American Perspectives: Xuanji's Spirit Beast Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 32)

 

“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.

 

 

 

Linglong reluctantly walks back to her and Wu Tong's bedroom.  She has a lot of new and intrusive thoughts to confront.  She drops her red cloak on the back of her chair, and sits down in front of her mirror.  She fusses with her hair.

Wu Tong quietly enters their room.  "Where have you been?"  He asks.

She tries to conceal that she's a little flustered.

He walks up to her.  "Why did you get back so late?"  He stands behind her.

She smiles awkwardly.

"Look at you," says Wu Tong.  "You're covered in sweat.  Come here," he takes her hand.  They sit down on their bed.  He holds her hand.  "You haven't said where you have been."

"Ah," Linglong laughs.  "I went to the Flower Valley.  I wanted to pick some flowers and make a scented sachet for you.  But I couldn't find any suitable ones."

"Oh, the Flower Valley," says Wu Tong.  "No wonder your hands are cold.  Here.  Drink some tea.  Warm up your body."  He hands her a cup.

She smiles at him.  He watches her sip the tea, and he takes the cup.  He hands her a plate full of cakes.  "Have some dessert."

She calmly picks one up, and slowly takes a bite.  "Your favorite dessert isn't rice cake,"  she remembers Little Six saying.  "It's osmanthus cake."

Wu Tong gives her side eye.  He already has his suspicions, if he doesn't outright know.  The walls do indeed have eyes and ears.  He stealthily adds poison to the cakes.  "I'll take a walk with you tomorrow.  I'll bring some slaves to play with you, too.  I've been busy these days.  I haven't kept you company."

Linglong nods enthusiastically.

Wu Tong smiles.  "By the way, the disciple from Shaoyang Sect, under the cliff, Chen Minjue..."

Linglong chokes on her cake.

"What's wrong?"  Asks Wu Tong.  He pats her back.  "Eat slowly.  Here."  He hands her a cup of tea.  She takes a quick drink.

"That Chen Minjue has been ignored for days," says Wu Tong.  "Someone has to send him some food.  We can't let him starve to death.  I need him to restrain Zhong Minyan."

"I will go, then," says Linglong.  "I can send food for him, and take a stroll on my way."

"Okay," says Wu Tong.  He picks up the plate of cakes.  "You just have to send this for him."

Linglong smiles and nods.

 

 

 

Little Six, Ruo Yu, and the other Tianxu Hall disciples enter the main hall.  

A disciple bows.  "Master, we've brought the items."

Wu Tong stands up from his seat at the table.  "This is a little gift for Shaoyang Sect Leader Chu.  Handle with care."

"Yes," says the disciple.

"Right."  Wu Tong approaches Little Six.  "Both of you know the way."  He points to Little Six and Ruo Yu.  "Go with them."

Everyone bows to Wu Tong.

Little Six and Ruo Yu exchange glances. They walk forward to see what's in the huge wooden box that the Tianxu Hall disciples brought in.

"Stop!"  Says a disciple.  "You're just the entourage.  Who told you to come over?  Take it away."  Four of the disciples carry the casket sized box.  Little Six and Ruo Yu trail behind.

 

 

 

Xuanji and Sifeng approach the entrance to Mount Buzhou.  "We've been searching around for so long, but not a single demon could be seen," says Sifeng.

"Looks like it's another fruitless day," says Xuanji.  "Sifeng, how ae you feeling right now?  Ting Nu said you just recovered.  Your qi might not circulate well.  You must tell me if you feel unwell."

"Don't worry," he holds her hands.  "I won't push myself."

Behind the green mountains, below the steps to Mount Buzhou, they see a huge cloud of smoke.

"Ah?  How come there's a fire on that mountain?"  Xuanji points.

"What caused such a big fire?"  Asks Sifeng.  "Let's go take a look."

Xuanji nods, and they let the matter of Mount Buzhou rest, for now.

 

 

 

"Our entire orchard is destroyed!"  Several peasants are frantically running away from the fire.

"All right, stop crying!  This is a fire from the heavens.  There's no use in crying!"

Xuanji and Sifeng walk right into the thick of the mass exodus.

"We're lucky to survive.  Hurry and go!"

"Uncle, what's going on?"  Xuanji asks as they approach a peasant couple.  "You say this mountain fire is a fire from the heavens?"

"It's a fire from the heavens...I saw it with my own eyes.  A large fireball fell right on the ground.  There's nothing left.  What sins did we commit for God to kill us?  Hurry and go!"

Xuanji grabs Sifeng's arm.  "Let's take a look."

 

 

 

Down below in the forest is a huge patch of fire.

"We must put out the fire quickly," says Sifeng, "and save some of the trees and fields.  I'll set up a formation to draw water and make it rain."

"But Sifeng, using secret arts to set up a formation may sap your vitality."

"It's all right.  I'm just putting out the fire."  He drags his index and middle fingers across the air, emitting golden flame energy.  He makes a circle and inscribes some words, before pushing the circle into the flames.  It suspends over the fire, and the flames effortlessly disappear.

"The fire has gone out," Xuanji says happily.

A platinum blonde haired man dressed in a sky blue hanfu, trailed by intense fire energy, flies right at them.  He is pissed.  He lands right in front of them.  He snakes his head to the side.  "Zzz," He snarls at them.  His blonde hair is soaking wet.  

"Who the hell put out the fire from me, the God?"  Asks Teng She.

"Deity?" Asks Sifeng.

Teng She glares at him.  "Two mortals?  You've got a lot of nerve."

"I think I've seen you somewhere," says Xuanji.

Teng She eyes her disdainfully.

Xuanji and Sifeng exchange glances.

"In the Mirror of Origin," says Xuanji. 

Sifeng is trying to remember.

Teng She stares at them impatiently.

"You're the heavenly beast Lord Teng She from the heavens," says Sifeng.

Teng She gives them side eye.  "Was it you two who set up the rain formation, and soaked me?"

"We didn't know you were here," says Sifeng.  "I was in a rush to put out the fire, and so, I've bothered you.  Please don't blame us for putting it out."

"I passed by the mortal realm," says Teng She, "and noticed the place needed a heavenly trial, so I started a fire on the mountain.  This is the fate of nature.  But because of you two being nosy, the Heavenly Law is broken.  What should you do?  Offer up your lives as a penance?"

"What nonsense is that?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Who are you to decide the fate of living beings here?  Is it simply because you are a god?"

"After suffering the fire from the heavens, this land will become a land of fortune," says Teng She.  "The future inhabitants living here will be thrice blessed.  They should be thanking me.  You've quite the courage, you stinky woman."

"Then, what about the people who lived here originally?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Do you know it was because of you that they have become homeless, injured, or dead?"

"Ai ya!"  Teng She says emphatically.  "This is fate!  Fate!  Do you understand?  You idiot!"

"You..." says Xuanji.

"Cut the crap," says Teng She.  "Hurry up and say whatever you have to say.  Don't get in my way.  I'm in haste to find someone!"  He pulls back his palm, and pushes forward, releasing intense flame energy.

Sifeng and Xuanji fly backwards, but Sifeng blocks the flames.  He pushes Xuanji out of the way.  Sifeng creates a formation with a pentagram in the center, and shields himself from the fire, but the fire is too strong, and he is sent flying backwards.

"Sifeng!  Sifeng!  Sifeng!"  Yells Xuanji.

"He died so easily?"  Teng She remarks.  "Ha.  Mortals are weak, indeed."

Xuanji gives him side eye, and holds out her arm.  "Dingkun Sword!"  She commands.  The very long, very powerful sword appears in her hand.

Teng She jumps in surprise.  "Dingkun Sword?  You are the God of War?  I actually bumped into you here?  You've lost your aura after becoming a mortal.  I almost didn't recognize you."

The blade on her sword shines an icy blue.

"Heaven helps those who help themselves," he continues.  "1,000 years have passed.  I've been looking for a chance to have a proper fight with you, and see who is better.  Bring it on!"

"I won't fight with you," Xuanji's voice deepens.  "I'm going to kill you!"  She flies up in the air, and points her sword down.  With his palms, Teng She aims his fire energy upward.

She raises her sword overhead in a Kendo Men strike position, and sends Teng She flying backwards.  He crashes into a tree trunk, and is tied up by a golden rope.

Xuanji raises her sword in the Kendo Dol strike position, when Sifeng comes running out of the trees.

"Xuanji!"  Says Sifeng.

She turns to face him and smiles.  "Sifeng!"  She grabs his hands.  "Sifeng, are you alright?  I thought you were dead!  I thought he killed you!"

"I'm fine," says Sifeng.

She touches his face.  "I'm glad you're fine."

Teng She looks at them balefully.

"Didn't you want to get a powerful sprit beast?"  Asks Sifeng.  "If a beast from the heavens becomes your spirit beast, would that be good enough?"

Teng She's eyes widen with horror.  "That's not fair!  You're insulting a heavenly beast!  This won't end here!"

"But Sifeng, I don't really like him.  He's not nice at all.  If he becomes my spirit beast, will he behave well?"

"Never!  Stinky woman, just drop that idea!"  Teng She screeches.

"Of course.  Once you become his master, he'll be your spirit beast," says Sifeng.  "He can't go against his master's commands.  After this, he won't bother you into fighting him."

Xuanji smiles.  Teng She looks pained.

"He'll listen to you," Sifeng continues.  "Lord Teng She, don't cause a disturbance in the mortal realm anymore."

"Sss..." Hisses Teng She.

"Sounds good," says Xuanji.  "What should I do?"

Sifeng aims the palm of his hand at Teng She and shoots fire.  He makes a cut on Teng She's cheek, and the blood droplets float to Sifeng, wrapping themselves around his hand.  Xuanji watches in amazement.

Sifeng rolls the droplets in his hand until they form a stringy mass.  "Xuanji, give me your hand."

She extends her hand, palm up.  Sifeng transfers the blood by putting his palm over hers.  Teng She is completely disgusted.

"Don't you dare!"  Hisses Teng She.  "I'll turn you two into skewers!"

Sifeng presses the blood down into Xuanji's palm, and it turns into a big, red pearl.

"What is this?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Why have I never seen you use it?"

"This is a Blood Soul Pearl, made up of your blood and his.  The flying snake is very mischeivous and hard to tame.  It'll be easier with this pearl."

Xuanji smiles and looks at Teng She.

"I..." says Teng She.  "No...I'll fight you to the death!"

"Xuanji, squeeze it," says Sifeng.

She squeezes the red pearl, and Teng She begins to feel intense pain.  He gasps.  Xuanji releases her grip and laughs.  Sifeng nods in approval.

Teng She grimaces.  "Squeeze again!"  He challenges.

Xuanji squeezes and giggles with delight.  Teng She gasps.

"Call his name," says Sifeng.

She looks at the pearl, and then at Teng She.  He stares at her anxiously.

"Teng She?"  Says Xuanji.  Flame energy from the pearl goes into her forehead, and then pushes outward into Teng She's forehead.  A small circle forms around his forehead, before getting absorbed.

Teng She falls to his knees.  "I, Teng She, pay respect to master," he growls.

Xuanji smiles.

"All done," says Sifeng.  "Both of you have created a blood pact.  From now on, you're his master."

Xuanji smiles.  She steps forward, sword blade down, and in the neutral position.  Teng She glowers at her, and she rubs his head.

He is furious!  "You..."

"You're my spirit beast in the future, okay?"  Says Xuanji.  "We're family now."

Teng She feels like he wants to throw up.

"Rrr!"  He shrieks before he faints onto the dirt and gravel.

 

 

 

Sifeng and Xuanji are happily walking through a bustling marketplace, hand in hand.

"Sir, please come in," a merchant says.

Teng She is pouting like a quintessential man child, as he follows behind Sifeng and Xuanji.  Sifeng isn't having it, so he summons Little Silver Flower's snake form, who appears in the palm of his hand.  He immediately throws her on Teng She's shoulder.

Teng She recoils.

"Little Silver Flower is my spirit beast," Sifeng explains.  "She's experienced.  She'll teach you some manners.  Xuanji and I are going to see if there's a private room."  He affectionately touches her chin.  "We'll get some water to clean your face."

"It's the same for you," says Xuanji.  

They walk into the inn, leaving Teng She and Little Silver Flower outside.

"His spirit beast is a stink rat snake?"  Teng She asks disdainfully.  "Asking a stink rat snake to teach me is a humiliation!"

"I'm not a stink rat snake," says Little Silver Flower.  "I'm a Chinese Krait snake."

Teng She laughs at her.  "Who cares what kind of snake you are?  I'm a stupid snake if I don't leave now.  Sss."  He flips his hair, and walks away, Little Silver Flower still perched on his shoulder.

Teng She arrogantly flies through the sky, Little Silver Flower remaining in place.  He is sure his actions are inconsequential.

"Eh ya," says Little Silver Flower, "you don't need a sword to fly?"

"Of course!"  Snorts Teng She.  "I'm a heavenly beast.  A god.  How can I be compared to a lower creature like you?"

Little Silver Flower giggles.  "It's useless.  Without Master's consent, you can't go far before your qi fails you, and your blood goes the wrong way."

He looks at her with horror.  "How far can I go, then?"  As if the rug is pulled out from under him, he suddenly free-falls from the sky, and lands in a mess of trees before hitting the hard ground.

He army crawls across the dirt, astounded by the pain he is feeling.

"That's the furthest you can go," Little Silver Flower says sweetly.

He clumsily stands up.  He hisses at Little Silver Flower, who remained on his shoulder the entire time without a single scrape.

 

 

 

Xuanji is meticulously washing the ash off her face.  Sifeng sits down beside her, and takes her wash cloth.

"Sifeng."

"Chu Xuanji, why is your face so dirty?"

She self consciously touches her cheeks.  "I can't clean it."

"I'll help you clean it, then," says Sifeng.  "Come here."  He gently goes over her face with the wash cloth.  She backs away.  "Come here," Sifeng smiles.

She laughs because the wash cloth tickles.

"I'm not done yet," says Sifeng.

She laughs and backs away again.  He finishes up on cleaning her face.  "What happened to your brow?"

She self consciously touches her eyebrow and looks in the mirror.  "It was burned by the fire before, and now it's gone.  What should I do?  It's hideous."

"Yes, very ugly," Sifeng agrees.

"Really?"  Asks Xuanji.

"Is it not?"

"Is it ugly?"  Xuanji swats him.  "Say it again."  They laugh.  She sprinkles water at him.  "Serves you right."

He dips a brush into some black makeup, and wipes away the excess.  He holds her face with one hand, while applying the makeup on her eyebrow.

"Sifeng, you know how to draw brows?"

He dips the brush in more makeup.   "I was forced to learn it.  Eldest Brother Liu told me it might come in handy.  I never imagined it to be useful now.  This is my first time drawing for you, so I'm not good at it yet.  I'll draw a nice brow for you eventually."

She jumps back.

"Don't move."

"It's ticklish," Xuanji laughs.

"I might give you a yaksha eyebrow.  Almost done."

"Sifeng, my father used to tell me that he helped my mother with her brows, too, when they were young."

"Your father and mother are different."

Xuanji smiles.

He meticulously paints in her brow.  "Done!  Take a look."

She looks in the mirror and smiles.  "So pretty, Sifeng.  You're so great!"  She pinches his cheeks.  "So clever."

"Sir!" A worker barges into their room and interrupts them.  "Take a look outside, quickly."

"What's the matter?"  Asks Sifeng.

"The white haired man who came with you is going to destroy the whole street."

"Teng She?"  Xuanji darts from her seat.

 

 

 

Vegetables and goods are being thrown all over the market.  Teng She is having a temper tantrum.  He picks up two jugs of wine, and stands on top of a rope that is being used to hang lanterns between two buildings.

Xuanji breaks through the crowd.  "Teng She," she says sternly.  "Why is he...?"

"I am in a bad mood today," hisses Teng She, "so you'll have to suffer."  He throws one wine jug on the ground, causing the villagers to panic and run.  With a sweep of his hand, he's able to get a huge vase to fly up to him.

"Teng She!"  Shouts Xuanji.

He throws the vase down, but Sifeng slides through the crowd, and intercepts it.

"Teng She, what are you doing?"  Yells Xuanji.  "Stop!"

"You want me to stay by your side, right?  Fine!  I won't let you have a day of peace!"  Teng She tantrums.

"Where does this troublemaker come from?"

"Indeed, where did he come from?"

Xuanji is mortified.  Every mother has experienced this exact same feeling...

Teng She rolls his eyes.  "Sss...Listen, every injustice has its perpetrator.  The person right there is Chu Xuanji.  She's my master.  Everything was done under her command.  Go talk with her.  Oh, right!  Don't let her off."

"Why did you let your servant hurt others?"

"When did I...?"  Asks Xuanji.  "I didn't!"

"Stop there!  Compensate me for my stock!  Compensate me for my wine!"

"I'll pay for it, all right, I'll pay for all the losses," says Sifeng.

Teng She is shocked.  That was not the reaction he was wanting.

Sifeng casually hands out money to the people in the crowd.

"Fine," says Teng She, still standing on the rope.  "You have money, is that it?  You mortals.  Good, then.  I'll demolish the entire street!"  A poof of fire emits from his palm, and he pushes it forward.

Xuanji glares at him.  With a sharp movement of her fingers and arms, she pushes ice blue energy at Teng She, knocking him off the rope, and onto his back.

He rises furiously.  "Stinky woman, what are you doing?"

"Teng She!"  Sifeng interjects, like a good dad.  "Didn't Little Silver Flower teach you that as a spirit beast, you're not allowed to hurt your master?"

Teng She snakes his head.

"You'll hurt yourself instead," Sifeng continues, "and the consequences are grave."

"Hmmph," says Xuanji.

"I don't believe it," says Teng She.  "Fine.  I won't cast any spell.  I'll use my fists."  He rushes at Xuanji, and as he tries to punch her, he can't.  Something is stopping him.  Instead, he gives her a very light tap on the arm with his fist.  He looks at his hand, as if it has betrayed him.

Xuanji and Sifeng smile.

Teng She tries again, but all he can do is tap her on the arm.

"What's wrong?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Is it a massage?"

"Zzz!" Says Teng She.  He rolls his body, trying to find another way to get an effective punch.

Xuanji holds out her arm.  "Come here."

He attempts an upper cut, same result.  He wants to cry.

"I was so worn out lately," says Xuanji.  "Come, here," she motions to her shoulder.

He tries to hammer strike his fist down on her arm, same result.  Xuanji smiles, like a mother humoring her "ferocious" two year old son.

Teng She catches his breath.  "I'm exhausted.  I'm going to eat."

Xuanji grabs his blue sleeve before he can dart away.  "Stop there!  You haven't apologized for what you did.  As my spirit beast, you can't behave the way you do to bully the weak, and do as you wish."

"You want me to apologize?  I refuse!"

"Are you going to apologize, or not?"  Xuanji sternly asks.  She opens up her palm, and the Blood Soul Pearl appears.

"Apologize my..." Teng She scoffs.

Xuanji squeezes the pearl.  Teng She is surrounded by flame energy, and the intense pain brings him to his knees.

The villagers crowd around him, pointing and laughing.  Teng She tries to stand up, but his knees are stuck to the ground.

"He got on his knees to apologize for what he did to you all just now.  Don't worry, he'll never do it again," says Xuanji.

Teng She glares at her.  "Stinky Woman," he mutters.  "Throw away the pearl, and fight one on one with me, if you dare!"

Xuanji and Sifeng walk past him, leaving him on his knees, at the mercy of the crowd.

"Stop right there!  Come back!"  Shouts Teng She.  "Don't go!  I have my pride!"  He points at the crowd.  "Don't you laugh!  I'm telling you...sss..."

 

 

...To be continued...