Five Kings of Thieves Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Five Kings of Thieves Synopsis
In the early years of the Republic of China, warlords were in power and the country was in chaos. The mysterious treasure, Yu Tai Zhu, which was being pursued by thousands of people, appeared in the world. It was rumored that it contained clues to the "Five Elements Holy Cauldron," which symbolized the emperor's throne.
With the Yu Tai Zhu and the "Holy Cauldron" at the center, a storm was brewing. Revolutionary party members and progressive students launched a movement to protect the national treasure. The Central Plains martial arts community, led by the Five Elements family, actively responded and was determined to eliminate Zhang Si Ye, who was trying to restore the monarchy, and the Japanese Black Dragon Society, who were stealing Chinese national treasures.
Huo Xiaoxie was accidentally involved and protected the national treasure along the way. He faced various difficulties and dangers, relying on his kindness, justice, and intelligence to overcome each obstacle. In the end, he integrated the Five Elements family and made them a reliable force in the revolutionary struggle to "expel the invaders and restore China."
Five Kings of Thieves Recap
Episode 1 Recap
The Holy Cauldron of Five Elements, rumored to contain mysterious power capable of unifying the martial world, was historically guarded by the five-element families. After a fierce battle against the covetous Yufeng Detectives during a period of disorder in the late Qing dynasty, the cauldron was lost. Legend held that the Wood family had returned it to their ancestral land, sealing the key to its power within the Jade Pearl using unique methods.
Twenty years later in Fengtian, the Jade Pearl reappeared, drawing the attention of various factions. Huo Xiaoxie found himself unexpectedly caught up in these events, beginning an incredible journey. In Fengtian, Mr. Zhang, a wealthy noble, was known for collaborating with the Japanese and trading in national treasures. This spurred students to protest in the streets, shouting "Return the national treasures! Down with the traitors!" .
Despite their efforts, Mr. Zhang's significant influence allowed him to suppress the movement and imprison the protesting students. Huo Xiaoxie planned to get high-quality pastries for his godfather, Liu Sanzhi's, 60th birthday, despite their group having little money. He believed he could find something rare. Spotting a water cart from Mr. Zhang's residence, Huo Xiaoxie orchestrated a staged quarrel among his companions to stop the cart.
While the staff were distracted, he slipped under the cart and entered the Zhang Residence. Inside the Zhang Residence, Mr. Zhang prepared for an auction at the Treasure Tower, where he intended to sell the Goddess Jade to the Japanese. Captain Zheng Zedao arrived to inspect security for the event. Mr. Zhang appeared unwelcoming of police interference, inviting Zheng Zedao to play Weiqi instead.
During the game, Mr. Zhang called in an antique dealer, questioned the authenticity of his goods, and shattered an antique with a chess piece, warning Zheng Zedao about interfering with his business. Despite Mr. Zhang's assertion of impenetrable security, Zheng Zedao insisted on an inspection. Mr. Zhang then instructed Mr. Zhou to show Captain Zheng around. Separately, Mr. Zhang discussed the escalating student protests and Japanese concerns about revealing the Goddess Jade.
He emphasized the artifact's importance for locating the Holy Cauldron, suggesting only members of the five-element families held the key, implying his plan was to lure them out. Huo Xiaoxie reached the Zhang Residence's shrine and began taking some tribute pastries from the altar, rationalizing that his master would understand. He heard someone else nearby, also seemingly taking food, and quickly hid under the altar. The altar cloth was lifted, revealing a young woman, Shui Yao'er, who discovered him.
They questioned each other about stealing the offerings until footsteps approached, forcing them to hide together under the altar. After the staff left, Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er emerged and noticed a covered object on the altar: the Goddess Jade, recognizing its pattern. Realizing escape was paramount, Huo Xiaoxie planned to leave through a dog hole with the pastries. Shui Yao'er spotted him and alerted the guards by shouting "Thief!" .
Huo Xiaoxie was chased by Zhang's staff, and his companions who were waiting outside joined the flight. Despite evading Zhang's men, they were apprehended by Captain Zheng Zedao. Huo Xiaoxie was taken to prison along with the arrested students. Inside, the students continued protesting, only to be silenced by a guard and a large inmate known as 'Fatso,' who was implied to be Mr. Zhang's henchman. Huo Xiaoxie provoked Fatso and was beaten.
Captain Zheng Zedao visited the prison warden, addressing him as 'Uncle,' and requested the release of Huo Xiaoxie and the students, arguing that Zhang Si's actions were attracting widespread hatred and working for the Japanese would backfire eventually. The warden agreed. Zheng Zedao then intervened to stop the beating and free Huo Xiaoxie.
Outside the prison, Zheng Zedao proposed a deal: he needed Huo Xiaoxie's help to retrieve the Goddess Jade during Mr. Zhang's upcoming auction to prevent its sale to the Japanese. He explained his police uniform restricted his direct involvement. Huo Xiaoxie initially criticized Zheng Zedao, calling him a 'toy boy' and 'treacherous minister' for associating with Mr. Zhang, while asserting his own understanding of loyalty and honor among thieves. Zheng Zedao acknowledged Huo Xiaoxie's intelligence and moral code.
To aid him, Zheng Zedao provided Huo Xiaoxie with a detailed map of the Zhang Residence, marking dangerous areas, and asked him to leave a mark on the side door if he agreed to help. Zheng Zedao also encouraged the students to find other ways to express their patriotism besides potentially suicidal protests and distributed flyers to them. Huo Xiaoxie and his companions returned to Liu Sanzhi's residence, finding the door locked and Liu Sanzhi's voice unusually hesitant.
They broke in to find Liu Sanzhi tied up by a woman named Black Whipper. Black Whipper demanded Liu Sanzhi, known as Liu Sanzhi of Fengtian, return to his thieving ways to steal a treasure from Mr. Zhang's residence. Liu Sanzhi, claiming to have retired, refused, warning her about the dangers of Zhang's place.
Black Whipper then spotted the box of pastries Huo Xiaoxie brought, which Liu Sanzhi praised as good quality, confirming Huo Xiaoxie's earlier successful entry into the residence. Realizing Huo Xiaoxie had been inside, Black Whipper changed her demand: Huo Xiaoxie must retrieve the Goddess Jade from the Zhang Residence instead, threatening to keep Liu Sanzhi captive until he complied.
Liu Sanzhi tried to dissuade Black Whipper from believing Huo Xiaoxie and going with him, calling his apprentice a braggart and emphasizing the dangers and traps within Zhang's residence, offering to go himself as the 'older, wiser' one. Black Whipper dismissed him. When Huo Xiaoxie's companions tried to intervene, Liu Sanzhi stopped them, telling them they were no match for her.
Seeing his master's plight, Huo Xiaoxie agreed to help Black Whipper on the condition that she release Liu Sanzhi afterwards. Black Whipper accepted the terms, stating she would hold onto Liu Sanzhi for a couple of days until the task was completed. After Black Whipper left with Liu Sanzhi, Huo Xiaoxie's companions expressed fear about facing Mr. Zhang's dangerous residence. Huo Xiaoxie acknowledged the danger but stated they had no choice, as their master's life depended on it. Despite their fear, they resolved to follow Huo Xiaoxie and see how things played out.
Episode 2 Recap
Boxes are being transported at the Zhang Residence when a disturbance breaks out, scattering the workers. A man intervenes, causing a whip to erupt in flames, and someone identifies the perpetrators as belonging to the Fire family of the five-element families. Amidst the chaos, the Water King arrives, confirming that a crucial item for the five-element families, the Goddess Jade, has appeared.
He states that this treasure, which can break the Three Fire Gate Tasks, is currently in the Treasure Tower in Fengtian. Huo Xiaoxie is outside Zhang Residence, assessing the security. He reports to his companions that the security appears lax on the outside but is tight within, manned by Zhang Si's own people, calling Zhang Si a cunning fox.
His companions express concern for their master, but Huo Xiaoxie assures them their master is safe as long as he completes his task. He gives his companions instructions regarding dynamite and tells them to find Zheng Zedao if anything happens to him. Meanwhile, inside the Zhang Residence grounds, members of the Fire family encounter Black Whipper, who mocks their cowardice, comparing them to their Fire King.
She declares her intent to take the treasure herself, challenging them to kill her and bring her body to the Fire King if they want it. Zhang Si is observed inspecting treasures in an underground area. He confirms arrangements are made and notes the arrival of many people, stating his goal is to use the Goddess Jade to lure out and capture the five-element families, thus achieving two goals, including finding the Holy Cauldron.
Oda, the president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, arrives and is formally introduced to Zhang Si. Police Captain Zheng Zedao arrives with his men and meets with Zhou, who manages security for Zhang Si. Zhou tells Captain Zheng that Oda's men will handle internal security under his command, while Captain Zheng's police force will patrol the perimeter. Despite Captain Zheng's concerns about accountability, Zhou insists he has already communicated with the police director.
Captain Zheng orders his men to scatter and patrol, hoping Huo Xiaoxie will be alright. Huo Xiaoxie enters the Zhang Residence complex. As he approaches the area where the Goddess Jade is said to be, he is intercepted by Shui Yao'er. She warns him that the residence is filled with traps that activate at night, explaining that anyone who enters recklessly could be shredded like a leaf by the arrays.
Seeing he is interested in the Goddess Jade, she offers to help him navigate the traps if he helps her retrieve something. She tells him they are in the same place. She leads him towards a secret chamber beneath a river. She explains the chamber's trap is intricate and requires two people to cooperate using a "Yin and Yang combination," where one stands at the "heaven position" and the other at the "earth position" to unlock it.
She warns him that stepping incorrectly means they will both die. Inside the secret chamber, they do not find the Goddess Jade. Instead, they find a bronze mirror. Huo Xiaoxie quickly grabs the mirror. Shui Yao'er tells him the mirror is her mother's legacy and not valuable, asking him to return it.
He initially refuses, pointing out the risk she took for something not valuable, but he soon realizes he stepped on a "death gate" within the array and cannot leave without her cooperation. He relents, promising to return the mirror once they retrieve the Goddess Jade and leave the array. They leave the secret chamber and proceed towards the Buddha hall.
Zhang Si is addressing the gathered people, explaining that the Goddess Jade, being a potent item, must be kept before the Bodhisattva and suppressed with spells until midnight. He reveals that the true treasure is the "Jade Pearl" hidden inside the Goddess Jade. As Zhang Si speaks, a hunchback figure silently enters the room and uses a piece of cloth (the Invisibility Cloth) from his back to cover the statue, causing it to vanish.
Zhou discovers the theft and immediately identifies the technique used as the Earth family's Invisibility Cloth. He recognizes the thief as the Skinner of the Earth family, using a borrowed body. Zhou confronts the Skinner, defeats him, and orders him taken away. Zhou then brings out the Goddess Jade, and Zhang Si extracts the luminous Jade Pearl from within. The bidding for the Jade Pearl begins. Oda bids 1000 taels of gold.
A young man (Huo Xiaoxie, who identifies himself as a student) encourages his countrymen to pool resources and bid higher, declaring the pearl a national treasure that must not fall into foreign hands. As bidding becomes heated, someone reports a disturbance in the secret chamber, creating a distraction. Amidst the confusion, Huo Xiaoxie steals the Jade Pearl and takes Oda hostage. Zhang Si orders the gates sealed and specifically instructs the Yufeng Detective to retrieve the Jade Pearl.
Fire family members intervene to cover Huo Xiaoxie's escape. Huo Xiaoxie and Black Whipper retreat towards a wall. His companions use dynamite to blow a hole in the wall, and Huo Xiaoxie and Black Whipper quickly escape through it. Zhou attempts to pursue, but is blocked by Captain Zheng Zedao, who demands an explanation for the security breach, citing his position responsible for the auction's safety. Zhou insists on being allowed through, and eventually passes.
Zhou and Goujian lead the pursuit teams. Huo Xiaoxie's companions covering his escape are captured by the Hook Troop. Huo Xiaoxie, urged by his companions, continues to flee, despite his desire to rescue them, realizing the Jade Pearl is their only bargaining chip.
Episode 3 Recap
Japanese soldiers continued their pursuit of Huo Xiaoxie and his brother Guan. Knowing his body was too injured to keep running, Guan volunteered to cover their escape, urging Huo Xiaoxie to leave. Huo Xiaoxie refused, threatening to detonate the Jade Pearl if they didn't release Guan. Seeing his loyalty, the Japanese officer tried to exploit it, suggesting Guan wouldn't survive long anyway but could be saved by the best Japanese doctor if Huo Xiaoxie handed over the Pearl.
Guan, however, knew Huo Xiaoxie would never abandon him, but he also knew their other two brothers, Monkey and Lang Deben, were in danger. To ensure Huo Xiaoxie could save them, Guan grabbed the explosives and charged into the Japanese ranks. Huo Xiaoxie was held back, screaming Guan's name as his brother sacrificed himself, urging Huo Xiaoxie to save their brothers and take them home.
Amidst the confusion, Zheng Zedao intercepted a distraught Huo Xiaoxie and brought him to the police station. Zheng Zedao inquired about the Jade Pearl. Huo Xiaoxie, still reeling from Guan's death, questioned why everyone was after it. Zheng Zedao explained that the Jade Pearl held the crucial clues to locating the Holy Cauldron of Five Elements.
He described the Holy Cauldron's ancient history, its guardianship by the five-element families, and its disappearance during the chaotic era following the Eight-Nation Alliance when Yufeng Detectives colluded with foreign powers. Zheng Zedao emphasized that the Jade Pearl was the only key to finding the Holy Cauldron and that having it made Huo Xiaoxie a target for many powerful forces. He then offered to help Huo Xiaoxie rescue his remaining brothers.
Meanwhile, at his residence, Mr. Zhang received a report from Mr. Zhou about the thieves. Mr. Zhou confirmed the man was Huo Xiaoxie, an apprentice of Liu Sanzhi, and that he seemed connected to Black Whipper. The woman, whose identity remained a mystery to them, was clearly skilled, having infiltrated the household as a maid unnoticed for over a month. Mr. Zhou also reported that Huo Xiaoxie's two brothers had been captured and were being interrogated.
Mr. Zhang expressed his frustration, stating he understood the theft of the Jade Pearl, but the disappearance of his Linglong Mirror was deeply troubling, as it was the only memento left by Jiao. Convinced the female thief was connected to the Water family, Mr. Zhang ordered that both Huo Xiaoxie and the woman be found and eliminated so he could secure the Holy Cauldron. Shui Yao'er managed to find Huo Xiaoxie at the police station.
She confronted him, demanding to know where the Linglong Mirror was hidden. Huo Xiaoxie, focused on saving his brothers, refused to give up the Jade Pearl but proposed a deal: if Shui Yao'er helped him rescue Monkey and Lang Deben, he would return her mirror. He warned her that if anything happened to him, she would never find the mirror, essentially using it as leverage. Reluctantly, Shui Yao'er agreed to the exchange.
Huo Xiaoxie then went out to search for news of his brothers, questioning Liu and other children he knew who were helping him gather information. They had heard nothing yet. Suddenly, a messenger arrived with urgent news: Monkey and Lang Deben were tied up outside Mr. Zhang's mansion gate, being publicly displayed and appeared to be close to death.
Huo Xiaoxie rushed towards the Zhang Residence, but before he could reach it, he was intercepted by his master, Liu Sanzhi, who had managed to escape from Black Whipper. Liu Sanzhi saw the public display as a clear trap and warned Huo Xiaoxie against walking into it. He expressed deep regret over failing to protect Guan and emphasized that he could not bear to lose Huo Xiaoxie, his most valued apprentice.
When Huo Xiaoxie revealed he had swallowed the Jade Pearl for safekeeping, Liu Sanzhi was surprised but quickly devised a plan. He instructed Huo Xiaoxie to find a place to hide. Knowing Mr. Zhang would seek him out once Huo Xiaoxie couldn't be found, Liu Sanzhi planned to negotiate with Mr. Zhang himself to save the other two apprentices. Meanwhile, Mr. Oda, seemingly a Japanese official, visited Mr. Zhang.
He questioned Mr. Zhang's actions and his loyalty, especially concerning the spread of information about the Jade Pearl. Mr. Zhang admitted he couldn't unlock the Jade Pearl's secret and needed help, implying he intended to use the five-element families for this purpose. Mr. Oda deduced that Mr. Zhang had deliberately allowed the Pearl to be stolen, believing only the five-element families could decode its secrets.
They discussed the Holy Cauldron's significance, mentioning it was intended as a gift for Emperor Xuantong. Mr. Zhang proposed using the five-element families to decipher the Pearl, then eliminating them with assistance from the Dark Dragon Gang (implied Japanese forces). Mr. Oda agreed, suggesting a strategy of using Chinese against Chinese. Later that night, Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er arrived at Liu Sanzhi's residence, where Guan's body lay in preparation for burial.
Huo Xiaoxie was visibly heartbroken, apologizing to his deceased brother. Liu Sanzhi informed them that Mr. Zhang's people had sent a message proposing an exchange for Monkey and Lang Deben at the mass grave at 11 p. m. Liu Sanzhi intended to go with Huo Xiaoxie, but Huo Xiaoxie worried about his master's safety.
While pouring drinks, Huo Xiaoxie subtly added something to Liu Sanzhi's wine, rationalizing his actions by saying he knew his master too well to let him take such a risk. After drinking, Liu Sanzhi became dizzy and went to lie down. Huo Xiaoxie, expressing sorrow for his actions but determination to save his brothers, left for the mass grave with Shui Yao'er. At the mass grave, Mr. Zhou was waiting with the bound Monkey and Lang Deben.
Huo Xiaoxie proposed that Mr. Zhou release his brothers first, and he would then lead him to the Jade Pearl. Mr. Zhou ordered his men to bring the two brothers closer to Huo Xiaoxie. As they approached, Huo Xiaoxie suddenly pulled out homemade explosives from his clothing. He threatened to detonate them or harm the Pearl if Mr. Zhou's men advanced further or refused to release his brothers, proving he was prepared to use extreme measures.
When Mr. Zhou's men moved to attack, Shui Yao'er intervened to help Huo Xiaoxie. Just as the situation escalated, Liu Sanzhi arrived, revealing he had faked being incapacitated, knowing Huo Xiaoxie would attempt the rescue alone. Liu Sanzhi joined the fight against Mr. Zhou and his men. Suddenly, police officers arrived, led by the Director, who announced Mr. Zhou was being arrested based on a report of him using private torture.
With Mr. Zhou apprehended, Huo Xiaoxie urged Shui Yao'er to look after his brothers while he attended to his master. The police officers took Monkey and Lang Deben to the hospital.
Episode 4 Recap
San Zhi Liu, unable to withstand the relentless assault, weakened rapidly. As he neared his end, Shui Yao'er appeared and gave Huo Xiaoxie a pill to administer to his master. After taking the pill, San Zhi Liu regained a little strength and asked Huo Xiaoxie to get him some water. While Huo Xiaoxie was gone, San Zhi Liu spoke privately with Shui Yao'er, confirming the pill was a Water Elixir and realizing her identity from the Water family.
Though weakened, he expressed gratitude for her help, feeling his life as a "hooligan" wasn't worth much but regretting his inability to provide well for his talented apprentice, Huo Xiaoxie. He revealed that Huo Xiaoxie possessed an "eerie flame" bloodline and asked Shui Yao'er if she would take him to the Five-elements Rally, an event held by the five-element families every twenty years for new members, noting that ordinary people like himself could never get close to their threshold.
Shui Yao'er promised to do her best to help Huo Xiaoxie. Satisfied with her promise, San Zhi Liu passed away shortly after Huo Xiaoxie returned with water. Huo Xiaoxie was distraught, refusing to believe his master was dead and insisting on finding a physician, but Shui Yao'er confirmed his master was gone. Meanwhile, Zhang Si ordered his men, including the Yufeng Detectives, to eliminate the five-element families and retrieve the Holy Cauldron.
Soon after, Zheng Zedao found Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er, warning them that Zhang Si's forces had already departed from Fengtian and urging them to leave quickly. Huo Xiaoxie asked Zheng Zedao to look after his friends who were injured. Zheng Zedao agreed. Zheng Zedao then recognized Shui Yao'er as the daughter of the Water King, whom his father had instructed him to visit.
He mentioned he was preparing to visit her family soon and noted that the upcoming Five-elements Rally would be held at Wangjiapu. He revealed his father had given him a Black Stone Fire Token. He again pressed them to leave quickly as Zhang Si's men were closing in. Huo Xiaoxie stated he wished to bury his master before leaving. As they traveled, Huo Xiaoxie suddenly felt intensely cold.
Shui Yao'er, observing this, realized it was the effect of something he had eaten. She used knots on a rope to tie his blood vessels, explaining this would restrain the proliferation of the cold energy and prevent the toxin from acting up too quickly. They then encountered the Yan family brothers. Shui Yao'er greeted them respectfully and revealed she had found the Jade Pearl.
She explained she needed their help to protect Huo Xiaoxie and take him to the Five-elements Rally at Wangjiapu, offering the pearl as compensation for their assistance. Despite initial hesitation about taking an outsider, the Yan brothers agreed to help in exchange for the Jade Pearl. During their journey, Huo Xiaoxie mentioned seeing a woman who looked exactly like Shui Yao'er in the Linglong Mirror. Shui Yao'er reacted initially with annoyance, but then became intrigued.
She recounted hearing from a fortune teller, or her father's story, that the Linglong Mirror shows one's destined person or future spouse, and wondered if Huo Xiaoxie might be the hero the fortune teller had spoken of. From that moment, her attitude changed, and she insisted that the Yan brothers must not harm him, promising to cook for them. They shared a meal, praising her culinary skills.
During the meal, they discussed the cold energy emanating from Huo Xiaoxie, and he admitted to having eaten the Jade Pearl. The Yan brothers confirmed Shui Yao'er's rope knots were suppressing the toxin. Huo Xiaoxie asked if they could remove it, but they said he had to do it himself. Later, as Huo Xiaoxie continued to suffer from the toxin, Shui Yao'er grew concerned.
She asked Yan Jingtian if Fire family martial arts could suppress the cold toxin and requested he teach Huo Xiaoxie. Jingtian initially refused, stating their family's martial arts were not taught to outsiders. Shui Yao'er dramatically threatened to have them cut Huo Xiaoxie open to retrieve the pearl if they refused to help. Jingtian reluctantly agreed to teach him after they reached a safer location. While traveling further, Huo Xiaoxie collapsed as the toxin flared up severely.
Spotting Zhang Si's chasing forces, Shui Yao'er quickly devised a plan: the Yan brothers would lure Zhang Si's men away, while she would take Huo Xiaoxie to the Wood family for help. Jingtian agreed, stipulating that the Jade Pearl must not fall into the Wood family's hands. Shui Yao'er insisted saving Huo Xiaoxie was her priority, having promised his master. They agreed to meet later at a post house located thirty li away.
To execute the diversion, Yan Jingtian had two of the brothers ride a single horse on the coastal path, taking turns riding in front and back to create hoof prints that would mislead their pursuers into believing a man and a woman were riding ahead. The tactic worked, and Zhang Si's Yufeng Detectives, observing the tracks, initially believed they were close to catching a man and woman, ordering their forces to pursue aggressively.
However, they eventually realized they had been fooled and turned back to broaden their search. Shui Yao'er successfully brought the ailing Huo Xiaoxie to the designated post house, where they met Lin Wan, a woman from the Wood family. Lin Wan, demonstrating impressive medical skill, successfully removed the Jade Pearl from Huo Xiaoxie's body. She kept the pearl, declaring it her fee for the treatment.
Shui Yao'er did not protest the loss of the pearl, expressing only relief that Huo Xiaoxie had been saved. Lin Wan, perceiving Shui Yao'er's deep concern for Huo Xiaoxie, shared her findings: she had discovered an "eerie flame" within him during the procedure, noting that it had likely kept him alive.
However, she identified it as a "dark flame," warning that those with such a bloodline historically faced difficult and often ill-fated destinies, suggesting that Shui Yao'er should reconsider their potential relationship. Shui Yao'er explained that the Jade Pearl had been taken from Zhang Si's manor, highlighting the ongoing danger of Zhang Si's intense pursuit.
Concerned by this, Lin Wan quickly concealed the pearl and instructed Shui Yao'er to pack their belongings for an immediate departure by carriage under the cover of darkness. Huo Xiaoxie, upon waking, dreamt of being saved by a beautiful woman. Following Lin Wan's advice, Shui Yao'er made sure Huo Xiaoxie spent time in the sun to counter the lingering cold energy. She also prepared food for him, demonstrating her renowned cooking skills.
She cautiously informed Huo Xiaoxie that the Jade Pearl had been taken by the physician as payment, and strongly cautioned him against revealing this to the Yan brothers, fearing negative consequences for both of them if they learned the pearl was gone. She then attempted to teach him a therapeutic exercise intended to soothe his meridians and regulate his body, but he found it difficult and questioned the effectiveness of the technique.
The Yan family brothers arrived at the post house, once again complimenting Shui Yao'er's cooking. An awkward discussion ensued regarding the martial arts training and the promised Jade Pearl. Huo Xiaoxie expressed frustration with his inability to learn the technique Jingtian had shown him, implying the teaching was inadequate.
Shui Yao'er intervened, trying to mediate by acknowledging Huo Xiaoxie's clumsiness but also reminding Jingtian of the Jade Pearl's value and its potential significance to the Fire family in potentially locating the Holy Cauldron. Jingtian, though still asserting he had taught what he could, reluctantly agreed to teach Huo Xiaoxie one more, simpler technique, insisting he would take back the pearl afterwards regardless of Huo Xiaoxie's progress.
Before the new lesson could begin, other figures arrived with urgent news: Zhang Si's forces were located at the foot of the mountain, having successfully tracked them using a dog. Shui Yao'er immediately proposed a plan to lure Zhang Si's men up the mountain the following morning to confront and eliminate them. Simultaneously, Zhang Si's forces were shown setting up an ambush formation, guided by the dog's tracking, and discovering evidence consistent with the Water family's presence.
Episode 5 Recap
After Yufeng Detectives suffered a setback, Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er discussed the effectiveness of their trap, with Huo Xiaoxie boasting about his status in Fengtian and his intention to turn Yufeng Detective into a "Yufeng Rat." Shui Yao'er emphasized that their success was thanks to her family's Qilin Elixir, stating that Huo Xiaoxie's Earth Bomb alone would only make noise. They then headed towards the Rocky Mound for safety.
Meanwhile, Lin Wan traveled outside the city and stopped at an inn to rest. When a traveler suddenly collapsed, she rushed to treat him using skills that revealed her affiliation with the Wood family. Just then, Zhang Si arrived with his remaining men. Recognizing her Wood family techniques, he ordered her capture. Zheng Zedao, who was resting nearby, intervened.
He addressed Zhang Si directly, accusing him of being a fugitive wanted by the Fengtian Police and collaborating with the Japanese to sell national treasures and commit murder. Zheng Zedao threatened to arrest Zhang Si and his men, claiming his team was nearby. Zhang Si, not wanting a confrontation that could lead to mutual destruction, decided to leave with his men. After Zhang Si departed, Lin Wan thanked Zheng Zedao and asked why he helped her.
Zheng Zedao explained his deep connection to the five-element families. He urged her to leave quickly, warning that he couldn't fool Zhang Si's men for long, and offered to distract them himself. Huo Xiaoxie continued his training with Yan Jingtian, learning the Fire family's Fire Slash, emphasizing stability, and the 13 Clouds of Fire legwork, which focused on nimbleness. Yan Jingtian expressed impatience with Huo Xiaoxie's apparent slowness and demanded the Jade Pearl.
Despite learning rapidly, Huo Xiaoxie feigned ignorance, joking that his "brain is made of wood." He also inquired about the upcoming Five Elements Rally. Shui Yao'er informed him that the Fire and Wood families would co-host the event, with the Fire family setting the Three Fire Gate Tasks, though she didn't know the specifics. She promised to help him obtain a Black Stone Fire Token.
During training, Yan Jingtian commented on Huo Xiaoxie's improved skill being powerful due to dark flame possession, though he quickly dismissed the remark. Shui Yao'er encouraged Huo Xiaoxie to train diligently, telling him not to waste his potential. She assured him she would handle getting the Black Stone Fire Token. Traveling further towards the five-element families' territory, Yan Jingtian, Huo Xiaoxie, and Shui Yao'er arrived at an inn.
Upon entering, they noticed the manager seemed agitated and the inn unusually deserted despite numerous horses tied outside. Huo Xiaoxie observed the manager cleaning blood from the floor. The manager explained the horses were necessary for hunting game, as the inn specialized in wild meat, but his hurried demeanor and the empty inn aroused suspicion. During dinner, Shui Yao'er mentioned having to return home once they crossed the border, questioning if going home was truly "nice."
Huo Xiaoxie responded by sharing his own difficult past, having been an orphan struggling on the streets until his master took him in. He envied those with parents and told Shui Yao'er she was fortunate. He jokingly offered to supervise her training to avoid returning home himself. Yan Jingtian interrupted, insisting that Huo Xiaoxie master the moves that night and hand over the Jade Pearl. Later that evening, Black Whipper arrived at the same inn seeking lodging.
Huo Xiaoxie immediately recognized her, blaming her for the deaths of his master and martial brothers. Overcome with rage, he attacked her. During their confrontation, Black Whipper defended herself, claiming his master was involved in risky business and she merely presented him with an opportunity, thus his death wasn't her fault. Yan Jingtian intervened, reminding them that Zhang Si's men could arrive anytime and threatening to tie up anyone who continued fighting.
Black Whipper commented on Huo Xiaoxie's noticeable improvement in Fire Slash. Yan Jingtian confirmed his progress and again mentioned needing the Jade Pearl for his master. Black Whipper revealed she also sought the Jade Pearl to meet the Fire King, who was avoiding her. She then suggested she could follow Huo Xiaoxie, as the Fire King might not hide from him. Later, Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er discovered the inn manager's sinister plan.
The manager was instructing a subordinate to release their horses from the stable. They stopped the subordinate, learning the inn was a trap where they killed travelers for "meat." Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er captured the manager and his subordinate. Soon after, Lin Wan arrived at the same inn. She was surprised to see Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er again and mentioned that she had encountered their enemies and lost her medicine cart because of it.
Her meeting with Yan Jingtian was immediately filled with animosity, a clear manifestation of the long-standing feud between the Fire and Wood families. Due to the limited number of rooms, Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er had to share one room. While preparing for the night, Shui Yao'er confronted Huo Xiaoxie directly, asking if he knew she liked him and what his feelings were. Huo Xiaoxie admitted he found her cute but hesitated to express affection.
He cited his unresolved quest for revenge and uncertain future, stating he was a nobody while she was the daughter of the Water King, making him feel unworthy of her. Shui Yao'er agreed that he was indeed unworthy if that was truly how he thought. The next morning, Shui Yao'er woke Huo Xiaoxie early, urging him to leave before Yan Jingtian woke up and discovered the truth about the Jade Pearl not being ready.
As they prepared to leave, Huo Xiaoxie went to wake Lin Wan, prompting a slightly jealous remark from Shui Yao'er. They discovered the inn manager, Mr. Qian, dead. Accusations immediately arose among the group regarding who was responsible. Huo Xiaoxie denied killing him, stating he had never killed anyone and would only kill Black Whipper. Yan Jingtian and Black Whipper arrived and were informed of the death.
Yan Jingtian questioned who the killer was and whether the Jade Pearl had been lost. Shui Yao'er denied losing the pearl or killing the manager, stating Huo Xiaoxie was with her. Shui Yao'er corroborated Huo Xiaoxie's whereabouts. The situation escalated as they realized Mr. Qian was still inside the inn, which was now on fire. They decided to re-enter to investigate.
Episode 6 Recap
Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er woke up and left their room, finding Mr. Qian lying on the ground with a large pool of blood nearby. As they wondered who could have killed him, Yan Jingtian, his brother Yan Shouyi, and Black Whipper also emerged. Suddenly, the room began to shake violently, causing everyone to lose consciousness. Huo Xiaoxie was the first to regain awareness, finding himself and Shui Yao'er suspended in the air by chains.
Shui Yao'er jumped down, pretending to catch Huo Xiaoxie as he followed, but he fell hard onto the ground. They quickly realized they were all chained up. Yan Jingtian's brother, Yan Shouzhen, was discovered impaled by a wooden beam during the shaking. Lin Wan tried to help but said she was sorry, indicating it was too late. Aside from Yan Shouzhen, the others were unharmed but trapped.
Yan Shouyi tried to break his chain with a tool, but it was useless. Lin Wan explained that the chains seemed to be made of refined black iron with special locks, implying force wouldn't work without a key. She suggested they were caught in the Earth family's great formation, the Giant Killing Array, which she had heard about.
She recounted a rumor that thirty years ago, the Yufeng Detectives attacked the five-element families for the Holy Cauldron and only succeeded because of a traitor in the Earth family, a master of mechanisms known as Burrower. The Earth family was devastated and gradually disappeared after that battle. Yan Jingtian had heard another theory about the array, involving "Turning the tide, and destroying everything."
Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Qian was alive and watching them from outside the chamber with a cook and another man. He admitted to faking his death and luring them to the hall to activate the mechanism. Seeing they were still alive, Mr. Qian decided to prepare food and wine to watch the spectacle. Inside the chamber, the central hub of the chains began to rotate and spread out like a lotus, with sharp iron petals. The chains started tightening.
Huo Xiaoxie, wanting to avenge his master's death, tried to pull Black Whipper's chain towards the center, but Yan Jingtian stopped him, realizing all the chains were connected and everyone would be pulled in if one person was. When the mechanical trap failed to kill them quickly, Mr. Qian ordered a substance to be released into the chamber. The air filled with a mist, and everyone began to feel disoriented and confused.
Yan Shouyi demanded the Jade Pearl from Lin Wan. Black Whipper, hallucinating, mistook Yan Jingtian for the Fire King, asking why he had avoided her. Shui Yao'er called for her mother. Lin Wan recognized the symptoms of a mind-altering poison called mind-altering poison and used silver needles to treat everyone. Huo Xiaoxie, noticing Mr. Qian watching, suggested they all pretend to be unconscious to lure him out.
Mr. Qian, seeing everyone seemingly collapsed except Huo Xiaoxie, entered the chamber to observe. Huo Xiaoxie quickly restrained Mr. Qian, and the others, who had been faking, immediately got up to help. In the struggle, Yan Shouyi was wounded. Realizing he was dying, he grabbed Mr. Qian and lunged towards the rotating iron lotus center. Both men were instantly crushed, and Yan Shouyi declared he had avenged his brother, Yan Shouzhen, just before he died.
Following Yan Shouyi's death, Lin Wan's chain unlocked. Realizing the mechanism might be linked to lives, she hurried to find the control center. Outside, Zheng Zedao had been observing and met Lin Wan. Together, they found the control center and engaged a gear switch, stopping the iron lotus. With the mechanism halted, the remaining chains also released. Huo Xiaoxie and the others quietly left the chamber to rendezvous with Lin Wan and planned to return to Wangjiapu.
However, as they were leaving, Mr. Zhang Si suddenly appeared and seized Shui Yao'er by the throat. He questioned Shui Yao'er about the cause of her mother's death years ago. Desperate to save Shui Yao'er and remembering his master's tragic death, Huo Xiaoxie became enraged and struck at Mr. Zhang Si using the Fire Slash technique.
Episode 7 Recap
After secretly leaving the inn, Zheng Zedao was confronted by Mr. Zhang, a Yufeng Detective. Mr. Zhang, injured from a previous encounter with Huo Xiaoxie, questioned Zheng Zedao's allegiances. Zheng Zedao accused Mr. Zhang of being a traitor who colluded with the Japanese and trafficked national treasures.
Mr. Zhang dismissed this, highlighting his mission since the Boxer Rebellion: to retrieve the Holy Cauldron hidden by the five-element families and to destroy them, avenging his fallen comrades from the battle at Shanhaiguan. Knowing Zheng Zedao intended to participate in the Five-elements Rally, Mr. Zhang offered him a deal: help find the Holy Cauldron, and Mr. Zhang would help him become the successor of the Fire family; otherwise, he would kill him.
Seeing an opportunity to achieve impossible goals with Mr. Zhang's backing, Zheng Zedao agreed, deciding he couldn't afford to die yet. Meanwhile, Huo Xiaoxie, weak from using the dark flame's power during his fight, was helped by Lin Wan to recover by guiding his internal energy. Shui Yao'er was present as well. Huo Xiaoxie asked about the whereabouts of Yan Jingtian and Zheng Zedao.
Shui Yao'er confirmed that Yan Jingtian had escaped with Black Whipper and urged Huo Xiaoxie to rest and recover first. Elsewhere, Yan Jingtian and Black Whipper took refuge. As Black Whipper regained consciousness, she questioned Yan Jingtian about his feelings for her, referencing his willingness to sacrifice himself earlier.
Yan Jingtian stated he held nothing but respect for her and, knowing her deep devotion to the Fire King, felt it was his duty as a Fire family disciple to ensure her safety. He expressed hope that she could forgive the Fire King and that the Fire King would eventually understand her feelings and welcome her. Huo Xiaoxie recovered remarkably quickly, a speed Shui Yao'er attributed to his resilient nature tempered by the dark flame.
Shui Yao'er couldn't help but ask Lin Wan about the technique she had taught Huo Xiaoxie. Lin Wan revealed it was the first level of the Wood Element Technique, a key skill of the Wood family. Shui Yao'er was taken aback that Lin Wan would impart such a significant technique, suspecting her of trying to compete for Huo Xiaoxie's affection. Lin Wan clarified that after the decline of the five-element families, they became isolated, making them vulnerable to powerful enemies.
She explained her master's belief that unifying the families was crucial, and that the Wood technique could help regulate the turbulent dark flame within Huo Xiaoxie, enhancing his martial arts. She also noted that the Wood family would not impose obligations on him for learning it. Shui Yao'er accepted Lin Wan's explanation regarding the families but still expressed her concern about competition for Huo Xiaoxie, offering anything else in exchange.
She also mused about her own health condition and her desire to be with the person she liked, even referencing Zheng Zedao and asking if Lin Wan had any feelings for him. Shui Yao'er concluded that she wasn't interested in Zheng Zedao and whoever liked him could have him. On their journey back towards Wangjiapu, Shui Yao'er feigned an ankle injury to be carried by Huo Xiaoxie.
While being carried, she revealed her plan to have him steal the Jade Pearl back from Lin Wan, claiming she needed it to obtain the Black Stone Fire Token, which was necessary to save his life. Huo Xiaoxie initially refused, reluctant to betray Lin Wan who had used the pearl for his medical treatment. Shui Yao'er resorted to emotional manipulation, emphasizing her potential severe punishment upon returning home and the long separation it would cause.
She stressed the token's importance for "his" safety, making him choose between disappointing her or Lin Wan. Under pressure, Huo Xiaoxie reluctantly agreed and took the pearl. They acknowledged the effectiveness of their charade. Soon after, Lin Wan reached the Wood King's residence. She reported being chased by the traitorous Mr. Zhang from Fengtian and that Shui Yao'er had stolen his treasure, the Jade Pearl.
She also mentioned meeting a young man with the dark flame bloodline whom Shui Yao'er intended to bring to the Five-elements Rally, and that she had taught him the Wood Element Technique to save his life.
The Wood King expressed little concern about the Jade Pearl, seeing its appearance alongside the dark flame descendant as a sign of significant events to unfold during the Rally, viewing the young man as a potential key to revitalizing the five-element families if guided properly. He instructed Lin Wan to watch over him. Shui Yao'er brought Huo Xiaoxie to the Grand Way Inn, where participants for the Three Fire Gate Tasks were staying.
Meanwhile, Zheng Zedao managed to escape from Mr. Zhang, arriving wounded at the gates of the Water King Residence. He was found by Lin Wan, who called for help. Zheng Zedao was brought inside and cared for. He had been instructed by his father, whose family had fallen on hard times, to marry Shui Yao'er based on a long-standing contract, in order to gain the support of the five-element families and the Holy Cauldron to restore the Zheng family's prominence.
The Water King received Zheng Zedao, acknowledging his impressive escape from Mr. Zhang's Hook Troop, and told him to recover at the residence in preparation for the upcoming tasks. After Lin Wan provided him with a prescription, Zheng Zedao asked about Shui Yao'er, only then alerting the Water King that his daughter had returned.
At the Grand Way Inn, a man was found dead after being attacked by a dark figure and then taking poison when subdued by a guest, Jin Pan. Jin Pan recounted the incident, expressing his intent to capture the attacker alive to identify him. Huo Xiaoxie arrived and recognized the deceased man as one of Mr. Zhang's subordinates, suspecting he was also responsible for a previous day's fatality.
Yan Jingtian arrived, busy with Rally preparations, and assigned Huo Xiaoxie the task of investigating the murder as an opportunity to prove himself and gain entry into the five-element families. Huo Xiaoxie readily accepted, requesting Jin Pan, who had subdued the attacker, as his assistant, noting Jin Pan's capability. Their investigation began with a plan to visit a nearby dyehouse mentioned by Jin Pan. Upon checking the dyehouse, Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan found no immediate clues.
As they were leaving, they were intercepted by Three Snakes, the Water King's steward. Three Snakes sternly warned Huo Xiaoxie to stay away from Shui Yao'er, stating that she was betrothed and threatening consequences if Huo Xiaoxie dared to appear near her again. Jin Pan was taken aback by the steward's aggressive attitude. Despite the interruption, they continued their investigation, planning to return to the inn.
Yan Jingtian reported to Fire King Yan Lie, conveying the events of his recent trip, including the loss of some of his men and the Water King's possession of the Jade Pearl. Yan Jingtian then asked why the Fire King continued to avoid Black Whipper. Yan Lie explained their past: she had saved his life during a training mishap, and they had grown close.
However, upon becoming Fire King, he had promised his master to dedicate his life to the family's path, forsaking marriage and family. He had tried to explain this to Black Whipper, but she could not accept it. He admitted his actions were wrong but felt unable to face her. Just then, Black Whipper arrived outside, demanding Yan Lie confront her. Yan Jingtian tried to intervene, telling the Fire King he couldn't hide forever.
Yan Lie concealed himself, asking how she found him. Black Whipper forced her way in, accusing Yan Lie of being a heartless coward who broke his promise to marry and care for her, demanding he show himself and asking if he had ever loved her. Yan Jingtian remained to face her while the Fire King stayed hidden. Meanwhile, Shui Yao'er was kept under guard by Three Snakes at the Water King Residence.
Lin Wan visited briefly, expressing relief she was safe and mentioning she had asked her to bring the Jade Pearl back to her father. Shui Yao'er, thinking Lin Wan had reported her, accused her of being deceitful, but Lin Wan retorted similarly. The Water King arrived and confronted Shui Yao'er about her unauthorized departure. Shui Yao'er claimed she had gone to search for the Linglong Mirror, her mother's relic, which she had hidden.
Three Snakes then produced the mirror, revealing it had been found (implying it was returned earlier, possibly by Huo Xiaoxie as per the Chinese plot). The Water King, already aware of her escapade and her recent association with Huo Xiaoxie, scolded her for her behavior, reminding her she was a grown woman with a marriage contract. He stated she must marry Zheng Zedao as her mother had arranged it to save her life.
Shui Yao'er protested, arguing her mother wouldn't force her to marry someone she didn't like. She spoke of seeing Huo Xiaoxie in the Linglong Mirror, reminiscent of how her father had seen her mother in it. The Water King became emotional, recounting her mother's fatal poisoning and her refusal to seek help from Zhang Si, and his deep regret at not being able to save her.
He spoke of watching Shui Yao'er grow up to resemble her mother and how he could not bear another such loss. Therefore, he insisted she must marry Zheng Zedao. He ordered Three Snakes to confine her to the residence. Back at the Grand Way Inn, Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan confirmed with the manager that the murdered man was not a regular guest but a participant in the Rally. They deduced that Mr. Zhang's men had infiltrated Wangjiapu.
Huo Xiaoxie proposed notifying the Fire family to increase inspections of people entering and leaving, particularly Rally participants. He analyzed Mr. Zhang's strategy, concluding that due to his weakened state, he wouldn't confront them directly but likely had other plans, possibly related to the Rally, and his men's suicides were to protect these plans. Huo Xiaoxie resolved to handle this investigation himself. Yan Jingtian approached, noticing Huo Xiaoxie was troubled, likely by the situation with Shui Yao'er.
Yan Jingtian advised him against seeing her for now, encouraging him to focus on the task at hand to gain standing and prove himself to the Water King. Huo Xiaoxie agreed, expressing his determination to join the five-element families and successfully pass the Three Fire Gate Tasks to be worthy of Shui Yao'er. Yan Jingtian expressed confidence in him.
Episode 8 Recap
Lin Wan provided attentive care for Zheng Zedao during his recovery. The Water King encouraged Zheng Zedao to make himself at home, focus on healing, and prepare for the upcoming Three Fire Gate Tasks. He also arranged for Three Snakes to provide instruction. The Water King proposed that if Zheng Zedao were to win first prize in the tasks, the marriage between him and Shui Yao'er could proceed.
Zheng Zedao expressed his satisfaction, stating this arrangement aligned perfectly with his father's wishes, and that he was eager to marry soon to alleviate Shui Yao'er's suffering from her illness. While overhearing this conversation, Lin Wan became visibly distressed. For Zheng Zedao, joining one of the five-element families and achieving prominence was his priority, leaving Lin Wan's genuine feelings aside. Later, Lin Wan left the Water King's residence, clearly unhappy.
Zheng Zedao followed her and requested her help in explaining some matters to Huo Xiaoxie, specifically about his impending marriage to Shui Yao'er. Uncomfortable refusing, Lin Wan agreed. Meanwhile, another life was lost in Wangjiapu, marking the second death in two days and leading some to call the Five Elements Rally a "Five Elements Murder." The victim sustained a peculiar, arc-shaped upward cut from a rare weapon. Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan investigated the scene.
They deduced that since the Fire family had locked down Wangjiapu and checked everyone participating in the rally, the killer must still be inside, likely someone unnoticed. The single fatal blow to the chest suggested the victim was caught off guard, likely by an acquaintance. Huo Xiaoxie recalled seeing a person at an inn using a unique wine-pouring implement and later seeing the same person in Wangjiapu. He suspected the wound might have been inflicted by that very object.
Deciding the suspect was the tea stall owner, they devised a plan to lure him out. They went to the tea stall and spoke loudly, pretending the Fire family had set traps and found Mr. Zhang Si's hideout, ensuring the owner overheard. The owner quickly left after serving their tea. Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan realized he had fled and began searching for him nearby. Under Three Snakes' watchful eye, Shui Yao'er grew restless.
Zheng Zedao came to speak with her about the planned marriage. Shui Yao'er attempted to evade Three Snakes, feigning illness and then fabricating a story about a "Philanderer" attacking her to send Three Snakes away. Once alone with Zheng Zedao, she directly confronted him, demanding he provide cover for her escape to see Huo Xiaoxie. Zheng Zedao refused, reiterating the Water King's promise to marry them after the Three Fire Gate Tasks.
Shui Yao'er firmly declared she would not marry him, that her heart belonged to someone else, and she would rather die than become his wife, urging him to abandon the engagement. After she left, Zheng Zedao was consumed by bitterness and jealousy towards Huo Xiaoxie. Zheng Zedao then sought out Huo Xiaoxie. He first confirmed that Huo Xiaoxie's friends, whom Zedao had helped find jobs, were doing well, solidifying a sense of brotherhood between them.
He then requested a favor and revealed the long-standing engagement between him and Shui Yao'er, arranged twenty years prior and intended to be fulfilled after the Five Elements Rally. He explained his decision to join the five-element families was precisely to marry her. Huo Xiaoxie was shocked by the revelation. Zheng Zedao admitted that Shui Yao'er was distant and even disliked him, asking Huo Xiaoxie to help persuade her, believing she might listen to him.
Huo Xiaoxie questioned the validity of an arranged marriage, especially given Shui Yao'er's feelings and Zedao's background. Zheng Zedao explained the situation was far more complex. He revealed that Shui Yao'er suffered from the Heart-breaking and Soul-splitting Disease, contracted at birth after her mother was attacked.
He stated that rumors claimed the disease could only be cured through marriage to someone with both water and fire bloodlines, which is why the Water King had sought out their Zheng family and believed only he could save his daughter, whose time was running out. Huo Xiaoxie was distraught, struggling to comprehend the situation and pleading for another solution.
Zheng Zedao confirmed that neither the Water King nor the most renowned doctors could find a cure, and he had upheld the engagement because he believed he was the only one who could save her, perhaps already seeing her as his wife. Still in disbelief, Huo Xiaoxie couldn't understand why Shui Yao'er had never told him about the disease or the engagement, suspecting Zedao was lying.
Lin Wan appeared and confirmed the truth of Zheng Zedao's words, adding that even her master and the entire Wood family could not cure the illness. Lin Wan shared that Shui Yao'er had told her she would cherish even a single day spent with the person she loved, dedicating all her time to Huo Xiaoxie, having nothing left but him.
Overcome with emotion, Huo Xiaoxie lamented her sacrifice and expressed his pain at the thought of losing her after already losing his master and friends. Lin Wan urged him to accept the reality unless he could bear to watch her die, suggesting it might be their fate. Heartbroken, Huo Xiaoxie pleaded with Zheng Zedao to promise to take good care of Shui Yao'er if they married.
He listed specific ways to care for her: don't bully her, let her hit him when she's angry, practice martial arts with her (giving specific instructions on stance and gaze), enthusiastically praise her cooking, and never mistreat her. He repeatedly begged Zheng Zedao for the promise. Overwhelmed, Huo Xiaoxie began drinking heavily, expressing his deep anguish. Lin Wan tried to stop him, quietly acknowledging her own pain and confirming she had fulfilled his request (presumably by helping reveal the truth).
Three Snakes later found Huo Xiaoxie, inquiring if he had seen Shui Yao'er. Huo Xiaoxie learned she was missing and hadn't returned home. Zheng Zedao, who was also present, immediately suspected Mr. Zhang Si was responsible. They agreed to search for her separately. Zheng Zedao arrived at Mr. Zhang Si's location on the outskirts, where the tea stall owner was already present. Mr. Zhang Si confirmed Shui Yao'er was safe.
Observing Zheng Zedao's situation regarding the impending Three Fire Gate Tasks and Shui Yao'er's evident affection for someone else, Mr. Zhang Si proposed a "gift": staging a hero-saves-the-beauty scenario to help Zheng Zedao win Shui Yao'er's hand. The condition was that after the marriage, Zheng Zedao must assassinate the Water King. Zheng Zedao refused the treacherous offer.
Mr. Zhang Si then threatened to frame Zheng Zedao for the tea stall owner's crimes, leveraging their previous encounter to suggest they had already colluded, thus easily ruining Zheng Zedao's reputation. Faced with this threat, Zheng Zedao was compelled to agree. He then met up with Three Snakes and Huo Xiaoxie near the hideout, signaling Three Snakes to notify specific leaders of the five-element families, like Yan Jingtian of the Fire family, about the location.
Their plan was for Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan to create a diversion by confronting Mr. Zhang Si and his Hook Troop, while Zheng Zedao would rescue Shui Yao'er. Following their plan, Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan confronted Mr. Zhang Si, drawing his attention and the Hook Troop into a fight. Meanwhile, Shui Yao'er was rescued. Upon seeing Huo Xiaoxie, she ran towards him emotionally. However, Huo Xiaoxie responded coldly, telling her they should never meet again.
He explained that this was the only thing he could do for her, trying to push her towards marrying Zheng Zedao. Distraught, Shui Yao'er argued that he was making the decision for her without knowing her wishes and questioned what she would do if he left her, having already lost others dear to her. She begged him not to abandon her.
With tears in his eyes, Huo Xiaoxie told her that marrying Zheng Zedao was the only way for her to live, imploring her to forget him for his sake. He described how he would find comfort in knowing she was alive and capable of living a full life—smiling, crying, cooking, and getting angry—even if they could never see each other again. Shui Yao'er adamantly refused.
After the rescue, Shui Yao'er was brought back to the Water King Residence, safe but shaken. An elder thanked Zheng Zedao for his efforts. Zheng Zedao then went to obtain medicine for Shui Yao'er from the Wood family, where he met Lin Wan. She gave him the medicine and specific instructions for its use, emphasizing that while it could ease Shui Yao'er's pain, it could not save her life.
Episode 9 Recap
After Shui Yao'er's recent distress, Lin Wan prepared tonic to help suppress her condition. Zheng Zedao received the tonic from Lin Wan but, on his way back to Water King Residence, stopped at another pharmacy to acquire medicine with a strong cold property. He returned to the residence and gave both sets of medicine to Mr. Three Snakes, asking him to look after Shui Yao'er.
Mr. Three Snakes noted how much Lin Wan cared for Shui Yao'er over the years and confirmed the young lady was resting in her room, remarking that her health was too fragile for further hardship. Meanwhile, Huo Xiaoxie, separated from Shui Yao'er, was struggling with his emotions and sought solace in alcohol.
Jin Pan tried to comfort him, urging him to stop drinking and to compose himself for the upcoming Three Fire Gate Tasks, reminding him it was the reason he came to Wangjiapu. At the Wood family residence, Yan Jingtian met with Wood King to discuss the tasks. Yan Jingtian stated his master instructed them to be at Wood King's disposal.
Wood King announced that this year's Three Fire Gate Tasks would be different, specifically stating they would be held in the ancestral land of the five-element families located within Wangjiapu. He explained they came to Wangjiapu specifically for this day, as they now possessed the Jade Pearl.
While rumors correctly claimed the Jade Pearl could point to the Holy Cauldron, the deeper truth was that the Holy Cauldron was hidden within the ancestral land itself, and the Jade Pearl was the key to its last door. Wood King emphasized that they had known the Holy Cauldron was in the ancestral land since learning a predecessor left the Jade Pearl.
Yan Jingtian expressed concern about having young people attempt to grasp the Holy Cauldron, but Wood King assured him the Holy Cauldron would choose its own master, dependent on the participants' fate. Wood King also expressed his hope of seeing the Holy Cauldron again in his lifetime and confirmed he and others would also seek it.
He instructed Yan Jingtian's group to stay with his family for the next few days, with their family taking charge and the Wood family assisting, urging Yan Jingtian to let past matters rest. The first task of the Three Fire Gate Tasks was announced: find Qingyun Inn within two days. Many participants were confused, as locals confirmed there was no inn named Qingyun in Wangjiapu.
Jin Pan and Huo Xiaoxie, who had been studying the area, realized the name "Qingyun Inn" was a metaphor. Jin Pan correctly deduced that Wangjiapu was the ancestral land of the five-element families and interpreted "Qingyun" as "Qingyun Ladder," a reference to the entrance of the ancestral land. He guided Huo Xiaoxie to a location featuring the Eight Diagrams.
Huo Xiaoxie, using the knowledge of the Eight Diagrams he learned from his master, began interpreting the formations to find the specific entrance. Other participants, lacking direction, began following Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan. Ruoyun was also among those following and exchanged brief observations about the landscape and formations with them. Huo Xiaoxie continued interpreting the diagrams, identifying different directions and formations, guiding the group forward.
Jin Pan then gathered the following participants and openly announced that he and Huo Xiaoxie had found the location of "Qingyun Inn," revealing it was the entrance to the five-element ancestral land. He generously offered the information to everyone, stating Huo Xiaoxie wanted to help everyone pass the first task. However, as the group followed Huo Xiaoxie's guidance, they ventured into increasingly desolate areas, eventually reaching a secluded courtyard that felt unsettling. Doubts arose among some followers about the direction.
Suddenly, black-clothed figures emerged, attacking the participants with hidden weapons. Several contestants were killed. Zheng Zedao and Ruoyun, who were also following the group, intervened and helped drive off the attackers. In the aftermath, surviving participants angrily accused Huo Xiaoxie of deliberately leading them into a trap. Huo Xiaoxie was distraught and couldn't defend himself. Zheng Zedao stepped forward and vouched for Huo Xiaoxie, stating he was an old friend and wouldn't do such a thing.
Lin Wan arrived and explained the reason for the ambush: someone had deliberately moved the symbols that marked the path, leading to the tragedy. Despite the explanation, some survivors continued to blame Huo Xiaoxie for the deaths of their companions. Huo Xiaoxie blamed himself for the incident. Jin Pan tried to defend Huo Xiaoxie again, taking the blame for telling others to follow them, but Huo Xiaoxie insisted it was his mistake.
Meanwhile, back at the Water King Residence, Mr. Three Snakes reported to Water King that Shui Yao'er's condition had suddenly worsened dramatically, causing her to faint, shortly after taking the tonic, though he believed Lin Wan's medicine couldn't be the cause. Water King was distressed by this news. Just then, Zheng Zedao arrived and inquired about Shui Yao'er's health. Water King shared his grave concern.
Seizing the moment, Zheng Zedao solemnly asked Water King to marry Shui Yao'er to him without delay, reminding Water King of their existing engagement and claiming his water and fire bloodline was the only way to suppress her cold poison and save her life. Water King, moved by Zheng Zedao's apparent devotion and fearing for his daughter's life, agreed to hold the wedding the very next day, apologizing that the rushed ceremony would be simple.
Zheng Zedao dismissed the apologies, saying it was his duty when a life was at stake. Shui Yao'er, having apparently woken up, objected to the marriage, but Water King ordered her restrained. He instructed her to rest for the wedding the next day, telling her he was acting as a father trying to save his daughter's life, saying she would understand when she was older.
Zheng Zedao visited Shui Yao'er, telling her he was doing this for her own good, despite her clear resentment. Zheng Zedao then began giving orders to prepare for the wedding ceremony and send out invitations, emphasizing simplicity. Elsewhere, Lin Wan was studying ancient texts and discovered that the Holy Cauldron contained information about the water and fire bloodline. A servant delivered a wedding invitation from the Water family, announcing Shui Yao'er and Zheng Zedao's marriage the following day.
Distraught but believing it was the only way to save Shui Yao'er, Lin Wan went to visit her. She spoke with Mr. Three Snakes, who urged her not to interfere, saying Water King wouldn't arrange such a hasty marriage if there were another way. Shui Yao'er pleaded with Lin Wan for help, saying she couldn't marry Zheng Zedao and asking Lin Wan to convey a message to Huo Xiaoxie: that she would never fail him.
Lin Wan promised she wouldn't do anything foolish. Lin Wan found Huo Xiaoxie still drinking and informed him about the impending marriage. Huo Xiaoxie was shocked. Lin Wan then shared her discovery: there was no cure for Shui Yao'er's illness except for the water and fire bloodline, and she had found a similar healing method hidden within the Holy Cauldron.
She explained that if Huo Xiaoxie could obtain the Holy Cauldron and learn this method, he could also save Shui Yao'er. However, Huo Xiaoxie expressed despair, feeling unworthy after causing deaths at the task and doubting he could succeed in getting the Holy Cauldron. Lin Wan delivered Shui Yao'er's message that she would never fail him.
On the day of the wedding, as Shui Yao'er was being prepared for the ceremony, Water King spoke to her, noting she was wearing her mother's wedding dress and how much she resembled her mother. He again explained his actions were those of a father trying to protect his daughter, hoping she would understand someday. As the ceremony was about to begin, Huo Xiaoxie dramatically burst into the Water King Residence with companions, disrupting the wedding.
Zheng Zedao ordered guards to stop them. Huo Xiaoxie pushed through, demanding Shui Yao'er be released. He directly challenged Zheng Zedao, stating he was taking Shui Yao'er with him. Shui Yao'er immediately agreed to go with Huo Xiaoxie, telling Zheng Zedao she was sorry but hoped he would grant their wish. Zheng Zedao was furious, feeling betrayed. Water King ordered Mr. Three Snakes to apprehend Huo Xiaoxie. However, Huo Xiaoxie threatened to kill himself if anyone approached.
Shui Yao'er echoed the threat, declaring she would die if she couldn't marry the man she loved, and would die with Huo Xiaoxie if he were killed. She told Water King she couldn't marry Zheng Zedao because she couldn't stand the strict rules of noble families regarding marriage. Huo Xiaoxie passionately declared his love for Shui Yao'er and promised Water King he would do everything to obtain the Holy Cauldron and save her, offering his life as a guarantee.
Water King dismissed his life as worthless, but Shui Yao'er's resolve, tearfully begging her father to grant her wish because living without the one she loved was worse than death, forced his hand. Water King ordered his guards to stand aside, allowing Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er to leave. Mr. Three Snakes questioned the decision, and Water King responded by asking if Mr. Three Snakes wanted to see his daughter truly kill herself.
Later, Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er were together. Shui Yao'er expressed concern for Huo Xiaoxie's well-being after hearing from Lin Wan that he wasn't well, while Huo Xiaoxie said seeing her made him feel better. Discussing their future, Huo Xiaoxie reiterated Lin Wan's information about the Holy Cauldron being able to cure her and declared he couldn't lose her.
He resolved to do his utmost in the Three Fire Gate Tasks to obtain the Holy Cauldron, after which he would ask Water King for Shui Yao'er's hand. He promised that if he failed to save her, he would die with her so they could be together in the next life, discussing whether they should drink the Tea of Forgetfulness. Shui Yao'er made him promise not to drink it so they could find each other again.
She also made him promise that if he was ever in danger because of her illness, he should run far away and never let her father catch him. She added that if he met someone more beautiful and adorable than her, he should marry her instead.
Episode 10 Recap
Huo Xiaoxie and Shui Yao'er leave the Water King Residence after the failed wedding ceremony. To avoid being found by the Water King, Shui Yao'er takes Huo Xiaoxie to hide in a secluded courtyard. She tells him to stay there, promising to bring him food and to pretend she isn't there to prevent her father from taking her back. Huo Xiaoxie assures her he doesn't feel troubled being with her.
Shui Yao'er asks him to take good care of himself and promises to wait for his return. Huo Xiaoxie plans to focus on preparing for the Three Fire Gate Tasks, believing it is essential for finding a way to cure Shui Yao'er's illness. Meanwhile, Zheng Zedao feels utterly humiliated and like a global joke after his bride was taken. He is found drinking alone in the street.
Lin Wan finds him and urges him to stop drinking, noting it's bad for his health. Zheng Zedao laments that she is the only one who still cares. Lin Wan tells him that his current pain is only temporary, though he insists he cannot overcome it. She expresses her admiration for him, recognizing that despite his privileged background, he is an ambitious young man dedicated to his ideals and not someone who would become self-destructive.
Zheng Zedao is deeply touched, stating he never expected to find someone who truly understands him. Back at the Water King Residence, the Water King looks into the Linglong Mirror, questioning if he made the right decision by allowing his daughter to follow her heart. Elsewhere, Mr. Zhang feels that Zheng Zedao's humiliation makes him reckless, which could be exploited.
A plan is devised, seemingly by Mr. Zhang's associate Mr. Zhou, to fake Shui Yao'er's kidnapping to lure the Water King out into a trap. The Three Snakes receive a letter informing them that Shui Yao'er has been kidnapped by Mr. Zhang. Water King and Zheng Zedao immediately set out from the city to find her. Lin Wan finds Shui Yao'er safe and realizes Mr. Zhang faked the kidnapping to lure Water King.
Shui Yao'er and Lin Wan rush to follow them. Mr. Zhang confronts Water King, accusing him of stealing Jiao, to whom Mr. Zhang claims he was betrothed, and getting her pregnant. Water King confirms that Jiao was pregnant, but reveals she was poisoned by a "Cold Poison" Mr. Zhang put in the water.
He tells Mr. Zhang that Jiao knew he had the antidote but refused to seek him out, enduring the poison even unto death, because she did not love him at all. Mr. Zhang dismisses this as a lie and calls Water King a traitor. He also mentions he has made arrangements with someone and has an ally waiting at the Three Fire Gate Tasks competition. Water King and Zheng Zedao fight against Mr. Zhang.
As Mr. Zhang attacks Water King, Zheng Zedao tries to block, but Water King pushes him aside and is stabbed himself. Seeing Water King injured, Zheng Zedao realizes the five-element families will soon arrive. Thinking quickly, he tells Mr. Zhang he learned a secret about the Holy Cauldron's whereabouts from Water King and lures him away from the fighting. Once separated, Zheng Zedao uses a dagger hidden in his sleeve to stab and kill Mr. Zhang.
Seeing Mr. Zhang is dead and fearing confrontation with the arriving five-element families, Mr. Zhou and his men retreat and escape. Shui Yao'er arrives at the scene and finds her father dead. While mourning, she blames herself for running away and for not being skilled enough to save him. Zheng Zedao tells her he killed Mr. Zhang by tricking him with the Holy Cauldron secret and that Mr. Zhou escaped.
The Three Snakes try to comfort Shui Yao'er, reminding her of her father's love and the sacrifices he made for her, including searching for someone with a "fire and water" pulse to help cure her illness and caring for that person for her sake.
They give her a letter from her father, in which he reflects on his past attempts to save her life, admitting he was selfish for not prioritizing her feelings, and stating that now that she is grown, he and her mother would do anything for her happiness. The Three Snakes emphasize the importance of the Water family lineage and that she must survive to carry it on.
Accepting this responsibility, Shui Yao'er tells Zheng Zedao that she has decided to marry him after her father's burial. Zheng Zedao is surprised but then asks how he is different from Huo Xiaoxie. Shui Yao'er reiterates that she must live for the Water family. Huo Xiaoxie comes to the Water King Residence to pay his respects. Shui Yao'er refuses to see him, ordering the Three Snakes to turn him away.
She asks Lin Wan to tell Huo Xiaoxie to leave Wangjiapu, stating her decision to marry Zheng Zedao for the sake of the Water family is final. The Three Snakes attempt to force Huo Xiaoxie to leave, threatening him, but he insists on seeing Shui Yao'er. Jin Pan finds Huo Xiaoxie and tells him that the only way he will have a chance to be with Shui Yao'er is to obtain the Holy Cauldron.
Together, they begin searching for the five-element ancestral land. Using a map, they analyze the layout of Wangjiapu, noticing its correspondence to the Eight Trigrams, and deduce the likely underground location of the ancestral land by correlating significant points like a well and a spring with concepts of "living" and "dead" doors derived from the trigrams and symbols on the map. They find the entrance and descend into a vast, tomb-like structure.
Upon entering the ancestral land, Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan find many other participants already gathered. Some voice disapproval of certain competitors, including Gui Long. Yan Jingtian arrives and speaks with Huo Xiaoxie privately. Yan Jingtian explains he has been tied up within the ancestral land recently and asks about the events at Water King Residence. Huo Xiaoxie expresses concern that Mr. Zhang's death might not end the threat from the Japanese Dark Dragon Gang.
Yan Jingtian assures him he will handle those external matters and tells Huo Xiaoxie to focus entirely on the Three Fire Gate Tasks. Yan Jingtian then announces the rules to all participants. The first task tests knowledge of the five elements and eight trigrams.
The second task is based on luck and involves retrieving one of four scale shards from the Tomb Beast guarding the ancestral land within a time limit; only the four individuals who acquire a scale will advance. He recounts the history of the Holy Cauldron, how it was sealed here after being stolen, and how the Wood family elder who sealed it became the Jade Pearl, which was recently used to open the ancestral land.
He reveals that the Fire King and Wood King have already entered deeper into the ancestral land but have not yet emerged. Yan Jingtian warns the participants that very few have survived exploring the ancestral land in the past and offers them a chance to withdraw. Despite the grim warning, no one quits, stating their resolve to obtain the Holy Cauldron.
After the rules are announced, a cook named Pang Haowei, who introduces himself as "Fatty," appears and tells everyone he is in charge of their food and supervision for the next two days, specifically emphasizing that they should not harm each other. He serves a meal. Zheng Zedao offers a toast with water to the others. As they eat, some participants discuss forming alliances or how to share the Holy Cauldron if found.
Gui Long challenges others to fight for the limited spots immediately. Pang Haowei advises those with less fighting skill to stay out of the way. Shortly after eating, the participants begin to feel drowsy. They one by one collapse and fall unconscious.
Episode 11 Recap
As everyone regained consciousness, they realized they had been drugged. Panic spread as they discovered Gui Long was dead, killed by a wound from an exceptionally thin blade. Many participants used knives, but the thin cut suggested a specialized weapon. Speculation arose about who possessed such a skill or who might have used drugs, with some looking towards Miss Flower. She vehemently denied any involvement, stating she had not used drugs to kill anyone.
Amidst the confusion, they noticed Pang Haowei was missing, leading some to suspect he might have drugged them to gain an advantage in finding the scales. They decided to search for him. They found Pang Haowei lying unconscious some distance away. After waking him, he claimed he had been knocked out just as he entered the cave.
He argued that he entered while others were still eating, implying someone else was already inside, though he also noted the place hadn't been opened for centuries. He insisted he was innocent of the killing. With a murderer confirmed to be among them, Sickly proposed they split up to pursue their objectives individually. However, Zedao firmly refused, insisting no one could leave until the killer was identified and apprehended, citing the danger of being killed by a fellow competitor.
Suspicion then turned towards Sickly. Although there was no definitive proof, her presence raised questions, and they decided to tie her up for safety. Huo Xiaoxie voiced his concern that someone might be deliberately sowing discord and providing misleading clues to incite them to fight each other. Separately, Yan Jingtian met with Lin Wan, expressing the need to eliminate Zhang Si's remaining followers in the city that night to prevent further complications.
Leading a group that included Lin Wan and Black Whipper, they located Zhou steward's hiding place. A confrontation ensued. The injured Zhou steward, despite fighting back, was overwhelmed. Before dying, he revealed that the Dark Dragon Gang had been alerted and would arrive the following morning. They also noted the presence of defensive measures, including a crystal line. Meanwhile, back in the cave, Pang Haowei was tasked with guarding the tied-up Sickly.
When he brought her food, Sickly proposed a deal: she knew who the killer was and would share the secret if he released her. Pang Haowei appeared tempted by the offer. Later, Sickly was found dead, killed by the same thin blade wound that killed Gui Long. At some point, Miss Flower used her enchanting abilities on Pang Haowei.
Under her influence, he confessed that he was impersonating a Fire family member and that Sickly had indeed traded him a secret for her freedom. Subsequently, Pang Haowei was also found dead, killed by the same thin blade. With Pang Haowei dead, and the character "Yun" found near his body, suspicion shifted to Ruoyun. Facing accusations, Ruoyun admitted that she did not obtain her Black Stone Fire Token through conventional means, but strenuously denied being a murderer.
Pressed for an explanation, she confessed that to gain entry to the Fire Gate trials, she had promised to marry the Master of Cloud Fall Peak, an elderly man over sixty years old. Jin Pan reacted with visible disappointment upon hearing this news. When Ruoyun attempted to leave the group, someone stopped her. Zedao intervened, vouching for her and stating she would remain with his group, adding that if any more deaths occurred, it would clear her name.
As night fell, Zedao instructed Huo Xiaoxie to lead a portion of the group to rest while he patrolled the area. Jin Pan spoke with Huo Xiaoxie, expressing his distrust of Zedao, whom he found disingenuous despite their rivalry. Jin Pan contrasted Zedao's behavior with his own hypothetical reaction if someone were to harm his woman, stating he would react violently. Huo Xiaoxie defended Zedao, calling him a good brother he had known for a long time.
Jin Pan then acknowledged Ruoyun's confession, telling Huo Xiaoxie not to harbor false hopes and that they were now in a similar situation. Later, Huo Xiaoxie spotted a red light and followed it, discovering a scale. Ruoyun also found a scale. Ruoyun was then confronted by Liang Ba, Seven, and another individual who accused her of the recent killings and demanded her scale. Ruoyun denied the accusations. Jin Pan stepped forward to defend her, engaging Liang Ba in a fight.
During the struggle, Jin Pan managed to seize Seven and hold him hostage, threatening to kill him. Liang Ba, seeing Seven's peril, offered to let Ruoyun and Jin Pan go if Seven was released. Ruoyun agreed, and Jin Pan released Seven while Ruoyun handed over her scale to Liang Ba's group. Liang Ba, Seven, and their companion remained in the hall with the newly acquired scale.
Red Clown approached them, seeking to join their alliance after being left by his partner, Smoke Worm. As they were talking, a dark shadow darted past. Liang Ba and Red Clown pursued it, finding unusual footprints resembling those of a monster. While they examined the tracks, they were attacked by an unseen force and killed, both bearing the same thin blade wound as the previous victims. Zedao and Huo Xiaoxie found the bodies of Liang Ba and Red Clown.
As they discussed the puzzling attacks, they spoke with the surviving member of Liang Ba's group, who recounted Seven's terrified dying words, suggesting the attacker was either a ghost or San Qifeng, who had stolen the scale. San Qifeng, present during this conversation, confessed to taking the scale but emphatically denied committing any murders. However, the survivor insisted the attacker was a monstrous figure, not San Qifeng.
Zedao deduced that the killer would likely hide the murder weapon and any disguise near the central locations of the killings and move them after each attack. They searched the area extensively based on this theory but found no trace of the weapon or disguise. Ruoyun later shared a secret with Huo Xiaoxie, revealing that the Tomb Beast truly exists and that the scales appear along with a red light every six hours.
Huo Xiaoxie emphasized the critical importance of preventing Zhang Si's faction from acquiring the Holy Cauldron. Meanwhile, Ruoyun decided that she needed to separate from Huo Xiaoxie's group, despite his reluctance to let her go.
Episode 12 (Ending) Recap
After three hours of searching, Huo Xiaoxie and Jin Pan found another scale shard. Zheng Zedao also appeared, asking Jin Pan to part with his scale. Suddenly, Miss Flower and Yen Chong arrived and attempted to seize Jin Pan's scale shard. Flower stated they were only cooperating temporarily with Jin Pan and could handle the situation themselves. A struggle ensued, but Miss Flower and Yen Chong proved no match for Jin Pan.
Admitting defeat, Flower announced they would leave to practice and return later. She then decided she no longer wanted the Holy Cauldron and declared she was heading to the main hall. Yen Chong agreed, saying he had already obtained what he desired, and they left together. With only four people remaining, they discussed the mysterious deaths. Huo Xiaoxie proposed a shocking idea: the murderer was one of the "corpses."
Following his intuition, they discovered Liang Ba washing his hands in the only water source in a cave. Huo Xiaoxie revealed that he had placed oil on the rock wall, which anyone searching near it would inevitably touch. Liang Ba, having found a scale shard and killed others to keep it secret, had been pretending to be dead but had to come wash off the oil to avoid detection.
Huo Xiaoxie explained he suspected a corpse was the killer because all the other bodies had been hidden. He accused Liang Ba of killing Red Clown and staging the incident. Liang Ba acknowledged Huo Xiaoxie's intelligence. Huo Xiaoxie expressed regret for the lives lost, but Zheng Zedao told him not to blame himself, saying he had done his best and fate determined the rest.
Huo Xiaoxie wanted to capture Liang Ba alive, but Zheng Zedao swiftly ended his life by breaking his neck, stating that grand ambitions require bold actions and anyone standing in his way must die. He took the scale shard. However, Huo Xiaoxie still suspected another killer, noting that Sickly had died shortly after Liang Ba attacked Ruoyun. Zheng Zedao gave the scale shard he took to Ruoyun, acknowledging Huo Xiaoxie's role in uncovering the killer.
Jin Pan and Ruoyun then went off to find the final scale shard, quickly locating one after paying respects to a statue. Ignoring Huo Xiaoxie's distress over Liang Ba's death, Zheng Zedao placed his scale shard into a fire basin, causing him to disappear. The others followed suit, placing their scales into the basin, and were transported to another space.
This new area resembled the initial hall, but two skeletons lay on the steps, dressed in the attire of the Fire King and the Wood King. Ruoyun speculated that these two leaders had sacrificed their life energy to activate the Holy Cauldron of Five Elements. A large, shimmering cauldron then materialized, rising and rotating. A fierce guardian beast emerged from the cauldron and descended the steps, enveloping both Huo Xiaoxie and Zheng Zedao in a beam of light.
The light held Huo Xiaoxie and Zheng Zedao motionless. Ruoyun was unsure what was happening, but Jin Pan explained that the Holy Cauldron selects its destined owner, and they had been eliminated from the trial. He suggested they leave the space and wait outside for good news from Huo Xiaoxie. Outside, at Wangjiapu, Jitian of the Dark Dragon Gang arrived with Chiyo Uno, their foremost martial arts master.
They issued a challenge: if Chiyo Uno was not defeated within one day, all members of the five-element families would have to kowtow to the Dark Dragon Gang. News of this provocation reached Mr. Yan and Black Whipper. As chief of the Fire family, Mr. Yan felt he must respond to defend their honor. Black Whipper tried to stop him, warning him he would be marching to his death.
Mr. Yan insisted that a principled man must act when their name is being tarnished, regardless of death. When Black Whipper asked about her, Mr. Yan declared his love, promising, "If there's another life, I promise I'll marry you," repeating it at her request. Chiyo Uno, impatient, challenged them to face her together. Tragically, despite their combined effort, both Mr. Yan and Black Whipper fell to Chiyo Uno's blade.
Meanwhile, Mr. Three tried to prevent Wan from going to the challenge ring where people from the Fire and Wood families had gathered, but she insisted she had to see the Japanese challenger for herself. Within the light beam from the guardian beast, Huo Xiaoxie found himself in an illusion confronting a manifestation of his darker self, who taunted him about his failures, his inability to protect those he cared about, and his destiny to become a demon.
The figure dared him to kill him, asserting it would be an act of self-destruction and that he should just accept his fate. Huo Xiaoxie refused, drawing strength from the idea that preserving the world is the responsibility of everyone, including the common people. He saw visions of himself as a child, struggling to understand how he had reached his current path and questioning if he had gone wrong. Meanwhile, Zheng Zedao also experienced a trial within the illusion.
This trial led him to a realization of his own unworthiness. He chose to leave the illusion and returned to Wangjiapu. Huo Xiaoxie continued his internal struggle within the illusion. An illusion of Shui Yao'er appeared, questioning his motives for seeking the Holy Cauldron and suggesting he merely wanted to possess her. Huo Xiaoxie asserted his desire stemmed from their mutual love.
Shui Yao'er then explained the cauldron's true significance: it holds the nation's destiny and requires a destined, virtuous, and capable guardian who must revitalize the five-element families. She asked if he was ready, and he pledged his best. Finally, she presented a test: he must kill her, using her heart's blood as a sacrifice to gain the cauldron. Horrified, Huo Xiaoxie refused, unable to harm the woman he loved.
When she insisted, warning he would be trapped, he realized she was an illusion, a part of his heart, just as the other self was a part of his body. He vowed not to harm her but to protect her. Choosing virtue, Huo Xiaoxie wounded himself instead, offering his own heart's blood. Zheng Zedao returned from the illusion to the ring at Wangjiapu, intervening as Miss Wan prepared to face Chiyo Uno.
Despite his weakened state, he insisted he would handle the fight. He challenged Chiyo Uno, dismissing her as a clown compared to the skilled individuals in the five-element families. As they fought, Zheng Zedao was injured. Just as Chiyo Uno prepared to finish him, Huo Xiaoxie arrived, now empowered by the Holy Cauldron. Huo Xiaoxie stepped forward to face Chiyo Uno and unleashed a powerful attack, severely injuring her and leaving her unable to stand.
Jitian, seeing Chiyo Uno defeated, ordered their retreat. The crowd cheered for Huo Xiaoxie. Shui Yao'er was present and happy. Zheng Zedao, reflecting on his illusion, confessed he had seen his younger self and realized he had wronged others and himself, acknowledging his mistakes. He thanked Huo Xiaoxie for his influence and asked Wan to take care of him. Huo Xiaoxie, acknowledging Shui Yao'er, asked her to wait for him. Chiyo Uno demanded Huo Xiaoxie hand over the Holy Cauldron.
He refused, stating its significance was beyond her understanding. Jitian offered Huo Xiaoxie wealth, women, and power if he joined the Dark Dragon Gang. Huo Xiaoxie countered that he desired the splendid rivers and mountains of China to remain Chinese, something the Dark Dragon Gang could not offer. Multiple duplicates of Huo Xiaoxie appeared, astonishing his opponents. Huo Xiaoxie declared the fight over and ordered Jitian and Chiyo Uno to leave, which they did. The people celebrated Huo Xiaoxie's victory.
Shui Yao'er approached him, telling him she knew he would be a great hero and expressing her joy that they could finally be together. They shared how much they missed each other. Huo Xiaoxie commented that it was finally over, but Shui Yao'er replied that perhaps it was only the beginning.
