American Perspectives: Emergence Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 10)

 

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

 

"It's not what it seems!"  says Little Six.  "We are just--"

Linglong points at him.

"We are--" Little Six tries to continue.

"Zhong Minyan!" Linglong is furious.  "How dare you!  How dare you bully my sister?"  She runs for him, but Linglong squeezes her tightly.  "He bullied you!" says Linglong.

"No, stop it," says Xuanji.  "Sixth Senior did not bully me."

Linglong breaks away from her and walks toward the door.

"Linglong," Yan Ran says sweetly, "since we disturbed them, let's just leave."  She puts her hand on Linglong's wrist.

"Don't touch me!" Linglong yells.

"Let me tell you!" Little Six points at Yan Ran.  "Don't try to add fuel to the fire."

"What did I do?" Yan Ran asks innocently.  "Can you explain what you were doing?" She looks at Xuanji.

"We were just..." says Xuanji.  She looks at Little Six.

Linglong summons her sword.  "Zhong Minyan, I'll kill you!"

"Linglong!" Xuanji grabs her arm.

"Xuanji, he was bullying you because he thought you were innocent," whispers Linglong.  "Don't you know that?"

"No.  Sixth Senior didn't bully me.  He was just helping me.  It's true."

"I was helping Xuanji with her troubles," says Little Six.  "I tripped accidentally.  You want to kill me?  I'll stand here.  Kill me!"

"Xuanji, move," Linglong pushes Xuanji out of the way.  "I'll kill him."  She points her sword at Little Six's throat.

"You want to kill me? Fine.  Let's see how you kill me.  You don't care anymore once your young lady temper comes up.  I've had enough.  Kill me!  Don't regret it.  You might hug me and cry when you regain your consciousness."

Yan Ran turns away so no one can see her smile.  My work here is done.

"Why should I regret?" asks Linglong.  "I hate you the most in all of Shaoyang Sect.  If you die, I'll laugh in my dreams."

"Linglong, stop it," Xuanji says anxiously.  She lowers Linglong's arm, causing her to drop the sword.  In the process, Little Six's dagger falls out of Xuanji's hanfu.  The situation has gone from bad to oh so much worse.  

Linglong picks up the dagger and carefully examines it.  Remembering how Little Six said it was for his future wife.  "This dagger...was with you." She looks at Xuanji.  Her stomach clenches.

"This dagger was given to me by Sixth Senior," says Xuanji, "before I went to Xuyang Peak."

"Y-Yes," Little Six stutters.  He knows he's toast.  "I gave it to Xuanji."

Linglong's heart drops.  All kinds of thoughts, epiphanies, and connections she hadn't seen before, are hitting her all at once like a high speed train.  Everything she thought she knew about her two best friends is rapidly falling to pieces.  "He gave it to you four years ago?"

"Yes, he gave it to me four years ago," Xuanji says cheerfully, completely oblivious to the line that has just been crossed.  

Yan Ran rolls her eyes.  "Young Lady of Shaoyang Sect.  Isn't that obvious?  Both of them were engaged with each other.  Being intimate for awhile isn't something surprising."

Sifeng isn't fond of this news, either, but he has doubts about how true it is.  Still, he is drawn to it like a bystander to a dumpster fire, and he can't quite get himself to leave.

Xuanji looks confused, as she never really thought of Little Six in that way.

"Xuanji, he gave you his family heirloom dagger.  You are really going to be the daughter in law of the Zhong family."  Linglong is really trying her damnedest to hold it together.  She places the dagger back in Xuanji's hand.

Xuanji doesn't feel right about any of this at all.

"Keep it well," says Linglong, who really just wants to bury herself under her blankets and cry.

Xuanji is confused.  This wasn't the outcome she had anticipated.

"Zhong Minyan," says Linglong, "in that case, stop behaving casually, and treat Xuanji well.  I won't forgive you if you don't."  She begins to walk away.  She can't stand being in the same room with all of them anymore.

"Linglong," Little Six calls after her.

"Sifeng, let's leave," says Yan Ran, who is feeling exceedingly satisfied with the outcome.

Sifeng feels like something isn't adding up.  "Farewell," Sifeng says flatly.

Yan Ran smirks as they turn away.  Ruo Yu bows to them.

"Sifeng!" says Xuanji, running out to catch him.  He keeps right on walking, as if he didn't hear her.

 

"Little Silver Flower," Sifeng says to Yan Ran, his disguised spirit beast, "are you satisfied?"

"I admit that I lured you there," says Yan Ran/Little Silver Flower, "but she isn't worth your time and effort.  Isn't that right?"

"You don't have to do anything," says Sifeng.

"Sifeng!"  Xuanji is gasping for breath, finally catching up to them in the courtyard.

Sifeng is not emotionally or mentally prepared for this.

She trips and falls down the steps.  He turns to look at her, that hideous mask hiding his true emotions.  He immediately walks to her.

She stands up.  "Sifeng, don't leave.  I still have something to tell you."  She grabs his sleeve.

"I'm sorry," he says flatly.  "I'm busy."  He abruptly removes her hand from his sleeve.

He tries to walk away, but she stands in front of him.  "Sifeng, we haven't met in four years.  I don't want to leave you like this."

"We are just strangers," Sifeng says coldly.  "Stop pestering me.  Don't get involved with me."  He attempts to walk away again.

Xuanji is relentless.  "Sifeng!"  She reaches for his sleeve, but ends up grabbing the pouch with Aoyin's tendon.

"Don't touch it!" Sifeng says anxiously.

The tendon smoothly slithers out of the pouch like Little Silver Flower's original Spirit Beast form.  It glides and secures itself around Xuanji's wrist before wrapping its other end around Sifeng's wrist.  Little Silver Flower is horrified.  Her little teenage girl trick backfired.

Sifeng anxiously pulls away, but the tendon only costricts more tightly around his wrist.

"What is this?" asks Xuanji.

Ruo Yu hides a grin.  Little Silver Flower is looking like a pissed off toddler who just lost her Barbie.

 

Linglong is moping in the wine storage room.  The intrusive thoughts and feelings of stupidity for not seeing it beforehand are torturing her.  She is about to knock back a whole bottle when Little Six comes up beside her, and grabs it.  Before it gets better, it has to get worse.  Linglong immediately stands up and turns her back to him.

"Are you crying?" asks Little Six.

"Leave me alone," snaps Linglong.  She begins to walk away.  He grabs her wrist.

"I have something to tell you," he insists.  "I would've given you an explanation if you weren't throwing a tantrum a moment ago."

"Yes," Linglong says sarcastically.  "I'm stupid and foolish.  I didn't see it clearly."

"Do you have to act this way?" asks Little Six.  "Can't we talk at all?  Can you let me finish--"

"Zhong Minyan!  In your eyes, aren't I a stubborn young lady who always causes troubles?  You look down on me in your heart.  Why are you still compromising for me?  I don't pay attention to anyone unrelated anyway.  We will both go our separate ways in the future.  All right?"

"Can't I say a few words?  You have always been like this since you were young.  You don't care whenever you get angry.  You don't show mercy when you are right.  It's worse if you are wrong.  Do you know what I'm going to say?  How is it all right?  If I have to say, even that Lu Yan Ran is more respectable.  At least--"

Linglong recoils from him.  Never compare your love interest to her rival, ever.  She (rightfully so) throws wine in his face.  (Good Girl).

"Great," says Linglong.  "You are comparing me with Lu Yan Ran.  I wasted all my time on you all these years. "  She runs out of the wine room.

 

Ruo Yu, Little Silver Flower, Xuanji, and Sifeng are in Sifeng's room.  Little Silver Flower is intensely powering purple energy into Aoyin's tendon, but it is doing absolutely nothing.

"You are just watching!"  she snaps at Ruo Yu.  "Help!"

"It's useless," says Ruo Yu.  "Aoyin's tendon will grasp firmly once in contact with blood and flesh.  It's flesh and blood, not yet refined.  We can't do anything unless it releases its grasp willingly."

Little Silver Flower drops her arm in frustration and summons her dagger.  She makes a cut in her finger.  "I'll give you blood if you like it."  She spreads her blood on the tendon.  "Release her and bind me.  Bind me," she says desperately.

"It's not moving," Xuanji says gently.

Adding insult to injury, Ruo Yu says, "Yan Ran, I think the Aoyin tendon likes Xuanji's blood more.  It's useless."

"I don't believe it."  Little Silver Flower rolls up her sleeves.  "Can't it feel pain?  Can't I cut it?"  She begins to hack away at the tendon with her dagger.

"It's still not working," Xuanji says softly.

"Are you happy?"  Little Silver Flower pouts.  "If I can't cut it, I can cut your hand instead."  As she reaches for Xuanji's hand, Sifeng raises his arm, casting a strong golden wind, which throws Little Silver Flower back. 

"You've caused enough trouble," says Sifeng.

Xuanji laughs quietly.

Little Silver Flower continues to pout.  "She's the one who caused you trouble!"

Xuanji grins.

"Chu Xuanji, you caused so much trouble," says Sifeng.  "Why are you smiling?"

She can't help herself.  "You noticed it.  I made a mess today.  It's my bad for smiling, but you won't have to leave, right?  Of course, I'm happy."

"Going late or going early, I still have to leave anyway," says Sifeng.  "There's no difference.  Don't talk about these useless things."

"That's different," Xuanji says, rubbing her wrist.  "She was trying to cut my hand off, but you protected me.  That means you are worried and still care about me.  I'm happy." Xuanji beams.

"You think too much," says Sifeng.  "I stopped her because it won't work.  Do you think I want to drag your dismembered arm along?"

Xuanji's smile fades.

"Sifeng, let's not waste our time," says Ruo Yu.  "Isn't Xuanyuan Sect nearby?  Sect Leader Zhu Shi is knowledgeable and sophisticated.  I'm sure he can deal with this Aoyin tendon."

Little Silver Flower emphatically nods in agreement.

"That's our only way," says Sifeng.  "Everyone is tired today.  Rest early.  We will go to Xuanyuan Sect tomorrow."

Xuanji continues to rub her wrist.

"What about her?"  Little Silver Flower pouts, sputters, and points her finger.  "I'm telling you!  Don't sleep in a room with Sifeng!  You hear me?"

Xuanji looks at Little Silver Flower, and looks back at Sifeng.  "Then...where should I sleep tonight?"

Sifeng gives her a look.

 

Sifeng and Xuanji end up in the same room because there is no way they can sleep in their separate rooms.  Xuanji is in Sifeng's closet with the door closed.  Sifeng is at his table, writing.

Xuanji is leaning against the door, trying to sleep, but her weight makes it pop open.  Xuanji lets out a surprised shriek.  Sifeng gives her side eye as she falls onto the floor.

She stumbles to his desk.  "Sifeng, I am very sleepy.  I can't sit on the chair any longer."

He points his finger, emits gold energy, which propels her onto his bed, and promptly draws the curtains shut.

"Sleep," says Sifeng.

"Sifeng, where will you sleep?"

"You don't have to worry.  I will explain to Zhong Minyan tomorrow.  You have no choice, but to stay here for the night."

Xuanji stands up.  "Sifeng, I wanted to ask you.  Why is Linglong so angry about what happened to me and Sixth Senior?  She even said Sixth Senior is so bad.  I think Sixth Senior is not bad."

Sifeng's hand tenses up.  "Aren't you sleepy?" he asks.  "Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I'm not sleepy now.  I don't understand.  Although I like Sixth Senior, but Linglong is just as important as Sixth Senior.  I don't wish that either of them is unhappy."

Sifeng is taking deep breaths.

"They had a big argument this time because I like Sixth Senior.  Do you think Linglong hates and looks down on Sixth Senior?  That was why she was angry when she heard I like Sixth Senior."

His hand clenches into a fist.

"Sifeng, since you are so smart, can you help me?  Is there any way to let Linglong like Sixth Senior, too?"

With a sweep of his arm, he emits a gold breeze that knocks her into a sitting position on his bed.

He relaxes his hand and takes another deep breath.   "I have no time to listen to the issue between you and Zhong Minyan.  If you are not sleepy, just get out."

"I'm sleepy.  Sleepy."  Xuanji quickly lays down.

Sifeng is trying not to cry.  Seeing her with Little Six made his stomach turn and his blood boil when he was sure he no longer cared.

I haven't written to Senior Hao Chen about my experience yet, Xuanji thinks.  Sifeng ignores me, too.  I should write to Senior Hao Chen first.  She inscribes some words in the air with her finger.  Senior Hao Chen, I didn't write to you about my experience on time because we met a demon recently.  The problem has been solved.  I will report to you about what happened for the past two days.  First, I met Sifeng, but he ignores me.

Sifeng pulls back his hanfu, revealing three puncture wounds.  He carefully applies medicine.

He keeps trying to leave, Xuanji writes.  I'm quite happy now that he can't leave at the moment.  I hope I can get back this important friend of mine this time.  Second.  Linglong and Sixth Senior Brother had a bad argument.  Linglong said her Bazi doesn't match with Sixth Senior's, so they make up as quickly as they start a new argument.  They always told me not to worry.  It would be better if they could continue to get along and care for each other.  Xuanji sighs, and with  a sweep of her finger, she sends the letter to Hao Chen.  While she is doing that, Aoyin's tendon falls into the lit candle next to her bedside, and it shortens, significantly.

The tendon pulls Sifeng forward, but he resists the pull by holding on to the rope.  Instead, Xuanji is hurled forward, and before she face plants onto Sifeng's desk, he catches her.

"Xuanji, what are you doing?"

"I...the fire...you," stutters Xuanji.  "Sifeng, the fire will shorten the tendon."  She puts her end of the rope over the candle.

"No!" says Sifeng, pulling her away, but unintentionally getting pushed up against the bookcase with Xuanji on top of him.

"Sifeng, I told you, right?  Sifeng, how is your injury?"  She pulls back his hanfu.

He looks at her sharply.

"Let me take a look at your injury."  She sees the puncture wounds.  Sifeng tenses up.  She proceeds to blow on them.  His fist clenches, and he pushes her away.

"Chu Xuanji, why are you still so reckless?" He growls.  "This is improper.  Aren't you engaged with Zhong Minyan?  How could you do that?"

"I just want to take a look at your injury."

"I don't need your concern."  He moves away from her.  The Transmission Bell drops from his hanfu.

Xuanji picks it up.  "This bell...Didn't you say you lost it?"  She rings it in his face.  He abruptly grabs it from her hand.

"What does that have to do with you?  It's a useless thing anyway.  I don't know why it's still with me."

"You never realized such a big thing was on you?  You don't feel anything at all with it on you?"

"Chu Xuanji, why do you have so many questions?  How would I know?" he begins to raise his voice.  His hand tightens around the bell.

Xuanji puts her hand on her stomach.

"Are you hungry?" 

Xuanji nods.

"I'll get you something delicious."

Xuanji smiles.  "All right."

 

They are eating together in his room, but Aoyin's tendon is really tight.  Xuanji is loving the food.

"Sifeng, come closer.  Help me out.  I can't eat it otherwise."

He takes her chopsticks and picks up the food for her.  He holds the chopsticks up to her face.  "It's faster this way.  Go to sleep after you eat."

"Sifeng, aren't you eating?"

"Open your mouth," he says.  She eats the food off the chopsticks.

"Mmm," says Xuanji.  "This is delicious.  Try it."

"It's fine."

"Try it."

"Shut your mouth," says Sifeng.  "Eat."

Xuanji glares at him.  "Sifeng, I can't eat if I shut my mouth."

"Do you still want to continue eating?"

"I want the soup," Xuanji smiles.

Sifeng puts a spoon in the soup, blows on it, and feeds Xuanji.

"I want that," she points to a plate of pork and green vegetables.  He continues to help her eat throughout the night.

"Are you full?" asks Sifeng.

Xuanji smiles.  "Yes."  She raises her arms.  The tendon feels looser.  "Sifeng!  Look at this!" She picks up the rope.  "It turned back to normal.  Look!"  They are, unfortunately, still tied together, but the rope is back to its original length.

"Stop fooling around.  Go to sleep."

 

Xuanji awakens from a pleasant dream.  Sifeng is at his desk, sleeping.

"Sifeng, your shadow looks nice.  I forgot, you don't like people praising you.   I think you really look nice when you smile."

Sifeng opens his eyes.

"But I've never seen you smile ever since we met again.  I am very worried about you.  I don't know what happened to you.  I regret it.  I think I missed out on a lot of things."  She sits up to look at him.  "Sifeng, I think it's weird.  I still miss you although you are right in front of me."

Sifeng doesn't know what to think.

"Sifeng..." she realizes he's awake.  She gets out of bed.  He pretends to be asleep.  She kneels beside him.  "Sifeng!" she whispers.  "Sifeng?  Are you asleep?  Sifeng, your mask is different from the one in the past."  She moves in to touch the mask.

His hands tense up.  "Don't touch."

Xuanji gasps.  "It's just that you won't show me your face ever again?  Can't we go back to how it used to be?"

Sifeng takes a deep breath.  He's feeling extremely confused by her.

"What's wrong, Sifeng?  Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

"No.  I just think it's funny."

"Funny?"

"The past.  What happened before.  We can never return anymore.  Chu Xuanji, why do you still provoke me?  The person I don't want to see the most while roaming the world is you.  We shouldn't have met again."

"Why?"

"Why?" asks Sifeng.  "Tell me.  Why did you choose Zhong Minyan?"

"I chose Sixth Senior?  What do you mean?"

"Why do you like him?  Why do you like him?"

Xuanji laughs.  "Are you asking why I like Sixth Senior?  I think Sixth Senior is very nice.  I want to see him.  I feel happy with him.  I want to be with him forever."

Sifeng's hand tenses up.

"He...we also have a secret."

"Enough.  Stop it.  I understand."

"You're the one who asked me.  Why are you getting angry again?"

"Chu Xuanji, thanks for telling me all of these."

"Sifeng," she touches his arm.  "Me and you--"

"I'm tired.  It's getting late.  I need to sleep."

Xuanji goes back to bed, and Sifeng feels like he's going to throw up.

 

 

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