Episode Summary
In Yuanzhou, Zichuan Xiu and Liu Fengshuang go undercover to acquire a rare Dragon Horn for her father's illness, only to uncover a horrifying operation where members of the Dragon Clan are being held captive and sold. They dismantle the slave trade, but a misunderstanding with the Dragon Clan's elder reveals the prescription requires a live horn, which Fengshuang refuses to do. Xiu later discovers a potential herbal substitute in ancient texts. Meanwhile, in the capital, Di Lin investigates corruption within the Three Ministries Platform, arresting Ma Wei for withholding pension funds. This act sparks a political battle, as Regent Can Xing supports Di Lin, while the powerful Ministries attempt to free Ma Wei, culminating in them leaking the news to Princess Zichuan Ning to pressure Di Lin.
Spoiler Alert
Eternal Brotherhood: Season 2, Episode 21 Recap & Spoilers
This episode splits its focus between Zichuan Xiu’s perilous mission in the lawless territory of Yuanzhou and Di Lin’s dangerous political maneuvering back in the capital.
The Dragon Horn Deception
The episode opens in Yuanzhou with Zichuan Xiu being pulled into a dispute. His subordinate, Li Nong, reports that envoys from the various territories are fighting amongst themselves. The root of the problem is their new system for sharing technology; without a unified currency, each region uses a different form of payment, leading to accusations of unfair trade. Pressed for time, Xiu promises to devise a solution later and rushes off to meet Liu Fengshuang.
Their mission: to acquire a rare Dragon Horn. Posing as a married couple, they visit an apothecary, with Xiu playing the part of a man on his deathbed who can only be saved by the horn. The shopkeeper denies having the forbidden item. As they regroup outside, a mysterious figure in a red robe clues them in—for a hefty price—that they need a secret code to do business.
Armed with the new passphrase, they return to the shop. This time, the owner leads them through a hidden passage into a dark cell. Their target isn't just a horn, but a living person with dragon horns, held captive. Horrified but maintaining their cover, Xiu agrees to the purchase, promising to return with diamonds to pay for the "goods."
This encounter sparks an idea. In a meeting with Bai Chuan and his advisors, Xiu proposes using diamonds as the official currency for Yuanzhou, as it's the one commodity everyone seems to value. With a plan in place, Xiu and Fengshuang return to the apothecary, not to buy, but to spring a trap. They swiftly apprehend the slavers and declare a new law across Yuanzhou: the trading of slaves and Dragon Horns is now strictly prohibited, punishable by severe consequences.
Their actions earn them the gratitude of the Dragon Clan's elder, who gifts Fengshuang a valuable bracelet. However, the mood sours when Fengshuang shows the elder the doctor's prescription that started her quest. The elder flies into a rage, revealing that the prescription specifically calls for a live Dragon Horn, meaning a member of his clan would have to be killed. He accuses them of being no different from the ruthless Northern Tribe who hunt his people.
Mortified, Fengshuang explains she had no idea of the prescription's true meaning and insists she would never take a life to save her own. Laido, a Dragon Clan member whom Fengshuang had previously saved, offers to sacrifice his own horn for her, but she tearfully refuses.
Determined to find another way to cure her father, Fengshuang prepares to leave Yuanzhou. But Xiu has another idea. He suggests they make a wish at an auspicious location, recommending the legendary residence of the "King of Light" as a place of great power. He promises to make the arrangements. Later, while his friends are distracted by a card game, Xiu borrows books on Dragon Clan history from Pang Xiya. After hours of searching, he finds what he's looking for: a description of a rare plant whose properties sound remarkably similar to those of a Dragon Horn. He believes he has finally found a true substitute.
The Capital's Chess Game
Meanwhile, in the capital, Di Lin is untangling a web of corruption. Pension funds designated for the families of war victims in Wa Yun were delivered to the Three Ministries Platform but never paid out, causing widespread unrest. Di Lin's investigation points to one man: Ma Wei.
Di Lin joins forces with Luo Minghai, and together they report their findings to the regent, Can Xing. Pleased to see his two powerful subordinates cooperating against the entrenched bureaucracy of the Three Ministries, Can Xing gives them full authority to handle the matter and deliver justice.
Di Lin's men move to arrest Ma Wei, who initially resists. Di Lin delivers a chilling threat, warning Ma Wei that he can and will eliminate anyone who stands against the Zichuan family, no matter where they are. The threat works, and Ma Wei is taken into custody.
News of the arrest sends ripples through the Three Ministries. Censor Xiao, a high-ranking official, views Ma Wei as a brilliant and promising asset and plots to rescue him. He correctly deduces that Di Lin and Luo Minghai are merely the instruments of the monarch's will. Another member of the Ministries, Ni Bo, attempts a more direct approach by visiting Can Xing to plead for Ma Wei's release.
Can Xing receives him with a show of warmth that conceals a sharp edge. Knowing Ni Bo suffers from the cold, Can Xing orders servants to keep adding charcoal to the brazier until the room is unbearably hot and Ni Bo is sweating profusely. Throughout their meeting, Can Xing expertly anticipates and dismantles every one of Ni Bo's arguments before they can be fully made. He sends the defeated official away with a single piece of calligraphy: the character for "Quiet." Ni Bo returns home and immediately goes into seclusion, refusing to see any visitors.
The pressure on the Three Ministries mounts from other angles as well. Ma Wei's brother, Ma Qin, tries to forge an alliance with Xiujia by visiting her restaurant and offering her an incredibly generous business deal to expand her enterprise. Recognizing him, Xiujia flatly turns him down.
Seeing his direct efforts fail, Censor Xiao resorts to a new tactic. He has someone deliberately leak the news of Ma Wei's arrest to Princess Zichuan Ning. Feeling a sense of responsibility for the situation, Zichuan Ning immediately goes to find Di Lin, demanding to see the prisoner.
