Episode Summary
In this episode, Zhao Yue's plan backfires spectacularly. He tortures Chu Yu to control Li Changming, only for them to secretly team up against him. They sabotage his ritual with a massive explosion and an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Wei Yun, who was presumed dead, successfully ambushes and kills a key Bei Qi general. This allows Gu Chusheng to lead a surprise attack and reclaim Qingzhou. The episode ends with Wei Yun rescuing Chu Yu, leading to their emotional reunion.
Spoiler Alert
A Brutal Choice
Chu Yu's Torture
The episode kicks off with some hard-to-watch scenes. Zhao Yue has Chu Yu chained up. He's having her whipped right in front of Li Changming. This is all a sick game to him. He wants to force Li Changming to submit to his will. Li Changming has never begged anyone for anything. But he can't stand to see Chu Yu suffer. He breaks down in tears and finally agrees to Zhao Yue's demands. He just wants him to stop hurting her.
Zhao Yue's Lie
Zhao Yue is furious. He got what he wanted, but he's angry that Li Changming only caved because of Chu Yu. So he has his men drag Li Changming away. Then he turns his attention back to Chu Yu. He pulls out Wei Yun's jade pendant. He tells her that Wei Yun is dead. He says Wei Yun foolishly charged into Bei Qi territory with a tiny squad. Now he's joined the rest of the Wei family in the afterlife.
This news completely shatters Chu Yu. You can see the life just drain out of her. And of course, Zhao Yue loves it. Her pain makes him happy. It’s twisted.
The Tides of War Turn
Wei Yun's Ambush
Surprise! Wei Yun is very much alive. He and his team set up an ambush for the King of Bei Qi. The king is on his way to Qingzhou. His general, Su Can, brought a ton of soldiers, so it's not an easy fight. But Wei Yun is a man on a mission. He fights his way through the chaos and goes straight for Su Can. He kills the general himself. With their leader gone, Su Can's army just falls apart and scatters.
Wei Yun doesn't waste a second. He says a quick goodbye to Gongsun Lan and races toward Fengling. We learn their whole plan depended on Gongsun Lan's help. Once the Grand Princess is safe, Gongsun Lan can finally use his real name again. He is Qi Lan, a key figure in the Armory Division.
Qingzhou Is Retaken
Over in Qingzhou, the idiot general Shen You thinks he's already won. He's drinking and celebrating. He's also busy humiliating Gu Chusheng, who is chained up and covered in wounds. He orders Gu Chusheng to go get him more wine. While hobbling around, Gu Chusheng runs into the Song brothers, Shilan and Wenchang. They've snuck into the city disguised as Bei Qi soldiers.
Their first instinct is to rescue Gu Chusheng. But he has a much bigger idea. He asks them if they're willing to risk everything. He wants to take back Qingzhou that very night. They use the element of surprise and attack the celebrating Bei Qi generals. The timing is perfect. News arrives that the Bei Qi King is dead. The enemy army's morale completely collapses. Gu Chusheng doesn't hesitate. He grabs a sword and kills the lead Bei Qi general.
The Ceremony Goes Boom
A Perfect Plan
The day of the big sacrificial ceremony arrives. Zhao Yue drinks the ceremonial water, which has been mixed with blood from both Li Changming and Chu Yu. He barely gets the ritual words out of his mouth before a massive explosion rocks the entire area. His underground crossbow workshop has been completely destroyed.
This was the goal. Lu Qiba, Wei Shu, and their team are all safe. They immediately move to rescue Chu Yu. In the middle of all the chaos, Li Changming pulls a dagger from his sleeve. He stabs Zhao Yue right in the chest.
The Big Reveal
Zhao Yue is bleeding and his ceremony is ruined. He is absolutely seething with hatred for Chu Yu. It turns out this was all an act. We learn that Chu Yu and Li Changming met secretly before any of this. They planned the entire thing together. They played him perfectly.
A Last-Second Rescue
Wei Yun Returns
Chu Yu is now on the run. She uses a key that Li Changming gave her to unlock her chains. But she's exhausted, and the pursuers are closing in. She collapses, and it looks like it's all over. Then, at the very last second, Wei Yun appears. He cuts down her attackers and saves her.
With explosions going off in the background, he picks up an unconscious Chu Yu. He carries her away from the danger. When she finally wakes up and sees him, she just cries with relief. He's alive.
The Words We've Been Waiting For
Her first thought is to rush to Fengling. But Wei Yun calms her down. He tells her he already heard that imperial troops were sent to reinforce the city. It's handled. For the first time in a long time, they can just sit and talk.
Chu Yu tells him something. She says there are words she has wanted to say to him for a while. She thought of them when she was close to death. And she thought of them when she heard the lie that he was dead. Wei Yun can't hide his smile. He asks if they're the words he's been hoping to hear.
