American Perspectives: Behold! The Dingkun Sword! Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 15)

 

“Love and Redemption” can be viewed on  Viki  or  Youtube  . Dialogue adapted from English subtitle translations by "Destined Love Team at Viki.com." "Love and Redemption," is based on the novel "    Liu Li Mei Ren Sha," by Shi Si Lang. The writings presented here are based on observations from the television series.

 

Ruo Yu is supporting Ling Shi while Xuanji, Sifeng, Ting Nu, Fox Demon, and Little Six follow behind them.  

"Let me see your Destiny Pearl," Fox Demon says to Xuanji.

"Don't try to have any ideas about it," warns Xuanji.

"I know something's inside it," Fox Demon insists.  "The spirit key of Xuanyuan Sect is hidden in that pearl.  I've been looking for it for a long time.  Just give it to me."

Xuanji shakes her head.

"The spirit key is very important.  We can't let a demon like you hold it," says Little Six.

"I'm different from the demons in Tianxu Hall," Fox Demon insists. "I'm just trying to save Wu Zhiqi with the spirit key."

"I can give you the spirit key," says Sifeng.

Xuanji looks at him in shock.

"But only on one condition," he continues.

"What condition?" Fox Demon asks eagerly.

"You're the only person who knows how to cast spells in Mount Gao.  I'm sure the others have no idea about the Mirror Of Origin.  I think the mirror shard is in your hand.  You can use the mirror shard to exchange for the spirit key."

"Mirror of Origin?" Fox Demon asks.  "I've never heard of it.  Mount Gao is a huge place.  You can look for the mirror shard yourself.  I don't know anything."

"You're lying!" says Linglong.  "I saw it!"  She and Little Silver Flower run up to the group, out of breath.  "Xuanji!"

"Linglong!"

"Xuanji, are you okay?"  Linglong grabs Xuanji's hands.

Little Six approaches them.  "Why did you come up here?  It's dangerous, you know.  Didn't I ask for you to wait down below?"

"Someone would've become the wife of a bandit chief if I didn't come and rescue her," says Linglong.  She looks at Fox Demon.  "By the way, you said you didn't know about the Mirror of Origin, right?"

Fox Demon looks down.

"How do you explain the mirror inside your Maze Formation?" asks Linglong.

"Dumb girl!  Keep quiet!" snaps Fox Demon.  "So what if that's the mirror shard?  I'll take both the spirit key and the mirror shard."

"You!" says Linglong.

A flock of red dragon like birds fly over them.  They divebomb the group and begin to attack.  The group tries to fight off the birds with their swords, but it isn't working.  Sifeng and Ruo Yu try spells.  Xuanji tries using her umbrella.

The birds shape shift into Tianxu Hall disciples, dressed in all black.  Xuanji's group is outnumbered.

"Tianxu Hall?" asks Sifeng.

Two Tianxu Hall disciples dump out a black bag of ID pendants at Ling Shi's feet.  Ling Shi rummages through the pendants.  "Are they all dead?  They..."  He stands up.  "You demons!  You will pay for this!"

A Tianxu Hall disciple raises his sword.  "Kill them!"

An ugly fight ensues.  Tianxu Hall is at an extreme advantage, and they know it.

Another ugly red bird is flying toward them.

Fox Demon turns to Xuanji.  "Aren't you amazing just now?  Burn them with your Samadhi Fire, then!"

"I...I can't use it right now," Xuanji says sheepishly.

"So, you're just an amateur," Fox Demon says impatiently.  Disappointed would be a gross understatement.

The ugly red bird has Fox Demon's shard of the Mirror of Origin in its beak, and it's descending upon them quickly.  Fox Demon flies up, ready to fight.  Xuanji follows close behind.  Sifeng observes what they are up to, and joins them.

Fox Demon chases the bird, shooting a stream of pinkish purple energy from her fingers, knocking the mirror shard from its beak, breaking it into three.  It manages to grab one before flying further.

Fox Demon remains in hot pursuit, catching one of the shards.  Xuanji flies straight across, and catches the remaining shard.  She looks into the mirror, hit by a glaring bright light.  No flashbacks this time.  Instead, the black and grey  trees turn green right in front of her.  "I can see color now!" she says, in awe.

Sifeng is guarding in the back.  He notices the clouds darkening, and Xuanji's distraction with the mirror.  He immediately goes to her, puts his hand on her back, and quickly guides her away.  They descend to the ground in a stream of fiery energy.

The ugly bird shape shifts into Wu Tong, who descends behind them, shortly after.  His demon crew immediately joins him.

Linglong looks at him with disgust.  "Wu Tong?"

"What a busy scene," says Wu Tong.  "Long time, no see."

"Wu Tong?" says Ling Shi.

Wu Tong grins from ear to ear.  "All the people I'm looking for are actually here?"

"Wu Tong, why are you here?" Linglong asks contemptuously.

"What?" Wu Tong says arrogantly.  "You didn't expect me to be alive, right?  Sorry to disappoint you.  I'm quite tough."

"I told you before," Linglong asserts.  "I'll drill a hole in you if I see you again!"

 "Come on, my arms are always open for you."  He laughs.  

"Wu Tong, it's been a long time," says Xuanji.  "I didn't expect you to join the demons in Tianxu Hall."

"I was forced to a dead end by your so called righteous sects.  I was almost dead.  Only the demons gave me a place to hide.  Why can't I join them?  But I have to thank you for this.  If not, I wouldn't be the glorious person I am right now."

"You're welcome," says Little Six.  "You deserved everything due to your evil deeds.  You don't need to find excuses and blame others for your mistakes."

"It's been so many years, but I didn't expect Lize Palace and Shaoyang Sect to still be in a good relationship.  This is so interesting," observes Wu Tong.

"You became a lackey of Tianxu Hall," says Sifeng.  "You felt proud even though you were just their lackey.  Isn't that more interesting?"

"All of you, listen up!" Snaps Wu Tong.  "I will make those who insulted me pay a thousand fold.  If you don't want to end up like the old guys in Xuanyuan Sect, you better give me the spirit key!"

Ling Shi runs up to Wu Tong.  "Xuanyuan Sect?  Don't tell me you've..."

"It's a pity that you didn't get to witness it for yourself," smirks Wu Tong.  "Your sect leader, Zhu Shi, he was killed by his own disciples.  I made them kill him in exchange for the antidote.  You didn't see how hard working they were in order to obtain their antidote."

Ling Shi points his finger at Wu Tong.  "You!" he growls.  He begins to vomit blood.

"This is just the start," says Wu Tong.  "Just wait and see.  I'll reduce all your righteous sects into ashes in order to appease my hatred!  Take them down!  Leave none of them alive!"

The Tianxu Hall Disciples charge for Xuanji's group.  The Tianxu Hall Disciples fly through the air, and descend, attacking with their swords.  Xuanji and her friends effectively block and flip.  Fox Demon attacks with her purple energy.  She protects Ting Nu from getting attacked.

Ling Shi jumps in and uses his blue energy.  "Bring them and retreat!" He yells to Sifeng.  "Cover me!"

"What are you trying to do?" Sifeng asks.

Ling Shi smiles and flies into the group of Tianxu Hall Disciples.  He ascends above them all, and with a movement of his arms, makes a web of light blue energy.  "Protect the spirit key.  Go, now!"  With his fingers, he injects energy into his chest and shoulders.  He crosses his arms in front of him.

"Run!" shouts Sifeng.

Linglong strikes down a Tianxu Hall disciple.  She looks up and sees Ling Shi in a web of light blue energy.  She and Little Six run as fast as they can.

Ling Shi implodes, which in turn causes multiple external explosions.  Fox Demon and Ting Nu disappear in a poof of purple smoke.  Sifeng and Xuanji are thrown back by the intense force.  They are thrown off a cliff and into a river.

 

Xuanji is having God of War flashbacks.  In her flashback, she's chained to a podium. 

"Stand down!"

"Who is this?" Xuanji asks.  "Who exactly are you?  Why are you always appearing in my dream?"

"You think you're great after you've slain many Asuras?" she hears a male voice asking.

Blue fire bursts from the God of War.

"Even the Heavenly Emperor can't save you now!"

"What did I do wrong?" the God of War asks.  "You were in the wrong!"  Her wrists are chained.  She looks up at the dark clouds.  "Dingkun Sword!"

While underwater in the river, Xuanji opens her palms, and blue energy radiates.  Her eyes open, and they are bright blue.  She closes her fists and her eyes.

 

Little Six and Linglong are running as fast as they can through Fox Demon's palace.  They step on a circular pattern in the floor, and fall right through.  They land on black gravel.

"Linglong."

"Little Six."

"Are you okay?" Little Six helps Linglong stand up.

"I'm okay," says Linglong.

"Over there," Little Six grabs her hand.

 

Xuanji and Sifeng are in a cave, at the rocky edge of a pond. 

"Sifeng!" says Xuanji.  "Sifeng, please wake up!"  She shakes him.  She touches his chest and gets blood on her hand.  She notices he is bleeding from the mouth, and that there's a cut under his mask.  "Sifeng, you...Sifeng!"  She touches his face.  Without hesitation, she removes his mask.  Fiery, yellow energy radiates from the cracks.  She sees a large gash on his forehead.  "Sifeng," she whispers.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng, are you okay?"  She looks around.  "This..." She picks him up while leaving that hideous, Lover's Curse Mask, behind.

She takes him to a more comfortable spot, propping him up against a rock wall.  She has built a fire, and she's applying ointment to a wound on his leg.  She covers his leg, and moves on to his chest wound.  He begins to stir.

"Sifeng!  Sifeng, are you awake?"

His eyes slowly begin to open.

"Sifeng!  You're finally awake!"

"Xuanji, are you okay?"  It's apparent he's half asleep.  "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Xuanji shakes her head.  "Don't worry.  I'm fine.  The water flushed us into this valley.  That's why Wu Tong wasn't able to pursue us."

"That's good," says Sifeng.

"Don't move.  I'm applying medicine to you.  I've dressed up all your wounds, except for this area.  Don't worry, I've checked your body.  There are no other wounds."

"Xuanji, did you see anything else, besides my wounds?"

"What do you mean?" asks Xuanji.  "Listen, I need to dress up this wound for you.  That way, you'll heal faster."  She carefully blows on his chest wound.  He flinches self consciously.  She adds more ointment.  His heart begins to race, and his face reddens.  He sits up abruptly.

"Chu Xuanji, why do you always remove a man's clothes without any care?  You're a lady.  It's impolite for you to do so."

"I...But when you did the same thing four years ago, you said you mustn't be shy when it comes to applying medicine. Remove your clothes now."  She peels back the top part of his hanfu.

He flinches.  "You...What exactly are you trying to do?"

"I want to help you."

"No need," he's blushing.  "I don't need your help.  I'll do it myself.  I'll inspect my wounds over there."  He unsuccessfully attempts to stand up.  His head begins to hurt.

"Sifeng, I told you not to move.  Your wounds won't be able to heal if you move around."

He touches his face, feeling skin instead of wood.  He begins to feel anxious.  "My mask!" he gasps.  He looks at her.  He's trying to keep his composure.  "Where's my mask?"

"Your mask?  You were bleeding underneath your mask.  I thought you were seriously injured.  I removed the mask because I was anxious."

His heart races.  "You removed it?  Did you really remove it?"

"Sifeng, did I do something wrong again?"  She smacks the top of her head.  "I'm so dumb."  He's smiling at her.  "I forgot about the rules of your sect.  I shouldn't have removed your mask like that."  Sifeng is beaming, but he's trying to hide it.  "Don't worry.  It's outside.  I'll get it back for you."

He grabs her hand before she can leave.  "Xuanji!"  He comes up behind her and gives her a hug.

"Sifeng, what's wrong? Do you feel uncomfortable?"

"I'm just happy," Sifeng whispers.  He begins to cough.

"Sifeng!  Sifeng!" says Xuanji.  "Sifeng," she turns to face him.  "What's wrong?  Are your wounds hurting again?  Sit down now, slowly."  She helps him sit against a rock formation.

He continues to cough.  Xuanji examines his wounds.  "Sifeng, are you okay?"

Sifeng can't stop smiling.  "I'm so happy right now.  Do you know?  I was worried that you couldn't remove this mask.  I thought...I would have to wait for a long time."

"Sifeng, you're not angry?  You wouldn't even let me touch your mask in the past, you know? But this time..."

Sifeng can barely contain himself.  "Silly girl.  You knew it all along, didn't you?  I didn't mean what I said.  I wished you would look at it and touch it.  I hoped you would remove the mask.  I originally thought that this great fortune would not embrace me this soon."

Xuanji is a bit confused.  "Why is removing the mask sometimes good and sometimes bad to Lize Palace?  I don't understand."

Sifeng is quietly laughing.  The warmth from his hands radiates into hers.  "Silly girl, it's complicated.  You just need to know that only the person whom the holder treasures the most can remove the mask.  If that person can remove it, the mask will become a smiling mask.  It becomes a blessing, and it's a good thing.  But if that person can't remove it, it'll be a sad story.  And it'll become a crying mask, until..."

"Until what?"

"That's not important.  The important thing is...you've removed the mask.  I know.  I know we're thinking the same thing. We'll return to Lize Palace once we leave this place.  We'll meet my master together and give him an explanation."

"Will your master punish you again?"

Sifeng smiles and holds her hand to his warm chest.  "I need to return to Lize Palace and give an explanation, no matter what.  Only then..." He brushes Xuanji's hair back behind her ear. "Only then can I account for you.  After that," He holds her hands tighter, "we'll be together forever."

Xuanji smiles.  "Together forever, with you?"

He puts his hand on her face and moves in to kiss her.  He closes his eyes.  Xuanji smiles and kisses him on the cheek.  He slightly pulls back in surprise.  He looks her over, figuring out how he should interpret her reaction.

"Sifeng, why did your face change color?"  She pokes his cheek.  "Are you blushing?  Hmm?  Hmm?"

He turns away, attempting to hide his smile.  "I'm not."

She lifts up his hair.  "You are.  You are.  Look."

"I am not." He can't stop smiling.

"Look at your blushing face."  She squeezes his face between her hands.  "This is great!  I can be with you forever.  Sifeng, you're the best!  Look!"

"Stop it," he laughs, trying to look away.

"You're blushing," she pinches his cheeks.

"I'm not," he insists, still smiling.

She giggles at him, continuing to touch his face.

"Xuanji, you said you can see colors now."

Xuanji nods.

"Tell me, then.  What color did you see?"

"Red color."

Sifeng pinches her cheek and smiles.  "You can see colors now?"

"I saw your face turning red."  She giggles and tilts her head.  "Look, it's still red.  Sifeng!"

"Xuanji, stop it!" he laughs.

 

...To be Continued...