Word of Honor Episode 22 Recap
> Word of Honor Recap
Gu Xiang excitedly suggested they eat at a roadside tavern. An old beggar approached them, praising Cao Weining and Gu Xiang as a "kind young master and pretty young lady," and wishing them to "live in harmony till old and grey and have cute kids." Cao Weining blushed with happiness. Gu Xiang, despite her usual cynical views on charity, gave the beggar some money, which noticeably displeased Wen Kexing.
Cao Weining quickly assured Zhou Zishu that Gu Xiang was merely "tough in words but kind in heart." Observing Wen Kexing's mood, Zhou Zishu warned Cao Weining that he had "a tough battle ahead" in gaining his approval. Inside the tavern, Wen Kexing continued to show his annoyance with Cao Weining. Zhou Zishu noticed Cao Weining's pale face and detected residual poison in his system.
Cao Weining explained he had been injured by Tao Hong and Liu Lv's concealed weapon, and although Gu Xiang had been taking good care of him, the poison lingered. Wen Kexing sarcastically inquired about Gu Xiang's newfound nursing skills. Gu Xiang then revealed that Tao Hong and Liu Lv had abducted Gao Xiaolian, who was once engaged to Deng Kuan. She added that Deng Kuan had since disappeared and was likely dead.
Finding this suspicious, Wen Kexing suggested he and Zhou Zishu step out to buy medicine for Cao Weining. Outside, Zhou Zishu theorized that Deng Kuan, who was slated to marry Gao Xiaolian and inherit Gao Chong's position, must have been coerced with immense leverage to publicly accuse his master at the Heroes Conference.
Wen Kexing initially considered the possibility of Deng Kuan speaking the truth, but Zhou Zishu dismissed it, arguing that Gao Chong would not use his daughter to manipulate an orphan if he already possessed the Glazed Armor from Zhang Chengling. Wen Kexing countered that Gao Chong could simply have intended to kill Zhang Chengling later. As Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu walked, the same beggar who had complimented Gu Xiang earlier approached them again, this time begging.
Wen Kexing, recognizing the trick, dismissed him, jokingly remarking that Zhou Zishu "does a similar job." The beggar then dropped his act and attacked. Just then, Shen Shen appeared, warning them and joining the fight. Soon, numerous Scorpion assassins surrounded them. With Shen Shen's help, they quickly dispatched the attackers, but Shen Shen was wounded by a poisonous scorpion's tail thorn. Zhou Zishu offered an antidote, which Shen Shen accepted.
Shen Shen expressed profound gratitude, recalling their assistance to Gao Chong at the Heroes Conference, their rescue of Zhang Chengling, and now for saving him. Wen Kexing, ever the cynic, questioned if Shen Shen still remembered Gao Chong. Shen Shen affirmed his unwavering loyalty. Upon learning that Zhang Chengling was nearby and potentially in danger from the ruthless Scorpion assassins, Shen Shen agreed to accompany them.
Back at the tavern, Gu Xiang pressed Zhang Chengling for details of his recent travels. Before he could answer, a waiter presented a "free side dish." As Gu Xiang lifted the lid, poison gas erupted. Reacting instantly, she slit the waiter's throat with a concealed weapon, yelling at Cao Weining to take Zhang Chengling away.
Immediately, a horde of assassins wielding curved blades stormed into the tavern, forcing Gu Xiang, Cao Weining, and Zhang Chengling into a desperate struggle to escape. Outside, the old beggar, now exposed as an assassin, pleaded for help from Zhang Chengling. Gu Xiang swiftly killed him. When Cao Weining questioned her actions, she retorted, "So what?" Cao Weining argued that the beggar might not have attacked them, but Gu Xiang countered, "But what if he did?"
She angrily explained that her brutal upbringing in a world where people constantly kill each other meant she couldn't afford to hesitate, preferring to "kill the wrong person than let one go" if there was even a one-in-a-hundred chance. She emphasized that without such ruthlessness, she "wouldn't be alive today." Cao Weining, however, gently insisted that despite her tough exterior, she had a good heart and would indeed feel remorse for killing an innocent.
As more assassins appeared, Wen Kexing, Zhou Zishu, and Shen Shen arrived. Wen Kexing, with deadly precision, eliminated all the attackers. Zhou Zishu attempted to stop him, hoping to leave a survivor, but Wen Kexing declared, "It's too late." Gu Xiang, still seething from Cao Weining's criticism, rebuffed his attempts to console her. She reiterated her philosophy of ruthless survival, stating that she was unlike him, who had a supportive network of masters and fellow disciples.
Cao Weining gently urged her to consider her compassionate side, before she snapped at him for prying into her difficult childhood and ran off. Meanwhile, Shen Shen, seeing Zhang Chengling again, was deeply moved. He confessed that his reserve toward Zhang Chengling stemmed from the pain of seeing him, as it reminded him of Zhang Chengling's two deceased elder brothers.
Shen Shen then praised Zhang Chengling for possessing the same "pure and filial" nature as his father, Zhang Yusen, whom he described as the kindest and most honest of the five sworn brothers. Zhang Chengling, however, doubted his own strength, fearing he could not live up to his father's legacy. When Zhou Zishu joined them, Shen Shen was surprised to learn Zhang Chengling had become Zhou Zishu's disciple, expressing renewed gratitude.
Zhang Chengling then directly asked Shen Shen about the alleged misunderstandings between his father and the other brothers, and about Deng Kuan's accusation that Gao Chong colluded with Ghost Valley to murder his father. Shen Shen vehemently denied this, swearing that Gao Chong would die himself rather than hurt Zhang Yusen.
He further revealed Gao Chong's plan for Zhang Chengling to marry Gao Xiaolian, merge their martial arts, revive the Mirror Lake Sword Sect, and ultimately become a great chevalier and the "Chief of the Five Lakes Alliance." Zhang Chengling, however, expressed no desire for such a path.
Addressing Zhou Zishu's suspicions, Shen Shen dismissed Deng Kuan's accusations as false, explaining that 20 years prior, Gao Chong had proposed either destroying the Glazed Armor or exposing its secrets, a suggestion met with fierce opposition. He argued that if Gao Chong had coveted the Glazed Armor, he would not have endured for so many years, and admitted his profound confusion regarding Deng Kuan's betrayal.
Zhou Zishu then brought up a popular rhyme, "The water from the Five Lakes gathers around the world; who else deserves the supremacy in the martial arts world?" and questioned if Gao Chong had spread it to consolidate power. Shen Shen strongly denied this, asserting Gao Chong's integrity.
After their conversation, Zhou Zishu, connecting the dots, told Wen Kexing that he suspected Deng Kuan was controlled by "soul-hunting poison," a theory consistent with the presence of "drug men" in various Scorpion-related incidents. He concluded that Zhao Jing, who often "pretends to be stupid to kill more powerful opponents," was very likely the true leader of the Scorpion, and thus the one who used "Sanshi poison" on Gao Chong's sword to indirectly cause Rong Xuan and his wife's demise.
Zhou Zishu then pressed Wen Kexing on the true identity of Long-tongued Ghost. Wen Kexing, visibly uncomfortable, gave a vague answer, claiming he only knew Long-tongued Ghost as one of the Ten Devils, who inherited the "Soul Winding Box" from Hanged Ghost and led the killing of the Mirror Lake Sect. Privately, Wen Kexing was relieved that Zhou Zishu hadn't noticed his near slip-up, fearing that a full revelation of his identity would create an irreparable rift.
Meanwhile, Cao Weining, eager to impress Wen Kexing, attempted to prepare his bath, but Gu Xiang intervened and sent him away. Scorpion King reported to Zhao Jing that his spies had located Zhang Chengling, who was accompanied by Zhou Zishu ("the master of the Window of Heaven"), Wen Kexing ("the leader of evil ghosts"), and surprisingly, Shen Shen ("the descendant of the Sword Immortal"). Scorpion King also reported the deaths of Long Que and Long Xiao.
Zhao Jing remained unfazed, dismissing Long Que as a "dispensable shield" and welcoming Long Xiao's death. He then revealed his true motive: the armory key. He confessed that he had cheated Long Xiao about its location, and that the key had always been in the "most dangerous yet safest place"—Ghost Valley. This, he explained, was why he always wanted to exterminate Ghost Valley.
Zhao Jing detailed his elaborate "interlocking plan" to frame them: orchestrating the extermination of the Mirror Lake Sword Sect, the theft at Sanbai Manor, and the murder of Ao Laizi, all "to let people know that the Ghost Valley took the Glazed Armor." Scorpion King noted that the fake Glazed Armor had disrupted the plan, though it facilitated the earlier framing of Gao Chong.
When Scorpion King questioned Zhao Jing's deep-seated hatred for Gao Chong, Zhao Jing became enraged, ranting about the unfairness among sworn brothers, where some are domineering while others are forced to "stoop to compromise." He declared that only under his guidance would the Five Lakes Alliance become powerful. After Scorpion King apologized, Zhao Jing chastised him for the assassins' failure to eliminate Zhang Chengling.
Scorpion King offered to intervene personally, but Zhao Jing reminded him that both Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu had previously "escaped unscathed from you," ultimately deciding he had his own plan. Later that night, Gu Xiang found Zhou Zishu standing alone. She playfully scolded him for being awake so late and shared her observation that Wen Kexing drinks when sad but finds no relief.
Zhou Zishu, in turn, explained that wine is also known as a potion to forget one's sorrows. Gu Xiang then expressed deep concern for Zhou Zishu's deteriorating health, having overheard that he "is not gonna live for long." She tearfully urged him to "stay healthy" for Wen Kexing, stating that Wen Kexing "has finally got himself a friend." She even theatrically threatened to drag him back from the afterlife and kill him again if he abandoned Wen Kexing.
At this moment, Wen Kexing, who was secretly listening, gently pulled Gu Xiang's ear and sent her to fetch more wine. Shen Shen then approached, directly addressing Wen Kexing as "Yan" and asking about his parents. Wen Kexing, initially thinking Zhang Chengling revealed his identity, glared at him, but Zhang Chengling clarified that Shen Shen had guessed it himself. Wen Kexing, consumed by a surge of anger and grief, called Zhang Chengling an "idiot."
Shen Shen, overwhelmed with guilt, knelt and profusely apologized. Wen Kexing, in a choked voice, recounted the horrific suffering of his father, Zhen Ruyu, who had his "hamstrings all torn," lost the protection of his master, and endured immense persecution, yet "still stuck to his brotherhood and covered for his so-called brothers." Dismissing Shen Shen's apology, he lamented, "It's too late. They can't hear your apologies anymore."
Overwhelmed by his traumatic memories, Wen Kexing suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed unconscious. Zhou Zishu immediately took charge, sternly correcting Shen Shen by stating, "My junior's name is Wen Kexing. He chooses this name. Please respect his choice." He then revealed that his master, Qin Huaizhang, leader of the Four Seasons Manor, was the one who saved Wen Kexing after the devastating events of Mount Qingya. Shen Shen was overjoyed to hear this.
When Zhou Zishu questioned why Qin Huaizhang never mentioned their connection, Shen Shen explained that after the battle, Qin Huaizhang "terminated our contact" due to the brothers' perceived "disloyalty and injustice." Shen Shen acknowledged his own cowardice and profound regret. Zhang Chengling, recalling Zhou Zishu's suspicion, asked if Shen Shen was the one who poisoned Gao Chong's sword, causing Rong Xuan's madness. Shen Shen vehemently denied ever harming his brothers and vowed to seek revenge on the true culprit.
When Zhou Zishu asked who the current leader of the Five Lakes Alliance was, Zhang Chengling named "Chevalier Zhao." Hearing this, Shen Shen was enraged and demanded to wake the unconscious Wen Kexing for answers. Zhou Zishu intervened, delivering a scathing indictment of Shen Shen and the other brothers, asserting that if they had possessed even a shred of conscience years ago, Wen Kexing "wouldn't have been miserable for half his life."
Dismissing Shen Shen's excuses, Zhou Zishu left him to his own conscience, declaring that "Karma works every time," and that the other brothers also "met a bad end." He emphasized his desire for Wen Kexing to "not suffer from the past hatred" and ordered Shen Shen to leave, firmly stating, "Let us never meet again." He then instructed Zhang Chengling to escort Shen Shen out.
