American Perspectives: Mortal Prejudices ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 4)

 

"Love and Redemption" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube.  Dialogue adapted from English subtitles translated by "Destined Love Team at Viki.com"

 

The tubes of black smoke are flying in like comets.  Sifeng is carrying Ting Nu, due to his merman tail making him unable to walk.  Little Six is standing close by, ready to play defense.

With a wave of his hands, Little Six casts a spell, causing blue green energy to emit from both hands, and he aims them at the tubes of smoke.  The smoke tubes temporarily disappear, only to pop back up.
"Sifeng!  Leave with him," Little Six says sternly.  "Hurry!"

 

Wolf emits black smoke energy and he uses it to grab Linglong by the neck, pulling her away from Xuanji.

Xuanji runs after her, feeling completely powerless.  "Let go of my sister!" Xuanji flies up to save her, but Wolf emits another stream of black smoke, using it to bind Xuanji's arms to her sides, and throwing her against a post.

"Troublesome girl," says Wolf.

"Linglong! Linglong!" Xuanji yells.

 

While Little Six is protecting Ting Nu and Sifeng, two of Wolf's accomplices materialize from the tubes of smoke.  Sifeng joins in the battle to fight them off.  New accomplices keep materializing.  Little Six and Sifeng are cornered.

"Linglong and Xuanji are in trouble!" Little Six tells Sifeng.

"Let's go!" says Sifeng.

They make a break for it, and relentlessly fight their way past the accomplices.

 

Linglong is being pulled closer to Wolf. "Chu Linglong, show me what you're capable of!  If you're the reincarnation of God of War or Devil Star, you'll be able to escape this.  If you perish under this spell, that means you're not the person we're looking for." He slowly turns his hand.

"Linglong! Linglong!" Xuanji shouts.

"Try and escape!" Demands Wolf.

"Linglong!" yells Xuanji.

"Try and escape this!"

"Linglong!" Xuanji's eyes turn blue, and light blue energy emits from her hand.  Before she can take action, and go into God Of War mode, a sword flies through the air, and Wolf blocks it with his hand.  His smoke energy protects him from being stabbed.  

With a flourish of his hand, Hao Chen recovers his sword.

Linglong falls to the ground, and Xuanji stumbles to her knees.  The blue fire gone from her eyes, the blue energy on her hands dissipating.

With a sweep of his hand, Hao Chen brings Linglong to him.  Wolf begins to fly away.  Hao Chen's sword chases him, and every time he tries to shift back into smoke, the sword makes him materialize.  Wolf pushes the sword away, and Hao Chen catches it.

Xuanji runs to Linglong.  "Linglong, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," says Linglong.  "I was so scared!"

Hao Chen and Wolf continue to intensely battle. Hao Chen hurls his sword at Wolf one more time.  This time, Wolf is able to successfully turn into smoke and disappear while the sword returns to Hao Chen.

 

Sifeng and Little Six continue to fight Wolf's accomplices, who keep turning into smoke every time Sifeng and Little Six strike.  Sifeng successfully manages to corner one against a tower, and with both legs, he does a flying kick to the stomach, knocking the tower down.  They are able to successfully clear the accomplices out.

"Sifeng!" calls Xuanji.  She, Hao Chen, and Linglong approach the two men.

"Are you okay?" Sifeng asks Xuanji.

"We're fine," Xuanji replies.

"What about the Merman?" asks Hao Chen.

"The Merman..." Little Six looks sheepish.

Sifeng takes over.  "The demons took him away."

"Hero Yu," says Hao Chen, "I know the Lize Palace has a different way of doing things, and other sects didn't interfere, as well, but you brought my fellow juniors to save that demon.  I don't think that's suitable."

"We wanted to save him ourselves," Xuanji asserts.  "The Merman didn't harm anyone.  He even helped us in the cave."

"How could you pity a demon?" Hao Chen asks disdainfully.  "You mustn't have thoughts like that."

"I...but..." says Xuanji.

Sifeng bows.  "Seniors, thank you for saving me.  I know my fault now."

"It's fine," acknowledges Aunt Hong.  "Maybe the demons left some tracks.  Hao Chen, let's scout the area."

Hao Chen bows to Aunt Hong.  "Yes."

The four friends bow to Hao Chen and Aunt Hong as they leave.

Xuanji breathes a sigh of relief.  Hao Chen is way too uptight and conservative.  He makes Sifeng look mellow.

After the two elders are out of hearing range, Little Six asks, "Sifeng, did the demons really take him away?"

Sifeng looks to his left and right.  "Follow me."

They get to a wall.  With a gesture of his hand, Sifeng changes the wall into an old home.  Ting Nu is laying in a pile of straw.

"What spell is this?" asks Xuanji.

"This is Lize Palace's Spell of Deceit," answers Sifeng.  "It can hide any scent or figure."

Little Six kneels beside Ting Nu.  "Are you okay?"

"That's why no one discovered him," Sifeng continues.  "Hurry, bring him to the riverside."

 

At the river bank, Ting Nu is resting against Sifeng's chest.

"Are you in pain?" asks Xuanji.  "I have some medicine here."  She rummages around in her pouch.  She holds out the green jar to Ting Nu.

Ting Nu just looks at her, smiling slightly, laughing silently.

"Why are you laughing?" asks Xuanji.  "Why are you looking at me like that?  Do we know each other?"

"We don't know each other in this lifetime," says Ting Nu.  "But now, we know each other."

"You know how to speak?" asks Xuanji.

Ting Nu nods.

"You were captured by the demons," says Sifeng.  "What did they want to do?"

"The entire Demon Tribe is gathering at Tianxu Sect," says Ting Nu.  "They're trying to find the Spirit Keys."

"Spirit Keys?" asks Linglong.  "What are those?"

"Your Sect Leaders will know," says Ting Nu.  "I don't know about anything else." He begins to cough.

"You mustn't speak," says Sifeng.  "You're severely injured.  You need to recuperate in the sea.  Regarding the news that you've told us, I will send an anonymous letter in order to remind the five sects."

Ting Nu reaches out his hand to the river.  A vortex forms in the water.

Xuanji gasps.

A ball of water forms, and drops into Ting Nu's hand.  The ball changes into vapor, and is absorbed by Ting Nu.

"Do you feel better now?" asks Sifeng.

Ting Nu nods.  He propels himself gracefully into the river.  He beautifully swims down into the depths.  He pops back up to the surface.  He removes a tear from his eye.

"He's crying?" asks Linglong.

With a sweep of his hand, he moves it toward Xuanji, in pearl form.

"Their tears do become pearls?" asks Little Six.

Sifeng catches it.  "If you hold a Merman's tear under your tongue, you'll cry.  And only a few people know about this secret.  They won't find out."

Linglong is delighted.  "That's great!  Xuanji won't need to stay in Mingxia Cave again!

Sifeng hands the Merman's tear to Xuanji.  "You can try."

Xuanji takes the Merman's tear, and puts it under her tongue.  Everyone watches her closely.  A genuine tear begins to roll down her cheek.  She sniffles, and then feels her face.  She smiles brightly.  She's finally crying!

Ting Nu smiles at her. 

"Linglong, look!" Xuanji jumps up and down.  "I'm crying!  I know how to cry!"

"Xuanji!" exclaims Linglong.

"This is great, older sister, this is great!" says Xuanji.  They hug tightly.

"You two sisters are so silly," says Little Six.

"Stop mocking us!" snaps Linglong.  "You're the silly one here."

Ting Nu dives back under water.

"He's thanking us," says Sifeng.

"That's beautiful," says Xuanji.  "This is just like how I felt after I ate some sweet snacks.  It's sweet, I feel happy.  Sifeng, thank you.  Thank you for the Merman's tear, as well."

"You don't need to thank me," says Sifeng.  "It's a gift from the Merman.  You said everything happens for a reason.  You accumulated good karma after you saved him.  And this is your reward."

"Chu Xuanji, if you want to recover your six senses and acquire genuine tears, you should collect the shards," Ting Nu pops back up to the surface to inform Xuanji.

"What shards?" asks Xuanji.

"Shards of the Mirror of Origin," replies Ting Nu.  "Mirror of Origin is an immortal item of the the immortal, Xi Wangmu.  It can reveal the origin of everything in the world.  Xi Wangmu shattered the mirror and scattered the shards in the human realm.  Collect all the shards, and you'll recover your six senses."

"I found one in the Forbidden Ground," says Xuanji.  "And I recovered my taste.  Is that the Mirror of Origin?  Did I recover my taste because of the Mirror of Origin?"

"Only the Mirror of Origin is capable of such a feat," says Ting Nu.  "Not only that, you'll know your true identity after you collect all of them."

"My true identity?" asks Xuanji.  "I'm Chu Xuanji.  Who else can I be?"

"You are, yet you are not," says Ting Nu. "Maybe it's for the best if you don't know the whole truth.  But this is your fate.  Chu Xuanji, I wish you good luck.  Maybe we'll meet in the future."

Before Xuanji can say anything more, he disappears under water, for real this time.

"I think the Merman can swim back to the sea from here," says Little Six.  "Speaking of which, I haven't seen the sea before.  Sifeng, Lize Palace is located beside the sea, right?"

Sifeng nods.

"How about we meet up with Sifeng in Lize Palace next time?" Linglong suggests.

"Sure!" says Xuanji.

"Women are not allowed in Lize Palace," says Sifeng.

"I only know that they don't accept any female disciples," says Linglong.  "But women are not allowed inside?  Are you guys going to stay single forever?"

"We won't be able to marry anyone after we enter the Lize Palace," says Sifeng.

"Is that why everyone in Lize Palace needs to wear a mask?" asks Little Six.  "But Sifeng, your mask has been removed.  We've seen your real face, as well.  Don't tell me the people who have seen your face need to marry you?"

Linglong laughs.

"I'm done for," jokes Little Six.

"Marry?" asks Xuanji.

"I saw your real face," Little Six continues.  "That means I need to..."

"Little Six, you're overthinking," scolds Linglong.  "All of us saw his real face, you know. Besides, Xuanji was the first person to see his real face.  It has nothing to do with you.  Sifeng, am I right?"

Sifeng pauses.  "Such a rule doesn't exist," he says quickly.  "It's just that...I'll owe someone a favor."

"Owe someone a favor?"  asks Linglong.  "Are you talking about the Merman?  We saved him of our own accord."

"That's right," adds Little Six.  "We support each other through thick and thin."

"Father told me that favors don't matter in friendship," adds Xuanji.  "Only loyalty matters."

"Friendship," says Sifeng.  He looks over at his new friends.  "In the past, no one told me about these things.  It is my first time hearing these strange thoughts."

"Why don't you join Shaoyang Sect?" asks Little Six.  "That way, we won't be separated.  Maybe we can drink in secret everyday.  Come! Check out this amazing wine."

Little Six holds out his hand, and a small brown, ceramic jug of wine materializes. "The specialty of Mount Lutai: Fruit Wine.  Since we're going to be friends forever, let's finish this drink together."

"Great!" Linglong and Xuanji chime in.

Sifeng grabs the jug.  "Sure."

They sit under the tree by the river bank and enjoy their treat.

"Xuanji," says Little Six, "Don't worry, we will help you find the shards of the Mirror of Origin.  If we train hard enough and travel around the world, I'm sure we'll find them.  By then, not only will you taste the wine, you'll enjoy the fragrance, as well.  And we'll be able to see a Xuanji who's afraid of pain."

"That's right," agrees Linglong. "No matter what your true identity is, it's fine because we know who you are."

"After I find the Mirror of Origin, I'll be able to recover my six senses," says Xuanji.  "And I will become like everybody else.  No matter what happens in the future, I just want to stay together with everyone and be happy.  That'll be great."

"Sifeng, if we talk about fate," says Linglong, "it seems that you have an affinity with Xuanji.  You two were born on the same day.  Even I couldn't compare with that."

"Since you're twins," asks Sifeng, "why weren't you born at the same time?"

Xuanji pulls on Linglong's ear.  Linglong squeals.

"We're twins," says Linglong, "but Xuanji was a lazy girl." She pokes Xuanji in the arm.  "She didn't want to come out.  She stayed in our mother's belly for another night.  That's why I was born at Nine at night on the fourth day of the fourth month, while she was born at One in the morning on the fifth day of the fifth month."

"So that's the case," says Sifeng.

Xuanji's stomach growls loudly.

"You're hungry again?" Asks Linglong.  

"You're hungry?" asks Sifeng.  "I'll catch some fish and cook them."

"Great idea, I'll join you," says Little Six.

"Little Six, you better catch a big fish!" says Linglong.

"Okay."

The two men walk away.

Linglong turns to Xuanji.  "Xuanji, I thought you had just eaten?"

"I don't know what's going on, either," says Xuanji.  A small book falls out of Xuanji's hanfu.

"Isn't this the book you used when Mother taught us how to write our names?"  asks Linglong.  "You kept it with you?"

Xuanji smiles.

"I knew our Xuanji wasn't emotionless," says Linglong, "even though you couldn't shed any tears."

"Mother told me to write down the names of those who are important to me."

"Can I see who's included?"

"Sure," says Xuanji.

"Father," Linglong flips through the pages, "Mother.  Linglong."  And the rest of the book is blank.  "That's all?"

Xuanji nods.  "Who else do you want to be included?"

"You can write down the name of the person you like."

"These are all the people I like."

"It's not that," Linglong insists.  "I'm not talking about our family.  If you like someone, you wish to see him everyday.  And you want to be with him at all times.  You'll share your secrets with him.  And he'll directly affect your mood.  He..." she watches Sifeng and Little Six catching fish by grabbing them with their hands.  She stares at Little Six for just a little longer.

"Linglong," Xuanji whispers.  "Do you have someone you like?"

"I...I...I...I'll check how they're doing!"  Linglong stands up quickly, and runs off to join the boys.

Xuanji picks up the book, and turns to a blank page.  "If I like someone, I'll share my secrets with him?"  She remembers the time Little Six visited her in Mingxia Cave to provide meals, which was why she wanted to see him everyday at that time.  In addition to the time he saw her as the God of War, and they promised to keep it a secret.  "Oh," says Xuanji to herself. "So the person whom I wish to meet and share secrets with, that's the person I like.  I do have similarities with other people, as well.  Linglong said I must write his name down."  She reaches into her pouch and pulls out a pencil.  She writes "Sixth Senior Brother" in her book.

Little Six runs up to her.  "Xuanji!"

"Sixth Senior Brother!"

"We caught many fish, you'll be able to eat soon."

"Okay." She puts the book back in her pouch.

"Oh, right.  I picked the same gift for you and Linglong."  He hands her a light blue pouch.  "But it seems like Linglong doesn't like it.  I'll give them to you, then."

Xuanji opens up the pouch and pulls out two sky blue flower accessories.  She loves them, even though she can't see the color.

"Maybe it's because I'm too dumb.  I always give her something she doesn't like.  Maybe it's because other people don't like me, as well."

"Not at all.  Sixth Senior Brother, I like you," says Xuanji.

Little Six tries his hardest not to laugh. "What?" he finally manages to say.

"You're the person that I like."

Little Six laughs some more.  "Silly girl, what do you know?"

Sifeng and Linglong are grilling fish at a campfire by the river bank.

"Little Six, come here!" calls Linglong.  "Help us grill the fish!"

"Coming!" says Little Six.

Sifeng hands Little Six a wooden skewer with a fish on the end.  "You can cook it with her."  

Sifeng walks toward Xuanji and sits down next to her.  He looks at the flower hair accessories.  "What's this?"

"Sixth Senior Brother gave me this.  Sifeng, what color is it?"

"It's blue."

"This is blue?" she smiles.  "My favorite color is blue, then."  She tries to smell them.  "Is it fragrant and nice?"

"It's not," says Sifeng, "and it's hideous."

"Really?  I'll be able to feel that for myself when I recover my six senses." She tries to smell the hair accessories again.  "By the way, Sifeng, we'll return to Mount Shaoyan tomorrow.  After we meet Father, I'll tell you about how we can avoid the Candle Dragon and retrieve your mask."

"Xuanji, actually, this is dangerous.  Maybe Sect Leader Chu will find out.  You don't need to force yourself if it's too hard, since I didn't manage to obtain Gudiao's horns for you."

"It's no problem!  Friends shouldn't be so calculative.  I promised you I'd do so.  That's why I'll do anything to help you retrieve your mask."

"Silly girl.  It was hard for you to escape Mingxia Cave, you know?  Actually, it's fine if I lose the mask.  You don't need to find it, and you don't need to return there."

"Is it really fine?" Asks Xuanji.

"It's fine Xuanji, thank you."

 

.....to be continued.....

https://www.sageukparadise.com/sageuk-paradise/p/empoweredwomencoloringbook

5x8 Empowered Women of the Sageuk Anime Fan Art Coloring Book — 사극 Paradise