ADAPTED FROM QING LINGYUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME
I didn't expect you'd be here
after my retirement.
I happened to pass by.
So I came to visit you.
Well, you came at the right time.
Yes.
I must be fated to meet you.
Mr. Yu,
I got my hand on something many days ago.
I wonder if you know of its origin.
If I'm not mistaken,
my father passed it down to me after I was born.
However, I lost it later.
Lost?
How can you lose
such an important thing?
It all began
ten years ago
when Qionglin Park caught fire.
Back then, a bandit snuck into Qionglin Park
and toppled a candlestick.
The entire park was reduced to ashes.
I wasn't as powerful back then,
so the bandit managed to flee.
That was when I lost this jade pendant.
However, may I know
how you got this jade pendant, Master Bai?
I
chanced upon it.
I met an old jade carver within the Royal Palace of Yongzhou.
He claimed to have made this jade pendant for the Yu family.
He recognized it straight away.
This jade pendant
was somehow tied to the death of my friend.
Hence, I turned to you.
Are you aware of the Token Keepers?
Token Keepers?
My family record did mention them.
Are you…
I am one of them.
When the fake Empyrean Token circulated,
the other keepers and I
were tracking down the perpetrator.
During the process, we found this jade pendant.
I'm sure the perpetrator
must have something to do with the bandit
who snuck into Qionglin Park.
Don't worry, Master Bai.
I will investigate this matter.
You will
be notified of any discovery.
Thank you, Mr. Yu.
As for this jade pendant…
You can keep it.
We'll see how long you can keep it.
You know too much.
Unfortunately for you.
Master!
What is bothering you?
I can hear you sigh from the door.
Have a seat.
How have you been with Mr. Feng?
Couldn't be better.
Is this what you wanted to know?
I summoned you
because I need to tell you something.
After tomorrow,
I will be officially retired.
The world
belongs to young ones like you.
While I can still walk,
I want to travel and figure out something.
What thing?
I mean
I want to travel and figure out
the whereabouts of my friends.
You are the best candidate
to be the leader of the sect.
But knowing your identity and your current situation,
I don't think I can convince you to stay.
Who do you think
can take up my position?
I believe
Langhua will be a fine leader.
Langhua?
She is still immature.
She can't possibly manage a sect properly.
While she's indeed young
and a bit immature,
she did inherit your martial arts.
Besides, she grew up in Tianshuang Sect.
She knows it the best.
She can definitely pass down the ideology of Tianshuang Sect.
I'm just worried that it will be too much for her.
No one was born to be a leader.
When you were off to Mount Wu,
I did a terrible job at leading too.
Besides,
Langhua is not alone.
Jiurong is with her.
Jiurong possesses a mild disposition.
He is a diplomat.
Everyone in the sect trusts him.
He will make up for Langhua's shortcomings.
Perhaps you can let Jiurong be the Deputy Leader
to assist Langhua.
What do you think, Master?
Good idea.
What about you?
What's your plan?
The world is chaotic.
Do you want to return to Qingzhou?
Qingzhou doesn't need me at the moment.
I will follow wherever he goes.
All right.
You are a smart girl,
but you find politics distasteful.
He can be in politics
while you support him from behind.
That's a pretty good team.
However, be mindful of his ambition.
When he claims the throne,
he might…
Master, that's too far into the future.
I'll let my future self decide.
As long as he loves me,
loves his subjects, and wants to bring peace to the world,
I will follow him.
You have made your decision then.
Still, I'll give you some advice.
Wherever you are,
be careful and vigilant.
This world is dangerous.
Do not let your guard down.
Remember this.
Yes, Master.
You call me Master,
but I always regard you as my daughter.
I truly wish that you
can find happiness.
Go now.
Go to bed early too, Master.
TIANSHUANG SECT
Look at the time.
Where is Master Bai?
Patience, my friends.
Langhua went to bring him out.
Please wait for a moment.
Bai Fengxi!
Langhua!
My father is dead.
You killed him!
He gave you everything.
How could you bring harm to him?
Master?
Master!
You were the last person with him.
Who is the killer if not you?
How dare she?
Let me have a look at him.
Langhua!
My father's hands were all shriveled when he died.
You must have poisoned him!
Ms. Bai, something is off.
Are you sure your father died from poison?
-How else? -This matter is complicated.
We cannot give you an explanation now.
I will get to the bottom of this
and find the killer.
No explanation or no excuse?
Both of you haven't come up with a statement, right?
One poisons, the other finds ways.
You two are accomplices.
There must be a misunderstanding, Langhua.
Fengxi will not do this.
After you left, my father never left his room.
While I can still walk,
I want to travel and figure out something.
What thing?
I mean
I want to travel and figure out
the whereabouts of my friends.
Wherever you are,
be careful and vigilant.
Do not let your guard down.
This world is dangerous.
Why are you all quiet now?
Langhua.
I know how you feel now.
Please let me have a look at Master.
And then we'll talk.
You do not have the right to see my father.
She's after the leader position.
Even if it's not for herself, she's doing it for someone close to her.
-Hei Fengxi has fallen from grace. -Shut up!
I do not covet the position
nor did I scheme for someone.
Ms. Bai, I do not want anything from Tianshuang Sect.
I am a man of my word.
I will investigate thoroughly and bring justice to his death.
Fengxi is being framed here.
Langhua.
How can I gain your trust?
If you're innocent and cooperative,
you should be locked up first.
I wonder if you're willing to do it.
You have lived far too long.
I…
Fengxi, let's go.
-I want to have a look at him. -Wait!
Master Bai just died.
No one knows what happened yet.
Now, you want to flee?
-Exactly. Let's take her down together! -How dare you!
Don't let her flee.
We'll never catch the killer!
If you leave now, it means you're guilty.
-Let's go! -Right!
Charge!
Don't let her run!
Fengxi!
I…
Do not hurt them.
Your Highness, let's leave now.
Make way for Fountain Abode!
YOUZHOU
Cunning, aren't you?
You never intended
to marry me.
I know you want to rule the world.
Unfortunately,
while Bai Fengxi is powerful,
the future ruler
has to be my husband.
Your Highness,
the Ministry of Rite has sent the gown for the wedding ceremony tomorrow.
Please have a look at them.
Got it.
Those who abandon me will not be kept around.
-Burn it. -Yes, Your Highness.
QINGFENG TEMPLE
I'm fine.
You will be.
I have someone looking for a physician.
Talk to me.
If
I die…
Do not say that.
I mean, if…
No ifs.
As domineering as ever.
If the Grim Reaper
insists on taking you away,
then I'll go to Hell
and turn that place upside down.
I will bring you back
no matter what.
We have been through a lot.
There are good memories and bad memories.
Regardless of how our story ends,
I have no regrets.
But you…
You have to lead a good life.
After I met you,
my life has a purpose.
I don't know what my life will be like without you.
Do you hear me?
Answer me.
Say something.
Flower of Sacred Enlightenment.
This flower is also called Sacred Jade Moon.
I grew it myself.
It only blooms once every few decades.
Perhaps it might unexpectedly be of help
to both of you when you encounter a life-or-death situation someday.
Right.
Old Taiyin said
that this flower contains potent vitality.
It can save you.
It must.
Fengxi.
You're awake.
You have slept
for three days.
How did you do it?
Flower of Sacred Enlightenment.
Your injury was too serious,
so I used the flower Old Taiyin gave you.
I wanted to use it to heal you,
but to my surprise,
it also repaired my energy channels and brought back my inner force.
How is Tianshuang Sect now?
Don't worry.
Zhong Li and the others have been protecting them.
The sect is safe
and Bai Langhua has become the leader.
Master Bai
was buried two days ago.
No one knows how he died.
We need to identify the killer soon.
You said
this was a complicated matter.
Do you have any ideas about it?
Master Bai died the same way
my mother did.
But didn't you say
that she died from sickness?
So I thought
until I saw how Master Bai died.
After they died,
the skin on their hands
shriveled and puckered.
Shriveled skin?
It's all speculation now,
but we can assume
that Master Bai contacted the same poison
as my mother did.
So someone is trying to frame me?
Killing Master Bai
will create unrest within the sect.
Two birds, one stone.
The perpetrator set everything up deliberately.
I believe
Master Bai's death has something to do with the fake Empyrean Token.
But I never heard him talk about the fake token.
Fengxi!
-Pu'er. -Han Pu?
Fengxi!
Pu'er.
How did you find this place?
I was worried about you, so I snuck out.
I kept looking for you and came here.
I thought it was just a hunch,
but here you are!
How are you?
How is everyone?
Not too well.
Langhua looks fine,
but I saw her cry in secret so many times.
I know how it feels like to lose a dear one.
Fengxi.
I came to tell you that after you left,
I tested Master's body with a silver needle in secret.
I found no trace of poison in his body.
No trace of poison?
Han Pu.
The Han family is a family of physicians.
Do you know of a poison
that cannot be detected by a silver needle?
Father once told me that there exists a poison
called Nux Vomica.
It cannot be detected by a silver needle.
Nux Vomica?
Why haven't I heard about it?
Father said that
it was a poison concocted
by the Imperial Family of Dadong.
Not many are aware of it.
One of my ancestors was an Imperial Physician.
He learned of its existence by chance.
Nux Vomica.
A poison like this exists.
So the Imperial Family
was involved then.
Let's head to the Imperial City.
All right.
I'll ask Zhong Li to get ready.
Accompany me to one place, will you?
TOMB OF BAI JIANDE, BELOVED LEADER OF TIANSHUANG SECT
Master.
I have come to see you.
I remember after I had the first taste of wine,
I would drink in secret,
but you would always catch me.
You would force me to train as my punishment.
You're a girl.
You shouldn't drink.
Master. The martial arts world is a place for quick revenge.
Beef with a small pot of wine is what you call a carefree life.
You only know the basics
and you think you can lead a carefree life?
I'll teach you a lesson.
-Master! -Stay right there!
Master! Don't hit me!
After I defeated you,
I could tell
you were truly proud of me.
I left home early.
Most of my memories are from the Tianshuang Sect.
When I recall those memories,
it fills me with joy.
It's getting late.
We should leave now.
TOMB OF BAI JIANDE, BELOVED LEADER OF TIANSHUANG SECT
I have news from Imperial City.
Nux Vomica is related
to the black market of the Imperial City.
Black market?
Within the black market,
there's someone called Supreme Physician.
He's related to Nux Vomica.
He's a careful person
and never deals with strangers,
except when the client is introduced
by his regulars.
I see.
-I'll handle it. -All right.
Fengxi, bring me with you.
This trip to the Imperial City is perilous.
You can't come with us.
But I want to help you.
Stay in Tianshuang Sect
and help me take care of others.
You'll do me a huge service there. All right?
All right.
QINGZHOU
Your Highness.
I have news from the secret agent.
Anything about Xiyun?
Her whereabouts
remain a mystery.
I heard she was heavily injured.
Yes.
It is said that
Hei Fengxi of Fountain Abode took Her Highness away.
If Feng Lanxi is with her,
that's great news.
Continue looking for her.
Yes, Your Highness.
Only you and I
know this.
Do not let my father know.
Yes, Your Highness.
Greetings, Your Highness.
At ease.
How is Father?
I just administered acupuncture on His Lordship.
He has always been plagued by a heart problem.
In recent years, he has overworked himself
for Qingzhou.
I'm afraid his sickness has gone out of hand.
I can only buy some time for him.
The situation is grave.
How long does he have?
Six months if we're lucky.
Or else…
Just be honest.
Slightly more than a month.
You can go.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Greetings, Father.
Long live Father.
My son.
Come here.
Have a seat.
I met Physician Liu outside.
He said your health had improved a lot.
My child,
I appreciate
your thoughtfulness.
But I know my health.
I don't have much time left.
Father!
You love your subjects and are a wise ruler.
God will spare you.
While I can still talk,
I need to tell you something.
As my heir,
you have to answer to Qingzhou
and to the world.
Be kind
to your subjects.
You need to know that the people
are a nation's priority.
As for dominion…
Although Qingzhou never wishes to rule the world,
seeing the situation we are in now,
you need to be prepared.
Elect a wise ruler and stand our ground.
Such is the preaching of Qingzhou's ancestors.
I will remember it by heart.
I know you
very well.
I'm not worried
that you'll be led astray.
However, I just want you
to remember these principles.
Also,
Youzhou and Qingzhou are neighboring states.
Both states do not get along very well.
I heard
that the Princess of Youzhou
has married the heir of Lord of Jizhou.
Knowing the Lord of Youzhou,
he will find an excuse
to invade Qingzhou.
Promise me
that you will not lose a city
and you will not let war
ravage the livelihood of our people.
If Youzhou invades us,
I will chase them away.
Good.
Go now, my child.
Tell Xiyun everything.
Do not keep her in the dark any longer.
Before I die,
I want
to see her one last time.
Yes, Your Lordship.
I will look for her now.
See you, Father.
Please get some rest.
Go.
Yes, Father.
-Cheers, Father. -Cheers.
Huang Chao.
Have you gotten accustomed to Youzhou?
Of course I have.
Chunran is with me.
Now that Youzhou and Jizhou are united by marriage,
what is your plan, Huang Chao?
I just got married,
so I wish to stay in Youzhou for a while.
All right.
What is your opinion
on the relationship between both states?
We are united by marriage.
That means we are a family.
Definitely.
But a hierarchy exists within a family too.
Father.
You're not concerned about your daughter now?
Just politics?
Are you jealous, Chunran?
You're a kid.
I merely got married
and you already give all the attention to my husband.
How can I not be jealous?
I'll drink as an apology.
Do you hear that, Huang Chao?
My daughter is possessive.
She might be the end of you.
In that case,
I couldn't be happier.
That means I'm important to her,
am I right?
Good.
Father.
Cheers.
Your Lordship.
Speak.
Huang Chao is my family.
Just speak.
Yes, Your Lordship. I just received the news.
Lord of Qingzhou's heir has been in politics for two months.
-Is this news trustworthy? -Yes.
You're dismissed.
Yes, Your Lordship.
Wonderful news!
God is in my favor!
Father, isn't it normal for an heir to manage state affairs?
Feng Xingtao has been the rival of my life.
I know him the most.
He always handles everything himself.
Letting Xieyue handle the state affairs
means his health is failing.
If you want to conquer Qingzhou
via Youzhou,
you need to wait.
What for?
For an opening.
It won't be for long.
Is this the opening Wuyuan spoke of?
Now is the best time for Youzhou to launch the offensive.
I will not squander it away.
This is our comeback
for losing those cities back then.
After Feng Xingtao passes away,
Qingzhou will crumble down.
I will lead the army
and claim Qingzhou.
That will be your wedding gift, my dear daughter.
Huang Chao,
would you like to follow me to conquer Qingzhou?
I would do anything you ask me to, Father.
Besides, I have always wanted to meet
the Fengyun Cavalry of Qingzhou.
Good.
With your help,
everything will go smoothly.
I wish both of you a swift victory.
Come, let's have a toast.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
What did you get?
DADONG BLACK MARKET
I do not sell this to those below Black Mask.
This is a very conspicuous black market.
Many years ago,
the black market was well-hidden like you assumed.
But the court stopped caring about it,
so it came to the surface.
However, to preserve confidentiality,
everyone will put on a mask.
Let's check it out.
Ms. Feng.
It has been a while, Mr. Tie.
Indeed. It has been a while.
We last met
when you were fighting us, the Storm 38 Sect.
We suffered
a huge loss during that brawl.
-Mr. Tie-- -Right.
You two are…
I'm Hei Fengxi from Fountain Abode.
This is my subordinate.
Nice to meet you, Head of Storm 38 Sect.
You're Hei Fengxi?
This is not…
I can confirm
that he is Hei Fengxi.
Who drew this?
She…
That's how I look like in your eyes?
Don't you find it dashing?
Impressive.
If you don't like it,
I'll just draw one
that pleases you.
I can tell
that Ms. Feng's heart is taken.
But if everyone from my sect knows this,
they will still fight for you even if they are up against Mr. Feng.
Mr. Tie.
Let's talk business.
We want to enter the black market. Do you know how?
If you want to enter the black market,
you follow its rules.
Look at this mask.
Some masks have black stripes.
It means you're new.
Without another regular to help you out,
you cannot purchase many things.
For example, the Supreme Physician you wish to meet
has a rule.
He only deals with people above Silver Mask.
What about your Gold Mask then?
It means you're a veteran.
A very rich one at that.
Your business has flourished these past two years, hasn't it?
Of course.
Storm 38 Sect sells its goods
via the black market.
Worry not, Ms. Feng.
We are lawful thieves now.
We have turned over a new leaf.
We're not like before.
Good.
Find us three masks
and bring us in.