Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy Episode 49 Recap
> Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy Recap
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Muyun De advised Muyun Sheng to consider a grander vision for Kyushu. He noted that while humanity controlled the richest territories, the five other tribes relentlessly coveted them. Muyun De proposed harnessing powerful wisdom to unite all six tribes and expand Kyushu's dominion.
He argued that in a world governed by survival of the fittest, one must eliminate the weak and strengthen the powerful, asserting that only by instilling fear in the populace could they be compelled to act and differentiate between the strong and the weak. Muyun De also suggested Muyun Sheng use the alluring power of the 'Mei' to gather the six tribes, making them the true masters of Kyushu.
Muyun Sheng questioned why, if he were to kill some, he should also conquer and utilize others. Muyun De, kneeling, reiterated his fervent hope for Muyun Sheng to become the Emperor of Kyushu and pledged all his strength to help him achieve this. That night, Muyun Sheng completed the final stroke on a painting of an ink dragon, adding red cinnabar to its eyes.
In his sleep, he entered the world within the painting, surrounded by a swirling, inky darkness, where a red-eyed ink dragon manifested behind him. Startled awake, he found the dragon had vanished from the screen. Hearing the commotion, Yu Xinji entered, inquiring if Muyun Sheng had a nightmare. However, Muyun Sheng discerned Yu Xinji's true thoughts: fear and curiosity about Muyun Sheng's earlier conversation with Muyun De.
Yu Xinji was terrified by this revelation, staring at Muyun Sheng before hastily retreating. Observing Yu Xinji's panicked departure, Muyun Sheng realized how frightening it was for one's thoughts to be known. The illusion of Pan Xi then appeared, asking if Muyun Sheng had been afraid of her back then. Muyun Sheng reached out to grasp her hand, but she vanished, revealing herself to be merely a hallucination.
Meanwhile, in Hanzhou, Shuofeng Heye and Tie Yuan discussed the matter of Sordamang and salt merchants. Tie Yuan was unconcerned, believing gold could secure Sordamang's salt, and this gold could be demanded from the Wanzhou people. He then turned to Shuofeng Heye's marriage to Tie Duo, which Shuofeng Heye declined, citing his sole focus on warfare.
He asserted that with five tribes and over seven thousand warriors, there were many good men, and Tie Duo shouldn't waste her time on him. Tie Yuan suspected Shuofeng Heye was still fixated on Jin Zhuhai, but Shuofeng Heye warned him never to mention that name again if they wished to remain brothers. However, Tie Duo, upon entering the tent with a secret report, directly stated that Shuofeng Heye's affections lay with the female general in Muyun Silver Armor.
After burning the secret report, Tie Duo informed Shuofeng Heye and Tie Yuan that Sordamang was preparing to negotiate with the Eastland people. She proposed they address this matter promptly. Shuofeng Heye was worried that Sordamang would betray them. Tie Yuan, still convinced that Sordamang could be controlled with gold, dismissed the Eastland people as difficult to deal with and believed Sordamang's negotiation attempt would fail, leading to his humiliation.
Tie Yuan planned to use this failure as an opportunity to win over the other three tribes. Shuofeng Heye, however, held a different view, believing Eastland might very well agree to Sordamang's terms. Sordamang, having allied with three tribes, was demanding not only an exemption from tribute taxes but also three years' tax revenue in gold from the End Dynasty. In the Qin Feng Hall, Muyun Qin and his ministers discussed Sordamang's demands.
The End Dynasty was strained by ongoing warfare, and princes from various regions were unwilling to contribute more taxes, making it impossible to produce such a large sum of gold. However, if Sordamang's three tribes joined the rebels, the Hanzhou rebellion would have unlimited provisions, and the war would further drain the End Dynasty's military funds. Reluctantly, Muyun Qin considered negotiation. Gu Songzhi and Minister Xue suggested selecting a prince to serve as envoy.
Muyun Qin asked for recommendations, but the hall remained silent. Suddenly, Muyun Sheng appeared behind the dragon throne and spoke up, revealing Xue Or's unspoken thoughts, causing panic among Xue Or and the other ministers, who recoiled in fright. Muyun Sheng, wanting Muyun Qin to see true human nature, then used a secret art to read minds, compelling Gu Songzhi to directly reveal his innermost thoughts.
Gu Songzhi confessed that years ago, the ministers had not truly intended for Muyun Qin to assassinate Consort Yin Rong; they were merely testing Muyun Qin to see how much he would yield to them. They believed the imperial throne was granted by the Muru ancestors, not by divine right. They exploited Muyun Qin's love for Yin Rong to gauge his limits. Similarly, the killing of Pan Xi, who shared Yin Rong's identity as a 'spirit', was another such test.
Gu Songzhi mockingly laughed at Muyun Qin for sacrificing his most beloved woman and his son's beloved for the sake of solidifying his rule. Muyun Qin, upon learning the truth, wept bitterly in the hall, consumed by profound regret. He realized that all his harsh actions, taken for the sake of his ministers and the realm, had only led to this outcome. The ministers continued to mock Muyun Qin, who then retreated from the hall in despair.
Muyun Sheng, meanwhile, grew to detest the ministers even more, vowing to make them pay. Only after regaining their composure did the ministers hastily kneel to beg for forgiveness. At Jinning Court, Muyun Qin revealed that Muyun Sheng's earlier residence there was due to Muyun Qin's immense guilt towards Yin Rong, a guilt now compounded by newfound remorse after discovering the truth. Muyun Sheng also felt deeply guilty, never imagining the truth would be so hurtful.
However, Muyun Qin refused to discuss the matter further, shutting himself alone in his chambers and even refusing to see the Empress, who had sought an audience in Yin Rong's name. Subsequently, Muyun Qin decreed that he would no longer attend court, leaving state affairs for the ministers to debate amongst themselves. At Kyushu Inn, ministers gathered to plot the downfall of the Muru family. However, they were greatly intimidated by Mu Rusu, who possessed the Heaven-Splitting Sword.
After deliberation, they unanimously decided to orchestrate Mu Rusu's defeat in Hanzhou. In Hanzhou, Muyun Han was deeply anxious upon hearing the news from Tianqi City. Mu Rusu comforted him, stating that their best course of action was to quell the Hanzhou rebellion and return to the capital triumphantly. At this moment, Muru Hanshan rushed in, reporting that all their provisions had been sunk in the Tiantuo Strait. Mu Rusu's heart grew heavy.
He led the Muru family soldiers in kneeling before the Imperial City to pay respects to the Emperor. However, Muru Hanshan, distraught over the lost provisions, vehemently refused to kneel, openly criticizing Muyun Qin for abandoning state affairs in his anger, thus placing the Muru family in peril. Back at the camp, Muru Hanshan found Mu Rusu bowing before the Heaven-Splitting Sword.
He revealed that ministers in the court had privately withheld their provisions and earnestly pleaded for Mu Rusu to withdraw his troops and return to Tianqi, arguing that retreat was now the optimal military tactic. Mu Rusu was furious at the suggestion of "withdrawal," ordering Muru Hanshan to be punished according to military law.
He declared that military tactics were about honor, and the name "Muru" was synonymous with peace for all under heaven, thus their duty was to advance bravely and quell the rebels. Muru Hanshan, after being punished, volunteered to lead a detachment of light cavalry, vowing to massacre Hanzhou tribes within three days to force out the main Hanzhou army. Mu Rusu agreed to Muru Hanshan's request and decided to lead the charge alongside him to accelerate the war.
In his tent, Muru Hanshan confided in the Heaven-Splitting Sword, believing Mu Rusu had been too cautious his entire life. He asserted that the End Dynasty was no longer what it once was, and continued endurance would only lead to their ruin.
He swore an oath before the ancestral sword that if he were to become the Grand General of Muru, he would never emulate Mu Rusu but would instead restore the Heaven-Splitting Sword to its former glory, overseeing emperors above and officials below.
