[Ever Night]
Episode 26
Your Majesty, Princess is here.
Let her in.
Greetings, Father.
- Greetings, State Preceptor. - Your Highness.
Yu'er, you came in time.
See this chess game between State Preceptor and me.
Who might triumph?
In this game, Father has great foresight
and a precise layout. But State Preceptor
could make a comeback and claim victory.
Could I really lose?
With Princess here, this game might
take an unexpected hopeful turn.
Yu'er. You've come because of Hunyuan?
You're perceptive. Hunyuan...
I knew that rascal
won't bear army discipline.
Let's stop embarrassing ourselves.
If he missteps, that's when
the Court would mock us.
Let him stay with you for now.
Yes.
That rascal is too rebellious.
Previously he injured his reading partner.
Now all Officials
refuse to let their children study with him.
However, we need someone reliable to watch over him.
Otherwise, I won't be at ease.
Your Majesty.
Mingchi gets on well with 3rd Prince.
South Gate has no matters.
Why not let Mingchi accompany Third Prince?
Good idea. Mingchi is reliable.
If he's with Hunyuan, I'll be at ease.
Mingchi, come here.
I make you 'Prince's Companion'.
Take time to visit Princess's Residence to teach Hunyuan.
Mingchi, won't you say thanks?
Mingchi gives thanks.
I'll put in effort to teach Third Prince.
Rise.
Preceptor, we'll stop this game today.
We'll play again.
Yes.
Your Highness.
Why did I lose?
Would God really abandon his own child
and let a nobody beat me
to reach Second Floor.
Could it be...
Could Ning Que, that border soldier,
have earned God's favour?
No way. Absolutely no way.
Please tell me
why I lost?
Know how long I've been locked up here?
Fifteen years.
This prison was crafted by Hierarch.
No-one can break it.
Then do you wish to be jailed here for life?
There must be a way!
Do you know the meaning of being locked in this Pavilion?
God established Xiling in Peach Mountain.
Don't know how many years
but criminals locked in Serene Pavilion
have never been able to escape.
You, Grand Priest, once represented the Light
as Xiling's leader.
You're the most proficient in Scripture, and the purest leader.
I fear the world forgot the name of Wei Guangming.
They need not remember; they've never forgotten.
You're intelligent.
You received God's love.
Yet you lost to a nameless brat.
Just now, you asked me why you lost.
You lost
in fear of endless night-
Not beaten by Ning Que
but by your fear of Ever Night.
Ever Night?
Ever Night is nearing.
I can't be caged any longer.
What do you aim to do?
Leave.
Leave? You know this confinement
was designed by Hierarch.
No-one can leave here!
Child of Hades still lives!
Fu Zi.
He came out.
Hierarch, Wei Guangming broke out
from Serene Pavilion and went towards Tang.
I knew, all these years,
his obsession remains.
It's the same issue?
He waited 15 years for today.
Send men to retrieve him?
No need to bring him back.
Leave that troublemaker to Tang Empire.
Let him create hardship in Tang,
that godless nation,
after too quiet years.
Hierarch is wise, but how can they handle him.
He'll die this time.
Tang Empire people won't let him go.
Heck! I see a ghost.
You see ghosts?
You look like a ghost now.
Two guys play chess till they're like hungry ghosts.
Two are like musical ghosts, insisting I listen.
One 'ghost' asks me rot.
And you're disloyally
- fishing. - Fish, fish...
You scared off the fish. What will I eat?
I know you suffer. I suffered for years before fishing here.
What bother made you like this?
I'm studying Dao of Symbols with Yan Se.
After long study, I can't grasp it.
Dao of Symbols is really difficult.
Did you try Yong character technique?
I did.
I just can't get through.
Maybe there's no door
or I don't have what it takes.
In despair? Wanna give up?
Very soon.
You scared off my fish. I'll take you to meet someone.
Where? Who'll we see?
Don't let 11th Senior-Bro hear such questions.
Senior Brother. Xiling just sent a message.
Wei Guangming escaped from Serene Pavilion.
He's headed to the capital.
Do you know why he's heading this way?
Ever Night approaches.
Is he still seeking the Shadow of Darkness?
Those words will cause the capital great unrest.
Not only the capital but the whole world.
This is Hierarch's letter berating us.
Serene Pavilion's restricted prison was created by Hierarch.
His prisoner fled and he berates us? How interesting.
Hierarch already sent Xiling Cultivators
to Tang border. If His Majesty agrees,
they'll aid us to seize Wei Guangming.
Aid us? Did we say we'd pursue the prisoner?
15 years ago, Wei Guangming caused bloodshed.
This time, who knows what ruckus he'll make in the capital.
I'll ask His Majesty to send troops.
Slow down, slow down...
I fear Hierarch thinks Guangming is too slow.
He sent pursuers to insert them into the capital.
Senior, what do you mean?
If Hierarch wanted Guangming,
why wait till he passed the border.
This is "borrowing another's sword to kill".
Wei Guangming didn't die after over a decade of confinement.
He got stronger and walked out of Serene Pavilion.
I ask you, who's capable of handling him?
What do you intend?
When you see him...let him go.
Seems you have selfish motives.
I know you and he are the previous Hierarch's
Disciples who were close.
But this concerns Tang Empire.
Since this is hard for you,
Leave this to me as Tang State Preceptor.
If I have a selfish motive,
it's because of you.
Do you know Guangming has
a strength vast and unparalleled.
Regarding cultivation,
even Hierarch doesn't seem to be stronger.
Then what to do?
You're still chubby walking this path everyday, huh?
You're still skinny walking so slow?!
I tell you, the one I'm taking you to see...
He's really obsessed with a matter.
You'll get insight.
- I'll grasp talismans? - Kinda.
Hurry, hurry.
Greetings, Old Scholar.
Go, go, go. I've no time to chit-chat.
What's he doing?
He is reading.
Reading?
How's reading relate to me?
- Fu Zi met Old Scholar some decades ago. - Wonderful.
Wonderful.
Fu Zi invited him to cultivate, but he refused.
He thinks reading is most meaningful.
Cultivating wastes his time.
Study made him odd?
What? 2nd-Senior said study made him stupid.
So you brought me to see this fool.
Is it to point out I study foolishly.
You fear I'll turn into an idiot, right?
You're correct.
Old Scholar, I brought new Junior Bro to see you.
I'm not a book. What's to see?
Please don't waste time, delaying your study.
Ever since Fu Zi founded the Academy, it collected books.
You can say 70% of the world's books are at the Academy.
It's why Fu Zi had 3rd-Senior Sis guard Old Library.
Thirteenth!
Books are the Academy's biggest asset.
Since books were collected from the start,
none deteriorated?
And there's no dust.
As you progress, it's simple.
If your finger
moves thus,
- wind helps you achieve this. - Wind (feng)?
Feng* is here. (wind/apex)
[Yuan Yang/loving couple]
Erotica isn't worthy. Why store it?
Fu Zi said, "reading is profitable".
With bad thoughts, all you touch is bad.
With wicked thoughts, Scripture confuses you.
Actually, Xiling has a Hidden Books Library.
I always went there.
After much reading, I understood-
reading, and enjoying reading, differ.
Cultivating, and enjoying cultivating, differ.
Got it?
Old Scholar, you shouldn't keep reading. Watch your health.
I forget at what age I entered the mountain to study.
But I recall at age 20,
I thought I'd be able to read all the world's books.
But on turning 50, I realized
that's impossible.
Age slows one's body and reading.
Scarily,
I've forgotten many books read in my youth.
Old Scholar.
So wasn't reading them pointless?
I suddenly once thought,
it's impossible to read every single book.
I felt my world collapse then.
I didn't want to eat
or sleep. In the end,
I didn't want to read.
How'd you get through?
I asked myself- Do I like reading
or want to read all books?
- The answer... - Of course, it's this.
I like reading.
I was 70 this year.
From now, I might never wake again
on any given day.
But while I'm alive, I'll keep reading.
This contents me.
You disturbed me!
- Go, go, go. Hurry off. - Ning Que.
See you again.
After entering the Academy, I
- learned about obsession (chi). - 'Chi'.
- Eating (chi) is- - Not that chi! - Chi...
Obsession (chi) is a whim made of nothing.
If you like something,
keep persevering. Question yourself.
I already did. It's what I like.
- Pipi greets 9th and 10th Bros. - Ning Que greets 9th and 10th Bros.
You didn't nod to this tune yesterday.
The song must be wrong.
We worked all night
and changed three bars.
We're satisfied, but we wrote it.
May we trouble you to review the tune for us,
please, Little Bro.
Seniors, forgive me for not listening today.
Why not listen? Old Five wants a chess game? Or Old Eleven's debating you?
Little Bro, don't fret. We'll handle it for you.
Hey! Don't you all know Little Bro's time is precious?
Little Bro would prefer chess.
Yes. Little Bro, come learn.
Little Bro will debate with me.
I think preserving Mist and Clouds takes precedence.
Today, for me, no music, no chess, no sewing, no debating.
- Then what? - I'll go home and sleep.
You looked happy listening.
It was to satisfy you. I was unhappy.
Then why nod your head to the music?
- I wanted to sleep. - Why sleep?
Because I don't like it!
So Little Bro dislikes flute.
So Little Bro dislikes zither playing.
- So Little Bro dislikes us. - So Little Bro dislikes us.
Sorry, Seniors. I'll go after him.
Ning Que, if you dislike their music,
don't say it outright.
On Rear Mountain, I should be honest.
Don't hurt their feelings.
No music if you don't want.
2nd-Senior Bro.
Openness and honesty is a gentleman's character.
Little Bro has a gentleman's nobility. All of you, learn from it.
And, from today, no-one
may disturb Little Bro's cultivation.
Otherwise, you'll face our Rules.
Yes, 2nd-Senior Bro.
2nd-Senior, for Cloud and Mist's overhaul,
7th-Senior Sister needs Ning Que. You see...
Cloud and Mist Formation isn't fixed yet.
That's a bit troublesome. But,
Little Bro was recently admitted. When would he have such time?
Pipi, you worked on that Formation with 7th-Senior Sister.
Since you've the experience, do it again this year.
Little Bro, come with me.
Can't be like this. 2nd-Senior Bro!
- 10,000. - 5,000. Plus 5,000.
Shui Zhu'er, I'm tired from counting money.
Who tires of counting money?
- Which is mine? - This is Jian Daijia's.
This is Shuizhu'er's.
This is Sang Sang's. This is mine.
We made so much selling copies 'Chicken Soup' copies.
Take these to Jian Daijia and Sang Sang.
Alright. Thanks, Shuizhu'er.
Hurry.
I used to be able to...
Hey. You're here.
Wait, wait. What's that smell?
What smell?
Something smells?
Why's your room smell more of ink than powder?
Not here. Not here...
Here it is.
What's this?
Oh, so much cash. This-
It isn't all for me.
In that case, I'll-
Thanks, Grandmaster.
[Tang Academy]
Ning Que!
What?
Since you're Master 13, pay attention to your image.
Your Highness.
How many things have you been hiding from me?
Lots. Which would you like to know, Your Highness?
All of them.
A lot are boring matters not worth your time.
With regards to time, I am rich.
I'm inviting Master 13 to my residence to chat.
Sang Sang is dull at telling stories.
I want you to tell me to me.
Didn't Sang Sang tell you
Master 13 is very busy lately?
This Tang princess is speaking to you. Act with formality.
You plan to hire me again?
That's right.
My price won't be the same.
I'll offer you a price you can't refuse.
Many things in this world are resistible.
But you...are irresistible.
You're very beautiful.
But don't let it go to your head.
Useless!
I feel there's a problem with your method.
What problem?
Ning Que has potential.
But he just began Dao of Symbols contact.
You're in a big rush to
teach him all you realized and appreciated.
It's like splashing black ink
on a sheet of white paper.
You won't get refined calligraphy this way.
Ning Que is the biggest piece of white paper I've ever seen.
You, I, or neither of us,
may have experience or confidence to draw on this white paper.
And what will be drawn finally
depends on his understanding and perseverance.
Ning Que is like
a tea pot empty inside.
He just lifted the lid. What if he can't bear it?
A cracked pot is useless.
I admit,
to fill his mind with all I've comprehended
in my life, in a short time,
may burden him heavily.
But this is the fastest, most effective method.
If this little teapot doesn't break,
one day water will spout out of it.
This is also the riskiest, most untrustworthy method.
Ning Que is your Student
and Fu Zi's Disciple.
His Majesty has hopes of him.
I don't see why you're rushing his training.
Clearly, safer, more reliable methods exist.
Because he's anxious, I'm anxious.
Seems the world is also anxious.
Ever Night is near.
I don't have much time left.
Senior Brother.
For now, don't blindly run around.
Spend more time with me.
You're not a lovely young miss. Why spend more time with you?
But don't fret.
Don't worry.
I'll talk to you properly
before I die.
2nd-Senior Bro, I want to learn
Vast Sword Skill.
You want to learn Vast Sword?
You must start with the basics.
Then I've much to learn from you.
Mm.
Flying Sword uses Psychic Power to control Primordial Qi.
The degree of Psychic Power the Sword Expert can use
controls the sword's intensity. And
the sword's intensity dictates
how finely the sword flies.
You're in Doubtless Realm.
Imagine the Primordial Qi
as an invisible cord in your hand.
A cord long enough and strong enough
can lead the sword to fly farther.
Don't worry it can break away.
Vast Sword
takes the straight path, rather than go wrong.
Moral heart, firm intent; no hesitation, no defeat.
Little Bro, have you memorised Vast Sword principle?
It takes the straight path, rather than go wrong.
Moral heart, firm intent; no hesitation, no defeat.
Thanks, 2nd-Senior Bro.
Let's go.
2nd-Senior will teach Vast Sword to Little Bro.
What's to learn?
Right. It has no beauty. What's it do but kill?
Better to learn flute.
Why not battle strategy?
How about smithing with me?
But learning Flying Sword with 2nd-Senior
is the wrong direction.
How about debating.
Don't all argue. Why not take a look?
Do you recall the principle?
I remember.
How was it?
Wasn't it great?
To be described as flying,
this sword would feel shame.
Can you earn me merit?
The Seniors are watching.
Try again. I must fly you.
[Ever Night]
~Hey, I can only say sorry~
~You, who've forgotten time, look a bit lost~
~You seem faraway, in front of me~
~Time blinks by~
~Take it easy~
~Life is still the same~
~Hey, let me change the ending~
~Yet I can cover it up only a short while~
~Don't obsess or say sorry~
~Loser just treats winner~
~Better not meet rather than cry on parting~
~Night is long and dark~
~Don't leave regrets~
~I've seen right, wrong, gratitude, grudges, words, acts~
~I risk danger, desperate for you~
~Umbrella in old Chang'an~
~Night nears, talismans burn~
~Fight till all is gone in chaos and darkness~
~See us blaze through darkness, changing Heaven and Earth~
~Spur the horses forward~
~Geese fly south before snow~
~Get drunk at a warm coast~
~Under slashes of the sword, we love each other still~