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"The World's Parting Sorrows" by Xilin Nayi Gao

♫ The evening breeze caresses my weary brow ♫

♫ And lures the clouds to linger just for me ♫

♫ Though so much time has passed, I can't help but look back ♫

♫ The sleepless heavens keep vigil with me as I wander in my dreams ♫

♫ How can a fleeting mirage defy the sands of time? ♫

♫ In this barren desert, no oasis can I find ♫

♫ Time has reclaimed the eternity I once promised ♫

♫ Who now stumbles upon your tenderness? ♫

♫ Who still stands steadfast? ♫

♫ In the end, I silently endure, yet find no salvation ♫

♫ The sorrows of the world turn into scattered stars ♫

♫ Drifting past hill after hill under the moonlight ♫

♫ I only wish to follow behind you, waiting for the snow and storms to bring us to old age ♫

♫ And even then, I'll quietly stand guard ♫

[Everlasting Longing]

The world remains unsettled.

Wars between nations rage on.

Beixuan, Yannan, Xixiang. There are three nations.

Beixuan is known for its valor in battle, but its Five Clans, Xuan, Xi, Luo, Sun, and Su,

act independently, leading to endless internal conflicts.

The matter of electing a Wolf Lord is now 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 will fulfill my duty as Baigong's heir, protecting both Yannan and the Jun family.

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 discovered that Baigong's heir

is Jun Fei Fan, eldest son of Yannan's Jun family.

[Episode 1]

[Jun Qi Luo, eldest daughter of Jun family's main branch, Yannan.]

Father.

Have you found the black iron crystal?

We have searched all over Yannan. [Jun Cheng Liu, head of the main branch]

There is still no news.

Tomorrow, our trade caravan will head to Xixiang.

I can use this chance to search within their borders.

I will not allow you to go.

Father!

You must pass through the Lawless Zone, which borders Beixuan and is full of bandits.

Right now, the five tribes of Beixuan are in the midst of electing a Wolf Lord.

The border is in chaos.

- I worry that if anything happens... - Father.

You have allowed Fei Fan to escort the trade caravans before,

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 cannot find the black iron crystal before then

and solve the crossbow's durability issue, I fear the King will hold us accountable.

So, whether it is Xixiang or even Beixuan, I must give it a try.

You...

Father.

Listen to me, child.

Return to your identity as a girl.

Stop taking such risks.

Father, even if I return to being a girl,

I will still need to design weapons for the King as Baigong's heir.

Our ancestral rule does not 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 Yu Jue will squander everything the Jun family has built over decades.

Moreover, since I was seven, I have made this decision.

Unless a better heir appears in the family, I will remain Jun Fei Fan for life.

You caught me again.

You always use the same tricks. [Jun Jiang Juan, youngest daughter]

Try something different next time.

What brings you here?

I heard Father wants you to return to being a girl, and marry Qi Min.

Did you agree?

It is just a stalling tactic.

I knew it. How could you agree?

Qi Min is great, and he follows your every word,

but I have always felt you two are not a good match.

Do you not agree, Xiu Kun?

Qi Min is the only outsider who has earned Fei Fan's trust over the years

and knows her identity. [Jun Xiu Kun, second daughter]

I think he is the best choice.

Fei Fan 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 Fei Fan truly returns to being a girl and gets married,

her match must be an exceptional man.

I do not need a man.

My greatest wish in this life is to protect the family, you two, and Father.

Tomorrow, I will travel to Xixiang for trade.

Xiu Kun, you have the best embroidery skills among us three.

Keep an eye on the embroiderers of Gold Embroidery and Brocade Embroidery.

Jiang Juan, you are full of clever ideas.

While I am away, cheer up Father often, and help Uncle Ling manage the shops.

If anything happens at the jewelry store, inform Father immediately.

Fei Fan, when will you return?

I will be back before the business conference.

Father, if the second branch causes any more trouble while I am gone,

you must punish them severely. Do not be lenient or indulgent.

With me here, they cannot do anything.

This journey is dangerous. Be extremely careful.

Father, do not worry.

It is not my first trip to Xixiang.

Young Master, all goods have been checked.

Father, we are leaving.

All right. Qi Min, keep Fei Fan safe.

Rest assured, Master. [Shao Qi Min, guard]

I will protect the young master with my life, and ensure her safe return.

- You— - Fei Fan.

For some reason, I feel uneasy today.

Take this safety talisman with you.

Xiu Kun embroidered this, but I selected 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.

Fei Fan, stop thinking about products and business all the time.

Pay more attention to your safety.

We are leaving now.

All right, go ahead.

[The Lawless Zone, Leather City]

What happened?

Oh no, it is 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 do not reach Xixiang soon, it may hinder the Leader's plan.

Let us see if there is another route.

All right.

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 are from Beixuan.

I heard he was born with the Xuan's hawk totem as a birthmark on his neck.

That is the sign of a chosen Xuan Leader.

He and the King come from the same lineage.

The Wolf Lord position is surely his.

Our Leader is formidable too.

- So what if he is impressive? - Young Master!

Beixuan and Yannan have a century-old feud.

- They are 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 will agree.

Negotiating with tigers is too risky.

We should wait for the next caravan.

When will that be?

Let us 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 is the matter?

- We wish to borrow horses. - No deal.

One bolt of kesi for borrowing your horses until the next post station. (T/N: patterned silk fabric)

Kesi? (T/N: patterned silk fabric)

The Juns' kesi from Yannan is renowned worldwide,

exclusively supplied to the royals, and nearly unattainable.

Have you not heard of it?

I have heard of its reputation, of course.

But it is so rare.

I wonder if your kesi is genuine.

They say to observe it against the light, and it should appear sculpted.

When sunlight penetrates its weave,

the gaps shimmer from afar like dewdrops, vivid and lifelike.

Fine.

I am 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 do not act like merchants,

and they have been guarding their goods closely along the way.

I am afraid it is not that simple.

Once we pass the canyon ahead, we will break away from the group as soon as possible.

Oh no. They are bandits!

Bandits are coming!

Everyone, stay alert!

Kill them. Leave no survivors!

- Young Master, are you all right? - I am fine.

Young Master, the bandits of Tiger Stockade have entered the canyon.

They are going to raid the caravan.

Find Jun Fei Fan for me!

Leave no bandits alive!

[Xuan Lie, Xuan Clan's Leader, Beixuan]

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

It seems they are not together.

They are Xuan Lie's men.

Chief, could it be that our cover has been discovered?

- Let us fight our way out. We must hide our identities. - All right.

Go.

Young Master!

Young Master?

Are you the chief of this caravan?

Qi Min, are you all right?

Young Master, let us go!

Young Master, we did not find Jun Fei Fan.

Chase them. They are just ahead.

Follow this slope and go.

Find a way to return to Yannan. I will hold them off.

No, I will stay and fight alongside you.

Listen to me.

My life belongs to you.

I swore I would not let anyone hurt you.

- Qi Min. - Master is still waiting for you to return.

The Jun family needs you.

Go!

Qi Min.

Qi Min!

What are you looking at? Go back.

Master is still waiting for you to return.

The Jun family needs you.

This weapon is so finely crafted.

It must be from the Jun family, made by Jun Fei Fan.

Come out.

You are a woman.

Who are you? Where is Jun Fei Fan?

Jun Fei Fan?

I do not know who that is.

You are with the Jun caravan, yet you do not know Jun Fei Fan?

You must be courting death.

I am not part of the Jun caravan.

You have got the wrong person.

[Luo Qi, deputy general of the Xuan Clan, 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.

Young Lady, if I am not mistaken, this must be the unique kesi of the Juns.

I have never seen such a thing.

Was it found among my caravan's goods?

See? As I told you, you have got the wrong person.

You raided the caravan for wealth.

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

Just let me go.

It looks like I have been far 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 am just an ordinary merchant.

Traveling with that Beixuan caravan was purely a coincidence.

I heard he was born with the Xuan's hawk totem as a birthmark on his neck.

That is the sign of a chosen Xuan Leader.

So he is Xuan Lie. I have got an idea.

You had better understand that my patience is limited.

- Where did the weapons you brought come from? - Bought them from Yannan.

The Lawless Zone is full of bandits. They are for self-defense.

This time, they came in handy, did they not?

Here is 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 did not look like regular guards were watching it.

I suspect there is 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 the other caravan.

Lift harder. I cannot take it anymore.

- Open it. - Yes.

These are Beixuan weapons.

Search every crate.

They are 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 has been detained by us and is undergoing interrogation at the military camp.

Young Master, you are truly wise.

If they know we have hostages, they will try to silence them.

Then they will be walking into our trap.

Young Master, last night in the cell, I heard you calling Jun Fei Fan...

a Young Lady.

Yes.

She is really a woman?

Does that mean we have caught the wrong person?

That cannot be...

I heard the bandits from Tiger Stockade were targeting the Jun family.

Their intelligence should not be wrong.

The Juns must have known we were after Jun Fei Fan and deliberately spread false information to confuse us.

Yet we have not found anything that proves this Yannan caravan belongs 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 Fei Fan's current whereabouts.

Young Master, Yannan adheres strictly to etiquette and tradition.

Women's names are rarely disclosed.

Also, getting into Yannan is not easy.

If it were easy to enter Yannan or to find Jun Fei Fan,

we would have gone directly there to capture him.

Why would we need to intercept him in the Lawless Zone?

That is true.

But failing to capture Jun Fei Fan this time means we cannot investigate the case of Lord Xuan Shu.

So we must find him.

General. General!

The Yannan prisoner has escaped!

Young Master, what should we do with this Yannan prisoner?

Trying to escape?

She is of no use.

Kill her.

Xuan Lie, you cannot kill me.

You know who the young master is?

You know too much.

I definitely cannot let you live.

I know where Jun Fei Fan is.

Yesterday, you swore to me that you had no connection to the Juns.

Now, what story are you planning to sell me?

You could kill me with just a wave of your hand.

How would I dare deceive you?

Young Lady Jun, you Yannan women are far too delicate.

If I were a Jun,

I would be enjoying a life of luxury and indulgence right now.

Why would I appear here, disheveled, making a fool of myself in front of you?

If you were not a member of the Jun family, how would you know Jun Fei Fan's whereabouts?

You are not wrong, but you have only guessed half of it.

I am, let us say, half a member of the Jun family.

Actually, I am Young Master Fei Fan's personal maid.

My name is Qi Luo.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I admire the fact that you can lie so calmly and confidently.

It is truly impressive.

[Jun]

I have slightly altered the Jun Trade Token.

The Baigong Token is hidden inside. [Jun]

Who are you?

I am truly just a maid.

As for why the Jun Trade Token is with me,

it is because...

the Young Master and I are in love.

This was a keepsake he gave me to pledge his feelings.

You and Jun Fei Fan are in love?

Then where is Jun Fei Fan now?

We had a horse plague on the way.

We lost half our horses, and could not reach Xixiang on time.

Young Master feared it would upset the merchants in Xixiang, so he went ahead to explain to them.

He told me to follow as soon as I could to meet him there.

Why are you disguised as a man?

And why do the caravan members address you as "Young Master"?

Young Master was worried that without him, the caravan members would lose confidence,

so he ordered me to pretend to be him, covering my face.

That way, morale would not collapse.

Jun Fei Fan entrusted you with the important task of leading the caravan.

It seems he values you greatly.

I value this trade token more than my life.

It is a token of love from Young Master Fei Fan.

Please return it to me, General.

[Jun]

Why so nervous?

Afraid I might damage it?

It is the token of Young Master's love.

Of course, I am nervous.

You are very clever.

It is a waste for you to be a maid.

You are perceptive and adaptable.

If I were Jun Fei Fan, I would make you my advisor.

Would you use a woman as an advisor?

Talent is talent, regardless of background, and regardless of gender.

Of course, I would.

[Jun Mansion]

I heard Fei Fan went with the caravan to Xixiang as well?

Your Majesty, Fei Fan and I searched within Yannan for black iron crystals

for several months but found nothing.

So, Fei Fan went to Xixiang for this. [Zhao Huang, King of Yannan]

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

Fei Fan and I have never dared to neglect this important matter.

How confident are you this time?

Well...

I dare not speak rashly.

The Wolf Lord Election in Beixuan 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 are telling me you cannot guarantee finding black iron crystals?

Your Majesty, Fei Fan and I have never relaxed.

We will spare no effort to solve the mechanism durability issue

and ensure Yannan's peace and stability.

No need.

You may rest for a while.

We will 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 was my performance?

That Yannan woman was so scared she was sweating cold.

She really thought I was going to kill her.

If I had not stopped in time, you would have 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 did not push her into a life-or-death dilemma, how could she be honest with us?

But for noble 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 Fei Fan?

Who is this woman, really?

Does she truly know where Jun Fei Fan is?

She claims to be Jun Fei Fan's maid and his lover.

A lover?

It seems Jun Fei Fan is quite lucky in love.

Even his chambermaid looks this good.

Do you believe her?

If he discovers my identity as Jun Fei Fan, he only needs to detain me

and make the King believe Jun Fei Fan has sworn allegiance to Beixuan.

With the King's suspicious nature, he would certainly implicate my family.

I must hide my identity carefully and find a chance to leave as soon as I can.

Young Master, are you saying she is still lying even when facing death?

She indeed has the Jun Trade Token.

She probably does know Jun Fei Fan.

As for the rest, we need to verify.

Young Lady Jun, please sit.

General, whom were you addressing?

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

Please sit.

Young Lady Qi Luo, now you can tell me where Jun Fei Fan is, correct?

Finding our Young Master is naturally a simple matter 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.

Do not worry. I will not kill you.

Second, Young Master Fei Fan entrusted me with the caravan, but I failed to keep them safe.

I know I am no match for you and cannot avenge them,

so please give them a proper burial.

It was chaotic. Swords do not distinguish foes in battle.

Killing the Jun caravan was never my intention.

All right, there is no need to say more.

I will give them a proper burial.

You have not eaten for the past two days.

Eat something.

I can agree to the first two terms.

Now, can you tell me where Jun Fei Fan is?

Not yet.

Are you playing games with me?

General, you are overthinking. There is still one matter left unresolved.

Tell me.

General, may I ask what you intend to do with my Young Master?

If it puts him in danger, then of course, I cannot betray him.

Do not worry. I will not kill him.

When eliminating bandits in this area,

I have seen many Beixuan people taking their families to the mountains to become bandits.

Beixuan is economically weak and cannot provide them with livelihoods.

I have heard Jun Fei Fan 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.

Young Master Fei Fan is in Xixiang now.

I know the merchants he is 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 Young Master's reputation and the Juns' credibility.

I did not expect Miss Qi Luo to be so loyal to the Juns.

That is not loyalty.

I betrayed my Young Master to save my life.

I just want to ease my conscience a little.

General, you need to decide quickly.

If Young Master learns the caravan has been attacked, he may become impossible to track down.

I agree to your terms.

We will set off for Xixiang tomorrow.

Then I will not disturb you any longer.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ❤️‍🔥 Burning Hearts❤️‍🔥 Team@viki.com

"The Mountains Are Green" by Hu Yanbin

♫ When I decide to hold you close ♫

♫ The past is buried deep within ♫

♫ When you choose to turn around ♫

♫ Everything, everything we both understand ♫

♫ These patches of green, one by one ♫

♫ Take root in my heart as shadows ♫

♫ They veil my scarred and battered past ♫

♫ Filling a once-empty heart ♫

♫ These patches of green, one by one ♫

♫ Fall into my heart as stars ♫

♫ Piecing together the Big Dipper to protect you ♫

♫ Lighting the way home so clear ♫

♫ These patches of green, one by one ♫

♫ Take root in my heart as shadows ♫

♫ They veil my scarred and battered past ♫

♫ Filling a once-empty heart ♫

♫ These patches of green, one by one ♫

♫ Bloom brightly at the border of the land ♫

♫ From afar, the melody of the Hu Xuan zither ♫

♫ Letting you pitch your camp within my heart ♫

♫ Letting you ♫

♫ Pitch your camp within my heart ♫