Truth or Dare Episode 27 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
He Yizhi emerged, tearfully telling his daughter, Xiao Wanzi, that he had tried everything, but Mei Shiqing refused to see him and told him to leave. Xiao Wanzi, understanding that Mei Shiqing would not forgive her in this situation, decided to leave with her father. He Yizhi protested, not wanting to burden her and acknowledging her as an adult, but Xiao Wanzi insisted they leave together.
Meanwhile, Lu Yingyao and Xiao Bao agreed to depart from Qing City to evade Nan Batian's relentless pursuit, envisioning a new life in an isolated place where they could have many children. Before leaving, Lu Yingyao insisted they bid farewell to Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi. Upon encountering a distraught Xiao Wanzi and He Yizhi, Lu Yingyao inquired about their sadness. After learning the reasons, she asked Xiao Wanzi if she truly intended to avoid Mei Shiqing.
Xiao Wanzi sadly replied that she did not wish to be the source of Mei Shiqing's pain. Later that night, Xiao Bao found Mei Shiqing drinking alone on the steps and offered to join him. He urged Mei Shiqing to confront the real killer rather than wallow in sorrow. Mei Shiqing lamented his failure to identify the person who wielded a staff to kill his mother years ago, clearly recalling an emerald embedded in the staff that struck his mother.
Instantly recognizing the description, Xiao Bao identified the killer as Nan Batian. Mei Shiqing was filled with regret for not realizing it sooner. Xiao Bao then revealed that Nan Batian had removed the emerald ten years prior to conceal his involvement, a fact known by only a few. Mei Shiqing vowed to make Nan Batian suffer, and Xiao Bao pledged his full assistance.
At Dragon Stockade, Situ warned Nan Batian that with Crazy Chen and Fan dead, Mei Shiqing would soon uncover his involvement. When Nan Batian feigned ignorance, Situ revealed that he was aware of Nan Batian's actions ten years prior. Situ emphasized the stockade's weakened state, warning that if the Mei's army attacked, it would be too late for Nan Batian to regret his current inaction.
Nan Batian admitted his desperate situation and asked Situ for advice, believing it was too late to recruit more men. Situ, however, assured him, instructing him to focus on recruitment while he personally would distract the Mei's army. Impressed by this capability, Nan Batian surmised that Situ must have powerful backing and requested an introduction to this "powerful man." Situ promised to facilitate an introduction once the immediate crisis was over.
Nan Batian immediately ordered Wu to descend the mountain and intensify recruitment efforts. Lu Yingyao questioned Xiao Bao about his decision to join Mei Shiqing in battling Nan Batian. Xiao Bao confessed that, despite Nan Batian being his adoptive father, he had always been coerced into villainy. He credited Lu Yingyao with helping him understand right from wrong, realizing he was merely a disposable tool for Nan Batian. Lu Yingyao supported his newfound path.
Xiao Bao promised that after helping Shiqing resolve the conflict, they would leave together and wander the world. Their moment was interrupted when Wu and his brothers spotted them on the street and swiftly surrounded them. Rou informed Mei Shiqing that Dragon Stockade was aggressively recruiting, a development Mei Shiqing had already considered.
Rou offered to accompany Mei Shiqing to eliminate Nan Batian, but Mei Shiqing cautioned that Nan Batian's formidable martial arts skills meant even their combined strength might be insufficient. He declared that only the Mei's army could truly contend with Dragon Stockade and resolved to persuade his father to deploy troops. Mei Shiqing expressed concern about the defensive formations surrounding the stockade, which could hinder an army's advance. Just then, Xiao Bao arrived, offering to guide them to Dragon Stockade.
When Mei Shiqing inquired about Lu Yingyao, Xiao Bao revealed that she had been overpowered by Wu and his numerous men and abducted. Mei Shiqing quickly devised a plan: he would go to his father to secure military support, while Mei Siheng and Xiao Bao would proceed to scout Dragon Stockade. He entrusted Rou with the care of Xiao Wanzi and He Yizhi, specifically asking her to tell Xiao Wanzi to wait for his return.
At Dragon Stockade, Nan Batian expressed his satisfaction with the recruitment to Situ, who confidently reiterated that the Mei's army would be diverted, leaving Qing City ripe for the taking. Wu then brought in Lu Yingyao. Nan Batian, mistaking her for Xiao Wanzi, cruelly declared he would marry her after conquering Qing City, only to then inflict endless suffering upon her. Lu Yingyao defiantly stated she would rather die, but Nan Batian asserted his control.
Situ's attention was drawn to a jade pendant on Lu Yingyao's waist, a distinctive royal accessory. He questioned her about it, but Lu Yingyao claimed it was a gift. Nan Batian dismissed this, scoffing at the idea of a street performer owning such an item. However, Situ, recalling an earlier conversation with Xiao Wanzi where she had dismissed being called a "princess" and expressed a desire to learn a trade for self-reliance, grew suspicious.
This memory solidified his belief that Lu Yingyao was the true princess, and Xiao Wanzi had assumed her identity. Mei Shiqing approached his father, Mei Changyun, who had recently recovered his eyesight, to request the dispatch of troops. He informed his father of Dragon Stockade's aggressive recruitment and their impending attack on Qing. Mei Changyun was furious at the bandits' audacity.
Mei Shiqing then revealed the devastating truth: Nan Batian, acting under Li Tianlong's orders, was responsible for his mother's murder. This news left Mei Changyun even more enraged, vowing to utterly destroy Nan Batian. Mei Shiqing argued that, both for the safety of Qing's citizens and to avenge their mother, the Mei's army had to fight.
However, Mei Changyun then presented an imperial edict, ordering him to immediately lead all his forces to reinforce Yong Province, which was reportedly in a critical state, by tomorrow morning. Mei Shiqing found this highly suspicious, noting that earlier intelligence indicated no need for reinforcements in Yong Province. He suspected the timing of the Mei army's dispatch, coinciding with Dragon Stockade's preparations, was no mere coincidence.
Mei Changyun, bound by the imperial decree, could not deploy the army against Nan Batian. Accepting this, Mei Shiqing declared he would rely on the loyal members of Felicity Tavern to protect Qing and confront Nan Batian. Rou arrived to inform Xiao Wanzi and He Yizhi that their current location was no longer safe and she intended to take them to a temple in the south of the city for refuge.
Xiao Wanzi, instantly concerned for Mei Shiqing, learned from Rou that Nan Batian was amassing forces to attack Qing City, and Mei Shiqing was leading a counter-assault on the stockade, now aware that Nan Batian was his mother's killer. Xiao Wanzi, despite knowing she and Mei Shiqing could not be together, pleaded with Rou to take her along to the battlefield, assuring her she would not be a hindrance.
He Yizhi echoed her sentiments, vowing to atone for his past sins and refusing to flee. Despite her initial hesitation to defy Mei Shiqing's instructions, Rou eventually conceded. Simultaneously, at Dragon Stockade, Nan Batian hosted a boisterous feast for his newly recruited men, promising them a life of prosperity and declaring their freedom from hiding, as the Mei's army was now diverted to Yong Province. He toasted to the imminent conquest of Qing City.
During the festivities, he brazenly offered his daughter, Nan Xiang, in marriage to any man who displayed exceptional valor in battle, treating her as a mere commodity to incite his followers. Disgusted, Nan Xiang attempted to leave, but Nan Batian stopped her, accusing her of seeking out Xiao Bao. Nan Xiang confronted her father, expressing her profound disappointment that she, like Xiao Bao, was merely a tool for him to manipulate his men.
Nan Batian, unmoved, threatened to break her legs if she dared to depart. As their argument reached a boiling point, a frantic subordinate burst in, announcing that Mei Shiqing and Xiao Bao had launched an attack on the stockade. Mei Shiqing and Xiao Bao launched an attack on the stockade. Nan Batian swiftly moved to meet them with his staff, and Mei Shiqing and Xiao Bao, intent on capturing the leader, directly confronted him.
Nan Batian's formidable martial arts skills overwhelmed them both. He struck Xiao Bao, rendering him unconscious. Mei Shiqing was kicked away and vomited blood. Nan Batian then gloated, reminding Mei Shiqing that he had killed his mother and now intended to kill him as well. As Nan Batian prepared to deliver the fatal blow, He Yizhi bravely intervened, rushing forward to cling to him and urging Mei Shiqing to flee.
Xiao Wanzi, joining her father, also shouted for Mei Shiqing to escape, instructing him to leave her father behind. Mei Shiqing, wounded and hesitant, was led away by Xiao Wanzi. Mei Siheng then arrived, engaging Nan Batian, which allowed Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi to escape. Soon after, Mei Changyun's army arrived. Mei Siheng quickly went to check on a wounded He Yizhi. Meanwhile, Xiao Bao regained consciousness, immediately called out for Lu Yingyao, and set off to find her.
Xiao Wanzi led an injured Mei Shiqing in their escape, but Nan Batian relentlessly pursued them to the outskirts and eventually caught up. Xiao Wanzi urged Mei Shiqing to escape if he found an opportunity. Then, Xiao Wanzi bravely took a blow meant for Mei Shiqing, was thrown into the air, and plunged down a cliff.
Standing over the severely injured Mei Shiqing, Nan Batian cruelly declared that Mei Shiqing's mother had died by his hand, and now his beloved woman had met the same fate. He then prepared to deliver the final blow, promising to send Mei Shiqing to reunite with them.
