Bloody Romance Episode 23 Recap
> Bloody Romance Recap
Gongzi arrived at Xueyan Tower with Fang Ge's letter, ready to undertake the three trials required to gain access to their business. He was informed that simply daring to enter their establishment fulfilled the first test of courage. For the second test, which assessed knowledge, he was asked to identify the deity depicted in a painting on the wall.
Gongzi correctly identified it as Guan Zhong, the God of Salt, explaining that Guan Zhong implemented the salt law during the Spring and Autumn period. He further reasoned that for those involved in untaxed salt trade, Guan Zhong was both a god and a devil, and worshipping him while only showing his back signified seeking his protection while avoiding his oversight. The final test was one of luck, involving twelve cups of wine, one of which was poisoned.
He was told that whoever drank the poisoned wine first would lose. Viewing the challenge as a gamble with his life, much like the untaxed salt trade itself, Gongzi showed no fear and volunteered to go first. Despite unknowingly drinking the poisoned cup, he maintained a composed demeanor, successfully deceiving his hosts into believing the last cup was the poisoned one. This allowed him to pass the test and secure the right to manage the salt business.
As Gongzi descended the mountain, he began to feel the effects of the poison, mistakenly calling out Wan Mei's name as Yue Ying supported him, which displeased her. Meanwhile, Er Yue informed Cha Luo about Wan Mei's alleged affair with Chang An. Cha Luo, recognizing Er Yue's manipulative nature, nonetheless deemed the affair a serious breach of Gui Hua City's rules.
She spared Er Yue's life but ordered Xing Feng to find him a new master, decreeing that until then, he would receive three daily lashings as punishment for his disloyalty. Cha Luo expressed her delight at the opportunity to punish Wan Mei and Chang An publicly. She proposed inflicting Chang An with the "Anti-sex" spell, similar to what she endured, to make them suffer equally. Xing Feng, however, refused, stating that no other man should suffer as he had.
He suggested using "Heart-eating Worms" on Chang An instead. Xing Feng later confronted Chang An about his loyalty to Wan Mei, explaining that if Chang An willingly accepted the Heart-eating Worm, he could return to Wan Mei's side and protect her, though he would endure constant gnawing pain from the worm for the rest of his life. Chang An, to spare Wan Mei from punishment, accepted the condition.
Cha Luo, witnessing Chang An's immediate pain upon the worm's proximity, was pleased and ordered Chang An to personally implant the worm into Wan Mei within 24 hours. Success would allow him to be her shadow again, while failure would bring severe consequences. Later, as Xing Feng combed Cha Luo's hair, she recounted a recurring nightmare where she massacred the Xie Family but failed to find the Wordless Edict, leading to her employer, Yue Qing Ya, threatening her life.
Xing Feng reassured her, reminding her that she was now Yue Qing Ya's equal. He then updated her on the Heart-eating Worms, confirming they were ready. He explained that once a worm was placed inside Wan Mei, Chang An would experience burning heart pain and wish for death whenever they were within 0. 33 meters of each other, with the pain intensifying the closer they got.
He assured her this was sufficient to fulfill her wishes, noting that unlike "Anti-sex," it would not cause impotence. Cha Luo, calling Xing Feng "merciful," was satisfied with the plan. Chang An then sought out Wan Mei, who maintained a cold demeanor towards him. He informed her that Cha Luo commanded him to implant a worm into her, and that accepting it would prevent her from being punished for her unauthorized mission changes.
He refused to disclose the "second thing" until she consented, stating he would kneel until she agreed. At that moment, Yue Ying arrived to report that Gongzi had been poisoned and requested to see Wan Mei. Yue Ying mentioned that while the new poison had been detoxified, Gongzi's old illness had relapsed and was difficult to cure. Both Yue Ying and Wan Mei left, leaving Chang An kneeling outside. Wan Mei found Gongzi in the Ting Zhu House, visibly intoxicated.
He invited her to drink with him, despite her concerns about his condition. Gongzi revealed that it was his birthday and shared stories from his childhood, where his mother never celebrated his birthday but instead gave him books on internal energy or witchcraft. He recalled practicing desperately to earn new books each year, which eventually led to a heart condition. Doctors had told him that if he ceased martial arts and rested, he might live until his thirties or forties.
Wan Mei tried to stop him from drinking more, but Gongzi insisted. He pulled her down, remarking that "people have to be sober and disciplined forever," which he found exhausting. When Wan Mei pushed him away, he questioned whom she was keeping her virginity for in a place as dark as Gui Hua City. Wan Mei replied, looking down, that she kept it only for herself. Gongzi then dismissed her, telling her to return tomorrow.
Wan Mei returned to her room to find Chang An still kneeling outside, waiting for her answer. She admitted she needed more time to decide, and he reiterated he would wait until she consented. Wan Mei spent the entire night deliberating. By morning, she softened and finally agreed. Chang An then personally implanted the Heart-eating Worm into her. After the implantation, Chang An declared that he was once again Wan Mei's shadow.
Meanwhile, in the Blood Lotus Cult, Yue Qing Ya mourned the death of his disciple, Lan Ruo, ordering three months of mourning and seven days of lights to honor his spirit. Overcome with grief and a desire for vengeance, Yue Qing Ya vowed to eliminate Gui Hua City and immediately dispatched a secret message to the capital, ordering Ruan Niang to mobilize the Imperial Army for an immediate night raid.
Ruan Niang, upon receiving Yue Qing Ya's token, expressed her intent to lead the Imperial Army to crush Gui Hua City that very night, highlighting their proximity and the element of surprise. She instructed her subordinates that Cha Luo was hers alone and no one else was to touch her, as she planned to inflict prolonged suffering upon Cha Luo to avenge her own family.
Unbeknownst to them, Xing Feng had discovered medicine dregs buried in the bamboo forest outside Ting Zhu House. He noted that the medicine was not typical for Gui Hua City and, upon further investigation, found that while the prescription was for recuperation, only six of the eleven herbs were used, and arsenic had been added. He concluded that Gongzi was dying, though he initially suspected a trap, he dismissed it due to Yue Ying's secretive actions.
As the night raid commenced, Ruan Niang's forces began to besiege Gui Hua City. She instructed a unit to surround the Senior Killers' House and Chui Xing Tower, while she personally headed to the Junior Killers' House. She encountered Chang An, informing him that Wan Mei was at Ting Zhu House. Ruan Niang then ordered Chang An to change into Imperial Army attire and join her in infiltrating Chui Xing Tower after she had dealt with the junior killers.
Chang An protested, pointing out the junior killers were innocent and had not harmed her family. Ruan Niang, however, was resolute, stating that it was Yue Qing Ya's order and she could not explain not eliminating them. She fiercely declared that her own family was innocent too and that she would not let this opportunity for revenge slip away.
