American Perspectives: A War and An Arrow Pt. 1 ("Ashes of Love" Ep. 31)

 

 

***The intent of The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise is to support women and men in rejecting the culture of pornography, and to live a life of integrity without manipulative intent.***

 

"Ashes of Love" is a Xianxia drama based on the novel "Heavy Sweetness. Ash-Like Frost," by Dian Xian.  The writing presented here is based on observations from the television show "Ashes of Love."  Dialogue credit goes to the English subtitle translaters from the "Gone with the Shirt Team" at Viki.com.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Yi puts down his black game piece on the Go board.  "Liangguo suddenly gathered their troops and encroached into Huaiwu's territory.  Tomorrow, I must personally lead the expedition to fight Liangguo."

 

Jin Mi drops her white game piece with a clatter and looks up at King Yi apprehensively.  As he returns her gaze, she nervously picks up the game piece.  "Your Majesty, I heard that there are so many talented generals in the military.  Why don't you give them more chances and let them command, so they can experience mobilizing troops, and ordering their subordinates?"

 

"Why?"  King Yi asks.

 

Jin Mi looks down and places her game piece on the board.  "I only know how to make medicines, not fighting battles.  But there is one saying that I do know.  'Generals die after hundreds of battles, a warrior returns only after ten years.'  Although I know that being named 'God of War' means you are invincible and enjoy limitless splendor, blades don't have eyes, and things are unpredictable.  I..."  She casts her eyes down.  "I feel very worried."

 

King Yi smiles.  "I finally heard words of sincere worrying from you.  It means that I have entered your heart.  Am I right?"

 

Jin Mi pauses.  "Your Majesty, it's your turn."

 

No worries, I've got this.  He places his black piece on the board.  "Jin Mi, promise me this.  Once I return, be my Queen, okay?"

 

Jin Mi blushes under her veil.

 

A hologram of a very angry Run Yu watches them from outside the gazebo.

 

Jin Mi rises from her seat.  "Your Majesty.  My life is thin and my fortune is shallow.  I fear that I don't have the fortune to enjoy the blessings of being Queen Yi."

 

King Yi stands next to her.  "Why do you keep pretending in front of me?"

 

Because I have so much more to lose.  I trained my whole life to be a healer, and I have to give that up to be with you.  If you choose to take a concubine, I'm screwed.  

 

"That day," King Yi continues earnestly, "the way you looked while drunk, is much more adorable.  Jin Mi, why not face your true feelings, and live for yourself for once?"

 

Because I'm the one who pays the highest price when this goes sideways, Jin Mi thinks.

 

"Believe me, I will surely have a way to keep you by my side, and not let the people in this world make any criticisms about it.  This time, I also promise you that I will safely return."

 

A light breeze blows through the gazebo.  But Auntie wants me to avoid men for a reason.  She wants me to be a Saintess instead of a wife, for a reason.  I was abandoned by my birth mother, and picked up by Auntie, for a reason.  I don't want to make a stupid mistake.  I don't want to repeat the cycle that my birth mother started.  

 

Run Yu's anger is internally setting him on fire.  He clenches his fist.

 

King Yi says nothing more, and walks away.

 

Jin Mi begins to cough.  Spatters of blood stain her veil, and she passes out on the concrete.

 

Run Yu materializes from his hologram, and rushes to her.  "Miss Jin Mi," he says gently.  He props her up.  "Miss Jin Mi."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run Yu sits on the edge of Jin Mi's bed while she's fast asleep.  "Miss Jin Mi."

 

Jin Mi opens her eyes.  "Immortal Run Yu."

 

He reaches over and helps her sit up.  "Do you know that you've already been poisoned deep into your bones, and your vital channels are destroyed?"

 

"I know," Jin Mi whispers.  "This is my fate.  I accept it.  Immortal Run Yu, don't feel sad for me."

 

"Although I know that you came here for your trials, I still can't bear to see you suffer like this, even if you're not you."

 

Jin Mi looks at him curiously.  Are you drunk?  "What???"

 

"Nothing," Run Yu says abruptly.  "I will surely find the perpetrator and make him pay for it."

 

Jin Mi grabs his arm.  "You mustn't!  Immortal Run Yu, I have no desire to seek revenge.  Each one has their fated life.  If Immortal Run Yu really wants to help me, can you fulfill my one wish?"

 

"But this poison of yours...even immortals can't cure it."

 

"My wish isn't about myself," says Jin Mi.  "It's about King Yi."

 

Ugh, Run Yu thinks.

 

"He's going to personally lead the expedition soon," says Jin Mi.  "Can you please bless him so he can safely return?"

 

"Have you fallen in love with Xu Feng...with King Yi?"

 

"I just know that if it's him, I'm willing to get buried with him.  But if it's someone else, I will never accept it."

 

Run Yu sighs.  "King Yi isn't an ordinary mortal.  He will surely return from danger safely.  You don't need to worry."

 

"Really?"  Jin Mi asks happily.

 

Run Yu nods.

 

Jin Mi is seized by a fit of coughing.

 

Run Yu shoots bluish white energy into her forehead.  The coughing abates, and Jin Mi falls asleep.

 

"If it can decrease your pain," says Run Yu, "okay, then.  Jin Mi, only you...are the one thing that I won't let go."

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We can only break the enemy's defense through these points," King Yi uses his pointer on the model of the battlefield.   "We must deploy some elite soldiers both above and below the mountains to prevent the enemy from breaking through at night."

 

Qin Tong enters the room.  "Informing Your Majesty."

 

"What is it?"  King Yi asks.

 

Qin Tong has a very perturbed expression on his face.

 

"Say it," says King Yi.

 

"Lady Sui He is here."

 

Oh, man!  "What?"  King Yi asks.

 

"Cousin!"  Sui He enthusiastically walks into the room.

 

King Yi groans internally.

 

She stands a little too closely to him.

 

"What is a woman like you doing here in the military camp?"  King Yi asks.

 

"Cousin," Sui He says sweetly, "even though I'm a woman, I'm still a citizen of Huaiwu.  Now that there is war at the borders, as a citizen of Huaiwu, I just want to exert some effort for my nation."

 

"A battlefield isn't child's play," says King Yi.  "This isn't a place for you.  Qin Tong, escort Lady back."

 

"Cousin once praised me for my comprehension of the books on 'The Art of War'!"  Sui He protests.  "Right now, I just want to do something for Huaiwu.  Why won't cousin allow it?  I've already decided to stay on the front line.  Go through thick and thin with Huaiwu's soldiers and the border citizens.  Even if you send me back, I will still return."

 

King Yi sighs.  "Qin Tong, protect Lady well."

 

Sui He beams.  "Thank you, Cousin!"

 

Qin Tong rolls his eyes.  King Yi, grow a pair, and tell her to go home!

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Never thought that Lady Sui He has this level of skill in strategy," Qin Tong remarks as they enter the military shelter.  "I'm impressed."

 

"General Lin, you've overpraised me," Sui He glows.

 

"Lady, General Lin didn't overpraise you.  Lady Sui He is indeed a heroine," a soldier chimes in.

 

"Everyone," says King Yi, "you've worked hard.  Go rest early.  We'll set out by mao hour tomorrow.  Try our best to reach the borders fast, and meet up with Yu Li and the others."

 

"Yes!"  The soldiers bow.

 

After the soldiers exit, Sui He looks at King Yi and smiles.  "Cousin, how do you find my strategy?"

 

"It's easy to talk strategy on paper," says King Yi.  "What's hard are the decisions you make during a battle."

 

Sui He sighs.  I know that, you prick!  

 

"Okay," says King Yi.  "It's already late.  Go rest early.  Qin Tong, prepare a tent for Lady."

 

"Yes," Qin Tong bows.

 

After Qin Tong makes his exit, King Yi turns toward Sui He.  "Oh, right.  Does your father know that you're here?"

 

"Of course he doesn't," Sui He admits.  "This is a secret.  Cousin, you must help me keep it a secret."

 

"Did Puchi Jun agree to it?"  King Yi asks.

 

Sui He's face burns.  "Cousin, I already explained it to you numerous times.  That man is an expert in using evil techniques.  That day, I was controlled by a puppet technique.  What I said were not my sincere words.  My feelings are very obvious and everyone knows it.  If you don't want me, I'll go kill myself!"

 

King Yi rolls his eyes as she storms out of his tent.  Such a drama queen!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Lord Qi, I didn't notice any strange activity in King Yi's camp," a soldier reports to Qi Chong.

 

Qi Chong grunts, and waves the soldier away.  He heads to Lord Nanping's quarters.

 

***********

 

"Marquis," Qi Chong approaches Lord Nanping's desk and bows.

 

Lord Nanping is in an encampment of his own, not too far away from King Yi's.  "Is everything prepared?"  Lord Nanping asks.

 

"Everything has been prepared."

 

Lord Nanping drops the letter he was working on.  He takes a deep breath.  "His main army has indeed rushed ahead towards the borders.  King Yi and his small army will surely go through Anyuan Pass tomorrow."  He chuckles.  "The topography there is very advantageous for our ambush.  This is a heaven sent, great opportunity.  This time, I must make...his head fall to the ground."  He snaps his calligraphy brush in half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Nanping's soldiers hide amongst the shrubbery above Anyuan Pass.  Several have their arrows poised and waiting.

 

Lord Nanping and Qi Chong observe from horseback.

 

In no time at all, King Yi and his soldiers come riding through the pass.

 

Lord Nanping notices the foot soldiers at the front first.  He raises his hand, signaling the archers to shoot.  Then, he sees the soldiers on horseback.  His heart drops, when, clear as day, he sees his daughter regally riding beside Xu Feng.  He wants to go down the hill this instant, and tan her hide.  What the hell is wrong with you?  You'll even die for a man who clearly does not want you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jin Mi is standing on the patio, watching the red lanterns blowing in the breeze.  She gasps as she momentarily struggles to breathe.  Should I tell His Majesty about this?  Her chest heaves as she coughs more blood into her handkerchief.

 

Qiang Huo joins her from the walkway with the medicinal tea in hand.

 

Jin Mi stares down at her blood stained handkerchief with dread.

 

Qiang Huo stands behind her and pauses.  She quietly approaches Jin Mi.

 

"Look at these beautifully blooming flowers," says Jin Mi.

 

Qiang Huo looks at her uncomfortably.  "Jin Mi," she manages to say.  "Quickly take in your medicine."

 

Jin Mi takes a deep breath.  "Qiang Huo...is it qingyue?"

 

Qiang Huo's eyes widen, and her heart pounds.  I really took it too far this time.  Maybe I shouldn't have been so possessive of Jin Mi, but I can love and take care of her better than King Yi ever could!  Her hands tremble with anxiety over these intense feelings of jealousy, and she drops the medicinal tea, the cup and plate shattering on the pavement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Nanping raises his clenched fist, and the soldiers fire at the foot soldiers in the front.  Hopefully, Sui He will see this, and make the right decision, Lord Nanping thinks.  

 

Several foot soldiers use their swords to deflect the oncoming arrows.

 

Qin Tong, King Yi, and Sui He draw their swords.

 

"Protect King Yi!  Protect Lady!"

 

"This area is within Huaiwu territory," says Qin Tong.  "It is impossible for Liangguo to set up an ambush here."

 

Several soldiers drop like flies from the storm of arrows.

 

King Yi flies off his horse, and spins through the air, making his way to the front.  With his sword, he deflects as many arrows as he can.

 

Lord Nanping grins proudly.  If I have to slaughter King Yi in front of Sui He for her to get it through her head that they will never marry, so be it.  His grin fades as he sees a thick cluster of arrows aimed at Sui He.  Do I seriously have to tell my men to not shoot my daughter?

 

"Stop shooting the arrows!"  Lord Nanping barks.

 

The arrows suddenly stop raining down.

 

What the hell?  King Yi thinks.

 

"Why is Sui He here?"  Qi Chong asks.  "Marquis, we mustn't let this chance pass."

 

Lord Nanping's blood boils.  "Spread my command to not harm the lady.  For the rest, kill them all."

 

Good luck with that, Qi Chong thinks.  Are you aware of the number of people in Nanping Manor who hate your daughter?  What do you expect us to do if Lady Sui He decides to play martyr and make herself King Yi's shield?

 

"Yes!"  The soldiers chorus.  "Attack!"

 

A swarm of Lord Nanping's grey armored soldiers swarm down into the pass.

 

King Yi looks over.  Frankly, he's not surprised to see Lord Nanping's soldiers.  It was never a case of if they were going to revolt.  It was always when.

 

King Yi and his golden armored men charge forward.

 

Sui He sits back, away from the fighting, realizing that play time is over.  She sees Qi Chong slice a soldier.  Qi Chong?  Could it be?  She looks up at the ledge and sees her father sitting on horseback.  Fuck.  

 

Lord Nanping spurs his horse forward.  "Stop!"  He commands as the soldiers continue to destroy each other.

 

Qin Tong stares at him icily.

 

"Stop!"  Lord Nanping yells again, as he and his soldiers trot onto the battlefield.

 

King Yi looks up.  What elaborate lie are you going to tell me this time?

 

 

...To be continued...