An Oriental Odyssey Episode 21 Recap
> An Oriental Odyssey Recap
Madam Guo, who had previously sought Minghui's help to kill Huange, publicly confessed to the murder. She knew that while she instigated the plot, it was Huo Yang who ultimately killed Huange using tinstone and lightning, and Minghui (her niece and a disciple of the State Preceptor) had been hesitant. To protect Minghui from implication and, more importantly, to safeguard her daughter Xue Lan from potential retaliation by the State Preceptor, Madam Guo chose to bear all the blame.
She claimed her actions were a desperate act to protect Xue Lan from a perceived threat to her inheritance. Madam Guo bid a final farewell to General Guo, affirming her unwavering love for him, and then tragically committed suicide by biting her tongue. In the chaotic aftermath, A Xiu, enraged by what she perceived as Minghui's deceit in blaming Ye Yuanan for Huange's death, confronted the Princess.
Before Minghui could react, Huo Yang swiftly intervened, stabbing and killing A Xiu to silence her permanently. General Guo, seemingly freed from the silkworm's influence, was devastated by A Xiu's death. Cradling her lifeless body, he expressed profound remorse, recalling his long-held desire to marry her.
Overwhelmed with grief and a desire for vengeance for both A Xiu and his son, Huange, General Guo vowed to make everyone present, including the Empress, pay with their lives to accompany them in death. General Guo then underwent a horrifying transformation, sprouting monstrous wings and becoming a creature of immense power, resembling a giant moth. He lashed out indiscriminately, slaughtering numerous imperial guards who attempted to protect the Empress.
As chaos erupted and fear paralyzed most, only Mu Le, drawing on his considerable strength, dared to confront the mutated General Guo. Tian Shu, appearing suddenly, explained to Mu Le that the sorcery had caused General Guo to transform into a fierce moth, and the true general was beyond saving. Their only option was to destroy the creature, and Tian Shu revealed its weakness: fire. The enraged General Guo, after killing Huo Yang, seized Ye Yuanan.
In a desperate move, Mu Le quickly created a fire, and the moth-like General Guo, drawn to the flames, met a fiery end, bringing the rampage to a close. Mu Le immediately rushed to Ye Yuanan's side to check on her well-being. After the ordeal, the Empress, still reeling from General Guo's grotesque transformation, sought an explanation. Ye Yuanan clarified that he had become a moth and died by flying into the fire.
Seizing the moment, she earnestly pleaded for Zhao Lanzhi's release from prison, asserting his innocence. Impressed by Ye Yuanan's unwavering concern for Zhao Lanzhi, even in her own state of distress, the Empress granted her request. While imprisoned, Zhao Lanzhi had shown kindness by offering his water to an elderly cellmate. Grateful, the old man shared a secret: in three days, Old Master Zhang, the proprietor of a renowned jewelry shop in Luoyang City, would celebrate his birthday.
He advised Zhao Lanzhi that if he wished to apprehend members of Huodu Hill, that would be the place to watch. As Zhao Lanzhi pondered the veracity of this information, knowing he was powerless from his cell, Ye Yuanan arrived with an imperial edict, securing his release and clearing him of all charges. Zhao Lanzhi, accompanied by Ye Yuanan, then met with the Empress.
The Empress acknowledged Zhao Lanzhi's suffering and cleared his name, attributing his exoneration largely to Ye Yuanan's relentless investigation, remarking that he owed her a significant debt. The Empress then expressed her distress over General Guo's death, lamenting the loss of a capable general and the ongoing problem of bandit suppression in Huodu Hill. Zhao Lanzhi promptly volunteered to lead the campaign.
Pleased with his initiative, the Empress appointed him to replace General Guo, leading the army's elite forces to eradicate the Huodu Hill bandits. She saw this as an opportunity to address the immediate crisis and for Zhao Lanzhi to rebuild his prestige. Meanwhile, Minghui reported the events at General Guo's mansion to the State Preceptor, expressing her frustration over Huo Yang's death and her perceived incompetence in handling Ye Yuanan.
Despite the setbacks, she confirmed that the Nine-Star Divine Bead had been successfully acquired. The State Preceptor offered her "holy water" to calm her. He then revealed that Madam Guo's suicide was not merely to protect Minghui, but a shrewd move to prevent their names from being implicated and thus safeguarding her daughter, Xue Lan, from the State Preceptor's wrath.
He praised Madam Guo's intelligence and, in a critical assessment, noted that Ye Yuanan's cunning surpassed Minghui's, chastising Minghui for underestimating her opponent. To defend herself, Minghui claimed that Ye Yuanan had the assistance of a powerful master, describing an old man who fearlessly instructed Mu Le on how to defeat the transformed General Guo. She recounted his calm demeanor and astute strategy in the face of danger.
The State Preceptor, recognizing the description, mused that his junior brother, Tian Shu, might have returned and was now aiding Ye Yuanan. He advised Minghui to be more cautious of Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi, emphasizing that finding the remaining Divine Beads was paramount. Using his mystical powers, the State Preceptor then located the next Nine-Star Divine Bead at the residence of Old Master Zhang, the wealthiest man in Luoyang.
Zhao Lanzhi warmly thanked Ye Yuanan for her crucial role in his release. Ye Yuanan, however, insisted that Mu Le also deserved credit, proposing a celebratory dinner for the three of them. She then approached Mu Le, inviting him to join, but he reacted with a scowl, flatly stating his dislike for Zhao Lanzhi. Exasperated by his stubbornness, Ye Yuanan commented on his increasingly strange temper, warning him that she might start to hate him.
Angered by her words, Mu Le stormed off. Despite his refusal, Mu Le secretly followed Ye Yuanan to Zhao Lanzhi's celebration at the tavern, where he overheard a conversation between Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi. Zhao Lanzhi reiterated his belief in Mu Le's strength and suggested recruiting him into the army, arguing that it would offer him a bright future beyond being a mere domestic servant. Ye Yuanan agreed to consider it. Overhearing this, Mu Le was heartbroken.
He recalled how passionately Ye Yuanan had worked to secure Zhao Lanzhi's release, confirming his painful realization that her affections lay with Zhao Lanzhi. Retreating to drink alone, Mu Le was joined by a mysterious, brazen old man who shared his food and wine. The old man, observing a local bully harassing a woman, provocatively asked Mu Le if there was anything he desired to do but dared not.
The old man then dramatically kissed the woman and killed the bully before bidding farewell to Mu Le. Heavily intoxicated, Mu Le eventually passed out in the stable. Ye Yuanan found him there, furious that he had skipped dinner to secretly drink, and scolded him for his increasingly unruly behavior. Looking at Ye Yuanan, and recalling the old man's words about acting on his deepest desires, Mu Le impulsively embraced and kissed her.
Ye Yuanan, enraged by his audacity, pushed him away and angrily declared that he would no longer be a servant in her household. Instead, she ordered him to report to Zhao Lanzhi's army the following day, believing military discipline would be good for him. Mu Le was deeply saddened, feeling as though Ye Yuanan was casting him aside once more, yet he had no choice but to obey.
The next day, Ye Yuanan personally escorted Mu Le to the military camp, asking Zhao Lanzhi to take him under his wing and instill discipline. Zhao Lanzhi assigned Mu Le to the Boot Camp for fundamental training. Ye Yuanan, despite her earlier frustration, expressed concern for Mu Le's well-being, specifically warning Zhao Lanzhi not to send him to dangerous areas on the battlefield.
Zhao Lanzhi, noticing her evident protectiveness, pointed out her excessive concern for a domestic servant, leaving Ye Yuanan feeling awkward and defensive. Zhao Lanzhi observed the new recruits' training and was notably impressed by Mu Le's exceptional skills and formidable strength in the drills. However, Mu Le's outstanding performance quickly drew the resentment of Li Bao, a Deputy Commandant in the Boot Camp, who felt overshadowed.
Li Bao complained to his older brother, Li Vice-Commander, a senior figure in the barracks, asking for help to "deal with" Mu Le. Li Vice-Commander advised Li Bao to use his authority as Deputy Commandant to discipline Mu Le, not only to curb his competitive spirit but also to eventually win him over and recruit him as a subordinate for their own future advantage. Li Bao agreed to carry out this plan.
