American Perspectives: Mortal Prejudice Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 4)

 

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

 

The Demon Hunting team successfully returns to the Shaoyang Sect.  They meet up in the Main Hall, ready to report.

"Sect Leader Uncle," Hao Chen bows to Sect Leader Chu.

"Master," says Little Six.

"Father, we're back," say Linglong and Xuanji, rather sheepishly, as Linglong was not supposed to go on the trip.

"Who gave you permission to return here?" Sect Leader Chu asks the sisters.  "You're getting out of control."

Little Six nudges Xuanji.  On cue, Xuanji begins to cry, and a tear rolls down her cheek.  "Father, please don't blame older sister." The tears continue to flow.  "It's my fault.  I only understand many things after I left the mountains.  It was all my fault, I was disobedient.  Now, I know the reason you scolded me in the past.  You did the right thing.  I won't act like this again."

Sect Leader Chu and Aunt Hong smile.

"Great," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Good girl."

Linglong helps her dry her tears.

"Seems like you understood my intentions," says Sect Leader Chu.  "My effort was not in vain.  I'm sure your mother would be relieved to hear this."

"So Xuanji doesn't need to enter Mingxia Cave again," says Aunt Hong.  "I feel relieved."

The sisters exchange glances and smile.  Linglong, Xuanji, and Little Six run outside.  "Xuanji, this is great!" says Linglong.  "Xuanji, you should return and rest first.  Little Six and I will send some local specialties to the other members.  We'll find you after that, okay?"

"Okay," says Xuanji.

"See you," says Linglong.  "Little Six, let's go."

 

Xuanji is skipping along outside, not a care in the world.  She is soon startled.

"Merman's tear is useful indeed," says Hao Chen.

"Senior Brother Hao Chen," Xuanji says nervously.

"Don't worry," he assures her.  "I'm the only one who knows about this.  Xuanji, let me ask you this.  Do you really want to train yourself?"

Xuanji nods.  "In the past, I had no reason to do so.  But after the incident at Mount Lutai, I realized that I need to train hard to protect those I want to protect."

"That's good," says Hao Chen.  "Xuanji, actually, you're as good as anyone else.  If there's a chance for you to learn great spells and become a powerful cultivator, will you grab the chance?"

"Senior Brother Hao Chen, are you mocking me?  I don't even have the right to attend the Hairpin Tournament."

"There's no rush.  Think about it for now.  We'll talk about that after the Hairpin Tournament.  Now, we should celebrate our return from Mount Lutai." He turns and walks away.

 

Sifeng doesn't want me to retrieve the mask, Xuanji thinks, but I've made a promise with him.  I must keep my word.

Sifeng flies down to the dock of the forbidden lake.  I can't enter the forbidden ground by myself.  If I use spells, the barrier will respond to them.

"Sifeng!" yells Xuanji.  She runs down the dock.  "Sifeng!"

"Xuanji, why are you here?" He's very happy to see her.

"I'm here to help you."

"Didn't I tell you not to help me?  You'll be punished by your father if he finds out."

Xuanji steps in front of him.  "But you'll be punished if you don't retrieve your mask.  Follow me!" She grabs his arm.

He stops.  "The Candle Dragon is hiding here.  If we alert it, it'll activate the protection rock."

"It's fine," insists Xuanji.  "There's a way we can sneak past it."  She holds out her hand, and the Lightning Baton materializes.  "Look, we'll use this."

"The Lightning Baton can only teleport one person at a time, but there are two of us here."

"Just treat the two of us as an individual, then," says Xuanji.  She hugs him tightly.  He jumps back.  "Don't move," she hugs him again.  "I'm going to cast the spell."  She holds out the Lightning Baton and emits blue energy from her index and middle fingers.  She points at the baton, and they are transported into the lake.

"Look!  I told you it would work!" says Xuanji.

Sifeng nervously backs away from her.

"Sifeng, let's find your mask now."

They explore the rocky bottom of the lake.

"Sifeng, your mask!" exclaims Xuanji.

He sees it sitting on top of a rock. "My mask!" Before he can get it, the Candle Dragon jumps out.  Sifeng grabs the mask, but a piece of it has been broken off.  The Candle Dragon lunges at them.

Xuanji quickly embraces Sifeng.  "Sifeng!" and with the power of the Lightning Baton, they are able to materialize in the Bamboo forest.  Xuanji breathes a sigh of relief.

Sifeng looks down at his mask, and with disappointment, he realizes it's broken.

"Sifeng, it's fine.  We can come again tomorrow.  We'll find the other half of this mask and glue it back together." Her Lightning Baton mysteriously disappears from her hand.  "Maybe it broke while we fought the dragon."

"The masks in Lize Palace can't be fixed.  Fate has decided for my mask to be broken.  We'll just forget about it.  I need to meet my master now."

The two are approached by the Lize Palace Master , the Lize Elders, and Hao Chen.

"Do you still have respect for me? asks the Lize Palace Master.

Sifeng bows.  "Master."

"Sifeng," says an elder.  "You were distracted by your feelings.  You even forgot about the 13 Rules of Lize Palace!"

"You should return and receive your punishment for your mistake," says Lize Palace Master.  "What a great disciple indeed."

Sifeng kneels.  "Master, I've let you down.  Please punish me."

Lize Palace Master strikes him with white energy, knocking him over.

"Sifeng!" Xuanji runs up to him.  "Sifeng, are you okay?"

"Xuanji," says Hao Chen, "this is their internal affair.  You mustn't interrupt."

"Sifeng, you only said you let me down," says the Lize Palace Master.  "But you didn't admit your mistake!  Do you know your mistake?"

Xuanji stands up and blocks the Lize Palace Master. "I removed his mask.  You should punish me instead of him."

"Xuanji!" Hao Chen admonishes.  Hao Chen bows.  "Palace Master, Xuanji is young and ignorant.  Please forgive her for her rudeness."

"Did I say anything wrong?" Xuanji persists.  "He didn't remove the mask of his accord.  Moreover, he almost lost his life trying to retrieve the mask.  Sifeng's life and the mask, which is more important to you?"

Sifeng looks up at Xuanji.  He can't believe what he's hearing.

"Such audacity!" snaps an elder.  "This is the internal affair of the Lize Palace.  You have no right to say anything!"

"Xuanji," Hao Chen hisses, "this has nothing to do with you.  Hurry and apologize to Palace Master."

"Lize Palace's internal affairs have nothing to do with me, indeed.  But he's my best friend, and I will do something about this.  You can't answer my questions, yet you're trying to punish Sifeng.  I'm just trying to seek an answer."

Lize Palace Master laughs. "I'm envious of Sect Leader Chu for having a daughter like her.  Sifeng, this girl is trying so hard to help you.  I'm very surprised.  What? Have you made new friends after only a few days?"

"Yes," says Sifeng.  "In the past, I never knew what a friend was.  But now, I understand the profound sentiments of friendship."

"What?" asks Lize Palace Master.  "Profound sentiments of friendship?"  He tries to get in Sifeng's face, but Xuanji blocks him again.

Hao Chen bows.  "Palace Master, the other sect leaders are waiting for you for the meeting.  Please don't delay this any longer.  Palace Master, please."

Lize Palace Master looks at Sifeng balefully.  He snorts derisively as he walks away.  "Profound sentiments of friendship."

Sifeng and Xuanji are left alone in the forest.

"Sifeng, get up now," says Xuanji.  "Does it hurt?"  She points to his face.

"I'm fine.  Why did you try to save me from my master's punishment?  You're reckless, indeed."

"I'm fine.  I'm just afraid that he'll punish you for my mistake.  Sifeng, will he punish you?"

His heart begins to race, and he looks into her eyes.  He breaks eye contact.  "I'll be fine.  Don't worry."

Xuanji smiles.  "That's good to hear."

 

Sifeng is kneeling in front of Lize Palace Master's door.  Xuanji runs up, and gets in front of him.

"Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

He looks around cautiously.  "Why are you here?"

"Sifeng," Xuanji whispers.  "Why are you here?  Is he still insisting on punishing you?  But why?  I'll argue with him."

"You mustn't.  My master has a bad temper.  He won't let you off."

"There's nothing to fear," Xuanji insists.  "At most, he'll just give me a beating.  Anyway, I don't know what pain is."

"He's too brave for his own good.  He broke our rules," a Lize Disciple is heard saying.

Sifeng pulls Xuanji closer to him, as they kneel on the ground.  From the back, no one can see Xuanji as they are walking by.

"You should consider your position before you try to imitate him," the disciple continues.  "He's doing this because he has a strong backing.  Our Lord won't let others off that easily." They walk by, only seeing Sifeng's back, and not Xuanji in front of him.

After the disciples pass, Sifeng releases her.  They look at each other awkwardly.

"Return now," says Sifeng.  "I'm kneeling here of my own accord.  My master didn't punish me."

"Why?"

"He'll only be appeased if I do so.  Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Xuanji hands him some dried fruit.  "They're very sweet.  Since you're doing this, you should have some sweet stuff in order to ease your pain.  Here."  She puts the fruit in his mouth.  "Is it delicious?"

He smiles.  He takes the extra fruit from her hand.  "I'll take this for now.  You should leave."

"Remember to eat them!" says Xuanji.  She runs off as he's enjoying the fruit.

 

Lize Palace Master, Deputy Chief, and Lize Elders see Sifeng kneeling at the door.

"Follow me," says Lize Palace Master.  The elder disciples slide open the double doors.  As the two men enter, the elders slide the doors shut.

Deputy Chief rolls his eyes.

"Master," says Sifeng.

"Master?" asks Lize Palace Master.  "Isn't friendship the only thing you need?  You don't need me anymore." 

"I don't dare to do so," says Sifeng.  "I broke the rules.  I'm willing to accept my punishment."

"Those who can't keep their true nature in check will be judged by the Elder Council and receive the 13 tortures in the Tower of Oblivion.  I'm afraid you can't endure all of the punishments."

"As your Head Disciple, I should be a role model for others.  I won't escape."

"You!" Lize Palace Master raises his hand, and then abruptly brings it down.  "Look at you now.  You are the most outstanding disciple I had in Lize Palace for the past few hundred years.  You said you wanted to become a role model, but have you ever considered my feelings?  Listen carefully.  I won't allow you to give up on your future.  You must be the champion of the Hairpin Tournament, and maybe I can protect you from the Elder Council."

Sifeng looks up.

"In the future, if you embarrass me again, I won't let you off.  Leave."

Sifeng bows, and gets up from his knees.  The elders slide the double doors open.

Deputy Chief has been listening the whole time, and has a few schemes in mind for the future.

 

Linglong, Little Six, and Xuanji are outside on the stone stairwell telling their fellow disciples about their demon hunting adventure.

"The Gudiao has massive wings," says Little Six, "and its claws are sharper than swords.  I struck it with my sword, and it cried for help."

Linglong can't hold back the laughter.

"Sixth Senior Brother is amazing, indeed!" say some of the disciples from Shaoyang sect.  "We'll be the champion of the Hairpin Tournamet this time!"

"That's right!"

"We'll be number one!"

"Linglong," says Xuanji, "who will win if Sixth Senior Brother and Sifeng fight each other in the contest?"

"If Sifeng's skill level is as high as this," Linglong raises her hand as high as it can go.  "Sixth Senior Brother's skill level is as low as this," she brings her hand to knee level.

"So low?" asks Xuanji.  "Sifeng is that strong?"

Linglong grins and smiles.

"Linglong, aren't you partaking in the contest, as well?  What about your skill level?"

"Mine?" Linglong looks down.  She raises her hand up as high as it can go.  "It's as high as that."

"That high?" asks Xuanji.

An annoying laugh is heard close by. 

The sisters turn to see who it is.  Yuck, it's Wu Tong, the young man who acts like a 12 year old.

"How could you partake in the contest when you can't even hold a sword?" asks Wu Tong.  "Idiots will be idiots."

"You called me an idiot?" asks Linglong.  "You!"

Xuanji holds Linglong back before she can charge at Wu Tong.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" says Wu Tong.

Little Six climbs up the stone steps.  

"Or is it because there's too many idiots in Shaoyang Sect?" Wu Tong continues.  "Is that why you don't understand?"

Little Six takes a deep breath. "We must be magnanimous," he says to the Shaoyang Disciples.  "No matter how loud a dog barks, it will always be an animal.  We humans don't need to argue with animals."

"That's right," agrees Linglong.

"You know how to speak, huh?" says Wu Tong.  "But that won't work in the Hairpin Tournament.  I'll make you kneel in front of me by then."

"We'll make him kneel in front of us in the arena," says Linglong.

"Don't worry," says Little Six.  "I'll turn him into a tortoise."

The sisters laugh.

"Let's wait and see," says Wu Tong.

 

It's the big day, and the Sects are finding their places at the Hairpin Tournament.

"Look, how about that spot?" asks Little Six.  "It provides a clear view, and it's windy, as well.  It's the best spot.  Only your amazing Sixth Senior Brother can find a spot like that."

"I noticed that spot long ago," says Linglong.  "We don't need you."

"The Dianjing Valley Sect has arrived!"

The Valley Master of Dianjing Sect leads the way with Wu Tong close behind.

"Linglong, it's the sect of the rude Wu Tong," Xuanji whispers.

"Their sect won't be the champion since they have a disciple like him," says Linglong.

"The Xuanyuan Sect has arrived!"  It is a small sect, consisting of four disiciples.

Xuanji turns to Linglong.  "Linglong, why are there so few people in Xuanyuan Sect?"

Linglong replies, "Xuanyuan Sect was the best sect 100 years ago, but their sect is getting weaker and weaker.  And their sect leader isn't here."

"The Lize Palace has arrived!"

"It's Sifeng's sect!" Exclaims Xuanji.  There he is!  The only one in the entire Lize Palace sect without a mask.  "Sifeng! Sifeng!"  Xuanji jumps up and down and waves.

He subtly nods in her direction.

"Quiet down," warns Little Six.  "They hate to associate with outsiders.  You are causing trouble for him by shouting his name."

"Unlike you," says Linglong, "he's the sect leader's favorite disciple."

"Hey, Master likes me, as well," says Little Six.

"The Master and Madam of Fuyu Island have arrived!"

"Linglong, what is everyone staring at?" asks Xuanji.

"They..." says Linglong.

"We're staring at Madam Dongfang," says Little Six.  "Madam Dongfang is the most beautiful woman in the world."

"Xuanji, you can't tell what is beautiful and what is not," says Linglong.  She pokes Little Six.  "Look, his eyes are popping out!"

"I...that's not true," says Little Six.

The Sisters laugh.

"The Sect Leader of Shaoyang Sect has arrived!"

"Father is here!" says Xuanji.

They turn around to watch Sect Leader Chu descend from the sky.  He flies to his spot on the stage, and everyone bows.

"The Hairpin Tournament has been held for a few hundred years," says Sect Leader Chu.  "The Five Great Sects held this event every year in order to promote justice and righteousness.  The winner of this contest will be the Leader of the Five Great Sects for the next four years.  Everyone here must treat this as a spar and learn from others.  If anyone here disregards the rules and harms others on purpose, the five sect leaders will have no mercy on them.  The Hairpin Tournament will begin now."  With a movement of his hand, a small fire circle is created in the air, and his sword floats out of the circle.  With an elaborate flourish, the sword hangs over the arena.

"Yu Sifeng from Lize Palace will face Tu Ran from Fuyu Island."

The two men fly into the arena.  Sifeng in indigo blue, Tu Ran in red and white.

"Sifeng!" Xuanji and Linglong cheer.  "You can do it!"

Tu Ran summons his sword from thin air.  He runs his hand along the blade, giving it lightning power.  He runs for Sifeng, who is able to block by doing a back bend.  Sifeng continues to successfully defend himself without a sword while Tu Ran attacks.

With the Lightning Sword, Tu Ran is making Sifeng spin through the air.

Xuanji and Linglong continue to cheer Sifeng on.  Sifeng is able to break free from the power of the Lightning Sword.  Sifeng summons fire energy, and loops it around Tu Ran multiple times, causing him to roll.

As Tu Ran is preparing his Lightning Sword, Sifeng prepares a formation, which has a star in the center, and acts as a shield.  He pushes it toward Tu Ran, effectively throwing Tu Ran back, and on the ground.

"Yu Sifeng from the Lize Palace is the victor!"

The three musketeers: Little Six, Linglong, and Xuanji cheer.

The Elders of Lize Palace look at the three with disapproval.  At this point, the arena is quiet, and everyone is looking at the three with disapproval.

"Next round, Wu Tong from Dianjing Valley Sect will face Lin Feng from Xuanyuan Sect."

Linglong rolls her eyes.  Wu Tong smirks, sure that he can impress her.

The two men fly into the arena.  Wu Tong in pink and burgundy.  Lin Feng in light blue.  The two bow.

Lin Feng summons his sword and goes for Wu Tong.  Wu Tong stays in one spot.  At the last minute, he summons his sword, and is able to deflect Lin Feng.

This fight is a brutal fight as Wu Tong doesn't leave room for Lin Feng to take a breath.  Wu Tong is relentless, and in a purple cloud of smoke, he levitates, throws some of that purple smoke forward, causing Lin Feng to slide back.

"I didn't expect him to be that powerful," says Linglong.

Xuanji nods in agreement.  Lin Feng's sword breaks.

"He's too much," says Linglong.  "He doesn't need to destroy the weapon of his opponent!"

With the force of his blocking, Wu Tong sends Lin Feng flying through the air, hitting the ground on his stomach.

"Wu Tong from Dianjing Valley Sect is the victor!"

 

 

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