Episode Summary
In this episode, Jiang Wenhuan is manipulated into going to the dangerous Qingluan Mountain by Zhen Nü, who is secretly working for someone else. The State Preceptor uses this as an opportunity to set a trap, sending all the princes on a "mission" to the mountain. After being ambushed, Jiang Wenhuan's group is forced into the Su Ancient Tomb, where Zhen Nü springs another trap, dropping them into a cavern filled with undead soldiers from Kunwu's past. Kunwu arrives just in time to save them by reawakening the soldiers' loyalty.
Spoiler Alert
The Path to Qingluan Mountain
A Test of Fate
So, E Shun is officially gone. He and his sister skipped town for a fresh start. Jiang Wenhuan is the one who breaks the news to Xin Jia, who was waiting around for him.
Xin Jia doesn't let that stop the main quest, though. He's still all about finding that immortality pill. He sneaks into the palace library that night to do some research. He actually finds some useful files. But he gets caught by Zhen Nü.
Instead of turning him in, she takes him to the Black Water Pool. She wants to test his destiny. He has to drip his blood into the pool. As he does, he says his goal is Qingluan Mountain. It's the location of an ancient riddle and his ancestors' tombs. Zhen Nü agrees to help him. We learn she has her own reasons. She's trying to figure out why he's supposedly her destined person.
But this was all a setup. After Jiang Wenhuan leaves, a man in black shows up to talk to Zhen Nü. Turns out, someone put her up to this. She was ordered to point Jiang Wenhuan directly toward Qingluan Mountain.
A Royal Setup
The State Preceptor is furious when he learns Jiang Wenhuan has a clue about Qingluan Mountain. He knows the Su Ancient Tomb is there. He also knows it's a seriously dangerous and forbidden place. He sees this as a perfect chance to get rid of Jiang Wenhuan for good by staging an "accident."
He goes to the Emperor with a plan. He suggests sending the princes to Qingluan Mountain to uncover its secrets. He even arranges for Guxi to go with them, saying it's to help them get out safely.
Meanwhile, Kunwu and his sister Qingqing are on the run. They hear that the princes are heading to Qingluan Mountain. Qingqing knows the Su Ancient Tomb is basically a death trap. Kunwu gets worried. He tells his sister to go on without him. He's decided to meet up with Jiang Wenhuan at the mountain. Qingqing refuses to leave him and insists on coming along.
The Journey to the Tomb
Ambush in the Woods
The group travels through the night, and the princes are exhausted. Jiang Wenhuan, Zhen Nü, and Chongyi Biao go ahead to find a good place to set up camp. Guxi stays behind with the others but has a bad feeling about the situation.
He's right to be worried. A mysterious smoke suddenly appears and knocks everyone out.
At the same time, Jiang Wenhuan finds a potential campsite. He also notices the forest is thick with a poisonous miasma. Just then, Kunwu and Qingqing arrive. They spot a group of men in black about to attack the unconscious princes. Kunwu moves fast and takes out a few of them quietly. The rest of the attackers give up on the princes and chase after Jiang Wenhuan's group instead.
Into the Trap
Jiang Wenhuan and his small group find the entrance to the Su Ancient Tomb. They know they're being followed. With no other options, they decide their only choice is to go inside and face whatever is in there.
Kunwu isn't far behind. He follows secret signs that Xin Jia left for him, leading him straight to the tomb.
Once inside, Zhen Nü shows her true colors. She triggers a mechanism in the tomb. It opens a trap door under Jiang Wenhuan, Xin Jia, and Chongyi Biao. They fall into the darkness below, right into her trap.
What's Waiting Below
The Undead Soldiers
The three of them land in an underground area. Chongyi Biao immediately hears a terrifying sound. They explore a large cavern and find something disturbing. There are dead soldiers, just standing there. They're wearing Kunwu's army tags.
These aren't just bodies. They've become mindless monsters. They immediately launch a fierce attack on Jiang Wenhuan and his friends.
A Familiar Face
Just when things look bad, Kunwu arrives. He instantly recognizes one of the attacking soldiers as a man he calls "Uncle Lin."
The name is enough to break the spell. Uncle Lin's consciousness returns. We find out he's the one who raised Kunwu. He even taught him the Kun family's special military formations. The other soldiers, all from the Kun family army, see their young master is alive. They are overwhelmed with emotion and immediately kneel before him.
