Episode Summary
In this episode, the thieves trying to steal the treasure kill each other, with the last one being killed by a leopard in the chest. We learn this was a setup by Lu Lingfeng and Master Fei to capture the real villain, Yuan Li, who is the infamous criminal Ink Shadow and Nether Flame. After his capture, several characters are given a second chance, with Leng Ji, Nujiao, Gao Da, Wang Youbo, and Ruan Daxiong all leaving Chang'an for a new life.
Spoiler Alert
The Thieves Fall Apart
So, the episode picks up with the three thieves who stole the chest. Lang Yehu has a busted leg. He's trying to get away. He runs right into his partners, Qilang and Liulang.
They immediately start arguing about how to split the loot. The argument turns into a sword fight. Lang Yehu is outnumbered and gets killed. Then Qilang gets greedy. He decides he wants all the treasure for himself. He waits for Liulang to turn his back and stabs him.
With both his partners dead, Qilang is ecstatic. He grabs a rock to smash the lock on the chest. The second the lock breaks, a leopard leaps out. It kills him on the spot. You just can't make this stuff up. It’s a perfect, self-contained story of greed and karma.
Lu Lingfeng's Master Plan
You might be wondering where Lu Lingfeng was during all this. He wasn't chasing the thieves. He knew exactly what was going on. He had pulled a switcheroo.
We learn that he swapped the leopard with the original troupe master. The old man we saw earlier was Yuan Li, the real leader of the Xuanhuo Troupe. Yuan Li explains his whole troupe was hijacked by bandits a couple of weeks ago. He only survived by lying. He told them he had a fortune in a bank that only he could withdraw. The female performers back up his story. They talk about how awful the bandits were. The only one who stays quiet is Sang'er.
The Performance Gets Heated
Ruan Daxiong gets his restaurant back in order. He calls for a new banquet to celebrate. He asks the Xuanhuo Troupe to perform.
The show starts with music and dancers. Yuan Li steps into the center of the room. He performs a magic trick. A glowing, seven-colored lotus appears in his hands. The whole room is impressed.
But then things get weird. Everyone who drank the wine starts feeling dizzy. They're all hallucinating. Yuan Li suddenly breathes a massive plume of fire. Two dancers start flying through the air, fanning the flames. The fire gets out of control. Even Lu Lingfeng can't handle it. Pei Xijun sees what's happening and yells at Sang'er. She tells her not to help this monster.
Just when it looks really bad, Master Fei appears. He puts out the fire with his own magic. Then he drops a bombshell on Lu Lingfeng. This performer, Yuan Li, is actually the man they've been hunting. He is Ink Shadow and Nether Flame.
The Villain is Unmasked
With his plan ruined, Yuan Li tries to run. Lu Lingfeng is faster. He tackles and captures him. At the same time, Ruan Daxiong and his friends surround the female performers. The women give up immediately. They say Yuan Li forced them to commit crimes for years.
Master Fei explains everything. Su Wuming already knew Ink Shadow and Nether Flame was in Chang'an. He knew the target was Ruan's Restaurant. Su Wuming's whole "getting drunk" act was a setup. It was all a trap to catch Yuan Li off guard.
Master Fei also reveals a personal connection. He and Yuan Li go way back. Twenty years ago, Fei saved Yuan Li from his enemies in the Ghost Market. But Yuan Li betrayed him. He killed four of Master Fei's friends just to steal a powerful spirit pill. Fei is ready to end him right there. Chu Yingtao stops him. She insists Yuan Li must be handed over to the authorities.
Su Wuming asks Yuan Li a simple question. Why come back now after hiding for two decades? Yuan Li says he was forced to. Master Fei figures it out instantly. He must have received an order from the mysterious "Blood Drops." Just then, Xue Huan arrives with guards. They arrest Yuan Li and his entire crew.
Tying Up Loose Ends
Sang'er finally tells her story. Su Wuming recognizes that she helped them solve the case. He promises to use his influence to free her from servitude. She is overcome with gratitude.
Later, everyone gathers for a drink. Master Fei explains how he outsmarted the villains. He knew Gou Mengchang was trying to drug them. He used his own magic to knock out the thieves and put the leopard in the chest.
During the dinner, Lu Lingfeng talks about poetry. He says he used to think it was all about fancy words. But after his travels, he realized true poetry comes from real-life experience. Inspired, Wang Youbo suggests renaming the restaurant. He wants to call it "Hero's Tower." Gao Da even offers to paint the new sign.
A Quiet Escape
The next day, Leng Ji is nowhere to be found. Lu Lingfeng and the others check his room. It's empty. They find a secret tunnel hidden in the floor. It leads outside the city walls.
We see Leng Ji and Nujiao riding away on horseback. They are finally free to be together.
Back at the restaurant, Gao Da and Wang Youbo are ready for their punishment. They expect Lu Lingfeng to arrest them. But Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming share a look. They pretend they never saw the tunnel. They let their friends go. It's a way to honor their loyalty while giving them a plausible story for their superiors.
Ruan Daxiong hangs the new "Hero's Tower" sign. He even forgives Manager Hou and lets him keep his job. Su Wuming realizes the entire banquet was Ruan's plan to help Leng Ji and Nujiao reunite. He's impressed. Gao Da and Wang Youbo are, too. They invite Ruan to join them on their travels. He happily agrees. The three new friends ride off into the sunrise together.
