Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Episode 6]

[Temple of Land God]

Master, slow down.

Master Huo.

Are you feeling better?

Suffering from injury is common...

for people who practise martial arts.

As long as the vital energy remains,

I'll recover soon.

If this happened to ordinary people,

they would be bedridden for months.

Seeing how much you've recovered in less than ten days,

it's remarkable.

Mr. Nong, may I know...

how did you find out I was in trouble?

I heard from Ah Fa that...

you didn't let him follow you.

I knew at once what Master Huo was going for.

Ying Si is a vindictive person.

He won't let you off easily.

I contacted a few associates,

who were old friends of Brother Wang Wu.

They have great admiration for your character and sense of responsibility.

Moreover,

recovering Master Wang's head was everyone's idea.

We can't let you do it alone.

Having followed you for so long,

Ah Fa heard what had happened to your family.

So he came here...

to join his fellow brothers.

Mr Nong, you came well prepared.

Everything would've been in vain without your explosives and guns.

Mr Nong.

It is our honour to save Master Huo's life.

Please don't thank us.

No.

Father and brother died because of me.

I deserve to die.

That day, I went to seek revenge against Ying Si...

as my dying will.

I wasn't going to thank you for saving my life.

But when I was in coma today,

I heard that Mr Nong...

has brought your men to collect my family's bodies.

I must thank you...

for this great favour.

-Master Huo! -Master.

Mr Nong.

Mr Nong,

my master values loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness.

You and your men...

collected the body of Grand Master.

Please accept this gesture of appreciation.

Mr Nong, what are you...

My nephew is your pupil.

You and I are peers.

And we just kowtowed to each other.

How about we become sworn brothers?

This can't be.

I bring bad luck to others.

My sworn brother, Big Sword Wang Wu is dead.

I'm not afraid.

Please accept...

my request.

This...

Uncle's body has been left there for several days.

The weather is so hot.

Once we swear our oaths today,

I could hold a funeral for him on your behalf tomorrow.

That's right, Master.

Wanted notice of us are pasted all over the city.

We can't hold a funeral for Grand Master,

even if we want to.

Alright.

Great then.

I heard from Ah Fa that we were born in the same year.

Which month were you born in?

Who will be the elder brother between us?

My own brother Huo Yuan Dong...

and sworn brother Big Sword Wang Wu have passed away.

Addressing each other as brothers will only...

You're new school.

Age shouldn't matter if we're going to be sworn brothers.

You'll address me as Yuan Jia,

and I'll address you as Jing Sun, what do you say?

Yuan Jia.

Jing Sun.

Da You, Ah Fa, stand farther to keep a lookout.

I'll advise Yuan Jia to go back.

Everyone is waiting for you.

Go back now.

[Grave of Huo En Di]

I couldn't be here at the burial ceremony during the day.

What else can Ying Si do to me at night?

I'm so frustrated and anxious.

I'm frustrated that...

I can't tear Ying Si to shreds.

I'm anxious that the day of vengeance seems so far away.

I've sent my man to watch Ying Si for several days.

All of his palace guards carry guns.

He brought at least seven to eight guards with him when he went outdoor.

Just to defend himself from you.

So what?

I must seek revenge against him...

even if it costs my life.

The culprit to your misfortune...

is Qing Dynasty that bows to foreigners but oppress its own people.

Ying Si is nothing but a minion.

You want vengeance.

Does that mean killing Ying Si's whole lineage?

I don't care.

If I don't seek vengeance, unless I die,

or else how could I face the spirits of my family?

Or you can shoot me...

and kill me now,

so that I can apologize in the underworld.

Yuan Jia, what are you talking about?

My father was murdered.

My brother was murdered.

My family was murdered.

Am I still considered a human being...

if I don't seek vengeance for them?

How would people of the martial world see me?

How would I face others?

In a man's life,

glory and shame are nothing more than fleeting moments.

One could only be a great man,

if he could take on his duty...

in the long course of history.

I didn't just come up with this.

It was said by Tan Si Tong, Lord Tan.

Lord Tan is a great man.

So was Brother Wang Wu.

Yuan Jia,

think about it.

If you lose your life doing something rash,

what would happen to your mother?

What would happen to the wives?

And your niece and nephew who lost their father?

Don't you have the responsibility to raise them?

You can't stay in Tianjin any longer.

Yuan Jia,

you should think about...

where you're going to settle down now.

Yuan Jia,

I had a long conversation with Ah Fa last night.

He still refused to come with me.

Master chased me away before because you didn't want to drag me down.

I appreciate your kindness.

Now that you've decided to live in seclusion,

let me stay by your side and serve you.

I could practise martial arts day and night too.

Please grant it, Master.

You are a young master of a rich family.

Life in the mountain is hard. Can you stand it?

I'm willing to endure any hardships to learn martial arts.

Fine.

Stay as you wish.

Thank you, Master.

Uncle, write mother a letter when you arrive at the capital.

Tell her everything is fine with me.

Tell her not to worry.

Alright.

Brother Zhen Sheng, Xiao Wu.

-Da You,. -Brother Wen Fa.

Brother Gao Qi.

Don't get too excited.

Once in the mountains, you'll lose your uncle's protection.

Just you wait, I'm going to take care of you then.

Fighting with Brother Gao Qi, being taken care of,

it'll be my pleasure.

But you should watch out.

I might teach you a lesson too.

Farewell.

Farewell.

Let's go.

Master, let us go too.

Wait.

Ask Lady Wang to come here.

You mean Madam?

Not Madam.

Lady Wang.

You want to see me?

Lady Wang has been...

wandering from place to place because of us,

I, Huo Yuan Jia, would like to apologise for it.

What did you call me?

My pupils said your father is looking for you.

I'll ask Zhen Sheng to take you home.

You and I are married.

What do you mean by that?

Huo family is ruined,

and I have become a wanted criminal.

In my life ahead,

I'll become homeless, wandering from place to place.

Not to mention,

our wedding ceremony was held hastily.

We haven't consummated it.

I advise you to pretend like it never happened.

I've entered the Huo family's door.

How could I pretend our marriage never happened?

You and I have already kowtowed before ancestors of Huo.

You are my husband.

Don't you understand I'm giving you a way out?

Are you a fool?

I'll follow you...

wherever you go.

You eat miserably --

I'll eat miserably with you.

You said I'm a fool,

then I shall be a fool.

That's what you say.

I've sent away all servants three days ago.

You're the only one...

who still have a maid to serve you.

You said you will eat miserly with me.

How can I believe you?

Xiao Lian grew up in poverty.

She's like a sister to me.

I urged to go but she wouldn't leave.

I can't bear to send her to my family.

My brother has taken a fancy to her for long time.

He wants to make her his concubine.

He said he would sell her to a brothel if she refuses.

Huo Yuan Jia,

can't you afford to feed just one more mouth of a little girl?

Sophistry.

The point is...

we haven't slept together.

Marrying you was because I couldn't disobey my father.

Now, catastrophe could fall upon me anytime.

I urge you to leave while you still can...

and find a better man.

Huo Yuan Jia!

Alive or dead,

I'm the daughter-in-law of Huo.

Second Young Mistress!

You're awake.

You...

You took... you took off my clothes.

I had no other choice, you might catch a cold.

Why did you save me?

So many people have died because of me.

I don't want more blood on my hand.

Are you still going to chase me away then?

I didn't expect you would be a big-foot woman.

So you didn't dislike me for not binding my feet.

Why didn't no one tell me you're a big-foot woman?

The matchmaker had taken money from my father.

Of course she wouldn't say anything.

I didn't expect, I, Huo Yuan Jia married a big-foot woman.

Guess God is looking out for me.

What did you say?

Your clothes are almost dry, put them on.

Mother is going to worry if we don't go back soon.

Alright, the weather is getting colder.

You all don't have to train with me from now on.

Master, I'm not afraid of the cold.

You especially, Xiao Wu.

You're still growing.

Not eating enough...

means you get even hungrier after training.

Xiao Wu,

do you get what Master was trying to tell you?

No.

What he meant was...

put up with it even if we're starving.

The harvest this autumn was poor.

The produce is limited, get it?

I... I know.

Eat less then if you know.

As long as you don't starve to death.

So that that mule could keep her mouth shut.

Brother Gao Qi，

what did you call First Aunt behind her back?

She's your elder no matter what.

You're being rude.

Rude?

I'm not like you, Young Master Huang.

If she rolls her eyes at me again,

I'm going to show her.

Brother Gao Qi,

she is feeling sad over the death of Uncle Yuan Dong.

She gets temperamental.

So what if she stares at us or yell at us for a bit?

That's right.

Even Master is practising tolerance.

What more to say us?

Tolerance?

I've lost my patience long ago.

Just wait and see.

I will get the chance to teach that stubborn mule a lesson.

Shut up!

I'll not listen to you speak rudely of elders!

Huang Wen Fa.

Did you forget I'm your senior?

Brother Da You, maybe I should go get master.

No.

Don't trouble him with this.

Da You, when you were accepted as a pupil,

I was the one who mentored you.

Beat him up for me!

Da You, we are not just learning kung fu.

Master always said to put virtue first.

He also taught us brothers to be one another's compass.

Gao Qi defamed an elder. He should be reprimanded.

Help me beat some sense into him!

I'm helping neither.

But I won't let you two fight each other!

Xu Da You, I've always been good to you.

Did the dog eat your conscience?

Just because master praised you some,

you now think you're better than everyone else?

Your seniors are no match for you, huh?

Are you belittling us, Da You?

Even if you're a natural,

I don't believe you could fight us alone.

You just reminded me something, Ah Fa.

Xu Da You is actually disrespecting his seniors.

I...

I am not!

Denying it, are you?

Ah Fa, let's put him in his place first.

Come on, come at us.

The two seniors are bullying the junior.

Very good.

The madam is calling for lunch.

Da You, Xiao Wu, come on.

The ones that bullied the junior will not be eating.

Go practise the handstand.

Xiao Wu.

Lucky us today.

There are less freeloaders to feed.

Here, Mother.

There's more. Have another piece.

I'm full.

Sister.

I'm full too. Thanks, Sister.

Here, Dong Fang. You eat.

Here.

If your father was alive,

he'd be heartbroken to see you in this state.

I'm full.

Don't be stupid.

Eat.

You two sure take things literally.

You really are doing handstands.

We wouldn't dare disobey Master.

How long are you doing to hold it?

No idea.

Master only said to do it,

not when the punishment would be over.

I asked Yuan Jia about it.

He said it isn't punishment.

He said it's for you two to practise the handstand.

You've held it long enough.

Stand up.

Madam.

I have breakfast for you two.

I've packed an egg, just one though.

You two can share.

Not the egg, Madam.

You're with child.

Granny said you should have an egg every day.

It's not for us to eat.

I've been eating it every day and I'm sick of it.

Ah Fa.

You're a young master of Nanyang.

Yet you have to contend with the harshness of the valley.

It must be hard for you.

Yuan Jia told me that I should persuade you...

Madam, please stop.

I've made up my mind to follow Master for another three years.

I won't leave until time is up.

I won't persuade you then.

Gao Qi.

You're the brightest among all of Yuan Jia's pupils.

So can I ask you for a favour?

At your service, Madam.

I have some ornaments here.

I have no use for them in the mountains.

Go down to the town...

and sell it for silver at a pawn shop.

I can't do that.

Why not?

If Master found out that I pawned your ornaments...

I'd definitely be whacked.

Your master isn't so unreasonable, is he? He's not one to simply beat people up.

Don't worry.

I might not have discussed this with Yuan Jia,

but I know he'd do the same if it was up to him.

Ah Fa, go with Gao Qi.

The path is slippery with the snow.

You two can look out for each other and discuss if needed.

I'm not going to take him.

A young master?

What can he do for me?

You mean I don't want to go with you.

What was it that Zhen Sheng said?

He encountered a tiger on the road?

There is a good saying.

A real brother is needed to beat a tiger.

You guys went through thick and thin with Yuan Jia.

You're pretty much real brothers.

If you came across a tiger on the way,

take on it together.

I'm sure you two could chase it away.

Madam, why chase it away?

If we saw a tiger, we'd hunt it...

and have tiger meat for new year dumplings.

Brother Gao Qi, madam just praised you for being bright.

So why couldn't you get the joke?

There are no tigers on the road.

Madam said that because she knows how we often bicker and fight.

That's why she wants us to go to the town together.

Oh, shut up.

I knew it from the start.

I appreciate your concern.

I will not bicker with Ah Fa over small things again.

After all, I'm the big brother.

I'll let him have his way.

Don't try to be so noble.

I was wrong. Please be patient with me, Brother Gao Qi.

That's the way.

"Timely snow marks a good harvest,"

"an abundance of food each and every year."

"Plum blossoms welcome the new,"

"peace all year round."

And the banner reads, "Good nurturing and education."

Uncle Yuan Jia,

your writing has improved.

It's almost as good as grandpa's.

I think we need two more "prosperity" on the door.

Wait here. I'll write them now.

Never mind the "prosperity."

Mother.

You should write two big, "tolerance"...

and stick them on the door.

Using that word is not very auspicious for the new year.

Peace and safety are most favourable.

I hope you'll write them.

Mother, let me write for Yuan Jia.

No, I want him to write it.

Every stroke and dot.

Second daughter-in-law, prepare the ink.

Yes, Mother.

[Tolerance]

Great word.

Go and stick it on the door yourself.

Let me have a good year this year.

Will do.

[Tolerance]

What is wrong with mother?

It can only be due to you.

What about me?

You had a nightmare again last night, didn't you?

You kept calling for Ying Si,

"I'm going to chop you into pieces!"

I must have scared mother again.

No wonder she wanted me to write this word.

To be fair, this word is not bad.

I heard your father used to emphasise it when he was alive.

Yuan Jia.

Many notable heroes did not have good endings,

because they didn't learn the importance of this word.

Master, Madam!

-Gao Qi, Ah Fa! -Brother Gao Qi!

That didn't take long.

Looks like they bought a lot.

Where did they get the silver?

Come.

Returned in full, Madam.

You didn't pawn the ornaments. Then how did you buy the goods?

Pawning the madam's dowry would be the pupil's disservice.

Don't evade the question. Where did you get the money?

Here, Da You.

Madam.

Brother Gao Qi.

Ah Fa.

Madam.

Take these ornaments and exchange them for your watch.

It's nothing, Madam.

Don't take it to heart.

I told Gao Qi not to tell you.

What a blabbermouth.

This is not right.

Why not?

We just bought some goods for the new year.

I have to eat too, right?

You're the pupil.

You have the right to eat and drink at the master's house.

But the master's own family shouldn't be using your money.

This is the rule.

Take the ornaments and redeem your pocket watch.

Otherwise, I'll tell Yuan Jia...

and kick you out.

Don't be hasty, Madam.

If a blizzard happened, we won't make it back in time.

I don't care. Who let him decide on his own?

I'm going to tell Yuan Jia. He'll mete out punishment.

Please don't, Madam.

Please don't tell Master.

Why not this?

You can give Ah Fa the ornaments,

as repayment.

That sounds probable.

You are bright.

Ah Fa.

Give me your hand.

These ornaments belong to you now.

Next time you go to town, use them to redeem your watch.

Mother.

Yuan Dong is gone. This year,

only the children and I will pay our new year respect to you.

Come, get up.

Don't cry. It's the new year.

Rise, all of you.

Dearest Mother,

your son and daughter-in-law wish you a good new year.

Wishing you a long and healthy life.

Good, good.

-Happy new year, Granny. -Happy new year, Granny.

Old Madam, Xiao Lian pays new year respect to you.

Happy new year, Old Madam.

Rise.

Happy new year to you too.

Last year, I could still give you some new year's money.

This year, my pockets are empty.

I hope for your understanding.

Don't say that, Mother.

All right, let's all get seated.

It's time for the reunion dinner.

Don't be scared, Young Lady.

Look.

It's not moving. It's dead.

Granny!

Zhen Sheng kowtows to you for the new year.

Happy new year, Granny!

Yes, happy new year.

You may rise.

It's the 29th of the winter solstice month.

The Old Buddha returned from Xian...

to find Beijing in disarray due to the Westerners.

She got angry and said,

whomever that were imprisoned because of Westerners...

are pardoned.

Master,

someone wrote a report about your case and handed it to the Old Buddha.

Her Majesty gave her verdict.

She said,

the Westerners had hung Wang Wu's head on the tower to show the public.

The person that removed it is no longer persecuted.

Does that mean we can return to our house in Tianjin?

That is great news.

There's nothing at this dilapidated place.

We can't even fill our tummies.

I've had enough of it, Mother.

What's the situation in Tianjin?

It's still under the Western rule.

They set up a government called...

the Eight Allied Forces Provisional Government.

There are three commanders.

A Japanese, a British...

and a Russian.

There are several other members.

The Westerners also set up a patrol squad.

They go about Tianjin arresting people as they like.

The reality is, currently, Tianjin is being controlled by Westerners.

The people can hardly make ends meet.

What about our house?

Master,

the house has been sealed off by the Western government.

The neighbours have all moved.

After all, twenty over lives were lost overnight.

They worried about lingering spirits.

Yuan Jia.

The imperial court has decreed to pardon you.

What we should do from now on...

You can decide.

Mother.

Father and Yuan Dong died because of me.

I'm a sinner. I have no right to decide.

Your sister-in-law wants to return to Tianjin. What do you think?

We'll listen to you, Mother.

It's true many lives were lost in the household.

The house has become a bad omen.

Moreover, Yuan Jia had created problems these past years.

We also sold most of the family's real estate.

But we still own some shops, right?

Let's go back to Tianjin, Mother.

The children won't have to starve then.

They can go to school.

Wouldn't that be good?

Can I say something, Mother?

Go ahead.

For the past year,

the whole family had a tough life living in the valley.

Yes, it was tough, but there were benefits.

living deep in the mountain means Yuan Jia is far from trouble.

I no longer have to constantly worry.

The whole family is together.

We aren't pining for those absent.

Sister,

we had a dry summer. The harvest wasn't very good.

Dong Fang and Dong Yuan had suffered.

Rest assured

Yuan Jia found two pieces of land that are suitable for planting.

We will plant a few more acres of crop next Spring.

We'll rear a couple of piglets,

and some chickens and ducks.

The children will be able to enjoy meat.

Studying is important.

If you don't mind, Sister,

what about I teach this year?

I studied for 10 years.

Back in my hometown,

I was my younger siblings' teacher.

I'll make sure Dong Fang doesn't fall behind.

If Dong Yuan wants to, she could join in.

Yes, please!

You made everything sound so nice.

But I still think...

it's better to go back to Tianjin.

Don't you think so, Mother?

Second daughter-in-law is right.

Everything she said made sense.

First daughter-in-law, I like being in the mountain too.

So we won't be going back for now.

Mother!

I fear that going back would invoke past memories.

Who knows I might join Old Huo...

after some days.

Come, Yuan Jia. Let's wash your feet.

You spoke too much.

Are you angry?

Did you want to go back to Tianjin?

I'm guessing you don't want to.

The person I married is an indomitable hero.

There's no way he could live surreptitiously under the Westerners.

But elder sister-in-law wants to go back.

She's been unhappy.

Still, we can't return.

I asked Zhen Sheng.

Ying Si was promoted again.

He repeatedly sent men to look for you in Tianjin.

That's great.

I'm looking for him too.

More reason not to go back.

I don't want my child to be born...

without a father.

Look, it's still moving.

What is this awful place?

Last year, there was a draught.

This year, it's raining non-stop!

It's been raining for three days.

The pigs that are finally of size ran from the flood.

We're now left with only chickens.

How are we going to survive?

Will you stop complaining?

Ah Fa.

Madam.

Sorry for asking you this.

The gold pocket watch I owe you...

will definitely be repaid.

The ornaments I gave you...

-Those ornaments? -I...

I gave them to Brother Zhen Sheng.

You...

I know we're out of food.

Don't worry.

Brother Zhen Sheng has gone to town.

He'll be back with food before nightfall.

Young Master Huang.

Madam!

Mother.

Are we having only wild vegetable porridge?

Look at my son's face.

It's turned green.

Look at him, Mother.

Haven't you noticed...

that Yuan Jia didn't even have a sip of porridge for three days?

Mother, I'm fasting.

My son, what's the point of lying to me?

My son is a hero of men.

What a shame...

that he'd die of hunger in the mountains.

Zhen Sheng.

Go and pawn this.

I can't do that, Master.

This is the only memento...

Master Huo left for you.

I can keep the memento in my heart.

The jade is just an object.

Pawn it.

Don't just buy dry goods. Buy some meat too.

Go now.

-Master. -Master!

Let's work.

The seedlings are growing well.

What should we do today?

I didn't call you guys here today to farm.

You're teaching us kung fu?

I've heard long ago,

about this skill called "Grass Hopping."

Master, are you really...

There is no such thing.

That's something the storytellers made up.

Then it must be...

stance training.

All right, put the tools down.

Come here.

Master, this is the manual for the Arcane Huo Fist.

I heard from Master Huo...

that pupils not named Huo who secretly learn it...

will be crippled.

That's right.

When my father was alive,

he followed the rule of not teaching outsiders.

The Huo residence was broken into two years ago.

We had to leave in a hurry,

but my mother remembered to grab these family heirlooms.

So you are giving us three...

Jinmen martial arts practitioner, Huo Yuan Jia,

will officially pass the Arcane Huo Fist trilogy today...

to his cherished pupils, Gao Qi, Huang Wen Fa and Xu Da You.

Thank you, Master!

Thank you!

Master, uncle told me before...

that you cannot bequeath this nor have the right to.

Actually, I've already handed it down.

I taught you guys kung fu since you were young.

The Deceptive Fist that I created...

incorporates fundamentals from the Arcane Huo Fist.

If you're talking about basics of martial arts,

those manuals contain more accurate and in-depth information.

The reason I created Deceptive Fist...

was to avoid the rule of not teaching the Arcane Huo Fist to outsiders.

-But... -I know what it is you wish to say.

It's true.

I accepted pupils without permission back in the day...

and passed on my skills.

My father caught me and I was hit 300 times in the ancestral hall.

Yes, we've all heard what happened.

That's why we can't accept the manuals.

Did you think I was made of steel?

That I could endure 300 beatings?

I'll tell you the real story.

At the time, my father hit me ten times...

before he stopped and asked me,

if I could vouch for my pupils...

to obey the martial arts code,

to not bully the weak...

or commit wrongdoings.

And I said yes.

He then asked me,

if I passed the skill on to pupils not named Huo,

what would happen when I had children of my own?

I replied...

that Yuan Jia is unruly.

I cared only about practising kung fu, not setting up a family.

If I didn't accept pupils now,

all the skills I've learned would be lost without a successor.

That really set my father off and he threw the rulebook on the ground.

He told me to remember what I said and not regret it.

Indeed.

Old Master Huo was right.

Madam is with child.

You will be welcoming your own son very soon.

You should leave the manuals to him.

We became your pupils to learn kung fu.

We never had any intention of coveting the Huos' heirloom.

The Huo family already has a male heir.

Last Spring Festival,

I gave the manuals to Dong Fang.

I was going to teach him...

and make him the successor of Huo Fist.

But then...

[My son will not learn that.]

[He's better off learning the Four Books and Five Classics.]

[He'll ace the exam when he's older.]

[Even if he doesn't,]

[at least he will have a peaceful and long life.]

I've thought about it.

If I had a son in the future,

I'd teach him kung fu when he's five years old.

But would his mother agree?