As dawn breaks, Duan Wu crawls out from the ruins, surrounded by devastation. She finds Xiao Xia Mi lying lifeless beside her, along with the bodies of Xiang Zai and Cao Da—friends and comrades who fought by her side. Overwhelmed by grief, she gathers their remains and builds a pyre, setting it aflame to honor them. Despite the tragedy, she notices Kang Ju and Yan Zi Jing are missing and struggles to understand what happened.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jinran’s troops discover that the Li Long Bandits deviated from their original plans and launched a surprise attack on Lang Huan Wu. Rushing to the scene, Zhang learns that Yan Zi Jing’s caravan was entirely wiped out, with Yan Zi Jing and Duan Wu still unaccounted for. He orders reinforcements and personally sets out to search for them.
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Duan Wu stumbles through the desert alone, eventually collapsing and being rescued by a group of herdsmen. Kang Ju, learning of her survival, hesitates to approach her, fearing it would attract the attention of the Li Long Bandits. He returns to Yan Zi Jing, who is in even worse condition than Duan Wu. Hearing that she is safe gives Yan Zi Jing some relief, but he decides not to meet her to avoid endangering her further, as the Blood Pearl is still in his possession and a prime target for their enemies.
Convinced that his time is running out due to the lack of an antidote, Yan Zi Jing resolves to protect Duan Wu at all costs. He instructs Kang Ju to spread the word that the Blood Pearl is with him, ensuring that Duan Wu will no longer be pursued.
When Duan Wu regains consciousness, she hears the joyous sounds of the herdsmen outside her tent but is overcome with sorrow for her lost brother and friends. After recovering, she leaves her only piece of jewelry as payment for her rescuers, takes some provisions, and sets off alone.
Yue Yunxiu, haunted by nightmares and a strong sense that Duan Wu is in danger, decides to head into the desert on her own, bringing only some water for the journey. Zhang Jinran is still away on his mission, leaving Yue Yunxiu deeply worried.
Duan Wu travels tirelessly, braving harsh winds and snow with only the determination to find Yan Zi Jing and uncover the truth about that fateful night. Along the way, she adopts a new name, “Su Muzhe.” After what feels like an eternity, she arrives at an isolated and rundown inn. Sensing danger from the innkeeper’s leering gaze, Duan Wu stays alert. That night, she overhears muffled cries for help coming from a room downstairs. Mustering her courage, she arms herself with a dagger and investigates, discovering Yue Yunxiu tied up in a sack.
The two women are overcome with emotion at their reunion. Yue Yunxiu, tearfully relieved, asks where Duan Wu has been all this time. After tying up the innkeeper, Duan Wu immediately helps Yue Yunxiu escape.
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Zhang Jinran’s team later arrives at the inn, uncovering it as a criminal hideout. They find one of Duan Wu’s custom-made arrows and realize she was there. Zhang Jinran excitedly searches the area but finds no trace of the women. He rides to a nearby town to continue his search, narrowly missing their trail.
Duan Wu ensures Yue Yunxiu is safely settled, paying the innkeeper enough to secure their stay. When Yue Yunxiu learns of Xiao Xia Mi’s death and Duan Wu’s solitary state, she vows not to leave her side. Grateful for her loyalty, Duan Wu agrees, and the two sisters embark on a journey to Hangzhou together.
