The Whereabouts of the Soul Echo Flute

"**The Whereabouts of the Soul Echo Flute**", (迴靈笛のゆくえ, *Kaireiteki no Yukue*) is the fourth episode of the first season of *Thunderbolt Fantasy*. It originally aired on July 29, 2016.

## Plot

> After an attempt to recruit the otherworldly Night's Lament, the group moves to rendezvous with the owner of the Soul Echo Flute. What they find in his place spells big trouble for the enigmatic Guǐ Niǎo...
>
> Episode 4 Synopsis, Crunchyroll

As they move through the Night Devil Forest, Shāng Bù Huàn points out that their welcoming party is turning their "negotiation" into a raid. Guǐ Niǎo recognizes she may be playing hide and seek, and Shòu Yún Xiāo knows the hoards of dead they face won't end until they find their mistress, Xíng Hài. Bù Huàn covers the others by taking point so Yún Xiāo can save his arrows, but when they come up to a wave of corpses, Guǐ Niǎo steps up to perform a trick he's been practicing involving Gunpowder spewing flame from his pipe, impressing Shāng, but seemingly not ready for an "audience", considering it's volatility. with her home now in danger of turning to cinders, Xíng Hài decides to reveal herself. Once she arrives, she immediately begins berating Guǐ Niǎo, swearing to pay him back for his betrayal. The others are surprised to find that Guǐ Niǎo's "ally" hates him so, and wonder why she would ever help them to defeat Miè Tiān Hái. Xíng Hài had promised to never ally herself with Guǐ Niǎo again, and doubts his claims that the weapon they seek to prevent the Bones of Creation from unleashing is a true relic of the War of Fading Dusk, until she hears that the weapon in question is the legendary Tiān Xíng Jiàn. Doubting it to be an imitation, she changes her tune surprisingly fast, with just as much to lose, her home in this realm, should the Tiān Xíng Jiàn unleash the secret it's barrier has sealed for 100 years. Shāng Bù Huàn is completely baffled that the demon would forgive him so easily, but as Xíng Hài explains, she will never forgive Guǐ Niǎo, but will work with him to benefit herself, and promises to use her spells for the party. Dān Fěi and Juǎn Cán Yún are about to be overwhelmed but Xíng Hài calls off her guard dogs. Xíng Hài demands their gratefulness, and when Cán Yún tries to tell her off, as she is in the presence of a Hù Yìn Shī, Dān Fěi shoves him off and bows in grace, and promises that she will not forget her generosity. Juǎn's confusion turns to reverence as he recognizes this comes from her nobility. Shāng sees inviting an arch villain like Xíng Hài is a potential threat, but Yún Xiāo points out he was saying the same thing about Guǐ Niǎo. Realizing how awful his company truly is, Bù Huàn wonders how much easier his journey would have been if he went alone. The next step is master Lián Qí, who is a master of crafting magical tools, and they will be able to get Seven Sins Tower. Lián Qí's soul echo flute can guide them through the Labyrinth of Darkness, and is set to meet Guǐ Niǎo and the others at the Limitless temple in three days.

> Just as you'd expect of the Screaming Phoenix Killer, your nonsense reasons for murder are as numerous as there are stars in the sky.
>
> Lián Qí chastises Shā Wú Shēng

Meanwhile, Lián Qí arrives at the merchant camp under the Temple, and is met with the back of the Screaming Phoenix Killer, Shā Wú Shēng, who immediately identifies the old man as an associate of Xuě Yā. Lián Qí pities the vengeful man as he views the assassins' grudge as petty. But Wú Shēng is so dedicated to his new life's mission, and reveals he has spent the last 2 years tracking anyone who may or may not know where Lüè Fēng Qiè Chén is. If they fail to benefit him, he kills them, without verifying if they were lying, as Shā Wú Shēng believes what Xuě Yā stole from him is more valuable than his own life. Lián Qí is not surprised the infamous maniac draws his sword before asking the question, but Míng Fèng Jué Shā doesn't need to ask the question, as he's sure the only one who Lián Qí would go so far for would be Lǐn Xuě Yā, and he expects a clue to Lǐn's destination will be among his belongings. In Shā Wú Shēng's defense, his assumption that Lián Qí sensei would not give up Xuě Yā's plan either way was most likely correct. Intent on correcting his students lasting mistake, Lián Qí draws his sword, stating the reason what Shā Wú Shēng lost is only more important to him than his own life, Is because Wú Shēng's life must not carry much value alone in the first place. Alas, In the blink of an eye, the Screaming Phoenix Killer easily dodges the table Lián Qí flings at him and fatally stabs him. The group arrives at the steps to the limitless temple, and enter to meet Xuě Yā's master. They are met with the sound of the soul echo flute, but Lián Qí is not the one playing it. Yún Xiāo and Cán Yún immediately recognize the danger as Lǐn approaches Wú Shēng for the first time in a year. Xuě Yā questions the assassin with a question, but already knows the answer. As Wú Shēng alludes, Lián Qí is dead, and Lǐn is unable to escape the wrath of the Screaming Phoenix Killer so long as he holds the flute. Not believing in revenge, Xuě Yā will not attempt to avenge his teacher, but he also can't let Shā Wú Shēng keep the flute either, which means he's exactly where Wú Shēng wants him. Before Wú Shēng can draw his sword to Xuě Yā's neck, The Sharp Eyed Impaler steps in as he can't allow "Guǐ Niǎo" to die before he gets paid. He jumps into Wú Shēng's line of fire to use his staging technique, but Wú Shēng uses it against him and puts Yún Xiāo into the path of his own arrow, almost nearly destroying his *other* eye, and with this, The Frozen Wonder of the Spear also moves in to take on the executioner, despite Shāng's objections. Wú Shēng takes an interest in the boy, who seeks to ensure he isn't forgotten or ignored. After easily knocking Juǎn off his game, he draws both blades and rushes Cán Yún until he disarms him with his **Killer Strike: Hundred Flock Morning Phoenix.** Juǎn Cán Yún is only saved when Xíng Hài interferes. However, Shā Wú Shēng has never been bothered with overwhelming odds. It is then that Xuě Yā orders a withdrawal. Considering Wú Shēng has the upper hand, He agrees to let them regroup, and directs them to the Devilwood Flower Garden, where he's staying, should they want to test their luck against him again.

## Characters

* Shāng Bù Huàn
* Lǐn Xuě Yā
* Shòu Yún Xiāo
* Xíng Hài
* Dān Fěi
* Juǎn Cán Yún
* Shā Wú Shēng
* Lián Qí

## Techniques

* **Killer Strike: Hundred Flock Morning Phoenix**

## Trivia

* Shòu Yún Xiāo is clearly talking to Shāng Bù Huàn to discern his true role in the scheme. Saying "You haven't known him very long, have you?"
* During Shā Wú Shēng's fights with Lián Qí, Shòu Yún Xiāo, and Juǎn Cán Yún, several *very* obnoxious screen transitions, possibly to accentuate Wú Shēng's superhuman speed, but also possibly call back to the over the top editing found in traditional Asian and eastern dramas. It's so fast that its easy to miss, but the fluctuating aspect ratio is not as easy to ignore.