Original subtitles

ADAPTED FROM ZHU YAN BY CANG YUE

When the God of Dragon awakens,

it's impossible for the Crimson Clan not to be involved.

Water counters fire.

I have to make plans for Princess Zhu Yan in advance.

Princess.

Chi Yuan, I actually became the Preceptor's first disciple.

I never expected Princess

to become the first disciple.

This is good too.

Learning magic techniques from the Preceptor

can let her protect herself in the future.

It's just that

if the God of Dragon wakes up in a few days,

Jiuyi Mountain

will become the most dangerous place instead.

I cannot stay here for long.

I actually mastered the Cloud-Ascension Spell

and defeated Bai Xuelu

at the last moment.

Who would've expected that I'm the one

who'd remain

in the mountain?

Chi Yuan, what do you think?

Am I a genius at learning magic techniques?

Do you wish to learn the merfolk's Fushui Spell then?

We can see if you're really a genius.

Sure.

However,

there's no water here.

Princess, please focus your spiritual power

and activate the Mirage Spell.

This time,

let's head inside together.

All right.

I should teach her some underwater magic techniques,

so that she can know herself and her enemy.

It's as beautiful as always.

After you master the Fushui Spell,

you can do what you do on land in the water.

Like you're truly underwater,

take a deep breath.

Close your eyes.

Exhale slowly.

Imagine that you're a fish.

Chi Yuan,

I think I've mastered it.

Let me show you.

All right.

What's wrong with me lately?

Could it be that the dragon's blood is suppressed too long?

I cannot focus.

We must be grand and formal on the first day

of the apprenticeship ceremony

to show the propriety of the Crimson Clan.

Formal?

This won't do.

This should be

the lovable look that a first disciple should have.

Master,

do I look good today?

Master,

this is my first official day as your disciple.

I want to look more formal.

That's why I dressed this way.

Look at me.

Do I look nice?

Master, do I look nice?

Get changed.

But I spent two hours getting ready.

These accessories

will distract you.

What's worse is

the hairpin will make your head heavier.

And it will make you react slower.

These earrings

will obstruct your hearing.

You only had

a basic understanding of magic techniques last month.

I already mastered the Wind-Manipulating Spell.

How is that just a basic understanding?

The Wind-Manipulating Spell

is the most basic magic technique.

From today onwards,

I'll teach you magic techniques from all clans.

Since you're from the Crimson Clan,

we shall start

with the fire magic techniques.

Come.

Show me

what you've learned.

Stop.

There's an issue with your casting gesture.

Second,

you don't release spiritual power through your index finger.

It goes out from your entire palm.

Third,

you withdrew your gesture too fast.

Your spiritual power wasn't able

to circulate entirely.

Again.

That's still wrong.

Master,

you're powerful

because you learned the magic techniques of all clans.

But I've only learned

the Crimson Clan's fire magic techniques since I was little.

I've practiced this spell

at least thousands of times.

I didn't practice less than you.

But when you're checking it,

there are mistakes

with this and that.

That can only prove

that the numerous practice you've done before this

wasn't up to standard.

I need to correct them

one by one.

Since you're my disciple,

I have to be strict with you

and help you to improve.

I have to do my duty as your master.

Master,

actually, I didn't just rely on my teacher

when I learned magic techniques since I was little.

I've also read many magic technique manuals.

However, different systems in various places

might lead to a different understanding of the techniques.

For example…

For example, my favorite manual

has an old man on the cover

lighting fire and having fun

with some kids.

Does the old man you mentioned

have fire snakes on his ears

and stepping on fire dragons?

That's right.

Master, you've read the manual too?

That's not an old man.

That's the God of Fire, Zhu Rong.

The kid you mentioned

isn't a kid at all.

That's the devil.

The manual describes

the story of Zhu Rong

repelling the devil with fire.

There's no happy scene either.

Did you actually

read the manual?

I…

I can't stand any deviation

in the foundation of magic techniques.

Even though you can cast a fireball,

you still need

to practice repeatedly under me.

There's no enjoyment on the path of cultivation.

There's only hardship.

Do you understand?

I do.

Continue practicing.

Again.

General Qing,

thank you for taking care of me in the past few days.

Tomorrow, we shall

go our separate ways.

It was nothing.

You don't need to be so polite.

Maybe fatigue from the long trip

has caused Xuelu to not feel too well these days.

Princess Xuelu is very competitive.

The first disciple selection has affected her greatly.

Once we part ways tomorrow,

I hope you can take good care of her, Princess Xueying.

Don't let her harm herself again.

Don't worry, I'll take care of her.

General Qing.

You can come out now.

General Qing, you follow me outside nightly.

You finally showed yourself tonight.

What exactly are you up to?

I'm afraid you'll encounter danger

when you head outside alone.

You think I'm a weak woman

just because I lost to Zhu Yan?

When it comes to being hardworking,

I won't lose to anyone.

Is that why you go out at night

to practice the Cloud-Ascension Spell?

Training must be done step by step.

If you're too hasty, you'll hurt yourself.

I just can't accept what happened.

I wouldn't have lost if she didn't suddenly master the spell.

Even Zhu Yan can master it.

Why can't I?

You don't need to look down on Zhu Yan.

Actually, you have many things in common.

She and I?

Forget it.

I may not know the ways of the world,

but I will make a bold guess.

You just think those with a better background than yours

don't work as hard as you.

It's because she's a legitimate daughter

and you're not.

And I know you aren't a genius at magic techniques.

You must've suffered a lot

to get to where you are today.

You're practicing the Cloud-Ascension Spell so many times

to prove

that you aren't inferior to others.

But you know that I'm also an illegitimate son.

I'm from the collateral branch of the Azure Clan.

I understand your situation.

You don't understand at all.

Do you know the identity of my mother?

I don't know the marriage alliance

among the Six Ministries.

However, since she's your mother,

I'm sure she's an unsurpassed beauty

and talented lady of noble birth.

An unsurpassed beauty and talented lady?

You're right about that.

Back then, countless men spent a lot of money

just to make her smile.

However, she wasn't a lady of noble birth.

She was a courtesan.

But…

But the Six Ministries' leaders

can't take courtesans as concubines.

Am I right?

She has been teaching me

how to read and write ever since I could remember.

She believed I would be successful one day

and my father would acknowledge me.

She even flattered herself and named me Xuelu.

I was born in a courtesan house.

However, she believed that I could stay untainted.

Is she

still all right?

When I was five,

she committed suicide in return for a chance

for me to enter

the Bai Residence.

Others only know

that I'm the illegitimate daughter of the White King.

But no one knows who my mother was.

What a joke, right?

How is it a joke?

White King abandoned your mother even if she was devoted to him.

The White King is a joke here, not her.

You don't look down on my background?

No woman would become a courtesan

if she has a choice.

Why would I look down on a pitiful person?

That's why I want to prove

that regardless of my background,

I can become the strongest woman in Kongsang.

I will not lose to Zhu Yan,

Xueying, or anyone else.

When that time comes,

I can bring my mother's memorial tablet into the Bai Residence honorably.

Xuelu,

- I-- - General Qing,

I'm grateful for what you said.

But you and I have our own paths to take.

We're destined to take different paths.

Xuelu

actually has such a background?

I'm sure General Qing

will be sad if he finds out

that we left without a word.

You heard everything last night, right?

I didn't mean to.

That's fine.

There's no need to pity me.

I'm not pitying you.

I just think

that Father is truly…

That's why I require myself not to lose to anyone since I was little.

I don't hate Father.

As for you,

as the Bai family's legitimate daughter,

yet you don't have the competence and aura of one.

What a waste.

Xuelu.

I don't care if you pity or understand me.

Keep those emotions away.

In the future,

we shall fight for the position

of the Empress.

I won't go easy on you just because you're my little sister.

Wrong. Do it again.

Master,

is the casting gesture that important

as long as I can

get the job done?

If everyone follows the beaten path,

we can never invent new magic techniques.

Repeating the wrong gesture

10,000 times

can only reinforce your ridiculous mistake.

You can't even compare to a layman who trained for half a day.

Divine servant.

Preceptor.

Preceptor, I…

Don't panic.

Just follow my instructions.

How long have you been practicing fire magic techniques?

I'm not a cultivator.

I've never learned any magic techniques.

Zhu Yan,

do you admit defeat?

Yes, Master.

Very good.

Continue practicing.

Does he need to humiliate me like that?

It's not like

I didn't improve at all in the past few days.

I'll do it seriously for once.

I'm sure I'm better than a mere divine servant.

Zhu Yan,

why are you so useless?

You can't even master this.

How could you train under Master?

Do you know where your mistake lies?

I…

My head

is suddenly hurting like crazy.

I'm sure it's because

I've learned too much in the past few days.

It overturned what I've known for more than ten years.

Master, look.

It hurts here.

It hurts here too.

Master,

I have a splitting headache.

Please allow me to rest.

It hurts!

Master,

I've already perfected the gesture

you taught me.

Princess,

The Preceptor went down the mountain around seven

to check on the plague.

A plague broke out in Jiuyi District.

The villagers are seeking shelters in the mountain.

Why didn't anyone tell me about it?

I know some medical skills too.

Maybe I can help them out.

By the way, where's Lord Chong Ming?

He's in the Pavilion of Books' infirmary.

Lord Chong Ming!

There might be

some misunderstandings between us.

However, since I'm already Master's disciple,

I will cherish this chance

and try to get along with you and Master.

What has that got to do with me?

Since I'm going to train under Master in the mountain,

naturally, I need to get along

with people around him.

It's best if you don't appear in front of me.

Lord Chong Ming,

are you going down the mountain

and meeting up with Master?

Isn't it obvious?

Get out of the way since you know I'm going to deliver medicine.

Lord Chong Ming,

what's wrong with your hand?

What's wrong with my hand?

Lord Chong Ming,

how can you carry heavy things

with your flawless hands?

Why don't you let me

carry this medicine basket for you?

You want to go down the mountain with me?

No way.

I know some medical skills too.

I can help out.

For example,

Lord Chong Ming,

the effect of your favorite facial mask

will have a more softening and rejuvenating effect

if you add a dash

of Crimson Flower to it.

Are you serious?

Where can I get Crimson Flower then?

Crimson Flowers

can only be found in the Western Desert.

But I have plenty of them in my residence.

Lord Chong Ming, just one word from you,

and I'll ask someone to bring them here.

Lord Chong Ming,

why don't you bring me with you

to let me expand my horizon?

Don't you think you can bribe me

with a mere Crimson Flower.

I have a strong determination.

Hurry and distribute the medicine to them.

All right.

Thank you.

Have some water.

Hurry.

Be careful, I'll help you.

The porridge is ready.

He has always been a neat freak.

I don't know how he manages to endure this.

I didn't expect the plague to be this severe.

It's contagious too.

We should hurry and help Master out.

We lack manpower.

I'll count you in.

Mother!

Don't be scared. You'll recover in no time.

I'm here.

Great timing.

Apply the herbs I've distributed

on the patients' wounds.

It can lessen their pain.

By the way,

distribute the herbs you brought to those who are recovering.

Give it to me.

What are you doing here?

Master, why can't I be here if you're here?

I'm here to help you out.

Do you know that this disease is contagious?

Master, although you're powerful,

you're still human.

If you aren't afraid,

why should I be afraid?

I'm here to treat them.

What do you know?

You're only a hindrance.

I…

If you contract this disease,

your face will be filled

with pusses and holes.

How can you get married then?

Stop right there.

Master, since you said I can't help

and will only be a hindrance,

I'll leave

since you say so.

Come back.

It's done. Go now.

Thank you.

Next.

Here.

You were purposedly harsh to her to force her to leave

so she wouldn't get infected, right?

Actually, that lass isn't too bad.

I do like her.

It's a pity she's the one

in the prophecy.

We're here, Shi Ying.

Shi Ying, thank you.

Preceptor,

you've rid us of the disease.

Words cannot express our gratitude.

It's my duty. No need to be this courteous.

After receiving your treatment,

most patients have already gotten better.

We've prepared some simple dishes.

Please rest here for the night

and proceed with treatment tomorrow.

- This way, please. - This way, please.

This way, please.

Come, be quick.

Come on, please have a seat.

Miss, what is this?

This is the Fire-manipulating Spell.

You're amazing.

If so, you should drink more.

Miss, the fish soup you made is amazing!

Drink it slowly.

Be good.

There's more if you've finished it.

Didn't you…

Chong Ming.

You guys must be starving.

Didn't you return to the mountain?

I was going to leave.

But most of the villagers are sick.

They can't even cook for themselves.

Although I'm not adept at magic techniques,

my fire magic technique is fine.

That's why I thought

I should make fire and cook for the villagers.

After all, they can only recover

once they have their bellies filled.

Master, this is also a chance for you

to review my progress from yesterday's lesson.

Master.

He's still the same person he was.

Where are you going?

Chong Ming.

You love fish soup, right?

Here you go.

Miss,

you're an excellent cook.

I've never had such tasty dishes before.

The fish soup is amazing.

This is great.

Master.

Master,

I did everything

from making fire to cooking.

Master, this is for you.

There are no chopsticks or plates.

And we're in the wilderness.

How can we eat? It's inappropriate.

Master, you're being narrow-minded.

The Western Huang has boiled mutton,

the Eastern Sea has raw drunken prawn.

And since ancient times,

people have been cooking meat

by covering them with soil and leaves.

They use what they can find and disregard the details.

Tucking into a great meal

when you're hungry is the best.

The flesh is as white as snow and it's not flaky.

This is so delicious.

Master,

I succeeded in roasting fish even if it's my first time.

I'm such a genius.

Master,

why don't you try it?

Try it.

What do you think?

Is it good?

It's all right.

Actually, when I was in Jiuyi Mountain,

I imagined

enjoying great food with you.

Just like now,

without caring about the occasion or customs,

we should eat when we're hungry.

Thank you.

Thank you, Master.

Actually,

I should be thanking you instead.

Master, why are you thanking me?

You've been working with me the entire day.

Master, you were treating and saving them.

As your disciple, of course I should accompany you.

Actually, Master,

I should be thanking you instead.

Master, I knew you told me off today

because you were afraid

that I might contract the disease.

You did it for my sake.

All right.

Let's stop thanking each other.

We should finish the fish quickly.

"We?"

Master, you said

"we".

In the future, we'll enjoy

many delicacies together.

Master, if you go

to the Crimson Clan's territory with me,

I shall let you

enjoy all the delicacies there.

The beef and mutton we have there

are the freshest and tastiest.

Our clan members will make a circle around a fire

and we'll sing while roasting.

The taste is impeccable.

Fifteen minutes after the desert rain,

golden mushrooms

will appear there.

If the mushrooms aren't harvested within two hours,

they'll vanish.

During that time,

my friends and I

would harvest them together

to see who was the fastest harvester.

Also,

the wine there

is also exceptional.

I must say I miss

the milk tea my mother made the most.

However, my mother isn't good at cooking.

She creates a mess

every time she makes fire.

She always turns a pot of milk tea

into congee.

However, my father and I

will finish the milk tea

every time.

Master,

you must give that a try if you get the chance

to visit my hometown.

I once read this in a book.

The autumn in Western Huang

is magnificent.

You can see the long river, sunset,

and smoke in the desert.

I will check it out when I have the chance.

Actually, it's not just the Western Huang.

I want to travel around

the entire Yunhuang.

I want to see Jiangnan,

which looks like a scene from a painting.

I want to check out the Northern Plains

that's covered by snow as white as feathers.

It sounds so beautiful.

Master, can you also bring me along

when you go there?

It depends on your performance.

How can you randomly dispose of fish bones?

What if the birds choke when they consume it

by accident?

Master, you were only nice to me

for less than half an hour.

You're still as rigid as always.

Today,

after my personal review,

you passed

the fire manipulation basics.

Bad news!

This is bad! Hurry and check the village!