To Luoyang

Here we go, ten episodes in.  Every ten episodes I will do this.  Ahem, in memoriam, gone too soon:

1. Courtesan Feng--murdered by the crown prince
2.Master Xie--head of Thunderbreak Manor, murderer still at large
3.Cui Rui (Xie's son in law)--executed by Zhan Feng after being framed for Master Xie's murder
4.Xiao Feng (Xie's grandson)--murdered by Anye Luo, head of Dark River Palace
5.A number of extras

This Episode Largely closes one chapter and begins another.  Team Fire Daughter becomes scattered as they yet again go in different directions but the anger felt by the senseless murder of the innocent Xiao Feng holds them all together, as do the rest of the events that occurred in Ping An Town....

1. Master Lei gives Dieyi a special seal and encourages her to use it when she is danger--his guards will appear to protect her.  Dieyi wonders why he gives her this special treatment--to an outsider you might think he was romantically interested in her--but he chooses to keep his lips sealed.  I (personally) think they make Dieyi's character a bit immature given the situation they are all in.

2. Master Lei shares what Miss D said Ge'er, also reminding her that they cannot verify it.  Hueng is doubtful that Yu is in danger but Ge'er immediately abandons her plans with Yin Xue to go to the imperial city.  Yin Xue is adamant that she cannot go, forcefully grabbing her and telling her she cannot go.  She is so stubborn that she tells him she will hit him if he does not release her.  This seems to upset him as he asks her, haven't I healed you and help you leave the villa?  Everything will be in vain if you go there because you will become caught up in the imperial conflict.  Ge'er asks him what he is hiding, she says nothing ,he only knows she cannot go there.  She chooses to go without him.

3.Hueng, Dieyi, and Ge'er go in the midst of a snow storm. (It is safe to say that her concern for others, like Senior Yu, makes her reckless.  I think she will learn some harsh lessons).

4.MW, Senior Yu truly looks like he is on death's door.  He learns that 1)taxes have been illegally collected in many places for years and 2) something sinister seems poised to happen (talk about the heavy handed lines)

5.Master Lei then orders his men to clear a snow path, all in the name of brotherly love.  Back in Ping An Town, Yin Xue sits alone, staring at a tea cup, and he looks angry.  He destroys a tea cup with his hand, crushing it.  And that's when Anye Luo makes his dramatic appearance.  There is someone out there even more flamboyant than Yin Xue....

6. Yin Xue asks him in a very bored voice if this time he will die or Anye Luo.  Anye Luo says they are technically from the same clan since Dark River took Yin Xue in after Yin Xue betrayed the Misty Deity clan....hmmmm

7.An epic battle ensues, and it seems like Yin Xue has the upper hand.  Anye Luo leaves, angry, and after arriving at Top City he kills the guards on a whim.  Wu Hen meets him, calls him Supreme Ruler, explains the situation and why they no longer have this city but that there are others, and Miss D wonders what her brothers are plotting since they are not kicking up a fuss over the mysterious deaths of so many guards.....

8.Meanwhile, Flame Lord receives an update from housekeeper.  Feng has passed this test as the information is verified--so Feng tricked flame lord--however Housekeeper still does not trust him.  However Flame leader is pleased with him so far.  In addition, he receives an update on his daughter.  Although she is travelling to the imperial city alone, the fact that Yin Xue is following separately puts him at ease.  However, the report that the Dark Palace has returned does not.

9.Meanwhile, Yu reminisces and we learn of his first encounter with Ge'er and that it was her who taught him how to read lips and her who gave him the courage to speak.  He's known her since he was five.  Anyways, he is very bothered to learn she is on her way--he doesn't want her involved.  Still, she arrives, and eventually gives him her blood to help him, as he is clearly very ill...

10.Yin Xue watches from the shadows.....

The thing I find frustrating is Ge'er's consistent mistrust of Yin Xue.  Or rather, the fact that she cannot fully trust Yin Xue.  However, she barely knows him, and all the people causing the issues/distractions are people she grew up with and has always trusted.  Hence, I can forgive her for that.

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