Episode Summary
The "no killing" rule becomes a strategic weakness to exploit. Tang Lici's team splits up to counter Xifang Tao's group. Cheng Yunpao is easily tricked into losing his sword, while Chi Yun and Shen Langhun successfully frame and imprison Xifang Tao's subordinate, Fu Cui. However, this was a distraction for Xifang Tao to kidnap A'Shui. Tang Lici deduces the hostage's location, defeats Xifang Tao, and recovers both the hostage and the stolen sword. The next day, Wan Yu weighs two competing offers for an alliance, one from Cheng Yunpao and a much more lucrative one from Xifang Tao.
Spoiler Alert
The Game Begins
The episode kicks off under a dim moon. Everyone is stuck in Biluo Palace. You remember the big rule here. No killing is allowed. Chi Yun thinks this is just a frustrating limitation. But Tang Lici sees it differently. He thinks the rule itself is the key to winning.
So, the clock strikes noon. The moonlight fades. This is the signal. Xifang Tao and his guy, Fu Cui, immediately split up. They head in opposite directions. Tang Lici and Shen Langhun do the same. Shen Langhun goes after Fu Cui. Tang Lici takes on the big boss, Xifang Tao.
A Sword, a Trap, and a Distraction
Things get messy pretty fast. Cheng Yunpao decides he wants to spy on both sides. He sneaks outside to see what's happening.
Cheng Yunpao Loses His Sword
I have to say, Cheng Yunpao is not the sharpest tool in the shed. He has a terrible sense of direction. He almost immediately stumbles right into Xifang Tao. Xifang Tao is a total snake. He just flashes a charming smile. The ever-so-proper Cheng Yunpao gets flustered. While he's distracted, Xifang Tao snatches his prized Tai'e Sword. Just like that.
Cheng Yunpao panics. He can't believe he lost his sword. He tries to go after him. But Tang Lici steps in. He knows Cheng Yunpao is no match for Xifang Tao. He tells him to stop and go to Chi Yun's room instead. He has a bigger plan in motion.
The Tables Turn on Fu Cui
While that's going on, Xifang Tao's goon is still on the move. Fu Cui follows his target right to Chi Yun's room. Shen Langhun spots him. Now, Xifang Tao might be a genius. But his subordinate Fu Cui is just a big, sloppy guy with rocks for brains.
This makes him the perfect target. Chi Yun and Shen Langhun work together. They easily lure Fu Cui into the room. Chi Yun hasn't forgotten something. Fu Cui once slapped his fiancée. So, Chi Yun gives him two slaps back as payback. Fu Cui starts begging them not to hit his face. Chi Yun responds by kicking him straight out the door. Shen Langhun then takes over and keeps laying into him.
The noise attracts the palace guards. This is all part of the plan. Chi Yun and Shen Langhun immediately act like they're the victims. The guards see Fu Cui standing over them. They assume he started the fight. According to the rules of Biluo Palace, they drag Fu Cui off to jail. Chi Yun and Shen Langhun can't hide their smirks.
The Real Target is Revealed
They celebrate a little too soon. While they were busy with Fu Cui, they missed something important. Xifang Tao used the distraction to sneak in and kidnap A'Shui.
This is where Tang Lici proves why he's the master. He calmly thinks through the entire situation. He figures Xifang Tao would hide the hostage in the most obvious place. The safest place is the most dangerous place. He realizes the whole thing with Cheng Yunpao was a diversion. Xifang Tao wanted Cheng Yunpao out of his own room. So, that's where A'Shui must be.
Tang Lici rushes over. Shen Langhun actually gets there first. But he falls for a trap. Xifang Tao hits him with a hidden weapon and disables him. Luckily, Tang Lici arrives right after. Xifang Tao is good, but he's not on Tang Lici's level. Tang Lici easily defeats him. He takes back the Tai'e Sword. Then he uses pressure points to paralyze Xifang Tao inside the room. For tonight, Tang Lici has completely won.
A New Day, A New Deal
The next morning, the politics begin. Wan Yu, the head of the palace, summons Cheng Yunpao. He offers her a deal. He asks for her help to destroy the Fengliu Hall faction. In exchange, her Biluo Palace can finally return to the Central Plains.
It's a decent offer. But Wan Yu isn't sold. She calls in Xifang Tao next. He represents the Fengliu Hall. His offer is much, much better. He promises that when his faction takes over the world, he will give Biluo Palace one-third of all power and privileges.
This gives Wan Yu a lot to think about. Xifang Tao's offer is incredibly tempting. She knows that what other people think doesn't matter. All that matters is power. She will choose the path that makes Biluo Palace stronger.
