American Perspectives: Devil Maleficent Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep.55)

 

 

“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 is laying on his stomach on the concrete, looking at the Devil Star, who had once been Xuanji.  He feels like he's going to cry, but he must keep it together if he wants to bring her back.  "Xuanji.  Xuanji!  Xuanji."  He crawls forward, and then falls on his back.

 

"Sifeng!"  Yells Linglong.

 

"Sifeng!"  Yells Little Six.

 

They rush to Sifeng and help him sit up.

 

"Sifeng!" Says Linglong.

 

"Sifeng!  How are you feeling?"  Asks Little Six.

 

Sifeng loses consciousness, and rests his head on Little Six's shoulder.  "Are you okay, Sifeng?"  Asks Little Six.  "Sifeng. Sifeng."

 

 

 

 

 

Devil Star is floating above the forest, surrounded by streams of black smoke.  His eyes are closed, and he remembers King Bailing pulling the dagger out of his heart.

 

"From now on, you're no longer the Devil Star, Devil Maleficent," says King Bailing.  "You'll be heaven's God of War.  From tomorrow onward, you will be serving the heavens.  You'll be the one to annihilate the Asuras, and destroy the Demon Citadel."

 

Devil Star takes a deep breath while he's high in the sky.  He feels life pulsing through his veins after being cooped up in that fiery lamp for so long.  Just like Linglong, when Wu Tong shoved her spirit in a jar, in hopes that she would eventually be obedient, King Bailing had done the same thing for the same reason. 

 

"It's been 1,000 years," says Devil Star.  "Finally, this day has come."  He slowly descends.  He doesn't see Wu Zhiqi descending behind him.

 

A huge poof of blue and black smoke appears, surrounded by crows.  "Greetings, Demon Lord."  Yuan Lang's spirit bows.  "Congratulations for coming back to the three realms."

 

Devil Star slowly turns around and faces his two officers.  "Yuan Lang?  I remember now.  You were the Left and Right Lieutenant of King Asura."

 

"Looks like you still remember me," says Wu Zhiqi.

 

"I've been waiting for 1,000 years for you to be revived," says Yuan Lang.

 

Devil Star generates black smoke from the palm of his hand, and aims it at Yuan Lang.  The black smoke surrounding him disappears, and he regains his living form.  Yuan Lang looks down at his hands in surprise.  He looks up at the Devil Star.  He immediately drops to his knees and kowtows.

 

"Thank you for giving me a physical body again.  I'm willing to fight the heavens with you to finally seek revenge for Demon Citadel after 1,000 years," professes Yuan Lang.

 

Wu Zhiqi peers at him skeptically.

 

"You can follow me, then," says Devil Star.

 

"Yuan Lang, you stupid bird," snarls Wu Zhiqi.  "You are a really bad penny.  He believes you because he has been sleeping for 1,000 years.  Let me tell you.  I won't let you escape today."  He pulls back his hands, ready to cast a spell.

 

"Wait," says Devil Star.  "I remember that the heavens have tortured you for 1,000 years, too.  Don't you want to kill them together with me to avenge yourself?"

 

Wu Zhiqi looks at Yuan Lang hatefully while Yuan Lang smiles.  Oh, how Wu Zhiqi really wants to kick his ass!  Wu Zhiqi lowers his hands.  "I indeed detest those people from the heavens.  I fought with them and stole their things 1,000 years ago.  So, it's only normal that they locked me up, but now, they even dared to hurt my Little Fox.  Besides, I found out today that Bailing was so shameless to do that to you.  You were once the person I admired the most, and Xuanji was my good friend.  So, I have to avenge all of you."

 

"Good," says Devil Star.  "Looks like I didn't misjudge you."

 

"But I have to kill this stupid bird today," says Wu Zhiqi.

 

"I don't care what kind of grudge is between you."

 

Yuan Lang smirks.

 

"Before we destroy the heavens," Devil Star continues, "I don't want there to be an internal conflict.  After we seek our revenge, you can kill whoever you want.  Just go ahead and do it."

 

Wu Zhiqi's eyes smolder with hatred.  "Fine.  After all, that Bailing is more shameless than this zombie here.  I'll kill Bailing first, and then I'll kill you,"  he looks over at Yuan Lang.

 

"If that's the case," says Devil Star, "Come with me to Fenru City now.  I want to give a present to the heavens."  Devil Star disappears.  Wu Zhiqi and Yuan Lang follow suit.

 

 

 

 

 

The heavens, on the other hand, are in a state of panic.

 

"King Bailing," Si Ming bows, "Devil Maleficent has already destroyed Fenru City and broke the Core Fire.  He even went to the Demon Citadel to revive Asura's army."

 

"What about Shen Shu and Yu Lu?"  King Bailing inquires.

 

"Uh," says Si Ming.  He brings his palms forward.  Two adorable puppies, one black, one brown, materialize in his hands.

 

King Bailing rolls his eyes and gnashes his teeth.  With a sweep of his hands, Shen Shu and Yu Lu shift back into human form.

 

"Please have mercy on us!"  They kneel and bow.

 

"Good for nothing," King Bailing scoffs.

 

"King Bailing," Lord Green Dragon descends into the hall.

 

"Tell me," says King Bailing.  "What bad news is it this time?"

 

"Devil Maleficent sent us a war declaration stating that he'll attack the heavens and drench it with blood."

 

King Bailing sighs.  "I never thought that my compassion back then would lead him to act so arrogantly now."

 

Lord Green Dragon briefly looks at him with doubt, and then quickly lowers his eyes.  He can see why Teng She briefly attempted to switch teams.

 

"He wants to attack the heavens?"  Asks King Bailing.  "Fine.  Pass down my decree."

 

Lord Green Dragon looks off to the side.  Si Ming gasps.

 

"Put the whole heavens on high alert now.  We won't give him an opportunity to take advantage of us!"

 

"Yes, King Bailing," says Lord Green Dragon.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng is sleeping fitfully in a guest room at Shaoyang Sect.  "Xuanji," he says in his sleep.  "Xuanji.  Xuanji.  Xuanji!"  He sits straight up, and jumps out of bed.

 

Brother Liu and Little Six block him from the doorway.  "Sifeng!" They say.

 

"Where is Xuanji?"  Sifeng panics.

 

"Sifeng," says Brother Liu, "Xuanji has already turned into Devil Maleficent now.  It's pointless to look for her!"

 

"I want to look for her," says Sifeng.

 

"Calm down," says Brother Liu.

 

"Even if she's Devil Maleficent, she's still Xuanji!"  Sifeng insists.

 

"Sifeng," says Little Six, "Xuanji has become Devil Maleficent.  She's gone.  Devil Maleficent has summoned all demons to the Demon Citadel to greet him.  He'll lead an attack towards the heavens, and bring chaos to the three realms.  When you were unconscious, demons were acting so rampantly in the human realm.  Now, no one dares to come out.  The world is in a mess right now."

 

Sifeng plops down on his bed, feeling totally dejected.

 

"No," Linglong enters the room.  "Xuanji must still be alive."  Fox Demon follows behind her.  "She's just controlled by Devil Maleficent for now.  I'll look for her tomorrow."

 

"No," says Little Six.  "The majority of the demons are gathered at the Demon Citadel now.  We can't be reckless."

 

An idea slowly develops in Sifeng's mind.

 

"I think we better discuss it with Master first," Little Six continues.

 

Sifeng stands straight up.  "I'll go!  You are mortals, but I'm a demon. Since it's a gathering of demons, all the more reason for me to go."

 

"Sifeng," says Ting Nu.  "Sifeng, many elders who didn't obey him have been killed."

 

"Yes," agrees Brother Liu.

 

"I'm worried that you--" Ting Nu continues.

 

"No," says Sifeng.  "Even if she's controlled by the Devil Star's soul, I'll find her."

 

"The Devil Star's soul has been harboring hatred for 1,000 years in the Crystal Lamp," says Ting Nu.  "As soon a it combined with Xuanji's primordial spirit, I'm afraid that her mere twenty years of life is just nothing compared to the Devil Maleficent's tens and thousands of years of memories."

 

"Yes," Brother Liu agrees.  "Bailing sealed up her six senses and took away all of her memories.  He even transformed into Hao Chen and couldn't stop her from becoming him.  From that, you can now see how deep Devil Maleficent's hatred is.  Little Phoenix, you can't risk her life like this."

 

"Why are you lacking confidence in Xuanji?"  Asks Fox Demon.  "Although Devil Maleficent's soul is controlling her now, it doesn't mean that she's completely gone.  Devil Maleficent has hatred in his heart, but Xuanji has love in her heart.  I don't believe that someone can totally forget about the person they once loved."

 

"I believe that Xuanji is still alive, too," Linglong agrees.  "We can save her."

 

"It doesn't matter whether she's the God of War or the Devil Star," says Sifeng.  "I will stop Devil Maleficent and bring back Xuanji."

 

"Please advise him against this," Brother Liu says to Ting Nu.

 

"Okay," says Ting Nu.  "If that's the case, I won't stop you anymore."

 

"You--" says Brother Liu.

 

"But you have to remember this," Ting Nu continues.  "The more people Devil Maleficent kills, the more demonic he will become.  If you want to get Xuanji back, you have to stop him from slaughtering people without restraint."

 

 

 

 

 

The fires in the fire pit burn brightly as Devil Star materializes between Yuan Lang and Wu Zhiqi.

 

Sifeng is standing near the front of the demon audience.

 

"Greetings, Demon Lord!"  The audience shouts.

 

"The heavens destroyed the Demon Citadel 1,000 years ago," says Devil Star.  "We demons were scattered across the realms and were suppressed and bullied.  Now that I'm back, I'm going to stir up the three realms to restore the power and dignity of the demons.  On the seventh day of the seventh month, I'll use the Fallen Bell to bust open Heaven's Gate, and attack them.  Go and swear a blood oath with the Right Lieutenant later.  Then, we'll slaughter everyone in the heavens together!"

 

"Attack the heavens!  Slaughter everyone there!"  The crowd roars.  "Restore the power of demons again!"

 

Two demons at the front exchange glances.  Sifeng feels overwhelmed by the hatred he's seeing and hearing.

 

"This is Demon Lord's first order," says Yuan Lang, "and someone is already defying it.  Well done."

 

A demon at the front steps forward and bows.  "My clan has little power.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  I hope that..."

 

Devil Star waves his arm upward, and the demon disintegrates in a cloud of smoke.

 

"Since you are of no help," says Devil Star, "why should I keep you?"

 

"Demon Lord, you said that we've been suppressed and bullied for 1,000 years," says another demon leader.  "You want to lead us to fight against the heavens.  We came here because we respect you.  But not every clan is good at combat.  How can you just kill us like that?"

 

"Insolent!"  Yuan Lang snaps.  "He was just gone for 1,000 years, and now, even a mere Green Sparrow is teaching him how to lead?"

 

"You are humiliating us just like how the heavens treat us.  Good bye!"  The demon turns and walks away.  As he turns, with an upward wave of his arm, the Devil Star disintegrates him in a cloud of black smoke.

 

The other demons, except Sifeng, immediately bow.  

 

"Calm down, Demon Lord," the crowd murmurs.

 

"The heavens annihilated us Asuras and drove away the rest of the demons," says Devil Star.  "All of you have been hiding in fear for more than 1,000 years.  At first, I thought that all of you would look forward to seeking revenge.  But I never thought that this insult of 1,000 years would turn you into mellow and obedient cowards.  As demons, are you really going to hide in the human realm and be slaughtered?  I won't accept this kind of humiliation, and it'll be the same for every demon clan!  I don't care if you want to swear the blood oath or not!  From today onward, we are no longer separated by clans.  All of you will obey me.  We'll gather here on the seventh day of the seventh month.  This is an order, not a discussion.  Those who disobey me will be killed without mercy."

 

Everyone, except Sifeng, bows.  "Yes, Demon Lord!"

 

"You are dismissed," says Devil Star.  The other demons disappear in a cloud of black smoke.  Sifeng is the only one who decides to stay behind.

 

"Sifeng?"  Wu Zhiqi asks incredulously.

 

"Yu Sifeng," Yuan Lang says sternly.  

 

"It's you?"  Asks Devil Star.  "Twelve Feathers Rose Gold Bird?"

 

With a cross of his arms, Sifeng flies to Devil Star.  "I know that Xuanji's consciousness is still there.  She won't let you commit the sin of murder.  Let her out!"

 

Xuanji can hear him from inside the Devil Star's body.  "Sifeng!"  says Xuanji from the inside.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

 

Sifeng can't hear her, but the Devil Star can.

 

"Sifeng!"  Xuanji yells again.

 

The Devil Star's facial expression and body language shifts.

 

"Sifeng!" she pounds from the inside.

 

Devil Star feels like he's losing his grip.

 

"Xuanji, you became Devil Maleficent to save me," says Sifeng.  "Have you forgotten about me now that you've become Devil Maleficent?"

 

"Sifeng!  Devil Maleficent, let me out!"  Xuanji yells.  "Let me out!"

 

Devil Star closes his eyes.  He can't turn into a lovesick twenty year old woman right now.  He takes a deep breath.  "Chu Xuanji is just the image of my primordial spirit.  Since I'm already back, she is gone now.  Stop mentioning this lowly mortal's name again and again in front of me."

 

Yuan Lang smirks.

 

Sifeng isn't backing down.  "Xuanji will not be gone.  I'm sure that she's still here.  She was controlled by your soul because she wanted to save me.  Although she was once part of your primordial spirit, she has gone through 1,000 years with ten reincarnations.  She's her own person now!  She's not Devil Maleficent.  Xuanji, I know that you are inside him, right?"

 

"Devil Maleficent, let me out!"  Yells Xuanji.

 

"So what if she's here?"  Asks Devil Star.  "So what if she's not?  She's just a small portion in this long life of mine.  Among my tens and thousands of years of memories, hers are just a drop of water in the ocean.  Do you think she can control me?  Dream on.  Since you once risked your life to protect my primordial spirit, I won't kill you.  Get lost now."

 

"I promised Xuanji that I would bring her back," Sifeng says adamantly.  "I won't leave until she appears!"

 

"Sifeng," says Wu Zhiqi, "wake up, you dummy.  She's not Xuanji now."

 

"I believe in Xuanji!"  Sifeng snaps.  "She is not the Devil Star, and she doesn't want to be the Devil Star."

 

"Aren't you afraid that I'll kill you?" Asks the Devil Star.

 

Sifeng looks at him squarely and smirks.  "You won't because Xuanji won't allow you to kill me."

 

"I already said she's just a part of my primordial spirit.  Do you think that you can stop me?"

 

"You tried so hard to lock Xuanji up, and used your power to take the form of Devil Maleficent because you are afraid.  You are afraid that you can't control her.  You are afraid that she won't turn into a bloodthirsty demon like you."

 

Devil Star feels a headache coming on as Xuanji tries to break out of his body.  Sifeng's right.  He can't totally subdue Xuanji, and the thought of his carefully constructed plans going awry terrifies him.

 

"Let me out!"  Xuanji yells.  Only Devil Star can hear her.  "Let me out!  Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

 

Devil Star closes his eyes and clenches his fist.

 

"Sifeng!"

 

Devil Star's headache escalates, and he feels like he's losing his mind.

 

Xuanji continues to pound as hard as she can.  "Let me out!"

 

"Xuanji," whispers Sifeng, as he can tell Devil Star is on the verge of shifting.

 

"Let me out!"  Yells Xuanji.  "Let me out!  Let me out!  Sifeng!"

 

Devil Star is taking several deep breaths.  Shifting into the feminine component of himself is the last thing he needs to do right now, as he's on the verge of enacting an annihilation.

 

"Xuanji!" Yells Sifeng.

 

Yuan Lang is watching them with disbelief, but he's secretly thrilled as it provides something he can easily exploit.

 

Devil Star approaches Sifeng.  "Sifeng."

 

"Xuanji," Sifeng smiles, though it would be in his best interest to be super cautious.  He grabs Devil Star's hands.  "Xuanji.  You're back, Xuanji.  I knew it.  I know that you are still here.  You won't disappear."

 

"Sifeng, why are you so foolish?  He'll kill you."

 

"I said that I'll get you out, no matter what.  You promised me that you wouldn't forget about our vow."

 

"Sifeng...but I'm Devil Maleficent.  It really doesn't bother you?"

 

"In my heart, you'll always be Xuanji, no matter what happened."

 

"But I'm not me anymore.  I'm afraid that I can't control myself.  I'll kill you.  What we had in the past will forever be gone.  Sifeng, forget about everything.  Forget about her."

 

Sifeng senses another shift.  He backs away slowly.  He shakes his head.  "You are not Xuanji.  Xuanji wouldn't ask me to forget about our past."

 

Devil Star grins and laughs cruelly.  "Yu Sifeng, you are really sentimental.  Your memories with Chu Xuanji are precious, right?  But to me, they are just boring and embarrassing."  And like Linglong, there were physical acts done with him without his consent.  And like Linglong, Xuanji consented, but Devil Star did not.  So, it is not unreasonable for Devil Star to feel mortified.

 

"Boring?"  Asks Sifeng.  "Embarrassing?  You are just jealous of Xuanji.  You were betrayed, but you hate her because you've never obtained this kind of feeling before!"

 

Devil Star smoothly turns around to face Sifeng.  "Yu Sifeng, I'm going to get rid of Chu Xuanji's memories and you now."

 

Wu Zhiqi steps forward.  "Demon Lord!"

 

"Demon Lord, you want to fight the heavens, right?"  Sifeng asks.  "I'm sure that you still need a helper, right?  I'm a Twelve Feathers Rose Gold Bird.  With my power, not many can be my match.  Why don't you consider me?  Let me become your helper."

 

"Demon Lord," says Wu Zhiqi, "he's a really good fighter.  I can attest to that."

 

"Fine," says Devil Star.  "If he can withstand one blow from me, I'll accept him."

 

"Bring it on," says Sifeng, his health now fully restored, thanks to Xuanji's shift into the Devil Star.

 

Devil Star opens the palm of his hand, and throws an orb of purple energy.  Sifeng encapsulates himself in a bubble of golden energy to sheild himself from the strike.

 

Sifeng keeps the bubble in position by crossing his arms in front of his chest.

 

"Stop!"  Xuanji yells in Devil Star's mind.  "I won't allow you to hurt Sifeng!"

 

Devil Star begins to lose his bearings, as he feels himself shifting once again.

 

Blood begins to stream from Sifeng's mouth, but he continues to hold.

 

"Let him go!"  Yells Xuanji.  "Devil Maleficent!"  He loses his grip on his toxic purple energy, and his arm drops.

 

Sifeng's bubble dissipates, and he triumphantly flies back on to the platform.  He wipes the blood from his lower lip.  "I already said that I'm very powerful.  You should keep me by your side."

 

"Fine," says Devil Star.  "Yu Sifeng, I'll hand over the Fallen Bell to you.  After ten days, I want it to be filled with resentment, and use it to tear down Heaven's Gate."  The golden bell materializes in his palm.

 

Sifeng extends his palm forward, and the Fallen Bell floats to him.  As soon as he grabs it, it absorbs into his hand.

 

Wu Zhiqi smirks.

 

"I won't disappoint you!"  Says Sifeng.

 

"Yu Sifeng!"  Yells Yuan Lang.  "Don't think that I don't know what you're planning!  Chu Xuanji is just a speck of dirt in the Demon Lord's life.  Don't ever think of getting back Chu Xuanji.  The Demon Lord is back in the three realms to seek revenge from the heavens.  Don't think that you can ruin his ambition."

 

"Yuan Lang," asks Wu Zhiqi, "why are you getting so agitated?  Are you afraid that you'll lose your place because he's hotter and more powerful?"

 

"I just don't want to let someone with an ulterior motive stay by the Demon Lord's side!"

 

"Sifeng!"  Xuanji yells from within.

 

Yuan Lang attempts to charge at Sifeng, but Devil Star knocks him over.

 

Yuan Lang looks up in embarrassment.

 

Wu Zhiqi laughs.

 

Sifeng smirks.

 

Yuan Lang slowly stands up.

 

"I chose him myself," says Devil Star.  "So, I'm the only one who can punish or reward him.  Don't ever think about touching him.  Those who disobey me will not be forgiven so easily."  He disappears in a thick cloud of black smoke.

 

Yuan Lang opens his fan, and holds it in front of his torso.

 

Sifeng smiles.  Yuan Lang is on the verge of getting his just desserts.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng, looking radiant in red, follows his entourage of masked demon guards to the prison.

 

"These are the prisoners we caught from the human realm recently," says one of the guards.  "We'll feed them to the Fallen Bell.  Feel free to use them."

 

"Thank you," says Sifeng, "but feeding these Fallen Bell souls is not an easy task.  It's a dangerous chore.  You may leave me alone here with them.  I don't want to accidentally feed this bell with any of you in here."

 

The guard bows.  "If that's the case, we won't disturb you, then.  We'll wait for your good news.  Let's go."

 

After the guards exit, Sifeng approaches the prison cell.

 

"Don't come over here!"

 

"Don't kill us!"

 

"Don't kill me!"

 

The prisoners move to a far corner of the cell.  "Don't kill us!  I beg you!"

 

 

...To be continued...

 

 

 

가게에 오세요.