Episode Summary
Ye Zheng's master reveals himself as an Iron Mo spy, forcing Ye Zheng to flee with a wounded Xiao Qing. Xiao Wenjing is held hostage by the Iron Mo King and accepts his own cowardice to survive. Xie Huaian wakes up, entrusts vital intel to Chen Zhiying, and resolves to defend Chang'an after a spectral pep talk from his father. The Iron Mo King plots to kill Xiao Wuyang, while a noodle shop owner humiliates Su Changlin for his lack of honor.
Spoiler Alert
Betrayal Runs Deep
Ye Zheng tries to play bodyguard for Xiao Wenjing. He lurks in the background, ready to strike. Assassins jump them. Ye Zheng reaches for his blade to save the day. But someone blocks his path. It’s his master, Zhu Zhilong. The old man gives him a cold warning. Stop now, or die.
This throws Ye Zheng for a loop. He looks at Zhu Zhilong like a father. Now this man is protecting the bad guys. Zhu drops the bomb. The Iron Mo army is marching on Chang'an. Zhu reveals he is actually one of them. He has to protect his own people's interests.
Then Su Changlin rolls up. He has a horse, and Xiao Qing is draped over it. She is barely breathing. Ye Zheng does the math. He can fight his master and die, or he can save his junior sister. He chooses the girl.
It’s a long, miserable night. Xiao Qing is bleeding out. Ye Zheng tries to keep her calm. He promises to kill Su Changlin once she recovers. But Xiao Qing asks the real question. Her body might heal, but her heart is broken. Their master betrayed them. That kind of wound doesn't close up easily.
The Coward's Survival Guide
The Iron Mo King takes Xiao Wenjing hostage. Wenjing finally gets a good look at the man who killed Gu Yu. It’s his former teacher. The guy was a sleeper agent for Iron Mo the whole time. Wenjing is learning a hard lesson today.
He realizes why he is always the target. People kidnap him because he is soft. He is a coward. He is easy to manipulate. Wenjing knows this is true. But right now, his pride doesn't matter. His life is in someone else's hands. Panic won't help him. He just has to survive.
Waking Up to a Nightmare
Xie Huaian opens his eyes. He is in his sister's old room. Chen Zhiying found him passed out at Gu Yu's grave and dragged him here. He’s been out cold for four days.
This is bad news. The White Kiss Tiger army is at the front lines. Their general, Gu Yu, is dead. If the soldiers find out, morale will collapse. Xie Huaian knows he needs to step up.
Chen Zhiying shows a rare bit of kindness. She gives him a moment to breathe. Xie Huaian learns his friends are alive. They are suffering, but they are breathing. That gives him a little hope. He pulls out a message cylinder. Gu Yu died protecting this intel. Xie hands it to Chen Zhiying. She needs to get this secret message out of the city. The fate of Chang'an depends on it.
Xie Huaian heads back to his old family home. The place is full of ghosts. He sees visions of Gu Yu. He sees his dead father. He came back to Chang'an for revenge against Yan Fengshan. That job is done. But watching Iron Mo trample his city sits wrong with him. In his vision, his father tells him to get it together. Kick the invaders out. Xie Huaian starts plotting his next move.
Noodles and Insults
The Iron Mo King is surprisingly casual. He sits in a noodle shop in Chang'an. The owner, Lao Sha, serves him like an old friend. They chat comfortably.
Su Changlin shows up to report. The King gives him a mission. Find Xiao Wuyang. Kill him. The city defenses are still up. If they take out Xiao Wuyang, Chang'an falls.
Su Changlin notices the vibe between the King and the noodle guy. He asks about it. Lao Sha explains. Years ago, the King and Yan Fengshan used to eat here. They were just reckless kids back then.
Su Changlin tries to insert himself into the legend. He compares himself to Yan Fengshan. Lao Sha shuts that down immediately. He mocks Su right to his face. Su Changlin killed his own adopted father. That’s not something a human being does. You don't get to sit at the cool table after that.
