Episode Summary
Xiao Qiushui learns his parents are in mortal danger and devises a desperate plan to protect them. He tricks Tang Fang into a cage to keep her safe, then confronts Qu Hanshan. By sacrificing his own life, he forces Qu Hanshan to reveal his true identity as the Sword King in front of everyone. After his tragic death and a heartbreaking farewell from Tang Fang, Xiao Qiushui's body is stolen. He is mysteriously revived by the manipulative Liu Suifeng, who reveals he has been pulling the strings all along.
Spoiler Alert
A Parent's Sacrifice
This episode starts with a gut punch. Xiao Qiushui finds a letter from his mother, Sun Huishan. It turns out the water supply at the Sword Hut is almost gone. His parents lied about it. They wanted to give their children a chance to live. The news completely shatters Xiao Qiushui. He runs to tell his brothers and sister. Xiao Yiren’s first instinct is to call Qu Hanshan for help. Xiao Qiushui desperately pleads with him not to. He knows they cannot let Qu Hanshan anywhere near their family.
A Desperate Plea
Xiao Yiren is angry and doesn't listen. This forces Xiao Qiushui to reveal his secret. He tells them he can see the future. The confession activates the Magic Tome. The Boiling Blood Cocoon flares up, sending waves of pain through his body. Even so, he crawls to his brother. He begs for one chance to prove Qu Hanshan is the villain. His sister, Xiao Xueyu, speaks up for him. She points out that he would never risk their parents' lives on a lie. She convinces the brothers to agree to a test. Xiao Qiushui says he has a plan to expose Qu Hanshan as the Sword King.
A Clever Ruse
Tang Fang shows up back at the Guangling villa. She sees Xiao Qiushui’s injuries and feels awful for not being there to help. He plays it cool, though. He even asks her for one of her lucky darts. Then he spins a tale about a hidden master named Deng Yuhan who can heal his wounds. He says he needs her to go ask for his help. Tang Fang falls for it and leaves right away.
The Real Trap
Of course, it was all a trick. Zuo Qiu leads Tang Fang deep into a forest. A cage drops from the trees and traps her. Xiao Qiushui knew she would come back for him. He couldn't let her get caught in his dangerous plan. This was his way of protecting her. He tells Zuo Qiu to have her go back to the Tang Clan. This is a turning point for Xiao Qiushui. He finally understands that the lives of his friends and family are real. They aren't just words in a book. He decides he will expose Qu Hanshan, no matter what it costs him.
The Final Gambit
The next day, the brothers leave without him to meet Qu Hanshan. As they pass through a forest, Xiao Qiushui is already there waiting for them. Xiao Yiren thinks he's there to cause more trouble. But Xiao Qiushui acts completely different. He says he wants to apologize to Qu Hanshan. Then he asks to speak with him alone. To get him to agree, he mentions the Hero's Token. The bait works.
The Truth Comes Out
Qu Hanshan gets close. He's still suspicious. He grabs Xiao Qiushui's arm, intending to cripple him permanently. This is exactly what Xiao Qiushui wanted. He summons all his remaining strength and forces the Boiling Blood Cocoon out. Qu Hanshan has to use his true power to fight back. His blood-red sword aura explodes into view for everyone to see. The secret is out. He is the Sword King. Exposed, Qu Hanshan makes a run for it.
A Hero's "Death"
The effort was too much for Xiao Qiushui. He's dying. His brothers finally realize he sacrificed himself to prove the truth. With his last breath, he begs them to protect their parents. Then, he dies. The Xiao brothers are overcome with regret. Xiao Yiren sends one brother back to the Sword Hut. He takes his men in another direction to create a diversion. He tells the house butler to arrange for Xiao Qiushui's burial.
A Broken Heart
Tang Fang escapes the cage and rushes back to the villa. She finds it in a state of mourning. She sees Xiao Qiushui's body in a coffin. The butler gives her a box from him. Inside is her lucky dart, the Flying Eagle Stream, and a letter. The letter asks her to return the Flying Eagle Stream to Old Madam Wu. It also makes one final request. She must not seek revenge. Tang Fang is heartbroken. She thinks about their time together and refuses to accept his death. She grabs her sword to go after Qu Hanshan. The butler stops her. He tells her it was Xiao Qiushui's dying wish.
A Shocking Revival
Later that night, Tang Fang is drinking alone. She hears a loud noise. She finds the butler knocked out and the coffin empty. The show then cuts to Liu Suifeng. He has Xiao Qiushui's body. He feeds him a "Xuanhuang Life-Extending Pill." After a moment, Xiao Qiushui wakes up. He is alive. Liu Suifeng doesn't waste any time. He immediately asks about the Hero's Token. He confesses that he orchestrated everything, from their first meeting to the Xiao family's crisis. The only thing that surprised him was Xiao Qiushui's willingness to die to expose the Sword King.
