Episode Summary
Zang Hai and Xiang Antu uncover the origin of the Yin Soldiers but are captured by Zhuang Zhixing and Zhao Bingwen. Zhao Bingwen promotes Zhuang Zhixing and plots to use the Gui Xi's poison to create monstrous soldiers from Dong Xia laborers to destroy Dong Xia. Zang Hai tricks Zhao Bingwen by revealing the secret to controlling the Yin Soldiers is in a mural, not a torn page. While Zhao Bingwen is distracted, Zang Hai summons the Yin Soldiers, leading to Zhao Bingwen dying of fright. Xiang Antu arrives with reinforcements to defeat Zhao Bingwen's remaining forces. Zang Hai is reinstated by the new Emperor, clears his father's name, and then resigns to leave the Capital with Xiang Antu. Zhuang Zhixing returns to an empty home. Other characters also find their new paths.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of Zang Hai: Episode 40 Recap & Spoilers
In the final episode, Zang Hai and Xiang Antu ventured into the sacred sanctuary housing the sealed Gui Xi, where they uncovered the true origin of the mysterious Yin Soldiers. However, upon exiting, they were immediately ambushed and captured by Zhuang Zhixing and Zhao Bingwen.
Zhao Bingwen expressed his gratitude to Zhuang Zhixing for the tip-off that led to the successful apprehension of Zang Hai and Xiang Antu. As a reward, Zhao Bingwen recommended Zhuang Zhixing to the newly ascended Heir Apparent of Linzi. Consequently, Zhuang Zhixing was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry. Zhao Bingwen then tasked him with a decisive campaign to crush the Dong Xia royal court, aiming to permanently prevent Dong Xia from ever regaining power. When Zhuang Zhixing pointed out his lack of troops, Zhao Bingwen assured him that reinforcements would arrive promptly.
Later, Zang Hai was brought before Zhao Bingwen, who seized the booklet left behind by Zhang Mie. Upon seeing Zhuang Zhixing, Zang Hai unleashed a torrent of curses. Zhuang Zhixing, showing no remorse, defiantly justified his actions as necessary for the resurgence of the Zhuang family. Following the instructions in the booklet, Zhao Bingwen extracted the potent poison from the Gui Xi. He then forced an artisan renowned for his skills in geomancy to ingest the toxin. After the artisan succumbed, Zhao Bingwen had his poisoned blood drawn and mixed into a concoction given to one thousand Dong Xia laborers who were constructing the Fengshan Terrace. Once these laborers drank the poisoned mixture, they transformed into savage, monstrous beings. Zhao Bingwen then ordered their immediate execution.
Zhao Bingwen soon realized that Zang Hai had torn a page from the booklet. He aggressively interrogated Zang Hai about the missing page's contents. Zang Hai staunchly maintained that the Yin Soldiers were uncontrollable monsters and urged Zhao Bingwen to abandon his dangerous ambitions. Zhao Bingwen, however, suspected that the missing page detailed the method to control these Yin Soldiers, a claim Zang Hai flatly denied. Skeptical, Zhao Bingwen resolved to visit the sacred sanctuary himself to uncover the truth, with Zhuang Zhixing offering to escort him.
Meanwhile, Xiang Antu raced back to Dong Xia, urgently warning Mingyan Yinshu of Da Yong's impending invasion. Mingyan Yinshu dismissed the warning, believing Zhao Bingwen was there to collaborate with her. Xiang Antu desperately tried to convince her that Zhao Bingwen was exploiting the Gui Xi to summon Yin Soldiers with the intent of utterly annihilating Dong Xia. Mingyan Yinshu accused Xiang Antu of fabricating the crisis to usurp the throne. Xiang Antu passionately declared she had no desire for the throne and was only pleading for the survival of the Dong Xia people.
Under duress, Zang Hai led Zhao Bingwen to the sacred sanctuary. Zang Hai, deeply uneasy, warned that they might not return, but Zhao Bingwen was resolute. Inside, Zhao Bingwen restored the Gui Xi to its original place, and a small bowl quickly filled with its venomous liquid. He then compelled Zang Hai to drink it. At this critical moment, Zang Hai revealed the secret of the torn page: the information wasn't on paper but hidden within the intricate murals on the sanctuary walls. Zhao Bingwen scrutinized the murals but could discern no clues. Zang Hai reiterated that the Yin Soldiers were untamable and that Zhao Bingwen's plans to use the Gui Xi were doomed to fail.
Outside, Zhuang Zhixing grew anxious as considerable time passed without Zhao Bingwen or Zang Hai reappearing. Fearing for Zang Hai’s safety, he attempted to enter, but Zhao Bingwen's loyal subordinates, who had discovered Zhuang Zhixing's role in Xiang Antu's escape, fiercely blocked his path. A violent clash erupted. Inside the sanctuary, Zang Hai managed to summon the Dong Xia Yin Soldiers. The terrifying creatures surrounded Zhao Bingwen, who scrambled in panic. Overwhelmed by terror, he hallucinated being fatally stabbed and, in a state of profound shock, literally scared himself to death.
Zhuang Zhixing and his men were locked in a desperate battle against Zhao Bingwen's remaining forces when Xiang Antu arrived with Dong Xia warriors, providing crucial reinforcements. They swiftly defeated Zhao Bingwen's soldiers. Xiang Antu then rushed into the sanctuary to find Zang Hai, who emerged moments later, holding the Gui Xi. The two shared a heartfelt embrace.
The new Emperor, upon learning of Zhao Bingwen's nefarious deeds, reinstated Zang Hai to his former official position. Zhuang Zhixing and Zang Hai returned to the Capital to report on the events. In the Capital, Zang Hai sought an audience with the new Emperor, whom he found engrossed in a game of chess. Zang Hai waited respectfully. Once the game concluded, the Emperor invited Zang Hai to play and ordered the destruction by fire of all the wooden handicrafts meticulously carved by the late Emperor. Zang Hai then made a solemn request: that the Emperor publicly clear the name of his father, Kuai Duo. Having done so, Zang Hai tendered his resignation, expressing his wish to return to a quiet life. Despite the Emperor's sincere efforts to retain him, Zang Hai's decision was final.
In the aftermath, Liu Chu paid respects at Gao Ming’s grave before departing the Capital. Xiang Antu sought out Eighth Master (Ba Gongzi); she had taken up a teaching position at the Da Yong Academy. After a brief conversation, her students whisked her away. Xiang Antu later met Zang Hai, and together, they left the Capital. Zang Hai entrusted all his worldly possessions to Guan Feng and Shi Lei, who, moved by his actions, chose to follow him. Zhuang Zhixing returned to the Marquis Pingjin (Pingjin Hou) residence, where he was greeted by rows of maidservants and servants. Though he was back in his ancestral home, the absence of his family members filled him with a profound sense of melancholy.
As Zang Hai and Xiang Antu reached the city gates, Zang Hai paused, lost in a vivid recollection of his first arrival in the Capital. Xiang Antu’s voice calling his name gently pulled him back from his memories.
"Legend of Zang Hai" Ending Explained
"Legend of Zang Hai" has reached its dramatic conclusion, leaving viewers to ponder the fates of its central characters. The series, a tale of deep-seated revenge and intricate court politics, saw its protagonist achieve his ultimate goals, but not without significant personal cost and a reshaping of the political landscape.
Zang Hai (played by Xiao Zhan): The architect of a decade-long revenge plot, Zang Hai successfully unmasked the truth behind the massacre of his family ten years prior. He orchestrated the downfall of his three main adversaries: Marquis Pingjin, Cao Jingxian, and the ultimate mastermind, Zhao Bingwen.In a climactic confrontation at the border, Zang Hai utilized murals in the Dongxia ancient tomb to create terrifying illusions, driving Zhao Bingwen to take his own life in a state of fear, thus ending the vortex of political machinations.Although Zang Hai was framed and imprisoned by Zhao Bingwen at one point, he escaped thanks to a clever feigned-death ploy by his master, Gao Ming.Teaming up with Xiang Antu, he also played a crucial role in averting a war between Dongxia and Dayong. Ultimately, Zang Hai chose to leave the treacherous world of the imperial court behind. He retreated into a life of seclusion with Xiang Antu and the significant Gui Xi.The ending is somewhat open, suggesting he may still have unplayed cards, leaving a door ajar for a potential second season.
Xiang Antu (played by Zhang Jingyi): Throughout the series, Xiang Antu repeatedly tried to warn her sister, Yinshu, about Zhao Bingwen's duplicity, but her warnings went unheeded. After Zang Hai avenged his family, she chose to protect the people of Dongxia and spend her life with Zang Hai, sharing his secluded existence.
Zhao Bingwen (played by Tian Xiaojie): The ultimate antagonist, Zhao Bingwen's end was steeped in irony.He had meticulously plotted for ten years, even using Zang Hai to eliminate Marquis Pingjin and Cao Jingxian.His grand ambition was to seize political power by controlling "shadow soldiers" through the Gui Xi. However, his obsession with the Gui Xi became his fatal flaw. Zang Hai exploited this in the Dongxia ancient tomb, creating an illusion of the shadow soldiers turning against him. Overcome by extreme terror, Zhao Bingwen died, and his followers collectively committed suicide.His death marked the true end of the power struggle, his lifetime of scheming ultimately leading to his own demise.
Zhuang Zhixing: The son of Marquis Pingjin, Zhuang Zhixing underwent a significant transformation from a hedonistic young nobleman to a calculated player in the political game. He feigned allegiance to Zhao Bingwen while secretly collaborating with Zang Hai. In the end, he inherited the title of Marquis Pingjin and was promoted to the position of Right Army Commander.
Gao Ming: Zang Hai's loyal master, Gao Ming, made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his disciple.After drinking poisoned tea offered by Zhao Bingwen, he used his remaining strength to ensure the "deceased" Zang Hai was safely escorted out of the city, falsely claiming he himself was unharmed.He left his life savings to Zang Hai before succumbing to the poison. Gao Ming's selfless death was a poignant moment in the finale, and his deceptive yet heartfelt methods – "using truth to deceive, and wrapping false intentions with a true heart" – left a lasting impression.
