Word of Honor Episode 26 Recap
> Word of Honor Recap
Wen Ke Xing woke from a strange nightmare, feeling disoriented after using Zhou Zi Shu's Drunk Like A Dream incense. He found Zhang Cheng Ling diligently practicing martial arts in the courtyard, having started early in the morning. Zhang Cheng Ling confessed he couldn't sleep, haunted by the Ghost Valley's evil deeds and the suffering it caused, making him eager to quickly master martial arts like Wen Ke Xing and Zhou Zi Shu to seek revenge.
Wen Ke Xing, without revealing his true identity as the valley chief, corrected Zhang Cheng Ling's posture, instructing him on the principles of Eight Trigram Palm and other martial arts, emphasizing that true skill takes time to cultivate. He also offered to get some calming incense from Zhou Zi Shu to help Zhang Cheng Ling sleep better. Zhou Zi Shu, witnessing Wen Ke Xing's willingness to teach his disciple, felt a deep sense of relief.
A messenger from the Ping An Bank arrived, bringing a letter for Zhou Zi Shu from Ye Bai Yi. Zhou Zi Shu, accompanied by Wen Ke Xing and Zhang Cheng Ling, went to the bank. There, he met Ping An, the manager of the bank's Central Plain branches.
Ping An revealed that the bank was owned by Prince Qi and primarily served to gather information for Da Wu, using mechanical birds that Zhou Zi Shu himself had taught Da Wu to create years ago. Zhou Zi Shu was surprised to learn that Ye Bai Yi had sought out Prince Qi and Da Wu to heal his injuries.
Ping An clarified that upon hearing of Zhou Zi Shu's poor health, Prince Qi decided to travel to Kun Prefecture with Da Wu. Zhou Zi Shu was worried about Prince Qi venturing into the Central Plains, but Ping An assured him that Kun was far from Prince Jin's influence. Wen Ke Xing realized that Da Wu and Prince Qi were old acquaintances of Zhou Zi Shu from their time serving Prince Jin, who they both left after being disillusioned.
Ye Bai Yi, impatient for the rare herbs Da Wu and Prince Qi needed to gather, had returned ahead of them and sent a letter to Zhou Zi Shu. The letter, full of complaints and demands for pork and cabbage dumplings for the winter solstice, highlighted Ye Bai Yi's frustration at being reduced to a "postman" for old friends who already knew each other.
Zhou Zi Shu explained that he had initially not wished to live, which was why he hadn't sought them out earlier. Meanwhile, the Unchanging Ghost, Happy Ghost, and other Ghosts approached Scorpion King, furious that Zhao Jing had publicly distributed the "Ghost Book," which detailed the appearances, martial arts, origins, and misdeeds of the Ghost Valley Chief and the Ten Devils.
They argued that this made it impossible for them to operate and exposed them to every sect in the martial arts world. Scorpion King, however, casually dismissed their concerns, suggesting they simply use disguises and noting that notoriety was beneficial for "badasses" like them. The Ghosts, feeling betrayed and cornered, declared that their alliance was over if Zhao Jing resorted to such despicable tactics.
Scorpion King mockingly called them hypocrites for accusing others of being despicable and allowed them to leave, sending them off with a sarcastic farewell. After the Ghosts' departure, Scorpion King received a letter from Liu Qian Qiao detailing the recipe for the Water of Lethe. He revealed his discovery that Water of Lethe is made from Nepenthes mixed with seven poisonous insects, causing one to forget their most obsessive memories.
Conversely, mixing Nepenthes with seven scented flowers creates Drunk Like A Dream, which can counteract the Water of Lethe and unlock sealed memories. To avoid harming Luo Fu Meng's mind with potent oral doses, Scorpion King had been using an incense version of Drunk Like A Dream, exposing her to it for seven days in a special room. He believed that once she regained her full consciousness, she would reveal the truth, thereby clearing Zhao Jing's name against mounting rumors.
Soon after, Liu Qian Qiao appeared before Scorpion King, offering her service as his loyal servant in exchange for the release of Luo Fu Meng and Yu Qiu Feng. Scorpion King acknowledged her past contribution in finding the Water of Lethe recipe, but stated that while he would not kill Luo Fu Meng and Yu Qiu Feng, he wouldn't release them solely based on her plea. He promised to reward her if she proved her usefulness.
Concurrently, Cao Weining and Gu Xiang arrived at the foot of Gentle Wind Sword Sect's mountain. Gu Xiang, in her usual blunt manner, commented on the desolation of the place. They were greeted by Elder Fan Huai Kong and Senior Disciple Mo Wei Xu. Cao Weining was overjoyed to be home for the New Year. Fan Huai Kong immediately began to question Gu Xiang about her background, her martial arts, and her family.
Gu Xiang cleverly evaded the questions, claiming to be a servant to a reclusive, temperamental master who forbade her from revealing his name. She also stated she was an orphan, which resonated with Fan Huai Kong, who noted that she and Cao Weining were "fated" to be together.
Fan Huai Kong, delighted with Gu Xiang, promised to arrange their marriage after the New Year, lamenting that the sect's leader had recently issued a strict order to block the mountain and refuse all outsiders, which was why Gu Xiang had to stay in a small house halfway up the mountain instead of in the main sect. Cao Weining tried to ask about the reason for the blocked mountain, but Fan Huai Kong quickly changed the subject.
Wen Ke Xing, while out with Zhou Zi Shu, excused himself and followed Yun Cai, a cleaner ghost who had been sheltered by Gu Xiang, to a hidden gathering of Ghost Valley disciples. The disciples, led by Old Corpse Eater, were in disarray and hiding. They confirmed that the "Ghost Book" had indeed been circulated, leading to a widespread hunt for ghosts, causing them to be like "rats on the street."
They pleaded with Wen Ke Xing to return to Ghost Valley, reorganize their forces, and lead them in a decisive battle against Zhao Jing. Wen Ke Xing inquired about the status of the Ten Devils, specifically Luo Fu Meng and Beauty Ghost, and was told they had not been seen since before the Heroes Conference. He also learned that the Five Lakes Alliance was planning another Heroes Conference.
Meanwhile, Scorpion King confronted Zhao Jing, demanding to know why their relationship remained a secret despite Zhao Jing's rise to power. Zhao Jing, feigning vulnerability, spoke of his hardships and how he had been forced to rely on Scorpion King's support in the shadows. He used emotional appeals, declaring Scorpion King his only family and the sole heir to his vast enterprise, asking him not to doubt their bond.
Scorpion King then produced a blood-stained handkerchief inscribed with "If you don't disappoint me, I won't disappoint you," which he had received from Yu Qiu Feng, and questioned Zhao Jing's past sincerity. Zhao Jing, initially evasive, then launched into a fabricated story. He claimed to have loved Luo Fu Meng, the young mistress of Neon Palace, while he was a poor commoner. Her family opposed their union.
He claimed the handkerchief was a token from Luo Fu Meng expressing her unwavering resolve. He then accused Li Yao, his later wife, of being a "vicious woman" who blackmailed him with knowledge of his involvement in stealing from the armory, forcing him to marry her to protect his "brothers."
He said that on the day of his wedding to Li Yao, Luo Fu Meng, driven mad by grief, attacked Neon Palace, and he, despite being injured by her unique martial arts while subduing her, secretly sent her to Heal Valley for treatment. He finished by confessing to killing Li Yao out of anger for ruining his life, framing it as a tragic necessity and a deep personal shame he had intended to take to his grave.
Scorpion King was momentarily swayed by Zhao Jing's dramatic confession, feeling regret for questioning his "father." However, Luo Fu Meng, now fully recovered thanks to Scorpion King's Drunk Like A Dream incense, was also present with Liu Qian Qiao. She immediately exposed Zhao Jing's lies.
She revealed that her father, heartbroken by her constant tears over Zhao Jing abandoning her for the high-born Li Yao, was the one who blackmailed Zhao Jing with the armory's secret and offered him the position of Neon Palace Master to force him to marry her. On their wedding day, Zhao Jing ruthlessly colluded with traitors within the palace to massacre the entire Neon Palace, not Luo Fu Meng.
Luo Fu Meng expressed gratitude that she hadn't married Zhao Jing, realizing she would have suffered the same fate as Li Yao. She warned Scorpion King that Zhao Jing was a master manipulator who kept "trophies" of his every major scheme, listing his master's ring and the sword that poisoned Rong Xuan as examples. She predicted that Zhao Jing must have given Scorpion King a special token as well, supposedly representing his "sincerity."
Hearing Luo Fu Meng's account, Scorpion King looked deeply troubled and conflicted. Back at the manor, Zhou Zi Shu, knowing Ye Bai Yi's penchant for good food, told Wen Ke Xing to prepare plenty of cabbage and pork dumplings, along with fine wine and other dishes for the upcoming winter solstice. Wen Ke Xing bemoaned Ye Bai Yi's enormous appetite but agreed to go to Qingshui Town for supplies.
Zhang Cheng Ling wanted to join him, but Zhou Zi Shu insisted he stay home and continue his training. As night fell, Wen Ke Xing expressed his readiness for the "big fight" ahead, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.
