The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 20 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
As the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month in the third year of Tianbao arrived, Lin Jiulang, troubled by the presence of the Wolven Squad and Crouching Fire, expressed regret for underestimating the threat. He acknowledged a larger force at play and predicted a life-or-death struggle for the night. He instructed Ji Wen to let Li Bi continue his investigation, offering secret assistance if needed, and demanded immediate reports on any new information, which Ji Wen affirmed.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaojing was waiting for Li Bi's interrogation results when he detected the scent of Wen Ran's sachet on Yao Runeng. Zhang Xiaojing confronted Yao Runeng about seeing Wen Ran, who initially denied it but eventually admitted he knew her whereabouts yet refused to disclose them, wanting to use her as leverage. Yao Runeng accused Zhang Xiaojing of prioritizing Wen Ran over his duty to Chang'an, asserting that Zhang Xiaojing was only interested in clearing her name.
Zhang Xiaojing countered by explaining that after he had killed 34 members of the Blaze Gang and Commander Tan Tongshou, he could have fled Chang'an with Wen Ran. However, the memory of his 220 fallen brothers from the Eighth Division compelled him to stay, viewing Wen Ran as their last hope, a living witness to their dream of a flourishing Chang'an.
Moved by this revelation, Yao Runeng's initial judgment of Zhang Xiaojing as a ruthless killer softened, as he recognized Zhang Xiaojing's profound sentiments. Zhang Xiaojing then implored Yao Runeng to entrust Wen Ran to Li Bi for protection until the true culprit was found and her innocence could be determined. Yao Runeng, persuaded, set off to check on Li Bi's progress.
In the interrogation room, Cao Poyan, revived by a temporary stimulant provided by Li Bi, lunged at Li Bi, attempting to choke him. Li Bi, understanding the Wolven Squad's unwavering loyalty as Turgen death warriors, shifted his approach.
He explained to Cao Poyan that he and his companions were likely mere "baits" or distractions, their efforts ultimately serving as a cover for Long Bo to transport Crouching Fire, rendering their sacrifices meaningless even if Chang'an were destroyed, as the Great Tang empire was vast. Li Bi emphasized that the Wolven Squad would suffer the most, with their families facing enslavement and endless pain, while hidden benefactors reaped the rewards.
He suggested that their "master" might have been manipulated or that an insider had betrayed them, an individual powerful enough to control the Wolven Squad and well-versed in Chang'an's affairs, who had even shamed Cao Poyan by cutting his hair. Enraged by this realization of betrayal, Cao Poyan, clutching a necklace his daughter made, revealed that "You Cha," the youngest son of the Alpha, was the one who had tricked them into Chang'an.
Li Bi pressed for You Cha's location, vowing to return Cao Poyan's necklace and spirit to his homeland, a promise that brought a measure of peace to the dying man. With his last breath, Cao Poyan uttered the words "Lotus Cross." Yao Runeng arrived at the Jing'an Si prison only to find that Wen Ran had escaped, leaving Yuan Zai, Wang Yunxiu, and Cheng Can incapacitated and drugged. He quickly reported this development to Zhang Xiaojing.
Meanwhile, Li Bi had already tasked Xu Bin with deciphering "Lotus Cross" and then met with Zhang Xiaojing to discuss countermeasures. Upon hearing of Wen Ran's escape, Li Bi expressed his suspicion of her, revealing that he and Tan Qi had been secretly investigating her. He warned Zhang Xiaojing that his continued protection of Wen Ran would erode trust.
Zhang Xiaojing, however, reiterated his unwavering commitment to Chang'an but firmly stated his absolute need to protect Wen Ran, promising to address her case himself once the current crisis was resolved, explaining that she was the "eyes" for his fallen comrades to see Chang'an. Li Bi, trusting Zhang Xiaojing's resolve, then officially assigned him the task of finding You Cha and understanding "Lotus Cross."
Zhang Xiaojing, observing Li Bi's exhaustion and bloodshot eyes, urged him to rest, but Li Bi admitted he could not sleep, burdened by the responsibility for Chang'an's millions of lives. Xu Bin soon confirmed that "Lotus Cross" refers to the symbol of a church, known in official records as the Golden Monastery of Persia, or simply "Persian's monastery" to the people of Chang'an.
Despite there being numerous such monasteries and thousands of priests in Chang'an, Li Bi and Zhang Xiaojing began mapping out suspicious areas based on the Wolven Squad's activities, narrowing it down to four potential temples. Tan Qi, observing their deductions, subtly coughed to indicate her disagreement.
When given permission to speak, she proposed that You Cha would choose a strategic location for his base, one that offered both safety from direct implication and easy access to information, much like the Peacekeeper Corps' own headquarters. Impressed by her insight, Li Bi swiftly concluded that Yiningfang was the most probable location.
He explained that Yiningfang, with its convenient access to major gates and streets, including the Western District and the royal city, provided excellent oversight and communication channels, making it an ideal hiding and command post for You Cha. Zhang Xiaojing, acknowledging the challenge of finding You Cha amidst hundreds of priests, requested Tan Qi's assistance, praising her sharp intellect and resourcefulness. Li Bi consented, and Tan Qi agreed to accompany him.
Zhang Xiaojing and Tan Qi quickly made their way through the vibrant Lantern Festival, a stark contrast to their urgent mission, arriving at the church in Yiningfang. As a Persian monk offered them crosses, Zhang Xiaojing implemented his plan. He introduced Tan Qi as his wife and recounted her "dream" of a golden-armored deity adorned with a cross and standing on a lotus, who foretold the arrival of a fated priest in Chang'an.
They claimed they were seeking this "Great Virtue" to worship him. When asked for the priest's name, Tan Qi vaguely described a noble-looking, non-Central Plains elder who had arrived in recent months. Recognizing the potential significance of the "Lotus Cross" dream, the monk, unable to identify anyone specific among the church's diverse priests, offered to lead them inside to consult with Deacon Isse, who oversaw the church's general affairs.
Inside the church, Isse, the deacon, warmly greeted Zhang Xiaojing and Tan Qi, noting their "matching" appearance. Tan Qi reiterated her "dream" and their quest for the fated priest. Isse confirmed that an elder from the west had indeed recently joined their "Roman church," clarifying it wasn't a Persian monastery, and that his description matched. Still, Isse seemed to harbor doubts.
He led them to a private confession room, insisting they make a confession as per church custom before meeting the elder. Zhang Xiaojing, impatient, rejected the idea, but Isse was firm, leaving them locked inside. Outside, unbeknownst to them, Yu Chang reported to Long Bo that Wen Ran was alive, displeasing Long Bo, who revealed he had already dispatched other assassins to deal with You Cha.
Yu Chang, fiercely loyal and proud of her capabilities, was incensed at being sidelined, just as Wen Ran arrived and slapped her, settling their score for pushing her down a well. Back in the confession room, Tan Qi, aware of Isse eavesdropping from outside, played along with the ruse, pretending to be a couple with Zhang Xiaojing.
She dramatically claimed her master had foreseen a great disaster for the church and they had come to avert it, only to be trapped. As she began to reveal the "solution," Zhang Xiaojing quickly silenced her with a kiss, preventing her from exposing their true intentions. Isse, desperate to know how to prevent the predicted calamity, burst in. Zhang Xiaojing quickly turned the tables, holding him at dagger-point.
Isse confessed his initial suspicion, having noticed their "stealing glances" and underlying affection that didn't quite fit a married couple. Zhang Xiaojing then revealed his true identity as Commander Zhang Xiaojing of the Peacekeeper Corps, explaining they were investigating a major case concerning Chang'an's survival and that the instigator, You Cha, was hiding in their church. He warned Isse that any obstruction would make him an accomplice, bringing eternal infamy upon the church.
Eager to earn merit and spread the church's name, Isse quickly identified You Cha as Elder Pu Zhe, who had recently arrived and had been asking about the Western District fire. Isse then led Zhang Xiaojing and Tan Qi to the first chapel house in the backyard, where Elder Pu Zhe was located. You Cha, witnessing Isse leading Zhang Xiaojing and Tan Qi into the backyard, immediately realized his identity had been exposed. He hastily began gathering his valuables, intending to flee, but was confronted by masked assailants who had already entered his room.
