Legend of Fu Yao Episode 49 Recap, Plot

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The scene opens with Zhan Nancheng confronting Prince Heng about the national treasury's continued shortage, despite Prince Heng having been tasked to investigate and recover funds from corrupt officials. Zhan Nancheng questions if any silver has been returned. Despite Prince Heng’s fervent pleas of innocence and denial of knowing where the money came from, Zhan Nancheng, already suspicious, orders a search of Prince Heng’s mansion. The search quickly uncovers vast sums of money, wealth comparable to an entire country’s treasury.

A bewildered and desperate Prince Heng claims the funds were secretly placed there and that Fu Yao, in collusion with the Crown Prince, framed him. Zhan Nancheng dismisses these accusations, noting that the money originates from the highly restricted Tiansha National Treasury, and Prince Heng, as its manager, was in a prime position to embezzle. Further evidence incriminating Prince Heng emerges when guards report finding a hidden cellar containing a cache of weapons, armor, and firearms.

Confronted with undeniable proof, Zhan Nancheng expresses his profound betrayal, reminding Prince Heng that they are full brothers and that he had always believed Prince Heng would never turn against him. He questions if Prince Heng coveted the throne or instigated him to kill his half-brothers to legitimize his own rebellion.

Concluding that Prince Heng, despite all the power and wealth bestowed upon him, remained insatiably greedy and even more despicable than others, Zhan Nancheng orders his immediate arrest and incarceration in the imperial prison. As Prince Heng is led away, Fu Yao immediately kneels before Zhan Nancheng, requesting punishment. She acknowledges his likely suspicion that she colluded with the Crown Prince or harbored ulterior motives by concealing information.

Fu Yao denies any hidden agenda, asserting her daily torment as an inner conflict. She explains that she knew these truths because the Crown Prince, her former master as a hidden guard, trusted her. Though a hidden guard must never betray their master, she now serves as General Zhenwu to Zhan Nancheng, who has shown her immense kindness. She states she could not betray his trust or allow Prince Heng to harm him.

Despite her outward appearance of high spirits, she endured daily suffering, torn between her past loyalty and Zhan Nancheng’s safety. She claims Prince Heng’s relentless pressure forced her to reveal the truth, knowing it would make her an irreconcilable enemy of the Crown Prince and potentially cost her Zhan Nancheng’s trust. She humbly accepts any future condemnation, considering her actions worthwhile if they ensure his safety and repay his generosity.

Her sole plea is for a modest dwelling in Pandu where she can live out her remaining days, content to gaze upon the palace and reflect on his “unparalleled charm.” Moved by her sincerity, Zhan Nancheng bids her rise, stating he is not an unjust ruler. He admits that without this incident, he might not have dared to fully trust and promote her, given her past as a Shangyang Palace hidden guard.

He commends her for definitively breaking with Changsun Wuji, for her protective efforts, for exposing a traitor, and for replenishing the national treasury. Far from being punished, she will be greatly rewarded. He then decrees that General Zhenwu, Jiang Feng (Fu Yao's new official name), is to immediately take command of the Gold of Tiansha military, oversee all royal city affairs, and be appointed first-class General Zhenguo and first-class Marquis of Huguo.

Concurrently, he condemns Prince Heng for plotting treason, hiding arms, and embezzling funds, declaring his crimes unforgivable. However, out of respect for his royal lineage, Prince Heng is granted a full corpse and poisonous wine for self-euthanasia. Fu Yao, as General Zhenwu, is also tasked with temporarily overseeing all critical military affairs previously handled by Prince Heng. Meanwhile, a triumphant Changsun Wuji receives news of the developments.

His aide, Tie Cheng, congratulates him on the successful operation against Prince Heng, stating that it was only possible because Changsun Wuji had arranged for an agent to be positioned within Prince Heng’s mansion long beforehand, which was crucial for the framing to succeed. Changsun Wuji playfully remarks on Tie Cheng’s flattery, then shifts his focus, wondering about the current situation with King Zhan Nancheng after Prince Heng’s downfall. Zhan Beiye and his companions take a moment to rest.

Yalan Zhu thanks him, reminding him that the battle on the Ice Field was the second time he saved her, a memory she will never forget. He informs her that the treacherous Geya Desert lies ahead and that he must enter it to reclaim his throne in Pandu. However, he expresses deep concern for her safety, finding the journey too perilous for her.

Yalan Zhu, unwavering, declares that she will follow him regardless of his choices or destination, promising to stay by his side forever. Touched by her unwavering loyalty, Zhan Beiye embraces her tightly. As they pass through a common area, they overhear villagers discussing Prince Heng’s downfall, the vast wealth and arms found in his mansion, and the ongoing purge of his sympathizers, a stark reminder of the volatile political landscape. They soon reach the Hangjiao Ancient City.

Yalan Zhu, intrigued, questions if this is indeed the legendary city. Zhan Beiye, ensuring her safety, instructs her to hold her hand tightly as they enter. The ancient city is eerily silent and deserted; a general confirms no trace of the Hidden Army has been found. Despite the emptiness, Zhan Beiye resolves to wait within the city until the Hidden Army appears, and Yalan Zhu assures him she will wait by his side for as long as it takes.

Fu Yao arrives at Prince Heng’s prison cell to bid him farewell. Prince Heng, already facing his inevitable fate, recognizes Fu Yao and sarcastically asks if Zhan Nancheng sent her to supervise his execution, fearing he might not die completely. He laments his life, claiming he lived with extreme caution, constantly fearing death, only to find it unavoidable. He expresses regret, wishing he had genuinely rebelled, believing it might have offered a slim chance of survival.

He admits that his downfall was not truly Fu Yao’s doing but rather the culmination of Zhan Nancheng’s long-standing suspicion of him, with Fu Yao’s actions merely pushing events to their natural conclusion. Acknowledging his situation as karma, Prince Heng confesses that throughout his life, to secure his own survival, he personally murdered three of his own brothers. He accepts his deserved death, stating he will atone for his sins and face the ancestors of the Zhan family.

Fu Yao, in turn, assures him that she will protect his wife and children. In a Tiansha inn, Zong Yue is surprised to see a richly dressed Yun Hen, the Prince of Taiyuan, who had seemingly sneaked into Tiansha. Zong Yue questions if Yun Hen’s sole purpose for coming was to see him, his “brother.”

Yun Hen clarifies he is searching for Qi Yun and asks if Zong Yue has seen her, specifically inquiring about her well-being after her participation in the Gold of Tiansha selection, which she undertook to find him. Zong Yue, however, reveals he knows Yun Hen’s true aim: to find Qi Zhen, who had escaped from Kunjing and fled to Tiansha.

Yun Hen admits Zong Yue is right, explaining that he initially imprisoned Qi Zhen, but when Qi Zhen became gravely ill and appeared to be dying, Qi Yun begged to care for her father in his final moments. Out of a moment of weakness, Yun Hen agreed, even moving Qi Zhen to a villa and providing imperial doctors.

Zong Yue scathingly rebukes Yun Hen, questioning his ability to guard Qi Zhen when he couldn’t even control Qi Yun, and asserting that Qi Zhen views Yun Hen as the “damned person” who stole his throne, likely plotting his assassination from the shadows. Yun Hen vehemently defends Qi Zhen, denying such intentions, and produces a letter Qi Zhen left for him.

In the letter, Qi Zhen claims his desperate pursuit of the Dragon Scale Armor was solely to save Qi Yun’s life, as she cannot survive without it. He confesses his deep sins and states his current escape is to find Qi Yun and return the Dragon Scale Armor to the Xuanyuan Clan, thereby settling his long-standing debt with them.

Zong Yue, however, dismisses Qi Zhen’s words as untrustworthy, pointing out Qi Zhen’s current lack of troops or loyalists and his past failure to secure the Taiyuan throne despite immense power. Yun Hen voices concern that a disheartened Qi Zhen might harm Qi Yun. Zong Yue, undeterred, asserts that Qi Zhen is merely exploiting Yun Hen’s soft-heartedness and his affection for Qi Yun, a manipulation Yun Hen seems unable to perceive.

Yun Hen weakly reminds Zong Yue that Qi Zhen is Qi Yun’s father. Ultimately, Zong Yue, deducing that Qi Zhen has already contacted Yun Hen, agrees to accompany Yun Hen to confront Qi Zhen and “finish what wasn’t finished before,” implying a final confrontation to settle their long-standing feud. In Tiansha, Taiyan ambushes Fu Yao, mocking Changsun Wuji’s protective demeanor towards her and belittling Fu Yao as an ordinary individual.

She questions Fu Yao’s relationship with Changsun Wuji, then dismissively declares she has no interest in the answer. As Taiyan attempts to depart, Fu Yao challenges her right to leave. Taiyan, in turn, reveals she has a message for Changsun Wuji from her Master and demands Fu Yao deliver it. Fu Yao refuses to act as a messenger, instructing Taiyan to deliver the message herself. Enraged, Taiyan calls Fu Yao a “kid” and launches another assault.

Fortunately, Changsun Wuji arrives just in time to intercept Taiyan’s attack, asking if she’s finished. His intervention only further incenses Taiyan, who then unleashes a volley of hidden weapons. Changsun Wuji manages to deflect one, but another grazes Fu Yao’s wrist. Seeing Fu Yao wounded, Changsun Wuji sternly rebukes Taiyan for arbitrarily injuring a fellow disciple and for using a “forbidden skill” against him, forbidding her from ever appearing before Fu Yao again before departing with Fu Yao.

As they leave, Taiyan issues a chilling warning to Changsun Wuji that Fu Yao will ultimately be the cause of his demise. Later, at General Zhenwu’s Mansion, Changsun Wuji carefully applies medicine to Fu Yao’s scratched wrist, blaming himself for her injury. Fu Yao downplays the wound as insignificant compared to their previous hardships. She then inquires about Taiyan’s identity. Changsun Wuji explains that Taiyan is a disciple of Master Fei Yan.

He clarifies that his own master is Tianji, the Senior Master of Qiongcong and overseer of Changqing Palace. Although Master Fei Yan and his master belong to the same lineage within Qiongcong, they rarely interact. Nevertheless, as fellow Qiongcong disciples, he refers to Master Fei Yan as his “Shishu” (aunt-master), making Taiyan his junior apprentice sister. He assures Fu Yao that Taiyan is simply accustomed to her unruly behavior and was not specifically targeting her.

Fu Yao, intrigued by his decade-long study at Qiongcong, asks Changsun Wuji his reasons for going there. He admits it might have been a form of escape or a deep desire to prove himself, a personal decision to evade “something he dared not face.” He confides that if she trusts him, he is ready to confront it with her. He reveals the secret of his parents’ marriage, which, despite appearing perfect to outsiders, was far from it.

His mother, who truly loved Prince De, was married to his father, Changsun Jiong. As a child, he frequently witnessed his mother secretly maintaining ties with Prince De, seemingly abandoning his father and the kingdom. Fu Yao acknowledges his long-held awareness of these circumstances and urges him not to let past mistakes consume him.

Fu Yao then suggests that he struggled so hard to prove himself an excellent Crown Prince, first to atone for his mother's sins, and second, to let his father know he was always the best son. Changsun Wuji confirms this, confessing that as the Crown Prince of Tianquan, he carries an immense burden, constantly striving to avoid any disappointment from his father, and haunted by these “unbearable things” whenever he faces him.

Fu Yao then points out that despite his efforts, he ultimately defied his father, who disapproved of her presence by his side. Changsun Wuji acknowledges this, explaining that without her, he might have only lived for the throne, but with her, he discovered a world full of other worthy pursuits. He expresses profound gratitude for finding someone with whom he can share his deepest secrets and trust implicitly.

Fu Yao echoes his sentiment, equally grateful to have found a companion to stand by her side and brave all challenges. The next morning, Zong Yue brings a sleeping Yun Hen back to his lodgings, instructing the innkeeper not to disturb his “brother,” who is recuperating from his travels. Before leaving, Zong Yue places a letter for Yun Hen.

In the letter, Zong Yue acknowledges Yun Hen’s eighteen years of indebtedness to Qi Zhen, but sternly reminds him of their family’s blood feud and the unfilial nature of his compassion towards Qi Zhen, particularly considering their deceased parents. He takes on the responsibility of confronting the “bloodshed and dirty deeds” that Yun Hen wishes to avoid, declaring his own borrowed life expendable.

He implores Yun Hen, as the King of Taiyuan, to uphold the glory of the Xuanyuan clan and dedicate himself to the welfare of his people, asserting that only then will he, Xuanyuan Yue, die without regret. Meanwhile, in the desolate Hangjiao Ancient City, Zhan Beiye and his companions continue their two-day vigil for the Hidden Army, with no sign of them. Yalan Zhu notes the city’s emptiness and questions whether the Hidden Army will truly appear.

Zhan Beiye insists they must wait, as the Hidden Army is their only hope. Yalan Zhu, observing the cheerless environment, asks Zhan Beiye about the Black Wind Cavalry’s betrayal thousands of years ago. Zhan Beiye recounts that the Black Wind Cavalry betrayed the Five Kingdoms for the legendary, immeasurable treasures hidden beneath the ancient city. These treasures were imbued with divine power, untouchable by mortals, and those seduced by them were cursed.

As punishment for their betrayal, which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands in Hangjiao, Qiongcong imprisoned them within the city for all generations. They are tormented and unable to leave Geya unless someone can break the seal. Yalan Zhu expresses profound pity, believing that thousands of years of suffering are punishment enough, and suggests they deserve release. She asks if the Canglong Sword, known for its power to control them, could also free them.

Zhan Beiye confirms her thought, realizing that by making a new oath with the Canglong Sword, he might be able to compel them to fulfill their original pledge and thus release them from their ancient curse. Zhan Beiye, wielding the Canglong Sword, issues a powerful summons, calling forth the Black Wind Cavalry soldiers of the Five Kingdoms, declaring, “The Azure Dragon is in the Wild, ride the wind and turn into a flag!”

From the depths of the ancient city, the long-awaited Hidden Army materializes. Zhan Beiye bravely confronts them, questioning if they recognize him or, at least, his sword. He reveals his identity as Zhan Beiye, son of King Jianhe of Tiansha, and the sole descendant of Old Prime Minister Zhou, declaring that his ability to wield the Canglong Sword unequivocally proves his lineage. He announces his purpose: to reclaim the ancient promise they made.

Though they initially deny any promise to him personally, he reminds them of their solemn oath to the sword itself: “When Canglong appears, Black Wind Cavalry must follow to the death.” They challenge his authority, claiming abandonment by the Five Kingdoms and expressing their desire to remain trapped rather than be driven by external desires. Zhan Beiye counters, reminding them of their heritage as citizens of the Five Kingdoms, whose ancestors signed a life-and-death contract to serve the royal court.

He implores them not to forget their dignity as human beings, asserting that they should not be confined indefinitely to this barren land, enduring an endless, soul-destroying torment. He contrasts their stagnant suffering with the ongoing battles fought by others for the people of the Five Kingdoms, pointing to the vibrant “Sword God’s Eye” on his blade as a testament to their original vows to fight for Tiansha and its populace.

When pressed, he declares his need for their strength to overthrow the corrupt ruler of Tiansha, rescue its suffering people, and restore peace. Facing their skepticism, he states they can only trust him, swearing by the Canglong Sword that if they join him in rooting out the incapable emperor and upholding justice, he will use the Twin Bells of Tiansha to break their ancient confinement, emphasizing that he alone possesses the power to unseal Hangjiao Ancient City.

Yalan Zhu steps forward, passionately urging the Hidden Army to trust Zhan Beiye, affirming him as the most faithful man she has ever known. The Hidden Army then agrees to believe him, but demands a life sacrifice to seal the oath, specifically demanding Yalan Zhu’s life. Zhan Beiye adamantly refuses to allow such a sacrifice. However, Yalan Zhu, asserting it is the last thing she can do for him, attempts to take her own life.

Zhan Beiye swiftly intervenes, stopping her. He then dramatically pulls the Canglong Sword and, declaring that this is solely his affair as a descendant of both the Zhan and Zhou families, plunges the sword into his own chest. He offers his own life as the ultimate oath, demanding in return that they fulfill their promise to eradicate the corrupt ruler and bring lasting peace to Tiansha.

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