American Perspectives: Reunification with Wu Zhiqi Pt. 2 ("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.

 

 

 

Fox Demon is lying unconscious at the entry way to Mount Buzhou.  She wakes up, vomiting blood.  "I'm still alive.  I'm still alive?"  She whispers incredulously.

She peels herself off the ground, feeling excruciating pain.  She looks around.  "The candle."  She limps toward it.  "Who touched my birth candle?"  She stands in front of the altar, noticing that her candle is missing.  "Who extinguished my birth candle?  I will kill him!"

"You sound confident," a fully masked Yuan Lang stands behind her.  "You've lived a good fox life, and lived well, too.  You weren't dead after being beaten by Shen Shu and Yu Lu."

"You did that?"

He smiles.  "It was me, indeed.  Was it fun?"

She gives him the death stare.

"It's been so long.  Do you like the surprise?"  Yuan Lang asks.

"Who are you?"

Yuan Lang smiles, pulls back his hood, and removes his mask.  Behold!  It's the sexy Deputy Chief of Lize Palace.

Fox Demon looks at him with repulsion and horror.  "It's you?  Yuan Lang, you didn't die?"

"How can I die when my brother, Wu Zhiqi is still alive?"

"Nonsense.  Aren't you ashamed to speak of him?"

"Why are you still so fierce?  You didn't change after so long.  I expended so much effort to build Tianxu Hall just to save my brother, Wu Zhiqi," says Yuan Lang.

"You were the one who built Tianxu Hall?"

"Yes.  I spent so much effort to save your Wu Zhiqi.  How could you interfere with me all the time?"

"Stop pretending," says Fox Demon.  "If it weren't for you, did you think Wu Zhiqi would end up in Fenru City?"

Yuan Lang slowly blinks.

"You were just trying to get the Divine Weapon on him!"  Fox Demon yells.

"Little Fox," Yuan Lang says sternly.  "You know many things.  Take a guess, then.  What will I do to you next?"

Fox Demon carefully stares at him.  Then, when he least expects it, her fingernails turn into Fox claws.  Intense, purple energy emits from the palm of her hand.  She lunges for him, but instead of striking him, she goes right through him.

He turns around, standing behind her, and with the palm of his hand, he pulls her purple energy from her body.  She disappears into his pouch.

He takes a look at the remaining candles.  He extends his hand, palm up, and black smoke rises from his hand.  He spreads the smoke over all of the candles.

"Now all of you will know that Mount Buzhou is a place that's hard to enter, and even harder to leave."

He hides as Hao Chen comes flying up to the altar.  "Why is one birth candle missing?" Hao Chen asks out loud.

He hears a strange sound.

Yuan Lang immediately covers his pouch in an attempt to smother the noise.  Hao Chen throws his sword.

Yuan Lang pops up from behind the altar, and stops the sword, suspending it midair, blade pointed downward.  The sword kicks back to Hao Chen, who catches it by the handle.

Yuan Lang quickly gets his mask and cloak on, and jumps up from behind the altar.  He sails through the air, and Hao Chen flies up, trying to cut him.

Yuan Lang lands feet first on the altar steps.

"A demon?" Asks Hao Chen.

Yuan Lang bares his teeth.  In a thick cloud of black smoke, he attempts to overtake Hao Chen.

"Demonic Aura," Hao Chen observes.  He backs away quickly, and attempts to curtail the intense smoke.  "Who are you?"  The smoke flies over his head.  He tries to slice away at it with his sword, but the smoke is too fast.  It spirals around him, and then pushes him away.  Hao Chen is thrown onto his back on the hard concrete.

He looks at the ground, and sees something has fallen out of Yuan Lang's hanfu.  It's a piece of metal, shaped like a star.  He carefully picks it up.

 

 

 

Xuanji, Sifeng, Little Six, and Ruo Yu are walking through the desert, trying to find Tianxu Hall.

"Xuanji," says Sifeng.  "Aren't you curious about what Shen Shu and Yu Lu told you about committing crimes?"

"They are talking about the God of War, not me.  Furthermore, the heavens are so secretive.  Even the God of War's memories are sealed.  Why should I care about crimes I don't even know of?  Also, I have something important that I need to do now.  I have to save Linglong, and," she holds his hand, "be together with you."

He looks up at her, and she smiles.

"Oh, Sifeng," says Xuanji.  "Why do you think powerful gods like Shen Shu and Yu Lu don't even know about Tianxu Hall's demon entering here?"

"Tianxu Hall must have some spells or objects to hide their own identity.  The black and white ring?"  Says Sifeng.

"Maybe," says Xuanji.

Ruo Yu and Little Six approach them.

"There's not even a rat here," says Little Six.  "Maybe Tianxu Hall might not be here after all?"

"How could that be?"  Asks Xuanji.  "But I'm sure I saw...was I really mistaken?"

"Since we're already here," says Ruo Yu, "we might as well believe that it's here.  Let's look again."

"Let's go," Little Six agrees.

 

 

 

Ugly black energy surrounds the remaining four birth candles.

The four disciples enter a cave.

"What should we do?"  Xuanji looks at her bracelet.  "We're running out of time, but we still have nothing."

The three other disciples check their bracelets.

"By the looks of it," says Sifeng, "is there a vision blocking barrier?"

They hear the sound of voices, and run toward that direction.  They walk into a large room in a cave where several Xuanyuan Sect disciples are playing.  

"They are Xuanyuan Sect's disciples," Ruo Yu observes.

The Xuanyuan Sect disciples frantically push each other out of the way to retrieve a jianzi.

"Ah!"  Says a woman.  Xuanji, Sifeng, Ruo Yu, and Little Six look over.  Surprised, they realize it is a very happy Linglong.  She holds up the jianzi and shakes it.

"It's Linglong!"  Xuanji exclaims.

"Why is Linglong here?"  Asks Little Six.

The Xuanyuan Disciples continue to run.

Xuanji breaks from the group.  Little Six follows.

Linglong throws the jianzi, and the Xuanyuan disciples run like crazy.

"Go there!"  Linglong yells happily.

Xuanji blocks her.  The Xuanyuan disciples run away.  Linglong glares at her.

"Linglong, are you alright?"  Asks Xuanji.  She grabs her arms.  "Are you alright, Linglong?  Why are you here?  Were you abducted?"  Xuanji looks her over.  "You've recovered.  You can move.  Are you really recovered, Linglong?"

"What are you doing?"  Snaps Linglong.  "Let me go."

"Linglong."

"Let me go."  She pushes Xuanji away.

"Linglong."

She tries to stab Xuanji, but Sifeng uses golden energy to throw her back.

Little Six can't believe what he's seeing.  He catches Linglong as she falls backward.  "Sifeng, what are you doing?"

Linglong turns around and presses her dagger to Little Six's neck. "Where did you come from?"

"Linglong, don't you recognize us?"  Asks Little Six.

She gets behind him, and keeps the dagger on his neck.  "I'm telling you, I will slit his throat if you move closer."

"Linglong, what are you doing?"  Asks Little Six.

"Linglong, what's wrong with you?"  Asks Xuanji.

"I said not to move!"  Yells Linglong.

"Linglong, I am Minyan," says Little Six.  "I am Little Six."

"Why do all of you know my name?"  Asks Linglong.  She looks at them carefully.  "Are you the new human slaves?"

"Human slaves?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Linglong, look closer.  It's us."

"If you aren't slaves," says Linglong, "then you must be spies.  You want to abduct me."

"We are here to save you," says Little Six.  "What's going on?  Linglong, we grew up and practiced together."  He looks back at her, the knife still against his throat.  "We caught Quru Bird, and killed the Gudiao together.  You call me Little Six.  You like to argue with me.  You like to force me to eat your dishes.  Can't you remember anything?"

Linglong is very confused.  "I don't know what you're talking about.  But it feels like...it feels like..."  her head begins to hurt.

"Linglong, I am your sister, Xuanji."

Linglong looks up.

"We are the closest people around you," Xuanji continues.  "Let go of Sixth Senior now."

Linglong tightens her grip on Little Six.  "All of you must be lying.  Fine.  I'll teach you a lesson."

Before Linglong can take it any further, a stream of gold energy shoots out of Sifeng's hand, knocking her over.

 

 

 

Linglong is tied to a wooden post.  Little Six is looking at her, trying to figure out what the hell has gone wrong.

"Why don't we release her?"  Little Six asks guiltily.

Sifeng looks at him.  "Minyan, don't be rash.  Something fishy is going on.  Let's decide after we can be sure."

"I've warned you," says Linglong.  "You better let me go.  If Tong gege comes back, he will definitely make you suffer."

"Tong gege?" asks Xuanji.  Things are really getting weird..."Don't tell me it's..."

Linglong smirks.  "Of course it's Wu Tong gege.  He is Tianxu Hall's most handsome and powerful North Superintendent.  Feeling afraid now?"

None of the disciples can believe what they're hearing.  This is completely out of character for Linglong.

"You call him Wu Tong gege?"  Little Six is outright disgusted.  What the hell happened to Linglong?  "Did you forget how Wu Tong treated you?"

Linglong tries to break free from her bonds.  "How dare you talk bad about Wu Tong gege.  I'll kill you!"  She wants to slap Little Six, but the bonds tethering her prevent her from doing so.

"What's going on, Linglong?"  Asks Xuanji.  It's like they wandered into the Twilight Zone.  "She keeps protecting Wu Tong.  Don't tell me that it was Wu Tong who abducted Linglong from Fuyu Island?"

"Besides the few seniors from Shaoyang, the other sect leaders should still be on Fuyu Island,"
 says Sifeng.  "It is impossible for Wu Tong to abduct Linglong.  Perhaps she isn't Linglong at all."

Ruo Yu helps a Xuanyuan disciple stand up.  "Here, get up.  Please tell us honestly.  How did Miss Linglong come to Tianxu Hall?"

"I am just a human slave who got picked to play with Miss Linglong half a month ago."

"Half a month ago?"  Asks Sifeng.

"Linglong was with us at that time," says Little Six.

"I smelled a demonic scent," says Xuanji.  "I thought it came from Xuanyuan Sect's disciples initially.  Now that I can smell clearly, it's her!  She isn't Linglong, but a demon."

"Hmmph," says Linglong.

"Impossible," says Little Six.  "This is Linglong.  That's right.  Linglong has a mole on her right wrist."

She protests as he grabs her arm.  "What are you doing?  Let go of me!"

He rolls her sleeve back.  No mole.  "It's really not there.  You are a demon.  Who are you?  Why do you look exactly like Linglong?"

"Let me tell you," says Linglong.  "Wu Tong gege loves me dearly.  If you still won't release me, Wu Tong gege will teach you a lesson when he returns!"

"You!"  Says Little Six.

"Minyan," Sifeng puts his hand on his shoulder, and pulls him back from Linglong.  "Minyan, this demon doesn't know a lot.  If we want to know the truth, we still have to enter Tianxu Hall."

"Yes," Xuanji agrees.  "Isn't that our goal of coming to Mount Buzhou?  Linglong doesn't have much time left.  We have to think of a way quickly."

"Don't worry, I have an idea," says Sifeng.

Little Six and Xuanji look at him with surprise.

"Little Silver Flower," Sifeng says calmly.

She appears in snake form on Linglong's shoulder.  Linglong gasps.  "What is this?"

Little Silver Flower hisses at her.

"Take us to Tianxu Hall," Sifeng says calmly.

"Forget it!"  Linglong snaps.

"Forget it?"  Asks Sifeng.  "Little Silver Flower is extremely venomous.  If you don't agree, she's not very patient, and will bite you.  You will immediately become a green, venomous corpse."

Little Silver Flower moves toward her face.  Linglong recoils.

 

 

 

Linglong leads the way for the four disciples, who have disguised themselves in Xuanyuan hanfu.

"This is the place," says Linglong, sounding like a petulant teenage girl.

"Here?"  Asks Xuanji.  "We came here before."

"Where is the entrance?"  Asks Sifeng.

With a movement of her arms and hands, she casts a spell, revealing the entry way with a statue.  She points to another corner, and another statue appears.

Little Six and Ruo Yu exchange glances.  Sifeng looks around cautiously.

A blue vortex opens up in the rock wall.  Linglong leads them through.  They go through a corridor within a cave.

"All right," says Linglong.  "You're here, I'll be leaving."

Xuanji grabs her arm.  "Hold on.  Where is Linglong's primordial spirit?"

"Are you mad?  Of course it's with me."

"You?"  Says Xuanji.

Sifeng summons Little Silver Flower once again, and she lands on Linglong's neck.

Linglong jumps in fright.  "Aren't you killing me if you want Linglong's primordial spirit? All of you are mad.  What do you want anyway?"

Little Silver Flower hisses and lunges for her neck.

"Wait.  Don't bite her," says Little Six.  "By the looks of it, she really doesn't know."

Little Silver Flower vanishes.  Linglong breathes a sigh of relief.

"What should we do?"  Asks Xuanji.

"If you don't know about the primordial spirit," says Sifeng, "do you know where Shaoyang Sect's Second Senior is being locked up?  There's also a demon spirit.  I'm sure you know about that."

"Shaoyang Sect?"  Asks Linglong.  "There are so many people.  Why would I know?  But there's indeed a demon spirit called Yu'er, or something."

"Yes, it's Yu'er," says Sifeng.  "Where is she now?"

"Fine, I'll bring you there," says Linglong.  "You have to release me."

"Bring us Yu'er first, and Second Senior later," says Xuanji.  "We'll talk about releasing you after that.  Let's go!"

Linglong rolls her eyes and leads the way.

"Miss Linglong, why did you come to the dark dungeon?"  Asks a guard.

"Why do you care if Wu Tong gege doesn't?"  Asks Linglong.  "Can't I bring my friends here?  Get lost!"

The guard moves aside, and Linglong leads the disciples.

They get to Yu'er's cell first.

"Open the door," says Linglong.  "Get lost," she tells the guard.

Yu'er has a chain around her neck, and she looks up at them.  Xuanji enters the cell first, followed by Sifeng.

"Yu'er, it's you!"  Says Xuanji.

"Save me!"  Says Yu'er.

"We will save you immediately," says Xuanji.  With a movement of her hands, she breaks the chains.  "It's fine now," says Xuanji.

Linglong watches them.

"I won't be naughty anymore," says Yu'er.  "I will listen to Old Fogey next time, and not play with these bad demons."

"I'm bringing you back to your father now," says Sifeng.

Yu'er looks cautiously at Linglong.  "Be careful!"  She points to Linglong.  "She isn't Linglong!  She is a flower demon.  Don't be fooled by her."

"I'm a flower demon and Linglong," she says.  "What are you talking about?  You mistook me for someone else.  Now you say that I'm not Linglong.  Do you think there are two identical Linglongs in this world?  I'm not talking to you anymore."

"Yu'er," says Sifeng.  "Have you seen or heard any secrets when you were here?  A place where Wu Tong never let anyone get close?"

Yu'er nods.  "I think it's Wu Tong's bedroom.  No one is allowed to enter besides this flower demon.  I even heard that Wu Tong killed a small demon who entered without notifying anyone."

Xuanji sharply turns to Sifeng.  "Linglong's primordial spirit must be in Wu Tong's bedroom."

"Primordial spirit?"  Asks Yu'er.  "There are indeed many of them there.  When Wu Tong used me to threaten Old Fogey, he brought me inside.  But I don't know if Linglong's primordial spirit is there."

Xuanji steps outside the cell and faces Linglong.  "Bring me to Wu Tong's bedroom."

"You are really greedy," says Linglong.  "Didn't you agree to release me?"

"If you cooperate with us," says Little Six, "we will definitely not harm you."

"Yu'er, hide your body and follow us," says Xuanji.  "Don't let anyone find out."

Linglong rolls her eyes and leads them out.

 

 

 

The steel doors to Wu Tong's bedroom slide open.  Little Six enters first, followed by Xuanji.

Xuanji, Sifeng, and Little Six find a table with a cupboard on top.  The cupboard is overflowing with vials and jars of primordial spirits in a rainbow array of colors, all wanting to get out.

Linglong is observing the vials, sad and confused.

"There are so many of them," says Xuanji.  "Which one is Linglong's?"

Sifeng picks up a vial.  "The primordial spirits here are all the same.  We can't even differentiate which is which."

Xuanji is looking through the vials frantically.

"Linglong!"  Little Six calls out to the vials.  "Can you hear me?  Can you answer me?"

"What should we do?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Why don't we bring all of these primordial spirits back?  I'm sure my father will find it."

"Let's do that," Sifeng agrees.  "We can't be here for long."

Xuanji gathers as many bottles as she can.

At the entrance of Mount Buzhou, their birth candles have shrunk significantly.

The four make a run for it, but are immediately intercepted by a swarm of Tianxu Hall guards.

Xuanji is fiercely clutching the vials to her chest.

A stream of red and black fiery energy descends from the ceiling.  Arrows are firing from all directions.

Sifeng pulls out his sword, and blindly defends himself against the heavy rainstorm of arrows.  Little Six follows suit.  Xuanji spins away, dropping all the vials in the process.

"Linglong!  Linglong!"  Xuanji cries.  Some of the vials break open, sending the spirits flying away.

The other three disciples stop what they're doing and join Xuanji.

"It's Linglong's primordial spirit," says Little Six.

An obnoxious laugh cuts through the air.

"Tong gege!"  Linglong breaks away from the disciples.

He approaches the group and laughs.  He puts his arm around Linglong.  "The thing you're looking for is with me."  He holds up a green vial, playfully tossing it.

Xuanji looks at him balefully.

"Old friends visiting me at Tianxu Hall, don't you have to inform me?  How dare you be rude and search my place!  Just tell me if you want to find anything."  He tosses and catches the green vial once more.

Xuanji steps forward.  "Linglong.  Linglong's primordial spirit..."  As she is about to run forward, Sifeng holds her back.

"Calm down," says Sifeng.  "This might not be Linglong's primordial spirit.  He is trying to provoke you."

"Wu Tong, you already got the spirit keys," says Little Six.  "What do you still want?  Return Linglong's primordial spirit to us!"

Wu Tong pulls Linglong closer.  "Linglong is only worth a few spirit keys in your eyes?  In that case, it's better if you serve me.  What do you think, Linglong?"

"Shut up!"  Yells Little Six, pointing his sword at Wu Tong.  "She is not Linglong.  I won't allow you to call her Linglong!"

"How is it?"  Asks Wu Tong.  "Is the Linglong I made, lifelike?  Did I confuse all of you, too?"

"Wu Tong gege, what are you saying?"  Asks Linglong.  "Why don't I understand you?"

Wu Tong leans over and kisses Linglong on the lips.

"Linglong!"  Yells Xuanji.

"Shameless!"  Hisses Little Six.

Wu Tong laughs.  "So, didn't you say you want to rescue Linglong?"  He holds out the vial.  "Fine.  I'll grant your wish.  You can take Linglong."  He pushes her forward.

"Wu Tong gege, what are you doing?"  Linglong asks anxiously.  "I want to stay by your side."

He looks at the disciples and shrugs.  Internally, he's gloating.  "Now what?"  He smirks.  "I had my eyes on Chu Linglong a few years ago.  Surprisingly, Linglong belongs to me now.  I can't even chase her away."

Little Six walks forward.  "Stop dreaming.  Linglong will not like someone like you.  No.  Someone who's neither a human or a demon.  You should know clearly that you'll never capture Linglong's heart.  This is why you found this flower demon to fool yourself.  What a joke."

Wu Tong's expression darkens.

"You are a joke and a pitiful person," Little Six continues.

In a fit of anger, Wu Tong extends his hand, and pulls purple and black energy from Little Six's body.

"Sixth Senior!"  Shouts Xuanji.

"If you dare move," says Wu Tong, holding up Linglong's vial, "I will smash his head with this."

"Even if you kill me," says Little Six, "you will still never get Linglong."