Episode 40 recap: Ning Yuan Zhou looked at the devastation, with countless casualties everywhere, feeling heartbroken for his subordinates

He hoped to end this war soon and restore the people to a peaceful life The members of Liu Dao Tang were also furious at the brutal actions of the people from Bei Pan, who had ruthlessly killed their own people Despite the existence of national boundaries, lives were lives, and the cruelty shown by the people from Bei Pan was unacceptable

Chu Yue witnessed the deaths of many people and couldn't help but feel sorrowful. Yang Ying did her best to assist the wounded, but she felt powerless knowing that her efforts couldn't save those who had lost their lives. Ning Yuan Zhou thought about the words he and Yu Shi San had exchanged before the battle, as well as Yu Shi San's assurance that he would return. Now, those words could only be remembered as memories. Among the members of Liu Dao Tang, only Ning Yuan Zhou remained, and he felt as if he could see Yuan Lu, Yu Shi San, Qian Zhao, and Sun Lang. However, when he tried to integrate himself with them, he realized it was just an illusion.

A true man sheds tears only when he reaches a point of deep sorrow. As Yuan Zhou's inner turmoil was understood by Ru Yi, she brought him a cloak and consoled him, saying that Yu Shi San had fulfilled all his wishes and would have no regrets in death. Just as Ning Yuan Zhou was about to make a request to Ru Yi, she already knew what he wanted to say and assured him that she wouldn't die. Yang Ying told Ning Yuan Zhou that Li Tong Guang blamed himself for the failure of his handsome army, which led to the current situation. Li Tong Guang intended to go alone and kill the leader of the Bei Pan wolves.

Ru Yi wanted to save Li Tong Guang, and Ning Yuan Zhou asked her to stay in the city while he went to rescue Li Tong Guang. Ning Yuan Zhou found Li Tong Guang and told him that he carried not only the life of a single person but also the hopes of countless ordinary people and the stability of An Guo. Therefore, he shouldn't easily give up his life. Ning Yuan Zhou cleared a path for Li Tong Guang to escape, and finally, Li Tong Guang called Ning Yuan Zhou "Master." Ning Yuan Zhou asked Li Tong Guang to leave first while he stayed behind.

When Li Tong Guang was about to ascend, he saw that Ning Yuan Zhou was already injured and wanted to go back to help him. However, Ning Yuan Zhou asked Ru Yi to pull Li Tong Guang up, and in the face of imminent artillery fire, Ning Yuan Zhou desperately tried to save Li Tong Guang. As a result, he suffered severe injuries and fell to the ground. Looking at the enemy, he apologized to Ru Yi and, valiantly fighting, was cut in half. Even at that moment, he didn't forget to kill the enemy.

Ru Yi, Yang Ying, and Li Tong Guang were all in great pain upon seeing Ning Yuan Zhou's death. Ru Yi, despite her weakened state, reassured Li Tong Guang that he was not at fault and that he should not have risked his own life. She reminded him not to forget that he was An Guo's best assassin. Ru Yi asked Li Tong Guang for the national seal of An Guo and felt that Xiao Yan's phoenix hairpin, given to her, was enough.

Li Tong Guang and the others tried to persuade Ru Yi not to be disheartened, but Ru Yi insisted that she was only fulfilling Ning Yuan Zhou's unfinished mission and that it was not a matter of being unable to let go. Ru Yi murmured to herself that it was snowing again. Li Tong Guang and the others pretended to send a message to the leader of the Bei Pan wolves, saying that the Empress Dowager was interested in peace talks. They also mentioned that the Empress Dowager, at the young age of twenty, was beautiful and did not want to follow the old emperor, willing to exchange her mother's tribe for peace. The leader of the Bei Pan wolves found this deal favorable.

Li Tong Guang and the others waited outside while Ru Yi was being prepared by Chu Yue and Yang Ying. Yang Ying gave Ru Yi the items Yuan Lu had given her. Ru Yi wanted to provoke a conflict between the leader of the Bei Pan wolves and his son, causing internal chaos and providing them with a chance for survival.

Li Tong Guang was very worried about Ru Yi, but she asked him to take care of himself and Yang Ying. Seeing Li Tong Guang instantly mature, Ru Yi felt gratified. Ru Yi approached the young master of Bei Pan, putting on a pitiful appearance that drew the attention of the young master. When the leader of the wolves arrived, it sparked a conflict between them. Seizing the opportunity, Ru Yi killed both of them. Ru Yi reminisced about the moments she spent with Ning Yuan Zhou, and together with the leader of the Bei Pan wolves, they perished in the explosion.

The new emperor of Wu Guo led a large army and arrived, achieving great victory throughout the journey. After this war, Bei Pan declined and relocated to the north. With the war over, the people lived peaceful and prosperous lives, filled with joy everywhere. Chu Yue also grew significantly during the war, but she still couldn't forget Yu Shi San. Suddenly, she saw a young boy riding a horse towards her, resembling Yu Shi San. After inquiring, she learned that the boy's surname was Ren. Chu Yue wanted to visit this boy's home.

Holding the boy, Chu Yue felt as if she saw those people again. (The End)