American Perspectives: Trouble in Tianxu Hall Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 30)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

Sifeng has his index and middle fingers pointed down, and by his side.  Little bits of golden energy emit.

Linglong gasps.  Little Silver Flower is on her shoulder, hissing and ready to bite on command.

"Wu Tong gege," Linglong says anxiously.

"If you dare hurt Minyan," says Sifeng, "then I'll kill your beloved Flower Demon."

Wu Tong glares at him, and then smirks.  "She's just a flower demon.  You can take her life."

Linglong looks at him in disbelief.

"If I can create one Linglong, then I can create many copies of her."

"Tong gege, save me," Linglong pouts.

With a downward point of his fingers, Sifeng transfers Little Silver Flower to Wu Tong's hand.  She immediately gives him a well deserved bite.  He recoils in horror.

Little Six tries to use the opportunity to grab the vial with Linglong's primordial spirit, but Wu Tong kicks him away.  He falls backward, and Xuanji and Ruo Yu catch him.

"Sixth Senior!"  Says Xuanji.  She looks down at her bracelet.  "This is bad!  Our Birth Candles are used up!"

"You know how to enter this place by using that item?"  Wu Tong asks.  "You are quite capable, as well.  It's a pity that you don't have much time.  Now, half of your soul is in Mount Buzhou, while half of it is in the Human Realm.  Let me see how much power you have left!  Take them down!"

The guards rush at the four disciples.

The disciples put up a good fight, using a mix of swords and spells.  Xuanji summons the Dingkun Sword, and cuts through the demons.

 

 

 

Hao Chen is sitting outside, in front of the Birth Candles, casting a spell of his own.

This demon actually has a malignant aura?  It has tremendous power.  It isn't an ordinary demon.  He's aiming for Xuanji, but he didn't extinguish Xuanji's Birth Candle.  What is he plotting?

 

 

 

The disciples continue to fight off the demons.

Wu Tong finds their efforts downright hilarious, in addition to being a glorious payback for the way they treated him at the Hairpin Tournament four years ago.  Linglong smirks.

Sifeng throws streams of golden energy, which pushes some of the demons on their backs.  Sifeng looks down at his bracelet and sees they are really running out of time.

Xuanji and Little Six notice the same.  They fight harder, but the demons are relentless.

Little Six watches Xuanji and Sifeng stumble.  Ruo Yu is knocked to the ground.  Even the Dingkun Sword can't help Xuanji.  She falls to her knees.  Little Six punches a demon in the back.

"Stop!"  Says Little Six.  "Let's stop fighting."  He throws down his sword.  "I admit my defeat."

Sifeng slowly stands up.

"Sixth Senior?"  Asks Xuanji.

Linglong and Wu Tong smirk.

"We don't have much time," says Little Six.  "I want to exchange conditions with you.  Tianxu Hall wants the spirit keys, right?  As long as you're willing to give me Linglong's primordial spirit, I'm willing to betray the Five Great Sects, and become your subordinate in Tianxu Hall.  I'll help you obtain all the spirit keys."

Wu Tong smiles triumphantly.

"No!  Sixth Senior, you mustn't do that!"  Xuanji insists.  "Linglong wouldn't want you to do this!"

"What else can we do?"  Asks Little Six.  "She can't afford to wait any longer.  Wu Tong, you're just angry over what happened in the past.  I'll stay here, and you can do whatever you want.  If you want me to be your dog, I will."

Wu Tong laughs and puts his arm around Linglong.  "Linglong, this man really loves you."

"He loves me that much even though this is our first meeting?"  Asks Linglong.

"Why don't you dig out his heart to see if he's sincere, or not?"

"That's a great idea!"  Exclaims Linglong.  "I'll make you pay for your threats in the past!"  She extends her hand, and a guard gives her a sword.

Little Six closes his eyes.  Linglong pulls her arm back, and walks forward.  Wu Tong grins.  She plunges the sword forward.  Little Six opens his eyes.  The tip of the sword is just a few inches from his heart.

"Stop!"  Commands Wu Tong.

Xuanji takes a deep breath.  Linglong turns to look at Wu Tong, annoyed that he interrupted her.

"Wu Tong gege?"  Asks Linglong.

"Seems like he's sincere," says Wu Tong.  "Why don't we let him stay and witness our love?"

Xuanji and Sifeng cannot believe what they are hearing and seeing.

Wu Tong puts his arm around her, and Linglong looks up at him adoringly.

"Isn't that more interesting?"  Wu Tong grins at the disciples wickedly.  He is enjoying every second of the anguish it is causing Little Six.

"I'll do anything for you as long as you return Linglong's primordial spirit to us," says Little Six.

Wu Tong holds up the green vial and looks at it carefully.  "It's not that easy to get what you wish.  You want her primordial spirit?  Fine.  Exchange it with another life."  He looks over to the side.  "Someone!"

Two guards bring out Chen Minjue, both are holding swords to his neck.  Sweat is streaming down his forehead.

"Second Senior!"  Little Six gasps.

The guards force Chen Minjue to his knees.  "Wu Tong, you scum!  Do you think I'm afraid of you?  Kill me if you dare!"  Chen Minjue says venomously.

"Fine," says Wu Tong.  "I'll grant you your wish."  He looks at Little Six.  "Zhong Minyan, if you want to retrieve Linglong's primordial spirit, you need to show some sincerity.  Kill him in front of me."

Little Six is horrified.

"Sixth Senior, you mustn't do so!" Gasps Xuanji.

Little Six's thoughts are racing.  He'll do anything for Linglong, even this, but he also values his friendship with Chen Minjue.  He feels mentally frozen.

"If you can't kill him," says Wu Tong, "you won't be able to retrieve Linglong's primordial spirit."

Think fast. How can Little Six prove his sincerity without killing his childhood friend?  Everyone is expecting him to do something.

"Zhong Minyan,  I'm an impatient man," says Wu Tong.

"Minyan, it's a trap," Sifeng warns.  "Don't believe him."

"You mustn't do so," Xuanji agrees.  "I will surely save Linglong and Second Senior."

"Do you think you can go back alive?"  Asks Wu Tong.  "Look at how much time you have left."  Wu Tong takes a Tianxu Hall ring out of the chest panel on his hanfu.  "Zhong Minyan, this is the black and white ring.  It's made from Xuanyuan Steel and Mingyang Stone.  We need to wear this in order to stay in Mount Buzhou.  Will you be my dog in exchange for Chu Linglong's primordial spirit?  Or will you let both Chu Linglong and your Second Senior die together?  You make the choice."  He tosses the ring to Little Six.

Everyone watches in anticipation, trying to figure out what Little Six will decide.

He catches the ring in his fist, ready to be a trooper and save the day.

Linglong can't believe what she's seeing.  She knows in her heart that Wu Tong would never go this far for her.

"I'll stay," says Little Six.

"Sixth Senior!"  Xuanji protests.

He slides the ring on his left index finger.

Wu Tong smirks.  Linglong tosses him a sword.  Chen Minjue looks at him, taking deep, steady breaths, his expression neutral.

Little Six walks forward, and Wu Tong is eating it up like candy.

Xuanji shakes her head in disbelief, but would she be compelled to do the same for Sifeng?

Little Six approaches Chen Minjue.  Minjue begins to show fear as it hits him that Little Six just might actually do this.

"Second Senior," whispers Little Six, "I'm sorry.  I can't save anyone if I don't do this."

Chen Minjue's heart drops.  A betrayal from his childhood friend.  Choosing a woman over integrity.  He closes his eyes, trying his best not to cry.

Little Six raises the sword.

"No," whispers Xuanji.

He angles the sword downward, and with a quick slice, a cut is made.  Chen Minjue groans, and his severed arm falls to the floor.

Linglong covers her eyes.

"Second Senior!"  Xuanji weeps.  "Second Senior!"

Little Six turns to Wu Tong.  "You want me to kill my senior?  I can't bear to do so.  But I cut off one of his arms.  That's enough, right?  I've hurt my senior.  I can't turn back now.  You believe in me now, right?"

Wu Tong smirks.  "Fine.  I see your sincerity.  Here's Linglong's primordial spirit."  He tosses the green vial to Little Six.

Sifeng looks at Wu Tong skeptically.  As Wu Tong moves, the outer robe of his hanfu moves back slightly, revealing a vial with Linglong's actual primordial spirit.

Little Six tosses the green vial over to Xuanji.

Sifeng takes advantage of the distraction, and hurls his sword at Wu Tong.  Wu Tong spins away, completely caught off guard, but Sifeng is relentless.  With a shot of light pink energy, he aims it at the vial in Wu Tong's hanfu.

The vial flies into Sifeng's hand.  Wu Tong lunges for him, but Sifeng punches him in the face.

Sifeng grabs Chen Minjue, and they fly over the crowd, landing next to Xuanji.

"Second Senior!"  Says Xuanji.

The demon guards lunge for Sifeng.  With a crossing of his arms, and then reaching upward, he is able to throw them back with fiery energy.

"The Birth Candles are dying out, we should return soon," says Ruo Yu.  "What's going on?"

Wu Tong summons purple energy in the palm of his hand and moves forward.  He flies off the stage and tries to hit Sifeng, but Sifeng blocks him.  Wu Tong is only able to hit his elbow.  He continues to try and attack Sifeng, but Xuanji pulls out the Dingkun Sword.

She lunges for him, and as he tries to block her by touching the sword, the Dingkun energy sends him flying backward.

"Wu Tong gege!"  Shrieks Linglong.

 

 

 

Outside of Mount Buzhou, the Birth Candles have completely disappeared.

So, their birth candles were bound by the Binding Formation, Hao Chen thinks.  Their Birth Candles have extinguished, and they can't enter or leave the place.  They will perish in Mount Buzhou.  If Xuanji dies there, it means she will fail her tribulation.  I mustn't let her die in Mount Buzhou.  

He aims his index and middle fingers upward, emitting gold energy.  He aims it directly at the circular sculpture above the candles.  A vortex opens in the sculpture, and a small flame appears in the entrance.

 

 

 

"God of War, you're powerful, indeed," says Wu Tong.  "It's a pity that you can't use your powers here.  You won't be able to escape, now matter how hard you fight."

"What did you do?" Asks Xuanji.

"I didn't do anything," says Wu Tong.  "Someone else didn't want you to escape.  He has cut off your means of leaving.  The Birth Candles have been extinguished.  Mortals can't last long in Mount Buzhou.  You can only stay here until you perish."  He laughs gleefully.  "Zhong Minyan is smart.  He made the right decision to survive."

"No," Ruo Yu panics, "I mustn't die here."  He steps forward and bows to Wu Tong.  "I'm willing to surrender to Tianxu Hall, as well."

"Ruo Yu!"  Yells Xuanji.

"Ruo Yu," says Sifeng.

"Don't try to persuade me.  I've lost my mask.  If I return to Lize Palace, I will face death."

Linglong and Wu Tong hold hands and smile at each other like soul mates.

"Staying here is a better option," says Ruo Yu.  "At least I can still survive."

Sifeng is horrified at Ruo Yu's quick change of heart and blatant disregard for honor and integrity.

"This is pretty interesting," observes Wu Tong.  "You want to stay, fine."  He points to Little Six.  "You need to follow his steps.  Kill your own to show your sincerity."  He points to Sifeng and Xuanji.  "Kill them and retrieve the primordial spirit."

Xuanji shakes her head.  "Ruo Yu, don't fall for it!  They want us to kill each other!"

"You are on the verge of death," says Wu Tong.  "You should play your last act for me before you die."  He pulls another Tianxu Hall ring from his belt and grins.  "Here."

He tosses it to Ruo Yu, who catches it in his fist.  Wu Tong is extremely self satisfied seeing all the people who mocked him are now completely at his mercy.

Ruo Yu slips on the ring.  "Every man for himself," he growls.

Xuanji and Sifeng glare at him.

"Don't blame me for this," says Ruo Yu.

"Ruo Yu," whispers Xuanji.

Ruo Yu takes out his sword and lunges for Xuanji.  Sifeng immediately gets in front of her, and turns her out of the way, getting himself stabbed through the back and into the shoulder, instead.

"Sifeng!  Sifeng!"  Yells Xuanji.

Ruo Yu pulls out the sword, shocked as hell.

"Sifeng!" Yells Xuanji.

"Xuanji," says Sifeng.

"Sifeng!"

He falls forward, and onto his knees, bringing Xuanji down with him.  He begins to vomit blood.

"Don't scare me, Sifeng!"  Yells Xuanji.  She touches his face, which is burning up.  "You'll be fine, Sifeng.  Sifeng!  We'll definitely escape alive.  Sifeng!"  She holds him tightly.

The Dingkun Sword is on the ground, and it begins to move, and glow a bright blue.  Xuanji's eyes turn electric blue.  "I will kill everyone who dares to hurt you!"  Her voice deepens, and she grabs her sword, pointing it straight up into the air.  Blue lightning energy emits from her weapon.  It sends everyone who isn't Sifeng, flying backwards, taking a hard spill on the concrete.

 

 

Hao Chen is having no luck with opening the entry way.  Most of what he is getting are intermittent bits and pieces of small flames.  He crosses his arms, brings them upwards, and tries again.

The entry way finally responds the way he wants, and Xuanji and Sifeng are swept away, and through the Tianxu Hall ceiling in a swirl of gold energy.  They are thrown out of the entry gate, hitting the concrete on their backs.

"Sifeng!"  says Xuanji.  She stands up, and helps him sit up.  She sees the stab wound that went all the way through his back and to his shoulder.  "Sifeng, wake up!  Look at me, Sifeng!  Sifeng, this can't be!  We're home now, Sifeng.  We're out, Sifeng!"  He spits more blood.

"Don't cry," he says to Xuanji.

"Sifeng! No!"

He touches her face.

"I'm here," says Xuanji.  "No!"  Sobs Xuanji.  "Please don't scare me, Sifeng!"

He looks up at her, but he struggles to stay awake.  He passes out in Xuanji's arms.

"Sifeng!" She cries.  "Please don't scare me, Sifeng!"  She holds him tightly.  "Look at me!  Please don't scare me."

Hao Chen comes running to them.  

Xuanji looks up to see him glaring at her.

"Senior Hao Chen, please save Sifeng!  Senior, please save him!  Senior, I beg you!"

 

 

 

Aunt Hong and a Shaoyang Sect Elder are injecting streams of energy into Sifeng, as he is lying in a bed at the inn.  Little Silver Flower, Hao Chen, Xuanji, and Sect Leader Chu are anxiously observing the process.

Xuanji cannot stop crying.

"Xuanji, what exactly happened?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.  "Where's Minyan and the rest?"

"Father," sobs Xuanji.

Sifeng leans forward and spits blood.

"Sifeng!"  Xuanji and Little Silver Flower run to him.

"Aunt Hong, how's Sifeng?"  Asks Xuanji.

"How is he?"  Asks Little Silver Flower, very anxiously.

"The person who struck him clearly wanted him to die," says Aunt Hong.  "The sword pierced his heart meridian.  Ordinary people would've been dead.  Sifeng survived due to his many years of training.  But, he's just a human.  His heart meridian was pierced.  It'll be hard for him to survive.  Now, the Qi in his body is dissipating.  We can't stop that.  I'm afraid that he can't last for long."

"This can't be," whispers Xuanji.  "Sifeng, this can't happen.  Sifeng, this is not real.  This can't be!"

Little Silver Flower grabs her arm and pushes her away.  "Don't touch him!"  She blocks Xuanji from getting any closer. "You were the reason behind this!  Sifeng would never take the risk in Mount Buzhou if it weren't for you!  He would've never been injured if he hadn't blocked the attack for you!  If you can't save him, I'll bring him back to Lize Palace."

"No, he mustn't move in this condition," says the Shaoyang Elder.

Sifeng begins to spit more blood.

"Sifeng!"  Yells Xuanji.

"What should we do?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.  "Don't tell me I can only watch him suffer like this?"

"What if I reverse my Yang Jue skill and use it to protect his heart meridian?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Will he be saved if I do so?"

"You mustn't!"  Barks Sect Leader Chu.

"You can activate the Nine Cycles Spell," says Shaoyang Elder, "by using the Heartless tactics in conjuction with the reverse Yang Jue skill.  But it is very risky.  If anything goes wrong, your blood will flow in reverse.  Not only will you not be able to save him, but you'll also die."

"What do you mean?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.  "Sifeng is in this condition because of Chu Xuanji!  Why aren't you letting her do so, when she has a way to save him?"

"Xuanji," says Hao Chen, who's just itching to get Sifeng out of the way, "our fate is predetermined.  You mustn't force it."

Xuanji turns to him sharply.  "I will force it!  I will save him!  Even when the possibility is close to nothing!  It's best if I can save him, but if I can't save him, I'll die with him."  She begins to move her index and middle fingers, emitting light blue energy.

Hao Chen aggressively grabs her wrist.  "Xuanji, stop messing around!"

She breaks free from him.  "Don't stop me!"

"I'll do it," says Hao Chen, realizing Xuanji won't back down.  "I'll use the Nine Cycles Spell to save Yu Sifeng."

"Hao Chen, you--" says Sect Leader Chu.

"I'm better at Heartless Tactics and Yang Jue skills compared with Xuanji.  It's more stable if I do that."

"Senior Hao Chen, you don't need to do this," says Xuanji.  She suspects there are strings attached to his grand gesture.

"You don't want me to save him?  Are you asking me to witness your death?"

Xuanji looks at Sifeng, who's convulsing.

 

 

 

Hao Chen is alone in the room with Sifeng, applying his techniques.

"Yu Sifeng, it's fine if you die just like this.  But you've caught Xuanji in your love web.  If anything happens to you, and Xuanji harbors anguish because of this, even a million deaths are not enough for you to atone for it.  Today, I may save you, but next time, I'll show you my true colors."

 

...To Be Continued...