Episode Summary
Xiao Qiushui discovers his family is hiding Old Madam Wu from the Power-wielding Gang. To get a recommendation for sect leadership, he and Liu Suifeng scam the gullible Kang Jiesheng, which leads to a confrontation but ultimately secures the letter. Xiao Qiushui then challenges his older brother, Xiao Yiren, for the title of sect leader. The competition begins, and Xiao Qiushui surprisingly wins the first round, a test of internal energy.
Spoiler Alert
The Secret in the Bamboo Garden
So, Liu Suifeng decides to stir the pot at dinner. He casually mentions the Power-wielding Gang is looking for some old lady. Sun Huishan immediately gets nervous and changes the subject. It's not subtle at all.
Later, Xiao Qiushui is walking through the bamboo garden. He notices a bunch of new guards posted outside his father's, Xiao Xilou's, room. This is not his dad's usual style. He starts connecting the dots. The whole martial arts world is looking for Old Madam Wu. He figures she must be hiding in his own house.
A Failed Night Raid
Liu Suifeng asks his spy in the Xiao family what's going on. The spy confirms the extra guards around the Thousand Bamboo Garden. So, Liu Suifeng decides to do some late-night trespassing. He hops the wall, thinking he's being stealthy. The second he touches the top, the whole courtyard lights up.
It turns out Xiao Qiushui guessed someone might try something. He had a trap ready. For once, Xiao Xilou seems pretty satisfied with his son's foresight.
The World's Worst Friendship Plan
That night, Xiao Qiushui tells Liu Suifeng to sleep in his room. He's still annoyed that none of the martial arts seniors will recommend him. He wants Liu Suifeng to come up with a new plan. Liu Suifeng says he's got nothing. Then Xiao Qiushui suggests Liu Suifeng just destroy the Power-wielding Gang for him. Liu Suifeng tells him that's not exactly possible. Xiao Qiushui feels like Liu Suifeng isn't a real friend. He gets mad and makes him sleep on the floor.
The next day, Xiao Qiushui follows Liu Suifeng around everywhere. Liu Suifeng gets fed up and finally gives him an idea. He brings up Kang Chuyu's son, Kang Jiesheng. Three years ago, Kang Jiesheng was in charge of disaster relief funds. He gambled it all away. His dad, Kang Chuyu, had to pay it all back out of his own pocket to cover it up. The plan is simple. If Xiao Qiushui can get on Kang Jiesheng's good side, his dad will owe him a favor.
The Easiest Mark
Kang Jiesheng shows up and tries to give a bunch of jewels to Xiao Xueyu. She turns him down. He starts insulting her. Xiao Qiushui sees this and gives him a piece of his mind. Their older brother, Xiao Yiren, happens to walk by and breaks it up. He tells Xiao Qiushui and Kang Jiesheng to go have tea together and make nice.
On the way, Xiao Qiushui and Liu Suifeng put a plan into action. They use a regular, worthless stone to trick Kang Jiesheng. They convince him it's some kind of treasure. Kang Jiesheng is not the sharpest tool in the shed. He falls for it completely. He loses a whole chest of gold bars and his sect leader ring.
Furious about being scammed, he accuses Xiao Qiushui and Xiao Xueyu of having an affair behind closed doors. This crosses a line. Xiao Qiushui gets so angry he smashes the ring to pieces. Kang Jiesheng is about to start a real fight, but their fathers show up and stop them.
A Recommendation Letter, Finally
Kang Jiesheng is obviously in the wrong. Xiao Qiushui acts magnanimous about the whole thing. As a result, Kang Chuyu writes the recommendation letter. Xiao Qiushui thinks his first team-up with Feng Lang (Liu Suifeng) went great. He believes their friendship is now on a whole new level.
The Fight for Leadership
Xiao Xilou calls a family meeting. He's sending Xiao Yiren to Guangling to investigate something called "Marching Pills".Xiao Xueyu says she wants to go with him. She explains that her adoptive parents raised her to be a hero, and this is her chance. Her parents agree that the experience will be good for her.
Then, Xiao Xilou announces he's getting old. He plans to pass the title of sect leader to Xiao Yiren. Xiao Qiushui rushes in and shoves the recommendation letter from Kang Chuyu forward. He declares that he also wants to compete for the position. Xiao Yiren suggests his younger brother should get a few years of experience first. Xiao Qiushui refuses to wait. He wants a duel right now. His father agrees to a fair competition. Sun Huishan immediately pulls Xiao Qiushui aside to start training.
The First Challenge
While this is happening, Liu Suifeng gets a tip from his spy. A sedan chair was recently taken to a place called the Sword Hut. He tries to get close while the duel is happening, but the security is too tight.
Back with the family, Sun Huishan teaches Xiao Qiushui a few self-defense moves from her youth. She basically tells him that if he's losing, he should just give up so he doesn't get beaten too badly.
The official competition begins. Xiao Qiushui proposes it should have three stages. The first test is a display of internal energy. Several magnets are placed on a table. Xiao Yiren goes first and manages to lift only one. Then it's Xiao Qiushui's turn. He easily lifts all the rest of them.
