American Perspectives: The Search for Sifeng Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 49)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

Xuanji is taking several deep breaths as she's realizing the gravity of her situation with Sifeng.  She and Teng She are standing in front of the abandoned Lize Palace.  Abandoned because of her.  Xuanji darts through the entry way with Teng She close behind.

 

"Sifeng!"  Xuanji yells in the empty hallway.  So this is what the infamous Lize Palace looks like... "Sifeng!" She stops at the doorway of a large room.  Fox Demon is in her purple and white fox form, knocking empty wine jugs off the table.

 

Teng She eyes the messy room critically.

 

"Purple Fox?"  Says Xuanji.

 

"Xuanji, you came too late," Fox Demon slurs.  "Sifeng isn't here.  I've chugged down all the wine in Lize Palace."  She sees Wu Zhiqi ascending the staircase.  She jumps down from the table to greet him, and jumps onto his arm.  "What brings you here only now?  I'm out of wine now."

 

"Little Fox, you're a pathetic fox," says Wu Zhiqi.  He takes notice of Teng She and Xuanji.  He looks at them with annoyance.

 

"Wu Zhiqi.  Great!"  Teng She says angrily.  He stomps his foot on the cluttered table.  "Ever since you escaped, I haven't had the chance to beat the crap out of you!  Come on, let's fight!"

 

"Teng She," Xuanji admonishes, "we're not here to fight today."

 

"No?"  Asks Wu Zhiqi.  "I thought the God of War was here to kill me, the big demon."

 

"Sifeng did save you and swear to be your brother," says Xuanji.  "I guess you're not a malicious demon."

 

Wu Zhiqi smiles a forced smile.

 

"I'm here to look for Sifeng," Xuanji continues.  "There's a lot of misunderstandings between him and me, and I'd like to ask for his forgiveness.  But I haven't found him."

 

Wu Zhiqi smirks.  "I didn't expect you to be so straight forward."  He puts Fox Demon down on the table.

 

"Do you know where he is?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

"Of course, but I can't tell you.  I've promised him not to say.  So, pretty God of War, don't put me in a tough spot."

 

"Fine.  I won't."  She steps forward.  "Oh, that's right.  I've heard that Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook were used to seal the Crystal Lamp.  I'd like to retrieve them."

 

Both men look at her cautiously.

 

"Let me ask you, then," says Wu Zhiqi.  "Back then, we took you to the Demon Citadel so King Asura would let us off.  Now, I'm curious as to what you saw there that twisted your temperament, and made you attack the heavens?"

 

"I don't remember," Xuanji admits.  "The heavens took away my memories."

 

Wu Zhiqi chuckles.  "Looks like the heavens can never change their sneaky old habits."

 

Teng She is nibbling on a snack.

 

"Right, Little Snake?"  Asks Wu Zhiqi.

 

Teng She stops nibbling.  He puts the snack down.  "The heavens have their own rules."

 

"What rules?"  Asks Wu Zhiqi.  "So the heavens are faultless?"

 

"Ssss..." Hisses Teng She.

 

"Whatever," says Wu Zhiqi.  "I don't really care about that millenial old grudge between the heavens and the demons.   Now, I just want to be free.  As for the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook, I've passed them to Sifeng.  They're in safe hands, I'm sure.  You'll just have to find him, if you can.  However..."

 

"However what?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

"However, I've heard that he's been trying to stop the Lover's Curse cast upon him, so he took a Heartless Pill to forget about his own past.  That's why I'm afraid he's probably forgotten you."

 

Xuanji feels nauseous.  "He wants to forget me?"  That possibility was something that never crossed her mind.

 

"If you ask me, you should let him go.  You are not mere commoners.  The world is your oyster.  Since you can finally part ways and move on, isn't that a perfect end?"  He turns to Fox Demon, "Getting troubled over love is the stupidest thing in the world, isn't it?"  

 

Fox Demon darts off.  She's not taking part in this conversation.

 

"The stupidest thing I've done is lose Sifeng," says Xuanji.  "That's why I will find him.  Even if he hates me or despises me, I'll explain everything to him when I find him."

 

Teng She sighs.

 

Wu Zhiqi laughs.  "Looks like your current life is much more interesting than your stint in the heavens.  Fine, to each their own."  He stands up.  "Everyone has different paths.  I've said all that I can say.  I've finished the wine, too.  Time to go.  Oh, right."  He opens his palm, and a fiery orange pearl appears.  He aims it at Xuanji, and it absorbs into her forehead.

 

Teng She looks at her quizically.

 

"It's a perfect fruit from the Kingdom of Aolai," Wu Zhiqi explains.  "It can mask your presence in the three realms, so you can avoid certain troublemakers.  Prevention is key.  No need to thank me.  I gave one to Sifeng, too.  So, if you want to find him, I'm afraid it won't be easy."  He picks up a dejected Fox Demon.  "I'm off," and they disappear in a swish of red and black smokey energy.

 

"Sss..." says Teng She.  "That stupid monkey is just bluffing.  We're just looking for someone.  It's easy."

 

"Can you do it?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

"This place is filled with Sifeng's scent.  Give me a former possession of his."

 

She pulls out the puzzle box Sifeng had given her.  "Sifeng gave me this, try it."

 

Teng She nods.  "I'll try."  He gently takes the box.  It levitates from his hand, and golden energy generates.  A formation appear underneath the wooden box.  It flies through the air in a flaming ball.  Xuanji and Teng She jump back in surprise.

 

Xuanji chases after it.

 

"Why did it run off?"  Asks Teng She.

 

It darts through several rooms of the palace like a comet.  It ends up in Sifeng's bedroom, generating a bright purple light.  Paper scatters everywhere.

 

"What's going on?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

"I guess the perfect fruit does work after all," Teng She sheepishly admits.  "My magic went slightly out of control."

 

Xuanji walks toward Sifeng's bed.  He was completely familiar with her living situation, but she was in the dark regarding his.

 

Teng She breaks the silence.  "I think we should keep it for now."  With streams of energy generating from his fingers, he brings the box crashing to the floor.  It shatters on impact, and a folded up piece of paper is among the debris.

 

Xuanji kneels down to pick it up.  She unfolds it, and sees a drawing of Sifeng in his Rose Gold Bird form.

 

Teng She curiously looks over her shoulder.

 

Xuanji tearfully reads over the paper.  "Sifeng..." She can't believe she was so easily brainwashed.  "So...So, this is what you always wanted to tell me."

 

The letter reads: "Xuanji, you once asked me on Fuyu Island if I was a demon.  I'm sorry, I lied to you." 

 

"You never wanted to deceive me," Xuanji sobs.  "It's my fault.  Why didn't I think of opening it?  What a fool I am.  I was...and still am, a fool.  Sifeng."

 

 

 

 

 

Wu Zhiqi sits back at his table, and takes another drink.  Fox Demon enters the room in her preferred, human form.

 

"Little Fox," says Wu Zhiqi.  "Here.  Come here."

 

She takes a seat beside him.  They clink their wine cups.

 

"Little Fox," says Wu Zhiqi.  He puts his arm around her.  "Let's drink to our farewell today."

 

"Farewell?"  Asks Fox Demon.  She elbows his arm off her shoulders.  "What are you saying, Stupid Monkey?  What farewell?"

 

"You see, I was trapped underground for over 1,000 years.  Now that I'm out, of course I'm going to wander around.  But if you keep following me, how can I have fun with the beautiful ladies, right?"

 

Fox Demon glares at him.  All this effort she expended on releasing him, and this is the thanks she gets.

 

"So, you can find a place to train by yourself," he continues.  "Won't you?"

 

"What beautiful ladies?"  Asks Fox Demon.  "I'm a beautiful lady myself."

 

He gives her a strange look.  "How should I put it?  At first glance, you look fine.  But I'd get bored eventually.  Take food as an example.  How boring would it be if I ate the same food everyday?  I love trying new things everyday.  Now that's life."

 

Fox Demon is beginning to wonder if her decision to walk away from him in the first place had been the correct move.  While giving in to the sadness, and spending all this time preparing to bring him home had been the regrettable move.

 

"Stupid Monkey, are you treating me like mere air?"

 

He looks at her guiltily and shakes his head.  He realizes it's very possible that she could castrate him at this moment.  "No, you're not air.  You're a little pet.  You're a furry, cute, little, fox."  He puts his hands on her, and she scowls.

 

"Stupid Monkey," she rises from her chair.

 

"Little Fox," slurs Wu Zhiqi.

 

"I didn't wait 1,000 years just to hear you say that.  Don't you fancy me at all?"

 

He is the epitome of a dusty boyfriend.  Completely apathetic and ungrateful.  Deluded into thinking he has a huge line of desirable women waiting to drop their panties for him.  Deluded into thinking that she'll be thrilled at the possibility of an open relationship and/or "the lifestyle."  

 

"Not even a tiny bit?"  Asks Fox Demon.  She's so angry about massive amount of time she has wasted.  She resents Sifeng and Xuanji for having a great love life, while she wasted her time on this ass hat.  (Who will convince her that all men are really like this, and that men like Sifeng are just looking for an insidious way to get laid.  He is the type who will try to convince her that his actions are actually empowering and liberating for women).  This author is very familiar with that guy.  Stay away from that guy.

 

"Ah," Wu Zhiqi slurs.  He then pretends to fall asleep.

 

Fox Demon wants to slam a full wine jug on his face, and break his nose with it.  Instead, she walks away and stops.  She looks back at him, and he still pretends to be asleep.  The sight of him using sleep to get away from facing the tough stuff disgusts her, but she also still cares very deeply for him.  "Wu Zhiqi, can you answer me?  Do you like me?  Stop pretending to be drunk.  I know you're awake."

 

He continues to fake snore.

 

"Stupid Monkey, yes I stayed with you for hundreds of years in the form of a fox.  I do like you.  I love chasing after you.  I wish I could stay inside your arms just for a short while.  Even if I liked you first, so what?  Can't you love me the least bit?  Is it so difficult for you to like me?"  She kneels down.  "Stupid Monkey, wake up, wake up.  If you don't wake up, I'm going to kiss you."

 

Wu Zhiqi continues to feign sleep.  He doesn't think she'll do it.  He expects her to throw a temper tantrum instead, and then go to bed.

 

She tearfully leans over and kisses him on the lips.  He is completely unresponsive, and she disappears in a streak of bright purple energy.

 

 

 

 

 

Wu Zhiqi wakes up, and takes a bite from the fresh food on his tray.  Something feels odd.  He looks over, and sees Fox Demon at another table, taking a drink.  She looks over at him and smiles.

 

He drops the food with disgust.  She walks to him with a bowl in her hands.  He resentfully glares at her.

 

"Wu Zhiqi, you must have had too much to drink again last night.  I've prepared breakfast for you.  I even brewed some tea.  Do you like your breakfast?"  She hands him the bowl.  "Drink some tea."

 

"Little Fox, why are you still here?"

 

She smiles and puts the bowl of tea in his hand.  "Drink up first."  She takes a seat in front of him.  "Don't think that I don't know you're chasing me away.  You think those lowly tricks can tick me off?  You must have underestimated me, then."

 

Wu Zhiqi looks extremely disappointed, and Fox Demon really should go.  Brother Liu is a way better match for her anyway, while Wu Zhiqi is a man child who will drain every woman who comes into contact with him.

 

"I've decided," says Fox Demon.  "From now on, I'm following you wherever you go.  Even if you won't let me follow, I'll cling to you.  I didn't wait the past 1,000 years for nothing."

 

He side eyes her.

 

"Wherever you go, I'll follow.  If you peek at other ladies, I'll destroy your eyes.  Anyway, as long as I'm around, I don't want to see you with any ladies within a three foot radius.  I'm betting my life on this.  Let's see if you can bear to leave me when I'm with you for another 1,000 years."

 

Wu Zhiqi rolls his eyes and face palms.

 

 

 

 

Out on the Pool of Bones in the Demon Citadel, where Yuan Lang was able to take on the form of General Asura, Ruo Yu approaches a casket.  He carefully looks around, making sure no one else is there.  He pulls the burnt feather out of his belt.  He pushes it over to the casket, and Yuan Lang's spirit materializes in a wave of blue energy.

 

Yuan Lang's spirit sees Ruo Yu, and he apathetically waves his fan.

 

"I've already brought you here," says Ruo Yu, "so it's time for you to honor your promise.  Tell me!  Where did you hide my sister?"

 

Yuan Lang says nothing, and continues to apathetically wave his fan.

 

"Now!  Or else I will destroy this feather!  I'll reduce you to ashes!"

 

In blue energy, words are inscribed on a stone slab, "The underground prison under the silver lake."  Yuan Lang's spirit then disappears.

 

 

 

 

 

Ruo Yu reaches the Lize Palace, only to hear Fox Demon yelling:  "Wu Zhiqi, where are you going?"

 

Ruo Yu hides as Wu Zhiqi quickly walks ahead of Fox Demon.

 

Fox Demon grabs his arm.  "Wu Zhiqi, where are you going?"

 

He smiles at her.  "Little Fox, if you can catch up to me, then I'll tell you."  He quickly flies away.

 

"Wait for me!"  Fox Demon flies after him.

 

As Ruo Yu is about to go through the entry way, he hears some rustling.  "Who's there?"

 

Little Silver Flower approaches him.  "Ruo Yu."

 

"Little Silver Flower?"  He beams.  "What are you doing here?"

 

"I'm here to look for Sifeng.  But his presence is getting weaker.  I'm afraid he's getting further from me.  That's why I'm here to take a look.  But why is Lize Palace empty?  Where is everyone?"

 

"I just came back," says Ruo Yu.  "I don't know what happened, either.  Little Silver Flower, Deputy Chief has kept  my sister here for ten years.  I'm here to bring her back home."

 

"Younger sister?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.  "Ah!  Ruo Yu!"  She runs after him.

 

They walk through the darkened halls in search of his sister's cell.

 

"Ruo Xue!  Ruo Xue!"  Ruo Yue calls.

 

"Ruo Yu, what is it?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.

 

He frantically runs ahead.  "Ruo Xue!  Ruo Xue!  Ruo Xue!"  Where the hell could she be?

 

He finally finds her cell, and he pushes the door open.  She's laying down, and he carefully approaches her.  "Ruo Xue," he sits her up.

 

"Older Brother, am I finally free?"  Asks Ruo Xue.

 

Ruo Yu nods.  "Yes, you are.  I'm bringing you home now."

 

"How nice," says Ruo Xue.  Her eyes close, and she stops breathing.

 

Little Silver Flower's jaw drops.

 

Ruo Yu puts his hand under Ruo Xue's nose to check her breathing.  Nothing.

 

He tries to smile and laugh.  "Little Silver Flower, look!  My younger sister is as mischievous as you are.  She's sulking because I came late."

 

Little Silver Flower smiles uncomfortably.

 

"She's sulking.  That's why she's pretending to be asleep.  Ruo Xue, stop that.  I'm bringing you home.  Wake up.  Don't scare me."  He shakes her.  "Don't scare me!  Ruo Xue, I know."  He holds her hand, "You're angry because I came late.  Rest up now.  When you're awake...When you're awake, I'll bring you home."

 

 

 

 

Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower are mournfully burying Ruo Xue's body on the beach.

 

"So, you did all that to Sifeng because your sister was held..."

 

"Anyone who works for Deputy Chief," says Ruo Yu, "has a loved one held captive by Deputy Chief himself.  If we rebelled, he'd torture our loved ones to death.  As long as Ruo Xue could stay alive, I would do anything.  I could abandon morals.  I could abandon friends.  I could even abandon my life.  I'm the one who should die, not Ruo Xue."

 

"So, you did that for someone you love.  Forget it.  I won't blame you since you have your reasons."

 

Ruo Yu takes a deep breath.  "Do you know?  Among all the places in Lize Palace, Ruo Xue loves this spot the most.  When we first came to Lize Palace, we didn't know things would transpire into this.  As orphaned Rose Gold Birds, we thought we were in paradise.  We first met here.  Back then, you had just gained the form of a human.  You looked so much like Ruo Xue from the back.  Do you remember the first question you asked me?"

 

Little Silver Flower shakes her head.

 

He smiles at her.  "Back then, you insisted on drinking sea water.  I couldn't stop you.  After you drank it, you asked me why the sea water was salty."

 

"I...I don't remember."

 

"It's been so many years.  Everything I did was to free Ruo Xue.  But my wish couldn't come true.  Right now, I only have one wish.  I hope you can live well.  Wherever you are, whoever you're with, as long as you're still alive, I...I would feel there's something worth living for.  Promise me.  Little Silver Flower, live well."

 

Little Silver Flower smiles.

 

"If you need any help, feel free to tell me."

 

Little Silver Flower smiles shyly.  "My biggest wish now is to terminate my blood contract with my master.  Of course, I want to do it amicably.  Then, I can truly be myself and stand before him, and love him with all my heart."

 

Ruo Yu is slightly disappointed, but not surprised.  "Very well, I'll help you.  I've read before that the Asuras were pioneers in training spirit beasts.  That's why they're familiar with blood contracts.  Back at the Demon Citadel, I've read some obscure books.  I think we can find a solution in them."

 

Little Silver Flower beams.  "Really?  Let's go, then!"

 

"I'd love to go there, too.  Yuan Lang's remnants are still there.  I need to destroy them to avoid future troubles."

 

"Isn't he already dead?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.

 

"It's a long story.  I'll tell you everything on the way there."

 

...To be Continued...

 

 

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