[Ever Night]
[Episode 57]
Want to take another strike?
Please.
- This is a sword? - It's my only hope as I left Peach Mountain.
It's the most powerful sword I've used.
What sword is that?
It's top powerhouse, Liu Bai's.
He condensed all his sword knowledge into ink.
Liu Bai's Sword.
To be precise, he lent me his Sword.
Though I'm Dao Addict, I don't fully understand it.
You're badly injured. Go rest.
I'm fine.
I was too eager to understand this Sword.
I was caught in confusion.
What compelled you to leave Peach Mountain?
And made you pursue improvement?
So why are you at Yan Ming Lake
and also eager to advance?
I kindly took you in.
Xia Hou is at the capital.
Your servant, Xia Hou, greets Empress.
You may rise.
Withdraw.
Look.
I went to Mount Tian Qi snowy cliffs to pick this for you.
My Qi protects it.
Even in hot weather, it will live.
For you.
I recall when you were young,
you wanted to see true summer (xia tian) like in books.
Now, you've already seen hundreds of flowers blooming.
But I think the one your heart loves most
is the only flower you saw when young, this Wintersweet.
Brother.
Give up, please.
I...
I really regret it now.
I regret bringing you, all those years ago, to Tang.
We could've walked farther.
For instance, South Jin, Grand River,
even have gone to Yue Lun.
Now it's too late. We can't go back.
Brother, His Majesty promised me...
I don't need his pity.
Though I'm aging,
I can still carry out many duties.
Why do you want to serve? Why still want to serve?
Didn't you already agree to retire?
Retiring isn't easy. I do want to.
You know I came back to resolve that issue from 16 years ago.
How great if everything could turn back.
From now on, be careful in everything.
Okay?
Xia Hou says goodbye.
Empress, please be well.
Xia Hou sent this.
He invites you to a Victory Restaurant banquet tomorrow evening.
I finally see why you need power.
What do you think?
I've received the invitation.
- You can leave. - Why should I?
You're not Justice Hall Chief.
You fled from Peach Mountain to my shelter in the capital.
Learn to be quiet. Don't butt into my business.
You can't beat me. How can you kill Xia Hou?
Who says I'll kill Xia Hou?
I'm just going to a banquet.
This lake, the house by it, Sang Sang's cooking,
your breathing, all tell me you want to kill Xia Hou.
You're wrong.
It's him who wants to kill me.
16 years ago, he tried once.
Since you're resolved, I'll go with you tomorrow.
[Heaven Dao South Gate Temple]
Senior Brother.
I worried about Ning Que's character.
Now I look at it,
he's been so long with Fu Zi,
he has improved quite a bit from back then.
He's worthy of your legacy and Eye Pivot
that you left him.
Even he came.
Xia Hou, Ye Qing, Qi Nian–
are all at the capital.
Tang Empire is so lively.
Academy Mister 13 caused mighty Cultivators to travel to him.
I'll see how he makes a comeback.
Makes a comeback?
[Vermilion Bird Avenue]
Master Ye.
Respects, State Preceptor.
Master Ye, please come for tea.
Thank you for your offer.
But I came for travel.
I don't want to disturb people or cause misunderstandings.
The next few days, I'll wander around.
Goodbye.
Master Ye came for Ning Que.
Xiling Scripture says Dao study lets you know everything.
- Priest, when will you hand out eggs? - Yes! When?
I'll distribute eggs now.
Let me tell you the essence of God's sacred teachings.
God's Doctrine says: know what's dark, protect what's pure,
listen to preaching, endure humiliation to defend scripture.
Big Bro, we don't get your words.
- We want to know about the eggs. - Yes, right!
I'll distribute them now.
Living for what's in front of you won't give true Light.
You won't give us eggs? Let's go!
- Don't leave! - We listened for nothing.
You won't give us eggs.
What are you doing?
It's hard to get eggs
to get them to hear preaching.
You– you scared them away!
You– who are you, making trouble!
He's unknown to you
yet you preach of Heaven?
- 1st-Senior Bro. - Master Ye.
Long time no see.
You– who are you?
Tang people are still ignorant.
They don't know respect.
In front of God's preaching, they prioritize trivialities.
If I'm correct, this is your first time in the capital.
Please sit.
Since you're here, stay a while.
Perhaps you'll get a different perspective.
I hope so.
How's everyone at the Academy?
I thought I'd first see Second-Senior Brother.
Fu Zi worried if Jun Mo came, you'd fight and wreck the place.
So he's confined to Rear Mountain.
I wonder if I may meet Fu Zi?
I'll pass your request.
Do you have anyone, besides Fu Zi, you want to meet?
Of course, Mister 13.
Your Little Brother, Ning Que.
It seems, after emerging from retreat, you heard of his successorship.
I'm actually more interested in his other identity.
Even you believe rumours?
That year, Tang, Qi Nian, and I saw portents of Ever Night in the Wildland.
Hades' Child is related to all life.
Don't overlook it.
Do you know I was also there, reading and drinking tea.
Wildland happenings didn't escape my eyes.
Hades' Child is a joke.
It seems you're not ready for the capital.
1st-Senior Bro, since you're saying that I need longer,
then I'll stay a while.
[Ning Residence]
Who are you?
Who do you think I am?
A fish (yu).
The fish that escaped the net.
A fish.
What a coincidence.
The girl beside me is Ye *Hongyu. (*red fish)
You've close ties with Xiling.
Her name should be familiar.
Miss Dao Chi, sit.
Hate is like wine.
The longer you keep wine, the more attractive it is.
I've killed many.
I don't care. The Court won't care.
For a General who voluntarily requested retirement,
all past wrongdoings can be forgiven.
Much less a small matter years ago.
You see the capital's bloody massacre as a small matter.
It doesn't make my mood good.
You should care whether my mood is good.
Because in my eyes, you're an ant.
An ant can be crushed any time.
I want to see how you'd crush me.
Even if I die by your hand,
my Master, Fu Zi, won't let you go.
Truly facing death, background or support matter little.
However, if you weren't Fu Zi's Disciple,
you won't qualify to sit here.
Mister 13. Let me advise you–
Don't try to change your fate.
The moment you ran away, the ending was already decided.
Your life is my unintended gift to you.
Appreciate it.
What a pity I never believed in fate.
I've prepared everything just to change my own fate.
Great.
I want to see how you'd change it.
I'm in front of you.
Come at me.
Come at me!
A man who, to his dad's killer, can't admit his identity
is smart, calm, collected.
Such restraint is risible.
Face to face, unable to move to avenge family,
you lack basic courage.
You're not fit to be my foe.
I'll make my move.
But not today.
Especially not now.
I heard you bought all Yan Ming Lake.
You thought owning Astounding God's left eye
gained you advantage?
You want to fight me on the lake and bury me in it.
You're too naive.
He is Wu Dao's strongest.
Ning Que's hopeful preparations were dashed in one sentence.
An ant fights a hawk.
I tell you, you'll never do it.
I will live longer than you.
I'll retire and live safely at my property.
And you will always carry vengeful hate.
This lifetime, live in shame.
I admit you're difficult.
Ning Que, you schemed your way out of Wei City.
You relied on Princess to get into the Capital.
Even became Chao Xiaoshu's sworn Brother,
letting you freely enter the Imperial Study.
Your luck made you Fu Zi's Disciple
and Yan Se's Student.
As future State Preceptor, and Astounding God master,
your presence in the Capital let you prosper.
But so what?
You still can't change your fate.
An entire household,
an entire village of innocent civilians died
due to you.
Ning Que.
Did you bring money?
This isn't right.
General has one foot in the grave.
He's approaching his life end.
No matter what, we should pay for this meal.
Treat it as a send-off.
A Demon Sect betrayer fled
and hid his Demonist identity under Xiling's shelter.
I'm afraid the day he fled Demon Sect, he was a dead man.
Looks like no-one will die today.
Don't waste our time here. Let's go.
Who should or shouldn't die will be dead.
See who dies first.
Are you alright?
- Are you okay? - I'm fine. It's a pity.
- What is? - Your jade bangle. Thanks.
Today, Victory Restaurant food would've been good.
Yeah, too bad we didn't eat.
Customer, steamed buns?
Come.
- Boss, some buns. - Sure!
Here, steamed buns.
Quickly, eat. It's fresh.
Quickly, eat!
Fresh from the pot.
Eat.
Big bite. Hurry!
Taste good?
What's wrong?
- Don't turn around. - Who is it?
- He's here. - Who?
Don't look!
Who can't I look at?
The Abbey's Ye Qing.
It's that Abbey Wayfarer, great Cultivator...Ye Qing?
He's my big brother.
I heard you betrayed Peach Mountain
and injured cavalry Leader, Luo Kedi.
Today you must explain to me.
You've been secluded for years. You don't know the situation.
You were Justice Chief,
capable of Knowing Destiny.
You're Dao Chi.
I can't figure out why you shamefully betrayed the Dao.
You believe the words of Hierarch and those people?
If I did, I won't come to ask you.
Brother–
I said it before. Until you bring Pipi back to the Abbey,
I won't acknowledge you as my sister.
- I've nothing to say. - Stop.
You must explain to me today.
Are you Ye Hongyu's biological brother, Ye Qing?
Who are you?
- I'm the Academy's— - Shut up.
Hurry and go.
Don't say he's Ning Que?
Ning Que, such pain
I'll repay you a thousand times.
For you.
What's this for?
Payment for buns.
This trade seems unfair.
Forget it.
Why didn't you let me speak to your brother before?
Am I somehow shameful?
He's Abbot's personal disciple.
Ending 15 years' retreat,
he must've solved Life and Death level.
He's Wayfarer for Xiling's Unknown Place.
His capital visit must be to investigate something.
More accurately, to investigate someone
said to be King of Hades' Son.
Abbot's personal disciple is formidable!
I'm Fu Zi's personal Disciple.
Is Xiling Wayfarer that amazing?
I am Academy Wayfarer.
I suggest you study Grand River Sword,
so you die more slowly.
'Know black, protect white' means...
What the heck?
Human minds are born pure, from primal dark chaos.
Baloney!
Do you understand?
- Gives us nothing. Understand what? - Exactly!
Where are they?
You chased them away again?
I can't get your gist
but I'm sure you learned at Xiling.
Maybe you studied at Revelation Hall?
But let me tell you, preaching isn't an easy thing to do.
Don't feel bad.
Cows can't appreciate music. I don't feel bad.
You can't force ideas.
You need to find a way.
These folks
don't deserve my efforts.
Everyone on earth is a child of God.
Our predecessors preached in the wilderness,
not knowing who they'd meet.
They didn't judge who deserved to listen.
That makes sense.
Want me to teach you?
In Tang Empire, are there special ways?
Nothing special. Give free food and drink.
Give them gifts after preaching.
When you have funds, buy them meals
or hire singers to perform.
It gets results.
Rot! Xiling preaching is sacred.
- How can you bribe them? - That...
What bribe? What bribe?
Without benefits, will they listen?
If they don't listen, who believes you?
I tell you, however often you preach, it's useless.
Take real action.
See me, as Temple priest,
I care for my neighbours and help them
to get water and dry grains.
I use these daily gestures to influence them
and show them God's kindness and mercy.
That's the best way.
Let me tell you,
in Xiling, besides Grandmasters,
how many people can witness God's miracles?
We're ordinary Daoists
yet spokespersons of God on earth.
Ordinary people experience God
only through us.
You're right.
We need them to experience God.
I left Xiling about 20 years ago.
To be honest, I want to go back and visit.
Heaven bestowed this. You can't work hungry.
Here.
Maybe you're right.
Big Bro, I saw a really great Cultivator.
The Abbey's Ye Qing.
I heard him and his sister mention 12th-Senior, Chen Pipi.
There are things you needn't look into.
When you see him in future, avoid him.
Even you say that.
Everything in the past is like yesterday. They're dead.
But I didn't die yesterday.
They died.
When blinded by hatred,
one can't see the wider world and beautiful scenery.
Hatred can't blind one's eyes,
only make one's eyes red.
To my eyes, there's no beautiful scenery in these years.
Is this suffocating life worth living?
People who want to be free can't think too much.
Just do what they want.
That's true freedom.
You want freedom, but don't have matching capability.
That's why you came to the Academy to meet Fu Zi.
I don't know what I'd ask if I saw him.
But since Fu Zi declined to see me,
I have to figure these questions out on my own.
These are from Fi Zi, for what you owe that woman.
These are Academy books. Can we hand them to Xiling?
Go on. Fu Zi disregards trivialities.
Besides, she lent you Liu Bai's Sword.
Thanks, Fu Zi. Thanks, Big Bro.
What will you do next?
The true meaning of life isn't victory.
Little Bro is right.
Life's true meaning definitely isn't victory.
It's battle. So when you want to fight, just fight.
I don't agree with you either.
Life's most important thing isn't battle.
So what is it?
It's battle–
and then victory.
Senior Brothers, I must go.
Everyone thought Little Brother was weakest in the Academy.
But it seems now
his level isn't below us anymore.
Indeed.
(Heaven Dao Temple)
You're here.
Why are you sweeping snow?
I stay here, so it's only right to give back something.
Then...why are you here?
To see Xia Hou, and your 13th-Junior Brother.
So when will you leave?
So when will you return?
I have to ask Fu Zi.
Then go ask.
Tell me when you have an answer.
Senior Bro, actually Fu Zi sent me to see you.
He let me choose for myself.
My choice won't change easily.
I left the Abbey so you could get what you deserve.
I live happily in Rear Mountain.
I'm favoured by Fu Zi. Seniors are nice to me,
also Little Bro.
I want only this life.
Senior Bro, take care.
Tang Empire is a miraculous place.
[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~