Whispers of Fate Episode 7 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Tang Lici and his companions arrived at Sword King City, but they were refused entry without an invitation. Chi Yun, introducing himself as the lord of Fire Cloud Fort, tried to talk their way in, claiming he had forgotten his invitation. However, the guards dismissed his small sect and ordered them to leave. Tang Lici, observing the scene, asked Chi Yun how far he was willing to push, hinting at Chi Yun's legendary name, the Sky Drifter.
A guard leader reiterated that entry required an invitation for all, including the Sky Drifter, but Tang Lici pointed out the festival seemed to have different standards for different people. He then questioned what would happen if he insisted on entering. Suddenly, a magnificent vessel, the Myriad Vault flagship, sailed into view, its crew announcing the arrival of the Myriad Vault master, who would bestow gifts and cover all expenses in the city during the Sword Blessing festival.
To the astonishment of the onlookers and the guards, the Myriad Vault flagship extended a gangway directly to Tang Lici's humble boat. Tang Lici revealed himself as the owner of Myriad Vault, explaining that since he couldn't enter as Tang Lici, he would use his Myriad Vault credentials instead. The embarrassed guards quickly apologized. Tang Lici explained that he orchestrated the commotion to expose underlying issues.
The guard leader, realizing his error, instructed his men to inform Lord Yu that the Myriad Vault master was a recluse and that no one should be punished for the misunderstanding. Tang Lici then invited his companions aboard the luxurious Myriad Vault flagship. Later, Chi Yun questioned Tang Lici's vast wealth and his involvement in commerce, a field Tang Lici previously showed no interest in. Tang Lici simply replied, "Must every action stem from interest?"
He then instructed his subordinate, Tang Sen, to ensure their guests received the finest hospitality. Meanwhile, on a sword platform, Lord Yu Qifeng showcased his skills against a young challenger, who remarkably managed to hold his own for a significant period. Spectators were impressed by the young man's talent but criticized his lack of etiquette for leaving without acknowledging Lord Yu.
Other observers noted Lord Yu's brutal intent, aiming for vital points with "devious angles," suggesting the young man barely escaped serious injury or death. They speculated Yu Qifeng’s ruthlessness might stem from envy. Lord Yu then challenged anyone else to come forward.
On the Myriad Vault flagship, Tang Lici reviewed ledgers from his estate, and his subordinate conveyed that His Excellency, Tang Lici's adoptive father, granted him complete control over Myriad Vault, also noting that Ashei showed an aptitude for accounting.
Ashei later asked Tang Lici why he avoided Lord Yu’s residence, to which Tang Lici replied that a direct visit was unnecessary; the greater the stir he caused, the more attention he would draw, anticipating that his presence would bring out a specific person. The atmosphere in Sword King City suddenly grew cold, and snow began to fall. A new challenger, Frost Weaver, appeared on the platform, requesting guidance from Lord Yu.
Onlookers questioned if this was the real Frost Weaver due to his mysterious demeanor. Lord Yu acknowledged Frost Weaver's skill, but Frost Weaver, boasting about his own "snow" (skill), provocatively compared it to Yu Qifeng's "mere wormglow," sparking indignant whispers from the crowd. After a brief exchange, Frost Weaver challenged Yu Qifeng to a "friendly contest." Lord Yu then unleashed his formidable "West Wind Severs Wildfire," defeating Frost Weaver, who conceded, expressing deep impressment.
After this display, Tang Lici sent Ashei away and instructed Shen Langhun that it was time for them to move. Tang Lici and Shen Langhun then proceeded to the Tianyan Sword Wall. Tang Lici remarked on Master Xuanqing's magnificent sword energy embedded there, but lamented that such a sacred site lacked worthy inheritors. He believed the entire Citadel was corrupted by greed, questioning how the Ape-Ghoul Nine-Heart Pill could have reached this place.
When Shen Langhun asked his purpose, Tang Lici replied it was "to flush out our quarry." Tang Lici then entered the Sword Phoenix Energy, which he found "truly mysterious." Inside an illusion, a red-clad woman recognized him by his "Golden Eye Mark" as "The Yin-Yang Artificer," expressing shock that he was "still draw[ing] breath!" She declared he must "forfeit your life here!" and attacked.
Their clash unleashed powerful sword energy, manifesting as a crimson West Wind Severs Wildfire in the outside world, visibly different from Lord Yu's darker version, but equally awe-inspiring. Yu Qifeng’s men reported an intruder in the Tianyan Sword Wall, too powerful for them to approach. Yu Qifeng found the situation "entertaining," marveling at an outsider grasping his family's ultimate technique.
While some clamored for the transgressor's punishment, Yu Qifeng publicly stated his family's martial arts were meant to be shared, and if an outsider gained insight, it honored their ancestors. He then suggested they all go to discern if it was "real insight or mere pretense." Leading the crowd, he approached the Wall, asking them to keep their distance while he confronted the "discourteous" trespasser.
He then demonstrated his "West Wind Severs Wildfire" once more, challenging Tang Lici to learn it if he could. Shen Langhun suddenly appeared, deflecting Yu Qifeng's attack, which prompted Yu Qifeng to recognize him as "Shen Langhun from the Towers of the Fallen." Shen Langhun, in turn, declared Yu Qifeng unworthy of the title "Sword King!" Tang Lici emerged from the illusion, his pure sword energy suppressing the fierce winds.
He challenged Yu Qifeng, asking what he thought of his "West Wind Severs Wildfire." Yu Qifeng was forced to acknowledge it, as the crowd realized Tang Lici was the affluent owner of Myriad Vault. Yu Qifeng then accused Tang Lici of concealing his identity, hiring an assassin, and trespassing to interfere with the Jiang Qingyu case.
Tang Lici refuted this, stating he was the one who captured Jiang Qingyu, not Yu Qifeng, and as a wronged party in the Hao Massacre, he had every right to be involved. Public outcry then demanded a public trial for Jiang Qingyu. Yu Qifeng, seizing the opportunity, announced he would publicly try Jiang Qingyu at the Celestial Feast in two days to satisfy the martial arts world and uncover the mastermind.
He then provocatively asked Tang Lici if he dared to attend, to which Tang Lici confidently replied, "If you dare hold public trial, I certainly dare attend." Meanwhile, Pu Zhu from Tianjing Pavilion met an old friend in a bamboo forest. As they played chess with peach blossom petals, his friend observed Pu Zhu's contemplative mood, inquiring about his journey to Sword King City. Pu Zhu simply stated he was there to resolve an issue, acting with a clear conscience.
His friend, sensing some unresolved guilt, advised him not to worry and to await the opportune moment, subtly warning against unintended harm. Later, A-Yan confronted Yu Qifeng, chastising him for being preoccupied with lost prestige rather than the gravity of his public trial agreement with Tang Lici. She revealed that Frost Weaver was Tang Lici's agent, sent to expose Yu Qifeng's secret of training with pills, and warned him that he had fallen into another of Tang Lici's traps.
She cautioned him that "His Lordship" was approaching and that without a solid plan, he would face his demise. Yu Qifeng, reviewing the guest list, saw Pu Zhu's name and formulated a new strategy: he would frame Tang Lici at the public trial, not Jiang Qingyu, and request a master of disguise from His Lordship. Yu Qifeng then met with Pu Zhu, attempting to manipulate him into believing Tang Lici was the mastermind.
He cited Jiang Qingyu's refusal to name a high-ranking mastermind (implying the imperial court) and the widespread distribution of the Ape-Ghoul Nine-Heart Pills, arguing only Myriad Vault possessed the reach and imperial backing to achieve this. Pu Zhu, however, remained skeptical, insisting he would "follow evidence alone." He demanded to interrogate Jiang Qingyu immediately, suggesting that some truths were best revealed in private, and implied that Yu Qifeng himself also had vast networks.
Yu Qifeng agreed to take Pu Zhu to the prison, assuring him that "truth will prevail." Elsewhere, Chi Yun, Ashei, and Mr. Gu of the Zhongyuan Sword League conversed on the Myriad Vault flagship. Chi Yun found the ship truly luxurious, while Ashei expressed gratitude to Lady Zhong for rescuing her in Yan County. They discussed Pu Zhu already being with Lord Yu.
When Pu Zhu and Yu Qifeng arrived at the prison, they discovered it ablaze, with a prisoner burning inside. Pu Zhu saw Shen Langhun's silhouette in the chaos, mistakenly believing Shen Langhun had killed Jiang Qingyu, thus falling into Yu Qifeng’s trap. Elsewhere, Tang Lici deduced the situation was a trap. When Shen Langhun returned, he reported that he had not been seen, unaware that the intended witness, Pu Zhu, had spotted him.
