Episode Summary
Zang Hai, imprisoned, learns Xiang Antu is being forced into a marriage with the Haidong tribe. Xiang Antu arranges for Zang Hai to escort her as a ruse for his escape, with help from Zhuang Zhixing. However, Zang Hai becomes suspicious that Zhuang Zhixing may now be allied with their enemy, Zhao Bingwen. After a confrontation, Zhuang Zhixing allows Zang Hai and Xiang Antu to leave to destroy the powerful Gui Xi. They locate the hidden Fengshan Terrace, uncovering the dark history of the Gui Xi and its creation of an undead army, the Yin Bing, by Queen Minglü Huda. As they emerge, they are ambushed by Zhao Bingwen, accompanied by Zhuang Zhixing.
Spoiler Alert
"Legend of Zang Hai" Episode 39 Recap & Spoilers
The episode opens with Zang Hai in a precarious situation, confined to the notorious Tianlao (Sky Prison). His world is further shaken when a jailer informs him of an impending political alliance: Xiang Antu is to be married off to a member of the Haidong tribe. The news leaves Zang Hai deeply agitated.
Xiang Antu, who has a history of being a "Zhizi" (political hostage) in the state of Da Yong since her childhood, secures permission from her sister, Mingyan Yinshu, for a final visit to Zang Hai. It's a farewell, and Zang Hai, though devastated, feels utterly helpless to alter her fate. Aware that Mingyan Yinshu's spies are watching their every move, they converse with caution, ostensibly reminiscing about Zhuang Zhixing's victory in a "Budaoqiu" (a traditional polo-like sport) competition – a conversation likely laden with hidden meanings.
Prior to this meeting, Xiang Antu had spent an entire night with a "Momo" (an old, trusted nanny) who had served her mother. This conversation brought her up to speed on the events that had unfolded in their homeland of Dong Xia over the past ten years. Xiang Antu also entrusted the Momo with a significant task. Driven by a profound fear that Mingyan Yinshu might order Zang Hai's execution, Xiang Antu devises a plan for his safety: she insists that Zang Hai accompany her as an escort to the Haidong tribe, under the condition that he would be granted his freedom upon their arrival. After considerable deliberation, Mingyan Yinshu reluctantly agrees to this arrangement.
Xiang Antu makes a desperate attempt to warn Mingyan Yinshu about the formidable threat posed by Zhao Bingwen. She reveals his covert plan to assemble an army within Dong Xia and his intention to use the powerful "Gui Xi" (Gui Seal) to achieve dominion, a move that would render Xiang Antu's marriage alliance with the Haidong tribe strategically irrelevant. However, Mingyan Yinshu curtly dismisses her younger sister's warnings, remaining steadfast in her decision that the marriage must proceed. Consequently, Xiang Antu departs from Dong Xia, with Zang Hai among her escort party.
As the grand wedding procession makes its way out of Dong Xia, they are met by the designated Haidong welcoming party. Zang Hai’s sharp eyes immediately identify their leader as Xiang Hong, a subordinate of Zhuang Zhixing, cleverly disguised. This encounter is no coincidence; during Xiang Antu's prison visit, Zang Hai had subtly signaled her to seek assistance from Zhuang Zhixing. Xiang Antu had then relayed this crucial message to Zhuang Zhixing via the Momo. The original Dong Xia escorts, satisfied after a cursory identity check of the (counterfeit) Haidong party, depart, unknowingly leaving Xiang Antu and Zang Hai in the hands of Zhuang Zhixing's allies.
Xiang Antu quickly mounts Zang Hai’s horse, and together they follow Xiang Hong to Zhuang Zhixing's military encampment. It is a poignant reunion, as Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhixing have not seen each other for a year. Zang Hai expresses his gratitude to Zhuang Zhixing, who has now risen to the rank of "Zhaoyi Jiangjun" (General Zhaoyi), for the timely rescue. Zang Hai observes a newfound maturity and composure in his friend. He then recounts the tale of how Zhao Bingwen orchestrated his downfall, revealing Zhao Bingwen as the third enemy on his path of vengeance. Zhuang Zhixing listens with an impassive expression, his only discernible surprise being the revelation that his own deceased father, Zhuang Luyin, had deceived him in the past.
However, a seed of doubt begins to sprout in Zang Hai's mind. He confides in Xiang Antu his suspicion that Zhao Bingwen might have already won Zhuang Zhixing over to his side. He stresses the need for a swift departure from the camp, fearing that Zhuang Zhixing might betray their location to Zhao Bingwen. Their apprehension intensifies when Xiang Antu overhears soldiers discussing Zhao Bingwen's latest directive to Zhuang Zhixing: to conscript laborers from Dong Xia for the construction of the "Fengshan Tai" (Fengshan Terrace). Zang Hai is resolute in his determination to foil Zhao Bingwen's plans. At that critical juncture, Zhuang Zhixing appears, sternly warning them against any unauthorized movement and stationing guards outside their tent.
Convinced of Zhuang Zhixing's betrayal, Zang Hai neutralizes the guards and attempts a daring nighttime escape with Xiang Antu, only to be intercepted by Zhuang Zhixing himself. A heartbroken Zang Hai confronts his friend, recounting the bitter history of how Zhao Bingwen had once saved his life, only to cynically manipulate him for his own revenge schemes. He passionately implores Zhuang Zhixing not to fall prey to Zhao Bingwen's treacherous machinations. Zhuang Zhixing proposes that Zang Hai adopt a new identity and align with him. However, Zang Hai firmly declines, his singular focus remaining the destruction of the Gui Xi. After a moment of intense internal struggle, Zhuang Zhixing makes an unexpected decision: he agrees to let Zang Hai and Xiang Antu leave, thereby permitting Zang Hai to continue his perilous mission to destroy the Gui Xi.
Zang Hai and Xiang Antu journey to the dilapidated site where Kuai Duo had originally constructed the Fengshan Terrace. They search for an entrance to the concealed chamber where the Gui Xi is sealed. The terrace itself has long since crumbled, but Zang Hai, keenly observing the direction of water flow, successfully locates a hidden entryway. Pushing aside a colossal stone door, they unveil a secret passage – the very sanctuary where Xiang Antu's grandmother, Queen Minglü Huda of Dong Xia, had sealed the Gui Xi. Inside, Xiang Antu discovers a rope hanging down, which Zang Hai speculates was left behind by his own father.
As they venture deeper into the subterranean complex, they are met with a macabre spectacle: rows upon rows of Dong Xia soldiers, long deceased and mummified, yet eerily preserved in upright, standing positions. Zang Hai uses a torch to light the candelabra in the main hall, illuminating the chamber and revealing the precise location where the Gui Xi is enshrined. Nearby, Xiang Antu finds a corpse, and from its possession, she retrieves a small, ancient booklet.
This booklet unravels a dark and forgotten chapter of history. It recounts that during the invasion of Dong Xia by the state of Da Yong, an expert in "Kanyu" (geomancy) named Zhang Mie advised Queen Minglü Huda to utilize the Gui Xi to summon the "Yin Bing" (Shadow Soldiers). Following Zhang Mie's counsel, the Queen assembled an army of thirty thousand soldiers. However, the Gui Xi initially failed to manifest its power. In a desperate move, Zhang Mie then immersed the seal in his own blood. It was revealed that the Gui Xi harbored a rare and exceptionally potent poison. The soldiers, after consuming ceremonial wine that had been deliberately contaminated with this toxin, were instantaneously transformed into invincible, undead warriors. This terrifying army proved unstoppable, decimating Da Yong's forces and conquering numerous cities, including the strategically vital Dan Cheng, which provided a direct route to the Da Yong capital. However, Queen Minglü Huda soon came to the horrifying realization that these Yin Bing were beyond any form of control. Ultimately, she was forced to use royal blood – presumably her own, in a great sacrifice – to subdue them. Before her death, she issued a final command to Zhang Mie: to seal away both the dreaded Gui Xi and the fearsome army it had wrought.
Having absorbed the terrible origins of the Yin Bing, Zang Hai and Xiang Antu prepare to make their exit. Suddenly, they find themselves surrounded by a host of grotesque, monster-like figures. Zang Hai, with his quick perception, realizes that these apparitions are merely illusions – likely induced by hallucinogenic substances employed by Zhang Mie when he created the murals adorning the chamber walls – and swiftly pulls Xiang Antu away from the perceived danger.
Just as they emerge from the depths of the Fengshan Terrace, their bid for freedom is abruptly thwarted. Zhuang Zhixing, accompanied by his soldiers, encircles them. And from a carriage positioned ominously behind the troops, Zhao Bingwen makes his menacing appearance, setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation.
