Whispers of Fate Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Whispers of Fate Synopsis
The leader of the notorious Ji Le Sect, Ye Mo, who had brought calamity to the martial world for many years, is finally defeated by a coalition of martial heroes. However, ten years later, the shadow of evil forces has not dissipated, and what appears to be a tranquil martial world is, in fact, seething with hidden currents.
Tang Lici, who had originally withdrawn from the world, finds herself drawn back into martial world conflicts due to her involvement in a case of wiping out case. The mastermind behind the schemes is none other than her former martial brother, Liu Yan. Tang Lici exposes a conspiracy involving the Suosheng Hall, founded by Liu Yan, which is using a special poison to control the martial world. Together with righteous martial artists, they unite to eliminate the Suosheng Hall. Throughout this process, Tang Lici's sharpness and loneliness are gradually eased by her companions, and figures like Shao Yanping inspire in him a selfless spirit willing to sacrifice for the protection of the people. Choosing to shoulder the mission of the martial world's future, he collaborates with fellow martial heroes to repeatedly overcome crises, uphold justice, and ultimately unravel the evil forces' plot to subvert the martial world.
Whispers of Fate Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In the Hao Manor at the center of the city, sounds of feasting and music suddenly erupted. It turned out that the City Lord had just bought a young woman. The young woman's father was seriously ill, and to treat her father, she willingly sold herself into a lowly position. People in the local community, intimidated by the City Lord's power, all went to celebrate, while secretly whispering about the marriage behind his back.
Just then, the black-clad pipa player, grinning menacingly, sat on the manor's rooftop, holding his pipa. He had always detested those who bullied the weak with their power. Seeing yet another ugly display of human greed, anger, and ignorance, he mercilessly played his pipa. Before long, over a hundred lives in the City Lord's manor, from top to bottom, all perished.
Soon after, legends about the black-clad pipa player were vividly described by storytellers and spread throughout the streets and alleys. People everywhere were discussing this black-clad pipa player, calling his killing method the "Sound Killing Skill," claiming he could instantly harm over a hundred lives just by playing the pipa. Almost everyone in the Hao Manor died, except for the new bride, who was completely unharmed.
The local constables began to interrogate the new bride intensely, believing she was highly suspicious; otherwise, why was she the only one unharmed? Zhong Chunji, who was responsible for investigating the case in this area, heard Yang Shangqing's explanation and found it utterly foolish. She immediately untied A Shui and had a servant bring her a bowl of water to drink.
A Shui had indeed seen the appearance of the black-clad pipa player that night: dressed in black, extremely brutal despite holding a pipa. She described his appearance in detail, so Zhong Chunji ordered her subordinates to immediately go to Golden Leaf Temple to search. At Golden Leaf Temple, Chi Yun was also a highly skilled martial arts disciple. Since someone had intruded, he unceremoniously taught the unauthorized intruders a lesson.
However, when he saw A Shui, his eyes lit up, and he immediately brought her to the black-clad pipa player. A Shui was startled when she saw the man in front of her, thinking of the killer's face she had seen that night. However, upon closer inspection, his eyes were very gentle, not filled with murderous intent like the ones she had seen that night.
Moreover, the man in front of her was focused on wood carving, and there was a swaddled baby in a cradle beside him. Zhong Chunji arrived shortly after, and A Shui explained that this man looked similar, but was not the person she saw. Zhong Chunji insisted on seeing Tang Lici. Tang Lici, not wanting the outside to be too noisy, allowed her to enter.
Zhong Chunji naturally asked him if he had been at the crime scene on the night of the incident. Tang Lici, calm and composed, asked Zhong Chunji with a lighthearted air why she still insisted on meeting him, given that she knew her skills were inferior to his. From Tang Lici's words, Zhong Chunji realized that he was indeed not the person she was looking for.
Based on the clues revealed by his words, she quickly went to the Hao Manor. The conversation between Tang Lici and Zhong Chunji at that time was strange and mysterious, hiding profound meanings, which greatly piqued Chi Yun's curiosity. He quickly intercepted Zhong Chunji halfway and asked her what hidden implications were in her recent conversation with Tang Lici.
The two were of similar age and both appeared to be straightforward people, so Zhong Chunji explained the code words she had just exchanged with Tang Lici. Chi Yun suddenly understood; based on Tang Lici's earlier question, Chi Yun believed that the guests who died in the Hao Manor were likely victims of Siyu poisoning, not caused by some "Sound Killing Skill."
Indeed, Chi Yun and Zhong Chunji put in some effort and finally verified that there was something suspicious in the water and wine served at the banquet that night. Once the two combined, it would result in death by poisoning. Then, Chi Yun and Zhong Chunji began to scrutinize the entire scheme, wondering who had painstakingly plotted to harm so many lives.
Suddenly, Chi Yun thought of how A Shui had been intensely interrogated first, suggesting that Yang Shangqing might be behind it. Sure enough, with just a slight probe, Yang Shangqing was exposed. At that moment, he was impatiently dividing the spoils with his servants in his own residence, countless gold ingots in a box not yet properly hidden. Chi Yun's martial arts easily knocked Yang Shangqing down.
Yang Shangqing immediately confessed that indeed, over a hundred lives in the Hao family had died by his hand. He also confessed that the reason for framing Tang Lici was because Tang Lici, passing by the area that night, found countless people poisoned, and to let them die more comfortably, he specifically played his pipa. After taking action, Chi Yun walked home, still filled with much regret and apprehension. At this moment, he met Tang Lici. Tang Lici did not kill him, but instead asked him to arrange a meeting for the Central Plains Sword Guild members at a place outside the village.
Episode 2 Recap
Tang Lici painfully recalled the last time he saw his senior brother Liu Yan. Four years ago, the two of them were playing zithers in the woods when Liu Yan suddenly and unexpectedly severely wounded him with a pipa. Tang Lici, remembering their past friendship, did not retaliate, but Liu Yan pressed closer, stabbing his sword into Tang Lici's chest and firmly gripping Tang Lici's neck. The jade flute in Tang Lici's cuff fell out.
This had once been Liu Yan's favorite instrument, but Liu Yan could no longer return to how things were before, and he chopped the jade flute in half as he let go and left. Exactly four years had passed since their last meeting. Based on the tragic case at the Hao Mansion, Tang Lici deduced that Liu Yan must have returned, and this time, by impersonating him, Liu Yan definitely wanted to take his life again.
However, Tang Lici now had a new helper, Chi Yun. When Zhong Chunji apprehended Yang Shangqing, Yang Shangqing claimed that he had only poisoned the Hao Mansion family, but never intended to frame Tang Lici. Someone wanted to impersonate him, and he was coerced at the time, having no choice but to comply.
Just as Zhong Chunji asked him why he killed the Hao Mansion family, several darts grazed past his face, striking Yang Shangqing directly, and Yang Shangqing instantly perished. A small medicine bottle rolled out from Yang Shangqing's clothes. Zhong Chunji poured out the pills and saw that they were Xinggui Jiuxing Pills. With sinister techniques, Chi Yun discovered an assassin nearby and immediately gave chase.
This assassin had already been defeated by Chi Yun, but the person seemed to have been poisoned by some Gu, with veins bulging on his neck and a ferocious face, then he viciously thrust his moves towards Tang Lici. Zhong Chunji immediately arrived with A Shui. Tang Lici easily dodged the assassin's wild sword strikes.
Zhong Chunji found out the assassin's name was Jiang Cheng, originally the well-known young master of Yanmen in the area, but after disappearing for half a year, he had remained untraceable, and who knew he had become a controlled dagger. Tang Lici used his internal energy to stabilize Jiang Cheng's mind and led him aside.
Jiang Cheng stated that he had originally gone with Feng Chuanxiang to a secluded and peaceful place to cultivate martial arts, but he found it difficult to make progress. Feng Chuanxiang was secretly anxious and then found a pill from somewhere and gave it to him. After Jiang Cheng took the pill, his body felt extremely uncomfortable. Zhong Chunji explained that this pill was a medicinal pellet used by the Bliss Cult Master to control people's minds and souls.
Although taking this pellet could double one's martial arts, it would also become addictive, and once discontinued, the entire body would suffer excruciating pain. Jiang Cheng tried his best to control the onset of the condition, and Feng Chuanxiang also once helped him guard against it. But suddenly one day, Feng Chuanxiang disappeared, and Jiang Cheng went out to search for him.
He tried to find Yang Shangqing through the pills, but inadvertently learned that Yang Shangqing seemed to be connected to Feng Chuanxiang. To avoid ruining Yanmen's reputation, Jiang Cheng immediately eliminated Yang Shangqing to silence him. After speaking, Jiang Cheng attempted to commit suicide. It was Tang Lici who reached out and grabbed the sword in Jiang Cheng's hand.
Jiang Cheng was intent on dying and knew that due to long-term use of the pills, he had been completely controlled by others, often losing control of his consciousness. Tang Lici wanted to ask him if he knew Liu Yan, but at this moment, Jiang Cheng's face began to swell red and then turn purplish-black, becoming increasingly frantic. Although Tang Lici tried to calm the other party's emotions, it was no longer controllable. Accompanied by an explosion, Jiang Cheng disappeared.
At this moment, Jiang Cheng's father suddenly appeared in mid-air. When Jiang Cheng's father watched his son explode, Tang Lici was right beside him. He therefore misunderstood Tang Lici as the perpetrator who killed his son. He then ordered his subordinates to surround Tang Lici and Chi Yun, and prepared to boil them alive. Chi Yun saw the firewood burning beneath the cage and despairingly thought that his life would end there today.
However, Tang Lici reminded him that there is often life in desperate situations. Indeed, just as Jiang Cheng's father ordered the execution, Feng Chuanxiang arrived. He advised the Old City Lord to remain calm, assuring him that he would thoroughly investigate the matter.
Episode 3 Recap
Late at night, Jiang Cheng's father was still immersed in the immense pain of losing his son. A Shui told him that Jiang Cheng, during his lifetime, would rather commit suicide to preserve the sect's reputation, fearing that his actions would disgrace the sect's rules, thus Jiang Cheng also deeply loved his father.
Then A Shui also recounted that when her own father was alive, his first concern was his daughter, but after her father passed away, she unhesitatingly sold herself to save her father, just to ensure he had a respectable burial. Jiang Cheng's father couldn't help but scold her for being foolish, and then he also understood his son's difficulties. Now, Feng Chuanxiang, his son's friend, specifically came to prove that there was another killer.
Before investigating the truth clearly, he didn't want to cause further complications. To let his son rest in peace, Jiang Cheng's father released Chi Yun and Tang Lici. Chi Yun truly lamented the rapid turn of fate; he had originally thought he was surely going to die, never expecting that there was truly such a thing as coming back from the brink of death.
Feng Chuanxiang thought that by saving Tang Lici and Chi Yun in time, they would surely be deeply grateful to him. Tang Lici still calmly replied that since he had personally admitted to killing Jiang Cheng, he had full confidence in his approach with Jiang Cheng's father. Feng Chuanxiang hinted to Tang Lici that the real killer was extremely powerful, and more people needed to join forces to have a better chance of winning.
Tang Lici merely found it amusing; Feng Chuanxiang was usually unremarkable in terms of martial arts and talent, and the two of them ordinarily had no dealings with each other. This timely rescue, coupled with such trust in him, felt a bit forced. Not knowing what Feng Chuanxiang was up to, before figuring it out, he decided to play along with the plan. Tang Lici was traveling by water this time.
Halfway through the journey, he felt Feng Chuanxiang was being insincere and utterly boring. He directly called him out onto the deck, and then kicked him into the river. Chi Yun had just seen Tang Lici and Feng Chuanxiang chatting cheerfully, drinking tea and discussing philosophy; now to turn him into a "drowning dog" was truly inexplicable. Tang Lici told Chi Yun that the first Sinister Ghost Nine-Star Pill Jiang Cheng took was given to him by Feng Chuanxiang.
Such friends exist in this world! Chi Yun was extremely indignant; he wanted to immediately add another kick and instantly go pursue Feng Chuanxiang's whereabouts. A Shui saw Chi Yun chase after him without hesitation, while Tang Lici continued drinking his leftover tea. She then understood that Tang Lici had deliberately provoked Chi Yun, making him go monitor Feng Chuanxiang's whereabouts.
After Tang Lici heard A Shui's analysis, he looked at this girl with new respect, and at the same time wondered how the Hao family could so easily acquire such a remarkably intelligent girl as a concubine. He immediately feigned rage, grabbed A Shui by the neck and pressed her against the wall, asking if she was sent by A Yan, and also what her purpose was in coming here.
A Shui's eyes reddened, and she gently defended that she knew nothing. Tang Lici looked at her expression and temporarily believed her. Chi Yun secretly followed Feng Chuanxiang and found that after he made a dishevelled landing, Jiang Qingyu was there to meet him. This Jiang Qingyu was Jiang Cheng's second uncle, who came to Feng Chuanxiang intending to monitor Tang Lici's every move, attempting to find Jiang Cheng's killer.
Hearing that Feng Chuanxiang had escaped, he decided to find Tang Lici again with Feng Chuanxiang. They arrived at the "Unchanging Floating and Sinking Tower," also known as the legendary Thirteenth Floor. Zhong Chunji quickly found Chi Yun and followed him to the Thirteenth Floor. Coming here for the first time, Zhong Chunji was very excited, having heard that this place gathered the most ruthless killers in the world.
Chi Yun saw her being sneaky and quickly reminded her about the origin of the name "Unchanging Floating and Sinking Tower." This tower originally did not exist; it would rise from the sea on a specific date. Zhong Chunji personally witnessed a large building suddenly rise from the sea, and her eyes were opened. She saw many people entering the Thirteenth Floor, each first lying inside a coffin and drifting away with the waves.
Chi Yun and Zhong Chunji followed suit. They entered the Thirteenth Floor, and during a short rest, Zhong Chunji asked Chi Yun how he knew about the Thirteenth Floor. Chi Yun then stated that he had a fiancée named Bai Suche. That year, the Bai family was massacred, but his fiancée's body could not be found. At his wit's end, Chi Yun went to the Thirteenth Floor. Chi Yun offered a very high price.
Before he could state his terms for exchange, he unexpectedly encountered Tang Lici. Tang Lici rescued him and promised to help him uncover the truth, which is why the two of them have maintained a master-servant relationship all these years.
Episode 4 Recap
Feng Chuanxiang came here desperately wanting to know who killed Jiang Cheng, but he did not expect someone to want to end his life here, and that person was Jiang Cheng's second uncle, Jiang Qingyu. Jiang Qingyu claimed that he originally wanted to implicate Jiang Cheng's father through Jiang Cheng's death, so he could reap the benefits and become the next city lord. Unexpectedly, he encountered an unexpected obstacle along the way, and Feng Chuanxiang ruined his good plans.
Neither of them conceded to the other, and they began a fierce battle for several rounds. Tang Lici brought A Shui to the place where Feng Chuanxiang and Jiang Cheng had stayed together. Although Jiang Cheng claimed personally before his death that Feng Chuanxiang fed him elixir, based on the aura Tang Lici detected from Jiang Cheng, he deduced that Jiang Cheng had been poisoned for half a year.
So Jiang Cheng was probably unaware of it, while Feng Chuanxiang, realizing this, secretly added elixir to the food to save his friend's life, but Jiang Cheng happened to discover it once. Since what happened must leave traces, Tang Lici decided to personally verify his deduction and asked the divine eagle to take him to the Thirteen Floors to find the truth.
Chi Yun saw Jiang Qingyu ruthlessly attacking Feng Chuanxiang, and even his own attendants were fighting, so Chi Yun had to appear to help Feng Chuanxiang escape danger. Zhong Chunji, unable to contain her excitement, also rushed over. Jiang Qingyu quickly couldn't bear it and secretly hid himself. Jiang Qingyu had once exchanged his lifelong glory and wealth for an opportunity to kill Feng Chuanxiang.
The Lord of the Thirteen Floors gladly agreed and intended to facilitate his plan, thus setting up an illusion array on the Thirteen Floors. Feng Chuanxiang usually practiced a meditation technique. Although each city wall here seemed to be set up like a magic array, Feng Chuanxiang could find the exit through the direction of the wind and airflow. Chi Yun and Zhong Chunji quickly followed Feng Chuanxiang.
Jiang Qingyu tried to use another trick, but Tang Lici saw everything and quickly tied Jiang Qingyu securely with a red rope. Feng Chuanxiang urged everyone to follow him and leave quickly. Tang Lici chuckled and stopped, reminding them that it was time to reveal his true colors—this Feng Chuanxiang was not real, and the real Feng Chuanxiang had died half a year ago.
Jiang Cheng once told Tang Lici about the origin of Feng Chuanxiang's name, including the jade pendant he gave to Tang Lici before his death, all of which were testaments to their friendship. However, this Feng Chuanxiang was clearly unaware of the poem Tang Lici mentioned, and also that jade pendant. Tang Lici had long seen through his true identity and was merely using his own stratagem against him.
With his conspiracy exposed, this Feng Chuanxiang finally revealed his true form. He became an androgyne puppet named Hua Wuyan. This Hua Wuyan was not just one person as he appeared; he also had a twin inside him, Cao Wufang. Cao Wufang took advantage of Tang Lici's unpreparedness, directly stabbing a sword into Tang Lici's chest, instantly splattering blood everywhere. Cao Wufang thought Tang Lici was surely dead, but he was wrong. Tang Lici had already cultivated an indestructible body.
Although he was severely injured just now, his wound would gradually heal. Jiang's father received the truth provided by A Shui and finally understood that he had misunderstood Tang Lici, so he personally apologized to him. It turned out that Jiang Qingyu had poisoned Jiang Cheng half a year ago, but Jiang Cheng had always trusted his second uncle very much and was completely unaware.
Later, when he stayed with Feng Chuanxiang, Feng Chuanxiang couldn't bear to tell him the truth about the poisoning and could only secretly add some elixir to try to alleviate his pain. However, Jiang Cheng mistakenly believed that his friend was poisoning him. During one poison attack, Jiang Cheng severely injured Feng Chuanxiang.
Feng Chuanxiang knew he didn't have long to live and feared Jiang Cheng would be sad when he sobered up, so he quietly left alone and passed away during his journey. Both youths considered each other, but kept the harm to themselves. Tang Lici sighed that Jiang Cheng's death was also a blessing, at least he died without knowing that he had personally ended his good brother's life. Tang Lici and Liu Yan were still competing against each other.
This time, Liu Yan's scheme failed. He had long been gnashing his teeth in hatred towards Tang Lici, and with one plan foiled, he immediately set about the next. The Central Plains Sword Assembly was about to begin. Zhong Chunji, Chi Yun, and various heroes from the martial arts world began to rush to the Central Plains Sword Assembly together. On the way, they encountered the King of the Central Plains. The King of the Central Plains was arrogant and overbearing, and he even ordered the arrest of Jiang's father and Chi Yun. Just then, Tang Lici stepped forward.
Episode 5 Recap
Clues for the case of the Hao family's extermination emerged endlessly. Zhong Chunji came to bid farewell to Tang Lici. She asked Tang Lici if his next destination was Jianwang City. Tang Lici smiled, saying that he wanted to go to Jianwang City not because he cared about any case, but simply because there was someone he wanted to find there.
After working together on a case, when they parted ways, Tang Lici gave Zhong Chunji a wood carving depicting her likeness. Zhong Chunji cupped her hands in thanks. Tang Lici continued forward with Chi Yun and A Shui. The boat was halfway there and shaking violently. Tang Lici told them to sit tight carefully, while he calmly ate grapes. The boat got caught in a huge whirlpool and slowly sank, but eventually landed smoothly.
Chi Yun heard his master tell him to disembark and saw that it was Thirteen Towers opposite, which was truly bizarre. Normally, it would take a long journey to have the chance to enter this place, but he didn't expect to arrive smoothly in the blink of an eye by following Tang Lici. Chi Yun began to envy Tang Lici's talent again. The master of Thirteen Towers had been waiting for a long time.
Last time, because Chi Yun came here and had a big fight with Jiang Qingyu, Thirteen Towers suffered a serious fire, an account the master had not yet settled. The master finally appeared, and he reminded Chi Yun—since his fiancée had not yet been found, he might as well come and work for him. Chi Yun was a bit embarrassed. Tang Lici sneered that he came this time to borrow Shen Langhun.
The master of Thirteen Towers nodded in agreement, but the condition for the exchange had to be Tang Lici's life. This deal was not cost-effective, and Tang Lici naturally wouldn't agree. Since the master didn't know how to appreciate favors, he would just go and take it himself. Thirteen Towers' terrain was perilous and filled with numerous mechanisms. With greater skill comes greater courage, and Tang Lici's confrontation with the master was not difficult.
The master activated layer after layer of mechanisms, none of which were simple, but Tang Lici had experienced life-and-death situations multiple times and was already intimately familiar with these minor tricks. The master began a psychological offensive against Tang Lici, starting with Tang Lici's identity, which he was wary of. Four years ago, Liu Yan had tried to kill him, and Tang Lici should have been doomed forever, but now he stood here completely unharmed.
The master counter-asked if he had cultivated some unspeakable martial arts secret manuals. A hero's origin is not questioned. Last time, a villain publicly stabbed Tang Lici in the heart, yet Tang Lici was still able to escape unharmed. This itself already proved Tang Lici's power. Now, the master of Thirteen Towers still wanted to find out the truth and used many mechanisms to observe Tang Lici's moves.
When he saw that Tang Lici was displaying the "Yique Yinyang" martial art, he couldn't help but exclaim that it was truly an eye-opener. It was the first time in his life he had seen someone use "Yique Yinyang" with such proficiency. In his excitement, he handed Shen Langhun over to Tang Lici. Finally, he cautioned that although he had given him, whether the other party would truly obey him still depended on Tang Lici's ability.
After Yu Jianwang took Jiang Qingyu away, he immediately imprisoned him. Jiang Qingyu initially still held a glimmer of hope, thinking that since they were birds of a feather, Yu Jianwang would naturally protect him. But Jiang Qingyu was wrong. Yu Jianwang saw that someone who had helped him was caught red-handed, and he would inevitably be implicated later. In order to quickly clear himself of suspicion, Yu Jianwang immediately stabbed Jiang Qingyu to death.
Zhong Chunji reported in detail the process of her investigation into Shao Manor to Shao Jianzhu. Some senior figures in the main hall became indignant, thinking Zhong Chunji was making a mountain out of a molehill. They didn't listen to Zhong Chunji's investigative clues at all. Instead, they covered up the truth, claiming that Zhong Chunji's investigation direction was incorrect.
Fortunately, the person in charge was Zhong Chunji's master, who soothed everyone's emotions and told Zhong Chunji to go back and find new clues. Night fell, and cold rain pattered down. Zhong Chunji sat at the entrance of the main hall. The cold, crisp air around her reminded her of many things from her childhood. Back then, her family was poor, and she was still young. She always went out and carried back a bundle of firewood. At that time, her mother always smiled while making food for her.
