【Multi | FULL】EP28 Lu Lingfeng fights alone against thirteen masters | 唐朝诡事录之西行 | iQIYI
[English subtitles are available] [Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West] [Episode 28] I say, ladies, why don’t you tell us about your heroic night trip to Yunding Immortal Steps in details? I think it’s alright. I’ll take a look later. That’s Zhao Yu. I saw him. That day, at Anyuan Inn, anyone could tell that he didn’t trust us and remained on guard. He’s been in Yunding for many days. Maybe he has already found some important clues. Let’s follow him. One more pot of wine. Sure thing, Fed. Who’s there? It’s foul to stalk me in the dark. Show yourself and let me see your face. It’s you two. Where are the two who claim to be Detective Di’s disciples? They have important cases at hand. You alone are not worthy of those two big shots to personally take action. Crazy woman. Stop following me. Stop right there. I don’t care about the names you call me. I can see that you’re anxious because your brother is missing. You’ve been in Yunding for many days, you must have some clues by now. Why don’t you tell us so we can help you search together? The two of you? Help me? We’ve aided Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng in solving a few big cases. You better show some respect. If you want me to respect you, you have to ask my Heng sword for permission. Let’s fight then. Actually, you guys really don’t need to follow me. I just heard that there are people selling slaves at Yunding Immortal Steps. They’re mute slaves, too. So I decided to find out the truth. Yunding Immortal Steps? We’ve also heard of this place. What kind of place is it? It’s said to be a building built on a hillside. There are taverns, jewelry stores, spice shops, leather goods stores, dye shops, and so on. There are even places for slave trading. Gathering all sorts of trades and services in a single building. Even Chang’an and Luoyang don’t have such a place. It’s located in Jinyu House in the northwest corner of the city. It’s said that normal trading is done during the day. But at nightfall, from 10 p.m. onward, a terrifying hunting game will begin. What is a hunting game? If I could explain it clearly, why would I need to take the risk to investigate? However, although my brother is a scholar, he doesn’t only read books of sages and worthies. He especially loves to read some strange tales and miscellaneous stories. He is extremely curious about new things. I think he might have participated in that game. Yunding actually has such a building? I think these people are not decent folks. They do seem like a bunch of reckless ruffians. I lost the fight. So I kept my promise and brought you to Yunding Immortal Steps. You can leave now. Leave? Where to? Since we’re here, we must look around and see what’s so immortal about this place. But you can’t even get in. What do you mean? Yunding Immortal Steps can be visited freely during the day. But after nightfall, you need to wear a mask to enter. Do you have masks? To think there’s such a place within the county, it’s indeed strange. However, since it belongs to Jinyu House, we can ask the house director about it. [Jinyu House] It was really lively over there just now. Let’s go there again next time. Okay. Is the director in? The Jinyu House doesn’t have a director. Why not? If there’s a director, he must manage the place. That includes managing the Yunding Immortal Steps. Who’s capable of doing that? I was just about to ask you about Yunding Immortal Steps… You’re a woman. Why are you asking about that place? Do you have a death wish? You… [Chongyan Mask Shop] A mask shop? Since we need a mask to enter Yunding Immortal Steps after dark, wouldn’t it be perfect for us to ask the shopkeeper about it? That mask shop originally didn’t have much business. More than a year ago, since Yunding Immortal Steps started operating, business suddenly picked up. We pretended that our husbands wanted to participate in the hunting game and asked us to choose masks for them. Only then were they willing to haggle with us. Otherwise, they would have directly kicked us out. Good excuse. Were the masks expensive? Extremely expensive. Wait a minute. These two shabby things cost us a silver ingot. So expensive? Compared to the reward, it’s not expensive at all. You… Boss, please tell me about the hunting game. How exactly do you play it? You’re sending your husbands to their deaths without knowing about that? Get out! Both of you, get out. I’ll take the mask. He only agreed to talk after taking the money. That game is extremely dangerous. How exactly is it played? For example, if you want to participate, you have to pay a deposit first. According to the rules, it’s at least 10,000 coins. Then, at 10 p.m., before the main gate is locked, enter the Yunding Immortal Steps. After that, find a place to hide. If you have martial arts skills, you can defeat all the assassins instead. By dawn, as long as you’re still alive, you can get a tenfold reward. During this period, if an assassin kills you, your deposit will belong to Yunding Immortal Steps. Within Yunding County, I can’t believe someone would set up this kind of game. Indeed. I, Su, have also traveled to quite a few places. But I’ve never heard of such a game. Then I asked the boss why the county government wasn’t regulating such a deadly and evil game. Yeah. What did he say? The boss wasn’t sure either. But I heard that Yunding Immortal Steps has to pay a lot of taxes to the county every month. Moreover, they have long reached an agreement with the county government. During the game, the assassins in the building will not be held accountable. So, from Luoyang, Chang’an, to Ak-Beshim, and even farther places like Merv and Balkh, greedy people would come to Yunding to participate in this game. There are also some Jianghu figures who come to act as assassins to earn a commission. Some do it for the thrills. Then… are there many people who make it out alive and get the money? He knew nothing about that. So the two of us waited until dawn. Brother. Congratulations. You didn’t look like a martial artist, but you’ve mastered the rat-dodging skill. You dodged skillfully. You guessed it right. I came all the way from Gaochang just for today. You’re quite a master yourself. I admire that. Let’s go for a drink. Let’s go. There were other people waiting till dawn like the two of you? Yes. And there’s even a headcount. Twenty-eight people entered last night. Only two came out. That’s less than 10 percent. As long as they see someone come out alive with the reward money, there will be people who venture in again. Excluding you two, those waiting and watching outside probably all harbor the hope of luck and plan to risk their lives to gain wealth and rank. Your analysis makes sense. I’m worried right now. I’m afraid that Zhao Yu also went in. How could that be? I clearly saw him leave. If he returned with a mask, would you have recognized him? Zhao Yu is staying at Anyuan Inn. It’s not far. I’ll go check right now to see if he’s still there. By the way, why isn’t Fed at the table with us? Did he drink a lot last night? Yes. So I didn’t wake him up. Since Yunding Immortal Steps is open during the day as well, let’s bring Fed along and go check it out. Maybe we can help him find that Eternal Drunkenness. [Flying clouds and hanging walls] Fed. Fed. Fed… Yingtao. When you came back this morning, was Fed in his room? No. We thought he was drunk and sleeping, so we didn’t check on him. Is Chicken Fed also missing? We need to go look for him right away. Fed is a heavy drinker. He might be sleeping in some tavern. [Anyuan Inn] How is it? He left last afternoon and hasn’t returned since. Zhao Yu must have acted on his own. There’s even worse news. What? Fed? Don’t be anxious just yet. This is my speculation. Fed’s situation is similar to what happened to Lyu Xianke. They’re old. Even if they were made into mute slaves, they wouldn’t sell well. So I think Fed is probably in some tavern, drinking himself into a stupor. Then go find him quickly. Go. [Nan’s Tavern] Since the day he heard about the Eternal Drunkenness, Fed has been obsessing over it. In Yunding, the place one is most likely to find Eternal Drunkenness is the Yunding Immortal Steps. Someone saw him between 9 to 11 p.m., asking for directions to Jinyu House. The Yunding Immortal Steps is located in Jinyu House. Fed was clamoring about drinking the Eternal Drunkenness. He must have gone to look for the wine. Sheriff Lu! Sheriff Lu. We took the painting made by Miss Xijun and went to every tavern in the county to ask for him. We got nothing. Someone did see him asking around about the Eternal Drunkenness. But lately, there has been a shortage of Eternal Drunkenness in the county. Anyone who wants the wine… Can only visit Yunding Immortal Steps, right? Yes. Sheriff Lu, you can’t go in. Why? So many people are going in and out of the place. Why can’t I enter? It’s stipulated in the contract that the Immortal Steps is self-managed. No one from the government office is allowed to investigate or interfere with internal matters. You cannot enter in plain clothes either. Otherwise, there will be trouble. Who signed such a contract? The former county magistrate. Mr. Song was already in office then. Sheriff Sima too. I remember the three of them were very supportive of this contract. It’s Sima Liang again. County officials are not allowed to enter. Then tell me, as the sheriff, how did he collect taxes? On the first day of every month, right at the entrance of Yunding Immortal Steps. The tax is quite substantial. The sheriff valued it very much. He personally leads us to collect it every time. Then the taxpayer must be the owner of the Immortal Steps. Who is he? It’s a man called He Yulang. He is personally on very good terms with Mr. Sima. After Sima Liang left office, he even treated him to a meal. I just arrived at Yunding. I don’t know about any agreements. Since we’re in Yunding County, as the sheriff, I have every right to enter. You really can’t, Sheriff Lu. After dark, this place holds extremely cruel hunting games. How can this be legal? I heard that during the day, they run a market for buying and selling slaves too. As the sheriff, I should go investigate if the slaves being traded have relevant trade deeds. You really can’t. Is that the only thing you can say? Get out of my way! I’m doing this for your own good! Magistrate Huangfu may look drunk and muddle-headed every day, but this Yunding Immortal Steps is his stepping stone for climbing up the ranks in officialdom. Moreover, I heard that the boss behind this business is a big shot in the imperial court. Even the nightly hunting games have been approved by the Commander. The Commander? Is it Lu Si’an, Commander Lu? Exactly. When Commander Lu just took office in Hanzhou, he sent a personal letter informing the county that he is aware of the matter of Yunding Immortal Steps. He told the county to fulfill the agreement and not cause any trouble. In that case, you really can’t go in. Chicken Fed is my savior. Even if I have to give up being sheriff, I must go up the Immortal Steps to save him. Right now, we are not completely sure that Fed is in there. Besides, you are a government official. But we’re not. How about this? Let me investigate the Immortal Steps for you. Brother. There is a tavern there. I’ve never seen him before. After nightfall, those who come to Yunding Immortal Steps all have to wear masks. So I can’t see their faces either. This man is quite old. His clothes are very shabby. He has a loud voice. There was indeed someone like that at around 9 p.m. He was sloppily dressed and reeking of alcohol. He was making a fuss, demanding to drink the Eternal Drunkenness. But I don’t have that in my shop. So he left, cursing and swearing. Thank you. [Flying Fairy Body Art Store] So it’s really here. The owner of this shop is called Qing Fu. The Heavenly King art on Wu Cai’s back and the peony on Qing Xi’s shoulder should all be done by him. Then let’s go in and have a look. Wait. You can’t go. Why not? You look like a bookworm and nothing like someone into body art. You’ll arouse suspicion if you go in there and alert the enemies. Xijun doesn’t fit the looks either. You look too well-behaved. Why don’t you two go ahead? I’ll be right back. Alright. Forgive me for intruding your inner room without invitation, Mr. Qing. You know my name? You’re Yunding’s best body art artist, Qing Fu. If I hadn’t heard of you, how could I have found my way here? You want a body art? What else? You’ll have to wait a few days. I’ve been fully booked recently. I can come at night to get it done. At night? I know the rules of Yunding’s Immortal Steps. But I believe you can keep me safe. Well then… Let’s do it tonight. You’re in such a hurry. I came all the way from Hanzhou. On the first day of next month, there will be a grand banquet at the Commander’s Mansion. I’m invited to perform a sword dance there. This will be a life-changing event for me. How can I not be anxious? Alright, tonight it is. You need to wear a mask at night and come straight to my body art store. No wandering around. And you must arrive before 10 p.m. It’s a deal. I’m afraid this man might be dead. Why do you say that? This man came to my inn last night at 9 p.m. and insisted on drinking the Eternal Drunkenness. He was already quite drunk at the time, So I advised him… Sir, why don’t you come back earlier tomorrow? No. I want to drink it now. In another hour, Yunding Immortal Steps will be locking its doors. So what if it’s locked? After the doors are locked, the hunting game will begin. You… It doesn’t matter. Hurry and bring me the Eternal Drunkenness. If he hadn’t taken off his mask, I wouldn’t have been so sure it was him either. I’ve seen plenty of people like him. Most of them have paid a deposit and were waiting for the hunting game. So, I served him the food and wine before promptly leaving. This morning, I even specifically asked around. No one saw him come out alive. Doesn’t that mean… Impossible. Chicken Fed couldn’t possibly have participated in the hunting game. But the doors close right at 10 p.m. It doesn’t matter if you participate in the game or not. Brother… Don’t worry, Sister. Fed has saved countless lives in his lifetime, accumulating much merit. He won’t easily lose his life here. Qing Fu has agreed to meet me after dark for the body art. He dared to meet you after dark. Then it’s possible that Qing Xi also came that night. I thought so too. Tonight, we must find out Qing Xi’s whereabouts. How’s your progress? Chicken Fed really came to a place like this. The odds are against him. If we want to find Fed, tonight is our last chance. [Mingshou Funeral Service Shop] Yingtao! Don’t kill me. Don’t kill me. Don’t kill me… Young man, what are you doing hiding here? Trying to join the hunting game to earn the reward money? Yes. I wanted to hide here and see if anyone would find me. Luckily it’s daytime now. If it were night, you would never see your parents again in this life. Hurry up and go home. I… My dad… Don’t kill me. Don’t kill me. Is this your son? Yes. Why did you bring your child to take such a risk? I lost money doing business, so I wanted to come try my luck and see if I could… I heard that in this hunting game, many people die every day. The child is still young. You can’t take chances. If you lose money in business, you can make it back. But if you lose your life, you lose everything. Come out quickly. Dad. Take this money. Take your child back now and live an honest life. Thank you, benefactor. Thank you. Thank you. Aren’t you afraid that the shop owner might chase you away from hiding here? The shop owner is dead. I heard he forgot the time. He didn’t leave Yunding Immortal Steps by 10 p.m. As a result, he was killed by an assassin. So no one is in charge of this place. Quickly take your child and leave now. Thank you, benefactor. Thank you. Thank you, benefactor. Dad, let’s go. Hurry up, hurry up. The auction is about to start. Nowadays, the Yunding mute slaves are in great demand. I heard that besides being physically strong, they are also especially obedient and easy to manage. I plan to buy a few more and take them to Chang’an and Luoyang to sell. I’m sure to make a fortune. Don’t compete with me later. I came prepared today I’m not afraid to spend money. Honorable guests. [He Yulang of Yunding Immortal Steps] Greetings. According to the rules of Yunding Immortal Steps, masks are only required to be worn after nightfall. The few guests wearing masks in broad daylight, are you afraid of showing off your wealth? Nowadays, Yunding Immortal Steps is well-known. There are some guests who come from afar and don’t know the rules. It doesn’t matter. All who come are guests. Whether you wear a mask or not, as long as you have enough money with you, you can all participate in the auction. Now, the auction officially begins. Today there are 30 Yunding mute slaves for sale. This is the first group of ten. Why is this man so feminine? I actually think he’s from the palace. This is Yun 232. He’s 25 years old this year. He has strong limbs and a calm temperament. He enjoys working. He can also dance the Sogdian Whirl. Twirl for them. Come on. Twirl. Twirl. Twirl. Start twirling. Back at Anyuan Inn, the old man looking for his nephew. Zhuan used to live in Shazhou. He’s good at Sogdian Whirl. In his letter, he said there was no curfew in Yunding, so he wanted to come to me and dance here for a living. Su Wuming. That old man mentioned that his nephew was called Zhuan, right? Yes. Zhuan! Who’s called Zhuan? Stop. This young lady in the audience, were you just giving him a name? He does twirl very well. If you like him, you can buy him and take him back. If you want to call him Zhuan, then go ahead. He does dance quite well. I couldn’t help myself either. It’s just that I don’t know where he came from. All the mute slaves are obtained from foreign lands. But as for the specifics of where, I can’t tell you. Otherwise, how could I continue to do business at Yunding Immortal Steps? The auction starts now. Mute slave number 232. Starting bid, 30,000 coins. 30,000 coins? That’s too expensive Expensive? You may think it’s expensive now. But after buying and using him, you’ll realize one thing. It’s totally worth it. 30,000 coins, I’ll take him. 32,000 coins. 35,000 coins! I love watching the Sogdian Whirl. 38,000 coins. 40,000 coins. 45,000 coins. This mute slave is strong and sturdy. I must have him. Anyone wants to raise the price further? I’ll count down from five to one. If no one raises the price, then it’s a deal. Five. Four. Three. Two. 100,000 coins. 100,000? Brother. How much? He bid 100,000 coins. With this price, it seems we are not meant to be. It has already reached this price. This young master, Yunding Immortal Steps does not joke around. You just called out 100,000 coins. Since you called it out, you must be able to pay up. Otherwise, you can’t leave. That’s right. Yes. Can you afford it? Since I’ve said it, I can definitely pay for it. 100,000 coins each. I’m buying all the mute slaves today. All of them? This is an auction. Aren’t there 20 more? Call them all out so I can inspect the goods. If you are really here to buy mute slaves, you have to follow the rules of Yunding Immortal Steps and do it one by one. If you are here to cause trouble, I, He Yulang, will not go easy on you. What trouble? I’m taking all 30 of them. 30? Show your money. Sure. But you must also promise me to confirm the guarantor after the deal is done, and then go to the government office together to set up the trade deed. That way, I can also find out the true identities of these sellers and know if the origins of these mute slaves comply with the laws of Tang. Show your money first. The trade deed will be given to you after that, young master. That’s not acceptable. According to the Tang Code, the miscellaneous statutes stipulate that for those who buy or sell servants, if the price has been confirmed but no trade deed is established, they will be flogged thirty times after three days. Seeing how ambiguous you are, do you want these buyers who came from afar to be flogged together with you? Bring the trade deeds here. For your confirmation. This is for Yun slave number 232. See for yourself. Strange. A trade deed needs both seller and buyer to be present at the government office. Your mute slaves haven’t even found buyers yet, but you already have the trade deeds in hand. You don’t need to worry about this. You just need to fill in the buyer’s name on it. To prevent free people from being illegally traded, The Code also stipulates that the slaves being sold must personally confirm their slave status and that they are not free people. Yun 232, let me ask you, where were you born, who are your parents, and how did you become a slave? Keep asking then. I’m selling mute slaves! How do you expect him to say it himself? That’s right, yes. If they can’t admit it in person, then it’s illegal trading. Is the Yunding Immortal Steps planning to implicate so many people to break the laws of the Great Tang together with you? You sure talk nicely. You’re just here to cause trouble. Guards. Help me escort the guests out of Yunding Immortal Steps. Alright, alright. Go out. Get out. Hurry. Xijun, let’s wait outside. Yingtao, let’s go. Hurry up. Quickly, quickly. Hurry up, hurry up. Go. Quickly, quickly. What’s going on? Yeah. Get out! Hurry, go, hurry up. Go. Hurry. Brother. Hurry up. If we stay here, we can’t help him and will only distract him. With Lu Lingfeng’s martial arts, what are you worried about? Let’s go. [Yunding Immortal Steps] If you know what’s good for you, release all the mute slaves immediately. Otherwise, Yunding Immortal Steps will be destroyed today. You’re so arrogant. Yulang, take the mute slaves away first. Don’t think I don’t know who you are, Lu Lingfeng, the sheriff of Yunding County. You violated the agreement and came to Yunding Immortal Steps to cause trouble. How dare you! So you recognized me. Then I won’t wear this damn mask anymore. And who are you? Don’t hide in the dark like a coward. Come out and let me see your true face! If you want to see me, you need to ask the Thirteen Lethal Guardians of Yunding Immortal Steps if they agree or not. Pal, let’s join forces to capture their leader. I was just thinking the same. A sneak attack with an arrow! Who do you think you are? The arrow is poisoned. Go, hurry! Don’t let him get away! Go! This poison is so potent. I’m afraid I can’t make it. Thank you for saving my life, pal. I, Lu Lingfeng, won’t be able to repay you in this life. What nonsense are you talking about? Sima Liang? Sheriff Lu, Sheriff Lu! Sheriff Lu! It’s a bit pungent. Another hour of breathing this in should detoxify the poison in your body. You know medicine? I know a thing or two. I heard Suo Long mention before that you have the skills of a coroner. Twelve years as a sheriff, you pick up a few things. Why did you save me? Because you shouldn’t die. You’re from the Lu family of Fanyang. I thought you only got your position through family connections, without any real talent or knowledge. I didn’t expect you to be skilled in both civil and martial arts. Why did you save me? Hasn’t the Yunding Immortal Steps always been under your protection? Protection? I’ve wanted to destroy it for a long time.