You can get up.
I've done nothing wrong.
You said it yourself.
Emotions and ways of the world aren't important.
What matters is the result.
That day, she took on everything at Grand Tutor Manor.
I don't just owe her a favour.
She's protected by Jiu Ming.
She'll not fall so easily.
She's the best candidate to spread Poison Gu.
Prince.
There's no turning back. We have to do it.
Please assent to it.
Wan Mei is a useless person now.
Do you still harbour any intentions?
Intentions?
I'll prepare the antidote.
After it's done, bring her to me.
Twenty years ago,
the whole of Nanjiang was ruled by Ding Shan Sect.
Bloody Lotus Cult changed its succession and was reborn.
It's just stemmed from Ding Shan Sect.
But it's too ambitious and intended to eliminate and replace Ding Shan Sect.
Back then, Yue Qing Ya was just a common follower.
In order to become the leader of Bloody Lotus Cult,
he resorted to spreading Poison Gu in Ling City.
There were countless casualties.
When Poison Gu has spread, he took the antidote.
He used his blood to cure the people.
He went from house to house to deliver the diluted blood.
He let people think that,
Bloody Lotus Cult is godsend's holy religion to cleanse their sins.
Later on...
Yue Qing Ya relied on,
Bloody Lotus Cult's influence in Nanjiang to massacre Ding Shan Sect.
Although I hate him,
I admire him for his stratagem.
Back then, he resorted to this method...
to win the position as the chief.
If so, today...
you can do that too.
I'm afraid I do not have such a verve.
Yue Qing Ya has another ability.
He's a good judge of talent and in using them.
After Bloody Lotus Cult has a strong foundation in Nanjiang,
he helped the protector of law, Lan Ruo, up the position.
Lan Ruo is a gentle person.
He ensures everything is done perfectly.
That's how Bloody Lotus Cult gets to lay a stronger foundation.
Lan Ruo and Yue Qing Ya are just like us.
If the mission didn't go well, you have to at least kill Lan Ruo.
Get rid of Yue Qing Ya's right-hand man.
The Poison Gu retrieved from Xuan Ji Hall in Nanjiang...
is just enough to develop this amount of antidote.
This antidote would affect our master plan.
You've to keep it safe.
All right.
This is far enough from Gui Hua City.
You can remove the veil.
It's really you.
Did you think I got the position as Jue Sha easily?
You want to fool me with this little trick of yours?
What do you want to do?
You were the one who break into the prison right?
What then?
I just want to know Wan Mei's whereabouts and if she's still alive.
Follow me and you'll find out.
I always thought that you'll be the one to save Wan Mei.
Today's fragrance smells good.
The gradation is distinct and it smells terrific.
Wan Xiang sent it, right?
That's right.
I can guess it.
This girl keeps showing up here lately.
Wan Mei has always been an eyesore to Wan Xiang.
Wan Mei is gone.
It's only right to get restless.
I don't mind if she wants to be the most outstanding one.
But...
we have very little information about her.
Send Qian Tong to dig more into her.
Understood.
Speak up. What's the matter?
Yue Qing Ya sent a message.
He blamed you for letting Yue Ying go.
He didn't pay me anything.
Why should I do my utmost?
Besides, I should be the one to stand by and watch.
Not him.
You're right.
Right.
The Tian Sha who went to intercept Yue Ying...
her skills aren't as good as she used to be.
I want to give her another mission to test on her skills.
If she's really good for nothing...
She's old already.
That's why...
she shouldn't hang on to the position as Tian Sha and not doing her job.
Is there any news from that blind man in Ting Zhu Court?
He entered the palace today to listen to the zither.
Listening to the zither?
From the looks of it...
we have to initiative something.
Imperial brother.
How's the music?
It's good.
It's gracious and melodious.
I'm glad you like it.
This is just an opening.
The showpiece is coming right up.
Your Majesty.
Why isn't the grand tutor here?
Grand Tutor Yue has went to deal with some military affairs at the frontier.
He's indeed Your Majesty's good assistant.
He's been busy and helping Your Majesty to rule the world.
It's been hard on him.
But he holds a high government post.
I didn't mistreat him.
You're right, Your Majesty.
All right.
Don't talk about him anymore.
Eunuch Yu, is it ready?
Yes, Your Majesty.
- Summon then. - Yes.
Summon!
Your Majesty.
Who are you summoning?
Who?
I'm summoning a musician.
A musician from afar.
Do you know...
there's a General Garrisoning from Liang called...
Qi Wei.
I do.
I've competed against him a few times before I turned blind.
Back then, he wasn't a general yet.
He looks courageous and strong.
I didn't expect him to play the zither.
A general with zither?
You're joking again, Imperial brother.
Recently, he asked someone to send a letter to the grand tutor.
He has the intention to defect to us.
That's a good news.
The grand tutor must have made a painstaking effort,
to make this a success.
The prestige of Tang Dynasty still exist.
It's the will of the people.
You're right, Your Majesty.
So, to show his sincerity...
Qi Wei sent a zither, Qiu Xiao Huan Pei, as offering.
That includes a beautiful woman to play the zither.
Qiu Xiao Huan Pei?
That is Tang Dynasty's treasure.
It's passed down for generations.
It's very generous of General Qi.
So...
Speaking of the music, I recall that you're an expert in it.
That's why I invited you here to enjoy it with me.
Imperial brother.
You'll listen to the music.
I shall enjoy the beauty.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Imperial brother.
This woman has fair skin.
She has a pair of glittering eyes.
She's indeed a beauty.
Protect the king!
Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty. - Imperial brother, are you all right?
It's a minor injury.
It's not a big deal.
But Qi Wei surrenders himself.
There must be a catch in this.
Please think it through.
- Eunuch Yu. - Yes.
Ask grand tutor to see me.
Your Majesty, the grand tutor...
- He might have left the city. - Hurry and get him back!
Yes. Yes.
Your Majesty.
It's as expected by City Master.
Once the prince obtained the news of Liang army's rebellion,
he sent someone to kill the musician and place a substitute.
That's great.
I can then keep the condescending Grand Tutor Yue in check.
This will keep him busy and stop bothering me with letters every day,
to find out that blind man's action.
You're brilliant.
All thanks to your reminder that I can come up with this plan.
Let's not talk about this.
Where's the mung bean with lily bulb congee?
It's almost ready. I'll get it now.
When you bring it over,
I want you to feed me.
I want to eat it while waiting for the news of Yue Qing Ya's disgrace.
Grand Tutor Yue.
How do you explain this?
Your Majesty.
There's something fishy about this assassination.
I'll investigate it thoroughly,
- to find any signs of deceit. - There must be!
Both the zither and musician are fake!
Qi Wei faked his surrender.
Your Majesty, I'll make a bold speech.
We still have to observe whether or not Qi Wei fakes his surrender.
Grand Tutor Yue?
You still want to observe?
If it wasn't for my imperial brother...
you'll find my corpse here instead.
Your Majesty is blessed by the gods.
Your Majesty.
The grand tutor always have a well-thought-out plan,
and has never failed in it.
Since he suggested to observe,
I would like to hear his plan out.
Since Prince Ning is helping you,
I'll give you a chance.
Get up.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Based on the news that I've got, Qi Wei is marching on as planned.
He has arrived at the meeting point with our army.
If he fakes his surrender to launch an assassination,
why would he come as agreed?
I'm making a bold presumption.
If Qi Wei doesn't know about the assassination,
and Your Majesty shuts him out now, we'll lose a great general.
This would please those who have ulterior motives.
All right.
Please tell me.
If Qi Wei defects to us as planned...
should I accept him or not?
This...
Your Majesty, it doesn't matter if his intention is real or not.
It's perfectly fine if we don't accept Qi Wei.
Your Majesty, you mustn't do that.
Everyone knows that Qi Wei is here to defect to us.
If we break our promise to him,
no one will come to us in the future.
But the one who accepts the surrender would be fraught with difficulties.
If you know it's a trap and still walk into it...
you might lose the support of your subjects.
Grand tutor.
As for the matter of accepting the surrender...
I think...
we should call it off.
Your Majesty.
I'm willing to accept the surrender in person.
Grand tutor.
Why do you insist on joining forces with the evil?
I'm willing to take the risk,
than to make Your Majesty lose the chance to strengthen your power.
Your Majesty.
If Prince Ning would like to display his loyalty,
why don't you tag along with me to accept the surrender?
Grand tutor, what do you think a blind man can do for you?
Although Prince Ning is blind,
you've competed against Qi Wei for several times,
and you were never defeated.
Your Majesty.
If Prince Ning tags along,
even if Qi Wei sets up a trap,
I have the confidence to avert the disaster.
All right.
Imperial brother.
You can go along with grand tutor to meet Qi Wei.
If he is disloyal, kill him.
- Your Majesty, I think that... - It's decided.
Both of you, quickly get it over with.
- I obey your order. - I obey your order.
Prince Ning, do you find anything fishy in it?
"Jia Ming Hall"
Grand tutor.
I know we don't get along well.
I couldn't help but to remind you.
Something is wrong with Qi Wei.
This is undoubtedly a risky and dangerous task.
You have to be very careful.
Prince Ning, what's the matter?
Nothing.
It's stuffy in here. I just want to get some fresh air.
How long more to go?
With this speed, we'll arrive Zhaozhou City at quarter to current time.
Are you not afraid Qi Wei is playing tricks?
You can choose not to go if you're afraid.
His Majesty ordered me to tag along.
How can I defy his order?
Zhaozhou City is an imperial territory.
He has only brought his son, Qi Xin, and 300 elite troops.
Even if it's a trick, there's nothing to be worried about.
Qi Wei is an experienced general on the battlefield.
His son, Qi Xin, is proficient in tactical formation.
If he sets up a trap for us,
he might be able to win.
Regardless, I'll not back off and return to the manor.
Congratulations King Jin for your newborn son!
Mother, was it this lively when I was born?
Were there fireworks too?
No.
Your birth was a great tragic.
Mother, what's my biological father like?
Your father is someone who wouldn't even look at you,
even if he knows about your existence.
Yuan Er, so long as you are strong enough,
you can live comfortably in this world.
As for your father, just pretend that he doesn't exist.
Grand tutor, Zhaozhou City is right in front of us.
- Enter the city. - Yes.
Father.
Yue Qing Ya has entered the city with his people.
Prince Ning, Li Si Yuan, is with him.
Have you confirmed when will they accept our surrender?
Someone has notified us earlier.
It'll be done half an hour later.
That's great.
Is everything ready?
Father, don't worry.
Everything is in order.
I assure you there's no point of return for them.
Who's that?
The stakes are high on this.
Make sure nothing is leaked out.
You've done well.
You taught me well, father.
It's almost time.
Get the soldiers to fall in lines.
I'll welcome Grand Tutor Yue and Prince Ning.
Yes.
General.
Where's Qi Wei?
He's on standby in Yan township, north side of the city.
Notify them.
Prince Ning will enter the city with me to accept their surrender.
Understood. I'll get to it now.
Yue Qing Ya.
Before today, you're an important official.
After today...
you'll be nothing but a corpse.
The fallen general, Qi Wei, has repented.
I'm willing to renounce the bad cause and join the camp of justice,
and render my service to the new Tang Dynasty.
General Qi.
We'll work together as the king's subjects.
No need for formalities.
Greetings, Prince Ning.
Greetings, General Qi.
I was just informed about the assassination on His Majesty.
I've lingering fears in my heart.
Thankfully Your Highness was there,
and acted promptly to avert the disaster.
Only then I've the chance to prove my innocence.
This is the Chi Feng Jin Qiang that has followed me for years.
It's made out of the mystery stones from heaven.
It's the chief of all spears.
I'll offer it to Your Highness as a token of gratitude.
I'll do as you wish.
I'll accept it then.
Kill!
Do you still remember my mother, Lan He?
I'm referring to the time before you came to the Capital.
We will be together forever, right?
You'll forever treat me as such, right?
I don't know her.
Who did my mother bring to Xuan Ji Forest then?
Who did she teach Bloody Lotus Cult's highest mental cultivation skills to?
In the end...
that person offered my mother as a sacrifice,
and soaked her into the Blood Pond.
Is this how you treat me?
What are you trying to say?
Why did you hate my mother and I so much?
Could it be because...
you finally were able to enter the Capital,
and you would like to achieve a greater ambition of yours?
You found out that my mother didn't die,
and became the late emperor's favourite concubine.
You couldn't accept it.
Or is it possible it that...
you have a guilty conscience?
It seems like it.
Otherwise, you wouldn't be so anxious,
to repeatedly try to kill my mother and I.
You...
You're His Majesty's biggest threat.
I'm only doing it for His Majesty's sake.
All right.
Even if you care about His Majesty and the world...
my mother, Lan He, had never let you down.
Why did you give her no quarter?
This is the grudge between your mother and I.
You have no right to denounce me.
Do you still remember...
my mother's words before she fell into the Blood Pool?
Someone will surely help her to settle the scores.
Someone will surely help me to settle the scores.
That would be me.
Finally, you're not hiding anymore.
I'm not afraid of you.
Not many people in this world can be my opponent.
You're one of them.
I believe that you're not willing to be trapped in here.
Grand tutor, do you have any ideas?
Why don't we join forces and get out of here?
If you're willing to believe me now...
I'll transfer my inner strength to you.
How about that?
Who dares to refuse Tang's national prestige?
It's the seventh day since Wan Mei arrived in Ling City.
The plague is spreading in the city.
The people are desperate,
and rushed to the long deserted sacrificial altar,
to beg the gods to drive out the evils.
A tribute to the gods.
The plague has wreaked a havoc in Ling City.
The charlatan couldn't cure us and the people are suffering.
We, the people, are frail and weak.
We could only gather here.
We're pleading the gods...
to protect and pull us through this time of difficulties.
Please bless us.
We're offering the virgin boy and girl as offerings.
Gods, please show us some mercy and rescue us.
- There are so many soldiers. - That's right. Why are they here?
Lady He Bo.
Come.
- Release these children. - Yes.
You can't release them!
What's the matter?
Are you against the regional military governor?
I dare not.
But Ling City has a sudden outbreak of plague recently.
Many have died.
Also, the plague is still spreading.
We came to bring our offerings. We didn't break the law.
You're committing murder.
We are sincerely serving out of respect for gods.
Serving sincerely out of respect for gods.
Serving sincerely...
My lord, you're not from Nanjiang.
We don't blame you if you aren't aware.
Serving?
Serving the group of vampires,
who are curling up on the hills outside the city?
What can they give you?
Now that you're in a disaster.
- Can they give you food? - Lady He Bo.
Please mind your words.
What if I don't?
What can you do to me?
Chief Lan is here!
My child.
Chief Lan.
We can prepare again if you think that our offerings are insufficient.
Lady He Bo has just assumed your post.
You were the frontier's military commander.
It's said that you've outstanding military skills.
You're Bloody Lotus Cult's chief?
The acting chief.
I'm the one that you called as...
the vampire curling up on the hills outside the city.
The plague is spreading in Ling City.
My lord, may I ask you...
do you have any countermeasures?
If the situation is serious,
I'll report it to the court to send the physicians and medicines.
You aren't aware, my lord.
This plague is extremely powerful.
Transferring all the medicines from Nanjiang,
may not be able to contain it.
Well, Chief Lan.
Do you have any wise countermeasures?
Bloody Lotus Cult never has one.
We don't need any sacrificial offering too.
So long as you are sincere...
the gods will sense it.
What?
Chief Yue wants Bloody Lotus Cult to do nothing about it...
and withhold rescue?
- That's right. - Convey my order.
Help the dying and injured followers at all cost.
Chief Yue has issued a dead order.
We dare not defy him.
In Ling City...
there are hundred thousands of people and six thousands army.
Chief Yue is aware of it.
Also, he has made it clear in the letter that,
Chief Lan is a generous man.
He asked us to dissuade you.
You are surrounding me like this.
Is this called as dissuading?
We dare not.
Since none of you are willing to do it...
there's no point for me to go on. You're dismissed.
Yes.
I admit my mistake.
I've just stolen two of your cucumbers.
Move. Get in there.
- Granny. - Be good. Move.
- Sorry. I was wrong. - Come in with me.
Sorry, granny. I was wrong. I've just stolen two of your cucumbers.
Sister, I've just stolen two of granny's cucumbers.
- I'm starving. - Xiao Xia, quickly leave with sister.
Many in the village have fallen ill.
Everyone said it's the plague.
They said that you brought this disease to the village.
Young lady, I know.
You've only went out once but they won't believe it.
- Capture her! - Surround this place!
- Open the door! - Smash it!
Open the door!
Xiao Xia, you've been wronged and framed.
I believe that you'll save her, right?
Come. Take her away.
Quickly leave. Take her away.
Leave. Quickly leave.
Xiao Xia, quickly take her away.
Xiao Xia, look after her.