In the ancient world lies a prophecy: Upon the arrival of Ever Night, the world will be thrown into Chaos. ~
~EVER NIGHT~ [Episode 01]
[First Year of Tianqi era]
[Far Northern Wildland]
Long, long ago, many unknown lands existed.
In those unknown lands [WAYFARERS: Demon Sect - Tang]
were many unknown people. [Heaven Pillar Sect - Qi Nian]
were many unknown people. [Zhi Shou Abbey - Ye Qing]
Ants and hawks belong to different worlds.
In hawks' eyes, ants are black dots.
But there are always a special few
struggling against fate for survival. [Tang Academy First Disciple, Li Manman]
This world is thus no longer the same.
This is the world of Heavenly God and King of Hades.
Legend says, every 1000 years, King of Hades launches Ever Night.
Eternal night nears, enveloping all, freezing Earth.
Humankind can't survive.
Each sect sent Wayfarers to find traces of King of Hades.
[Confucius - Fu Zi/Teacher - Tang Academy Dean]
[Fifteenth Year of Tianqi]
[Laozi: 'Treatise on Response of Dao']
Ning Que, let's cut firewood.
[Ning Que]
Something's wrong. Go look.
Be careful!
It's a trap!
No good! Retreat towards the canyon!
Know who I am?
I'm Blue Lake Woodcutter.
You're Blue Lake Woodcutter?
Loser! ('useless firewood')
Loser!
~ EVER NIGHT ~
[Golden Horde of Golden Tent]
Golden Horde buffers Tang Empire and northern Wildland.
For peace with Tang, Golden Horde Khan allied in marriage with Tang two years ago.
Tang Emperor married Princess Li Yu to Great Khan.
[Princess of Tang, Li Yu]
Ban Xia.
Princess!
Ban Xia is willing to die for Princess.
In Tianqi 15th year, Great Khan suddenly died.
Under a Golden Horde decree, Great Khan's wife must die with him.
You can't harm my Tang Empire princess!
[Ascetic, Lu Qingchen]
I'm late to save Princess.
Forgive me.
- Lu Qingchen. - Present.
Speed to Wei City.
Allow no error.
As you command.
[Wei City, Tang Empire]
General!
[Wei City Guard: Ma Shixiang]
Ning Que is back!
- It's Ning Que! - Ning Que
is finally back.
Ning Que...!
- You're finally back! - Great. - Ning Que!
Ning Que...!
[Sang Sang]
Why'd he return alone?
Young Master.
There were seven others.
Tell someone to bring them back.
Yes.
Where'd you get a big wild horse?
This black horse is strong and lightning fast.
- You're back. - I'm back.
That horse must eat a lot.
No kidding.
- Bro, give him more feed. - Alright.
- Ning Que, you're back? - Yep.
Young Master, you caught another lizard.
He's my brother,
alright?
- Hungry? - Mm. Noodles with scallions.
Okay. Thirty scallion slices.
What else?
Fried egg.
Okay!
Young Master, the water is heated. Hurry and bathe.
Little Brownie. I'll feed you egg tonight.
– Xiling (West Ling) Immortal Shrine –
Today's debate begins.
Please welcome Prince of Yan, Long Qing.
[Prince of Yan State, Long Qing]
Greetings, Prince Long Qing. [Princess Lu Chenjia - Yue Lun/Full Moon State]
Please welcome Revelation Hall's Dean, Grand Priest Tianyu.
Greetings, Grand Priest Tianyu.
Today's debate regards earthly ant kingdoms [Deputy-Dean, Priest Cheng Lixue]
and application of principles.
I once caught sight of countless flying ants.
Flying ants will fall eventually.
They never reach the sky.
But they don't fear sacrifice, and pile up to reach heaven.
Hawks don't fear ants. They don't qualify as food.
Through millennia, there'll always be a few special ants.
By chance, they lift their eyes from leaf litter
to the blue sky.
They change.
They fear because they see.
Have you experienced fear?
Run!
Bro!
- Go Cultivate Qi (energy) at Xiling. - No.
Only when strong enough, one can achieve one's goal.
This is your mother.
If I kill her now, how can you stop me?
Go to Xiling and be an ascetic.
That's the only way to truly protect Yan.
Protect those you love.
Have you ever feared anything?
Never.
Have you heard Eternal Night is nearing?
King of Hades's Son will be born; Earth will freeze.
The world will end in eternal darkness.
Grand Priest, eternal night, so what?
Hades' Son, so what?
This is God's world.
If eternal night, there'll be a brighter light.
If there's a Son of Hades, a Son of Light will fight for God.
They see and fear;
I won't since I believe.
What belief?
I believe in Light.
I believe this world will be full of Light.
Light won't be extinguished.
God is everlasting.
Young Master, hurry up. The noodles are ready.
They should be eaten warm.
Has the black horse eaten?
It eats too much.
I'll sell it tomorrow.
Who has final say?
You talk of selling my horse.
Rebelling?
Careful, you might get sold.
Let me scrub your back.
Lean forward.
Long Qing, your studies ended.
Why not join Light Hall?
I thank you two priests for your kindness.
Entering Light Hall, closer to Light, would be my wish come true.
It's great you think that way.
To stay in Xiling, you must pass its 3 Halls' tests. [Justice Hall Chief, Luo Kedi]
Luo Kedi.
You're only Justice Chief,
yet dare to intervene in Light Hall business.
With powerless eloquence,
do you plan to use your mouths to protect Xiling?
A sordid mob.
I stay in Serene Pavilion
but won't let mad dogs like you bark in my Light Hall.
Welcome, Priest Wu Ming.
[Priest Wu Ming]
This good student
should enter Light Hall.
But—
Chief.
Long Qing is willing to face three tests.
Thanks, Priest Wu Ming.
Good. Your courage is laudable.
Our current Justice assignment is to locate Demon Sect base.
I think Prince Long Qing won't disappoint priests' expectations.
He will enter the Hall openly.
Demon Sect is in the Wildland.
This journey will be perilous.
You're still willing to go?
Long Qing is certain.
[Wei City]
We're at Wei City.
Xiao Man, we'll be safe in Wei City.
General, Tang Princess Li Yu's maid is here to see you.
Princess?
Sang Sang, you dislike my black stallion yet I got your favourite.
- What? - Guess.
The best 9-Rivers twice-distilled wine.
- Is it good? - Mm.
- It's so good. - So drink more.
Don't let drunkards outside see.
We're over our wine budget. Spend less.
So stingy.
Young Master, let's comb your hair.
Sang Sang, comb my hair straight or I'll shave my head tomorrow.
You'll also look good bald.
Shave your own head first.
Ning Que, come and drink.
General Ma.
Here, I'm Ma Shixiang.
I'm Princess's maid, Mei Shu.
What's Princess want?
She wants to cross Mount Min to the capital,
but Mount Min route is dangerous.
We need an experienced guide.
If Princess insists on crossing Mount Min to the capital,
I can send guards to escort you.
No. Princess will travel lightly.
We mustn't leave tracks.
The guide must be loyal and reliable.
Do you have suitable people?
People, oh!
Men!
Here!
Princess's maidservant said she needs a guide.
Go help her.
Yes! This way!
Maid Mei Shu takes her leave.
Please go on.
One princess, you can hold.
Two princesses, he can hold.
Three princesses, I can hold.
Me, too.
Sang Sang, is the wine warmed?
Coming!
Wine's gone.
Coming!
- Let's do it again. - C'mon...
I'm running.
- Sweating? - Yep.
Hurry up.
One princess, you can hold!
Two princesses, he can hold!
Three princesses, I can hold!
Drink it.
I'm holding it!
It's mine.
You held it often,
it's my turn.
Come on. Let me.
Are you here for fun?
You guys, let me hold it once.
Look at you! What resembles Tang soldiers?
You're a pack of hoodlums.
Who are you?
Coming in rudely.
When did Tang soldiers get a maid?
I...I'm not a maid.
I was picked up by Young Master from a pile of corpses.
He treats you as harshly as livestock.
Why still speak for him?
Do you plan to marry its owner?
Scoundrel!
How's my country have men like you?
Sure you won't marry its owner?
What's its owner like?
What business is it of yours?
Miss Mei Shu, he's the guide General Ma picked.
Ning Que.
Who's she?
An idiot.
Whatever. Let's continue.
[Serene Pavilion - Xiling Immortal Shrine]
[Grand Priest of Light, Wei Guangming]
Please go no farther, Prince. Beware of the barrier.
The Light never dies. Heaven lasts forever.
Long Qing pays respects to Grand Priest of Light.
You're the one whom Wu Ming calls Son of Light?
It is indeed Long Qing.
Son of Hades will awaken soon.
Ever Night will be upon us.
I am willing to help restore your name by seeking Son of Hades
so you may leave this Chamber.
Your trip to the Wildland may be a turning point.
Go ahead.
I take my leave.
Teacher, as Prince Long Qing is named Son of Light,
he is the hope of our Hall.
Ever Night has no light.
Go.
For 15 years,
Wei Guangming has been locked in the Chamber. [Shrine Hierarch, Xiong Chumo]
Wei Guangming was sentenced to life in the Chamber. [Grand Priest of Justice, Mo Yu]
What worries Shrine Hierarch?
Long Qing went to the Chamber today.
That young lad dared to enter the forbidden area!
We should teach that Son of Light a lesson.
He needs to be clear who's the real master of Xiling Shrine.
Grand Priest of Justice, you're wrong.
The master of Xiling Shrine is Heaven.
You and I are both servants of Heaven.
Anyone who goes against Heaven will be punished!
[Wei City Barracks]
- Ning Que, the General awaits you. - Got it.
- You're back. - You're back.
You're back, Ning Que.
Boss, I'm here.
Get out!
Reporting to General Ma.
Soldier of Wei City Army, Ning Que, is here on your orders.
Get in here.
This kid got more thick-skinned.
On General's order, this soldier is ready to give up his life.
Why will I bother to save face?
I heard the Academy replied.
On army recommendation, you finally get a chance to attend Tang Academy.
The reply arrived, but whether you get in depends on your luck.
Where's the reply?
You're really lucky.
As it happens, a helpful person is returning to the capital.
I arranged for you to go with her.
On the way, you two can watch out for each other.
I'm not going.
This says Academy exams are in 2 months' time.
I don't want to go so early.
Will you heed my order?
I want you to go tomorrow. You must!
Old Ma, I can't bear to leave you.
In the past, you saved Sang Sang and me from wolves.
How can I leave just like that?
Tell me the truth.
What are your thoughts?
I don't want to die.
You? Even if everyone dies, you'll still be alive.
I humbled myself and begged them to take you along.
I told them you can be their guide, so they agreed.
Think. You'll get free food and drink to the capital and spend nothing.
Isn't that great?
Don't waste effort.
I just don't want to die.
Ning Que, how can I bear to let you die?
[Wei City Border Army Barracks]
Old Ma.
- You've seen their carriage? - Well?
It has knife and arrow marks, signs of attack.
And Great Khan just died.
- That maid has fair skin. - Hold on.
The carriage was attacked.
Khan just died.
The maid has fair skin.
- What's it mean? - Are you pretending?
- I don't know. - Think.
Tang has 1 princess; 2 years ago, she married into Golden Horde.
Her husband just died; she's fleeing.
She's 'helpful'.
That maid is lying.
Still can't tell whom she is?
Shut up!
Tang's liberal culture doesn't mean you can be disrespectful.
What's Princess like?
People love and respect her.
- Had to be bandits. - No way.
I know bandits' methods.
Golden Horde soldiers.
Old Ma, think.
How'd they dare to openly kill Tang Princess?
Won't the new Khan fear the Emperor's retribution?
Tang is a military country.
Despite Yan to the north, Jin to the south, Yue Lun to the west,
who'd oppose Tang?
Seems like
someone is out to harm Princess.
Who do you think it is?
Someone in the Palace.
Since they made their move, they won't give up easily.
As long as Princess is alive, this trip will be deadly.
That's why, Old Ma...
aren't you sending me like
a lamb to a tiger?
Better let this Blue Lake Woodcutter stay to 'cut wood' a few more years.
Don't you want to attend the Academy for Cultivation (of Qi)?
Well, that carriage has a Cultivator at upper See-through level.
Lu Qingchen.
You know of him, right?
A Cultivator at See-through level.
I'll go.
[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~