Whispers of Fate Episode 5 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Following the capture of Jiang Qingyu, Tang Lici formally greeted the newly arrived Sword King Yu. The Sword King questioned if he was the Tang Lici from the All-Seeing Tower. Tang Lici then sarcastically praised Sword King Yu for his wide circle of acquaintances, calling him the "King of the despicable" and stating that his mastery of "man and sword as one" was evident.
He even suggested "Scheme King" as an alternative title, marveling at how Sword King Yu appeared so swiftly after the culprit was apprehended, as if he knew beforehand. A subordinate of Sword King Yu expressed outrage at Tang Lici's insolence. Tang Lici countered that the Zhongyuan Sword League and Yanmen Order would need to provide an explanation for the unfolding events.
Despite the tension, the Zhongyuan Sword League conceded, agreeing to entrust the investigation to Sword King City and requesting Sword King Yu to uncover the truth. As Zhong Chunji prepared to leave, she questioned Tang Lici about his next destination, Sword King City, noting its danger as Sword King Yu's domain, a true "Dragon's pool and tiger's den."
Tang Lici clarified that his journey there was not to assist the Sword League with the case or concern himself with the Pills, but solely to pursue a specific lead he needed. He assured her not to worry. As a keepsake, Tang Lici presented Zhong Chunji with a wooden figurine he had carved, depicting her likeness, which she gratefully accepted. Chi Yun lightened the mood by joking that the carving could be used as firewood if it got cold.
Zhong Chunji then bid farewell to Tang Lici, Chi Yun, and A Shui, urging them to take care. Tang Lici, Chi Yun, and A Shui embarked on a boat journey. During the trip, Chi Yun became seasick as the boat suddenly plunged into a massive whirlpool. Tang Lici calmly ate grapes, telling them to sit tight.
Upon landing, Chi Yun was astonished to find they had arrived at the Towers of the Fallen, a location usually requiring arduous travel and accessible only through the No-Exchange Tower, which he had visited many times without ever finding this path. Tang Lici explained this was the difference between an ordinary guest and a valued one, giving Chi Yun credit for his status as a valued guest of the Towers.
Tang Lici then revealed his intention to acquire the services of Shen Langhun, the Towers' premier assassin. Chi Yun, having suffered previous injury in the Towers and being aware of the dangers and the Lord’s ruthlessness, remained wary. They encountered illusions created by the Towers' Soul-Capturing Array, designed to bewilder guests and inflate prices. Chi Yun was momentarily ensnared by an illusion of his missing fiancée, Bai Suche, until Tang Lici dispelled it, explaining the trick.
The Lord of the Towers of the Fallen appeared, renewing his offer to Chi Yun to join the Towers now that his fiancée was still unfound, and also brought up the damages from Chi Yun's previous visit, expecting compensation. Tang Lici suggested the Unfettered Guild should be held accountable, revealing that the Lord had once delivered a jade flute for the mastermind, implying the Lord himself was a pawn.
The Lord, shifting tactics, questioned Tang Lici's miraculous survival after Liu Yan had slit his throat and thrown him into a well four years prior, hinting at forbidden cultivation. Tang Lici remained enigmatic, stating he was there for business. He requested Shen Langhun's services for one year. The Lord, however, demanded Tang Lici's life as payment. Tang Lici rejected this, humorously suggesting he was worth more than Shen Langhun and offering to let the Lord pay the difference.
The Lord then challenged Tang Lici to retrieve Shen Langhun himself from the upper levels of the Towers. Chi Yun offered to hold off any attackers as Tang Lici ascended. As Tang Lici navigated the perilous, trap-filled structures crafted by the renowned mechanist Gui Fusheng, the Lord continued his psychological probing. He attacked Tang Lici's old abdominal injury, noting how Tang Lici subtly favored it. The Lord then ordered Shen Langhun to specifically target this weakness.
Tang Lici retaliated with techniques such as "Serpent Fang" and "Soul Severing." The Lord was awestruck, recognizing Tang Lici's martial arts as those of the Yique Yinyang, and realized Tang Lici possessed the "Rebirth Record," which explained his healing of fatal wounds and resurrection.
However, he remained baffled by how Tang Lici, wielding the Yique Yinyang's power, could still carry an unhealable wound, speculating it might have been inflicted by Fang Zhou, the "Top Under Heaven" who had once defeated the Yique Yinyang. Amused by Tang Lici's resilience and secrets, the Lord ultimately conceded.
He allowed Tang Lici to take Shen Langhun, but warned that gaining Shen Langhun's loyalty would depend entirely on Tang Lici's own skill, as it was a rule Shen Langhun himself had set four years ago. Meanwhile, Sword King Yu had Jiang Qingyu imprisoned. Jiang Qingyu, believing Sword King Yu would protect him, pleaded for release, promising to live as a common villager and keep silent about Sword King Yu selling him the pills.
Sword King Yu, upon hearing Jiang Qingyu mention who sold him the pills, asked for clarification. To eliminate any potential threat, Sword King Yu ruthlessly killed Jiang Qingyu. His aide, Lady Bai, expressed concern, suggesting it would have been more astute to stage it as a suicide, blaming the Unfettered Guild. But Sword King Yu, confident in his authority, declared that as Sword King, his word was law, and he need not resort to subterfuge.
Bai reminded him of the impending scrutiny from the Zhongyuan Sword League and the formidable Tang Lici. Zhong Chunji presented her detailed report on the Hao household massacre to Sword Master Shao and the elders of the Zhongyuan Sword League. She firmly asserted that the case of the Pills was connected to Sword King City and urged a thorough investigation.
However, several conservative elders dismissed her claims as "nonsense," highlighting the esteemed history of the Yu family, who founded Phoenix Manor 300 years ago and produced generations of "Sword Ancestors" and the "Sword Phoenix Yu Xuanqing" who helped defeat the Yique Yinyang. They questioned Zhong Chunji's youth and inexperience, suggesting Tang Lici was the true source of trouble.
Zhong Chunji passionately defended her findings, pointing out the League's double standard: their eagerness to investigate Tang Lici while showing timidity towards Sword King Yu. She argued that their reluctance made it seem as if she had helped them by handing Jiang Qingyu to Sword King Yu. An elder then disparaged her "low-born" status, further inflaming the debate. Sword Master Shao intervened to calm the situation, apologizing for Zhong Chunji's youthful zeal and assuring the elders.
He announced his plan: the Sixth Master would be sent to the Yanmen Order to offer condolences, while the matter of the Pills would be addressed during the upcoming Sword Blessing Festival at Phoenix Manor, where Sword King Yu would be expected to provide an explanation. He also declared he would personally assign a suitable investigator to look into the mysterious Tang Lici.
Later that evening, as a cold rain descended, Zhong Chunji sat alone by the main hall entrance, lost in poignant memories of her impoverished childhood, recalling her mother's warm smile after she brought home bundles of firewood.
