American Perspectives: Hao Chen Plays Dirty Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 47)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

The Shaoyang Sect Disciples  are out in the forest, fighting the numerous plumes of blue and black smoke.  Fox Demon is assisting.  In spite of all the differences, she must help her friends.  The plumes either mysteriously disappear, or fly off in other directions.  She's gravely concerned.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng breathes a sigh of relief.  "It's finally over."

 

Wu Zhiqi sighs and stands beside him.  He knows better.  It's never over.  But in this particular circumstance, he will concede.  "Yuan Lang, I guess our 1,000 year grudge is settled."  He looks at Sifeng and smiles.  He grabs Sifeng's shoulder.  "Now that we've removed this monster here, you can finally explain everything to Little Beauty."

 

Sifeng smiles.  "I've been waiting so long for this."

 

They look over at Hao Chen the slime ball.

 

"What?"  Asks Wu Zhiqi.  "You still care about this guy?"

 

"He's Xuanji's senior, after all," says Sifeng.

 

"I didn't know you were so kind," says Wu Zhiqi.

 

"I'm not trying to be a saint," says Sifeng, "but if I don't save him, Xuanji will blame me for the rest of her life."

 

Hao Chen is thrilled about another opportunity that has just presented itself.

 

"I don't want to carry this sin," Sifeng continues.  "Besides, if her senior testifies for me, I can explain everything to Xuanji."

 

Wu Zhiqi laughs.  "You punk, that's a clever plan."  He slaps him on the shoulder.

 

The two men approach a severely injured Hao Chen.

 

"Senior Hao Chen," says Sifeng.  He generates golden energy from the palm of his hand, and applies it to Hao Chen's body.  The wounds do not heal.  "What's going on?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

Hao Chen violently pushes the energy away.  "Yu Sifeng, stop wasting your energy.  You are a good actor, Devil Star."  He barely stands up.  "You're trying to use this chance to conquer the demons, right?  Regardless of your goals, do you think what you're doing is useful?  You're just wasting your efforts."

 

"What do you mean?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

"Senior Hao Chen!"  Calls Xuanji.  "Senior Hao Chen!"

 

Hao Chen smiles.  He summons his sword, and starts slicing at Sifeng, who artfully dodges him.

 

"Senior!"  Yells Xuanji.

 

Sifeng and Hao Chen's swords cross.

 

"Xuanji is in this state because of you!"  Hao Chen growls.

 

"Where are you?"  Calls Xuanji.

 

"Since there's no return," says Hao Chen, "let me lend your identity as the Devil Star!"  He moves his sword out of the way, grabs Sifeng's blade, and stabs it into his own chest.

 

Sifeng's hand is still on the handle, and his eyes widen with horror.  Hao Chen convulses and spits blood.  Xuanji arrives, followed by Sect Leader Chu and the elders.

 

Sifeng wants to cry in frustration.

 

"Senior!"  Yells Xuanji.

 

Sifeng and Xuanji's eyes meet.

 

"You demon!" Gurgles Hao Chen.  "Even if you kill me, you'll never take the Crystal Lamp!"  He rips the sword out of his body and falls back.

 

"Senior!  Senior!"  Xuanji runs to him.

 

Hao Chen gasps for air.  Plan succeeded.

 

"Senior," says Xuanji.  She sits him up.  He plans on using this as a "funny story" in the immortal realm when they reunite.  "Senior."

 

"You demon!"  Growls Sect Leader Chu.  "How dare you attack Hao Chen!"  Sect Leader Chu generates blue energy, but before he can weaponize it, Wu Zhiqi creates an impenetrable, but transparent, purple wall.

 

Sect Leader Chu still tries to fire his energy, but the wall pushes back, engulfing him with its own energy.  The disciples try to charge forward again.

 

"You people are an unreasonable bunch," says Wu Zhiqi.  "My brother was helping him."

 

"Senior Hao Chen, I was here to kill the undead Asura spirit," says Sifeng.  "I was here to save you.  Why are you maligning me when you know this?"

 

"Yu Sifeng wants to take the Crystal Lamp," says Hao Chen.  "I can't let him get his way."

 

Xuanji looks at Hao Chen with innocent doe eyes, and believes every word.

 

"You trusted the wrong person," Hao Chen continues.  More blood gushes from his mouth.

 

"Senior!  Senior!"  Yells the gullible Xuanji.  "You'll be fine.  I'll heal your wounds now."

 

"Xuanji, that's not it," whispers Sifeng.

 

She applies white energy to Hao Chen's chest.

 

"Don't waste your spiritual power," says Hao Chen.  "Xuanji, why didn't you listen to me?  Everything has gone so awry now."

 

"You'll be fine, Senior," says Xuanji.  "I'll listen to you!  I'll listen to you!  I'll listen to you, Senior!"

 

Sifeng shakes his head.  He can't believe the power this man holds over Xuanji.

 

"I'll listen to you," Xuanji sobs.

 

"It's too late," says Hao Chen.

 

"Xuanji, that's not what happened,"  Sifeng anxiously insists.  "When I got here, your Senior was already seriously injured.  I saw the undead spirit attacking him, so I decided to strike.  The spirit was possessed by Yuan Lang's soul.  He was here to take the Crystal Lamp!  When I finally killed him, your senior...I wanted to save him!"

 

"Promise me," Hao Chen holds Xuanji's hand.  "Destroy the Crystal Lamp.  Don't let the demons get their way."

 

"Senior," sobs Xuanji.

 

"Promise me," says Hao Chen.

 

"Senior."

 

"Promise me."

 

"I promise you!  I promise you, Senior!  I promise you!"

 

Hao Chen begins to fall backwards.

 

"Senior!  Senior!" Screams Xuanji.  He crumples to the ground, lifeless.

 

"Sect Leader!"  Shout the sect members.

 

"Senior!"  Screams a rather stupid Xuanji.  She tries to shake him awake.

 

Sifeng feels all his chances with Xuanji are now toast.

 

She looks at a very confused Sifeng with a profound sense of hatred.  "Yu Sifeng, you killed my senior!"

 

"Xuanji, I didn't kill him," Sifeng insists.  "Trust me."

 

She stands up and approaches him.  "When I knew you were a demon, I chose to trust you.  When you trespassed upon our secret ground, I trusted you, too.  Even when I knew you were the Devil Star, I still hoped that you would change.  I trusted you time and again.  And now?  My loved ones are hurt because of you!  You injured Auntie Yinghong.  You killed my master and my senior.  How can I still trust you?"  She summons her sword, and without a second thought, she stabs him through the chest.

 

"Sifeng!  Sifeng!"  Yells Wu Zhiqi.  He is astounded at how simplistic mortal brains are.

 

Sifeng drops his sword and vomits blood.  "Xuanji, I'm not the Devil Star.  I've never hurt anyone.  I came here today to kill Yuan Lang.  Now that Yuan Lang is no longer here, no one can threaten the Crystal Lamp now.  I can tell you everything I've done.  Think about it.  If I did kill your loved ones, why didn't I run away?  Why did I stay here?  You think Hao Chen can stop me?"

 

"Shut up!"  She stabs deeper.

 

"Sifeng!"  Yells Wu Zhiqi.

 

"Xuanji," says Sifeng, "what should I say to make you trust me?"

 

"Have we ever trusted each other?" Asks Xuanji, who should only speak for herself.  "Senior Hao Chen was right.  I shouldn't have searched for my six senses.  Had I not done so, I wouldn't hurt so much as I face you now.  Yu Sifeng, I regret meeting you."

 

Sifeng's face drops.  "Xuanji."

 

"I regret taking the brunt for you at Fuyu Island."  She seemingly forgets that he was the one who was tortured and beaten to the point that he was barely breathing, while all she did was faint from using the Dingkun Sword.  "I regret loving you.  I regret everything that happened between us.  I'd rather...not have anything to do with you, ever!"  Words that she will be regretting very soon.  Words that she cannot take back.

 

She pulls the sword out of his chest, and blood sprays from his mouth.

 

Wu Zhiqi catches him before he falls.  "Sifeng!"

 

Sifeng laughs bitterly.  He's on the verge of being done.  She thinks she's the one who suffered and sacrificed?  Not even.  "I finally understand...why my past nine lives ended so.  Chu Xuanji...you are after all, a heartless woman."  A heartless woman who is easily groomed by a significantly older man, and brainwashed.

 

"If I don't have a heart," whispers Xuanji, "I won't feel pain.  For the years to come, even the lives to come, I don't want to see you again."

 

Wu Zhiqi stares at her judgmentally.

 

She aims her sword at Sifeng once more, and Wu Zhiqi throws her back with his purple energy.

 

The purple wall collapses.

 

"Sifeng, stop messing around!"  Says Wu Zhiqi.  "You're dying!"  He looks at Xuanji hatefully.  "God of War, to think I treated you as a friend for the past 1,000 years.  Has time dulled your wits?  You're a bore.  A real bore.  Sifeng, let's go!"  The two disappear in a poof of black smoke.

 

And Hao Chen secretly got what he wanted.  Four years of grooming sessions have paid off.

 

"Hao Chen!"  Cries Sect Leader Chu.

 

"Sect Leader!"  The Sect Members cry.

 

Xuanji has an awful feeling that she royally fucked up.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji walks up to Hao Chen's memorial plaque and kneels.  Memories of both Hao Chen and Sifeng race through her head.  It's not her fault that Hao Chen so obviously groomed her in her younger years.  However, her continued to devotion to him, even when he exploited her Ninth Heaven Fire, even when he attempted to trick her into killing Sifeng, is maddening.  Especially when she holds it against Sifeng that he was a demon, and he was bound by his sect to never ever tell.  She's angry at the wrong man.

 

"Senior Hao Chen," says Xuanji.  "I'm sorry."  She clenches her fist.  Everything started because of the Crystal Lamp.  It's all the lamp's fault.  I will destroy it.

 

 

 

 

A barely conscious Sifeng is sitting in the forest with Wu Zhiqi.

 

"Where are we?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

"We are at Fenru City's Path of Reincarnation," says Wu Zhiqi.  "You're already dead."

 

"Don't jest, Brother Wu."

 

"I say, you punk.  You didn't even strike back when that girl was about to kill you.  You're a fool, aren't you?"

 

"I'm probably the biggest fool in the whole wide world.  In the end, it was all wishful thinking on my part."

 

"So, what's your next plan?  Are you really ignoring her?"

 

"She said she regrets meeting me.  She regrets everything that happened between us.  What else can I say?  Let's go back to Lize Palace.  I have so much work to do there."

 

"Sure," says Wu Zhiqi.  He feels pressure on his heart.  He pulls out the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook from his chest.  "The Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook are wailing.  Something must be happening to the soul of the Devil Star.  It's in danger."  He makes a fist, and the combined weapons disappear.

 

"The soul of the Devil Star is sealed inside the Crystal Lamp," says Sifeng.  "Who can touch the Crystal Lamp and threaten the Devil Star?"

 

"The God of War," they whisper in unison.

 

"Before he died," says Sifeng, "Hao Chen told Xuanji to destroy the Crystal Lamp, and erase the soul of the Devil Star."

 

"If the soul of the Devil Star was so easily destroyed, those from the heavens would have struck a long time ago," says Wu Zhiqi.  "They wouldn't have to wait until now.  Everything happens for a reason.  I think that shameless pact from the heavens must have done something disastrous toward the soul of the Devil Star.  That's why the soul is filled with hatred.  It's indestructible.  Although Xuanji has the power of the God of War, I think that even if she sacrifices herself, she still can't destroy it."

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji is at the forbidden ground, intensely applying ice blue energy to the Crystal Lamp.  She has absolutely no idea what Hao Chen has tricked her into doing, and perhaps that is why Sifeng should have told her she was the Devil Star in the first place.

 

The Shaoyang members are raptly watching her.

 

Sifeng arrives on scene, and witnesses the spectacle.  He flies through the air, leaving a trail of golden energy.

 

"Guard!"  Shouts Sect Leader Chu.

 

Everyone, including Linglong, who should really know better, aims streams of white energy at Sifeng.  He erects a protective fire barrier.  He sees Xuanji weakening, so he uses his fire barrier to push the Shaoyang Sect members away.

 

Wu Zhiqi materializes beside him.

 

"Yu Sifeng, you stubborn demon," says Sect Leader Chu.  "How dare you trespass again!"

 

"Move," says Sifeng.  "I cannot hurt the innocent.  I want to save Xuanji."

 

"Devil Star," growls Sect Leader Chu, "today is the day you die!  Don't you dare approach the Crystal Lamp.  Take him down!"

 

"Stop!"  A huge orange flame appears.  Yes!  The fabulous Teng She, the spirit beast diva, is here!  "Stop!  Listen, old man!  Xuanji can't destroy the soul of the Devil Star.  Look at her!"  He points in her direction.

 

They all turn to observe.  As she weakens, she also levitates, almost getting sucked into the lamp.

 

"Xuanji..." Says Sifeng.

 

She begins to bleed from her mouth, and she experiences her first memory as the Devil Star.

 

She's a man laying on an operating table.  "Why are you doing this to me?"  The Devil Star asks.

 

King Bailing grabs a dagger, but Xuanji still can't see his face, or she'd stop it with the Crystal Lamp this instant.  "I won't let you off."  Says King Bailing.

 

The Devil Star gets stabbed in the heart.

 

Xuanji is barely holding on.

 

"Xuanji looks awful now," says Linglong.  "What should we do?"

 

"Why is this happening?"  Asks Sect Leader Chu.  "Hao Chen did say that Xuanji is the only one who can destroy the soul of the Devil Star."  He points at Sifeng.  "Yu Sifeng, you must have done something!"

 

"I told you," Teng She says impatiently, "he didn't!  What?  You don't believe me?  If that stinky woman destroys the soul of the Devil Star, she'll die, as well.  Hao Chen said she's the only one who can destroy the soul not because she's the God of War, but because..."  His mouth is suddenly sealed shut.

 

"Because what?  Tell us."

 

"She's the..." His mouth again seals shut.  "She's the one sealed inside..."  He vomits blood.  "Even the Gods are forbidding me from speaking.  It's okay.  I have a jade inscription about the God of War.  Read it, and you'll know."  He opens his palm, and summons the document, but the inscription is invisible, and the scroll disappears in thin air.  "I can't read it to them, either?"  Teng She shouts.

 

Wu Zhiqi chuckles.  He isn't in the least bit surprised.  "You people from the heavens just love being sneaky and mysterious."

 

"Shut up!"  Says Teng She.  "Who do you think you are?  You have no right to comment on our affairs.  If it weren't for Hao Chen's interferences...Hao Chen?"  Teng She pauses.  "How did Hao Chen know that Xuanji is the only one who can destroy the soul of the Devil Star?"

 

Xuanji is bathed in the glow red energy, and she's on the verge of death.  She grabs her heart.

 

"Xuanji!"  Sifeng rushes to her.

 

"Stop him!"  Shouts Sect Leader Chu.  He aims energy at him, but Teng She and Wu Zhiqi put a dome over the Shaoyang Sect members.

 

Sifeng flies over the dome, inscribes Chinese characters in the air, and creates a formation.  Like a frisbee, he uses it to intercept the red energy that is hurting Xuanji.  It hits the energy, but boomerangs right back.

 

Sifeng flies forward with his fiery sword, and attempts to cut through the energy, but it throws him back.  He grasps his chest, and vomits blood.  He looks up and sees a levitated, but unconscious Xuanji.  He is not giving up.  As he tries to fly upward, Wu Zhiqi intercepts.

 

"Fool, you can't beat him!"

 

"Let me go."

 

"Don't risk yourself!"

 

"I can't afford to wait!"  Yells Sifeng.

 

"You can't do anything, Sifeng!  Who is she?  No one can battle with the Devil Star other than the God of War."

 

"No, there must be another way," Sifeng insists.  "I can't let her die like this!"

 

Xuanji is struggling to breathe.

 

"Teng She!  Teng She!"  Yells Sifeng.  "I know you have another solution."

 

Teng She pauses.

 

"Tell me!"  Shouts Sifeng.

 

"The Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook.  It used to be a part of the Devil Star," says Teng She.  "You can absorb its powers to battle the Crystal Lamp."

 

"No, Sifeng," says Wu Zhiqi.  "You're not that kind of demon.  You can't absorb all the powers in the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook."

 

"This Monkey has a point," Teng She agrees.  "If you do that, the weapons' powers will kill you."

 

"I have only one question," says Sifeng.  "What's the procedure?  Tell me!"

 

"The Rose Gold Birds absorb energy below the ribs, right?"  Asks Teng She.  "Stab the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook there."

 

"Shut up, you stupid snake!"  Shouts Wu Zhiqi.  "I won't let you do this, Sifeng!"

 

"Brother Wu, you promised me three favors."

 

"I can't let you die!"  Shouts Wu Zhiqi.

 

"Brother Wu, I'm begging you!"

 

Wu Zhiqi realizes Sifeng isn't going to back down.  "Fine.  I can't stop you if that's what you wish."  He pushes Sifeng back.

 

Wu Zhiqi summons the weapons, and they fly to Sifeng.  Sifeng generates flame energy, and absorbs them into his body.

 

He flies up to Xuanji, and claps his hands over his head.  Fiery energy generates.  He aims his clapped hands straight ahead, and destroys the stream of red energy.  Xuanji falls, but Sifeng quickly catches her.

 

"Xuanji, Xuanji!"  Says Sifeng.  She slowly awakens.

 

Cracks begin to form in the Crystal Lamp.  It levitates.

 

"Oh, no!"  Yells He Yang.  "The soul of the Devil Star is about to push out from the Crystal Lamp!"

 

"Teng She," says Sifeng, "please take care of Xuanji."

 

Sifeng flies up and fully extends his beautiful wings.  He releases his bottom feathers.

 

"Sifeng, are you trying to kill yourself?"  Asks Wu Zhiqi.

 

Sifeng fires the feathers at the lamp, and the form a golden circle around it.

 

"He's using his wings to reseal the Crystal Lamp," says Teng She.

 

Sifeng forms a golden orb between his hands, and throws it at the lamp.  The cracks disappear.

 

The protective dome around the Sect Members dissipates.

 

Sifeng crumples to the ground.

 

"Sifeng!  Sifeng!"  Yells Wu Zhiqi.

 

"I'm fine," says Sifeng.  "Teng She.  Don't tell her what happened today.  Please."  He looks at an unconscious Xuanji tearfully.  "From now on, she is just a woman called Chu Xuanji."  He's done.  He's tired of going through everything for her, and coming out barely alive.  It's time to let her go.

 

"Brother Wu," says Sifeng, "let's go."  He's also tired of the constant discrimination from her sect, being the designated scapegoat.  He passes out in Wu Zhiqi's arms.

 

"Very well, Sifeng."  He glares at the very easily brainwashed Shaoyang members, before the two disappear.

 

"The Devil Star will bring calamity someday," He Yang insists.  "They must still be near.  Let's go!"

 

Sect Leader Chu stops him.

 

"You're an idiotic bunch!"  Yells Teng She, saying what so many have been dying to say.  "Can't you understand?  What are you after now?  It was Sifeng who saved Xuanji.  It was also Sifeng who resealed the Crystal Lamp that you almost opened.  It was also Sifeng who killed Yuan Lang, so he wouldn't release the Devil Star, and destroy the three realms.  Right now, you're still standing here, and all is peaceful in the three realms.  And it was Sifeng the demon who mended your mistakes.  If he were the Devil Star, what can he get from this?  Can't you think about it?  Ssss!"

 

What have I done?  Sect Leader Chu thinks.

 

 

 

 

 

Ruo Yu is running through the forest, like a kite without a string.  He approaches a tree, and leans against it.  "It's over.  It's all over.  You haven't told me where my sister is."  He drops to his knees.  "How can you die like that?"  He trembles.  He sees a black feather on the ground, and picks it up.  He notices that it isn't a black feather per se, but that it's fire damaged.

 

 

 

 

Sifeng and Wu Zhiqi are back at Lize Palace.  "I deceived the elders and our clansmen," says Sifeng.  "I no longer have the spiritual power to lead the Rose Gold Birds."  He hands the medallion to Elder Luo.  "Elder Luo, I shall leave this in your hands."

 

"No, please don't," Elder Luo bows.  "It is often said that we Rose Gold Birds are violent and bloodthirsty, but we want nothing other than a peaceful life.  It's just that our pact with the demons still stands.  Of course, we need to follow through with our promise.  Just now, you mentioned that you were not the Demon Lord, and you do not intend to destroy the three realms, so we do not have to fight for it.  this is a huge relief for all of us.  You are still the Twelve Feathers Rose Gold Bird, and you've been planning the best for our clansmen, seeking a safe sanctuary for us to live in.  May I ask if there's anyone else who can lead the Rose Gold Birds?  You should keep the medallion."

 

"Elder Luo, actually I..."

 

"That's enough," Brother Liu interjects.  "Our clan still acknowledges you as our leader.  Why are you still denying it?"

 

"Exactly," Elder Luo agrees, "so please, don't worry.  I will manage the clan with the other three elders, and await your return.  I shall take my leave," he bows and exits.

 

"I wanted to pass this position to Elder Luo," says Sifeng.  "Eldest Brother Liu, why did you stop me?"

 

"If I didn't stop you, I had to see you bang your head on the wall, put a Lover's Curse on yourself, and pretend to be the Devil Star until you're half dead.  Now, I even have to see you pass all your duties to someone, and find a place to die alone.  Isn't that what you're thinking, Little Phoenix?"

 

 

가게에 오세요.