Heroes Episode 1 Recap
> Heroes Recap
Under a starlit sky, an old storyteller strums a tune beneath a tree, his song weaving tales of the martial world. Wang Xiaoshi, passing by with his horse, pauses to listen. He remarks that some of the people in the song were his friends, others his enemies, but now all have turned to dust. The storyteller glances at a box in Wang Xiaoshi’s hand, asking if it contains a friend or an enemy.
Wang Xiaoshi replies that it holds the most important person in his life, and he has traveled far, seeking a quiet place to bury it. Recognizing the melody, he asks its name, and the storyteller reveals it is "Telling of Heroes." He also recognizes Wang Xiaoshi, recalling his connection to a blade of "Longing." Ten years earlier, the martial arts world was dominated by two powerful factions: Six Half Hall and House of Sunset Drizzle.
House of Sunset Drizzle was known for its chivalry, uniting people through moral codes, while Six Half Hall operated like a business, driven by profit. Both factions recruited skilled fighters, each claiming half of the martial arts realm. Aspiring newcomers dreamed of entering the Capital and joining either side to forge a heroic path and gain renown. Wang Xiaoshi, a disciple of Recluse Tianyi, Xu Xiaoyi, was given a critical mission.
Xu Xiaoyi instructed him to go to Xiliu, find a contact, who would then lead him to Kushuipu on the outskirts of the Capital by August 14th. There, he was to personally deliver a white jade box to Su Mengzhen, emphasizing the box's vital importance to the succession of House of Sunset Drizzle.
Meanwhile, in Xiliu, Six Half Hall, led by Lei Chun, was already seeking the box, claiming it as theirs and offering immense wealth and influence to anyone who could deliver it. As the ship carrying Wang Xiaoshi arrived, eager figures rushed aboard, only to find it empty. Wang Xiaoshi, having arrived discreetly in Xiliu, found a local play re-enacting a battle between Su Mengzhen and Six Half Hall's Four Guardians.
A local commented that with a real battle about to break out in Xiliu, the play seemed mundane. Seeking shelter from a sudden downpour, Wang Xiaoshi entered Zhaoye Tavern, filled with men discussing the box and its potential to disrupt the martial arts world. Wang Xiaoshi subtly approached a white-clad man, attempting to identify him as his contact, but inadvertently revealed his origin, stating he came "by sea." This instantly alerted the thugs, who demanded the box.
Suddenly, Wen Rou dramatically descended from the roof. She engaged the thugs, scolding Wang Xiaoshi for not drawing his sword despite being attacked. In the ensuing chaos, the candles were snuffed out, and when they were relit, Wang Xiaoshi and Wen Rou had already vanished. Outside the tavern, Wang Xiaoshi questioned Wen Rou’s assistance, to which she explained that as Su Mengzhen's martial sister, helping him was her duty.
She introduced herself as Wen Rou, daughter of Wen Wan, Lord of Luoyang, and Wang Xiaoshi introduced himself in turn. Realizing his contact might be in danger, Wang Xiaoshi stated his intention to interrogate the thugs at the dock, despite Wen Rou’s warnings about Xiliu being fraught with ruthless killers. Just then, a white-clad man, later identified as Bai Choufei, confronted Wang Xiaoshi, suggesting he hand over the box to avoid bloodshed.
Wang Xiaoshi, challenging the crowd's blind pursuit of the box, proposed to Bai Choufei that true fame lay in forging their own path, perhaps even by working together. Wang Xiaoshi explained his trust, noting that Bai Choufei had extinguished the candles in the tavern but hadn't launched a sneak attack, proving he was an honorable man. Bai Choufei seemed intrigued by the idea and departed. Shortly after, the true contact, Xue Xishen, appeared.
Xue Xishen explained the box’s crucial role in the House of Sunset Drizzle's succession, revealing that the House Master, gravely ill, had entrusted its delivery to Su Mengzhen. Wen Rou questioned why Su Mengzhen wouldn't simply inherit, but Xue Xishen clarified that "Young Master" was merely an honorary title and that real power was held by the Delegate. Wen Rou immediately suspected Delegate Hua Wucuo of instigating the chaos.
Wang Xiaoshi promised to fulfill his mission and presented Xue Xishen with a green plant, a precious gift from his master. Xue Xishen then suggested he safeguard the box. Despite Wen Rou's concerns and recalling his master's strict instruction to deliver the box personally to Su Mengzhen, Wang Xiaoshi ultimately agreed to let Xue Xishen keep it, believing there was strength in numbers for their journey to the Capital.
Later, Wen Rou mused about the boundless freedom of the martial arts world and expressed her excitement for the Sea Festival parade, occurring that very night. She noticed a pleasant herbal fragrance emanating from Wang Xiaoshi, who explained it came from his custom of bathing with herbs. Unbeknownst to them, Xue Xishen had been coerced by Lei Chun of Six Half Hall, who threatened his family, to betray them and deliver the box at the parade.
While Wen Rou slept, having been drugged by Xue Xishen through a spiked drink, Wang Xiaoshi, who had not consumed it, remained alert. When Wen Rou awoke, she panicked upon discovering the box missing. Wang Xiaoshi calmly reassured her, explaining that clues are often found amidst crowds, and led her to the vibrant Sea Festival parade. Amidst the festive atmosphere, a fierce struggle for the box erupted.
Lei Chun attempted to intercept the box carrier but was thwarted by Bai Choufei, who declared that the fame of publicly challenging Six Half Hall was far more valuable than any reward Lei Chun could offer. Wang Xiaoshi managed to retrieve the box, but Wen Rou was taken hostage. As her captor demanded the box in exchange for her life, Wang Xiaoshi recalled his Master’s warning about his "Retainment" sword: drawing it for someone would forever intertwine their destinies.
Despite this, he threw the box into the air, swiftly drew his sword to rescue Wen Rou, and caught the box in a single, fluid movement. Meanwhile, Lei Chun's subordinate, Elder Tuoba, was defeated, prompting Lei Chun to order Xue Xishen's family released, as their plan had failed. Wang Xiaoshi found a critically wounded Xue Xishen, who remorsefully explained the inescapable pressures of the martial world left him no choice but to betray them.
Consumed by shame, Xue Xishen then took his own life. Wang Xiaoshi sought out Bai Choufei, thanking him for intercepting Six Half Hall's carriage and creating a crucial diversion. Bai Choufei, amused, suggested that a rookie like Wang Xiaoshi should entrust either the box or himself to him. Wen Rou firmly interjected, declaring Bai Choufei a friend who could not steal from them. When Bai Choufei asked what was in the box, Wang Xiaoshi revealed it was empty.
He then explained his foresight: anticipating betrayal, he had hidden the true contents within the green plant he had given to Xue Xishen, a secret missed by those blinded by greed for the box. As they departed Xiliu, Wang Xiaoshi marveled at the sea, contemplating the boundless freedom it represented. Bai Choufei, however, described the Capital as an even grander spectacle and proposed they all journey there together. Wang Xiaoshi, acknowledging their intertwined fate after the recent events, agreed.
Bai Choufei then led them to a secluded graveyard where he revealed his name, standing before a tombstone bearing his and his deceased parents' names. He explained that villagers had engraved his name there decades ago after he was separated from his family during a war and presumed dead. Wang Xiaoshi praised the name, interpreting "Chou" (sorrow) as a sign of a person destined for great things.
Bai Choufei then vowed to forge his own path and make a name for himself. Wang Xiaoshi and Wen Rou offered their respects to Bai Choufei’s parents, promising to care for him. Continuing their journey, they encountered a storyteller singing a heroic ballad that listed renowned martial artists. Wang Xiaoshi expressed his hope that their names would one day join that esteemed list.
Wen Rou approached the storyteller, describing her friends as talented, skilled, and righteous, destined to become great heroes. She suggested he include them as "the Earth-shattering Choufei and the Unrivaled Little Rock." The storyteller, reflecting on the fleeting nature of the martial world, acknowledged the promising future that awaited this young generation.
