Episode Summary
Xiao Qiushui masterminds a brilliant triple-cross, using Qu Hanshan to frame Liu Suifeng for the Ghost King's murder, and then killing Qu Hanshan himself. This dismantles a part of the Power-wielding Gang's leadership. Meanwhile, Tang Fang exposes Tang Song's treachery at the Tang Clan meeting, leading to his downfall and her securing her position, albeit with a harsh lesson from the Tang Matriarch.
Spoiler Alert
The Plan
A Secret in a Dagger
The episode kicks off with a pretty big reveal from Xiao Qiushui. He tells Tang Fang about a dagger Old Madam Wu gave him. It turns out the Hero's Token was hidden inside it the whole time.The dagger broke when he was prying open a stone coffin, and there it was.
The token has the handprints of three masters. Two are gone, but one, a woman named Zhichen of Emei, is still around. They figure she might know something about the Book of Forgetful Love or the infamous Yan Kuangtu. This could be the key to helping Tang Fang's father, Tang Shunyao.
Setting the Trap
Tang Fang has been one step ahead of her cousin, Tang Song. She knew he was up to no good. She’s been using a bug to track him. The Tang Clan is about to hold its "Yin-Hai Night," a major event to decide the head of the main family branch. Tang Song chose the location. He picked the forbidden Insect Valley. Tang Fang is sure he plans to revive the Corpse Mite King.
Behind Tang Song is Liu Suifeng. He’s pulling the strings and beefing up security. He fully expects Xiao Qiushui to crash the party.
What he doesn't expect is Xiao Qiushui's counter-move. Xiao Qiushui goes to Qu Hanshan, one of the Power-wielding Gang's Eight Kings.He shows him the Corpse Mite King's shed skin. Xiao Qiushui lays out a plan to turn the gang against itself. He wants to frame Liu Suifeng for killing one of the other Kings, which is a huge violation of their rules. Qu Hanshan already hates Liu Suifeng, so he agrees to help. He gives up the locations of Liu's men.
The Triple-Cross in Insect Valley
Everyone in Position
Yin-Hai Night arrives. Both Xiao Qiushui and Liu Suifeng sneak in disguised as attendants. They spot each other almost immediately. Liu Suifeng tells Tang Song to keep the main gate to Insect Valley shut.
The action splits. Tang Fang heads to the Scorpion Stage to compete and create a distraction. Xiao Qiushui uses the opportunity to get close to the valley.
The Trap Springs
Liu Suifeng meets with the Ghost King, another of the Eight Kings. They're getting ready to release the Corpse Mite King. Just then, Xiao Qiushui makes a noise. Liu Suifeng, annoyed, goes to take care of the intruder.
This is the moment the plan kicks in. With Liu gone, Qu Hanshan appears and kills the Ghost King.
Xiao Qiushui leads Liu Suifeng on a chase into an open valley. They fight. Just as Liu Suifeng is about to win, Qu Hanshan shows up. He throws the Ghost King's dead body on the ground. He holds up a box, claiming he has the Corpse Mite King. Liu Suifeng finally realizes he's been played.
Qu Hanshan then turns on Liu Suifeng to silence him. He opens the box to use the Corpse Mite King, but it's empty. In that moment of shock, he understands Xiao Qiushui used him, too. Before he can do anything, Xiao Qiushui slices his throat. Liu Suifeng, badly injured, manages to escape.
Showdown at the Tang Clan
Tang Song's Last Stand
Back on the Scorpion Stage, Tang Fang is dominating. Tang Song, desperate, resorts to using forbidden poisoned weapons to control the other family branches. It doesn't work. He still loses to Tang Fang. The other families, realizing they've been poisoned, immediately turn on him.
The five elders confess that Tang Song forced them to hold the meeting in Insect Valley. Seeing it's all over, Tang Song tries to blame everything on the Power-wielding Gang. His sister, Tang Qing, tries to kill herself but is stopped by the Tang Matriarch.
The Matriarch's Judgment
Tang Fang brings a wounded Xiao Qiushui before the Matriarch. She exposes Tang Song's entire plot to raise the Corpse Mite King for the Power-wielding Gang. But the Matriarch isn't pleased. She's furious that Tang Fang brought an outsider into a secret clan meeting. She orders both Tang Fang and Tang Song to be imprisoned in the Abilou Tower.
Xiao Qiushui sees what's really going on. The Matriarch wanted to get rid of the Power-wielding Gang's influence, but she also couldn't lose face. He steps in and pleads for Tang Fang. The Matriarch is still angry about an outsider's presence. She strikes him with a powerful palm attack. Then, she gives him an official invitation token. The matter is settled. She got what she wanted, and appearances are maintained.
