Episode Summary
Zang Hai reveals his true identity as Kuai Duo's son, Zhi Nu, to the Emperor and recounts his family's massacre. The Emperor, a childhood friend of Kuai Duo, tasks Zang Hai with retrieving the Gui Xi and provides him with the Duan Ning Sword to confront his third enemy. Zang Hai's investigation begins with Chief Grand Secretary Shi Yiping. His long-time masked benefactor dramatically reveals himself as Zhao Bingwen, who rescued Zang Hai as a child after his family was killed and entrusted him to Master Xing Dou. Zhao Bingwen explains his deep connection to Kuai Duo and offers to help Zang Hai.
Spoiler Alert
"Legend of Zang Hai" Episode 35 Recap & Spoilers:
In a pivotal turn of events, Zang Hai willingly surrenders to the Emperor, confessing his true identity as Zhi Nu, the son of Kuai Duo. He lays bare the tragic story of his family's annihilation. The Emperor, who shared a close childhood bond with Kuai Duo – a friend who once risked his life for him – tasks Zang Hai with a crucial mission: retrieve the Gui Xi, a significant imperial artifact. To aid him in his quest for justice against his third and final enemy, the Emperor bestows upon him the Duan Ning Sword, a blade meant to cut down treacherous officials.
Zang Hai decides to initiate his investigation with the highest-ranking official in the cabinet, the Chief Grand Secretary Shi Yiping. Both his enigmatic masked benefactor and his confidant, Gao Ming, express their concerns for his safety, offering strategic advice. Sensing the moment was right, the masked benefactor dramatically unveils his true face, revealing himself to be Zhao Bingwen. Zang Hai is utterly stunned. Zhao Bingwen then returns a small wooden deer carving to Zang Hai – a cherished memento from his father, Kuai Duo, from ten years prior. Overwhelmed, Zang Hai collapses to his knees in profound gratitude, while Zhao Bingwen himself is moved to tears by the reunion.
Zhao Bingwen proceeds to recount the deep history he shared with Kuai Duo. Years ago, Zhao Bingwen was assigned to investigate a major construction corruption case that implicated numerous court officials. These officials collectively framed him. In that dire situation, only Kuai Duo stood up to defend him. Consequently, Zhao Bingwen was demoted and exiled to a remote border post. He swore then to repay Kuai Duo's kindness. The two maintained contact through letters. Eventually, Zhao Bingwen's distinguished service led to his recall to The Capital, while Kuai Duo had journeyed to Dong Xia to oversee the construction of the Fengshan Terrace.
Three years later, Zhao Bingwen received an urgent, secret message from Kuai Duo. Kuai Duo expressed his intent to leave The Capital with his wife and child, requesting Zhao Bingwen's assistance for their departure. Zhao Bingwen traveled through the night but arrived too late – Kuai Duo's home had been razed by fire. It was Zhao Bingwen who rescued the young Zhi Nu (Zang Hai) from the inferno and entrusted him to the care and tutelage of Master Xing Dou. Learning the full story of his rescue and his benefactor's sacrifices, Zang Hai is deeply moved.
Zhao Bingwen is equally invested in uncovering the identity of the third enemy and offers to help Zang Hai investigate Shi Yiping. Given Shi Yiping's powerful position as Chief Grand Secretary – second only to the Emperor – he is not easily accessible. Zhao Bingwen promptly drafts a formal request for a meeting and dispatches it to Shi Yiping. That night, Zang Hai, unable to sleep, sits pensively in the courtyard when Gao Ming joins him for a heart-to-heart. Zang Hai, curious about Gao Ming's connection to Zhao Bingwen, learns that Gao Ming was an orphan taken in by Zhao Bingwen. Moreover, Zhao Bingwen had also provided shelter for Liu Chu and had saved Master Xing Dou's life, earning their unwavering loyalty.
When Xiang Antu learns that Zhao Bingwen, the father of Tong'er (also known as the Eighth Master), is Zang Hai's savior, she marvels at the strange workings of fate. She cautions Zang Hai to be extremely vigilant during his visit to Shi Yiping's residence. The following morning, Zhao Bingwen accompanies Zang Hai to meet Shi Yiping. After initial pleasantries, Zhao Bingwen requests Shi Yiping to guide and support Zang Hai. Shi Yiping astutely guesses that Zang Hai intends to investigate the death of Cao Jingxian by starting with the cabinet. Zang Hai doesn't deny this, and Shi Yiping encourages him to proceed with his investigation, promising his full cooperation.
During the visit, Zang Hai observes Shi Yiping to be remarkably composed, offering no hint of guilt or weakness. He does, however, notice several valuable and currently sought-after paintings adorning Shi Yiping's home, including the "Scenery of Mount Yuren," a depiction of a famous mountain in Dong Xia. Zang Hai decides on a more direct approach and plans a second visit to Shi Yiping that very night. He arrives bearing two exquisite paintings, hoping to appeal to Shi Yiping's known appreciation for art. Shi Yiping, aware that Zang Hai is neither an artist nor a connoisseur of such items, becomes suspicious of Zang Hai's elaborate efforts to curry favor. He voices his displeasure, asserting that Zang Hai lacks the authority to investigate Cao Jingxian's death and declares his intention to petition the Emperor to take over the case himself.
Facing Shi Yiping's pointed accusations, Zang Hai remains unflustered and composed, even offering sharp retorts. Suddenly, Shi Yiping vomits blood and collapses. Zang Hai immediately suspects the tea was poisoned. Before he can fully process the situation, an assassin, Lu Yan, bursts into the room, lunging at Shi Yiping. Zang Hai orders the guards to apprehend her, but Lu Yan manages to escape through a window. The timely arrival of Shi Lei and Xiang Antu aids the guards in subduing Lu Yan. Cornered, Lu Yan vehemently accuses Shi Yiping of stealing the Gui Xi from Cao Jingxian and subsequently slaughtering those involved. Knowing her escape was impossible, Lu Yan takes her own life.
With Shi Yiping dead from poisoning, Sun Defang conducts a thorough search of the residence but fails to locate the Gui Xi. Zang Hai, however, notices a peculiar mechanism behind one of the paintings. He instructs Sun Defang to dismiss the guards. Behind the painting, Zang Hai discovers a hidden compartment containing the Gui Xi and a Bronze Fish. Sun Defang immediately escorts Zang Hai to the Emperor.
Zang Hai reports to the Emperor, detailing Shi Yiping's theft of the Gui Xi and his role in poisoning the Chang Wei agents. He returns the Duan Ning Sword. Zang Hai then requests the "Scenery of Mount Yuren" painting from Shi Yiping's collection, a request the Emperor readily grants. Zhao Bingwen, upon hearing that Zang Hai has handed over both the Gui Xi and the Bronze Fish to the Emperor, breathes a sigh of relief. He reveals that years ago, Kuai Duo had only submitted the Gui Xi to the Emperor, secretly retaining the Bronze Fish. Kuai Duo had feared the Emperor might misuse the Gui Xi to wage wars, a decision that ultimately led to the tragic fate of his family.
Later, Xiang Antu finds Zang Hai drinking heavily, lost in thought. She senses his inner turmoil. Zang Hai confesses that while he suspected Shi Yiping was his third enemy, witnessing his gruesome death brought no satisfaction. He feels something is amiss, believing the true third enemy is still at large – someone who framed Shi Yiping to conceal their own identity. Zang Hai suspects this unknown adversary is after the third Bronze Fish, which is currently in his possession. Only with all three Bronze Fish can the Gui Xi be fully utilized. Xiang Antu comforts him, urging him not to overthink and promising her unwavering companionship. Troubled and disillusioned, Zang Hai resolves to resign from his official position.
The next morning, Zang Hai confides in Gao Ming about his decision to resign, expressing his desire to travel the world with Xiang Antu and to visit Master Xing Dou. Gao Ming, initially taken aback, quickly offers his full support for Zang Hai's choice. Meanwhile, the Emperor appoints Zhao Bingwen as the new Chief Grand Secretary. Wary of the immense responsibility, Zhao Bingwen expresses a desire to first serve as an acting Chief Grand Secretary.
Zang Hai reveals his true identity as Kuai Duo's son, Zhi Nu, to the Emperor and recounts his family's massacre. The Emperor, a childhood friend of Kuai Duo, tasks Zang Hai with retrieving the Gui Xi and provides him with the Duan Ning Sword to confront his third enemy. Zang Hai's investigation begins with Chief Grand Secretary Shi Yiping. His long-time masked benefactor dramatically reveals himself as Zhao Bingwen, who rescued Zang Hai as a child after his family was killed and entrusted him to Master Xing Dou. Zhao Bingwen explains his deep connection to Kuai Duo and offers to help Zang Hai.
During a visit to Shi Yiping, Zang Hai notes suspicious details. Later, Shi Yiping is suddenly poisoned during a confrontation with Zang Hai. An assassin, Lu Yan, attempts to kill the already dying Shi Yiping, accuses him of stealing the Gui Xi from Cao Jingxian, and then commits suicide. Zang Hai discovers the Gui Xi and a Bronze Fish hidden in Shi Yiping's residence. He reports this to the Emperor, who grants Zang Hai a painting from Shi's collection. Zhao Bingwen is relieved Zang Hai returned both items, as Kuai Duo had kept the Bronze Fish, fearing the Emperor would misuse the Gui Xi.
Despite Shi Yiping's death, Zang Hai feels uneasy, suspecting Shi was framed by the true third enemy who is likely after Zang Hai's own Bronze Fish (one of three needed to unlock the Gui Xi's power). Disillusioned, Zang Hai decides to resign from his official duties. The Emperor appoints Zhao Bingwen as the acting Chief Grand Secretary.
