A beautiful burgundy palanquin moved slowly past a stream of water in a mossy forest, where fireflies danced around. Chu Qiao asked Viper to pause and watch the fireflies, which brought back memories of her childhood and her family, including her brother Ling Xi and her sisters, as well as Yuwen Yue.
These memories were from when she was Xinger, a favored maidservant of the fourth young master of the Yuwen household. She remembered feeling constant fear for her family, but that fear only strengthened her resolve to fight against the harsh social system of the time.
Her memories were a mix of pain and fleeting happiness—moments of death, brief good times, battles, and her struggle against the corrupt system.
Viper remarked, "Fireflies in the fall?"
Chu Qiao was amazed, noting that fireflies usually appear in summer. Watching them brought her back in time, as if she were reliving those past moments.
Yuwen Yue was one of the coldest nobles Chu Qiao had ever met. Despite his cold demeanor, she remembered the warmth and safety she felt in the Green Hills courtyard and the unspoken care he showed her. The way Yuwen Yue looked at Xinger was special to her.
However, Yuwen Yue's memories were also intertwined with pain and tears for Chu Qiao. She hoped that his gestures of love might lead to a bright future together, but everyone knew that without a miracle, she would remain just a bedchamber maid for the fourth young master—a position better than that of a dog slave, but still lacking true respect.
Chu Qiao seized her chance to improve her situation and tried her best in the contest. Her real goal was to save her sisters and secure a free and healthy life. Additionally, being the fourth young master's bedchamber maid might provide her the opportunity to avenge her brother Ling Xi, who Yuwen Yue had killed.
This was the hardest part. Yuwen Yue had explained that Ling Xi's death was not at his master's command but was done to honor Ling Xi's last wish. Yuwen Yue had respected the request of a dying servant, despite it being unusual for aristocrats to obey slaves. This act broke with tradition and revealed Yuwen Yue's deep respect for Ling Xi.
Out of guilt, Ling Xi asked his master Yuwen Yue to do it.
And out of mercy, Yuwen Yue granted it.
Ling Xi thinks because of his not so careful actions he has brought chaos and death to the grandfather of his fourth young master, Yuwen Gao who was at that time on a life and death situation.
Yuwen Yue did not want Ling Xi to die but the available antidote for the poison at that time was only good for one shot, and on that night two of them were poisoned.
Ling Xi in a hopeless situation, he thanked his young master and asked him to end his life not by the poison but by his gentle hands he begged. Yuwen Yue was forced to decide in the middle of two dying people, he has to save one and kill the other one.
Xinger saw at a cold distance what her master did to his 5th brother, and from thereon, she promised herself to avenge the death of his brother unknowingly what really transpired that night and believed only on what she saw with her eyes and his brother put to death and burned into the fire.
She also remembered the sunny prince of Yanbei, Yan Xun who became her mighty pillar who took the opportunity to make her as his comrade and general of Xuili Army.
A bright and gloomy memory of this insistent Yanbei Prince who saved her a lot of troublesome times and as the prince gave her more options to become his perfect escape she decided to join his envoy and left the green pastures of Yuwen household.
Only thing, her painful memory consisted of Yan Xun's total murder of his family, and she became the Prince deadliest chess piece from Yanbei's chess match to the Shen Jin Emperor and declared rebellion to the throne.
A total castaway from the royal throne, Yan Xun was stripped off from his royal position and turned into a rebel.
When she was called A'chu, Yan Xun made her dreams come true by granting her freedom and removing her slave status. They lived as equals, breaking traditional boundaries and sharing everything they had.
A'chu dreamed of a better world and worked alongside Yan Xun to expand his influence. This included dangerous missions like aiding Liang Prince Xiao Ce in causing chaos in Changan, where Xiao Ce's death was part of their escape plan. A'chu was also given command of the Xuili Army, which Yan Xun vowed would be driven to the brink of destruction for their past failures.
Yan Xun could never forgive the Xuili Army for allowing the Wei army to breach their borders. This mistake led to the annihilation of the Yan royal family and the suffering of Yanbei's people, leaving Yan Xun as the sole survivor and scapegoat.
Chu Qiao felt buried in her memories, accepting that she couldn't choose which parts to keep or forget. She knew she needed to recover these memories before her powers caused her to lose them completely. She hoped that when she faced them again, she would be fully prepared.
After some reflection and admiring the view of the fireflies in the mossy forest, Chu Qiao got back into her palanquin. Viper took the reins of their three horses, and they continued their journey to the Thousand Caves. The Skyshadow woman was not with them, but Viper assured Chu Qiao she would appear when needed.
Meanwhile, Zao Baocung, who had just arrived from the Liang and Wei borders, was preparing for his mission. He was tasked by the Prince of Liang to find Yuwen Yue, hoping to confirm whether the rumored death of the former heir was true. As he fed his hamsters, one of them munched on a special mooncake with a note inside that read: "Come to see me, I need secret information."
Zao changed into a dark, blood-red hood and a rope belt, completing his look as a priest from ancient times. This eerie appearance enhanced his reputation as a master healer and underworld spy. He would send any proceeds from his job to help rebuild Chu Jing Kingdom.
At the entrance of the Thousand Caves, the gatekeeper, resembling a blind beggar, demanded a special gold coin. This coin had to be genuine; otherwise, the gatekeeper would claim the soul of the deceiver. Visitors who failed to follow the gatekeeper's instructions risked being lost forever or having their bones left behind.
To enter, visitors had to present the special gold coin, and after seeing the spiritual healer, they would be blindfolded and guided to walk three times in a spiral temple. This confusing path was meant to test their ability to find their way out of the cave, with the healer providing guidance.
The journey through the Thousand Caves was expected to be grueling, requiring both physical strength and endurance. Yuwen Yue and Zuo, skilled masters of disguise, managed to bypass Qinghai's royal protocols and gained entry.
At the entrance, the gatekeeper told them, "Only one can pass; the other cannot." Yuwen Yue insisted, "I have a thousand coins for my brother. I'm buying his way in; he cannot survive without me."
Zuo, pretending to be a helpless, hunchbacked beggar, and Yuwen Yue, disguised as a rugged man, were tested by the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper checked each coin in water to ensure it was genuine, filling the basin with a thousand coins. Despite the rigorous test, Yuwen Yue and Zuo were allowed to pass.
The gatekeeper, who was blind, could not see them but could sense their intentions. The outcome was determined by their hearts, not their wealth.
As they entered, Yuwen Yue remarked to Zuo, "This is scarier than I expected."
Zuo replied, "Be careful not to show your sword, or we're finished," while Yuwen Yue was wary of the gatekeeper's keen senses. The gatekeeper vanished, leaving them with a map.
Zuo, excited, wanted to celebrate but was reminded by Yuwen Yue to stay focused. They followed the map to avoid getting lost or trapped.
Soon, they encountered Zao Baocung, who recognized Yuwen Yue despite his disguise. Zao's initial reaction was hostile. He declared, "You both broke the rule."
Yuwen Yue defended, "The gatekeeper allowed us to pass. This is legitimate."
Zao warned them, "The Skyshadow is following you; you are doomed. I'm done here."
Suddenly, Zao reached for his sword, but Zuo bravely intervened, catching the blade with his bare hands and injuring himself. Yuwen Yue seized the moment, drew his Poe Yue Jian sword, and his hood fell off.
Zao, recognizing Yuwen Yue, lowered his sword and exclaimed, "I didn't recognize you until your hood fell and I saw the sword."
Yuwen Yue swiftly wrapped Zuo's wounded hands with a torn piece of his clothing and handed him a celadon bottle for first aid.
Yuwen Yue recalled the "lover's sword" that Zao Baocung had mentioned, which reminded him of a time when he had given the Canhong sword to Xinger while he was still the master of the Eyes of God.
During their time trapped in Zao Baocung's cave, Xinger and Yuwen Yue had felt awkward when Zao revealed that their swords were considered the lover's sword. Zao Baocung, who had diagnosed Yuwen Yue with typhoid fever, warned that if Xinger did not take care of him, Yuwen Yue would die. Zao took advantage of their three-day stay to have some fun with Xinger, who had lost her memories. He offered to cure her memory loss but insisted on collecting a debt once she remembered the Wind and Cloud decree.
Zao Baocung began to hypnotize Xinger, helping her recover her past memories. However, Yuwen Yue interrupted and forced Zao to let them leave the cave.
Back in the present, Yuwen Yue recognized Zao Baocung and was surprised to see him. Zao quickly attended to Zuo, who had been poisoned. He used acupuncture needles and an antidote to treat Zuo's wound, explaining that Zuo would be unconscious for an hour but would recover.
Yuwen Yue, worried for Zuo, held him close while Zao Baocung stood up to confront the Skyshadow gatekeeper. The gatekeeper, seeking revenge for a past attack, was confronted by Yuwen Yue wielding the Poe Yue Jian sword. The sword's light revealed the gatekeeper's true form—a beautiful woman—who collapsed, freed from her curse.
Zao Baocung tended to her while Yuwen Yue, still on guard, was approached by Zao, who confessed his admiration and sobbed, calling Yuwen Yue the lost son of the Qinghai King. Zao asked for forgiveness, and Yuwen Yue, still suspicious, warned Zao that if Zuo did not recover, Zao would face consequences.
Zao Baocung offered to provide any information Yuwen Yue needed, showing a more serious and servant-like demeanor. Yuwen Yue requested the key to the secret door of Chu Jing Kingdom, which was surrounded by dangerous fragrant flower poison.
Zao then questioned if Yuwen Yue had brought Yue Qi, recognizing a resemblance between Zuo and Yue Qi. Yuwen Yue confirmed Yue Qi's death and sat down, waiting for Zuo to recover. Zao Baocung, sensing Yuwen Yue's gloom, offered to share more secrets, implying he could even bring the dead back to life, hinting at his own undisclosed abilities.
Yuwen Yue ignored Zao Baocung's assurances that Yue Qi was alive, causing Zao to sulk and sit on a stone wall, feeling hurt by Yuwen Yue's disregard. Yuwen Yue, feeling a pang of guilt, turned his attention to the unconscious woman who had collapsed upon seeing his sword and asked Zao if she could be revived. Zao, wanting to draw more attention, remained silent.
As Yuwen Yue approached the woman, Zuo vomited the poison and, though still weak, sat up on the stone wall. Yuwen Yue checked on him, asking how he felt. Zuo responded that he was fine but needed water, which Yuwen Yue provided. Zao observed them, noting how Zuo closely resembled Yue Qi despite his disguise.
Zuo, regaining strength, asked what their next move should be. Zao replied they should wait until the Skyshadow woman woke up. Yuwen Yue, feeling unwell and recalling past events, leaned against the cave wall.
Zao repeated his earlier claim that Yuwen Yue had typhoid fever, which he described as an inborn condition. Zuo, shocked to see his master so ill, pressed Zao for a remedy. Zao said treatment would begin at nightfall. Zuo, anxious, sat beside Yuwen Yue as he rested.
Zao called his hamsters, instructing them to find herbal leaves. The hamsters returned with the leaves, which Zao cleaned and prepared in his mini-kitchen.
While waiting, the Skyshadow woman regained consciousness. Seeing Zuo, she drew a small dagger from her boots and pointed it at him while retreating. Zuo, trying to avoid escalating the situation, assured her, "I am not your enemy."
The Skyshadow woman, calming down, asked, "What just happened?"
"Same thing here, what happened?" Zuo retorted with a hint of mockery as he answered the Skyshadow woman's question.
The Skyshadow woman noticed Zuo's wounded hand and realized the antidote was working. Zao Baocung, having finished his work, welcomed her to the cave world.
Unimpressed, the Skyshadow woman threw a star dart at Zao, but he dodged effortlessly. Annoyed, she questioned him, "Underworld, you mean?"
She then gazed at the rugged yet strikingly handsome man lying on the ground, Yuwen Yue, and remarked, "And this man, with the Poe Yue Jian sword?"
Zuo, limping, stepped in front of her and said, "Hep, hep, you're not allowed to come close to a god."
The Skyshadow woman was about to confront Zuo when Zao intervened. "Two is a company, three is a crowd, and four is a mass!" Zao exclaimed, making them pause their confrontation.
Zao continued, "You both know the rules of this thousand caves. Save your strength for later. We need to get out before dawn. These herbs are temporary solutions. Our Highness needs cold air; his fever is rising."
"His Highness?" the Skyshadow woman asked, looking at Zao with curiosity.
Zao replied, "Respect your Highness. Without him and his sword, your curse would remain."
The Skyshadow woman inspected herself, realizing her curse had lifted. "Zao, I'm back to normal, visible even before sunset."
Zao smiled, acknowledging Yuwen Yue's role in breaking the curse. "We need to help him out of here."
The Skyshadow woman agreed to help but gave Zuo a stern look. Zuo responded cheekily, "If you had looked like this before, I would have been more agreeable."
She raised her hand to slap him, but Zao interrupted, reminding her to save her energy for later. The Skyshadow woman, frustrated but compliant, stood by Yuwen Yue, reflecting on the past.
Zao explained, "This is complicated, but you'll understand soon." He then dismissed her.
As night fell, Zao administered more herbal treatment and, with the help of the Skyshadow woman, carried Yuwen Yue through a shortcut in the cave system. Zuo, now aware of the cave's secrets, was instructed to guard them well.
After several hours, they emerged from the cave just before sunrise. Zuo had fully recovered, and Yuwen Yue's fever had subsided. Zao and the Skyshadow woman closed the portals, and the group ventured into the mossy forest.