What's happening?
What a fuss! Who is ascending into Heaven Realm?
-Who is ascending into Heaven Realm? -What a fuss!
My palace!
Most ascensions cause tremors, but look at this.
-The sky nearly collapsed! -Indeed.
-It's the first in many years. -This person must be extremely talented
with a high cultivation level.
-Luck favors him! -Fortune smiles on him!
-Extraordinary! -He must be famous!
Who can this master be?
Hundreds of years ago, Crown Prince of Xianle Kingdom's ascension was similar--
-Don't bring him up! -Don't mention his name!
-That's bad luck! -Indeed.
Let's find out who he is.
-Let's find out. -Let's go!
-What? Why is it him again? -What? Why is it him again?
Congratulations, Your Highness.
You placed first in this year's contest
for "The Most Anticipated Official to Be Cast Out of Heaven Realm."
Although I placed first, it's nothing to be excited about.
The winner gets 100 merits.
Please count me in for the next contest.
Do you know who took second place then?
It's hard to guess.
Given my popularity, the top three places should all be mine.
You are almost correct. There's no second place.
You have overtaken other competitors.
So who was the winner last year?
There wasn't any.
Because this ranking was established this year.
Or more specifically, today.
All right. I'm lucky to be in time for such an event.
Do you know why you won?
Because of everyone's support?
Please look at the bell over there, Your Highness.
I don't see any bells.
Exactly.
There was a bell,
but it was thrown off because of the quake during your ascension.
It fell on a passing god.
So how's the situation now?
It's still under repair.
I was talking about that god.
It was a Martial God who got hit.
He slashed the bell easily.
Loot at that golden palace.
-I see it this time-- -You're not supposed to see it.
There's supposed to be nothing there.
Since the quake toppled several palaces,
we had to put up some temporary ones before the original ones were fixed.
So I'm the one to blame?
Yes, exactly.
Have I already angered a lot of officials?
There's a way to patch things up.
How do I do it?
It's easy.
You just need 8.88 million merits.
I know you don't even have a tenth of it.
I can't afford even a ten-thousandth of it.
Don't panic. You'll cross that bridge when you get to it.
In my case, the bridge was burnt.
I have an idea.
You remember the password for the Spiritual Communication Array, right?
Look at this.
-Give me a break! -Why is it him again?
-Come. -Place your bets!
-Is everyone here? -Let's bet how long the prince will last.
-His Majesty has an urgent affair -I bet on one year!
-to handle in the north and needs help. -That's too long.
-Could any one of you Martial Gods -Previously, he only lasted 15 minutes.
send two Martial Officials?
I've heard that His Majesty is not in the north.
Ling Wen, I think you're recruiting help for someone else.
Your Highness, there's a way to get merits quickly.
Recently, many northern worshipers are praying for help.
They asked for Heavenly Officials to get rid of evil ghosts.
His Majesty cannot spare time for the north.
General Ming Guang is also occupied.
If Your Highness fills in,
the merits from the offerings of the worshipers
will all be yours.
Aren't you that Crown Prince?
-He's back again? -Not again!
-Why did he ascend again? -Your Highness is back?
-How many times? -It's the third time.
-Yes. -I bet he won't make it for a year.
-A year is too long! -He was banished in 30 minutes last time.
-I'll bet on three days! -You're overestimating him.
Ling Wen said His Majesty wanted to recruit help.
Is it for the Crown Prince?
That must be it! No one else needs it more than Xie Lian does.
-No incense offerings, palaces, -The laughing stock
-nor believers. -of the three realms!
-Did you steal someone else's credit? -What a joke.
-See? No one would offer me help. -A joke indeed.
Hi, everyone. I'm back.
Your ascension this time
caused such a fuss.
It's all right.
You are indeed all right. I am not though.
The bell, Your Highness.
I've heard about the bell. I'm terribly sorry that it hit you.
Sir, may I know your name?
-He has forgotten it? -How could he forget?
-Indeed. -He lost his memory?
Your Highness, this is General Xuan Zhen.
Xuan Zhen? He's Mu Qing?
Who the hell tore down my palace?
Get the hell out!
Did you do it?
Don't mess with me.
The one you should blame is right here.
Ask him yourself.
It was me. I'm sorry.
Your Highness, this is General Nan Yang.
I know, but I don't think he recognized me.
No. He's usually in the Mortal Realm and didn't know about your ascension.
Everyone, I'm terribly sorry.
I'll compensate you for your losses.
Just give me some time.
You'd better keep your word, Your Highness.
I still have work to attend to.
If there's nothing else, I'll see you all later.
-I still have work. -I'll leave first.
-I'm leaving too. -Me too.
I'm sorry.
If it weren't for Xuan Zhen, we could have recruited some people.
It's all right. I'm used to doing things on my own.
Do you need any spiritual weapons?
There's no need.
All my powers were gone with the two banishments.
I can't wield those weapons in the Mortal Realm.
All right. This task is critical.
Please be careful, Your Highness.
Contact me anytime if you need any help.
I'll do my best to help.
Here are the details of the task.
Do you have any questions, Your Highness?
Thank you, Ling Wen.
I'm just doing my work.
When His Majesty, the Heavenly Emperor, comes back,
you should thank him yourself.
All right.
I hope everything goes well, Your Highness.
May the Heavenly Official's blessing...
Shatter all taboos.
MOUNT YUJUN
CHANCE ENCOUNTER SHOP
Did you hear? There's another incident on Mount Yujun.
-What? Another missing case? -Exactly.
When will all this come to an end?
Another girl is missing.
CHANCE ENCOUNTER SHOP
Welcome.
Please take a seat.
A pot of tea, please.
All right.
Sir, is there anything weird happening recently?
I have no comments.
Your Highness.
Your Highness?
-Ling Wen? -Good news, Your Highness.
There are Deputy Gods from the Middle Court coming to your aid.
They should be there any time now.
"Deputy Gods" ?
Ling Wen.
It seems as if they have come to behead me instead of aiding me.
Did you trick them into coming here?
Ling Wen?
May I know who you guys are?
-Nan Feng. -Fu Yao.
I'm not asking for your names.
Thank you for coming.
Could you tell me which gods you are working for?
-General Nan Yang. -General Xuan Zhen.
So the two generals sent you here?
General Nan Yang doesn't know about this.
General Xuan Zhen doesn't know either.
Do you know who I am then?
You are the Crown Prince.
You're the conscience of men, the attention of the world.
Did he roll his eyes?
Yes. Just kick him out.
Why? You're the one who should be kicked out.
Wait a minute!
Did you come willingly? You're allowed to be reluctant.
-I am willing! -I am willing!
CHANCE ENCOUNTER SHOP
Let's get down to business.
There's a legend about Mount Yujun.
There's a Ghost Bridegroom living in the mountain.
He's ugly and sneaky
and likes to kidnap brides.
Over the last hundred years,
there were 17 brides who went missing.
Hundreds in the bridal processions were killed.
Heaven Realm shouldn't have found out about this.
However, the seventeenth bride's father is a powerful official.
Upon hearing the legend,
he picked 40 gallant escorts to protect his beloved daughter
on the way to the groom's.
But his daughter still went missing. The official loved his daughter dearly.
Enraged, he, along with his friends in power,
did all they could to pray and make offerings.
They also put a hefty bounty on the culprit.
All of this stirred up trouble in the north,
gaining Heaven Realm's attention.
Our goal for this task is to capture this Ghost Bridegroom.
Do the missing brides have any similarities?
They range from rich to poor, pretty to plain,
and wives to concubines.
In a nutshell, nothing in common.
Has anyone seen this Ghost Bridegroom?
No one has seen it.
Since no one has seen it, how do you know it's the Ghost Bridegroom?
It is just a name to call it.
But you do have a point.
It's about to get dark.
Let's find accommodation first.
-Which family is that girl from? -Sending off a bride at this time?
What's that?
-How pitiful. -I pity the girl.
Do they care about their lives? What a time to send off a bride!
-She will get captured! -I hope she'll be fine.
They are so bold.
-Something's not right with these people. -Let's check it out.
Stop!
Stop it!
Who are you?
Go away!
Miss, they are using you to lure the Ghost Bridegroom.
Don't fall for it!
Go away!
-A head? -It's...
It's a decoy?
It's you again!
You bitch. You are always messing with me!
If you would've agreed to dress up as a bride,
I wouldn't have to use a log as bait.
What a hideous girl.
Fu Yao, that's not a nice thing to say.
Aren't they Xiao Pengtou and Miss Xiao Ying?
Yes, they are.
Xiao Pengtou, along with his gang members, are always involved in illicit affairs.
Now, they are after the bounty offered by the official,
so they want to catch the Ghost Bridegroom.
Don't fall for it.
Mount Yujun is too dangerous! Don't go!
-He just wants to get the bounty. -What's wrong with making money?
We are also eliminating the problem for the neighborhood.
Exactly! We should have charged them more!
But isn't it suicidal?
I asked you to dress up as the bride, but you refused.
We're going to catch that bastard, but you're stopping us.
What do you want?
Yes! Tell us!
-What do you want? -Why are you hindering us?
-Is the Ghost Bridegroom your lover? -That's nonsense!
You go to Mount Yujun every few days.
We have all seen it!
-This... -Indeed!
Now, start talking. Where's your lover?
I don't know.
Don't come any closer!
What a bully!
I heard the Ghost Bridegroom's face is bandaged and hideous.
You both make a good couple--
Who the hell are you?
This guy wields evil power! Get him!
-Help! -Spare me!
Come on. You're not fighting anymore?
I'll let you win this one, but watch your back!
We'll see!
Remember to pay for the broken post.
All right.
Miss, are you all right?
What...
What do you want?
Miss, your...
Pervert!
Your dress is torn.
Mind your own business next time.
You tried to help them, but they are ungrateful.
It's so typical of you.
All right, the bill is settled. You may leave.
Thank you.
By the way, do you know where the nearest Ming Guang Temple is?
Ming Guang Temple? We don't have one here.
There isn't?
How could that be?
However, we do have a Nan Yang Temple.
It's only five li from here.
Just turn right after leaving the town.
ADAPTED FROM HEAVEN OFFICIAL'S BLESSING, A NOVEL BY MO XIANG TONG XIU,
PUBLISHED ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY
Subtitle translation by: Li Xue and Yin Xiaowen