KJ2025

Feast or flood?

Zang Hai is talented in silver work. Was this a personal thank you to Xiang An Tu or another means of manipulation? In spite of her original comment she was very pleased he personally made her something. She reeled him in nicely for a date😂 there was no way to refuse. It was awkward at first but them finding clouds in the stars was quite sweet. He left off with his astronomical training and continued with her in make believe images in the stars. These two are a well matched pair. I am pretty sure I am correct with this. She added a dangly to his hairpin but wore it on date and his eyes keep glancing at it.😁His demeanor completely changes when he looks at the sky outside home. He goes straight to the Marquis with his findings. It directly contradicts Chu’s auspicious rendition and he wants the Marquis to tell the emperor so the drought region can be protected from flooding. The Marquis is too cowardly to change the emperor’s mood. He covets a higher position and sees the collateral damage of the flood giving him an opening. He forbids Zang Hai from mentioning it. I am glad Zang Hai still values life. He went right to his mentor and devised a plan to get the news out. Not only would that get his name in for Chu’s job but also save the people when dam gives out. They cannot rely on any maintenance from these corrupt officials too used to stealing public funds. He is very successful but finds himself at the end of the Marquis’ sword. He asks the marquis to give him seven days to prove flooding. That is the amount of living time he has left if wrong. The eunuch is also questioning around about Lu Jin’s death. He knows there is something off, but there are so many masquerades from every corner that even the spider has to test each thread to see where the fly is. He also has the altar object on his mind thanks to the forged letter. Zang Hai did well because even the sister said it was her brother’s handwriting. The contents of the letter still seems odd to them but they are now exploring more answers. Zang Hai is a master of psyops. 👏🏻 The Marquis has a doom of death dream. I actually chuckled when he felt around his throat when he startled awake.😝 It is interesting that among the faces was also one of undead from around the object. Was this his imagination or memory? There are definitely two thinking of object…..is the third one also? Or is the third focused more on the two? Waiting to see what happens with flood prediction.

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Conflict of spies

Lu Jin is a McGyver of assassin tools. He was really a good one to have lead of security. Can’t say I am sorry the bad guy lost this one. He went through a squad of people before he even got to whip Princess. She took him out pretty effectively and it was genius using the body as decoy. She would not have wondered at Zang Hai’s lack of corpse fear if she knew what his job was.😝 Interesting negotiations for her assistance. I can only wonder what she will want him to pay up when the time comes. The young prince was finally getting a night out with father and b stepmother came in and messed it up. She knew conversation of Dongxia would trigger him. However, had he known better, he would have listened to story because it is likely the third person was talked about in the father’s ramblings. The eunuch goes to Marquis’ home and when results aren’t happening to his liking he has already set a scene to kill Zang Hai. This was interrupted with the finding of Lu Jin’s body. I am not sure what was in the letter but it is an amazing feat that they hid a forgery inside the body. The layers to these machinations go beyond counting. The eunuch knows he has revealed too much to Zang Hai so I wonder who is going to make the next move. The body price is going up each move. I get some satisfaction that the eunuch is ill at ease with Zang Hai. Hope it’s a someone walking over his grave experience for him. Hopefully he can meet his son soon. The flames will point the way.

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Old acquaintances reunited

Mr 8 is a miss…that was interesting. And that she is best friend of tower owner who turns out to be the spoiled princess that marked Zang Hai’s back. It should have been obvious but I really didn’t go there. But the Marquis planted her in the perfect gilded cage. Zang Hai has made a tentative peace with her and she pointed out a Dongxia merchant to him. The second surprise was the second son figuring out exactly who he is. Zang Hai was showing him ledgers to show how his step mother was molding him to be a spendthrift and failure thinking that would gain him assist from close quarters. What he did not expect was to be recognized as the bully seeking info about father. We are finally getting filled in on some of the happenings of that day from a different perspective. The son knows what the Marquis did and hated it. But at the same time it is his father. So he has given Zang Hai one day to remove himself from Marquis and the city or be exposed. This is a big unexpected curve ball to be tossed. This is the first time Zang Hai has to decide if he can kill an innocent to continue his plans. The tower owner has purchased a theater for her friend. She is planning to use the proceeds to help the people of Dongxia. I wonder what she will think when she learns she and Zang Hai are from same place? The second son has gone to his mother’s grave. He is speaking aloud and telling her what is going on in his life. He has just started to talk of Zang Hai not knowing Zang Hai is behind with his father’s device preparing to kill him…..as much as this needs to be done, once killing in cold blood is a point of no return. The prince is an innocent tho his family most guilty.

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A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma

The three search in the tomb and find it has been raided by three different groups. They see the remains of those who were killed in traps or killed each other. Zang Hai tries the turtle again and we are all disappointed that nothing is there. He follows the teachings of his father to pay respect to the dead and instructs his friends to help repair the tombs and contents. While he is positioning the body he sees that the pattern is different on two squares. When he fixes the pattern a new puzzle is revealed. One square is missing and there are several words to choose from. The quote he recognizes being from the mentor not the tomb couple. After figuring out the puzzle a device his father created is discovered. It is like the device his mentor was going to use against Marquis and changed mind about fuse. Zang Hai carefully adds gold filament to incense. This will cause a distraction so he can escape tomb at dowager’s memorial service. His mentor shows up and fingers the incense but I did not see him remove anything. At the lighting of incense Zang Hai tries to stall because prince isn’t there and device didn’t go off. He figures the device got moved and another set of incense sticks would fix it. The Marquis refuses to wait and gets suspicious of Zang Hai. Zang Hai wants revenge but he has never killed someone in cold blood. He is sweating bullets and it’s obvious something is amiss. A servant adds to it by bringing his improvised incense sticks up where gold thread is evident. There is a thorough search of the incense container but nothing is there. He has to concoct a story that isn’t as seamless as he usually is when speaking. When he leaves he is looking around and the masked man shows him the device he took. They have a candid chat and Zang Hai is enlightened that this three day threat may have originated from the Marquis. He also reminds him that there were two others that were enemies of his family and that if he impatiently kills the Marquis, he may never discover who third person is. I was mistaken on the fish keys last episode. There are three not two. The Marquis and eunuch have two of them but the third party is unknown. So Zang Hai changes his game plan. He confesses to Marquis that he received a threat to kill him. He shows the Marquis the items he received and played up that two days were wasted because he couldn’t find sender. He begs for mercy and tells the Marquis he wants him to have time to make himself safe. The Marquis isn’t really bothered by the threat which indicates he did most likely authorize the death threat to test Zang Hai’s loyalties. He is told to not hesitate to report such things in future. Since he passed that test I think the Marquis is getting ready to pull the son card to see how Zang Hai will do with next level test when paired with son as advisor. It is also a mystery why second son did not go to dowager’s memorial service. This is the first time Zang Hai showed a true chink in his armor. He failed the test but has been given a chance for future redo thanks to his mentors. Hopefully his disciple bro won’t do anything reckless in the interim.

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New alliances

I am glad they explained how the stone worked. I have to admit it was funny seeing him try to get the dam opened again. That was a very clever plan, it is just sad none of the other men could benefit from it. I was surprised to see him in a carriage with the Marquis. I guess I shouldn’t have been because how else can he be dealt with? That was a very candid conversation with a viper poised to strike. He did make valid strategic points about how the Marquis’ chosen ones weakened as much or even more as assisted him. Zang Hai played his hand well but there is no telling how a cornered person will act. He lucked out and his life is at least temporarily spared. The back up plan with arrow launcher, probably to indicate new enemies, was also clever and here I did laugh when first he wants the fuse to hurry up and then it’s like no no stop burning 😂His mentor is a good guard for him. I like that he checked in on him personally to check in Zang Hai’s wounds. I am also relieved none of them thought to poison the darts. Zang Hai is now in an official position with a set raise and given lodging right next to the Marquis. He is even invited to dinner. He gets to sit next to the girl that scarred his back, the brother that tried to literally bury him, and the Marquis who slaughtered his family before his eyes. How he even managed to stay in the room is a feat in itself. I do not know how he is going to react being the son’s advisor. He will shift it to his advantage but I am still curious how this pairing will play out. Is the Marquis trying to limit Zang Hai? Or have his son improve his choices? That remains to be seen. Seeing his mentor at the book store was fun. These meetings lighten up a whole lot of intense storytelling. The meal at the tower was funny. When the gal finally says he knows….😂 he is helping the second son and himself getting the treasury items back but I bet he doesn’t find out about that special jewel anytime soon.😝 These two could really help each other out and he has already proven himself to be far more honorable than any of the royals….so now to see where this new partnership leads.

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Job with the scholars

After making it through he is then accused of knowing building secrets.😝 This guy is determined to give Zang Hai grief but Zang Hai stays humble and then tells them the dowager will show a sign when it rains. He also told them that he was 100% sure they would have rain that day. He is laughed at but when the eunuch is called in he comments on the freak storm that showed up after a beautiful day. This has the Marquis’ attention. Zang Hai asks to kneel before dowager to ask for blessing while he places a stone under coffin so it will move on the wet surface. The Marquis calls him out for that and is deciding if he is going to kill Zang Hai or not. He escapes this first round and ends up with the scholars to learn building techniques. He was given an audience with the Marquis that was blocked by his supervisor. He is forced into taking a job of sealing the ceiling so that rains won’t destroy the ancestral hall documents. That night Zang Hai tells his old mentor how he missed a prime opportunity but that since it really did storm he couldn’t take blame for damages. Zang Hai recognizes that the supervisor keeps the underlings worthless and steals from the inventory. He is tested a second time when he is left alone with the inventory while everybody else leaves. The supervisor is leaving directions for him to be arrested immediately if anything is amiss. So now to see if he makes Zang Hai the fall guy or if Zang Hai proves him a thief.

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Zang Hai is born

The boy finds himself on a boat with a masked man. He is encouraged to cry and then talk. After a good cry he chats with his new benefactor. He finds out his father had made plans to get them out of the city but was interrupted by the Marquis of Pingjin. He is asked how he would like to live with or without vengeance. The young boy chooses vengeance and is taken to a new location where he can be trained for the next ten years. He is immediately changed with cosmetic surgery and his fingerprints were altered or removed. He is told the changes are slight but that it will completely alter his appearance so that no resemblance to his parents remains. He finds himself in a barricaded room where he is challenged to use the poem his father taught him to escape the wooden puzzle locking him in. It takes him three days but he masters the hexagon that will grant him freedom. His lessons continue so that he is knowledgeable in construction and geomancy like his father was. When he hits twenty he is given further instructions in how not to be seduced. He learns to bottle the hate in his heart where it cannot be seen and to let his outer expressions present what people expect, but not necessarily his real emotions. After passing half of that test his benefactor comes back with a puzzle. He is asked questions while unlocking it. He told exactly how many tiles were in two different locations and gave exact recall of what happened to his friend and family even after all these years. He is shown the drawing of the Marquis and recall in detail the vengeance he still has. He is told with the dowager ill that there is a rare opportunity to get close to the household even tho he has not completed his training. He is given a new identity and what his training specializes in. He is shown drawings of those closest to Marquis and recalls what each did the night of the massacre. I am thinking the second son is the one he and friends captured to find out information. I find myself annoyed that a jealous coworker helped cause this for his ‘friend’s’ job. He accepts the challenge and believes the kinder mentor is going to accompany him. He finds out again not to be deceived by kindness. He is called by his name and his response is who is that? My name is Zang Hai. Another eventful episode.

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Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned

The wife comes to the celebratory dinner and makes her stance clear. The Marquis plans to banish children and wife so that Zhifu’s condition can be hid. Again kudos to the actor playing eldest son. He really does this well. All the supporting cast make their characters shine. There is no bad acting anywhere. Production makes all the scenes believable. Petition drum interrupts the Emperor welcoming ZhiXing to court. The Marquis’ wife shows up in ceremonial robes and petitions the emperor to charge her husband for bribing Martial arts test officials to make ZhiXing first in exam. This is being investigated and the Marquis is tossed in prison. I am not sure what is going to happen to ZhiXing. He is shaping up nicely and this is a major slam. The eunuch was all smiles as the wife brought out a ledger that incriminated the Marquis and personally presented it to the emperor. She just did all his work for him. The Marquis is not worried. He has his own backup plan for the eunuch. What he did not expect was to encounter Zhinu. I am not sure Zang Hai timed this well. I almost agree with Marquis he was too impatient and played his hand too early. His laughter at his son delivering the evidence to Zang Hai makes me wonder what else there is to the story. Is he acting for Zang Hai’s benefit or has Zang Hai been fooled to believing something is true that isn’t? His eyes popped that Zong Hai knew about the queen, but it still seems that something is missing. His real attitude about insignificant people puts him back where he belongs as evil as eunuch. He does have a sense of honor but it is only for a specific class. Anything lower gets a different moral code with no thought about the justice of it. We find out that Chu had been his informant for quite awhile and probably was instrumental in causing the alter collapse where they expected the astronomer to die. That plan had a wrench tossed in when not only did he live, but he left with Gui seal. Now was the astronomer following orders from somebody or was this his own plan? Too many are dead that could answer these questions. AnTu does not believe that her mother is the third person. I think deep down she realizes this has to be the case but she is not ready to think her mother could deal with Cao and Marquis not only for the seal but to knowingly slaughter a group of innocent people to blur the truth. She will have to ponder on this awhile. She sees where Zang Hai is on the matter but she is not ready to think he is right just yet. ZhiXing wanted to nix Zang Hai killing his dad after telling him the story of the fish. They both know that this isn’t going to happen and I think both have regret with this. The Marquis laughing…did Zang Hai get duped about something or was he laughing at the other two coming to similar fates? Only he knows the answer. None of them have the entire story or one of the three would know where the seal is and the other two would check them in using it. Who was behind the astronomer taking the seal and who hid it? Was this done by Dongxia or another party we still need to meet? There are still as many questions as answers. The one thing we do know is that the Marquis’ wife is willing to burn down the entire house along with her son’s disgrace. ZhiXing is the innocent here. I would really like to see him get a decent ending. I really don’t want to see him serving Cao and I hope the emperor can hold him guiltless of his parents’ corrupt natures. The military is a good spot for him. He has cleaned up his act and the only thing he was ever guilty of was being lazy and gambling too much. I hope the emperor still lets him serve even if a different position out of court. Working up the ranks will be a better fit than amongst all these corrupt politicians. At the end of the day we have to wonder if Zang Hai will become as bad or worse than those he wants to destroy? This is the real question. He has no family to ballast him. He only has mentors that guide him on this chosen path. Even his friends only want blood. So when and if he completes his objective……what will he become?

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Tying knots

This episode did a good job of showing Da Reum’s roots. As expected, small town quick news and now mom knows her banner is not true. It was a nice scene with mother and daughter clearing the air with no over the top theatrics, just a candid conversation and acceptance of each other;s feeling. Her boss and idol are working out their own issues in very different ways. Chan thinks he has found his miracle muse and Ha Gi thinks he’s the idol. When Ha Gi hears he likes Chan. 😂🤣These two will now see how they can sabotage each other to gain Da Reum’s affections. It is looking like the team leader and production guy are colluding with SA. It was a hard loss for the marketing gal that had worked so hard to establish a contact and worthy product to have it stolen right at contract time. The lady with knots is willing to have factory production keep an ancient art alive and appreciated on a large scale. She sees herself as the last of her kind trying to save the history and value of her skill. Her teacher is far from appreciating that position. She thinks it’s a sellout for cash to have cheap factory replicas made instead of slowly handcrafted by true artisans that are master of the craft. Both have solid views and it’s a big if to see if Apello can get a compromise where the integrity of the craft is respected but also on a much larger platform for people in general to be aware of the knots’ existence. Very cute what knot the teacher had them learn.❤️Ha Gi appreciating the mom time. He incredibly dug himself out of the pit he created first sentence.🤣😂 And the sharing of Da Reum’s bucket list. 🥰 The air is cleared of many misunderstandings this episode and the battle is on for Da Reum’s affections. Work is going to be interesting with this dynamic now brought to the fore for both men. For me, I wanna see them win a much deserved contract for their compny. SA is always making them look a day late and dollar short. It’s time to get rid of the real company spies.

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War and peace

TingYun escapes Yu’s house arrest and heads for the prison. She gets to the dune overlooking the departing army just in time to wave her red banner goodbye and for Zhao Ling to see her. The way they juxtapose the two honoring YuCheng and him at war with her teaching school. Shen growing up . It really did look like him grown up and very ironic he is older than the leads. 🤣 All are biding their time til the war is over and they can join at the capital. Zhang Ling looks a bit scary as he heads into Li’s home. Here the corrupt official is finally held accountable for the lesser of his crimes. It doesn’t compare to his perverse nature at the women’s center. 😝 Ya do have to wonder at Zhao’s boldness to take on such a ranking official til his orders are shown straight from the top. He is separating himself from TingYun by design, but I am not clear why. The only thing I can guess is he wants to be sure she cannot be used as a pawn against him and is protecting her. She is now headed to the capital to see her mother. This reunion has been a very long time coming. I am glad the gma can’t ruin it.😝The uncle was a bit intimidating at the door, but her mother was all love and smiles. Their shared feelings and conversation is so sweet and beautifully filmed. It ends on a bittersweet note because TingYun can no longer prove her innocence and it’s for sure the Yu’s won’t help unless she allies with jerky son.😝XingYun has already crossed paths with YaKe. She also found out the deed to the home she wanted was forged. Zhao is right to punish Lee, but I am not liking how he’s acting. It’s a bit too close to jerky Yu behavior. This is why they had him stabbed in the market place. He needs to get beck with TingYun who is much more practiced at dealing with antics of noble class. But he is determined to stay away because he feels he lacks power. They do better as a team and separate both will find mischief. 😝I am so annoyed with him that he sees her sadly watching the fireworks and says nothing. 😝😡🤬ugh😝🙄 I did not think Zhao could be as arrogant as Yu thinking he knows what is best for them. He has not even checked on what’s been happening with her and Shen had every right to roll his eyes at his mentor now turned idiot.😝🙄He and Yu are both guilty of greatly underestimating her. She would be furious with him if she knew how foolish he was acting. And if he thinks she will give a damn about those pastries rather than seeing him… 😝🙄😡She has so much faith in him and he chooses to ignore it and doubt himself. I want Shen to use him for staff practice and knock some sense into him.🙄Ms Yu has already put a hit on Li to shut him up. But it seems Zhao was a bit more prepared this time around. They are going to have a much rougher time because of impulsive choices to their detriment. This episode was not the happy news I expected. They are out of the frying pan into the fire with minimal backing. Now to see how both play their emperor card.

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Truth and consequences

Zhao Ling is so unhappy with Yu Cheng for falsifying the merit report. He was the one pointing at how unfounded it was for Lu to get credit and innocent blood was shed for it. The last thing he wanted was to be tagged with blood money. But now here he is….Yu Cheng’s mother is old and blind, TingYun can’t get her mail sent even with bribes because that ass Yu Jing Xiu has bribed the locals to not send. He replays how one stupid rank above gives somebody the power to make your life miserable for no other reason than because they can and he’s damn tired of it. And in one moment of weakness he kicks his conscience to the curb long enough to sign and thumbprint the document that will damn him as a liar. I feel both pity and contempt for him at this moment. Yu Cheng is obviously glad his argument swayed Zhao’s judgment but he really hasn’t considered the ramifications for his actions. Zhao understands much better but decides he will shoulder it if he has to. The news travels home and TingYun is so happy because it never once crossed her mind Zhao would lie about merit. She is wearing her mother’s bracelet and doing a happy dance at the thoughts of going home and Zhao Ling can only smile at her happiness. But what a bittersweet moment as he knows he didn’t deserve it. Shen has reason to have lost respect for Zhang because of his remarks about clear conscience vs moment of glory. To watch him fold up close and personal….yeh…it’s disappointing. But it also is a hard lesson that even our heroes can be human and make stupid mistakes. Of course Yu has stirred up the locals and brings attention to the record and his willingness to think he understands military matters better than Zhao is laughable. It is such a harsh scene between them and Yu completely pisses you off because it never crossed his mind he did it for her not his own glory. Zhao has to accept this grave consequence for being weak and trying for a quick fix for the times he was cheated. Wang knew it was a lie but there was Zhao’s signature and thumbprint staring him in the face. There was only so much covering he could do. I am so pissed at Yu it’s palpable. I truly want to throttle him. 🤬And the clincher is Yu still thinks that Zhao setting her free would change her interest in him. Omg his arrogance has no limit and his pettiness has no depth he wouldn’t sink to. 🤬Her burning of the confessions was impulsive to say the least. She so believed in Zhao Ling that she fully believes the ass in front of her set him up. She burnt them to show how little regard she felt for him. How contemptible he was in her sight. And how dare he think he had any say or judgment in who her choice of partner was. She smacked him heavily with that, but like the foolish choice Zhao made, the Yu’s and her family will make her pay for it without proof once she gets to the capital. 😡🤬 Shen talks them into escaping and the salt traders give them 15 heads. Yu Cheng makes the last. All the men would have received that punishment and he knew he was the instigator that steered them all in the wrong direction. This was a just punishment tho very harsh. General Wang used TingYun’s discovery of warriors past to instill courage and strength in his troops. He shined brilliantly in that moment. The conversation he shared with Zhao Ling was a true commander/mentor moment. The rubber hits the road here and Zhao Ling needs to prove he can rise above the hundreds just like him. He has to find his mettle and cover ground no one expects him to be capable of. Zhao Ling learned the hard way to not throw away his integrity, the price far too high. Yu Cheng redeemed himself with this act and Zhao Ling will never repeat his mistake. Five years will be a very long time, but this round, he will have full support for a change. This was such a moving and enraging episode. To see our couple so brave and foolish at the same time. The big question now is what will happen to TingYun while Zhao Ling is off to war? I also want advisor Li to get his. He can’t blackmail with the salt traders any more.😝

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Sun-moon sand and aftermath

It looked like the heavens covered the city with the sand. The storyteller gives the boy a different ending for the characters. It is confirmed that Xie has died and the 8 toast him. Zhang visits the prison cell to find out if he had any last words. Xie felt it worth it to carry the responsibilities of the nine and look out for the people. Zhang still questions if it was the right choice. They all part ways to live quietly. Mr Hong is teaching the children of fallen soldiers and getting much needed supplies where they are needed. He still has his wife’s coffin with him but now has his own beside her. It’s slightly taller so she can always rest her head in his shoulder and hear him sing when it’s his time to join her . Mr Li sends his family off to safety and hears his son call him father for first time. I do not know what the item is he gave his son but do know it’s significant for their clan because master Li always had it with him. He and 6th master have a toast celebrating fatherhood and then signal their men to be ready for the Japanese. While the city is fleeing they go to the landing site to greet the Japanese with a bang. The scene swaps to Mr Chen who has been using his claw to wreak havoc on the Japanese. He’s resting on a tree bough smirking at them trying to find him. The scene shifts to a ballroom where Tottori is a drunken ass and Huo comes to meet him. She makes short work of his sorry ass and the scene moves to Hangzhou where she is walking down a street with a nice short haircut. There is talk of a dog trainer that married into one of the families from there. Wu and his man are outside a temple and Wu can now read. He is educating himself as he trains dogs giving them a variety of skills to aid war efforts. The scene shifts to the front lines with Zhang and XiaoYu. Things look grim but Yin shows up with enough men to hold the line. The goal was Western Heaven to gain the true scriptures. Wu Xie is recounting his grandfather’s notes that said each found their own way. Did they achieve their goal? Maybe their legacy will tell us. Seems the story will continue through Wu Xie’s generation and this story is a closed chapter. I enjoyed this tale very much. The characters were made quite real via the cast. Production was very successful making the tower eerie and full of puzzles to figure out. 👏🏻 My only question is after letting him annoy us for 29 episodes, why no peek at where Qi hid himself?🫣🧐

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Deceiving the Ministry of War

It all comes down to Wu pulling off deception to Ministry of War. He has to take out mystic nine leaders and make them believe it was for selfish motivations to gain leadership. He is so broken looking at the blood on his hands and hearing the mission in his head required for success. 😔😭This is a harsh task because he is newest member and least receptive of the ends justifying the means thinking. This goes against his very soul to do the mission they ask of him. Wu has successfully gone viral in newspapers as the thug who took over mystic nine. Commander Lu is more than happy to show this in print to Zhang who is still mourning the loss of XiaoYu. They have spun quite a story the Gen Huo stole the seal and attempted a rebellion…as if…he was too cowardly to be that bold.😝 Lu gives XiaoYu Captain rank posthumously….so what? Like THAT was an aspiration XiaoYu had.😝 The new position of the Ministry war is that saving 3 by killing 6 could no longer apply seeing how many Wu managed to kill all by himself. Zhang is given the mission to take out all members and be given the world as a platform for strategizing rather than Changsha. He even brings up the old grudge between him and Wu and how that should make things so much easier for him. They should work well together considering their friendship. He is the Chinese version of Hatoyama and completely repugnant. Lu is slimier than Gen Huo and that takes some doing. 😝In a single day the world has changed as Zhang knew it. Wu has forced him to the henchman position with the only silver lining being that Gen Huo is dead. If Lu spoke truth. Lu gives Zhang three days to carry it out. The order making him special commissioner sits on his desk while Zhang studies the newspaper and hears his second report on the specifics of how Wu turned on the mystic nine. Seems he crippled Huo when he hugged her for support. Wu spared no one. It’s a lot to process. Zhang knew Xie was the mastermind and laments they didn’t let him save them. The scene with Wu and Zhang is so moving. Wu finally reveals that the kill six to save three was always a ruse. It was always kill eight to save one. Zhang was the only one that could save Changsha and keep the memory of the mystic nine. Wu is determined to make Zhang accept the truth and kill him to complete the ministry of war’s objective. Wu commits the last act of having the second killed so that Zhang’s hand will be forced to kill him. The smug smirk on Lu’s face reading the paper is so predictable and still so nauseating. He is pleased with the performance and wants a public execution for Wu at the Wu hour. Wu gains strength looking at his friend and strikes a pose for the cameras. His men take heart and rally one last time at dying together. Wu’s last request was for Zhang to send him on his way. Again the smirk on Lu’s pleased face was nauseating. There is the. A 20 year fast forward and a group of children are hearing the story of the mystic nine and demanding answers to the questions we have. The boy that wants the storyteller to change the ending. The storyteller likes the boys ending better.

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Save three by killing six

Commander Lu has given Zhang an opening to take over for Gen Huo, but only if he personally eradicates mystic nine to prove where his loyalties lie. He comes with a letter from Xie. While the conversation is in his mind’s eye, the strained anger and shock at the ruling Xie made for the remnant to be spared. He is sticking with Hong, Huo and Zhang. Hing is an opera singer and Huo is a clan of women so to prevent public outrage these must be soared with Zhang who will be the best strategist and warrior against the Japanese. XiaoYu is not happy that Zhang plans to ignore the order, rescue mystic nine and go to Nanjing for punishment. Which would most likely be execution. XiaoYu breaks his promise and pulls out his traitor card to take on Gen Huo. It is unclear if he survived the multiple needles and bullets he received but he did get a nice stab at Gen Huo’s throat. I would like that it killed him but most likely he’s just in the same poison boat with his mystic nine captives. If only water around to finish the job.😝 Wu is sent to a temp,e where he also receives a letter from 9th master. He is given the mission to become the leader of the mystic mine and then be taken. He is considered one to not be rescued, so the mystic nine will no longer be considered a threat. He is given the choice to save nine or 9000. 😝He is outraged at the choice he’s been given sine the group just rescued him. He is told if he cripples 2nd master all leaders will be incapacitated and he can take over as leader. One of the few times he and Zhang are in exact same page about a mission.😔It brings tears to the eyes to see 9th master plead. 😭He knows he is taking advantage of Wu’s nature to make him view the bigger picture, which he very reluctantly does. 😔If he becomes the sacrificial lamb things will improve. Wu must sacrifice who he is and become assassin. 😔😭Wu’s work with the papers got news of Changsha’s curfew from Nanjing to Shanghai forcing the ministry of war to stop the curfew and release the mystic nine leaders. 🎉It’s prolonging the inevitable, but it sure feels good to get even this small victory. Wu played his part magnificently but how heartwrenching what he did.💔😭The anguish from 2nd master💔😔😭

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Back to ChangSha

On the bank of Xiang River Wu declared peace with Zhang and distance from Huo. Nobody would have predicted this at start of story,🧐🤯 It is fun how Wu was reminded of the oath he made Qi take and his legacy would be in question if Zhang remained leader. 🤣Back in Changsha Gen Huo is already to dismantle and kill off mystic nine. He is warned by Commander Lu that complete uprooting may cause more harm than good, Gen Huo makes an arrangement with Xiangxi assassin leader for the heads of mystic nine leaders and gives up secret intel on them. He is told it can be accomplished in three days and no refunds if change mind. Unfortunately Gen Huo’s plan is working. The Xiangxi assassins have taken out 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th masters who were defending loved ones. 9th master was killed by injection. The silver lining is 6th master took out the Xiangxi assassin leader. All have been poisoned. It is up to Gen Huo if the get antidote. He has also taken over Huo clan and set up shop in Zhang QiShan’s residence so jerky boy ministry of war lackey is riding high on his successes in Zhang’s absence. 😝🤬 At least they were forewarned by his second before entering Changsha. They know what’s up and can prepare. Love the battle Zhang had with the Xiangxi guys. That double needle break off🤌🏼too bad Commander Lu didn’t show up 5 minutes later. 😝Making him let go of his gun in front of the boss.🤣😂 Ya know I thought Commander Lu was a decent guy. He just wanted a better henchman.😝🙄He was a complete disappointment talking out of both sides of his face. He has warned Zhang but wants Huo to purge his clan and kill the others cleanly with no loose ends. I’m disgusted with him because he is the Chinese version of Hatoyama. He gets others to do his dirty work for him so he can look good for the superiors with all he’s accomplished. 😝At least XiaoYu and second were returned to him but not sure what punished correctly during martial law entails. 9th master is most likely lost because he was really looking bad at the auction, but the others might be rescued if Huo has to part with the antidote. It is laughable that Zhang accomplished more with his leather coat fighting than Gen Huo did with a gun and platoon of killer assassins. 😝Mystic nine;s time is very short and Zhang needs to come up with something. Whiny petty boys like Huo Wenhai and Tottori should not be leaders for the next era. They need to go. 😝one the plus side Hatoyama and that Xiangxi assassin leader are down for the count. Mr Yin and Xinyue find everything boarded up and closed. Yin notes the wind of change and senses war coming soon. He is shifting everybody to warehouse 11 to make better plans. He sends word to Zhang and recieves response that Zhang is stuck there. She and her dad understand that the mystic nine is no longer wanted or acceptable to the changing world view. Zhang now has to decide if he stays with his colleagues or lines up with the ministry of war. I hate that his only choice on that front will be to become Commander Lu’s more capable henchman. I’m not sure that won’t be a fate worse than death to him. 😝commander Lu is Huo Wenhai 2.0😝🤬 He visits 9th master in jail and wants a way out for Zhang to be his henchman. 🤬😝 He is to,d to kill six and spare three for the stability of Changsha. Lu must spare Zhang, Hong and Huo clams for the city to remain stable in the aftermath. He must also have Zhang be the executioner so the ministry of war won’t doubt his loyalty. Xie also confirms he will force Zhang to do it because even Lu doubts Zhang could betray them. Xie is shown seeing his oath as a small boy and knows he has to save Zhang now. He is bittersweet that a remnant can be saved but accepts it is the long night for mystic nine as a whole. This is the fate of heroes who come home to a nation that no longer needs their services but fears them because of their strengths. This is the dark side of thank you for your service….but it’s no longer required. 😔🌹

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