American Perspectives: An Instigated Fight Pt. 1 ("Love and Redemption" Ep. 44)

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

The transparent blue barrier that is protecting Lize Palace is rapidly disintegrating.  Yuan Lang cannot believe what he's seeing.  "The barrier is broken?"

 

Fox Demon, in her adorable fox form, quickly hides behind the gray stone wall.  She hopes beyond all hope that Yuan Lang didn't see her.

 

Yuan Lang turns around and disappears in a swirl of red and black flames.

 

"Demon Lord!"  Yells a disciple.  "They are sneaking an attack through a secret tunnel!"

 

Sifeng and Xuanji look at each other, completely aghast.   Xuanji would not do anything this underhanded.  Hao Chen, however, would, and he would very easily dupe Little Six into telling him.

 

Sure enough, it was Hao Chen.  A myriad of Lize Palace disciples are attacked from the inside, and Hao Chen is the perpetrator.  This was not how Xuanji wanted her Ninth Heaven Fire to be used.  She trusted Hao Chen's numerous lengthy speeches about doing the right thing.

 

Hao Chen jumps from the palace roof, and knocks every Lize Palace disciple out of his way.  Anything to shatter the bond between Xuanji and Sifeng.  Anything.  He lands on the ground.  "Lize Palace's barrier has been broken!  Tear it down!"

 

"Attack!"  Yells Sect Leader Chu.

 

"Let's go!"  Yells Dongfang.

 

The supposedly virtuous sect members charge forward, ready to destroy people who don't look, think, talk, or act like them.

 

Sifeng and Xuanji are both horrified.  This is not what they agreed to.

 

Sifeng looks at Xuanji angrily.  "This is your strategy?"

 

"No," Xuanji insists.

 

"You lured me for a duel, but you sent someone to do a sneak attack?"  Sifeng asks.  He can't believe she is so susceptible to Hao Chen.

 

"No, it's not like this!"  Xuanji insists.

 

Hao Chen applies the Ninth Heaven Fire to his sword with his index and middle fingers, and obliterates a group of five Lize Palace disciples.

 

Sifeng watches it unfold, and he wonders why, in spite of her strength and intelligence, Xuanji continues to be a mindless pawn who is easily screwed over by Hao Chen and Sect Leader Chu.  Is she even worth it at this point?

 

"Ninth Heaven Fire?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

Hao Chen proudly looks up at Sifeng.  "Xuanji and I practice the Sentimental Tactics together.  Our hearts are one, and our power is one, too."

 

A light slowly flickers on in Xuanji's head.

 

Sifeng can't believe how oblivious and uninformed this woman he is fighting tooth and nail for, is continuing to be.

 

"The Ninth Heaven Fire is nothing," Hao Chen continues arrogantly.

 

Sifeng knows it isn't Xuanji's fault, but he's irate and frustrated.  When will this woman begin to connect the dots?  These men who take advantage of her assumption that they are doing the right thing, are clearly not going to stop.

 

Sifeng summons his sword, and his golden, fiery wings emerge in full splendor.  He dive bombs Hao Chen, and gives him the well deserved rapid fire energy bombing of a life time.  Someone seriously needs to beat the hell out of Hao Chen, and Sifeng is the perfect man to carry it out.  Sifeng is relentless, and the borrowed Ninth Heaven Fire makes Hao Chen look like a freeloading wimp in comparison.

 

Hao Chen tries to regain his footing, and charge at Sifeng, but Sifeng successfully blocks him.

 

"Today," growls Hao Chen, "I'm going to use your head as a gift, and your demonic core as a tribute for me and Xuanji's wedding while we bow to Heaven and Earth!"

 

"Dream on!"  Says Sifeng.  Finally, he can show his hatred of Hao Chen in full force.  He no longer has to worry about hurting Xuanji or offending Sect Leader Chu.  He flies up, and with his rose gold fire, he knocks Hao Chen over.  However, Hao Chen simultaneously pushes him back with the Ninth Heaven Fire.

 

"Hurry up!"  Yells Elder Luo.  "Follow Palace Lord's order, and retreat into Lize Palace!"  The remaining Lize Palace disciples retreat.

 

"You want to run?"  Sneers Dongfang.  "Chase after them!"

 

As the "righteous" sects continue to attack the retreating disciples, Sifeng makes a fiery formation with his hands.  Each group of "righteous" sect members are entrapped in a transparent golden bell.

 

Xuanji descends to the ground.  "Senior Hao Chen!"  She yells.  She, Sect Leader Chu, and Valley Master Rong are the only ones who have not been sealed off in the bells.

 

"Yu Sifeng!"  Yells Valley Master Rong, "What are you trying to do?"

 

Xuanji looks up at him balefully.  Sifeng descends to the ground.

 

"What am I trying to do?"  Asks Sifeng.  Seeing Hao Chen sealed up and seething like an insect in a jar is absolutely glorious.  "In the past, I thought that cultivators were conservative, and adhered to rules.  You really shocked me by showing how cunning you can get."  His disappointment after all this time spent defending these people to his father, is evident.  "Lize Palace is just defending itself.  If you don't retreat now, don't blame me for activating the Golden Bell, and crushing them to dust."  These sect leaders and elders have absolutely no clue what kind of humiliation they put Sifeng through prior to his identity reveal.

 

"There's no point in making a deal with these demons!"  Growls Hao Chen.  "Xuanji, don't care about us.  Go in, and kill the Devil Star.  Kill every demon in Lize Palace!"

 

"So touching that Sect Leader Hao Chen is willing to die for the sake of a cause," says Sifeng.  "Fine.  Bring it on.  Let's see if these disciples will be able to pave the path for you towards victory."

 

"God of War, Sect Leader Hao Chen is right," says Dongfang.  "To be able to sacrifice for this cause, it'll be a worthy death."

 

"Sect Leader Chu," says Valley Master Rong, "let's use this chance to go in."

 

Sect Leader Chu shakes his head.  "We have to kill the Devil Star.  But...the price that we have to pay is too high."

 

"Okay," says Xuanji.  "I agree to retreat from Lize Palace."

 

"No, Xuanji!"  Gasps Hao Chen.  "As the Sect Leader, I don't agree!"

 

Xuanji looks up at Sifeng.

 

"God of War, how can you cower at a time like this?"  Asks Valley Master Rong.

 

"I'm not cowering," snaps Xuanji.  "Valley Master Rong, we are talking about people's lives here."  She points at the entrapped people with her Dingkun Sword.  "Dianjing Valley's disciples are in here, too!  They are not bargaining chips.  Senior, you always say that we have to protect the people."  She addresses Hao Chen.  "Who are the people?  Every life matters.  We can't just sacrifice them!"

 

Sect Leader Chu nods in approval.

 

Xuanji looks up at Sifeng.  "I'll retreat."

 

Finally, some of Hao Chen's brainwashing is being temporarily undone.

 

"Let them go," says Xuanji.  "I promise that all of us will retreat from Lize Palace."

 

"Xuanji," admonishes Hao Chen.

 

"Okay, we'll each take a step back," says Sifeng.  "This Golden Bell is set by Elder Luo using the four mythological objects.  I'll bring those mythological objects to open it.  I hope that you'll keep your word."

 

"Don't worry," Xuanji says icily.  "I hope that this time, you won't lie to me again."

 

"Okay," says Sifeng.  His golden wings emerge from his back, and he flies upward.

 

 

 

Sifeng and Elder Luo are walking through the hall.

 

"Palace Lord," says Elder Luo, "we can't forgive those people."

 

"What do you want me to do, Elder Luo?"  Asks Sifeng.  "Do you want to force them to break into Lize Palace, and fight it out for brief satisfaction?"

 

"Palace Lord," the very sexy Yuan Lang approaches them.  "You should ask what those cultivators did."

 

"Palace Lord," says Elder Luo, "take a look inside the palace."

 

Sifeng has an awful feeling.  Has he gotten in over his head?

 

He, Yuan Lang, and Elder Luo come upon the remaining Lize Palace disciples hauling several corpses out of the palace.

 

"Elder He, your injuries," a disciple chases after him.

 

"Who cares about that?"  Says Elder He.  "My injuries are nothing."  Elder He joins them while they walk into the room full of corpses.  "Why don't you look at these young disciples?"

 

"They can't be saved anymore."

 

Sifeng, Yuan Lang, and Elder Luo walk up to the corpses.  Yuan Lang conceals his self satisfied smirk behind his fan.  He may not have gotten Xuanji's power, but he did get Sifeng into a corner.

 

Sifeng starts to cry.  He is so sick of Hao Chen manipulating everyone around him, and people not waking up to it.  The guy isn't even charming.  He's an arrogant asshole, and the sects eat up his words like it's the best candied fruit they have ever tasted.

 

"Palace Lord," says Yuan Lang, "after these cultivators came in through the secret tunnel, they passed our children's school.  The disciples inside were just young kids who could not use their neigong."

 

Sifeng kneels in front of the corpses.

 

"But because they are demons," Yuan Lang continues, "they were killed without mercy."

 

Sifeng gently closes the eyes of one of the corpses.  "They were all killed by the same person.  Samadhi Fire from Yaohua Sword moves.  This is the doing of Hao Chen.  Elder Luo."

 

Elder Luo bows.  "Palace Lord."

 

"Give me the four mythological objects at once," says Sifeng.

 

"Are you still going to compromise?"  Asks Elder Luo.  "Elder Feng is repairing the barrier now.  We just need to delay them for awhile, and they won't be able to come in."

 

"No," says Sifeng.  "I want to let Hao Chen out and kill him with my own hands to avenge these disciples."  One day, Xuanji will realize what a megalomaniac Hao Chen is.

 

 

 

 

 

"These mythological objects belonged to our sects first," Valley Master Rong is outside with the other cultivators, pouting.  "But now, everything is theirs.  God of War, are you really going to keep your promise?  Now is the chance for you to go in."  

 

"I will not break my promise," says God of War.  "I won't force my way inside, and I won't let others do the same."

 

"Xuanji, the demon clan is especially cunning and unreliable," says Dongfang, in light of the fact that Hao Chen has just completed a killing spree on the child disciples of Lize Palace.  "Even if you keep your promise, the Devil Star might not."

 

The cultivator disciples are struggling to breathe while they are being held inside the golden bells.

 

"He has been gone for so long," says Sect Leader Chu.  "I'm afraid he's going to play some tricks on us.  We better be careful."

 

"Father," says Xuanji, "he has no need to lie to me this time."

 

Sect Leader Chu nods.

 

"You want to talk about trust with a demon?"  Asks Hao Chen.  "Just you watch.  Let's see if Yu Sifeng will break his promise again."  He's hoping the dead children will trigger Sifeng.  "He always likes to use your kindness against you, right?  Have you forgotten about that?"

 

Sifeng descends from the roof, and lands on the balcony.

 

"Yu Sifeng, have you brought your four mythological objects?"  Asks Xuanji.

 

He hatefully looks down at Hao Chen.  "Yes," he says flatly.  "I'm sure that you are very familiar with them.  I don't need to introduce them to you."  A flame of energy bursts from his palm, and four sacred objects revolve around his hand.  He throws them out to the crowd, and the bells in the front disintegrate.  The objects boomerang back to him.

 

"Yu Sifeng, what are you doing?"  Asks Valley Master Rong.  "Hurry up and remove the other barriers!"

 

"Who said that I'll remove them?"  He crosses his hands in front of him, and spreads them out.  Fiery gold energy generates.  He combines the four sacred objects to create a golden sword.

 

"Yu Sifeng," says Little Six.  "Why did you break your promise?"

 

"Break my promise?"  Asks Sifeng.  "You are the one who knows about the secret tunnel, and you brought them in."

 

Little Six squirms.

 

Sifeng clenches his fist.  "Do you know the name of the sword when four mythological objects are combined?  It's called the Hell Raiser Sword.  This sword can slaughter demons and ghosts in hell, and it can kill evil people in this world, too."  He looks straight at Hao Chen.  "Hao Chen, today I'm going to kill you with this sword."  The Hell Raiser sword floats to Sifeng's hand.

 

"Yu Sifeng, you broke your promise!"  The irony is completely lost on Xuanji.  Perhaps she is convinced that Hao Chen's actions are justified, as she also has unshakeable prejudices against demons.  "Is there anything real that comes out of your mouth?"

 

Sifeng clenches his fist again.  "He deserves to die!"

 

"Xuanji, I've said that you can't trust him," says Hao Chen.  "Hurry up and use the Sentimental Tactics with me to kill him!"  He flies up in the air, pointing his sword forward.

 

Sifeng meets him high in the sky.  Hao Chen applies Ninth Heaven Fire to his sword.  Sifeng charges forward, golden fire versus blue fire.  Sifeng and his golden fire get increasingly closer to Hao Chen.  He kicks Hao Chen hard in the chest, and as Hao Chen free falls, Sifeng goes after him.  As Sifeng aims for the kill shot, Xuanji flies up and blocks.  The former lovers fight, and they reach an impasse.

 

Hao Chen is still free falling, but he is able to pull himself up, and fly upward.  He stabs Sifeng in the back.  Sifeng's eyes widen in complete surprise.

 

"Yu Sifeng, you are going to die under me and Xuanji's Sentimental Tactics today!"  He stabs the sword further, and Sifeng bleeds from the mouth.

 

"Sifeng!"  Yells Xuanji.

 

The sword has gone right through his chest.

 

Xuanji begins to cry.

 

"Are you really going to kill me?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

Hao Chen looks down, and notices his sword is losing power.  "Sentimental Tactics?  Xuanji!  You--"

 

With a huge burst of his wings, Sifeng pushes both of them back.  He throws golden energy at Hao Chen, leaving him stunned.  Sifeng drives the Hell Raiser Sword right into Hao Chen's chest.  Hao Chen vomits blood.  Sifeng twists the sword.

 

"Yu Sifeng!"  Says Hao Chen.

 

"Senior!" Shouts the brainwashed Xuanji.

 

Sifeng withdraws the sword, and Hao Chen is sent free falling.  Sifeng and Xuanji fight again.

 

"Senior!"  Yells Xuanji as Hao Chen falls to the hard ground.  He barely lands on his feet.

 

Brother Liu, Ting Nu, and Little Silver Flower materialize on the balcony.

 

"Master!"  Yells Little Silver Flower.  She flies up and stabs Xuanji in the shoulder.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"  Shouts Sifeng.  He makes her disappear so Xuanji can't retaliate.

 

Sifeng and Xuanji separate, descending to the ground.

 

Xuanji grabs her injured shoulder.  Sifeng touches his injured torso.  They look at each other, eyes filled with regret.

 

"Yu Sifeng," says Xuanji, "since the beginning until now, I've trusted you wrongly.  From now on, there will be no ties between us!"

 

Sifeng clenches his fist, and a tear rolls down his cheek.

 

 

 

 

Ting Nu and Brother Liu are in Sifeng's room.  Ting Nu is applying healing energy to Sifeng's many, nasty wounds.  Sifeng's body begins to glow in the process.

 

Brother Liu watches with grave concern.

 

"How is it Sifeng?  Do you feel better?"  Asks Ting Nu.  "Let me take a look at your wound."

 

"No need to take a look at it," says Brother Liu.  "Isn't he the Devil Star?  This kind of injury is nothing to him."

 

An awkward silence fills the room.

 

"You are great, Devil Star," Brother Liu says sarcastically.  "How is it possible you are the Devil Star?  Although I can't see your future, I still have a rough idea about it.  If you are the Devil Star, I'll dig out my Celestial Eye now, and swallow it."

 

"Enough," says Sifeng.  "Stop glaring at me, Eldest Brother Liu.  At first, I didn't want to lie to you.  I just thought of some ways to make them believe I'm the Devil Star.  I did it just to foil Yuan Lang's plan.  Then, I'll still need your help with my next plan."

 

"You are playing with fire," says Brother Liu.  "You will get burned one day."

 

"Don't worry, I'm tough," Sifeng insists.

 

Brother Liu rolls his eyes.

 

"I see," says Ting Nu.

 

"When you were fighting with Xuanji outside of Lize Palace just now, didn't you tell her you are the fake Devil Star, and tell her about your plan?"  Asks Brother Liu.

 

Sifeng sighs.  "Yuan Lang is the one who lured the three sects here.  Yuan Lang was trying to test my identity.  I couldn't tell her about it.  At first, I wanted to explain everything to her slowly.  But...forget it.  Let's not talk about it.  There are still many seriously wounded disciples in Lize Palace.  I'll have to trouble you again."

 

"Don't worry," says Ting Nu.  "I'll go and check on them right now.  What about your..."

 

"Just some minor wounds, I'm fine."

 

Ting Nu sighs.  He wheels his way out of Sifeng's room.

 

Brother Liu sighs.  He stares at Sifeng.  Sifeng can feel him staring, and he looks over.  Brother Liu has the appearance of an older brother ready to give him the talk about problematic women.

 

"Eldest Brother Liu, why are you looking at me like that?"  Asks Sifeng.

 

"I really don't understand.  You did so much for Chu Xuanji.  I want to see whether it'll all pay off in the end, or if you're going to fall into the abyss and turn to dust."

 

"What are you talking about?  I don't understand."

 

"Stop pretending, okay?  Why would you suddenly want to pretend to be the Devil Star?  It must be because that person appeared by your side, and you wanted to hide her identity for her.  Besides Xuanji, who else will you sacrifice so much for without a care for your own safety?  Ever since I first met her, I already knew she's not that simple.  I couldn't even see her past or future with my Celestial Eye.  I just never thought she was the Devil..."

 

Sifeng looks at him sharply.  "Don't breathe a word about it.  Eldest Brother Liu, if you speak so freely again, don't blame me for breaking my friendship with you."

 

Brother Liu gasps.  He stands in front of Sifeng.  "Yu Sifeng, are you using our friendship to threaten me?  You are still protecting her?  She doesn't even know about the things you did for her.  She will just hate you and detest you.  Did that stab from her sword hurt?  Did it hurt?"

 

Sifeng looks down.

 

"And there's the Lover's Curse, too," he rolls back Sifeng's sleeve.  One green feather remains on his arm.  Brother Liu looks at him inquisitively.

 

"Eldest Brother Liu, you are hurting me."  He pulls back his arm.  "I'm fine.  Although Xuanji hates me and detests me, she still couldn't hurt me in the end."

 

"Little Phoenix, you can't just gamble with your luck," says Brother Liu.  "You managed to stop the activation of the Lover's Curse this time.  What about next time?  Do you know that everything you do will only put a bigger and bigger wedge between you and Chu Xuanji?  What are you going to do the next time she misunderstands, and hurts you again?  How many times can you hold back the Lover's Curse?  Will you be able to survive until the end?"

 

"Don't worry," says Sifeng.  "I won't let the Lover's Curse be activated again.  Everything is within my expectation."

 

Brother Liu rolls his eyes and sighs.  He thought he had everything under control with Yu'er's mother, as well, before it all blew up in his face.

 

Little Silver Flower slithers along the floor in her white snake form.

 

"If it's really within your expectation," says Brother Liu, "you wouldn't have lost your focus and been stabbed by her."

 

"Yu Sifeng," Sifeng remembers Xuanji saying, "since the beginning until now, I've trusted you wrongly.  From now on, there will be no ties between us."

 

"She said that she'll break all ties with me," says Sifeng.  "She didn't hesitate when she attacked me.  I didn't manage to dodge her attack.  When I find the right time in the future, I'll explain it to her.  She will understand."

 

At this point Brother Liu thinks Sifeng is just as naive as the younger Xuanji.  "Little Phoenix, I treat you as my friend.  If it was another person, nobody would care about you.  There are things you have to think about yourself.  I feel terrible when I look at you.  I'll go and help Ting Nu now."

 

Sifeng is left alone with his thoughts, and the complicated reality in front of him.  "Come out."

 

Little Silver Flower sheepishly slithers to him, and as she approaches his chair, she shifts into her human form.

 

"Master," Little Silver Flower says tearfully.

 

"I once asked you to vow that no matter what, you are not allowed to harm Xuanji, but you hurt her."

 

"Yes," Little Silver Flower says unapologetically.  "I disobeyed your order.  My heart is suffering right now.  But I don't care.  That Chu Xuanji deserves to die!  Unfortunately, she's the God of War.  I'm just a silver snake.  I'm not her match.  Master, I am your spirit beast.  If she hurts you, I'll kill her!  Even if I lose my life doing it, it's still my mission!"

 

Wrong answer.  Sifeng takes a deep breath.  "Okay, I can't control you now.  You became my spirit beast due to a coincidence back then.  You're able to take the form of a human now.  It's time to set you free."

 

Little Silver Flower feels as if she's been hit by a bolt of ligtning, and she's absolutely terrified.  "Master."  She never expected him to actually go through and disown her if she hurt Xuanji, especially in this situation.

 

"Today, I'll snap my arm to break my blood contract with you.  The world is big.  There will be a place for you."

 

Little Silver Flower's eyes widen in fear.  As he gets ready to break his arm, Little Silver Flower uses her energy to stop him.  With her fingers, she takes her energy, and pokes herself in the heart.  The pain is unbearable, emotionally and physically, for both of them.  Little Silver Flower's aura flashes, and she gets a painful headache.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"  Yells Sifeng.

 

She grabs her head.

 

"Little Silver Flower, what are you doing?"

 

She gasps for breath, and falls on the floor.

 

"Release me now!"  Demands Sifeng.

 

She shakes her head.  "No Master, no."

 

Sifeng is unable to move.

 

"I didn't want to be your spirit beast a long time ago, but I can't watch you die."  She crawls to Sifeng and grabs his knee.  "Master.  Master.  Master."  Her heart hurts so much.

 

"Little Silver Flower, what are you doing?  Remove your hand."

 

A red glow is seen through Little Silver Flower's hanfu.

 

"Remove your hand!  Little Silver Flower!"

 

As she removes her hand, a trail of red energy leaves her chest.

 

"Little Silver Flower!"

 

The red energy is many droplets of blood, which levitate in her hand.

 

"Remove your hand," says Sifeng.  "Little Silver Flower!  Don't be like this.  Little Silver Flower."

 

With the hand that contains the blood droplets, she grasps Sifeng's hand.  She holds it tightly, and he begins to shake.

 

"Master," says Little Silve Flower, "I'll leave on my own.  Master, when you call for me again in the future, when you summon Little Silver Flower again, I won't be coming back anymore."  She grips his hand tightly.

 

"Our blood contract is not yet broken.  You'll just hurt yourself by doing so.  Do you know that?"

 

"I don't care about that, Master...because the one I care about is Yu Sifeng.  Yu Sifeng is my bottom line.  Master, goodbye."  She smiles at him tearfully.

 

She shifts back into her snake form, and slithers out of his room.

 

 

...To Be Continued...

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