Episode Summary
In this episode, we learn about Zhong Chunjie's tragic past and her journey to Sword King City. Shen Langhun tries to kill Tang Lici using an illusion, but this backfires. Tang Lici sees into Shen Langhun's own past and discovers his tragic reason for seeking revenge against A'Yan (Liu Yan). This shared enemy turns them from foes into allies.
Spoiler Alert
A Brutal Backstory
This episode introduces us to a new character. Her name is Zhong Chunjie. Her backstory is rough. She was born into poverty and sold off as a child bride. By the time she was seven or eight, she was already doing all the household chores.
Then, her adoptive family’s fortunes turned. They decided she was just an extra mouth to feed. Zhong Chunjie was washing clothes by a stream when she overheard a terrible plan. Her adoptive father was selling her for a ghost marriage. This is basically a death sentence. They marry you to a corpse to be its companion in the afterlife.
She made a run for it. Her adoptive father caught her anyway. She cried and begged him to let her stay. He didn't listen. He just pushed her toward the buyers. Zhong Chunjie knew she was going to die no matter what. So she took matters into her own hands and jumped into the river. She was rescued by the man who would become her Master. That's the only reason she's alive today.
The Road to Sword King City
Now, Zhong Chunjie is a grown woman. Her Master has trained her into a formidable martial artist. He gives her an invitation to Sword King City. This is a huge honor. Only the absolute best fighters get an invitation. Her senior brother, Gu Xitan, will be going with her. She is excited for the chance to see what the top masters are really like.
An Unstable Alliance
Tang Lici and A'Shui are also heading toward Sword King City. Shen Langhun is with them now, but he's more of a problem than a follower. He refuses to listen to any of Tang Lici's orders.
So, Tang Lici decides to use a bribe. He gives Shen Langhun a Jade Smile Pearl. This is an incredibly rare treasure. Tang Lici knows that Shen Langhun is obsessed with collecting jewels for his crown. He hopes this will make him a little more cooperative.
The Illusion Trap
Later that night, Shen Langhun is carefully adding the new pearl to his crown. Tang Lici approaches him. He knows Shen Langhun's first goal is to complete the crown. He asks him what his second goal is. Shen Langhun says it's to kill a specific person.
We learn that A'Yan has been manipulating Shen Langhun. He has planted deep distrust in him against Tang Lici. Shen Langhun decides now is the time to act. He uses a secret technique to trap Tang Lici inside a powerful illusion. The illusion is built from Tang Lici's most painful memory.
Tang Lici's Past Comes Calling
Inside the illusion, Tang Lici is a young boy again. He sees his two senior brothers and A'Yan. His brothers ask him his name. He remembers being called Tang Jiban'er. They had found him, felt sorry for him, and decided to take him in.
They offered to teach him their ultimate martial arts skills. At first, he didn't want to learn. They convinced him by saying the skills would let him protect the things he cares about. He finally agreed. They are the ones who gave him his current name, Tang Lici.
The memory then takes a dark turn. A major misunderstanding made his brothers turn on him. He was unable to explain himself or prove his innocence. Just as he is reliving this agony, Shen Langhun attacks him in the real world. He uses a technique called the Reverse Shadow Kill. At the very last second, Tang Lici breaks free from the illusion. He manages to catch Shen Langhun's dagger just before it strikes.
The Truth About Shen Langhun
Tang Lici has a very useful ability. He can copy the skills of his opponents. He uses this power to peer into Shen Langhun's own mind. He finally sees the real reason for Shen Langhun's pain. It all comes back to a woman named Hui Niang.
They were deeply in love. But Hui Niang had a terminal illness. Shen Langhun joined a shady group called the Thirteenth Floor to earn money. He needed to buy a Life-Extending Pill to save her. He earned the money, but A'Yan stole the pill. Without it, Hui Niang died.
A Common Enemy
Shen Langhun has hated A'Yan ever since. A'Yan also goes by the name Liu Yan. Shen Langhun has spent his life wandering and searching for a chance at revenge.
Tang Lici respects Shen Langhun's loyalty to Hui Niang. Then he reveals something huge. He tells Shen Langhun that he was the one who taught Liu Yan half of his martial arts skills. Tang Lici also has a score to settle with Liu Yan. He mentions a painful memory of a sword from four years ago that he can't forget. He says his own life is on a countdown. It is time for a final confrontation.
This shared enemy changes everything. That night, Shen Langhun and Tang Lici become allies. They drink together with Chi Yun. Chi Yun says that after spending time with Tang Lici, he's decided to trust him. He believes Tang Lici is not a completely bad person, despite his dark side.
