Heroes Episode 18 Recap
> Heroes Recap
Years ago, Lei Sun met with Su Mengzhen’s father, proposing a marriage alliance between their families to secure a decade of peace and focus on confronting the Mitian Sect. During this meeting, Lei Chun noticed a young man in red coughing intensely and bought some dried fruit for him. Suddenly, Mitian Sect members appeared, attempting to abduct Lei Chun. The young man shielded her, offering himself as a hostage instead.
Lei Chun secretly followed and witnessed him effortlessly dispatch the attackers. Concerned that the sight of blood would frighten her, he covered her eyes as they left. The young man revealed his weapon was called the Red Sleeve Blade. Lei Chun, admiring his skill, bestowed upon him the grand title: Su Mengzhen, the greatest red-sleeved swordsman, a high-profile name he readily accepted.
Upon returning to the House of Sunset Drizzle, Bai Choufei discovered his paintings displayed in Su Mengzhen's private room. The realization struck him: Lei Chun had purchased his art and arranged to meet him not out of personal appreciation, but because Su Mengzhen admired his work. A wave of disappointment, sorrow, and jealousy washed over him, bringing tears to his eyes, which he struggled to suppress when Su Mengzhen appeared.
Later, Bai Choufei sat with Wen Rou and Wang Er, sharing his sorrow. He revealed that Lei Chun's affections lay with Su Mengzhen. Wen Rou acknowledged she had known since childhood about Su Mengzhen's engagement to the Young Lady of Six Half Hall, but she had never anticipated that "Tian Chun," the woman they met by the river, would turn out to be Lei Chun.
Despite this, Bai Choufei admitted that their brief encounter had left an indelible mark on his heart. Wang Er knew Bai Choufei’s determined nature meant he would pursue what he desired, but gently reminded him that matters of the heart cannot be forced. Wen Rou countered, arguing that women deserve to be moved emotionally every day, not just once. Pondering her words, Bai Choufei wondered if he could win Lei Chun's heart through persistent effort.
Wang Er concluded that an exceptional man like Bai Choufei would eventually find his true love, and all past affections would fade like fleeting clouds. The next day, Bai Choufei visited a shop and purchased the dried fruits Lei Chun favored. However, after tasting one, he left the rest on the street with an enigmatic smile. Lei Sun, having discovered that Fang Yingkan had orchestrated Guan Qi's escape, arranged a meeting at Pobanmen.
Their conversation was veiled with double meanings, with both understanding the underlying threats. Lei Sun accused Fang Yingkan of releasing Guan Qi and reminded him of a past opportunity to kill Su Mengzhen, implying that seizing it would have granted Fang Yingkan the power he now sought. Lei Sun warned Fang Yingkan against interfering with Six Half Hall's interests, threatening to expose his clandestine activities and nullify years of his calculated pretense of being a good-for-nothing.
Fang Yingkan, maintaining his composure, drank the wine Lei Sun offered, outwardly acquiescing. However, as he departed, his eyes betrayed a fierce resolve. Lei Sun discussed the recent turmoil in the martial arts world with Di Feijing, attributing it to Fang Yingkan's relentless ambition. He noted that within their organization, the Youqiao Group, there were a fixed number of key positions, and Fang Yingkan's rise would inevitably displace either himself or Fu Zongshu.
Lei Sun also mentioned the increased activity of the House of Sunset Drizzle's spies, suspecting they were searching for Six Half Hall's workshops in the Capital, a sign that Guan Qi might have revealed sensitive information before his death. He decided to move all the goods at once and dispatched Di Feijing to welcome Lei Mei and confirm she had brought the Five Warriors of Pili Sect, a development that could stabilize relations with the House of Sunset Drizzle.
Di Feijing, while walking through a forest, was ambushed by five formidable figures who descended from above, recognizing them as the Five Warriors of Pili Sect. Meanwhile, Lei Mei met with Lei Sun, confirming she had brought the warriors. She cunningly explained that she had tested their skills by staging an encounter with Di Feijing at Xiaojie Bridge, thus validating their power. Lei Sun, seeing through her machinations, warned her that Di Feijing was his unchallengeable top subordinate.
Undeterred, Lei Mei reminded Lei Sun of his promise to grant her control over the northern business in exchange for the Five Warriors. She argued that since the warriors were meant to oversee that very business, it was logical for her to manage it directly. Amused yet wary, Lei Sun conceded. Lei Chun tenderly handed Su Mengzhen a cup of hot tea, expressing her constant concern for his health.
Su Mengzhen explained that while his master had taught him the Red Sleeve Blade, his own frail constitution, paradoxically, created a perfect synergy with its fiery nature. Lei Chun noted his worsening condition, suspecting it was due to his all-out effort in the battle against Guan Qi, which he confirmed was necessary. She voiced her hope that their two sects might continue to cooperate, eventually resolving their past conflicts and allowing them to be together openly.
Su Mengzhen embraced her tightly, a shadow of trepidation in his eyes. He confided that he harbored worries he could not speak of to others, revealing that the location of Six Half Hall's firearms workshop was close to being discovered, and its inevitable destruction would implicate Lei Chun. As he expressed uncertainty about their future, she simply told him to hug her tighter for warmth. Bai Choufei, his spirit heavy, encountered Wang Er.
Feeling utterly devoid of inspiration, he gifted all his paintings to Wang Er, declaring he would no longer paint or use his artistic name, "Bai Youjin." Soon after, Bai Choufei found himself in a staged encounter where Fang Yingkan was being hounded by debt collectors. Bai Choufei intervened, asserting Fang Yingkan's identity as Marquis Shentong and his own as Vice House Master of the House of Sunset Drizzle, successfully dispersing them.
Fang Yingkan then invited Bai Choufei for a drink, admitting the meeting was orchestrated. He exposed Lei Sun's illegal firearms workshop, previously managed by Guan Qi, and implicated Fu Zongshu as the mastermind. When questioned, Fang Yingkan retorted that neither Su Mengzhen nor Bai Choufei would trust him. He passionately expressed his frustration at being a marquis with no true authority and drew a parallel to Bai Choufei’s own situation as a vice house master lacking real power.
He argued they were alike, sharing common adversaries in Lei Sun and Fu Zongshu, and suggested they unite. Separately, Wang Er was at a lantern shop where he met Shuang, who was purchasing white lanterns for his deceased father's 49th-day memorial. Shuang revealed his father had been a small businessman in Wei Village who had also killed many people. Wang Er expressed understanding for Shuang's filial duty, mentioning his own birth mother had been murdered.
He then inquired further about Wei Village, expressing interest in visiting. Later that night, Lei Mei traveled with Lei Sun in his carriage, having deduced his secret plans. She explained that the transfer of the five warriors signaled an important operation that Lei Sun would personally oversee. Lei Sun, supervising the clandestine movement of "dangerous cargo" connected to the illicit northern business, was pleased with her sharp insight.
Concurrently, Bai Choufei rallied his loyal men, announcing an operation that would be unequivocally beneficial to the House of Sunset Drizzle. His men readily pledged their allegiance, and Bai Choufei promised that their contributions would be recognized.
