American Perspectives: Fire in the Realm Pt. 2 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 57)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

Linglong flies forward, and lands in front of Wu Peng, with her sword drawn.  Wu Peng's eyes widen in fear.  

 

"It's you!"  Yells Linglong.  "You must be the one behind the illusion!"

 

"The illusion has everything you need," Wu Peng says airily, like someone who has taken too many calming drugs.  "You can have anything you desire in the illusion.  Isn't that great?"  She sounds exactly like a recruiter for a creepy cult.  "Come, tell me.  Tell me your desires."  Yellow energy streams from her eyes, and go directly to Linglong.

 

"I want," Linglong whispers.  "I want."  She has been taken in by earthly desires.

 

"Linglong!"  Brother Liu yells desperately.  He wants to tell her to stay focused, and to get with the program.  "Wu Peng is one of the Ten Sorcerers!  Snap out of it!"

 

Linglong immediately breaks her gaze from the creepy sorceress.

 

"She's trying to trick you!"  Brother Liu continues.  "Don't fall for it!"

 

Linglong lividly points her blade at Wu Peng's throat.  "Don't try to trick me!  Wake them up right now!"  She is insulted that this woman would so much as think of taking advantage of her.

 

"Why should I?"  Wu Peng asks in her creepy, drugged up, cult leader voice.  "Reality is too harsh.  You like to escape reality, right?"

 

Linglong smirks.  "Fine!  If you don't wake them up, I'll gouge your eyes out!  And sever your head from your neck!  I'll show you no mercy!"  She jabs her sword forward, and Wu Peng quickly covers her eyes.

 

"Please don't gouge my eyes out," Wu Peng begs.  "I'll wake them up!"  She slowly lowers her hands.

 

"Hurry!"  Linglong snaps.  She absolutely hates anyone who takes who exploits the vulnerability of others.

 

Wu Peng spreads her arms, and then moves them together, yellow energy generating.  She moves her fingers across the air.

 

The purple fog fades away.  Little Six continues to shake Ruo Yu's wrist.  Ruo Yu looks at Little Six lucidly.

 

The fog fades from Wu Zhiqi, and his head and sinuses clear.

 

A man in a blue hanfu flies forward and grabs Wu Peng.  They fly away into the trees.

 

"Minyan!"  Linglong yells.

 

"Let's go!"  Says Little Six.

 

Brother Liu remains trapped in his bubble.  Wu Zhiqi senses something ominous over the river.  He makes a fist, and then points his index and middle fingers downward.  He then raises his fingers, and shoots straight up like a rocket.  He breaks right through a barrier in the sky, while Ruo Yu observes incredulously.  Several pieces of debris fall to the ground.  Wu Zhiqi lands at the river's edge and looks up.

 

In front of him, the Ten Sorcerers are levitating above the water.  Flames roar under their feet.

 

Wu Zhiqi smirks.

 

"This--" a sorcerer stutters.  "This is impossible!  No weapon should be able to break through my barrier!"

 

Wu Zhiqi smiles and chuckles.  "Why is that impossible?  Listen up."  He holds up his middle and index fingers.  "It's been a long time since I've used my Finger of Power.  What a coincidence.  I'll try it out on you, then!"  He points to all ten of the sorcerers.  "I'll show you how powerful I am!"  He sharply crosses his arms, opens them downward, and disappears in a haze of purple and black smoke.  A huge orb of purple descends upon the sorcerers, pushing them down into the river.  Ten huge explosions occur underwater, causing geysers to shoot upwards.

 

Brother Liu laughs with delight.  Wu Zhiqi proudly descends to the ground.  Linglong, Little Six, and Ruo Yu run up to the riverbank.

 

"Linglong, are you okay?"  Little Six asks.

 

"I'm okay," says Linglong.

 

"We're the Ten Sorcerers of Kunlun!"  Wu Lu shouts.  "How dare you humiliate us like this!"  He yells from underwater.  "We will surely report it to the Heavenly Emperor."

 

Wu Zhiqi grins and laughs.  "Listen up.  I sat on his throne before.  Do you think I'm afraid of you?"  He points at the river.  "You should stay in the water!"

 

"Old Wu!"  Brother Liu says anxiously.  "Let me out!  This is great!  I have never felt better being a demon!"

 

Wu Zhiqi laughs.  With strong purple and black energy, and a push of his hands, he pops the watery bubble.

 

Brother Liu ungracefully falls onto the rocks, landing on his side.  He gives Wu Zhiqi a pained look.  "Can't you be more gentle?"

 

Wu Zhiqi chuckles.  He is feeling better than he has ever felt in a really long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The cliff is extremely slippery," says Linglong.  "How can we climb it?"

 

They eye the imposing Mount Kunlun ahead of them.

 

"We have no other choice," says Wu Zhiqi.  "We can only climb it."

 

"Why can't we use our powers?"  Linglong inquires.

 

"The heavens love to mystify things," says Wu Zhiqi.  "If we use our powers, we won't be able to see Kaiming Gate.  The cliff is alive.  Your daggers will disappear after a short while.  So, you better be careful."

 

Brother Liu gasps.  "I heard that there's a Kaiming Beast with nine heads guarding the gate.  It's hard to deal with.  I think we should be careful."

 

"We need to go, no matter what," says Linglong.

 

Wu Zhiqi nods in acknowledgement, and the five friends start walking.  Just like old times, but without Xuanji and Sifeng; and no Wu Tong to contend with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The five dilligently scale the side of the cliff, using their daggers to help them move up.  They are getting closer to the top.  The climb is fierce, but they're almost there.  Little Six looks over at Linglong.  She almost falls back, but Little Six steadies her.

 

"Are you okay?"  Little Six asks.

 

"I'm fine," says Linglong.

 

They continue to climb, and Ruo Yu loses his grip.  He's falling fast, but Little Six grabs his wrist, and pulls him up.  He gets him back in position.

 

Brother Liu breathes a sigh of relief.

 

The climb continues, and Wu Zhiqi is the first to reach the top.

 

As they walk toward a waterfall, Brother Liu complains,  "I'm too old for this!"  His back, arms, legs, and knees ache.

 

"Your body is weak indeed!"  Wu Zhiqi laughs.

 

Brother Liu finds a rock to sit on.

 

Little Six and Ruo Yu catch up.

 

"Minyan," says Ruo Yu, "I've committed so many crimes in the past.  I don't deserve your help."

 

"Sifeng told me about your sister," says Little Six.  "Although I still can't forgive you, I can't just let you die while I do nothing."

 

"Minyan," says Ruo Yu, "I'm sorry."

 

"You took the risk in order to save Sifeng and Xuanji.  Since everyone is trying their best to help them, I'll accept your apology for now."

 

Ruo Yu nods.

 

"Come, have some food."  Wu Zhiqi approaches them with a huge green leaf filled with meat, trailed by Linglong and Brother Liu.  "Recover your energy.  Here."

 

"You even brought this?"  Linglong asks.

 

Brother Liu is the first to take a piece of meat off the leaf, while everyone else follows suit.

 

A huge, fiery beast is seen soaring through the air.  He looks very similar to the Fire Lion Xuanji contended with at that fateful Hairpin Tournament.

 

The five look up, and see the beast descend to the ground like a cat jumping off the kitchen table.  Within the grey lion's orange mane are several heads.  A glittery trail is left behind him.

 

The lion greets them with an intimidating roar.  Wu Zhiqi smiles, while everyone else looks scared.

 

"Nine heads?"  Little Six asks.

 

"Is this the Kaiming Beast?"  Linglong asks.

 

Wu Zhiqi tilts his head, ready to have more invigorating fun.  He's glad he came along for this trip.  He gets to the front of the group, and pointedly savors a piece of meat in front of the Kaiming Beast.  "So delicious," Wu Zhiqi says.  "Do you want to eat?"

 

"Yes!"  All nine heads of the Kaiming Beast chorus.

 

"I won't give you any of it!"  Wu Zhiqi exclaims.  He looks back at his friends and gestures with his head.

 

Linglong nods.  She puts her piece of meat back in the huge leaf.  "We don't have much.  You should share."  She throws the leaf full of meat to the beast.  The main head devours it.

 

Everyone else looks anxious, but Wu Zhiqi smiles and nods knowingly.

 

"So delicious, give us more!"  The beast's main head growls.

 

Brother Liu, Little Six, and Ruo Yu toss them their remaining scraps.

 

The beast's heads savor the pieces.

 

Wu Zhiqi holds out his palm, and a jug of wine appears.  "I guess you aren't full yet.  I have some wine.  Here."

 

The beast jumps like an excited dog waiting for a treat.  Wu Zhiqi splits the jug of wine into two jars.  He tosses the jars to the excited beast heads.  He makes several additional jars, and tosses them until every head has something to drink.  They respond like contented babies drinking from their bottles.

 

Brother Liu taps Wu Zhiqi on the shoulder.  "What are you doing?"  He whispers sharply.

 

"Shh..." Wu Zhiqi says.  He points to the beast.

 

Brother Liu looks up, and sees them finishing their jars and dropping them.

 

"This is bad," says the main beast head.  "We owe them a favor now.  We actually ate their food without knowing their goals."

 

"Eldest Brother, you ate the most," says the head on his right side.  "Aren't you embarrassed?"

 

"Second Brother ate the most!"  The main head growls.

 

The heads argue amongst themselves, and Wu Zhiqi looks at Brother Liu knowingly.

 

"Who are you?"  The main head asks.  "Why are you approaching Mount Kunlun?"

 

"We just passed the area,"  Wu Zhiqi grandly spreads out his arms.  "We wanted to have a snack since we were hungry, but you took it all.  Tell me.  What should we do?"

 

The other heads begin to panic.  "What should we do now?"  They say amongst themselves.

 

"Don't bother me because of trivial matters like these!"  Says the annoyed main head.  "You can handle this.  Be quiet!  I'm going to meditate!"

 

Wu Zhiqi chuckles.

 

All the heads, except the one on the right, begin to fall asleep.  The head on the right whimpers.

 

Little Six rushes forward.  "Don't cry.  You drank the least.  We won't blame you."  He produces another jar.  "I still have some wine.  Do you want to drink?"

 

The head makes indistinct, positive sounds.  Little Six tosses him the jar.

 

"Don't tell Eldest Brother about this," says the head.

 

"Don't worry," says Little Six.  "We won't tell him."

 

"와!" Says Brother Liu.  "You're amazing!  You finished it in one gulp!"

 

"More!"  Says the head.

 

Wu Zhiqi produces another bottle.  "Here."

 

"I will never be drunk!"  Says the head.  "A few jars of wine won't do anything to me!"

 

"But I think you're drunk," says Wu Zhiqi.  "I thought you were the guardian of the gate.  Isn't it too much if you get drunk?"

 

"It's fine," says the head.  "I won't let anyone pass!  Here's a secret.  Our tail is the key to unlocking Kaiming Gate.  I'll show you how to unlock it so that you can broaden your horizons."

 

Wu Zhiqi knowingly smiles at his friends.

 

"And know that ordinary people can't enter Mount Kunlun," the head continues.

 

"It's that amazing?"  Linglong asks.  "Show it to us, so that we may sing your praise to the people below."

 

"Look closely," says the head.  The beast turns around and shows his tail.  The end emits a golden glow.  The beast laughs and shoots fiery energy from his tail.  A golden vortex appears on the waterfall.

 

"This is Kaiming Gate," says the head.  "Since I've eaten your food, and drank your wine, I'll by repay you by showing you how to unlock the gate.  Remember to sing my praise to the people below."

 

"Of course!"  Say the five friends.

 

The Beast puts the end of his tail into the vortex, and fire bursts forth.

 

"How is it?  Am I amazing?"

 

"You're amazing," says Brother Liu.

 

The head yawns and finally falls asleep.

 

Wu Zhiqi steps forward.  "Kaiming Beast?"  He makes noise to see if they're still asleep.  Not a single stir.  He turns back to his friends.  "This jar of wine is called Drunken Stupor.  It can produce the strongest wine.  You'll be drunk for three days if you drink one jar.  This silly beast drank nine of them!  They'll sleep for twenty seven days, at least!"

 

Brother Liu puts his thumb up and smiles.

 

"So, you knew Kaiming Beast was silly," says Little Six.  "That's why you prepared a solution."

 

"Of course.  If not, Sifeng wouldn't ask you to find me."

 

"We deceived such an innocent beast," says Linglong.  "I feel like I'm the villain now."

 

"That's enough," says Wu Zhiqi.  "We should leave while the portal is open.  It'll be difficult if someone sees us later."

 

"Right!"  Brother Liu whispers.  "Let's go!"

 

 

 

 

Sifeng and Devil Star are flying over the turbulent clouds.  They pass over a sea of black clouds with red fire.  Sifeng scans the area, as this sea of fiery clouds appears to be endless.

 

"What happened?" Devil Star asks.  He has his profound suspicions.

 

They hear a bird calling.

 

"It's the Phoenix," says Sifeng.

 

A bird made of fire flies to them.  "Phoenix is the king of all birds," says Sifeng.  "It's the natural counterpart to the Rose Gold Birds.  It's call can rupture my internal organs."  His insides begin to twist, and they feel like the male equivalent of menstrual cramps.

 

Several streams of light are being shot at them, and they see a very long, horizontal line of heavenly soldiers.  Surprise, surprise.

 

Both Sifeng and Devil Star roll at the same time to avoid the arrows.  The heavenly soldiers relentlessly fire away.

 

"Hurry!"  Says Sifeng.  Blood is streaming from his mouth.

 

Devil Star positions himself further above Sifeng, while Sifeng rolls as fast as he can.

 

With a wall of black haze, Devil Star blocks the arrows of golden light.

 

More arrows are fired, and with an elegant twist, Sifeng flies upwards, and positions himself in front of the Devil Star.  The arrows hit his beautiful golden wings, but he stands strong.  He begins to fall back, as his insides twist like really awful menstrual cramps.  He falls downward, and Devil Star descends with him.  They fall into the turquoise water below with a huge splash.

 

Flashbacks as the God of War flood Devil Star's mind.  A myriad of dead bodies, immortal and demon, lie in front of her.  She coldly looks at the carnage.

 

"Since the Asura Clan has surrendered to the heavens," says Heavenly Emperor, "you may return to the Demon Citadel," he says to King Asura.  "Do your part, and don't create trouble.  Go now."

 

King Asura looks up.  King Bailing gives him side eye.

 

*******

 

"The Asura clan is bloodthirsty and ruthless," King Bailing says to the God of War.  "They will disrupt the peace of the three realms.  We mustn't release the tiger back to the mountains.  Leave none of them alive.  Kill them."

 

God of War hesitates.  Something feels strange.  "Yes," she finally says.

 

*******

 

"The Heavenly Emperor actually went back on his word?"  King Asura asks the God of War.

 

"The Asura Clan is bloodthirsty and ruthless.  Today, all of you will end up like Devil Maleficent.  All of you will die under the blade of the God of War!"

 

"You?  The God of War?  You killed Devil Maleficent?"  King Asura laughs uncontrollably.  "What a joke!  With the vengeful spirits of my clan, I'll curse you.  You'll never have a good end for all eternity!"

 

With her power, she summons an enlarged and fiery version of the Dingkun Sword, and it levitates over her head.  With a sweep of her hands, the sword flies right at him.  It hits a barrier, and several Asura warriors behind him generate blue energy.

 

The sword breaks through the barrier, and King Asura's mask shatters.  The soldiers behind him disintegrate into ash.

 

God of War moves her arms upward, and the sword drills into the ground.  She raises them again, and a black, smokey tornado forms.  She moves her arms, and the ground is completely destroyed.

 

******

 

The God of War is sitting in front of Ting Nu, rubbing her hand.  "Their blood was still warm when I killed them.  I don't like that.  Before they died, all of them stared at me with resentment."

 

"General, I think you're too exhausted," says Ting Nu.  "I'll find you some medicine that can clear your mind."

 

"Lord Medic, you've been treating me for such a long time.  Did you discover that my memories were missing?"

 

"General, what do you mean by that?"  Ting Nu asks.

 

"King Asura stared at me when I killed him.  He said I was a traitor.  I thought he was familiar.  But I can't remember everything.  And today, a new Heavenly Officer asked me for my name.  I tried to think, only to realize I'm called the God of War, or General.  I can't even remember my name.  Lord Medic, do you know my name?"

 

"I'm a low rank official.  I don't know much about the high rank officials."

 

"Don't tell me I haven't had a name since birth?  Since birth...Where exactly did I come from?"

 

**********

 

God of War is relentlessly fighting off the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook.  It cuts through her swords, and a masked Wu Zhiqi is on the other side, skillfully operating his weapons.

 

The two fly forward.  "Wu Zhiqi, you better give up and return the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook to the heavens!"

 

"Do the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook belong to the heavens?"  Wu Zhiqi asks.  "You killed the Devil Star and took his Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook.  I'm just taking back what's rightfully ours!"

 

God of War crosses her arms, brings all of her swords back, and combines them into one, huge, fiery Dingkun Sword.  She hurls it forward, and strikes the Juntian Hoop and Cehai Hook.

 

Wu Zhiqi grimaces.  He summons his weapons, and they absorb back into his body.

 

God of War floats forward.

 

"God of War," says Wu Zhiqi, "King Asura wants me to send you a message."

 

********

 

God of War goes into the Demon Citadel and observes her surroundings.

 

"God of War, I was murdered by you," says the voice of King Asura.  "But I retained my last breath just to send you a huge gift!  You better take a good look at the secrets hidden within Bailing's palace!  You deserve all of this!"

 

She looks at the mural of King Bailing killing Devil Star, and from the Devil Star's corpse, his clothing falls away, and the God of War emerges.  She looks at the mural with shock and anger.  She takes a step back, and grabs her sword.  "I...who am I?  Where's my soul?"  She clenches her fist so tightly that it shakes.  "Siming Hall!"  She whispers.

 

******

 

Two men in Siming Hall are organizing the scrolls and tablets.  One of the men approaches the other, and taps him on the shoulder with his writing brush.  "True events are recorded in the jade tablets, but King Bailing actually asked us to change the God of War's history?  This doesn't conform to the rules."

 

"If the God of War knew that she was an Asura in the past, and she decimated her whole clan, all hell will break loose.  Of course, we need to hide this fact."

 

"Stop it now.  King Bailing sent us here precisely because he wants to hide this fact from everyone.  If news of this gets out, we will be punished by the Heavenly Lightning.  We should do our job, and leave the rest to King Bailing."

 

As he is about to put the scroll away, it flies right out of his hand. The two men turn around, and see the God of War holding the scroll.  They immediately kowtow.

 

She promptly opens the scroll, and golden writing appears.  "King Bailing captured Devil Maleficent.  King Bailing extracted his soul and sealed it within the Crystal Lamp.  It's too late when the Heavenly Emperor found out that King Bailing colluded with the Southern Immortals.  King Bailing reconstructed Devil Maleficent.  The God of War was created after that."

 

God of War gasps.  She holds up the scroll.  "Is this...telling the truth?"

 

The two men look up, and promptly touch their foreheads to the ground.  She hurls the scroll across the room.

 

********

 

God of War flies to King Bailing's Palace, so livid that it is making her sick.  She lands on her knees, stabbing the Dingkun Sword into the ground.  She promptly stands up.

 

"Bailing, come out!"

 

He slowly walks through the gate.

 

 

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