American Perspectives: An Absent Soul Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 20)

 

“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.

 

Sifeng slowly slides open the doors to his room.  His eyes are red from crying, his mouth is dry.  He feels an intense pain in his chest.  He feels like an idiot for giving Xuanji the benefit of the doubt.  He's having a hard time breathing, and he's being bombarded with memories.  Some good, and some evidence of a relationship between Xuanji and Little Six.

He can't take it anymore, and he falls forward, vomiting blood.

"From now on, the curse will trigger whenever your feelings are hurt," he remembers Deputy Chief saying.  "Even death isn't as painful as the curse."

So, this is how it feels. He is breaking out in a cold sweat.  He falls on the floor, shaking uncontrollably.

Little Silver Flower materializes.  She sees him in the fetal position, shaking on the floor.  "Sifeng!"  She kneels down beside him.  She pulls back his sleeve, and looks at the feathers tattooed on his arm.  One is missing.

"The Lover's Curse!" exclaims Little Silver Flower.  She pulls back the chest panels on his hanfu, and sees a small, red feather tattooed on his chest.

"The Lover's Curse is acting up!" Little Silver Flower says in shock.  "Sifeng, are you okay?"

He rolls away and grabs the edge of the table.

Little Silver Flower pulls him up to a sitting position.  With a swift movement of her hands, she pushes some golden energy into his body.  Sifeng is struggling to breathe.

A strong force within him pushes Little Silver Flower away.  He continues to cough, shake, and gasp for air.  The memories just won't stop.  His love for her runs so deep, yet she seems to be so oblivious.  He vomits more blood and falls forward.  His hand stops him from face planting into the table.

Little Silver Flower crawls to him.  "Sifeng, are you okay?  What should we do?  Those who were struck by the Lover's Curse end their lives because it's too painful."

He clutches his chest.

"Why are you so silly?" asks Little Silver Flower.  "You did so much for her.  But she doesn't care at all."

"Stop it," whispers Sifeng.  "Stop it now."

"Did I say anything wrong?  You sacrificed your life because of her!"

"It's not Xuanji's fault," Sifeng whispers.

"Sifeng, I beg you.  Let's return and plead with the Master.  You're his favorite disciple.  He'll surely help you out.  Okay? Sifeng!"

"Once the Lover's Curse triggers, there is no cure."

Little Silver Flower releases his arm.  "There's no cure? The Master was right.  She's a calamity to your life.  It's all because of Chu Xuanji.  All because of her.  She's the reason you're in pain!  I'm going to kill her.  I'm going to kill her!"

 

Aunt Hong and Xuanji are at Little Six's bedside.  Aunt Hong is sitting on the edge of the bed, carefully examining Little Six.

"How is it?" asks Xuanji.  "Is Sixth Senior getting better?"

"The poison has been forced out," says Aunt Hong.  "His pulse is stable.  I think he should be fine."

"That's good," Xuanji breathes a sigh of relief.

"Minyan hasn't eaten for a few days," says Aunt Hong.  "Get him some food from the kitchen."

"Okay.  I'll get some soup," says Xuanji.

She rushes down the wooden corridor surrounding the courtyard, not knowing Little Silver Flower is trailing her.  Little Silver Flower pulls out her dagger, ready to stab, when Sifeng pulls her away and turns her back into a snake.

He continues to cough blood.

Xuanji turns around, and sees Sifeng in really, really bad shape.  "Sifeng?"  As she runs to him, he runs away.  "Sifeng!"

He keeps walking, clutching his chest tightly.

"Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

He gets to his room, and slides his doors shut.

She bangs on his doors.  He sits at his table and ignores her.

"Sifeng, are you still unwell because of the poison?"

"I'm fine," Sifeng lies.

She bangs on the doors again.  "Sifeng, I haven't thanked you yet for saving Linglong and Sixth Senior.  Sifeng, thank you.  By the way, Aunt Yinghong wanted me to bring some soup for Sixth Senior.  I'll give you some later."

He clenches his fist.  He's even left with Little Six's leftovers..."No need for that," he says.  "I need to rest."

"That's fine.  Sifeng, you can rest.  I'll visit you tomorrow."

He doesn't respond.  He doesn't want to see her, but he wants to see her.  He can't deny what he saw at Freezing Pond, no matter how badly he wants to.

Little Silver Flower reappears in human form, scowling.  "Master, why did you stop me?"

He takes a deep breath.  "Little Silver Flower, do you remember what I'd told you?  If you hurt Xuanji again, I'll sever our ties."

"I...I remember that."

"So, why did you still try to harm her today?  Do you admit your mistake?"

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Little Silver Flower snaps.  "Chu Xuanji was the one who put you in this situation."

Sifeng begins to cough.

"Master!  Master!"

"She didn't ask for me to like her.  If you want to kill someone because she didn't give you the answer you wanted, no one would love you.  You don't have the right to love, as well.  I'm not a person like that.  And I don't allow my spirit beast to do that, as well."

"But, I don't understand.  If she doesn't die, you'll die because of her, sooner or later."

"So, you're saying that you must kill her?" asks Sifeng.

"Yes.  I'm going to kill her!"

"Fine," says Sifeng.  "You're not fit to be my spirit beast anymore.  Today, I'll sever one of my arms and terminate my blood contract with you."

Little Silver Flower's eyes widen.  "Master!" she begs.  "You were struck by the curse because of her.  Now, you want to disown me, as well."

"I'm not doing this because of her.  I'm doing this for myself."

"Master, please don't hurt yourself.  If something happens to you, I can only pay for that with my death."

"After the blood contract is terminated, you and I are no longer related."

"No!"  Little Silver Flower cries.  "I don't want you to terminate our contract!  I know my fault now!  I really do!  Master, I promise I won't try to hurt Chu Xuanji anymore!  Master, please don't hurt yourself or abandon me.  I want to stay beside you forever!  I want to be your guardian."

"Fine.  Remember your promise.  Leave now.  I want to be alone."

Little Silver Flower stand up and wipes away her tears.  She slides the doors shut, and Sifeng is alone.

He vomits blood, and he falls to the floor.  Night falls, and Sifeng remains unconscious.

A new day comes, and he peels himself off the ground.  He's feeling much better.  He's not thrilled about one of the green feather tattoos on his arm being gone, but he's ready to face the day.

Xuanji approaches his door with a green bowl of medicine.  She knocks.  "Sifeng.  Sifeng, are you awake?"

He carefully wipes away the blood from his mouth with his sleeve.

"Sifeng, are you awake?"

"What's the matter?" he asks calmly.

"Sifeng, you didn't look well yesterday.  I'm a bit worried.  I brought you some medicine."

"I'm fine now.  You can keep the medicine."

"Sifeng, just let me in."

"Let's just speak in this way," says Sifeng.

"Sifeng, have you been unhappy these few days?" asks Xuanji.  "I feel like you're acting weird."

"When did you learn how to observe people's expressions?"

Xuanji looks down.  "I don't know how to do that.  I don't know about others, but I know when you're unhappy.  Sifeng.  Sifeng."

He stands up and slides the doors open.  "You're overthinking.  I'm not unhappy.  But I have something to tell you.  Now that Linglong and Minyan are safe, it's time for me to return to Lize Palace."

Xuanji drops the bowl of medicine in surprise.

"Sifeng, are you going to leave?"

"Of course, that's where I belong."

"But you'll be punished if you return."

He looks away.  "You don't need to worry about that."

"How could I not worry?" asks Xuanji.  "And you said that we'd be together forever. Why are you leaving now?  I..." she throws her arms around him.  "Sifeng, I don't want you to go."

He feels like he is going to melt.  He loves her so much, and he has withstood so much prejudice and confusion to be by her side.  He isn't sure if he has the energy for more of it, or if the situation is even worth it.  He pushes her away.

"Don't try to stop me or persuade me," says Sifeng.  "I've decided.  There's no reason for me to stay."  On top of that, how can she explain the situation he walked in on at Freezing Pond?  None of it adds up.

She steps in front of him.  "Sifeng, are you leaving because you're unhappy that I avoided you?  I've thought about it.  Sifeng, I can give you anything you want.  I can give you my true heart, as well."

He looks at her.

"If you don't believe me..." She grabs his face and kisses him on the lips.

His eyes widen, and his mind clears.  She steps back.  He turns away.  "Chu Xuanji, who do you think I am?"

She steps in front of him.  "I...I just want to make you happy.  I'm willing to do anything.  So, Sifeng, please don't leave, okay?"  She grabs his wrist.

"You're willing to do anything?" He looks in her eyes and picks her up.

She lets out a cry of surprise.  "Sifeng, what are you doing?"

He carries her to the bed.  "Are you willing to do this, as well?"  Not realizing the doors are still open... "You said you wanted to marry me without any careful considerations.  Do you know what I'm going to do next?"  The heat in his body is intense.

"Sifeng," Xuanji says calmly, "you didn't mention that you were going to do this."

He lowers himself down to kiss her, and she touches his lips.  "Should I kiss you during moments like these?" asks Xuanji.  She puts her arms around him.  He quickly realizes she doesn't understand the significance of what they are going to do.  Or that she might not even know what exactly they are going to do.

He jumps off the bed.  "Chu Xuanji, that's enough!  You're still distracted in this situation."

"Sifeng, I..."

They hear the sound of footsteps and Yu Ning walks right through the open door with a basket of flowers.  "Xuanji, you're here as well?  I'm here to change the flowers in Sifeng's room.  These snow flowers were freshly picked.  They look the best when you put them in a room."

"Thank you," says Sifeng, regaining his composure, trying not to appear frazzled as he adjusts his hanfu.

"Why are you thanking me?  Most of my female disciples are jealous that I get to change the flowers for Yu Sifeng from Lize Palace."

"Chu Xuanji, return now," says Sifeng.

"Sifeng..."

"Return now."

"No, she...I..."

Sifeng says nothing, and Xuanji feels embarrassed.  She awkwardly walks out the door.

Sifeng thought he had clarity, but he's more confused than ever.

 

Xuanji is sitting on the edge of Linglong's bed, talking to her unconscious sister.  "Linglong, do you know?  Sifeng is too much!  He chased me out and kept Yu Ning in his room.  You know, in my heart, I feel...I feel a hint of anger.  Yes.  I feel angry.  It's the feeling that you've described before.  But why am I angry?  Linglong, please wake up.  Please tell me the reason why.  What should I do in order to make Sifeng stay?  Linglong."

Linglong begins to stir.

"Linglong?  Linglong?  Linglong, you're awake.  Linglong!"

Linglong's eyes snap open.

"Linglong, can you hear me?  Linglong, say something, you're scaring me!"

Linglong's eyes stare straight ahead.

"Linglong!"

 

"Sifeng, you're leaving?" asks Yu Ning.  "Why don't you stay here for a couple more days?"

"Sifeng!" Xuanji is urgently running up the steps.

"Xuanji?" asks Yu Ning.

"Sifeng!" Xuanji says urgently.

"What's wrong?" asks Yu Ning.

"Sifeng, I think something's wrong with Linglong," says Xuanji.

 

Xuanji and Sifeng join the Shaoyang Sect elders in Linglong's room.  Hao Chen is attempting to use his energy to help.

"Her primordial spirit has been removed," says Hao Chen.  "Only her soul is left.  That's why she's in that state."

Sect Leader Chu looks down at Linglong urgently.  "Is she in any danger?"

"Her soul is still intact," says Sifeng.  "She's safe for now, but if her primordial spirit doesn't return to her body within a month, Linglong will not be able to take it."

"Wu Tong," says Xuanji.  "I'm sure Wu Tong is behind this."  She turns to leave.

"Where are you going?" Growls Sect Leader Chu.

"I'll find Wu Tong and retrieve Linglong's primordial spirit," says Xuanji.  "Second Senior is with him, as well."

"Xuanji, don't be reckless," says Hao Chen.  "You don't even know where Wu Tong is.  How are you going to find him?"

"I'll search in Mount Gao and Shaoyang Sect," says Xuanji.  "I'll search for places with demons around.  As long as I can find one demon, I'm sure I'll be able to find Wu Tong."

"Tianxu Hall wants us to panic and act reckless," says Hao Chen.  "You mustn't act recklessly now."

"We should formulate a complete plan before we save Linglong," says Aunt Hong.

"A complete plan?" asks Xuanji.  "You said so yourselves!  Tianxu Hall is plotting against us!  How can we formulate a complete plan against them?"  She attempts to walk out once more.

"Xuanji!" snaps Sect Leader Chu.  "You're not allowed to go!"

Xuanji looks at him icily.

"Wu Tong didn't kill Linglong," says Sect Leader Chu.  "He removed her primordial spirit.  That means he has ulterior motives.  No one is to leave the island before we figure out what's going on.  If you leave Fuyu Island, I will sever my ties with you!"

"Father!"

Aunt Hong notices something unusual in Linglong's fists.

"Why is Linglong clenching her fist?" asks Aunt Hong.  "She's been clenching her fist since she came back."  Aunt Hong straightens out one of Linglong's hands, and a shot of silvery blue energy fires out.  It leaves a message in white writing, in the air.

"Spirit key in exchange for the primordial spirit," reads Sect Leader Chu.  With a sweep of his hand, he destroys the message.

"They want the spirit key," says Xuanji.

"Despicable!" Growls Sect Leader Chu.  "What a ruthless act!  He's holding my daughter as his hostage.  If I don't give him the spirit key, Linglong will have no hope.  But if I do give him the spirit key, I'll let down the world."

 

Sifeng and Xuanji are walking to the edge of Fuyu Island.  Sifeng looks over at Xuanji.  "I know what you're thinking, but forcing your way through isn't a good idea."

"It's fine if they want something else," says Xuanji, "but they want the spirit key.  Even if Father agrees, the other Sect Leaders won't agree to it.  What should we do if we can't solve this dilemma?  There's no time left for Linglong.  She only has one month."

"Now that the Five Great Sects are on Fuyu Island," says Sifeng, "they will definitely think of something.  Even if the other Sect Leaders disagree, you still have your father, your fellow disciples in Shaoyang Sect, Minyan, and me.  Don't worry."

She looks up at him.

"You're not alone.  Everyone will try to help."

"Sifeng, you said I still have you?" asks Xuanji.  "Does that mean you're staying?"

"Linglong is in a terrible situation right now.  How could I just leave?"

Xuanji smiles.  "Sifeng, you're the best.  I feel relieved whenever you're with me."

The two sit and stare out at the beautiful ocean.