Blood River Episode 29 Recap
> Blood River Recap
Tu Wan jovially recalled meeting Su Muyu at the Pleasure House, where they were the only two to remain composed amidst a room full of revelers. Bai Hehuai, gritting her teeth and forcing a smile, immediately questioned how they met, then quickly pulled Su Muyu away, excusing themselves. Tu Wan, oblivious, simply bade them farewell. Later, Bai Hehuai confessed to Su Muyu her dislike for Tianqi City, finding it too vast and lacking the warmth of a home.
She even remarked on the oversized osmanthus cakes. She longed to return to Nan'an. She also questioned why Su Muyu chose to operate a medical clinic openly instead of keeping a low profile. Su Muyu explained that Blood River's presence in Tianqi should not be hidden, and they would conduct their affairs openly and fearlessly. Bai Hehuai agreed.
Suddenly, Bai Hehuai sensed Night Crow's proximity using a snake given to her by Xin Baicao, which was linked to Night Crow's own snake. She decided to investigate. Mu Yumo arrived and insisted on accompanying Su Muyu, reassuring Bai Hehuai of their safety. Mu Yumo revealed that she had been following Tang Lianyue, who was in distress and needed the Su clan's assistance.
They found Tang Lianyue confronting Night Crow, demanding the release of his senior, Tang Linghuang, from the puppet poison. Night Crow remained defiant. Su Muyu and Mu Yumo joined Tang Lianyue. Su Muyu expressed his disdain for Night Crow's disregard for human life and declared that Bai Hehuai, the miracle physician, had ordered him to eliminate her as a traitor to the Medicine King Valley. Night Crow found this amusing and unleashed Tang Linghuang, now a Gold-Body Puppet.
Tang Lianyue explained that Tang Linghuang was the Tang clan's deputy master and pledged his lifelong gratitude if Su Muyu could help save him. During the intense battle, Mu Yumo inquired why Su Muyu wasn't employing the Eighteen-Sword Array. Su Muyu clarified that Tang Lianyue wished to rescue his senior, not kill him, and the array was a lethal technique. Mu Yumo then deployed the Thousand-Spider Array to ensnare Night Crow.
Tang Linghuang, empowered as a puppet, demonstrated enhanced martial prowess, even using a poisonous palm technique he had never learned, a poison that had been transferred from Xuewei. Night Crow, satisfied with testing the Gold-Body Puppet's might, retreated with Tang Linghuang. Tang Lianyue was distressed. Su Muyu explained that Tang Linghuang, though unconscious, was still alive and his martial skills had vastly improved.
Su Muyu observed that Tang Linghuang, who was once Tang Lianyue's equal, had now fought off two opponents while gaining the upper hand. Tang Lianyue desperately asked how to break the puppet poison. Su Muyu admitted he only knew one way to end a drugged puppet: by piercing and destroying its heart. Su Muyu advised Tang Lianyue to be patient, as his senior's life was currently in Night Crow's control, and predicted they would meet again.
Su Muyu and Mu Yumo then departed. Back at their lodging, Bai Hehuai, restless with worry, couldn't sleep. Su Changhe lightened the mood by performing a trick with a dagger and a candle, which impressed and amused Bai Hehuai. Su Muyu returned, looking weary, and Su Changhe playfully asked about the master he had encountered.
Su Muyu informed them that Tang Linghuang, the future grand master of the Tang clan, had been transformed into a perfect Gold-Body Puppet by Night Crow, a revelation that shocked Su Changhe. Su Muyu also confirmed that Li Xinyue had arranged a meeting with Prince of Langya. Su Muyu expressed confidence that Prince of Langya, being a discerning leader, would cooperate with their vision of a "new Blood River," unlike the biased populace.
He asserted that if Prince of Langya held similar prejudices, they would have chosen the wrong ally. Su Changhe acknowledged the implication of Blood River making a significant move into Tianqi. Later, Tang Lianyue reported to Prince of Langya about his senior, Tang Linghuang, being made into a drugged puppet by Night Crow in Tianqi and his unsuccessful attempt to rescue him with Su Muyu.
Another advisor confirmed that the Blood River Patriarch and three family heads had entered Tianqi openly and sought an alliance with Prince of Langya. Prince of Langya, recalling his long history with Blood River since the late emperor's reign, was wary of their intentions. The advisor cautioned against meeting Blood River due to the rumors circulating in Tianqi. However, Tang Lianyue vouched for Blood River's good intentions. Prince of Langya agreed to meet them in three days at Fengxue Tower.
When Su Muyu relayed this to Bai Hehuai, she questioned why a clandestine meeting would be held in such a public venue. Su Muyu suggested it was a display of Prince of Langya's confidence and power. Bai Hehuai decided to attend, joking that she would go for the steamed fish. Su Muyu agreed, stating they would reside in Tianqi for a while, and the clinic's opening would establish their presence before the gathering.
The clinic was named "He-Yu Clinic, Tianqi Branch," and Su Muyu politely declined Su Changhe's offer to help with its preparations. Meanwhile, Night Crow met the First Prince. The First Prince requested to see the "perfect Gold-Body Puppet." Night Crow presented Tang Linghuang, who demonstrated his formidable power by effortlessly attacking a guard. The First Prince was impressed by the puppet's agility and strength, remarking that it was no ordinary Heaven-level master.
He challenged Night Crow to elevate the puppet's power to the Spirit-Roam level, citing Prince of Langya's four Free-Heaven level guardians. Night Crow pledged to meet this expectation. Later, Zhuo Qing, the First Prince's master, revealed to him that the puppet was indeed Tang Linghuang, whose strength had reached the cusp of the Grand-Free threshold, though still a step below Zhuo Qing's own. The First Prince then inquired if Zhuo Qing and Night Crow combined could eliminate Prince of Langya.
Zhuo Qing reminded him that their true objective was not merely to kill Prince of Langya, but to sow distrust between the Emperor and Prince of Langya, and by extension, the Sixth Prince Xiao Chuhe, Prince of Langya's close ally. Only then would the Dragonseal Scroll, which named the heir to the throne, bear the First Prince's name. The First Prince conceded his impatience.
Zhuo Qing then informed him that he had arranged for the First Prince to meet Su Changhe, the Blood River Patriarch, at Qiushui Cottage for a drink that night, referring to Su Changhe as a "distinguished guest." The First Prince was surprised but intrigued by the prospect. Su Changhe stood overlooking the bustling market, reflecting on the mortal world and feeling a newfound "everyday warmth" from his time with Su Muyu and Bai Hehuai.
He pondered the appeal of an ordinary life, free from the conflicts of the jianghu and the intrigues of the court. Su Muyu countered that a stable life was a luxury for many, and their mission was to empower Blood River's disciples to choose their own destinies, not merely be instruments or shadows. He asked Su Changhe what he would choose given the option. Su Changhe, unwavering, declared that he would carve out a new path even without choice.
Su Changhe then voiced his doubts about Prince of Langya's reliability, observing that the Emperor and other princes were wary of him, and the Prince himself seemed overly cautious. Dismissing his thoughts, knowing Su Muyu would disagree, Su Changhe told Su Muyu to proceed with purchasing herbs with Bai Hehuai while he went to experience the world. That night, Su Changhe met Zhuo Qing and the First Prince at Qiushui Cottage. Zhuo Qing introduced the rare "Autumn Waters" wine.
Su Changhe, however, stated he didn't drink, describing himself as a "ferryman to the Other Shore" who needed a "boat." Su Changhe openly acknowledged the First Prince's address to Zhuo Qing as "Master," expressing his surprise as he believed Zhuo Qing's only disciples were the Five Great Eunuchs. Zhuo Qing recounted his past: how as a frail child, he was bullied until he met Consort Shu, the First Prince's mother's aunt.
Consort Shu, a kind and generous woman, encouraged him to learn martial arts, providing him with family manuals, including a partial one titled "The Humble Heart," from which he developed his unique skills over many years. Consort Shu, being childless and witnessing her clan's decline, had entrusted Zhuo Qing to look after the First Prince. However, Zhuo Qing was soon assigned to guard the imperial mausoleum, limiting his time to teach the First Prince.
Su Changhe commented on Zhuo Qing's loyalty, identifying him as someone "loyal and true," just like himself. Zhuo Qing found Su Changhe fascinating and recalled their previous encounter, predicting they would become either friends or adversaries. Su Changhe asked if they would become friends. Zhuo Qing responded that it depended on the kind of friend Su Changhe sought. Su Changhe reiterated his identity as a "ferryman to the Other Shore" who needed a "boat."
Su Changhe then inadvertently mentioned Mister Li, causing Zhuo Qing's expression to harden. Zhuo Qing then outlined the political landscape for the First Prince, explaining that despite his noble lineage, only a few princes genuinely vied for the throne. He listed the Second Prince Xiao Chong, blinded by poison years ago, and the Seventh Prince Xiao Yu, spoiled and whose supporting Shadow Sect had been eliminated by Blood River.
Zhuo Qing concluded that the only true contender remaining for the First Prince was the Sixth Prince Xiao Chuhe, who was backed by Prince of Langya, Xiao Ruofeng. Zhuo Qing emphasized that Prince of Langya was their primary opponent, and not just theirs, but almost the entire city of Tianqi viewed him as a rival due to his brilliance and excessive pride. Zhuo Qing noted that even the Emperor must be troubled by this.
Indeed, the Emperor had been plagued by recurring nightmares for half a month. He dreamt of lying on his sickbed, only for an armored figure wielding a long sword to draw back his bed curtains and plunge the weapon into his chest. Though he could only discern the glint of the sword, the Emperor implicitly recognized the figure as his brother, Prince of Langya.
When questioned by an attendant, he denied seeing the assassin's face, merely stating that the face was always blurred, only the sword's gleam remained distinct. Back at the He-Yu Clinic, Su Changhe found Su Muyu diligently writing names for the clinic on paper seals. Su Changhe teased him about being underutilized, but Su Muyu explained Bai Hehuai's vision for a distinctive clinic, even suggesting a slogan like "timely care, cure on time" for the Nan'an branch to ensure repeat customers.
Su Changhe chuckled, playfully amending the slogan to "patients with illness still return." Su Changhe then proposed bringing out the treasures from the Yellow Springs Pawnshop, suggesting they had been hidden for too long. Su Muyu vehemently disagreed, explaining that the pawnshop's contents were invaluable assets for Blood River, whether for alliances or self-preservation. However, releasing them would attract the attention of powerful factions like Baixiao Hall, leading to investigations that could expose Blood River's entire past.
He warned that revealing such treasures to Prince of Langya, the First Prince, or even the Emperor would make Blood River a target. Su Muyu insisted they must not touch the pawnshop's hoard until the political climate became clear. Su Changhe reluctantly agreed and returned to writing the seals.
