Whispers of Fate Episode 1 Recap
> Whispers of Fate 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.
