Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Episode 38]

You'll graduate today.

You may leave.

Master.

Why are you chasing me away?

Aside from training,

you seemed depressed.

Staying at Elite Martial Arts...

must be against what you want.

Now, you've pretty much mastered the Huo Spear Method.

It's time for you to go.

The road ahead is long.

Wishing you a bright future.

Master...

I don't want to leave.

It's not true that this is against my wish.

Sometimes,

I choose not to divulge what I know.

Some people...

are better avoided.

You don't have obvious flaws,

so it's fine not to return to the school.

I don't accept that.

Are you chasing me away...

so you could take my life?

What?

You're a hero.

It wouldn't be right to kill within the school.

If I leave Elite Martial Arts,

nobody would notice if I died in the wild.

You can then get rid of the man that Liu Zhen Sheng and the others hate.

Why would you say that?

Nong Jin Sun, Liu Zhen Sheng and the rest...

want me dead.

Chen Zhen.

Those two are good men.

Don't make baseless assumptions.

It's good for you to leave Elite Martial Arts.

If you don't leave,

I might not be able to handle...

if someone wants trouble with you.

[When you're back in Elite Martial Arts, you must move quickly.]

[Or else, Huo Yuan Jia would be the end of you.]

[With his cunning and devious ways,]

[he doesn't have to get his own hands dirty...]

[to get rid of your puny life.]

[I'm afraid...]

[I wouldn't even be able to retrieve your body then.]

He's really going to kill me.

What are you mumbling about?

Nothing.

Go.

I know you don't have money for the journey.

Take this tael of silver.

Take it.

[Huo Yuan Jia is a hypocrite.]

[Huo Yuan Jia is a hypocrite!]

[A hypocrite!]

Master.

You asked me to leave,

then I'll leave.

But you're my teacher.

I've yet to pay my respect as a student.

-There's no need. -No!

Let me bring you water to wash your face.

You've taught me for days.

You were drenched in sweat.

Allow me to help you wash up...

as a token of my respect.

All right.

Please wait for a while, Master.

Master.

Please wash up.

Okay.

I appreciate your thoughtful gesture.

Master...

I have avenged your death.

Huo Yuan Jia!

Don't kill him!

Why spare such a sinister rat?

Huo Yuan Jia, you're the sinister rat!

I thought you sincerely wanted to teach me.

But you had set me up right from the start.

You're the one playing tricks...

but you're crying foul?

Master, just let me kill him!

Stop!

The one who kills Chen Zhen will become my enemy!

Thank you, Brother Sha.

So Jin Sun notified you as he was worried.

I'm glad Mr Nong told me.

Or else you'd be dead.

That Chen Zhen was so convincing that I failed to notice.

Master, there are no outsiders here.

Listen to me this once and let me take care of Chen Zhen.

I'll slash his throat.

When night falls, I'll throw him into the river.

He can have all the crabs and shrimps.

He has no family anyway.

Nobody can identify the body if it was found.

Did you not hear what I said just now?

Master.

-Chen Zhen is... -Zhen Sheng.

Yuan Jia is compassionate. He pities Chen Zhen.

Moreover, he had mentored him for some days.

Elite Martial Arts will not talk about killing Chen Zhen again.

I'm an outsider.

Don't mind my input.

Being compassionate is not a bad thing.

But the subject matters.

On a stormy night, we broke into the Ying Villa.

We killed Ying Si and Westerners.

It was a blast.

That Chen Zhen...

is considered one of Ying Si's kind.

Not killing him will only create more trouble.

Why are you grouping Chen Zhen with Ying Si?

You and Sha Yan have been in Songjiang for some days now.

How is the investigation?

Did you find any leads on the culprit?

Here, have some tea.

Sister, actually we've been in Shanghai for half a month.

Then why didn't you come to Elite Martial Arts?

Do you not miss me?

Of course I do.

But we were under Master's order...

to investigate Sun Wu Ji's murder in Songjiang.

Found anything?

We did find some suspicious persons.

But they weren't the killer.

There's one though...

We lost him.

The one that we lost track of is the most suspicious.

Two days before Sun Wu Ji was poisoned,

he had arrived in Songjiang.

He stayed in the most expensive inn.

He spent money like water.

In order to get information about the fight between you and Sun Wu Ji,

he gave taels of silver.

Is he young?

How young?

We got someone to draw his face.

The innkeeper and attendants have all seen it.

They said the drawing is accurate.

Master!

Three fierce-looking old men are at the door.

They spell trouble.

I'm already agitated enough.

Who wants trouble? I'll cut their arms off.

Stop right there.

If I'm right,

they are the three seniors I had invited.

Any of the three can cut your arms off easily...

if they wanted to.

Mind your manners!

It is indeed the three seniors.

Elite Martial Arts is honoured.

Please come inside.

That's him! The degenerate!

It's that degenerate indeed!

Our great master had one moment's lapse of judgement...

and took in this snake.

Poisonous snake!

Sirs, do you mean he is...

Poisonous Jiu Zi.

He is the degenerate of Eagle Claw Sect.

Not Eagle Claw Sect.

This scoundrel had long been kicked out from the sect.

I never expected there to be infighting among the Nine Men of Eagle Claw Sect.

Jiu Zi poisoned Sun Wu Ji?

What "Nine Men"?

Our martial uncle had made it clear when he was still alive.

Eagle Claw Sect's grandmaster only has seven disciples.

Lu Si Ying and Jiu Zi...

were deemed outsiders a long time ago.

[Martial arts]

I'm Chen Qiu Feng.

Two years ago, I was appointed as the head of Eagle Claw Sect.

I came to Shanghai together with two of my juniors.

Firstly, to pay our respect to Brother Wu Ji.

Secondly, because we had heard that...

this scoundrel was seen in Shanghai.

You've been looking for him?

The former head of the sect, Master Qiu,

was also poisoned.

His killer has yet to be found.

Poisonous Jiu Zi is the most likely suspect.

Master Qiu was poisoned to death?

Why weren't there any news about that?

We are a prominent sect of the martial world.

Our leader died in his residence...

and we failed to find the killer.

How could we let such news be known to the world?

Brother Wu Ji was too careless.

I'd sent word to warn him about Jiu Zi.

He should've been more vigilant.

All right, Brother Qiu Feng. Don't be upset.

Turn Chen Zhen over to us.

Eagle Claw Sect has our own rules to take care of...

such scoundrels.

Yes, we'll take him to confront Jiu Zi.

He'll face the real killer who poisoned his master.

Let that open his eyes.

Judging from what you've said,

it sounds like you know where he is.

We're not the only three who came to Shanghai.

Our disciples have been here for some days.

They have some leads.

He is currently living in the concession,

enjoying a lavish lifestyle.

Today...

is the perfect chance for us to take action.

Here.

Over to you.

Chen Zhen.

These three are Eagle Claw's elders.

This is the current sect leader,

Master Chen Qiu Feng.

Eagle Claw Sect?

Uncles!

You finally came.

Huo Yuan Jia killed my master!

Untie me!

Help me kill him to avenge my master!

I don't understand why Old Weird Sun accepted a stupid disciple like you.

Can you read, boy?

Take a look.

Your master sent us this letter.

In it, he called Huo Yuan Jia an upright man.

He also invited us to have a drink at Elite Martial Arts.

It's rare for Old Weird Sun to praise anyone.

With this letter,

we have no reason to doubt Huo Yuan Jia's character.

That's because Master was tricked.

He pretended to gift medicine,

but it was actually poison!

We've seen the paper.

Just answer me one thing.

Before your master died,

did he meet this man?

Speak!

He did.

Isn't that Ninth Uncle?

He's from Eagle Claw too.

The scoundrel was kicked out long ago.

Do you know what his moniker is now?

What?

Poisonous Jiu Zi.

He was kicked out from the sect because he poisoned others.

He later killed countless others with poison.

He's a master of disguised poisoning.

People called it the Shifting Poison.

Your master was killed by Qianji drug.

That's his signature.

Enough talk. Let's just go and catch the guy.

We might miss the chance if we don't hurry.

Let's go.

Please hold, elders.

I know this is a private matter of the Eagle Claws,

but Senior Sun and I were friends.

Could I help...

with catching the culprit too?

Good idea.

He is a cunning man.

We need all the help we can get to catch him.

He came home late last night with a white woman.

He must be tired.

He hasn't left the house since.

Good.

Hero Huo, you and I will catch the culprit.

The rest of you, make sure nobody gets to leave.

Master Huo.

Please take me along.

Master Chen, the boy's only wish is to avenge his master.

Let's take him.

Fine.

Scram.

Where is the man?

He's gone.

He didn't pay me and even took my clothes.

The woman at the stairs...

He seemed familiar.

Darn it, he must have found out.

Jiu Zi used a disguise.

He can't have gone far. After him!

This way!

After him!

Master.

The killer harmed you right under my nose.

And I fell for his trick.

He's been using me like a fool.

Master,

I'm so sorry.

Master!

Poisonous Jiu Zi was alerted.

I doubt he'd show up in Shanghai any time soon.

We're going to return to Eagle Claw headquarters...

to take care of some matters.

We'll send word to all disciples of Eagle Claw...

to track Jiu Zi down.

We'll find him quickly...

and kill him...

to avenge Brother Wu Ji.

Apologies for the trouble caused.

Farewell.

Elders, please take care.

I wish for Elite Martial Arts to dominate Shanghai...

and be renowned in the world.

Thank you.

Let's go.

Chen Zhen.

The spear method that I'd taught you,

you must practise it well.

I will.

Are you coming?

Do you want to stay at Elite Martial Arts?

Get going.

For the sake of Old Man Sun,

we'll let you stay at Eagle Claw to be the errand boy.

You won't starve.

Huo Yuan Jia.

My sister and I have arrived in Shanghai for a while.

Isn't Elite Martial Arts going to treat us to a proper meal?

Brother Sha, you're being unreasonable here.

You and your sister were in Songjiang to find the killer.

I had purposely gone there...

to treat you to a good meal.

Is that not Elite Martial Art's gesture of goodwill?

Brother Sha, Shisanli Mound was implicated...

because of me.

Now, you and your sister have nowhere to return to.

If you don't mind,

Elite Martial Arts will be your home from now on.

What do you mean?

I came knocking myself.

Do you think I mind?

That's great.

You and Sha Yan's arrival means a big reunion for Elite Martial Arts.

One meal isn't enough.

We'll celebrate over three days.

-Yes. -Okay.

-Come. -Come.

Brother Zhen Sheng.

Sha Yan is here.

Why aren't you happy?

I'm happy.

Master said it just now.

From now on, we're one family. I'm glad.

No need to pretend.

You cry out for Sha Yan even in your sleep.

This time, they're not leaving.

It's the perfect chance...

Perfect chance for what?

She doesn't fancy me.

Did you ask her?

I did, a long time ago.

Did you ask her this time?

Why would they come here if she didn't like you?

I'll ask her. Leave it to me.

[Stop!]

[The one who kills Chen Zhen will become my enemy!]

Chen Zhen.

The boat is turning around in circles.

What are you doing?

Elders.

I...

I want to go back to Elite Martial Arts.

What did you say?

I want to go back to Elite Martial Arts!

I figured it out.

Huo Yuan Jia is a good man,

just like my master.

I acknowledged him as my teacher.

I've only learnt the spear.

It's too soon to graduate.

I can't leave.

What a joke.

You had caused Elite Martial Arts countless troubles.

Why would Master Huo want you back?

Huo Yuan Jia is a good man.

Not even a saint would take you in.

He must be more concerned with the safety of his family.

When he bid us goodbye,

I saw his gaze.

He wanted me to stay.

Master Huo wanted you to stay?

I certainly didn't see it.

Did you think we wanted to take you?

We only did it on account of your master.

Do not think you could trouble Eagle Claw...

just because you're Old Weird Sun's disciple.

Listen up.

You are not an official disciple of the Eagle Claw Sect.

That's great then.

I'm going back to Elite Martial Arts.

Chen Zhen!

Come.

Let's drink.

Cheers.

Master Sha, Da You and I would like to toast to you and Sha Yan.

Sure, cheers.

Good to have you back.

Jin Sun, let's drink to Sha Lang.

-Okay. -Brother Sha.

-Drink. -Brother Sha.

Brother Sha, let's drink till we drop today.

Sure, drink till we drop.

I'll do it.

Here.

Try this.

Thanks, Brother Zhen Sheng.

Brother Zhen Sheng, I drink to you.

Yuan Jia is in a good mood today.

Let them enjoy themselves.

No one shall complain, you hear me?

Thank you, Mother.

Now that Sha Yan is back, everyone is happy.

Here, Mother.

Indeed.

Come and sit.

Dong Jue's mother, are you happy?

Sha Yan is my god-sister.

I'm thrilled to see her again after so long.

As for me,

I used to not like that girl.

But I found myself missing her the last few years.

She is pretty.

And she has a straightforward personality.

She does grow on you.

Mother, her brother is a loyal man too.

After being indicted for Ying Si's death,

the soldiers destroyed their bandits' den.

That's right.

Sha Lang might be known as a bandit,

but he's a true hero.

He learnt about Yuan Jia opening a school in Shanghai...

so he purposely spread the rumour...

about him killing Ying Si.

It was all to help Yuan Jia.

I heard Sha Lang dotes on his sister a lot.

That's right.

Then the idea...

must have come from Sha Yan.

I have a feeling the girl will soon be a Huo.

You can't change what fate has decided upon.

I hope you two will get along well.

Mother...

Do you mean...

the two of them will...

Sister, would you agree?

Sister,

if Mother wants it,

I will do my best to comply.

But Yuan Jia...

Yuan Jia is only pretending so as to not hurt you.

Sha Yan is so likeable.

Which man wouldn't be interested in her. Right, Mother?

There's no rush.

Let's wait until you give birth.

Then, we'll discuss it later.

It's about to rain again.

There's been a lot of rain these two days.

Come, enjoy the food.

Here.

Brother Zhen Sheng!

What is it?

Chen Zhen is back!

Master, Mr Nong!

Please go take a look.

What's going on?

Chen Zhen said he wants to return to Elite Martial Arts.

We refused to let him in...

so he's kneeling at the door.

He said if Master won't take him in,

he'd kneel there until he's dead.

Chase him away with sticks!

Okay.

Hold it!

Master, you must not trust him again.

[Elite Martial Arts]

Master Huo.

Master Huo!

This time, I am sincerely asking to be your student.

May the lightning strike me dead if I'm dishonest!

Please take me in!

Chen Zhen.

Do you remember...

my hopes for the students of Elite Martial Arts?

Skilled in both literature and martial arts.

Faithful to Elite Martial Arts.

Loyal to home and country.

Never stop working hard.

I will always remember them.

I dare not forget.

Stand up.

[Elite Martial Arts]

I drank a lot yesterday.

Let me sleep a while more. Don't disturb.

Mother asked me to wake you up.

When did your mother become so thoughtless?

Big Aunt is going back to Tianjin.

Mother is helping her pack.

-Going back to Tianjin? -Yes.

Mother said if I don't wake you up,

it'd be too late to see Big Aunt off.

Sister, make sure you take care of yourself.

Don't worry.

Young Mistress.

-Go in. -Sister!

Sister.

Why are you suddenly leaving?

Yuan Jia, I know you had a good time last night.

You should sleep in. No need to send me off.

Was it because I failed to take good care of you...

-No, no. -so you're displeased and...

Not at all.

Didn't you tell Yuan Jia about it, Sister?

Yuan Jia, this isn't a sudden decision.

I've been wanting to go back to Tianjin to restore the old house.

Mother wants to see it done too.

Elite Martial Arts is in Shanghai.

Why go back to Tianjin?

It's chilly in the South.

Mother isn't used to it.

That...

Mother doesn't like living in Shanghai?

You never told me about it.

There are other reasons. It's hard to explain.

Yuan Jia, Sister has to go.

She has to catch the boat.

But, Sister,

the task of restoring the old house...

shouldn't fall on your shoulders.

I'm not doing it alone.

My family back in Tianjin will help out.

I've spoken to them.

What about Dong Fang and Dong Yuan?

The children are older now.

They will stay in Shanghai to study.

You found them a terrific school after all.

Besides,

with Sister looking after the two,

I have nothing to worry about.

I'll go now.

Yuan Jia.

I'll be back...

when the big day happens.

Big day? What big day?

Sister will tell you about it.

Take care of yourself.

Here, careful.

Zhen Sheng, Da You.

Don't worry, Master.

We'll make sure Aunt gets on the boat safely.

Let's go.

Yuan Jia, Sister,

look after Mother!

What is going on?

Let's talk inside.

[Martial arts]

When did you get the idea to restore our old house, Mother?

I haven't heard anything about it.

The thought came to me when...

the fight ring was set up in front of the school.

I already promised you, right, Mother?

I'll never fight with others again.

There's a saying,

"You can't always do as you wish."

Do you think it's possible...

to keep the promise?

During my stay at the hospital,

your wife came to visit me often.

During sleepless nights,

the two of us would talk all night long.

Most of the time, we'd talk about you.

You came from my womb,

but your wife knows you better than I do.

Take what just happened for example.

Everyone in the family could see that...

Chen Zhen came to Elite Martial Arts with ill intentions,

but you...

Mother, Chen Zhen has turned over a new leaf.

I didn't bring him up because I'm upset...

that you decided to keep him.

Contrary to that, your action has shown me...

my son's true colours.

My son...

is a great figure of the martial world.

Mother...

Elite Martial Arts wants to break the bad habits of old...

and promote a positive, healthier scene.

Your wish is to become a grandmaster.

I...

I do not wish for fame.

You are deserving of the title.

Mother.

[The Warrior Against Opium]

I remember you carried this plaque all the way from Shanxi.

Our family had to wander far from home, we were hardly able to fill our stomachs.

As we constantly drifted from place to place,

we threw away almost everything.

But, the one thing you couldn't bear to throw away...

was this plaque.

It was clear that you valued your reputation more than your life.

And...

there's Wang Wu's precious sword.

You've kept it with you all this while.

That's because you believe righteousness is more important than your life.

You decided to keep Chen Zhen,

not only because of your friendship with Sun Wu Ji,

but you want it to be an example for the martial world.

It's impossible for me to stop you.

Mother,

thank you for understanding.

I only just found out after Sha Yan's visit.

That the Sha siblings had learnt about you opening a school in Shanghai.

They had purposely spread the news...

to divert the government's attention...

by claiming responsibility for killing...

and burning down Ying Villa.

Official guards pursued and persecuted them,

forcing them to disband and abandon Shisanli Mound.

As outsiders, they had sacrificed so much to help you realise your dream.

What I've done...

is nothing in comparison.

There's no need to thank me for anything.

Still, this elderly woman...

has to consider what is good for the family.

Especially for my four grandchildren.

Since someone has borne the responsibility for Ying Si's death,

we can now safely return to Tianjin to restore the old house.

And so...

I asked your sister-in-law to go back.

But Mother, isn't it better...

for everyone to live in Shanghai?

If you can't stand the winter cold, I could...

The cold doesn't bother me. It's you.

Don't you worry, Mother.

My mind is set.

I won't fight again.

I won't begrudge others.

And most importantly, I won't challenge others for superiority.

You even took in a guy like Chen Zhen.

Even if you stayed out of trouble,

could you guarantee that he wouldn't?

He is now your student.

Any trouble he caused would be your responsibility.

Shanghai Bund is a complicated place.

There are all sorts of people.

You already got on the wrong side of Mr Rong.

He's a famous figure of the Bund.

Even if Elite Martial Arts wanted to stay out of trouble,

would the people not find any possible means...

to come to bother us?

There are more immediate unknowns without a long-term plan.

Mother sees the bigger picture.

That's why she asked Sister to go to Tianjin.

It's not a bad thing.

Yuan Jia.

What do you think?

Mother.

I understand where you're coming from.

No.

There must be some other reason...

why Mother sent Sister back to Tianjin.

You're right.

Why didn't you tell me sooner if you had known?

Mother has been having nightmares.

She dreamt that you either died on the fight ring...

or was poisoned.

Why such dreams?

She's old.

It's not good for her health to feel so tensed all the time.

I talked to Mr Federer about it.

He said she needs to stay positive.

Do not fret, do not be anxious.

That's what an elderly needs.

-So... -So,

you're the one who wants to send Mother back to Tianjin.

You tired of looking after her, aren't you?

What are you saying?

My plan is to go back to Tianjin with Mother and the children.

We'll keep her company.

But this place...

If Sha Yan hadn't come,

I wouldn't have dared to think about this.

What do you mean?

She is here to take care of you.

So I need not worry.

What nonsense are you saying?

That is also Mother's wish.

Sha Yan was willing to desert her home for you.

Don't you see her true intention?

She is my disciple.

You're the one who made me accept a female disciple.

As teacher and student, there shouldn't be anything more to the relationship.

Otherwise, what right would I have...

to advocate a new martial world order?