American Perspectives: The Lover's Transition Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 52)

 

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng and Xuanji tearfully hold each other tight, missing each other terribly after this long separation, and feeling very intoxicated by each other's warmth.

 

"Because I'm afraid," says Sifeng.  "Because I'm afraid that you'll look for me, yet I'm afraid that you won't come.  I wanted to return to the past with you, yet I'm afraid that everything will disappear, just like a bubble.  If that's the case, I would rather not see you."

 

Xuanji holds him tighter.  "Why would that happen?  Sifeng, believe me.  From now on, we'll be together forever.  We will never be apart."

 

"Will not be apart," Sifeng agrees.  "We will never be apart.  We will be together forever.  Now, I finally understand.  Eternity is too far away from us.  But at least we can cherish our days together."

 

Xuanji pulls away.  "Sifeng, believe me.  Don't worry.  I'll lift your Lover's Curse for you."  She leans over, puts her arms around his neck, and gives him a kiss.

 

They lay down on the bed and kiss sensuously, enjoying each other's warmth, missing each other, longing for each other.  Spending so much time nearby, spending so much time showing affection, but never going too far.

 

She kisses his neck and his chest, taking in his scent.  She notices something unusual on his chest.  "Sifeng, why did the feather mark disappear?"

 

He looks at her, smiles, and then laughs.  "Because...Because the Lover's Curse has been lifted."  He pulls her to him and kisses her.  I don't know how long I can survive.  I mustn't ruin Xuanji's future.

 

They continue to make out much more intensely than they ever have, but Sifeng has the common sense not to take it all the way.  They aren't married, and Sect Leader Chu's penchant for throwing people away over the tiniest infractions is legendary at this point.  He doesn't want to get her pregnant if he isn't sure he's going to live long, and he doesn't want her being subjected to the same shame and harrassment as Linglong.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji has her head on his shoulder.  "Sifeng, do you know that I've traveled everywhere in order to look for you? Guess where I've been."

 

He puts his hand over hers.  "I'm sure it's the places that we went to before."

 

"How did you know?"

 

"Because I went to the same places, and reminisced about our past there."

 

"Sifeng, do you feel that I deserved everything?"

 

"Not at all.  I know you cared for me, and you looked everywhere for me.  Now, I feel smug."

 

Xuanji smiles.  "Don't think too highly of yourself.  Listen.  If you dare to run away again, I'll ignore you."

 

"Ah," says Sifeng.  "You told me that you'd follow my wish when you tried to coax me earlier.  Were you lying to me?"

 

Xuanji giggles.  "Sifeng, you've been to many places.  Why did you decide to stay here?"  She looks up at him.  "Don't tell me it's because of that A'Lan?"

 

Sifeng laughs softly.  "No.  I will tell you the details in the future."

 

"But I want to know what happened in the past two years.  I want to know what you were up to.  I want to know if you've met any other girls, other than A'Lan."

 

Sifeng smiles.  "No."

 

Xuanji smiles and rests her head against his shoulder.

 

"Xuanji, actually, I missed you everyday.  I wondered what you were up to everyday.  I wondered if you were happy or not.  I wondered if you'd met someone better than me."

 

Xuanji hugs Sifeng.  "I've found the best person in the world."

 

He rubs his cheek against her forehead.  He holds out his palm, and his mother's hairpin materializes.  He shows it to Xuanji.  "As for this hairpin, I actually asked Miss A'Lan to repair it for me."

 

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?  I was upset for nothing."

 

"I'd finally made you jealous.  This hairpin has made a huge contribution," Sifeng grins.

 

"Anyway, you mustn't give this hairpin to anyone else in the future.  Not even for repairs.  If not, I won't let you off."

 

Sifeng smiles.  "I don't dare to do so when you're so fierce.  Here, I'll put it on for you."  He slides the pin into her hair bun.

 

Xuanji smiles and puts her head on his shoulder.  "This is great.  Everything is just like the past now.  By the way, Sifeng, I've been meaning to ask you something.  What exactly happened when you saved me in the secret ground?  Why can't I remember anything?"

 

Sifeng pauses.  "You were hurt by the Crystal Lamp's malignant aura, and you fell unconscious.  Of course, you don't remember anything."

 

"How did you get there in time, then?  How did you know I wasn't able to destroy the Crystal Lamp?"

 

"It was just a guess," Sifeng lies.  "Think about it.  If the soul within the Crystal Lamp could be destroyed so easily, the heavens would've acted long ago.  They don't need to wait 1,000 years for it."

 

"But I feel like something was beckoning me when I was trying to destroy the Crystal Lamp.  And when I tried to destroy it, I felt terrible.  I feel like I was related to the Devil Star somehow."

 

"You defeated the Devil Star personally.  Of course, you'll feel familiar with it.  There's nothing strange about that."

 

"That's not the case," Xuanji insists.  "Actually, I've thought about this, too.  There are so many brave warriors in the heavens.  But why did they only send the God of War to face the incoming Asuras?  Every immortal in the heavens has their own past.  Some were cultivators in their past lives.  Some became immortals after absorbing the essence of heaven and earth.  But what about God of War?  What's her past?  How did she become the God of War?"

 

"Xuanji, don't overthink stuff.  The Devil Star is trying to control you.  It's trying to bewitch you.  You should never go near the Crystal Lamp again, understood?"  It literally pains him that this is one more secret he has to keep from her.  He wants her to know the truth, but he does not want her to be exploited.  Ideally, he should tell her the truth anyway, and then she can decide for herself.

 

Xuanji nods uncertainly.  "Yes.  I'm just curious."

 

Sifeng looks her in the eyes.  "Promise me this.  Let's spend the rest of our lives in peace, and forget about the past.  Don't pursue them any longer, okay?"

 

Xuanji smiles and nods.

 

Sifeng begins to tremble, and then cough.

 

"Sifeng?  Sifeng, what's wrong?  Why do I feel like you're much weaker now?"

 

He holds Xuanji's hand.  "I sustained some injuries while I tried to seal the Crystal Lamp.  It's fine."

 

Xuanji feels even worse.  She already knew he sacrificed a lot for her, but she didn't fully understand the consequences.  "Really?"

 

"Yes.  It's just a minor injury."

 

"Sifeng, please don't hide anything from me, no matter what happens."  She leans on his shoulder.  "I don't want you to suffer in silence.  I don't want you to suffer alone."

 

"Okay.  Xuanji, you should rest now.  It's late."

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng makes his way over to the Glacial Pool.  He looks up at the rock wall, and sees the Snow Lingzhi Mushroom has grown.

 

He remembers his conversation with Teng She.

 

"You're here because of the Glacial Pool and the Snow Lingzhi," says Teng She.  "You borrowed the powers of the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook, and saved Xuanji by sealing the Crystal Lamp.  But your body can't withstand their immense power.  If I'm not mistaken, it triggers much faster than the Lover's Curse.  The weapons are still inside your body.  They're torturing you, am I right?  Ksss...So, you avoided Xuanji because you thought you would die soon.  Why did you do that?"

 

"You know everything," says Sifeng.  "Wu Zhiqi told me that with my powers, I can only survive one year at most.  I didn't expect myself to survive until this day."

 

"The Glacial Pool saved you.  I remembered something while I  was on my way here.  Rumor has it that there's a freezing pool at the end of the land of Xigu.  And there's a super rare Snow Lingzhi that grows around that part.  I guess that Snow Lingzhi can temporarily suppress the powers of Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook in your body.  That's why you chose to settle down here.  If you're lucky, when the Snow Lingzhi grows into a Nine Rings Lingzhi, maybe it can fuse the two weapons in your body when you consume it.  How is it then?  Did you find the Snow Lingzhi?"

 

"I'm always unlucky," says Sifeng.  "The Snow Lingzhi is only a small sprout.  For it to grow into a Nine Rings Lingzhi, maybe I'll have to wait 1,000 years."

 

Sifeng looks up at the growing mushroom in the cave, and he feels overjoyed.  "It did grow.  The gods are still on my side."

 

A murder of crows flies into the cave, and Yuan Lang's spirit materializes.  Sifeng doesn't see him.  With his golden energy, Sifeng casts a protective dome over the mushroom.

 

Yuan Lang watches him leave, and he directs the murder of crows to the protected mushroom.  They are immediately repelled, and they disappear with Yuan Lang.

 

 

 

 

 

"The Demon Citadel has been in ruins for over 1,000 years," says Little Silver Flower, as she and Ruo Yu walk through the dark hall together.  "I wonder if the ancient records still exist?  We found nothing after a long search."

 

"The Demon Citadel is a huge place," says Ruo Yu.  "Don't give up yet.  Let's continue our search."

 

Little Silver Flower gasps.  "Ruo Yu, look!"  She darts ahead.

 

They find a destroyed library.  Many of the shelves have been knocked over, but the scrolls are still intact.

 

Ruo Yu unfurls a scroll, and shake off the dust.  "Ancient records?  All the ancient records are here!"

 

"I'm sure this is the library of King Asura!"  Little Silver Flower exclaims.

 

"No one was able to come due to the strong malignant aura.  I'm sure this place will provide us with the solution.  Let's split up and search."

 

Little Silver Flower nods excitedly.  "Okay."

 

A small black wave of energy knocks down a bookcase behind Little Silver Flower.  Ruo Yu grabs her, and moves her out of the way before it can hit her.

 

"Are you okay?" Asks Ruo Yu.

 

"I'm fine," says Little Silver Flower.

 

"This place is collapsing.  You better be careful."

 

Little Silver Flower nods.

 

Ruo Yu notices a small leather book on the floor.  He picks it up and examines the cover.  "Spirit Beasts of the World?"

 

Little Silver Flower snatches it from him.  "Is there a way to terminate my blood contract?"  She quickly thumbs through the pages.  She stops on a page with an illustration of a caterpillar.  "It does exist!  In the book, it states that there's a moth that lived around the calamity pool.  If their cocoons absorb the blood of the spirit beast's master, they'll follow the blood of the spirit beast, and terminate the blood contract!  This is great!"

 

"Let me see," says Ruo Yu.  He flips a few pages ahead.  He notices a number of pages have been conveniently ripped out.  "But why were the other pages torn out?"

 

"Here," Little Silver Flower points to a sentence.

 

"It stated that if you want the moths to turn into a cocoons, you need to feed them with rare herbs."

 

"Rare herbs?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.  "I guess it means something like Lingzhi.  Isn't that easy?  The most important thing now is to find the moths.  It's stated in the book, as well.  Calamity Pond is their habitat.  Let's look for them!"

 

Ruo Yu feels very hesitant, as he was, after all, Yuan Lang's personal assistant.  So, he knows how the game of cat and mouse is played; and how adept the cat is at manipulating situations and making them appear like destiny, or the universe working in one's favor.  "But, Little Silver Flower, don't you think this is too much of a coincidence?  And, why were the other pages torn out?  Maybe we're missing some vital information."

 

"I'm sure it's not that dangerous," Little Silver Flower insists.  "Anyway, everything is stated in the book.  We should find the moths before anything else.  Let's go."  She grabs his arm.

 

"Wait," says Ruo Yu.  He rips out the pages they need.  "Okay, let's go."

 

Little Silver Flower nods.  "Let's go."

 

A crow is sharply eyeing them from one of the broken posts, as they enthusiastically leave the library.

 

"Yu Sifeng," says the crow, "you spoiled my plan.  I will never let you live in peace!  You want to use the Snow Lingzhi to save yourself?  In your dreams!"

 

 

 

 

 

Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower continue to traipse through the dark and gloomy Demon Citadel.

 

"Where exactly are they?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.  She points to a pool of water.  "Ruo Yu, let's look over there."  She runs forward, but Ruo Yu promptly stops her.

 

"Little Silver Flower, you mustn't go there!"

 

Little Silver Flower looks at him sharply.  She tries to break free from his grip on her arm.  "That's the Calamity Pool!  The water will corrode your body!"  Ruo Yu insists.

 

She continues to try and break from his grasp.  "Stay here if you're afraid.  I need to find them, no matter what."

 

She runs ahead of him.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"

 

As she gets to the edge of the water, she is almost struck by black energy, but Ruo Yu intercepts it by catching it in his fist.

 

"Ruo Yu, are you okay?"

 

"I'm fine."

 

"I didn't ask for you to save me!"

 

"Seems like we can't find any of them here," says Ruo Yu.  "Let's take a look over there."

 

Little Silver Flower makes her way back up the steps.

 

Ruo Yu gasps for breath, and looks down at his hand.  It's burned with two open sores.

 

As Little Silver Flower is walking around the area near the Calamity Pool, a crow drops a leafy branch.  She comes across the branch, and immediately notices the striped caterpillars on the leaves.  She enthusiastically picks it up.

"Ruo Yu, look!  Is this the moth's larvae?"

 

Ruo Yu pulls out the torn pages from the book, and the illustration matches perfectly.  "Seems like they fit the bill," says Ruo Yu.

 

Little Silver Flower beams.  "This is great!"  She giggles with delight.

 

Ruo Yu still has very strong doubts.  This looks a little too much like something Yuan Lang would do...

 

 

 

 

 

Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower are out of the Demon Citadel, and down by the banks of the river.

 

"Ruo Yu, look!"  Little Silver Flower says excitedly.  "Look what I've found!"  She approaches him with a Snow Lingzhi mushroom.

 

"Lingzhi?"  Asks Ruo Yu.  "I thought you went to gather food."  The hair on the back of his neck rises, as this is too similar to the creepy situations he took part in manipulating.

 

"Calm down," says Little Silver Flower.  "It's stated in the book, right?  We need to feed the larvae with rare herbs.  Only then will they grow and form cocoons.  I'm so lucky!"  Little Silver Flower grins broadly.  "I found this Lingzhi before our food.  Relax, we'll continue after I feed them with this."

 

"Lingzhi?"  Ruo Yu raises an eyebrow.  Little Silver Flower has no idea what she has just stepped in.  "But why is the Lingzhi around this area?"

 

"I don't know, either," says Little Silver Flower.  "I saw a crow holding it with its beak.  And I grabbed it from the crow.  I'm amazing, right?"

 

"A crow?"  Asks Ruo Yu.  This can't be good.  "Little Silver Flower, don't you think there's something wrong with the crow?  The crow lead us here in the first place.  Now, it even gave you a Lingzhi."

 

"How is that strange?  It's only a crow.  I'm sure we can defeat it if it's a foe."  She kneels down.  "Look!"  She feeds the mushroom to the larvae.  "They finished the Lingzhi already.  Calm down, I'll get more rare herbs for you.  Grow up fast, and I'll take you to Sifeng, okay?"

 

The crow is watching them from a tree, and he caws at them before flying away.

 

 

 

 

 

A stream of gold shoots in Sifeng and Xuanji's home.  It materializes into a message from Shaoyang.

 

"Xuanji, how are you?  I wonder where you are right now?  Do you have any news of Sifeng?  All of us miss you.  Father's birthday is on the 16th.  We've invited all the other sects.  I hope you can celebrate it with us.  From: Linglong."

 

Xuanji smiles.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

 

Sifeng is in another room, sorting herbs.  The curse of the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook is acting up again.  He feels dizzy, achy, and nauseous.  He begins to bleed from the mouth again.  He can't hold it back, and he vomits blood onto the bamboo floor.

 

"Sifeng!"  Calls Xuanji.

 

He darts out of the room.  He doesn't want her seeing him like this.

 

"Sifeng, Linglong sent us a letter!"  She sees the blood on the floor, and her heart drops.  "Sifeng?  Sifeng!"  Xuanji begins to panic.

 

She runs out into the empty yard, wondering where he could possibly be, how he could dart off so quickly in spite of being so sick.

 

She sweeps her hand across the air, and four golden bubbles form.  One bubble shoots off like a comet to Sifeng's location.  Xuanji makes a run for it.

 

 

 

 

 

"Ruo Yu, look!  The larvae are turning into cocoons!"  Little Silver Flower exclaims.

 

"Our effort wasn't in vain," says Ruo Yu.

 

"Now, we just need them to absorb Sifeng's blood.  And the moths will be able to terminate my blood contract.  Let's look for Sifeng right now."

 

"But how do we find Sifeng?"  Asks Ruo Yu.

 

"Although I don't know if Sifeng has recovered his power,  I can sense him now.  And although his power is weak, I can still locate him."

 

Ruo Yu stops walking.

 

"Ruo Yu," says Little Silver Flower.  "Ruo Yu, although you did help me out, you've hurt Sifeng many times, as well.  Maybe he doesn't want to see you.  Forget it.  I think I should go alone."

 

"You're right.  I'm too ashamed to see Sifeng.  No one would want to see a person like me.  But Yan Ran, I'm worried about you.  Just treat this as my last trip with you."

 

Little Silver Flower nods.

 

"And one more thing,"  Ruo Yu pulls a silver bracelet out of his hanfu.  "This bangle was supposed to be a pair.  I wanted to give one to Ruo Xue, and one to you.  But Ruo Xue is gone now.  I hope you can stay happy on her behalf."

 

"Ruo Yu, I can't accept that."  She pushes the bracelet away.  "You're really good to me.  Thank you.  But I only have Sifeng in my heart.  You know that."

 

"Of course.  I know that.  Being good to you is my business.  It has nothing to do with you.  I treat you like my little sister, just like Ruo Xue.  Just treat this as a brother's blessing.  After you terminate your blood contract with Sifeng, I will disappear by then, and I won't bother you again."

 

"I..." says Little Silver Flower.

 

Ruo Yu puts the bracelet on her wrist.

 

She looks down at the bracelet, and begins to have second thoughts about chasing Sifeng.  After all, he never indicated any romantic interest, and her current effort is undoubtedly a Hail Mary pass.  

 

Ruo Yu smiles at her.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji follows the golden bubble to the Glacial Pool.  Her jaw drops at the sight in front of her. 

 

"Sifeng," she whispers.  She frantically runs up to him.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng!"  She helps him sit up, and with the palm of her hand, she applies purple energy to his heart.

 

He slowly wakes up.

 

"Sifeng.  Sifeng."

 

He looks over at her.  "Why are you here?"

 

"Why is this happening?  Sifeng, what's wrong?"

 

"It's nothing."

 

"It's nothing?  Look at your injuries!  How long do you intend to hide this from me.  Sifeng!"  She applies more purple energy, but he blocks her palm.

 

"Xuanji, it's useless.  I'm in this state because I've absorbed the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook, and my body can't withstand their power at the moment.  I'll be fine after some time."

 

"The Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook?"  She pauses.  "No wonder.  That's why you could seal the Crystal Lamp, even though I couldn't suppress it.  Do you know how powerful the Devil Star is?  You actually withstood this pain because of me?  And you tell me that it's a minor injury?  No way that's a minor injury!"

 

"It's because I overestimated myself," Sifeng admits.  "It's lucky that I'm the Twelve Feathers Rose Gold Bird.  It can't kill me."

 

"Is that why you made me angry on purpose, and asked me to leave?  Is it because of this?  How could you do that?  Didn't we agree that we'll take on our problems together?"

 

"Silly girl, I'm fine since I told you so."  However, he remains pale and weak.  He is clearly not fine.  "Look.  You see that Snow Lingzhi?  When it matures, it can merge the powers within me after I consume it."

 

"Really?  Can that Snow Lingzhi really save you?"

 

"Silly girl, I wouldn't need to come here everyday if it couldn't save me.  Stop crying.  If you cry, you'll affect its growth.  By then, it won't be able to save me."

 

"How is that possible?  You're lying."  Xuanji looks up at the Lingzhi.  "There's a golden ring on top of the Lingzhi."

 

"Yes.  This is the rare Nine Rings Lingzhi.  I was lucky to discover it.  It takes 1,000 years for it to sprout, grow roots, and mature.  And the Lingzhi will mature this year.  It will be able to save me once it matures.  You can rest at ease now."   Their foreheads touch.

 

"Sifeng, if you want me to care for you, you need to forget about your worries first.  You can't just ask me to change without changing yourself."

 

"I was silly then.  I won't do this in the future.  Lord God of War, it's all my fault."

 

Xuanji hugs him tightly.  "In the past, you always protected me.  From now on, I'll protect you."

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, in the heavens, Teng She is hiding behind a pillar.  He knows he's a dead man walking if King Bailing finds out what he's up to.  He's also not in the mood for the earful he'll be getting from his boyfriend, Lord Green Dragon.  "Chh!"  Whispers Teng She as the guards pass by.

 

He sniffs the air, and scurries from one pillar to the next as more guards pass by.

 

He thinks he's in the clear, when someone loudly says, "Lord Teng She!"

 

He just about jumps out of his skin.  "Gggg," he shudders.

 

A guard bows to him, and says loudly, "Lord Teng She, I didn't know you were here.  Please forgive me!"

 

Teng She gets in his face, covers his mouth, and whispers sharply.  "Keep it down!  I will be done for if Green Dragon hears about this!"

 

The guard nods.  Teng She removes his hand from the guard's mouth.  "But Lord Teng She--"

 

"Shh!"

 

"Lord Teng She," the guard says in a softer voice, "you don't need to panic.  The Four Sacred Beasts and Lord Winged Dragon were sent to the mortal realm by King Bailing."

 

"You almost scared me to death.  That was close.  Why did King Bailing send them to the mortal realm?"

 

"I heard that he ordered them to slay demons."

 

"Slay demons?  What demons?"

 

"I think it's those who were connected to the God of War."

 

"God of War?"  Asks Teng She.  Shit.  "Ah.  You are dismissed."

 

"Okay."  The guard bows.

 

Fuck.  He actually sent those people down there?  Teng She wrinkles his nose.  Don't tell me King Bailing wants to hunt down that stinky woman?  This is bad.  I need to rush there.

 

 

...To be continued...

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