Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Episode 12 Recap
> Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Recap
As Zhen Lan and his companions fled from Cangliu's pursuing soldiers, Zhen Lan proposed luring them to a specific spot where Su Mo could deal with them. Su Mo agreed, stating he would not want a boring fight. Zhen Lan then led the pursuers into the trap, and Su Mo incapacitated Nanzhao and his subordinates with his magic, leaving them defeated.
Upon Su Mo's return to Taoyuan Village to reunite with the group, Bai Ying's face briefly lit up with a smile at their safe arrival, but she quickly composed herself. She did not want anyone to see her concern for Su Mo, nor did she want to harbor any feelings for him, feeling she would otherwise be unworthy of the people who had died because of her.
Su Mo, observing her, directly told her that he could see her concern on her face. Ru Yi, however, was adamant that the Kongsang people, including Zhen Lan, should be driven away. She reminded Su Mo that Kongsang had sealed the Biluo Sea seven thousand years ago, making them homeless, and a century ago, Prince Qing Chen of Kongsang had enslaved their people. Ru Yi felt it was time for Kongsang to experience the same loss.
Su Mo countered that Cangliu was their true enemy, not Kongsang, and emphasized the need for an alliance to gather strength against Cangliu. He explained that Quanxian, being militarily weak and not made for battle, could not face Cangliu's vast army and weaponry alone. Su Mo sought to create an ideal Yunhuang by uniting against their common foe, ensuring a path back to the Biluo Sea.
Ru Yi, though initially resistant, eventually acknowledged Su Mo's far-sighted vision and the Quanxian people's desire for peace. Meanwhile, Bai Ying discussed their situation with Zhen Lan. She suggested they should leave soon to avoid causing further trouble for Su Mo and the Quanxian people. Zhen Lan agreed, acknowledging the many difficulties the Heavenly Ring had already brought to Quanxian and expressing gratitude for Su Mo's repeated help despite his temperament.
He admitted his own scattered powers made him unable to offer adequate protection. Zhen Lan promised Bai Ying he would speak to Su Mo to determine their next steps, assuring her he would not force their departure. Following Ting's solemn funeral, Ru Yi conveyed Su Mo's decision to Bai Ying, Zhen Lan, and Na Sheng: they were welcome to stay and recuperate from their injuries.
Bai Ying expressed concern about imposing too much or endangering the Quanxian, but Ru Yi assured her that Su Mo did not mind, especially since Ting had sacrificed himself saving Na Sheng. After reflecting on Ting's ultimate choice and her unwavering loyalty to the Quanxian's dream of returning to Biluo Sea, Xi Jing, deeply moved, approached Su Mo.
He formally pledged his entire being as the oldest disciple of Master Mo Yan of the Holy Sword Sect to assist Su Mo, the Emperor of the Sea, in leading the Quanxian back to Biluo Sea, swearing on his honor as a swordsman. Su Mo, in turn, accepted Xi Jing as Quanxian's most trusted ally. Later, Bai Ying confronted Su Mo, observing his greatly strengthened powers over the past century.
She inquired about his magical studies and wondered if he had endured significant hardship. Su Mo directly asked if she was concerned for him, a question he pressed further when she expressed worry about his power backlash at the gambling house, which he denied. Bai Ying urged him to look after himself for the sake of the Quanxian.
Su Mo, noting her conflicting words and actions, questioned why she showed concern if she wished to keep her distance, and why she spoke such words if she wanted to see him. When she offered no clear answer, he stated he would not force her. Privately, Bai Ying continued to worry, observing his persistent facade of strength despite his injuries. Quanxian elites eventually converged at Su Mo's refuge, bringing their total numbers to around 3,300.
Despite this sizable force, Su Mo recognized their inherent lack of military prowess, stating they were still no match for Cangliu's advanced weaponry. He stressed his desire to avoid any further needless casualties before they could break the dragon deity's seal and unlock its power to truly defeat Cangliu. To minimize losses, Su Mo instructed Ru Yi to return to Taoyuan Commandery and attempt to persuade Gao Shunzhao.
When Ru Yi presented a mind-control drug, an idea originating from Ning Liang, Su Mo firmly rejected it as a Cangliu tactic, emphasizing that they must not stoop to their enemy's despicable methods. Ning Liang then voiced concerns about the Kongsang people remaining in Taoyuan Village, fearing their presence would expose the village to Cangliu's wrath. Su Mo reaffirmed that the Kongsang people would depart that night, reiterating that Cangliu was their primary enemy and that helping Kongsang was necessary.
Later, Su Mo summoned Ning Liang to question her about her idea to use the mind-control drug. Ning Liang explained that this suggestion stemmed from their tribe's long history of suffering from Cangliu's drug warfare and a desire to retaliate in kind, but promised to abandon such methods now that Su Mo had returned. Su Mo accepted her promise, easing his initial suspicion. Ning Liang then implied that Su Mo still harbored feelings for Bai Ying.
Su Mo clarified that his decision to let the Kongsang people stay was out of guilt for Bai Ying from the past, not current romantic feelings, and emphasized the need for mutual trust within the Quanxian tribe to face their formidable enemies. Meanwhile, in Cangliu's Royal Prison, Xiao endured brutal torture. Her captors demanded she confess that Yu Huan was a traitor who deliberately released the Heavenly Ring's holder, promising her freedom and riches if she complied.
They warned her of the much crueler methods of Xin Zhui, the prison king, and tried to manipulate her by claiming Yu Huan saw her only as a tool. Despite the severe pain and the tempting offer, Xiao defiantly took the blame upon herself, refusing to betray Yu Huan. In a quiet moment, Su Mo, unable to dismiss Bai Ying from his thoughts, walked to her room.
Just as he reached her door, Bai Ying opened it, revealing she was also coming to find him because she wanted to see how he was. Su Mo, concerned about her health, suggested they talk inside, away from the strong sun, and advised her not to go around randomly. Separately, Zhen Lan discussed their dire situation with Xi Jing. Zhen Lan stated their most urgent task was to unseal the Six Direction Seals to restore the Power of Heaven.
He revealed that with the Heavenly Ring's discovery, he now sensed the locations of the three remaining seals: Jiuyi Mountain, the Ghost and Deity Abyss, and the Jing Pagoda. Xi Jing acknowledged the significance of Jiuyi Mountain, the Kongsang royal mausoleum, but noted that the Ghost and Deity Abyss extended 64,000 che deep into the ocean, accessible only to merpeople, thus requiring Quanxian's help. He also recognized the challenge of the Jing Pagoda, a crucial Cangliu stronghold.
Zhen Lan concurred, explaining that while he and the six princes could likely handle Jiuyi Mountain and potentially the Jing Pagoda, entering the Ghost and Deity Abyss was impossible without Quanxian assistance. He concluded that with Xi Jing's renewed commitment, their chances of success had increased.
