ADAPTED FROM QING LINGYUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME
Your Lordship.
Why do you distrust Marquis Yongping so?
Father knows best.
If he hides for another decade,
then I'll have no choice.
Your Lordship.
If the princess agrees to Prince Lanxi's proposal,
will he ally with Youzhou
to overthrow Yongzhou?
He is a smart man.
He knows if I allow him to go to Youzhou,
I must have a contingency plan.
Now, he has to choose wisely.
So
Prince Lanxi
isn't courting the princess.
He's trying to gain your trust again, Your Lordship.
We'll see.
The heir is placed in confinement by the Lord of Youzhou.
During such a critical period,
Lord of Youzhou leaves him in humiliation.
I'm afraid that after the confinement,
his status as the heir is at risk.
All four descendants of Lord of Youzhou
are incapable and incompetent.
The heir
is just comparatively better than his incapable brothers.
I heard that it was the censorates
who dropped a dime on him during the royal court meeting.
What do you think about this?
The censorates are Lord of Youzhou's men.
This is interesting.
In my opinion,
there's another reason
behind the heir's confinement.
It's due to Hua Chunran, isn't it?
Hua Chunran is appointed as the Divine Fairy of Dadong.
He's the last person
to welcome her return.
Now, she's going to select her husband.
If she gets her ideal husband,
the heir of Lord of Youzhou will be in a passive situation.
Hua Chunran has just returned
to Youzhou for less than a month,
yet she managed to overthrow the heir of Lord of Youzhou.
She's rather capable indeed.
If she becomes your companion,
the world will be at peace.
I'd be relieved too.
After I unify and rule the world,
you'll still be
my dearest friend.
YOUZHOU
-Your Highness. -Your Highness.
Princess Hua.
I've been sitting still for more than two hours.
I'm really tired. What are you trying to do?
Just a minute.
This is too heavy. I can't wear it.
All right, don't wear it then.
You can wear Sailing Clouds and Frosty Peaks.
It looks more unique.
What are you doing, Princess Hua?
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
You're going to select a husband tomorrow, not me.
What preparations do I have to make?
You promised to help me.
Tomorrow, I just need to knock down everyone
except for Black Fox.
In this way, they won't have the audacity to ask you for marriage.
Great.
If there's nothing else, I'll go to sleep.
-I'm really tired. -Ms. Feng.
Ms. Feng.
You've been putting on makeup.
Don't give up halfway through.
I heard your voice from afar.
When can you be more refined?
Mr. Feng.
Doesn't Ms. Feng look extremely fine today?
What do you think?
Princess Hua.
You're overrating it.
I think she looks fine.
Wearing a yellow robe doesn't make one a crown prince.
Do you hear that?
The effort is in vain.
I'm leaving.
By the way,
tomorrow is the day of the royal marriage proposal.
I'll get going then.
All right.
However, Ms. Feng needs to stay in the palace.
I have a favor to ask.
All right. I'll leave first.
Princess Hua.
I'm really tired.
I shall go back and sleep.
-I'll come back later. -Ms. Feng.
The pearl cake is almost ready.
Come on.
Sir.
The men I sent to spy on Youzhou's Royal Palace reported
that Feng Lanxi had left the palace.
Do it.
Yes, sir.
MAP OF THE CAPITAL OF YOUZHOU
It does feel weird
without my inner force.
Without martial arts, you are no match for us.
Looks like
you know about a lot of things.
But you don't know about this.
I've learned the art of fighting war.
It feels nice
to be protected.
Are you all right?
I can still hold on.
Who is he?
Why did he use Sacred Jade Moon?
Someone is here. Let's leave.
Take the corpses back for investigation.
The royal marriage proposal is tomorrow.
Nothing can go wrong.
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
Are you feeling better?
Yes.
If it weren't for you,
I might have died.
Thank you.
Seems like they're from the Soultaker Sect.
Why are the people from Soultaker Sect still alive?
I have no idea either.
The last person who fought against you
has an inner force that seems like Sacred Jade Moon.
But he didn't know how to use it.
He did not acquire it through practice.
It seems like he has stolen it from someone.
Stole?
Does this have to do
with the mysterious man from Yongzhou?
He stored both our inner forces
in his body through Qiwu's accident.
That's possible.
He showed up alongside the people from Soultaker Sect.
There's something wrong with this.
There must be a conspiracy hiding behind the incident.
I'm suspecting this has something to do
with Locust and Cricket.
Soultaker Sect.
Sacred Jade Moon.
Locust and Cricket.
I think
Locust and Cricket are the ones behind Soultaker Sect.
They went on a killing spree
and played havoc with the situation discreetly.
I'm afraid
their purpose is to overthrow Dadong's reign.
People will be in great misery.
Heroine Feng.
Let's
change the situation, shall we?
It suits me fine.
By the way.
These are the questions for Hua Chunran's proposal.
The first is the martial arts test.
She might be unaware of your situation.
I think
your first test
will be rather tough.
It's fine.
What tricks do you have up your sleeve, Black Fox?
I have you.
I am afraid of nothing.
Two meals.
You must cook me two meals.
Deal.
Ever since the date
of the marriage proposal for Princess Chunran is confirmed,
capable men have gathered in Youzhou.
Today's examination
will be conducted by Princess Chunran…
Your Highness.
Why hasn't Mr. Feng arrived yet?
Let's wait a little longer.
I believe he will surely come.
Zeng Youliang.
Shan Yecheng of Tiantong Chamber of Commerce.
This way, please.
Ming Yueshan of the Ming Family of Shangzhou.
These heroes are all capable.
That's right.
The Ming family from Shangzhou is not only wealthy,
but they are also good at martial arts.
The heir of Lord of Jizhou, Huang Chao.
The Finest Gentleman, Yu Wuyuan.
The only person who can make Yu Wuyuan
serve as a foil is Huang Chao.
This way, please.
It's him.
He's Huang Chao?
Is Prince Huang brilliant?
He's brilliant indeed,
but he's not my ideal husband.
Feng Lanxi, Marquis Yongping of Yongzhou.
Feng Lanxi, Marquis Yongping of Yongzhou is present.
This way, please.
Feng Lanxi.
Hei Fengxi.
I need to see Father.
CAILIAN PAVILION
Greetings, dear heroes.
It's nice to meet you.
-Greetings, Your Highness. -Greetings, Your Highness.
Never mind the courtesies.
I'm honored to meet you today.
I shall play you a song
to express my sincerity.
All comments are welcome.
Even if I am not selected,
it's worth the trip as I'm able to enjoy
Your Highness' zither performance.
That's right.
What song are you going to play, Your Highness?
This pavilion is named Cailian Pavilion.
Today,
I shall play you
the Water Lily Tune.
CAILIAN PAVILION
Greetings, Father.
Long live Father.
Please get up, Chun'er.
Shouldn't you be at Jinhua Palace?
What brings you here?
I've asked Bai Fengxi to disguise herself as me
and stay at Jinhua Palace.
Nonsense.
How could you ask others to select a husband on your behalf?
Chunran.
Are you taking a fancy to Hei Fengxi?
Hence, you're asking for Bai Fengxi's help,
aren't you?
Previously, yes.
But
I've changed my mind.
What?
I found out
that Hei Fengxi of Fountain Abode
is Feng Lanxi, Marquis Yongping of Yongzhou.
What did you say?
When they were entering the hall,
I was watching at the side.
I didn't hear the title of Hei Fengxi of Fountain Abode
until Feng Lanxi showed up.
I found out that they are the same person.
Are you sure?
They have been in the palace these past few days.
I'm very sure about this.
Feng Lanxi
is Hei Fengxi.
There are only two possibilities.
First, they are actually the same person.
Feng Lanxi ventures into the martial arts world
in the name of Hei Fengxi of Fountain Abode.
He hides his own identity.
Second.
Feng Lanxi
is close with Bai Fengxi.
He uses Bai Fengxi
to cover for Hei Fengxi to approach you.
Just like how you asked Bai Fengxi to pretend to be you.
No matter the reason,
this man is even more cunning
and capable
than Prince Huang Chao.
Feng Lanxi is sharp and cunning.
I'm afraid he's not here for the marriage proposal.
His purpose…
His purpose
is Youzhou.
I seek your approval, Father.
Set the Cangmang Endgame as the examination question.
The Cangmang Endgame?
Are you certain?
Only the Cangmang Endgame
can make him bewildered.
The tune
is unmatchable and unique.
What a melodious tune!
The tune is fresh and unconventional.
It depicts an unusual vibe.
Your Highness is good at zither indeed.
I'm flattered.
I apologize
for my poor skills.
Your Highness is the most beautiful lady in Dadong.
We've been wanting
to catch a glimpse of your beauty.
Would you be kind enough to show yourself to us?
Yes.
Please let us catch a glimpse of your beauty.
There's only one Prince Consort.
Even if we fail to be selected,
it's still worth it
as we get to see Your Highness.
After I've selected my husband,
I'll show myself.
Hurry up and start the test then, Your Highness.
Since little, I've aspired
to marry the most outstanding hero in the world.
Otherwise,
I'd rather spend the rest of my life alone.
My future husband must be an all-rounder
who has great looks and capabilities.
Hence,
there are two tests for the royal marriage proposal.
This is the venue for the martial arts test,
which is the first test.
You have to get to the Cailian Pavilion.
You can step on the flowers to cross the lake,
but you mustn't use any tools.
Whoever falls into the lake is disqualified.
Feng Lanxi has no inner force.
How could he pass the test?
Back then,
Old Taiyin and Old Tianji
played chess at Mount Cangmang, Youzhou.
After they left,
I found the endgame at the peak.
Rumor has it
that the world's disputes can be deduced from the endgame.
Even Old Taiyin and Old Tianji
couldn't solve the puzzle.
What if Feng Lanxi is able to solve it?
If he can solve the endgame,
he'll rule the world.
I'm willing to marry him.
Chun'er.
I'll do as you wish.
From the platform to the Cailian Pavilion
is about a distance of 70 feet.
For normal warriors,
they can leap as far as 40 feet with Qinggong.
For notable warriors,
they can leap as far as 60 feet.
It's rare to find someone who can leap as far as 70 feet.
If no one can do it,
we have no choice
but to suspect that Your Highness is just fooling us around.
You're sharp indeed, Mr. Ming.
However, I can assure you
that someone can achieve it.
I've made a friend in the palace.
Although she is a woman,
she can easily leap to the Cailian Pavilion
without any help.
Who is it?
Bai Fengxi.
Since Heroine Fengxi can do it,
I'll give it a try then.
I didn't expect Princess Chunran
to be good at martial arts.
Thank you for the help,
Your Highness.
Although you've arrived,
you had help from others.
You didn't pass the test.
I'm ashamed.
I shall leave.
I, Feng Lanxi from Yongzhou, would like to try.
I see.
She's the only woman in this world
who is good at martial arts
and has the guts to pretend
to be the Princess.
Congratulations, Prince Lanxi.
I shall give this a try too.
You're remarkable, Prince Huang.
I would like to see you in person.
You shall see me in person during the test tomorrow.
Aren't you afraid of getting busted?
Not many are capable of reaching here.
Even if they do,
I won't let them see my face.
Well, well.
I have a question.
If I get to rule the world,
-would you marry me and be my empress? -No.
You're the only woman
who can reject my offer like this.
Report.
Your Lordship.
The martial art test at Cailian Pavilion has ended.
This is the list of passing candidates.
-You can leave now. -Yes, Your Lordship.
As we expected,
Feng Lanxi and Huang Chao
are both on the list.
What do you think of this?
Apart from Huang Chao and Feng Lanxi,
the rest are mediocre.
If that's so,
you don't have many choices
for the marriage proposal then.
Father.
We can't be sure yet. What about the Cangmang Endgame?
Chunran.
Do you really think that Feng Lanxi
is able to solve the endgame?
I don't know.
But if it's him,
that might be possible.
You know it too, Father.
If he manages to solve it,
I'll stand a chance to wear the Feng Crown.
Chunran.
I understand.
But in my opinion,
his doings
are unpredictable.
A man like him
is daunting.
All Six States are fighting for the throne.
The other states have become powerful
as they expanded their territories toward the Imperial City.
Only Youzhou is sandwiched between Qingzhou and Jizhou.
All these years,
our land hasn't expanded.
In due course of time,
Youzhou
will eventually be annexed by Jizhou and Qingzhou.
Even if Feng Lanxi
manages to solve the Cangmang Endgame,
Youzhou
is destined to be annexed.
What are you trying to say, Father?
I know you better than anyone else.
I know you're sincere about Feng Lanxi.
But in terms of appearance and capabilities,
Huang Chao from Jizhou is as good as Feng Lanxi.
Should you marry him,
we'll be in alliance with Jizhou.
Prince Huang Chao promised to aid us in attacking Qingzhou
when he asked you for marriage.
If I get the help of the Skyrider Cavalry,
Feng Xingtao of Qingzhou is no match for me.
Qingzhou will be mine.
Hence…
Hence, you want me
to choose Prince Huang Chao as my husband.
Chun'er, that's right.
Although Prince Huang Chao has the ambition to rule the world,
his kingcraft
will leave a ray of hope for Youzhou.
Yes, Father.
Fengxi.
I'd like to ask you
the question again.
That's unnecessary.
I'm serious about this.
If you're serious about this,
I'll ask you a serious question as well.
If I were to be your wife,
you could never marry any other women.
Can you do that?
I know the answer.
There's a person in the palace you want to marry regardless.
Am I right?
You know about the reason.
But you are the most important person in my heart.
Huang Chao.
I'm different from you.
You can marry many women whether you like them or not.
But I'm different.
I just want to find someone I love
who only loves me.
If I get to be the emperor,
you will be my empress.
I, Huang Chao, swear to God
that if you marry me,
you'll be my only wife.
Unfortunately,
I'm not interested in being an empress.
As you said,
I have to marry
Princess Chunran regardless.
But that is necessary
to accomplish my ambition.
Ever since we've known each other,
I've thought of you
as a hero of integrity.
But you have to understand
that a hero doesn't take advantage of a woman.
Half sincerity and half premeditatedness.
Who knows? You might suffer a setback due to a woman.
You mustn't be proud.
Are you here to join the fun, Mr. Yu?
There's nothing fun at all.
Everything is predestined.
Don't you want to know between Feng Lanxi and Huang Chao,
who will get to marry Hua Chunran?
Ms. Feng accompanied Prince Lanxi here.
How would he dare to marry someone else?
How can you be sure
that Huang Chao will be the winner?
Well,
to Youzhou,
Huang Chao isn't an ideal Prince Consort.
Besides,
if this is the case,
Hua Chunran wouldn't seek my help.
If Prince Lanxi doesn't intend to get selected,
Huang Chao will surely win.
Hua Chunran's will is no longer important.
Moreover, Jizhou is powerful
and is located next to Youzhou.
A marriage alliance means that they want to join forces.
Why are you here then, Mr. Yu?
I'm here to observe the structure of the world.
After the proposal,
the conflict between the Six States will begin.
The Lord of Youzhou uses his daughter
as the first move of it.
I'd like to know
about the second move.
If there's war,
I hope I can protect as many people as I can
and prevent loss of life.
Your care for the world is respectful indeed,
Ms. Feng.
What do you think
of the situation of the Six States?
Me?
I'm just a woman in the martial arts world.
How would I know?
But I'm directing the question
to the Princess of Qingzhou,
Princess Xiyun.
How did you know?
Marquis Yongping went to Liang City
and made peace with Prince Xieyue.
There must be a wild card in the picture.
The wild card
can only be you, Ms. Feng.
No wonder you're the Finest Gentleman.
You know everything in this world.
I'm flattered, Ms. Feng.
It isn't hard to deduce
once you come to think of it.
YONGZHOU
It's mealtime.
Master.
Father.
You can have it.
Eat up.
Master.
LANXI IS CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR SAFETY.
I'M AFRAID LORD OF YONGZHOU WILL TAKE ACTION.
I'LL COME TO YOUR RESCUE.
Gather the disciples.
All right.
YOUZHOU
You've passed the martial arts test.
It's up to you now.
The palace examination tomorrow
might test us
on the Cangmang Endgame.
The Cangmang Endgame?
The chess game between Old Taiyin and Old Tianji?
That's right.
This is the only question in the world
that would get me baffled.
You're still so full of yourself.
I heard that the game between Old Taiyin and Old Tianji
contains deduction about the fate of the world.
It's extremely complicated.
You…
Is this part of your plan?
I have lost my martial arts skills.
Fountain Abode is not as powerful as before.
If I want to rule the world,
I need to think of another way.
The two masters might have left some ways
in the chess game
to save the world from chaos
and let the people live in harmony.
If I can understand it,
I can save the world
from havoc.
You're
overthinking this.
Your opponent has just thought of a move,
yet you've thought of a thousand.
Listen,
it's better to be simple sometimes.
But a person like you
might be able to understand the endgame.
The issue of Youzhou will be settled tomorrow.
You can loosen up a little.
What's next?
Back to the capital of Yongzhou?
I'll return to Tianshuang Sect with you first.
All right.
When we're back at Tianshuang Sect,
I'll give you a tour.
That's a deal then.
I'd like to see
the place
you grew up in.
AS VIGOROUS AS PINE
CEASELESSLY NEUTRAL
-Greetings, Your Lordship. -Greetings, Your Lordship.
-Long live the Lord. -Long live the Lord.
Please rise.
Have a seat.
-Thank you, Your Lordship. -Thank you, Your Lordship.
I can see
that you're the best of the best.
No matter who gets to be the Prince Consort,
it will be Youzhou's greatest blessing.
Your Lordship, how would you like
to test us for the liberal arts test?
My first question.
In your opinion,
what is the most important thing
in this world?
YUCHI LIE, THE HEIR OF LORD OF BEIZHOU
Your Lordship.
In my opinion, the most important thing is power.
One can only survive with power.
That's expected from the heir of Lord of Beizhou.
I heard Beizhou is good at the military.
You definitely have
the demeanor of Beizhou.
Please be seated.
Thank you, Your Lordship.
Your Lordship.
I think that
the most significant thing in the world is ambition.
The strong should be firm about their ambitions
to be invincible.
Mr. Zeng, you're from Wanjian Manor,
yet you have such a wise opinion about politics.
You're admirable indeed.
Please have a seat.
Thank you, Your Lordship.
Well.
How about you, Mr. Shan?
Your Lordship, I believe
that power and ambition
are equally important in this world.
Is that all?
I hold similar reasons as them.
Tiantong Chamber of Commerce is the top chamber of commerce.
I can see that you're a person
who is agreeable and capable.
I know that I'm not capable enough to be selected,
Your Lordship.
Hence, I shall give up.
Please take into account of my gracious act, misters.
If you can do business with me,
I'll be more than grateful.
I shall leave first.
Mr. Shan is purposeful indeed.
Prince Huang.
What do you think?
As I see it,
the Six States
emphasize the vision.
Those who prioritize a city
survive on the city.
Those who prioritize a state
are able to sense evolution.
And those who prioritize the world
can bless and rule the world.