Love of Thousand Years Episode 10 Recap
> Love of Thousand Years Recap
The White River Dragon King, having consumed a Milong pellet, dramatically increased his power and transformed into a dragon. He easily overpowered the Suzerain, who reverted to his black snake form and fled. Fu Jiuyun arrived to find the disciples at the mountain gate and main hall all massacred. The Dragon King, believing himself invincible, tried to persuade Fu Jiuyun to surrender the Spiritual Lamp and join him, taunting his loyalty to the Suzerain.
As disciples scattered in fear, Fu Jiuyun fought fiercely but began to falter. He was moved by the memory of wanting to protect Qin Chuan and give her a simple life, a sentiment she always mistook for a joke. Just as his strength waned, Qin Chuan, clad in red, appeared on a rooftop and launched a surprise attack on the Dragon King.
Though he had forbidden her from returning, Fu Jiuyun was resolute, declaring that no one, not even an immortal, would be allowed to harm her. Qin Chuan's momentary carelessness resulted in her being attacked by the White River Dragon King. Fu Jiuyun immediately intervened, taking the full force of the blow to shield her, suffering grievous internal injuries that shattered his heart meridian.
He then cast a spell to put Qin Chuan into a deep sleep before breaking the seal on his own power. Using his full strength, he unleashed a devastating attack that killed the White River Dragon King, but the effort left him utterly depleted. He collapsed onto the snow-covered ground, and in his final moments, slowly retrieved a painting, allowing his spirit to enter it.
The next morning, Qin Chuan awoke, disoriented, and frantically searched for Fu Jiuyun, unknowingly stepping over the very painting that held his spirit. Driven by urgency, she retrieved the Spiritual Lamp, inadvertently triggering a defensive array that caused large boulders to fall, imperiling her life. Just in time, Ermeng appeared, seemingly having stumbled upon her by chance.
He swiftly used what he claimed was "witchcraft taught by Lord Qiu for chopping firewood" to clear the falling rocks, rescuing her from certain death. Ermeng, professing his love and desire to marry her, suggested they leave the dangerous Xiangqu Mountain, find a quiet village, and live a simple life together. However, Qin Chuan, still distraught and with a mission in mind, firmly stated she couldn't leave yet as she had someone else to save.
Recalling that Xuanzhu was still imprisoned, Qin Chuan insisted on rescuing her. Ermeng reluctantly accompanied her to the prison, where they found Xuanzhu, who bitterly questioned Qin Chuan's motives, believing her to be hypocritical. Qin Chuan clarified that she had already sent Zuo Zichen to a safe place and had told him that Xuanzhu would seek him out later. Acknowledging Xuanzhu's suffering over the years, Qin Chuan insisted on helping her.
Ermeng, noting Xuanzhu's unexpected weight as he carried her, humorously questioned if she was truly a princess. After rescuing Xuanzhu, they proceeded to Steward Zhao's house at the foot of the mountain, where Zuo Zichen was already waiting, having regained his memories and realizing Qin Chuan was Yanyan. Steward Zhao welcomed them, relieved they hadn't used the main entrance, which was now filled with the burnt bodies of disciples.
She shared the grim news that while the Suzerain and Fu Jiuyun had won the battle, the Suzerain had vanished, and Fu Jiuyun was rumored to have been killed by the Dragon King's sword. Steward Zhao urged Qin Chuan to abandon her loyalty and leave the mountain with her. Upon hearing the devastating news of Fu Jiuyun's death, Qin Chuan was overwhelmed with grief and fled into the nearby forest, weeping uncontrollably. Zuo Zichen followed, offering her a handkerchief.
He spoke of their past, his confusion over her transformation into Aman, and her time as a maid on Xiangqu Mountain, lamenting his lost memories and inability to reconcile their shared history. He recalled their time in the imperial garden, then suggested they could travel together to places like Lingyu city, Qingyun city for crab, or the Yun-meng lakes.
He reminded her of her former noble ideals and her heart full of righteousness and care for the world, contrasting it with his singular devotion to her. Qin Chuan, however, firmly declared that they could not go back to their past. She declined his advances, stating that he was a man of integrity with a heart dedicated to the world, and for that very reason, he should not become entangled with her again.
She implied that Xuanzhu was the one who deserved him now. Without bidding farewell, Qin Chuan departed. Before leaving, Qin Chuan instructed Steward Zhao to arrange a carriage for Zuo Zichen and Xuanzhu. After a night of reflection, Zuo Zichen, realizing his debt to Xuanzhu, decided to accompany her, stating he had forgiven her. He confirmed Qin Chuan’s message, conveyed by Steward Zhao, that he was a righteous man and it was his turn to take care of Xuanzhu.
He agreed to take Xuanzhu to the ice field of White River to retrieve her mother, leaving behind Xiangqu Mountain and his entangled past. Meanwhile, as Ermeng and Qin Chuan continued their descent, Ermeng abruptly stopped and used a talisman to immobilize Qin Chuan, which he stated would wear off in six hours. Startled, Qin Chuan watched as Ermeng's demeanor shifted, his previous foolishness replaced by a serious expression.
He revealed that he had orchestrated her selection for the servant's courtyard because he admired her intelligence. He confessed that they were both after the Spiritual Lamp and expressed deep regret, admitting he genuinely wished to marry her, but the chaotic times prevented him from pursuing personal desires. He revealed his true identity as Ting Yuan, the Second Prince of Tianyuan, apologized for their unavoidable parting, and left her bound by the spell.
Qin Chuan remained motionless until a bruised and grumbling young master Bai stumbled upon her, and his arrival coincided with the spell lifting. Young master Bai, after initially mocking her helpless state, sensed Fu Jiuyun's lingering aura. He claimed Fu Jiuyun was still alive but likely severely wounded or ambushed, and that he could feel Fu Jiuyun thinking of him.
Convinced of Fu Jiuyun's survival, Qin Chuan returned with young master Bai to Steward Zhao’s house, only to find it deserted. Young master Bai explained his injuries, saying the Dragon King's men had tried to smash his mirror form and he had to manifest his human body to fight them off. Remembering Steward Zhao’s fondness for snacks from her hometown, Lingyu City, which was nearby, Qin Chuan deduced that everyone must have gone there.
Young master Bai, recalling Fu Jiuyun’s promise to always find her, proposed they travel together to Lingyu City to wait for his return. In Lingyu City, Ting Yuan received an unexpected visit from his elder brother, Li Yuan, the Crown Prince of Tianyuan. Li Yuan stated he was on his father’s orders to inspect the drought-stricken southwestern region, which was once the Li homeland, and prevent civil unrest.
He feigned concern for Ting Yuan's health, mentioning his absence from imperial sacrifices and hinting at forcing him to the capital, Gaodu, for treatment. Ting Yuan maintained his facade of a carefree, indifferent prince, claiming full recovery and a desire to remain an "unworried prince" in scenic Lingyu City. Li Yuan pressed further, questioning Ting Yuan's purported interest in theurgy, his association with "strange wizards," his rumored presence near Xiangqu Mountain, and his relocation to the southwest three years prior.
Ting Yuan expertly parried these suspicions, dismissing them as nonsense and feigning ignorance about the recent instability at Xiangqu Mountain. Seemingly satisfied, Li Yuan advised him to continue his carefree act, reminding him that he cared for him most. Li Yuan announced he would camp outside the city for one night and expected to see Ting Yuan at the upcoming Ghost Festival, to which Ting Yuan agreed.
