Episode Summary
This episode saw the fallout from Sword Master Shao's death, with Ghost Peony framing Tang Lici and Liu Yan. Xifang Tao captured Liu Yan to advance his own ambition of becoming the new Sword Master. At Shao's funeral, Tang Lici exposed Xifang Tao's lies but was still cornered. He then rescued a gravely ill Liu Yan, arguing that only Liu Yan could create the antidote to the evil pills. The two reconciled just before Liu Yan passed away.
Spoiler Alert
The Fallout
The Central Plains Sword Association is a complete mess. Sword Master Shao is dead. Everyone is grieving, but they're also terrified. People thought Ghost Peony was gone for good. Now we know that was just wishful thinking. Not only is Ghost Peony alive, but more and more people are falling victim to the evil pills.
Ghost Peony is also running a nasty smear campaign. The story being spread is that Tang Lici and Liu Yan teamed up. They supposedly used Liu Yan as bait to lure in and kill Shao Yanping. The public is eating it up. They already hate Liu Yan for everything he’s done. Now they're ready to hunt him down themselves.
Xifang Tao Makes His Move
Xifang Tao sees an opportunity in all this chaos. He tracks down Liu Yan’s hideout. He then uses Xiao Hong as a hostage to force Liu Yan out. Liu Yan could have fought back, maybe taken everyone down with him. But he couldn't risk Xiao Hong getting hurt. He surrenders and agrees to go back to the Sword Association with Xifang Tao.
You have to understand Xifang Tao's goal here. He wants to be the next Sword Master. He thinks bringing in Liu Yan, the public's number one enemy, will make him a hero. It's a calculated power play. He plans to use Liu Yan to completely destroy Tang Lici's reputation.
The Funeral Trap
The day arrives for Sword Master Shao's encoffinment ceremony. Every disciple of the Sword Association will be there. Xifang Tao has a trap ready. If Tang Lici shows up, Xifang Tao will publicly accuse him of murder and turn everyone against him.
Zhong Chunjie knows exactly what Xifang Tao is planning. She shows up in mourning clothes and tries to hurry the ceremony along. She tells the attendants to seal the coffin quickly. She's just praying that Tang Lici is smart enough to stay away.
Of course, he isn't.
Tang Lici walks right into the hornet's nest. He knows it's a trap, but he has to pay his respects to his master. As expected, Xifang Tao confronts him in front of everyone. He claims the wounds on Shao’s body could only have been made by a technique that Tang Lici uses.
Tang Lici ignores him at first. He finishes his respects for Shao. Then he turns and attacks Xifang Tao with full force. Xifang Tao, not wanting to die, is forced to defend himself. In doing so, he uses the exact same technique he just accused Tang Lici of. The lie is exposed for everyone to see.
But Xifang Tao already has allies within the association. They immediately jump in and try to create an alibi for him. Zhong Chunjie can't say anything to refute the lies. It seems Xifang Tao has some kind of leverage over her.
A Final Farewell
Word gets out that Tang Lici is in trouble. Shen Langhun hears the news and immediately leaves his own master to go help.
Tang Lici's priority becomes saving Liu Yan. He fights his way through anyone who gets in his path. His argument is simple. Liu Yan may have created the evil pills, but he's also the only person who can create the antidote. He cannot be allowed to die.
Tang Lici doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. He grabs Liu Yan and they make a run for it. But Liu Yan is incredibly sick. On the road, his strength gives out. He tells Tang Lici that he already gave the antidote formula to Xiao Hong, so he has no regrets.
He starts talking about the old days at Zhaodi Lou. He misses the simple life he had with Tang Lici, Xiao Fu, and Fang Zhou. He especially misses Xiao Fu's cooking. He says he regrets everything that happened after Fang Zhou died. Xiao Fu disappeared, and he and Tang Lici just started fighting.
Tang Lici tries to comfort him. He tells him that they have finally reconciled. Because of that, Fang Zhou and Xiao Fu would not hold any grudges against them. Hearing this, Liu Yan dies with a smile on his face.
