Episode Summary
Episode 26 sees Jiang Xiang furiously confronting Zhuang Luyin over his decision to make Zhuang Zhixing the heir and honor his deceased mother, Shen Wan. This leads Jiang Xiang to plan an imperial appeal. Zhuang Luyin confesses to Zhuang Zhixing about the massacre of Kuai Duo's family and the reasons behind it, revealing that the Queen of Dong Xia was the third conspirator. Zhuang Zhixing, in turn, tells Zang Hai, who vows revenge on the Queen but agrees not to kill Zhuang Luyin himself. Jiang Xiang successfully appeals to the Emperor, exposing Zhuang Luyin's corruption and deceit, leading to his imprisonment. In a final confrontation in prison, Zang Hai reveals his true identity as Kuai Duo's son, Zhi Nu, to a devastated Zhuang Luyin, solidifying his victory as his intricate plan comes to fruition.
Spoiler Alert
"Legend of Zang Hai" Episode 26 Recap & Spoilers
Episode 26 of "Legend of Zang Hai" escalates the drama to new heights, packed with explosive confrontations, devastating revelations, and the spectacular downfall of a key figure, as Zang Hai’s quest for vengeance takes a pivotal turn.
The episode ignites with Jiang Xiang’s fury. Learning that Zhuang Luyin has not only designated Zhuang Zhixing as his heir apparent but has also formally recognized Zhuang Zhixing's deceased mother, Shen Wan, in the ancestral records—complete with her memorial tablet in the ancestral hall—is more than Jiang Xiang can bear. She storms in to confront Zhuang Luyin, contemptuously throwing Shen Wan's memorial tablet to the ground. Vociferously asserting her status as the true matriarch of the Marquis's household, she threatens to expose the real circumstances of Shen Wan's death. Zhuang Luyin, enraged, slaps Jiang Xiang hard and has her forcibly removed.
Meanwhile, a grief-stricken Zhuang Zhixing clutches his mother Shen Wan's memorial tablet, inconsolable. Zang Hai offers words of comfort. Shortly after Jiang Xiang returns to her chambers, Zhuang Shan arrives to inform her that she and Zhuang Zhipu's family are to be sent back to their old countryside estate the very next morning. Defiant, Jiang Xiang refuses to leave. She instructs her daughter-in-law to bring her first-rank imperial edict ceremonial attire, resolved to go to the palace and make a direct imperial appeal to the Emperor.
Later, after a night banquet, Zhuang Zhixing meets with Zhuang Luyin. In a moment of vulnerability, Zhuang Luyin confesses to orchestrating the massacre of Kuai Duo's family years ago and hands over the bronze fish emblem to Zhuang Zhixing. Witnessing his father, who seems to have aged dramatically overnight, Zhuang Zhixing is filled with pity. He immediately seeks out Zang Hai, pleading with him to spare Zhuang Luyin, arguing that his father is now a powerless, broken old man. However, Zang Hai remains unyielding, his resolve to avenge his parents and sister as firm as stone.
Unable to sway Zang Hai, Zhuang Zhixing returns the bronze fish to him and reveals the full, harrowing truth he learned from his father. Zhuang Luyin’s two military campaigns against the state of Dong Xia were both thwarted by the mysterious "Yin Soldiers," who were controlled by a powerful artifact or entity known as the Gui Xi. Ten years prior, while escorting a Dong Xia hostage back to the capital, Zhuang Luyin had tasked Chu Huaiming with overseeing Kuai Duo's construction of the Fengshan Terrace. En route, Zhuang Luyin received a secret dispatch from Chu Huaiming: the Fengshan Terrace had suddenly collapsed. Chu Huaiming had witnessed Kuai Duo escaping the ruins and then fleeing Dong Xia with an unknown object.
Zhuang Luyin came to suspect that Kuai Duo intended to seize the Gui Xi for himself. He consulted with Cao Jingxian and the Queen of Dong Xia to plot their response, which culminated in the raid to apprehend Kuai Duo and the subsequent brutal annihilation of his entire family. The most shocking revelation for Zang Hai is the identity of the third conspirator in his family's murder: Xiang Antu's mother, the Queen of Dong Xia. Zang Hai vows to kill her. Zhuang Zhixing, having fulfilled his promise to uncover the third culprit, agrees to aid Zang Hai in his revenge, but only on the condition that Zang Hai does not personally kill Zhuang Luyin.
Armed with this devastating new information, Zang Hai confronts Xiang Antu, telling her the truth about her mother's involvement. Xiang Antu vehemently denies it, refusing to believe her mother could be a murderer. She accuses Zhuang Luyin of fabricating the story to shift blame and implores Zang Hai not to trust his one-sided account, but Zang Hai is beyond persuasion.
The following morning, Zhuang Zhixing attends the imperial court alongside other officials, where the Emperor bestows upon him further honors and promotions.
However, the court's proceedings are dramatically interrupted. Jiang Xiang, dressed in her resplendent first-rank imperial edict ceremonial attire, arrives at the palace, beats the grievance drum, and demands an audience. The Emperor grants her entry. Despite Zhuang Luyin’s hushed, urgent commands for her to retreat, Jiang Xiang stands her ground. She publicly accuses Zhuang Luyin of deceiving the Emperor, engaging in widespread corruption, and ensuring Zhuang Zhixing’s victory as Martial Champion through illicit means. Jiang Xiang presents damning evidence of Zhuang Luyin bribing three chief examiners. The examiners confess to accepting bribes from Zhuang Luyin to unfairly favor Zhuang Zhixing. Zhuang Luyin’s attempts to defend himself fall on deaf ears; the Emperor is unconvinced.
Adding to the accusations, He Ziqing steps forward to expose Zhuang Luyin for condoning Zhuang Zhipu's embezzlement and for forcing craftsmen to be buried alive as sacrificial victims. Overwhelmed and unable to refute the charges, Zhuang Luyin’s fate is sealed. The enraged Emperor orders his immediate imprisonment and a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices.
Later, Zang Hai visits Zhuang Luyin in his prison cell, bringing him food and wine. He informs Zhuang Luyin that the trial has concluded and his crimes have been fully substantiated. Cao Jingxian has repeatedly advised the Emperor to issue a death sentence. Zhuang Luyin, still clinging to disbelief that the Emperor would allow his execution, desperately urges Zang Hai to seek help from Xie Houguang of the Ministry of War and Huang Shen of the Ministry of Rites.
But Zang Hai has no intention of helping him. Instead, he calmly pulls up a chair and sits directly in front of Zhuang Luyin’s cell. Then, he delivers the final, crushing blow: he reveals his true identity as Zhi Nu, the son of Kuai Duo. Zhuang Luyin erupts in bitter laughter, boasting that he has killed countless people throughout his military career, and Kuai Duo was merely one among many. He arrogantly proclaims that he will not die and that, upon his release, Zang Hai will be the first person he eliminates.
Zang Hai sharply retorts. Zhuang Luyin then threatens to expose Zang Hai's identity to Cao Jingxian, so Cao Jingxian can dispose of him. Zang Hai coldly dismisses the threat, stating Zhuang Luyin will not live long enough to see Cao Jingxian again. He reveals that he learned about the third murderer—the Queen of Dong Xia—from Zhuang Zhixing, and he vows to eliminate his enemies one by one. The realization that Zhuang Zhixing, his own son, was also a pawn in Zang Hai’s intricate game of revenge finally breaks Zhuang Luyin. Understanding that all is lost, he lets out a long, despairing cry to the heavens.
As Zang Hai walks out of the prison, heavy, goose-feather snow begins to fall. The sight triggers memories of his murdered parents and beloved sister, and tears stream uncontrollably down his face, a poignant reflection of his sorrow amidst his chilling triumph.
