Five Kings of Thieves Episode 7 Recap
> Five Kings of Thieves 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.
