Blood River Episode 37 Recap
> Blood River Recap
The Prince of Langya sat in his sedan, coughing uncontrollably. He noticed severe frost covering his arm, which even his internal energy couldn't melt. Li Hanyi came to him, asking why his frost poison had flared up so badly. She deduced he had consumed something he shouldn't have, specifically mentioning Skywater Cold Tea and Ice-Month Trio. Though common for others, these items were dangerous for him, and she questioned why he insisted on having them.
The Prince of Langya reflected on his childhood, recalling how his older brother, the current Emperor, protected him when they were young, despite their mother being out of favor. He remembered a time when his younger brother, Ruofeng, was freezing, and the Household Bureau, looking down on them, refused to provide enough charcoal.
To expose their mistreatment, the young Prince deliberately went out into the cold without a cloak, declaring that even out of favor, they were still princes, and he wanted everyone to witness their abuse. This experience fostered a deep gratitude towards his brother, explaining why he had supported him for so many years. Li Hanyi asserted that the poisoning was clearly the First Prince Xiao Yong's doing, implicating him in tampering with the pastries.
She believed the Emperor knew of Xiao Yong's actions but tacitly allowed them. The Prince of Langya, however, felt the truth of who was behind it wasn't important. A flashback showed the Emperor telling his eunuch Jin Xuan to remove such items and instruct Xiao Yong not to send them again, indicating his awareness without directly confronting his son. Outside the sedan, Li Hanyi confronted three masked figures, identifying them as former great eunuchs and juniors of Zhuo Qing.
She questioned why they, having retired to the imperial tomb, were meddling in Tianqi City's affairs, especially when their veiled faces couldn't hide their unique techniques. The eunuchs dismissed her, claiming that history is written by the victors and doubting if she, despite being the Xueyue Sword Deity, could defeat all three of them. Li Hanyi, undeterred, declared that when she draws her sword, she never weighs the odds.
Su Muyu encountered the elders of the three great families—Mu Fusheng, Su Ziyan, and Xie Piyou—who were blocking his path. They recalled their last meeting at Wanjuan Tower and explained that after choosing to remain in Tianqi, they sought a new patron, ultimately siding with the First Prince Xiao Yong. They suggested Su Muyu also reconsider his allegiance, implying the Prince of Langya would fall tonight.
Su Muyu, however, scorned their "choice" to become servants, asserting that Blood River belongs only to itself. He declared that their lives would end tonight as payment for their decision. Zhuo Qing appeared, remarking on Su Muyu's lack of surprise and deducing Su Muyu was there for him. Su Muyu confirmed he was there to seize the Dragonseal Scroll, which the Prince of Langya believed Zhuo Qing possessed, calling it his "deal" with the Prince.
Zhuo Qing found it laughable that a Blood River assassin would help a "great hero" secure a succession edict. Su Muyu retorted that he was acting to ensure that when Blood River takes similar righteous actions in the future, it will no longer seem ridiculous. He then declared that even without the scroll, Zhuo Qing's life must end tonight, initiating his Eighteen-Sword Array.
Zhuo Qing, despite acknowledging Su Muyu's skill, boasted that he was still the strongest in Tianqi, with only State Preceptor Qi Tianchen as his equal, who was absent. Observing the severely wounded Su Muyu, Zhuo Qing questioned if the fight, based on his father's teaching of needing to defeat a stronger opponent for the battle to have meaning, was truly worthwhile. Su Muyu affirmed that even if it cost him his life, it held meaning.
Meanwhile, Su Zhe and Bai Hehuai, on their way to rescue Su Muyu, were intercepted. Su Zhe, despite his frail health, urged Bai Hehuai to go find Su Muyu, promising he would hold off their attackers and would not die. Bai Hehuai expressed concern, but he insisted they must both throw caution to the wind, affirming it was a promise. In his battle, Su Muyu declared that he and Zhuo Qing could never be friends.
When Zhuo Qing questioned how an assassin living in darkness could maintain pride, Su Muyu countered, saying, "We dwell in darkness, but our hearts face the light. You stand in the light, yet sink into your own shadow."
Zhuo Qing attempted to sow discord by claiming Su Changhe had abandoned Su Muyu to attack the Prince of Langya, but Su Muyu responded by asking if Zhuo Qing believed in absolute trust, asserting that the bond between him and Su Changhe was precisely that. Just as Su Muyu was faltering, Su Changhe emerged from the shadows, striking Zhuo Qing with a powerful palm.
Zhuo Qing realized Su Changhe's true intention was "one evil devouring another," aiming to absorb his martial arts. Su Changhe revealed his true identity as Blood River's Patriarch, his goal to "bury" Zhuo Qing. He explained that he had hidden his true motives for a long time, meticulously planning to wound Zhuo Qing, who was the top fighter in Tianqi and a step away from the Spirit-Roam level.
Su Changhe disclosed that his Hell Palm, Zhuo Qing's Humble Heart Technique, and Ye Dingzhi's Void-Thought Art all originated from the same manual, allowing their inner forces to interlink. He planned to absorb Zhuo Qing's Humble Heart power to become invincible. Zhuo Qing discovered that Su Changhe's palm carried the venom of the Slumbering Serpent King from the Yellow Springs Pawnshop, which severely wounded him.
Su Changhe admitted he had been planning this moment for over two decades, revealing his origin from Sacred Fire Village in the Miao Territory. He recounted how Zhuo Qing, in pursuit of their sacred Fire-Dragon Lingzhi, had slaughtered his entire village, making Zhuo Qing his sworn enemy. After Su Changhe delivered a powerful strike, Su Muyu rushed to tend to his injuries. Zhuo Qing, realizing his dire situation, ordered his remaining eunuchs to eliminate Su Muyu and the others.
He then began to siphon the inner force from the three elders, intending to use their decades of cultivation to regain his near-Spirit-Roam level. Su Changhe, seeing this, declared his own ability to absorb inner force and attacked Zhuo Qing, attempting to draw out his power.
Zhuo Qing, with profound internal energy from years of practicing the Humble Heart Technique and absorbing countless others' powers, mocked Su Changhe for trying to drain his strength, knowing that such an attempt would cause Su Changhe to "burst." This was Zhuo Qing's trap, aiming for Su Changhe to be overwhelmed by his immense power. Su Changhe began to falter under the strain.
Seeing this, Su Muyu, in desperation, chose to wield a demonic sword art, prepared to sacrifice his life to kill Zhuo Qing. He questioned why Blood River was repeatedly denied a chance to escape its dark existence, stating that if his death could purify Blood River, he would embrace it. Su Changhe urged him to stop, warning that the Seven-Slaughter Six-Annihilation Sword, a terrifying technique of mass annihilation, would cost him his life.
But Su Muyu was resolute, understanding the consequence yet determined to try, shouting "Fall!" as he unleashed his attack. Su Changhe, severely injured, was shocked to find Zhuo Qing still standing after taking the blow, exclaiming about the eunuch's immense power. At this critical moment, Bai Hehuai arrived, delivering Su Muyu his sword, the "Crane Feather." With his sword in hand, Su Muyu declared his resolve to create a future for his family.
Zhuo Qing warned that he was on the verge of succumbing to demonic influence and would not escape death even if he won, but Su Muyu retorted that while Zhuo Qing might be unmatched, he had people supporting him. Unleashing a devastating final blow, Su Muyu succeeded in severely wounding Zhuo Qing, but in doing so, he completely succumbed to the demonic state. Su Changhe recognized the extreme danger Su Muyu was in.
Bai Hehuai, ignoring the peril, rushed forward, desperately trying to awaken him. Fortunately, Su Muyu's inherent purity allowed him to recover from the demonic state with the help of Iceheart Water. Believing the ordeal was over, Bai Hehuai looked forward to returning to Nan'an with Su Muyu, praising him as one of the finest men. However, her condition suddenly worsened. She realized she had fallen into a trap set by her martial niece, Night Crow.
Her previous efforts to refine an antidote with her own essence blood had caused the puppet poison that should have been purged to flare up again. Despairing, Bai Hehuai pleaded with Su Muyu to kill her rather than let her become a monstrous puppet. Su Muyu refused, determined to find a way. Su Zhe arrived, suggesting they use inner force to expel the poison, but Su Changhe confirmed that inner force was useless against this toxin.
Su Muyu, recalling that Tu Wan had mentioned a miracle physician in Tianqi City, resolved to take Bai Hehuai there. However, upon reaching their destination, he collapsed, unconscious. Elsewhere, the severely wounded Night Crow reflected on Tang Lianyue's unexpected strength. She admitted she had underestimated him, revealing that he had forced her to fake her death and sacrifice her bodyguard puppet to escape. Despite her injuries, she felt victorious, anticipating that her martial aunt, Bai Hehuai, would now be suffering the backlash from the many antidotes she had refined.
