I don't want to negotiate.
I want you to surrender!
It seems it's not up to you to decide.
Tell the commanding officer.
You want to see him in person?
Very well.
I'll take your head to him right away!
If you won't relay my words,
I'll do it myself.
I, Yu Wuyuan,
seek an audience with the Commander of Shangzhou.
I, Yu Wuyuan,
seek an audience with the Commander of Shangzhou.
As in Finest Gentleman, Mr. Yu?
Unfortunately,
I haven't had the chance to meet him.
If I had to befriend
one person in this world,
it would only be him.
"It would only be him"?
Never have I heard
something preposterous like this.
Thanks to your lofty status,
of course you have never heard of this, Prince Huang.
How do you know
I'm Huang Chao?
I don't mean to brag,
but after many years in the martial arts world,
not many can stand toe to toe against me.
Let me count.
Not more than five of them.
You exude a regal aura.
Recognizing you is not a challenge.
Besides,
you're escorted by General Saoxue,
Xiao Xuekong.
Your brother was behaving suspiciously and I thought he was an assassin.
Pardon my insolence.
This brat sullied my attire with dust.
I wanted to teach him a good spanking,
but he is more agile than a bunny.
He deserved a small fright.
Since it's just a misunderstanding,
there are no hard feelings, General Saoxue.
You have found out
our identities,
but yours remains hidden from us.
I suppose my identification skill
is far inferior.
There aren't a lot of powerful female fighters out there.
The best among them is Bai Fengxi.
And then, it's Princess Xiyun
and Qiu Jiushuang.
Jiushuang is my subordinate.
As for Bai Fengxi,
I have never met her,
but I heard she loves plain white robes
and is as beautiful as she is lethal.
You…
Definitely, I'm not the beautiful and lethal
Bai Fengxi.
If you can rinse your face
and let me have a proper look at you…
I guess I'd better take a bath
on top of rinsing my face.
Are you going to tail me
just to have a proper look at me?
I am willing to heat the water
and serve you towels.
How about you?
You're calling it quits now?
Not necessarily.
Having a prince serve me?
Even His Majesty in his gilded hall does not have this privilege,
let alone a commoner like me.
I can't accept it.
Then
I shall turn these mountains into a lake one day.
And then, I will invite you
for a soothing bath.
Sure.
Deal.
I'm hungry. Treat me to a meal.
Here, please.
Let's go.
Greetings, Mr. Yu. I'm Fan Shiji of Shangzhou.
Greetings, Commander Fan.
How may I help?
I have a favor to ask.
Please let peace return to this world.
You're the so-called Finest Gentleman.
You are the finest indeed.
At the moment,
it's only a matter of time before Shangzhou claims this city.
Do you think one sentence is enough
to persuade me to retreat?
You might be Yu Wuyuan,
but don't be ridiculous.
The Imperial Family lost the token,
but they are still the Imperial Family.
Revolting now
is an act of treason.
A siege right now
will uproot countless commoners
and hurt the innocents.
That's an act of cruelty.
This war from you, Commander Fan,
is a war of treason and cruelty.
There is no right or wrong in a war.
Heed my advice, Commander Fan.
All Six States
have their own agenda.
If you insist
on waging this war of cruelty and treason,
you give the other states a reason to invade Shangzhou.
Shangzhou is an affluent state,
but it doesn't have the strongest military among all states.
If the other states decide to invade,
I'm sure you can picture the consequences very well,
Commander Fan.
I concur, Mr. Yu.
However, I merely follow an order.
So you want
an excuse.
Luo City is situated at the intersection of three states.
All Shangzhou merchants have to go through here.
If you can retreat now, Commander Fan,
I will convince the governor
to exempt
the taxes on Shangzhou.
Can I believe your words?
Definitely.
Good.
I will return to the encampment
and deliver this news to my lord as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Retreat!
One sentence to stop a war.
As expected from Mr. Yu.
Thank you.
I want this roasted duck.
Sharing is caring, okay?
-I'll have it first. -No.
Move your dirty paws.
This is a pot of Drunken Rouge!
What's a Drunken Rouge?
Is this Drunken Rouge?
It is.
One thousand pieces of gold for a pot.
Not bad.
Pu'er, let's wash our hands.
You…
The rest is for you.
It's tasty.
Pu'er.
Pack up these leftovers.
I hope you don't mind the rushed meal.
Prince Huang, you treated my brother and me to a feast.
I have to pay up, of course.
This is for you.
However, a certain black fox said
it might be counterfeit.
Find out yourself then.
-Pu'er, are you done? -Yes.
-Goodbye. -Have a safe journey.
What a pity to have wasted the pot of Drunken Rouge.
Yingzhou's blade.
It's her.
She is Bai Fengxi.
Both of us
have been misled by "as beautiful as she is lethal."
We thought she would be an unparalleled beauty,
but I wasn't prepared
to meet her like this.
No wonder she's the oddest woman in the world.
Your Highness,
do we return to Jizhou?
She said the token was counterfeit.
We will need
to corroborate with Wuyuan.
Let's head to the Tianshuang Sect first.
Why?
Ms. Feng gave us this generous gift.
We shouldn't be indebted to her.
I'll deal
with her troubles.
SHANGZHOU ENCAMPMENT
Greetings, Eunuch Liu.
Commander Fan,
why did you raise the truce flag?
Yu Wuyuan came
to negotiate today.
I have already penned the conditions he agreed to
into a memorandum
and had it delivered to the state capital.
-I… -Are you afraid
of Yu Wuyuan?
His Lordship wanted you to claim the city.
A conquest
is unwise.
Do you know why
His Lordship sent me here to oversee the operation?
It's because
you had quite the pacifist approach
in the court meeting.
His Lordship sent me here
to make sure you claim the city.
Do you wish to defy the royal order?
Exceptions are tolerated during emergencies.
I will answer to His Lordship myself
back in the imperial court.
You need not worry.
Back in the imperial court?
It seems like
you will not rescind your decision.
In that case,
you're not needed in the imperial court.
Someone!
Take Fan Shiji down!
How dare you?
Liu Changxiu.
Insolent!
Am I?
Well,
His Lordship
gave me this golden token.
I am here to restore military order on behalf of His Lordship.
Fan Shiji was cowardly and negligent before the war.
Behead him to sacrifice to the flag.
-All right. -All right.
Let's go.
Liu Changxiu!
You're ruining our nation!
LUO CITY
That was impressive, Mr. Yu.
You solved this crisis
within a few words.
Bravo.
I merely follow my ancestors' teachings
and wish to avert unrest in this world.
Even though Commander Fan has raised the truce flag,
it's still far from over.
Sir,
the Shangzhou army is laying siege to us.
What?
Mr. Yu…
Commander Fan may have been usurped.
In that case,
I wish to live and die with Luo City.
The world can live without Luo City,
but the world can't live without you, Mr. Yu.
I wanted a truce.
But if a war breaks out,
I am confident that I can help Luo City to win it.
DADONG
Let all of them
assume the Sancai Array.
All of you by the main gate, follow my orders.
Assume the Xuannang Array and buy us more time.
Yes, sir.
Sound the drums to boost morale.
SHANG
Help!
I'm here to save you.
To save me?
I don't understand.
If you attack right now,
the one being flanked is the Shangzhou army.
The Skyrider Cavalry of Jizhou is on their way.
They will be here in half a day.
Besides,
you do not stand a chance
against Yu Wuyuan at all.
Is this a threat?
A threat?
Who do you think you are?
You still have some use for me.
Otherwise, I'll leave you high and dry today.
Inform the Lord of Shangzhou.
If he starts a war,
the first state to fall will be Shangzhou.
Or
before the zeal of war gets to his brain,
let me enter the royal palace of Shangzhou to calm him down.
If not,
let me treat that rotten tooth of his.
How did you know about
this secret illness of His Lordship?
I know a lot of things.
So what I said just now
was not an empty threat.
Remember
to relay my words to the Lord of Shangzhou.
Some people give in easily to greed.
I hope he isn't one.
I hope the same for you.
SHANG
Retreat!
LUO CITY
Greetings, Mr. Fengxi.
How do you know it's me?
Not many people
can saunter into an army
like you did.
It is an honor
to meet you, Mr. Yu.
I will wait for you at Sunset Restaurant tonight.
Sir, the Shangzhou army has retreated.
Did they?
Mr. Fengxi appeared
and walked among the Shangzhou army.
And then they withdrew.
Two of the Four Gentlemen have arrived.
God is on our side.
Make a public announcement.
Let's celebrate the whole night!
Thank you
for your intervention, Mr. Feng.
Even if I didn't help,
you could deal with it too, Mr. Yu.
After all, the Skyrider Cavalry was truly on the way.
Huang Chao will never let you take this risk.
That's why you were so composed.
Shangzhou would have lost the war.
Nothing escapes
the discerning eyes of Fountain Abode.
Everyone also knows that Prince Huang
regards you as his one-sentence tutor.
Shangzhou wanted to violate the accord
and laid waste to people's lives.
I just
don't want an unnecessary war to take place.
Regardless of the outcome, if lives have to be sacrificed,
it is a grave mistake.
How serendipitous.
I share the same thought.
Mr. Yu, shall we enjoy the fine wine
in Sunset Restaurant?
PEACE AND HARMONY
Rich
and refreshing.
It's simply divine.
Judging from the decor of this restaurant,
I can tell the owner
finds elegance in simplicity,
sophistication in banality.
I haven't seen a masterwork like this in a long while.
As the setting sun lights this room
and the cranes' cry fills the sky,
a Jiangnan wanderer
gazes upon his blade.
He hits the railings repeatedly.
No one knows
the emotion he feels in the room.
I wonder what the owner was feeling
when he saw this restaurant
slowly come into being.
Perhaps he infused his unshared sentiments
into this building.
But Mr. Yu, you do have a confidant,
don't you?
I am not a sentimental person.
I definitely do not share a poet's sensitivity.
What a shame.
PEACE AND HARMONY
Sir, a missive.
What good news did Prince Huang give you?
You were so engrossed.
Mr. Feng, how do you know
it's from Prince Huang?
PEACE AND HARMONY
Silk paper is exclusive to the royal family of Jizhou.
A commoner will not use it to compose a missive.
There are two good and one bad news in the missive.
The bad news
is about the death of Yan Yingzhou.
One of the good news
should be
about the Empyrean Token.
Yingzhou sacrificed himself to protect the token.
How selfless.
As for the other good news.
It's Bai Fengxi.
Prince Huang said he met Heroine Fengxi on the mountain
outside Tianshuang Sect.
She gave him
the Empyrean Token.
He also
commended her beauty.
Only she can get such a compliment from Prince Huang,
I reckon.
Why is running into her good news?
In my humble opinion,
meeting the other half of Hei-Bai Fengxi, Heroine Fengxi,
is also worthy of a celebration.
The way I see it,
meeting her has to be the worst thing to happen to me.
It's up to you
how you interpret it.
I still have to attend to something.
I will leave now.
May we dine together another time,
Mr. Feng.
PEACE AND HARMONY
He stopped a war in Luo City
and is concerned about the world.
This Mr. Yu does not fail his reputation at all.
Huang Chao nabbed him to his side.
He's ambitious, isn't he?
Bai Fengxi, you have finally returned.
Hand over the Empyrean Token.
Another group of token hunters.
I have delivered the token to Huang Chao per Yan Yingzhou's request.
Nonsense.
We watch all Jizhou egresses closely.
You were never spotted.
Who said I went to Jizhou?
Can't Huang Chao walk?
He can travel around.
Who can testify that you handed it to Huang Chao?
Me.
-Huang Chao… -It's Prince Huang Chao.
Gentlemen.
I have the Empyrean Token.
If you want to have it,
come at me.
He's calm and collected.
-His Skyrider Cavalry must be nearby. -Right.
Since you have the token, Your Highness,
we'll take our leave then.
-Farewell. -Farewell.
Thank you.
Within a day, everyone will know.
I want everyone to know
that Jizhou has the Empyrean Token.
To keep troubles to a minimum,
I should head back now.
See you, Heroine Feng.
See you.
Let's go.
Feng.
Will Mr. Huang Chao be the next emperor?
Emperor of a new dynasty?
Maybe
or maybe not.
But he speaks like one.
Fengxi!
Guess who he is?
Who?
Come.
Fengxi, you're back.
How are you?
Good.
This is…
He's Han Pu.
Something bad happened to his family so I brought him here.
You're taking someone in every day. Are you the leader of the sect?
Why are you complaining this time?
You didn't complain when I brought Jiurong here.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Forget it.
If Father didn't ask me to pick you up,
I wouldn't be here.
Right, my master.
-Come. -Let's go.
If you don't come with me,
I don't know who to give this newly-bought rouge.
Wait, Fengxi.
TIANSHUANG SECT
Master.
How are you?
My dear master.
Finally,
you're back.
Yes, I am.
Tianshuang Sect is my home.
Also,
aren't you waiting for me?
Your home? This is my home.
Langhua, don't forget
that when I came here to be a disciple, you weren't even here.
Seniority matters.
Understood?
-Father, look at her. -Enough. Stop bickering.
Langhua, ask the chefs to prepare more dishes.
Today, let's celebrate your martial sister's return
and have a feast!
-Yes! -Noted.
Go now.
You saved Yan Yingzhou and protected the Empyrean Token.
Your news preceded your presence this time.
Tell me everything.
Have a seat.
I'll tell you everything. Come.
Apparently, the token is counterfeit.
Counterfeit?
That's what Black Fox said.
By the way, I fought people from the Soultaker Sect too.
Soultaker Sect?
It is a mysterious sect.
Even the Fountain Abode
does not have a complete grasp on them.
My encounter with them showed me
that there were many powerful foes there.
They are particularly adept in Longsword Formation, Six Ghost Formation,
and Octo-Ghost Soul Formation.
They are all lethal techniques.
The disciples of the Soultaker Sect are ruthless to their foes
and to themselves alike.
The sudden rise of the Soultaker Sect
must be backed by something else.
When Black Fox and I
were dismantling their branch in Yu City,
we found a handkerchief.
It was embroidered with Locust and Cricket.
Black Fox said they were two mythical beasts.
Are you sure it was embroidered with Locust and Cricket?
Yes.
Did that jog your memory?
I can't believe
they made a comeback.
Who?
The battle in the year of Chongde.
The Battle of Chongde?
Yes.
In the fifth year of Chongde,
a mysterious army
invaded the Imperial City all of a sudden.
No one knew where they came from.
They were just
cold-blooded and well-coordinated combatants.
The Imperial Family was in great peril.
Fortunately, the Six States
were still in a close relationship with the Imperial Family.
Therefore, all heroes and all armies went to assist the Imperial City.
An uprising was then thwarted.
On the military flags of this mysterious army
were Locust and Cricket.
They laid low for a century
and now, they reemerge as the Soultaker Sect.
Should we not eliminate such pests,
the world
will be in chaos again.
Let me have a look.
Come.
Are you used to everything now?
Remember this, Han Pu.
There is no need to grow up quickly.
If you want to be who you want to be,
train hard.
If you have a goal, your life will be meaningful.
I want to be as strong as you.
You will be stronger than me.
So Prince Huang
wants to be an emperor
who rules on his throne?
But won't he be lonely?
An emperor is always lonely
because he has no friends.
But he has absolute power, honor,
and bottomless riches.
It's a fair trade-off.
But
he can't have them when he's dead.
Mother used to say that
when we're dead, everything will be gone
and disappear like a wisp of smoke.
Who said so?
He will be buried with many exotic treasures.
His consorts will die for him as well.
He won't be lonely.
But they are not doing it out of their own volition.
If they don't truly love him,
the emperor won't be able to find them in the afterlife.
He'll still be lonely.
Do you mean true love?
It is quite rare
in this world.
You're still a child. Why are you thinking about these?
Just train hard and become stronger.
All right?
I want to be strong enough to protect you.
Sure. I'll wait for your protection.
YONGZHOU BORDER
Your Highness, during the military exercise today,
you bested your brother.
Congratulations.
Wang Yuan, where are we now?
We are less than ten li away from Mount Jing.
Let's spend a night in the relay station over there
and resume our journey tomorrow.
Is Feng Chang there too?
Prince Chang's carriage is faster than ours.
I reckon they must have checked in.
I don't want to spend a night with him.
If we're ten li away from Mount Jing,
we're not that far away from the Hot Spring Palace.
It is 100 li away from here,
but it's located in the west.
Let's visit the Hot Spring Palace then.
Your Highness, the Second Prince lives there.
My father asked him to convalesce there.
He didn't give the entire palace to him.
Why do I have to stay in a relay station?
Let's go.
Chuanyu.
HOT SPRING PALACE, YONGZHOU
Ms. Huan.
No dutiful guard will be
practicing swords
while his master is still recovering from an illness.
But the one inside is not my real master.
So?
If we don't treat him
like how we will do to His Highness,
people here will find out sooner or later.
You're right, Ms. Huan.
Sir.
Two guards reported
that the Third Prince is out for a military exercise today
and will be visiting our master
as well as spending a night here.
Their carriage is approaching.
Hurry up, open the main gate of the residence
and prepare to welcome the Third Prince.
All right.
Ms. Huan.
Regardless of the Third Prince's reason, we can't let him stay here.
If he finds out that the one inside is just a decoy,
our master will be accused of deceiving His Lordship.
I know.
I will buy some time from the Third Prince.
Ask the decoy to feign sickness.
It should buy us more time.
-Noted. -Also, sound a warning arrow
and inform Chancellor Ren.
He accompanies the princes to the military exercise lately.
He must be nearby.
All right.
Greetings, Your Highness.
It has been a while, Ms. Huan.
How is Lanxi?
Thank you for your concern.
My master is still recuperating.
It's best if you visit him another day.
I'm already here.
-I want to see my brother. -Your Highness.
Otherwise, people will say that I do not respect my brother.
Your Highness. Careful, Your Highness.
Return and get some rest, Your Highness.
My master's condition is unstable.
He had a high fever this afternoon.
It is ill-advised to bother him now.
Unstable condition?
All the more reason to pay him a visit.
You can't.
He is now meditating in the silent room
and someone is transferring qi flow to him for his recovery.
He cannot be disturbed.
No bother.
Fortunately, I have had some martial arts training
with a few tutors lately.
I can lend him my help
and perhaps,
he will recover even quicker.
Your Highness,
forgive my insistence.
My master said that no one is allowed
to disturb him.
I dare not defy his order.
Don't worry.
If someone wishes to punish you for it, I will help you out.
Who will Lanxi punish?
-Greetings, Your Highness. -Greetings, Your Highness.
Why are you here?
I heard
that someone would rather travel 50 li to the temporary residence
than stay in the relay station of Mount Jing with me.
I have to find out what happened, of course.
You lost in the military exercise
and now you're here to throw a tantrum?
I don't have time to entertain you now.
How is Lanxi?
I want to see him. Show me the way.
My master is meditating in the silent room.
He is too indisposed to meet outsiders.
You…
Am I an outsider?
Mercy, Your Highness.
My second brother is sick.
As his elder brother, I wish to visit him.
Do I have to go through a lowly servant like you?
Your Highness, you can't go in.
My master said
not to let anyone in.
I can't defy his order.
Lift your face up.
What if
I insist on entering?
I am a loyal servant.
I would give my life
rather than defy my master's order.
Good.
You are indeed loyal.
I shall fulfill your wish then.
Feng Chang.
Stop.
I'm punishing a servant.
Why are you stopping me?
Stop.
My dear princes,
what are you two doing here
leaving behind the comfort of the relay station?
Even if you wish to visit the Second Prince…
YONGZHOU CHANCELLOR, REN RUSONG
…there is a protocol to follow.
Administering corporal punishment to a female staff
is simply out of line.
-Someone! -Yes.
Bring Ms. Huan in.
Your masters are committing a great mistake,
but you, the guards,
did not advise them.
Three lashes to all of you upon your return.
Chancellor Ren.
They are my guards.
It's out of your prerogative, I'm afraid.
His Lordship gave me the duty
to teach his sons martial arts when they were still young.
I also hold the title of Grand Tutor.
Now that two princes misbehaved,
I have the right to administer a lesson.
Prince Chang, if you insist on continuing your wrongdoing,
I'll have no choice
but to inform His Lordship.
Chancellor Ren is right.
You're too reckless, Feng Chang.
Aren't you here to visit Lanxi?
Let's go in.
Father.
Prince Ju.
Prince Chang.
How is Prince Lanxi?
Let us in.
Father, Prince Lanxi has said
that no one…
I'm his master. Can't I visit him as well?
Father.
I…
HOT SPRING PALACE
Father.
YANGXIN HALL
Father.
YANGXIN HALL
Father, will you truly make your son defy his master's order?
The imperial physician said that my master was weak
and he shouldn't encounter cold air when he's meditating.
-If something were to happen-- -Enough. Stop nagging.
We are all worried about the Second Prince.
Not necessarily everyone.
Some people came all the way here
for petty trouble.
It takes one to know one.
Your Highness.
Your Highness, Dengyun Hall is over there.
Have someone clean Feihong Hall for me.
All right.
Never mind it. Seeing how sick Lanxi is,
I don't want to disturb him either.
I'll just head back to the relay station.
Use this to buy some ginseng or velvet antler for Ms. Huan.
Make sure she recovers.
Enjoy your stay, Feng Chang.
I will excuse myself now.
Where is Lanxi?
He…
You won't tell me?
Fine.
I don't have the patience for the answer.
We fooled Feng Ju this time,
but I might not be able to help
next time.
Your Highness, I…
-Father. -Prince Chang.
Thank you for your help.
If something happens to Lanxi,
prepare your head.
I…
Father, does the First Prince know everything?
When you shot the warning arrow,
I was with the First Prince.
He noticed something was off.
If he hadn't stopped the Third Prince first,
I wouldn't have had the time to set everything up with you.
Why was he so harsh towards Ms. Huan then?
How else
can he scare the Third Prince?
But it's Ms. Huan.
As a servant,
you should always be prepared to sacrifice for your master.
I have sent someone to summon a physician.
Ms. Huan will be all right.
Back then,
Princess Yige recognized my talent.
Before she passed away, she asked me to take care of the Second Prince.
Therefore, I will protect him no matter what happens.
-Understood. -Hurry up
and inform the Second Prince about what happened today.
Ask him to return quickly.
Yes.
OBSERVATIONS
"Unable to identify the decoy?"
They got me.
Wang Yuan!
Yes, Your Highness?
-Bring me a horse. -Where are you going, Your Highness?
To the Hot Spring Palace. Bring 500 guards with you too.
Your Highness, are you worried about the Second Prince's condition?
What else?
Why don't you ask His Lordship to send him an imperial physician?
You're right.
It's not convincing if I reveal the farce myself.
It will be interesting if Father
sees it for himself.
YONGZHOU
Your Lordship.
The Shangzhou army that was sieging Luo City retreated.
Did they?
It's all thanks to Yu Wuyuan and Hei Fengxi of the Four Gentlemen.
I overestimated Yang Jinghong.
He let two kids persuade him into a withdrawal.
The Shangzhou merchants
just can't see beyond their business.
Your Lordship, Prince Ju requests an audience with you.
Let him in.
Greetings, Father.
May you live for a millennium.
You may get up.
Thank you, Father.
Shouldn't you be in a military exercise outside of the city?
-Why are you back here? -Feng Chang is too easy an opponent.
It's boring.
-Have a seat. -Thank you, Father.
If you always underestimate your opponent,
it will backfire on you sooner or later.
Speak.
Why are you here?
Father.
You mean Lanxi--
I didn't say Lanxi left
the temporary residence on his own.
That would be a crime of deception.
I think he just didn't want to see me,
so he ventured out.
You are brothers.
He couldn't avoid you deliberately
when you paid him a visit.
How about this?
Today is a holiday for me.
If you're worried about him,
come with me
to the Hot Spring Palace.
Yes, Father.
YONG
How far are we from the Hot Spring Palace?
Not far, Father.
It's 20 li at most.