American Perspectives: Fire Fault Line Pt. 2 ("Ashes of Love" Ep. 38)

 

 

***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.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Mu Ci, where are you?"  Liu Ying calls out as she approaches the valley of caves.  "We've gone through so many life and death experiences together.  We've charged out of Death's door so many times.  It's not easy to finally reunite, yet you went back on your words again and ran away.  Did you ever speak any true words at all?"

 

She holds up the brass nameplate Mu Ci carved for her.  "Didn't we make an agreement?  Don't think that by doing this, I'll let you off.  Even if I turn the Six Realms upside down, I will find you.  Search for you until I grow old, or until I die.  Mu Ci, just you wait!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liu Ying walks to the Wangchuan River, her eyes swollen from so much crying.  "Where are you?  You're so heartless.  There's not even a shadow.  Even a shadow would have been good enough."

 

She walks out to the edge of the dock.  She feels someone grab her wrist.  Please be Mu Ci.  Instead, as she turns, she's disappointed to see it's her father.

 

"Until when are you going to continue with your search?"  King Biancheng asks.  "Stop tormenting yourself.  Listen to me and go back with me."

 

Liu Ying breaks away.  "I won't go back!"

 

"Ying'er!"

 

She unknowingly drops a medallion from her clothes as she walks down the dock.

 

King Biancheng grabs her arm.  "Go back with me."

 

"Let go of me!"  Liu Ying protests.  "I won't go back!"

 

"Ying'er!"  King Biancheng admonishes.  

 

"I'm not going back until I find Mu Ci!"

 

"Ying'er!"

 

Liu Ying goes quiet.

 

"I know that you're in pain," says King Biancheng.  "He will be back.  Listen to me.  Go back with me."

 

Liu Ying's eyes redden.  Is the only man I can trust really my father?  

 

King Biancheng takes her hand and leads her off the dock.  As his foot touches down on the gravel, he feels something poking underneath.  He looks down, and immediately steps away as if his foot has been burned.  He picks up the greenish black medallion.  "Isn't this the personal seal of Demon Realm's great Elder King Qingcheng?  For more than 60 years, Great Elder has been traveling the world, his whereabouts uncertain.  No one knows where he is.  Where did you find this personal seal?"

 

Liu Ying takes the seal.  "Great Elder?  Great Elder is very knowledgeable and well experienced.  He is the wisest person here in the Demon Realm.  If we find him and ask him to come out of retirement, will we find a way to save Mu Ci?"

 

"Don't even think about it," says King Biancheng.  "Even if we ask Great Elder to come out of retirement, it will still be useless.  For the Corpse Dissolving Heavenly Silkworms, other than looking for someone trained in fire elemental magic in the Heavenly Realm, there's no way to cure it."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run Yu is intently reading a bamboo scroll at a desk in the Sacred Text Examining Pavilion.  He notices Sui He and Tai Wei walking through the door.

 

"Your Majesty," says Sui He, "Yin Que going to the Demon Realm is indeed my negligence for not disciplining them well."

 

Run Yu hides behind the bookshelf.

 

"But he always does whatever he wants," Sui He continues.  "He never gave me any respect."

 

"A three chi thick ice sheet doesn't happen overnight," says Tai Wei.  "Didn't you notice anything before?"

 

"In the past, Auntie was formidable and renowned," says Sui He.  "No one dared to disobey.  Hence, we all were united and of the same morals in increasing the majestic presence of the Heavenly Realm.  Now that Auntie...is gone, the rebellious intent of the immortals in Bird Tribe is also increasing."

 

With a look of displeasure, Tai Wei throws down a document on the desk.

 

Sui He immediately kneels.

 

"Who is the person in charge of the Bird Tribe?"  Tai Wei asks.

 

"I am useless," says Sui He.  "I couldn't even manage a little Bird Tribe well.  May Your Majesty punish me.  Your Majesty, I'm willing to use merit to make up for my mistake.  I ask that Fire Deity mobilize his troops and accompany me back to Yimiao Region to pacify the uprising."

 

"The matter has not yet been investigated.  Why are you rushing?"

 

Sui He bows.

 

Run Yu emerges from behind the bookcase.  "The army must be prepared."

 

Tai Wei and Sui He look over at him in surprise.  So much for confidentiality.   

 

He approaches the foot of the stairs just below Tai Wei's desk.  "But just to guard against possibilities."  Run Yu bows.  "Informing Royal Father, I was here reading some classical books and disturbed your discussion.  May Royal Father forgive me."

 

"It's time," says Tai Wei.  "Since you're here, join us in our discussion.  Continue what you're saying."

 

"Royal Father, the Bird Tribe has always been loyal to Heavenly Realm.  All are loyal and kind members.  We're currently at unusual times.  People thinking of changing sides might be secondary to the instigation of other people causing them to be blinded from the truth.  I think that Royal Father can make a decree or announcement to appease them.  In the first place, it will show how benevolent and forgiving our Heavenly Realm is.  Second..."  He pointedly looks at Sui He.  "The separating scheme of some people can be discredited.  Someone is trying to take advantage of the current situation to infiltrate and attempt to divide us and the Bird Tribe.  This matter must not be left to go on for a long time.  I earnestly ask Royal Father to choose a special envoy, and lead a group of Heavenly Soldiers to personally visit Yimiao Region.  Meticulously investigate Yin Que and the other elders, and strictly punish the mastermind behind this."

 

"Hmm," says Tai Wei. "What Night Deity said is exactly what I'm thinking.  Immediately draft a decree and promulgate it as a goodwill decree from the royal family."

 

"I will obey," Run Yu agrees.

 

Sui He watches him warily.  He looks sweet and innocent, but he's guilty as hell.  

 

"I've removed Xu Feng's military power," says Tai Wei.  "For the special envoy and stationing of the troops..."

 

"Royal Father," Run Yu interjects.  "The Bird Tribe hasn't truly rebelled yet.  We just need to nip a vice in the bud and slightly deter them.  At this moment, no need to trouble Fire Deity to personally go to Yimiao Region.  Such movement might scare the birds and induce panic."

 

"Using the Phoenix Plume Arrow to kill the chickens," Tai Wei says thoughtfully.  "For the special envoy, allow me to think about it.  Send Star Lord Po Jun to mobilize an army and station themselves there just to be prepared."

 

Run Yu bows.  "Yes, Royal Father.  Princess Sui He, as to how to placate Your Royal tribesmen, I'm sure you know better than anyone."

 

Sui He tenses up.  "Yes," she says uncertainly.  I smell a hidden agenda.  

 

"This matter shouldn't be delayed," says Run Yu.  "May Princess Sui He immediately return to Yimiao Region to handle this matter."

 

Sui He bows.  "Yes.  I will take my leave."  She rises, bows once more, and makes her exit.

 

Run Yu bows.  "I will also take my leave."

 

"Wait a minute," says Tai Wei.  He rises from his throne and descends the staircase.

 

He gets in front of Run Yu, and for once, looks like a genuinely concerned father.  "How are your injuries?"

 

Run Yu smiles softly.  "Thank you for Royal Father's concern.  I'm fine now."

 

Tai Wei nods.  "You seem to frequent  this Sacred Text Examining Pavilion lately.  What books are you reading?"

 

"I recently discovered some classical scriptures about cultivating one's moral character and behaving ethically from High Clear Sky.  I'm currently studying them."

 

Tai Wei nods.  "Very good.  You are focused on benefaction, and love to study.  These are good things.  But those books about the history of the Heavenly Realm and military strategy, you should read those, too."

 

Run Yu smiles.

 

"What are you smiling about?"  Tai Wei asks.

 

"I just suddenly remembered the teacher who started my schooling."

 

 

 

 

 

 

A young Run Yu and Tai Wei enter the Sacred Text Examining Pavilion.  Run Yu nervously looks at his father, and then gazes around the room.

 

********

 

Tai Wei helps Run Yu properly hold a writing brush.  Run Yu enjoys the feeling of the ink gliding over the paper.

 

Tai Wei proudly looks down at his work.

 

********

 

"Guan!  Guan! Cry the ospreys gathering in the river islet," Run Yu recites.  "Such a gentle and graceful fair lady is a fine match for a gentleman.  Short and long, the floating water plants, left and right, you may pluck them.  Such a gentle and graceful fair lady, he longs for her both during waking hours, and in his dreams."

 

**********

 

"It's rare that you still remember it," says Tai Wei.  "Tu Yao back then had some selfish reasons, and didn't want to get you a teacher.  I really couldn't take it, so I taught you a thing or two.  It's just that I was busy with military affairs then.  I could only supervise your learning for six months.  I feel a bit regretful about it."

 

"Because of you personally teaching me," says Run Yu, "I didn't become rusty and degenerate.  Royal Father, initiating my schooling was useful to me for a lifetime.  I can't thank you enough."

 

"It wasn't easy," Tai Wei admits.  "As long as you wholeheartedly want to learn and better yourself, the gates of this Sacred Text Examining Pavilion will forever be open for you."

 

Run Yu's eyes widen, and he drops to his knees.  "Thank you, Royal Father," he bows.

 

"Quickly rise."  Tai Wei helps him stand.  He lovingly straightens the collar on Run Yu's robe.  "Mortals usually say that Emperors tend to favor their eldest son, while the public loves the youngest son.  It's quite reasonable.  You are my eldest son, how could I not love you?  Since you were little, you were focused on beng kind, very diligent, and liked to study.  I also have placed a lot of hopes on you.  It's just that you were young and weak then, had no way to protect yourself.  Tu Yao has a lot of spies.  If I just slightly showed you some special treatment, you surely would have become the target of everyone, and instead, it would be disadvantageous to you."

 

"Royal Father has made painstaking efforts to shield me," says Run Yu.  "How can I not know?"

 

"In the past, I wronged your birth mother."

 

You're just now admitting this?  Run Yu thinks.

 

"Do you bear any grudge against me?"  Tai Wei asks.

 

"Bygones are bygones," says Run Yu.  "Why must Royal Father mention it again?"

 

"I was really left with no choice.  Back then, the Demon Realm invaded on a large scale.  The Southeastern Water Tribe had a very powerful army, yet they just kept wavering and observing by the shore.  In desperation, I advised such a scheme."

 

Bullshit, Run Yu thinks.  You needed a means to justify your sex addiction.  

 

"Through your mother," Tai Wei continues, "I obtained the eight hundred li Taihu Lake, and resolved the military crisis.  For so many years, toward you and your birth mother, I've always felt guilty."

 

Run Yu sighs.  No, you didn't.  

 

"I kept looking for a chance to make up to you two," says Tai Wei.

 

"For Royal Father to be willing to tell me the truth of what happened then, I...I feel so grateful."

 

Tai Wei looks down and nods.  "Xu Feng is in control of the Five Directions Heavenly Army and governs the gates of the Heavenly Realm.  He holds huge responsibilities.  But Xu Feng is acting in a perverse manner, and is being rebellious.  I'm very worried.  I think you should handle his duties temporarily."

 

Run Yu looks at him in amazement and kneels.  He touches his head to the floor.  "I will accept the duty.  I surely will be careful from start to finish, and not disappoint you."

 

Tai Wei smiles.  That's my good game piece, I mean, son.  "Quickly, get up."

 

Run Yu raises his head and looks up at Tai Wei.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The doors of the Sacred Text Examining Pavilion open, and Sui He is nervously waiting outside.

 

Run Yu pretends he doesn't see her, as he walks like a model on the runway, wearing that super model glare.

 

"Thank you, Your Highness, for helping me out of a predicament earlier," Sui He says sweetly.

 

Ugh, I need a blood sugar reading after listening to her speak!  "Nature moves in its own rhythm and every action has consequences," says Run Yu.  "I just couldn't bear to see the creatures of Bird Tribe innocently suffering because of the mistakes of Heavenly Empress and your negligence."  He extends his arm, letting his long, wide, cloud colored sleeve sharply drop.  With a flick of his hand, he dusts off some lint.  "The Princess doesn't need to keep it on her mind."

 

He once again walks away like a top runway model, staring down every photographer, leaving Sui He feeling completely frozen.

 

The tides have turned, Sui He thinks.  This is not going to end well for me as long as Auntie remains in prison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"How is Heavenly Mother now?"  Xu Feng asks nervously.  "Royal Father is angry at me for asking to have Run Yu and Jin Mi's wedding be canceled.  He won't even let me visit Heavenly Mother now.  As a distinguished Fire Diety, I have never been such a loser as this."

 

"Your Highness," says Liaoyuan, "the future days are long.  The matter of Heavenly Empress can't be resolved in a day.  But Immortal Jin Mi is about to get married.  If you don't do anything fast, I fear that you might regret it."

 

Xu Feng rushes past him and to the doorway.

 

"Your Highness!"  Liaoyuan calls out.  "The restriction order of His Majesty has not been removed yet!"  Aish, this boy!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sui He, wearing a white cloak and hood, makes her way down the Bimbisara Prison corridor.  As two guards try to block her from going any further, she knocks them out with her fire power.

 

She looks at the final set of heavy double doors that are between her and Tu Yao's cell.  As she walks to them, the doors slide open.  She descends the steps, and runs toward Tu Yao's cell, which has a heavily electrified lightning barrier.

 

Sui He lowers her hood.  "Auntie," she says innocently.

 

Tu Yao slowly turns toward Sui He as she remains seated in the lotus position.  "I've been waiting for you for a long time."

 

 

...To be continued...