A League of Nobleman Episode 15 Recap
> A League of Nobleman Recap
Recalling the past, Xuan Ji described how a survivor from the Moluo Clan used witchcraft during an incident at the Sacred Lake, causing the entire lake surface to bubble violently and terrifying everyone present. This experience was so frightening that to this day, he cannot stand the sound of whistling. Lan Jue then presented Xuan Ji with a drawing of a ceramic whistle, which Xuan Ji immediately recognized as an item commonly carried by Moluo Clansmen, bearing their distinctive badge.
He explained that years ago, while dealing with the Moluo Clan, he had collected numerous related objects, including this particular badge, and stated the evidence was in a wooden box. Zhang Ping later found the badge in the hidden room, confirming Xuan Ji's account.
Xuan Ji admitted his cowardice for not having confessed the truth to Lan Jue sooner, but emphasized his greater fear of the Moluo Clan's witchcraft, claiming it could "penetrate people's hearts" or "read minds," making it impossible to keep any secrets once subjected to it. He suggested this witchcraft was responsible for corrupting Lan Jue's honest father, causing him to commit treason and confess it himself. Lan Jue then looked towards Zhang Ping, who produced a personal item.
Xuan Ji instantly identified it as the water vessel belonging to the Moluo witch. Zhang Ping explained he was an orphan and the vessel was with him when his master discovered him. Xuan Ji immediately suspected Zhang Ping might be the witch's son, recalling she had a two or three-year-old child in the Capital City years ago who would be about Zhang Ping's age now.
He recounted how they pursued the witch to Moluo Village, but she seemed to sense them and fled overnight "with the child and vessel". When they finally caught up, she was alone, and the vessel was gone; he concluded she must have hidden both the child and the water vessel together. Zhang Ping questioned how possessing the vessel could definitively prove he was her son.
Xuan Ji insisted his words were true, describing the water vessel as an evil object that makes a wicked buzz when struck and ripples the water in a way that can take away one's soul or hypnotize those who hear or see it. He declared this was how Lan Jue's father was tricked into going South, and therefore, Zhang Ping was Lan Jue's true enemy, suggesting they should share a common adversary.
Suddenly, an intruder burst into the hidden room, attacking Xuan Ji. Lan Jue was also struck down. He urged Zhang Ping to save Xuan Ji. Despite being injured, Zhang Ping attempted to track the assassin but became unexpectedly trapped in the hidden room. By the time he managed to open the door, Xuan Ji was dead. It appeared that after being stabbed, Xuan Ji had activated a mechanism that shot the assassin with an arrow, killing him.
Zhang Ping found a ceramic whistle, similar to the Moluo Clan item, on the assassin's body. Zhang Ping carried the wounded and unconscious Lan Jue back to the Lan residence. When Lan Jue awoke, he learned Zhang Ping had been unable to save Xuan Ji but had found the whistle. Lan Jue was deeply disappointed, stating Xuan Ji was his last hope for clearing his father's name.
In his anger, Lan Jue drew his sword, pointing it at Zhang Ping, proclaiming that his father had died unjustly and if Zhang Ping was indeed the Moluo witch's son, then he was Lan Jue's enemy. Zhang Ping faced the threat calmly, telling Lan Jue to proceed and point the sword at his throat if killing him would bring peace.
Ultimately, Lan Jue did not strike, instead declaring that their association was now over and telling Zhang Ping to run for his life. Zhang Ping, still injured, left the Lan residence, collapsed outside, and was found by Chen Chou in the heavy rain. Chen Chou dragged him home and tended to his wounds, expressing concern that Zhang Ping had nearly lost his life for the case.
Believing Xuan Ji's death could not be in vain, Lan Jue resolved to imitate Xuan Ji's handwriting to compose a letter of apology, planning to make the truth of his father's case known to the public. He obtained Xuan Ji's manuscripts and private seals to facilitate this forgery. Wang Yan strongly objected, arguing this constituted deceiving the Emperor, which was a serious offense, and warned that innocent people would inevitably be implicated.
Lan Jue, however, maintained his belief that "mother's debt, son pays," and that even Zhang Ping's death would be justified. Wang Yan countered that Zhang Ping was merely a child at the time and innocent, but Lan Jue was resolute, telling Wang Yan to stop persuading him if he was a true friend, and asked him to return in ten days for the letter.
Lan Jue struggled to accurately replicate Xuan Ji's script, finding it surprisingly difficult, feeling absent-minded because of it. Lan Jue left the Capital City for three days, seeking a witness. He located an old posthouse attendant and secured his testimony that twenty years prior, the attendant had seen a foreign witch using evil magic to bewitch Lan Jue's father. The attendant was able to identify the witch because she carried a token from the Department of Incantation.
Lan Jue explained the attendant's willingness to commit the felony of providing fake testimony by stating that under heavy reward, brave men are easily found, implying money was the motivator. With physical evidence and a human witness secured, Lan Jue felt he now needed only Xuan Ji's apology letter to be fully prepared. Meanwhile, Zhang Ping, having recovered sufficiently, returned to his hometown to find his master and learn the truth about his origins.
He arrived at Yuntou Mountain in Xichuan County and collapsed from his lingering injuries after rushing there overnight. His master found him and brought him inside to tend to his wounds. Upon waking, Zhang Ping attempted to ask about his background, but his master repeatedly interrupted him, focusing only on his severe injuries and telling him to rest and recover well at home.
The master speculated about winning at gambling recently and blaming someone named Sun for adulterating his wine, which was causing him to be upset. When Zhang Ping persisted, stating he came for something, his master paused, then asked if Zhang Ping would speak first or if he should.
