Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Episode 32 Recap
> Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities Recap
Su Mo did not want Bai Ying to face the dangers of Stranded Dragon Abyss with him. He confided in Zhen Lan, asking for his help to keep his plans a secret from her, as he intended to go to Stranded Dragon Abyss alone to undo the Dragon Deity's seal. Zhen Lan expressed mild exasperation at being asked to conceal things from Bai Ying again.
Before leaving, Su Mo instructed Ning Liang to gather all scattered warriors to quickly return to the main camp and protect it, along with his family, while he was away. Later, Su Mo informed one of the Masters that he had obtained the Splitting Sword and intended to go to Stranded Dragon Abyss as soon as possible to release the Dragon Deity. The Master congratulated him, acknowledging that they had waited 7,000 years for this.
However, the Master expressed concern when Su Mo revealed his plan to go alone, warning of the extreme dangers of the Abyss – the place where the Heavenly King sealed the Dragon Deity and where Emperor Chun Huang died. Many Quanxian warriors had gone there and never returned, and the Master feared that if anything happened to Su Mo, all their hopes would be lost.
Su Mo insisted that time was short and they could not wait for Cangliu to regain power, reassuring the Master that he would be fine. Meanwhile, Yu Zhu informed Yu Huan that Nan Zhao had accused Fei Lian of collaborating with the enemy at Banbu City, claiming he had deliberately released merpeople and Kongsang people. Yu Huan vehemently denied the accusation, believing Fei Lian was innocent and framed.
He felt responsible for leaving Fei Lian behind at Jiuyi Mountain and was determined to save him. Yu Zhu advised him not to rush, explaining that Master Peng had only detained Fei Lian, not convicted him, suggesting there was still hope. She revealed that Nan Zhao's main evidence was a Quanxian medicinal ointment found on Fei Lian. Yu Huan questioned Fei Lian's connection to Quanxian and worried that Master Peng would use this opportunity to undermine Master Lang.
Yu Huan then ordered a thorough investigation into Fei Lian's whereabouts and innocence. Yu Huan visited Fei Lian in his prison cell, bringing food and wine. He was dismayed to find Fei Lian badly beaten by a prison guard named Xin Zhui. Fei Lian, wounded, expressed suspicion that Yu Huan and Master Peng had conspired to frame him.
Yu Huan denied this, explaining that after capturing Princess Bai of Kongsang, he was solely focused on bringing her back and had entrusted Fei Lian with wrapping up the remaining rebels in Jiuyi Mountain, never anticipating such a severe accusation and punishment for him. Fei Lian accepted Yu Huan's explanation, agreeing that as soldiers, their duty was to fight enemies on the battlefield, not get entangled in court infighting.
Yu Huan promised to get Fei Lian released, assuring him he would not be wrongly accused. Fei Lian, however, despaired that even if saved, his military career was likely over. Yu Huan reaffirmed their promise to fight enemies together and vowed to secure his return to the battlefield. Zhen Lan was engrossed in the Dark Golden Classics, trying to decipher the ancient conflict between Emperor Chun Huang, Queen Bai Wei, and the Heavenly King.
Bai Ying approached him, sensing that he and Su Mo were concealing something from her. Zhen Lan tried to deflect, claiming he was merely searching the book for clues so everyone could rest and plan. Bai Ying pressed him, and Zhen Lan noted her suspicions had only grown since her visit to Jing Pagoda. Elsewhere, Master Lang met with Master Peng.
Master Peng, with a hint of sarcasm, asked if Master Lang desired military power, remarking on the difficulty of handing it over when it wasn't currently in Master Lang's possession. He highlighted Fei Lian's serious crime of collaborating with the enemy, noting that as Master Lang's likely successor, Fei Lian faced severe penalties, potentially even being demoted to a commoner, which would destroy his future. Master Peng contrasted this with Yu Huan, whom Master Lang had invested so much in.
He observed Master Lang's increasing influence in the Imperial Court, bolstered by Yu Huan and Zhi Zhe's support. Master Peng then left the decision on Fei Lian's fate to Master Lang. Yu Huan, kneeling before Lord Zhi Zhe, passionately pleaded for Fei Lian, recounting his bravery in capturing the Queen of the Earth at Jiuyi Mountain and arguing that the collaboration charges were slander. He depicted Fei Lian as a man of integrity and Cangliu's finest general, now suffering unjustly.
Lord Zhi Zhe initially dismissed Fei Lian's significance but, swayed by Yu Huan's personal plea, offered Fei Lian a "chance." Zhi Zhe instructed Yu Huan to take Fei Lian as his deputy to Stranded Dragon Abyss. He gave Yu Huan a bottle of "Algae of Red Ghost," a potent Yunhuang poison, to release into the water routes, explaining it would petrify anyone who absorbed it through their skin.
Zhi Zhe warned that Yu Huan would be the first to be poisoned upon opening the bottle, but Yu Huan bravely accepted the mission. Zhi Zhe provided a medicine to counter the immediate effects and sealed a blood pact, promising a full antidote after the mission's success. Yu Huan thanked him, pledging that he and Fei Lian would stop Su Mo.
Lord Zhi Zhe mused that Master Lang had traded military power for Fei Lian's life, but for a soldier, being barred from the battlefield was akin to death. Yu Huan, armed with the necessary orders, returned to the prison. Despite the guards' initial skepticism regarding his authority, Yu Huan successfully secured Fei Lian's release and ordered him escorted back to camp.
On the way, Fei Lian, perplexed by his lenient treatment and retained military status despite the grave accusations and the power struggles between Master Peng and Master Lang, questioned Yu Huan. Yu Huan, intent on keeping his dealings with Zhi Zhe secret, lied, claiming that Master Lang had relinquished his military power to save Fei Lian.
Fei Lian expressed remorse for burdening his "Grand Uncle" and vowed to achieve outstanding military merits at Stranded Dragon Abyss, making a pact with Yu Huan to advance and retreat together. Xiao was alarmed by the news that the Wind Falcons had been destroyed and their drivers were also being sent to Stranded Dragon Abyss. She suspected Yu Huan intended to destroy the Dragon Deity's power there, which would jeopardize their hopes of returning to Biluo Sea.
Xiao decided to immediately inform Su Mo. She asked Xiang to delay the Cangliu forces while she delivered the urgent news. Su Mo received Xiang Lai's report about Yu Huan and Fei Lian leading troops to destroy Stranded Dragon Abyss. Recognizing the urgency, he declared he must immediately go to the Abyss.
He ordered Yan Xi and Ning Liang to each lead a team to the Abyss to engage the Cangliu forces, while entrusting the elders with guarding the Quanxian main camp. Su Mo reiterated that Bai Ying was not to be informed, as he wished to spare her from the danger. Before departing, Yan Xi sought out Na Sheng to bid farewell. Na Sheng, however, insisted on accompanying him to Stranded Dragon Abyss, unwilling to endure an indefinite separation.
Yan Xi warned her of the perilous journey and his potential inability to protect her. Na Sheng confidently asserted her cleverness, her Heavenly Ring, and her knowledge of spells for self-protection. She then threatened to get Bai Ying to take her if Yan Xi refused, knowing that Su Mo wanted to keep Bai Ying ignorant of the Abyss. Reluctantly, Yan Xi conceded, and Na Sheng playfully promised that her Heavenly Ring would protect both him and "Brother Ice Cube."
Bai Ying, having tried repeatedly to signal Su Mo by tapping on the Sunlight Blocking Pearl but receiving no response, and unable to find him, confronted Zhen Lan, who initially tried to mislead her about Su Mo's whereabouts. Bai Ying, however, pressed him, her suspicions growing, and asked if Su Mo had gone to Stranded Dragon Abyss alone.
Zhen Lan, having no other choice, confirmed it, explaining that Su Mo wanted to shield her from the danger and had asked him to keep it secret. Zhen Lan expressed his regret for not being able to help Su Mo directly, but encouraged Bai Ying to go after him if she wished, as it was not too late. Meanwhile, Nan Zhao eagerly prepared a celebration, believing Master Peng had regained military power.
His enthusiasm was met with a harsh slap from Master Peng, who revealed that Yu Huan had seized the military power. Nan Zhao was utterly shocked, unable to believe that Fei Lian's serious crime had been absolved and their opportunity to eliminate Fei Lian was gone. Master Peng, seething with resentment over Yu Huan's actions, vowed to find a way to destroy him. Bai Ying pursued Su Mo, repeatedly tapping on the Sunlight Blocking Pearl.
She eventually caught up to him and demanded to know why he had left without a word and failed to respond to her signals, especially after their shared perilous journey to Jiuyi Mountain. Su Mo, acknowledging his error, admitted his fear for her safety. Bai Ying, satisfied with his admission, forgave his unannounced departure. As they passed through the city gates of Cangyu Province, guards displayed their wanted posters.
A mysterious man casually ruffled Su Mo's hair, exposing his identity to the guards. The guards immediately gave chase, but Su Mo swiftly evaded them with Bai Ying. The enigmatic man watched their escape with a sinister smile. Later, this mysterious man underwent a "baptism" with Zhi Zhe. During the ritual, memories surfaced, revealing his possession of the "power of the Six Directions" and his deep resentment towards Su Mo.
He reflected on their similar origins, yet Su Mo became the Emperor of the Sea while he suffered humiliation and abuse. Zhen Lan continued his research into the Dark Golden Classics. He discovered that the Heavenly King had killed Emperor of the Sea Chun Huang, then sealed the Dragon Deity with Queen Bai Wei. The records stated that Queen Bai Wei died at the end of the year, followed by the Heavenly King, who succumbed to grief.
However, Zhen Lan noted a discrepancy with the parchment Bai Ying had given him, which contained Queen Bai Wei's "Quit the Commandments," suggesting she harbored hatred for the Star King. This revelation made Zhen Lan suspect foul play at Stranded Dragon Abyss, prompting him to rush there. He heard that the Stranded Dragon Abyss was nearby and realized the Dragon Deity's seal needed to be broken quickly before Cangliu troops arrived.
He pondered Queen Bai Wei's implied curse and the true events of 7,000 years ago, including who truly killed her. His subordinates arrived, asking if Bai Ying was with him, to which Zhen Lan exclaimed that something must be terribly wrong with Stranded Dragon Abyss.
