The Moon Brightens for You Episode 9 Recap
> The Moon Brightens for You Recap
Zhan Qinghong diligently practiced her sword, her movements having grown nimble through consistent training, as evidenced when she effortlessly caught a teacup that Xiao Lan clumsily knocked over. Soon after, Xiahou Ying arrived with Wen You. Xiahou Ying praised Zhan Qinghong's improved reflexes and sought their feedback on the heavy and light swords they had recently swapped. Wen You described the heavy sword as unsharp but capable of crushing, and the light sword as flexible and powerful.
Xiahou Ying explained that the heavy sword made Wen You's movements too stiff, while the light sword caused Zhan Qinghong to over-rely on footwork. He then assigned Wen You to practice light sword techniques to cultivate an imposing spirit, while tasking Zhan Qinghong with mastering light sword techniques using her heavy sword, aiming for the mastery of "wielding a heavy sword like a light one, cutting rain without scattering it, touching flowers without staining them."
Finally, Xiahou Ying presented Zhan Qinghong with the peerless Bolting Swordsmanship manual, created by his senior apprentice Jian Lin, instructing both her and Wen You to study it. Though Zhan Qinghong initially gloated about being favored, Xiahou Ying promptly asked her to make a copy for Wen You, who was occupied assisting Xiahou Ying. Zhan Qinghong playfully agreed, but stated the speed would depend on her mood. Later, Zhan Qinghong approached Lin Fang, strategically offering him tea.
Lin Fang, seeing through her pretense, prompted her to state her intentions. Zhan Qinghong confessed she needed help copying the sword manual, claiming it would allow her to focus on improving her martial arts to better protect him. Amused, Lin Fang thanked her and offered her a fitting title in return. Recalling her impressive Cloud Swordsmanship display at a recent banquet, he declared her the "Cloud Fairy," a name Zhan Qinghong enthusiastically embraced.
After Zhan Qinghong departed, Lin Fang and Xiahou Ying discussed the urgency of finding the Seven-star swordsmanship and the complexities of the Wishful Gate affair. Lin Fang then tasked Wen You and Su Batian with searching the mountains for clues related to the Golden flower. As they prepared to depart, a maid from Princess Hua Yao unexpectedly summoned Wen You to the palace, claiming the princess had leads on the Golden flower case.
Despite Wen You's skepticism about Hua Yao's knowledge, Lin Fang advised him to investigate. Wen You reluctantly left with the maid, leaving Su Batian to lead the search party. After Wen You's departure, Lin Fang, accompanied by Xiahou Ying, personally visited Master Yuanhui at Jiming Temple. There, he received a wooden box containing the Seven-star Swordsmanship manual, only to find it completely blank.
Even Master Yuanhui was puzzled, noting that the last person to have contact with the manual was Lin Fang's father, Lin Xiaotian. Unwilling to be left behind, Zhan Qinghong convinced Su Batian to let her join his search, citing his short-staffed team and her desire to help.
Together, they ingeniously used bees to track the Golden flower's scent, following the insects to a cluster of newly constructed houses, which they believed to be the killer's hideout where the Wishful Gate hostages were held. Su Batian urged caution and suggested waiting for reinforcements, but Zhan Qinghong, eager to act, insisted on striking while they had the element of surprise. Zhan Qinghong disregarded Su Batian's warnings and rushed into the hideout, rescuing the Wishful Gate members and Lady Lu.
However, the killer, Fang Gu, appeared, engaging Zhan Qinghong in a fierce fight. Lady Lu desperately warned Zhan Qinghong about Fang Gu's hidden weapons. Su Batian intervened to protect Zhan Qinghong, but was tragically struck down by Fang Gu's attack. The killer taunted Zhan Qinghong, blaming her for Su Batian's death and attempting to finish her off.
With his last breath, Su Batian, despite his earlier promise to protect her after the competition, urged Zhan Qinghong to protect Lin Fang, reiterating that she was a good kid. Zhan Qinghong was overcome with grief, calling out to him as he passed. Wen You, arriving shortly after, found a dying Su Batian and a devastated Zhan Qinghong.
Meanwhile, at the palace, Hua Yao presented Wen You with an elaborate dance performance titled "Golden Flower Language" with falling petals, rather than any actual clues. Wen You, realizing he had been tricked, grew visibly annoyed. Hua Yao confessed her deception, explaining she had only wanted him to relax and avoid the dangers of the martial arts world.
However, Wen You, deeply frustrated, stated his urgent duty to save lives and refused to be swayed by her attempts at leisure, even as Hua Yao accused him of wanting to be with someone else. Wen You angrily departed the palace, leaving Hua Yao distraught. In the aftermath, Lin Fang was informed of Su Batian's heroic death during the rescue, and Lady Lu's re-abduction, though other Wishful Gate members from Red Valley were saved.
Lin Fang immediately arranged for Su Batian's funeral and sent Zhan Qinghong home to rest. Consumed by guilt, Zhan Qinghong refused to eat or speak, believing her impulsiveness had caused Su Batian's demise. Wen You patiently comforted her, refusing to leave her side. He listened as she blamed herself, reminding her not to reject his care. He then gently led her to the garden, attempting to lift her spirits by playing with fallen leaves.
As Zhan Qinghong and Wen You then gracefully practiced their swordsmanship in the garden, a silent Lin Fang observed them from a distance. His attendant, noticing a blood spot on Lin Fang's arm had extended another half an inch, noted that his heart pain was worsening. The attendant also informed him that some discontented martial artists and Patriarch Lu had arrived.
Amidst grumbling from some martial artists who criticized the unreliability of young leaders, Lu Ming presented himself before Lin Fang, feigning gratitude for the rescue of his men, but lamenting his wife's continued abduction. However, his true intention was revealed when he launched an assassination attempt on Lin Fang. Lin Fang, having anticipated this, skillfully countered the attack. Wen You exposed Lu Ming's treacherous act.
Lu Ming confessed he was forced by Fang Gu, a Xi Yan assassin, who had kidnapped his wife, Lixu, to compel him to kill Lin Fang. The revelation of a Xi Yan assassin's involvement, coupled with Lu Ming's perceived treason, incited outrage among the assembled martial artists, who clamored for his immediate execution. Xiahou Ying, however, intervened, asserting his authority as the guard for Jun'an.
He explained that while the imperial court typically refrained from interfering in Wulin affairs, Fang Gu's status as a Xi Yan assassin brought matters of state security into play, justifying his presence. Lu Ming then recounted his past: three years prior, he had fallen in love with Fang Gu at Qinhuai Riverside and exchanged vows, but he was bound by an arranged marriage to Lixu. Upon learning this, Fang Gu left him.
After marrying Lixu, Lu Ming later discovered Fang Gu was a Xi Yan assassin, leading to a confrontation where she attempted to persuade him to abandon everything and join her in Xi Yan. However, he could not bring himself to betray his sect or his wife. Lin Fang revealed that both Lu Ming and Fang Gu were merely pawns in a larger scheme orchestrated by a cunning, unseen mastermind.
He emphasized that Lady Lu's testimony was crucial to expose the true culprit and lure Fang Gu out. At that moment, Lady Lu was brought in, safe and sound, confirming Lin Fang's rescue and expressing deep distress over her husband's misguided actions. Lu Ming, filled with remorse, apologized to Lin Fang and his wife, offering his life as atonement, but pleaded with Lin Fang to ensure his wife's safety.
Lin Fang promised Lady Lu's protection and then declared that Gu Yue, the most esteemed elder in Wulin, should decide Lu Ming's fate. Later, having heard Lu Ming's story, Zhan Qinghong expressed her fiery disapproval of unfaithful men to Wen You and Lin Fang. She passionately declared that if her beloved ever cheated, she would personally punish him by beating him, shaving his head, stripping him, tattooing "unfaithful man" on his chest, and then leaving him forever.
Wen You was taken aback by her resolve. Zhan Qinghong then playfully challenged Wen You about their upcoming sword match, boasting about her martial arts genius and promising to make him her servant if he lost. Wen You simply told her to win first. Admitting her underlying fear of losing to Wen You, Zhan Qinghong secretly sought advice from Lin Fang.
Lin Fang, recalling her earlier boast, then offered her concise counsel: to "wield a heavy sword, use light sword techniques." Meanwhile, Princess Hua Yao, having learned of Wen You's successful apprehension of the assassin, was relieved that her earlier attempt to distract him hadn't caused him to miss an important opportunity. Still, she expressed her annoyance with Zhan Qinghong, even mentioning that Wen You's gaze towards Zhan Qinghong at the Heroes' Assembly had been "not right."
Her maid, reinforcing Hua Yao's elevated status, dismissed Zhan Qinghong as a mere "country woman" and suggested a plan: send two boxes of cakes to the Wen household, with one containing a hidden note to discreetly gauge Wen You's true feelings. The various martial arts factions then gathered, preparing to discuss Lu Ming's punishment. Gu Yue, however, voiced his displeasure at Xiahou Ying's presence, questioning why a court official was interfering in the affairs of Wulin.
