Episode Summary
Xie Huaian infiltrates the Hidden Soldier Alley disguised as a Tiger Guard named Wang Xing. He secures entry using a coerced gold coin and self-inflicted injuries to back up his cover story. He successfully fools the guards by admitting to the real murder of Liu Ziyan. However, during a drinking session, a guard named Di Lu notices Xie's neck wound and realizes his true identity. Before Di Lu can attack, his partner Li Sangeng kills him, saving Xie.
Spoiler Alert
The Vendetta of An Episode 9
A Dangerous Swap
Time is ticking away. Xie Huaian knows every wasted minute adds more danger. He decides to head straight into the tiger's den. Ye Zheng hates this idea. Xie is still recovering from serious injuries. Going into the Hidden Soldier Alley now looks like a suicide mission.
Ye Zheng offers to go instead. He is willing to risk his life. Xie shuts that down immediately. Only Xie truly understands the Tiger Guard. Ye Zheng is a great fighter. But he lacks the necessary strategy for this specific mess.
Xie draws a map of the alley from memory. Xiao Wenjing walks in to help. Xie gives him a dirty job. They need a special gold coin to enter the alley. Only Qing Yi has one. Xie knows Qing Yi won't hand it over nicely. He tells Xiao to kill a few captured soldiers to make a point.
Getting the Golden Ticket
Xiao Wenjing follows orders. He goes to Qing Yi’s cell. Qing Yi refuses to give up the coin at first. Xiao doesn't hesitate. He kills a group of soldiers right there. Qing Yi realizes these people are serious. He finally hands over the gold coin.
Xiao rushes back with the item. Shen Xiaoqing helps out too. She forges a new identity for Xie. They captured a Tiger Guard named Wang Xing earlier. Xie will take his place.
They didn't just take Wang Xing's name. They did their homework. They brought in Wang Xing's wife for leverage. They told Wang Xing that for every lie he told, his wife would lose a finger. He told them everything. Xie knows this guy's life inside and out.
Into the Alley
Xie needs to look the part. He finds a spot in the valley and throws himself down a slope. He needs fresh injuries to sell his cover story. He approaches the alley entrance.
The gatekeeper is a sharp old woman. She sees the gold coin but still grills him. Xie plays it cool. He chews on "Banbian Ku" just like the real Wang Xing. He passes the first test.
Inside, the place is crawling with Tiger Guards. A new face draws attention. Li Sangeng tells his subordinate, Di Lu, to check Xie’s travel logs. They calculate the travel times. If the math doesn't add up, Xie is dead.
Di Lu checks the book. He finds a discrepancy. There is a three-day delay in the record. Di Lu puts a knife to Xie’s throat. He demands an explanation.
The Perfect Lie
Xie doesn't flinch. He rolls up his sleeves. He shows off his fresh wounds. He claims he killed a man recently and fell off a cliff during the fight. That explains the coma and the delay.
Di Lu asks for the name of the victim. Xie says "Liu Ziyan."
This shocks Di Lu. He asks for details on the kill. Xie actually did kill Liu Ziyan in reality. He describes the exact angle of the stab wound. Di Lu sends men to get the body. The coroner checks it. The wound matches Xie's story perfectly. The suspicion fades.
A Bloody Nightcap
Di Lu decides Xie is alright. He invites him out for drinks. He introduces Xie to Li Sangeng. They drink heavily. Di Lu gets chatty and treats Xie like a brother. He spills stories about the alley.
The night winds down. Xie and Li Sangeng help a drunk Di Lu get home. Di Lu leans on Xie for support. He looks down. He sees blood seeping through the bandage on Xie’s neck.
Di Lu sobers up instantly. The Tiger Guards had intel that Liu Ziyan stabbed a VIP in the neck before he died. Xie is the target. Xie stands still. His cover is blown.
Di Lu raises his dagger to kill Xie. Suddenly, a blade strikes Di Lu in a vital spot. It wasn't Xie. Li Sangeng stabbed his own partner. Di Lu falls dead.
