Zhan Zhao Adventures - Episode 28 and 29 RECAP
EPISODE 28
Huo Linglong discovered that Zhan Zhao's poison may be cured by the Baihua Sect. She said goodbye to her friends and agreed to return to Linglong Manor with her father, Huo Tianxing, in an attempt to discover a means to rescue him. At the same time, feeling completely confused and overpowered by his family's demise Tang Tian Hao was getting ready to return to the Tang Sect.
Tang Tian Hao was reassured by Zhan Zhao that his kind demeanor was a reflection of his childhood innocence rather than a sign of weakness. In order to guarantee that only those responsible for the Seven-Day Drunken Dream would face consequences, Zhan Zhao pledged to ask for forgiveness on behalf of the Tang Sect. After the old rules disappeared and Si Ming's side was defeated, Tang Tian Hao felt his doubts gone and was prepared to guide his sect toward righteousness.
Bai Yu Tang broke into the Jin Mansion again the following morning to demand the antidote. He angrily approached Xu An, the servant, and the Fifth Uncle, accusing them of their never-ending scheme to end Jin Zhenping's life. Bai Yu Tang responded to the Fifth Uncle's furious vow to report the incident to the authorities by saying that Jin Zhenping would still be alive if they had just turned him over to the authorities rather than using deception. He threatened to reveal all of the Jin family's sinister scandals to the public if they failed to provide the remedy. The Fifth Uncle walked off, stunned and furious.
Huo Linglong was intoxicated by incense in her room as soon as she arrived at Linglong Manor. She was imprisoned when she awoke. Huo Tianxing had decided to marry her off to Shao Ji Zu in order to preserve the Huo family's reputation. He was overcome with regret, but he thought there was nothing more he could do. Every day, Huo Feng fed his sister, but he was devastated by her constant refusal to eat or drink. In the meantime, Zhan Zhao went to the capital by himself to meet with the Emperor. In fury, the Emperor reprimanded Zhan Zhao for pressuring him to reveal the court's own corruption and warned that his rash decisions may have alerted the Lord of Xiangyang before the rebellion was thoroughly investigated. Zhan Zhao, however, wasn't sway and would not allow the people of Xiangzhou to endure any more suffering. He persuasively described the suffering of the average person and argued that justice should take priority above political gain.
Bai Yu Tang and Tang Tian Hao slipped into the Jin family's library back in Xiangzhou. There, they were able to locate the instructions for the Heavenly Root Moon Cave Needles, a fabled healing method that is said to revive the dead. According to Tang Tian Hao, the Fourth Lady of the Jin family was traditionally the only person who comprehended this extremely complicated skill. Bai Yu Tang said they must attempt the assignment even though it appeared to be almost impossible.
Huo Feng confronted his father at Linglong Manor, pleading with him to grant Huo Linglong freedom and even promising to take on all of the family's future successes and failures. But Huo Tianxing reminded his son that since he was a man, he could not inherit the Linglong Eye, which belonged to the Huo family's daughters. In the end, Huo Linglong consented to the marriage only if she could visit her great-aunt.
Huo Linglong went to see her Great-Aunt with Huo Feng, who assured her that a messenger pigeon would be sent to the Baihua Sect to ask about the remedy. She did, however, caution Huo Linglong against falling in love with Zhan Zhao if she could not avoid her family's fate, pointing out that her aunt had already lost her life attempting to escape an arranged marriage. Her Great-Aunt stayed mute when Huo Linglong questioned her about the Linglong Eye's secret, advising her to keep it a secret if she really wanted to avoid her destiny. Huo Feng helped his sister go away in secret that evening. During her flight, Huo Linglong tried to recover the Yin Yang An, but Huo Tianxing surrounded her. She made it clear that she would not wed Shao Ji Zu, and since Huo Feng intervened to stop their father, she was able to flee the house.
Bai Yu Tang discovered that Zhan Zhao had spared Jin Zhenping's life when he saw him amid a row of inmates while looking for hints. Bai Yu Tang reduced his pride and bowed before Jin Zhenping, begging for his assistance since he was desperate for the cure to rescue Zhan Zhao. Zhan Zhao came just in time to stop Bai Yu Tang, reminding him of his dignity and pointing out that Jin Zhenping had no meaningful remedy to provide, while Jin Zhenping insulted him and demanded his compliance. After Zhan Zhao's courageous appeal to the Emperor was granted, an imperial envoy was sent to Xiangzhou to properly examine the historical cases.
Jin Zhenping saw his accomplice Xu An walking the streets completely insane and babbling about his "Sanlang" being a youthful genius as he was led away in chains. The previously powerful status of the Jin family was completely destroyed. As he saw the drama play out, Bai Yu Tang imagined his elder brother mentoring him as a youngster, ultimately putting an end to years of long-standing animosity. Later, because of Zhan Zhao's injuries, Bai Yu Tang and Zhan Zhao sat together and shared sweet water rather than alcohol.
At the Yaksha Temple, Bai Yu Tang questioned why he had finally spared Jin Zhenping. Zhan Zhao clarified that revealing the truth to the world would provide genuine peace to the departed, like a kite soaring high for everyone to see, whereas executing the evil would simply satisfy the vengeance of the living*.* At last, Bai Yu Tang saw that Zhan Zhao was using imperial authority to protect the defenseless rather than being an obedient subordinate of the palace.
Zhao Zhuo Qing pledged to have the imperial doctors look for a remedy for Zhan Zhao as he got ready to return to the capital. Prior to leaving, he disclosed that Si Ming had been seen in Wanshan County, where he had previously been employed as a clerk. Zhao Zhuo Qing quickly consented to Ming Zhu Er's petition to allow Zhao Zhi Er to stay with them in order to help with the inquiry, cautioning them not to make any difficulty for Zhan Zhao.
Mrs. Jiao gave Huo Linglong a copper box that had belonged to her late aunt at the Jiao Mansion. There was a fracture in the box from Jiao Chao Gui's attempt to break it open with a sword. Together with Zhan Zhao, they examined the box and found three enigmatic marks that matched letters from He Bo's estate. The aunt had been to Wanshan County before coming to Tanxi Town, according to Mrs. Jiao.
Huo Linglong remembered that her great-aunt had mentioned that the Lin family of the Qingshan Sect in Wanshan County had previously looked for a marriage connection, implying that her aunt may have discovered the truth about the disease there. The group got ready for their trip, with every indicator pointing to Wanshan County. In the meantime, Si Ming tried to make amends by giving the Lord of Xiangyang a copy of the corrupt officials' ledger. With the intention of using his expertise, the Lord of Xiangyang accepted the list and let him to remain. Si Ming told him that he had made plans to assist Dong Jun and that Zhan Zhao was moving in the direction of Wanshan County. Zhan Zhao's meddling did not discourage the Lord of Xiangyang, who was confident in Shangui and Dong Jun, his strong friends, and started preparing to extend his influence northwest.
When the group arrived in Wanshan County, they were startled to see a bustling marketplace rather than the poor county they had expected. They saw a community with extraordinary order, where misplaced handbags were hanged up instead than taken. When they saw a wanted sign for the Xiuluo Cult, a local elder informed them that the cult had fled after their brave Magistrate Hu had effectively cleared the region of all bandits and bullies. Zhan Zhao then courteously requested the elder for directions to the Qingshan Sect's Lin family.
EPISODE 29
Zhao Zhi Er's attitude immediately changed as he heard the name of Wanshan County. He clearly remembered traveling through the area with Zhao Zhuo Qing years ago, at which time the area was devastated by a famine and its desperate residents engaged in deadly conflict for food. But when the group returned, they discovered an elegant and peaceful village where people didn't even lock their doors at night. The exceptionally skilled Magistrate Hu Xiaochen was responsible for this change.
Mo Dao's name appeared on the town's wanted posters, demonstrating the magistrate's bravery in going after high-ranking offenders. Zhan Zhao and his friends started questioning residents about the Lin family of the Qingshan Sect as they strolled through the crowded streets. The town's residents became noticeably uncomfortable, and one elderly resident cautioned them that the ancient Lin estate was a location of bad luck because the whole Lin family had disappeared fifteen years prior amid ghost stories.
The group made the decision to go to the county court because they were determined to discover answers. Bai Yutang saw an old guy following them along the route. Bai Yutang, sensing a threat, moved forward to try the stranger's martial arts, only to discover that the elderly man had extraordinary abilities. Magistrate Hu Xiaochen, whom Zhan Zhao instantly recognized as his cherished old classmate from 10 years ago, broke up the fight. The two buddies hugged, deeply moved.
The elderly guy was identified by Hu Xiaochen as Zhu Mingyuan, the top teacher who trained the local guards and the registrar of the county court. He said that he sent Zhu Mingyuan to look into the Lin family after a citizen complained that strangers were inquiring about them. at keeping with his modest lifestyle, Hu Xiaochen then cordially offered the visitors to remain at his modest and sparse room behind the court. Hu Xiaochen threw a warm feast in spite of his limited resources.
When he offered wine, Zhan Zhao was reminded that his injuries prevented him from drinking, which led to Bai Yutang making lighthearted jokes about someone finally controlling the stubborn warrior. As they talked about the untimely passing of their common friend Liu Hongyi, the conversation became serious.
Hu Xiaochen said that he had never married after his fiancée, Xi Wen, ended their engagement because of his low-ranking job. He also expressed profound regret that his demanding responsibilities had prevented him from keeping in contact. He clarified that his promotion had been blocked by his reluctance to sacrifice his values for political gain, but he was still happy to serve his people. Hu Xiaochen took Zhu Mingyuan to see Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang later that evening.
Zhu Mingyuan told them that the Lin family had probably been brutally murdered fifteen years prior as revenge, and he advised them not to believe the superstitious ghost stories. The tragedy remained an unsolved mystery since the previous magistrate had buried the corpses unexpectedly in an unidentified spot. Zhu Mingyuan, however, was able to find the address of Qiu Han's old, deserted estate. The group went to examine the old mansion the next morning.
They approached the dusty courtyard after Zhu Mingyuan led them to the corner of the street and excused himself. There, they noticed the strange, fishy smell that Bai Yutang had noticed earlier in the vicinity of the court. Abruptly, a turtle-shell-armored figure jumped at Zhan Zhao after crashing through a window. The damaged face of Luo Changshui, a servant from Gucheng County 10 years prior, was exposed when the attacker's hood was thrown back.
Luo Changshui claimed to have suffered physical abuse in order to become his present form and seek revenge, but he soon passed out from severe poisoning and was able to flee. The interaction triggered unpleasant recollections. Hu Xiaochen asked Zhan Zhao if he and Liu Hongyi had killed Noble Zhao's son, Zhao Yue An, 10 years ago after realizing that Qiu Han's supposed homecoming was a ploy.
Surprised, Zhan Zhao said that he had always thought Hu Xiaochen was the murderer. The two buddies eventually came to the realization that they had been silent for ten years because they both thought the other had killed the victim. Hu Xiaochen gave Zhu Mingyuan the order to capture Luo Changshui right away. Back at their room, Bai Yutang admitted that his eyes were cloudy from studying medical literature late into the night, and attempted to practice acupuncture on Mingzhu in preparation for treating Zhan Zhao.
Zhan Zhao agreed to tell Bai Yutang and Huo Linglong the truth about what transpired 10 years ago after being moved by his friend's love. Ten years ago, the students of Jiacheng Academy adored Jin Niang, a compassionate vegetable vendor, and her husband, Duan Shi Lang. The three friends rushed to Jin Niang's house when she missed to serve their meal and found her dead.
Zhao Yue An, the son of Noble Zhao, was seen escaping the scene, according to a neighbor's testimony, and his sword was found to be the murder weapon. But the Zhao family's wealth tainted the legal system. Key actors were bought off by Luo Changshui, who had the neighbor falsely accuse him of having an eye condition. After accepting a large bribe, the coroner changed his report to state that a billhook caused the neck wounds.
The court afterwards accused Duan Shi Lang, Jin Niang's husband, of the crime despite the fact that he had been absent for six months working in another county. The arrogant magistrate expelled the three friends when they objected. Zhan Zhao started writing a petition because he was determined to get justice. But Liu Wen Long, a rich student, set him up for stealing an antique inkstone that was valued at ten taels of gold.
The dean put pressure on Zhan Zhao to take responsibility because Jiacheng Academy was financed by the Liu family. Disillusioned with the academy's dishonesty, Zhan Zhao left after realizing that the Liu and Zhao families were close partners attempting to undermine his petition. Zhan Zhao assumed the Yaksha's disguise in protest of their corrupt regulations. He took Jin Niang's body and gave it to Zhong Shou, her uncle, so that she may be buried properly.
Then he ripped off a piece of Liu Wen Long's scalp, publicly revealed the magistrate's secret gold vault, and thrashed the corrupt coroner. In the end, Zhan Zhao decided to carry out Zhao Yue An's execution by breaking into the Zhao Mansion. Liu Hongyi caught him and attempted to stop him. Cries of the young master's murder broke out while they debated, and they saw a masked man who looked like Hu Xiaochen leave the estate.
Unaware that Hu Xiaochen had arrived too late to take any action, they cut off contact to protect him, assuming Hu Xiaochen had carried out the job. Bai Yutang was shocked to discover that Zhan Zhao was the fabled Yaksha. Zhan Zhao also disclosed that he had trapped Luo Changshui at the time and cut his tendons. A wanted poster was released for Luo Changshui after the meeting at the old estate.
Luo Changshui tried to quiet a wealthy businessman by cornering him during the pursuit. Zhu Mingyuan murdered Luo Changshui by stabbing him with a hairpin before the suspect could attack. When Zhan Zhao hurried over to see how the merchant was doing, he was looking at Jin Niang's uncle Zhong Shou.
Zhan Zhao encouraged Zhong Shou to consider carefully what he could have done ten years ago that made the thugs so determined to silence him because Zhong Shou was frightened and confused.
PREVIOUS
Posted May 30, 2026, 5:18 AM UTC