Whispers of Fate Episode 21 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Liu Yan, still reeling from his failure to find Fang Zhou's body, returned to the All-Seeing Tower only to be confronted by his bandleader. The bandleader taunted Liu Yan for his inability to defeat Tang Lici and criticized him for returning to their old home, especially as Tang Lici had become a celebrated figure within the Central Plains Sword League, gaining power, wealth, and loyal friends.
Liu Yan dismissed Tang Lici's alliances as mere manipulation, insisting that Tang Lici was using the league members as expendable pawns. The bandleader, however, doubted Liu Yan's resolve, arguing that his nature, being neither purely virtuous nor purely evil, would prevent him from truly achieving anything. Enraged, Liu Yan declared that Tang Lici's death was his alone, threatening severe consequences for anyone who dared to interfere.
Later, Gui Mudan pondered Liu Yan's sudden return, noting that even with a Hidden-Wing Gu, Liu Yan had found nothing. Someone suggested that to uncover what Liu Yan was truly searching for, they should approach the Artful Rewriter, who was in need of a Falling-Sky Stone fragment. In a flashback, it was revealed that Fang Zhou had once taught a young Tang Lici, whom he called A'Li, about music by playing a leaf, then with the formidable Dragon's Grace flute.
A'Li was innocent and didn't understand fear. Fang Zhou patiently explained that while A'Li might not comprehend music, he could certainly feel it. He promised to teach A'Li martial arts, not for offense, but for protection, instructing him to build his stone fortresses in a way that wouldn't block others' paths.
Fang Zhou also introduced A'Li to the Three Character Classic, starting with the principle "Ren Zhi Chu, Xing Ben Shan," meaning "Human nature is inherently good," and explained that people only turn bad due to harmful influences, urging A'Li to always believe in the love within his heart. In the present, Tang Lici engaged Shao Swordmaster, who was anxious about combating the Unfettered Guild.
Tang Lici reassured him, stating that while their paths might differ, their current goals aligned, and he would manage the league's affairs, though his methods might be unconventional and unpopular. During a clandestine meeting, Puzhu voiced his disapproval of Tang Lici's strategy of using monetary rewards to recruit members, arguing that such loyalty would be fickle and that greed was the root of evils like the Ape-Ghoul Nine-Heart Pill.
Tang Lici countered, asserting that self-interest was inherent to human nature and it was unreasonable to expect ordinary people to act like saints. He maintained that effectiveness was paramount and that he did not require their approval. Another sword master questioned Tang Lici's character, contrasting him with the virtuous Fang Zhou and expressing concern that Tang Lici could become another Yin-Yang Artificer, vowing to keep a close eye on him.
Tang Lici scoffed at the idea, pointing out that Fang Zhou's virtue had brought him little tangible reward in the end, and dismissed the sword master's notion of self-redemption. Having meticulously reviewed a decade's worth of the league's records overnight, Tang Lici swiftly reorganized its personnel, reassigning sword masters to roles that better suited their individual strengths, disregarding their vociferous protests. He calmly justified his decisions by citing their past inefficiencies and failures, which he had uncovered in the archives.
To quell their discontent, Tang Lici made a bold wager: if his new arrangements did not yield positive results within half a month, he would step down from his position and leave the league. Meanwhile, a young boy named Xiao Shi continued to build stone blockades. Tang Lici approached him, demonstrating a unique martial art that allowed him to construct an intricate stone array.
He observed that Xiao Shi built these stone fortresses for self-protection, echoing the lesson Fang Zhou once taught him about martial arts being for protection. Tang Lici then began to teach Xiao Shi basic characters from the Three Character Classic, reiterating the wisdom about inherent goodness and the corrupting power of negative influences. At the Unfettered Guild, Fucui fumed over the league's successful raids on their hidden strongholds.
Xifang Tao urged her to channel her anger into action rather than mere complaints. Liu Yan made a dramatic return, immediately reprimanding Fucui for her insolence and lack of deference. He then entrusted Xifang Tao with a token, instructing her to carefully execute their next plan. Liu Yan expressed his confidence, asserting that loyalty bought with money was easily shattered, and that their adversaries profoundly underestimated both him and the Unfettered Guild.
Zhong Chunji, having successfully led raids on Unfettered Guild strongholds, reported her achievements to her foster father, Shao Swordmaster. She hinted at her desire to reclaim her position as Shanfeng Hall Master, but Shao Swordmaster, while praising her, advised her to remain humble and patient, reminding her of her previous dismissal for releasing a suspect. He also urged her to keep her private frustrations about other sword masters seeking to replace her to herself.
Later, Tang Lici invited Zhong Chunji to a convivial dinner with friends, including Chi Yun, Shen Langhun, and Lord Jiang. The group warmly welcomed her back, pledging their unwavering support to help her regain her esteemed position. Lord Jiang expressed his profound gratitude for her role in uncovering a mole within his Yanmen Order, who had been misled by the Unfettered Guild.
Amidst the celebratory atmosphere of good food and Frostleaf Red wine, Zhong Chunji felt a poignant sense of reconnection, reflecting that the events of the Citadel of Swordsman now seemed "like a lifetime ago." Fang Pingzhai arrived at the Central Plains Sword League disguised as a fortune-teller, charming recruits with his small tricks. Zhong Chunji, recognizing his potentially troublesome presence, warned him against using the name "Fang Zhou" in front of Tang Lici.
Tang Lici confronted him directly, revealing that he knew of Fang Pingzhai by both his courtesy name, Pingzhai, and his alias, "Carefree." Fang Pingzhai shed his disguise, confirming his identity as the Master of the Towers of the Fallen and openly demanded the Rebirth Record. He provocatively questioned Tang Lici's right to wield Yin-Yang Artificer's martial arts while denying him the Rebirth Record. Fang Pingzhai threatened to seek the record from Liu Yan if Tang Lici refused.
Tang Lici, in turn, issued a stark warning, telling Fang Pingzhai to stay far away from Liu Yan, or he would "have a life to take but not a life to practice." Fang Pingzhai then claimed to have divined Tang Lici's true nature, declaring him a "fox demon" not of this world. Tang Lici responded with a chilling counter-threat, mentioning that fox demons were also skilled at dissecting hearts to discern loyalty.
Tang Lici then assigned Fang Pingzhai to menial tasks in the Service Hall, suggesting he use this time to reflect and decide whether to speak truthfully. Later, Zhong Chunji privately confronted Fang Pingzhai, urging him to leave if his motives were deceptive. Fang Pingzhai admitted his fascination with Tang Lici's "charming" danger and advised Zhong Chunji to become indispensable to Tang Lici rather than merely needing him.
He then delivered a grim divination for her, foretelling a fate of being "isolated from kin, broke, and powerless," warning that missing any opportunity would lead to total ruin. Zhong Chunji, however, firmly rejected his offer of assistance. Meanwhile, Puzhu received a message from the Towers of the Fallen detailing "One Peach, Three Colors, Pink Raiment," which allowed him to finally identify Xifang Tao as the person he had long sought.
Simultaneously, Tang Lici penned a letter to his foster father, asking for assistance in investigating Fang Pingzhai's background, and dispatched Shen Langhun to deliver it. Shen Langhun, unlike Chi Yun, expressed a preference for ignorance, citing the danger of knowing too much. Tang Lici, however, stated confidently that Fang Pingzhai's true identity was on the verge of being revealed.
