Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens

Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens
Written by Robin Shen
Directed by Robin Shen
Voices of Zhao Lu
Wu Lei
Huang Ying
Di Wei
Opening theme Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens by Henry Huo
Ending theme Style of Painting by Hou Xian
Composer(s) The One Studio
Wei Xiaohan
Gouyin
Huang Shujun
Country of origin China Mainland
Original language(s) Mandarin
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 60
Production
Executive producer(s) Robin Shen
Producer(s) Shen Leping
Wenshi Yi
Yang Zhichao
Production company(s) Sparkly Key
Release
Original release March 10, 2016 – present

Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens (Chinese: 天行九歌; pinyin: tiān xíng jiǔ gē), is a CG Chinese animated TV series that was released on March 10, 2016, directed by Robin Shen. It can also be translated as Nine Songs of the Sky. This is the prequel to The Legend of Qin, which takes place before the time of the Qin Dynasty. Although the two animations have intersections of characters and their timelines, Nine Songs of the Moving Heavens is an independent story.

Story

Facing the threat of the Qin State, danger seems to lurk within the Han State, which is known as the weakest out of the Seven States. Unknown to the Han Emperor, that very threat is the Great General of Han, Ji Wuye. Working under the Great General are the Four Fearful Warriors of Nightfall (Chinese: 夜幕四凶将; pinyin: yèmù sì xiōng jiāng). Each four specialized in military, finance, politics, and espionage.

In hopes of creating a new Han State, Quicksand (流沙) was formed by Han Fei, the ninth prince of the Han. With Wei Zhuang, Zhang Liang, Zinü, and Nong Yu, they support the Prince in realizing the goal of Quicksand while being drawn into a whirlpool of power named “world”.

Characters

Main Protagonists

Voice Actor: Zhao Lu (Chinese: 赵路; pinyin: Zhào Lù)
Han Fei is the Ninth Prince of the Han State. He's quite carefree. Although he knows no martial arts, his intelligence is fairly high than any other person. He studied at the Junior Sage Village when he was young and is the best student under Xun Kuang. Over time, he began to detest the current Han State and drinks wine all day with female entertainers. Until he the day he met Zinü and Wei Zhuang. He loves quiet places and enjoys the scenery too. First appearance: Episode 1.
Voice Actor: Wu Lei (Chinese: 吴磊; pinyin: Wú Lěi)
Wei Zhuang is one of the only two students from the Ghost Valley and his Senior Brother is Ge Nie, who currently is in the Qin State. It is said that Wei Zhuang has been hiding for so long and returns to the world all of the sudden. Now, he takes shelter in the Purple Orchid House, owned by Zinü. On the outside, he seems like a cold person who has high martial arts. Any changes in the Han State are no exception to his eyes. First appearance: Episode 4.
Voice Actress: Huang Ying (Chinese: 黄莺; pinyin: Huáng Yīng)
Zinü is the owner of the Purple Orchid House, a brothel, and is the wielder of the snake sword, Chilian. With an extraordinary dedication and trust towards Wei Zhuang, she is both mature and charming, while acting as his right-hand woman. However, many do not know that this lady holds an important identity. Her name may not even be her real name. She even told Han Fei that there will be a risk involved if he learns of her past. First appearance: Episode 2 (officially appears in Episode 3).
Voice Actor: Di Wei (Chinese: 翟巍; pinyin: Dí Wēi)
Zhang Liang is the grandson of the Prime Minister of the Han State. His courtesy name Zifang. He has a good nature and is very intelligent, which Han Fei praises him for. And in return, he admires Han Fei. Willingly joining Quicksand, Zhang Liang becomes an important comrade to Han Fei, Wei Zhuang, and Zinü. First appearance: Episode 3.
Voice Actress: Hong Haitian (Chinese: 洪海天; pinyin: Hóng Hǎi Tiān)
Honglian is the precious daughter of the Han Emperor and is quite loved by her older brother, Han Fei. She mentioned she has a master teaching her martial arts when Han Fei wasn't in the palace. She's really cheerful, but may use her high status to bully the citizens. When Han Fei joked he would hit her, she said she wasn't afraid because he doesn't know martial arts. All in all, she loves Han Fei and takes care of him sometimes. First appearance: Episode 2.
Voice Actress: Hong Haitian (Chinese: 洪海天; pinyin: Hóng Hǎi Tiān)
Nong Yu plays the guqin in the Purple Orchid House and is highly valued by Zinü. Her music is praised to match the famous guqin composer from the Zhao State, Kuang Xiu. Even birds are drawn to her music, creating a beautiful scenery. She learned to play music since very young and when she plays it, memories of her rough life come to her. She is very calm, polite, and quiet. There's a different personality that she doesn't show yet, however. First appearance: Episode 2 (officially appears in Episode 9).

Han State

One of the Seven States, which is considered as the weakest one.

  • Han Emperor, An
Voice Actor: Gu Qiu (Chinese: 贾邱; pinyin: Gǔ Qiū)
The Han Emperor, An has been shown to be distressed with the events that has been going on. He often listens Ji Wuye, but also puts his trust on the Prime Minister of Han. First appearance: Episode 3.
Voice Actor: Meng Xianglong (Chinese: 孟祥龙; pinyin: Mèng Xiáng Lóng)
Ji Wuye is the Great General of Qin. He has a ruthless and overbearing personality and has the right to rule over the imperial court as well as the ordinary people. When something is his, he won't let anyone have it. In the shadows, he has an almighty force working under him, known as "Nightfall". He is very strong and none could ever beat him. First appearance: Episode 3.
Voice Actor: Cheng Yuzhu (Chinese: 程玉珠; pinyin: Chéng Yù Zhū)
Zhang Kaidi is the Prime Minister of Han, grandfather of Zhang Liang. For five generations, the Zhang family has served as pillars for the emperor. Zhang Kaidi has shown that he doesn't exactly like Han Fei, but because of Han Fei's intelligence, Zhang Kaidi turned to him for help on a mystery case. First appearance: Episode 3.
Lord Anping is one of the Han Emperor's brothers. First appearance: Episode 3.
Lord Longquan is one of the Han Emperor's brothers. First appearance: Episode 3.
Voice Actor: (Chinese: 刘垚; pinyin: Liú Yáo)
Liu Yi is the Left Minister of War, serving the Han State. He is also one of Ji Wuye's men. Zinü described Liu Yi as lustful and cruel. First appearance: Episode 10.
  • Lady Hu
Voice Actress: Zhou Shuai (Chinese: 周帅; pinyin: Zhōu Shuài)
As the wife of the Left Minister of War, Liu Yi, she is known to stay indoors and does not speak with women of high class. Quite educated and respectful. First appearance: Episode 11.
  • Beauty Hu
Voice Actress: Luo Yuting (Chinese: 罗玉婷; pinyin: Luō Yù Tíng)
She is the beautiful and favorite concubine of the Han Emperor and is seemingly keeping a good relation with the Emperor's children. Her older sister is Lady Hu, wife of Liu Yi. She may be the favorite concubine, but Honglian calls her a vixen. First appearance: Episode 13.
Voice Actor: Fan Junhang (Chinese: 樊俊航; pinyin: Fán Jùn Háng)
Han Yu is the Fourth Prince of Han. He is described as someone who have a lot of heroic guests and he values talented people. He is in good terms with Han Fei, but Honglian doesn't show the same love of how she gives to Han Fei. First appearance: Episode 13.
Voice Actor: Yinhai Fan (Chinese: 音海帆; pinyin: Yīn Hǎi Fān)
Li Kai is an aged man who appeared out of thin air. It wasn't until later the characters found out he was the Right Minister of War and was in love with Lady Hu. Presently, he is known as the traitor in the Han State who should have been dead. First appearance: Episode 10.
Voice Actor: Dai Chaoxing (Chinese: 戴超行; pinyin: Dài Chāo Xíng)
Han Qiancheng is Han Yu's adopted son. He is highly skilled in archery. First appearance: Episode 23.
  • The Crown Prince of Han
Voice Actor: Yu Xiaoxu (Chinese: 虞晓旭; pinyin: Yú Xiǎo Xù)
He is seen to be weak in front of enemies and acts tough when he thinks he has the upper hand. First appearance: Episode 28.

Nightfall

Nightfall is an organization under the Great General of Han, Ji Wuye, consisting of two groups. The Hundreds of Birds is a group of trained assassins, who are all code-named after birds. The Four Fearful Warriors are Ji Wuye's incisive pawns. Each four have their own work in military, finance, politics, and espionage.

Voice Actor: Xia Lei (Chinese: 夏磊; pinyin: Xià Lěi)
Moya is from Hundreds of Birds, Nightfall. All that he needs to get done are done without asking questions. He is usually smiling when he's fighting and even out of battle he's the same way. He's the type to flirt and tease, but is also protective. There has been a couple of times when he acts like a mentor towards Baifeng. First appearance: Episode 2.
Voice Actor: Xie tiantian (Chinese: 谢添天; pinyin: Xiè Tiān Tiān)
Baifeng is from Hundreds of Birds, Nightfall. He's Moya's subordinate, so they are often together. Baifeng seems to question about the way things are. He's quiet and is serious, but can joke with Moya about who is more handsome. His lightness skill is impressive, which is nearly equal to Moya. First appearance: Episode 6 (officially appears in Episode 8).
Voice Actor: Peng Bo (Chinese: 彭博; pinyin: Péng Bó)
He is one of the many assassins from Hundreds of Birds. He is an older man who is seemingly acting on his own accord. His motives are unclear. First appearance: Episode 10 (officially appears in Episode 15).
Voice Actor: Liu Beichen (Chinese: 刘北辰; pinyin: Liú Běi Chén)
Bai Yifei is one of the Four Fearful Warriors of Nightfall, who has an army of 100,000 soldiers in hand. He's known as the Pure White, Blood Marquess. He is the master of Snow Fort, an army that's stationed outside of the capital and his family has made great achievements for the Han State in the past. Rumors say that he drains the blood of his victims as was said of his mother, the only female Marquess in the Han State and master of the Bloody Fortress. First appearance: Episode 16.
Voice Actor: Peng Bo (Chinese: 苏鑫; pinyin: Sū Xīn)
Feicui Hu is one of the Four Fearful Warriors of Nightfall, who is in charge of finance and possesses unimaginable wealth. Ji Wuye calls him "Old Hu", which is a nickname of knowing him for a long time. Feicui Hu loves money when he hears about a lost treasure. To the other Fearful Warriors, he speaks with respect. First appearance: Episode 17.
Voice Actress: Zhou Shuai (Chinese: 周帅; pinyin: Zhōu Shuài)
Lady Mingzhu is the Tide Enchantress of the Four Fearful Warriors. She is currently a concubine of the Han Emperor and is also known for being a master of healing. She is older than Beauty Hu and calls her "little sister". First appearance: Episode 38.
Voice Actor: Yu Xiaoxu (Chinese: 虞晓旭; pinyin: Yú Xiǎo Xù)
The Cloaked Man is the leader of the intelligence network and is responsible for monitoring all levels of the court for Ji Wuye. He is the most mysterious one and hides deeply. Whenever he is shown, he is usually fishing on a boat and away from the shore. First appearance: Episode 38.

Qin State

One of the Seven States, which is considered as the strongest one.

Voice Actor: Liu Yijia (Chinese: 刘以嘉; pinyin: Liú Yǐ Jiā)
Li Si is Han Fei's Junior Brother, who studied under the same teacher. Considering himself inferior to Han Fei, Li Si sets off to the Qin State to work for them. First appearance: Episode 1. Finally returns at episode 47.
Voice Actor: Wang Xiaobing (Chinese: 王肖兵; pinyin: Wáng Xiào Bīng)
He is the Prime Minister of Qin, also titled as the Marquis Wenxin. The Emperor of Qin addresses Lü Buwei as his uncle. First appearance: Episode 2.
Voice Actor: Liu Qin (Chinese: 刘钦; pinyin: Liú Qīn)
He the chief swordsman teacher of Qin and is Wei Zhuang's Senior Brother, whom he have not seen in a long time. Ge Nie obtained the Qin Emperor's respect, thus obtaining the title of being the number one Swordsman. He is very calm and observant. First appearance: Episode 50.
The Emperor of Qin, later known to be Qin Shi Huang. He is someone who does not want to die and searches for answers if the fate of mortals are controlled by some kind of power. They say his rule over his state is weak because the Prime Minister's power is stronger. First appearance: Episode 51, but did appear briefly in episode 2.

Remnants of Baiyue

They said Baiyue rebelled against Han and were wiped out 10 years ago. The so-called rebellion in Baiyue was conducted according to the will of the Han Emperor who later sent the Blood Marquess's army together with the state of Chu’s in the name of peacemaking.

Voice Actress: Tao Dian (Chinese: 陶典; pinyin: Táo Diǎn)
She was imprisoned in a tank full of water and appeared to be able to breathe underwater. "Gentle like water and warm like fire" was how they described her. She uses fire to harm others. First appearance: Episode 20.
Voice Actors: Liu Qin (Chinese: 刘钦; pinyin: Liú Qīn)in episode 21. Yu Xiaoxu (Chinese: 虞晓旭; pinyin: Yú Xiǎoxù)in episode 28 and after.
Wushuang Gui doesn't speak. Has massive strength and defense, making him very ruthless. He can even catch a bird flying by without much effort. His first appeared coming to save one of his allies who was imprisoned. First appearance: Episode 21.
Voice Actor: Xu Xiang (Chinese: 徐翔; pinyin: Xú Xiáng)
He is a secret shaman chief, who can turn dead bodies and skeletons into zombies. He could herd all the corpses for a thousand miles. He is skilled in Baiyue's insanity arts. First appearance: Episode 25.
Voice Actor: Wang Xiaobing (Chinese: 王肖兵; pinyin: Wáng Xiào Bīng)
He is the most elderly out of the remnants of Baiyue. He is highly skilled in a type of Baiyue's poison art, one where he can make people see snakes that attack them. First appearance: Episode 26.
Voice Actor: Chen Yu (Chinese: 陈瑀; pinyin: Chén Yǔ)
Tian Ze is the Crown Prince of Baiyue and is specialized in sorcery. He is the Master of the Remnants of Baiyue. Due to his unusual looks, he is also known by Red Eyebrows Dragon Snake and Lord Red Eyebrows. He was imprisoned for 10 years and now he's back to rebuild Baiyue. First appearance: Episode 26.

Slick Octahedron

The Slick Octahedron is Qin's top assassin organization. It is made of eight assassins whose martial arts, appearances, and personalities are all totally different. The targets of the Slick Octahedron are people who must die.

She plays the flute and can dance. First appearance: Episode 52. But her shadow figure was actually seen in episode 50.
A silent man. He wields a sword. First appearance: Episode 50.
He seems to know Ying Zheng very well and is fond of drinking tea. First appearance: Episode 53.
He can control bees. First appearance: Episode 53.
The oldest man who loves real silver and gold. First appearance: Episode 55.
The youngest out of the eight. She is scared of blood and doesn't want to kill anyone. First appearance: Episode 55.
The oldest woman, who is always seen making her medicine. First appearance: Episode 55.
A serious man with a face full of scars. His strength may be rivaled to the Ghost Valley disciples, as wondered by Zhen Hou. First appearance: Episode 55.

Other Characters

He is Han Fei's teacher, living in Sanghai. His full name is Xun Kuang. First appearance: Episode 1.
She works in the Purple Orchid House and stays in the same room as Nong Yu. She is shown cleaning Nong Yu's guqin. First appearance: Episode 9.
Duxie Zi is a clan of assassins and also the name of the leader. Duxie means "Venomous Scorpion." It seems they hold people captive, ready to take them away. If someone wants one of them released, a price must be paid first. First appearance: Episode 14.
He is the leader of the Qi Jue Clan. He acts as the informant to Wei Zhuang, and at the same time, Wei Zhuang helps him. Tang Qi refers him as his boss. First appearance: Episode 13.

Episodes

No. (Episode)     Episode Title
1"Introduction (Part 1) - 序章(上)"
Han Fei tells his teacher, Xun Kuang, about a recurring dream which he can't recall, but in which he always hears a song that lingered in his mind. He decides to return to his home, the Han State and bids his teacher farewell. Before leaving, he tells his Junior 'Brother' Li Si of his plans. The less gifted Li Si decides instead to go to the strongest of the Seven States, Qin. They acknowledge that when they next meet they will be rivals. Along the way, Han Fei manages to consume a fair quantity of alcohol.
2"Introduction (Part 2) - 序章(下)"
An official of the Han State is assassinated by Moya, from Nightfall who then sets the place ablaze. Li Si arrives at the Qin State and immediately makes a bold offer to the Prime Minister to increase his wealth. Meanwhile Han Fei arrives at the Han State, not sure of the welcome he will receive. His younger sister Honglian is the first to welcome him, noting however that the necklace she gave him is missing but he quickly changes the topic. In a flashback Han Fei asks his teacher if there is a power beyond mortals which control fate - his teacher replied there is.
3"Brushing Against the Dragon's Scales (Part 1) - 心之逆鳞"
On a rainy night on the outskirts of Xinzheng City, a convoy escorting provisions and gold for troops at the border encounter a ghost army who take the provisions and the gold dissolves in the rain. Within the Hidden Dragon Room in Xinzheng, wealthy guests meet and exchange gifts. Han Fei leaves with a mysterious box whose contents are unknown, however he manages to solve the puzzle of how to open it. At the Nangong Mansion, the owner is found hanged, with the word "payback" (Chinese: 還; pinyin: Huán) written on the wall. He is the fifth presiding officer to die. General Ji Wuye accuses Prime Minister Zhang Kaidi who is then given 10 days to reveal the culprit. The Prime Minister's grandson, Zhang Liang (Zifang), takes him to the Purple Orchid House run by Zinu, where he meets Han Fei. Although initially insulted by both the location and Han Fei, Zhang is impressed by Han Fei's powers of deduction.
4"Brushing Against the Dragon's Scales (Part 2) - 心之逆鳞"
Han Fei agrees to solve the mystery if he is recommended for the position of Minister of Criminal Justice. Prime Minister Zhang Liang says that he believes Ji Wuye is trying to eliminate his enemies in court and that relatives of the Emperor, Lords An Ping and Long Quan are also suspects. Han Fei takes the case and visits Lords An Ping and Long Quan. He discusses their Dragon Bone with Eight-Treasure Soup which take 18 hours to prepare and then must be consumed while hot. He then questions them about the ghost army attack on the supply convoy in Duan Hun valley and their return that evening to eat the soup. They tell the story of 5,000 Zheng soldiers who were killed in the valley by the Han after surrendering and now want retribution. Han Fei then plays a trick based on the 5 elements theory using Water-Dissolving Gold, and suggests that they knew where and when the attack would happen and the gold carried by the convoy was not real. Back at the Purple Orchid, Han Fei seeks out Wei Zhuang and gives him a message via the puzzle box that had originally come from Wei Zhuang himself. That night, while walking home after drinking heavily, he sees the ghost riders.
5"Dilemma of the Prisoners - 囚徒困境"
Han Fei is attacked by ghostly soldiers but is saved by Zinu with her snake sword Chilian and the ghosts turn into crows and depart. In an arrangement with the Royal Father, Lords An Ping and Long Quan are led to prison and held captive. They are each given a chance to confess and the first to do so would be pardoned. Both apparently suicide before Han Fei arrives, however he discovers evidence that they were in fact poisoned.
6"Stealing from the Tiger - 与虎谋皮"
Before the Royal Father General Ji Wuye and Prime Minister Zhang debate the deaths of Lords An Ping and Long Quan, and decide not to make the events public. However, until the recovery of the gold, Han Fei will not be made Minister of Criminal Justice. Han Fei discusses the case with Wei Zhuang and states that he knows Zinu saw who poisoned the two lords and that it could only have been one of two people, Moya or Baifeng who both serve Ji Wuye. Han Fei then invites Wei Zhuang to visit Ji Wuye with him. When they arrive, they see three women fighting over gold coins, and he proposes a more interesting version of the game where the losers are put to death. Ji Wuye is amused and orders that they play the game.
7"Three Women and a Pile of Gold - 三姬分金"
The three women reluctantly play the game, and all survive with hints from Han Fei, but Ji Wuye stops them from leaving with the gold, saying the strongest will always win. Han Fei says that he knows the lords were poisoned and the location of the gold. Angrily, Ji Wuye draws his sword on Han Fei but Wei Zhuang intercepts it and stops him. At that moment, messengers arrive to invite Han Fei to a feast with the Prime Minister, so Han Fei leaves with Wei Zhuang. Han Fei, Wei Zhuang, Zifang and Zinu spend the evening on a cliff overlooking the city, and later, observe Ji Wuye's heavily laden mounted soldiers leaving his headquarters.
8"Formless Quicksand - 流沙无形"
A soldier reports to Ji Wuye that their troops were attacked by a man in black, and the 100,000 pieces of gold stolen, leaving only 1 coin. A messenger from the Han Emperor is announced, and Ji Wuye gives orders that he is to be killed on his signal. The messenger is Zifang and he brings tidings that General Ji Wuye is to be rewarded; for the capture of Lords An Ping and Long Quan, the memorial ceremony for the deceased of Zheng State and the return of the missing gold. Angrily he accepts the small reward of 1,000 gold coins, cursing Han Fei inwardly for spoiling his plans. Han Fei thanks Wei Zhuang for his help in recovering the gold, but Wei Zhuang wants no part what he sees as power plays in government. Han Fei then offers him Ji Wuye’s position and asks Wei Zhuang to join him in the formation of a formless power to help the Han State rise to power within the world of the Seven States. Wei Zhuang is intrigued, and Han Fei names the group Quicksand. He then takes up the sword Nilin.
9"Gemstone of Raining Fire - 火雨玛瑙"
Han Fei and Wei Zhuang plot to remove Ji Wuye who has the four powerful arms of Nightfall; military, finance, politics and espionage activities. Wei Zhuang suggests Han Fei may underestimate his opposition. The first task in Han Fei's plan is to gather intelligence, meanwhile Ji Wuye formulates his own plans for Han Fei's downfall. In the Purple Orchid, Han Fei, Zifang and Zinu enjoy a musical performance by Nong Yu who wears the fabulous Gemstone of Raining Fire. Their reverie is interrupted by the drunken Left Minister of War, Lord Liu Yi demanding that Nong Yu attend to him.
10"A Walk in the Dark - 暮色夜行"
Zinu asks Wei Zhuang why he has decided to help Han Fei. He thinks back to an earlier conversation with Han Fei in which they discussed their relative positions, including Wei Zhuang's relationship with Ge Nie. Wei Zhuang replies that he's interested to see how Han Fei ends up. On his way home that night Han Fei is confronted by a group of assassins who kill his bodyguards. Suddenly, the assassins are all slain by a mysterious swordsman. When Wei Zhuang arrives on the scene and questions him about the incident, Han Fei says cannot identify their killer or the sword he used that left distinctive marks on their bodies. Back at the Purple Orchid, as a Hong Yu packs up Nong Yu's room she is slain by an unknown swordsman.
11"The Chest of Baiyue - 百越之箱"
The next day, Han Fei inspects the murder scene and deduces that the murderer was not a professional assassin. While there, Zifang arrives with news that the Left Minister of War, Liu Yi, was killed in his own home. Curiously, Ji Wuye has asked that Han Fei, as Minister of Criminal Justice, carry out the investigation. Liu Yi successfully led an army during the Baiyue expedition and received a promotion whereas the Right Minister of War, Li Kai was the commanding general. At Liu Yi's home, Han Fei discovers a hidden chamber behind a bookcase where the actual murder took place containing a chest with Baiyue designs. Before leaving, Han Fei asks Liu Yi's beautiful young wife Lady Hu if she killed her husband.
12"Blood Oath of Death - 死之血誓"
Lady Hu denies that she killed her husband. Han Fei notices her wearing a gemstone of Raining Fire which she says she acquired from an old friend some time ago. On further questioning, and with evidence found in the hidden chamber, Han Fei again asks if Lady Hu killed her husband, but she faints. Although her behavior is suspicious, Han Fei and Zifang do not believe that she is the killer. Wei Zhuang manages to open the Baiyue but it appears to be empty. They suspect that a symbol in the chest signifies a "life and death oath" which may have been broken. Wei Zhuang says he knows someone who may be able to provide clues to the significance of the chest.
13"The Other Side of Time - 彼岸彼时"
Wei Zhuang meets the elderly white-haired Tang Qi on a bridge on the border Duxie Zi territory. He is leader of the Qi Jue Clan and rival to Duxie Zi and his clan who has found an ally in General Ji Wuye. Tang Qi tells Wei Zhuang that he heard that Duxie Zi recently caught someone from Baiyue. He recognizes the Baiyue symbol for the Blood Oath of Death. Meanwhile, Han Fei, Zifang and Honglian attend the Zhao State on Mount Wu and he presents her with the necklace he pawned earlier while travelling. They also encounter a radiant Beauty Hu, younger sister of Lady Hu, and a favourite of Han Fei's father. Wei Zhuang crosses the bridge into Duxie Zi territory alone and is surrounded by Duxie Zi's assassins.
14"Scorpion's Shadow Under the Moon - 月下蝎影"
Wei Zhuang is challenged by a band of Duxie Zi's assassins on the rainy night, but he easily kills them all. At the show on Mount Wu, Han Fei and Honglian meet Fourth Brother Han Yu who was delegated to escort Beauty Hu. Han Fei questions Beauty Hu about her sister, and she says that her sister reacted badly after seeing a strange-looking servant a month ago. Although Fourth Brother investigated, nothing came of it. Wei Zhuang enters the Duxie Zi household and asks for the prisoners to be released to him. Duxie Zi finds Wei Zhuang's request unacceptable and orders him killed.
15"Fragrance of the Poisoned Sword - 剑毒衣香"
Prime Minister Zhang Liang questions Han Fei about progress on the Liu Yi case, but their discussion centers on the power plays within the government. Han Fei is pressed to close the case quickly, but raises the issue of Hong Yu's death in Nong Yu’s room at the Purple Orchid. Meanwhile a tattooed thief wearing a bird mask enters Zinu's room searching for something. In the streets, Fourth Brother Han Yu warns Zifang to be careful and they see the Snow Fort army of Bai Yifei the Blood Marquess, who have recently returned from an expedition. At the Duxie Zi household, Wei Zhuang slaughters Duxie Zi's men but is caught in a poisonous fog.
16"Pure White Blood Marquess - 皑皑血衣"
Even though he is affected by the poisonous fog, Wei Zhuang manages to defeat Duxie Zi and questions him about the attack on Han Fei. Duxie Zi says it was done by outsiders and he only offered support under the orders of Wujiu of Nightfall. When Duxie Zi tries a surprise attack, Wei Zhuang kills him with his own weapon. In the dungeon, Wei Zhuang finds a man in chains that he remembers seeing earlier in the city. He recalls his conversation with Tang Qi about a rumored treasure from Raining Fire Manor in Baiyue, which contained a mine for Raining Fire gemstones. The lord was generous, but bandits called the Three Hairless Wolves robbed the manor, killing all the inhabitants. They divided the gold equally and swore a Blood Oath of Death, however they all died violently in the mountains. Later, Tang Qi was among the Han army led by Bai Yifei, the master of Snow Fort, who were dispatched to assist Baiyue to quell rebels. However the treasure was never found. Meanwhile Zinu severely wounds the intruder wearing a bird mask who entered her room.
17"Murderous Ink in the Dungeon - 烈狱墨杀"
Zinu recognizes the intruder in her room as Wujiu, and as the assassin who killed Liu Yi and Hong Yu. She presumes that he is not acting on the orders of his master General Ji Wuye. Han Fei walks in and the room suddenly comes under fire from a volley of arrows. Zinu intercepts the arrows, saving Han Fei, but she is unable to stop them all. In Duxie Zi's dungeon, Wei Zhuang is attacked by Moya who sets the cell fire, but Wei Zhuang manages to escape. Meanwhile General Ji Wuye entertains Feicui Hu (Emerald Tiger) and they discuss the Tide Enchantress.
18"Endangered Capital - 危城凶局"
Bai Yifei, the Blood Marquess, arrives unannounced at Ji Wuye's house, and joins the discussion about the influence of Han Yu, but Ji Wuye is more concerned about the appearance of Li Kai and his murder of Liu Yi. Wei Zhuang escapes from the fiery cell with the prisoner and advises Moya to warn his master, Ji Wuye. Moya attacks Wei Zhuang who is too strong and fast, and although wounded, Moya manages to escape as the house bursts into flames. The blazing house of Duxie Zi does not go unnoticed. Wei Zhuang arrives at the Purple Orchid to find that Zinu and Han Fei survived the volleys of arrows, although Han Fei took an arrow in the arm to save Zinu, and Wujiu escaped. Outside, Tang Qi tells Wei Zhuang his men found 8 unidentified archers dead, and that Feicui Hu is sending a gift to the capital by carriage. Wei Zhuang tells Tang Qi that it's now safe to cross the bridge.
19"Dying Ember in Fire - 余烬死火"
Han Fei identifies the prisoner rescued from Duxie Zi as the Right Minister of War, Li Kai. He asks him about the daughters of the Master of Raining Fire in Baiyue; one became a concubine of the Emperor, the other, whom he loved and gave a Raining Fire gemstone, married Liu Yi. At Ji Wuye's house, Feicui Hu reveals that Liu Yi conspired with the Three Hairless Wolves to steal the Raining Fire treasure, then had them killed and took it himself. However one of the three survived He is the intruder who is now searching for the treasure and who killed Liu Yi and Hong Yu. A flashback shows how Liu Yi betrayed Li Kai at the battle in Baiyue years ago and left him for dead.
20"Confined Behind Bars and Underwater - 池鱼笼鸟"
Li Kai tells Han Fei and his friends of how he arrived at Liu Yi's house that night to find him dead. He could not catch the murderer that Liu Yi's wife saw him. Han Fei deduces that the killer must be Wujiu acting on his own behalf and not for his master Duxie Zi, but that he did not find the treasure. Zinu races to Liu Yi's house where she finds Wujiu threatening Lady Hu, demanding the treasure. Zinu confronts Wujiu who attacks her, but then takes Lady Hu hostage. Wei Zhuang arrives to break the deadlock, disabling Wujiu, but he fights on and Wei Zhuang kills him. Meanwhile in a deep dungeon a Lord is taken into a special chamber where he is shown a woman imprisoned underwater in a huge tank made from Millennium Crystal.
21"Burning Heart of Yanling - 焰灵焚心"
Ji Wuye tells the Emperor that remnants of the Baiyue are rebelling and using witchcraft, setting a blaze of fire in the city against which, water was ineffective. He also says that Li Kai is involved in the insurrection, and that Han Fei has stirred up issues from the past. The Emperor orders him to resolve the chaos and use Bai Yifei to reinforce the defenses, leaving Ji Wuye very pleased. Han Fei takes Lady Hu to stay with her sister Beauty Hu in the palace for protection. Beauty Hu promises her support for him with the Emperor, however Han Fei is confined to his quarters on orders of the Emperor. Zifang delivers a gift from Han Fei to Fourth Son signifying his support for the prince. Fourth Son places the condition that Zifang also helps him with another matter. Meanwhile in the deep dungeon, Wushuang Gui, a huge warrior breaks in, killing all the guards and freeing Yanling Ji, the woman imprisoned in the tank. She kills the Lord with fire and as they leave, she sets the prison ablaze.
22"Bloody Forbidden Area - 血色禁区"
When Zifang declares loyalty to Han Fei, Fourth Son initially declines to support his younger brother, but Zifang convinces him to agree. Meanwhile, Han Yu tries to moderate the Emperor's frustration with Ninth Son, Han Fei, who essentially has uncovered the Emperor's destruction of Baiyue in the past by using the Blood Marquess to further his own ambitions. Wei Zhuang muses on recent events with Han Fei, including the prison break and fire on the outskirts of the city and people and events that should be dead or forgotten. Suddenly, Honglian arrives with some wine for Han Fei confined to the Cold Palace, a place for discarded concubines. Her access is only achieved because Wei Zhuang took care of the guards, and she is intrigued about this mysterious strong friend of Han Fei.
23"Under a Collapsing Wall - 危墙之下"
The Emperor is bewildered be a group of people gathered outside the palace. Fourth Brother explains that they are former Baiyue slaves, grateful for shelter from the Chu, but Ji Wuye says they are of no use to the Han. The prime Minister recommends that they stay, and the Emperor accedes, however he is still angry at Ninth Son for acting without his approval. In an audience with the Emperor, Han Fei is given some credit for his actions, but is told that he must deal with Li Kai. In a later discussion with Fourth Brother, Han Fei is reminded of the risky path he has chosen in pursuing the Liu Yi case. Then, Fourth Brother receives a message that Li Kai has been found and surrounded by his men. He asks Han Fei to kill him but he declines. However, as Minister of Criminal Justice Han Fei must enforce the law.
24"The Wind Leaves no Trace - 风过无痕"
Li Kai is trapped high on a building and about to be executed by a volley of arrows, but he decides to fall to his death rather than the Han army have his blood on their arrows. Over the body, Fourth Brother happily declares the case closed. Meanwhile, Ji Wuye commands that the body be confirmed and Wujiu eliminated. Zinu tries to comfort Lady Wu and reveals that Nong Yu is her long-lost daughter, confirmed by her gemstone of Raining Fire and they are tearfully reunited. In the cemetery, Li Kai wakes up, surprised to be alive, his life saved by Zinu and Wei Zhuang who switched bodies as he fell from the rooftop. Li Kai kowtows three times to Han Fei in gratitude for saving his life and the subterfuge of his death as it insulates his former wife and daughter from the dangers of being associated with him. Han Fei presents Lady Wu and Nong Yu with Li Kai's sword vowing that he will not be forgotten, not revealing that he is still alive.
25"Hundreds of Ghosts in the Night - 百鬼夜行"
Moya and Baifeng watch a ghostly procession in the night of figures carrying Qu Shimo, a demon-like figure on a palanquin. Ji Wuye's men dig up Li Kai's grave and realize that it is not his body, but that of Wujiu. As they turn to leave, a zombie-like Wujiu appears and kills them both. Qu Shimo alights from the palanquin, takes control of the Wujiu zombie. He then raises the dead from their graves within the cemetery and they advance on Moya and Baifeng. Rather than stay and fight, they report the sighting to General Ji Wuye and tell him the body in the grave was that of Wujiu who is now a zombie. The Blood Marquess says the word in Baiyeu and Chu is that someone can control corpses, Qu Shimo. In the Cold Palace, a female assassin enters Han Fei's quarters and attacks him, but she is intercepted by Wei Zhuang.
26"Sand Accumulates to Form a Tower - 聚沙成塔"
The old Baiyue shaman, Bai Duwang approaches at the Baiyue refugee camp set up by the Han Emperor, and releases magic snakes. Then the Crown Prince of Baiyue, Tain Ze arrives saying they do not deserve to be part of the new Baiyue and mercilessly kills them all. Meanwhile Wei Zhuang disarms the sword-wielding assassin in Han Fei's quarters with only one hand. She is revealed to be Nong Yu who wants to join Quicksand and take revenge on Ji Wuye. Impressed by her conviction, Han Fei agrees to give here a trial. The next day, Han Fei and Zifang sadly inspect the dead Baiyue people at the decimated Baiyue refugee camp.
27"The Charm of Wildfire - 磷火之魅"
When Han Fei and Zifang investigate the bodies at the Baiyue refugee camp, they deduce that they were killed with a violent poison, and most probably from the Baiyue themselves who have a reputation for skills with poison and mind control. In the palace, before the Emperor, Ji Wuye attributes the lapse in security to Han Fei. Suddenly Yanling Ji appears in the room and asks if the Emperor remembers Red Eyebrows Dragon Snake. With little effort, she takes care of the Imperial Guards who attack her and she leaves. At the same time , Wushuang Gui assaults the home of the Crown Prince who is now missing. Ji Wuye seeks to attribute the chaos to Han Fei, but the Prime Minister suggests that the General is also at fault. Fourth Brother suggests negotiating with the Baiyue until they can formulate a plan to defeat them, and that Ji Wuye and Han Fei must work together to achieve it. The Emperor agrees, and Han Fei is placed in charge, but he is also given the responsibility of safely retrieving the Crown Prince.
28"Red Eyebrows Dragon Snake - 赤眉龙蛇"
Wushuang Gui is shown attacking the Crown Prince's Home wielding a stone column, against whom the Han troops are completely ineffective, leaving the Crown Prince alone. When reinforcements arrive Qu Shimo uses his mind control powers to destroy them and the fearful Crown Prince begs for his life. Fourth Son assigns Han Qiancheng to assist Han Fei retrieve the Crown Prince, thus removing himself from the action and heaping more responsibility for the outcome on Han Fei.
29"Pulling Chestnuts out of the Fire - 火中取栗"
Zifang's research of past records shows a blank period during the battle with the Baiyue suggesting a deliberate intention to conceal the events. He reports that the Crown Prince of Baiyue, Tian Ze, also named Red Eyebrows Dragon Snake, was a powerful sorcerer and attracted agents with exotic talents. He apparently disappeared when the Han and Chu subdued the Baiyue. Zinu surmises that he was held prisoner within the city raising the question of who was his captor, and also his liberator. A masked figure who can control cold and ice approaches the house of the Crown Prince and encounters Yanling Ji. As Tian Ze appears, he is told that his masters still control him, and that his revenge should be confined to their agreement. The masked figure leaves behind a small bottle as a sign of a shackle that cannot be broken between them. Later, General Ji Wuye's troops surround the home of the Crown Prince and he also sends Moya to help Han Fei with the rescue.
30"Luring the Enemy by Showing Weakness - 示弱引虚"
Outside the home of the Crown Prince, there is an uneasy alliance between the Han forces. Moya comments to Wei Zhuang and that Tang Qi has expanded his power since the Qi Jue Clan took over the Duxie territory. Inside, the Crown Prince fearfully awaits his fate. Surveillance shows that the house is defended by three subordinates: Bai Duwang, Yanling Ji and Wushuang Gui. There is no sign of Tian Ze or Qu Shimo, but Wei Zhuang warns that they could be trying to lure the enemy by showing weakness and there could be hidden dangers as only three of the four gates appear to be defended. Moya and Wei Zhuang gain entry and meet Wushuang Gui. Wei Zhuang attacks and finds the huge Baiyue fighter a formidable foe, meanwhile outside, a suspicious group of troops join the defensive perimeter.
31"Driving Ghosts to Devour the Mind - 驱鬼噬心"
Waiting outside the home of the Crown Prince, Han Fei apparently gets bored and heads off to get more wine, much to the concern of Han Qiancheng. Inside the walls, Wei Zhuang finds Wushuang Gui almost invulnerable, but by attacking the same point many times, he manages to cripple the huge Baiyue fighter. Also inside, Moya approaches the Crown Prince and is apparently attacked by snakes, however he realizes that he is being targeted by Bai Duwang's poison magic. Elsewhere, Tian Ze and Qu Shimo try to extract information from the zombie Wujiu who can only say the words "Liu Yi" and "Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon". Tian Ze states that the blood debts of the Ghost Army of the Zheng State will soon be settled. Meanwhile in the palace, Honglian detects someone heading towards the Cold Palace and Han Fei secretly meets with Zinu.
32"Asking the Weight of the Tripods - 王权问鼎"
Han Fei tells Zinu that the Cold Palace was the former imperial palace of Duke Zhuang in the prosperous Zheng State. His rise in power marked the beginning of a chaotic era, and challenging the old order by asking the weight of the legendary and symbolic Nine Tripod Cauldrons. Han Fei says this to Zinu by way of trying to understand Tian Ze's motives, that maybe his target is not really the Crown Prince, but the Emperor in the Imperial Palace, the Cold Palace lying between the two locations. Just as Zinu is becoming bored with the history lesson, Tian Ze appears, and Han Fei provocatively asks if he is after revenge or the treasure. Suddenly Qu Shimo attacks Han Fei from behind, but he is foiled by Zinu with her snake sword Chilian. Han troops then arrive, part of a contingency plan arranged earlier by Han Fei. However they are ineffective against Baiyue magic, presenting a dire situation for the Ninth Son, Han Fei and his ally, Zinu.
33"Sealed Nilin in the Cold Palace - 宫冷锁鳞"
As Tian Ze and Qu Shimo use their sorcery to defeat the Han troops, a mysterious white-haired figure appears who is the embodiment of the broken sword Nilin. He neutralizes the efforts of the two Baiyue warriors and Tian Ze fights back. Tian Ze battles Nilin which has the ability to shatter and reform at will, but Tian Ze eventually gains the upper hand although his body suffers the effects of the attacks. Tian Ze re-animates the dead Han soldiers who again attack Han Fei and Zinu, but Wei Zhuang appears at the last moment and saves them. Wei Zhuang questions if Han Fei's battle plan is to rely on Wei Zhuang to repeatedly save him. At that moment Honglian appears and as she greets Han Fei, she is shrouded in green mist by Qu Shimo and captured by Tian Ze.
34"Honglian Burning in Fire - 业火红莲"
Wei Zhuang tells Han Fei that Tian Ze used sorcery to interrogate the resurrected Wujiu during which he mentioned the astrological technique of the Yin-Yang School, "Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon". Zinu says that Tian Ze is after the Raining Fire Gemstone treasure, and that Ji Wuye's Nightfall group is tracking it down. Wei Zhuang surmises that Tian Ze’s motives may be different to those of Wujiu and Liu Yi. When Han Fei arrives at the palace, he is prevented from entering by Prime Minister Zhang Liang who says that the Han Empire is facing a storm of blood and terror and that Han Fei is at the centre. Meanwhile Feicui Hu and General Ji Wuye are gambling together in the palace, Wei Zhuang asks Tang Qi to trace the owner of a bracelet he found, Bai Yifei decides to go horse-riding, and Honglian awakes in a prison watched by Qu Shimo.
35"Trouble Brewing Within the Household - 萧墙云变"
Han Fei's Quicksand debate the increasing power and influence of Ji Wuye and the Nightfall group and the possibility that the abduction of the Crown Prince may have just been part of a bigger plot to seize power by competing factions. Han Fei decides that since he has been cast in a pivotal role, he will try to determine the outcome. Zifang visits the Fourth Prince and shows him a broken halberd, signifying "winner take all", suggesting his position may be under threat. When the Fourth Prince rushes to the palace he finds Ji Wuye in charge. Continuing their speculation, Wei Zhuang and Zinu conclude that the Emperor and Crown Prince may be in danger. Meanwhile Bai Yifei goes to meet a mysterious stranger on the lake and Honglian is visited by Yanling Ji in her prison cell.
36"Stay Still if Startled - 止静若惊"
The Fourth Prince and Ji Wuye discuss recent events and the risks to the Emperor. The Fourth Prince warns Ji Wuye of the risks of gambling for high stakes. Honglian attacks Yanling Ji in her cell, but is not strong enough. Tian Ze comes in to tell Yanling Ji to stop playing and he teaches Honglian the meaning of her name, that the red lotus is a flower of vengeance. Meanwhile Wei Zhuang frees Wushuang Gui from prison.
37"Phantom Murderer - 幻杀惑影"
Still trying to rescue the Crown Prince, Moya endlessly battles imaginary wraiths created by Bai Duwang's poison. At the palace, the Fourth Prince and Prime Minister Zhang question Ji Wuye about how his troops arrived in force only after Tian Ze had left. Meanwhile at the home of the Crown Prince, Han Qiancheng kills the zombie guards and sends a signal for the Han troops to enter. Han Fei meets up with the Fourth Prince, Prime Minister Zhang and Ji Wuye to discuss the current situation. With the Emperor absent from imperial court and the Crown Prince captured, he proposes a temporary head of state be nominated. They agree, and appoint the Fourth Prince, much to Ji Wuye's displeasure. Moya eventually manages to resist Bai Duwang's poison and conquer his fears, striking back at Bai Duwang and wounding him. However Moya is still too weak to continue and sends Baifeng to stop Bai Duwang and rescue the Crown Prince.
38"The Pearl Hangs in the Dark - 明珠垂暗"
Zinu sends Nong Yu to the palace to report on what is happening. Meanwhile Baifeng encounters the archer Han Qiancheng, trying to kill the Crown Prince whom Baifeng only just manages to save from a deadly volley of arrows, and then meets up with Moya. Zinu tells Zifang that Han Fei's plans have prevented both the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince from ascending the throne. Also, that the Emperor may have withdrawn from state affairs because of the activities of Nightfall and the Four Fearful Warriors. Beauty Hu and Nong Yu try to enter the palace, but are turned back by Lady Mingzhu. Bai Yifei's informant tells him that in Xianyang, Li Si has met with Zheng Guo a friend of Han Fei. He does not know the whereabouts of Honglian, but says that Tian Ze may be plotting his own strategy, greater that just knowing the secret of the Raining Fire Manor. Meanwhile Han Fei, along with Zifang, examines the ruins of the Cold Palace and deduces that Tian Ze's purpose was to obtain information from the library about the Gemstone of Raining Fire, Ghost Army Blocking the Road and Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon to further his desire for the restoration of his land.
39"Lotus in a Poisonous Pit - 万蠱池莲"
Wei Zhuang confronts the Baiyue, Wushuang Gui, Qu Shimo, Bai Duwang and Yanling Ji who have Honglian as their hostage, then Tian Ze appears. After Wei Zhuang appears to insult Honglian, she no longer wants to be rescued, but Tian Ze gives him a small intricately carved medicine bottle as he turns to leave. Meanwhile Han Fei tells Zifang that he doesn't believe that Tian Ze found what he was looking for in the Cold Palace and decides to arrange a meeting with Tian Ze. meanwhile, the Fourth Prince becomes more suspicious of Ji Wuye's motives and loyalties. Han Fei's group examine the carved medicine bottle, and deduce it indicates a connection between the palace and the Baiyue. Zinu suggests that if the bottle came from the palace, they could ask Nong Yu to investigate. Honglian is returned to her prison which now is filled with deadly snakes.
40"A Gap Between the Teeth - 唇齿之隙"
In her prison cell, Honglian is surrounded by snakes, but a hornless dragon snake appears to take control. At the palace, although the Emperor is reportedly not eating, the cooked fish prepared for him by Beauty Hu is returned with its eye missing, the part he likes. The Fourth Prince asks Qiancheng to work with Ji Wuye even though he does not trust the general, but hopes that it may protect the Royal Father from the Baiyue and Nightfall. Meanwhile Ji Wuye tells Feicui Hu that he's been offered Honglian by the Fourth Prince, however Feicui Hu counsels against it and suggests that he support the Crown Prince instead. Moya reports to Ji Wuye that Bai Duwang has transferred the Crown Prince and that there is a possibility that Han Qiancheng may assassinate him. Back in the prison cell, as Honglian is confronted by the hornless dragon snake, a crimson king snake appears to defend her.
41"A Lotus Born Unbreakable - 莲生无间"
Using the pretext of delivering cakes, Zifang and Beauty Hu manage to pass the carved medicine bottle to Nong Yu under the watchful eyes of Lady Mingzhu. In Honglian's prison cell, the crimson king snake attacks the hornless dragon snake and after a vicious struggle, the crimson king snake emerges victorious. Meanwhile Nong Yu enters the Royal Incense Room searching for the familiar scent she detects in the carved medicine bottle and finds it, however while there, she witnesses a meeting between Lady Mingzhu and Bai Yifei whom she calls cousin.
42"Snow-White Clothes like Blood - 雪衣如血"
Bai Duwang enters Honlian's cell, explaining that there are hundreds of poisonous snakes in the Poisonous Pit who feed on each other, absorbing each other's poison, becoming more toxic and leaving the venomous snakes victorious. Surprisingly as Honglian laments about her situation, the crimson king snake consoles her. She then climbs to a high window to help it escape, but the window is protected by a realgar. She wipes it away, and the snake escapes. As Tang Qi and Wei Zhuang watch Bai Yifei arrest some smiths, presumably for refining utensils for the legendary venomous insects, Tang Qi tells Wei Zhuang that although Bai Yifei made his name in the war with Baiyue, but there is a dark side to him. Meanwhile Bai Yifei and Lady Mingzhu exchange information and potions in the Royal Incense Room. He tells her that General Ji Wuye has been collaborating with the Fourth Prince more closely than before and both desire the throne. This is all overheard by Nong Yu, however as she leaves she suddenly realizes that she has been detected by Bai Yifei.
43"Cold Jade, Frozen Lotus - 玉冷莲霜"
Han Fei tells the Fourth Prince and General Ji Wuye that he will support them should anything happen to the Crown Prince. Also that Tian Ze's actions are unpredictable, since being freed from the chains and the technique of the legendary venomous insects that restricted him for so long. Han Fei reveals that he learned this from the carved medicine bottle he obtained from Tian Ze, who will be seeking revenge. In the palace, Bai Yifei now has Nong Yu and the bottle, but Nong Yu manages to convince him that she is working for Tian Ze and that she knows that Bai Yifei was his captor. Meanwhile, Bai Duwang returns to Honglian's cell to kill the crimson king snake. He angrily attacks Honglian for releasing it, but the snake suddenly attacks him to defend her. When he tries to kill the snake Honglian stops him, but the dying snake gives her a small glowing crimson ball. Believing it to be poison, she takes it, but instead of dying she survives, and all the snakes become her servants.
44"Bloodsucking Spirit Butterflies - 饮血灵蝶"
Nong Yu frees herself from her shackles and manages to exit Bai Yifei's chambers while Bai Yifei relays his concerns about Tian Ze to Ji Wuye. Nong Yu then finds herself in an underground tunnel where she finds a woman being slowly drained by red bloodsucking Spirit Butterflies, the fluid being used to produce the "fear" that the Blood Marquess prepared from Baiyue. She steals a chrysalis and the butterflies attack her, cutting her with their razor-sharp wings, but she manages to escape into the streets where she is rescued by the Qi Jue Clan. Han Fei then presents the chrysalis to Tian Ze, offering him the key to freeing himself from his captor, although Tian Ze is reluctant to trust the Ninth Prince.
45"The Plan Under the Dark Moon - 晦朔相谋"
Han Fei wants both the Crown Prince and Honglian in exchange for the chrysalis but Tian Ze says it's not enough and he is forced to choose one. Han Fei chooses the Crown Prince but then says he wants Honglian as well. Wei Zhuang takes Honglian from Yanling Ji, while Tian Ze suddenly comes under attack from Bai Yifei using his icy crystals. Meanwhile Wei Zhuang is attacked by Yanling Ji, Bai Duwang, Wushuang Gui and Qu Shimo. He uses both his sword and combat skills to deflect and thwart their attacks, then reminds them that he is not their real enemy. The Baiyue fighters then go to the aid of Tian Ze who is still under attack from Bai Yifei. From a distance Han Fei sees the magnitude of the battle and is concerned about Honglian, but Zifang reassures him that Wei Zhuang's promises will never be broken.
46"Love is Born with Poison - 情毒相生"
Wei Zhuang leaves with Honglian, curtly telling her to return to Xinzheng, but instead she follows him. She finds him suffering from a poisonous wound by Bai Duwang and she draws out the poison, but surprisingly he immobilizes her using her pressure points. After a snake approaches her and leaves, he softens a little towards her, but he ignores her pleas to unlock her acupoints. Later a carriage arrives and the attendants unlock Honglian's acupoints and return with her. Meanwhile, as Han Fei and Zifang prepare to return to the palace with the Crown Prince, they see Bai Yifei returning with Yanling Ji as his captive. Honglian arrives back at the palace, angry at what she considers Wei Zhuang's rude behavior, however she decides to forgive him.
47"The Forest Stops the Wind - 林止风动"
The Han Emperor is pleased at the return of Crown Prince and Honglian, giving credit to both General Ji and Han Fei although the Fourth Prince assigns all credit to the Ninth Prince, Han Fei. Wei Zhuang agrees to meet Honglian in the Cold Palace to teach her martial arts. On his way home, the Crown Prince's carriage falls off a bridge into the water and he drowns in what is made to look like and accident. General Ji is furious as he believes this is the work of the Fourth Prince, Han Yu. Meanwhile, the Han Prime Minister goes to meet the envoy of the Qin Emperor, but finds the envoy murdered by Tian Ze. Shortly thereafter, Qin troops appear, massed outside the Han Palace. Meanwhile, while visiting the body of the Qin envoy, Han Fei and Zifang are greeted by a new envoy at Xinzheng, Li Si.
48"Slick Octahedron - 八面玲珑"
Li Si reminds Han Fei that in the coming negotiations that he will not show any mercy just because they are fellow disciples. Li Si meets the Han Emperor and mentions the lack of respect shown to the Qin over the murdered envoy. General Ji promises to capture the culprit, but Li Si expresses doubt in his ability to do so and offers to use the Qin army waiting outside the gates. Bai Yifei however rejects the offer and insists the Han will deal with the problem, suggesting that if the Han and Qin are engaged in conflict, only the Chu will benefit. Li Si suggests that the Han Emperor accompany the body to Xianyang as a gesture of sincerity however Prime Minister Zhang considers it inappropriate. Han Fei defuses the impasse with some carefully chosen words, but Li Si counters with the proposal that the Han cedes the area of the assassination to the Qin. Han Fei then proposes that if he can solve the case with 10 days or less, the amount of ceded land would be proportional to the time elapsed. Meanwhile Wei Zhuang and Tang Qi learn that eight Qin assassins known as the Slick Octahedron have also crossed into the Han state. Later, Bai Yifei foils an attempt by Yanling Ji to escape from prison.
49"Unwon Victory - 不胜之胜"
The Fourth Prince suggests that Han Fei took a big risk with his proposal to Li Si, but Han Fei shows his skill in a game with coins called "Unwon Victory" where the player in the weaker position can use the opponent's greed to defeat them. He suggests that the power of the Qin Prime Minister is strong, whereas that of the ruler is weak. In the Cold Palace Wei Zhuang gives Honglian her first lesson martial arts, trust no-one, stay on guard and never relax. Meanwhile Bai Yifei uses frightening visions from Yanling Ji's past to break her will and hoping she would reveal the location of her master, Tian Ze.
50"Sword Art in the Heavenly Hinge - 问剑天枢"
Wei Zhuang and Tang Qi find four men of the Qi Jue Clan killed by a single assassin, leaving one survivor who was in hiding. Tang Qi decides to lays a trap with Wei Zhuang as bait to catch the swordsman. That night, the surviving Qi Jue Clan member overhears the assassins talking with the woman Li Wu, but he is easily detected and killed. Meanwhile as Wei Zhuang walks the dark lane-ways, he is ambushed by four swordsmen, but he quickly dispatches them. Later he encounters another swordsmen at a place referred to as the Heavenly Hinge, the only place in Xinzheng that is both offensive and defensive. They are evenly matched and they fight to a standstill, the swordsman revealed as Wei Zhuang's Senior Brother.
51"A Leaf Falls, Autumn Begins - 一叶知秋"
Wei Zhuang introduces his Senior Brother, Ge Nie, to Han Fei who had already deduced who he was. After an awkward introduction, Han Fei impresses the skeptical Ge Nie with his wisdom and understanding of politics and power. Later, in a small, secluded garden Han Fei meets a man wearing white robes and a mask. They have a philosophical discussion about the existence of a power beyond mortals which controls their fates. Then, Han Fei pays his respects to the Emperor of Qin, Ying Zheng, who then removes his mask.
52"Walking Beside the Abyss - 临渊而行"
General Ji declares a curfew in Xinzheng while Wei Zhuang and Ge Nie speculate on the purpose of presence of the Slick Octahedron. Meanwhile, in the garden, Han Fei cautions Ying Zheng on the dangers of travelling to Xinzheng and in return, Ying Zheng refers to the section in Han Fei's essay referring to the dangers of officials with too much influence. That night, two carriages leave the house where Han Fei met Ying Zheng and are stopped and searched by General Ji's men, however they find no sign of their quarry, the Emperor of Qin. At the same time, General Ji meets Ge Nie and asks him to surrender his sword for safety.
53"Dreamy Past - 如梦如昔"
Tian Ze and Wushuang appear to break into Bai Yifei's prison and free Yanling Ji. General Ji finds Li Si in Ge Nie's carriage, but he allows them to pass. On the rooftops, the Slick Octahedron observes Wei Zhuang and Ying Zheng, who are disguised as a Han soldiers. Zhen Hou of the Slick Octahedron discuss Ying Zheng's fighting style which involves his unusually long sword. At the Cold Palace, Tian Ze tells Yanling Ji that he suspects that the treasure of Baiyue and key to the Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon are both located there; the location of an old imperial palace that belonged to the former overlord, Duke Zhuang of Zheng. Suddenly Yanling Ji slaps Tian Ze, realizing that he is in fact Bai Yifei in disguise and the situation is a illusion created by Lady Mingzhu. Meanwhile, Ge Nie, Ying Zheng, Wei Zhuang, Zinü and Han Fei meet at the Purple Orchid House, but Zinü detects that they are being watched by the surveillance bees of Xun Feng of the Slick Octahedron. She kills the bees, however when they do not return, Xun Feng deduces the location of Ying Zheng.
54"Killing Four Birds with One Stone - 一石四鸟"
Li Si tells the Han Emperor that the 5 of the 10 days to capture the Qin envoy's murderer, and threatens to call in the waiting Qin troops to assist. However Han Fei says that General Ji has already captured the killer, much to Ji's surprise. Han Fei names Bai Yifei's Baiyue prisoner Yanling Ji as the culprit, placing Ji in a compromising position, where he must hand her over to the Qin. Thus, Bai Yifei, General Ji and Li Si are all cleverly manipulated by Han Fei into accepting his solution to avoid apparent failures in fulfilling their appointed roles. Later, Han Fei again meets Ying Zheng who compliments him on his talents; fending off the Great Qin army with wisdom instead of might, snatching Yanling Ji from Nightfall with tricks instead of force, making friends with the Qin envoy without adulation and turning Tian Ze into an ally of Quicksand without concession.
55"To Abandon is to Attack - 弃子造劫"
The Han Emperor calls for Yanling Ji to be brought to the palace while the Slick Octahedron plan their next move to assassinate Ying Zheng. As Han Fei analyses the current situation, he suggests that the threat to Ying Zheng may come from within the Qin Empire. They also realize that Ying Zheng's habit of holding a longsword was how the Slick Octahedron eventually discovered them. Meanwhile, Bai Yifei delivers Yanling Ji to Li Si as requested, supervised by Ge Nie.
56"Dance on the Palm of the Hand - 掌中迷舞"
Han Fei is entertained by Yanling Ji. Later, he inspects the former hideout of the Slick Octahedron and finds a rotten apple, left to disguise the scent of tea preferred by Chengjiao, which they later found out. Meanwhile General Ji and Bai Yifei plot the removal of Han Fei at the Purple Orchid House with the assistance of the Slick Octahedron. At the Purple Orchid House, Zifang and Han Fei discusses with Ying Zheng that his younger brother, Chengjiao, may have something to do with the Slick Octahedron because of a certain tea Chengjiao loved. Then the Ghost Valley people, Wei Zhuang and Ge Nie, detect the presence of their enemies, but at that moment Han Fei is summoned to the palace. Suspecting a trap, Han Fei nevertheless enters a waiting carriage and is taken away.
57"The Night of Fire - 夜火之夜"
Tang Qi is told of incidents at east and west streets targeting the Qi Jue Clan and sends reinforcements, but it's a ploy by Moya to wipe out the clan. Meanwhile, Li Si and Ge Nie's carriage is stopped at the palace gates by General Ji's troops and told that they are to be escorted to the embassy. While investigating the attack on the Qi Jue Clan Wei Zhuang encounters Moya. Meanwhile, as Han Fei is taken by carriage to the palace alone, he thinks back to his encounter with Lady Mingzhu and her dance as beautiful young woman and her attempt to extract information from him and her queries about why he has the Nilin Sword. Han Fei then realizes that his carriage is taking a different route and not directly to the palace. At the Purple Orchid House, Chengjiao appears, while in the streets, Wei Zhuang prepares to fight Moya and his assassins on the rooftops.
58"Spying Shadow Cai Die - 蝶影之谍"
With Wei Zhuang missing, the Qi Jue Clan out of action and Han Fei called away to the palace, Zinu calculates that Ying Zheng in the Purple Orchid House is Nightfall's real target. Zifang suggests that they empty the Purple Orchid House of guests, but Chengjiao secretly meets Cai Die inside. At the palace gates, Fourth Brother insists that General Ji's troops allow Li Si and Ge Nie to enter. The troops refuse, so to defuse the tense situation, Fourth Brother invites Li Si to his house. Meanwhile General Ji arrives at the Purple Orchid House and is surprisingly greeted by Cai Die who shares a secret with him and he departs. However, Zinu and Zifang find the real Cai Die dead in her room, and suspect the Slick Octahedron have entered the premises. Elsewnere, Han Fei is led into a room in a small annex and told to wait. Moya's assassins attack Wei Zhuang who easily defeats them, until Beifang attacks and matches Wei Zhuang in skill and speed. Meanwhile, the Slick Octahedron infiltrate the Purple Orchid House. In the annex room, Han Fei slides open a door and is shocked to see Lady Mingzhu.
59"Alive in Deadlock - 生逢死局"
Han Fei realizes that he is in Lady Mingzhu's chambers and has fallen into a trap. Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince entertains Li Si at his home, and at the Purple Orchid House, Chengjiao, backed by the Slick Octahedron, demands that Ying Zheng be handed over. On the rooftops, Wei Zhuang is still fully occupied fighting Beifang and Moya. As the Han King is about to enter Lady Mingzhu's chambers, Honglian intercepts him and draws him away, saving Han Fei the acute embarrassment of being found inside. At the Purple Orchid House Zifang asserts that he has documentation that Chengjiao is dead, and the man before him is an impostor. Exposed, the impostor again demands that Zifang hands over Ying Zheng, but Nong Yu (as Zinu) says that he has fallen into their trap instead.
60"Sound of Silence - 万籁俱寂"
As Lady Mingzhu threatens Han Fei, the spirit of the Nilin Sword appears and stops her. Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince continues to delay Li Si at his home while Zifang and Nong Yu confront the members of the Slick Octahedron alone. Later, Ge Nie is able to safely leave with Li Si. Moya and his assassins along with Beifang make a final assault on Wei Zhuang, but he defeats them. Zifang asserts that three people were involved in the death of Chengjiao, General Bi from Qin, who was defending Tunliu, Li Wu, the dancer at Chengjiao's side and Xun Feng and Qian Sha, an assassin who had two faces, and he states that the Slick Octahedron consists of one person. Han Fei bids farewell to Ying Zheng, warning him that dangers lurk with the Qin Empire. Ying Zheng suggests to Han Fei that together they the Qin and Han could rule 99% of the world, a world ruled by law and enlightened by Confucianism, but Han Fei does not accept. Wei Zhuang returns to the Purple Orchid House and Goujian, King of Yue, turns out to be the true executor in the Slick Octahedron, who wields with the Black and White Xuan Jian swords. They begin to cross swords, however they are interrupted by Yanling Ji who prepares to leave with Zifang and Nong Yu, but then Bai Yifei arrives. Later, Han Fei and Zinu discuss the political situation and the uncertain future with the number of powerful players.
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