Luoyang Episode 12 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
Baili Hongyi was meticulously observing the arsenal, where numerous skilled craftsmen worked diligently, each absorbed in their tasks. Suddenly, one of the artisans spotted Baili Hongyi, who immediately fled in alarm, with the workers hot on his heels. He ran frantically through the labyrinthine tunnels. Just as he was about to be caught, Gao Bingzhu arrived and pulled him out of the tunnels. The pursuing artisans, fearing exposure, quietly retreated.
Gao Bingzhu, knowing the residents of the Unwelcome Well resented him, led Baili Hongyi away from the crowds to a secluded spot. When Baili Hongyi insisted on reporting to the authorities, Gao Bingzhu vehemently objected, reminding him of the disaster that befell Riverside Resort and warning that the entire Unwelcome Well would face ruin if the arsenal was discovered by officials.
Though Baili Hongyi still believed the authorities were a better option than trusting Gao Bingzhu, Gao Bingzhu argued that the Well residents already resented him and had suffered enough, so they did not need to be further upset by his presence. He then offered to take Baili Hongyi to someone who understood the Unwelcome Well better than any official. Meanwhile, at Interior Guard Services, Wu Siyue was distraught.
She had sworn at her deceased comrades' graves that she would bring them justice, yet Gao Bingzhu had continued to operate alone, seemingly without trusting her. Her frustration was compounded by the fact that the assassin, Yuan Fei, still remained at large and the leads on the Copper Mine had dried up. Liu Ran then arrived at Interior Guard Services, seeking solace from Wu Siyue.
During their conversation, Liu Ran expressed her internal conflict over facing Baili Hongyi after her uncle Liu Xiang's death and her father-in-law's case. She also inadvertently revealed that Baili Hongyi had gone out alone that morning without his personal guard, Shen Fei. Realizing the potential danger, Wu Siyue immediately sent someone to investigate Baili Hongyi's whereabouts. Gao Bingzhu brought Baili Hongyi to see Wang Dengcheng, but found his mother absent.
Wang Dengcheng claimed she had been sent to a clinic that morning due to a sudden flare-up of her arthritis. However, Gao Bingzhu noticed the Qiongguo candy syrup hadn't yet solidified, indicating it had been freshly made, contradicting Wang Dengcheng's story. He deliberately commented that the candy must taste bitter because the sesame hadn't been properly toasted, urging Baili Hongyi to try it and give a "satisfactory" rating to please his mother.
Baili Hongyi, recognizing that the candy was not bitter and recalling Gao Bingzhu's specific knowledge of his rating habits, instantly understood Gao Bingzhu's subtle hint that Wang Dengcheng was suspicious. Gao Bingzhu then encouraged Baili Hongyi to question Wang Dengcheng about the Unwelcome Well, deliberately mentioning the private arsenal hidden within. Wang Dengcheng feigned ignorance and vehemently objected when Baili Hongyi proposed reporting the arsenal to the authorities, warning of the disastrous consequences for the Unwelcome Well.
Gao Bingzhu, however, intervened, seemingly persuading Wang Dengcheng to allow Baili Hongyi to proceed. Instead, Gao Bingzhu seized the opportunity to quickly knock Baili Hongyi unconscious and instructed Wang Dengcheng to help carry him into a room. Wu Siyue, meanwhile, had Sui Xin draw a wanted poster of Yuan Fei and sent him to find Baili Hongyi. Wu Siyue also questioned Liu Ran about Yuan Fei, learning that Liu Xiang had given him a house.
Upon receiving this information, Wu Siyue immediately dispatched a search party to Yuan Fei's residence, but the residence was already empty. As Wang Dengcheng led Gao Bingzhu towards the arsenal through an old jade mining tunnel, he revealed that a cave-in last year had killed many people, noting that the Unwelcome Well, being composed of ancient rocks, should never collapse. Gao Bingzhu immediately suspected a connection between the cave-in and the arsenal.
As they neared the arsenal, Wang Dengcheng urged Gao Bingzhu to turn back, pleading with him to consider his mother's well-being and the safety of the Unwelcome Well residents. Gao Bingzhu refused, stating he had been searching for five years and could not abandon this crucial lead, determined to uncover the secrets of the Four Season Clan and find the hand-halberd killer to avenge his comrades. Suddenly, Wang Dengcheng pulled out a dagger, forcing Gao Bingzhu to surrender.
Gao Bingzhu was then tied to a pillar in the arsenal, realizing with bitter disappointment that Wang Dengcheng had betrayed the Unwelcome Well. Shortly after, Song Liang, the Minister of War and the Summer Lord of the Four Season Clan, arrived. Gao Bingzhu was shocked that a high-ranking official was involved in private weapon manufacturing, clearly indicating a plot of rebellion. Gao Bingzhu, however, declared his sole focus was revenge.
Song Liang, claiming Gao Bingzhu was blinded by hatred, asserted that the empress was the true root of all injustice and urged Gao Bingzhu to seek revenge from her. Song Liang then attempted to recruit Gao Bingzhu into the Four Season Clan, promising that after dealing with Wu Youjue and destabilizing Interior Guard Services, they would assassinate the empress, and then Gao Bingzhu's revenge would be fulfilled.
Gao Bingzhu, understanding the situation, agreed to join but on one condition: he must be the one to personally kill the hand-halberd murderer. Song Liang readily accepted the terms, and Gao Bingzhu publicly declared his allegiance to the Four Season Clan. Song Liang then released him. Just then, Wu Siyue and Baili Hongyi, accompanied by Interior Guard Services guards, arrived, catching Song Liang completely off guard.
The Ministry of War soldiers were quickly subdued, but the artisans fiercely resisted, initiating a large-scale battle. It was then revealed that Gao Bingzhu and Baili Hongyi had orchestrated a deceptive plan to trick Wang Dengcheng. Gao Bingzhu had intentionally tied Baili Hongyi with a "Workmen's knot," a special knot Baili Hongyi had invented and which Gao Bingzhu, having learned it, knew Baili Hongyi could easily untie. This allowed Baili Hongyi to escape and report their findings to Wu Siyue.
Together, Baili Hongyi and Wu Siyue analyzed the evidence, including the distinct design of the privately cast weapons, which resembled those from the Ministry of War, leading them to deduce that Song Liang was the mastermind behind the plot and was planning a coup. As they prepared to lead the Interior Guard Services to raid the Unwelcome Well, Wu Siyue received word that Wu Youjue was heading to Liu Mansion to investigate copper findings mentioned in a secret letter.
She immediately realized this was a trap set by Song Liang to lure her brother, and she rushed to intercept Wu Youjue. Meanwhile, Yuan Fei and his forces had been patiently lying in ambush on the sole path leading to Liu Mansion. When Wu Youjue's carriage finally sped into view, Yuan Fei ordered his men to unleash a volley of arrows, piercing the carriage.
Yuan Fei then leaped from the surrounding wall to capture Wu Youjue, only to discover the carriage was empty. Realizing he had been tricked, Yuan Fei and his men were swiftly surrounded and annihilated by Interior Guard Services guards who had followed Wu Youjue's decoy carriage. Back at the arsenal, a masked figure suddenly descended, confronting Gao Bingzhu.
Recognizing the hand-halberd the figure wielded, Gao Bingzhu identified him as the murderer of his comrades and immediately engaged him in a fierce fight. As Song Liang's soldiers suffered heavy casualties and he found himself isolated, he attempted to take his own life. However, Baili Hongyi desperately intervened, preventing him and fiercely demanding to know why he had murdered his father, Baili Yan.
Song Liang scoffed, dismissively calling Baili Yan a mere "ant" who had foolishly stood in the way of his grand ambitions. Enraged, Baili Hongyi drew his knife, intent on avenging his father, but Wu Siyue swiftly intervened, ordering him to put down his weapon.
