Five Kings of Thieves Episode 9 Recap
> Five Kings of Thieves 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.
