American Perspectives: Xi Xuan Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 56)

 

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

"I was once kind and affectionate," God of War tells Sifeng, "yet I was met with heartless betrayal.  I didn't want to massacre, but Bailing tore up my bones, and turned me into a murder weapon.  I longed for peace and harmony, but Bailing manipulated me into killing my clan mates.  Yu Sifeng, tell me...Should I not hate?  Should I not seek revenge on the heavens?"

 

Sifeng feels so awful for both the Devil Star and the God of War.

 

"The thing planted in my chest is just a corner of a crystal.  It can't contain all your feelings.  The ten lifetimes of tribulations and the reincarnation of the God of War has nothing to do with me, because I'm a heartless person anyway."

 

Sifeng approaches her, and covers her bare and scarred up shoulders.  He gives her a hug from the back, while she coldly gazes straight ahead.  "Xuanji, I'm sorry that you've had to suffer in agony all alone.  Had I known earlier, I would've stayed and talked with you.  I wouldn't have let you become like this.  I'm sorry."

 

Xuanji pushes him away.  She turns back into the Devil Star.  "How many times have I told you?  I'm not Chu Xuanji, and I don't need your sympathy.  My soul has returned now.  There's no Chu Xuanji and Yu Sifeng.  There's no one!  All I have is hatred and vengeance!"

 

"No," Sifeng smiles.  "No matter how much you hate, I know there's still a trace of love."

 

Devil Star snorts derisively.  "Yu Sifeng, if you don't stop this endless bickering, I'll wipe out Chu Xuanji and your memories from my mind."   He walks away.

 

Xuanji, I'll rescue you for sure.  Even if I have to die, I won't let you continue to live in Devil Maleficent's hatred.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng is wandering the Demon Citadel, letter in hand.    Teng She emerges from behind a rock.  Sifeng jumps back.

 

"Don't panic, it's me," says Teng She.

 

"Teng She, why have you come?"

 

"I'm here to stop you from doing anything stupid."

 

"What do you mean?"  Sifeng asks.

 

"I know you want to ask the white bird to send a message to your clan mates, and tell them to hide, but you're digging your own grave.  Demon Birds are at Yuan Lang's command.  If you pass the letter to the White Bird, Yuan Lang will get it within half a day."

 

"But the Rose Gold Birds are in danger.  I have to send them a message."

 

"If you trust me enough, let me help you, then," says Teng She.  He extends his hand.

 

Sifeng hesitates.

 

"After all, the heavens don't want the Rose Gold Birds to be found."

 

Sifeng reluctantly hands him the letter.  It absorbs into Teng She's hand on contact.

 

"And also," says Teng She, "do you want to rescue Xuanji?"

 

"I do.  Do you have any plans?"

 

Teng She looks side to side.  "I overheard the conversation between the king and the vermillion bird.  They want to pour the juice of Tianying Grass made by the sorcerer into Devil Maleficent's wine to make him faint for awhile.  Then, they'll take a drop of his blood, and put it into the Crystal Lamp as a catalyst to reseal Devil Maleficent's soul."

 

Teng She summons two objects.  "When they were distracted, I stole the Crystal Lamp and the juice of Tianying Grass.  If you really can seal Devil Maleficent's soul, the stinky woman will come back."

 

"Is that true?"  Sifeng asks cautiously.

 

"I've tested the juice anyway.  Other than making Asura faint for awhile, it has no other toxic effects.  If so, why don't we try it?  Perhaps we can really rescue Xuanji?"

 

Sifeng is seriously contemplating it.  

 

He puts the objects in Sifeng's hands.  "Sifeng.  I don't want to see the stinky woman being controlled by Devil Maleficent, and do anything immoral.  I'll leave these with you.  Whether to use them or not, Sifeng, it's up to you."

 

Teng She quickly leaves, while Sifeng is left with two objects that could get him tortured or executed.

 

 

 

 

 

"Kneel!"  Elder Luo and several Rose Gold Birds are forcibly marched into the Demon Citadel.

 

Upon seeing his friends and loved ones, Sifeng panics.  He runs up to a kneeling Elder Luo.

 

"Palace Master!" say the Rose Gold Birds.

 

"Elder Luo," says Sifeng.

 

"Palace Master, it's that damn Yuan Lang who caught us," says Elder Luo.

 

"How could this happen?"  Sifeng asks.

 

Their moment is interrupt when Yuan Lang walks in, laughing gleefully.  "How could I find them so quickly, is it?  Yu Sifeng, I'm also a Rose Gold Bird.  Of course, I know where in the vast swamp is most suited for the Rose Gold Birds.  As expected, I found every one of them."

 

"You are also a Rose Gold Bird," Sifeng affirms.  "Why are you so cruel to your clan mates?"

 

"My clan mates are nothing.  The Demon clan is more important.  What's wrong with prioritizing what's most important?"

 

Sifeng lunges forward, but Yuan Lang pushes him back.  Sifeng is immediately surrounded by armed Demon Citadel guards.

 

"Your meridians are sealed, yet you dare to fight me?  You have such unruly hands!  I'll cut them off for you!"  Yuan Lang grabs a sword from one of the guards.

 

"Stop!"  Devil Star comes walking in.

 

Yuan Lang jumps back in surprise.  He was planning on acting without permission first, and apologizing later.

 

"Yu Sifeng is my personal demon slave," says Devil Star.  "If you dare to hurt him, I'll kill you."

 

Yuan Lang frantically drops his sword and kneels.  He senses the Devil Star isn't playing around.  "Demon Lord, Yu Sifeng saw that I captured the Rose Gold Birds and wanted to fight with me.  That was why I..."

 

"Even if my demon slave wants to kill you, you can't touch him without my order.  Understand?"  Devil Star Asks.  "Yu Sifeng, come back with me."

 

"Devil Maleficent, these are my clan mates.  They have nothing to do with what happened back then.  If you sacrifice them to avenge yourself, how are you any different from King Bailing?"  Sifeng asks.

 

"I tip the Transcendent Furnace to rebuild the three realms, not only for revenge, but also to reset the rules in the three realms.  In contrast with this, the Rose Gold Birds' lives are trifling.  Whether you're sad or resentful, I will not change my mind for a demon slave."  He turns his back to Sifeng and the Rose Gold Birds.  "Yuan Lang, pass my order.  Tomorrow morning, all the demons shall assemble.  We'll attack the heavens again."

 

"Yes," Yuan Lang bows.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng is thoughtfully playing the zither to ease his anxiety.  Devil Star is sitting at a nearby table, drinking some wine.

 

Sifeng notices the Devil Star staring off into space, before falling asleep.  Sifeng ponders his next move.  He stops playing the zither, and stands in front of Devil Star.

 

"Devil Maleficent, tonight is my last chance.  For the sake of my clan mates, for the sake of stopping you, for the sake of Xuanji, I have to reseal your soul."  The Crystal Lamp appears in his hand.  With his index and middle fingers, he generates golden energy.

 

He recalls the God of War telling him about how she got her body.  He realizes by doing this, he is no different from King Bailing.  He has a change of heart, and puts the vase down.

 

Devil Star opens his eyes and laughs.  "Do you think a god can enter the Demon Citadel unnoticed by me?  I know each and every one of you and Teng She's moves, but I'm curious.  The only chance to save the Rose Gold Birds is right before you.  Why did you choose to give up?"

 

"I do want to save my clan mates, but for the sake of justice in the three realms, I can't do that."

 

Devil Star laughs.  "You're very lucky.  If you really put a drop of my blood in the Jade Cup, the situation would be so much worse."  Devil Star rises.  "You don't get it?  Fine.  I'll show you what exactly is inside the Crystal Lamp."

 

Devil Star picks up the lamp, and draws blood from his finger.  The blood enters the lamp, and Devil Star makes the lamp levitate.  "It's the Golden Flame of the Transcendent Furnace.  It was sealed within Zhongtian Palace, for the fortune of all life."  The lamp turns into several golden stars.  "It loses power once it leaves the palace.  But there is one exception, which is to use Asura's blood to break the seal.  Bailing deliberately let Teng She overhear the conversation, and tricked you into getting my blood in order for the golden flame to explode in the Mortal Realm.  Just now, if you'd used my blood, and dropped it into the Crystal Lamp, then we would've been burned into ashes by now."

 

"I never expected that as the ruler of the heavens, Bailing is so malicious."

 

"With things as such, you should agree for me to attack the heavens, and seek revenge on them, right?"

 

"No," says Sifeng.  "The actual culprit behind all of this is Bailing himself.  The other deities have no idea.  If you want to seek revenge, you only need to aim at Bailing.  You don't have to involve all beings."

 

"Hmm.  I want to find him, but how is it possible that such a shameless person will have the audacity to meet me alone?  He must be hiding behind all the deities and plotting another scheme right now.  Yu Sifeng, he's the one who involved all beings, not me."

 

"I will go to the heavens to find Bailing, and persuade him to meet you."

 

"You?"  

 

"I want to help you," says Sifeng.  "If I succeed, you can get what you want without going to war with all the demons.  If I fail, it's only a few days of delay for you to attack the heavens.  You have nothing to lose."

 

"You're doing this for me to release Chu Xuanji, right?"

 

"That's right.  If this is done, you can't confine Xuanji anymore."

 

"Make it happen before you use it as your bargaining chip."

 

"Okay," says Sifeng.  "That's settled, then."

 

"Aren't you afraid Bailing will get angry and kill you?"

 

"If that's the case, I'll only have myself to blame in seeking my own doom.  Devil Maleficent, please give me a chance.  Give all the beings in the three realms a chance."

 

"Fine," says Devil Star.  "I promise you.  If you can't come back alive, I'll fight my way to the heavens and pull out Bailing's tendons one by one to weave a Soul Gathering Flag for you."  He looks up at the sky.  "Bailing, my demon slave would like to see if you have any courage left to meet me after being so shameless and despicable.  Be well prepared.  Don't disappoint him too much."

 

 

 

 

 

"My King," says Teng She, "so you purposely tricked me.  You wanted to trick Yu Sifeng into using the Golden Flame to kill Devil Maleficent.  Don't you think this is too heinous?"

 

"Whether I had the intention, or not," King Bailing says coldly, "you've colluded with demons anyway.  Teng She, I know you hate to part with Chu Xuanji and Yu Sifeng, but Devil Maleficent is the most powerful man in the three realms.  I could seal his soul once, but there'll never be a second time.  If I want to stop him, I have to eradicate him completely.  Using their lives to save the three realms is worth it!"

 

"My King," Teng She says carefully, "if you want to save the three realms, you can just meet up with Devil Maleficent, and talk out the grievances with him!"

 

"How insolent!"  King Bailing snaps.  "I am the ruler of the heavens!  Will a murderous demon like him be worthy enough to see me?  Pass on my imperial order!  From now on, the heavens shall be on high alert.  Any demon who dares to cross the boundary, no matter what the reason is, will be killed without mercy!"

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng is looking out at the dark clouds, peppered with intermittent bolts of lightning.

 

He jumps up in the air, and his fiery golden wings emerge in full splendor.  He flies through the clouds, and skillfully avoids the lightning.

 

He descends to the bright, white, and spotless entrance of the heavenly realm.  He is immediately surrounded by armed guards.

 

"Where are you from?"

 

"How did you cross the Sea of Life and Death, and enter the heavens?"

 

"I'm here to see King Bailing.  I need to talk to him," says Sifeng.

 

"King Bailing has ordered any demon who dares to cross the boundary to be killed without mercy!  Take him down!"

 

"Attack!"

 

 

 

 

 

Teng She is sitting in his prison cell, looking out at the clouds.  He doesn't notice Lord Green Dragon behind him.   With a movement of his fingers, Lord Green Dragon removes the barrier.  He hands Teng She a plate.

 

"I'll beg the King to break your blood contract with Chu Xuanji," says Lord Green Dragon.  "You'll be alright then."  He hands some wine to Teng She.

 

Teng She sighs.  "It's unnecessary."

 

"Why? Can't bear to lose her?"

 

Teng She takes a sip of wine.  He puts down the jar, and disgustedly spits it out.  "It tastes so bad!"  He takes a bite out of a green cake, and spits it out, throwing the remaining cake on the ground.  "It's tasteless!  Just like mud!"

 

"You've tried every flavor in the mortal realm, and look down on food in the heavens, don't you?  Teng She, come back.  It's because of your voracious appetite that you made the mistake.  That's how they got the goods on you and controlled you!"

 

Teng She rolls his eyes.

 

"You're not even a human," Lord Green Dragon continues.  "You don't need food to survive, nor should you have feelings for mortals."

 

"I don't want to listen!"  Teng She protests.  "You're not even on duty today.  Go manage your heavenly troops.  Why are you giving me lectures?"

 

"I've already made arrangements for them.  My top priority now is to persuade you.  Teng She, quickly figure it out.  Apologize to King Bailing, and this will soon be over.  Otherwise, do you really want to share life and death with your master?  Wake up!  She's no longer a mortal girl.  Nor is she the God of War!  She's the biggest enemy of the heavens, Devil Maleficent!  We'll eradicate him, sooner or later."

 

Teng She scowls at him.  "Are you done?"

 

Before Lord Green Dragon can retort, Teng She continues, "Get going, then.  I want to sleep."  He closes his eyes.

 

Lord Green Dragon looks down at his golden plaque, and sees it flashing.  "Someone crossed the Sea of Life and Death!"

 

He begins to run off, and Teng She gets in his way.  Golden energy generates from Teng She's hands, and he wraps a rope around Lord Green Dragon.

 

"Teng She, what are you doing?"

 

Teng She grabs his hand and takes the plaque.

 

"Let me go!"  Yells Lord Green Dragon.

 

Teng She smiles triumphantly.  "Stay here and calm yourself down.  I'll handle the matter of the Sea of Life and Death."

 

"Teng She!  Get back here!"

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng flies through, and fights off the heavenly guards.

 

Teng She descends from the sky.  "Move, all of you!"

 

"Lord Teng She?"  Asks a guard.

 

"Ksss...I mean, I'm in charge of this little demon.  Get out of here."  He motions to Sifeng.  "Come, fight me.  Fight me!"

 

Sifeng pushes the guard away, and goes charging for Teng She.  Teng She disappears in a cloud of golden smoke, and appears behind him.  With a stream of golden energy, he pretends to immobilize Sifeng.  "Is this all you have?  How dare you barge in to the heavens!  All right, it's none of your business now.  I'll take him to the prison for sanction."

 

"Wait," says a guard.  "Lord Teng She, are you being punished and confined in prison by King Bailing?"

 

Teng She snakes his head, and flips his hair.  "How dare you question me!"

 

The guard bows.  "I do not dare.  It's just--"

 

Teng She shows him Lord Green Dragon's badge.  "Do you see this?  Do I have to report to you every time the king assigns me a task?"  

 

The guard backs away.

 

Teng She grabs Sifeng's arm.  "Let's go."  They smoothly fly through the entry gate.

 

 

 

 

 

"That was so close," whispers Teng She.  "Why did you venture to the heavens alone?"

 

"It's not a lasting solution for the heavens and the Demon Citadel to go on like this.  Bailing is wary of Devil Maleficent.  Using those dirty tricks will only deepen the hatred on both sides."

 

"Do you think the situation will get any better if King Bailing is willing to see Devil Maleficent?  Sifeng, Devil Maleficent isn't that Stinky Woman, Xuanji."

 

"He is," Sifeng insists.  "They share the same origin and life.  I believe that Devil Maleficent just wants to seek justice for himself.  He doesn't want all life to be in misery."

 

"I don't know," says Teng She.  "I think if you recklessly see King Bailing, you'll only anger him.  It's too dangerous.  He'll kill you!"

 

"If the three realms and the Demon realm are at war, then I won't be the only one in danger.  Even if it's risky, I need to try it."

 

"Teng She!  You're really impudent!"  Lord Green Dragon comes flying in, livid as hell.  "Don't try to let that demon go!"

 

Teng She rolls his eyes.  His boyfriend is such a drama queen.  "Hurry and go!  King Bailing is in Zhongtian Palace.  I'll stop this Green Dragon."

 

"Thank you," Sifeng says graciously.

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng nears the Palace entrance, and a barrier of golden energy engraved with Chinese characters encircles him.

 

"You're a mere demon.  How dare you trespass in my palace?"  The voice of King Bailing booms.  "The Evil Suppression Mantra in Zhongtian won't allow anyone without a celestial soul to pass through.  Once a demon steps into it, he can't live for long before turning into ashes.  You've sought your own demise."

 

"King Bailing, you know why I'm here," Sifeng says calmly.  "The heavens and demon realms don't have to fight to the death.  Why must you push the matter beyond the point of no return?"

 

"Do not distort the truth!"  King Bailing snaps.  "It's Devil Maleficent who wanted to overturn the three realms with his demons.  He destroyed Fenru City, broke through the Demon Citadel, smashed the Heavenly Gate, and forced the heavens to release the Sea of Life and Death.  It all happened because of him!  How dare you come and claim innocence!  The heavens will surely eradicate him, and wipe out all the demons, and I will stop wasting my breath on a dying demon like you!"

 

The barrier constricts around Sifeng.  He quickly levitates.  He looks from side to side, contemplating a way to break free.  Two blue Chinese characters emerge from his body.  They circle around the barrier, and with a popping sound, the barrier disappears.

 

Sifeng smoothly descends.

 

King Bailing materializes in a gray, glittery cloud.  "Why do you possess a celestial soul?"

 

"I have no idea," says Sifeng.  "Perhaps you're mistaken."

 

"Stop playing tricks.  I'll know your identity right away."  With the palm of his hand, he shoots white energy into Sifeng's torso.

 

King Bailing sees the God of War at her public execution, when she was chained on the podium and beaten by lightning strikes.

 

A golden bird descends and waves of fire from his wings make the soldiers fall like a house of cards.  The chains binding the God of War disappear.  She falls to her knees.  Sifeng encircles his wings around her to shield her from further harm.

 

"Xi Xuan?"  King Bailing's eyes widen with horror.  This is not good for him.  Not good at all.

 

Sifeng remembers the God of War looking up at him, battered and bruised.

 

"You did nothing wrong," says Sifeng.  "You shouldn't die here."

 

"Who are you?"  Asks God of War.

 

"I'll send you to Fenru City to enter the mortal realm.  The heavens can't simply hurt you there."  They smile at each other.

 

"No!"  Yells King Bailing.  He shoots Xi Xuan in the back with intense, white energy.  Xi Xuan leans forward and vomits blood.

 

God of War looks up at him tearfully.

 

Above them, Heavenly Emperor appears in the clouds.  "Let her go."

 

King Bailing looks up.  The Four Sacred Beasts drop to their knees and bow. 

 

"Greetings Heavenly Emperor."

 

"God of War," says Heavenly Emperor, "my son, Xi Xuan is willing to lose his 10,000 year old immortal form to beg for a chance of survival for you.  Regarding this, the blame is on the heavens after all.  We've wronged you.  So today, I'll let you undergo ten lifetimes of trials in the mortal realm to wear out your resentment.  As for your fate, it depends on you.  Xi Xuan, my son, as the Celestial Rose Gold Bird, it took you 10,000 years to take on a human form, but if you become a mortal now, you'll lose your immortality.  Do you regret it?"

 

"I have no regrets," says Xi Xuan.

 

"Never mind," says Heavenly Emperor.  "You go to the mortal realm and undergo ten lifetimes of trials, too.  Bailing, do you regret your actions today?"

 

The Four Sacred Beasts expectantly look at King Bailing.

 

"I did everything for the three realms," says King Bailing.  "I have nothing to regret!"

 

 

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