01x20 - Episode 20

[bunniefuu]

♪ Your silhouette in the twilight's glow ♪

♪ Awakens like snow, delicate and cold ♪

♪ Within your gaze,

countless destinies intertwine ♪

♪ A lifetime, a world of illusion

of just one person ♪

♪ As moonlight shimmers ♪

♪ Falling petals rest in my palm,

it's your sacred promise ♪

♪ Cultivating amidst the fleeting time

of this mortal world ♪

♪ To be as one, inseparable,

like a shadow in rhyme ♪

♪ Grant me a lifetime

of enchanting sights ♪

♪ I defy fate, turning it around ♪

♪ Fearless of heavenly decree ♪

♪ It is the courage

that blooms for you, profound ♪

♪ Unafraid of the destined trials ♪

♪ I only wish to make a vow with you ♪

♪ Like our initial encounter

etched deep within my heart ♪

=The Longest Promise=

(Adapted from "Zhu Yan" by Cang Yue)

=The Longest Promise=

(Adapted from "Zhu Yan" by Cang Yue)

=The Longest Promise=

=Episode 20=

Young Lady, are you awake?

Her Highness is waiting for you.

All right.

Tell Mother

I will be there soon.

Yes, Young Lady.

Probably she's going

to persuade me again.

(This is it. I was blindfolded.)

(Because I was inside my own spiritual.)

(Naturally, I wasn't able)

(to drive her away

with spiritual power.)

(But)

(how did she intrude there?)

What's wrong with you?

I know you're diligent.

But you look somewhat gaunter now.

Did you stay up all night yesterday?

I'll go and get you some snacks.

Is it because the residual power

of Gong Shang still left?

Plus, our spiritual powers

are mutually connected.

So she accidentally intruded there?

However, given her current ability,

she shouldn't be able to achieve that.

Have you reflected

on your mistake last time?

I failed my task last time.

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

General Qing, you're not young.

You should

decide on marriage now, right?

Elders of the Azure Clan and I

are very concerned about you.

Recently, the Crimson King

has been seeking a marriage alliance

for his only daughter, Princess Zhu Yan.

Princess Zhu Yan

is a lady of your age

and after your heart.

You should propose marriage to her.

Your Highness.

Why did you bring this up

out of a sudden?

Both of you are of marriageable age.

Is there any problem with that?

Besides,

you've failed your task.

This time, you must make amends for it.

I hope that you won't let

the Azure King and me down again.

I heard that you were close

with Princess Zhu Yan

when you were in Jiuyi Mountain.

Why?

Do you loathe her?

It's not that.

But Princess Zhu Yan and I

Though the Crimson Residence is located

at the Western Huang

and lacks in strength,

however, Princess Zhu Yan

is the sole trueborn

of the Crimson King.

She will ascend to the throne one day.

Both of you are of similar rank.

She can barely be considered

a compatible spouse with the Azure Clan.

The marriage alliance

between the two clans

is deemed a good thing

for the Azure Clan too.

Princess, General Qing is here.

General Qing, it's been a while.

What brings you here today?

Consort Qing just arranged

marriage for me

with Zhu Yan.

Congrats.

Congrats?

I heard that you're marrying

Prince Shi Yu soon too.

Yes.

Are you here to offer

your blessings too?

No.

I came here to ask you.

Do you truly accept

the marriage arrangement?

Even I know that Prince Shi Yu

likes Princess Xueying,

who's your little sister.

So what?

None of the noble descendants

have a say in their marriage.

Zhu Yan and you're going to engage too.

Is it because you like her?

General Qing, you like me.

Don't you?

You know that?

I've known it all along.

Be that as it may, you should be aware

that for people

who come from a humble origin like us,

love isn't something we should ask for.

I don't seek love but interest.

As long as the marriage

can get me closer to my goal,

I will do it.

So, I advise you

to think the same way too.

Marrying Zhu Yan

is a good thing for you, General Qing.

You come from a side branch

of the Azure Clan

and come this far

because of your own desperate effort.

Zhu Yan is the only daughter

of the Crimson King.

With her assistance,

perhaps you might aspire to the throne

of the Azure King in the future.

I don't want to listen to this

and I don't care about them.

I'm here to ask you

Hold it back.

You should know my answer.

Point taken.

I shouldn't have asked.

Please take care of yourself.

I shall take my leave.

(If there's a next life,)

(we're not born in the noble clans,)

(perhaps we can be together)

(and enjoy our lives leisurely.)

(And maybe)

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Be at ease.

Your Majesty.

I have an important matter

to discuss with you.

Do you?

Is it a discussion

or you've already made the decision?

I dare not.

But I notice

that the state affairs

have been keeping you busy.

Hence, I'd like

to share your worries

about family matters.

Yu has come of age.

It's time to arrange a marriage for him.

Hence, I've chosen

Bai Xuelu, the Princess of the White Clan.

I wonder if you're satisfied

with this choice.

Of course.

Go.

Bring the Princess

of the White Clan here.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Bai Xuelu,

the Princess of the White Clan,

is indeed a beautiful and virtuous lady.

I believe

you will approve of her

after meeting her.

Your Majesty,

two princesses of

the White Clan are here.

- Greetings, Your Majesty, Consort Qing.

- Greetings, Your Majesty, Consort Qing.

Your mother suggested you

take a consort.

You may choose your principal wife

between them.

Why?

Why are you hesitating?

Choose the lady you like.

Choose one out of two.

How hard can it be?

Father.

Are you sure I can choose myself?

If you don't,

your mother will step in.

I'll choose.

Father.

I choose Bai Xueying to be my consort.

Please grant my wish.

Good. Very good.

I've heard

that both of you are on intimate terms

and you met a lot in secret.

Those rumors seem to be true.

This is marvelous.

I will grant your wish.

Thank you, Father.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Get up.

Yu.

Life is short.

You shouldn't refrain from yourself

and devote yourself all

to being with your loved one.

Failing that,

you may end up

like a living dead.

I was born into a cold imperial family.

I wasn't given a chance

to stay with my beloved one.

How pathetic.

Fortunately,

you're luckier than me

as you can be with your loved one.

Do cherish her well

and don't let her down.

Yes, Father.

Brilliant, Your Majesty.

I didn't know

there was such a story behind this.

I almost shoved the wrong pair together.

You may leave.

Yes.

Qing Yun.

Stay here.

Your Majesty,

what's the matter?

I think there's something

you haven't told me.

If you don't,

I'll let it pass.

Now that Yu has chosen his wife.

I implore you

to appoint him as the Crown Prince.

I can have someone issue a decree

to confer the title

of Crown Prince on Shi Yu now.

However,

after this,

you should stop harassing

the person in Jiuyi Mountain.

Understood?

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

You're wise.

Xueying, you're finally back.

I've cooked

a precious bird's nest for you.

Come on.

I've heard about it.

Good job.

Though it's just an engagement

and the wedding

is still a few days away,

His Majesty is a word of his man.

You shall wait for the decree

of your conferment.

I carefully picked

this precious delicacy

and cooked it for two hours.

This is such great news.

I suppose Father

has a lot to say with Xueying.

I shall take my leave first.

Congratulations, Xueying.

Xueying.

Come on and have a taste.

This is your favorite bird's nest broth.

Come on, Xueying. Have a taste.

Princess.

Are you laughing out of frustration?

Of course not.

Do you believe in destiny?

I'm predestined

to be the Empress of Kongsang.

But

His Majesty has already

appointed Princess Xueying

as Prince Shi Yu's consort.

That day, Priest managed to escape

the dragnet cast by Consort Qing.

I knew

he's of immeasurable prowess

that beyond our expectations.

However, when Consort Qing

presented Shi Yu,

who's an easier path before,

I couldn't bear

to leave the initial choice behind,

but I had to.

But the current situation

is right up my alley.

Prince Shi Yu

was appointed as the Crown Prince.

So what?

He's merely a good-for-nothing

who failed to escape a marriage.

He won't achieve anything big

despite the conferment.

(Ying)

I no longer have to hesitate.

This must be the guidance from heaven.

Shi Ying

is my only path.

(Ying)

Young Lady.

Didn't you say

that your Master

is the former Crown Prince?

Now that His Majesty

has appointed a new Crown Prince.

It should be bad news.

Why do you look happy instead?

My master never cares

about the position of the Crown Prince.

He's happier

if no one brings up the past ever again.

Concerning the latest conferment,

no one will bother him with that again.

And Master

won't be worried

if I'll be dragged into trouble.

Maybe

Forget it. You don't have

to know about this.

Princess.

Her Highness is urging you

to have dinner.

All right.

Oh, Yufei,

have you received any letters

from Jiuyi Mountain?

No.

Young Lady.

It's only been just over a month

since you returned home.

You've already sent thirty batches

of our local specialties over.

Yet there's been no replies

from Jiuyi Mountain.

Do you think

it's because

What?

Because Priest

doesn't like the gifts you sent?

It's impossible.

Master

hasn't replied to me

because he's in trouble now

and he doesn't want me to get involved.

As of now,

a new Crown Prince is designated,

probably he won't have any worries.

Maybe

he's already

on his way to Extreme Wind City.

I might be able to see him

tomorrow or the day after.

Wishing Tree.

I'm here again.

Why is there a barrier here?

Why is it blocking me?

Let me in.

(Why are you stopping me?)

(Let me in.)

(Let me in.)

What's going on now?

Why can't I enter this fantastical realm?

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Something bad has happened.

Young Lady, wake up.

Someone came for a marriage proposal.

It's the Azure Clan.

Marriage proposal?

What are you talking about?

What? Marriage proposal?

Yes, Young Lady.

Please put them inside.

Come on, follow me.

Come this way. Hurry.

General Qing.

Greetings, my lord.

Greetings, my lady.

Please drink some tea, General Qing.

Thank you, my lady.

Qing g*ng.

Why are you here?

Princess Zhu Yan.

It's been a long while.

Yan'er, speak gently.

Behave yourself.

Don't embarrass yourself.

I

I apologize, General Qing.

We've overly pampered Zhu Yan at home.

But don't worry.

Before she gets married,

we'll teach her etiquette.

Getting married?

Please don't be.

Princess Zhu Yan and I

had already known each other

when we were in Jiuyi Mountain.

We're close.

There's no need to be so courteous.

True.

It's good

that you've become acquainted.

It'll be more comfortable for you

to get along in the future.

That's right.

Since you haven't been meeting

each other for some time,

you should spend some time alone

to catch up.

Exactly.

The weather is good today.

Yan'er.

Take General Qing

to the garden for a walk.

Yan'er, come on.

Hurry.

We

The nature of this marriage

is that Consort Qing intends

to win the Crimson Clan to her side

by sacrificing your happiness

as well as mine.

How could you accept

this without a squeak?

As the kin of the Azure Clan,

I shouldn't defy

the order of the clan chief.

Have you ever thought

that your obedience

is actually harming yourself

and me too?

We're buddies.

It's absurd

that we're about to get married now.

As long as you disagree,

I can return to report to duty.

But I'm afraid

the Consort Qing will have other plans.

Consort Qing is hard to deal with.

But instead of worrying about this,

shouldn't you be concerned

about your negligent decision

will leave you with regrets

in your life?

I do hate Bai Xuelu.

And she's not a good match for you.

But you like her.

If you like her,

how could you give up on her easily?

Don't mention her.

What?

Did she reject you?

So, you turn to me

after you become disheartened?

Well, I promise you.

I'll marry you.

Good. Come on.

Look at me.

Can you imagine

that we're going to live together

for a lifetime?

You can't, right?

Me neither.

That's why I say,

life is never going in the way we want.

When we confront pressure,

we should bravely fight against it

for our loved ones.

Otherwise, it's all in vain.

Qing g*ng, you're a dignified man,

yet you're not as good

as a woman like me.

You're right.

Thank you for enlightening me.

I'll return now

and tell Consort Qing

I can't obey this order.

That's right.

But the thing can be more complicated

than what you imagine.

If the marriage alliance fails,

I'm afraid Consort Qing

won't give up easily.

I can handle it.

(In time,)

(this strange huge tree will wither,)

(and then my spiritual barrier)

(may return to peace.)

Wishing Tree.

You look like Master.

When he's deep in thought,

he always frowns.

Master.

(What's going on now?)

Master.

(Last time,

the residual power of Gong Shang)

(has depleted,)

(and I completely expelled her)

(from my spiritual barrier.)

(How could she come in again?)

I didn't have a chance

to take a closer look at you.

You're a dead ringer for him.

Your eyes are moving.

Wishing Tree, thank you.

I've seen the Illusionary Master again.

Wishing Tree.

Why did you wither

just after a few days we met?

Your branches have fallen off.

(How did she manage to come in here?)

Illusion.

I'll see you as my Master.

Here, give me your hand.

You

promised me

you would come to see me.

But you never show up.

Do you want to break your promise?

Now tell me what many spankings

you deserve.

Well.

You can hit me

three times.

All right?

If so, as your teacher

As your disciple,

I'll hit you three times.

You must remember this well.

This is so fun.

I'm going to do things

that I wouldn't dare to do to Master

on the Illusionary Master.

Illusionary Master.

My master never laughs happily.

Can you laugh?

Master?

You're not an illusion?

You're Master.

Are you him?

It's an illusion.

I know you're an illusion.

That's great.

I thought you were him.

Master will never laugh like this.

Do you know?

I like the illusion

in this fantastical realm.

I can feel the warmth

and heartbeats.

Sadly,

you're just an illusion.

My master

will never allow me to hug him.

Illusionary Master.

Can you sit with me for a while?

Will you?

Come with me.

Please seat.

Illusionary Master.

Do you know?

My parents are forcing me

to marry someone.

They asked me

what kind of man I wanted to marry.

What kind of man do I want to marry?

I first saw Crown Prince

when I was little.

And I thought

he's the guy with the most dashing look.

Afterward, I met with Master

and I thought

he's a clear moon in the sky

and an immortal shrouded in light.

And these two perfect men

turn out to be the same one.

Well,

after meeting such a man

who lacks nothing in the flesh,

naturally,

I'll have high expectations, right?

Tell me.

Can anyone be compared to my Master?

Wishing Tree,

you're blooming with red flowers too.

There are two colors

of flowers at the same time.

That's beautiful.

Wishing Tree,

please keep blooming

until the day my master

comes to fetch me.

No.

You must bloom until the day

my master and I grow old.

All right?

This is beautiful.

♪ Time flows by for a single glance ♪

♪ Drained completely

from foolish infatuation ♪

♪ Blaming the twists and turns of fate ♪

♪ Attract the preference ♪

♪ It will be hard to meet again

once leaving ♪

♪ Can't give up my deep feelings ♪

♪ Only be blamed for the fate ♪

♪ How can I spend the rest life

with missing feelings ♪

♪ Carving vows upon ♪

♪ The vast expanse of the boundless world ♪

♪ If destiny is hard to change ♪

♪ Vainly escaping beyond prophecies ♪

♪ Concealing deep feelings ♪

(Shi Ying.)

(You shouldn't let her)

(to enter your spiritual barrier again.)

♪ Keeping true hearts untouched ♪

♪ Waiting for the next life to unfold ♪

Ying.

Regarding the Ice Clan's assassins

at the Nvluo Creek,

my bird has brought back some clues.

Among the three Sorcerers

turned up that day,

the sturdy one with two blades

didn't die under the Celestial as*ault.

Instead, he went back to Jialan

to report to Consort Qing.

But I've lost his trail again.

The survivor

should be the chief

of the Ten Sorcerers, Wu Xian.

The Ten Sorcerers

are led by Wu Xian.

If Wu Xian doesn't die,

the nine can resurrect

even though they die.

I can't believe

he managed to survive

the Celestial as*ault.

This is indeed suspicious.

Ice Clan launched an attack

on the Emperor's Valley

and Nvluo Creek,

I believe the Azure Clan

is behind these too.

But I have no idea

what kind of deal they have made.

Azure Clan provided Ice Clan

with convenience into the Kongsang.

While Ice Clan helps Azure Clan

to eliminate the major threat, that's you.

If the Ice Clan

intended to k*ll me,

they could send out the Ten Sorcerers

and both Zhu Yan and I

wouldn't stand a chance to survive.

But they didn't seem to k*ll you.

What exactly do they want?

This matter is serious.

I must get to the bottom of it.

Especially the identity of the Sage

Wu Xian mentioned that day.

We must look up this clue.

But where should we start with?

Jiuyi District.

This is a place

the Ice Clan can't avoid

when they enter the Emperor's Valley

and Nvluo Creek.

I guess the people in the district

must have seen them.

It seems that Wu Xian left these

when he fled in a hurry.

This is the map

around Jiuyi Mountain

and Nvluo Creek

as well as the solution to the maze

outside the Emperor's Valley.

Could it be that there's a turncoat

in the mountain from the Ice Clan?

This map contains many details

that an ordinary cultivator

of Jiuyi Mountain wouldn't know.

You're right.

I don't even know

about this shortcut.

Is it the High Priest

Don't be absurd.

Why not?

I've been perching on Jiuyi Mountain

for thousands of years

and I've been to every corner of it.

But I didn't know about this shortcut

and the person did,

unless this map is left by someone

who has deep connections

with Jiuyi Mountain in the ancient past.

No.

This scroll looks new.

Don't tell me the person

who created this scroll

has lived longer than me

and this person has a pair

of exceptionally keen eyes.

Isn't that the immortal?

The one who gave Wu Xian this

might be the Sage.

Chong Ming.

Rally all the birds

to search around the realm

for the whereabouts of Ten Sorcerers.

We must find the Sage

as soon as possible.

All right.

Your Supreme Majesty,

Chong Ming and I

have discovered some clues

about the whereabouts of the Ice Clan

in Jiuyi District.

I suspect

that the person who knows

all secret realms

is the Sage behind the Ice Clan.

What do you say, Your Supreme Majesty?

Unless

there are some mythical creatures

who've been living

for thousands of years

like Chong Ming

and has joined the Ice Clan.

Now that the trickiest and

the most sinister Chaos

in the mountain has been subdued by you

and it won't be able to rise again

in a hundred years.

This matter remains mysterious.

You should keep investigating.

Yes.

There's one more thing.

Consort Qing has ordered Qing g*ng

to propose marriage to Zhu Yan.

If you think this is inappropriate,

I can stop their marriage

with an excuse,

saying that their star signs

are in disharmony

and might bring harm

to the two clans' fate.

What do you think?

I have no interest in worldly matters.

The union among the six clans

don't concern me.

Now that Zhu Yan has left,

I'm not concerned about

who's she going to marry.

But you

look more concerned about this.

Do I?

This is the spiritual power I extracted

from my barrier

during cultivation.

As expected, it belongs to you.

I've been curious about

how Zhu Yan managed to intrude

into my barrier several times.

So, it was you

who enhanced the residual connection

of Gong Shang

with your spiritual power.

Why did you do so, Your Supreme Majesty?

Yes.

It was me.

Because both you and Zhu Yan

were being alone together

and were willing

to risk yourselves for each other.

That's why I became suspicious of you

and wanted to test

your faith in cultivation.

Zhu Yan and I

are disciple and mentor.

Your Supreme Majesty,

please don't presume.

But what are you afraid of?

If you have no feelings for Zhu Yan,

why are you afraid

of meeting her in the dream?

The reason why I asked Zhu Yan to leave

because I want to cut ties with her.

If you insist on doubting us,

I'll erase all memory

and spiritual power

that are related to her.

I'll cut ties with the past

and start my cultivation anew.

Stop.

I'll withdraw my spiritual power.

From now on,

she won't intrude

on the barrier again.

If you still hear her voice,

you may drive her out.

Yes.

I shall take my leave.

Priest is so resolute.

If so, your plan

His suppressed emotions

might explode one day

and jolt him into worldly desires.

And all of the occurrences

will be beneficial to his cultivation.

Didn't you realize something?

He's able to bring the spiritual power

out of the barrier.

He has made a lot of progress

in such a short time.

The light leaking through cracks

is the most precious one.

(Great couple)

Ying.

What are you writing early

in the morning?

Desirable marriage?

Great couple.

Don't you think you're too cruel?

You know that she's not willing

to marry Qing g*ng.

She's opposed to marriage

because she still thinks of coming back

to Jiuyi Mountain.

But if she have any connection with me,

both she and the Crimson Residence

will be dragged into trouble.

This wedding congratulatory letter

is meant to severe her thoughts

and urge her to move on.

But

don't you really

want to see Zhu Yan again?

(Desirable marriage)

Detachment in the mountain

while attachment in the mortal world.

Qing g*ng is an upright man.

As her master,

I'm reassured

that she can marry Qing g*ng.

Greetings, my lord, my lady.

It must be a tired journey

to travel from afar.

Princess.

Where's my master?

Did he send you over?

Are there any letters for me?

Did he say

when he will come to pay a visit?

Princess.

Upon knowing your marriage

with General Qing,

Priest sent me over

to deliver congratulatory gifts

and a letter

to celebrate your union

with General Qing

and wish you all the best.

He

Did he wish me good?

Yes.

These are his congratulatory gifts

and a letter.

Please have a look.

(Desirable marriage and great couple)

How can this be?

He knows that I have

no feelings for Qing g*ng.

Why

Why did he congratulate me?

Yan'er.

Keep your manner in check

before the divine envoy.

Are you sure

this is directly from him

and not from someone

who acts on his behalf?

Priest wanted me

to relay a message to you.

Tell me quickly.

Priest said,

"I dedicate myself to cultivation,

leaving worldly matters behind.

Ice and fire are incompatible.

Please don't dwell on the past."

What

What does that mean?

(To: Shi Ying)

He hopes

you can embrace the joys of mortal life

and forget about what has happened

in the mountain.

♪ How fateful was our encounter ♪

♪ How tragic, destined by fate's decree ♪

♪ How fragile,

like glass and snow's embrace ♪

♪ Love and hate entwined,

indistinguishable ♪

♪ How prophetic, a single word spoken ♪

♪ How transient,

the rise and fall of destiny ♪

♪ How balanced,

each sip and bite, no debts owed ♪

♪ Tears well in eyes

with jade-like brows ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Securing my path,

thousands of miles long ♪

♪ Never apart from you ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Even if our hearts

and guts are torn apart ♪

♪ Our gazes forever intertwined ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Securing my path,

thousands of miles long ♪

♪ Never apart from your side ♪

♪ The drop of blood in your heart ♪

♪ Has dried into a lock that binds me ♪

♪ Even if our hearts

and guts are torn apart ♪

♪ Our gazes forever intertwined ♪

♪ How fateful was our encounter ♪

♪ How tragic, destined by fate's decree ♪