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Guardians of the Ancient Oath
[This story is purely fictional.]
♔ Instagram @skysoultan ♔ Episode 10
Hongxuan.
My respects, Your Highness.
What brings you here, mother?
I knew you two
would be here,
so I came to see you.
Rise, Hongxuan.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I scolded you in court.
Are you mad at me?
I failed to discipline my brother.
Your trip to Li City
is to show others that I’m not playing favorites.
Do you think
I’m too cruel?
I dare not.
How come I seldom see Jinyang lately?
Jinyang always says
we only have a happy marriage
because of Your Highness’ blessing.
She goes to Ciyun Temple every day
to chant sutras
and pray for Your Highness.
I appreciate that.
After you leave,
Jinyang can come to the palace often
so that she won't feel lonely.
Yes.
Jinyang also wants to come
to pay respects to Your Highness.
Incident in Li City
must be handled flawlessly.
It’s not just for you
but also for Haohe.
I understand your concern.
Haohe is at fault, too.
Don’t cover for others’ mistakes.
Or how will the officials
think of our family?
Yes, mother.
OK.
I’m tired.
Let’s go back
to rest.
-Good day, mother. -Good day, Your Highness.
Do you believe there are demons?
Why do you ask?
I remember it!
You once asked me
if I had seen
a person with rosy lips and sharp eyebrows.
Yes.
I did.
You did?
In my dream, though.
You asked me that question several times
so that I dreamed
about that person
at night.
What did that person
say to you in your dream?
He said he’d come back.
Hongxuan. Is he a demon or an immortal?
There are no demons or immortals.
I disagree.
I heard the plague in Li City
is the result of offending the Mountain Demon.
The city has been cursed.
That’s nonsense, Your Majesty.
I don't think so.
Otherwise,
how come it occurred so mysteriously?
Whether it was done by humans or demons,
I’ll find ways
to solve it.
I’ll leave for Li City immediately,
Your Majesty.
How’s the situation now?
The same as before.
Good news is
the plague is under control.
Hey,
you've been here more than once.
Do you know a place called
Xuanming Temple?
Never heard of it.
I know, Commander.
Come in.
Yes.
Commander, I heard it from a veteran.
Tell us everything.
I chatted with a veteran
who’s also from my hometown.
He lives here, too.
We chatted
about food in our hometown.
We were homesick.
The conversation continued.
We talked about food, friends and family...
He said...
Where’s that temple?
In the south of the city.
Lead the way.
Who are you talking to, Commander?
You guys hold the fort.
Yes.
You lead the way.
Wait, Commander,
That place is said to be claustrophobic
and dangerous.
No one dares to go near it.
They say a demon is imprisoned there...
Lead the way now!
Let’s go.
You’re late.
I’ve waited for hours.
I didn’t expect you could
still act so fast in the far north.
All set?
I have my way.
They're still unenlightened.
You don’t worry at all?
With Yi Jiumo there,
there’s nothing to worry about.
But he’s merely
your puppet.
The table can’t be turned
but don’t lower your guard.
The truth is right in front of them.
They’ll believe it.
Those three
share a deep emotional bond.
Emotion
can be a weakness.
The more emotional one is,
the more easily he or she loses control.
Pawns are subject to their master.
You're worrying too much.
That said,
we still need to be careful.
No misstep is allowed.
Is this Xuanming Temple?
Yes.
Commander. This is it.
Let's go.
What’s wrong?
I’m a bit scared, Commander.
Wait here for me.
Yes.
No access is allowed. Who are you?
[Baili]
Left Calvary Commander, Baili Hongshuo.
Commander Baili.
This place is a forbidden area.
No trespassing.
Isn’t it a temple?
How come it’s a forbidden area?
According to General He’s order,
no one
can access this temple
other than General He himself.
No badges or edicts
can grant the access.
What if I insist on going in?
Commander,
please don’t make it hard on us.
If you try to break in,
we’ll have to act accordingly.
Commander. There’s an emergency.
What’s wrong?
Commander. I have a good idea.
Let’s leave first.
Jinyang.
Marquis.
Thank you
for protecting our family’s reputation
lately.
As your wife,
that's what I should do.
I’ll be away for a while.
I need you
to keep Her Highness company.
Yes.
As a member of the Baili’s,
are you aware
of what you can
and cannot say in the palace?
I am.
Good.
Take care of yourself, too.
Hou Zhengze, you...
Stop!
Commander. Those guards are highly skilled
and they outnumber us.
Breaking in isn’t a good choice.
I must go no matter how many they are.
If you're scared.
you can leave.
We can ask General He
to come.
Ask him?
Will he come?
Not him necessarily.
Maybe we can find someone
similar to him.
Hongyi?
Who...who is Hongyi?
You're Hou Zhengze!
If I can touch
General He’s face,
I can turn myself into him.
Then I can
get you in.
What is this trick?
Are you wearing a mask?
It's not a trick.
The fortune-teller in my hometown said
I have a special talent.
Special talent?
After I touch people’s face,
I can
become like them
and turn others
into them, too.
I even sound exactly like them.
I was afraid
others would think of me as a demon,
so I didn't tell anyone.
Aren't you afraid
I’ll think the same?
I am,
but I can’t see you
get killed.
I don’t know
why you have to go there,
but I hope
I can help you.
Besides,
you’re sophisticated.
You aren’t like
those ignorant villagers in my hometown.
They also said
people with special talents
are quite a few.
It’s just that ordinary people
are timid
and fear us,
so they call us demons.
So, you touched Hong...
Bai Yi’s face?
Of course.
We used to be roommates.
Turn yourself back.
If you touch Bai Yi again,
even a hair,
I’ll kill you.
Yes, sir.
Come here.
Come. I won’t hit you.
You just said
you could turn yourself
and others into other people?
Yes.
Once I touch a person’s face,
I can become like him or her
and do the same
to others, too.
Even the voice is the same.
Let's go.
Where to?
To see He Yao.
Miss Baili,
why do you hate the Langs so much?
If someone
kill your family,
what will you do?
Pay him back a hundredfold.
But I don’t think
that happened
to you.
You were born with a silver spoon
and are under your family’s protection.
All of you are close.
I envy you.
Young Master Baili,
sorry, Miss Baili,
you're elegant and decent.
No wonder you’re a royal member.
You’re flattering me.
But I can’t say the same to you.
As a high-ranking general of Lang,
you're the opposite of decent
who even holds people hostage.
That’s embarrassing.
The result matters
regardless of the means.
Nothing is
more important than winning.
You're shameless.
Shameless?
I’ve never dreamed of
being a hero.
Miss Baili,
shouldn't you thank me?
Hadn’t it been for me,
how would you know
how much you mean
to your younger brother?
It's none of your business.
My brother and I
are close.
All our family members are.
Don’t try to drive a wedge between us.
Clearly, you trust Baili Hongshuo
a lot, don’t you?
Hongshuo would go through fire for me
and so would I.
I think
he doesn’t
love you
as a brother.
It’s deeper than that.
What are you implying?
Oh?
It’s obvious to the outsider.
Miss Baili,
you don’t know it?
I said you're elegant
just now.
Yet here you are
acting all violent.
Honestly,
you don’t act
like a Yo woman at all
who’s shy and timid
but more like
a wild Lang.
What did you say?
Are Yo women
also so fierce?
Ming Yefeng! Just you wait.
I’ll have you
pay the price someday.
Sure. I’ll wait for it.
But I suggest
you save some strength
to pray for your dear brother.
Hope he can
find the person I want soon.
Otherwise,
before you have the chance to revenge,
you’ll be eaten alive
by the Langs.
In your dreams!
[Marquis Zhenbei’s Mansion]
Mr. He, while I’m away,
take care of everything
at home for me.
Consider it done.
At a troubled time like this,
discipline all staff
in the mansion.
No gossiping is allowed.
I understand.
Li City is in danger,
yet you're still in the mood
to drink with me.
Should I thank you
or punish you?
Give me a break.
Now, I’ve realized
I’m not
cut out for this.
I blew it.
It really gives me a headache.
Now,
you know it’s not easy
to be in charge.
Not easy at all.
I offended you last time.
I apologize.
Let me toast you.
Please, uncle,
I need your help.
I have men
borrow water from towns 30 miles away
every day.
You know how many people and resources it costs?
What more do you want from me?
About the poison in the water,
I’ve investigated it for days
but to no avail.
The cause
of the plague still remains unknown.
I’m clueless, too.
Please give me a hand, Uncle.
Uncle,
are there any dancers you like?
You brat.
You’re still
that playboy
back in Ye City.
I’m not good at other things
but this is my strong suit.
Back then, in the harlot pageant,
I shouldn’t have done that to you.
Look what you did.
I was too young
and competitive.
Yeah, You raised the price to 50 taels of gold.
That procuress got all the money.
I know.
In the end,
none of us
won that harlot.
Indeed. It’s all your sister’s fault.
She had to butt in.
You didn’t win, either, did you?
Yeah. Compared with her,
I’m no bully.
Your sister
will grow old
and die alone.
The one in the lead is Zhenzhen.
Do you like her?
Zhenzhen. Come in.
There’s such a beauty
in town.
Playing hard to get?
I like it. Yeah!
General. Let’s drink first.
Girls first.
Girls before drinks.
General,
I’m not a prostitute.
I like you.
This is only natural.
General! General!
You have some strength.
Don’t, General!
Commander.
He almost got me.
If he saw you
like this,
he’d throw up immediately.
Commander.
Sorry about this. Do it.
Yes.
Commander.
Something is still not right.
What’s wrong?
What’s the problem?
The way He Yao usually walks
isn’t this energetic.
Go away.
Now isn’t the time to butter me up.
As long as I have his face...
Don’t touch it.
I’ll be able to...
This won’t last long.
Oh, really?
Fine. I won’t do it again.
Let's go.
OK.
[Inn]
Untie me.
You’re an important asset.
How could I untie you?
What are you doing?
Does it hurt?
I hate
to do this to you.
I’m afraid your brother
will disappoint you.
Sorry about this.
Let’s go.
Where are we going?
You’ll find out yourself.
General.
Anything...
Anything unusual lately?
General.
Commander Baili came once.
I asked him to leave.
Really?
Nothing unusual other than that.
Good.
This place has always been dark.
It’s natural to feel cold here.
Are...are you trying to scare me to death?
Commander. You're back to yourself.
I felt uneasy,
so I turned to He Yao
for safety.
Guard the door for me
using this look.
Be careful, Commander.
Watch out for danger.
I will.
I’ll be at the door.
Go away.
Commander. Be very careful.
There you are, Baili Hongshuo.
How did you know my name?
You knew I’d be here?
Aren’t you here to look for me?
You’re Yi Jiumo!
Was the one who guided me
also you?
You’ll soon see him.
This potion is the antidote.
Take it.
What else do you know?
What I know isn’t important.
Everything happened isn’t a coincidence.
They imprisoned me here
but they didn’t know
I was here waiting for you.
You’ll know the truth eventually.
No more delaying,
or it’ll be too late to save others.
Don’t you need to exchange me
for your loved one?
Thank you for your kindness.
General! General!
Wake up, General!
General!
Where am I?
Bad news, General!
What happened?
The poison is removed.
What? How?
The news came
from Baili Hongshou’s camp.
People didn’t believe it at first
and dared not to drink the water from the well.
After soldiers drank it first,
they believed it.
Looks like
someone put the antidote
in the upper reach.
Bai Nuo did it!
Go get him.
Yes.
Wait.
If Bai Nuo has the antidote,
that person must have it, too.
Let's go.
Move!
The second son of Duke Pingyuan of Yo,
Baili Hongyi.
[Baili]
Sir,
he’s at your disposal.
He’s a Baili indeed.
Everyone,
do you still remember
Baili Haoyuan
slaughtered thousands
of our people?
I’m wondering
if the agreement
still stands.
Kill Baili Hongyi,
then we’ll follow your lead.
This...
Chief Bai Nuo,
your act shows
you’re anxious.
General Wanqi,
didn’t you say
you’d just sit and watch?
I’m looking forward
to a fair match.
I’m curious, though.
Why was Chief Bai Nuo
so eager to act?
Are you hiding something?
You Lang people
are rats.
You outnumber me.
I’m challenging you
to a duel.
You?
If I lose,
I’m all yours.
If you kill me
with my hands tied,
I won’t rest in peace.
Baili Haoyuan’s children
should die a thousand times.
You chicken.
I get it.
If you
get beaten by your enemy’s son,
how will you continue to be their leader?
Fine.
General Wanqi,
untie her.
You think you can win Ming Lai?
At least, I need to have a try.
You’re stalling for time.
You’re feisty.
I like it.
Weren’t we enemies,
perhaps
we could be friends.
Ming Yefeng.
Hongshuo!
You broke your promise.
There you are.
I’ve brought you
the person you’re looking for.
Pontifex.
You’re pontifex!
Let them leave.
Get out.
Please.
I, Yi Jiumo, am back.
Back then, King of Shuchi
and I
selected the successor of Baize.
Bai Nuo held a grudge
and trapped me with his men
to seize the leadership.
Then he used magic
to suppress my power.
Since then,
Bai Nuo has colluded with Yo.
He took over the leadership
illegally.
Plus, he is in cahoots with Yo
and brought shame on Baize.
He must be eliminated according to the rules.
He lied!
Yi Jiumo...
Yi Jiumo died long ago!
He is already dead!
Let go of me! Let go!
Bai Nuo has meant to surrender to Yo
since a long time ago.
Among thousands of the tribesmen,
only Ming Lai and his sister found out about it.
Since when
has Baize become a tribe of the ignorant?
I’m so disappointed.
You've been away for too long
to know things in Baize.
Actually, Bai Nuo...
The evidence of his betrayal is solid.
Are you defending for this traitor?
The evidence...
I was away for years
but still know what’s happening out there,
but you don't?
I’m sorry.
The traitor must be executed.
Uncle Wan!
You forgot the promise
you made back then?
You said
you’d protect me.
Uncle Wan!
My duty
is to protect Baize’s hero,
not a traitor.
Take him away, awaiting execution.
Uncle Wan!
Move!
Let me go!
Pontifex. Those two
are Duke Pingyuan of Yo,
Baili Haoyuan’s sons.
Baili Haoyuan
killed thousands of our men.
Please hold the rite
so that we can pay respects
to the deceased with their blood.
Release them.
Release them?
Pontifex.
Duke Pingyuan of Yo
killed our friends and family.
We must take revenge.
Tell me,
did our men
kill members of Yo?
Baize is next to Yo.
The war never ends.
Of course we killed Yo people.
In this case,
how many Yo people
want us dead?
Have you ever considered that?
That's their problem.
If they want to kill me,
they can certainly try it.
Those two
are also connected with Lang.
For the sake of Baize and Shuchi’s future,
we’d better let them go.
Release them tomorrow.
Hello again, General He.
Again?
You came once today already.
I did?
When did I come?
A few hours ago,
Commander Baili came here
and tried to get in,
but I told him to leave.
Then you came
a few hours later.
Nonsense!
Don’t you
recognize me?
General,
let’s go check inside first.
If he’s gone,
you’ll all be beheaded.
You, come with us.
Yes.
You could've killed us.
Why are you letting us go?
If you stayed here for too long,
you wouldn’t want to leave.
I’m here to see you off.
Why are you wearing long faces?
A glimpse of certain people
can make me sick.
Really?
They didn’t find out you’re a woman
because of me.
You should thank me.
By the way, don’t forget
how you were hugged by me.
Ming Yefeng. Watch your mouth!
Don’t mistake it.
I was helping your sister.
Why don’t we continue to cooperate?
I’ll help you bring down He Yao.
Then you’ll be in charge of Li City.
We can be at peace.
Hadn’t you
abducted Hongyi,
I wouldn't have worked with you.
This is our first
and last cooperation.
We still can’t make peace
after I helped you detoxify the water.
What a pity!
We’ll pay you back
for what you did.
Hongshuo...
Why did you sneak out?
You didn’t believe me?
It's not that I didn’t believe you.
I was worried about you.
You’re my younger brother.
The problem was huge.
I simply tried to help.
Hey,
it all worked out well, didn’t it?
The water...
Thanks to you,
problem solved.
Isn’t it good?
Do I have to
thank you?
No...
Where is he?
I failed in my duty.
Please spare me.
Useless!
General,
they must’ve been tricked
by others.
Baili Hongshuo.
It must be him!
He fuddled me
and got in as me
to release Yi Jiumo.
He has no magic.
How did he pretend to be you?
This one must be blind.
It’s all my fault.
Please spare me.
-My eyes! -Let’s go.
I did nothing wrong, General.
It was you who came in.
You good-for-nothings!
Why should I keep you alive?
How could you make such a silly mistake?
Go away.
Yes.
General.
What’s wrong?
It’s about Bai Nuo.
Bring him here.
I can’t, General.
He’s been beheaded by Ming Lai.
What?
Ming Lai
is most likely to take over his position.
Internal strife.
There must be a connection between these things.
Are you saying...
Baili Hongshuo.
I did underestimate him.
How did he know
Yi Jiumo?
If he did it,
how much does he know?
General,
since he could release Yi Jiumo,
our agreement
with Bainuo
is probably
no secret to him.
I’ve given him two chances.
This time,
I won’t be easy on him.