American Perspectives: Emergence Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 10)

 

"Love and Redemption" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube. Dialogue adapted from English Subtitle translations by "Destined Love Team at Viki.com"

 

Little Six, Linglong, Yan Ran, and Ruo Yu are walking through a dark cave, attempting to find the demonic Quru Birds.

"It's exactly as Sifeng said," says Linglong.  "Does everyone in Lize Palace know this spell?"

"It's embarrassing to say this," Ruo Yu admits, "I don't know these spells."

They continue to walk through the dark and desolate cave.

"Sifeng is gifted," Ruo Yu continues.  "The usual disciples of Lize Palace can't even compete with him.  If it wasn't for the Deputy Chief forcing him, I don't even know what would happen.  HIs natural gift would've been wasted."

"What's wrong with Sifeng?" asks Little Six.  "Why did your Deputy Chief force him?"

"It's nothing much," says Ruo Yu.  "He just wants him to go back to the right path.  But Sifeng--"

"Ah," Yan Ran sharply cuts him off.  "Outsiders cannot ask about what happened at Lize Palace.  Ruo Yu, you talk too much.  Let's go."  

"What does Lize Palace have to do with you, then?"  Linglong smirks.  "You don't see yourself as an outsider?"

Busted.  "What do you know?" Yan Ran snaps.

"I know everything," Linglong fires back.

"What don't I know?" says Yan Ran.

"What do you know, then?" says Linglong.

"Enough," says Little Six.  "Stop arguing.  The exit is near.  Let's go."

The two women side eye each other.

They get further into the cave, and reach a wall of spider webs.

Linglong and Yan Ran try to touch it.  It's very thick, but Linglong manages to tear it down.  The two women run through the opening.

"Move!  Me first!" the two argue.

"Don't be rash!"

They find a stage with a small staircase, and they ascend it.  They see a furnace and several cocoons hanging from the ceiling, radiating blue energy.

A cocoon bursts open, and out pops a gorgeous, demonic man by the name of Aoyin, with blood red eyes.

Linglong summons her sword.  She battles with the demon who pulls out two chains with hooks attached at the end.  Aoyin attempts to throw them at the disciples, but misses.

Yan Ran, Little Six, and Ruo Yu summon their weapons.

Aoyin throws his chains at Linglong, but misses, the hooks puncturing a large rock instead.  He takes the rock and hurls it, but the disciples are able to shatter it.  

Aoyin summons some red energy, trapping Linglong and Yan Ran in a net.  As the two men are about to help the women break free, Aoyin entraps them with a different net.

 

Sifeng busts out the door.  He is done talking to Xuanji.

"Sifeng, don't go!"  Xuanji begs.  She grabs his arm.

He aggressively pulls his arm away.  "Don't worry, I've recovered.  You should be worried about Zhong Minyan."

"I am, but I--"  Xuanji notices a streak of blue in the air.  "Shaoyang's transmission charm?" With a sweep of her arm, she intercepts it.  "This is bad!  Linglong and the rest are in trouble!"  She begins to run with Sifeng following after.

 

The four disciples are struggling to get out of their nets.

Sifeng and Xuanji burst into the cave, and they are horrified by the sight of their entrapped friends.

"Careful, don't come here!"  Little Six warns.

"Let them go!" Xuanji demands.

Aoyin looks her straight in the face, and with his palm, emits red energy toward the nets.

"Linglong!" yells Xuanji.

"Beware of traps," says Sifeng.

"You are the one who hurt me?" Aoyin asks Sifeng.

"Yes.  You fool!  How dare you embarrass yourself here?" says Sifeng.

In a fit of rage, Aoyin hurls a thick cloud of red energy.

Xuanji summons her umbrella, and generates purple energy, using it to attack Aoyin.

Sifeng summons his sword.  "You save them, I will kill him."

"Alright," says Xuanji.

With a movement of her hands, Xuanji directs blue energy toward the nets.

Sifeng and Aoyin intensely battle it out.  Aoyin hurling fiery, red energy.  Sifeng turning his single sword into many swords, and throwing them at Aoyin.

Xuanji applies more purple energy as the nets aren't breaking.  Aoyin takes notice, and he begins to move towards her.

"Xuanji, look out!" warns Sifeng.

She sees a net drop over her head, and it traps her body.  Aoyin grabs her, pushing her forward with the palm of his hand.  Once she is subdued, Aoyin then grabs Sifeng, pushing him down.  Sifeng tries to defend himself, but he loses his grip on his sword.  With a burst of red energy, Aoyin paralyzes Sifeng's arms.

Sifeng is tied, and Xuanji is netted, lying on the ground, like a fish out of water.

Purple energy is pulsing from Xuanji's hands, her eyes begin to turn blue.

Sifeng is struggling to breathe.

With a strong force of purple and blue, looking like an Angel with her wide sleeves and her outstretched arms, Xuanji busts out of the net.

Linglong and Yan Ran stare at her incredulously.  As does Little Six and Ruo Yu.  Aoyin pauses.  Sifeng opens his eyes and sees her, but he's not fully conscious.

"What are you?" Aoyin asks.

Xuanji's voice deepens.  "Who are you to ask me?"

"The two stars will merge soon," says Aoyin.  "No one can stop Tianxu Hall from doing what they want!"  He lunges at her while flying through the air.

She crosses her arms and propels forward, flying into him head on, turning him into ashes.  The nets rapidly disintegrate, and the four disciples fall to the ground.

"Sifeng!" shouts Yan Ran.

Vines of smoke form around Sifeng, and Xuanji, still in her God of War state, floats to him.  He looks at her with adoration.  Xuanji's eyes shine a piercing blue.  Vines of smoke wrap around Sifeng's neck. 

"Xuanji," Sifeng whispers.

The blue vanishes from her eyes, and the energy surrounding her dissipates.  

"Xuanji," Sifeng whispers again.

She looks at him, and the vines of smoke constricting his body disappear.  Xuanji faints into his arms.  Some would criticize this as misogynistic, however, in real life, when one has been a doormat for so long, and they have a sudden burst of intense empowerment, it is in fact, very draining.

"Xuanji, Xuanji," Sifeng whispers, holding her closely.  The cracks in his Lover's Curse Mask begin to light up.  He is about to kiss her.

"Sifeng!" Yan Ran interrupts their potential moment of intimacy.  She immediately runs to him.

"Xuanji, how are you?"  Linglong feels her forehead.  "Xuanji."

Sifeng sits up.  "I'm fine," he says matter of factly to Yan Ran.

"What's wrong with Xuanji?" asks Linglong.

"Xuanji's Yang Jue skill is between seven and eight," Little Six quickly explains.  "Her mental state is unstable.  Something went wrong.  She passed out due to exhaustion.  It'll be fine when she wakes up."

"Really?" asks Linglong.  "Why didn't I know?  How did you know?"

Little Six is trying to think of an answer.

"What do you mean something went wrong?" asks Yan Ran.  "She almost killed Sifeng!"

"Xuanji didn't do it on purpose," says Little Six.

"What do you mean?" asks Yan Ran.

"She wanted to save him and was temporarily unstable."

"I'm fine," Sifeng interjects.  "She didn't do it on purpose.  No more arguments now that the demon is killed.  Ruo Yu, let's take a look over there."

Yan Ran glares at Little Six.

Linglong is holding Xuanji while the other disciples are investigating the area.

"Sifeng," says Little Six, "why did you release all the Quru birds?"

"They were controlled by the Aoyin," answers Sifeng.  "Now that the Aoyin is dead, the Quru Birds are harmless."

"That Aoyin cleared the furnace beforehand," Little Six observes.  "There's no residue at all.  I wonder what this Zhuyu grass was used for."

"This demon claims to be from Tianxu Hall, and said some unknown things," adds Ruo Yu.  "I wonder what Tianxu Hall is planning?"

"It's unexpected," says Sifeng.  "Tianxu Hall seemed like they had disappeared for the past four years, but they had been doing something secretly.  It's hard for us to figure out what it means for the two stars merging right now.  Why don't we send letters back to our sects to warn them?"

Little Six nods.

The dirt below begins to move, and something starts to pop out.

"Look out!" warns Little Six.

With a circular motion of his fingers, Sifeng emits gold energy, and places the mysterious thing in his drawstring pouch.

"What is that?" asks Little Six.

"No worries," Ruo Yu reassures him.  "That is Aoyin's tendon.  It's a stubborn thing.  It'll get tangled and stuck with direct contact to flesh and blood.  It's a great material to make Demon Tying Rope."

"Sifeng, let's go back since the demon is dead," says Yan Ran.

Xuanji remains unconscious in Linglong's arms.

"Let's first regroup at Wangxian Town," says Sifeng.  "If you have no place to stay, we can stay together."

"All right," says Linglong.

Sifeng looks over at Xuanji.

 

Yanran is following Sifeng around at the Inn. "Master, are you still going to visit Chu Xuanji?  You'll be worried as long as she isn't awake, right?  You should know the Lover's Curse Mask prevents you from falling in love.  You shouldn't stay here."

"Regarding my life," says Sifeng, "I know more about it than you.  Nothing worries me here.  Find the shopkeeper to pay for the room.  We are leaving."

Yan Ran is thrilled.  "Master is only trying to pay for the room."  She gloats.  "Master, wait for me."

 

Xuanji is still unconscious., and in bed.  Little Six and Linglong are watching over her.

Xuanji is having a horrible nightmare about stabbing Sifeng.  She immediately wakes up.  "Sifeng!"

"Xuanji," says Linglong, giving her a hug, "you're awake.  How are you?"

"Where's Aoyin?" asks Xuanji.  "We were saved?  How were we saved?  Also, Sifeng.  Is Sifeng all right?"

"Xuanji," says Linglong. "Don't worry.  You killed Aoyin.  Don't you remember?"

"Me?" Xuanji says incredulously.

Linglong nods.

"Ah," says Little Six.  "I already said Xuanji went mad at that time.  She had no conscience.  Xuanji, when you practice next time, try to be safe and not rush."

"I..." says Xuanji.

"Uh, don't think too much," says Little Six.  "Oh! The people of Wangxian Town want to thank us with a banquet downstairs.  I'm sure there are many delicious foods for you.  Pack up.  Let's--"

"Sixth Senior," Xuanji interrupts, "I still have something else to ask you."

"Ah," Little Six stutters.  "Linglong, I have something to talk about with Xuanji.  Why don't you head down and greet them first?  I'll head there with Xuanji soon."

"All right," Linglong says awkwardly.

What is Xuanji hiding from me?  Linglong thinks.  Even if there's a secret, it should be a secret with me.  When did Little Six and her...

Sifeng and Yan Ran interrupt her intrusive thoughts as they cross paths in the courtyard.

"Sifeng, you must be here to see Xuanji," says Linglong.  "Don't worry.  Xuanji is awake.  But she has something to talk about with Little Six.  It's inconvenient for you to go there."

"Chu Xuanji's condition is none of our business," says Yan Ran.  "No one cares.  Don't think too much."

"No one cares?" asks Linglong.  "Sifeng cares.  I know you don't care, no one cares whether you care or not."

"Immortal Master!" a man from the Wangxian Town banquet rushes out.  "The Immortal Masters are here.  We have nothing to repay for the Immortal Master's help with Wangxian Town.  We can only prepare a simple banquet to thank all of you.  All of you must not reject our invitation.  Please head there.  Go on ahead.  I'll invite the other Immortal Masters."

"It's all right.  My sister and another senior have something to talk about.  They will go later," says Linglong.

 

"Isn't that the same as what happened with Gudiao?"  Xuanji asks Little Six.  "Why did it happen again?  Also, I keep feeling that I did something to Sifeng.  Sixth Senior, can you tell me what happened at that time?"

"You were pointing your fingertips at Sifeng.  You almost...but you stopped immediately.  Sifeng is fine.  You didn't hurt him."

"I...I dreamed of it.  Inside my dreams, I was always killing people.  I was covered in blood.  But why can't I feel anything?"  Her hands are shaking.  "I almost killed Sifeng."  She tightly grips a curtain.

"That's not it, Xuanji," says Little Six.  "That was just a dream."

"But it almost came true.  I wanted to protect everyone, but I couldn't control myself.  I am afraid that I'll become a monster who recognizes no one and kills for no reason."

"That won't happen, Xuanji.  Calm down.  Don't confuse your dream with reality."

"But those dreams...When the dreams overlap with visions from the shards, they..."

 

The other four disciples are at the banquet.  Yan Ran wants to leave.

"Everyone, a toast for the Immortal Masters!  If it weren't for their help in killing the demon, Wangxian Town would have suffered from famine."

"Thank you Immortal Masters."

The four disciples drink their wine.

"Sifeng, let's leave after the meal," says Yan Ran.

"Why are you in a rush again?" asks Ruo Yu.  "We just sat down.  Sifeng knows what he is doing."

Yan Ran rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.

"He won't be rushing to his death," says Ruo Yu.

Yan Ran points her chopsticks at his neck.  "Don't say that word again.  How dare you?"

"Enough," says Sifeng.  "Just eat."

Yan Ran drops her chopsticks.  "Sifeng."

"Sifeng," Linglong hands him a cup of wine and bows.

He does nothing.  He just stares at the cup.  Linglong pulls the cup back, and slams it on the table.  "Sifeng, why won't you drink with me?  Why are you so cold towards me?  You forgot about our friendship?  You forgot that we killed the Gudiao and saved the Merman together?  You forgot that we went to Dianjing Valley Sect to punish Wu Tong?"

"Stop talking." Yan Ran points at Linglong.

"Shut up!" Snaps Linglong.

"You--" says Yan Ran.

"Enough.  Let's eat," says Ruo Yu.

"Hmmph," says Yan Ran as she exits the table in a huff.

Linglong quickly downs her wine.  Being aroud Yan Ran definitely warrants wanting a whole lot of alcohol.

 

"Sixth Senior, I'm too afraid," Xuanji says to Little Six.  "The Merman told me I am not my complete self.  What if I can't control myself one day and make all those dreams come true?"

"Merman?" says Little Six.  "You mean the shards of the Mirror of Origin?  Why are you mentioning this again?  Didn't you say you will forget about it?"

Xuanji is having second thoughts, as it is her body, her choice.  "Senior Hao Chen did forbid me to find the Mirror of Origin.  But I didn't give him the shard I have.  I keep feeling--"

"Xuanji," Little Six interrupts, "do you still have the shard with you?"

Xuanji nods.

"That must be the problem.  Don't be deceived by the Merman.  Demons like to deceive people and create an inner demon.  There must have been an inner demon created in you."

"Inner Demon?  Why did the inner demon have to come to me?"

"How would I know about a demon's evil deeds?  It's just like the Aoyin controlling the Quru Birds to destroy all the Zhuyu grass here.  We don't know the reason for that, either.  Xuanji, don't be afraid.  It's nothing.  Let's destroy the shard, and it won't affect you again."

 

Yan Ran is roaming the hall. That darn Chu Xuanji, she thinks, acting like a spoiled child.  Why did we run into her?  I can't allow Sifeng to get mixed up with her again.  I might as well do the extreme.  She quickly slaps her forehead several times.

 

Xuanji reluctantly places the mirror shard on the desk.  Little Six approaches it.  He makes a circle motion with each arm in two opposite directions.  He draws forth electric blue energy.

Yan Ran sees the light shining into the hallway, and she has an idea.  She watches Little Six attempting to destroy the mirror shard.  It refuses to break.  Little Six pulls back his hands in frustration.

"Sixth Senior, why don't we forget about it?"  asks Xuanji.  "Let's hand it to Master."

"No!"

"Even though--"

"I don't know what kind of trouble that will get you into.  We can't tell others.  Let's try again.  Think of a way to destroy it, and let it become an eternal secret."

He approaches the mirror shard again, circling his arms, and bringing forth electric blue energy.  He aims for the mirror shard.  It floats up in the air, and it begins to crack.  It explodes, and Little Six blocks Xuanji from the shattered pieces.

Yan Ran takes advantage of this opportunity with a point of her fingers, purple and blue energy wraps itself around Xuanji and Little Six.  They fall onto the bed, Little Six on top of Xuanji.  They try to separate, but are stuck together.

Yan Ran smirks and walks away.

"Sixth Senior, I can't move," says Xuanji.

"I feel numb, too," says Little Six.  "I think the spell got reflected."

"What about the shard?" asks Xuanji.

"The shard has been destroyed.  It's all over."

"But we are in this situation.  Why don't we call for help?"

"No.  How can we explain this?" says Little Six.  "We can't call them.  How should I explain this?  Use your qi.  Use your qi to break the spell."

 

Linglong is taking another drink.  "Sifeng, you forgot how well you treated Xuanji?  Xuanji got hurt because she took the hairpin from Wu Tong for you.  You cared about her.  I always thought you liked our Xuanji.  What's wrong with you?"

"That's nonsense."  Sifeng answers.  "Lize Palace has its rules.  Disciples should not be friends with others.  It's my duty."

"Duty?"  Linglong asks.  "Fine.  Let go of your duty today.  Did you really forget us?"

Sifeng knocks back some wine.

"You don't care about us and Xuanji?" asks Linglong.

"Anything exceeding my duty will bring its consequences.  You don't have to think too much," says Sifeng.

"Fine.  Fine, you forgot everything.  It's fine if you changed.  But the one who grew up with me...The one who is growing with me, changed in an instant, too.  Changed to the point that I don't know anything about her.  Changed like a total stranger."

Yan Ran walks into the banquet room, looking like a cat who just got away with eating the canary.

"Sifeng, I think I saw a shadow over there," Yan Ran says innocently (the type of innocence that only a man would believe).  "Do you think it's another demon?"

Linglong immediately stands up and leaves the table.  They run out into the courtyard.  "Where's the demon?" Linglong asks.

 

Little Six and Xuanji are still stuck together.  They panic at the sound of Linglong's voice.

"Where's the demon you saw?" Linglong asks.

Yanran awkwardly touches her ear.  "I think I saw a shadow go in," she points to Xuanji's room, "but I'm not sure if it's a demon."

"Xuanji," Linglong says anxiously.  She barges into the room to find Little Six on top of Xuanji.  Her heart drops, her stomach hurts, and her body temperature rises.

Yan Ran makes an exaggerated gasp.

The spell wears off, and the two are finally able to separate, but the damage has been done.

"Linglong," says Xuanji, completely oblivious to the implication.  She runs to her, and holds her hand.  "Linglong, you're finally here!" she smiles.

Sifeng is a bit confused.

Linglong is appalled.

"It's not what it seems," says Little Six, "we are just--"

 

 

...To Be Continued...

 

 

https://www.sageukparadise.com/sageuk-paradise/p/warriorsofthesageuk

Unique and Fun Warriors of the Sageuk Anime Fan Art Coloring Book — 사극 Paradise