Episode Summary
Pu Zhu and Xifang Tao are injured and stranded in a valley, where Xifang Tao begins to see Pu Zhu in a new light. Liu Yan captures Zhong Chunjie and gives the Central Plains Sword Association a seven-day ultimatum for her life, causing internal division. Despite the risk, Tang Lici sees through the psychological trap and launches a full-scale assault on the Peony Pavilion, successfully navigating the first of Liu Yan's deadly defenses with Sword Master Shao.
Spoiler Alert
Whispers of Fate Episode 23: Traps and Ultimatums
A Hostage Situation
The episode opens right where we left off. Pu Zhu and Xifang Tao are stuck at the bottom of a deep valley. They both survived the fall, but they're seriously injured. They aren't getting out of there on their own anytime soon.
Back with the good guys, everyone is scrambling to find Pu Zhu. The Central Plains Sword Association has its disciples searching everywhere. Tang Lici, though, is focused on something else. He's staring at a map of the Peony Pavilion. He’s already making a detailed plan to lead an assault.
Zhong Chunjie takes some guards to scout ahead. This was a bad move. She runs right into Liu Yan. He immediately springs his trap. We learn he's poisoned all of her soldiers with some nasty Gu poison. He just has to wave his hand, and they all drop dead. Zhong Chunjie begs him to spare her soldiers. She offers to take the punishment herself.
Liu Yan recognizes her. It turns out she saved his life once. He also knows she's Sword Master Shao's adopted daughter. This gives him an idea. He takes her hostage and drags her to the Peony Pavilion.
The Seven-Day Clock
Tang Lici's men find the poisoned soldiers. They're alive, but not for long if Liu Yan has his way. Liu Yan left a message. The poison will dissolve on its own in seven days. This isn't an act of mercy. It's an ultimatum. Tang Lici has seven days to attack. If he doesn't, Zhong Chunjie dies.
Zhong Chunjie is now a prisoner in the Peony Pavilion. She immediately goes on a hunger strike. She knows an attack to save her would be a huge risk for the Sword Association. She worries about putting her adoptive father in a tough spot. She even tries to slit her wrist to end the situation quickly.
Liu Yan isn't about to let his leverage die. He stops her. Then he starts his mind games. He tells her the Sword Association isn't as innocent as she thinks. He dares her to wait and see if anyone actually comes to save her within the seven days.
Survival and Shifting Views
Down in the valley, two days have passed. Pu Zhu and Xifang Tao have picked almost all the fruit from the trees. Pu Zhu’s legs are badly hurt. He can barely walk. Xifang Tao helps him shake the last two fruits from a tree.
Then she declares she is sick of eating wild fruit. She wants to eat the fish in the stream. Pu Zhu is a man who never kills any living thing. But Xifang Tao lays a guilt trip on him. She says if he doesn't get her fish, she will starve. He'll be guilty of letting her die. Pu Zhu sighs and reluctantly catches two fish for her.
Spending these two days together has changed Xifang Tao's opinion of him. She sees that Pu Zhu is a truly good man. He is kind, noble, and pure. She's a ruthless killer, and standing next to him, she feels ashamed. She even tries to provoke him. She wants him to kill her with his staff.
The Attack Begins
With Pu Zhu missing and Zhong Chunjie captured, the Sword Association is in chaos. Everyone is arguing about what to do. Some think attacking the Peony Pavilion is too dangerous and a waste of resources. Others, especially those loyal to Zhong Chunjie, want to send troops immediately.
Sword Master Shao is heartbroken. He raised Zhong Chunjie as his own daughter. He taught her martial arts and shaped her character. He knows Liu Yan is a serious threat. But all he has is a map that might be fake. He's terrified of walking into a trap and getting more of his people killed.
Tang Lici cuts through all the debate. He announces they will attack the Peony Pavilion the very next day. He sees right through Liu Yan's plan. Liu Yan wants them to panic and turn on each other. Tang Lici scoffs at the idea. He says they've underestimated the Sword Association. He plans to hit two targets with one attack. He will destroy the Peony Pavilion and rescue Zhong Chunjie.
Everything is prepared. Tang Lici and Sword Master Shao lead all the clan leaders and disciples toward the enemy stronghold. Their first obstacle is a forest filled with poisonous gas. Tang Lici is ready for it. He tells his soldiers not to panic and hands out antidotes.
After the forest, Liu Yan sends his next trap. He summons swarms of poisonous hornets. One sting is fatal. Sword Master Shao sees them coming. He draws his sword and uses his energy to create a force that drives the hornets away. They survive the first two traps.
