Sword Dynasty
Episode 24
Where is Ding Ning?
He has gone back to Baiyang Cave
to visit Mr. Xue's grave.
By the way,
can the Life-sustaining Magic Art
really cure his yang hyperactivity?
In fact, he should have known well enough that
the Life-sustaining Magic Art
only helps the practice of the internal force.
I doesn't help in making breakthroughs
or upgrading the practice level.
But combined with the primordial qi of the heaven and the earth,
it is an extremely helpful method
for restoring health.
I told him
about this years ago.
You mean Ding Ning?
No.
I mean Liang Jingmeng.
It's been extraordinarily difficult
for you to get where you are right now.
You all want vengeance,
but Yuan Wu is no longer the same man he used to be.
If you want to seek revenge on him,
I'm afraid you'll have to pay an extremely high price.
Is it worth that?
Ding Ning is
the most irrelevant one in all of this,
but he's so dedicated,
so why wouldn't I?
Those martial art masters of the Bashan Sword Field back then
could've lived the lives they wanted,
but they shed blood for Heng
with no complaint.
Such a spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice
shouldn't have ended up in disgrace.
Right.
It shouldn't have.
If I had put away my hatred sooner,
maybe things wouldn't have been
so difficult for you people.
All right.
Go to him.
Thank you.
Don't miss your chance to be with Ding Ning this time.
I can't free myself from it
or let it go easily.
Wangxu once said that
if he died one day,
he'd like his funeral to be a joyful one.
Now, your health
is recovering.
At the Minshan Swordsmanship Tournament,
Baiyang Cave has been honored so much,
which must have fulfilled his last wish.
These are all yang hyperactivity relief elixirs.
Master, you had no faith in me.
I wonder
who dares to cause trouble to people of Baiyang Cave.
I'm looking forward to
your performance at the Minshan Swordsmanship Tournament.
If you can really become the top winner,
we will be
much honored.
Master,
hereby I swear by this sword that
I will use this sword in my hand
to slay all those who wasted your skills.
We are all fine.
Good for you, boy!
When did you come into contact with the noble Crown Prince?
Are you
not happy with it?
It's an honor to me.
Ding Ning!
Master,
you can't do it.
I am old and my bones and body are decaying.
I'm supposed to come to the end of my life soon.
It's not necessary for me to waste this miraculous herb.
You are my disciple,
so I am obliged to
save you.
Mr. Xue,
farewell.
Save my master!
Master!
-Mr. Xue! -Mr. Xue!
Master,
I won.
Well,
good job!
I have to thank you,
because you've brought
the greatest honor to me.
Be happy!
Jiang Li.
I want to avenge our master's death.
You know who the murderer is?
Maidservant Rong who serves Her Majesty.
Maidservant Rong can't be the mastermind.
That's exactly
why our master didn't want us to avenge his death.
He knew clearly that
Maidservant Rong was only a pawn.
He knew more clearly that
the one behind her
is someone we can't bring down.
But master was murdered.
If we do nothing,
it will make the world believe
that Baiyang Cave is weak and cowardly.
What's your plan?
We can't get into the royal palace.
But two days later,
the Tournament's Award Ceremony
that His Majesty officially decided will be held.
Both His Majesty and Her Majesty will be present.
I'm
going to challenge Maidservant Rong.
I'll go with you.
No!
I'll challenge her alone.
Although you have solid basic skills,
Maidservant Rong
should have reached the fifth realm.
If you fight on your own,
I'm afraid...
Since our master has made me
the new head of Baiyang Cave,
I have the responsibility to protect
everyone of Baiyang Cave.
You should have known that
I don't let you take it on
not because I want to take the credit,
but because this challenge
is about Baiyang Cave's reputation.
No matter I win or lose,
I want Ye Zhen and everyone
to know
our attitude towards
our master's death.
I can never repay enough
for Baiyang Cave's kindness to me.
So,
I'll try my best
to help you.
You suddenly turn so quiet.
Is it because of Mr. Xue's death?
There's something else.
It seems
this is related to what I think.
If I turn to Yuan Zichu for help,
will you think I'm taking advantage of him again?
It's nothing.
It doesn't matter what I think.
That's not true.
In the past, I often wanted
to do a lot of things
together with people around me,
because everything
was in my control.
But master's death woke me up.
It shows me that
there are a lot of things
that is out of my considerations.
I started to change my way of doing things
and cherish everyone around me,
even if it's only what they think about something.
And what you think
especially matters.
Back then,
if he had thought like you do,
what happened afterwards wouldn't have happened.
Never mind. Let's not talk about him.
What do you want to do?
The one who murdered my master
is Maidservant Rong who serves Ye Zhen.
She killed Mr. Xue
to help Sun Xing win the top spot.
So,
Ye Zhen wants the Life-sustaining Magic Art?
I think so.
Jiang Li
wants to challenge Maidservant Rong
on the Award Ceremony,
so we need
Yuan Zichu to help us deliver a letter of challenge.
If you ask him to do this,
he'll definitely realize the stakes involved in all of this.
But he himself is not involved in this.
Will he accept it?
Like previously,
I'll tell the Crown Prince all the pros and cons.
And it's all
up to him.
Meanwhile this letter of challenge
is also a way to test Ye Zhen.
Even if the Crown Prince doesn't accept the request,
Jiang Li will still challenge her
on the Award Ceremony.
You won't do it yourself?
I'm afraid I can't repay
Master and Jiang Li enough for their kindness,
and the only thing I can do
is protect
Baiyang Cave
after the battle.
Compared with a battle,
it's more difficult to protect Baiyang Cave.
That's what you should do.
But the deceased has passed away.
When Mr. Xue was alive,
he loved seeing
you guys full of energy.
Your sad face today
would probably upset him.
We've been out here for too long.
Time to go home.
Don't miss your chance to be with Ding Ning this time.
Why are you here?
I was the one who asked you all to come.
Miss Gongsun hasn't arrived yet.
What is this for?
The only reason why we would gather here is,
of course, the Gushan Sword Manual.
Have you really
combined the clues
in your hands?
Yes!
We've reached an agreement
to let Miss Gongsun
join our operation.
It'd be so much better if you can join us too.
Although we failed to break into the water dungeon last time,
at least we've been familiar with it.
The underground water dungeon map we got earlier
is false.
We don't even know the entrance to the water dungeon now.
Isn't it too reckless
if you want to do it like this?
Time is running out.
No matter how dangerous it is,
we must do it.
How do you know that time is running out?
I got the news from the fish market
that the court is going to execute Lin Zhujiu
three days later.
If we don't do anything now,
the clue to the Gushan Sword Manual will be gone.
How could you
get the court's secret order so easily?
What?
You mean there's a trap?
No.
I did get the news that
they'll execute Lin Zhujiu three days later
at Dafu Water Dungeon.
And the court secretly ordered the Jiantian Bureau to arrange the city defense,
lest there'll be rebels
who want to rescue him during the execution.
You mean
that even if the fish market is well-informed,
it's still a secret order from the court.
But now we've learned it
too easily,
so it's very likely
to have been released intentionally by the court
to trap us?
I got the secret order in the day,
and you have gathered here in the night,
which is just too fast.
Unless someone intentionally leaked the news,
this just
doesn't make sense.
Miss Gongsun is very familiar with the underground waterway.
Even if we can't save him,
with our skills,
it won't be hard for us to get away.
Now, you'll also be helping us on the outside.
So many people here!
Do you really think you can be so careless
because you have great skills?
I'll go after him.
Director Chen.
I didn't expect that you would
be serving not only the Jiantian Bureau!
It's great that you're here, Director Chen,
since the Shendu Bureau works for the royal family.
Director Ye...
Director Ye is plotting with some rebels
and they want to rescue a prisoner.
We should report it to the Chancellor now.
Is it Her Majesty?
Her Majesty has been suspecting it.
Or is it His Majesty?
So, it's really Ye Zhen.
Why are you here?
I've warned you
there're spies around you.
Ye Zhen's man has been following you all the way here.
Did you just realize it?
He worked for Ye Zhen?
How silly I was to value him so much!
Everyone in Fengming
is cold-hearted indeed.
You followed me again!
Look what kind of people you've worked with!
You want to rescue Lin Zhujiu?
You've learned that Lin Zhujiu
would be executed three days later, right?
The Shendu Bureau and the Jiantian Bureau
received the order at the same time.
You knew that.
Why didn't you tell me earlier?
The "last task" you mentioned
is to rescue Lin Zhujiu?
I've said it.
After finishing my last task,
I'll leave Fengming.
There was too much noise.
I told them to go home and wait.
I want to talk to you.
Keep this for me.
I need to do something.
After that,
I'll leave Fengming.
You're going to help Bai Shanshui and the others rescue him?
Is the man in Dafu Water Dungeon
really so important?
When my master turned into ashes at the palace hall,
he was right there.
If he had given in,
he wouldn't have suffered so long there.
You've been there.
You know how horrible it is.
Even outsiders fear it,
let alone he's inside it.
You have a complete plan?
The time is running out.
We have only three days.
If master were still alive,
he would rescue him too.
I was just so moved by your words
that I didn't know
what to say.
If master were still alive,
he certainly wouldn't want
to see you in regret.
You haven't done anything wrong.
He'd just be
so grateful
that you weren't in Fengming that day.
Just take care of the spirit tablet
and devote yourself to practicing the Life-sustaining Magic Art.
If Lin Zhujiu and I
die escaping the dungeon,
you'll be
the only disciple master still has in this world.
Be safe and sound,
and don't seek revenge recklessly.
I'm leaving.
Wait!
You asked me
that if master had mentioned you.
In fact, he had.
What did he say about me?
He said you were his youngest disciple, who he took the most pride in.
He also said that
although the Autumn Water Sword is strong in water
and weak in dryness,
the most important thing
for you,
is to be careful in dryness,
and
even more cautious in rain.
I can see your aloof figure outside.
You're straightforward and impatient.
Though you've endured it to correct yourself, you still have to be careful.
The perfect sword spirit
requires you to stay even more vigilant all the time.
Even when you've taken the upper hand,
you can't let your guard down.
It is an answer to the discolored favor.
Master!
Looking for lost dimensions.
Thank you.
Will I have to wait even after the sea dries out?
Why can't I see you?
Unexpectedly, you set a trap.
In this silent illusion,
I saw you leave a trace.
I've never seen you again.
In the end, there is only meaningless affection left.
I've already wanted to escape.
You are out of my reach.
Just as Ding Ning expected,
things have come down to this.
But he didn't know
more and more people
are getting involved in this,
Zhao Si,
Xue Wangxu,
and Ye Celeng.
Liang Jingmeng,
dead for so many years,
is still influencing so many people's hearts.
Is what we're doing
wrong
or right?
The Autumn Water Sword,
is strong in water
and weak in dryness.
But master,
every time when I'm in rain,
it's even harder for me to control it.
In water,
you need to be even more cautious.
Master,
in my life,
this is all I can do
to repay your kindness to me.
I wish we'll meet each other
again in our next lives.
Your Majesty has come.
Yes.
How is it?
Have you had a good rest last night?
Thank you for asking, Your Majesty.
When it's cold, you should use a thick quilt.
Your Majesty.
I've been in secluded practice these days
and I haven't had time to ask.
Your Majesty hasn't been to Minshan for a decade.
I wonder how the discussion with Baili Suxue went.
He and I just can't see eye to eye.
Besides, the royal court
has promised him not to interfere with the Minshan affairs.
I went there
just for the sake of formalities.
Just like I thought.
I just wonder
if the top winner of this Tournament
can acquire the Life-sustaining Magic Art.
You're interested in the Life-sustaining Magic Art?
It's said that the Life-sustaining Magic Art can help a practitioner get to the eighth realm.
I think anyone would be interested.
I see.
You
want to get to the eighth realm.
Your Majesty has reached the eighth realm.
I certainly must keep up with your pace.
Only after reaching the eighth realm of heaven-opening
can one advance to the ninth realm of immortality.
I hope Your Majesty and I
will become the most long-living couple.
Are you afraid that you'll lose your youth
along with my passion for you?
When Your Majesty becomes the immortal king,
I certainly
have to be an immortal queen
to be around you for eternity.
So, you urged me to advance the date of the Tournament back then
to get
the Life-sustaining Magic Art?
My proposal is only for the benefit of Heng.
But since you've asked that,
indeed,
I do have this personal motive.
In fact, I should've told you earlier.
The Life-sustaining Magic Art
isn't a treasure that can help you advance to the eighth realm.
When I had an agreement with Baili Suxue
not to intervene with the Minshan Sword Sect's affairs,
I had learned that
it only helps the practice of the internal force.
And, in order to acquire it,
one must go through spiritual and physical trials.
Even Baili Suxue doesn't want to practice it,
so how can it
help you advance to the eighth realm?
And, I also learned that
during this Minshan Swordsmanship Tournament,
Xue Wangxu died.
Was it you behind this?
I don't know about it.
Even when you get old,
I won't abandon you.
Your Royal Highness.
How may I serve you?
Jiang Li from Baiyang Cave
asked me to give you this letter of challenge.
He invited you to have a battle with him
on the Award Ceremony at Minshan.
Thank you, Your Royal Highness.
But
I don't know this man.
And Baiyang Cave is affiliated to Qingteng Sword School.
This kind of insignificant man
wants to make friends with Your Royal Highness,
which I'm afraid is beneath your dignity.
Heng values talented people.
Jiang Li is the runner-up of this Minshan Swordsmanship Tournament.
Father will award him lavishly tomorrow.
How could you
call such a man insignificant?
Never mind.
I just gave you the letter upon a request.
Now leave.
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Take care.
Come again next time.
It's fresh. Take a look.
I haven't had noodles with you for a long time.
We'll do it tomorrow.
But you're not nervous at all?
I got up early
and chose a random date,
without telling anyone,
and I've done nothing yet.
But you
haven't opened the tavern yet,
which obviously tells everyone
we're going to do something.
After saving Lin Zhujiu,
we won't stay here anyway.
What are you going to do?
Open the tavern.
After tomorrow,
maybe our identities will be revealed.
Just forget about the tavern
and it's better for our action.
There'll be only one chance to rescue Lin Zhujiu.
Are you sure we should do it tomorrow?
On tomorrow's Award Ceremony,
both Yuan Wu and Ye Zhen will be there.
It'll also be
Fengming's least guarded time recently.
I'm just a little worried.
That it might be Ye Zhen's trap?
Is Ding Ning here?
We're closed today.
Please come back tomorrow.
My master Su Mu sent me
to deliver something to Ding Ning.
It's the Crown Prince.
Greetings.
My master sent me
to deliver this to Ding Ning.
Steamed buns!
Hot steamed buns!
It seems
the Crown Prince has chosen to help us.
The other day, you said
that you just asked him to deliver a letter of challenge to Maidservant Rong.
What's this?
It's a record about Maidservant Rong,
which shows the skills she has practiced.
This is going to
help Jiang Li tremendously.
I'm going to Baiyang Cave.
And I need you
to inform them of the plan to rescue the prisoner.
Tomorrow,
I will try my best
to stall Yuan Wu and Ye Zhen.
But since this information
was leaked so accurately,
I'm sure
the court is prepared for our action.
Yuan Wu hasn't gotten anything after interrogating Lin Zhujiu for a decade.
Now, he's the world's
first grandmaster who has advanced to the eighth realm.
Considering his personality,
I think if he can't get the Gushan Sword Manual,
he'll just destroy it.
This is a dead end.
I've remembered everything you told me.
No matter what happens,
be safe.
You too!