American Perspectives: Little Silver Flower Goes to Tianxu Hall Pt.1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 19)

 

“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 standing outside her bedroom doors, touching her heart.  She finds herself mentally questioning Hao Chen's authority regarding her feelings for Sifeng. Rule of thumb: Hormones trump Control.

 

Xuanji wakes up, smiling.  Sifeng's mouth is soft, and it's sweet.  She rolls over to her side and smiles.  She rolls over onto her back and giggles.  Gleefully, she remembers her first kiss with Sifeng, and then immediately stops herself.  "No, I must sleep now.  Spell of Tranquility." She covers her face with her blanket.

 

A member of Tianxu Hall is able to enter the hideout in the side of the mountain, simply by showing the guard his ring.

Little Silver Flower is spying behind a rock, figuring out the best way to enter.  She's still wearing her white hanfu, and silver hairpins which absolutely will not work for this situation.  She observes a man in dreadlocks walking the path down below.  She smiles mischeviously.

The man looks up at Little Silver Flower as she flies down at him in snake form, biting him, and rendering him unconscious.  She successfully steals his ring.

 

Back on Fuyu Island, Sifeng is standing in front of the mirror in his room, contemplating.  He remembers the Love Stone not lighting up when he shot energy into it, the Heart Lantern disintegrating once Xuanji placed it in his hands.  Her refusal to take his mother's hairpin.  He sighs.

 

Little Silver Flower is carefully walking through the Tianxu Hall hideout, wearing dreadlocks, and the clothing of the man she knocked out.  She observes her surroundings, and decides to reach Sifeng telepathically.  "Sifeng.  I've already entered Tianxu Hall."

"Be careful," Sifeng communicates back.  "If there's danger, get out from there at once."

"All right," replies Little Silver Flower.

Sifeng rolls up the sleeve of his hanfu.  The three feather marks on his arm remain in place.

 

Little Silver Flower walks through the dark hall within the mountain. She smiles when she finally finds the main entrance.

 

The next day, Xuanji is walking down the steps in front of her room.  

"Little Xuanji," says First Senior Brother.  "Did you rest well?"

"No," Xuanji says hurriedly.  "This is nothing major.  Where is my father?  I haven't seen him since morning.  Did he receive any news regarding Linglong and Sixth Senior?" She's trying her hardest to not seem too flustered.  Hao Chen and Yu Ning already know about her and Sifeng.  She certainly doesn't want the entire Island finding out.

"We still haven't heard from Linglong and Minyan," says First Senior Brother.  "Before this, Xuanyuan was barred by a demonic barrier, and we couldn't get in.  Lord Dongfang just found a way to break it.  Now, Master, Deputy Chief of Lize Palace, and Dongfang have all gone to Xuanyuan Sect.

"Okay," says Xuanji.  "I hope that we can find Linglong and Sixth Senior as soon as possible."

"I'll get going, then," says First Senior Brother.

Xuanji nods in acknowledgement.  She walks through the compound, feeling a mix of emotions.  Guilt for feeling in love, worry about her sister and her friend, pressure to be the perfect disciple and daughter.

She rolls her eyes, sighs, quickly turns around, and crashes into Sifeng.  Her heart is pounding intensely, and it seems like everyone can hear it.

"Sifeng!" she gasps.  She's trying (and failing) not to blush.  "I..."

He moves closer to her, she backs away.  "Did I scare you yesterday?"

"No!" Xuanji says a little too sharply, a little too quickly.  She holds her hands out in front of her.  "Sifeng, I think we better stay away from each other for now.  Let's continue with our cultivation first.  Let's train separately for now."  Her wide eyes, fast speech, and stuttering betraying her.  "Let's talk again when my heart is no longer beating."

"If your heart is not beating," says Sifeng, "doesn't it mean that you are dead?"  He is doing his best to stay serious, as he can tell Xuanji is terrified.

"Huh?" says Xuanji.

"Are you going to part with me until death?"  As he walks closer, Xuanji backs away, her hands still in front of her.

"No," Xuanji shakes her head quickly.

In comes Hao Chen..."My junior sister has already made herself clear.  Why do you have to force her?"  He gives Xuanji side eye.  "You haven't finished your homework for today.  Why are you out here?"

Xuanji looks down in shame.

"Go back now," says Hao Chen.

She quickly runs away.  Not so much to avoid Sifeng, but to avoid feeling embarrassed about the night before.

"Hero Yu, Xuanji told me everything," he lies.  "Including your rude action towards her yesterday.  She told me everything.  I hope that you won't cling to her obstinately anymore."

"Is this what Xuanji wants?" Sifeng asks.  "I don't think she needs anyone to make the decision for her."

"Xuanji's six senses are still under developed.  There are many things that she doesn't know.  I'm afraid that you won't get the answer you want from her."

"She is indeed different," Sifeng acknowledges.  The difference between him and Hao Chen being that Sifeng is sincere, and Hao Chen is exploitatitive.  "But she's not a person without feelings or heart.  She can make her own decision."

Hao Chen softly snorts derisively.  "Love in this Mortal World is just a drop in the ocean.  It's insignificant.  Xuanji has more important things to do.  She has no time for this vague and insubstantial love."

"Whether or not it's vague or insubstantial, we'll know it in the future," says Sifeng.

As he walks past Hao Chen, Hao Chen insists on having the last word.  "Let me remind you.  Xuanji grew a Heart Lantern before, but it's not for you.  Even if she has feelings and a heart, she will never love you."

Sifeng walks away, as Hao Chen isn't much different than Deputy Chief, and he's well versed in their mind games.  He has no time for shennanigans today.

Hao Chen sighs.  He can tell his mind games aren't working.  He's losing his grip on Xuanji, and he must think of something to get her back under his total control before she transitions into the God of War.  Otherwise, he's toast.

 

Dongfang, Sect Leader Chu, and the sexy (but insidious) Deputy Chief are flying through the clouds.  They see Xuanyuan Sect below them, and destroy the Demonic barrier.  

They walk through the Xuanyuan entrance, and see dead bodies everywhere.

"Those devils from Tianxu Hall," says Sect Leader Chu.

"Where is Sect Leader Zhu Shi's body?" asks Dongfang.

They look at the closed doors to the Main Hall.

"Let's go and take a look," says Dongfang.

Sect Leader Chu pushes the doors open.  They enter a room with two curved swords hovering above a locked vault.  Thick steam, like that emitted from dry ice, is coming from the swords, creating an insulating bubble around Zhu Shi's corpse.

"Sect Leader Zhu Shi," says Deputy Chief.

Zhu Shi's eyes slowly flutter.

"He's still alive," says Sect Leader Chu.  "Let's save him."

The three extract him from the bubble, and bring him out into the courtyard.  With the help of Dianjing Valley Sect Leader, they inject red, white blue, and orange energy into his body.  They retract their energy, and Zhu Shi takes a deep breath.

"Thank you for your help," says Zhu Shi.  "I never thought that I'd still be alive."

"Sect Leader Zhu Shi," the Dianjing Valley Sect Leader says, "We five sects are all for one and one for all.  When Xuanyuan Sect was in trouble, you should have asked for our help."

"If it wasn't because Xuanyuan Sect had a traitor, and fell prey to the Demon Clan, we wouldn't be like this now," says Zhu Shi.

"Sect Leader Zhu Shi, I heard there was a massacre in Xuanyuan Sect.  How did you survive?  Are there no other survivors?" Dianjing Valley Sect Leader helps him stand up.

Zhu Shi's hanfu is splattered with blood stains.  "That day, Tianxu Hall was going to annihilate us, but they couldn't find the spirit keys.  So, they locked me into Treasure Cove.  I escaped from there, and with the protection of the Moon Blade, I managed to survive inside the Demonic Barrier.  I held on until you came in.  Unfortunately, although I managed to survive, the foundation of Xuanyuan Sect that was built more than 1000 years ago, was ruined in the blink of an eye.  I vow to avenge my Xuanyuan Sect!"  He begins to have a coughing fit.  "That day, Xuanyuan Sect was controlled by Tianxu Hall.  Luckily, your daughter helped us out, and sent our Sect's secret treasure to Fuyu Island," he looks at Sect Leader Chu.  "I'm really grateful for that.  Now, I barely escaped with my life."  He grabs Dongfang's arm.  "Please...return my Sect's sacred object to me, so that I can rebuild Xuanyuan."

Deputy Chief slowly waves his black fan and looks down.

"Although it belongs to you," says Dongfang, "Xuanyuan Sect is in ruins now.  Besides, Tianxu Hall is aiming for the spirit keys.  If you take it back right away, it'll be very dangerous for you."

"Thank you for worrying about me," says Zhu Shi.  "But this is my sect's duty.  I have to bear this duty myself."

"These spirit keys are crucial," says Dianjing Valley Sect Leader.  "It's not just a simple treasure of a sect anymore."

"Yes," Dongfang agrees.  

"I'm afraid that it'll be hard to protect it alone," Dianjing Valley Sect Leader continues.

"Yes," Dongfang agrees.

"For safety purposes, I think that it's better to make other arrangements for it," says Dianjing Valley Sect Leader.

Deputy Chief laughs derisively. "You are taking away his treasure by force."

"You..." says Zhu Shi.  "Are you looking down on Xuanyuan Sect for having no one now?"

"Don't misunderstand, Sect Leader Zhu Shi," says Sect Leader Chu.  "We are not trying to take your treasure.  It's just that things are more serious than we thought.  We can't be careless about it."

Zhu Shi takes a deep breath.  "What if I insist to take it back?"

"Calm down," says Dongfang. "You are seriously wounded.  Your first priority is to recover.  About the Destiny Pearl, let's discuss it when you're recovered, okay?"

"You--" says Zhu Shi.

"Don't worry," says Dongfang.  "The Destiny Pearl is inside Fuyu Island's vault.  I'm the only one who can open it.  I can guarantee its safety.  I'll ask Steward Ouyang to bring you to Ice Fire Pond on my island to treat your wound."

"Master Dongfang has been unwell lately," interjects one of the Fuyu Island elders.  "He can't tend to him.  I'll attend to Sect Leader Zhu Shi instead."

Dongfang nods.

"No need to be so pretentious," says Zhu Shi.  He angrily walks away.

Deputy Chief is carefully observing him leave.

 

Xuanji is walking along the deck to get to her room.  She sees Sifeng around the corner.  She gasps, blushes, and covers her face.

"Xuanji," says Sifeng.

She stops walking.  He stands beside her.

"You are still avoiding me," he says.

She looks at him, and quickly looks away.

"No need to do that," he says.  "Although I can't take back my feelings for you, I won't force you to do anything.  Besides, the most important thing now is Linglong and Minyan's safety.  I'm very worried about them.  I'm just here to ask Sect Leader Zhu Shi whether or not he knows where they are.  You, too, right?"

Xuanji nods, the nervousness and tension beginning to subside.

"We'll talk about this after everything is settled, okay?"

Xuanji nods.  "Actually, I..."

Sect Leader Zhu Shi walks by, breaking the painfully awkward situation.  "Sect Leader Zhu Shi.  Hold on, Sect Leader Zhu Shi," calls Xuanji.  They dart to him.

Xuanji and Sifeng bow.  "Sect Leader Zhu Shi."

"Young Lady Chu.  Hero Yu.  No matter what happened last time, thank you for your help."

"If we could have found out about Tianxu Hall's plot earlier," says Xuanji, "Xuanyuan Sect wouldn't..."

"This must be our sect's predestined fate," interrupts Zhu Shi.  "Not only that, all the others sects are ganging up to bully Xuanyuan sect now.  Forget it, I shouldn't vent out my anger on you.  Why are you looking for me?"

"To be honest," says Sifeng.  "We were attacked by Tianxu Hall on the way here.  Chu Linglong and Zhong Minyan from Shaoyang Sect are still missing.  Do you have any clues about Tianxu Hall?  Maybe you'll know something about Linglong and Zhong Minyan."

"Tianxu Hall indeed likes to capture disciples from various sects," says Zhu Shi.  "But I don't know about anything else.  I don't even know their whereabouts.  So..." he bows to them.  "Good bye."

Sifeng and Xuanji return the bow.

Xuanji anxiously turns to Sifeng.  "Have Linglong and Sixth Senior been caught by Tianxu Hall?"

"I heard that Yu Ning is an expert in fortune telling," says Sifeng.  "If there's anything you want to know, I can bring you there."

 

Steward Ouyang is walking through the Fuyu Island forest, wearing Zhu Shi's blood spattered hanfu.  He hears someone behind him.  "Who is it?" he barks.

Madam Dongfang, wearing a more feminine hanfu in the same colors as his, giggles.

"It's you," says Steward Ouyang.

"Of course it's me," says Madam Dongfang.  "Look how nervous you are."  She lightly touches his face.  "I still like the way you look when you are in your original form."  She puts her hand on his chest.  "So, you really can't maintain your Transformation Spell for long periods of time?"

Steward Ouyang nods.  "This spell is not easy to start with.  And I have to maintain it with the blood of the person I'm transforming to.  Luckily, I got enough blood from Zhu Shi before he died.  And with my master's help, they didn't suspect me at all."

"That Dongfang Qing Qi didn't even return the Destiny Pearl to you."

"Hmmph," Steward Ouyang turns away.  "I thought that those cultivators were all upright gentlemen, but they are just  hypocrites who take advantage of others."

"I already told you," says Madam Dongfang.  "They put in so much effort to get the spirit key.  They won't hand it over so easily.  You know it, too.  The vault of that old man can only be opened with the Jade Disc that is with him.  And that Jade Disc is located inside his Xu acupoint.  Unless he gives it to you himself, it won't work even if you kill him.  That's why I'm doing everything I can to use the Gu Poison on him to control him."

Madam Dongfang walks up to Steward Ouyang and strokes his arm.  "But rest assured.  Don't worry, as long as you treat me well, I'll give you the Jade Disc."

Steward Ouyang looks at her and smiles.  "Qing Rong," he touches her face, "you did so much for me.  I won't have the heart to treat you badly.  Be careful.  Lord Dongfang is very cautious with his vault.  But, of course, I have another solution."

Madam Dongfang smiles.

"Chu Lei's daughter from Shaoyang Sect has been captured by Tianxu Hall.  She'll be of use to us.  Let's work on both at the same time."

Madam Dongfang grins wickedly.

The two embrace.

 

"I only know a little bit about fortune telling," says Yu Ning.  "I can only tell you whether it's good or bad.  But I need something that the person has touched before."

"Something that he has touched before?" asks Xuanji.  She reaches into her pouch and pulls out the flower barrette that Little Six had given her.  "Will this work? Sixth Senior gave it to me before this."

Sifeng looks at the barrette uncomfortably.  Even though the incident with Little Six has been long resolved, it's still an understandable sore spot.  Especially if she has kept a gift from him.  He's trying his hardest not to let it trigger him.

Xuanji hands the barrette to Yu Ning.  Yu Ning places it in the middle of the dark wooden table.  Yu Ning holds out the palms of her hands, and bends her index fingers.  Gold energy emerges.  She directs her palms at the barrette, and a circular formation filled with Chinese characters surrounds it.  She moves her hands over it, and draws forth more designs.  The flower barrette levitates.  It floats over the designs, finally stopping on one.

"Ominous," says Yu Ning.  The formation disappears, and the barrett drops on the table.

"Oh my goodness," gasps Xuanji.  She grabs the barrette.  "Perhaps you are wrong?" she insists anxiously.  "Do it again.  Do it again."

Yu Ning sighs and grabs the barrette from Xuanji's outstretched hand.  "Fortune telling is not a proper spell.  You can't believe in it."

"But..." says Xuanji.

"Am I right, Sifeng?" asks Yu Ning.

"Yes," says Sifeng.  "Maybe this thing is with you for too long that it's connection to Minyan is weak.  So, it's not accurate."

"I..." says Xuanji.  She picks up the barrette and carefully examines it.

 

Around the corner comes Hao Chen, like a predatory shark.

Everyone is Xuanyuan Sect has taken the pills from Tianxu Hall.  Even if Zhu Shi is so lucky to survive this massacre, without the cure, he would be heavily poisoned by now, and on the verge of death.

 

Little Six is unconscious in a peasant's home, deep in the mountains.  The peasant is fanning some smoke, and looking through some available remedies.

Little Six begins to cough, and he wakes himself up.  He anxiously looks around the unfamiliar room.  He cautiously sits up.  "Where am I?"

"Eh?  You are awake.  When I went hunting, I saw you at the bottom of the mountain, unconscious.  So, I carried you to my home.  You've been unconscious for many days.  You've just returned from death."

"Many days?' asks Little Six.  "They've already captured Linglong for many days?"  He sits straight up.  "No, I have to save Linglong."  He tries to get out of bed, but struggles.  The peasant man helps him up.

 

"Let go of me!" screams Yu'er, who is tied up, leashed, and being jerked around by First Senior Brother.

"Tell me!" Yells Chen Minjue.  "Did Tianxu Hall send you?"

"Let go of me!" Yells Yu'er.

"Stay still!" says First Senior Brother.

Little Six sees the scuffle, and runs up to them.  "First Senior?"

"Minyan?" Chen Minjue and First Senior Brother say in unison.

"Minyan, are you okay?" asks Chen Minjue.

"I'm fine now," says Little Six.

"Good that you are fine.  We were worried," says Chen Minjue.

"Minyan, where is Linglong?" asks First Senior Brother.

"Brother Minyan, save me," pouts Yu'er.

"Yu'er?" Little Six walks toward her.  "What happened?"

"You know this little demon?" asks Chen Minjue.

Little Six nods.

"This little demon was acting very suspicious," says Chen Minjue.  "I suspect that Tianxu Hall sent her.  So, I captured her to ask about your whereabouts."

"I already said that I'm not from Tianxu Hall.  Brother Minyan, ask him to let me go.  I know where Linglong is kept."

"What did you say?" Little Six asks anxiously.

She looks down at the rope binding her arms to her torso.  "Take this thing away, and I'll tell you."

"First Senior," says Little Six.  First Senior unbinds Yu'er.

Yu'er runs to Little Six.

"Don't do anything funny," says First Senior Brother.  "Tell us now."

Yu'er looks at Little Six.  "After I left that old fogey, I stayed with a group of demons.  They talked about Tianxu Hall where we can eat and drink all we want, and we won't be bullied anymore.  That day, Tianxu Hall was going to attack Mount Gao.  Our group's leader lead us there.  But when we got there, the fight was over.  And I saw..."  Yu'er remembers Linglong being lead amoung the captives through the Tianxu Hall hideout.

"So, you've been to Tianxu Hall.  Do you know where they are?"

Yu'er nods.  "I wanted to save Linglong, but there were too many guards there.  So, I tried to look for her companions.  In the end, I was caught by them."  She cuts her eyes at First Senior Brother and Chen Minjue.

"Hurry up and bring me there, then!" says Little Six.

"If it wasn't because you saved me before, I wouldn't care about this.  After I bring you there, I don't owe you anymore."

Little Six turns to his fellow disciples.  "I believe Yu'er.  She won't lie to me."

"We'll definitely follow every lead regarding Linglong," says First Senior Brother.  "But Tianxu Hall is not a place with weak demons only.  We can't fight against them.  Both of you go and gather more information first," he says to Little Six and Yu'er.  "I'll go back to Fuyu Island at once to inform Master.  Leave a trail, and wait patiently.  Don't act recklessly."

"Got it," Little Six bows.

 

...To Be Continued...