Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Episode 10]

I had given you a chance.

Why didn't you kill those two crooks?

Are you really their accomplice?

I was once a wanted criminal, I couldn't even go home.

Now that the imperial court finally annulled my arrest,

if I killed someone again...

Couldn't go home?

Missing your wife, are you?

A true man never worries about not getting love.

Is your wife prettier than my sister?

I've had it all figured out.

After you kill those crooks, go back to Shisanli Mound with me.

You can be the second-in-command.

I will marry Sha Yan to you.

Nonsense.

I'm already married.

How can I leave my wife and remarry?

But Sha Yan likes you!

What's the problem?

My sister is a fine lady. Is she not good enough for you?

Stop it.

You set the opium on fire and made a fatal mistake.

Once the government gets to the bottom of it,

it'd be hard to claim innocence.

Government?

All the officials are afraid of the foreigners.

They abolished the smoke-free laws,

and now they're selling opium.

How can you count on them?

Listen up.

Kill those two crooks immediately,

and you can still be my friend.

I am not a bandit,

how can I kill for no reason?

Are you criticising me?

Listen to my advice.

Leave Shouyang with your sister.

Otherwise, when the government takes action,

you won't be able to escape.

You fool!

Over there!

-Those two are the arson bandits! -Run!

Huo Yuan Jia, if you trust the government,

you will eventually come to a bad end.

Split up!

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

What is this about now?

Bandits committed arson late at night.

They burnt down Ma Shan's entire house.

The bandits have come into the city!

I heard there are hundreds of them.

[Announcement]

I got it.

Zhen Sheng, sit down and eat noodles.

Master,we shouldn't be eating.

I've packed the stuff.

Let's leave.

Leave?

What exactly happened to the opium?

We can't leave before the whole thing comes to light.

Master, that is a job for the government.

What else are officials for then?

I think Shouyang...

is a hotbed for trouble.

Da You, get a bowl of noodles for your brother.

Sit down.

I'm going out to run some errands.

Wait for me in the inn.

Master, what are you up to? I can go with you.

We...

To stay out of trouble,

all of you are not allowed to go out,

did you hear me?

-Yes, Master. -Yes, Master.

Got it, Master.

Master, don't worry.

What?

Huo Yuan Jia again?

I think he must be out of his mind.

Guards!

Beat him and kick him out!

[Integrity]

Huo Yuan Jia!

The magistrate decided to let you off as you are a madman.

Why are you making trouble again?

Come! Under the magistrate's order, beat him up!

Don't move!

Huo Yuan Jia, are you trying to revolt?

The pupils of Huo Yuan Jia, listen up!

Hands on your head and come out!

If you resist, you will be killed at all cost!

Brother Zhen Sheng.

Brother Zhen Sheng!

Master said not to go out.

Ah Fa.

This is bad.

We're surrounded by the soldiers.

Brother Zhen Sheng, those soldiers are nothing.

We are outnumbered,

but they're mostly garbage.

Let the four of us fight our way out...

and just leave.

Gao Qi is right.

We can't just do nothing.

-I'll listen to Brother Zhen Sheng. -All right. Right here.

What are you whispering?

You're trying to run after committing arson?

We've even got the jail wagon ready.

No use running.

Get out of the way!

Out of the way!

Get out of the way!

Hurry up!

Zhen Sheng!

Master!

What happened?

Huo Yuan Jia?

What did my pupils do wrong?

Why did you arrest them?

You're just in time.

With you,

we have all the arsonists arrested.

Guards!

Take down the head of bandits, Huo Yuan Jia!

Master!

You're really revolting, aren't you?

Where are the archers?

-Master! -Master!

-Run! -Run!

Master, run!

Don't just stand there! Run!

Where is he? After him!

After him!

Hurry up!

[Thousand-year Benevolence]

This is not wine. It's water.

Take a sip.

You ought to die from dehydration no matter how heroic you are.

Yesterday, my brother said you're ignorant.

You think that we're bandits,

so you chase us away so we don't implicate you.

I didn't believe it,

but you're just like what he said.

What now?

So you won't drink the water offered by a bandit?

Listen.

The Sha family used to be an influential family.

My father was a First-Degree Scholar.

But he was an upright man.

He refused to be associated with the corrupted officials.

That's why he was framed.

The government beheaded dozens of our family members.

Only my brother practised martial arts since young.

He managed to escape, swaddling me.

I see.

The Sha siblings rule over the hill...

because you have no choice.

Exactly!

My brother said...

the Huo family also met with misfortune.

Your father and brother were killed,

dozens of family members were slaughtered for no reason.

We're all in the same boat.

Huo Yuan Jia.

Previously, I asked my brother to propose to you.

I asked him about your answer yesterday,

but he told me to ask you myself.

What is it?

Are you not fond of me?

Thank you, Lady Sha, for saving my life.

I've been married long ago.

I'm assuming the proposal was a joke.

Don't bring it up again.

Where are you going?

My pupils have been framed.

I need to ask around.

No way!

With your imposing look,

people will recognise you immediately!

You would be arrested before you even find out anything.

Then...

Wait a second.

Hunch a little when you walk.

Pretend you're a cripple.

Be careful.

Thank you, Lady Sha.

One more thing.

It doesn't matter if you don't want to accept me now.

But you'll know how good I am after getting to know me.

Another thing!

Judging from what happened today,

the bad guys from the government will not let you off.

There's only one way out,

that is to return to Shisanli Mound with us.

By that time,

the woman you married wouldn't be willing to go with you.

When she goes back to her family,

you can still marry me.

Step aside!

Speak!

Go on!

Are you going to confess or not?

Grind the ink.

Write down...

every word I say.

Yes.

[Confessor, Liu Zhen Sheng]

[Confessor, Xu Da You]

[Confessor, Huang Wen Fa]

Outrageous.

They have no respect for the law.

Envoy Hou,

what should I do with these rascals?

Execute the bandits who entered the city as a warning.

Otherwise, trouble might arise, Shouyang will be at stake.

As I see it,

this matter is urgent, we should act first and report later.

I've drafted the announcement.

Guards.

[Announcement]

Good job.

It is sound and meticulous,

exactly what I wanted.

[Liu Zhen Sheng, Gao Qi,]

[Xu Da You, Huang Wen Fa]

What is it about?

Read it to me.

Someone will be beheaded.

The people who were arrested last time will be executed.

Aren't they the bandits in the arson attack?

Yes, it's them.

The government is moving quickly.

The execution has been set for tomorrow.

At a quarter past 12.

This is frustrating.

I hate myself for not listening to Zhen Sheng.

I should've taken the sword that Brother Wang Wu left.

What's the use of bringing that sword?

To disrupt the execution!

Aren't you counting on the government any more?

Even with that sword,

you want to break into the execution ground in broad daylight?

The government is wary of you.

Many soldiers will be on guard.

There are archers and armed soldiers.

How will you handle them?

But if I can't save my pupils,

how can I carry on living as their master?

Let me ask you.

Why do you want to break in?

To save my pupils.

That's right.

If you won't be able to save them,

why break in in the first place?

I have an idea.

I guarantee your four pupils will be safe and sound.

Lady Sha, are you serious?

Of course!

Sha Yan!

He is really worried right now.

Don't spout nonsense if you don't have any good ideas.

It's up to you.

Lady Sha,

how can I save my four pupils?

Please enlighten me.

I don't deserve any credit for it.

If I manage to save them,

just take me as your pupil.

That's...

I'm not threatening you.

Huo Yuan Jia,

no matter your answer,

I will still find a way to save your pupils.

[Honest and Righteous]

[Huo Yuan Jia,]

[think about it.]

[In the entire Shouyang County,]

[who is the most evil man?]

[Envoy Hou.]

[He is just an envoy,]

[can he have his own way?]

[Could it be the magistrate?]

[This magistrate must be the most evil man...]

[in the entire Shouyang County.]

[To catch bandits, first catch the ringleader.]

[Rather than breaking in, [why don't you kidnap Wei...]

[and use his head to exchange for your four pupils?]

[This...]

[Good idea, Sha Yan!]

[It didn't even cross my mind.]

My lord.

It's getting late.

You're right.

Go and rest.

Rest early. I shall take my leave now.

What a crook.

I wonder how much gold and silver he has taken,

but he pretends to live miserly.

Let's go.

Son, I heard that you'll take some people's lives,

four of them at that.

Mother,

the bandits snuck into the city.

They committed arson and murder, striking fear into people's hearts.

If I don't kill them,

I can't give the people an explanation,

not to mention the Imperial Court.

Amitabha.

I hope they will reborn as good men in the next life.

Who's there?

It's Grand Master.

Grand Master.

Take a seat.

There's tea on the table.

Madam, I will not drink tea.

I will leave after sending a document to the magistrate.

What kind of document could be so urgent?

You even came to my mother's house.

It's from the capital.

Mother, I'm sorry.

I have to leave first.

Just go ahead.

Go ahead.

Mother,

can you wipe your own feet?

Sure.

I don't need to see to wipe my feet.

Just go and do your work.

You don't have to come everyday.

Then, I shall leave first.

Huo Yuan Jia,

how many men do you have here?

Even if I'm alone,

I can take your life anytime.

I believe that.

I am just a scholar.

I can't even punch my way out of a paper bag.

Now that you've caught me,

I will not resist.

But if you want to threaten me...

to save your gang, that's wishful thinking.

I am an imperial official,

I will never succumb to threats.

If you kill me today,

the Imperial Court will pay compensation...

and take care of my mother until she dies.

Huo Yuan Jia,

you're outrageous!

Wei, stop putting on airs.

You don't scare me!

Since I became an official,

I've always been fair and never abused my power.

But I made an exception for you.

I've betrayed the trust of the Imperial Court.

I knew that you were not insane,

but I used it as an excuse to defend you,

I did that for the sake of Lord Tan and Brother Wang.

I wanted to give you a way out,

but you don't know chalk from cheese,

sneaking into the magistrate court to assault me.

Kill me if you dare.

You can't escape the long arms of laws,

The Imperial Court will track you down...

and behead you to avenge me!

[Shouyang County Bureau]

I was up all night,

pondering over the matter.

My sentence against the bandits was wrong.

The four bandits...

should be sent to the Judicial Commissioner in the capital...

and be reviewed by our superiors.

Firstly,

they snuck into town and caused chaos in broad daylight.

It shows the severity of banditry in this county.

The superiors should be informed.

Secondly,

we managed to arrest four bandits in just one day.

Our superiors and colleagues...

should be informed of our achievement.

Envoy Hou,

what do you say?

My lord, I don't think that's probable.

People are looking forward to a quarter past 12,

when you'll supervise the execution and gratify the people.

This is an important matter.

How can we do it for a temporary pleasure?

Draft another announcement for me and post it.

Just say that...

the judgement yesterday was a hasty decision.

The bandits beheading show...

will be cancelled.

My lord, this is really a bad idea.

There's nothing wrong with it.

Just do it.

As for the four bandits,

you will escort them to the capital tomorrow.

Envoy Hou,

you better watch out.

If there's any mistake,

you and I will have to pay a hefty price.

Huo Yuan Jia,

are you an idiot or what?

How could you trust that evil magistrate?

I think he is trustworthy.

[Let me ask you,]

[are you really Huo Yuan Jia,]

[the man who sent Lord Tan Si Tong off at Caishikou?]

[That's me.]

[So what?]

[Then, the man who seized the head of Big Sword Wang Wu...]

[so the hero's body would be complete,]

[was that also you?]

[So what?]

[I heard that because of this,]

[your family was implicated.]

[Not only were your father and brother killed,]

[but also dozens of the Huos.]

[Why are you saying all these?]

[Aren't you also disregarding lives...]

[and killing my innocent pupils?]

[Innocent?]

[Didn't they commit arson and murder?]

[Of course not.]

[Then do you know who did it?]

[Tell me his name.]

[I will bring the real culprit to justice immediately,]

[and release your four pupils.]

[It was me,]

[Huo Yuan Jia.]

[You?]

[Exactly.]

[Why would you commit arson?]

[I was burning the opium.]

[Was there really opium?]

[Am I someone who would make things up?]

[Wasn't it you...]

[who instructed Envoy Hou and corrupted traders...]

[to profiteer the opium...]

[so that you could make profit?]

Magistrate Wei was a good friend of Lord Tan Si Tong.

He was also a close friend of my brother, Wang Wu.

We have agreed to beat them at their own game.

I don't know what the heck is wrong with that egghead, Wei.

He changed his mind after we made the announcement.

He now wants to send them to the capital.

And it has to be done tomorrow!

Did he check for a good date or what?

We can't wait any longer, sir.

You should send someone to the jail quickly...

and kill the four of them.

That can't be.

Not everyone in the jail is my henchman.

If we let the cat out of the bag,

what then?

That's...

Pay me more.

I will ask my friends to get it done on our way to the capital.

That'd be the best option.

Sure.

I will pay.

But Hu Liu will take the advantage.

Hu Liu has earned all the money for nothing.

In order to trap all the culprits,

Magistrate Wei has given me a day.

Early in the morning, I bought a swift horse in the market...

to chase after Hu Liu.

You're right.

It will all come out in the wash after we catch Hu Liu.

Hu Liu wanted the money for free?

Do I look like a dummy?

Don't worry.

I've found someone reliable to chase after Hu Liu.

He'll be taken out.

The banknotes that he seized...

will be returned in full.

Really?

In that case, I can't thank you enough, sir.

My friend,

please make way.

I won't.

Are you a robber?

You got me.

Brother, I am a dealer.

This time I've lost some money.

This is all I've got.

Take it.

A dealer?

Who are you trying to deceive?

I'll be honest.

Envoy Hou from Shouyang sent me here.

His purpose...

is to seize all the banknotes in your possession.

Isn't Hou working for the government?

I can't believe he's conspiring with bandits.

Stop the nonsense.

Leave the banknotes and I will let you go.

Otherwise...

If I lose the banknotes,

I can't explain myself after I go back.

Aren't you just asking for a fight?

Bring it on!

Stop it!

Mr. Huo.

This man robbed me in broad daylight.

Please help me!

So you have help.

I guess I'll have to take another life today...

and get my reward from Envoy Hou later.

You mentioned Envoy Hou.

Did he send you here to rob him?

Yes.

I initially refused,

but he kidnapped my 80-year-old mother.

He forced me to come here.

Please let me off, mister.

In this case, it's none of your business now.

Scoot!

Yes, mister. Thank you.

Thank you, mister.

Hu Liu?

That's me.

I have something to ask you.

Be honest with me.

Watch out!

Despicable!

Resorting to hidden weapons?

You do have some skills.

I, Flying Porcupine, am covered with poisonous spines.

I've been robbing for over a decade on this route...

and have yet to fail.

One more time!

If you hadn't used sneak attacks, you wouldn't have died.

I wonder if you really have an 80-year-old mother.

Thank you for saving my life.

Get up.

That bandit was crafty,

I bet he was full of lies.

I'm sure he didn't have an 80-year-old mother.

Mr. Huo, don't feel sorry for him.

Back at Dongguang Magistrate Court,

I maintained my family name was Liu.

How did you know my surname is Huo?

Who wouldn't know Huo Yuan Jia from Jinmen?

Today I've witnessed your martial skills.

If I hadn't met you,

I would've been killed by a crook.

It must've been the magistrate of Dongguang, Xue Xue,

who told you my identity.

So it must be him...

who sent you to Shouyang.

Give me the banknotes.

What... What did you say?

Stop pretending.

That day, you and Envoy Hou...

were bargaining in the corrupted trader's house...

and took a lot of banknotes.

I knew about it long time ago.

You can't deny it!

The banknotes, right?

They're here.

Please check, Mr. Huo.

Xue Xue is an imperial official.

but you're helping him to transfer opium with royal escorts.

You're audacious!

Mr. Huo!

Please forgive me!

Go back to Shouyang with me!

You'd better come clean...

at the Magistrate Court!

Yes!

I will tell the truth.

Sir, this way.

Master.

Sir.

Go away.

Flying Porcupine is handy.

He should have returned by now.

But why haven't we heard from him till now?

Could he have ran off...

after seeing the large amount of banknotes?

How dare he abscond with my banknotes?

After I kill Huo Yuan Jia's four pupils tomorrow,

I will have time to teach him a lesson.

He earned so much illegal money.

He's even worse than the bandits!

You just believe in Magistrate Wei blindly.

What if Hou really takes Liu Zhen Sheng and the others to the capital?

What if they meet more foolish officials?

What then?

[If your pupils really confessed to false charges under torture,]

[Envoy Hou would never dare let them get to the judicial commissioner.]

[I only assigned this task to Envoy Hou.]

[He will select the soldiers himself.]

[He will definitely bring along his henchmen.]

[On this journey,]

[you will have to be in charge of your pupils' safety.]

No way.

You have four pupils, not only one.

If Hou acts all of a sudden,

you won't be able to save any of them.

I'll gather men from Shisanli Mound.

Once they leave the city,

we will destroy the jail wagon.

You must not do that.

We could've washed our hands off it.

But due to your reckless action,

the warehouse was burned down and the evidence were destroyed.

If you save them now,

they will be convicted of colluding with bandits.

I know I am a bandit.

You don't have to keep reminding me!

You ignorant rascal.

Sha Yan, let's go!

Take the mountain road.

Sir, the mountain road is rough.

I want efficiency.

We're transporting high-profile criminals.

Magistrate Wei gave his order.

I have to travel all day to rush to the capital.

Cut the crap.

Hurry up and go!

Just go wherever Envoy Hou tells you.

Yes, sir.

Oh, no! The bandits want to hijack the jail wagon!

Fight them now!

Someone's hijacking the wagon!

Move!

Go, run!

Hurry! Save us!

Behead them!

Help!

Master!

Brothers, there's a troublemaker!

Kill them all!

Leave me alone!

Kill those men in the wagon!

Master.

Master.

Master.

Unlock it for me.

I will track Hou down.

Yes.

Catch up to Hou and I will slit his stomach open!

I'm willing to bet his organs are all black!

None of you are allowed to go.

You've all suffered.

It's all my fault.

If we want to live with our heads held high,

we must never kill anyone.

Especially now!

Master!

You have no idea how he tortured us!

Even killing him for a hundred times will not satisfy me!

Shouldn't Lu Si Ying be killed for a hundred times?

Do you still remember...

what is written on our door?

Tolerance.

Tolerance?

I can tolerate no more!

But you have to!

Wait for the officials here.

Don't go anywhere.

Huo Yuan Jia.

I've tied them up.

I'll leave them to you.

Thank you for your help.

Otherwise my four pupils would have been...

I had been rude yesterday.

Please forgive me, Brother Sha.

If I were a petty man,

I would've left you alone.

Huo Yuan Jia,

my brother was all fired up yesterday.

But after some thought,

it's tough when you're outnumbered.

A tiger can't take down a pack of wolves.

There was no way you could save your pupils alone.

That's why we came to help you.

Brother Sha.

That's right.

We will be brothers for life.

Thank you, Lady Sha.

I should thank her first.

If it were not for Lady Sha, I would've lost my head.

I will never try to teach you martial arts again.

I saw what you did.

Your skills aren't just for show.