American Perspectives: Sifeng Accused of Being a Demon Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 22)

 

“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.

 

 

"Why are you trying to locate Tianxu Hall?"  Little Silver Flower asks Sifeng, as they are walking down the dark hallway in Fuyu Island Prison.

Sifeng doesn't answer.

"Oh...I know now.  It's because of Chu Xuanji again, am I right?  Don't tell me you're trying to retrieve Linglong's primordial spirit?  Chu Xuanji, she has been locked up by Shaoyang Sect.  Master, it's useless even if you risk yourself doing this."

"That's precisely the case," says Sifeng.  "I know she's very worried right now."

"Master, didn't you say she was just a friend?  That Chu Xuanji, she fawns over Sixth Senior for one moment, and she's predestined to be with her Senior in another.  Master are you still...?"

"So, what?" Sifeng interrupts.  "She's my friend.  How can I just stand still and do nothing?  Give me the ring you obtained from Tianxu Hall."

Little Silver Flower reluctantly hands it over.  He wraps his hand around the ring, and conceals Little Silver Flower.  Two guards walk by, completely unassuming.

When the coast is clear, he enters the cell of the captured Tianxu Hall Demon.

Sifeng claps his hand over the prisoner's mouth, and shows him the ring.  "South Superintendent sent me here to save you."

"Save me!" Gasps the prisoner.  "I'm with North Superintendent!"

"I can save you," says Sifeng, "but South Superintendent is worried that you might be bribed by the humans.  That's why you need to answer three questions to prove your identity."

"Ask me, then," says the prisoner.

"First question.  Do you know who Wu Tong is?"

"Lord Wu Tong?  Of course!  He's the North Superintendent."

"Okay.  Second question.  Where is Wu Tong right now?"

"Didn't he return to our headquarters after the Northern Hideout was destroyed?  Didn't you know that?"

"Of course I did," says Sifeng.  "I'm just testing you.  Last question.  Where's the location of our headquarters?"

"Headquarters?  I don't know that." 

"How could you not know its location?"

"I just joined our group.  I only heard that our headquarters isn't in the Human Realm.  I think it's in West..."

At that moment, three green poison darts fly in from out of nowhere, and hit the prisoner in the neck.

Sifeng runs out of the cell as quickly as possible, knowing he just screwed up.

 

Xuanji is banging on a wall of transparent energy that is blocking her from opening the sliding doors in her room.  "Let me out!  Is anyone there?  Let me out!"  She punches the wall, but it just bounces back.  She takes a few steps backward, raises her hand, and emits royal blue energy.  She runs straight into the wall, but it pushes her back, leaving her sprawled on the floor.

She catches her breath and slowly rises.  With anger in her eyes, she summons the Dingkun sword.  Blue energy is running down the blade.  She raises the sword in front of her, and does the equivalent of a Kendo dol strike, busting the doors completely down.  Finally, she's free!  She runs outside.

"Xuanji, what are you doing?" snaps Hao Chen.  He glares at her.  "Are you trying to disobey our Sect Leader now?"

They both look down at the Dingkun Sword, glowing a bright blue.  Before Hao Chen can pull any more shennanigans, Xuanji makes the sword disappear.

I've made so much effort to seal Dingkun Sword's power, Hao Chen thinks. But the seal is fading already?

"Senior Hao Chen," Xuanji says firmly, "Father may ignore Linglong, but I won't."

"Xuanji, why can't you understand the words that I've said?  Do you think Sect Leader Chu doesn't care about Linglong?  Linglong is a trivial matter compared to the lives of all beings.  Your father is doing the right thing as a cultivator!  Xuanji, as the guardian of the Secret Ground, you should understand this, as well!"

"I don't understand!" Xuanji explodes.  "Linglong's life is a life as well.  Why must we forsake Linglong?  To me, the lives of all beings is too vague.  Linglong is the only one who has accompanied me all along.  I can't just ignore her!  Father and the rest may forsake her, but not me.  I must save her."

She steps forward to leave, and he blocks her with his arm.  "You're doing the exact opposite!" He hisses.  "Xuanji, do you know you'll commit a grave mistake if you continue this?"

"Senior," Xuanji says point blank.  "Humans are not inanimate objects.  We mustn't be heartless.  I did nothing wrong!"

Hao Chen is immediately triggered.  He is reminded of the time he chained the God of War to a podium in the Heavenly Realm, having her whipped with lightning.  Instead of bowing down and deferring to him, however, she had said: "I did nothing wrong!"  He is not triggered out of remorse.  He is triggered out of anger that he couldn't dominate the powerful God of War then, and in spite of removing all of Xuanji's senses.  He can't dominate the naive and socially disabled reincarnation of the God of War now.

Xuanji has been deeply influenced by her emotions and feelings.  I mustn't let her continue this.  "Fine!  You can leave!" Hao Chen growls.  "But you're not allowed to chase after Wolf.  You'll follow me back to Shaoyang and never leave again."

"Senior!  No one will save Linglong if I do that!"

"You've sworn to be the Guardian of the Secret Ground.  Guarding the Secret Ground must always be your priority. Now, the demons know that the Devil Star's core is located there.  It's a dire situation.  As a disciple of Xuyang Peak, you need to be responsible!"

"No!  I want to save my sister!  Master and the rest should be able to protect the place.  Why should I return?"

"Such impudence!"  Hao Chen snaps.  With a point of his fingers, he emits blue energy and binds Xuanji with it.

"Senior, let me go!  Let me save Linglong!"

"Xuanji, stop being stubborn.  This is what Sect Leader wanted, as well."

"You can't take Xuanji away," Sifeng approaches them.  "She doesn't want to return."

"Yu Sifeng," Hao Chen scowls.  "You have interrupted the affairs of Shaoyang Sect on several occasions.  You've instigated her to disobey Sect Leader's orders.  Don't you think you're too much?"

"Senior Hao Chen, don't you think you're too heartless?  Now, Linglong has lost her primordial spirit, and Minyan is still unconscious.  Xuanji will never be satisfied if you take her away.  Senior Hao Chen, please let her go."

"You want me to let her go?" Hao Chen scoffs.  "It'll depend on your ability!"  He summons his sword, and throws it at Sifeng.

Sifeng is able to turn to the side, and avoid getting stabbed.  They spin, clash their swords, and fly high into the sky.  The two block each other with their crossed swords.

"Sifeng!" cries Xuanji.

Little Six is in his bed, stirring.  "Linglong," he whispers in his sleep.  He slowly wakes up and hears the two men fighting outside.

Hao Chen pushes Sifeng back, but Sifeng resists with golden energy.

Hao Chen snarls.  Their swords cross again.  "Yu Sifeng, do you think you can get yourself an unlikely relationship by pestering Xuanji all the time?"

"Sifeng, are you okay?" asks Xuanji.  "Sifeng, just ignore me."

"Xuanji, don't tell me you're willing to return just like this?" Sifeng asks.

"I..." Xuanji stammers.

"Since you're not willing to do so, I'm not willing to let him take you away." Sifeng responds.

With his palm, Hao Chen throws ice blue energy onto Sifeng.  Sifeng begins to bleed from the mouth.

"Sifeng!" screams Xuanji.

"You've suffered internal injuries," says Hao Chen.  "Stop pretending to be strong.  Move away!"

Sifeng defiantly wipes the blood from his lip, and looks Hao Chen straight in the eyes.  "No way," he whispers.  He moves his sword and attempts to strike.

Blocked again.

Little Silver Flower materializes in the Dianjing Valley Sect hanfu.  She hurls purple energy at Hao Chen, but gets blocked.  She glares, curls her fingers like claws, and steps forward.

"Yan Ran!" Warns Sifeng.  "Stop!"

She pouts.

"Yan Ran, when did you get here?" asks Xuanji.

Hao Chen looks down at the ground where Little Silver Flower's purple energy landed.  "Poison?  Why would a disciple of Dianjing Valley use poison?"

"You're trying to hurt Sifeng," says Little Silver Flower.  "What's wrong with using poison?"

He lunges at her, but stops when Aunt Hong approaches.  "Xuanji?"

"Aunt Yinghong?  Hurry!"

"Hao Chen," Aunt Hong says firmly, "Minyan is awake.  He's in Linglong's room now.  Let Xuanji go and visit him."

"Senior Hao Chen, I beg you, please let me go."  Tears are in Xuanji's eyes.  "I want to see how Sixth Senior is doing.  I grew up with Sixth Senior and Linglong.  I will only be relieved when both of them are fine.  Senior Hao Chen, I beg you.  Please let me go!"

Sifeng glares at Hao Chen.

"Hao Chen, I'm your Senior," Aunt Hong says sternly.  "I'll make the decision for you.  Release Xuanji right now."

He scowls and points his fingers at Xuanji, removing the binding from her body.

"Sifeng, let's go!" Xuanji shouts.

Sifeng smiles and they leave a glowering Hao Chen behind.

"Sifeng!" says Little Silver Flower.  Before she can move forward, Hao Chen binds her with his spell.

"You stay here," says Hao Chen, his ego shattered because Sifeng won, therefore, he's taking it out on Little Silver Flower.

"Let me go!" Demands Little Silver Flower.

 

Little Six is sitting at Linglong's bedside. "Linglong, I'm Minyan."  He tells her unconscious body.  "Linglong, what's wrong with you?  Look at me.  Linglong, I'm your Little Six!"

Xuanji and Sifeng run into the room.

"What's wrong with you?"  Little Six continues.  "Get up and look at me!  Linglong!"

"She's like that because her primordial spirit has been removed," explains Xuanji.

He drops Linglong's hand.  "Linglong, it's my fault.  I am useless.  I am too useless!  I shouldn't have let Wu Tong take you away!  I should've saved you sooner.  Linglong, please wake up and scold me.  I won't talk back.  Linglong, I'll never make you angry again.  Please wake up, okay?  I'll make you happy from now on.  Linglong, please wake up, okay?"  He reaches into his hanfu, and pulls out the Love Lot he had gotten from the fortune teller.  "I've been keeping this Love Lot with me.  This is our auspicious lot.  It says that we will live happily ever after.  How could I give this lot to anyone else?  I'll use it to marry you.  I'll read it in public on the day of your wedding.  Linglong. " He puts the lot in her hand.  "Linglong, please keep it.  Keep it.  Don't reject me.  Keep it, okay?  Linglong, please keep it."

"Sixth Senior," Xuanji kneels by the bed.  "Don't worry.  We'll retrieve her primordial spirit somehow."

"Primordial spirit?"  asks Little Six.  He stands up, getting ready to leave.

Xuanji blocks the doorway.  "Sixth Senior, where are you going?"

"Minyan," says Sifeng.  "We'll formulate a plan to save Linglong together."

"Don't stop me if you're my brother," says Little Six.

"Tell me, then," says Sifeng.  "Where are you going to find her primordial spirit?"

"I'll go to Tianxu Hall's hideout.  I brought her body out from that place.  But she's still trapped inside there.  I'll find her!"

"There's nothing left in there!" says Sifeng.  "Wu Tong has escaped.  All the demons have escaped.  Her primordial spirit isn't there."

"I'll capture some demons, then," says Little Six.  "I'll ask every demon I encounter.  I'm sure I can find Wu Tong somehow!"

"I'll follow you," says Xuanji.

"Okay," says Little Six.

The three walk out onto the deck.

"So, where do we start our search?" asks Little Six.

"Stop!" says Sect Leader Chu.

"We're going to Tianxu Hall Hideout to retrieve Linglong's primordial spirit," says Little Six.

"Nonsense!" Says Sect Leader Chu.  "Every sect is trying their best to deal with Tianxu Hall now.  You expect me to waste time worrying about you three?"

Little Six drops to his knees.  "Master, it's all my fault.  I didn't manage to protect Linglong.  Only my death can atone for this mistake.  Master, please give me a chance to atone for my mistake.  I'll save Linglong, even if it means sacrificing my life."

"Forget it," says Sect Leader Chu.  "It's not your fault.  Get up now."

"Minyan," says Aunt Hong.  "We will save Linglong.  But you can't just go without a plan.  We're interrogating a demon from Tianxu Hall.  It's easier for us to act if we have some clues.

 

"Let me go!" cries Little Silver Flower.  "Why are you capturing me?"  She's being held by two disciples.

"Senior Hao Chen, let's talk," says Ruo Yu.  "Why are you doing this?"

"Why are you capturing me?" asks Little Silver Flower.

"Lu Yan Ran?" asks Xuanji.

"Let me go!"

"Senior Hao Chen, what are you doing?" asks Sifeng.

"She's very suspicious," says Hao Chen.  "I've never seen pupils of Dianjing Valley Sect use poison.  I've invited Valley Master Rong here to verify her identity."

Little Six immediately remembers Little Silver Flower at the worse possible time: when she had to stab a Xuanyuan disciple in the Tianxu Hideout.

"Senior," says Xuanji.  "Yan Ran is indeed the disciple of Dianjing Valley Sect.  She travelled with us on our journey."

Little Six quietly summons his sword. "No!" He points his sword at Little Silver Flower.  "She's a spy from Tianxu Hall!  I saw it for myself!"

"Zhong Minyan, don't frame me!" shouts Little Silver Flower.  "Who's the spy here?  I--"

"Minyan," Sifeng says quietly.  "I'm sure there's a misunderstanding. Yan Ran did infiltrate Tianxu Hall, but it's not what you think."

"Minyan," says Ruo Yu, "put down your sword.  Let's talk this over."

"There's no misunderstanding!"  Little Six insists.  "She's with Tianxu Hall!  She followed Wu Tong's orders!  I saw it for myself.  She killed our people without mercy.  You mustn't fall for her tricks.  Tell me!  Where did Wu Tong hide Linglong's primordial spirit?"

"I didn't!" Little Silver Flower insists.  "I didn't kill your people.  Sifeng, I--"

"Minyan," says Sect Leader Chu, "put down your sword for now.  Maybe Valley Master Rong has different plans for her.  Don't be reckless."

Little Six lowers his sword.

"No need for that," Valley Master Rong enters the courtyard.  "She's not from my sect."  He points directly at Little Silver Flower.  "Although I have a disciple named Lu Yan Ran, she doesn't look like her, and she has returned to our sect.  Who exactly are you?"

Little Silver Flower is stuck.  Sifeng had warned her about knee jerk reactions for a reason...

"Why are you pretending to be a disciple of my sect?" asks Valley Master Rong.  "What's your motive?"

"Don't tell me you're a spy from Tianxu Hall?" asks Sect Leader Chu.

"My identity is none of your business," snaps Little Silver Flower.  She unsuccessfully attempts to break free.

"How dare you use poison!" Hao Chen glowers at her.

"Remove your disguise and tell us your motive!" says Valley Master Rong.

Sifeng immediately makes her disappear, hiding her snake form in his sleeve.

Xuanji immediately understands.  "Lu Yan Ran is Little Silver Flower?  Sifeng, this--"

"Yu Sifeng!" growls Valley Master Rong.  "Why did you hide the demon?"

And now Sifeng has really stepped in it...

"What's your connection with her?" asks Valley Master Rong.

"Hero Yu, what exactly is going on?" asks Dongfang.

Sifeng slowly turns to look at the Sect Leaders and elders.  "Elders, I did hide something from you all.  Indeed, she is not Lu Yan Ran from the Dianjing Valley Sect.  She's my spirit beast, Little Silver Flower.  She infiltrated Tianxu Hall under my command.  But, she's not a spy."

"Your spirit beast?" asks Valley Master Rong.  "According to the Demon Manual, spirit beasts can only acquire human form by feeding on human blood.  They're vicious and evil."  Valley Master Rong turns around to look at Deputy Chief.  "Deputy Chief, the Lize Palace actually allowed one of your disciples to keep this demon?  And you even let that demon pretend to be one of my disciples?  What's the meaning of this?"

Deputy Chief looks shocked.  "I don't know about this, and it has nothing to do with our sect.  Sifeng, explain yourself!  Don't try and ruin our reputation!"

"The Demon Manual was written by our ancestors," says Sifeng.  "They have limited knowledge.  Little Silver Flower is not a demon.  She acquired her human form because she consumed an immortal fruit, and she has never harmed anyone before.  But the people have prejudices against her kind.  In order to avoid any misunderstandings, I had to cover up her identity.  After that, Tianxu Hall wreaked havoc.  I thought that it would be easier for her to sneak into Tianxu Hall since she's not a human.  I was the one behind everything.  I did it out of good intentions."

"How do you explain the fact that she killed our people?" asks Sect Leader Chu.

"She's my spirit beast," says Sifeng.  "We can sense each other.  I'd know immediately if she killed someone."  Sifeng bows.  "I promise that Little Silver Flower will never commit such atrocious acts."

"I also promise that Little Silver Flower has been loyal to Sifeng and never betrayed him," Xuanji adds.  "And she didn't kill anyone."

Little Six is incredulous.  "How can you be guarantor for her own acts?"

Ruo Yu gets ready to speak.

"Are you saying that I'm maligning her?" asks Little Six.  "Are you saying that what I'd seen for myself was fake?  You don't believe me?"

"Minyan, it's not that I don't believe you," says Sifeng.  "I'm sure this is a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?" Retorts Little Six.  "Release it, and everything will be clear."

"Hero Yu," says Dongfang, "it's not that I'm suspicious of your character.  But Tianxu Hall just attacked us, and they managed to steal two spirit keys.  Everyone on Fuyu Island is jittery.  I find it hard to believe your statements.  How about this?  Release the spirit beast for now.  We'll decide what to do after our discussion."

"Sorry, I'm unable to do that," says Sifeng.

"Yu Sifeng!" Valley Master Rong points at him.  "Are you...are you trying to work together with the demons?  Did you forget your identity as a cultivator?"

"There's no demon for me to work together with," says Sifeng.

Little Six grabs his arm.  "What do you mean by this?  Why are you risking yourself to protect her?  Are you trying to ignore justice and righteousness because of your relationship with her?"

Xuanji steps between them.  "Sixth Senior, I believe him.  I've been with Little Silver Flower for so long.  She has never exuded any demonic scent."  She turns and looks at Sect Leader Chu.  "Father, please believe in Sifeng."

"Xuanji, stop your nonsense!" Snaps Hao Chen.  "Why would Minyan lie to us?  How can you prove this when you were not around?"

"I--" says Xuanji.  She turns to face Little Six.  "Sixth Senior, I'm sure you're mistaken."

"Xuanji, I wasn't mistaken!"  Little Six insists.  "You don't believe me, as well?"

"I--" says Xuanji.

"Sifeng, I treat you as my brother," says Little Six.  "I won't suspect you, but I don't believe that demon.  Are you sure your sense is correct all the time?  I saw her killing someone personally!  She's with Tianxu Hall!  Don't let her trick you!  Release her.  I just want to know where Wu Tong is in order to save Linglong and Second Senior."

"Minyan, both of us want to save Linglong," says Sifeng, "but Little Silver Flower doesn't know where Wu Tong is.  It's no use forcing her.  My sense has never been mistaken.  I managed to find their hideout because of that sense.  It's all thanks to Little Silver Flower." 

"Minyan, Little Silver Flower was hurt because she was trying to protect me from Wu Tong," says Ruo Yu.  "You Shouldn't blame her."

A Fuyu Island Disciple runs into the courtyard.  He bows to Dongfang.  "My Lord!  The demon in the cell was murdered!"

Every Sect Leader and Elder pointedly look at Sifeng.

 

 

...To Be Continued...