Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Episode 17 Recap
> Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Recap
The Cangliu people sent another sound pearl, threatening a vicious strike that night. Concerned for the Quanxian tribe, Elder Yu considered handing over Na Sheng, but Yan Xi prevented him. Elder Yu then sought out Ning Liang, explaining that he intended to do something beneficial for their people and urged Ning Liang to stay alive and care for the tribe.
Meanwhile, Na Sheng was upset that Yan Xi had not visited her since their return to the grand camp, especially since Zhen Lan and Bai Ying had already come to see her. She confided in Xi Jing, asking why Yan Xi wasn't coming, wondering if he no longer wanted her or if they were going their separate ways. Xi Jing assured her that an alliance between Kongsang and Quanxian meant no separation.
He tried to explain that since returning to camp, Yan Xi was no longer just her Yan Xi; he was the Left Commissioner of the Quanxian army and bound by military orders, unable to leave without Su Mo's permission. Xi Jing tried to get her to be considerate and patient, telling her that Zhen Lan had instructed him to look after her and prevent her from leaving the camp, especially to see Yan Xi.
However, Na Sheng was determined to see Yan Xi. She tricked Xi Jing into leaving to find roasted chicken, then slipped away herself. On her way, she encountered Elder Yu, who claimed Yan Xi had sent him to pick her up. To prove his identity, Elder Yu showed her his Quanxian necklace, similar to Yan Xi's. Na Sheng, thrilled at the prospect of seeing Yan Xi, despite her initial caution, eagerly followed Elder Yu.
Bai Ying's ring sensed Na Sheng was in danger, prompting her to ask the High Priest to open the Water Mirror and locate Na Sheng. They discovered Elder Yu was taking Na Sheng to meet Master Peng, intending to exchange her for Quanxian hostages. This news infuriated the Kongsang people, who accused the Quanxian of treachery.
However, Zhen Lan cautioned them against baseless accusations and resolved to seek an explanation from Su Mo, while simultaneously dispatching others to rescue Na Sheng. Xi Jing, having realized Na Sheng had tricked him, was also searching for her and informed Yan Xi about Na Sheng's abduction by Elder Yu. Yan Xi, along with Zhen Lan, arrived at the Quanxian camp.
When they learned that Su Mo was in seclusion, Zhen Lan questioned why Su Mo was avoiding them and if this exchange was Su Mo's order. The merpeople guarding the camp insisted that Su Mo would not see anyone during his seclusion. While in seclusion, Su Mo wrestled with his inner demons.
A dark entity, seemingly his inner demon, tempted him, offering to take power and deal with those who had harmed him, highlighting the heavy losses Quanxian had already suffered. But Su Mo resisted, focusing on practicing the Splitting Technique, ultimately destroying the manifestation of his inner demons. Elder Yu proceeded to the designated meeting place, but it was General Yu Huan who appeared in place of Master Peng.
Elder Yu confirmed their agreement to stop the killings if the person holding the Heavenly Ring was handed over and demanded a blood pact to ensure the promise. Yu Huan agreed, bringing out some Quanxian merpeople as a gesture of sincerity. Elder Yu and Yu Huan then made the blood pact. As Elder Yu prepared to hand over Na Sheng, Master Peng's forces launched a surprise attack, wounding Elder Yu with an arrow.
Elder Yu immediately activated the blood pact against Yu Huan, causing him immense pain, and ordered the other merpeople to escape. As Elder Yu and the merpeople fled, Bai Ying arrived to intercept the pursuing Cangliu soldiers, buying time. With his remaining strength, Elder Yu opened a sea gate, allowing the rescued Quanxian merpeople to return to the sea. However, Bai Ying was captured by the Cangliu forces, who deployed a Lapis Lazuli formation that nullified Kongsang magic.
Zhen Lan quickly arrived and tried to save Bai Ying, but his powers were useless against the formation. At the same time, Su Mo was attempting to further his cultivation of the Splitting Technique when he was sensed by Zhi Zhe, who used dark magic to absorb Su Mo's newly acquired power. Si Shi, witnessing Su Mo's struggle, urgently warned him to stop, fearing for his life as the backlash intensified.
But Su Mo, determined to fully master the Splitting Technique to combat the Cangliu, refused to give up, stating he could not bear to see past tragedies repeat. Trapped in the Lapis Lazuli formation and weakened, Bai Ying knew her end was near. She entrusted Zhen Lan with her dying wish: to be buried beside her royal father. Just then, Su Mo sensed Bai Ying's peril.
With a surge of desperate resolve, he successfully completed his cultivation of the Splitting Technique, breaking the Cangliu formation. Zhen Lan seized the opportunity, quickly grabbing Bai Ying, and retreated to safety. Yu Huan, severely injured by Elder Yu's blood pact, was rushed by Yu Zhu to Zhi Zhe for healing. Under Zhi Zhe's powerful spell, Yu Huan slowly recovered and was out of danger.
Meanwhile, in the chaos caused by the battle, Xiao and Xiang managed to release many imprisoned merpeople. After being revived by Zhi Zhe, Yu Huan looked out to see the Cangliu military camp engulfed in flames and their Wind Falcons destroyed. Back at the Kongsang camp, the High Priest, tending to Bai Ying, revealed that her current injuries were compounded by her previous efforts to save the Emperor of the Sea, which was why she hadn't woken up.
Zhen Lan urged him to find a solution. In the Quanxian camp, Su Mo was also severely injured, and Si Shi was healing him. When informed that the Cangliu Wind Falcons were destroyed and all their tribesmen rescued, Si Shi realized Su Mo must have been the one to achieve this. The battle had taken a heavy toll, and Han Zhou was gravely wounded and dying. Na Sheng and Yan Xi rushed to his side.
Han Zhou apologized to Na Sheng for the actions of Elder Yu, who had died in the battle, and asked for her forgiveness. He then gave his final instructions to Yan Xi, urging him to lead the Quanxian people back to Biluo Sea. He also advised Ning Liang to listen to Yan Xi, obey the Young Master, and curb her impulsive nature, promising to watch over them from the heavens. Han Zhou then passed away.
Zhen Lan received news that the Cangliu Wind Falcon storehouse had been burned down, destroying all their Wind Falcons and causing many casualties. He was pleased, believing this would make their movements much safer. He pondered the nature of the "strange fire" that couldn't be extinguished, wondering if it was an act of Heaven.
Later, he discussed the incident with the High Priest, who recounted seeing two dragon-shaped shadows—one from Jing City, another from the military camp—converge, break through a barrier, and become one, heading towards the Jing Pagoda. This vision suggested the destruction might have been caused not by a single individual's power, but by a combined, powerful force.
