Word of Honor Episode 13 Recap
> Word of Honor Recap
Zhou Zishu actively tried to encourage a relationship between Gu Xiang and Cao Weining, much to Wen Kexing’s annoyance. Wen Kexing believed Cao Weining was not worthy of Gu Xiang and pointed out Zhou Zishu’s apparent hypocrisy in meddling with others’ romantic affairs while being so elusive about his own. Uncomfortable with the matchmaking, Gu Xiang quickly left, with Cao Weining following close behind.
Cao Weining passionately confessed his deep affection for Gu Xiang, drawing upon poetic metaphors and a story from his Master Fan about a sword and its singular, perfect scabbard, implying that she was his destined match. He eagerly proposed introducing her to his sect members and family to publicly declare their relationship. However, Gu Xiang deflected his advances, playfully calling him an "idiot" and asserting that she was only there to look after Zhang Chengling and learn about life.
She also observed that she had never seen her master, Wen Kexing, so lively before, a clear nod to his newfound companionship with Zhou Zishu. Meanwhile, Liu Qianqiao, in a masterfully crafted disguise as Yu Qiufeng, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect, arrived with generous gifts to solicit an alliance with Elder Huang of the Beggar Gang. Elder Huang was wary of this unexpected visit and the lavish offerings. "
Yu Qiufeng" dramatically expressed his burning desire for revenge, claiming that the Five Lakes Alliance had ruthlessly murdered his son, Yu Tianjie. To further his cause, he divulged a shocking secret: two decades ago, following Rong Xuan's death, the Five Lakes Alliance had deceitfully carved up the five pieces of Glazed Armor among themselves, exploiting the ambition of countless heroes who died in vain for a false promise.
He argued that the Beggar Gang, which also suffered heavy losses in those conflicts, should now lead the martial arts world to expose the Five Lakes Alliance's treachery, reclaim the Glazed Armor, and then unite against the Ghost Valley. Seeing the shifting power dynamics and "Yu Qiufeng's" fervent resolve, Elder Huang agreed to his proposal.
After successfully executing her mission, Liu Qianqiao removed her disguise, revealing a face marred by scars, a painful reminder of how Yu Qiufeng's wife had brutally disfigured and humiliated her years ago. Zhou Zishu grew increasingly concerned about Zhang Chengling’s safety. Despite Zhang Chengling having handed the Glazed Armor to Gao Chong, the latter had not yet made the news public, leaving Zhang Chengling vulnerable.
Recognizing that their own identities were now exposed and they were operating in the open against hidden enemies, Zhou Zishu insisted that he and Wen Kexing adopt disguises. He even tried on a plain face, which Wen Kexing immediately rejected as hideous, preferring Zhou Zishu’s current, mysterious appearance, or even a more handsome one. Wen Kexing, immensely proud of his striking looks, confidently refused to disguise himself, declaring his face a divine masterpiece that would be sacrilege to alter.
He playfully claimed to be a "troublesome forefather," suggesting that any danger would naturally steer clear of him. He then questioned Zhou Zishu about the intricacies of disguise, humorously asking if some components were "hip pads." Zhou Zishu patiently explained that while mimicking a person's appearance and voice was achievable, truly impersonating their unique habits, posture, and gait was exceedingly difficult unless one knew the individual intimately or the observers were largely unfamiliar with them.
Wen Kexing, in turn, jokingly boasted that he could easily imitate Zhou Zishu and deceive his "silly disciple," Zhang Chengling. The long-anticipated Sword Immortal Ye Baiyi from Mount Changming made a formidable appearance at the Yueyang Sect, sitting casually atop a tall mast. Gao Chong, along with his disciples, respectfully welcomed him. However, Shen Shen, mistaking Ye Baiyi’s youthful visage for arrogance, scoffed at him.
Ye Baiyi coolly returned the Token of Honor to Gao Chong and clarified his purpose: bound by an ancient oath with the token's first owner, he was there to eradicate the Ghost Valley should it threaten the martial arts world. He summarily dismissed Gao Chong's attempts to invite him to the upcoming Heroes Conference as trivial "nonsense," stating that his sole commitment was to "wipe out the Ghost Valley at Mount Qingya" once the other factions concluded their discussions.
Gao Chong was profoundly impressed, acknowledging Ye Baiyi's unfathomable power despite his youthful appearance. Later that night, Zhou Zishu, in disguise as a Yueyang Sect disciple, covertly visited a visibly haggard Zhang Chengling. Zhang Chengling, overjoyed to see his master, confessed his deep anxiety about the Heroes Conference. He revealed Gao Chong's unexpected proposal to betroth him to his daughter, Gao Xiaolian, with the wedding planned for two years later, supposedly to help rebuild the Mirror Lake Sect.
Zhang Chengling was confused by Gao Chong's continued goodwill even after he had given up the Glazed Armor and worried about the awkwardness of leaving if the engagement was publicly announced. Zhou Zishu comforted him, advising him to simply make an appearance at the conference to confirm the Mirror Lake Sect's legacy, after which he would take Zhang Chengling away from the martial world's turmoil.
Privately, Zhou Zishu pondered Gao Chong's true motives, speculating whether this elaborate plan was an attempt to atone for past wrongdoings concerning Rong Xuan. Under the cloak of darkness, Gao Chong led a swift and brutal raid on the Tragicomic Ghost's mansion, resulting in the deaths of 47 Ghost Valley members and the capture of the Tragicomic Ghost herself. Despite suffering casualties among his own men, Gao Chong declared the Ghost Valley merely a "motley crowd."
He identified the Tragicomic Ghost by her distinctive white hair and red dress, and when she defiantly challenged him to kill her, he scornfully refused, ordering her to be held captive at the Five Lakes Alliance, to be publicly executed at the Heroes Conference as a warning to all. Meanwhile, Ye Baiyi was observed consuming an astonishing quantity of food at an inn, drawing curious onlookers, including Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing.
Zhou Zishu, struck by the man's presence, remarked that despite his youthful looks, Ye Baiyi exuded the formidable aura of a peerless master. Upon finishing his colossal meal, Ye Baiyi announced he would grant a favor to whoever settled his bill. Wen Kexing eagerly volunteered, then turned to Zhou Zishu for the money. However, Ye Baiyi interceded, accepting Wen Kexing’s offer but explicitly stating he could not help Zhou Zishu.
He then directly told Zhou Zishu that he was "courting death," expressing surprise that a man so close to death could still be so active. Ye Baiyi promised to ponder a solution for Zhou Zishu's condition and suggested they invite him for drinks another time, hinting he might devise a cure. Later, Liu Qianqiao, no longer in disguise, confronted the real Yu Qiufeng amidst a downpour.
She poured out her long-suppressed anguish, vividly recounting how his wife, in a fit of rage, had subjected her to a brutal assault, stabbing, stripping, disfiguring, and parading her for three days, publicly shaming her as "licentious and shameless." Yu Qiufeng was overwhelmed with guilt and remorse, tearfully confessing his enduring love and expressing profound regret for his past failures to protect her. He embraced her, appearing to attempt to strangle her, but his resolve faltered.
Liu Qianqiao coolly stated that he lacked the will to harm her. She then delivered the devastating news that his son, Yu Tianjie, had been killed by the Hanged Ghost's Soul Winding Threads, indicating that the Ghost Valley's resurgence was to capture this rogue ghost. Yu Qiufeng was shattered by his son’s death, pledging to atone for his past betrayals and all of Liu Qianqiao’s suffering.
Despite his remorse, Liu Qianqiao, still burdened by her deep-seated pain and unyielding attachment to him, departed. Later, Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing were enjoying a drinking game. During their playful exchange, Wen Kexing probed Zhou Zishu about the origin of his severe internal injuries, which Ye Baiyi had earlier noticed. Zhou Zishu admitted that he had inflicted the injuries upon himself as an act of penance for his many past sins, hoping to lessen his torment in the afterlife.
Wen Kexing lightheartedly suggested they could be "fried into a youtiao" together in hell. When it was Zhou Zishu's turn to ask a "truth," he directly confronted Wen Kexing, asking if his true surname was Rong and if he was Rong Xuan's son.
Zhou Zishu theorized that Wen Kexing, driven by hatred for the Five Lakes Alliance and the martial arts world for his father's tragic end, had replicated Glazed Armors to instigate chaos and allow greedy individuals to bring about their own destruction. Wen Kexing vehemently denied being Rong Xuan's son, proclaiming his intense hatred for Rong Xuan and stating he would kill him on sight.
Annoyed by Zhou Zishu's calculated questioning, Wen Kexing stormed out, leaving Zhou Zishu to ponder if his suspicions were entirely baseless, yet still perplexed by Wen Kexing's strong animosity towards the Five Lakes Alliance. Sometime later, Ye Baiyi appeared before Zhou Zishu late at night, announcing he had found a way to treat Zhou Zishu’s injuries and insisted he follow him, warning of potential fatal risks. Zhou Zishu, wary and having never sought his help, demanded Ye Baiyi’s identity.
After testing Zhou Zishu’s combat skills, Ye Baiyi identified him as Qin Huaizhang’s disciple from the Four Seasons Manor. Upon learning of Qin Huaizhang’s passing, Ye Baiyi reflected somberly that "they all died," implying a bygone era. However, he quickly resumed his taunting, verbally disparaging Qin Huaizhang’s character and claiming his master was a good-for-nothing who wouldn't dare defy him. Enraged by the disrespect shown to his deceased master, Zhou Zishu drew his White Clothes Sword to attack.
Ye Baiyi effortlessly disarmed him, revealing that the sword was originally his, a gift he had given to Qin Huaizhang. Zhou Zishu was stunned by this revelation, realizing Ye Baiyi’s immense age and profound connection to his master. Ye Baiyi returned the sword, reiterating his intention to heal Zhou Zishu’s injuries out of respect for his former relationship with Qin Huaizhang, and moved to examine him. Zhou Zishu resisted, and just as Ye Baiyi pressed forward, Wen Kexing arrived to intervene.
