American Perspectives: Reunification with Wu Zhiqi Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 29)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

Three Disciples and Fox Demon are sleeping in a circle around the campfire. Little Silver Flower and Ruo Yu are laying down, back to back.  Little Six and Fox Demon are sleeping solo.

Xuanji and Sifeng are the only ones not sleeping.  Instead, they are sitting together, in each other's arms.

"Are you cold?" Asks Sifeng.

"I didn't expect the night to be so cold," says Xuanji.

"It doesn't feel good to be cold, right?"  Asks Sifeng.

She extends her hand toward the fire.

"Don't go there.  I won't be able to see you."  He puts his arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer.

"It's warmer like this, too," says Xuanji.

Sifeng rests his cheek against her forehead.

 

 

 

The Five Disciples and the Fox Demon have stopped at an Inn, and they are studying the map.  "Looking at the distance, the altar should be located in a forest 100 li away from the west of Qingmu Town," says Sifeng.  "We will get there soon."

"The entrance to Mount Buzhou will appear on a full moon's night," says Fox Demon.  "Today is the 14th.  It will be the 15th at midnight.  We will leave at midnight."

The other disciples nod in agreement.

 

 

 

Hao Chen meets up with Aunt Hong and Sect Leader Chu.

"Sect Leader," says Hao Chen.  

"How was it?" Asks Aunt Hong.  "Did you find the rest?"

"You left us a note advising us to wait at Qingmu Town," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Why did Xuanji..."

"This is the closest town to Mount Buzhou," says Hao Chen.  "They have to pass this place to get to Mount Buzhou.  The time is near.  According to my prediction, Xuanji and the rest will be here."

"In that case," says a Shaoyang Elder, who has been accompanying them. "Since Qingmu Town is big, let's split up."

"Yes," Sect Leader Chu agrees.  Aunt Hong nods.

"Hao Chen, both of you go there," Sect Leader Chu instructs the elder and Hao Chen.

"Yes," they agree.

"Junior, you will go there," Sect Leader Chu says to Aunt Hong.

They go in three different directions, searching for the missing disciples.

 

 

 

Little Six is sitting in his room, examining his dagger.  Linglong, I will definitely save you.  He hears some rustling outside.  He jumps up and carefully opens the window.  He still hears the strange sound.  He opens the doors and steps outside.  He walks down the stairs, and decides to investigate.

He turns around, and sees Sect Leader Chu standing behind him.  His heart skips a beat.  "Master."

"You came here alone without telling me," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Do you still think of me as your master?"

Little Six kneels.  "Master, I dare not.  I just want to save Linglong.  Please forgive me.  But now that I'm outside Mount Buzhou, I will not go back.  I have to save Linglong, no matter what."

"Hmm," says Sect Leader Chu.  "You are my best disciple.  You also treat Linglong wholeheartedly.  How will I blame you?  Stand up."

Little Six rises.  "I thought you were here to bring me back."

"Why would I do that?  Minyan, when I first met you, you were only eight years old.  You were cold and hungry, and out on the streets, yet you still held on to the family heirloom dagger and wouldn't sell it.  I knew at that time that you were a strong minded person. That is why I came to find you without anyone knowing."

"Master," says Little Six.

"Are you really willing to save Linglong, no matter what the cost?"

Little Six nods.

"Fine.  You didn't disappoint me.  But this is not just to save Linglong's life.  I have a more important mission to give you."

Ruo Yu slowly opens his window, and listens in on the conversation.

Little Six kneels.  "I will not bring shame to you."

As Sect Leader Chu walks away, Ruo Yu stealthily closes his window.

 

 

 

Fox Demon is leading the Five Disciples out in the dead of night.  She is studying the map carefully, making sure not to miss a single landmark.  They walk up a very green and bushy hill.

Little Silver Flower stumbles, but Ruo Yu grabs her arm and steadies her.  She looks back at him sharply.  She secretly wishes Sifeng was the one to grab her arm.

"Why haven't we walked the 100 li distance after walking for so long?"  Asks Xuanji.

"The road is getting steeper," says Ruo Yu.  "We can't climb anymore."

"No, I can't wait another month," says Fox Demon.

"I don't want to wait, either," Little Six says firmly.  "We have to find a way."

"Ting Nu's drawing is totally wrong," says Fox Demon.  "It's not detailed at all.  It's almost time."

"If the entrance appears with a full moon," says Sifeng, "I think the time is not yet right.  Don't be anxious."

Little Silver Flower squeals.  "Sifeng!  Look at that!"  She points to the full moon.

"The moonlight of a full moon," says Xuanji.  "The road lit up by the moonlight.  This is the road to Mount Buzhou."

"That's right," Sifeng agrees.

They fly over the road, and up to the entrance.  Fox Demon leads the way, Sifeng covers the back.

"Yan Ran," Sifeng says to Little Silver Flower.

"Sifeng."

"Wait for us out here."

"No, I'm your spirit beast.  I will follow you."

"If you have to go in, you won't have the protection of the Birth Candles.  You will show your true form.  You can't use any spells, either.  Isn't that trouble for you?"

Little Silver Flower shakes her head.  "No."

With a wave of his arm, Sifeng has her disappear in a poof of purple energy.

Fox Demon places her birth candle in one of the pots on the altar.  She brings forth purple energy from her hands.  "Spiritual transport.  Opening dark clouds.  Energy grows.  Connecting to the underworld."  She pushes her hand forward to a sculpture with a circle at the top.  The circle becomes blue, and the barrier in the archway behind it opens.  "The gate is open."

"Wait," says Little Six.  "Since we have limited time, it's better to discuss how to use our time."

"What do you want?" Asks Fox Demon.

"Let's find Linglong's primordial spirit before saving Yu'er.  After that, we'll go to Fenru City to find Wu Zhiqi.  We'll act according to the situation at that time."

"I'm going to Mount Buzhou to save Wu Zhiqi," Fox Demon says firmly.  "Do you think I will delay you?  Fine.  Let's move separately, and not interfere with each other."  She walks away before anyone can object.

"Let's light our candles," says Xuanji.  

They place their candles in different pots.  Each one has to cast the spell in order to get in.  Their bracelets light up.

Sifeng watches Xuanji take his mother's hairpin out of her bun.  "I'll keep it, so I won't lose it," She explains.  She carefully places it in a pouch.  "Let's go."

Sifeng smiles at her.

"Xuanji, Minyan," Sect Leader Chu says sternly, as they are about to walk through the gate.

Aunt Hong, the Shaoyang Elder, and Hao Chen are with him.

"Master," Little Six bows.

"Don't go in," snaps Sect Leader Chu.  "Listen to me."

"Father, I have to disobey you," says Xuanji.  "I must go to Mount Buzhou."

"Xuanji," says Hao Chen, "no matter what you are thinking, I'm begging you to think about the oath that you made when you left the sect."

"I won't forget about the oath.  I will not change my mind, either," says Xuanji.

"Foolish children.  You are gambling with your life," says Aunt Hong.

Xuanji does a kneeling bow.  "I've made my decision.  I promise to come back safely.  Father.  Senior.  Take care."  She touches her forehead to the ground, rises, and walks away.

"Xuanji!" Shouts Hao Chen.

Sifeng bows, but this author wouldn't blame him if he were internally gloating, or thinking, Sifeng: 1, Hao Chen: 0.

"Master," Little Six kneels as the others go through the entrance.  "Take care."  He touches his forehead to the ground.  He is the last to fly through the entry way.

The barrier to Mount Buzhou closes, and it transports the elders of Shaoyang Sect back into the forest.

"What is this place?"  Asks the Shaoyang Elder.

"This is outide the mountain," says Aunt Hong.

"We've been shifted here," Sect Leader Chu says in frustration.

"Let's split up to find a way to go to the altar," says Hao Chen.

"But now that the birth candles are lit," says Aunt Hong.  "All of them went into Mount Buzhou.  We have to be careful.  If we extinguish the candles rashly, they will be expelled by Mount Buzhou's law.  They will be in danger if that happens."

"You're right," Hao Chen agrees.  "Our main focus is to be quick on bringing them back safely."

 

 

 

Fox Demon, Sifeng, Xuanji, Ruo Yu, and Little Six rapidly descend through a fiery sky.   Everything seems to be upside down.

"Is this Mount Buzhou?" Asks Little Six.

"You fools," says Fox Demon.  "Your direction is wrong!  Turn around!"

The four disciples look at each other quizzically before it occurs to Sifeng.

"Mount Buzhou is reversed from the Mortal Realm," Sifeng explains.  "Hurry and change our direction."

The four flip forward and go up before descending to meet Fox Demon.  They look like a gymnastics team that hasn't practiced together in six months.

"Look at you, making such a mess in the air," says Fox Demon.  "Useless."  She turns around and points to a mountain that looks similar to Shiprock in New Mexico.  "This is Mount Buzhou."

"So, this is how Mount Buzhou that connects the realms looks," says Sifeng.

"As expected," says Fox Demon, "Tianxu Hall should be hidden somewhere in Mount Buzhou.  Seems like the Demon Citadel wasn't totally destroyed.  It became a chaos void that lingers on Mount Buzhou instead.  The Demonic Aura fills the shadows.  I think no one dares to get close except for demons."

"No wonder Tianxu Hall placed their hideout here," Sifeng observes.  "Normal people cannot enter easily.  The demonic aura will surely increase the power of the demon clan.  We have to be very careful when we go in."

"Defeating Tianxu Hall is your problem," says Fox Demon.  "Look along the shadows if you want to find Tianxu Hall."  She points to another gateway beyond a bridge, with a vortex in the center.  "I'm going to Fenru City to save Wu Zhiqi."

"Fenru City?"  Asks Xuanji.

"Oh," Fox Demon turns to look at them.  "Remember not to use spells here.  Otherwise, you'll be discovered by Shen Shu and Yu Lu who guard this place.  Don't say that I didn't remind you.  All right.  Farewell."

"Ah!" Xuanji reaches for her as she turns away.  "You're leaving, just like this?"

Fox Demon turns back to face her.  "Didn't you say I'm wasting your time if we stick together?  Why don't we split up, then?  Do you want to stick together?"

"You have to be careful over there," says Sifeng.

Lightning strikes across the sky, and electric blue shines from cracks and gaps in the mountain.

"Shen Shu and Yu Lu?"  Asks Fox Demon.  "It's bad.  I forgot.  It's the seventh month."

"What's wrong with the seventh month?"  Asks Xuanji.

"Inside Fenru City, fallen gods who fail trial, unruly beasts, and all the demons are locked inside.  Every 15th of the seventh month, Shen Shu and Yu Lu will let them out of Fenru City.  Today is the 15th of the seventh month."

"The number of fallen gods and spirit beasts are too big," says Ruo Yu.

"They've been locking them up since hundreds of years ago," says Fox Demon.  "That's a given."

A horde of all kinds of demonic beings is seen flying out of the mountain.

"All right.  Enough talking," says Fox Demon.  "Remember, never use your spells here.  Those who enter with birth candles will have their powers weakened.  Don't get me involved in your troubles."

Xuanji looks down at her bracelet.

"I won't be able to save you," Fox Demon continues.  "All right.  I'll be leaving."

"Let's go," Little Six says to the remaining three.

As Fox Demon walks by, several plumes of silvery smoke pass her.  She looks around cautiously, but continues to cross the bridge.  She can't wait to see Wu Zhiqi again.  She carefully climbs the stairs, observing her surroundings.  She hears screams, which are definitely not reassuring.  She approaches the gateway with a vortex in the center.

She passes through it, and descends a fiery staircase.  A huge fire explodes in front of her, and she recoils.  When she looks up, she sees she's descending into a fiery pit.  "Whatever.  I will find Wu Zhiqi once I reach the bottom."  She closes her eyes, opens them, and tries to get down the stairs as quickly as she can, while protecting her face with her wide sleeves.

 

 

 

A thick cloud of black smoke appears in front of the birth candles.  It materializes into Yuan Lang.  "Purple Fox?"

 

Fox Demon continues to descend the long, hot, stone staircase.  "Wu Zhiqi!" She yells.  "Wu Zhiqi!  Where are you?  Wu Zhiqi!"

Wu Zhiqi is down below, in half human, half monkey form, chained to four pillars.

"Wu Zhiqi!"  Fox Demon yells.  "Where are you?"  She reaches the bottom of the staircase and walks forward.  "Wu Zhiqi, where exactly are you?"

His eyes open as he hears a woman shouting.  His orange hair and beard are way overgrown.

"Who is it?" He asks.  His eyes dart side to side.  "Someone's coming!"  He exclaims.  He smiles and shouts with delight.  His blue eyes light up.  "After a thousand years, someone is finally coming to see me!"  He jumps up and down, and does a triple back tuck, tangling himself in the chains.  Electric lightning energy emits from the chains, shocking his body.  He doesn't care.  (Hopefully), a pretty woman is coming to see him.  He hasn't seen a woman in 1,000 years.

Fox Demon hears him getting shocked by the chains.  "Wu Zhiqi?  Wu Zhiqi?"  She frantically runs down the corridor.

Wu Zhiqi belly flops to the concrete floor.

Fox Demon runs to his open cell.

He gets on his knees, looks up at her, and beams.  "Pretty Lady?"

Fox Demon begins to tear up.  She runs up to him, and throws her arms around his shoulders, nearly knocking him over.

He is extremely confused.  Pleasantly surprised to see a beautiful woman, dressed in purple, embracing him tightly, but confused nonetheless.

She puts her head on his shoulder and sobs.  "I finally found you."

Wu Zhiqi looks side to side, mentally running through the list of women he knew prior to his capture.  "Pretty Lady, don't cry.  Why are you crying?  Am I dreaming?  I didn't talk for more than a thousand years.  I don't know how to speak anymore."  He gently pushes her back.  "Pretty Lady.  Here.  Pretty Lady.  Pretty Lady, why are you crying?  Don't cry.  Did my look scare you?"  He tries to brush back his hair with his hands, which makes no difference.  "Is this better?  Pretty Lady,  how old are you?  Are you single?"

"Stupid monkey," says Fox Demon.  "I finally found you.  It's been more than a thousand years.  You've suffered."  She reaches for his face.

"This...Pretty Lady, you're just going to touch me?"  He holds her hands.  "Pretty Lady, we're not in a hurry.  Let's take it slow.  Why don't we chat over a drink?"  With a poof of purple energy, a cup appears in his hand.  "I scolded Shen Shu and Yu Lu for 300 years to get this wine cup.  Hold it carefully.  Let's drink.  Oh.  Grapes."  In a poof of black energy, grapes appear in his hand.  "Pretty Lady, here, have some grapes."

She looks up and smiles at him.  "Stupid monkey, calm down.  Let me take a look at you."

"What did you call me?"  Asks Wu Zhiqi.

"Darn Monkey," says Fox Demon.  "Stupid monkey.  What do you think I would call you?"

He tilts his head.  "You know me?"

"Why wouldn't I know you?"

Wu Zhiqi looks down.  "This..."

"You don't remember me?"

He gives her a confused look.

"You don't know who I am?"  She stands up and takes a few steps back.  "Look closely.  It's me."

He drops his grapes and stands up.  He looks at her closely, but still doesn't recognize her.

"We didn't know each other, right?"  He asks.  "I know.  Pretty Lady, we've met in your dreams, right?"

She drops the wine cup.  Tears are streaming down her face.  "Stupid monkey, I've been waiting and looking for you for more than a thousand years.  Can't you recognize me?  I am..."  Her bracelet begins to flash.

"Pretty Lady?"  Says Wu Zhiqi.

At the entry gate to Mount Buzhou, Yuan Lang snuffs out Fox Demon's birth candle.

A huge force of energy pulls Fox Demon back, blowing her away like an intense wind.

Wu Zhiqi tries to grab her, but the chains shock him, sending blue lightning through his body.

"Wu Zhiqi!"  Fox Demon cries.  She hurls a streak of purple energy at him.  When he catches it, purple fox fur materializes.

 

 

 

Xuanji, Sifeng, Little Six, and Ruo Yu are walking through the rock formations, searching for Tianxu Hall.  Xuanji's sees someone who looks like Linglong.

Xuanji pauses.  "Linglong?"  What happened while we were away?  Did Tianxu Hall find Linglong? 

"Xuanji, what's wrong?" Asks Sifeng.

"I just saw," Xuanji points, but there's nothing there.  She looks again, just to be sure.  "Am I mistaken?"

"Augh!" Fox Demon is heard screaming.  She is being ejected from the Fenru City entrance, and is quickly being pulled backward through the air.

"Look!"  Says Little Six.

"Purple Fox?"  Asks Xuanji.

"Why did Purple Fox come out?"  Asks Ruo Yu.

Several streaks of smoke are following Fox Demon.

"Danger!"  Says Xuanji.  She gets her hands in position.

"Xuanji, don't use spells!"  Scolds Little Six.

She disregards his words and flies upward.

"Xuanji!"  Says Little Six.

"Xuanji!" Says Sifeng.

Sifeng flies after her.

Xuanji reaches Fox Demon first.  With a sharp motion of her hands, she summons the Dingkun Sword.  She relentlessly cuts through the plumes of smoke.

Fox Demon grabs her arm anxiously.  "You will be discovered."

Xuanji doesn't give a shit at this point.   When it involves her friends, all bets are off.  "No!"  She committed to completing this operation together, and if one of the group is getting ejected for no logical reason, she will do everything she can to prevent it.

Sifeng hurls his sword at the plumes, but they keep right on coming.  He creates a fiery red circle formation, and uses it like a shield.

"Don't mind me!"  Says Fox Demon.  "You will be discovered if you use spells!"

"No way!" Says Xuanji.

Sifeng strengthens his formation.

The smoke thickens, and the two statues by the Fenru City entrance begin to light up.

The smoke is relentless, and Xuanji tries to hack it away with her sword.

"Don't mind me!"  Fox Demon insists.

The wind grabs Fox Demon and pulls her back once more.

"Purple Fox!"  Yells Xuanji.

Strong energy emits from the Fenru City gate, and its force throws Sifeng and Xuanji back to Little Six and Ruo Yu.

"Xuanji!  Xuanji!"  Says Little Six.

The vortex at the Fenru City gate turns black.

"Who is it?"  An angry male voice inquires.

"It's bad," says Sifeng.  "Let's hide.  Come on!"

The four immediately run.

Two men dressed in armor float through the air, scanning the area for intruders.  It is Shen Shu and Yu Lu detecting the outsiders who had used spells.

The four hide behind a rock formation.

"Who dares to enter the forbidden land of Fenru City?"  Shen Shu asks.

"You can't hide!"  Declares Yu Lu.

The two men cross their swords, and golden energy emits.  It moves like a wave through the area, striking and knocking down the four disciples.

"By the Heavenly Emperor's orders, Fenru City is the place of punishments for the three realms.  Trespassers will be killed!"  Says Shen Shu.

"You are all mortals!" States Yu Lu.  "Accept your punishment!"

Shen Shu and Yu Lu pull their swords back.  Xuanji darts forward, spins around, and the Dingkun Sword glows an intense electric blue.  She raises it over her head in the Kendo Men Strike position.

Energy shoots forth from the Dingkun Sword, colliding with Shen Shu and Yu Lu's golden energy.

"Dingkun, the Godly Sword?"  Asks Shen Shu.  "It's the God of War!"

"You know me?"  Xuanji asks.

"Both of us have been guarding Fenru City for more than 10,000 years," says Yu Lu.  "The God of War was punished for Nine Lives, and came by here.  Of course, we know you.  God of War should be currently experiencing her punishment in the mortal realm.  Why did you trespass Fenru City?"

"I'm not the God of War.  I'm Chu Xuanji.  My sister's primordial spirit was captured.  I'm here to save her."

"We don't care about your name in the Mortal Realm.  You will always be the God of War.  How dare you break the laws of Gods before you clear your own crimes?  God of War, are you trying to enrage the heavens again?"

"This is our duty.  No matter where you come from, you'd better return obediently.  It will add to your crimes otherwise.  We don't mind killing another God with the Zhuxie and Qumo Swords."

"Don't scare me with the heavens," asserts Xuanji.  "I said I'm not the God of War.  Also, don't punish me for crimes that I've never heard of.  I'm here to save my older sister.  No one can stop me."

"God of War is unmatched in the heavens.  Unfortunately, this is our turf.  You used illegal ways to trespass Mount Buzhou.  You don't even have 10% of your power.  Let us battle with the God of War!"

The two men draw their swords, and throw them at her.

She runs, dragging the tip of her Dingkun Sword along the ground, spinning, and then flying up.  She deftly throws her sword.

Shen Shu and Yu Lu's swords push against hers', causing all swords to fall back.

"Xuanji!  Be careful!"  Yells Sifeng.

The blue energy from her sword causes Shen Shu and Yu Lu to fall back.  Her energy is so intense that it pushes back, causing Sifeng to fall first, and Xuanji to fly backwards.  Sifeng stands up and catches Xuanji.

"Keep your spells, and they won't see us," says Sifeng.  "Let's go."

Sifeng and Xuanji rejoin Little Six and Ruo Yu.

"Sifeng, Xuanji," says Little Six.  "How are you?"

"We're fine," says Sifeng.

"Where are you?  Come out!"  Shouts Shen Shu and Yu Lu.

"Zhuxie and Qumo were shattered!"

"We can't locate them!"

A gong is heard in the distance.

"It's time," says Shen Shu.  "Fenru City's gate is opening.  We have to go back."

"Don't let me catch you again!"  The two men disappear in two ribbons of gold energy.

 

 

 

Lightning strikes.  Xuanji picks up a torn piece of Fox Demon's hanfu.  "Purple Fox."

Sifeng kneels down beside her.

"Purple Fox won't..." Xuanji continues.

"Purple Fox said it was worth it," says Sifeng, "to devote everything to a person she likes.  She did her best for Wu Zhiqi.  I believe she won't have any regrets."

"If I meet Wu Zhiqi one day," says Xuanji.  "I will definitely tell him what she did for him.  He should know."

"After getting along on the way," says Little Six, "she was really not as bad as I imagined.  She was actually a genuine person who didn't mind sacrificing herself.  I wanted to find a chance to reconcile.  Unfortunately..."

Ruo Yu looks down at his bracelet.  "Let's not be sad for now.  A section of the time bracelet is lost again."

The others check their bracelts.

"We won't make it if we delay any longer," Ruo Yu continues.

Sifeng and Xuanji stand up.

"The area below the Shadow Citadel Purple Fox told us about, is big."  Says Sifeng.  "We have to find the location of Tianxu Hall."

"Let's go," says Little Six.

 

 

 

Shen She and Yu Lu appear in front of the Fenru City entrance.

"Did we beat the God of War?"

"Of course.  When I said that her power is weakened, it was just to embolden me.  I didn't expect it to be right."

"Perhaps our powers have increased recently."

"We have to talk about it in the heavens next time.  Let's piss the four sacred beasts off."

The two turn back into their statues.

 

...To be continued...