Episode Summary
The group's escape plan is complicated by a traitor in their midst. Kang Chuyu is revealed as the Power-wielding Gang's mole, poisoning everyone except Xiao Qiushui. In the ensuing chaos and fight for survival, Tang Rou sacrifices her life to save Xiao Qiushui.
Spoiler Alert
The Walls Are Closing In
Hiding Out and Making Bets
Xiao Qiushui and Liu Suifeng are hiding in a brothel called Qunfang Tower. A woman named Hongxiu is helping them, but the town is crawling with the Sword King's men. They need to leave and meet up with Old Madam Wu. Their first idea is to sneak out with the night soil carts. It's a gross plan, but it might work.
While this is happening, Song Mingzhu secretly reports to Liu Suifeng that their previous plan failed. Liu Suifeng is sharp. He figures the Sword King must have a mole planted near Old Madam Wu. That's the only way they could have known where to set up their roadblocks. He suspects the mole is the "Nameless Demon," the one high-ranking officer from the Power-wielding Gang they haven't seen yet.
Back in the room, Xiao Qiushui makes a list of powerful families who were friendly with his own. He plans to ask them for help against the Power-wielding Gang once Old Madam Wu is safe. Liu Suifeng is cynical. He thinks money and power are all that matter to these people. He doubts they'll risk fighting the gang. Xiao Qiushui believes in honor and righteousness. They make a bet. The winner gets to take the loser's most prized possession.
The Great Escape
The night soil cart plan falls through when the cart breaks. So, it's on to plan B. Xiao Qiushui decides they'll disguise themselves as members of the Power-wielding Gang. He will pretend to be Liu Suifeng, and Liu Suifeng will pretend to be Zhao Shirong. Luckily, Liu Suifeng has a white fan, just like the one he's rumored to use in the Jianghu.
That night, they ride out of town. Xiao Qiushui is on horseback, and Liu Suifeng is in a sedan chair. The gang's disciples have never actually seen Liu Suifeng's face. The white fan and a move called the "Flowing Cloud Sleeves" are enough to fool them, and they get through the checkpoint.
The Trap is Sprung
A Poisoned Reunion
Xiao Qiushui and Tang Fang finally find the rest of their group, including Tang Rou and Old Madam Wu. Old Madam Wu is grateful to Xiao Qiushui for getting the letter, which allowed them to find each other.
Later that night, the group is together in an abandoned courtyard. Someone makes porridge. After a few bites, people start feeling dizzy and weak. It's poison. A muscle-relaxing powder called Ruanjin San. The only way to fight it is by using internal energy to slow its spread.
And then we see the traitor. Kang Chuyu runs into a room, pretending to check on the poisoned, and reveals his true identity. He is the mole. The Nameless Demon from the Power-wielding Gang. Xiao Qiushui is the only one who wasn't poisoned. He hadn't eaten the porridge yet.
A Desperate Fight and a Tragic Loss
The Power-wielding Gang surrounds the courtyard. Old Madam Wu's personal guards stay behind to buy time, telling Xiao Qiushui to get the others to safety. As they flee into the woods, they're ambushed by a man named Yan Guigui. Xiao Qiushui and Tang Rou manage to kill him. In the chaos, Song Mingzhu grabs Old Madam Wu's bag and runs. Liu Suifeng uses chasing the thief as an excuse to follow her.
Things get weirder when Yan Guigui's twin brother splits off from his body after his death. Xiao Qiushui and Tang Fang quickly take him down too.
Liu Suifeng catches up with Song Mingzhu. The stolen package contains the Nirvana Box, and inside is the Hero's Token. But only Old Madam Wu knows how to open it. Liu Suifeng fakes an injury to get the box back. Just as they return, they find Kang Chuyu holding Old Madam Wu hostage, demanding the Hero's Token. Xiao Qiushui and Liu Suifeng arrive at the same time and create a diversion. But then Kang Jiesheng, another enemy, attacks Xiao Qiushui from behind.
Tang Rou sees the attack. She throws herself in front of Xiao Qiushui, taking the sword meant for him. The wound is fatal. Reinforcements finally arrive and kill Kang Jiesheng with a volley of arrows, but Kang Chuyu escapes in the confusion.
Back at their camp, a doctor confirms that Tang Rou's heart meridian has been severed. She's dying. With her last breaths, she asks Xiao Qiushui to take care of her sister. Her friends, Zuo Qiu and Deng Yuhan, are devastated. They declare that every honor the Shenzhou Alliance earns from now on will also belong to Tang Rou. [p, 5]
