Heroes Episode 8 Recap
> Heroes Recap
Following their release from prison and rejection by Six Half Hall, Bai Choufei and Wang Xiaoshi attempt to find work. They first approach an escort agency where a manager, initially eager for help, quickly dismisses them upon hearing their names, stating the agency cannot hire anyone who has offended the Six Half Hall. They face similar rejections from other establishments, with doors closing on them across the city.
Wang Xiaoshi muses on the irony of the proverb, "Don't worry about having no friends on the road ahead, for the whole world knows you," as Bai Choufei confirms that Six Half Hall's decree has effectively made them pariahs. In Six Half Hall, Lei Mei questions Di Feijing, the First Elder, as to why he did not kill Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei after failing to recruit them.
Di Feijing explains that killing them would provoke the House of Sunset Drizzle, leading to renewed conflict, whereas allowing them to remain in the Capital would naturally lead to their departure without incident. Lei Mei sarcastically wonders if Lei Sun, the Chief Elder, would approve of this peaceful approach. Di Feijing retorts that she would know Lei Sun's true intentions best.
Lei Mei later reports this to Lei Sun, who rebukes her, asserting that Di Feijing's word is final and she must listen to him. Lei Sun then reveals his actual plan: he allowed Di Feijing to attempt recruitment first, knowing it would fail. Now, Lei Sun can eliminate the pair himself without facing future criticism from his First Elder, all while complimenting Lei Mei on her cleverness and beauty.
As Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei walk the streets, a man secretly working for Wen Rou bumps into them and deliberately drops a money bag. True to his honest nature, Wang Xiaoshi chases after the man across three streets to return it. Watching from afar, Wen Rou expresses her frustration at the failed, "lousy trick," lamenting that Wang Xiaoshi would never keep found money. Her agent explains that his martial brother has forbidden direct contact, forcing such indirect methods.
Left hungry and without lodging, the despairing Wang Xiaoshi implores an unseen benefactor to make arrangements for them. Observing their plight, a pained Wen Rou is reassured by Yang Wuxie, who confirms that help is on the way, arranged to be subtle enough to avoid the notice of the Ministry of Justice and Six Half Hall. Shortly after, an old woman known as Tea Flower Granny approaches the pair.
She offers them flatbread and, recognizing their voices from a time they had helped her, offers them a clean, empty room in her home. They can pay rent later when they find work. Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei are immensely grateful, having been prepared to sleep on the streets. Bai Choufei reflects on the Capital's deceptive facade, describing it as a "wall" of hidden corruption and iron rules, where the strong prey on the weak.
He confides in Wang Xiaoshi that had he not intervened, he would have eaten the bloody meat in prison because his will to survive outweighed all else. He questions why Wang Xiaoshi, aware of this, still wishes to remain. Wang Xiaoshi reveals a secret: before he left his mountain home, his master offered to tell him of his lineage, but he refused, preferring freedom.
However, he harbors a vivid memory of his mother being killed by an assailant whose chilling words—"The world is ours! There's nowhere you can escape"—were identical to those uttered by Fu Zongshu. Wang Xiaoshi confirms it was not Fu Zongshu who murdered his mother, as he would never forget the killer’s face. Viewing the Capital as a wall blocking his own freedom, Wang Xiaoshi declares his intention to stay and break it himself.
Bai Choufei promises to help him once he reaches the pinnacle of the martial arts world. Disturbed by a commotion, the pair awaken but see nothing. Elsewhere, Lei Sun confronts Mr. Wo, a master known as Blazing River Lance. Mr. Wo explains he is protecting the two young men to honor a debt to their father, Su Zhemu. Cashing in a debt of his own, Lei Sun asks Mr. Wo to spare them.
Mr. Wo agrees but sets a condition: if Wang Xiaoshi and Bai Choufei ever formally join the House of Sunset Drizzle, he will personally kill them. Unaware of this, Wang Xiaoshi is on the roof listening to the wind when Mr. Wo appears beside him. After a brief philosophical chat, Mr. Wo reveals he is their host, humorously complaining about his wife renting a room to "two poor lads."
The next morning, the duo cleans the courtyard to contribute for their lodging. Mr. Wo encourages them to find proper work instead. Learning of Wang Xiaoshi's knowledge of medicinal herbs, Mr. Wo suggests he work at a friend's new apothecary. In the background, Yang Wuxie arranges for the House of Sunset Drizzle to purchase an apothecary, Huichun Apothecary, specifically for Wang Xiaoshi. For Bai Choufei, Mr. Wo provides ink and paper to set up a street painting stall.
There, Bai Choufei meets Wang Er, a gallery owner who, despite deeming the art too elegant for the common market, buys his work and proposes a 40-60 profit-sharing deal, which Bai Choufei accepts. During dinner, Su Mengzhen arrives at Mr. Wo's home. The conversation turns to the "Youqiao Group," a rumored, powerful entity of officials and martial artists believed to secretly manipulate the jianghu for immense profit. Su Mengzhen states his belief that they are the true "hidden enemies."
He reveals his late father's dying wish was for him to protect the jianghu and announces his upcoming journey to the North to meet Official Liu Anshi, hoping to find clues. Acknowledging his declining health, Su Mengzhen expresses hope that a new generation will inherit this vital task. One day, Zhu Xiaoyao visits the apothecary and asks for Wang Xiaoshi.
During the consultation, she flirts openly, suggesting her sleepless nights are due to the absence of a partner and teasing him about his own racing pulse. A flustered Wang Xiaoshi maintains his professionalism as she playfully asks for a prescription of expensive tonics, which he provides. Later, Wen Rou attempts to sneak out of the Xiaoxuan Pavilion at night with a forged letter from her father.
Yang Wuxie foils her plan by producing a "second" letter, also purportedly from her father, which countermands the first and forbids her from leaving due to the chaos in the Capital. When Wen Rou accuses him of forging her handwriting, she inadvertently exposes her own deception. Days turn into a routine. Bai Choufei diligently paints at his stall, though he sells nothing further. Wang Xiaoshi works at Huichun Apothecary, earning his first wages.
As they head home together one evening, shouts erupt, announcing that the apothecary is on fire. Rushing back, they find the building engulfed in flames and catch sight of a mysterious figure fleeing the scene.
