Episode Summary
Yan Shao and Rong Shu Kuang face multiple threats. Liu An's revenge plot leads to a hostage situation and his own injury. Lin Wan Ci is kidnapped by Shen Zui Tian, who also destroys the Junshan Sect. A fight breaks out, and Liu An is injured. Rong Shu Kuang is poisoned, and Yan Shao secretly uses his own blood to draw it out. Lin Wan Ci manipulates Hua Qi, leading to Hua Qi's death at the hands of Lin Wan Ci and Jiang Ru Hai. Mistaking the killer, Shen Zui Tian vows revenge on Rong Shu Kuang. Yan Shao collapses, and the group heads to Wu Qing House for a cure.
Spoiler Alert
This episode is packed with action, betrayal, and some serious romantic tension! Here's the breakdown:
The episode opens with Lin Shao Ci visiting Yan Shao to discuss their plans, only to find Rong Shu Kuang there instead. Yan Shao is apparently out, leading to an awkward explanation from Rong Shu Kuang. After Lin Shao Ci leaves, he pulls out a hairpin, hinting at a hidden significance.
Meanwhile, Lin Wan Ci is restless, staring out the window late at night. She spots Shen Zui Tian's men entering the courtyard. When Tang Ying Luo wakes up, Lin Wan Ci pretends she was just feeling stuffy, trying to hide her anxiety.
The uneasy peace is shattered when a group of attackers, led by a figure in red robes, ambushes Yan Shao. The fight is intense, and just when it seems like a stalemate, Liu An grabs Rong Shu Kuang, using her as a hostage to force Yan Shao to stop. Liu An reveals that his life is consumed by revenge. However, in a shocking twist, Liu An pushes Rong Shu Kuang towards Yan Shao and stabs the red-robed leader. The attackers, now at a disadvantage, flee with their wounded leader. Yan Shao is about to pursue, but Lin Wan Ci's cries for help from inside the house stop him. They rush to find her, only to discover that she's been kidnapped! While some give chase, Yan Shao and Rong Shu Kuang tend to Liu An's injuries. Liu An shares his backstory of revenge, blaming the red-robed leader for his father's death. Yan Shao presses for information about who helped Liu An escape and brought him here, but Liu An only begs to be returned to Longyue Village.
Shen Zui Tian is seen with the captured Lin Wan Ci. She criticizes him for deviating from their plan, which resulted in a botched attempt to retrieve a key. Shen Zui Tian reveals he made a detour to the Junshan Sect, which he claims no longer exists. Lin Wan Ci, however, isn't impressed and warns him that he'll need to personally capture Rong Shu Kuang next. Hua Qi arrives to meet with Shen Zui Tian, and she's clearly unhappy to see Lin Wan Ci. Hua Qi implies that Lin Wan Ci is as sharp-tongued and untrustworthy as Rong Shu Kuang, but Lin Wan Ci simply smiles, claiming she and Rong Shu Kuang are different.
Rong Shu Kuang is distressed by Liu An's actions, realizing the depth of his obsession with revenge. She feels guilty for constantly causing trouble, but Yan Shao reassures her that protecting her is his duty, as she's the future wife of Tian Gang's leader. This annoys Rong Shu Kuang, and she refuses to continue the conversation.
Shen Zui Tian discovers that the red-robed leader has died. Lin Wan Ci dismisses the "Happy Four Immortals" as useless, claiming they're less capable than a servant girl from Yu Chi Manor. Jiang Ru Hai, who has been following them, advises them to focus on the task at hand – catching up with Yan Shao and the others. Shen Zui Tian agrees, but states he prefers to wait for his prey rather than chase them, and they set off at a rapid pace.
Rong Shu Kuang proposes giving the Treasure to Yan Shao, hoping to gain his unconditional support in the future. Yan Shao refuses. Later, back in his room, Yan Shao finds a note that clearly worries him. He finds Rong Shu Kuang making a wish to a large turtle, praying not to marry Chu Tian Yao. A sudden downpour forces them to seek shelter, and Rong Shu Kuang is delighted, believing her wish is already working. She leans against Yan Shao, feeling a sense of happiness, and playfully curses Chu Tian Yao with a short life. Yan Shao quickly covers her mouth, reminding her that Chu Tian Yao is her future husband. Rong Shu Kuang declares that she only cares about those who share affection with her, her gaze fixed on Yan Shao. He slowly releases her.
Rong Shu Kuang is convinced that Yan Shao has feelings for her, believing that if there's one responsibility he can't avoid, it's her. Someone arrives to inform them that the road ahead is blocked by a landslide, forcing them to stay at a temple. Suddenly, Rong Shu Kuang faints. Yan Shao examines her and realizes her poisoning has worsened.
Lin Wan Ci sees that Hua Qi is in love with Shen Zui Tian. She stirs up trouble, suggesting that Shen Zui Tian is in love with Rong Shu Kuang, which is why Rong Shu Kuang escaped so easily. She urges Hua Qi to take decisive action to secure her love. Hua Qi questions Lin Wan Ci's motives, but Lin Wan Ci claims she's simply someone who understands unrequited love.
When Rong Shu Kuang wakes up, she finds Yan Shao weakened. He refuses to tell her what he did to save her, claiming he only regulated her blood flow. He hides her away before going out to scout for information and food.
Lin Wan Ci continues her manipulations, telling Jiang Ru Hai that he's less valued by Shen Zui Tian than even A Lie or Hua Qi. Jiang Ru Hai is unfazed, demanding to know Lin Wan Ci's true intentions. She offers to help him achieve great things, claiming that Shen Zui Tian is impulsive and she prefers to collaborate with someone like him.
Shen Zui Tian orders Hua Qi to delay Yan Shao while he captures Rong Shu Kuang. Hua Qi disagrees, insisting on capturing Rong Shu Kuang herself to prevent Shen Zui Tian from getting close to her. Shen Zui Tian agrees but warns Hua Qi not to kill Rong Shu Kuang, further fueling Hua Qi's resentment.
Shen Zui Tian intercepts Yan Shao, while Hua Qi confronts Rong Shu Kuang. Rong Shu Kuang asks where Shen Zui Tian is, which infuriates Hua Qi. Rong Shu Kuang tries to flee but is caught. Hua Qi uses a whistle to signal to Shen Zui Tian that she's been successful. Yan Shao recognizes the signal but is unable to defeat Shen Zui Tian.
After defeating Yan Shao, Shen Zui Tian goes to meet Hua Qi. However, Rong Shu Kuang suddenly uses the Flowing Cloud Sleeve Finger technique, injuring Hua Qi and escaping. She runs back and collides with Yan Shao, who embraces her tightly, fearing for her safety. Rong Shu Kuang explains what happened, saying she risked returning because she was afraid Yan Shao wouldn't be able to find her.
Severely injured, Hua Qi tries to return to Shen Zui Tian but is intercepted by Jiang Ru Hai and Lin Wan Ci. Hua Qi realizes she may have been used by Lin Wan Ci, who, along with Jiang Ru Hai, kills her. Shen Zui Tian arrives only to find Hua Qi's body. Seeing the Flowing Cloud Sleeve Finger wound, he concludes that Rong Shu Kuang's skills have recovered and she killed Hua Qi, fueling his hatred for her.
Yan Shao realizes Rong Shu Kuang's poison has worsened and decides to take her to Wu Qing House, where someone can cure the Red Lotus Heart poison. He informs Lin Shao Ci, who immediately expresses his understanding and surprise that Rong Shu Kuang was poisoned and that Yan Shao had used his own blood to draw out the poison.
Rong Shu Kuang and her group race towards Wu Qing House. Just as they arrive, Yan Shao collapses from his horse. He whispers to Lin Shao Ci that there's one more thing he needs to do to help them escape.
