Blood River Episode 9 Recap
> Blood River Recap
Su Muyu and Bai Hehuai returned to the Patriarch, where they were surprised to find a Dormant Dragon Sword in his possession. The Patriarch explained that each Blood River Patriarch holds two Dormant Dragon Swords, both forged from the same meteoric iron. He revealed that the sword he held contained Blood River's true secret.
The other sword, which he had given to Su Muyu, was a test for Su Jinhui; if Su Jinhui had proven capable of quelling Blood River's turmoil, the Patriarch would have given him the true blade. Since he failed, that sword was meant to ignite the ambitions of the three family heads, causing them to be consumed by their own desires. Only by removing the old guard could younger, more promising individuals rise and break free from Blood River's control.
Elsewhere, Su Changhe found Su Jinhui, who had anticipated his visit. Su Changhe sought the position of head of the Su family, believing Su Jinhui had lost his edge after his defeat by Mu Ciling and the loss of the Dormant Dragon Sword. Su Jinhui reminded Su Changhe that both he and Su Muyu were "Nameless" and therefore ineligible to inherit such titles.
Su Changhe scoffed at this, stating his true ambition was not the Su family headship but to change Blood River entirely—to achieve something no one in its history had dared to imagine. Unwilling to relinquish his position, Su Jinhui was shocked when Su Changhe defeated him with a single move. Having secured the position, Su Changhe spoke with Uncle Qiu and his followers.
He revealed he had spent six years building an organization called "The Other Shore," whose goal was to lead Blood River from darkness to light. When Uncle Qiu questioned their right to speak of change with hands stained by blood, Su Changhe insisted that he and Su Muyu were still young and retained their youthful courage. He confirmed that Su Jinhui was alive and instructed Uncle Qiu to take him away, promising a brighter future for Blood River.
His followers then urged him to seize the Dormant Dragon Sword from the Mu compound, but Su Changhe dismissed this, astutely deducing that the sword must be problematic, which is why Su Muyu had returned to the Spider's Nest rather than pursue Mu Ciling. He declared that Su Muyu's life was paramount and he would protect him, even at the cost of his own. Meanwhile, Mu Yumo examined a Fingertip Blade she had taken from Tang Lianyue while he slept.
She mused that someone as formidable as him must have known it was missing and that his silence was tacit approval, perhaps even a token of his affection. Just then, Tang Lianyue entered with food. He saw her injuries were healed but continued to dote on her. That night, after she fell asleep, Tang Lianyue left to seek out the Patriarch and avenge his second uncle. At the same time, Su Changhe met with Su Muyu.
A debate arose from their divergent paths: Su Muyu wished for freedom for all, while Su Changhe was driven by ambition to seize control and reform Blood River. Su Changhe offered to bear the burden of killing for Su Muyu, reminding him of their shared words from Wailing Abyss: "If you're strong enough, you earn the right to be naive." Suddenly, the Snowmoon Sword Deity Li Hanyi appeared, sent by her junior brother to observe.
Su Changhe stated his plan to kill the Patriarch and force Su Muyu into the leadership role. However, after hearing Su Muyu's vision to dissolve Blood River, Li Hanyi declared that to be the truly best outcome for the jianghu. Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion from the Spider's Nest. Li Hanyi realized it was Tang Lianyue.
Inside, Tang Lianyue confronted the Patriarch, who revealed that Tang Lianyue's second uncle was his strongest supporter within the Tang Clan and had been eliminated by others who used Blood River's name. Despite this, Tang Lianyue attacked with "Blossom Shower." During the fight, he noticed the Patriarch's exertion had caused a fatal relapse of his poison. Realizing his foe was already dying, Tang Lianyue ceased his attack and departed.
Su Muyu and Su Changhe rushed back to find the Patriarch on the verge of death, a fact the miracle physician confirmed was beyond remedy. The Patriarch summoned them for a final talk. He admitted he once thought Su Muyu's protection was due to a "Life-Death Contract," but now understood it was genuine loyalty, as Su Muyu had already broken the contract.
Reflecting on his own past and a bond with his brother Kewen that mirrored theirs, the Patriarch asked their true intentions. Su Muyu confirmed his goal was to dissolve Blood River so its members could find freedom, while Su Changhe affirmed his ambition to command it. The Patriarch then presented them with the true Dormant Dragon Sword, warning them their true adversaries were far more powerful than they knew.
He revealed that the Soul Reapers' Hall was merely a puppet organization and the ultimate truth of Blood River lay in a secret passage in his room. He then announced his final choice: to burn himself and the entire Spider's Nest to ash. Su Muyu bid him "bliss beyond," and the Patriarch departed. Outside, Su Changhe offered the Dormant Dragon Sword to Su Muyu, knowing he would refuse it.
He reiterated his belief that Blood River's power could be used for great things. At that moment, Mu Ciling and Water Official appeared. Water Official praised Su Changhe's words but stated he was not their chosen one, preferring to remain an observer. Mu Ciling confidently declared the brothers were no match for him. Su Muyu countered, "When we two fight together, we have never lost." With that, they activated the Eighteen-Sword Array.
