Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Episode 22 Recap
> Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Recap
Na Sheng, tired of constantly searching for food, suggested that Yan Xi could shed tears to form pearls, which they could sell for money. Yan Xi explained that Quanxian warriors would rather shed blood than tears, only crying under immense pain. Finding it difficult to dig up cassava for sustenance, Na Sheng attempted to use magic to loosen the soil, but her spell unexpectedly backfired, knocking her unconscious.
Zhen Lan and Yan Xi rushed to her side, and Yan Xi apologized for letting her dig alone, pleading for her to wake up. Zhen Lan, to test Na Sheng, declared she was beyond saving and suggested burying her, which immediately prompted Na Sheng to sit up and ask if Yan Xi was about to cry.
Zhen Lan accused her of faking, which Na Sheng partially admitted, explaining she had passed out but then prolonged her feigned unconsciousness to see if Yan Xi would worry about her. Zhen Lan chastised her for joking about her life, while Yan Xi, feeling foolish, walked away. Zhen Lan urged Na Sheng to chase after him, reminding her that Yan Xi was truly concerned.
Na Sheng caught up to Yan Xi, who confirmed his worry was partly due to Zhen Lan entrusting her protection to him. Na Sheng pressed him for a more personal answer, and Yan Xi eventually conceded he was worried. Zhen Lan and Xi Jing watched their bickering, with Zhen Lan remarking that Na Sheng merely wanted to know if Yan Xi liked her, and Xi Jing noting their obvious affection for each other.
As evening fell, Zhen Lan tried to get the sulking pair to eat roasted chicken, then announced their departure for Jiuyi Mountain's left peak the next day. Both Yan Xi and Na Sheng initially refused to go due to their argument, but Na Sheng eventually softened, asking Yan Xi to keep her company. Xi Jing then confided in Zhen Lan that he sometimes envied their straightforwardness, noting the difficulty of confessing one's love.
Meanwhile, Su Mo and Bai Ying enjoyed the warm hospitality of Madam Tianxiang at her tavern. Madam Tianxiang expressed her regret that she couldn't properly care for Su Mo's mother, Yu Ji, who passed away due to the war, but was glad Su Mo was now a powerful leader. She raised a toast to Su Mo and Bai Ying, wishing them well. During the meal, Bai Ying drank heavily, becoming intoxicated.
Su Mo warned her about the wine's potency, but Bai Ying insisted she was fine. In her drunken state, she struggled to differentiate Su Mo from others, telling him that only Su Mo could hold her hand and expressing her deep affection. She confessed her fear of disappearing and her desire to live longer to always be with him, even attempting to kiss him. Su Mo reassured her that he would always protect her and never let her disappear.
The next morning, Su Mo carried the still-asleep Bai Ying as they departed, declining Madam Tianxiang's offer to rest longer to avoid further delay. Madam Tianxiang, seeing Bai Ying's thoughtful but restrained nature, gave Su Mo a recipe for a hangover remedy and offered continued assistance via a Sound Pearl, expressing her deep admiration for Bai Ying. As Su Mo carried Bai Ying into the Misty Forest, Bai Ying awoke, regretting her indulgence in the sweet fruit wine.
Su Mo affectionately told her she was adorable when drunk. Upon entering the Misty Forest, Bai Ying noted that her powers were diminishing due to the barrier. She remarked on the strange, glowing fireflies, which Su Mo warned her not to be charmed by. Elsewhere, Lord Zhi Zhe observed the rare appearance of the Pojun star, signaling a breakthrough in the current situation.
He interpreted the star's omen as Su Mo's return bringing turbulence, and Zhen Lan's awakening leading to a confrontation between the Land-Sea Alliance and Cangliu, creating a volatile balance. Zhi Zhe then attempted to telepathically summon Yu Huan, offering him power and freedom. Yu Huan initially resisted, asserting his desire to control his own fate, but Zhi Zhe promised to reach out to him again.
Back in the Misty Forest, Su Mo and Bai Ying found themselves disoriented by the thick mist and the obscured stars. Bai Ying experienced another surge of discomfort, leading to a brief hallucination of returning to Jing Pagoda with Su Mo, expressing her deep personal desire to stay with him. Upon recovering, she downplayed her emotional outburst, attributing it to the miasma and asking Su Mo to disregard her "nonsense."
Su Mo, however, gently reminded her of her desires to fight for justice and to live longer to be with him. Realizing the miasma's increasing effects, they followed a cluster of fireflies, which Su Mo believed would lead them to an exit. The King of Jiuyi, having observed Su Mo and Bai Ying successfully navigating the Misty Forest and ascending Jiuyi Mountain, immediately sent a message to Jing City, informing Lord Zhi Zhe and requesting help to eliminate Su Mo.
Back at Zhi Zhe's stronghold, Saintess Yu Zhu noticed the King of Jiuyi's Nine-headed Bird, realizing its early arrival signified an urgent message. Lord Zhi Zhe confirmed the message about Su Mo and Bai Ying's arrival and commanded Yu Zhu to summon Yu Huan. Yu Zhu warned her brother, Yu Huan, to be cautious when meeting the temperamental Zhi Zhe.
During their meeting, Yu Huan thanked Zhi Zhe for saving his life and confirming Zhi Zhe as the true ruler of Cangliu and the one who removed his Quanxian blood pact. Zhi Zhe, impressed by Yu Huan's intelligence, stoicism, and ambition, declared him his chosen subordinate.
At this point, Master Peng arrived and confronted Yu Zhu, questioning her about a Kongsang person Zhi Zhe met at Jing Pagoda and warning her not to forget their past or rely too much on Yu Huan. After Master Peng's departure, Zhi Zhe assigned Yu Huan the critical mission of eliminating Su Mo on Jiuyi Mountain.
Yu Huan expressed his concern, acknowledging that the Qing clan's barrier on Jiuyi Mountain would halve the powers of non-Kongsang individuals, and despite his half-Kongsang blood, he admitted his current inability to defeat Su Mo. Zhi Zhe then offered to teach Yu Huan the "Fire Formation," a spell specifically designed to overcome Quanxian warriors, promising success if Su Mo could be lured into it.
At the foot of Jiuyi Mountain's left peak, Zhen Lan told Yan Xi that his mission was complete and he could return. Na Sheng, still feeling the sting of their earlier quarrel, pleaded with Yan Xi to let go of his anger, even attempting a re-explanation of her feigned unconsciousness. Yan Xi, in turn, advised Na Sheng to stay close to Zhen Lan and Xi Jing and be careful on the mountain.
As he turned to leave, he unexpectedly called out to Na Sheng, revealing his decision to stay at the mountain base to support them instead of returning to the main camp. Na Sheng was overjoyed and excitedly rushed ahead with Zhen Lan and Xi Jing. As they ascended, Zhen Lan reminded them that Jiuyi Mountain, once Prince Qing's domain, was now Cangliu territory and likely eerie.
He instructed them to feign being Cangliu people and not to reveal their true identities to the King of Jiuyi. Na Sheng believed she had pinpointed the location of another seal based on the Heavenly Ring's light, leading them through the forest. However, their path was soon interrupted by a mysterious singing voice. Zhen Lan suspected they were being lured into a trap.
They eventually found what Na Sheng claimed was Queen Bai Wei's tomb, but it appeared to be a bamboo hut. Before they could investigate further, a woman named Li Zhu, a servant of the Qing clan and guardian of Queen Bai Wei's tomb, appeared, accusing them of trespassing.
Zhen Lan attempted to explain they were Kongsang people paying respects, but Li Zhu, noticing Na Sheng was not Kongsang, questioned why anyone would visit Kongsang ancestors a hundred years after its fall.
