Episode Summary
Wangquan Hongye discovers through dream conversations that his father, Wangquan Shouzhou, is "Outside the Circle" (Quanwai). Years ago, Shouzhou severed a connection between an evil "Black Qingshu Tree" and Tushan's Qingshu Tree, which the Black Fox used to absorb hatred. Shouzhou warns Hongye of an impending solar eclipse, a time when this connection might be re-established, and advises him against rashly venturing "Outside the Circle." Yang Yitan learns his father, Yang He, died aiding Shouzhou. This news, however, fuels resentment in Yang Yitan's grandfather, Yang Huanzhou, towards Wangquan Shouzhou, making Huanzhou susceptible to the Black Fox's manipulation. While Wangquan Zui and Yang Yitan are in Tushan, Yang Huanzhou, now controlled by the Black Fox, severely injures Wangquan Zui. He then tragically manipulates a grief-stricken Yang Yitan into killing him. Concurrently, Jiu Huo uses his demon core to reopen the pathway between the Qingshu Trees. Despite her injuries, Wangquan Zui does not blame Yang Yitan for his grandfather's actions.
Spoiler Alert
So, Wangquan Hongye is still having these intense dream chats with his dad, Wangquan Shouzhou. It turns out, Papa Shouzhou is actually "Outside the Circle" (Quanwai) and has been using these dream meet-ups as his only way to communicate with Hongye. It's pretty clever, if a bit spooky. We learn that way back when Hongye was just sixteen, Yang Yitan's father, Yang He, witnessed something truly horrifying. The Black Fox had somehow managed to link the Qingshu Tree "Outside the Circle" with the famous Tushan Qingshu Tree (you know, the Love Tree!) and was using it to suck up all the hatred from within the Circle. Yikes! Yang He, being the powerful dude he was, used all his spiritual energy to pinpoint a weak spot in this connection. That's when Wangquan Shouzhou, armed with the Wangquan Sword, swooped in and sliced that nasty link apart.
But, of course, the Black Fox wasn't too pleased about this and discovered Shouzhou. Realizing he was outmatched, Shouzhou had to go into hiding "Outside the Circle," hence the limited dream calls with Hongye. Yang He also warned that during a solar eclipse, the "Black Qingshu Tree's" hate-power is at its peak, and it could try to reconnect with the Tushan tree. There’s an eclipse coming up soon, so Shouzhou gives Hongye a stern warning: don't even think about venturing "Outside the Circle" unless you're absolutely sure you can win in one strike.
In a rather touching dream moment, Shouzhou performs a belated crowning ceremony for Hongye. He also tells his son that once he truly understands the "Heaven and Earth Sword Intent," the legendary Wangquan Sword will find its way to him.
Hongye wakes up and immediately tells the Masked Group everything, which is how Yang Yitan finally learns the real story behind his father Yang He's death. Yang Yitan then shares this with his grandfather, Yang Huanzhou, but the old man doesn't get it. Instead of understanding, he's just filled with resentment towards Wangquan Shouzhou. Yang Yitan, however, isn't having any of it. He's the head of the Yang family now, and he’s decided to stand with the Yiqi Alliance, effectively sidelining his grandpa.
This, naturally, leaves Yang Huanzhou simmering in his own hatred, making him an easy target for a remnant of the Black Fox. With a little nudge from the dark entity, Huanzhou's hatred for the Wangquan family goes through the roof.
Meanwhile, Wangquan Zui accompanies Yang Yitan to pay respects to his parents. Afterwards, they head to Tushan to see the Qingshu Tree. A vendor is selling Tushan red thread love knots, claiming they’ve been blessed by Tushan's big boss and are super effective. Yang Yitan thinks they look cheaply made and doesn't buy it, but Wangquan Zui, ever the romantic who’d rather believe in fate than not, convinces him to get one.
The next morning, Yang Yitan is gone when Wangquan Zui wakes up, having left her a note. Then, who should appear in Tushan but Yang Huanzhou! Wangquan Zui, completely caught off guard, is severely injured by him. Yang Yitan sees a paper kite (their signal for trouble) and rushes back. He's horrified to find that his grandfather, Yang Huanzhou, is not only brimming with demonic energy (Yaoxi) but is also clearly being controlled by the Black Fox. It dawns on Yitan that his grandfather must have been the one who released Jiu Huo in the Yaoguoguo (Demon Control Nation) underground palace that day.
Yang Huanzhou then does something drastic: he offers his own flesh and blood as a sacrifice to summon all the evil in the world. Yang Yitan is no match for this and is quickly knocked unconscious. Taking things to a new level of cruel, Yang Huanzhou tortures Wangquan Zui, using her pain to fuel Yang Yitan's own hatred when he comes to. The Black Fox then guides the hate-filled Yang Yitan to strike down his own grandfather, and Yang Huanzhou is killed.
As if that wasn't enough, at the exact same time, Jiu Huo uses his demon core (Yaodan) to reopen the channel between the Qingshu Trees inside and outside the Circle. Talk about bad timing!
Later, at Yang Huanzhou's funeral, Wangquan Hongye kneels before the memorial tablet to pay his respects. Wangquan Zui, despite the horrific injuries inflicted by Huanzhou, doesn't blame Yang Yitan for what happened. She just tells him that once she’s better, he owes her a few good jars of wine. A true friend!
