Episode Summary
In this episode, Su Muyu and Su Changhe infiltrate the Wan juan lou, leading to a final confrontation with Yi Bu, who is killed. Su Changhe destroys his own past, choosing to look forward. The Grand Prince pivots to his own plans, while the Prince of Langya offers to help Dark River's public image. The episode ends with Su Changhe and Su Muyu visiting a hidden village of former assassins to confront a man from their past.
Spoiler Alert
The Library of Secrets
A Test of Trust
So, Su Changhe waits outside the Wan juan lou. He's just watching as Su Muyu heads inside. The second he turns around, Yi Bu is there. Yi Bu is furious. He realizes he's been played by both of them to get access to the library.
Inside, Xie Zaiye is guiding Su Muyu. They quickly discover that the library is connected to the Bai Xiao Tang. This confirms a huge fear. The Wan juan lou literally knows every secret in the world. There's nowhere to hide from it.
Xie Zaiye tells Su Muyu he needs a special key to access the real secrets. Su Muyu just pulls a key out of his robes. He came prepared. This clearly catches Xie Zaiye off guard.
After reading something in a hidden compartment, Su Muyu's face goes pale. He pretends he's feeling weak and needs to rest. This is when Xie Zaiye remembers his grandfather's words. He was told to shoot Su Muyu if he ever got the chance. Specifically, when Su Muyu was injured and let his guard down. This could be his moment.
But just as the thought crosses his mind, Su Muyu is right behind him. It's a cold reminder. Su Muyu never trusted him for a second.
The End of the Shadow Sect
A Past Turned to Dust
Back outside, Su Changhe has already defeated Yi Bu. The Shadow Sect leader is on the ground, bleeding out. He thinks about his life. He feels like a total failure. He did everything for the sect. He was raised from birth with one goal. That goal was to lead the Shadow Sect. And now it's all over.
Su Changhe is about to deliver the final blow when Su Muyu walks out. Su Changhe's whole demeanor changes. He smiles warmly and asks his brother if he found what he was looking for. He then says they should interrogate Yi Bu.
Su Muyu is completely unfazed. He says they've killed enough people to know that look on Yi Bu's face. Yi Bu would rather die than talk.
So Su Changhe just kills him. No hesitation.
Then Su Muyu hands over a scroll. It's Su Changhe's own life file from the library. But Su Changhe doesn't even look at it. He just tosses it into the air and shatters it with his energy. He says the past is the past. They need to look forward.
New Alliances and Old Debts
The Prince's Game
The Grand Prince learns his plan failed. He wanted to use the Shadow Sect to get rid of Dark River. Now he sees the Shadow Sect was useless all along. He's not upset, though. He's actually happy. The existence of an organization like Dark River is a problem for the Emperor. And now, the prince says, he can finally start playing his own game.
Xiao Ruoban hears about Yi Bu's death and doesn't really react. She has total faith in the Prince of Langya. She knows this messy situation isn't his style.
The Prince of Langya is actually impressed with the new Dark River. He sees they've cut ties with their old masters. Their only problem now is their terrible public reputation. He says he's willing to help them with that.
A Visit to the Homeland
The Dark River crew meets up and splits up. Su Muyu says he's learned some things about his old home. He needs to go back and handle some personal business.
Before they part, Su Muyu makes a promise to Su Changhe. He knows his brother wants to change Dark River. Su Muyu pledges to be the "sword" that helps him do it. Bai Hehuai chimes in. He can't fight, but he offers to be their doctor. He jokes that if he can't heal them, his father, Su Zhe, can come collect their bodies.
Su Changhe goes with Su Muyu to his old home. It's a hidden village. It's a place where former Dark River assassins live. They all came here to escape the life of conflict. As they're talking, an old man named Qi Molai storms in. He's immediately suspicious of the visitors.
He and Su Changhe have a quiet, tense standoff. Qi Molai quickly understands the situation. The old Patriarch of Dark River must be dead. That's the only reason the new leader would come here. He knows a day of reckoning has finally arrived. Su Muyu tells him plainly. He has some questions that need answers.
