Whispers of Fate Episode 36 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
At night, Xi Fangtao proactively sought out Tang Lici, hinting that Chi Yun would be in danger if he wasn't found soon. Xi Fangtao had been rallying other sect leaders of the Central Plains Sword Association under the pretext of vying for the position of Sword Master, arousing Tang Lici's suspicion that she might be acting on Gui Mudan's instructions. Xi Fangtao evaded a direct answer, claiming enmity with Gui Mudan.
She then provoked Tang Lici, engaging him in a duel, during which she discovered that all the toxins in Tang Lici's body had been cleared, making her no match for him. She left quickly after assessing his martial arts recovery, later continuing to campaign intensely for the Sword Master position. Meanwhile, Cheng Yunpao, while pursuing remnants of the Peony Tower, or "Flirtatious Shop", organization, found himself lost.
Hong Guniang, no longer wearing crimson and bearing injuries, sought out Tang Lici to inform him of Liu Yan's disappearance. Since his release by Zhong Chunji, Liu Yan had been living with Hong Guniang in a dilapidated rural cottage. He had become a changed man, constantly poring over medical texts, often muttering, "I was wrong, Gui Mudan deserved to die," indicating a fervent desire to develop an antidote. He sought to atone and have the courage to face Fang Zhou.
Liu Yan disappeared shortly after hearing a farmer mention the widespread and deadly "evil pills", also known as Scarlet Ghost Nine Heart Pills. Liu Yan had ventured out to gather medicinal herbs, attempting to expedite the research for an antidote. However, he had long been afflicted by the evil pills himself, sometimes losing control of his body. He was soon intercepted by members of the Central Plains Sword Association, who recognized him and attempted to apprehend him for a reward.
During this encounter, Liu Yan suffered a toxic relapse, exuding a chilling malevolence and launching a deadly attack. Yet, at a critical moment, his reason prevailed; he managed to restrain himself, gripping the blade in his own hand, and warned the Sword Association members to flee, indicating he did not truly wish to kill them.
Aware that he was controlled by the Scarlet Ghost Nine Heart Pills, Liu Yan used his last moments of clear consciousness to trigger a self-detonation, collapsing into a coma. Tang Lici and Hong Guniang arrived just as the Sword Association members, noting Liu Yan's limited martial arts due to his toxic relapse, were preparing to deliver a fatal blow. They rescued Liu Yan.
Tang Lici transferred some of his internal energy to Liu Yan and also fed him his own blood. He observed purple, spiderweb-like veins surfacing on Liu Yan's face, a clear sign the toxins had spread deep within his body. Tang Lici lamented that Liu Yan was being tormented by the very evil pills he himself had concocted.
While in his coma, Liu Yan had a vision of Fang Zhou, who smiled radiantly, asking if he was out collecting herbs, as Liu Yan perceived himself holding a herb basket. Despite knowing Fang Zhou was truly gone, Liu Yan wept profusely, overwhelmed with guilt, apologizing for the many wrongdoings he had committed. Fang Zhou, however, told him not to feel guilty, to move forward, and gently reminded him that everyone makes mistakes.
Upon awakening, Liu Yan saw Tang Lici, his rescuer. Tang Lici subtly provoked him, asking if he intended to die from consuming so many evil pills, and suggesting that Fang Zhou would not wish to see him unless he succeeded in developing an antidote for the Scarlet Ghost Nine Heart Pills. Liu Yan immediately took Tang Lici's wrist to diagnose him, discovering that the "Thousand Bone Needles" he had created had severely damaged Tang Lici's heart meridian.
Overcome with grief, Liu Yan realized that both the evil pills and the Thousand Bone Needles were his creations, and that he had been manipulated, becoming a puppet who had harmed the most important people in his life. Tang Lici left a large bottle of medicine, instructing Liu Yan to take it daily and live well.
He also arranged for the necessary ingredients for the antidote to be regularly delivered to Liu Yan, forbidding him from leaving to avoid capture by his pursuers. Tang Lici's act of calling Liu Yan "Senior Brother" deeply moved Liu Yan, who resolved that despite death being the easiest path, he would live to create the antidote and atone for his sins. Hong Guniang was tasked with taking good care of Liu Yan. Tang Lici had developed two informants.
Firstly, Bai Suche had turned against Gui Mudan, secretly locating a hidden evil pill refinery known as West Wind Garden. Bai Suche discreetly conveyed this information to Tang Lici but was discovered and surrounded by people controlled by the evil pills. Chi Yun, who had been secretly protecting Bai Suche all along, intervened.
During the intense struggle, Chi Yun was exposed to the toxic gas from West Wind Garden for three days and three nights, accumulating a large amount of toxins in his body. When Tang Lici found him, he was deeply saddened and used his own blood to temporarily suppress Chi Yun's toxins, acknowledging that a permanent antidote was essential. Separately, Tang Lici had enlisted Shisan Niang as another informant.
When Fucui discovered Shisan Niang's activities, Chi Yun acted decisively, saving Shisan Niang and killing Fucui. However, Banzhu summoned puppets, controlled by Scarlet Ghost Nine Heart Pills, to attack. Chi Yun ensured Shisan Niang's safety by using acupuncture to hide her behind a large rock, then single-handedly fought the numerous puppets.
Although Chi Yun survived, he was severely wounded, and Banzhu transferred the malevolent energy from the deceased puppets onto him, leaving Chi Yun with a strange, "Young City Lord"-like aura. Tang Lici, sensing this malevolent energy, rushed to the scene and found Chi Yun attempting to attack him. Tang Lici quickly knocked him unconscious. Shisan Niang then provided a "Forget Worry Pill" to make Chi Yun forget all memories related to her.
The malevolent energy transferred by Banzhu would not relapse unless provoked. Tang Lici understood the urgent need to find a method to remove this malevolent energy. While Xi Fangtao continued her campaign for the Sword Master position, rallying support, Tang Lici's apparent inaction concerned Xue Xianzi. Xi Fangtao privately met with Zhong Chunji, using Zhong Chunji's identity as a fake princess to blackmail her into an alliance for a shared objective. Xi Fangtao also spoke with Puzhu.
Puzhu, weighing his options, decided to support Tang Lici, casting his vote for him. Xi Fangtao gazed at Puzhu, remarking that regardless of the future, he had indeed changed her life trajectory, a statement subtly revealing her affection. However, Puzhu, focused solely on eliminating evil, did not acknowledge her feelings. On another front, Tang Lici instructed Shao Yanping to deliver the required medicinal ingredients, according to a provided list, to a specific location. Shao Yanping, understanding Tang Lici's character, deduced that the recipient was Liu Yan and no longer harbored resentment towards him.
