Episode Summary
Wangquan Hongye reconciles with his son, Fugui, before passing away peacefully. Fugui accepts his destiny to fight the Black Fox and discovers his father's plan, which requires four legendary items. As Fugui begins to form an alliance, Quan Rumu is lured into a trap by Quan Jingting, who then uses him as leverage to force Long Weiyun to seal her powers and surrender.
Spoiler Alert
A Father's Final Confession
The Story of a Mask
The episode starts with Wangquan Fugui and his father, Wangquan Hongye, taking a walk. They go to the Huai Shui Bamboo Pavilion. This place is important. It is where Hongye fell in love with Fugui's mother, Dongfang Huaizhu.
Hongye finally opens up to his son. He talks about Huaizhu. She was free-spirited and unlike anyone he had ever met. He tells Fugui that his first mask was ugly. Huaizhu would always make him turn his head so she wouldn't have to see it. So, she made him a new one herself. The golden Jinlan mask he wore for years. Their time together was happy, but it was also very short.
A Son Accepts His Burden
Hongye explains the source of his pain. He lost his "sword heart," his sense of purpose, after returning from a battle in the lands beyond the barrier. He was a broken man. Huaizhu knew the Black Fox was a threat that would return. She risked her life to give birth to Fugui. She intended for him to become a "Weapon Human," a living weapon powerful enough to stop the Black Fox.
But she also made a dying wish. She told Hongye that if Fugui ever decided he did not want this life, he had to let him go free. Hongye is crushed by guilt for how he has treated his son. He knows he became twisted after her death.
Fugui tells his father he understands now. He has been to the outside world. He has seen things. He is not running from his duty anymore. He will be the sword that protects the world. He chooses to accept his father's mission.
Hearing this, Hongye seems at peace. He looks at the bamboo grove and says his time is up. He is ready to be with Huaizhu. He has two last requests for his son. First, to be buried with Huaizhu. Second, to come back alive from the fight ahead. As Fugui weeps, Hongye dies. He found his sword heart again in his final moments. He knows his son is truly one of a kind.
Forging a New Path
The Inheritance
After his father's funeral, Fugui is more determined than ever. He will carry on the mission his parents started. He will bring peace to the world. Qingtong stands with him. She promises she will always be by his side.
Fugui opens a box his father left for him. Inside, he finds handmade gifts. Hongye had made one for every single one of his son's birthdays. A second, more important box contains his true inheritance. There is a map of the world outside the barrier. There are also scrolls detailing how to defeat the Black Fox.
Feng Tingyun makes a solemn vow. She asks to take the Wangquan family name. She will honor her master's legacy and defend the realm from the Black Fox.
The Four-Part Plan
Fugui gets to work immediately. He sends masks to the other major families. It is a call for an alliance to fight the Black Fox together. He then studies his father's notes. The plan to kill the Black Fox is incredibly dangerous.
They need to gather four powerful items. They must have the Wangquan Sword, the Water-Controlling Pearl, and Pure Yang Fire. The final component is the Bitterness Tree itself. It's a nearly impossible task. But Hongye's notes say he believed Fugui was the only person capable of doing it.
Qingtong watches Fugui research the Bitterness Tree. She seems to realize something and thinks she can help. She tells him she must return to Qianji City the next day. The city still needs someone to protect it.
A Vicious Trap
A Date Interrupted
The story shifts to Quan Rumu. He is out buying Long Weiyun's favorite jujube paste cakes. The two had planned a date to visit the Bitterness Tree at Tushan. He even stops and buys a beautiful veil for her.
His day is ruined by a sudden message. It says Quan Jingting is dying and wishes to see Rumu one last time. Rumu decides to go.
The Bait and Switch
It was all a lie. Quan Jingting is not dying. He was waiting for Rumu. He uses Rumu's moment of hesitation to attack and severely wound him.
Long Weiyun waits for Rumu, but he never returns. Instead, Quan Jingting appears at her door. He uses the injured and suffering Rumu to blackmail her. He tells her to come with him, or Rumu dies. Seeing Rumu in agony, Weiyun has no choice. She agrees to his demands and seals away her own demon powers, leaving herself helpless.
