Episode Summary
Faced with overwhelming pressure from the Northern invasion and internal betrayals, a despairing Can Xing agrees to Di Lin's plan for peace negotiations. This decision leads to painful farewells, as Zichuan Ning formally severs her friendship with Kadan, and Di Lin shares a tender moment with his wife Xiujia before his departure. On the front lines, the war's brutality is starkly illustrated by the capture and tragic death of the soldier Mao Cai. The episode culminates in Di Lin's audacious solo mission into the enemy camp, where he confronts the Divine Emperor, reveals Kadan is alive, and successfully brokers a deal for a prisoner exchange and peace talks.
Spoiler Alert
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This episode of Zichuan delves into the heavy costs of war and the desperate measures taken to preserve a future, however broken it may seem. We witness a ruler's despair, the painful end of a friendship, a soldier's ultimate sacrifice, and a high-stakes diplomatic gamble that could change the course of the entire conflict.
A King's Despair
Faced with internal betrayals and the Northern tribe's invasion, a tormented Can Xing finally breaks. He laments that he has failed as a monarch, seeing the loss of Yuanzhou as a personal and catastrophic failure.
While some officials view the peace talks as a cowardly surrender, Can Xing understands the grim reality: to continue fighting would mean losing everything.
A Friendship Severed
As part of the peace overture, Di Lin arrives to escort Kadan away. Zichuan Ning, reluctant to see her go, insists on a farewell drink, just as they did when they first met.In a poignant moment, Zichuan Ning serves Kadan delicacies from her Northern home. She then cuts the handkerchief that symbolized their bond, declaring that from this moment on, they can only be enemies. Kadan, however, refuses to accept this, insisting they will always be friends and that Zichuan will remain a friend to the North. As a tearful Zichuan Ning leaves, Kadan quietly picks up the severed pieces of the handkerchief from the floor.
A Soldier's Farewell
Before embarking on his dangerous mission, Di Lin shares a tender moment with his pregnant wife, Xiujia. He expresses his regret for not seeing her sooner upon his return. Xiujia, putting on a brave face, tells him their children will watch him ride off, so they can see what a hero their father is. Di Lin embraces her, resting his forehead against her belly before turning to leave, his duty forcing him to abandon this precious moment. Xiujia watches him until he disappears beyond the city gates.
The Siege and a Tragic Loss
On the front lines, the war rages on. Zichuan's soldiers are exhausted and starving, with only song to lift their spirits in the darkest hours.
The following day, the invaders drag Mao Cai to the base of the wall to torture him in front of his comrades. As the enemy blades fall, Mao Cai defiantly begins to sing a familiar, beloved song.
A Daring Diplomatic Mission
Di Lin travels alone into the heart of the enemy camp to meet with the Divine Emperor. He is immediately surrounded, but his calm demeanor in the face of death impresses the warrior Heisha, who agrees to announce his arrival.
The Divine Emperor accuses Zichuan of breaking the peace and murdering his daughter, Kadan. In response, Di Lin presents Kadan's personal token and a letter from her. The letter reveals she is alive and held by Zichuan; her safe return is conditional on the Divine Emperor withdrawing his army.
The Divine Emperor dismisses his sons, the hot-headed Kadun and Kalan, to speak with Di Lin in private. He immediately calls out Di Lin's true identity, which Di Lin readily admits. Di Lin then delivers his ultimatum: Kadan is safe in their camp, but if he does not return within twelve hours, she will be executed. Seeing the sincerity and resolve from Zichuan, the Divine Emperor agrees to a prisoner exchange—Si Yilin for Kadan—and to have his advisor, Yun Qianxue, draft the details for a formal peace treaty.
After Di Lin's departure, Heisha questions the Divine Emperor's decision. He confides in her that he saw a powerful ambition in Di Lin's eyes, a quality his own bickering sons lack. He also admits that the long siege has been costly, and making peace now is the most strategic move to achieve his ultimate goal of unifying the entire continent in his lifetime.
