Episode 38 recap: An Cheng Dies in Battle for the People of Yue Luo
In Episode 38, Wei Zhao collapses from exhaustion after two days of intense fighting and falls into a deep sleep. Jiang Ci, witnessing his fatigue, feels a deep sense of sorrow. After visiting with Hong Jie and the elders, Wei Zhao decides to lead the soldiers of Yue Luo to meet Pei Yan in Liangzhou the next day, a plan that Hong Jie readily agrees to.
Uncle Ping admires Jiang Ci's bravery in risking her safety to rescue Wei Zhao. Meanwhile, Lu Yu leads the army of Wei State in a fierce assault on Liangzhou, where Pei Yan and the Longfeng Guards fight valiantly to repel the enemy. However, You Ran expresses dissatisfaction and coldly criticizes Pei Yan. Following Wei State's retreat, Lei Zhen returns to the emperor Gao Xiu in disgrace. In a moment of desperation, Lu Yu proposes a cunning plan: to feign surrender to You Ran, drawing him into the city for a surprise attack to reclaim Liangzhou.
Lei Zhen scoffs at this suggestion, believing Lu Yu is more interested in glory than in the safety of the soldiers, but Gao Xiu decides to adopt Lu Yu’s strategy. As night falls, Lu Yu secretly sends Liu Ming to inform You Ran about their false surrender, leading You Ran to set an ambush. When Lu Yu notices this, he quickly retreats, but You Ran, in pursuit, falls into an ambush set by Wei State and tragically dies. Liangzhou then falls into Wei State’s hands.
Upon learning of You Ran's death, Pei Yan resolves to retreat to Yue Luo City and plans to set up an ambush using the advantageous terrain of Mingyue Mountain. He sends An Cheng to assist Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci; however, Lu Yu ruthlessly massacres the city’s inhabitants, prompting cries for help to Wei Zhao. An Cheng arranges for Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci to escort the civilians to safety while he leads the Longfeng Guards to confront Lu Yu, ultimately sacrificing himself heroically.
Devastated by the loss of his close friend An Cheng, Pei Yan mourns deeply. After burying An Cheng, he vows to honor the soldiers of Da Liang. A conflict arises between the Longfeng Guards and the soldiers of Yue Luo due to An Cheng's death, but through the mediation of Wei Zhao and Pei Yan, both sides decide to unite against the common enemy.
Concerned for her safety, Hong Jie returns her jade hairpin to Wei Zhao and promises to marry Yu Lian after the war. Meanwhile, Xie Che, learning of Liangzhou’s fall, decides to take matters into his own hands and lead the expedition himself.
After the two armies merge, they set an ambush at Mingyue Mountain. A Liu discovers Liu Ming's suspicious actions and quickly informs Jiang Ci, then follows him. Liu Ming betrays Lu Yu, leading to Lu Yu deciding to make Lei Zhen the vanguard. A Liu pretends to defect, offering a diagram of a phoenix crossbow as a gift, but his true intention is to lure the enemy. Lu Yu, sensing something amiss, attempts to kill A Liu, but Wei Zhao arrives just in time. Xie Che suddenly appears and takes A Liu hostage, threatening Wei Zhao while revealing secrets about his previous visit to Yue Luo.
To uncover the truth, Wei Zhao promises to spare Lu Yu, but Lu Yu does not trust him. In a final act of loyalty, A Liu chooses to perish alongside Lu Yu.
With news of Xie Che’s personal expedition, Wei Zhao, Pei Yan, and Cui Liang urgently strategize. The soldiers are filled with high morale but also hidden worries. Jiang Ci, fully aware of Xie Che’s intentions, stands resolutely beside Wei Zhao. As war looms on the horizon, various forces gather beneath Mingyue Mountain, and a battle for survival is about to commence.
Comments(Episode 38)