American Perspectives: Confronting Hao Chen Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 46)

 

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

Two Lize Palace disciples are drinking tea in the dark prison hallway.  "This tea is delicious."

 

"Come, have another cup."

 

"The tea is nice."

 

"That's right."

 

A plume of black smoke speeds past them, hits the floor several feet away, and materializes into Yuan Lang.  He walks up to Ruo Yu's cell, and busts open the door.

 

Ruo Yu is suspended from two chains, but he's still looking pretty good.  Nothing like how Sifeng looked when he was imprisoned on Fuyu Island.

 

Yuan Lang approaches him.

 

"Deputy Chief?"

 

Yuan Lang side eyes him, and with his fan, he shatters the chains.

 

Ruo Yu looks at him curiously.  

 

"Why are you still standing there?"  Asks Yuan Lang.  "Do you want to stay here forever?  I'm saving you, even though Yu Sifeng might discover us.  You know what to do when you get out, right?"

 

Ruo Yu kneels and bows to Yuan Lang.  "Deputy Chief, thank you for saving me.  I'll do anything for you."  He touches his forehead to the concrete floor.

 

Yuan Lang smiles smugly.  "Great.  You may rise now.  Keep an eye on Yu Sifeng these next few days.  I still don't believe him.  I only believe in my men."

 

"Yes," Ruo Yu says as he rises.

 

"Let's go," says Yuan Lang.

 

They walk out into the hallway and approach Wu Tong's cell.

 

"My Lord!"  Wu Tong cries desperately.  "My Lord, save me!  My Lord, please save me!"

 

Ruo Yu bows to Yuan Lang, and walks away.  Yuan Lang moves closer to Wu Tong's barred cell door.  "I forgot about this.  Our North Superintendent is still here."

 

"My Lord," pleads Wu Tong, "I know it was my fault.  I shouldn't have acted on my own accord.  But My Lord, please give me another chance on account of my contributions to Tianxu Hall.  This time, I will surely repent!"

 

Yuan Lang smiles and chuckles.  "You've said that too many times.  I don't know when you're telling the truth."

 

"I won't eat my words this time!"  Wu Tong pleads.  "If not, I will suffer a terrible death!"

 

"I wanted to kill you a long time ago.  I wanted you to be the last sacrifice for the Soul Furnace.  But now that I think about it, it's more fun if I bring you somewhere."

 

Wu Tong's heart races with dread.

 

 

 

 

 

"Is this the abandoned Demon Citadel?"  Asks Wu Tong.  "Why is it filled with a malignant aura?"

 

"1,000 years ago, the Asura Clan of the Demon Citadel was massacred by the God of War.  The heavens demolished the Demon Citadel in one night, and it became deserted.  The vengeful spirits of the Asura Clan were stuck here.  That's why it's filled with a malignant aura.  Most of the malignant aura had dissipated as Wu Zhiqi broke the gate.  If not, we would have no way to survive in this place."

 

They stand at the edge of a bridge over the black water of the Pool of Bones.

 

"Why are you here, then?"  Asks Wu Tong.

 

"What?  Are you afraid now?  You're under my control.  You can't escape from me."  Yuan Lang grins wickedly.

 

Wu Tong feels sick to his stomach.

 

"And those vengeful spirits will soon be mine," Yuan Lang continues proudly.  Black streams of the malignant aura rise from the water, and float through the air.

 

"So, you're trying to absorb the vengeful spirits?"  Asks Wu Tong.

 

Yuan Lang smirks and slowly waves his fan.

 

Wu Tong anxiously looks over the water.  This whole situation feels unsettling.  He looks at Yuan Lang.  "You want to use me as your stepping stone?"

 

Yuan Lang smiles.

 

"No way!"  Wu Tong tries to break away, but Yuan Lang grabs his arm.  

 

With a mighty heave, Yuan Lang throws him across the air, and as soon as Wu Tong is suspended over the water, Yuan Lang uses his energy to push him in.

 

Yuan Lang flies onto the platform at the Pool of Bones.  He looks directly at one of the caskets.  "General Asura, we're comrades, are we not?  Please lend me your body.  I'll use it to appease your 1,000 year old hatred."  He generates a red fiery orb in his hand, and uses his fan like a tennis racket to lob it over to General Asura's casket.  It strikes the casket lid, and the engraved designs turn red.  With his fan, he generates more red energy, and aims it at the casket.  The lid flies off, and thick black smoke surrounds Yuan Lang.

 

The spirit of General Asura stands in front of him.  "With my soul," says Yuan Lang, he closes his fan, "I summon yours!"  He uses his closed fan to pull forward a white stream of energy from his forehead.  He points his fan at General Asura, shooting out red and black fiery energy.

 

General Asura growls.  Yuan Lang holds his arms out, and brings them together.  General Asura mirrors him.  They bring their arms out again, and scream.

 

Yuan Lang whips out his fan.

 

 

 

 

 

Wu Tong is quickly sinking into the water.  The more he tries to push himself up, the further he sinks.  He closes his eyes and passes out.  Three electric blue lotuses are just below him.  They float up to him, pouring energy into his body.

 

His eyes open, and they turn from dark brown to violet blue.  A demon mark appears on his forehead.

 

 

 

 

Sifeng and Wu Zhiqi are pacing the Lize Palace hallway.  

 

"I didn't expect Yuan Lang to still hide information about the formation," says Wu Zhiqi, "even though he mentioned it to us.  He's really cunning."

 

"Seems like he doesn't trust us completely," Sifeng observes.

 

Wu Zhiqi smirks.  "Look at his smug face.  It doesn't matter if he trusts us or not.  I'm sure he still has some tricks up his sleeves.  But it's fine.  If he wants to obtain the God of War's power, he needs our help.  He'll take our bait for sure."

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng walks the hallway alone, while Little Silver Flower tearfully hides behind a wall.  Sifeng, I'm relieved that you're doing well.  She faints, and unbeknownst to her, Ruo Yu has been spying on her while she was spying on Sifeng.   He manages to catch her.

 

"Little Silver Flower?"  Asks Ruo Yu.

 

She looks up at him, and pushes him away.  "Why are you here?  You are Tianxu Hall's lackey!  I still haven't settled my debts with you for hurting Sifeng!"  She can't get herself to stand up.  She falls against the wall.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"  Ruo Yu grabs her arm.  She pushes him away again, and brings out her dagger.

 

"Go away!  Don't come near me!  Don't come near me!"

 

He moves closer.  "You can hit me, scold me, or even kill me.  You're welcome to do so, but you've left Sifeng for too long.  Your spirit power is very weak now.  I need to transfer some Qi to you."

 

"You don't need to care about me!  I will never believe you again.  I'll kill you!  I'll kill you!"  She gets ready to stab him, but ends up fainting.

 

Ruo Yu catches her before she hits the floor.  "Little Silver Flower!  Little Silver Flower!"  He carries her down the hallway.  He places her on Sifeng's bed, hoping he'll do the right thing when he comes back.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng is drinking tea in his room, watching Little Silver Flower sleep.

 

Her eyes flutter open, and she looks around.  She sits straight up when she sees Sifeng.

 

He says absolutely nothing, and his face is expressionless.  She approaches him.

 

"You're awake?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

Little Silver Flower nods.

 

"Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

 

Little Silver Flower shakes her head.

 

"I was too rash that day.  I shouldn't have scolded you like that."

 

Little Silver Flower smiles and feels a glimmer of hope.

 

"Since you've returned, you should never disobey me again.  If not, I'll punish you severely."

 

"Master, I'll obey your command, except for things related to Chu Xuanji.  I will never change me mind."

 

Wrong answer.

 

"If that Chu Xuanji tries to hurt you," Little Silver Flower continues, "I will never let her off."

 

"I thought you understood something after you left me," says Sifeng, "but if you're still insisting on doing so, you shouldn't return to me!  I don't have a spirit beast as willful as you."

 

"Spirit Beast?"  Asks Little Silver Flower incredulously.  "In your eyes, I'm only a spirit beast.  Master, I disobeyed your command because I didn't want you to be hurt.  My heart hurts when you suffer time and time again due to Chu Xuanji.  Because I only have you in my heart.  Master, can't you just notice the person who has been around you the whole time?"

 

Sifeng's silence is deafening.  He stands up and approaches her.  "Little Silver Flower, not only are you my spirit beast, you're one of my most important friends, as well.  There's nothing else besides that.  If you think I'm too cruel, and you don't know how to face this, you may leave me.  From today onward, I allow you to leave me and live your own life."

 

Little Silver Flower nods.  "Fine.  Yu Sifeng, you'll regret this.  Just wait and see.  I'll find a way to terminate our contract.  After that, I won't be your spirit beast!"  She walks past him and wipes a tear from her cheek.  She doesn't want to leave, but she's tired of hoping that she'll be more than just his pet snake.  She humanized herself for the purpose of romance, but the harsh reality is that it could never work.  They are absolutely not on equal ground, and that would be a near impossible shift to make after so many years of having this power dynamic.

 

Sifeng feels remorse, but Little Silver Flower has the potential to sabotage his plan.  It is imperative that she respects the boundaries, and she has demonstrated that she is clearly incapable of doing so.

 

 

 

 

Sifeng is standing out on the balcony when Yuan Lang approaches him.

 

"My Lord," says Yuan Lang.

 

"Deputy Chief, is your formation ready?"

 

"I'm here to tell you just that.  Everything is ready.  My Lord, we just need to lure Chu Xuanji into the formation."

 

"Good," says Sifeng.  "Tomorrow, you and I will attack Shaoyang Sect, and retrieve my soul."

 

"But, My Lord, if we want to obtain the God of War's power, we need to harm Chu Xuanji.  My Lord, are you really willing to harm her?"

 

"I've shown her mercy, yet she has tried to take my life time and time again.  If Left Lieutenant didn't save me that day, the Vermillion Bird Bottle would have killed me.  I will seek my revenge.  I'm willing to kill her for this."

 

 

 

 

 

Yuan Lang meets Ruo Yu in his room.  Ruo Yu bows as he approaches.

 

"Tomorrow, during our attack," says Yuan Lang, "you should make sure Chu Xuanji falls into our formation."

 

"Yes."

 

"And although Yu Sifeng is acting according to our plan, I need to make sure that our plan is foolproof."

 

A huge gust of smoke flies into the room, revealing Wu Tong, who does a multiple full twisting layout aerially.  He charges at Yuan Lang with his sword.  Yuan Lang effectively uses his fan to deflect him.

 

With his palm generating red and black smoke, he pushes Wu Tong onto the floor.  Yuan Lang withdraws his smoke as Wu Tong stands up.

 

"You're pretty tough," Yuan Lang remarks.

 

Wu Tong groans in pain.

 

"You even became a half demon," says Yuan Lang.  "You're a human, but you're trying to acquire the demon power?"  He uses his fan to shoot Wu Tong in the torso.  Wu Tong groans, and Yuan Lang's fan boomerangs back.

 

Wu Tong kneels.

 

"I don't want you to die on account of you surviving the Black Pool.  I've stabilized the demon power inside your body.  How about this?  Coincidentally, I lack someone who can watch over the vengeful spirits.  Follow me and acquire the Crystal Lamp.  After you accomplish your mission, I'll teach you how to master your power.  What do you think?"

 

"Is that for real?"  Asks Wu Tong.

 

"I'm the Right Lieutenant.  I'm not an imbecile like you.  You'll die anyway.  It depends on you whether to cherish this chance or not."

 

 

 

 

 

Linglong is happily preparing for her wedding.   She is wearing a rich red wedding hanfu, and she's meticulously securing her Phoenix Crown.  She has been dreaming of this day since she was a little girl.  She has especially been dreaming about the pretty dress!

 

Xuanji is standing at the doorway with her back to Linglong, and she's longingly looking outside.

 

"Xuanji," says Linglong, "help me out.  Which one of them is better?"

 

Xuanji continues to sadly look at the doorway.

 

"Xuanji?"  Linglong approaches her, and affectionately touches her arm.  "Xuanji."

 

Xuanji turns around.  "What's wrong?"  She asks Linglong.

 

"You were supposed to get married to Senior Hao Chen.  Why did you reject the wedding?  If not, we could've been married on the same day."

 

"Senior Hao Chen is my senior," says Xuanji.  "He's the person I respect the most, but that's all there is to it."

 

"You still can't let go of the past?"  Linglong has temporarily forgotten that she can't exactly let go of her past, either.

 

Xuanji smiles at her, and affectionately touches her face.  "It's just that you're going to get married.  I can't bear to part with you."

 

"It's fine," says Linglong.  "Xuanji, anyway, I believe that you can find someone who loves you, and who deserves your love.  Just like Little Six and I.  Anyway, you should stop thinking about sad things, okay?"

 

Xuanji manages a smile for Linglong.  Her relationship with Sifeng has barely ended.  Right now, she isn't interested in chasing new romance, and essentially providing them with "Sifeng's sloppy seconds."  

 

"Okay, it's almost time," says Xuanji.  "You should doll yourself up.  I'll check on the decorations."  Xuanji gracefully exits, relieved that she didn't get admonished about rejecting Hao Chen.

 

 

 

 

 

As Xuanji exits the Shaoyang Sect entryway, a sword falls from the sky, and stabs the ground in front of her.  The Shaoyang disciples guarding the entry draw their weapons.

 

She sees a man in a blue hanfu running across.  "Sifeng?"  She yells.

 

As she runs down the steps, a figure in black appears at the Shaoyang entryway.

 

Throwing caution to the wind, Xuanji runs into the dark and misty forest.

 

Sifeng arrives to meet Yuan Lang and Wu Zhiqi in a different spot within the forest.  Yuan Lang is holding the atrocious Soul Furnace, which burns a bright red.  Sifeng looks at it hesitantly.

 

"Prepare the formation!"  Sifeng commands.

 

Yuan Lang turns and walks forward with the Soul Furnace suspended just above his hand.  With his fan, he lobs the Soul Furnace straight up in the air.  Ruo Yu steps out from behind a tree.  With his fan, Yuan Lang summons black smoke, and with his free hand, he brings forth a red orb.  The orb turns into a formation with a star in the middle.  He pushes his hand forward, and the formation burns into the ground.

 

Wu Zhiqi smirks at Sifeng and nods.

 

Yuan Lang artfully closes his fan.  He turns to face Sifeng and Wu Zhiqi.  Yuan Lang inconspicuosly looks over at Ruo Yu, who nods.

 

Wu Tong is in a different part of the forest with his demonic military, ready to go.  He smirks.  "The vengeful spirits of Asura have awakened.  Shaoyang Sect, I will get back what you have taken from me!"

 

Ruo Yu approaches him.  "Deputy Chief is all set to go.  Let's start."

 

"Attack the Shaoyang Sect!"  Shouts Wu Tong.  Streams of black smoke generate from his body.  He and his demon military raise their arms and disappear.

 

Xuanji continues walking across the forest in her sky blue hanfu, which is illuminated by the darkness.  She is unintentionally giving off a Little Red Riding Hood vibe.  She unsuspectingly steps right into the center of the formation.  A red ring of energy floats up above her.  Within the red ring is the genocidal Soul Furnace.

 

She jumps back in surprise, and the furnace opens.

 

Yuan Lang's obnoxious laughter cuts through the silence.  Yuan Lang, Sifeng, and Wu Zhiqi approach her.

 

"God of War, your power is mine now," says Yuan Lang.

 

"Sifeng, it'll be too late for you if you don't quit!"  says Xuanji.

 

"Do you think I would still fall for your tricks?"  Asks Sifeng.  "You want me to show you mercy?  In your dreams.  This time, I won't show you any mercy."

 

"Demon Lord, save your breath," says Yuan Lang.  "Set up the formation."  Yuan Lang flies over the elaborate pattern burned into the ground, and lands on the other side.

 

Sifeng and Wu Zhiqi exchange glances.  They extend their palms, shoot energy at the Soul Furnace, and turn it upside down.  Its power is completely emasculated.  Xuanji shape shifts into a gleefully grinning Fox Demon.  Oh, how she would love to bust Yuan Lang's balls, but this is the next best thing!

 

Yuan Lang looks at her in horror.  "Purple Fox?"

 

She smirks at him.  Oh, how much she hates him.  "My illusion spell is pretty good, right?"  She walks away, and Yuan Lang is left entrapped in the center of the formation.

 

Sifeng and Wu Zhiqi continue to aim their energy at the Soul Furnace.

 

"You plotted this together?"  growls Yuan Lang.

 

"Plot?"  Asks Sifeng.  "You're the master of plots.  We're just using your own trick against you."

 

"Yuan Lang, you underestimated me," says Wu Zhiqi.  "Do you think I don't know what you're up to if you hide everything from me?  What do you think?  I just altered some parts, and now you're the one being absorbed.  Are you surprised?"

 

"He who is unjust is doomed to destruction," adds Sifeng.  "Since you've created the Soul Furnace, you'll have a taste of your own medicine today."

 

The two men push their palms forward once more, Sifeng generating gold, Wu Zhiqi generating black.  They send Yuan Lang and the Soul Furnace flying upward.  Yuan Lang is bathed in its red energy.  He tries to break free, like a fish in a net.

 

"Yuan Lang, stop struggling," says Wu Zhiqi.  "You created the Soul Furnace yourself.  It has absorbed 99 souls.  It has absorbed the malignant aura, as well.  It is immensely powerful.  I'm afraid you can't escape with your weak powers."

 

Yuan Lang begins to bleed from the mouth.

 

The real Xuanji walks through the forest, wondering what the hell is going on.  Something feels really off and eerie.  She stops to study her surroundings.  Why does this feel so weird?  She walks on.  It feels like something is hiding from her.

 

Strange.  Why do I see this tree everywhere I go?  "Who's behind this?  Dingkun Sword!"  Her sword emerges, and she makes a Kendo Dol strike at the tree.

 

Brother Liu materializes out of a flurry of leaves.  "Don't slash me!  My god!  Please show me mercy!"

 

She makes her sword disappear.  "Eldest Brother Liu, why are you here?  Why did you trap me here?"

 

"Uh," Brother Liu says awkwardly.  "It's...I..."

 

She grabs his arm.  "Did Sifeng ask you to come?  Where is he?"

 

Brother Liu removes her hand from his arm, and smiles awkwardly.  "You two should settle your own problems.  Sifeng!"  He shouts, pointing his finger.

 

Xuanji turns around, and Brother Liu disappears.  "Sifeng...you..."

 

 

저는 한복을 만들어요. 가게에 오세요.