Episode Summary
In "Eternal Brotherhood" Season 2, Episode 17, Lu Di's supply lines are destroyed, and he falls under the scrutiny of an imperial envoy, Ling Bu. In a desperate move to conceal his dire situation, Lu Di murders the envoy's messenger. Meanwhile, Zichuan Xiu's territory flourishes, and he uses a body double to maintain his "King of Light" persona while planning his next move. In the capital, Di Lin is tasked by the Chief, Can Xing, to investigate corruption within the Wa Yun pass after a plea from a veteran commander. The court debates and ultimately approves a controversial plan to conscript refugees for the war against Liu Fengshuang. The episode ends with Zichuan Xiu setting an elaborate trap with decoy grain carts, successfully luring a desperate Lu Di into an ambush.
Spoiler Alert
Eternal Brotherhood Season 2, Episode 17 Recap: A Desperate Gamble
The episode opens on a desperate Lu Di. His entire supply train has been plundered, and he has no idea where the enemy even is. His recent victory at Moon Bay established his authority, and he cannot afford to see it all crumble. For Lu Di, there is no retreat; he must fight until he wins. His grim determination is interrupted by the arrival of an approaching column of troops. He quickly ascertains from their southeastern approach that they aren't the enemy. Instead, it's a party from the capital, and they're here to hold him accountable. Miles away, Zichuan Xiu learns of this development with glee. The envoy is Ling Bu, and he's not here with reinforcements—he's here to investigate. Xiu can only offer a sarcastic prayer for his rival's fate.
Ling Bu wastes no time dressing Lu Di down, mocking him for losing to the so-called "King of Light" and suffering such heavy casualties. Lu Di tries to save face, blaming the loss on a moment of carelessness. Unimpressed, Ling Bu declares his intention to monitor the situation and conduct a full investigation to report back to the Divine Emperor. Rage simmers beneath Lu Di's forced composure; he wants nothing more than to crush Ling Bu, but he's a representative of the Emperor, forcing Lu Di to endure the humiliation.
To make matters worse, Ling Bu leaves a messenger behind to audit Lu Di’s camp. When the messenger begins his inspection of the (non-existent) supplies, a cornered Lu Di makes a fateful decision. He kills the man on the spot. He cannot allow the truth of his situation to reach the capital. Defeat is not an option, as it would mean the end of his career and any standing he has. With his options exhausted, Lu Di vows that the King of Light must die.
Meanwhile, in the lands under Zichuan Xiu's control, life is flourishing. Bai Chuan and Aze walk through a bustling street, marveling at the prosperity. They recall a time when finding enough food to eat was their only goal; now, the markets are full, and people have aspirations beyond mere survival. They credit this transformation entirely to Zichuan Xiu. Aze playfully remarks that the only thing missing is a brothel, earning him a playful chase from Bai Chuan.
Zichuan Xiu, however, is keenly aware of his own precarious position. He takes stock of his territory and concludes that he cannot risk a direct confrontation with Lu Di. His region's foundations—education, agriculture, and other basic infrastructure—are still too fragile to support a full-scale war. The task of overseeing this development is urgent, but he has yet to appoint someone. For now, he maintains his public persona as the masked King of Light by using a body double, allowing him to move about freely with Bai Chuan and his inner circle.
While out eating noodles and drinking wine, his companions are amazed that they can now enjoy Zichuan-style noodles so far from home. As Xiu sits with his eyes closed, seemingly resting, Bai Chuan sees through his relaxed exterior. She recognizes the immense weight he carries, a burden that belies the cheerful and lively personality he usually projects.
Back in the capital, the court is rife with its own intrigue. Di Lin, known for his integrity, is approached by Tuwa, a retiring commander from the Wa Yun Fifteen Banners. Tuwa presents a collection of belts, each belonging to a fallen comrade whose story he recounts with sorrow. He explains that while the government officially issued pensions for these soldiers' families, the money never reached them. He implores Di Lin to personally investigate the depth of the corruption that has taken root in Wa Yun. Moved, Di Lin clasps the old soldier's hands and promises to handle the matter with the full force of the law.
The issue of war dominates the court. At an assembly, General Ming Hui proposes a swift strike against Liu Fengshuang, aiming to exploit her ongoing internal conflicts. However, Ge Shan passionately objects, citing the staggering loss of 770,000 soldiers in their past campaigns. He delivers a powerful rebuke, reminding the court that to the generals, these are mere numbers, but to a family, each one is a son, a husband, or a father. He questions the pursuit of "empty fame" through conquest when the cost is the lives of their own people. The Chief, Can Xing, listens in silence before abruptly dismissing the meeting.
In a private conversation, Si Yilin concedes to Di Lin that Ge Shan's point was valid. Di Lin agrees but calls it politically naive. The Chief is set on war, and Di Lin firmly believes that if the Liufeng family is not eliminated, the Zichuan clan will be destroyed within five years.
When the court reconvenes, with Zichuan Ning now in attendance, Si Yilin presents a new strategy: conscript the massive refugee population into the army. This would solve the manpower issue while also providing food and purpose for the displaced. Before Ge Shan can protest, Si Yilin lays out a comprehensive plan. Can Xing approves it. He also grants Di Lin the authority to investigate the Three Ministries, the administrative body linked to the construction and corruption in the Wa Yun pass. Di Lin knows this is a move the Chief secretly desires; he has merely provided the opportunity.
On the front lines, Zichuan Xiu has grown weary of the stalemate. Lu Di has ceased major attacks, resorting only to minor harassment of surrounding villages. Since a direct assault is impossible given the disparity in their forces, Xiu devises a new plan to lure his opponent out.
He sends out more than a dozen grain carts, each heading in a different direction—a classic diversion. Lu Di receives the intelligence and assumes it's a smokescreen to hide the real supply convoy. He orders his men to watch closely. That night, a convoy is spotted moving towards a granary. Believing he has uncovered the real plan, Lu Di orders his troops to mobilize for an ambush.
A frantic Bai Chuan learns that Lu Di's forces are heading for the granary and rushes to find Zichuan Xiu. She finds him lounging calmly, completely unconcerned by the news. As his enemy marches headlong into the trap, the King of Light appears to have everything under control.
