Blood River Episode 18 Recap
> Blood River Recap
Su Muyu informed Xiemo that Xiao Zhaoyan was his younger sister, stating that he had no other purpose for being there than to visit her, especially since he had arranged for her to be sent to the Homeland years ago. Xiemo, realizing that Su Muyu's visit had no ulterior motive concerning former Blood River members, quickly departed. Su Changhe commented on Xiemo's peculiar reaction, noting his swift exit after learning their identities.
Xiao Zhaoyan explained that the residents of the Homeland, many of whom were retired Blood River members like Xiemo, feared being drawn back into the organization. She noted that while they would treat guests courteously, any attempt to reclaim them would lead to a fierce battle. Su Changhe then lightened the mood, asking about the promised meat and wine. Xiao Zhaoyan mentioned their strong homemade rice wine, which Su Changhe eagerly requested to drink.
Meanwhile, Xie Zaiye met with the First Prince, confirming that his grandfather and the Three Families had agreed to cooperate. The First Prince was delighted, remarking that if the Shadow Sect leader, Yi Bu, had been as wise, he would not have met such a tragic end. He praised Xie Zaiye's discerning choice. Xie Zaiye revealed his long-held desire to live freely in the light, rather than as a hidden shadow, a longing that intensified after observing Su Muyu.
The First Prince then outlined his strategy: he would use his valuable intelligence to aid Blood River, expecting their assistance in return later. He also instructed his aide, Ms. Yumo, to monitor the movements of Tianqi’s Xuanwu Guardian and report his return to Tianqi immediately. Back at the Homeland, Xiao Zhaoyan teased Su Changhe about his supposed inability to hold his liquor, having fallen "drunk" after just one bowl of rice wine.
Su Muyu clarified that Su Changhe had a unique ability to become drunk at will, and that he had chosen to do so that night to allow for a private conversation between Su Muyu and Xiao Zhaoyan. Su Muyu then revealed that he had uncovered secrets in Tianqi City's Wanjuan Tower regarding the eradication of No-Sword City, and that Blood River was involved.
Xiao Zhaoyan was shocked to learn that the place where she grew up was responsible for her family's demise. Su Muyu explained that out of 93 assassins dispatched, only 18 survived, and these survivors were later hunted. He showed Xiao Zhaoyan a list, and she recognized several names as current residents of the Homeland: Su Xiemo, Su Xiaoyan, Xie Shuitao, and Mu Tianze.
Upon seeing the list, Xiao Zhaoyan asked Su Muyu about his intentions, and he instructed her and anyone inside to stay put while he went to ask some questions, reassuring her that he wouldn't harm the village. Su Muyu then confronted Xiemo, who was enjoying a quiet evening.
Xiemo had recognized Su Muyu instantly, noting his resemblance to his father and his equally formidable swordsmanship, embodied by the eighteen swords he carried in his umbrella, enough to deal with the eighteen people present. Xiemo admitted that the former Patriarch initially refused the mission to eradicate No-Sword City due to its far-reaching consequences for Blood River, but Soul Reapers' Hall was insistent. Blood River suffered heavy losses, with only 18 assassins surviving.
These survivors were later systematically hunted down during subsequent missions, leading Xiemo to suspect collusion between Soul Reapers' Hall and the employer to silence them. He further revealed that the employer's true aim was No-Sword City's sword manuals. During a brief clash on the night of the massacre, Blood River's forces mistakenly engaged the employer's infiltrators, whose swordsmanship – the Ninth Heaven Sword Technique – pointed to Wushuang City.
This revelation chilled Su Muyu, as his father had once held the former lord of Wushuang City in high regard. Xiemo then stated that his group felt no guilt, having merely followed orders, and would fight to the death if Su Muyu sought revenge. Su Muyu responded that his vengeance was directed at the true orchestrators, not those who merely wielded the blades.
He acknowledged that for those living in the Homeland, all past sins and glories were meant to be washed away. With a word of thanks, Su Muyu departed. Xiemo's subordinates, seeing Su Muyu leave, wondered why their leader had not ordered his death. Xiemo explained that Su Muyu had proven capable of wielding the Eighteen-Sword Array, making him a formidable opponent.
He then revealed that Su Changhe had been present the entire time, lurking outside, and had already shown killing intent, effectively protecting them from attacking Su Muyu. Xiemo noted that Su Changhe, the current Patriarch of Blood River, had cultivated the Hell Palm, an art believed to bring a tragic end to its practitioners. Su Changhe then appeared, playfully chiding Su Muyu for his presence, despite his own earlier "drunkenness" ploy.
Su Changhe then informed Su Muyu of new plans to travel to Nan'an, reading a letter from Miss Bai. In the letter, Miss Bai invited only Su Muyu to work as an apprentice at her newly opened apothecary, explicitly requesting that Su Changhe not accompany him. Despite this, Su Muyu agreed to go and insisted that Su Changhe join him, then vaguely answered Su Changhe's inquiry about new information from Xiemo.
Elsewhere, Bai Hehuai was discussing marriage with her father, Su Zhe, whom she playfully calls "Goudie." Bai Hehuai expressed her preference for Su Changhe over Su Muyu, describing Su Muyu as too cold and uninteresting, while praising Su Changhe as powerful, high-ranking, entertaining, and unique. Su Zhe, dismayed by her choice, called Su Changhe a cunning brat and threatened to kill him if he dared approach his daughter.
Su Changhe, having overheard their conversation, suddenly appeared and teased Bai Hehuai about her affection for him. Annoyed, Bai Hehuai and Su Zhe then playfully chased after him. Su Changhe then introduced Xiao Zhaoyan to Bai Hehuai, teasingly calling her Su Muyu's "childhood sweetheart" from the Blood River Homeland. Bai Hehuai initially showed a hint of jealousy but relaxed upon learning that Xiao Zhaoyan was Su Muyu's younger sister.
A clumsy greeting from Xiao Zhaoyan then prompted Su Zhe to make a fuss about Bai Hehuai's age, further irritating her. Xiao Zhaoyan informed Bai Hehuai that Su Muyu had gone to meet someone but would arrive shortly. Su Muyu was indeed meeting Master Ji, who had followed him, to inquire about a document from Baixiao Hall he retrieved from Wanjuan Tower.
Master Ji confirmed the document's authenticity and warned Su Muyu that someone was attempting to manipulate him by providing the information. Su Muyu dismissed the concern as a private matter and then went to buy osmanthus cakes for Bai Hehuai. Later, at their newly named "Heyu Apothecary," Bai Hehuai welcomed Su Muyu, revealing their joint ownership and demanding half the rent from him.
She noticed the osmanthus cakes he brought and asked about his earlier meeting, to which he replied it was merely with an old acquaintance. Su Muyu then inquired why he hadn't been invited inside his own apothecary. Bai Hehuai explained that she had only prepared one extra bed for him, as she didn't expect him to bring a "childhood sweetheart" (referring to Xiao Zhaoyan) and thus had to send Su Zhe and others to purchase more supplies.
Bai Hehuai then recalled Su Changhe's extravagant shopping spree, which she hilariously imitated, where he spent a 500-tael silver ingot without bargaining, purchasing a precious green jade basin from a fish seller. Bai Hehuai asked why Xiao Zhaoyan was no longer in the Homeland, which Su Muyu had once declared the safest place. Su Muyu explained that he had discovered some of the Blood River assassins responsible for the No-Sword City massacre were still alive and residing in the Homeland.
Although retired, he felt uneasy leaving Xiao Zhaoyan there, believing she would be safer with Bai Hehuai and Su Zhe in Nan'an. Bai Hehuai surmised that Su Muyu was entrusting Xiao Zhaoyan to her while he dealt with other matters related to No-Sword City. Su Muyu confirmed he would remain in Nan'an to help manage the apothecary. Soon after, Su Changhe arrived with his subordinates, laden with various purchases for the apothecary.
He directed them to put the food in the kitchen and the bedding in the rooms, declaring that the apothecary was now their home, filled with things they liked, and proudly labeling himself a "shameless prodigal young master" who enjoyed watching birds and fish and listening to music, contrasting it with Su Muyu's preference for grinding herbs and being a "good man."
Su Changhe then grandly announced the official opening of the Heyu Apothecary to the curious locals, intending to showcase Bai Hehuai's true medical prowess. A man from the crowd questioned the legitimacy of the new apothecary, given the numerous existing ones and renowned physicians in Nan'an City, asking who its owner was. Bai Hehuai proudly declared, "It's me."
