Word of Honor Episode 17 Recap
> Word of Honor Recap
Cao Weining awoke from his injuries to find Gu Xiang by his side. He shared a vivid dream where he failed to protect her and even died, waiting for her at the Bridge of Helplessness, only for her to appear too soon, implying an early death, which Gu Xiang teasingly admonished him for. He was told that Leader Yu of the Mount Hua Sect had saved him and that he was recovering at the sect's courtyard.
Gu Xiang also informed him that Gao Xiaolian had been abducted by the elder duo, Tao Hong Po and Lv Liu Weng, and Cao Weining, despite his weakened state, expressed a desire to save her. Later, Liu Qianqiao and Yu Qiu Feng visited Cao Weining. Gu Xiang questioned Liu Qianqiao about how she managed to get the Mount Hua Sect leader to help rescue Luo Fu Meng, also known as the Tragicomic Ghost.
Liu Qianqiao explained that Yu Qiu Feng's son had been killed by the Five Lakes Alliance, and she had promised to help him exact revenge in exchange for his assistance. Gu Xiang, sensing Yu Qiu Feng's cunning nature, advised Liu Qianqiao to be cautious. Meanwhile, Tao Hong Po and Lv Liu Weng held Gao Xiaolian captive in a rundown temple, attempting to force her to eat and reveal the whereabouts of the Glazed Armor.
Gao Xiaolian, however, remained defiant, refusing to cooperate. Tao Hong Po, growing frustrated, became aggressive, while Lv Liu Weng suggested that since the girl seemingly knew nothing, they should either kill or release her, a proposal Tao Hong Po quickly dismissed, unwilling to waste their efforts. They continued to pressure Gao Xiaolian, reminding her of her father's death. Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing, along with Zhang Chengling, Ye Baiyi, and Long Xiao, continued their journey to the Longyuan Cabinet.
Along the way, Zhou Zishu had Zhang Chengling practice the Flowing Cloud Nine Palaces Steps while being pulled by a horse. Exhausted and sweating, Zhang Chengling pleaded for a rest. Wen Kexing intervened, suggesting the boy needed a break, but Zhou Zishu remained firm, stating that a "clumsy bird shall fly first" and he couldn't protect Zhang Chengling forever, then added an extra hour to his training.
Wen Kexing, though annoyed, respected Zhou Zishu's decision, while Zhou Zishu wondered about Wen Kexing's unusual demeanor. Later, as they camped by a lake, Wen Kexing prepared fish soup. Zhou Zishu instructed Zhang Chengling to deliver a bowl to Young Leader Long Xiao. Zhang Chengling, curious, asked about the Longyuan Cabinet and its connection to the Glazed Armor.
Zhou Zishu explained that Long Que, a close friend of his grand master and the former head of the Longyuan Cabinet, had established the armory at Rong Xuan's request. He described Long Que's mysterious disappearance and how the Four Seasons Manor's mechanical knowledge originated from the Longyuan Cabinet, which was rumored to be a "portable fortress" whose true location remained elusive. Wen Kexing playfully mocked Zhou Zishu's past futile attempts to find it.
Zhao Jing officially assumed the position of Chief of the Five Lakes Alliance, receiving congratulations from the Unchanging Ghost, Lovelace Ghost, and Happy Ghost. He then urged them to swiftly locate the Glazed Armor and the Hanged Ghost. The Unchanging Ghost questioned whether the Glazed Armor destroyed by Gao Chong was fake and how many pieces Zhao Jing himself possessed.
Zhao Jing, evading the question, asserted that Gao Chong had destroyed fake pieces to deter the martial arts world and had safely hidden the real ones. He stated that he would only reveal information on a need-to-know basis. The ghosts discussed their true goal: to escape the Ghost Valley and return to the human world, enjoying its pleasures. The Unchanging Ghost, in particular, hoped to use the Healer Valley relic within the armory to cure his speech impediment and disfigurement.
During a meeting, Zhao Jing noted the absence of the Jujing Gang and Purple Wave Cove leaders, who had declared their departure from the alliance. While outwardly understanding, he was inwardly furious. The other leaders confirmed Gao Chong's alleged collusion with the Ghost Valley and recounted recent gruesome massacres, attributed to the Ghost Valley seeking revenge for Gao Chong, which had plunged the martial arts world into fear and resentment towards the Five Lakes Alliance.
In a stirring address, Zhao Jing called for unity, promising to defend the alliance's reputation and ensure its prosperity for a hundred years. However, the Jujing Gang's leader, Wang Moxuan, privately dismissed Zhao Jing as an incompetent and cowardly leader, predicting the alliance's downfall under his leadership. Zhao Jing, accompanied by Scorpion King and his four assassins, confronted Wang Moxuan. Zhao Jing claimed that the Scorpion had now pledged allegiance to the Five Lakes Alliance.
Wang Moxuan, refusing to align with the Scorpion, ordered them to leave. Enraged, Scorpion King swiftly killed Wang Moxuan. Zhao Jing then feigned anger, chastising Scorpion King for his impulsive actions. Meanwhile, Zhao Jing learned from his trusted disciple, Wu Yang, that their plan to abduct Luo Fu Meng (the Tragicomic Ghost) had failed.
Wu Yang, whom Zhao Jing had sent disguised as an assassin to coordinate with the Scorpion, reported that Yu Qiu Feng and an unidentified powerful female ghost had intercepted them. Later, Scorpion King tried to curry favor by having the headquarters redecorated in the lavish style of Sanbai Manor. He became visibly jealous witnessing the fatherly affection Zhao Jing showed toward Wu Yang.
Zhao Jing dismissed Scorpion King's efforts and jealousy, admonishing him for being distracted by trivial matters and urging him to focus on their true goals. At an inn, Wen Kexing and Ye Baiyi were enjoying tea, while Zhou Zishu oversaw Zhang Chengling's continued training. Zhang Chengling complained about the heavy weights he was carrying. Wen Kexing interjected with some training advice, which directly contradicted Zhou Zishu's instructions. Zhang Chengling's internal energy soon became unstable, causing him distress.
Wen Kexing quickly intervened, stabilizing his internal force and discovering that Zhang Chengling possessed unusually wide meridians, a rare sign of a martial arts prodigy. Ye Baiyi, however, remarked on Zhang Chengling's apparent dullness despite his excellent physique, to which Wen Kexing retorted, defending Zhang Chengling as Zhou Zishu's disciple. Later, Wen Kexing engaged in heavy drinking with Ye Baiyi, challenging him to a drinking contest.
As Wen Kexing became severely inebriated and grew boisterous, provoking Ye Baiyi, Zhou Zishu intervened, firmly escorting a drunken Wen Kexing back to his room. Ye Baiyi then pointed out Zhou Zishu's newly visible gray hairs and the worsening of his internal injuries, explaining that his organs were weakening and his vital energy could no longer suppress the pain, a grim sign of his approaching end.
Ye Baiyi urged him to seek treatment, but Zhou Zishu declined, asserting that he only had two paths: to live fully or to die with dignity, refusing any compromise. Ye Baiyi lamented Zhou Zishu's stubborn resolve. Zhou Zishu found Wen Kexing still drinking alone in his room. Wen Kexing earnestly expressed his wish for Zhou Zishu not to die, confessing that he was the only true friend he had met in years.
Zhou Zishu, however, rejected his pity, accusing him of wearing a mask and lacking sincerity. Wen Kexing insisted on his genuine concern. As Zhou Zishu helped him into bed, he affirmed that he would cherish his remaining time and would wait for Wen Kexing to truly open up to him. Wen Kexing was visibly disheartened, fearing that if Zhou Zishu ever discovered his true identity, their friendship would be irrevocably broken. He questioned what was so worthwhile about seeing his heart, a "ghost realm," but Zhou Zishu countered that only by understanding him could he truly help.
