Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Episode 4]

Master.

Xiao Wu.

Don't let him get in.

Gao Qi.

Get him off.

Young Master Huang,

please get off.

Brother Gao Qi,

Master is angry.

Please help me.

Master wants you to get off.

Look at you,

your braid is gone,

you are not ashamed to hold the flag of Huo family?

Are you showing off?

You deserve to be kicked out.

Master.

Stop.

What is it, Master?

Are you hungry?

If we want to stop for refreshment,

there is another ten miles to go.

I want to take a walk on the Great Wall.

All of you, follow me.

Did you know why I forbade Wen Fa to follow?

He likes to show off.

Zhen Sheng is around,

he shouldn't show off.

You are wrong.

The soldiers are fierce,

the flag bearer is in the most dangerous position.

Wen Fa is brave, he is not wrong.

I was careless in the battle at Chaoyang Gate,

our intention was exposed.

I am afraid we will have some trouble.

I've excluded Wen Fa...

because I don't want to implicate him.

Zhen Sheng,

don't go back to the capital.

I heard you bought some land back home,

and you've had your marriage arranged.

Go home,

get married.

-I... -You're honest and knows martial arts.

You'll be successful one day.

When the day comes,

don't forget to help your brothers.

Gao Qi,

you have good skill and wits,

but you are selfish.

When you go to the outside world, you must always remember,

to be kind to others.

-Da You. -Master.

You started late but made the most progress.

With your martial arts skill,

you'll easily find a job in a security agency or martial arts club.

If you dedicate your life to martial arts,

you'll become a respected grand master.

If anyone one of you makes it, please take care of Xiao Wu.

Treat him as your little brother.

Then I'd have no worries.

No, I want to be with you.

Do not cry.

We are trained in Huo's Arcane Fist Technique.

Arcane means secret.

Hence it should never be passed down to outsiders.

I took you up as my disciples...

and created the Deceptive Fist.

Because of this,

my father scolded me for betraying my ancestors.

I was almost driven out from the family.

Thinking of it now,

I thought I was a martial arts prodigy...

and I would make a good teacher.

I was naive.

All good things must come to an end.

When I go home, the government will surely come after me.

I'll definitely go to jail.

If you go back with me, you'll be implicated.

I did not give you a good future.

Instead, I've endangered your lives.

I have made a grave mistake.

I'm sorry I've let you down.

-Master. -Master.

Stand up.

The government officials are all corrupt.

The Chaoyang Gate incident can be resolved with money.

Even if going to jail is inevitable,

I'll stay with you.

I'll look after you in jail.

Brother Zhen Sheng is right,

we will stay with you.

Yes, we will stay with you.

Zhen Sheng,

we grew up together.

You look up to me as your master for 20 years,

but you won't listen to me now?

No, Master.

Zhen Sheng,

Xiao Wu is an orphan, too.

You must take care of him.

The three of you must take turns to look after him.

Remember what I've said just now.

We shall go our separate ways.

Master.

Master.

Master.

Master.

Master!

Yuan Jia.

I've caused trouble again.

-Please forgive me. -Yuan Jia.

Stand up, stand up.

Good boy.

We've heard news about you seizing the head of Wang Wu.

People are talking about it,

saying we have a hero in Tianjin.

Father and I are proud of you.

Brother,

did the palace guards come?

No.

Father told you not to go home.

Go back to our hometown in Cangzhou and stay there.

Cangzhou is the centre of martial arts with lots of martial arts experts.

Learning from them,

you will progress very fast.

Learn from them?

Are you joking?

Since the Wuxu Reform,

father wouldn't let me practise martial arts.

How is this possible now?

When have I lied to you?

Go now.

Where are your disciples?

Don't forget to bring them along.

No one is to go back to Huo Residence.

Here's some money for your trip. It's from Father.

Goodbye.

Brother.

Are the palace guards here?

Father doesn't want me home...

so he can take the blame for me?

Hurry up.

If father wants you to go to Cangzhou, just go.

I caused the trouble. I mustn't implicate my father and brother.

Lend me your horse. I must go home.

Yuan Jia,

are you able to get us out of the fix?

There are over 200 palace guards.

They have surrounded our house.

I escaped through the back door...

just to stop you from going home.

Father has ordered you not to go back.

No matter what happens, you are not to go home.

I seized Wang Wu's head,

but I didn't hurt anybody.

I shouldn't be sentenced to death.

I might get 20 years in prison, at worst.

It shouldn't be a big issue.

If it were just a commoner,

perhaps you'll be sent to jail.

But do you realise who you have crossed?

The palace guard Ying Si?

He's not that great. He uses concealed weapons.

Stupid!

He is Lu Si Ying.

What?

[Huo Residence]

What is this?

-So many soldiers. -Yes.

Lord Liu.

Lord Lu,

I have already told you,

my son Yuan Jia is not in.

The weather is hot.

It must be hard for you people.

You don't have to surround the house.

It's no problem at all.

We are working for the government.

We shall not complain.

You still need to eat.

You have come from afar.

I shall do my best as a host.

On the neighbouring street,

all the best restaurants in Tianjin have their branches there.

Let us walk over...

and choose a restaurant you like.

I shall pick up the bill.

There is no need.

We are government servants.

We don't care for these little treats.

Lord Lu,

as a matter of fact,

you and I go back a long way.

25 years ago...

Don't try to cotton up to me.

We are not on friendly terms.

Whether we're on good terms...

or bad terms,

Yuan Jia is young,

you should be helping him.

Why is he being charged as a rebel,

and you trying to frame him?

Frame him?

I wouldn't call it that.

On that night,

the person who seized the head of Wang Wu at Chaoyang Gate...

was Huo Yuan Jia.

I am very sure.

The news has spread to Tianjin.

I have heard it, too.

According to rumours, the man wore a mask.

How sure are you that he is my son?

I... I fought with him.

I tore off his mask...

and saw his face clearly.

Did anyone else see it?

Yes.

The four of you were there that night.

When I tore off Huo Yuan Jia's mask,

you saw it too, right?

Yes.

It was your son Huo Yuan Jia.

I suppose they are your trusted aides?

He who has a mind to beat his dog will easily find his stick.

Is there no law and order in this country?

How dare you?

Insulting the government in broad daylight.

Soldiers,

arrest him.

Kill him on the spot if he fights back.

Yes.

Wait...

Lord Lu,

Huo En Di is just a little frustrated.

He meant no insult to the government.

Did you take money from the Huo family?

Are you trying to save him?

Lord Lu,

are you serious?

Huo family is respected in Tianjin.

Huo En Di is a respected man.

You can't simply arrest him.

Why don't you let him go, for my sake?

Step aside.

I am here to arrest a criminal on official orders,

no one can stop me.

If I don't arrest Huo En Di,

the rebel Huo Yuan Jia will not surrender himself.

- Arrest him. - Yes.

Wait.

How rude!

It is too presumptuous for you to act in such a way.

-Young Mistress Wang... -Go back.

Father.

I was listening behind the door just now.

You said you have come for Yuan Jia.

May I ask what crime he has committed?

Who are you?

I am Yuan Jia's wife.

My name is Wang.

Under the nose of the foreign official,

you husband snatched the head of Wang Wu.

His Lordship is very angry,

he wants to chop off his head.

You're going to be a widow soon.

I see you in your uniform,

I thought you are a government official.

Looks like you take orders from westerners.

What did you say?

Huo En Di,

did all the men in your family die?

You sent a woman out to talk to us.

If it's about other matters,

I shouldn't be talking as my father-in-law is here.

But this concerns Yuan Jia.

I must set things straight.

You said you fought with Yuan Jia.

Where?

Chaoyang Gate in the capital.

Which day?

Late night, two days ago.

On the ninth?

Did you remember correctly?

Three days ago, on the eighth,

was our wedding day.

In front of this door,

firecrackers burnt for more than an hour.

The neighbours heard it.

Yes, I heard the firecrackers.

It was a very big thing,

everyone knew about it.

Yes, I attended the wedding banquet.

-Yes. -I attended the banquet, too.

-Yes. -That's right.

Yes, that's right.

Father-in-law took out all the good wine he had stored.

To be honest,

Yuan Jia likes to drink.

He had too much that night.

We didn't enjoy our wedding night.

What a careless bridegroom.

On the ninth,

the day you have mentioned,

was our real wedding night.

How is it possible for Yuan Jia...

to rush to the capital and fight with you?

Yes.

She is right.

-Yes. -It's not possible.

You are lying.

Huo Yuan Jia challenged me at noon that day at Chaoyang Gate.

I have witnesses.

Yuan Jia was at home on the wedding day.

Everyone in Huo Residence saw him.

You want witnesses?

Dozens of people in this courtyard can testify.

You!

Lord Lu.

What are you doing?

Madam Wang,

you are a very good liar.

I know,

someone must be posing as Yuan Jia.

Lord Lu must catch the real culprit soonest possible...

and clear my husband's name.

Impossible.

I've seen Huo Yuan Jia two years ago.

I can recognise him.

How could that man be an imposter?

Two years ago?

Was it at the execution ground?

Yes.

Yuan Jia went to Caishikou...

to send Lord Tan Si Tong off.

He told me about it.

He said you sat high up...

and were very far away.

You saw him from such a great distance.

Can you remember what he looks like?

Why isn't Huo Yuan Jia at home?

And his disciples,

where are they?

Half a year ago,

he accepted an invitation from a security agency in Zhengzhou...

to be the chief escort.

His appointment was delayed due to the marriage.

Yesterday was the third day of our marriage,

Yuan Jia bade farewell to his parents...

and set off to Zhengzhou with his disciples.

Zhengzhou?

That's very far.

It's a lie.

Lord Lu,

to lie to your face...

would be to cheat a government official.

I can't bear this accusation.

My dear villagers,

in case you are not aware,

Lord Lu came to Tianjin before.

He wasn't a government official then.

He was a skilled martial artist.

He set up a ring in front of the Matriarch Temple.

With his Eagle Claw Fist,

he'd hurt quite a number of martial arts masters.

Father-in-law received the letter of challenge.

Though he was forced to accept it,

he triumphed over Lord Lu.

When I heard Lord Lu is here with his troops...

and had the Huo Residence surrounded,

I thought he's here to seek revenge.

Now I remember.

There is such a thing.

He is not a good guy.

Yes.

But now when I see him,

Lord Lu is a noble and dignified government official...

who'd never frame anybody...

or abuse his power for personal vengeance.

So, I concluded,

someone must have posed as Yuan Jia.

That's why Lord Lu made a mistake.

But we are to be blamed.

Huo Fist is rather famous in the world of martial arts.

Father-in-law and Yuan Jia...

have dominated Tianjin's martial arts scene for generations.

Someone might be jealous.

Young Mistress Wang makes sense.

Someone must have posed as Huo Yuan Jia.

Lord Lu,

think about it.

You've made such a scene.

If you got the wrong person and news travel back to the capital,

it will ruin the name of the palace guards.

May I have a word with you?

Come.

The people of Tianjin are busybodies.

Any little gossip...

would quickly turn into clapper talk...

and spread like wild fire.

This matter...

may reach the ears of Lord Rong Lu.

Empress Dowager Ci Xi will learn about it sooner or later.

You must watch out, Lord Lu.

Yes, that's right.

He must investigate properly, don't arrest the wrong man.

Huo En Di,

you said you want to play host,

is that for real?

Lord Liu,

I wouldn't dare to lie to you.

Lord Lu,

you must be tired from the journey.

Let Huo En Di buy you a meal.

We'll have a drink or two.

Let's go.

Let's go.

This way, please.

Come on.

Young Master Huang,

did you stop Young Master Yuan Jia?

Speak lower.

Good news,

the soldiers have retreated.

They were dissuaded by Young Mistress Wang.

Really?

But the old master said...

Young Master Yuan Jia cannot come home yet.

Huo Fu.

Who is Young Mistress Wang?

Your wife.

You haven't met her.

Brother,

what happened?

I thought I canceled the marriage?

The marriage was set five years ago.

The bridal gifts have been sent, the bride has entered the house.

How could we cancel it?

I didn't perform the wedding ceremony.

It doesn't count.

Didn't you hear what Huo Fu said?

She dissuaded the soldiers.

We should be grateful to her.

You can't escape this.

-I... -What are you looking at?

Young Master,

where did you get the beard?

Did you join a troupe?

You may go now.

Yes.

You are looking for me?

Daughter-in-law.

I can't accept this, Father.

You debated Lu Si Ying and dissuaded the soldiers.

You deserve my gratitude.

You're too kind.

Yuan Jia has always been wild,

but you are able to control him.

I'm relieved.

There is something that I don't understand...

that I must ask.

Please go ahead and ask.

What happened between me and Lu Si Ying 25 years ago,

how did you know about it?

My marriage to Yuan Jia,

was set five years ago.

Though I've yet to be wedded,

I think of myself as a member of Huo family.

Huo family is renowned for its martial arts.

Huo Fist is famous in Tianjin.

Naturally, I'm interested in Huo family's stories.

The story about Yuan Jia at the execution ground,

-you have heard about it, too? -Yes.

What was on your mind?

You were not afraid to marry such a man?

I wasn't afraid, instead I was glad.

As a woman, I don't know much about the government.

But Lord Tan,

he is a gentleman.

He is famous.

Yuan Jia sent him off despite the danger.

He is a true man.

I'm very happy to be able to marry such a man.

Unfortunately, Yuan Jia...

has yet to exchange vows with you,

and you've already set foot here.

I wanted to apologise to your parents,

you wouldn't let me.

Luckily, I stopped you.

Otherwise we couldn't have told the perfect lie today.

Father, not again...

I am doing it on behalf of my son.

Once the dust has settled,

I must get Yuan Jia to kneel before the ancestors...

and kowtow to you in apology.

[Land God Temple]

Imperial dogs, come out and meet your doom!

Master.

Master, it's us.

Zhen Sheng.

-Master. -It's you?

Master, your kick was awesome.

I almost stopped breathing.

You were sneaking around.

Master,

since you are staying here,

we have to sneak in.

Zhen Sheng, as my eldest disciple,

how could you defy my orders?

Master,

please forgive me.

If we were to leave,

we must see that you and the Huo family are safe first.

Yes, Master.

This was my idea.

We got into the city in disguise.

We asked around...

and found out what an amazing woman Madam Wang is.

She is no inferior to men.

She dissuaded Ying Si.

Yes, and she's pretty too.

Did you see her?

No, I didn't.

But the neighbours did.

I spoke to them and...and...

Knew about it.

Master, the palace guards retreated.

They seemed to have received an urgent errand and went north.

I saw them on the main road.

You can go home now.

No,

Ying Si is very cunning.

It's very clever of the old master to let you stay here a few days.

This isn't my father's idea.

He wants me to go far away...

and never return.

I didn't want to go.

One more thing.

The four of you mustn't go home.

Young Mistress Wang has said...

I went to Zhengzhou with all of you.

Because of that, we can't go home.

That woman showed off in front of the Huo Residence,

and you say she is a great woman.

What's so great about her?

My father and brother were there, she was in no position to speak.

Women are no inferior to men?

Sure, if we're talking about Hua Mu Lan and Mu Gui Ying.

Does she know martial arts?

And you said she's pretty?

Most probably a woman with bound feet.

I'm disgusted just thinking about it.

Young Lady Wang, please wash your feet.

I am already a part of this family.

Don't call me Young Lady anymore.

Once Yuan Jia has returned,

you won't have to come in anymore,

I'll bring water for him to wash his feet.

What?

He trains hard every day.

He must soak his feet in hot water at night...

to improve blood circulation.

You are a noble lady.

How could I let you do such a dirty task?

What is noble about a lady who refused to bind her feet?

Master,

why aren't you asleep?

Zhen Sheng,

you've lost your parents since you're little.

You don't understand how I feel now.

When the palace guards were here,

my father wasn't scared as he was experienced enough.

I am worried for my mother.

Why don't you keep watch on the three of them?

Don't let them get out.

I'll sneak in at night and kowtow to my mother.

No.

Master, let it be.

When I was sent to jail during the Wuxu Reform,

my mother almost went blind from crying.

Now...

Master, don't be rash.

I mean, wait for two more days.

I used to be a government servant.

I'll go back tomorrow...

and check on Ying Si.

Then you can go home.

You think I am afraid of him?

No,

with your fortitude and skill, he's no match for you.

But he is a government official, we are commoners.

He's colluded with the foreigners.

What if...

We must be careful.

[Land God Temple]

Master.

-Master. -Zhen Sheng is back.

Well?

I watched Ying Si for three days.

He has been busy serving the western officials,

His hands are full.

I don't think he has time for Tianjin.

I've checked the Tianjin government office.

The palace guards were no longer there.

The local officials may seem polite to Ying Si,

but they actually hate him.

They wouldn't help him keep tabs on you.

That's great.

All of you,

change your clothes.

We're going home tonight.

Great.

We can go home.

Xiao Wu.

Come here, Xiao Wu.

Let's go.

Stay here.

I'll go in first to see my parents.

Stay here until I come back.

Don't worry, Master.

I'll keep watch.

Unfilial son!

I told you to run away,

why didn't you listen?

A mother worries when her child is away.

I don't want mother to miss me.

Scoundrel!

If you remember your mother,

why did you cause so much trouble?

Yuan Jia.

Mother.

-Yuan Jia. -Mother.

I missed you deeply.

Please don't cry, mother.

I won't cry.

Be careful of your eyes.

My son is back,

I should be happy.

Old Master,

what did we say?

When Yuan Jia comes back, we'll perform the wedding ceremony.

Get prepared.

What's there to prepare?

We barely survived.

He shouldn't have come back.

Old Master.

Mother,

don't beg father.

I have come to see both of you.

I'm not getting married.

I'm not getting married.

You heard him.

What was it again?

He said he's going to travel the lands...

to hone his skills.

My foot!

Tell me. Have you been fooling around...

and hooking up with indecent women?

-Father, I haven't. -You haven't?

-You have to get married, then. -Well...

You said it yourself.

Such a commotion...

would attract the local authorities and our foes.

-What shall we do, then? -Shut up!

Why did you come back?

To see you and apologise to you.

To be a filial son?

Yes.

You're his mother. Tell him...

what filial piety is.

Son, don't be afraid.

Your father isn't angry with you.

Haven't you heard of the old saying?

Of the three unfilial conducts, having no posterity is the worst.

Since you're back,

don't go away again.

Bear an offspring for the Huo family with your wife.

It's the best way to be filial.

Hang on.

Yuan Dong.

Yuan Dong, Daughter-in-law.

-Yuan Dong, Daughter-in-law. -Mother.

Mother, it's so late now. What's the matter?

Good news.

Is he back?

Yes, he's back.

I'll ask some men to lock the door.

Then I'll go to the ancestral hall to get ready.

Father, Brother and Sister-in-law are...

I've always known...

you want to stay in Tianjin.

Since you're not leaving,

tie the knot before our ancestors.

Wed your fiance lawfully and stop leaving her in the lurch.

Consummate your marriage after the wedding.

You can then leave with your wife in the morning...

and set up your own school.

What?

-Father... -Creating the Deceptive Fist...

and recruiting so many disciples.

Don't you want to set up your own school?

I don't.

I don't want to get married, either.

It's inconvenient to bring a woman along,

surviving in the martial world.

Besides,

I'm facing a charge and have made some enemies.

I will implicate her.

Father, since we haven't consummated,

we'd better send her home.

Nonsense!

If you don't want to enrage me...

and make your mother cry until she goes blind,

just obey our wishes...

to get married.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Congratulations, Young Lady.

Mister Huo is back.

Haven't I told you?

Don't call me Young Lady...

and don't call him Mister Huo.

Yes.

Young Mistress, congratulations. Young Master Yuan Jia is back.

Young Mistress Yuan Dong...

told you to get married at the ancestral hall.

They've sent an old lady to deliver the message.

I wonder how many people they'll send to escort you.

Furthermore,

it's bad luck getting married at night.

Quiet.

You're in no position to complain.

I'm venting frustration for you.

I'm fine.

Quickly pack up some valuables.

I think we need to leave with Yuan Jia tomorrow.

Leave?

Where to?

We'll follow wherever he goes.

Then...

Why so many questions?

There you are.

-Uncle. -Uncle.

Uncle.

The old master invites you to attend...

the ceremony at the ancestral hall.

Attend the ceremony?

Attend...

Attend what ceremony?

Your master is getting married.

You'll have a mistress.

Let's go.

[Virtue Brings Prosperity]

Yuan Jia,

Mother-in-law told me...

to host the ceremony for you on your big day.

Since I'm the hostess, I'll also take care of what a matchmaker should do.

Father-in-law,

what time shall we start?

He's already missed all the auspicious times.

You can start anytime.

Alright.

We're holding a wedding.

Anytime is a good time.

We even skip the performance.

Yuan Dong is afraid...

that it may attract the soldiers.

-I think... -Enough.

So much nonsense.

Hurry.

Bring the bride in to pay respect to the ancestors.

She even needs someone to hold her.

She must have bound feet.

Yuan Jia.

What are you mumbling about?

Go receive your bride.

Huo Yuan Jia, seventh-generation successor of Huo's Arcane Fist...

is here to pay respect to the forefathers with his wife, Madam Wang.

First kowtow.

Second kowtow.

Third kowtow.

Pay respects to the forefathers then to the parents.

Kneel down.

Bow.

Mother. It's already dark.

We won't pray to the Heaven. Let them bow to each other.

Okay.

Come, you two face each other.

Master! Master!

Master, bad news.

What's the matter?

Men are breaking in!

Master! Bad news!

There're many soldiers outside.

And some westerners with guns.

Master!

Master! The back door is blocked.

The place is packed with soldiers.

-Mom. -It's alright.

Father, what should we do?

A man should take responsibility for his acts.

The soldiers are here for me.

I can't implicate you.

Stop.

Even now, you still want to be a hero?

Father.

It's my fault for causing so much trouble.

You may disown me if you wish.

You must not go out.

I can't get you in trouble.

You'd really get me in trouble...

if you let Ying Si see you.

Ying Si, formerly known as Lu Si Ying,

is from the Eagle Claw Sect.

Eagle Claw Method evolved from Yue's Relentless Fists.

It shares the same root as Huo Fist.

I've never expected it'd breed a scum like Ying Si.

Twenty five years ago,

I taught him a lesson in public...

for bullying others. He's been holding a grudge.

But he never got dirt on me,

and was powerless to do anything.

If you go out now,

he'll definitely say...

we're harbouring a criminal.

Not only will you implicate me,

the whole family will be executed...

if we don't handle this properly.

-What should we do? -That's right.

[Huo Residence]

Knock it down.

Catch Huo Yuan Jia alive,

and the imperial government will reward you handsomely!

But if you leave,

he won't have anything on us.

I don't think...

he'd dare to make false charges against me.

Master.

Master, the door is about to break open.

Yuan Jia, Father is right.

Wear a mask and get out with your disciples.

Don't worry about us.

No.

The westerners have guns.

If Yuan Jia barges out with his disciples,

I doubt they'll get away.

If they fall into the enemies' hands,

they'll become proof that we've been harbouring a criminal.

Father, what shall we do then?

Yuan Dong, Yuan Jia. Kowtow to the forefathers with me.

[Huo Family's Ancestral Tablet]

Yuan Jia, you and your disciples protect your mother.

The women and children will escape by the secret passage.

The men...

-will fend off the enemies with me. -Yes.

No, Father.

If I run away from trouble...

and leave you to fight the enemy,

wouldn't it be a disgrace to our ancestors?