Edge City Wanderer (Border Town Prodigal / 新边城浪子 / Bian Cheng Lang Zi)

Border Town Prodigal

Episode 4

The good life you mention is not for me.

You're just not used to it. Alcohol is like women,

try it again and you might find yourself in love.

Your efforts are wasted on me, I know you're just like everyone else,

you just want to get information from me.

Fu Hongxue, you went through all that effort to save Ma Fangling,

so you must have an important reason to stay.

No matter what it is, you have to be alive to do it.

You aren't MuRong Mingzhu. Who are you exactly?

And who are you?

You! - I helped you avoid a sticky situation, and you don't say thank you?

Thanks! - Wait.

You seem very interested in me, what, do you like me?

I'm just curious.

Curiosity killed the cat.

Someone like you with beauty and brains should marry well and enjoy life,

but you've chosen to come to this harsh desert

year after year toiling behind the scenes.

You are willing to do this for a specific person,

your younger sister, Ma Fanglin.

Stop speaking nonsense.

I love figuring out family secrets.

I heard from the older Ten Thousand Horse Hall members,

that 18 years ago Ma Kongqun took in a young girl.

This young girl was of a similar age to his own daughter

and the two grew up as close as true family and that girl became Ma Kongqun's adopted daughter.

But this girl did something bad five years ago.

A furious Chief Ma kicked her out of Ten Thousand Horse Hall.

In truth, you became a spy for your adopted father.

No matter how wronged you felt, you endured.

You know that you are your sister's last defense.

I warn you,

the only person who knows your true identity is in isolation.

If you kill Ten Thousand Horse Hall's future son-in-law you won't be let off easily.

Don't think that I don't know-- - Even if you know it's alright.

You aren't really MuRong Mingzhu.

A person with secrets generally won't reveal another person's secrets.

The reason why I have not announced who you are

is because I haven't detected any ill will towards my sister.

Seeing as you can help my sister relieve her boredom,

I'll let you live for now.

Thank you, Miss Cui Nong.

I already analyzed that weapon, it is an ordinary black sword.

The sword and scabbard show wear and tear like a normal weapon.

This sword in either of our hands is just an ordinary weapon,

to see its true nature it would be best to have it's owner wield it.

This saber is not with him.

This way.

Give it here.

That hair pin isn't bad.

The hair pin is very cheap and not worth many coins.

If you think you haven't received enough,

I'll give you this bangle.

Okay! Go, quickly!

I've heard you only get boiled potatoes,

so I've brought a few dishes for Mister Fu to enjoy.

That bangle must have been worth a lot.

It's just material wealth, you are born without and will die without.

You should not be spending money on me.

I'm here to help you

I don't help just anyone.

To survive in Ten Thousand Horse Hall

there is a lot you'll have to learn. I will teach you.

Who exactly are you?

I'm a dancer at the Nameless Pavilion, Cui Nong.

There is still a cup of liquor that we haven't finished sharing.

That night... was it you?

That night?

Yes, that night.

Someone came to see him in the night, so he isn't acting alone.

He has an ally within Ten Thousand Horse Hall

Tell me. Was it or was it not you?

I am whatever Mister Fu thinks I am.

What are you doing?

I'm a dancer with a weapon for self-defense. Is there something wrong?

Why do you keeping staring at me?

No particular reason, I just like your eyes.

Hurry up, someone's coming, leave quickly!

Cui Nong?

How goes it? Is he dead?

No.

So they didn't let you into his cell?

I went in.

Then why didn't you make your move?

Did you fall for him and hesitate to kill?

Yuan Hu's letter said

that a Demon Sect expert already arrived in Border Town.

I'm now suspect Fu Hongxue is not working alone.

He told me someone came to see him during the night.

It's possible he has an inside connection.

If I killed a small fry like him today, I'd miss out on a bigger catch.

That implies there are other Demon Sect experts.

You rarely drink alone.

I do drink alone occassionaly.

Something on your mind?

Nothing much.

Don't forget my past profession,

Your eyes can't lie to me.

I've been a spy for so long by being ruthless

and never hesitating, yet today I couldn't do it.

Fu Hongxue?

His neck was inches away from my blade,

I could've killed him anytime,

But I didn't follow through.

This is the first time I've questioned my judgement.

I was thinking, could it all be a coincidence?

Fu Hongxue could just be receiving orders.

If he is just an ordinary assassin, then the expert of the Demon Sect

would be someone else.

Teacher, did I make the wrong decision?

I am no longer your teacher,

just an ordinary crippled innkeeper.

No, you will always be my teacher.

Cui Nong, you've already done very well.

You are Ten Thousand Horses Hall's secret weapon.

But last night he was defenceless.

A single mistake and all my efforts

would be for nothing.

If you are willing, I can help you,

seeing as we've known each other for over 10 years.

When I was still a spy I made many mistakes,

but was never willing to admit it.

I wish I had had someone who could tell me everything I needed to know,

because in this line of work it is easy to get hit by the crossfire.

You are an intelligent woman, and should act intelligently.

An intelligent person does not make a fool's mistake.

Teacher, what do you suggest?

Cui Nong, something urgent needs your attention.

Speak

Xue Yan and the other sisters have disappeared!

When did this happen?

Yesterday.

Quick! Hurry!

All of you hurry up!

Quickly! Come here.

Put some energy into it! Did you not eat?

Faster all of you!

These horse slaves sure are slacking off more and more.

Does it really take this many slaves to move this little bit of stuff?

Brother GongSun, let him carry it all. Everyone else can go back.

Everyone else, leave!

Quickly, go!

I want all these beans brought to the stables by the end of the day.

Otherwise, don't even dream of taking a break.

Pick them all up one by one.

What are you trying to do?

You are my slave, you do what I tell you to do.

What, do you want to rebel? Pick them up, I said!

Pick them up!

Today if even a single bean is not brought to the stables,

you won't get dinner.

Please enjoy your meal.

What are you doing? - Greetings Young Master MuRong.

You're dismissed. - Yes Miss.

My lady, do you have a moment? I want to talk.

If you want to beg for leniency don't bother.

Why do you torment him so much? Is it because he saved your life?

So what if it is and so what if it isn't?

Even though Ten Thousand Horse Hall has the rule that "hatred is cause for revenge",

it's still too much to treat the person you hate this way.

Please, in my eyes Fu Hongxue or whatever isn't considered a person.

He's just another body that can lug things around.

Do you know how a horse with no training should be treated?

You have to break its spirit through hunger and exhaustion, then it will naturally listen to you.

And what happens if it would rather die of hunger and exhaustion than be trained?

I'm afraid that we will be really out of our wits by then.

Ye Kai! What did you go do in Ma Fanglin's room!

Chat and bond a bit.

Chat and bond? Chat about what, bond over what?

What are you so upset about?

Let me tell you, the wedding date is approaching.

Right now the servants are preparing cow, lamb, chicken, and duck. A veritable feast!

Nice! As only a large powerful family could do.

Are you really going to marry Ma Fangling in place of MuRong Mingzhu?

Why can't I? No matter what we say Ma Fangling is the number one beauty,

marrying her I'm not losing out. Otherwise, it would be hard to force myself to marry her.

But you clearly told me before that you came to hear Bai Tianyu's story

and find the "Life and Death Scroll". You lied to me!

How did I lie to you?

You clearly like Ma Fangling.

Last night I saw you all disheveled

coming out of her room!

Did you and her do... do...

Do... do... do what?

Y-You know, the thing between husband and wife!

What are you laughing about!

She and I are not yet married.

She is in her prime years.

You should know, the ladies of Border Town are very sheltered

and have no defense against