Episode Summary
Xie Huaian sacrifices his freedom to save Xiao Wenjing, exchanging himself for the future emperor on an empty street. Xiao escapes, but Xie is stabbed by both Wu Zhongheng and the spy Cen Weizong. However, Cen's betrayal of Xie is a ruse to trap Wu in a warehouse, where a mysterious assassin awaits him.
Spoiler Alert
The Vendetta of An Episode 27 Recap
The Sleeper Agent Revealed
We finally get the dirt on Cen Weizong. People call him "Cen Pickled Vegetables." But he isn't just a cook. He is actually Iron Mo. He and Wu Zhongheng go way back. Twenty years ago, they were brothers. They shared everything. Wu had big plans to invade the South. He needed a spy. He needed someone to build a network of dark guards. Cen took the job. He infiltrated the capital. He changed his name. He lived a lie. They made a pact. They would act like strangers on the street until Iron Mo won the war.
Xie Huaian's Heavy Burden
Xie Huaian plays a dangerous game. He leaked clues on purpose. He used the noodle shop owner to send wontons to Xiao Wenjing. Wu takes the bait. He guesses Xie wants to rescue the boy. Wu uses Xiao Wenjing as a lure. He wants to force Xie out of hiding. Xie knows the attack is coming. He sits in his courtyard all night. He stops eating. The pressure is crushing him. Ye Zheng watches him closely. He stays ready to help. A rainy night passes. Ye Zheng checks on Xie. Xie’s hair has turned completely white. He is sharpening a sword. It is razor sharp. He hands it to Ye Zheng. He gives strict orders to arrive at a specific time.
The Exchange
Xie heads out. He needs to save Xiao Wenjing. Xiao Wuyang is blind now thanks to Wu. Xiao Wenjing is the only hope left for the throne. The streets are dead silent. Iron Mo cleared everyone out. Xie finds that skinny noodle shop owner. He pays for a seat on a stool. He waits. A carriage rolls by. Xiao Wenjing is inside. He wears heavy chains. He spots Xie through a crack. He screams at Xie to run. He knows it is a trap. He doesn't want his mentor to die. Xie doesn't flinch. He offers a trade. Take me, let the boy go. The soldiers agree. They move the chains from Xiao to Xie.
A Final Lesson
They have a brief moment before the separation. Xie gives his final advice. He tells Xiao to survive. The kid used to be naive. He would have been a bad ruler. Now he knows pain. He understands the suffering of the people. He can be a real emperor now. Xiao asks a hard question. Will Xie stay with him when this is over? Xie smiles. He says yes. He promises to be his page boy. It is a heartbreaking lie.
Blood in the Kitchen
Xiao escapes the city. Xie is now Wu's prisoner. They drag him to the kitchen. Cen Weizong is there cooking lamb. The three men stand together. Cen greets Wu like an old friend. Xie panics. He thinks his plan is dead. If Cen and Wu are allies, it is over. He doesn't have time to think. Cen jams a knife into Xie’s chest. Wu joins in. He stabs Xie again.
The Trap Sprung
But the violence buys trust. Cen played Wu perfectly. He leads Wu to an abandoned warehouse. He steps out. He locks the door from the outside. Wu realizes his mistake too late. He is trapped. Footsteps echo on the stairs. A figure appears. He wears black and a bamboo hat. The assassin has arrived.
