Episode Summary
Xie Huaian arrives in Chang'an and saves a girl named Bai Wan from arrest after her master commits suicide. We learn the suicide was forced by the mysterious Tiger Guard. Xie passes a high-stakes test by Xiao Wuyang and strikes a deal to find the deposed emperor in exchange for revenge. Meanwhile, Bai Wan tries to warn another ally, Master Sun, but her actions inadvertently force him to kill himself to protect the organization's secrets.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 2 Recap
Dealing with Grief
We start back with Zi Ya. He witnessed Zhou Mo’s murder and he can’t process it. He spends his days drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Finally, he opens a letter Xie Huaian left for him. The letter lays it all out. Zhou Mo belonged to the Tiger Guard. He was trapped his whole life. Death was his only ticket to freedom. Also, if the Tiger Guard knew Xie Huaian escaped, they would have hunted Zhou Mo down anyway. Zhou Mo was doomed regardless. This explanation gives Zi Ya some peace.
A Cold Welcome in Chang'an
Xie Huaian arrives in Chang'an during a massive blizzard. The snow has been falling for days. We meet Yang Xuan, an official from the Ministry of Revenue. He is drunk and furious about the corrupt state of the court. He hates seeing the common people suffer while treacherous officials run the show. In a fit of rage, he jumps straight off the city gate. He dies instantly.
Yang Xuan’s student, Bai Wan, witnesses this. She hears him reciting poetry and runs to stop him. She is too late. She weeps over his body in the snow. The Jinwu Guard arrives immediately. The leader brands Yang Xuan a traitor. Since Bai Wan is his student, they decide to arrest her too.
The Rescue
Xie Huaian happens to walk by. He heard Yang Xuan’s poem and recognized the man’s integrity. He steps in to help. He argues with the guards and shuts them down with logic. The guards don't care about logic. They prepare to arrest Xie Huaian alongside the girl.
Prime Minister Gao steps out of the shadows. The guard leader instantly bows. Gao vouches for Xie Huaian. The guards back off and let Xie go. Before leaving, Xie looks back at Bai Wan. She is kneeling in the snow. He gives her his umbrella to cover her master’s body.
The Tiger Guard's Shadow
Bai Wan drags her master’s body away. She follows his final instructions and goes to a ruined temple. She lights a candle to signal a contact.
We learn the truth about the suicide. It wasn't just drunken despair. The Tiger Guard kidnapped Yang Xuan’s family. They forced him to kill himself to save them. He obeyed without hesitation. He left a letter for Bai Wan telling her to take over his mission for the Tiger Guard. She has to survive no matter what.
The Test
Xie Huaian goes to meet Xiao Wuyang. Xiao is holding a bloody sword. He just killed someone in the main hall. He doesn't waste time on pleasantries. He gives Xie a test. Xie must find his own exam paper from fifteen years ago within a stack of similar papers. He has the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.
The papers all look alike. The handwriting is similar. There is too much text to read. Xie focuses on keywords. He finds a paper stained with blood and hands it over. It is the correct one.
Xiao is impressed. Xie explains his method. He studied Xiao’s handwriting teacher and his habits. He even bought old memorials the Emperor marked up. Xie names his price. He will find the deposed emperor for Xiao. In exchange, he wants Yan Fengshan. He wants to kill Yan personally to settle a fifteen-year grudge. Xiao agrees.
Hidden Identities
Xie leaves the palace. He realizes the "Attendant" following him is actually Prime Minister Gao. Gao admits he recommended Xie to the Emperor. He is pleased with Xie’s calm demeanor. He feels he made the right choice.
Another Sacrifice
Bai Wan meets a Green-clad Tiger Guard in the temple. They ask how she knows Xie Huaian. She stays quiet. They threaten her family. She panics and mentions Master Sun.
She runs to warn Master Sun. It is a mistake. Master Sun looks at her in agony. The Tiger Guard has strict rules. Because Xie Huaian showed up, or perhaps because Bai Wan made contact, the protocol activates. Sun must die to protect the secret. Bai Wan realizes her error too late. Master Sun commits suicide right in front of her.
