Original subtitles

ADAPTED FROM ZHU YAN BY CANG YUE

Chi Yuan!

Chi Yuan!

I was worried about you.

You had me worried.

They're saying you were punished for speaking up for your master.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

I've always wanted to speak up for him.

It was satisfying.

The punishment was nothing.

Chi Yuan.

My master told me

that you are the Sea Emperor.

Is that true?

Yes.

I am the Sea Emperor.

That's great!

Great?

I have the utmost faith in your character.

If you're the Sea Emperor,

what's there to worry about

when it comes to the Evil Star?

Chi Yuan.

My master is staying

at Empress Bai Yan's old residence in the east of the city.

You should talk to him.

I'm sure that together,

you will clear up any misunderstandings.

I understand.

But…

I know you've only just returned to the clan.

Even if you are the Sea Emperor,

it will take some effort to get the Merfolk marine force

to listen to you.

But you and my master

are the ones I respect and trust the most

in this world.

I don't want to see the two of you fight each other to the death.

Moreover,

only the two of you

can stop the war now.

Right?

Chi Yuan.

Please don't give up so easily,

all right?

All right.

I'll see your master.

Chi Yuan.

if there's anything else you need my help with,

just name it.

There is a favor

I'd like to ask of you.

Mother…

Mother…

Mother…

It's Sumo.

Do you know him?

I met him and his mother

in the Huotu Tribe.

Where's his mother?

Mother!

Don't die…

Mother!

Your mother didn't leave.

She is here.

Two hundred years ago,

I helped Lady Yu escape

from the Merfolk marine force.

Later,

I ran into her in Western Huang.

I didn't realize that you met

Lady Yu and her son.

Unfortunately…

If I had been there in time,

Lady Yu might not have died.

You don't have to blame yourself.

The murderers are those

who started the war

- Mother. - for their own selfish reasons.

Sumo looks very ill.

Yes.

He has been running a fever.

He needs spiritual powers to protect his heart.

I am a Merfolk.

I cannot practice Kongsang techniques,

nor do I have spiritual powers.

I can only turn to you.

Mother…

His fever has gone down a lot.

His breathing is calm too.

That's good.

Chi Yuan.

You'll be busy

with the truce.

It's inconvenient to keep a sick child

with you.

Why not

let me look after Sumo?

Thank you,

Princess.

I will be troubling you.

When have I been one

to shy away from trouble?

That makes us sound so distant.

You've gone as far

as to call me Princess again.

Is there anything else, Chi Yuan?

Princess.

This is a grave matter.

Please do not mention this to anyone,

including His Lordship, Her Ladyship, and…

And your master.

Do not bring up Sumo's past.

Do not even mention me.

My identity is sensitive.

I cannot cause any more trouble for the Crimson Residence.

Please get up.

All right.

I'll tell them

I picked up Sumo on the streets today.

When you have sorted things out with my master

and I've healed Sumo,

when everything settles,

we'll return to Extreme Wind City together.

Is it really wise to leave Sumo in the care

of a Kongsang person?

If he stays with us,

the elders will find out in no time.

Besides, we cannot do anything

about his condition of Dragon's Blood.

But Yan'er

can ease his pain.

Perhaps one day,

when the Preceptor learns of Sumo's identity,

he will spare him

because of Yan'er.

Yan'er is the destined one of the Dragon Blood Jade.

Now, you and I have been forced

to leave Sumo in her hands.

Maybe this is fate.

Ruyi.

We need someone to change Yunhuang.

Not the Emperor of Kongsang,

not the elders,

but him.

The Sea Emperor we've been waiting for 7,000 years.

Sumo is

the hope of the Merfolk Clan.

He will grow up

to be a great and proud Merfolk.

But if the elders find out

that the Sea Emperor is still a child,

they will use him for their selfish whims.

The pain we suffered

and the mistakes that were made

must not happen to him.

CRIMSON RESIDENCE

You're finally awake.

Are you hungry?

Do you want to eat?

I've had some porridge prepared for you.

Would you like sweet

or savory porridge?

What's the matter?

Don't you recognize me?

Yufei,

go and see if the porridge is ready.

Sumo.

It was your Uncle Chi Yuan who asked me

to take care of you.

But you cannot mention him

to anyone here.

You have to tell them

I found you on the streets.

Do you understand?

I don't care about Uncle Chi Yuan!

He's a liar!

You're a liar too!

You can't say that about Chi Yuan.

I couldn't meet up with you guys

because I was held back by something.

But after that, I searched all over the mountain with my men.

But you were nowhere to be found.

I don't believe you!

Sumo!

Sumo!

I'll kill all of you!

All of you are bad people!

- Sumo! Calm down! - I'll kill all of you!

I'll kill you!

Calm down!

Listen to me.

Sumo.

You're not completely cured yet

nor bestowed with any identification.

Do you know how chaotic it is out there?

Even if I let you go,

you could die out there!

I don't need you to care even if I die!

I didn't get to Bamian Peak in time.

I failed you

and your mother.

You can blame me

and hit me.

But your mother didn't die to protect you

for you to do this right now.

Do you understand?

Princess,

Princess Xueying is here to see you.

Madam.

Yufei.

Look after him.

Try to satisfy

his demands.

Yes, Princess.

Yes.

Princess!

Princess!

It's terrible!

The Merfolk boy ran off!

What happened?

It's all my fault.

I brought up his mother

and angered him.

I immediately sent people to go after him,

but the Valorous Cavalry happened to be capturing the Merfolk

all over the city right now.

They claimed he was part of the marine force

and took him.

The Valorous Cavalry?

The Valorous Cavalry is under my brother's command.

He just returned from the front lines to Ye City.

Bai Fenglin, Governor of Ye City.

My brother has always despised the Merfolk.

If the child falls into his hands,

he will surely suffer.

I'm going to get Sumo back.

- Princess! - I…

I'll go with you.

My brother might spare him

for my sake.

Don't worry.

No matter what, I am the Princess of the Crimson Clan.

Bai Fenglin wouldn't dare to do anything to me.

Take a look.

Princess Zhu Yan of the Crimson Clan

greets General Bai.

Princess Zhu Yan.

Why did you stop me?

That Merfolk boy is a member of my residence.

- This is… - He is not one of the marine forces.

There must be a misunderstanding.

I have a business to attend to.

I shall not get down from my steed.

This must be the boy you mentioned.

- Sumo! - Wait.

Princess Zhu Yan.

You said this boy was a slave of the Crimson Residence.

Do you have a slave contract to prove that?

He is a free boy.

He did not sell himself.

So he is not a slave of the residence.

Then how will you vouch for him

that he is not with the marine force

or their descendant?

He is like a brother to me.

How could he be part of the marine force?

Please have mercy on him, General Bai.

Lady Zhu Yan.

Are you saying that you,

the Princess of the Crimson Clan,

adopted this Merfolk boy as your brother?

Since you claim

that this boy is a descendant of the marine force,

do you have any proof?

As you can see, Princess,

I'm busy with military affairs.

If you want proof,

come back in ten days.

If I can't show any proof by then,

I will return him to you in one piece.

But so far,

no Merfolk has ever been able

to hide anything from me.

Bai Cheng.

Take these Merfolks back.

They're fighting.

- General! - General!

Young Master.

BAI YAN'S OLD RESIDENCE, YE CITY

Sixth Aunt.

Young Master.

You still have a residence in Ye City?

This residence

is under my mother's name.

Sixth Aunt

used to be my mother's maid.

After my mother joined the harem,

she stayed behind

and took care of this place.

My mother used to bring me here to get away from the heat.

Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt

watched me grow up.

Then after what happened…

Thanks to them staying behind

to look after this residence

that this place isn't overgrown with weeds.

It was such a shock

when we heard about what had happened

to Young Lady and Young Master.

When we heard that Young Lady was seriously ill,

we tried to visit her at the palace,

but we couldn't get through to her.

Thank goodness

our Young Master has finally returned.

That's right.

Young Master, now that you're back,

I'll have them clean up the courtyard

at once.

No rush. I saw red lotus flowers

among the grass in the front yard.

That's an excellent herb for beauty.

You can tidy up the yard after I've collected

all the red lotus flowers.

All right. Please come with me.

All right.

Young Master.

I'll make you some tea.

Thank you, Sixth Aunt.

Young Master.

A Merfolk is asking to see you.

Let him in.

Yes.

Thank you, Sixth Aunt.

Young Master, the guest is here.

I've kept you waiting, Preceptor.

Have a seat.

Sixth Aunt, was this tea prepared

with the water I brought?

Yes.

This water is tranquil, pure,

and refreshing.

It must have been collected in the third month of autumn.

Devoid of the bitterness of plants,

with only the sweetness of the pearl fish.

Water from the Li River, the headwaters of Ge Mountain?

Rumor has it that the Sea Emperor

is knowledgeable of the 5 lakes, 4 seas, and the 24 measures of water.

You are really something.

You tried to test me with this water.

How could I not answer?

His favorite tea

is Yunwuqing.

To prepare this tea, you need water from the Li River,

the headwaters of Ge Mountain.

It must be water collected in the third month of autumn as well,

so that the water is devoid of the bitterness from plants

and carry only the sweetness of the pearl fish.

With the Sea Emperor's intelligence,

you must know what I mean to ask you.

What you fear

must be the prophecy.

You fear that the Sea Kingdom

will one day destroy Kongsang.

Preceptor.

The Evil Star is merely a star in the sky.

It brings neither fortune nor calamity.

The decline of Kongsang today

was definitely not caused by a single star.

Tell me why then.

In ancient times,

the various gods displayed their prowess.

Kongsang,

the Merfolk Clan, and the Ice Clan

coexisted in harmony.

The stars shone brightly.

It was then that prominent figures

such as Emperor Xingzun and Bai Wei came to be.

However, later on, Kongsang became dominant,

while the other clans gradually declined.

Seven thousand years later,

the people indulged in pleasure.

Yunhuang regressed instead of progressing.

A far cry from its former glory.

That is what led to the existence of Emperor Beimian,

a man who indulges in beauty and neglects state affairs.

Lies and deceit.

Are you not afraid that I'll kill you?

No.

I have three reasons.

Firstly,

given your character,

there is no need to hide anything from close ones.

Secondly,

if you do not even have the capacity to hear the truth,

then how could you possibly plan to change Yunhuang?

Well said.

Tell me then.

What will be the future state of Yunhuang?

Revive the cooperation

between the Merfolk and Kongsang.

Embrace diversities and mutually benefit.

We will surely return Yunhuang to its former glory.

When that time comes,

the farmers will plow their fields,

the weavers will have their loom,

the dwellers will have their huts,

the young and old will be sheltered.

The people will be educated,

no one will be afraid to speak out.

All will make the best use of their talents,

inherit the past, and bring forth the new.

The stability of the nation will be everlasting as the sun

and the prosperity of the nation will be as radiant as the stars.

Do you mean that

from the bottom of your heart, Sea Emperor?

Preceptor.

My clan worships the God of Dragon.

The God of Dragon excels in rain and water,

not combat or battle.

My clan does not favor battles.

The God of Dragon chose me

for my compassion,

not for my ability to fight.

I believe you share the same thought.

Why would you let me live otherwise?

All right.

If this is your vision,

then let us make a pact.

Let us promise

that the Merfolk and Kongsang will withdraw their forces within a month.

I will do my best.

Do your best?

The Merfolk marine force may be complicated,

but you are still

the Sea Emperor they have waited 7,000 years for.

The Merfolk

will naturally obey you.

What can't you do

if you set your mind to it?

Unless…

You are not the Sea Emperor.

You jest, Preceptor.

I will make good on my word.

All right.

I will trust you once more.

When did you first realize

you were the Sea Emperor?

I was once the Lord Left Envoy of the marine force.

Two hundred years ago,

I was severely wounded in battle.

So I went into hiding in Western Huang.

Recently, I sensed the God of Dragon

and the Evil Star rose.

Thus, I returned to the marine force.

What kind of injury

would require 200 years to recover from?

It's one of the heart.

Preceptor.

I'll tell you that story

after I successfully withdraw the marine force.

Deal.

Right.

You mentioned three reasons,

but you only stated two reasons

why I would not kill you.

The third reason…

Well, if you killed me,

you would lose an acquaintance

to discuss the art and appreciation of tea.

Young Master,

you've finally returned.

Why not stay for dinner?

I made Ciba cake with red bean paste.

It was your favorite when you were a child.

Thank you, Sixth Aunt.

You should stay for dinner too.

Perhaps we can find

more mutual interests.

That's right.

Stay for the reception dinner

to welcome our Young Master home.

The more, the merrier after all.

All right.

I shall accept your hospitality.

Xiaoyingzi.

These red lotus flowers are truly…

He…

- He-- - The Sea Emperor.

- You two-- - We have cleared our misunderstanding.

- Then I-- - Keep your mouth shut

and sit down for dinner.

I'm surprised.

In the time I went to get some red lotus flowers,

the fisherman

had become friends with the fish.

But I still don't trust him.

Don't let him deceive you.

Lord Chong Ming.

Did you save a Merfolk

by the banks of Qingshui River

400 years ago?

Stop right there.

Do not try that with me.

I was born a charitable soul.

I've saved a lot of people.

That man was a wandering physician of the Merfolk Clan

and the spiritual medicine you gave him

has become a must-have for the Merfolk healers.

We use it to apply to wounds.

We call it the Chongming Ointment.

In fact, for over 7,000 years,

we've been consuming and using the same items

as the Kongsang people.

The Kongsang people cannot live without us either.

It has only been a month since the war started.

The Merfolk has suffered heavy losses.

Ye City is no longer

as prosperous as it once was.

So the truce

is not an excuse for us to buy time,

but heaven's will.

Let's go!

The little duck can't catch up.

What do we do?

Hurry!

Hurry!

- Hurry! - Hurry and catch up!

Hurry!

- It got it! - Did it get the food again?

Yes!

Mother, my duck got the food again!

Did your mother plant

the lotuses in this pond before she died?

My mother's life

was just like the lotus in this pond.

Born out of the mud, but unsullied.

Seeing the purity of the lotus,

one knows the untainted nature of the mind.

Your mother transcended this world.

Her soul

must be free in the other world,

unbound by the worldly matters of her past life.

That said,

I am admittedly surprised

by your attitude toward the Merfolk.

What do you think

I should have done?

Your true identity has long been spread

across Yunhuang.

What I say today will not be overstepping lines.

Given your past,

it would have been within valid reason

for you to use this opportunity

to wipe out the Merfolk Clan

to seek revenge.

I never would have expected you to propose a truce,

Preceptor.

I am human too.

I would not be able to face my mother

if I said I did not resent Qiu Shui.

But…

But you fearlessly fought Diba at Guwei City

and showed mercy

to the marine force at Extreme Wind City.

That's how I knew

that you could never bring yourself to take the lives of millions

for revenge.

A man like you

is worth befriending.

Back then,

you were a high-ranking Left Envoy.

Yet you gave up everything and went into seclusion.

You were able to heal your wounds with only time.

You're a man of great passion and character.

You would rather find yourself displaced

than abandon your responsibility to your people.

You are a worthy friend as well.

Preceptor.

Farewell.

Who are you?

Your Majesty.

I'm here to see the Sea Emperor.

All of you, come in.

Slowly.

- Careful. - Here.

Over here.

All right.

Your Majesty.

The Valorous Cavalry is arresting Merfolk all over the city.

The residents that agreed to take us in

kicked us out

for fear of being implicated.

They have nowhere to go now.

- Yes. - That's right.

- It's so sudden. - There's nowhere for us to go.

How unfair.

Preceptor.

The war is raging

and the world is in turmoil.

These blind Merfolk

are unable to protect themselves.

I've been looking everywhere

for a place for them to stay.

Please do not be offended.

I will take them away now.

These Merfolk are old

and blind.

They have difficulty moving as well.

Why not

let them stay here?

This is my mother's old residence.

The Valorous Cavalry would not dare to behave recklessly here.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

- Thank you. - Thank you for taking us in.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Please get up.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Preceptor.

I will never forget the kindness

you showed the Merfolk.

I only hope that our two clans

may cease this war soon,

so that these unfortunate people

may live out their lives in peace.

Sixth Uncle, Sixth Aunt.

Please take care of them.

Yes, Young Master.

Ma'am, please follow me.

- Here. - Come.

- Ma'am. - Come.

Perhaps

we could have been friends

if we were

not on opposing sides.

- This is where you will be staying. - Over here.

All of you will get to stay here.

Ruyi.

- Okay. - Why did you bring them here?

Just follow me.

I told you.

We were evicted.

We had nowhere to go.

- No. You wanted to use - Come with us.

Shi Ying's sympathy.

You wanted to clear his doubts about me.

You are using the lives of our people

- to protect my safety. - This way.

I'm not.

I know you're worried about me.

But I don't want you to become like Elder Jian,

disregarding the lives of others

for his own selfish purposes.

It is not only the Merfolk

that is in an abyss of peril.

When you take a wrong step

for your own selfishness,

you're one step closer to the path of no return.

That is why, as your brother,

I must stop you at the first sign.

I understand.

I was unable to find the Sea Emperor.

What about you?

By the time we arrived,

there were no longer signs of the Sea Emperor.

I sensed that the Sea Emperor was close by that day.

But the Kongsang Army appeared.

By the time I took care of them,

I had lost the Sea Emperor.

If you hadn't started a war

with the Kongsang Army,

I would've brought the Sea Emperor back safely to us now.

That was an accident.

We cannot call a truce

after coming this far.

- Right? - Yes.

- That's right. - We can't call a truce.

- That's right. - That’s what we need to do.

The Evil Star has been dimming.

I suspect it was the war

that had displaced the Sea Emperor.

The odds are against us.

Continuing to fight in this situation

will only put the Sea Emperor in danger

and jeopardize the great cause of the Sea Kingdom.

That's right.

Let's decide our next move after the return of the Sea Emperor.

- This… - This…

- It's an option. - Well…

The Sea Emperor cares about his people.

He would never let the Merfolk make unnecessary sacrifices.

You, you,

and all of you.

Didn't your children lose their lives because of this war?

We say that the Sea Emperor remembers the dead,

but he has never even met them.

How could he remember them?

- This… - He has a point.

Yes.

But we've already lost so many soldiers.

Are we going to give up the cities we fought so hard for

just like that?

The Sea Emperor is the chosen one.

He will surely lead the Sea Kingdom to glory.

Why must you insist on

going to war in such a hurry, Elder Jian?

What if the Sea Emperor is a child?

I see you wish the Sea Emperor is a child.

That way, you could control him and rule over the Merfolk, right?

- This… - That can't be.

Xi, order the troops to withdraw.

Yes.

Wait.

My lord.

If we withdraw now

and the Kongsang Army continues the pursuit,

will you take responsibility for what happens?

I promise.

As long as we withdraw our troops,

the two clans will cease this battle.

Preceptor of Jiuyi Mountain.

I did not summon you.

Why are you here?

Your Majesty.

Recently, the Evil Star has reappeared

and our fate is uncertain.

As the divine official of Jiuyi Mountain,

I've been investigating this matter,

and recently, there has been progress.

It's a matter of great importance,

so I've come to report to Your Majesty.

Tell me what progress

has been made.

I have found

the Sea Emperor.

- What? - He has found the Sea Emperor?

- The Sea Emperor has been found? - He's found?

Is that true?

Yes.

I have also made an agreement with him

to have Kongsang and the Merfolk marine force

withdraw their respective forces and cease fire within a month.

Therefore, I ask that Your Majesty

withdraw all the Kongsang troops.

You are indeed something, Preceptor.

A cease-fire is a serious matter.

How dare you make that decision with the Merfolk by yourself?

My officials.

What do you think?

Your Majesty.

The stakes are high for this battle.

The Preceptor is unaware of the situation on the front line,

but he discussed a truce with the Merfolk in private.

I believe

the Preceptor is trying

to claim all the credit

for ceasing the rebellion himself.

Please look into it, Your Majesty.

I have not participated in the war,

but I am aware that the people are the foundation of a nation

and the stability of the foundation ensures the peace of the nation.

Countless civilians have lost their homes in this war.

Is the suffering of the people

just a bargaining chip

for merit in your eyes?

You…

The marine force of the Sea Kingdom

is nothing to fear.

Your Majesty. Currently,

the army led by Shi Yu

is advancing swiftly,

with frequent victorious reports.

Even if minor sacrifices are made,

I do not see

any need

to withdraw our troops

while Kongsang has the upper hand.

Rather than us having the upper hand

with the victorious reports,

it is better to say that we are injuring 1,000 enemy soldiers

while losing 800 of ours.

The Kongsang Army

is only able to seize the upper hand

by having an advantage in numbers.

But the Merfolk marine force is determined

to fight to the death.

The battle will not end any time soon.

The casualties on both sides

will only increase.

Even so,

the casualties are necessary.

The Merfolk are not one of us.

The Sea Kingdom has perished for thousands of years,

but they refuse to give up.

This time,

we must eliminate them all, without mercy!

- Your Majesty! - The war must not be stopped!

- Your Majesty! - Kill the Merfolk!

- Your Majesty! - The war must not be stopped!

- Your Majesty! - Kill the Merfolk!

As an outsider, the Preceptor

has repeatedly interfered with political matters.

Now, he has even overstepped his place

and agreed to negotiate peace in Your Majesty's stead.

I ask you, Preceptor,

who are you

to make this decision for His Majesty?

What are your intentions?

Your Majesty,

it's true that I have a personal agenda.

But my concern is only for the fear

of another party

taking advantage of this feud.

The Kongsang Army and the marine forces are fighting,

but this has given the Ice Clan in the north

an opportunity to take advantage of us.

Furthermore, someone in the court has had

a lot of dealings with the Ice Clan.

You failed to answer my question,

so you brought up the Ice Clan

to muddy the waters.

Exactly.

Fortunately, His Majesty is wise

and will not be deceived by you.

The Azure King is right, Your Majesty.

The Preceptor has disrespected Your Majesty

and smeared the courtiers.

He must be punished, Your Majesty.

- Please punish him, Your Majesty. - Please punish him, Your Majesty.

- Please punish him, Your Majesty. - Please punish him, Your Majesty.

- Please punish him-- - I have proof.

He really has it!

Insolence!

Are you revolting?

Protect His Majesty!

This is the proof.

Bring it to me.

You mustn't, Your Majesty!

This blade may look ordinary,

but it is a weapon of the Ice Clan.

It is made of Dark Cold Iron

and it is deadly.

The Ice Clan has no problem wielding it

because they have already adapted

to the extreme cold.

If a Kongsang person touches it,

the cold will invade their body.

In the long run,

their hearts and veins will weaken,

and they will eventually die of illness.

Where did you get this?

I found this

in General Qing's camp in Ye City.

Many of the soldiers in the camp

had used this weapon.

It's because of the use of this weapon

that our troops have been suffering from cold

since the beginning of the war.

The Azure King is so eager to win

that he resorts to using such a weapon.

All the victorious reports

of our advancement

were built

on exposing our troops to such dangers.

To think such a matter happened…

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

I had instructed General Qing

to change the weapons

before I left the camp.

Azure King.

What do you have to say for yourself?

Your Majesty,

I am innocent.

Up until now, the Preceptor has only

been spouting nonsense without proof.

Even if the Azure Army prohibits

the use of this weapon,

who can prove

that it is a weapon of the Ice Clan?

You were so certain

that no one here had seen an Ice Clan weapon.

That is why you dared to act so boldly.

But you forgot, Azure King.

I was attacked

at Jiuyi Mountain

and the culprit was of the Ice Clan.

This is the weapon they left behind.

I have always stayed in Jiuyi Mountain.

All the divine officials can attest.

Your Majesty can send someone to check

if it's the same material.

We do not have such iron in Kongsang.

Is it true?

Qing Dongfang.

Do you still dare to argue?

A large number of Ice Clan weapons

have made their way into the Kongsang Army.

Do you dare to say you were not aware of this?

I know

my fault.

But I only knew that this weapon

would make it easier to kill the enemy.

I didn't realize the severity of this matter.

I was careless.

We have never traded with the Ice Clan.

So where did these weapons come from?

Your Majesty.

I will investigate the person who purchased these weapons

and get to the bottom of this.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

The Azure King oversees all of the military's finances.

How can you push all of the blame

onto your subordinates?

Your Majesty.

Conspiring with the Ice Clan is a serious offense.

Please investigate this matter thoroughly.

Please investigate this matter thoroughly, Your Majesty.

I believe

it is unnecessary to get to the bottom of this matter.

As Your Majesty

once said to me,

"One leaf is enough to tell the arrival of fall.

One guilty is enough to caution ten thousand."

Since the Azure King has given up the buyer,

then punishing that person will suffice

to serve as a warning to others.

Azure King.

Shouldn't you thank the Preceptor

for pleading grace on your behalf?

Thank you, Preceptor.

You need not thank me.

All this is due

to His Majesty's benevolence.

I knew you wouldn't take out your anger on the Azure King,

just as you have always been compassionate

to the innocent who were caught in the war.

The situation was urgent,

so I took the liberty

of negotiating peace

with the Sea Emperor

without your permission.

However, whether the agreement proceeds

is at Your Majesty's discretion.

Since you've said that,

how can I

refuse?

Pass on my decree.

Withdraw all Kongsang troops

at once.

Preceptor, tell me.

Who should be put in charge of this matter?

Crown Prince Shi Yu has been stationed in the army

since the start of the war.

He is familiar

with the ongoings in the military.

I strongly recommend him.

Granted.

Your Highness, a letter for you.

Xueying must have known about the truce and wrote to me.

YOU CAN'T CEASE THE WAR, FROM MOTHER

Your Highness?

Your Highness?

Is something the matter, Your Highness?

No.

The cease of the war will be a great achievement.

The withdrawal of our troops will proceed as planned.

There's no time to lose.

You…

Who are you people?

What do you want?

Someone, come quickly!

Calm down.

I am the Preceptor of Jiuyi Mountain.

I have some questions for you.

I don't know anything.

Will you still keep his secret for him

now that it has come to this?

Do you really think

he will protect your mother

and children?

I've sent your son to Jiuyi Mountain.

He is now an outsider.

He will not be implicated.

Thank you, Preceptor,

for protecting my family's bloodline.

You are an innocent man.

The soldiers of Kongsang

are innocent too.

I do not want any more innocent lives to die in vain,

so I must uncover the truth.

I'm willing to tell you

everything I know.