Legend of Zang Hai: Drama Info and Recap Episodes 1 to 10

Introduction

I am a fan of Xiao Zhan, who played the titular Zang Hai, so this is the initial draw to watch this drama. His acting here is not disappointing; it’s rather incredible, as he was able to portray a variety of complex emotions. Acting-wise, in fact, the entire cast delivered strong performances. As I watched further, the drama has an engaging and intricate main plot, which is the revenge. It flows seamlessly from the beginning to the end, with twists and turns. To add to the praise is that the drama is visually stunning with high production values, excellent cinematography, and breathtaking choreography.

But this is a long, complicated drama. Therefore, this is a recap article series as a watcher’s guide, just in case one gets lost in the Hidden Sea (Zang Hai).

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Drama Info

Drama title: Legend of Zang Hai (Native title: 藏海传 )
Alternative title:  Zang Hai Zhuan, The Legend of the Hidden Sea, 
Genres: Historical, Mystery, Political
Aired: May 18, 2025 - Jun 3, 2025
Episodes: 40  |  Duration: 45 minutes
Directors: Zheng Xiao Long ( 郑晓龙 ) and Cao Yi Wen ( 曹译文 )
Screenwriter: Zhao Liu Yi ( 赵柳逸 )
Where to watch: Youku, Youku (YouTube), and Viki
OSTs: Full album (fansub)
Trailer:

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Synopsis

Zang Hai was originally the son of the Imperial Astronomer. However, when he was young, he witnessed the murder of his entire family. Deciding on the path of revenge, Zang Hai withdrew from the scene temporarily and began training himself by learning construction and the art of war.

Ten years later, he returned to the capital as an unrecognizable figure and became—through mentoring—the adviser of his enemy, Duke Ping Jin. From the Lord’s manor to the court, from an ordinary advisor to becoming the chief minister of the imperial cabinet, Zang Hai struggled in the face of treacherous political plots and battles, finally getting a chance to kill his enemy.

However, he soon discovered that not everything was as it appeared and that he had just scratched the surface of something much bigger. Facing an unknown road ahead, Zang Hai teamed up with his beloved friends to overcome and uncover the conspiracy, defending their country. (Source: MyDramaList)

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Characters

Main Characters

Supporting Characters

I will use the chart below to describe the supporting characters. Each character poster also describes their attributes, which are translated below. As a disclaimer, the translation might not be accurate because the descriptions are cryptic and poetic, adding to the mysterious atmosphere. I will put them under the respective character descriptions.

There are other supporting characters not in the chart that I didn’t include in this article.

Character Chart

People around Zhi Nu

People around Zang Hai

Top right. The masked man remains a mystery that will be revealed later.

People around Xiang Ang Tu

People around Zhuang Zhi Xing and Zhuang Lu Yin

Royal Court

Bottom right. The last shadow guard doesn’t have a character poster

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Recap Episodes 1 to 10

Episode 1

Epilogue: Kuai Duo, Zhi Nu’s father, an Imperial Astronomer, was the supervisor for the Fengshan Altar project. In three more months, the Altar was projected to finish. However, there was a big problem underground. Workers fainted as if infected by a plague. When Kuai Duo and his guards inspected deeper underground, they were attacked by the living dead. The guards were killed, and Kuai Duo escaped. He accidentally touched a glowing green rock.

When the Great Yong expedition returned from Dongxia, 10-year old Zhi Nu looked for his father, who was supposed to be in the expedition. He thought his father was in the last carriage, but it turned out that it was occupied by Princess of Dongxia (little Xiang Ang Tu). The Princess whipped him in anger, and he retaliated by throwing a rock at her. The Princess whipped the rock, and it scared the horse, pulling a cart occupied by Marquis Ping Jin’s second son, little Zhuang Zhi Xing. When Zhi Xing crawled out, he was kidnapped by Zhi Nu and his friends. Zhi Nu then tells him that the Fengshan Altar collapsed and everyone underground was buried, including everyone from the Imperial Astronomer Bureau. Zhi Nu’s mother discovered the kidnapping, punished Zhi Nu and his friends, and returned the boy.

At night, Kuai Duo suddenly returned and rushed his family and servants to pack up and leave quickly. But they’re too late, Marquis Ping Jin has already surrounded the house. Zhi Nu is hiding in the city’s tunnel. Ping Jin asked for the item Kuai Duo took from Dongxia. When Kuai Duo refused, Marquis Ping Jin killed his daughter, Zhi Nu’s little sister. Zhi Nu’s friend pretended to be Zhi Nu, so he was killed, too. When Ping Jin wanted to take Kuai Duo’s wife, she committed suicide. Kuai Duo killed himself, too, but not after telling Zhi Nu to stay alive and shout that Ping Jin won’t find the item. The army then took all the belongings and burned down the house. Zhi Nu passed out in his hiding place, but someone rescued him.

Episode 2

Zhi Nu’s rescuer wore a mask. He explained he is Kuai Duo’s old friend. Kuai Duo sent him a letter to escape from the Capital, but the man was too late. Zhi Nu vowed to avenge his family. The man said, since Marquis Pin Jing is powerful, it will take 10 years, and he brought Zhi Nu to Master Xing Dou.

However, Zhi Nu doesn’t cut out to be a martial artist. Master Xing Dou then altered his face, so Zhi Nu would no longer look like his father or his mother. Zhi Nu was then trained for 10 years by three different masters, each with their own expertise: Master Zing Dou, Master Gao Ming, and Liu Chu. When Zhi Nu reached 20, his benefactor visited him.

Although Zhi Nu had not fully completed his training, his benefactor wanted to send him to the Capital because the Empress Dowager had passed away 3 days ago. This is a rare opportunity. His benefactor then gave him pictures of Marquis Pin Jing’s household, including 3 important people: his personal bodyguard Qu Jiao, the current Imperial Astronomer Chu Hua Ming, and his Chief Aide Yang Zhen. His benefactor also said that his name is no longer Zhi Nu but Zang Hai.

The next day, Zang Hai is supposed to go to the Capital with Master Gao Ming, but he has already left with the benefactor. Hmm, this is interesting! Seems like he intentionally has to go by himself…

Episode 3

Before leaving, Zang Hai wanted to ask a lot of questions to Master Zing Dou, such as who his benefactor is, who these masters are, and the mark on Master Zing Dou’s hand. Master tells Zang Hai to ask Master Gao Ming when he meets him in the Capital. He said that everyone here existed because of him. After he leaves, all traces of Zhi Nu will be deleted. After Zang Hai leaves, Master Zing Dou orders his disciples to burn down the place and leave. He drinks wine and thanks Zang Hai, and burns himself to death! Wut??

In the Capital, Zang Hai goes to Zhen Tower. He sits down on a dark balcony and asks the waiter to light the lamp. A girl walks over and lights an exquisite lamp, she is Xiang Ang Tu. Ang Tu says the seat is only for the most honored guest, and the person will pay for everyone’s drinks and tip every entertainer. Since he doesn’t have money, Ang Tu takes him downstairs to watch a play. The play is politically controversial, and the storyteller is the mysterious Mr. Eight. Zang Hai thinks, Mr. Eight will be killed by Head Eunuch’s secret guards tonight. Ang Tu then pretends Zang Hai is Mr. Eight. When Zang Hai tries to escape, both fans and guards chase him. Zang Hai manages to escape, and Ang Tu tells him to run in a certain direction. Master Gao Ming catches him and pretends he’s the servant of a drunk young nobleman. Zang Hai learns a lesson about how dangerous the Capital is. He also learned about the current political situation.

I wonder if Xiang Ang Tu is arranged to meet Zang Hai?

Zang Hai pretends to be a fengshui master, since Master Ping Jin is looking for one. He and other feng shui masters are ordered to go to the Imperial tomb, and it’s tricky, full of death traps. One by one is killed by the secret weapons.

Zhuang Zhi Fu, Marquis Ping Jin’s eldest son, asks why his father is looking for a feng shui master. His father knows that no matter what the Emperor does, he will face an impeachment. So the Emperor shifts the responsibility to Marquis Ping Jin, that he has to do something to save his son.

Episode 4

Zang Hai manages to come out alive and is greeted by Zhuang Lu Yin’s Chief Aide, Yang Zhen. He explains to Yang Zhen about the logic of the puzzle that controls the trap. Marquis Ping Jin arrives, and Zang Hai sees his nemesis again; he manages to control himself. Zang Hai pretends to use his feng shui belief, but it’s actually logic. Zang Hai then put a wedge under the Consort’s tomb, which then collapsed. He notices that the ground is wet and the tombs are old. Zang Hai quickly declares that it’s a sign from the Consort to withdraw from the joint burial. That way, the Emperor wins the Court’s support, without losing the people’s favor, and Marquis Ping’s issue is resolved.

The next day, Zang Hai is called to Marquis Ping Jin’s mansion, only to be told he will be killed because they found the wedge. Zang Hai quickly begged Marquis Ping Jin to use his knowledge to assist him in repaying his mercy.

The next day, when Zang Hai goes to the Scholar Hall, he works under Yang Zhen. He quickly figures out that Yang Zhen may seem kind on the outside, but deep down, he’s jealous and fake. He feeds the aides with promises, but in truth, he makes them useless. Zang Hai wants to replace Yang Zhen. Meanwhile, Yang Zhen is also wary about Zang Hai. He gives Zang Hai overtime work, but he actually wants to frame Zang Hai.

Episode 5

When Zang Hai is busy working, he accidentally touches a secret key that opens a secret passage. Inside, he meets Zhuang Zhi Xing, who sneaks into the Scholar Hall from Marquis Ping Yin’s house, the Zhuang Mansion. Zang Hai remembers the past when he kidnapped Zhi Xing. Zhuang Zhi Xing is happy when Zang Hai promises he won’t tell anyone about Zhi Xing sneaking in. He holds Zang Hai’s hand to go out of the Scholar Hall, so the guards who have been ordered to examine and frame Zang Hai don’t dare to do stop Zang Hai.

To the order to be recognized again by Marquis Ping Jin, Zang Hai adds helpful information on the treasure list project he worked on. Marquis Ping Jin is impressed with Zang Hai’s work, so he orders Yang Zhen to cultivate Zang Hai.

Yang Zhen is jealous of the Marquis’ recognition of Zang Hai, so he wants to frame him again. He invites Zang Hai to the Zhen House on his birthday. When Zang Hai arrives, Xiang Ang Tu, who apparently is the House’s head treasurer, notices him. She sends the staff to keep an eye on him. She also has a business with Zhuang Zhi Xing, who is a gambler and has a huge debt to the House. That’s why Zang Hai saw him in the secret passage, he stole some of his father’s treasure to pay the debts.

At the birthday party, there are Yang Zhen, Chu Hua Ming, Qu Jiao with the girls. Yang Zhen forces Zang Hai to take a girl, but he refuses until Yang Zhen forces a hot coal into the girl’s mouth. When she screams, Ang Tu hears it and checks out the situation. She kicks them out in the name of Marquis’s second son. A physician is called, and the girl’s throat is burned. Zang Hai begs the physician to save the girl with all the money he has. Ang Tu is impressed by his kindness, so she says she’ll take care of the girl. To repay her favor, Zang Hai has to take the drunk Zhuang Zhi Xing home. Zhi Xing is worthless in front of Marquis Ping Jin, but he wants to be recognized. Zang Hai decides to use Zhi Xing to get close to his father.

Episode 6

Another strange thing happened: the late Emperor’s tomb moved and blocked the tomb entrance. Yang Zhen wants to use this incident to get rid of Zang Hai. Marquis Ping Jin is angry at Chu Hua Ming for his incompetence being an Imperial Astronomer. Yang Zhen proposes to repair it secretly and suggests Zang Hai. Since it has to be done in secret, Zang Hai is ‘promoted’ to be the assistant supervisor at the Imperial Astronomer Bureau. Chu Hua Ming tells Zang Hai that his birthday is compatible with the late Emperor’s, so Zang Hai is tasked to fix the tomb. Zang Hai knows this is Yang Zhen’s idea, not that stupid Chu Hua Ming’s. The man used to be his father’s colleague, but he was incompetent, so the promotion went to Kuai Duo. Yang Zhen wants to get rid of him; either he succeeds or fails, so Zang Hai makes plans with Master Gao Ming.

Zang Hai explains to Chu Hua Ming that because a river is diverted and flows under the royal tomb, it causes water damage that moves the tombs. He proposes to redo the waterproofing. Chu Hua Ming agrees and orders workers to follow Zang Hai’s supervision.

Zang Hai doesn’t understand why no worker noticed the water stain. Someone mentions that a worker, Ji Qun, told Chu Hua Ming before, but he was punished severely. When Zang Hai sees Ji Qun, he’s shocked to see that Ji Qun is Uncle Ji, his father’s intelligent colleague, and was very nice to Zang Hai when he was little. Ji Qun is now a slave, and Zang Hai is overwhelmed, seeing how bad Ji Qun looks now.

The reason water flooded the royal tomb is not because of the diverted river, but because Chu Hua Ming and Marquis Ping Jin’s first son, Zhuang Zhi Fu, took the funds and used cheap materials instead. Chu Hua Ming is suspicious that Zang Hai knows about it, so he proposes that Zhuang Zhi Fu get rid of Zang Hai.

At night, Zang Hai approaches Uncle Ji and sees him using the old method his father used to teach him. Their convo then mentions Kuai Duo, which gets Zang Hai teary-eyed, hearing his father’s name. Uncle Ji tells him that now the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is full of corruption and nepotism and wonders if Zang Hai works for Chu Hua Ming. Zang Hai says he works for himself.

Master Gao Ming goes on a journey to execute their plan that we will see later on, and now he pretends to be a blind fortune teller. He intentionally gets close to Marquis Ping Jin’s carriage and foretells a bad future for the Marquis. Ping Jin is doubtful but curious, so the blind fortuneteller is brought to him and he tests him by drawing his sword right onto his eyes. Gao Ming is a skilled actor, his eyes don’t even blink. Ping Jin starts believing him, especially when his fortune stick is interpreted as a bad omen by his ancestral tombs. Ping Jin has two issues with tombs already. Gao Ming asks for a burning brazier and starts praying until the coal explodes. The stick changes number. Gao Ming says there will be a lucky star who will reveal himself on the verge of his death. Marquis’ personal guard, Qu Jiao, checks the blind fortuneteller’s authenticity and gives him money.

Later, Gao Ming shows us how he tricked the Marquis and his bodyguard!

After three months, the tomb’s renovation is finally completed. Marquis is discussing the completion with Zhuang Zhi Fu and Yan Zhen, and his son mentions that Zang Hai notices that cheap materials are used because of corruption. Marquis knows that his own son embezzled the fund, but of course, Marquis wants to protect his son. He agrees with Yan Zhen’s idea to bury Yan Zhen with the late Emperor as a sacrificial offering.

Chu Hua Ming comes and announces that several workers are to be sacrificed, being buried alive for the Empress Dowager, and their families will be taken care of. Zang Hai and Uncle Ji are amongst them!

Episode 7

The workers like the young, talented, and kind Zang Hai, so they plead to Chu Hua Ming not to sacrifice Zang Hai, but Chu Hua Ming objects. Uncle Ji guesses that Chu Hua Ming must be jealous of Zang Hai. The workers explain to Zang Hai that even if they don’t want to be sacrificed, they’ll be forced to. At the Empress Dowager’s burial ceremony, eight craftsmen are ready to be sacrificed. Chu Hua Ming set up a lavish last meal banquet, and he says there are poisons in the food and wine to make them die faster so they won’t suffer. Zang Hai urges people not to eat or drink, since he will find a way to get out. However, Chu Hua Ming is truly evil. He also set up secret weapons and traps so nobody could make it out alive. One by one, the craftsmen die. When only Uncle Ji and Zang Hai are left, Zang Hai calls him “Uncle Ji!” and reveals to him that he is Zhi Nu. He tries to pull Uncle Ji out of the closing door, but Uncle Ji is too old. He asks Zang Hai to stay alive and comforts him that his father’s spirit will bless him. With that, Uncle Ji dies, smashed by the falling door. Zang Hai wails bitterly, smears Uncle Ji’s blood on his face, and is even determined to come out alive.

The outside tomb gate suddenly gets stuck, and it won’t want to close. Zang Hai walks out of the tomb, Chu Hua Ming orders the archers to get ready to shoot him. Zang Hai yells that he’s not supposed to die. Marquis Ping Jin suddenly remembers what the blind fortuneteller said about his lucky star coming out from the verge of death. Zang Hai claims that if the tomb gate won’t close, and the auspicious time is passed, all ministers and officials will be punished by the Emperor, because the royal bodies are exposed. Even if Chu Hua Ming wants to repair the gate, it will take time. Zang Hai declares that someone else has to be a sacrifice, and that person is Yan Zhen. Yan Zhen is very angry and accuses Zang Hai of plotting to kill him. Zang Hai calmly points out that Yan Zhen just had his birthday, and his four pillars of destiny match perfectly with the late Emperor’s. Go ask Chu Hua Ming, since he was at the birthday party! Chu Hua Ming reluctantly acknowledges that it was true. Marquis Ping Jin orders Zang Hai to get out, and Yan Zhen to go in, with a promise that he will save Yan Zhen. Shaking, Yan Zhen goes in, and Zang Hai walks out. When Yan Zhen is in, the tomb gate starts moving. Yan Zhen is so scared and begs his boss to save him as promised. Marquis’ reputation is at stake, so he stays quiet. When he starts revealing Marquis’ dirty work, including the massacre incident ten years ago, Qu Jiao shoots him to death.

Episode 8

Marquis Ping Jin is angry at Zang Hai, so he takes Zang Hai home. He realizes Zang Hai uses his geomancy knowledge to get out of the tomb, which cost the life of his trusted aide. Zang Hai says he tried his luck because he wanted to be alive to serve someone as mighty as the Marquis. Zang Hai says Marquis is surrounded by bad people who use his merit for themselves, thus obstructing really talented people with integrity from serving Marquis and even getting Marquis in trouble. For example, Qu Jiao, who acted by himself to kill Yang Zhen. Zang Hai says, just wait, Qu Jiao will also try to kill him.

Marquis Ping Jin is ready to behead Zang Hai at home. When asked for his last words, Zang Hai says that his life is in the Marquis’ hands. Master Gao Ming, who follows Zang Hai secretly, is ready to shoot the Marquis. Marquis doesn’t kill Zang Hai, rather tells Qu Jiao to get a doctor for Zang Hai, take him out of Chu Hua Ming’s employment roster, and reports that Yang Zhen sacrificed himself. When Qu Jiao protests that Zang Hai can’t be controlled, Marquis mocks, Is it Qu Jiao or he who can’t control Zang Hai?

The doctor is called to treat Zang Hai’s wound, he’s none other than Master Gao Ming. From their convo, we find out what the first plan they discussed last time, to control the river water that opens and closes the tomb gate!

Marquis discusses the case with his son. Because of Qu Jiao’s recklessness, killing the blabbering Yang Zhen, the ministers are suspicious of what could have happened in the past. He can shout someone’s mouth but not a hundred people’s. Now, Marquis has to deal with Qu Jiao’s mistake. The whole night, he ponders what Zang Hai said.

The next day, Yang Zhen cannot go out for three days, because Qu Jiao died suddenly. Because Zang Hai is officially the senior secretary, Butler Zhuang Shan moves Zang Hai’s room to the inner courtyard, next to the Marquis’ mansion. Butler says that even Yang Zhen has never been as close as this. Zang Hai is invited to dinner with the Marquis and his family, and his first task is to prepare the Marquis’ late father’s anniversary. Zhuang Zhi Fu thinks Zang Hai is too dangerous to be let alive, but his father wants to tame Zang Hai and make Zang Hai his son’s trusted aide for the Zhuang Family’s future.

Qu Jiao’s ‘death’ is suspicious because we don’t see a body. Could it be that the Marquis took him out of his duty as his personal bodyguard and gives him a special task, for example to spy on Zang Hai?

Marquis is unhappy with Chu Hua Ming’s work on the geomantic construction textbook, so he orders Zang Hai to take over the work. There are textbooks Zang Hai needs to get, so he visits a bookstore and meets Master Gao Ming for a secret meeting.

On the way home, Zang Hai is invited to a meal by Zhen Tower’s owner, Xu Ben. Xiang Ang Tu is there to serve the meal. Xu Ben intends to be friends with Zang Hai because he’s so famous, only after three months of being in the Capital. Somehow, Zang Hai can figure out that Xu Ben is not the owner of Zhen Tower, but Xiang Ang Tu is.

Episode 9

After a formal introduction, Zang Hai asks directly what Xiang An Tu wants. She wants to make friends with him because, firstly, she admires how Zang Hai excels in just three months. Secondly, from the incident at Yang Zhen’s birthday, he’s a kind person, unlike Marquis Ping Jin and his people. Zang Hai declines her friendship and work offer. He says, for him, it’s only a matter of survival and doing what others can’t. An Tu is disappointed with Zang Hai’s rejection, but still offers help when needed. After Zang Hai leaves, An Tu’s friend, Mr. Eight, aka the one who conducted the shadow play during Zang Hai’s first visit, shows up. An Tu shares her worry that a dangerous person like Zang Hai can make the political situation on the borders worse when Marquis Ping Jin leads another military invasion.

When he goes home, there are a bunch of anonymous, precious gifts. Butler says that they are called “reciprocal gifts”, which means that when in trouble, the giver can ask for his help while mentioning his gift. Zang Hai knows they’re bribes, and Marquis wants to test what Zang Hai will do. So, the next day, he distributes porridge for poor people under the Marquis’ name. People thank Marquis for his generosity, and he is very impressed. From now on, Zang Hai has access to his study room and can read military books. Officials no longer dare to give Zang Hai gifts anymore.

An Tu is pissed off because Zang Hai rejects her offer, so she circulates rumors about Zang Hai. He knows she is behind the rumors. Master Gao Ming suggests that he apologize to An Tu, but she avoids seeing Zang Hai. Gifts start pouring in again. One of the gifts is a fan ordering him to kill the Marquis in three days with a poison in a vial included in the gift. Zang Hai knows that the Marquis inspects the gifts, so he must know about the assassination order.

Zang Hai goes to the treasure room and finds a secret room with specific mementos, including the fish token belonging to his father. He even found clothes that belonged to the parents. Zang cries and kneels in front of the clothing and vows to avenge them, and asks for their blessings.

Zang Hai contemplates poisoning the Marquis, but then he’s abducted. The kidnappers are Hui Jian and another person who used to work in Scholar Hall under Yang Zhen. After Yang Zhen’s death, the Marquis fired everyone working under Yang Zhen. Hui Jian says he and his friend tried to get close to the Marquis for many years but failed. However, Zang Hai just got in and succeeded. Hui Jian wants to skin Zang Hai for face-swapping, to kill the Marquis, and avenge his former master. Zang Hai suspects that the former master is his father. He then asks Hui Jian to turn him around, and Hui Jian sees the whip mark. He was there when Zhi Nu came home after being whipped by the little princess. Hui Jian is actually Guan Feng, Kuai Duo’s little apprentice. Because Guan Feng was punished by Zang Hai’s mother for helping Zang Hai kidnap the Marquis’s son, he came after the house was burned down. The old friends reunited. Guan Feng tells Zang Hai his story, how he and his friend Shi Lei were taken in by a kind master who later died.

Episode 10

Zang Hai, Guan Feng, and Shi Lei go to Li Xian’s tomb, where Kuai Duo used to take his son and Guan Feng. They cannot find what the Marquis wanted from Kuai Duo last time, but Zang Hai found a secret weapon that belonged to his father. He wants to use the weapon to kill the Marquis during the Zhuang Family ancestor’s death anniversary. Zang Hai buries the weapon inside the incense pot. He’s so nervous that the Marquis notices that and asks Zhuang Shan to check the incense pot. Luckily, there is nothing inside the pot. The secret weapon is gone!

When the ceremony is finished, Zang Hai looks for the weapon outside because the servants already cleaned up the room and thrown the trash away. He meets his benefactor again. He has the weapon in his hand. They go to a secluded place. His benefactor advises him to be patient. The Marquis might be the one who intentionally sent the fan and assassination order to test Zang Hai. Moreover, Benefactor reveals that the Marquis isn’t the only enemy. There are two more. Beside the Marquis, there is the Head Eunuch. The third person remains a mystery.

After the secret meeting, Zang Hai comes home and hides the secret weapon. He also gives the fan and the vial to the Marquis, telling him that someone wants him to assassinate the Marquis. His boss assures him not to worry about it and he’ll investigate.

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Conclusion

This Marquis of Pingjin is really scary. Will Zang Hai make it alive in the marquis’ household? More importantly, will Zang Hai be able to avenge the death of his family on the marquis? Let’s continue to the second part of the recap series: Legend of Zang Hai: Drama Recap Episodes 11 to 20.