Who Rules The World Episode 31 Recap, Plot

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> Who Rules The World Recap

During the palace exam, the Prince of Youzhou asked everyone’s opinion on the current state of the world. Huang Chao believed the six-state structure should be prioritized, while Hei Fengxi argued that the fate of the world ultimately hinged on “Qi Yun”—destiny and vitality. A nation's qi was tied to the people’s livelihood and will, and also to imperial strategy. All officials and citizens were bound within these two words.

Thus, now was the time to regard the people as qi and use imperial strategy to guide it—this was true Qi Yun. His words were well-received, and the Prince of Youzhou was pleased. He invited the suitors into the inner hall, where the “Vast Chessboard” was laid at the center. He declared that only the victor could become Youzhou’s ideal son-in-law.

Others had already heard of Elder Taiyin and the chessboard and did not dare challenge it—choosing instead to withdraw from the palace, leaving only Huang Chao and Hei Fengxi. Feng Ju had already arranged things at the dungeon and instructed the Duanhun Sect to rescue disciples of Tianshuang Sect. Someone would then meet them, disguised as members of the Yongping Marquis Residence.

They were to wait at the rendezvous point until the Imperial Guards arrived, making sure not to let a single Tianshuang Sect member escape, and leave solid evidence proving that Feng Lanxi had sent people to break the prisoners out. Bai Jiande was unaware of the plot. He initially wanted to leave with the jade carver, but the carver insisted on staying, saying that although he had offended the Lord of Yongzhou, he was not yet sentenced to death.

Escaping now would truly make him guilty beyond redemption. Just as Bai Jiande and the others were about to leave, Feng Chang arrived in time and exposed Feng Ju’s scheme, forcing them to return to the dungeon and wait for the right moment. Meanwhile, Hei Fengxi and Huang Chao faced off over the chessboard. Outwardly, it was a game of chess, but in truth, it was a battle for control of the world.

Huang Chao realized Hei Fengxi was not to be underestimated—he could quickly see through his tactics. Hei Fengxi praised Huang Chao’s brilliance, saying he possessed both open strategies and unfathomable intrigue. All the earlier moves had been tests. Huang Chao took the world as the board, with all living beings as pieces, setting a life-and-death game. Huang Chao believed that conquering the world relied on offense, not defense.

Hei Fengxi immediately refuted this, stating that defense was to ensure better offense; comprehensive defense stabilized the grand picture. Huang Chao had failed to “slay the dragon,” losing his initiative and momentum—how could he win? In truth, Huang Chao fought with sharpness and vigor, while Hei Fengxi relied on using everything to its fullest. Even seemingly discarded pieces could shift the outcome at crucial moments.

To Hei Fengxi, the world ultimately belonged to the people—this was the true intention of Elder Taiyin and Elder Tianji. At the final moment, Hei Fengxi placed a piece and voluntarily conceded. Though the Prince of Youzhou didn’t fully understand, he still announced Huang Chao as the winner. After leaving the palace, Hei Fengxi mustered the courage to confess his feelings to Bai Fengxi, unwilling to miss another chance. When Bai Fengxi responded, he leaned in and kissed her.

Zhang Zhongge reported the dungeon situation to the Lord of Yongzhou, confirming that the Tianshuang Sect had not attempted escape. This astonished the prince and suggested Hei Fengxi knew the weight of things. They would see how he acted in Youzhou. Meanwhile, word from Yongjing revealed to Yu Wuyuan that Feng Ju's plan had failed.

Yu Wuyuan no longer had hope in him and now only awaited Huang Chao and Hua Chunran’s wedding, which would unite the forces of Jizhou and Youzhou in the battle for supremacy. The Duanhun Sect master revealed that the jade carver was also in the Yongzhou dungeon, though he doubted the massive prison would bring him into contact with Bai Jiande.

Yet fate has its ways, and Yu Wuyuan wouldn’t miss this investigative opportunity—he decided to visit Tianshuang Sect in a few days. Not long after, a letter from Youzhou announced that Hua Chunran had chosen Huang Chao, and a wedding would be held soon. The Lord of Yongzhou believed that Feng Lanxi giving up the chance to marry Youzhou’s princess and saying he wanted to establish the Fountain Abode for self-preservation might actually be credible.

He then ordered Yuan Lu to instruct Zhang Zhongge to release the Tianshuang Sect members. At the same time, Hei Fengxi sent Feng Qiwu two letters, asking Ren Rusong to retire and return to the countryside—Liangcheng would be his ideal destination. Ren Rusong understood that since Hei Fengxi did not marry Hua Chunran, he lost his backing in Youzhou and would be less influential upon returning to court.

Even though Feng Chang withdrew from the succession race, the struggle between Hei Fengxi and Feng Ju was just beginning. Feng Qiwu understood Hei Fengxi’s reasoning. Zhongli conveyed the message and prepared documents on the Fountain Abode, stating that the Feng family had deep roots in Yongzhou. These documents could serve as a token of loyalty to win the Lord of Yongzhou’s trust, allowing him partial control over the Fountain Abode's power and preventing total wrath toward the Feng family.

Yu Wuyuan bid farewell to Huang Chao, repeatedly urging him to wait for the right opportunity if he planned to use Youzhou to attack Qingzhou. Hei Fengxi accompanied Bai Fengxi back to Tianshuang Sect. Now that he had voluntarily given up the Fountain Abode, it was enough to prove his sincerity and ensure the safety of Tianshuang Sect's people. Bai Jiande asked Hei Fengxi about his future plans. With Huang Chao and Hua Chunran’s marriage, war was on the horizon.

He hoped that when the time came, Hei Fengxi would protect the people. Meanwhile, Feng Qiwu personally sent off Ren Rusong, and Madam Baili subtly tested the Lord of Yongzhou, confirming that Feng Chang no longer coveted the heir's position. With Feng Lanxi gone from Yongzhou, the title of Hereditary Prince would go to Feng Ju alone. The Lord of Yongzhou had long known Madam Baili’s indulgence.

Even though she knew Feng Chang had made accusations and tried to break into the prison, she still protected him. But the Lord no longer wanted to pursue the matter. With rebels rife in the south, if Feng Ju could suppress them, he would be qualified to become Hereditary Prince.

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