American Perspectives: Linglong Revived Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 34)

 

“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.

 

"North Superintendent," a Tianxu Hall demon bows to Wu Tong.  "That person released Zhong Minyan and Ruo Yu."

Wu Tong waves him away, and walks into his bedroom, his eyes wide with horror.  The hybrid Linglong is no longer Linglong.  Instead, she is now the full-blooded Flower Demon.

"What happened to you?"  Wu Tong asks.  "Who asked you to change your appearance?"

The Flower Demon no longer looks anything like Linglong.  "Tong gege," says Flower Demon, "you said you'd like me no matter what I look like.  This is my original look."

Wu Tong is horrified.

"Tong gege, I look good, don't I?"  She twirls in front of him.

He grabs her arms.  "What I want is Linglong!"  He growls.  "Where is my Linglong?"  He pushes her on the bed.

"I just didn't want to live with another person's appearance.  I've returned her primordial spirit to them."  Flower Demon explains.

Wu Tong removes the Soul Bell from his belt, and takes a close examination.  He quickly realizes it's a fake.  "How dare you steal my Soul Bell!"  It shatters as he throws it on the ground.

Flower Demon cowers in terror.  This side of Wu Tong has never been directed at her before.  She always thought his temper would never apply to her.  "I just wanted to become myself."  (this is why you cannot mold people into who you want them to be ever).  "I just wanted you to like the original me."  She rises from the bed, and gives him a hug.  "Tong gege, you should stop thinking about her.  Although my look has changed, I'm still me!"

"How dare you touch Linglong's primordial spirit!"  Wu Tong rages.  "And you even released those two fellows!  You're digging your own grave!"  He backhands her across the face.

Flower Demon fearfully touches her cheek, and when he least expects it, she slaps him back.

"How dare you hit me!"  Shouts Flower Demon.  "So what if I did?  Kill me, if you dare!"  She looks down, regretting her words, because he would.  "You...why are you still upset?  You weren't like this in the past.  You told me to get angry at you if you were upset.  You'd be happy after I scolded you."

Wu Tong looks like he's ready to kill her.  Truthfully, he was just as (if not moreso) abusive with the real Linglong, as he is currently being with the Flower Demon.

He pushes her back on the bed.  "I did say that before.  But, that is only applicable to Linglong!"  He points his palm downward, and generates flame energy.  "Since you're not Linglong anymore, there's no point in keeping you here!"

The ball of flame energy gets larger, and Flower Demon is petrified.

The flame turns to smoke as he aims it at her neck, strangling her.  She falls on her back, as it gets harder and harder to breathe.

"Tong gege," Flower Demon gasps.

With a final twist of his hand, the Flower Demon no longer exists.

A huge ball of black smoke forms between his hands.  He crosses his arms, and then makes a sharp Low-V motion with his arms, disintegrating her body into thousands of yellow petals.  The petals disappear, and Wu Tong is left alone, and in tears.  He reminisces about the fantasy Linglong who never truly existed.  This is why you don't use someone as a place holder for your love interest.  They will, at some point, want to be themselves, and they should not be punished for doing so.

"Chu Linglong, you're mine.  I will bring you back, no matter what!"  Tears stream down his face.  He never really loved Linglong, either.  He loved the fantasy in his head.

His moment of grief is shattered by an intrusive voice.

"Report!"  A Tianxu servant runs in.  "My Lord, The Flying Dragon Seal, and the spirit keys are missing."

"The Flying Dragon Seal?"  It's just one thing after another..."Shaoyang Sect doesn't know that I have that seal with me.  I'm sure Zhong Minyan isn't the culprit.  Who's the culprit, then?"  His eyes widen, as he realizes the Dragon Seal has been returned to Yuan Lang, and he no longer has the upper hand.

He makes his way to the Treasure Vault, only to be plowed into by a thick gust of red and black smoke.

The very sexy Yuan Lang materializes, and slowly approaches Wu Tong.  "North Superintendent, where are you going in such a hurry?  Didn't you ask me to come and take the Flying Dragon Seal?  Here I am," he smirks.

Fuck, thinks Wu Tong.  

 

 

 

"Hao Chen, you just came out of your retreat," says Sect Leader Chu.  "You should rest more.  You don't need to rush here."

"Dianjing Valley Sect will hold the next Hairpin Tournament soon," says Hao Chen.  "I don't dare to delay this.  Sect Leader, did you find any clues around Mount Buzhou?"

"My spirit beast, Hong Luan, searched the area.  And it finally found this."  Sect Leader Chu pulls a piece of metal out of his sleeve.  It's the same piece Hao Chen had seen falling from Yuan Lang.

Hao Chen takes the piece.  "Indeed.  This piece is from my Demon Whip.  It fell off when I fought with that demon back then."

"What do you mean?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.

"No other disciples were around when my Demon Whip broke.  Only the elders and Sect Leaders of the four sects were around.  So, one of them must be the culprit.  So, the demon who fought with me was one of the elders or sect leaders.  That means there's a spy from Tianxu Hall among us."

Sect Leader Chu nods.  "How should we identify who the spy is, then?"

"Sect Leader, don't worry," says Hao Chen.  "I will surely think of a way."

A disciple interrupts their conversation.  "Sect Leader, Xuanji has returned.  She even brougth Sixth...She brought Zhong Minyan, as well."

 

 

 

Little Six, Xuanji, and Sifeng are surrounded by Shaoyang Sect disciples.  The disciples are like a SWAT team, pointing their swords at Little Six.

"Sixth Senior, don't worry," says Xuanji.  "I've sent Teng She to find out where Ruo Yu is.  As for Father, just try to explain everything to him.  Sifeng and I will help you."

"Xuanji!"  Snaps Sect Leader Chu.  Aunt Hong is walking beside him.  "Why did you bring him back?"

"Father," says Xuanji.

Little Six kneels.  "Master."

Sect Leader looks at him disdainfully.  "Hmm!  I don't have a traitorous disciple like you!  Today, I'll get rid of all the evildoers in Shaoyang Sect!"

"Father," Xuanji interjects.  "Sixth Senior has bitter reasons for that.  We only brought back half of Linglong's primordial spirit.  Sixth Senior joined Tianxu Hall because he wanted to retrieve the other half.  Father, he didn't betray us."

"What did you say?"  Sect Leader Chu asks.

Little Six pulls the vial out of his shirt.  "Master, I know I've committed a grave mistake.  I will never be forgiven.  You can punish me however you want.  But, Master, please save Linglong for now."  The vial is in the palms of his hands, and he extends his arms out to Sect Leader Chu.

"Sect Leader Chu," Sifeng bows.  "Xuanji isn't saying that because she wants to defend him.  She's telling the truth.  Linglong's primordial spirit has left her body for too long.  If we don't return it to her now, her life will be in danger.  Sect Leader Chu," he bows again, "please save Linglong."

"Sect Leader!"  Says Aunt Hong.

 

 

 

With a beautiful movement of her hand, Aunt Hong draws Linglong's energy from the vial.  It forms into a pearl, and transfers over to Linglong's chest.

Linglong begins to feel agitated in her sleep.  She has intrusive memories of Wu Tong using the Soul Bell to transfer her primordial spirit into Flower Demon's body.  She remembers him touching her, and while Flower Demon consented, Linglong most certainly did not.  She recalls treating the Xuanyuan disciples like dogs, and she's feeling mortified.  She remembers Wu Tong kissing her, again with Flower Demon's consent, but not with hers.  And technically, he violated Linglong while she was unconscious, and incapable of giving consent.

She abruptly awakens, and sits straight up.  "No!  I'm Linglong!"

"Linglong!"  Xuanji rushes to her.  "Linglong, you're awake!  It's fine now."

But it isn't.  Wu Tong took advantage of her sexually while she was unconscious.  She had no say about the things he did to her,  and the memories are permanent.  Linglong not only wants to throw up, she wants to take a purifying bath for at least a month.

"Look at me," says Xuanji.

Linglong slowly turns her head towards her.  She's trying not to cry, but it isn't working.  She looks at Sect Leader Chu.  "Father.  Aunt Ying Hong."  She grabs Xuanji's hands.  "Am I really home now?"

"I'm Xuanji.  We're in Shaoyang Sect.  You're home."

They hug tightly.

"In the future, I won't let anyone bully you again," says Xuanji.

"Xuanji," sobs Linglong.

"In the future, I'll take care of you," says Xuanji.  "You'll be my little sister.  I'll protect you, okay?"

Linglong nods.  "I'm home!"

"You're home," whispers Xuanji.

Sect Leader Chu sits beside them, and touches Linglong's hair.  "My child."

Linglong turns to look at him, and she tearfully gives him a hug.  "Father!"

"It's fine now," Sect Leader Chu pats her on the back.  "Good to see you back.  My precious child."

"Xuanji, where's Little Six?"  Asks Linglong.  "Why isn't he around?"

"Ah," Xuanji says quickly.  "Sixth Senior went to get some food for you.  He'll return soon."

"Yes," says Sect Leader Chu awkwardly.  

"Linglong, your primordial spirit has just returned to you," says Aunt Hong.  "I'm sure you're exhausted.  You should rest."

"Yes.  Rest now," says Sect Leader Chu.

Linglong nods, but she has a sneaking suspicion that something is going on with Little Six.

 

 

 

There is one disciple on each side of Little Six, and they force him to kneel.  Little Six bows.

"Raise your head," says Sect Leader Chu.

"I was incapable," says Little Six.  "I couldn't accomplish the task you gave me.  I couldn't retrieve the spirit keys, and I harmed Second Senior."  He is kneeling before Hao Chen, Aunt Hong, and Sect Leader Chu in the Shaoyang Sect Prison.

"I'm ashamed to see you," Little Six continues.

"What did you say?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.  "When did I give you such tasks?"

Little Six looks up, completely confused.  "Master, didn't you tell me to become a spy in Tianxu Hall, and try to retrieve her primordial spirit, and the spirit keys?"

"What a load of nonsense!"  Sect Leader Chu roars.  "Even until now, you're trying to find excuses for the crimes you committed?"

"Impossible.  Impossible!"  Says Little Six.  "Master, you assigned the tasks to me in person!"

Hao Chen, Sect Leader Chu, and Aunt Hong exchange glances.

"Minyan, tell us everything that happened," says Hao Chen.  "Do not leave out anything."

"Yes," says Little Six.  "That day, I left Fuyu Island.  I was going to Mount Buzhou.  During my night in Qingmu Town, Master, you suddenly appeared!   You asked me to become a spy in Tianxu Hall, and to try to retrieve Linglong's primordial spirit, and the spirit keys."  Little Six looks at Sect Leader Chu anxiously.  "Master, please tell me that you were the person I saw that night."

"No," says Sect Leader Chu.  "I wasn't even there, and I had never assigned such tasks to you."

"During your night in Qingmu Town," says Aunt Hong, "Sect Leader and the rest were trying to find out where you were.  How could he approach you personally?  Minyan, you're so gullible."  Say the people who didn't know Wolf was pretending to be Zhu Shi and Ouyang, and made a massive production of persecuting Sifeng...

"This can't be.  This can't be!"  Says Little Six.  "Why is this happening?  Why is this happening to me?  Master.  Master, are you trying to test me?  Are you angry because I didn't retrieve the spirit keys?  Or...Or is it because you still have some special tasks for me?  Master, please tell me.  Please tell me that you're lying.  Master..."

"On Fuyu Island, Wolf from Tianxu Hall disguised himself as Sect Leader Zhu Shi," Hao Chen points out.  "Even Xuanji, who's so sensitive to demons, couldn't detect him.  Minyan, maybe the Sect Leader you met that night was Wolf in disguise."

Little Six looks at them in horror.  "What have I done?  I actually believed a demon!  I fell for his trick!   I'm stupid!  I'm so stupid!  That's why I fell for his trick."  He kowtows.  "It's all because I'm stupid!  It's my fault!"  He hits his forehead against the hard ground.

"Minyan, calm down," says Aunt Hong.  She kneels down beside him.

"Minyan, you said that the demon wanted you to retrieve the spirit keys," says Hao Chen.  "Where are the spirit keys?"

"Spirit keys?  I was in possession of them for a moment, but the demons cornered us.  To protect me, Ruo Yu..."

"Ruo Yu?"  Interrupts Hao Chen.  "Ruo Yu from Lize Palace?"  

"Ruo Yu fell off a cliff," says Little Six.  "I'm afraid the spirit keys are in the hand of the demons now."

"First, you said you possessed them," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Now, you say Ruo Yu fell off a cliff.  It's all your claim!  How do you prove them?"

Aunt Hong sighs and faces Sect Leader Chu.  "Senior Minyan has been with us since he was a child.  I believe that he wouldn't betray Shaoyang Sect.  I'm afraid that he fell for the demon's trick."

"Even if you're telling the truth," says Sect Leader Chu, "even if you were deceived by a demon, how do you explain Minjue then?  You grew up together!  How dare you murder him!"

Little Six looks up.  "Second Senior."

"Don't look at me with those eyes!"  Little Six recalls Wu Tong saying.  "My beloved Linglong was the one behind your second senior's death."

"Master, I can never be forgiven," says Little Six.  "Please kill me!"  He quickly kowtows.

"Do you think death can clear your name?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.

"Senior," Aunt Hong interjects.  "Minyan did commit a grave mistake, but he saved Linglong, as well.  This..."

"The Shaoyang Sect will never forgive disciples who kill their seniors!"  Sect Leader Chu says adamantly.  "We'll lock him up for now.  After this, I'll hold the general meeting of Shaoyang.  We'll put him through an open trial!"

He disdainfully walks by Little Six, whose forehead is still touching the ground.

After Sect Leader Chu leaves, Little Six raises his head, and sits back up.

 

 

 

Ruo Yu and Yuan Lang are back at Lize Palace.  Ruo Yu is anxiously watching Yuan Lang examine the three spirit keys.

"You did excellently in your last mission," says Yuan Lang.

Ruo Yu recalls a previous conversation with Yuan Lang on Fuyu Island.

"Armies are to be maintained for years, but used on a single day."  Yuan Lang had said.  "I've raised you for so long.  I've covered the fact that you lost your mask, as well.  Now, this is the time for you to repay me."

"Vice Palace Lord," Ruo Yu bows.  "I'll risk my life for you."

Yuan Lang smirks.  "You don't need to risk your life.  You're friends with Chu Xuanji and the rest, right?  Continue to be friends with them."

Ruo Yu looks up.  "I don't really understand."

Yuan Lang rises.  "Just stay beside them and observe their movement.  Report their every action to me."

"Yes," says Ruo Yu.

The fake Sect Leader Chu is shown walking through the inn, and as he walks past a well, he turns back into Wolf.

He and Ruo Yu meet up.

"This is an order from our leader," says Wolf.  "You and Zhong Minyan are to stay beside Wu Tong.  Besides acquiring the Flying Dragon Seal and the spirit keys, you need to kill Yu Sifeng, as well."

Ruo Yu is horrified.  "What?  Kill Sifeng?  But why?"

Wolf smirks.  "Only a huge shock will stimulate Chu Xuanji, and awaken the powers within her."

"But Yu Sifeng belongs to Lize Palace," Ruo Yu whispers.  "To kill him..."

"Shut up!  What's wrong?  Are you trying to disobey the orders  of the Vice Palace Lord?  Don't forget.  He wanted to mix you with them so they would let down their guard.  Don't tell me you treat them as your true friends?"  Wolf says mockingly.

 

 

Ruo Yu is snapped back to the present moment.

"I did so much to send you and Zhong Minyan into Mount Buzhou," says Yuan Lang.  "You didn't disappoint me, indeed."

Ruo Yu bows.  "Vice Palace Lord, I've accomplished the task you gave me.  It's been some time since the last time I met my sister.  Can I..."

Yuan Lang rises from his posh seat.  He walks closer to Ruo Yu and smiles.  "What are you saying?  You did such a good job.  Of course, I'll let you reunite with your sister."

"Thank you,  Vice Palace Lord," Ruo Yu bows.

The two men walk to Ruo Xue's secret cell.  They approach a well, and with a sweep of his hand, Yuan Lang removes the seal.  "You have 15 minutes."

Ruo Yu descends into the well, which has been converted into a relatively spacious, and very dark, underground chamber.

Rue Xue is asleep and badly bruised.  Ruo Yu awakens her, and helps her sit up.  "Xue'er!"

Ruo Xue smiles.  "Brother, why did you injure your face?  Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine," Ruo Yu reassures her.  "Xue'er, I brought you a gift."  He pulls a silver bracelet out of his belt.

"It's nice," says Ruo Xue.

He slips it on her wrist.  "This bracelet, it's...A good friend of mine chose it for me.  But I wish he will never meet a friend like me again.  You'll be free as long as I accomplish Vice Palace Lord's tasks.  It's worth sacrificing everything.  I'll bring you home soon.  I'll bring you home."

 

 

 

"Senior Hao Chen," Sifeng approaches the cantankerous Hao Chen in the Shaoyang Sect prison.  "I haven't gotten the chance to say this, but thank you for saving me in Qingmu Town."

"You don't need to thank me," the perpetually pissy Hao Chen scoffs.  "I wouldn't have saved you if Xuanji hadn't risked her life for you."

Sifeng feels super awkward, but he decides to take the high road.  "I wonder how Minyan is doing?  Senior, please plead with your Sect Leader on behalf of Minyan."  Sifeng is really ballsy.  Hao Chen has blatantly insulted him many times.  Sifeng remains classy and mature in their interactions, while Hao Chen just looks increasingly childish.  

"Hero Yu, you don't need to worry about out internal affairs," Hao Chen says icily.

"I know," Sifeng says calmly.  "I shouldn't interrupt, but Minyan is my brother.  Senior, please plead with Sect Leader Chu.  Please beg him to forgive Minyan since he had saved Linglong.  That's why he was deceived by the demons."

Even though Hao Chen agrees, he is going to push back simply because Sifeng was the one who said it.  "Zhong Minyan was deceived because of his love for her, but this isn't an excuse for his crimes.  It was precisely because of love that he was deceived.  That's why he couldn't comprehend the situation clearly."  And here comes the hidden agenda..."So, if someone tries to use love as an excuse to deceive Xuanji, I will make sure he pays."

As he walks away, Sifeng has one more thing to say.  "Senior, why do you always treat me like your enemy?  Even until now, you still think that I have ulterior motives for loving Xuanji?"

Hao Chen turns to face him, his jaw clenched.  He approaches Sifeng.  "Shouldn't I think so?  After Xuanji left Xuanyuan Peak, you instigated her to find her six senses.  She almost fell for Tianxu Hall's ploy.  You persuaded her to leave Fuyu Island without permission.  You brought her to Mount Buzhou, and she almost lost her life because of that."  Hao Chen has conveniently forgotten that Xuanji came back from Mount Buzhou without so much as a scrape, while it was Sifeng who came back on the verge of death.  "I really don't know what your motive is for approaching my junior."

Sifeng looks at him, and keeps his composure.  He's had to deal with Yuan Lang his whole life, so he's familiar with the passive aggressive communication.  "Senior Hao Chen, I heard that you changed from the Heartless Tactics to the Sentimental Tactics.  But now, you look like you don't believe in love at all.  Isn't this ironic?"

Hao Chen smirks.  The truth is, he's a sore loser.  "Don't try to be a smart aleck.  I can't stop you from meeting my junior.  But...But if I find out that you have ulterior motives for loving her, I won't let you off."

A disciple interrupts their stare down.  "Senior Hao Chen, something happened in the secret ground!"

"What's wrong?"  Hao Chen is still obsessively staring down Sifeng.

"The barrier is getting weaker," says the Disciple, "and now there's a huge gap.  Master has issued an order.  He wants every elder to be there."

Hao Chen gives Sifeng one final death stare before following the disciple out.

 

 

 

Like a fabulous queen, Teng She has entered Shaoyang Sect.  He's casually eating an apple, while some gatekeeping disciples are questioning his presence.

Teng She rolls his eyes and takes a bite of his snack.  "I told you already.  I'm a friend of Chu Xuanji."  Referring to himself as her spirit beast makes his skin crawl.  "Let me in."

"This is the rule of Shaoyang Sect!"  A disciple exclaims.

"What rule?"  Teng She shouts.  "My patience is running thin!  Get out of my way!"  A wave of fiery energy emits from his arm, knocking the disciples over.  A few even roll down the stairs.  Teng She takes another bite of his apple, struts past them, and throws the partially finished fruit on the ground.

One of the fallen disciples looks up at him.

"Hey, where's the kitchen?"  Asks Teng She.

The disciple gets up and draws his sword.  "Who are you?  Why are you intruding?"

With his index and middle fingers, Teng She effortlessly breaks off the tip of the disciple's sword blade.  The disciple gasps.

"Why did you pull out your sword when I asked you about the kitchen?"  Teng She inquires.  "You must be crazy."

"Sound the alarm!"  Shouts the disciple.

"Sss," hisses Teng She, who walks right through the entrance, not a care in the world, as any fabulous and confident Queen should.  "Stinky woman!"

 

 

...To be continued...

 

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