Episode Summary
The Patriarch arrives at a supposed safe house, only to be poisoned and weakened. He reveals he can't fully trust his old ally, Mu Kewen. Mao Tu confronts Tang Lianyue again, and their dynamic gets even more complicated as Tang Lianyue spares and heals her. The episode ends on a cliffhanger when an assassin attacks Baihe Huai, revealing he has hidden fighting skills, before an unknown figure saves him.
Spoiler Alert
A Messy Showdown
Mao Tu vs. Tang Lianyue
The episode kicks off right where we left off. Mao Tu knows she is no match for Tang Lianyue in a real fight. So, she goes for a different tactic. She tries to use her charm and play the victim. This worked on Tang Lianyue before. Mao Tu hopes it will make her hesitate again.
For a second, it looks like it won't work. Tang Lianyue seems ready to land a killing blow. But just as she moves in, Su Muyu appears. He swoops in and saves Mao Tu at the last possible moment.
A Mole and a Change of Heart?
After being rescued, Mao Tu realizes something. Tang Lianyue was definitely holding back. If she had been serious, Mao Tu would already be dead. She even starts to wonder if Tang Lianyue actually has feelings for her.
Su Muyu has bigger things on his mind, though. He suspects there is a mole in their organization. Su Changhe seems to know his location at all times. This conversation also gets Mao Tu thinking. She questions her own purpose and says she wants to change her situation.
We also get a little backstory on Su Muyu. He has a personal code with a "three no-kill" rule. This once got him in trouble with three envoys from the Soul-Lifting Hall. Su Changhe had to personally go there and sort things out to save him.
The Patriarch's Troubles
Arrival in Jiuxiao City
The story then shifts to Baihe Huai and the The Patriarch. They finally make it to their destination, Jiuxiao City. In a not-so-surprising coincidence, we see Li Hanyi has also just arrived in the same city. You know that's going to be important later.
On the way, Baihe Huai tries to dig into the The Patriarch's past. He manages to learn the The Patriarch's original name. They soon arrive at their safe house, a place called the Spider's Shadow hideout. But it turns out it isn't very safe at all.
An Unwelcome Guest
Someone is already waiting for them. Chou Niu stands guard outside the carriage, but it's no use. A man named Xie Fanhua, the young master of the Xie family, slips right past him and into the carriage.
Xie Fanhua is cocky, but he's no match for the The Patriarch. The Patriarch fights him off and sends him running. The victory comes at a cost, though. The Patriarch was poisoned during the scuffle with something called Soul-Guiding Incense. He uses his internal energy to force the poison out of his system. This leaves him completely unable to use his powers for the next three hours.
A Tense Reunion and Another Attack
The Spider's Shadow Hideout
The main gate to the hideout opens. An old man with white hair and a hunchback walks out. His name is Mu Kewen. The Patriarch triggers a mechanism, and the whole group enters the courtyard.
Baihe Huai immediately notices that Mu Kewen's hunchback isn't natural. He can tell it was caused by poison. He makes an offer. He'll cure Mu Kewen in exchange for the house. Mu Kewen isn't interested in that deal at all.
Once they get inside a private room, the The Patriarch's strong facade crumbles. He sits down, clearly in pain. He admits he was just pretending to be fine outside. He couldn't risk letting his enemies see any weakness. Baihe Huai asks why he kept up the act in front of Mu Kewen, who seems loyal. The Patriarch says it has been 30 years since they last saw each other. He can't be one hundred percent sure if Mu Kewen can still be trusted.
Round Two and a Surprise Assassin
We cut back to Su Muyu and Mao Tu, who are traveling by carriage. Tang Lianyue is still chasing them. Mao Tu makes a decision. She will stay behind to delay Tang Lianyue. She tells Su Muyu to go on ahead and pursue the The Patriarch.
Su Muyu worries that Mao Tu will be killed. Before he leaves, he gives her a protective burst of his own energy. Mao Tu knows she can't win with force. She once again uses her charm ability to get Tang Lianyue to hesitate. It works even better this time. Tang Lianyue not only spares her but also ends up healing her wounds.
That night, Baihe Huai tends to the The Patriarch's injuries. The Patriarch is too weak for Baihe Huai to use his powerful Soul-Separation technique. After doing what he can, Baihe Huai steps into the courtyard. An assassin suddenly appears and attacks him.
Here's a twist for you. Baihe Huai is a skilled fighter. He defends himself and almost captures the assassin. But the attacker is slippery and nearly kills him. Just then, another person shows up and saves Baihe Huai's life.
