Episode Summary
- Alliance and Betrayal: The Ghost Valley Alliance continues its campaign of coercion, forcing other sects to join them. This leads to internal conflict and betrayal, as seen within the Spirit Fox Sect.
- The Importance of Unity: Despite individual concerns and fears, the main characters recognize the need to unite against the common enemy, the Ghost Valley Alliance.
- Rong Shu Kuang's Growing Feelings: Rong Shu Kuang's jealousy and possessiveness over Yan Shao intensify, hinting at a deeper, and potentially forbidden, affection.
- Yan Shao's Secret Mission: Yan Shao is secretly searching for an antidote to the Red Lotus Heart, showing his dedication to a hidden cause.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Lin Shao Ci and Lin Qian Yi discussing the grim situation: many martial arts sects have been coerced or enticed into joining the nefarious Ghost Valley Alliance. A showdown seems inevitable. Suddenly, news arrives that Liu An has been unexpectedly returned to Yu Chi Manor. Lin Qian Yi is surprised, and Rong Shu Kuang wonders who sent this "gift." Lin Qian Yi wants to find the mastermind, but Lin Wan Ci suggests there's something fishy, advising they imprison Liu An first and interrogate him later. As Liu An is taken away, he glances at Lin Wan Ci. Yan Shao's constant staring at Lin Wan Ci makes Rong Shu Kuang jealous, thinking he has a crush on her, and she angrily kicks Yan Shao.
Yu Ling Long arrives at Yu Chi Manor, revealing that the Ghost Valley Alliance threatened her sect, the Spirit Fox Sect. She seeks help, but everyone has their own concerns. However, Lin Shao Ci declares they can't abandon the Spirit Fox Sect in their time of need, a sentiment echoed by Yan Shao. They decide to seek help from Tian Gang, inviting Yan Shao along, much to Rong Shu Kuang's chagrin as she also insists on going.
Lin Wan Ci visits Liu An in prison, assuring him she won't abandon him. She suspects Yan Shao captured him, but Liu An doesn't confirm it, and Lin Wan Ci leaves.
Yan Shao and the group arrive at the Spirit Fox Sect, but something feels off. The usual leaders are absent, and the disciples seem unfamiliar to Yu Ling Long. She demands her elder brother meet with Yan Shao, but her second brother reveals that the elder brother joined the Ghost Valley Alliance. He imprisoned his brother and others, replacing them with unfamiliar servants. Yu Ling Long rushes to find her brother, but her second brother knocks her out.
The second brother then serves tea laced with poison, causing Yan Shao's group to pass out. He summons Huang Pao, but the group was faking. Yan Shao and Rong Shu Kuang use Fire Meteor to attack, capturing Huang Pao and his men. The second brother rushes to Yu Ling Long for help and gives the antidote.
Many from the Ghost Valley Alliance die in the fight, but the Spirit Fox Sect also suffers losses. The second brother explains he didn't know how the Ghost Valley Alliance poisoned the water source. To save everyone, he had to cooperate and get the antidote. He then commits suicide to atone for the deaths.
Some feel they've now offended the Ghost Valley Alliance, but Yan Shao believes a confrontation was inevitable and they should fight head-on. Everyone agrees to unite against the Ghost Valley Alliance.
Lin Wan Ci wonders why Rong Shu Kuang's cold poison hasn't been cured despite her long-term prescription. She wishes for a hero like Yan Shao, who always saves her. Yan Shao promises to rescue her whenever she's in danger. Rong Shu Kuang gets jealous again, sarcastically telling Lin Wan Ci to scream louder for help so Yan Shao can save her, and he'd best be staying closeby. Yan Shao, annoyed, pulls Rong Shu Kuang away, warning her not to talk like that, reminding her he's just her bodyguard.
Yan Shao claims he's going to a brothel to shake off Rong Shu Kuang. He meets with Fei Wu and Feng Ming, ordering them to investigate the antidote for the Red Lotus Heart. They've searched but found no cure, promising to continue.
Returning, Yan Shao finds Rong Shu Kuang practicing swordsmanship and almost hurting herself. He catches the falling blade, warning her not to be hasty, or she'll get hurt. Rong Shu Kuang is displeased that Yan Shao went to a brothel, and scolds him.
Yan Shao patiently teaches Rong Shu Kuang, who realizes that the more she tries to control her sword, the harder it is. Yan Shao praises her insight. Rong Shu Kuang asks to accompany him next time he goes to a brothel, but Yan Shao refuses.
Rong Shu Kuang seeks a strength-enhancing drug from Tang Ying Luo. Tang Ying Luo takes her to the Hidden Pavilion in disguise. Tang Ying Luo mentions Yan Shao, saying Rong Shu Kuang only has stars in her eyes for him, but warns her against inappropriate thoughts about her master. Rong Shu Kuang immediately objects, calling Tang Ying Luo old-fashioned.
Rong Shu Kuang worries about her inconsistent internal energy. She wants to recover it before battling the Ghost Valley Alliance. She feels Yu Chi Manor is her home and wants to protect it, becoming the "real" Rong Shu Kuang. Yan Shao is puzzled by what she means.
Tang Ying Luo takes Rong Shu Kuang to find ingredients for strength-enhancing pills (strength-enhancing pills), including toads and centipedes, terrifying Rong Shu Kuang. She abandons the idea of pills and pesters Yan Shao to teach her Qinggong (lightness skill). Yan Shao demonstrates, and Rong Shu Kuang, finding it different from what she's seen in TV dramas, agrees to learn.
Afterward, Yan Shao takes Rong Shu Kuang to a river to feel the flow of water and petals.
