American Perspectives: Sifeng's 10 Reincarnations Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 27)

 

“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 remember everything," Sifeng says anxiously.  "No.  Xuanji, don't go!"  He gazes into the Mirror of Origin, hoping with every fiber of his being that his memory isn't real.

Xuanji/Lan Yue is standing in front of the Qiao Residence, which is engulfed in flames.  Several dead bodies litter the ground.

Sifeng runs up behind her.  "Did you kill all of them?"

"Yes," says Lan Yue.  "Not only do I need to kill them, I need to burn this place down."

Sifeng warily backs away from her.

"The Qiao family has done many despicable deeds under the backing of their uncle in the court.  My father was honest, and upright.  He reported their misdeeds, yet they framed him as a traitor.  My father, my eldest brother, every man in my family was beheaded.  All the women became slaves.  It's all thanks to the Qiao family."

"So," Sifeng says slowly, "you've been waiting for this chance all along.  You planned all this out ever since you knew Mister Qiao.  It's all part of your plan for him to redeem you and bring you back to his family.  You did everything for vengeance."

Lan Yue begins to cry.  "When I was marked with the slave mark and sold to the brothel, I swore that I would take my revenge."

He looks at her sadly.

"What?  You want to call the authorities here?  I've achieved my wish.  Death means nothing to me!"

"Why should I report this?"  Asks Sifeng.  "The magistrate court is only a street away.  They'll send their people here after a few minutes.  Hurry and leave."  He hands her a small pouch.  "I have some money and land deeds.  I saved all of these for you.  Take them.  You haven't found your missing family, right?  Hurry and leave!"

He pushes her away.

"How did you know that?"  Asks Lan Yue.

"You spilled the beans when you were drunk, and you forgot about it.  No one will be able to find you after you leave.  After that, you can do the things you wanted to, and find the people you wish to see."

"What about you?  Are you going to shield this for me?"

"Don't worry about me.  They won't pursue you after they capture me.  That way, you'll have time to escape."

"Why?" Asks Lan Yue.

"You said you don't believe in people.  I just want you to believe in me.  This time, I'll make a bet.  Whether you will remember in your heart or not."

Lan Yue bites her finger, a drop of blood is formed, and she marks the corner of Sifeng's left eye with it.  "How do you determine the result?"  She asks.  "Will you ask me after your death?  Don't be silly."

"Who knows," says Sifeng.

A swarm of law enforcement officials come running onto the property.

"Leave now!" Whispers Sifeng.  "Just leave!"  He pushes her away.  He jumps in the air.  "I'm here!"

He picks up Lan Yue's sword.  The officers surround him.

 

He is dragged to the execution ground in the pouring rain.  He kneels down in front of a tree trunk.

A horse drawn cart rolls by.  He looks at it, and the curtains open.  Lan Yue sees him, and she now looks like a noblewoman, instead of a courtesan.  He makes eye contact with her.

"What a silly guy," she thinks.  "No one will remember you."  The carriage rolls away, leaving Sifeng to his fate.

His head is pushed down onto the tree trunk.  Tears roll down his face as he watches the cart.  With a quick slice, the executioner beheads him.

Sifeng is appalled at the memory of his first reincarnation.  This is just the past.  Stop thinking about it.  Finding Xuanji is my priority.

"Don't tell me...the tribulations of Xuanji and I, all of them seemed familiar."

 

The Mirror shows him as an unrelated Prince confronting the Emperor. 

"Prince Xin, what are you trying to do?" Asks the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, you are a corrupted ruler!  The people are suffering under your rule.  I want to put things right."

"How dare you!"  The Emperor points at him.  He gags and spits blood.  Behind him, Xuanji's second reincarnation has stabbed him through the back.

"Royal Father," says Xuanji.

"You are..." gasps the Emperor.

"I'm the daughter of the concubine you banished to the Cold Palace.  You didn't expect this, right?"  She pulls the sword out, and he falls to the floor.

Prince Xin puts his hand on her arm.  "I told you before.  I will make sure you get everything you want."

She looks up at him.

"His Majesty has passed away!" Declares Prince Xin.  "His only heir is Princess Jing Yuan.  Now, Princess Jing Yuan will take over his throne, and become the new Emperor!"  He kneels in front of her, the rest of the soldiers immediately follow suit.

"Long live your majesty!  Long live your majesty!  Long live your majesty!"

 

Jing Yuan is enjoying her powerful position as the Emperor, and she's giving an Emperor Wu Zetian vibe.  She is sitting at her table, reviewing memorials.  Prince Xin enters the main hall.  He bows to this woman whom he profoundly admires.

"Your Majesty, our country is stable now.  Why are you still so ruthless?  Too much blood has been shed since your ascension."

She looks up at him coldly.  She puts down the memorial she was reading.  "Prince Xin, you utilized our army for your personal gains, and you colluded with my officers.  You've always rejected my orders, looking down on my power.  Prince Xin, do I need to write down my crimes for you?"

Her guards draw their swords.

"I thought the things I'd done for you were enough for you to trust me.  But in the end, you still want to kill me."

"One's intention is the hardest thing to predict in the world.  Prince Xin, everyone in the court responds to you.  How can I be safe with you around?"

"I won the war for you.  I helped you ascend the throne, and I protected the country with my heart.  But in the end, I still lost just because you say one's intention is unpredictable."

The Emperor drops a poison pill in a golden goblet, turning the colorless wine red.

"Prince Xin, you have two options.  If you die alone, I won't arrest the other officers.  If you defy my orders, I'll make sure everyone gets a taste.  Prince Xin, what do you think?"

"Fine," says Prince Xin.  "Your Majesty, I hope you can believe in people next time, so that you won't be lonely on your throne." 

She gestures her attendant to bring the wine tray over.  As she turns away, Prince Xin grabs her wrist, and pulls her close to him.  He moves in to kiss her, but she pushes him away.  "Such impudence!"

He takes the wine.  "I told you before.  I'll make sure you get everything you want."  He raises the goblet, and drinks the poisoned wine in one gulp.  He vomits blood, and falls to his knees.

Emperor kneels down next to him, and lifts his chin.  She lovingly leaves a drop of blood from her thumb in the lower corner of his left eye.  She walks away from him, and he dies on the floor.

 

 

Sifeng steps back from the mirror.  He feels sick to his stomach.  "Impossible.  Why does it have to end up like this every time?  Don't tell me...Don't tell me, this is our fate?  I don't believe it.  With all my encounters with you, I'm sure it won't end like this every time."  He sadly looks up at the mirror.  Does he really want to know what happens next?  He doesn't, but he also can't get himself to look away.

"Are you going to transfer your eyes to me, using the forbidden spell?"  Asks the Xuanji of his 3rd reincarnation.

"You're the Queen of Witches," says Sifeng.  "If you can't master witchcraft, and inherit the title, you'll be burned alive.  I don't want you to die."

"Even if that's the case," says the Witch Queen, "I still won't remember you."

"I know," says Sifeng.  "Just stay alive."  He drags his fingers in front of his eyes, emitting a trail of golden energy.  His eyes begin to bleed.

The Witch Queen's eyes open.  She can see!   Sifeng steps away from her,  blindfolded, with a cane.

"Tell them that you prayed in the mountains, and you got your vision back because the heavens took pity on you," says Sifeng.

"If my tribe knows that we used the forbidden spell, I will face death," says the Witch Queen.

"I will travel to a place far away," says Sifeng.  "No one will discover this secret.  In this life, we will never meet again."

"We will never meet again?  Fine.  Leave now."

With his cane leading the way, Sifeng walks himself out.

 

In the mirror, he sees himself and Xuanji sword fighting.  It's an intense fight to the death.

"Only one of us will survive tonight," says Xuanji.

They are in the water, and she jumps back, creating a huge splash.  Sifeng jumps forward, lunging for her.  Xuanji flies up.  They aim their swords at each other.  Sifeng doesn't stab her, but she stabs him right in the heart.

With her thumb, she takes a drop of blood from his lip, and dots it under the bottom corner of his left eye.

He smiles at her before falling dead into the water.

Sifeng shakes his head at the mirror in disbelief.  He anxiously grips the outer robe of his hanfu.

 

 

He looks in the mirror and sees Xuanji dressed in red and black.  She is levitating above Sifeng.  He is binding her with ropes of golden energy around her body.

He holds the ropes firmly.  The red mark on her forehead glows.

"Demon Hunter, are you crazy?"  Asks the Demonic Xuanji.  "You'll die if you expend all your energy."

Sifeng coughs.

"What has my fate got to do with you?"  Asks Demonic Xuanji.  "I'm happy even if the lightning is to strike me.  Why do you keep pursuing me?"

"I want to use my powers to get rid of your anguish," says Sifeng, "so that you won't be trapped by your anguish after death.  So that you'll be safe."

He holds the ropes in one hand, and pushes an intense burst of golden energy into her body with the other.  Her black fingernails become normal, the red mark on her forehead vanishes.  Sifeng releases the ropes, and falls to his knees.  He clutches his heart, ash he struggles to stand up.

"You sacrificed your life just to get rid of my anguish," says Demonic Xuanji.  "I don't know what you're trying to do.  I'm not a good person."

"I'm involved in your tribulations," says Sifeng.  "This is the only way to end it.  It's fine, even if you don't understand, but please, don't forget me."

"This is your tribulation," scoffs Demonic Xuanji.  "What has it got to do with me?  Why should I remember you?"

"It's fine if you forget me," says Sifeng, who's bleeding from the mouth.  "I'll wait for you.  No matter where you are, I will always find you."  He takes his last breath and falls sideways.

"This is your tribulation," Demonic Xuanji says coldly.  "Why are you forcing yourself to do this?"  She turns and walks away.

 

A Xuanji dressed up in men's clothing appears in the mirror.  She's walking through a prison.  She enters Sifeng's cell, and grabs a dagger.  He's chained up to a cross, bloody and battered.

She stabs him in the chest, and he loudly groans.  She pulls the dagger out, and turns her back to him.  "I told you before.  I'll let you go if you tell me the location of the Treasure Cove."

Sifeng gasps for air.  "I don't know any Treasure Cove.  We've known each other for so long.  Don't you believe in me?"

Xuanji looks over at the table and sees a myriad of drawings featuring her.  She picks one up.  "We've known each other for many years.  I'm sure you understand me well enough."  She shows him the drawing.  "I don't want the useless stuff you've drawn.  Listen!  Even if you spend your entire life drawing my portraits, I will never fancy you."  She throws the portrait in the air, and then slices it with her sword.

 

A Xuanji dressed in white is shown stabbing Sifeng in the chest.  "Senior, you only used half of your strength.  Are you looking down on me?  You lost."

"Is the fight the only thing on your mind?" Asks Sifeng.

"Yes," says Xuanji.  "I will become the Sect Leader."

"But I've never wanted to steal that position from you!"  Says Sifeng.  "In the end, it was my own wishful thinking."  Blood begins to stream out of his mouth.

She pulls the sword out of his chest, and his body convulses.

She looks at him coldly, her eyes filled with profound hatred.  He falls to the ground, his head hitting the tree trunk.

Xuanji walks up to him and kneels.  She puts a drop of blood on her thumb, and dots it at the bottom corner of Sifeng's left eye.  She begins to feel remorse for what she has done.

 

A Sifeng in armor is leading a Xuanji dressed in men's clothes out of the palace.

An assassin is about to stab Xuanji, but Sifeng jerks her away, and gets stabbed in her place.  He spits out a huge amount of blood.  He punches the assailant away.  He looks at Xuanji.

Xuanji looks frightened and innocent, instead of cold and sociopathic.  He falls to the ground, and she looks like she is going to cry.

 

Seeing all of this unfold in the mirror is making Sifeng want to throw up.

"Why?" Asks Sifeng.  "Why does it end like this every time?  Don't tell me this tragic end is our fate?  I don't believe it.  I'm sure we'll be together eventually."

 

 

 

Xuanji, Fox Demon, and Sifeng begin to stir.

Ting Nu is writhing on the ground, feeling like a fish out of water.  He awakens and looks up at the three suspended above him.  "Sifeng!  Xuanji!  Purple Fox!"  He looks up and sees the Mirror of Origin in the air, beaming down a golden ray of light on the three.  "This is bad!  Their primordial spirits were absorbed, and they're facing their inner demons!"  With his palm, he pushes a huge stream of white energy into the three of them.

 

 

 

Ruo Yu, Brother Liu, Little Six, and Little Silver Flower are upstairs trying to break out of the trap.

I'm sorry, thinks Brother Liu, I can only distract you for now so that Xuanji can finish her transformation.  After that, we can leave.

A huge force pushes them all back.  Little Six looks over in disbelief.

"No!  We can't destroy the barrier!"  Brother Liu says with exaggerated frustration and disappointment.

Little Six summons his sword, and stabs through the barrier.  The sword flips back, and cuts Little Six's hand.

"Minyan!"  Yells Little Silver Flower.

Little Six's hand is resting on a tile, and a ring of white energy encircles his hand.  The barrier begins to fade.  "Blood is its weakness!"  Little Six enthusiastically observes.  "Let's cast our spells together!"

Brother Liu half heartedly pretends to cast a spell while everyone else goes full throttle.

Brother Liu sighs with frustration.  With grave reluctance, in order to keep from being found out, he adds his spell casting to the mix.

"It worked!"  Little Six exclaims.  "Let's go!"

Little Six and Little Silver Flower start to sprint out of the room with Brother Liu reluctantly following behind.  Ruo Yu catches up to Little Silver Flower.

Brother Liu pauses as they get ahead, and he sighs in frustration.  Yuan Lang and Wu Tong are going to be pissed, and they will take it out on his daughter.

 

 

 

Ting Nu is trying to dispell the hold that the Mirror of Origin has on Fox Demon, Xuanji, and Sifeng.

Sifeng is in the midst of another memory involving Xuanji. 

This time, she's in a red hanfu, attacking Sifeng with her dagger.  He grabs the blade before she can stab him in the throat.

"I see you as my best friend," says Sifeng.  "Why are you trying to kill me?"

"Someone hired me to assassinate you.  You're my last mission.  I'll be free after your death."

"What if you fail your mission?"  Asks Sifeng.

"I'll die of poison."  She puts her other hand on the hilt of the dagger, but can't get past Sifeng's grip on the blade.  He pulls her forward, and her blade sinks into his chest.

Sifeng is tearfully watching this from the Mirror of Origin.

"Why?"  Asks Xuanji.

"I hope you'll never forget me after my death," says Sifeng.

"Just give up," says Xuanji.  She touches her thumb to the trail of blood from his mouth to chin.  She presses the dot of blood on the lower corner of his left eye.  "Why should I remember you?"

Present day Sifeng is watching this unfold, and tears are streaming down his face.

It's fine even if you forget me, past Sifeng thinks.  I will wait for you, and I will find you eventually.  We will settle our debts...by then.

Sifeng dies, and Xuanji feels remorse, but she's in denial.  She walks away from him, ready to shake it off, as his body rests against the tree trunk.

All our previous nine encounters ended in this way, Sifeng thinks.  It's only my wishful thinking.  If our tenth encounter ends in this way, as well, what's the point of our encounters, then?

 

 

...To be Continued...