Blood River Episode 14 Recap
> Blood River Recap
Crow confronted Su Changhe, suggesting that if Blood River kills anyone, he would present the hardest man to kill before Su Changhe. Su Changhe swiftly placed a dagger at Crow's neck, warning him against any sudden movement. He clarified that he wouldn't actually kill Crow, as Su Muyu's life was still in Crow's hands.
Su Changhe then ordered Crow to leave, but not before meticulously instructing him to ensure Su Muyu, as their guest, was well cared for, emphasizing that Su Muyu did not eat spicy food. After Crow departed, a subordinate noted Su Changhe's powerful killing intent. Su Changhe admitted he had struggled to suppress it, expressing his hope that they would treat Su Muyu kindly. Meanwhile, Xiao Ruofeng, the Prince of Langya, sat alone drinking in a tavern.
He reflected on his use of "stealth art," a mystic technique taught by his late master, Mr. Li, pondering if Mr. Li would have disapproved of him using such methods to avoid court matters and drink in solitude. Su Changhe, having tracked him down, appeared and apologized for the intrusion, observing the Prince's unguarded and private state. Su Changhe, introducing himself as the new Patriarch of Blood River, declared his ultimate ambition to kill the world's most formidable target.
Xiao Ruofeng, acknowledging Su Changhe's keen insight into his current state of solitude and his deliberate absence from court affairs, remarked that if Su Changhe were not a killer, he would have genuinely enjoyed sharing a drink with him. The two men then engaged in a fierce duel. During the fight, Su Changhe questioned why Xiao Ruofeng hesitated to draw his sword.
Xiao Ruofeng confessed he had forgotten how to wield it, lamenting that his once-famed Haoque Sword now felt empty, devoid of its former killing intent. Su Changhe dismissed this as a weakness, finding such "benevolence" no threat. The battle was abruptly interrupted by Li Xinyue, Guardian Azure Dragon, who stated that Li Hanyi had instructed her to engage Su Changhe without hesitation upon sight. Li Xinyue gravely wounded Su Changhe with her "Heart Sword Rain," causing him to collapse.
Just as he fell, Su Zhe arrived and intervened, saving Su Changhe. Xiao Ruofeng recognized Su Zhe, recalling an earlier encounter where Su Zhe, then an assassin, had spared his life. Su Zhe, claiming he was no longer with Blood River, requested the same mercy. Although Li Xinyue voiced concerns about potential future troubles, Xiao Ruofeng, honoring their past, instructed her to allow Su Zhe and Su Changhe to leave.
After Su Changhe's rescue, one of his subordinates expressed alarm at his severe injuries, while another, who had feigned death to escape harm, revealed that Su Changhe had borne the full brunt of Li Xinyue's "Heart Sword Rain." Bai Hehuai arrived and, instead of offering comfort, critically assessed Su Changhe's wounds, calling him a "piece of work." Su Changhe, feigning offense, questioned her insults.
Bai Hehuai, seeing through his act, observed that despite the ghastly external injuries, there were no internal wounds, and accused him of staging a performance to further a scheme. Crow also appeared, demanding an explanation for why his faction hadn't been informed of the assassination attempt on the Prince of Langya at Diaolou Cottage, especially since Li Xinyue had arrived before his own operatives, despite signals being sent.
Su Changhe argued that opportunities were fleeting and there was no time for advance notice. He then revealed his bold plan: he would summon all Blood River elites from the Three Families to enter Tianqi and target the Prince of Langya. Bai Hehuai quickly understood Su Changhe's strategy, explaining that bringing such a large force into Tianqi would create an uncontrollable storm, forcing various factions into the open and making it difficult for those with hidden agendas to operate discreetly.
Crow subsequently reported to Sect Leader Yi that Su Changhe's assassination attempt had failed but that he now sought to bring all Blood River elites into Tianqi. Sect Leader Yi, leveraging Su Muyu as a captive, approved Su Changhe's audacious plan, confident that with Su Muyu under his control, Su Changhe would not dare to act recklessly.
Meanwhile, in the Shadow Sect's prison, Su Muyu, under the influence of "Drunken Dream Bone" which induced a strange trance, found himself conversing with another prisoner. Su Muyu explained his own weakened state due to poison, which prevented him from sensing the other's presence. He confided that he was seeking a crucial answer, one he hadn't pursued earlier because he wasn't strong enough to act upon it.
He expressed confidence that a friend would eventually rescue him from the prison, despite its reputation for no one ever leaving alive. Su Muyu's willingness to speak openly was sparked when the other prisoner revealed his surname was Zhuo—the same as Su Muyu's father. As the "stranger" removed his mask, Su Muyu recognized his father, Zhuo. Realizing this was an illusion brought on by the Drunken Dream Bone, Su Muyu still cherished the opportunity to speak with him.
His father, calling him Yue'an, acknowledged the hardships Su Muyu had endured. Su Muyu reaffirmed his vow to uncover the truth behind No-Sword City's demise and restore its honor. His father, however, expressed more peace in knowing that Su Muyu had friends by his side through the years. As the effects of the Drunken Dream Bone intensified, Su Muyu collapsed, and the illusion of his father faded away like smoke.
The narrative then shifted to a flashback, depicting the earlier days of Su Changhe and Su Muyu as unknown wanderers, constantly on missions. One evening, Su Muyu noted the deserted streets, unaware it was Chinese New Year's Eve. Su Changhe informed him of the holiday and, drawn by the aroma of fried tofu, was tempted to steal some.
However, Su Muyu, who had never celebrated Chinese New Year himself, dissuaded him, reminding him that this was a rare good day for ordinary, struggling families, and they should not disrupt their peace. An elderly woman then invited them into her home for dinner, mistaking them for companions of her deceased son, Yuanxu, who had died in war. She prepared fried tofu, her son's favorite dish, using the best ingredients she had, including meat she had saved for him.
Su Changhe was profoundly moved, remarking that it was the best Chinese New Year's Eve dinner he had ever experienced. After the meal, they discreetly left money: Su Changhe left a silver ingot, while Su Muyu, having only five copper coins, left those. Su Changhe playfully called him a "pauper" for his small offering. As they departed the house, they watched fireworks explode across the night sky, both smiling, finding a moment of simple joy. Su Changhe turned to Su Muyu and wished him a Happy Chinese New Year's Eve, a moment that highlighted their bond and a shared longing for a peaceful life.
