American Perspectives: Yuan Lang's Revenge Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 53)

 

 

“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 sobbing uncontrollably as she's applying as much energy as she can into Sifeng's back.  The Thunderous Calamity that the stupid Little Silver Flower brought forth has made Sifeng's current injuries much, much worse.  Xuanji is exceedingly pissed off at Little Silver Flower and her narcisstic fantasy of being with Sifeng, and causing this clusterfuck to happen in the first place.  If the stupid silver snake wasn't already unconscious, she would have back handed her across the face.

 

Xuanji looks up and sees the medicinal Snow Lingzhi getting bigger.  "The Snow Lingzhi!"  She shakes Sifeng.  "Sifeng!  Look at the Snow Lingzhi!  It has matured!"  She hugs Sifeng tightly.  Finally, an answer to their prayers.  "Sifeng, you'll be saved."

 

"Xuanji," whispers Sifeng, "I told you I wasn't that unlucky."  He presses his cheek against hers.  "You...you can be at ease now."

 

Xuanji carresses his face, and cries tears of relief.

 

Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower are both unconscious.  Ruo Yu is embracing Little Silver Flower tightly.  As he awakens, he notices Little Silver Flower is still out cold.

 

"Little Silver Flower!  Little Silver Flower!"  Ruo Yu says anxiously.  "Little Silver Flower!  Wake up!  Wake up!"

 

Little Silver Flower opens her eyes, and she feels extremely disappointed that Xuanji and Sifeng are holding each other tightly, and here she is, waking up in Ruo Yu's arms instead.  Xuanji eyes Little Silver Flower warily.

 

"Is the Thunderous Calamity over?"  Asks Little Silver Flower.

 

"Your blood contract has been terminated," Ruo Yu confirms.  "The Thunderous Calamity has passed, as well.  You're free now."

 

Little Silver Flower's heart flutters.  "I'm free now?"

 

"Yes," says Ruo Yu, sincerely hoping she'll see her situation with Sifeng for what it really is, and get over it.  "You're free now!"

 

"I'm free now?  Master!"

 

Without warning, the huge swarm of moths that Little Silver Flower brought in, make a bee line for the Snow Lingzhi.

 

"No!"  Whispers Xuanji.

 

Like a swarm of locusts, they descend upon the mushroom.

 

"No!"  Yells Xuanji.  With a sharp movement of her arms, she generates blue energy, and shoots it at the moths.  Too little, too late.  Like locusts, they have devoured the mushroom in seconds flat.  At that moment, Xuanji profoundly hates Little Silver Flower.  "Snow Lingzhi!  Sifeng, what should we do without Snow Lingzhi?  Sifeng, how can I save you?"

 

Little Silver Flower's heart drops.  This happened because of me...  She should have listened to Xuanji instead of acting like a petty high school girl who thought she had a chance of stealing the most popular guy from his girlfriend. 

 

"Sifeng, I want you to stay alive!"  Cries Xuanji.  "I don't want anything to happen to you, Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

 

What have I done?  Little Silver Flower thinks.

 

"I'm fine," whispers Sifeng.

 

"Why are you saying Master will die?"  Little Silver Flower asks apprehensively.  "What's going on?  Tell me!"

 

Xuanji really wants to beat her ass, but before she can give her the well deserved tongue lashing of a lifetime, a murder of crows appears.  Yuan Lang's spirit materializes in a red and black fiery vortex.

 

Yuan Lang's spirit laughs at them, while the murder of crows surround him.  "Yu Sifeng, you couldn't kill me.  You're going to die in front of me instead.  What a funny turn of events."

 

"Yuan Lang?"  Sifeng asks wearily.

 

"Yes," Yuan Lang chuckles.  "I'm the only one who wishes to send you to an early grave.  It's all thanks to your stupid spirit beast.  Thanks to her, my plan went smoothly."

 

"What do you mean?"  Little Silver Flower asks anxiously.

 

"What do I mean?"  Asks Yuan Lang.  "I knew from the start that Yu Sifeng was waiting for the Snow Lingzhi to mature.  That's why I lured you into my plan.  Actually, you don't need to feed the moths with Lingzhi at all.  But if they consume Lingzhi, they'll feed on it once they become moths.  This rare Snow Lingzhi which only grows around the Glacial Pool, the moths will detect it even from 100 miles away.  And once they consume it, there'll be no way to save Yu Sifeng.  You think you're that lucky?  You think you could find the moths vital to terminating the contract by just exploring the huge Demon Citadel?"

 

Ruo Yu puts his arms around Little Silver Flower.  Xuanji looks like she wants to cut her.

 

"The book even told you how to feed it, you know?"  He chuckles derisively.  "It's all because my powers haven't recovered.  I couldn't seek revenge by myself.  That's why I placed the lure there.  I didn't expect a dumb spirit beast like you to fall for it, and become my weapon!"

 

Xuanji looks up at Yuan Lang's spirit hatefully.  She positions her arms.  "Die!"  She shoots a stream of blue energy from her index and middle fingers.

 

The fiery vortex with Yuan Lang disappears, and reappears higher up on the rock wall.  "God of War, you're so fierce," Yuan Lang sneers.  "It's a pity my real body isn't here.  You can't hurt me.  Chu Xuanji, I know you want to abandon your identity as the God of War, and you want to live peacefully with Sifeng and grow old together.  It's a pity that you can't escape your fate.  Not just me, the entire heavens won't let you off."

 

Little Silver Flower looks down remorsefully.  What the hell did I just do?

 

"I'll kill every one of you, then," replies Xuanji, looking Yuan Lang straight in the eye, "until you regret your actions!"

 

Yuan Lang smirks.  "Chu Xuanji, you don't need to be angry.  Isn't helping Yu Sifeng to survive this ordeal the most important thing now?"

 

"Xuanji," Sifeng whispers.  "Xuanji, just let him go.  Just accompany me for the rest of my days.  Don't waste your time on unneccesary feuds."

 

Xuanji shakes her head.  "No!  If you die, I don't want to live."

 

Sifeng looks at her, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.  "Silly girl.  Besides me, you still have your father, and older sister.  How could you abandon them?  No matter what happens to me...in this lifetime, I'm content.  Because...I know I am always in your heart.  I have no regrets in this life.  Xuanji, you need to take care of yourself."

 

Xuanji sobs.

 

"Actually," Yuan Lang interjects, "it's too early to say your good byes.  Yu Sifeng may still survive."

 

"What?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

Sifeng does not like where this is heading.

 

"Although the Divine Weapon is draining his life, there's a way to save him.  You need to unseal the Crystal Lamp, and revive the Devil Star.  The Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook are part of the Devil Star.  If you revive him, and he absorbs the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook, Yu Sifeng will be saved.  God of War, it all depends on your choice."

 

Sifeng looks up at him angrily.  "Yuan Lang, don't spout nonsense!"

 

"You'll know whether I'm lying or not, if you think about it.  I don't need to say much.  God of War, it all depends on you, whether to save him or not."  He grins wickedly.  "Farewell."  He spins around, and disappears with the vortex.  The crows follow suit.

 

"Xuanji," says Sifeng, "don't believe him.  Yuan Lang is trying to trick you."

 

Little Silver Flower inches closer to Sifeng, but Xuanji protectively puts her arm around him.

 

"Master I was wrong!" Cries Little Silver Flower.  "I didn't do this on purpose!  I didn't know that was his plan!  Please don't abandon me!  Please don't abandon me!"

 

"Little Silver Flower, I'm not your master anymore.  The blood contract has been terminated.  You don't need to kneel before me.  Now, I don't have much time left.  I just want to...I just want to spend..."  He looks into Xuanji's eyes.  "My remaining time with Xuanji.  You should leave."

 

Little Silver Flower desperately shakes her head.

 

"Xuanji," says Sifeng, "Little Silver Flower was deceived.  This is my fate.  We don't need to blame anyone else.  Let's go."

 

Xuanji puts Sifeng's hood on over his head.  She is still blindingly angry at Little Silver Flower, but she doesn't want to hurt Sifeng.

 

Little Silver Flower stares after them enviously, failing to realize that she could have that kind of love from Ruo Yu.

 

"Let's go," Xuanji whispers to Sifeng.  She carefully helps him stand.  He leans on her shoulder.

 

"Master!"  Yells Little Silver Flower.

 

Ruo Yu gently touches her arm.

 

Xuanji looks at her coldly.  "Stop following us."  She has had enough with Sifeng's former pet snake.  "If you follow us, I'll show you no mercy."

 

Little Silver Flower looks at her, and realizes she isn't kidding.  The Ninth Heaven Fire is at this woman's fingertips, and she's not afraid to use it.

 

Xuanji carries Sifeng away.

 

Little Silver Flower slumps down into the snow.  Ruo Yu keeps his arm around her shoulder.  She casts her eyes downward and sobs.  She leans into Ruo Yu's chest, and his heart breaks with hers.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji is carrying Sifeng on her back through the green forest.  There was so much more she wanted to say to Little Silver Flower, but for Sifeng's sake, she must keep moving.  She begins to struggle under his weight.  She looks to her right, and sees a wall of red energy.  Please don't be Yuan Lang.

 

"Xuanji,"  Teng She rushes to them, and grabs her arm.  "Let me help."  He gets Sifeng off her back, and they prop him up between them.  "This is Vermillion Bird's Blood Fog.  Xuanji, the Thunderous Calamity has attracted the Four Sacred Beasts."

 

Xuanji sighs.  "First, it's Yuan Lang.  Now, it's the Four Sacred Beasts.  Why are they pursuing us?  Why can't they just let Sifeng and I lead a peaceful life?"

 

Teng She wants so badly to tell her the truth.

 

"I don't care who comes!"  Xuanji says in frustration.  "I'll defeat all of them!"

 

Teng She sighs.  Xuanji doesn't know what she's getting into.

 

"Teng She, take care of Sifeng for me."

 

Teng She nods.  He helps Sifeng sit against a tree trunk.  With a sweep of her arm, Xuanji makes them disappear in a poof of blue energy.

 

She turns around and whips out her Dingkun Sword.  She positions it for the Kendo Dol Strike, and hits the blood fog with it.  "Show yourself!"  She yells.  Her glittery blue energy mixes with the red fog.  The Four Sacred Beasts materialize.

 

"So, it's the God of War?"  Asks White Tiger.  "Long time, no see.  Why are you so angry?  Is it because my song wasn't good enough for you?"

 

"I've tried my best to tolerate your actions," says Xuanji.  "Why are you still trying to force me?  You should know best whether Sifeng is the Devil Star or not.  Why are the heavens still pursuing him?"

 

"General, seems like you're mistaken," says Vermillion Bird.  "We're not trying to pursue Yu Sifeng.  God of War, we're trying to pursue you."

 

"Me?  I've experienced ten tribulations in ten lifetimes.  I'm not the God of War anymore.  Why are you pursuing me?"

 

"God of War," says Lord Green Dragon, "we came here to arrest you under King Bailing's order.  You better cooperate with us.  If not, innocent people will be harmed," he looks toward the area where she concealed Sifeng and Teng She, "and I know you don't wish to see that."

 

"Hmm," says Xuanji.  "Thank you for the reminder, but I'm not interested in the heavens.  I won't follow you back."

 

Vermillion Bird smirks.  "General, seems like you care about Yu Sifeng very much, but he's annoying to me.  Why don't you let me destroy him with my blood fog?  That way, it'll be more interesting!"

 

The four charge for Xuanji, but Teng She reappears, and sails overhead.  With a ball of fiery energy, he knocks Vermillion Bird to the ground.

 

The other three beasts go after Xuanji, but she blocks them with her icy blue energy from her Dingkun Sword.  They are thrown several feet back by her intense force.

 

Teng She lands beside her.  "Stinky Woman, let me help you."

 

"Teng She, what do you mean by this?"  Asks Black Tortoise.

 

Teng She arrogantly struts toward them.

 

"We're your peers in the heavens," says White Tiger.  "It's fine if you don't want to help us, but are you trying to betray us?"

 

"Zsss!"  Hisses Teng She.  "I just don't like it when you are trying to bully her, as she's alone!  We from the heavens...We from the heavens need to obey justice and righteousness.  You can't just bully her, as she's alone.  I won't stand for it."

 

"She's the God of War," sneers Black Tortoise.  "She's not a random demon.  You want us to fight her fairly?  That's digging our own grave!  Teng She, are you acting like this because you're drunk?"

 

"Black Tortoise, don't you understand?"  Says Vermillion Bird.  "He's doing this on purpose.  It's obvious that he wants to go against us.  Lord Teng She, I heard long ago that you were tamed by the God of War."

 

"Tss!"  Hisses Teng She.

 

"At first, I didn't believe it," Vermillion Bird continues.  "But judging by this situation, it seems that it wasn't just a rumor."

 

The Four Sacred Beasts laugh like a group of catty high school girls.

 

"Nonsense!"  Explodes Teng She.  "I-It's because I get along well with her!  That's why I take her as my subordinate!  I won't stand for it if you bully my subordinate!"

 

"Teng She," Lord Green Dragon interjects.  "Capturing her is King Bailing's order.  I can ignore everything you've done.  But if you fight us today, it means that you're going against his order.  Have you thought it through?  Are you trying to disobey King Bailing?"

 

"King Bailing?"  Asks Teng She.  "Naturally, I respect him."  He touches a loose strand of hair awkwardly, "but I can't just leave Xuanji in the lurch!  If you touch Xuanji, I'll fight until the end!"

 

"You ignorant imbecile!"  Snaps Black Tortoise.  "We'll capture you, as well!  Prepare for your punishment!"

 

"Zsss!"  Hisses Teng She.  He sassily snakes his his head.  "You are trying to bully me, as well?  Ha, ha!"  He raises his fist, but Xuanji intercepts him.

 

"Teng She," She says sternly, but gently, "You're a heavenly officer.  You shouldn't join this fight."

 

"Ayezzhh!  Let's fight them!  Stop wasting time!" Yells Teng She.  "Come on!"

 

"Be obedient," says Xuanji.

 

Teng She's jaw drops, and his eyes widen.  "Be obedient?  Why?  I'm not your spirit beast!"

 

Xuanji summons her spirit beast pearl in the palm of her hand.  With one simple squeeze, she makes Teng She disappear.  Thank you, Teng She, but I won't put you in a plight.

 

She looks at the Four Sacred Beasts defiantly.  "Come on!"

 

As they get into their fighting stances, and draw their weapons, Xuanji forces them back with a gust of wind as she emerges from her mortal form, and into the full on God of War.  Blue energy generates from her body, making her look like a rebellious angel in full armor.

 

She rises above them, and her eyes turn blue.  Her sword is drawn in a downward diagonal, and to the side.

 

White Tiger arrogantly whips out his sword, like a spoiled man who is accustomed to every woman in his path deferring to him by default.

 

The four fly at her, and she descends before they can strike her.  All shoot their energy at her, but with a skillfull circling of her Dingkun Sword, she deflects them.   They all fall back on the hard ground.

 

Vermillion Bird hurls his fire at her, she deflects it with her sword, pushing it back.  She looks down and sees she has a minor burn on her hand.  "So, it was you?  You created the blood fog?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

The toxic fog closes in on her, but she is not giving up.  "Today, we'll settle our debts once and for all!"  She looks over at the bamboo tree, hoping Sifeng is safe.  "Ninth Heaven Fire!"  A huge mass of blue fire emerges in front of her.  She hurls it forward, and rips the wall of the blood fog in half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruo Yu and Little Silver Flower are walking toward the tree tunnel in the bamboo forest, and they see the blood red fog.

 

Little Silver Flower wants to investigate, but Ruo Yu gently grabs her arm.  "This is as close as we can get."

 

Little Silver Flower anxiously looks  at the fog.  "No.  I'm sure someone released the blood fog on purpose.  Sifeng...he's hurt.  What if he's in danger?"  She walks forward.

 

Ruo Yu stops her again.  "Yan Ran.  The blood fog is dangerous.  You'll die if you inhale it."

 

Little Silver Flower pushes him away.  "That's fine.  I was supposed to die anyway.  I want to save Sifeng.  You don't need to follow me.  I can go by myself."

 

"Yan Ran," he stops her once more.  "You and I are the same.  You can't forget him, and I can't forget you.  I promised to see this through with you.  If you want to die, I will die with you.

 

"So...don't blame me if you die."

 

Ruo Yu smiles.  "Silly girl, this is not how you should die.  Now, there is no wind, yet the blood fog is floating around.  Seems like it's following the direction of the the Southern Seven Stars.  If I'm not mistaken, the path should be over there!"  He points to the left with his middle and index fingers.

 

 

 

 

 

Xuanji continues to cut through the Vermillion Bird Fog with her Ninth Heaven Fire.  The Four Sacred Beasts are knocked to the ground.  The Vermillion Bird Fog lifts as Xuanji withdraws the Ninth Heaven Fire.

 

Sifeng materializes in front of the tree, still unconscious.  Black Tortoise is ready to take advantage of the opportunity.

 

He hurls his weapon, and before Xuanji can do anything, Little Silver Flower intercepts, using her body to block it.  It embeds itself in her shoulder, making her fall flat on her side.

 

Xuanji re-generates the Ninth Heaven Fire.

 

"Set up the Sacred Beasts Formation!"  Yells White Tiger.  The four men stand up and get ready, each one shooting his own energy into the circle.  Xuanji effortlessly destroys their energy with the Ninth Heaven Fire.

 

"Yan Ran!" Ruo Yu runs to Little Silver Flower.  He sits down beside her, and her holds her in his arms.  "Little Silver Flower, how do you feel?"

 

She gasps for breath while looking at an unconscious Sifeng.  She begins to cry, and she closes her eyes.  She rests her head on Ruo Yu's arm.

 

Xuanji is in a blue bubble at the center of the Four Sacred Beast's circle. They are trying to shoot their energy at her, but her bubble is deflecting their attempts.  While they are focusing on breaking through, she jumps up and slices through the air with the Dingkun Sword, generating her signature blue fire.  The Four Beasts fall back from the icy blue wave.

 

Xuanji lands on her feet, and the beasts are laying down, spitting blood.

 

In a trail of red and orange fire, Wu Zhiqi flies over the bamboo trees, and descends in front of Xuanji with a flourish.  "Little Beauty, were they strong?  Why are you so angry at them?"

 

"They're mediocre," Xuanji says matter of factly.  "They're using the Sacred Beasts' formation to buy time."

 

He side eyes the Four Sacred Beasts, who are still on the ground.  "Which one of you hurt my Little Fox?  Come out!  I'll get even for her!"

 

"Let's go!"  Yells Lord Green Dragon.  The four disappear in a poof of red and orange fire.

 

Wu Zhiqi snorts derisively.  "The Sacred Beasts are quick in escaping, huh?"

 

Xuanji turns around and sees Sifeng, Ruo Yu, and Little Silver Flower.  "Sifeng!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruo Yu is tending to Little Silver Flower at her bedside in Sifeng's home.

 

"Master!  Master!"  Little Silver Flower calls in her sleep.  She sits straight up.

 

"Yan Ran!" Says Ruo Yu.

 

She anxiously looks around.  "Master!"

 

"Yan Ran, look at me," says Ruo Yu.  "How do you feel?"

 

"Where's Master?"  Little Silver Flower asks desperately.

 

"I'll take you to him."

 

Little Silver Flower nods her head quickly.  She runs out of the room.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"  Calls Ruo Yu.

 

Xuanji is sitting by Sifeng's bedside, holding his hand while he remains unconscious.

 

Little Silver Flower rushes to his bed, and gets on her knees.  "Master!"

 

Xuanji gives her the side eye, however, she grudgingly moves out of the way so Little Silver Flower can see him.

 

"Master, I'm here."

 

Sifeng looks at her, and closes his eyes.  He carefully sits up.

 

Fox Demon, Wu Zhiqi, and Ting Nu materialize outside of Sifeng's window.

 

"Little Silver Flower, why were you hurt?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

She smiles up at him.  "Master, are you all right?  I'm really sorry.  I can only offer my life to atone for my sin.  Please don't hate me, okay?"

 

"I've never hated you," says Sifeng.  "Close your eyes.  I'll treat your wound."

 

Little Silver Flower shakes her head and smiles.  "No need.  I can't last for long.  Master, can I lie on your hand?  Just like the past?"  She smiles.

 

He opens up the palm of hand, and she rests her face there.

 

Xuanji sighs.  She still (understandably) has reservations about Little Silver Flower.

 

"I always thought that if I regain my freedom one day," says Little Silver Flower.  "I could become a real human,, and I could pester you just like Chu Xuanji.  I can do everything she does."

 

Sifeng starts to cry.

 

"But now, I finally understand.  I'm really naive."

 

Ruo Yu shakes his head and cries.

 

"The more I imitate her,"  Little Silver Flower continues, "the further you are from me."  She looks over at Xuanji.  "Chu Xuanji."

 

Xuanji kneels beside her.

 

"I will die soon.  No one will talk bad about you in the future.  I'm sure you're happy, right?"

 

"Little Silver Flower, I know you treat Sifeng as the most important person in your life, and I know you did everything for his sake.  So, Little Silver Flower, I'm very sad.  I'm really sad."

 

Little Silver Flower laughs softly.  "You cultivators speak beautiful lies.  I don't believe you."  She begins to have a coughing fit, and she rests her head on the bed.  Sifeng holds her hand.  Little Silver Flower looks up.  "Master, how great would it be if I were a cultivator like you in my next life?"  She laughs softly.  "Forget it."  She rests her cheek on Sifeng's hand.  "Actually, to me, staying as a little snake and by your side forever is a good thing, as well."

 

Tears roll down Sifeng's cheeks.  In spite of their differences, she was his spirit beast since childhood.  He couldn't, however, see her as a love interest because she was always his magical pet snake.

 

Fox Demon, Ting Nu, and Wu Zhiqi are observing from the window outside.

 

"Master, I'm so tired," says Little Silver Flower.  "Can I take a nap?  Just for a little while.  Master, please don't wake me up."  Her eyes flutter shut, and her right hand goes limp.

 

"Little Silver Flower!  Little Silver Flower!"  Sobs Ruo Yu.  He kneels down behind her.

 

"Although you're my spirit beast," says Sifeng, "we're mere friends.  Why did you insist on achieving the impossible?"

 

Ruo Yu holds Little Silver Flower's hand and sobs.

 

"Why can't you take a look at the person who's beside you all the time?" Sifeng continues.

 

Ruo Yu kisses Little Silver Flower's hand.  He props up her lifeless body, and holds her closely.  He hugs her tight, pressing his cheek to her face.   He picks her up, and gets ready to carry her out.

 

"Ruo Yu, where are you going?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

He's trying to keep it together.  "Yan Ran had a harsh life.  I'll send her to the west coast.  That's the place where we first met.  She'll rest in peace over there."

 

"Wait," says Sifeng.  Xuanji helps him get out of bed.  He begins to vomit blood.

 

"Sifeng!  Your body!"  Says Xuanji.  She helps him steady himself.

 

"I'm fine," says Sifeng.  "Let me send her off."  He carefully grabs his cloak from the rack.  Xuanji helps him stay steady.  He walks up to Ruo Yu, and covers Little Silver Flower with the cloak.

 

"Sifeng," says Ruo Yu, "thank you for sending her off.  I'm sure she would be happy if she knew."  He lovingly carries Little Silver Flower out the door.

 

Sifeng leans against Xuanji.  "Sifeng."  She hugs him tightly, extremely worried about what's going to happen next.

 

 

...To be continued...

 

 

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