Ever Night
Episode 17
Xia Hou sent Lin Ling to raid a Yan camp.
They killed 300 Yan soldiers.
- General. - Mm. - We killed 300 Yan troops.
We can't cover this up.
And Yan State won't sit by.
Yan ruffians have been killing and looting in my cities.
They're brutal.
Yan tried to kill me. I've killed 300.
I'll see who in the Court dares talk up.
I'm afraid His Majesty may not like it.
Lin Ling, you well know
His Majesty dislikes me.
I'm still alive because
I've done so much for Tang Empire.
The Empire rewards good deeds.
As long as I do good work and show no weakness to nobility,
His Majesty won't move against me.
So His Majesty's liking or disliking me doesn't matter.
If he shows too much interest in me, I should be worried.
Dismissed.
Yes, General.
How lucky I am to be able to serve a kind, forgiving Emperor
or I'd face death.
"You can't cheat an honest man".
Could I really fool His Majesty?
No, the Emperor is generous
for past secret ties.
That's why he has let me live.
Thanks, Your Majesty, for not killing me.
"A flower blooms under the sky on the other shore".
Say, Old Jin, why'd His Majesty get us all to write the same phrase?
No idea.
All calligraphers in the capital have been summoned.
Make sure you all write it well.
Lu Ji, why use your left hand?
Eunuch Lin, I hurt my right hand fetching water.
Get back to it.
"A flower blooms under sky on the other shore"?
Is there a hidden message?
(Great Scholar Wang)
It's like handwriting analysis.
Is His Majesty looking for someone?
This is 'double hook' script.
Skilfully done but not enough assertiveness.
This one...
Total mess.
This one...
Not aggressive enough.
That's enough.
None is right. All rubbish.
Your Majesty, Secret Guards collected these from West and South Town.
For your review.
No.
Who on earth is the scoundrel?
Your Majesty, don't worry You've sent Secret Guards.
They should find something as long as they persist.
First, he's a young man.
Your Majesty, I think he's old, from his mature handwriting.
No! One, he's young.
Two, he's a pugilist.
Jianghu is full of crude fellows.
No way they write like that.
You know about writing, Commander Xu. Great,
I didn't expect it of you.
- I'm undeserving. - I don't care. Do your job.
Overturn the capital.
Find me this scoundrel.
I will ask him how he sneaked into my study...
and left this note.
I obey.
How's that investigation?
Your Majesty.
I screened every man Third Prince was in touch with.
They seemed clear.
I deployed more Secret Guards for Third Prince and Princess' safety.
The plotting rogues won't get a chance.
Okay. Dismissed.
I obey.
State Preceptor, think of a way to bring me this man.
I obey.
Here's Teacher Cao.
Teacher Cao!
Sit down.
Next month is a big event.
'Opening the Second Floor' Test is a big event for the world.
Many young Cultivators will come because, if they pass the Test,
they get access to Fu Zi himself.
You didn't go to class again?
Nonsense. I'm seeking my Life Item.
What's a Life Item?
Quit messing around.
Out.
Life Item?
A ghost is here!
It's been tickling me and flicking my head!
I can't escape!
Sang Sang, you're my Life Item.
Life Item?
You're my Life Item.
You're my Life Item!
Young Master!
[Princess' Residence]
Yu'er.
Thanks for your visit, Uncle.
Yu'er, it's only been a few days.
What's the matter with you?
Yu'er has one favour to ask.
If Uncle won't consent, I'll just kneel here.
Okay, rise quickly.
Let's go and discuss this.
Leave us alone.
Yu'er, speak.
Uncle, Father won't let me back in the Court.
I thought it'd be serious.
Your father is a family man.
He's just been angry.
Uncle, you've no idea.
The Empress plotted this.
Uncle, I never dared to tell anyone this.
Your story reminds me of an odd thing too.
Brother has a headache! Call the Physician!
No need. I can treat his old illness. Go now.
I wondered at the time how a delicate woman carried brother in one move?
She must be a Demoness.
Brother is stubborn in opinions, as if enchanted.
He must've taken potions. That witch made them.
And we've suffered.
Imperial Uncle.
Yu'er is begging for your help
to take out that witch.
If what you say is true, I'll do my utmost to kill her,
even if it means I die
in the doing.
Thank you, Imperial Uncle.
Rise.
Sang Sang, let's talk.
What is it?
I think you can't be my Life Item.
- Why? - Think.
If I throw you in a fight, you'll get hurt.
Look.
So help me.
This silver responds to your mind power.
But I object.
What if you lose the silver in a fight?
It's worth a lot.
Why be like this? You said you'd help.
Now you disagree over silver?
Don't blame me.
Wait.
This silver feels smooth.
I like it 100 times more than fine polished stone.
I'll cherish it and hold it even in sleep.
Not comfy.
It is. A Natal Item is a Cultivator's life.
He can't go without it.
They're closer than man and wife.
I swore I'd carry my Item every day and care for it.
So I can count on its sacrifice for me in a crisis.
Being your Natal Item feels good.
Get me 20 silver taels. I'll carry it every day so it becomes my Item.
Go. Why wait?
What are you doing?
For you. For you, all yours.
Your foot didn't hurt?
Sister, I repent my wrongdoing.
Forgive me.
Sister, I've been on my knees so long.
Please say something.
You can't keep ignoring me.
- Empress Mother! - Be quiet.
I ordered your detention so you reflect
yet you can't do it.
Four more hours kneeling, and no food today.
S-Sister!
Commander Xu.
Why sneak around?
The Court is seeking that man.
Seems His Majesty wants him. Maybe we should...
You dare!
One more word out of your mouth and you're dead.
I understand.
Where is he?
Fetch Hua Shanyue for a meeting here.
Yes.
(Tang Academy)
I finally found my Life Item.
Shall I tell that Tubby the good news?
Ning Que, are you trying to burn down Old Library?
3rd-Senior Sister will kill you.
Look at this. 'Lower'.
All this hard work comes to just one word: 'lower'.
Ning Que, you dote on money?
You took silver as your Item.
Ning Que, your silver must know you're stingy and won't spend it,
so it responds to your Perception.
This isn't just weak, it's weak as hell.
I won't stop you taking silver as a Life Item.
I've just never seen it done.
You expended energy, yet the silver just wiggled.
What use is it?
Miser.
Tubby.
[Tang Nation]
I'm also curious what kind of person left this note.
Is it a warning or threat?
It should be an admonishment.
Fish leap across the sea, but however wide, the sea is limited by shores.
But flowers on the other shore bloom in a truly free land under sky.
Did you hear?
That note has stirred up the Court.
'A flower blooms under sky on the other shore'. My father was called to Court to copy it.
I hear the Palace asked many people, but got no outcome.
Was it a scholar selling scrolls for a living?
- Impossible. - Who says?
The wilderness has heroes; forests have talents.
Who says scholars with scroll stalls can't write peerlessly?
Yilan, well said.
But how'd that note get in the Emperor's Study?
It's a puzzle.
And who knows how His Majesty would punish him?
Ning Que.
- Thanks. - Why say thanks?
Didn't Ning Que open a shop? Let's ask him.
Absurd. If he wrote the note in the Emperor's Study, I'd kiss his smelly feet.
Your bodily Qi hasn't recovered.
Why bring sweets?
If I didn't come, did you plan on not eating?
You know my mood isn't good.
It's my fault.
Don't blame yourself every time, alright?
Princess is intelligent.
If not for her brother, she won't groundlessly accuse me.
Hunyuan naively may have been used.
It's good Little Six has no severe ailment now.
You could revoke your heated banning of the two siblings from the Palace.
We're still one family.
I also think that way.
I always hope our family can be peaceful.
But Yu'er just can't understand.
I don't want you continuously compromising for the greater good.
If one day, I'm not by your side-
Your Majesty. Don't say such things.
You must properly preserve your health for Tang Nation, and this family.
Your Highness.
Shanyue, you came in a rush.
It's not urgent actually.
At your command, even if 1000 cavalry intervene,
I'd still rush to you as soon as possible.
So you haven't visited me recently because of Hunyuan's and my plight.
Is Hua Shanyue that kind of person in your heart?
Do you still not... understand my heart?
There's something I've wanted to tell you.
Since first seeing you in Wei City, I've wanted to tell you something.
You don't know my thinking?
Every year Hunyuan doesn't become Crown Prince, I am restless.
Princess' worries are Shanyue's worries.
Third Prince is just young and unsettled.
Why not put him under army discipline?
Army discipline?
Who has come?
King of Yan?
What brought Yan King in person?
Sneak killing my troops.
Xia Hou, you want to start another war?
So what if war begins?
Do you believe my Northern Garrison can take your capital in 7 days?
Our Yan isn't as it was 15 years ago.
Today, having gained Xiling asylum,
as their ally, disregarding Tang Emperor, do you scorn Shrine Hierarch?
Yan's dignified ruler is actually using Xiling as an excuse.
I tell you, in front of you is Tang North Garrison General, not a Xiling guest.
Xia Hou, Xiling treats you well.
As Xiling's guest, quit acting rashly
- or else our Xiling countries- - Crap, what countries.
How can sky hawks associate with ground jackals like you?
Those 300 died well.
They at least let all Tang know the extent of my abilities
and let Tang Emperor see only I keep north border peaceful.
You schemed hard for your worthless name
for your kin's position.
Xia Hou, aren't you tired?
Yet I'm better than you.
Long and deep double-dealing.
You openly submit to Tang, but contact Xiling secretly.
Correct.
Know why I seek refuge in Xiling?
I just hope one day I can destroy Tang nation.
Then you'll recognize you're Xiling's guest.
Will I, Xia Hou, let you succeed?
I tell you, I'm me; Xiling is Xiling.
Xia Hou, you think too high.
15 years ago, you aided Wei Guangming.
Your choosing Xiling firmly polluted you.
But Tang won't let you off; you'll end up in Xiling.
Shut up!
I heard Tang avenged events of 15 years ago.
I heard Long Qing is coming to Tang to replace Chong Ming.
15 years ago, I captured your two children.
Now, shouldn't it be up to me to say who goes and stays?
Long Qing has reached the capital, to climb to Second Floor as Fu Zi's Disciple.
He'll be a world powerhouse.
Then the humiliation Yan suffered will all be returned.
Long Qing truly is Yan King's pride.
But I heard Long Qing won't let Crown Prince Chong Ming return home.
Why else send assassins,
provoking me to kill 300 Yan.
Don't you know about this?
Your two princes are each ambitious.
They're rivals.
I think you're at the age where you can retire.
How do you know if I have energy to continue?
2nd-Senior Brother!
Get up now.
Your friend from Old Library seems recovered.
Of course. He ate my Divine Pill.
It was all meant to be. But I advise you–
True gentlemen's friendship is built on honour, not wealth or poverty.
You and this student are in the same Academy.
And you've reined in overeating and oversleeping.
You even go to Old Library daily.
This alone is commendable.
Thanks, 2nd-Senior Bro.
But, remember Academy rules?
There are things you shouldn't say, so don't.
2nd-Senior, you know I was born timid.
Don't worry, I won't say what I shouldn't.
All I do with him is chat and figure out Math problems.
2nd-Senior, I have a question.
- Ask. - My friend sucks at Cultivating.
Ten of his 17 Qihai Xueshan points are open.
He barely responded to Primordial Qi 14 days ago,
yet now has Perception of external items
and one foot in Doubtless Realm.
2nd-Senior, is he a genius?
- No. - Why not?
Going from Basic to Perception into Doubtless in 14 days
can't be done by anyone.
Or else...it'd be a monster.
Why are you all staring?
Yan Lord Changguo, Yue Yi, was an honourable, brave warrior.
He commanded troops of five States and captured 70 cities.
Every time he won a battle, he did that dance.
His soldiers copied him.
This counts as ritual.
Today's nascent Qi shift is bad for class. Dismissed!
Everybody, sit.
Couldn't you see Cao's grin?
Someone important is coming to Tang. Know who?
- Prince Long Qing. - Long Qing?
Yan's hope; Xiling's prodigy.
He's coming to the Academy test?
A prodigy wants company?
Prodigies here and there. I disbelieve there are so many.
Ning Que, don't forget Red Sleeves Club tonight.
Prince Long Qing moves fast with a big fuss.
Prince Long Qing is esteemed in Xiling.
People call him Son of Light.
Yet he comes to test for Second Floor access to Fu Zi's teaching. Why?
Brother, be calm. Prince Long Qing is Son of Light.
He wants to raise his Cultivation level.
Fu Zi is the most powerful man.
Who won't want to be in his exclusive class?
Working so hard.
This genius is pleased.
So you're all geniuses?
So, genius, know of Long Qing?
There was animated talk about him at class today.
Is Knowing Destiny so cool?
Long Qing? Don't know him.
There's no genius in Xiling.
Zhi Shou Abbey has one genius- a girl.
A special girl?
Her name is Ye Hongyu. She's obsessed with Daoism.
She's called Dao Addict. A cold-blooded monster.
A word of advice: if you see her, run as fast as you can.
Looks like you're speaking from experience?
Don't worry. I'll avenge you.
Anyway, how powerful is Knowing Destiny level?
Want to know?
Let's go. I'll show you something.
Alright.
Where are we going?
Another world.
- Somewhere to die? - If you want. I'll live.
We're at the Academy Rear Mountain.
Truthfully, by Academy rules,
newbies like you shouldn't be here.
But where I'm taking you isn't the forbidden quarter.
It's the borderline of Front and Rear Mountain.
You laymen never get close to Rear Mountain.
There are rules.
What are you saying? What rules and borders?
We're in the middle of nowhere.
Be quiet.
- What's that? - That's our pavilion.
"Our?" Who else?
Twelve geniuses live in Rear Mountain.
Twelve? I've seen none.
We 12 aren't people for laymen to see.
We're Fu Zi's Disciples, an exclusive circle.
So are Fu Zi's Disciples any good?
Sure.
When you're in Rear Mountain, Tang provides for you all your life.
And I mean the entire world.
We only need to flash this Token.
That's enough.
We Rear Mountain disciples are unlike you Front Courtyard students.
We have missions for Tang's glory.
We safeguard the world's peace.
A nobody like you won't understand.
Stop bragging.
[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~
~Winner just treats loser~
~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~