An Oriental Odyssey Episode 8 Recap
> An Oriental Odyssey Recap
Ye Yuanan publicly presented the short sword bestowed by Emperor Gaozu, only to discover it had been swapped for a piece of wood. She immediately realized this was Princess Ming Hui's doing. As a consequence of disrupting the event, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le were seized by guards. Princess Ming Hui, however, was not satisfied. She instructed her men to signal Zhou Lixian, the fence whom Zhao Lanzhi had previously arrested, to bring Zhao Lanzhi to Luotian Cave.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lanzhi, under pressure to retrieve the Empress's beloved painting, "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," which was vital for her upcoming birthday, received a confession from Zhou Lixian. Zhou Lixian revealed that Luotian Cave was where stolen treasures were disposed of, and despite warning Zhao Lanzhi that it was a deadly place difficult to find, he agreed to guide him as a chance to atone for his crimes.
Upon arrival at the river near Luotian Cave, Zhao Lanzhi and his men were ambushed by Huo Yang's subordinates. Zhao Lanzhi ordered his men to retreat with the wounded, instructing them to besiege Luotian Cave if he didn't return by the next day. He then followed Zhou Lixian into the cave through an underwater entrance. Inside Luotian Cave, Zhao Lanzhi was immediately surrounded by Huo Yang and his men.
Huo Yang mockingly acknowledged Zhao Lanzhi's presence, expressing admiration for his ability to penetrate the cave. Zhao Lanzhi confessed he was there for a painting. Huo Yang, confirming he possessed "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," invited Zhao Lanzhi further in, revealing it would be auctioned that night. The cave was bustling with wealthy individuals, enjoying performances. Huo Yang then had Zhao Lanzhi escorted to the stage, announcing his identity as the Head Constable of Luoyang Administrative Court.
To everyone's surprise, Huo Yang then brought Ye Yuanan, Ye Yuanning, and Mu Le onto the stage, branding them as grave robbers who had committed various crimes. He offered Zhao Lanzhi the painting if he would execute the three, claiming it would uphold justice. Zhao Lanzhi was stunned to see Ye Yuanan and her companions. Ye Yuanan, seeing Zhao Lanzhi, expressed her shock, explaining she had come to rescue her brother but became trapped.
As Zhao Lanzhi hesitated, Huo Yang, declaring Zhao Lanzhi had missed his chance, ordered all four, including Zhao Lanzhi, to be locked in an iron cage and submerged into a deep pool, presenting it as a grand performance for the audience. The onlookers, unaware of the gravity, treated it as part of the show. In a desperate moment, Mu Le's extraordinary strength manifested again; he broke open the iron cage with his bare hands, allowing them to escape the water.
To ensure the others' escape, Zhao Lanzhi helped them get away but was himself pulled back into the water. Meanwhile, Master Xue had obtained the painting. He, however, refused to hand over the Divine Bead he promised Ming Hui in exchange, instead instructing her to return the painting to the Empress. Ming Hui suspected a deeper connection between Master Xue and the Empress but, determined to acquire the Divine Bead, agreed to his terms.
Ignoring her own safety, Ming Hui plunged into the pool to rescue the unconscious Zhao Lanzhi, knowing she needed him to return the painting. She performed artificial respiration to revive him, eventually bringing him back to consciousness. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan, concerned for Zhao Lanzhi's fate, wanted to go back to save him. Mu Le, fearing for her life, forcefully knocked her unconscious. Mu Le then brought Ye Yuanan and Ye Yuanning back to the Ye residence.
Ye Yuanning's stepmother, seeing his injuries, immediately assumed Ye Yuanan was responsible and threatened to report her to their father. Ye Yuanning tried to explain that it wasn't Ye Yuanan's fault but was too ashamed to confess his gambling debts and how his sister was trying to help him. The stepmother, misinterpreting his words, became convinced Ye Yuanan had hired thugs to bully him. Back at Ming Hui's home on Jinyun Mountain, Zhao Lanzhi awoke.
Ming Hui, wearing a veil, explained she had saved him from the monster fish pool. She openly admitted to being a frequenter of Luotian Cave, dealing in treasures obtained through grave robbing. She explained her philosophy on destiny and subtly probed Zhao Lanzhi about his purpose there. Zhao Lanzhi revealed he sought the Empress's painting, "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," which was to be auctioned that day.
Ming Hui offered to help him return to Luotian Cave, sensing his strong sense of responsibility. Alone, Ming Hui wrestled with her conscience, lamenting that she couldn't avenge Jiang Ren by killing Zhao Lanzhi due to her need for the Divine Bead. After waking up, Ye Yuanan, despite her injuries, urged Tianshu to devise a plan to rescue Zhao Lanzhi. She passionately declared that even if only bones remained, she would retrieve them and avenge him.
Tianshu, unable to dissuade her, suggested setting a massive fire at the entrances and exits of the mountain cave to flush out the inhabitants. He promised to provide the necessary kerosene, sulfur, and masks. Mu Le insisted on accompanying Ye Yuanan, reassuring her that his wounds no longer hurt. Tianshu, impressed by Mu Le's rapid healing, equipped them with explosives, kerosene, masks, and a special tool to cross cliffs.
On their way, Ye Yuanan's stepmother confronted them, still believing Ye Yuanan had harmed Ye Yuanning and was now fleeing with a "slave." Ye Yuanan quickly explained that a man had sacrificed himself to save her, and she had to retrieve his body and seek revenge. Meanwhile, Li Gonggong, worried sick, reiterated to his subordinates that failure to retrieve the painting before the Empress's birthday banquet that night would result in their doom.
Zhao Lanzhi, accompanying Ming Hui, successfully re-entered Luotian Cave and witnessed the auction for "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree" in progress. Ming Hui, to Zhao Lanzhi's surprise, bid a thousand taels of gold, demonstrating her immense wealth. At the same time, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le, using the special equipment provided by Tianshu, flew over the river and infiltrated Luotian Cave. They began setting fires, causing widespread panic and disrupting the painting's transaction.
In the ensuing chaos, Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi reunited. Zhao Lanzhi, taking Ming Hui with him, moved towards an exit. Huo Yang, noticing their escape, exchanged a knowing glance with Ming Hui, and then attacked Mu Le. Mu Le, however, gravely injured Huo Yang, allowing the "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree" painting to fall into Zhao Lanzhi's hands. As the cave was on the verge of exploding from the fires, everyone managed to escape.
Outside, Ming Hui demanded the painting back, stating it belonged to the Empress and she would ensure its return. She then swiftly departed, reminding Zhao Lanzhi that he owed her. Zhao Lanzhi confirmed to Ye Yuanan that the "veiled maiden" had indeed saved him from the pool. Ye Yuanan, still suspicious, expressed her anger at the veiled woman for stealing her sword earlier and believed she fled out of guilt. Zhao Lanzhi dismissed her concerns, focusing on the fact that Ye Yuanan had bravely returned for him.
