Character Descriptions:
He Lanyu: The 3rd prince to the dynasty, known as the King of Shou, in their thirties, ambitious and covetous of the emperor’s throne, has plans of rebellion because he has hated his father ever since his mother was wrongfully framed by jealous concubines and died in the ‘Cold Palace'[2] of a broken heart.
He Lanling: The 6th prince of the dynasty, known as Lord Xiu, around 20 years old, strict austere nature except with the one he loves [Yun Zong]; known for being blood thirsty and murderous in the battlefield so his father, the emperor sent him to study monasticism at Qing Feng Guan, where he met and grew up with YZ.
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; story told in another book; enemies against He Lanyu since adolescence; long acquaintance with QKZ
______________________
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.”
YZ: “Leader Qin, you’ve said this before.”
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 (sighs): “Why do you force yourself to be like this…”
QKZ: “NO! [In his fury/anxiety in the moment, the man could no longer contain his emotions and suddenly 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!”
QKZ: “In this world, only I would care so much about you, and only I would be so unshakably attached to you.”
YZ: “YZ: “Leader Qin, even if you are speaking from the heart, this poor Taoist is still unable to accept.”
QKZ: “…so long as it means protecting Yun Zong’s life, I’m willing to pay any cost.”
Announcement: The original work of Su Te, the ancient style drama danmei, “Red Dust Road”, the sixth issue, welcome to listen.
(He Lanling’s manor interior, near the imperial palace where the emperor is, He Lanling is pacing inside his bedroom,
2:37
He Lanling: (sighs) “Ever since He Lanyu has returned to the capital, the atmosphere in Jinchang has felt like the brewing of a mountain storm. As if the Heavens are about to change. (to his subordinates outside of the door) “Pass the word down, have Su Yifeng head a secret platoon at the palace’s exterior. Remember this has to be secret. You cannot let He Lanyu notice.”
Subordinate: “Understood, the order will be carried out as my lord wishes.”
(Subordinate exits)
He Lanling: (sighs wistfully, missing his friend) “Yun Zong, where are you now? Are you okay?”
[The winds pick up, someone intrudes in his room: indicated by the shifting shadows.]
He Lanling: “WHOSE THERE?!”
QKZ (appearing): “This lord is still so affectionate towards Yun Shangjun.”
He Lanling (furious): “Qin Ko Zen! GUARDS! Arrest him!!!”
[QKZ dispatches everyone easily, turns back once more to address He Lanling]
QKZ: “Yun Zong is currently imprisoned by He Lanchu at his manor. Are you going to rescue him or not?”
He Lanling: “What?!” (anxiously approaches him) “Just what exactly happened?!”
QKZ: “He Lanyu and He Lanchu are both separately conspiring for the throne; I was fooled by He Lanchu, thinking he had no interest for the throne, not realizing that the man has a wild wolf’s heart [like his brother]. He’s blackmailing me using Yun Zong’s life, I had no choice but to acquiesce to his demands of assassinating the emperor.”
3:55
He Lanling: “You’d agree to such a treasonous unforgivable demand! You don’t care for your life anymore?!”
QKZ: “If I didn’t agree, then I’m afraid YZ’s life would be in danger. If it was you, wouldn’t you do the same?”
He Lanling: “I-…I…” (exhales)
4:10
QKZ: “You need to go see the emperor immediately at the imperial city. Just say you received word that there will be an assassin tonight targeting the emperor, tell him you wish to personally guard the inner court. When I infiltrate, I will fight you and fail; when I’m escaping, I will leave an identifying token of Yun Zong’s. Take that token to the emperor and ask him to summon He Lanyu and He Lanchu to the palace tomorrow, then you’ll have an opportunity to rescue Yun Zong.”
He Lanling: (sighs) “If He Lanchu has YZ imprisoned and is forcing your hand, evidenced by reality, then why do I need to wait till tomorrow at all; why can’t I just enter the palace immediately and request an audience with my father for this!
QKZ: “Compared to He Lanchu, He Lanyu is much more dangerous of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, summoning both simultaneously into the court [is the best discourse] and saves you time.”
He Lanling: (after thinking about it) “Mmm, what you say is true. I’ll do as you say.”
QKZ: “YZ’s safety is all dependent on my lord.”
5:20
[Scene transition]
[Small secret room, YZ wakes up to find himself lying on a simple wooden board bed. His immobilization pressure point has been jabbed and so he cannot move.]
5:49
YZ (struggling to think as his mind still groggy from being knocked out) (internal monologue) This…this place is where? After leaving from He Lanchu’s manor I was seized by a couple of people dressed in all black, though I didn’t know who had sent them but those people were all powerful pugilists that showed no mercy in their movements; definitely not any ordinary mercenaries…
He Lanchu (speaking from background, YZ wasn’t sure when he’d appeared because the man hadn’t been present when he’d woken up): “Shangjun has woken up?”
6:15
YZ: “The 7th lord. It’s you…how did this poor Taoist end up here?”
He Lanchu: “It was this humble lord who invited this Taoist here. Yun Shangjun left in such a haste from my manor, I wondered where you were planning to go?”
YZ: “Naturally back to Ging Feng Guan.”
He Lanchu (laughing): “I think more likely you were planning to visit the imperial court to see my Father Emperor, no? I’m not afraid to tell you that leader Qin has already beaten you to this task and entered the court first.”
YZ: (surprised) “QKZ?! He’s entered the imperial court?! Why?”
6:54
He Lanchu: “This lord made a deal with him: in exchange for your safe return, he has to infiltrate the court tonight to assassinate Father Emperor. Only failure is allowed and not success. After being captured, he’ll testify that it was my Third Elder Brother which put him up to the task, confirming his rebellion plot!”
YZ (disbelieving): “Ridiculous! The imperial palace is heavily guarded, how could anyone just infiltrate like that?”
7:15
He Lanchu: “Shangjun is well aware of how advanced sect leader Qin’s martial arts are, even if a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses stood in his path, I’m sure he’d have no problem breaking through. What does infiltrating a palace mean to him?”
YZ: “Even if he succeeded in entering, to fail in an assassination to the emperor is a crime punishable with ‘Convict Nine Clan’[1]! How could he be so foolish and comply to you?!”
He Lanchu: “Yeah, how could he be so foolish? I too am not sure what brainwashing he was given by you, Shangjun, that he would not care for his life, with just asking me to ensure your safety.”
7:47
YZ: “YOU-!” [He felt his inner heart swelling with turmoil because he was unable to move, the pain erupted in a plume of blood through his lips.] (internal monologue) How could QKZ be willing to go to this extent for me? Impossible. Impossible…that person is arrogant and conniving, how could he be this reckless now… …]
YZ (speaking weakly): “Even if he really did as you told, testified that he was under the command of the Third Lord, with how wise the emperor is, would he believe just one man’s word?”
8:15
He Lanchu: “Humph. Father Emperor previously sent you to investigate Heyang Villa because he already had suspicions against my Third Elder Brother. With your whereabouts completely unknown after last being seen in his premises…added onto an assassin that pinpoints my Third Elder Brother as the mastermind behind an assassination plot…do you think Father Emperor would believe or not believe?” (His voice turns cold as YZ does not reply.) “I worked together with QKZ for the greater good for many years yet just for you everything changed! Now that my Third Elder Brother has returned to the capital, I’m sure he’s already concocting some ploy against me. Success or failure happens tonight. If at the end, QKZ manages to escape with his life, I’ll naturally return you to him; if he unfortunately dies, I’ll personally send you to accompany him in hell. To pay memory of me and his friendship for all these years.”
8:56
[After he leaves, YZ stays on the bed, and thinks about QKZ’s words from that day.]
QKZ: “In this world, only I would care so much about you, and only I would be so unshakably attached to you.”
YZ: (internal monologue) I thought he was just once again saying flippant flattery, unwilling under any circumstance to believe in them. But now it seems that that person really does have some degree of true intentions towards me….
9:55
[Scene transition]
[By now He Lanchu has been called into the palace just like QKZ planned, leaving his manor]
[Exterior of He Lanchu’s manor; entrance, door breaking open sounds]
[He Lanling leads a group of soldiers to rescue YZ.]
Guard 1: “Who are you guys?! You all dare to invade the 7th lord’s manor!”
He Lanling: “Where is Yun Zong?! Speak!”
Guard 1: “So bold! Where did such a brigand come from?”
Guard 2: “This is the Seventh Lord’s manor, who gave you permission to come in here?!”
Guard 3: “Just who exactly are you?”
He Lanling: “Humph. He Lanling!”
Guard 1: (shocked) “The Sixth Lord!”
Guard 2: (scared) “M-my lord.”
He Lanling: “Humph! Arrest all of these treasonous scum!”
All the troops he brought with him to charge the manor: “Yes!”
10:22
[Sounds of battle as they surge the manor]
He Lanling: “Everyone! Come with me to the back to save the man!”
[They rush to the back court, after searching, He Lanling sees from afar YZ immobilized]
He Lanling: “YZ!” (runs to)
YZ: “The Sixth Lord?”
He Lanling: YZ, are you okay? (undoes his immobilization pressure point)
YZ: “How did you know I imprisoned here?”
He Lanling: “It was QKZ; he came to find me yesterday and told me you were being held prisoner by my 7th brother at his manor, asking me to come save you. Though this person is devious and cunning, hurting you so much before, yet somehow he’s now willing to take such a huge risk for you, putting his own life on the line…it really makes someone suspicious.”
11:05
YZ: (sore still from being immobilized for so long) “If he…”
He Lanling: “You’ve been held captive here for a while now, I’m sure you’re in need of rest. I’ll have someone escort you back to Qing Feng Guan.”
YZ: “I accepted a royal edict and I must report back to the emperor.”
He Lanling: “But-“
Eunuch working for He Lanling (reporting): “News!!!”
11:21
One of He Lanling’s soldiers: “My lord, a messenger has come reporting from the imperial palace: The Third Lord has placed the palace on lockdown! Not allowing anyone to enter or come near the imperial study to see the emperor.”
He Lanling: “So it seems He Lanyu has acted sooner than I thought.” (turns) “YZ, I need to go rescue Father Emperor, you-“
11:34
YZ: “With such a circumstance, how can this poor Taoist abandon and go his own way.”
He Lanling (carefully considering): “Okay, you and I will go together to the palace.” (to his subordinates) “Gather the troops! We are going to enter the imperial city and save the emperor!”
11:58
[Scene transition, imperial palace]
[Takes place after QKZ infiltrated and ‘failed’ in his assassination, leaving QKZ’s identifying token; He Lanchu and He Lanyu had been summoned into the study, a confrontation occurs where He Lanchu’s ploy to force QKZ to assassinate the Father Emperor is revealed but so is He Lanyu’s plot of rebellion.]
[It is revealed that He Lanyu’s mother, Concubine Lian, (different from He Lanchu’s mother who is the Empress) was framed for a crime by a couple of jealous concubines when she was in heavy favor by the emperor; Concubine Lian got sent to the ‘Cold Palace’[2] where she was hence forth forgotten and soon died of a broken heart. This is something that has always haunted He Lanyu internally.
When she was alive and still in favor, Concubine Lian had shown great kindness to Eunuch Liu, especially when his own mother was sick and needed money for medication, lavishly burying the woman after her death. Eunuch Liu never forgot this kindness and regretted not being able to save her from the cold palace.]
[During the confrontation of his plots, He Lanchu seizes his father by the throat, with the assistance of Eunuch Liu.]
12:09
Emperor: “You! You unfilial son! To abduct me wasn’t enough, you even paid off my persona Eunuch to trap this emperor!”
Eunuch Liu: “This old servant had no choice either; the Third Highness is skilled in both athletics and education, far surpassing the Sixth Highness and the Seventh Highness. My emperor should have long since crowned the Third Highness as Crown Prince.”
He Lanchu: “Too outrageous! How dare you say that!”
He Lanyu: “What are you impatient about? I’ll send you to accompany Father Emperor in death soon enough.” (announcing to Eunuch Liu and the rest of the ppl in the court to take down as a royal edict:) “The Seventh Highness started a rebellion against Father Emperor –I came too late to save him- everyone in this court can be my witness.” (back to his father) “Humph, Father Emperor, even the people closest to you have been bought off by me, how can you possibly continue ruling your kingdom?”
13:03
He Lanyu: “I came back to the capital this time originally just to persuade Father Emperor to declare me as Crown Prince, with no other intentions but who knew circumstances would force my hand, so don’t blame me for showing Father Emperor disrespect.”
He Lanchu: (running to try and help) “Father Emperor!”
He Lanyu: “Eunuch Liu, the Seventh Highness dares to try and execute Father Emperor. Take him away and watch him carefully.”
13:30
Eunuch Liu (bowing in obeisance): “My lord can rest assured.”
[Suddenly, in runs one of He Lanyu’s subordinates]
Subordinate: “Third Lord! Bad news! The Sixth Lord has led a charge into the imperial palace, heading right towards us!”
He Lanyu: “What? Humph. He dares to bring troops here; does he think I have no soldiers of my own?”
Emperor (Scoffing): “Humph, asshole!”
He Lanyu (turning to face him): “Father Emperor, if you just elected me as Crown Prince earlier, how could I have chosen this path? Currently, Father Emperor is pushing all of the blame onto this son…this son feels mighty wronged.”
[Another subordinate comes running in]
Subordinate 2: “My lord! The Sixth Lord commands the Yu Ling Platoon outside the palace!”
He Lanyu: “Is General Fang who leads the Yu Ling Platoon present? Summon him to come see me.”
14:17
Subordinate 2: “Replying to my lord, General Fang has long since defected. Currently, he’s leading the troops to break open the palace gates; whenever one of my lord’s troops approaches to speak with him, he cuts them down with one blade. I’m afraid, it’s only a matter of time until he breaks through.”
He Lanyu: “Humph, even though I tried so hard to bribe him –sending an innumerable amount of gold and silver treasures to him- it all has proved for naught!”
14:41
Emperor: “Fang Zai was reared by this emperor personally, he is loyal to the core with me; how could he possibly be bought with just a few ten thousands of silver?”
He Lanyu: “So that’s to say, Father Emperor already knew about my rebellion plans?”
15:00
Emperor: “I knew the issue with Concubine Lian caused your heart to grow resentment, so I prolonged electing you as Crown Prince; to see if you were able to put down your grudge, but in the end you still chose to rebel.” [turns to look at He Lanchu, because he knows about the plot with QKZ] “You and the Seventh are both foolish people.”
He Lanyu: “Shut up! Come with me!”
[He takes him to go meet He Lanling’s platoon outside]
15:46
He Lanyu: (sees platoon, led by He Lanling and YZ) “Sixth Brother, Shangjun. Hope you guys have been well.”
He Lanling: (draws blade to direct his troops) “Arrest them!”
[Fighting sounds as both military forces collide but He Lanling’s side eventually starts to win, slaughtering lots of He Lanyu’s men; a swarm of soldiers surrounds He Lanyu, but the man raises his blade against his father, the emperor’s throat threateningly, grazing it already to draw blood]
16:01
He Lanyu: “Who dares to take another step forward?!”
Father Emperor: “You…unfilial son.”
He Lanling: “Third Elder Brother, everything ends now. You still intend to resist? Quickly release Father Emperor!”
He Lanyu: “I refuse to release him, what are you gonna do about it?”
He Lanling: “You’re troops have all been arrested by me, do you think you can still escape?!”
He Lanyu: “If you’re bold enough then come and get me!”
[An arrow shot through the air, hitting him right on the shoulder; He Lanyu cries in pain and lets go of his grip. The emperor took advantage of this opportunity and stumbled forward a few steps. He was immediately taken in by He Lanling’s soldiers.]
Soldiers: “Your highness!”
He Lanling: “Father Emperor! Quickly send him to the inner courts to recover!”
Some soldiers: “Yes!” [They leave with the emperor in tow.]
He Lanyu: (he grasped the arrow with one hand while the other braced his own shoulder before yanking the weapon out with all his might; he groans in extreme pain) (with a pale face): “My Sixth Younger Brother’s subordinates are quite skilled, this older brother of yours is quite impressed.”
He Lanling: “Do you still refuse to surrender?!”
[He Lanling was just about to order for him to be taken down when a silhouetted figure suddenly leaped forth and unexpectedly attacked him. The man was Su Yishui.]
YZ: “Watch out my lord!” (jumps protectively in front of him)
[A fight ensues between Su Yishui and YZ, with the former winning. YZ is taken captive and has his immobilization pressure point once more jabbed. He is dragged as hostage towards He Lanyu.]
Su Yishui: “My lord, this subordinate has arrived late.”
He Lanling (concerned): “Yun Zong!”
17:00
[At this moment, another figure ran forward: it was QKZ. Su Yishui grabs YZ and holds his sword pressed against the man’s neck.]
QKZ: “Su Yishui!”
Su Yishui (scoffing): “Shidi, we meet again.”
QKZ: “You better let him go!”
Su Yishui: (laughs) “Can’t do that I’m afraid, I still need to use him to trade for my lord’s life.”
[QKZ took a few steps forward, and Su Yishui’s arm glides against YZ’s neck slightly to draw few drops of blood.]
QKZ: “You-!”
Su Yishui: “Humph, shidi, do you dare to take another step forward?”
QKZ (gasping): “YZ!”
He Lanling: “Don’t harm YZ!”
Su Yishui: “So long as you give orders to let my lord go, safely escort us out of the capital, I’ll ensure that nothing happens to Yun Shangjun!”
He Lanling: “Treasonous rebels! How can such people be set free!”
Su Yishui: “Humph, then I can only have Yun Shangjun serve as burial tribute to my lord!”
[He Lanling met YZ’s eyes; they were calm but the man nodded at the Sixth Lord ever so slightly. He Lanling’s eyes sank and he whispered something in the ear of QKZ before turning his horse’s head and leading his troops out of the palace’s gates, giving room for Su Yishui and He Lanyu.]
17:46
He Lanling: “I’ll let you guys go! Just so long as you guys promise not to hurt Yun Zong!”
Su Yishui: “This Sixth Lord need not worry.” (turns to injured He Lanyu) “My lord, follow behind me, be careful of a trap.”
He Lanyu: “Mmh.”
[They slowly walk towards palace gates with everyone’s eyes on them as Su Yishui keeps the blade against Yun Zong’s neck.]
[Su Yishui passes QKZ up close.]
18:01
Su Yishui: (Scoffs) “Shidi, thank you for letting us pass.”
[QKZ breathes heavily while glaring at them.]
18:08
Su Yishui: “Bring two horses forward!”
He Lanling: (to his troops) “Give them two horses.”
[The horses are led up. QKZ is blocking the way for the horses, so one of the soldiers say ‘Leader Qin’ to ask him to step aside; QKZ does so reluctantly.]
Su Yishui: “My lord, quickly get on the horse.” (doesn’t get on one himself) “My lord, you go first.”
He Lanyu: (injured and cradling his shoulder) “No, if we’re going then we go together.”
Su Yishui: (turns to his lord) “In such an urgent situation, what is my lord waiting for?!”
[In his split attention, QKZ suddenly shot forward and struck his chest with a palm. Su Yishui was caught off guard and lost his grip, having YZ snatched out of his arms. Su Yishui stumbled back, smiling.]
Su Yishui: (speaking through his injury with his smile): “Shidi…I didn’t think you would make a move against me…”
QKZ (while holding protectively onto YZ): “If you had injured Yun Zong, I would without hesitation kill you.” (turning to YZ) “YZ, are you alright?” (undoes his immobilization pressure point)
YZ: “Nothing wrong.”
He Lanling (shouting to his soldiers): “Unleash the arrows!”
[Arrows rain down on their area around. Though he’d been informed about the arrow plan beforehand, QKZ’s martial arts were only that of one person’s and though he spun in the air several times with YZ to evade the arrows, he was in principle still just using his body to protect the man.] QKZ: “YZ be careful!” [He gets hit a couple times.]
[Su Yishui couldn’t avoid the rain of arrows either and gets stuck multiple times across his whole body.]
Su Yishui (with one hand on his sword) (laughing) (keeps getting stuck while he’s speaking) “My lord, this one’s skills are inept and cannot continue to follow this lord left and right, I can only repay this lord’s patronage in the…next life…”
19:24
He Lanyu: “You can go first…this lord will follow alongside soon…” [He gets killed in the storm of arrows too, a slightly wry, unsatisfied smile graced his lips as his eyes slowly closed.]
[Seeing that He Lanyu and Su Yishui had both died, He Lanling waved his hand and the archers immediately stopped. He Lanling stepped close to their bodies.]
19:51
He Lanling: “Drag these two rebel bodies away!”
Subordinates: “Yes.”
[QKZ had been hit in several places on his back, his body covered in blood as he sat on the ground, with a completely unharmed Yun Zong sitting at his side.]
[He Lanling approached QKZ and pointed his sword directly at the man]
He Lanling: “Trying to assassinate the emperor, your death sentence is also hard to avoid!”
QKZ (smiling despite his injuries and circumstance): “I said it before, even if I died for Shangjun, I would do so with complete willingness.”
YZ (heart softening, his tone is weak and shy): “Why is sect leader bothering to go this far…”
QKZ (shaking his head to indicate he doesn’t mind): “I only ask for Shangjun to come visit my grave after my death, then I can die without any regret.”
YZ: (lifting his gaze to look at He Lanling, his eyes pleading) “Sixth lord…”
[He Lanling locked gazes with him for a long moment before he finally resheathed his sword.]
He Lanling: “QKZ, I want you to disband MingHua sect, to never once again step foot inside the capital. Can you do all that?’
QKZ: “Disbanding the sect is fine but if you want me to never again step foot in the capital…doesn’t that mean never again being able to see Yun Zong?” (scoffs) “Then you might as well kill me just the same.”
He Lanling: “You!”
20:54
YZ: (internal monologue) He was willing to risk his life for me by infiltrating the palace for an assassination attempt. Just now in a storm of arrows he was willing to sacrifice himself in order to protect me no matter what…I…how can I selfishly not care for his life?
YZ (resolute): “When I left the capital, I’d already made up my mind that after I completed the emperor’s assignment, I’d resign as Qing Feng Guan Temple Lord, and for the rest of my life be as the ‘floating cloud, lonely flying crane’ [3], wandering the four seas.”
He Lanling (shocked, internally heartbroken): “Yun Zong!!! You-“
QKZ (interrupts, anxious): “I’m willing to agree to your terms. Disbanding MingHua sect and never again in this lifetime step foot in the capital.”
He Lanling (scoffs, angry, bitter, jealous): “HUMPH!”
QKZ (internal monologue): Is it not just disbanding the MingHua sect? At the worst, I could just make an appearance of doing so, announcing to the entire martial world that the sacred sect has been disbanded. Going by Yun Zong’s personality, the man will eventually accept me. So long as in the future I’m a bit more humble, a bit more respectful, and don’t create too much trouble for the man, what can He Lanling do to me since ‘the sky is high and the emperor is far away’ [4]? As far as this sect leader position goes, I could have it or not have it. Just wherever Yun Zong goes, I will go as well. A person like him is ‘hard mouthed but soft hearted’[5], so long as I slowly wear him down. If one year isn’t enough then 2 years, or 3; with his personality, he’ll eventually accept me.
22:21
Narrator: “He Lanyu’s plot to usurp the throne eventually incriminated a large number of court ministers. After a large wave of cleansing, the dust finally settled. He Lanchu, having been found guilty of conspiring with martial artists, got his lordship title stripped, demoted into a commoner, and forbidden to ever return to the capital in his life. Ever since, all news of him was lost.
Out from the MingHua sacred sect, which had always been a sore spot in the justice department’s eye, suddenly came the news of their leader dying from a serious illness. Since then, the MingHua sacred sect vanished. Additionally, there was no longer news of that sect leader who could ‘summon clouds and rains’ with a turn of his hand.
And since then, the emperor –after everything he went through- became seriously weakened. After electing He Lanling as Crown Prince, he quietly retired.”
23:27
[Footsteps sounds]
He Lanling: “Yun Zong, you really have made up your mind?”
YZ: “Since I was 7 I was placed to study Taoism. Though master treated me well, I still rarely left Qing Feng Guan. When I looked through history books, I deeply wanted to be able to see the landscapes of the world, be a casual person, free and unrestrained.”
He Lanling: “Even if you remained as Temple Lord of Qing Feng Guan, I [emperor] would not keep you restrained inside the temple; this great kingdom is free for you to explore.”
YZ (laughs): “That’s different, your majesty.”
He Lanling: “I have been good friends with you since childhood, so many years of friendship…that still gets beaten by that…that asshole.”
YZ (expression becomes awkward): “I’m not leaving the capital for him, your majesty.”
[He Lanling’s eyes darkened in that moment; he knew that once YZ made up his mind, no one would be able to dissuade him. Perhaps he really wasn’t leaving for QKZ but it was undeniable that, that night in the court palace, under a rainfall of arrows, YZ’s heart had softened.
Even if He Lanling knew from before he ordered the arrows to be released, from before QKZ used his body to protect YZ -that there would be nothing he could do afterwards to keep the Taoist, He Lanling knew he would have still made the same decision. Because in that moment he had made the choice an emperor should have made.
He had known that YZ would not blame him, because he couldn’t have possibly let He Lanyu and Su Yishui escape for just the sake of one person’s life. Even if he accidentally injured or even killed him, He Lanling would have still had to do it.
He had let QKZ protect YZ but under those life or death circumstances who was to say QKZ would not have abandoned YZ and escaped on his own?
But QKZ had made a decision that no had expected, willing to endure an entire back full of arrows for the sake of ensuring YZ’s complete safety.
Perhaps the man was just as YZ said before: the demon of his heart that he could not avoid or hide from.]
He Lanling: (various complex emotions crossed through his eyes, as if he had a world full of thoughts he wanted to say but in the end he just intoned:) “I know once you make a decision no one will be able to dissuade you. YZ, no matter the time, so long as you want to return to the capital –no matter if it’s to Qing Feng Quan or the palace, I’ll always have a spot saved for you.”
YZ: “Thank you, your majesty.”
He Lanling: “Don’t call me majesty. Call me like you did when we were children…to say goodbye to me.”
[YZ’s eyes softened; though the man before him was now emperor and son of the heavens, he was still his closest childhood friend.]
YZ: (softly) “Chongxuan. With this parting, since mountains are high and waters are long, I don’t know when we’ll see each other again, so please take care of yourself.”
He Lanling (slight smile): “Take care of yourself too.”
[YZ leaves]
He Lanling: “YZ, was it from the moment I ordered for those arrows to be released…no, it was from the moment QKZ used his body to shield you, that I lost all chance of keeping you, wasn’t it? Yun Zong, take care of yourself.”
[As Yun Zong left the capital he had just his own person, one horse, one long sword, with one bag of belongings hanging off the side of his saddle, simple and neat.]
25:59
[YZ’s horse’s hooves clip clops as he travels in the forest area which the path away from Qing Feng Guan winds into. QKZ stands waiting underneath a tree.]
QKZ: “Shangjun, who would have thought we’d meet each other in such country wilderness settings. Our destinies together are indeed quite deep.”
YZ: “So it’s sect leader Qin. Yes, such a country wilderness setting and we’re still able to meet each other. This kind of misfortunate fate is indeed quite deep-“
QKZ (tries to interrupt): “Eh-“
YZ: “But even misfortunate fate has an ending to it. Currently, this poor Taoist is no longer Temple Lord to Qing Feng Guan. For the rest of my life, I wish to travel and see the world. Everything that occurred in the past, this poor Taoist has already let go of. When sect leader shielded me from those arrows…I wasn’t unmoved…let’s just say that the slate is completely clean between the two of us.”
[QKZ leaps desperately through the air using qing gong to land on the ground, once more in front of YZ’s horse.]
QKZ: “Shangjun, don’t leave, you already know of my affections for you. Even if it meant losing my life, I was still willing to protect your wellbeing. In this world, only I would care so much about you, and only I would be so unshakably attached to you. You think with just the phrase of ‘the slate is completely clean between us’ that you’ll be able to dismiss me? Shangjun…for me, do you not hold even the slightest bit of longing?”
YZ: “Leader Qin, I-“
QKZ: “In the past, in the past it was all my stupidity, only wanting to dominate the martial world, only wanting to use any ploy to attain you –I made many mistakes…but now I’ve seen the light. What of luxuries and riches, what of the throne for the martial world –none of that matters at all compared to you!”
YZ (thinking to himself): (sighs) (half in exasperation, half in content) What a misfortunate destiny…
QKZ: “YZ, let me stay by your side, okay?”
YZ: “Leader Qin, you really are willing to stay with me to travel the world and sail the four seas?”
QKZ: “YZ, so long as it means being with you, I’m willing to go anywhere.”
[YZ laughs and gallops his horse away, not answering.]
QKZ: “YZ, YZ, YZ, YZ!” (sighs, all the while chasing him) “YZ.” (speaking to himself) “Clearly you gave up that shoddy Temple Lord title for me –not even He Lanling could keep you by his side- how come you’re still so shy? Clearly you’ve already agreed yet are still unwilling to admit to it. YZ, YZ, your mouth says one thing while your heart feel another.” (He uses qing gong and leaps onto the horse, sitting behind YZ, wrapping his arms around his waist.)
YZ: (shocked) “You-!”
QKZ: (whispering in his ear) “Shangjun…Shangjun is intending to go where right now? Can you bring me along?”
[YZ urges horse forward.]
QKZ: “Shangjun, don’t ignore me…I guarantee I’ll let Shangjun be comfortable during this entire journey…without any worries whatsoever. Shangjun, where are we going? Do you think we should first go North to enjoy the Great Mo, or do we go South to enjoy the sweet smelling waters of Jiangnan? Shangjun?” (head moves into the crook of his neck)
YZ: “QKZ, do you know where the 7th lord went? After he was demoted, no one has known where he’s gone.”
QKZ: “YZ, you really know how to ruin the mood. Why mention some He Lanchu? Him, with no lordship anymore, I’m sure has gone to find Fang Ji.”
YZ: “Brother Fang? Just what exactly is the history between the 7th lord and Brother Fang?”
QKZ: “If Shangjun brings up the topic of someone else again, I’ll get jealous. Therefore, why don’t we go North, to avoid meeting your Brother Fang, what does Shangjun think of that?” (kisses YZ lightly) “Shangjun?”
[YZ smiles in exasperation but lets him rest his head against his shoulder, urging his horse forward and silently reveling in the man’s embrace as they ride off.]
[Flashback to first episode when they first meet]
YZ: “This poor Taoist, Yun Zong, pays greetings to leader Qin.”
QKZ: “So it turns out to be Yun Shangjun. I should have expected that the person the lord invited to deal with me would not be an ordinary Taoist.”
______________________________
[1] It’s an archaic punishment where the convict’s entire clan and surviving relatives are put to death alongside them.
[2] Cold Palace where shunned, old, retired or neglected imperial concubines are thrown to live in until they die. It is a cold dreary old place where usually the concubines go mad in or die of sickness from because there are usually few/little resources given to them in there.
[3] Idiom meaning an unfettered, free spirit from 续湘山野录
[4] Idiom meaning remote places are beyond the reach of the central government
[5] Idiom meaning externally stoic, but internally sensitive
Definitely-Not-Embarrassed's Chinese Translations 