Whispers of Fate Episode 33 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Xiao Shi desperately shielded his master, Tang Lici, from the frenzied Liu Yan, who was determined to end Tang Lici’s life. Liu Yan ruthlessly attacked Xiao Shi, but Tang Lici, stirred by the commotion, suddenly awoke. His severe abdominal wound had miraculously healed, and with newfound strength, he snatched Xiao Shi from Liu Yan’s grasp. Observing Liu Yan's demonic obsession, Tang Lici felt immense pain.
Liu Yan, witnessing Tang Lici wield Fang Zhou’s Lotus Soul Art, demanded to know how Tang Lici had recovered, reminding him of the pins that should have killed him. Tang Lici explained that Fang Zhou’s heart crystal, which had once blocked his meridians, also protected him from the pins. When he extracted the heart crystal, Fang Zhou's remaining power flowed into him, healing his body.
Tang Lici interpreted this as Fang Zhou's final message, urging him not to blame himself and confirming that his choices were correct. Liu Yan dismissed this as delusional. Tang Lici then confessed his only regret was sparing Liu Yan, and challenged him to unleash his deadliest move, promising to make him experience true despair. Their fierce battle culminated in Tang Lici swiftly defeating Liu Yan with his Void Catastrophe and Thunderclap from Heaven techniques.
Despite his defeat, Liu Yan insisted he had not lost. Tang Lici, using the Transmutation Scripture and a technique learned from the Yique Yinyang’s memories, opened a Celestial Wheel, allowing Liu Yan to share his memories and emotions. Liu Yan was transported back four years, reliving the moment Fang Zhou willingly accepted the Rebirth Record to transfer a dark energy from Tang Lici to himself, explicitly asking that Liu Yan and Xiao Fu not be informed.
Through these shared memories, Liu Yan finally grasped the devastating truth: he had been the one who interfered with Tang Lici’s attempts to save Fang Zhou, ultimately leading to Fang Zhou's tragic death. He had destroyed Fang Zhou’s remains and shattered his dream of peace. Overwhelmed with remorse, Liu Yan attempted to end his own life, but Tang Lici intervened, seizing the dagger.
Tang Lici declared that Liu Yan's life belonged to him, commanding him to live and atone for his countless mistakes. Just as this confrontation concluded, Gui Mudan appeared, commenting on the unfolding drama. He noted the disappearance of the Rebirth Record's power, expressing mock surprise at Tang Lici's reaction. Gui Mudan proclaimed his mastery over this domain, stating "Everything is me, I am everything," and that only total annihilation could break his power, asserting Tang Lici could not kill him.
He revealed his elaborate plot, admitting he had always found Liu Yan perfectly susceptible to manipulation due to his zealous obsessions. He asserted that all human weakness stems from emotion, and without emotion, there are no vulnerabilities. Gui Mudan then bid Tang Lici farewell.
In a final act of protection, Tang Lici used the last vestiges of his power to unleash Sacred Lotus Awakening, pushing the severely injured Liu Yan out of the cave and urging him to live, before falling into Gui Mudan’s trap. Meanwhile, Shen Langhun, tracking combat traces behind Qingyang Cave, stumbled upon the gravely wounded Liu Yan. Still consumed by hatred for Liu Yan, who had killed someone dear to him, Shen Langhun stabbed him.
Struggling to speak, Liu Yan gasped out a plea to save Tang Lici, revealing that Gui Mudan had captured him and taken him to the Fallen Petal Garden. Before Shen Langhun could question him further, Hong Niang appeared and carried Liu Yan away. Shen Langhun returned to the Central Plains Sword Alliance and reported Tang Lici's capture by Gui Mudan and the mention of the Fallen Petal Garden.
Many expressed skepticism, finding it hard to believe Liu Yan’s words given his past. However, with both Tang Lici and A Shui missing, and considering Tang Lici’s powerful martial arts coupled with Liu Yan being severely incapacitated, Gui Mudan emerged as the prime suspect. Puzhu then introduced Xifang Tao, explaining her defection from the Windflow Den.
Xifang Tao acknowledged the guild's wickedness but sought redemption, offering her extensive knowledge of those who used the evil pills and pledging to help eradicate the Windflow Den. Shen Langhun remained wary, but Puzhu advocated for Xifang Tao, highlighting her assistance in defeating the Artful Rewriter and her invaluable insight into Gui Mudan's capabilities and the layout of the Fallen Petal Garden.
Xifang Tao warned them that Gui Mudan was an emotionless, calculating monster, and that any attempt to attack the Fallen Petal Garden with their current diminished forces would be futile. She assured them that if Gui Mudan intended to kill Tang Lici, it would have already happened, suggesting he had another motive.
Shao Jianzhu deduced that Gui Mudan's true aim was to use Tang Lici’s body to resurrect the Yique Yinyang, a theory Xifang Tao confirmed, emphasizing that resurrection required a physical vessel. In the Fallen Petal Garden, Tang Lici awoke to find himself in an unfamiliar place, his internal energy sealed. He was confronted by A Shui, who, dropping her innocent facade, revealed that everything had been a meticulously planned deception from the beginning.
She explained that Gui Mudan, whom she called "Master," had erased her memories and, using the Transmutation Scripture, had infused her bloodline with a divine stone, making her blood capable of saving Tang Lici—all part of his grand scheme. She coldly stated that once Gui Mudan achieved his goal, Tang Lici's life would be forfeit, deeming it "heaven's retribution" for his past manipulations. Tang Lici accepted his fate but pondered the nature of truth and falsehood.
A Shui mockingly interpreted his question as a sign of weakness, a desperate hope for something genuine. She reiterated that her every emotion and interaction with him had been a lie since their first meeting at the Golden Leaf Temple. Later, Gui Mudan appeared before Tang Lici, inquiring if he enjoyed the "show."
Tang Lici retorted that his performance was a "poor imitation," dismissing him as a mere puppet of the Yique Yinyang, to which Gui Mudan admitted that his cover had been blown. Tang Lici further deduced that his experience of the Battle of Tiandu Peak within the Inverted Dream was an illusion. In the true past, the Yique Yinyang had been victorious, with Fang Zhou among the fallen masters.
However, the Yique Yinyang had failed in his ultimate ambition, necessitating a manipulation of time. Tang Lici theorized that the Artificer, despite his god-like powers and apparent lack of weakness, was not a "perfect Celestial Body" because his body had been corrupted during his time in Gumo. Therefore, he needed to cultivate a new, perfect vessel, which was Tang Lici.
This intricate design required Fang Zhou to survive the initial battle, find Tang Lici, mentor him at the All-Seeing Tower, and then die for him, creating a profound emotional trauma. This trauma would compel Tang Lici to intervene and save Fang Zhou in the Inverted Dream, thus creating a "flawless closed loop" designed to force Tang Lici to experience human emotions and become the perfect vessel for the Yique Yinyang's resurrection. Gui Mudan acknowledged Tang Lici's remarkable intellect.
Tang Lici then proposed a game to Gui Mudan, suggesting that since he lacked human emotions, he could learn through play, much like Fang Zhou had taught him with children's texts. The game involved Gui Mudan asking Tang Lici questions about his feelings and then choosing a mask that best represented Tang Lici's emotional state.
Gui Mudan's first question was about Tang Lici's feelings upon discovering his entire journey in the Central Plains was a meticulous design by the Yique Yinyang. Gui Mudan guessed "wrath," but Tang Lici corrected him, stating "delight," expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet Fang Zhou and cherish seven beautiful years at the All-Seeing Tower.
Gui Mudan then asked about Tang Lici’s feelings upon learning that his own manipulation of Liu Yan's early return led to Fang Zhou's death, all to prepare Tang Lici as a vessel for the Yique Yinyang's rebirth. Gui Mudan again guessed "wrath," but Tang Lici scoffed, replying "laughter," as this was not the first time he had been targeted as a vessel. Gui Mudan then asked about A Shui.
