American Perspectives: The Demon Invasion Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 21)

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

Linglong is still unconscious, but this time her eyes are closed, and her hands are folded, instead of fisted.

Sect Leader Chu comes in to check on her.  He sits down on the edge of her bed.  "Linglong?"

Her eyes slowly open.

Sect Leader Chu sadly shakes his head.  He covers her with her blanket.

Zhu Shi comes strolling in. Finally, his hanfu is no longer blood stained.

"My good child," Sect Leader Chu whispers.  "Sleep now, sleep now."

"Sect Leader Chu," says Zhu Shi.

Sect Leader Chu wipes his tears.  "Sect Leader Zhu Shi."

"Sect Leader Chu, I felt uncomfortable after hearing about your daughter's incident.  Sect Leader Chu, you helped my sect without any second thoughts.  I'm very grateful to you.  Today, I'm willing to use the spirit key in my sect to exchange with Linglong's primordial spirit in order to repay your favor."  Zhu Shi bows.

Sect Leader Chu briefly turns away.  He turns back to face Zhu Shi.  "Sect Leader Zhu Shi, you actually considered that for my daughter's sake.  Words can't express my gratitude."  He bows.

"Sect Leader Chu, you don't need to be too courteous.  Moreover, this concerns a person's life.  Sect Leader Chu, now you and I should meet Lord Dongfang and take the spirit key in order to save Linglong."

"But," says Sect Leader Chu.  "I think that's unsuitable."

"Sect Leader Chu, are you not willing to save your own daughter?"

Sect Leader Chu shakes his head.  "That's not the case.  The spirit key concerns the fate of the world.  I can't put the world in danger just because of my own desires.  We need to discuss this with the other sect leaders, and come up with the best plan."

Zhu Shi bows.  "Sect Leader Chu, you're noble indeed.  I'm ashamed.  I'll follow your advice, then."

 

Sect Leader Chu and Zhu Shi meet up with Dongfang, Dianjing Valley Sect Leader, and Deputy Chief.

Dongfang bows to Sect Leader Chu.  "Sect Leader Chu, I'm impressed by your actions, but Linglong's life is precious, as well.  If anyone can figure out a way to save Linglong and protect the spirit key, it'll be the best."

"I have an idea," says Deputy Chief.  "But the Xuanyuan Sect may need to suffer a little bit."

"If you have a solution, I'm willing to listen," says Zhu Shi.

"The Destiny Pearl of Xuanyuan Sect is very hard to crack open.  If we can insert a fake spirit key inside the pearl, we'll be able to save Linglong before the demons realize it's fake.  Sect Leader Zhu Shi, what do you think?" asks Deputy Chief.

"My sect is indebted to Shaoyang Sect," says Zhu Shi.  "If using the Destiny Pearl can save Linglong's life, I'm willing to do so.  It's just that my power hasn't recovered yet after my encounter with Tianxu Hall.  I'm afraid I can't unlock the Destiny Pearl for now."

"Since Sect Leader Zhu Shi is willing to hand over the treasure," says Deputy Chief, "everything will be easier.  Although it's hard to crack open, Dianjinggu Sect is an expert at unlocking items.  I believe Master Rong has a way."

Valley Master Rong/Dianjing Valley Sect Leader bows to Zhu Shi.  "Sect Leader Zhu Shi, are you willing to let me crack open your treasure?"

"Saving her is more important," says Zhu Shi.  "You can use it as you please."

"This is great," says Valley Master Rong.  "I've always wanted to study the structure of the Destiny Pearl.  I'll show everyone the greatness of Dianjinggu Sect."

"Everyone, words can't express my gratitude," Sect Leader Chu bows.

The other Sect Leaders, except for Deputy Chief, return his bow.  Deputy Chief just stands, looking down his nose, slowly waving his fan.

Deputy Chief laughs.  "Sect Leader Chu is just saying that out of courtesy.  He's not sincere."

"Eh?" Says Sect Leader Chu.  "Vice Palace Lord, what do you mean by that?"

"The other four sects have made it clear that we are protecting the spirit keys.  But only Shaoyang Sect is hiding their secret.  Does anyone know what's inside the Secret Ground Of Shaoyang Sect?"

The other leaders look at Deputy Chief awkwardly.  Deputy Chief laughs.  "That's why I don't believe it when you say we're working together."

"Sect Leader Chu," says Zhu Shi.  "Vice Palace Lord is right.  Now that the demons are approaching us, we can only work together if you tell us your secret."

Sect Leader Chu is taken aback.  Everyone is looking at him expectantly.  Deputy Chief smirks.

"Fine," says Sect Leader Chu.  "To show my sincerity, I'll tell everyone the secret hidden within the secret ground.  Everyone, do you know about the calamity, Devil Star?"

"He's the legendary demon who almost destroyed the three realms," says Valley Master Rong.  "But he was slain by the God of War."

"You're right," says Sect Leader Chu.  "But the Devil Star didn't disappear completely.  His core is still intact.  And it's sealed within the Jade Cup hidden in the secret ground."

Deputy Chief momentarily stops waving his fan.

"What?" asks Dongfang.  "Xuanji said Tianxu Hall wanted to obtain the spirit keys in order to revive the Devil Star.  I only thought it was a joke.  I didn't expect her words to be true."

"It's power is unimaginable to humans," says Sect Leader Chu.  "And this concerns the existence of the three realms.  That's why the Shaoyang Sect has always kept it a secret. But everyone, don't worry.  Although it's core is still intact, there's the ancient Candle Dragon guarding our secret ground.  The Tianxu Hall won't be able to act as long as they don't have the spirit keys."

"Sure," smirks Deputy Chief.  "As long as we don't lose the spirit keys.  Valley Master Rong, please think of a way, then."

"That's not the problem," says Valley Master Rong.  "The problem is the Destiny Pearl was made using a meteorite.  To unlock it, we need something with the same attributes."

"That's no problem at all," says Dongfang.  "The Love Stone on Fuyu Island is a meteorite.  Valley Master Rong, you can use it if you want to."

"I'm all set, then," says Valley Master Rong.  "Now, I need five people of different elements to help me out."

"Okay," says Dongfang.

Sect Leader Chu nods.

"Xuanji's element is fire, Hao Chen's element is wood," says Sect Leader Chu.  "With another two disciples of mine, we're all set."

 

"Five of you," says Valley Master Rong, "prepare for the Five Element Formation."

"This is the famous Love Stone which can show couples predestined by fate?" Asks Valley Master Rong.

"I think it's not working," Xuanji says, wrinkling her nose.

"In our archives, the stone did shine on a predestined couple once.  But I haven't witnessed it for myself," says Dongfang.  "Maybe it's hard to find a couple who was predestined to be together.  Just like my loving relationship with my wife, yet the Love Stone had never shone on us before.  Just treat it as a story.  Valley Master Rong, you may start now."

With a smooth movement of his hands, Valley Master Rong generates purple energy from his palms.  He directs it to the orange Love Stone.

Xuanji generates silvery blue energy from her fingers.

Hao Chen and the other disciples also generate silvery blue, and they direct it at the stone.

Valley Master Rong draws a ball of purple energy from the Love Stone.  He looks down at his palm.  "This is enough."

The disciples withdraw.  The Love Stone burns brightly.  Xuanji gazes at it curiously.

"The Love Stone does glow red," says Dongfang.  "Just like the record in the archives."

The Love Stone shoots its red energy at Xuanji and Hao Chen.

"This red glow!" Exclaims Xuanji.  "Why do Senior Hao Chen and I have this red glow?  What about everyone else?

Dongfang laughs.  "So, it's true.  Sect Leader Chu, congratulations."  Dongfang bows.  Sect Leader Chu beams.  "Seems like Hao Chen and Xuanji are predestined to be together."

"This is a rare sight indeed," says Valley Master Rong.  "Sect Leader Chu, in my opinion, you should arrange for your second daughter's wedding after you save your eldest daughter."

Xuanji's eyes widen.

"Yes," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Hao Chen is my most outstanding disciple in Shaoyang Sect.  He's good enough to marry my daughter.  Moreover, that is a match made in heaven.  I'm very pleased.  I don't have any objections.  As for their wedding..."

"Sect Leader," Hao Chen bows.

"Father, my wedding with Senior Hao Chen?"  Xuanji is appalled.  "No way!  How could you decide my wedding based on a stone?  I can't marry Senior Hao Chen.  I'm sure the Heavens are playing a trick on us.  This can't count."

"Xuanji, beware of your words," warns Hao Chen.

"Senior Hao Chen, you told me this yourself.  We must be very particular about our wedding.  How could they decide my wedding based on a stone?  No way.  I'll never agree to this.  Why can't I get rid of it?"  She tries to brush the energy away from her body.

"Xuanji, what are you doing?" asks Hao Chen.

"I want to remove the red glow."

"Stop fooling around," Hao Chen says sternly.  "This red glow isn't an ordinary thing.  Don't act recklessly and hurt yourself.  It's just the energy projected by the Love Stone.  It'll dissipate after some time."  With a turning of his hand, he shoots some silvery blue energy into the Love Stone.

"It's gone now," Xuanji says with relief.

"Sect Leader," says Hao Chen.  "Junior Xuanji and I have always trained under you.  It's a coincidence the Love Star shined on both of us, and determined our fate.  Although this is our fate,  it's too sudden for us, and we mustn't be too casual about weddings."

Xuanji emphatically nods in agreement.

"Sect Leaders," Hao Chen bows, "I will have to reject that notion."

"Enough now," agrees Dongfang.  "They're still young.  It's common for them to be shy.  Let's just ignore them."

"Yes," Sect Leader Chu sighs.  "We should return to business.  Valley Master Rong, please find a way to unlock the Destiny Pearl."

"Everyone, don't worry," says Valley Master Rong.  "I'll unlock the Destiny Pearl by tomorrow, and swap the fake spirit key with the real one."

 

Hao Chen is having a "Come to Jesus"/Get With The Program meeting with Si Ming at the river. 

"What's with the red glow?" He sternly asks Si Ming.  "Didn't you create this stone one hundred years ago just to mess with humans?  The red glow on a predestined couple?  How dare you play such a trick on me!"

"Huh?" asks Si Ming.  He gets down to his knees.  "My King, I don't dare to do so!  Please forgive me!  My King, why would I try to trick you?  I was thinking, My King, maybe it's because you used your powers to save the God Of War, the stone sensed your energy and reacted to it.  I think that's it.  The Love Stone is an inanimate object.  It doesn't know how to change.  That's why it projected a glow on you and Chu Xuanji."

"A useless thing, created by a useless person," sneers Hao Chen.  

"My King, please forgive me!  It's all my fault!  But since it projected the red glow on you and Chu Xuanji by accident, have you never thought about it?"

Hao Chen gives Si Ming an icy stare.  "Thought about what?  Do you think I'm here just to be together with Chu Xuanji?  I'm here because of..."

"The three realms!" Si Ming interrupts.  "Of course, you're here for the three realms.  But you're still here to help Chu Xuanji, right?  You want to guide the God of War back to the Heavenly Realm, right?  That's why I have a suggestion."  He laughs nervously and moves closer to Hao Chen.  "Initially, the God of War wanted to know about the fate of her love with you.  Isn't it easier to guide her back if you do grant her wish?"

"You've put the facts upside down," snaps Hao Chen.  "The God of War is heartless.  Xuanji is emotionless.  She can only return to the Heavenly Realm by not being in a relationship.  Why should I do the opposite and make it harder for her to return?"

Si Ming nods nervously.

"Si Ming," says Hao Chen, "if you come up with useless ideas like these again, and create unnecessary trouble for me, I won't let you off."

"I understand," says Si Ming.  "My King, farewell."  He quickly bows, but Hao Chen ignores him and walks away in a huff.

Si Ming takes a deep breath.  "Oh, King Bailing, you said she's heartless and emotionless, but you don't even understand your own feelings.  Hmmph."  He pulls his book out of his belt.  "I'll write this down."

 

"Master Dongfang," says Zhu Shi.

"Sect Leader Zhu Shi.  Valley Master Rong is ready. Follow me."

"Sure," says Zhu Shi, "but I need a favor from you."

"Please speak," says Dongfang.

"The Island seems to be understaffed at the moment.  It's hard to identify the demons if they sneak in right now.  Please order your disciples to return in order to strengthen our guard.  We'll be safer if we have more people guarding the island."

"Okay.  I'll follow your advice.  Please," Dongfang gestures to Zhu Shi.

"Okay," says Zhu Shi.  He follows Dongfang with a sinister look on his face.

 

 

Many Fuyu Island Disciples are standing on the edge of the beach.  A ship full of even more Fuyu Island Disciples is sailing in from far away.

"Deactivate the sword trap!" Shouts Yu Ning.

"Yes," the disciples bow.

 

 

Valley Master Rong is using some gilttery energy to reveal the Destiny Pearl.  The case surrounding the pearl opens up, revealing a beautiful, yellow jewel.  It melts into its case, and a new case is created.  He hands it to Dongfang.  "I've retrieved the real spirit key."

"Now, we just need to insert the fake key.  Tianxu Hall won't notice this," says Valley Master Rong.

 

Xuanji is tending to an unconscious Linglong at her bedside.  "Linglong, Valley Master Rong has swapped the real key with the fake key.  After that, we'll follow father and go to their hideout.  Tianxu Hall wants our spirit key.  I'm sure they will look for us.  This way, we can retrieve your primordial spirit and save Second Senior.  Don't worry."

"Xuanji, it's almost time now," says Hao Chen.  "Let's find our Sect Leader."

Xuanji adjusts Linglong's blankets before heading out with Hao Chen.

On their way, they run into First Senior Brother.

"Senior Hao Chen, Xuanji," First Senior Brother and the other disciples from Shaoyang Sect bow to them.  "Aunt Yinghong just passed by.  She said the Destiny Pearl is ready.  We'll move out once the disciples of Fuyu Island return here."

"Let's go to the dock, then," says Xuanji.  "That way, we can move out earlier."

"Xuanji, the disciples of Fuyu Island have just returned.  The dock is in chaos now.  I know you're in a hurry, but it won't hurt to wait," says Hao Chen.

The Shaoyang Disciples exchange glances.

"Senior Hao Chen.  Xuanji.  Even the heavens are helping you two out," says Fifth Senior Brother.  "You two shouldn't disappoint them."

"Yes," says another disciple.  "I heard that everyone wants you two to get married."

Sifeng is listening to this conversation in disbelief.

"Of course, Xuanji, you and Senior Hao Chen spent a long time with each other on Xuyang Peak.  Am I right?" asks Fifth Senior brother.

"Fifth Senior, don't simply speak," says Xuanji.  "I..." she looks over and sees Sifeng.  He turns and walks away.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng!"  She runs after him.

 

She finally finds Sifeng at the riverbank.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng, you heard everything?  I didn't want that to happen."

"Actually, you don't need to explain anything," says Sifeng.  "Moreover, the Love Stone gave you two its blessing.  It didn't work even when others begged for it."

"I'm sure something's wrong with the Love Stone," Xuanji insists.  "I don't care even if the Heavens give me their blessing.  It doesn't count.  I won't marry Senior Hao Chen because of this."

"You don't need to explain that much," says Sifeng.  "No matter who you're marrying, it has nothing to do with me."

Xuanji moves closer to him.  "Of course I need to explain this to you.  I need to explain myself clearly to you.  I'll explain it even if you don't want to listen.  All of you think I'm willing to do this favor for anyone.  All of you think I can marry anyone because of this.  But Sifeng, that's not the case.  I've thought about it for a long time.  I don't just help anyone out.  I'm only doing this because of you.  I won't do this for anyone else.  Not even Senior Hao Chen."

Little do they know, Hao Chen is spying on them from behind a tree.

"What a strong demonic scent," says Xuanji.

 

Many demonic, black dragons permeate the sky.  They descend on the boat carrying the Fuyu Island Disciples, and attack it with fire.

"Everyone, be careful!"

Tianxu Hall demons jump on the boat, attacking the unarmed and vulnerable disciples.

"Senior Yu Ning, there are demons!" shouts one of the disciples that are watching the attack from the safety of the shoreline.

"Sound the alarm!" shouts Yu Ning.

 

Valley Master Rong finishes the fake Destiny Pearl, and hands it over to Dongfang.

Zhu Shi and Deputy Chief exchange glances.

"Master!" Pian Pian comes running in.

"What's wrong?" asks Dongfang.

Pian Pian bows.  "Demons are attacking us!"

"I'm sure they're here for the treasure," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Brother Dongfang, hurry and keep the spirit key in the Treasure Vault."

"Okay," Dongfang nods.

"Sect Leader Zhu Shi, follow me to the dock," says Sect Leader Chu.  "We must stop their invasion.  Hurry!"

Deputy Chief is slowly waving his fan, and calmly watching the anxious Sect Leaders scurry out.

 

 

Some of the Fuyu Island Disciples on the ship were able to obtain their swords, but the battle isn't going well.

"Yu Ning!" A disciple yells from the ship.  "Activate the Sword Trap!"

"What about you?" Shouts Yu Ning.

"There's no time!  The Demons are approaching.  Activate it now!"

Yu Ning turns to the disciples behind her.  "Follow me!  We'll activate the sword trap!"

The Sword Trap activates, and a dome covers the island.  The dragons run into it exactly like a bird flying into a windshield.

The dragons try destroying it with fire, and demons are able to get through the dome before it closes.  An ugly battle ensues on the beach.  Black smoke is everywhere as demons materialize from it.

"They're too much!" says Valley Master Rong.  "How dare they invade Fuyu Island!"

"It's lucky that we activated the Sword Trap," says a Fuyu Island disciple.  "Most of them are blocked off."

The Tianxu Demons descend upon the disciples supervising the Sword Trap.

"Protect the eye of the formation!" shouts Yu Ning.  She flies into the swarm of demons.  This time, her people have the upper hand.  However, she notices something isn't right with the Sword Trap.  She flies back, trampling any demons who get in her way.  Even kicking one in the face.

 

 

...To be continued...