Episode Summary
In this episode, Song Yanhu prepares for his end, giving final instructions to his apprentices. Meanwhile, a massive plot unfolds as a deadly poison is released throughout Unrivaled City, incapacitating its strongest fighters and throwing everything into chaos.
Spoiler Alert
Song Yanhu's Strange Goodbye Tour
A Warning for His Eldest Apprentice
The episode kicks off with Song Yanhu, the current Lord of Unrivaled City. He pulls his oldest apprentice, Lu Yuzhai, aside for a chat. Song Yanhu isn't dumb. He knows Lu Yuzhai is being influenced by outsiders. He basically tells him to stop being an idiot.
He gives Lu Yuzhai some very specific instructions. First, no dirty tricks in the upcoming contest for the city. Second, he needs to look after the youngest apprentice, Zhai Wushuang. And third, when Zhai Wushuang eventually takes over, Lu Yuzhai must serve him loyally. He has to swear an oath.
This whole speech sounds a lot like a last will and testament. Lu Yuzhai is clearly shaken. Song Yanhu then drops another bomb. He's opening the city gates to welcome visitors from all over. Lu Yuzhai thinks this is a terrible idea. It's an open invitation for trouble. But Song Yanhu is certain. He promises he won't let anyone see the city fall.
Lu Yuzhai agrees to his master's face. Inside, though, he's furious. He has no interest in serving his little junior. He wants to follow someone stronger. He also thinks his associate, Haoyue, is a total waste of space.
A Sweet Moment with His Youngest
Song Yanhu's behavior gets even stranger. He finds his youngest apprentice, Zhai Wushuang, and acts completely out of character. He even buys the kid some candied fruit. You can tell he feels guilty for being so strict. He wants Zhai Wushuang to enjoy these last few moments of peace.
He tells the boy to keep practicing his sword skills, especially after he is gone. It's a heavy moment. Zhai Wushuang, being a kid, is just happy to get more candy from his master. Song Yanhu just watches him with a sad, loving look.
New Players Arrive in Town
The Bored Master and the Assassin's Name
We cut to some new faces. A man named Su Zhe is traveling with his master, Bai Hehuai. Bai Hehuai is bored out of his mind. He thinks the food is gross and the scenery is dull.
Then, he overhears some people talking about the assassin Su Muyu. His ears perk up immediately. All of a sudden, he's dying to go to Unrivaled City. Su Zhe tries to trick him, saying the city is really far away. A nearby waiter totally calls him out on the lie. So, off they go.
The Dark River Connection
The intelligence network Bai Xiao Tang is also making moves. They're trying to find someone named Tang Lianyue, but they've hit a dead end. They decide to change tactics. Their new plan is to get information from Mu Yumo, who we know is a member of the Dark River organization.
The Trap Is Sprung
A Bet and a Body
Su Muyu is hanging out in a gambling den. The whole place is buzzing. Everyone is placing bets on who will become the next Lord of Unrivaled City. Up on a balcony, Haoyue is watching Su Muyu's every move.
The owner of the den tries to get Su Muyu to place a bet. After a moment, Su Muyu decides. He bets on himself. The entire room just stares. They all think he's unbelievably arrogant.
Then, chaos erupts. Someone screams that there's been a murder. Su Muyu figures it out instantly. There's a mole inside the city. Someone is trying to start a riot to seize power during the confusion. As if on cue, Su Changhe appears. Su Muyu is stunned to see him. Su Changhe just smirks and says he's here to "watch the show." That tells Su Muyu this is part of a much bigger, more dangerous plot.
Poison in the Air
Bai Hehuai and Su Zhe finally make it into Unrivaled City. Bai Hehuai is a poison expert. He immediately senses that something is wrong. The air is thick with a deadly, odorless poison. He realizes this attack has been planned for years. He tells Su Zhe to go find Su Muyu and the others. They have to neutralize the poison before it's too late.
It's already starting to work. All across the city, fighters with high levels of internal energy are collapsing. Another master, Xie Xuan, also arrives and detects the poison. In a truly iconic move, he just lights a candle, sits down, and starts reading a book to find the antidote.
Song Yanhu knows this chaos is the work of outsiders. He confronts Lu Yuzhai again, this time about his connection to a group called Tianxia Fang. Lu Yuzhai can't hide his guilt. Song Yanhu just seems tired. He says it's a master's duty to clean up his student's mess. He will protect the city's honor, no matter what.
The episode ends with Bai Hehuai finding Su Muyu. He warns him that if they stay out in the open, the poison will weaken them until they're helpless. He then releases his own five poisons, creating a protective barrier around them.
