs to you.

I swore I wouldn't let anyone hurt you.

Qimin.

Master is still waiting for you to return.

The Jun family needs you.

Go.

Qimin.

Qimin!

What are you looking at? Go back.

Master is still waiting for you.

The Jun family needs you.

(This weapon is so finely crafted.)

(It must've been made by Jun Feifan.)

Come out.

You're a woman.

Who are you? Where is Jun Feifan?

Jun Feifan?

I don't know who that is.

You're with the Jun caravan,

yet you don't know Jun Feifan?

You must be courting death.

I'm not part of the Jun caravan.

You've got the wrong person.

(Luo Qi, deputy general of the Xuan, Beixuan)

Young Master,

we found an exquisite silk product

among the seized goods.

As expected of a sharp-tongued Jun from Yannan.

Such intricate embroidery.

Miss,

if I'm not mistaken,

this must be the unique kesi of the Juns.

I've never seen such a thing.

Was it found among my caravan's goods?

See?

As I told you, you've got the wrong person.

You raided the caravan for wealth.

You can take all the gold, silver, and silks.

Just let me go.

It seems I've been too kind to you.

Luo Qi.

Do you want to talk now,

or after a little suffering?

What do you want me to say?

I'm just an ordinary merchant.

Traveling with that Beixuan caravan was purely a coincidence.

(I heard he was born)

(with the Xuan's eagle totem as a birthmark on his neck.)

(That's the sign of a chosen Xuan Leader.)

(He's Xuan Lie.)

(I've got an idea.)

You'd better understand

that my patience is limited.

Where did the weapons you brought come from?

Bought from Yannan.

The Uncontrollable is full of bandits.

They're for self-defense.

This time, they came in handy, didn't they?

Here's all we have.

Take them if you want.

However,

compared to my goods,

you might be more interested in the goods

of the Beixuan caravan.

I noticed they were guarding the goods

in the middle wagon very closely.

A dozen people who didn't look like regular guards

were watching it.

I suspect there's something

incredibly rare inside.

We have nothing to do with the Jun caravan,

let alone the Beixuan caravan.

This was purely an unfortunate disaster for us.

Beixuan caravan? Jun caravan?

How do you know what my target is?

Young Master,

these are the goods from the Jun caravan,

and those belong to another caravan.

Lift harder.

I can't take it anymore.

Open it.

- Yes. - Yes.

These are Beixuan weapons.

Search every crate.

They're using a caravan as cover

to smuggle military supplies.

Though the Five Clans act independently,

smuggling military supplies is a serious crime.

Which clan dares to do something so bold?

Spread the word:

Someone is smuggling military supplies under the guise of trade.

The caravan chief is being held by me

and subjected to severe torture in the military camp.

Young Master, you're truly wise.

If they know we have hostages,

they'll try to silence them.

Then they'll be walking into our trap.

Young Master,

last night in the cell, I heard you call for Jun Feifan.

Is she a girl?

Yes.

She's really a woman?

Does that mean we've caught the wrong person?

That can't be.

I heard the bandits from Tiger Stockade

were targeting the Jun family.

Their intelligence shouldn't be wrong.

The Juns must've known we were looking for Jun Feifan,

so they spread false info to mislead us.

Among this Yannan caravan,

there's nothing to prove

it's connected to the Jun family.

Except for this bolt of kesi.

Contact our informants.

Investigate how many female relatives the Juns have

and find out Jun Feifan's current whereabouts.

Young Master,

Yannan adheres strictly to etiquette and tradition.

Women's names are rarely disclosed.

Also, getting into Yannan isn't easy.

If it were,

and if Jun Feifan were easy to find,

we'd have gone directly there to capture him.

Do we need to intercept him at the Uncontrollable?

Yes.

But failing to capture Jun Feifan this time

means we can't investigate the case of Mr. Xuan Shu.

So, we must find him.

General.

The Yannan prisoner has escaped.

Young Master,

what should we do with this Yannan prisoner?

Trying to escape?

She's of no use.

Kill her.

Xuan Lie,

you can't kill me.

You know who the young master is?

You know too much.

I definitely can't let you live.

I know where Jun Feifan is.

Yesterday, you swore to me

that you had no connection to the Juns.

Now, what story are you planning to sell me?

You can kill me with a single gesture.

How would I dare deceive you?

Miss Jun,

you Yannan women are far too delicate.

If I were a Jun,

I'd be enjoying a life of luxury

and indulgence right now.

Why would I appear here, disheveled,

providing you with a laughing stock?

If you're not with a Jun,

how do you know where Jun Feifan is?

You're right,

but you've only guessed half.

Let's say I'm half a Jun.

Actually,

I'm Mr. Feifan's personal maid.

My name is Qi Luo.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I admire how calm and composed you are when lying.

It's truly impressive.

(Jun)

I've slightly altered the Jun Trade Token.

(Jun) The Baigong Token is hidden inside.

Who are you?

I'm truly just a maid.

As for why the Jun Trade Token is with me,

it's because

Mr. Feifan and I are in love.

This is the token of our love from him.

You're in love with Jun Feifan?

Where is Jun Feifan now?

We had a horse plague on the way.

We lost half our horses

and couldn't reach Xixiang on time.

Mr. Feifan feared it'd upset the merchants in Xixiang,

so he went ahead to explain to them.

We agreed

that I'd go to Xixiang immediately after to meet him.

Why are you disguised as a man?

Why does the caravan member call you Young Master?

Mr. Feifan was worried that without him,

the caravan members would lose confidence,

so he ordered me to pretend to be him with a coarse cloth.

That way, morale wouldn't collapse.

Jun Feifan entrusted you with the important task

of leading the caravan.

It seems

he holds you in high regard.

I value

this trade token more than my life.

It's a token of love from Mr. Feifan.

Please return it to me, General.

(Jun)

Why so nervous?

Afraid I'll damage it?

It's the token of Mr. Feifan's love.

Of course, I'm nervous.

You're very clever.

It's a waste for you to be a maid.

You're perceptive and adaptable.

If I were Jun Feifan,

I'd make you my strategist.

Would you use a woman as a strategist?

Talent knows no birthright,

nor does it discriminate by gender.

I'd be more than willing.

(Jun Mansion)

I heard Feifan went with the caravan to Xixiang as well?

Your Majesty,

Feifan and I searched within Yannan for black iron crystals

for several months but found nothing.

(Zhao Huang, King of Yannan) So, Feifan went to Xixiang for this.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

Feifan and I have never

dared to neglect this important matter.

How confident are you this time?

Well...

I dare not speak prematurely.

The Beixuan Wolf Lord Election is near.

If they unite the five clans' military power,

their next step will surely be to attack Yannan.

Our crossbows are severely depleted,

and improving them is urgent.

But you're telling me

you can't guarantee finding black iron crystals?

Your Majesty,

Feifan and I have never relaxed.

We will spare no effort

to solve the mechanism wear issue

and ensure Yannan's peace and stability.

No need.

You can rest for a while.

We'll discuss the details of our cooperation later.

Prepare a tent and clean clothes

for this...

young man.

Yes.

Sir, this way.

Young Master,

I feel like you two are...

Young Master,

how did I do with my performance?

That Yannan woman

was so scared she was sweating cold.

She really thought I was going to kill her.

If I hadn't stopped in time,

you would've cut her nose off.

Young Master,

this is what you taught me.

We need to play our part thoroughly.

You told me she was full of tricks.

If we didn't push her

into a life-or-death dilemma,

how could she be honest with us?

But for upright Beixuan men like us,

treating a helpless woman like this

is inappropriate, right?

A helpless woman?

Yes.

(Xuan Lie,)

(the undisputed choice for the Beixuan Wolf Lord.)

(Why is he going through so much trouble to find Jun Feifan?)

Who is this woman really?

Does she truly know where Jun Feifan is?

She claims to be Jun Feifan's maid

and his lover.

A lover?

It seems Jun Feifan is quite lucky in love.

Even his chambermaid looks this good.

Do you believe her?

(If he discovers my identity as Jun Feifan,)

(he only needs to detain me)

(and make the King believe Jun Feifan has sworn allegiance to Beixuan.)

(With the King's paranoid nature,)

(it will surely implicate my family.)

(I must hide my identity well)

(and find a chance to leave asap.)

Young Master, are you saying

she's still lying even when facing death?

She indeed has the Jun Trade Token.

She probably does know Jun Feifan.

As for the rest,

we need to verify.

Miss Jun, please sit.

General, who were you calling?

I momentarily forgot your last name is Qi, not Jun.

Please sit.

Miss Qi Luo,

now you can tell me

where Jun Feifan is, right?

Finding our young master

is easy as pie for me,

but I still need to negotiate a few terms with you.

Go ahead. What are your terms?

First,

you must guarantee my personal safety.

Don't worry.

I won't kill you.

Second,

Mr. Feifan entrusted me with the caravan,

but I failed to keep them safe.

I know I'm no match for you

and can't avenge them,

so please give them a proper burial.

It was chaotic. The swords are indiscriminate.

Killing the Jun caravan was never my intention.

Alright, no need to say more.

I'll give them a proper burial.

You haven't eaten for the past two days.

Eat something.

I can agree to the first two terms.

Now, can you tell me

where Jun Feifan is?

Not yet.

Are you playing me?

General, you're overthinking.

There's still one matter left unresolved.

Tell me.

General, may I ask

what you need from Mr. Feifan?

If it puts him in danger,

then of course, I cannot betray him.

Don't worry. I won't kill him.

When eliminating bandits in this area,

I've seen many Beixuan people

taking their families to the mountains to become bandits.

Beixuan is economically weak

and can't provide them with livelihoods.

I've heard Jun Feifan

has helped Yannan's economy thrive

with a joint capital management system.

I want to ask him about it.

If we can help boost

Beixuan's economy,

the Beixuan people

can have a stable life.

General, your concern for the people

is truly a blessing for Beixuan.

Mr. Feifan is in Xixiang now.

I know the merchants he's working with.

I can take you to find him.

But I have a third condition.

I need to bring my goods to Xixiang as well

to protect Mr. Feifan's reputation and the Juns' credibility.

I didn't expect Miss Qi Luo

to be so loyal to the Juns.

That's not loyalty.

I betrayed Mr. Feifan to save my life.

I just want some peace of mind in the end.

General, you need to decide quickly.

If Mr. Feifan knows the caravan was eliminated,

it will be hard to find him again.

I agree to your terms.

We'll set off for Xixiang tomorrow.

Then I won't disturb you any longer.

♪When I decide to hold you in my arms♪

♪I bury all past matters deep inside♪

♪When you decided to turn around♪

♪Everything would be clear to us♪

♪Then the green, piece by piece♪

♪Becomes a shadow in my heart♪

♪Covering my scarred past♪

♪Filling my once-empty heart♪

♪I want the green, piece by piece♪

♪To fall in my heart and turn into a star♪

♪Piecing together the Big Dipper to guard you♪

♪Illuminating the way home♪

♪Then the green, piece by piece♪

♪Becomes a shadow in my heart♪

♪Covering my scarred past♪

♪Filling my once-empty heart♪

♪Then the green, piece by piece♪

♪Will blooming brightly at the borders♪

♪The melody from nearby♪

♪Allows you to camp in my heart♪

♪Allows you♪

♪To camp in my heart♪