American Perspectives: The Demon Whip Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep.24)

 

“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.

 

 

Hao Chen walks out onto the beach. It's becoming apparent that Xuanji isn't going to be a mindless pawn whom he can exploit without consequence.  He is convinced that his actions are justified, but all indicators are telling him the opposite.

"King Bailing!" Si Ming runs up to him.  "This is bad!"  He stumbles.  "This is bad!  Heavenly Emperor invited you to attend Xi Wangmu's Yaochi Banquet together.  I racked my brain, trying to find various reasons to help you put that off.  King Bailing, you better discard this mortal body and go back to the Heavenly Realm."

Hao Chen looks away from Si Ming. "I still can't go back yet."

"Ah?  King Bailing, you..."

"Xuanji has been affected by feelings in the human realm.  She doesn't even listen to me now.  Love is worrisome.  Love is scary.  If she continues, she'll lose control, become tainted, and fall into the evil path.  I can't leave her behind right now.  I have to break this ill fated relationship she has with him."

"King Bailing," says Si Ming, "God of War is very willful.  She won't change her mind.  Especially something to do with feelings.  You know her best.  If you use force on her, she might create huge problems again.  Have you forgotten about what happened 900 years ago?"

Hao Chen is remembering a moment in the Heavenly Realm.

Xuanji is walking up to her ice blue crystal life pillar.  It is adorned by a red bracelet with a single bead.  WIth energy emitting from her hand, she shatters the top of the pillar.  Large cracks run down the rest of the pillar.

"Ever since she destroyed her own life pillar," says Si Ming, "she started to turn evil, until she committed that grave crime."

"You are right," Hao Chen agrees.  "She is very willful.  She was like that in the past.  And she is like this now.  Maybe I should've let things run their course."  He pauses.  "Forget it.  There are so many ways in this world.  I can use other ways to help her reincarnate.  If she wants feelings, I'll use feelings to help her reincarnate."

"King Bailing."

"As long as she can be safe in this life, and keep the three realms in peace, anything can be done."

Si Ming looks at him uncertainly.  "King Bailing, are you going to..."

"Yesterday, my master sent me a broken scroll of Sentimental Tactics.  He said that Heartless Tactics can no longer suppress the Secret Ground.  Since the Heartless Tactics don't work, I'll study the Sentimental Tactics together with her."

Si Ming has a huge smile.  "That's why you gave the Love Flower to Xuanji.  So, you are trying to seduce her with the Love Token."  Si Ming giggles.  "Are you really doing this just to break this ill fated relationship of hers?"

"Si Ming," says Hao Chen.  "I had only one goal when I descended to this mortal world, and that was to bring her back."

Si Ming hides his disappointment with his bow.  "I know."

 

 

 

Sect Leader Chu is meticulously reading over the Sentimental Tactics scrolls.

"My master found these broken scrolls a few days ago," says Hao Chen.  "He understands the mystery of turning Heartless Tactics to Sentimental Tactics.  He hopes that Junior Xuanji and I can go back to Xuyang Peak to practice it, so that we can protect the Secret Ground with greater power."

"Good," says Sect Leader Chu, as Sifeng is also in his way, and he wants to do whatever it takes to (ethically) remove him from Xuanji's life.  "This is a good thing.  Senior Heng Yang always worried that he took the wrong path in this life and couldn't reach Nirvana.  Now, you and Xuanji can help him get this off his chest, and protect the secret ground at the same time.  This is really killing two birds with one stone!  But...the cultivators of Sentimental Tactics should be connected with each other and share weal and woe together.  I know a lot of seniors in Xuyang Peak who became couples over training in Sentimental Tactics together."  His heart flutters with excitement.  "Then you and Xuanji..."

"Sect Leader, Junior Xuanji and I have been training together, day and night.  And we've developed feelings towards each other," he lies, unless that is, if he counts Xuanji's distrust.  "Junior Xuanji is naive and innocent.  I'm willing to take her as my partner and protect her forever.  I hope that we can have your blessings."

"Of course, I'll give you my blessings," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Even the Love Stone approved of your ties with her.  It means that both of you are a match made in heaven.  Besides, since young, Xuanji has always been different from others.  She needs someone to take care of her and guide her.  If that person is you, I'll be ecstatic.  I really want to bring both of you together.  When are you going to ask your master to come and propose?"

Hao Chen bows.  "To show my sincerity, I'll go back to Xuyang Peak to invite my master to Fuyu Island, so that we can set this engagement in front of all the sect leaders."

Sect Leader Chu laughs with delight, completely unaware of Hao Chen's manipulation.  "Good.  Great," he pats Hao Chen on the shoulder.

 

 

 

Xuanji is smoothing out Sifeng's blankets, taking care of the man she *actually* has feelings for.

"Xuanji," says Sifeng.

"Sifeng, you are awake.  Are you okay?  Don't simply move around, Sifeng."

He carefully sits up.  "I'm fine."  

"I asked you not to move.  Lie down.  Hurry up."

"Okay, I won't move."

"Lie down," says Xuanji.  She lowers him back down, and rearranges his blankets.  She holds his hand.

"I'm really okay," Sifeng insists.  "But you even dared to stop the Demon Whip.  Now, I can't let you go, even if I want to. You crazy girl.  By the way, I heard that I'm just a broken vase."

"Huh?" asks Xuanji.

"Aren't you the one who said it?  My feelings now are broken again, like that vase.  I just want Sifeng to smile at me and tell me that he's fine."

Xuanji squeezes his hand and smiles.

"I don't know which part of me is like a vase."

She covers his mouth.  "Stop it.  I...How can Sixth Senior do this?  I said those things in a moment of desperation.  How could he tell you all about it?"

"So, it meant nothing," says Sifeng.

"No.  Of course you are more valuable than a vase.  It was just a metaphor.  Although that metaphor is not that accurate, I want to say that, of course, Sifeng is valuable, too.  He's more valuable than a vase, and Sifeng, I...I'm too dumb.  I can't speak well, and I can't use a good metaphor.  You are so smart.  Can you teach me how to talk?"

"Looks like I really need to teach you how to talk.  Or else, I'll eventually die in your hands."  He pulls Xuanji closer to him.  "There is...something that I want to teach you.  But it's not about talking.  It's about...teaching you how to fall in love with me.  Do you want to learn that?"

She leans in.  "Is that very hard?"

"No.  It's like sword fights and spells.  You do it step by step and one at a time."

"Can I learn that, too, although I don't have the six senses?"

"Of course," says Sifeng.  "Everyone can learn that.  It might take longer for you, but I will teach you patiently.  The important thing is you have to want to learn it."  He affectionately taps her on the forehead.

"I'll learn it if you want to teach me," says Xuanji.

"Good," Sifeng smiles.  "Then, you have to listen to me carefully.  For your first lesson, I don't want my name in that book of yours."

"Why?"

"Because there are too many people in it, and I don't like sharing."

"But..."

"I want it to be...deeply ingrained in...the most important part of your heart forever.  Xuanji, do you understand?"

Xuanji nods.

 

 

 

The unconscious Linglong is lying in her Fuyu Island bed, eyes partially open.

"Linglong?" asks Sect Leader Chu.

No response.

Sect Leader Chu sits down on the edge of her bed.  Linglong, you cherish Xuanji the most.  Now, Hao Chen is willing to love Xuanji for his whole life.  If you knew about this, you would be ecstatic, right?  He gently pats her hands.

 

 

 

"Why are you here, Elder of Constellations?" asks Wu Tong.

"I'm here to pass down the Lord's order," says Elder of Constellations.

"The Lord's order?" asks Wu Tong.  "Go ahead."

"He needs to confirm the validity of a clue now.  He wants you to find a person with a celestial eye at once."

Wu Tong laughs.  "How will there be a mortal with a celestial eye?  Even if there is, where can I find him?  Are you joking with me?"

"That person is called Liu Yihuan.  As for where to find him, it'll be your problem.  But let me tell you...Our Lord is running out of patience."  Elder Of Constellations gives him the side eye before walking away.

 

 

 

The hybrid soul Linglong is giggling and swinging on a swing in Tianxu Hall.  The captured disciples from Xuanyuan Sect are looking at her with disbelief.  This is not the Linglong they remember.

She throws her jianzi on the ground.  She looks at the disciples expectantly.

"You," says Linglong.  "Pick it up for me."

He gives her a pained look.  Two guards behind him are controlling him with leash like chains.  He reluctantly walks over to the toy.

"Wait," says Linglong.  "Who asked you to walk there?  Crawl over there," she smiles.

"You..." says the disciple.

A guard kicks him in the back of the knee, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Hurry up!" Linglong giggles.  "Hurry up and crawl.  Hurry up."

He reluctantly crawls to the jianzi, and picks it up.  

She gestures to him, a huge smile on her face.  "Come over here."

He moves closer to her, and she grabs the toy.

"Good boy," says Linglong.

The disciple is completely confused by what he is experiencing.  "Linglong?"

She whips him across the face.

He looks at her, shocked and angry.

"How dare you call my name?"  Linglong says coldly.

"Do you really not remember your past?" Asks the disciple.  "We've known each other for a long time."  She whips him again, causing him to fall on his back.

"The past?" asks Linglong.  "You mentioned the past again.  Guards!  Bring him back and punish him again."

He backs away.  "I don't want to be punished."  A guard holds a sword to his chest.

Linglong giggles.  She gets up from her swing.  "Not only do I want to punish you, I'll ask Wu Tong Gege to punish you himself.  Let's go!"

"No, Linglong!"  Says the disciple.  He grabs her feet.  "I don't want to be punished.  No!"

She disgustedly steps away from him.  "Ai yah.  Look at you now.  You look so pitiful."

"I am pitiful," says the disciple.  "But you don't even know who you are right now.  Aren't you as pitiful as I am?"

She looks at him in surprise.  

He takes the sword the guard is holding up against his neck, and slices his throat with it, falling over dead.

Linglong looks at him with disgust.  "So baffling."  She turns and smiles.  "Wu Tong Gege!"  She runs to him.

He smiles at her.  "What is it, Linglong?"

"Nothing.  Just a disobedient slave who spoke some nonsense."  She grabs his arm.  "Wu Tong Gege, play with me."  She tries to pull him forward.

"Uh," says Wu Tong.  "I'm looking for a person named Liu Yihuan now.  I don't have time to play with you.  Find another person to play with."

"Liu Yihuan?"  Linglong asks.  The name sounds hauntingly familiar.  "I think I've heard this name before."

"Where did you hear it from?" asks Wu Tong.

"The little demon in the prison," says Linglong.  "She said that her father is Liu Yihuan, and can use the celestial eye."

"Really?"

Linglong nods.

Wu Tong can't believe his exemplary luck.  "I don't need to make any effort at all.  So, Liu Yihuan's daughter is right here with me."

Linglong looks at him curiously.

"This is so interesting," Wu Tong grins wickedly.

 

 

 

"Master," Hao Chen says to Heng Yang at Xuyang Peak Hall.

"I've already read your message," says Heng Yang.  "Xuanyuan has fallen, and two spirit keys have been taken away.  Tianxu Hall is so lawless right now."

"The worst thing is," says Hao Chen, "the Demon Clan has already found out that the Devil Star is inside Shaoyang's Secret Ground."

"The closer the two stars are," says Heng Yang, "the weaker the barrier of the Shaoyang's Secret Ground.  The Demon Clan will not let go of this rare chance.  I'm going to initiate Xuyang Peak's Protector Formation at once.  I can't let the Demon Clan cast their greedy eyes on the Crystal Lamp."

"Master," says Hao Chen, "to initiate the Protector Formation of Xuyang Peak, we'll have to use our strongest power.   Besides, this formation will feed on your cultivation until you wither and die."

"So what if I sacrifice myself to protect the Secret Ground?" asks Heng Yang.

"But protecting it, and eliminating the demons is a long battle.  If you sacrifice yourself, how many people can become your successor?"

Heng Yang rises from his seat, and walks down from the stage.

"You've read the broken scrolls I sent you before this?" asks Heng Yang.

Hao Chen nods.

"I found them in the library," says Heng Yang.  "Heartless Tactics and Sentimental Tactics are actually the same.  They are separated into two because of different understandings between diffferent cultivators.  If we put our heart into it, we can turn Heartless Tactics into the Sentimental Tactics.  Unfortunately, I was too late.  I can no longer find someone who can connect to me, and practice the Sentimental Tactics with me.  I sent those broken scrolls to you because it's not too late for you.  I have only you and Xuanji as my disciples.  If both of you can practice the Sentimental Tactics together, even if I pass away, I'll have successors to fuel the Protector Formation of Xuyang Peak."

"I understand what you mean," says Hao Chen.  He bows.  "I'm willing to inherit your aspiration."

"Back then, you kept on persuading me to take Xuanji as a disciple.  Now, it looks like both of you are really fated to be together.  Moreover, from what I can see, both of you have spent four years together at Xuyang Peak.  I'm sure that both of you can succeed in mastering the Sentimental Tactics."

Hao Chen nods.  "You are right.  If that's the case, please present a marriage proposal to the Sect Leader.  And please be a witness for me and Junior Xuanji in front of the Four Sects.  We can show them Shaoyang Sect's determination to guard the Secret Ground."

"Okay," says Heng Yang.  "I'll go to Fuyu Island with you."

"Yes, Master."

 

 

 

Sifeng and Xuanji are sitting out on the steps, under the stars, relieved that the overbearing Hao Chen is gone for a few days.

"Sifeng, are we viewing the moon now?" asks Xuanji.

"We are viewing the moon and continuing the lesson," says Sifeng.

Xuanji looks over at him.  "We are not done yet?"

"Do you think that my lessons are that easy to learn?"

Xuanji sighs.  "What else do I need to learn?"

"What you need to learn now is, if others treat you well, what are you going to do?"

"If they treat me well," says Xuanji, "of course, I'll treat them well, too."

"Since I'm training you to love me, you have to differentiate between how you treat me and others.  For example, if a man compliments that you are beautiful, and wants to travel with you, what do you do?"

Xuanji smiles.  "I should agree."

"No.  You should hit him.  If a man compliments you, it means that he likes you.  And since you've chosen to love me, how can you travel with him?  So, you have to hit him."

Xuanji nods.

"Another example.  If a man invites you for food, and gives you presents, what should you do?"

"Food?" says Xuanji.  "Of course, I have to agree."

"Wrong.  You have to hit him, too.  Why would a stranger give you gifts?  There must be an ulterior motive.  So, he deserves to be beaten up."

"I should hit him?"

"Now, the most important question.  If a man is cold and wants to hug you for warmth, what should you do?"

"I should hug him, right?"  asks Xuanji.  "Or else, he'll freeze to death."

Sifeng pinches her cheeks.  "Chu Xuanji, you have to hit him, too."

"I have to hit him again?"

"There are so many ways to get warm, why does he have to hug you?  Besides, remember this.  This is very important.  Besides me, you can't let another man hug you, and you can't hug another man, either, understand?"

"Sifeng, this important point sounds very strict."

"Of course.  This is an important question.  Of course, I need to be strict about it.  Okay, next question.  If, one day, your father asks you to stay away from me..."

"I'll hit him!" Exclaims Xuanji.

Sifeng gives her a funny look.

"No," says Xuanji.

"You are right.  Not every question has only one answer.  Xuanji, your father is an open and above board person.  If he gives you this kind of order one day, there must be a reason for it.  But you can try to convince him otherwise, or meet up with me in secret."  He holds Xuanji's hand.  "Xuanji, I won't let you down."

Xuanji smiles.

"Little Silver Flower, why are you hiding here?" Asks Sifeng.

Little Silver Flower approaches them.  "Well, you risked your life to protect me.  I'm here to thank you."  She looks at Xuanji.  "My master is still injured.  Don't disturb him."

"Little Silver Flower," Sifeng says sternly.  "Xuanji did a lot of things to save us.  You should thank her."

Little Silver Flower is horrified.  "Me?  I don't want to do that."  She stubbornly crosses her arms.

"After you take the form of a human," says Sifeng, "you have to follow human rules.  I don't need you to repay me, but you have to thank the person who has helped you before."

Xuanji approaches Little Silver Flower.  "Actually, it's fine."

"Thank you," snaps Little Silver Flower.  "I'm done.  Is it very hard?  No need to act magnanimously."  She flips her hair and walks away.

"Yan Ran," says Xuanji.

Little Silver Flower stops and turns around.  "I won't say it again, even if you didn't hear it."

"If I had known that you were Little Silver Flower, we could have used the four years to become friends.  It would have been nice."  A brown paper bag materializes in Xuanji's hand.  "I've brought your favorite rice cake for you."  She hands it to Little Silver Flower.

"I..."

"Yan Ran," Sifeng interjects firmly, "Xuanji is being kind.  Take it."

"Take it," Xuanji says kindly.

Little Silver Flower reluctantly accepts the bag.  She glares and walks away.

Xuanji holds Sifeng's hand.  They exchange glances and smile.