Whispers of Fate Episode 29 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Shui Duopo, a skilled physician, discovered during a casual check-up that A Shui suffered from Heart Withering Syndrome, a terminal illness that should have prevented her from living this long. She also noticed poor blood circulation in A Shui's head and a lack of reaction when stimulating her Jade Pillow Acupoint with a Xu Luo Needle, indicating memory loss.
Shui Duopo noted a peculiar energy within A Shui's body sustaining her, questioning if A Shui had experienced anything unusual as a child or ingested something strange. A Shui couldn't recall, speculating that she might have deliberately forgotten painful memories from her past of wandering and begging.
Despite the severity of her condition, A Shui expressed contentment with her current life, and Shui Duopo, promising confidentiality, warned her that her survival depended entirely on this internal energy, without which the illness would inevitably prove fatal. As the New Year approached, the Central Plains Sword Assembly was adorned with festive decorations. A Shui busily prepared delicious New Year pastries, meant as offerings.
Chi Yun, sneaking some of these offerings, shared them with Shen Langhun, who was setting up an altar, a common custom in the Central Plains for honoring deceased family members, in his case, his late wife. Amidst the joyful celebrations, Zhong Chunji felt a profound melancholy. She reflected on her past, recalling how Tang Lici had saved her from a lake and later reported her tattoo mark to the palace, which ultimately granted her a life of dignity and happiness.
These past events solidified her desire for a future with him. She sought out Tang Lici to understand his feelings for her. Tang Lici, however, reiterated his view of her as nothing more than a "brave and heroic heroine" and a friend, even offering an invitation to his residence if he were to leave the Sword Assembly.
When pressed, Tang Lici revealed his true, extraordinary nature: he was an "artificially created person" from a world of ceaseless slaughter, inherently devoid of human emotions. He explained that any empathy or care he displayed was merely what he had learned from Fang Zhou, who, he lamented, could not teach him "how to love someone." Tang Lici confessed to having feigned amnesia about his origins until he encountered Fang Zhou.
A heartbroken Zhong Chunji asked if this revelation meant she was "a little different" to him, but Tang Lici responded with a detached analogy about treating wounds despite pain, implying the necessity of facing uncomfortable truths. Overwhelmed, Zhong Chunji declared herself tired and bid him to leave. Later, Shi accidentally damaged his lantern, causing him distress. Tang Lici, with a rare display of tenderness and skill, repaired it using artful paper cut-outs, bringing a smile back to Shi's face.
Shi then proudly showed a drawing depicting himself, Tang Lici, and A Shui together, expressing his affection for A Shui's cooking and kindness, and for Tang Lici, calling them a family. Moved by this innocent display, Tang Lici decided to take Shi and A Shui to the bustling New Year market. There, Chi Yun cleverly created an opportunity for Tang Lici and A Shui to be alone by distracting Shi with a performance.
By the river, where people were releasing lanterns, Tang Lici bought one for A Shui. A Shui initially wished for the swift destruction of the Fengliu Inn and the safety and happiness of everyone they knew. When Tang Lici prompted her for a personal wish, she insisted that her deepest desire was for his safety and well-being. Tang Lici playfully remarked that such selfless wishes rarely come true, but A Shui countered that sincerity made wishes potent.
As they launched their lanterns, A Shui's light extinguished mid-river, making her question if it was a sign of fate. To comfort her, Tang Lici subtly used his power to relight all the lanterns on the river, transforming her sadness into renewed joy. Later that evening, he presented A Shui with a wooden sculpture carved in her likeness. A Shui observed that such gifts were usually given at partings.
Tang Lici cryptically responded that Chi Yun, Snow Thread Master, and Zhong Chunji also possessed similar puppets from him, hinting at an impending farewell. A Shui promised to cherish the gift. As the night concluded, Tang Lici exchanged "Happy New Year" greetings with Shi and his friends, accepting their well wishes with a gentle smile. In the dead of night, Tang Lici visited Shui Duopo, informing her of his resolute decision to save Fang Zhou.
He revealed his plan to undergo a perilous procedure: he asked Shui Duopo to extract Fang Zhou's heart crystal, which resided within his own body, and transplant it into Fang Zhou's preserved corpse at Zhou Di Tower, thereby reviving Fang Zhou. Shui Duopo was horrified, reminding him that the heart crystal was now intrinsically linked to his bloodline, and such an operation would be fatal for him, despite his unique constitution.
Tang Lici calmly accepted this, explaining his choice to save others over himself. When Shui Duopo, as a healer, refused to be an "executioner" aiding his self-sacrifice, Tang Lici revealed his knowledge of her true identity: Princess Xia, the sole survivor of the Gumo Kingdom's destruction by Yique Yinyang, spared due to her past kindness. He asserted that her cooperation was essential to prevent a catastrophe that would devastate the Divine Land.
Tang Lici disclosed that Ye Mo was still alive, having used a "Celestial Mirror Secret Technique" to sustain his spirit, and was actively seeking a suitable vessel for his rebirth—a role Tang Lici believed was intended for himself. To thwart Ye Mo's meticulously laid plans and deny him victory, Tang Lici resolved to destroy his own body. He also stressed that Fang Zhou's revival would unite the Sword Assembly and the martial world, securing their triumph.
He explained that Fang Zhou's body was preserved in an immortal crystal coffin at Zhou Di Tower, where he had arranged to meet Liu Yan. Once Liu Yan restored his martial power, Tang Lici urged Shui Duopo to perform the life-exchanging surgery. He expressed his profound realization that, despite his efforts, he could never truly become Fang Zhou or inherit the Seven-String Righteous Tone, affirming that Fang Zhou was the one who deserved to live.
Tang Lici presented Shui Duopo with an unfinished wooden puppet of Fang Zhou, explaining that he could now complete it, having made peace with his impending farewell. He asked her to deliver the finished puppet to Fang Zhou upon his revival and to convey his goodbyes to everyone.
He also issued a crucial warning: Gui Mudan was the true mastermind behind the Fengliu Inn rebellion, and his connection to Yique Yinyang was deeply complex, perhaps even serving as a vessel for Yique Yinyang's lingering consciousness. However, Tang Lici left these future challenges for Fang Zhou to resolve. His final requests were to be buried in Zhou Di Tower and for Shui Duopo to offer an apology to everyone on his behalf.
Shui Duopo confessed that her hesitation had stemmed from admiration for his noble character, not pity, acknowledging his wisdom, bravery, generosity, and willingness to risk his own life to save others. The following morning, everyone gathered for the New Year feast A Shui had lovingly prepared, eagerly awaiting Tang Lici's return, confident that he would surely join them. Meanwhile, at Zhou Di Tower, Gui Mudan was observing his collection of masks when Xi Fangtao approached.
She remarked on his sudden interest, suggesting he was tired of his own disguises. Gui Mudan dismissed the idea, simply stating that Liu Yan had arrived at Zhou Di Tower. Indeed, Liu Yan was present, expressing surprise at seeing Tang Lici, whom he had believed to be dead. He cynically commented that "menaces tend not to die easily."
