Word of Honor Episode 24 Recap
> Word of Honor Recap
Zhou Zi Shu, Wen Ke Xing, and Zhang Cheng Ling arrived at Four Seasons Manor, a place of stunning natural beauty. Wen Ke Xing was captivated by the scenic wonders, remarking on the manor's splendid views and its unique charm throughout the four seasons, from the profusion of azaleas in spring to plum blossoms in winter. Zhou Zi Shu shared memories of his great master's wife and Aunt Bi, highlighting their kindness to animals.
He recalled how his great master's wife would fiercely protect the rabbits, the offspring of her own brood, and once even chased his master across the mountain for hunting a deer. Zhang Cheng Ling chimed in, noting the similarity with his own mother often chastising his father despite his imposing public persona. As they approached the main courtyard, Zhou Zi Shu pointed out a Mo Ya stone carving, which his master had created for Qin Jiu Xiao's one-month-old birthday.
However, the manor itself was overgrown and desolate. Zhou Zi Shu felt a pang of sadness, but Wen Ke Xing and Zhang Cheng Ling quickly reassured him, promising to clean and restore the place. Zhang Cheng Ling eagerly pledged his efforts alongside Wen Ke Xing. Zhou Zi Shu then meticulously described the manor's layout, explaining the intricacies of every stone and wood, and detailing the 28 Constellation arrays designed by Master Long.
He warned them not to touch the old, rusty mechanisms until they could be properly repaired. Inside the conference hall, Zhou Zi Shu recalled his master testing their homework and everyone gathering around the stove during holidays. His eyes fell upon a painting of 81 plum blossoms, symbolizing the 81 disciples of their generation at Four Seasons Manor. He expressed profound regret, feeling he was responsible for their tragic end.
Meanwhile, Cao Weining and Gu Xiang continued their journey to the Gentle Wind Sword Sect. Cao Weining was puzzled by Gu Xiang's distant demeanor, wondering why she remained cold to him after he confessed his feelings. Gu Xiang, however, was secretly burdened by her true identity. She believed that the truth would eventually be revealed, but for now, she cherished the present moments with Cao Weining.
Their path soon led them to an unsettling scene where Zhu Yao Zhi, Gao Chong's disciple, was being brutalized by members of the Five Lakes Alliance, led by Mu Si Yuan. Mu Si Yuan accused Gao Chong of conspiring with the Ghost Valley and openly declared Wen Ke Xing to be the valley chief, revealing that Zhao Jing had circulated Wanted posters for Wen Ke Xing and the Ten Devils throughout the martial arts world.
Zhu Yao Zhi vehemently defended his master and Wen Ke Xing, pointing out that Wen Ke Xing had saved Zhang Cheng Ling and was too young to be the Ghost Valley chief. Mu Si Yuan scoffed at this, claiming that evil magic could grant eternal youth. Gu Xiang listened in horror, realizing Wen Ke Xing's cover was blown.
Mu Si Yuan then tried to force Zhu Yao Zhi to denounce Gao Chong, but Zhu Yao Zhi refused to betray his master and fought back. Just as the situation escalated, Shen Shen arrived, intervening to stop the fight. Seeing her opportunity, Gu Xiang discreetly rejoined Cao Weining. Later, she questioned Cao Weining about his sincerity, expressing her fears about being an orphan and her unknown past.
Cao Weining reaffirmed his unwavering commitment, promising to marry her and even elope if his master and elders disapproved. His earnest words deeply moved Gu Xiang. That night, Wen Ke Xing was tormented by a vivid nightmare from his childhood. He relived the horrifying moment when the original Ghost Valley chief and Luo Fu Meng murdered his parents. He heard the valley chief's subordinates describing him as a natural-born demon.
He recalled Luo Fu Meng pulling him aside, lamenting her inability to save his parents but vowing to protect him, and then forcing him to drink Water of Lethe to erase his memories. However, young Wen Ke Xing adamantly refused to forget. He awoke with a start to find Zhou Zi Shu convulsing in pain, calling out for his junior brother, Qin Jiu Xiao. Wen Ke Xing immediately used his internal energy to alleviate Zhou Zi Shu's suffering.
Once the immediate crisis passed, Zhou Zi Shu spoke of the constant pain from the seven nails, which flared up every night with varying intensity. Wen Ke Xing then questioned the slow progress of Ye Bai Yi, jokingly likening him to a slow-crawling turtle. Zhou Zi Shu playfully admonished him for cursing Ye Bai Yi behind his back, but Wen Ke Xing retorted that he would say it to his face as well, criticizing the old monster's unreliability.
Seeing Wen Ke Xing's concern, Zhou Zi Shu decided to share his painful past. He recounted how, as the chief of Four Seasons Manor, he was ordered by Prince Jin to eliminate Officer Jiang, a benefactor to him, Qin Jiu Xiao, and Luo Hao Ning. Officer Jiang's daughter was even Qin Jiu Xiao's fiancée.
Luo Hao Ning and Qin Jiu Xiao pleaded with Zhou Zi Shu to spare Officer Jiang, arguing that while they might not understand the complexities of court politics, martial artists valued gratitude. Luo Hao Ning declared he would die protecting Officer Jiang rather than live as a coward. Zhou Zi Shu, seemingly persuaded, offered them "Drunk Like A Dream" wine, which caused them to fall into a five-day slumber.
By the time they awoke, Officer Jiang's fate was sealed, and Qin Jiu Xiao, filled with resentment, left without a word. Later, Qin Jiu Xiao died tragically while attempting to rescue Zhou Zi Shu, mistakenly believing him to be in peril. His fiancée, after an arduous journey, brought his body back to Zhou Zi Shu.
The full extent of their relationship remained unknown to Zhou Zi Shu at the time, and to his lasting regret, he unknowingly forced Qin Jiu Xiao's beloved to ingest a fast-acting poison. Overwhelmed by guilt, Zhou Zi Shu called himself a coward and a deserter, believing they would curse him in another world. Wen Ke Xing comforted him, assuring him that they would understand. But Zhou Zi Shu insisted they never truly knew the real him, blinded by their admiration.
Zhou Zi Shu then revealed that after his master's sudden death, he was entrusted with the Four Seasons Manor at a young age. Faced with relentless threats from both righteous and villainous factions, he watched helplessly as his uncles and brothers sacrificed their lives to protect the manor. Unable to bear the burden, he fled. His father, a loyal aide to the former Prince Jin, had connections to the current Prince Jin, Zhou Zi Shu's cousin.
The Prince, concerned about lacking trusted allies, wrote to Zhou Zi Shu for help. Zhou Zi Shu met the Prince, who was distraught over the unjust death of his teacher, imprisoned and tortured by the Prince's own father on false charges. The teacher had committed suicide in jail, leaving behind a wall covered in blood-written poems that condemned the corrupt "Window of Heaven" and highlighted the injustice of the world.
The Prince recounted his father's cruelty, leaving the teacher's body unburied for wild dogs to scavenge. Zhou Zi Shu, horrified, pledged to retrieve and properly bury the teacher's remains. This led Zhou Zi Shu to lead all the brothers of Four Seasons Manor to serve Prince Jin, only to find themselves ensnared in a quagmire of power and desire. He watched his brothers, one by one, perish before his eyes, including Qin Jiu Xiao.
After Jiu Xiao's death, feeling as though there was nothing left to live for, Zhou Zi Shu fled once more. He lamented that all that remained were the seven nails in his body, and everything he wished to protect had slipped through his fingers like sand. Despite his despair, he acknowledged a sliver of hope that Heaven had granted him a second chance through Zhang Cheng Ling.
Wen Ke Xing assured him that Ye Bai Yi would find a cure, but Zhou Zi Shu remained skeptical, acknowledging the unpredictability of fate. Nevertheless, he expressed profound joy at Wen Ke Xing's return and companionship. As Wen Ke Xing stepped outside for some fresh air, Zhou Zi Shu softly mused that although Wen Ke Xing bore the name of a disciple of Four Seasons Manor, he was free to choose his own path.
He believed his master, if he knew, would be overjoyed that a child of the Wen family had returned to the manor. The following morning, Zhang Cheng Ling informed Zhou Zi Shu that Wen Ke Xing had specifically asked for him to be allowed to sleep longer after a restless night. Zhou Zi Shu soon found Wen Ke Xing meticulously repairing a painting of his master.
Wen Ke Xing explained that the damage was not severe and it merely needed re-mounting and careful color restoration by an expert, after which it would be as good as new. Touched by Wen Ke Xing's thoughtfulness, Zhou Zi Shu embraced him. Meanwhile, outside, Ye Bai Yi overheard common folk discussing Wen Ke Xing's alleged identity as the Ghost Valley chief. They gossiped that he must be an ancient being using dark arts to maintain a youthful appearance.
Ye Bai Yi, angered by their disrespectful tone and the slander, demanded to know Wen Ke Xing's name. The villagers responded rudely, confirming that the Five Lakes Alliance, at Zhao Jing's command, had indeed distributed images of Wen Ke Xing and the Ghost Valley's primary figures to various sects. Enraged by their insolence and the defamation of Wen Ke Xing, Ye Bai Yi lashed out, injuring the disrespectful men.
