Episode 14 recap: # Red Lotus Society Encounter Unexpected Trouble; Yuan Mo and Wang Kun Wu Go Missing
In Episode 14, A Shu and Yu Chi Hua infiltrate the Red Lotus Society once again. A Shu speaks briefly with a woman named Xiao E, who explains that the Red Lotus Master has just distributed money and plans to heal the sick. As the gathering begins, the Master calls forward those in need of assistance. An elderly man with a crooked neck stumbles toward the Red Lotus throne, and a cloud of smoke begins to spread. Moments later, the man claims to feel much better and walks more quickly. A Shu, observing closely, realizes that the smoke is composed of cinnabar, which contains harmful sulfur. The Red Lotus Master accuses A Shu and Yu Chi Hua of being insincere and orders the followers to capture them.
To divert attention, Yu Chi Hua suggests they split up and escape. Yu Chi Hua easily climbs over a wall, but A Shu struggles with his lack of martial arts skills and is almost caught by the approaching followers. Just then, Xiao E throws a torch over the wall and helps A Shu climb over. Yuan Mo arrives to help, but mistakes Xiao E for a follower and accidentally gets knocked out when she strikes him with an object. A Shu is shocked to see it’s Yuan Mo.
Back home, Yuan Mo scolds A Shu for acting without consulting him. Xiao E decides to join the effort to dismantle the Red Lotus Society, revealing that her uncle’s family had already dragged her into it and that she’s aware of the society's manipulative practices. E Guo Gong learns that Yu Chi Hua insists on addressing the issues of the refugees, so he considers marrying off his daughter to avoid daily violence, while deliberating on Wang Kun Wu’s fate.
Wang Kun Wu assigns several aides to gather intelligence on the Red Lotus Society, and An Xiu Yi volunteers to join the mission, motivated by a genuine desire to help the refugees and to atone for his past mistakes. He also produces an accurate map, and Wang Kun Wu agrees to let An Xiu Yi participate, stipulating that everyone must disguise themselves as refugees.
Before departing, A Shu prepares some ointment for Yuan Mo’s injuries, and Yuan Mo prays for safety while looking at A Shu’s pet white snake. A Shu jokes using ventriloquism to scare Yuan Mo, who suddenly realizes why the magic bottle can speak and employs the same technique. A Shu then recalls a moment when Wang Kun Wu was scrutinized for copper coins, noticing that Chen Xinliang's stomach was constantly moving, indicating he is a key figure.
As the mission begins, An Xiu Yi and Lin Su Su struggle to find their location while the others take their positions. The Red Lotus Master selects some individuals to go to a desired location using butterflies, but Yuan Mo, not chosen, can only follow the refugees out of the room.
Yu Chi Hua and A Shu are blocked on the road while trying to rescue the selected refugees but realize they’ve stopped the wrong vehicle. They prepare to return and investigate further. Meanwhile, Wang Kun Wu quietly returns to the hall. The magic bottle begins to release hidden arrows, prompting Wang Kun Wu to cut off the dragon head from the top of the bottle. As he tries to examine its interior, he is suddenly overwhelmed by a strong black wind and, just before losing consciousness, sees Xiao E slowly emerge from the bottle, signaling to have Wang Kun Wu imprisoned alone.
Yuan Mo and a group of refugees are placed on a boat. Xiao E reports to Chen Xinliang that Wang Kun Wu has been subdued after damaging the mechanism. Chen Xinliang rewards her with a pill, which Xiao E reluctantly swallows. She is then tasked with continuing to monitor the hall. While An Xiu Yi is struggling to find their location, he spots Chen Xinliang passing by on a mysterious boat and decides to take Lin Su Su on board. However, the oars are too short to paddle effectively.
A Shu and Yu Chi Hua return to the hall and find the suspiciously behaving Xiao E. A Shu quickly notices the residual black wind on Xiao E, confirming her involvement with the Red Lotus Society, and takes her back to the Jingzhao Prefecture. Xiao E remains defiant during Yu Chi Hua's interrogation, even threatening to leverage the peace between Yan Le and Dayong.
Yuan Mo and some refugees are taken to a remote village, where the Red Lotus Society demands they surrender any silver they carry. Those who refuse are beaten severely, and the men and women are separated and imprisoned. Recognizing Yuan Mo as a government official, the guards agree to provide food for the refugees, hoping to sell them at a higher price later. Kang Yun Hai soon arrives at the Sifang Pavilion, demanding the release of the Yan Le citizens. Yuan Mo and Wang Kun Wu are brought before Chen Xinliang, their identities having already been exposed.
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