Blood River Episode 31 Recap
> Blood River Recap
Su Muyu proposed that they would help the Prince of Langya eliminate his enemies. Su Changhe pressed on, inquiring if the Prince was truly sincere in this alliance. After some thought, the Prince, Xiao Ruofeng, explained that Tang Linghuang, Tang Lianyue's Senior, was a close friend whose life was of utmost importance to him.
He stated that if Su Muyu and his group could rescue Tang Linghuang and cure him of the drugged-puppet poison, it would be a tremendous act of kindness. The Prince then added that it would be his honor, Xiao Ruofeng's, if Su Changhe wished to use his influence to bring Blood River into the light. He then asserted his belief that they could usher in a new era for the jianghu.
After the meeting, Su Changhe and his companions emerged, pleased with the outcome. Mu Qingyang remarked that it was a good start, not an end, to Blood River's acceptance by the world. He shared his first wish: to retire as head of the Mu family and pass it to Yumo, as he had fulfilled his duty of bringing the Mu family into the light.
His second wish was to visit the Profound Sword Deity at Wangchengshan to eat a peach grown by the sword deity himself. Bai Hehuai teased him, suggesting he might as well stay there and cultivate. Mu Qingyang admitted he had considered it but couldn't, as cultivation required cutting off love, which he was unwilling to do. He then revealed his third wish: to confess his long-standing feelings for Mu Xuewei. Bai Hehuai reacted with pleasant surprise and happiness for him.
Su Changhe then chastised Mu Qingyang for his romantic aspirations. Mu Qingyang, however, was struck by how cold Su Changhe’s fingers were, initially wondering if he practiced a Frost Palm technique. This led to the discovery that Su Changhe's coldness was a result of the Qi he absorbed during his exchange with the Prince of Langya.
Su Muyu explained that while Su Changhe's Hell Palm could normally absorb and redirect an opponent’s Qi, the Prince’s Qi was tainted with a potent frost poison that had begun to run rampant within Su Changhe’s body. Bai Hehuai revealed that the Prince himself was suffering from this frost poison, which had invaded his body, and he didn't have long to live. She confirmed his condition was critical, offering only a slim chance of recovery.
Su Muyu speculated that the dying Prince of Langya sought their help to eliminate rebellious elements in Tianqi City, thereby clearing the path for his elder brother to ascend the throne. Mu Qingyang found this selflessness puzzling, stating that if he were dying, he would not concern himself with the world's affairs. Su Changhe announced he would enter seclusion to address the frost poison.
He explained it had nearly crippled him because his Hell Palm's ninth level was incomplete, but he was confident that once he achieved the ninth level, he could dispel any poison. Su Muyu agreed to manage external matters, cautioning against rushing to rescue Tang Linghuang, as the Prince of Langya’s dire condition gave them leverage. Meanwhile, Su Changli introduced himself to the First Prince's faction as Su Changhe's younger brother, tasked with relaying messages.
He conveyed Blood River’s message: they had no interest in the imperial court; they simply wanted their organization to gain legitimate recognition, proclaiming, "You be emperor of Tianqi City, and we'll be king of the jianghu." Tu Wan brought Bai Hehuai to the Li Residence to treat General Li Xian's son.
Li Xian, initially skeptical of Bai Hehuai’s youth, was soon convinced when she accurately diagnosed his son's condition – "nine short, one long" breaths, with bloody phlegm on the long one, signifying impending death – without even entering the room. Allowed inside, Bai Hehuai examined the patient and confirmed he was alive but afflicted with a difficult poison. She took a sample of his blood and declared she needed time to refine a cure.
When Li Xian observed his son collapsing after Bai Hehuai’s initial treatment, a reaction not seen with previous physicians, he grew suspicious and attempted to detain her. Tu Wan vehemently refused to let her be held captive, declaring Li Xian would have to kill him first. Just as Li Xian's men moved to apprehend them, Su Muyu arrived, neutralizing the guards with his sword Qi and ensuring Bai Hehuai and Tu Wan's safe departure.
Concurrently, Xu Liuyun was informed that a physician from Blood River's clinic had entered Li Xian's residence and ordered his men to prevent her from leaving, setting a trap. After leaving the Li Residence, Bai Hehuai expressed her concern to Su Muyu that the unique puppet poison affecting Li Xian’s son indicated Night Crow might be secretly spreading it throughout Tianqi City, possibly to create an army of drugged puppets.
She had taken a blood sample to begin work on an antidote. As they journeyed back, the famed Blade Ghost of Nanjue, Xu Liuyun, ambushed them. Xu Liuyun revealed he had been sent to kill Bai Hehuai. Su Muyu instructed Bai Hehuai to find a way to escape during their fight, acknowledging Xu Liuyun’s formidable reputation.
During their fierce battle, Su Muyu chose to fight using his Spring-Rain Swordwork, intent on shedding his old "Umbrella Ghost" identity and its signature Eighteen-Sword Array. He critiqued Xu Liuyun’s reliance on multiple blades, stating it masked an inability to master any single one. Bai Hehuai attempted to assist by laying a poison array, but Xu Liuyun's disciple appeared and gravely injured her. Su Muyu quickly gave Bai Hehuai a life-saving green vial and laid her down safely.
Furious, Su Muyu faced Xu Liuyun, who, determined to complete his mission, trapped Su Muyu in his "Blade-Ruin Array" and turned his attention back to the defenseless Bai Hehuai. Seeing her in peril, Su Muyu forcefully broke free from the array using his internal energy, injuring himself in the process. Unfazed, Xu Liuyun brandished a simple, old blade—his first, bought decades ago—and declared it would claim Su Muyu's head. Su Muyu, weakened and spitting blood, struggled to stand, ready for the final confrontation.
