天下制覇

The return of the Phoenix King.

Animation and art quality was back up to the higher quality this episode, and we got to see a pretty decent fight between Ukitsu’s master and completely possessed Hakufu. Otherwise though, most of this episode was pretty much setup and a refresher on the historic happenings of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms as we prepare for the final battle of Chi Bi.

This episode’s fight:

Very little honestly happened this episode. It starts with Koukin remembering a time when Hakufu chased off some bullies that were attacking him. Since Nanyo is now perceived as weak because they’ve ‘lost’ their leader, Koukin, Gakushu and Ryomou are kicking around random punks off and on through the episode. Kannu has also left Kyosho at this point, though spends most of the episode lurking around Seito and talking with Chou-un about being a warrior and whatnot. Koumei explains the history of Chi Bi to Ryuubi and Chouhi while at Kyosho, Sousou has chained himself to a wall following killing Kakouton. We also get to see a few quick shots of Chuukou (Xu Chu), a tall sportsgirl who is controlling or soothing Sousou in some way.

The fun part of the episode begins when we see Ukitsu’s master performing some rite over Hakufu’s body. Her eyes open, but it’s the dragon that wakes and immediately begins attacking him. He fights it off with chi blasts and controlling the water, until he knocks her out. He then debriefs Ukitsu and her friend (didn’t catch the name, it’s the other advisor from the OP though and looks like a very docile, short-haired Kaku Bunwa) about what’s happened to Hakufu because of her power awakening and her confrontation with Sousou. We get to see that Ukitsu’s friend is the one that fished Hakufu out of a river after the fight with Sousou.

Elsewhere, Koukin and Kannu having another discussion about their masters and serving them in front of Seito. Koukin talks about Hakufu while Kannu thinks about Ryuubi before Kannu finally returns to the shrine and Koukin continues on his way. Shiba-I is elsewhere plotting away and declares that she will triumph over Koumei… while an asleep Koumei says that the battle is beginning.

The next episode preview wasn’t overly elucidating, but it looked like Koumei was briefing the Seito and Nanyo troops for the coming battle. Another quick shot of Ukitsu, but no fighting (other than some speedlines) was shown.