Everlasting Longing (2025) s01e10 Episode Script

1
♪The evening breeze kisses my brows♪
♪Allows a cloud to stay for me♪
♪After a long time,
I still keep looking back♪
♪The sleepless universe accompanies me
as I sleepwalk♪
♪How can we stay together in a mirage♪
♪A vast desert, with no oasis in sight♪
♪Time takes away
the eternity I promised♪
♪Who can have your gentleness♪
♪Who still stays there♪
♪Finally, I silently endure
but cannot be saved♪
♪The sorrow of the world
turns into stars♪
♪Flowing over a few hills
with the moonlight♪
♪I wish to follow behind you
until we grow old♪
♪I will silently wait♪
=Everlasting Longing=
=Episode 10=
Who sent you?
Qingming.
Stop.
Qingming.
They outnumber us.
Retreat for now.
Go.
Come on.
No need to chase.
The master ordered
to push them into the forest.
Go back and report.
Go.
Why are you here?
Where's Young Master?
Mr. Luo.
What's the urgency?
Young Master went to find the princess
in the woods.
Fearing His Majesty's concern,
he sent me back to report.
The King's been busy
with the Hunting Event
and is having a rest.
Do not disturb the King.
Besides, Lie is there.
The princess should be safe.
Go back and await my word.
I'm on it.
Mr. Luo,
we should accompany you.
The Hunting Event begins in three days.
Lie is now the prime candidate
for the Wolf Lord.
All clans are watching the Xuan Clan,
especially the Xi.
If we deploy the Xuanyu Army now,
it'll alert all clans.
I'll go find them
and ensure their safety.
You should go back and act accordingly.
Thank you, Mr. Luo.
Mr. Jun.
A letter from the Jun Residence.
(Jun Feifan, Jun's eldest daughter,
Jun Qiluo is in our hands.)
(Come to the Uncontrollable alone.)
Qiluo?
Quick, send someone to the Uncontrollable.
Yes.
Stop.
Who are you?
We're merchants down the hill.
We were attacked by bandits on the road
and had no choice but to come here.
Could we stay for a night?
There are four of you; I can't decide.
I need to go ask.
- Go.
- Yes.
Their weapons belong to the military.
Why are they here?
They must be bandits.
You told the bandits we're merchants.
Are you trying to get us killed?
We are dressed in fancy fabrics.
If we'd said we were farmers,
they'd have been suspicious;
if officials,
they'd never have taken us.
How can you prove
you're ordinary merchants?
We left in a hurry today
and didn't bring anything
to prove our identity.
This hairpin was made
by our jewelry shop.
Send someone to check tomorrow.
They'll find out easily.
You're the head of the household?
Indeed.
I'm ashamed to say it,
but even though I'm a man,
my business skills aren't
even half as good as my wife's.
She's the one
in charge at home.
That's right.
My brother and sister-in-law.
If that's the case,
staying one night shouldn't be a problem.
Please.
Thank you.
I'll have someone
tidy these rooms up for you shortly.
Also,
I need to go over
some details with you.
The weapons are for hunting and self-defense.
You merchants are
not familiar with weapons.
So, don't touch them.
We won't.
How did you get so many scars?
I've been on the battlefield for years.
These were just minor injuries.
Is this the place you've been looking for?
They all have a totem on them.
The leader even had the totem tattoo.
There should be clues I seek here.
They are highly alert.
Finding clues won't be easy.
The Hunting Event is in three days.
Before that,
I must find a way to get them to talk.
About those in the forest today,
do you have any clues?
It must be Xi Changkun who led me away
from Royal City at this point.
He just didn't expect
I'd been looking for a chance to come.
It was a lucky shot.
But I don't think it's Xi Changkun.
Someone left a note for Qimin.
I came to find him.
But Xi doesn't know Qimin's identity.
What reason did the note give?
It claimed I was in danger.
Qimin came over without much thought.
He was worried about you.
We've grown up together.
It's natural for him to care about me.
You lost a hairpin while settling here.
I crafted this one myself.
It's worth much more than yours.
You're not shy about self-praise.
I never thought a warrior's hands like yours
could make such delicate hairpins.
Get some sleep.
You're injured,
so the bed should be yours.
There are bandits outside.
I can keep watch here.
We're pretending to be a couple,
so we need to act like that.
That was just to fool them.
No need to take it seriously.
All right, I'll sleep then.
What has Jun Qiluo offered you
to make you so devoted to her?
You belong to me
and should not think of others.
I am Princess of Beixuan,
while she's just a Yannan merchant.
She cannot compare to me.
In this deserted place,
no one knows who you are.
If you keep talking nonsense
Are you going to kill me?
Go ahead.
Why not do it now?
You think your life matters?
Your death
would be a relief for others.
Her death
would be a relief for me.
Where are you going?
You always upset me over Jun Qiluo.
I'll go and deal with her.
(Xuanwu Palace)
Your Majesty,
I searched the forest all night.
Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty.
- Mother.
Your Majesty.
Any news of Qingkou?
Please don't worry
and take care.
Zhizhou, how did it go?
I searched the forest all night.
Though I haven't found
Princess Qingkou and Lie,
I've deployed more people now
and we'll find them soon.
Keep a close watch.
Report immediately if there's news.
Understood.
Mother,
don't be so concerned.
Sir,
scouts have sent word
that General Lie's entered the forest.
Keep a close eye on him.
If he tries to leave the forest,
ensure he stays until
the Hunting Event begins.
Understood.
Those with the baskets, men and women,
look like herb gatherers.
The man sharpening weapons
is probably going hunting.
Where will you start looking?
Chief.
We're going out for supplies.
We can escort you down as well.
My husband's wound has worsened.
Could we stay a few more days?
But we're low on medicine,
and it won't last long.
Medicine?
My husband knows herbs well.
He'll gather herbs
to stock your pharmacy.
But his wound
It's all right.
I won't go far.
If my wound flares up,
I'll return at once.
You're living in the forest.
Surrounded by herbs,
yet unaware of them.
You trade game for herbal medicine.
I know a bit about herbs.
I'll teach you to identify them.
In the future, you can
gather herbs yourself,
saving you much effort.
Indeed.
We used quite a bit of your herbs yesterday.
Consider this our repayment.
All right then.
I'll send someone to take care of you.
If your wound tears,
he'll take you back.
Thank you, Chief.
You're injured, so be cautious.
I'll prepare the medicine
and wait for you.
Why did you do that?
Where is Lie?
He's injured.
If he's hurt, can you answer for it?
He has his own matters to attend to.
I suggest you not make such a fuss.
If you alarm the bandits,
you may never see him again.
Jun Qiluo, I don't like you.
Leave Beixuan at once.
It goes both ways.
I don't like you, either.
But in this world,
you can't do whatever you want.
I am a princess.
Both Lie and Qingming are mine.
I make the rules in Beixuan.
I told you not to rush with the bun.
Would you like some water?
I said to eat slowly.
Well, are you choking?
Have some water.
How dare you?
Look,
we'll be staying here for days.
It's fine if you don't like me,
but if the bandits get suspicious,
I can't protect you.
Xuan Lie and Shao Qimin
could die because of you.
Aren't you an expert in medicine?
You said they're both yours,
so the responsibility is yours.
You can decoct herbs, right?
Xuan Lie didn't enter the palace
but went to the forest?
Yes.
Since he got into the forest,
he's never come out.
His deputy general
and Luo Zhizhou searched for him
all night
and found nothing.
The terrain there is complex.
Easy to enter, hard to exit.
It seems Xuan Lie was in a panic,
heading towards his doom.
Father,
what do we do?
It seems we're not the only ones
trying to stop Xuan Lie
from attending it.
Since someone set the stage for us,
we'll take this chance to destroy him
and the Yannan merchant woman.
Send more people to watch them.
If things go wrong,
wipe them out.
Understood.
Xuan Lie,
it'll be a one-way trip for you.
I got the medicine from the Chief.
It should heal wounds effectively.
Ma'am,
the business conference is approaching.
When shall we return?
I need to get the crystal first.
But that won't be easy.
If we can't set off within half a month,
we might miss the business conference.
The Juns only have you now.
I understand your concerns.
But the black iron crystal is just
as important to Yannan.
I will plan carefully
to get the crystal quickly.
I'm back.
How's your wound?
It flared up a bit.
Where's my medicine?
Qingkou is preparing it.
Lie.
You're back.
Qingkou.
The medicine is ready.
Hurry and drink it.
These bandits really know nothing.
Bronze wares have long been obsolete.
Yet they keep them like treasures.
They said
the bronze weapons are rare.
How could that be?
In Beixuan,
iron is the least of our worries.
Except for the Xi Clan
where lacks stones and minerals.
Otherwise, the King wouldn't
have entrusted the black
The black what?
Everyone,
the Chief invites you for lunch.
Please.
Sorry for the disturbance.
You're not upset but warmly welcome us.
We appreciate that.
You shouldn't have.
You've saved me a lot on medicine costs.
I'm the one who's grateful.
In a few days,
we'll head to the Uncontrollable.
Let's consider this meal a farewell.
Why are you going there?
The Xuan Clan wants to unify military power.
I have no choice but to leave.
What does it have to do with you?
To be honest,
over a decade ago,
we served in the army.
Then why not stay in the barracks?
If not for breaking a taboo
and risking death,
no one would come to this place.
That's true.
It has tricky terrain and isn't livable.
But what did you do
to end up here?
Not really.
I've never harmed anyone.
It was over a decade ago.
Back then, we were tasked
with a very important mission.
But someone betrayed us,
attempting to wipe us out.
Returning home,
I found bodies scattered all over.
I gathered my men
and fought them
for three days and nights.
Then, we fled here with the survivors.
This place is between the Xuan and Xi clans.
It's unclaimed,
so you settled here.
But only the Xuan and Xi clans
know this place.
Outsiders are unaware of it.
Were you former soldiers of the Xuan
or Xi clans?
As a merchant,
why are you familiar
with their conflicts?
To get by as merchants,
we must foster many connections.
We've spent a lot of money on this.
Yet we only know the basics.
The more you know,
the more trouble it invites.
But since you mentioned it,
we just talked a bit more.
We're all trying to make a living.
It's never easy.
Come on.
Have you thought of revenge?
Yes.
But ending war through war
has always been
the victory of the strong.
I've camped here for over a decade
and sheltered the homeless.
Not everyone knows how to fight.
With few soldiers, how to avenge?
In the past, we fought to survive,
obeying orders
with no choice but to battle.
But now we've just settled down,
why should we risk it again?
The King of Beixuan will choose
a Wolf Lord to unify power.
Then, he'll bring order to this place.
My men haven't fought in years.
When facing soldiers, we'll still die.
In the vast Beixuan,
there's no place for us to live.
How ridiculous.
Chief,
you're drunk.
Come on.
Why am I telling you this?
Let's drink.
All right.
Take me back to Royal City.
Why should I?
Get lost.
Enough?
Hey.
How dare you look down on me?
Are you drunk?
She never left home.
It's normal to feel uneasy.
I apologize.
That's enough.
Why do you care?
Just leave.
You used me to find Jun Qiluo,
but she's not yours to take.
What do you know?
Jun Qiluo wants
the black iron crystal, right?
What else do you know?
Want to know more?
Beg me.
Jun Qiluo will never get the crystal.
What do you mean?
The black iron crystal
was decreed by the King for the Xi Clan.
But Xi Changkun hated Lie so much.
How could he hand it over
so easily?
When did that happen?
So Lie really didn't tell Jun Qiluo.
It seems Lie
isn't done with that slave yet.
He wants to use crystal to keep her.
So there's no way you can take her away.
Unless you kill Lie.
But with your skills,
you can't kill him at all.
So, you have to watch Jun Qiluo
remain Lie's servant forever.
And you must stay in Beixuan
with me.
Qingming,
you cause me pain
and sadness,
you won't get away with this.
Chief hasn't mentioned the past.
What do you do?
Before the Xuanyu Army arrives,
we need to find a reason
to keep them here longer.
My dear,
did you hurt your wound
while gathering herbs?
Please be extra careful,
or I will worry about you.
Everyone here is from the fort.
We must be careful with our words.
Why are you looking at me like that?
You said you worry about me.
Did you mean it?
You mean he always knew
Xi Changkun had the crystal?
Ma'am,
at this point,
you still don't know who he is.
He's been deceiving you all along.
It's all to keep you in Beixuan
and use you to find Jun Feifan.
Where it lacks stones and minerals.
Otherwise, the King wouldn't
have entrusted the black
You can't waste time on him.
The Wolf Lord selection is near.
Now is the best time to leave.
Once you exit this forest,
head straight south.
I'll find a way to get the samples
from the mine.
We'll meet at the Uncontrollable.
If I don't show up
at the agreed time,
you must leave first.
You must get home
before the business conference.
Ma'am.
To attend it,
I'll need the Jun Trade Token.
But it is with him now.
I must retrieve it.
Why are you back so late?
I was about to look for you.
What do you mean?
You're truly cunning.
You made a deal with me
to help you get the position.
Yet, you gave the crystal
to Xi Changkun,
balancing the powers in Beixuan.
It's a well-played game indeed.
Before I sought permission,
the King had granted it to the Xi Clan.
If we want it back, we need to find a way.
I didn't tell you
because I was planning to retrieve it.
I didn't intend to deceive you.
So, have you thought of a way?
And how confident are you?
Since our deal's off,
please return my token.
Our paths shall never cross from now on.
Our paths shall never cross?
Though we've come so far,
the trust between us
is weaker than that deal.
I'm just a merchant.
I only honor deals.
Besides, you broke it first.
Talking about loyalty
is utterly ridiculous.
So, in your heart,
profits and black iron crystal
mean more than anything else.
Indeed.
Please return my trade token.
Enough of that.
Hand over the token.
Do you break our deal
because of him?
Or,
entering the forest was your front?
You planned to leave with him all along?
Unable to get the black iron crystal,
I have no reason to stay.
(Jun)
You came to Royal City with me
not just for the black iron crystal.
Why such a strong reaction suddenly?
Qiluo,
what are you hiding?
Give the token to her.
Xuan Lie!
What are you doing?
Consider it
a payback for the Uncontrollable.
If you try
to take Qiluo away,
I won't let you off.
You're just a thug.
Who do you think you are?
Ma'am,
we can't trust him anymore.
Qimin, stop it.
I won't do anything to hurt you.
Trust me.
You're awake.
After taking the medicine,
how do you feel?
You're worried about me?
You weren't worried about yourself.
Why should I be?
I was thinking
if you really died here,
I couldn't get the crystal
nor the token.
I might have to collect your body
as your wife
and pay the funeral fee to the fort.
That's not a good deal.
Don't worry. It's not serious.
Now, tell me,
do you need the crystal
to help Jun Feifan's business?
You still don't trust me?
Of course I trust you.
Do you?
Do you trust me?
Do you have a plan?
Yes.
But on one condition.
General,
you're pushing your luck now.
We had a deal already.
Are you raising the stakes?
You know very well
even if the crystal ends up
with Xi Changkun,
I'm the only one who can help you.
Or perhaps,
you didn't let Shao Qimin
kill me last night
because you were worried.
General,
what are your terms?
My request is simple.
Just help me find the evidence
of Xi Changkun's arms dealing back then.
This way,
you'll get what you want,
and I'll uncover the truth I seek.
Deal.
We're leaving for the Uncontrollable soon
and are short on money.
You should leave.
Just leave.
- Hurry and go.
- Quickly.
Don't stay here.
It's just money.
When Lie recovers,
I will repay you double.
If we leave now,
and something happens to Lie,
I will bring down this fort for sure.
Young lady,
you're quite bold for your age.
We've been more
than generous in taking you in.
Do you want to wipe us out?
- Exactly.
- No way.
We kindly took you in.
Make way, please.
Gentlemen,
we have caused you trouble lately.
I know you're going to the Uncontrollable
and you need money.
But my husband is injured.
Could you please do us a favor
and allow us to stay longer?
We will definitely pay you.
If it's possible,
we'll use this necklace as collateral.
Your wound hasn't healed yet.
Why are you out here?
You are my wife.
How can I let you face it alone?
You've camped here for more than a decade.
Going to the Uncontrollable
will only be worse.
If you trust me,
just cooperate with me.
I'll reopen the old case
and ensure peace for you.
You see yourselves as bandits
for defensive reasons.
There are elders and children,
and you all bear the same totem.
You are well-trained.
More like soldiers and their families.
As for your weapons,
they're not for looting.
They're meant for survival,
right?
How can we trust you?
- Yes.
- Why should we?
Exactly.
(Xuan)
I'm Xuan Lie, Leader of the Xuan Clan.
The old case
concerned the Xuan Clan.
I'm helping you, also myself.
General Xuan Lie.
- Chief.
- Chief.
Back then, the Xi Clan forced me here.
Now, the Wolf Lord will be selected.
How can I be sure
you'll help once you get it?
Chief,
Xi Changkun and I are fierce rivals.
The enemy of my enemy is my ally.
I'm sure you understand this.
What benefits
can you offer us if we help?
Chief, may we speak privately?
My father died
investigating arms smuggling.
Chief, can you help me solve the case?
We've been hiding here for years,
dreading that Xi Changkun will find us,
leaving us with no place to hide.
If I assist you
and things go wrong,
how will I explain to them?
Do you plan to hide forever?
Back then, Beixuan was unstable,
with Xi Changkun holding power.
That's why the case was unresolved.
Now, we're choosing a Wolf Lord.
The King promised
if I become the Wolf Lord
and stabilize the Five Clans,
he would definitely help me.
General, what do you want from us?
We were just
receiving the goods back then.
We didn't know what
was being transported to Cangzhou.
Ten years ago,
Beixuan and Xixiang had just begun trade.
Everywhere they passed,
it required a travel pass
from the local government.
If you transported weapons for him,
surely you have the travel pass.
If it could've proved him guilty,
why would we have hidden until now?
I can make it serve its greatest purpose.
One piece of paper for your lifelong safety.
This deal is worth it for you.
Take this token
and lead them to
the place I've arranged.
My Xuan Clan will ensure your safety.
(Travel Pass)
♪When I decide to hold you in my arms♪
♪I bury all past matters deep inside♪
♪When you decided to turn around♪
♪Everything would be clear to us♪
♪Then the green, piece by piece♪
♪Becomes a shadow in my heart♪
♪Covering my scarred past♪
♪Filling my once-empty heart♪
♪I want the green, piece by piece♪
♪To fall in my heart
and turn into a star♪
♪Piecing together the Big Dipper
to guard you♪
♪Illuminating the way home♪
♪Then the green, piece by piece♪
♪Becomes a shadow in my heart♪
♪Covering my scarred past♪
♪Filling my once-empty heart♪
♪Then the green, piece by piece♪
♪Will blooming brightly at the borders♪
♪The melody from nearby♪
♪Allows you to camp in my heart♪
♪Allows you♪
♪To camp in my heart♪