Episode Summary
The team of four—Jiang Wenhuan, Chongyi Biao, Kunwu, and Xin Jia—defeats the giant monster. A'si discovers a token that links Ning Bohou to the attack, leading to his public confession. He created the monster to stop his son from being sent to a revived Proton Camp. A botched escape plan results in the deaths of both Ning Bohou and his son, Ning Ziyu. Jiang Wenhuan is punished for the security failure. As the lords head to the camp, a final twist reveals that Ning Ziyu is not actually dead.
Spoiler Alert
The Monster and the Meddlers
A Four-Person Fight
The episode kicks off with that huge monster going straight for Jiang Wenhuan. He stands his ground but is clearly outmatched. Just when it looks bad, Chongyi Biao and Kunwu jump into the fight. The regular folks are scrambling to get out of the city. Xin Jia starts to run with them but looks back. He sees the three of them struggling against the monster. Even though he's scared, he decides to turn back and help. Together, the four of them finally manage to kill the beast.
A Suspicious Token
While all this is happening, Ning Ziyu gets an urgent message to go home. His father, Ning Bohou, called for him. A servant then runs in, completely panicked, to report that the monster is dead. The news shocks Ning Bohou. He did not expect it to be defeated so quickly.
At the same time, A'si is snooping around the stables. She finds a bronze token near a big chest. She looks closely at the design. It's the exact same pattern she saw on Ning Bohou's carriage. This makes her suspicious, so she decides to follow him. As she's riding off, Jiang Wenhuan spots her. He has no idea why she would be there.
The Truth Comes Out
A Near-Miss and a Confrontation
Jiang Wenhuan decides to follow A'si. He's careful not to be seen. But Ning Bohou is sharp. He notices A'si tailing him and decides he needs to silence her for good. Just as he's about to attack, Jiang Wenhuan shows up and stops him. Ning Bohou tries to play it cool. He even attempts to act friendly with Jiang Wenhuan, mentioning some family connection. Jiang Wenhuan isn't having it. He shuts that down immediately.
Then, Jiang Wenhuan recognizes one of the men with Ning Bohou. It's the same guy who stole the imperial edict. Everything clicks into place. He realizes Ning Bohou is behind the whole plot. When Ning Bohou's men see their plan is exposed, they grab A'si and threaten her life. Jiang Wenhuan pretends he doesn't care about her. He smirks, acting dismissive. The moment the captor relaxes, he moves in and rescues her.
Confession in the Arena
Jiang Wenhuan drags the captured Ning Bohou to the arena. His brother, Jiang Wen Feng, is there, promising the other young lords that he'll get to the bottom of things. Jiang Wenhuan announces to everyone that the monster came from Ning Bohou's estate. He holds up the bronze token as proof. The crowd is stunned.
With his plan in ruins, Ning Bohou confesses. He explains that the Emperor's actions were going to end his family line. He heard a rumor that the Emperor planned to use the beast fight as an excuse to reopen the Proton Camp. Having already lost one son, he couldn't bear the thought of his younger son, Ning Ziyu, suffering the same fate. Someone gave him the idea to use a monster to scare off the other lords.
A Tragic End
A Flawed Escape
The lords are still skeptical and ask Gongsun Wuyu for the truth. Gongsun Wuyu explains this new Proton Camp is different. It's not about cruelty. It's a quest to find an immortal elixir, and success would bring great honor. He even has an edict to prove it. This gets the other lords interested. But Ning Bohou yells that it's all a trick by the King of Shangshan.
Jiang Wen Feng steps in, claiming he can protect Ning Ziyu. He quietly tells the boy to run. Then, Jiang Wen Feng holds off the soldiers to create a diversion, getting badly injured in the process. But the escape fails. Ning Ziyu is shot by an arrow as he runs and falls to the ground, dead. Seeing his only remaining son die, Ning Bohou is consumed by grief and dies on the spot. Jiang Wenhuan is filled with regret. He believes that if he had figured out the truth sooner, they might not have met such a tragic end.
The Aftermath
For his failure to secure the arena, Jiang Wenhuan accepts his punishment. The Emperor faults him for poor oversight. A previous honor given to him is also taken away. The only reason he keeps his title as Duke is because he once saved the Emperor's life.
Later, Gongsun Wuyu tends to Jiang Wen Feng's injuries. He gives him the bronze token, telling him it's connected to Kui Fang.
New Beginnings and a Final Twist
On the Road
As the young lords prepare to leave for the Proton Camp, we see Kunwu giving instructions to his steward. He needs them to find his sister while he's gone. The necklace he wears is the only clue he has to her whereabouts.
A'si, meanwhile, gets an earful from her father. He's angry that she ran from an arranged marriage and is now causing more trouble. He threatens to punish her, but he can't go through with it.
And for the final shock. A group of men in black dig up Ning Ziyu's body from its grave. It turns out he's still barely alive.
