American Perspectives: Moving Forward, Moving On Pt. 1("Love and Redemption" Ep. 59)

 

 

“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 flies forward, and with as much strength as he can (since the Call of the Phoenix had nearly shredded his insides), he lifts the Transcendent Furnace upward before it can spill into the fiery pool down below.

 

"Sifeng!"  Brother Liu yells.

 

"Sifeng!"  Wu Zhiqi yells.

 

Sifeng can barely push the furnace up.  He is only able to hold it just enough so that it won't spill, but one misstep, and it's game over.  He is sweating profusely, his back hurts, his arms feel like they are going to fall off, but he does not care.  He will do what ever it takes to protect everyone.

 

"I will not let you destroy the Transcedent Furnace," Sifeng says to Yuan Lang, "because I want to protect my memories with Xuanji!"

 

"Sifeng," Devil Star gasps.

 

Sifeng grunts as he continues to push the furnace upward.

 

"Then go to hell!"  Yuan Lang positions his sword, and flies straight at Sifeng like a psychotic bird.  Before Sifeng, or anyone else can do anything, he stabs Sifeng right in the chest.

 

Sifeng's eyes widen in shock, but he does not let go.

 

"Sifeng!"  Devil Star yells.

 

"Sifeng!"  Wu Zhiqi, Brother Liu, and Ruo Yu yell.

 

Sifeng still holds firm, and he vomits blood as Yuan Lang drives the sword further in.  With the strength he has left, Sifeng momentarily releases his grip on the furnace, and generates a wave of golden energy from his body, knocking Yuan Lang back.

 

Devil Star immobilizes Yuan Lang with a wave of his black smoke energy.

 

"Sifeng!"  Brother Liu and Wu Zhiqi yell.

 

Sifeng goes limp, and begins to descend.

 

"Sifeng!" Devil Star yells.  With the palm of his hand, he wraps black smoke around Sifeng's torso, and pulls him forward.  In a cloud of black smoke, Devil Star shifts into God of War, and she catches Sifeng in her arms.  They slowly descend, and she gently lays him down.

 

"Yu Sifeng," says Xuanji.  "Look, Xuanji is back."

 

"Are you worried?" Sifeng asks.

 

"I don't want you to die," says Xuanji.

 

"Hearing these words," says Sifeng, "even if I die, I have no regrets.  Actually, actually, I bet with Bailing that you were not a murderous demon because your heart has gained flesh and blood.  This heart couldn't bring itself to destroy the three realms.  Because...I warmed it, little by little."  He struggles to speak.  He gags and closes his eyes.

 

"Sifeng!"  Says Xuanji.  "I'll save you.  I will save you."  With the palm of her hand, she applies ice blue energy to his chest.

 

He chokes and falls back.

 

"Sifeng!"  Xuanji adds more energy.

 

"Sifeng," Linglong says tearfully.

 

He grabs Xuanji's hand.  He shakes his head.  "It won't do any good.  My heart...has been pierced, but it's good.  I have exchanged my heart for yours.  It's worth it.  Please look after the three realms because that's where our many memories are.  As long as the three realms exist, they will never disappear.  Xuanji, do you hear me?  Remember..." Tears stream down his face.  "I've had ten happy lives.  Because, no matter what, I could meet you.  And it's...good enough."  His hand falls out of her grasp, and he goes limp.

 

Xuanji looks down in disbelief.

 

"Sifeng," whispers Linglong.

 

"Sifeng," whispers Wu Zhiqi.

 

Xuanji places her hand on his heart, and continues to cry.  "Sifeng!"  She tries to shake him awake.  "Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

 

"Sifeng!"  Brother Liu yells.

 

"Sifeng!"  Linglong and Little Six yell.

 

Xuanji screams loudly, releasing a huge wave of blue energy from her body, and pushing everyone back.  She shifts from her God of War armor into a pink hanfu.

 

Linglong gasps.  "Xuanji."

 

"Xuanji," says Little Six.

 

"Sifeng," Xuanji holds him tightly.  "Sifeng, it's me, Xuanji!  I'm back, Sifeng!  Sifeng!  Sifeng!"

 

Yuan Lang tries to break away from the Devil Star's smoke.  Xuanji looks at him as he breaks free, and flies to the furnace.  With the palm of her hand, Xuanji shoots blue energy at Yuan Lang's torso, immobilizing him again.

 

"Yuan Lang!  You killed my mother and Sifeng!"

 

He struggles in the air.

 

"I'm going to kill you today!"  Xuanji shouts.

 

Yuan Lang is frozen in the air.  "I want to be the ruler of the three realms!  No one can stop me!  No one can stop me!"

 

Ruo Yu's eyes fill with tears of hatred.  As Xuanji is continuing to keep Yuan Lang immobilized with her energy. Unexpectedly, Ruo Yu flies up and stabs Yuan Lang in the chest.

 

"Ruo Yu!"  Brother Liu yells.

 

"You took everything from me!"  Ruo Yu cries.  "You locked up my family, killed my loved one, and forced me to hurt my brothers!"

 

"Ruo Yu," Linglong whispers.

 

"Ruo Yu," says Little Six.

 

"Don't you ever harm the three realms again!"  Ruo Yu yells.

 

"I've been waiting for the three realms to be in ruins," says Yuan Lang.  "I've waited for 1,000 years!  I must succeed!"  With a wave of blue energy generating from his body, the force pushes Ruo Yu into the fiery pool, making him disintegrate on contact.

 

"Ruo Yu!"  Brother Liu yells.

 

"Ruo Yu!"  Little Six yells.

 

Yuan Lang hurls his sword at the furnace, causing it to rapidly descend and tip over.

 

"Oh no!" Teng She and Si Ming gasp.

 

Yuan Lang grins.  At last.  "I am the ruler of the three realms!  The ruler of the three realms!"

 

Xuanji sharply moves her arm upwards, and Yuan Lang disintegrates.

 

The furnace continues to descend, thick smoke coming out of the top.  Xuanji opens her palm, and shoots blue energy at it.  "Heavenly Emperor, help me!  I want to keep these three realms forever!"

 

"Is this your final decision?"  Heavenly Emperor asks.

 

"This is my and Sifeng's final decision.  I don't want the three realms to disappear!"

 

"Fine."  Heavenly Emperor nods.  "Let me give you a hand."  He brings his palm forward, and shoots white energy at the furnace.

 

The top part begins to move back up, moving the furnace back into its correct position.  It floats upward, and is returned to its proper place within the pool.

 

Si Ming breathes a sigh of relief.  

 

"Sifeng," Xuanji puts her arms around him.  "Sifeng, look.  I didn't lose the three realms.  Didn't you ask me to keep our memories?  I did it.  Look what I've done.  Please."  She hugs him tightly, wanting desperately for him to live.  As she embraces him, she sobs uncontrollably.

 

"Bailing," says Heavenly Emperor, "Xi Xuan bet with you that Devil Maleficent wasn't some apocalyptic demon.  What do you think?"

 

King Bailing closes his eyes.  He looks at a very heartbroken Xuanji.  He kneels.  "Heavenly Emperor, I've lost.  My deeply improper thoughts have  ruined the three realms, and killed many lives.  I've ruined Devil Maleficent and my own self.  I am unpardonable."  He stands up and walks to Sifeng and Xuanji.

 

"King Bailing," says Teng She.

 

"I am the root of this thousand year grudge," says King Bailing.  "I feel too ashamed to live."  He kneels in front of the couple.  "Chu Xuanji, please grant my death.  Let me be free."

 

"I will never simply take one's life for my own interest.  Even if he's as wicked as you.  Sifeng once said that revenge is an endless cycle.  In this life, my heart has found the most important thing.  There's no more room for hatred.  From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

 

King Bailing starts to cry.

 

Xuanji gasps for breath.  In a flash of red energy, Devil Star separates himself from her.

 

Si Ming gasps.  "This..."

 

Teng She gives him a look.

 

"Devil Maleficent?"  Xuanji asks.

 

"Brother Maleficent," says King Bailing.

 

Devil Star kneels in front of Sifeng and Xuanji.  "Chu Xuanji, you are luckier than me.  You've met those whom you care about, and they're willing to sacrifice for you.  You must cherish them."  He looks over at Sifeng and feels sorrowful.  With the palm of his hand, he shoots red energy into Sifeng's heart.  He puts his finger under Sifeng's nose to feel for any breathing.

 

"I really wish that I could live once again," says Devil Star.  He stands up and paces.  "Bailing, do you still remember the shore of Ruoshui River?"

 

"The Shore of Ruoshui River," says King Bailing.  He slowly stands up.  "In the Baiyu Pavilion.  It's where we drank.  Those days, I always remember them."

 

"Yes," says Devil Star, "I always remember them, too."  He opens the palm of his hand, and a white cup appears.  "We had our last drink 1,000 years ago.  You toasted me, and I drank mine.  I toasted you, but you didn't drink yours.  Today, you shall drink it."

 

King Bailing smiles softly.  "Alright, Brother Maleficent.  I shall drink it."  He takes the glowing white cup.

 

Everyone else prepares for the worst.  "King Bailing!"

 

He takes a drink.

 

"We are finally done drinking," says Devil Star.

 

"King Bailing," Si Ming says nervously.

 

"King Bailing!"  The Four Sacred Beasts yell.

 

"Don't come over," says King Bailing.  "I brought this all upon myself.  Devil Maleficent's hatred cannot dissipate, and he refuses to forgive me.  In fact, I cannot even forgive myself."

 

"I just want to bring you to notice," says Devil Star, "for what you did to me and the other victims.  You brought this on yourself.  It serves you right."

 

"Vanity is all I've cultivated these 10,000 years," says King Bailing.  "Now that it's come to this, wouldn't it be a death worth dying?"

 

"King Bailing," Teng She says tearfully.

 

"Don't follow in my footsteps," says King Bailing.  "My obsession with grievance and scheming led to my big mistake.  Heavenly Emperor, I know that I don't deserve to be a deity.  Today, I'm entering the Channel of Karma, and recultivating myself.  If there were to be the chance 10,000 years from now, I would be sitting by your side, and listening to your teachings, Heavenly Emperor."

 

Heavenly Emperor sighs.  "Bailing, Heaven willing, may you repent and be enlightened the soonest."

 

"King Bailing!" says Si Ming.

 

"King Bailing!"  The Four Sacred Beasts yell.

 

King Bailing and the Devil Star smile at each other before they disappear.

 

The Four Sacred Beasts kneel.  "King Bailing!"

 

"Listen, my fellow deities," says Heavenly Emperor.  "The death of Bailing is the merit he has earned by repenting and taking his own life.  The heavens have done the Demon Citadel wrong.  You shall not kill and take revenge on the demons.  From today onward, the three realms are equal, and shall live in harmony with one another.  Anyone disobeying this order will be severely punished."

 

The immortals bow.  "We shall obey the decree, Heavenly Emperor."  The Four Sacred Beasts and Si Ming disappear.

 

"Heavenly Emperor," says Xuanji, "Sifeng died saving the three realms.  It's not his fault.  The fault is all mine.  I beg you.  Please save him.  I'm willing to exchange my life for his!"

 

"Xi Xuan is my son," says Heavenly Emperor.  "I certainly hope that he'll be fine, but I have no control over life and death.  As much as I want to save him, there's nothing I can do.  However..."

 

"What?" Xuanji asks eagerly.

 

"However, I need not do so anymore.  Someone's saved him."

 

Xuanji touches Sifeng's heart.  "What is this?"

 

"It's Devil Maleficent's heart.  When Devil Maleficent brushed Xi Xuan's chest, he planted half of the Crystal Heart in him.  The heart has gained flesh and blood.  It can save his life.  Will this heart start beating again, and wake him up?  That depends on you."

 

"Thank you for your guidance, Heavenly Emperor," says Xuanji.  "Sifeng will surely wake up.  He will wake up, for sure.  He will surely wake up."

 

Brother Liu runs up to Heavenly Emperor, and kneels.  "Heavenly Emperor, please tell me where my daughter is.  I'm the one who took the Celestial Eye, she has nothing to do with it.  Please have mercy on us, Heavenly Emperor."

 

"You stole the Celestial Eye because of your daughter.  It's a Father's love for his child.  And you went to Kunlun to see me for the sake of the three realms.  You have made up for the mistake.  You should head back to Qingyang.  Your father-daughter relationship is not over yet.  She is waiting for you at home."

 

"Sure!  I'm leaving now!"  Brother Liu exclaims.  He happily kowtows, and then disappears.

 

Heavenly Emperor nods at Xuanji.

 

Wu Zhiqi kneels in front of the Emperor.  "Heavenly Emperor, what about Purple Fox?  I took them to Mount Kunlun, and I've made up for my mistake!  Please save Purple Fox, too!"

 

"Purple Fox died for you and bears your sins from a thousand years ago.  What goes around comes around.  She will re-enter the channel of karma."

 

"Then, where is she?"  Wu Zhiqi asks anxiously.

 

"She has suffered from missing you for a thousand years.  Why should you go and see her?  Twelve hours from now, she's going to drink from the Water of Forgetting."

 

"Water of Forgetting?"  Wu Zhiqi asks.

 

"She will forget you in the next life, and she will be free."

 

"Little Fox is at the River of Forgetting?"  He gets up, swings his arm, and disappears in a haze of purple energy.

 

Heavenly Emperor shakes his head and sighs.  "Deep, yet transient love.  Why bother?"

 

"Xuanji, let's go home," says Linglong.  

 

Xuanji tearfully looks over at her spirit beast, who is devastated over King Bailing's passing.  "Teng She, I know that you had a deep affection for King Bailing.  You may stay here for as long as you want.  You have my word forever.  You may go far away for as long as you want.  You're welcome to come back any time."

 

Teng She sobs.

 

"Take good care of yourself," says Xuanji.  She looks at Sifeng, who is still in her arms, unconscious.  "Sifeng, let's go home now."

 

 

 

 

 

A line of women dressed in white are being served the Water of Forgetting in small bowls.  They are preparing for their transition into infancy for their next life in the mortal realm.

 

Fox Demon sadly looks down at her bowl of water.  She doesn't want to forget Wu Zhiqi, but she feels she doesn't have much of a choice in the matter.  Perhaps this new beginning will be better for her.

 

They slowly walk to the transitional vortex, like animals being led to slaughter.

 

Wu Zhiqi, he's the most easy going and carefree person in the world.

 

"Little Fox," she remembers Wu Zhiqi saying.  "Thank you for saving me."

 

"Wu Zhiqi!"  Fox Demon remembers descending the stairs to his cell.

 

She looks down at her bowl.  I'm willing to do anything to save Wu Zhiqi.  She remembers him in his cell, and embracing him, while he didn't remember her.  Don't let me go again.

 

She looks at her bowl of water and cries.  Wu Zhiqi sees her getting ready to take that fateful drink.

 

"Little Fox!" Wu Zhiqi yells.

 

She looks up, and is surprised to see her beloved.  She drops her bowl, and water splatters everywhere.  "Wu Zhiqi."

 

He runs to her and gives her a hug.

 

Fox Demon smiles.

 

"Little Fox, I will never let you go again," says Wu Zhiqi.

 

 

 

 

 

Brother Liu is happily running through Qingyang with a basket full of greens in one hand, and a cloth bag in the other.  He stops in the middle of the street when he sees Yu'er at a pastry vendor's cart, snacking on a plate full of cakes.  He smiles and chuckles as he observes her eating.

 

"Yu'er," says Brother Liu.

 

"Old Fogey, where have you been?"  Yu'er asks.  "You've been away too long!  I'm starving!  Cook for me!"

 

"Sure!"  Brother Liu says.  "I'm going home to cook for you now."

 

"Gosh, you're a grown up," says Yu'er.  "Don't cry.  It's so embarrassing."

 

Brother Liu hides his face behind his sleeve.

 

"Oh, right!"  Yu'er says.  "I want to eat a scallion pancake.  Buy me some."

 

"Sure.  I'm willing to buy you scallion pancakes for life."

 

Yu'er takes his cloth bag and holds his hand.  "Let's go.  Old Fogey, I'm telling you.  There are many delicious foods ahead.  Ahead there.  Let's go."

 

 

 

 

 

Sifeng is still unconscious, and Xuanji is at his bedside, tending to him.  She wets a washcloth, and wipes his face.  "Sifeng, we're home.  But...when will you wake up?  It's okay.  No matter how long, I'll always wait for you."

 

***********

 

Xuanji and Sifeng are at his bamboo home in Xigu Town.  Xuanji is cooking while Sifeng is sitting on the covered porch, unconscious in the pouring rain.

 

Xuanji takes a seat next to him, and blows on a bowl of hot soup.  She takes a drink, moves over to Sifeng, and transfers the liquid from her mouth to his.

 

**********

 

He remains unconscious, in a chair, in the forest, during the autumn season.  Xuanji is seated next to him.

 

"Sifeng," says Xuanji, "did you know?  Linglong and Sixth Senior are fighting about who the baby will look like.  Sixth Senior says Linglong's too short.  Linglong says Sixth Senior's too dull.  I was there when she chased after and hit him.  Isn't it funny?  And look at this.  It's your favorite Qingyang Lotus Seeds.  Sifeng, do you still remember the promise we made under the magpie bridge?  That we'll be together forever."

 

**********

 

Winter comes, and they are back at Shaoyang.  "Sifeng, you must've had a hard time practicing sword moves.  You've been sleeping for so long.  But the calluses on your hands haven't gone away.  I received a letter from Eldest Brother Liu today.  He says Yu'er isn't as obedient as you.  She competes with him all the time."

 

The snow softly falls around them.

 

...To be continued...