American Perspectives: Young Master Yi Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 50)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A storm is brewing in Mount Buzhou.  Ruo Yu promptly runs to the Pool of Bones, ready to destroy all remains of Yuan Lang's spirit.  The color drains from his face as he realizes that he has come too late.  The casket lid is missing, and there's nothing inside.  Little Silver Flower is right behind him.

 

Little Silver Flower gasps.

 

"Where's the black feather?"  Asks Ruo Yu.

 

"What's going on?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.  "Did someone take it?"

 

"Impossible.  No one knows I was here.  Wu Zhiqi may have destroyed this place, but the demonic aura is still strong.  Perhaps it has already been consumed.  He deserved it, I guess."

 

Little Silver Flower has her hands on her head.  She's feeling an intense pain that just won't go away.

 

Ruo Yu hands her a cloth.  "Here, cover your nose.  The demonic aura here is still too much for you.  Let's leave now.  I'll search for the feather for you."

 

Little Silver Flower shakes her head.  "This place is so big.  We won't be able to search everywhere in a day or two.  I'm staying here to search for it."

 

"Fine, but promise me this.  You must not stay here long.  You must leave here every seven minutes.  After all, you need to stay alive to meet Sifeng, right?"

 

Little Silver Flower nods.

 

 

 

 

 

Teng She and Xuanji are walking on a road, surrounded by trees on both sides.  They pass two men.

 

"Teng She, ask them," Xuanji insists.

 

"Ugh," Teng She groans.  He approaches the men.

 

"Hello," says Xuanji.  "Sorry for disturbing you."  She unfurls the scroll of Sifeng's drawings.  "Have you seen him before?"

 

"No,"  They brusquely move past her.

 

Xuanji notices a huge crow perching in the tree.  It flies away when it notices her watching.  "Teng She, did you see a black crow tailing us?"

 

"What black crow?  Can we eat it?"

 

Xuanji looks at him sharply.  "You..."  She rolls her eyes and walks ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

King Bailing is meeting with the Heavenly officers.  "Where is the God of War now?"

 

Si Ming looks sheepish.  He bows.  "Uh, Your Highness, the God of War is in the mortal world, searching for the Rose Gold Bird, Yu Sifeng."

 

King Bailing is furious.  "She's still entangled with that demon?  Looks like I have no more need to keep her.  Pass my order.  All celestial soldiers and knights shall bring the God of War and her associates here once they are seen.  Rebels will be prosecuted!  Do not spare Teng She, as well."

 

"Your Highness, as far as I'm concerned,"  Lord Green Dragon bows, "Teng She was forcibly captured by the God of War, and was made into her spirit beast.  He didn't want to do this.  He was forced.  Please investigate this."

 

"I shall hear no more!"  Snaps King Bailing.  "Four Mythical Beasts, proceed to the Mortal World now to arrest the God of War and her associates."

 

The Four Mythical Beasts bow.  "Yes, Your Highness."

 

Si Ming looks very uncomfortable.  King Bailing is overreacting because his Murder Barbie doesn't want to murder anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji and Teng She fly through the clouds.

 

"We've been searching for ages," says Teng She, "and still have no trace of him.  If it weren't for us trying not to alarm the heavens, I'd have summoned the Lord of Earth and gotten our answers."

 

"Wu Zhiqi gave us the Perfect Fruit so we can mask our presence.  Will the heavens really give us trouble?"

 

Teng She sighs.  "What's with you and your curiosity?  Why so many questions?"

 

"But when I was destroying the Crystal Lamp on the secret ground, I think I heard the Devil Star talking with King Bailing.  I think King Bailing must have done something wrong."

 

"Don't spout nonsense," Teng She says quickly.  "Out of all the deities, I respect King Bailing the most.  Anyway, Wu Zhiqi gave you the Perfect Fruit, so the heavens won't find you.  Stop thinking so much."

 

"When I find Sifeng, let's live in seclusion.  No mortal or deity will ever find us."

 

"Nuh!  There's a village there."  Says Teng She.  "I'm hungry.  Let's buy something to eat," he says as they descend.

 

 

 

 

 

Teng She sniffs the delicious scents of food in the air.  He rushes to a cart full of desserts, and gestures to Xuanji.  "Money, now."

 

Xuanji hands him Linglong's pouch.

 

"Choose whatever you like, sir," says the vendor.

 

Teng She opens the pouch, and much to his surprise, it's empty.  "Where's the money?"

 

"All your food bingeing has made us broke," says Xuanji.

 

"Huh?"  Teng She gasps.  "What now, then?  Listen up.  I can't afford to go hungry."

 

"Go figure," says Xuanji.  She leaves him in an awkward moment with the dessert vendor, before he chases after her.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji and Teng She push through a crowd surrounding the community bulletin board.  They manage to make their way to the front.

 

"Demon Slayers need in Inn," says the flier.  "Successful demon slayers will be rewarded handsomely."

 

"Looks like it's time to earn some money," says Xuanji.  She turns to a man next to her.  "Sir, do you know where the inn is?"

 

"Miss, don't risk your life.  That inn has been closed for about a week now.  Anyone who tried to kill the demon has never returned.  You look young and frail.  You sure you're up for it?"

 

"Just tell me where the inn is," says Xuanji.

 

 

 

 

 

Teng She and Xuanji arrive at the temporarily closed West Valley Inn.  They get to the front doors and pause.  Xuanji knocks.  After the third knock, a young woman finally opens the door.

 

"Didn't you see the notice?"  The young woman rudely asks.  "We're not open for business."

 

Teng She gives her the side eye.

 

"I'm here to kill the demon," says Xuanji.

 

The young woman snorts derisively.  "Kill the demon?  Stop joking.  You think it's a game?"

 

Teng She hisses at her.

 

"Go away."  She tries to close the door, but can't.  She tries pulling on it harder, but Xuanji has a good hold on it.

 

"I said, we're here to kill the demon," Xuanji asserts.  "Let's go in and see."

 

"Whaa?"  Says the young woman.

 

"Chhh!"  Hisses Teng She as he gleefully walks past her.

 

"A'Lan, what are you doing?"  The Inn Keeper, who is an older woman dressed in purple, descends the staircase.  "Didn't I tell you not to open the door?"

 

"Hello," says Xuanji.  "We saw your notice.  We're here to kill the demon."

 

"Uh," the inn keeper answers awkwardly.  "You?  Can you?"

 

"Don't worry.  We've killed many on our way here."

 

"Let us try," says Teng She, "and you'll see.  Anyway, you can pay us after we kill the demon."

 

The Inn Keeper laughs awkwardly.  "If you can really kill the demon, we'll appreciate it very much."

 

A'Lan approaches the Inn Keeper.  "Boss, didn't we agree to wait for Young Master Yi to kill the demon?  He's foraging for herbs in the mountains now.  Can't you wait for him?"

 

"Young Master Yi's whereabouts are mysterious," says the Inn Keeper.  "Who knows when he'll be back?  Besides, we can't just close our inn while waiting for him to come back.  We've been closed for business for so many days.  We're going broke at this rate."

 

"But I've already left a memo for Young Master Yi," says A'Lan.  "He'll help us when he's back."

 

"That's enough," says the Inn Keeper.  "I know you're anticipating his return, but no one knows if that mysterious man will ever turn up.  Why don't we let the masters here take a look first?"  She laughs uncomfortably.

 

Teng She glares at A'Lan.  Teng She takes a seat while Xuanji scans the area.

 

"Didn't you say the inn is closed?"  Asks Xuanji.  "Why is there a room still alight?"

 

The Inn Keeper rushes to her.  "Shh!  That's the room with the demon.  Whenever the sun sets everyday, you can see candlelight from the room.  You can even hear someone cry when you get near.  I didn't know better back then, so I let our guests stay there.  Then, every guest who had stayed in the room, all disappeared.  Only then did I know there's something fishy inside.  Actually, we have a resident demon slayer here named Young Master Yi.  But only a few have ever managed to contact him.  That's why we put up that notice to hire a demon slayer."

 

"Boss," says A'Lan.  "Young Master Yi will be back someday.  Let's not risk this young lady's life.  Miss, please don't risk your life there."

 

"It does reek of demons there," says Xuanji, "and it's pretty strong, too.  Looks like it's highly trained.  Teng She..."

 

Teng She sighs.  "Do you even need me to handle that puny demon?  Who's that...A'Xiang, A'Ling, A'Lan!"  He pats the table.  "Come, serve me tea.  I'm feeling so thirsty."

 

A'Lan glares at him.  "What's with you?  You haven't done anything yet."

 

"Ksss," Teng She snakes his head.  "It'll be done before your tea goes cold."

 

Xuanji looks up at the room.  She makes her way upstairs.

 

"Aren't you following her?"  Asks A'Lan.

 

Teng She knocks on the table.  "Tea, please.  Hurry up."

 

"You--" says A'Lan.  She looks toward the second floor.

 

Xuanji calmly opens the room doors.  She looks around, and the doors slam shut behind her.

 

Everyone down below sees the room go dark.  The Inn Keeper gasps.  "The lights are out!  They're out!  Is she doing fine?"

 

Teng She nods.

 

They see a scuffle in the shadows.  "Oh, dear!  That young lady is going to get killed!  Please take a look!"

 

"Is my tea done?"  Asks Teng She.  He pounds the table.  "Faster!"

 

A'Lan arrives with the tea.  The two women see fighting in the shadows, while Teng She couldn't care less.  He proceeds to pour his tea.

 

They hear glass breaking, and see blood splattering while Teng She calmly takes a sip.

 

"Did that demon eat the young lady?"  Asks A'Lan.

 

"We still don't know who's eating whom," Teng She says impatiently.  "I'm starving."

 

Xuanji calmly walks out the door without a single scratch on her body.  In her right hand, she's swinging a dead gopher by the tail.  She casually descends the staircase.

 

Teng She smiles, thinking, Atta Girl!

 

"Miss, are you okay?"  Asks the Inn Keeper.

 

Xuanji throws the dead weasel on the table.  "Here you go.  A weasel spirit."

 

Teng She hisses at it.

 

"Weasel?"  Asks A'Lan.

 

Xuanji takes a seat and pours some tea.  "It said you splashed it with hot oil three months ago.  That's why it's back for revenge.  But we can't spare it since it killed so many people."

 

"Three months ago," says the Inn Keeper, "I did see an animal eating our chickens, so I splashed hot oil on it.  So, this is it."  She laughs nervously.  "You two look so young, but you're rather formidable.  Thank you so much."

 

A'Lan looks extremely disappointed.  She wanted so badly to see Young Master Yi.

 

"Ma'am," says Xuanji, "do you want to keep the weasel carcass?"

 

"No, no," says the Inn Keeper with a shudder.

 

"You like eating this, don't you?"  Xuanji says to Teng She.  "You can grill it."

 

Teng She grabs the carcass and looks it over.

 

"If you don't mind," says the Inn Keeper, "please stay here for the night."

 

"Of course, we don't mind," says Teng She.  He throws the weasel to A'Lan, who jumps back in horror.  "Here, help me grill this.  Tss," Teng She hisses.

 

"By the way, Ma'am," says Xuanji, "I have a favor to ask."  Her scroll with Sifeng's picture materializes in her hand.  "You've been staying here for so many years."  She unrolls the document.  "Have you seen anyone like this?"

 

"Well, let me see," says the Inn Keeper.  "He does look familiar."

 

"Really?"  Xuanji asks excitedly.

 

"But I've had so many guests at my inn.  I can't really remember."

 

Xuanji sighs.  Will we ever find him?

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji is looking out at the night sky from her window, while Teng She is happily eating.  Sifeng, where are you?

 

"I say," says Teng She, "Liu Yihuan is dubious.  We've already searched all over the southern region for a whole year, but there's still no sign of him.  Could it be that he doesn't want you to find Sifeng, so he pointed us in the wrong direction?"

 

Xuanji tearfully shakes her head.  "No.  That's not how Eldest Brother Liu is.  Perhaps, for the past year, Sifeng has been migrating around."

 

"Fine," says Teng She.  "Anyway, we're about to reach the Southernmost region.  So, where should we go next?"

 

She leans against the window.  "I heard Sifeng say that the Rose Gold Birds used to live in the west."  She steps away from the window.  "Let's head west tomorrow."

 

Down below, a man in a fur lined blue cloak and hood approaches the inn.  He knocks on the doors.  A'Lan opens them, and is happy with who she sees.  "Young Master Yi, you're finally here!"

 

Young Master Yi is none other than Yu Sifeng, but he looks like he's seen better days.  "I saw your memo.  Well?  Well?  Did someone slay the demon?"

 

"Yes," says A'Lan, "but it's just a random girl from nowhere.  We're still unsure about her skills.  Why don't you take a look, Young Master Yi?"

 

"No need.  The demon is gone."

 

A'Lan grabs his arm before he turns away.  "Now that you're finally here, I can't make you come for nothing.  Why don't you stay here for dinner?"

 

"No need," says Sifeng.  He turns and walks away.  

 

"Young Master Yi!"  Calls A'Lan.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji and Teng She are exploring the marketplace.  "Teng She," says Xuanji.  "Let's buy some rations for our journey."

 

Teng She and Xuanji don't notice a strange man in a dark blue cloak.  He walks right past them, also unaware.

 

"What do you want to eat?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

"Anything delicious will do."

 

"It's Sanqing Tea," Xuanji says out of the blue.

 

"Sanqing Tea?  What's that?"  Asks Teng She.

 

"It's made from morning dew, pine nuts, and Buddha's hands.  Sifeng drinks that everyday.  Sifeng is here!"  She darts away, following her nose.

 

Sifeng continues to roam ahead.

 

"Sifeng!"  Xuanji yells.  She doesn't see him yet, she can only smell him.  She runs through the crowd of people.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

 

He is already far ahead, and out of sight. 

 

It's too late, and all her yelling in the market isn't going to bring him back.

 

She sees another man in a blue cloak, but it isn't Sifeng.  She finally catches a back view of him in his dark blue cloak.  Her heart leaps as she catches a very tiny glimpse of his face.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng!" She yells.

 

She approaches him from the back while he's eating. She grabs his arm.  He jumps, turns around, and to her embarrassment, it isn't Sifeng.

 

"Who are you?"  He asks impatiently.

 

Xuanji steps back.

 

"I just flew up to get a good view," says Teng She.  "I think you're mistaken."

 

Xuanji shakes her head.

 

"Sifeng isn't here," Teng She continues.

 

"Impossible!  I'm sure I saw Sifeng.  I can't be wrong.  I'm not leaving.  I'm staying here to look for Sifeng."

 

 

 

 

Many villagers are lined up at the West Valley Inn to meet Xuanji, and employ her services.

 

"Master, can you pay a visit to Huangdi town?  Our Livestock has been dying mysteriously.  I'm afraid it's the work of the demons."

 

Teng She is trying not to fall asleep.  "We'll go there in a few days time."

 

"How much money do you need?"

 

"Forget about money," says Xuanji.  "We just want to look for someone."  She pulls out her scroll.  "Please ask the townsfolk if they have seen this man."

 

"I'll ask them."

 

A'Lan descends the staircase, and she glares at those who are lined up for Xuanji's demon slaying services.  She approaches the people waiting in line.  "What's with you?  I thought you'd ask Young Master Yi for help when it comes to demons.  Why are you asking them for help?  Have you forgotten all about Young Master Yi?"

 

"We'd love to ask him for help, too, but he's mysterious and elusive.  Whenever we need his help, we can only leave a letter in the town's mailbox, and we still won't get any news from him.  We just can't find him."

 

"That's right," other people in line agree.

 

"We can't help it."

 

A'Lan approaches Teng She and Xuanji.  "When are you two leaving?  You've been here for over a month.  Aren't you looking for someone?  You should get moving."

 

Teng She snakes his head in annoyance.  "Sss...what's wrong?  Do you think that we're stealing your crush's business?"

 

"You're just a bunch of amateurs," snaps A'Lan.  "When Young Master Yi is back, you'll go out of business."

 

"A'Lan, don't argue with our guests," says the Inn Keeper.  "My osmanthus wine is about to mature.  Go give a jar to Young Master Yi."

 

A'Lan blushes.  "Sure," she whispers.

 

Teng She laughs.  "You look so happy at the mention of Young Master Yi.  Your crush only appears once in a blue moon.  Is he a nutcase like they say?  Kss!"

 

"None of your business!"  A'Lan snaps.  "He's a fine example of a man.  He's principled, stern, and capable.  Besides, he may be cold towards everyone, but maybe not so towards his wife.  He's my type."

 

Xuanji stands up, as this sounds very familiar.  "Does he have a wife?"

 

"No, but he will get one soon."

 

Teng She busts out laughing.  He can't help himself.  "Are you talking about yourself?"

 

A'Lan smiles shyly.  "Actually, he does fancy me a bit.  I fancy him, too.  If he's willing to marry me, of course, I'll be his wife.  I can even marry him tomorrow.  That's why I'm making this clear.  Don't you take advantage of Young Master Yi.  Otherwise, I won't let you off."

 

Teng She can't stop laughing, as a man, he knows that "Young Master Yi" is just not that in to her, if he's in to her at all.

 

"She said she won't let us off!"  Teng She laughs.

 

"This girl," the Inn Keeper smiles.  "Sorry for making you witness such a farce."

 

"How is that a farce?"  Asks Xuanji, since she's trekking all over the country to find the love of her life.  So, she understands all too well.  "I'm envious of her, in fact."

 

Teng She gives her a strange look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On one of their many walks within their mission to find Sifeng, Xuanji and Teng She come across a beautiful garden of bright blue flowers.  Something about it feels familiar to Xuanji.

 

"Sifeng, what color is this?"  She remembers asking.

 

"It's a light blue hydrangea," Sifeng replies.  Both are wearing red wedding outfits.

 

"So this is blue.  How pretty.  I love blue the most."

 

"So, you've decided to like blue."

 

"I've always liked it."

 

"What are you doing here?"  Xuanji's memories are abruptly dashed by A'Lan.

 

"A'Lan, here's a question," says Teng She.  "Is that the road to Old Li's house in Huangdi Town?"

 

"Why should I tell you?"  Replies A'Lan.

 

"Fine, you don't have to tell me.  I'll just follow you," says Teng She.  "I know you're looking for Young Master Yi."

 

"It's that way.  Just follow the path down."

 

"Does Master Yi live nearby?"  Asks Xuanji.  She's beginning to have some suspicions.

 

"Why are you looking for his house?"  A'Lan asks defensively.

 

"You know we've been searching for someone," says Xuanji.  "I want to see if Young Master Yi might know anything."

 

"No need," A'Lan says quickly.  "He hates strangers.  Besides, all he does is forage for herbs."

 

Teng She eyes her suspiciously.

 

"He doesn't like socializing," A'Lan continues.  "He won't know the person you're looking for.  You should go now."

 

Teng She sighs.

 

"Move," says A'Lan.

 

Xuanji and Teng She leave, but not without a plan in mind.

 

...To Be Continued...

 

 

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