Episode Summary
In this episode, He Yan recovers and officially joins the Jiuqi Camp, though Xiao Jue remains suspicious of her motives. The interrogation of Lei Hou reveals the conspiracy behind the recent attack, leading Xiao Jue to show mercy. The painful truth behind the tragic flooding of Que City is explained, strengthening the bond between He Yan and Xiao Jue. Finally, they decipher a secret message using a unique method, uncovering a shocking truth: a general thought to be dead is alive and part of a deeper plot orchestrated by Chu Zhao.
Spoiler Alert
After being unconscious for a full day and night, He Yan wakes up to find Xiao Jue, who has not left her side. When Instructor Shen Han arrives to accept punishment, He Yan, not wanting to see him disciplined, pleads on his behalf. Xiao Jue, who never intended to punish him, overhears Shen Han mention that He Yan had given him a military deployment map. Upon examining the so-called map, Xiao Jue immediately understands and dismisses Shen Han. Seeing through He Yan's attempt to feign sleep, Xiao Jue asks for an explanation. She offers a flimsy excuse, and although he knows she is lying, he decides not to press the matter further.
Xiao Jue officially permits He Yan to join the elite Jiuqi Camp. He finds it hard to believe that a woman would enlist as a new soldier in the Yezhou garrison without a hidden motive and is determined to uncover her secret one day. Later, Cheng Lisu visits and affectionately calls her "Sister He," causing a flustered He Yan to quickly quiet him down. Once she has recovered from her injuries, Xiao Jue takes her to the prison to interrogate Lei Hou. The prisoner remains defiant until Xiao Jue presents a silver longevity lock, which causes an immediate change in his demeanor.
Knowing Xiao Jue is a man of his word, Lei Hou confesses everything. Originally from Que City, a great flood destroyed his home, leaving only him and his younger brother alive. He then met Hu Yuanzhong, who sought revenge after his own wife and child perished. Blinded by his own hatred, Lei Hou agreed to join forces with him. He created a false identity to infiltrate the Yezhou garrison, setting the stage for recent events. The plan was to coordinate an attack from within, synchronized with the armies of Ridamuzi and Liehe. Hu Yuanzhong relayed the plan to Lei Hou. Though he knew he was being used, his desire for vengeance drove him.
Xiao Jue deduces that a simple man like Hu Yuanzhong couldn't have orchestrated such a complex plot alone; a more powerful figure must be pulling the strings. However, Lei Hou has no knowledge of this mastermind, as he only ever received instructions from Hu Yuanzhong. Showing a surprising degree of mercy, Xiao Jue reunites Lei Hou with his younger brother and allows them to leave Yezhou unharmed, revealing a more compassionate side to his character.
As he departs, a pang of conscience leads Lei Hou to give Xiao Jue a coded message from Liehe's tribe. Later, He Yan asks Xiao Jue about the flooding of Que City. He recounts the tragic event: on that night, an unprecedented storm hit the city, which was occupied by 30,000 Wutuo soldiers. With only 3,000 garrison soldiers at his command, Xiao Jue planned to flood the city after evacuating the civilians. But the rain intensified unexpectedly, and the floodwaters surged uncontrollably, washing away villages and countless lives.
The memory is agonizing for Xiao Jue. He Yan finds him venting his anguish by practicing his swordplay in the snow. The flooding was his plan, and he had prepared for evacuations and rescue missions, but the sheer force of nature turned his strategy into an uncontrollable disaster. Filled with empathy, He Yan drapes a cloak over his shoulders and comforts him with a hug. The gesture brings him solace, but the strain from her old and new injuries is too much, and she faints in his arms once more.
Meanwhile, Fei Nu is unable to decipher Liehe's secret message. He Yan notices a faint astringent smell on the paper, and both she and Xiao Jue simultaneously ask for a bowl of ginger soup. The real message was written with alum water, which becomes invisible when dry but reappears when treated with ginger soup. This clever method was invented by Xiao Zhongwu, and its knowledge is limited to his closest confidants. The signature, "Cimu," leads Xiao Jue to believe it's from his father's former adjutant, Chai Anxi. This is shocking, as Chai Anxi was reported to have died in the battle of Mingshui. He Yan immediately suspects his death was faked.
The final piece of the puzzle falls into place: Chai Anxi is a pawn in a larger game, placed on the board by Chu Zhao, who saved him in Que City.
