Zhan Zhao Adventures - Episode 17 and 18 RECAP
No villains remain victorious!!
EPISODE 17
Zhan Zhao thanked the Moon Envoy and asked her to accompany them in capturing Jing Yiming and seeing his death. However, she respectfully rejected and left to go back to Hanshui Palace since she was obligated to Granny Hanshui. Huo Linglong was shocked to discover as she departed that this mysterious envoy was actually Ding Yuehua, the daughter of the Ding family.
The Sun Envoy stopped the Moon Envoy in her tracks and informed her that her time was running out. He said that since Zhan Zhao was getting ready to take over the Jing Mansion, now was the ideal time to get Chang Hongbi back while He Bo and Zhan Zhao fought, threatening to take her life if she didn't bring the kid back. Jing Yiming was informed that Shao Jizu had launched two signal flares within the mansion. He gave his subordinates the command to carry out their escape plan after realizing that Zhan Zhao and his comrades were getting closer. Mrs. Jing tried to ambush Jing Yiming in the underground room. She strongly denounced him as a hypocrite coward who did not deserve his position in the martial arts world after he easily defeated her.
Jing Yiming disregarded her insults and pulled a mechanism chain, realizing that she was just attempting to buy time. A pile of ledgers and records was exposed as two enormous oak cabinets collapsed with a loud noise. Jing Yiming immediately drenched the records with oil and ignited them. The important files had already been burnt to ashes by the time Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang came in.
Jing Yiming proudly claimed that he had the ideal leverage to work out a deal with them because the proof had been destroyed. When Huo Linglong found Ding Zhaohui in a different area of the mansion, he discovered him terribly crippled and suffering from cruel torture. The Moon Envoy and the Sun Envoy reached the mansion simultaneously. They saw a suspicious servant and forced him to guide them to Chang Hongbi, where they ultimately met Huo Linglong.
The Moon Envoy chose to let the boy to remain with Zhan Zhao's side after securing him. She told the Sun Envoy an untruth, saying Zhan Zhao had already stolen the infant and it was too late. The Sun Envoy, suspicious of her motives, told her that if she returned empty-handed, she would have no place in Hanshui Palace. Jing Yiming was extraordinarily composed in spite of his imprisonment.
He offered Zhan Zhao an agreement by pointing out that he was only a pawn carrying out orders from a much broader plot and pledging to use his secrets to help Zhan Zhao advance and become wealthy. Jing Yiming merely responded with a mocking challenge when Zhan Zhao firmly refused the offer, vowing to uncover the truth even from the ashes.
Later that evening, Zhan Zhao went to see Chang Hongbi and assured the little child that he would have a normal life when the remaining medicinal smell subsided. Bai Yutang evaluated Ding Zhaohui's serious injuries in the meanwhile. He concluded that internal energy therapy was their last chance, although a slight one, because the Great Compassion Palm's destructive force had destroyed his meridians and destroyed his organs.
While Huo Linglong gave Ding Yuehua Linglong Honey to lessen her brother's severe pain, he counseled her to remain at his side during these crucial days. After carefully going through the chamber's burned remnants, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong were able to retrieve some letters between Western Xia and He Bo. These letters demonstrated He Bo's traitorous actions, but they could not identify the mastermind, and the vital official list was still missing.
Shao Jizu became alarmed upon learning of this, but Si Ming reassured him that they would be safe for the time being because Zhan Zhao's inquiry would come to a halt without the list. Zhan Zhao consoled his friends and encouraged them to get some rest, refusing to let them give up. Then he went back to the hidden room by himself. He was able to rebuild the pieces of several seals while analyzing the hints.
The complete design showed the symbol of the Lord of Xiangyang surrounded by He Bo, Si Ming, Dong Jun, and Shan Gui, his four main subordinates. Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong discovered that Si Ming, not He Bo, was the mastermind running the Zhongxiao Pavilion and manipulating the officials after comparing the recreated seal with the retrieved ledgers. An unexpected crisis occurred while Zhan Zhao was getting ready to question Zhihua.
A furious Bai Yutang, suffering from poison-induced hallucinations, rushed in and tried to murder Zhihua in revenge for the murders of Ming Zhuer and Zhao Zhier. Bai Yutang was swiftly subdued and helped to regain consciousness by Zhan Zhao. Zhan Zhao focused on Zhihua when Bai Yutang was taken away.
Zhan Zhao broke the captive's initial refusal to speak by pointing out that Jing Yiming had already placed all the guilt on him and had never viewed him as a legitimate son but rather as a highly skilled but disposable assassin. A devastated Zhihua chose to cooperate and revealed all of Jing Yiming's activities after realizing he had been completely deceived.
Prepared with this full admission, Zhan Zhao went to Jing Yiming's cell. By disclosing that they now had complete knowledge of the Lord of Xiangyang's network and Si Ming's involvement in the Zhongxiao Pavilion, he crushed the villain's aspirations of negotiating. Zhan Zhao declared that he would not die quickly but would instead endure the slow, excruciating torture of the law every day. Zhihua went to his father's cell after Zhan Zhao had departed.
Before disclosing that he had personally killed Jing Xingze, the beloved son Jing Yiming had believed would continue his legacy, he cold-bloodedly acknowledged that he was the one who had betrayed him and prevented his escape. Jing Yiming was left completely crushed and hopeless by the discovery. Zhan Zhao later expressed fear to Ding Yuehua that she would not be able to return to Hanshui Palace without Chang Hongbi.
He encouraged her to go back home, telling her that the Ding family will soon receive justice from the imperial court. He also revealed that, prior to his injuries, Ding Zhaohui had kept the body preserved in the hopes of eventually clearing Xiao Yun's name since he had profoundly regretted not believing her about Xiao Yun's death years prior.
EPISODE 18
Zhan Zhao spoke with Ding Yuehua to inform him that the court, ruled over by Lord Bao, would finally bring justice to the Ding family by securing Jing Yiming's execution. Additionally, he disclosed the truth about Xiao Yun, eliminating the long-standing misconceptions Ding Yuehua held about her brother. When Ding Yuehua learned of this, she went to see her brother, Ding Zhaohui, who was sleeping.
Ding Zhaohui cried as he endured his bodily suffering and expressed regret for not believing her at the time. He said that he had stored Xiao Yun's remains in the hopes of eventually clearing her name, and he pleaded with Ding Yuehua to accompany him back home. She nodded, moved to tears. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang had a drink together in a peaceful pavilion later that night.
Although he joked that the greatest wine really came from Liuke Tavern, Bai Yutang pointed out that the wine, known as Dongting Spring, was said to be the best in Xiangyang. Zhan Zhao quickly ignored Bai Yutang's apology for his prior impatience with Zhi Hua as a reasonable emotional load. Zhan Zhao went on to discuss Bai Yutang's real identity as Jin Xuebai, who had seen his brother Jin Xuewen die as a youngster after being falsely accused.
Bai Yutang's extreme sadness and rage at Fan Zhongyu's passing were explained by this prior tragedy. Zhan Zhao clarified that Zhi Hua caused Bai Yutang to murder the Yicheng magistrate by disclosing Jin Xuewen's wrongful conviction. Zhan Zhao further said that Si Ming had given Zhi Hua instructions to direct Bai Yutang toward the magistrate using this childhood sorrow, indicating that Si Ming had extensive knowledge of the fifteen-year-old case.
In order to settle the issue and secure justice, Zhan Zhao suggested that they approach the Yicheng magistrate together. Bai Yutang, however, continued to be extremely doubtful, wondering how a government official such as Zhan Zhao could ever provide justice for a crime that the authorities themselves had committed. Ding Yuehua, meantime, went to Huo Linglong to talk about the methods for growing Chang Hongbi.
She clarified that the procedure required daily ingestion of Azure Tri-Life Water, a deadly toxin that could only be survived by a person with an exceptionally positive Yang constitution. Laolao had looked everywhere before discovering the child Xiao Di in Bashu who had this unique structure, according to Ding Yuehua. She advised Huo Linglong to look in the Bashu area if she wanted to assist Xiao Di in finding his family.
In addition, Ding Yuehua promised Xiao Di a quiet future and expressed regret for how she had previously treated him. Huo Linglong attempted to reassure Ding Yuehua that Jing Yiming would be dealt with by the law, but Ding Yuehua maintained that she would only be at rest after seeing the villain's death firsthand. Driven by her desire for revenge, Ding Yuehua broke into the imperial jail to face Jing Yiming.
Ding Yuehua made it clear that she was there to put a stop to their conflict, but Jing Yiming made fun of her for only daring to seek revenge now that he was imprisoned. Inside the jail cell, a vicious battle broke out. Ding Yuehua turned the tide despite being hurt by Jing Yiming's forceful palm strokes. She revealed her actual identity as a daughter of the Ding family and used her weapon, Changxiangsi, to trap his neck.
In order to gain this legendary weapon to exact revenge on her family, she disclosed that she had concealed her identity and worked for Hanshui Palace. She killed him by driving her sword into his chest with one last, powerful blow. Zhi Hua was relieved rather than saddened by his father's passing after seeing the full murder. When Huo Linglong hurried to the prison, she saw that Ding Yuehua had already turned herself in and showed no remorse for what she had done.
Huo Linglong, who was aware of the severe consequences of putting an imperial prisoner to death, assisted Ding Yuehua in leaving the city as soon as the gates opened and suggested that she treats her wounds at Mingyue Lake. Zhi Hua said nothing at all when the guards questioned him about the murderer. Zhan Zhao accepted responsibility for the security violation without delay.
Zhan Zhao sent a petition begging for imperial mercy, emphasizing Ding Yuehua's essential help in settling the Zhongxiao Pavilion issue to counter her innocence, knowing he had to provide the court an explanation. To confront Granny and take her penalty, Ding Yuehua went back to Hanshui Palace. She admitted to hiding her identity and releasing Chang Hongbi while kneeling in front of Granny. Enraged by the treachery, Granny ordered her to be imprisoned and put to death by beheading before dusk.
Despite the Sun Envoy's attempts to intervene, Ding Yuehua accepted her fate and thanked her other followers for their support. Zhan Zhao went to Hanshui Palace under Fu Feng's guidance to beg for Ding Yuehua's life. Zhan Zhao cleverly demonstrated that the secret of Chang Hongbi was no longer safe and had instead turned into a weakness that allowed He Bo to control the palace, regardless of Granny's initial angry response and rejection of his pleas for mercy.
He asked her to reconsider whether it was worth the difficulty to keep the fortunes. Granny was deeply affected by Zhan Zhao's comments, even in spite of her firm rejection and threats of instant execution. Granny addressed Ding Yuehua at the execution site and revealed her own terrible background. She disclosed that she had been deceived by her own family, forced to marry a fool, framed for murder, and sold by her family to pay off business obligations.
She was rescued by a Hanshui Palace instructor who taught her heavenly martial arts after she fled and endured great agony. She said that she had considered Ding Yuehua to be her successor. In the end, she decided to chop off Ding Yuehua's hair as a symbolic replacement for her head, canceled her death sentence, and allowed her to depart the palace.
Later, Granny told the Sun Envoy that she openly rejected Zhan Zhao's request so that Ding Yuehua would be forced to thank Hanshui Palace rather than an outsider, ensuring that she would never betray the sect. She also acknowledged that Zhan Zhao was right to say that the wealth was a burden.
When Huo Linglong and Bai Yutang arrived at Hanshui Palace, they discovered it was deserted. However, the Sun Envoy quickly informed them that Ding Yuehua had been spared and had already departed. On the way, Huo Linglong stopped to bid Ding Yuehua farewell and gave her a prescription. She reassured her that Ding Zhaohui was getting better and that no information regarding her experience had been disclosed.
In addition, Xiao Di said goodbye to Ding Yuehua, remembering her secret generosity toward him. Ding Yuehua stated that she had no regrets about becoming the Moon Envoy because her family's reputation had not won her the position, but rather her own power. Ding Yuehua was determined to locate renowned doctors in order to treat her brother's serious wounds.
As a kind of reconciliation, she proposed to take Xiao Di to Bashu with her in order to reconnect him with his parents. As they rode off into the distance together, Huo Linglong accepted the arrangement. The friends came back in the bar once the incident had finally subsided. Zhan Zhao made the decision to punish Bai Yutang for concealing his hallucinations and poisoning while they were traveling.
In a humorous drama, he and Huo Linglong pretended to be genuinely offended by Bai Yutang's lack of trust and suggested that he be kicked out of their group. A trapped Bai Yutang cheerfully submitted, apologized for his stubbornness, and pleaded for forgiveness after realizing his comrades' well-planned ploy had outwitted him. After their bail was reinstated, Zhan Zhao went to the jail with Bai Yutang to question the Yicheng magistrate.
He was subjected to severe interrogation by Bai Yutang over the fifteen-year-old Tanxi Town murder case involving Jin Xuewen. The magistrate firmly denied any misconduct, maintaining that the trial had been completely fair and just, even though he acknowledged that he had handled the case while working as a clerk.
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