Episode Summary
In this episode, Su Muyang betrays Li Shuang by handing a drugged Jin An over to Jin Wujian, only to be double-crossed himself by his brother, Su Muli. Li Shuang saves Su Muyang from a trap, and they both fall into a quicksand pit where she nearly dies. Jin An breaks his magical seal to save her but loses control, while Mo Yin confronts Jin Wujian for their master's murder. In the end, Su Muyang secretly kills Su Muli, blames Jin An, and returns to the capital to seize the throne.
Spoiler Alert
Su Muyang's Betrayal
A Friend's Deception
So, Li Shuang sees Su Muyang as her brother. He's her only real friend. She thinks he's the one person who understands her. But she's completely wrong. Su Muyang tells her it's all too late. Just then, someone walks in. Jin An recognizes the man as one of Jin Wujian's guys. He tries to fight but realizes his powers are gone. The chains they put on him did the trick. The man sticks Jin An with a silver needle. Jin An is out cold. We learn Su Muyang drugged his wine earlier. Su Muyang tells Jin Wujian's man not to forget his promise.
The Mansion Massacre
Su Muyang leaves the General's Mansion. Right after, his brother Su Muli arrives with soldiers. Su Muli gives a chilling order. Kill everyone inside. The fighting lasts until dawn. Almost everyone in the General's Mansion is dead. Li Shuang learns that both Jin An and Su Muyang are missing. She immediately gets on a horse to chase after them.
A Double-Cross at the Altar
The Trap is Set
Su Muyang follows a map. He thinks it's leading him to safety. It doesn't. The map leads him to a strange altar. It was a trap designed just for him. Su Muli is already there waiting. Su Muyang finally understands that Jin Wujian betrayed him. He looks at Su Muli's army and knows he's cornered.
A Leap of Faith
Right when things look hopeless, Li Shuang appears. She stands in front of Su Muyang to protect him. Su Muli just smirks and flips a switch. A trap door opens, sending Su Muyang into a secret chamber below. Li Shuang doesn't hesitate. She jumps in right after him to save him.
Quicksand and a Killer's Confession
The Truth Comes Out
Jin Wujian gets Jin An back to his base. He thinks his grand plan is about to succeed. But Mo Yin tracks him down. Mo Yin sees the weapon Jin Wujian is carrying. He realizes Jin Wujian is the one who murdered their adoptive father. Jin Wujian doesn't even try to deny it. He's bitter. He says Mo Yin stole the life that should have been his. That's why he was kicked out for practicing forbidden arts.
Sinking Fast
In the secret chamber, Su Muyang is sinking in quicksand. He feels so guilty about what he's done. He refuses to take Li Shuang's hand to be saved. But Li Shuang begs him to live. She tells him he must survive to protect Tai Jin and her family. With her last bit of strength, she shoves him to a safe spot. Now, she is the one sinking into the sand.
A Desperate Rescue
Jin An Breaks Free
Even though Jin An is unconscious, he senses Li Shuang is in mortal danger. As she disappears into the sand, Li Shuang pulls the hairpin from her hair. She leaves it on the ground. It's a sign for Jin An, so he'll know she died there. The feeling of her danger is too strong. Jin An forcibly breaks the "Jade Exquisite" that binds him. He escapes and arrives just in the nick of time to pull her out.
Out of Control
Breaking the seal comes at a cost. Jin An loses control of himself. He grabs Li Shuang and starts to choke her. A special blood bead seems to bring him back to his senses for a moment. But Mo Yin arrives and shatters the bead. Jin An completely loses his mind. Li Shuang is injured, but she still believes the real Jin An is in there somewhere. The crazed Jin An turns on Mo Yin. He threatens him. Heal Li Shuang, or he will lose the power of the Jade Exquisite forever.
The Final Twists
A Brother's Revenge
Su Muyang escapes the quicksand pit. He immediately runs into Su Muli again. Su Muli pulls out a dagger. He coated the blade with a powerful poison just for this occasion. Later, Li Shuang wakes up. She is all alone. She searches and finds Su Muli's dead body. Su Muyang is there, acting terrified. He tells her that Jin An killed his brother. This is a complete lie. In reality, Su Muyang finally used his right hand, a skill he had been hiding. He turned the tables on his brother. He grabbed the poisoned dagger and killed Su Muli himself. He finally got his revenge.
The Path to the Throne
Mo Yin brings the unstable Jin An back to Wuling Mountain. Jin An is a mess. He refuses to eat or drink for days. He blames Mo Yin for hurting Li Shuang. Mo Yin tries to explain it was a desperate situation. He tells Jin An that tomorrow is the day they must remove the Jade Exquisite.
News of Su Muli's death travels to the capital. The Emperor becomes sick from the shock. Su Muyang decides to return to the capital first. He goes to see his father-in-law. He tells him the truth. The Emperor was planning to sacrifice him. His father-in-law agrees to help him seize power. With Su Muli dead, Su Muyang is the only heir left. He plans to return for Li Shuang as the new emperor.
