Nirvana in Fire 2: The wind blows in Changlin (琅琊榜之风起长林) – Ep 50 (FINAL) [RECAP]

FINAL EPISODE 50 of Nirvana in Fire 2:

Before He Chang can release his arrow, Dong Qing releases one straight through his head.

Di Ming solemnly marches down the steps as Yuan Qi retreats into the room. As the army advances, Di Ming runs forward one last time, and throws his sword to the ground. He allows himself to be stabbed, and the army charges over his body.

Ping Jing leads the troops to the throne room, where Yuan Qi awaits them. Ping Jing asks for Yuan Qi to explain himself, and Yuan Qi declares that he would have made a better emperor – the King was bestowed the throne since birth, and did not accomplish anything.

Yuan Qi asks if Ping Jing can see the future of the King. But Ping Jing replies that while it’s true that the future of the King is uncertain, the fact that Yuan Qi betrayed his country and allowed thousands to die is proof of his incompetence.

The King enters, and Yuan Qi congratulates Ping Jing for being one step closer to the throne. The King replies that if the Chang Lin manor ever had those intentions, he would have been long gone.

Yuan Qi requests for an individual battle against Ping Jing. Back in a mansion, Commander Xun coughs awake, and orders his men to warn Ping Jing that Yuan Qi’s skill cannot be undermined.

Yuan Qi and PingJing unsheathed their swords, and the battle begins!!

Yuan Qi starts his dark martial arts formation, and the audience looks on worriedly. Yuan Qi thrusts his sword forward, but is blocked by the bracelet on Ping Jing’s left arm – the one that Lin Chen had given to him. Ping Jing’s sword pierces into Yuan Qi, and Yuan Qi stumbles back, bleeding.

Yuan Qi remarks that while he learnt the skills from Lord Moqi, he would not have the chance to avenge his mother. But he knows that Donghai is Great Liang’s enemy, and that Great Liang will take revenge on his behalf.

In his dying breath, he gifts a book recording his understanding of Lord Moqi and Donghai to Ping Jing, as thanks for their friendship and teaching him military skills. Ping Jing instructs for Yuan Qi to be taken down, but the King simply orders Yuan Qi to be killed. Ping Jing watches, as Yuan Qi is stabbed.

The King and Ping Jing present offerings to Empress Dowager Xun. The King cries over his mother’s and uncle’s wrongdoing, while understanding that whatever they did was for him.

The King worries that Di Ming’s words were right – he has half the blood of his mother, and wouldn’t be a good King. Calmly, Ping Jing tells the King that what matters now is his own decisions, not his birth, and comforts him.

Commander Xun is recovering well, and wants to visit the palace to plead for An Ru, to allow An Ru to be buried in the Xun mausoleum.

Ping Jing walks down the bloody steps, and heads to the Chang Lin manor. He tells the men that they only need to clean up the house that Ping Zhang used to stay in, and he doesn’t need to enter by the main entrance.

General Yue is busy with preparing the papers, but mentions to General Pan that Pei’er has been redeemed (from being a slave).

Ping Jing visits visits his brother’s tomb, and tells him that he will find a suitable time to leave the capital. Ping Jing understands that he cannot harp on his brother’s death, and offers wine.

General Yue is welcomed by Ping Jing, who passes him the books on Donghai. In court, Ping Jing reports the situation to the King, and recommends General Yue to follow through the case.

Kneeling down, Ping Jing asks the King for permission over a matter – but the King refuses. He knows that since Ping Jing did not reopen the Chang Lin manor, it means that Ping Jing has no intention to stay in the capital.

Addressing Ping Jing by “older brother Ping Jing”, the King simply tells him to always send letters back to him. Ping Jing bows deeply in thanks.

Dong Qing has been transferred to the capital, and promises his loyalty towards Chang Lin before bidding Ping Jing farewell. Only carrying his sword and bag, Ping Jing closes the door of the manor.

General Yue comes to see Ping Jing off, and Ping Jing remarks that he is the only one that did not advise him to stay. General Yue says that he understands that if Ping Jing stays, people will be wary of his power; also, Ping Jing simply has no patience to attend to the people politics in court.

Commander Xun sends Ping Jing off at the capital gates, and conveys the King’s order that no matter whoever takes over the borders, the Chang Lin name will forever remain.

After saying their goodbyes, Ping Jing rides off. At the halfway pavilion, he sees Lin Xi waiting for him.

He asks if Lin Xi is willing to be with him forever, and she agrees in a heartbeat. They embrace, and ride off into the sunset.

Comments!!

It has finally come to the last episode!!! 🙂

I can’t say that I was surprised by the conclusion. This is a drama that didn’t have many twists, everything was pretty standard (or even not as good as average). I’m glad that our main characters all got a resolution.

I think the most satisfying arch in the last couple of episodes was actually Di Ming. We could see how there were hints of repentance and regret, and he finally couldn’t ignore his own conscience anymore. I felt that a turning point was An Ru’s death, as he witnessed how she chose to die on her own terms.

Even as a standalone series, the pace was awfully slow and the storyline was nothing special. It was more or less a standard court drama. I never doubted that Ping Jing would fail to save the King, and there were no twists or turns that made me feel anxious as a viewer.

Then, coming off the height and prestige of Nirvana in Fire, this drama definitely left something to be desired. I guess one good thing about the ending was that at least Ping Jing got to do what those who came before him didn’t manage to – live their own lives, free from the worries of the world.

(also, I was just wondering if they changed the dubber for Ping Jing sometime during the drama. I can’t place when, but maybe in the second half?? Or am I just imagining things hmm)

Thanks for your support guys! And so, we march on to other dramas!!