Blood River Episode 25 Recap
> Blood River Recap
Mu Xuewei looked downcast and spoke of her desire for Su Muyu's eternal happiness. Mu Qingyang teased her, suggesting she was moping after giving up on unrequited love, prompting Mu Xuewei to twist his ear in playful annoyance. Meanwhile, Su Changhe informed Su Muyu and Su Zhe that a faction of Blood River defectors had gone to Wushuang City, while another group joined the Tang Clan. Su Muyu was surprised by the Tang Clan's involvement.
Su Zhe noted the difficulty of the situation, as the Tang Clan excels in poisons, and if Night Crow was among them, things would become complicated. He reasoned that the Tang Clan's entanglement implied a plot against Tang Lianyue, whom the Prince of Langya valued highly. Su Muyu then proposed establishing a new sect in Nan'an City, a suggestion Su Changhe warmly supported, declaring he would personally eliminate anyone who dared to object.
Soon after, a representative from Lingxiao Sect arrived, asserting that Blood River could not openly establish itself in Nan'an City, a place dominated by prominent sects. Su Muyu tried to purchase land but found all local factions united against them, intent on driving them out. One day, Su Muyu saw some sect members assaulting a person. Ge Xiu, thinking Su Muyu was meddling, verbally challenged him, but recognized Su Muyu after being addressed by his real name.
Ge Xiu, who had previously encountered Su Muyu at Heishui Stronghold, expressed gratitude for his life being spared. He offered to help Blood River acquire land in Nan'an City, promising to deliver the deed by the next morning. Elsewhere, Mu Xuewei and Mu Qingyang were practicing martial arts. Mu Qingyang feigned injury to elicit concern from Mu Xuewei, who found his antics unfunny. Su Muyu then assigned them their next task.
Later, a messenger reported that Ge Xiu had been arrested, accused of murdering the Prefect's son. Su Muyu, realizing Ge Xiu was framed due to their prior interaction, went to the Prefect's residence. There, he encountered Lingxiao Sect and Daffodil House, who demanded Blood River and Changsheng Sect leave Nan'an City in exchange for Ge Xiu's release.
Su Muyu dismissed their demands, stating they lacked the authority to negotiate with him, and was soon confronted by the Lingxiao Sect Master himself. Su Muyu, accompanied by Bai Hehuai, arrived at the Prefect's residence, offering to investigate the young master's death. The Prefect, convinced Ge Xiu was the killer because Ge Xiu's dagger was found in the body, allowed Bai Hehuai to examine the corpse.
Bai Hehuai revealed that the young master had not died from the dagger, but from the Soul-Draining Pill, a potent poison that leaves the heart beating post-mortem, while corpse-worms consume the brain. The dagger was merely planted after death. She cautioned the Prefect's men about the dangerous corpse-worms when opening the skull, noting her own disinterest in such "disgusting things." She then challenged the Prefect to identify which Nan'an City sect specialized in such poisons, hinting at the true culprits.
After clearing Ge Xiu's name, Su Muyu apologized to him for indirectly causing his trouble. He explained that Blood River, without a powerful ally, would face constant obstacles in its quest to "walk in the sunlight," and might even endanger its supporters. He concluded that they needed to seek a stronger alliance to secure their future. He then discussed with Su Changhe and Su Zhe the possibility of allying with the Tang Clan.
Su Muyu argued that the Tang Clan, skilled in hidden weapons and poisons, had faced similar societal rejection when founded, making them a suitable ally. He also pointed out Night Crow's presence there, suggesting a deeper conspiracy possibly targeting the Prince of Langya. By helping the Tang Clan resolve this issue, they could secure an alliance and establish a connection with the influential Prince of Langya.
Su Zhe expressed concern about Blood River becoming reliant on the imperial court again, but Su Muyu stressed the Prince of Langya represented Beili's "brightest side." That night, Su Changhe and Su Muyu strolled through Nan'an City. Su Changhe reminisced about their younger days, noting how this was their first time enjoying a relaxed walk, eating osmanthus cakes they once couldn't afford.
Su Muyu affirmed his resolve to lead Blood River into the light, even as Su Changhe playfully reminded him they were under the moon, not the sun. Su Muyu prepared to return to Blood River with Mu Qingyang and Mu Xuewei to organize their journey. The next morning, Su Muyu went out early to buy groceries, planning to cook.
Xin Baicao, preparing to leave after Bai Hehuai's recovery, hastened his departure upon hearing Su Muyu was cooking, knowing his food was notoriously bad. Bai Hehuai, also wary of Su Muyu's culinary skills, snatched the basket of eggplants from him, insisting she would cook instead. Su Changhe gathered Mu Yumo, Mu Xuewei, and Mu Qingyang, emphasizing the importance of establishing ties with the Prince of Langya for Blood River to truly thrive.
He tasked them with traveling to the Tang Clan to investigate the situation, with Mu Xuewei and Mu Qingyang accompanying Mu Yumo. Knowing Su Muyu would soon depart for a dangerous mission, Bai Hehuai gave him a Jade Serpent, explaining its unique venom could temporarily counteract other poisons, giving him enough time to return to her for a full detox. She instructed him to feed it spiders, which Mu Yumo could easily provide.
They discussed Blood River's long journey, acknowledging that the "Other Shore" of true freedom and acceptance seemed ever elusive, comparing it to Su Muyu's own intermittent peaceful life in Nan'an before being drawn back to Blood River's affairs. Bai Hehuai expressed her hope for his safe return. Meanwhile, Xin Baicao located Night Crow in her poisonous domain.
Xin Baicao confronted Night Crow, accusing her of continuing to practice the taboo drugged puppet craft, even refining living people, despite promising to stop years ago. As the current Medicine King, Xin Baicao declared his intention to purge his house, but Night Crow, feeling unvalued by her senior, defiantly attacked him with a refined "drugged puppet."
