Heroes Episode 24 Recap
> Heroes Recap
Di Feijing was surprised and asked Wang Xiaoshi how he knew the identity of the mastermind. Wang Xiaoshi explained that someone intended to use him as a "knife," claiming it would benefit the nation and its people. However, he feared that if he were to be used in such a way, the House of Sunset Drizzle would be implicated and harmed. In his heart, the House of Sunset Drizzle represented loyalty, while those attempting to manipulate him were disloyal.
Di Feijing warned him that confronting the Youqiao Group would require risking not only his own life but also the lives of everyone around him, as their spies and assassins were ubiquitous. Afterward, both Wang Xiaoshi and Di Feijing revealed the same target by writing a single character on the table: "Cai." Wang Xiaoshi approached the Advisor, Yang Wuxie, seeking information about Divine Marquis Zhuge that was not common knowledge.
He claimed to suspect that Divine Marquis Zhuge was the true mastermind behind the Youqiao Group, citing his personal observation of Zhuge's subordinate, Heartless, bullying civilians. Wang Xiaoshi even suggested that if they hadn't sabotaged Six Half Hall's firearms, the Youqiao Group might have become another "firearm workshop." The Advisor initially dismissed this, asserting that Zhuge would never betray the nation. However, he then presented Wang Xiaoshi with detailed records of Zhuge's career.
He explained that Zhuge only became widely known after being ennobled as a Marquis at 45, and the records covered the lesser-known two decades prior. Wang Xiaoshi countered that the purpose of the House of Sunset Drizzle's intelligence-gathering Pigeon Group was to uncover truths hidden beneath the surface. He stressed that these records were merely superficial, as no one had ever thought to question or verify them, leaving the Advisor in thoughtful contemplation.
Wen Rou, concerned about Wang Xiaoshi's recent distant and cold demeanor, offered him his favorite Shiman Flower Cake, but he refused. Admitting that he was troubled, Wang Xiaoshi then asked Wen Rou if she believed in individuals who appeared righteous but were secretly wicked. Wen Rou affirmed that such "sanctimonious hypocrites" were common. Wang Xiaoshi then shockingly revealed his belief that Divine Marquis Zhuge was such a person—the true leader of the Youqiao Group.
Wen Rou was incredulous, reminding him of Zhuge's famous act of risking his career to advise the Emperor against the oppressive "Flower and Stone Network," which ended the people's suffering. Wang Xiaoshi, however, insisted on trusting his own eyes and reiterated his vow to pursue anyone involved with the Youqiao Group, remaining resolute despite Wen Rou's pleas for him to "sober up."
As night fell, Bai Choufei arrived at a suspension bridge in River Chu Town, where Lei Chun was waiting. She explained that she was worried about him traveling alone. He correctly guessed her maidservant had acted on her instructions. Lei Chun confirmed she needed his help to take over the Pili Sect. She explained that after Old Master Lei's stroke, Lei Tian—an appointee loyal to her late father, Lei Sun—had taken over the sect's affairs.
She had already arranged a meeting with him. Bai Choufei, however, cautioned her that the sect's internal situation was extremely tense, with Vice-Elder Lei Yi vying for power, making the takeover far from simple. They agreed to decide their next move after meeting Lei Tian, and Bai Choufei promised to stay by her side. Feeling dispirited, Wang Xiaoshi went to a tavern to drink alone, where he unexpectedly encountered Zhu Xiaoyao.
She shared that since leaving the Capital, she had often questioned if saving Guan Qi—a man widely seen as a villain—was a mistake. She explained that Guan Qi had once saved her life, and she felt indebted, even to the point of betraying her House Master to repay him. After much introspection, she concluded that she would have regretted it for the rest of her life if she hadn't tried to save him.
This realization brought her peace and prompted her return. Wang Xiaoshi found her words comforting, and she offered to share stories from her travels. Soon after, Shuang informed Wen Rou that Wang Xiaoshi was drinking alone at the House of Sanhe. Wen Rou rushed to his side, but he reacted coldly, telling her to leave. She expressed her profound worry over his strange behavior and his refusal to confide in her.
Wang Xiaoshi justified his change by stating that with Su Mengzhen gravely ill and Bai Choufei gone, the world was constantly changing, so he could change too. Despite his dismissiveness, Wen Rou insisted that while he might change, her feelings for him would never waver. She left him hangover soup and candied hawthorns before departing.
Upon arriving in River Chu Town, Bai Choufei and Lei Chun witnessed a man publicly hung in the street—a subordinate of Lei Yi, guarded by Lei Tian's men, signaling the severe internal strife within the Pili Sect. Inside, they found Lei Tian attending to the 96-year-old Old Master Lei, who was rendered silent by a stroke and could only communicate with blinks.
Bai Choufei remarked on the Old Master's fortune in having someone care for him, and Lei Chun noticed a flicker in the old man's eyes. Lei Tian claimed he was too preoccupied with his own conflicts to help her in the Capital, stating that since Old Master Lei fell ill, Lei Yi had openly rebelled, deeply dividing the Pili Sect. Anticipating this, Lei Chun offered to resolve his internal strife.
Bai Choufei supported her, suggesting that eliminating Lei Yi would serve as a powerful warning. Lei Tian feigned skepticism, but later led Lei Chun to a dungeon where Lei Yi was already imprisoned. He then revealed his true motive: his real target was Bai Choufei, whom he blamed for the deaths of his five brothers in the Capital. He promised Lei Chun his full support once he had his revenge.
In a private conversation before this, Lei Chun had affirmed her belief in pursuing goals at any cost. Bai Choufei had agreed, but clarified he would refuse if it meant harming her, also revealing he knew they had first crossed paths in a Six Half Hall carriage. Bai Choufei arrived at the designated meeting point, only to be ambushed by Lei Tian and his men.
Lei Tian informed him that Lei Chun had sold him out to secure the Pili Sect's support. Bai Choufei fought valiantly but was eventually overwhelmed. Just then, Lei Chun arrived on horseback and rescued him. Pursued to a bridge, they leaped into the river below to escape. Despite being unable to swim, Lei Chun followed Bai Choufei into the water. In the river, she clarified that she hadn't "sold him out" but had used him as a bargaining chip.
He accepted this, noting that she still came to his rescue. They decided to return to the Pili Sect instead of fleeing. Back at the Pili Sect, Lei Chun revealed she had released Lei Yi from the dungeon before the ambush. She confronted Lei Tian, who boasted that his men would fight to the death, ensuring mutual destruction. However, when Lei Chun directly challenged his men, their loyalty wavered, and they pledged allegiance to her one by one.
Seeing his power crumble, Lei Tian offered to serve her, but Lei Chun refused. In a ruthless display of power, she executed him—her first kill—cementing her authority. The remaining members, including a humbled Lei Yi, bowed in submission as she took the main seat, now in full control of the Pili Sect.
