Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre Synopsis
At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, there were many heroes, and the Martial arts World was in turmoil. The Rumor was saying that the person who got the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre could become the supreme martial artist and order the world, no one dared to disobey.
For a period of time, it triggered the fight for the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre in the martial arts world, several relationships and feuds also arose.
Zhang Cuishan, who came from The Wudang sect, and Yin Susu, who was from Tian Ying Cult, met and fell in love because of the Dragon Slaying Sabre, and finally, they were forced to commit suicide because of the Dragon Slaying Sabre.
After their son Zhang Wuji grew up, he coincidentally studied the martial arts “Jiu Yang Shen Gong” and “Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi” and became the head of the Ming Cult.
Zhang Wuji had affection for Zhao Min, the princess of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhou Zhiruo of the Emei Cult, his cousin Yin Li and his maid, Xiao Zhao.
However, the seemingly soft Zhou Zhiruo hurt Yin Li and framed Zhao Min to get the secret of the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre.
Although Zhang Wuji has already known the true nature of Zhou Zhiruo, he still can’t hate her.
Afterward, Zhang Wuji resolved all kinds of grudges in the martial arts world, resigned from the position of sect master, and traveled to Mongolia with Zhao Min.
Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre Recap
Episode 1 Recap
At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, various heroes vied for supremacy, and the martial arts world was in turmoil. A legend circulated in the jianghu: "The supreme ruler of the martial arts world, with the treasured Dragon Slaying Saber, commands the world, none dare to disobey. If the Heaven Sword does not appear, who can contend with it?" Martial artists all eagerly sought the Dragon Slaying Saber and the Heaven Sword. It was early spring at this time.
Yu Daiyan had no time to admire the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan. His master's ninetieth birthday was approaching, and he traveled day and night to return, wishing to get back to Wudang Mountain as soon as possible. Yu Daiyan was the third of Zhang Sanfeng's seven disciples of the Wudang sect. He had descended the mountain under his master's orders to punish evil and eliminate wickedness. Today was the day the Dragon Slaying Saber was forged.
The Changbai Three Fowls guarded the forging furnace day and night. Various sects in the jianghu closely monitored the progress of the Dragon Slaying Saber. A warrior in a white robe wanted to get a head start and snatch the Dragon Slaying Saber. The Changbai Three Fowls resisted desperately and reinserted the treasured saber back into the furnace. The white-robed warrior and the three of them fought intensely.
One of them was knocked into the furnace and burned to death on the spot. The white-robed warrior seized the opportunity to destroy the forging furnace and fiercely fought the remaining two. Yu Daiyan passed by this spot. He immediately stepped in to help, but the white-robed warrior mistakenly thought Yu Daiyan was also there to snatch the saber, so he unleashed the Shaolin Vajra Finger ultimate move. His methods were vicious, every move lethal.
An elder, one of the Changbai Three Fowls, picked up the treasured saber and resisted desperately, but he was knocked into the water. Suddenly, four masters from the Haisha Sect jumped out of the lake and burned the elder's entire body with salt poison. The white-robed warrior took the opportunity to jump into the water.
The Haisha Sect disciples hooked the elder's four limbs with iron hooks, forcing him to hand over the Dragon Slaying Saber, otherwise, they would dismember him. Yu Daiyan couldn't stand to watch; he immediately intervened to save him and used Wudang's ultimate techniques to drive away the four men, saving the elder. Today was the day Wudang Sect leader Zhang Sanfeng emerged from seclusion.
His disciples had been waiting at the entrance since early morning; only Yu Daiyan had not yet returned. The six senior disciples had collaborated on a painting as a birthday gift, and Zhang Sanfeng was very pleased. Yu Daiyan helped the elder to a dilapidated temple and gave him a Tianxin Detoxification Pill, advising him to quickly take the treasured saber to the Haisha Sect to exchange for an antidote, otherwise, his life would be in imminent danger.
But the elder vowed to protect the treasured saber even if it cost him his life. He drank an entire bottle of pills in one gulp and even proposed sharing the benefits of the Dragon Slaying Saber with Yu Daiyan. Yu Daiyan politely declined. As he was about to leave, he heard someone pursuing them outside. Immediately, salt poison packets were thrown in, one after another. The elder screamed in pain from the burning.
He deeply thrust the Dragon Slaying Saber into the wall. Yu Daiyan quickly hid. Haisha Sect disciples rushed into the dilapidated temple, forcing the elder to hand over the Dragon Slaying Saber. The elder flatly refused and was killed on the spot. Yin Yewang of the Tianying Sect led his men in pursuit, forcing the Haisha Sect leader to hand over the treasured saber. But he did not know the saber's whereabouts.
Yin Yewang released a flying eagle which pecked out the man's eyes, but the man still could not produce the Dragon Slaying Saber. Enraged, Yin Yewang killed all the Haisha Sect members and then led his team away. Yu Daiyan witnessed this scene. He felt that the Dragon Slaying Saber was an inauspicious object and wished to return to Wudang to let his master decide. Yu Daiyan quickly hired a small boat.
When the small boat was halfway, it collided head-on with a large ship. Yu Daiyan, relying on his agile movements and superb qinggong, successfully jumped onto the large ship. Yin Yewang immediately appeared, forcing Yu Daiyan to hand over the Dragon Slaying Saber. Yu Daiyan resolutely refused, so he wounded Yu Daiyan with mosquito-shaped needles.
Just as he was about to kill Yu Daiyan, Yin Yewang's sister, Yin Susu, stepped forward in time to stop him and offered two thousand taels of silver to entrust the escorts of Longmen Escort Agency to escort Yu Daiyan back to Wudang Mountain. Du Dajin of Longmen Escort Agency, along with two escorts and his men, traveled day and night, finally arriving at the foot of Wudang Mountain.
Six individuals, including the white-robed warrior, impersonated Zhang Sanfeng's six disciples and took Yu Daiyan away. Zhang Cui Shan came looking for Yu Daiyan shortly after. He ran into Du Dajin, only then learning that someone had impersonated a Wudang disciple and taken him away. The white-robed warrior used the Shaolin Great Vajra Finger to break all the tendons and meridians in Yu Daiyan's limbs, forcing him to reveal the whereabouts of the Dragon Slaying Saber. But he remained silent.
He was eventually thrown into the forest. Zhang Cui Shan arrived shortly after and hurriedly carried Yu Daiyan back to Wudang Mountain. Zhang Sanfeng used his internal energy to force the poison needles out of Yu Daiyan's body. Du Dajin of Longmen Escort Agency came to Wudang Mountain to apologize. Zhang Cui Shan, in a fit of rage, knocked Du Dajin to the ground. Du Dajin repeatedly explained that he was entrusted by someone with the surname Yin.
If Yu Daiyan died, the Longmen Escort Agency would also be exterminated. Zhang Cui Shan was unrelenting and fiercely attacked Du Dajin. A gold ingot fell out of Du Dajin's pocket. There were two deep finger imprints on it. Zhang Cui Shan therefore concluded that Du Dajin and people from the Shaolin Tianying Sect had conspired to harm Yu Daiyan.
Zhang Sanfeng immediately dispatched his sixth disciple, Yin Liting, and seventh disciple, Mo Shenggu, to follow Du Dajin back to Lin'an to help protect the family of Longmen Escort Agency. Du Dajin politely declined. Zhang Sanfeng sent Song Yuanqiao and Zhang Cui Shan to Shaolin Temple to investigate the truth. He repeatedly instructed them to treat others with courtesy and act cautiously.
Zhang Cui Shan also wanted to go to Lin'an to investigate the person with the surname Yin, swearing to avenge Yu Daiyan. When Zhang Cui Shan arrived at the Longmen Escort Agency, he found that Du Dajin's entire family, old and young, had been exterminated. Du Dajin was still barely alive. He believed Zhang Cui Shan was the murderer. Shaolin disciples arrived in time. They attacked him en masse. Zhang Cui Shan resisted desperately.
Shaolin disciples died one by one from poison needles. Zhang Cui Shan spotted a young man in white and pursued him relentlessly. He eventually chased him to a large ship. Unexpectedly, a beautiful young woman emerged from inside. Zhang Cui Shan quickly apologized. A light drizzle began to fall from the sky. The young woman gave him an umbrella. On it was written the line "No need to return in the slanting wind and fine rain."
Zhang Cui Shan immediately grasped its meaning. The young woman fell in love with him at first sight and proactively stated that her surname was Yin. Zhang Cui Shan remembered that the person who entrusted Longmen Escort Agency to escort Yu Daiyan also had the surname Yin.
Episode 2 Recap
Zhang Cuishan had many questions he wanted to verify with Yin Susu. First, he thanked her for funding the escort of Yu Daiyan back to Wudang. Then, he immediately raised a series of questions. Yin Susu was at a loss for words, so she invited him into the ship's cabin to discuss in detail. Yin Susu admitted that she had also misjudged the situation. She followed Du Dajin and his group to the foot of Wudang Mountain.
She saw six people impersonating Wudang disciples take Yu Daiyan away. She immediately rode after them, exposed their deception face to face, and fought fiercely with them. Yin Susu unfortunately was hit by a Shaolin plum blossom poison dart. When she returned to Lin'an, she went to the Longmen Escort Agency to demand an antidote. However, she was besieged by Du Dajin and Shaolin disciples. In a fit of rage, Yin Susu wiped out the entire Longmen Escort Agency.
Zhang Cuishan still had one thing unclear: why Du Dajin identified him as the murderer. Yin Susu had no choice but to admit that she saw Zhang Cuishan scolding Du Dajin. He forced Du Dajin to take out money to help disaster victims, and even threatened to kill his entire family. Yin Susu admired Zhang Cuishan's chivalrous actions, so she put on an outfit identical to his. Du Dajin therefore mistakenly believed Zhang Cuishan was the murderer.
Zhang Cuishan was very displeased with Yin Susu's ruthless actions, but he still decided to help Yin Susu heal her wounds and detoxify her, otherwise her arm would rot away. Yin Susu flatly refused. She felt she was not wrong; it was Du Dajin and those Shaolin disciples who deserved to die. She even forced Zhang Cuishan to admit his mistake to her. Zhang Cuishan argued with her based on reason.
Yin Susu preferred to die rather than be saved by him, and even slapped Zhang Cuishan hard. Zhang Cuishan reconsidered, but still decided to save Yin Susu. After Zhang Cuishan's meticulous treatment, the poison in Yin Susu's arm was quickly expelled. Zhang Cuishan bid her farewell and left. Yin Susu was reluctant to part with him. The Heavenly Eagle Cult held a Blade Unveiling Ceremony. Heroes from all corners of the martial world came to participate.
Zhang Cuishan happened to pass by and also came to watch the excitement. Yin Susu, the Cult Leader's daughter, came onto the stage. She introduced the Dragon Slaying Saber in detail to everyone, and demonstrated its power by wielding it on the spot. The precious saber cut through metal as if it were mud, incredibly sharp. Everyone present couldn't help but cheer.
Yin Susu publicly announced that from now on, there would be no more Haisha Sect, Shenquan Sect, or Giant Whale Gang. There would only be one Heavenly Eagle Cult in Jiangnan. Furthermore, all martial sects in the jianghu would belong to the Heavenly Eagle Cult and accept their assignments. They swore not to comply. Yin Susu immediately gave an order. Hall Master Bai (Bai Tangzhu) wielded the Dragon Slaying Saber, sweeping all before him, and subdued all the opposition.
Zhang Cuishan suddenly walked onto the stage. He pressed hard, questioning the origin of the Dragon Slaying Saber. Yin Susu falsely claimed it was seized from Mongol soldiers. Just then, the Golden-haired Lion King Xie Xun suddenly leaped onto the stage. He snatched the Dragon Slaying Saber. Yin Susu desperately tried to retrieve it, but she was no match for Xie Xun at all. She was knocked to the ground with a few blows.
Zhang Cuishan rushed up in time and embraced her. Yuan Guangbo, the leader of the Haisha Sect, was the first to stand up and support Xie Xun. But Xie Xun did not appreciate it at all. He verbally abused him for his hypocrisy and counted off Yuan Guangbo's crimes one by one. Xie Xun also exposed the scandals of the Shenquan Sect and the Giant Whale Gang in front of everyone.
He ordered the leaders of the three sects to come up and fight him together. Yuan Guangbo and the other two leaders rushed up to attack Xie Xun. Xie Xun, with lightning speed, killed all three of them. Zhang Cuishan accused Xie Xun of indiscriminately killing innocent people. But he was not convinced at all, believing he was acting chivalrously.
He even threatened to kill everyone on the island to silence them, fearing that the incident of snatching the saber would spread throughout the martial world. Xie Xun mistakenly thought that the Wudang Sect also wanted the Dragon Slaying Saber. Zhang Cuishan clearly stated that this saber was related to Yu Daiyan's injury, and he must investigate the truth. Xie Xun wanted to have a contest with Zhang Cuishan.
Zhang Cuishan ignored Yin Susu's obstruction and insisted on fighting Xie Xun. Moreover, if he won, Xie Xun must agree to one condition of his. Zhang Cuishan quietly reminded Yin Susu to take the opportunity to escape. But she would not abandon Zhang Cuishan. Zhang Cuishan and Xie Xun competed in calligraphy.
Zhang Cuishan used the internal energy and qinggong (lightness skill) taught by Zhang Sanfeng to write the powerful characters "Supreme in the martial world, the Dragon Slaying Saber, commands the world, none dare disobey. If the E'mei Sword does not appear, who can contend?" on the ground. Xie Xun felt ashamed of his inferiority and admitted defeat on the spot. Zhang Cuishan proposed that he spare the residents of the island. Xie Xun adamantly refused.
He sealed Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu's acupuncture points, making them temporarily deaf. Xie Xun unleashed his Lion's Roar Skill. Everyone present was blown away by the deafening roar, and all the houses were destroyed. Xie Xun sent people to burn all the boats, leaving the islanders to fend for themselves. He took Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu by boat to leave the island.
On the boat, Yin Susu expressed her long-standing admiration for the righteous martial arts master Zhang Sanfeng. She hoped to have the opportunity to visit Zhang Sanfeng. Zhang Cuishan readily agreed. He suddenly discovered that the boat's direction was wrong. But Xie Xun wanted to go to an uninhabited deserted island. He wanted to ponder the secrets of the Dragon Slaying Saber, and did not want to be disturbed by martial artists.
He also told Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu to settle on the island together, and for them to become husband and wife. Zhang Cuishan swore he would not reveal anything about the Dragon Slaying Saber to outsiders. But Xie Xun did not trust anyone at all; he had seized the Dragon Slaying Saber solely for revenge. Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu discussed ambushing Xie Xun. However, Xie Xun discovered them. He then proactively proposed to compete with Zhang Cuishan. Xie Xun was incredibly powerful and pressed on relentlessly. Zhang Cuishan, while reaching out to block his palm strikes, urged Yin Susu to take action when the opportunity arose.
Episode 3 Recap
Yin Susu was about to ambush Xie Xun, but Xie Xun threatened to break Zhang Cuishan's bones. Yin Susu pleaded desperately, but Xie Xun was relentless, forcing her to swear an oath on the spot. Fearing Zhang Cuishan would be injured, Yin Susu had no choice but to swear to heaven, promising that she and Zhang Cuishan would accompany Xie Xun until he found the secret of the Dragon Slaying Saber.
If she dared to harbor any ill intentions, she would not live to be twenty years old. Only after seeing her make such a venomous oath did Xie Xun relent, and he also greatly praised Zhang Cuishan's martial arts. Suddenly, giant waves rose on the sea, and the large ship swayed precariously, threatening to capsize at any moment. Lightning flashed and thunder roared in the sky, followed by a torrential downpour.
Zhang Cuishan held Yin Susu tightly, but still couldn't stand steadily. Xie Xun rushed onto the deck, facing the storm. He brandished the Dragon Slaying Saber, fighting against the heavens, but the wind and waves grew increasingly fierce. Xie Xun used his Lion's Roar Skill and let out a heaven-shaking cry, instantly calming the sea.
However, Xie Xun's mind was already in turmoil; he mistook Zhang Cuishan for the murderer of his wife, yelling that he would kill Yin Susu to avenge the blood debt. Zhang Cuishan intervened to save her, standing alongside Xie Xun, but Zhang Cuishan was no match for him at all. Yin Susu had no choice but to use hidden weapons to blind Xie Xun.
He flew into a rage, wildly swinging the Dragon Slaying Saber, tearing up all the ship's decks. In an instant, the large ship sank. Yin Susu slowly sank into the seabed. Zhang Cuishan frantically searched everywhere and finally rescued the unconscious Yin Susu. Zhang Cuishan called out loudly, and Yin Susu finally woke up. Abbess Miejue, the leader of the Emei Sect, learned that her senior disciple Ding Minjun had been abducted by Yin Yewang of the Heavenly Eagle Cult.
She then led her disciples to storm a brothel to demand her return. The brothel was a branch of the Heavenly Eagle Cult, responsible for gathering intelligence. The brothel's madam was the head of the Heavenly Eagle Cult's Divine Serpent Altar. She couldn't even withstand two moves against Abbess Miejue before being beaten and fleeing in panic. The young leader of the Heavenly Eagle Cult immediately came out to challenge her, and spoke disrespectfully to Abbess Miejue.
He was captured alive in just a few punches and kicks. Meanwhile, Emei Sect disciple Ji Xiaofu led people to the dungeon to search for someone. After much effort, they rescued Ding Minjun, who was imprisoned in a cage. However, Ding Minjun, infuriated and humiliated, slapped Ji Xiaofu hard. Yin Tianzheng, the leader of the Heavenly Eagle Cult, arrived in time to save his son, Yin Yewang. Abbess Miejue wanted to fight him to the death.
The two adopted their stances, but after several rounds, it was difficult to tell who was superior; both suffered internal injuries. Seeing that her disciples had been rescued, Abbess Miejue did not wish to prolong the fight and led her people away first. Yin Tianzheng severely reprimanded Yin Yewang, condemning him for imprisoning Ding Minjun, and immediately disbanded the brothel. Abbess Miejue used her internal energy to expel the stagnant blood from her body.
She regretted losing the Heaven Reliant Sword, believing that otherwise, she would have defeated Yin Tianzheng today. Ji Xiaofu was the latest to join the sect, but she was exceptionally intelligent and deeply appreciated by Abbess Miejue. Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu held tightly to the ship's mast, drifting north with the current. The sea grew colder and colder, and Yin Susu's strength was completely depleted.
Zhang Cuishan spotted a large ice floe, and he and Yin Susu climbed onto it. Starving and freezing, they could only huddle together for warmth. Having endured trials of life and death together, their feelings deepened. Zhang Cuishan suddenly saw an island in the distance. They eventually reached the island. Yin Susu discovered that although the island was covered in ice and snow year-round, it had a volcano, making its scenery unique.
She wished to stay there and live out her life with Zhang Cuishan; this was something she had always dreamed of. Zhang Cuishan had initially worried that his master in the Central Plains would not accept their marriage, which was also Yin Susu's greatest concern, as they belonged to different factions of good and evil. But now, stranded on a deserted island with no hope of returning to the Central Plains, Zhang Cuishan proposed to Yin Susu on the spot.
They swore to heaven to be together forever, never to part. Yin Susu vowed to abandon evil for good and never to kill again. Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu lived together on the deserted island, naming it Ice Fire Island. They soon found a cave and made it their home. Ji Xiaofu was intelligent, kind, and diligent in her martial arts training. Abbess Miejue praised her greatly and decided to make her the fourth-generation leader of the Emei Sect.
Ding Minjun overheard their conversation and quickly hid away. Ji Xiaofu worried that she wouldn't be competent, but Abbess Miejue encouraged and spurred her on. Zhang Cuishan fished and hunted, while Yin Susu gathered wild fruits and mended clothes at home. Their days passed peacefully and comfortably. Xie Xun suddenly appeared on the island; he was blind and had collapsed by the river, still clutching the Dragon Slaying Saber.
Yin Susu wanted to leave him to his fate, but Zhang Cuishan could not stand by and do nothing, so he rescued Xie Xun and brought him back to their cave.
Episode 4 Recap
Xie Xun finally woke up and realized that Zhang Cuishan and his wife had saved him, and they were all on a deserted island. Zhang Cuishan promised to support him for the rest of his life. Yin Susu threatened him not to kill anyone, or she would not let him live either. Xie Xun had no choice but to agree. Time flew by quickly, and Yin Susu became pregnant. Zhang Cuishan was overjoyed.
He wanted to tell Xie Xun the good news, but Yin Susu was worried that Xie Xun might go mad at any time and endanger their child. Yin Susu used animal skins to prepare clothes for the unborn child, and often went out to gather pine cones and ganoderma. Zhang Cuishan still went out early and returned late to hunt and fish. Days passed one by one, and Yin Susu was about to give birth.
She suffered from severe abdominal pain. Zhang Cuishan stayed by her side constantly. Outside the cave, lightning flashed, thunder roared, and a fierce storm raged. Xie Xun suddenly went mad. He swung the Dragon Slaying Saber and rushed into the cave, mistaking Zhang Cuishan for his master, Cheng Kun, and threatening to kill Cheng Kun's entire family. Zhang Cuishan swore to protect Yin Susu with his life. He could only brace himself and fight Xie Xun.
He was knocked to the ground. Just as Xie Xun was about to raise his saber to look at Yin Susu, Zhang Cuishan rushed forward desperately. Xie Xun held the Dragon Slaying Saber directly to his throat. Yin Susu screamed in terror. At this critical moment, Yin Susu finally gave birth to a baby boy. The baby's cries awakened Xie Xun, and he immediately stopped.
Yin Susu originally wanted to live on the island with Zhang Cuishan for the rest of her life, but she wanted their child to see the vast world. Xie Xun also swore on the spot to send the child to the Central Plains at all costs. Yin Susu pleaded with him to name the child and adopt him as his godson. Zhang Cuishan also agreed to let the child take the surname Xie.
Xie Xun was naturally overjoyed; he used the name of his deceased son, Zhang Wuji. He immediately declared that all past grudges with the couple were cleared and promised to pass on his lifelong martial arts to the child. Yin Susu voluntarily suggested that Xie Xun hold the child. Xie Xun carefully took him, afraid of startling the child. He was so moved that he wept tears of joy. He also became sworn brothers with Zhang Cuishan and his wife.
Yin Susu immediately called him "Big Brother," and Xie Xun was so happy he couldn't stop smiling. Yin Tianzheng was in seclusion healing his injuries. Yin Yewang made meticulous arrangements, worried that Abbess Miejue would cause trouble. Unexpectedly, Abbess Miejue did not come. Instead, Yang Xiao, the Bright Left Emissary of the Ming Cult, came to their door, flaunting the banner of "Death to Traitors," and threatened to settle scores with Yin Tianzheng.
Yin Tianzheng had no choice but to emerge, despite his injuries, to confront him. The Ming Cult had four Dharma Protectors: Yin Tianzheng, Wei Yixiao, Xie Xun, and Golden Flower Granny. However, ever since Cult Master Yang's disappearance, Yang Xiao had seized all power, leading to constant internal strife within the Ming Cult. Yin Tianzheng then founded the Heavenly Eagle Cult himself.
Yang Xiao's purpose for coming this time was to disband the Heavenly Eagle Cult and restore the Ming Cult's former glory. Yin Tianzheng strongly disagreed, but he had internal injuries and was no match for Yang Xiao. He was quickly defeated. As Yang Xiao left, he issued a warning, ordering Yin Tianzheng to disband the Heavenly Eagle Cult within three days.
Abbess Miejue led her disciples past Zuixiang Tower and saw that the Quick Blade Hall Master, Chief Zhu of the Caobang, and Mistress Wan of Wanjia Fort, who had visited the Emei Sect last year to wish her a happy birthday, had all been acupoint-sealed. Abbess Miejue tried to unseal them but was powerless. She heard melodious zither music coming from Zuixiang Tower and followed the sound upstairs. Unexpectedly, the person playing the zither was Yang Xiao.
He seized the opportunity during a toast to launch a deadly attack on Abbess Miejue. Abbess Miejue fought back desperately. Yang Xiao then brought up Abbess Miejue's romantic entanglement with Gu Hongzi, mocking her. The two fought fiercely, soaring up and down. Abbess Miejue gradually began to lose. Ji Xiaofu intervened in time, intending to rescue her, but was instead taken hostage by Yang Xiao. Ding Minjun deliberately revealed that Ji Xiaofu was Abbess Miejue's most beloved disciple.
Yang Xiao took advantage of the fight to unseal everyone's acupoints and announced that the Dragon Slaying Saber was with Bai Guishou, causing all the martial artists to rush to seize the treasured saber. Yang Xiao gave Abbess Miejue two choices: either Abbess Miejue went to find the Dragon Slaying Saber, or he would destroy her Emei Sect. Ding Minjun reminded Abbess Miejue to preserve the Emei Sect. Abbess Miejue left indignantly, and Ji Xiaofu was very sad.
Yang Xiao advised Ji Xiaofu to give up early and desperately slandered Abbess Miejue. Ji Xiaofu firmly believed that Abbess Miejue would return to rescue her. Yang Xiao locked Ji Xiaofu in a room.
Episode 5 Recap
Yang Xiao asked Ji Xiaofu to take care of his subordinate's girl, Yan'er, and promised to let her go after a month. Ji Xiaofu saw Yan'er's body covered in bruises, and her heart was filled with pity. She thought it was Yang Xiao's doing and accused him harshly. Yang Xiao explained that the girl's parents were members of the Ming Cult, whom he had planted as spies in other sects.
Their identities were exposed, and they were killed by famous righteous sects in the jianghu. They then used Yan'er as bait to lure Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao intervened in time to rescue Yan'er, but she had already been beaten deaf. Ji Xiaofu meticulously cared for Yan'er and prepared meals for Yang Xiao to eat with them. Yang Xiao invited her to drink, but she had been allergic to alcohol since childhood.
Yang Xiao had no choice but to pour and drink by himself, passionately extolling the benefits and wisdom of drinking. He often played with Ji Xiaofu and Yan'er. Ji Xiaofu gradually developed a good impression of Yang Xiao and opened up to him, stating that her greatest wish in this life was to follow Abbess Miejue to learn the essence of the Dragon Slaying Saber and the Heaven Relying Sword, and to expand the Emei Sect.
Yang Xiao wanted to take her back to Bright Peak and marry her. Just then, Saikeli, the leader of the Thunderbolt Gate of the Ming Cult, led his men to ambush Yang Xiao and tried to blow them up with explosives. Thanks to Yang Xiao's excellent Qinggong (lightness martial arts), he safely rescued Ji Xiaofu and Yan'er. Saikeli repeatedly condemned Yang Xiao for sacrificing Ming Cult disciples to save Yan'er, and claimed that Yan'er was Yang Xiao's illegitimate daughter.
As Yang Xiao was about to resist, he suddenly spat out blood, realizing that the gate leader had put 'Western Regions Soul-Severing Poison' in his wine. The gate leader rushed forward to kill Yang Xiao. He launched a flying sweep kick, instantly causing the ground to shake and yellow sand to fill the sky. Yang Xiao took the opportunity to escape with Ji Xiaofu.
As soon as they reached the riverbank, Yang Xiao used his internal energy to force the poison out of his body. The poisoned blood dripped into the river, instantly killing the fish in it. Saikeli and his men caught up. Yang Xiao used his telekinesis to unleash flying sand and rolling stones, knocking them all to the ground. Saikeli saw the dead fish in the river, realizing that Yang Xiao had forced out the poison.
Knowing he was no match, he wanted to die. Yang Xiao knocked away his guard's sword, telling him to stay and revitalize the Ming Cult. He also explained that Yan'er was Jiang Bowey's daughter, not his illegitimate child. Yang Xiao swore to protect Yan'er for the rest of his life. Saikeli immediately knelt down and admitted his mistake. Yang Xiao wanted to send Yan'er to her grandmother's house so she could live a peaceful life away from the jianghu.
Yan'er couldn't speak, but she hugged him, thanking him for saving her life. During the night, the remaining 'Western Regions Soul-Severing Poison' in Yang Xiao's body acted up. Ji Xiaofu drew her sword, intending to kill him, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it. Ding Minjun inquired everywhere but still couldn't find Xie Xun's whereabouts. Abbess Miejue was furious. Yan'er's grandmother soon came to pick her up. Yan'er and Ji Xiaofu parted reluctantly.
Yang Xiao hid in the courtyard, drinking to drown his sorrows, unwilling to face the farewell. Having spent so much time with him, Ji Xiaofu felt that he was a kind person, not at all the merciless killer her master had described. Yang Xiao then recounted a past event to her: Gu Hongzi brought the Heaven Relying Sword to challenge Yang Xiao, but suffered a crushing defeat. Gu Hongzi was so enraged that he died.
The Mongolians took the opportunity to snatch the Heaven Relying Sword. Abbess Miejue then believed that Yang Xiao had killed Gu Hongzi. Ji Xiaofu vowed to recover the Heaven Relying Sword and advised Yang Xiao to go explain everything clearly to Abbess Miejue, otherwise, he would be pursued for the rest of his life.
But Yang Xiao didn't care at all; he used to love wine the most, but now what he couldn't let go of the most was Ji Xiaofu. Ji Xiaofu packed her luggage, intending to return to the Emei Sect. Yang Xiao firmly disagreed and explained the consequences to her. After being together for a month, not only would the renowned righteous sects of the jianghu not tolerate Ji Xiaofu, but even Abbess Miejue would not believe her innocence.
For Ji Xiaofu to return now would be to court death. Yang Xiao wanted to take her back to Bright Peak to get married, promising to make her the happiest woman in the world. Ji Xiaofu stated that she already had an engagement with Yin Liting, the sixth disciple of the Wudang Sect, and she did not want the Wudang Sect and Emei Sect to be shamed because of her.
Yang Xiao declared that the only person who had ever moved his heart in this life was Ji Xiaofu. Ji Xiaofu pulled out the hairpin from her hair, threatening to kill herself. Yang Xiao snatched it away, accidentally cutting his finger. Ji Xiaofu felt great heartache. Yang Xiao held her tightly, and the two lovers finally came together. Early the next morning, Ji Xiaofu still insisted on returning to the Emei Sect.
Yang Xiao knelt on one knee, pleading with her to stay, but Ji Xiaofu's mind was made up. Yang Xiao then took out the Ming Cult's Iron Flame Token and gave it to her, welcoming her back to Zuowang Peak anytime. Ji Xiaofu, however, left a message, forbidding Yang Xiao from ever seeking her out again or inquiring about her whereabouts. Yang Xiao painfully agreed, and Ji Xiaofu left in tears.
Soon after, Yang Xiao quietly left after inserting the Heaven Relying Sword into the main gate of the Emei Sect, fulfilling Ji Xiaofu's wish. In the blink of an eye, ten years passed. Xie Wuji also grew up; he followed Zhang Cuishan up the mountain to hunt and learned Wudang martial arts. Xie Xun took Xie Wuji to sea to catch fish, and the family lived happily.
Whenever Xie Xun had time, he delved into the mysteries of the Dragon Slaying Saber, but he could never grasp the key. Xie Xun was eager for revenge, and his heart was burning with anxiety. After Zhang Cuishan repeatedly asked, Xie Xun finally recounted his deep-seated blood feud to Zhang Cuishan's family. Xie Xun had taken Shaolin's Cheng Kun as his master, but unexpectedly, Cheng Kun, fueled by alcohol, insulted his wife. When Xie's father discovered this, Cheng Kun killed everyone in the Xie family, young and old, and even his son Xie Wuji met a tragic end.
Episode 6 Recap
Xie Xun recounted his blood feud to Zhang Cuishan's family. He sought revenge from Cheng Kun twice, but each time he was defeated due to inferior skills. Xie Xun heard that the Kongtong Sect had the Seven Injuries Fist, so he desperately sought it out to practice. He risked his life and finally mastered the Seven Injuries Fist, but it caused a drastic change in his temperament.
When he went to seek revenge from Cheng Kun again, Cheng Kun had completely disappeared. Xie Xun then went around killing people under Cheng Kun's name, hoping to lure him out. Xie Xun unintentionally saw Song Yuanqiao and wanted to kill him. Unexpectedly, Shaolin Master Kongjian saw through Xie Xun's plan and earnestly persuaded him to give up the idea of revenge.
He also tried hard to explain on behalf of Cheng Kun, saying that Cheng Kun deeply regretted his misconduct after drinking and had been constantly monitoring Xie Xun's every move, even helping Xie Xun obtain the Seven Injuries Fist manual. However, Xie Xun was no match for him at all. Xie Xun was unconvinced and insisted on a decisive battle with Cheng Kun.
Master Kongjian then proposed that Xie Xun hit him thirteen times to avenge the thirteen members of his family who had tragically died. Xie Xun used all his power to strike Master Kongjian thirteen times, but he remained motionless. Instead, Xie Xun suffered internal injuries. He willingly admitted defeat and wanted to die, but Master Kongjian desperately tried to stop him and was injured by Xie Xun's Seven Injuries Fist.
Yet, Cheng Kun broke his word and refused to show up. Xie Xun swore that from then on, he would no longer indiscriminately kill innocent people, and would seek revenge on Cheng Kun by his own abilities. Before he died, Master Kongjian told Xie Xun that unless he found the secret of the Dragon Slaying Saber, he would never be able to defeat Cheng Kun.
After listening to Xie Xun's story, Xie Wuji cried heartbrokenly, blaming Xie Xun for killing Master Kongjian. Xie Xun wanted to leave the small island and return to the Central Plains when the north wind blew. Zhang Cuishan and his wife were very happy. Xie Xun taught Xie Wuji a mnemonic rhyme, asking him to remember it by heart. Xie Wuji quickly memorized it. Xie Xun also taught Xie Wuji martial arts and trained him strictly.
If Xie Wuji made a mistake, he would be scolded and whipped. Yin Susu felt very distressed, but Xie Wuji didn't take it to heart. The north wind finally arrived. Xie Xun repeatedly reminded Xie Wuji not to trust anyone except his parents, and also gave Zhang Cuishan numerous instructions. Early the next morning, Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu prepared their luggage and boarded the boat.
Xie Xun once again instructed Xie Wuji that from now on, he would be Zhang Wuji and was not to mention the name Xie Wuji to anyone. Xie Xun wanted the family of three to return to the Central Plains, but he insisted on staying on the small island. Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu earnestly tried to persuade him to go back with them, but Xie Xun's mind was made up.
He did not want to implicate Zhang Cuishan's family in being hunted, and even raised the Dragon Slaying Saber, threatening to die. Zhang Wuji hugged Xie Xun and cried endlessly, insisting on staying with him. Xie Xun was moved to tears and forcibly sent Zhang Wuji away. The family of three, Zhang Cuishan, Yin Susu, and Zhang Wuji, tearfully knelt to bid farewell to Xie Xun. Zhang Cuishan suddenly saw two large ships ahead.
He recognized them at a glance as ships of the Heavenly Eagle Cult. Yin Susu was very happy, looking forward to seeing her brother and father. The small boat quickly approached the large ships. Yin Susu saw her brother, Yin Yewang, and Zhang Cuishan saw that his second martial brother, Yu Lianzhou, was also on board. The two of them immediately jumped onto the large ships. Yin Yewang and Yu Lianzhou were fighting fiercely.
Upon seeing Zhang Cuishan's family of three, they immediately stopped their struggle. Both Yin Yewang and Yu Lianzhou were stunned, not expecting them to be together. Yin Yewang immediately announced that no other sects were allowed to cause trouble for the Heavenly Eagle Cult.
However, Daoist Master Xihuazi of the Kunlun Sect and his martial sister Wei Siniang were relentless, repeatedly calling the Heavenly Eagle Cult an evil cult and insisting on seeking revenge on Yin Susu for the feud at Wangpan Mountain ten years ago. Zhang Cuishan testified on the spot that it was Xie Xun's doing and had nothing to do with Yin Susu. Xihuazi persistently pressed for Xie Xun's whereabouts.
Zhang Cuishan avoided answering, and Xihuazi then spoke disrespectfully to Zhang Cuishan. Yin Susu lied, claiming that Xie Xun had died suddenly nine years ago. Zhang Wuji immediately argued that his godfather was not dead. Yin Susu, in a fit of anger, slapped him across the face. Xihuazi relentlessly questioned Zhang Wuji, but he remained silent. Xihuazi directed harsh words at Zhang Cuishan. Wei Siniang forced Yu Lianzhou to make a decision.
Yu Lianzhou knew that this matter was no small feat and he could not make the decision himself, so he proposed that the Wudang Sect would host a banquet at the Yellow Crane Tower three months later to resolve the rights and wrongs of the matter. Yin Susu explained the stakes to Zhang Wuji, and only then did Zhang Wuji realize the dangers of the martial world, swearing not to tell anyone Xie Xun's whereabouts.
Yu Lianzhou sent Zhang Wuji away and asked Yin Susu about the culprit who poisoned Yu Daiyan. Yin Susu lied, claiming she didn't know. She admitted to killing Du Dajin of the Longmen Escort Agency and his entire family. Zhang Cuishan repeatedly defended Yin Susu, but Shaolin Temple kept pressing the issue, believing it was the Wudang Sect's doing. Yin Susu was willing to accept Shaolin's accountability, not wanting to implicate the Wudang Sect.
Episode 7 Recap
Yin Susu returned to the deck to look for Zhang Wuji, and happened to see her brother Yin Yewang. She couldn't help but complain to him. Yin Yewang advised her not to return to Wudang Mountain, worried that she would be exposed if she met Yu Daiyan, but Yin Susu no longer wanted to evade. Zhang Wuji returned from the island to the bustling world. He was fresh and curious about everything, but Yin Susu was gloomy.
Zhang Cuishan kindly persuaded her and tried his best to cheer her up. Yu Lianzhou took Zhang Cuishan and his family of three back to Wudang Mountain, hoping to arrive before Master Zhang Sanfeng's birthday. As Yu Lianzhou and the four others were halfway there, they saw government soldiers bullying the common people. Yu Lianzhou and Zhang Cuishan intervened together to teach those soldiers a lesson, quickly beating them into a disheveled retreat.
One soldier seized the opportunity to abduct Zhang Wuji. Yu Lianzhou and Yin Susu pursued closely but were injured by the abductor's hidden weapons. Zhang Cuishan wanted to give chase, but Yu Lianzhou quickly stopped him, explaining that the abductor's martial arts were profound, and he was no match. Yin Susu finally woke up, wanting to rescue Zhang Wuji.
Zhang Cuishan advised her to return to Wudang Mountain first to figure something out, concluding that the person wanted to inquire about Xie Xun's whereabouts from Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji was hung up. He stubbornly refused to eat or drink, and refused to reveal Xie Xun's whereabouts. The abductor, furious and shamed, threatened Zhang Wuji with a red-hot branding iron, but he remained silent. Yu Lianzhou accompanied Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu back to Wudang Mountain.
The martial brothers, not having seen each other for ten years, were overcome with emotion. Yu Lianzhou then recounted the abduction of Zhang Wuji, so Zhang Cuishan had to go to their master for help. Yin Liting finally rushed back to Wudang Mountain.
He refused to accept Yin Susu, believing that there were no good people in the Demonic Cult, because Yang Xiao of the Ming Cult had abducted his fiancée Ji Xiaofu, and there had been no news of her since. Zhang Sanfeng heard the commotion outside and hurried out to call Zhang Cuishan and the others in.
Zhang Cuishan admitted his mistake to his master, openly acknowledging that Yin Susu was the daughter of Yin Tianzheng, the leader of the Heavenly Eagle Cult. Zhang Sanfeng believed that a person's good or evil did not depend on their sect, and even praised Yin Tianzheng as an upright and heroic man. Zhang Cuishan entrusted Zhang Sanfeng with rescuing Zhang Wuji. Zhang Sanfeng immediately went to check Yu Lianzhou's injuries.
Zhang Cuishan wanted to take Yin Susu to see Yu Daiyan, but she was worried Yu Daiyan would recognize her, so she feigned discomfort and let Zhang Cuishan go alone. Zhang Cuishan saw Yu Daiyan confined to bed, he felt a bitter taste in his heart, vowing to cure Yu Daiyan and venture into the martial world together.
Yin Susu prayed to heaven for Zhang Wuji's safe return and for the resolution of the grudges between her and Zhang Cuishan's martial brothers. Zhang Cuishan returned disheartened. Yin Susu eagerly inquired about Yu Daiyan's condition. Zhang Cuishan vowed to find the culprit who harmed Yu Daiyan, and Yin Susu felt a subtle unease in her heart. Today was Zhang Sanfeng's hundredth birthday. Various sects from the martial world came to offer congratulations. Tie Qin and He Taichong arrived uninvited.
Zhang Cuishan instantly saw that they were not there to genuinely celebrate the birthday, but to seek an explanation and mete out punishment. Abbess Miejue of the Emei Sect arrived late with her disciples. Yu Lianzhou eagerly inquired about Ji Xiaofu's whereabouts. Ding Minjun advised him to give up hope early. Song Yuanqiao publicly announced that no martial world grievances were to be mentioned today, promising to reconvene at the Yellow Crane Tower three months later.
Abbess Miejue impatiently questioned Zhang Cuishan about Xie Xun's whereabouts. Others also began questioning Zhang Cuishan. Before Zhang Cuishan could answer, Mo Shenggu directly pointed out their ulterior motives, remarking that they had come to offer birthday wishes while carrying hidden weapons and blades. The two sides were at a standoff.
Master Kong Wen of the Shaolin Temple also brought people to demand accountability, asking Zhang Cuishan to pay with his life for the people of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. Kong Jian had also died at Xie Xun's hands. They forced Zhang Cuishan to reveal Xie Xun's whereabouts. Zhang Cuishan explicitly stated that he did not kill the people of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency, and that he and Xie Xun were sworn brothers and he would never betray him.
Zhang Cuishan warned them not to disturb Zhang Sanfeng, saying he was willing to bear all responsibilities. Song Yuanqiao stepped forward, forcing the Shaolin Temple to hand over the culprit who poisoned Yu Daiyan, and presented the gold ingot with finger marks. Kong Wen vehemently denied it. A Shaolin high monk proposed a martial arts contest to decide the outcome. Song Yuanqiao decided to use the Wudang Sect's True Martial Seven-Star Formation against the three Great Shaolin Holy Monks.
Song Yuanqiao decided to have Yin Susu fight on behalf of Yu Daiyan and asked Yu Daiyan to teach her the footwork and positions. Yu Daiyan suddenly recognized Yin Susu as the one who harmed him. He asked Yin Susu to come closer. She trembled and dared not approach. Yu Daiyan then asked her to repeat what she had told Du Dajin ten years ago.
Yin Susu had no choice but to admit that she had entrusted Du Dajin to escort Yu Daiyan back to Wudang Mountain, but something went wrong on the way. Yin Susu then killed all the people from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency. She also admitted to injuring Yu Daiyan with mosquito-whisker needles. Zhang Cuishan never expected that Yin Susu was the one who harmed Yu Daiyan. Yin Susu handed the sword to Zhang Cuishan, asking him to kill her to uphold justice. Zhang Cuishan drew his sword and pointed it at Yin Susu.
Episode 8 Recap
The three Shaolin monks had already taken their stances, and the various martial arts sects of Jianghu were watching from the sidelines. However, the Wudang Seven Heroes were slow to appear. Everyone started blaming Zhang Sanfeng and took up their stances, preparing to attack him. Zhang Cuishan immediately rushed out to stop them. The crowd relentlessly pressed him for Xie Xun's whereabouts. Zhang Cuishan publicly exposed that they merely wanted to obtain the Dragon Slaying Saber.
Zhang Cuishan promised to give them an explanation. He knelt and begged Zhang Sanfeng to save Zhang Wuji and raise him to adulthood. Zhang Cuishan then drew his sword and committed suicide, falling to the ground dead on the spot. The Wudang Five Brothers were grief-stricken, and Yin Susu was heartbroken. Just then, someone took Zhang Wuji hostage. Zhang Sanfeng soared up to rescue Zhang Wuji and injured that person. Zhang Wuji lay on Zhang Cuishan's body, crying loudly.
Everyone present was moved. Yin Susu made Zhang Wuji clearly recognize everyone present, telling him they were all the murderers of Zhang Cuishan. Yin Susu then asked Master Kongwen to come closer and told him Xie Xun's whereabouts. Yin Susu deliberately spoke nonsense, just to make them fight among themselves. Yin Susu repeatedly warned Zhang Wuji that when he grew up, he must beware of beautiful women and not be deceived by them.
After Yin Susu finished speaking, she lay on Zhang Cuishan's body and committed suicide. Zhang Wuji suddenly fainted. Zhang Sanfeng discovered that Zhang Wuji had been poisoned by the Xuanming Divine Palm. He was powerless unless Master Jueyuan were to be resurrected and transmit the entire Nine Yang Manual to him. Yu Lianzhou couldn't guess who that person was. Zhang Sanfeng sadly cried out to the heavens.
The Wudang Five Heroes each used their internal energy to help Zhang Wuji expel the cold poison, but they could only temporarily alleviate the symptoms. The Wudang disciples buried Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu. Zhang Wuji knelt before his parents' graves and swore to live well. The Wudang Five Heroes each taught Zhang Wuji the arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, painting, and martial arts cultivation methods, and also played with him. Yu Daiyan accompanied him to watch the stars.
Zhang Wuji practiced martial arts with Zhang Sanfeng and quickly grasped its essence. He also practiced the Great Zhou Tian circulation daily, gradually expelling the cold poison from his body. On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yin Tianzheng and Yin Yewang brought people to Wudang Mountain, bearing generous gifts to visit Zhang Sanfeng, wishing to take Zhang Wuji with them.
Zhang Sanfeng invited them to stay and celebrate with Zhang Wuji, but he would not allow them to take him away. Yin Yewang spoke disrespectfully to Zhang Sanfeng and even tried to use force. Yin Tianzheng quickly intervened. When Zhang Wuji heard that his maternal grandfather had arrived, he immediately ran out. Yin Tianzheng embraced him, shedding tears of joy. Yin Yewang also promised to take good care of Zhang Wuji.
Zhang Wuji wanted to be with his maternal grandfather, but also wanted to stay on Wudang Mountain. He then suffered another attack of the cold poison and fell unconscious. Zhang Sanfeng used the Nine Yang Manual to temporarily relieve Zhang Wuji's pain. Yin Tianzheng earnestly begged Zhang Sanfeng to save Zhang Wuji, but Zhang Sanfeng only mastered thirty to forty percent of the Nine Yang Manual's power; he needed to learn the complete Nine Yang Manual from Master Kongwen.
Zhang Sanfeng immediately took Zhang Wuji to Shaolin Temple and recounted the story of how he and his master, Master Jueyuan, fled Shaolin eighty years ago. Master Kongwen personally led his disciples out to greet them. Zhang Sanfeng asked him for the complete Nine Yang Manual, promising to impart all of Wudang's cultivation methods to the Shaolin disciples. However, Master Kongwen made all sorts of excuses.
Zhang Wuji recognized them as the enemies who forced his parents to their deaths, swore he didn't need their treatment, and angrily left without looking back. Zhang Sanfeng, panting, caught up with Zhang Wuji and advised him to let go of the hatred in his heart, saying that only by learning forgiveness could he find liberation. Zhang Wuji suffered another attack, and Zhang Sanfeng again used his internal energy to treat him.
Zhang Wuji did not want to burden Zhang Sanfeng any longer, so he left a letter and departed silently overnight. Zhang Wuji fell ill again halfway through his journey. A little girl passed by and held him to keep him warm. Zhang Wuji gradually regained consciousness. The girl wanted to take him back for treatment, but Zhang Wuji only wanted to die, wishing to meet his parents underground as soon as possible.
Episode 9 Recap
The little girl was called Zhou Zhiruo. She took Zhang Wuji home. Her father immediately went to find Chang Yuchun of the Ming Cult for help, because Chang Yuchun knew many renowned martial arts doctors. Zhang Wuji knew his illness was incurable and didn't want to implicate the father and daughter. He struggled to get up and leave.
Zhou Zhiruo quickly stopped him, making an excuse that he had scratched her arm, and asked him to stay and work to atone for it. Zhang Wuji didn't want to owe her, so he had to stay. Zhou Zhiruo's mother had passed away last year, and her father, a boatman, was often away from home. So Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo depended on each other for survival.
The two went up the mountain together to pick oranges and then sold them at the market to supplement their household income. Zhou Zhiruo took a liking to a silk handkerchief embroidered with white angelica and katsuragusa, but they had no money. Zhang Wuji returned home and began embroidering a handkerchief, wanting to repay Zhou Zhiruo's kindness with it so that he could die without any burdens.
Zhou Zhiruo, in a fit of pique, refused his handkerchief and didn't want him to leave. Zhang Wuji didn't want Zhou Zhiruo to be sad, so he swore to eat well from then on. Zhang Wuji took Zhou Zhiruo to sell oranges at the market. Suddenly, they saw government soldiers bringing Zhou's father over and relentlessly interrogating him about Chang Yuchun's whereabouts. Zhou's father refused to answer. The soldiers, in a fit of rage, killed him, then interrogated Zhou Zhiruo.
Zhang Wuji grabbed Zhou Zhiruo and ran, but they were surrounded by the soldiers, who tightly gripped their necks. Fortunately, Chang Yuchun arrived in time, drove away the soldiers, and rescued them. A group of Tibetan monks suddenly rushed out and surrounded Chang Yuchun. Chang Yuchun resisted desperately, but eventually, outnumbered, he was struck twice by palms. One Tibetan monk raised a weapon and struck at Zhang Wuji.
Zhang Sanfeng descended from the sky, rescued Zhang Wuji, and instantly subdued the Shaolin warrior monks. Chang Yuchun thanked Zhang Sanfeng for saving his life. Zhang Sanfeng advised him to leave the Ming Cult and become Song Yuanqiao's disciple. But Chang Yuchun believed he had never done anything treacherous or evil, and he did not want to betray his sect.
Zhang Sanfeng no longer forced him, saying that as long as he was wholeheartedly good, there was no need to distinguish between different sects. Chang Yuchun helped bury Zhou's father and wanted to send Zhang Wuji to Butterfly Valley to seek treatment from Hu Qingniu. Zhang Sanfeng had long heard that Hu Qingniu's medical skills were superb, but he had an eccentric temperament, only treating members of the Demonic Cult and refusing to save outsiders.
Chang Yuchun wanted to take Zhang Wuji to try, and entrusted Zhang Sanfeng to take care of Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Sanfeng repeatedly admonished Chang Yuchun not to allow Zhang Wuji to join the Demonic Cult. Chang Yuchun took Zhang Wuji to Butterfly Valley, and Zhang Sanfeng took Zhou Zhiruo to Wudang Mountain. They parted with reluctance. Chang Yuchun took Zhang Wuji trekking through mountains and rivers, enduring outdoor life. Traveling day and night, they finally arrived at Butterfly Valley.
Hu Qingniu was catching butterflies for wing-replacement experiments. He recognized at a glance that Chang Yuchun had been struck by the Tibetan monk's Heart-Severing Palm, but he had been fatigued for days, and the cold poison had already attacked his heart. When Hu Qingniu learned that Zhang Wuji was the son of Zhang Cuishan of the Wudang Sect, he immediately became furious. Despite Chang Yuchun's earnest pleas, Hu Qingniu insisted on not treating anyone who wasn't a Ming Cult disciple.
Chang Yuchun would rather give up his own treatment to save Zhang Wuji's life. Hu Qingniu, enraged, punched Chang Yuchun out the door. Zhang Wuji rushed forward to argue with Hu Qingniu and condemned him for not being worthy of being a doctor. Hu Qingniu noticed Zhang Wuji's hands were icy cold and determined that he had been struck by the long-lost Xuanming Divine Palm, and was miraculously still alive. Hu Qingniu's medical curiosity was ignited.
He immediately picked up Zhang Wuji and went into the house. Hu Qingniu used twelve steel needles to seal Zhang Wuji's meridians, then treated him with moxibustion. In the middle of the night, Zhang Wuji saw Chang Yuchun sleeping outside. He wanted Hu Qingniu to treat Chang Yuchun and slept outside with him. The next morning, Hu Qingniu impatiently pulled Zhang Wuji into the house, planning to treat his Daimai.
Zhang Wuji remembered the meridian theory Xie Xun had taught him and began to argue with Hu Qingniu. Hu Qingniu gave Zhang Wuji a book about the Daimai. Zhang Wuji immediately picked it up and read it carefully. Hu Qingniu told him to read it thoroughly before continuing the treatment. Zhang Wuji read all of Hu Qingniu's medical collection, one by one, compared the explanations regarding the Daimai, and reported them in detail to Hu Qingniu.
Hu Qingniu praised him greatly and immediately presented him with the Ziwei Acupuncture Classic, a compilation of his life's work. Zhang Wuji quickly found a way to resolve the Heart-Severing Palm, but he did not understand medicine and could not comprehend its mysteries. So he came to ask Hu Qingniu for advice. Hu Qingniu saw at a glance that he wanted to save Chang Yuchun and deliberately remained silent. Zhang Wuji was not discouraged.
He pulled out all the medical texts and diligently studied them, then prepared a dose of medicine for Chang Yuchun. After Chang Yuchun took it, he began to develop a high fever.
Episode 10 Recap
Zhang Wuji studied Hu Qingniu's medical books day and night without sleep or rest. Six days passed in a flash, and Chang Yuchun was already on his last breath. Zhang Wuji decided to give him acupuncture. He first inserted a needle into the Guanyuan acupoint, but unexpectedly, the steel needle suddenly broke. Chang Yuchun bled profusely, and Zhang Wuji had no choice but to seek help from Hu Qingniu, but he refused to save him.
Zhang Wuji decided to exchange his own life for Chang Yuchun's, but Hu Qingniu still wouldn't agree. Helpless, Zhang Wuji used a bamboo splint instead of a steel needle and finally saved Chang Yuchun's life. Hu Qingniu felt that Zhang Wuji had used too much medicine, and Chang Yuchun would at most live to forty, but he was already content.
After Chang Yuchun's injuries healed, he decided to first go to Wudang Mountain to report to Zhang Sanfeng, leaving Zhang Wuji in Butterfly Valley to continue receiving treatment. The two parted reluctantly. Zhang Wuji went up the mountain to gather herbs, tasting each one against the medical books. Days passed, and Hu Qingniu did his best to treat Zhang Wuji, but he still couldn't completely remove the cold poison from his body. Zhang Wuji's medical skills had become superb.
He had two wishes: to restore Chang Yuchun's weakened body to normal, and then to cure Yu Daiyan so that he could walk freely. Ji Xiaofu and her daughter Yang Buhui depended on each other for survival. She sold vegetables in the market to make a living. She was very popular with the common people due to her enthusiastic service but was insulted and cursed by an older female colleague.
Ji Xiaofu suddenly noticed the mark of the Ming Cult's Flaming Emblem on the stone bridge, concluding that Yang Xiao was in danger. She settled Yang Buhui and followed the Flaming Emblem mark to Linhuai Pavilion. She quietly entered and found that all the major sects were gathered there. An old woman suddenly came in from outside.
Ji Xiaofu was just about to quietly slip away when the old woman struck out with a palm, knocking her to the ground and causing her to faint on the spot. People from all the major sects surrounded the old woman, who threw out many hidden weapons in the shape of golden flowers, injuring everyone present.
She also sent people to pour mercury and paint into their ears, telling them to go to Hu Qingniu for treatment, otherwise, they would not live for more than ten days. Zhang Wuji collected the pine and fir Ganoderma lucidum and immediately returned to report to Hu Qingniu, but Hu Qingniu had contracted smallpox and told him to go down the mountain to hide. Zhang Wuji didn't want to stand by and do nothing, insisting on staying in Butterfly Valley.
Just then, six injured people came to Butterfly Valley seeking medical help and handed over six golden flowers. Hu Qingniu adamantly refused to save them, and they desperately pleaded with Zhang Wuji. Yang Buhui accompanied Ji Xiaofu to Butterfly Valley, but Ji Xiaofu fainted due to her severe injuries. Yang Buhui desperately begged Zhang Wuji to save her. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to treat her with Wudang martial arts.
Ji Xiaofu soon woke up and only then realized that Zhang Wuji was Zhang Cuishan's son, and she eagerly inquired about Yin Liting's situation. Zhang Wuji examined Ji Xiaofu's injuries and agreed to let the mother and daughter stay for now. The other injured people cried out in pain. Zhang Wuji quickly brewed pain medicine, but they were ungrateful, insisting that Hu Qingniu come out to treat them. Zhang Wuji repeatedly explained that Hu Qingniu had smallpox.
He first looked at everyone's injuries, then found ways to consult Hu Qingniu one by one for treatment methods. Zhang Wuji wrote them all down and treated them symptomatically. The injured people's conditions gradually eased, and they highly praised Zhang Wuji's medical skills. Ji Xiaofu and Yang Buhui also helped Zhang Wuji. After Zhang Wuji gave the injured their medicine, they suddenly felt an unbearable itch and started attacking Zhang Wuji. Ji Xiaofu quickly stepped forward to save Zhang Wuji.
Someone recognized her as Ji Xiaofu of the Emei Sect. Ji Xiaofu hurriedly took Zhang Wuji and hid in a room. Zhang Wuji never expected that she was Yin Liting's long-cherished fiancée. Ji Xiaofu's condition relapsed, and she suddenly fell into a coma. Zhang Wuji hastily sought help from Hu Qingniu, but Hu Qingniu gave him a very strange prescription.
Zhang Wuji studied it carefully and only then discovered its meaning: Hu Qingniu was using traditional Chinese medicine to warn him that he must escape tonight, otherwise, his life would be in danger. Zhang Wuji immediately went to inform Ji Xiaofu and discovered a black-clad woman poisoning someone. Ji Xiaofu subdued that person. When Zhang Wuji went to report to Hu Qingniu, he found him tied under the bed.
Hu Qingniu told him to get the Niuhuang Xuejie Dan and give it to that woman. Hu Qingniu then rushed over. He had to admit that the black-clad woman before them was his wife, Nang Gu. The two of them were known as the Immortal Doctor and the Immortal Poisoner, respectively. To avoid affecting their marital relationship, Hu Qingniu had taken a venomous oath never to save anyone outside the Ming Cult.
However, seven years ago, Golden Flower Granny and her husband, who was one of the Ming Cult's guardians, were poisoned. Hu Qingniu cured Golden Flower Granny, but because her husband was not a member of the Ming Cult, Hu Qingniu refused to treat him, and he soon died. Golden Flower Granny then made a fierce vow that if Hu Qingniu saved anyone outside the Ming Cult, she would kill him.
Zhang Wuji finally understood that those injured people were deliberately sent by Golden Flower Granny to lure Hu Qingniu into action, and Nang Gu deliberately poisoned those people precisely to prevent Golden Flower Granny's plot from succeeding. Nang Gu also poisoned herself and asked Hu Qingniu to cure her. This was their last confrontation.
Hu Qingniu instantly recognized that she had used a potent poison of three insects and three herbs, but he didn't know how it was concocted, nor could he cure the poison she had taken. Hu Qingniu snatched Nang Gu's poison and drank it all, intending to go to the underworld with Nang Gu. Golden Flower Granny suddenly arrived at Butterfly Valley and drove away all the injured people.
Episode 11 Recap
Jinhua Popo came to confront Hu Qingniu, only to find that he and his wife Nan Gu had already committed suicide by poison. Jinhua Popo had waited bitterly for so many years for this day, but he had already ended his own life, so Jinhua Popo left in a huff. Zhang Wuji discovered that Hu Qingniu and Nan Gu were still barely alive, so he asked Ji Xiaofu to help them take two doses of medicine.
Nan Gu quickly woke up, and Hu Qingniu was subsequently revived. The two reconciled as before. Hu Qingniu concluded that Jinhua Popo would return to confirm, so he wanted to leave Butterfly Valley with Nan Gu overnight. Before leaving, Hu Qingniu gave Zhang Wuji the medical books he had compiled throughout his life, and Nan Gu also gave him her treasured poison scripture. The couple left easily.
Zhang Wuji and Ji Xiaofu built a tomb and erected a stele for Hu Qingniu and his wife. Those who were injured by Jinhua Popo cried uncontrollably, and Zhang Wuji promised to heal their injuries and illnesses. With Zhang Wuji's exquisite medical skills and Ji Xiaofu's meticulous care, the injured quickly recovered and left. However, Zhang Wuji's cold poison flared up again. Ji Xiaofu and her daughter stayed to take care of him, and Zhang Wuji's health gradually recovered.
As Hu Qingniu had expected, Jinhua Popo sent her young apprentice, Yin Li, back to investigate and confirm whether Hu Qingniu and his wife were truly dead. Yin Li saw the tomb of Hu Qingniu and his wife and advised Zhang Wuji to leave Butterfly Valley, but he wanted to stay and continue studying medicine and save more people.
Yin Li's stomach was rumbling with hunger, so Zhang Wuji cooked for her and advised her to leave the malicious Jinhua Popo, but she was also helpless. Yin Li truthfully reported Hu Qingniu's death to Jinhua Popo, pleading with her to use her internal energy to save Zhang Wuji, and saying that she would have one more person to command. Jinhua Popo saw at a glance that Yin Li had fallen for Zhang Wuji.
Jinhua Popo brought Yin Li back to Butterfly Valley and saw Zhang Wuji weeping by Hu Qingniu's tomb. She carefully examined Zhang Wuji's injuries and, learning that he was Zhang Cuishan's son, persistently questioned him about Xie Xun's whereabouts, also promising to cure Zhang Wuji's cold poison. Zhang Wuji adamantly refused, stating that his parents willingly sacrificed their lives to keep this secret, and he would die rather than reveal it.
Jinhua Popo decided to take Zhang Wuji to Spirit Snake Island. Zhang Wuji adamantly refused, but he could not escape Jinhua Popo's clutches. Ji Xiaofu immediately rushed to fight Jinhua Popo, covering Zhang Wuji's escape back to Butterfly Valley. Just as Ji Xiaofu was about to lead Zhang Wuji to escape, she was caught by Jinhua Popo. Just then, Miejue Shitai arrived with her disciples. Ji Xiaofu immediately appealed to her master for help.
Jinhua Popo spoke disrespectfully to Miejue Shitai. Ding Minjun, feeling indignant, rushed forward to argue with Jinhua Popo but was knocked to the ground by her. Miejue Shitai and Jinhua Popo engaged in a fierce fight. After a few rounds, Miejue Shitai was defeated. She immediately drew the Yitian Sword and challenged Jinhua Popo, instantly slicing off the head of Jinhua Popo's staff. Seeing the unfavorable situation, Jinhua Popo wanted to leave with Yin Li.
Yin Li forcefully pulled Zhang Wuji along with her. In desperation, Zhang Wuji bit Yin Li's hand hard. Yin Li, with tears in her eyes, followed Jinhua Popo and left. Ji Xiaofu guessed that Yang Xiao had helped her master retrieve the Yitian Sword, but she couldn't say it openly. Ding Minjun ridiculed Ji Xiaofu, and brought up the sect's precepts to question Ji Xiaofu, condemning her for being promiscuous and betraying the sect.
Ji Xiaofu explained in every way possible, recounting in detail her experience of being abducted by Yang Xiao, becoming pregnant, and giving birth. She felt ashamed of her master, which was why she lived in seclusion. Miejue Shitai decided to forgive Ji Xiaofu, but Ding Minjun was unrelenting, forcing Ji Xiaofu to reveal her daughter's name and vigorously inciting that the name "Buhui" (No Regrets) was a testament to her feelings for Yang Xiao.
Miejue Shitai sent her disciples out, wanting to speak with Ji Xiaofu alone. Zhang Wuji and Yang Buhui, hiding outside the door, saw everything clearly. Yang Buhui wanted to rush in, but Zhang Wuji desperately held her back and covered her mouth, fearing any noise.
Miejue Shitai took out the Emei Sect leader's ring and proposed that if Ji Xiaofu lured and killed Yang Xiao, she would give her both the ring and the Yitian Sword, which would be equivalent to passing on the leadership to her. Ji Xiaofu firmly refused to do such an underhanded thing, and clarified that Gu Hongzi died from sheer anger, not killed by Yang Xiao. However, Miejue Shitai was unrelenting, insisting that she kill Yang Xiao.
Ji Xiaofu clearly stated that she would rather die than kill Yang Xiao. Miejue Shitai was furious, grinding her teeth, and struck Ji Xiaofu's head with a palm. She collapsed and died on the spot. Yang Buhui desperately tried to rush in, but Zhang Wuji held her tightly. Ding Minjun incited Miejue Shitai to kill Yang Buhui. Miejue Shitai ordered Yang Buhui to be killed, and Zhang Wuji immediately hid Yang Buhui in a bucket.
Episode 12 Recap
Ding Minjun led Jing Xuan and Jing Hui to search thoroughly, but they still couldn't find Yang Buhui. Abbess Miejue had no choice but to give up. In fact, Jing Xuan had already discovered Yang Buhui hiding in the water vat, but she didn't say anything, which allowed Yang Buhui to escape a calamity. Zhang Wuji and Yang Buhui quickly woke Ji Xiaofu.
Ji Xiaofu handed the Iron Flame Token to Zhang Wuji, asking him to send Yang Buhui to Zuowang Peak in Kunlun Mountains and entrust her to her father, Yang Xiao. After saying these words, Ji Xiaofu passed away. Zhang Wuji and Yang Buhui cried bitterly in sorrow. The two of them buried Ji Xiaofu, then packed their bags and headed for Kunlun Mountains.
Zhang Wuji and Yang Buhui passed through a dilapidated town and were chased and cornered by vicious dogs. The two of them ran for their lives and narrowly escaped. Zhang Wuji and Yang Buhui traveled through mountains and rivers, journeying day and night. They were tired and hungry, and Zhang Wuji even suffered from the cold poison, yet they dared not stop and continued their journey. After enduring countless hardships, the two finally arrived at Zuowang Peak.
Zhang Wuji saw He Taichong and his wife Ban Shuxian secretly burying landmines. Yang Xiao would soon pass by this path. Zhang Wuji concluded that they wanted to blow up Yang Xiao, so he loudly warned Yang Xiao. He Taichong and his wife immediately detonated the landmines, but Yang Xiao escaped safely with his extraordinary Qinggong.
Just as He Taichong and his wife were about to escape, Yang Xiao quickly chased them up the mountain and fought fiercely with them, knocking them all unconscious with a few punches and kicks. Zhang Wuji quickly brought Yang Buhui out to let the father and daughter reunite. Yang Xiao saw the Iron Flame Token on Yang Buhui's chest, and tears welled up in his eyes with emotion.
Zhang Wuji then revealed the news of Ji Xiaofu's death, and Yang Xiao was heartbroken with grief. He Taichong and his wife suddenly woke up and together drew their swords, charging at Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao gripped both swords with his hands and swiftly struck them down to the ground. He Taichong and his wife could only flee in disarray. Yang Xiao tightly embraced Yang Buhui and asked Zhang Wuji about the details of Ji Xiaofu's murder.
Yang Xiao asked Zhang Wuji to stay, promising to teach him the most supreme martial arts. Zhang Wuji politely declined, explaining that he had already learned from Wudang and did not wish to learn martial arts from other sects. Yang Xiao couldn't help but look at him with new respect. Zhang Wuji and Yang Xiao's daughter bid farewell with tears.
Yang Buhui was reluctant to see Zhang Wuji leave and cried incessantly, but Zhang Wuji still resolutely embarked on his journey home. Zhang Wuji roamed the world alone, and in the blink of an eye, he had grown up. As he passed through the forest near Red Plum Manor, he unintentionally saw a small monkey being chased by a pack of vicious dogs. He quickly rescued the monkey but was then attacked by the dogs.
Zhang Wuji killed one vicious dog but was bitten and then fainted on the spot due to exhaustion. When he woke up again, he learned that he had been rescued by Zhu Jiuzhen, the daughter of the Master of Red Plum Manor. Zhang Wuji saw Zhu Jiuzhen training a large pack of vicious dogs and, out of spite, wanted to leave.
Zhu Jiuzhen quickly stopped him and even asked the butler Qiao Fu to take him to wash up and change into clean clothes. Zhu Jiuzhen learned that Zhang Wuji's parents had died and he was homeless, so she kept him as a servant at the manor. Wu Qingying and Zhu Jiuzhen were the "Twin Beauties of Snow Ridge," but the two constantly engaged in open and secret rivalry.
When Wu Qingying and her senior fellow apprentice came to find Zhu Jiuzhen, Zhu Jiuzhen suggested that Wu Qingying and Zhang Wuji compete in martial arts. Wu Qingying was disdainful and instead asked her senior fellow apprentice to compete with him. The senior fellow apprentice struck first, catching Zhang Wuji off guard. Zhu Jiuzhen forced Zhang Wuji to retaliate. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to comply, but he was knocked to the ground in less than two moves.
Zhu Jiuzhen was very annoyed and, out of spite, wanted to leave. Zhang Wuji then had no choice but to use Wudang Long Fist, knocking the senior fellow apprentice to the ground with one palm. Zhu Jiuzhen and Wu Qingying simultaneously attacked Zhang Wuji. Master Zhu recognized that Zhang Wuji was using Wudang Long Fist and quickly stepped out to stop Zhu Jiuzhen and Wu Qingying.
He severely reprimanded Zhu Jiuzhen and even forced her to kill all the vicious dogs. Master Zhu also made Zhu Jiuzhen kneel down and apologize to Zhang Wuji. Zhu Jiuzhen, having no choice, complied. Zhang Wuji quickly helped her up. Zhu Jiuzhen and Zhang Wuji quickly became familiar with each other, and she gradually fell for Zhang Wuji.
When Zhu Jiuzhen heard that Second Master Yao had returned from the Central Plains, she couldn't wait to know what gifts he had brought back. She quickly led Zhang Wuji to the front hall. Unexpectedly, Second Master Yao brought back the news of the death of Zhang Cuishan and his wife. Master Zhu learned the details of the incident.
He was furious, grinding his teeth, and swore to avenge Zhang Cuishan and his wife even if it meant being torn to pieces. Zhang Wuji listened to them talk about his parents but remained silent, only feeling utterly bewildered.
Zhu Jiuzhen then recounted the full story to him, and he learned that when Zhu Jiuzhen was born, Master Zhu and Second Master Yao were being hunted by enemies, and it was thanks to his father's timely intervention that they were saved. Master Zhu set up a memorial hall to pay respects to Zhang Cuishan. Remembering his tragically deceased parents, Zhang Wuji also knelt down on the spot to pay his respects. Master Zhu was puzzled.
Zhang Wuji falsely claimed that he was moved by Zhang Cuishan, deliberately concealing his identity. Master Zhu dismissed the servants of the manor and gave Zhang Wuji a large sum of money, asking him to leave quickly because the Zhu family was about to face danger. Zhang Wuji didn't want to stand idly by and decided to stay and help. Master Zhu made him swear a solemn oath on the spot to keep this matter a secret. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to comply. Master Zhu claimed that Second Master Yao had brought back the Golden Haired Lion King, Xie Xun.
Episode 13 Recap
Zhang Wuji learned from Master Zhu that Second Master Yao had brought Xie Xun back. Because Xie Xun had saved Zhang Cuishan, they swore to protect Xie Xun at all costs, considering it repayment for Zhang Cuishan's life-saving grace back then. Zhang Wuji was eager to inquire about Xie Xun's situation, but Master Zhu worried that enemies would come looking for him, so he didn't bother to explain further.
He sent people to surround the manor, inside and out, with straw soaked in tung oil, and then lit the straw. In an instant, a raging fire spread, and the manor was burned to ruins. Xie Xun was hidden in the manor's cellar. After Master Zhu lit the straw, he and Zhu Jiuzhen took Zhang Wuji to the cellar. From the opening, they identified five groups of people coming to seek revenge on Xie Xun.
Those people searched everywhere, inside and out, but after not finding Xie Xun's whereabouts, they withdrew one after another. Master Zhu then took Zhang Wuji to the innermost part of the cellar. As Second Master Yao just stepped forward to inquire about Xie Xun's injuries, he was mistaken for an enemy and knocked to the ground with a punch. Master Zhu hurriedly went over to explain, but Xie Xun wouldn't listen at all, punching and kicking him.
Zhang Wuji carefully observed Xie Xun's every move and instantly saw that he was an impostor. He exposed him on the spot. Zhang Wuji had to admit that he was Zhang Cuishan's son and Xie Xun was his godfather, but the person in front of him was clearly an impostor because Xie Xun's eyes were already blind. The fake Xie Xun became furious, lashing out at Zhang Wuji.
Second Master Yao immediately stepped in to help but was severely injured by Xie Xun. Master Zhu seized the opportunity to strike Xie Xun's acupoints. Zhang Wuji gave Master Zhu a detailed account of his parents' and Xie Xun's experiences on Ice and Fire Island. Master Zhu proposed meeting Xie Xun. Zhang Wuji readily agreed to take them to Ice and Fire Island. The four of them came to a farmstead belonging to the Zhu family.
Master Zhu instructed Second Master Yao to prepare a boat; he wanted to depart for Ice and Fire Island as soon as his injuries healed. That night, Zhu Jiuzhen secretly came to Zhang Wuji's room and sealed his acupoints. Fortunately, Xie Xun had taught him how to unseal acupoints beforehand, so Zhang Wuji easily freed himself. He quietly went outside and saw Zhu Jiuzhen meeting with her cousin.
He mistakenly thought that Zhu Jiuzhen sealed his acupoints because she didn't want him to disrupt their rendezvous. Unexpectedly, Master Zhu suddenly appeared, repeatedly instructing Zhu Jiuzhen to keep a close eye on Zhang Wuji. Then they returned to the room to discuss their plans for Ice and Fire Island. Zhang Wuji tiptoed to the window and discovered that the impostor Xie Xun was actually in league with Master Zhu. All previous events were carefully designed traps by them.
They were now discussing poisoning Xie Xun to death and stealing his Dragon Slaying Saber. Zhu Jiuzhen wanted to kill Zhang Wuji after their plan succeeded. Master Zhu proposed gouging out Zhang Wuji's eyes and then abandoning him on Ice and Fire Island to fend for himself. Zhang Wuji was so angry that he gritted his teeth. He didn't bother to think too much and fled overnight.
Early the next morning, Master Zhu and others searched everywhere in the mountain forest for Zhang Wuji. Due to his weak and sickly physique, Zhang Wuji was quickly discovered. He dragged his frail body, running frantically all the way to the edge of a cliff. Master Zhu continued to feign an attitude of gratitude, earnestly persuading Zhang Wuji to return with them. Zhang Wuji exposed their long-standing tricks to their faces.
Zhu Jiuzhen, looking pitiful, tried to persuade Zhang Wuji and even threatened to die to prove her sincerity. Zhang Wuji hurriedly stepped forward to stop her. Master Zhu took the opportunity to subdue Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji struggled desperately and, taking Master Zhu with him, leaped off the cliff. Zhang Wuji and Master Zhu fortunately caught onto a tree branch. It took both of them immense effort to escape to an open clearing.
Master Zhu was unwilling to give up, so he forced Zhang Wuji to escape with him to search for the Dragon Slaying Saber. Zhang Wuji flatly refused. Master Zhu pressed him step by step, so Zhang Wuji had no choice but to hide in a narrow cave nearby. Master Zhu followed closely, but the cave was too small, so he had to retreat. Zhang Wuji could only crawl on his belly to barely pass through.
After crawling for a long time, he finally exited the cave. Outside the cave was a towering waterfall, surrounded by layers of mountains, filled with the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers, like a fairyland on earth. Zhang Wuji happily cried out to the sky. He picked wild fruits to satisfy his hunger and also called for Master Zhu to come through the cave, but he was too fat to pass.
Zhou Zhiruo was cooking in the kitchen with her fellow senior disciples. Ding Minjun sent Jing Xuan and Jing Hui to rush them to finish cooking and go practice, otherwise, they would all be punished. Zhou Zhiruo volunteered to take on the remaining tasks, allowing her senior disciples to go practice on time. Ding Minjun led the junior disciples in practice, gesticulating and criticizing them.
When Zhou Zhiruo brought the prepared meals, she was also scolded by Ding Minjun, who forced her to practice swordplay with them. Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to comply. Zhou Zhiruo went to the river to wash clothes and accidentally saw a rabbit that had hit a tree and was injured. She helped bandage the rabbit's wound, and the rabbit quickly ran away. At night, Zhou Zhiruo seized every available moment to practice martial arts.
Abbess Miejue happened to pass by and only then realized how diligent Zhou Zhiruo was. Because she had too many chores during the day, she practiced every night. Abbess Miejue felt deeply comforted. Zhang Wuji went up the mountain to pick fruits and down to the river to catch fish, and each time he threw them through the narrow passage of the cave for Master Zhu to share. Zhang Wuji accidentally saw an injured monkey and bandaged its wound.
The monkey and Zhang Wuji gradually became acquainted and even helped him pick fruits. Days passed by like this. Abbess Miejue taught her disciples a set of Miejue Swordplay and had them spar with each other. Ding Minjun was the first to step forward to challenge, and she quickly knocked all the junior female disciples to the ground. Abbess Miejue had Jing Xuan and Jing Hui fight together, but they were defeated within a few moves.
Abbess Miejue told Zhou Zhiruo to confront her, but she felt clumsy and was willing to concede defeat. Abbess Miejue was furious and severely reprimanded her. Ding Minjun launched an attack, and Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to draw her sword to retaliate. With her agile movements and superb swordplay, she subdued Ding Minjun. Abbess Miejue criticized her for practicing randomly and told her she should practice step by step according to the proper routine.
Ding Minjun deliberately picked a fight, claiming the food was unpalatable. She slapped Zhou Zhiruo hard, then publicly ridiculed her, hurled insults, relentlessly pressured Zhou Zhiruo, and even knocked her into the water, yet Zhou Zhiruo tolerated it everywhere.
Episode 14 Recap
Zhang Wuji was napping on a rock by the waterfall, suddenly woken up by a small monkey and the monkey king. He was so scared that he screamed. The monkey king kept gesturing at his stomach. Zhang Wuji noticed a large scar on his belly, and it felt hard inside. Zhang Wuji immediately found a sharp stone to cut open the scar, and took out an oil-paper package from inside.
He didn't bother to check what it was, and quickly helped the monkey king stitch up the wound. Only after Zhang Wuji had tended to the monkey king's wound did he discover that the oil-paper package contained the complete Nine Yang Divine Scripture (Jiuyang Zhenjing) texts. Zhang Wuji was overjoyed; as long as he learned the Nine Yang Divine Skill (Jiuyang Shen Gong), he would be able to completely clear the cold poison from his body.
Zhang Wuji dared not delay for a moment, and immediately practiced according to the moves in the book with a calm mind. Meanwhile, Zhou Zhiruo still practiced diligently every night. Suddenly, a black-clad figure broke in. Zhou Zhiruo remained calm and fought with her, quickly knocking off the black-clad figure's veil. Unexpectedly, the opponent was Miejue Shitai, who just wanted to test Zhou Zhiruo's adaptability.
Miejue Shitai praised her highly, and seeing that her hands had developed many blood blisters from practice, she personally applied ointment for her. Zhou Zhiruo was flattered. Miejue Shitai had long seen that her martial arts skill was far superior to Ding Minjun's, but Zhou Zhiruo usually exercised self-restraint and patience to save face for Senior Disciple Sister Ding Minjun.
Miejue Shitai encouraged her to become more authoritative from then on, intending to pass on the position of sect leader to her, but did not say it openly. Miejue Shitai practiced a set of sword techniques, and specifically asked Zhou Zhiruo and Ding Minjun to spar. Zhou Zhiruo still kept avoiding and refused to use her full strength. Miejue Shitai was very annoyed, and forced her to use her full strength, threatening that otherwise everyone would be punished.
Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to comply. Ding Minjun gradually couldn't hold on, and used a sneaky move to stab Zhou Zhiruo's arm. Miejue Shitai slapped Ding Minjun publicly, and also intended to punish her according to sect rules, by having her arm cut three times. Zhou Zhiruo knelt down to plead for her, but Miejue Shitai firmly refused, and even sulked and threatened to punish others.
Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to raise her sword and cut Ding Minjun once. She volunteered to take the remaining two cuts of punishment herself. Only then did Miejue Shitai spare Ding Minjun and severely reprimand her. That night, Zhou Zhiruo voluntarily came to apologize to Ding Minjun, and also personally prepared a wound ointment. But Ding Minjun did not appreciate it, and even knocked the ointment over onto the ground.
Ding Minjun was worried about being punished if her master found out, so she swallowed her anger and picked up the broken ointment bottle, and also repeatedly apologized to Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji quickly finished practicing three volumes of the Nine Yang Divine Scripture (Jiuyang Zhenjing). Most of the cold poison in his body had also been cleared.
He was very happy and wanted to finish practicing the fourth volume soon and return to Wudang to find Zhang Sanfeng as quickly as possible. Miejue Shitai decided to pass the position of sect leader to Zhou Zhiruo, but Zhou Zhiruo used the excuse of being insignificant and having little influence to repeatedly decline. Miejue Shitai encouraged her and cheered her on.
Miejue Shitai led her disciples to Wudang, wanting to join forces with the Wudang sect to eliminate those evil cults. They were all wearing veils. A man on horseback met them head-on. Zhou Zhiruo's veil accidentally fell off. The man returned the veil to Zhou Zhiruo, deeply attracted by her beauty. From then on, he couldn't stop thinking about Zhou Zhiruo. He was Song Yuanqiao's son, Song Qingshu. Miejue Shitai led her disciples and finally arrived at Wudang.
Zhang Sanfeng was in secluded meditation. Song Yuanqiao sent someone to call Song Qingshu. Miejue Shitai brought a set of fine brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for Zhang Sanfeng, and had Zhou Zhiruo give it to Song Qingshu. Song Qingshu didn't expect that she was his childhood playmate, and he was even more overjoyed.
Miejue Shitai and Song Yuanqiao discussed that the Emei sect and Wudang sect should join forces to attack Guangmingding and annihilate the Demonic Cult in one fell swoop. Song Yuanqiao couldn't make the decision, wanting to wait for Zhang Sanfeng to emerge from seclusion before making a decision. Miejue Shitai was eager for achievement, and asked Song Yuanqiao to make the decision on behalf of his master. But he was still hesitant and dared not make a hasty decision.
Miejue Shitai was very annoyed, and sulked, wanting to leave. Song Qingshu hurriedly stopped her, and proposed uniting the Shaolin and Kunlun sects to deal with the Demonic Cult together. Song Yuanqiao seized the opportunity to suggest that Miejue Shitai stay and plan for the long term. At night, Zhou Zhiruo was cooking for Miejue Shitai. Song Qingshu voluntarily came to help her, and also apologized to her for something that happened in their childhood.
Back then, because Song Qingshu was jealous of Zhou Zhiruo being kind to Zhang Wuji, he couldn't stand it. He not only stomped on the grasshopper that Zhang Wuji had given to Zhou Zhiruo, but also caused her to be sent out of Wudang Mountain. Song Qingshu then went to his Seventh Uncle Mo Shenggu to learn grass weaving. He quickly wove many grasshoppers and gave them to Zhou Zhiruo, and sincerely apologized to her.
However, when Zhou Zhiruo looked at the grasshoppers, she couldn't help but think of Zhang Wuji. After Zhang Wuji's unremitting efforts, he finally mastered the Nine Yang Divine Skill (Jiuyang Shen Gong). All the cold poison in his body was also cleared. Zhang Wuji was very happy and wanted to return to Wudang as soon as possible to report the good news to Zhang Sanfeng. He climbed through the cave to find Zhu Zhuangzhu.
Zhu Zhuangzhu took the opportunity to sneak attack him, but Zhu Zhuangzhu was thrown to the ground, rolling. Only then did Zhu Zhuangzhu realize that Zhang Wuji had mastered the Nine Yang Divine Scripture (Jiuyang Zhenjing). He was impatient to get those scriptures. Zhang Wuji claimed he had thrown them to the other side of the cave, telling him to give up early. But Zhu Zhuangzhu was not reconciled. He then lied, claiming he would take Zhang Wuji away from here, and gradually lured Zhang Wuji to the edge of the cliff.
Episode 15 Recap
Manor Master Zhu watched Zhang Wuji walk step by step to the edge of the cliff. He secretly hooked a thick tree root with his foot, then pretended to fall. Zhang Wuji quickly went to help him, but accidentally fell off the cliff. Manor Master Zhu, however, escaped safely by relying on the tree root.
He concluded that Zhang Wuji was sure to die, and hurriedly crawled into a cave, intending to go to the other side to find the Nine Yang Divine Skill. However, he got stuck in the middle, unable to move. It was only at the moment Zhang Wuji fell off the cliff that he realized he had been tricked by Manor Master Zhu again. Abbess Miejue was given the cold shoulder at the Wudang Sect.
She angrily took her disciples and left. Song Qingshu did not want to separate from Zhou Zhiruo, so he earnestly pleaded with Abbess Miejue to stay, promising to continue persuading his father. But Abbess Miejue's mind was made up. Soon after, Yin Liting returned to Wudang. Song Qingshu eagerly asked him about the results of this mission to "eliminate evil and punish wickedness." Yin Liting's only regret was not finding out the whereabouts of his enemy, Yang Xiao.
Song Qingshu seized the opportunity to mention that Abbess Miejue wanted to unite with the Wudang Sect to jointly deal with the Demonic Cult, hoping that Yin Liting would help persuade Song Yuanqiao. Yin Liting knew Song Yuanqiao's personality well, so he decided to personally approach and unite the major sects. Song Qingshu decisively decided to go with him, leaving only a letter for his father before setting off.
Zhang Wuji fell from the cliff and happened to land in a thatched hut. Thanks to the thick straw padding, Zhang Wuji miraculously survived. However, his leg was injured, and he couldn't stand up and move for a while. He simply put on a temporary splint and rested in place, waiting for his bones to heal. Song Qingshu and Yin Liting visited many sects along the way. Everyone unanimously responded to the alliance to crusade against the Demonic Cult.
The two quickly caught up with Abbess Miejue and explained to her their determination to eradicate the Demonic Cult. Yin Liting wanted to go to Hongmei Manor to unite with Manor Master Zhu, a disciple of Master Yideng, which coincided with Abbess Miejue's plans. Yin Liting and Abbess Miejue's group finally arrived at Hongmei Manor. Zhu Jiuzhen was rebuilding the manor and falsely claimed her father had gone to a temple for cultivation, thus not wanting to join their alliance.
Abbess Miejue wanted to use the advantageous terrain of Hongmei Manor as the allied forces' command center. Before Zhu Jiuzhen could answer, her cousin Wei Bi adamantly refused, using the excuse that the two were getting married. He even hypocritically invited everyone to stay for a night and leave after their wedding. Abbess Miejue angrily decided to leave, but Song Qingshu quietly persuaded her to stay, promising to convince Zhu Jiuzhen to change her mind.
Abbess Miejue had no choice but to remain. Zhang Wuji suddenly saw two vicious dogs chasing and biting a man. He picked up a stone from the ground and used the Nine Yang Divine Skill to kill the two dogs. However, the man died from his severe injuries. Zhang Wuji determined that these were the vicious dogs raised by Zhu Jiuzhen.
Song Qingshu used the open rivalry between Zhu Jiuzhen and Wu Qingying, successfully provoking Zhu Jiuzhen into joining the alliance to eradicate the Demonic Cult. Zhou Zhiruo greatly admired Song Qingshu. Zhang Wuji's leg injury had not healed, so he could only lie on the ground, talking to himself to pass the time. Yin Li, chasing the vicious dogs, arrived at this place. Mistaking Zhang Wuji for also being bitten, she proactively started talking to him.
Zhang Wuji claimed his name was Zeng A'niu. Yin Li introduced herself as having traveled thousands of miles from the Central Plains to the Western Regions to find someone, passing through Hongmei Manor. She also offered her pancake to Zhang Wuji to eat. Zhang Wuji felt that Yin Li resembled his mother, Yin Susu, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Yin Li mistook him for laughing at her being old, and sulked, ignoring Zhang Wuji.
Song Qingshu thoroughly explained the strategy for crusading against the Demonic Cult to Abbess Miejue. Abbess Miejue found his plan meticulous and praised him greatly, also instructing Zhou Zhiruo to fully cooperate with him. Zhou Zhiruo also looked at Song Qingshu in a new light.
Just then, Ding Minjun settled the members of the various sects and brought back good news: Song Yuanqiao had successfully convinced Shaolin, and they had also dispatched Masters Kong Zhi and Kong Xing to lead Shaolin disciples as reinforcements. Song Qingshu immediately told Yin Liting this good news. Now that the Six Major Sects had finally gathered, Yin Liting took Song Qingshu to make detailed deployments and temporarily leave Hongmei Manor. They agreed with Abbess Miejue to rendezvous at Guangmingding.
Before leaving, Song Qingshu also quietly reminded Zhou Zhiruo to be wary of Ding Minjun everywhere. Zhang Wuji struggled to get up and roast potatoes to eat. Yin Li stole a roasted chicken from Hongmei Manor's feast and brought it to him, also casually asking about Zhang Wuji's mother. Zhang Wuji thought his mother was the most beautiful.
Yin Li felt she was ugly and couldn't compare to his mother, but Zhang Wuji believed that a person's heart was more important than appearance. Yin Li thought he was making fun of her, and once again left in a huff. The next morning, Zhang Wuji was weaving a grasshopper. Yin Li brought him snacks and recounted her life story. Zhang Wuji and she shared a similar plight, both being orphans.
He took out the grasshopper to cheer her up, and Yin Li immediately smiled brightly. But when she remembered the person she was looking for, she secretly sighed. Zhang Wuji promised to accompany Yin Li to find that person once his leg healed. Yin Li proactively carried Zhang Wuji on her back for a stroll and recounted her experiences on Spirit Snake Island. Back then, she had a deep affection for Zhang Wuji, but Zhang Wuji cruelly bit her.
Yin Li showed him the scar on her hand, and Zhang Wuji then realized she was Yin Li, Golden Flower Granny's disciple. Zhang Wuji wanted to reveal his identity to Yin Li, but recalling his mother's dying instruction not to trust beautiful women, he ultimately concealed his identity. He merely understatedly recounted how he was deceived by Zhu Jiuzhen, and also advised Yin Li to forget about Zhang Wuji.
Only three days after Zhu Jiuzhen and Wei Bi got married, Wei Bi secretly went to see Wu Qingying. Zhu Jiuzhen was furious, flared up in rage, and started fighting with Wei Bi. Yin Li suddenly came to confront Zhu Jiuzhen, wanting to get justice for Zeng A'niu. Zhu Jiuzhen, still enraged, started fighting with Yin Li, but she was no match for Yin Li at all.
She was knocked to the ground within a few moves and was also poisoned by the venom on Yin Li's palm. Wei Bi was terrified and fled in a panic. Hearing Wei Bi's cries for help, Abbess Miejue sent Ding Minjun and Zhou Zhiruo to rescue him. They quickly subdued Yin Li. Knowing her life was in danger this time, Yin Li proposed seeing Zeng A'niu one last time before she would agree to hand over the antidote.
Ding Minjun and Zhou Zhiruo escorted Yin Li to the thatched hut to see Zhang Wuji. Yin Li expressed her feelings to him, pleading with him to marry her. Zhang Wuji readily agreed, vowing to protect her for life. Yin Li couldn't help but cry tears of joy. Ding Minjun became impatient, forcing Yin Li to hand over the antidote as soon as possible. But Yin Li refused to comply, even if it meant death. Ding Minjun then attacked her. Zhang Wuji intervened in time to save her, defeating Ding Minjun. Ding Minjun then ordered Zhou Zhiruo to deal with Zhang Wuji.
Episode 16 Recap
Zhang Wuji heard Ding Minjun call out Zhou Zhiruo's name, he was stunned, never expecting that the person in front of him was the Zhou Zhiruo he had been thinking about day and night. But he didn't dare to step forward and acknowledge her, worried that Abbess Miejue would force him to reveal the whereabouts of his adoptive father, Xie Xun. Before Zhang Wuji could react, Ding Minjun and Zhou Zhiruo had already rushed in front of him.
Zhang Wuji supported Yin Li's back and used his Nine Yang Skill to transfer internal energy to her, knocking Ding Minjun to the ground with a few punches and kicks. Zhou Zhiruo fought back, but Zhang Wuji couldn't bear to hurt her. Yin Li was injured, and Zhou Zhiruo took the opportunity to rescue Ding Minjun. Zhang Wuji took great care of Yin Li, and Yin Li gradually woke up.
She never expected Zhang Wuji's internal energy to be so profound, and couldn't help but complain that he shouldn't have shown mercy to Ding Minjun and the others. But Zhang Wuji didn't want to kill anyone. Yin Li cursed him as a hopeless softie. Zhang Wuji increasingly felt that the way she spoke was very similar to his mother. Yin Li couldn't help but think of her own tragically deceased mother, and told Zhang Wuji about her past.
Yin Li's father was a womanizer and disliked that her mother hadn't given birth to a son, so he married a cruel stepmother. Yin Li, in a fit of anger, killed the stepmother. The father, in a fit of pique, wanted to kill them, mother and daughter. The mother committed suicide, and Yin Li took the opportunity to escape. Zhang Wuji and Yin Li felt a deep connection with each other.
Yin Li felt that Zhang Wuji deliberately let Zhou Zhiruo go because he coveted her beauty, and Zhang Wuji tried to explain himself in every possible way. Yin Li worried that Abbess Miejue wouldn't let the matter rest, and decided to leave with Zhang Wuji. She quickly made a raft out of branches and wooden sticks, and had Zhang Wuji lie on it. Yin Li pulled him away from the thatched hut with a rope.
At night, Zhang Wuji woke up and found Yin Li taking out a large spider and applying its venom to her hands to practice her skills. Yin Li noticed Zhang Wuji watching her, and secretly put the big spider on him. Zhang Wuji was so frightened that he screamed. Yin Li claimed that she was using the spider's venom to practice her mother's unique skill, the Thousand Spider and Myriad Poison Hand.
The deeper her skill, the deeper the venomous sores on her face would become, but she would rather sacrifice her beauty to master this skill. Zhang Wuji was worried that she would become possessed, and advised her to find a skill that could be practiced without harming her beauty. Yin Li didn't care about any of that. Zhang Wuji felt that although her appearance was ugly, her heart was kind, and he was willing to be with her forever.
Yin Li was deeply moved, but her heart only belonged to Zhang Wuji, the short-lived ghost from her childhood. Zhang Wuji and Yin Li depended on each other, taking care of each other and caring for each other. The days passed peacefully and warmly. Abbess Miejue suddenly led her disciples to their residence. Yin Li hurriedly hid Zhang Wuji, and came out alone to meet Abbess Miejue. Ding Minjun angrily yelled that she wanted to kill Yin Li.
Yin Li mocked her, and even asked Abbess Miejue to expel Ding Minjun from the sect. Ding Minjun, in a fit of anger, knocked Yin Li to the ground. Abbess Miejue immediately sent people into the house to search for her accomplice, but to no avail. Just as Abbess Miejue was about to kill Yin Li with a palm strike, Zhang Wuji struggled to crawl out to defend Yin Li. Zhou Zhiruo also pleaded for Yin Li.
Zhang Wuji threatened that once his leg injury healed, he would expose Abbess Miejue's conspiracy and eradicate the Emei Sect. Abbess Miejue was completely enraged, but she didn't want to take advantage of someone's vulnerability, feeling that it would be an unchivalrous victory, and immediately decided to take Yin Li and Zhang Wuji back with her. Yin Li pulled Zhang Wuji on the raft, exhausted but unwilling to stop.
Zhang Wuji suggested to Abbess Miejue that they rest for a while, and used his Nine Yang Skill to clear Yin Li's meridians. Just as Zhou Zhiruo was about to bring a steamed bun to Yin Li, Ding Minjun snatched it away. Yin Li insulted Ding Minjun, and was beaten by Ding Minjun. Zhou Zhiruo hurriedly persuaded Ding Minjun to leave, and brought steamed buns to Yin Li and Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji thanked Zhou Zhiruo for her kindness.
Yin Li mistakenly thought he was lecherous, and snatched his steamed bun in a fit of pique. Zhang Wuji hurriedly explained that he wanted to please Zhou Zhiruo so that he could find an opportunity to escape later. On the way, Abbess Miejue noticed something ahead, and told everyone to quickly hide in the forest. Sure enough, three people rode past on horseback. Abbess Miejue knocked the three horses down with pebbles, and the three people fell to the ground.
One of them used a dagger to break open a cage on the horse, and carrier pigeons fluttered out. Abbess Miejue killed two carrier pigeons with pebbles, but one of them managed to fly away. Zhou Zhiruo took out the note from the carrier pigeon, which was a secret letter to the Tianying Sect, reporting the news that the six major sects were going to besiege Bright Peak.
Abbess Miejue forced the three people to confess their accomplices, but they all committed suicide by taking poison. Ding Minjun told Jingxuan and Jinghui to search their bodies. Jingxuan was unfortunately injured by the poison on one of the dead men. The venom quickly entered her bloodstream, and Abbess Miejue could only seal Jingxuan's acupoints. If an antidote was not found in time, her life would be in danger. Zhang Wuji volunteered to help Jingxuan dispel the poison.
He recognized the poison as Prickly Poison Ivy, and used acupuncture to treat Jingxuan. Zhang Wuji temporarily saved Jingxuan's life, but they had to find Clear Heart Returning Soul Grass to completely dispel the poison. Abbess Miejue sent Zhou Zhiruo to the mountain with Zhang Wuji to gather the herbs. Zhang Wuji took Zhou Zhiruo to the foot of the mountain.
He wanted to acknowledge Zhou Zhiruo, but worried that Abbess Miejue would force him to reveal Xie Xun's whereabouts, so he had to restrain himself for the time being. Zhang Wuji quickly found the Clear Heart Returning Soul Grass, but it grew on a cliff. Zhou Zhiruo used her lightness skill to fly up, and used her sword to support herself in the cracks of the cliff.
Zhou Zhiruo used all her strength to reach the Clear Heart Returning Soul Grass, but the sword suddenly came loose. Seeing Zhou Zhiruo about to fall, Zhang Wuji rushed up to catch her without regard for his own safety. Zhou Zhiruo saw through his pretense of being injured, and forced him with her sword. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to reveal his true identity, and took out the handkerchief he had embroidered back then. Zhou Zhiruo was overjoyed.
Episode 17 Recap
Zhang Wuji proactively acknowledged Zhou Zhiruo, and also admitted that his leg injury had healed, explaining that he had to conceal the truth because he was worried that Abbess Miejue would harm them. Zhou Zhiruo learned that the cold poison in his body had been completely removed and was genuinely happy for him. Zhou Zhiruo was eager to return to detoxify Jingxuan, but her ankle was sprained, so Zhang Wuji carried her on his back to hurry on their way.
Zhou Zhiruo saw that they were about to reach the campsite. Fearing that Abbess Miejue would become suspicious, she insisted on getting off Zhang Wuji's back. Zhang Wuji clearly stated that he would find an opportunity to escape with Yin Li, and urged Zhou Zhiruo to leave with them, but Zhou Zhiruo politely declined.
Ding Minjun saw that Zhang Wuji and Yin Li were late in returning, and seized the opportunity to speak wildly, suspecting that Zhang Wuji had secretly fled. Yin Li argued with her reasonably, and the two were arguing fiercely. Just then, Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo rushed back and immediately decocted the Qingxin Huanhun Cao (Heart-Cleansing Revival Grass) for Jingxuan to take.
At night, Yin Li saw that Abbess Miejue and all the disciples were asleep, so she discussed escaping with Zhang Wuji. As they were about to leave, they saw a black shadow drifting before their eyes. Abbess Miejue and the disciples were awakened, and Zhang Wuji and Yin Li had no choice but to give up. Early the next morning, a female disciple had a bat mark on her face, causing widespread panic.
Abbess Miejue concluded that it was the Demonic Cult deliberately disrupting morale and could only be cautious everywhere. She led the disciples to continue their journey, with Zhang Wuji and Yin Li following closely behind the group. In a flash, night fell. The disciples were too scared to sleep, so Abbess Miejue had to step forward to embolden them and spoke to them kindly. Zhou Zhiruo volunteered to stand guard for everyone.
That night passed peacefully, but early the next morning, Wei Yixiao, the Green-Winged Bat King, came to provoke them at the campsite. He was one of the Four Great Guardians of the Ming Cult, and he brazenly abducted Jingxu in front of everyone. Abbess Miejue pursued relentlessly, but her qinggong was no match for Wei Yixiao. She could only watch helplessly as Wei Yixiao carried Jingxu away.
Ding Minjun concluded that Zhang Wuji and Yin Li had colluded with the Demonic Cult. Before Zhang Wuji could explain, Jingxu's body was returned. There was a large blood pit on her neck, clearly indicating that Wei Yixiao had sucked her blood dry, causing her death. Abbess Miejue was heartbroken and swore to eradicate the Demonic Cult to avenge Jingxu. Yang Xiao led the Ming Cult disciples, traveling day and night towards Bright Peak.
His daughter, Yang Buhui, also accompanied him. As they traveled through the desert, they unintentionally saw a crying girl and hurried over to inquire. The girl claimed to be from the Central Plains, named Xiao Zhao. Her family of three was pursued by government soldiers and got lost in the desert, where her parents died unexpectedly. Yang Buhui felt pity for her and pleaded with Yang Xiao to take Xiao Zhao in.
Abbess Miejue led her disciples to the desert as well. She repeatedly reminded Zhou Zhiruo that she must not be lenient with the Demonic Cult, or the consequences would be unimaginable. Abbess Miejue's group was halfway through their journey when they suddenly saw Yin Liting and Song Qingshu being besieged by a group of people. The two of them quickly defeated those people together, but those people surprisingly used earth-burrowing technique to hide beneath the desert.
Abbess Miejue reminded her disciples not to go over and help, because the Wudang Sect held a prominent position in the pugilistic world, and if they rashly stepped forward at this moment, it would inevitably cause displeasure to Yin Liting and Song Qingshu. Yin Liting and Song Qingshu combined their swords and quickly annihilated those people in one fell swoop.
Abbess Miejue quickly came out to meet them and inquired in detail about the situation of the Demonic Cult at Bright Peak. Yin Li eagerly asked Yin Liting about Zhang Wuji's whereabouts. Yin Liting suspected that Zhang Wuji was no longer alive. Abbess Miejue felt that Zhang Wuji deserved to die. Yin Li was furious and argued with her reasonably.
Abbess Miejue insisted that Zhang Wuji was an evil spawn because he was the son of Yin Susu of the Heavenly Eagle Cult. Ding Minjun also chimed in, and Yin Li rushed forward to reason with them. Yang Xiao led his disciples, after much travel, to the Ming Cult's main altar on Bright Peak. However, he only saw Wei Yixiao alone, so he eagerly asked him about the whereabouts of the Five Wanderers.
Wei Yixiao, however, scoffed at him and spoke maliciously. Yang Xiao painstakingly urged him to fight the enemy together, but Wei Yixiao scornfully disregarded him and angrily walked away. Yang Xiao discovered Xiao Zhao stealthily emerging from Yang Buhui's room, so he made a move to test her. He found Xiao Zhao to be agile and suspected her of being a spy for the Six Major Sects.
Xiao Zhao tried every means to explain, and Yang Buhui also tried hard to intercede for Xiao Zhao, but Yang Xiao did not believe it at all and insisted on locking Xiao Zhao up. During their night rest, Yin Li noticed Song Qingshu constantly staring at Zhou Zhiruo, and couldn't help but complain to Zhang Wuji. Zhou Zhiruo came to add firewood for Zhang Wuji, and Zhang Wuji couldn't help but recall their childhood memories.
Both of them were so moved that their eyes welled up with tears. Seeing this, Yin Li was consumed by jealousy and found an excuse to send Zhou Zhiruo away. In the middle of the night, Zhang Wuji vaguely fell asleep leaning on Yin Li's shoulder, but Yin Li woke him up, wanting to escape together. Zhang Wuji wanted to follow Abbess Miejue and the others to Bright Peak and also meet the Wudang Seven Heroes.
Yin Li was very annoyed, mistakenly thinking that he was reluctant to leave Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji was unable to explain himself and had no choice but to leave with her, but unexpectedly, Ding Minjun suddenly appeared and blocked their path.
Episode 18 Recap
Zhou Zhiruo pricked Ding Minjun's acupoints from behind, covering Zhang Wuji and Yin Li as they reached a safe area. Zhang Wuji wanted to take Zhou Zhiruo with them, worried that Abbess Miejue would not let her off. Just then, Abbess Miejue arrived with her disciples and severely reprimanded Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji hurriedly stepped forward to intervene for Zhou Zhiruo, but Abbess Miejue was relentless.
Ding Minjun fanned the flames from the side, insisting that Zhou Zhiruo and Zhang Wuji had colluded. Zhou Zhiruo quickly knelt down to plead for Zhang Wuji, willing to accept any punishment. Just then, a whistling sound swept across the sky. Abbess Miejue recognized it as a distress signal from the Kongtong Sect. For a moment, she couldn't bother to punish Zhou Zhiruo, so she took her disciples and Yin Liting and his nephew to help.
They joined forces with the Kongtong Sect members and fought fiercely with the disciples of the Ming Cult's Three Banners. Zhang Wuji and Yin Li watched the battle from the side. Yin Tianzheng and his son Yin Yewang stood halfway up the mountain with the Heavenly Eagle Sect disciples. Seeing the heavy casualties of the Ming Cult disciples, they decided to observe the situation first. The Ming Cult disciples resisted desperately but were ultimately outnumbered and defeated.
Abbess Miejue forced them to surrender their weapons, but they faced death calmly. In a fit of rage, Abbess Miejue used the Heaven-Reliant Sword to sever all their arms. Yet, they remained neither humble nor arrogant, and together they shouted slogans of "Slay the rich to help the poor, do good and eliminate evil." Abbess Miejue ordered to cut off their other arm. Zhang Wuji hurriedly stepped out to stop her and spoke out against injustice for the Ming Cult.
However, Abbess Miejue was convinced that the Ming Cult was an evil cult. Zhang Wuji condemned her for wantonly killing innocents under the banner of justice. Abbess Miejue was reproached into silence. Ding Minjun, unconvinced, drew her sword and stabbed Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji used his internal energy to knock her to the ground, then went to help stop the bleeding of the injured Ming Cult members.
Abbess Miejue discovered Zhang Wuji's profound internal energy and proposed that if Zhang Wuji could take three of her moves, she would agree to release the Ming Cult members. Zhang Wuji claimed he was no match for her and pleaded with her to release them, but Abbess Miejue was relentless. She immediately punched and attacked Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji did not dodge and was struck a long distance away by her.
Just as Abbess Miejue was about to order the cutting off of the other arm of the Ming Cult members, Zhang Wuji actively came forward to receive Abbess Miejue's remaining two palms. Yin Li told Zhou Zhiruo to persuade Zhang Wuji not to risk his life, but Zhang Wuji's mind was made up. Abbess Miejue decisively struck with a punch, and Zhang Wuji was struck unconscious. Yet, he struggled to get back up. Yin Li cried uncontrollably with heartache.
Zhang Wuji sat cross-legged to heal his injuries with internal energy. Ding Minjun was very impatient, urging Zhang Wuji to quickly come and face death. Zhou Zhiruo desperately pleaded for Zhang Wuji, also praising Abbess Miejue as a benevolent and righteous elder who would not put Zhang Wuji to death. Zhang Wuji quickly recovered as before. He prepared to receive Abbess Miejue's third move. Abbess Miejue decided to spare his life but insisted on killing all the Ming Cult members.
Zhang Wuji hurriedly stopped her, willingly accepting her third palm. Yin Yewang suddenly stepped forward to challenge Abbess Miejue and released flying eagles to summon Heavenly Eagle Sect disciples. The Heavenly Eagle Sect disciples immediately assumed their fighting stances, surrounding everyone present. Yin Yewang forced Abbess Miejue to let Zhang Wuji go, otherwise, he would annihilate them all in one fell swoop.
Abbess Miejue was unwilling to let go of the demon cult disciples and struck with a palm attack against Yin Yewang. Zhang Wuji used his body to take Abbess Miejue's third palm. Abbess Miejue was repelled by the palm force, staggering and almost falling. Zhang Wuji publicly thanked Abbess Miejue, thanking her for being merciful. Abbess Miejue had no choice but to order the release of the Ming Cult members.
Yin Li worried that her identity would be exposed and quietly reminded Zhang Wuji to escape quickly. Yin Yewang had long recognized Zhu'er as his daughter Yin Li, so he forcibly dragged Zhang Wuji and Yin Li to the Heavenly Eagle Sect's main tent and exposed Yin Li's identity in front of her. Yin Li argued with him. Yin Yewang, in a fit of pique, wanted to kill Yin Li to vent his personal anger.
Wei Yixiao suddenly abducted Yin Li. Yin Yewang and Zhang Wuji hurriedly went in pursuit. Halfway, Yin Yewang heard a distress signal from the Heavenly Eagle Sect and immediately turned back to rescue. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to go alone to rescue her. Wei Yixiao was just about to bite Yin Li's neck but stopped at the last moment.
He, however, suffered a seizure from the cold poison, convulsed all over, and fell to the ground unable to get up. Yin Li seized the opportunity to escape. Zhang Wuji chased halfway and suddenly heard someone laugh loudly. He claimed to be Shuo Bude, one of the Ming Cult's Five Wanderers, and painstakingly urged Zhang Wuji not to waste his efforts trying to rescue her, because Wei Yixiao never leaves anyone alive.
He went astray while cultivating his martial arts, and only by sucking human blood could he alleviate his pain; otherwise, cold energy would invade his body, and he would freeze to death. Zhang Wuji insisted on rescuing Yin Li, but he was put into the Qiankun Bag of Primordial Qi by Shuo Bude. He desperately tried to break free, but it was all in vain. Zhou Zhiruo worried about Zhang Wuji's safety. She hid aside, feeling depressed.
Abbess Miejue determined that Zhang Wuji was no ordinary person, but unfortunately did not know his true identity. She also reminded Zhou Zhiruo not to harbor any illusions about Zhang Wuji and told her to atone for her sins after arriving at Bright Peak. Zhou Zhiruo quickly knelt down to admit her mistake to Abbess Miejue. Abbess Miejue, worried that something unexpected might happen to her, decided to entrust the Emei Sect to Zhou Zhiruo.
Yang Xiao received a battle report from his subordinate, Seker, learning that the Ming Cult's Three Banners had been defeated and the Six Major Sects had already gathered at Bright Peak. He immediately dispatched his subordinates from the Four Gates of Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Thunder to guard around the main altar. If there was any disturbance, they were to report to him immediately.
Zhou Dian, one of the Ming Cult's Five Wanderers, discovered Wei Yixiao leaning against a rock, shivering. He hurriedly used his internal energy to boost Wei Yixiao's strength, also suffering some cold poison as a result. Zhou Dian had to help Wei Yixiao into a cave. Shuo Bude and Tieguan Daoren were already waiting there.
Zhang Wuji, trapped in the Qiankun Bag of Primordial Qi, unable to move, only felt a little relieved upon learning that Wei Yixiao had not sucked Yin Li's blood. Tieguan Daoren didn't want to see Wei Yixiao in such pain, so he wanted to use Zhang Wuji's blood to restore his strength. Shuo Bude firmly disagreed, so he and Tieguan Daoren used internal energy to help Wei Yixiao replenish his strength. Wei Yixiao gradually recovered.
Just then, Leng Qian and Peng Yingyu, the other two of the Ming Cult's Five Wanderers, returned to report to them that the Shaolin Temple had also sent people to Bright Peak to participate in the battle. Both Shuo Bude and Tieguan Daoren felt that the Five Wanderers should work together to lead the Ming Cult to first repel the invading enemies, and then settle scores with Yang Xiao.
But Zhou Dian was unwilling and firmly refused to get involved in Ming Cult matters. Shuo Bude severely reprimanded Zhou Dian, who vigorously struck him, knocking out one of Shuo Bude's teeth on the spot. Shuo Bude did not retaliate, wanting to save his strength to fight the enemy. Zhou Dian immediately decided to fight the Six Major Sects to the death.
Yang Xiao knew he couldn't escape this calamity and painstakingly urged Yang Buhui to escape first, promising that he would come find her soon. Yang Buhui insisted on advancing and retreating with him, so Yang Xiao had no choice but to agree for now. Just then, the Five Wanderers and Wei Yixiao came to the main altar to see Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao told Seker to guard Yang Buhui closely, allowing no one to approach her. Yang Xiao hurriedly came out to greet the Five Wanderers and Wei Yixiao.
Episode 19 Recap
Yang Xiao personally came out to welcome Wei Yixiao and the Ming Cult Five Wanderers. Unexpectedly, Wei Yixiao suddenly bit the tea-serving servant to death, sucking his blood to replenish his energy, and threatened Yang Xiao to reveal the candidate for the new leader. Considering the bigger picture, Yang Xiao could only suppress his anger and deal with Wei Yixiao.
He clearly stated that whoever obtained the Sacred Fire Token after repelling the enemies would be the new leader, and this was also a long-standing rule of the Ming Cult. Zhou Dian spoke disrespectfully to Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao argued with him, and Zhou Dian immediately became furious, raising his saber to slash at Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao effortlessly knocked his saber to the ground. Wei Yixiao also came to help.
Yang Xiao used Zhou Dian's Ice Cotton Palm to force the two of them to stop. The Iron-Crowned Taoist, Shuobude, Leng Qian, and Peng Yingyu each assisted Wei Yixiao and Zhou Dian. Yang Xiao had no choice but to use the Qiankun Da Nuoyi, firmly pinning them to the spot, unable to move. Yang Xiao earnestly urged them to prioritize the larger situation. Unexpectedly, the Shaolin monk Yuan Zhen ambushed Yang Xiao from behind. Yang Xiao was caught off guard.
Just as Yuan Zhen was about to attack the Five Wanderers and Wei Yixiao, Yang Xiao rushed forward selflessly to block Yuan Zhen, but was heavily struck by Yuan Zhen's Phantom Yin Finger onto a stone pillar, spitting blood on the spot. Zhang Wuji, inside the Qiankun Yiqi Bag, saw everything clearly. Yang Buhui was worried about Yang Xiao, but Saikeli guarded the door tightly, not allowing her to leave even half a step.
Yuan Zhen claimed to be Master Kongjian's disciple. Yang Xiao cursed him, calling him a shameless scoundrel who harmed people from behind and was utterly unworthy of being Master Kongjian's disciple. Yang Xiao forced himself to gather strength, wanting to clear the name of Master Kongjian, but he was too severely injured to stand up. Yuan Zhen threatened that all seven of them, having been poisoned by the Phantom Yin Finger, would die within three days.
Yang Xiao condemned his despicable actions, but Yuan Zhen was full of excuses, claiming that he had entered through a secret passage in the Ming Cult's main altar. He clamored to wipe out the Ming Cult completely and disgrace its leader, Yang Dingtian. Zhou Dian and the others gnashed their teeth in anger and cursed Yuan Zhen, but he remained unconcerned, repeatedly claiming that Yang Dingtian and his wife had brought him from the secret passage to Guangming Ding.
Yang Buhui lied that the tea was poisoned, then seized the opportunity to knock out Saikeli and go look for Yang Xiao. Seeing Xiao Zhao suddenly emerge from her room, Yang Buhui concluded that Xiao Zhao was a spy and brought her back to the room for a thorough interrogation. Wei Yixiao took advantage of Yuan Zhen's unpreparedness to ambush him. Yuan Zhen immediately counterattacked.
Both were injured, so Yuan Zhen had to seal his acupoints on the spot to heal. Zhang Wuji wanted to go out and save Yang Xiao and the others, but Shuobude had been so badly beaten by Yuan Zhen that he couldn't move. Others couldn't open the Qiankun Yiqi Bag, so Shuobude had no choice but to tell Zhang Wuji to try to stand up and seize the opportunity to kill Yuan Zhen.
Wei Yixiao and Peng Yingyu also urged Zhang Wuji to kill Yuan Zhen, otherwise, once Yuan Zhen recovered his strength, everyone would die without a burial place. Zhang Wuji hesitated. Yuan Zhen promised not to harm Zhang Wuji, leaving Zhang Wuji in a dilemma, as he did not want to get involved in the conflict between Shaolin and Ming Cult.
Leng Qian suggested that Zhang Wuji strike Yuan Zhen's Yutang acupoint, which would cause no harm to Yuan Zhen, and also promised to send someone to escort Yuan Zhen down the mountain. After much consideration, Zhang Wuji leaned forward, just about to strike the acupoint, when Yang Xiao noticed something was wrong and quickly warned Zhang Wuji. But it was too late; Yuan Zhen suddenly used his Phantom Yin Finger and injured Zhang Wuji as well.
Zhang Wuji used the Nine Yang Divine Art to expel the poison. He felt that Yang Xiao and the Five Wanderers were not as utterly evil as rumors in the martial arts world suggested. So, he asked Shuobude about the Ming Cult's principles. Shuobude elaborated on the Ming Cult's heroic deeds of doing good, eliminating evil, and robbing the rich to help the poor, but they were pursued by the government, forcing them to act in secret.
The Six Major Sects regarded them as demonic cultists. Just then, Yuan Zhen recovered his strength and intended to go on a killing spree. Yang Xiao still couldn't understand how he had come to Guangming Ding through the secret passage, as only the cult leader Yang Dingtian knew of the Ming Cult's secret passages. Seeing that they had no chance of getting out alive, Yuan Zhen simply recounted the entire story.
Yuan Zhen admitted that his name before becoming a monk was Cheng Kun. He and Lady Yang, Yang Dingtian's wife, were fellow disciples, childhood sweethearts, and had an engagement. However, his junior sister was forced to marry Yang Dingtian, the leader of the Ming Cult. Cheng Kun was unwilling to accept this and wanted to challenge Yang Dingtian to a fight to the death. His junior sister desperately tried to stop him, as he was no match for Yang Dingtian.
Yet, Yang Dingtian was fully immersed in martial arts training and neglected Lady Yang. So, Cheng Kun and Lady Yang had secret meetings in the Ming Cult's secret passage. Zhang Wuji heard that Yuan Zhen was Cheng Kun, the one who caused Xie Xun's family to be ruined and killed. He gnashed his teeth in anger. While Cheng Kun and his junior sister were meeting in the secret passage, Yang Dingtian suddenly arrived and caught them red-handed.
Cheng Kun forced Yang Dingtian to approve their relationship. Just as Yang Dingtian was about to strike them, he suddenly spat blood and died on the spot. Cheng Kun discovered that Yang Dingtian had died because his unique martial arts cultivation had caused his true energy to reverse. Overwhelmed by shame, his junior sister committed suicide on the spot to be buried with Yang Dingtian. Cheng Kun was heartbroken.
He had waited so many years, only to be separated from his junior sister by death. Cheng Kun swore a solemn oath to completely eradicate the Ming Cult. He immediately returned to the Central Plains to seek help from his disciple Xie Xun, but unexpectedly, Xie Xun had become one of the Ming Cult's Four Great Dharma Kings.
Cheng Kun had no choice but to change his strategy, deciding to sow discord among them and make the Ming Cult members fight among themselves. Cheng Kun, fueled by alcohol, insulted Xie Xun's wife. When Xie Xun's parents tried to intervene, Cheng Kun killed the elderly couple and also smashed Xie Xun's son to death. His goal was to provoke Xie Xun's rage and make him indiscriminately kill innocent people everywhere.
Cheng Kun even secretly helped Xie Xun, killing many martial arts heroes. Cheng Kun grew more agitated as he spoke. Yang Xiao was speechless with anger. Just as Cheng Kun was about to attack and kill Yang Xiao, Zhang Wuji stepped forward in time and engaged in a fierce battle with Cheng Kun.
Episode 20 Recap
Zhang Wuji jumped out of the Qiankun Yiqi Bag, used the Nine Yang Divine Skill to knock Cheng Kun to the ground. Everyone present was stunned. Cheng Kun, being heavily injured, had no choice but to seize the opportunity to sneak away. Zhang Wuji pursued him closely. Cheng Kun escaped into Yang Buhui's room. Zhang Wuji then followed him in, but Cheng Kun suddenly disappeared.
Zhang Wuji discovered that Yang Buhui was about to kill Xiao Zhao, and quickly intervened to stop her. Zhang Wuji quickly recognized Yang Buhui and pleaded earnestly for Xiao Zhao. Yang Buhui was anxious to save Yang Xiao, so she temporarily spared Xiao Zhao. Yang Xiao sent Yang Buhui to deliver a message to the Thunder Gate leader. Zhang Wuji continued searching for Cheng Kun in Yang Buhui's room.
To thank him for saving her life, Xiao Zhao opened a mechanism on the bed and went down to the secret passage with Zhang Wuji to search. Zhang Wuji and Xiao Zhao walked forward along the secret passage. Cheng Kun sealed off the passage with rubble, intending to trap them inside to die. Zhang Wuji was unwilling to give up, so he took Xiao Zhao to look for other passages.
Zhang Wuji discovered many wooden barrels filled with gunpowder in the secret passage, guessing that Cheng Kun wanted to use them to blow up Bright Summit. Xiao Zhao suggested using gunpowder to blast open the rubble, but Zhang Wuji worried about being injured, so he had to look for other passages again. Zhang Wuji opened a large stone door and saw the skeletons of Yang Dingtian and his wife inside.
Xiao Zhao found a blank parchment scroll on the ground, cut her finger, and dripped blood on it. The writing immediately appeared, recording the Ming Cult's Qiankun Da Nuoyi mental cultivation method, and a letter written by Yang Dingtian to his wife. Zhang Wuji quickly opened the letter, only then realizing it was Yang Dingtian's will. Yang Dingtian knew about his wife's secret affair with Cheng Kun. He became so enraged that his vital energy reversed.
Yang Dingtian knew his life was in peril and entrusted his wife to gather all Ming Cult members to resist the Yuan army, stating that whoever recovered the Sacred Flame Token would become the 34th leader of the Ming Cult. Xie Xun would temporarily act as the leader and pass on the Qiankun Da Nuoyi mental cultivation method to the new leader.
Zhang Wuji once again confirmed that the Ming Cult was righteous and honorable, but the Six Major Sects, due to their sectarian prejudice, constantly made things difficult for the Ming Cult. Yang Dingtian had originally intended to die with Cheng Kun, letting his wife escape with the complete map of the secret passage. However, Yang Dingtian died due to cultivation deviation, and his wife committed suicide to follow him in death, allowing Cheng Kun to survive in the world.
Zhang Wuji found the complete map of the secret passage in the envelope, but the exit was sealed with rubble by Cheng Kun. Only the Qiankun Da Nuoyi could open it. Xiao Zhao found the Wuwang position according to the map's indications. Zhang Wuji wanted to open the large stone door with the Nine Yang Divine Skill, but his attempts, even after several tries, were in vain. To pass the time, Xiao Zhao began to sing.
Zhang Wuji was deeply moved by her beautiful singing and couldn't help but recall the songs his mother sang during her lifetime. Xiao Zhao promised to sing for him every day thereafter and encouraged Zhang Wuji to try practicing the Qiankun Da Nuoyi. However, Zhang Wuji worried that he wouldn't be able to master it, as Yang Dingtian had only reached the fourth level after a lifetime of effort.
Xiao Zhao encouraged him and used her finger blood to reveal all the mental cultivation methods in the secret manuals. Zhang Wuji, calming his mind and spirit, quickly mastered the first level. The Ming Cult disciples and the Six Major Sects fought fiercely. Abbess Miejue vowed to raze Bright Summit to the ground. Yang Xiao received a battle report, learning that three of the Ming Cult's Five Elements Banners had already fallen.
Yang Xiao ordered the Giant Wood Banner and the Thick Earth Banner to defend the main altar for two hours. After this time, the seven of them would recover their vital energy and fight the Six Major Sects to the bitter end. Zhang Wuji immersed himself in cultivation. He suddenly trembled all over. Xiao Zhao tried to step forward to wipe his sweat but was pushed back a great distance by his internal energy.
Zhang Wuji reached the fifth level in half an hour. He felt refreshed and invigorated, filled with power. Immediately after, he went on to practice the sixth level in one go. Yin Tianzheng and Yin Yewang led the Flying Eagle Cult disciples, rushing non-stop towards Bright Summit, vowing to live and die with the Ming Cult. On the way, they encountered a heavily injured Cheng Kun. Yin Yewang and Cheng Kun engaged in a fierce battle.
Cheng Kun, due to exhaustion, fell to the ground and died on the spot. Yin Yewang was also left extremely cold all over from Cheng Kun's Illusory Yin Finger. Through Zhang Wuji's unremitting efforts, he finally mastered the seventh level of Qiankun Da Nuoyi. Xiao Zhao admired him immensely, praising him as a martial arts prodigy.
Zhang Wuji erected a tombstone for Yang Dingtian and his wife and swore before their grave to glorify the Ming Cult, explain its principles to the major sects, and persuade both sides to cease their conflict. Zhang Wuji dared not delay. He used the Qiankun Da Nuoyi to open the stone door and successfully led Xiao Zhao out of the secret passage.
At this moment, all five banners of the Ming Cult had fallen, and the Six Major Sects quickly attacked the entrance of the main altar. Yang Xiao struggled to stand up, determined to fight the Six Major Sects to the death. Zhou Dian advised him to retreat first, recover from his injuries, and then seek revenge from the Six Major Sects. But Yang Xiao did not want anyone to step into the sacred grounds of the main altar.
Wei Yixiao agreed with Yang Xiao's decision, and others also responded, vowing to live and die with the main altar. Masters Kongzhi and Kongxing hurriedly led the Shaolin disciples to support the Six Major Sects. Yin Tianzheng and his son then led the Flying Eagle Cult to stop them, firmly guarding the main altar's gate. Abbess Miejue warned Yin Tianzheng not to meddle in this matter, but he publicly swore to live and die with the Ming Cult.
His disciples also took a solemn oath on the spot. Both sides were at loggerheads and a chaotic battle ensued. Yin Yewang was unfortunately injured. Yin Tianzheng quickly escorted him into the main altar, where they happened to see Yang Xiao and others. Filled with common hatred, they all swore to unite and defend the Ming Cult. Yang Xiao was immensely grateful to Yin Tianzheng.
Episode 21 Recap
Zhang Wuji took Xiao Zhao to escape from the secret passage, only to see corpses strewn everywhere before them, and beacon fires rising from Bright Peak. Zhang Wuji dared not delay and hurriedly took Xiao Zhao to Bright Peak. The Six Major Sects majestically stormed into the Ming Cult's main altar, but Yang Xiao and the Five Scattered People were severely weakened and could not rise to meet the challenge.
Yin Tianzheng led the Heavenly Eagle Cult disciples to confront the Six Major Sects, vowing to fight to the death and coexist or perish with the Ming Cult disciples. Abbess Miejue, in a fit of rage, wanted to eradicate them all. Yin Tianzheng reprimanded them for claiming to be reputable and righteous sects yet bullying the few with many, stating that they would surely be ridiculed by the world in the future.
Yin Tianzheng proposed single combat with members of the Six Major Sects, and Zhang Songxi, one of the Wudang Four Heroes, was the first to step forward to fight Yin Tianzheng. Yin Tianzheng and Zhang Songxi took their stances, neither yielding to the other. After several rounds, Zhang Songxi was defeated by a loss of half a move. He willingly conceded defeat, and Yin Tianzheng greatly praised his magnanimous conduct.
However, Mo Shenggu, one of the Wudang Seven Heroes, was unconvinced and challenged Yin Tianzheng. The two flew up and down, fighting intensely and indecisively. While Mo Shenggu injured Yin Tianzheng's shoulder, he was also sealed at his acupoints by Yin Tianzheng. Mo Shenggu knew that Yin Tianzheng had shown him mercy, otherwise he would have died long ago.
Song Yuanqiao saw Yin Tianzheng's wound bubbling with blood and earnestly persuaded him not to get involved in this mess, but Yin Tianzheng's mind was already made up. Song Yuanqiao did not want to take advantage of his vulnerability and proposed that he and Yin Tianzheng only compete in techniques, not physical strength.
Before Yin Tianzheng could answer, Tang Wenliang, one of the Kongtong Sect's three elders, seized the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on Yin Tianzheng, hitting him with a few punches and kicks until he vomited blood. Yin Tianzheng fought back with all his might, knocking Tang Wenliang to the ground, unable to move. Elder Zong was unwilling to concede defeat just like that and wanted to fight Yin Tianzheng to the death using the Seven-Injuries Fist.
Yu Lianzhou, one of the Wudang Two Heroes, hurriedly intervened to stop them, but Elder Zong was relentless. Song Yuanqiao also stepped forward to stop Elder Zong and advised Yin Tianzheng to quickly leave with the Heavenly Eagle Cult disciples. Elder Zong adamantly refused, stubbornly threatening to destroy the Ming Cult leader's ancestral tablet and extinguish the Ming Cult's sacred flame.
Yin Tianzheng desperately protected them, but was struck by Elder Zong's Seven-Injuries Fist and was on the verge of death. Shaolin Grandmaster Kongzhi called upon everyone to eradicate the remaining Ming Cult members present and ordered the Kunlun Sect to burn down the Ming Cult's main altar. Yang Xiao faced death calmly, reciting the Ming Cult's creed with his disciples.
Just as Elder Zong was about to kill Yin Tianzheng, Zhang Wuji arrived in time to save him, sending Elder Zong flying a long distance with one palm strike. Elder Zong insistently questioned Zhang Wuji's identity. He falsely claimed his name was Zeng Aniu and that he had no master or sect. Elder Zong insisted on killing Yin Tianzheng.
Zhang Wuji, in a fit of rage, knocked him to the ground and used the Nine Yang Divine Art to heal Yin Tianzheng. Yin Tianzheng quickly recovered his strength, and he thanked Zhang Wuji for his strong assistance. Yin Tianzheng stood up and challenged Elder Zong. Zhang Wuji voluntarily offered to take Elder Zong's Seven-Injuries Fist on Yin Tianzheng's behalf.
He also publicly exposed that Grandmaster Kongjian had died from the Kongtong Sect's Seven-Injuries Fist, and that Xie Xun had cultivated the Seven-Injuries Fist to the point of mental deviation. This news was undoubtedly a thunderclap, stunning everyone present. The martial arts world only knew that Xie Xun had killed Grandmaster Kongjian, but never expected that he had used the Kongtong Sect's Seven-Injuries Fist.
Elder Zong argued with all sorts of excuses, so Zhang Wuji sought verification from Grandmaster Kongzhi, and earnestly advised Elder Zong not to practice the harmful and useless Seven-Injuries Fist anymore. But he adamantly refused to believe, treating the Seven-Injuries Fist as the Kongtong Sect's unique skill. Zhang Wuji explained the implications to him, stating that only those with profound internal energy could cultivate the Seven-Injuries Fist, otherwise they would cultivate to the point of mental deviation.
Elder Zong, unconvinced, used the Seven-Injuries Fist to attack Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji blocked him back with Shaolin's Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, while remaining perfectly still. The other two elders of the Kongtong Sect jointly used the Seven-Injuries Fist to attack Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji did not dodge, but met it directly with his body. Xiao Zhao could not bear to watch and stepped forward to condemn the two elders of the Kongtong Sect.
However, Zhang Wuji repaid evil with good, using the Nine Yang Divine Art to heal the two elders. They were overwhelmed with shame and admired Zhang Wuji immensely. Zhang Wuji then healed Tang Wenliang, helping him clear the blood circulation in his limbs.
Zhang Wuji wanted to resolve the grievances between the Six Major Sects and the Ming Cult, so he explained the whole story in detail to everyone, repeatedly stating that all the grievances in the martial arts world were plotted by Cheng Kun. Cheng Kun had a personal vendetta against Ming Cult Leader Yang Dingtian, and thus tried every possible way to destroy the Ming Cult.
He also killed Xie Xun's entire family of thirteen and, through Xie Xun, massacred the disciples of the Six Major Sects, deliberately instigating disputes between the Six Major Sects and the Ming Cult. Zhang Wuji also revealed that Cheng Kun was the monk Yuanzhen of Shaolin Temple. Grandmaster Kongxing stepped forward to debate Zhang Wuji, and publicly stated that Yuanzhen had already passed away, then had Yuanzhen's body brought in.
Zhang Wuji saw that there was no evidence or witness for verification and for a moment did not know how to respond. Grandmaster Kongxing, out of spite, threatened to kill Zhang Wuji to uphold Shaolin's reputation. He pressed him step by step, but Zhang Wuji dodged everywhere. Kongxing gritted his teeth in anger, forcing him to retaliate. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to meet his Dragon Claw Hand, and also defeated Kongxing using the Dragon Claw Hand.
However, Kongxing was unconvinced and continued to loudly challenge Zhang Wuji, with every move being lethal. Zhang Wuji resolved them one by one, knocking Kongxing to the ground effortlessly. Kongxing lost convincingly, but still felt that it would tarnish Shaolin's prestige and wanted to cripple his own hand. Zhang Wuji hurriedly stopped him and kindly advised him. Xian Yutong, the leader of the Huashan Sect, insistently questioned Zhang Wuji's master's lineage and origins.
Zhang Wuji recalled that Hu Qingniu had once mentioned this person, so he publicly exposed that Xian Yutong had been poisoned by a potent venom back then. Hu Qingniu had worked without sleep or rest for three days and three nights to cure his poison, but Xian Yutong had killed Hu Qingniu's younger sister.
Xian Yutong flew into a rage out of humiliation and used the Huashan Sect's unique skill to attack Zhang Wuji, but was easily defeated by Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji reprimanded him for repaying kindness with enmity; Hu Qingniu of the Ming Cult had saved his life, yet he now brought people to attack the Ming Cult. Xian Yutong took out an iron fan and fought fiercely against Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji seized the opportunity to snatch the iron fan.
Xian Yutong's eyes were blinded by the potent venom on the fan, and he cried out in pain. Xiao Zhao casually picked up a plum blossom branch. Zhang Wuji lightly shook the iron fan, and the plum blossom was instantly poisoned to death. Xian Yutong admitted that it contained Golden Silkworm Gu Poison, and he only sought death. Zhang Wuji promised to save him, asking him to confess his crimes.
Xian Yutong admitted to killing his senior brother Bai Yuan and then framing the Ming Cult. The tall elder and short elder of the Huashan Sect wanted to kill Xian Yutong, but Zhang Wuji insisted on keeping his promise to detoxify him. The two elders felt that the Huashan Sect had been humiliated in public, so they used the Anti-Two Forms Saber Technique to deal with Zhang Wuji, but he individually cracked them.
The tall and short elders willingly conceded defeat. He Taichong and his wife of the Kunlun Sect stepped forward to challenge Zhang Wuji, wanting to have a showdown with him using the Two Forms Swordplay. Zhang Wuji casually broke off a plum branch to meet the challenge. Xi Huazi gritted his teeth in anger and also stepped forward to challenge Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji lightly swung the plum branch, sending Xi Huazi flying more than ten feet away.
Episode 22 Recap
He Taichong and his wife, along with two old men, one tall and one short, rushed forward to challenge Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji used a plum blossom branch to engage in a fierce battle with the four of them. The two sides fought to a stalemate. Zhou Zhiruo loudly asked Miejue Shitai about the sword art of the Two Forces practiced by the four individuals.
In reality, she was deliberately revealing the footwork and moves to Zhang Wuji, and also pointed out that the Emei Sect's Four Phenomena Palm could defeat their sword art. Zhang Wuji immediately understood her hint and fought accordingly. Madame He discerned Zhou Zhiruo's hidden meaning and loudly stopped her, forbidding her from giving Zhang Wuji advice. Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to keep silent.
Zhang Wuji then found an opening in the short old man, making them attack each other. The short old man was very annoyed. The tall old man suggested putting down their swords. Zhang Wuji also threw his plum branch to the ground and fought them bare-handed. In just a few moves, he knocked all four of them to the ground.
Unwilling to concede defeat, they picked up their swords from the ground and pressed closer to Zhang Wuji, but their swords repeatedly struck the blind Xian Yutong. Zhang Wuji took out the Golden Silkworm Gu Poison from Xian Yutong and threw it into the mouths of He Taichong and his wife, reminding them that as long as they did not circulate their internal energy, the poison would not take effect within six hours.
Zhang Wuji promised to help them remove the poison after resolving the grievances between the Ming Cult and the Six Major Sects. Miejue Shitai was not convinced and stepped forward to challenge Zhang Wuji. Yin Tianzheng gave his White Rainbow Sword to Zhang Wuji. Miejue Shitai fought Zhang Wuji with the Heaven Reliant Sword, but he dodged her attacks everywhere. Jinghui suggested that everyone should attack together. Zhou Zhiruo, compelled, had no choice but to join the fight.
Zhang Wuji used the Nine Yang Divine Art to defeat them one by one, only showing mercy to Zhou Zhiruo. Ding Minjun forced Zhou Zhiruo to kill Zhang Wuji. She was so frightened that she quickly dropped her sword. Miejue Shitai, enraged and humiliated, drew her sword and aimed it at Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji arrived in time to save her and handed the Heaven Reliant Sword to Zhou Zhiruo, asking her to return it to Miejue Shitai.
However, Miejue Shitai ordered Zhou Zhiruo to kill Zhang Wuji with the Heaven Reliant Sword, warning that otherwise, she would be betraying her master and ancestors. Zhou Zhiruo was in a dilemma and could not bring herself to do it. But Miejue Shitai relentlessly pressured her, so Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to draw her sword and stab Zhang Wuji's shoulder. He did not dodge, watching helplessly as Zhou Zhiruo painfully struck him.
Xiao Zhao and Yin Tianzheng quickly supported Zhang Wuji. Seeing this, Miejue Shitai immediately decided to withdraw from Bright Peak, leaving the Wudang Sect to make their own decision. So far, among the Six Major Sects, only the Wudang Sect had not yet cast their vote. Song Qingshu volunteered to fight Zhang Wuji, but Song Yuanqiao did not want to take advantage of someone's weakness.
Song Qingshu painstakingly advised Zhang Wuji to leave early, but he swore to live and die with the Ming Cult. Yin Tianzheng wanted to take a few blows from Song Qingshu for him, but due to his severe injuries, he vomited blood. Xiao Zhao, unable to tolerate this, wanted to fight on behalf of Zhang Wuji. Song Qingshu forcibly pushed her aside, insisting on a fight to the death with Zhang Wuji.
Zhang Wuji could only retaliate despite his injuries and defeated Song Qingshu within two moves. He also coughed up blood from his injuries. Song Yuanqiao decided to lead the Wudang Sect disciples to withdraw from this decisive battle. However, Yin Liting insisted on seeking revenge from Yang Xiao for taking his fiancée. Zhang Wuji struggled to stand up and intervene, vowing to protect Yang Xiao with his life. But Yin Liting remained relentless.
Zhang Wuji was burning with anxiety and, on the spot, spat out a large mouthful of blood, admitting that he was Zhang Wuji, the son of Zhang Cuishan. Song Yuanqiao and the others quickly gathered around. Yin Tianzheng was even more emotional, shedding tears of joy, having never expected his grandson Zhang Wuji to still be alive. Yin Liting insisted on killing Yang Xiao to avenge Ji Xiaofu.
Yang Buhui stepped forward to shield Yang Xiao and testified that Miejue Shitai had killed her mother, Ji Xiaofu, and that she and Zhang Wuji had witnessed it with their own eyes. Miejue Shitai admitted to killing Ji Xiaofu. Yin Liting was heartbroken and, in a fit of pique, ran off without looking back. Zhang Wuji finally woke up and saw Song Yuanqiao and his martial uncles accompanying him.
Song Yuanqiao told him to temporarily stay at Bright Peak to recuperate, entrusting Xiao Zhao to take good care of him. Song Yuanqiao then led his junior martial brothers away from Bright Peak. Immediately after, Zhang Wuji went to see his maternal grandfather Yin Tianzheng and his maternal uncle Yin Yewang. Yin Tianzheng was greatly relieved to learn that he had cured his cold poison with the Nine Yang Divine Art.
Zhang Wuji then learned that Yin Yewang had been struck by Cheng Kun's Phantasm Yin Finger and quickly used the Nine Yang Divine Art to heal him. Yang Xiao brought Yang Buhui to visit Zhang Wuji, expressing immense gratitude for saving their lives. Zhang Wuji asked Yang Xiao to open Xiao Zhao's iron shackles, but Yang Buhui searched all over herself and couldn't find the key. Xiao Zhao was very disappointed. Unexpectedly, the two masters Kongzhi and Kongxing returned.
They discovered that Yuanzhen's body was missing and mistakenly believed that Yang Xiao had stolen it, forcing him to hand over Yuanzhen's corpse. Master Kongxing had no choice but to lead his men away disgruntled. With Xiao Zhao's meticulous care, Zhang Wuji's injuries gradually improved, and his internal energy also recovered by sixty to seventy percent. He was eager to heal the Five Wanderers and the others.
Yang Xiao wanted to wait until Zhang Wuji's injuries had fully recovered, and they had discussed and decided to nominate Zhang Wuji as the Ming Cult Leader. Zhang Wuji tried every means to decline, worried that he was not competent enough for the role. Just then, martial artists from groups like the Sea Sand Gang and the Beggars' Sect suddenly rushed up Bright Peak. They wanted to take advantage of the crisis.
Yang Xiao, the Five Wanderers, and Yin Tianzheng and his son were all severely injured and unable to go out to meet the enemy. Zhang Wuji suggested they first hide in the secret passage and fight them to the finish after their injuries healed. Yang Xiao was unwilling to concede defeat so easily and told Xiao Zhao to take Zhang Wuji to the secret passage first.
Zhang Wuji earnestly persuaded him, but Yang Xiao had no choice but to reveal the Ming Cult's rule: only the Cult Leader could enter the secret passage, and anyone else who dared to enter would face death unless the Cult Leader permitted them. Yin Tianzheng and his son also urged Zhang Wuji to assume the position of Ming Cult Leader.
Helpless, Zhang Wuji took out Yang Dingtian's last will, which stipulated that Xie Xun should temporarily hold the position of Cult Leader. Yang Xiao then asked Zhang Wuji to take over his adoptive father's position, and he had no choice but to agree. As the Cult Leader, Zhang Wuji instructed Yang Xiao to lead all Ming Cult disciples into the secret passage to hide.
Yang Xiao suggested burning down all the houses on Bright Peak to mislead the enemies into thinking they had all fled. Zhang Wuji readily agreed, immediately dispatched people to set the fires, and entered the secret passage with everyone.
Episode 23 Recap
Zhang Wuji led everyone to the secret passage. They went together to the tomb of Grandmaster Yang Dingtian and his wife to pay their respects. Zhang Wuji handed the Heaven and Earth Great Shift skill to Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao insisted on following Grandmaster Yang Dingtian's last wishes and asked Zhang Wuji to continue keeping it. Yin Liting was melancholic all day long, drowning his sorrows in alcohol, and quickly became completely drunk.
Unexpectedly, he was attacked by three masked men in black. Yin Liting bravely resisted, but due to his drunkenness and dizziness, he gradually ran out of strength. However, those three men pressed closer and closer, delivering fatal blows, and finally used the Mighty Vajra Finger to break all the tendons and meridians in Yin Liting's four limbs before leaving swaggeringly.
While Zhang Wuji was healing Yin Tianzheng and his son, he learned that the disciples of the Sea Sand Sect and the Beggars' Clan had all withdrawn from Bright Summit. Zhang Wuji decided to relinquish the position of Grandmaster, but Wei Yixiao and Zhou Dian disagreed, insisting that Zhang Wuji remain as Grandmaster. Unable to refuse their earnest requests, he had to agree.
Immediately after, Zhang Wuji proposed three conditions: from now on, Ming Cult disciples must strictly adhere to the cult's rules, uphold justice, perform good deeds, and eliminate evil. Leng Qian would serve as the cult's enforcer, treating everyone equally and severely punishing those who violated the rules. Zhang Wuji also stipulated that Ming Cult disciples were not allowed to seek revenge on the Six Major Sects.
The last condition was to find Xie Xun as soon as possible, and then try to locate the Holy Flame Tablets, after which he could abdicate and hand over the leadership. Having obtained everyone's consent, Zhang Wuji divided all those present into three groups. One group stayed behind to rebuild the cult's altar, another group went to the Six Major Sects to express their sincerity in stopping the war and mending relations.
Zhang Wuji led a group to sea to Ice Fire Island to search for Xie Xun. Everyone immediately split up. Zhang Wuji led Yang Xiao and others down the mountain, not expecting Xiao Zhao to secretly follow them, insisting on staying with Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji and his party were halfway when they saw the severely injured and unconscious Yin Liting. Zhang Wuji quickly rescued him and learned what had happened.
Seeing that Yin Liting's bones and tendons were all broken, just like Yu Daiyan, Zhang Wuji was filled with anxiety. Yang Xiao suggested going to Shaolin Temple first to identify the culprits. Yang BuHui meticulously cared for Yin Liting, but he mistakenly took Yang BuHui for Ji Xiaofu and desperately pleaded with her not to leave. Yang BuHui could only gently persuade him.
Yang Xiao watched this with growing concern, eager to go to Shaolin as soon as possible to seek justice for Yin Liting. Abbess Miejue led her disciples back to Emei. On the way, they stayed at an inn. Seeing that Zhou Zhiruo was troubled and had no appetite, she warned her not to get entangled with Zhang Wuji and certainly not to follow in Ji Xiaofu's footsteps. She also told Zhou Zhiruo to find an opportunity to kill Zhang Wuji.
Zhou Zhiruo desperately pleaded for Zhang Wuji, but Abbess Miejue believed that Zhang Wuji was a member of the Demonic Cult and insisted on eliminating him. Song Yuanqiao also brought the Wudang disciples to stay at the same inn. Song Qingshu saw Zhou Zhiruo again and couldn't help but be overjoyed. Song Yuanqiao and his son came to pay their respects to Abbess Miejue, but she did not appreciate it.
Instead, she repeatedly condemned the Wudang Sect for colluding with Zhang Wuji and having ambitions to dominate the world. Song Yuanqiao tried his best to defend Zhang Wuji, but Abbess Miejue refused to listen and forcefully drove the father and son out. Yin Liting gradually regained consciousness and remembered that Ji Xiaofu had passed away. Knowing that he had become a cripple, he did not want to live ignobly in this world and only wished for death.
He desperately pleaded with Yang BuHui to kill him. Yang BuHui was heartbroken and could only gently persuade him. Song Yuanqiao discovered that Song Qingshu harbored deep hatred for Zhang Wuji, guessing that it stemmed from jealousy, and severely reprimanded Song Qingshu. Song Yuanqiao immediately decided to leave the inn to prevent Song Qingshu from making any further inappropriate actions.
Song Yuanqiao led the Wudang disciples out of the inn that very night and encountered a group of unidentified individuals who forced Song Yuanqiao and his group to meet their master. Song Yuanqiao was in a hurry to travel and politely declined. Unexpectedly, those people poisoned them, causing dizziness and loss of all internal energy. Song Yuanqiao secretly sent Song Qingshu back to the inn to seek help from Abbess Miejue.
Song Qingshu stumbled back to the inn and found that Abbess Miejue and her disciples had also been poisoned with the same substance. Those people arrived shortly after, admitting that they had put Ten Fragrance Softening Powder in Abbess Miejue and her disciples' food, and took the opportunity to capture the Emei Sect disciples as well. Zhang Wuji, Yang Xiao, and others rushed non-stop towards Shaolin Temple. On the way, they encountered Yuan soldiers wantonly bullying common people.
Just as Zhang Wuji was about to step forward to stop them, a group of hunters suddenly rushed out from the forest. Leading them was Zhao Min, disguised as a man. With a command from Zhao Min, the hunters all drew their bows and shot arrows, killing the Yuan soldiers. A surviving Yuan soldier took the opportunity to hold a common person hostage.
Zhao Min leaped up and used the folding fan in her hand to instantly kill that Yuan soldier. Zhang Wuji recognized that she was holding Abbess Miejue's Heavenly Sword. Yang Xiao immediately saw that Zhao Min was disguised as a man, and that those hunters were Mongolian masters, but he couldn't immediately guess their sect. Zhang Wuji and his party checked into an inn. Yang BuHui settled Yin Liting down and meticulously cared for him.
Yin Liting asked the inn owner's wife to buy Yang BuHui a new set of clothes, which made him recall Ji Xiaofu once again. Yang BuHui wanted to atone for her mother Ji Xiaofu's sins, but Yin Liting did not appreciate it and spoke coldly to her. Yang BuHui didn't mind and continued to stay and feed him. Yin Liting was deeply moved. Early the next morning, Zhang Wuji and his party continued their journey.
Zhao Min sent Zhao Yishang and Qian Erbai, two of the Eight Divine Archers, to invite them to her estate for tea and rest. Zhang Wuji wanted to make friends with more chivalrous martial artists, and Yang Xiao told Zhang Wuji to use this opportunity to inquire about the origin of the Heavenly Sword. Zhang Wuji led Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, Zhou Dian, and Yin Tianzheng and his son to the appointment.
Zhao Min personally greeted them at the main entrance and also sent people to invite the others to a banquet at her mansion. Zhang Wuji used Yin Liting's severe injuries and unsuitability for strenuous travel as an excuse, and Zhao Min no longer insisted. Zhou Dian was curious about the origin of Zhao Yishang and Qian Erbai's names.
Zhao Min introduced the remaining six heroes one by one, revealing their incredible names such as Sun Sanhui, Li Sicu, and Zhou Wushu. Zhang Wuji and his party followed Zhao Min to the main hall, where they saw a calligraphy piece written by Zhao Min hanging on the opposite wall. Zhang Wuji greatly admired her elegant brushwork. Zhao Min had specially prepared Lion Peak Longjing Tea, explaining that it was fresh tea delivered overnight by swift horse. Afterwards, Zhao Min invited everyone to the pavilion for the banquet.
Episode 24 Recap
Zhao Min hosted a banquet for Zhang Wuji and his companions, and offered them an eighteen-year-old aged Shaoxing wine. Zhou Dian drank heartily, while Yang Xiao was cautious everywhere. Zhang Wuji straightforwardly questioned Zhao Min about the origin of the Heaven Sword.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Min not only knew everything that happened on Bright Peak, but also knew that Zhang Wuji was injured by the Heaven Sword, and openly revealed that he was injured because he felt pity for Zhou Zhiruo, which led to his misstep. Zhang Wuji was speechless and tried his best to cover his embarrassment. Zhao Min used the excuse of changing clothes, placed the Heaven Sword on the dining table, and left.
Zhou Dian curiously drew the sword and found that it was a wooden sword coated with musk. Yang Xiao felt that Zhao Min had ulterior motives and advised Zhang Wuji to leave quickly. Zhang Wuji felt the same way and wanted to take everyone away without saying goodbye. Zhao Min suddenly rushed back to stop them. Zhang Wuji made an excuse that he had something to do and needed to leave, and Zhao Min no longer tried to keep him.
As Zhang Wuji and his companions walked halfway, they all felt dizzy and unsteady. Zhang Wuji, having the Nine Yang Divine Skill, was immune to all poisons. He told everyone to rest where they were, repeatedly reminding them not to exert their internal energy. Zhang Wuji hurriedly returned to look for the antidote. Zhang Wuji returned to the manor and quickly found the detoxifying bulb. Zhao Min, however, attacked him fiercely.
Zhang Wuji, not wanting to prolong the fight, had to defeat her using the Cosmic Shift, and took the opportunity to snatch her hair ornament. Zhao Min claimed a pearl was missing from the hair ornament, forcing Zhang Wuji to hand it over, and even threatened to commit suicide. Zhang Wuji hurriedly stepped forward to stop her. Zhao Min took the opportunity to pull him into a trap, which was an indestructible steel cage.
Zhang Wuji searched everywhere for an exit, but it was all in vain. Zhang Wuji was anxious to go back and save people, not wanting to argue with Zhao Min. But Zhao Min deliberately stalled for time. In a fit of anger, Zhang Wuji wanted to kill her, but she showed no fear, threatening to trap Zhang Wuji to death in the steel cage. Zhang Wuji reluctantly let go, but still couldn't understand why Zhao Min was being difficult everywhere.
In a huff, he tightly squeezed Zhao Min's neck. Zhao Min then cried incessantly in a pitiful manner. Zhang Wuji was so exasperated by her that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Yang Xiao and his companions were waiting for Zhang Wuji in the forest when they suddenly received a report from a Ming Cult disciple, learning that the Yuan soldiers had surrounded them. Yin Yewang proactively offered to go battle them.
Yang Xiao advised him not to act rashly and handed the Iron Flame Token to Xiao Zhao.
Xiao Zhao held the token high and, in the name of the Cult Leader, dispatched Peng Yingyu and Yin Yewang to lead a team to attack the south, then deliberately left a gap to let the Yuan soldiers in, and sent disciples of the Thick Earth Banner to set up an ambush at the gap, subsequently seizing the opportunity to wipe out the Yuan soldiers in one fell swoop. Zhao Min persistently entangled Zhang Wuji.
Zhang Wuji, forced into a corner, had to acupoint her, then took off her shoes and socks, and tickled the soles of her feet with his hand. Zhao Min laughed non-stop and had to beg for mercy repeatedly, then immediately opened the mechanism, releasing Zhang Wuji from the steel cage. Zhang Wuji apologized to Zhao Min, then bid farewell and left.
Xiao Zhao stood on Yin Liting's wooden wheelchair, commanding the disciples of the Five-Element Banners to fight the Yuan soldiers. Zhang Wuji returned in time to help and quickly repelled the Yuan soldiers. The Eight Divine Archers arrived shortly after. Zhao Min also had them bring a wooden box to Zhang Wuji.
Zhang Wuji had no time to open it and quickly told Xiao Zhao to boil the bulbs so that Yin Tianzheng and the others could take them one by one. Zhou Dian swore to burn down Zhao Min's manor to vent his anger. Unexpectedly, Zhao Min actually burned down the manor herself. Yang Xiao and Yin Tianzheng both felt that Zhao Min should not be underestimated, but they could not guess her origin.
Zhang Wuji opened the wooden box and saw that it contained Zhao Min's hair ornament. Xiao Zhao happened to come to deliver food to Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji casually gave her the hair ornament and personally placed it on her head. Zhang Wuji and his companions traveled day and night, and soon arrived at Henan Prefecture, where Shaolin Temple was located. They saw imperial soldiers guarding the city gate, searching every passing citizen.
Zhang Wuji decided to let Yang Buhui and Yin Liting disguise themselves to enter the city, while he led the rest directly to Shaolin. Yang Buhui used a bracelet to bribe the city guards, thus successfully entering the city. Xiao Zhao, hidden under a carriage, also passed safely. Zhang Wuji brought Yang Xiao and others to Shaolin Temple after a detour, but the guest monk refused to see them, claiming the abbot was in secluded cultivation.
Peng Yingyu insisted on seeing Grandmasters Kong Zhi and Kong Xing. The guest monk flatly refused. Yin Tianzheng was so enraged that he smashed the stone lion at the main gate with a palm strike and severely beat the guest monk. Wei Yixiao used his Freezing Palm to threaten and intimidate him. The guest monk, terrified, fled in panic. Zhang Wuji left Peng Yingyu and others at the entrance.
He entered Shaolin with Yin Tianzheng and his son, Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, and Zhou Dian, only to find the main hall empty. The master's staff, however, was thrown on the ground. Zhang Wuji concluded that a fight had occurred in the hall. Yang Xiao suggested calling the guest monk to inquire about the reason. Everyone searched around, but the guest monk had already vanished without a trace.
Meanwhile, Wei Yixiao and Peng Yingyu and others rendezvoused with the Five-Element Banner disciples who arrived later. They entered Shaolin Temple together, finding no one in the temple, and signs of fighting everywhere. Hall Master Yan of the Ming Cult discovered traces of movement on the Arhats in the Arhat Hall and quickly reported it to Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji immediately led people to investigate.
Yang Xiao and Zhou Dian flipped over the four moved Arhats and found inscriptions on them: "First purge Shaolin, then destroy Wudang, only our Ming Cult, will rule the martial arts world." Yin Tianzheng concluded that someone was trying to frame the Ming Cult. Zhang Wuji decided to keep these words as evidence and confront the real culprit later.
Worried that Wudang might be in trouble, Zhang Wuji immediately took Wei Yixiao and sped off to Wudang to deliver the message. As Zhang Wuji and Wei Yixiao traveled halfway, they suddenly encountered an ambush by masked men in black. Zhang Wuji was anxious to continue his journey and did not want to get entangled with them, so he used the Cosmic Shift to knock them all to the ground.
Wei Yixiao stayed behind to cover their retreat, telling Zhang Wuji to quickly return to Wudang to deliver the message. Meanwhile, a Shaolin monk who called himself Kong Xiang came to Zhang Sanfeng for help and described in detail the catastrophe Shaolin Temple had suffered. He repeatedly claimed that Grandmasters Kong Zhi and Kong Xing had escorted captives from the Demonic Cult back to Shaolin Temple a few days ago. Unexpectedly, those captives were impostors.
They took the opportunity to slaughter Shaolin Temple. Kong Xiang narrowly escaped and had no choice but to seek help from Wudang. Zhang Sanfeng hurriedly helped Kong Xiang up, but unexpectedly, he was ambushed by him. Zhang Sanfeng was caught off guard and immediately vomited blood.
Episode 25 Recap
Kongxiang used Shaolin Vajra Prajna Palm to sneak attack Zhang Sanfeng, beating him until he spat blood on the spot. Yu Daiyan watched helplessly, unable to assist, and could only cry out to the sky in frustration. Zhang Sanfeng mustered all his strength and killed Kongxiang with a single palm strike. At the same time, Zhang Wuji returned to Wudang. He learned that Kongxiang was having a secret conversation with Zhang Sanfeng.
He hurried over to see what was happening and found that Zhang Sanfeng was severely injured and was recuperating through qi circulation. Yu Daiyan asked Lingxu to go down and relay a message: he would represent Zhang Sanfeng in negotiations with the Demonic Cult at Zixiao Palace. Zhang Wuji disguised himself as the Wudang disciple Qingfeng and entered the main hall. He wanted to help carry Yu Daiyan to Zixiao Palace.
Zhang Sanfeng did not want Yu Daiyan to risk his life for him, so he decided to personally go and confront the Demonic Cult. He was also worried that the Tai Chi Fist and Tai Chi Sword, which he had devoted himself to studying, would be lost. Zhang Sanfeng wanted to teach these to Yu Daiyan, but he had been crippled for many years and could no longer practice martial arts.
Zhang Sanfeng had no choice but to entrust him with teaching these martial arts masterpieces to the Wudang disciples. Zhang Sanfeng taught the footwork, incantations, and moves of Tai Chi Fist to Yu Daiyan. Zhang Wuji remembered every single one of them. Just then, someone outside the main hall used "thousand-mile sound transmission" to challenge Zhang Sanfeng, forcing him to come out and fight as soon as possible.
Zhang Sanfeng gave Yu Daiyan countless instructions and warnings, and then calmly walked out of the main hall. Immediately after, Zhang Wuji and the Wudang disciples also carried Yu Daiyan out. Zhang Wuji found the newcomers to be strangers, but they were all wearing Ming Cult clothes. Zhang Wuji was greatly confused. Zhao Min arrived at the main hall with the Xuanming Elders and the Eight Divine Archers, claiming to be Zhang Wuji, the leader of the Ming Cult.
Zhang Wuji worried about being recognized, so he casually grabbed a handful of incense ash and smeared it on his face. Zhang Sanfeng knew that Zhao Min was impersonating Zhang Wuji, yet he calmly asked Zhao Min about the whereabouts of Song Yuanqiao and other disciples. Zhao Min admitted to poisoning the Wudang disciples and also revealed that Yin Liting was injured by Shaolin's Great Vajra Finger, and now, like Yu Daiyan, he was crippled in his lower limbs.
Zhang Sanfeng was overcome with rage, spitting out blood. Zhao Min earnestly urged Zhang Sanfeng to lead the Wudang disciples to surrender to the Yuan Dynasty court. Zhang Sanfeng swore to die rather than be loyal to the incompetent court. Zhao Min gave an order to arrest them all. Zhang Wuji was furious. He was about to retaliate when, unexpectedly, Wei Xiaoxiao arrived in time and publicly exposed Zhao Min's impersonation of Zhang Wuji, the leader.
Zhao Min admitted it without hesitation and took a stance, ready to fight Wei Xiaoxiao to the death. Yin Tianzheng and Yang Xiao and others arrived one after another as reinforcements. Zhang Wuji immediately became full of confidence. Zhao Min spoke disrespectfully to Zhang Sanfeng, ridiculing him for colluding with a heretical sect like the Ming Cult. She even threatened to skin and dismember Zhang Wuji. Zhou Dian seized the opportunity to suggest that Zhao Min marry Zhang Wuji.
Zhao Min was thoroughly enraged and relentlessly pressured Zhang Sanfeng. She even sent three masters to challenge Zhang Sanfeng. Yin Tianzheng quickly stopped them, explaining that those three individuals were simply not worthy of competing with Zhang Sanfeng. A San, out of spite, revealed his true face, claiming that he had killed Kongxing with the Great Vajra Finger and injured Yin Liting.
Yu Daiyan recognized him as the person who had crippled him years ago and instantly flew into a rage. But A San spoke arrogantly. Yang Xiao could not stand it and stepped forward, wanting to fight A San to the finish. Zhang Sanfeng decided to use Tai Chi Fist against A San's Great Vajra Finger. Zhang Wuji volunteered to fight A San, also wanting to take the opportunity to test the power of Tai Chi Fist.
Zhang Sanfeng gave him countless instructions and warnings. Zhang Wuji and A San fought, and Zhang Wuji calmly responded to the challenge, quickly gaining the upper hand. Zhang Sanfeng worried that Zhang Wuji might suffer, so he quickly called him aside to impart secret techniques, and also passed on the secret manual for practicing Tai Chi Fist to him. Zhang Wuji instantly understood. A San continuously provoked him from the side.
Zhang Wuji quickly launched his moves, using softness to overcome hardness, and the formless to counter the formed, quickly knocking A San to the ground and breaking all the sinews in his four limbs. Zhao Min recognized Zhang Wuji and verbally abused him. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to admit that he was the son of Zhang Cuishan, one of the Wudang Five Heroes. Zhang Sanfeng was so emotional that old tears streamed down his face.
Zhang Wuji knelt and bowed to his Grand-Master and his third martial uncle, Yu Daiyan, swearing to protect Wudang with his life. Zhao Min ordered A Er to seize the opportunity to sneak attack Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji knocked him to the ground with a few punches and kicks, breaking all his bones and sinews.
Zhang Wuji forced Zhao Min to hand over the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment to treat Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting, promising to let bygones be bygones if she complied. However, Zhao Min proposed that Zhang Wuji agree to three conditions of hers. Before Zhang Wuji could answer, Zhao Min accidentally saw the hairpin she had given to Zhang Wuji being worn by Xiao Zhao. In a fit of anger, she ordered A Da to chop off Zhang Wuji's arm.
Just as Zhang Wuji was about to fight, Zhang Sanfeng immediately called out to him, wanting to publicly teach him the Tai Chi Swordplay. Yang Xiao recognized A Da at a glance as Fang Dongbai, the "Eight-Armed Divine Sword" of the Beggars' Sect, only he hadn't expected him to have defected to the court. Zhang Sanfeng held a wooden sword and taught in front, while Zhang Wuji, bare-handed, followed behind and learned diligently.
But as soon as a set of swordplay was completed, Zhang Wuji had already forgotten a small portion. Zhang Sanfeng told him to calm down. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Wuji forgot a large portion again. Zhang Sanfeng had no choice but to demonstrate it again. Zhang Wuji noticed that the two sets of swordplay were completely different, and he had already forgotten all the swordplay he had just learned.
Zhou Dian and the others were so anxious that they stamped their feet and beat their chests. But Zhang Sanfeng laughed loudly, stating that this was precisely the essence of Tai Chi Swordplay, and told Zhang Wuji to confidently and boldly go and fight. Zhang Wuji wielded the wooden sword and engaged in a fierce battle with A Da. A Da was defeated within a few rounds, and he voluntarily admitted his guilt to Zhao Min.
Zhao Min was just about to leave with her people, but Zhang Wuji forced her to hand over the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment before leaving. The Xuanming Elders, Lu Zhangke and He Biweng, desperately blocked Zhang Wuji, injuring him with the Xuanming Divine Palm. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to sit down and heal his injuries using the Nine Yang Divine Skill. Zhao Min seized the opportunity to leave with her people.
Episode 26 Recap
Zhang Wuji's injuries healed quickly. He came to his parents' graves to pay respects and couldn't help but cry heartbrokenly. Zhang Sanfeng and others were also moved by this. Afterwards, Zhang Sanfeng hosted a banquet to entertain the Ming Cult group, using tea instead of wine to thank them for helping Wudang. Zhou Dian and Wei Yixiao and others speculated about Zhao Min's identity.
Zhang Wuji felt the top priority was to find Zhao Min to get the Black Jade Ointment to treat Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting's injuries, and then try to find out the whereabouts of Song Yuanqiao and Yu Lianzhou.
Zhang Wuji asked Yin Tianzheng and his son to return to Jiangnan to reorganize the various branches of the Heavenly Eagle Cult, sent the deputy flag bearers of the Five-Element Flags to the Six Major Sects to gather information, arranged for Peng Yingyu to temporarily stay in Wudang for support, and Zhang Wuji decided to take Yang Xiao and others to find the Black Jade Ointment.
Zhang Wuji used the Nine Yang Divine Skill to heal Zhang Sanfeng, who quickly recovered as before. Zhang Wuji worried about not being a good Ming Cult leader. Zhang Sanfeng encouraged him, firmly believing that he could lead the Ming Cult disciples onto the right path and benefit future generations. Yang Buhui pushed Yin Liting to the long corridor by the lake for a stroll, and suddenly smelled a strong floral fragrance.
Yang Buhui quickly picked a bouquet of fresh flowers. Yin Liting's mood greatly improved, but he couldn't bear for Yang Buhui to continue staying to take care of him, so he angrily drove her away. Yin Liting quickly regretted it and had a young Taoist attendant push him around to look for Yang Buhui, finally finding her on the back mountain.
Yin Liting understood Yang Buhui's deep affection for him, but he was now a cripple and could not give Yang Buhui happiness, so he couldn't bear to hold her back. However, she didn't care about these things at all, willing to take care of Yin Liting for life, even threatening to die. Yin Liting, in a fit of pique, threatened to jump off the cliff with her, leaving Yang Buhui speechless with anger.
Zhang Wuji and Yang Xiao and others went down the mountain to look for the ointment. Yang Buhui rushed over. Yang Xiao mistakenly thought she was there to see them off, but unexpectedly, Yang Buhui called Zhang Wuji aside and eagerly inquired about the past grievances between Yin Liting and her parents. Zhang Wuji casually made excuses to fob her off, promising to find the Black Jade Ointment as soon as possible to treat Yin Liting's injuries.
Yang Buhui had no choice but to admit her deep affection for Yin Liting, and swore to stay by his side forever. Zhang Wuji was deeply surprised, worrying that she stayed with Yin Liting to atone for sins, but Yang Buhui frankly stated that her love for Yin Liting was true, hoping Zhang Wuji would make the decision for her. Before Zhang Wuji could answer, Yang Buhui left with a flourish.
Zhang Wuji and Yang Xiao reunited and continued on their journey, but Zhang Wuji was uneasy the whole way. Zhou Dian and Wei Yixiao both thought Zhang Wuji was reluctant to part with Yang Buhui, and congratulated Yang Xiao on becoming the future father-in-law of the leader. Yang Xiao quickly stopped them, but felt secretly pleased. The group of four, led by Zhang Wuji, soon arrived outside Gucheng.
Yang Xiao suggested that they search for Zhao Min's whereabouts from the four directions of southeast, northwest, and agreed to meet at Gucheng tomorrow noon. Zhang Wuji voluntarily offered to search from the west. Yang Xiao, Zhou Dian, and Wei Yixiao also split up. Zhang Wuji learned at an inn that a group of people in a yellow satin palanquin was heading west towards Huanglong Town. He didn't even stop to eat and immediately rushed to follow them closely.
Zhang Wuji caught up with Zhao Min's party overnight and quietly entered the room of three injured people. He quickly found a box of ointment, but worried it wasn't the Black Jade Ointment, so he scraped some off the wounds of those three people. Just as Zhang Wuji was about to leave, he was unexpectedly surrounded by archers. Zhang Wuji safely escaped by virtue of his superb Qinggong.
Zhang Wuji traveled day and night to rush back to Wudang, hoping to treat Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting's injuries with the ointment as soon as possible. However, Yu Daiyan's wounds had already healed, so Zhang Wuji could only break all his bones again before applying the medicine. Yu Daiyan endured the severe pain, allowing Zhang Wuji to boldly administer the treatment. Immediately afterwards, Zhang Wuji also applied the ointment to Yin Liting.
Just as he was about to lie down for a short rest, he received a report from Xiao Zhao, learning that Yin Liting had fainted from pain three times. Zhang Wuji quickly went to investigate. Not only was the pain in Yu Daiyan's broken bones unbearable, but his internal organs were also incredibly itchy, as if thousands of small insects were crawling inside him. Yin Liting had the same symptoms.
Zhang Wuji was startled to discover that what he brought back was not the Black Jade Ointment, but the highly toxic Seven Worms Seven Flowers Ointment. He then realized he had fallen for Zhao Min's scheme again. He dared not delay, and quickly had Yang Buhui and a young Taoist attendant bring strong liquor to wipe off the potent poison from Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting. Zhang Wuji was filled with deep regret, weeping sorrowfully and incessantly.
Xiao Zhao could only try to comfort him kindly. Yang Buhui desperately pleaded with Zhang Wuji to find a way to remove the poison for Yin Liting, but he was powerless and could only sigh to the heavens. Yin Liting cried out in pain, and Yang Buhui stayed by his side at all times. Yin Liting was moved to tears, and openly declared his deep affection for Yang Buhui on the spot.
He admitted that he had always spoken harshly to Yang Buhui because he didn't want to burden her. Yin Liting knew his time was short and instructed Yang Buhui to live well. Just as Zhang Wuji was at his wit's end, Zhao Min proactively came to Wudang to find him. Xiao Zhao told him to return the hairpin to Zhao Min.
Zhang Wuji swore to be sworn enemies with Zhao Min, refusing to accept anything from her, and left with the hairpin. Zhang Wuji arrived at the mountain gate, drew his sword, pointed it at Zhao Min, forced her to hand over the antidote, and also returned the hairpin Zhao Min had given him. However, Zhao Min provoked him in every way, forcing Zhang Wuji to agree to three conditions, in exchange for handing over the antidote.
Zhang Wuji, having no other choice, had to agree first and sealed it with a high-five. Zhao Min placed the hairpin in Zhang Wuji's hair, promised to send the antidote soon, and also reminded Zhang Wuji not to give the hairpin to Xiao Zhao again. Zhao Min, accompanied by the Xuanming Elders, left triumphantly.
Before leaving, she left a note stating that the formula for the Seven Worms Seven Flowers Ointment antidote was hidden within the bejeweled flower of the hairpin. Zhang Wuji dared not delay, quickly found the prescription, and decocted the medicine according to it. At the same time, Xiao Zhao also discovered the Black Jade Ointment in the box containing the hairpin. Abbess Miejue and her disciples were imprisoned and subjected to various humiliations by the assassins. Abbess Miejue quietly reminded Zhou Zhiruo to seize the opportunity to escape and then revitalize the Emei Sect. Zhou Zhiruo safely escaped when they were unprepared.
Episode 27 Recap
The Tibetan monks discovered Zhou Zhiruo had escaped. In a fit of rage, they decided to kill Abbess Miejue and all the disciples. Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhiruo returned, desperately protecting Abbess Miejue, which saved everyone from disaster. Zhang Wuji separately administered the antidote to Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting. The poison in their bodies was quickly removed. Xiao Zhao applied the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment to the lame puppy, which immediately became energetic.
Zhang Wuji was overjoyed and hastily applied the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment to Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting respectively. Their injuries gradually improved, and Yin Liting would soon be able to walk with a crutch. Yang Buhui attended to him constantly. Yin Tianzheng and his son returned to Wudang and reported to Zhang Wuji that the Yuan soldiers were causing widespread chaos in various parts of Jiangnan, leaving the people in fear.
The disciples of the Heavenly Eagle Sect had either surrendered or died in battle, and the situation was in disarray. Yang Xiao proposed abandoning past grievances and uniting with the Six Major Sects to resist the Yuan soldiers. Zhang Sanfeng also shared this intention. However, Zhou Dian and others worried that the Six Major Sects would not ally with the Ming Cult, and the whereabouts of the various sect leaders were currently unknown.
Yang Xiao asked Zhang Wuji to inquire with Zhao Min about the whereabouts of Abbess Miejue, Song Yuanqiao, and others. Zhang Wuji decided to gather all the Ming Cult members and declare to the world that the Ming Cult and the major sects would set aside their animosities and jointly resist the Yuan forces, agreeing to meet with the major sects in Butterfly Valley on the fifth day of the eighth lunar month.
Zhang Sanfeng was deeply comforted to see Yin Liting recovering quickly. Yu Daiyan's recovery was a bit slower because his injuries had lasted too long, but his hands could already move freely. Zhang Wuji believed he would be able to walk with a crutch in half a year. Yu Daiyan's excitement was palpable; he had never imagined he could recover and was immensely grateful for Zhang Wuji's strong support.
Zhang Sanfeng continued to instruct Zhang Wuji in practicing Taiji Fist and Taiji Sword. Zhang Wuji devoted himself to his practice and quickly mastered their essence, greatly increasing his internal power. With the day of gathering with the major sects drawing near, Zhang Sanfeng urged Zhang Wuji to descend the mountain quickly. However, he wanted to see Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting's injuries significantly heal before leaving.
Zhang Sanfeng felt that he had a heavy responsibility and a long way to go, and should first fulfill his duties as the Cult Leader. Yang Xiao noticed that Yang Buhui and Yin Liting were inseparable and affectionate every day, which made him feel uneasy. He quickly called Yang Buhui into the room for a detailed inquiry. Yang Xiao worried that Yang Buhui and Yin Liting being too close would cause Zhang Wuji to become needlessly suspicious.
Yang Buhui explained that she had already clarified things with Zhang Wuji. Yang Xiao, thinking they had mutually expressed their feelings, no longer pursued the matter. Yang Buhui hesitated, but still lacked the courage to tell her father about her and Yin Liting's relationship. Yang Buhui immediately sought out Zhang Wuji, urging him to clarify the matter with Yang Xiao right away.
Zhang Wuji had been so busy forming alliances with the Six Major Sects that he had completely forgotten the task Yang Buhui had entrusted to him. Unable to resist Yang Buhui's persistent pleas, Zhang Wuji could only reluctantly go to see Yang Xiao. He stammered out the news of Yin Liting and Yang Buhui's marriage. Yang Xiao felt that their age and generational differences were too great; furthermore, Yin Liting had once been engaged to Yang Buhui's mother.
After much thought, Yang Xiao still felt they were unsuitable. Zhang Wuji desperately tried to persuade Yang Xiao and brought him to the back of Wudang Mountain, where he saw Yang Buhui and Yin Liting deeply in love, laughing and chatting happily. Yang Xiao was momentarily caught in a dilemma. That night, Yang Xiao proactively sought out Yin Liting and straightforwardly stated that Yang Buhui was not Ji Xiaofu.
Yin Liting explicitly declared that he had completely detached himself from past feelings, vowing that he would marry no one but Yang Buhui and would do everything in his power to protect her for life. After much deliberation, Yang Xiao reluctantly agreed to their marriage, but before leaving, he issued a stern warning: Yin Liting was not to harm Yang Buhui, or he would be executed.
Zhang Wuji bid farewell to Zhang Sanfeng and was about to head to Butterfly Valley with Yang Xiao and others. Yang Buhui accompanied Yin Liting to see them off. Yang Xiao quickly hid to the side, still unable to come to terms with it. Yin Tianzheng and Zhou Dian, among others, urged him to accept reality and encouraged Yang Buhui and Yin Liting to marry soon.
Yin Liting wanted to wait until all his martial brothers were reunited before holding the ceremony. Zhao Min separately poisoned and captured the leaders and disciples of the Six Major Sects at Wan'an Temple. She also sent people to massacre Shaolin Temple, capturing the Shaolin abbot and others as well. When Zhou Zhiruo saw Song Qingshu, she eagerly asked about his injuries, only relaxing after learning he had merely suffered superficial wounds.
Zhao Min forced the Six Major Sects to submit to the imperial court. Abbess Miejue was the first to stand up and object, telling Zhao Min to give up early. The other sects also refused to yield. Zhao Min proposed that the Six Major Sects send people to compete against her subordinates; if they won three consecutive matches, they could leave Wan'an Temple, but if they lost one, a finger would be chopped off.
Song Yuanqiao swore he would die rather than join the imperial court, and condemned Zhao Min for using despicable means to humiliate the Six Major Sects. Elder Wei Xia of the Kongtong Sect voluntarily stepped forward to take the lead. However, he was severely poisoned, and even though he used his ultimate Seven Wounds Fist technique, he was quickly defeated. Wei Xia had a finger chopped off on the spot.
Zhao Min consulted the Xuanming Elders beside her about the moves of the Seven Wounds Fist. Abbess Miejue realized that Zhao Min intended to seize the opportunity to secretly learn the martial arts of the various sects. Zhao Min then sent Sun Sanhui to fight Abbess Miejue. Abbess Miejue flatly refused. Zhao Min then proposed that Zhou Zhiruo come out to fight, also taunting her sarcastically. Zhou Zhiruo could only brace herself and contend with Sun Sanhui.
Song Qingshu jumped onto the platform to fight Sun Sanhui. After a few rounds, Song Qingshu defeated him. Zhou Zhiruo quickly went forward to express her concern for Song Qingshu. Seeing this, Zhao Min was in a good mood, concluding that Zhou Zhiruo would not compete with her for Zhang Wuji, and then left with her people. All the disciples of the Six Major Sects were imprisoned in the pagoda.
The Xuanming Elders also imprisoned the Wudang and Shaolin disciples on the topmost floor. Zhang Wuji and Yang Xiao, among others, traveled day and night to Butterfly Valley. They saw Chang Yuchun fiercely battling the Mongol army, and Zhang Wuji quickly repelled the Mongol army. Zhang Wuji and Chang Yuchun, reunited after a long separation, couldn't help but embrace tightly, both tearfully emotional.
Chang Yuchun immediately sent people to slaughter cattle and sheep to generously entertain Zhang Wuji and his companions. Afterwards, Zhang Wuji brought Yang Xiao to Ji Xiaofu's grave. Yang Xiao, moved by the sight, couldn't help but shed tears. He felt that Ji Xiaofu was not dead at all, but had always been by his side.
Yang Xiao poured out his feelings of separation to Ji Xiaofu, promising to reunite with her after their mission was accomplished and then take her to the most beautiful place. Peng Yingyu and Wei Yixiao returned to report to Zhang Wuji. They had inquired everywhere but could not find any trace of Zhao Min or the various sects. Zhang Wuji was also at a loss and only sent people to continue searching.
Zhao Min summoned Abbess Miejue alone to the arena, wanting to experience the Emei Sect's swordplay. However, Abbess Miejue ignored her, directly sitting cross-legged on the ground to meditate with her eyes closed. Zhao Min threatened to strip all the Emei disciples naked and put them on display. Abbess Miejue was completely enraged and charged straight at Zhao Min, but unexpectedly was hit by the Xuanming Divine Palm of the Xuanming Elders. Abbess Miejue immediately vomited blood on the spot.
Episode 28 Recap
Miejue Shitai would rather snatch the Heaven Sword and commit suicide than endure Zhao Min's humiliation. Zhao Min, however, did not want her to die so easily, wishing only to humiliate her in every possible way. Miejue Shitai was escorted back to the pagoda, repeatedly reminding her disciples that they must never reveal Emei Swordplay to Zhao Min. Ding Minjun, Zhou Zhiruo, and others were heartbroken to see Miejue Shitai's severe injuries.
Meanwhile, Big Brother Xu and Big Brother Zhu brought jianghu heroes to join Zhang Wuji. They had saved Zhang Wuji and Yang Buhui years ago and now wanted to resist the Yuan soldiers with Zhang Wuji, advocating for the common people. Zhang Wuji was naturally delighted to have them. Big Brother Zhu reported one matter to Zhang Wuji: a group of Lama monks had once hired their cart to transport Miejue Shitai and her disciples.
Halfway there, they encountered another group of Lama monks, who were escorting Song Yuanqiao and others from the Wudang Sect. Yang Xiao learned that the Lama monks were escorting both the Emei and Wudang people to Wan'an Temple in Dadu, and he began to have doubts.
Because the Lama monks were always ruthless and would never easily let Big Brother Zhu and his companions leave alive, even if they managed to escape, the Lama monks would surely send people to hunt them down. Big Brother Zhu explained that they fought among themselves, deliberately creating the illusion of an uneven distribution of spoils, which allowed them to escape safely. Zhang Wuji had no doubts about them, but Yang Xiao remained suspicious.
In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the eighth lunar month. Many jianghu heroes gathered at Butterfly Valley. Zhang Wuji publicly announced that the Ming Cult would take on the mission of resisting the Yuan dynasty and eliminating traitors. All past grievances with the various jianghu sects were to be forgotten, and everyone should set aside their previous differences to collectively oppose the imperial court.
However, the most important task at hand was to go to Dadu to rescue the Six Major Sects. Zhang Wuji also established a new cult rule: Ming Cult disciples must prioritize righteousness and important matters, and absolutely not indiscriminately kill innocent people; otherwise, they would not be forgiven. Zhang Wuji and everyone present raised their cups and drank heartily, united in their hatred for the common enemy, and swore an oath on the spot.
The next morning, Yin Tianzheng and his son bid farewell to Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji asked Big Brother Zhu and others to return and prepare for the uprising, repeatedly urging them not to indiscriminately kill innocent people, as this was the only way to win the hearts of the people. Zhang Wuji took Yang Xiao and others to Dadu, but he was preoccupied with worries throughout the journey.
Yang Xiao immediately saw that he was uneasy about Big Brother Zhu's ruthless methods. However, since it was a time when talent was sorely needed, Yang Xiao took the liberty of appointing Big Brother Zhu as Vice Cult Master of the Ming Cult. Although Zhang Wuji had his concerns, he trusted Yang Xiao's judgment. Xiao Zhao reluctantly bid farewell to Zhang Wuji as he left Butterfly Valley.
She very much wanted to follow Zhang Wuji to Dadu, but Zhang Wuji felt that this journey was perilous, and Xiao Zhao was still bound by iron chains, making her movements very inconvenient. Xiao Zhao asked Zhang Wuji to borrow the Heaven Sword from Zhao Min to help her cut the chains. Zhang Wuji, unable to bring the Heaven Sword back to Butterfly Valley, could only agree to let her accompany him.
Xiao Zhao immediately beamed with joy and set off with everyone. Zhao Min's master, Kutoutuo, returned to report. He had led people to inquire everywhere but could not find any trace of Zhang Wuji and the Ming Cult. Zhao Min severely reprimanded him but ultimately thanked Kutoutuo for the martial arts he taught her, which allowed her to fortunately evade Miejue Shitai's attack. Kutoutuo was Fan Yao, the Right Emissary of Brightness of the Ming Cult.
After his face was disfigured, he changed his name to Kutoutuo and infiltrated Prince Ru's mansion, becoming Zhao Min's master. Zhao Min asked Kutoutuo to teach her Central Plains swordplay and ultimate martial arts techniques, but he always found various excuses to procrastinate, only teaching Zhao Min superficial knowledge. Zhao Min suspected his loyalty. Kutoutuo hurriedly knelt down and explained profusely. Zhao Min then asked him about Huashan Swordplay, and Kutoutuo reluctantly taught her a few moves.
Zhang Wuji and Yang Xiao's group continued their journey. Along the way, they saw markers left by Ming Cult disciples, and by following this route, they safely avoided the Yuan soldiers. Wei Yixiao and Yang Xiao were perplexed, unable to guess which faction of Ming Cult disciples was responsible. Zhang Wuji and his companions disguised themselves as cloth merchants entering the city for medical treatment, cleverly passing the checks by the city guards, and soon arrived outside Wan'an Temple.
Yang Xiao carefully surveyed the terrain and determined that the disciples of the Six Major Sects were imprisoned inside the pagoda. However, Wan'an Temple was heavily guarded, making it impossible to charge in through the main entrance. Zhang Wuji and Yang Xiao discussed and decided to go around to the back mountain to find a breakthrough. Zhang Wuji, Yang Xiao, and Wei Yixiao quietly arrived at the back mountain.
From a high vantage point, they saw Lama monks escorting He Taichong to the arena. Forced into a fight with the Lama monks, He Taichong was quickly knocked to the ground. He Taichong swore he would die rather than surrender to the imperial court, and consequently, one of his fingers was cut off before he was sent back to the pagoda.
Immediately after, Zhao Min ordered Zhou Zhiruo to be brought forth and took the opportunity to ask Kutoutuo about He Taichong's Kunlun Swordplay. Kutoutuo explained each move to her and personally demonstrated them, and Zhao Min quickly grasped the essence. Zhou Zhiruo was brought onto the arena. She righteously refused to defect to the imperial court and refused to use Emei Swordplay. Zhao Min was furious, thoroughly humiliating her and verbally abusing her.
Zhao Min also repeatedly claimed that the Heaven Sword originally belonged to her. Zhou Zhiruo scoffed at her and listed the imperial court's evil deeds. Zhao Min was completely enraged and threatened to disfigure Zhou Zhiruo's face. In an urgent situation, Zhang Wuji had no choice but to throw the jewelry box Zhao Min had given him to stop her. Zhao Min raised her sword and brought it down, cutting the jewelry box in half.
Zhang Wuji seized the opportunity to rescue Zhou Zhiruo. Zhao Min recognized it as the jewelry box she had given to Zhang Wuji and realized that he had always carried it with him, which somewhat eased her mind. Zhang Wuji promised to find a craftsman to repair it and asked Zhao Min to release Song Yuanqiao and the others. Zhao Min agreed to release them soon but would not allow Zhang Wuji to take Zhou Zhiruo away.
The Xuanming Elders launched a surprise attack on Zhang Wuji when he was unprepared. Zhang Wuji calmly met the challenge. Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao also rushed to provide support. Zhao Min threatened to kill everyone imprisoned in the pagoda. Zhou Zhiruo, not wanting to implicate Zhang Wuji, agreed to remain in Wan'an Temple. Zhao Min suspected that Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo were lovers.
Zhang Wuji vehemently denied it, earnestly pleading with Zhao Min to release the people of the Six Major Sects, promising to do his utmost to fulfill the three requests he had agreed to. Zhao Min, out of spite, threatened to disfigure Zhou Zhiruo's face. Wei Yixiao, using his superb qinggong, flew over and touched Zhao Min's face, threatening to repay Zhou Zhiruo's injuries to Zhao Min twofold, then soared into the sky.
Zhao Min, feeling apprehensive, dared not act rashly and had no choice but to let Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo leave. At night, Zhao Min tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and couldn't help but recall scene after scene since she met Zhang Wuji; her heart was filled with mixed emotions. Zhang Wuji was startled awake by a nightmare in the middle of the night, suddenly discovering a figure outside the window.
He loudly called Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao awake. The three of them tracked the person to the backyard, only then recognizing the person as Kutoutuo. Kutoutuo challenged Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji calmly met the challenge. After a few rounds, Kutoutuo suddenly knelt to the ground, claiming to be Fan Yao, the Right Emissary of Brightness of the Ming Cult.
Episode 29 Recap
Zhang Wuji never expected that the bhikshu in front of him was Fan Yao, who had been missing for years. Yang Xiao and Fan Yao reunited after a long separation, their excitement overflowing. Wei Yixiao couldn't believe that Fan Yao, known as the most handsome man in the world, had become completely disfigured. If Fan Yao hadn't displayed his unique martial arts skills, they wouldn't have dared to recognize him.
Fan Yao, however, didn't care about this; he had willingly disfigured himself for the Ming Cult back then. Fan Yao couldn't help but recall past events. Yang Dingtian's disappearance led to great chaos in the Ming Cult. Fan Yao disguised himself and inquired everywhere about Yang Dingtian's whereabouts.
He learned that the Beggars' Sect had once threatened to destroy the Ming Cult, so he captured several important figures of the Beggars' Sect and tortured them severely, but could not elicit any clues. Fan Yao heard that Cheng Kun was killing people everywhere, suspected he was involved in the disappearance of Yang Dingtian and his wife, so he secretly tracked him.
He discovered that Cheng Kun and the Xuanming Elders were plotting with Prince Ruyang to eliminate the Ming Cult, and even threatened to flatten Bright Peak, so that Yang Dingtian would not rest in peace. Fan Yao tracked Cheng Kun to the edge of a cliff, then severely punished him, forcing him to reveal Yang Dingtian's whereabouts. Unexpectedly, Cheng Kun had already discovered his tracks, so he seized the opportunity to poison him, then pushed him off the cliff.
Fan Yao fell into a stream in the ravine. When he woke up again, he found his body covered with leeches. The leeches died after sucking his poisoned blood, which ironically saved Fan Yao's life. Fan Yao wanted to infiltrate Prince Ruyang's mansion to uncover the truth, but he couldn't afford to be recognized. So, he used a knife and burning charcoal to burn his face beyond recognition, and also changed his hair color with medicine.
Then, he entered Prince Ruyang's mansion as a warrior from the Western Regions. He was forced to kill two Ming Cult chaplains to successfully gain Prince Ruyang's trust. However, he never saw Cheng Kun again, so he had to stay in the mansion. Fan Yao knew that one of the Ming Cult's five major taboos was not to indiscriminately kill fellow brethren. He knelt before Zhang Wuji to confess his sin, willing to accept any punishment.
Zhang Wuji did not severely reprimand him. But he couldn't forgive himself, so he drew a dagger and stabbed himself in the chest. Zhang Wuji admired his character and quickly knelt, begging him not to harm himself again. Zhang Wuji asked Fan Yao about Zhao Min's identity. He learned that her real name was Minmin Temür, she was Prince Ruyang's biological daughter, and had been conferred the title of Princess Shaomin by the Emperor.
Zhao Min wanted to defeat all the sects in the pugilistic world and reclaim the martial arts of the Central Plains. Zhao Min accepted Cheng Kun's suggestion and poisoned all the masters besieging Bright Peak, causing them to lose all their internal energy. Yang Xiao conveyed Zhang Wuji's instructions to Fan Yao: the Ming Cult was to abandon past grievances with the Six Major Sects and jointly resist the imperial court.
Yang Xiao entrusted Fan Yao with rescuing the people imprisoned in the Buddhist pagoda. However, Fan Yao believed that the top priority should be to obtain the antidote for the Ten Fragrance Tendon-softening Powder, and then, once their internal energy was fully restored, they could all work together to break out.
Fan Yao knew that the poison and the antidote were separately hidden in the hands of the Xuanming Elders, and both medicines looked exactly alike; taking the wrong one would result in instant death. Fan Yao suggested stealing both of them, and then testing them with a disciple from the Kongtong Sect to identify them. But Zhang Wuji was worried that Zhao Min might have already taken precautions and feared that everything stolen might be poison.
Yang Xiao learned that Lu Zhangke was lustful, and He Biweng was fond of alcohol. He asked Zhang Wuji to create a poison similar to the Ten Fragrance Tendon-softening Powder. Fan Yao recalled that Prince Ruyang had recently taken Consort Han as a new concubine, and Lu Zhangke greatly coveted her. Fan Yao instructed Wei Yixiao to pressure point Consort Han, abduct her, and deliver her to Lu Zhangke's bed.
Fan Yao then found He Biweng, Sun Sanhui, and Li Sicui to drink with, and seized the opportunity to poison their wine. Fan Yao falsely claimed he had been poisoned by the Ten Fragrance Tendon-softening Powder and demanded He Biweng produce the antidote. He Biweng had no choice but to admit that the antidote was in Lu Zhangke's hands. He Biweng brought Fan Yao and others to find Lu Zhangke, discovering Consort Han in his bed.
Fan Yao threatened to take Lu Zhangke to Prince Ruyang. Lu Zhangke adamantly refused. Fan Yao then struck the death points of both Sun Sanhui and Li Sicui, and promised to help Lu Zhangke conceal his private affair. Seeing how meticulously he had planned, Lu Zhangke knew he must have conditions. Fan Yao falsely claimed that Zhou Zhiruo was his illegitimate daughter with Abbess Miejue, and pleaded with Lu Zhangke to provide the antidote to save mother and daughter.
Lu Zhangke readily agreed and immediately produced a small amount of antidote. Fan Yao wanted more, but the Tatar soldiers suddenly arrived, searching for Consort Han. Lu Zhangke dismissed them with a few words. Fan Yao worried that the Tatar soldiers might return, so he quickly wrapped Consort Han in a quilt, intending to hide her in the Buddhist pagoda. Just as Lu Zhangke and Fan Yao reached the entrance of the Buddhist pagoda, they encountered Zhao Min on patrol.
Lu Zhangke lied, claiming he was moving luggage to stand guard at the pagoda. Zhao Min did not suspect anything and let Fan Yao go to see Zhang Wuji. Lu Zhangke seized the opportunity to hide Consort Han inside the Buddhist pagoda, then rushed to release Abbess Miejue and Zhou Zhiruo, hoping to use this to silence Fan Yao. Zhao Min invited Zhang Wuji for a drink at a tavern.
The two walked side by side on the street, their silhouettes reflected on the ground by the bright moonlight. Zhao Min tried to take Zhang Wuji's hand several times but ultimately gave up. Lu Zhangke came to rescue Abbess Miejue. Abbess Miejue thought he was there to kill her, so she requested to see Zhou Zhiruo before her death. Lu Zhangke hurriedly went to fetch Zhou Zhiruo. Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji arrived at the tavern.
To dispel Zhang Wuji's suspicions, Zhao Min first drank a cup herself and then confessed her identity to Zhang Wuji. Abbess Miejue wanted to talk to Zhou Zhiruo alone, so she chased Lu Zhangke out. Zhou Zhiruo was certain that Zhang Wuji would come to rescue them. However, Abbess Miejue adamantly forbade Zhou Zhiruo from associating with Zhang Wuji, believing that he harbored ill intentions towards her.
Zhou Zhiruo tried her best to explain, but Abbess Miejue simply did not believe her. She even forced Zhou Zhiruo to swear a poisonous oath on the spot: if Zhou Zhiruo were to marry Zhang Wuji in the future, her parents' remains would not rest in peace, Abbess Miejue would turn into a vengeful ghost after her death, and the children born to Zhou Zhiruo and Zhang Wuji would be prostitutes and slaves for generations.
Episode 30 Recap
Zhou Zhiruo, having no other choice, had to swear a poisonous oath as Miejue Shitai demanded. Zhao Min threatened to kill Zhou Zhiruo, wanting to see Zhang Wuji's reaction. Zhang Wuji no longer wanted to kill for revenge, nor did he want mutual slaughter. He wanted to be friends with Zhao Min peacefully, but Zhao Min could not do it. She wanted blood for blood, and defiantly threatened to kill Zhou Zhiruo to vent her anger.
Zhang Wuji declared that he would stop her, and from then on, he would no longer be her friend. The person Zhang Wuji hated most in his life was Cheng Kun, but he was now dead. The hatred in Zhang Wuji's heart disappeared, leaving only pity for Cheng Kun, and he even felt sorry for his death. Zhao Min wanted to know Zhang Wuji's true feelings after her death. Zhang Wuji quickly interrupted her, firmly forbidding her to die.
Zhao Min felt a warmth in her heart. Zhang Wuji seized the opportunity to persuade her to release the people from the various major sects, but Zhao Min asked him to persuade those people to surrender to the imperial court. Zhang Wuji swore he would rather die than assist a dimwitted and tyrannical imperial court. Miejue Shitai told Zhou Zhiruo to kneel and immediately passed the position of sect leader to her.
Zhou Zhiruo worried that she could not handle the responsibility, but Miejue Shitai's mind was made up. Lu Zhuangke urged the two of them to hurry up. Miejue Shitai once again chased him away and personally placed the Emei sect's iron ring on Zhou Zhiruo's hand, whispering a great secret to her. Lu Zhuangke returned to the room where Han Ji was hiding, intending to consummate their relationship, but was unexpectedly acupunctured by Fan Yao.
Lu Zhuangke thus concluded that Fan Yao was inextricably linked with the Ming Cult, which was why he had meticulously designed such a grand scheme. Fan Yao admitted that he was Fan Yao, the Bright Right Emissary of the Ming Cult, and then placed Lu Zhuangke on Han Ji's bed, took the keys from his waist, and went to release the disciples of the six major sects.
Miejue Shitai repeatedly exhorted Zhou Zhiruo to glorify Emei, but Zhou Zhiruo felt that she was unworthy and incapable of bearing such a heavy responsibility, earnestly begging Miejue Shitai to pass the position to other senior sisters. Miejue Shitai, infuriated, slapped her hard, and Zhou Zhiruo was knocked unconscious. Fan Yao arrived at the place where the Wudang sect members were imprisoned, explained his identity to them, and urged them to quickly take the antidote.
Song Qingshu suspected that he and Zhao Min were colluding. Song Yuanqiao snatched the antidote and took it. Fan Yao then went to rescue the others. Zhou Zhiruo finally woke up. Miejue Shitai knelt and begged her to accept the position of sect leader and lead the Emei sect to become the supreme leader of the martial arts world. If Zhou Zhiruo did not agree, she would remain kneeling. Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to agree.
Fan Yao handed the antidote to Miejue Shitai and explained his identity to her. Miejue Shitai did not appreciate Zhang Wuji's kindness. Fan Yao lied, claiming it was poison, and deliberately used provocation to force Miejue Shitai to take poison and commit suicide. Miejue Shitai defiantly took the medicine. Fan Yao then made Zhou Zhiruo swallow the antidote. Fan Yao falsely claimed that Miejue Shitai and Zhou Zhiruo had already taken poison, and forcefully made Ding Minjun swallow medicine.
Fan Yao seized the opportunity to acupunctured the other disciples and gave them the antidote one by one. The foreign soldiers searched all over Wan'an Temple but could not find Han Ji's whereabouts. They had no choice but to report to Steward Ha.
Steward Ha learned that Lu Zhuangke's room had not been searched, so he quickly pushed the door open and saw He Bweng fallen on the ground, then realizing that Fan Yao had tricked them for the antidote to save people in the pagoda. Zhang Wuji recounted the imperial court's tyranny and cruelty to Zhao Min.
Zhao Min had also witnessed corrupt officials oppressing the common people, but she was of low status and had little influence, only able to do her meager best to save the people. The two expressed their views freely and had a pleasant conversation. Fan Yao then arrived at the places where the Shaolin, Kongtong, and Huashan sects were imprisoned, giving them the antidote one by one.
Just then, He Bweng brought Steward Ha to the bottom of the pagoda and loudly challenged Fan Yao. Fan Yao then came out, holding Lu Zhuangke and Han Ji hostage, publicly exposing their illicit affair. He also claimed that He Bweng was in league with them. Fan Yao intended to take Lu Zhuangke and Han Ji to report to Prince Ruyang. He Bweng repeatedly declared his loyalty to Steward Ha.
The two each stuck to their own story, and Steward Ha was momentarily unsure how to decide. The Young Prince arrived at the pagoda with his men. Fan Yao and He Bweng each reported the situation to him. The Young Prince ordered Fan Yao to bring Lu Zhuangke and Han Ji down, as he wanted to interrogate them himself.
Fan Yao, feigning a foot injury and inability to walk, angered the Young Prince, who then ordered the pagoda to be burned down, letting them and the six major sects perish together. He Bweng desperately tried to stop him, wanting to save Lu Zhuangke, but the Young Prince would not listen. The great fire raged, and the pagoda quickly became engulfed in a sea of flames.
Zhao Min wanted to be an ordinary person, so she could travel through famous mountains and rivers with Zhang Wuji and live a carefree life. Zhang Wuji also yearned for such an ordinary life. Zhao Min asked Zhang Wuji who was more beautiful, she or Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji blurted out that she was the most beautiful.
Zhao Min then seized the opportunity to propose that Zhang Wuji take her to see the Dragon Slaying Saber, to play with it for an hour, and then return it to Xie Xun. Zhao Min also wanted to meet the Golden Mane Lion King Xie Xun. Just then, someone shouted that the pagoda was on fire. Zhang Wuji quickly rushed back to check the situation. The fire grew fiercer.
Fan Yao directed everyone to flee to the top of the pagoda. Seeing the flames about to spread upwards, Miejue Shitai continued to meditate with Zhou Zhiruo. Fan Yao urged the two of them to quickly flee to the top of the pagoda. Miejue Shitai passed her internal energy to Zhou Zhiruo.
At the same time, Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao arrived at the pagoda one after another and engaged in fierce combat with the foreign soldiers led by the Young Prince. He Bweng caught up with Fan Yao and condemned him, claiming that for Miejue Shitai and their illegitimate daughter Zhou Zhiruo, he had wrongly harmed Lu Zhuangke. Upon hearing this, Miejue Shitai immediately rushed out to argue with He Bweng.
He Bweng asked Miejue Shitai to persuade Fan Yao to release Lu Zhuangke. Fan Yao lied, claiming He Bweng was slandering Miejue Shitai. Miejue Shitai, furious, gnashed her teeth and chased after He Bweng, hitting him. Zhang Wuji subsequently arrived at the pagoda and met with Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao, learning that the major sects were all trapped inside.
Seeing the fire growing fiercer and the Young Prince tightly guarding the pagoda entrance with his troops, Fan Yao stood on the pagoda and loudly reported to Zhang Wuji about everyone having taken the antidote. Zhang Wuji, eager to save people, charged directly towards the Young Prince. Zhao Min suddenly blocked the Young Prince, forbidding Zhang Wuji from harming her brother.
The Young Prince insisted on burning down the pagoda, letting all the disciples of the six major sects perish in the sea of flames. The disciples of the six major sects all gathered at the top of the pagoda. Miejue Shitai told Zhou Zhiruo to go to the top of the pagoda and meet with her senior sisters, while she stayed behind to fight He Bweng alone.
Episode 31 Recap
The pagoda of Wan'an Temple was burning red from the blaze. The leaders and disciples of the Six Major Sects could only hide together on the top of the pagoda. Seeing the fire about to spread upwards, everyone was desperate and at a loss. Zhang Wuji asked Yang Xiao to cover him.
He leapt over the foreign soldiers and reached the bottom of the pagoda, shouting loudly to the top, telling them to jump down from above, and he would catch everyone below. Zhao Min discovered that Zhang Wuji had reached the bottom of the pagoda, guessing that he had come up with a way to save people. Zhao Min ordered the foreign soldiers to rush up and stop Zhang Wuji from rescuing people.
Yang Xiao fought alone against a large group of foreign soldiers. Master He Taichong and his wife were worried about falling to their death if they jumped, not believing Zhang Wuji could catch them. Yu Lianzhou firmly believed in Zhang Wuji's character. He was the first to leap down. Zhang Wuji bent forward and caught him. Yu Lianzhou landed safely and steadily, immediately joining Yang Xiao in fighting the foreign soldiers.
Master He Taichong and his wife also jumped down, and Zhang Wuji used the Heaven and Earth Great Shift to catch them. The two of them also helped Yang Xiao fight the foreign soldiers. Song Qingshu wanted to take Zhou Zhiruo to jump from the pagoda to escape, but Zhou Zhiruo insisted on waiting for Master Miejue. Song Yuanqiao forcibly took Song Qingshu away and jumped down with the other Wudang disciples.
Zhang Wuji used the Heaven and Earth Great Shift to rescue them one by one. Subsequently, people from the Six Major Sects jumped from the pagoda to escape in sequence, and Zhang Wuji ensured they all landed safely. Only people from Shaolin and Emei Sects remained on the pagoda. Zhou Zhiruo insisted on waiting for Master Miejue to return to the top of the pagoda. Song Qingshu, anxious below, shouted loudly for Zhou Zhiruo.
The Young Prince watched helplessly as everyone from the Six Major Sects was rescued by Zhang Wuji. He immediately ordered his crossbow guards to be summoned. Suddenly, he received news that Ruyang Prince's Manor was on fire. The Young Prince had no choice but to lead his troops back to the manor to help, leaving Zhao Min to continue the fight. Just then, Ding Minjun led her fellow disciples to jump down from the top of the pagoda.
Zhang Wuji risked his life to save them. Zhou Zhiruo insisted on staying up there to wait for Master Miejue. Seeing the flames already reaching the top of the pagoda, the Shaolin disciples jumped down together. Zhang Wuji rescued all of them. Zhou Zhiruo was choked by the thick smoke and couldn't open her eyes, but she still stubbornly held her ground. Zhao Min saw that her foreign soldiers were almost all dead or wounded.
She did not want to prolong the fight and quickly led her troops to withdraw from Wan'an Temple. Before leaving, Zhao Min arranged to meet Zhang Wuji at the same tavern tomorrow. Zhou Zhiruo braved the raging fire and went down the stairs to look for Master Miejue. She saw Master Miejue fighting fiercely with He Biweng. Zhou Zhiruo wanted to rush up and help. Fan Yao quickly stopped her.
He Biweng used the Xuanming Divine Palm to injure Master Miejue. Fan Yao, in a fit of pique, threw Lu Zhangke and Han Ji off the pagoda. Zhang Wuji could not stand by and watch them die, so he also rescued the two of them. Master Miejue discovered that all the rumors slandering her came from Fan Yao's mouth. In a fit of rage, she wanted to die together with Fan Yao.
Fan Yao had no choice but to admit that he had lied to gain Lu Zhangke's trust, only to save the Six Major Sects. Zhou Zhiruo earnestly persuaded Master Miejue and led her to jump down from the pagoda. Just as Zhang Wuji was about to step forward to save them, Master Miejue suddenly struck Zhang Wuji with her palm, injuring him. She herself fell heavily to the ground. Zhou Zhiruo quickly hugged her.
Master Miejue used her last breath to remind Zhou Zhiruo to keep her promise. Zhang Wuji wanted to save her with the Nine Yang Divine Skill, but Master Miejue would rather die than accept help from the Ming Cult. She, however, died on the spot from severe injuries. Zhou Zhiruo cried heartbrokenly. The Six Major Sects left Wan'an Temple together. Zhang Wuji, due to his injuries, sat in a carriage with Song Yuanqiao.
He felt deep guilt over Master Miejue's death. Song Yuanqiao kindly comforted him. The Emei disciples temporarily placed Master Miejue's body in a cave. Some disciples suggested that Ding Minjun become the fourth-generation leader. Zhou Zhiruo remained silent throughout. Ding Minjun saw the Emei leader's iron finger ring on her hand and falsely accused Zhou Zhiruo of stealing it.
Zhou Zhiruo quickly explained that Master Miejue personally passed the leadership position to her and swore an oath to heaven on the spot. Her senior sisters were convinced, and Ding Minjun had no choice but to give up. The next morning, Zhou Zhiruo, as the new leader of the Emei Sect, held a cremation ceremony for Master Miejue. People from other sects also came to pay their respects. Zhang Wuji, representing the Ming Cult, also attended the funeral.
Zhou Zhiruo personally lit the firewood, and Master Miejue's remains were instantly engulfed in flames. Although the Young Prince led his men in a full effort to rescue, Ruyang Prince's Manor was still half-destroyed by fire. Ruyang Prince severely reprimanded Zhao Min, but she argued in every way possible, pushing all the blame onto Fan Yao, who had impersonated Ku Toutuo, and her father. Ruyang Prince was furious, grinding his teeth.
The people of the Six Major Sects quickly recovered their martial arts skills. Zhang Wuji wanted to discuss strategies with them to resist the Yuan soldiers. Everyone held their own opinions and refused to give way. Ultimately, no perfect plan was agreed upon. Wei Yixiao quickly stepped out to break the deadlock. He traveled far to Baoding and brought back a jar of fine Nü'er Hong wine.
He also created false impressions along the way, making the Yuan soldiers mistakenly believe that everyone from the Six Major Sects had fled south. Only then did everyone feel a little relieved. Wei Yixiao invited everyone to drink together. The Shaolin disciples drank water instead of wine. The people of the Six Major Sects drank heartily. Everyone finally buried the hatchet and shook hands in reconciliation. This was indeed a rare sight of peace in the martial arts world.
Fan Yao brought game meat to add to the festivities. The Wudang Sect also prepared fruits. Song Qingshu brought apples to Zhou Zhiruo to appease her hunger and kindly tried to persuade her, but Zhou Zhiruo still couldn't let go. Song Qingshu took the opportunity to say many bad things about Zhang Wuji. Zhou Zhiruo didn't want to hear him ramble and quickly stopped him.
Zhang Wuji bid farewell to everyone and went to Dadu to keep his appointment with Zhao Min. Yang Xiao quickly caught up, reminding him not to fall for Zhao Min's scheme. Zhang Wuji wanted to keep his promise to take Zhao Min to see the Dragon Slaying Saber and then bring Xie Xun back. Yang Xiao gave him countless warnings and instructions, and Zhang Wuji noted them all down. Zhou Zhiruo asked her senior sisters to return to Emei first.
She needed to fulfill Master Miejue's dying wish. Ding Minjun, along with the other junior sisters, pressed Zhou Zhiruo for answers. Zhou Zhiruo only replied that it was a secret and lectured them. Zhang Wuji returned to the inn and asked Xiao Zhao to rendezvous with Yang Xiao, but she insisted on going to Ice Fire Island with Zhang Wuji and his companions. Zhang Wuji reluctantly agreed.
Zhou Zhiruo came to the inn to look for Zhang Wuji, finding that neither he nor Xiao Zhao was in the room. Zhang Wuji arrived at the tavern for his appointment, discovering that Xiao Zhao had been following him, so he took her to meet Zhao Min. Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji drank heartily. Fan Yao came to bid farewell to Zhao Min. Zhao Min severely reprimanded him.
Fan Yao toasted two consecutive cups of wine, completely severing his master-disciple relationship with Zhao Min. He also reminded Zhang Wuji to be wary of the ruthless Zhao Min. As he was leaving, Fan Yao suddenly found Xiao Zhao very familiar, but couldn't recall where he had seen her before. Zhang Wuji borrowed the Heaven Reliant Sword from Zhao Min and cut off the iron chains on Xiao Zhao's hands and feet. Xiao Zhao finally regained her freedom.
She was so happy she couldn't stop smiling. Zhou Zhiruo didn't find Zhang Wuji. She left the inn dispirited. Unexpectedly, Ding Minjun was waiting downstairs and vehemently accused Zhou Zhiruo of secretly meeting Zhang Wuji behind everyone's backs. She raised her sword, intending to kill her.
Episode 32 Recap
Zhang Wuji took Zhao Min and Xiao Zhao out of the tavern. By chance, he discovered that Emei Sect disciples had also come to Dadu, so he quietly followed them to a dilapidated temple. Zhang Wuji saw Ding Minjun interrogating Zhou Zhiruo, forcing her to reveal the purpose of her trip, and even slandering Zhou Zhiruo as the illegitimate daughter of Fan Yao and Abbess Miejue.
Zhou Zhiruo argued reasonably with her, repeatedly stating that the matter must be kept secret and that she came under Abbess Miejue's dying wish. However, Ding Minjun insisted that Zhou Zhiruo's purpose in coming to Dadu was to secretly meet Zhang Wuji, accusing Zhou Zhiruo of showing mercy to Zhang Wuji on Bright Summit. The angrier Ding Minjun became, the more she hurled insults at Zhou Zhiruo.
Zhang Wuji wanted to rush over to explain, but Zhao Min quickly stopped him, telling Zhang Wuji to call her "Elder Sister," and she would then agree to step forward and help Zhou Zhiruo out of her predicament. Ding Minjun forced Zhou Zhiruo to hand over the Leader's Iron Finger Ring and even drew her sword. Zhao Min urged Zhang Wuji to call her "Elder Sister." Ding Minjun heard their voices and immediately started shouting.
Unexpectedly, Granny Golden Flower suddenly appeared with Yin Li. Ding Minjun vented all her anger on Granny Golden Flower, speaking disrespectfully to her, only to be slapped hard by Granny Golden Flower. Granny Golden Flower claimed to have borrowed a sharp weapon comparable to the Yitian Sword from an old friend and wanted to challenge Abbess Miejue to a duel.
When she learned that Abbess Miejue had already passed away, she asked the Emei Sect to send someone to compete with her. Zhou Zhiruo voluntarily stepped forward to fight but was quickly defeated. Granny Golden Flower wanted to capture Zhou Zhiruo, but her senior sisters rushed up together to rescue Zhou Zhiruo. In a fit of rage, Granny Golden Flower knocked them all to the ground and then had Zhu'er poison them.
Zhou Zhiruo quickly knelt down to plead for her senior sisters, but Granny Golden Flower was relentless, forcing Zhou Zhiruo to swallow a "gut-wrenching, heart-splitting" poison before she would agree to save the Emei Sect disciples. Zhou Zhiruo remembered that Abbess Miejue had asked her to deceive Zhang Wuji before her death, but she couldn't do it and only wished to die, so she voluntarily took the poison and swallowed it.
Zhang Wuji wanted to go and save her, but Zhao Min quickly stopped him, as she instantly realized the poison was fake. Granny Golden Flower had Yin Li take Zhou Zhiruo away and, incidentally, left the antidote for Ding Minjun and the other junior sisters. Zhang Wuji complained that Zhao Min shouldn't have stopped him from saving Zhou Zhiruo.
However, Zhao Min had already deduced from Granny Golden Flower's words that she had found Xie Xun and the Dragon Slaying Saber, and wanted to find Xie Xun before Granny Golden Flower did. Zhao Min told Xiao Zhao to stay at the Ruyang Royal Mansion and wait for their return, but Xiao Zhao insisted on going with them. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to agree.
Zhao Min grumbled that he was too soft-hearted and would eventually be undone by women. Zhang Wuji was eager to chase after Granny Golden Flower, but Zhao Min leisurely enjoyed the magistrate's treasured "Daughter's Red" wine by herself. Zhang Wuji was burning with impatience.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Min had already sent members of the Giant Whale Gang to prepare boats and money, and had driven away all fishing boats within fifty li of the coast, precisely to lure Granny Golden Flower onto the same boat as them, and have them taken to Xie Xun. Zhao Min brought Zhang Wuji and Xiao Zhao onto a large ship. All three disguised themselves as sailors.
Just as Zhao Min expected, Granny Golden Flower then boarded the ship with Yin Li and Zhou Zhiruo. However, the boat captain refused to take passengers. Granny Golden Flower offered him gold as a bribe, and only then did the captain allow them to stay on board. Zhang Wuji inquired about Zhou Zhiruo's condition from the boat captain and was relieved to learn that she was safe and sound.
Zhang Wuji suddenly noticed that Granny Golden Flower had ordered the large ship to sail south, while Ice and Fire Island was to the north. Zhao Min concluded that Granny Golden Flower was returning to her old lair, Spirit Snake Island. The large ship drifted southward with the wind. Night quickly fell, but Zhang Wuji tossed and turned, unable to sleep. As the ship rocked due to the waves, Zhao Min accidentally fell onto Zhang Wuji. He blushed deeply.
Fortunately, Xiao Zhao appeared in time to relieve the awkwardness. Early the next morning, the large ship arrived at Spirit Snake Island. Granny Golden Flower ordered the boat captain to stay put and then took Yin Li off the ship and onto the island. Zhang Wuji wanted to follow them to investigate, but Zhao Min insisted on going with him. Zhang Wuji quietly gave Xiao Zhao a few instructions, telling her to stay on the ship.
Although Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min were stealthy all the way, Granny Golden Flower still discovered that outsiders had come ashore. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhao found Zhou Zhiruo as per Zhang Wuji's instructions. Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min followed Granny Golden Flower to her lair and discovered that Beggar's Sect Elder Chen Youliang was forcing Xie Xun to hand over the Dragon Slaying Saber. Xie Xun adamantly refused.
Fortunately, Granny Golden Flower arrived in time, but the Beggar's Sect disciples were unrelenting, surrounding Xie Xun. Relying on his superhuman hearing, Xie Xun knocked down the Beggar's Sect disciples one by one. Chen Youliang quietly signaled to his disciples, who then struck wooden stakes to distract Xie Xun and took the opportunity to ambush him, subduing Xie Xun on the spot.
Just as Chen Youliang was about to raise his Dog-Beating Staff to hit Xie Xun, Zhang Wuji threw seven pebbles, knocking them to the ground. In a fit of rage, Xie Xun wielded the Dragon Slaying Saber, killing the Beggar's Sect disciples one by one and severing the arm of one of the elders. Chen Youliang hastily admitted his fault to Xie Xun and pleaded for the elder with the severed arm.
Xie Xun agreed to let the two of them leave. Just as Chen Youliang was about to support the elder and walk away, Wu Lie suddenly leaped out from a haystack, asking his good friend Chen Youliang to take him along. Yin Li acted quickly to subdue Wu Lie. Granny Golden Flower hurriedly called out to Chen Youliang, forcing him to reveal his true identity, but Chen Youliang resorted to all sorts of excuses and quickly helped the elder away.
Xie Xun loudly thanked the "brother" who had thrown the pebbles to save him. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to bring Zhao Min out. Zhao Min explained that they were members of the Giant Whale Gang. Granny Golden Flower believed her. Xie Xun asked Granny Golden Flower about Zhang Wuji's whereabouts. Yin Li was about to reveal the truth but was threatened and intimidated by Granny Golden Flower, so she had to remain silent.
Granny Golden Flower repeatedly claimed she was not involved in the disputes of the Jianghu; she only wanted to challenge Abbess Miejue to a duel. However, Xie Xun heard that Zhang Cuishan and his wife had committed suicide to atone for keeping his secret, and that Zhang Wuji's life hung in the balance after being struck by the Xuanming Divine Palm. Yin Li also cared deeply for Zhang Wuji and showed the teeth marks on her hand to Xie Xun.
Episode 33 Recap
Xie Xun and Granny Golden Flower had agreed beforehand that as long as she brought Zhang Wuji to meet him, Xie Xun would lend her the Dragon Slaying Saber. Granny Golden Flower, thinking Zhang Wuji was dead, proposed borrowing the Dragon Slaying Saber first. Xie Xun firmly refused.
He had already let Chen Youliang go, anticipating that martial artists would soon arrive upon hearing the news to demand the Dragon Slaying Saber, and Spirit Snake Island would never be peaceful again. Xie Xun suspected someone had leaked his whereabouts. He secretly followed Granny Golden Flower to Spirit Snake Island, but Beggars' Sect disciples pursued him shortly after. Granny Golden Flower promised to thoroughly investigate the matter. Xie Xun decided to re-enter the Jianghu, then left in a huff.
Granny Golden Flower suspected Wu Lie had revealed Xie Xun's whereabouts and wanted to kill him to vent her anger. Yin Li hastily pleaded for Wu Lie, hoping to keep him to continue serving Xie Xun. Granny Golden Flower severely rebuked Yin Li, telling her to forget Zhang Wuji as soon as possible and not to harbor any more fantasies, because Zhang Wuji was already dead.
Granny Golden Flower's anger had not subsided, and she forcibly sent Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji back to the ship. Zhang Wuji wanted to see Xie Xun, but Zhao Min felt it was inappropriate. She reviewed the entire matter from beginning to end, from how Granny Golden Flower found Xie Xun to the Beggars' Sect trespassing on Spirit Snake Island, finding many puzzling aspects.
Zhao Min reminded Zhang Wuji not only to be wary of Granny Golden Flower but also to be cautious of the escaped Chen Youliang. She had long realized that Chen Youliang was feigning loyalty and righteousness to deceive Xie Xun. Zhang Wuji suddenly understood, admiring Zhao Min's meticulous thought process. However, he also worried that she might use the opportunity of examining the Dragon Slaying Saber to leave the Ming Cult leaderless, giving the imperial court an opportunity to strike.
Zhang Wuji had already arranged for Yang Xiao to temporarily assume the position of Cult Master. Zhao Min offered various explanations, forcing him to confess his relationship with Yin Li. Zhang Wuji flatly refused. Zhao Min, in a fit of pique, bit his wrist hard. Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min returned to the large ship, and the two had a huge argument at the slightest disagreement. Zhao Min, in a fit of anger, returned to her room.
Zhang Wuji hurried to see Zhou Zhiruo and discovered that her shackles were made of pure steel. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to apologize to Zhao Min, and then asked her to borrow the Heaven Reliant Sword. Zhao Min first ridiculed him with sarcasm, then voluntarily applied medicine to the bite wound on his wrist. Zhang Wuji discovered that she had actually used Muscle-Corroding Paste and quickly ran to the deck to cleanse the poison.
Zhao Min caught up to explain that the reason she bit Zhang Wuji was to make him remember her forever, just like Yin Li couldn't forget Zhang Wuji. Zhao Min couldn't bear to bite him hard, so she bit him lightly, but then feared he wouldn't remember, so she had to use Muscle-Corroding Paste to make the wound deeper, so that Zhang Wuji would firmly remember her.
Zhang Wuji was deeply "touched" by her painstaking efforts and swore he would not forget her. However, Zhao Min still disagreed with using the Heaven Reliant Sword to cut Zhou Zhiruo's shackles, worrying that Granny Golden Flower would not agree and thus delay Zhang Wuji and Xie Xun's father-son reunion. Zhao Min helped Zhang Wuji clean his wound, and both developed feelings for each other.
Yin Li told Wu Lie to take good care of Xie Xun and not to reveal Zhang Wuji's death to him. Wu Lie swore an oath. He took the opportunity to propose seeing his daughter, Wu Qingying. Granny Golden Flower didn't want to listen to his rambling and wanted to send Yin Li to the Tiankeng to kill Wu Qingying. Zhang Wuji wanted to wait until dark to see Xie Xun.
Zhao Min couldn't resist teasing him and also expressed her love for him. Xiao Zhao came to deliver a message to Zhang Wuji and happened to overhear Zhao Min's confession. Zhang Wuji learned that Granny Golden Flower and Yin Li had a dispute on the island and wanted to go investigate. Zhao Min gave him countless warnings and handed him the Heaven Reliant Sword for self-defense.
Granny Golden Flower poisoned the food, instructing Wu Lie to poison Xie Xun and retrieve the Dragon Slaying Saber. Yin Li earnestly advised Granny Golden Flower to give up the Dragon Slaying Saber, arguing that since Abbess Miejue was dead, she no longer needed to dwell on past failures. However, Granny Golden Flower was unwilling and rebuked Yin Li for constantly thinking of the dead Zhang Wuji.
Yin Li felt utterly humiliated by her scolding but still knelt and pleaded desperately. Granny Golden Flower, exasperated, finally agreed to spare Xie Xun's life. Fearing Wu Lie would have second thoughts, Granny Golden Flower seized the opportunity to feed him an Intestine-Severing Heart-Rending Pellet, forcing him to exchange the Dragon Slaying Saber for the antidote. Zhang Wuji, hiding in the bushes, saw everything clearly. Zhao Min quickly pulled him away and led him to Xie Xun's residence.
Just then, Wu Lie brought wine and dishes to Xie Xun. As Xie Xun was about to eat the fish, Zhang Wuji urgently shouted, "There's poison in the food!" Wu Lie was terrified upon seeing Zhang Wuji. Xie Xun, enraged, knocked Wu Lie unconscious on the spot, then thanked Zhang Wuji and immediately went to find Granny Golden Flower.
Granny Golden Flower earnestly urged Xie Xun to hand over the Dragon Slaying Saber and had Yin Li recount the story of the Six Major Sects besieging Bright Peak. Xie Xun, instead, reminded Granny Golden Flower to prioritize the great cause of the Ming Cult and not to dwell on personal grievances. However, she swore she would have no further connection with the Ming Cult.
Xie Xun guessed that she wanted to use the Dragon Slaying Saber to deal with Yang Xiao and Fan Yao, and then find the secret path to Bright Peak. The two were about to start fighting at the slightest disagreement, but Yin Li quickly stepped in to stop them. Xie Xun asked Yin Li to stab him with all her might.
Yin Li tightly wrapped her poisoned hand in a handkerchief and gently poked Xie Xun, but was knocked to the ground by his internal martial arts. Xie Xun realized that Yin Li had only used twenty percent of her strength out of consideration for Zhang Wuji, so he secretly imparted a set of internal cultivation techniques to her.
Yin Li memorized them one by one, also understanding that Xie Xun wanted her to use this superior martial art to protect Zhang Wuji. Yin Li couldn't bear to deceive him any longer and confessed that Zhang Wuji had fallen into a deep valley and died six years ago. Granny Golden Flower was enraged and knocked Yin Li to the ground on the spot. Zhang Wuji rushed out and embraced Yin Li.
Just then, Zhao Min discovered that their large ship had caught fire and exploded, instantly sinking to the bottom of the sea. The nearby thatched huts also exploded in succession. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to bring Zhao Min, Yin Li, and others to the seaside, seeing that Xiao Zhao and the boatmen had fortunately escaped, but only Zhou Zhiruo was still locked on the ship.
Zhang Wuji immediately leaped into the inferno, struggled to find Zhou Zhiruo, and used the Heaven Reliant Sword to cut off her shackles. After safely rescuing Zhou Zhiruo, he learned that Granny Golden Flower had abducted Xiao Zhao. Zhou Zhiruo snatched the Heaven Reliant Sword, intending to kill Zhao Min to avenge Abbess Miejue. Zhang Wuji quickly stopped her. Chen Youliang arrived at Spirit Snake Island by small boat. Xie Xun knocked him unconscious with a palm strike.
Unexpectedly, Envoy Liu Yun of the Persian Ming Cult, accompanied by Envoys Feng and Yue, arrived shortly after. Envoy Liu Yun held high the Ming Cult Sacred Fire Tablets and, as the Cult Master, commanded Xie Xun to surrender the Dragon Slaying Saber as a sign of loyalty. Xie Xun adamantly refused, and both sides engaged in a fierce battle. Zhang Wuji stepped in to help Xie Xun, but Envoy Liu Yun and the other two's martial arts were peculiar.
Zhang Wuji gradually ran out of strength. Zhao Min and Zhou Zhiruo joined forces to help Zhang Wuji, but were also knocked to the ground. Zhao Min threw out the Sacred Fire Tablets, and the three envoys of Liu Yun hastily chased after them. Zhang Wuji seized the opportunity to lead everyone away.
Episode 34 Recap
Zhang Wuji carried Yin Li on his back, Zhou Zhiruo helped Xie Xun, and the group left the seaside. Yin Li led the way, bringing everyone to a hidden cave. Xie Xun thanked Zhang Wuji for saving his life. Zhang Wuji knelt down and revealed his true identity, but Xie Xun did not believe him at all, thinking he was impersonating Zhang Wuji, and even wanted to kill him with the Dragon Slaying Saber.
Zhang Wuji had no choice but to recite the martial arts mantra Xie Xun had taught him in his childhood. Xie Xun was so moved that he shed tears of joy. When he learned that Zhang Wuji was the current leader of the Ming Cult, he was even happier, unable to close his mouth. The two embraced, crying bitterly in excitement.
Zhang Wuji wanted to return the leadership of the cult to Xie Xun, in accordance with Yang Dingtian's dying wish, but he used his advanced age as an excuse, asking Zhang Wuji to remain in office. Zhou Zhiruo suddenly discovered a dishevelled woman hiding behind a large rock. She was gnawing on a mouse. Zhang Wuji recognized her as Wu Qingying at a glance. Wu Qingying was eager to know the whereabouts of her father, Wu Lie.
Xie Xun admitted that the thatched hut had exploded, and Wu Lie's whereabouts were unknown. Wu Qingying pleaded with Zhang Wuji to put aside their past grievances and help her find her father. Zhang Wuji readily agreed, which, in turn, drew sarcastic remarks from Zhao Min. Chen Youliang returned to Spirit Snake Island with Liu Yunshi and others, wanting to kill Xie Xun and Granny Golden Flower and retrieve the Dragon Slaying Saber.
Yin Li was unconscious, and her injuries were worsening. Zhang Wuji wanted to find herbs and also to find Xiao Zhao, who had been abducted by Granny Golden Flower. He also asked Zhao Min to accompany him. Xie Xun told Zhang Wuji to take the Dragon Slaying Saber for self-defense. Zhou Zhiruo was very unhappy to see Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji chatting and laughing. Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min came to the seaside.
They saw the boatman's body and scattered boxes. Zhang Wuji wanted to bury them. Zhao Min was concerned that the Persians might be ambushing them there, so Zhang Wuji had no choice but to give up. Xie Xun saw that Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min were fond of each other, so he asked Zhou Zhiruo about Zhao Min's background. Zhou Zhiruo seized the opportunity to reveal that she was a Mongolian princess. Xie Xun began to have misgivings.
Zhao Min rarely had the chance to be alone with Zhang Wuji. She took the opportunity to tease him in every way. Zhang Wuji blushed crimson with shyness. Zhao Min told Zhang Wuji to stay and gather herbs while she went to find Xiao Zhao. Zhang Wuji was worried about a sneak attack from the Persians, so he still wanted them to act together.
Granny Golden Flower tied Xiao Zhao to a large tree, surrounded her with branches and sealed her acupuncture points, intending to burn her alive. Although Xiao Zhao pleaded desperately, Granny Golden Flower still lit the branches. Xiao Zhao was instantly trapped in the raging flames. Fortunately, Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min arrived in time. As soon as Zhao Min rescued Xiao Zhao, Chen Youliang arrived with the Persians.
Granny Golden Flower, Zhao Min, and Zhang Wuji immediately joined forces to fight the enemies. However, they were ultimately defeated due to being outnumbered. Granny Golden Flower was subdued. Zhao Min was taken hostage by a Persian woman. Seeing that Zhang Wuji was only focused on saving Xiao Zhao, she defiantly stabbed herself with the Heaven Reliant Sword, also injuring the woman holding her. Zhang Wuji cried out in anguish at the sight.
He fought with all his might to defeat King Pingding and took him hostage as they left. Zhang Wuji carried Zhao Min back to the cave. He discovered that although she had lost a lot of blood, the wound had avoided her vital organs. Xiao Zhao proactively helped apply hemostatic medicine to Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji saw that Yin Li's three wounds were all in vital spots, and her life was in peril.
Zhao Min woke up and flew into a rage upon seeing Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to comfort her in every way. Xie Xun stood by, making sarcastic remarks, and kept calling Zhao Min "Mongolian princess." Zhao Min mistakenly thought Zhang Wuji had revealed her identity. Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to admit that she was the one who said it. Zhao Min was furious and had a big argument with her.
Zhang Wuji hastily interrupted them. Zhao Min inquired about Chen Youliang from Wu Qingying. She admitted that her father, Wu Lie, wanted to take Chen Youliang to Ice Fire Island to demand the Dragon Slaying Saber from Xie Xun. But on the way, the father and daughter were captured by Granny Golden Flower and brought to Spirit Snake Island. Zhang Wuji wanted to go find Wu Lie.
Zhou Zhiruo was worried that the Persians would seek revenge on him, but Zhang Wuji's mind was made up. He went to the island alone to find Wu Lie. Xie Xun wanted to choose one person from Yin Li, Wu Qingying, Zhou Zhiruo, and Xiao Zhao to be Zhang Wuji's wife. Zhao Min was unconvinced and argued with Xie Xun. Zhang Wuji returned to the thatched hut. He saw that Wu Lie had died.
On his way back to the cave, he saw the Persians shouting slogans about burning Granny Golden Flower alive. Upon learning of her father's death, Wu Qingying was heartbroken and wished she were dead. Yin Li, in a daze, kept calling Zhang Wuji's name. She swore she would die for him and stay with him forever in the underworld. Zhang Wuji held her hand tightly.
Zhao Min, Zhou Zhiruo, Xiao Zhao, and the others were deeply moved by Yin Li's words. Xiao Zhao couldn't help but sing the song her mother had taught her. Xie Xun recognized it as Granny Golden Flower's favorite song. Zhang Wuji casually mentioned that the Persians were going to burn Granny Golden Flower alive. Xiao Zhao immediately knelt down and begged Zhang Wuji to save her. She also publicly admitted that Granny Golden Flower was her mother.
Everyone was stunned speechless. The Persians tied Granny Golden Flower to a pile of firewood. They intended to burn her alive. Xie Xun forced Xiao Zhao to reveal her purpose for joining the Ming Cult. Xiao Zhao swore she had done nothing detrimental to the Ming Cult. Zhao Min concluded that the Persians would not actually burn Granny Golden Flower alive.
They were deliberately putting on a grand display, just to force Xie Xun to surrender himself and then snatch the Dragon Slaying Saber. Zhang Wuji brought Xiao Zhao to negotiate. He asked the Persians to prepare a small boat for them to leave Spirit Snake Island, and in return, he promised to safely return Persia's King Pingding. Otherwise, he would kill King Pingding. The Great Sage King ordered Zhang Wuji to be burned alive.
Xiao Zhao immediately rushed forward and tightly shielded him, declaring she would die with him. Granny Golden Flower cried out in panic. Just as the Persians were about to light the firewood with torches, the Great Sage King suddenly changed his mind. He did not want King Pingding to die in vain. He immediately ordered Zhang Wuji and the other two to be released. Xiao Zhao and Granny Golden Flower recognized each other as mother and daughter. Granny Golden Flower knelt down to thank Zhang Wuji for saving her life.
Episode 35 Recap
Granny Golden Flower felt she had wronged her daughter, Xiao Zhao, and kept apologizing to her. However, Xiao Zhao didn't take it to heart at all; she knew that her mother's intention to burn her to death was actually to die with her, to reunite with her father in the underworld. The mother and daughter embraced and wept bitterly. Zhang Wuji, seeing this, also felt a pang of sadness and took them back to the sinkhole.
Xie Xun beamed with joy when he saw Zhang Wuji and the others return safely. Zhang Wuji didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to check on Zhao Min's injuries. Zhou Zhiruo proactively came over to express her concern for Zhang Wuji. Granny Golden Flower admitted her mistake to Xie Xun, even confessing that she had intended to harm him to obtain the Dragon Slaying Saber. Xie Xun no longer dwelled on the past.
Xiao Zhao wanted to go out and find some food for everyone. Zhang Wuji, using the excuse of finding herbs for Zhao Min, walked out of the sinkhole with her. Xiao Zhao sensed that Zhang Wuji had something to ask her, so she took the initiative to bring it up. Zhang Wuji only wanted to know Granny Golden Flower's purpose in sending Xiao Zhao to infiltrate Bright Summit.
Xiao Zhao admitted it was to steal the manual for the Qiankun Da Nuoyi martial art. She had indeed seen it, but she hadn't revealed a single word to her mother. Zhang Wuji no longer held it against her. Xiao Zhao took out a gem ring exclusive to a Pasa Saintess and pleaded with Zhang Wuji to keep this secret, as she didn't want to bring mortal danger to her mother.
Zhou Zhiruo tried her best to please Xie Xun and won his favor. Zhang Wuji meticulously cared for Zhao Min, making Zhou Zhiruo feel a pang of jealousy. Granny Golden Flower was solely focused on finding the monk who killed her husband to exact revenge. Zhang Wuji earnestly persuaded her that letting go of hatred would bring her liberation. Granny Golden Flower then felt a little relieved and couldn't help but hum the Pasa Ming Cult sacred song.
The melody was graceful and pleasant to the ear, deeply moving everyone present. Zhao Min curiously inquired Xie Xun about Granny Golden Flower's past. Xie Xun only remembered her as a peerless beauty but couldn't see how disfigured she had become now. Xie Xun first explained that Granny Golden Flower's original name was Daiqisi. Daiqisi was the child of a Pasa woman and a Central Plains envoy.
When the envoy was gravely ill and on his deathbed, his heart was still with the Central Plains, so the Grand Master of the Pasa Ming Cult sent Daiqisi back to the Central Plains Ming Cult. Fan Yao fell in love with Daiqisi at first sight, but she remained unmoved and even vowed never to marry.
Not long after, Han Qianye came to challenge Yang Dingtian to avenge his father's defeat years ago, agreeing to a decisive battle in the Cold Jade Pond on Bright Summit. However, Yang Dingtian was not proficient in water combat. Xie Xun and Yang Xiao both disagreed with him fighting, so Daiqisi proactively offered to fight on Yang Dingtian's behalf. Han Qianye and Daiqisi arrived at the Cold Jade Pond. They successively jumped into the icy water.
After several rounds, neither gained an advantage. Daiqisi, eager to win, used a trick to quickly defeat Han Qianye. Daiqisi's victory was not honorable, and she earnestly begged Yang Dingtian to pardon Han Qianye for his disrespectful offense. Yang Dingtian readily agreed. The battle in the Cold Jade Pond sparked affection between Daiqisi and Han Qianye; they were mutually smitten. Yang Dingtian bestowed upon Daiqisi the title of Ming Cult Guardian.
Xie Xun proposed that she be made the chief of the Four Great Guardians. Lady Yang wanted to matchmake Fan Yao and Daiqisi, but Daiqisi only had Han Qianye in her heart. Yang Xiao, Yin Tianzheng, and Fan Yao, among others, all disagreed with the marriage and spoke ill of Han Qianye. Daiqisi, furious, harshly reprimanded them. She pleaded with Yang Dingtian to grant them permission, even threatening to die.
Yang Dingtian immediately approved their marriage on the spot, and they held the wedding that very night. After their marriage, Han Qianye wanted to join the Ming Cult but faced strong opposition from many. Yang Dingtian was also helpless. Soon after, Yang Dingtian and his wife disappeared. Everyone suspected Han Qianye. Daiqisi then emerged from the secret passage exclusive to the Cult Master. Everyone discussed imprisoning Daiqisi for ten years.
Daiqisi, in a fit of anger, broke through the gate and left the cult, taking Han Qianye away from Bright Summit. After the story was finished, everyone was moved by Daiqisi's deep affection for Han Qianye. Granny Golden Flower decided to retire from the martial world and entrusted Zhang Wuji with Xiao Zhao's care. Zhang Wuji promised to look after her like his own sister. Xiao Zhao swore to serve Zhang Wuji for life.
Granny Golden Flower was unwilling, feeling her daughter was wronged. Zhao Min publicly raised an objection, suggesting it would be better for Xiao Zhao to go to the Pasa Grand Cult and become a Saintess. Xiao Zhao had only told this secret to Zhang Wuji and mistakenly thought he had told Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji swore to heaven that he hadn't revealed a single word.
Zhao Min admitted she had merely speculated, as she had a Pasa master when she was young who always threatened her with sending her to Pasa to be a Saintess. Zhao Min saw the white robe on Granny Golden Flower and suddenly realized it might be a death warrant.
Before Zhao Min could explain, Wu Qingying rushed back with news: the Great Saint King, with his Pasa people, had surrounded the sinkhole and were throwing countless barrels of petroleum from above, forcing Xie Xun and Zhang Wuji to kill Granny Golden Flower to cleanse the Ming Cult. Otherwise, they would launch rockets and make them all perish together. Xie Xun refused to yield even unto death.
Zhao Min instructed Zhou Zhiruo to seize King Pingdeng and gave her the Yitian Sword, telling her to guard King Pingdeng. At the Great Saint King's command, the Pasa people collectively launched rockets into the sinkhole. The petroleum immediately ignited, and Zhang Wuji and the others were engulfed in the flames. The Pasa people charged down to fight them to the death.
Xiao Zhao discovered text from the Saint Fire Token imprinted on King Pingdeng's face, recognizing it as the manual for the Qiankun Da Nuoyi martial art. Zhang Wuji fought while pondering the meaning of the manual, finally grasping its principles. Zhao Min concluded that Pasa martial arts were engraved on the Saint Fire Tokens. Zhang Wuji snatched a few Saint Fire Tokens and threw them to Xiao Zhao, urging her to translate them quickly.
Wu Qingying discovered the Pasa people ambushing Zhang Wuji from behind and selflessly rushed forward to shield him, getting struck by a Pasa's palm and spitting blood. Xiao Zhao translated the manual on the Saint Fire Tokens one by one. Zhang Wuji used the Pasa martial arts combined with Qiankun Da Nuoyi and quickly knocked all the Pasa people to the ground.
Seeing this, King Pingdeng hurriedly shouted to his companions to launch rockets and burn Zhang Wuji and the others to death. Zhou Zhiruo brandished the Yitian Sword and killed him, claiming he committed suicide. The Pasa people struggled to their feet and retreated from the sinkhole. Zhao Min knew that everyone would surely die. She felt no regrets as long as she was with Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji swore he would be with her forever.
Xie Xun vehemently opposed them being together and forced Zhao Min to choose between the imperial court and Zhang Wuji. Zhao Min unhesitatingly chose Zhang Wuji. Envoy Liuyun ordered the archers to prepare, intending to annihilate them all at once. Granny Golden Flower stepped forward, tore off her ugly mask, and the ordinarily hideous Granny Golden Flower instantly transformed into a woman of celestial beauty. The Pasa people exclaimed that she was the Pasa Saintess.
Episode 36 Recap
Zhao Min was amazed by Dai Qisi's beauty. Dai Qisi, not wanting to implicate everyone, decided to return with Xiao Zhao and the Persian people. Xiao Zhao tearfully bade farewell to Zhang Wuji. Dai Qisi negotiated with the Great Sage King for a long time, and they finally agreed to let Zhang Wuji and the others leave Spirit Snake Island. Zhang Wuji, Xie Xun, Zhao Min, and others boarded the boat one after another.
They saw the Grand Patriarch of the Persian Ming Cult sitting steadily on a high platform. Although she was wearing a veil, Zhang Wuji recognized her as Xiao Zhao at a glance. Everyone was stunned. Dai Qisi had no choice but to admit that the reason she came to the Central Plains was to steal the Qiankun Danuoyi manual, but she returned without success.
Therefore, she had to pass the Persian Saintess's gem ring to Xiao Zhao, asking her to return to Bright Summit to steal the manual. Xiao Zhao successfully obtained the manual, but she did not reveal a word. Dai Qisi received a pardon from the main cult and promised to respect and be close to the Central Plains Ming Cult from now on, without interfering with each other. Before leaving, Xiao Zhao wanted to comb Zhang Wuji's hair one last time.
Zhang Wuji politely refused, but he could not resist her persistence. Xiao Zhao carefully combed Zhang Wuji's hair. Zhang Wuji felt a bitter taste in his heart. In fact, Xiao Zhao had no desire to be the Persian Grand Patriarch, nor did she care about being a Saintess; she only wished to serve Zhang Wuji for her entire life. However, she was powerless to control her own destiny. Xiao Zhao and Zhang Wuji hugged each other and wept bitterly.
Xiao Zhao asked Zhang Wuji to forget her, but Zhang Wuji could not. He wanted to take Xiao Zhao and fight their way out, but Xiao Zhao knew that the Persians had already laid an inescapable net; they would only be courting death and could not escape. Dai Qisi repeatedly urged them, and Xiao Zhao tearfully bade farewell to Zhang Wuji, enduring the pain. Zhao Min watched Xiao Zhao's receding figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Before leaving, Xiao Zhao had entrusted Zhao Min to take good care of Zhang Wuji, hoping they would stay together forever. Zhang Wuji wanted to take Xie Xun and Zhao Min back to the sinkhole. Zhao Min found the sinkhole cold and damp, and suggested taking Yin Li to Golden Flower Granny's hut to recover from her injuries. She also took the opportunity to express her love for Zhang Wuji.
Xie Xun vehemently opposed this and pressed Zhang Wuji, asking if he liked Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji could only declare that with the Yuan Dynasty not yet overthrown, he had no time for personal affairs. Xie Xun was deeply relieved and reminded Zhang Wuji to prioritize their great cause, then forcibly took him away, leaving Zhao Min behind, feeling downcast. Zhang Wuji and his companions moved to Golden Flower Granny's hut.
Zhou Zhiruo wanted to help nurse Yin Li, but Zhang Wuji insisted on personally taking care of her. He went up the mountain to gather herbs and ran into Zhao Min. The two immediately got into a big argument. Zhao Min went to the seashore alone, carrying out the bodies of the boatmen and the boat owner one by one, preparing to bury them herself. Zhang Wuji wanted to help, but Zhao Min flatly refused.
She felt very sad thinking that she would become Zhang Wuji's enemy once they returned to the Central Plains, but she deliberately spoke harsh words to anger Zhang Wuji. After Zhao Min buried the boatmen, she was about to leave when she stumbled and almost fell due to exhaustion, her vision going black. Zhang Wuji quickly embraced her. The two looked at each other deeply, both instinctively wanting to kiss, but they held back in the end.
Zhao Min saw a small boat and tried her best to push it away. She didn't want to return to the Central Plains; that way, she wouldn't have to be Zhang Wuji's enemy, and the two of them could live a life of love on Spirit Snake Island. The more Zhao Min spoke, the sadder she became, eventually squatting on the ground and sobbing loudly. Zhang Wuji's heart was also filled with mixed emotions.
After Zhao Min returned to the hut, she remained silent. Zhang Wuji noticed her silence and worried, but he saw that Yin Li's high fever hadn't subsided and she kept calling his name. Zhang Wuji was burning with anxiety, wanting to return to the Central Plains as soon as possible to treat her, which made Zhao Min very sad. The next morning, Zhang Wuji woke up groggily, feeling weak all over.
He discovered that Yin Li had vomited blood and died. Zhou Zhiruo and Xie Xun were both unconscious, having been poisoned by the Ten Fragrances of Softening Tendons Powder. Only Zhao Min was nowhere to be found. Zhang Wuji rushed to the seashore to search and found that the dugout canoe was also gone. Zhang Wuji concluded that Zhao Min had committed murder and fled.
Zhang Wuji returned to the hut, only to learn that Xie Xun's Dragon Slaying Saber was missing. Zhang Wuji gritted his teeth in anger, vowing to seek revenge on Zhao Min. Immediately after, Zhang Wuji and Xie Xun buried Yin Li. Zhou Zhiruo later woke up and joined them in bidding farewell to Yin Li. Zhou Zhiruo adamantly insisted that Zhao Min was responsible for everything. Several days passed in a blink of an eye.
Xie Xun's body was still very weak. He asked Zhang Wuji to detoxify Zhou Zhiruo and then take her away from Spirit Snake Island as soon as possible. Zhang Wuji felt that it was improper for men and women to have close physical contact, making it inconvenient for him to use his internal energy to remove Zhou Zhiruo's poison. Xie Xun suggested that they get married immediately, so Zhang Wuji could legitimately detoxify Zhou Zhiruo.
Zhang Wuji used the excuse that Ming Cult affairs were busy, making it unsuitable for marriage at present. Zhou Zhiruo, who had heard their conversation from outside the door, suddenly fainted to the ground. Zhang Wuji discovered that Zhou Zhiruo's poison had already invaded her internal organs and wanted to use his internal energy to remove it for her. Zhou Zhiruo firmly refused, citing inconvenience. Xie Xun urged them to get married as soon as possible.
Zhou Zhiruo knew that Zhang Wuji truly liked Zhao Min, Xiao Zhao, and Yin Li. Xie Xun quickly explained that Xiao Zhao had returned to Persia and Yin Li had already died, and that Zhang Wuji had sworn to be sworn enemies with Zhao Min. However, Zhou Zhiruo was still uneasy and forced Zhang Wuji to make an oath, otherwise, she would rather die from the poison. Zhang Wuji immediately swore that he would kill Zhao Min.
However, he did not want to betray Yin Li's deep affection and wanted to first get engaged to Zhou Zhiruo and then marry three years later. Zhou Zhiruo was naturally overjoyed, and Xie Xun also smiled broadly with delight.
Episode 37 Recap
Zhang Wuji helped Zhou Zhiruo untie her clothes and used the Nine Yang Divine Art to remove the poison for her. Zhou Zhiruo's body gradually recovered, and Zhang Wuji wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. Zhou Zhiruo secretly rejoiced in her heart, but she always remembered Master Miejue's dying wish, worried that she would deceive and harm Zhang Wuji in the future, so she beat around the bush and tested him in every way.
Zhang Wuji didn't understand why and repeatedly promised that he would not leave because of her faults, only then did Zhou Zhiruo feel at ease. Zhang Wuji continued to remove poison for Zhou Zhiruo, but he found that there was a gentle yet formidable yin force in Zhou Zhiruo's body that was contending with his Nine Yang Divine Art. He had to exert all his strength to successfully channel his inner energy into Zhou Zhiruo's body.
Zhang Wuji concluded that she would surpass Master Miejue in the future. Zhou Zhiruo seized the opportunity to propose learning the Nine Yang Divine Art and the Heaven and Earth Great Shift manual. Zhang Wuji was worried that the clash of yin and yang would cause Zhou Zhiruo to suffer qi deviation, and promised to teach her the Heaven and Earth Great Shift manual when her internal cultivation reached a certain level. Zhou Zhiruo carefully prepared meals and roasted fish.
Xie Xun praised her cooking skills repeatedly. Zhang Wuji wanted to return to the Central Plains as soon as possible to seek revenge on Zhao Min. Zhou Zhiruo saw him always holding Zhao Min's jewelry box, suspecting that he still missed Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to hide the jewelry box in a cave. Zhou Zhiruo reported him to Xie Xun.
Xie Xun forced Zhang Wuji to throw away the jewelry box, but he had once promised to fix Zhao Min's jewelry box and did not want to break his word. Xie Xun adamantly refused and pressed him hard. Zhang Wuji, left with no choice, painfully threw the jewelry box into the sea. Song Qingshu inquired about Zhou Zhiruo's whereabouts from the Giant Whale Gang but could not find any clues. He took his anger out on his fellow disciples.
Song Yuanqiao severely reprimanded him, but Song Qingshu was not convinced, concluding that Zhang Wuji had taken Zhou Zhiruo away, and vowed to destroy the Ming Cult to vent his personal anger. Song Yuanqiao slapped him hard and punished him by making him reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors on the mountain. Song Qingshu was unwilling and still secretly went down the mountain, vowing that he would not rest until he found Zhou Zhiruo.
Zhang Wuji quickly built a raft, wanting to take Xie Xun and Zhou Zhiruo away from Spirit Snake Island. Xie Xun felt emotional at the sight and couldn't help but recall the scene when Zhang Wuji's family of three left Ice Fire Island. Zhang Wuji's only regret was that Yin Li had died on Spirit Snake Island, and he wanted to pay his respects to Yin Li before leaving.
Zhou Zhiruo felt ashamed to face Yin Li and made various excuses to evade it. Just then, a troop of Yuan soldiers suddenly appeared on the island. Zhou Zhiruo adamantly asserted that Zhao Min had sent them to kill them. Zhang Wuji quickly went back to inform Xie Xun, but it was too late by the time they wanted to hide.
Basu Tai led the Yuan soldiers to the thatched hut, claiming to be under the orders of the Admiral of the Water Division to bring Xie Xun and Zhang Wuji back to the Central Plains. Zhang Wuji was greatly puzzled but couldn't get a clear explanation, so he had no choice but to follow Basu Tai to board the ship. Zhou Zhiruo believed it was Zhao Min's doing, and Xie Xun immediately attacked the Yuan soldiers.
Zhang Wuji quickly intervened, advising him not to kill innocent people indiscriminately. Just then, countless sharp arrows flew from a distance, shooting the Yuan soldiers one by one. Xie Xun and Zhou Zhiruo seized the opportunity to hack the surviving Yuan soldiers to death. Zhang Wuji tried desperately to stop them, but it was too late, and the Yuan soldiers were soon completely wiped out.
Zhou Zhiruo and Xie Xun exchanged words, both convinced that Zhao Min had sent people to eradicate them. Zhang Wuji swore to be irreconcilable with Zhao Min. Song Qingshu searched desperately for Zhou Zhiruo but to no avail and could only drown his sorrows in wine. Chen Youliang, seeing this, deliberately provoked his relationship with Zhang Wuji and used deceptive words to bring Song Qingshu to meet Shi Huolong, the Beggar Clan's leader.
Shi Wenlong hated the Ming Cult to the bone and catered to his liking by sending Chen Youliang to help him find Zhou Zhiruo. Shi Wenlong and Chen Youliang persuaded Song Qingshu to join the Beggar Clan to jointly deal with Zhang Wuji. Song Qingshu did not dare to make a decision on his own and wanted to use the excuse of going back to discuss with his father.
Chen Youliang asked him to stay at the Beggar Clan for a few days. That night, Song Qingshu accidentally overheard Shi Wenlong, Chen Youliang, and the Beggar Clan elders discussing how to destroy the Ming Cult, but they were worried that the Wudang School would interfere, so they planned to use Song Qingshu as an inside agent to first eliminate Wudang. Upon hearing this, Song Qingshu was so frightened that he fled from the Beggar Clan in a hurry.
Zhang Wuji, Zhou Zhiruo, and Xie Xun traveled by boat and eventually returned to the Central Plains, where they encountered several Yuan soldiers who had been defeated by the Ming Cult and stripped of their armor. The Yuan soldiers recognized Zhang Wuji. Xie Xun and Zhou Zhiruo both wanted to kill them to silence them, worried about exposing their whereabouts, but Zhang Wuji adamantly disagreed. Xie Xun, Zhang Wuji, and Zhou Zhiruo disguised themselves as Beggar Clan disciples.
They arrived at a tavern and found the Beggar Clan having a meal there. They not only ate and drank for free but also made a commotion and acted arrogantly. Zhang Wuji immediately recognized two Nine-Pouch Elders whose seniority was second only to the clan leader's. Xie Xun suspected that the Beggar Clan was plotting against the Ming Cult. Zhang Wuji found a flame symbol exclusive to the Ming Cult on the wall and immediately followed the symbol.
Xie Xun and Zhou Zhiruo checked into an inn to wait for Zhang Wuji. Xie Xun fantasized about Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo's happy life together in the future and wished for them to have several children. Zhou Zhiruo remembered the venomous oath she had sworn to Master Miejue: that if she developed feelings of love for Zhang Wuji, their children would be slaves and prostitutes for generations.
Zhou Zhiruo felt immense bitterness in her heart and sat there blankly, lost in thought, not even noticing when the wine cup in her hand toppled over. Zhang Wuji discovered that the Beggar Clan disciples had driven away all the members of the Giant Whale Gang.
He followed the flame symbol and found Zhou Dian, learning that the Ming Cult disciples had become scattered, fighting individually against the Yuan soldiers, and that the Beggar Clan had colluded with the Yuan soldiers to oppress the common people, committing evil deeds everywhere, and had also captured Zhu Laosi.
Episode 38 Recap
Chen Youliang caught up with Song Qingshu with his men and took out the Emei School leader's iron finger ring, forcing Song Qingshu to join the Beggars' Sect. Song Qingshu recognized at a glance that it was Zhou Zhiruo's iron finger ring, so he had no choice but to agree to return to the Beggars' Sect with Chen Youliang. As soon as Song Qingshu returned to the Beggars' Sect headquarters, he couldn't wait to see Zhou Zhiruo.
Chen Youliang repeatedly claimed that Zhou Zhiruo only had Zhang Wuji in her heart and advised Song Qingshu to give up early. Song Qingshu swore he would not betray his sect; he wanted to prove his resolve with death. Chen Youliang hastily stopped him and had no choice but to promise to take him to see Zhou Zhiruo. Mo Shenggu went around gathering information, finally finding out that Song Qingshu had been taken by the Beggars' Sect.
He immediately rushed to the Beggars' Sect to demand his release. Chen Youliang brought Song Qingshu to see Zhou Zhiruo. Song Qingshu wanted to take Zhou Zhiruo away immediately, only to find that Chen Youliang had drugged her, leaving her completely paralyzed and unable to move. Chen Youliang even let the Beggars' Sect disciples harass Zhou Zhiruo in various ways.
Song Qingshu gnashed his teeth in anger, but he was paralyzed by Chen Youliang's pressure point attack and was also severely beaten by the Beggars' Sect disciples. Afterwards, Chen Youliang dismissed the Beggars' Sect disciples, leaving Zhou Zhiruo and Song Qingshu alone. Zhou Zhiruo admitted that she had become engaged to Zhang Wuji and spoke kindly to persuade Song Qingshu, but Song Qingshu cursed Zhang Wuji as a great devil and adamantly refused to let Zhou Zhiruo marry him.
But Zhou Zhiruo's mind was made up and she advised Song Qingshu to give up early. Song Qingshu was unwilling. Meanwhile, Mo Shenggu infiltrated the Beggars' Sect stronghold alone and found out where Song Qingshu was imprisoned. He rushed into the room to rescue him and saw Song Qingshu attempting to do something improper to Zhou Zhiruo. Mo Shenggu was furious and severely chastised Song Qingshu, vowing to kill him to cleanse the sect's name. Song Qingshu desperately dodged.
Chen Youliang suddenly rushed in and struck Mo Shenggu's chest with a hidden weapon. Mo Shenggu had no choice but to escape with his injuries. Chen Youliang, along with Song Qingshu, relentlessly pursued Mo Shenggu. Mo Shenggu, due to his severe injuries, fell to the ground. Chen Youliang forced him to return and join the Beggars' Sect. Mo Shenggu refused to yield even unto death and vowed to kill Song Qingshu to cleanse the sect's name and preserve Wudang's reputation.
Chen Youliang raised his sword and stabbed Mo Shenggu to death. Song Qingshu was heartbroken and devastated. Zhang Wuji secretly infiltrated the Beggars' Sect headquarters and saw Shi Wenlong gathering the Beggars' Sect disciples, publicly announcing Song Qingshu's joining of the Beggars' Sect and appointing him as a Six-Pocket disciple. Chen Youliang called on everyone to unite against the Ming Cult and ordered Song Qingshu to return to Wudang to administer poison.
The Beggars' Sect would then seize the opportunity to wipe out the Wudang School and then use Zhang Sanfeng and the Wudang disciples to coerce Zhang Wuji into surrender. Chen Youliang brought Zhu Laosi in, forcing him to reveal the strengths of the various factions of the Ming Cult. Zhu Laosi refused to betray his brothers. Chen Youliang wanted to use Zhu Laosi as bait to lure Zhang Wuji. Zhu Laosi cursed at him.
Chen Youliang cursed Zhang Wuji to have a short life. Unexpectedly, Zhao Min suddenly appeared and claimed to be Zhang Wuji. Song Qingshu exposed Zhao Min as the daughter of Prince Ruyang right to her face. Shi Wenlong gave the order to capture Zhao Min. Zhao Min fiercely resisted, but ultimately, she was outnumbered and defeated. Zhang Wuji quickly came out and rescued Zhao Min.
Zhang Wuji seized Zhao Min and took her to the forest, angrily intending to strangle her to avenge Yin Li. Zhao Min struggled desperately. Zhang Wuji couldn't bring himself to do it and finally let go. Zhang Wuji accused her of stealing the Dragon-Slaying Saber and poisoning Yin Li to death. Zhao Min concluded that all of this was a frame-up by Zhou Zhiruo, but suffered from lack of conclusive evidence.
Zhao Min was unable to defend herself and insisted on confronting Zhou Zhiruo and Xie Xun face-to-face. Zhang Wuji wanted to take Zhao Min back to the inn, but he was worried that Xie Xun might kill her, so he advised her to leave quickly. Zhao Min discerned Zhang Wuji's feelings for her, but still insisted on asking Xie Xun and Zhou Zhiruo face-to-face for clarification.
Zhang Wuji returned to the inn, only to find that neither Xie Xun nor Zhou Zhiruo was there. Zhao Min felt wronged and sternly rebuked Zhang Wuji. She falsely claimed to have sent the Xuanming Elders to kill Xie Xun and Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji gnashed his teeth in anger.
Zhao Min had no choice but to admit that she was only testing Zhang Wuji and repeatedly declared that she had not stolen the Dragon-Slaying Saber, nor had she poisoned Yin Li to death. She also reminded Zhang Wuji not to heed baseless rumors and not to make wild guesses. The more Zhao Min spoke, the more wronged she felt, and in a fit of pique, she stormed out.
Zhang Wuji pursued her closely, but Zhao Min was utterly disappointed in him and in a huff, ignored him. Zhang Wuji chased Zhao Min to the forest and recounted the tragedy of Spirit Snake Island to her. Zhao Min only remembered that she was also poisoned that day and subsequently lost consciousness. Thanks to the rescue by a fishing couple at sea, Zhao Min narrowly escaped with her life. Upon waking, she asked the fishing couple to take her home.
The Young Prince discovered Zhao Min had sword wounds and had also been afflicted by his own 'Ten Fragrance Intoxicating Powder'. Zhao Min immediately dispatched elite naval forces to Spirit Snake Island to rescue Zhang Wuji and his companions. After hearing Zhao Min's account, Zhang Wuji still refused to believe she hadn't killed anyone. Zhao Min's oaths and vows were also in vain.
Song Yuanqiao brought Yin Liting, Yu Lianzhou, and Zhang Songxi, his three junior martial brothers, to the inn to look for Mo Shenggu. The landlady arranged rooms for them and prepared meals to entertain them. Zhang Wuji saw that it was late, so he lit a bonfire in the forest and forcibly made Zhao Min stay. But Zhao Min did not appreciate it. Zhang Wuji asked her to find evidence to prove her innocence.
The innkeeper soon returned, repeatedly claiming that Mo Shenggu had left secretly owing rent. Song Yuanqiao hastily took out money to pay it and guaranteed that Mo Shenggu would not default on a debt without reason, suspecting that something had happened to him. Song Yuanqiao and his three companions went to Mo Shenggu's room to search carefully and saw eight large characters written on the doorframe: "The sect has changed, urgent need for cleansing". They were utterly perplexed.
At night, Zhao Min drowsily leaned on Zhang Wuji's shoulder and fell asleep. Zhang Wuji saw her pitiful appearance and couldn't help but feel compassion. Zhao Min woke up in the middle of the night and went out to look for firewood, suddenly discovering Song Yuanqiao had arrived with his three junior martial brothers. They couldn't find Mo Shenggu anywhere, only finding his personal sword. Song Yuanqiao worried that something bad had happened to Mo Shenggu.
Seeing this, Zhao Min hastily extinguished the bonfire and hid with Zhang Wuji. Song Yuanqiao and his three junior martial brothers couldn't figure out the meaning of the eight characters Mo Shenggu had left. Yin Liting guessed it referred to Zhang Wuji, but he firmly believed in Zhang Wuji's character and didn't believe Zhang Wuji would commit acts of disrespecting his master and betraying his ancestors because of Zhao Min.
Yu Lianzhou smelled a burning firewood scent wafting from the cave and hastily entered the cave to check. Zhao Min quickly pulled Zhang Wuji further inside to hide. Zhang Wuji suddenly discovered Mo Shenggu's corpse. He cried out loudly in sorrow. Yu Lianzhou heard movement inside the cave and rushed in.
Episode 39 Recap
Zhao Min worried that Yu Lianzhou would come in and see Mo Shenggu's corpse, and also see her and Zhang Wuji together. They would surely suspect that she killed Mo Shenggu. Zhao Min would not be able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River. She had no choice but to run out of the cave to distract Yu Lianzhou. Song Yuanqiao and others joined forces to deal with Zhao Min.
Zhang Wuji hurried out to relieve her, explaining to Song Yuanqiao that Mo Shenggu died in the cave. Song Yuanqiao and his three junior brothers immediately came to the cave. Seeing the tragically dead Mo Shenggu, they were heartbroken. Yin Liting determined it was Zhao Min's doing, and rushed out to kill her. Zhang Wuji tightly protected Zhao Min. No matter how much Zhang Wuji explained, Song Yuanqiao and the others still believed Zhao Min was the killer.
Zhang Wuji guaranteed Zhao Min's innocence with his life, but Yin Liting was relentless, forcing Zhang Wuji to kill Zhao Min to prove his loyalty. Before Zhang Wuji could answer, Yin Liting drew his sword and aimed it at Zhao Min. Song Yuanqiao and the others also rushed forward. Zhang Wuji, having no choice, had to acupoint Song Yuanqiao and the four men one by one. Zhang Songxi suspected that Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min were colluding to frame them.
Zhang Wuji was instantly speechless. He finally experienced the taste of being wronged. Zhao Min declared again that she did not poison and kill Yin Li, and strenuously defended Zhang Wuji, earnestly persuading Song Yuanqiao and the others to trust Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji swore he would find the killer and avenge Mo Shenggu. Zhao Min suddenly heard urgent hoofbeats in the distance. She and Zhang Wuji hid behind a large rock.
They saw Song Qingshu riding a horse, fleeing ahead, with Chen Youliang leading Beggar's Gang disciples in close pursuit. Zhang Wuji threw a stone to stop Song Qingshu. Chen Youliang suspected that Song Qingshu left without telling them to go back to Wudang to report. Song Qingshu did not want to poison his own father and Zhang Sanfeng, nor would he conspire with the Beggar's Gang to do anything that betrayed his master and destroyed his ancestors.
He just wanted to die. Chen Youliang pressed him relentlessly. Song Qingshu thought of Mo Shenggu's tragic death and was filled with remorse, feeling that he had implicated Mo Shenggu, leading to his death by Chen Youliang. He was heartbroken. Only then did Zhang Wuji and Song Yuanqiao and others learn the truth about Mo Shenggu's murder. Song Qingshu refused to cooperate with Chen Youliang. Chen Youliang showed him Zhou Zhiruo's iron hand ring.
Song Qingshu immediately knelt down and admitted his mistake. Chen Youliang told him to poison the Wudang disciples and use them to lure out Zhang Wuji, taking the opportunity to destroy the Ming Cult, and then enthrone Shi Wenlong as emperor. Chen Youliang promised that after the deed was done, he would help Song Qingshu and Zhou Zhiruo get married. From then on, Song Qingshu would be able to bring glory to his ancestors, have a wife and children.
Song Qingshu was swayed by his sweet words. Song Yuanqiao saw this scene; he was so angry that he gritted his teeth, wanting to rush over and teach Song Qingshu a lesson, but he was acupointed and couldn't move. Song Qingshu wanted to bury Mo Shenggu, but Chen Youliang firmly disagreed, talking Song Qingshu into going back with just a few words.
Seeing this, Zhang Wuji immediately unbound the acupoints of Song Yuanqiao and the others, and knelt down on the spot to confess his "crime" to them. Yin Liting also apologized to Zhang Wuji. Song Yuanqiao swore to kill Song Qingshu with his own hands to avenge Mo Shenggu. Zhang Wuji persuaded him to give Song Qingshu another chance to reform. Song Yuanqiao sincerely apologized to Zhang Wuji. He felt ashamed to face Zhang Sanfeng and wanted to atone with death.
Zhang Wuji quickly stopped him. Yin Liting kindly advised Song Yuanqiao. Zhao Min felt that Song Yuanqiao and the others' top priority should be to return to Wudang to protect Zhang Sanfeng. Zhang Wuji decided to return to the city to investigate the Beggar's Gang's conspiracy, then rescue Zhou Zhiruo, and then return to Wudang. Zhang Wuji bid farewell to Song Yuanqiao and the others one by one, and then left with Zhao Min.
Zhao Min woke up early to find that Zhang Wuji had left without saying goodbye, only leaving a letter. She hurriedly came over, complaining that Zhang Wuji still didn't believe in her innocence and was wary of her everywhere. Zhang Wuji believed she hadn't poisoned anyone, and wanted to first rescue Xie Xun and Zhou Zhiruo, then investigate the real culprit of Snake Island to clear Zhao Min's name. Zhao Min couldn't help but hug Zhang Wuji tightly.
Zhang Wuji understood her deep affection for him, and frankly explained to Zhao Min that he would never submit to the imperial court, and that there was a difference between Mongols and Han, so the two of them could not be together. But Zhao Min didn't care about any of this; she only loved Zhang Wuji in this life. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to bring up his engagement with Zhou Zhiruo.
Moreover, he knew that sooner or later he would meet Zhao Min's father and brothers on the battlefield, and he and Zhao Min would eventually fall into an irreversible predicament. Zhang Wuji asked Zhao Min to forget him, but Zhao Min couldn't do it. Zhao Min watched Zhang Wuji's receding back, her heart ached as if pierced by a knife. She immediately decided to withdraw from the jianghu, hiding in a nunnery to cultivate her mind.
The Xuanming Elders later found her and wanted to take her back to report to Prince Ruyang. Zhao Min firmly refused, even threatening to die. Zhang Wuji first found Zhou Dian and learned that the Five Loose Immortals used a trick to lure the tiger out of its mountain lair to rescue Zhu Laosi from the Beggar's Gang. Zhou Dian took Zhang Wuji to the secret room to visit the seriously injured Zhu Laosi.
Zhang Wuji hurriedly explained why he couldn't save him in the Maitreya Grand Hall. Zhu Laosi understood his situation and no longer pursued the matter. Zhang Wuji wanted to remove the iron nails embedded in Zhu Laosi's legs. Zhou Laosi insisted on not drinking the anesthetic soup, wanting to remember today's pain. Zhou Laosi endured the severe pain, asking Zhang Wuji to use his internal energy to remove the iron nails one by one. Zhang Wuji praised his strong willpower.
Zhu Laosi wanted to return to the front line as soon as possible to command the battle. Zhang Wuji saw him off. Before leaving, Zhu Laosi reminded Zhang Wuji to be wary of Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji clearly stated that he had already severed ties with Zhao Min and would thoroughly investigate the real culprit of the Snake Island tragedy. Zhu Laosi also mentioned that Zhou Zhiruo was trapped by the Beggar's Gang.
Zhou Dian saw that Zhu Laosi still resented Zhang Wuji for saving Zhao Min instead of him back then, which was why he deliberately embarrassed Zhang Wuji in public. Zhou Dian grumbled indignantly, but Zhang Wuji didn't take it to heart at all, instead, he kindly advised Zhou Dian. Song Qingshu, under Chen Youliang's orders, returned to Wudang. He saw Zhang Sanfeng practicing Taiji sword in the heavy rain. Song Qingshu hurriedly knelt down to confess his guilt.
Zhang Sanfeng not only did not blame him but also showed him great care and concern. As soon as the sudden rain stopped, Song Qingshu nervously offered tea to Zhang Sanfeng. Zhang Sanfeng earnestly taught him, encouraging him to be a man of integrity and dignity, and placed high hopes on him.
Just as Zhang Sanfeng picked up the teacup to drink, Song Qingshu finally realized his mistake, immediately stopped him, admitting he had poisoned the tea, and fully confessed how he was used by Chen Youliang and accidentally killed Mo Shenggu. Song Qingshu knelt to admit his error. In fact, Zhang Sanfeng had known about this all along. At this moment, the Wudang heroes appeared.
Song Yuanqiao also knelt down to confess his guilt to Zhang Sanfeng, wanting to kill Song Qingshu. Zhang Sanfeng pleaded with him to give Song Qingshu a chance to reform. In a fit of anger, Song Yuanqiao drove Song Qingshu out of Wudang. Zhang Wuji and Zhou Dian broke into the Beggar's Gang headquarters. They first rescued Zhou Zhiruo, only to find that her acupoints had been sealed.
Zhang Wuji was unable to unseal them immediately, so he had to first demand Shi Wenlong hand over Xie Xun. Chen Youliang spoke harshly to Zhang Wuji, also falsely accusing him of molesting Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji asked Zhou Zhiruo to come forward and testify, but she suddenly fell unconscious. Seeing this, Chen Youliang rallied the Beggar's Gang disciples to kill Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji told Zhou Dian to take care of Zhou Zhiruo; he wanted to capture Shi Wenlong to force the Beggar's Gang into submission.
Episode 40 Recap
At Chen Youliang's command, the Beggar Gang disciples deployed the Dog-Slaying Formation against Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji moved up and down, quickly breaking the formation and knocking the Beggar Gang disciples down one by one. Chen Youliang seized the opportunity to abduct Zhou Zhiruo, but Zhang Wuji had already hung Shi Wenlong upside down in his hand. Both sides were at a stalemate. Just then, six women descended from the sky.
The leader, dressed in a yellow robe, held the Dog-Beating Staff, exclusive to the Beggar Gang leader. Chen Youliang hastily released Zhou Zhiruo, and Zhang Wuji also had no choice but to let go of Shi Wenlong. The woman repeatedly declared that she wanted revenge on Cheng Kun. Chen Youliang told her to ask Zhang Wuji. The Yellow-robed Woman exposed Shi Wenlong's identity as the Beggar Gang leader as fake and asked Zhang Wuji to test his martial arts.
Seeing this, Chen Youliang quietly slipped away. Zhang Wuji forced Shi Wenlong to perform the Beggar Gang leader's ultimate skill, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, but he couldn't, exposing his deception on the spot. Shi Wenlong had to admit that Chen Youliang had found him to impersonate the Beggar Gang leader. The Beggar Gang disciples wanted to apprehend Chen Youliang for confrontation, but found that he had already escaped. The Beggar Gang disciples immediately split up to search for him.
Shi Wenlong's daughter Shi Hongshi cried as she sought revenge on the fake leader. The Yellow-robed Woman publicly explained that after Shi Wenlong was killed by Cheng Kun, Madam Shi brought Shi Hongshi to her for help. Zhang Wuji thus concluded that Cheng Kun was still alive.
He killed Shi Wenlong to incite disputes in the martial arts world, then sent a fake leader to abduct Zhou Zhiruo, bribe Song Qingshu, completely dismantle Wudang and Emei, and thereby dominate the martial arts world. The Yellow-robed Woman handed the Dog-Beating Staff to Shi Hongshi, appointing her as the Beggar Gang leader. Zhang Wuji caught up and asked for the Yellow-robed Woman's name. She excused herself by saying her name was not important and floated away.
Zhang Wuji called on the Beggar Gang and the Ming Cult to cooperate and jointly resist the Yuan soldiers. The Beggar Gang disciples responded unanimously. Zhang Wuji was eager to inquire about Xie Xun's whereabouts, only to learn that Xie Xun had secretly left the Beggar Gang last night. Zhou Zhiruo finally woke up. Zhang Wuji personally fed her herbal medicine and asked her about the details of being captured by the Beggar Gang.
Zhou Zhiruo claimed that Xie Xun suddenly fell ill, and then they were knocked out by a psychedelic smoke and captured by the Beggar Gang. Zhang Wuji suspected that Yin Li's death was related to Xie Xun, because when Xie Xun had an attack, he would become violent and lose his mind. Zhou Zhiruo insisted that Zhao Min had poisoned Yin Li to death.
Zhang Wuji, unsure how to explain, decided to go to Dadu to ask Yang Xiao and others about Xie Xun's whereabouts. Zhou Zhiruo believed he wanted to find Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji had to admit that he had seen Zhao Min and that there were too many suspicious points surrounding Yin Li's death to conclude it was Zhao Min's doing. Zhou Zhiruo became furious. Just then, Zhou Dian came to urge Zhang Wuji to go to Dadu.
Zhang Wuji wanted to take Zhou Zhiruo back to Wudang first to see Zhang Sanfeng. Zhao Min was oblivious to external affairs, focusing on spiritual cultivation in the nunnery. Yet, she often thought of Zhang Wuji and had to seek help from the abbess, who lectured her on Buddhist scriptures. The Little Prince came to find Zhao Min to take her back to see Prince Ruyang for the last time. Zhao Min had no choice but to return with him.
Seeing her father gravely injured, Zhao Min repeatedly apologized to him. Prince Ruyang felt that his life was short and was worried about Zhao Min. Zhao Min was heartbroken and threw herself into her father's arms, weeping uncontrollably. Zhou Zhiruo admitted that she had sworn a venomous oath to Abbess Miejue at Wan'an Temple, but she would rather break her vow than not be with Zhang Wuji.
She only asked Zhang Wuji not to disappoint her and was also worried that Zhao Min would seek revenge on her. Zhang Wuji swore he would protect her at all costs. Zhang Wuji brought Zhou Zhiruo to Wudang. Zhang Sanfeng saw that Zhou Zhiruo had grown into a young woman and was overjoyed. Zhang Wuji noticed Song Yuanqiao's furrowed brows and learned that Song Qingshu had been expelled from Wudang.
Zhang Wuji was delighted to find that Yu Daiyan had recovered completely. Following this, Zhang Wuji announced his marriage to Zhou Zhiruo, and everyone was happy for them. Zhang Wuji brought Zhou Zhiruo to report the good news to Yang Buhui. Yin Liting thanked Zhang Wuji for saving his life, which led to his marriage with Yang Buhui.
Zhang Wuji was thinking of Xie Xun and wanted to return as soon as possible to find his whereabouts, so he brought Zhou Zhiruo to bid farewell to Zhang Sanfeng and all the martial uncles. Just then, Yin Li suddenly came to Wudang looking for Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji was immediately stunned, not expecting her to be resurrected. Yin Li repeatedly complained that Zhang Wuji should not have buried her alive.
Zhang Wuji was emotionally moved to tears and eager to ask her about the events of being harmed on Spirit Snake Island. Yin Li's mind was confused; she pointed randomly at everyone and finally desperately choked Zhou Zhiruo's neck. Zhang Sanfeng had to acupressure Yin Li to calm her down.
Zhang Sanfeng explained that Yin Li was only in a state of suspended animation, and the toxins that had accumulated in her body from practicing the Thousand Spider Ten Thousand Poison Hand had flowed out with her blood. Therefore, Zhu'er's facial poison marks also disappeared as a blessing in disguise. Yin Li vaguely called Zhang Wuji's name and kept expressing her true feelings to him.
Zhang Sanfeng wanted to keep Yin Li at Wudang for recuperation, but Zhang Wuji wanted to take Yin Li with him and find a way to cure her illness. Prince Ruyang gave his most beloved Ferghana horse to Zhao Min. Zhao Min wanted to return to the Buddhist nunnery to continue her cultivation. The Little Prince came to see her off. Foreign soldiers suddenly came to report to the Little Prince that they had captured a Ming Cult culprit.
Zhao Min suspected it was Zhang Wuji, so she disguised herself as a foreign soldier and went to the execution ground. She saw that the captured culprit was actually Zhu Laosi. Just as Zhao Min was about to leave, Prince Ruyang suddenly arrived and severely reprimanded Zhao Min. Zhao Min was willing to atone for her sins with death. Prince Ruyang then put her in a prisoner cart and escorted her to the execution ground.
Along the way, the common people verbally attacked Zhao Min and threw rotten eggs and vegetable leaves at her. It turned out that all of this was carefully orchestrated by the Little Prince. He wanted to eliminate Zhao Min to gain Prince Ruyang's attention. However, the Little Prince soon regretted it. He drowned his sorrows in alcohol, regretting more and more, and in a fit of pique, killed the subordinate who had given him the idea. Prince Ruyang sent someone to personally oversee the execution and put Zhao Min to death. Having lost Zhang Wuji, Zhao Min no longer had any desire to live.
Episode 41 Recap
The executioner was preparing to execute Zhao Min. The broadsword in his hand was suddenly knocked away. Before anyone could react, Fan Yao rode his horse into the execution ground and rescued Zhao Min with lightning speed. Zhao Min, far from thanking him, complained that he had gone to unnecessary trouble. She worried that the imperial court would hold her father responsible. Moreover, Fan Yao had already severed their master-disciple relationship. Zhao Min suspected he had ulterior motives.
Just as Fan Yao was about to swear an oath, the foreign soldiers suddenly caught up to them in the forest. Zhao Min shouted loudly, trying to attract the foreign soldiers. Fan Yao had no choice but to acupressure her and forcibly take her away. When Zhao Min woke up, she clamored to go back and face death. Fan Yao explained the pros and cons to her.
Her returning now would be of no help and would only put Prince Ruyang in a difficult position. But Zhao Min currently had no military power and no master-level assistance; she was powerless on her own. Fan Yao encouraged her to pull herself together and solve problems for Prince Ruyang. Only then did Zhao Min feel a little relieved. Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo, taking Yin Li with them, traveled day and night and soon arrived at Haozhou in WanJie.
Along the way, they heard ballads calling for the common people to rise in rebellion being sung everywhere. Zhang Wuji was in high spirits. Yang Xiao led the Ming Cult disciples to welcome Zhang Wuji and reported to him the victories achieved by the Ming Cult rebel army. The leaders of the Ming Cult rebel army were Han Shantong, Zhu Laosi, Tang He, Chang Yuchun, and others, all under his command.
Yang Xiao highly praised Zhu Laosi for his wisdom and bravery. Zhang Wuji learned that he had been captured by the Yuan soldiers and immediately dispatched people to rescue Zhu Laosi. The Ming Cult disciples beat gongs and drums to welcome Zhang Wuji. Yin Li was startled and panicked by the lively scene. Zhou Zhiruo lied that Zhang Wuji was inside to calm Yin Li down. Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo walked hand-in-hand back to the Ming Cult headquarters.
Yang Xiao saw it and felt a subtle unease in his heart. Zhou Zhiruo ate with Yin Li alone, forcing her to recount what happened on Spirit Snake Island. Yin Li trembled with fear. Zhou Zhiruo was slightly relieved only after confirming that she remembered nothing. Yin Li cried and clamored for Zhang Wuji. Zhou Zhiruo had no choice but to coax and trick her.
Yang Xiao reported to Zhang Wuji the continuous victories achieved by the Ming Cult rebel army in various places. Zhang Wuji was very happy, but also worried about the people suffering from the ravages of war, hoping to overthrow the imperial court as soon as possible and restore peace and prosperity to the common people. Just then, Wei Yixiao rescued Zhu Laosi and brought him back. Zhang Wuji hurried over to visit him.
Zhu Laosi wanted to recover from his injuries as soon as possible and return to the front line. Zhang Wuji advised him to stay and recuperate properly. Fan Yao advised Zhao Min to go see the Crown Prince, asking him to persuade the Emperor to spare Prince Ruyang. But Zhao Min believed the Emperor was muddle-headed, indulged in wine and women daily, and had no interest in managing state affairs.
She wanted to overthrow the Emperor and enthrone the Crown Prince as the new ruler. Fan Yao wanted Zhang Wuji to be the Emperor. Zhao Min firmly believed Zhang Wuji would not become an official, and he had openly declared at the Ming Cult assembly in Butterfly Valley that he would not allow Ming Cult disciples to enter officialdom.
Fan Yao earnestly requested Zhao Min and Zhang Wuji to cooperate in assassinating the Yuan Emperor, which would not only resolve Prince Ruyang's current predicament, but also save all living beings under heaven and allow the people to live peaceful lives. But Zhao Min felt that Zhang Wuji still held a grudge against her, and if the murderer of Yin Li was not found, the two of them would never reconcile.
Fan Yao had no choice but to reveal the news that Yin Li was still alive. Zhao Min immediately agreed to go with Fan Yao to Haozhou to meet Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji and Yang Xiao discussed military matters and returned to their residence late. Seeing Zhou Zhiruo had prepared meals and was waiting for him, Zhang Wuji was very touched.
He advised Zhou Zhiruo to go out more for a change of pace and not always stay cooped up at home. Zhou Zhiruo wanted to take Yin Li out for a walk. Immediately after, Zhang Wuji summoned Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, and the Five Wanderers to discuss military affairs. Wei Yixiao suggested breaking up the small groups of Zhu Laosi, Tang He, Chang Yuchun, and others, to prevent them from forming factions and causing unforeseen problems in the future.
Zhou Dian had long been dissatisfied with Zhu Laosi and raised both hands in agreement. Yang Xiao disagreed with temporarily changing commanders, worrying that the soldiers' morale would be dispersed. Zhang Wuji agreed with Yang Xiao's suggestion. Just then, Fan Yao rushed back to report to Zhang Wuji. He had planned for many days and finally devised a plan to assassinate the Yuan Emperor from within and without.
The most important part of it was Zhao Min, and she had already arrived at the Marshal's Mansion. Zhou Dian immediately went to find Zhao Min. Fan Yao detailed the plan to overthrow the Yuan Emperor to Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji did not want to use Zhao Min. Zhou Dian, entrusted by Shi Hongshi, returned the Emei School's iron finger ring to Zhou Zhiruo. Yin Li snatched it and ran away. Zhou Zhiruo hurried to chase after her.
Zhu Laosi, Tang He, Xu Da, and Chang Yuchun came together to see Zhang Wuji, stopping him in every way from assassinating the Yuan Emperor. Zhu Laosi believed that precisely because the Yuan Emperor was muddle-headed, the imperial court had lost public support and become a target for all. Only then could the Ming Cult follow the will of the people and overthrow the Yuan Emperor.
If the Yuan Emperor were killed now, once the wise and mighty Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would heavily rely on loyal and brave individuals like the battle-hardened Prince Ruyang and Zhao Min. This would be equivalent to creating enemies for the Ming Cult. Zhang Wuji was enlightened by his words. He bowed deeply to thank Zhu Laosi for his righteous words. Yang Xiao also held great admiration for Zhu Laosi.
Zhang Wuji immediately ordered the plan to assassinate the Yuan Emperor to be halted. Zhao Min waited for a long time at the Marshal's Mansion and finally Yin Li arrived. She eagerly asked Yin Li about the truth of the Spirit Snake Island blood case, but learned from Zhou Dian that Yin Li had gone mad. At this moment, Zhou Zhiruo followed in pursuit, asking Yin Li for the iron finger ring.
Yin Li, in a fit of pique, threw the iron finger ring on the ground, which immediately made a crisp sound. Zhao Min found this sound very familiar and couldn't help but recall that scene on Spirit Snake Island. She had been poisoned and unconscious, dragged to the seaside, and had heard the sound of the iron finger ring falling to the ground. Zhao Min identified Zhou Zhiruo as the murderer in the Spirit Snake Island blood case.
Zhou Zhiruo argued with her, and the two of them debated endlessly. Zhang Wuji rushed over to stop them. Zhao Min publicly exposed Zhou Zhiruo's evil act of poisoning and murder. Zhou Zhiruo tried every possible excuse to argue. Zhang Wuji was momentarily unsure how to decide. Just then, Yin Tianzheng and his son arrived in Haozhou. Zhang Wuji instructed Yang Xiao to keep an eye on Zhao Min and Zhou Zhiruo. He hurried to meet Yin Tianzheng and his son.
Episode 42 Recap
Zhang Wuji came to see Yin Tianzheng and Yin Yewang, and brought Yin Li to meet them. Yin Tianzheng was overjoyed to see his granddaughter still alive, shedding tears of old age. However, Yin Yewang ignored Yin Li. Yin Li happily called him "father" and recounted childhood memories in detail, which moved Yin Yewang to tears. Zhang Wuji briefly explained to Yin Tianzheng and his son how Yin Li had lost her mind, promising to cure her illness.
Yin Tianzheng returned this time after receiving notification from Fan Yao and Yang Xiao, but he disagreed with assassinating the Yuan Emperor. He suspected that Zhao Min wanted to use the Ming Cult to eliminate the Yuan Emperor, allowing her father, Prince Ruyang, to ascend the throne. Zhang Wuji declared that the plan to assassinate the Yuan Emperor had been canceled. Meanwhile, Fan Yao informed Zhao Min that the plan had changed.
Zhao Min believed that Zhang Wuji had listened to Zhou Zhiruo's words and was wary of her everywhere. Zhao Min firmly insisted that Zhou Zhiruo was the true culprit behind the Bloody Incident on Snake Island. Yin Tianzheng suddenly burst in, intending to kill Zhao Min. Fan Yao hastily stopped him, but Yin Tianzheng was unrelenting.
Zhang Wuji came to find Yin Tianzheng and saw him chasing and beating Zhao Min, threatening to use Zhao Min's head to pay homage to the spirits of the deceased Ming Cult righteous members. Zhang Wuji quickly stopped him. Yin Yewang seized the opportunity to ambush Zhao Min but was also blocked by Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji forbade the father and son from indiscriminately killing the innocent. Yin Tianzheng insisted that Zhao Min was the true culprit.
Zhao Min knew Yin Tianzheng wanted to use her against her father, so she explicitly stated that she was no longer Prince Ruyang's daughter; she was now a wanted criminal of the court, and even a death row inmate. Zhang Wuji was taken by surprise. Yin Tianzheng reminded Zhang Wuji not to easily believe Zhao Min's nonsense, then left in a huff.
Zhang Wuji learned the truth about Zhao Min being charged by the imperial court from Fan Yao, realizing that she was sentenced to death to save him. Zhang Wuji personally prepared medicinal cuisine to nourish Zhao Min, but she showed no appreciation. Zhang Wuji promised to thoroughly investigate the true culprit behind the Bloody Incident on Snake Island.
Zhao Min was certain that Zhou Zhiruo was the murderer, but Zhang Wuji did not believe it at all, feeling there was a misunderstanding. Zhao Min guessed that Zhang Wuji gave up on killing the Yuan Emperor because he wanted to use the Emperor's incompetence to enhance the Ming Cult's reputation. Zhang Wuji, citing military secrecy, refused to answer. Zhou Zhiruo prepared a meal and waited anxiously for Zhang Wuji.
When she learned that Zhang Wuji was with Zhao Min, she was furious. Zhao Min felt that Zhang Wuji abandoned the plan to kill the Yuan Emperor because he wanted the Ming Cult to conquer the world. She also advised Zhang Wuji not to fall for others' schemes. Before Zhang Wuji could reply, Zhou Zhiruo suddenly burst in, glared angrily at Zhang Wuji, then turned and ran away.
Just as Zhang Wuji was about to chase her, Zhao Min quickly stopped him. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, and heavy rain began to fall. Worried, Zhang Wuji and Zhou Dian went to search for Zhou Zhiruo and found that she had committed suicide, apparently feeling wronged. Zhang Wuji quickly carried Zhou Zhiruo back.
Zhao Min came to see Zhou Zhiruo, convinced that she was either deliberately feigning pitifulness to deceive Zhang Wuji or attempting suicide to escape punishment and gain forgiveness. Yin Tianzheng sharply rebuked her, but Zhao Min was unrelenting, constantly claiming that Zhou Zhiruo's skills in murder and framing others were all due to their indulgence. Zhang Wuji did not want to listen to their verbal sparring, so he drove them all out, telling Zhou Zhiruo to rest well.
Zhou Zhiruo pressed Zhang Wuji, asking if he believed Zhao Min's words. Zhang Wuji wanted to clarify the truth as soon as possible and restore their innocence. Zhou Zhiruo, in a fit of pique, wanted to break off their engagement, telling him to live with Zhao Min as a couple. Zhang Wuji was speechless, and Zhou Zhiruo forcibly chased him away. Yin Tianzheng, Fan Yao, and others discussed killing Zhao Min to quell the current disputes.
Fan Yao firmly disagreed, but Yin Tianzheng was determined to go his own way. Unexpectedly, Zhao Min proactively came to provoke Yin Tianzheng. Yin Yewang, in a fit of pique, wanted to kill Zhao Min. Fan Yao explained the implications to them: if they killed Zhao Min, they would clear Prince Ruyang of suspicion, and Prince Ruyang, regaining the court's trust, would inevitably become a serious threat to the Ming Cult.
After careful consideration, Yin Tianzheng decided to spare Zhao Min, and Zhao Min, in a rage, left Haozhou. Zhang Wuji came to find Zhao Min, only to learn that she had left in anger because of Yin Tianzheng and others. Yin Tianzheng advised Zhang Wuji not to dwell on Zhao Min anymore and to marry Zhou Zhiruo as soon as possible.
Zhang Wuji made excuses, saying that the great cause was not yet accomplished and Xie Xun had not sent any news, so he did not want to marry now. Yin Tianzheng reasoned with him and appealed to his emotions, then forcibly dragged Zhang Wuji to propose to Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji, caught in an awkward position, had no choice but to comply.
Song Qingshu drowned his sorrows in wine at a tavern and unintentionally overheard that Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo were getting married. He trembled with rage. The next day was the wedding day for Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo. Song Yuanqiao brought various martial uncles and grand-uncles to offer congratulations, also bringing a calligraphy scroll personally written by Zhang Sanfeng as a gift. Yang Buhui also accompanied the Wudang sect.
Yang Xiao and his daughter were reunited after a long separation, their excitement evident. Yang Xiao saw that Yang Buhui was pregnant, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions. Yin Liting asked Yang Xiao to name the unborn child. Yang Xiao felt greatly comforted and proactively invited him for a drink. Zhou Zhiruo carefully prepared pastries, which Yang Buhui enjoyed very much, and she wished Zhou Zhiruo and Zhang Wuji happiness.
The Emei disciples also came later to celebrate Zhou Zhiruo's wedding. At night, Zhang Wuji tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He suddenly heard Zhou Zhiruo quietly sobbing in the courtyard. Zhang Wuji quickly went out to comfort her. Zhou Zhiruo made Zhang Wuji swear to never leave her. The next morning, the Ming Cult's main headquarters was festively decorated and bustling with activity. People from various sects came to attend the wedding. Fan Yao served as the officiant.
Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo, dressed in grand red wedding attire, walked into the main hall amidst everyone's applause and blessings. They bowed to heaven and earth according to Fan Yao's instructions. Unexpectedly, Zhao Min suddenly arrived uninvited.
Episode 43 Recap
Zhao Min barged into Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo's wedding, where she was refuted by Zhou Dian and others. Yang Xiao voluntarily gave his observing seat to Zhao Min, but she did not appreciate it. She publicly condemned Zhang Wuji for breaking his promises, saying he still had two things left to fulfill. Zhang Wuji promised to honor his word after the wedding ceremony. Unexpectedly, Zhao Min's second request was that Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo not get married.
Zhang Wuji firmly disagreed. Zhao Min then produced a lock of Xie Xun's hair, letting Zhang Wuji decide for himself. Fearing that his foster father was in trouble, Zhang Wuji immediately agreed to follow all of Zhao Min's wishes and temporarily not marry Zhou Zhiruo. Zhao Min was satisfied and took Zhang Wuji away without further discussion. Zhou Zhiruo was furious, grinding her teeth. She immediately flew out to ambush Zhao Min.
Zhang Wuji desperately tried to stop her, but Zhao Min was still scratched by Zhou Zhiruo's Nine Yin White Bone Claw. Zhou Zhiruo forced Zhang Wuji to make a choice. Zhang Wuji promised to return to marry her after the matter was settled, but Zhou Zhiruo was unwilling. She attacked him fiercely, with every move being lethal. Zhang Wuji could only fight back. He then left with Zhao Min despite everyone's objections.
Zhou Zhiruo publicly declared that from then on, her relationship with Zhang Wuji was severed, and she crushed the pearl flower on her hairpin on the spot as an oath. Zhang Wuji persistently pressed Zhao Min about Xie Xun's whereabouts. Zhao Min repeatedly stated that she hadn't come to snatch him away, but to take him to find Xie Xun. Seeing her severe injuries, Zhang Wuji had no choice but to help her heal first. The wedding ended in discord.
Zhou Zhiruo left in a huff. The Emei disciples turned against Fan Yao and then stormed off. Following this, Song Yuanqiao bid farewell to Yang Xiao and others, taking his brothers with him. Zhu Laosi casually remarked that Zhang Wuji would no longer have any prestige in the jianghu from then on. Zhou Dian couldn't stand it, severely reprimanded Zhu Laosi, and in a fit of anger, sent him back to the Marshal's Residence.
Fan Yao immediately sent Zhou Dian to find Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo, hoping for the wedding to be held again to restore Zhang Wuji's reputation in the jianghu. Zhao Min's wound became infected, and Zhang Wuji, without a word, helped her suck out the poison and applied herbal medicine to detoxify her. Zhao Min was surprised that Zhou Zhiruo would use such a sinister move. Zhang Wuji shared her sentiment, but he firmly believed in Zhou Zhiruo's character.
Zhao Min told him to wait and see, asserting that it would eventually be proven that Zhou Zhiruo was the true culprit behind the Bloody Incident on Spirit Snake Island, and that Zhou Zhiruo had already mastered sinister martial arts using the Dragon Slaying Saber's secret manual. Zhang Wuji didn't believe it and didn't want to argue with her further, only wishing to find Xie Xun as soon as possible.
Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min continued on their journey when they suddenly encountered two Yuan soldiers delivering a secret letter to the young prince. Zhang Wuji threw pebbles to ambush the two, seizing the opportunity to snatch the secret letter. The letter contained the Ming Cult's strategic deployment. Zhang Wuji couldn't guess who had leaked the information and, in a fit of rage, tore the secret letter to shreds.
Zhao Min, however, thought that it was a deliberate release of fake military intelligence by Ming Cult disciples, intending to lure the young prince into a trap. Just then, the young prince arrived on horseback with the Xuanming Elders, forcing Zhang Wuji to hand over the military intelligence. Zhang Wuji flatly refused and fought with the Xuanming Elders. The young prince had the Yuan soldiers seize Zhao Min.
Zhang Wuji quickly rescued Zhao Min and tried to use the Nine Yang Divine Art to ambush the young prince. Zhao Min hurriedly stopped him, but was shaken by the Nine Yang Divine Art, causing her to vomit blood. Seeing this, Zhang Wuji quickly took Zhao Min and fled. While healing Zhao Min, Zhang Wuji complained that she shouldn't have taken such a risk.
Zhao Min didn't want to see Zhang Wuji and her brother both suffer heavy losses; no matter which side faced trouble, she would intervene to stop it. Zhang Wuji felt great tenderness for her. Zhou Zhiruo wandered the streets in a daze. Seeing a family holding a wedding, the scene stirred her emotions. She couldn't help but recall her own ruined wedding, and tears streamed down her face in sorrow.
Zhang Wuji traded Zhao Min's gold hair ornament for two sets of coarse clothes and a horse-drawn carriage, continuing their journey with Zhao Min. However, Zhao Min's injuries worsened. Zhang Wuji decided to find a farmhouse to stay in first, waiting for Zhao Min's condition to improve before going to rescue Xie Xun. In the following days, Zhang Wuji meticulously cared for Zhao Min.
Her heart warmed, and she wished her injuries would never heal, so she could forever receive Zhang Wuji's care. Zhang Wuji couldn't help but smile, calling her foolish. Zhao Min urged Zhang Wuji to quickly treat her injuries, wanting to rescue Xie Xun as soon as possible. Zhang Wuji woke up groggily and found that Zhao Min was nowhere to be seen. He quickly went out to look for her and saw Zhao Min doing farm work with the villagers.
Zhang Wuji was deeply touched to see her working competently. Zhao Min's injuries gradually improved, and she even personally made him white rice porridge to taste. Zhang Wuji praised it endlessly. It was Zhao Min's first time cooking, and she burnt the porridge, but Zhang Wuji ate it very happily. Instead, he thanked Zhao Min for stopping his wedding with Zhou Zhiruo, as he too had felt a subtle unease about the marriage.
Only then did Zhao Min fully let go of her guilt. She didn't care about the opinions of the world, only about Zhang Wuji's true feelings. Zhang Wuji was deeply moved by her sincerity. That night, Zhao Min was woken by the pain from her wound. She saw Zhang Wuji sitting in the courtyard lost in thought, knowing he was worried about Xie Xun's safety. Zhao Min decided they would set off the next day.
Zhang Wuji knew her injuries were severe and wanted her to rest for a few more days, but Zhao Min didn't want to delay rescuing Xie Xun because of herself, making Zhang Wuji regret it for the rest of his life. Early the next morning, Zhang Wuji took Zhao Min and continued their journey. Zhao Min casually asked why Zhou Zhiruo made him uneasy.
Zhang Wuji couldn't help but recall Zhou Zhiruo's ambition to glorify Emei and dominate the martial arts world, so he quickly found an excuse to change the subject. Zhao Min, however, wanted to retreat to the mountains with Zhang Wuji and live a carefree life. Zhang Wuji couldn't help but compare her to the calculating Zhou Zhiruo, finding Zhao Min to be more genuine and lovable.
Zhou Zhiruo obtained the Dragon Slaying Saber and the Heaven Reliant Sword and often recalled that night on Spirit Snake Island. She wanted to use the Heaven Reliant Sword to kill Zhao Min, but was unexpectedly discovered by Yin Li. She had no choice but to kill Yin Li to silence her. She also wanted to follow her master's command to kill Zhang Wuji, but she could never bring herself to do it.
It turned out that Abbess Miejue had told Zhou Zhiruo a great secret before her death: the "Book of Wumu" and the "Nine Yin Manual" were hidden separately within the Dragon Slaying Saber and the Heaven Reliant Sword. Only by combining the saber and sword could one successfully obtain these two martial arts manuals and achieve the ambition of dominating the martial arts world. Zhou Zhiruo thought of Zhang Wuji, who had fled their wedding, and cried inconsolably. A lecherous man tried to take advantage of her, but Zhou Zhiruo struck him dead on the spot.
Episode 44 Recap
Song Qingshu kept following Zhou Zhiruo. Zhou Zhiruo struck him with a palm, injuring him, but Song Qingshu did not dodge. Zhou Zhiruo rode her horse, dragging him along their way. Song Qingshu, unstable from being dragged by the rope, fell to the ground. Only then did Zhou Zhiruo stop. Song Qingshu seized the opportunity to express his feelings to Zhou Zhiruo, promising to settle the score with Zhang Wuji.
Zhou Zhiruo unleashed all her anger on him, forbidding him to mention Zhang Wuji's name, and hitting him with punches and kicks. Song Qingshu vowed to spend his entire life practicing martial arts, to kill Zhang Wuji and avenge Zhou Zhiruo. However, Zhou Zhiruo was completely ungrateful, speaking harshly to him. Yet, Song Qingshu did not give up, willingly staying by her side. Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min spent the night in the mountain forest.
Zhao Min was responsible for roasting the chicken. Zhang Wuji hid to one side, diligently working for a long time, and finally carved a hairpin from a wooden stick, personally placing it in Zhao Min's hair. Zhang Wuji then helped Zhao Min style her bun, naturally recalling the time he helped his mother style her hair when he was a child.
Zhang Wuji felt that Zhao Min was as beautiful as his mother, and irresistibly leaned in to kiss Zhao Min, but Zhao Min suddenly fainted to the ground. Zhou Zhiruo brought Song Qingshu back to the Emei sect. Ding Minjun mocked them and condemned Zhou Zhiruo for bringing shame upon Emei. Zhou Zhiruo was at a loss for words, so Song Qingshu spoke up for her.
Ding Minjun harshly scolded Song Qingshu, calling him a thief, and forced Zhou Zhiruo to hand over the sect leader's iron ring, telling her to take Song Qingshu and get out of Emei. Zhou Zhiruo was completely enraged and attacked Ding Minjun, beating her black and blue with just a few punches and kicks. Zhou Zhiruo, in a fit of pique, wanted to kill her to cleanse the sect.
The disciples quickly pleaded for Ding Minjun, and Ding Minjun hastily knelt down and begged for mercy. Zhou Zhiruo severely reprimanded Ding Minjun and publicly declared that Song Qingshu was a distinguished guest, forbidding anyone to disrespect him. Zhao Min finally woke up. Zhang Wuji had been by her side, taking care of her. Zhao Min felt unwell all over, and her heart was racing.
Zhang Wuji discovered that his Nine Yang Divine Skill had not cured Zhao Min; instead, it had caused the poison to circulate within her body. Zhang Wuji could only advise Zhao Min to rest and recuperate. Zhao Min did not want to delay him from rescuing Xie Xun, so she revealed the news that Xie Xun was imprisoned in Shaolin Temple, urging Zhang Wuji to rescue him as soon as possible.
It turned out that Zhao Min had learned about Xie Xun from a mole she had planted in Shaolin and had even obtained a lock of Xie Xun's hair from the mole. Zhao Min did not want to burden Zhang Wuji, so she urged him to go rescue Xie Xun quickly. Zhang Wuji was moved to tears by her profound righteousness and instinctively embraced Zhao Min tightly.
Zhou Zhiruo officially accepted Song Qingshu as an Emei disciple and had him perform a kneeling ritual before the spirit tablets of past sect leaders. Zhou Zhiruo ordered Ding Minjun to atone for her sins by performing meritorious deeds: go to the war zone to recruit orphans and bring them back to raise, thus cultivating the next generation for the Emei sect. She dispatched Jing Xuan to Shaolin with a secret letter to discuss a strategy for dominating the world.
Zhou Zhiruo publicly announced that she would personally teach her disciples martial arts, not allowing anyone to pretend to be competent. The disciples, following her command, collectively shouted the slogan, "We must bring glory to Emei and be proud of Emei." Zhou Zhiruo was very pleased, looking exactly like Miejue Shitai reborn. Zhao Min struggled to get up to see Zhang Wuji off.
Zhang Wuji entrusted the shop owner to take good care of her, instructing her to recover well from her injuries and patiently wait for his return. Zhao Min had always been troubled by the bloody incident on Spirit Snake Island, but she worried that she might not live to see the truth revealed. Zhang Wuji firmly believed that Zhao Min was innocent; he irresistibly kissed her. The two embraced deeply and bid each other a reluctant farewell.
Zhou Zhiruo gave Song Qingshu the manuals for "Heart-Shattering Palm" and "Nine Yin White Bone Claw", telling him to take them back and study them thoroughly. Song Qingshu had not expected her to possess such vicious martial arts. Zhou Zhiruo forbade him from asking around and ordered him to master these skills as quickly as possible. Zhang Wuji eventually arrived at a small village at the foot of Shaolin Temple mountain.
He asked a village auntie about places to do farm work. The auntie told him that Shaolin Temple was looking for workers, but strangers were not allowed to enter casually. Since the auntie usually delivered firewood to Shaolin, she agreed to take Zhang Wuji inside. Zhang Wuji followed the auntie to Shaolin Temple to deliver firewood. That night, Zhang Wuji quietly got up, wanting to search for Xie Xun's whereabouts.
He inadvertently saw Yuan Zhen and followed him to the Pagoda Forest where Xie Xun was imprisoned. This was the place where the three eminent Shaolin monks, Du'e, Du Jie, and Du Nan, were in secluded cultivation. Yuan Zhen falsely accused Xie Xun of killing Grandmaster Kong Jian and forced Xie Xun to reveal the whereabouts of the Dragon Slaying Saber, promising to let him leave Shaolin Temple.
The Grandmaster Uncle did not allow Yuan Zhen to make casual promises to Xie Xun, but Yuan Zhen believed the Dragon Slaying Saber was paramount and intended to settle accounts with Xie Xun three years later. The Grandmaster Uncle had no choice but to let him be. Yuan Zhen forced Xie Xun to disclose the Dragon Slaying Saber's whereabouts, threatening him with severe consequences in three days if he refused.
After Yuan Zhen left, Zhang Wuji accidentally made a stone under his foot clatter. Du Jie, Du'e, and Du Nan simultaneously attacked Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to use his Nine Yang Divine Skill and Cosmic Shift to retaliate. He explained his desire to befriend Shaolin and earnestly pleaded for Xie Xun. However, they all harbored an irreconcilable hatred for the Ming Cult and completely disregarded Zhang Wuji's explanations. Du'e immediately trapped Zhang Wuji with iron chains.
Zhang Wuji exposed the fact that Yuan Zhen was Cheng Kun and recounted in detail how Cheng Kun had coerced Xie Xun into killing Grandmaster Kong Jian, as well as the truth behind the deaths of Yang Dingtian and his wife. Upon hearing Zhang Wuji's account, Yuan Zhen feared the truth would be exposed and tried to silence Zhang Wuji, but Zhang Wuji thwarted all his attempts. Yuan Zhen then fled in a panic.
Zhang Wuji, having received permission from the three eminent monks, immediately went to rescue Xie Xun. Xie Xun, aware of his grave sins, was willing to stay there to cultivate himself and atone. Despite Zhang Wuji's desperate pleas, Xie Xun insisted on remaining. Du'e urged Zhang Wuji to leave quickly. Xie Xun admonished Zhang Wuji to be a man of integrity.
Zhang Wuji, with Xie Xun being his only remaining kin, cried and begged him to leave together, but Xie Xun's mind was made up. Zhang Wuji reluctantly knelt and bid farewell with tears in his eyes. He implored the three eminent monks to release Xie Xun, but they were also under orders to guard Xie Xun there and could only promise that Yuan Zhen would not harm a single hair on Xie Xun's head.
Episode 45 Recap
Zhao Min waited for Zhang Wuji at the inn entrance every day, afraid that he would leave and never return, and also worried that she would miss him if she walked away. Regardless of wind or rain, Zhao Min waited foolishly. Heaven does not let down those who try. On a day of pouring rain, Zhao Min finally waited for the Zhang Wuji she had been longing for.
Zhang Wuji saw her soaking wet from the rain, looking so pitiful, and felt both angry and heartbroken. He threw away his umbrella, hugged Zhao Min tightly, and warmed her with his own body heat. Zhao Min was so overjoyed to see him return safely that she burst into tears. Du Jie, Du Nan, and Du E reported Yuan Zhen's actions one by one to Abbot Kong Wen.
Kong Wen immediately summoned Yuan Zhen for confrontation, but he resorted to all sorts of sophistry, insisting that Zhang Wuji had framed him. Kong Wen decided to confine him first and make a decision after the matter was thoroughly investigated. Unexpectedly, Yuan Zhen had poisoned the food beforehand, and Kong Wen and all the disciples were poisoned, none escaping. The Ming Cult rebel army achieved continuous victories in Chuzhou, but Marshal Han unfortunately died in battle.
To stabilize morale, Zhu Laosi first executed and then reported, establishing Marshal Han's son, Han Liner, as emperor. Afterwards, he rushed back to Haozhou to report to Yang Xiao. Wei Yixiao then brought up the oath Zhang Wuji made in Butterfly Valley, stating that Ming Cult disciples could not become kings or emperors. However, Yang Xiao felt that it was a necessity of war and could be handled at discretion.
Just then, Zhang Wuji returned in a hurry with Zhao Min. The Five Wanderers, led by Zhou Dian, resolutely refused to let Zhao Min enter. Zhang Wuji repeatedly defended Zhao Min, saying that she was almost executed by the imperial court as a wanted criminal for rescuing Zhu Laosi. Zhu Laosi also testified for her, but Zhou Dian still could not tolerate Zhao Min.
Yang Xiao severely reprimanded Zhou Dian and issued a stern warning that if anyone dared to offend Zhang Wuji again, Yang Xiao would personally cripple him. Everyone immediately fell silent. Yang Xiao bowed respectfully and escorted Zhao Min back to her room to rest. Yang Xiao advised Zhang Wuji to give Zhou Zhiruo an explanation, but Zhang Wuji felt that the immediate priority was to rescue Xie Xun, and then personally go to Emei to apologize to Zhou Zhiruo.
Zhang Wuji clearly stated that his ambition was to overthrow the imperial court, and marrying Zhao Min was also his lifelong wish. Zhu Laosi dared to advise Zhang Wuji that although Zhao Min had abandoned her family and country, blood is thicker than water, and her father, Prince Ruyang, had a blood debt with the Ming Cult. Zhu Laosi worried that Zhao Min would cause instability in military morale.
Yang Xiao proposed a news blackout, forbidding anyone from revealing Zhao Min's identity, or they would be killed without mercy. However, Zhang Wuji did not want to cover up the truth. He asked Zhu Laosi to prepare supplies, as he intended to personally go to the army and explain the matter to the soldiers. Fan Yao brought Zhao Min refreshments to replenish her energy and kindly advised her not to mind everyone's cold reception.
He said that sooner or later, everyone would know that she was a person who valued loyalty and righteousness. Zhao Min felt a warmth in her heart from his words. Zhang Wuji rushed to find Fan Yao. Wei Yixiao had received news that Shaolin Temple was sending out hero invitations, planning to hold a Lion Slaughtering Assembly on the Dragon Boat Festival to publicly execute Xie Xun. Zhao Min concluded that Cheng Kun was fanning the flames from within.
Zhang Wuji decided to go all out to rescue Xie Xun. He instructed Han Liner and Zhu Laosi to lead a contingent of troops to continue fighting the Yuan army as planned, while the others would follow him to Shaolin to rescue Xie Xun. He also sent Wei Yixiao to inform Yin Tianzheng and his son to go and support them. Halfway there, Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min checked into an inn.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhiruo and Song Qingshu emerged from another room. Zhang Wuji bowed to Zhou Zhiruo to apologize. Zhou Zhiruo gritted her teeth in anger, but on her lips, she thanked Zhang Wuji for fleeing the wedding, which completed her marriage with Song Qingshu. Zhang Wuji was speechless. Zhao Min couldn't stand it and sarcastically taunted Zhou Zhiruo. Zhou Zhiruo was completely enraged and lunged at Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji bravely stepped in to stop her.
Zhou Zhiruo, in a fit of pique, forced Song Qingshu to tear off Zhao Min's face. Song Qingshu attacked Zhao Min with his Nine Yin White Bone Claws, and Zhang Wuji quickly counterattacked. Yang Xiao and others learned that Zhang Wuji was fighting someone and quickly came to see what was happening. Zhou Zhiruo and Song Qingshu teamed up against Zhang Wuji. Zhang Wuji's shoulder was scratched. Fortunately, Song Yuanqiao and Yin Liting arrived in time to stop them.
Zhou Zhiruo publicly declared that Song Qingshu had joined the Emei Sect. Song Yuanqiao was furious and angrily vowed to sever his father-son relationship with Song Qingshu. Zhang Wuji quickly stepped forward to admit his mistake, promising that after rescuing Xie Xun, he would definitely go to Zhou Zhiruo to apologize with thorns. Only then did Zhou Zhiruo leave in a huff with Song Qingshu. Zhao Min helped Zhang Wuji treat his wounds.
Song Yuanqiao and Yang Xiao could not discern the sinister martial arts of Zhou Zhiruo and Song Qingshu. Zhang Wuji also had no time to consider these things, intent only on rescuing Xie Xun. Song Yuanqiao produced Shaolin's hero invitation, but it did not state that it was a Lion Slaughtering Assembly. They decided to attend the appointment first, and if any unusual activity was discovered, they would have Yin Liting report to Zhang Wuji immediately.
Before leaving, Zhang Wuji asked Zhao Min to offer tea to Song Yuanqiao and Yin Liting as a sign of respect, but Song Yuanqiao flatly refused and then left without looking back. The Ming Cult's Five-Element Flag disciples rushed back to Haozhou. They captured a group of thugs disguised as monks in the back mountains. Zhang Wuji suspected they were accomplices recruited by Yuan Zhen, but those people refused to confess.
Zhou Dian deliberately asked Zhao Min to interrogate them, repeatedly calling Zhao Min cunning and ruthless. Zhao Min did not get angry and readily agreed. Zhao Min quickly got the fake monks to confess. It turned out that Yuan Zhen had long coveted the abbot's position. He had been recruiting bandits from all over.
Zhao Min concluded that Yuan Zhen's goal was to let the major sects deplete Zhang Wuji's internal energy, and then send Du E, Du Jie, and Du Nan to eliminate Zhang Wuji. Zhao Min suggested going to Shaolin before the martial arts convention to prevent the major sects from fighting among themselves. Zhang Wuji immediately deployed a plan to rescue Xie Xun and capture Yuan Zhen. Everyone prepared separately, and Zhang Wuji had Zhao Min disguise herself and accompany him.
Zhang Wuji and his party arrived at Shaolin Temple. Kong Zhi claimed that Abbot Kong Wen was unwell and not seeing guests. Zhang Wuji directly asked him to release Xie Xun, but Kong Zhi insisted that Xie Xun had killed Master Kong Jian. Zhang Wuji demanded a face-to-face confrontation with Yuan Zhen. Kong Zhi then brought up the incident at Wan'an Temple where Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min colluded to harm the Six Major Sects.
Zhang Wuji explained that Zhao Min had repented, but Kong Zhi did not believe him and told him to break the Vajra Subduing Demonic Array first. Kong Zhi brought Zhang Wuji to meet the three divine monks. Yang Xiao and Fan Yao also came to help. They engaged in a fierce three-on-three battle. The three divine monks' Vajra Subduing Demonic Array was exceptionally skilled. Yang Xiao and Fan Yao were quickly defeated. Zhang Wuji fought one against three.
Xie Xun, from the dungeon, loudly stopped him, threatening to die if Zhang Wuji did not leave with his people. Yang Xiao was injured, coughed blood, and fainted. Zhang Wuji sent people to escort him back to Haozhou. On the day of the martial arts convention, all sects, except the Emei Sect, arrived on time.
Episode 46 Recap
Kongzhi claimed that Grandmaster Kongwen was unwell and could not appear, so he would preside over the martial arts conference. Zhang Wuji determined that there must be a hidden secret. The Beggar's Gang elder forced Kongzhi to hand over Chen Youliang and Yuanzhen, wanting to avenge their leader Shi Wenlong. He Taichong chimed in from the side, suggesting they deal with Xie Xun first.
Just as Zhang Wuji was about to stand up to explain the truth, Zhao Min quickly pressed him down. Other sects unanimously responded, demanding Xie Xun confess all his crimes, forcing him to hand over the Dragon Slaying Saber, and then subjecting him to death by a thousand cuts.
Zhang Wuji wanted to step forward to clarify the facts, but Fan Yao hastily stopped him, worried that if everyone discovered the Dragon Slaying Saber was not in Xie Xun's hands, it would bring him a fatal disaster. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to give up. Kongzhi repeatedly stated that when Xie Xun was captured, the Dragon Slaying Saber was not seen, and he even inquired with various sects about its whereabouts.
Someone immediately raised an objection, but was unexpectedly killed on the spot by a hidden weapon. This enraged the major sects, and they protested together, forcing Kongzhi to hand over Xie Xun and the Dragon Slaying Saber. Zhou Zhiruo led the Emei disciples, arriving late. Song Qingshu followed closely behind her. Zhou Zhiruo proposed a martial arts contest to decide the victor. Kongzhi immediately announced that the winner must break the Vajra Subduing Devil Array to take Xie Xun away.
Zhou Zhiruo sent Song Qingshu to issue a challenge. He Taishang of the Kunlun Sect came to meet the challenge. Song Qingshu used the Nine Yin White Bone Claw to injure him. An elder of the Kongtong Sect was unconvinced, but was defeated by Song Qingshu within a few moves. A Beggar's Gang elder came forward to fight and was also beaten by Song Qingshu until he vomited blood. Song Yuanqiao drew his sword and stepped onto the stage.
Zhou Zhiruo immediately jumped out to confront him, and her moves were all deadly. Song Yuanqiao gradually ran out of strength. Song Qingshu, disregarding his own safety, blocked in front of his father and was severely wounded and rendered unconscious by Zhou Zhiruo. Song Qingshu groggily woke up, constantly regretting not having helped Zhou Zhiruo. Song Yuanqiao worried about Song Qingshu's injuries and kept pacing outside the door.
Zhang Wuji came to treat Song Qingshu's wounds but was stopped outside by Ding Minjun. Zhou Zhiruo saw that Song Qingshu was on the verge of death and had to let him in. Zhang Wuji found Song Qingshu hanging by a thread, so he used the Nine Yang Divine Skill to treat him. However, there was a sinister and evil energy in Song Qingshu's body resisting it.
Zhang Wuji suspected that Zhou Zhiruo had already obtained the Dragon Slaying Saber and comprehended its secrets, which was why both of their martial arts had advanced greatly. After settling Song Qingshu to sleep, Zhang Wuji pressed Zhou Zhiruo, asking if she was the real culprit behind the Bloody Incident on Spirit Snake Island and if she had stolen the Dragon Slaying Saber and the Heaven Reliant Sword.
Zhou Zhiruo confessed without hesitation, repeatedly claiming that it was the dying wish of Miejue Shitai for her to kill Zhang Wuji, then retrieve the martial arts manual from the saber and sword, and make the Emei Sect the supreme power in the martial arts world. Zhang Wuji was completely disheartened, never expecting Zhou Zhiruo to become so deranged. The next day, the martial arts conference continued.
Zhang Wuji reported Song Qingshu's injuries to Song Yuanqiao and noticed that the Emei Sect was absent. Kongzhi announced the start of the contest. Zhang Wuji publicly exposed their plot to use the Dragon Slaying Saber and Xie Xun as bait, inciting the major martial arts sects to fight amongst themselves, and then reap the benefits. Zhang Wuji explained that if the Dragon Slaying Saber could make one invincible, Xie Xun would not have been imprisoned.
The short old man also saw through Shaolin's conspiracy. The Huashan Sect decided to give up the Dragon Slaying Saber, and the Kongtong Sect also stood up to support the Ming Cult. Following this, the Kunlun Sect also gave up the contest, and the Wudang Sect and the Beggar's Gang also strongly supported Zhang Wuji. Just then, Zhou Zhiruo arrived with the Emei disciples and openly challenged Zhang Wuji.
Without waiting for Zhang Wuji to reply, Zhou Zhiruo swung her whip and attacked. Zhang Wuji dodged left and right. Zhou Zhiruo flew up and down, her whip circling around Zhang Wuji like a sharp sword. Everyone present could not comprehend Zhou Zhiruo's martial arts. Zhou Dian mocked Zhou Zhiruo, trying to attract her attention, but unexpectedly, he was instead struck down by Zhou Zhiruo's whip. Zhang Wuji earnestly pleaded with Zhou Zhiruo to stop.
Zhou Zhiruo used the Nine Yin White Bone Claw to injure Zhang Wuji and intended to kill him, but ultimately could not bring herself to do it. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to concede. Kongzhi announced Zhou Zhiruo's victory and promised to take her to challenge the array and take over Xie Xun the next day.
Zhao Min saw that Zhou Zhiruo had held back at the crucial moment and concluded that she would not easily harm Xie Xun, advising Zhang Wuji to rest and recover. Zhang Wuji came overnight to re-examine Song Qingshu, immediately prescribing a remedy to clear the residual poison from his body. Before leaving, Zhang Wuji implored Zhou Zhiruo to spare Xie Xun and not fall into Yuanzhen's trap.
However, Zhou Zhiruo only wanted to kill Xie Xun in front of the major sects to become the supreme martial arts leader. Zhang Wuji promised to help Zhou Zhiruo break the Vajra Subduing Devil Array, only asking her to spare Xie Xun. Zhou Zhiruo did not appreciate his gesture. Zhang Wuji then knelt down to plead, which made Zhou Zhiruo feel very uncomfortable, but she still forcibly drove Zhang Wuji away.
Zhao Min guessed that Zhang Wuji had gone to plead with Zhou Zhiruo and also concluded that Zhou Zhiruo would not be able to break the Vajra Subduing Devil Array. Zhao Min advised Zhang Wuji to wait and see. That night, Zhou Zhiruo tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Zhang Wuji's words to her lingered in her mind. Miejue Shitai's dying instructions still echoed in her ears.
Zhou Zhiruo was momentarily at a loss, not knowing what to do, and she cried sorrowfully without stopping. Early the next morning, Kongzhi led Zhou Zhiruo to challenge the Vajra Subduing Devil Array of the Three Divine Monks. All the major sects went to watch the battle. Zhang Wuji suddenly discovered that Zhao Min, Zhou Dian, and Fan Yao were nowhere to be found.
It turned out that Zhao Min, Fan Yao, and Zhou Dian had knocked out the Shaolin disciples and broken into the abbot's residence. They discovered that the abbot was imprisoned in a secret room. Fan Yao implored the abbot to come forward and stop the fight of the Three Divine Monks and thwart Yuanzhen's conspiracy. Zhou Zhiruo actively invited Zhang Wuji to help break the array. Zhang Wuji readily agreed. Zhou Zhiruo leaped out to confront the Three Divine Monks.
Episode 47 Recap
Du'e, Dunnan, and Dujie set up the Vajra Subduing Demon Formation. Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo joined forces to confront them. They were a perfect match, cooperating tacitly. The Vajra Subduing Demon Formation was exquisite, like an impenetrable fortress. The two sides fought an inseparable battle. Zhou Zhiruo used the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, coupled with Zhang Wuji's Nine Yang Divine Skill, and quickly broke the indestructible grand formation.
The iron chains in the hands of the three eminent monks snapped instantly. Du'e, Dujie, and Dunnan used Shaolin unique skills, surrounding Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo. They also showed no weakness. Zhang Wuji used the Qiankun Great Shift combined with Zhou Zhiruo's Heart-Shattering Palm, shaking the three eminent monks, making them stumble back a few steps to their original positions. Kongwen Abbot arrived in time to stop their fight and publicly exposed Yuanzhen's trick.
Yuanzhen poisoned Kongwen, causing him to lose his internal power, then put him under house arrest, and coerced Kongzhi to send out hero invitations far and wide, gathering all major sects to Shaolin, attempting to wipe them out in one go. Immediately after, Kongwen asked Zhang Wuji to rescue Xie Xun from the dungeon.
Before Zhang Wuji could react, Zhou Zhiruo had already seized Xie Xun and threatened to grind Xie Xun's bones to dust in front of all the major sects to eliminate a scourge for the martial arts world. Zhang Wuji desperately pleaded with her to let Xie Xun go, willing to exchange his own life for Xie Xun's.
Zhao Min immediately stepped forward and publicly exposed Zhou Zhiruo's crime of poisoning people and stealing the Dragon Slaying Saber on Spirit Snake Island. Zhou Zhiruo was enraged and humiliated, furiously charging at Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji selflessly blocked in front of Zhao Min. Suddenly, a melodious zither sound came, and five white-clad women flew down from the sky. The leading Yellow-clad Woman gently flicked her slender fingers and froze Zhou Zhiruo in place, unable to move.
She hated Zhou Zhiruo for her numerous evil deeds and wanted to eliminate a menace for the people. Xie Xun, disregarding past grievances, proactively interceded for Zhou Zhiruo. Zhang Wuji thanked the Yellow-clad Woman for saving his life twice and asked for her name, but the woman did not answer directly, only saying, "In Mount Zhongnan, the Tomb of the Living Dead. The Condor Heroes, vanished from the jianghu."
She further left a message reminding Zhang Wuji to do his best to help the Beggar's Sect, then she drifted away with her four disciples. Zhang Wuji immediately unsealed Zhou Zhiruo's acupuncture points. She, overwhelmed with shame, turned and left. Suddenly, a cold laugh came from the crowd. Xie Xun immediately recognized it as Chengkun's voice. Although he could no longer see, Chengkun's laughter was deeply etched in his memory.
Everyone looked at each other, unable to guess where Chengkun was. Kongzhi quietly left the crowd. Zhang Wuji hurriedly chased after him and tore off the mask from his face. Unexpectedly, Chengkun had disguised himself as Kongzhi. Chengkun, going all out, ordered the Shaolin disciples to kill the Demonic Sect members without mercy. Kongwen loudly refuted him, calling him a Shaolin traitor, but Chengkun argued with all sorts of excuses.
Xie Xun wanted to settle scores with Chengkun and publicly recounted Chengkun's heinous crimes of slaughtering his entire family of thirteen. Before Xie Xun finished speaking, Chengkun attacked Xie Xun violently, and every move was lethal. Zhang Wuji was at a loss, anxious, but he could not step forward to help. Chengkun took advantage of Xie Xun's blindness to launch a sneak attack. Unexpectedly, he was instead stabbed blind in both eyes by Xie Xun. Chengkun screamed in pain.
Xie Xun used the Seven Injuries Fist to knock Chengkun to the ground, then he crippled his own martial arts and publicly declared that all grievances with Chengkun were completely resolved. Xie Xun knelt on the ground, admitting his mistakes to the various sects, allowing them to dispose of him as they wished, and forbade Zhang Wuji from seeking revenge. The Six Major Sects separately condemned Xie Xun's crimes, but none laid a hand on him.
Just then, Wei Yixiao arrived at Shaolin Temple with Yin Tianzheng and his son and brought battle reports from the front. Zhang Wuji hurried to find them to discuss military intelligence. Yin Tianzheng received intelligence that Ruyang Wang and his son were leading twenty thousand Yuan soldiers toward Shaolin Temple. Kongwen immediately sent someone to ring the alarm bell, gathering all Shaolin disciples, ready to fight at any moment.
Zhou Zhiruo publicly exposed that Zhao Min was Ruyang Wang's daughter, accusing her of infiltrating the martial arts gathering to pass on information. Zhang Wuji quickly stepped forward to explain that Zhao Min had already severed her father-daughter relationship with Ruyang Wang, hoping everyone would not make things difficult for Zhao Min. Zhou Zhiruo, however, was relentless. She even brought up the events at Wan'an Temple to provoke the various sects, and they all demanded to kill Zhao Min.
Kongwen did not want to implicate the various sects and advised everyone to quickly leave Shaolin Temple. Song Yuanqiao declared he would not flinch from the battle. Zhang Wuji proposed leading the Yuan soldiers elsewhere for a decisive battle to avoid destroying Shaolin, this thousand-year-old ancient temple. Ruyang Wang and his son, leading the Yuan soldiers, had already reached the foot of the mountain.
Zhang Wuji sent Peng Yingyu and Tieguan Daozhang to lead two banners of the Ming Cult as the vanguard to guard the vital passes up the mountain. He also sent Shuobude to use the Sacred Fire Token to divert the Yuan soldiers and ascend the mountain for support. Finally, he sent people to build fortifications. Chengkun sneered at Zhang Wuji, thinking he was simply trying to strike a rock with an egg, completely unable to contend with the Yuan soldiers.
Zhou Zhiruo determined that Chengkun and Ruyang Wang were colluding, deliberately luring the various sects to Shaolin Temple, then, with internal and external cooperation, wiping them out in one fell swoop. Chengkun then falsely accused Zhao Min of also being involved in the matter, and Zhao Min was unable to defend herself. Yin Yewang believed Chengkun's words and forced Zhang Wuji to apprehend Zhao Min. Despite Zhang Wuji's numerous explanations, they did not believe him.
At this time, the Yuan soldiers had already breached the Ming Cult's blockade, pressing directly towards the mountainside. The situation was extremely critical. All sects unanimously demanded Zhao Min be executed on the spot to dampen the Yuan soldiers' morale. Zhang Wuji, forced into a corner, had no choice but to imprison Zhao Min first, thinking of using her to threaten Ruyang Wang at a critical moment.
The Ming Cult disciples and Yuan soldiers fought a bloody battle, finally forcing them down to the foot of the mountain, temporarily alleviating the crisis at Shaolin Temple. Zhang Wuji explained the situation to Zhao Min and apologized to her. Zhao Min understood his predicament, feeling that she had caused him trouble. Zhao Min's greatest fear had still come true.
She could only watch helplessly as Zhang Wuji and her father and brother fought on the battlefield, while she was powerless. Zhang Wuji could only gently persuade her. Ruyang Wang decided to sneak attack Shaolin from the western cliffs under the cover of darkness. Wei Yixiao quickly scouted the movements of the Yuan soldiers. Yin Tianzheng wanted to lead the Sharp Metal Banner disciples to ambush on West Mountain to deliver a head-on blow to the Yuan soldiers.
Zhang Wuji wanted to send Wei Yixiao to lead the troops, as he was familiar with the enemy's situation, but Yin Tianzheng insisted on leading the team into battle. Zhang Wuji had no choice but to agree. Xie Xun, knowing his sins were grave, voluntarily converted to Buddhism. Du'e was willing to take him as a disciple, allowing him to practice with his hair, still named Xie Xun.
Zhang Wuji saw Xie Xun achieve great enlightenment, feeling an unspeakable bitterness in his heart. Just then, Song Yuanqiao came to report to Zhang Wuji that Yin Tianzheng had been shot dead by a volley of arrows from Yuan soldiers on West Mountain Cliff. Zhang Wuji immediately rushed to the quiet room, seeing Yin Tianzheng shot to a bloody pulp, already passed away. He was heartbroken and distraught. Yin Yewang, disregarding Wei Yixiao's obstruction, insisted on killing Zhao Min to avenge his father. Zhang Wuji desperately tried to stop him, but Yin Yewang was relentless.
Episode 48 Recap
Yin Yewang forced Zhang Wuji to kill Zhao Min, but he firmly refused. Zhou Dian earnestly reminded Zhang Wuji not to let everyone feel disheartened for the sake of Zhao Min. However, Zhang Wuji felt that Zhao Min had abandoned her family and country for him, and he did not want Zhao Min to suffer any more grievances, nor did he want to make things difficult for her. But Yin Yewang disagreed.
Zhang Wuji painfully announced that if anyone dared to lay a hand on Zhao Min, he would never stand idly by. Yin Yewang angrily walked away. Fan Yao pleaded with Xie Xun to persuade Zhao Min. Xie Xun came to find Zhao Min, and she guessed that he wanted to convince her to leave Zhang Wuji.
Xie Xun explained the pros and cons to her, stating that only if she left voluntarily could the grievances of the various sects against Zhang Wuji be resolved, and it would also reduce trouble for Zhang Wuji. But Zhao Min did not want to be separated from Zhang Wuji. Xie Xun could only kneel down and earnestly beg her. Fan Yao ventured alone into the Yuan army camp. The Little Prince furiously cursed him as a rebel.
Fan Yao argued with him logically and brought a letter from Zhao Min. In the letter, Zhao Min earnestly urged the Prince of Ruyang to withdraw his troops, or she would be executed by slow slicing. However, the Prince of Ruyang did not buy it at all; he tore the letter to shreds on the spot and publicly declared that he only had one son, leaving Zhao Min to Zhang Wuji and his people to deal with as they pleased.
Zhao Min saw her father's reply, which not only treated her as dead but also allowed the Ming Cult to execute her. Zhao Min complained that Fan Yao's approach was too foolish; such a threatening letter would not make her father retreat, but only enrage him.
However, Fan Yao had no other choice but to resort to this desperate measure, because the Yuan soldiers had been besieging Shaolin, their food supply was running out, and everyone would be trapped and starved to death on the mountain. When Zhang Wuji heard that Fan Yao had used Zhao Min to threaten the Prince of Ruyang, he was furious.
Fan Yao knelt down and admitted his mistake, saying that this incident precisely proved that Zhao Min was not a spy, and this could be used as a basis for the various sects to spare Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji thought it made sense. Zhou Zhiruo came to find Zhang Wuji overnight and proactively took out "Wumu's Posthumous Writings" from within the Dragon Slaying Saber, asking Zhang Wuji to use its military strategies to repel the Yuan soldiers.
Zhang Wuji thanked her for her profound understanding of righteousness. Following the military strategies, Zhang Wuji divided his forces into several routes to lure the Yuan soldiers, then used the advantageous high ground to deliver a devastating blow to them. Zhang Wuji's brilliant calculations led to victory with fewer numbers against more, and the Yuan soldiers suffered heavy casualties. The Prince of Ruyang was furious, and the Little Prince requested to withdraw troops for reorganization.
After Zhang Wuji's mediation, the major sects agreed to release Zhao Min. Zhang Wuji immediately told Zhao Min this good news. She knew that her father and brother had lost the battle, and an unspeakable bitterness filled her heart. Zhang Wuji drank celebratory wine with everyone, while Zhao Min stood alone, watching them drink heartily, feeling deeply lonely. Xie Xun advised Zhao Min to leave Zhang Wuji.
Zhao Min then brought up the fact that the Ming Cult was once regarded as an evil cult by the world. At that time, the Ming Cult disciples did not stand up to defend themselves, but facts proved that the Ming Cult was righteous. Zhao Min also did not want to defend herself, only waiting for time to prove her innocence. Zhao Min pleaded with Xie Xun to respect Zhang Wuji's choice and let him live the life he desired.
Xie Xun was rendered speechless by her words. He retracted his previous statements and was willing to fulfill her and Zhang Wuji's union. Early the next morning, Zhang Wuji came to find Zhao Min and discovered that she was gone. Fan Yao had no choice but to admit that he had asked Xie Xun to persuade Zhao Min to leave.
It turned out that the Xuanming Elders had captured Zhao Min and taken her back to the Yuan army camp the previous night. The Prince of Ruyang refused to acknowledge her as his daughter, insisting that she was an imposter, and drew his saber at her. Zhao Min knelt down and admitted her "mistake." The Little Prince pleaded for Zhao Min, but the Prince of Ruyang stubbornly refused, insisting on killing Zhao Min to stabilize morale.
He raised his saber and fiercely stabbed at Zhao Min, who did not dodge. Zhou Zhiruo sent people to search everywhere for Zhao Min, but to no avail, confirming that she had left Shaolin Temple. When the major sects learned that Zhang Wuji had driven Zhao Min away, everyone was incensed and united in their hatred, working together to fight against the Yuan soldiers. They fought with increasing courage, and the Yuan soldiers were repeatedly defeated.
The Prince of Ruyang had no choice but to send out his master archers and artillery squad, using thunder-fire explosive projectiles to decimate the major sects, leaving heavy casualties. Zhang Wuji saw the injured scattered everywhere, feeling both pain and anxiety. Zhou Zhiruo heard a dead soldier's confession: the Prince of Ruyang had sent the Xuanming Elders to sneak into Shaolin Temple overnight to capture Zhao Min.
In a fit of rage, the Prince of Ruyang killed Zhao Min and hung her body outside the military camp to boost morale, allowing vultures to peck at Zhao Min's body. Zhang Wuji was burning with anxiety and immediately returned to Zhao Min's residence, where he found a wooden hairpin fallen on the ground. Zhang Wuji lost his beloved.
Heartbroken, he personally erected a tombstone for Zhao Min and swore to her that he would join her once his great mission was accomplished. The major sects were all waiting for Zhang Wuji to give orders, but he could not extricate himself from his grief. Fan Yao watched with concern and anxiety, and could only command the various sects in his stead.
The Kongtong Sect and the Beggar's Gang refused to obey Fan Yao's orders, repeatedly claiming that Fan Yao was seizing the opportunity for revenge. Kong Wen asked Zhang Wuji to come out and take charge of the overall situation. Ding Minjun mocked Zhang Wuji, saying he had gone mad because of Zhao Min's death. Seeing that they were leaderless, the major sects could only fight on their own, and the scene immediately descended into chaos.
Song Qingshu, whose body had just recovered, rushed to the front lines and engaged in fierce battle with the Yuan soldiers. Song Yuanqiao urged Song Qingshu to return quickly, but he insisted on staying on the battlefield. Song Qingshu suddenly saw Yuan soldiers ambushing Song Yuanqiao, so he bravely shielded him, but was himself pierced through the heart by multiple swords. Song Yuanqiao was heartbroken. Zhou Zhiruo arrived shortly after.
Song Qingshu used his last breath to tell her to live well, and then he died. Song Yuanqiao cried heartbrokenly. The major sects and the Yuan soldiers fought fiercely, shedding blood. Ding Minjun died on the battlefield. Zhou Dian was completely surrounded by Yuan soldiers, his situation extremely critical. Fortunately, Zhang Wuji arrived in time to rescue him. Seeing Zhang Wuji's arrival, everyone's confidence immediately soared, vowing to fight the Yuan soldiers to the death.
Episode 49 Recap
Fan Yao, Yin Yewang, and Peng Yingyu charged into the Yuan army camp. They were invincible, slaying the Yuan soldiers and sending them into disarray. The Xuanming Elders came out to fight Fan Yao. Although Xie Xun's internal energy was completely gone, he didn't want to stand by and watch, so he also joined everyone in fighting the Yuan soldiers. However, because he was blind and couldn't distinguish directions, the Yuan soldiers tried to take the opportunity to ambush him.
Fortunately, Zhou Zhiruo arrived in time to rescue him and urged him to leave quickly. Xie Xun swore to live and die with Shaolin. Suddenly, a team of archers rushed over and surrounded the two of them. Xie Xun tightly shielded Zhou Zhiruo with his body, but he was riddled with arrows. Xie Xun, with his last breath, exhorted Zhou Zhiruo to treat Zhang Wuji well, and then he passed away. Zhou Zhiruo was heartbroken.
Zhu Laosi and Xu Da led the Ming Cult righteous army and arrived in time, breaking into the Yuan army's main commander's camp. The morale of the heroes greatly boosted, and they swept through the enemy like a hot knife through butter. The Yuan army retreated across the board, and the siege on Shaolin was lifted. The Shaolin disciples held a grand ritual for Xie Xun, commemorating his departed soul.
Zhang Wuji stood by Xie Xun's remains, too grief-stricken to speak. Prince Ruyang lured Zhu Laosi into sending more troops to Shaolin, then he seized the opportunity to secretly lead a large army to raid Haozhou. Haozhou was in imminent danger. Zhang Wuji and the Ming Cult disciples were far away in Shaolin, beyond reach. Zhu Laosi voluntarily apologized to Zhang Wuji and offered to lead a team to relieve Haozhou's predicament. Zhang Wuji readily agreed.
Yin Yewang felt that Xu Da, Tang He, and others only had Zhu Laosi in their eyes and completely disregarded Zhang Wuji, fearing they might harbor ulterior motives. However, Zhang Wuji was unconcerned. As long as the people of the Han dynasty were safe and sound and the world was at peace, he would rather give up his position as cult leader.
Zhang Wuji publicly announced that from then on, he would have no more grudges with any other sects, and they would work together wholeheartedly to resist the court's tyranny and benefit the people. Master Kongwen thanked everyone for risking their lives to protect Shaolin, and the major sects departed one after another. Song Yuanqiao and Yin Liting also prepared to return to Wudang. They bid farewell to Zhang Wuji reluctantly. However, Zhou Zhiruo never showed up.
Zhang Wuji heard from Master Kongwen that Zhou Zhiruo had knelt before Xie Xun's grave for a whole day, so he hurried to see her. Zhou Zhiruo just wanted to spend a little more time with Xie Xun before leaving. Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo together bid farewell to Xie Xun. Zhou Zhiruo had a profound realization, no longer wishing to glorify Emei, but only to dedicate herself to cultivation and enlighten all sentient beings.
With Song Yuanqiao's consent, Zhou Zhiruo took Song Qingshu's ashes back to Emei to jointly pursue the Dao. Zhang Wuji and she bid each other farewell after wishing each other well. Zhou Zhiruo dispatched Emei disciples to the sinkhole on Spirit Snake Island to retrieve the Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre and hand them over to Zhang Wuji. However, the sword and sabre had already been broken into two halves.
The two martial arts manuals, 'Book of Wumu' and 'Nine Yin Manual,' had already been taken out. Zhou Zhiruo also had her disciples tell Zhang Wuji to restore the sword and sabre, using them to command the world, drive out the Yuan Emperor, restore the Han dynasty, and bring an era of peace and prosperity to the people.
Zhang Wuji sent people to set up a furnace, hoping to restore the broken sabre and sword, but he always failed to grasp the key method. Yin Li, acting erratically, ran in to watch the excitement. Yin Yewang hurriedly stopped her. Yin Li accidentally bumped her head on a pillar. She couldn't distinguish whether the person in front of her was Zhang Wuji or Zeng Aniu, and she ran away crying. Zhang Wuji hastily chased after her.
Yin Li, startled and flustered, bit Zhang Wuji hard, and blood immediately flowed all over the ground. The hairpin Yin Li dropped on the ground was also stained with blood. She cried uncontrollably in fear. Zhang Wuji gently consoled her, and suddenly remembered the anecdote of using blood to sacrifice a weapon. Zhang Wuji called on everyone to use their blood to sacrifice the sabre. They cut their fingers, and their blood converged, finally restoring the Dragon Sabre.
Wei Yixiao and the others didn't want to use blood to mend the Heaven Sword because Zhou Zhiruo had used the Heaven Sword to kill too many Ming Cult disciples. Zhang Wuji persuaded everyone to repay evil with good, stating that only by doing so could everyone in the world understand that the Heaven Sword represented true martial arts justice. Zhou Dian and the others then agreed to sacrifice the sword with blood again.
The Heaven Sword was restored to its original state. Zhang Wuji sent Wei Yixiao to return it to Zhou Zhiruo, and Zhou Zhiruo swore to go through fire and water to assist Zhang Wuji in resisting the Yuan. Zhang Wuji personally made wish lantern boats and placed them in the small river, expressing his sorrow for the deceased. Zhang Wuji inadvertently caught sight of Zhao Min and immediately chased after her, but she vanished without a trace.
Zhao Min saw the wish lantern boat Zhang Wuji had made for her, and an indescribable bitterness filled her heart. She also made one for Zhang Wuji, but she just didn't have the courage to acknowledge him. After much effort, Zhang Wuji finally found Zhao Min. The two, reunited after a long separation, embraced tightly in excitement. Zhang Wuji had thought she was killed.
Zhao Min explained that the Little Prince had pleaded for her life tirelessly, which was why Prince Ruyang spared her. The Little Prince found a female prisoner to die in her place to boost army morale. The Little Prince then sent people to escort Zhao Min back to Mongolia. Zhao Min, reluctant to leave Zhang Wuji, secretly came to see him once. Zhang Wuji swore he would never let her leave again.
Zhao Min didn't want to bring him trouble, but Zhang Wuji had already made up his mind and wanted to be with her forever. Zhao Min didn't want to be a burden to him, telling Zhang Wuji to find her in Mongolia after he had accomplished his great task. Zhao Min wanted her hairpin back. Zhang Wuji promised to meet her tomorrow in the back mountain to return the wooden hairpin and then send her back.
Before leaving, Zhao Min asked Zhang Wuji to fulfill the third thing he had promised her, which was to paint her eyebrows. Zhang Wuji carefully painted them for her, promising to paint them for her for life. The next day, Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min both arrived at the appointed place on time. Zhao Min had long known that the hairpin was always with Zhang Wuji and that he had deliberately lied just to see her again.
Zhang Wuji stayed up all night to make a jewelry box and personally placed the hairpin on Zhao Min's head. Zhao Min also spent a night embroidering a handkerchief, reminding Zhang Wuji to do what was right. The two reluctantly bid each other farewell. Zhu Laosi suddenly came to find Zhang Wuji, and seeing Zhao Min resurrected, he thanked her for her profound wisdom. Zhu Laosi earnestly pleaded for Zhao Min to stay and discuss important matters together.
Zhao Min was naturally delighted. When Yin Li saw Zhao Min, she was so happy she couldn't stop smiling. Yin Yewang and Zhou Dian both disagreed with Zhao Min staying. Zhu Laosi reasoned with them, and Fan Yao also strongly spoke in favor of Zhao Min.
Episode 50 (Ending) Recap
Yin Yewang and Zhu Laosi had a big quarrel over Zhang Wuji's marriage. Fan Yao quickly stopped them. He supported Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min getting married. Wei Yixiao and Zhou Dian also had to agree. Zhang Wuji hurried to call Zhao Min, seeing her chatting and laughing with Yin Li. Yin Li personally handed Zhao Min to Zhang Wuji, repeatedly calling Zhang Wuji 'Zeng Aniu'. In fact, Yin Li had long recovered her memory.
The reason she deliberately feigned madness and always treated Zhang Wuji as 'Zeng Aniu' was to make Yin Yewang give up the idea of marrying her to Zhang Wuji, and also to help Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min fulfill their destiny together. Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min accepted congratulations from the Ming Cult disciples together. Yin Yewang was also forced to acknowledge Zhao Min as the Cult Leader's wife.
Fan Yao and others immediately prepared a simple wedding for them, urging them to get married today. Zhang Wuji wanted to perform the heaven and earth worship with Zhao Min, but unexpectedly she left in a huff. Zhang Wuji hastily chased after her.
Zhao Min had long seen through the intentions of Yin Yewang, Fan Yao, and the others: they wanted to use their marriage to boost the morale of the Ming Cult and also take the opportunity to eliminate the Ruyang King. Zhao Min insisted on leaving, also reminding Zhang Wuji to be careful everywhere. Zhang Wuji earnestly pleaded with her to stay one more night.
Zhang Wuji and Zhao Min came to the river, cuddling together and gazing at the starry sky. Zhang Wuji suggested meeting the Ruyang King, hoping to persuade him to withdraw his troops. Early the next morning, Zhao Min brought Zhang Wuji and Fan Yao to meet the Ruyang King and the Little Prince, also specially bringing high-quality sorghum wine from Jiangnan. Zhang Wuji believed that the imperial court's incompetence and corruption led to the heroes rising in rebellion.
He implored the Ruyang King to consider the people of the world and temporarily cease hostilities. The Ruyang King immediately turned hostile before Zhang Wuji could finish speaking. Zhang Wuji was not discouraged and continued to explain the stakes to him, stating that the mutual slaughter would only cause the people to become displaced and suffer immense misery. He also swore on the spot that the Ming Cult righteous army would never advance another step.
Zhao Min also tried to persuade him from the side. The Ruyang King was deeply moved by his heartfelt words and agreed to temporarily withdraw his troops, but still intended to recuperate and completely eradicate the Ming Cult. Zhang Wuji felt that whether the Ming Cult existed or not was unimportant, as long as there was peace in the world.
The Ruyang King publicly announced that Zhao Min was free to choose and he would no longer interfere with her marriage. Zhang Wuji, Fan Yao, and Zhao Min were just about to leave the Yuan army camp when the Xuanming Elders suddenly rushed out and attacked the Ruyang King fiercely. Fan Yao fought them. The Ruyang King immediately stopped the Xuanming Elders, but unexpectedly, archers had already been ambushed there. They shot the Ruyang King with a volley of arrows.
The Ruyang King desperately used all his strength to tell the Little Prince to escape quickly. Zhang Wuji pressed Fan Yao hard for answers, and he had to admit that all of this was arranged by Zhu Laosi, who had also heavily bribed the Xuanming Elders to assassinate the Ruyang King. Zhang Wuji immediately rushed back to confront Zhu Laosi, but unexpectedly, everyone present knew about the matter, and only Zhang Wuji had been kept in the dark.
Zhao Min drew her sword, intending to kill Zhu Laosi to avenge her father. Zhang Wuji desperately shielded Zhu Laosi, offering to die to comfort the Ruyang King's spirit in heaven. Zhao Min couldn't bring herself to do it and left in a fit of pique. Zhao Min personally escorted her father's coffin back to Mongolia. Zhang Wuji caught up, promising to go to Mongolia to find her after completing the great task.
Zhao Min urged him to leave with her now, otherwise, he would eventually be killed by Zhu Laosi and his ilk. Zhang Wuji could not abandon the people of the world. Zhao Min angrily broke off their relationship, then pulled out her hairpin and threw it away. Zhang Wuji watched her leave, secretly vowing in his heart that he would definitely go find her. Zhang Wuji commanded the major sects to work together to eradicate the Yuan army.
The Yuan Emperor was forced to flee north. Zhang Wuji successfully brought peace to the land. He returned to Wudang to celebrate Zhang Sanfeng's birthday. Zhang Sanfeng advised him to go find Zhao Min. Before he left, Zhang Sanfeng practiced the Taiji Sword once more, hoping that Zhang Wuji would gain some insight from it. Zhang Wuji returned to the Ming Cult's main headquarters and saw that Yang Xiao had also recovered from his injuries and returned.
They unanimously supported Zhang Wuji as emperor. Zhang Wuji resolutely refused. Zhu Laosi worried that without a ruler, the world would sooner or later be exploited by opportunistic individuals like Chen Youliang, leading to great chaos. However, Zhang Wuji did not want to violate his oath made in Butterfly Valley. He picked up the Dragon Slaying Saber, swore an oath, and with a swift stroke, split the dragon throne into two.
He made Zhu Laosi and Yang Xiao swear together that they would assist the new monarch, bring prosperity to the people, and never act against the natural order. If anyone defied, they would be utterly destroyed, just like the severed dragon throne. Zhang Wuji bid farewell to the Ming Cult members and went to Mongolia to find Zhao Min. He searched for a long time but couldn't find any trace of Zhao Min.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, sweeping away the handkerchief from his hand. Zhang Wuji quickly dismounted to chase it. As he picked up the handkerchief, he suddenly saw Zhao Min right before his eyes. He was so emotional that tears welled up. Zhao Min was herding sheep with a whip in her hand. She had finally waited for the person she had longed for. The two embraced passionately, then rode horses together across the vast grassland.
