♪The tempestuous northern wind, the tempestuous martial arts world♪
♪Blades and bows drawn♪
♪What is youth without bravado?♪
♪With a wave of my hands, the world flows through my fingertips♪
♪Traveling the world with a damsel♪
♪The wind blows, the moon's reflection on the water♪
♪The night has been cut short♪
♪Who there is hiding in the shadow?♪
♪Oh, the long journey. Fate wills if we live or die♪
♪But let's give our shot at this world♪
♪Fight together as two♪
♪Right or wrong, I'll brave the storm, watching as things rise and fall♪
♪Black and White, as the drum sounds, it's for passion and justice♪
♪The fury, the wavering blades♪
♪I catch a glimpse of the divine beauty♪
♪How can we determine if the soul is flawless?♪
♪Let's see who can rule the world♪
=Who Rules The World=
=Episode 24=
Your Highness.
Why the ruckus?
A flock of ravens flew by.
The soldiers saw it
and thought it was a bad sign.
Ravens?
They prefer to dwell in the mountain or the woods.
The winter just ended so that means they are looking for food.
There are a lot of leftovers
from the bonfire we had last night.
That's why they came.
But this will dampen our morale.
After all, the raven is a sign of bad luck.
Not necessarily.
What do you mean, Miss Fengxi?
What you did yesterday won their heart
but you have yet to command their respect.
Now is your chance.
To command their respect?
Even in the past, before we do anything,
we seek a good sign first.
Revolutionaries like Chen Sheng and Wu Guang hid notes in the fish.
Liu Bang slaughtered a white snake.
And now, you have a flock of ravens.
Isn't this a good opportunity?
Giving you the bed last night was worth it.
Shoo! Shoo!
This is an omen.
Perhaps God wants us
to avoid Liangcheng.
This is very bad.
This is God's will!
Right. We shouldn't venture further.
Exactly.
No way.
Right.
Who said raven is the sign of bad luck?
When Emperor Wu of Zhou claimed the throne,
ravens gathered on top of the palace.
And then, the Zhou dynasty prospered
and eliminated Emperor Zhou of Shang in one go.
Thus he began his centuries of legacy.
Your Highness, we're not as educated as you.
We know not a thing of what you said.
But there is this cold breeze in the valley out of a sudden.
This is a bad sign.
Yes, Your Highness.
That is not a cold breeze.
It's an updraft.
Updraft lends its strength.
Ravens sing the song of war.
When the founding father of Han, Liu Bang, killed the white snake,
the Han dynasty prospered.
I shall do the same today.
Hear me, God from above!
If I, Feng Lanxi, am meant to conquer Liangcheng
and the world,
deliver your message unto this blade.
It worked!
Look!
It's an updraft.
Fellow fighters,
God has given us the good sign.
From now on,
you will be called Moyu Cavalry.
Moyu Cavalry?
Follow my lead and claim more lands.
Let our name travel far and wide!
Moyu Cavalry, the most fearsome cavalry.
Moyu Cavalry, our name will travel far and wide!
He sure
gets it down very quickly.
Far and wide!
Moyu Cavalry, our name will travel far and wide!
(Liangcheng, Yongzhou)
Sir,
the Qingzhou Army came to provoke us again yesterday.
If this carries on...
We'll be seen as afraid of Qingzhou
(Yu Ming, Liangcheng Military Commissioner) and our morale
(in Yongzhou) will be affected.
Exactly.
Qingzhou is just exerting pressure.
They won't invade.
Sir, I don't understand.
If you're certain
that Qingzhou will not invade,
why did you request backup?
That will only invite your enemies.
Invite my enemies?
Why can't I use them to set an example?
His Lordship wants to rule the world
and so he wants Liangcheng to himself.
Even if I don't request it,
the backup will come on its own.
What an amazing foresight there,
Sir.
However, I heard that Prince Yongping
is among the backup.
Even Queen Baili and Prince Ju
fail to impede his rising power.
My fellow colleagues, don't you know
that even a dragon should be wary of a nested snake?
When he arrives in Liangcheng,
if he's a dragon, he'll be wise to stay still.
If he's anything lesser than, he'll be wise to lay low.
Sir,
Prince Yongping's army is ten li away
from the city's main gate.
I see.
Dismissed.
Noted.
I thought this long journey
will take at least two weeks.
Prince Yongping is impatient,
isn't he?
Come with me, everyone.
Yes, Sir.
(Liangcheng)
Didn't they say they had 500 men?
There are
barely 100 here.
Misinformation, perhaps?
Impossible.
Our source did say 500 men.
Perhaps they are not the ones?
Stay alert.
Noted.
Their horses and arms
will be kept in the western encampment.
Yes, Sir.
I'm the military commissioner of Liangcheng, Yu Ming.
Is Prince Yongping in the wagon?
I'm Ren Chuanyun, General of Agile Cavalry.
Prince Yongping is seated in the wagon, indeed.
I heard
His Highness came with 500 men.
Why has your number dwindled so?
When we left,
we had 500 men with us.
However, a flash flood occurred.
Many were wounded and died.
We only have these few men left.
How is His Highness?
His Highness caught a cold
and is feeling weak.
I apologize for this sorry state of affairs.
Can we rest up somewhere?
Of course.
I have prepared accommodation
for His Highness.
Come with me.
As for the soldiers,
you will not enter the city
lest you disrupt the harmony within.
Please
come with me to the western encampment.
Pardon me, mister.
They
are actually His Highness' servants.
His everyday routine, from his voyage
to his ablution,
is taken care of by different servants.
His Highness is used to this way of living
so
they had to disguise themselves as soldiers.
They are actually servants.
If they are His Highness' servants,
they are allowed to go in.
The rest
can go to the western encampment.
Yes, Sir.
Thanks, Official Yu.
Come with me.
Official Yu,
His Lordship has asked me to present your remuneration.
Thirty boxes of silver leaves.
Where should I deliver them to?
To my residence, of course.
Do show me the way.
Here, please.
Your Highness,
the remuneration has been delivered to the military commissioner's residence.
Moyu guards are stationed outside.
You can relax now, Your Highness.
Noted.
Good job.
I already said there were only our people here.
You can't get out of the character, can you?
I have to play my part properly.
His Highness knows Yu Ming is a careful person.
So he spread the Moyu Cavalry
and stationed most of them outside of the city.
Only a small amount of people entered the city.
He even made the soldiers feign exhaustion
to fool everyone.
Yu Ming is a greedy person.
We managed to divert his attention in time.
However, we still have to be careful.
Are we being watched from outside the residence?
Yes.
Good thing
that His Highness entered the city first.
It'll be difficult to leave this place otherwise.
Why are there so many people hiking today?
There is a temple on this mountain
called Red Sea Snail Temple.
Red Sea Snail Temple?
Which deity does it worship?
I don't think
the red sea snail is a deity at all.
From Nu River to Liangcheng
lies the Red Sea Snail River.
A long time ago,
a scholar
found a red sea snail in the river.
He brought it back home
and the sea snail turned into a lady.
They lived happily ever after
and he built
this Red Sea Snail Temple on the mountain.
So it's a temple for relationships and romance.
What do you want from it?
I want
a full view of Liangcheng's water canals.
They are disorganized.
I didn't know you know a thing about canal management.
They look like they extend in all directions
but in reality, they are intertwined.
They can't prevent floods at all.
Why are you looking at me?
You
always surprise me.
At this rate,
directing the canals to Qingzhou will not do anything either.
During the spring flood,
many villagers
will suffer from it.
Corrupted government officials
don't care about the lives of their subjects.
Oh,
take this.
Liangcheng isn't safe.
This is just a protective charm.
(Deity of Romance)
So even a deity of romance hands out protection too?
(Bun)
Why is everything in Liangcheng
more expensive than the ones in the capital of Yongzhou?
A sesame ball
costs three wen in Yongzhou's capital.
But here, it costs five wen for one.
Everyone believes
that in a barren land, everything will be cheaper.
It is a misconception.
Liangcheng
is close to the border. There aren't enough crops.
Local agriculture
cannot satisfy the market's demand.
They have to import many things from other cities.
Liangcheng isn't very populated as well
so their importation isn't very high.
They can only import in small batches.
That drives the price up.
I see.
In addition,
the human labor here is unorganized
and the trading market isn't fully developed.
That is the root of the issues.
Come.
Mister, please.
Life here is very hard.
Almost unbearable.
Quick.
Hurry up!
Come.
Do not dally.
Do not give them more trouble.
Move!
Now!
Hurry up.
Move!
Stop dallying.
Mister,
who are they?
I can tell
both of you are foreigners.
They are forced to build the canals.
Why will they be forced
to build the canals?
The government has sent in the money
so everyone should be more than happy to work for it.
The money government sent in
will not fall into our hands.
To build the dam,
all able men who can lift
will be forcefully enlisted.
They work days and nights.
Move!
Poor souls.
Enjoy.
Thank you.
If you
want to kill those evil officials in the city,
I'll help you.
Look how feeble
Prince Yongping is.
I don't think it's an act.
And a flash flood did occur during their trip.
It's not uncommon to hear soldiers who abandon their posts,
given the circumstances.
I don't think we should be worried.
Their people
even came
to ask if we have more medicine.
I concur.
Prince Yongping's army
and servants are barely 100 men in total.
They can't do anything at all.
Give it a test
and we'll know if it's all an act.
Retrieve the supplements from the storeroom.
I
will deliver the medicine to him.
Thank you for delivering the medicine in person, Official Yu.
No need.
His Highness has had a long trip.
He ought to get some rest.
May I know which sickness His Highness has?
Emphysema.
I used to study medicine.
Perhaps I can have a look at His Highness?
No need for the hassle, Official Yu.
It's no bother at all, General Ren.
It is my honor to serve His Highness.
Official Yu...
You dare to stop me?
Respect Official Yu!
Your Highness.
The loyal Official Yu is merely concerned about my health.
Why did you stop him?
Go
and take ten lashes.
Yes.
Apologies, Your Highness.
Your Highness, your emphysema is quite serious.
I've had it since I was little.
The journey to Liangcheng was a rocky one, to say the least.
There were storms and winds.
Fret not.
I have brought with me some excellent medicinal herbs.
They are good for your lungs.
Rest well for a few days
and you'll be fully recovered.
Thanks, Official Yu.
Since His Lordship sent you here,
the commander's tally and military seal of Liangcheng Army
will be given to you.
No need.
I am still unwell.
Please handle Liangcheng and its 16 military branches
for me, Official Yu.
I...
Do not worry.
Father
sent me here to support Liangcheng.
You're still the Southern Military Commissioner.
Well...
As you wish, Your Highness.
I shall take my leave now.
Cunning as a fox.
He used this pretty excuse
to test Your Highness.
Fortunately, you came back in time.
Otherwise, this plan will fail.
Yu Ming.
Liangcheng.
Proceed with the plan.
Send all the secret agents out.
Dissect Liangcheng's defense
as soon as possible.
Yes, Sir.
Congratulations, Sir.
This Prince Yongping is dumb enough
to turn down the offer of the commander's tally and military seal.
No, it's just too foolish a move
and that's why it's suspicious.
I have met all walks of life.
But no dog
will refuse when it's presented
with a steamy meat bun.
Either
this dog is insane
or this dog doesn't want the bun
but the feeder.
The intel we have right now
is far from enough.
Ask them to continue investigating.
Yes, Sir.
Father.
Master Wang Shuilong wishes to see you.
Let him in.
Yes, Father.
Master Bai.
I have bad news.
Zeng Jiuhai is dead.
So my hypothesis is right.
The one who forged the fake Empyrean Token
is among the Token Keepers.
Zeng must have found something
and was promptly silenced.
After I found out that Zeng was killed,
I returned to the inn.
However, I noticed that Zeng had reserved a room.
I worried that the culprits
would trace back to the inn
so I left the Imperial City overnight.
Did Zeng
leave any clue?
I found
Zeng's luggage in his room.
A spectacular Han White Marble.
Only an important figure
in the Imperial City
can wear it.
It seems
we have to visit the Imperial City.
(With Yan Ling as their leader, Grand Tutor Ran's men plan to revolt.)
(Jizhou is making a major move this time.)
Sir, news from the Imperial City.
(Confidential) Sir, news from the Imperial City.
A swift investigation.
So the Token Keepers found out?
However,
my spy in the capital of Yongzhou has dealt with him.
I proposed this fake Empyrean Token ruse
to His Majesty.
However, Bai Fengxi came out of nowhere
and disrupted our plan.
There are three fake tokens.
One of them must have found its way to the Token Keepers
so they found out this soon.
It doesn't matter anyway.
We just have to expedite the execution.
Give this to Huang Chao.
Noted.
Sir, now that your blood curse is temporarily suppressed
and the Cricket army is growing in number.
We can
part with Huang Chao now.
Not now.
The world is in a box now.
We need a key.
Huang Chao has talent and ambition.
He is the best key.
Once we help him unite Jizhou,
if everything goes well,
he'll set his eyes on the world.
When the time comes,
no one can stop this war anymore.
But shouldn't you be worried
that Huang Chao might grow too strong to be manipulated?
The stronger he is, the more enemies he has.
My enemy's enemy is my ally.
Besides,
if he has the same talent as Cao Mengde,
I'll be his Sima Zhongda then.
But your ancestors' wish...
Who says
you can't rule the world
from beyond the throne?
Anything unusual
from Prince Yongping lately?
Our people have been watching him closely.
Their guards
watch over the residence
in shifts too.
Nothing too unusual.
Nothing?
I think Prince Yongping
saw how united we are here in Liangcheng
and simply gave up.
After all, he's in Liangcheng now.
He can rack his brain
but he still won't be able
to touch you.
Too calm.
Too many concessions.
They are not good signs.
Sir, a letter from the capital of Yongzhou.
I sent my people to investigate in the capital of Yongzhou
to find out
who Prince Yongping is.
According to the letter,
while Prince Yongping is an intelligent man,
his health is deteriorating.
In the capital,
he was set up by Queen Baili many times
and could barely get out alive each time.
Nothing out of the ordinary from the letter.
Everything aligns too perfectly
and that raises suspicion.
Didn't His Highness
say he was here to support Liangcheng?
Let's hold a feast to raise the army's morale.
He
has to attend it no matter what.
Half a jin of rice, please.
Ten wen.
Rice! Top-quality rice!
Have a look!
Animal skin! Have a look.
Mister, do you want some rice?
Can I have some?
Sure.
Rice!
Top-quality rice!
Here, Mister.
Your rice.
Your Highness,
this is
Liangcheng's defense plan we found lately.
They set up quite an expensive and elaborate defense.
As expected from Yu Ming who governed Liangcheng for 20 years.
He put the people's riches into his own pocket.
That's a corrupted official.
Yu Ming is very careful.
He doesn't trust anyone easily.
That will be our chance.
Look.
This is his weak spot.
Yes.
As long as we take over the city defense,
Liangcheng's traffic
will be paralyzed.
Any update from the Moyu Cavalry?
All of them have entered the city.
Chuanyun has been setting everything up in secret.
The entire Moyu Cavalry is ready to take up their arms.
With one order from you,
they'll fight right away.
Now,
we just need an opening.
Oh, Minister Feng sent us a letter.
Yu Ming sent someone to the capital of Yongzhou
to investigate you.
Fortunately, she has prepared for it
and has synchronized everyone's testimony.
Synchronized?
It seems like Yu Ming is about to make a move.
I don't get it,
Your Highness.
I...
Whenever you investigate someone,
different sources will give you different testimonies.
There will be contradictions.
However, a unanimous testimony
will only raise suspicion.
There you go.
Your Highness, Official Yu has left you a message.
He said
that the Qingzhou Army around Liangcheng is on the move.
He plans
to go on the offensive within a few days.
To raise the army's morale,
there will be a feast tonight in his residence.
He has extended his invitation to you.
Tell Official Yu
that I will be there tonight.
Will do.
A feast?
It's more like a trap.
It's a trap.
But for whom?
We shall see.
Just when I said I needed an opening,
an opening presented itself.
You mean...
Tell Chuanyun
to get ready.
Yes, Your Highness.
I'll come with you.
Okay.
Sir,
everything is ready.
His Highness has arrived!
Greetings, Your Highness.
Fellow officials.
You may get up.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Are you still unwell,
Your Highness?
It's okay.
Here, please, Your Highness.
Have a seat.
Official Yu.
I have issues with how you arrange the seats.
Insolence!
I am loyal to Yongzhou.
Are you questioning me, General Ren?
You...
When His Lordship ascended to the throne,
he once came to Liangcheng.
Our seats were arranged like this.
General Ren, now that you make a fuss out of it,
aren't you just trying to sow discord
between Liangcheng and His Highness?
Your Highness.
A war is nigh.
He is destabilizing the military.
Please make a wise decision.
Ren Chuanyu.
How dare you!
I...
For your protection thus far,
get out of my sight!
Stop causing troubles here.
Yes, Your Highness.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Father sent me here to take over Liangcheng.
I'm new here
so I might not know everything.
I count on your assistance,
my dear officials.
Fret not, Your Highness.
Official Yu has defended the southern frontier for many years.
He is one of the rare and capable ministers from the court.
Under Official Yu's guidance,
Liangcheng will surely prosper.
Please have a seat.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Official Yu.
Enjoy, Your Highness.
You too.
Don't go, General Ren.
Calm down.
There are tables ready by the side hall too.
Why don't we go there instead?
No, thanks.
His Highness asked me to leave.
I don't have the cheekiness in me
to stay.
You think
you can leave?
Wu.
Come with me, Sir.
All right.
Liu.
Sir.
We have complete control over the residence now.
General Chuanyun is in charge of the outer parameter
and has blocked all egresses too.
They cannot escape.
Good. Move now.
Yes, Sir.
Your Highness.
A toast.
Thank you, Official Yu.
A toast to Your Highness.
Sure.
Fill it up.
Cheers.
A toast to Your Highness.
Fill it up again.
Your Highness.
Your health matters.
Drink in moderation.
Does this court lady
come from the Royal Palace?
She's loyal and beautiful.
What a breathtaking beauty.
All officials here want to give me a toast.
If I don't take it,
will you take it?
I have always heard
that Prince Yongping is an elegant man.
Even your way of imbibing
is enviable.
This is our local fine brew.
We only serve it to the most esteemed of guests.
All right.
I shall savor it,
of course.
Divine.
Simply divine.
Of course.
Your Highness?
Your Highness!
Don't move!
What wine is this?
Thousand Days of Stupor.
How benevolent of you, Official Yu.
You would let me live!
You just want to control me with the devil's trumpet
so that I can be your puppet.
That way, the Royal Court will not suspect anything.
Fortunately, I suppressed it with my inner force.
You think you won, Your Highness?
Official Yu,
are you waiting for your soldiers?
What a pity.
Your Highness.
Moyu Cavalry has penetrated the city defense.
Liangcheng Army has surrendered their arms.
As expected from Prince Yongping.
I thought I was careful enough
but I still walked into your trap.
However, I am very familiar with Liangcheng.
If you want to rule this city,
I can lend you my aid.
You said you were familiar with Liangcheng?
Do you mean
exploiting the commoners?
Your governance
is all built on lies.
People like you
deserve to die.
Your Highness!
I...
I was tasked with the governance of Liangcheng.
I'm new here so I might not know everything.
I count on your assistance,
my dear officials.
I swear absolute loyalty to you, Your Highness.
(Dadong)
Look at the elaborate formation!
Who is the person?
I heard she's the Princess of Youzhou.
Princess of Youzhou?
The Princess Chunran?
Yes.
She's the prettiest lady in Youzhou!
Exactly.
Why is she escorted by so many guards then?
Are they afraid of a pervert
who will kidnap her?
Princess Chunran come here
to deliver the sarira to His Majesty.
I heard the sarira is the embodiment of good merits.
Although they lost their Empyrean Token, they received a sarira.
It seems like the Imperial Family
is in God's favor.
Dadong Empire will still be peaceful.
Indeed.
She's here!
Your Highness.
You're now in the Lotus Palace.
When Dadong Empire was first established,
our founding father, devoted to Buddhism as he was,
invited a reverend to plant a lotus in the garden.
Hence the name.
I see.
His Majesty opted
to keep the sarira here
to complete this wonderful story.
Indeed.
His Majesty has arrived!
Princess Chunran, you're pious.
No wonder the sarira appeared in Youzhou.
I, Hua Chunran, was sent here by my father
to deliver the sarira and to pay respect to the Buddha.
Your Majesty.
Look!
The lotuses have bloomed!
A sacred maiden delivers the sarira and lotuses bloom wherever she goes.
Oh, how blessed the Dadong Empire is!
Congratulations.
Felicitations.
May the Imperial Family prosper for eternity.
Under the blessing of Princess Chunran and Lord of Youzhou,
no harm will come to Dadong Empire.
It will prosper forever!
Announce
this merry news to everyone!
Besides,
Princess Chunran did a marvelous job in delivering the sarira.
She will be given the title of the Divine Fairy of Dadong Empire.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
(Imperial Palace of Dadong Empire)
Congratulations, Your Highness.
The lotus and flowers were in full bloom.
You shot to fame with this feat.
It was nothing but some tricks.
I asked an eunuch
to heat the buds until they pried open beforehand.
Is everything done?
Don't worry, Your Highness.
He was handsomely rewarded.
The secret is safe.
But, why must you go through all the trouble for this?
You didn't need to transport the sarira on foot
all the way to the Imperial City.
That was the only way
to live up to the name of Divine Fairy of Dadong.
To earn that title,
I need more than just a rank given by His Majesty.
I need the people to know the story.
They love to exaggerate stories.
When words start to spread among the people,
the story will be overly exaggerated.
My reputation as the Divine Fairy
shall be known by the entire Dadong Empire.
Only then will I truly live up to the title.
What we did today was a small price to pay.
You are already the greatest beauty alive.
When His Lordship wants to get you a husband,
the other States responded quickly.
Even the most prestigious Prince Huang Chao
responded.
Is it really necessary to earn the title of the Divine Fairy?
I need the prestigious title
to stand on equal ground with them.
Only then can I have leverage.
(Besides,)
(Huang Chao is not my concern.)
♪Like the dissipating fog, you become clearer♪
♪Like the hawk that soars freely, you reject the shackles♪
♪Your white silk is as light as feather and yet it moves my heart♪
♪Ripples come at me but I don't want to dodge♪
♪Wind is just the outline of the cloud♪
♪Black is the lock of the White♪
♪Night is when the Day sleeps♪
♪You are a part of me♪
♪Right or wrong, don't worry about the why♪
♪Pain or joy, they are from our obsession♪
♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪
♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪
♪Let tears run dry♪
♪Let's stop in another place♪
♪Let love sever all happiness and sadness♪
♪And pierce through the vicissitude of life♪
♪With a merry start, don't worry about a sorrowful end♪
♪A full moon will be more intertwined♪
♪If some things cannot be taken apart♪
♪Then let's face the uncertainty together♪