Five Kings of Thieves Episode 1 Recap
> Five Kings of Thieves 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.
