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ghost_valley2021-08-27 01:11 pm
shadaras) wrote in ghost_valley2021-08-27 01:11 pm
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[WoH Rewatch] Episode 12
Episode 12! Even more flashbacks to Rong Xuan, Chengling giving the Glazed Armor to Gao Chong, and everyone’s favorite Wenzhou date!
List of Scenes
ZZS and WKX make up via wine and talking about trust
Gu Xiang talks to CWN, then asked to go to the main hall by Yueyang disciples
WKX tells his version of Rong Xuan’s story/the origin of the Glazed Armor
Gao Chong tells the people gathered in his hall that they’re suspicious
Chengling declares he wants to go back; ZZS tells him that he should then give the Glazed Armor to Gao Chong
Gu Xiang attempts to defend herself from suspicion
ZZS and WKX see Chengling off to Yueyang Manor and chat about plans for the rest of the day
Gao Chong is informed that Chengling is back; CWN gets teased about GX
WKX and ZZS have a very cute date in the sunshine
Chengling removes the Glazed Armor
WKX and ZZS chatting about childhood and getting revenge on the Scorpions
Chengling talks to first Xiaolian (mostly about Gao Chong) and then GX (mostly about if Chengling’s okay)
GX with healing medicine Chengling gifted her, wondering about WKX’s relationship to ZZS and being annoyed at herself for thinking about CWN
Gao Chong asks Shen Shen for his piece of the Glazed Armor
Zhao Jing returns from asking Longyuan Pavillion to send a representative
A brief scene of Prince Jin with a diagram of the glazed armor
WKX and ZZS find the burnt remains of the Scorpions’ base
WKX and ZZS at a restaurant; GX finds them, and then CWN joins them, and there’s much talk of future plans
Timeline or Something
Night fades into day! And then it all seems to be that one day.
Assuming WKX was speaking truthfully about it being two days to the heroes conference at the end of ep10, there’s only one night remaining before the heroes conference should begin. Unfortunately, either he lied or the writers didn’t keep track of time as well as they could’ve! Ep13 shows us two nights, and it’s only after both of those, in ep14, that the heroes conference begins.
Also, re: Zhao Jing going to Longyuan Pavillion: We last saw Zhao Jing at the beginning of ep10, intercut with wenzhou angst. It is difficult to be certain how much time passed in ep10! Zhao Jing having been gone and travelling to Longyuan Pavillion makes it seem more likely that a decent amount of time passed during the Angsting Period, since that has to have been more than a single day’s travel in each direction, plus however long was spent at Longyuan Pavillion itself.
...and I have no idea when Shen Shen went to ask Ye Baiyi to show up, because the show doesn’t have enough obviously open time for that! He’s been visibly present in almost every scene at Yueyang Manor since he arrived with Zhao Jing and Chengling!
These issues are why I started taking time notes to begin with! I have no answers, but at least I can point out why the timeline is confusing.
(This episode also has a lot more discussion of what happened in Rong Xuan’s time. I am not tracking that nearly as well, because it’s all “in the past” and everyone’s versions of the story are slightly different anyway...)
Recap
It’s a lovely night, and WKX is staring at the river. ZZS joins him, and offers him his gourd of wine. WXK drinks all of it, then congratulates ZZS on his disciple. ZZS asks if WKX knows why ZZS accepted Chengling as a disciple. WKX doesn’t, and goes on about all the challenges Chengling will have as a disciple.
ZZS tells him that his master (Qin Huaizhang) taught him about two rare qualities in people: benevolence and courage. He then talks of the types of bravery the ancients spoke of (brave in qi, blood, backbone, and spirit [气勇, 血勇, 骨勇, 神勇]), calls them “teenage bravery”, and says QHZ “promoted the bravery of going on your own way”. WKX asks what that means, and ZZS says it’s about doing things even when they seem impossible, and trusting people even though they’re hard to know.
ZZS turns to face WKX, and says that it’s hard “at their age” to show their hearts to others. (And this is a very touching and emotional moment but also they’re like. Maybe thirty? And the difficulties they have in showing their hearts is more about the trauma they’ve experienced than about age.) ZZS says he’s taking the first step, and literally reaches out to touch (lightly punch, I think?) WKX’s shoulder as he says “You are the one who I know.”
He then starts walking away, though he halts as soon as WKX makes a sound. WKX just throws his gourd back, doesn’t say anything else, but the emotion in his face is quite clear.
In the daylight, at Yueyang Sect, Gu Xiang is walking around grumbling about how much Qiao Luohan beat her up. She comes across Cao Weining, who wants to know if she’s okay and where she was last night when Chengling was kidnapped. She doesn’t want to tell him, and he’s very concerned, because he went to try and see her last night and couldn’t find her.
GX yells at him that she never asked for him to check on her, and he takes it as concern for her reputation more than anything else, and reassures her that nobody saw him. CWN asks if he was looking for Chengling, and that it’s dangerous if he did. She sends him off, telling him that she doesn’t want them to be caught together so early in the morning. As CWN leaves, GX thinks to herself that even if most people in the jianghu are scheming, all the people she’s met so far are stupid.
Then Yueyang disciples arrive and ask who she is. When she tries to leave, they say they’re taking her to see Gao Chong.
Back in the forest, ZZS is looking over the peaceful water. Chengling wakes, and ZSS asks if he’s okay. Chengling says he is, then asks about WKX. WKX appears as soon as his name is mentioned, teasing ZZS about not looking for him as enthusiastically as Chengling.
ZZS says they should go. WKX asks where, and ZZS smiles, saying they could go wherever they like. But first, he says, they need to take the glazed armor out of Chengling. When WKX asks what they’ll do with it, ZZS says “Throw it away, bury it or smash it up. Whatever.” Chengling has some opinions, though, about how his dad died because of the glazed armor. Chengling also knows that Gao Chong has promised to tell people about the origin of the glazed armor at the heroes conference.
WKX says he can tell Chengling about the glazed armor’s origin instead. ZZS looks at him, continuing to put together the pieces almost-correctly (especially since WKX says “This mess, I know the best in the world”), and WKX begins to explain.
We get another series of flashbacks here!
Twenty years ago, Rong Xuan (who has a title! “The Death Sword” according to youtube subs; the hanzi is “封山剑” [Fēngshān Jiàn], which uh has a different connotation that’s way sadder actually? “seal/close the mountain pass” + sword. Netflix calls him “Mountain Closing Sword”, which gets that across better.) came out of nowhere and made a name for himself in the martial world. He believed that all martial arts came from the same source, so if they shared techniques freely “an unprecedented master can be created”.
Rong Xuan impressed “a group of people who didn’t know better” (as we’re shown the sworn brothers of the Five Lakes Alliance in their youth). WKX says that the jinaghu wasn’t as stagnant back then, and that “there were people who knew each other at first sight, and stories of sincere treatment”. Rong Xuan became known as the core of this group (with a shot that I believe includes QHZ, Long Que, and Zhen Ruyu, as well as the relevant wives).
WKX says that they wanted to change the jianghu’s traditions and create a completely new world. He calls this “[Rong Xuan’s] madness”, I think? The subs say “Following his madness”, and (based on the visuals) I’m pretty sure the connotation is more “Drawn along in the wake of this crazy idea” than “After Rong Xuan went mad”.
Rong Xuan fell deeper into his dream and started looking for (and finding) secret techniques “by trickery or violence, or even deception” instead of sincere exchange. WKX calls him “an outstanding young man of his generation” who fell into being “a bad guy everyone yelled at”. Fortunately for him, his wife’s a badass healer and kept saving him! Her name is Yue Feng’er, titled “the Fairy Ganoderma” according to youtube subs. (Her title in hanzi is 芝仙 [Zhīxiān]. 芝 has a whole wikipedia page explaining the possible meanings [beyond ‘mushroom’]. 仙 is a word for “immortal”.)
After a few years, these people created the World’s Armory. WKX says that Rong Xuan set up several traps outside the armory (which I don’t think we ever saw) and divided the key into five parts (here, WKX is omitting the hairpin-key entirely). He says those pieces were given to “the five strongest friends for safekeeping”.
However, in the shot of the glazed armor inRong Xuan’s Duan Pengju's hands (thanks, aurumcalendula, for pointing out that this is a shot from ep36!), I’m pretty sure the key itself is visible; it’s just not the focus of this shot!
WKX ends by saying that one can only open the World’s Armory by collecting all five pieces of glazed armor. ZZS asks, “And then?” and WKX says that the next part is well-known. The visuals show us the battle at Mount Qingya before WKX’s words catch up, as he describes the Five Lakes Alliance holding a conference to gather people to kill Rong Xuan (“this madman”; 疯子 [fēngzi], the same thing I believe WKX is called when he’s acting the crazed Valley Master).
WKX says that Rong Xuan had no other choice but to be forced out of Mount Qingya. WKX says that after a fierce battle and many deaths, Rong Xuan was exhausted and chose to kill himself in Ghost Valley. (I’m fascinated by this framing, considering how different this story is from what Long Que says later. WKX is completely eliding all mention of his own parents in this whole story.)
Chengling is surprised by this too! He asks why the story is different from the version he’s heard. WKX says “Because it’s the end of Rong Xuan’s story, not that of the jianghu”. (Honestly, this specific version that WKX tells, and his focus on Rong Xuan, really does lend credence to ZZS’s theory that WKX is Rong Xuan’s child.)
WKX says that after Rong Xuan died, the ghosts of Mount Qingya swarmed out and entered into fierce battle with the jianghu. A lot of people on both sides died, and it left both sides weakened. WKX says this is what allowed for the peace of the last twenty years. Nearly everyone who survived loved someone who died in that battle, and it was a battle “started for ignominious reasons and ended with disrepute,” so nobody wants to talk about it.
Chengling asks if everyone died because they were greedy. WKX says that “If the Five Lakes Alliance had opened the armory twenty years ago, the Mirror Lake Sect wouldn’t have come to an end.” This is not exactly an answer to Chengling’s question.
Chengling is in his feelings about the glazed armor. ZZS tries to reassure him about letting bygones be bygones, and WKX questions if the glazed armor really are bygones.
The scene changes to Yueyang Manor. Gao Chong is giving a speech about how Chengling was stolen, and how he thinks there might be a mole. He asks them to forgive his rudeness, and says the people here were not in their rooms last night and are thus suspicious. He wants them to say where they were last night, just in case.
Before we hear Gu Xiang defend herself, the scene cuts back to Chengling declaring that he needs to go back to Yueyang. WKX doesn’t like this; he thinks that after hearing his story and knowing the bad intentions of the Alliance, Chengling shouldn’t want to go back.
Chengling says he needs to because “Guarding the Glazed Armor was [his] dad’s last wish”. He says that even if he’s useless, he can’t stand by and do nothing, and he wants to represent the Mirror Lake Sect at the Heroes Conference. ZZS praises his sense of responsibility, and advises that he give the glazed armor back to the Alliance if he’s going to return to them. Chengling’s surprised by this, considering his dad’s stance.
ZZS asks which is more important, Chengling’s safety or the glazed armor, and Chengling says “the armor, of course”. ZZS says, “No. There is nothing more important than life.” While I do think he believes that, it’s a wee bit hypocritical to hear that from an assassin who chose slow death as a method of escape. (It’s completely reasonable from the standpoint of life not being worth anything without freedom to choose what to do with your life, of course, but still.)
There’s a long beat of silence as we see both Chengling and WKX’s reactions, and then WKX stands up and philosophises about how ignorant people create their own trouble. ZZS doesn’t respond to him, instead asking Chengling what he thinks of ZZS’s martial arts skills. Chengling praises him, of course, and ZZS says that while his skills are “not bad, which can be considered as first class”, he’s only proficient in a dozen arts of his sect. “There is an end to life, but never to learning,” he says, and points out that most people can’t study even a single martial art to proficiency in their lifetime, so even if the armory were opened, what would be accomplished?
Chengling protests, and ZZS says that ZYS clung to brotherhood, not the armory. If ZYS (or, really, the Alliance as a whole) had wanted to open the armory, they would’ve done it twenty years ago. ZZS says that Rong Xuan and ZYS are both dead, and if they’re watching they must hope that “you can be relieved from what happened and live your own life”.
From a rewatch perspective, it’s clear that these words are meant as much for WKX as for Chengling; if ZZS thinks that Rong Xuan is WKX’s father, then of course he’s trying to parallel this question of whether or not to hold on to the past so it applies to both of them. We’re shown WKX’s face at least as much as Chengling’s while ZZS speaks of this, too, and he’s got just as much sad/thoughtful stuff going on in his face as Chengling.
Equally as much for both of them: “I leave people alone when they live their lives around greed, but I can’t leave you alone.” He ends by again advising to get rid of the glazed armor, and let other people scramble for it.
Back in Yueyang, Gao Chong specifically points at Gu Xiang and asks her what sect she’s from. She’s unsurprisingly flustered, and says she’s a country girl from no sect at all, and tries to praise Gao Chong to get rid of his attention. Xiaolian speaks up, telling Gao Chong that GX is a friend of CWN’s, and also that she knows Chengling. GX is not happy that Xiaolian mentioned she knows Chengling, because it means Gao Chong asks her about that.
GX breezily plays it off like everyone in Yue knows Chengling, but it doesn’t stop Gao Chong from asking her where she was last night. GX tries to protest, but Gao Chong keeps after her, saying she’s clearly not a good girl. GX yells back, and things probably would’ve escalated quite a bit if CWN hadn’t entered at exactly that moment and said that GX was with him last night. Absolutely everyone is astonished by this, and the scene ends.
Outside Yueyang Manor, ZZS and WKX have brought Chengling back. (Where did they get the new clothes? An eternal question.) ZZS reminds Chengling to clearly tell people he no longer has the glazed armor and promises to pick Chengling up when the Heroes Conference ends. The whole thing feels like parents dropping their kid off at a summer camp or something, especially as WKX joins in to remind Chengling not to speak of things he isn’t involved with and to just keep quiet.
Chengling then gives WKX a hug, and WKX doesn’t seem to know what to do with his arms at first. Chengling also asks if WKX is going to come with them, and WKX looks past Chengling at ZZS. ZZS pulls Chengling away from WKX, tells him to stop being ridiculous, and then—once WKX reminds Chengling to tell GX if he needs anything—shoves him away towards the manor.
Chengling walks to the manor, and disciples greet him and hurry him inside.
WKX and ZZS watch, a little melancholy. ZZS asks WKX what’s wrong, and WKX says there’s nobody good in the Alliance and he’s worried about Chengling. He also asks how they knew to sign the note that drew Chengling out “Xu”, and ZZS points out that WKX’s the only one he ever told that name to. WKX thinks about that, then remembers that ZZS did call himself Zhou Xu when they handed Chengling over to Zhao Jing, so WKX isn’t to blame. (In the last post,trobadora suggested Xie-wang sent the note on Zhao Jing’s behalf, which seems quite likely to me!)
ZZS says that Chengling shouldn’t be a target anymore, and that he’ll take Chengling away after the heroes conference. He looks at WKX, and smiles, and teases him about looking “like a mother who sent her son away”, and tells WKX to come with him to drink and enjoy the sun.
Inside Yueyang, disciples rush into the hall and tell Gao Chong that Chengling has returned. Gao Chong immediately departs, which means that CWN has now opened himself up for teasing about GX. Once the Yueyang disciple who teases him leaves, GX pokes at his arm, clearly grouchy, while Xiaolian stands by her side.
But we cut away from them and go back to the city, where WKX and ZZS are on a lovely date.
WKX’s thinking about ZZS’s words earlier about doing difficult things and trusting people, then turns to ZZS and asks him what kind of person he thinks WKX is. ZZS smiles and tells him to save his words. WKX keeps poking, wanting to know what ZZS thinks, and ZZS says “A stupid man” with a smile.
WKX laughs, and ZZS continues, talking about how he’s got to be able to tell good people from the bad or else his life has been wasted. WKX asks if that means ZZS thinks WKX’s a good man, and ZZS says “Bad people can be forgiven if they put down their killing tools. Good people shouldn’t be sent to hell after they do something bad.” They both look a little melancholy, because that’s definitely applicable to both of them, but then WKX laughs and declares he’s a good guy. Then, going one step further, returns to calling himself Philanthropist Wen.
ZZS laughs, and this leads into the whole bit of them calling each other’s names. Three times each, because this is the extended version. The way WKX comes around the table, and how each time he says “A-Xu” it’s a little softer and ZZS can bear it a little less, is very cute. WKX listens when ZZS asks him to stop, and then says that it’s just good to be alive, sit in the sun, and have someone to call.
ZZS thinks about this, as WKX smiles up at the sun, eyes closed like the most satisfied cat, and decides he agrees. He smiles, and starts calling “lao-Wen”, also softer and more intimate with each repetition. They drink, and the scene changes.
(The music continues, though, which is super fascinating, because the joyous/triumphant tone this musical track has to me takes on such a different meaning between these two scenes.)
Chengling stands in Yueyang’s hall with Gao Chong and Shen Shen. There’s no dialogue as Chengling kneels and reveals the wound on his stomach. He cuts it open, and pulls out the Glazed Armor, and drops the bloody fragment into a bowl of water as the song comes to an end.
The scene changes to WKX and ZZS drinking inside. WKX asks ZZS what he likes doing with his time. ZZS isn’t sure what he means, and WKX teases him about how even Zhou-shouling must’ve had free time. ZZS tells him to keep his voice down, and then that he’ll break WKX’s teeth if WKX calls him “Zhou-shouling-daren” again.
WKX drops the title, but doesn’t drop the question. ZZS shrugs and says he’ll practice, and WKX’s disbelieving about this and calls him “the kind of excellent child who only exists in stories.” WKX says he was criticised by his parents for not practicing martial arts properly, “but that’s okay.” ZZS says that his shifu thought that children should be children, and speaks of all the things QHZ did with him, and how ZZS just wanted to practice martial arts and would get his shiniang to help him do just that.
WKX laughs, and says that QHZ just wanted to play outside himself, and used ZZS as an excuse to not get scolded by his wife. ZZS laughs, with a beautiful smile, and wonders why he never thought of that. WKX says he’s not the only one living out of time; when he was a child, he couldn’t play well, and wasn’t taught martial arts, and says that ZZS is just like him. Chengling, WKX says, will be fine, but the two of them need to do something fun before the heroes conference.
ZZS asks if WKX has ever suffered a loss, and says he’s asking because he has “no great ability and often suffer[s] losses,” which seems to concern WKX. ZZS adds that this is the first time he’s suffered repeatedly in the same manner, and Ghost Valley flutes flutter over his words. WKX asks if it’s about the Scorpions, and then wonders how ZZS got to their ‘nest’ before he did. ZZS says it’s not their nest, but a small base, and says he knows because TC fought with the Scorpions before.
As a way of recouping his losses to them, ZZS suggests to WKX that they go to the Scorpions’ base and make a big mess. WKX smiles, and asks if ZZS knows what kind of person he is; at ZZS’s silence, he says he’s the kind of person who likes making trouble, and there’s nothing more enjoyable than having fun.
Back at Yueyang Manor, Chengling is lying in bed after being patched up. Xiaolian comes to see him, and asks if he’s alright and if he hurts. He denies it, but Xiaolian is still upset about him doing so much while the glazed armor was literally in his body. Xiaolian says she wishes to thank him in her dad’s place, because she doesn’t think he’ll manage it himself. She says that Gao Chong has spent a lot of time attempting to get the brothers of the Five Lakes Alliance together again, as well as maintaining the glory of the Alliance.
Xiaolian also says she’d rather he be her didi than marry him, but she understands the political situation that requires their marriage. Chengling is upset that she sees her marriage as a chess move, and Xiaolian says this is how she can help her father. She also says “Let the misunderstandings and drudges of the past life end in our generation,” which is another thematic thing about the whole show.
Xiaolian tells Chengling that Yueyang will be his future home, and then leaves. Gu Xiang enters as she departs, complaining about Xiaolian being stupid. (She isn’t. She just grew up in a very different context than Gu Xiang, and their skills and understandings wouldn’t help them much in the others’ place.)
Chengling’s happy to see Gu Xiang, and asks if she overheard them. She did, of course, and goes “What a coincidence!” as if she doesn’t love eavesdropping. GX asks Chengling how he’s doing and if WKX rescued him. Chengling says that “Shifu and Wen-shu” convinced him to come back, and GX focuses on ZZS having taken him as a disciple with great delight.
GX then starts looking around the room, poking at items and exclaiming over how many gifts Gao Chong gave Chengling. Chengling says he wanted to save all the healing things for GX, in case she has injuries that need their help. She says she’s fine, but when the scene changes to her leaving she’s got a box in her arms.
GX wonders about what WKX wants. She says he left Ghost Valley in search of the Glazed Armor, but hasn’t cared about things since meeting ZZS. She wonders if ZZS drugged him, to create such an effect, and then complains that CWN has treated her better than WKX since she entered Yueyang. She is equally annoyed by how she thought about CWN, though!
The scene shifts to Gao Chong looking at the little piece of glazed armor that had been in Chengling’s body. Every time I see this, I am grateful that at least this is the smallest piece, and thus the easiest to hide. Shen Shen wonders why Gao Chong’s still unhappy even though they have this piece, and Gao Chong says he’s wondering if the person who saved Chengling is an enemy or an ally, and why they won’t see him.
Shen Shen believes the person must be an ally, since Chengling and the glazed armor were returned to them. Gao Chong is more concerned with knowing where the rest of the glazed armor is. Lu Taichong’s and Zhao Jing’s have been snatched by Ghost Valley, as far as he knows, and he wants to know where Shen Shen’s is. Shen Shen says he’s been keeping it with him, as Gao Chong instructed, and Gao Chong asks to keep hold of it himself now. It’s very sketch-feeling; I recall expecting something Bad to happen as soon as he asked this, my first time watching.
On a rewatch, this is still clearly a flag for something bad happening; it’s just that the bad thing is happening to Gao Chong, not because of Gao Chong.
Shen Shen is reluctant, and asks if it would be dangerous for Gao Chong to carry three pieces of the glazed armor himself. (Very astute of him! He’s far more aware of danger and politics than he’s often framed as being.) Gao Chong says it’s better that danger befall him than anyone else, and Shen Shen pulls out the pouch containing the glazed armor and hands it over.
As Gao Chong’s hand closes over the pouch, Zhao Jing enters the room. Zhao Jing has been gone, we learn, travelling to Longyuan Pavillion to try and talk to Long Que. He says that Long Que didn’t speak to him, but promised to send someone to the heroes conference to explain the origin of the glazed armor.
Gao Chong is happy that Longyuan Pavillion will be represented, and then turns to Shen Shen and says that if Shen Shen had invited the Changming Mountain Sword Immortal, Zhao Jing wouldn’t have needed to go to Longyuan Pavillion. Shen Shen protests that he did go to Mount Changming, and spent days shouting in the sword hall, but never got a response or saw any traces of life. He thinks the immortal should’ve died by now, and references Rong Xuan’s age as to why he thinks that. (The connection between those two facts is unclear on a first watch. On the second, knowing that Ye Baiyi was Rong Xuan’s mentor, it’s far easier to understand.)
Gao Chong quells him with a look, then turns to Zhao Jing and tells him that they got Chengling’s piece of Glazed Armor. Zhao Jing is visibly delighted by this, especially as Gao Chong opens his hand to show both Chengling’s piece and the bag containing Shen Shen’s, and congratulates Gao Chong on this success.
The scene changes to Prince Jin. It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with him! He’s painting a blossoming branch in precisely the style of Siji Manor (which is fascinating; I love all the signs of his obsession with ZZS even as it makes me sad), then opens a container and takes out a piece of cloth with the glazed armor drawn upon it (including, at the bottom, an image of the hidden key). One of the fake pieces sits on his desk.
Back to WKX and ZZS, who are walking through a field. They see the ruins of the Scorpions’ base, and ZZS wonders if the Alliance or Ghost Valley burnt it down. WKX says it’s only been a few hours, and not to overestimate either group. He thinks the Scorpions were worried about being exposed, and thus destroyed their own base overnight.
WKX thinks to himself that “Though Wuchang Gui is not smart, his ambition is not small” and makes it clear that WKX knows Wuchang Gui is working with the Scorpions. He also thinks that “the more they mess around, the closer I am to my goal.”
Back in town, WKX and ZZS are at a restaurant. There is food on the table, which they have not touched. They are drinking. GX sees them, and comes over in delight. She wants to know if WKX is looking for him, and why ZZS is still there. WKX wonders if she disapproves, and GX says she doesn’t. WKX asks after her health, and GX says she’s fine, especially since Chengling gave her the supplements Gao Chong had given him.
WKX says he hadn’t expected the Scorpions to sneak into Yueyang Sect and kidnap people, and wonders if there’s a spy. Then he tells GX to leave Yueyang Sect, and GX seems surprised and reluctant. WKX then asks ZZS if he’d mind GX coming along, and ZZS says he’d enjoy having her around. WKX tells GX she can go wherever she wants, and GX says she just wants to stay here and protect Chengling until the heroes conference ends.
CWN spots them, and comes and says hi. WKX asks GX how she hadn’t realised he was following her, and CWN denies that he was following. He says he heard from Zhu Yaozhi (the Yueyang Sect disciple in ep7, when CWN and GX first met) that GX was meeting someone here and he figured it was WKX and wanted to come with her because he was afraid she’d leave.
ZZS comments that this is why GX didn’t want to leave, clearly amused. CWN is delighted, but WKX cuts in and says GX’s opinions don’t matter; his do. GX goes quiet and sits. CWN, after a moment, talks about how he’s heard that ZZS is ill and WKX’s been trying to find doctors for him, and offers that his own master knows a lot of people and could help. He also attempts to sit, but WKX stops him and says he’ll take care of ZZS.
ZZS tugs at CWN to sit, and thanks him, and says that he’s “terminally ill and has no more days to live” so he shouldn’t bother. CWN and WKX are both very sad and surprised about this, and CWN calls it a trick of fate. He continues saying there must be a way, and maybe Gao Chong’s friendship with the three sages of Healer Valley could help. WKX and GX’s expressions at this idea are less than positive.
There’s a bit of silence, and then ZZS praises CWN’s heart but says he doesn’t want to waste his time trying to find medical treatment; he’d rather drink and travel with his zhiji while he can, doing whatever he wishes without regret.
His zhiji drinks, silent, and ZZS says that it’s inconvenient for GX to follow them around. He says they’d been looking for a trustworthy partner for her, and WKX doesn’t dispute this. CWN asks if they think he’s trustworthy, and there’s a lot of silent looks around the table before the episode ends.
General Commentary
Every time I watch this episode I make “D:” faces about Chengling literally cutting himself open to pull out the glazed armor. Shen Shen and Gao Chong’s faces are very accurate to my emotions! Why do they let him do this himself instead of just asking him to tell them where to cut? I mean, it’s really badass of Chengling to do this and barely show the pain, but it’s not… good…
I really love the way Gu Xiang is slowly realising the way she likes Cao Weining. The way this episode shows her being drawn to his caretaking and also confused and upset about the way she’s being protected (and how she might be enjoying that protection?) is wonderful.
I’m endlessly fascinated by the variations on Rong Xuan’s story we’re told. This one is rather different from Long Que’s, especially in discussing Rong Xuan’s death. The complete and utter absence of Zhen Ruyu from this story is the most notable bit, of course, since Zhen Ruyu (according to Long Que) was at Mount Qingya and tried to stop everyone from killing Rong Xuan. (Rong Xuan knocked him out, iirc, and then leapt forward in the end we’re shown here.)
Prince Jin having the cloth with a drawing of the Glazed Armor on it is fascinating! We learn, in ep36, that Zhou Zishu’s father searched out the Glazed Armor for Prince Jin’s predecessor; this is explicitly the cause of ZZS’s dad’s death and the reason the Glazed Armor was in QHZ’s hands to give to Rong Xuan et al. to seal the Armory. Likely, it’s how and why Prince Jin has the diagram.
This episode is also when we start seeing hints about the final piece of the key! It’s in the diagram, it’s in Rong Xuan’s hands as he puts the armor together… It’s not commented upon or mentioned outright (everyone’s still talking about the five pieces of Glazed Armor), but on a rewatch it’s very cool to see that seeded in the visuals.
The younger generation and their sense of duty is really interesting. Both Xiaolian and Chengling have speeches about doing what their father wants, but manifest it differently: Chengling talks about revenge for his family’s death (and guarding the glazed armor), while Xiaolian wants to help ease Gao Chong’s burden. These are gendered expectations, and also distinctly reveal how Chengling wasn’t raised as a sect heir (and has a way out of Alliance politics, via ZZS) but Xiaolian was (in her knowledge of politics and necessity).
...I think a lot of the rest of my brainwork this episode went into the Time Things I noted at the beginning of this post, so I suppose this gets to be shorter than often. xD That’s fine; I am the only one with expectations of myself, anyway. :)
Discussion Prompts/Questions
1. BACKSTORY, round two! :D Why do you think WKX keeps his parents (and ZZS’s master) out of this telling of Rong Xuan’s story? Do you think he’s trying to mislead ZZS, or is this truly the version of the tale he knows/remembers at this time?
2. I would like all your feelings about WKX, ZZS, and the ways in which they’re drawing closer to each other and sharing more about themselves/their pasts with each other! And/or general thoughts about their dates.
3. I’d also enjoy hearing your thoughts about Gu Xiang! Her developing relationship with CWN is a delight, and her attempt to keep Gao Chong from knowing the truth is reasonably effective, and the way she and Xiaolian contrast each other interests me too.
Next Time: Liu Qianqiao in disguise! ZZS in disguise! Ye Baiyi arrives! Episode 13 is a lot of fun! :D
List of Scenes
ZZS and WKX make up via wine and talking about trust
Gu Xiang talks to CWN, then asked to go to the main hall by Yueyang disciples
WKX tells his version of Rong Xuan’s story/the origin of the Glazed Armor
Gao Chong tells the people gathered in his hall that they’re suspicious
Chengling declares he wants to go back; ZZS tells him that he should then give the Glazed Armor to Gao Chong
Gu Xiang attempts to defend herself from suspicion
ZZS and WKX see Chengling off to Yueyang Manor and chat about plans for the rest of the day
Gao Chong is informed that Chengling is back; CWN gets teased about GX
WKX and ZZS have a very cute date in the sunshine
Chengling removes the Glazed Armor
WKX and ZZS chatting about childhood and getting revenge on the Scorpions
Chengling talks to first Xiaolian (mostly about Gao Chong) and then GX (mostly about if Chengling’s okay)
GX with healing medicine Chengling gifted her, wondering about WKX’s relationship to ZZS and being annoyed at herself for thinking about CWN
Gao Chong asks Shen Shen for his piece of the Glazed Armor
Zhao Jing returns from asking Longyuan Pavillion to send a representative
A brief scene of Prince Jin with a diagram of the glazed armor
WKX and ZZS find the burnt remains of the Scorpions’ base
WKX and ZZS at a restaurant; GX finds them, and then CWN joins them, and there’s much talk of future plans
Timeline or Something
Night fades into day! And then it all seems to be that one day.
Assuming WKX was speaking truthfully about it being two days to the heroes conference at the end of ep10, there’s only one night remaining before the heroes conference should begin. Unfortunately, either he lied or the writers didn’t keep track of time as well as they could’ve! Ep13 shows us two nights, and it’s only after both of those, in ep14, that the heroes conference begins.
Also, re: Zhao Jing going to Longyuan Pavillion: We last saw Zhao Jing at the beginning of ep10, intercut with wenzhou angst. It is difficult to be certain how much time passed in ep10! Zhao Jing having been gone and travelling to Longyuan Pavillion makes it seem more likely that a decent amount of time passed during the Angsting Period, since that has to have been more than a single day’s travel in each direction, plus however long was spent at Longyuan Pavillion itself.
...and I have no idea when Shen Shen went to ask Ye Baiyi to show up, because the show doesn’t have enough obviously open time for that! He’s been visibly present in almost every scene at Yueyang Manor since he arrived with Zhao Jing and Chengling!
These issues are why I started taking time notes to begin with! I have no answers, but at least I can point out why the timeline is confusing.
(This episode also has a lot more discussion of what happened in Rong Xuan’s time. I am not tracking that nearly as well, because it’s all “in the past” and everyone’s versions of the story are slightly different anyway...)
Recap
It’s a lovely night, and WKX is staring at the river. ZZS joins him, and offers him his gourd of wine. WXK drinks all of it, then congratulates ZZS on his disciple. ZZS asks if WKX knows why ZZS accepted Chengling as a disciple. WKX doesn’t, and goes on about all the challenges Chengling will have as a disciple.
ZZS tells him that his master (Qin Huaizhang) taught him about two rare qualities in people: benevolence and courage. He then talks of the types of bravery the ancients spoke of (brave in qi, blood, backbone, and spirit [气勇, 血勇, 骨勇, 神勇]), calls them “teenage bravery”, and says QHZ “promoted the bravery of going on your own way”. WKX asks what that means, and ZZS says it’s about doing things even when they seem impossible, and trusting people even though they’re hard to know.
ZZS turns to face WKX, and says that it’s hard “at their age” to show their hearts to others. (And this is a very touching and emotional moment but also they’re like. Maybe thirty? And the difficulties they have in showing their hearts is more about the trauma they’ve experienced than about age.) ZZS says he’s taking the first step, and literally reaches out to touch (lightly punch, I think?) WKX’s shoulder as he says “You are the one who I know.”
He then starts walking away, though he halts as soon as WKX makes a sound. WKX just throws his gourd back, doesn’t say anything else, but the emotion in his face is quite clear.
In the daylight, at Yueyang Sect, Gu Xiang is walking around grumbling about how much Qiao Luohan beat her up. She comes across Cao Weining, who wants to know if she’s okay and where she was last night when Chengling was kidnapped. She doesn’t want to tell him, and he’s very concerned, because he went to try and see her last night and couldn’t find her.
GX yells at him that she never asked for him to check on her, and he takes it as concern for her reputation more than anything else, and reassures her that nobody saw him. CWN asks if he was looking for Chengling, and that it’s dangerous if he did. She sends him off, telling him that she doesn’t want them to be caught together so early in the morning. As CWN leaves, GX thinks to herself that even if most people in the jianghu are scheming, all the people she’s met so far are stupid.
Then Yueyang disciples arrive and ask who she is. When she tries to leave, they say they’re taking her to see Gao Chong.
Back in the forest, ZZS is looking over the peaceful water. Chengling wakes, and ZSS asks if he’s okay. Chengling says he is, then asks about WKX. WKX appears as soon as his name is mentioned, teasing ZZS about not looking for him as enthusiastically as Chengling.
ZZS says they should go. WKX asks where, and ZZS smiles, saying they could go wherever they like. But first, he says, they need to take the glazed armor out of Chengling. When WKX asks what they’ll do with it, ZZS says “Throw it away, bury it or smash it up. Whatever.” Chengling has some opinions, though, about how his dad died because of the glazed armor. Chengling also knows that Gao Chong has promised to tell people about the origin of the glazed armor at the heroes conference.
WKX says he can tell Chengling about the glazed armor’s origin instead. ZZS looks at him, continuing to put together the pieces almost-correctly (especially since WKX says “This mess, I know the best in the world”), and WKX begins to explain.
We get another series of flashbacks here!
Twenty years ago, Rong Xuan (who has a title! “The Death Sword” according to youtube subs; the hanzi is “封山剑” [Fēngshān Jiàn], which uh has a different connotation that’s way sadder actually? “seal/close the mountain pass” + sword. Netflix calls him “Mountain Closing Sword”, which gets that across better.) came out of nowhere and made a name for himself in the martial world. He believed that all martial arts came from the same source, so if they shared techniques freely “an unprecedented master can be created”.
Rong Xuan impressed “a group of people who didn’t know better” (as we’re shown the sworn brothers of the Five Lakes Alliance in their youth). WKX says that the jinaghu wasn’t as stagnant back then, and that “there were people who knew each other at first sight, and stories of sincere treatment”. Rong Xuan became known as the core of this group (with a shot that I believe includes QHZ, Long Que, and Zhen Ruyu, as well as the relevant wives).
WKX says that they wanted to change the jianghu’s traditions and create a completely new world. He calls this “[Rong Xuan’s] madness”, I think? The subs say “Following his madness”, and (based on the visuals) I’m pretty sure the connotation is more “Drawn along in the wake of this crazy idea” than “After Rong Xuan went mad”.
Rong Xuan fell deeper into his dream and started looking for (and finding) secret techniques “by trickery or violence, or even deception” instead of sincere exchange. WKX calls him “an outstanding young man of his generation” who fell into being “a bad guy everyone yelled at”. Fortunately for him, his wife’s a badass healer and kept saving him! Her name is Yue Feng’er, titled “the Fairy Ganoderma” according to youtube subs. (Her title in hanzi is 芝仙 [Zhīxiān]. 芝 has a whole wikipedia page explaining the possible meanings [beyond ‘mushroom’]. 仙 is a word for “immortal”.)
After a few years, these people created the World’s Armory. WKX says that Rong Xuan set up several traps outside the armory (which I don’t think we ever saw) and divided the key into five parts (here, WKX is omitting the hairpin-key entirely). He says those pieces were given to “the five strongest friends for safekeeping”.
However, in the shot of the glazed armor in
aurumcalendula, for pointing out that this is a shot from ep36!), I’m pretty sure the key itself is visible; it’s just not the focus of this shot!WKX ends by saying that one can only open the World’s Armory by collecting all five pieces of glazed armor. ZZS asks, “And then?” and WKX says that the next part is well-known. The visuals show us the battle at Mount Qingya before WKX’s words catch up, as he describes the Five Lakes Alliance holding a conference to gather people to kill Rong Xuan (“this madman”; 疯子 [fēngzi], the same thing I believe WKX is called when he’s acting the crazed Valley Master).
WKX says that Rong Xuan had no other choice but to be forced out of Mount Qingya. WKX says that after a fierce battle and many deaths, Rong Xuan was exhausted and chose to kill himself in Ghost Valley. (I’m fascinated by this framing, considering how different this story is from what Long Que says later. WKX is completely eliding all mention of his own parents in this whole story.)
Chengling is surprised by this too! He asks why the story is different from the version he’s heard. WKX says “Because it’s the end of Rong Xuan’s story, not that of the jianghu”. (Honestly, this specific version that WKX tells, and his focus on Rong Xuan, really does lend credence to ZZS’s theory that WKX is Rong Xuan’s child.)
WKX says that after Rong Xuan died, the ghosts of Mount Qingya swarmed out and entered into fierce battle with the jianghu. A lot of people on both sides died, and it left both sides weakened. WKX says this is what allowed for the peace of the last twenty years. Nearly everyone who survived loved someone who died in that battle, and it was a battle “started for ignominious reasons and ended with disrepute,” so nobody wants to talk about it.
Chengling asks if everyone died because they were greedy. WKX says that “If the Five Lakes Alliance had opened the armory twenty years ago, the Mirror Lake Sect wouldn’t have come to an end.” This is not exactly an answer to Chengling’s question.
Chengling is in his feelings about the glazed armor. ZZS tries to reassure him about letting bygones be bygones, and WKX questions if the glazed armor really are bygones.
The scene changes to Yueyang Manor. Gao Chong is giving a speech about how Chengling was stolen, and how he thinks there might be a mole. He asks them to forgive his rudeness, and says the people here were not in their rooms last night and are thus suspicious. He wants them to say where they were last night, just in case.
Before we hear Gu Xiang defend herself, the scene cuts back to Chengling declaring that he needs to go back to Yueyang. WKX doesn’t like this; he thinks that after hearing his story and knowing the bad intentions of the Alliance, Chengling shouldn’t want to go back.
Chengling says he needs to because “Guarding the Glazed Armor was [his] dad’s last wish”. He says that even if he’s useless, he can’t stand by and do nothing, and he wants to represent the Mirror Lake Sect at the Heroes Conference. ZZS praises his sense of responsibility, and advises that he give the glazed armor back to the Alliance if he’s going to return to them. Chengling’s surprised by this, considering his dad’s stance.
ZZS asks which is more important, Chengling’s safety or the glazed armor, and Chengling says “the armor, of course”. ZZS says, “No. There is nothing more important than life.” While I do think he believes that, it’s a wee bit hypocritical to hear that from an assassin who chose slow death as a method of escape. (It’s completely reasonable from the standpoint of life not being worth anything without freedom to choose what to do with your life, of course, but still.)
There’s a long beat of silence as we see both Chengling and WKX’s reactions, and then WKX stands up and philosophises about how ignorant people create their own trouble. ZZS doesn’t respond to him, instead asking Chengling what he thinks of ZZS’s martial arts skills. Chengling praises him, of course, and ZZS says that while his skills are “not bad, which can be considered as first class”, he’s only proficient in a dozen arts of his sect. “There is an end to life, but never to learning,” he says, and points out that most people can’t study even a single martial art to proficiency in their lifetime, so even if the armory were opened, what would be accomplished?
Chengling protests, and ZZS says that ZYS clung to brotherhood, not the armory. If ZYS (or, really, the Alliance as a whole) had wanted to open the armory, they would’ve done it twenty years ago. ZZS says that Rong Xuan and ZYS are both dead, and if they’re watching they must hope that “you can be relieved from what happened and live your own life”.
From a rewatch perspective, it’s clear that these words are meant as much for WKX as for Chengling; if ZZS thinks that Rong Xuan is WKX’s father, then of course he’s trying to parallel this question of whether or not to hold on to the past so it applies to both of them. We’re shown WKX’s face at least as much as Chengling’s while ZZS speaks of this, too, and he’s got just as much sad/thoughtful stuff going on in his face as Chengling.
Equally as much for both of them: “I leave people alone when they live their lives around greed, but I can’t leave you alone.” He ends by again advising to get rid of the glazed armor, and let other people scramble for it.
Back in Yueyang, Gao Chong specifically points at Gu Xiang and asks her what sect she’s from. She’s unsurprisingly flustered, and says she’s a country girl from no sect at all, and tries to praise Gao Chong to get rid of his attention. Xiaolian speaks up, telling Gao Chong that GX is a friend of CWN’s, and also that she knows Chengling. GX is not happy that Xiaolian mentioned she knows Chengling, because it means Gao Chong asks her about that.
GX breezily plays it off like everyone in Yue knows Chengling, but it doesn’t stop Gao Chong from asking her where she was last night. GX tries to protest, but Gao Chong keeps after her, saying she’s clearly not a good girl. GX yells back, and things probably would’ve escalated quite a bit if CWN hadn’t entered at exactly that moment and said that GX was with him last night. Absolutely everyone is astonished by this, and the scene ends.
Outside Yueyang Manor, ZZS and WKX have brought Chengling back. (Where did they get the new clothes? An eternal question.) ZZS reminds Chengling to clearly tell people he no longer has the glazed armor and promises to pick Chengling up when the Heroes Conference ends. The whole thing feels like parents dropping their kid off at a summer camp or something, especially as WKX joins in to remind Chengling not to speak of things he isn’t involved with and to just keep quiet.
Chengling then gives WKX a hug, and WKX doesn’t seem to know what to do with his arms at first. Chengling also asks if WKX is going to come with them, and WKX looks past Chengling at ZZS. ZZS pulls Chengling away from WKX, tells him to stop being ridiculous, and then—once WKX reminds Chengling to tell GX if he needs anything—shoves him away towards the manor.
Chengling walks to the manor, and disciples greet him and hurry him inside.
WKX and ZZS watch, a little melancholy. ZZS asks WKX what’s wrong, and WKX says there’s nobody good in the Alliance and he’s worried about Chengling. He also asks how they knew to sign the note that drew Chengling out “Xu”, and ZZS points out that WKX’s the only one he ever told that name to. WKX thinks about that, then remembers that ZZS did call himself Zhou Xu when they handed Chengling over to Zhao Jing, so WKX isn’t to blame. (In the last post,
trobadora suggested Xie-wang sent the note on Zhao Jing’s behalf, which seems quite likely to me!)ZZS says that Chengling shouldn’t be a target anymore, and that he’ll take Chengling away after the heroes conference. He looks at WKX, and smiles, and teases him about looking “like a mother who sent her son away”, and tells WKX to come with him to drink and enjoy the sun.
Inside Yueyang, disciples rush into the hall and tell Gao Chong that Chengling has returned. Gao Chong immediately departs, which means that CWN has now opened himself up for teasing about GX. Once the Yueyang disciple who teases him leaves, GX pokes at his arm, clearly grouchy, while Xiaolian stands by her side.
But we cut away from them and go back to the city, where WKX and ZZS are on a lovely date.
WKX’s thinking about ZZS’s words earlier about doing difficult things and trusting people, then turns to ZZS and asks him what kind of person he thinks WKX is. ZZS smiles and tells him to save his words. WKX keeps poking, wanting to know what ZZS thinks, and ZZS says “A stupid man” with a smile.
WKX laughs, and ZZS continues, talking about how he’s got to be able to tell good people from the bad or else his life has been wasted. WKX asks if that means ZZS thinks WKX’s a good man, and ZZS says “Bad people can be forgiven if they put down their killing tools. Good people shouldn’t be sent to hell after they do something bad.” They both look a little melancholy, because that’s definitely applicable to both of them, but then WKX laughs and declares he’s a good guy. Then, going one step further, returns to calling himself Philanthropist Wen.
ZZS laughs, and this leads into the whole bit of them calling each other’s names. Three times each, because this is the extended version. The way WKX comes around the table, and how each time he says “A-Xu” it’s a little softer and ZZS can bear it a little less, is very cute. WKX listens when ZZS asks him to stop, and then says that it’s just good to be alive, sit in the sun, and have someone to call.
ZZS thinks about this, as WKX smiles up at the sun, eyes closed like the most satisfied cat, and decides he agrees. He smiles, and starts calling “lao-Wen”, also softer and more intimate with each repetition. They drink, and the scene changes.
(The music continues, though, which is super fascinating, because the joyous/triumphant tone this musical track has to me takes on such a different meaning between these two scenes.)
Chengling stands in Yueyang’s hall with Gao Chong and Shen Shen. There’s no dialogue as Chengling kneels and reveals the wound on his stomach. He cuts it open, and pulls out the Glazed Armor, and drops the bloody fragment into a bowl of water as the song comes to an end.
The scene changes to WKX and ZZS drinking inside. WKX asks ZZS what he likes doing with his time. ZZS isn’t sure what he means, and WKX teases him about how even Zhou-shouling must’ve had free time. ZZS tells him to keep his voice down, and then that he’ll break WKX’s teeth if WKX calls him “Zhou-shouling-daren” again.
WKX drops the title, but doesn’t drop the question. ZZS shrugs and says he’ll practice, and WKX’s disbelieving about this and calls him “the kind of excellent child who only exists in stories.” WKX says he was criticised by his parents for not practicing martial arts properly, “but that’s okay.” ZZS says that his shifu thought that children should be children, and speaks of all the things QHZ did with him, and how ZZS just wanted to practice martial arts and would get his shiniang to help him do just that.
WKX laughs, and says that QHZ just wanted to play outside himself, and used ZZS as an excuse to not get scolded by his wife. ZZS laughs, with a beautiful smile, and wonders why he never thought of that. WKX says he’s not the only one living out of time; when he was a child, he couldn’t play well, and wasn’t taught martial arts, and says that ZZS is just like him. Chengling, WKX says, will be fine, but the two of them need to do something fun before the heroes conference.
ZZS asks if WKX has ever suffered a loss, and says he’s asking because he has “no great ability and often suffer[s] losses,” which seems to concern WKX. ZZS adds that this is the first time he’s suffered repeatedly in the same manner, and Ghost Valley flutes flutter over his words. WKX asks if it’s about the Scorpions, and then wonders how ZZS got to their ‘nest’ before he did. ZZS says it’s not their nest, but a small base, and says he knows because TC fought with the Scorpions before.
As a way of recouping his losses to them, ZZS suggests to WKX that they go to the Scorpions’ base and make a big mess. WKX smiles, and asks if ZZS knows what kind of person he is; at ZZS’s silence, he says he’s the kind of person who likes making trouble, and there’s nothing more enjoyable than having fun.
Back at Yueyang Manor, Chengling is lying in bed after being patched up. Xiaolian comes to see him, and asks if he’s alright and if he hurts. He denies it, but Xiaolian is still upset about him doing so much while the glazed armor was literally in his body. Xiaolian says she wishes to thank him in her dad’s place, because she doesn’t think he’ll manage it himself. She says that Gao Chong has spent a lot of time attempting to get the brothers of the Five Lakes Alliance together again, as well as maintaining the glory of the Alliance.
Xiaolian also says she’d rather he be her didi than marry him, but she understands the political situation that requires their marriage. Chengling is upset that she sees her marriage as a chess move, and Xiaolian says this is how she can help her father. She also says “Let the misunderstandings and drudges of the past life end in our generation,” which is another thematic thing about the whole show.
Xiaolian tells Chengling that Yueyang will be his future home, and then leaves. Gu Xiang enters as she departs, complaining about Xiaolian being stupid. (She isn’t. She just grew up in a very different context than Gu Xiang, and their skills and understandings wouldn’t help them much in the others’ place.)
Chengling’s happy to see Gu Xiang, and asks if she overheard them. She did, of course, and goes “What a coincidence!” as if she doesn’t love eavesdropping. GX asks Chengling how he’s doing and if WKX rescued him. Chengling says that “Shifu and Wen-shu” convinced him to come back, and GX focuses on ZZS having taken him as a disciple with great delight.
GX then starts looking around the room, poking at items and exclaiming over how many gifts Gao Chong gave Chengling. Chengling says he wanted to save all the healing things for GX, in case she has injuries that need their help. She says she’s fine, but when the scene changes to her leaving she’s got a box in her arms.
GX wonders about what WKX wants. She says he left Ghost Valley in search of the Glazed Armor, but hasn’t cared about things since meeting ZZS. She wonders if ZZS drugged him, to create such an effect, and then complains that CWN has treated her better than WKX since she entered Yueyang. She is equally annoyed by how she thought about CWN, though!
The scene shifts to Gao Chong looking at the little piece of glazed armor that had been in Chengling’s body. Every time I see this, I am grateful that at least this is the smallest piece, and thus the easiest to hide. Shen Shen wonders why Gao Chong’s still unhappy even though they have this piece, and Gao Chong says he’s wondering if the person who saved Chengling is an enemy or an ally, and why they won’t see him.
Shen Shen believes the person must be an ally, since Chengling and the glazed armor were returned to them. Gao Chong is more concerned with knowing where the rest of the glazed armor is. Lu Taichong’s and Zhao Jing’s have been snatched by Ghost Valley, as far as he knows, and he wants to know where Shen Shen’s is. Shen Shen says he’s been keeping it with him, as Gao Chong instructed, and Gao Chong asks to keep hold of it himself now. It’s very sketch-feeling; I recall expecting something Bad to happen as soon as he asked this, my first time watching.
On a rewatch, this is still clearly a flag for something bad happening; it’s just that the bad thing is happening to Gao Chong, not because of Gao Chong.
Shen Shen is reluctant, and asks if it would be dangerous for Gao Chong to carry three pieces of the glazed armor himself. (Very astute of him! He’s far more aware of danger and politics than he’s often framed as being.) Gao Chong says it’s better that danger befall him than anyone else, and Shen Shen pulls out the pouch containing the glazed armor and hands it over.
As Gao Chong’s hand closes over the pouch, Zhao Jing enters the room. Zhao Jing has been gone, we learn, travelling to Longyuan Pavillion to try and talk to Long Que. He says that Long Que didn’t speak to him, but promised to send someone to the heroes conference to explain the origin of the glazed armor.
Gao Chong is happy that Longyuan Pavillion will be represented, and then turns to Shen Shen and says that if Shen Shen had invited the Changming Mountain Sword Immortal, Zhao Jing wouldn’t have needed to go to Longyuan Pavillion. Shen Shen protests that he did go to Mount Changming, and spent days shouting in the sword hall, but never got a response or saw any traces of life. He thinks the immortal should’ve died by now, and references Rong Xuan’s age as to why he thinks that. (The connection between those two facts is unclear on a first watch. On the second, knowing that Ye Baiyi was Rong Xuan’s mentor, it’s far easier to understand.)
Gao Chong quells him with a look, then turns to Zhao Jing and tells him that they got Chengling’s piece of Glazed Armor. Zhao Jing is visibly delighted by this, especially as Gao Chong opens his hand to show both Chengling’s piece and the bag containing Shen Shen’s, and congratulates Gao Chong on this success.
The scene changes to Prince Jin. It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with him! He’s painting a blossoming branch in precisely the style of Siji Manor (which is fascinating; I love all the signs of his obsession with ZZS even as it makes me sad), then opens a container and takes out a piece of cloth with the glazed armor drawn upon it (including, at the bottom, an image of the hidden key). One of the fake pieces sits on his desk.
Back to WKX and ZZS, who are walking through a field. They see the ruins of the Scorpions’ base, and ZZS wonders if the Alliance or Ghost Valley burnt it down. WKX says it’s only been a few hours, and not to overestimate either group. He thinks the Scorpions were worried about being exposed, and thus destroyed their own base overnight.
WKX thinks to himself that “Though Wuchang Gui is not smart, his ambition is not small” and makes it clear that WKX knows Wuchang Gui is working with the Scorpions. He also thinks that “the more they mess around, the closer I am to my goal.”
Back in town, WKX and ZZS are at a restaurant. There is food on the table, which they have not touched. They are drinking. GX sees them, and comes over in delight. She wants to know if WKX is looking for him, and why ZZS is still there. WKX wonders if she disapproves, and GX says she doesn’t. WKX asks after her health, and GX says she’s fine, especially since Chengling gave her the supplements Gao Chong had given him.
WKX says he hadn’t expected the Scorpions to sneak into Yueyang Sect and kidnap people, and wonders if there’s a spy. Then he tells GX to leave Yueyang Sect, and GX seems surprised and reluctant. WKX then asks ZZS if he’d mind GX coming along, and ZZS says he’d enjoy having her around. WKX tells GX she can go wherever she wants, and GX says she just wants to stay here and protect Chengling until the heroes conference ends.
CWN spots them, and comes and says hi. WKX asks GX how she hadn’t realised he was following her, and CWN denies that he was following. He says he heard from Zhu Yaozhi (the Yueyang Sect disciple in ep7, when CWN and GX first met) that GX was meeting someone here and he figured it was WKX and wanted to come with her because he was afraid she’d leave.
ZZS comments that this is why GX didn’t want to leave, clearly amused. CWN is delighted, but WKX cuts in and says GX’s opinions don’t matter; his do. GX goes quiet and sits. CWN, after a moment, talks about how he’s heard that ZZS is ill and WKX’s been trying to find doctors for him, and offers that his own master knows a lot of people and could help. He also attempts to sit, but WKX stops him and says he’ll take care of ZZS.
ZZS tugs at CWN to sit, and thanks him, and says that he’s “terminally ill and has no more days to live” so he shouldn’t bother. CWN and WKX are both very sad and surprised about this, and CWN calls it a trick of fate. He continues saying there must be a way, and maybe Gao Chong’s friendship with the three sages of Healer Valley could help. WKX and GX’s expressions at this idea are less than positive.
There’s a bit of silence, and then ZZS praises CWN’s heart but says he doesn’t want to waste his time trying to find medical treatment; he’d rather drink and travel with his zhiji while he can, doing whatever he wishes without regret.
His zhiji drinks, silent, and ZZS says that it’s inconvenient for GX to follow them around. He says they’d been looking for a trustworthy partner for her, and WKX doesn’t dispute this. CWN asks if they think he’s trustworthy, and there’s a lot of silent looks around the table before the episode ends.
General Commentary
Every time I watch this episode I make “D:” faces about Chengling literally cutting himself open to pull out the glazed armor. Shen Shen and Gao Chong’s faces are very accurate to my emotions! Why do they let him do this himself instead of just asking him to tell them where to cut? I mean, it’s really badass of Chengling to do this and barely show the pain, but it’s not… good…
I really love the way Gu Xiang is slowly realising the way she likes Cao Weining. The way this episode shows her being drawn to his caretaking and also confused and upset about the way she’s being protected (and how she might be enjoying that protection?) is wonderful.
I’m endlessly fascinated by the variations on Rong Xuan’s story we’re told. This one is rather different from Long Que’s, especially in discussing Rong Xuan’s death. The complete and utter absence of Zhen Ruyu from this story is the most notable bit, of course, since Zhen Ruyu (according to Long Que) was at Mount Qingya and tried to stop everyone from killing Rong Xuan. (Rong Xuan knocked him out, iirc, and then leapt forward in the end we’re shown here.)
Prince Jin having the cloth with a drawing of the Glazed Armor on it is fascinating! We learn, in ep36, that Zhou Zishu’s father searched out the Glazed Armor for Prince Jin’s predecessor; this is explicitly the cause of ZZS’s dad’s death and the reason the Glazed Armor was in QHZ’s hands to give to Rong Xuan et al. to seal the Armory. Likely, it’s how and why Prince Jin has the diagram.
This episode is also when we start seeing hints about the final piece of the key! It’s in the diagram, it’s in Rong Xuan’s hands as he puts the armor together… It’s not commented upon or mentioned outright (everyone’s still talking about the five pieces of Glazed Armor), but on a rewatch it’s very cool to see that seeded in the visuals.
The younger generation and their sense of duty is really interesting. Both Xiaolian and Chengling have speeches about doing what their father wants, but manifest it differently: Chengling talks about revenge for his family’s death (and guarding the glazed armor), while Xiaolian wants to help ease Gao Chong’s burden. These are gendered expectations, and also distinctly reveal how Chengling wasn’t raised as a sect heir (and has a way out of Alliance politics, via ZZS) but Xiaolian was (in her knowledge of politics and necessity).
...I think a lot of the rest of my brainwork this episode went into the Time Things I noted at the beginning of this post, so I suppose this gets to be shorter than often. xD That’s fine; I am the only one with expectations of myself, anyway. :)
Discussion Prompts/Questions
1. BACKSTORY, round two! :D Why do you think WKX keeps his parents (and ZZS’s master) out of this telling of Rong Xuan’s story? Do you think he’s trying to mislead ZZS, or is this truly the version of the tale he knows/remembers at this time?
2. I would like all your feelings about WKX, ZZS, and the ways in which they’re drawing closer to each other and sharing more about themselves/their pasts with each other! And/or general thoughts about their dates.
3. I’d also enjoy hearing your thoughts about Gu Xiang! Her developing relationship with CWN is a delight, and her attempt to keep Gao Chong from knowing the truth is reasonably effective, and the way she and Xiaolian contrast each other interests me too.
Next Time: Liu Qianqiao in disguise! ZZS in disguise! Ye Baiyi arrives! Episode 13 is a lot of fun! :D
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And of all people to choose, it's near-intentionally shady Wen Kexing as well!! Truly amazing stuff.
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