Blood River Episode 17 Recap
> Blood River Recap
As Su Muyu stepped into Wanjuan Tower, he glanced back at Su Changhe, who stood outside. Both men were ready to fulfill their missions. As Su Muyu closed the tower doors, Su Changhe was met by an enraged Yi Bu, the leader of the Shadow Sect. Yi Bu was furious that Su Changhe and Su Muyu had managed to infiltrate Wanjuan Tower undetected.
Inside, Su Muyu picked up a scroll, contemplating that even with all the intelligence, they might still be unable to defeat the "number one" martial artist. Xie Zaiye, who was already inside, guided Su Muyu through the vast archives. They found intelligence records for various factions, including Baixiao Hall and Blood River itself, affirming that Wanjuan Tower truly held every secret. Su Muyu learned that Blood River's complete intelligence was stored there, which he presumed was his target.
Xie Zaiye mentioned that some secret chambers required specific keys and admitted the Shadow Sect's own limitations in gathering intelligence. To Xie Zaiye’s surprise, Su Muyu produced a perfectly matched set of keys from his robe, revealing he had prepared well in advance. Upon seeing what was inside a secret chamber, Su Muyu's face paled. He then feigned weakness, claiming he had dropped something and asking Xie Zaiye to wait for him.
Xie Zaiye recalled his grandfather's instructions to shoot an arrow into Su Muyu's back while he was vulnerable, hoping to turn the tide of the battle. But just as the thought crossed his mind, Su Muyu reappeared behind him, confirming that he had never truly trusted Xie Zaiye. Su Muyu then ordered the entire Wanjuan Tower to be burned down. Xie Zaiye realized Su Muyu's display of weakness had been a deliberate deception.
Outside, Yi Bu lay gravely wounded by Su Changhe, his life flashing before his eyes. He recalled a lifetime of dedication to the Shadow Sect, a life not lived for himself, from being forced to assume leadership as a child to losing his disciple and beloved daughter. Su Changhe, observing Yi Bu, questioned if he was reflecting on his life. He demanded to know who in Tianqi City was aware of the connection between Blood River and the Shadow Sect.
Yi Bu defiantly asked if Su Changhe intended to kill them all. Su Changhe affirmed his intent, explaining that if the public learned the notorious assassin guild was controlled by the court, it would cause widespread panic, and he needed to eliminate the few who knew. Despite Su Changhe's threats, Yi Bu remained silent. Su Muyu then arrived, confirming he had found what he sought.
Su Changhe, with a warm smile, asked Su Muyu how to deal with the captive Yi Bu. Though he immediately corrected himself, proclaiming his authority as the Patriarch of Blood River, he suggested torturing Yi Bu. Su Muyu, however, responded with a grim expression, noting that Yi Bu's resolute gaze indicated he would die before revealing anything.
Su Changhe then offered Yi Bu a final chance to speak, but Yi Bu declared that a shadow wishing to step into the sun could only vanish, and cursed them to fail. Disgusted, Su Changhe swiftly ended Yi Bu's life. Su Muyu presented Su Changhe with a record of his own lineage, which Su Muyu had retrieved from Wanjuan Tower.
Su Changhe, without opening it, tossed it into the air and shattered it with his inner force, stating that the past was irrelevant and they should focus on the future. Meanwhile, the First Prince's elaborate scheme to eliminate Blood River through the Shadow Sect had failed, reinforcing his belief that the Shadow Sect was useless.
He reflected that the Emperor's distrust of the Prince of Langya would only deepen with the Shadow Sect's demise, setting the stage for his own grand strategy. Su Muyu and the others reunited briefly before dispersing. Bai Hehuai reported that Mu Ciling requested Su Muyu to cure his poison, after which he would sever all ties with Blood River. Su Muyu agreed to assist.
Su Muyu then told Su Changhe that he had learned about No-Sword City during his time in Wanjuan Tower and needed to visit Homeland to attend to some private matters, assuming Su Changhe would accompany him. In a separate conversation, the Emperor learned from his Great Eunuch about Yi Bu's death and the fire at the Imperial Father-in-Law's Manor.
He mused on the ruthless nature of the event, finding it uncharacteristic of the Prince of Langya, yet acknowledging that the Prince had changed. The Emperor decided to declare it an accidental fire and left it to the Court of Judicial Review. He also inquired if Consort Xuan knew the news, learning that the Seventh Prince had already informed her. The Prince of Langya discussed the Shadow Sect's destruction with his aide, Xiao Ruoban.
She questioned why Blood River would assist them, suggesting it would implicate the Prince. He dismissed her concerns, stating that Yi Bu had brought it upon himself. The Prince commended Su Changhe and Su Muyu as remarkable individuals striving to transform Blood River, breaking free from their past as puppets. He acknowledged the remaining challenge of overcoming prejudice and rumor but offered his assistance to their cause.
As Su Changhe and Su Muyu prepared to part ways, Su Changhe playfully suggested they go listen to music together. Su Muyu mused about returning to Tianqi City one day with a clear conscience. Su Changhe, understanding Su Muyu's aspirations to live an ordinary life, countered with his own dream: to lead Blood River into the light and "become" that light. Su Muyu declared he would be Su Changhe's sword.
Bai Hehuai, who admitted to having no martial arts skills, offered to treat their wounds, humorously adding that if she couldn't, her father, Su Zhe, would collect their bodies. They sealed their pact with a promise. Su Changhe accompanied Su Muyu to Homeland, a secluded village where former Blood River members lived, seeking peace away from conflict. Su Muyu remarked on its ordinary appearance, to which Su Changhe replied that a homeland should naturally be ordinary.
There, Su Muyu was greeted by Xiao Zhaoyan, a childhood friend from No-Sword City, whom he considered like a sister. Xiao Zhaoyan teased Su Muyu for taking so long to visit, and then playfully accused him of matchmaking when he introduced Su Changhe, the new Patriarch of Blood River. Xiao Zhaoyan and Su Changhe exchanged banter about the perceived poverty of Homeland despite Blood River's wealth.
An elder, Su Xiemo, known as the Seven-Sword Star-Chaser and formerly the Soul-Chasing Ghost, approached them. He recognized their names and confirmed they were of the Su family, though he hadn't heard of them before he left home. Su Changhe revealed that he and Su Muyu were from the Nameless, with Su Changhe now the Patriarch and Su Muyu the head of the Su family.
Su Xiemo tested and then accepted Su Changhe's authority by offering him a cup of tea, acknowledging his skill. Su Xiemo shared that he had survived a battle thought to have killed him, but lost his right to be a killer, and was thus settled in Homeland by the former Patriarch to guard it.
Realizing the significance of their visit, Su Xiemo concluded that the former Patriarch must be dead and that major events had transpired for the Nameless to now lead Blood River. He then asked for the purpose of their visit.
