Episode Summary
In a high-stakes gamble, Zichuan Xiu, as the King of Light, allies with the cunning Lu Di to capture Payi City without bloodshed. He then masterfully outmaneuvers the advancing General Ross through psychological warfare and a well-timed reinforcement arrival, forcing Ross's retreat. The victory leads to emotional reunions and revelations: Si Yilin discovers Zichuan Xiu's new identity, and Zichuan Ning learns he is alive just in time to reject a marriage proposal from Ma Wei. Meanwhile, Di Lin's own ambitions are hinted at as the news of Zichuan Xiu's survival spreads, setting the stage for major political shifts.
Spoiler Alert
Eternal Brotherhood Season 2, Episode 24 Recap: The King of Light's Gambit
This episode picks up with Zichuan Xiu, now known as the King of Light, facing a critical strategic challenge. Alliances are tested, identities are revealed, and the political landscape of the entire continent is on the verge of a seismic shift.
A Dangerous Gamble for Payi City
Knowing he's not a popular figure, Lu Di makes a bold offer to the King of Light (Zichuan Xiu): he can take Payi City without a single casualty. The city's three-thousand-strong garrison is entirely loyal to him. With Ross's army already marching toward their position, Zichuan Xiu accepts the risky proposal. However, he isn't one to leave things to chance. He dispatches his loyal general, Bai Chuan, to the Bulu Village to request a formidable army of 100,000 as insurance. Zichuan Xiu admits to Bai Chuan that he isn't certain if Lu Di can be trusted; it's a calculated risk. Though Bai Chuan feigns indifference to his safety, she rides off with great urgency, fearing the danger he's in.
Lu Di enters Payi City alone while Zichuan Xiu waits outside with a few thousand men. The tension is palpable as Ross’s forces close in, now only ten li away. Fearing Lu Di has betrayed him to set a trap, Zichuan Xiu gives the order to prepare for a retreat. Just then, the city gates open. Lu Di emerges, having successfully and bloodlessly captured Payi City.
A War of Wits
Lu Di presents the official seal of Payi City to Zichuan Xiu, formally handing over control. At that very moment, Bai Chuan arrives with the requested reinforcements, not a moment too soon, as Ross’s army appears at the city walls. Zichuan Xiu decides his best move is to negotiate.
As Ross prepares to storm the city, he receives a message from within. A faction of soldiers, professing loyalty to the Northern Tribe, claims to have captured the traitor Lu Di. Ross, sensing an opportunity, orders his cavalry to create a diversion with a volley of arrows while secretly arranging a meeting with the faction outside the city walls.
That night, Ross arrives for the rendezvous, only to be met by an unharmed Lu Di on horseback. Behind him is the imposing figure of the King of Light. It’s a trap. The King of Light’s men let out a war cry, but Ross smirks and signals his own troops. A sea of torches illuminates the darkness, revealing a force that vastly outnumbers the King of Light's contingent.
Unfazed, the King of Light invites Ross for a drink and begins a masterclass in psychological warfare. He recounts the Northern Tribe's bloody history, a cycle of betrayal where clans poison, starve, and slaughter each other for power. He speaks to Ross's ambition, pointing out that the Divine Emperor likely sent him on this campaign specifically to weaken his power. Even if Ross wins, his army will be decimated. With his ally Kadun now powerless, Ross's tribe will lose its status as the second most powerful in the land.
Ross scoffs, insisting he won't fall for the trick. But the King of Light plays his final card: he declares that everyone has witnessed them sharing a drink, and he will ensure rumors of their new alliance spread like wildfire. True or not, the deeply paranoid Divine Emperor will suspect him. As if on cue, a scout reports to a stunned Ross that Bai Chuan's 100,000 soldiers have appeared at his rear, cutting off any retreat. Defeated, Ross downs the cup of wine and orders his army to withdraw.
Back in the city, Bai Chuan furiously scolds Zichuan Xiu for his recklessness. He calms her by expressing his absolute and unwavering trust in her, admitting that if he can't trust her, he can't trust anyone. His words quell her anger. Meanwhile, thoroughly impressed and outmaneuvered, Ross gives the final order for a full retreat from Payi City.
Reunions and Revelations
The victory is short-lived, as news arrives that an official envoy from the Zichuan family is on its way. In Yuanzhou, Si Yilin arrives to find the once-barren land thriving with green crops and sophisticated irrigation. He remarks that the failure was never with the land, but with the Zichuan family's inability to govern it properly.
His reunion with the King of Light is explosive. The two immediately launch into a fight, the familiar combat sparking a memory in Si Yilin. He realizes the man under the mask is his sworn brother, Zichuan Xiu.Hurt that he was kept in the dark, Si Yilin shares a salve for their wounds and asks the question that hangs between them: "When are you coming home?"
Meanwhile, in the Zichuan capital, Zichuan Ning has been avoiding Ma Wei. Determined to formally reject him, she agrees to meet him at the archery range. Before she can speak, however, he confesses his love and embraces her, leaving her stunned and unable to respond.
Schemes and Broken Hearts
News of Ross's retreat and his meeting with the King of Light reaches the Northern Tribe's Divine Emperor. He tells his advisor, Heisha, that Ross was bound to rebel eventually; the King of Light merely forced his hand. The Emperor expresses a deep curiosity about the identity of this mysterious new player. Heisha, who has seen the King of Light's face, lies and claims she does not know who he is.
Back in the Zichuan palace, Di Lin and Luo Minghai deliver the news to the regent, Can Xing: Zichuan Xiu is alive and is the King of Light of Yuanzhou.Di Lin, however, shows a flicker of a different emotion. He later denies to Luo Minghai that he knew Zichuan Xiu's identity all along, but once alone, a triumphant smirk reveals his own intricate plans are falling into place.
The news travels fast. Ma Wei prepares a grand, romantic scene to propose to Zichuan Ning. But just as he is about to get on one knee, Li Qing rushes in with the revelation that Zichuan Xiu is alive. Overcome with joy, Zichuan Ning turns to a kneeling Ma Wei and formally, finally, rejects him.
The episode closes with Zichuan Xiu standing on a mountain peak overlooking the prosperous Yuanzhou. He removes his mask, looks toward the horizon, and reaffirms his new identity: he is the King of Light.
