The Vendetta of An Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Vendetta of An Synopsis
A phoenix youth, bearing the grudge of his family's annihilation, changes his name to Xie Huaian after enduring a catastrophic upheaval. For ten years, he remains in hiding, while the secret guard forces in Chang'an City have entrenched themselves deeply, and various factions vie for imperial power. Amidst the treacherous conflicts of the martial world and the covert struggles within the court, Xie Huaian sets in motion a decade-long plan for revenge. Step by step, he unravels the mysteries of the past—a righteous battle is about to begin.
The Vendetta of An Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In the 28th year of Qiansheng, the Founding Emperor suddenly fell ill and passed away. General of Huben Army, Yan Fengshan, seized control of the imperial court, plunging the government into chaos. He installed the late emperor’s youngest son, Xiao Wenjing, on the throne, ruthlessly eliminating feudal lords and purging dissidents, clearly harboring rebellious intentions.
Four years later, in the Wencheng era, the late emperor’s eldest son, feudal lord Xiao Wuyang, launched a campaign from the north under the banner of overthrowing tyranny. His forces marched 1,300 li southward with strict military discipline, gaining widespread allegiance. He swept through treacherous officials and successfully entered Chang'an, taking control of the imperial court. However, the deposed emperor, Xiao Wenjing, unable to face defeat, reportedly set himself on fire in Taiji Hall.
To verify this, Marquis of Northguard, Gu Yu, oversaw the examination of five charred bodies found in the hall. Despite their unrecognizable state, a meticulous inspection revealed none of the bodies matched Xiao Wenjing's known physical traits, such as a chipped upper left molar and a fractured right leg, injuries recorded from a childhood fall on a hanbaiyu marble staircase. Furthermore, a Huben Token was discovered inside the abdomen of one of the corpses.
Gu Yu understood this was a deliberate act, a clear declaration of war against Xiao Wuyang. Meanwhile, Xiao Wuyang's generals were optimistic about their swift victory, reporting that city-guarding general Li Longjing’s troops had surrendered and all 12 gates of the Capital were secured. However, they remained silent when Xiao Wuyang pressed them for the whereabouts of Yan Fengshan and his army. Gu Yu then arrived to report his findings, presenting the Huben Token.
Xiao Wuyang quickly deduced that Yan Fengshan had abducted his younger brother, Xiao Wenjing. He realized that with the deposed emperor as a hostage, Yan Fengshan would undoubtedly make a comeback, signaling that the real war was only just beginning. Later, at night, an aged minister sought to resign, citing his advancing age and occasional carelessness.
Xiao Wuyang reassured him, acknowledging the formidable nature of Yan Fengshan and stating that no one could achieve a complete victory in a single stroke against such an enemy. The minister then recommended an extraordinary individual, someone who understood the Huben Army better than anyone else. This man’s father, Liu Ziwen, had been the founder of the Huben Army.
Fifteen years prior, Yan Fengshan had led the entire Huben Army in a betrayal against Liu Ziwen, resulting in the annihilation of the entire Liu clan. This individual, Liu Ziwen's son, had miraculously survived and, fueled by a deep-seated hatred, had spent 15 years meticulously preparing for revenge, covertly supported by many former retainers of the Liu clan. The old minister admitted his own inferiority compared to this young talent.
Impressed, Xiao Wuyang ordered the man to be brought before him for a personal assessment. In the remote Huainan District, Magistrate Zhou Mo excitedly rehearsed a verbose "proclamation condemning the rebels," much to the confusion of his uncomprehending subordinates. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of an imperial envoy, a rare event in their isolated region, and frantically searched for his registrar, Xie Huaian. Xie Huaian, resting at a threshing ground, received outdated imperial gazettes from his assistant, Ziya.
Despite the delayed information, Xie Huaian meticulously analyzed them, discerning a shift in the Capital’s defense personnel, specifically noting General Li Longjing's cowardice, and correctly deducing that Xiao Wuyang had likely already entered Chang'an, foreshadowing significant political upheaval. Ziya then mentioned that the imperial envoy, who had traveled from Chang'an, was about to arrive, and Zhou Mo was waiting to greet him with Xie Huaian’s “proclamation condemning the rebels.”
Xie Huaian was startled, realizing that the envoy served the new emperor. If Zhou Mo were to present an article condemning the previous regime’s enemies, it would be misconstrued as a condemnation of the new emperor and would be considered an act of treason. He quickly located a congratulatory article he had written two years prior and rushed to the city gates.
At the city entrance, Zhou Mo, accompanied by a small band of musicians, enthusiastically greeted the imperial envoy, a eunuch who openly grumbled about the arduous 70-li journey from the county seat. Zhou Mo, a master of flattery, prepared to present his "proclamation condemning the rebels." Just then, Xie Huaian arrived, seemingly by accident, bumping into Zhou Mo and causing the scroll to fall.
He subtly swapped it with his congratulatory article and presented it to the envoy, attributing its authorship to Zhou Mo. The envoy, after reading it, effusively praised its brilliance, calling it the best congratulatory article he had received, and remarked that Zhou Mo's talent was too great to be confined to such a remote district.
The envoy then revealed his true purpose: by imperial decree, he was to summon a man named Xie Huaian to the Capital for an audience with the Emperor, who had a critical mission for him. Xie Huaian stepped forward, identifying himself. That evening, Zhou Mo hosted a lavish farewell banquet for Xie Huaian, ensuring his journey expenses were covered and promising a grand welcome by a renowned official named Li, a Hanlin scholar, in Chang'an.
Zhou Mo expressed his sorrow, recalling Xie Huaian’s past promise to be his registrar forever, recognizing that Xie Huaian was destined for greatness. He presented Xie Huaian with a sealed letter, to be opened if his official career ever faltered, as a means to facilitate a future reunion. Later, under the moonlight on the threshing ground, Xie Huaian, in a moment of emotional candor, revealed his painful past to Zhou Mo and Ziya.
He recounted how, when he was ten, his mother had died in the North, and his father and the entire Liu clan were tragically annihilated 15 years ago by Yan Fengshan and the Huben Army. Having survived by luck, he endured a life of hardship, sleeping in the wilderness and living as a water person, constantly aware that one wrong step meant death.
He acknowledged that the political tides had turned, with Xiao Wuyang now on the throne and Yan Fengshan in disfavor. He confessed that he was not seeking to clear his family's name, as they were all dead, but rather to seek revenge. This summons to the Capital, regardless of its true purpose or who recommended him, was his opportunity, and he vowed to seize it.
Later that night, as Xie Huaian read, a sense of unease settled over him, prompting him to recall the suspicious events of the day. When he opened his door, Zhou Mo was waiting, sword at his throat. Zhou Mo confessed that he was a Huben member, an informant bound by an oath of loyalty to General Yan Fengshan, who had saved his life.
He expressed profound shock and sorrow that his trusted brother was, in fact, the descendant of Liu Ziwen, the Huben Army's founder and Yan Fengshan’s betrayed former leader. Despite their deep bond, Zhou Mo declared he could not allow any threat to Huben to reach the Capital, lamenting that his first act of killing would be against his own brother. He spoke of the vast network of shadow guards throughout the empire, implying Xie Huaian could not prevail.
Offering Xie Huaian a cup of poisoned "farewell wine," Zhou Mo suggested they part ways without regret. However, in a swift and decisive move, Xie Huaian, remembering the brutal murders of his parents by the Huben Army, stabbed Zhou Mo, declaring that he could not die until he had avenged his family and eliminated every single member of the Huben Army. The next morning, Xie Huaian’s friends arrived to see him off, bringing gifts of eggs for his journey.
They were stunned to find Xie Huaian emerging from his room with a bloodied knife, and Zhou Mo fatally wounded inside. With his dying breath, Zhou Mo urged his bewildered subordinates not to ask questions, not to blame Xie Huaian, and to keep the incident a secret, implying that all involved had their reasons and unavoidable circumstances. Xie Huaian, warning them to stay away if they wished to live, then departed.
He made a stop by a riverside to see an old man, lamenting his uncertain fate in Chang'an, unsure if he would leave alive, and acknowledging his sister's pursuit of studies there. He knew she had written to him, and he had replied, but he dared not reunite with her, wishing her a peaceful life with her new, changed name, free from the cursed fate of the Liu clan, whose lives were too bitter. As winter set in on Lidong with heavy snowfall, two officials arrived to officially welcome "Mr. Huai'an" and escort him through the gates into Chang'an.
Episode 2 Recap
Xie Huaian's sworn brother, Ziya, was left distraught after witnessing Zhou Mo's death. He struggled to understand the events until he opened a letter Xie Huaian had left for him. In the letter, Xie Huaian explained that Zhou Mo, having joined the Huben Army, was trapped in a life of servitude and could only achieve true freedom through death.
He also revealed that if Xie Huaian successfully reached the capital, the Huben Army would relentlessly pursue Zhou Mo, leaving him no escape from death. Therefore, Xie Huaian's action was, in his view, a way to save him by ensuring his ultimate freedom. Understanding this, Ziya acknowledged the dangers Xie Huaian now faced in Chang'an and hoped for his safety. Meanwhile, in Chang'an, heavy snow fell continuously as Xie Huaian arrived.
He observed Yang Xuan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, standing atop a city gate. After consuming several cups of wine, Yang Xuan recited a long, defiant poem, lamenting the state of the realm and the treacherous officials in power. He declared his intention to die as an old minister, defying the new emperor. With a final statement, he leaped from the gate, dying instantly.
Yang Xuan's student, Bai Guan, rushed to the scene upon hearing his recitations, only to witness her master's tragic fall. Weeping by his corpse, she was confronted by Imperial Guards. Their commander declared Yang Xuan a traitor and, seeing Bai Guan mourning him, accused her of being a traitor as well, ordering her immediate arrest. Xie Huaian, moved by Yang Xuan’s powerful verses, intervened.
He argued that Bai Guan's act of mourning in the bitter snow was commendable and demanded proof for the accusation of treason. The Imperial Guard commander, angered by Xie Huaian’s scholarly challenge, prepared to arrest him too. At that moment, Chancellor Gao appeared. He rebuked the Imperial Guard commander for his insolence and acknowledged Xie Huaian.
Before departing for the palace, Xie Huaian requested that the Imperial Guards not make things difficult for Bai Guan and the deceased, then left his umbrella to shield Yang Xuan's corpse from the snow. After retrieving her master's body, Bai Guan followed his final instructions.
Yang Xuan had confided in her that he was a member of the Huben Army and that his actions, including writing the seditious article and committing suicide, were commanded by them to ensure his family's safety. He urged her to go to a ruined temple east of the city, light a candle before the Buddha statue, and await a Huben guard.
He also warned her never to defy the Huben Army and to do whatever it took to survive for her family. At the ruined temple, Bai Guan met Qingyi of the Huben Army. Qingyi, aware that Bai Guan carried a dagger, easily disarmed her, asserting that such attempts were futile against the Huben Army.
He revealed that he knew she was corresponding with someone important, a person Huben had been hunting for over a decade, and pressed her for details about how they met. When Bai Guan claimed their meeting was by chance, Qingyi subtly threatened Mr. Yu, a kind colleague who worked with her at the Painting Academy, giving her one hour to reconsider.
Qingyi also revealed that he had intercepted one of her messengers, who had then committed suicide, cutting off the trail to the person she corresponded with. Inside the palace, Xie Huaian bowed before Xiao Wuyang, who stood holding a blood-stained sword, having just executed someone. Xiao Wuyang stated that people had recommended Xie Huaian, and he wished to personally assess his capabilities.
He presented Xie Huaian with a pile of imperial examination essays from the 11th year of the dynasty, one of which was Xiao Wuyang's own, and ordered him to identify it within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Xie Huaian swiftly identified the correct essay, doing so in about half that time.
When asked how he achieved this feat so quickly, Xie Huaian explained that he discerned regional writing styles, knowing Xiao Wuyang's early education came from Grand Secretary Bai Linian of Wuyue, which influenced his phrasing. He also recognized a specific sentence from a memorial he had previously purchased from the Memorials Office, where expired royal writings were sometimes sold. Xiao Wuyang, though impressed, declared this level of wit insufficient and demanded more.
Xie Huaian then revealed he knew he wasn’t the only one summoned or the first to successfully identify the essay, implying that an earlier successful candidate had been among the three killed by Xiao Wuyang during a recent assassination attempt involving only two assassins. Xiao Wuyang then explicitly stated his mission: to find Yan Fengshan of the Huben Army and the deposed emperor Xiao Wenjing, and bring him both their bodies.
Xie Huaian proposed a condition: he would find the deposed emperor, but Yan Fengshan must be his to kill, revealing his fifteen-year-long burning desire for vengeance against him. Xiao Wuyang initially questioned his audacity, but Xie Huaian clarified that if Xiao Wuyang truly valued the realm and the throne, Yan Fengshan, who had abducted Xiao Wuyang's brother, must be eliminated and kept from seizing imperial power.
Yan Fengshan, who had controlled the court for years and was even called "Emperor Yan" by the people, would surely attempt to retaliate after Xiao Wuyang reclaimed Chang'an. Convinced, Xiao Wuyang agreed, stating that if Xie Huaian succeeded, Yan Fengshan's head would be his, but if he failed, his own head would be forfeit. As Xie Huaian left the palace, he declined the offered carriage and asked the Daizhao Daren to walk with him.
He then revealed that he knew there was no Daizhao Daren with the surname Li among the Imperial Academy scholars allowed in the Inner Court, directly addressing him as Chancellor Gao. Chancellor Gao, impressed by Xie Huaian’s sharp intellect, admitted his identity. Xie Huaian explained he had deduced it from Chancellor Gao's proud demeanor when discussing the Dingtang Sword and the assassins, a level of pride not typically shown by an ordinary expectant official.
Chancellor Gao then acknowledged that he had indeed recommended Xie Huaian to the emperor, affirming his keen judgment, especially in contrast to others like Han Ziling, whom he considered merely a prose writer. Xie Huaian further demonstrated his astuteness by revealing that even the Imperial Guard commander who had harassed him earlier was one of Chancellor Gao’s men, implying Gao orchestrated their initial encounter to test him.
Chancellor Gao admitted this was true, remarking that discovering Xie Huaian was well worth enduring the freezing night. It was later mused that while Han Ziling was highly intelligent, Chancellor Gao’s selection of Xie Huaian meant something, acknowledging Chancellor Gao’s never-failing judgment. Distraught by Qingyi’s threat, Bai Guan immediately rushed to Mr. Yu’s residence. Upon seeing her, Mr. Yu was overcome with despair, repeatedly asking why she had come.
He explained that the Huben Army had explicitly stated that if she appeared that night, he would be ordered to die. Despite Bai Guan’s pleas, Mr. Yu accepted his tragic fate and committed suicide by stabbing himself. Later, Qingyi clarified to his subordinate that Mr. Yu’s death was necessary to instill profound fear in Bai Guan.
He intended to give her two days, confident that she would then write a letter seeking help, which would finally allow him to track down the person the Huben Army had been relentlessly hunting for over a decade. After his meeting, Xie Huaian returned to his old family home, the sight of which triggered a memory of his father tearfully urging him to flee years ago.
This ties into Xiao Wuyang's promise to help the 'Liu family' avenge their past grievances. He entered the house, softly proclaiming, "I have returned." In the basement, he found an injured subordinate, who confirmed that he had successfully completed Xie Huaian’s assigned task. Xie Huaian then proceeded further into the basement and bowed deeply before a man dressed in red robes, addressing him as "Your Majesty," revealing him to be the deposed emperor, Xiao Wenjing.
Episode 3 Recap
Xie Huaian privately met with his sworn friend, Ye Zheng, who had risked his life to locate and imprison Xiao Wenjing, the deposed emperor. Xie Huaian visited Xiao Wenjing, now disheveled and stripped of all imperial dignity, whose sole concern was to find something to eat. Xie Huaian addressed him as "Your Majesty," prompting Xiao Wenjing to immediately demand warm, edible food, lamenting that he had not eaten in a long time.
As Xie Huaian turned to leave, Xiao Wenjing desperately pleaded for him not to go and to bring him food. Returning to the kitchen, Xie Huaian began to cook. He asked Ye Zheng how long he had starved Xiao Wenjing. Ye Zheng explained that he initially brought food daily, but Xiao Wenjing was particular, demanding palace delicacies like "golden milk pastry," so Ye Zheng had stopped feeding him for about two or three days, confident he wouldn't starve to death.
Ye Zheng remarked that the good food Xie Huaian was preparing seemed too generous for Xiao Wenjing, but Xie Huaian clarified that the meal was for Ye Zheng, acknowledging his loyalty and the risks he had taken. Xie Huaian then presented a bowl of plain white rice to Xiao Wenjing, warning him that his life was in constant danger.
He explained that the new emperor was actively searching for him, and Yan Fengshan of the Huben Army intended to use him to instigate a war. Regardless of the war's outcome, Xiao Wenjing would not survive if he left his current confinement. Xie Huaian asserted that only he could ensure Xiao Wenjing's survival, but at the cost of becoming bait in his scheme against Yan Fengshan and the Huben Army.
Xie Huaian then revealed his identity and commanded Xiao Wenjing to forget his imperial status, reminding him of his "schemer" nature from their days at the Grand Academy. He declared that from that day forward, Xiao Wenjing must live by Xie Huaian's rules, or he would face death. Xiao Wenjing, still fearful, asked if Xie Huaian was Liu, but Xie Huaian corrected him, stating that "that man is dead," and he was now Xiao Wenjing's master, Xie Huaian.
In a hidden room, Xie Huaian and Ye Zheng gazed at six portraits of key Huben Army figures, which Xie Huaian had commissioned during his seventh year in exile to ensure he never forgot their faces. These individuals—Pu Nichuan, Wei Qianting, Qingyi, Liu Ziyan, and Yan Fengshan—all bore significant blood debts.
Xie Huaian detailed their histories: Pu Nichuan was abandoned by Yan Fengshan, and his fate was unknown; Wei Qianting was elusive; however, Xie Huaian revealed that he had encountered him seven years prior and that he was now buried in the reed swamps of Nanwei Trough. Yan Fengshan, widely known as "Emperor Yan," wielded formidable shadow guard techniques, surpassing even Xie Huaian's father, a prowess attributed to a mysterious strategist.
This strategist, whose face Xie Huaian could not clearly see that night and whose whereabouts remained unknown despite years of searching, had now emerged. Qingyi managed surveillance and intelligence, possessing secrets of many court officials. Liu Ziyan was the Huben Army's top assassin. Ye Zheng then asked who their first target would be. Xie Huaian immediately named his own uncle, Liu Ziyan, the Huben Army's deadliest assassin, expressing his long-held desire for revenge.
He then turned to Ye Zheng, asking if he, too, yearned for Liu Ziyan's death, emphasizing his own inability to find peace as long as his uncle lived, and assured Ye Zheng that this day would arrive soon. Meanwhile, in a cave at Yulong Ridge, Liu Ziyan was seen performing a farewell ritual, washing the feet of a mysterious prisoner. Liu Ziyan explained that he was departing to search for a missing subordinate.
The prisoner questioned Liu Ziyan's unwavering loyalty to Yan Fengshan, especially since Yan Fengshan had ordered the death of Liu Ziyan's elder brother, Liu Ziwen. Liu Ziyan revealed that his brother's rigid military discipline differed from General Fengshan's more lenient approach. He recounted how, during the Battle of Chen Valley, a civilian family he had saved later betrayed him, nearly costing him his life. He chose to kill them, an act his brother would have condemned.
Liu Ziyan stated that while his brother believed killing was for saving, he now killed purely for self-preservation, a philosophy General Fengshan tolerated. The prisoner found his reasoning sound, and Liu Ziyan departed. Liu Ziyan then discreetly made his way to a lamb stew stall, where his subordinates reported that the deposed emperor, Xiao Wenjing, had been rescued by a man in green clothes. They confirmed that the rescuer was wounded in at least four places by poisoned Huben knives.
Liu Ziyan ordered them to continue their search, noting that the Huben poison was not easily treated, and only a select few physicians possessed the antidote. Liu Ziyan then visited his family's old residence. Inside, he found Xie Huaian sweeping snow. Xie Huaian, recognizing his enemy, felt a surge of rage. Liu Ziyan, not recognizing his nephew after fifteen years, inquired about Xie Huaian's age. Xie Huaian claimed his master had recently purchased the property.
Liu Ziyan, identifying himself as the former steward, requested to retrieve some old items, reminiscing about the two brothers who once lived there and how he used to play with the elder brother's children in the lively courtyard filled with pear blossoms and guests. As he dug in the snow, he unearthed a rusty knife. Xie Huaian immediately recognized it as the weapon his uncle had used to kill his dying father.
Unaware of Xie Huaian's recognition, Liu Ziyan confirmed he used the knife for "hardships," such as killing. Xie Huaian pointedly asked if the hardship was indeed killing, to which Liu Ziyan responded with a knowing smirk, affirming his guess. Xie Huaian and Ye Zheng brought Xiao Wenjing to their master, Zhu Zhilong. Zhu Zhilong, referring to a "puppet," showed them a person kept barely alive by special medicine, whose face was being "cultivated" for transplantation.
Xie Huaian intended for Xiao Wenjing to assume the identity of a pageboy named Mo, also known as Zhang Mo. Zhu Zhilong proceeded with the face-changing procedure, meticulously removing a face from the "living dead" person and, with Ye Zheng's assistance, transplanting it onto Xiao Wenjing. The new face perfectly resembled Zhang Mo's. Zhu Zhilong remarked that the new face suited him, and as long as he remained silent, no one would suspect anything.
Xie Huaian instructed Xiao Wenjing that changing his face was merely the first step; he must now perfectly mimic Zhang Mo's mannerisms, expressions, and actions until he was indistinguishable. Xie Huaian stressed that the Huben Army was actively searching for him, and without this complete transformation, no place in the world would be safe. He commanded Xiao Wenjing to abandon his true identity and fully embrace the persona of the pageboy, Mo.
Xiao Wenjing struggled to shed his imperial demeanor, revealing his true nature. Xie Huaian had to remind him repeatedly to act like the pageboy Mo. Zhang Mo diligently taught Xiao Wenjing how to chop wood, make fires, and eat like a commoner, helping him refine his imitation. After some time, Zhang Mo praised Xiao Wenjing's progress, noting that he now genuinely resembled a servant. Xiao Wenjing, however, expressed his bitterness, calling himself a "prisoner."
Zhang Mo tried to reassure Xiao Wenjing, stating that Xie Huaian was acting in his best interest, although he also acknowledged Xie Huaian's personal motives in the matter. Zhang Mo then announced that his task was complete, and he would return to Huzhou to his wife and two children, a son and a daughter, expressing his joy at the impending reunion. Xiao Wenjing, now wearing Zhang Mo's face, felt a profound envy for Zhang Mo's freedom.
That night, Zhang Mo visited Xie Huaian. He reminisced about making a pair of shoes for Xie Huaian's tenth birthday, wishing him a smooth path. Now, after Xie Huaian's many years of wandering and hardship, Zhang Mo had crafted another pair as a farewell gift, tearfully expressing his wish for Xie Huaian to return to Huzhou with him, though he understood the arduous path of revenge Xie Huaian had chosen.
He then knelt to help Xie Huaian put on the new shoes, serving him one last time. Deeply moved, Xie Huaian told Zhang Mo to forget the past and live his own life in Huzhou with his family, asking him to prepare a jar of good wine should he ever pass through. Meanwhile, Xiao Wenjing gazed at his new face reflected in a well.
He resented his new identity as a "servant" and "prisoner," while Zhang Mo was about to return to a free and joyful life in Huzhou. He deeply envied Zhang Mo's freedom. As Zhang Mo approached to bid him farewell, Xiao Wenjing suddenly attacked him with a sharpened axe, killing him. Hearing the commotion, Xie Huaian and Ye Zheng rushed out to find Zhang Mo dead in a pool of blood.
Xiao Wenjing, covered in blood, brazenly asked if this was what they desired—for him to be exactly like Zhang Mo. Enraged, Xie Huaian struck Xiao Wenjing to the ground. Far away in Huzhou, Zhang Mo's wife joyfully prepared a feast, telling her children that their father was soon returning home from Chang'an.
Episode 4 Recap
Xiao Wenjing, the deposed emperor disguised as Zhang Mo, awoke in an unfamiliar location, his head throbbing from the blow delivered by Xie Huaian. Desperate to escape, he tried to leave the city but was stopped by guards who demanded a travel pass. He claimed to have lost it, stating his name was Zhang Mo and he was from Huzhou, near the Acting Inspector's Office on Little Yamen Street.
The guards advised him to get a replacement to avoid worrying his family. Overwhelmed by hunger, he later snatched a bun on the street, leading to a chase, all while being discreetly observed by Ye Zheng. Later, Xie Huaian discussed Xiao Wenjing’s situation with Ye Zheng, who confirmed that "the dog," as he referred to Xiao Wenjing, was being monitored.
Xie Huaian revealed he had already sent a letter to the original Zhang Mo’s family in Huzhou, assuring them that Zhang Mo's wife and children would be looked after. He instructed that the letter should explain Zhang Mo's business in Chang'an was thriving, requiring him to stay longer for the family's future livelihood, and stressed that nothing about the current situation could be leaked.
When Ye Zheng suggested Xie Huaian was worried about Zhang Mo's family, Xie Huaian, without admitting it, simply reiterated the need for absolute secrecy. Meanwhile, Pu Nichuan, an undertaker who performed rituals for the dead, was a frequent visitor to Jinhua's tavern, having taken a liking to its owner. After conducting a ritual where he declared "Hell, break!" and announced the deceased had crossed the realm of lost souls, he would head to the tavern.
However, his funeral robes often drove away other patrons, much to the annoyance of Jinhua, who would scold him for losing her half a day's business for just a pot of liquor. Pu Nichuan, despite his philosophical musings on death, lamented that Jinhua never smiled at him. Xie Huaian sought out Pu Nichuan, informing him that Liu Ziyan had appeared, bringing a fierce look of determination to Pu Nichuan's face.
Pu Nichuan recalled the torment of being buried alive by Liu Ziyan years ago and declared his readiness for revenge. Xie Huaian confirmed that Liu Ziyan was to die. Although Liu Ziyan was Pu Nichuan's uncle, Pu Nichuan stated that a diviner once told him he would cut ties with all his kin after age twelve.
He confidently boasted that there was no one he couldn't "send off," even mocking Liu Ziyan as "Huben's top fool" despite Xie Huaian's warning that Liu Ziyan was Huben's top killer. Xie Huaian also instructed Pu Nichuan to perform a ritual for the deceased original Zhang Mo that night.
Back at his shop, Pu Nichuan distributed all his gold ingots and earnings to his men and their families, citing it as an old promise and a way to avert bad luck associated with "money made off the dead." His men appeared somber, aware of the perilous mission ahead. Separately, Liu Ziyan was frustrated by his intel operative, Qingyi, who had no useful information about the deposed emperor.
However, Qingyi mentioned that Liu Ziyan's older brother Liu Ziwen's old family residence, which had been vacant for years due to numerous deaths and was officially held by merchant Yang Chuhao (who secretly handled royal asset sales), remained unsold. This surprised Liu Ziyan, as he had recently encountered a pale scholar at the house, prompting him to speculate if this scholar might be Liu Ziwen's son.
Suspecting a trick related to the house, Liu Ziyan rushed back to his old residence, finding it empty. He then discovered a blade, confirming that someone had indeed been there and had played a significant role. Before the night's confrontation, Xie Huaian and Pu Nichuan shared a final drink at Jinhua's tavern. Xie Huaian inquired about Pu Nichuan's greatest care in life. Pu Nichuan replied it was "getting justice for the dead" and personally killing his enemy.
Xie Huaian reflected that there were many beautiful things in the world beyond vengeance, pointing out swaying lanterns, passing carriages, and the scent of liquor. He noted that Jinhua, the tavern owner, seemed kind to everyone but Pu Nichuan, perhaps not understanding him. Pu Nichuan questioned Xie Huaian's own motivations, but Xie Huaian acknowledged that he too had "attachments" that were unbreakable. Pu Nichuan lamented that despite his daily visits, he had never seen Jinhua smile.
Seeing Pu Nichuan’s unfulfilled desire, Xie Huaian approached Jinhua and spoke to her briefly. To Pu Nichuan's sheer delight, Jinhua then smiled warmly at him from across the room. Overjoyed, Pu Nichuan eagerly pressed Xie Huaian to reveal what he had said, but Xie Huaian promised to tell him only after their mission that night was complete. As planned, Ye Zheng initiated the ambush on Liu Ziyan's forces, strategically leaving a trail of animal blood to lure them.
Liu Ziyan, sensing a trap but confident, pursued the "assassin." He was informed they had "tracked him," but Liu Ziyan corrected them, realizing they were being led. Xie Huaian had orchestrated this entire plan to bring Liu Ziyan and Pu Nichuan together to "settle the old debt." In a secluded alley, Ye Zheng guided Liu Ziyan’s men into Pu Nichuan's ambush. Pu Nichuan, emerging from the shadows, launched a fierce attack, killing many of Liu Ziyan's soldiers.
Xiao Wenjing, whom Ye Zheng had deliberately brought to witness the chaos, watched in terror as men died before his eyes. Liu Ziyan recognized Pu Nichuan, his long-standing foe, and confronted him. Pu Nichuan, having "crawled back from hell" for this moment, furiously declared his intent to take Liu Ziyan's life, taunting him as "Huben's top fool." Liu Ziyan questioned why Pu Nichuan had returned to this troubled world. Their ensuing duel was brutal, leaving both severely wounded.
A gravely injured Liu Ziyan fled, while Pu Nichuan suffered critical injuries. After the battle, with Liu Ziyan having fled, Xie Huaian approached the mortally wounded Pu Nichuan. Xie Huaian calmly acknowledged Pu Nichuan's past involvement in his father's murder but reminded him that he had also saved Pu Nichuan from being buried alive years ago; thus, their scores were now settled.
Pu Nichuan, filled with regret for failing to fully accomplish his mission, spoke of his life-long entanglement in hatred and urged Xie Huaian not to repeat his mistakes, reminding him of the many beautiful things in the world beyond vengeance: lanterns swaying, carriages passing, and the aroma of liquor from the tavern. With his last breaths, Pu Nichuan implored Xie Huaian to reveal what he had told Jinhua to make her smile.
Xie Huaian finally confessed he had told her that an unseen, intangible connection, "fate," existed between them. Pu Nichuan, finding peace in the memory of Jinhua’s beautiful smile, passed away. Witnessing the brutal consequences of opposing Xie Huaian, Xiao Wenjing was utterly terrified. He fell to his knees, pledging his complete subservience to Xie Huaian, declaring his willingness to be his slave or dog from that moment forward.
Episode 5 Recap
Ye Zheng was on the verge of eliminating Liu Ziyan when Qingyi suddenly appeared, rescuing Liu Ziyan and allowing him to escape. Ye Zheng reported back to Xie Huaian, informing him that Liu Ziyan had fled into Hidden Soldier Alley. Xie Huaian explained that his father had secretly established Hidden Soldier Alley when the Huben Army was founded, using it as a network of hidden bases across Chang'an stocked with food and weaponry.
These bases could also provide travel passes for Huben Army members needing to retreat, and people nearby, if they found the Huben Army in danger, would actively help them evacuate. Ye Zheng offered to pursue Liu Ziyan into the alley, but Xie Huaian cautioned against it, explaining that Liu Ziyan was severely wounded and would not emerge for a while.
He stated that his true objective was to dismantle the entire Huben Army, particularly General Fengshan, and since there was no intelligence placing General Fengshan in Hidden Soldier Alley, a premature attack would be pointless and only alert them. Indeed, Qingyi brought the heavily wounded Liu Ziyan to Hidden Soldier Alley. At the entrance, an old guard recognized them but insisted on the general's rule that all entrants must pay gold. Qingyi complied.
Once inside, Qingyi gave Liu Ziyan pinellia and poria to treat his throat and urged him to rest. Liu Ziyan, weakened but lucid, revealed that the person behind the undertaker, Pu Nichuan, was his nephew, Liu Zhi (Liu Ziwen's son), who had returned to Chang'an seeking revenge for his father. Liu Ziyan warned Qingyi to be cautious, as the Liu family was not to be underestimated.
Qingyi, however, expressed confidence, stating that he had control over someone close to Liu Zhi. When Liu Ziyan questioned Qingyi's attempts to arrange his affairs, Qingyi reassured him that he merely wanted Liu Ziyan to recover while he handled the external matters. He further explained that General Fengshan needed the deposed emperor alive, and Liu Zhi's actions could jeopardize their grand plan.
Qingyi, admitting he was no match for Liu Ziyan in a direct fight, asserted his superior intellect in scheming, boasting that he had already brought someone close to Liu Zhi under his sway. Meanwhile, Xiao Wenjing, traumatized by the brutal events he had witnessed, prostrated himself before Xie Huaian, pledging eternal loyalty and service. Xie Huaian found Xiao Wenjing attempting to calm his mind by copying the Shanglin Ode, just as he did in the Grand Academy when upset.
Xie Huaian observed that Xiao Wenjing’s handwriting hadn't improved and, more importantly, a pageboy like him shouldn't be writing such things, as it could expose them if discovered. Instead, Xie Huaian instructed Xiao Wenjing to write a letter home, posing as his late pageboy, Mo, to reassure his family that he was well and business in the Capital was flourishing.
Xie Huaian then shared details about Mo's life: his wife Yanniang, a kind fisherwoman and excellent cook; their two children, Xiaoman, aged six, and Chudong, aged four; and their modest home and farmland in Huzhou. Xie Huaian lamented that Mo could have lived a simple, happy life, but Xiao Wenjing had ruined it all.
When Xiao Wenjing hesitantly asked where Mo was buried, Xie Huaian, his eyes tinged with sorrow but his voice cold, replied that he was unworthy of knowing. During a brief reprieve, Ye Zheng visited the seamstress with a limp. She jokingly remarked about his persistent staring, asking if it would cook their meal, and teasingly commented on him sitting silently.
Ye Zheng shared that Liu Ziyan was back and that he had severely wounded him with three cuts, though Liu Ziyan ultimately escaped. The seamstress, noticing Ye Zheng’s torn clothes and worrying about his safety, urged him to abandon his quest for revenge, offering her meager earnings as payment for his efforts that night. Ye Zheng assured her he was fine and that he would fulfill his promise.
The seamstress then recounted their first meeting: she, a young seamstress, had followed the skilled assassin Ye Zheng. When he asked her purpose, she presented him with all the silver she had saved over five years of needlework and a portrait of Liu Ziyan. She explained that her mother, also a seamstress, had delivered a cloak to Liu Ziyan's residence on a snowy winter solstice, only to be falsely accused of being a spy.
Liu Ziyan then had her mother hanged at their doorstep, and even her kneecaps were gouged out. Overcome with grief and a desire for vengeance, the seamstress hired Ye Zheng, knowing she couldn't fight Liu Ziyan herself. Ye Zheng, deeply moved by her tragic story and Liu Ziyan’s cruelty, declined payment, only asking her for a smile. Her tearful smile was all the payment he needed, stirring deep feelings within him.
Back in the present, Ye Zheng asked if her words about giving up revenge were out of pity for him, and reiterated that she had already paid for his service and he would fulfill his promise, telling her not to mention payment again. Meanwhile, Bai Wan, Xie Huaian's sister, went to the market. She subtly noticed she was being followed and that unfamiliar faces were monitoring her home.
Upon returning, she remembered an old agreement with her good friend Shen Xiaoqing, Xie Huaian’s junior sister and messenger: if she was ever in danger, she would fly a paper kite in her courtyard. At that moment, Shen Xiaoqing was on her way to visit Bai Wan but, seeing the suspicious men guarding the entrance, she abruptly turned back and rushed to Xie Huaian's hiding place to report the danger.
Unbeknownst to Shen Xiaoqing, Qingyi had orchestrated this, having his men secretly follow her, thereby discovering Xie Huaian's location. Qingyi had already infiltrated Bai Wan’s residence. Knowing about their kite signal, he immediately shot down the kite. Bai Wan remained calm, asserting that she held no value to him. Qingyi agreed, acknowledging she was merely bait. He revealed that he was after the person she had been writing to, confirming that Xie Huaian had returned to Chang'an.
Qingyi gloated that despite their clever tricks, Shen Xiaoqing, their "little messenger," had been under surveillance, and by visiting Xie Huaian’s hideout, she had unwittingly exposed his location. As Shen Xiaoqing reported Bai Wan’s peril, a commotion erupted outside Xie Huaian’s courtyard, confirming that Qingyi’s men had tracked her.
Realizing they were surrounded by the Huben Army, Xie Huaian, with quick thinking, ordered Ye Zheng to pour all the wine onto the walls and set it ablaze when the attackers breached the gates. With only Ye Zheng and Shen Xiaoqing capable of fighting there, and more enemies surging in despite the fire, Xie Huaian decided to ride swiftly to Bai Wan's rescue. He instructed Ye Zheng to fight their way out and rendezvous with Mr. Long.
When Xie Huaian arrived at Bai Wan’s residence, Qingyi, expecting him, smiled. Xie Huaian dismounted swiftly, sending his horse charging at Qingyi. As Qingyi skillfully dodged the horse, Xie Huaian and Bai Wan simultaneously stabbed him with daggers, both striking vital spots. The siblings exchanged a brief, knowing look. However, in that fleeting moment, Liu Ziyan, having launched a surprise attack, stabbed Xie Huaian in the neck. Bai Wan cried out in alarm as Xie Huaian, enduring the pain, urged her to flee.
Episode 6 Recap
Following Liu Ziyan's surprise attack, Xie Huaian lay critically wounded with a knife plunged into his neck. He urged Bai Guan to flee, but she stayed by his side, calling out his name in distress. Ye Zheng arrived and fought Liu Ziyan, who, despite his injuries, managed to escape. Ye Zheng immediately rushed to find a physician for Xie Huaian. Soon after, Zhu Zhi Guang, the master physician, arrived, taking in Xie Huaian’s grave condition.
He immediately ordered his subordinates to prepare an anti-bleeding decoction. With the dagger still in Xie Huaian's neck, Zhu Zhi Guang declared he would personally remove it and asked for assistance to stop the bleeding. When his fearful subordinates hesitated, Bai Guan bravely stepped forward, stating she was not afraid. With Bai Guan’s calm assistance, Zhu Zhi Guang successfully extracted the blade, and quickly applied anti-bleeding powder to the gushing wound, tightly bandaging it.
Though the bleeding was controlled, Xie Huaian remained unconscious. Zhu Zhi Guang explained that due to severe blood loss and the critical location of the injury, he couldn't guarantee when Xie Huaian would wake. He might remain in an eternal coma, slowly aging while others passed. However, if he did regain consciousness, there was still a chance for survival.
Bai Guan, though deeply saddened, believed her brother would wake, convinced he had too many unfulfilled wishes, especially avenging their family, to simply give up. She had already placed her Bamboo Carved Amulet, which she had worn since childhood and believed offered protection through past trials, into his hand. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhi Guang also noted that Xiaoqing and her messenger had been targeted, indicating a need for a joint investigation.
Ye Zheng and Xiao Wenjing took turns guarding the unconscious Xie Huaian. Xiao Wenjing, observing Bai Guan's attentiveness, wondered about her relationship with Xie Huaian. Ye Zheng, irritated, told him it was none of his business. However, Xiao Wenjing recounted how, as a former imperial family member, he remembered Xie Huaian having a younger sister whose first birthday gift was a distinctive Bamboo Carved Amulet. He had seen Bai Guan place a similar one in Xie Huaian's hand.
Realizing the truth, Ye Zheng quickly silenced Xiao Wenjing, emphasizing that Xie Huaian did not want Bai Guan to know her true identity as a member of the ill-fated Liu family. Xiao Wenjing, worried about Xie Huaian’s condition and his own fate, recounted a prophecy by the Grand Preceptor Cen Weizong who foretold Xiao Wenjing would live to 83.
Xiao Wenjing humorously suggested that if Xie Huaian protected him to that age, then Xie Huaian himself must also live that long, implying his own survival depended on Xie Huaian's. Bai Guan, undeterred by the grim prognosis, told the unconscious Xie Huaian that she would undertake the task he assigned once dawn broke, but ultimately, he had to wake to complete his revenge.
Meanwhile, Liu Ziyan, seriously wounded, returned to Hidden Soldier Alley, only to be denied entry by an old gatekeeper. He relayed General Yan Fengshan’s orders: Liu Ziyan was no longer welcome. His failures, including losing the deposed emperor, disobeying orders to kill Xie Huaian (which failed and resulted in Qingyi's death), and mobilizing Huben forces without authorization, showed he had lost sight of the bigger picture.
Realizing he was abandoned, Liu Ziyan fought his way through the surrounding soldiers, escaping with his life. Desperate, Liu Ziyan sought refuge with an old subordinate, Xingzi, a former Liu family servant who had remarried and lived an anonymous life. Xingzi, startled by Liu Ziyan's sudden appearance, offered to tend to his wounds with the Liu family’s anti-bleeding mix.
Liu Ziyan, recognizing Xingzi's new family, threatened them, reminding Xingzi of his complicity in the murder of Liu Ziwen, which Xingzi claimed was proof of loyalty to survive. Liu Ziyan demanded that Xingzi arrange a licensed carriage to take him out of Chang'an in two days, setting a rendezvous at sunset by the Yanping Gate. Xingzi agreed, recognizing he had no choice.
Liu Ziyan made it clear that after this, they would be even and would never see each other again. While Xie Huaian recovered, Bai Guan, acting on his wishes, ventured into the city. She found a woman selling accessories, who, by her accent, was not from Chang'an. The woman and her husband, from Huzhou, struggled to make a living in the expensive Capital. Bai Guan helped her gather her wares from the sudden rain and subtly probed her.
The woman mentioned her husband refused to leave Chang'an, even after their daughter turned six. Bai Guan then presented a bangle, confirming it was the woman's missing daughter's. Bai Guan revealed that the woman’s husband owed a blood debt from fifteen years ago and that their daughter would be returned safely once that debt was cleared. The woman was overcome with emotion. During his two-day unconsciousness, Xie Huaian experienced vivid flashbacks.
He revisited the traumatic day he saw his father brutally murdered by his uncle. He recalled fleeing the Grand Preceptor's Residence with his young sister, walking seventy li through snow and cold to Nanwei Trough. When he left his starving sister in a thatched hut to find food, she was taken by a kind-hearted person.
Believing she would have a better chance at life if she wasn't burdened by the ill-fated Liu family name, he hid among the reeds of Nanwei Trough, working as a ferryman for seven years, secretly watching her grow up with her caring foster family. He also saw his father in his dream, his hands cold, confirming his unjust death.
Xie Huaian vowed that revenge was the only reason for him to live, despite his father's plea for him to choose a more peaceful path. Miraculously, after two days, Xie Huaian regained consciousness, confirming Bai Guan's belief that his strong will for revenge would bring him back. Xiao Wenjing initially misinterpreted Xie Huaian’s first words as wanting his mother or water, but Bai Guan understood it as "I want revenge."
Xie Huaian quickly learned that Liu Ziyan had not yet left the city. " Good," he declared, "That means I still stand a chance to hunt him down. Liu Ziyan doesn't deserve to live until now." Two days later, on a rainy night, Liu Ziyan rode out of Chang'an in Xingzi's carriage. He mused on his departure from the city he had survived in for so long, unaware of the trap laid for him.
Along the road, Xie Huaian and Ye Zheng had replaced Xingzi as the carriage driver. Liu Ziyan, resting inside, suddenly felt a knife pierce his chest. Liu Ziyan, now fatally wounded, taunted Xie Huaian, saying that if he died, Xie Huaian would never know his father's last words to Liu Ziyan. Xie Huaian dismissed the notion, stating it no longer mattered.
Just as Liu Ziyan had stabbed his father repeatedly years ago, Xie Huaian exacted his vengeance with precise, repeated stabs, killing Liu Ziyan. After Liu Ziyan’s death, Xie Huaian stepped out of the carriage. Xingzi, witnessing the scene, knelt, begging for his daughter's life. He confessed his past cowardice and selfishness, explaining he was forced to betray Liu Ziwen to protect his own parents.
Xie Huaian turned him around, revealing his daughter, now safe and reunited with her mother, calling out for him. Xie Huaian, understanding Xingzi’s forced complicity, declared his debt was settled and allowed him to leave with his family, stating he was different from those who would punish the innocent. As Xingzi departed, an old dog, Dahuang, barked and rushed towards Xie Huaian. Xie Huaian recognized their family dog from his childhood.
Dahuang led Xie Huaian, Bai Guan, and their companions to a stone tablet in a nearby forest. The inscription revealed that in the 17th year of Qiansheng, kind commoners, respecting General Liu Ziwen, had found his remains and pooled their efforts to give him a proper burial there, performing rites on behalf of future generations to comfort his heroic spirit. Xie Huaian was deeply moved to find his father's grave and to know that his father was not forgotten by Chang'an, realizing his son and daughter were both still alive.
Episode 7 Recap
More than a decade ago, when Bai Wan was a young child in Nanwei Trough, a Huben Army soldier named Wei Ziting discovered her and intended to abduct her as a "Slaughtered Clan Survivor." Fortunately, Xie Huaian intervened, killed the soldier, and rescued her. Grateful, Bai Wan called him "big brother." Unbeknownst to Bai Wan, Xie Huaian was her older brother, having rescued her after their family, the Liu clan, was massacred.
Wishing to shield her from the pain of revenge, he deliberately concealed her true origins and their kinship. To ensure her safety, Xie Huaian remained close, secretly protecting her for seven years by working as a boatman in the vicinity of her adoptive home until she came of age.
This constant vigilance was especially crucial after a "reed marsh incident" seven years prior, a dangerous encounter where her adoptive parents almost lost her, prompting them to send her to Chang'an for her studies and to avoid further peril. Xie Huaian never revealed his identity, believing that knowledge of her true lineage would only expose her to danger. Meanwhile, Ye Zheng went to visit Zhaolu. She had sworn to kill Liu Ziyan to avenge her mother.
Now that Liu Ziyan was dead, having been repeatedly stabbed by Xie Huaian and undeniably killed, Zhaolu knelt before her mother's memorial tablet to report that her vengeance was complete. Despite the long-awaited revenge, Zhaolu did not appear joyful, having spent years embroidering day and night to keep her mind from the past and wishing for Liu Ziyan's demise. She explained that by constantly doing the same thing, time moved faster, helping her avoid remembering the past.
She had also made a set of clothes for Ye Zheng, which delighted him. Wearing his new attire, Ye Zheng showed it off to Xie Huaian and Xiao Wenjing. Xiao Wenjing remarked on Zhaolu's excellent craftsmanship, noting how the clothes transformed Ye Zheng. When Ye Zheng contemplated a gift for Zhaolu, Xiao Wenjing suggested fine silk fabric, while Bai Wan proposed something more romantic and original.
To everyone's surprise, Ye Zheng presented Zhaolu with a beautiful bolt of bright red fabric. Zhaolu then fashioned the red fabric into what resembled a wedding gown and prepared to depart in a carriage provided by Ye Zheng. Xiao Wenjing and Xie Huaian were also present, having initially expected Ye Zheng to propose marriage. Instead, they witnessed him sending off his beloved.
Though Zhaolu radiated happiness in her new clothes as she left, Ye Zheng's face was filled with sorrow once she was gone. Xiao Wenjing was moved by Ye Zheng's profound love and sacrifice, understanding that Ye Zheng, as a swordsman with an unpredictable life, chose to let Zhaolu go to spare her from constant danger, rather than binding her to his uncertain fate.
Ye Zheng openly admitted his feelings for Zhaolu but recognized that her heart was consumed by her quest for revenge, leaving little room for affection. He believed it was better to let her live freely than to entangle her in his perilous existence, hoping they might meet again if fate allowed. Zhaolu expressed her gratitude, saying that meeting Ye Zheng in Chang'an had been her greatest fortune.
As Bai Wan prepared for her own departure from Chang'an, she arranged a farewell feast for everyone. During the meal, she painted Xie Huaian in a peaceful setting, imagining him tending flowers, feeding cats, and napping on a porch, hoping he could live a relaxed life, even if only for a day. She then discussed her early memories, a secret she had shared only with her adoptive parents and sister.
She recounted how, in a harsh winter, a man had carried her on a long journey to the reed marsh. She remembered him leaving her in a deserted shack to find hot soup, warning her they wouldn't survive otherwise. Waiting for him in the freezing cold, she saw a distant light and, drawn by its warmth, walked towards it, eventually finding the kind family who adopted her.
She tearfully expressed her regret for leaving that man behind, realizing it was a "mistaken parting" that cost her her only blood relative and left her without knowledge of her true origins or family name. She lamented not knowing if her original family had lived well after losing her. Xie Huaian listened silently, along with Ye Zheng and Xiao Wenjing, all aware of her true identity but bound by Xie Huaian's decision to protect her by keeping the secret.
To further alleviate her regret of not knowing her family, Xie Huaian returned to Bai Wan an amulet, which she had worn since childhood and served as her only tangible connection to her original family, telling her that keeping it would be like having her family by her side on her journey. Later that night, Ye Zheng questioned Xie Huaian about revealing the truth to Bai Wan, especially after hearing her deep regret.
However, Xie Huaian remained silent, prioritizing Bai Wan's safety above all else. Xiao Wenjing, too, confronted Xie Huaian, expressing his disbelief that Xie Huaian chose not to recognize his own sister despite having guarded her for seven years. He acknowledged Xie Huaian's wisdom in shielding Bai Wan from a life of "blood and turmoil." Xie Huaian thanked Xiao Wenjing for his understanding, reiterating that he hoped Bai Wan would never remember her past.
Before Bai Wan returned to Nanwei Trough, Xie Huaian, determined to ensure her peaceful life, sent a late-night pigeon message to his subordinates, ordering them to eliminate the remaining Huben Army officer, Wei Ziting, in Nanwei Trough, under the message "My sister returns; eliminate the remnant." Wei Ziting was subsequently killed in a ditch, acknowledging his seven years of waiting for death and the repayment of a debt for his past actions against the Liu family.
The next morning, Bai Wan went to bid farewell to Xie Huaian, but found his room empty. Understanding his aversion to emotional goodbyes, she left sadly, knowing that despite his absence, he would always keep her in his thoughts. Xiao Wenjing confirmed that Xie Huaian disliked saying goodbye in person but would always care for her.
Episode 8 Recap
Wang Pu, a new member of the Huben Army, arrived in the Capital. He was known for his cleverness and eloquence, able to acquire items at minimal cost and persuade people to offer him free transport. For instance, he charmed a pear seller into giving him two large pears for only one wen and convinced a butcher to sell him lamb offal for seven wen by fabricating a story about his pregnant wife.
He then secured a free ride to Yulong Ridge, at the northern foot of Qinling Mountain, by spinning a tale about visiting his late wife's death site, with the sympathetic coachman even returning his money. Wang Pu's assignment from General Yan Fengshan was to oversee a crucial strategist imprisoned at Yulong Ridge. Upon meeting the strategist, Wang Pu informed him of Liu Ziyan's death.
The strategist was unsurprised, revealing that Liu Ziyan, Huben's top killer, had been ostensibly sent to care for him but was in fact there to assassinate him, a task he meticulously attempted for three years without success. Wang Pu prepared lamb soup for the strategist, who noted its taste reminded him of his homeland, Wuxi Mountain.
Wang Pu clarified that the lamb was purchased in Chang'an, symbolizing the current peace in the realm, as Wuxi Mountain lamb could now be found there. The strategist then instructed Wang Pu to relay a message to Yan Fengshan: he now preferred the tea of Chang'an. Meanwhile, the New Emperor, Xiao Wuyang, invited Gu Yu to play weiqi, inquiring about Yan Fengshan's potential next moves after abducting the deposed emperor Xiao Wenjing.
Gu Yu, whose family soldiers formed the Capital's defense, proposed a strategy: at the next court assembly, he would publicly relinquish command of his Baiwenhu Army. This act would serve as an example, pressing the four powerful regional military commanders—Beiting, Fanyang, Long'an, and Zhenxi—who held significant military authority, to also surrender their forces, thus crippling Yan Fengshan's ability to forge alliances. Xiao Wuyang initially questioned Gu Yu's ability to sway these seasoned commanders but eventually agreed to the plan.
Gu Yu also inquired if Xiao Wuyang's new choice to counter Huben was "White Hair," the last descendant of the Liu family, whose father founded the Huben Army, acknowledging his past friendship with him.
After Gu Yu departed, Chancellor Gao emerged from the shadows, revealing the plan to have Gu Yu voluntarily surrender his military power was his own scheme, designed to prevent any resentment towards the Emperor, as Gu Yu was known for his selflessness and concern for the welfare of the people. Later that evening, Xie Huaian, Xiao Wenjing, and Ye Zheng were residing in the courtyard Bai Wan had lent them.
Xiao Wenjing, seeking to atone for his past deeds, penned a letter to Zhang Mo's family in Huzhou, mimicking Zhang Mo's handwriting. The letter explained Zhang Mo's prolonged absence, stating he had earned enough dowry for his daughter, but with flourishing business in the Capital, he wished to stay longer to earn more, assuring his family's well-being. He asked Xie Huaian to verify the script, offering his life in return for a chance to fight Yan Fengshan and Huben.
Xie Huaian, noting the recent capture of Qingyi and the death of Liu Ziyan, told Xiao Wenjing he might be useful when Huben inevitably retaliated, and promised to send the letter if the handwriting was convincing. That night, Gu Yu, accompanied by his aide, visited his Baiwenhu soldiers stationed at the city walls. He playfully chided them for telling haunted stories and not inviting him to share their porridge. The soldiers, including Shan and Pangtou, warmly welcomed him.
Gu Yu, enjoying the camaraderie, confided in his aide that he felt a sense of ease being with his men, a stark contrast to the guarded persona he maintained at court. He expressed his trust in Xiao Wuyang as a benevolent ruler and reiterated his plan to surrender his military authority next month, believing it would avert a major war and save countless lives by cutting off Yan Fengshan's support.
Shortly after Gu Yu left the city walls, an arrow of command signaled an attack. His aide quickly turned the carriage around, but they were met with a horrific sight: a cart laden with the bodies of fallen Baiwenhu soldiers. Gu Yu was deeply shaken, recognizing the faces of men he had just shared a meal with. From the pile of corpses, several attackers, Huben members, leaped out.
Wang Pu, among them, quickly seized Gu Yu, threatening to kill all of his remaining guards if he resisted. To prevent further bloodshed, Gu Yu reluctantly agreed to go with Wang Pu, who warned the Baiwenhu Army against any rash actions, stating that if they did, Gu Yu would return in an even more crippled state. Upon hearing of the attack, Xie Huaian saw the signal and rushed to the scene, only to find Gu Yu gone.
He immediately went to the palace, where he met Chancellor Gao, as the Emperor had been advised against leaving. Xie Huaian confirmed the attack was likely a trap but expressed his grave concern for Gu Yu. Chancellor Gao, while acknowledging Xie Huaian's success against Huben, reiterated the importance of sticking to Gu Yu's plan to surrender military power, even if it meant Gu Yu's death, to prevent him from defecting.
Xie Huaian strongly disagreed, asserting Gu Yu's loyalty as a soldier who would seek revenge, not alliance, with Huben. He implored Chancellor Gao not to "abandon those who help you." Chancellor Gao's response was ambivalent. Back at the courtyard, Xiao Wenjing complained to Ye Zheng about endless chores. Xie Huaian then announced his intention to infiltrate Hidden Soldier Alley, the likely place where Gu Yu was being held, to rescue him alone. Both Xiao Wenjing and Ye Zheng vehemently objected to his solo mission.
Episode 9 Recap
As a child, Xie Huaian often wondered why he had to visit Mr. Long for a monthly pulse check, despite never suffering from serious illness. Mr. Long explained that Xie Huaian was born with white hair, which only now, as he grew older, had fully turned black. Ancient texts, Mr. Long said, predicted that those born with white hair would endure hardship for half their lives, and both he and Xie Huaian's father hoped he would grow up safely.
Xie Huaian, however, mused that if half his life was destined for hardship, he hoped the other half would be filled with sweetness, a sentiment Mr. Long found remarkably enlightened for a child. Meanwhile, in the capital, the new Huben member Wang Pu, a cunning scholar, was tasked with overseeing a crucial strategist imprisoned by Huben. Wang Pu delivered news of Liu Ziyan's death to the strategist, who revealed Liu Ziyan had initially been sent to assassinate him.
The strategist subtly advised Wang Pu to tell their leader, Yan Fengshan, to 'take the tea from the capital,' hinting at a major target in the city. The new Emperor, seeking to consolidate power, consulted General Gu Yu, commander of the capital's defenses. Gu Yu proposed surrendering his military power during the upcoming morning court, expecting other vassal kings to follow suit, thus isolating Huben. The Emperor and High Minister Gao approved, recognizing Gu Yu's integrity.
After visiting his loyal troops, Gu Yu felt confident in the Emperor's good nature, despite the sacrifice. However, shortly after Gu Yu departed, the capital's defenses were attacked. The White Kiss Tiger guards were massacred. Wang Pu intercepted Gu Yu, threatening to kill all remaining guards unless Gu Yu accompanied him. To prevent further bloodshed, Gu Yu complied and was kidnapped. Xie Huaian, seeing the distress signal, rushed to the scene but found Gu Yu gone.
He immediately sought High Minister Gao, urging him to proceed with Gu Yu's plan and assuring him he would rescue Gu Yu from Hidden Soldier Alley, imploring Gao to ensure Gu Yu would not be discarded after serving his purpose. Years later, with Gu Yu kidnapped by the Huben Army, Xie Huaian declared his intention to infiltrate Hidden Soldier Alley to rescue him.
His companions, Ye Zheng and Xiao Wenjing, vehemently objected, pointing out Xie Huaian's recent injuries and incomplete recovery, warning that going now would be a death sentence. Ye Zheng even offered to go in his stead, believing his strength made him better suited for such a dangerous mission. But Xie Huaian insisted, stating that he was the only one who truly understood Huben, having grown up observing them, and that his knowledge was indispensable.
Xie Huaian began drawing a detailed map of Hidden Soldier Alley from memory. Xiao Wenjing, eager to assist, asked for a task. Xie Huaian assigned him a critical mission: acquire a special Huben gold coin, which only Qingyi possessed, to gain entry into the alley. Anticipating Qingyi's refusal, Xie Huaian instructed Xiao Wenjing to order the execution of any Huben soldiers who had participated in the raid on Xie Huaian's courtyard and had seen his face.
Xiao Wenjing went to Qingyi, who was imprisoned. As expected, Qingyi initially refused to hand over the coin, prompting Xiao Wenjing to have a group of Huben soldiers killed. Witnessing the grim act, Qingyi relented and produced a gold coin. The violence distressed Xiao Wenjing, but Xie Huaian reassured him, explaining that in a ruthless world, some blood inevitably had to be spilled, and he would one day understand such difficult choices. Next, Xie Huaian needed a new identity.
Xiaoqing had already secured one, identifying a Huben member named Wang Xing. Wang Xing was a master forger, possessing a remarkable skill for creating travel permits that even Xiaoqing found nearly flawless. He was being transferred by Huben to produce custom travel passes for their members, as the previous forger had encountered problems and the new emperor's pursuit of Huben made free movement impossible without proper documentation.
Wang Xing's age and build matched Xie Huaian's, he knew no martial arts, had few friends, and his wife lived in Chang'an. To ensure Wang Xing's complete cooperation and the accuracy of his information, Xie Huaian ordered his wife to be brought in, threatening to break one of her fingers for every lie Wang Xing told. Wang Xing vehemently protested, begging them to harm him instead of his wife.
Xiao Wenjing volunteered to guard Wang Xing, promising to keep him secure and reminding Xie Huaian that his life depended on it. With the preparations underway, Xie Huaian underwent a transformation. The physician, Mr. Long, expertly disguised Xie Huaian's neck wound with fish maw and a skin film, making it virtually undetectable unless closely examined.
He also dyed Xie Huaian's hair white, reflecting on Xie Huaian's birth with white hair and their shared hope that he would live to see it turn white again, urging him to return alive. Xie Huaian, unfazed by the change, joked that he would dye it back once his mission is complete. He then led Ye Zheng and Xiaoqing to a cliffside, pondering how severe his injuries would be if he were to fall.
Alarmed, Ye Zheng begged him not to risk his life, but Xie Huaian, after carefully choosing a spot, deliberately tumbled down the slope. He explained that these self-inflicted injuries would be useful inside Hidden Soldier Alley. He also began chewing Bitter-After, a plant common in the north known for its extreme bitterness, which he confirmed was a habit of Wang Xing's.
Xie Huaian explained that bitterness could refresh and relieve fatigue while also fending off the cold, and that the name 'Bitter-After' implied only bitterness remained once the chew stick was gone. Finally, Xie Huaian, posing as Wang Xing, approached Hidden Soldier Alley. He was stopped by a cunning old female gatekeeper who instructed him to wait for his contact. As he waited, Li Sangeng, a Huben member responsible for collecting refuse, passed by.
Noticing Xie Huaian chewing the Bitter-After, Li Sangeng casually remarked that he was chewing the wrong part, and the very bottom was the bitterest, a detail that further cemented Xie Huaian's cover. Di Lu, Xie Huaian's contact, arrived, having been cautioned by Li Sangeng to thoroughly vet the newcomer. Li Sangeng mentioned a high-ranking general held captive within the alley, and a warning from Mr. Wang Pu to be vigilant against rescue attempts.
Di Lu, taking Li Sangeng's warning to heart, meticulously examined Xie Huaian's travel permit. He noted a three-day delay in arrival and demanded an explanation. Xie Huaian, calmly, rolled up his sleeve to reveal his self-inflicted wounds. He recounted a fabricated story: he had encountered a gravely wounded Liu Ziyan, who recognized him and attempted to force him to forge a pass.
A struggle ensued, and Xie Huaian, seizing an opportunity, stabbed Liu Ziyan multiple times, killing him, and then fainted from his own injuries, thus causing the delay. Di Lu was shocked to hear that Xie Huaian had killed Liu Ziyan, the Huben Army's top assassin.
Xie Huaian further elaborated on Liu Ziyan's weakened state and described the precise locations and nature of the stab wounds—one to the heart, followed by several more in the chest and abdomen, totaling about ten stabs, after Liu Ziyan had grabbed his knife. He directed Di Lu to the body, thirty li south of the city in a forest. Di Lu sent men to retrieve the body. A coroner's examination confirmed Xie Huaian's detailed account of the fatal injuries.
The coroner reported a total of eleven stab wounds, noting that some were skillfully inflicted by experienced fighters and strategically avoided vital organs, suggesting Liu Ziyan was already gravely injured when Xie Huaian encountered him. The nine fatal wounds, two in the chest and seven in the chest/abdomen, were consistent with being inflicted by someone not accustomed to weapons, showing varying depths and curled edges.
A defensive injury on Liu Ziyan's hand, from an attempt to grab the blade, further corroborated Xie Huaian's story of a desperate struggle and confirmed the wounds were not staged post-mortem, effectively dispelling Di Lu's suspicions. To apologize for his earlier distrust, Di Lu invited Xie Huaian to a mutton soup stall that evening, promising good wine and an introduction to a friend.
Li Sangeng joined them, still displaying a cautious demeanor, finding the story of encountering a wounded Liu Ziyan suspiciously coincidental. Di Lu, increasingly drunk, passionately spoke about his life in Huben. He reminisced about once knowing someone in Huainan, for whom he delivered messages, and how he was later tasked with killing this person when they were deemed a traitor. He admitted to liking the man but explained that in their world, personal feelings meant little; survival was paramount.
He reiterated that if he hadn't accepted the assassination order, he would have been the one to die. As the night wore on, Di Lu grew completely inebriated and insisted they continue drinking at his home. While Xie Huaian and Li Sangeng were escorting the stumbling Di Lu, Di Lu leaned on Xie Huaian. In doing so, he noticed the disguised wound on Xie Huaian's neck.
Sobering instantly, Di Lu recalled the internal Huben report of Liu Ziyan stabbing a high-value target in the right side of the neck. Recognizing the truth, Di Lu snarled that Xie Huaian had nearly fooled him and drew his dagger to attack. However, before he could act, Li Sangeng swiftly plunged his own knife into Di Lu, killing him. Xie Huaian looked at Li Sangeng, expressing his gratitude, "Good thing you're here tonight, Han Ziling."
Episode 10 Recap
A year ago, Han Ziling was summoned by the New Emperor. Xie Huaian warned him not to attend the summons, explaining that while General Gu Yu was loyal and had recommended Han, the Emperor disliked Gu Yu and sought to exclude him from certain affairs. Killing Han Ziling was the Emperor's way of sending a warning to Gu Yu to stay out of it.
Han Ziling expressed his disbelief and determination to go, stating he must go if he wished to save Xiao Wenjing. Xie Huaian then proposed a wager: he would find a wanted criminal to disguise as Han Ziling and send him to meet the Emperor. If the impostor died, Han Ziling would owe Xie Huaian a favor. Xie Huaian explained the impostor wouldn't need to say anything because the Emperor's intention was to kill "Han Ziling" regardless, as a warning.
Han Ziling questioned Xie Huaian's morality, noting that Xie Huaian promised the criminal's family 1,000 liang of gold for his sacrifice. Xie Huaian retorted that a "good man" could help neither Han Ziling nor the person Han wished to save. Finally, Xie Huaian asked Han Ziling to infiltrate Hidden Soldier Alley as an undercover agent. In the present, Xie Huaian and Han Ziling buried Di Lu's body in the courtyard.
Han Ziling was deeply distressed, lamenting that Di Lu had treated him as a friend and had died only after realizing Xie Huaian's true identity from a wound. Xie Huaian acknowledged Di Lu had indeed considered Han Ziling a friend but emphasized that the action was one of self-preservation; if Han Ziling had hesitated, both he and Xie Huaian would have ended up buried. He pointed out that ultimately, people act to protect themselves.
Given Di Lu's popularity in Hidden Soldier Alley, his disappearance would not remain a secret for long, so they needed a solid alibi. Xie Huaian poured wine over the burial spot, explaining that the house's damp, north-facing nature would help the wine smell linger for over ten days, masking the odor of the body.
They concocted a story: invited by Di Lu, they had visited his house in the first half of the Xu hour to taste his homemade pine needle wine. They drank and chatted, becoming somewhat reckless, and accidentally knocked over several jars of wine before leaving around Hai hour. Afterward, Han Ziling suffered from a hangover and was confined to bed, while Xie Huaian was busy writing travel passes.
They agreed that they would claim not to have seen Di Lu again for two or three days after that evening. One day, Han Ziling, using the name Li Sangeng, visited Xie Huaian, who was now posing as Wang Xing. Li Sangeng arrived under the pretense of preparing a travel pass for Li Mingtai, who was supposedly ill.
Li Sangeng admitted he had intentionally made Li Mingtai sick with questionable buns to create a plausible reason for Xie Huaian to leave his residence. He reported that Di Lu's disappearance hadn't yet aroused suspicion, as Di Lu had been known to take assignments that kept him away for several days. However, Li Sangeng warned that this wouldn't last. He then revealed the true layout of Hidden Soldier Alley.
It wasn't just a single alley but a larger conceptual area within Yanzuo Ward, measuring 450 bu from south to north and 650 bu from west to east. Everything inside this area, except the outermost ring where common people lived, constituted Hidden Soldier Alley. The outer ring provided excellent cover and could serve as a source of hostages in times of danger.
He noted that the row houses on the west side generated little trash, indicating fewer hidden soldiers and a weaker defense. The main troop storage areas were in the northwest and southeast, which they needed to avoid during any operation. Regarding Gu Yu, Li Sangeng reported that his location was widely known: Wang Pu had publicly dragged Gu Yu into the Zuihua Tower by the market, taking pride in the capture.
Xie Huaian declared that Gu Yu was too important to be lost. Li Sangeng then suggested that Xie Huaian deliver Li Mingtai's travel pass himself, as Li Mingtai's second-floor window directly overlooked the Zuihua Tower, offering a convenient vantage point. Meanwhile, Gu Yu was being held at Zuihua Tower, attended by a maid who eagerly sought to please him, replacing his previous attendant, Wumei.
She assured Gu Yu she was now his attendant and would remain so, claiming he would be staying there for a while and that Wang Pu wanted him to feel at home. She offered to fulfill any request, with the sole exception of helping him leave. Gu Yu then asked for a small carving knife and a piece of white camphor wood.
He explained that if he were truly confined there for a long time, he needed something to pass the time. He challenged her ability to even acquire a carving knife, to which she readily agreed to find it. Wang Pu, continuing his interrogation of Gu Yu's captured men, used brutal tactics. He questioned a Baiwenhu soldier about the number of infiltrators in Hidden Soldier Alley, offering to spare the soldier's life or even two lives if he revealed a name.
When the soldier remained silent, Wang Pu, frustrated by his "rudeness," ordered him burned alive. Later, Li Sangeng met Xie Huaian and informed him that a Baiwenhu soldier, likely attempting to rescue Gu Yu, had been burned to death. He advised Xie Huaian to warn the remaining Baiwenhu soldiers to be cautious and urged both of them to exercise extreme care. Back at his residence, Xie Huaian was confronted by the gatekeeper, Aunt Xin.
She noted that Di Lu had borrowed a fine pen from her a couple of days prior, making Xie Huaian the last person to see him before he vanished. She demanded to know Di Lu's whereabouts. Xie Huaian admitted that Di Lu was dead, his body buried beneath the wine jars in his house.
Aunt Xin, recognizing Xie Huaian despite his disguise (his dyed white hair), revealed her identity as one of his father's first Huben Army subordinates and swore revenge, citing Liu Ziyan as an example. Xie Huaian acknowledged her loyalty but reminded her that her adopted son, Qingyi, was now imprisoned by the Imperial Guard.
He showed her a gold coin, implying it was from Qingyi, and warned her that while Qingyi was an "expendable pawn" to the Huben Army, he was useful to Xie Huaian. He threatened Qingyi's life if anything happened to him, effectively placing Qingyi's fate in Aunt Xin's hands. Aunt Xin initially invoked the rigid rules of the Huben Army, but Xie Huaian countered, highlighting her deep maternal bond with Qingyi.
He reminded her how, many years ago, after her biological child Liu Ziqi died, she found a young Qingyi, about the same age as her deceased child, eating offerings at the grave, and took him in as a "gift from above." He appealed to her not to let her "second child" die. He promised Qingyi's safe return if she remained silent and helped him stay hidden in Hidden Soldier Alley.
When she questioned if he would spare Qingyi, given Qingyi had once schemed against him and served the Huben Army, Xie Huaian stated he possessed "some humanity." He then dismissed her, acknowledging the past bond between her and his father. In a flashback, Aunt Xin, mourning at her son Liu Ziqi's grave, encountered a starving young Qingyi eating the offerings. She recognized his desperation and his age being similar to her late son.
Qingyi, who confessed to having killed members of his opera troupe and escaping, sought her guidance on survival, acknowledging he was already on a dark path. Aunt Xin taught him. Meanwhile, Xiao Wenjing brought food to Wang Xing, who was disrespectful, making Xiao Wenjing "eat like a dog." Wang Xing tried to escape, telling Xiao Wenjing that he had to go into Hidden Soldier Alley; if he didn't, he would die, but if he did, his master would die.
He tearfully described his family—a wife and six-year-old daughter—and how a rogue was harassing his wife back home in Guiyi Ward, Wazi Alley, at the breakfast stall where she often wore a worn-out purple robe. He needed to return to kill the rogue himself. Xiao Wenjing, realizing Wang Xing's treachery, stopped him, calling him an "ungrateful mutt," and ended up killing him in a struggle. Xiao Wenjing then solemnly dragged Wang Xing's body away.
Later, Wang Pu visited Xie Huaian's (Wang Xing's) courtyard, noting its unusual quietness. Xie Huaian explained he had sent his helpers home because Wang Pu had requested minimal personnel handle newly issued confidential travel passes. Satisfied, Wang Pu showed Xie Huaian the details of the confidential document: a physical description of a man—"Height six chi. Square forehead, broad face, a nose that rises straight up to the brow, and long hanging earlobes. From Binning to Chang'an." Xie Huaian instantly recognized the description.
Episode 11 Recap
The Four Regional Military Commanders prepared to enter the Capital, a time of uncertainty for the newly enthroned Xiao Wuyang and Chancellor Gao. As Xiao Wuyang played his flute, Chancellor Gao reported that Xie Huaian was already deploying a plan to rescue Gu Yu, whose fate remained uncertain. Xiao Wuyang reflected that while they once easily predicted outcomes, like their military campaign against Chang'an, now, holding power presented unforeseen challenges.
Chancellor Gao conceded that "it's easier to seize power than to hold onto it." The commanders' impending arrival threatened a bloody confrontation, as they would undoubtedly resist relinquishing their military authority. Xiao Wuyang considered eliminating them to prevent an alliance with the Huben Army, believing Chancellor Gao capable of managing the fallout while striking. Meanwhile, Xie Huaian, deep within Hidden Soldier Alley, was setting his own intricate plans into motion.
He met with Ye Zheng, confirming that the Four Regional Military Commanders had entered the city discreetly, their movements tracked by Xiaoqing. Xie Huaian revealed he had located Gu Yu but intended to "plot another move" before acting. He handed Ye Zheng a secret message for Chancellor Gao, instructing him to stop his planned assassination of the four regional military commanders.
In response to Xie Huaian's inquiry about Wang Xing, whom his pageboy Xiao Wenjing had been assigned to watch, Ye Zheng reported that Wang Xing was dead and buried, attributing the swift and unexpected turn of events to circumstances beyond Xiao Wenjing's control. Haunted by Wang Xing's dying words about his wife, a noodle stall proprietress, being harassed by a thug, Xiao Wenjing sought out the noodle stall.
There, he found Wang Xing's wife, in a faded white dress, tending to her little daughter. Overcome with guilt for killing the family's pillar, Xiao Wenjing quietly observed them while eating buns. That night, a belligerent thug arrived, loudly demanding entry and spewing insults at the mother and daughter. Enraged, Xiao Wenjing emerged, killing the thug with his axe, and then silently dragged the body away, performing the grim act as a form of penance.
Concurrently, the Four Regional Military Commanders gathered for lamb hotpot in an alley. Though outwardly composed, they were apprehensive about losing their military seals, a prize they had won alongside the founding emperor 30 years prior. One commander, having foresight, revealed he had already bought the entire alley, securing at least that much if the worst came to pass. Ye Zheng soon found Xiao Wenjing, noting his grim demeanor, which reminded him of a "hitman" or "swordsman."
Xiao Wenjing confessed his acts were "penance." Ye Zheng delivered urgent news: Chancellor Gao planned to assassinate the Four Regional Military Commanders that very night. Gao was at a nearby tea house, while the commanders dined in an alley. Ye Zheng tasked Xiao Wenjing with stopping the assassination, handing him Xie Huaian's secret message and the Marquis of Wuyang's official seal—a jade token personally given by the Emperor to Xie Huaian, granting unrestricted movement throughout Chang'an.
Ye Zheng explained he needed to disarm the assassins Chancellor Gao had stationed around the tea house. Chancellor Gao, in the tea house, prepared to issue the final order. Xiao Wenjing frantically searched the area for him, mistakenly entering a small tavern filled with assassins deployed by the regional commanders, clearly targeting Chancellor Gao. He quickly located Chancellor Gao, presenting the Marquis of Wuyang's official seal and urgently warning him that the commanders were planning a counter-assassination.
He implored Gao to flee. Gao, unnervingly calm, deduced that Xiao Wenjing had uncovered two simultaneous deadly plots. He acknowledged Xie Huaian's sharp intellect, reflected in his pageboy, but lamented that Xiao Wenjing's intervention had thwarted his strategic plan to legitimize his strike by allowing the commanders to make the first move. Challenging Xiao Wenjing to find a solution, Gao continued to sip his tea.
Thinking quickly, Xiao Wenjing flung open a window and bellowed, warning the commanders of an impending assassination and urging them to escape. This cry prompted the commanders' own assassins to rush out to protect their masters, only to be ambushed and captured by Chancellor Gao's waiting forces. Gao still intended to proceed with killing the commanders.
Xiao Wenjing swiftly presented Xie Huaian's secret message, which argued that executing the commanders now would cause Yan Fengshan to retreat, thus losing the "bait" necessary to lure him out. After reading the letter, Chancellor Gao deferred the final decision to Xiao Wuyang, who was observing from an upper floor. Xiao Wenjing, upon seeing his brother, Xiao Wuyang, immediately knelt in fear, then quickly departed.
Xiao Wuyang remarked on Xiao Wenjing being the first person in years to approach him with a weapon so closely, acknowledging a rare "flaw" in their otherwise meticulous planning. He and Chancellor Gao concluded that the intricate "trap within a trap" was likely the work of the Huben Army, deciding to entrust both Gu Yu's fate and Yan Fengshan's downfall to Xie Huaian, whom they referred to as "White Hair."
As the immediate danger subsided, the regional military commanders, now safe, inquired about the next step. One of the commanders, addressing Wang Pu, declared that General Yan Fengshan would "personally join the fray." Later, Xiao Wenjing confided in Ye Zheng about his encounter with his brother. He found it strange that Xiao Wuyang didn't recognize him, but even stranger that he felt no hatred for the man who had usurped his empire and life of luxury.
Xiao Wenjing pondered whether he truly didn't love the empire as much as he once thought. Xie Huaian also discussed Xiao Wenjing with Han Ziling (formerly Li Sange), asking why Han Ziling, initially recommended by Gu Yu, had planned to save Xiao Wenjing's life. Han Ziling revealed it was due to a misunderstanding, having witnessed Xiao Wenjing's plight under Yan Fengshan's oppression, realizing that even as emperor, he was like a caged bird.
Having read Xiao Wenjing's writings from his time as crown prince, Han Ziling believed that despite his subsequent weakness, Xiao Wenjing possessed a genuine concern for his people. He quoted Xiao Wenjing's four wishes for ministers, soldiers, the Emperor, and common folk, particularly appreciating the wish for the common people to live peacefully without concern for rising prices. Han Ziling lamented Xiao Wenjing's subsequent weakness under Yan Fengshan's long suppression, preventing him from ushering in a peaceful era.
He admitted to being "stubbornly old-fashioned" in his continued hope for Xiao Wenjing. Han Ziling then entrusted Xie Huaian with a letter for Xiao Wenjing, requesting its delivery should anything happen to him, believing that even without knowing his whereabouts, Xiao Wenjing was gazing at the same moon. Meanwhile, Wang Pu relentlessly pursued the Baiwenhu Army in Hidden Soldier Alley.
Known for his keen intellect and meticulous methods as Yan Fengshan's top strategist, he searched for clues by analyzing the trash. He confidently confirmed the presence of Baiwenhu soldiers, having previously deduced their existence from a unique medicinal plaster for knee pain, specifically developed by the Gu family for the Baiwenhu Army. He pinpointed their location to the seventh row of rooms.
Unbeknownst to Wang Pu, Xie Huaian had anticipated his methods and cunningly planted the incriminating bandage to create a false trail. Xie Huaian informed Wu Juan that Wang Pu had fallen for the bait. He had already relocated the other Baiwenhu soldiers to vacant residences in the western part of the alley.
With a detailed map of Hidden Soldier Alley, Xie Huaian outlined the rescue plan for Gu Yu, highlighting critical points around Zuihua Tower where the Huben Army maintained watch. As dusk settled, Xie Huaian initiated the operation. When Wang Pu and his forces stormed the supposed hideout, they found themselves ambushed and surrounded by Wu Juan and the Baiwenhu Army, realizing too late that Gu Yu had already been rescued.
Episode 12 Recap
Xie Huaian questioned Han Ziling once more about the day Wang Pu captured Gu Yu. Han Ziling vividly recalled seeing the general being dragged toward Zuihua Tower like a dog, his legs immobile and his neck wounded by iron chains. However, after examining the trash collected from the tower, Xie Huaian realized something was wrong.
There were no blood-stained bandages or scents of medicinal ointments, leading him to conclude that Gu Yu’s public imprisonment at Zuihua Tower was merely a diversion. The pair began scouring other refuse piles until they finally discovered a discarded bandage soaked in blood in a different room, revealing the general’s true location. Inside the secret prison, Gu Yu had been passing the time carving a wooden statue of a young woman for his caretaker, Yuan’er.
As she moved to check his healing wounds, Gu Yu presented her with the carving as a reward. However, he also confronted her about the weapon she was hiding. Before the situation could escalate, Gu Yu’s subordinate, Wumei, stormed the room with her men, killing the guards to liberate the general. Though Xie Huaian urged an immediate escape, Gu Yu was consumed by a desire for vengeance.
He refused to leave until the Huben Army paid for the slaughter of his Baiwenhu brothers. Respecting the general's resolve, Xie Huaian helped devise a counter-strike. That night, as Wang Pu moved in to deliver what he thought was a final blow to the Baiwenhu, he walked straight into a trap. Gu Yu appeared on horseback and unleashed an arrow that nearly struck Wang Pu in the forehead.
While Wang Pu managed to flee, he was horrified to find a pile of dead prisoners—an exact retribution matching the number of Baiwenhu soldiers he had previously murdered. The tide of the battle shifted as Wang Pu rallied reinforcements. Realizing the Huben command center was still functional and a counterattack was imminent, Xie Huaian and Han Ziling were forced to flee.
To ensure Gu Yu would escape without hesitation, Xie Huaian sent a Baiwenhu messenger to the general with a false report, claiming they had already broken through the encirclement. Believing his allies were safe, Gu Yu led his remaining men to charge out of the alley. Once clear, Gu Yu realized Xie Huaian was still trapped inside.
He immediately dispatched a rider to the palace with his token, entreating the Emperor to mobilize the Jinwu Guards and the Right Cavalry Guards to wipe out Hidden Soldier Alley and save his friends. Meanwhile, Xie Huaian and Han Ziling were pursued through the labyrinthine streets. They eventually sought refuge in the room that had belonged to Di Lu, the man Xie Huaian had been forced to kill upon first entering the alley.
Han Ziling revealed that he had returned to the cellar to cremate Di Lu’s body and place the ashes in a wine jar, fulfilling the man’s wish to spend eternity with his favorite drink. Xie Huaian was moved by Han Ziling’s loyalty, but their moment of peace was short-lived as the Huben torches drew closer. With the southwest exit only a hundred paces away and the enemy closing in, the situation became a dead end.
Han Ziling realized that only Xie Huaian possessed the strategic mind necessary to eventually defeat Yan Fengshan and dismantle the Huben Army. He insisted on drawing the guards away, telling Xie Huaian that if he truly felt guilty, he should carry the weight of this sacrifice to finish their mission. Han Ziling charged into the street, shouting to attract the soldiers and lead them on a chase.
Xie Huaian watched from atop a ward wall as the Huben soldiers surrounded his friend. Wang Pu approached the captured Han Ziling, mocking his life as a scavenger but offering to record his real name on a gravestone. Han Ziling proudly declared his name, stating it carried the meaning of soaring ambition. Wang Pu lamented that such ambition would end in a gutter before plunging a blade into Han Ziling’s chest. Witnessing his friend's heroic end, a tearful Xie Huaian remained on the wall, burdened by the mission he now had to complete alone.
Episode 13 Recap
After escaping from the Hidden Soldier Alley, Gu Yu seeks out the four regional military commanders of Long’an, Beiting, Fanyang, and Zhenxi. Confronting them unarmed from his wheelchair, Gu Yu argues that Yan Fengshan is at his wit's end, as his Huben Army could not even detain a disabled man. Gu Yu reveals that he has already surrendered the authority of his Baiwenhu Army to the New Emperor, Xiao Wuyang, and demands the commanders surrender their military seals.
He warns that any refusal will be treated as rebellion, leading to the execution of their men and the exile of their families. Shaken by Gu Yu’s ruthlessness and his claim that he left a "mountain of corpses" for Yan Fengshan back in the alley, the four commanders surrender their seals. Meanwhile, a travel pass created by Xie Huaian appears at a city checkpoint. Reports indicate that a figure in white, wearing a veiled bamboo hat, is approaching the gates.
Believing the target to be Yan Fengshan, Xiao Wuyang, Gu Yu, and Xie Huaian prepare an ambush. As the figure enters the gate, signalmen on the city walls raise white flags, and hidden soldiers swarm the target, killing them with a flurry of blades. However, the victory turns to tragedy when a soldier brings an umbrella found at the scene to the leaders. Xie Huaian recognizes the umbrella as the one he gave his sister, Bai Guan.
He rushes to the body and discovers that his sister was the one killed in the trap. The failed assassination reveals that the plan was compromised. Yan Fengshan had already infiltrated the city's defenses; the signalmen on the walls were actually members of the Huben Army who intentionally ordered the attack on the wrong person. In the ensuing chaos, Xiao Wuyang is surrounded by enemies but manages to use his martial arts to fight his way to safety and vanish.
Gu Yu leads his Baiwenhu units in a rescue attempt, but they are intercepted and wiped out by a massive Huben force, and Gu Yu goes missing. While mourning over Bai Guan, Xie Huaian finds a naming slip in her hand with the name "Liu Li," realizing she had finally discovered her true identity and returned to the capital to reunite with him. This tragedy was the result of a cruel manipulation by Yan Fengshan.
While traveling, Bai Guan had encountered a family who "casually" told her a story about a ferryman who spent seven years protecting his sister from afar. Realizing the story was about Xie Huaian, Bai Guan visited a temple to obtain a naming slip to reclaim her name, Liu Li. She did not realize that the encounter was a setup designed by Yan Fengshan to lure her into the capital as a decoy.
As the capital falls into total disorder, Xie Huaian decides to bury his sister at their former family home. He urges Ye Zheng and the former emperor, Xiao Wenjing, to flee for their lives, handing over a letter from the late Han Ziling as a final testament of the scholars’ hopes. After laying his sister to rest and obtaining a memorial tablet for her, Xie Huaian encounters Yan Fengshan on the street. The general asks if he admits defeat. Xie Huaian, looking at the man who murdered his family years ago, remains cold and resolute, promising that he will return one day to take his revenge.
Episode 14 Recap
Following the sudden ambush by the Huben Army, Chang'an has fallen, and Emperor Xiao Wuyang has vanished after the assault. With Yan Fengshan successfully reclaiming authority over the city, Ye Zheng and Xiao Wenjing flee via the waterways under the guidance of their master. During the journey, Xiao Wenjing reads a poignant letter left by Han Ziling. While others may have viewed the Emperor as a weak ruler, Han Ziling’s words reveal a deep respect for the sovereign's compassionate vision.
He writes of a dream where the elderly are cared for and children are nurtured—a peaceful era that favored restoration over conquest. He encourages Xiao Wenjing that even if they are forced into seclusion in the countryside, they can still strive to benefit the people, as true devotion to the state does not require a throne. In the capital, Yan Fengshan has secured every vital pass, positioning his troops so thoroughly that the city is sealed tight.
At Hidden Soldier Alley, the former gatekeeper prepares to leave with her foster son. They reflect on their mutual betrayal of the Huben Army for the sake of their bond, acknowledging that they no longer have a place in the organization. Xie Huaian had honored his word by opening the prison gates for them, allowing them a chance at a new life.
In stark contrast, the once-powerful Chancellor Gao has been reduced to a wretched state; with his legs broken by Yan Fengshan, he now hauls a small cart through the palace to refill lamp oil, living more like a dog than a high official. Xiao Wenjing and Ye Zheng eventually find refuge in Cangshuichuan, a secret sanctuary and the final stronghold of the Huben system.
Though the site remains unfinished following the death of its creator, Liu Ziwen, it serves as a final sanctuary for those displaced by the fall of Chang'an. The Emperor remains in a deep coma from his injuries, cared for by Ye Zheng, who remains vigilant. To afford the necessary medicine and supplies, Xiao Wenjing takes up back-breaking labor as a porter at a salt shop.
The shopkeeper, noticing Xiao Wenjing’s delicate features, suspects he comes from a noble background, but Xiao Wenjing maintains his cover by claiming he was merely a pageboy. Back in the city, Wang Pu lives in a state of self-imposed punishment for his failure at Hidden Soldier Alley. Shackled and forced to roam the markets, he is eventually found by Yan Fengshan at a local tavern.
Despite Wang Pu’s deep shame and his refusal to eat the meals prepared by their associate Zhiying, Yan Fengshan treats him with uncharacteristic warmth. Yan Fengshan has avoided the throne at Taiqing Hall, choosing instead to live among the common people, and he personally seeks out Wang Pu like a father looking for a wayward son, urging him to return home.
Meanwhile, hearing that Yang Chuhao will soon arrive in the capital to oversee Tiemo envoys, Xie Huaian has spent the last month hiding in a suburban temple under the alias "Zeng." The temple's keeper, a man burdened by gambling debts, notices Xie Huaian appearing dazed and talking to the air as if conversing with spirits.
Seeing a bounty of a thousand liang for Xie Huaian's capture, the keeper conspires with Officer Wang, a man who claims he is looking for a way back to the capital. They report Xie Huaian’s location to Wang Pu, hoping to trade the rebel for wealth and status. Eager to redeem himself in Yan Fengshan’s eyes, Wang Pu travels to the temple alone. He finds Xie Huaian calmly boiling dumplings in a pavilion, seemingly waiting for him.
Xie Huaian reveals that the encounter is no accident; he had deliberately lured Wang Pu there using Officer Wang as bait, who is revealed to be Xie Huaian’s own man. Knowing that Wang Pu was under constant surveillance by Huben spies, Xie Huaian’s associates in the city had already neutralized the sentries. As the dumplings simmer, Xie Huaian confronts the man known as Yan Fengshan’s smartest tactician, daring him to see what moves remain in this dangerous game.
Episode 15 Recap
Yan Fengshan, desperate for a puppet to solidify his control over the capital, finds a young orphan to play the part. He crafts a grand deception, telling the boy to forget his past and claiming he is actually of the Xiao imperial bloodline—a long-lost prince. Yan declares that since the throne is vacant, the boy must become the Emperor to maintain order.
When the bewildered boy asks if it is true, Yan bluntly admits it is a lie, but asserts that his word makes it reality. He then orders Zhiying to dress the boy in a dragon robe to see if it fits. Meanwhile, Wang Pu goes alone to a remote temple to confront Xie Huaian, who is calmly cooking dumplings.
Xie reveals that they met nineteen years ago, back when Yan Fengshan was a cold and cruel general who had just adopted a child from the northern border. Xie then tells Wang Pu the horrific truth of his origins and Yan’s blood-stained past. Twenty-five years ago, at a place called Chen Valley—known to the Tiemo people as Mingshanzi Gorge—Yan and his soldiers were captured and locked in a granary.
Their captors toyed with them, providing less food each day until only a single bun and a knife remained. To survive, Yan killed all his brothers-in-arms; when the Tiemo finally opened the doors, they found him sitting among the corpses, eating them. After escaping, Yan wandered the wasteland like a ghost until he reached his own borders. A kind farming couple took him in, offering him a hot meal and meat.
However, still trapped in the trauma of the granary and believing one had to kill to eat, Yan murdered the couple with the very knife they provided for his meal. He only spared the infant crying in his cradle—the child who grew up to be Wang Pu.
Xie Huaian gives Wang Pu a choice: return to Yan Fengshan and poison him with a plate of dumplings to avenge his parents, or die at the temple at the hands of Captain Wang, who is waiting outside. Xie admits he wants to see Yan die with his own eyes. Wang Pu returns to the city, buys pork, and prepares dumplings for his adoptive father.
When Yan arrives, Wang Pu invites him to eat, mentioning that the guards sent to watch him were eliminated and that he had met Xie Huaian. Wang Pu asks for the truth, and Yan confirms the story of the granary and the murdered couple, admitting he changed the course of Wang Pu’s life, which should have been a simple existence as a farmer.
Yan tells Wang Pu that avenging his blood kin is only right and says he will not blame him for any choice he makes. However, Wang Pu remains loyal to the man who raised him, stating that the parents he never knew mean nothing to him. He informs Yan that a man in a fisherman's hat and a fish-glue mask—presumably Xie Huaian—is watching from a nearby watchtower.
Wang Pu then eats the dumplings himself, coughing up blood as he reveals he poisoned his own portion. He chooses to die for his father rather than kill him, wishing Yan a long life and peace. As Wang Pu breathes his last, Yan sighs at the young man’s foolishness, realizing that Xie Huaian never actually believed Wang Pu would kill his adoptive father; the plan was for Yan to witness the agonizing death of the person he loved most.
Yan sends Zhiying to the tower, but they find only a decoy. Following the ordeal, Xie Huaian and Captain Wang confront the temple keeper, who had planned to sell Xie out for a reward. Xie spares the man’s life despite his betrayal and thanks him for the shelter before ordering Captain Wang to return to the capital to gather their remaining men.
Xie notes that a Tiemo secret envoy is heading to the capital to negotiate with Yan, providing the perfect opportunity to strike back. Xie travels to Cangshuiuan, a hidden refuge designed by his father where salt-funnel timers are used to tell time in the absence of sunlight. There, he finds Xiao Wenjing working in a salt shop. Xiao Wenjing is overjoyed to see Xie, and they regroup with Ye Zheng to discuss the political landscape.
Yan Fengshan has the capital sealed and is using a fake emperor to maintain a facade of peace, while Xiao Wuyang’s army is surrounded. They realize Yan intends to bribe the Tiemo by ceding northern lands in exchange for them destroying the White Tiger Army. Xie also visits the injured Xiao Wuyang, who experiences brief moments of clarity.
Wuyang encourages Xie to use his wisdom to serve the people, just as his father did, and vows not to die before Yan is defeated. He warns Xie to keep his awakening a secret from everyone. As they prepare their next move, Xie tells Xiao Wenjing that once the Tiemo envoy enters the capital, they will make him disappear for one night, during which Xiao Wenjing—the true prince—must negotiate with him as the Emperor.
Though terrified, Xiao Wenjing accepts his duty. Before Xie departs to find out if the White Tiger Army is still standing, Xiao Wenjing hands him a lantern for the dark road ahead. Once alone at his brother's bedside, Xiao Wenjing breaks down in tears, overwhelmed by the dangerous mission Xie has set for him.
Episode 16 Recap
Wuyin Ling, the secret envoy of Tiemo, traveled toward the Capital under the escort of Fang Genghui. As they reached Chen Valley—a place the Tiemo people called Mingshanzi Gorge—Wuyin looked out over the fertile land. He remarked that this territory, stretching 170 li south, once belonged to his people and suggested that if Yan Fengshan were willing to cede it, Tiemo might provide the military force needed to eliminate the Baiwenhu Army.
Fang Genghui, whose ancestors were originally from Chang’an, shared his own modest ambition: he wished only for a small residence on a sun-facing hill filled with white camellias, where his late wife was buried. Wuyin found Fang’s nostalgia poignant, noting that such stories made the long journey less tedious. The envoy insisted on stopping at an old granary in the valley.
He recalled that twenty-five years ago, a man carrying a knife had emerged from this very spot; once a Tiemo prisoner of war who survived by the most brutal means, that man, Yan Fengshan, now held the fate of the empire in his hands. While there, an agent of Yang Chuhao, the wealthiest man in Chang’an, presented a musician selected from seven hundred candidates. Wuyin noticed the girl was a slave and was moved by her grace.
He immediately granted her freedom and draped his own coat over her shoulders. When he asked her to play, her music was sharp and filled with the resonance of battle. She explained that in a place where the walls were stained with the blood of so many, she could not play decadent or light melodies. Impressed by her spirit, Wuyin invited her to join his entourage to the Capital.
Inside the imperial palace, Chancellor Gao, now a prisoner with broken legs, was forced to perform menial tasks. He spent his days on a small wooden cart, moving through the palace under the watchful eyes of the Huben Army to light candles. Despite his fall, an old eunuch pitied him, occasionally sneaking him steamed buns from the imperial kitchen. Gao maneuvered his cart to a secluded corner and dropped pieces of a bun into a drainage grate.
Hidden beneath the sewer cover was Gu Yu, barely alive and forced to hide in the darkness. Yan Fengshan had ordered a massive search for Gu Yu, never suspecting he was hiding right under the palace floor. Meanwhile, Yang Chuhao went to his usual wonton stall, only to find Xie Huaian—the "White-Haired Ghost"—waiting for him. Yang was paralyzed with fear, knowing that being seen with Xie would mean death if Yan Fengshan found out.
They moved to a private room where Xie Huaian ruthlessly reminded Yang of his past ties to the Liu family faction. Xie revealed he knew of the thirty secret letters exchanged between Yang and Xie’s father over a decade, which contained blueprints for hidden military lanes and secrets even Yan Fengshan did not know. Xie made it clear that while he had lost everything, Yang had a massive estate and a family he couldn't afford to lose.
Under this pressure, Yang admitted he had already followed instructions to plant a musician within the Tiemo envoy. Xie then demanded that Yang purchase a specific street in Huaiyuan Ward for an upcoming operation, emphasizing that the area must be kept clear of any observers. Xiao Su, Yang Chuhao’s simple-minded son, spent his days collecting rent from his father’s various properties. He had become infatuated with a woman named Shen, who ran a pharmacy.
Su tried to win her over by doing chores and sorting her ledgers, but Shen remained cold and aloof, eventually having him thrown out. When Su returned home, Yang Chuhao noticed his son’s distraction.
Learning of the girl’s high-minded nature and that she owned a shop on a street he himself owned, Yang promised to increase Su’s salary so he could save for a substantial betrothal gift, though the elder Yang remained privately burdened by the "life-debt" Xie Huaian had come to collect. Later, Xie Huaian visited Shen at her shop. She was relieved to see him, calling him "brother," and confirmed that their allies were still alive.
Xie reassured her that the envoy's secret entry into the Capital would provide the perfect opportunity to strike back at Yan Fengshan. The tension escalated when Yan Fengshan unexpectedly visited Yang Chuhao, bringing fresh spring seabass for a meal. As they ate, Yan spoke of "White Hair" (Xie Huaian) as one of the few opponents truly worthy of his respect.
He warned Yang that Xie was a vengeful man who would surely come seeking retribution and pointedly mentioned that Yang’s residence lacked sufficient guards. Yan presented Yang with a dagger for self-defense, a gesture that served as both a gift and a chilling warning. In preparation for his next move, Xie Huaian visited a general store to purchase a bundle of "Banbianku," a bitter plant used for chewing that was native to Tiemo.
The shopkeeper noted that the price had skyrocketed because of the unstable supply from the border. Xie paid the high price without hesitation, remarking that the bitter herb was intended as a gift for an old friend he hadn't seen in many years.
Episode 17 Recap
Many years ago, a young Xie Huaian frequented Yang Chuhao’s shop. Despite the close bond between Yang and Xie’s father, the boy insisted on paying for every meal, declaring that he would not inherit another man's debts. Impressed by such integrity at a young age, Yang Chuhao predicted the boy would grow up to be a formidable figure. In the present, Xie Huaian meets with Ye Zheng to finalize their plans.
Ye Zheng reports that the "book boy," Xiao Wenjing, has been hiding in the Cangshui River. While Wenjing was initially desperate to stop Xie from leaving for the capital, he is now prepared for his own role in the mission. Nearby, they observe Su, one of Yang Chuhao's servants, pining after Ye Zheng’s junior sister, Xiaoqing.
Xie Huaian humorously suggests that the way to the girl's heart is through her appetite for sweets, while Ye Zheng remains skeptical of the servant's chances. Meanwhile, Yan Fengshan pays a visit to Yang Chuhao. Both "old foxes" understand the stakes; Yan subtly warns Yang to choose his side carefully, revealing he knows Xie Huaian has already reached out to him. For Yang Chuhao, the pressure is immense.
He knows that serving Yan Fengshan is as dangerous as accompanying a tiger. He thinks of his friend "Lao Sha" from the Liu faction whom he has sheltered, realizing his own sentimentality might be his undoing. Haunted by his choices, Yang Chuhao tosses a coin to decide his future: heads to enjoy a life of wealth, or tails to repay his old debts. When the coin lands on tails, his decision is made.
In the seclusion of the Cangshui River, Xiao Wenjing prepares to depart for the Capital. He diligently cares for the unconscious Xiao Wuyang, feeding him medicine and tucking him in. Xiao Wenjing is torn between calling the man his brother or his Emperor, but with a mission that offers no guarantee of return, he speaks his heart.
He promises that if he survives, he will continue to care for Wuyang; if he falls, his death will be a valiant sacrifice for the realm that brings no shame to the Xiao name. Shortly after Xiao Wenjing leaves, Xiao Wuyang slowly opens his eyes, finally regaining consciousness. Before heading to the Capital, Xiao Wenjing visits a salt shop to bid farewell to the owner.
He recently discovered the man is the father of Zhang Mo, a friend whom Xiao Wenjing murdered years ago out of a fit of jealous rage. Kneeling in repentance, Wenjing offers a new robe to replace the old man's patched clothes, only to realize the owner has known his identity all along.
The father explains that he had tracked Xiao Wenjing for a long time seeking revenge, but after seeing Wenjing’s genuine care for the sick and the heavy burden of his mission, he found himself unable to strike—especially since Wenjing bears a striking resemblance to his late son. Urging him to live an honest life and keep a "light of hope" in his heart, the old man sends him off with provisions for the journey.
Xie Huaian meets Yang Chuhao again to discuss the Tiemo secret envoy, Wuyin. Xie has deduced Yan Fengshan’s plan: the General intends to trade Xiao Wuyang’s northern fief to the Tiemo people in exchange for military support against the Baiwenhu Army. Xie intends to intercept Wuyin before the official negotiation begins. Despite having no martial arts skills, Xie insists on entering the fray personally, claiming his life is "hard" enough to survive until his vengeance is complete.
As Wuyin’s carriage enters the city, a chaotic ambush orchestrated by Ye Zheng allows the envoy to flee into a secluded alleyway. Wuyin encounters Xie Huaian, who is disguised as a street vendor. Xie identifies him as a Tiemo noble by the meteor iron pendant from the altar of Mount Shiluoman around his neck. Warning him that Tiemo people are currently unwelcome in the Capital, Xie offers him shelter.
Suddenly, Yang Chuhao appears and knocks Xie Huaian unconscious with a brick. Yang deceives Wuyin, claiming Xie is a wanted criminal working with the group that attacked the carriage. To ensure they stay together, Xie has shackled his own arm to Wuyin’s leg. When Wuyin attempts to kill him, Yang Chuhao intervenes, stating that Yan Fengshan wants the prisoner alive. Xie Huaian is bound and delivered to the General.
Later, Ye Zheng finds a letter left by Xie, explaining that this was a calculated sacrifice to clear Yang Chuhao’s debts and distract Yan Fengshan. While the General is occupied with his high-profile prisoner, the real negotiator—Xiao Wenjing—is already on his way to meet the envoy. Xie Huaian, finally facing his enemy, looks forward to the confrontation he has anticipated his entire life.
Episode 18 Recap
Under the shroud of a long, restless night, the crippled Chancellor Gao maneuvered his small wooden cart to Gu Yu’s secret hiding place. They spoke in low voices; Gu Yu expressed his deep gratitude for the steamed buns Gao had provided to sustain him over the past month, while Gao confessed his remorse for his past distrust of the general during the transition of power. Realizing Gu Yu’s unwavering loyalty, Gao declared that their old grievances were finally settled.
As midnight passed, Gao prepared a final, fatal distraction. He allowed Gu Yu to escape the palace using his cart and clothes, while Gao himself crawled toward the dragon throne, drawing a hail of arrows and sacrificing his life to ensure the general's freedom. In the Huben Army quarters, the Tiemo secret envoy, Wuyin Chong, was ambushed in his room by a masked man wielding an axe.
The intruder was Xiao Wenjing, who revealed his face to the envoy’s absolute shock. Long believed to have died in a palace fire, the former prince stood before him, now cold and calculating. Xiao Wenjing warned that any pact with the traitor Yan Fengshan was void because the Xiao imperial line still endured. To prove his authority, Xiao Wenjing led Wuyin Chong to a meeting with Gu Yu.
The general warned the envoy that a second upheaval was coming to the Capital. He made it clear that while they aimed to destroy Yan Fengshan, the Tiemo forces would also be eradicated if they continued to support the traitor. Impressed by the strategic brilliance of Xie Huaian, who had orchestrated the entire encounter, Wuyin Chong remarked that the night's complexity made him fall in love with the city all over again.
Meanwhile, Yan Fengshan moved the captive Xie Huaian to the residence where Xie's late sister, Bai Guan, once lived. Xie awoke to find himself surrounded by memories of her. A maid named Zhiying, acting on Yan’s orders to treat Xie as a guest, brought him water. However, the atmosphere turned frigid when Xie questioned her role in his sister’s death.
When Zhiying admitted her involvement, recalling how she once mocked Xie's seven years of sacrifice as a ferryman to protect Bai Guan, Xie declared with icy resolve that everyone involved—including her—was destined to die. By morning, Wuyin Chong sent word to Yan Fengshan that their agreement was shelved as it no longer served Tiemo’s interests. However, he promised that the Tiemo forces currently facing Gu Yu’s Baiwenhu Army would maintain their positions.
Yan Fengshan immediately realized someone had reached the envoy during the night. His suspicions grew when he witnessed the head eunuch pouring a cup of wine to mourn Chancellor Gao at his favorite spot. From the eunuch’s unintentional reaction, Yan deduced that Gu Yu had been hiding in the sewers directly beneath the palace for an entire month. Though Yan admitted he had lost this particular round, he remained confident because he still held Xie Huaian.
Later, Yan Fengshan visited Xie Huaian, who was now refreshed and dressed in new clothes. They shared a rare Tiemo treat, a bitter root Yan had chewed during his years as a scout. They discussed how the price of the snack had risen due to the military standoff and the lack of merchants. Yan lamented that Xie had systematically eliminated almost all of his elite allies—including Wei Qianting, Liu Ziyan, and Wang Pu—leaving him only with Zhiying.
When Yan asked if Xie intended to kill her as well, Xie confirmed that no enemy would meet a peaceful end on his path of revenge, and that included Yan himself. When Yan questioned why Xie spared Yang Chuhao, Xie replied that Yang’s initial choice to be a bystander was not a capital offense. Yan then mentioned a clever young accountant named Su working for Yang, noting that the boy had a mysterious "story" and strongly reminded him of Xie Huaian himself.
Episode 19 Recap
Yan Fengshan questioned Xie Huaian on why he had spared Yang Chuhao, the man who had once betrayed Xie's father. Xie Huaian explained that Yang had merely been a neutral bystander and did not deserve to die; he had intended for the man to live out his remaining years in safety. However, Yan Fengshan could not tolerate any form of betrayal. Unbeknownst to Xie, Yan had already compromised Yang’s most trusted companion, a young man named Su Changlin.
Though Su appeared to be a devoted servant, he was actually a master of disguise driven by a deep-seated vendetta. As a child, Su had seen a high-ranking official's horse trample his father to death, and that official was Yang Chuhao. Su Changlin played the part of a loyal "son" to Yang Chuhao with chilling perfection.
Before they fled the capital, Su even stopped at a local shop to buy snow-pear tonic and red beans for Xiaoqing, the girl he admired at the medical clinic. Yang Chuhao, believing he was escaping with his most faithful ally, spoke of his vast business empire and promised to increase Su's wages. He was unaware that Su was only waiting for a moment of vulnerability. While they were on the road, Su brutally murdered Yang Chuhao with a stone.
Xie Huaian was deeply shaken by the news; despite Yang’s past, he was a man Xie had known since childhood, someone who had run a dumpling shop where Xie often ate. Xie had risked his own life to help Yang escape, never imagining that Yan Fengshan had planted a spy so close. Meanwhile, Gu Yu prepared to leave for the north to rally the Baiwenhu Army.
He knew the remnants of Yan's forces in the capital remained a threat and intended to retake the city to ensure the dynasty's future. Xiao Wenjing and Ye Zheng supported this mission, though they were concerned that Xie Huaian had left them no specific strategy before falling into Yan Fengshan’s hands. Late that night, Ye Zheng discovered a food box containing sweets left at the clinic door for his junior sister, Xiaoqing.
Recalling that Su Changlin had feelings for her, Ye Zheng realized it was suspicious for Su to be in the capital while his master was supposedly fleeing. Driven by suspicion, Ye Zheng followed Su Changlin into the night. Although Ye Zheng was a master of the sword, Su Changlin proved to be a lethal opponent. Following a fierce struggle, Su returned to Yan Fengshan’s side, his clothes stained with blood.
He presented Ye Zheng’s sword as a trophy of his merit, claiming that the man’s body would be found in the streets before dawn. Xie Huaian picked up his friend’s weapon, overwhelmed by silent agony. To distract Yan Fengshan and mask his intentions, Xie spoke of how he frequently saw visions of his deceased sister, Bai Guan.
He claimed that when one is truly heartbroken, the dead appear by their side, and he asked Yan if he ever saw his own adopted son, Wang Pu. Wang Pu had been raised by Yan for twenty-five years before dying right in front of him, and Xie suggested that Yan’s urge to kill would eventually turn him into a madman.
Believing that Xie Huaian was now a broken and delusional man, Yan Fengshan relaxed his guard and allowed him to leave for his ancestral home to die. After Xie departed, Yan caught sight of a figure in the courtyard that looked exactly like Wang Pu. Consumed by the memory of the boy he had raised and his own growing madness, Yan followed the shadow, thinking he was finally experiencing the same visions Xie had described.
He approached the figure with a sense of longing and joy, but as he embraced the man, he was stabbed repeatedly in his vital organs. As he collapsed, Yan Fengshan realized with horror that the person before him was not a ghost or a hallucination, but a real assassin who had used his grief to get close enough to strike.
Episode 20 Recap
Yan Fengshan staggered back into the courtyard, clutching his wounds as his lifeblood ebbed away. The figure he believed to be his adopted son, Wang Pu, reached up and peeled away a lifelike mask, revealing the cold deception that had finally snared him. Standing before him was Xie Huaian, looking down with icy indifference. Recognizing his defeat, Yan Fengshan admitted that Xie Huaian’s strategic mind had far surpassed that of his father, Liu Ziwen.
They spoke of the tragedy fifteen years prior; Liu Ziwen had known of the impending rebellion but died because he believed a disciple would never be so heartless as to slaughter his own master’s family. Xie Huaian, however, had long since abandoned such mercy, telling the dying general that he would let him die slowly so the agony would linger. With Yan Fengshan’s severed head in hand, Xie Huaian confronted the regional armies stationed outside the city.
These commanders, who had been acting as fence-sitters to see who would emerge victorious, realized the rebellion had collapsed. Xie Huaian, acting with the authority granted by the throne, promised that if they laid down their weapons and ended the siege, their past transgressions would be forgiven. Meanwhile, Xiao Wenjing felt a profound sense of liberation upon hearing the news. After years of hiding like a rat in the shadows and suppressing his every move, his greatest enemy was gone.
He asked for a moment of solitude to process this freedom, even as soldiers arrived with news regarding the fate of Ye Zheng. Inside the silent imperial palace, the young orphan who had played the part of a fake emperor for days sat on the floor, surrounded by a sea of lit candles. Knowing his time was short, the boy was lighting the lamps for himself, fearing he would get lost in the dark of the afterlife.
Xie Huaian found the child and showed him unexpected gentleness. Recognizing the boy was a mere pawn used by the rebels, Xie promised that once the true emperor returned and the turmoil subsided, he would find the boy a place where no one knew his face, allowing him to live out his days in peace. At Yulong Ridge, the true architect of the chaos finally emerged.
The King of Tiemo, who had been orchestrating events from a prison-like seclusion for thirty years, calculated that with Yan Fengshan dead and the regional armies withdrawn, the Central Plains were at their weakest. As he played the flute, transitioning from a tune of parting to the mournful "White Bone Ballad," he spoke of the harshness of the Tiemo lands where children rarely survived the winter. His invasion was a desperate gamble to seize fertile land at any cost.
He revealed that Tiemo sleeper agents had lived as ordinary citizens in Chang'an for two decades, blending in as tailors and weavers, and were now ready to return to their predatory nature at the sound of his music. Xie Huaian soon encountered his mentor, Uncle Long, on the streets of the capital.
Seeing the man leading Tiemo horses and noticing his hidden foreign habits, Xie realized that Long had been a deep-cover agent all along, having masterminded the creation of the masks used in the counterattack. During a carriage ride to meet the Tiemo King, Long admitted his people were involved in the murder of Xie’s father to pave the way for Yan Fengshan's rise.
Xie also discovered the truth behind Xiao Wuyang’s disappearance; the "King of Death" had actually awakened earlier than anyone knew but kept it secret because he realized Long was controlling his recovery. Recognizing he was being led into a trap, Xie Huaian used a hidden smoke screen to incapacitate Long and escaped into the night. Meanwhile, Gu Yu’s journey to find the Baiwenhu Army ended in capture.
The Tiemo King had him bound and slowly bled him out while transporting him across the country, finally dumping the weakened general at the threshold of a house where Bai Guan once lived. Despite his extreme frailty, Gu Yu remained defiant, telling the King that the people of Chang'an would never submit. He even managed to fire a hidden weapon from his sleeve, though the King dodged it with ease.
Back in the city, Xie Huaian navigated the empty streets with caution. He was lured into a shop by an owner who acted with forced familiarity, only to find the man brandishing a blade. Identifying him as a Tiemo agent, Xie Huaian subdued him and demanded to be taken to the King, knowing the final battle for the city had just begun.
Episode 21 Recap
Surrounded by Tiemo forces on the mountain paths, General Gu Yu ordered Wumei to take the surviving Baiwenhu troops and break through the encirclement to deliver a critical military command. Gu Yu stayed behind to see through Xie Huaian’s plan, eventually facing the King of Tiemo. When Xie Huaian arrived with a Tiemo operative held hostage to negotiate for Gu Yu's life, the King showed no mercy.
Gu Yu, attempting to protect Xie, lunged at the King with his final strength, only to have his throat slashed. In a rage, Xie Huaian executed his hostage before escaping into the shadows. Despite their enmity, the King of Tiemo respected Gu Yu as a legendary general on par with Liu Ziwen and ordered a grand burial on a high hill.
Devastated by his friend’s death, Xie Huaian realized that the mastermind behind the chaos—and the man who had orchestrated his father's death—was his own former mentor, Zhu Zhiguang. Shaken by the discovery that the man who raised him was a Tiemo infiltrator, Xie hid away to vent his anguish before steeling himself for the next phase of his plan. Meanwhile, the King of Tiemo established a base in the study of the merchant Yang Chuhao.
Zhu Zhiguang sought punishment for losing Xie Huaian, but the King pardoned him, noting that Xie possessed a fierce spirit similar to their own warriors. They focused their attention on a recovered travelogue by Cen Weizong. The King revealed that the book, once used by a street vendor to prop up a table leg, contained records of every strategic pass between the two nations—a tool the Tiemo intended to use for their final conquest.
The burial of Gu Yu did not go as the King ordered. An old man assigned to the task, whose four sons had been killed by the Baiwenhu Army, attempted to mutilate the corpse to satisfy his vengeance. Xie Huaian, who had been tailing them, killed the man and personally carried Gu Yu to a sunny spot to lay him to rest. As he prepared the grave, he was confronted by Huben soldiers seeking to avenge Yan Fengshan.
Xie Huaian did not flee; instead, he retrieved a hidden message tube from Gu Yu’s clothing—the true signal the general had died to protect. Xie Huaian reminded the soldiers that the Huben and Baiwenhu had once been brothers-in-arms against the Tiemo. He proposed a truce, suggesting that if they still wished for his life, they should wait until the Tiemo were driven from the border.
Moved by his words and the general's sacrifice, the soldiers spared him for the time being. Back in the capital, Ye Zheng awoke at the Taiyiji Clinic after being saved by a mysterious masked figure. Xiao Wenjing and Xiaoqing had been caring for him throughout his recovery. Ye Zheng was stunned to learn that Yan Fengshan was dead.
For Xiao Wenjing, the former Emperor, the news brought a profound sense of liberation; after a lifetime spent in the general's shadow, he felt truly free. However, the peace was short-lived as the Tiemo offensive intensified, causing the capital's defenses to crumble. Following Xie Huaian’s previous instructions, Ye Zheng prepared to smuggle Xiao Wenjing out of Chang'an to find safety with old friends in Huainan.
As Xiao Wenjing prepared to depart, he lamented that although he once owned the entire capital, he was now leaving with nothing. Xiaoqing gave him a warm winter coat she had originally made for her master, and Ye Zheng reassured him that he was carrying something far more valuable: the genuine concern of his friends. After the carriage departed, Ye Zheng grew suspicious of unfamiliar faces appearing near the clinic.
Realizing Xiao Wenjing might be a target, he decided to follow in secret to ensure his safe passage. Meanwhile, Xiaoqing sought out Su Changlin, the man she believed was responsible for harming her senior brother, Ye Zheng. She tracked him to a dessert stall that had replaced an old noodle shop. Su Changlin revealed his true identity as a Tiemo operative and admitted he had lured her there.
He recounted a story from his youth about a starving boy who had eaten a bowl of noodles and fled in tears—a boy Xiaoqing realized she had seen years ago at that very location. Despite this shared memory, Su Changlin showed no mercy. He stabbed Xiaoqing, intending to use her and Ye Zheng as leverage to control Xie Huaian. As Ye Zheng attempted to intervene, he found himself blocked by his own master, Zhu Zhiguang, who warned him to return to the clinic if he valued his life.
Episode 22 Recap
As Ye Zheng moved to protect Xiao Wenjing from a group of assassins, he reached for his blade, but his mentor, Zhu Zhilong, blocked his path. Zhu issued a cold warning: if Ye Zheng wanted to survive, he had to stand down. Ye Zheng was devastated to realize that the man he had long regarded as a father was shielding the enemy.
Zhu Zhilong revealed his true identity as a Tiemo operative, explaining that the Tiemo forces were already infiltrating Chang'an and his loyalty belonged solely to them. He mentioned that the memory of his own children, who died years ago in the freezing lands of Tiemo, fueled his decades of service. When Ye Zheng questioned his cruelty toward his pupils, Zhu dismissed the lives of his two adopted orphans as insignificant compared to the glory of the Tiemo cause.
Su Changlin soon arrived on horseback with Xiaoqing, who was unconscious and bleeding out from a back wound. Ye Zheng realized that further resistance would only lead to both their deaths, so he complied when Zhu ordered him to take her back to the Taiyiji Clinic. Zhu Zhilong made it clear that Ye Zheng and Xiaoqing were merely bait to lure out Xie Huaian. Back at the clinic, Ye Zheng spent an agonizing night tending to Xiaoqing’s wounds.
He promised her that once she recovered, he would help her take revenge on Su Changlin. However, Xiaoqing was consumed by despair, questioning if their hearts could ever heal after being betrayed by the master who raised them. Meanwhile, the King of Tiemo held Xiao Wenjing captive. The young prince was shocked to recognize the king as his former teacher from the Imperial Academy, Wu Zhongheng.
The King of Tiemo boasted about his twenty-year infiltration, during which he had befriended powerful elites like Liu Ziwen, General Yan Fengshan, and the State Preceptor Cen Weizong. He mocked Xiao Wenjing’s reputation for cowardice but noted that this very trait made him the perfect puppet for those seeking the throne.
He compared the prince to the late Gu Yu, remarking that brave men who lead from the front are always the first to fall, whereas a coward’s timidity is a unique survival skill. He also revealed that Zhu Zhilong’s presence meant Xie Huaian’s internal defenses had long been compromised. Xie Huaian eventually regained consciousness in his late sister's former residence. Chen Zhiying explained that her people had found him collapsed at Gu Yu’s grave and brought him back.
Having slept for four days, Xie Huaian was struck by the gravity of the situation; with Gu Yu dead, the Baiwenhu Army was in danger of collapsing, and the Tiemo forces were advancing rapidly toward Chang'an. Chen Zhiying offered her support in the fight against the invaders. Xie Huaian then entrusted her with the vital battle report that Gu Yu had died to protect, hiding it within his own body.
He admitted he had no one else to trust with the scroll, which held the key to the empire's survival. Zhiying accepted the mission, vowing to deliver the intelligence to the front lines. Before departing, Xie Huaian returned to his family's old estate. In the silence of the ruins, he saw a vision of his late father, who encouraged him to shake off his exhaustion.
His father reminded him that while his personal vendetta against Yan Fengshan was satisfied, his duty to protect Chang'an from the Tiemo remained. Xie Huaian finally removed the red ribbon he had worn as a symbol of his vengeance, signaling that his private debt was paid. He decided his only path forward was to seek out the Tiemo himself, acting as bait to protect his friends and find an opportunity to deal with the primary Tiemo threat.
Across the city, the King of Tiemo visited a noodle shop run by an old man named Sha. As he ate, Su Changlin arrived to report that Xie Huaian’s friends were under surveillance and trapped. The King ordered Su Changlin to focus on finding Xiao Wuyang, noting that once he was eliminated, the city's defenses would crumble. Su Changlin’s attempt to compare himself to the late Yan Fengshan was met with biting contempt from the shopkeeper.
Sha openly mocked Su Changlin for being worse than a beast for brutally killing the benefactor who had raised him. Ignoring the tension, the King asked Sha to pass a message to his old friend, Cen Weizong (known as Cen Pickles), announcing his arrival in Chang'an. Later, Xie Huaian arrived at the residence where the King of Tiemo was staying—the former home of Yang Chuhao. He found the King sunning a collection of rare books in the courtyard.
The King recalled a question he had once asked Xie Huaian at the academy regarding his future ambitions. Xie Huaian remembered his own answer: in times of peace, he would serve a wise ruler, but in times of chaos, he would eliminate all enemies. Standing before the King unarmed, Xie Huaian stated he was there to trade his life for the safety of his friends. The King remained cautious, acknowledging that Xie Huaian’s intellect and his understanding of his opponents made him far more dangerous than any man with a sword.
Episode 23 Recap
Determined to expel the Tiemo invaders, Xie Huaian sought out their leader, Wu Zhongheng. Recognizing Xie’s strategic brilliance, Wu hoped to use him to track down the elusive Xiao Wuyang. To intimidate Xie, Wu recounted the cold-blooded path he took to become King. Years ago, Tiemo forces captured a female Huben guard. They hung her from a pole for seven days as bait. While her comrades eventually gave up, one man—Wu—remained patient.
He approached the dying woman, pretending to be a savior and offering her water. Believing he was an ally, she whispered her secrets. Wu then callously hung her back up to die. Using her intelligence, he trapped a hundred Huben elites in a granary in Chen Valley, earning his crown.
Wu noted with pride that Yan Fengshan was the only one to escape that trap, a move that eventually led to the death of Xie’s father, Liu Ziwen, and delayed the Tiemo's plans for fifteen years. As Wu speculated whether the doomed woman was Xie’s mother, Xie’s knuckles turned white with suppressed rage. He claimed his mother was safe in Jiangnan and that he would see her once his task was finished.
Wu then laid out his terms: the lives of Xie's friends and the deposed emperor depended on the death of Xiao Wuyang. Since Xie had already orchestrated the downfall of Yan Fengshan, Wu believed he was the only one capable of eliminating the "King of Death." Xie accepted, demanding his friends be freed once the deed was done.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wuyang had been hiding in Cangshui River for six days, taking refuge in a salt shop owned by Old Sha, a man who once served in the Liu residence. Anticipating the coming struggle, Xiao began hiding swords throughout the area. He sought out a local debt collector named Lu Xiaobing—a man with a ruthless reputation but a sharp mind.
Xiao borrowed money from several counting houses using the "nine out, thirteen back" system, only to hand the funds to Lu as a bounty. He tasked Lu with being his eyes and ears, providing a portrait of Xie Huaian and a specific pair of boots for Lu to wear so that Xie would recognize him. Deep within the subterranean tunnels, Xiao and the old shopkeeper discussed the shifting political tides.
While Old Sha worried for Xie Huaian, still viewing him as the "White Head" child he once knew, Xiao held no such illusions, knowing Xie was perhaps the most dangerous man in the empire. However, the lack of messages from Xie troubled him. He knew that if Xie was late, the situation in the Capital had turned dire, and meeting him would not be simple. Under the watchful eyes of the Tiemo warrior Su Changlin, Xie Huaian entered Cangshui River.
Su conducted a thorough search of Xie before allowing him to proceed. Along the way, Xie cryptically warned Su that he would not live to see the "summit," a threat the warrior dismissed. Upon entering the crowded streets, Xie spotted Lu Xiaobing wearing the boots Xiao Wuyang had provided. He discreetly left a red umbrella near the debt collector as a signal. Lu Xiaobing delivered the umbrella to Xiao Wuyang, who discovered a hidden note within the umbrella ribs.
The instructions were clear: the Tiemo king had arrived, and Xie had provided a method to confront him. Armed and ready, Xiao Wuyang emerged from his hiding spot, cutting through the Tiemo soldiers with lethal precision. Even Lu Xiaobing, recognizing the weight of the moment, joined the fight. As the skirmish intensified, Wu Zhongheng finally stepped forward, ready for the final confrontation Xie Huaian had carefully baited.
Episode 24 Recap
Xiao Wuyang successfully baited the Tiemo King, Wu Zhongheng, into a fierce duel at Cangshui River. Although Xiao Wuyang’s youth gave him a slight advantage, the battle ended with both men severely wounded and exhausted. As Wu Zhongheng attempted to flee, Xie Huaian pursued him, intent on revenge. However, Tiemo reinforcements arrived, forcing Xie Huaian to temporarily retreat into the shadows to preserve his strength. \n\nNearby, Lu Xiaobing moved to support Xiao Wuyang.
Recalculating his debt, Lu Xiaobing noted that of the four liang of gold he was paid, he had earned one for errands and two for killing Tiemo soldiers. Xiao Wuyang instructed him to use the final liang to protect the shopkeeper who had once sheltered him, as the man’s safety was his only remaining concern. \n\nAs Xiao Wuyang continued to fight off Tiemo assassins, his brother, Xiao Wenjing, suddenly appeared.
Recalling how Wenjing had cared for him during his recovery, Wuyang instinctively lowered his guard. Seizing this moment of trust, Wenjing plunged a blade into Wuyang’s abdomen. The betrayal was the result of Wu Zhongheng’s manipulation. While Wenjing was held captive, the King had shown him military reports of the Tiemo’s unstoppable advance—claiming they were only 1,300 li from Chang'an and that the Baiwenhu Army was in chaos following Gu Yu’s death.
Wu Zhongheng convinced the weak-willed Wenjing that the only way to "save" the realm was to serve as a puppet emperor. Wu Zhongheng admitted he chose Wenjing specifically because he was soft and easily controlled, unlike the defiant Xiao Wuyang. \n\nDespite being stabbed twice and losing his strength, Xiao Wuyang did not retaliate. Instead, he placed a hand on Wenjing’s shoulder, encouraging him to stand tall and protect the people of Chang'an.
He assured his brother that he had never coveted the throne and was willing to let it return to its rightful heir. Taking advantage of this emotional moment, Wu Zhongheng struck and blinded Xiao Wuyang. Wenjing broke down in tears, screaming that they had a deal to spare his brother’s life, but the King ignored his pleas and ordered the guards to drag the blinded prince away.
\n\nMeanwhile, at the Taiyiji Clinic, the Senior Brother (Ye Zheng) and Junior Sister (Xiaoqing) prepared to leave. He explained that staying would only turn them into hostages, forcing Xie Huaian and Lu Xiaobing to make sacrifices they didn't want to make. Determined to forge a bloody path out, he led them into a desperate escape against the surrounding Tiemo guards.
\n\nLater, Wu Zhongheng reflected on his narrow escape from Xie Huaian, admitting that a single inch more would have ended his life. He ordered a total manhunt for Xie. Zhu Zhilong, the leader of the Cangshui River forces, suggested that Xie Huaian would eventually appear at the rice shop due to his loyalty to the shopkeeper. \n\nXiao Wenjing, now treated like a stray dog by the Tiemo, wandered back to the shop seeking comfort.
However, the shopkeeper was filled with fury, branding Wenjing a beast for betraying his own brother and siding with the enemy. He disowned Wenjing, shouting that his "son" died long ago. Left with nothing but crushing guilt, Wenjing knelt in the street, repeatedly whispering apologies. At the same time, Zhu Zhilong waited inside the shop. Through the gloom, a figure in a conical hat approached. Though no shadow was seen, a voice called out "Master," signaling Xie Huaian's arrival for their final confrontation.
Episode 25 Recap
Xie Huaian is relieved to find Ye Zheng and Xiaoqing alive after the Tiemo forces seize control. Ye Zheng explains that Xie Huaian’s prediction was accurate, allowing them to locate Zhu Zhilong. Determined to resolve their complicated bond, Ye Zheng and Xiaoqing decide to confront their master one last time.
When they meet, Zhu Zhilong immediately prepares to strike, but Ye Zheng pleads with him, asking if he can truly discard the twenty years he spent raising them and teaching them martial arts and medicine. Memories of their past life as a family surface, recalling shared meals and their master’s protective nature. Zhu Zhilong finally reveals his true identity and the source of his bitterness.
Long ago in Tiemo, his two children died from cold and starvation during a harsh winter. Driven by the desire to ensure the Tiemo people would never suffer again, he infiltrated the Central Plains as a shadow guard under Liu Ziwen. Though he initially felt he had gained a new son and daughter when he found Ye Zheng and Xiaoqing in Basong Town, his loyalty to Tiemo and the trauma of his past eventually overrode his affection for them.
When Zhu Zhilong strikes, wounding Ye Zheng in the abdomen, he is stunned to find that his disciples never intended to fight back. He learns that the rice offerings he frequently found at his children’s secret memorial tablets were left by Ye Zheng and Xiaoqing, who had discovered the cave and paid their respects out of love for him.
Xiaoqing’s tearful cry that they are his children as well shatters Zhu Zhilong's resolve, and he stumbles away in a state of deep remorse. At the riverbank, Zhu Zhilong reflects on the futility of the war. Xie Huaian appears and delivers a final piece of news: years ago, his father, Liu Ziwen, had discovered the remains of Zhu’s children in the stone hut at the foot of Wuxi Mountain and provided them with a proper burial.
Knowing his children were finally at rest, Zhu Zhilong commits suicide to join them. Meanwhile, Xiaobing and his sister Xiaoding fulfill a request from Xiao Wuyang by finding the shopkeeper, Master Zhang. They decide to escort the old man to safety in Huzhou. Xiaobing promises to cover all expenses and care for the shopkeeper like a son, believing that common folk must protect one another during this national crisis.
Xie Huaian leads Ye Zheng and Xiaoqing to Ronghua Alley to seek refuge with Cen Weizong. Living a quiet life making fermented vegetables to earn the trust of his neighbors, the former high-ranking official provides the group with porridge and security. Cen gives Xie Huaian a ledger of reliable contacts, a list that has been instrumental in keeping Xie safe since he was a child.
It is revealed that Cen Weizong was the one who saved Ye Zheng from Su Changlin in the past, and that Xie Huaian’s father had once saved Cen’s life by warning him of a military mutiny with a red ribbon. At the outskirts of the capital, a weary Xiao Wenjing arrives at the Wuyang Army camp. He presents a wooden box containing the severed arm of Xiao Wuyang, whose identity is confirmed by a distinct scar.
Acting as a messenger for the Tiemo, Xiao Wenjing warns the generals that the Tiemo army has already reached the outskirts and has shadow guards positioned within the city. He delivers the final ultimatum: if the Wuyang Army attempts to storm the city, the Emperor—Xiao Wuyang—will be killed. With a massive Tiemo force of two hundred thousand closing in, the fate of the empire hangs in the balance.
Episode 26 Recap
Cen Weizong spent the early morning arranging for a young boy to be smuggled out of Chang'an. As they prepared to part, the boy was consumed by guilt for the innocent lives lost because of his past actions. Cen comforted him, explaining that the victims had already forgiven him and urging him to see the vast world rather than dwelling on death at such a young age.
With a travel pass and a group of Cen’s trusted old friends as an escort, the boy was sent away to seek a new life beyond the city walls. As the sun rose, the citizens of Chang’an discovered their world had changed overnight. Tiemo soldiers now occupied the city gates, declaring total martial law.
The primary exits were sealed, and people were informed that the only way to move in or out of the capital was through the distant Yanping Gate. Helpless and unarmed, the common folk could only watch in fear as the invaders took control of their streets. Among the crowd was Xiao Wenjing, wandering aimlessly in despair like a stray dog. He was being closely monitored by Tiemo scouts.
Old Sha, the owner of a noodle stall, spotted him and called him over, pretending to solicit a customer. Although Xiao Wenjing claimed to have no money or appetite, Sha pulled him aside and served him a bowl of fried rice. Xiao Wenjing immediately recognized the dish as Xie Huaian’s handiwork. Sha whispered that Xie Huaian was back and that he must stay strong.
This realization provided a spark of hope; if Xie Huaian was active, there was still a chance to save his brother, Xiao Wuyang, and help reclaim the city. Xie Huaian eventually left Cen Weizong’s residence with Xiaoqing to begin the next phase of his plan. They first visited a pottery shop where Xie left a damaged pot to be mended, specifically instructing the owner to have it ready by the Shen hour the following day.
Afterward, they headed to a physician's hall to find a woman named Yi Zhihu. Known to have saved Ye Zheng’s life in the past, Yi Zhihu led Xie into a hidden room. Inside the chamber, Xie Huaian met with a contact to finalize their strike against the Tiemo forces. Xie revealed that he had already mobilized elite troops from five major garrisons.
Using a secret order, these soldiers had been quietly infiltrated into various corners of Chang'an, waiting for the signal to act. Xie declared his intent to wipe out every invader in one coordinated strike, promising that a "wind" would rise the following afternoon. In the Tiemo camp, Wu Zhongheng, now the Tiemo King, remained wary despite his occupation of the city.
His scouts reported the interaction between Xiao Wenjing and Old Sha, noting that the shopkeeper had been gauging the number of spies following the prince. Wu Zhongheng realized that Xie Huaian had likely returned and reconnected with Cen Weizong. He began to sense that a major move was being prepared against him. At the Huben Army camp, a general reported to Commander Xiang Xuehuai that entire squads of soldiers had been vanishing for five days.
Xiang Xuehuai remained calm as he spoke with Ye Zheng. He explained that these "disappearances" were part of Xie Huaian’s grand strategy. The soldiers were already embedded in the capital, and Ye Zheng had been coordinating with regional governors to join the cause. Back at Cen Weizong’s courtyard, a group of neighbors armed with axes arrived, treating the house like a communal granary. Cen welcomed them, sharing his supplies freely as they discussed the dire situation.
He joked with Xie Huaian about their nicknames, like "Gourd Chicken" and "Boiled Lamb," but the underlying mood was grim. Xie observed that when food runs out, a people's world collapses, strengthening his resolve to end the occupation. Xiao Wenjing was eventually confined by the Tiemo and presented with a humiliating peace treaty.
The terms were devastating: ceding all land north of the North Office and paying a staggering annual tribute of 250,000 taels of gold and silver each, 100,000 horses, 300,000 pieces of silk, and 900,000 dan of grain. Xiao Wenjing, having finally understood the value of a single meal after his time on the streets, was horrified. He realized these terms would turn the nation into slaves and livestock.
He defiantly told the Tiemo that if these were the conditions, they should simply attack, for the people of Chang'an would rather perish in a final stand than accept such a life. As the critical hour approached, Xie Huaian sat alone in the courtyard, sharpening Ye Zheng’s blade. When Ye Zheng approached him, he noticed that Xie’s hair had turned completely white once more, a sign of the immense burden he carried.
Xie revealed that he would personally rescue Xiao Wenjing—whom he referred to as the "Book Boy"—during the imperial procession to the palace, acting as a decoy to divert Tiemo's attention. He instructed Ye Zheng to remain at his designated post to ensure the Shen-hour plan succeeded. Despite Ye Zheng’s protests that this was a suicide mission, Xie remained firm, stating that a life for a life was a price he was willing to pay.
He told his friend to find Zhaolu once the invaders were driven out. Determined to meet his fate just as he had entered the world—white-haired and without regrets—Xie Huaian prepared for the final battle.
Episode 27 Recap
Twenty years ago, Wu Zhongheng and Cen Weizong, known as Cen Pickles, were Tiemo allies who shared an ambitious dream. Inspired by the incredible resilience of "Huben" shadow guards sent by Chang'an’s Liu Ziwen, Wu proposed training their own spies to infiltrate the Capital. Cen agreed to the plan, moving to the Capital to live incognito. The two men made a pact never to acknowledge each other in public until the day Tiemo achieved total victory.
In the present, Xie Huaian intentionally leaves a trail of clues for the Tiemo forces, baiting Wu Zhongheng into a move. Recognizing that Wu is using the imprisoned Xiao Wenjing as a pawn to force his hand, Xie prepares for a final, desperate confrontation. After a grueling night of contemplation that turns his hair completely white, Xie sharpens Ye Zheng’s blade and instructs him to intervene at a precise moment before heading out alone.
Xie Huaian waits on a deserted street, having rented a stool from a local vendor. When the carriage carrying the shackled Xiao Wenjing arrives, the young prince desperately screams for Xie to flee. However, Xie remains calm, successfully negotiating an exchange: his own life for Xiao Wenjing's freedom.
During a poignant farewell, Xie urges the prince to use his experiences with suffering to become a compassionate Emperor, promising that once the war ends, he will return to serve as the Emperor’s pageboy. With Xiao Wenjing safely sent out of the city, Xie Huaian is taken into custody and brought to a kitchen where Wu Zhongheng and Cen Weizong are preparing lamb.
As they struggle to light a damp stove, Wu reminisces about their childhood as slave children used as human bait for wolves. He confesses that his early hunger for survival transformed into an insatiable desire to conquer the world and become the very master he once hated. In a shocking display of loyalty, Cen Weizong suddenly plunges a blade into Xie Huaian’s chest, and Wu follows up with a second strike to ensure the scholar is dead.
Believing his greatest enemy is gone, Wu Zhongheng trusts Cen implicitly. Cen lures him to an abandoned warehouse, maintaining his mundane cover by mentioning his "neighbors"—using the names of friends who died decades ago. Once Wu enters, Cen quickly locks the door from the outside. He reveals that his entire life in the Capital was a calculated ruse designed to exploit Wu’s psychological vulnerabilities. As Wu realizes he has been trapped, a hooded assassin appears on the warehouse stairs to finish what started twenty years ago.
Episode 28 (Ending) Recap
The night before the final confrontation, Xie Huaian finalized his grand strategy, leaving a detailed letter for the pottery shop owner and physician, Yi Zhihu. His plan was a masterclass in deception: he used his own life as bait to rescue Xiao Wenjing and allowed Cen Weizong to infiltrate the enemy’s inner circle. By gaining Wu Zhongheng's trust through a staged betrayal, Cen Weizong successfully lured the King of Tiemo into a secluded granary, isolating him from his main forces.
Simultaneously, Xie Huaian orchestrated a misinformation campaign, leaking reports that the Tiemo King was trapped in Hidden Soldier Alley. Driven by desperation to save their leader, three thousand Tiemo shadow guards abandoned their covers and converged on the alley, walking directly into a lethal trap set by the Baiwenhu and Wuyang armies. Inside the granary, Wu Zhongheng found himself facing a masked assailant.
After a brutal struggle that left both men severely wounded, the mask fell away to reveal Yan Fengshan. Xie Huaian had spared Yan Fengshan’s life once before, keeping him in the granary to witness how he had been used as a pawn by Wu Zhongheng. Xie Huaian had offered Yan Fengshan a path to redemption: to find peace by eliminating the man who had orchestrated the downfall of both their families.
As they lay bleeding on the floor, Yan Fengshan looked upon a bamboo amulet he had once carved for the young Liu Li. Clinging to this symbol of his former self, he declared that his debt to Chang'an was finally paid before drawing his final breath. While the duel raged in the granary, the battle for Hidden Soldier Alley reached its climax. Xiaoqing and Ye Zheng waited for the appointed signal at the Shen hour.
As the Tiemo reinforcements arrived, they found themselves in a maze-like trap designed by Xie Huaian. Ye Zheng systematically eliminated the Tiemo centurions, collecting their command arrows to lure even more shadow guards into the "death gate" left open on the west side of the alley. The Baiwenhu Army, which had appeared to retreat earlier under Gu Yu’s command to preserve their strength, now emerged from the shadows to wipe out the exposed Tiemo forces.
Outside the city, the political landscape shifted exactly as Xie Huaian had predicted. Xiao Wenjing, protected by the Baiwenhu Army, revealed that Xie Huaian’s messengers—who were actually his own agents—had reached the four regional commanders. These commanders were given a stark choice: stand united with Chang'an against the Tiemo invasion or face an immediate attack from the Baiwenhu Army. Faced with the threat of being crushed between two forces, the commanders chose to support the capital.
Furthermore, Xie Huaian had successfully infiltrated the Tiemo intelligence network days prior, ensuring that every military report Wu Zhongheng received was a fabrication. The sound of signal flares exploding in the sky stirred the fading consciousness of Xie Huaian. Despite his grave injuries and the blade still lodged in his torso, he dragged himself to the granary to ensure Wu Zhongheng was finished. He found the King of Tiemo clinging to life, still arrogant enough to believe he could escape.
When Wu Zhongheng mocked Xie Huaian as a mere scholar whose hands were meant for tea and ink rather than swords, Xie Huaian offered a cold smile. He reminded Wu Zhongheng of a lesson from fifteen years ago at the Grand Academy. During a demonstration on making timers, Wu Zhongheng had taught his students that a room filled with flour dust was a volatile hazard.
With the granary floor covered in flour from the previous struggle, Xie Huaian used his last bit of strength to pull the broken arrow from his own body and strike a spark against a wooden beam. He declared that even with a broken body, his victory over the King of Tiemo was absolute. The resulting massive explosion consumed the granary, ending the Tiemo threat forever. In the aftermath, peace returned to the streets of Chang'an.
Though Xiaoqing, Ye Zheng, and Xiao Wenjing searched for him, Xie Huaian was gone. He had achieved the peace he sought for the empire, fulfilling a life dedicated to the protection of Chang'an, regardless of the sacrifice.
