Episode Summary
- Yan Shao's Master Plan: Yan Shao is revealed to be a brilliant strategist, having anticipated the Ghost Valley Alliance's attack and prepared countermeasures, showcasing his intelligence and capability far beyond that of a simple bodyguard.
- Poison and Deception: The use of the "Heavenly Maiden" poison highlights the insidious tactics of the Ghost Valley Alliance, and the switching of the Hundred Flower Wine underscores the deep levels of betrayal and infiltration within the seemingly safe confines of the festival.
- Rong Shu Kuang's Budding Feelings: Rong Shu Kuang's growing attraction to Yan Shao is made explicit, adding a layer of romantic tension to the story and setting up potential conflicts, given the emphasis on discipline and control in martial arts.
- Lin Wan Ci's Cruelty: Lin Wan Ci is cold blooded and cruel, and willing to kill to get what she wants.
Spoiler Alert
This episode throws us into the thick of the Xuan Hong Flower Festival, where betrayal, poison, and unexpected alliances take center stage.
The episode opens with a tense moment. Rong Shu Kuang extends his hand to Yan Shao, expecting to receive the flower ball. However, Yan Shao throws the ball into the air, scattering petals everywhere and shocking the crowd. This is a calculated move, as Yan Shao has already anticipated and neutralized the Ghost Valley Alliance's planned arson. Qian Jin Xiao, one of the Alliance's agents, is discovered attempting to light a fire by Manor Lord Lin, leading to a struggle. Qian Jin Xiao is injured by a hidden weapon from the Tang Clan during her escape.
Back at the inn, Qian Jin Xiao finds Li Hua Bai waiting for her, fully aware of her allegiance to the Ghost Valley Alliance. A lifeless body lies nearby, a single character written beside its hand. Li Hua Bai reveals she has drunk Jade Leaf Golden Flower wine, intending to sacrifice herself to atone for the Alliance's victims. Qian Jin Xiao, unable to watch her wife die, reveals that the wine outside is actually the deadly "Heavenly Maiden" poison. Li Hua Bai thanks her and leaves.
Meanwhile, the festival is illuminated by countless sky lanterns. Lin Shao Ci is astonished by Yan Shao's masterful control of the situation, questioning why such a strategic mind would choose to be a mere bodyguard. Yan Shao, however, believes that with Rong Shu Kuang's quick wit, no detail was truly overlooked. Just as Rong Shu Kuang and Yan Shao are about to celebrate, Shen Zui Tian arrives with a group, attacking the martial artists present. Everyone suspects Yu Chi Manor of orchestrating a trap.
Shen Zui Tian, perched on a rooftop, fires an arrow – not at a person, but at a wine jar. Yan Shao, realizing it contains poison, quickly covers the jar and orders an evacuation. Chaos erupts as the Ghost Valley Alliance members launch a brutal attack. Yan Shao fights off an opponent, whistles for his horse, and escapes. Rong Shu Kuang, worried, follows, demanding that Yan Shao not die. Li Hua Bai arrives, informing Yan Shao that the poison is "Heavenly Maiden," which can be neutralized by water. Yan Shao races towards a water source, instructing Rong Shu Kuang to disperse the crowd.
Tang Ying Luo, Yu Ling Long, Manor Lord Lin, and others join forces to fight the Ghost Valley Alliance assassins. Yan Shao, carrying the jar of poison, is relentlessly pursued. He skillfully evades attacks until he reaches the river, where he throws both the jar and a black-clad attacker into the water, causing a massive explosion.
In the aftermath, Grandma Xing demands an explanation from Manor Lord Lin. He promises a full account after dealing with the situation. Lin Shao Ci also demands an explanation from Qian Xing Hall regarding Jiang Ru Hai's collusion with the Ghost Valley Alliance. Jiang Cheng assures that he will not condone such actions if proven true.
As the crowd disperses, Rong Shu Kuang waits anxiously for Yan Shao's return. He's overcome with emotion when he sees Yan Shao approaching, their eyes meeting with a spark of unspoken feelings. However, Yan Shao heads in a different direction. Rong Shu Kuang follows, only to be surrounded by a group. Before a confrontation can escalate, Lin Shao Ci and Tang Ying Luo arrive, revealing that the group is known to them.
Yan Shao had gone to check if Shen Zui Tian was still present, as the arrow had originated from that location. Lin Shao Ci informs Yan Shao about Qian Jin Xiao's attempted arson. They rush upstairs to find both Qian Jin Xiao and Li Hua Bai dead in bed, holding hands, a poignant scene that moves everyone.
Tang Chan Yi confronts the hiding Jiang Ru Hai, knowing his involvement in the day's events. Jiang Ru Hai admits his role, claiming he only sought revenge against the Six Major Sects. He had waited ten years for Tang Chan Yi, but their paths never converged. He offers his life as penance, but Tang Chan Yi, unable to bear the thought, lets him go.
Lin Wan Ci apologizes to her father for her earlier distress, fearing the Six Major Sects might blame Yu Chi Manor. Manor Lord Lin reassures her and vows to uncover the truth for the Sects.
Lin Shao Ci and Yan Shao review the events. Lin Shao Ci realizes Yan Shao had everything under control, except for the poisoned Hundred Flower Wine. They deduce that the wine was likely switched when Lin Wan Ci was briefly delayed on the street.
Lin Shao Ci expresses his gratitude to Yan Shao, and Manor Lord Lin formally thanks him, questioning why such a talented individual would choose to be a bodyguard. Lin Wan Ci expresses her concern about the Ghost Valley Alliance targeting Rong Shu Kuang, thankful for Yan Shao's help. Yan Shao assures her he would help even if she were in danger. Lin Wan Ci offers to rest, and Yan Shao volunteers to escort her. Rong Shu Kuang, overhearing their seemingly cryptic conversation, misinterprets it as poetry and leaves, annoyed. Lin Wan Ci observes that Rong Shu Kuang is different now, less impulsive than before.
Rong Shu Kuang prepares snacks and formally requests Yan Shao to be his master. Yan Shao readily agrees. Meanwhile, Lin Wan Ci visits a captured Ghost Valley Alliance child in the water dungeon. She tells a story about a rabbit she once owned, which starved itself and was eventually sealed up, suffocating to death. The child finally speaks, asking who did it. Lin Wan Ci simply offers the child a bun, shushes him, and leaves with a chilling smile, leaving the boy terrified.
The next morning, Rong Shu Kuang eagerly tries to learn martial arts from Yan Shao but struggles to find his strength. Yan Shao suggests it might be due to his injuries and guides him through sword movements. Rong Shu Kuang experiences a racing heartbeat, realizing he might be developing feelings for Yan Shao. Yan Shao warns him that improper thoughts are the biggest obstacle for a martial artist. When Rong Shu Kuang admits he was thinking of Yan Shao, he quickly retracts his statement. Yan Shao checks Rong Shu Kuang's pulse, finding him simply exhausted, and advises him to rest.
