The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 15 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Xiao Yanyan advised Han Derang to proceed with extreme caution, especially regarding those monitoring Yelv Xian. Han Derang reassured her, stating that the person tasked with watching Yelv Xian had likely been persuaded to join their cause. He believed that with Chu Bu's surrender to Yelv Xian, no one could obstruct their plans. Xiao Yanyan, however, found the timing suspicious, wondering if Yelv Xian was behind the recent death of Chu Bu's sworn brother, Bai Hai, at the tyrant's hands.
Han Derang dismissed the idea, having already asked Yelv Xian who denied any involvement. He firmly believed Yelv Xian, explaining that Yelv Xian had never harmed even an ant since childhood and would be an excellent ruler for the Liao Dynasty. Xiao Yanyan noted Yelv Xian's importance to Han Derang, who then confessed that both Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan were the most important people in his life.
He told Xiao Yanyan that the ruler she chose would surely be outstanding, and they would work together. Yelv Xian then met with Chu Bu. Chu Bu, heartbroken by Bai Hai's death, expressed his disappointment in the tyrannical Emperor.
He told Yelv Xian that there would be two outcomes if the Taiping King knew what he was saying: either he would die, and the Emperor and Taiping King would suspect Yelv Xian more, or Yelv Xian would accept him as his loyal follower. Chu Bu explained that he desired nothing more than to serve Yelv Xian and do everything for him.
Yelv Xian, citing the proverb "The people are not afraid of death, how can they be afraid of death?" , accepted Chu Bu's loyalty and gave him a task. Meanwhile, in the Black Mountain Hunting Ground, the tyrannical Emperor Yelü Jing was enraged by the scarcity of prey due to the harsh winter. When his servants attributed it to his "dragon's majesty," he mockingly declared them his new prey and began shooting them for sport, enjoying the cruel slaughter.
This horrific act horrified the surviving valets, who gathered in fear and anxiety. Chu Bu, acting on Yelv Xian's orders, visited these valets. He brought them provisions from their families and acknowledged their difficult lives under the brutal Emperor. He subtly encouraged them, suggesting that if death was inevitable, they might as well perish together, which resonated with their desperation. One valet agreed, "Yes, it'd be worth perishing together!"
Chu Bu then elaborated, suggesting that if the "head sheep" (the Emperor) were gone, the "grassland" (the country) would fall into chaos, and no one would care for them, implicitly hinting that such disorder could free them from their current plight. This conversation subtly fueled their desperation and desire for change. Later, several valets approached the sleeping Emperor with knives, but he awoke, demanding wine and then questioning their intentions. As the Emperor called for guards, the valets attacked.
While they initially struggled against the Emperor's martial prowess, one of the imperial guards bravely seized a sword and stabbed the Emperor repeatedly, declaring, "Tyrant, you finally die in my hands!" The guard was immediately killed for regicide, but his action ended the tyrant's reign. Upon learning of the Emperor's death, Xiao Siwen and Han Kuangsi gathered in the temporary palace to strategize.
To prevent tribal unrest and avoid a repeat of past crises like the Mount Xianggu incident, they decided to seal off the news. Han Kuangsi reminded Xiao Siwen that the late Emperor had once sworn before all officials to raise Yelv Xian as his own son. Therefore, they decided to immediately summon Yelv Xian to the Temporary Palace in Black Mountain to ascend the throne before the Emperor's coffin, establishing his legitimacy.
They further decided to announce that the Emperor had been wounded in an assassination attempt and they were hunting the mastermind, while in reality, arresting anyone who defied the lockdown. Xiao Siwen entrusted Han Kuangsi with commanding the camp. Yelv Xian and Han Derang, playing Go, received a pigeon post confirming the Emperor's death. They immediately prepared to ride to Black Mountain.
However, they discovered that the city gates required new tokens, which the Taiping Palace had issued after catching some spies the day before. Acquiring a new token through official channels would take a day, but the Taiping King communicated daily with Black Mountain, and a delay of even two or three days would expose their plan. Han Derang promised Yelv Xian he would get him out of the city that very night.
Han Derang then sought out Xiao Yanyan, explaining his urgent need to leave the city and asking for her help to obtain the token from the Taiping Palace. Xiao Yanyan, realizing Yelv Xian was also going, understood the gravity of their mission and agreed to help, promising to be careful. Han Derang told her he would wait at the palace gate.
Xiao Yanyan visited Hunian at the Taiping Palace, feigning a desire for a rare set of books—the genealogy of the eight Khitan tribes compiled by Emperor Taizu—as part of her dowry, knowing Han Derang enjoyed reading. Hunian, fond of her sister, took her to the Royal Study. While Hunian and her servant Anxi were distracted by a book on a high shelf, Xiao Yanyan discreetly took the new token.
After leaving the Taiping Palace, Xiao Yanyan quickly gave the token to Han Derang. She then tied a ribbon around his wrist, praying to God Tengri for his safe return. Han Derang kissed her, promising that they would marry as soon as he returned from Black Mountain. Meanwhile, Xiyin received news of the Emperor's death in Black Mountain. He hastily summoned his Men of Sacrifice, intending to rush to Black Mountain that night.
His pregnant wife, Wuguli, encouraged him to pursue his ambition, believing Hunian would protect her from the Taiping King. Xiyin, promising Wuguli she would be the Empress of Liao upon his return, then led his forces toward the city gate. However, Taiping King's soldiers intercepted and surrounded Xiyin and his Men of Sacrifice at the city gate.
The Taiping King, alerted to Xiyin's attempt to breach the gate and having received a secret letter from Black Mountain about the Emperor being wounded and the area sealed, grew suspicious. He knew the Emperor was distrustful of others but never concealed information from him. Realizing his brother must be in trouble, he dispatched a servant to Yelv Xian's temporary palace to confirm his presence.
Upon learning Yelv Xian was missing, the Taiping King concluded that Yelv Xian had gone to Black Mountain. He ordered Xiyin's arrest and mobilized a portion of his Eastern Battalion troops, leaving the rest to guard the capital, to pursue Yelv Xian to Black Mountain, determined to intercept him dead or alive. As heavy snow fell across the vast Liao Dynasty, Yelv Xian, weakened by his fragile health, struggled during the arduous journey.
Han Derang, encouraging Yelv Xian to persevere for his upcoming enthronement, helped him by riding on the same horse, just as they had relied on each other in their youth. Their group finally reached Black Mountain. The camp was adorned with white mourning dress. Inside, Xiao Siwen and Nüli gathered the officials.
Xiao Siwen solemnly announced the Emperor's death, explaining he was killed by his valets, and that on his deathbed, the Emperor had commanded Yelv Xian to come to Black Mountain and inherit the throne. The Taiping King and his forces arrived at Black Mountain, only to find they were too late. Realizing his brother was dead, the Taiping King, filled with fury, ordered his troops to storm the camp, leading to a bloody battle amidst the snow.
Inside the temporary palace, Xiao Siwen, in the presence of the assembled officials, read the fabricated will, proclaiming Yelv Xian as the rightful successor. Han Derang stood by Yelv Xian's side as Yelv Xian ascended the throne, fulfilling the destiny that had awaited him. All the officials bowed, shouting, "Long live Your Majesty!"
