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ghost_valley2021-07-30 11:20 am
shadaras) wrote in ghost_valley2021-07-30 11:20 am
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[WoH Rewatch] Episode 8
Y’know, I was like “Hey what if I was less Extra (tm) about this?” and on the one hand I guess I managed but on the other “less extra” is still a lot of words.
List of Scenes
Gao Chong asks Chengling for the Glazed Armor; Chengling refuses to talk about it
ZZS and WKX sit down for a meal, and then send GX and CWN off to Yueyang Sect
WKX and ZZS talk about what WKX’s motives are
Xiaolian takes Chengling to see his new quarters
CWN asks Xiaolian to take in GX
ZZS and WKX see TC lanterns in the sky; GX tells them Gao Chong is taking Chengling to the Five Lakes Monument
Gao Chong takes Chengling to the Five Lakes Monument and talks about history/legacy
Han Ying attempts to kidnap Chengling
ZZS and WKX kidnap Han Ying instead
ZZS and WKX talk to Han Ying about the Glazed Armor (and the fact that ZZS is here at all)
Fang Buzhi looks over his spoils
WKX and ZZS talk by the fire; WKX calls ZZS his zhiji
Fang Buzhi is found dead
WKX makes ZZS buy him snacks
The circus/magic show thing happens; Ghost Valley does a dramatic interrupt
Gao Chong swears to destroy Ghost Valley
WKX and ZZS go to say hi to Zhao Jing
WKX asks Gao Chong if he recognises him
Timeline or Something
This takes place within 24hrs; an afternoon to a night to day again.
Recap
We begin at Yueyang Sect, where Gao Chong and his sworn brothers are talking to Chengling. Gao Chong has taken Chengling in, and seems worried about how weak he is (he thinks he might be ill), and we’re returning to the theme of Chengling starting his martial training too late. Gao Chong is very invested in Chengling taking on Mirror Lake Sect’s heritage and continuing that line.
Gao Chong asks for the Glazed Armor. Chengling says nothing, Shen Shen watches very intently, and Zhao Jing informs Gao Chong that Chengling has been traumatized and maybe they should talk about this later. Gao Chong says “The Glazed Armor is more important than Yusen’s life. It’s more important than our lives.” (Interesting partially for meaning, partially because he actually says Yusen instead of Si-di.)
When Gao Chong goes back to asking Chengling about the Glazed Armor, Chengling shouts back that he doesn’t know anything. Gao Chong closes his eyes, and Shen Shen gets involved, taking Gao Chong’s side. Zhao Jing takes this opportunity to continue protecting Chengling, though Shen Shen tries to make him back off.
Gao Chong admits that ZYS hadn’t been interacting with the Five Lakes Alliance for years, and asks who else Chengling could believe but them. He thinks Chengling doesn’t have any other choices. (Chengling, of course, has already chosen who he’d rather trust: ZZS and WKX.) We’re shown Chengling gripping the fabric of his robes by his side, where he’s been injured and we’ll later learn that the Glazed Armor is hidden. In this moment, it mostly seems like nerves.
Gao Chong warns Chengling that “The later you hand over the Glazed Armor, the more people in the jianghu will suffer”, and almost goes to hit him when Chengling continues saying he doesn’t know anything. Zhao Jing, again, is the one to grab Gao Chong’s hand to try and calm him down.
Chengling is dismissed, and the brothers keep talking. Gao Chong’s still upset, Zhao Jing tries to defend Chengling, and Gao Chong storms off. Shen Shen points out that ZYS’s death broke Gao Chong’s heart and Zhao Jing is making him more upset by bringing him up. Fascinating, here, is Shen Shen showing a lot of his emotional intelligence by being very certain that Gao Chong will of course care for Chengling even if he’s upset, and saying that Zhao Jing has “underestimated Da-ge’s generosity”. We’re starting to get into the turning point of where Zhao Jing’s scheming ways can be revealed, and Shen Shen’s genuinely good heart becomes clear.
Zhao Jing, this time, is the one to storm off as that scene ends.
We switch to CWN thanking ZZS and WKX for paying for him (as they sit at a food-filled table that GX is very into eating from). CWN offers to pay them back, and ZZS says that’s not necessary; “money is just a possession” and friends are more important. (Which goes along with what we were discussing last week in relation to ZZS letting WKX have his purse!) WKX seems very confused by how nice ZZS is being to CWN as ZZS introduces himself (as Zhou Xu) and asks CWN’s name. ZZS praises CWN’s sect and how it selects its disciples, and politely says that CWN is a good example of his sect.
CWN says he’s one of the worst of his sect, and ZZS denies that before continuing on about how it’s their fate to meet. ZZS invites CWN to sit and eat with them, and WKX opens his mouth in surprise but doesn’t actually protest. He’s still giving CWN a Look, though, and as CWN and ZZS share a drink he leans over to GX and asks her to get CWN to leave. She tells him that CWN could help her get into Yueyang Sect, and WKX seems to accept this.
Then, more loudly, he tells her to go find Fang Buzhi (the thief), and CWN starts worrying if GX will be able to do this on her own and offers to help her. He apologises to ZZS for not staying, and says he’ll find him again later and treat him to a meal. ZZS is chill about this, and then WKX brings up how they were invited by Zhao Jing (which is the most technical kind of truth) and will visit Yueyang Sect eventually. He also tells GX to not bother coming back if she doesn’t find his money.
GX and WKX stick their tongues out at each other like the siblings they are, and ZZS winces at them.
GX stalks off, and before CWN can follow, ZZS reminds him to tell Yueyang Sect what happened. CWN agrees, then rushes off to follow GX.
The camera follows CWN outside, and he trails behind GX. She turns and glares at him, pointedly refuses to remember his name, and asks why he’s following her. She guesses it’s money, ignores how he shakes his head, and then grins offers to lend him money (with a steep interest rate per day). CWN offers to bring her to Yueyang Sect, and GX nods and plays into this (since that’s her goal anyway), saying she can relax if the Five Lakes Alliance handles the thievery.
GX also asks if he knows what’s “good or funny” around here, and CWN is delighted to have an opening to offer to show her all the food in Yueyang. GX’s into being given good food, so they’re both happy as they walk off.
The show cuts back to ZZS and WKX, still at the table. WKX says that the leader of Gentle Wind Sword Sect is a “cunning old fox” (very accurately, as we’ll later learn!) and then calls CWN a rabbit. Then he complains about ZZS not talking to him, but being so friendly with CWN. (During this, we’re shown both of them drinking but neither of them touching the food.)
WKX reassures ZZS that he knows ZZS wants to hear about Chengling (still consistently calling him “your silly disciple”), and that GX will check in on him when CWN gets her into Yueyang Sect. ZZS finally responds to him at this point, telling him he’s taking advantage of GX’s good looks. WKX doesn’t really reply to that, instead just saying that GX will leave when she’s mature and “will hate [him] if [he] holds her back”. He doesn’t seem super happy about this, but it’s also a beginning of him actively thinking/talking about how GX should get to live a life of her own (and he does see CWN as a way for her to get there, as irritated as he might be by CWN).
ZZS wonders about WKX’s real motive, and WKX falls back on play-acting Philanthropist Wen, who must help people or fall ill. ZZS pushes a little on this, and WKX responds with “地狱不空 誓不成佛”, translated as “I will never be a Buddha until Hell is empty” (with a translator’s note that it’s a saying meaning “I’m determined to save everyone”), which on a first viewing feels like more play-acting but on this rewatch is just really good and accurate foreshadowing honestly. His expression leans into that interpretation, too; he’s serious here, not smiling.
ZZS laughs, though, and wonders where in this city full of heroes WKX will find “the dwellers of hell”. (A Ghost Valley musical cue plays over this question.) We’re back into WKX pointing out how much of a dark side righteous men can have (and talking about his own current life choices), as he says that “The fiercest ghosts tend to disguise themselves as human and hide in the crowd”. He says he’s here to reveal and destroy those ghosts, and ZZS says that he didn’t expect WKX to be “a gentleman who fights bad guys and seeks justice”. They both drink, and the scene ends.
Chengling is walking through Yueyang Sect when a disciple stops him (calling him Zhang-shidi). Chengling’s annoyed by the implication he doesn't know how to get back to his own room/needs an escort, but Gao Chong’s orders say otherwise. Chengling asks the disciple if he’s a guest or a criminal. Before the disciple (whose name, we learn, is Xie Wuyang) can get too annoyed, Gao Xiaolian comes over.
She dismisses the disciple, saying she’ll take care of Chengling, and tells Chengling that Gao Chong is just concerned about his safety (and hers, so it’s not just him). Xiaolian also reassures Chengling that Gao Chong might act fierce/cold but he’s actually a warm person inside. Chengling doesn’t say anything, mostly just looking kind of sad.
The scene shifts to the disciples’ compound, where we see various disciples working out at various training implements. Xiaolian continues talking to Chengling, saying that Yueyang Sect is usually frugal and (politely) that it might not be as nice as Mirror Lake Manor. She pats at his head as she tells him to let her know if he needs anything, and he sort of ducks away, and she backs off and acknowledges he’s an adult.
A disciple comes over to tell Xiaolian that CWN is looking for her. She dismisses the disciple, and then introduces Chengling to the other disciples he’ll be living with, saying they’re about his age and he should train with them in the future. Then she leaves, and the Yueyang disciples start commenting on how Chengling looks weak, and Chengling looks unhappy about all this.
We change scenes to CWN (and GX) talking to Xiaolian about Fang Buzhi. He asks Xiaolian to let GX stay at Yueyang Sect, and Xiaolian agrees to let GX stay at her compound. GX is doing her absolute best to be mannerly/polite, but still looks kind of overwhelmed by Xiaolian.
Another female disciple comes by and asks Xiaolian if she’s prepared things for worship, and Xiaolian wonders what kind of things (especially since it’s getting dark). The disciple tells her that Gao Chong wants to bring Chengling to worship the Five Lakes Monument. GX takes note of this, and Xiaolian passes GX off to her disciple to get settled in (and also reminds GX that CWN will be happy to help her if she ever needs it), and then the scene cuts.
ZZS and WKX take to the streets of Yueyang again. ZZS tells WKX to take care, because ZZS has something else he needs to do. When WKX tries to follow him, ZZS asks if he’s going to fight the dwellers of hell, and WKX laughs and says there’s no rush. ZZS asks why, then, WKX follows him (implying that ZZS’s one of those dwellers of hell), and WKX points out that ZZS lets him and then asks why ZZS follows Chengling.
WKX reassures ZZS that Chengling will be fine, and the “cunning foxes” or the Five Lakes Alliance won’t reveal themselves too soon (again, very accurate to Zhao Jing and this show), and ZZS sighs about how other people in the jianghu are paying attention to Chengling too now. Apparently, some of what ZZS had asked the waiter at the inn through all the spy codes last episode was if there had been “unruly martial artists” around, and WKX puts the pieces together about that being people dressing like “feudal officials” outside the town.
There isn’t any time for ZZS to respond before they both turn and see Tian Chuang lanterns rising into the sky. WKX doesn’t seem to know what’s up with that, but ZZS immediately recognises them and knows that the officials outside town are Tian Chuang. He wants to go to Yueyang Sect to investigate, but GX’s arrived first. She’s here to tell WXK and ZZS about Gao Chong taking Chengling to the Five Lakes Monument.
Before she finishes explaining, ZZS’s already gone “Oh shit” and starts running off. WKX takes a moment to tell GX to go back (to Yueyang Sect) before immediately following after.
(Brief interlude: They keep talking about how it’s going to be dark soon/night is coming/it’s late, but the lighting on all these shots feels like it’s midday? Maybe mid-afternoon at the latest? It sure doesn’t feel like late afternoon/evening, the way the dialogue implies. So I keep forgetting that people have this concern about time and it getting dark! Is this all just a metaphor? It works narratively as a metaphor! But the visuals don’t line up!)
The scene cuts to an overhead shot of the Five Lakes Monument, which we eventually recognise more as the place where the Heroes Conference takes place. From there, we’re shown the monument and its details as an instrumental version of Tian Wen plays and Gao Chong and Chengling approach. That song fades out as Gao Chong gestures for Chengling to kneel and pay his respects.
Gao Chong also starts giving us some history about the Five Lakes Alliance and its founding a hundred years ago. Included in this is the idea that “the righteousness of the five lakes came before the world alliance”. He contemplates how Chengling’s name will be carved into this monument one day when he takes on leadership of Mirror Lake Sect.
Then Gao Chong tells Chengling that “someone” thinks Chengling wouldn’t be able to take on that role and he should find some other disciple to take on that task. Gao Chong assures Chengling that he didn’t agree with that person, and thinks that Chengling will do just fine. Chengling tells Gao Chong that he’d do whatever Gao Chong decides.
From there, we cut to them walking back on a road through the forest. Gao Chong stops and calls for Shan’er (netflix subs say Gao Shan; he keeps popping up!) and Yaozhi (another of his disciples). In response, Han Ying and his Tian Chuang underlings come out with Yueyang disciples held captive.
(I have Questions about how/why the disciples were so far away from Gao Chong and Chengling; why were they not standing respectful guard just outside the Five Lakes Monument, within sight but not necessarily earshot? Why was there any length of time Gao Chong and Chengling were truly alone? Wasn’t Gao Chong still worried about exactly this happening, after what Han Ying told him last episode?)
The Yueyang disciples cry out for their shifu, and Han Ying greets Gao Chong in a delightfully villainous manner. Gao Chong calls this a “base trick”. Han Ying says he’d like to settle things peacefully; if Gao Chong hands over “the orphan of the Zhang family,” he’ll release the disciples. “Or else…” he adds, promising an escalation just as he had last time he asked for Chengling.
Gao Chong extends a guarding hand in front of Chengling, and challenges Han Ying to make good on his threat. Han Ying gestures, and his underlings ready their crossbows.
Also, a bunch more pop out of the woods so that Gao Chong and Chengling are surrounded. Gao Chong is more outraged about the use of crossbows (which should be governmental implements, not ones wielded by personal assassin organizations) than scared of the threat. He (accurately) asks if Prince Jin is planning to revolt.
Han Ying tells him to stop worrying about Tian Chuang/Prince Jin, and threatens to kill both Chengling and Gao Chong if Gao Chong doesn’t hand him over. Gao Chong says he’ll defend Chengling with his life, and Han Ying gives him one more chance to back down, saying “Tian Chuang knows everything; even if I kill you, I can still find out the truth about the Glazed Armor”. Gao Chong silently draws his sword.
From this standoff, we cut to ZZS and WKX observing everything. WKX wonders where Tian Chuang came from, and ZZS pulls out a lovely thin veil from his sleeve. WKX accurately guesses his plan, and tries to stop him, which works not at all. ZZS says this is none of WKX’s business, and WKX responds by offering to join in and bait the first round of crossbow shots while ZZS captures the leader.
ZZS says that nobody can fend off crossbow bolts, and WKX says “A gentleman is willing to die for his soulmate [zhiji]”. ZZS doesn’t respond directly to this thought, instead saying that he will distract the crossbows while WKX captures the leader. He doesn’t give WKX time to debate this before tying the veil on and darting out.
ZZS immediately has everyone’s attention. For all that he said nobody could block crossbow bolts, he’s doing a fantastic job of dodging all of them. He clears space around Han Ying, Han Ying calls off his men, and WKX jumps in and grabs Han Ying, all in the space of maybe a dozen seconds. ZZS tells Han Ying to release the disciples (we get a shot of Chengling’s face here; presumably he recognises ZZS’s voice), Han Ying passes on the order, and the Yueyang disciples run back to Gao Chong.
Gao Chong asks who ZZS and WKX are, and for once WKX joins ZZS in preferring obscurity. He tells Gao Chong not to befriend them and to leave (ZZS gives him the same kind of look, though), and Gao Chong takes the hint and does exactly that.
WKX calls Han Ying “xiao-daren” (translated here as Little Master), and wants to continue having him captured. Han Ying tells his men to retreat, then looks at ZZS and says (very confidently) “They wouldn’t hurt me” (even though WKX’s been holding him by the throat this whole time). ZZS swallows, because by now he definitely knows Han Ying’s recognised him. WKX, on the other hand, says he wouldn’t dare provoke them (and that they’ll give Han Ying back). Tian Chuang lowers their crossbows, and WKX backs up, bringing Han Ying and ZZS with him.
Now that they’re in a more private patch of forest, WKX turns to ZZS and says that ZZS owes him for this. ZZS doesn’t answer; he’s too caught up in meeting Han Ying’s gaze. WKX looks between them, then tells Han Ying to watch his eyes; why’s Han Ying looking at ZZS when WKX’s the one with his hand on Han Ying’s throat?
Han Ying says “Zhuangzhu” with so much emotion, and ZZS takes off his veil. Han Ying immediately kneels, and WKX’s hand drops from his throat. ZZS doesn’t look particularly happy about being recognised as Han Ying excitedly explains how he recognised ZZS, ending with asking why ZZS is even here (and not in disguise). WKX discontentedly also removes his veil, and looks at ZZS with puppy dog eyes. Han Ying’s final question is “How’s your injury?”, so he knew something of what’s up with ZZS (but probably not the full Nail-ridden extent).
ZZS says he’s had enough of hiding himself, voice and face sliding back into TC-seriousness in sharp contrast to how soft and smiling he’s been with WKX lately. ZZS apologises to Han Ying, says he knew Han Ying would recognise him, and raises him up from kneeling.
Han Ying says “You saved my life. I’m willing to risk everything at your command.” (And, as we later learn, even without ZZS’s command, so long as he thinks ZZS would want/benefit from his actions.)
WKX coughs to get their attention, and asks ZZS if he should leave. ZZS glances at him, says nothing, and then turns back to Han Ying. He lists out the signs of Tian Chuang he’s seen, and says he thought they were looking for him and not the glazed armor. Han Ying confirms he was sent to investigate after Mirror Lake Manor burnt, and ZZS wonders why Tian Chuang cares. Han Ying says he doesn’t know, but DPJ cares about the glazed armor very much.
Han Ying offers to investigate, and ZZS tells him not to; he’s put Han Ying in danger, and says that exposing himself this way was his last resort. (WKX looks at him, making another sad/confused face.) ZZS points out that very few people who joined TC because of him are still alive, and then adds that (at the very least Han Ying, but it might be all those members) are still loyal to him so long as they continue to live.
WKX interrupts, still calling Han Ying “xiao-daren”. Han Ying gives his name, and WKX continues as if he didn’t, wondering why Han Ying wanted Chengling since “Hanged Ghost” attacked Mirror Lake Manor and “the glazed armor should be with Ghost Valley” (something he has to know isn’t true). Han Ying respectfully tells him about TC’s spy in Mirror Lake Manor, who watched the Zhangs die without hanging over the Glazed Armor, and how that means Chengling should have the Glazed Armor. WKX nods a little, and agrees, and points out that the rest of the jianghu has also likely deduced this.
Han Ying asks ZZS if he has any orders. Before he can respond, WKX turns and (with a smile) says that Chengling belongs to ZZS (whose response is a warning “lao-Wen”). Han Ying’s surprised to learn ZZS knows Chengling, and starts promising not to do anything to him, but ZZS cuts him off and tells him to act like he’s never seen ZZS at all. He says not to hurry to take action, though, because the Five Lakes Alliance will force Chengling to hand over the Glazed Armor before the Heroes Conference.
The scene cuts there, and now we’re back in Yueyang. Fang Buzhi, the thief who stole everyone’s money and the glazed armor, is laying out his spoils. He considers the glazed armor, and wonders if WKX was a fool for carrying it around. Then, in another pouch, he finds a copy of the glazed armor, and wonders WTF is going on. Then someone enters the room to ominous music, and the scene cuts.
It’s night now, and ZZS and WKX have built a fire where they’re camping outside for some reason. WKX walks up to ZZS, and asks “What kind of man am I following?” ZZS ducks his head for a moment, and thanks WKX, who just really wants an answer to how ZZS went from TC’s leader to a sunbather in Yue. ZZS tells him he left TC, and that he owes WKX a favor. WKX denies the favor, but wants an explanation.
“Do you really expect me to believe you’d do this for three mace of silver?” WKX asks. “What’s your relationship to Zhang Chengling?” ZZS admits that while he’s fulfilled his promise to the boatman, he just couldn’t stand by and watch Chengling in danger without doing anything. He says that perhaps he’ll suffer less in the afterlife because of this charity.
WKX comments on friends deceiving each other and strangers trusting each other (in poetic diction, and a pointed comment on the show’s plot thus far), and continues pressing ZZS about if he’s related to the Five Lakes Alliance.
At this point, ZZS finally looks at WKX, wonders if he has a grudge against the Five Lakes Alliance, and asks WKX why he was at Mirror Lake Manor. WKX says he was following ZZS, making fate happen.
ZZS says he’s asking because he’s treating WKX as a friend, and this stops WKX.
WKX’s surprised by this, and softens, and then it feels like he tries to make it a joke about “only treating me as a friend” so that he can get back to his normal affect. He asks ZZS if ZZS wants to know how WKX thinks of him, and ZZS says he doesn’t care (his eyes darting all around as he says this) and then tries to end the conversation immediately by talking about how they should get going.
WKX lets him go, turns and looks at him with a sigh, and says “You’re my zhiji” loudly enough that ZZS probably could hear him if he were listening. (And, too, I wonder if ZZS ran away from this because he’d already heard WKX call him zhiji right before they confronted TC and he just Cannot Deal right now with all the emotions that brings up for him.)
The scene cuts back to Yueyang, where disciples find Fang Buzhi’s body. He’s died from poison, they determine. (The leader of this group is Gao-shixiong; possibly the Gao Shan named in ep3 when Gao Chong was announcing the Heroes Conference.) They look at what Fang Buzhi stole, wonder who found him first, and the scene ends.
WKX and ZZS walk through Yueyang, and WKX starts making ZZS buy him snacks by picking up food and then walking away without paying so that ZZS feels obligated to pay for him (he does try and offer the food to ZZS, too, but ZZS doesn’t accept). WKX is delighted by this, and ZZS calls him a “child at his first market”, which is sad and also accurate. They bicker, and ZZS’s like “pay me back” and WKX’s like “Nah” and then “What if I listened to your commands?” to which ZZS’s like “Sure. Go away.” WKX, of course, continues following him.
WKX then drags ZZS to the weird circus thing? With the belly dancing and the stabbing-swords-through-a-box magic trick? WKX enjoys it, while ZZS seems more like “why am I here” (but is still enjoying WKX’s delight).
ZZS notices something’s up with one of the musicians, though, and calls WKX’s attention to it. They’re both fascinated by the sword-stabbing thing; to me it seems like WKX is watching like a child and ZZS like he’s looking for the trick.
Then Ghost Valley shows up! Banners unfurl, ten human heads (the dead from the murder-wedding) roll out of the sword-box, and evil laughter sounds as Ghost Valley congratulates them on the upcoming Heroes Conference. (I can’t tell who it is from the voice; I don’t know their voices well enough. I suspect it’s whoever the musician was? Because that guy disappears.) WKX is either truly surprised by this or really good at faking it.
Yueyang disciples rush in nearly immediately, full of concern, and go to arrest the performers. They promise to investigate, and WKX smirks and comments on how Yueyang Sect is more powerful than officials (who we do see, in smaller numbers than Yueyang disciples, helping control the crowd). ZZS’s just surprised Ghost Valley is causing chaos. WKX thinks Ghost Valley wanted to humiliate Yueyang Sect/Gao Chong, and asks ZZS if he thinks there’s more to come. ZZS doesn’t respond, and so WKX asks about Chengling (and gets a response; ZZS being annoyed by WKX calling him ZZS’s disciple).
WKX also then decides they should go meet with Zhao Jing and pay their respects to Gao Chong. ZZS doesn’t say anything, but the camera lingers for a moment before the scene shifts to Yueyang Sect.
A disciple is crying about Wei-shidi’s death/finding his head at the circus-thing. Mu Yunge’s dad is swearing revenge. Generally speaking, everyone’s mad at Ghost Valley. (Yu Qiufeng gets the most lines about this. Also, I love that he's shown supporting Mu Yunge's dad here; they're friends!)
Gao Chong, facing away from his hall full of people, is also very upset. Zhao Jing tries to calm him by saying “Ghost Valley will collapse of its own accord with its evil deeds”, which is such an empty platitude; it suits his persona very well, though. Shen Shen goes back to swearing revenge as a way of comforting him. This works better, and Gao Chong turns to face everyone and swears to demolish Ghost Valley.
Outside, WKX and ZZS arrive in the courtyard and a disciple goes in to announce them. Zhao Jing and Shen Shen come out, and Zhao Jing greets them with “Wen-xiongdi. Zhou-xiongdi.”; they must’ve given their names, since later Gao Chong also knows them, but Zhao Jing doesn’t seem to acknowledge ZZS much. WKX greets them in return, and Shen Shen says they’d been looking for WKX and ZZS.
WKX’s amused by Shen Shen having been looking for him (he specifically uses singular when Shen Shen used plural; this pattern continues throughout the conversation), but Shen Shen’s manner sharpens as he asks why WKX and ZZS left Sanbai Manor without a word after such an incident (implicitly wondering if they were responsible). WKX apologises, somewhat sincerely, and says he’d left a note before they left. Shen Shen keeps questioning them, and WKX wonders if Zhao Jing blames them. Zhao Jing doesn’t, and scolds Shen Shen for being suspicious of such benefactors.
Gao Chong arrives just in time to hear this, and introduces WKX as the one who rescued Chengling. He does not mention ZZS. Gao Chong studies them, mostly ZZS, and wonders if WKX knows him.
WKX says Gao Chong is well-known, so of course he knows him, then asks if Gao Chong knows him in return. (WKX’s expression is very guarded here.) Gao Chong says he doesn’t, and WKX looks almost upset by this.
Gao Chong asks how WKX knew ZYS, and thanks both WKX and ZZS for escorting Chengling to safety (interesting, since Zhao Jing only introduced WKX that way). ZZS wonders to himself why WKX is “looking strange” and what his relationship with Gao Chong is (giving him the same look he does in any “why is WKX telling this story?” situation).
WKX says he didn’t know ZYS, and that he “Did it for justice. It was fate.”, then says they came here to visit Chengling and asks after him.
Gao Chong says Chengling is feeling unwell and resting, so they can’t visit him, and WKX asks if he’s sick. Gao Chong instead asks what WKX’s full name is, and WKX (still with that odd sort-of-sad but almost-hopeful look on his face) gives his full name.
Gao Chong nods, then looks at Zhao Jing, who asks what sect WKX is from. WKX says he doesn’t belong to any sects, but his father taught him some things.
Zhao Jing then asks who his father was. WKX hesitates (and ZZS turns to watch him), then says that his father was “just an ordinary, unsophisticated man. He was a nobody. He was not even a clever man. It's been many years since my father passed away. You chevaliers have been busy; how would you remember someone like him?”
Gao Chong kind of sighs, and is about to answer him, when a disciple starts running up shouting about bad things happening.
The moment is lost, as Gao Chong scolds the disciple for being so panicked in front of guests. The disciple says that Gao-shixiong has discovered a corpse! Gao Chong and WKX look at each other in the last moment of the episode.
General Commentary
This episode acknowledges how Gao Chong has been presented as angry and not necessarily a nice person, and then explicitly says “He’s actually nice” and then goes and textually proves it by how he interacts with Chengling after Xiaolian says this (in direct contrast to how he’d acted before Xiaolian pointed this out). It’s yet another instance of the show wanting to say that first impressions of characters shouldn’t be trusted, and that people can act angry but have kind hearts underneath (see: Shen Shen).
I also wonder how much of Gao Chong’s anger in the opening scene is actually anger and how much is Zhao Jing framing him as angry so that he can keep trying to make Chengling like him best. Gao Chong’s clearly upset and frustrated, yeah, but I don’t know if he’s actually angry; he’s just behaving in ways that make that really easy to read into his actions. Shen Shen even tells Zhao Jing that he made Gao Chong more upset by bringing up specific things, and it throws Zhao Jing for a loop for a moment before he tries his ingratiating act again (and it doesn’t work very well, because of how much Shen Shen believes in Gao Chong and how he doesn’t see Zhao Jing’s version of the story well at all).
Chengling is so clearly unhappy during this episode. Not just because he’s trying to keep from telling his uncles stuff, but also because he’s being kept very careful track of and his age-mate disciples have already started saying unkind things about him after knowing him for like a minute. We’ll see that play out even more over the next episodes, too.
Gu Xiang likes Cao Weining, and is so out of her depth with Gao Xiaolian, but she’s doing her absolute best to play the role Wen Kexing has given her (and which she suggested she take on). It’s really quite sweet.
Why does TC announce themselves with those lanterns? It seems so counterintuitive to their secret assassin thing? I got it with the first episode, where being frightening was part of the point, but here I don’t know what purpose it serves…
Han Ying is not a puppy! He is an assassin and a leader who doesn’t want to be forced to kill if he doesn’t need to, and that’s different.
(…I wrote that sentence last night and thought I might have more to say about it in the morning, but nope, that’s my thoughts, that’s my commentary on certain fanon trends that I hope are slowing down…)
More interestingly, Han Ying is also not afraid of Wen Kexing; he trusts Zhou Zishu’s friend not to hurt him and that’s really fucking powerful and cool considering that Wen Kexing is positioned to literally crush his throat in a second if he wanted to. He doesn’t seem to notice or care at all that Wen Kexing’s hand is there unless Wen Kexing is actively reminding him, and no matter how lightly Wen Kexing might be holding on, his fingers are still there.
The first active use of zhiji! Honestly, a lot of what interests me here is Wen Kexing using it in a plausible-deniability way right before the Tian Chuang confrontation, and then really wanting Zhou Zishu to ask him and give him an opening to say to to Zhou Zishu openly. It’s not a word he want to commit to if Zhou Zishu isn’t ready to hear it, is the impression I get, but it’s still one he wants to say (even if it’s to Zhou Zishu’s back, so they can both let it slide if Zhou Zishu doesn’t want to deal with Feelings right now).
I love all the ways that Wen Kexing drags Zhou Zishu around Yueyang, and how excited he is about getting to go around and buy treats and experience new things, and that Zhou Zishu lets him. Zhou Zishu might be like “Stop spending my money”, but he doesn’t actually mean it very much. And he might be like “why are we doing this”, but he also doesn’t prevent Wen Kexing from leading him around to things that Wen Kexing wants to do. It’s very sweet.
I’m also amused by how insistent Wen Kexing is about calling Chengling “your silly disciple” to Zhou Zishu, and how Zhou Zishu doesn’t stop him from doing that. It’s a nice set-up for how Zhou Zishu’s resistance to the idea is slowly being worn down.
Every time I rewatch that last scene where Wen Kexing is talking to Gao Chong I have more feelings about it. It’s a lot! Is Wen Kexing trying to get Gao Chong to recognise him? There’s just so much emotion in his face, and he’s being so careful with his words, and I feel like one could write a thousand words about those few minutes alone if one really focused on it.
Discussion Prompts/Questions
1. Zhiji!I think we all remember Wen Kexing calling Zhou Zishu his zhiji in the forest, but I hadn’t recalled him using it right before Tian Chuang stuff too. Both times, Zhou Zishu takes this as his cue to run away. But also, there’s only one more episode before their first break-up; Zhou Zishu’s got to have a lot of feelings about Wen Kexing’s word-choice here. What are your thoughts/feelings?
2. A commenttrobadora made on the last post made me start paying attention to Zhao Jing’s expressions (or lack thereof). His face is flatter/more emotionless than I expect, a lot of the time! What do you think about that, and how it helps (or hurts) his ability to manipulate people/play his ineffectual-but-well-meaning role?
3. Wen Kexing is giving so many clues and openings, so much information that could be put together if people just thought about it the right way. Do you think he wants Gao Chong to recognise him? (And/or for Zhou Zishu to put all the pieces together?)
Next Time: Episode 9! Lots of Wenzhou flirting, some GX/CWN flirting, Chengling gets bullied, rooftop drinking, the revelation of the fake glazed armor plan, Deng Kuan is returned to Yueyang, and the death of the Four Sages of Anji. So many memorable moments! We’re getting into it now!
List of Scenes
Gao Chong asks Chengling for the Glazed Armor; Chengling refuses to talk about it
ZZS and WKX sit down for a meal, and then send GX and CWN off to Yueyang Sect
WKX and ZZS talk about what WKX’s motives are
Xiaolian takes Chengling to see his new quarters
CWN asks Xiaolian to take in GX
ZZS and WKX see TC lanterns in the sky; GX tells them Gao Chong is taking Chengling to the Five Lakes Monument
Gao Chong takes Chengling to the Five Lakes Monument and talks about history/legacy
Han Ying attempts to kidnap Chengling
ZZS and WKX kidnap Han Ying instead
ZZS and WKX talk to Han Ying about the Glazed Armor (and the fact that ZZS is here at all)
Fang Buzhi looks over his spoils
WKX and ZZS talk by the fire; WKX calls ZZS his zhiji
Fang Buzhi is found dead
WKX makes ZZS buy him snacks
The circus/magic show thing happens; Ghost Valley does a dramatic interrupt
Gao Chong swears to destroy Ghost Valley
WKX and ZZS go to say hi to Zhao Jing
WKX asks Gao Chong if he recognises him
Timeline or Something
This takes place within 24hrs; an afternoon to a night to day again.
Recap
We begin at Yueyang Sect, where Gao Chong and his sworn brothers are talking to Chengling. Gao Chong has taken Chengling in, and seems worried about how weak he is (he thinks he might be ill), and we’re returning to the theme of Chengling starting his martial training too late. Gao Chong is very invested in Chengling taking on Mirror Lake Sect’s heritage and continuing that line.
Gao Chong asks for the Glazed Armor. Chengling says nothing, Shen Shen watches very intently, and Zhao Jing informs Gao Chong that Chengling has been traumatized and maybe they should talk about this later. Gao Chong says “The Glazed Armor is more important than Yusen’s life. It’s more important than our lives.” (Interesting partially for meaning, partially because he actually says Yusen instead of Si-di.)
When Gao Chong goes back to asking Chengling about the Glazed Armor, Chengling shouts back that he doesn’t know anything. Gao Chong closes his eyes, and Shen Shen gets involved, taking Gao Chong’s side. Zhao Jing takes this opportunity to continue protecting Chengling, though Shen Shen tries to make him back off.
Gao Chong admits that ZYS hadn’t been interacting with the Five Lakes Alliance for years, and asks who else Chengling could believe but them. He thinks Chengling doesn’t have any other choices. (Chengling, of course, has already chosen who he’d rather trust: ZZS and WKX.) We’re shown Chengling gripping the fabric of his robes by his side, where he’s been injured and we’ll later learn that the Glazed Armor is hidden. In this moment, it mostly seems like nerves.
Gao Chong warns Chengling that “The later you hand over the Glazed Armor, the more people in the jianghu will suffer”, and almost goes to hit him when Chengling continues saying he doesn’t know anything. Zhao Jing, again, is the one to grab Gao Chong’s hand to try and calm him down.
Chengling is dismissed, and the brothers keep talking. Gao Chong’s still upset, Zhao Jing tries to defend Chengling, and Gao Chong storms off. Shen Shen points out that ZYS’s death broke Gao Chong’s heart and Zhao Jing is making him more upset by bringing him up. Fascinating, here, is Shen Shen showing a lot of his emotional intelligence by being very certain that Gao Chong will of course care for Chengling even if he’s upset, and saying that Zhao Jing has “underestimated Da-ge’s generosity”. We’re starting to get into the turning point of where Zhao Jing’s scheming ways can be revealed, and Shen Shen’s genuinely good heart becomes clear.
Zhao Jing, this time, is the one to storm off as that scene ends.
We switch to CWN thanking ZZS and WKX for paying for him (as they sit at a food-filled table that GX is very into eating from). CWN offers to pay them back, and ZZS says that’s not necessary; “money is just a possession” and friends are more important. (Which goes along with what we were discussing last week in relation to ZZS letting WKX have his purse!) WKX seems very confused by how nice ZZS is being to CWN as ZZS introduces himself (as Zhou Xu) and asks CWN’s name. ZZS praises CWN’s sect and how it selects its disciples, and politely says that CWN is a good example of his sect.
CWN says he’s one of the worst of his sect, and ZZS denies that before continuing on about how it’s their fate to meet. ZZS invites CWN to sit and eat with them, and WKX opens his mouth in surprise but doesn’t actually protest. He’s still giving CWN a Look, though, and as CWN and ZZS share a drink he leans over to GX and asks her to get CWN to leave. She tells him that CWN could help her get into Yueyang Sect, and WKX seems to accept this.
Then, more loudly, he tells her to go find Fang Buzhi (the thief), and CWN starts worrying if GX will be able to do this on her own and offers to help her. He apologises to ZZS for not staying, and says he’ll find him again later and treat him to a meal. ZZS is chill about this, and then WKX brings up how they were invited by Zhao Jing (which is the most technical kind of truth) and will visit Yueyang Sect eventually. He also tells GX to not bother coming back if she doesn’t find his money.
GX and WKX stick their tongues out at each other like the siblings they are, and ZZS winces at them.
GX stalks off, and before CWN can follow, ZZS reminds him to tell Yueyang Sect what happened. CWN agrees, then rushes off to follow GX.
The camera follows CWN outside, and he trails behind GX. She turns and glares at him, pointedly refuses to remember his name, and asks why he’s following her. She guesses it’s money, ignores how he shakes his head, and then grins offers to lend him money (with a steep interest rate per day). CWN offers to bring her to Yueyang Sect, and GX nods and plays into this (since that’s her goal anyway), saying she can relax if the Five Lakes Alliance handles the thievery.
GX also asks if he knows what’s “good or funny” around here, and CWN is delighted to have an opening to offer to show her all the food in Yueyang. GX’s into being given good food, so they’re both happy as they walk off.
The show cuts back to ZZS and WKX, still at the table. WKX says that the leader of Gentle Wind Sword Sect is a “cunning old fox” (very accurately, as we’ll later learn!) and then calls CWN a rabbit. Then he complains about ZZS not talking to him, but being so friendly with CWN. (During this, we’re shown both of them drinking but neither of them touching the food.)
WKX reassures ZZS that he knows ZZS wants to hear about Chengling (still consistently calling him “your silly disciple”), and that GX will check in on him when CWN gets her into Yueyang Sect. ZZS finally responds to him at this point, telling him he’s taking advantage of GX’s good looks. WKX doesn’t really reply to that, instead just saying that GX will leave when she’s mature and “will hate [him] if [he] holds her back”. He doesn’t seem super happy about this, but it’s also a beginning of him actively thinking/talking about how GX should get to live a life of her own (and he does see CWN as a way for her to get there, as irritated as he might be by CWN).
ZZS wonders about WKX’s real motive, and WKX falls back on play-acting Philanthropist Wen, who must help people or fall ill. ZZS pushes a little on this, and WKX responds with “地狱不空 誓不成佛”, translated as “I will never be a Buddha until Hell is empty” (with a translator’s note that it’s a saying meaning “I’m determined to save everyone”), which on a first viewing feels like more play-acting but on this rewatch is just really good and accurate foreshadowing honestly. His expression leans into that interpretation, too; he’s serious here, not smiling.
ZZS laughs, though, and wonders where in this city full of heroes WKX will find “the dwellers of hell”. (A Ghost Valley musical cue plays over this question.) We’re back into WKX pointing out how much of a dark side righteous men can have (and talking about his own current life choices), as he says that “The fiercest ghosts tend to disguise themselves as human and hide in the crowd”. He says he’s here to reveal and destroy those ghosts, and ZZS says that he didn’t expect WKX to be “a gentleman who fights bad guys and seeks justice”. They both drink, and the scene ends.
Chengling is walking through Yueyang Sect when a disciple stops him (calling him Zhang-shidi). Chengling’s annoyed by the implication he doesn't know how to get back to his own room/needs an escort, but Gao Chong’s orders say otherwise. Chengling asks the disciple if he’s a guest or a criminal. Before the disciple (whose name, we learn, is Xie Wuyang) can get too annoyed, Gao Xiaolian comes over.
She dismisses the disciple, saying she’ll take care of Chengling, and tells Chengling that Gao Chong is just concerned about his safety (and hers, so it’s not just him). Xiaolian also reassures Chengling that Gao Chong might act fierce/cold but he’s actually a warm person inside. Chengling doesn’t say anything, mostly just looking kind of sad.
The scene shifts to the disciples’ compound, where we see various disciples working out at various training implements. Xiaolian continues talking to Chengling, saying that Yueyang Sect is usually frugal and (politely) that it might not be as nice as Mirror Lake Manor. She pats at his head as she tells him to let her know if he needs anything, and he sort of ducks away, and she backs off and acknowledges he’s an adult.
A disciple comes over to tell Xiaolian that CWN is looking for her. She dismisses the disciple, and then introduces Chengling to the other disciples he’ll be living with, saying they’re about his age and he should train with them in the future. Then she leaves, and the Yueyang disciples start commenting on how Chengling looks weak, and Chengling looks unhappy about all this.
We change scenes to CWN (and GX) talking to Xiaolian about Fang Buzhi. He asks Xiaolian to let GX stay at Yueyang Sect, and Xiaolian agrees to let GX stay at her compound. GX is doing her absolute best to be mannerly/polite, but still looks kind of overwhelmed by Xiaolian.
Another female disciple comes by and asks Xiaolian if she’s prepared things for worship, and Xiaolian wonders what kind of things (especially since it’s getting dark). The disciple tells her that Gao Chong wants to bring Chengling to worship the Five Lakes Monument. GX takes note of this, and Xiaolian passes GX off to her disciple to get settled in (and also reminds GX that CWN will be happy to help her if she ever needs it), and then the scene cuts.
ZZS and WKX take to the streets of Yueyang again. ZZS tells WKX to take care, because ZZS has something else he needs to do. When WKX tries to follow him, ZZS asks if he’s going to fight the dwellers of hell, and WKX laughs and says there’s no rush. ZZS asks why, then, WKX follows him (implying that ZZS’s one of those dwellers of hell), and WKX points out that ZZS lets him and then asks why ZZS follows Chengling.
WKX reassures ZZS that Chengling will be fine, and the “cunning foxes” or the Five Lakes Alliance won’t reveal themselves too soon (again, very accurate to Zhao Jing and this show), and ZZS sighs about how other people in the jianghu are paying attention to Chengling too now. Apparently, some of what ZZS had asked the waiter at the inn through all the spy codes last episode was if there had been “unruly martial artists” around, and WKX puts the pieces together about that being people dressing like “feudal officials” outside the town.
There isn’t any time for ZZS to respond before they both turn and see Tian Chuang lanterns rising into the sky. WKX doesn’t seem to know what’s up with that, but ZZS immediately recognises them and knows that the officials outside town are Tian Chuang. He wants to go to Yueyang Sect to investigate, but GX’s arrived first. She’s here to tell WXK and ZZS about Gao Chong taking Chengling to the Five Lakes Monument.
Before she finishes explaining, ZZS’s already gone “Oh shit” and starts running off. WKX takes a moment to tell GX to go back (to Yueyang Sect) before immediately following after.
(Brief interlude: They keep talking about how it’s going to be dark soon/night is coming/it’s late, but the lighting on all these shots feels like it’s midday? Maybe mid-afternoon at the latest? It sure doesn’t feel like late afternoon/evening, the way the dialogue implies. So I keep forgetting that people have this concern about time and it getting dark! Is this all just a metaphor? It works narratively as a metaphor! But the visuals don’t line up!)
The scene cuts to an overhead shot of the Five Lakes Monument, which we eventually recognise more as the place where the Heroes Conference takes place. From there, we’re shown the monument and its details as an instrumental version of Tian Wen plays and Gao Chong and Chengling approach. That song fades out as Gao Chong gestures for Chengling to kneel and pay his respects.
Gao Chong also starts giving us some history about the Five Lakes Alliance and its founding a hundred years ago. Included in this is the idea that “the righteousness of the five lakes came before the world alliance”. He contemplates how Chengling’s name will be carved into this monument one day when he takes on leadership of Mirror Lake Sect.
Then Gao Chong tells Chengling that “someone” thinks Chengling wouldn’t be able to take on that role and he should find some other disciple to take on that task. Gao Chong assures Chengling that he didn’t agree with that person, and thinks that Chengling will do just fine. Chengling tells Gao Chong that he’d do whatever Gao Chong decides.
From there, we cut to them walking back on a road through the forest. Gao Chong stops and calls for Shan’er (netflix subs say Gao Shan; he keeps popping up!) and Yaozhi (another of his disciples). In response, Han Ying and his Tian Chuang underlings come out with Yueyang disciples held captive.
(I have Questions about how/why the disciples were so far away from Gao Chong and Chengling; why were they not standing respectful guard just outside the Five Lakes Monument, within sight but not necessarily earshot? Why was there any length of time Gao Chong and Chengling were truly alone? Wasn’t Gao Chong still worried about exactly this happening, after what Han Ying told him last episode?)
The Yueyang disciples cry out for their shifu, and Han Ying greets Gao Chong in a delightfully villainous manner. Gao Chong calls this a “base trick”. Han Ying says he’d like to settle things peacefully; if Gao Chong hands over “the orphan of the Zhang family,” he’ll release the disciples. “Or else…” he adds, promising an escalation just as he had last time he asked for Chengling.
Gao Chong extends a guarding hand in front of Chengling, and challenges Han Ying to make good on his threat. Han Ying gestures, and his underlings ready their crossbows.
Also, a bunch more pop out of the woods so that Gao Chong and Chengling are surrounded. Gao Chong is more outraged about the use of crossbows (which should be governmental implements, not ones wielded by personal assassin organizations) than scared of the threat. He (accurately) asks if Prince Jin is planning to revolt.
Han Ying tells him to stop worrying about Tian Chuang/Prince Jin, and threatens to kill both Chengling and Gao Chong if Gao Chong doesn’t hand him over. Gao Chong says he’ll defend Chengling with his life, and Han Ying gives him one more chance to back down, saying “Tian Chuang knows everything; even if I kill you, I can still find out the truth about the Glazed Armor”. Gao Chong silently draws his sword.
From this standoff, we cut to ZZS and WKX observing everything. WKX wonders where Tian Chuang came from, and ZZS pulls out a lovely thin veil from his sleeve. WKX accurately guesses his plan, and tries to stop him, which works not at all. ZZS says this is none of WKX’s business, and WKX responds by offering to join in and bait the first round of crossbow shots while ZZS captures the leader.
ZZS says that nobody can fend off crossbow bolts, and WKX says “A gentleman is willing to die for his soulmate [zhiji]”. ZZS doesn’t respond directly to this thought, instead saying that he will distract the crossbows while WKX captures the leader. He doesn’t give WKX time to debate this before tying the veil on and darting out.
ZZS immediately has everyone’s attention. For all that he said nobody could block crossbow bolts, he’s doing a fantastic job of dodging all of them. He clears space around Han Ying, Han Ying calls off his men, and WKX jumps in and grabs Han Ying, all in the space of maybe a dozen seconds. ZZS tells Han Ying to release the disciples (we get a shot of Chengling’s face here; presumably he recognises ZZS’s voice), Han Ying passes on the order, and the Yueyang disciples run back to Gao Chong.
Gao Chong asks who ZZS and WKX are, and for once WKX joins ZZS in preferring obscurity. He tells Gao Chong not to befriend them and to leave (ZZS gives him the same kind of look, though), and Gao Chong takes the hint and does exactly that.
WKX calls Han Ying “xiao-daren” (translated here as Little Master), and wants to continue having him captured. Han Ying tells his men to retreat, then looks at ZZS and says (very confidently) “They wouldn’t hurt me” (even though WKX’s been holding him by the throat this whole time). ZZS swallows, because by now he definitely knows Han Ying’s recognised him. WKX, on the other hand, says he wouldn’t dare provoke them (and that they’ll give Han Ying back). Tian Chuang lowers their crossbows, and WKX backs up, bringing Han Ying and ZZS with him.
Now that they’re in a more private patch of forest, WKX turns to ZZS and says that ZZS owes him for this. ZZS doesn’t answer; he’s too caught up in meeting Han Ying’s gaze. WKX looks between them, then tells Han Ying to watch his eyes; why’s Han Ying looking at ZZS when WKX’s the one with his hand on Han Ying’s throat?
Han Ying says “Zhuangzhu” with so much emotion, and ZZS takes off his veil. Han Ying immediately kneels, and WKX’s hand drops from his throat. ZZS doesn’t look particularly happy about being recognised as Han Ying excitedly explains how he recognised ZZS, ending with asking why ZZS is even here (and not in disguise). WKX discontentedly also removes his veil, and looks at ZZS with puppy dog eyes. Han Ying’s final question is “How’s your injury?”, so he knew something of what’s up with ZZS (but probably not the full Nail-ridden extent).
ZZS says he’s had enough of hiding himself, voice and face sliding back into TC-seriousness in sharp contrast to how soft and smiling he’s been with WKX lately. ZZS apologises to Han Ying, says he knew Han Ying would recognise him, and raises him up from kneeling.
Han Ying says “You saved my life. I’m willing to risk everything at your command.” (And, as we later learn, even without ZZS’s command, so long as he thinks ZZS would want/benefit from his actions.)
WKX coughs to get their attention, and asks ZZS if he should leave. ZZS glances at him, says nothing, and then turns back to Han Ying. He lists out the signs of Tian Chuang he’s seen, and says he thought they were looking for him and not the glazed armor. Han Ying confirms he was sent to investigate after Mirror Lake Manor burnt, and ZZS wonders why Tian Chuang cares. Han Ying says he doesn’t know, but DPJ cares about the glazed armor very much.
Han Ying offers to investigate, and ZZS tells him not to; he’s put Han Ying in danger, and says that exposing himself this way was his last resort. (WKX looks at him, making another sad/confused face.) ZZS points out that very few people who joined TC because of him are still alive, and then adds that (at the very least Han Ying, but it might be all those members) are still loyal to him so long as they continue to live.
WKX interrupts, still calling Han Ying “xiao-daren”. Han Ying gives his name, and WKX continues as if he didn’t, wondering why Han Ying wanted Chengling since “Hanged Ghost” attacked Mirror Lake Manor and “the glazed armor should be with Ghost Valley” (something he has to know isn’t true). Han Ying respectfully tells him about TC’s spy in Mirror Lake Manor, who watched the Zhangs die without hanging over the Glazed Armor, and how that means Chengling should have the Glazed Armor. WKX nods a little, and agrees, and points out that the rest of the jianghu has also likely deduced this.
Han Ying asks ZZS if he has any orders. Before he can respond, WKX turns and (with a smile) says that Chengling belongs to ZZS (whose response is a warning “lao-Wen”). Han Ying’s surprised to learn ZZS knows Chengling, and starts promising not to do anything to him, but ZZS cuts him off and tells him to act like he’s never seen ZZS at all. He says not to hurry to take action, though, because the Five Lakes Alliance will force Chengling to hand over the Glazed Armor before the Heroes Conference.
The scene cuts there, and now we’re back in Yueyang. Fang Buzhi, the thief who stole everyone’s money and the glazed armor, is laying out his spoils. He considers the glazed armor, and wonders if WKX was a fool for carrying it around. Then, in another pouch, he finds a copy of the glazed armor, and wonders WTF is going on. Then someone enters the room to ominous music, and the scene cuts.
It’s night now, and ZZS and WKX have built a fire where they’re camping outside for some reason. WKX walks up to ZZS, and asks “What kind of man am I following?” ZZS ducks his head for a moment, and thanks WKX, who just really wants an answer to how ZZS went from TC’s leader to a sunbather in Yue. ZZS tells him he left TC, and that he owes WKX a favor. WKX denies the favor, but wants an explanation.
“Do you really expect me to believe you’d do this for three mace of silver?” WKX asks. “What’s your relationship to Zhang Chengling?” ZZS admits that while he’s fulfilled his promise to the boatman, he just couldn’t stand by and watch Chengling in danger without doing anything. He says that perhaps he’ll suffer less in the afterlife because of this charity.
WKX comments on friends deceiving each other and strangers trusting each other (in poetic diction, and a pointed comment on the show’s plot thus far), and continues pressing ZZS about if he’s related to the Five Lakes Alliance.
At this point, ZZS finally looks at WKX, wonders if he has a grudge against the Five Lakes Alliance, and asks WKX why he was at Mirror Lake Manor. WKX says he was following ZZS, making fate happen.
ZZS says he’s asking because he’s treating WKX as a friend, and this stops WKX.
WKX’s surprised by this, and softens, and then it feels like he tries to make it a joke about “only treating me as a friend” so that he can get back to his normal affect. He asks ZZS if ZZS wants to know how WKX thinks of him, and ZZS says he doesn’t care (his eyes darting all around as he says this) and then tries to end the conversation immediately by talking about how they should get going.
WKX lets him go, turns and looks at him with a sigh, and says “You’re my zhiji” loudly enough that ZZS probably could hear him if he were listening. (And, too, I wonder if ZZS ran away from this because he’d already heard WKX call him zhiji right before they confronted TC and he just Cannot Deal right now with all the emotions that brings up for him.)
The scene cuts back to Yueyang, where disciples find Fang Buzhi’s body. He’s died from poison, they determine. (The leader of this group is Gao-shixiong; possibly the Gao Shan named in ep3 when Gao Chong was announcing the Heroes Conference.) They look at what Fang Buzhi stole, wonder who found him first, and the scene ends.
WKX and ZZS walk through Yueyang, and WKX starts making ZZS buy him snacks by picking up food and then walking away without paying so that ZZS feels obligated to pay for him (he does try and offer the food to ZZS, too, but ZZS doesn’t accept). WKX is delighted by this, and ZZS calls him a “child at his first market”, which is sad and also accurate. They bicker, and ZZS’s like “pay me back” and WKX’s like “Nah” and then “What if I listened to your commands?” to which ZZS’s like “Sure. Go away.” WKX, of course, continues following him.
WKX then drags ZZS to the weird circus thing? With the belly dancing and the stabbing-swords-through-a-box magic trick? WKX enjoys it, while ZZS seems more like “why am I here” (but is still enjoying WKX’s delight).
ZZS notices something’s up with one of the musicians, though, and calls WKX’s attention to it. They’re both fascinated by the sword-stabbing thing; to me it seems like WKX is watching like a child and ZZS like he’s looking for the trick.
Then Ghost Valley shows up! Banners unfurl, ten human heads (the dead from the murder-wedding) roll out of the sword-box, and evil laughter sounds as Ghost Valley congratulates them on the upcoming Heroes Conference. (I can’t tell who it is from the voice; I don’t know their voices well enough. I suspect it’s whoever the musician was? Because that guy disappears.) WKX is either truly surprised by this or really good at faking it.
Yueyang disciples rush in nearly immediately, full of concern, and go to arrest the performers. They promise to investigate, and WKX smirks and comments on how Yueyang Sect is more powerful than officials (who we do see, in smaller numbers than Yueyang disciples, helping control the crowd). ZZS’s just surprised Ghost Valley is causing chaos. WKX thinks Ghost Valley wanted to humiliate Yueyang Sect/Gao Chong, and asks ZZS if he thinks there’s more to come. ZZS doesn’t respond, and so WKX asks about Chengling (and gets a response; ZZS being annoyed by WKX calling him ZZS’s disciple).
WKX also then decides they should go meet with Zhao Jing and pay their respects to Gao Chong. ZZS doesn’t say anything, but the camera lingers for a moment before the scene shifts to Yueyang Sect.
A disciple is crying about Wei-shidi’s death/finding his head at the circus-thing. Mu Yunge’s dad is swearing revenge. Generally speaking, everyone’s mad at Ghost Valley. (Yu Qiufeng gets the most lines about this. Also, I love that he's shown supporting Mu Yunge's dad here; they're friends!)
Gao Chong, facing away from his hall full of people, is also very upset. Zhao Jing tries to calm him by saying “Ghost Valley will collapse of its own accord with its evil deeds”, which is such an empty platitude; it suits his persona very well, though. Shen Shen goes back to swearing revenge as a way of comforting him. This works better, and Gao Chong turns to face everyone and swears to demolish Ghost Valley.
Outside, WKX and ZZS arrive in the courtyard and a disciple goes in to announce them. Zhao Jing and Shen Shen come out, and Zhao Jing greets them with “Wen-xiongdi. Zhou-xiongdi.”; they must’ve given their names, since later Gao Chong also knows them, but Zhao Jing doesn’t seem to acknowledge ZZS much. WKX greets them in return, and Shen Shen says they’d been looking for WKX and ZZS.
WKX’s amused by Shen Shen having been looking for him (he specifically uses singular when Shen Shen used plural; this pattern continues throughout the conversation), but Shen Shen’s manner sharpens as he asks why WKX and ZZS left Sanbai Manor without a word after such an incident (implicitly wondering if they were responsible). WKX apologises, somewhat sincerely, and says he’d left a note before they left. Shen Shen keeps questioning them, and WKX wonders if Zhao Jing blames them. Zhao Jing doesn’t, and scolds Shen Shen for being suspicious of such benefactors.
Gao Chong arrives just in time to hear this, and introduces WKX as the one who rescued Chengling. He does not mention ZZS. Gao Chong studies them, mostly ZZS, and wonders if WKX knows him.
WKX says Gao Chong is well-known, so of course he knows him, then asks if Gao Chong knows him in return. (WKX’s expression is very guarded here.) Gao Chong says he doesn’t, and WKX looks almost upset by this.
Gao Chong asks how WKX knew ZYS, and thanks both WKX and ZZS for escorting Chengling to safety (interesting, since Zhao Jing only introduced WKX that way). ZZS wonders to himself why WKX is “looking strange” and what his relationship with Gao Chong is (giving him the same look he does in any “why is WKX telling this story?” situation).
WKX says he didn’t know ZYS, and that he “Did it for justice. It was fate.”, then says they came here to visit Chengling and asks after him.
Gao Chong says Chengling is feeling unwell and resting, so they can’t visit him, and WKX asks if he’s sick. Gao Chong instead asks what WKX’s full name is, and WKX (still with that odd sort-of-sad but almost-hopeful look on his face) gives his full name.
Gao Chong nods, then looks at Zhao Jing, who asks what sect WKX is from. WKX says he doesn’t belong to any sects, but his father taught him some things.
Zhao Jing then asks who his father was. WKX hesitates (and ZZS turns to watch him), then says that his father was “just an ordinary, unsophisticated man. He was a nobody. He was not even a clever man. It's been many years since my father passed away. You chevaliers have been busy; how would you remember someone like him?”
Gao Chong kind of sighs, and is about to answer him, when a disciple starts running up shouting about bad things happening.
The moment is lost, as Gao Chong scolds the disciple for being so panicked in front of guests. The disciple says that Gao-shixiong has discovered a corpse! Gao Chong and WKX look at each other in the last moment of the episode.
General Commentary
This episode acknowledges how Gao Chong has been presented as angry and not necessarily a nice person, and then explicitly says “He’s actually nice” and then goes and textually proves it by how he interacts with Chengling after Xiaolian says this (in direct contrast to how he’d acted before Xiaolian pointed this out). It’s yet another instance of the show wanting to say that first impressions of characters shouldn’t be trusted, and that people can act angry but have kind hearts underneath (see: Shen Shen).
I also wonder how much of Gao Chong’s anger in the opening scene is actually anger and how much is Zhao Jing framing him as angry so that he can keep trying to make Chengling like him best. Gao Chong’s clearly upset and frustrated, yeah, but I don’t know if he’s actually angry; he’s just behaving in ways that make that really easy to read into his actions. Shen Shen even tells Zhao Jing that he made Gao Chong more upset by bringing up specific things, and it throws Zhao Jing for a loop for a moment before he tries his ingratiating act again (and it doesn’t work very well, because of how much Shen Shen believes in Gao Chong and how he doesn’t see Zhao Jing’s version of the story well at all).
Chengling is so clearly unhappy during this episode. Not just because he’s trying to keep from telling his uncles stuff, but also because he’s being kept very careful track of and his age-mate disciples have already started saying unkind things about him after knowing him for like a minute. We’ll see that play out even more over the next episodes, too.
Gu Xiang likes Cao Weining, and is so out of her depth with Gao Xiaolian, but she’s doing her absolute best to play the role Wen Kexing has given her (and which she suggested she take on). It’s really quite sweet.
Why does TC announce themselves with those lanterns? It seems so counterintuitive to their secret assassin thing? I got it with the first episode, where being frightening was part of the point, but here I don’t know what purpose it serves…
Han Ying is not a puppy! He is an assassin and a leader who doesn’t want to be forced to kill if he doesn’t need to, and that’s different.
(…I wrote that sentence last night and thought I might have more to say about it in the morning, but nope, that’s my thoughts, that’s my commentary on certain fanon trends that I hope are slowing down…)
More interestingly, Han Ying is also not afraid of Wen Kexing; he trusts Zhou Zishu’s friend not to hurt him and that’s really fucking powerful and cool considering that Wen Kexing is positioned to literally crush his throat in a second if he wanted to. He doesn’t seem to notice or care at all that Wen Kexing’s hand is there unless Wen Kexing is actively reminding him, and no matter how lightly Wen Kexing might be holding on, his fingers are still there.
The first active use of zhiji! Honestly, a lot of what interests me here is Wen Kexing using it in a plausible-deniability way right before the Tian Chuang confrontation, and then really wanting Zhou Zishu to ask him and give him an opening to say to to Zhou Zishu openly. It’s not a word he want to commit to if Zhou Zishu isn’t ready to hear it, is the impression I get, but it’s still one he wants to say (even if it’s to Zhou Zishu’s back, so they can both let it slide if Zhou Zishu doesn’t want to deal with Feelings right now).
I love all the ways that Wen Kexing drags Zhou Zishu around Yueyang, and how excited he is about getting to go around and buy treats and experience new things, and that Zhou Zishu lets him. Zhou Zishu might be like “Stop spending my money”, but he doesn’t actually mean it very much. And he might be like “why are we doing this”, but he also doesn’t prevent Wen Kexing from leading him around to things that Wen Kexing wants to do. It’s very sweet.
I’m also amused by how insistent Wen Kexing is about calling Chengling “your silly disciple” to Zhou Zishu, and how Zhou Zishu doesn’t stop him from doing that. It’s a nice set-up for how Zhou Zishu’s resistance to the idea is slowly being worn down.
Every time I rewatch that last scene where Wen Kexing is talking to Gao Chong I have more feelings about it. It’s a lot! Is Wen Kexing trying to get Gao Chong to recognise him? There’s just so much emotion in his face, and he’s being so careful with his words, and I feel like one could write a thousand words about those few minutes alone if one really focused on it.
Discussion Prompts/Questions
1. Zhiji!I think we all remember Wen Kexing calling Zhou Zishu his zhiji in the forest, but I hadn’t recalled him using it right before Tian Chuang stuff too. Both times, Zhou Zishu takes this as his cue to run away. But also, there’s only one more episode before their first break-up; Zhou Zishu’s got to have a lot of feelings about Wen Kexing’s word-choice here. What are your thoughts/feelings?
2. A comment
trobadora made on the last post made me start paying attention to Zhao Jing’s expressions (or lack thereof). His face is flatter/more emotionless than I expect, a lot of the time! What do you think about that, and how it helps (or hurts) his ability to manipulate people/play his ineffectual-but-well-meaning role?3. Wen Kexing is giving so many clues and openings, so much information that could be put together if people just thought about it the right way. Do you think he wants Gao Chong to recognise him? (And/or for Zhou Zishu to put all the pieces together?)
Next Time: Episode 9! Lots of Wenzhou flirting, some GX/CWN flirting, Chengling gets bullied, rooftop drinking, the revelation of the fake glazed armor plan, Deng Kuan is returned to Yueyang, and the death of the Four Sages of Anji. So many memorable moments! We’re getting into it now!
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Yes! This!
I also missed the first time the striking, overt difference between ZZS and his bitter disillusionment with acting on ideals alone, compared with Gao Chong and the values of jianghu. It's an obvious statement about how ideals aren't enough, even though Gao Chong was a good person.
Oooh, yes, that's an excellent point!
And I agree completely; Zhang Yusen was saving his son at least as much as the Glazed Armour. I find it really striking that Gao Chong doesn't seem to recognise it at all. (And it would be a perfect way to push on Chengling even harder!)