Whispers of Fate Episode 10 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Tang Lici, bruised from a recent injury, told Shen Langhun that Liu Yan might succeed in some things, but Tang Lici himself would never be defeated, assuring Shen Langhun that his revenge would be exacted as Tang Lici always kept his word. Shen Langhun, still reeling from Tang Lici's earlier harsh words towards Chi Yun, muttered angrily about Tang Lici deeming him unworthy of friendship and questioned if Tang Lici saw him as a burden.
He pondered if Tang Lici’s unusually composed demeanor was a facade to hide his concern. Later, someone informed Chi Yun that he was important to Tang Lici, whose recent harshness stemmed from an old injury flaring up. Chi Yun, upon hearing this, seemed appeased, remarking that he knew Tang Lici couldn't manage without him.
Prior to the banquet, Shen Langhun mused to Tang Lici about whether people are inherently good or shaped by their experiences, like a wooden figurine carved by many cuts. Tang Lici admitted his responsibility for "a saint turning into a monster" (referring to Liu Yan), then asked who was responsible for Shen Langhun's transformation. Shen Langhun stated that only by killing Liu Yan could he forgive himself.
Tang Lici countered, saying that blaming oneself for not saving loved ones meant that even avenging Liu Yan would not bring self-forgiveness. Yu Qifeng learned Tang Lici was investigating evil pills and became anxious to move his accumulated goods. His disciple, Furen, observed his master's distress. With Myriad Vault having obtained the shipping ledgers, Furen voiced the market rumors connecting Yu Qifeng and his allies to evil pills, asking about the cargo Yu Qifeng urgently ordered him to transport.
Yu Qifeng dismissed the rumors as Tang Lici's cunning scheme, claiming Tang Lici used Jiang Qingyu's death to sow discord with Puzhu and exploited business dealings to infiltrate the canal transport, aiming to frame Yu Qifeng and disgrace Citadel of Swordsman. He regretted not explaining things earlier and stated he had no means to prove his innocence.
Yu Qifeng then addressed Furen by name, who in turn addressed him as "Father," vowing to eliminate the villains and bring Tang Lici to justice for the sake of Citadel of Swordsman. The banquet commenced, and a subordinate of Yu Qifeng expressed concern that few sect leaders attended, only their own people. Yu Qifeng dismissed this, stating that only one man needed to be convinced that Tang Lici was a killer for their plan to succeed.
Yu Qifeng then announced Tang Lici, the Emperor's brother-in-law and disciple of All-Seeing Tower's Master Fang, as the actual host, having rented Jade Terrace to unveil the truth behind Jiang Qingyu's death. When a guest questioned if Jiang Qingyu was already deceased, Yu Qifeng feigned regret, explaining that Jiang Qingyu had been murdered in his dungeon just yesterday, the killer burning evidence and leaving no clues.
He claimed he and Puzhu had witnessed the assassin, Shen Langhun, fleeing the scene, implying Tang Lici orchestrated the murder. Puzhu, however, refused to confirm Tang Lici's involvement, stating he couldn't definitively identify the killer. Yu Qifeng, ignoring Puzhu's neutrality, pressed him to "see right from wrong." Tang Lici then invited Yu Qifeng to present his case directly, accepting the role of host.
Yu Qifeng offered Tang Lici a special wine, which Tang Lici immediately identified as being tainted with a gu insect. Yu Qifeng then proudly revealed it to be the "gu of confession," which compels one to speak the truth, challenging Tang Lici to drink it if he wanted the truth to surface. Tang Lici, appearing unfazed, agreed to drink.
Tang Lici, however, insisted he shouldn't drink alone and poured the truth-serum-tainted wine for Yu Qifeng and the other guests, who reluctantly drank. Then, Tang Lici had Shen Langhun bring his own wine, offering it as a "better wine." After everyone drank, Yu Qifeng, knowing the gu's effects were temporary, immediately pressed Tang Lici, asking if he was responsible for Fang Zhou's death. Tang Lici admitted that due to the "gu of confession," he would answer honestly.
He then revealed that he had also added an ingredient to his own wine: the Moon Heart elixir. He explained that this elixir, while harmless otherwise, would cause excruciating abdominal pain, intestinal perforation, and a painful death within two hours if consumed by anyone who had previously taken Ape-Ghoul Nine-Heart Pills. The hall erupted in chaos as many guests, realizing they had consumed Ape-Ghoul Nine-Heart Pills, stood up in alarm, crying out for the Sword King to save them.
Tang Lici calmly declared his methods were based on possibilities, not conventional reasoning, and mocked Yu Qifeng for using crude tactics, accusing him of envy. He then admitted, under the influence of the "gu of confession," to killing Fang Zhou in the All-Seeing Tower case, provoking further outrage from the guests who called him a liar and hypocrite. Tang Lici warned Yu Qifeng that he was merely a pawn, prompting Yu Qifeng to angrily call him a madman.
Puzhu intervened, stating he would interrogate Tang Lici alone due to the depth of the case, despite Yu Qifeng's warning that Puzhu would be opposing the entire martial world. Puzhu then discreetly confirmed with Tang Lici that his confession was due to the "gu of confession's" backlash. Meanwhile, guests, fearing the Moon Heart elixir, questioned Yu Qifeng, who dismissed it as Tang Lici's bluff and ordered them to maintain composure.
However, more guests collapsed in agony, confirming their exposure to Ape-Ghoul Nine-Heart Pills. Yu Qifeng desperately tried to silence them, fearing Puzhu's proximity. Elsewhere, Ah She, who was examining account books, recorded the names of prominent figures from Pure Sun Palace, Long Wind Gate, and Skytrace Guild implicated in the evil pill scandal orchestrated by the Unfettered Guild. Tang Lici later revealed to Puzhu that his "poison" was merely a strong laxative.
He explained that his true purpose was to expose the deep-seated conspiracy and force Puzhu to publicly side with him against Yu Qifeng. To gather physical evidence, Tang Lici invited Puzhu on a night cruise. Simultaneously, a fire was started at the docks, delaying Yu Qifeng's urgent shipment. When Yu Qifeng's cargo ships attempted to pass through a gorge, they were intercepted by Tang Lici and Puzhu, who were "admiring the moon."
Tang Lici initiated a fireworks display which revealed chests of gold from Yu Qifeng's ship, prompting locals to loot the cargo. As Frost Weaver absconded with a chest, Yu Qifeng's commander confronted Tang Lici, accusing him of colluding with thieves. Tang Lici feigned ignorance, then used Puzhu's presence to imply the commander was calling Puzhu a thief, forcing the commander to retreat.
Puzhu, however, chastised Tang Lici for his manipulative tactics, stating his actions were not righteous, but Tang Lici defended his pragmatic approach, contrasting it with the fate of Fang Zhou, who adhered to righteous principles but died. He declared he "just wants to live." Puzhu, dismayed, announced they would go separate ways. Frost Weaver then presented the recovered evil pills, which Puzhu wanted to destroy. After a moment, Tang Lici ordered them all destroyed.
Puzhu declared that with the list of collaborators and the physical evidence, he would immediately arrest Yu Qifeng. Tang Lici reminded Puzhu that he had won their wager, and the terms dictated Puzhu could not directly arrest Yu Qifeng or interfere further with Citadel of Swordsman's affairs. Despite Puzhu's initial refusal, Tang Lici had the seized evil pills dumped into the river, destroying them as evidence.
Puzhu then conceded, but warned Tang Lici not to kill Yu Qifeng, as the Sword League would intervene. Tang Lici gave Puzhu six hours, the minimum time for Sword League reinforcements to arrive, after which he could not guarantee Yu Qifeng's life.
After the debacle, a mysterious figure, addressed by Yu Qifeng as "Master," appeared and berated him as "useless" and "brainless" for three foolish mistakes: failing to poison Tang Lici and exposing other evil pill users; foolishly attempting to smuggle the pills, thus falling into a trap; and arrogantly believing he could survive. Furen then arrived, and the Master tasked him with a critical mission to save Citadel of Swordsman's reputation and earn Yu Qifeng's full recognition as his son.
Yu Qifeng tried to defend his son, but the Master interrupted, declaring that while Yu Qifeng had lost, he himself had not. Professing a liking for challenging Tang Lici and also for saving people, the Master promised Yu Qifeng his life for the night. However, he ordered Yu Qifeng to kill "everyone" the following day.
