Whispers of Fate Episode 6 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
As a child, Zhong Chunji lived in dire poverty. One day, after her mother told her how her father had sold something for a rare piece of meat, Zhong Chunji ate a bun, promising to do the laundry by the stream. While doing so, she overheard her adoptive father haggling with a man. Her father, claiming he had raised her with difficulty, tried to get more money for her, but the man countered that everyone knew she was adopted.
Zhong Chunji's father eventually settled for a pound of pork to sell her for a ghost marriage. When she confronted him, crying and pleading that she was obedient and would be good, her father told her not to blame them; they had intended to raise her as an adopted daughter-in-law, but times were too hard. Her adoptive mother added that without selling her, the whole family would starve. Zhong Chunji’s father pushed her towards the buyer.
Realizing her fate, Zhong Chunji broke free and jumped into the river, later to be rescued by her master, Shao Jianzhu. Years later, Zhong Chunji had grown into a skilled martial artist under Shao Jianzhu's tutelage. She approached her master, expressing concern that the highly suspicious Lord Yu Qifeng and Tang Lici were venturing into the Citadel of Swordsman.
Shao Jianzhu explained that the other martial uncles and aunts were too scared of Lord Yu to investigate properly and that he needed someone fearless, smart, and capable to uncover the truth for the league. He then presented Zhong Chunji with an invitation to the Citadel of Swordsman's Sword Blessing festival, asking her to represent the league. She promised not to let him down, but he reminded her to maintain respect.
Unwilling to let her go alone, Shao Jianzhu summoned Gu Xitan, Zhong Chunji’s senior brother, instructing him to accompany her. As Shao Jianzhu left in the rain, Gu Xitan offered him an umbrella, but Shao Jianzhu confidently stated that his superior strength meant a little rain wouldn't bother him. Gu Xitan, still calling her "Zhong Mei," was quickly corrected by Zhong Chunji, who insisted on being called "Lady Zhong."
Meanwhile, Tang Lici, accompanied by Chi Yun and A Shui, was also journeying towards the Citadel of Swordsman. Shen Langhun, now reluctantly aligned with Tang Lici, refused to board their boat, stating they had different goals. Chi Yun, having struggled to catch fish, jokingly accused Shen Langhun’s dark shadow in the water of scaring away his bites and warned him about letting his "new master" starve. Shen Langhun then demonstrated impressive fishing skills, quickly catching several fish.
To grill the fish without smoke, Tang Lici offered A Shui a Bixiao Pearl, a priceless treasure. A Shui marveled at the gem, asking where it came from. Suddenly, Shen Langhun attacked Tang Lici with his Shadow Arts. Tang Lici reminded Shen Langhun that he needed a finder, not a killer, and reaffirmed his offer: if Shen Langhun would go to the Citadel of Swordsman, he could keep the Bixiao Pearl.
A Shui commented that with such mastery of Shadow Arts, Shen Langhun could go anywhere, making it clear why Tang Lici sought his help. Chi Yun, however, grumbled that Shen Langhun could have simply asked for money. Tang Lici corrected him, explaining that Shen Langhun was seeking the seven scattered gems of the ancient imperial treasure, the Seven-Gem Verdant Hairpin, of which the Bixiao Pearl was one.
Pledging to help fulfill a second, more important wish if Shen Langhun agreed to assist him, Tang Lici learned that Shen Langhun’s second wish was to kill someone—a personal vendetta unrelated to the Towers of the Fallen. Tang Lici revealed his knowledge of Shen Langhun’s rumored secret technique, an illusion that traps enemies in their own minds, and challenged him to test it on a master of the Rebirth Record.
Shen Langhun accepted, warning Tang Lici to be careful before initiating "Martial Realm: Blood Moon Heart-Execution." Within the illusion, Tang Lici revisited his childhood. As a young boy, he was welcomed into the All-Seeing Tower by his senior brothers, Fang Zhou and another, along with a boy named A-Yan. He was initially silent, having forgotten his name. His senior brothers decided to name him.
A-Yan suggested various humorous names, but the boy eventually uttered "Agibanel Tonga," an ancient Sanskrit phrase, which Fang Zhou found intriguing. Fang Zhou proposed teaching him reading and martial arts to make him an All-Seeing Tower disciple. Though the boy initially resisted, claiming he couldn't learn martial arts, Fang Zhou persuaded him by saying martial arts could protect what he cared about.
Fang Zhou then named him "Tang Lici," a poetic name meaning "one of a kind, breaking from old verses." The scene shifted dramatically to a different memory, where an attack, "Shadow Kill, Dreamlike Glimmer," was launched as Fang Zhou angrily denounced Tang Lici, declaring his hatred and desire to tear him to pieces. The adult Tang Lici then found himself back in the present, confronting Shen Langhun, who was astonished that Tang Lici could copy his techniques.
Tang Lici then delved into Shen Langhun’s own illusion, uncovering his tragic past. Shen Langhun had once been deeply in love with a woman named Hui Niang, who suffered from a terminal illness. To earn money for a life-renewing pill, he joined the Towers of the Fallen, accepting the condition from its master, Dieban Chonghua, that he could not see Hui Niang for five years. After serving his term, Shen Langhun, overjoyed, retrieved the pill and hurried to Hui Niang.
However, at the Yellow River, he encountered Liu Yan, who destroyed the pill. Without it, Hui Niang died in his arms. Devastated, Shen Langhun returned to the Towers of the Fallen to learn the identity and whereabouts of Liu Yan. Dieban Chonghua demanded Hui Niang’s body as payment, which Shen Langhun reluctantly agreed to, allowing Hui Niang to be preserved in a glazed jade coffin—a constant reminder of his failure.
Shen Langhun confided in Tang Lici that his techniques were identical to Liu Yan's. Tang Lici admitted that four years ago, Liu Yan had stolen half of the Rebirth Record's power from him, leaving him deeply wounded and his life now on a countdown. Tang Lici confirmed that Liu Yan, once his friend but now his enemy and the leader of The Unfettered Guild, would be at the Citadel of Swordsman.
Later, in a conversation with Chi Yun via a communication device, Chi Yun expressed disbelief that Tang Lici would face both Yu Qifeng and Liu Yan, calling it a death trap. Tang Lici then confessed that he was the one who killed Fang Zhou during the All-Seeing Tower massacre, which was why Liu Yan, who considered Fang Zhou a brother, sought to kill him.
Tang Lici reiterated that he was not a good man, but Chi Yun argued that Tang Lici was not an indiscriminate killer, insisting there must be more to the story. He asked Tang Lici what he would do if he met Liu Yan, his former friend. Tang Lici stated that their bond was severed four years ago and, with his own life running out, it was time to collect the debt.
That night, Shen Langhun, Tang Lici, and Chi Yun shared wine. Chi Yun observed Tang Lici's troubled demeanor, sensing the pain of betrayal. He admitted that he had always known Tang Lici was no "good guy" but also knew he wasn't an indiscriminate killer. Chi Yun reflected that he himself walked a wicked path, Tang Lici was a "monster," and Shen Langhun was "no saint," concluding they were all "birds of a feather."
Chi Yun then challenged Shen Langhun’s stated reason for fighting Yu Qifeng, highlighting Yu Qifeng’s hypocrisy in branding opponents as evil while hiding his own wickedness. Shen Langhun passionately declared his intention to kill Yu Qifeng for twisting the truth. Chi Yun joked that compared to him and Tang Lici, Shen Langhun was "not that bad," even teasing him for wanting to be the worst.
Chi Yun also wondered why Tang Lici was always seen reading the Three-Character Classic, a question Shen Langhun admitted he couldn't answer either. Separately, a woman named Xiao Hong played a tune for her Revered Master, who was lost in thought. She told him the music always made him think of Tang Lici. Her master mused on hatred, admitting that even with time, his own hatred had only deepened.
He spoke of deep grudges leading to fated encounters, to which Xiao Hong responded that "meeting is for parting," a sentiment he echoed. Chi Yun and A Shui arrived at the magnificent Citadel of Swordsman, commenting on its grand canal, Lord Yu's ostentatious display, and the wealth of Myriad Vault, which had ties to the Yu family and the imperial court.
Chi Yun recounted the history of Yu Xuanqing, the "Sword Phoenix," who, along with six other masters, slew the Yin-Yang Artificer at the Battle of Tiandu Peak. Mortally wounded, Yu Xuanqing had performed "self-destruction" at the Tianyan Sword Wall, leaving a sword intent for a destined successor. Three years ago, Yu Qifeng had grasped the true meaning of her "West Wind Severs Wildfire" technique, securing the Citadel's lasting fame.
As the Sword Blessing festival, with its elaborate ceremonies, began its "Sword Drawing" and "Sword Testing" day, crowds gathered to admire the legendary Phoenix Sword. Yu Qifeng, the Sword King, made a grand entrance. He acknowledged Zhong Chunji in the crowd and greeted his guests, expressing honor at their presence. Adorned with praise for his "selflessness" and for sharing the Yu family’s secret sword techniques, Yu Qifeng commanded, "Unsheathe the sword!" A shining blade was revealed from the Phoenix Sword sculpture. " Present the sword!" he then commanded.
