The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Episode 18 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Recap
Upon entering the secret chamber, the group discovered the remains of the old alliance leader, who, according to Kong Lin's previous accounts, had succumbed to Qi deviation during his secluded cultivation. Qin Shangcheng confirmed the identity of the deceased by a waist token found on the ground. Chi Hong suggested he was Hua Rong's grandfather, and Hua Rong agreed, joining Qin Shangcheng in paying their respects.
A hidden mechanism then revealed a box containing an antidote for the Love-breaking Hibiscus poison and a book. Inside the book was a letter, identified as the old alliance leader's testament, which exposed Kong Lin’s insidious betrayal. Kong Lin, his most senior disciple, had poisoned him out of jealousy because the old leader had married his daughter, Mu Qing, to Duanmu Qingcang, the Prince of South Desolation. The testament further revealed that Mu Qing was, in fact, the Imperial Lady.
Kong Lin harbored ambitions to seize the former South Desolation Emperor's edict and unleash chaos upon the world. To thwart this, the old leader had commanded Imperial Eagle to take the Rapier, which was used to open the secret chamber, and entrust its safekeeping to his friend, Xuan Jizi. He also placed a trap within the edict box, instructing his descendants to eliminate the traitor Kong Lin and cleanse the Imperial Alliance once they retrieved the edict.
At this moment, Kong Lin was gleefully celebrating having found the treasure. The testament detailed that the secret drug, Love-breaking Hibiscus, was meant to be complemented by the Shengxin Incantation, which required the severing of emotions for its full mastery. Recognizing the inhumanity of this method, the old leader had spent years developing an antidote that could be used in conjunction with the incantation.
Qin Shangcheng, now in possession of this antidote, instructed Hua Rong to circulate the Shengxin Incantation to allow the antidote to spread through her body. He then escorted her to the alchemy house for detoxification, while others sought additional exits. Hua Rong began her healing process, noting that while the antidote was effective, complete recovery would still require time. Qin Shangcheng stayed by her side, assuring her safety.
Meanwhile, Kong Lin, celebrating having found the treasure, released a poisonous smoke into the chamber, which affected everyone except Qin Shangcheng. Duanmu Bai, weakened by the poison, questioned Kong Lin about the Imperial Lady's fate. Kong Lin, revealing his true villainous nature, confessed that Mu Qing's resistance to his advances had "hurt him first." He then declared Duanmu Bai was not Mu Qing's son, citing his inability to wield the Rapier.
Kong Lin further admitted that after Mu Qing’s suicide, he planned to kill her infant son, but Qin Yin, following Mu Qing’s prior instructions, had already swapped the child with his own newborn son and escaped. Kong Lin eventually caught Qin Yin, who, to save his life, abandoned his own child. Kong Lin expressed surprise that Mu Qing's true child turned out to be a daughter.
He then recounted how Duanmu Qingcang's forces arrived on Imperial Island, saving Qin Yin's son, Duanmu Bai. Kong Lin then fabricated a story for Duanmu Qingcang, claiming Mu Qing had died from dystocia due to grief over the old alliance leader's death, and entrusted Duanmu Bai to him for adoption. As Kong Lin prepared to strike, Qin Shangcheng, unaffected by the poison, explained that the poison was ineffective against the bloodline of the alliance leader.
Qian Dayou quickly realized that this meant Qin Shangcheng was the true Imperial Son, and that Hua Rong had been able to pull out the Rapier because of the blood exchange she had undergone with Qin Shangcheng. Qin Shangcheng fiercely declared he would protect his friends and brothers, engaging Kong Lin in battle.
Just as Qin Shangcheng was about to be injured, Hua Rong, having sufficiently recovered from her detoxification, joined the fight, stabbing Kong Lin, who dropped the treasure he had acquired and fled. Qin Shangcheng went to pursue him, instructing Hua Rong to rescue the others. Duanmu Bai then intercepted the pursuit, requesting a private conversation with Kong Lin and asserting that Kong Lin deserved to die.
During their secluded talk, Duanmu Bai pressed Kong Lin for full confirmation of his true parentage, which Kong Lin, in desperation, affirmed, admitting Duanmu Bai was Qin Yin's son. Kong Lin, pleading for his life, offered Duanmu Bai the Imperial Edict, appealing to their former master-disciple bond. Duanmu Bai accepted the edict but coldly stated he would neither kill nor save Kong Lin, leaving him to perish in the collapsing and burning secret chamber.
Emerging from the chamber, Duanmu Bai presented the Imperial Edict to Qin Shangcheng, urging him to use it to save Prince Mu's Residence. Qin Shangcheng, however, insisted that as Duanmu Bai bore the surname Duanmu, it was his duty as the true heir to Prince Mu's Residence, while Qin Shangcheng himself was the King Pirate.
He urged Duanmu Bai to take the edict and rescue his family, but only on the condition that he would exert all efforts to prevent Duanmu Qingcang from instigating another war, a sentiment Qin Shangcheng believed Duanmu Bai shared. Duanmu Bai agreed to make every effort. Later, it was confirmed that Kong Lin had perished.
Qian Dayou celebrated their "triple victory," noting the return of Hua Rong, her ascension as the Imperial Alliance leader, and Qin Shangcheng's discovery of his true identity. Qin Shangcheng then formally insisted that Hua Rong, having proven her valor and skill, was the most suitable leader for the Imperial Alliance, expressing his desire to be "the man behind the alliance leader" and witness her achievements, to which Hua Rong pledged her unwavering commitment.
After Duanmu Bai's departure, Chi Hong confronted him, heartbroken that he left without a word. She boldly declared her love, vowing to follow him anywhere. Duanmu Bai responded by reciting a poem: "Heaven is near, people are north and south; do not believe mandarin ducks, their heads do not turn white." Chi Hong initially misinterpreted this as a rejection, expressing her frustration with his obscure words.
However, Hua Rong intervened, clarifying that the poem actually conveyed that regardless of distance, true lovers whose hearts are connected would eventually reunite. Understanding this, Chi Hong earnestly implored Duanmu Bai to return safely, assuring him that she would wait. Qin Shangcheng later reflected on his relationship with Duanmu Bai, acknowledging that both of them needed time to process their complicated bond.
He then took Hua Rong to pay respects at his mother Mu Qing's resting place and that of the old alliance leader. Qin Shangcheng spoke of his mother's hardships during her pregnancy due to Duanmu Qingcang's constant warfare, and how he felt Duanmu Qingcang had failed as a husband and was unworthy of being his father. He then expressed his profound love for Hua Rong, praying for blessings for her health and their enduring union.
Qin Shangcheng, eager to have a child with Hua Rong, had earlier consulted Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian for advice. While Zhang Xian, having conceived "haphazardly," offered little, Qian Dayou, proclaiming himself a "master of love," advised selecting an auspicious day and a romantic, lucky location to "inspire Hua Rong's maternal instinct," ensuring success.
Meanwhile, Chi Hong hosted a celebratory meal for Hua Rong, marking the success of the Imperial Alliance's reforms, including the reorganization of its rules and the establishment of the "Women's Army Incubation Program," which integrated Imperial Disciples, Chi Hong's female pirates, and Hua Rong's own forces. During the meal, Hua Rong suddenly felt nauseous. A doctor, Hua Wuque, one of the four Protectors, was summoned and confirmed Hua Rong was over a month pregnant.
Overjoyed, Hua Rong immediately wanted to tell Qin Shangcheng. However, Chi Hong stopped her, citing a pirate tradition that revealing pregnancy before three months could lead to a miscarriage, and insisted Hua Rong keep it a secret. Hua Rong, trusting Chi Hong, agreed. Unaware of Hua Rong's pregnancy, Qin Shangcheng prepared a surprise for her at his birthplace, Mu Qing's former cottage, which he considered his "blessed land."
He presented her with carved wooden birds representing Daodao's family, including a "pregnant Dao's mother," and openly expressed his desire to have a child of their own there. As Hua Rong was about to reveal her pregnancy, Zhang Xian arrived with urgent news from General Hua: Duanmu Qingcang had ascended the throne in South Desolation. Qin Shangcheng acknowledged the predictable development and expressed hope that Duanmu Bai would be able to intervene.
Duanmu Qingcang, now emperor, faced initial resistance from his grandmother about moving to the imperial palace. Duanmu Bai resolved this by suggesting Prince Mu's Residence be designated as a temporary imperial residence for her long-term stay, thus not violating ancestral rules. Duanmu Qingcang then offered Duanmu Bai the title of "Prince Jing" and invited him to join the impending military expedition to expand South Desolation's territory.
Duanmu Bai desperately pleaded with his father to abandon the war, even offering his own life, and reminded him that Qin Shangcheng had willingly relinquished the Imperial Edict. Duanmu Qingcang, however, rejected his pleas, asserting that in a "weak eat strong" world, Tianchu would eventually attack them if South Desolation did not expand. He reaffirmed Duanmu Bai as his son but remained firm in his decision to wage war.
Soon, news arrived that Duanmu Qingcang was personally leading his troops to Tianlu City, confirming that Duanmu Bai had been unable to prevent the conflict, likely due to insurmountable pressures. Recognizing the inevitable confrontation, Qin Shangcheng decided they must immediately go to Tianlu City to support General Hua, Hua Rong's father. Hua Rong pledged to face the challenges alongside him.
Chi Hong, expressing concern, requested that they show leniency if they encountered Duanmu Bai on the battlefield, to which Qin Shangcheng reassured her. Hua Rong and Chi Hong reaffirmed their pact to keep the pregnancy a secret from Qin Shangcheng. Despite Duanmu Bai's warning that Qin Shangcheng would personally join the fight, Duanmu Qingcang remained undeterred, eager to test Qin Shangcheng's abilities and determine if he was "worthy of being my son."
Meanwhile, Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian discussed Qin Shangcheng's lovesickness, lamenting Hua Rong's absence as she, with Chi Hong, was rigorously training the newly formed Women's Army as part of the new alliance reforms.
