The Great Ruler Episode 11 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
No-Face Taoist explained to Liu Qingtian that the Power of Whisper was a blessing from his master, capable of transforming even common fighters into skilled warriors. He proposed that if the entire Liu Territory army embraced this power, they could effortlessly conquer Mu Territory. Liu Mubai vehemently opposed this, calling it a curse and pointing out how the already affected soldiers had lost their humanity and became deranged.
No-Face Taoist dismissed his concerns, claiming that those with low spiritual power simply became unstable at first but would eventually recover. He also suggested this power would make Liu Qingtian's alliance with the Dragon Clan unnecessary and quell any internal opposition. Liu Mubai, however, remained firm, warning his father not to trust No-Face Taoist. As Liu Mubai spoke, he suddenly collapsed.
Liu Qingtian, realizing No-Face Taoist was responsible, was informed that Liu Mubai had been afflicted with the Soul Devouring Gu (Poison). No-Face Taoist assured Liu Qingtian that Liu Mubai's life was not in danger as long as the poison remained inactive, merely causing occasional dizziness. He then reiterated the immense power and influence Liu Territory could gain by accepting the blessing, again hinting at Liu Mubai's safety as a leverage.
Liu Mubai, struggling, told his father not to be concerned for him. No-Face Taoist then granted Liu Qingtian some time to make his decision, emphasizing the need for discretion regarding Liu Mubai's condition. Mu Chen, having infiltrated Liu Territory disguised as a soldier, met secretly with Lord Tang. Mu Chen confirmed that Lord Tang's alliance with Liu Qingtian was a ruse, a strategic maneuver to gain trust and infiltrate enemy lines by marrying his daughter, Qian'er, to Liu Mubai.
Lord Tang expressed his concern, fearing that if Liu Territory's soldiers all succumbed to the Power of Whisper, Mu Territory would have no hope of victory. Mu Chen, however, declared that while the Power of Whisper could be managed with other plans, their immediate priority was to save Liu Mubai from the Soul Devouring Gu. He then unveiled his detailed plan: in three days, Mu Territory would deploy an elite squad to attack Liu Territory's supply lines.
These fighters would intentionally "fail" and allow themselves to be captured, expecting to be imprisoned within Liu Territory's capital. Once inside, at the opportune moment, Lord Tang would facilitate their escape. They would then launch a surprise attack from within, aiming to capture Liu Qingtian and No-Face Taoist, thereby ending the conflict. Lord Tang admired the cunning of the plan but voiced skepticism about his own capacity to release prisoners, being merely a guest.
He also worried about whether the captured Mu Territory elites would even be brought back alive. Mu Chen conceded these points, acknowledging the need for additional assistance, and suggested Liu Mubai as a crucial ally. Liu Qingtian desperately sought a cure for Liu Mubai's Soul Devouring Gu, but Liu Mubai revealed that only No-Face Taoist, the poisoner, could remove it, or if No-Face Taoist were to die.
Liu Mubai implored his father not to succumb to No-Face Taoist's demands, asserting that the lives of Liu Territory's countless citizens were more important than his own. Liu Qingtian, however, seemed to have his own resolve. Later that night, he visited No-Face Taoist, appearing to accept his terms and express deference. However, Liu Qingtian's true intention was to assassinate No-Face Taoist, but his attempt was swiftly thwarted.
No-Face Taoist, having anticipated the ambush, warned Liu Qingtian of the dire consequences: his master would unleash utter destruction upon Liu Territory if he were killed. Realizing the futility and immense risk, Liu Qingtian was forced to concede. Following this, No-Face Taoist oversaw the preparation of military rations destined for Xiong City, implying his intention to infuse them with the Power of Whisper.
Liu Qingtian later personally ensured Liu Mubai only consumed food provided by him, forbidding any other intake to prevent poisoning. Lord Tang questioned Liu Qingtian about the transformed soldiers, receiving assurances that both he and Qian'er would be looked after. Mu Chen secretly infiltrated Liu Mubai's room, revealing his knowledge of the Soul Devouring Gu and urging Liu Mubai to unite with him against No-Face Taoist.
Liu Mubai, however, explained that his father trusted No-Face Taoist, and to act against him would be to defy his own father. He reaffirmed his loyalty to Liu Territory. Mu Chen countered, arguing that as the Young Master, it was Liu Mubai's duty to prevent his father and clansmen from becoming mindless "walking dead" under the Power of Whisper. Liu Mubai, visibly torn, instructed Mu Chen to wait for him and left.
While searching for his father, Liu Mubai unexpectedly discovered Luo Li imprisoned. He quickly brought Mu Chen to witness Luo Li's plight before pulling him away to avoid detection. Later, Liu Mubai expressed regret for his earlier recklessness and ignorance of Luo Li's capture, acknowledging he would react the same if Qian'er were in danger. Mu Chen offered congratulations on Liu Mubai's impending engagement to Qian'er, but Liu Mubai sadly confessed that Qian'er was angry, accusing him of aiding evil.
Despite their shared concern, Liu Mubai reiterated his inability to defy his father, stating that a father's command was inviolable. He apologized for not joining Mu Chen but reassured him of their continued brotherhood, urging Mu Chen to be cautious. Lord Tang later voiced his dismay at Liu Qingtian's perceived spinelessness to Mu Chen. Mu Chen, however, maintained that his original plan remained viable.
He believed that even mindless soldiers needed a leader, a role Liu Mubai could still fulfill, convinced that Liu Mubai's inherent loyalty would prevent him from witnessing his clansmen's complete subjugation. Urged by Lord Tang to act swiftly amidst the growing danger, Mu Chen prioritized another task. He went to rescue the injured Luo Li, but they were ambushed by No-Face Taoist, Mo Xingtian, and their forces.
Jiu You emerged to protect Mu Chen and Luo Li, but No-Face Taoist's Soul-Dissipating Spell rapidly drained her spiritual energy, weakening her. Luo Li, in agony, desperately pleaded for Mu Chen to escape without her, but he refused to abandon her. In a shocking turn, Liu Mubai appeared and stabbed Mu Chen deeply in the abdomen, causing him to collapse, followed swiftly by Luo Li losing consciousness.
No-Face Taoist lauded Liu Mubai's act, which Liu Mubai coolly dismissed as merely eliminating an enemy scout. Though No-Face Taoist initially ordered Mu Chen's body to be publicly displayed, Liu Mubai requested to handle it respectfully due to their past camaraderie, a request No-Face Taoist granted. Later, Qian'er, devastated by the sight of Mu Chen's apparent corpse, confronted Liu Mubai, slapping him and demanding how he could commit such an act.
Liu Mubai coldly asserted that in war, he could not show mercy to an enemy. Qian'er, in her fury, injured him. News of Mu Chen's death delighted Wen Qingxuan, who then commanded No-Face Taoist to utterly destroy Mu Territory and eradicate any future threats. Meanwhile, back in Mu Territory, Mu Feng and Mo Shi examined captured Liu soldiers, confirming their control by the Evil Deity's Power of Whisper, which validated their fear that the Evil Deity was indeed returning.
At the site where Mu Chen's "body" was kept, Lord Tang arrived, claiming he wished to retrieve it for his friend, Mu Feng. Liu Mubai then revealed the elaborate deception: Mu Chen had not truly died but had taken Fire-Patterned Scorpion Poison, which mimicked death by stopping his breathing and reducing his heartbeat to an imperceptible rhythm. Liu Mubai had anticipated such a need and staged the stabbing as a "bitter scheme" to completely fool No-Face Taoist.
After administering an antidote, Mu Chen revived. Lord Tang, surprised by the revelation, commended their resourcefulness. Mu Chen then officially invited Liu Mubai to join his plan, revealing Lord Tang's true allegiance and involvement, which astonished Liu Mubai. Lord Tang, in turn, reassured Liu Mubai, affirming his acceptance as a son-in-law no matter what transpired. Subsequently, Mu Chen was covertly transported out of Liu Territory inside Qian'er's dowry box, en route to Mu Territory.
Liu Mubai then pressed Mu Chen for details of his plan against No-Face Taoist and offered his assistance. Mu Chen explained that he possessed the ability to purify Liu clan members from the Power of Whisper. However, this process involved extracting a vast amount of spiritual energy, a trauma few could endure, leaving survivors barely clinging to life. Liu Mubai somberly accepted, stating that these individuals were already akin to the walking dead, mere tools for others' malevolent intentions.
Mu Chen also tried to raise concerns about Liu Mubai's own Soul Devouring Gu and the impact on his father and Qian'er, but Liu Mubai resolutely declared his willingness to atone for his father's mistakes. News of Mu Chen's supposed death deeply saddened Mu Feng, but his spirits lifted upon receiving a letter from Lord Tang confirming Mu Chen was alive and conveying "great news."
Mu Feng immediately ordered Zhou Ye to assemble all elite fighters, ready to launch an offensive. Meanwhile, in his spiritual consciousness, Mu Chen found Jiu You, who was weak and distressed after No-Face Taoist's Soul-Dissipating Spell had drained her spiritual energy. Mu Chen informed her of his intent to practice the formidable and perilous Eight Desolations Array.
He knew a confrontation with No-Face Taoist was inevitable to rescue Luo Li, especially since No-Face Taoist's spell was a direct counter to their powers. Mu Chen expressed concern about the array's inherent dangers, fearing it might implicate Jiu You. Jiu You, however, supported his resolve, declaring her preference to die fighting rather than being passively annihilated.
Separately, Liu Qingtian advised Liu Mubai to stay out of the impending battle, but Liu Mubai firmly stated that it was their fight, and he could not hide on the sidelines.
