American Perspectives: The Lover's Transition Pt. 2 ("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.

 

 

 

 

Brother Liu is happily walking through the marketplace with candied fruits on a stick, and other tasty treats to share with Yu'er.  The sun is shining, and he's having a great day.  The world is his oyster.

 

White Tiger and Winged Dragon are watching him from above.

 

Brother Liu reaches his home, and turns a corner.  "Yu'er, did you finish your homework?  I've brought you some food!"  He has been feeling closer to his daughter than ever.

 

Winged Dragon and White Tiger descend from the sky, and levitate just above Brother Liu.

 

"Waa," says Brother Liu.  "Why are you flying?  Where did you thieves come from?  How dare you trespass my territory!"

 

"Thieves?" says White Tiger.  "You stole an item from the heavens, yet you dare to say we're thieves?"

 

"Heavenly Officers?"  Brother Liu breaks out in a cold sweat.

 

"What?"  Asks Winged Dragon.  "You don't know how to use the celestial eye you've stolen?  Don't you know Winged Dragon and White Tiger?"

 

"This is bad!" Gasps Brother Liu.

 

"How dare a Rose Gold Bird like you steal from the heavens?  Return it to us immediately!  Don't try to struggle like that half demon we met earlier.  You'll only make it hard for yourself," says White Tiger.

 

Brother Liu's eyes widen.  "You mean Yu'er?  Where is she?"

 

The officers smirk. 

 

"My Lords, my daughter and I are just lowly demons.  You can take back the celestial eye if you want to, but my daughter..."

 

"That demon is fierce and stubborn.  She will receive her punishment somewhere else, since she has offended us," says White Tiger.

 

"My Lords," says Brother Liu, "you two just barged in without notice!  Of course, she'll try to defend herself.  I know you are magnanimous.  Please don't hold it against her!"

 

"Enough!  She'll handle the consequences of your misdeeds!"  Says Winged Dragon.

 

"I was the one who stole the celestial eye!"  Says Brother Liu.  "You should punish me instead of her!  What has that got to do with my daughter?  Don't blame her for something she didn't do!"

 

"A lowly demon like you has no right to question us!"  Snaps Winged Dragon.

 

"Winged Dragon, save your breath," says White Tiger.  "Remove the celestial eye."

 

"You are so unreasonable!"  Brother Liu protests.

 

Thick black smoke generates from Winged Dragon's hand as he aims for Brother Liu.

 

Brother Liu manages to flip out of the way.

 

White Tiger sends one of Brother Liu's light sculptures flying across the yard, but Brother Liu jumps away just in time.  The light sculptures crumble as they crash into each other.

 

Brother Liu scowls.  He throws a rack full of dried vegetables at the two officers.  White Tiger generates a white orb between his hands.  He pushes the orb into the rack, hitting Brother Liu with it.  Brother Liu falls onto the hard ground, spitting blood.

 

Winged Dragon comes flying toward him, his arms in position.  With his index and middle finger, he generates electric blue energy, and attempts to pull out the celestial eye.  Someone flies in, and kicks his arm away.  Winged Dragon repositions his hands, and attempts to attack the one who had the audacity to undermine him.

 

He slaps his hand in her direction, but Fox Demon, the one who defended Brother Liu, blocks him.  Winged Dragon flies back on the roof.

 

"How dare you touch him!"  Snaps Fox Demon.  "Are you looking for death?"

 

"Here's another lowly demon," sneers Winged Dragon.

 

"Purple Fox, be carefu," whispers Brother Liu.  "They're sacred beasts from the heavens, Winged Dragon and White Tiger."

 

Fox Demon looks up at them scornfully.  "So what?  Listen up!  Wu Zhiqi will come soon.  If you dare to touch me, he'll beat you up!"

 

"Wu Zhiqi?" White Tiger asks Winged Dragon.  He looks back at Fox Demon.  "That damned monkey?"

 

Fox Demon smirks.

 

"Stop wasting our time," says White Tiger.  "You lowly demon!  He flies forward, and just as he strikes her in the chest with the palm of his hand, she disappears in a dusting of purple energy.

 

Winged Dragon flies forward, and grabs Brother Liu by the neck.

 

White Tiger extends his hand to the side, and Fox Demon materializes.  He tightens his grip on her neck.

 

Both Brother Liu and Fox Demon struggle to breathe.

 

With a flick of his fingers, Winged Dragon generates blue energy, and he points it at Brother Liu's forehead.  As he's extracting the celestial eye, Brother Liu begins to vomit blood.  He feels an intense pain that he has never felt before.  A slit in Brother Liu's forehead opens up, and the celestial eye slips out, like a coin in a coin slot.

 

Brother Liu is thrown to the side on the concrete ground.

 

"Wu Zhiqi!"  Calls Fox Demon.

 

White Tiger anxiously looks to the side.  "Winged Dragon, let's go!  We're no match for Wu Zhiqi!"  He throws Fox Demon down on the hard concrete.  Her face is scratched up, and she's bleeding from her mouth.

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Green Dragon is in the forest with Winged Dragon and White Tiger.  He's assisting them in opening up the Celestial Eye.  A blue vortex forms in front of them.  The vortex breaks away, and a clear picture of Wu Zhiqi pouring wine appears.  He looks them straight in the face, like a television news anchor.  He raises his cup, and takes a sip.

 

The picture transitions to Ting Nu, who is peacefully sitting in his wheelchair, sorting out herbs.

 

"So, they're over there!"  Snaps White Tiger.  "How dare she lie to me!"  He gets ready to run back to Brother Liu's home.

 

Winged Dragon blocks him.  "Under King Bailing's order, we're to capture demons who are related to the God of War.  We shouldn't mess with that monkey, so that he won't cause trouble for us."

 

"I'll catch that Merman, then!"  Snaps White Tiger.  "You keep an eye on the God of War!"

 

Lord Green Dragon nods.

 

White Tiger disappears in a wave of blue energy.

 

The celestial eye shows Sifeng and Xuanji at the Glacial Pool, feeding a Lingzhi Mushroom with Xuanji's energy.

 

"Little Lingzhi, I'll feed you some of my qi.  Please grow quickly," says Xuanji.

 

Lord Green Dragon sighs angrily.  How dare she?

 

Winged Dragon crosses his arms.  "I heard that Teng She became her spirit beast."

 

Lord Green Dragon withdraws the celestial eye.  He glares at Winged Dragon.  "You don't need to mention that useless fellow."

 

"Are you trying to tip him off?"  Asks Winged Dragon.

 

Lord Green Dragon looks at him guiltily.

 

"But as brothers," says Winged Dragon, "I need to remind you of something.  With his bad temper, I don't think he'll listen to you."

 

 

 

 

 

"You feed the Lingzhi so much qi everyday," says Sifeng.  "Aren't you afraid that it will turn into a spirit, instead of maturing?"

 

"Huh?"  Xuanji asks in surprise.  That wasn't an outcome she had considered.  She immediately withdraws her qi.  "That can't be!  I think the Snow Lingzhi will mature soon."

 

"It will mature within two or three days," says Sifeng.

 

"That means we can attend my father's birthday," says Xuanji.

 

"By then, we'll return to the Shaoyang Sect together to celebrate his birthday, and I'll ask him for your hand."

 

Xuanji smiles.  She shyly turns away.  "Who said I'm willing to marry you?"

 

"I don't think it's good for your reputation if I tell everyone you stayed with me.  But you wanted me to marry you."

 

"That doesn't count.  Bye!"  Xuanji darts away.

 

Sifeng laughs and watches her run.  He soon trails behind her.

 

 

 

 

 

Teng She is waiting on the doorstep as the happy couple returns from the Glacial Pool.

 

"Where did you two go?"  Teng She asks.  "I'm starving to death!"

 

"Teng She, why did you come back?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

"Chh!  I'm surprised that you still remember me."

 

Xuanji moves closer to Sifeng.  "I missed you, you know?"

 

Teng She moves down the steps.  "It's meaningless for me to stay here and see you two act all lovey dovey.  That's why I took a nap in the heavens."  He flips his hair and laughs.  "Seems like you two have reconciled.  That's pretty good.  My personal chef is back.  Go and make me some nice food."

 

"Don't treat him as your cook," Xuanji admonishes.

 

Teng She growls.

 

"It's fine," says Sifeng.  "It's easy to feed him.  It's fine.  Little Snake, tell me what you want to eat."  Sifeng puts his arm around Teng She's shoulder.  Teng She smirks at Xuanji, as the two men head off to the kitchen.

 

Xuanji smiles.

 

Now that the two men are alone in the kitchen, Sifeng asks, "Did you find out their reactions towards the God of War?"

 

"I have bad news," says Teng She.  "The heavens have issued an order to arrest her.  The Four Sacred Beasts have descended to the mortal realm."

 

"The heavens want to deal with Xuanji because of her identity," says Sifeng.  "I thought something was weird, too.  But I saw that the God of War and the Devil Star were the same person on the paintings in the Demon Citadel.  I'm sure there's something behind that.  Don't you know what's going on?"

 

"The scroll I saw in the heavens wasn't complete," Teng She admits.  "I didn't see the most crucial part.  I really wanted to know..."  He looks over and sees Xuanji in another room, vigorously cleaning.  He lowers his voice.   "I really wanted to know what happened, as well.  I wanted to know how the Devil Star became the God of War.  I think King Bailing is the only one who knows the whole truth."

 

"You're a heavenly officer," says Sifeng, "yet you don't care whether Xuanji's a demon or not."

 

Teng She laughs and spits out some carrot.  "She was Chu Xuanji when I first knew her, and that's the person I know."

 

"Right," whispers Sifeng.  "She's Chu Xuanji.  She has nothing to do with their past feuds.  Why won't the heavens let her off?  I just hope that Xuanji will never know about these facts."

 

"Don't worry," says Teng She.  "The perfect fruit will help in hiding your presence, and I've set up a protective barrier.  It won't be easy for the Four Sacred Beasts to find this place."

 

Sifeng doesn't feel so confident.  He looks over at Xuanji, who is still vigorously cleaning to relieve some stress of her own.   He clenches his fist.

 

 

 

 

 

"Sifeng, look!"  Xuanji excitedly points at the mushroom in the secluded cave.  "The Snow Lingzhi will mature soon!"

 

"Gods are fair, indeed," says Sifeng.  "Now, we just need to wait for one more ring to appear."

 

"Sifeng!"  A familiar voice shouts.  "Sifeng!"

 

The happy couple looks over to see their second honeymoon on the verge of being destroyed.  Little Silver Flower and Ruo Yu enter the snowy cave.

 

"Sifeng!  I've finally found you!"  Yells Little Silver Flower.  Her face drops when she sees Xuanji.  

 

"Yan Ran?" Asks Xuanji.  "Ruo Yu?  How dare you still appear when you've committed so many atrocious deeds?"

 

"Xuanji, I know I'm sinful," says Ruo Yu.  "I'm too ashamed to see you two, but I'm here to help Yan Ran with her last wish.  When she's done with it, I'll commit suicide to atone for my sins."

 

"Ruo Yu was forced to do them!"  Little Silver Flower interjects.

 

Sifeng looks at them both scornfully.

 

"Sifeng, Deputy Chief captured his sister,"  Little Silver Flower explains.  "He had no choice."

 

"Even so," says Xuanji, "that doesn't justify his misdeeds.  Sixth Senior was hurt because he trusted him.  Sifeng treated him as his best friend, yet he almost killed Sifeng with his sword!"

 

"Chu Xuanji," says Little Silver Flower, "no one can compare to you when it comes to hurting Sifeng."

 

"You--" says Xuanji, though deep down, she knows Little Silver Flower isn't wrong.

 

"Ruo Yu," says Sifeng, "you had no choice in the past.  It's fine if you change for the better.  I'll just treat it as if we're strangers.  Xuanji and I are leading a happy life, and that's enough."

 

This was not what Little Silver Flower was wanting to hear.  Fantasy future with Sifeng, at least four years in the making: shattered into a billion pieces.  "How could you lead a happy life with her?  Sifeng, I'm the only one who truly cares for you."

 

"Little Silver Flower, do you still not understand?  Our ties were severed a long time ago."

 

"I know," says Little Silver Flower, but she still has hope that it can change.  "That's why I wanted to terminate our blood contract.  I've found a way to do so.  It's true!"  The box holding the cocoons materializes in her hand.  She quickly removes the lid.  "Sifeng, look!  If you let them absorb some of your blood, they will follow my blood, and terminate our blood contract.  By then, you won't be my master anymore."

 

"No," says Xuanji.

 

"Why not?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.

 

"Sifeng is seriously injured.  His body won't be able to take it if you terminate the contract by force."

 

"Chu Xuanji, what are you up to?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.

 

"I won't stop you from terminating the contract," says Xuanji, "but not today.  Maybe after a few days.  After the Snow Lingzhi matures, you can terminate your contract whenever Sifeng feels like it."

 

"You're just afraid that I'll take your place after I terminate the contract," says Little Silver Flower.  (She can only wish).

 

"Yan Ran, don't force me."  Xuanji says sternly.

 

"I'll do it," says Sifeng.  "You were my spirit beast.  I will give you everything you want."

 

"Sifeng..." warns Xuanji.

 

"I knew it!"  Little Silver Flower gloats.

 

"But I'm doing this just to return you your freedom," Sifeng clarifies.  "There's nothing else to this."

 

Little Silver Flower nods, still feeling hopeful that she can replace Xuanji.  "You never know what will happen in the future.  Let's terminate the contract now."

 

"Little Silver Flower, you'll face a thunderous calamity if you terminate the contract.  You should be careful," says Xuanji.

 

Little Silver Flower shakes her head stubbornly.  "I'm not afraid.  So what if there's a Thunderous Calamity?"

 

The huge crow that has been following Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower flies into the cave.

 

 

 

 

 

Teng She is tossing an apple and walking down the front steps.  He sighs and takes a bite.  Something feels really weird in the air.  A single pink rose flies into his hand.  He spits out the apple, and curiously examines the rose.  "This flower?"

 

"Isn't it familiar?"  A male voice inquires.

 

Teng She looks over, and Green Dragon materializes on the steps.

 

Goddamnit, not today!  

 

"That's the flower you left behind when you left the realm," says Lord Green Dragon.

 

"Green Dragon?"  Teng She says scornfully.  "This is impossible!  We ate the Perfect Fruit.  You shouldn't be able to detect us!  What trick did you use?"

 

"You were a heavenly officer for so many years.  Did you forget the one item that could help us locate everything?"  The celestial eye levitates in Lord Green Dragon's palm.

 

Teng She looks at it with horror.  "You...You took back Liu Yihuan's celestial eye by force?"

 

"The celestial eye belonged to the heavens in the first place.  It was stolen by Liu Yihuan.  Now, we're just taking it back.  This shouldn't be a surprise."

 

"Who killed Liu Yihuan?"  Teng She asks suspiciously.

 

"So what if I did kill him?  Not only that, I will chop off Chu Xuanji's arm to terminate her blood contract with you."

 

Teng She slaps Green Dragon across the torso with the rose.  Lord Green Dragon jumps back in surprise.

 

"Try it, if you dare!"  Yells Teng She.  With a movement of his hand, a golden snake flies forward, followed by golden energy.

 

Lord Green Dragon blocks him with a purple energy barrier, however, he's pushed back from the steps.  Lord Green Dragon spreads his hands apart.  "I'm a dragon!  You're a snake!  Do you think you can win against me?"

 

"Although I'm weaker than you, I'll make you regret it if you dare to touch Chu Xuanji!"  His golden, winged snake circles behind him, while Lord Green Dragon's dragon backs him.

 

Teng She shoots up onto the roof, his snake behind him.  With a movement of his arms, the golden snake busts through Green Dragon's barrier.  Teng She's Snake and Green Dragon's dragon fight in the air.

 

Green Dragon hurls his purple energy at Teng She, binding him around the waist.  He pulls Teng She down to the ground.  Teng She summons more golden energy, and aims at Green Dragon.  Green Dragon generates purple energy, and they block each other.

 

"Are you out of your mind?"  Asks Green Dragon.  "Liu Yihuan isn't dead!  We just took back the celestial eye!"

 

Teng She growls.

 

"I wanted to terminate her blood contract with you because...King Bailing had issued a kill order.  Vermillion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and I are here to deal with her."

 

Teng She's eyes widen with shock.  "Nyahhh!"  He angrily withdraws his energy.

 

"I'm here to tip you off," says Green Dragon.  "I don't want you to die with her."

 

"Kssssaaa...It's rare for you to care about me.  But, Green Dragon, it seems like you don't understand me well enough.  I, Teng She, have never been afraid of death.  Even if there's a kill order, even if the Four Sacred Beasts are here, you need to get through me before you touch Chu Xuanji!"

 

Green Dragon grits his teeth.  "Do you want to die so badly?"

 

Teng She smirks.  "Green Dragon, the heavens is a cold place.  You should come to the mortal realm when you have the chance.  There are many things more important than one's life here."

 

"You're acting like this because you involved yourself in mortal affairs!  Seems like you won't wake up, if I don't beat you up!"

 

"Fine.  I've been avoiding you for so many years.  It's time for us to have a fight!"

 

The two fly up in the sky, and it's purple energy vs. golden.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng and Little Silver Flower are sitting across from each other in the cave, feeding their blood to the cocoons.  Xuanji does not feel good about this.  The cocoons change into many moths, and it's draining Sifeng's strength.

 

Sifeng and Little Silver Flower Both choke, ending the exchange.  "Sifeng!"  Xuanji keeps him from falling over.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"  Ruo Yu supports her back.

 

"Sifeng, how do you feel?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.  "Sifeng?"

 

"I'm fine," whispers Sifeng.

 

Little Silver Flower looks down at her hand and smiles.  "The blood contract is gone!"

 

A bolt of lightning lights up the cave.  The four look up, and see thick purple clouds.  Xuanji blocks Sifeng from the lightning, while Little Silver Flower gets struck in the torso.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"  Yells Ruo Yu and Sifeng.

 

 

 

 

 

Teng She and Green Dragon continue their battle in the sky, among the tree tops.  The two are at an impasse as lightning strikes from a distance.  The two withdraw their energy, and descend to the ground.

 

"This is bad!"  Says Lord Green Dragon.

 

"Why are you stopping?  Are you scared?"  Asks Teng She.

 

"Leave now!"  Yells Lord Green Dragon.

 

"Fine!  You better leave, you coward!"  Yells Teng She.

 

Lord Green Dragon points at the sky.  "Didn't you see that?"

 

Teng She snakes his head.  "This is a Thunderous Calamity."

 

"I don't know who attracted the Thunderous Calamity, but this area is under the watch of the heavens now.  It'll be too late if you don't leave now."

 

"Xuanji is in danger," Teng She whispers.  He immediately flies toward the cave.

 

"Teng She, come back!"

 

"Green Dragon, here's an order!"  Says a booming voice.

 

Lord Green Dragon bows, and a beam of fiery golden energy descends from the sky.

 

"By the order of King Bailing, the Four Sacred Beasts are to meet up and hunt down the God of War!"

 

"Yes, My King!"  Says Lord Green Dragon.

 

The fiery beam disappears.

 

In a streak of bluish purple energy, Lord Green Dragon vanishes.

 

 

 

 

 

Little Silver Flower is in very bad shape.  She's coughing up blood, and barely hanging on.

 

Lightning strikes again, and it hits Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower.

 

"Ruo Yu!"  Yells Sifeng.

 

Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower fall on the boulders.

 

"The third strike," says Sifeng.  "It's actually the Golden Lightning?"  Sifeng's golden wings emerge.

 

"Sifeng, no!"  Cries Xuanji.

 

With his hand, he shoots his own golden energy at the Golden Lightning.  He is struggling to sustain the energy, while Ruo Yu passes out.  Sifeng loses his strength, and is hit by the Lightning.

 

"Sifeng!"  Yells Xuanji.  She runs to him as his wings dissipate.  She catches him in her arms, sits him down, and applies energy into his back with the palms of her hands.

 

The skies begin to clear.  "Sifeng, why is your body so hot?"   Asks Xuanji.  "Sifeng, is it because you can't control the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook's power anymore?  Sifeng, hang in there!"  She takes her hands off his back, casts another spell, and presses her palms against him.  He winces.  "Why is this happening?  It was hard for me to find you, you know.  Please be safe!  Hang in there!  Please be safe!  You must be safe!"

 

She really wants to backhand Little Silver Flower across the face for her self involved short sightedness.

 

 

 

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