[Ever Night]
[Episode 21]
Good writing. Before, I had 60% assurance. Now I have 80%.
If I could feel the writer's expression of
hunger and thirst for pen and ink, I'd have 100% assurance.
Who knew this small shop in a backstreet
actually hid a natural talent for Daoism.
This writing...looks familiar.
Preceptor, His Majesty is with Officials at Politics Hall. He said,
if Preceptor wants to admire writing, go ahead.
Just don't disorder the shelves.
Senior Bro, follow me.
That side.
Senior Bro, do you see its craving?
This thirst...shows through.
I can see the face of this rascal who wrote these words.
He's as hungry as a fox after 800 years of not eating chicken.
100%?
100%.
We finally found the person who wrote those words.
We'll fetch him.
Both of us?
If I go, it's a big deal.
If the Academy discovers his skills, that's bad.
- I'll go. - Master, Senior Uncle.
He's up the mountain. What if he enters 2nd Floor?
Nonsense. Though he Cultivates,
can he beat Prince Long Qing to enter Second Floor?
Previously we were frustrated about Xiling's Son of Light.
Now we must thank him for letting that rascal raise his level!
Right, Senior Bro, take my Token.
If anyone stops you,
handle them.
Use my South Gate name.
- How to handle them? - As you please.
Including the Academy?
Of course!
Master. Senior Uncle.
Poaching an Academy guy will be unjustified.
What's unjustified?
I waited 80 years for him. Who'd block me?
Senior Bro, bring him back.
Dao South Gate's hope
is coming. Whoever stops him,
finish them.
Senior Brother!
Come, come, come.
[A flower blooms under sky on the other shore]
He made it.
You need See-through to recall Firewood Gate words. [Wang Chi, 11th Disciple]
Luck won't work.
11th-Junior Bro, it's all yet unknown.
[A gentleman is not one thing]
Great Dao is metaphysical; things are physical forms.
Great Dao is Heaven's Way,
[A gentleman is not one thing] not physical forms.
These words left by Fu Zi are ingenious.
'A gentleman is not one thing'.
[A gentleman is not one thing]
[A gentleman is not]
3rd-Senior Sister, you!
'A gentleman is not'
Not...not what?
[A gentleman is not one thing]
A gentleman is not one thing. A gentleman is not one thing.
A gentleman is not...
Not what?
Idiot!
A gentleman is not one thing...
Not one thing. A gentleman is not.
A gentleman is not...
Not...
Idiot! Idiot! Can't remember.
A gentleman is not one thing. Not one thing.
A gentleman is not...
- Idiot! Idiot! - 3rd-Senior Sister,
stop torturing this kid.
See, he's going mad.
11th-Bro, you're going mad.
Crazy and wise and lonely.
In the vast world, no-one understands your heart.
What character is it?
Just what is it?
Ning Que, you're an idiot?
In a short distance, why can't I recall one word?
You're really an idiot. Idiot!
[A gentleman is not...]
[A gentleman is not one thing]
A gentleman is not one thing. Not one thing.
[A gentleman is not...]
[A gentleman is not one...]
~no need to talk~
~night's curtain has opened~
~despite success or failure~
~don't fear to look at the future~
~I've seen a sea of clouds~
~as changeable as dreams~
~I've called a myriad stars~
~they're dim and dazzling~
Ning Que got past Firewood Gate?
How can it be?
That wretch used the Stone!
Who got past Firewood Gate? You mean Young Master?
He seared the character onto his palm.
This method...really... [8th Disciple]
How innovative. [Song Lian - 5th Disciple]
How's that innovative?
He's full of tricks.
Who's full of tricks?
'A gentleman is not one thing' means to break all rules.
It's Fu Zi who's amazing. He understands Ning Que.
Isn't Ning Que a cheeky person who doesn't follow rules?
Who'd you call cheeky? What's your right?
2nd-Senior Bro, is Ning Que the first
to use this method to open Firewood Gate?
No.
Who else?
- 1st-Senior Bro. - 1st-Senior Bro?
He entered Awareness at 13;
at 30, Doubtless, See-through and Knowing Destiny.
For 17 years in between, he couldn't open Firewood Gate.
Those 17 years, 1st-Senior Bro went up and down the mountain,
passing Firewood Gate
by that method.
What method?
First-Senior Bro also used that method?
What are you two talking about?
This is all an illusion.
After opening the door and going up stone steps,
I came to realize I can
be detached to find Dao.
In this world, apart from God,
no-one deserves my reverence!
[Lin Residence]
Charge!
Isn't this kid a bit too unlucky?
Junior Uncle said
Fate is a heartless fellow.
To carry on the mission, he must use every possible way–
Break bones, strip flesh,
endure extreme pain.
Inner demons knot his reality.
What knot?
What if he can't untie the knot in his heart?
If he sees through inner demons, there's hope.
If he can't,
his hope of the peak is lost.
Why no hope for the peak?
If he can't see through it,
he'll kill to break through.
Kill? Why kill? Kill who?
Ning Que, what pain is in your heart?
Pipi, what are you guys saying?
2nd-Senior Bro, what's going on with Young Master?
Li Manman.
How much longer will you wash the fish?
Fu Zi, it'll be ready soon.
You said that two hours ago.
Almost there.
Almost.
I'm talking about the fish.
That kid has to wander in there a bit longer.
There's one more test.
Is Young Master in pain?
The peak is just ahead.
I see no-one else here.
Prince Long Qing.
You sleep. I'll keep moving.
Please.
Fu Zi. Ning Que and Long Qing
are a step from the peak. How will you select one?
I already decided 15 years ago.
We just have to see if he can really come before us.
Yes.
Though you were slow cooking this fish,
it's very well done.
Thank you, Fu Zi.
Why still here? Not waiting for me, are you?
If I gain while you sleep,
it's meaningless to me.
Such a true gentleman!
Here, eat a little.
Before a big task, one's stomach needs fuel.
Never expected you to break through the mist.
Don't be so surprised. It's not an illusion.
That's the peak. Who'll reach it first?
Whoever obtains First Brother's half-gourd from the tree
will become Fu Zi's 13th Disciple.
But I must point out one thing.
This last trip will be much harder than
your previous tests. If you force yourself,
some damage to spirit may be irreparable.
Here's a bamboo strip each.
If you can no longer endure, break it.
That'd mean your elimination.
Thanks, Instructor Yu.
Truthfully, I envy you.
You're born wealthy, talented, under a lucky star.
And I, of humble origin, no obvious talents,
really bad luck and only a little maid by my side,
find it damn hard to reach your level.
You really like your little maid.
Have you ever considered you might be wrong?
I'm not wrong. I've done nothing wrong.
If many die because of you, are you still the Light?
They all deserve to die!
I did no wrong to repent.
I've chased Light since birth.
I'm God's son.
I always was, am now, and will be!
Look.
This is Light's power.
The Light is limitless.
Who are you?
Look, the sky is already dark.
I see it.
This is the world of Light and the world of darkness.
This is the last world and the best world.
If you had to, would you choose Light or darkness?
Why must I choose?
Eternal Night will fall. You must choose.
Why must I choose every time? Can't you once choose?
How'd you make past choices?
My body's in the dark. My heart's in the Light.
I didn't think after so many years, I'd actually see another
weed waving in the wind on the wall.
I chose. You're dissatisfied?
What would you do if the sky falls?
How can the sky fall?
If.
Naturally, people of your stature will prop it up.
What if they can't?
Then run.
When the sky has fallen, where can you run?
You said 'if'. The world doesn't have so many 'ifs'.
Let's return to the choice at the beginning.
No! Why me?
While people live, people must die.
No!
You'd know this kind of choice isn't hard for me to make.
My Umbrella is black. Sang Sang's face is dark.
My friend was Little Black. This is how I've always chosen.
This doesn't mean I'm wrong. Even if you think I'm wrong,
I don't care.
Because your opinions have nothing to do with me.
This world is so beautiful.
Too beautiful!
Sang Sang. I finally succeeded.
It turns out this world is flat.
Young Master, you've decided?
Won't you feel too lonely?
Sang Sang, look in the distance.
That's Mount Min. That's Wei City.
We wandered for over 10 years and risked our lives often.
Now...now, I finally stand at the summit.
Young Master, let's play a game. Choose again.
What are you saying?
Some people want fame. Some want to be ordinary.
Some want to sacrifice. Some want to submit.
The uniqueness of life is its many choices.
And now, you can choose not to stand here.
It's the same ploy.
Can't you find a new game?
You...
aren't Sang Sang.
What's wrong?
Sang Sang carries Big Umbrella.
Her little face is dark. She'd never force me to choose
because she trusts in my making the right choices.
I can give you all the silver at home.
Spend them as you want.
Sang Sang would hide money from me.
She knows silver in my hands disappears quickly.
Also...
when Sang Sang talks to me,
she's not this polite.
Young Master.
When you call me Young Master, it sounds too intimate.
When Sang Sang calls me Young Master, it carries disdain.
Am I in the wrong?
Why?
Sang Sang never lifted a blade against me. I'd never raise a blade against her.
Who are you?
It wasn't Sang Sang.
Long Qing, did you really think entering Second Floor
would let you defeat me?
Long Qing won't dare.
Why'd you kill your beloved woman?
To follow the righteous faith of Dao.
What path?
Heaven is righteous.
I pursue Light and trust in Light.
See how mighty my heart became.
But you've lost your heart.
I've even lost my heart. I'm no longer afraid.
I'll uphold Heaven's Will
and travel the world to eradicate darkness.
The enemy I feared the most has died.
All darkness will be destroyed.
Absolute Light is absolute darkness.
Long Qing.
Eternal Night will fall.
Grand Priest of Light.
Grand Priest of Light! Why?
He was behind you all the way, but broke illusion faster than you.
This is Fu Zi's decision.
You're eliminated.
This means I'm out.
Why didn't Fu Zi choose me?
Is this real?
It's not an illusion?
Young Master!
Sang Sang.
With this gourd, our luck won't be paper thin anymore.
[Beigong Weiyang, 9th Disciple; Ximen Buhuo, 10th Disciple]
What a miracle!
Terrific!
Congratulations, Little Junior Brother.
- Congratulations, Little Junior Brother. - Congratulations, Little Junior Brother.
This is real?
Congrats, Little Junior Brother.
You're all...
Young Master!
A fish has taken the bait.
Fu Zi, he really became my Little Junior Brother?
You like it?
Of course I like it.
That brat. Who'd have thought he really could come before us.
- Li Manman, get the fish. - Yes, Fu Zi.
This isn't dancing.
Follow me.
Congratulations, Your Majesty.
We found the one who wrote the calligraphy.
Who is it?
Where is he? I want his head.
Please be calm. He's Ning Que.
He's one of your Secret Guards.
He once accompanied Chao Xiaoshu to Spring Breeze Pavilion, killing dozens.
So that's it.
I say, how could anyone
sneak into my Study?
Ning Que is young and talented.
If he receives Grandmaster Yan Se's training,
in ten years, he'll surely be a Divine Talisman Master.
Divine Talisman Master...
This lad has potential to be a Divine Talisman expert?
Interesting.
Then do you still want to behead him?
I want to see him.
Yes.
Keep practising.
Practise.
Your Majesty.
Why's Second Floor test causing a fuss this time?
State Preceptor, what variables have you predicted?
It's bad! Seems we've lost our chance!
Why's he here?
- Martial Uncle Yan Se. - Priest.
- Martial Uncle Yan Se. - My respects.
Greetings, Princess.
Greetings, Grand Prince.
Fu Zi's 13th Disciple's name is here!
- You... - Uncle.
- You... - Listen.
Second Floor entry test is important!
Even if Fu Zi is absent,
don't handle it so casually.
Before you announce results, shouldn't you
bathe, change clothes, burn incense and pray?
- You! - Hand me the notice!
Who says I'm wrong? Talk to me!
You...
Uncle, what are you doing?
I want...
Martial Nephew, come, a few words.
Well, I'll give you this
- on one condition. - What?
Before you announce it, I need a quick look.
It's Academy business.
It's my business. Yield or I'll be impolite.
How so shameless?
I am shameless. So what?
- Miss Dewdrop! - Hmm?
You! Hey...you...
Hey, hey...
Fu Zi's 13th Disciple is...
If he says it's Ning Que, it's official.
Then how will Junior Bro and I snag him?
[Ning Que]
Ning Que!
Fu Zi's 13th Disciple is Ning Que!
Princess.
Uncle, I'll report to Father.
Go.
Impossible.
There's no way.
He's just an ordinary student.
How could he beat Prince Long Qing?
Long Qing is on the threshold of Knowing Destiny.
What's Ning Que amount to?
He's nothing.
His Xueshan Qihai is blocked. To defeat Prince Long Qing
is beyond possibility.
It's all impossible
unless the Academy acted fraudulently.
Those words...
Priest Cheng, mind your words.
Your Highness.
Prince Long Qing replaced Prince Chong Ming in the capital
to enter Second Floor.
If he wasn't to be Fu Zi's Disciple,
how would we permit Long Qing to leave Xiling?
If the Academy sought a reason to reject him...
Then...
I think we need deliberation.
That's unnecessary.
Your butt can figure it out.
How'd that brat surpass Long Qing?
How'd that brat reach the peak before Long Qing?
It's surely questionable.
Uncle, this is vital. Don't be rash.
Who proved no cheating?
- Are you playing rascal publicly? - I am. What'll you do?
Besides, Fu Zi isn't here.
Last year Yan Se returned to Xiling and insulted our Dean
and had a big fight with Hierarch.
Today he defends us.
Does he regret Long Qing's talents going to waste?
Uncle, despite your unmatched Xiling rank and seniority,
this is an Academy issue.
Arguing is useless.
Tang Academy is under Heaven. Anyone can express opinions.
Tang Academy is Tang's.
As Dao South Gate High Priest, I object.
You said I can't argue?
I object.
Young soldier, Ning Que, can't enter Second Floor.
[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~