#Biqiu Minister

[the-monkey-ruler]

Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back (2017) 西游伏妖篇

Director: Tsui Hark Screenwriter: Stephen Chow / Li Sizhen / Tsu Hark Starring: Wu Yifan / Lin Gengxin / Yao Chen / Lin Yun / Bao Beier / Battle / Yang Yiwei / Dapeng / Wang Likun / Wang Duo / Zhang Mei'e Genre: Comedy / Action / Fantasy / Costume Country/Region of Production: Mainland China / Hong Kong, China Language: Mandarin Chinese Date: 2017-01-28 (Mainland China) Duration: 108 minutes Also known as: Journey to the West: Demon Chapter 2 / Journey to the West: Demon Chapter / 伏妖篇 / 西游降魔篇2 / 西游·降魔篇2 / 西游·降魔2 IMDb: tt5273624 Type: Reimanging

Summary:

The monk Tang Sanzang finds himself as a giant in a city in India. His master congratulates him on reaching India and retrieving the Sutras, and gives him a halo as a reward. The halo, however, malfunctions and Tang awakes from his dream to find himself in an alley in a village of circus performers with his three disciples: Sun Wukong; Zhu Bajie; and Sha Wujing. Tang encourages Sun Wukong to perform for the villagers, but the disciple refuses. Angered by this stubbornness, Tang provokes Sun Wukong by calling him a "bad monkey", which causes Sun Wukong to smash the village and damage the villagers' homes in his temper. The terrified villagers present the group with money and food for their travels, but Sun Wukong continues wreaking havoc, sending Zhu Bajie and Tang flying through the air. That night, Tang whips Sun Wukong for his disobedience.

The next morning, Tang goes to find water for their breakfast congee and comes across a house. Its host, a beautiful woman in a splendid outfit, welcomes them all in for breakfast with her companions. Sun Wukong, however, sees through their disguises as spider demons; he purposely provokes them until she and the others show their true form. During the subsequent battle, the demons come together to form one huge spider. After being poisoned by the spider, Sha Wujing falls ill and slowly bloats into a fish-like creature. Sun Wukong defeats the spider and Tang attempts to exorcise her, but Sun Wukong smashes in the demon's head with one blow. Once more, Tang is annoyed at Sun Wukong's disobedience and whips him again that evening. Later that night, the enraged Sun Wukong discusses with the other disciples his plans to kill Tang, but the others fear Tang's mighty Buddha Palm powers. Tang overhears this conversation and prays to Buddha to help him and also confesses that he actually does not know, or have, Buddha Palm powers. Zhu Bajie overhears this admission and tells Sun Wukong, who challenges Tang to a fight. Just as Sun Wukong is about to strike, a blinding ray of light shines from the heavens and he retreats.

The next day, the group pass into the capital city of the Biqiu Kingdom and a minister comes out to greet them and bring them to see the king: an immature and childlike man who likes to play games. The king orders Tang to perform for him but the monk does not have anything to showcase. Sun Wukong therefore pastes an "obedience sticker" on Tang allowing Tang to copy his actions and perform stunts for the king. Sun Wukong, however, goes too far and makes Tang slap the king continuously, who throws them all out. Tang orders Sun Wukong to return and apologize, but it is revealed that Sun Wukong purposely provoked the king to make him reveal his form as the demon Red Boy. They fight and Sun Wukong defeats Red Boy, also freeing the true king of Biqiu from his cage under the throne. As a reward for helping him, the king presents them with a beautiful girl, Felicity, to accompany them on their travels. As Felicity dances for them, Tang is reminded of his deceased lover, Duan.

The group set off and on the way, Sun Wukong realizes that Felicity is actually a demon. In the meantime, Felicity takes out the nose plugs on Sha Wujing, allowing him to sneeze out the poison and turn him back into his human form. Tang, however, does not believe him, so they set off to visit Felicity's home village. Sun Wukong becomes enraged with Tang's lack of trust in him and that night he destroys the whole village, killing everyone. Tang stops him from killing Felicity, further angering Sun Wukong, who attacks Tang, but Felicity finally confesses that she is actually the demon White Bone Spirit and that the whole village was an illusion conjured by her. Sun Wukong flares up and turns into a giant Monkey King demon and swallows Tang. At that moment, the minister and Red Boy arrive and see Sun Wukong has fallen for their trick.

They had deliberately sent Felicity with the group to cause strife between Tang and Sun Wukong, so Sun Wukong would kill his master. Sun Wukong spits Tang out, however, as they had known this all the while; they only played along so that the minister would reveal her true form. They battle and the minister creates an illusion of Buddhas surrounding Sun Wukong, using them to fight him. The real Buddha, however, uses his giant palm to destroy the false Buddhas and reveals the minister's real identity as the Immortal Golden Vulture.

After the battle, Tang heads back to find a dying Felicity. He has no choice but to free her soul as there is too much demon in her. Before she dies, Felicity asks Tang if he loves her. Tang replies that he has only one person in his heart. The animosity between Tang and Sun Wukong has finally dissolved; together with Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie, they continue their journey to the West through a desert.

In a post-credits scene, breaking of the fourth wall is invoked with the appearance of a modern movie theater, where theater employees tell both the viewer and the in-story audience that it’s time to leave and there is no post-credits scene

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West:_The_Demons_Strike_Back

Link: https://ww5.0123movie.net/movie/journey-to-the-west-the-demons-strike-back-19438.html?play=1

[madamadragon]

My insomnia has struck again, here's what came to mind in the middle of the night. Sorry for the mistakes but it was two in the morning, enjoy my lil fic!

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Drama in the drama

"I told you not to touch it!"

"I wasn't touching it, I was examining it"

"It's the same thing, you idiot"

As Li Xiangyi regained consciousness he heard voices arguing. He slowly sat up and then shook his head trying to free himself from the numbness. The last thing he remembered was sneaking out of the sect again to meet Di Feisheng. The two were having a pleasant battle with their swords when a strong white light blinded them.

He blinked, focusing on the room around him. It appears to be a huge pavilion with dark walls and chairs positioned in front of a white cloth affixed to wall. Then he noticed the people next to him. A-Mian had just woken up and Yun Biqiu was helping her get back on her feet, not far from them the other members of the Sigu Sect were looking around lost. However, there was no trace of his shixiong.

At the other end of the room was the one he recognized as He Xiaohui, master of Tianji Hall and wife of Finance Minister Fang, together with her son. The child couldn't have been more than eight years old but he didn't seem scared, he stood silently next to his mother holding the hem of her dress tightly in his fist.

As he scanned the small crowd a hand entered his field of vision. He looked up and met the eyes of the boy he had started seeing secretly over the last year. Di Feisheng was leaning over him with his hand stretched to help him. The infamous director of the Jinyuan Alliance who offers help to the Leader of the Sigu Sect, a rather strange vision given that all of Jianghu considered them enemies.However, Li Xiangyi knew who Di Feisheng really was and without thinking twice, placed his hand on his. The Leader of the Jinyuan Alliance effortlessly picked him up, asking with his eyes if he was okay. The young Sigu Sect leader nodded.

"Li Xiangyi!” Qiao Wanmian's graceful voice called him back.

Di Feisheng instantly retreated and hid in a dark corner of the room.

The most beautiful girl in Jianghu, together with the others, joined him.

"Are you all ok?" The young leader asked, looking at those present.

Everyone nodded. Master He then approached them.

"Leader Li, considering the situation, I hope we can stick together to avoid danger," the woman said, putting her hands together and bowing respectfully.

They were in an unknown place and she had her son with her, it was better to join forces. Li Xiangyi understood well what she asked.

"Certainly"

Suddenly a commotion caught their attention. They turned to find themselves face to face with five individuals older than them. Instinctively Li Xiangyi stood in front of the members of the sect ready to defend them in case of danger, his hand stretched out towards the hilt of his sword.

"Gentlemen, it seems we are not alone" noted the only woman in the group. His companions turned and stared.

"Look A-Fei! Xiaobao was so cute!" The man dressed in green with a wooden hairpin shaped like a lotus flower exclaimed fondly. The child caught by surprise hid behind the mother. “I forgot how adorable he was at that age.”

"You've only seen me once" snorted the younger man with blue robes and hair pulled back in a ponytail, crossing his arms over his chest.

The crowd was visibly confused at that statement. Li Xiangyi looked from the boy to the child and noticed a certain resemblance. That he was...But this was impossible!

"He had that stupid face even as a child," the man dressed in red and with broad shoulders sneered.

The boy tried to kick him but was blocked by the man dressed in green who patted his chest to calm him.

"Sect Leader Li, it seems we have confused our guests" declared the last man of the group dressed in black and with a lock of white hair, scanning their reactions.

"You're right, it would be better to introduce us" the woman agreed and then smiled towards A-Mian.

"Okay! I'll start" the boy offered "My name is Fang Duobing, son of He Xiaohui, master of Tianji Hall, and finance minister Fang, Li Xiangyi's only disciple" he said, clasping his hands and bowing.

Master He widened her eyes turning towards her son. He couldn't believe that this young man was her Xiaobao. He was so healthy and strong and apparently Sect Leader Li's disciple but how could this happen? She had done so much to keep him away from Jianghu.

Li Xiangyi, on the other hand, didn't imagine that he would have a disciple one day, after all, he had only founded the sect a year ago. Apparently his fame would grow enough over time to have a disciple but why only one?

"My name is Yun Biqiu, director of the Baichuan Court and member of the Sigu Sect" then introduced himself the charming man with the white locks.

The young Biqiu wasn't that surprised, he knew that he would stay by Li Xiangyi's side but he wondered what the Baichuan Court was.

“Hey, I must say that Yun Biqiu was handsome when he was young,” Fang Duobing said in surprise, looking at him. “Not that you aren't now, Director Yun,” he chuckled.

“Yun Biqiu has always been charming, both in body and spirit” the green-robed man agreed, nodding.

Yun Biqiu blushed at those words.

"I don't think it's appropriate..." He murmured in embarrassment.

"It would be better to continue" the woman interrupted them smiling "I am Qiao Wanmian, Sect Leader of the current Sigu Sect" she announced with a slight bow.

Young A-Mian was stunned, how could she have become the Sect Leader? She slowly turned to look at Li Xiangyi. Had something happened to him? In fact, among his future selves she did not recognize her beloved. Her eyes filled with tears.

“If you are me…” she whispered with a lump in her throat “Then where is Li Xiangyi?” A dead silence fell. "He's..." The girl sobbed, staggering in understanding. Then something had happened.

Li Xiangyi wrapped an arm around her shoulders supporting her. He glared at the group.

"Hey, don't look at them like that, it's not their fault" the man with the lotus hairpin admonished him then took a deep breath "My name is Li Lianhua, miracle doctor who can bring the dead back to life" the broad shouldered man snorted "before my name was Li Xiangyi, former leader of the Sigu Sect"

At that revelation everyone opened their mouths in amazement. There was a long silent pause. How could that man be Li Xiangyi? His facial features were different.

“Hey, Li Lianhua, I think you broke them,” Fang Duobing laughed, “And you still haven't told them that you are Di Feisheng's husband.”

A loud gasp was heard at the side of the room. Li Lianhua looked in that direction and sneered.

"Still in the shadows huh? Hey, little Di Feisheng, why don't you join us?"

The young leader of the Jinyuan Alliance emerged from the shadows with an angry expression on his face.

"What you say are lies" he accused, grabbing his machete.

Li Lianhua shook his head and then patted the red-robed man on the shoulder. The latter rolled his eyes and said:

"I am Di Feisheng, Director and co-founder of the Jinyuan Alliance" the young A-Fei was taken aback by what he had said, the doctor urged the man to continue "Li Xiangyi's husband" A-Fei concluded through gritted teeth .

Li Xiangyi and Di Feisheng exchanged glances. Was theirs more than a friendship? The feeling that had blossomed recently was something unknown to both of them but now they had confirmation that one day they would get married. Strangely enough, Li Xiangyi felt that it was right.

Li Lianhua chuckled.

"It wasn't that hard was it?"

Di Feisheng turned to him, his facial features softening.

"It was classified information"

Fang Duobing snorted in amusement.

"But if all of Jianghu knows about it"

Di Feisheng took a threatening step towards him, making the boy step back in fear.

"Ah! Li Lianhua, A-Fei is mad at me again!"

The doctor sighed in exasperation as he stepped between them.

"Be good, you two"

Those present could not believe their eyes.

"This is ridiculous!" A Sigu Sect member exclaimed indignantly.

"How can we believe you?!" said another.

“That can't be Sect Leader Li, he looks like a crazy doctor,” someone else shouted again.

"We can't trust it! The director of the Jinyuan Alliance is here, they might be accomplices!" The room filled with voices full of doubt. Panic was slowly spreading through the crowd.

“SILENCE,” Li Lianhua thundered. At that moment he seemed like a different person. With his shoulders straight and his voice confident, he exuded a solemnity that only the leader of Jianghu possessed. Then a sly smile appeared on his face. "Well, now that I have your attention, how about we split up and try to figure this out?"

------

After restoring order inside the room and both parties having explained that a talisman had brought them there, one found inside the Lotus Tower and the other in the Sigu Sect, they decided to divide into small groups and search the pavilion. Fang Duobing, accompanied by Xiaobao who was thrilled by his adult and strong version, approached the strange white cloth. It didn't seem to have anything special but underneath it were two buttons, one with a triangle pointing to the right and one with a drawing of a man.

Suddenly the light that had blinded them and brought them there came back.

“Fang Duobing!”

"Fang Xiaobao"

"It was him!" The boy and the child exclaimed in unison, pointing fingers at each other.

"What is going on?" A familiar voice asked, a voice that made the blood boil in Li Lianhua's veins. He slowly turned towards the newcomer while a huge smile spread across Li Xiangyi's face.

“Shixiong!” The young leader rejoiced, running towards him followed by the members of the Sigu Sect.

"Shidi" Shan Gudao called him affectionately, placing his hands on his shoulders but he didn't seem the same Shixiong as when he left that morning before finding himself there.

“Leave the boy immediately,” A-Fei warned threateningly, unsheathing his sword.

"Ah, I see you're all here," Shan Gudao sneered, sinking his fingers into Li Xiangyi's flesh. The young leader of the Sigu Sect could barely suppress a grimace of pain, His shixiong had never been so brutal. Qiao Wanmian hurriedly pulled the others away from that man.

"What are you doing?!" Fang Duobing asked worriedly, he didn't like the way he was holding the smaller, disoriented version of Li Lianhua.

Suddenly Li Xiangyi found himself with a blade at his throat. That was definitely not his shixiong.

“I should have ended your life when you were still a kid,” Shan Gudao growled.

Di Feisheng moved towords them but A-Fei stopped him. The young man looked at him angrily but the other shook his head letting him know to wait and so Di Feisheng withdrew.

"Look at you, so young..." Shan Gudao whispered, grabbing Li Xiangyi's face with one hand "Your skin has always been so soft" he caressed the boy's cheek with his thumb, causing him to shiver with disgust, that man was not the shixiong he knew , he was an empty shell of his former self.

"Don't touch him!" A-Mian shouted disgusted by that gesture. Shan Gudao looked at Li Xiangyi with a mixture of jealousy and lust.

"Your anger led to your death" Li Lianhua began to say as he advanced towards them, Shan Gudao stepped back holding Li Xiangyi tightly "Do you want to repeat the experience?" And in an instant, the young Sigu Sect leader felt himself being pushed forward.

Fang Duobing grabbed Li Xiangyi while Li Lianhua together with A-Fei pinned Shan Gudao to the ground. With quick movements they had managed to free the young leader while landing the shixiong. An extraordinary display of skill from their future selves.

"Are you OK?" Fang Duobing asked examining Li Xiangyi's neck from which a small amount of blood was dripping. The young leader nodded as he watched his older self tie his shixiong to a chair. He didn't know what would happen in the future but it certainly wasn't anything good.

"Let me see,” Di Feisheng's voice woke him from his thoughts.

The young leader of the Jinyuan Alliance had moved Fang Duobing by taking his place and examining the wound on Li Xiangyi's neck. That gesture seemed to confirm that there was something between the two of them.

"You've known each other for a long time, haven't you?" A-Mian asked shyly, handing Di Feisheng a handkerchief to dab the wound with. The young leader of the Jinyuan Alliance took it without glancing at her and remaining silent.

“A-Mian, I…” Li Xiangyi wanted to explain the situation to her but couldn’t find the words to do so.

"Don't worry, I understand everything, he's the young master thet you meet in secret" the girl smiled at him. Of course, she didn't expect Li Xiangyi to like boys but she knew that their relationship wasn't destined to last. He needed someone around who might be able to follow his greatness, she wasn't that person. A-Mian patted his hand in understanding and then left them alone.

"Damn it A-Fei, were you born with those muscles? It hurt when you pushed me away," Fang Duobing muttered as he rubbed the arm that Di Feisheng had hit to move him.

“I train hard unlike someone” A-Fei replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You...!"

"Enough now," Li Lianhua admonished him.

They had just finished tying Shan Gudao and he began to feel a pain at the base of his head. They had to find a way to get out of there, one of the buttons Fang Duobing pressed could bring people into the room, the other one they still didn't know what it did. Furthermore, he had the feeling that Shan Gudao's appearance was only the tip of the iceberg and that more dangers would come.

“Fang Xiaobao, I told you not to touch anything!” Master He was heard shouting.

Everyone turned in their direction and saw that little Xiaobao had pressed the other unknown button. Suddenly a writing appeared on the white cloth.

Mysterious Lotus Casebook