Ming Dynasty, Chenghua Period (1447-1487 AD)
The Emperor tolerated High Eunuchs to the point where they had accumulated massive wealth and power.
Eunuch Yan Dang has been given every rights to crush whomever opposes him.
The Emperor set up Dongchang and the Xichang as two major forces.
With the rights to monitor civilian's every action and word,
Dongchang whose real name is Dong Ci Se Chang (Imperial Strategic Bureau),
the corrupt eunuchs have been wielding every major position in the bureaucratic agency.
Into the terms of investigation, the Xichang even held the power of life and death of the people in one hand.
Xichang acts like a Forbidden City secret agency,
spying for the emperor, responsible for the national distribution of secret network and investigations.
If proven guilty, there would be immediate imprisonment.
Panic-stricken officials gather inside and outside the capital.
Once arrested of suspected treason, they are immediately tortured to extract confessions.
Dongchang leaders summons every official in the court today.
The emperor has selected eunuch, Wan Yulou
to be the supervisor of the Longjiang's naval shipyards.
But in reality he went against his orders to arrest officials who oppose Dongchang and
instead decided to torture and execute them on the spot.
Summon the former court doctor and justice minister, quickly!
Bring them here!
Bring the prisoners! Bring the prisoners!
Prisoners has arrived! Prisoners has arrived!
Kneel down!
You've two have made references to the emperor that I have committed corruption and bribery.
I am an honest official have harmed you?
Your letter to the Emperor has
fallen into my hands.
You, a small group dare to resist Dongchang?
When one disabled soldier whom lost the war is dead, there will be one less problem.
You could only silently collude to resist.
But I don't think any of you two would have the courage for it though.
How dare you accuse me of treason in front of his majesty?!
I'm certain that someone is pulling the strings here.
Five districts Military Governor Qian Jin. Step out!
Five districts Military Governor Qian Jin reporting!
You really deserve to be called a despicable and sneaky person.
You got these two to be your scapegoats.
You all thought that you were so clever.
Everyone has been bored of your words.
Guards!
Bring him a little wine to improve his health! (meaning the allusion to torture him)
Cut off his tongue!
Hold the prisoners!
- Be careful over there! - We're here for the wronged!
Protect the good officials.
Wei Long is in their hands.
Do not be alarmed, we're here to rescue you.
So you wear a secret golden armor
even when your martial arts is quite proficient too.
And bring a small army of men with you. I'm surprised that you're that afraid of dying.
State your name!
As a good host you must know everyone who comes to a party.
Listen carefully
I'm Zhou Huai'an.
But don't bother remembering my name though.
It will soon be engraved on your dog head forever.
So you can die peacefully.
These men are the remnants of the men of Yue Chai.
His entire family has been sentenced to death.
You, the rebels...
Are not afraid to experience the same fate as him?
The rebels are a thousand times more decent than your Dongchang men! You impotent fool!
You drink so much wine that
you can't even unsheathe your own sword.
I see that you still yearn for your death.
You are too presumptuous!
Despicable government officials!
Your men and the people who you wanted to harm!
Everybody here sees you for what you really are!
They will end your entirety while your unseemingly stories will be made well known.
Go to hell!
Go and report this!
Close all of the gates!
Await for further orders.
Yes, sir!
All of you are now out of harms way.
Your families are now secured in safety.
You can go home now.
Please be careful with your journey.
Thank you three heroes. Until we meet again.
With a government in such chaos,
the states responsibility falls on the shoulders of us martial artists!
The Emperor has retreated from making the important decision.
What a pity!
With the good officials gone
there isn't anyone else that's willing to take care of important state affairs
Those Dongchang eunuchs.
They serve only the best interest of their few leaders.
In the past years they have been subjected by our swords.
Only if the Dongchang can be put down and
then those good old officials can come back.
Above a mountain there is a higher mountain.
So it does, when we are dealing with their highly skilled warriors.
The situation isn't as simple as it seems.
The temples rear entrances is being heavily guarded with imperial soldiers(Jin Yi Wei).
Each side of the temple is covered by nearly one hundred Jing Yi Wei guards.
Currently the inside and outside of the temple is also being closely watched with guards guarding them.
Those passing through without your commands will be killed on the spot.
You can fall back now.
Yes, sir!
How would we compose the report for his majesty, the emperor?
Let us see.
We must carefully consider our current situation.
All of this happened because of Zhou Huai'an and his group.
They forced us to hide here.
So what if we don't report what has happened?
- Don't report? - Do not report the incident at the Shipyard that day, despite the presence of outsiders?
Who would dare report our abuse of the Emperor's trust to the Emperor himself?
If there is one, we need to shut his mouth...
But it's not that simple.
Report! Vice Captain!
Xichang's Chief Leader Yu has suddenly made an appearace.
He has entered the Main Hall.
Dongchang and Xichang, both factors have never associated with each other before.
What's your connection to the matter at hand?
Only the arrival of a guest from the Jiang Hu (Fighting World)
has turned you into a bunch of cowards.
The doesn't even dare to enter your own homes anymore.
And even made you cowards hide here?
Those martial artists has attacked to the front door. And you still dare to say that the matter at hand has no connections to me at all?
What martial artists?
They're just a few rebels.
They'll be executed by us soon.
Longjiang's navy fleet.
Though heavily guarded, can still can be infiltrated.
That Zhou's clans petty criminals with just a few stances
could take the life of Wan Yulou.
Which leaves just a few cowardly subordinates like yourself left.
With what capabilities do you have to handle those pugilists(a common term for warriors of the Jiang Hu)?
Eunuch Wan Yulou was too overly confident that day and
underestimated his opponent.
Underestimate?
More like inferior ability.
Several martial artists of the Dongchang have already been killed.
The Secretary of Ceremony. The Prison staff. The Chief of Housing are all dead now.
and soon it will be your turn.
You are too presumptuous.
Sit down!
Hiding in this temple and complaining will not do a thing.
We, the officers, should share the burden for the sake of His Majesty.
What is this Xichang?
Your Xichang haven't even been established for more than half a year.
On what basis, do you have
to share the burden for the sake of the Emperor?
Reporting.
You've asked me, what is the Xichang?
Now I would like to tell you
matters that are not solved by Dongchang are gonna be solved by Xichang.
And also one more thing.
You should listen carefully...
Those men who can't be killed by Dongchang, will be killed by the Xichang.
Things that Dongchang don't dare to touch, will be handled by the Xichang.
Another word...
I will manage the matters at hand by myself.
And anything else also managed by Dongchang will also be taken care of by me as well.
Kill first and then report later. That's a special authorization from the Emperor himself.
This is Xichang.
Have I made myself clear?
Once again, royal Lady Wan has sent him out of the palace.
The new half-year riser.
If we were to return home then we would also have to offend the court.
They still want to make enemies.
Royal Consort Wan.
Consort.
Eunuch Yu of Xichang has been waiting for you for some time now in the Ze Ning palace.
Send him in.
My good eunuch,
come here.
I have sent you to Xichang.
And you are now in charge of the palace as well.
Why do you still try to provoke the Dongchang?
Your job is to prevent the women in the palace
from sharing the Emperor's dragon bed with him behind my back.
Why should you bother troubling yourself for more power with Dongchang eunuchs?
It's better for you to stay in here(Harem palace) with me.
To keep me company and to entertain me and play with me instead.
The palace maids didn't dare to waste your generosity and
even dared to make his Majesty glance at them in that way too.
They will not live to see another day.
Please be rest assured, Your Highness.
Xichang will not allow that in the Imperial palace.
There have been women impregnated by the Emperor recently.
Yesterday I have had my suspicions.
Who will wallow in this subject?
Let the men take advantage of them so easily.
Those four sluts.
There have been three sluts impregnated.
Whether or not, the baby is the Emperor's, they're still a nuisance.
So I had them executed.
Among the four sluts...
You had only three of them killed?!
What of the fourth one then?!
She managed to escape the palace.
Her name is Su Huirong.
There have been men sent out to capture her already.
They're making such haste.
What do you think they're after?
See that banner?
Xichang's men shouldn't be here.
They went in the direction of Red Stone Valley.
We should follow them
to see what's going on.
There's a man sitting on the chain bridge.
What's he doing up there?
I'll keep an eye on him.
Boatman!
Over here with the boat!
We need to inspect the boat.
What's wrong? We government officers need to search that boat.
Faster, over here!
Officers needs to inspect the boats around here...
There are no felons on board, sirs.
What does this have to do with us?
Don't be afraid they're Ming officers.
There's nothing to worry about.
It's a misunderstanding, Officers,
we cross this river here everyday.
Okay.
How many womens do you have aboard?
Everyone, out of the boat.
What is that?
It dropped from the boat.
Go and report it.
Report.
Master San Kuang Thou.
This bag was found floating in the river.
The embroidery work looks very familiar.
Who let you sit down?!
Please, don't hit my wife!
Sir, my wife is very sick.
How sick is she? To the point where she can't even stand up?
Please spare us.
Get up!
Please don't hurt me.
Get up!
This bag is worth a lot of money.
Why has it been thrown down the river?
This smell...
Just want to see if you have the same smell or not.
Did you run away from the palace?
Master, I...
You seem hesitant.
It seems that your stomach holds the answer to that.
Cut open her stomach to have a closer look!
Yes, sir!
Hold onto her.
Please don't, Master!
Let me go!
Please let me go.
So you are Su Huirong.
Understood.
Don't worry, he's alone!
Hold onto the fugitive!
Let the woman go.
I will only say once more.
Let the woman go.
Release her!
All of you, stand back!
They are still coming in closer.
Do you really wanna die?
Fall back! Do you want him to kill me?!
Tell them to jump into the water.
Jump!
Why are you still standing around for? Everyone jump in the water!
Hurry up and jump
into the water!
Alright, I'll let you live now.
But you have to do one more thing for me before I return here.
Report my name to the Xichang.
Zhou Huai'an.
Zhou Huai'an?!
You're Zhou Huai'an!
Go climb to the top of the boat mast and stay there.
Do not move until two hours later.
After you've done that, I'll let you go.
I told you already. That you're not allowed to make any sudden movements.
What were you trying to see?
To see whether or not that I've taken my leave yet?!
Great Hero
We must leave, now.
I know that you have great martial arts skills
but we cannot stay here any longer.
I have to wait for somebody.
Wait for a person?
Who?
Savour the moments of beauty.
Drink it!
Brother Zhou.
He's being so relaxed as if nothing had happened, just sipping on wine.
If so, let's join him in drinking a cup of wine.
He posed as you to save the others.
Certainly, he wants to lead you out to meet him.
We do not have to pay him any mind.
Didn't he help us save those peoples lives? Isn't that a good thing?
For all of those Zhou Huai'ans out there we should drink more.
Brother Zhou.
Well evidently, is he one of your old acquaintances?
Why not go and greet him?
Guying from Huaiyang.
Old friend of the martial arts world.
We have already separated. Why should we meet up again?
A messenger pigeon.
Only Xichang have those types of pigeons in their possession.
It's heading west of here.
That's...
Their men in the capital have left their headquarters.
That's strange...
So many men were sent from Xichang
just to catch an impregnated woman.
There will be more of them coming.
Let's see if I can help it.
Report to Chief Commander that everything is fine!
Yes, sir!
Report. We have received a message.
What's the message? Is it from Red Stone Valley?
Chief Commander.
Su Huirong has been rescued by a swordman.
The swordsman is named Zhou Huai'an.
Jinliang,
Under these circumstances, you expect Zhou Huai'an to flee with Huirong?
Where do they have to go?
The Capital is to the East.
It has a back road.
To the north is the border.
Would they head up north?
Within just two days they will be able to reach the border.
With an impregnated woman,
it is hard for them to travel fast.
Northwest is the waterway...
but they would have to slow down though.
They went off to Jiayu!
North and west leads to the gantry.
Go to the gantry and wait for them there.
Raise the large sail.
Right rudder!
Heading for the northwest.
That's Xichang's sub lieutenant.
I want to see what skills he has.
Let's go.
He's good
I, Ma Jianglong, so happens to be one of the best Xichang martial artist there is.
Take care of the sail behind the Commander...!
Xichang commander, who are you?
Yu Huatian.
And your name is...
I am both Dongchang and Xichang's enemy,
Zhou Huai'an.
Kuo Zheng, let's go!
Men. Ready the archers.
Yes, sir!
Archers!
Chong Zheng, run for it!
Kuo Zheng!
Looking for death?!
Let's go!
Chief Commander.
This Zhou Huai'an,
is such an unworthy opponent.
How can he be here at the same time
when he has taken off with Su Huirong?
Could he be a fake?
Definitely not.
We saw his knowledge of Dongchang and his martial arts prowess.
Unlikely to be a fake.
If he's the real Zhou Huai'an
then who was it that took Su Huirong to the Red Stone Valley then?
It doesn't matter how many Zhou Huai'ans there are.
I'll have all their heads hanged in front of the Ling Qi Palace.
The predator stalks the prey but gets eaten before it gets the chance of striking at it's prey.
I'll catch that bitch, Su Huirong.
We will use them as an example for the people of Dongchang.
Yes, Chief Commander.
Great Hero
What are those two stone tablets inscribed with those words?
The stone on top came here from Tangut four hundred years ago.
The sand has eroded the words on them for a very long time now.
Dragon, head and tail, leaving only the words "dragon" and "gate" on them.
That's why this place is called the Dragon Gate.
This place to the Xi tribe is not that far. No further than 10 miles from here to the border.
Rest assured now.
They're no longer chasing after us anymore.
I'd be all alone out at the border
Won't you come with me?
I have already told you,
when you've arrived at a safe place.
You can go on your own.
Come here.
Great Hero
You've been playing that flute for some time now.
I guess that must be your keepsake token of your love then, am I right?
You're only half correct.
The flute is indeed a keepsake token.
But the love is not given to me.
It was given to another person.
Who's she with then?
With whom she had the relationship with is none of your business.
Actually, this flute is not mines.
I was asked by the owner to give it to that person.
In the future, don't you ever bring up this topic ever again
or else I'll never speak to you again.
Have I made myself clear?
Yes.
You look a lot like...
Like what?
Like the person you're looking for.
Try to remember
if you ever meddle into my background or my business ever again.
I'll leave you here all alone.
Later, it will not matter anymore.
Jump down here.
I'll catch you.
I can't.
I'm pregnant.
I can't jump down there
Great Hero!
Gentlemen.
Tomorrow is the last day before
the sandstorm arrives.
You see the birds did not only just flew by.
But they have also sent a message.
Sandstorms don't have eyes
if it were to hit here then we'd be in grave danger then
especially without any food or water.
We'd probably even have to abandon the Inn and run for it too.
You two have come at the wrong time,
the food here are already cold-
Shut up.
We're only passing through here. After we're finish eating, we'll leave immediately.
Thank you customers so much.
Fifty miles from here
there are some mountains.
Blowing in the wind, but with an even larger mountain blocking them.
Take this ration of water and food
you should be able to make it there by halves a day with a camel.
You could bring more water.
In this desert without any water you won't survive.
I forgot to bring any dry food.
Remind me to bring the dry food next time.
Thank you.
There we go.
Have a safe journey.
Lou Phi! Escort the guests.
I told you not to let anyone through that door. And yet here those two are.
They wouldn't listen to me, I couldn't turn them away.
Please settle down.
After you've eaten, you'll have to leave immediately. How many?
Two.
Peanuts and dried fruits!
What would you have?
I would like a bowl of mutton soup.
Mutton soup? We have that.
We'll have only two bowls of plain noodle soup.
The others aren't so good.
Alright. Okay.
Two bowls of plain noodle soup will soon be here.
Two bowls of plain noodles from the kitchen.
Two bowls of plain noodles coming right away.
Enjoy yourselves.
There are certain rules for ordering at here.
Use your own chopsticks, which is called "I Cau Sien" ('stroke a cents')
If you use their chopsticks, that's called "Se Tung Thien" ('Food Forum')
This is the rule of the black inn.
Black inn?
What is a black inn?
Pay attention, you'll see...
Some pugilists comes here often to duel and die
they have washed the blood stains around here.
Innkeeper!
What can I do for you, gentleman?
Who do you think we are?!
Serving us white meat like that!
White meat...?
There are rules in the Jiang Hu.
You think this is our first time here?
Sorry for the mistake.
Waiter, quickly get rid of the meat.
What's wrong with white meat?
Why are they so angry?
White meat is the meat of Food Forum.
And that meat would be?
Human flesh.
The guests who eats with their chopsticks are looking for human meat.
Here it comes.
Two bowls of plain noodle soup.
They're gone...
Sorry to have offend! Sorry to have offend!
Go back to the kitchen! Hurry!
Prepare the food.
Uncle Li Bu.
Wash your hands clean.
In the last ten days, have you seen any pregnant women coming through here?
No, no pregnant women here.
Here's the deal.
I have a younger brother in the capital who have bought a woman.
When we have picked on her at home, she ran away.
My younger brothers here-
Actually no, he's not my younger brother.
He's my older brother.
They're here to bring back that slut.
So have you seen this woman within these past two days?
My mistress said,
She just got here and she has seen a bunch of pushy bastards whom forced women into prostitution.
Men who has drunk the milk of women, but still calls them sluts.
Even more savage than animals.
Masters, the people here only like to spar with eachother.
Don't hold any grudges.
You are regular customers here
and so is Uncle Li.
The guests that were brought here by Uncle Li are also regulars here.
We are all familiar with them.
Only one is an outsider.
The other one came from the capital.
They're not related to each other.
I could be blamed for this ill-greeting.
I'll even toast with you.
Please give me some face.
Fuck you!
She wasn't what I expected of her.
We shall meet again for another duel.
Listen carefully.
This is for not letting other guests in and to cover for half of the inn's fees as well.
We also want to book all the rooms in this inn as well.
I can't do that, mister.
A large sandstorm is about to get here soon.
We'd also want to rush out of the inn for cover as well.
Staying in the inn at that time will kill us.
You have terrible sandstorms here?
Black Dragon Sandstorms could be scary.
The areas within a 100 mile radius around here are going to be buried.
When it comes the Inn could probably be blown to bits too.
Just take the money.
I have already decided that we're not going to leave.
You can't do that.
Those guests are foreigners.
I don't dare to offend them so-
So you're not afraid of offending us?
What nonsense!
But master,
I can't take this much money.
You might've booked all the rooms but that doesn't mean that they'll leave.
I really don't know how we should turn those people away.
The sandstorm is about to appear
and if they don't want to leave by then
then that just means that they don't want to live anymore as well.
I'll send them to hell even sooner.
You were eating behind my back!
Damn it. What's wrong with you?!
I was hungry.
When are you not hungry?
There was a large sheep thigh here just now.
You dared to eat those too?!
You always eat!
Rest assured, eat it.
If it was human flesh, then those two wouldn't make such a big commotion over it.
Don't kill us.
I am only a cook, master.
The money is with the Innkeeper there.
Spare me, master.
We are only servants at this inn.
Please don't be hard on us.
What is this?
- Mix it into the wine. - What for?
Starting three years ago. The Dragon Inn has become a Black Inn.
The lady innkeeper here has also became a wanted criminal.
Do you cooks want to challenge the imperial authority?
That's not our business.
Even if we had the guts to, we still wouldn't dare to challenge imperial authorities.
Then do as I say.
Okay. Okay.
Put it into the wine.
Give it to those barbarians/tartars.
These acts are terrible.
This lowly servant cannot bear the risk.
Masters, masters.
Great Hero, can I ask you a question?
Depends on what you ask.
How do you know this place so well?
You are not a regular guest here.
Are you that-
Don't say a word while you should be watching your step.
What is it you want to ask?
You're not the
imperial fugitive from three years ago, are you?
If I were the owner here, shouldn't
there be people recognising me by now.
Think about it.
Understood.
A bag.
I picked it up from outside of the kitchen.
Vice Captain, the sky is black and cloudy.
It seems there really will be a sandstorm after all.
We have to start on preparations for an escape route just in case.
Chief commander is probably somewhere around a 50 mile radius away from here.
Tell Lei Tung to hold the stables.
Once we retreat,
beside our horses, he'll have to let go of the other horses as well.
Yes, sir!
Jinliang, the name of this place is Dragon Gate, right?
I got it from the stone tablets out there.
That's right Commander.
Local people are told so as well.
Open the side gate of the camp shelter and let the people in.
Horse carriage to the east, move closer towards here.
Chief Commander, the caravan came to the camp to take shelter from the sandstorm.
It will soon be too crowded here.
Please Chief Commander, Our other Commander ordered us immediately
to not let anymore civilians to be sheltered here.
Continue on letting them in.
Understood.
Chief Commander.
Zhou Huai'an wouldn't really appear here. Would he?
This person is foolhardy.
I can predict his every move.
Make him drop his defense by provoking him to make his next move.
Not to mention that I'm here, so he'd surely come.
Masters...masters.
Master Er Kuang Tou, we have searched everywhere.
I will send somebody to search some more.
He's been poisoned.
How can this be?
Poisoned.
What did you just say?!
My mistress said, if you want to poison someone then go learn it from your mother.
With a cheap trick like this.
You won't be able to poison anybody but your own men first.
Damn you!
Innkeeper!
We missed the closing hour.
We rushed over here to spend the night.
The flag outside...
Why is this place closed?
The rooms are fully booked, get lost!
Hell no!
You want us to eat sand?
No places left?! Above the altar there is still a place to sit!
Open the door!
Just go tell them to leave.
I'll just tell them to leave.
Open the doors.
Mister.
Just leave! If you can't come in then tough luck then!
Luck! Luck! Luck! Here's some luck for you!
"Going to the temple intending to burn some incense sticks, but it becomes a fire."
Damn all of you,
closing the door and pretending to be good gentlemens.
Where did you all come from?
Who dares to complain now that I'm inside of the Inn now?
Why is the Commander here dressed in that disguise?
They only look alike in appearance.
It's not necessarily the commander.
We'll test him later.
Heroes...
You see? It's very crowded here.
And not to mention that I don't have any chairs left for you two either.
Please give me some face as you can see that it's already full here.
Please move to the nearest Inn beside us.
There are other rooms there or you can use their warehouse if there's no more rooms available.
The place is very broad and many people can fit in there as well.
You don't have to go.
We'll give our boss's room to that young gentleman right there.
You two can only afford to give up one room to them?
If two don't mind
I'll give you guys two rooms instead.
Please give this young man a cup of wine so he could drink with us.
"The long sword to accompany a glass of wine."
We have some good vintage wine here.
Even cattle piss tastes better then their wine.
The best wine in the world. If you want to drink wine, drink good wine.
How about
You two drink a few cups of wine with me.
Alright put it on your tab then.
Immediately head to the fortress to see whether or not our Commander is still there.
You two often travel this road frequently?
Are you trying to interrogate us?
"Knock on the door to find a direction."
You tell us first.
Why were you being such a jerk before?
I was speaking to your boss.
Not you
besides, it doesn't concern you.
But I'm speaking to you though.
And how do you know it doesn't concern me?
Okay, I shall explain it now.
The reason why we came here.
How about it?
Do we really need to know that?
Young sir, while on your way here
you only had this woman here accompanying you?
You're not bandits, are you?
Always trying to pry information from us. Are you thinking about robbing us?
How dare you?! Where did you come from?!
How dare you say that to our boss?!
Where are you bandits from?
You dare talk to me like that?
Jian Zhong.
Nevermind that just now.
I have respect for your boss.
It was a little rough just now.
Boss, please forgive us.
Don't mind us.
I respect your senior.
Boss, please.
You dare try to poison us?!
Poison? Of course not.
How could it be poisoned?
The man you just dragged inside,
he looked very sick
and yet you still dare say that the wine is not poisoned?
Drink it.
You first.
Drink it!
I said, drink it!!
Alas, sooner or later, we'll have to fight.
Not only the wine over there is poisoned.
But everything over there is poisoned as well.
We did not drink poisoned alcohol, come over here instead.
Their wine over there is not poisoned and yet yours is.
Why's that?
I like your face.
I really don't want to translate.
Translate quick!
My mistress said that I like you.
Wait! She's the one who said I like you.
My boss said that you could go to her room for a drink.
It's more quiet, and no one will harass you.
Enough of this! I'm not hungry anymore!
Innkeeper, bring a bucket of water for me so wash up.
This smell.
It smells just like heading home.
Yes, customer.
We have it here.
Here.
Boss,
I have prepared a room for you already.
Well, look at the time.
Dragon and Tiger competing with each other. So difficult to hold back either sides.
I need to take my leave now.
I'm just hoping that I could come back here even sooner.
Excuse me.
Reporting, Commander.
Following your orders,
we have brought those tablets here.
What is written above the monument?
Something inscribed with the Tangut scribe, Commander.
The erosion from the wind and sand made it in it's current state.
Only the words Long Men Fei Jia can be made out.
The other words have been blurred.
But there is one more thing that I want to say...
That's when the two stone tablets are unearthed.
That is said to be an omen.
The Dragon Sand that has been appearing here for many years.
Is said to have something to do with the inscriptions on the stone tablets.
The weather here in the Gobi Desert has been behaving abnormally recently.
Chief Commander, having read the inscriptions,
please place the monuments back to its normal place.
It is the perfect place for virtue
and good luck for all mankind.
We've only lifted the monuments!
Please spare our lifes!
We do not know anything!
Please spare our lifes!
My original plan was
to lure the snake out of it's hole.
If anything happens, alert the men.
Chief Commander.
This man was wearing Zhou Huai'an's shoes.
It has already happened
Only because of a pair of shoes, everything has already been compromised.
Since the sword is already unsheathed, it has to taste blood.
Turn this place upside down to find Zhou Huai'an.
Yes! Chief Commander.
Search the inn!
Search the grain storage room.
Search there!
Yes.
Get the horses.
Yes, sir!
Chase after him.
What happened?
Did he really look that much alike?
Reporting, Chief Commander.
At first glance you two only looked about thirty percent alike.
But this person has frivolous manners and behaves absurdly,
he's not as charismatic as the Commander.
This person could be useful.
We could use him to eradicate the enemy.
Go back and tell Tan Luzi, to not make any sudden moves.
And to await for my orders to take action.
To lure the enemy into a trap.
Chief Commander, what you mean by trap is...
To make the false into the real one. I'll disguise as him.
And unroot them all.
That's a really good plan.
In order for the plan to work and solve the problem, we must be able to differentiate between the false one and the real one.
Chief Commander, please notify us beforehand before you show up.
In case we make a mistake in identifying you.
I'll give you a code phrase.
The code word is,
"Long Men Fei Jia".
Next sentence is...
"The true one becoming the false."
You must remember this military code phrase
Remember as if I engraved it on your chest.
I'll remember, I'll remember...
Long Men Fei Jia. The true one becoming the false.
Before the three of you came down here, did you tell somebody to guard the rooms?
Everything is in order.
The Tartar brothers are the lookouts for the guests.
Everyone is here now, boss.
Sit.
I'll give the introductions to you fellow brothers.
The man who is in charge of transport is Liang Chai.
The one that has became a pioneer to Pingdingshan is Huang Gang.
The one who'll become a guide for us is Bu Sang Zhou.
Martial artists calls him Wind Blade.
This letter was obtained by him.
And there's...
We have Zhang Xiao Wen from the Wu Zhang plateau.
The Tartars will go with her.
My right hand man, Ha Gang Ton Ga.
Buried in the sand, three hundred years ago,
was the Xia's countries capital palace.
That was until the Mongolians
sent many soldiers that surrounded the city for an entire year.
The whole city was isolated from help and had only one hundred soldiers defending it.
Just before their deaths,
all the children, women and gold were sealed inside the palace
where they suffered gruesome deaths.
Then came a sandstorm which buried the city overnight.
In fact the words on the stones should be read upside down instead.
It's "Lai Cia Fei Sien Long
Sha Hai Sie Shen Men"
Lai Cia is a sandstorm that comes once every sixty years.
Fei Sien Long is black dragon sandstorm.
Shen Men is the door in the palace.
Every sixty years, the black sandstorm will blow open the desert.
and the buried palace in the ground will appear.
At that time,
we can find the treasures inside the palace.
Dragon Inn before this was the nest of the bandits.
They also waited for the treasure.
Unfortunately, they fought each other.
They also had a woman for a master.
It turns out, she was the one who burned down her own inn.
Ever since then, it's unknown whether or not she has died or not.
Her name was Ling Yanqiu.
So, you're!
Everyone, listen up.
This palace happens to be a vast labyrinth.
This map leads the way to the treasures.
Exit?
Why is there only one exit?
Because it has only one entrance.
But the way, to go out is to go through the maze again.
Without this map we can't possibly escape.
Lao chai, what seems to be troubling you?
And why are there so many officers and soldiers in disguise as well?
They said they came for a woman.
Wind Blade, tell us the message.
It says they're from Xichang.
Their goal is to catch a woman who has slipped out from the palace.
There was two females here earlier in the day.
The two females left just as soon as the officers have arrived.
They even ate with their own chopsticks.
Even if they were only travellers,
our golden opportunity has been made into a mess.
We might even miss our once in a sixty year opportunity as well.
We would have to wait until our next life.
The King of hell has also given me a way as well.
Hey! Those officers were surprised to see Wind Blade.
It's hard to believe but they might've thought you were their leader.
Their leader looks just like you.
You want to be taken seriously and yet you keep bullshitting.
People have prepared food on the table
and have offered them to you and yet you still don't want it.
- Come, I'll accompany you there. - You want him harmed?
Once that food is inserted into the mouth. Trouble will come.
You shouldn't accompany him then.
If they threaten you, show them your skill.
None of you shall accompany him.
Brother Wind, you're all grown up. Go by yourself.
Okay, I'll go alone.
But what if there's a problem?
Why are you called Wind Blade?
Your self defense must be very good.
If I know martial arts, then I won't get any help?
It's not like that. If you get into trouble
we'll rush in to save you, like a band of brothers.
You really mean it?
Wind Blade was just a name he made up to scare other martial artists.
His martial arts, isn't that good.
One more thing, brother Wind.
Your position is much higher than theirs.
You only have to act tough when talking with them.
If you say so.
He's here, Vice Captain.
Your disguises is
so great and stylish.
Not any fool knows that you're government officials disguising yourselves as mere travellers.
Yes, sir.
Is something wrong? Just say it then.
We have everything completely under control here.
Master, please give us orders.
You say that you have everything under control
and yet you still need orders?!
Everything is all screwy now! How will it be fixed?!
Please don't be angry master.
I don't quite understand
what mess that you are referring to.
What if you, master,
tell us the plan once more.
Everyone, be careful.
Lao Chai.
When you rebuilt the inn,
in addition to this basement,
have you not found the other authentic part of the inn?
Besides this basement,
I have not seen the other basement yet.
It's said that when the inn lady owned this Inn,
she planned a wedding ceremony.
She also dugged a huge basement, with traps everywhere.
I think there must be more than one basement here.
Maybe
the two women who came during the day are now hiding beneath the other basement.
Hurry.
Lao Chai.
Xin Ping.
Er Chai.
Where are you guys?
That's her.
She's one of them. Her and another woman.
I thought you were her.
So familiar with the terrain here.
Only the pervious owner of the Dragon Inn,
Ling Yanqiu. Could possibly know this place so well.
Please remind us one more time, master
What was the main purpose of us being here?
What kind of place is Dragon Inn?
What are the backgrounds of these people?
What is the purpose of the Tartars here?
I'll ask you this, do you still remember your title and rank?
And what you were sent here to do?
You, say something.
Xichang's Seventh class officer, San Kuang Tou.
I can't believe this!
and I still need to ask you these type of questions?!
Tell me,
You... You still don't remember why you're here?!
Of course I remember.
If I did not do it in a good way,
then give me another chance to redeem myself.
Give you another chance?! Huh?!
I told you to use poison, yet our men were the ones who got poisoned instead.
The people you came here to pursue are here
and yet you are all still here contemplating and arguing!
And yet you still want another chance?!
I know that you came here to find the treasures.
Unfortunately you were chased here by officers.
You were put in a tough situation and were forced to come down here in order to hide.
You even brought a palace lady here
to lure those officers here
in order to deal with us. Like fishing in muddy water.
Don't you think that
I can have you reported and negotiate an agreement with them?
We'll then hand over that palace woman to them,
Then wait for them officers to leave this place,
Then the treasure will be ours
So tell me...
How are you going to deal with those people of the Dragon Inn?
Kill them all with poison
and let them all rot here.
The sandstorm will take care of it all. All will be buried.
They cannot run anywhere. They'll have nowhere to run.
As long as what we are looking for is still out there,
then we don't have to wait for a sandstorm. We should take the intiative.
At daybreak, kill them all.
Then slowly dig.
Dig out the person that we are looking for.
Yes, master.
Who is it?
Yi Zhao.
Chien Hua, you're going to kill?
Of course.
Master.
Wind Blade...
You are Wind Blade, right?
The informant of the Jiang Hu? We've worked together before.
I am the former court Commander, Zhou Huai'an.
Don't you remember me?
What are you doing at a place like this?
Your disguise has been uncovered.
Wait a minute!
What's going on here?
Who is she?
I finally get to see you again after all this time.
These past three years.
I began to slowly forget how vast the Jiang Hu is as each day passes.
So vast, that I am losing myself.
My heart pounds hardly, just thinking about your safety.
Three years ago, I picked up the love token that you left me.
Now...I can finally...
Men are so selfish.
He's the one who's selfish!
We made a pact,
that it's gonna be just for business and no emotional attachments.
Why did you go back on your words just now?
First, calculate the bill. I want to see how much you've dared to eaten.
Actually, I'll count them for you.
Yeah, I know. How should I count it...?
If you were so unwilling to meet her,
then why are you here?
I was tracking a Xichang man that came here.
Then I unexpectedly saw Wind Blade.
I think they know that Wind Blade looks very similar to somebody.
Like their Commander, Yu Huatian.
The Xichang Chief?
Yu Huatian and his troops are staying at a fortress about 50 miles away from here.
He'll send out his troops to here sooner or later.
There will be a massive force raiding this place soon.
Surely, he won't let anyone get away alive.
Are you kidding us?
They're here for your life,
not ours.
How would they benefit from killing us?
What do you think? Do you think Yu Huatian will easily let go
of the person that looks so much like him?
Allowing you to uncover his plans
and also, Wind Blade posed as him and messed with his men.
If...
if they let you go with these problems,
they wouldn't be called The Xichang.
Yu Huatian should be here by dawn.
We will use strategy against strategy. Do a pre-emptive strike.
Attack until their men are in disarray.
The first step is to divide up the enemy forces.
They have their guide who was poisoned.
We'll start with him.
Li Bu, today I will save you.
This is the antidote to cure you of your poison.
Those people are done using you already.
If you die here, there will be nobody to take care of your funeral plans.
If you want to live then please do me a favor.
I don't...
practice martial arts.
You won't have to know martial arts. Thing is, I'm in love with my mistress.
But she only has eyes for that gentleman.
I want you to kill him.
I can barely even speak up, how am I supposed to take his life?
Head to the stables,
and free his horse and all of the other ones as well.
Then he won't have a horse before the sandstorm arrives.
He will be buried in the desert.
You
could do this on your own but choose not to.
This is not a trick, is it?
I don't want to do this myself because I'm scared that my mistress would catch me.
After you do this. There's no turning back.
Now take that gentleman's life and trade it with yours.
Choose yourself!
This package contains only half a dose of the antidote.
If you do not do what I asked...
Then in three days time, you will die.
These past three years...
you continued to hold on to the flute that belongs to the person that I loved.
"Leveling the entire heaven and earth, breaking my heart."
Unfortunately, there is love but none of it is destined to be.
All your feelings from the heart is not.
Although I could not wait for you,
I'm satisfied at how you're looking at me like this.
I took the bamboo flute.
I envied it's owner.
She has been gone for a long time
and yet she's still always on your mind.
She gave her life saving me.
This debt...
Even if it takes me a whole lifetime. I still wouldn't be able to pay it back.
I understand why
you didn't choose me.
And I was afraid that you would be toubled.
"Expecting a drop of dew
is better than forgetting yourself to the lake."
I still do not understand the meaning of those words.
In life or death,
love is eternal.
The people who were beside me died one by one.
One day I will also leave.
Why leave concern for others?
I also have a wish.
I'll give you this bamboo flute
and you take it out of this bloody place.
Live freely and don't ever come back.
Why are you throwing things at me for?
The second treaty, to not be friendly with you.
I gave her some medicine already.
I can help you fulfill your wish.
Only when a woman's heart is completely broken
will she be able to leave you.
This way she won't be harmed.
I was meaning to ask you
why did you set fire to this inn for?
Matter of fact, I...
I was tired of this desert.
Are you really willing to leave?
Stay. So we can find the treasure together.
A person who has lived in the jiang hu must be able to forget the word, love.
Look at me
Only talk about business and not about emotional feelings.
In this world, there is nothing that can't be bought with money.
I used to think so as well.
But...
there are things that don't belong to you, not buyable, and you can't get it for yourself.
If it's unbuyable then I don't want it.
Someday, you will understand.
And one of these days
you'll change.
I know I was wrong.
Take me along with you.
Do not think the two of you have deceived me.
He is not that type of person.
Why are you so concerned for if I wanted to leave?
Great Hero, I'll help eliminate...
If this blade can help sustain your life, then use it.
If you ever manage to make it out of this place, alive,
then go look for a good man to marry.
Where are you going?
Where I'm going to go is not important.
If I stay here. He would be worried.
Er Tou Kuang, The Commander wants to see you.
Long Men Fei Jia.
Say what?
Sorry, I was talking gibberish.
What are your orders?
You have a guide named Li Bu, right?
That's right.
How is he...?
He was bribed by somebody.
He has released all of your horses that were at the stable.
He wants to starve you all in this desert.
So you can all die here.
Xue-yong, go and see to it.
Yes!
Aren't you supposed to be in bed paralysed by the poisoning?
How could you be at the stable?
I...
Interesting...
The poison can detoxify itself...?
It seems that you aren't vulnerable to the poison.
- Zhao Tong - Yes sir!
Get him to eat a bag of poison.
Let's see how it detoxifies itself.
Wait, wait, wait!
I couldn't detoxify it myself!
I took their antidote.
I only ate half the dose.
There are still half of the poison left.
Continue.
That man give me an antidote.
That giant called Hagangtonga.
He...
He took a fancy to his mistress.
And wanted to deal with his mistress's crush.
I took the antidote and...
he asked me to help him...
release the horses...
Report.
Those two gangs has begun to fight each other.
That Tartar woman fought with another woman
over a man.
They have also setted fire to the inn.
Even if this is a trick we may also wish to leave this inn.
See the situation out there.
Alert all of the other men.
Bring out that luggage over there quickly.
Lao Chai, we've found them.
There's another one here.
Quickly bring them out to the room next door!
You want to be discovered?
Let's go!
Surely enough, that was a false alarm. There's no movement.
Zhao Yong Tong, Jixue Yong,
you bring your men! Check it out immediately!
Find out what's going on.
The weather is acting really strange.
Ta Chiang, check the kitchen.
Ping Tan, you check the stables.
The rest of you search all of the rooms at the ground and upstair floors.
Yes, sir!
That is our Xichang men.
I can't tell whether or not are they our men or not.
It's very suspicious.
What is our code phrases again?
Long Men Fei Jia.
The true one becoming the false.
Long Men Fei Jia.
We have to move the luggage over there quickly.
Lao Chai, we've found them.
Here there's also that, you have to move them out immediately
Long Men Fei Jia.
What got you so distracted?
Long Men Fei Jia...I assume it's a code phrase.
The true one becoming the false.
Becoming...
The true one becoming the false.
Chien Hu.
I see you're living here in comfort.
Chief Commander...
Just now the inn was on fire.
For fear of a trick...
We withdrew our men and had some of them check out the current situation.
Under your observations, how's the situation now?
The men still haven't reported anything yet.
You've been lured out like a tiger running out of the forest!
And you're still here waiting for reports?!
They slipped away from the back!
Yes, Commander!
Follow me!
Vice Captain, we can't find those other people.
In the house there are many wet thatches.
Smoke everywhere made our men confused.
Damn it! This was a diversion.
Report this to the Chief Commander!
Why are our own men shooting at us for?
We are ambushed. Sound the alarm!
See who is outside.
The men outside don't know we're here.
I'll go outside with the code phrase.
Long Men Fei Jia.
What did you say?
Long Men Fei Jia.
Shoot.
Your grandmother!
Until they reach a mile perimeter...
I'll wait, then I'll come back.
Alright.
Lets go do some planning.
Vice Captain, our men found out that
our official uniforms was stolen.
The Chief Commander outside is an impostor.
Long Men Fei Jia!
Another fake?!
Jia...!
Jia, my ass. Shoot!
This is our opportunity,
to attack.
We'll use the terrain and wind as a potential diversion to go near the Dragon Inn.
We'll split into four separate parties.
The first group, Lao Chai.
You stand in the most favorable location.
Identify the location of Yu Huatian
and point this banner in his direction.
The second group,
Zhang Xiao Wen with Hagangtonga.
Take your troops
and go south of the inn and attack during the confusion.
Kill as much enemy troops as you can.
The third group, Gushao Tang.
You lead the inn's men
from the other side of the inn, outflanking the enemy
while helping Zhang Xiao Wen.
Lure in Yu Huatian's more skilled warriors.
Be careful with the man who wears a metallic mask.
Don't underestimate his two swords.
The fourth group,
find your way to Yu Huatian and deal with him.
- Why did you come back? - I came back to help you.
The archer can shoot at any given moment.
You try to take him down.
Wherever Yu Huatian goes, I go.
Don't go.
You deal with the archer.
As for Yu Huatian, leave him to me.
You will fight him by yourself?
Yes.
I'll deal with him. Be careful.
Be careful.
Hagang, it's here.
A desert tornado.
Stop killing innocent people.
Yu Huatian.
I challenge you to a duel in that sandstorm to decide who's the victor.
If you have the guts, accept my challenge.
I'll wait for you.
Zhou Huai'an!
Hagang!
The storm is blowing over the inn.
Quickly! Under the basement.
Zhou Huai'an!
There's a shine of light coming from over there.
It's a reflection!
It's the Golden Palace!
We have finally found the western Xia treasures!
I'm not gonna leave you here.
Zhou Huai'an. What's the matter?
Zhou Huai'an, are you okay?
Yanqiu, the dagger he's holding can cut through anything he wants.
Be careful.
He is the Xichang's...
Xichang's Chief Lord Commander, Yu Huatian.
Let me handle him.
Go with the others
I'm familiar with his swordplay style.
You'll just be standing on the sideline
to see what flaws he'll make.
Only a rotting palace lady luring a bunch of people to rot here.
You're here too? You half-witted useless human being.
You dare disguise yourself as me?
Your smell is incredibly repulsive.
And if so, what are you going to do about it?
Foul smell is an ability, we have more people and
we just want to suffocate you until you die!
Move it!
What's the use of having more men?
With more people that will just make you more cautious when you're in a battle.
I would like to see if anyone of you would like to act in her place as a hostage.
Out of all of you,
how many are here just for the money?
You're notoriously greedy. Obviously, you are here for the money.
This room is packed with gold. Enough to make you the ruler of your own state.
Rest assured that even in your old age that you will still manage to be the most richest person alive/in the country.
You can save yourself from other bureaucratic infightings.
Holding a official court position is risky.
Just think about it.
Very good.
The whole contents of my heart have been said by you appropriately.
Good idea.
Unfortunately for your friends,
none of them are a match for me.
I could easily finish all of them off.
The gold would eventually be mines.
Why do you think that this Western Xia City hasn't been found till now?
Because an hour later another sandstorm will come.
At that time, the city will be submerged in sands once again.
You're a clever person. How much time do you have to move the gold? An hour?
If this deadlock continues our lives and the gold will be wasted.
This is not good for anyone.
It seems that the two of us have the same idea in mind.
But some people aren't interested in the gold,
they just want my life.
With them here we would not get rich.
How about this
we could cooperate and get rid of those two.
How does that sound?
Don't trust his words!
After all of this I'm afraid that he'll hunt you down as long you possess the gold.
He is not as honest as much as you smell.
He said that you are only half-witted.
Look at yourself now.
Now the one who's holding us back from being rich is no longer me.
But him.
With a sword in my hand, I have the final sayings.
I would not get rich,
but you will die.
It's better to persuade him.
Perhaps you will still have enough time to move the gold out of here.
These people are here for the money.
He's trying to make us turn against each other.
They're easy to convince.
He wants to use their help to deal with us.
Since you're all here for the money
don't bother wasting anymore time.
Yu Huatian,
I promise you this much...
Together we will move the gold out
and you will release Gushao Tang. That'll be our agreement.
How will you convince me to agree with you?!
Here you have many people.
How would you move the gold?
You still need to ask?!
Each of us take their own share of gold as they want it.
How much gold that can be move is their own business.
This method...
is very detrimental to me.
I alone shall watch you move out the gold.
You can't move much of the gold either.
Then why bother moving it?
I know you want to get rich,
but you contemplate too much.
All the gold here cannot be transported in a short time and of course we can't transport all of it.
If you want to be the only one moving them then we can all be at ease.
I have an suggestion.
We can monitor each other's movements.
Yu Huatian,
I'll stay here with Gushao Tang.
The other people can go move out the gold.
The three of us are to remain here.
And the others moving the gold wouldn't dare to leave here.
Rest assured.
So it's decided then.
Don't come back.
You're going to die with him?
What's taking so long? You can't find the exit on the map?
Did we make a wrong turn?
Impossible, I went according to the maps directions.
To get out of this maze there are two ways.
I found the exit!
Are you insane?
You really want us to go back in there to find them?
I'd rather not too, but what about Gushao Tang?
We've finally made it back to human society.
This path probably doesn't lead to the exit.
But there still might be a way out.
There's the exit.
I'll go take a look.
Bring up the gold.
Let's head back and find them.
What's going on?
She's...
She's a....
a secret agent.
You left.
Why did you have to come back for us for?
You're one of the secret agents planted by Yu Huatian.
We've been deceived.
You gave me this dagger.
You were looking for trouble yourself.
With you out of the picture.
There's only one more highly skilled fighter whom opposes The Xichang, Zhou Huai'an.
You dared to resist us?
What wishful thinking!
Your martial arts and tactics are no match for mines.
Now I'm going to kill Zhou Huai'an!
We cannot let her get away.
Wind Blade!
- Hey, why are you...? - Don't go any further!
Do not move!
It's a trap.
Hagang.
You liked that Xichang woman and
now you also like me, huh?
Mistress!
You see, that woman has laid out a trap.
Hagang, what is this?
It is very sharp. It is the Xichang gold threads.
She laid out so many traps.
In order to prevent us
from helping Zhou Huai'an.
Great Hero.
- Great Hero. - What?
The others are fighting amongst themselves for the gold.
They are beating each other.
Follow me.
We're on the roof.
All of your planning was for nothing. And now they're even fighting each other.
What's the point of staying here?
Zhou Huai'an.
That promise that we talked about.
Do you want to reconsider it now?
Hagangtonga.
It's a signal for danger.
You were terrified of Yu Huatian earlier.
And here he is and yet you're no longer afraid of him?
Why am I here?
I was here to help Ling Yanqiu.
What are those sounds?
Those are the sound of the people who were obsessed with wealth and power.
Unfortunately, all of this will ultimately be lost.
You've waited your entire life for this and might not be able to get anything from it
and may also be buried here as well.
My Lord, come with me.
Here it comes.
Move aside!
Move.
Hey, we can get out from there.
Do you think that I'm only here
for the gold?
Huirong, go up first.
I know that you're already committed to stopping me.
You will not leave here alive.
Be careful! Su Huirong has laid traps everywhere
with very sharp threads!
Ling Yanqiu, those lines are sharp!
There you are(Ling Yanqiu).
Where is Ling Yanqiu?
She was in there.
How is she?
Where is she?
She was severely wounded.
She did not want you to see her like that.
While you were still unconscious she left.
These things, I do not want to take them with me,
I leave them to you.
Live life and death without any regrets. No worries.
Just like you've said. I'd be gone happy.
That is all.
Where did she head off to?
South of here.
I must find her. I will look for her.
We should be taking our leave too.
That was all for not.
She gave me here flute.
I'll stay here. Just in case they come back.
You actually think that they will come back?
Sure, they will.
For sixty years.
Sixty years is a human's life.
We had sand fall on us and we planned this so carefully too.
I want to be a government official.
A high government position would do.
I'll go with you.
If you cannot wait for them, then
go to the capital and look for me.
I'll be waiting for you.
My good eunuch, bring it here.
Kill her.
Which one?
Understood.
Mistress! Guards!
Someone, quickly call the imperial doctor!
Her majesty has died...
Cheng Hua Period, Year 23th (1470 AD). Lady Wan's cause of death was officially listed as a heart attack. Then emperor Chenghua found out that he had a son (later Hongzhi Emperor) who survived and was raised in secrecy.
Hongzhi was a wise and peace-loving ruler and also holds the distinction of being the sole perpetually-monogamous emperor in Chinese history.
Subtitle Credits: LilCoolJay/AsianPride/ThaCoolestGuyInThaUniverse/ ThaCoolestGuyAround/Baby Jonathan/Jon Alexi Wu. Formerly edited by Artisto1 and IDFL Subcrew. Formerly Edited by Nigga??. I'll be missing you, Pinkie Princess a.k.a. Pinkie Kiddo.^^