Under the Power Episode 2 Recap, Plot

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Following the lead on Cao Kun, Lu Yi secretly tailed Yuan Jinxia to Cao Kun's residence. Jinxia, frustrated that Yang Yue had failed to meet her as planned, was left to wait alone. When Cao Kun finally appeared, she moved to apprehend him, but her skills were no match, and he nearly escaped. Lu Yi intervened, but Cao Kun released a cloud of blinding mist and fled.

Feigning a leg injury, Jinxia clung to Lu Yi, pleading for him to carry her back to the city to avoid being eaten by wild animals. Exasperated by her theatrics, Lu Yi reluctantly lifted her, placed her on a nearby horse, and sent it galloping away, leaving her to fend for herself. Back at Department Six, Jinxia vented her anger on Yang Yue for his absence.

He warned her that offending the Embroidered Uniform Guards would jeopardize her career, but Jinxia was more concerned about her confiscated pistol and the humiliation Department Six would face if the case went unsolved. Despite Lu Yi’s ruthless reputation, she declared him her role model, much to Yang Yue's bewilderment. At the Lu mansion, Lu Ting confronted Lu Yi, furious about his poor performance in Chuiwan during a meeting with the emperor.

He lectured his son on the importance of forbearance, but Lu Yi retorted sarcastically, questioning how a "cold-blooded father" could expect a sentimental son. When Lu Ting raised his hand to strike him, Lu Yi stopped him, asserting the blow would hurt his father more. Softening, Lu Ting acknowledged that while Lu Yi’s methods were unorthodox, he had never seen him truly lose and suspected he had a hidden plan.

Lu Yi confirmed this, revealing he had discovered a crucial lead: Cao Kun was likely still in the capital. Lu Yi, dressed in plain clothes, played the konghou in his courtyard, the music stirring memories of his mother playing the same instrument as he and his father played nearby. The gentle memory was shattered by the traumatic image of his mother with a sword in her chest, causing him to falter.

Meanwhile, Jinxia and Yang Yue arrived at a pawnshop, having discovered that Cao Ling'er visited it daily. Jinxia explained that Cao Kun secretly owned the shop, using it as a front for his illicit dealings, and he was likely hiding there. To their surprise, Lu Yi entered just as an auction began for a konghou made from leftover wood of a famed instrument. Bidding started at 500 taels of silver.

Lu Yi immediately placed a bid, and the price escalated rapidly. Just as it reached 2,000 taels, Lu Yi stunned the room by bidding 500 taels of gold. Before the auctioneer could finalize the sale, a man offered a mere 200 taels of silver. Yang Yue pointed out the man's prosthetic eye, and Jinxia identified him as Yan Shifan, the powerful and arrogant son of Yan Song. His presence created a tense standoff.

Yan Shifan addressed Lu Yi, mockingly offering him the konghou. Lu Yi politely declined, and Yan Shifan, claiming Lu Yi’s words strengthened his resolve, took the instrument for his lowball price and invited Lu Yi to his home to hear it played. Jinxia, watching from above, was relieved when Lu Yi didn't see her witnessing his public humiliation.

She and Yang Yue also noted the pawnshop staff were all skilled martial artists, reinforcing their theory that it was Cao Kun's hideout. Elsewhere, Xu Lang begged Yan Song for help regarding the lost defense map. After dismissing the desperate Xu Lang, Yan Shifan advised his father to use this opportunity to replace him with Huang Yu, a commander who had recently earned the Emperor’s praise.

That night, Jinxia and Yang Yue snuck into the pawnshop, only to find Lu Yi already there. A hidden peephole in a secret compartment suddenly opened, and Jinxia, terrified, shrieked about a ghost and jumped into Lu Yi's arms. Lu Yi dryly remarked that she was more frightening than any ghost. The peephole triggered a weapon trap, forcing them to take cover. The shop's butler rushed in, feigning surprise and claiming the eye was his.

Jinxia exposed his lie, noting the fierce energy in the eyes could only belong to a martial artist. Under pressure from Lu Yi, the butler confessed the eyes belonged to Cao Kun, who had escaped during the commotion. He also revealed that Cao Kun had acquired a human-skin mask, making him nearly impossible to find. Lu Yi learned that the mask-maker was at Xiaoxiang Pavilion and headed there immediately.

Jinxia and Yang Yue arrived moments later, with Jinxia explaining to a hesitant Yang Yue that the establishment was a hub for intelligence, not just a brothel. Inside, Lu Yi encountered Yan Shifan, who had brought the new konghou for the top courtesan, Miss Hongdou, to play. He invited Lu Yi to listen. Jinxia, realizing Lu Yi had obtained the drawing of the human-skin mask, disguised herself as a veiled Miss Hongdou.

She entered the room and began to play the konghou. Lu Yi froze as he recognized the melody—"Peach Blossom," a tune his mother used to play, which was thought to be lost. Misinterpreting his intense reaction as infatuation, Yan Shifan left the two alone. Once they were alone, Lu Yi confronted the veiled woman, demanding to know how she knew "Peach Blossom." He instantly recognized Jinxia's voice. Exposed, she threw anesthetic powder in his face and escaped with the drawing.

Back at Department Six, she quickly copied the image before Lieutenant Cen of the Embroidered Uniform Guards arrived to retrieve it. Jinxia feigned ignorance, and Cen left without evidence. Later, Jinxia secretly met with Lu Yi to return the drawing, explaining she had denied the theft to protect her superior. Lu Yi, unimpressed by her pleas for forgiveness, relentlessly questioned her about the song.

Jinxia explained she had once saved its composer, Master Mu, who then took her as his final disciple. When she asked how he knew the tune, Lu Yi dismissed the question, leaving her to again beg for his mercy.

Episode 1 Recap

Episode 3 Recap