Zhan Zhao Adventures Episode 31 Recap
> Zhan Zhao Adventures Recaps
Upon returning to Wanshan County from Gucheng County, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong were immediately drawn to a chaotic scene where a crowd had gathered around a deep pit. Leaving Bai Yutang to watch over their witness, Zhao Zhengde, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong went to inspect the area, where paper talismans fluttered through the air. Onlookers recognized the victim as Wang Heng, identifying him by his newly tailored clothes.
Examining the fluttering talismans, Hu Xiaochen concluded that the Xiuluo Cult was active once more and attempting a cover-up. Zhan Zhao informed him that they had brought back Zhao Zhengde, a crucial witness from the decade-old case, and needed a secure hideout. Agreeing that the county court was compromised, Hu Xiaochen warned Zhan Zhao not to speak of their findings within the yamen walls.
He revealed his suspicion of Zhu Mingyuan, noting that on the day Zhong Shou was murdered, Zhu Mingyuan had manipulated schedules and checked prison shifts. They realized Zhu Mingyuan had orchestrated Zhong Shou’s assassination by Luo Changshui and subsequently executed Luo Changshui in public to silence him. To trap the mastermind, Hu Xiaochen suggested a plan. He had Bai Yutang settle Zhao Zhengde in an empty house on Wansheng Street while he kept Zhu Mingyuan occupied at the court.
When the four allies met after dark, Hu Xiaochen was shocked to learn that Zhao Yue'an was actually the illegitimate son of the Lord of Xiangyang, fostered under Zhao Zhengde. Fearing that the Lord of Xiangyang would silence Zhao Zhengde, Hu Xiaochen advised against moving the witness and suggested drawing the suspects to their own territory for identification instead.
Although Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang strongly suspected Shao Jizu, Hu Xiaochen insisted on gathering all three potential suspects—Shao Jizu, Tang Tianhao, and Huo Feng—to avoid subjective bias. Bai Yutang offered to write to Tang Tianhao to invite him, while Huo Linglong wrote to Shao Jizu, using their upcoming wedding as a pretext.
They arranged the meeting in the Heaven suite of Juxian Pavilion, which sat directly across from Wanxing Restaurant, allowing Zhao Zhengde to observe them from across the street. That night, Zhu Mingyuan sneaked into the old residence of Si Ming to meet Zhou Jiliang, the newly appointed leader of the Xiuluo Cult. Zhou Jiliang took pleasure in the growing panic in Wanshan County.
When Zhu Mingyuan warned him that using poison would leave too many traces, Zhou Jiliang agreed to stick to the plan, expressing anticipation for his upcoming encounter with Zhan Zhao after ten years of separation. Meanwhile, two travelers rushing through the night witnessed a horrifying scene in the wilderness. They saw Xiuluo Cult members pushing two men and a woman into a pit, stoning them to death with rocks. Terrified, they fled to the county court to report the crime.
The victims were identified as Liu Sanlang and his parents. Huo Linglong and Bai Yutang were puzzled by the cult's sudden shift in targets, but Zhan Zhao asserted that the cult was acting under the Lord of Xiangyang's orders to disrupt their investigation. He emphasized that finding Zhao Yue'an was the only way to end the killings. Tang Tianhao arrived as planned.
Though annoyed to find himself suspected of being the Lord of Xiangyang's illegitimate son, he confirmed his innocence and agreed to help. He and Huo Linglong discussed a needle technique that might temporarily suppress the poison in Zhan Zhao's body. Despite knowing it was a trap, Shao Jizu came alone. With the wedding less than half a month away, he wanted to see what Zhan Zhao was truly capable of.
When he entered Juxian Pavilion, Bai Yutang grew suspicious upon noticing there was no ambush. Inside the pavilion, Tang Tianhao confronted Shao Jizu about the downfall of the Tang Sect, but Shao Jizu brushed him off, stating he was waiting for another guest. Across the street at Wanxing Restaurant, Zhan Zhao had Bai Yutang watch the pavilion with Zhao Zhengde. Just then, a traveling father and daughter passed by and fell, causing Zhao Zhengde's expression to change drastically.
Meanwhile, Huo Feng entered the Juxian Pavilion suite. Inside, Shao Jizu revealed that the upcoming marriage was merely a transaction where the Lord of Xiangyang, the Shao family, and the Huo family each took what they needed. He warned Huo Linglong that her obsession with Zhan Zhao would destroy her family. Enraged, Huo Feng drew his sword to fight him. During the clash, Shao Jizu spotted Zhao Zhengde watching from the window, smiled coldly, and left.
Across the street, Zhao Zhengde pointed at the window and identified Huo Feng as the true Zhao Yue'an. Suddenly, the traveling father and daughter on the street turned out to be disguised Xiuluo Cult members. They attacked Zhao Zhengde with Soul-Chasing Nails, but Zhan Zhao intercepted them. As a fierce battle erupted, Hu Xiaochen arrived with reinforcements. Bai Yutang leaped out to pursue Shao Jizu, but his path was blocked by Zhu Mingyuan.
As the duel intensified, paper talismans rained down from the sky, sending the crowd into a panic. Zhou Jiliang revealed himself to Zhan Zhao, mockingly claiming the title of the new Yaksha. The two clashed in a fierce duel. Zhou Jiliang was surprised that Zhan Zhao's strength remained formidable despite his poisoning, but he quickly distracted Zhan Zhao by mentioning Ming Zhuer and the past family massacre, using the moment of hesitation to escape.
Nearby, Zhu Mingyuan held a local citizen hostage, demanding that Hu Xiaochen hand over Zhao Zhengde. Terrified onlookers pressured Hu Xiaochen to agree to the trade, arguing that a stranger's life was not worth a local resident's. Refusing to sacrifice his witness, Hu Xiaochen offered himself as a hostage instead. Zhu Mingyuan rejected the offer, ruthlessly killing the hostage before attempting to flee, only to run directly into Zhan Zhao, who captured him. Back at the court, the grieving widow wept bitterly, laying the blame for her husband's death on Zhan Zhao and the investigators.
