Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre Episode 45 Recap
> Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre 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.
