https://www.missevan.com/sound/player?id=290570
倒霉死勒 as Huan Mao/Chu Yu
商桐 as Fu San/Xuan Ling/Ling Hua
Yu Mao Translation Ep 1
0:10
Note: Fusan Tree is a mythological tree that is said to be able to have the gift of immortal life. The ‘Fusan’ of this plot is a branch cut from the immortal tree that cultivated into a human shape, joining the Heavenly Court as a Fusan Immortal God
[Scene starts with Fusan and Dong Jun = East Lord (he controls the Eastern Heavenly Militia) playing chess together.]
0:10
(Sound of chess pieces being placed across white heavenly world, atop the clouds)
Dong Jun: “Fusan, I heard that you went to listen to the Buddha’s [1] teachings today at Ling Jua Mountain, have you benefited at all?”
0:21
Fusan: “The Buddha follows the principle that ‘nothing is valid except compassion’ and follows the principle of saving anything alive in existence at the expense of himself, truly making this one humbled and impressed. Just thinking about my cultivation in path of Tao and how it was only meant to benefit myself, makes me blush in deep shame. Dong Jun ‘Da Ren’ [2], this humble god would also like to sojourn to the West and spread enlightenment and teach compassion [3]
0:42
Dong Jun: (laughing) (sighs) “The Buddha has long since foregone all 7 emotions and 6 desires, the ‘Five Aggregates of Clinging’ [4] are completely empty, which is why he is able to spread kindness and compassion at the expense of himself. I invite you to ask yourself: are you a being without a heart and emotions?”
0:58
Fusan: (thinking, slightly confused) “This humble god was originally a Fusan branch in Da Ran’s heavenly garden that transformed through cultivation from a plant life to a god form, but I am definitely not without a heart or emotions, or else how could I moved by the Buddha’s teachings? Be inspired to want to free all living creatures from suffering?”
Dong Jun: “Since you are unable to cut off life’s emotions (love), in the future you will inevitably fall prey to emotions (love) as your downfall. Before you deliver other people from suffering better to first deliver yourself from it.” (places down checkmate move on chessboard)
1:24
Fusan: “People that fall prey to emotions are usually those that are hindered by love, though I comprehend big emotional concepts of the greater good, I don’t have personal emotions, much less love and affectionate desires.”
Dong Jun: (laughing) “Are you brave enough to bet with me on this?”
Fu San: “If Da Ren has the mood, this one will of course oblige. Dare I ask what will be the bet’s collateral?”
Dong Jun (laughing): “This…we’ll decide upon later…Fusan-“ (looking at chess table) “-this match you’ve once again lost.”
1:55
Fusan: “Uh…Da Ren’s chess skills are truly gift, this humble one admits inferiority.” (He looks to the sky and passing of time) “Ah, the hour is no longer early, this humble god should take his leave. I will come and visit again in 3 days’ time.”
Dong Jun: “The path away back to Pong Lai from here shows foreboding signs, close to the Northern Sky Demon Realm, this Venerable One extrapolated the signs of the Heavens yesterday and realized that that area is filled with demonic essence and a murderous aura in the clouds, a deep foreshadowing of doom. You’d best avoid the regular path and take a different route.”
Fusan: (laughing) “If a demon shows up, I’ll simply take care of him with one blade, what’s the big deal to be concerned about? Da Ren, I bid farewell.”
2:33
(Sound of heavy thunder, dark miasmic clouds with no rain rumble and turn across the sky of the Northern Sky Demon Realm as Fusan flies through, heading home)
Fusan: (thinking to himself) Dong Jun was indeed right; this Demon Realm is stirring, demonic essence fills the air…is a new demon about to be born right now? Wait for me to go deal with them!
(Fusan follows the source of the miasma through the air, reaching its source: a large translucent flesh colored egg in the forest. Crows caw around him, adding an ominous air to the scenery.)
(Sound of heartbeat coming from the egg)
[Fusan’s breaths come in heavier the closer he approaches.]
Fusan: (thinking to himself) This Demon Egg’s core is radiating such intense and concentrated demonic essence, which means the demon to be born will undoubtedly be an extremely powerful one. It has to be eradicated as soon as possible!
3:35
Fusan: (chanting spell while summoning magic into his sword, lightning fills his blade while he chants) “Eight Seas Portals, Ghost King Surrender, Xiong Huai Shou San [10], Ten Thousand Demons Dissipate! Swiftly Enact My Decree!”
(Blade strikes down) (Egg is split open, amidst the amniotic fluid is the most beautiful, naked mid-teens young man Fusan has ever seen)
Fusan: (Thinking to himself) Who would have thought that this demon incubator would have give birth to such a beautiful young man; he’s more alluring than all the gods in Heaven… (his eyes meet with the young man’s whose finally opens) HIS EYES! (he feels himself sucked in demonic enthrallment, he gasps as he tries to fight it)
4:24
Huan Mao: “Who are you? Why did you disturb my sleep?”
Fusan (struggling to break enthrallment) (thinking to himself still) I….need to….immediately…kill him…(he tries to raise his blade but it only wavers mid air, all the while he can’t break his gaze away from the boy’s eyes)
Huan Mao: (giggling) “Can you tell me your name?”
(Fusan strikes his blade down with all his might…)
[Intro music sound effect]
[Announcer: Su Te’s original work, Ancient Style, High Fantasy audio drama drama, “Encountering Demon”, the first episode. Welcome to listen.]
5:23
[It is the three days later meet up again that they had agreed upon.]
[Fusan is once more playing chess with Dong Jun but he is incredibly distracted during the entire match. He overtly has something on his mind and a far off look in his eyes no matter what moves he plays.]
(Sound of a chess piece being placed down by Dong Jun but Fusan doesn’t even notice)
Dong Jun: “Fusan, it’s your turn to move.”
Fusan breaks out of his reverie: “Uh? Ah!” (He arbitrarily places down a random piece that completely leaves him defenseless, but he doesn’t realize).
[Dong Jun looks down and then looks back up, concerned.]
Dong Jun: “Why are you so absentminded?”
Fusan: (hesitant) “I…”
Dong Jun: “That evening that you returned back to Pong Lai, did you encounter anything unique?”
Fusan: “This humble immortal…that day had travelled into the Northern Sky Demon Realm, and just so happened to see a demon being born …”
Dong Jun: “And what of it?”
Fusan: “It was something…that I’d never seen before…something both demonic and beautiful at the same time…”
Dong Jun: “Did you exterminate it immediately?”
Fusan: “No…”
Dong Jun: “You want to try using the Buddhism path to influence him to forgo bloodshed?”
(Dong Jun places down his piece, once more near checkmating him) “The words ‘try’ and ‘path’ are centered around fate and misfortunate; Fusan, have you ever considered that this person might be your fate? Or your misfortune?”
6:30
Fusan: (shocked, gasping in alarm) “Da Ren! This humble god would dare not ever develop personal bias, this humble god wants to change the world by teaching compassion and kindness…can I…can I possibly just start with this demon?”
6:46
Dong Jun: “You want to teach him compassion? (inhales) Fusan, our cultivation teaches to slaughter all beasts and ghosts that we encounter. Though ghosts and beasts are capable of being kind or wretched, demons are a completely different story. A demon is centered first around killing, a successful killing is the same as gaining heavenly merits for them; they are second centered around illusion and hindrance, they love to hinder or destroy a cultivator’s path to Heaven; they are thirdly centered around malice, erasing everything kind in the world to its roots.
There is a fourth kind of method in which they bring ruin, I won’t say it but I’m sure you already know.”
Fusan: “The fourth is beauty; they are externally irresistible and the most exquisite beings to exist, looking ethereally attractive while hiding a heart of menace…”
Dong Jun: “Mmm. Countless calamities are all the result of demons at work; as much as the world changes with history, this trend has never stopped. You must take heed of what I say.”
7:47
Fusan: “Mm.”
[Scene transition, back to where he first found the Huan Mao in the forest of the Northern Sky Demon Realm]
8:05
Huan Mao (dressed in all white now): “Fusan! You’ve finally come!” (running to him, he giggles in excitement, he runs intending to hug Robin but is stopped by Fusan at arm’s length abruptly)
Fusan: (coldly) “This is the Eastern Sea’s Ling Zi Grass, after you consume its immortal essence you will be able to move about as you wish.”
Huan Mao: “Really?! That’s great!” (approaches closer) “That day you said begrudgingly that you never wanted to see me again but I knew you were just trying to scare me! That after not too long you would definitely come back!”
Fusan: “Hmm.”
Fusan: (thinking to himself) I clearly promised Dong Jun that that I would evade this demon…so why did I still come to see him? Even if I come to see him, I should immediately slaughter the boy…how can I even go to lengths to help him?!…Unless I have already been taken in by him…having developed a demon heart…?
[Fusan is startled when the boy suddenly glomps him and wraps his arms around him with his butt stick up in the air behind him]
Fusan: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! IMMEDIATELY LET GO!”
Huan Mao: “How come every time you see me you have a hang dogged expression, are all gods stiff and acerbic like you? If that’s the case then the Heavenly Realm is surely very boring!”
Fusan: “The Heavenly Realm is a courteous and respectable place! Of course it is not as dirty or libertine like your Demon Realm!”
Huan Mao: “Hmm, then do you consider me dirty too?”
9:23
Fusan: “If you have a repentant heart, I can help you melt away your Demonic Essence.”
Huan Mao: “But I was born as a demon, if my Demonic Essence is gone then wouldn’t that make me dead?”
Fusan: “That…that…” (The boy’s hold tightens as he suddenly draws standing up facing Fusan face to face, the demon’s eyes take on a look of deep insatiable hunger) “You-don’t mess around! Immediately let go!”
[Demon doesn’t, and instead inhales deeply Fusan’s scent.]
Huan Mao: “Fusan, your raw soul-“
Fusan: “LET GO!”
Huan Mao: “Smell SO good. It most definitely tastes even better than Ling Zi Grass, can you possibly…let me have a taste?”
Fusan: “GET LOST!” (pushes him off with magic)
Huan Mao: (fallen to ground, in pain) “Fusan!”
Fusan: “Remember! If you dare to act so ridiculously again, I will most definitely kill you!”
[He flies away with magic, leaving Huan Mao on the ground, saddened.]
Huan Mao: “Fusan! Fusan!!!”
[Scene transition, Fusan is in pain as he is taking on a Heavenly Tribulation to advance his magic]
Fusan (thinking to himself): I am an Enlightened Immortal God, I will most definitely not fall… I can even endure the Five Thunder Array Trial currently…how can I be tempted by a demon? I will most definitely be able to change him to good…will most definitely be able to conquer the demon heart…
[He choose to take on the Heavenly Tribulation purposely to gain more power to help Huan Mao.]
*afterwards*
Fusan (thinking to himself): I have just passed the Five Thunder Array Trial and have centered my increased Tao power within myself. Today, I will most definitely be able to purify Huan Mao. Help him to leave the Demon Path.
[Sound of magic thunder even though his trial finally just ended. It is coming from the Northern Sky Demon Realm.]
Fusan (thinking to himself): That is…The Heavenly Suppression Array?!
[thunder sounds]
Shu Heaven Master: “Quickly open the gates of Hell and capture this demon!”
[Fusan teleports over quickly with magic to join the man on the clouds.]
Fusan: “Shu Heaven Master! Why are you summoning a magic array here?”
Shu Heaven Master: “The Heavenly Emperor ordered me here to exterminate a dangerous demon; I have to invite any unnecessary personnel to quickly leave!”
[Fusan gasps in shock as he is being ushered by Shu’s subordinates]
[Huan Mao cries out in pain]
Shu Heaven Master: “Bold Demon! This old one will immediately exterminate and dissipate your soul!”
Xue Meng: “Fusan save me! Fusan save me!!!”
[After hesitating, Fusan makes up his mind and breaks the array suddenly, diving in and saving Huan Mao]
Fusan: “Quickly grab onto my hand!”
[Huan Mao looks up weakly and grasps his hand.]
Huan Mao: “Fusan…I just knew that….you would come save me…
12:35
Shu Heaven Master: “Insolent Fusan! You dare disregard the Heavenly Emperor’s edict and protect a demon?! Do you intend to let this demon eradicate your immortal essence?!
Fusan (to Huan Mao): “Hold on tightly to me! Let’s get out of here first!”
[They escape with Fusan’s magic, leaving the Heavenly militia unsure of where they went to for the time being.]
[They land in a few away country, in the mortal realm.]
Fusan: (out of breath) “Alright, we should be safe for now at least.” (asking in concern) “How are you doing? Can you still move?”
Huan Mao: (weakened but still clutching tightly onto Fusan’s hand) “Fusan…I…”
[He seems to lose consciousness for a moment, alarming Fusan.]
Fusan: “Wei,-“ [He’s suddenly trapped by a painful locking spell that has hold of his entire being and magical self.]
Huan Mao: (laughing maniacally) “I’ve captured you! I’ve captured you! Fusan, let me your raw soul, okay? That way we’ll always be able to be together!” (more maniacal laughing)
Fusan: (angry, heartbroken) “YOU!” (thinking to himself while HM continues laughing in the background) I still ended up falling into his trap, how can I just let my cultivation powers just be so easily given to an [evil] demon?! At this point, I have no choice but to pull him into death alongside me. (speaking to HM, exhausted as he feels his soul and magic being consumed) “Why don’t you join me in death!” (He screams in pain as he explodes his own magic and self in a suicide bomb like spell that consumes him.)
[But sadly not Haun Mao because in the end Fusan’s love for the boy prevented the spell from being fatal and merely suicided himself, preventing Haun Mao from eating him and absorbing his cultivation.]
14:34
[Fusan’s Reincarnated Form after thousands of years = Xuan Ling Daozhang/The Great Taoist, the progenitor/Master/Leader of Ling Men, a Taoist sect that specializes in destroying malicious ghosts/beasts/demons, fostering each generation of disciples to slay these monstrosities]
[Xuan Ling gas wakes up in his sleep, having dreamed about his past life]
Xuan Ling: (thinking to himself) I just recently completed my Taoist Cultivation and unlocked my past life, these past nights I’ve been having this same nightmare over and over again. Could the dream’s events be what I experienced last life?” [Knocking on door] “Come in.”
Ling Men Disciple: “Master, the officer of this area has sent his servant here requesting for an audience, saying he has an urgent matter to discuss.”
15:19
Manservant: “Taoist, my Lord is in grave calamity and specially instructed this humble servant here to beg for assistance.”
Xuan Ling: “What is debilitating the officer? If this poor Taoist is able to help, I will naturally give aid.”
Manservant: “In recent years, in Jinchang (capital) a Taoist has arrived with the power said to be able to summon winds, alter rain and even revive the dead. Our Emperor took an immediate liking to this Taoist and named him as the Royal Teacher, listening to everything the man says on a regular basis. Lately, the Emperor has fallen gravely ill with no medic able to diagnosis or cure him. That Royal Teacher said the Emperor is nearing the end of his lifespan and if he wishes to recover then he needs to extract the brains of 3000 male youths born with the Chun Yang eight birthday characters [5] and brew the brain juice into a longevity potion. The Emperor believed this advice and sent out an edict across the country, enlisting any young man that fits the criteria. My officer’s son was selected also…(weeping)
16:20
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “Absurdity! Only unfounded heretics would believe in such nonsense! If this edict were to enact completely, how many people would be left with a broken home?! I think this Royal Teacher is in fact just a monster in disguise!”
Manservant: (weeping) “Everyone says the same thing but the Emperor has gotten completed deluded by the man –anyone who dares voice their dissent has immediately received severe punishments, even including the punishment of Convict Nine Clan! [6]”
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “WHAT?! Such outrageousness! Master, we-“
Xuan Ling: “This poor Taoist studied the Heavenly skies tonight and saw that in the direction of Jinchang were ashen clouds and miasmic aura, a sign of demon entanglement. My sect, Ling Men, is dedicated to eradicating demons as its main purpose; we must naturally deal with such a predicament since it’s occurred.”
Manservant: “If this Taoist is willing to lend a hand, I’m sure you’ll definitely be able to slaughter that Royal Teacher! But the problem is the imperial militia has already arrested my family’s gongzi, preparing to ship him to the capital. My master’s wife has been distraught and has collapsed multiple times as a result, if the gongzi really is taken then there will definitely be a life taken!”
Xuan Ling: “You can relax, this poor Taoist just so happens to also be Chun Yang eight characters, I’ll accompany you down the mountain right away and when we meet the militia, just tell them that I am replacing your family’s gongzi. By all accounts, they should agree.”
[Scene transition, on the way leaving Ling Men sect, in the forested pathway area down the mountain]
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “Master, there seems to be Demonic essence in the air nearby, I think it’s coming from that peak over there.”
Xuan Ling: “You guys stay here, wait for this Master to deal with the issue at hand.”
[He moves and lands with magic to the distant mountain peak. He sees a large snake beast chasing and trying to eat a smaller, overtly younger, white snake beast. The two are magical cultivating beings and are fighting with their powers.]
Xuan Ling: (thinking to himself) So it turns out to be two snake beasts fighting each other; that gargantuan disfigured one is undoubtedly at least a thousand years old with the powers to match; he’s trying to eat that small white rose snake beast. [he moves in closer] “Fierce Demon Slaughtering Dissolution Array!”
[Blast hits the big snake and knocks him down, defeated easily.]
Xuan Ling: “Brazen evil creature! To try and kill your own kind is already falling into the path of malice! You’d best immediately surrender!”
[The beast still try to attack him, lunging at him with fangs bared, surging with evil energy. Xuan Ling evades easily.]
Xuan Ling: “On the verge of death and still not repentant? Since you are ignorantly stubborn, do not blame this poor Taoist for being merciless! From Life to Death, Xiong Huai Shou San!”
[Magic blasts hits, incinerates and kills the gargantuan deformed snake beast.]
[The white rose snake uses her magic to take human shape, a little girl.]
19:19
White Rose Snake/Ying San Jun: (tired) “Thank you for saving me.”
Xuan Ling: “Little snake, from where did you come from?”
Ying San Jun: “Replying to this Taoist, this little one is called Ying San Jun, I have always been cultivating in Su Mountain’s southern side when yesterday I just gained the ability to take human shape. I came out to tour the landscape when I became the target of this bestial snake, if it were not for this Taoist coming to my rescue, I’m afraid…I’m afraid that I would have died right here. Please accept a bow from this little one.”
Xuan Ling: “This mountain is teeming with all kinds of ferocious beasts. You only just cultivated into a human, you must be more careful. If you are any bit careless, you’ll end up as another beast’s meal.”
Ying San Jun: (scolded, embarrassed) “Yes…uhm…may I dare ask for this Taoist’s name? Where thy home is”
Xuan Ling: “I am the sect leader to Ling Men, my Taoist name is Xuan Ling.”
Ying San Jun: (happy suddenly) “Ah! Then that is to we are neighbors! This little one would like to visit your sect sometime to ask for help in cultivating the Tao, may this little one do so?”
Xuan Ling: “I have to go to Jingchang for the moment, lets wait till when I return to discuss this.”
Ying San Jun: “Then this little one will wait here! Taoist, please take care while travelling.”
[Scene transition, Xuan Ling and his disciple have already met up with the imperial soldiers stationed to collect the Chun Yang youths in the Land of Su. Xuan Ling has already swapped places with the officer’s son, with his disciple accompanying him. They are riding their own horses behind the militia, not restrained as one the militia was too afraid to restrain Xuan Ling and two, they came voluntarily so the militia felt it wasn’t needed.]
20:58
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “Master, up ahead is Jingchang, the travel here was quite arduous, why don’t we ask the military guards for a night’s rest before entering the city. The deadline set by the imperial court is still quite far anyway.
Xuan Ling: “Mmm. Go and discuss with them.” [His disciple rides off towards city’s stone gates] (thinking to himself) The entirety of Jingchang is under a heavy smog of demonic miasma…it seems I’ve really met my match this time…
[Sound of rustling, horse neighs in fright]
Xuan Ling: “WHOSE THERE?!”
[Rushing out from a bush is a young scholarly looking boy, holding long sword, aimed towards Xuan Ling.]
Scholar: “Demonic Taoist! Return my parents’ lives to me!” [Lunges at Xuan Ling with blade but the man evades easily, remaining on his horse, while he grabs onto the boy’s wrist.]
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “Master be careful!”
Xuan Ling (thinking to himself): It was just a scholar…
Xuan Ling’s Disciple runs back, saying: “Master, this villain…who is he?”
Xuan Ling: (apathetic) “Just a normal scholar, what is there to be startled about?”
Scholar: “You demonic Taoist…hypnotizing the Emperor and hurting the masses! It’s only a shame I am weak and unable to kill you! I have no other option except to use my life as sacrifice, so that once I’m dead in Hell, I can personally report your crimes! Plead for Lord Yan of Hell [7] to bring justice to everyone!” [He switches blade into other hand and raises it to cut his own throat.]
Xuan Ling: “Stop!” [knocks blade out of his hand with harmless air magic]
Scholar: “What?! You intend to slowly torture me?!”
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “You foolish scholar! Absolutely no judgement! My master is the great and mighty sect leader of Ling Men! How could he be some demonic Taoist!”
Scholar: “Y-you’re not the Royal Teacher?”
22:16
Xuan Ling: “This poor Taoist’s name is Xuan Ling. I just came from the lands of Su. Dare I ask if this demonic Taoist you speak of is the same as the man elected by the emperor to be Imperial Court Sorceror?”
Scholar: “Indeed so. That demonic Taoist a few days ago was doing sorcery in the main square, my parents just happened to bear witness to his magic and somehow triggered his anger, causing him to toss both of them into the cauldron, burning them both alive.” (sob) “With a heart of revenge, I heard he was out touring around here and since last night I had been hiding inside these bushes, intending to stab him to death when he passes. I didn’t think…didn’t think I would hurt an innocent, I beg for this Taoist’s pardon.”
Xuan Ling: “This gongzi need not blame himself. On the road here, this poor Taoist keeps hearing of the Royal Teacher’s abuse from people high and low; I came here with exactly the intention of eradicating this evil creature. That will also avenge your parents simultaneously. I will meet with him tomorrow for a match.”
Scholar: “This Taoist is righteous and brave, really impressing this one. This humble one is willing to do anything to assist. I beg this Taoist to take me with you.”
Mo Ran: (contemplative) “This…okay, this gongzi’s entire face is covered in mud. Please take this handkerchief to clean yourself with.”
[He urges horse forward, offering handkerchief from above to the boy, who reaches out for it.]
Scholar: “Thank you, Taoist.” [Wipes his face, revealing a remarkably handsome youthful face.]
23:58
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: (thinking to himself) Aiya! This scholar was born so beautifully! Even the most powerful Fox Demon [7] on Su Mountain would not be able to create such an attractive appearance.”
Scholar: “Taoist, the sky is already dark, where are we going to go now?”
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “Oh I just discussed it with the imperial soldiers, they agreed to first rest at the nearby Mountain God Temple. Why don’t you come with us?”
Scholar: (walks to them) “Okay.” (trips) “Aiyoh…”
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “What’s the matter?”
Scholar: “This humble scholar was waiting in the bushes for one day and one night so my legs are quite numb by now.”
Xuan Ling: “Gongzi’s movements are debilitated. You may ride this poor Taoist’s horse [in place of me].”
Scholar: (feeling shy/guilty) “How can I do that?! It’s better if I just walk.” (takes another step but stumbles)
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “Your feet are hurt to this extent, how can you possibly walk?” (turning to Xuan Ling) “Master, I can tell this Gongzi has suffered a lot already, why not…let him share the horse with you? There’s not much road remaining after all.”
Xuan Ling: “Mmm. Sounds good.” (leads horse to Scholar so that the saddle is right next to him, he offers his hand down) “Gongzi, please get on.”
Scholar (shy): “Mmh. Then I greatly thank this Taoist.”
[He gets on, sitting behind Xuan Ling.]
25:03
Xuan Ling: “I’ve forgotten to ask for this Gongzi’s name in the sudden occurrence, may I ask wat you call yourself?”
Scholar: “Oh, this scholar is called Chu Yu.” [8]
Xuan Ling’s Disciple: “This name is quite suiting for you! A name just like the person!”
Chu Yu: (embarrassed) (falls into Xuan Ling’s back, wrapping his arms suddenly around his waist)
Xuan Ling: “What’s wrong?”
Chu Yu: “I was momentarily imbalanced.”
Xuan Ling: “Oh, Chu Gongzi should hold on tightly to this poor Taoist, lest you fall to the ground.”
Chu Yu: “Okay.” (leans into Xuan Ling’s backside, resting his head against the man’s back, keeping his arms around Xuan Ling)
[Horse rides off]
25:50
[Scene Transition, inside the Mountain God Temple, middle of the night]
Chu Yu: “Taoist, Taoist, Taoist, look at me, Taoist….laughter….Taoist….”
[Xuan Ling was trying to meditate, but failing to do so caused his entire body to break into sweat.]
Xuan Ling: (thinking to himself) Why can’t I calmly meditate anymore? In my mind, I keep seeing Chu Gongzi’s image. What is up with me?” [knocking on door] “Who is it?”
Chu Yu: “Taoist, it’s me.”
Xuan Ling: “Chu Gongzi? Please come in.”
[He enters, walking to Xuan Ling.]
Xuan Ling: “It is deep into the night, how come you haven’t slept yet?”
Chu Yu: “I feel this Mountain God’s Temple is very drafty and frightening, it made me too afraid to fall asleep…”
Xuan Ling: “This poor Taoist has already set up an array around this temple’s perimeter: be it beast, demon, ghost, or any other malicious being, they will not be able to cross. Gongzi can rest assured.”
27:22
Chu Yu: “This Taoist’s powers are remarkable; tomorrow you will definitely be able to kill that demonic Taoist in the capital. Could you maybe let this little one personally stab him once? So that I may personally avenge my parents?”
Xuan Ling: “This Gongzi’s persistence is admirable, but that Royal Teacher is most likely an extraordinarily advanced demonic lord with great power. Any normal person that approaches him will inevitably be in peril.”
Chu Yu: “This scholar once vowed to the heavens that if I don’t avenge my parents, I would not continue living! I beg this Taoist to please oblige me!” (bows in obeisance)
27:50
Xuan Ling: “Gongzi is so insistent, how can this Taoist not acquiesce?” [He creates a paper talisman by writing an array on it.] “This poor Taoist has infused this paper with Tian Guan qi, if Gongzi carries this on yourself, then you will be able to enter and cross into the array I will set up around myself [while fighting] whilst also preventing the Royal Teacher from hurting you.”
Chu Yu: “Thank you Taoist!” [Grabs paper and stores it in his bosom.] “Taoist, this little one has another…small request.”
Xuan Ling: “Say it freely.”
Chu Yu: “This little one has no home left, with no path for me in the future either…since I was fortunate enough to meet with this great Taoist today, I wonder if I may follow this Taoist from now on? Be taught by you the ways of cultivation?”
Xuan Ling: “This…let’s talk more about this tomorrow. The hour is no longer early, I invite this Gongzi to go to bed as soon as you can.”
Chu Yu: “This little one can’t fall asleep in his own room, and I…would like to stay here with this Taoist and meditate with you? Oh, but if it’s a bother to you then I can just leave.”
Xuan Ling: “…no, not a bother. You can just stay here.”
29:10
Chu Yu: “Yes.”
[Scene transition, imperial palace, inner court]
29:40
Emperor: (coughing) “Royal Teacher, this emperor’s sickness is getting more and more severe, when will you be able to extend this emperor’s life?”
Royal Teacher: “This emperor need not be impatient. As soon as those 3000 medicinal ingredients are gathered, this servant will immediately extract their brain juices and brew for you the medicine you need.”
Emperor: (to his subordinate) “Have those 3000 Chun Yang 8 character youths been fully gathered?”
Subordinate: “Informing this emperor, this subordinate did find 3000 male youths, and gathered them together yesterday into the square to brew them, but somehow, a Taoist came out of nowhere to summon fierce winds that blew all the ingredients in every direction.”
Emperor (furious): “Who dares to do something so outrageous?!”
Subordinate: “That Taoist claimed to be the sect leader of Ling Men or Su Mountain.”
Emperor: “Pass my imperial decree! Immediately order people to arrest this demonic Taoist!!!”
Subordinate: “This person hasn’t escaped, he’s waiting outside of the palace.”
Royal Teacher: “My emperor, this humble subject of yours knows of this Taoist. He is also of Chun Yang 8 characters –if we just use his one brain to brew the medicine, the effect would surpass all 3000 ingredients.”
Emperor: “Good! Good! Quickly summon him into the court, ready the imperial militia to surround him, don’t let him escape.”
[Door opening, Xuan Ling and Chu Yu enter]
Chu Yu: “This imperial palace has such tight security. Though we can enter right now, will we be able to exit later?”
Xuan Ling: “Don’t be afraid, I’ll most definitely protect you, follow me closely.”
Court Eunuch: “The emperor has summoned the sect leader of Ling Men, Xuan Ling, into the throne room!”
Xuan Ling: (bowing) “Taoist Xuan Ling, pays respects to this emperor.” (thinking to himself) This entire palace is the center core of all the demonic miasma, the demon has to be stationed here…
Emperor: “So you are that…Taoist from the Su Mountains? You have some nerve, dare to release the ingredients for this emperor’s medicine! Chi Jun Wang San! [9] What punishment should I give you?!”
Xuan Ling: (thinking to himself) This emperor’s entire face is covered in the aura of death; his entire body’s meridians have been severed already demonic essence; no matter what, he will most definitely die in three days. (speaking to emperor) “This Emperor has misunderstood this poor Taoist; this poor Taoist has come here today to save this monarch. There is a mighty powerful demon hidden inside this palace that is the true reason for this emperor’s illness.”
32:40
Emperor: “Utter nonsense! Guards! Arrest them!”
Imperial Guards all together: “Yes!” (blades drawn)
Chu Yu (frightened, hiding behind him): “Taoist!”
Xuan Ling: “Evil Disperse!! Purple air travels to the sky, Crane Dashes Through Mount Danxia, Devours the Demon, Ten Thousand Demons Self Defeating, Ji Ji Lu Lin Lin![10]” (He dispatches all the guards while also dispelling the miasma) “Demon! Still not showing yourself!”
(Royal Teacher laughs evilly, maniacally, everyone starts panicking and runs to escape as the palace starts to implode from the demon’s power that is erupting from the walls to strike at Xuan Ling who has magically shielded himself and Chu Yu; rubbles, ceiling, walls all collapse around him and Chu Yu)
Emperor (panicking): “Royal Teacher save me! Royal Teacher save me!”
Royal Teacher: “Useless monarch, you are already useless to me!” (He kills Emperor, appearing finally into physical human form)
One of the ministers: “A-a demon has appeared!!!”
Xuan Ling: “Dǒuzhuǎn-Xīngyí![16]” (thinking to himself) I must seal him into the area, preventing him from slaughtering anyone else.
Royal Teacher: “Why so anxious? With you here I definitely won’t be going anywhere.”
Xuan Ling: “From what place do you originate from demon? How long have you been here doing these heinous acts?”
Royal Teacher: “Hahaha, this Venerable One is the Lord of the Northern Sky Demon Realm, I came to the mortal realm for some fun…who would have thought that I would find such a superior snack like you.”
(He suddenly traps Xuan Ling so the guy can’t move while the demon comes close to his body)
34:09
Royal Teacher: “I’ve caught you.” (he inhales deeply) “Your raw soul smells so delicious. It’s absolutely mouthwatering. HOW ABOUT LETTING ME HAVE A TASTE.”
Xuan Ling: “Don’t think of misbehaving!” (he breaks free, they fight) “Divine Soldiers Arise!” (spell hits Royal Teacher, he grunts in pain)
Xuan Ling: “Your fate ends here!”
Royal Teacher: (laughing) “First, take a look behind you.”
35:00
Chu Yu: (behind held captive in dark miasmic power) “Taoist! Taoist save me!”
Xuan Ling: “Chu Gongzi!”
[Royal Teacher laughs. Chu Yu yells for help as the demon materializes behind him and grips his jawline, angling it up in painful way as he forces Xuan Ling to see Chu Yu in hostage.]
Royal Teacher: “If I die, this scholar will go along with me! Can you bear to part?”
Xuan Ling: “QUICKLYET HIM GO NOW!”
[With one arm still wrapped around Chu Yu, the Royal Teacher extends his other arm to grab and pull Xuan Ling up close too, screaming into his face:] “Obediently become my snack!!!”
35:24
Xuan Ling: (thinking to himself) Chu gong-zi has been trapped by the Demon’s power as well, if I activate the Demon Breaking Array it will definitely harm him…I can only use the other option of sacrificing a portion of my life force to invoke “Five Emperors Eradicating Demon Array” to kill him. Chu gong-zi has my talisman on him, he won’t be harmed by the array.”
Xuan Ling: “Five Emperors Forge Ahead, Grand Power Myriad! Ling Bao Tian Zun [15], Console the Body, This Disciple’s Soul, Five Organs in Darkness, Azure Dragon White Tiger, Diverse and Muddled Combat, Vermillion Bird Black Tortoise, Imperial Bodyguard I Am, Ji Ji Lu Lin Lin!”
Xuan Ling: “Finally…finally I’ve exterminated this demon…”
36:15
*coughing*
Xuan Ling: (thinking) Why has the demon energy not dissipated but rather has only gotten thicker? (the aura permeates closer to him)…this demon aura has already penetrated my enchanted…how can this be?!
(he approaches the body of the dead demon) This demon’s corpse…is only a normal human?! This was just one of his puppets! The real demon is still somewhere near-”
36:52
(suddenly gets trapped by magic, he drops his weapon)
Chu Yu: (while laughing) “Taoist, it seems your cultivating hasn’t really been honed enough, in the end you never noticed my real identity!”
Xuan Ling: “Chu Yu! You…you’re the real demon?!”
37:09
Chu Yu: “My name is actually Huan Mao. A wandering demon through the three realms for the past thousand years, finally I meet you, it must be fate.”
Xuan Ling: “Evil Disp-” (interrupted, coughing, too exhausted both spiritually and physically)
Chu Yu/Huan Mao: “You’ve completely exhausted your magic, you can’t even harm a hair on me right now. Why don’t you not waste the energy?”
[Xuan Ling grunts in pain.]
Chu Yu/Huan Mao: “I know you like me…that’s why you couldn’t bear to make a move a moment ago. I feel the same way. From the first sight of you, I fell for you. You look a lot like an old friend of mine…his soul was just like yours right now…just as aromatic and enticing.”
[Xuan Ling recalls his nightmares/finally remembers his past life]:
Huan Mao: (laughing maniacally) “I’ve captured you! I’ve captured you! Fusan, let me your raw soul, okay? That way we’ll always be able to be together!” (more maniacal laughing)
Xuan Ling: “Y-you, what do you intend to do?!”
Huan Mao: “Hahahaha….of course I intend to eat you!” (he eats a bit) “Mmm. This taste is so good! Quickly give me your entire soul! I want to swallow it all in one gulp!”
Xuan Ling: “You fell for it.” (he casts one final magic spell)
Huan Mao: “You used your soul as bait?!?”
Xuan Ling: “If I don’t use this method of ‘killing the good and bad’ together, how else can I kill you?!”
(screams of pain from both)
Xuan Ling: “DIE!”
Chu Yu/Huan Mao screams.
39:28:
[Back at Ling Men]
Xuan Ling: (chanting final array with his remaining energy) “Natural Heaven to Earth, Filth Air Dissipate, Three Souls Everlasting, Soul Without Corpse, SEAL!”
Disciple: “Master! Master!”
Xuan Ling: “Don’t be anxious…this master is of no further use. That Huan Mao has been sealed by me in this cave, henceforth this place will be Forbidden Grounds at Ling Men, no one is allowed to approach.”
Disciple: “Master….” (sobs) “Master…”
Xuan Ling: “I’ve spent my life exorcising demons, the amount of exorcised and punished demons are countless…now I have to see my Taoist’s life come to an end right on the verge of Ascension…deceived by a demon so that all my efforts are wasted …my heart cannot resist feeling dissatisfied…” (turns to address his disciple) “After I die and my body is dissolved, the freed Yin spiritual essence will become stored in this Spirit Trapping Vessel [12] so that in the next life I can continue cultivating through it…take good care of this Vessel for this master. Pass it down from generation to generation…if after many years this master…still reincarnates back into Ling Men, then at that time, I will most certainly dissolve this demon.” (He dies, body falls to ground).
41:48
[Next Life at Ling Men, 700 hundred years later:]
[Xuan Ling’s reincarnated form: Ling Hua, is fighting demon with his Eldest Disciple Sister = Shijie]
Eldest Disciple Sister: “Ling Hua! I’ll flank him on the left, you block him on the right. We’ll work together and kill this Lion Beast!”
Ling Hua: “Yes! Shijie (elder disciple sister), be careful!”
Elder Disciple Sister: “Hey! Tian Luo Di Wang[11]!” (trap array hits) “Ling Hua, hurry and kill him!”
Ling Hua: “Ao! Okay!” (draws sword) “Monster, eat this!” (He tries to strike beast but he is thrown into the air far away by the Lion Beast)
Elder Disciple Sister: “Ling Hua!”
(At a distance, Ling Hua’s fall is stopped before he hits anything)
Ling Hua: (shocked) “Eh, how come I’m suspended in the air, unless I’ve suddenly learned Cloud Soaring Skill? Hehehe…eh, but what is this cold thing wrapped around my waist.” (Turns head and sees giant white snake head) “AHHH! Snake!” (snake’s tail unwraps, Ling Hua falls to the ground) “Ah! Owww!! Where’s my sword?! WHERE’S MY SWORD?!”
Ling Hua: (thinking to himself as he stares down giant white snake) A huge White Rose Snake! They can swallow me whole!
Ling Hua: “Ah! B-beast don’t do anything rash! I’m a disciple of Ling Men! If you eat me, my master will definitely not let you off!”
(Snake transforms into human shape; it is the snake his past life saved all grown up and extremely talented in magic now)
43:00
Ying San Jun: (Laughing) “What an ignorant youngster, I kindheartedly saved your life and get called a beast by you. If I had known this would be the outcome, I would have just let you smash onto the ground, become a meat pancake, see if that master of yours will take revenge on rocks.”
Ling Hua: “Ah??? ….oh! So just now it was you who caught me? No wonder I stopped in midair! Eh, your normal form is a snake and is my life saving hero, then I’ll refer to you as Great Snake Immortal!”
Ying San Jun: “Hmph. Why don’t you just call me by my name? I’m called Yin San Jun.”
Ling Hua: “Eh you can call me by my name too, I’m called Ling Hua, the ‘ling’ from Ling Men, the ‘hua’ from “Chun Hua Qiu Shi”[13]
43:50
Ying San Jun: (thinking to herself) “The Six Paths of Reincarnation sure are merciless, letting a supremely power Taoist change into a foolish young boy but today I’ve finally been able to return the lifesaving grace from 700 years ago. Such a lucky encounter. (turning back to the young lad) “Ling Hua, the hour is no longer early, I’ll escort you back to Ling Men.”
Ling Hua: “No! I came down with my Shijie to vanquish demons together so I have to go back with her! Ying San Jun, could I bother you to help me find my shijie?”
Ying San Jun: “Follow alongside me.”
(They walk away into the forest together)
44:35
Ling Hua: “Shijie, shijie! Shijie! Shijie!” (thinking to himself) “Weird, there’s nobody here anywhere, just where could she have gone?”
Ying San Jun: “Ling Hua! Ling Hua! This area’s demonic miasma is too thick, we can’t go any closer.”
Ling Hua: “Ah? What?” (looks around and finally realizes where they are) “Oh this place is the Forbidden Grounds of Ling Men!”
Ying San Jun: “That’s right. 700 years ago, the sect founder of Ling Men, Xuan Ling Taoist, sealed an incredibly powerful demon here, disallowing any Ling Men members to enter, even the immortal beasts of this Su Mountain dare not trespass here. I think your Shijie is not around these parts, why don’t we go somewhere else to search?”
Ling Hua: “Ah, okay.”
(Huan Mao breathes heavily)
Ling Hua gasps.
Ying Sang Jun: “What’s wrong?”
Ling Hua: “Ying Sang Jun, did you hear a weird sound just now?”
Ying Sang Jun: “Did you hear something?”
Ling Hua: “It was almost like…someone was sighing.”
Ying Sang Jun: “I’d bet that it was just the wind. Come on, let’s hurry. If we don’t, the sun will have set soon.”
Ling Hua: “Ao.” (thinking to himself) “Did I hear incorrectly? Somehow, I have the inkling that the sound had come, as if from within the Forbidden Grounds?”
46:20
Ling Hua: “Shijie! Shijie!”
(Huan Mao laughing)
Ling Hua: “Who are you? Why are you hiding in the dark?!”
Huan Mao: “I waited so long, finally someone has entered!”
Ling Hua is surrounded in dark shadows, grabbing and twisting around him as Huan Mao’s voice surrounds him.
Ling Hua: “Demon! Were you the one that captured my Shijie?!”
Huan Mao: “Wait till you enter my stomach to find out!”
[Eaten]
[Ling Hua wakes up from nightmare]
47:10
Ling Hua: “Another nightmare! Lately I keep dreaming about that demon…always the same voice but I can never see clearly his appearance…is it a hallucination?”
[Knocking]
Bai Da Shixiong [14] knocks on his bedroom door. Speaking through it: “Ling Hua! Come out quickly! Shijie has come back!”
Ling Hua: “Ah! Shijie has returned?!”
[Rushes out]
47:38
Ling Men’s Current Sect Leader/Ling Hua’s Shifu: “Yun Er, where have you been for these 6 years? Me and your disciple brothers had searched all over for you, and thought you had long since departed from this world.”
Shijie: “That day this student was unfortunate enough to have slipped down the mountainside, getting amnesia, and was saved by a nomadic Bhikkhunī who took me to travel with her to various places in the world, only recently did I receive my memory back and so I quickly bid her goodbye to return to this sect. Implore Shifu to forgive this disciple!”
Ling Hua: “Shifu! Shijie did not intentionally go missing-in-action, these 6 years she was wandering outside and undoubtedly suffered a lot already, I beg you to not discipline her further!”
Ling Hua’s Shifu: “Mmm, what matters most is that you’re back. Yun’er, you travelled for such a long distance, I’m sure you’re tired, why don’t you retire for the night.”
Shijie: “Yes.”
[Outside, Ling Hua runs to his Shijie]
Ling Hua: “Shijie! It’s great that you’re back, I missed you so much!”
Shijie: “Sorry Ling Hua, this Shijie is tired, I’ll talk to you later.”
Bai Da Shixiong: “Shijie seems to have changed a lot since returning, she’s turned quite cold it seems.”
Ling Hua: (sighs) “She suffered much outside so naturally her temperament will have changed a bit. From, we must treat her with care and show her compassion, I’m sure after a while she’ll be back to her old warm self.”
49:24
Bai Da Shixiong to Ling Hua: “Ling Hua, tonight Shifu is in closed door cultivation, you’ll be in charge of making the rounds patrolling tonight (defensively). Make sure the disciple brothers keep a strong arm and diligent eye open (for danger).”
Ling Hua: “Yes, I understand.” (Da Shixiong leaves)
Shijie (suddenly walking up from behind Ling Hua): “Ling Hua.”
Ling Hua: “Shijie!” (runs to her) “Shijie, you called me?”
Shijie: “Oh, do you still remember that red bean pastry you had bought from the village at the base of the mountain last time? Today I’m not feeling too well, can you go down and buy it for me?”
Ling Hua: “Er…this…that red bean pastry is only available on market days. Today in the marketplace there is no gather, but also, today Shifu is in closed door cultivation, tonight I have to patrol the mountaintop.”
Shijie: “Yesterday I heard from woodsmen in the mountain that there will be a Mountain God Celebration today, the gathering should be similar to market days, can you go and see if the vendor for the red bean pastries will show up? I’ll take your place in patrolling.”
Ling Hua: “Sure! I’ll go right now. Take my place for a bit, I’ll be back quick-“
Shijie: “No! Uh…I mean, you don’t have to hurry back, after you finish purchasing the pastries, go to the Guanyin Temple and ask for a fortune on my behalf, later on you can stay overnight in the town too.”
Ling Hua: “Okay! Then I’ll go now. You be careful Shijie!”
(He leaves in the forest)
50:53
Ying San Jun (who sees him in the forest): “Ling Hua?”
Ling Hua: “Oh it’s Ying San Jun, haven’t seen you for many days now, are you doing well?”
Ying San Jun: “I just finished closed door meditation and am outside now taking a stroll and happened to come upon you. Seeing you travelling hurriedly, are you on an errand to the town?”
Ling Hua: “Today there’s a Mountain God Celebration, I want to go there and buy some pastries.”
Ying San Jun: “I just came back from there, I didn’t see any Mountain God Celebration in the streets. Have you perhaps mistaken?”
Ling Hua: “There isn’t (a festival)? But I heard it straight from Shijie. Perhaps she too had misheard…”
(Demon sounds, all beasts and monsters on the mountains are retreating away from the summit)
Ling Hua: “How come these beasts are all evacuating? What has happened?”
Ying San Jun: “Many demons migrating at once. They are undoubtedly avoiding a natural enemy. If not a god then a demon.”
Ling Hua: “A black fog has risen from the back of the mountain heading right towards my sect!” (He starts running back, Ying San Jun stops him)
Ying San Jun: “Ling Hua, where are you going?”
Ling Hua: “My sect is facing a big unforeseen development, I hurry back to assist!”
Ying San Jun: “Your steps are too slow, come grab onto the sleeve of my robe, I’ll send you there via cloud soaring.”
Ling Hua (grabs on): “Thank you!”
[They fly together]
52:16
Ying San Jun: “Not good. The demonic miasma here is too thick, I can’t get any closer.”
Ling Hua: “Just here is close enough! Go back Ying San Jun! I’ll visit and appropriately thank you another day!” [He rushes away]
Ying San Jun: “Ling Hua, be extra careful!”
[Ling Hua rushes to the Forbidden Ground cave where the miasma is coming from, he sees his disciple brethren fighting something in the shadows, a disciple is thrown out of the cave, hitting the ground by Ling Hua’s feet]
Ling Hua: “Wang Shidi! Wang Shidi! What’s happened?”
Wang Shidi (on the verge of death): “The demon sealed in the Forbidden Grounds…has been freed.” (he dies)
Ling Hua: “Wang Shidi! Wang Shidi!”
[More magic, demonic miasma uprooting trees and throwing disciples everywhere]
52:58
Huan Mao: “This Venerable One has been imprisoned in that cave by you guys for centuries, today I’m finally able to leave! Hahaha!”
Ling Hua’s Bai Da Shixiong (standing with his other disciple brothers, forming his array): “Form the array! Hold off this demon!”
Huan Mao: “A bunch of powerless individuals and still dare to make noise before me!”
Ling Hua (running up to his Bai Shixiong, the only one still alive): “Stop!”
Da Shixiong: “Ling Hua, hurry and escape.” (dies)
Ling Hua: “Shixiong!” (turns to demon) “You! Demon, I’m going to kill you!”
53:38
Huan Mao: “Hmph, so there’s still one more ant here that doesn’t care for his life.”
Ling Hua/Xuan Ling (flashback voice overlays): “Evil Disperse!”
Huan Mao (finding the array familiar): “Mm?”
Ling Hua: (chanting exorcism array) “Ten Thousand Swords Return to Home, Wield Heaven to Eradicate Evil!”
[exploding magic]
Huan Mao: “You intend to stop me on your own?” [He attacks]
[Ling Hua falls down, Huan Mao steps to stand over him]
Ling Hua: “Since I’ve lived up till now, I naturally have the skills to stop you!”
[More electric magic sounds, he gets captured, suspended through the air by Huan Mao’s grip]
Huan Mao (finally recognizing him): “Oh? No wonder you’re so confident in your words, so it turns out to be you. Who’d have thought that after sealing this Venerable One in the cave back that your ‘lamp oil ran out’ as well. A cultivator seeking immortality ironically falling into the reincarnation cycle, hahahahaha.”
(He’s choking Ling Hua)
Ling Hua: “Wretched being!”
Huan Mao: “Even after reincarnation you still appear delectably tasty…this Venerable One is naturally a picky eater but when it comes to your raw soul…I’ve always been desiring without attaining, hahaha.”
(Choking Ling Hua, laughing, about to eat him, Shijiie runs up)
Shijie: “STOP! Huan Mao, he’s the Ling Hua Shidi I spoke about! You promised me you wouldn’t harm him! You can’t go back on your word!”
Ling Hua: “Shijie?!”
Shijie: “Hurry and let him go!”
Huan Mao: “Stupid woman, what right do you have to negotiate with this Venerable One?”
Shijie: “I…I saved your life. If I hadn’t broken the array in the Forbidden Grounds, how could you have escaped?!”
Ling Hua: “Shijie! This demon…was unleashed by you?!”
Huan Mao: “Hmph, she didn’t just let me out, she also told me that tonight would be the Ling Men sect leader’s closed door cultivation day, perfectly suitable for this Venerable One to take his revenge!”
Ling Hua: “Shijie! Why did you do such a thing?! Wang shidi and everyone was killed by this demon! How could you be so cruel!?
Shijie: “Ling Hua, forgive this shijie…”
Ling Hua: “Why did you betray us? Say something! SAY SOMETHING!”
Shijie: “I…I…deserve death.” (sobbing)
Huan Mao: “Let me tell you why. Six years ago this woman trespassed into the cave, awoke me from my sleep. I merely ‘smiled’ a bit at her and she became mesmerized [by my beauty], from that point on willingly listening to my every command and even willingly beget for me a demon child!”
Ling Hua: “WHAT?!”
56:44
Huan Mao: “No one in the Sixth Paths of Reincarnation can resist this Venerable One’s allure, forget a simple mortal [woman], even an ascended immortal will lose all logical thinking when they look upon me, that was exactly what happened in your past life!” (to Ling Hua, chokes him again)
Huan Mao: “Didn’t expect this turn of events, right? Evaded me for centuries and yet still ended up being eaten by me.”
Ling Hua: “It’s such a shame….you won’t be able to eat after all!”
[Array activates around Huan Mao’s feet]
Huan Mao: “This is…a Demon Exorcism Array?!”
Shifu (who has finally appeared out of closed door meditation after sensing something wrong): “Ling Hua duck away! Let this master use Tian Guan Array to kill this demon!”
Huan Mao: “Stinky old man! Let me kill you!”
[Shifu chanting array]
Shijie (still in love): “Shifu! Don’t!” [she runs in and is caught by the explosion, blocking a fatal part of the array]
Ling Hua: “Shijie! Stop!”
Huan Mao (physical shell has been killed, but his soul is still alive because of Shijie’s blocking, speaking through his demonic soul): “Ah, such a shame, if I had managed to eat your (Ling Hua’s) raw soul I would have been able to return to near full power…if that had happened how I could possibly get trapped by this little Demon Exorcism Array? But…this Venerable One has left behind his offspring…once I am fully reborn…I will definitely come back and find you again.” (to Ling Hua)
(His soul vanishes)
Ling Hua (turns to his Shijie who is coughing up blood, on the verge of death, he hugs her form on the ground): “Shijie! Shijie, are you okay?! Shijie?!” (turns to his master) “Shifu, Shijie is about to die, can you save her?!”
Shifu: “Ah, this stupid fool, sacrificing herself for a demon…’committing acts of doom will doom oneself.’”
Shijie: “This disciple knows…this disciple is laden with heavy sins…but I beg you to please…show mercy for Zhao-er…”
Ling Hua (thinking to himself) “Zhao-er?! Could that be…the child she had with the demon?!”
Shijie: “Shifu…shifu…”
Shifu: “If I had wanted to kill her, I would have done so already, why would I have left him for so long now? ‘The Heavens have mercy for all’, though his father is a demon, he is still just an innocent child.”
Shijie: “This disciple…th-thanks…”
Ling Hua: “Shijie, that demon was just using you! How come you’re still showing care for him?!”
Shijie: “I know…but…I have no regrets…” (dies)
Ling Hua: “Shijie…shijie?!” (sobs) “Shijie?!!!!!” (sobs)
1:01:38
[Ling Hua, now having succeeded as Da Shixiong for the sect with all his other older disciple brothers/sisters dead, leads his two other shidis in the Forbidden Grounds cave to find the child Shijie and Huan Mao left behind.]
Nameless Shidi: “Ma Shidi, this cave is so ominously scary, why would Shifu assign us to pick someone up here?”
Ma Shidi: “Not sure, but if Shifu commands it then we’ll do it. If we have any confusions we can later ask Da Shixiong (Ling Hua).”
Nameless Shidi: “The day before, with the attack, all those disciples including the former Da Shixiong were all killed in battle…only Da Shixiong (Ling Hua) was able to survive.”
Ma Shidi: “Of course, that’s why he’s now become our Da Shixiong. But you know, I think he’s changed quite a bit since before…his personality has completely gone cold…”
Nameless Shidi: “Most likely he was traumatized by that blood bath…eh, he’s walking so fast, we need to follow closer, lest we get lost! Da Shixiong! Da Shixiong! Wait for us!”
[Runs to Da Shixiong]
Nameless Shidi: “Wah! What is that? How could there be such a huge cocoon on the ground?”
1:02:46
Ma Shidi: “And translucent too! Inside…it’s a child?”
[Cocoon splits]
Namless Shidi: “The cocoon broke! That child…is it awakening?”
[Child yawns, big adorable eyes blinking cutely, tiredly.]
Ma Shidi: “That child is sure adorable…the one shifu wanted us to pick up, is it this little guy?”
[Ling Hua breathes heavily.]
Nameless Shidi: “Da Shixiong, why did you draw your sword?…Do you intend to kill that child?”
Huan Mao’s baby: “Hmm? Who are you? Why did you wake me up?”
[Ling Hua raises blade]
Shidis together: “Da Shixiong!”
Huan Mao’s baby (to Ling Hua): “Can you tell me your name?”
[Ling Hua raises sword to kill but strikes empty rocks in the end, unable to bring himself to kill the boy.]
[1] Buddha = Originally Siddhartha Gutama but attained enlightenment/Nirvana and was able to end the ‘cycle of suffering’ (reincarnation) for himself by forgoing all 7 emotions and 6 desires (which vary depending on the scholar/belief teaching it and I’m in no place to tell you which ones are correct lol), which is the central idea to Buddhism/monasticism, the foregoing of all emotions (love, hate, lust, envy etc) and became a central figure in Buddhism teaching. In mythological tales, he is portrayed as an all-powerful godlike figure that is more powerful than the Jade Emperor, as even Heavenly Immortals are not immune to emotional temptations as we will soon see….
[2] Da Ren means literally big person but is synonymous with ‘Your Grace,’ ‘Your Highness/Majesty’
[3] West in this case meaning India, where Siddhartha came from and where the monk Xuanzang sojourned for 17 years to teach/amalgamate chinese and Indian Buddhism beliefs of compassion, self-sacrifice
[4] Five Aggregates of Clinging, aka Skandhas/khandhas are the five material and mental factors that constitute someone’s desires/personal attachment to the physical world that prevent them from attaining Nirvana. The Five Aggregates are form (or material image), sensations (or feelings), perceptions, mental activity, and consciousness.
[5] So 8 birthday characters was believed during ancient china to have fortune telling capabilities. It is based on the sexagenary cycle for keeping time, with different characters corresponding the year, month, day and hour you were born, each giving you two unique characters thus altogether giving you an 8 character birthday character combo.
[6] Its an archaic punishment where the convict’s entire clan and surviving relatives are put to death alongside them.
[7] Fox Demons are known in chinese legend for their seductive/alluring nature, usually seen in the shape of a female that entice men to their doom,
[8] Chu Yu – Yu = Jade which has connotations of beauty and luster.
[9] Chi Jun Wang – Means to either deceive or bully a monarch, from 《叹世》。
[10] Ji Ji Lu Lin Lin – It’s a folklore exorcism spell, popularized in chinese ghost movies, multiple interpretations for what it means but one is ‘Hurry to me Lin Lin’ ; Lin Lin is this supposedly helpful ghost that aids Taoists with its power OR it can be literally translated to be ‘Eagerly abide by my law [words]’ like calling for the spell to hurry
[11]: Tian Luo Di Wang: 天罗地网 = Literally means nets all over in both Heaven and Earth, meaning to trap someone without escape, but it’s an array in this case
[12]: Ding = (a small one in this case)
[13]: Chun Hua Qiu Shi = Means literally Springs brings flowers, Fall brings Seeds (fruit), metaphor for fruits of one’s labor OR the karmic cycle of one’s actions
[14] Da Shixiong = Head Disciple Brother, the disciple with the most seniority, right below the leader of the sect, usually the most powerful disciple in the sect too
[15] Ling Boa Tian Zun = Treasured Spirit Deity,
[16] Dǒuzhuǎn-Xīngyí – means the Big Dipper has turned and the stars have moved; equates to ‘passage of time’ or ‘time flies’