American Perspectives: Consequences of the Mirror Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 28)

 

 

“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.

 

 

Xuanji and Sifeng are walking together as a happy couple through a covered corridor in the rain.

"Eldest Brother Liu," Xuanji says pleasantly.  

"Oh," says Brother Liu, his rest interrupted, the comfortable spot against the pillar no longer feeling so comfortable.  "Little Phoenix, you're generous indeed.  You even gave her your precious hairpin."

Xuanji snuggles up to Sifeng.  "I traded my future for it, you know?"  She lovingly rests her head on his shoulder.

"Xuanji is right," Sifeng agrees.  "It' a great deal for me."

Brother Liu rolls his eyes and looks away.  "My goodness, what smell is this?  I know now.  It's the foul stench of love.  It stinks."

"What?"  Asks Sifeng.  "Can't we do this?"

Brother Liu gives them side eye.  "Just go."

The two laugh as they walk away.

Little Silver Flower is watching from afar, and is feeling very displeased with their romantic development.  With a flip of her hair, rolling of the eyes, and gnashing of her teeth, she walks back to her room.

 

 

 

The 3/4 moon is shining brightly in the dark sky.

Brother Liu steps outside, and shuts the doors.  He is hypervigilant about his surroundings before he makes the final decision to head out.

"You're leaving when it's this late?"  A male voice from out of nowhere takes him by surprise.  He looks over and sees Ting Nu in his wheelchair, his back to Brother Liu.

Brother Liu runs down the stairs and stands next to him.  Ting Nu is enjoying some fine wine, mentally reminiscing about his life in the sea back home.

Brother Liu laughs awkwardly.  "Why aren't you asleep yet?"  

"I'm preparing for Mount Buzhou.  But I still don't understand one thing."

"What?" asks Brother Liu.

"Tianxu Hall planned this out because they wanted to awaken the power of the God of War.  But how could they be sure that Xuanji would fall for it?  Don't tell me they knew that Xuanji would meet meet with the celestial eye's bearer?"

Brother Liu sheepishly looks away.  "Who knows what those scoundrels are planning?"  Brother Liu says unconvincingly.  "Maybe they used it to their advantage because Little Phoenix found me.  Ay ya, no.  I can't sleep."  Brother Liu awkwardly stretches his arms.  "I need some wine."  He cautiously walks away before Ting Nu has a chance to get a word in edgewise.

 

 

 

Brother Liu is reluctantly walking through a grassy field for his clandestine operation.  Wolf is already there, waiting.

"Mr. Liu, you're late," says Wolf.

"I haven't got the chance to strike," Brother Liu says weakly.  "Please ask your leader to give me more time.  I will awaken the powers of the God of War."

"Mr. Liu, our leader knows what happened inside the manor."  Wolf turns around to face him.  "You used the celestial eye to stop her awakening."

"I was forced to do so."

Wolf chuckles.  He feels like he's talking to a preschooler who is a terrible liar. "You were forced to do so?  Mr. Liu, you lied to us.  It makes perfect sense for us to show you some colors.  But our leader is magnanimous.  He's giving you a second chance.  You'll never see your daughter if you mess this up again."

"Fine," says Brother Liu.  "Tell me.  What do you want me to do?"

"Kill Yu Sifeng and enrage Chu Xuanji, so that you may awaken her powers."

Brother Liu breaks out in a cold sweat.  So, he's going to have to kill Sifeng anyway...  "No way.  I will never hurt Little Phoenix."

Wolf chuckles.  "Do you think you have the right to negotiate with us?"

"You better not be too much!" Brother Liu hisses.  He attempts to punch Wolf in the face, but Wolf grabs his fist and twists it.  Brother Liu grimaces.

Wolf grabs him by the neck, and pins him to the ground.  "You just used the celestial eye.  You're weak and feeble.  Do you want your daughter to die?"  He is about to draw energy from Brother Liu, when out of nowhere, a sword flies at him.  He releases his grip on Brother Liu's neck, and jumps back.

Sifeng and Xuanji come flying in, landing in the field like a pair of performers.  Sifeng raises his hand, and his sword returns.

"Who are you?"  Asks Sifeng.

"I'm a friend of Mr. Liu," says Wolf.  "If you don't believe me, you can ask him."

Brother Liu gives Wolf the side eye.

Ting Nu quietly wheels himself in from the forest.

"He's..." says Brother Liu.

"He's from Tianxu Hall," Ting Nu interrupts.

Xuanji, Sifeng, and Brother Liu turn around to look at Ting Nu.

"Liu Yihuan," says Ting Nu, "why are you meeting someone from Tianxu Hall?"

Brother Liu fidgets awkwardly.  "Everyone, I'm sorry."

Xuanji faces Wolf.  "He's from Tianxu Hall?  Tell Wu Tong to meet me."

"I only follow my leader's order," says Wolf.  "I don't know any Wu Tong, God of War."

"You know her identity?"  Sifeng asks incredulously.

"I know many things.  Since the God of War is here, I'll capture you for my leader!"  He hurls a golden rope, which binds Xuanji's arms, and wraps around her torso like a snake.

"Be careful!"  Shouts Brother Liu.  "That's Xuanyin Chain!"

Wolf grabs her by the shoulder, but he is knocked away by a strong gust of purple energy, and without hesitiation, the Xuanyin Chain is undone.

Fox Demon materializes.

"Xuanji, are you okay?"  Asks Sifeng.

Xuanji nods.

"You old Fox!"  Wolf growls.  "How dare you betray us!  How dare you join hands with them!"

"Who's the old fox here?"  Asks Fox Demon.

"You're the old fox!" Snaps Wolf.

"I betrayed Tianxu Hall?  I was never with Tianxu Hall.  You stole my beloved and ruined Mount Gao, and you call me old?"  She shoots purple energy at him from her palm, knocking him to the ground.  "You're old!"

In a puff of smoke, Wolf disappears, and a dead fish is lying in his place.

"He's dead?"  Asks Fox Demon.  "So weak.  So you're the God of War.  You're not that beautiful."

"Enough," says Ting Nu.  "We mustn't stay around.  Let's speak after we return."  He has no time for a potential girl fight in the middle of the night.

 

 

 

"So, you were the one behind everything?"  Little Six asks Brother Liu.

"Everyone, I'm sorry," says Brother Liu.  They are gathered together at the inn, trying to sort everything out.  "But I couldn't just ignore Yu'er.  I've harmed you."

"Eldest Brother Liu was forced to do so," says Xuanji.  "Besides, I managed to recover my six senses because he gave us the Mirror of Origin.  He even used his celestial eye to save Sifeng.  No matter what, he did help us out."

Sifeng leans over.  "Eldest Brother Liu, you don't need to blame yourself.  I just didn't expect Tianxu Hall to know that Xuanji was the God of War.  And they all did this because they want her to regain her powers?"

"Oh, right," says Little Six.  "Didn't you say that the nemesis of the Devil Star is the God of War?  But why are they trying to let Xuanji regain her powers?"

"The only logical explanation is that the God of War's power is vital to the Devil Star's revival," says Sifeng.

"It's a pity that I only got to see the God of War when I was treating her wound," says Ting Nu.  "I know almost nothing about her.  One part of the God of War's memories will always be blurry.  My guess is that the heavens sealed away that part."

"Maybe not," says Fox Demon.  "The heavens love to kick up a cloud of dust.  They said the God of War was a gorgeous beauty.  But just look at Xuanji."

"I..." Xuanji stammers.  Where the hell is this new found animosity coming from?

"So, maybe they didn't steal her memories at all," Fox Demon continues.

"Purple Fox," says Ruo Yu, "seems like you don't like the God of War."

"She hates the God of War because rumor has it that Wu Zhiqi was captured by the heavens because he fell in love with her."  Ting Nu explains.

Fox Demon glares at him.  "Wu Zhiqi doesn't love her!"

Everyone else laughs.

"Wu Zhiqi was framed by the devious Yuan Lang," says Fox Demon.

"Who's Yuan Lang?"  Asks Xuanji.  "I think I saw him in your memories."

"Yuan Lang is scum," says Fox Demon.  "1,000 years ago, the demons lost the war.  He was the reason Wu Zhiqi was captured by the heavens.  Yuan Lang thought he could escape punishment by doing that.  That poor monkey doesn't even know who the responsible one was.  It's a pity that Yuan Lang is too cunning and devious.  I couldn't find him, even after 1,000 years."

"Maybe he's hiding in Tianxu Hall?"  Xuanji suggests.

"Impossible," says Fox Demon.

Brother Liu looks up.

"He was marked with a sinner's mark," Fox Demon continues.  "He can never enter Mount Buzhou.  If he is hiding inside Mount Buzhou, I'd tear him to pieces!"

"Mount Buzhou?"  Brother Liu asks anxiously.  The pieces are coming together, as the Hall Master most definitely had a sinner's mark.  He stands up.  "Tianxu Hall's headquarters are in Mount Buzhou!  I finally know where Yu'er is right now!"

Sifeng stands up.  "Linglong's primordial spirit, Yu'er, the captured Wu Zhiqi, the secrets of Tianxu Hall, all questions will be answered in Mount Buzhou."

"We just killed Tianxu Hall's messenger," says Ting Nu.  "They'll notice soon.  You should depart tomorrow morning."

"Oh, right," says Fox Demon.  "Ting Nu, you should tell us how to reach the entrance of Mount Buzhou."

"In the west," says Ting Nu, "there's a town called Qingmu Town.  It's at the base of Mount Buzhou.  Find two mountains with the same altitude from the North and South.  The altar to Mount Buzhou is located at the peak of of the northern mountain."

"Okay," says Brother Liu.

Ting Nu summons a box with five silver candles.  "These birth candles were made from Merman's tears, Dragon Scales, and Sansheng Wood.  I only made five of them, as the ingredients are very rare.  Mount Buzhou is not located in the Human Realm.  You can enter if you light these candles."

"Purple Fox, didn't you grow up in Mount Buzhou?" Asks Xuanji while Fox Demon is grabbing a candle.  "Do you need the birth candle, as well?"

"I've retained my human form for 1,000 years.  Of course, I need the candle if I want to enter Mount Buzhou.  There's nothing strange about this."

The candles are passed around, and as Brother Liu is about to grab one, Ruo Yu beats him to it.

"We only have five," says Ruo Yu.

"Where's mine?" Brother Liu asks desperately.  "I need to go there to save Yu'er!"

"I told you," says Ting Nu.  "The ingredients were very rare, and Mount Buzhou is a dangerous place.  You're injured.  You mustn't go."

"I need to save Yu'er no matter how dangerous it is!"  He begins to cough.  Sifeng helps him sit down.

"Eldest Brother Liu, this will be a dangerous trip, and you're seriously injured.  If you insist on going there, you'll be a burden to everyone.  Don't worry, I'll save Yu'er," says Sifeng.

Brother Liu shakes his head, feeling like the most worthless person in the room.  "I can't even help during crucial moments like these.  I'm really useless.  Sifeng, I'll leave Yu'er to you.  You must save her, okay?"

"Don't worry," says Sifeng.

"I was marked with the sinner's mark, as well," says Ting Nu.  "I can't enter Mount Buzhou.  Hero Liu and I will hide once you depart tomorrow, so that Tianxu Hall can't find us.  When you return, I'll find a way to contact you."  He holds a black and white bracelet in his hand.  "You must wear these bracelets, too.  The bracelet will show you the duration of the candle.  You must leave that place before the candle is used up."

Fox Demon rolls her eyes and snatches it from his hand.  "We understand.  You're so naggy."

 

 

 

Hao Chen is in the undergrond lair where the shennanigans with the Mirror of Origin occurred.  There are signs of spells used by Shaoyang Sect.  Xuanji and the rest were here indeed.

He notices something on the ground.  He kneels down and picks up a remaining shard from the Mirror of Origin.  Although the Mirror of Origin was shattered, I'm still too late.  Xuanji, will I fail to stop you again?

 

The Five Disciples and Fox Demon are in a barren desert near Mount Buzhou.

Little Six looks from side to side.  "Why are we stopping here?  Have we arrived at our destination?"

Fox Demon looks at him and smiles.  "You are country bumpkins, indeed.  Mount Buzhou is a forbidden ground.  If you use powers to enter the place, the mountain god will punish you.  That's why we need to travel on foot.  Come.  Over here."  She confidently leads the way.

 

 

 

"You can't suppress her forever," Si Ming is standing in Siming Hall, looking at shelves upon shelves of books.  "The God of War will awaken soon.  King Bailing needs to fret over her again.  Hmm?"  He senses another presence in his private hall.  He turns around carefully.

A few shelves away, Teng She is looking through the scrolls, completely oblivious to Si Ming.

"My Lord, what are you looking for?"  Asks Si Ming.

"'Tales of the Three Realms,'" says Teng She.

Si Ming grabs his book from his belt.  "Are you talking about this book?"

Teng She looks up at him.  "Yes!"  He tries to reach for the book, but Si Ming pulls back.

"Hmm?"  Says Teng She, just now realizing he isn't invisible.  He looks at Si Ming curiously.  "You can see me?"

"Of course I can," says Si Ming.  "The Siming Hall is the place where fate converges.  Your spell of deceit won't work here.  I haven't finished writing it yet.  If you want to read it, you'll have to wait until I'm almost done with it."

Teng She snatches the book.  "Give it to me."  He quickly walks away

Si Ming jumps in surprise.  "Why are you stealing it from me?"  He grabs Teng She's shoulders.

Teng She wriggles away, and hisses at him.  Si Ming promptly backs off.

Teng She opens up the book and glares at Si Ming.  "That's all?  Where are the stories of the God of War?"

Si Ming sighs.  "I told you, I haven't finished writing.  I'm still in the conceptual phase."

Teng She looks at him disdainfully.  "Conceptual phase?  That means you have the stories inside your head, right?  Tell me about it!  Her armor can disappear and reappear at will.  Tell me the reaon I can't find her!"

Si Ming takes a deep breath.  "Teng She, there are so many immortals here.  Of all the immortals, why are you trying to fight the God of War?"

Teng She smirks.  "Although there are many immortals here, none of them can defeat me.  Will you tell me or not?"

"No," says Si Ming.

"You won't?  Fine."  He waves the book in front of Si Ming's face.  "Do you believe that I'll burn this book?"

"You dare to do so?"

"Tell me!  Tell me! Tell me!"  Demands Teng She.

"You, don't do it!"

"Tell me!"  A flame emerges from Teng She's thumb like a cigarrette lighter.

"Don't burn it!" Exclaims Si Ming.  "I'll tell you everything.  My Lord, please calm down.  Put it down!"

Teng She blows out the flame.

"In dramas, there's always a male lead and a female lead," says Si Ming.  "It's the same for my story."

Teng She looks at him sideways.

"Nine Hundred years ago," Si Ming continues, "during the wedding of the God of Gold, the God of War caught the bouquet which King Bailing tossed.  She believed that King Bailing would marry her, and she even picked a Love Flower for him."

 

 

 

Hao Chen is walking along the arched bridge where Xuanji and Sifeng had enjoyed the Lantern Festival.  He sees their clay figurines.  It's my fault for letting you go.  I didn't detect your feelings for me.  That's why I'm in this plight.  I'm sure there's a way for me to redeem myself.

 

 

 

"What?" Asks Teng She.  "The God of War and King Bailing?"

Si Ming nods.

"You mean that King Bailing who puts on a long face everyday?  He even gave her a Love Flower?"  Teng She laughs.  "Is this your own story?"

"Are you listening or not?"  Asks Si Ming.  "Stop asking me if you're not."

"Fine.  I'll listen," says Teng She.  "If the God of War and King Bailing do fancy each other, why were they separated, then?"

"After the war between immortals and demons ended, the world was devastated.  We needed the strength of the Southern Immortals in order to restabilize the heavens.  That's why King Bailing married the daughter of the Southern Lord.  King Bailing had no choice, but to marry the Princess of the South."

Teng She yawns.

"But the God of War was enraged when she knew about that.  Afterward, she became eccentric.  Besides speaking to the Crimson Birds by the Heavenly Pond, she had never spoken with anyone else."

"After that?"  Teng She asks.

"After that..." Says Si Ming.  "One day, Wu Zhiqi, the left lieutenant, stole the Juntian Hoop and Chehai Hook.  The God of War broke into the Demon Citadel in search of him.  But when she returned, she was possessed by anguish.  Thus, she began to have inner demons.  Guess what's next?  She went to the Southern Immortals and slew the Southern Lord."

"How did she fight?  Was she strong?" Teng She inquires.

"And it became a huge problem.  After that, Queen Bailing forced King Bailing to execute the God of War in order to avenge her father.  The Heavenly Court was in turmoil then.  But at the same moment, King Bailing wanted to protect the God of War.  He went to the Altar of Banishment to persuade her.  The Heavenly Emperor gave her one last chance, since she had made huge contributions.  She'll be able to return here if she goes through her ten tribulations.  I told King Bailing about the God of War's nine tribulations before.  But he threw a tantrum, and said that's none of his concern.  Actually, I knew that he couldn't bear to give up on her.  Their relationship is very complicated.  Our King has to face his tribulations this time."

Teng She is a bit skeptical.  He doesn't recall such a scenario playing out while they co-existed in the Heavenly Realm.  He moves closer to Si Ming.  He studies his face carefully.  "Is that all?"

"Yes.  I've been speaking for a long time, you know."
"I asked how strong she was!" Teng She explodes.  "Why did you tell me her entire love story?"

"Violence isn't an interesting topic," says Si Ming.  "Love.  Love is the essence of the 'Tales of the Three Realms.'"

"I don't believe it," says Teng She.  "The God of War is a great general.  She won't rebel against us just because of something like this.  I'm sure there's another reason behind it.  You made up this story.  Story writers like you love to make up stories."

"Mind your words!  That's the truth!  What do you know?  You have never been in a relationship.  Listen, the God of War is a woman.  Women will turn their jealousy into hatred."

Teng She gives him side eye.  "Tsk!  No fun at all!"  He exits in a distictive flash of golden energy.

"You don't know how to appreciate this!"  Yells Si Ming.  He tucks the book back into his belt.  "What a barbarian.  Barbarian!"

 

 

...To be continued...