Episode Summary
The election for the new Sword Master reaches its climax. Xifang Tao tries to blackmail Zhong Chunjie for her vote, but Tang Lici counters with a subtle threat of his own. At the vote, Tang Lici manages to secure a last-minute victory and becomes the new Sword Master. His victory is short-lived, as Chi Yun's poisoning worsens, leading to his imprisonment by fearful disciples. Meanwhile, Zhong Chunjie, who didn't vote for Xifang Tao, fears her identity will be exposed and visits her master, but finds herself unable to confess her past actions.
Spoiler Alert
The Final Showdown for Sword Master
Xifang Tao's Last-Ditch Blackmail
The election for the new Sword Master is finally here. Sword Master Shao is practically pulling his hair out. He sees Tang Lici focused on destroying the evil pill factories. But Xifang Tao is out there actually campaigning and securing votes. Shao keeps trying to get Tang Lici to pay attention to the election. Tang Lici doesn't seem to care at all.
Xifang Tao decides to play her final card. She goes to see Zhong Chunjie. She doesn't waste any time. She brings up the butterfly tattoo. This is the same leverage once used against her. Xifang Tao threatens Zhong Chunjie to get her vote. She offers a deal. If Zhong Chunjie votes for her, they win. No one will ever expose Zhong Chunjie as a fake princess. They can rule together. Zhong Chunjie will control the palace, and Xifang Tao will run the Sword Association. Xifang Tao is completely sure this plan will work. She thinks she has Zhong Chunjie backed into a corner.
Tang Lici's Flowery Warning
After Xifang Tao leaves, Tang Lici pays Zhong Chunjie a visit. He invites her to see some rosemary flowers. He explains these flowers only open at midnight. They are most beautiful when they are just buds. Once they bloom, the center just withers and dies.
Zhong Chunjie isn't having any of his metaphors. She snaps off a branch and forces the flower open. The center looks beautiful for a second. But a poisonous bee was hiding inside. It almost stings her. Tang Lici acts fast and kills the insect. He uses this to make his point very clear. He warns Zhong Chunjie not to get too greedy. Trying to force things and go against the natural order will only lead to failure.
The Vote Goes Down to the Wire
It's time for the official vote. The Sword Association and all the major sect leaders are there. They cast their ballots for who they want as the new Sword Master. The tension is high.
At first, Xifang Tao is in the lead. It looks like her scheming paid off. But Tang Lici has a few tricks left. He brings in votes from Pu Zhu and another master who couldn't be there. Suddenly, the vote count is tied. It all comes down to the final ballot. If Tang Lici gets this one, he officially becomes the master of the Central Plains Sword Association. And he does. Tang Lici wins.
The New Master's First Problems
Chi Yun's Condition Gets Worse
Tang Lici is now the Sword Master. But Xifang Tao isn't just going to accept defeat. She's already plotting how to bring him down.
Tang Lici has more immediate problems, though. The poison in Chi Yun's body is flaring up more often. Tang Lici has been using his own blood every day to keep the poison under control. Chi Yun's mood is getting worse. He's becoming more aggressive and violent. The other disciples in the Sword Association are scared. They think Chi Yun is contagious. So they drag him to a prison cell and lock him in iron chains.
Tang Lici goes to the cell to comfort Chi Yun. He promises he will figure out a cure as fast as he can. Chi Yun just gives a bitter laugh. He points out that he's literally in chains. He knows how bad his situation is. But he tries to pretend he doesn't care. He doesn't want Tang Lici to worry more than he already is.
Zhong Chunjie's Crisis of Conscience
Zhong Chunjie did not give her deciding vote to Xifang Tao. Now she is terrified. She knows her secret identity as a fake princess is about to be exposed. She goes to see her master in a panic. This is the man who saved her from starving as a child. He raised her and personally taught her martial arts.
She wants to confess everything she's done. She wants to tell her master the truth. But she can't do it. She looks at him and sees how much he trusts her. The words get stuck in her throat. She just can't bring herself to disappoint him.
