ADAPTED FROM THE WEBCOMIC YI REN ZHI XIA
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION
ALL ACTIONS AND ABILITIES PERFORMED SHOULD NOT BE IMITATED
Die, all of you!
Ms. Bao.
Why didn't you dodge it?
You told me to stand here.
See?
I didn't move.
The bleeding isn't stopping.
Ms. Bao, I am so sorry.
Ms. Bao!
Wake up!
Open your eyes, Ms. Bao!
I…
I won't run away again.
I'll…
I'll be your obedient servant from now on.
That wiped your smirk away.
Now you've witnessed the might
of my Dragon-Piercing Awl.
I must have lost my mind
expecting anything from a scoundrel who ambushes a girl
who has lost the will to fight!
Chulan,
let me see.
Xingtong, come here.
Dad, let me handle it.
What are you doing?
Chulan, don't worry.
This is Dispatch of Detained Spirits, our family heirloom.
The primordial spirit that we detain
will grant us some of the power they had
when they were alive.
The spirit I summoned
is the healer
known as one of the Nine Great Savants,
Mr. Wang Zizhong.
When he was alive,
he was a miraculous healer.
Her liver has been pierced.
Her qi can't be balanced.
Chairman Feng.
Had I stepped in in time,
none of this would've happened.
Move aside.
Have you lost your mind?
She could die!
Don't worry.
Her life is our responsibility.
Zhang Chulan,
is this how you protected Baobao?
Xu San, give me a hand.
When did Baobao become so heavy?
By the way, Chairman Feng,
regarding the incident that took place here today,
NDT Express will punish those responsible.
We will pay for the damage
inflicted on your staff and property.
Chairman Feng, so…
Don't worry.
I will give NDT Express an explanation.
Can you please drive faster?
The guy from the Feng family provided first aid.
Calm down a little.
A PLACE TO EAT
I like that restaurant.
We can get some food there later.
This is not the way to the hospital.
Their salt-fried meat with potatoes
pairs well with rice.
And the sautéed guts smell amazing.
Have you lost your mind?
Head to the hospital!
We should first send them back.
Chulan?
I told you to wait inside the room.
Why did you come out?
This is your last meal.
Have something decent.
Xu San and I
bought your favorite food for you.
While you're still breathing,
enjoy the tasty smell of it.
If you have anything to tell her,
you should do so now.
Ms. Bao.
I don't know if you can hear me,
but I have to tell you.
You apologized to me,
but I still owe you an apology.
Over the years, aside from my grandfather,
no one has treated me like you did.
You risked your life to keep me safe.
Ms. Bao,
you gave me
the warmth of a family that I never had.
I stubbornly argued with you not long ago.
I regret it now.
Chulan.
What is your plan
for after her passing?
Ms. Bao wants me to go to Mount Longhu.
So that is where I will go.
She wants me to join the Outsider Martial Arts Contest.
I will do what she wants
and win Tianshidu.
So stop whining and start training.
Ms. Bao. What's going on?
I took a nap. I woke up because I was hungry.
Xu Si said you were dying!
What is going on?
We're not very sure either.
But Baobao has a powerful self-healing ability.
I stopped the Feng boy from healing her
so her secret wouldn't be exposed.
You lied to me in the car!
You don't get so sad very often.
We couldn't bear to interrupt you.
I had to pinch my leg to hold my laughter.
Zhang Chulan, I recorded everything.
Go to Mount Longhu
and be the champion.
Win Tianshidu.
Tie this to your legs.
We'll continue our training today.
We're patrolling the mountainside.
If you ever complain,
I'll teach you a lesson.
Did you buy all these for me?
Yes, these are all yours.
Ms. Bao.
Simmered snow fungus.
This should bolster your qi.
Ms. Bao, I…
I can't…
I can't run anymore, Ms. Bao!
What did you say?
Is it too slow?
Okay!
19 DAYS UNTIL THE OUTSIDER MARTIAL ARTS CONTEST
13 DAYS TO GO
12 DAYS TO GO
10 DAYS TO GO
7 DAYS UNTIL THE OUTSIDER MARTIAL ARTS CONTEST
Lamp,
turn on the lights.
Master Lu.
Master Fang.
Master Hong asked me
to relay a message to you.
He went ahead of you.
You need not be sad about his passing.
I know the whole truth now.
What should I do?
Don't touch it!
Remember to stop the man I was.
Do not let him find out the truth.
It seems I have no choice
but to visit Mount Longhu myself.
MOUNT LONGHU
Lingyu, are you awake?
What is it?
Grandmaster asked for you.
Just yesterday,
Mr. Lu and Grandmaster were on the phone.
He took a flight to Mount Longhu to show his support overnight.
He supposedly brought a special guest with him.
-A guest? -Yes.
The guest came specially for you.
For me?
Mr. Lu.
LU JIN
Lingyu.
-Come out! -Stop it.
You kept saying you wanted
to meet Spirit Master Lingyu.
Now that we are here,
why are you hiding?
Lingyu, I must apologize
for spoiling my granddaughter rotten.
Don't mind her.
Lingyu,
I was told you've been training meticulously
in preparation for the Outsider Martial Arts Contest.
I am not interested in Tianshidu.
I just don't want to bring shame to my master.
Linglong,
this is your first time here.
When I was a young man,
I was a regular guest on this mountain.
It has been ages since I last came here.
I've grown old myself.
I'm afraid I'm running out of time to be here.
You're not old. You're only a little over a century old.
Mr. Lu,
the contest is three days from now.
You summoned the elders
when the contest is just around the corner.
Privately, they have
some doubts and objections.
Fear not.
I have my own reason
for bringing them here.
Your master and I are so close.
He wants to announce the Outsider Martial Arts Contest
to the entire Outsiders' world.
I have to help him
accomplish this great undertaking.
Yes.
I'm going to see your master.
Linglong.
Show Linglong around the place.
Have a look around.
Don't go, Grandpa!
Spirit Master Lingyu.
Our country has some truly picturesque views.
Let's have a look around the mountain.
Sure. Make yourself at home.
I caught a cold.
Are you all right?
We do have an infirmary here.
I'll feel better after some walking.
Actually,
I've had a fever since this morning. My temperature is 39 degrees Celsius.
Is it 39 degrees Celsius?
I'm lightheaded.
Impressive.
Chief Celestial Taoist,
you announced that the heir selection will be an open contest.
Only the Ten Elders can intervene.
In that case,
they can go after your title
and get their hands on Qi Apotheosis.
This allows the stranger Zhang Chulan
to participate in the Outsider Martial Arts Contest
and compete for a place to inherit the title.
I can understand why they reacted this way.
All these people
covet Qi Apotheosis.
But I don't get it.
If you take Zhang Chulan in,
those old geezers may hate it,
but they won't object.
Why do you insist on putting him
in the contest?
The Jiashen Calamity
left too many enduring complications.
Zhang Chulan is the key to it all.
But without some training,
the duty is too heavy for him.
The Jiashen Calamity?
So is this what worries you?
I'll give you a hand.
From the hottest fire comes the strongest steel.
Take a seat.
I didn't summon you.
It was Lu Jin who gathered you here.
Take a seat.
Master Jiekong, Guan Shihua, and Na Ruhu
couldn't make it.
They wanted me to apologize on their behalf.
Very well.
THE TEN ELDERS
A GROUP CONSISTING OF THE MOST RESPECTED OUTSIDERS.
WHENEVER THERE ARE CONFLICTS BETWEEN FACTIONS OF OUTSIDERS,
THEY SHALL FACILITATE AND NEGOTIATE TO MAINTAIN PEACE.
Lu Jin,
I thought we had settled the details
for the Outsider Martial Arts Contest.
What else could warrant a meeting?
The Outsiders' world has this long-standing rule.
For the sake of this contest,
each of you
has sent your most capable apprentice.
I appreciate your effort and thoughts.
But what about me?
What have I done?
Unless I make some meaningful contributions
and show my support,
I shall not feel relieved.
ONE OF THE EIGHT SUPREMES
INFINITE HEAVENLY TALISMAN
I'm sure we all know what this is.
Could it be one of the Eight Supremes,
Infinite Heavenly Talisman?
Indeed.
Let's all drop the act.
It's what you're after.
For this Outsider Martial Arts Contest,
Infinite Heavenly Talisman
shall be placed here.
I summoned all of you
to inform you
that the winner of this contest
shall be additionally rewarded Infinite Heavenly Talisman.
Lu Jin.
If you offer your Infinite Heavenly Talisman,
I fear it would--
Chief Celestial Taoist.
All those years ago, the Mount Longhu sect and the Lu family
chose not to intervene
in the tragedy of the Jiashen Calamity
to save our own necks.
By doing so, we left loose ends that linger to this day.
It's our sin.
We should make amends.
We shall not sit idly by again.
The world seeks the Eight Supremes, right?
There's no need to fight.
Take it.
3 DAYS UNTIL THE OUTSIDER MARTIAL ARTS CONTEST
HU FAMILY VILLAGE
Xia He.
Today is your birthday.
I wish you
a happy birthday.
You are truly gorgeous today.
Xia He.
May you always remain youthful.
You are gorgeous today.
Let's cut the cake.
Blow out the candles.
-Who is it? -Who is it?
SHEN CHONG
Hey.
Honey.
I didn't think you would be the first to get here.
Happy birthday.
Thank you.
This gentleman is Shen Chong.
He runs a loan business.
The elder, Hu Sheng.
HU SHENG
The younger, Hu Jie.
HU JIE
Nice to meet you.
I came unprepared.
A token
of my goodwill.
Thank you, Shen Chong.
Appreciated, Shen Chong.
She mentioned you are
in the loan business.
So what types of loans do you give out?
Normally,
people make money with mortgage loans.
But if you want to take a loan from me,
you don't need a mortgage.
If you ever need a loan from me,
I'll lend you as much as you need.
What if the borrower runs away?
Run away?
No one ever runs from me!
I can show you how to make even more money.
My money begets more money.
Excuse me. I need to answer this.
Hello?
When the deadline comes, you must pay up.
Calling me doesn't change a thing.
You have two hours!
Why don't you take a look inside the red packets
that he gave you?
What is this?
Take a deep breath.
-This is qi! -This is qi!
This is his gift for you.
To think someone actually gives out qi as presents!
Did you think the loan business he mentioned
involved any money?
This is impressive.
Xia He.
Let's have some cake.
Blow out the candles.
DOU MEI
-Hello. -Hello.
I would like to talk to Xia He.
Come in.
Xia He.
Dou Mei.
Welcome.
Silly lass.
Happy birthday.
Thank you.
Dou Mei is a psychiatrist.
Her most remarkable skill
is seeing through your heart.
Take a look at my brother. See what he's thinking right now.
Hu Sheng, you're so mean.
Am I?
You prepared a present.
But you're worried Xia He won't like it
and might make fun of you.
What present?
Why didn't you show us?
Check my brother.
See what he's thinking.
You booked a river-view hotel suite
and want to lure Xia He there.
Ms. Dou Mei, you must have read too many detective novels!
You're talking nonsense.
I did read a novel once.
It's The Other by Borges.
It's a story about two brothers who fall for the same woman.
Then they have a falling out
and start a fight.
Do you think the elder brother kills the younger brother?
Or is it the other way around?
It will never happen between me and Hu Jie.
My brother
has always been an introvert.
But deep down,
he still loves me.
Am I right?
It's almost time.
Let's begin.
What's the hurry?
-Yes. -We can start now.
Come in.
GAO NING
I like the decor.
What took you so long?
It's never too late for the good stuff, right?
Only vegetables?
Where is the meat?
Xia He doesn't like meat.
Today is her birthday.
Another new friend.
Are these the two?
Yes. They're brothers.
Hu Sheng and Hu Jie.
Hello.
The food has been eaten.
If you don't mind--
I don't mind.
I'll get us another chair.
Never mind.
You and your brother
can share a seat.
This is my house.
I get to decide
where each guest sits.
Why don't you two fight each other?
The winner gets the chair.
Are you kidding me?
Had you not been Xia He's friend,
you wouldn't have gotten the chair.
Do I look like I am kidding?
TWELVE BEWITCHMENTS ARRAY
You two are brothers, right?
But not everything in this world
comes in two portions.
There is only one chair.
That is all you have.
Look at Xia He.
You both like her,
but there will always only be one of her.
Does it mean
one of you will never win her over?
Hu Jie!
Give me your blessing.
Hu Sheng.
I love Xia He just as much. Why should I give you my blessing?
Who do you think you are?
What is this?
Is this the present
that you prepared for Xia He?
This music box doesn't even have a lid.
-I-- -Do you call this a present?
You should be ashamed to give her this!
You should be ashamed!
Hu Jie, listen closely.
You only exist to help me put a smile
on Xia He.
You should take a look at yourself.
Remember who you're speaking to.
What makes you think you are good enough for her?
-Have you lost your mind? -Come on!
Let's see who will be the winner tonight!
You're not even fit to be my rival!
Xia He is mine!
Who do you think you are?
Lei Yanpao.
Put an end to it.
Okay.
Hu Sheng.
Wake up, Hu Sheng.
They are
Wine, Lust,
Wealth, and Qi,
the Four Crazies.
THE FOUR CRAZIES
Xia He is mine!
That's enough.
This isn't what we agreed on.
But you are the cause of the mess.
Xia He is mine.
Go to hell!
What a shame.
Hu Jie is no match for his brother anyway.
Do you want to borrow some qi from me?
I guarantee you can win this fight.
Come on.
CONTRACT
Press your thumb on the contract,
and you'll become so much stronger.
Hu Sheng.
SHEN CHONG, HU JIE
SOUL-BREAK PALM
Die!
Hu Sheng, calm down!
Hu Sheng!
Calm down!
Xia He is mine!
You borrowed my qi, so you must pay up.
You can pay with your brother's qi.
Shen Chong.
Don't take it too far.
Xia He is mine!
Xia He is…
I defeated my brother.
I did it!
Hu Sheng.
Hu Sheng, what's wrong?
Hu Sheng?
I killed him.
It was you guys.
You made me kill him!
Hu Sheng?
Does it hurt,
my child?
Even the most heartbreaking pain
will fade with the passage of time.
In that case,
why not overcome this pain?
It's all right if you can't do it.
I will help you.
At this point,
there's no use thinking about it.
We will keep this secret for you.
From now on,
you are one of us, Sinister Pleasure.
So allow me to introduce myself.
You were right about us.
We are Wine, Lust, Wealth, and Qi,
the Four Crazies of Sinister Pleasure.
Dou Mei, the Intoxicator, is Wine.
She can intoxicate you
until you forget all of your sorrows and pain.
Xia He, the Bone Scraper.
She can incite all of your desires.
LUST, THE EXHILARATION OF OBSESSION
The Source of Malice, Shen Chong.
He is Wealth.
SOURCE OF MALICE
You experienced it just now.
How did it feel to siphon someone else's qi?
As for me, I am Qi.
I can amplify your emotions
and render you deranged.
Don't worry.
No other Outsiders will trouble you again
as long as the four of us are here.
You will go to Mount Longhu on your brother's behalf
to join the Outsider Martial Arts Contest
and win Infinite Heavenly Talisman.
No.
You used the qi I lent you
to defeat your brother.
The more qi you absorb,
the more powerful you become.
By the time you're at Mount Longhu
for the Outsider Martial Arts Contest,
all of the Outsiders there will be your quarries.
You will become
even stronger.
If you present yourself as Hu Sheng,
no one will suspect you.
All right.
The four of us don't get
to gather around very often.
Xia He, get over it.
Let us all wish you
a happy birthday.
-Happy birthday to you -Xia He.
-Xia He, happy birthday. -Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to Xia He
For me, my birthday
is reliving a dream of the past.
Many years ago, on your birthday,
on the street you liked,
the two of us met.
Xia He,
today is your birthday.
Happy birthday.
Xia He, happy birthday.