Find the episode here: https://www.missevan.com/sound/player?id=633249
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.
He Lanchu: The 7th prince to the dynasty, around 26 years old, deeply in love with Fang Ji but has complicated history with the man which caused Fang to avoid him in present time; enemies against He Lanyu since adolescence; covetous of throne just like He Lanyu
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Red Dust Road Episode 5
Qin Ko Zen: (Muttering, in emotional pain) That person is to me, the only variable in the red dust world. I … I did n’t know what was real love before, and I did many wrong things to him … I caused him to lose ten years of his skillset … He left me twice … I couldn’t keep him…
Yun Zong: (Heart shaken but maintains his composure as he speaks, low voice) Love in the world is in the end not something that can be forced. Qin Gongzi is best suited to move on, maybe for that person, that was a kind of relief.
Qin Ko Zen: (Happy, low tone) Actually … [Qin Ko Zen suddenly hold YZ up close again.] I was very happy when you blocked in front of me just now.
Qin Ko Zen: Yun Zong [Qin Ko Zen’s head gradually lowers and buries it in the crook of Yun Zong’s neck, arms tightening around him, his hot breaths blowing against YZ’s neck]…as I said in the carriage … I will never lie to you again in the future, can you … (internal monologue) Can you forget the past and stop looking at me like this?
Yun Zong: (surprised, ashamed and annoyed) Stop …stop! Qin Ko Zen! What do you want to do! QKZ! Stop! Stop!
Qin Ko Zen: (Crazy Roar) What ‘Clear Heart Tactics’ skill … you’re forbidden to practice it anymore! Not being emotional or lustful … I intentionally just want you to be lustful! I want you to be entangled with me until you die! You are not allowed to go back to Qing Feng Guan, not allowed to be Yun Shangjun! Temple Lord Yun!
Yun Zong: (weak toned, but the resolute) Even if I die, don’t think you’ll violate me again…
Announcement: The original work of Su Te, the ancient style drama danmei, “Red Dust Road”, the fifth issue, welcome to listen.
2:20
(Inside Yuquan Palace interior, a young lady dressed in fine clothes sitting beside a maidservant is playing the guqin to QKZ who looks distracted and not really listening)
2:36
QKZ: (deeply distressed, eyes distant and not paying attention until music stops, sighs) “Your melody has not yet finished, why has this princess stopped?”
Princess Mu Liushang: “The song I played is naturally a happy celebratory tune yet when this leader listens he has a gloomy, sighing disposition. Was this one’s qing skills inadequate or does this sect leader hate my Yuquan Palace to the point where you are unable to sit still for even a moment?”
QKZ: “This Qin lord had no intention of offending, this princess’ guqin skills are extraordinary but…this Qin lord indeed has other worries on their mind. How about, after this Qin lord resolves their worries then I will return to intently listen to this princess’ skills.”
Princess Mu Liushang: “This sect leader very rarely looks so troubled and unsettled. Liushang was kidding just now, sect leader please do as you wish.”
QKZ: “I thank this princess for being so generous and understanding, I will definitely abide by what I’ve promised. This one will take their leave first.”
3:45
(He leaves. After he is out of sight, the maidservant walks to the princess, setting down a tray of tea and refreshments.)
Maidservant: “Princess, why did the MingHua sect leader come all this way to Yuquan Palace?
Princess: “What else but for our exclusive elixir, Drunken Life and Dream Death?”
Maidservant (shocked): “Drunken Life and Dream Death?! Who does leader Qin want to deal with that he would need this Drunken Life and Dream Death!”
Princess: “An act born from desperate pining is not for anyone to guess.”
4:18
(Interior of YZ’s bedroom, YZ is at his bedside, QKZ is pouring liquids from two bottles into cups)
QKZ: “The contents of these two cups are one “Drunken Life” and “Dream Death”; consuming Drunken Life will cause you to forget all troubles and worries, all past events will turn into dissipated smoke, consuming Dream Death will cause you to die in a few hours while enjoying a good sweet dream. Shangjun is currently in my hands; escape is likely impossible for you. So, the question is, do you choose to live or to die?”
YZ: “Is there a third option? Neither Drunken Life nor Dream Death is something I want; if I can’t live in clarity than I’m also unwilling to die during a false dream. If this sect leader wants my life, you need not do anything this complicated.”
QKZ: (angrily) “So you’re choosing death?!”
YZ: (indifferently) “Even choosing death, I want to die with clarity.”
5:23
QKZ: “If that is the case-” (he takes out from inside his robe a stoppered ceramic bottle and offers it to YZ) “-here is an intestinal piercing-stomach rotting poison; I’ll grant your wish.”
YZ: “I thank this sect leader.” (He grabs, unstops the bottle, and chugs the contents).
(QKZ is shocked but reacts quickly: walking to him, he uses qi to pat the man on the back, forcing him to spit out the poison where it dissolves into the air afterwards).
(YZ coughs)
5:40
QKZ: “You – you’d rather die…than let go of the past to stay living by my side?!” (angrily smashes bottle onto the ground) (screams in anger) (leaves room; YZ falls into unconsciousness afterwards out of weakness)
(QKZ walks out into courtyard, daytime, sun is bright, birds singing in background)
Princess: “Sect leader, has the matter been settled?
QKZ: “HUMPH!” (swishes his sleeves, turns away, angry)
Princess: “I can see it hasn’t. What a shame, that Drunken Life and Dream Death was not easily taken out by this one. Forgive me for speaking out of turn but this Drunken Life and Dream Death is best not consumed at all; though this medicine can make one forget their past, it in essence turns them into a puppet. Have you not heard of the saying, that in order to win someone, it’s best to focus on the heart, what’s the point in only obtaining someone’s empty shell?”
6:51
QKZ: “But what if…the person’s heart is extremely hard to attain?”
Princess: “Anything worth attaining will be hard to obtain. Has this sect leader ever thought that, using this method to get the one you want…the person that stays, would they still be the one you want?”
QKZ: (Internal monologue) That’s right, if I were to use this method to get YZ, would the person remaining still really be him? Would it still be the one whose eyes are not stained with red dust affairs? Would it still be that one who always stands as a bystander to the world? If he lost all power and memories, he’d really just be like a walking zombie.
Princess: “I actually…was like you once and tried this method to obtain someone’s heart…in the end though, I just pushed the person further away from me.”
QKZ: “Princess, you-“
Princess: “I just don’t want this sect leader to follow in my footsteps.”
8:00
QKZ: “I thank princess for the advice. This Qin lord knows what to do now.”
(YZ awakens and sits up, right as a servant comes in carrying a tray of fresh tea and refreshments)
8:39
Servant (comes running in): “Aiya, senior, please don’t recklessly move about. This humble servant will pour some tea for you to drink and soothe your throat.”
YZ (internal monologue) Senior? (feels his own face) QKZ…has put the mask back on my face, why would he do so?
Servant (offering tea cup): “Here you go.”
YZ: (low voice) “Miss, may I ask what place is this?”
QKZ (speaking from afar as he walks from entrance to YZ’s bedside) “This is Yuquan Palace, your body is unwell, you should lie down and continue resting.
[Before he’d come in, QKZ had seen the kind disposition YZ had exhibited while speaking with the maid; though he’d been wearing the face mask, QKZ could still clearly see the smile in his eyes when he talked. But when those same eyes fell on him the smiles disappeared and QKZ couldn’t help the bitterness that gripped his heart.]
QKZ: (walks closer, addressing servant) You can retreat.”
Servant: “Yes.” (She leaves, closes door on her way out.)
QKZ: “Shangjun, do you know why I was investigating Heyang Villa in the middle of the night?”
YZ: “Is this sect leader willing to say?”
QKZ (seeing he is willing to speak with him, QKZ couldn’t help smiling, replying): “Actually, I too was sent there on a mission by someone distinguished. Sent there to find proof of He Lanyu’s uprising against the emperor.”
YZ (he’d guessed as much by then but was surprised that QKZ would so openly confess this fact to him): “You…why are you telling me this?”
9:36
QKZ: “Because…I want to work together with Shangjun; since you and have the same goal: we both want to find evidence of He Lanyu’s treason, why don’t we agree on a plan to entrap him. How does that sound? (sorrowful, apologetic) In the past, it was all my fault, I shouldn’t have offended Shangjun in that way and shouldn’t have….said those asshole things. Please Shangjun, I beg you not to keep them in your heart…therefore, is Shangjun willing to listen to my plan?”
[YZ is shocked in his heart. He didn’t understand how QKZ’s personality would suddenly take a complete turn like this: no longer using amoral methods to shame and break him, actually wanting to cooperate with him.
Currently, he was completely in his captivity; he really didn’t have any capability of rejecting anything. So why bother asking? Just what was this man up to now?]
10:15
YZ: “I invite this lord to speak his plan.”
QKZ: “Shangjun can pretend to be Li Mohuai, a high ranking officer in my MingHua sect, assist me in resisting the rebellion. He Lanyu is afraid of his machinations being revealed and also any development occurring in the capital, so he would naturally have many underground movements at work. Shangjun and I can surreptitiously return to capital, watch his movements and then act accordingly at an opportune time, how does that sound?”
YZ: “Go with you back to the capital?”
QKZ: “Mmm. We can leave tomorrow.”
[Scene transition to bustling street market, full of lively hawkers, horses in background riding closer, horses neigh as QKZ and YZ’s carriage comes to a halt in front of a huge lavish manor]
Manservant: “Master, we have arrived.”
QKZ: “Mmh.” (Turns to YZ who is in his elderly face mask/disguise, QKZ helps him out of the carriage) “Senior, slow down, please watch your step.”
YZ (pulls his hand out of his grip, low voice): “I thank this sect leader’s concern but this senior is fine on his own.”
(They walk to the large villa/manor.)
[Door opens, out comes a 50 year old housekeeper of the lavish manor]: “Gongzi, was the road back to this capital smooth? My master is already waiting for you inside.”
YZ: (quietly) “Master?”
QKZ: “It’s someone you know. The person who sent me to Heyang Villa to find evidence.”
YZ (internal monologue): These exotic flowers, fine statues and musical instruments are all quite expensive and hard to come by; an exquisite display of Jiangnan’s culture on display. Such a big manor that is decorated so lavishly, and right under the Emperor’s nose….is the justice department aware of such extravagance?
12:29
He Lanchu: “Leader Qin has finally returned. I had long since ordered for them to prepare for you this arrangement of dishes to welcome you back.”
YZ: (internal monologue) The 7th lord. He Lanchu?
QKZ: (cupping his hands together while bowing in obeisance) “An honor to see this respected lord.”
YZ: (follows suit, bowing in same fashion): “An honor to see this respected lord.”
He Lanchu: “Eh? Who is this? Why have you brought him to meet with me?”
QKZ: “He is a high officer in my sect, Li Mohuai. He is my most trusted person. Back at Heyang Villa, in order to save my life, he suffered a grave injury and was thankfully saved by Fang Gongzi-“ (He Lanchu’s attention is immediately captured by this name, he walks closer while listening intently) “-and could therefore come back with me to the capital.”
He Lanchu: “Fang Gongzi? You mean to say…Ah Ji?!”
QKZ: “Indeed.”
He Lanchu (to YZ): “Officer Li, where did you encounter him? When you met him, how was his disposition? Was he…is he…okay?”
YZ (internal monologue): Could it be that He Lanchu…is the distinguished old friend that Fang Gongzi mentioned?
YZ: “This senior at the time had fallen into a body of water, and thankfully received salvation from Fang Gongzi. He…lives on a houseboat. Everything is good with him, this lord need not worry.”
QKZ: “This high end officer of my sect has become kindred spirits with Fang Gongzi, if this lord is in need of anything…”
He Lanchu (happily): “If I ever need anything I will naturally not hesitate to ask.”
13:43
QKZ: “We’ve talked for so long that it seems the dishes have gotten cold in waiting. My lord, please sit.”
He Lanchu: “Leader Qin also has experienced a long arduous travel, please sit as well.”
YZ (internal monologue): Qin Ko Zen is the leader of MingHua sect; he had previously, on multiple separate occasions, been hunted by the imperial court. While He Lanchu is a royal prince, how could the two be cohorts?… Just who exactly wants to overthrow the Emperor? He Lanyu or He Lanchu?
He Lanchu: “Leader Qin, my messenger told me that at Heyang Villa, there was someone else besides you also searching my Third Elder Brother’s personal study, do you know who it was?”
QKZ: “Oh I was just going to inform my lord about this matter. The person that night was the leader of Qing Feng Guan, the Temple Lord Yun, who for some reason was also there to investigate Heyang Villa.”
He Lanchu: “Oh? From what I hear, that person is your close acquaintance?”
QKZ: “I indeed have feelings for him…but he does not reciprocate.”
14:57
He Lanchu (amused because he thinks Yun Shangjun is out of his league): “Your [tastes] are quite (thinks better of his words)…that Yun Shangjun, I too have also seen a few times. Even Father Emperor praised him for his extraordinary charisma. To think that you would invest your feelings in the man…if you were to really win his affections, I’d be deeply impressed by you.”
QKZ (smiles slowly) : “On this matter…(his gaze locks on Yun Zong in a meaningful way), over time, you never know, maybe one day Shangjun will become moved by my efforts?”
He Lanchu (laughs heartily): “Someone with your personality speaking of the phrase ‘over time, you never know’? I’m just afraid you won’t be able to endure the wait and will end up using some Machiavellian ploy to get him in the end!”
QKZ (clears his throat, shoots one glance at YZ and is relieved to see the man’s indifference for once; he tries changing topics): “My lord…are you not curious as to why Yun Zong was investigating Heyang Villa?”
He Lanchu: “If he went, then it must have been by Father Emperor’s will.”
QKZ: “Which goes to say that the Emperor isn’t exactly unaware of the Third Prince’s [He Lanyu’s] ploys?”
He Lanchu: “Father Emperor is wise, how could he not protect himself? Not just Third Elder Brother, I’m afraid that Father Emperor also has a suspicion towards me. He keeps stalling in naming who shall be Crown Prince because he’s waiting to see who reveals their dastardly side first from impatience; that person will be the first chicken slaughtered as an example for the others. If I don’t make a move now to protect myself, how can I defend myself later?”
16:18
YZ: (internal monologue) He Lanchu’s words….if they got heard by the emperor would undoubtedly be considered high treason and greatly against filial teachings. How could a son speculate against the will of his father, saying that his father was paranoid against him?
QKZ: “What you say is correct, the will of the emperor is not easily predictable. To be prepared beforehand is naturally the best course of action. Additionally, the Third Lord has always seen you as a rival. If you don’t deal with him first, you won’t even know what ploys he’ll execute against you. The only issue is…after this failed attempt to get any evidence, the Third Lord will have undoubtedly taken heed. Finding any evidence against him now might be near impossible.”
17:00
He Lanchu: “No harm done. That Heyang Mountain Villa is just his side manor. After a bit of time he’ll have to return to the capital as well. By which I’ll have to rely on the tricks of your trade.”
QKZ: “Of course.”
He Lanchu: “As such, this lord will drink this cup as an expression of gratitude.” (raises his wine glass to toast)
QKZ: “This lord is too kind. I will definitely not disappoint my lord!” (toasts)
(they laugh together, sounds fade)
17:42
[Scene transition]
(Late night, in the courtyard, owls sound)
YZ: “This 7th lord is unique; today was my first time meeting him and he confided in such confidential matters to me.”
QKZ: “To use a person you have to trust them; I am close with the 7th lord so he would naturally not doubt someone who is my confidante.” (sighs) “He may look bloodthirsty but in reality he hides a heart of naivete.”
YZ: “Why did you intentionally let me know about you and the 7th prince’s plans? Aren’t you afraid that I will tattle on you to the emperor?”
18:24
QKZ: “I’ve said it before, since I am working with you I will naturally only show you my true heart. I will never hide anything more from you ever again. If Shangjun really were to reveal this matter, I’m afraid that neither me nor the 7th lord will be able to avoid the word death.”
(Walking together through the courtyard)
YZ: (after thinking for a while) “If the 7th lord has no interest in overthrowing the throne and is only doing everything to protect himself, I will naturally not inform anything to the emperor. But how can you be sure that he has no other ulterior motive?”
QKZ: “Though this kingdom is enticing, it’s still not something that everyone covets. Do you know what is the one and only thing that the 7th lord wants in his heart?”
YZ: “What is it?”
QKZ: “It’s your friend, Fang Ji. Back in the day, because of a few misunderstandings, Fang Ji left for good. The 7th lord is constantly wishing and wanting with all his heart to find the man again -to take him back and never let go. How could the 7th lord care for just a kingdom instead? It’s just that now because the 3rd lord has made ambitions for the throne and has been a constant rival to the 7th lord since adolescence, the man cannot help but find a way to protect himself. I can guarantee to Shangjun that the 7th lord only wants the 3rd lord’s treasonous ploy to be revealed, and nothing else.”
19:52
YZ: “If that is the case, then what is your motive for working with him?”
QKZ: “If I said…it was for Shangjun, yourself?
YZ (angry, flutters his sleeves and turns away): “Sect leader! Please be respectful with your words.”
QKZ: “In the past, I worked with the 7th lord for shixiong, so that one day I could sit on the throne of the martial world but now…that objective has long since changed.” (He turns suddenly and moves to stare right into YZ’s eyes). “Right now, I genuinely just do it for you.”
[YZ sees QKZ’s encroaching self and couldn’t help back backing up.]
YZ (sees him still closing in, voice remaining steady): “Sect leader Qin, you promised this poor Taoist, to never again speak this type of nonsense speech.”
QKZ: (distraught) “So you think these words are only nonsense…”
YZ: (indifferent) “It’s already late into the night, this poor Taoist will take his leave first. This sect leader should retire to his room as well.”
[YZ leaves, QKZ is left in courtyard by himself.]
QKZ (frustrated/angry/distraught): “Why do I have to be so indecisive and hesitant?! Wavering and acquiescing!” (smashes rock in front of him; talking to himself) “After He Lanchu is successful I will make him dismantle Qing Feng Guan, make it so that you can never go back, can never again be that emotionless Yun Shangjun!”
21:31
(Some days later, early morning after YZ gets up, he starts to practice his sword skill in the main courtyard, after a while, when he turns back around, he suddenly sees QKZ’s happily smiling disposition. The man was standing beneath the flowering trees, shoulders wet with dew. YZ wonders how long he’d been standing there.)
21:50
QKZ: (praising, clapping) “Good! Shangjun’s ‘White Cloud Parsing Sleeves’ is like a blade splitting through a heavy downpour, like a lightning bolt through a rainbow in speed. Truly excellent form!”
YZ: “Is this sect leader looking for me for something?”
QKZ: “I indeed have something I need to speak to you about. He Lanyu has come back.”
YZ (shocked): “He’s come back this fast?”
QKZ: “Since he can’t find your whereabouts, he must be afraid that you’ve come back first to the capital, so he’s hurried back as well. Though I’m sure, even in his wildest dreams, he’d never think that you’d take refuge here….Shangjun, if he thought you’d already gone to the imperial palace and met with the Emperor…what do you think he’s likely to do?”
YZ (after consideration): “No. Impossible. If He Lanyu thinks I’ve met with the emperor already there’s no way he’d come back willingly all of a sudden. Though I have yet to find explicit proof of his treasonous ploys, with just him trying to kill me the king would already not tolerate him. With his personality, how could he so obediently return to the imperial city to surrender himself?”
22:59
YZ (internal monologue, analyzing circumstances): He Lanyu predicted that after QKZ returned, he would reunite with the man behind the scenes. Fearing of unpredictable variables after [Su Yishui’s attack against QKZ] failed, He Lanyu decided to return back to the capital as soon as possible. So it seems, the hidden enemy once in dark waters is now encroaching upon us…
23:21
QKZ: “But…how could he possibly be sure that you hadn’t returned to the capital? After all, even I at the time had thought you’d already gone back…”
YZ: “Not everyone is like you, assuming that I’m still alive.”
[That day, after he’d jumped from the cliff and still survived, even he was shocked. Anyone else would naturally assumed he’d been destined for death too. How many other people were like QKZ in the world? Someone with unmovable stone-like stubbornness, who persistently chased after his whereabouts no matter what? Since not even He Lanyu, with all his imperial manpower, could find him –anyone reasonable would have naturally assumed that he had already died and disappeared into the sea.]
QKZ (shocked, speaks ecstatically, comes close, just resists grabbing onto his hands): “Yun Zong! So you’re really not a wooden emotionless person after all.”
YZ: “What are you saying?”
QKZ: (excitedly) “You know that, in the entire world, only I care most about your life?”
(QKZ grabs onto his hands finally, YZ falters)
YZ: “Sect leader Qin-”
23:48
QKZ (interrupts): “You don’t have to say anymore.” (flashes solemn smile) “You can see it as me having unrequited feelings or me just spouting more bullshit. You don’t have to take any of this to heart.”
[He was afraid, afraid that YZ would once again look at him with that disdainful look, afraid he would say those cold disheartening words again.]
[YZ saw his melancholy disposition and couldn’t help reacting because of his natural soft heart.]
YZ (sighs): “Why do you force yourself to be like this…”
QKZ (sees that YZ isn’t showing him any displeasure for the first time in a while and couldn’t help feeling hope. A small smile creeps into the corner of his lips as his phoenix eyes misted in elated wateriness): “It was my fault from the beginning, committing all those damnable acts, right now I deeply repent all of them. Yun Zong, please just trust me once more…”
24:17
YZ: “Leader Qin, you’ve said this before.”
QKZ: “I-“
YZ: “I’ve stayed in Jinchang (capital) for some time now, since my injuries have all recovered it is time I visited the imperial city to report to the emperor. Additionally, since He Lanyu has also returned by now, I’m afraid that-”
[Before he even finished his sentence, YZ’s words got interrupted, with QKZ fiercely grabbing onto his wrists.]
QKZ: “You want to leave?!”
[YZ instinctively struggled against his grip but didn’t manage to break free, his expression displeased as he spoke.]
YZ: “This poor Taoist naturally must go! Am I to stay here indefinitely?”
24:42
QKZ (anxiously, frantically): “But…you already promised, to work together with me!” (trying to dissuade) “If you were to go back now to see the king you wouldn’t be able to present any evidence of He Lanyu’s rebellion. Why not stay here, quietly observe the progress of things, and then decide what to do?”
YZ (finally succeeds in pulling his wrists out): “This poor Taoist accepted the royal edict that day to investigate Heyang Villa and regardless of success or failure, I still need to report back asap.” (his voice is cold and harsh, he steps back) “This poor Taoist is naturally a bystander to the world, and shouldn’t have even interfered at all with these political matters, but simply could not deny the emperor’s will. After leaving the imperial palace, this poor Taoist will naturally return to Qing Feng Guan, and concentrate on cultivating the Tao path, never again interfering with the red dust [mortal affairs] world. Leader Qin, I bid thee farewell.”
[He makes to leave but gets stopped by QKZ.]
QKZ: “NO! (he pulled YZ’s body hard into his embrace, locking his arms around his waist) “You are not allowed to leave! I clearly have not been dubious with you anymore, why do you still have to treat me with such caution?! Before you’d definitely promised to stay and work with me, why then are you suddenly going back on your words?! Yun Zong, I swear to the heavens to never again lie to you, why won’t you believe me?! WHY?!”
YZ [surprised by the embrace, struggling to get free, he shows anger and shock]: “Why I want to leave, I’m sure leader Qin is well aware of in his heart!”
[Ever since he promised to work together with QKZ, the man has never once looked at him with a normal gaze, his intentions clear and open. Day by day, how could YZ possibly ignore them? It wasn’t that he didn’t understand QKZ’s mindset, it was just that he was unwilling to further entangle himself with this man again. As the saying goes ‘indecisiveness leads to disaster’, so were his feelings for the man; unless he was willing to step once more into a trap for himself?
Furthermore, he deeply understood QKZ’s personality; if he did not obtain his goal, he would never stop trying at any cost –what other trickery might he employ on him before long?]
26:00
QKZ (suddenly laughing): “Yun Zong, are you afraid?”
[YZ couldn’t help being stunned by the question as QKZ leaned in close to his ear to whisper with a smile]: “You are in such a hurry to leave…could it be that you are afraid of getting along with me over time, causing your heart to irresistibly move towards me?”
[He spoke all those words up close and breathy as YZ struggled unsuccessfully to break free each time.]
YZ [angrily]: “YOU-“
[He Lanchu clears his throat in the background, near entrance to courtyard, having bore witness to most of the scene.]
He Lanchu: “Sect leader Qin. The reason you asked this lord to come here at this moment couldn’t possibly be to witness this good show?”
QKZ (while restraining YZ): “My lord, please wait for me for a moment. I will get this man settled before coming back here to speak with you about official matters.” [He jabs YZ’s immobilization pressure points, causing the man to fall pliantly into his arms, before he uses qing gong [air martial arts\ to take off onto the rooftops.]
He Lanchu (laughing, amused): “Please come back soon sect leader Qin, this lord will wait for you in my study!”
[Scene transition, He Lanchu’s study interior]
27:02
[QKZ enters]
QKZ (bowing in obeisance): “My lord.”
He Lanchu: “You’ve arrived. Please sit.” [drinks tea already prepared on the table] “Your tastes are quite interesting, this officer Li…should be nearly 100, I think?”
QKZ: “That man is YZ. In order to avoid peoples’ attention, he donned on a fake human skin mask.”
He Lanchu (surprised): “Ha, I was almost hoodwinked by you. I was wondering when your personal circle suddenly added in this new confidante. Turns out it was Yun Shangjun. You are really quite conniving. That man is destined to never free himself from your grasps. But…you actually let him know about the matters between you and I, are you not at all concerned with him?”
QKZ: “My lord need not worry, Yun Zong has already promised to cooperate with me, no harm has been caused. (dubious smile) Furthermore, that person is already in my captivity, I won’t let him go no matter what. So what does it matter if he knows a little or more?
28:15
He Lanchu: “Then you had better keep a good eye on him. Oh and I have another matter I need to inform you about. In Concubine Xian’s court, the rotted corpse of a serving maid was found dead via stabbing today; the body had long since gone rancid. Concubine Xian was nearly startled to death, and blamed the palace guards for being negligent. In order to mollify Concubine Xian, Father Emperor thoughtlessly changed all the guards in her court. As far as I’m aware, all these new guards are people under He Lanyu.”
QKZ: “This…since when did Concubine Xian become cohorts with the Third Lord?”
28:53
He Lanchu (scoffing): “Humph, one covets the throne of the emperor, the other covets the throne of the empress that my mother sits in….wouldn’t that naturally make the two a pair? Additionally, the current concubine most favored beneath the empress is exactly Concubine Xian. He Lanyu’s plan was exactly dependent on this fact. Such a pity…”
QKZ: “The Third Lord is really quite gutsy, to seduce the emperor’s harem is an extremely egregious crime.”
He Lanchu: “He is exhibiting the idiom ‘dog chicken jumping a wall’ [1]. Unable to wait anymore. Humph. Concubine Xian, Su Yishui, and also Eunuch Liu whom you encountered back at Heyang Villa.” (sighs) “Every one of these people are despicable individuals…have you brought back all of your soldiers from the villa?”
QKZ: “Mmm. Ready for this lord’s next instructions.”
29:51
He Lanchu: “I appreciate your actions. Humph. He Lanyu, I’d like to see how much longer you can remain content.” (sips again from his teacup) “Also, about your…Yun Shangjun, since he knows about our relationship, you cannot let him pass the information onto anyone else.”
QKZ: “My lord, please relax, I am willing to guarantee with my life that Yun Zong will definitely keep his mouth shut.”
He Lanchu: “Mmm, that’s good. You may retire now, don’t keep Yun Shangjun waiting.”
QKZ: “I thank my lord for his consideration. I will take my leave then.”
[He walks to YZ’s court/exterior of his bedroom]
30:43
QKZ (internal monologue): YZ, from the moment I took you back, I had no intentions of ever letting you leave again. I genuinely am in love with you…so even if I employ a few tricks it is just to keep you by my side. So long as the heart I have for you is sincere, then the rest doesn’t really count as deception…
[Reaches YZ’s bedroom, opens the door, enters, walks to the bed where YZ is sitting upright in, still immobilized]
YZ (Sardonically): “Humph, to what do I owe for this visit from leader Qin?”
QKZ (ripping off his face mask): “You don’t have to wear this anymore. Staying here, no one will be able to find you. So why wear it at all?”
[He unseals YZ’s pressure points, allowing the man to move again]
[YZ gasps as his body is numb all over, regaining feelings in his limbs]
YZ: “Leader Qin, no matter what, this poor Taoist will take his leave.”
QKZ: “He Lanchu already knows of your identity. I used my life to guarantee that you would not ruin me and his plans. But…as a result you can only stay by my side from now on; unable to go to the palace or back to Qing Feng Guan.”
YZ: “Leader Qin, that is to say this poor Taoist is under house arrest?”
32:00
QKZ: “Not house arrest, it is just for the sake of Shangjun’s safety. If you were to leave here, do you think He Lanyu would spare you? He Lanchu would spare you? As for that emperor, he’s heartless even to his own blood sons while you’re just a chess piece in his hands, as the saying goes: ‘to boil the hound once it has finished hunting the rabbit’[2]; matters of the imperial family are things that if known, the faster you’ll die. You really think you can easily extricate yourself?”
Yun Zong (though his heart tightened at his words, he still said confidently): “The emperor promised that after this matter is resolved, he would never call upon me again.”
QKZ (scoffs): “In the end you’re still a Taoist, so greatly naïve. What do you even count as inside his eyes? Not a minister or an advisor. No matter who he names Crown Prince in the future, this unflattering vying-for-the-throne story, is naturally better known by as few people as possible. He clearly knew He Lanyu had nefarious plans, yet still sent you to investigate on your own. It would have been good if you were able to return but it also wouldn’t be bad if you couldn’t either. I’m sure this is something the emperor was well aware of from the start.” (YZ became overtly speechless, QKZ slowly extended his hands and wrapped them around the man’s waist while kneeling down before him) “In this world, only I would care so much about you, and only I would be so unshakably attached to you.”
33:38
[Seeing that YZ was not pushing him away, QKZ felt his heart leap into his throat, feeling incredibly hopeful. Could it be that he has finally moved this man’s heart? And so he was compelled to try harder; he continued speaking softly up close, eyes as clear and sincere as spring water.]
QKZ: “Originally, I only wanted the martial world, but now my heart has softened; Yun Zong, if you would just be willing to stay with me, then in the future-“
[YZ suddenly jabs QKZ’s immobilization pressure points, stunning and locking him in place. QKZ groans at the experience]
YZ: “Leader Qin, even if you are speaking from the heart, this poor Taoist is still unable to accept. I was entrusted with a royal edict, how could I just retreat? As for our agreement to work together, you can simply forget it ever happened. This poor Taoist bids thee farewell.”
QKZ (immobilized, desperaly calling for YZ as he leaves for the doorway): “Yun Zong! Why won’t you just listen to me?! Intent on disobeying me! Do you know what kind of environment the imperial court is right now?! =”
YZ: “Your relationship with the 7th lord is not something I will mention to the emperor. Oh and-” (he grabs the fake human skin mask that QKZ had dropped on the table) “This poor Taoist feels it would be better to wear this after all.” (He dons on the mask.)
QKZ: “He Lanyu is already impatient to get his hands on the throne! If you go back now, it’s the equivalent of a lamb walking into a wolves den! Yun Zong! YUN ZONG!!!” (YZ exits without answering him) “Why won’t you trust me?! WHY WON’T YOU TRUST ME?!”
[Watching him leave, QKZ felt his entire internal body ignite as if it was on fire from turmoil and worry. He hated himself for dropping his guard in the moment and letting Yun Zong restrain him. The painful discordance in his heart caused him to eventually be able to break the sealed pressure point, spitting out a slew of blood in the immediate aftermath.
Not caring for the pain in moving, QKZ rushed out of the room as soon as possible. His footsteps staggered out into the hall where he immediately grabbed the nearest frightened manservant to ask:]
35:08
QKZ (weak but impassioned, desperate voice): “Yun… Li Mohuai, have you seen where he went?!”
[The manservant was frightened by him and lost all color his face] replying: “Just, just now I saw officer Li walking out of the manor…I think he’s stepped out for a bit.”
[QKZ lets him go with one grip before rushing out of this court’s stone gate, his feet are awkward as he moves, because of his lethargy QKZ is unable to use qing gong to chase. He is stopped at the manor’s exit by He Lanchu].
He Lanchu: “Leader Qin, please hold up.”
QKZ: “The 7th lord.”
He Lanchu: “Didn’t you promise before that you would not let Yun Shangjun step out of this manor under any circumstance? With how hurriedly he left just now, I wonder where he could be heading off to? Most likely the imperial palace? Do you think this lord would let him see Father Emperor?”
35:45
QKZ: “Yun Zong has promised me that he would assuredly not mention anything about this 7th lord to the emperor.”
He Lanchu: “How can this lord be assured with just one promise? Leader Qin trusts in Yun Shangjun but this lord does not. Above any other mistake, you shouldn’t have let me know his identity was in fact Yun Zong. I’ll be honest with you, I’ve been waiting for this exact moment that he steps out of this manor’s gates.”
QKZ: “Just what exactly does this 7th lord intend?”
He Lanchu: “If you were this lord right now, what would you intend? Sparing his life is a hundred times more detrimental to me than leaving him dead. You should know that imperial troops in my manor while not reaching a thousand has well surpassed eight-hundred in quantity. Do you think your Yun Shangjun can evade them all?”
QKZ (desperate, walking up close, pleadingly): “Yun Zong can testify against the Third Lord!”
He Lanchu: “Well said, well said…but lets say if he were to just be murdered, who do you think Father Emperor would suspect most as the culprit?”
QKZ: (internal monologue) If Yun Zong were to die, the act would indeed be beneficial to He Lanchu; he’d not have to worry about a witness to his own conspiracy as well as letting all the blame fall on He Lanyu –revealing his treasonous intentions, which is exactly what He Lanchu is working so hard for in the first place. (scoffs, self blaming) What a laughable joke I turned out to be. I miscalculated He Lanchu’s dubious nature and my own capabilities to protect someone….
[QKZ had thought that because it was impossible to keep YZ’s identity for long from the 7th lord, so he’d decided to volunteer the information when they’d been discovered for goodwill. He’d been banking on the fact that so long as YZ remained at his side, He Lanchu would have no excuse to hurt him, but alas…]
37:10
QKZ: “Whatever this lord wants please just speak it forthright, so long as it means protecting Yun Zong’s life, I’m willing to pay any cost.”
________________
[1] Meaning that when a person is desperate they are able/willing to do anything.
[2] Meaning once a subordinate has served its purpose, no matter how smart of efficient he is, the superior will always get rid of him
Definitely-Not-Embarrassed's Chinese Translations 
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