01x08 - Episode 8

[bunniefuu]

[A Dream Within A Dream]

[Episode 8]

[I haven't even made a plan yet, ]

[yet Song Yi Meng knows so much.]

[Could it be she and Chu Gui
Hong are plotting chaos to frame me?]

[Then handing the credit for solving
it to him as a political achievement?]

Warrior Li, think carefully.

Has Nan Heng not committed
enough evil over the years?

If what holds you back

is fear of going against a prince,

I can bring Chu Gui Hong in to join us.

The three of us will take down Nan Heng together!

No need for that.

One of you is the daughter of an important subject

while the other is His Majesty's favorite general.

But me?

I'm just a random pugilist
who's unknown to the world.

Fading River Moon is a small guild.

We can't afford to offend someone like him.

Shi Liu, don't worry.

If anything happens, I'll
bear all of the responsibilities.

Besides, when it comes to loyalty,

Chu Gui Hong is definitely one
of the most loyal men in the world.

[Meng trusts me so much.]

[But I actually suspected her of
having an affair with Li Shi Liu.]

[I feel so guilty.]

Chu Gui Hong is my fiance.

Warrior Li, as long as you're
willing to join hands with us,

he'll definitely ensure your safety.

Chu Gui Hong will ensure my safety?

Why do you trust him that much?

It's because I know him well.

Just like me, he hates Nan Heng to the core.

We won't allow anyone else to
die under Nan Heng's hands again.

Warrior Li, I wonder if you know
about the royal hunt that took place



Miss Song, seems like you know
something about that incident.

Indeed.

But that's not the point here.

The point is,

Chu Yu Rong, the late empress,

died in the assassination
that was related to Nan Heng.

This isn't the path to the palace!

How dare you lie to me!

[Young Chu Gui Hong]

She was Chu Gui Hong's aunt.

She was the person who doted on
him the most after his mother's passing.

He didn't want anyone else
to die in front of him again.

Due to his conviction, he
started practicing martial arts.

He trained throughout winter and summer

without resting for a single day.

A few years passed by in a flash.

He guarded tens of thousands
of people at the borders.

He was wounded countless times
and had witnessed countless bloodshed.

He placed his life on the
line on numerous occasions.

It's all because of the vow he swore

in front of Her Majesty's tablet eight years ago.

He wanted to learn martial arts.

He was going to get stronger by all means.

That was the only way he could
protect the people he wanted to protect.

That was the only way he could
stop innocent people from being k*lled

in front of him, one by one.

But it's different for Nan Heng.

Go inside!

After he harmed Her Majesty,

not only did he not reflect upon his
actions, but he also became worse.

I'll starve you to death!

He became a vicious m*rder*r
who m*rder*d the innocent.

To him, righteousness and the state mean nothing.

He resorted to harming his old
acquaintances to rise through the ranks.

General Chu defends the borders and our state.

But now, he's been framed
by a treacherous individual.

He betrayed his state and
colluded with our enemies.

He should be ex*cuted.

Indeed.

Warrior Li, although your background
is different from Chu Gui Hong,

I can tell

that both of you are loyal individuals

who seek righteousness and justice above all else.

I know

that you treat Long and Hu like your own siblings.

You provide aid to the innocent as well.

He does the same.

It's a shame that both his favorite
aunt and his father have left him.

All 20,000 of his brothers in
the Qianyu Army were wiped out.

To him,

their defeat at Pingrong City is more than just

a four-character court bulletin.

He wanted to do everything he
could, even at the cost of his life,

to redress the injustice
suffered by the noble souls.

Warrior Li, isn't that enough for you to trust him?

- Enough! - I!

Warrior Li,

did I say something wrong?

I understand now.

To you, both of them are commanders.

However, Nan Heng hurts people
while Chu Gui Hong saves people.

Both of them practice martial arts.

Nan Heng did it for himself while
Chu Gui Hong did it for his state.

- I... - Pardon me for being frank.

Miss Song, you're not a good business partner.

- Why is that the case?
- Because you're blinded by love!

You cannot differentiate between right and wrong!

Shi Liu, I'm not blinded by love.

I'm not the kind who will be blinded by love.

Mainly, Chu Gui Hong is...

I don't know Chu Gui Hong.

I won't be staking my life for his
sake just because you guys need it.

Farewell.

Shi Liu, what's wrong with you?

I need your help.

My goodness. Why are there two Li Shi Liu?

Li Shi Liu?

Why are there two Bosses?

Which of them is the real one?

- This one. - This one?

- That one. - That one?

Which of them is the real one? I can't tell.

Hu! Which of them is the real one?

We can't tell either.

Oh my goodness.

How can I tell them apart?

Which of them is...

Isn't it obvious?

Naturally, it's the better martial artist.

Who's the better martial artist?

This is bad.

What if Cousin is exposed?

General Chu is an excellent martial artist.

There's no need to worry.

But they...

Chu Gui Hong?

Didn't you say that he was
an excellent martial artist?

He's the commander of the Qianyu Army!

He infiltrated Fading River
Moon under Boss's guise!

I'm sure he's up to no good!

General, catch.

Stop it right there!

Meng, are you okay?

I'm fine.

[I don't care why this happened.
For now, I must pacify them.]

Guys, please listen to me.

I think this might just be a misunderstanding.

Maybe General Chu Gui Hong believed the rumors

and thought that the Night Wandering Gods

was a group of triads hiding in the capital.

That's why he impersonated Warrior Li.

What does a group of triads mean?

He wanted to investigate the case.

She means we wear black clothing.

That's the gist of it.

Miss Song,

this guy said that Boss had
stolen Qianyu Army's weapons.

Who said that I said so?

- You guys are obviously framing Boss. - Yeah.

You better mind your words!

Were the weapons of Qianyu Army stolen?

Why do I have no idea?

I understand now. I know what's going on.

Just now, General Chu has told me everything.

I suppose the event with the stolen
weapons is a misunderstanding as well.

Miss Song, I saw everything.

- He didn't utter a single word. - Shut up!

This is a conversation between
ventriloquists. What do you know?

Alright now. The misunderstanding
has been resolved.

Why don't we let bygones be bygones and shake hands?

Let's be friends.

Guys, let's shake hands.

Let's be friends.

Do you think you're a statue?

Hurry and express your
stand so that I can have an out.

Hurry up.

This is embarrassing, you know?

Warrior Li,

why don't you express your stand first?

If so, you'll be giving me an out.

Look, everyone is staring at
me. It's quite embarrassing.

Thank you for nothing.

This is so embarrassing.

Okay?

Can you please express your stand first?

This is so infuriating.

Both of you are as stubborn as a mule.

Come with me.

This is so annoying.

The three of us will join hands
to deal with Nan Heng soon.

Why are you two bickering now?

I didn't say I was going to join hands with him.

Lowly pugilist,

you don't know what's good for you.

You bothered the Night
Wandering Gods for no reason.

Don't you think you should apologize to me?

If you want me to apologize,

I need to know who you are.

Why should I tell you?

Fine.

Shi Liu, just take off your
mask as a sign of sincerity.

I've had a scar on my face since
young. I don't want to show it to anyone.

Did you hear him? He has his own bitter reasons.

Nan Heng is here as well.

If you're willing to see him together with me...

You caused a commotion here to
prove that I'm connected to Nan Heng.

It's impossible for him to be connected to Nan Heng.

He insulted Nan Heng together
with me just a few days ago.

If so, please see Nan Heng together
with me to prove your innocence.

Why should I?

Besides, Nan Heng is a prince.

There'll be dire consequences
if I offend a prince like him.

He has a point.

Common folks can't win against officials.

Just let him off.

In the end, you're still not
willing to prove yourself.

You want me to escort you to the
Capital Prefecture for an interrogation?

Enough. Both of you, stop.

Stop talking, okay?

I'll emphasize this again.

The three of us are here today to deal with Nan Heng.

We're not here for you two to bicker.

Look at you.

You caused a commotion here out of the blue.

He didn't even hold it against you.

How dare you still pull a long face?

- I...
- So what if you're the commander of Qianyu Army?

And you, Warrior Li,

you're the owner of Fading River Moon

and the leader of Night Wandering Gods.

You think you're amazing, huh?

Fine, then. If you two are that amazing,

you two should go and find Nan
Heng since he's here anyway.

Why are you two trying to bicker here?

Tell me, then.

Will we reach a deal today?

Fine.

None of you are willing to join me, huh?

- I'll do it myself. - Meng!

Meng, since you trust him,

I'll trust him too.

Today, Warrior Li has uttered
a lot of unnecessary words.

But he was right about one thing.

I do not deserve

Meng's trust and love at all.

Since she's doing all this for
me, I'll definitely repay her favor.

Nan Heng is still here. I'll go and stall him.

If so, I suppose we have a deal.

Master Li.

Master Li.

A customer wants to see you urgently. You should go.

Miss Song, I have to go.
Please make yourself at home.

Go ahead, Warrior Li.

This is great.

Hurry. Chu Gui Hong is on his way there.

I'm already trying my best.

I! Be gentle!

Why are you being fierce? You think
you're the only one with a temper here?

Hurry up!

Take a break after this is over.

I have to settle my debts with you after this.

I'm concerned about you, yet you...

Fine. Sack me as soon as possible.

I no longer want to be the second master here.

Keep yapping, and I'll make
you the owner of this place.

Hurry and get me my clothes.

Cousin, are you going

to join hands with Li Shi Liu?
Why did you change your mind?

I didn't change my mind.

I still suspect that Li Shi Liu
and Nan Heng are in cahoots.

Why did you agree to Song Yi Meng's request, then?

I'm just luring the snake out of its hole.

Luring the snake out of its hole?

Who's the snake?

Song Yi Meng?

Is she the beautiful snake spirit?

Your Highness, do not ask me anything further.

Why can't I ask you anything?

Judging from your performance today...

The lesser you know, the safer we are.

A guest has arrived.

General Chu, you've traveled
back and forth on several occasions.

Are you trying to stand up for Rui?

His Highness is kind.

The heavens will bless him.

He doesn't need anyone to stand up for him.

General Chu, you spoke such
audacious words without thinking.

Seems like you're more
thick-skinned than I thought.

Nan Heng!

Dear guests, the dishes are ready.

Please have a seat.

It's just a meal.

You two should leave if you fear me that much.

Do not spoil my mood.

I...

This is truly unexpected. The food they serve here

is actually more delicious
than the food in the palace.

Dear guests, did you guys enjoy the meal?

The snacks and desserts are ready as well.

We shall serve them now.

General Chu, since you're already seated,

why aren't you eating?

I cannot enjoy the feast when I'm
sitting beside a dangerous individual.

Sitting beside a dangerous individual, huh?

That's what I thought as well.

General Chu, you went so
far as to impersonate Li Shi Liu

just to see whether or not we were in cahoots, right?

So what if that's the case?

I'm a prince.

Why would I be in cahoots with that lowly pugilist?

You better don't go overboard.

- Sorry about this. - Useless fool!

- Scram! - Yes, sir!

Dear guests, please be appeased.

I'll prepare fresh ones for you right now.

No need for that.

Time with bosom friends, priceless.

Time with uncongenial ones, worthless.

Farewell.

Did you get it?

Yes. I managed to swap his sword for a fake.

Wait.

Don't forget. Someone is waiting for you.

Let's hurry!

Fading River Moon is in total
chaos today. Whose fault is it?

Blame me for it, then.

It's stuck again.

I'll do it.

Is it mealtime?

About time. I was getting hungry.

By the way, Mr. Shangguan,

where's your boss?

Why isn't he here yet?

Master Li, Miss Song was expecting you.

Why are you playing the flute?

It's just a meal. You're exaggerating it.

This is how we get things done.

Alright. All of you may leave.

Warrior Li.

Those brothers of yours
are quite interesting, huh?

They love to fool around. Don't mind them.

By the way, you haven't
unwrapped the gift I gave to you.

Unwrap it and take a look.

What is this?

What do you think?

Isn't it adorable?

I made this personally.

Actually, I wanted to tell you this.

I wanted to tell you this no matter
if you were willing to join us or not.

Thank you for rescuing me last time.

Don't mention it.

Meng.

What are you doing here?

I thought you went to find Nan Heng.

Nan Heng already left.

Meng, it's late now.

Let me send you home.

They just delivered my
meal here. I haven't eaten yet.

Lord Song is waiting for you at home.

- Let's go. - But...

Warrior Li, see you next time.

I'll head home first.

Wait!

Have you guys seen His Highness around?

Fu Gui, I'm not trying to criticize you here,

but you shouldn't play with mud, you know?

I didn't play with mud!

A scoundrel threw his flower pot

and it hit me on the head.

Did you guys see him around?

I'm wasting my breath here.

Your Highness?

Your Highness!

[Zhao Zi Wu]

[One Hour Ago]

What did you say?

The Lantern Festival.

Your Highness,

His Majesty intends to join hands
with Eighteenth Prince to announce

that Lord Chu Gui Hong will be in charge

of the Lantern Festival at
tomorrow's morning court session.

That means His Majesty
intends to appoint Chu Gui Hong

to be in charge of the capital and
the planning of palace securities.

[It actually falls on the Lantern Festival.]

I couldn't sleep the entire night.

After reviewing the records,

I've come up with a plan.

Your Highness, please permit
me to submit a joint petition

with the other imperial censors at
tomorrow's morning court session

to force His Majesty to revoke his decree.

This way, we can defeat that scum flawlessly.

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

If Chu Gui Hong is able to hold
the Lantern Festival successfully,

his reputation among the
common folks will surely soar.

If His Majesty promotes him time and time again

and allows him to render
military merit with his army,

Eighteenth Prince will
surely soar through the skies

when they join hands.

By then,

it'll be difficult for you to achieve success.

- It'll be an arduous journey...
- Enough. I know now.

- I... - No one is to act recklessly

without my orders.

Yes, Your Highness.

Actually, I wanted to tell you this.

I wanted to tell you this

no matter if you were willing to join us or not.

Thank you for rescuing me last time.

If none of you have any objections,

the Capital Prefecture will be in
charge of this year's Lantern Festival.

Your Majesty, I beg to differ.

Why didn't Uncle notify me beforehand?

Alas! How sorrowful.

The festival is held to pray for
the enduring prosperity of the realm.

Although Chu Gui Hong has
been acquitted of his crime,

he's still subjected to the judgment of Heaven.

Even now, the spirits of fallen
heroes on the b*ttlefield have not faded,

and the displaced people
at the border still remain.

If we allow him to hold such an important position,

the heavens will surely be enraged!

Your Majesty, please rescind your decree!

Your Majesty, please rescind your decree!

Your Majesty, please rescind your decree!

All of you, shut up!

Your Majesty, please be appeased.

This world is not mine alone.

But as long as I'm on this throne,

I won't allow you guys to spout
such nonsense in the court!

Relay my oral decree.

The Capital Prefecture Prefect, Chu Gui Hong,

will be in charge of the Lantern Festival.

Yao Qian, the imperial censor,

harbored sinister intentions by twisting facts.

He shall

be flogged 20 times.

He'll be demoted to the rank of
Taizhu in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

He was demoted?

But I thought Yao Qian served Nan Heng.

[I don't think this plot
existed in the original script.]

[So, the male lead's forces
are actually being weakened.]

[Could it be that the plot is starting to change?]

[If so, will the ending be different?]

His Majesty did it to weaken
Nan Heng's forces in the capital.

He has flaunted his power for so long.

It's time for him to suffer the consequences.

Eighteenth Prince will be able

to be the official heir apparent before long.

Meng.

I neglected you all these years due to the w*r.

I only found out that you were
utterly devoted to me yesterday.

You loved Jiangnan, right?

Why don't we move there once
everything has settled down?

If...

What if there's a chance for
you to stay away from politics?

Would you leave everything behind and walk away?

Meng,

you know me too.

I still have the Qianyu Army.

You said you didn't want the
people around you to be hurt.

But they will get hurt no matter
what if you keep dabbling in politics.

What's with the sudden shift of topic?

Yesterday, Warrior Li asked me
what I thought about Nan Heng.

I thought to myself

that he might be ruthless and cunning.

However, maybe

there's still hope for things to change.

Young Lady! Lord Chu!

This is bad. Something bad has occurred.

Bear with it.

All done.

Rong Hua?

You...

Didn't you guys go to catch the
horse bandits? What happened?

General,

the horse bandits lured us to an
abandoned mine ten li away from here.

They detonated some expl*sives

before we could see them.

Our brothers were wounded in the expl*si*n.

Which mine?

The one in the western suburbs.

You mean the place where
we tossed Yao Qian last time?

That's right.

Nan Heng is clearly trying to provoke me.

Slowly.

Meng,

now, do you still think that things might change?

This time, I have to come up
with another way to stop him.

Sir, please spare me! I'm just a lowly eunuch!

I know nothing!

Today, one of the imperial censors was punished.

You were the one who ex*cuted the punishment.

Someone instructed you to target

where it hurts the most during the punishment.

Although it was just 20 flogs,

you would receive a house as
reward if you managed to cr*pple him.

- Is that true? - I...

- I... - Speak up!

Who's the mastermind? Where's the evidence?

This is bad! Miss Song has arrived!

Is Master Li here?

Miss Song, over here, please.

Long, clean up the scene.

Hu, destroy the evidence.

The rest of you, stall the enemy.

Yes, sir.

Over here.

Are you okay?

Miss Song, there's another path over here.

Okay. Let's hurry.

A well by a river,

above it, a dark hole.

What an excellent poem.

You flatter me.

Warrior Li.

Miss Song, great timing.

Master Li is leading a poetry session for us.

Shangguan, you guys should put this aside for now.

I need to see Master Li urgently.

What is it?

Why do we have to speak in private?

It's either we succeed, or we die trying.

If there's any mistake, at best, we'll be ex*cuted.

At worst, our clan will be annihilated.

It's that serious?

Tell me, then.

Warrior Li, do you dare to...

Lower your head.

Second Master, do you think they're kissing?

What do you think they're talking about?

What else can a guy and a girl talk about in private?

I'm sure they're flirting with each other.

What? You think they'll
talk about assassinations?

Assassinate Nan Heng?

Me?

No way.

I didn't even agree to deal with him.

Now, you want me to assassinate him?

That's why I'm trying to ask you

what it'll take for you to agree to my request.

I'll never agree to it.

Miss Song, if you have a death
wish, go ahead. Don't drag me down.

Warrior Li, stop right there!

He denied that he liked Miss Song.

Look at him. He stopped when she told him to.

Warrior Li,

you asked me why I trusted Chu
Gui Hong but not Nan Heng, right?

Do you know something?

He instructed his men to detonate
the mine and ambush the Qianyu Army.

If anything goes wrong,
innocent people will be hurt.

If we don't stop him now, the
consequences will get worse.

Detonate the mine?

Rong Hua witnessed it himself.

Many of his brothers-in-arm
were wounded from the expl*si*n.

Have you verified it yourself, then?

His motives, methods,

and witnesses of the crime, we have all of them.

What else do you want me to verify?

Understood.

I understand now.

If anything goes wrong,
it's always Nan Heng's fault.

Even if a lady from the east of
the city lost her eggs, it's his fault.

Even if a drunkard starts a
brawl in the west of the city,

it's Nan Heng's fault as well.

Who knows?

His residence is near to the west of the city.

As for the eastern side of the city,

maybe he takes a stroll there whenever he's free.

Who knows what kinds of evil deeds he does every day?

Warrior Li,

actually...

Before this, I was the same as you.

I thought

that whatever was happening out there was fake.

I just needed to stop Nan Heng and protect myself.

Until that night.

The dancer almost lost her life because of me.

That's not your fault.

But she almost lost her life because of me.

It's all because I overestimated
myself and tried to change the plot.

I wanted to change this world.

It's the same for them,

no matter if it's the dancer or Rong Hua.

What if I didn't intervene in the first place?

Could things have turned out
differently had I not intervened?

But since I've already chosen to start it,

I can't just give up halfway.

Shi Liu, maybe you don't
understand what I'm trying to get here.

But I'm trying to make you understand my feelings.

I understand your concerns as well.

Indeed. Right now, I'm just trying to use you

so that you can get rid of Nan Heng.

If...

If you're not willing to agree to my request,

- I guess I...
- I'll report you to the local authorities.

I'll tell my father and Cui Gui Hong

that your guild was involved in human trafficking.

I'll make sure your blood
and sweat go down the drain.

But that was an accident.

I don't care.

Anyway, it happened at Fading River Moon.

None of you will be able to escape from it.

Hey, you...

How could you turn on someone just like that?