I Will Never Let You Go Episode 43 Recap
> I Will Never Let You Go Recap
After receiving word, Xiao Jiufeng learned from Bai Ma that Hua Buqi planned to intercept the prisoner convoy. Both he and Dongfang Shi believed Chen Yu had truly been arrested by the King, prompting them to prepare an ambush. Xiao Jiufeng instructed his men to bring more fire arrows, stating he would rather Chen Yu die than allow the Emperor to acquire the treasure and the holy object.
Meanwhile, Hua Buqi's group rushed to Qiyun Mountain, with Chen Yu secretly disguised as Bai Ma among them. During their journey, Hua Buqi, Xiao Xia, and Xiao Liu rode ahead with the disguised Chen Yu, leaving the main caravan to follow. Upon reaching Qiyun Mountain, Chen Yu, still disguised as Bai Ma, revealed his true identity to Xiao Liu, who was shocked to recognize his Young Master's voice.
Chen Yu explained that General Guan, who had promised 3,000 soldiers for the operation, only sent 500, likely due to his suspicions. Chen Yu realized he could not disclose the secrets of the holy object and the map to General Guan, so he decided to consolidate their limited forces for a decisive battle to avenge his Master. As Bai Jianfei escorted an empty prisoner convoy back to the capital, his carriage was ambushed by Xiao Jiufeng's group, including Dongfang Shi.
After the conflict subsided, Dongfang Shi appeared before Hua Buqi. He then ordered a charred body, which he claimed was Chen Yu's, to be brought forward. Hua Buqi was deeply shaken, recalling Chen Yu’s plan to eliminate those who knew her identity as the Saintess when intercepting the prisoner convoy. Seeing Dongfang Shi unharmed, she feared Chen Yu's plan had failed and he had been killed.
She confronted Dongfang Shi, telling him she couldn't love him because his affection was always purposeful, and he cruelly brought the burned corpse to her, wanting her to confirm it and face the harsh reality. Despite the body being badly burned, Hua Buqi identified it by a distinct scar on its hand, confirming it was indeed Chen Yu and nearly collapsing in sorrow.
Dongfang Shi then ordered the body buried in Qiyun Mountain, before threatening the lives of Xiao Xia and her guards to force Hua Buqi to accompany him. Hua Buqi, realizing Dongfang Shi had likely obtained the holy object and map, sneered that he only pretended to love her to use her for those items and then kill her for the treasure. Dongfang Shi, confused, asserted he would not kill her.
Hua Buqi dismissed everyone else, then revealed the complete Biluotian prophecy: to acquire the treasure, the Saintess must be sacrificed. Dongfang Shi initially refused to believe her, accusing her of lying to escape. Hua Buqi, having deduced he was a descendant of Prince Cheng and believing Chen Yu was truly dead, declared she had no wish to live alone.
She agreed to return with Dongfang Shi, accepting her fate of being sacrificed, only asking him not to harm Xiao Xia and the others. Dongfang Shi, despite his love for Hua Buqi, remained partially unconvinced. He decided to consult Xiao Jiufeng for confirmation of the prophecy, promising to return for her if she was lying.
As Hua Buqi and her entourage made their way back to Zhu Manor, a seemingly dazed Hua Buqi unexpectedly encountered Bai Ma, who swiftly killed some of the Zhu Manor guards. Hua Buqi, recognizing him, eagerly followed. Once they were alone, Chen Yu removed his Bai Ma mask and embraced her tightly.
He explained that his forces were insufficient to capture all the rebels, so he faked his death by pretending to fall off a cliff after being struck by arrows. He admitted to tampering with the corpse Dongfang Shi found to ensure his deception, fearing that if Hua Buqi knew of his plan, her reactions might expose them.
Chen Yu reassured her that Old Master Zhu had been moved to a safe location and any spies within Zhu Manor had been eliminated. He then told Hua Buqi his plan was to now go into hiding with her, buy time, and seek revenge for his Master. He revealed he had already sent the Emperor portraits of his Master’s killers, warning him of a rebellion in the name of Prince Cheng.
Chen Yu suspected the Emperor would soon realize he possessed the holy items, so they needed to disappear. Meanwhile, Dongfang Shi confronted Xiao Jiufeng, demanding to know if there was more to the Biluotian prophecy. Xiao Jiufeng confirmed the prophecy about sacrificing the Saintess and ordered Dongfang Shi to bring Hua Buqi back. Dongfang Shi defiantly refused, stating he would rather give up the throne and the Biluotian treasure than let Hua Buqi die.
Xiao Jiufeng was furious, reminding him of all the sacrifices made to put him on the throne. Dongfang Shi retaliated, threatening to burn Gui Valley if Xiao Jiufeng harmed Hua Buqi. Xiao Jiufeng saw his mother’s obstinance in Dongfang Shi, recalling how she also threatened to burn Gui Valley for Prince Cheng.
He reminded Dongfang Shi of his promise to his mother to help him ascend the throne and reclaim what was rightfully his family’s, but insisted that Dongfang Shi could not marry Hua Buqi. For their rebellion in Jingzhou to succeed, Dongfang Shi was required to marry the Northern Wilderness King’s daughter. At that moment, Xiao Jiufeng received news that the people tracking Hua Buqi had been killed, and she was missing.
He surmised that Chen Yu, now believed dead, had passed the holy object and map to Hua Buqi, who had hidden them. Given these developments, Xiao Jiufeng declared they must launch their rebellion within the month. Dongfang Shi, however, reaffirmed his commitment to taking the throne without the Biluotian treasure, vowing to protect Hua Buqi. Back in the capital, Bai Jianfei reported to the Emperor, stating he believed Chen Yu had faked his death.
He reasoned that Chen Yu’s elaborate plan to be "arrested" and borrow soldiers indicated he anticipated an ambush, making a casual death unlikely for such a meticulous strategist. Bai Jianfei also revealed that his bribed spies in Zhu Manor were killed by a man named Bai Ma, whom he suspected was Chen Yu in disguise, who then abducted Hua Buqi to protect her from the Emperor's wrath. Bai Jianfei then brought Liu Qingwu before the Emperor.
Liu Qingwu dramatically declared Hua Buqi to be the Biluotian Saintess, claiming Chen Yu had revealed this to her when drunk. She also disclosed that Hua Buqi was not the Seventh Prince’s daughter, and the Seventh Prince’s prolonged search for her was suspicious. Liu Qingwu implicated her former master, Liu Mingyue, as working for a mysterious "Lord" who intended to rebel using the Biluotian treasure, a treasure only the Saintess could open.
The Emperor, convinced by Liu Qingwu's story, ordered Old Master Zhu arrested and issued warrants for Chen Yu, Xiao Jiufeng, and Dongfang Shi. He then commanded the return of warhorses from Feiyun Fortress. However, Xiao Jiufeng had already poisoned the water sources near Feiyun Fortress, causing a severe horse plague that killed thousands of horses. In the palace, the Emperor, captivated by Liu Qingwu's beauty, visited her in Xiangyuan Hall. Liu Qingwu, in turn, began to use her charms to gain influence and secure her own power.
