Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Episode 21 Recap
> Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Recap
Upon his return, Zhen Lan immediately sought out Xi Jing, eager to learn what had transpired after their separation. Xi Jing recounted that he had ventured to the library alone, where he unexpectedly encountered Shi Peng. Although Xi Jing used his Jade Bone Paper Umbrella to remain invisible, Shi Peng seemed to sense his presence. Anticipating a fierce battle, Xi Jing drew his sword to attack but was struck by a powerful force, sending him flying from Jing Pagoda.
Fortunately, the Jade Bone Paper Umbrella helped cushion his fall. Zhen Lan was perplexed when Xi Jing reported that the Dark Golden Classics were not found in Jing Pagoda. He produced the upper volume he possessed, only to discover that the contents of the lower volume were incredibly hidden within it. He realized that his previous inability to see it was due to insufficient power, but with the authority granted by Zhi Zhe, he could now perceive the hidden text.
Reading the inscriptions, Zhen Lan suspected Zhi Zhe was none other than his royal father, King Cheng Guang. Xi Jing, however, found this hard to believe, reminding Zhen Lan that he had personally buried the King. Zhen Lan argued that Zhi Zhe had called him a Kongsang descendant and given him the power to read the text, which confirmed his status as Heaven's chosen successor, not a Cangliu person.
Zhi Zhe had instructed him to go to Jiuyi Mountain, where Zhen Lan believed everything would be revealed at the late king's mausoleum. Just then, Bai Ying and Su Mo returned. Everyone was astonished to see Bai Ying freely walking in the sunlight, no longer fearing its burn. Bai Ying explained that Su Mo had gifted her a Sunlight Blocking Pearl. Xi Jing, impressed, asked if Su Mo could obtain more for the other five kings.
Su Mo, however, stated it was an arduous task to acquire even one such pearl, and there were no others in existence. Seeing Su Mo's discomfort, Zhen Lan discreetly pulled him aside to talk. Zhen Lan revealed that he had also gone to Jing Pagoda the previous night and met Zhi Zhe. He suspected Zhi Zhe was a Kongsang person but his exact identity remained a mystery.
He acknowledged the difficulty in obtaining the Splitting Sword at Jiuyi Mountain but affirmed their alliance, promising to do their best. Zhen Lan expressed his reluctance for Bai Ying to join the dangerous expedition to Jiuyi. Su Mo, however, firmly stated that Bai Ying, as Kongsang's Princess Bai, possessed her own will and should decide for herself whether to go. Bai Ying later confided in Xi Jing that since the Land-Sea Alliance, Su Mo had repeatedly come to her aid.
She admitted she had loved him a century ago, but repressed her feelings due to the pain it caused. Now, she wished to openly cherish him, feeling that concealing her true feelings would let him down. Xi Jing supported her newfound freedom and expressed his happiness for her, while gently reminding her not to worry Zhen Lan by staying out without informing him.
After Su Mo departed, Zhen Lan gathered everyone and announced their departure for Jiuyi Mountain the following day. Na Sheng was essential to the mission because the Heavenly Ring was on her finger, needed to unlock the Six Directions Seal. Bai Ying, despite being given the option to stay, insisted on going, now empowered by the Sunlight Blocking Pearl. Bai Ying then apologized to Zhen Lan for returning late, fearing she had caused him distress.
Zhen Lan dismissed her worries, stating he had no right to be angry and acknowledged Su Mo's unwavering affection for her. Bai Ying, kneeling, pledged her loyalty as Kongsang's Princess Bai and promised to fulfill her mission. Zhen Lan, however, stood her up, playfully lamenting that Su Mo had taken his "Princess Bai of Kongsang" away for an entire night, leaving him oblivious to her whereabouts.
He then lightheartedly told her not to overthink things, joking that if he truly liked her, he wouldn't have broken their engagement a century ago. Zhen Lan reassured Bai Ying that their relationship was primarily that of a monarch and his official, and that her personal life was her own. He promised that once Kongsang saw daylight again, she would be free to live as she wished, a right he believed everyone, including himself, deserved.
The next day, as they began their journey, Zhen Lan made the final arrangements for the groups. He suggested splitting into two groups to be less noticeable. Su Mo was to go to the right peak for the Splitting Sword, and Na Sheng to the left peak for the Six Directions Seal and Water Dispelling Pearl. Knowing Bai Ying's familiarity with the Valley of the Ancestral Kings, Zhen Lan paired her with Su Mo.
He then assigned himself, Xi Jing, and Na Sheng to travel together, playfully citing worries about Na Sheng bullying Xi Jing as his reason, but his true intention was to allow Bai Ying and Su Mo more opportunities to be together. Meanwhile, Shi Peng, having learned of Zhen Lan's group heading to Jiuyi Mountain, dispatched Saintess Yu Zhu to inform Zhi Zhe. He inquired if Zhi Zhe intended to send troops to pursue them.
Zhi Zhe, however, ordered them to remain idle, stating he had his own plans. Su Mo and Bai Ying arrived at a tavern. The owner, Madam Tianxiang, informed them only one room was available. After leading them upstairs, Madam Tianxiang revealed herself to be one of Su Mo's loyal subordinates, having prepared their stay in advance.
She then shared crucial intelligence, warning them that the most dangerous part of Jiuyi Mountain's right peak was the Misty Forest, inhabited by man-eating creatures called Tu Luo. She explained that Tu Luo had no permanent home and would capture living people for food, leaving no chance of escape or a full corpse, which is why the area was also known as Nightmare Forest by merchants and treasure hunters.
Bai Ying expressed surprise, noting she hadn't heard of such dangers a century ago, and Madam Tianxiang confirmed that much had changed over time. Bai Ying realized Jiuyi Mountain likely held more unforeseen perils, especially with the barrier weakening their magic. Su Mo, however, thanked Madam Tianxiang for her valuable information, stating it was already a great help. Bai Ying observed that Su Mo had made extensive preparations for their trip, wondering why he kept it secret.
Su Mo simply replied that some things did not need to be known by others. Madam Tianxiang, wanting to make their visit memorable, ordered her special, potent "Drunken Essence of Lilac Daphne" wine for them. Elsewhere on their journey, Na Sheng jested with Zhen Lan about his seemingly "long face" due to Bai Ying's absence, suggesting he confess his feelings.
Zhen Lan denied having a long face but admitted he had once hoped to confess to Bai Ying after Wuse City saw daylight, but now "just didn't dare." Xi Jing questioned why. Zhen Lan reflected on first seeing Bai Ying at Xinghang Paradise, her bright and heroic spirit, and how fate had always put him a step behind, especially after she fell in love with Su Mo.
He then posed a hypothetical question to Xi Jing: if forced to choose between Kongsang's citizens and Bai Ying, how should he choose? He concluded that he would "definitely choose the people of Kongsang," and thus felt "not qualified to love Bai Ying." He resigned himself to quietly safeguarding her, vowing never to allow Su Mo to bully her. He then resolved to focus his thoughts on Kongsang and Jiuyi.
Later, Na Sheng successfully caught a fish, but Yan Xi quickly stopped her. He explained it was a Wenyao fish, messengers of Quanxian, and thus forbidden to be eaten, as it was their kin. Zhen Lan concurred, telling Na Sheng to release it out of respect for Yan Xi, a merperson. Despite her hunger, Na Sheng released the fish.
She then playfully suggested that since Yan Xi's tears turned into pearls, he could "hurt just a bit" to shed tears and provide them with money, but Yan Xi asserted that Quanxian warriors would rather shed blood than tears, only crying in "great pain."
