American Perspectives: Memory Pearl Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 35)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

Little Six is humbly kneeling in the main hall.  

"Zhong Minyan, do you acknowledge being guilty?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.

"I am guilty," Little Six agrees, determined to take Linglong's atrocities to the grave.

"Since you are guilty, tell me about your crimes," says Sect Leader Chu.

"I, Zhong Minyan disobeyed Master's orders, acted recklessly, worked with demons, and embarrassed the sect.  I even..."

"Who killed Minjue?"  Asks a Sect Elder.

"It was me," says Little Six.

"Father," Xuanji interjects.  "Sixth Senior did it because he was charmed by demons.  He didn't do it on purpose.  You can't blame it on him."

"Shut up!"  Barks Sect Leader Chu.

"But..." says Xuanji.

"No one can plead for him today!"  Snaps Sect Leader Chu.

"Xuanji..." Says Little Six.  He shakes his head.  He bows.  "I, Zhong Minyan, killed my fellow apprentice.   I've committed treason.  I have nothing to say."

"Zhong Minyan, if you know you are guilty," says Sect Leader Chu, "tell me how you should be punished."

Linglong shakes her head.

"I should kill myself," says Little Six.  He summons his sword.

"No!"  Linglong runs to him.  "Sixth Senior!"  She grabs the blade of his sword, and they both fall over.

Little Six holds her hand.  "Linglong, your hand...Who asked you to do that?"

"You wanted to die so badly!"  Screams Linglong.

"It's my fault," says Little Six.

"Nonsense," says Linglong.  "I remember everything back at Tianxu Hall.  Everything at Tianxu Hall was my--"

"It was me!"  Little Six interrupts.  "I did everything!  Don't lie to protect me."

Linglong shakes her head.

"Linglong..." says Little Six.  "Remember, you are unrelated to this.  I'm already in deep trouble.  If you get involved, as well, Master will be devastated."

"No," Linglong sobs.

Sect Leader Chu observes them carefully.

"Linglong, I came to Shaoyang when I was eight.  When I first saw you, you welcomed me in a red dress.  You were proud like a rose.  I'd never seen such a beautiful person before.  After that, I found out that you were the Sect Leader's daughter.  Meanwhile, I was just an orphan.  I swore at that time to practice hard because that was the only way I could stay by your side and protect you.  I want to see you being proud.  Linglong, please don't snatch my final dream away."

"No," Linglong shakes her head and sobs.

Little Six bows to Sect Leader Chu again.  "I, Zhong Minyan, committed a huge crime.  I beg you, Master, give me the death penalty."  He kowtows.

Xuanji kneels.  "Father, Sixth Senior was cheated because he valued the important bonds.  You can't put all the fault on him."

"Master," First Senior bows, "please spare Minyan's life."

The other disciples kneel and bow.

"Master, please spare Sixth Senior's life!"

"Sect Leader," says an elder, "please spare Minyan's life."

Aunt Hong bows.

Linglong sobs.

Sect Leader Chu sighs.  "Stand, all of you.  Zhong Minyan, you were charmed by demons, and committed a grave crime.  You should be heavily punished.  Seeing that you didn't do it on purpose, you may escape the death penalty, but you will still have to be punished.  Expel Zhong Minyan from the sect."

"Father," Xuanji interjects.  "Getting expelled from a sect is an embarrassment for life.  Please reconsider it."

"Xuanji," says Little Six.  "Master is already being lenient.  Don't trouble him anymore."

"Zhong Minyan," says Sect Leader Chu, "from now on, you will no longer be a disciple of Shaoyang.  Hand over your name plaque."

He reaches into the chest panel of his hanfu, and takes out the silver colored plaque with a golden border.  He places it in both palms, and extends his arms.  "I, Zhong Minyan, embarrassed my master, and embarrassed Shaoyang.  I'm handing over the Shaoyang Plaque today, and will not address myself as a disciple of Shaoyang anymore."

With the blue energy from his hand, Sect Leader Chu uses it like a magnetic force to take the plaque.

Little Six kowtows one more time.

Linglong formally kneels beside him.  "Father, I have something to say.  I, Chu Linglong, a disciple of Shaoyang, will leave Shaoyang today."  She places her silver plaque in her palms, and extends her arms forward.

"Lingong..." says Little Six.  "You..."

"What are you talking about?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.

"What happened today was because of me," says Linglong.  "Minyan entered Mount Buzhou to save me, and was charmed by demons.  I am ashamed to be a disciple of Shaoyang any longer."

Sect Leader Chu glares at her.

"Linglong," says Little Six, "you were born and raised in Shaoyang.  Where else can you go?  Take back what you said."

"The world is so big," says Linglong.  "I'll follow you wherever you go.  Since you like to see me being proud, allow me to be willful for you again."

"All of you are leaving," says Xuanji.  "Starting today, I won't be a disciple of Shaoyang, as well.  We will all stay together."

"Xuanji!"  Snaps Sect Leader Chu.  "That's nonsense!  You think of Shaoyang as a joke?"

"Xuanji, don't cause any troubles," says Hao Chen.

"I'm not," says Xuanji.  "We promised to always stay together.  What are you doing now?  If you are leaving, let's leave together!"

Linglong holds her hand.  "Xuanji, I didn't do it on impulse.  Don't act rashly.  It will seem like you are threatening Father."

"But, I don't want to separate from you," says Xuanji.

"Xuanji, we are not kids anymore.  We won't be together forever.  If we have to separate, you just have to choose to guard the most important person to you.  Shaoyang and Minyan are the most important parts of my life.  If I have to make a choice now, I can only choose Minyan.  If I don't have Shaoyang, I might still live.  But if I don't have Minyan, I will die."

"Why?"  Sobs Xuanji.  "Why do you have to make this choice?"

"Silly Xuanji.   Not everything will go as planned in this world.  We have to make different choices.  I hope that you won't have to make any choices in your life.  All right.  Don't be rash.  I'm still your sister, even if I'm no longer a disciple of Shaoyang.  Minyan will still be himself.  Father is old.  Can you be filial for me?"

The two women sob.

Linglong bows, and holds out her plaque.  "I, Chu Linglong, beg for the Sect Leader's approval."

"Linglong," says Sect Leader Chu, "you've really decided?"  His eyes fill up with tears.

"I've made my decision to leave.  I am unfilial.  I disappointed Shaoyang's guidance and father's upbringing."  Linglong looks up at Sect Leader Chu tearfully.

With tears streaming down his face, and grave reluctance, Sect Leader Chu extends his palm.  Blue energy emits, and like a magnet, the plaque goes right to his palm.  He tearfully looks at their name plaques.  "Disciples of Shaoyang, Zhong Minyan and Chu Linglong violated the Sect's laws."  He clenches his hands, and the plaques disappear.  "Starting today, they will be expelled from Shaoyang."

Xuanji sobs.

"Although both of you are no longer disciples of Shaoyang, you must remember, Shaoyang Peak will always be your home."

Little Six and Linglong tearfully bow.

"Thank you, Master," says Little Six.  The two kowtow one final time.

 

 

 

Xuanji is helping Linglong pack up her belongings, and a whole lot of memories.

"Stay at the base of the peak with Sixth Senior for now," says Xuanji.  "When Father has calmed down, I will help you persuade him again."

"It's alright," says Linglong.  "If you miss me, just come and visit me."

Xuanji nods.  "What's wrong?  Will you miss me?"

"Xuanji," Linglong says carefully, "ever since I woke up, my mind has been full of the flower demon's memories.  It felt like I killed all the people she killed.  It felt like her wrongdoings were done by me.  Even the nasty things that she did with Wu Tong, felt like I was the one who did them.  I feel disgusted with myself."

"Linglong," says Xuanji, "those are the flower demon's memories.  They are not yours.  You didn't do any of these things.  Those were what she did.  You don't have to shoulder her crimes."

"But she looked exactly like me," says Linglong.  And something Xuanji doesn't understand is that because Linglong's primordial spirit experienced it, the trauma is very real.  "She even had half of my primordial spirit.  Can you say it's totally unrelated to me?"

"That's because she tried to be similar to you," says Xuanji.  "Your primordial spirit was seized by her, as well."  What she doesn't understand, however, is that Flower Demon's actions are now very much associated with Linglong.  "You are the victim.  Those actions were not your fault.  You and Sixth Senior have to leave here and stay away from these troubles.  You'll be happy."

Linglong smiles tearfully and nods.  She finishes packing, and Little Six stands in the doorway.

Xuanji and Linglong hold each other's arms.  "Right, Xuanji."  She takes out a transparent pearl.  "This..."

"What is this?"  Asks Xuanji.

"This is a Memory Pearl," says Linglong.  "You lost your six senses when you were young.  This is an object that recorded the times when mother taught you about identifying items and feelings.  After I leave, if Father feels sad in front of Mother's grave, you have to accompany him for me, and talk to him."

Xuanji nods.

Linglong looks back and sees Little Six in the doorway.

He approaches them.  "Let's go."  He's wearing a clean, sky blue hanfu, and the bruising on his face has faded.

"Sixth Senior," says Xuanji, "take care of my sister."

Little Six nods.

"Let me send you off," Xuanji says sadly.

"Don't," Linglong insists tearfully.  "It'll be bad if everyone ends up coming."

Xuanji gives her a hug.  The reunification they wanted didn't go as they wanted.

"We are leaving," says Linglong.  She picks up her pink pack and leaves with Little Six.  Xuanji watches them as they slowly approach the exit to Shaoyang Hall.

Xuanji feels grief for the childhood that vanished so quickly, the trauma that changed Linglong significantly, the disruption to their sibling bond.  Roles reversing where Xuanji temporarily protected Linglong.  Loss of their old childhood clique, and transitioning into a new one.

 

 

 

Linglong and Little Six reach their new home in the middle of the night.  It is definitely not Shaoyang Sect, and the bamboo gate is a little run down.  However, after the trauma of Tianxu Hall, the drama with Shaoyang Sect, it is a welcome oasis from all the noise.

They open the doors, and the wooden floors are definitely beat up, and in need of a good scrubbing.  They carefully examine the room.

"There are no lamps or candles here," says Little Six.  "I'll go out and buy one."

"It's alright," says Linglong.  "The moonlight is nice tonight.  It's enough to light up this place."  After living in the pitch dark Tianxu Hall, the visible moon is most certainly a godsend.

She walks outside, and looks up at the crescent moon.  Little Six joins her, and they quietly gaze at it together.

Little Six feels a pain in his stomach, and begins to cough.

"How are your injuries?"  Asks Linglong.

"I'm fine," replies Little Six.  "My room is right next door.  Call me if you need anything.  I'll be going back."  He's feeling uncomfortable around her.  Not because she became sexually active with someone else.  It's because he doesn't want to unintentionally trigger her.

She grabs his hand, and pulls him close.  She kisses him on the lips.  They part, and he kisses her again.

"Why are you so foolish?"  Asks Linglong.

"You are saying that?"  Asks Little Six.  "Aren't you more foolish than me?  From now on, you'll become a sectless wanderer, just like me."

"I don't mind going anywhere, as long as I'm with you."

"Linglong, I will never disappoint you."  He hugs her tightly.

 

 

 

Xuanji and Sifeng are walking through the Shaoyang Courtyard.

"Xuanji, don't be sad," says Sifeng.  "Aren't Linglong and Minyan fine?  It's a good thing to live together in peace.  If you miss them, you can visit them often."

"Sifeng, I have something I've been wanting to ask you," says Xuanji.  "If there's one day where we have to make a choice between two important things, what should we do?"

"Didn't Linglong say that?"  Asks Sifeng.  "You just have to choose to guard the most important person to you.  I only know that I won't give you up.  What about you?"

Xuanji smiles.  "I won't give you up, either."

"Do you know?  I actually envy Linglong and Minyan."

"You envy them?"

He holds her hands.  "Xuanji, after we settle everything in the Flower Session, will you be willing to find a quiet place and live a relaxed and secluded life with me?"

Xuanji smiles and runs ahead.  Sifeng trails after her.

 

 

 

Sect Leader Chu is at his wife, He Danping's shrine.  His melancholy is disrupted by Xuanji and Sifeng.

"Father," says Xuanji.

Sect Leader Chu sighs.  He turns to face them.  "It's both of you.  I was feeling troubled because many things have happened recently.  That is why I came to speak with your mother.  Your mother has been gone for many years in the blink of an eye.  You two sisters have all grown up, too.  I just hope that both of you will be safe, without any accidents in the future."

"Father, don't worry!"  Says Xuanji.  "I already have the ability to protect myself.  I will also take care of you and Linglong, and not allow any one of you to be in danger."

"You naughty girl," Sect Leader Chu shakes his finger at her.  "You did worry me a lot in the past.  Unexpectedly, after you went out to get experience, you've improved a lot.  You got the Dingkun Sword, and even got the Flying Snake as your spirit beast.  I'm very happy.  But my mind constantly feels disturbed.  Xuanji, do you feel there's something special about yourself?"

Oh, no.  Does Father suspect my identity?  If everyone finds out I'm the God of War, will they see me as a monster, and not be close to me?

"Xuanji?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.

"Hmm?"  Says Xuanji.  "Father, it's a coincidence that I got the Dingkun Sword and the Flying Snake."

"You are really not hiding anything from me?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.

Xuanji smiles and shakes her head.  "No."

Sifeng looks over at her and smiles.

"Forget it," says Sect Leader Chu.  "If you won't tell me, I won't force you, as well.  I'm old.  I can't stay by your side for life.  In the future, as long as Sifeng is with you, I will be relieved."

Sifeng and Xuanji exchange glances.

"Father, you don't oppose Sifeng and me anymore?"

"How should I put it?  After what happened with Linglong and Minyan, I got over it.  Two people being together, as long as they respect and love each other without leaving, that's stronger than everything.  Sifeng is a good kid.  I can see that he is loyal to you."  He walks over to Sifeng.  "Sifeng, I know.  There are many rules at Lize Palace.  I also know that your Master is not too satisfied with you and Xuanji.  Don't worry, I'll find a suitable time to speak with your master."

Sifeng bows.  "Thank you, Sect Leader Chu.  I will never let Chu Xuanji down in my life.  Don't worry, and leave Xuanji in my hands."

Sect Leader Chu raises an eyebrow.  "You, little brat, you aren't trying to ask for marriage now, right?"

"I know now is not the best time," Sifeng admits.  "It might be a bit sudden."

Xuanji smiles.  

"But my feelings toward Xuanji have never changed at all," Sifeng continues.

"Sifeng," Xuanji nudges him and smiles.

"You brat!"  Sect Leader Chu wags his finger at Xuanji and laughs.  "It's hard to keep a lady when they grow up, right?  As cultivators wandering the lands, we can't be bothered about little things.  Fine.  After coming back from Dianjinggu, I will find an auspicious day to help you and Xuanji get married.  From now on, I will never have to worry about both of you again."

Xuanji blushes.  "Father, why are you talking about marriage..."

"What's wrong?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.  "You think it's too fast?"

"No," Xuanji smiles.

"Fine," says Sect Leader Chu.  "I'll find another chance to trouble him again.  How's that?"

"No, Sect Leader Chu," says Sifeng.  " I want that badly."  He grins.

The two men laugh.

"Fine.  Xuanji," says Sect Leader Chu, "have a good talk with your mother."  He touches Sifeng's shoulder before exiting the room.

"Sifeng, I told you.  I'll be responsible for you," says Xuanji.  "I kept my promise, right?"

"I can only get married to you, then," says Sifeng.

"I..." says Xuanji.  She holds out her hand.  "Give me your mother's portrait."  In a burst of fiery energy, Sifeng's Mother's portrait appears in his hand.  He hands it to her, and she opens it up.

"Sifeng," says Xuanji.  "You once told me that you don't know where your mother's memorial tablet is.  You can't pay respects to her, even if you wanted to."

Xuanji places the portrait at the base of her mother's memorial plaque.  "Today, your mother's portrait is here.  Let's think of this as her memorial tablet, and tell her this good news together."

Sifeng nods.

The two hold hands, and kneel.  Xuanji bows.  "Both our mothers, I got engaged to Sifeng today.  I'm sure both of you feel happy in your afterlife."

Sifeng bows.  "Madam Chu, I, Yu Sifeng, will definitely take good care of Xuanji."  The two kowtow.

They stand up, and look into each other's eyes.  Sifeng has a huge smile.

"Why are you smiling?"  Asks Xuanji.

"I'm smiling because we bowed to our parents, just like that," says Sifeng.  He holds her hands.  "You are now my fiancee."

"That doesn't count," Xuanji pulls her hands away.

"You just bowed in front of my mother, and you say that doesn't count?"  Asks Sifeng.  "My mother saw everything."

"Since we went through the ritual, where are the betrothal gifts?"  Asks Xuanji.  She holds out her hand.  He lightly slaps her hand.

"Isn't my hairpin enough?"  Asks Sifeng.

Xuanji laughs.

"How dare you ask for your betrothal gift," Sifeng smiles.  "Both our mothers, you have to seek justice for me."

"No way," says Xuanji.  "That hairpin was give to me by your mother, not you."

"Fine," Sifeng smiles, and he pulls her closer.  "Once I come back from Dianjinggu, I will give you a grand wedding banquet.  No matter what you want to eat, I will make them for you for a lifetime.  Is that enough?"

Xuanji nods.  "That's better."  She holds out her palm, and the hairpin materializes.   Sifeng takes it from her hand, and puts it in her bun.  They are having a moment, smiling, and gazing into each others' eyes.

Out of nowhere, Teng She suddenly appears in a poof of electric blue energy.

"Teng She?"  Xuanji wrinkles her nose.

He laughs awkwardly, while holding a partially eaten apple.  "Sorry to interrupt your rituals."

Xuanji pokes him.  "Why are you eating my mother's offerings?"

He uncomfortably drops the apple.  "Who asked you two to be lovey dovey, and forget my meal?"  He looks at Sifeng expectantly.  "Look at this stinky woman.  She's so fierce.  Little Chef, if I had to say, why don't you reconsider it?"  He pushes himself between them.

"What are you talking about?" Xuanji asks, as he walks out the door.

 

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