Who Rules The World Episode 33 Recap
> Who Rules The World Recap
Youzhou and Jizhou have formed an alliance, secretly amassing forces, seemingly preparing for war against Qingzhou. The King of Yongzhou convened his ministers to discuss their response. Minister Wang suggested Yongzhou observe for now, stating that Qingzhou was capable of defending itself and that the alliance between Youzhou and Jizhou was a double-edged sword; the Lord of Youzhou would be wary of Huang Chao, who in turn would seek to absorb Youzhou.
Minister Qin immediately disagreed, arguing that if Qingzhou, their neighbor, fell, Yongzhou would be encircled and face severe hardship. He proposed secretly allying with Qingzhou to disrupt the You-Ji deployment. Just then, Feng Ju's report arrived, confirming the successful elimination of bandits in the south. The King of Yongzhou decided to reward the army and immediately dispatch them to the Qingzhou border to act as circumstances dictated.
Meanwhile, Hei Fengxi reflected on the conspiracies surrounding him, understanding why he was so feared. He wondered if his father knew the truth, and what he would do if it came to light. Bai Fengxi, taking his hand, promised they would face whatever came together. After Mr. Tie crafted their masks, Hei Fengxi, Bai Fengxi, and Zhong Li entered the Imperial City's hidden market.
They sought the mysterious Supreme Physician under the guise of procuring 1000-year-old Red Reishi for a gravely ill elder. Hei Fengxi noticed one of the physician's guards was highly skilled and bore a fierce aura, suggesting he was a seasoned warrior, possibly from the Imperial Guards. Bai Fengxi then detected the scent of Lingxiang Herb on the medicine box, a fragrance used by palace staff to mask their presence.
Given that high-quality Red Reishi was a rare tribute, Hei Fengxi concluded the "Supreme Physician" was likely Eunuch Hu, the head of the Imperial Apothecary. Zhong Li then apprehended Eunuch Hu and brought him to Hei Fengxi, who questioned him about the Qianji poison. Eunuch Hu initially denied involvement but confessed to being the Supreme Physician when threatened. He revealed that Qianji poison was a palace secret, extremely expensive, and only two portions had ever been sold.
He maintained that market rules prevented him from knowing the buyers' identities but admitted to keeping portraits of them in the Imperial Palace as a safety measure. Hei Fengxi demanded Eunuch Hu lead them there. As they infiltrated the Imperial Palace, Hei Fengxi examined the buyer portraits. One painting depicted a woman wearing a Safety Amulet, an ornament specific to Yongzhou's royal harem. He suspected she was a Qianji poison purchaser and possibly connected to his mother's death.
He then demanded a portion of the poison from Eunuch Hu. Just as Hei Fengxi and Bai Fengxi were preparing to leave with the Qianji poison, an alarm sounded throughout the palace, announcing the Emperor's assassination. Eunuch Hu, panicking, denied having reported anything. Imperial physicians were summoned. Outside, Eunuch Zhang Jin of Dadong's palace met Yu Wuyuan, confirming the assassination mission was complete and the Emperor was dead.
General Dong Shufang began searching for the assassin, forcing Hei Fengxi and Bai Fengxi to hide in a cabinet. Just as the general approached their hiding spot, a report arrived that Eunuch Zhang Jin had gone missing, prompting the general to leave and saving the duo from discovery. With the palace now on lockdown, Yu Wuyuan rushed to meet the Crown Prince.
General Dong Shufang urged the Crown Prince to immediately seal off the Imperial City and prevent news of the Emperor's death from spreading. Yu Wuyuan disagreed, arguing that the news would inevitably leak, and it was better to announce it to the world.
He reasoned that a hero is born in troubled times, and only amidst the impending chaos, when all Six States inevitably vied for power and attacked the Imperial City, would the Crown Prince have a slim chance of securing his succession. The Crown Prince ultimately heeded Yu Wuyuan’s advice and decreed that the news of his father’s passing be announced to all Six States. Outside the Imperial Palace, Hei Fengxi and Bai Fengxi encountered Bai Langhua and her companions.
Han Pu examined Bai Jiande's body, confirming he died from Qianji poison, a rare poison used by the Dadong Imperial Army, which silver needles cannot detect. Bai Langhua, realizing her grave mistake, tearfully apologized to Bai Fengxi, who accepted her apology and reassured her there was no need for further regret. Meanwhile, Zhong Li found a body outside the palace, identified as the missing Eunuch Zhang Jin, killed by a single strike from the Soultaker Sect's blade.
Hei Fengxi deduced a far-reaching conspiracy: the Qianji poison was used to lure them to Dadong, followed by the assassination of the Dadong Emperor, suggesting a much larger scheme at play. Hei Fengxi theorized that their master, Bai Jiande, must have uncovered a secret that led to his death. With the Dadong Emperor dead, regional powers were now covetous, signaling imminent widespread conflict.
Bai Fengxi assured Bai Langhua that she would personally investigate their master's death and bring the culprit to justice, while urging Langhua to focus on rebuilding their sect and protecting their juniors. Separately, a member of the Soultaker Sect met with Minister Wang of Yongzhou, urging him to re-open the old case from Yongzhou, hinting that the time for a long-planned scheme was now.
Hei Fengxi recalled that shortly after his mother's death, a palace servant matching the description in the portrait left the palace and was still alive. He decided to return to Yongzhou to pursue this lead, with Bai Fengxi accompanying him. They visited Du Xianniang, who confessed that she was bribed by Baili to buy medicine from the Imperial City's hidden market. She claimed she was unaware it was poison until the late queen's sudden death.
She revealed that someone secretly helped her escape Baili's clutches and leave the palace safely. Hei Fengxi was devastated to learn his mother was poisoned. He vowed to expose Baili's crimes and bring justice for his mother, realizing the conspiracy extended beyond mere palace rivalry to involve high-ranking court officials. He also instructed Zhong Li to gather more evidence from the Fountain Abode, after learning Du Xianniang and her family were already under protection.
In Yongzhou, Feng Qiwu reported her recent findings to Hei Fengxi. She discovered the King of Yongzhou's large military deployment, ostensibly for rewarding the southern army, was actually intended to assess the situation regarding Qingzhou. She surmised his aim was to prevent Jizhou and Youzhou from seizing Qingzhou, which would endanger Yongzhou. Hei Fengxi recognized that with much of its military force deployed, Yongzhou's capital was currently at its weakest.
He instructed Feng Qiwu to closely monitor any movements within the court and report them immediately. Concurrently, concerned about the Jizhou-Youzhou threat, Bai Fengxi sent a message to Qingzhou to inquire about her father and brother. In Qingzhou, Feng Xieyue convened with his generals. They discussed the imminent Youzhou advance and the offer of aid from Yongzhou.
Despite the Yongzhou emissary promising assistance if requested, Feng Xieyue and his generals were wary, viewing Yongzhou as another opportunistic state seeking to exploit Qingzhou. They decided against seeking Yongzhou's help. General Xu was dispatched with 30,000 Fengyun Cavalry to Langcheng to defend against Youzhou, while General Qi secretly led a team to Lingcheng to intercept Huang Chao's Skyrider Cavalry if they arrived.
Meanwhile, Minister Wang informed Baili that Feng Lanxi had uncovered the Qianji poison and was gathering evidence, intending to report her to the King. Baili, enraged, accused Minister Wang of dragging her into the plot years ago. Minister Wang reminded her that she had achieved her ambition of becoming queen and residing in Fengyi Palace. He proposed a palace coup as their only recourse. He pointed out that Feng Ju, having successfully suppressed bandits in the south, commanded substantial forces.
He suggested Feng Ju return under the guise of "cleansing the court" to apprehend Feng Lanxi, thereby eliminating his rival for the position of heir. Minister Wang revealed his plan: the King's birthday in seven days would be the perfect timing. Baili was to obtain the King's Military Tally, allowing the city defense garrison to replace Zhao Hai's Royal Army in guarding the palace.
Subsequently, Baili would receive a secret letter falsely accusing Feng Lanxi of planning a rebellion during the birthday celebrations, providing Feng Ju with a pretext to "cleanse the court." Recognizing the gravity of the scheme, Baili remained hesitant, stating she needed time to consider. Elsewhere, Yu Wuyuan was informed that Feng Lanxi had found Du Xianniang, signifying "the fish had bitten the bait," and instructed that everything proceed according to their overall plan with Jizhou, including leveraging Feng Ju.
Yu Wuyuan also had it confirmed to his agent, Minister Wang, that the agent's mother was well in Jizhou, assuring him of her safety and their eventual reunion after the world was unified.
