Episode Summary
Tang Lici's quest to revive Fang Zhou ends in total failure, as Fang Zhou's body disintegrates before his eyes. Devastated, Tang Lici is then betrayed by Zhong Chunjie, who stabs him with a cursed needle from Liu Yan, causing him to collapse. His friends rescue him, only to face a new threat when Liu Yan arrives to claim him.
Spoiler Alert
A Desperate Plan
Liu Yan's Final Move
So, Liu Yan is making her big play. She goes to find her last little pawn, Zhong Chunjie. We finally get the full backstory here. It turns out Zhong Chunjie never had a royal tattoo. Liu Yan kidnapped her years ago. She used magic to fake the tattoo on Zhong Chunjie's body. The whole thing was a long con. Liu Yan wanted her to get a taste of power as the famous Princess Langya.
Now, Liu Yan is calling in the debt. She knows Zhong Chunjie won't want to give up her new life. She gives her a "Thousand Bone Needle." It's a nasty little thing she created. The instructions are simple. Stab Tang Lici with it. The needle will drain most of his power.
Zhong Chunjie's Choice
Zhong Chunjie understands this is a transaction. If she does this, she gets to keep her wealth and status. But she thinks about Tang Lici. He's been kind to her. She can't bring herself to betray him. So, she throws the needle right into a pond.
Liu Yan just gives her a look. She leaves her with a warning and then walks away. Just then, the Central Plains Sword Association sends a message. They need Zhong Chunjie for backup. She leaves immediately.
The Search for Fang Zhou
The Tongtian Pillars
Tang Lici is ready to do whatever it takes to save Fang Zhou. Shen Langhun and Chi Yun know he plans to sacrifice himself. They don't like it, but they decide to help him find the Tongtian Pillar.
They get to Bodhi Valley. The terrain is rough. They find three massive pillars stretching into the sky. They have no idea which one holds Fang Zhou's body. Tang Lici tells them to split up. Shen Langhun and Chi Yun will each check one pillar.
They struggle to climb the steep pillars. It's a huge effort. They get to the top of their respective pillars and find nothing. No ice coffin. That means Fang Zhou must be on Tang Lici's pillar. They hurry to help him.
A Past Revealed
Tang Lici has his own problems. He has to fight several dragons guarding his pillar. He manages to kill them, but the fight takes a serious toll. A dragon throws him against a wall of sharp spikes, and his chest is torn open.
One of the dragons calls him by a different name. It calls him "Ajiba'er Tangjia." It says he used to be a "Yazi" here years ago. The dragon tells him that even though he escaped to the Central Plains, he can't change his fate. Tang Lici doesn't believe in fate. He finally sees Fang Zhou's body in the ice coffin. He swears he will protect it no matter what.
Everything Falls Apart
The dragons try to force Tang Lici to submit. They start breathing fire on the ice coffin. Tang Lici throws himself on top of it. He uses his own body as a shield. But there are too many of them. The ice coffin melts.
When Tang Lici wakes up, he's surrounded by shards of ice. Fang Zhou's body is exposed. He holds the body, heartbroken. He tries to piece the ice coffin back together, but it's too late. Fang Zhou's body begins to glow. It dissolves into little points of light and then vanishes completely.
This shatters Tang Lici. For four years, his entire existence was focused on this one goal. He used his own blood to sustain Fang Zhou's heart crystal. Now, it's all over. The hope of bringing Fang Zhou back is gone. Tang Lici is on the verge of a complete breakdown.
The Ultimate Betrayal
Zhong Chunjie arrives. She sees Tang Lici screaming in despair. She starts crying. She thinks his life is too hard. She decides she wants to keep him with her and take care of him. She goes and gets the Thousand Bone Needle from the bottom of the pond.
She walks up to the devastated Tang Lici. Then she stabs him with the needle.
Blood trickles from his mouth. He turns his head and sees her. The needle does its work, and he collapses, unconscious.
The Aftermath
Shen Langhun and Chi Yun finally get there. They find Tang Lici passed out on the ground. Zhong Chunjie is standing nearby, looking dazed. She seems like she's in a trance. She can't even remember what she just did. They grab Tang Lici and rush him back to the Sword Association.
Shui Duo Po checks his pulse. The poison from the needle is strange. On top of that, Fang Zhou's heart crystal is still inside him, draining his life force. Shui Duo Po says removing the crystal would save some of his energy. But they all know Tang Lici would never agree to it.
As Tang Lici lies there, unconscious, Liu Yan shows up at their door. She demands they hand him over.
