Episode Summary
A'si discovers her father, Elder Li, has been secretly preparing a dowry for her, strengthening her resolve to save him. A fake pearl planted as evidence is identified by A'si, raising Kunwu's suspicions. Ning Ziyu, enraged by a new alliance against him, sets a trap at the Gaomei Ji festival. Jiang Wenhuan and E Shun are captured but saved by A'si's intervention and a clever fake-out by Elder Li. The final confrontation occurs in a cave where Ning Ziyu attempts to burn his enemies alive. Though Jiang Wenhuan and A'si rescue them, Ning Ziyu triggers a cave-in. Elder Li sacrifices his life to save A'si, holding back Ning Ziyu and being crushed by a falling statue.
Spoiler Alert
A Father's Secrets
A'si's Discovery
The episode kicks off with A'si getting suspicious of her dad, Elder Li. He's acting shady. So she follows him to a black market she knows. She finds a hidden room there. Inside, she discovers a box full of valuables and books. It turns out, her dad has been secretly putting together a dowry for her. He's been preparing for her future this whole time. She's completely moved and feels a rush of guilt. This is the moment she decides she has to do whatever it takes to save him from the trouble he's in.
A Suspicious Pearl
At the same time, Jiang Wenhuan has Xin Jia search for clues. Xin Jia, while reluctantly searching, finds a glowing pearl under a bed. The pearl is marked with the words "Qiankun Lane," which is a huge red flag for them.
Later, Jiang Wenhuan shows the pearl to A'si. She immediately says it's a fake. She knows it was planted to frame someone. Her quick defense of this fact makes Kunwu look at her sideways. He can tell something is up with her.
The Gaomei Ji Trap
Infiltration and a Meltdown
Elder Li tries to warn A'si. He gives her some nice jewelry and tells her to stay away from Jiang Wenhuan and his crew. But A'si has too many questions now. She's determined to find out the truth.
This pushes Jiang Wenhuan and Kunwu to go undercover. They disguise themselves as servants in Elder Li's house to join the Gaomei Ji festival procession. It's a risky move, but they need to know what's happening.
Their timing is perfect. Ning Ziyu gets news that his enemies, Beibo Hou and Jiang Wen Feng, have teamed up. He completely loses it. He orders the festival to go on as planned. He screams that he wants them all to be buried with his father. The whole situation gets even crazier when an attendant brings wine to Chongyi Biao. He instantly knows it's poisoned. The attendant, seeing he's been caught, drinks the poison himself and dies on the spot.
A Narrow Escape
Jiang Wenhuan and E Shun realize they have to get this new information back to their camp. They try to slip away, but Ning Ziyu spots them. They're captured and seconds away from being executed.
Suddenly, A'si runs in. She puts a knife to her own throat and threatens to kill herself if her father doesn't let them go. Elder Li won't agree, but he can't let his daughter die. He compromises. He has Jiang Wenhuan and E Shun locked in a room. Then he puts two objects outside the door and sets them on fire. It creates the perfect illusion that they were burned alive.
When an envoy from Kui Fang shows up to confirm the executions, Ning Ziyu arrogantly tells him they're already dead. He makes it clear that he and the envoy are partners, not master and servant. He wants revenge, and the envoy wants some mythical仙药 (immortality pill). This attitude does not sit well with the envoy. You can see him thinking that Ning Ziyu has become a problem that needs to be removed.
A Cave, a Fire, and a Sacrifice
The Ambush
The Gaomei Ji festival begins. Jiang Wen Feng and Gongsun Wuyu's group arrives. They all drink the wine they're offered, but it's been drugged. This was Ning Ziyu's plan all along. He orders his men to burn them all alive.
Just as the fires start, Jiang Wenhuan, A'si, and their crew burst in and manage to save everyone.
Elder Li's Final Stand
Ning Ziyu is furious that his plan failed. He decides if he can't win, everyone will die with him. He triggers a mechanism that starts to collapse the entire cave. It's total chaos. Rocks are falling everywhere.
In the confusion, Elder Li sees Ning Ziyu going after A'si. To save his daughter, he grabs Ning Ziyu and holds him back. Just then, a massive stone statue topples over and crushes him.
After the dust settles a bit, A'si is desperately trying to dig through the rubble to find him. She refuses to give up. But Elder Li knows he's done for. In his final moments, with rocks continuing to fall, he looks at Jiang Wenhuan and entrusts A'si to him. Then, the rest of the ceiling gives way, burying him completely.
