Episode Summary
In this episode, the discovery of an orphan register links Xiao Beiming to Haiya and a series of suspicious deaths. The investigation leads him to the supposedly deceased royal, Wu Lie, who is found alive in the infamous Celestial Prison of Fengyu. After a dangerous confrontation, Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman manage to earn Wu Lie's trust and obtain a map to Haiya. Their subsequent journey leads them into a mysterious forest where they come face to face with a monstrous creature.
Spoiler Alert
A shocking list of orphans from Haiya reveals a startling connection between Huo Dairong and none other than Xiao Beiming, who, it turns out, had already begun to suspect the truth of his own identity. The web of intrigue deepens when Tong Shuang discovers his own second brother was also one of the Haiya orphans, leading him to suspect his father might be Canfeng Jia.
The group's investigation into the community of displaced people reveals a disturbing pattern: the Haiya orphans have been dying in a series of what appear to be accidents. While examining the orphan register, Xiao Beiming discovers a hidden seal bearing the name Wu Lie. Zhuge Kongyun identifies Wu Lie as the Emperor's fifth uncle, whose death and hasty, secret burial by the court—a stark contrast to the grand funeral expected for a royal family member—had always been shrouded in mystery.
Speculating that Wu Lie might still be alive, Xiao Beiming seeks out Lord Wu Zhui for answers. Though Wu Zhui is away, he has left a cryptic letter for Xiao Beiming with a single, tantalizing clue: "The most noble person is often hidden in the darkest place." The message immediately brings a notorious location to mind for both Xiao Beiming and Zhuge Kongyun. Xiao Beiming bids a heartfelt farewell to Fang Zheng, announcing his intention to travel to this "darkest place" to uncover the truth. Aware of the extreme danger, Fang Zheng prepares a plausible cover story to explain Xiao Beiming's absence to the court.
Zhong Xueman is furious upon learning Xiao Beiming's destination: the Celestial Prison of Fengyu, the Great Qi dynasty's most formidable prison for its most heinous criminals. The prison is an eighteen-level subterranean fortress where the punishments grow more severe with each descending level. Unwilling to let him face the peril alone, she insists on accompanying him.
Disguised, the pair infiltrate the prison. They witness the brutal reality of the first level, where prisoners are subjected to daily whippings, and see the cruelty intensify as they venture deeper. After a perilous journey, they reach the final, critical entrance, where their guard can proceed no further. Pushing open a heavy stone door, they find a man they presume to be Wu Lie, effortlessly carving a stone tablet with his bare hands—a testament to his incredible inner strength.
When Zhong Xueman presents a token to demand the truth, Wu Lie instantly sees through their ruse, stating that the Emperor would never send emissaries to see him. With a mere flicker of his inner force, he sends them staggering. Quick-thinking Xiao Beiming mentions Wu Zhui's name, which convinces Wu Lie to spare them, though he urges them to leave immediately. Refusing to back down, their persistence angers Wu Lie, who injures them both. In a moment of desperate passion, Xiao Beiming recounts the tragic deaths of innocent people over the years, stirring painful memories within Wu Lie. Though he struggles to maintain his composure, Wu Lie recognizes Xiao Beiming, noting his resemblance to his master and deeming him trustworthy. He hands over a map of Haiya.
The team begins the long journey to Haiya. After days of travel, they become lost in a dense forest. They encounter a local woodcutter who, though fearful of naming the place, warns them of a terrible creature within and advises them to turn back. Nevertheless, he takes pity on them and points them in the right direction. Later, while the group rests, Tong Shuang and Feng Qingzhuo scout ahead. Following the woodcutter's directions, they make a horrifying discovery: a colossal, man-eating monster.
