How does a man haunted by his past forge a new destiny in a world of martial arts and mystery? This is the central question at the heart of the captivating Wuxia drama, Whispers of Fate (水龙吟). Led by the enigmatic Tang Lici (唐俪辞), a group of skilled fighters navigate a landscape of ancient sects, personal vendettas, and hidden truths. The story unfolds as Tang journeys to the famed Sword King City, but his path is anything but direct. From a treacherous encounter at the mysterious Thirteen Floors to gaining an unlikely ally, each step reveals more about his complicated history and the limited time he has to confront it.
A Perilous Shortcut
After bidding farewell to Zhong Chunji (钟春髻), Tang Lici continues his travels with his companions, Chi Yun (池云) and A Shui (阿谁). Their journey takes a dramatic turn when their boat is sucked into a massive whirlpool. Instead of leading to disaster, the vortex transports them directly to the gates of an elusive and powerful organization, the Thirteen Floors. Chi Yun is astounded, having known the place as notoriously difficult to enter. The master of the Thirteen Floors is waiting for them, and he immediately recalls the trouble Chi Yun caused during a previous visit.
The master suggests that Chi Yun remain behind to work off his debt, but Tang Lici coldly interrupts. He states his business clearly: he has come for a man named Shen Langhun (沈郎魂). The master proposes a trade—Shen Langhun for Tang's life—an offer Tang immediately refuses. Unwilling to bargain, Tang decides he will simply take what he came for, setting the stage for a confrontation. The Thirteen Floors is a fortress of intricate and deadly mechanisms, each floor designed to test and trap intruders.
As the master activates these devices one by one, Tang Lici moves through them with an uncanny familiarity. He has faced life and death too many times to be intimidated by such traps. Seeing his physical defenses fail, the master switches to psychological warfare, questioning Tang about the severe injury he suffered four years prior and insinuating he now practices dishonorable martial arts. Tang ignores the taunts and instead demonstrates his profound skill, a display that ultimately convinces the master to hand over Shen Langhun, though not without a warning about the man's stubborn nature.
Forged in Fire
Meanwhile, the political landscape within the martial world grows more complex. After imprisoning a suspect in the Hao residence case, a powerful figure chooses to silence him permanently to avoid any connection to himself. Zhong Chunji, dedicated to uncovering the truth, reports her findings on the case to her superiors, only to be dismissed and accused of making a fuss over nothing. Fortunately, her master intervenes, affirming her efforts and encouraging her to continue her investigation.
This support leads to a new mission: she is to travel to Sword King City, accompanied by her senior fellow, Gu Xitan (古溪潭). The assignment fills her with joy and a sense of purpose. Her own past is a tapestry of hardship; sold as a child bride and later threatened with a fate worse than death, she escaped and was rescued by her master, who trained her into the formidable fighter she is today. This journey to Sword King City is not just another task; it is a step toward her own destiny.
As Zhong prepares for her trip, Tang Lici is dealing with his own new acquisition. Shen Langhun, now in his custody, is defiant and refuses to follow orders. Understanding that loyalty cannot be commanded, Tang employs a different tactic. He offers a priceless treasure, the Bixiao Pearl (碧笑珠), as a reward for cooperation. The strategy works, and Shen Langhun's ambition is ignited. That night, as he works on a mysterious crown, Tang approaches him to understand his motivations.
An Unbreakable Bond
Shen Langhun reveals his two driving goals: to find all the jewels for his crown and to kill a master of the Wang Sheng Pu (往生谱), a martial arts manual. He confesses that he was initially persuaded by a man named A Yan to eliminate Tang Lici. Seizing the moment, Shen Langhun launches a sneak attack, using a secret technique to trap Tang in a powerful illusion. Within this mental landscape, Tang is forced to confront his most painful memories.
He sees his former senior brothers and A Yan, the source of his enduring pain. He remembers a time when he was known by a different name and was taken in by his brothers, only to have their bond shattered by a devastating misunderstanding. Just as Shen Langhun moves in for the final blow in the real world, Tang shatters the illusion and seizes his blade. He reveals an astonishing ability to replicate martial techniques and, more importantly, he has seen through to the truth of Shen Langhun's own suffering.
Tang exposes the real story: Shen Langhun once worked for the Thirteen Floors to earn a life-saving pill for his beloved, Huiniang. The medicine was stolen by A Yan, leading to her death. In that moment, a bond is forged not from shared joy, but from shared pain and a common enemy. Tang confesses that half of A Yan's formidable skills originated from him, and the betrayal from four years ago is a wound that has never healed. With his own life now on a timer, he seeks a final reckoning. That night, over wine with Chi Yun, a new alliance is solidified, proving that even in a world of conflict, trust can be found in the most unexpected places.
