Episode Summary
Tang Lici makes a grand entrance at Sword King City, revealing he is the powerful master of the Wanqiao Sect. He challenges the lingering sword aura of a past master, causing a major disturbance. This forces the current Sword King, Yu Qi, to agree to a public trial for Jiang Qingyu. Desperate, Yu Qi plots to use a master of disguise, Pu Zhu, to switch the prisoner. The plan culminates in a fire at the prison, where Pu Zhu is tricked into believing Tang Lici's bodyguard, Shen Langhun, has murdered Jiang Qingyu.
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The episode kicks off with Tang Lici and his crew arriving at Sword King City. They get stopped at the gate. The guards tell them they can't enter without an invitation. Chi Yun gets annoyed. He pulls out one of his special treasures, hoping to impress the guards. They are not impressed. A fight nearly breaks out right there. Chi Yun is furious, but Tang Lici stays completely calm.
Then, a massive ship sails into view. It belongs to the Wanqiao Sect. Announcements blare from the ship. The sect's master has arrived, and he's giving out gifts to all the local businesses. It's a huge, flashy display. Everyone on the street is trying to suck up to them. But then the ship pulls up next to Tang Lici's little boat. It lowers a ladder for him.
Everyone is shocked. The guy they just turned away is the master of the Wanqiao Sect. The guards look incredibly embarrassed. They immediately try to invite Tang Lici to the Sword Cleansing Festival. He just says no. He boards his own giant ship with his friends. It's a serious power move.
The Sword King's Big Show
We get a look at the current Sword King, Yu Qi. He's in the middle of a duel. He uses a move called the Zhanhuang Fire. There are a lot of rumors about how powerful this technique is. The problem is, it doesn't even work on his first opponent. You can tell right away that it's all for show. The guy has no real strength, just a big ego.
A Glimpse of Real Power
Tang Lici watches all this from the deck of his ship. He decides to go see something far more interesting. He takes Shen Langhun with him to find the sword aura left behind by the legendary Yu Xuanqing. The aura is immense. It radiates with golden light and pure, deadly energy.
Tang Lici notes that Yu Xuanqing was a true master. It's a shame his successors are so weak. The people running Sword King City now only care about profit. They have no interest in actual martial arts. Tang Lici decides to test his own skills against the powerful aura. He enters a kind of illusion. A woman in a red dress appears. She recognizes him instantly, and they begin to fight. Their battle is so intense that it causes thunderous booms. It also fills the sky with a strange red glow.
A Public Trial and a Secret Plan
The Confrontation
Back in the city, people notice the weird lights and sounds. They figure out that someone broke through the barrier protecting the sacred sword aura. Yu Qi has to do some damage control. He leads a group to investigate and shut down the rumors. He runs right into Shen Langhun, who is standing guard for Tang Lici. Yu Qi can’t even get past the bodyguard.
A moment later, Tang Lici returns from his test. He sees right through Yu Qi's two-faced act. He decides to force the issue. He tells Yu Qi that he must hold a public interrogation for Jiang Qingyu. He wants the whole truth to come out for everyone to see.
The Schemer's New Hope
We cut to a new character, Pu Zhu of the Tianjing Pavilion. He's in a peaceful bamboo forest meeting an old friend. This friend wears a large straw hat that hides his face. He uses peach blossom petals as chess pieces. The friend senses that Pu Zhu is worried about something. He advises Pu Zhu to be patient and wait for the right time to act.
Later, Yu Qi is panicking about the public trial. Someone named A'Yan is putting a lot of pressure on him. He scans the guest list for the festival and spots Pu Zhu's name. This gives him an idea. Yu Qi knows that Pu Zhu is a master of disguise. He plans to ask Pu Zhu to make someone else look like Jiang Qingyu for the trial.
The Trap in the Prison
Yu Qi immediately goes to find Pu Zhu and ask for his help. Tang Lici is suspicious of him. He sends Shen Langhun to follow Yu Qi and see what he's up to.
Pu Zhu agrees to consider helping. But first, he wants to question the real Jiang Qingyu. Yu Qi takes him to the prison. When they get there, the jail is on fire. A prisoner is lying on the ground, completely engulfed in flames. The guards are running around in chaos. In the middle of it all, Pu Zhu sees the silhouette of Shen Langhun. He instantly concludes that Shen Langhun murdered Jiang Qingyu. Yu Qi's trap has worked. Shen Langhun has been perfectly framed.
