[Note: ‘Lord’ and ‘prince’ are pretty much interchangeable in this whole drama, EXCEPT for the main characters and the ‘Crown Prince’ set to inherit throne]
Characters in episode:
Qin Ko Zen: 22 years old, sect leader of MingHua sect, profoundly scheming, deeply shrewd, cynical and elegant, CV: HolyNight
Yun Zong: 24 years old, leader of Qing Feng Guan, courtesy name Yun Shangjun; dedicated Taoist with pure hearted with few desires, free spirited and easy going, gentle and harmless, though capable of deception when needed CV: 卡修 THE VOICE ACTOR CHANGED FROM THE FIRST ONE.
Su Yishui: 27 on verge of 28 years old, Qin Ko Zen’s second elder disciple brother [Er Shixiong] that the man loved very much growing up. He appeared to a kind gentleman, but he had always been secretly coveting the position of the MingHua sect leader position, tried to kill Qin Ko Zen six years ago but fight caused both men to fall off cliff together where only Qin Ko Zen woke up afterwards from
He Lanyu: The 3rd prince to the dynasty, known as the King of Shou, in their thirties
He Lanling: The 6th prince of the dynasty, known as Lord Xiu, around 20 years old, strict austere nature except with the one he lovesHe Lanling: The 6th prince of the dynasty, known as Lord Xiu, around 20 years old, strict austere nature except with the one he loves [Yun Zong]; known for being blood thirsty and murderous in the battlefield so his father, the emperor sent him to study monasticism at Qing Feng Guan, where he met and grew up with YZ.
___________________________
Last episode review:
Qin Ko Zen: Unless you can reach the heavens with one step and sit on the throne of the martial world, who would be willing to invest their true heart in you? Now that I’m sitting on the throne, what do I even need others true heart for? Hmph!
Yun Zong (sorrowful murmur): … you really are just using me … it’s my own fault. (extremely painful self-blame) It’s because I shouldn’t have promised to stay, it’s because I shouldn’t have been fooled by your words…it’s because I couldn’t resist this red dust [mortal affairs] trial…it’s because I brought this trouble to myself…
Qin Ko Zen (tragically, disbelieving): I don’t believe it … I don’t believe it!! That up until now you have not held any feelings for me at all!!
Yun Zong (should have been angry but shows a hint of arousal because of the unstable breath and gasping): You … if you dare to violate me again … I will never let you go this lifetime…
Qin Ko Zen (smiling lightly): Exactly what I want. I exactly want you to never let go of me.
Yun Zong (thinking, laughs dumbly, gasping, weak whispering): I wholeheartedly … wanted to break free of this mortal affairs path but I didn’t expect … to be so trapped … tempted … … It’s all my fault… I blame myself…
Qin Ko Zen (smiling softly with evil spirits, gently breathing against Yun Zong’s ears, whispering sexily and ambiguously): That’s fine. Now that all your powers have been transferred to me, you naturally can’t go anywhere. (murmuring) Did you know that … when you smile at me occasionally … it really looks like someone I used to know …
Qin Ko Zen (Unbelievable): Yun Zong, you lied to me…
Yun Zong (cold): I merely returned what I received.
Yun Zong: (indifferent) Everything that has passed has passed. Master Qin, this poor Taoist bids goodbye. If we meet in the future … we will act as if we don’t know each other.[The curtain falls]
Announcement: The original work of Su Te, the ancient drama Danmei radio drama, the third issue of “Red Dust Road”, welcome to listen.
3:36
Scene 1: Parting
[Daytime, He Lan Lord’s Mansion Room]
[YZ is lying in bed; the doctor diagnosed him by taking his wrist pulse, He Lanling stands to the side, anxious]
He Lanling [one step forward]: (anxious) Royal Medic Zhang, how is Yun Zong’s injury?
Medic Zhang [put Yun Zong’s arm back into the quilt and gets up]: Informing Lord, (sighs) Yun Shangjun’s health is extremely critical. His internal dissipation of qi is serious, he has severe blood loss too. Furthermore his insides have been injured by cold energy that has permeated into all his organs, in this medic’s opinion, ordinary medicine is no longer of any use to Yun Shangjun. If you want to remove the cold energy in his body, you need to find another way. (Pause) My Lord, I’ll prescribe a few prescriptions here, but…uh…alas, they can only temporarily relieve Yun Shangjun’s pain, and can’t eradicate the main cause…
He Lanling: Thank you Royal Medic Zhang, you go on.
Medic Zhang: I dare not take your highness’ appreciation, this old minister will retreat now.
[Medic Zhang goes, closes the door, He Lanling walks to Yun Zong’s bedside and sits down]
4:45
He Lanling: (sighs, slightly pained) Yun Zong…… (pauses, determined) I will definitely find a way to help you recover your powers!
[Yun Zong struggles to sit up, He Lanling helps him with a hand]
Yun Zong: (very weak) You don’t have to bother. I am aware of my own situation … Now that I’ve been invaded by cold energy, I have only one-tenth of my old internal qi, and taking medicine won’t do any good. The warm jade of MingHua sect that you have in your possession, please lend me it for a while, it should be able to restrain the coldness in my body, um–
[Yun Zong begins to cough, He Lanling hastily pats Yun Zong’s back]
He Lanling: (hatefully) That Qin Ko Zen hurt you so much … I won’t spare him!
Yun Zong: (Peaceful, light smile) If the courts have ordered you to annihilate the MingHua sect, I would naturally not stop you. But if you’re attacking just to seek revenge for me, you don’t have to bother.
He Lanling: (surprised) You … don’t hate him?
Yun Zong: (indifferent) Qin Ko Zen to me is already an irrelevant passerby. Fervently hating him only adds troubles to myself. If I regard this person as a trifle, why should you care more than me?
He Lanling: (sorrowful) You can actually take this matter so lightly.
Yun Zong: (Peaceful) If I couldn’t see it lightly then that’d be my problem. (Pause) I’ve left Qing Feng Guan for more than a month now, it’s about time to go back.
[Lord He Lanling takes ahold of Yun Zong’s hand]
He Lanling: (Urgently) It may not be wise to go at this moment. (Pauses, laughs and sighs) Eh, actually it seems they are used to you travelling alone long term. It’s been more than a month, and no one has come to me to ask for your whereabouts.
Yun Zong: (Laughs) Before I left, I told them to stay vigilant. They know that I’ve been staying with you in your house. (Pauses, thinks for a while) Actually … I thought Qin Ko Zen had passed a message to you before, telling you the situation, but I was cheated by him.
He Lanling: (sneeringly) He is so devious, only you would be foolish enough to believe him. (Pauses, ashamed) Ah, sorry-are you alright-
Yun Zong: (Interrupts) It’s okay, you are right. (coughing) Indeed … only I would believe him…
He Lanling: Since this is the case, it is better for you to stay a few more days. You are too weak now and you can still have a good rest here. After your injuries stabilize, I will send someone to escort you back to Qing Feng Guan.
7:57
Yun Zong: (exasperated smile) Why are you like this … very well, then I’ll go back to Qing Feng Guan after a few more days.
He Lanling: (soft voice) Then you should rest for a while, I will go get the medicine.
Yun Zong: Appreciate it.
[He Lanling stands up and leaves]
8:29
Scene two: Secret Purpose
[Daytime, in the courtyard of He Lan prince manor, Yun Zong and He Lanling say goodbye to each other]
He Lanling: (concerned and instructive) Yun Zong, your injuries are still not yet healed. I asked Royal Medic Zhang to prescribe extra doses of medication for you, remember to take them on time after going back. If there are any other needs, feel free to send a messenger to me at this royal manor. (Worried) It’s such a shame that your internal cold energy has yet to be cured…how about if you just stayed a bit more-
Yun Zong: (interrupting) I’ve been burdening your house for too long now. It’s time to go back to Qing Feng Guan for a see. Appreciating the Lord’s intentions, I bid this Lord farewell and to please take care.
[A man steps up suddenly to them]
Servant 1 [Stop]: (Respectfully greeting) My Lord. Yun Shangjun.
He Lanling [Turns to face servant]: What’s wrong?
Servant 1: Informing this Lord, there is a man in the manor waiting for you.
He Lanling: (confused) Who is it?
Servant 1: It is Eunuch Zhao. He is waiting inside the mansion. He said that the emperor has passed an edict. He is summoning Yun Shangjun to the palace. There are important things to discuss.
Yun Zong: With this, my Lord, Yun Zong will say goodbye first.
[Yun Zong leaves]
9:46
[Scene change, day, palace]
[The footsteps of the two people slowly moved from far to near. The palace’s doors are opened, and Eunuch Zhao enters, the two walk in one after the other]
Eunuch Zhao: (respectfully) Your Majesty, Yun Shangjun is here.
The emperor: (lightly) You guys can all retreat.
Guards / Eunuch Zhao: Yes.
[Several people’s footsteps go out, the hall gate closes]
Emperor: Yun Zong, come here.
[Yun Zong walks close]
10:10
Emperor: (slightly fatigued) Yun Shangjun, I had a dream a few days ago. I dreamed that I was standing alone in the imperial garden admiring the moon when suddenly a big meteor, with a red fiery body, breaks through the moon lit night, and directly hits me on the top of my crown … Shangjun, I’ve called you here today to ask you to explain this dream to me.
Yun Zong: (Cautious) I dare not try and guess the path of the heavens.
The emperor turns around: (slight smile) This dream is unusual and is definitely trying to convey something, Yun Shangjun, according to my own guess, the celestial phenomena in the dream was abnormal, a demon star crossing the moon…could that mean the world is changing?
Yun Zong: (in slight contemplation) Your Majesty, as the saying goes, what you think about during the day is what you dream about during the night. This poor Taoist is not good at interpreting dreams, and privately thinks that your majesty must be concerned about something during the day that is equivalent to this dream. God’s will is still all conjecture, and such a holy Intent is not something this servant dares to guess.
Emperor (praising): Worthy of being Yun Shangjun, I really can’t hide anything from you.
Yun Zong: Please express your worries, Your Majesty.
The emperor [walking around with his hands behind himself]: I didn’t want to bother you, and I also know that you never like to intervene in political affairs. But in regards to this matter, only you can help me with. You have no active participation in the court, are not involved in the crown prince’s disputes, are not in the center of political interest, and will not arouse anyone’s suspicion. Apart from you, I can’t think of anyone else more suitable –please come here.
[Yun Zong takes a few steps closer]
The emperor [takes a secret letter from the table]: (whispering) Everything I want you to do is explained in this secret edict. You are to act in secret, be cautious, and leave no trace.
[Yun Zong takes letter into his arms, collecting it]
Yun Zong: (Cautious) This poor Taoist accepts the decree.
Emperor: (warning again) This matter is of great caution. If there is any carelessness both you and I will be implicated. (Pause, solemn) Shangjun, my kingdom, a century-old foundation, is all in your hands.
Yun Zong: (thinking, extremely reluctant) This secret edict is just like a hot potato, but a royal decree cannot be ignored. His Majesty’s remarks have been expressed which is clearly not something for me to choose to accept or not.
(exasperated laugh) So what if I’m a monk that has set aside the mortal affairs path? From the moment when I was proclaimed as the kingdom’s number one Taoist by His Majesty, I became nothing more than a pawn.
Yun Zong: This poor Taoist will be extremely careful in dealing with this matter.
Emperor: I heard that you have been feeling sick recently, you should take care of yourself first. Although this matter is urgent, you do not need to rush for a bit. You can start a few days later.
Yun Zong: (Respectfully) Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. This poor Taoist is healthy and will go now.
Emperor: Excused.
[Yun Zong leaves]
13:52
[Scene change, night, in YZ’s room]
Yun Zong [turns over and over the paper in candlelight]: (Thinking) This secret edict is actually completely blank…
Little Taoist Servant [outside the door, knock on the door]: Shangjun, His Highness Lord Shou sent someone with a letter a few days ago, saying that His Highness has built a new villa in Heyang, and wanted to invite Shangjun to the villa to check the Feng Shui.
Yun Zong [puts down the secret paper]: Mmm, I see. Please reply to His Royal Highness King Shou that I will visit the villa soon.
Little Taoist Servant [outside the door]: Yes.
[Young messenger boy leaves]
[Flashback, into memories]
The emperor [takes a secret letter from the table]: (whispering) Everything I want you to do is explained in this secret edict. You are to act in secret, be cautious, and leave no trace. (Pause, solemnly) Shangjun, my kingdom, a century-old foundation, is all in your hands.
[End of Flashback]
Yun Zong: (Thinking, just realizing) Unless there is a secret hidden inside this parchment?
[swipes flint and lights candle]
[Yun Zong picks up the secret edict, opens it again, and roasts it on the fire, the words gradually reveal themselves]
Emperor: Feathers fears change, investigate inside Heyang Villa.
Yun Zong: (Thinking) His Highness King Shou, He Lanyu … so that’s how it is…
[Yun Zong burns the paper, makes cackling noise]
15:26
Scene three: Travel
[Daytime, downtown, streets, bustling crowds, all kinds of traders shouting]
[Yun Zong rides horse, dismounts and walks into a restaurant]
Waiter: (Enthusiastic) Taoist, please come inside! What would you like?
Yun Zong: Just a pot of green tea and a plate of vegetarian dishes.
Waiter: Good! (To the guy on the side) Liuzi, give this Taoist a pot of green tea and stir-fry vegetables!
Liuzi: (obediently shouting) Yes shopkeeper, coming up immediately!
[Liuzi quickly walked towards the kitchen, Yun Zong found a corner seat by himself and sat down]
[Horseshoes in the distance gradually approaching, a few horses hiss, coming to a halt at the restaurant. People turn and dismount; a group of people enter the restaurant]
MingHua Sect Member 1 [Throws whip on the table]: (rudely) Shopkeeper!!!
16:16
Waiter [lifts the curtain to dining area and runs out quickly from the kitchen]: (enthusiastic, loud) Hey! Coming! These gentlemen please follow me inside!
MingHua Sect Member 1: (after gazing around at customers who already ordered) (rudely) The wine and meat here look acceptable, your hands and feet better be quick, we are in a hurry!
16:26
[Everyone of found seats at a table and sat down one after another]
Waiter: Of course! (Loudly yelling towards the kitchen) Liuzi! Hurry and give these gentlemen good wine, good food and good service!
[Liuzi ran out of the kitchen]
Liuzi: Hey! Yes! Yes! Gentlemen please wait for a while, the food and wine will come immediately, come soon!
16:37
[Liuzi walks quickly back into kitchen]
[Sect members poured tea, the shopkeeper continued to greet other guests]
Waiter: (to other ppl) Hello guest! What do you want? The food and drink here is famous for its good quality and low price! We guarantee you will be satisfied with the food!
16:45
[Slightly a distance away]
Guest 1: (Shouting) Shopkeeper! Bill, please!
[Nearby]
Guest 2: (greeting) Shopkeeper! Add a few more dishes to this table!
Waiter: (A series of repeated loud response) Hey! Okay! Of course! Coming right up! (To another customer) Please wait a moment for this guest, the small table will be ready soon!
[The above is all background voices]
[The streets are very lively]
[After a few moments, the shopkeeper and Liuzi take a few dishes out from kitchen and put them down one by one at the MingHua Sect members’ table]
Waiter: Hello gentleman, your dishes are ready! Please enjoy!
17:06
[Waiter leaves quickly, YZ sits close enough to the table to hear everything]
MingHua Sect Member 2 [Drinking a sip of wine boldly, exhaling a long breath]: I’m really fucking tired! This time the leader called us back in a hurry, I wonder what happened?
MingHua Sect Member 1 [Picks up chopsticks and grabs a bit of food from a dish]: (talking while eating) Wasn’t it that some days ago, some people came from the imperial palace to bother the sect leader? The leader took a loss and wants to call us back for retaliation.
17:24
MingHua Sect Member 2: (shocked) HUH? Even the sect leader can suffer in this way? Isn’t the saying goes that among brothers like us there is no such thing as casualties?
MingHua Sect Member 1 [Puts down chopsticks]: You don’t know the full story. (Deliberately whispered, insignificant tone but YZ can still hear bc of his acute senses) I heard that the leader’s beloved male pet ran away with that Lord He Lan!
17:43
MingHua Sect Member 2: (disappointed) What?! Just a small matter such as an escaped male pet? Just for a matter like this, he’s calling all of us back all at once?
MingHua Sect Member 1 [Take a glass of wine, chugs it down and puts down the glass]: (low tone) Exactly! But you know I heard that that male pet also has a certain background, he’s a Taoist. I think the taste must be different from ordinary people.
18:09
MingHua Sect Member 2: (Extremely frivolous, laughing) Hahahahaha! Do you think he tastes particularly exquisite? (Looks around and sees YZ) Hey, look see, coincidentally, there is also a Taoist priest here as well!
MingHua Sect Member 1: (disappointed) Gee, indeed a Taoist, but unfortunately an old Taoist!
18:28
MingHua Sect Member 3: You two, what are you two wasting time in speaking for, eat quickly and hurry up, we have to go. If something goes wrong, and the leader blames us, no one can afford it!
MingHua Sect Member 1/2: (Quick answer) Hey, yeah, eat fast, eat fast!
[Bowls and chopsticks sound]
18:45
Yun Zong: (thinking) Qin Ko Zen suddenly called back a large number of sect members in such a hurry which means that something must have happened after I left. I can’t control much now, so I’ll go to the Heyang Villa first.
[Yun stands up and goes to the checkout counter, takes out some silver and puts it down]
Yun Zong: The shopkeeper, checkout.
Waiter: Good!
19:05
Liuzi: (Sweetly) You are good to go. You are welcome to visit our little establishment again next time!
[Yun Zong flicked his whisk and walked out of the restaurant; he unlashes his horse and mounts it]
Yun Zong: Go!
[The horse starts to run, faster and faster]
19:50
[The scene changes from the bazaar to the suburbs, the sound of the horseshoe sprints from far to near, YZ pulls the reins, the horse neighs, the horseshoes gradually stops]
[YZ dismounts, ties up horse]
Yun Zong: (inwardly, slightly surprised in admiration) This Heyang Mountain Villa is so magnificent … I’ll need to act more cautiously here…
[Yun Zong approaches front door, knocks on the door, and the door squeaks open after a while]
Servant 2: Who knocked on the door?
Yun Zong: This poor Taoist is Yun Zong, here to see this villa’s master.
Servant 2: This Taoist is … Yun Shangjun? Come in quickly, my Lord has been waiting for many days.
Yun Zong: This one begs pardon for the bother.
[The two go into the hall, Yun Zong sits down, and the servants pour tea]
Servant 2: Shangjun, please wait a moment, this servant will immediately invite the Lord to come out.
Yun Zong: Thank you.
[Servant retreats]
[Single pair footsteps sound from far to near, the voice comes from outside the hall]
He Lanyu: (laughs) I was wondering who it was, turns out to be Yun Shangjun, this Lord has not waited in vain!
Yun Zong [Stands up to pay respect]: (smiles respectfully) This poor Taoist greets His Royal Highness, Lord Shou.
He Lanyu: (Laughs) Shangjun doesn’t need to be polite, please sit down.
[The two sit down and Yun Zong takes the tea cup to drink]
He Lanyu: I don’t know if this tea can match the taste of Shangjun?
21:20
Yun Zong: (amazed) ‘Bashan Qiu Tse’ tea really deserves its reputation.
He Lanyu: (Laughs) I am over flattered! This is a new tribute from Governor Bashu after the Gu rain this year. If Shangjun likes it, please live here for a few more days. This Lord has still a few more private possessions that I’d be willing to share with Shangjun.
Yun Zong: (Polite) This Lord is too kind. As the saying goes, one shouldn’t accept something without earning it. This poor Taoist is invited here by the Lord to do some hard work. It’s getting late today, and tomorrow morning, I will look at this villa’s Feng Shui for the prince. I wonder if this Lord can give me the blueprints structure of this villa?
22:00
He Lanyu [brings out schematics]: Of course there is, it has been prepared for Shangjun. [Takes the paper and hands it to Yun Zong] Please also give some advice on the layout Shangjun.
Yun Zong [Takes it, puts it in his sleeves]: I dare not execute the word ‘advice’ for my Lord. Tonight this poor Taoist will take a closer look at these blueprints. If there is anything wrong, I will inform this prince in detail.
He Lanyu: (Laughs) No hurry, Shangjun has travelled arduously far to get here night and day already. This Lord has prepared a dinner in Shangjun’s room already. I invite Shangjun to first get settled in his room and rest. (Pause, smile) Ah, this Lord still has some affairs to deal with so I will not be able to accompany you further.
Yun Zong: (Laughs) Lord please do as you must.
He Lanyu: Then this Lord will leave first.
22:46
[The Lord gets up and leaves]
22:55
[Scene change, Heyang Villa guest room, the servant opens the door]
Servant 2: The prince said that Shangjun must be tired after travelling all day. Shangjun please take an early rest tonight. If there is any poor service, please forgive this one.
Yun Zong: Your Lord is really quite meticulous and caring.
Servant 2: This servant will not dare to waylay Shangjun’s quiet recuperation anymore. Please excuse me.
[Servant walks out and closes the wooden door]
[YZ pulls out schematics from his sleeve, expands it and looks it over]
Yun Zong: (slightly confused, thinking) From this picture … This Heyang Villa has no peculiarity except for clever construction … It seems that my search needs to start elsewhere…
[Rolls up the picture and puts it away]
Yun Zong: (whispering, sighing) Regardless, no matter what, I’ll have to explore this Heyang Villa tonight.
[BGM pulls the scene to the outdoors with strong sinister feeling, owls sound]
24:15
Scene four: Night Exploration
[Late night, Heyang Mountain Villa, still quiet air, occasionally wild barking dogs, night patrol guards strolling about]
[He Lanyu’s study door is pushed open and then closed gently, dressed in an all-black, masked attire, Yun Zong’s footsteps enter very gently, lightly he flips through the desk, bookshelves, papers looking for anything out of the ordinary]
Yun Zong: (quietly smuttering) Is there nothing here at all …
[The roof tiles flipping open suddenly sound]
Yun Zong: (shocked, low voice) Who?!
[Another person dressed in all black, backflips through the air and jumps down into the room]
[Yun Zong swings his sleeves ready to fight; newcomer quickly rushes forth and the two begin to fight closely]
[Yun Zong quickly loses and gets gripped by the arm, pulled in close]
Qin Ko Zen: (close to Yun Zong’s ear, very low voice) Who is your Excellency, that is sneaking in here late at night like me?
Yun Zong: (stunned, with a low voice) … you! How could it be! (Inside, very shocked, because recognizes QKZ’s voice) It turned out to be him!
[Yun Zong struggled to get out of Qin Ko Zen’s grip but succeeds in the end, the two battle again, and Yun Zong’s movements can predict QKZ’s offensive moves out of familiarity which takes QKZ by surprise]
Qin Ko Zen: (whispering) Oh? This Excellency knows me? (Vaguely amused, showing the hint of a smile in his voice) Then I would like to see which old man-[Qin pulls off Yun Zong’s face towel in the fight between the two] (Shock) Yun Zong?! It’s you?
25:18
[At this time, a few guards suddenly come in the distance, outside the study room]
[Guard 1: Who is so daring to invade the prince’s study at night?! If you don’t come out soon, we will come in and catch you!
Guard 2: (loud) Sun Jiu! Go and inform the Lord!
Guard 3: Yes!
[A person outside the door quickly runs off]
Yun Zong: (whispering, anxious) Not good!
Qin Ko Zen: (whispering, hurried) Lets go!
25:26
[Qin Ko Zen grabs YZ’s arm and pulls him up with qing gong, jumping to the roof beams before breaking out through the roof tiles]
[The study door is pushed open]
Guard 1: (angry, loud) The thief has ran away!
Guard 2: (loud) People are above, chase!
[A large number of guards pour in]
Guard 3: Quick chase! Don’t let the thieves run away!
Guard 4: Come on! Hurry up! The thief ran over there!
[Yun Zong and Qin Ko Zen are running away fast on the roof with qing gong]
Yun Zong: (whispering, anxiously) To the left, there is no guard in the front.
Qin Ko Zen: Huh?
Yun Zong: The second room from the end! Enter through the window!
[The two enter through the window and land, Yun Zong closes the window]
25:44
[He Lanyu soon arrives with a group of people into the outside courtyard beside their room, He Lanyu knocks on the door of YZ’s room]
He Lanyu [outside the door]: (politely) Shangjun? Did Shangjun rest yet?
[He Lanyu continues knocking]
He Lanyu: Shangjun? Shangjun?
[Yun Zong hastily rips off his black outer clothes and throws them into Qin Ko Zen’s arms]
Yun Zong: (up close breaths against him, urgently whispering) Get on the bed!
[Qin Ko Zen lightly though quickly stepped into the bed and pulled the bed curtains close]
[Yun Zong scattered his hair, as if having just woken up, grabbed the robe and draped it over his shoulders]
[Yun Zong walks to the door and opens it]
26:00
Yun Zong: (Voice pretends to have just woken up) Prince? It’s so late for a visit, what’s the matter?
[He Lanyu walks into the room]
He Lanyu: (Laughs) I am so sorry to disturb Shangjun late at night. Has Shangjun heard someone breaking in?
Yun Zong: (Surprised) No wonder it’s so noisy outside, was there someone nefarious that broke in?
He Lanyu [looks at YZ and then around the room]: (laughs) Indeed a thief has snuck in. This Lord was worried that Shangjun would be frightened, so I came for a look. Since there is nothing wrong with Shangjun, this Lord is now at ease.
Yun Zong: (Worried) Can this poor Taoist be of any assistance?
He Lanyu: I dare not bother Shangjun anymore. I’m sorry to have awoken you now. Shangjun carefully lock the doors and windows, this Lord will say goodbye first.
Yun Zong: Walk carefully my Lord.
[He Lanling leaves, Yun Zong closes the door and locks it]
[Waits a little while for everyone else to go away outside]
[Yun Zong approaches the bed and pulls open the curtains]
Yun Zong: (Coldly) Master Qin, please get up.
Qin Ko Zen [does a roll on the bed’s middle]: (teasingly) So deep into the night and Shangjun is asking for me to get up, how cruel!
27:10
Yun Zong: (indifferent) If you don’t get up, how can I rest?
Qin Ko Zen (smiles lazily): (salaciously) Haven’t I left a spot here for you? [Pats the spot next to him] Shangjun?
[Yun Zong ignores him, walks to the table and sits down, pouring himself a cup of tea]
Yun Zong: Since the leader likes to speak in bed, then you’re welcome to do so. It’s just … I don’t know why the leader wanted to visit Heyang Villa at night?
Qin Ko Zen: Shangjun, you and I haven’t seen each other again for such a long time, how come these words are such mood-ruining-words? Shouldn’t we take advantage of this beautiful scenery and speak about how much being apart from each other has devastated our hearts?
[Yun Zong focused on pouring and drinking tea for himself, completely ignoring QKZ]
Qin Ko Zen [sits up]: (shamelessly) Aiyayaya, I didn’t know that Shangjun was a guest here. But… since you’re a guest here, why do you have to don on a mask to infiltrate the master’s study late at night?
28:12
Yun Zong: I’m thinking it’s the same purpose as Master Qin…?
Qin Ko Zen [Hugging Yun Zong’s pillow]: Shangjun is as an outsider and still is willing to do something so shameful and underhanded? Who exactly is this favor for? (pause) Don’t tell me it’s still He Lanling? No it shouldn’t be him, since he’s so anxious about you. With how worried he is about your body I’m sure he’d never have you take such a risk. If I haven’t guessed wrong-is it the emperor who sent you?
28:46
Yun Zong [puts down the cup, pours another cup of tea, and takes the cup in hand again]: Then who is leader Qin working for?
Qin Ko Zen: (slightly smiles) This … I won’t tell you. (Pause, whispering) But … If Shangjun promised me a request, maybe I would say it?
Yun Zong: What request?
Qin Ko Zen [puts down the pillow, gets out of bed, walks behind Yun Zong, bends down to gently hold his hand, while whispering into his ear]: (whispering, salaciously tempting) From tomorrow night on, keep your door open for me. If Shangjun satisfies me for three nights, contentedly, I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist saying anything.
29:24
[Yun Zong gets angry and wants to break free, but gets held tighter]
Qin Ko Zen: (with a smile on his face but a gloomy tone) Shangjun refuses to agree?
[The sound of “snapping”, the cup is crushed by Yun Zong inside his palm because of his grip; his palm starts bleeding badly]
Yun Zong: (coldly) Master Qin, don’t bully people too much!
Qin Ko Zen: (immediately stunned, anxious and worried) Yun Zong! ……your hand!
[Qin Ko Zen’s hand moves, wanting to examine the wound but as soon as QKZ loosened his imprisoning grip, YZ pushes him away]
29:34
Yun Zong: (pause, cold voice) Leave!
[Qin Ko Zen backs up two steps, unsettled mentally]
Qin Ko Zen: (internal nerves frazzled) This person…it’s this person! This person who almost tempted my heart to fall for him. His gentleness and sincerity, I was originally not caring for at all- but unexpectedly…I can’t forget them now, desiring them all the time.
Qin Ko Zen: (mostly talking to himself) You are the second person who has lied to me … (pause, chuckles) That person pretended for ten years, you only pretended for less than ten days … and yet even then I still fell for the scheme again. (from a low heartbroken laugh to a manic laugh)
Yun Zong: (indifferent) Master Qin, please leave.
Qin Ko Zen: (confused and full of pain, whispering) Why do you even refuse to show me hate?
[Yun Zong stood up and turned his back to him]
[Qin Ko Zen laughs again, turns over to the window and leaves through it]
[Yun Zong turns back around, walks a few steps, stands in front of the window to look at the path he left by, suddenly vomits a huge slew of blood, coughing a few times]
[Memory flashback starts]
31:26
[Little Yun Zong: Master, if one suffers from a demon of the heart [heartache], how should your disciple recover from it?
Master Yun Zong: Treat it as a fleeting illusion. Yun Zong, you just need to remember that the past is as if quicksand. The wind back then no longer moves, the flag back then no longer moves and the heart back then will no longer move either.
Yun Zong [Walks back to the table and sits down slowly]: (thinking) Master’s teachings is still in my ear … but today’s occurrence, I am afraid is yet again my fated tragedy. In life, I can’t force myself not to ever meet him again… it is what it is. I cannot in the end ignore this fate.
[Yun Zong goes to bed]
33:10
Scene 5: Encounter
[In the afternoon, the courtyard of Heyang Mountain Villa, in Yun Zong’s room, Xiaoxiu brought some refreshments in to eat and sets them down on the table]
Xiaoxui: (respectfully) Shangjun, this is the refreshment that the prince specifically asked the kitchen to prepare and ordered this servant to bring over.
Yun Zong: Thank you very much. Why don’t I see your Lord today?
Xiaoxiu: (laughs) The prince went out early this morning, saying that there are important things to be dealt with in a hurry, and that he will take a few days to come back. Before he left, the Lord explained that for these few days Shangjun could freely walk around in the villa. If there is any demand, please come to me as much as you want.
Yun Zong: I see, thank you. You may go to your other responsibilities.
Xiaoxiu: Understood.
[The servant leaves, Yun Zong also walks out of his courtyard, then walks around the villa, stops and gazes around, all kinds of birds are singing, occasionally the bubbling of water sounds]
[Walks around some more, Yun Zong’s footsteps slow down at particular court]
34:55
Yun Zong: (thinking, curiously) This particular court … Heyang Villa is full of guards everywhere, but only this one place is extremely deserted, the solitary single door stands alone in the courtyard. There is not even a single servant. (pause) Even on the blueprints He Lanyu gave me, there seemed to be no sign of this place here. (hard pressed tone) Hmm … it seems that this place is a little weird…
[YZ slowly walks to the gate of the courtyard]
Yun Zong: (loudly) Dare I ask is there anyone inside?
[No one answers, Yun Zong pushes open the wooden door, enters the courtyard, and continues to walk inward, all kinds of birds sound; YZ stops after seeing a person sleeping on the grass]
Su Yishui: (curious, warm voice) Who is Your Excellency? Why did you come here?
Yun Zong: (smile) This poor Taoist is called Yun Zong. I was invited by the prince to examine the Feng Shui for this villa, I did not know that xiongtai* was taking a nap here. I took the liberty to disturb. Please forgive me.
*Xiongtai is formal addressing for someone of the same age, means ‘brother’ but usually used for acquaintances*
35:53
Yun Zong: (thinking, a little confused, surprised) It’s really strange, this person … how can he be so familiar looking?
Su Yishui [stands up]: (Gently smiles) So it turns out to be Yun Shangjun, pardon my rudeness. (pause) Shangjun came to examine the Feng Shui. How is it around here?
Yun Zong: Feng Shui’s theory emphasizes the combination of qi, count and orientation. The place where this young man lives is hidden in tens of thousands of trees, and the first floor stands alone in the southwest –receiving natural spiritual essence, day and night splendor. Full of Yang energy, this is an excellent manor.
Su Yishui: (murmuring) An excellent manor (stunned, light smile) Shangjun has high views, this one humbly benefits from them.
Yun Zong: I dare not accept that compliment, this poor Taoist only knows a little. May I dare to ask this xiongtai’s name?
36:28
Su Yishui: (accommodating) This one’s surname is Su but is just an adviser under the prince. (Pauses, smiles slightly) If this Taoist doesn’t mind, how about coming in for a cup of tea?
Yun Zong: Sounds good. Then I will trouble this Xiongtai.
[The two walks through the courtyard together]
37:20
[Scene conversion]
[Night, Yun Zong is in the room, changes into night clothes]
[The window is suddenly hit by small stones]
Yun Zong: (low voice) Who is it?
[Yun Zong walks to the window, pushes the window open, sees Qin Ko Zen sitting in the tree, Qin Ko Zen sees Yun Zong watching him, and jumps from the tree]
Qin Ko Zen: (whispering, laughing) Shangjun, one person cannot be as valuable as two. Since you and I have the same goal, why not act together?
Yun Zong: (coldly) How do you know that I intended to infiltrate Heyang Villa once more specifically tonight?
37:46
Qin Ko Zen: (Pauses, laughs) Uh, I guessed.
Yun Zong: (thinking) His hair tips are soaked, how long has he been waiting outside… (resolute) No … could this person have been waiting outside for three consecutive nights? (Pauses, self-deprecating) As if. I’ve definitely thought wrong. He’s the brilliant sect leader of MingHua, how could he deign to doing such a stupid thing!
Yun Zong: Sect leader, since you said that you and I have the same purpose, then once we’ve found the target objective, what then? You’re not suggesting we would split it in half?
Qin Ko Zen: (Laughter) If Shangjun succeeds first, Qin will not force and will definitely acquiesce. If I were to succeed in the first place-(pause, slight laughter in his words) Shangjun can also win it. I haven’t seen Shangjun in so many days, perhaps I am no longer a match to your skills?
Yun Zong: (thinking, puzzled) These words from Qin Ko Zen are clearly concessions, intentionally ingratiating. What exactly does he intend, and why does he have to search with me … (sneering) Humph, this person is accustomed to hiding a knife in his smile, one blade on the face, and another blade on the back. (exasperated) But now that he’s entangled himself with me here… whatever.
Yun Zong: (whispering) You don’t have to say anymore, let’s go.
[The two walked out of the house gently and perform qing gong to travel fast]
39:42
[Scene conversion, night, outdoors, this perspective is Yun and Qin in a tree, He Lanyu and his party walk under the tree without seeing them]
Qin Ko Zen: What on earth is so urgent, that he had to rush back in at night. Look at the man next to him–
Yun Zong: (very low voice) That is Eunuch Liu from the imperial palace.
Qin Ko Zen: (very low voice) How very strange, why would he appear here in the middle of the night?
Yun Zong: (very low voice) Follow them.
40:04
[Qin and Yun jump down the tree and follow with qing gong behind them until He Lanyu stops at a court inside his manor]
[He Lanyu knocks on the wooden door twice, the door opens, and the group of people walk through before closing the gate]
Yun Zong: (thinking, surprised) This yard … isn’t this where Su Gongzi lives?
[Qin and Yun sneak in through the window and lean down to listen through the corner of the window. The breeze is blowing through the courtyard, the branches are swaying, and the rustling of the sounds of various insects and night owls sound]
40:25
He Lanyu: (irritable, low voice) Has there still been no news yet?
Eunuch Liu: (appeasing, whispers) My Lord please don’t be restless, this old slave will make everyone continue investigating.
[A person comes over and sits down]
Su Yishui: (persuading tone, whispering) Lord, currently this best option is to wait.
He Lanyu: (Angry, very impatient, whispering) But this Lord can’t wait! [Frustrated walking a few steps] The eldest brother and second brother looks on covetously at my military power. The ministers also repeatedly persuade my father emperor to summon Zhao Linan back to the capital. Although father emperor does not speak of it, he naturally can recognize strong vital personnel [against me].
Su Yishui: The dragon’s* heart is unpredictable. Furthermore, currently the most in favor is that Taoist.
[*dragon=emperor]
He Lanyu: Humph, the dragon heart is indeed unpredictable … If he really arranged for Zhao Linan to return to the capital, wouldn’t that be like breaking off one of this Lord’s arms?!
Su Yishui: Zhao Linan is stationed in the pass, and even the court could not easily move him. My Lord prince does not need to worry too much. (Pause, whispering) I happened to meet Yun Shangjun a few days ago here. The prince invited him to enter the manor at this impeccable time, mostly likely there is an intention of enticement here…
[Su Yishui straightened up, walks a few steps, turns around, and the candlelight “popped” on the table from the movement]
He Lanyu: (whispering) Yun Zong is Yun Lian’s [prime minister’s] son. Father emperor naturally sees him in a high light, if I could get him to agree to–
[All of the above is faint whispered dialogue]
Qin Ko Zen: (Seeing Su Yishui’s appearance, incredibly surprised) Ah!! (thinking) How is it possible?!
Eunuch Liu: (snapping) Who is outside the door?!
[The door is kicked open, Eunuch Liu and several night guards fly out chasing]
Qin Ko Zen: (low sound) Escape quickly!
[Qin and Yun run with qing gong simultaneously]
Eunuch Liu: (coldly) Hmph! Want to run? Not so easy!
[Liu and the night guards catch up with the two; they fight with QKZ and YZ]
Yun Zong [struggling]: (Shouting) You go!
[Yun Zong’s long sword is shot down, and was soon surrounded by several people]
Qin Ko Zen: (Worriedly shouting) Yun Zong!
[Qin continues fighting with others]
Yun Zong: (Sees Qin not going, shouting hurriedly) Go! They dare not mistreat me!
[Qin leaves quickly, Yun is caught by Liu, and Liu tears off his face covering]
Eunuch Liu: (coldly) I was curious as to who it was, turns out to be Yun Shangjun!
[He Lanyu walks out slowly]
He Lanyu: (hard tone) Shangjun had such a fine attitude that he decides to check on the Feng Shui even at night?
42:20
Yun Zong: Not as fine an attitude as this prince and Eunuch Liu who decide to meet in the middle of the night.
He Lanyu: Humph! Take him away!
[He Lanyu walks in front, Yun Zong and the guards walk in the back, walks to a courtyard, everyone stops, He Lanyu leads Yun Zong into the room]
[Once inside, He Lanyu turns around and stops to face him, Yun Zong’s footsteps stop too]
He Lanyu: Shangjun will stay here from tonight onwards.
Yun Zong: (lightly) So this prince does not intend to put this poor Taoist into the dungeon?
He Lanyu: (laughs, coldly) Shangjun is a distinguished guest of this Lord, how could you live in the dungeon?
Yun Zong: (Laughs) This Lord sure has a big heart.
He Lanyu: Humph, (pause) This Lord paid a heartfelt tribute to Shangjun. Yet this is how Shangjun repays this Lord. (Coldly) Speak! Who is the masked person who escaped?
Yun Zong: (faint) I also don’t know who the man is.
He Lanyu: (Sullen) Shangjun doesn’t know them? Then why would you act with that person?
43:33
Yun Zong: I just happened to pass by him and decided to act together. (Laughs lightly) It seems that the people who care about this prince is not just this poor Taoist.
He Lanyu: [Looking at Yun Zong for a long time] (devious, sneeringly sarcastic) So, this Lord must naturally thank Shangjun for his concern. Shangjun, please take a good rest tonight. (pause) For the safety of Shangjun, this Lord will arrange several guards outside the door. In the next few days, Shangjun shall just stay inside the room, don’t think of going out!
Yun Zong: (light smile, sarcastic) I appreciate this Lord’s concern.
He Lanyu: Humph!
[He Lanyu leaves, the door is closed, and the lock is placed]
44:24
Scene 6: Rescue
[The next day, daylight, Heyang Villa, Yun Zong’s room, under house arrest]
[A lock opening sound comes from outside, a person opens the door and walks into the room]
Su Yishui: (with a smile) This one arrived without warning, have I disturbed Shangjun’s quiet cultivation?
Yun Zong: I dare not. (pause) Please sit down.
[YZ pours a cup of tea]
Su Yishui [Take a sip of the tea cup and puts the cup down]: Shangjun, do you know why I’ve come to visit?
Yun Zong: (smile) To convince me to follow Su Qin, right?
Su Yishui: (Together) I dare not, I can’t afford to be a lobbyist. It’s just a few days ago I had a good conversation with Shangjun which was very pleasant. Last night I learned that there seemed to be a misunderstanding between Shangjun and the Lord, so I came here this morning to see if I could talk to Shangjun to resolve these misunderstandings.
45:31
Yun Zong: (thinking) Humph. What a misunderstanding ─ ─ if what was said last night travels to the emperor then it is a matter of decapitation!
Yun Zong: If this gongzi has something he wants to say then it’s okay to just speak it.
Su Yishui: Shangjun, what kind of person is the prince in your mind?
Yun Zong: The prince is extraordinary, a dragon and phoenix simultaneously amongst mortals.
Su Yishui: Since this is the case, why doesn’t Shangjun choose to patron such a talented person?
Yun Zong: (suddenly) This poor Taoist doesn’t understand ordinary affairs, I don’t know understand what Su Gongzi means?
Su Yishui: Shangjun, you and I don’t have to go around in circles at this time. The prince cherishes talents and does not to neglect Shangjun. Why should Shangjun causes trouble for the prince?
46:10
Yun Zong: (Slightly pondering) Su Gongzi has worried unnecessarily, please tell the prince that this poor Taoist is willing to stay here for a long time to examine the Feng Shui for the place. Please tell him to rest assured.
Su Yishui: (satisfied) Since Shangjun has such a wish, I will definitely tell the prince this.
Yun Zong: (Polite, laugh) Su Gongzi please walk slowly.
[Su leaves]
46:50
[Scene conversion]
[Night, outside the room, guards patrol, chat voices looming]
Guard 1: (yawning, extremely sleepy) His mother’s life is really sad [expletive], what an exhausting task! Why do you think the prince is locking the guy here?
Guard 2: Who knows, the will of the prince is naturally beyond the guessing of us guards. (Smells new scent, sniffs hard) Hey, do you smell that? What a smell, it’s really fragrant!
Guard 3: What a dog nose you have! I say Chen San, a kid like you shouldn’t complain anymore. Naturally, you wouldn’t know what you shouldn’t know.
Guard 2: Agreed, agreed. (Pause, frivolously) Hey, I say, after a few more days, it’ll be the ten day break. Sun Jiu and I are going to Piao Xiang Yuan Brothel to play, are you going?
Guard 3: Naturally I’ll go! Hehe hehe hey, I heard there are a few new girls over there…-eh, what the hell is this scent, such a good fragrance-(suddenly cut off, faints)
Guard 1: (Surprised) Chen San! (wants to call out, but is soon fatigued as well) What’s wrong with you… [faints]
Guard 2: (Surprised) … Come … help us… [falls to the ground]
[In the room, Yun Zong smelled the familiar scent]
Yun Zong: (thinking, startled) This scent … is Peaceful Soul Incense!
[YZ feels affected and bites the tip of his tongue]
[YZ trips, tries to get up, then almost falls again]
[The door opens, Qin Ko Zen strides in]
Yun Zong: (stunned, weakly) Master Qin, you…
Qin Ko Zen: (heavy toned) Don’t say more, follow me.
48:20
[Qin Ko Zen takes Yun Zong out of the room, closes the door, sprints with qing gong; soon more guards come over and finds the three people who have fainted]
Guard 4: (doubt) Chen San? Sun Jiu? Why are you all sleeping here? [Squats and pushes them, realizes something is wrong] Chen San? Chen San?
Guard 5 [Pushes the door open to YZ’s room and runs out immediately afterwards]: (Panicked) Not good! The Taoist ran away!
Guard 4 [Stands up]: What?! He can’t have gone far! Hurry up and don’t let that Taoist escape!
[A large number of soldiers are dispatched afterwards, many people are making footsteps chasing]
[The wind is roaring, QKZ and YZ continue to sprint with qing gong]
Qin Ko Zen: (whispering against Yun Zong’s ear) As long as we leave the vicinity of the villa, you and I will be safe, rest assured.
[Chasing soldiers behind about to catch up]
[He Lanyu: (Rage shouts) Heed my words! Never let them escape, unleash the arrows!! Arrows!!!
Guard 3: My Lord, they went to the east wall!
He Lanyu: (Furious, scolding) A bunch of useless subordinates! Arrows! Arrows!! They must not be allowed to escape from this Heyang Villa today!!
[Swoosh swish arrow sounds]
Qin Ko Zen: (Shot by an arrow) Ah!!!
Yun Zong: (anxious) You are injured?!
49:21
Qin Ko Zen: (Endures pain, simultaneously feeling happy bc of YZ’s concern) It’s okay, follow me closely——
[YZ stretched his hand out to support Qin, but didn’t think he’d also get an arrow on the arm]
[Both of them jump off the wall and land outside]
He Lanyu: (Angry) Open the door and chase!!! Fast!
[The guards pour out and chase outside]
[They see nothing but the raging river shoreline next to the wall]
He Lanyu: (angry, hateful) These blood stains! The two of them must have escaped into the river!
Guard 4: (Uneasy) Lord … Do you want to continue chasing?
He Lanyu: (Vicious, angry) OF COURSE!! All of you jump into the river and find them!! This Lord won’t believe they’ve been completely washed away! (pause) Pass my words down! Within a hundred mile radius, give strict search, this Lord wants to see a person if alive, a corpse if dead!
Guard 4/5/6: Yes!
50:45
[Scene change, Yun Zong sits by fire in a cave with unconscious QKZ; firewood crackles]
Qin Ko Zen: (groggily waking up, gasping in pain) Um … Yun Zong? (After looking around, puzzled) This cave … how can we be in such a place?
Yun Zong: We were led here by the river. (Fiddling with firewood) You were hit with three arrows on your body, but fortunately they didn’t hurt any vitals. I’ve pulled out all the arrows for you, but the wounds have entered the water, I am afraid they will inflame. Do you carry any healing materials such as jinchuang medicine powder?
Qin Ko Zen: (Heavy breathing) Yes, there are … I’m in a lot of pain right now, I’m afraid I’ll have to burden Shangjun to get the medicine [indicates where inside his robe, close to his bosom]
[Yun Zong reaches out, touches the bottle within his clothes, takes it out]
Yun Zong: Is this the right one?
51:44
Qin Ko Zen: (weak breathing) Mmm…
[Yun Zong pulls off the bottle cap, takes off Qin’s clothing, and starts to apply the medicine on his back]
Yun Zong: (Speaking as he moves) There will be some pain, bear it for now.
Qin Ko Zen (sighing with a shuddering gasp, heavy breathing) [one hand holding Yun Zong’s hand, sees the blood also down the man’s arm]: Shangjun … (said weakly while panting) Shangjun … you … you are hurt too?
Yun Zong: (lightly) My injuries are not serious, I have dealt with them myself.
Qin Ko Zen: (Hesitant) Shangjun …
Yun Zong [Continuing the action of applying medication]: (lightly) Master Qin, now that you and I are both at the ends of our ropes, if He Lanyu’s soldiers find us we stand no chance of resisting. It’s best if this sect leader rests later; right now it’s best we look for another further away hiding place while the sky is still dark.
Qin Ko Zen: (quiet, weak, gasping) Shangjun is right, this one is still able to carry on, let’s go.
52:43
Yun Zong (concerned) [plugs the bottle cap and put it back in Qin’s clothes] : Don’t worry, this leader is seriously injured right now, let’s take a short break first.
[The two are silent in the face of the fire, the fire crackling]
Qin Ko Zen: (Suddenly, inexplicably) Why did Shangjun save me?
53:13
Yun Zong: (lightly) The leader is injured from saving me. How could I just abandon this sect leader? Should I have just left you to die?
Qin Ko Zen: (Sadly) Was it only just for that reason … (whispering, sad smile) If I can die by your side, I’d still be content.
Yun Zong [Stands Up]: Sect leader continue resting here. This poor Taoist will go further in to examine the cave.
Qin Ko Zen: (Surprise) Where are you going?! I will go with you!
Yun Zong [Yun Zong relents, he supports Qin Ko Zen by the shoulders and the two walk down together]: He Lanyu would never let us go, he must have ordered a search across the grounds. It’s almost dawn. I’m afraid that if we went back the way we came then we’ll only find our deaths. This poor Taoist checked earlier. This cavern is extremely deep but there is still a water passage in it. We can follow the water to its source and use it as an exit. This way, we may still have a chance of living.
54:23
Qin Ko Zen: What if this cave does not have another exit? (Pauses, smiles, to himself) That wouldn’t be too bad though. When He Lanyu sends his people in, we two can die as a couple together…
Yun Zong [YZ stops, Qin also stops because he’s being supported by him]: Impossible.
Qin Ko Zen: (suddenly, embarrassed) Even if we don’t make a dead couple, we’ll still have died together…
Yun Zong: (Resolutely) It’s impossible for there not to be another exit. (Pause) Save some energy and speak less. It’s better to get out before dawn.
Qin Ko Zen: (speaking, embarrassed) Cough … Then let’s go quickly…
[The two walk slowly down the cave’s path, sound of water trickling beside them]
55:42
Scene seven: Shocking Changes
[One night later, in the early morning, the two walk to the end of the cave and hear bird calls]
Qin Ko Zen (breathy): Shangjun’s guessing is really impressive! (Pause, whisper) Uh … Shangjun, can you … can you give me some privacy for a bit?
Yun Zong: What’s happened?
Qin Ko Zen: (Embarrassed) This … this one is … needs to relieve himself.
[YZ helps Qin to a corner place just outside the cave, near the trees and bushes of the forested, upper mountain landscape they are now in]
Yun Zong: (also a little embarrassed) This poor Taoist will look away.
[After speaking, YZ walks some distance and sits down on a rock, turning away from QKZ]
[YZ waits for the leader to finish, hears the sound of rustling clothes]
*afterwards*
Qin Ko Zen [Walks in front of Yun Zong]: Shangjun, let’s go.
Yun Zong [Stands Up]: (lightly while walking with QKZ down forested path) Master Qin, after we make it out of this pass and we reach a place where people are gathered, we’ll go our separate ways.
56:42
Qin Ko Zen: (stunned) Why? Where are you going?
Yun Zong: (with a faint smile) That is none of this sect leader’s business, is it?
Qin Ko Zen: (stunned, trembling) I thought … just now, that you and I cared for each other through life and death.
Yun Zong: (thinking, scornfully) Caring about each other through life and death? When has this statement ever applied between Qin Ko Zen and I? How ridiculous.
Yun Zong: (lightly) This poor Taoist and sect leader walked originally different paths in life, why should we cross with each other now. After getting out of this mountain pass, we’ll become passersby to each other once more. By then, I bid this sect leader to take care of yourself.
[Yun Zong turns away and walks ahead]
Qin Ko Zen [Coming up from behind Yun Zong]: (whispering) Doesn’t Shangjun … want that thing we were searching for?
[After listening, Yun Zong continues to walk ahead.]
Yun Zong: This poor Taoist will continue searching on my own, and will not bother the sect leader.
Qin Ko Zen: Then Shangjun also doesn’t want to know who entrusted me to come here in the first looking for the same thing as you?
[Yun Zong’s footsteps stop]
Yun Zong: Is this sect leader willing to say?
57:43
Qin Ko Zen: (sly smile) There is still some distance away from the bottom of this mountain pass. If Shangjun chats with me until then to relieve my boredom, maybe I will say it if I am not careful.
Yun Zong: Humph!
[Turns away, fluttering of sleeves sound]
[The two gradually walk deep into the woods]
Qin Ko Zen [Walking slowly behind]: (weakly) Shangjun, I have a wound on my body, I really can’t walk fast, can we walk slower?
[Yun Zong slows a bit, QKZ still lags behind]
Qin Ko Zen: (weakly) No, I still can’t keep up, Shangjun please walk slower!
Yun Zong: (Forbearing anger) Sect leader, if we wait for the soldiers of He Lanyu to arrive, I’m afraid that you and I won’t be able to leave at all.
Qin Ko Zen: (poor and weak) But I really can’t walk fast … unless, unless Shangjun can carry me on his back?
[Yun Zong ignores, keeps going, Qin lags behind him but is still keeping up, one step after the other]
59:16
Qin Ko Zen: (sighs) Such a beautiful scenery, birds and flowers, if only I could tour this place, hand in hand, with Shangjun, it would be such a wonderful thing!
[While walking suddenly Qin squats down and groans in pain, Yun Zong hurriedly walks over and kneels down to examine him]
Yun Zong: (Slightly worried) What’s wrong?
Qin Ko Zen: (weak) I … I don’t know if the wound on my back has been pulled apart because of the walking, the pain is really bad…
Yun Zong: (concerned, shocked) Let me see.
[Going behind Qin, Qin takes off his shirt, Yun checks the injury]
Yun Zong: It’s okay, the wound hasn’t reopened.
[Qin redresses]
Qin Ko Zen: (very miserably) But if I take one step, it hurts really badly.
Yun Zong: (exasperated) Has this leader never been hurt before? Endure it!
Qin Ko Zen: (sighs, aggrieved) When I get injured, since when do I have to continue working so hard?
1:00:07
Yun Zong: Then let’s rest for a bit before continuing to travel.
[Qin sits down against a tree trunk, Yun also sits down a few steps away from him against a rock]
[Breeze blowing, various birds sing]
Qin Ko Zen: (Concerned) Shangjun, I think you look tired, are you sleepy? You might as well rest right now too.
1:00:26
Yun Zong: (pause, softly) Okay, then I will take a short nap. Wake me up later.
Qin Ko Zen: Yes, I will guard Shangjun.
[Yun Zong leans on the stone to sleep slowly]
Qin Ko Zen: (thinking, sighing) He decided to sleep just like that, Yun Zong …… are you putting down your wariness to me … or are you seeing me as nothing in your eyes…
[Qin slowly stands up, walks to Yun’s side, sits down, gently raises his hand to softly stroke Yun Zong’s cheek]
Qin Ko Zen: (murmuring) … Maybe, I have never really been this close to you before, Yun Zong…
[Qin Ko Zen takes Yun Zong’s hand and slowly leans down, close to Yun Zong’s lips]
Qin Ko Zen: (Emotional, low voice) Yun Zong……
[Suddenly there is a voice behind him, Su Yishui walks up to them]
Su Yishui: (chuckles) Shidi sure is in a good mood.
[Qin is surprised, immediately stands up and leaps to block in front of Yun Zong, Yun Zong wakes up a moment later]
[At the same time, brigades of Su Yishui’s officers arrive from far and near]
Qin Ko Zen: (Looking at Su Yishui, the face is enigmatically gloomy, and unsteady gaze) Er Shixiong, I trust you have been well since we last met.
Yun Zong: (shocked) You are… Su Yishui?!
Yun Zong: (thinking) No wonder at first glance this Su Gongzi looked familiar … this person is related to Su Yifeng!
Su Yishui [slowly approaches Qin]: (up close to QKZ, quiet voice) I imagine shidi wants to ask me why I’m not dead? Was it shocking to see me in Heyang Villa that day?
Qin Ko Zen: (internal thoughts; his heart is flipping up and down, shaken from heaven to hell in emotion) More than shocked … when I first saw the perfectly living Su Yishui that night, I almost thought I was dreaming! At that time … it was I that personally stabbed him through the chest with my sword … it was I that held him as we fell off the cliff together … but after waking up, only I was rescued, and shixiong’s body was nowhere to be found …
Su Yishui: (laughs) I thought you were visiting Heyang Villa again to find me, who knew it was to break someone out.
Qin Ko Zen: (dull and cold) You died, as far as I’m concerned, six years ago.
Su Yishui: Oh? (Laughs) Since you don’t recognize me as your shixiong, then don’t blame me for not showing you any respect. (to the brigades) Come here! Take these two!
1:03:13
[A large number of guards draw their weapons and slowly approach]
Qin Ko Zen (sneering): You are counting your victory too soon, Su Yishui!
[Qin Ko Zen’s hand releases a signal, and a lot of MingHua sect members appear from the shadows of the woods, they easily outnumber and knock out the troops Su Yishui brought]
[One sect member rushes out to Qin and kneels before him on one knee]
Sect member 1: This servant has arrived late, I beg the leader for forgiveness.
All of the MH sect members present in unison: This servant has arrived late, I beg the leader for forgiveness.
Su Yishui: (after his shock, laughs) Shidi, after a few years, you’ve really improved a lot-how could you ambush my people here in advance?
1:03:40
Qin Ko Zen: (sneers) I naturally have my way.
Su Yishui: (Thinking about it, realizes) Oh, I understand. You used the sect’s Scattered Star Bomb to summon sect members already stationed close to the Heyang Mountain Villa, right? (pauses, then flashes long smile) You didn’t know that I would chase you here in advance, but instead you feared that Yun Shangjun would escape, right? I wondered before, why would you suddenly come to rescue someone from the grasp of the prince -turns out that you were afraid of this Taoist falling into the wrong hands, am I right?
Qin Ko Zen: (hard toned) You have now become He Lanyu’s stooge. I naturally can’t stand by and watch Shangjun be placed under your house arrest.
1:04:15
Su Yishui: (sullen face) Humph. I follow the prince and you are also a chess piece for another Lord. We’re all the same. Why say such hypocritical words?
[The atmosphere is stiff between the two, they are on the verge of confrontation]
Yun Zong: (whispering) So that’s how it was … (pause, suddenly uttering) Master Qin, you deliberately delayed time along the way just to wait for your soldiers to come. You stopped a few times to leave marks on trees to facilitate them finding us.
[Qin Ko Zen does not answer, the atmosphere becomes depressed]
Yun Zong: (thoughts are filled with self-deprecation, extremely disappointed and painful) I wondered before why Qin Ko Zen would come and save me… everything was within his calculations … healing him, taking him on the run … now it seems, everything was just another joke. This person is insidious and cunning. I can never believe in him. I already knew this… I already knew this … and yet still, I was cheated again…
Qin Ko Zen: (not knowing how to explain, hesitating) Yun Zong! I……
[Yun Zong suddenly flew to accost Su Yishui; drawing a dagger out from within his sleeve to press it against Su Yishui’s neck]
Qin Ko Zen: (His face changed drastically) Yun Zong, what are you doing!
Yun Zong: (coldly) If you don’t want me to hurt him, step away!
[Yun Zong with Su Yishui moves slowly backwards]
Yun Zong: (whispering) Apologies for the offense, Su Gongzi.
Su Yishui: Ugh.
Sect member 1: (Hesitating) Sect leader? This……
Qin Ko Zen [Clenching his fists]: (loudly) Arrest those two!
Sect Members 1/2: Yes!
[The two people rushed forward to grab them]
Yun Zong: (thinking, surprised) Qin Ko Zen is completely disregarding Su Yishui’s life!
[Yun Zong retreats a few steps further back, tightens his hand, and lightly breaks the skin on Su Yishui’s neck, drawing blood]
Qin Ko Zen: (Seeing the blood his eyes suddenly widened to the max, shouting angrily) Yun Zong! Don’t think of hurting my shixiong! (Roaring to the rest of the sect members) What are you all still doing stunned! Quickly arrest them! Take them down!
Sect members 1/2/3/4/5: Yes!
[MingHua sect members rush in]
[Yun Zong is shocked, he grabs Su Yishui and leaps into the air to avoid them, but suddenly he gets confronted by Qin Ko Zen up close, midair, and gets Su Yishui snatched from his arms.]
Qin Ko Zen: (after landing with Su Yishui, urgently asking) Shixiong, are you hurt?!
[In the shock of the moment, Yun Zong isn’t able to avoid an attack palm from a sect member that hits him right on the chest; Yun Zong is beaten and falls a few feet away, hitting a tree]
Yun Zong: (coughs up a lot of blood) Cough cough cough cough
Qin Ko Zen [turning to and moving towards him]: (heart aching, anxious and concerned) Yun Zong … Are you okay?
[Yun Zong stands up slowly, wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth, lightly coughing]
Yun Zong: (thinking) So it turns out that Qin Ko Zen cares so much about Su Yishui…..the reason why he dared to forcefully grab the person is because he was sure that even if I took Su Yishui hostage, I would never hurt him. Therefore, he became really mad when he saw me cutting Su Yishui’s neck with the dagger. He was afraid that I would hurt his shixiong…
1:07:15
Yun Zong: (wants to laugh but coughs up blood again) Ha-cough, pah-
Qin Ko Zen: (stunned, concerned, anxious) Yun Zong……
[Su Yishui breaks away from Qin’s grasp suddenly and walks a few steps away]
Su Yishui: (screams to his remaining brigade members and the MingHua sect members) What are all of you doing looking around dazed! Hurry up and arrest Yun Zong!
1:07:25
[LOWER VOLUME IF WEARING HEADPHONES. GETS VERY LOUD SOON. PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF EARS.]
[A large number of guards / sect members flock to surround YZ]
Yun Zong [steps back a few more feet, near edge of mountain precipice above the sea]: (again vomits a bit of blood, coldly smiling) Even in death, I will never fall into your hands!
[He jumps.]
Qin Ko Zen: (heartbroken, screaming in despair) Yun Zong! ! ! Don’t–! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Yun Zong! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Yun Zong: (Thinking, very pained, while falling) Yun Zong, today’s situation, is your retribution for believing in the wrong person……
[Falls gently, clothes flutter, the wind screams as YZ disappears below the clouds of the mountain; his person dissipating with the howling wind]
[Qin Ko Zen desperately rushed to the cliff too late to catch him; his whole person kneels on the ground and looks on despairingly pass the cliff]
[The wind is roaring, no one speaks]
[Qin Ko Zen smashes the cliff stones in anger/despair]
Qin Ko Zen: (quiet, murmured, crying, heartbroken) Yun Zong, Yun Zong … Yun Zong …
[Into the ED]
[After the ED]
[Silence]
1:11:57
Su Yishui: (faintly sighs) Sending so many people to arrest him and still he managed to escape ─ but did he really survive the jump from such a high cliff?
[Qin Ko Zen does not answer]
Su Yishui: (laughs, whispering maliciously) Master Qin, how does this scene compare to that of six years ago? (Pauses, loudly) For now let’s end our business together. See you later. [Turns around] (to the officers) Let’s go!
[Surviving brigade leaves, the sound of footsteps fade away]
[Wind howling, Qin Ko Zen stares at the cliff, stands up, turns around]
Qin Ko Zen: (frigidly) Just now, who was the one that hurt him?!
[Everyone looks at each other, no one dares to answer]
Qin Ko Zen: (Voice raised, angry) Just now, who was the one that hurt him?!
[A sect member tentatively walks out of the crowd]
Teachers 1: (slightly palpitated heart) Sect leader … this … isn’t it better to send people to find him right now?
Qin Ko Zen: (silence, trying to suppress his anger, coldly) Go!
[He leaves with sect members]
Qin Ko Zen: (thinking) I won’t believe that you are dead just like this Yun Zong, even if I have to turn over the all the rivers and seas. Travel all across the world, I will find you!
Definitely-Not-Embarrassed's Chinese Translations 
QKZ: “This … this one is … needs to relieve himself”
I heard no pissing noises, he’s definitely masturbating instead. Only explanation of their embarrassment.
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