Episode Summary
Zhongli Yuan publicly exonerates the Kun family, and Jiang Wenhuan and Kunwu become sworn brothers. But the victory is short-lived when Zhongli Yuan secretly arranges for Su Qingqing's abduction. The group follows her trail to a village of horrors, where a survivor reveals a ritualistic sacrifice of young girls on Qingluan Mountain. As they race to save Qingqing, they fall into a trap set by the survivor herself.
Spoiler Alert
A Bittersweet Victory
Justice for the Kun Family
The episode kicks off with Zhongli Yuan throwing a fancy dinner for Gongsun Wuyu and the young lords. Jiang Wenhuan gets straight to business. He says he's here on the emperor's orders to find the immortality pill. He also asks for justice for the Kun family army and the Saintess.
And just like that, Zhongli Yuan agrees. He orders his men to search for clues about the pill. He also makes a public announcement. The Kun family army is officially cleared of all wrongdoing. They even get a noble title. It feels a little too easy, but I'll take it for now.
A Brotherhood is Forged
After the good news, Kunwu takes his sister and General Lin to their parents' grave. It's a quiet, emotional moment. His sister, Qingqing, is just happy she can finally go home and share the news.
Later, Jiang Wenhuan pulls Kunwu aside to the old Kun family house. Being there brings back a flood of memories for Kunwu. He remembers practicing martial arts in the yard while his mom brought him tea. Jiang Wenhuan breaks out some wine to pay respects to Kunwu's parents. He gets a little worked up and tells Kunwu he doesn't want to be just a friend. So, right there, they become sworn brothers. Jiang Wenhuan even lies about his age so he can be the older brother. It's a classic move.
The Plot Thickens
Qingqing's Abduction
While all this is happening, Guxi is up to some snooping. She sneaks into a secret room, looking for a hint from someone named Heichi. Instead, she overhears something much worse. Zhongli Yuan is secretly plotting to have someone attack Su Qingqing.
Sure enough, the next day, soldiers are escorting Qingqing home. A strange miasma rolls in, and everyone passes out. A mysterious figure dressed in black snatches Qingqing and vanishes. That night, Guxi rushes to the young lords' camp. She admits she was the one who sent the palace map. Then she drops the bombshell. Qingqing is in serious danger.
The Village of Horrors
Guxi leads Jiang Wenhuan, E Shun, and a couple of others to Sujia Village. The place is guarded by soldiers. They say villagers tried to escape before but couldn't speak. The guards had to shoot a few of them to keep order. Lately, though, the village has been completely silent.
Guxi knows something is wrong. They go inside, and it's a massacre. The townspeople have been murdered. Their scalps and tongues were removed. It looks exactly like the corpse they found on Qingluan Mountain. Suddenly, a seemingly crazed old woman runs out. Guxi uses her powers and realizes the woman is only pretending.
The Truth About Qingluan Mountain
A Survivor's Story
The old woman's name is Su Zhen. Once she drops the act, she asks who Kunwu is and why he looks so familiar. She tells them a horrific story. All the men in her village were killed by outsiders. The girls are raised until they turn sixteen. Then, they are taken to Qingluan Mountain and are never seen again.
Kunwu frantically asks if she's seen Qingqing. He tells her Zhongli Yuan has pardoned everyone. Hearing his name, Su Zhen explodes. She calls Zhongli Yuan a monster. She reveals all the missing girls are taken to a place called the Yin-Yang Cave on Qingluan Mountain.
Into the Lion's Den
We cut to Qingqing. She wakes up in a dark place surrounded by other girls. She follows a red light and finds a bizarre ritual site. Hanging above it are bloody scalps. It's a truly disturbing sight.
Back with the group, Su Zhen leads them toward Qingluan Mountain. But halfway there, she vanishes. As Jiang Wenhuan and the others search for her, they run into A'si. Jiang Wenhuan takes a moment to apologize for her grandfather's death. Meanwhile, the others aren't so lucky. They get trapped in illusions created by Su Zhen, forcing them to face their worst fears.
