Dear readers… this is the BIG SPOILER of The Legend of Zang Hai’s ending. Read this ending explained at your own discretion 😉. But before we start, let’s take a deep breath.
What you’re about to read is not just the unravelling of secrets, betrayals, and redemption arcs… This is the final part of a journey that began with a fallen family, a stolen seal, and a boy raised for revenge. So, if you’re ready to dive into the truth behind Zang Hai’s fate, then let’s begin. Happy reading!
Read Legend of Zang Hai drama review and ending explained here:
The Legend of Zang Hai Ending Explained
What Happened to Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu on The Legend of Zang Hai Ending?
The masked man hinted that Zang Hai’s third enemy was hiding within the cabinet. With Zhuang Lu Yin heading the military and Cao Jing Xian managing the Directorate of Ceremonies, the last must also be a powerful court official. This lead Zang Hai to suspect Chief Secretary Shi Yi Ping.
Zang Hai was shocked to discover his benefactor was Zhao Bing Wen. The old minister explained his ties to Kuai Duo. Xiang An Tu, too, was stunned. She never imagined Zang Hai’s savior was Tong Er’s father. Elated, she believed with Zhao Bing Wen and the emperor backing him, revenge would soon be fulfilled. But Zang Hai remained uneasy.
Zhao Bing Wen brought Zang Hai to Shi Yi Ping’s residence, where Zang Hai noticed his fondness for paintings. When Zang Hai raised the topic of Cao Jing Xian’s death, Shi Yi Ping remained composed and offered support.
Zhao Bing Wen warned that Shi Yi Ping intended to use Zang Hai as a blade to eliminate rivals. To gain his trust, Zang Hai later returned to Shi Yi Ping’s resident with exquisite paintings.
But Shi Yi Ping grew wary, believing Zang Hai was investigating more than Cao Jing Xian’s death. He said he’d request the emperor transfer the case to him. Before he could act, Shi Yi Ping suddenly showed signs of poisoning. The poison was likely from the tea. Zang Hai, stunned, stared at his own untouched cup.
Lu Yan burst in and tried to stab Shi Yi Ping but was subdued by Xiang An Tu. She claimed Shi Yi Ping had tricked Cao Jing Xian into giving up the Gui Seal, used them, then killed them. When guards arrived, Lu Yan took her own life.
Eunuch Sun arrived on the emperor’s behalf to search for the Gui Seal but found nothing. Zang Hai, however, grew suspicious of a Dongxia painting and discovered a hidden compartment behind it. He secretly retrieved the bronze fish token and presented only the Gui Seal and Sword of Justice to the emperor.
After Shi Yi Ping’s death, Zang Hai feigned drunkenness. Troubled, he told Xiang An Tu that the whole encounter felt staged. As if someone wanted him to believe Shi Yi Ping was the third enemy.
The painting, which was hung recently, seemed planted. Perhaps it was arranged by the real enemy seeking the bronze fish token that still in Zang Hai’s hands.
Seeing his distress, Xiang An Tu reassured him. One day, she said, they would leave it all behind and travel the world. Her words sparked an idea. To lure the hidden enemy, Zang Hai submitted his resignation.
While they packed, Zhao Bing Wen arrived and brought Zang Hai to see suffering refugees. They were the people Kuai Duo once cared for. Zhao Bing Wen said Zang Hai could save them long-term and presented an imperial edict appointing him to the cabinet.
Shocked, Zang Hai accepted the edict. The resignation bait had worked, but he hadn’t expected Zhao Bing Wen to bite it. Fearing his suspicion might be right, Zang Hai told Xiang An Tu to watch Gao Ming closely. He suspected Gao Ming had also been deceived.
Tong Er visited Xiang An Tu and recognized the Dongxia painting. She said it once belonged to her father. The revelation confirmed their theory. Meanwhile, Zang Hai discovered through court records that Cao Jing Xian’s real name was Lu Min.
A former Yong Academy student, Lu Min had castrated himself before entering the palace. An old eunuch confirmed he was talented and ambitious. Zang Hai went to the academy to check the records and found that Lu Min once classmates with Zhuang Lu Yin and Zhao Bing Wen.
Zang Hai confronted Zhao Bing Wen and demanded the truth. The old minister finally confessed. But before Zang Hai could act, imperial guards stormed in and arrested him under the emperor’s orders. The emperor believed Kuai Duo had betrayed him and assumed Zang Hai had done the same.
Unshaken, Zang Hai met his gaze and declared that his father died for a just cause. Kuai Duo wasn’t hiding the emperor’s secret. He was trying to prevent the Gui Seal from being activated again.
The emperor demanded the bronze tokens. Zang Hai surrendered them. The emperor claimed he never intended to activate the seal, only to fulfill his father’s last wish. Zang Hai named Zhao Bing Wen as the true enemy.
The emperor’s expression turned cold. He said Lu Fen (aka Shi Quan), a subordinate of Cao Jing Xian, had told him about the token beforehand. This solidifies Zang Hai’s position as a traitor to the emperor.
Meanwhile, Xiang An Tu and their friends hid in a safehouse. Tong Er came to check on her and was told the truth about her father. In prison, Zhao Bing Wen finally revealed his long history with Zhuang Lu Yin and Cao Jing Xian. He also explained his obsession with the Gui Seal.
Zhao Bing Wen had accused Zang Hai of killing the emperor and sentenced him to death. Gao Ming begged for a dignified end for Zang Hai. Just after being pronounced dead, Zang Hai found himself in a misty realm where he saw his mother, sister, father, and his father’s disciples. Overwhelmed, he ran to them. However, his mother pushed him away, saying, “This isn’t your place.”
Zang Hai wept until he saw his father. Kuai Duo appeared calm and resolute, he urges him to move forward. Zang Hai realized he didn’t belong in that realm yet. Their reunion would have to wait.
Zang Hai awoke surrounded by his friends. Xiang An Tu revealed Gao Ming had saved him using a drug that made him appeared dead. Prince Yongrong also helped to distract Zhao Bing Wen, so he didn’t examine him thoroughly. The prince’s steward told Zang Hai that the late emperor called his name before dying and said that he was right.
Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu set out for Dongxia, the place where Zhao Bing Wen’s grand scheme begun. Gao Ming, who had secretly drunk poisoned tea, died soon after helping them escape the capital. Zang Hai grieved deeply for the man who had been like a father to him.
They finally reached Dongxia, where Xiang An Tu’s sister, the new crowned queen, received them coldly. Suspicious of her sister’s intentions, she separated them. She imprisoned Zang Hai and arranging for Xiang An Tu to marry a sixty-year-old tribal leader. When Xiang An Tu refused, the queen threatened to harm Zang Hai, forcing Xiang An Tu to comply.
Xiang An Tu told her sister that retrieving the Gui Seal from Zhao Bing Wen was their late mother’s final wish. The queen grew anxious but still refused to act. Xiang An Tu asked her to bring Zang Hai as part of her entourage to the Haidong Tribe. The queen finally agreed. Soon after, Xiang An Tu saw Zang Hai as part of her entourage.
At the designated meeting point, the Haidong Tribe was waiting for Xiang An Tu. But among them was a familiar face: one of Zhuang Zhi Xing’s subordinates. It was their help. The so-called tribesmen were actually disguised Great Yong soldiers.
Fortunately, Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu had prepared a backup plan. Before departing, Xiang An Tu had sent a trusted aide to seek out Zhuang Zhi Xing and request reinforcements. They secretly followed the group to the military camp.
Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhi Xing finally met again. Unfortunately, Zang Hai discovered that Zhuang Zhi Xing had been bought off by Zhao Bing Wen. When they tried to escape, they were intercepted.
In desperation, Zang Hai revealed that Zhao Bing Wen was not only his benefactor but also his third enemy. He was the one who aided his revenge and sent him after Zhuang Lu Yin and Cao Jing Xian. Only then did Zhuang Zhi Xing believe him and agree to help destroy the Gui Seal.
Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu eventually discovered the entrance to the hidden shrine. Xiang An Tu believed it was built by her maternal grandmother, who, according to legend, had once used the Gui Seal to summon ghost soldiers. Zang Hai didn’t believe in ghosts. He was simply curious about what the ghost soldiers were and how they were created.
Inside, they found a rope likely left by Kuai Duo. Zang Hai vowed to finish what his father couldn’t. With renewed resolve, they pressed on and found the ghost soldiers, which revealed to be the long-dead warriors of Dongxia.
Zang Hai uncovered a mural depicting the Ghost Army’s origin. During Queen Minglv Hu Da’s reign, Dongxia was nearly destroyed by the Great Yong Empire. Strategist Zhang Mie advised her to use the Gui Seal. She agreed.
After retrieving it, he summoned 30,000 soldiers, offering them wine infused with the poison from the seal. Those who drank it felt no pain, their wounds healed instantly. The soldiers became unstoppable and won every battle.
But as they neared the final city, the queen saw the soldiers become uncontrollable and couldn’t distinguish friends and foes. To save them, she used her royal blood to neutralize the poison, sacrificing herself. The ghost soldiers fell with her. Before dying, she ordered Zhang Mie to seal the Gui Seal and their remains in a sacred shrine.
Suddenly, Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu were surrounded by ghostly figures. Zang Hai slashed his palm, and his blood dispelled the illusion. But Xiang An Tu was still entranced, fighting invisible foes and nearly slitting her own throat. Only then did Zang Hai realize they had inhaled hallucinogens from the murals.
The ghost soldiers weren’t real, but it could have killed them. As they tried to leave, Zhuang Zhi Xing and Zhao Bing Wen blocked their path. Xiang An Tu escaped to warn her sister, who finally believed her.
Meanwhile, Zhao Bing Wen took Zang Hai to the shrine, activated the Gui Seal, and tried to force him to drink the poison. Zang Hai tricked him into inhaling the fumes. Hallucinating ghost soldiers, Zhao Bing Wen died in terror. Zang Hai retrieved the seal to study and destroy it safely.
The new emperor soon learned the truth, and Zhao Bing Wen’s crimes were fully exposed. He reinstated Zang Hai and summoned him to the palace. When Zang Hai arrived, the attendants presented a chest filled with wooden trinkets belonged to the late emperor.
The young ruler asked what should be done with them. Zang Hai replied that everything in the palace was at His Majesty’s discretion. The emperor then ordered the entire chest to be burned at his father’s tomb, claiming they were cherished. The decision stunned Zang Hai. It was a subtle yet firm reminder to bury all secrets tied to the late emperor.
Zang Hai requested the emperor to clear his father’s name and also asked for retirement. Though reluctant, the young emperor didn’t press him and granted the request. Before leaving, Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu handed over their house deeds and money to Guang Feng.
Watching them go, Guang Feng sighed, wondering when they’d meet again. Shi Lei joked that he should chase after them, but Guang Feng said that Zang Hai had left them with important work to finish.
In the end, with the Gui Seal in hand, Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu departed the capital. At the city gate he paused as if he saw his younger self walking into the city for the first time as Zang Hai.
What Happened to Zhuang Zhi Xing on The Legend of Zang Hai Ending?
After his father’s death, Zhuang Zhi Xing was sent to the border. He was stationed at the very place his father once guarded. The once idle young master had transformed into a commanding general. When Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu sought his help, they found a man who was toughened by war and responsibility.
Zhuang Zhi Xing explained that he had been promoted after a general’s sudden death. This made Zang Hai suspect Zhao Bing Wen’s influence had reached him.
Zang Hai then revealed the truth: Zhao Bing Wen was the third enemy who had thrown him into prison, framed the emperor, and stolen the Gui Seal. Zhuang Zhi Xing was seen unfazed, only expressing surprise that his father had lied to him.
When Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu tried to escape the camp, Zhuang Zhi Xing intercepted them. At first, he was indifferent to Zhao Bing Wen’s crimes, as long as he got what he wanted in return.
But Zang Hai pressed on by explaining that Zhao Bing Wen had ordered Zhuang Zhi Xing to rebuild the Fengshan Altar in order to turn the people of Dongxia into ghost soldiers. He also confessed that Zhao Bing Wen had been his benefactor for ten years. He was the one who rescue and train him.
And the first thing he told Zang Hai to do was to destroy Zhuang Lu Yin. Everything, including the plan to steal the Gui Seal and take revenge on old friends like Zhuang Lu Yin and Cao Jing Xian, had been orchestrated by Zhao Bing Wen from the start.
Only then did Zhuang Zhi Xing realize how close he had come to being used. He offered Zang Hai a new identity and urged him to leave with him, but Zang Hai refused. His mission was now to destroy the Gui Seal. But still, Zang Hai’s words lingered. Not long after, Zhuang Zhi Xing entered Zang Hai’s tent and said only one thing: “Okay, let’s destroy the Gui Seal.”
To fool Zhao Bing Wen, Zhuang Zhi Xing pretended to follow his orders and acted as though he were capturing Zang Hai. He played along, even staging confrontations. But when he secretly let Xiang An Tu escape, Zhao Bing Wen began to doubt his loyalty.
When they all go to the mountain, Zhuang Zhi Xing grew anxious when Zang Hai didn’t emerge from the shrine. One of Zhao Bing Wen’s guard leaders noticed his worry and mocked him. A fight broke out, but reinforcement soon arrived. It was Xiang An Tu and Dongxia soldiers. With her arrow, she helped Zhuang Zhi Xing defeat the guard leader.
At the end, after everything ended and the truth came to light, the new emperor summoned Zhuang Zhi Xing back to the capital. When Zhuang Zhi Xing returned, the Zhuang mansion had been restored. As he stepped into the courtyard, the servants lined up to greet him. This time, as their lord.
What Happened to Zhao Bing Wen on The Legend of Zang Hai Ending?
The masked man and Zang Hai’s benefactor revealed his true identity. He was the Zhao Bing WenBing Wen. He had kept it hidden out of fear their connection might be exposed and jeopardize their revenge plan during uncertain times.
Zhao Bing Wen told Zang Hai that he was Once promoted to Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhao Bing Wen was later framed in a corruption scandal. Only Kuai Duo, the Imperial Astronomer, defended him. Grateful, Zhao Bing Wen vowed to repay the kindness.
After being demoted and sent away, they kept in touch through letters. When Kuai Duo was sent to Dongxia to oversee the Fengshan Altar, he wrote to Zhao Bing WenBing Wen, saying he planned to flee with his family.
But by the time Zhao Bing Wen arrived, the altar had collapsed and Kuai Duo was presumed dead. He saved only Zang Hai and raised him in Qingquan Town for a long-planned revenge.
Following Shi Yi Ping’s death, Zhao Bing Wen rose to Chief Secretary. When Zang Hai sought to resign, Zhao Bing Wen tried to stop him, unaware it was bait to lure out a hidden enemy. Zang Hai, now suspicious, kept his emotions well-hidden.
As Gao Ming softened toward Zang Hai and failed to retrieve the bronze fish token, Zhao Bing Wen had Shi Quan act. Meanwhile, Zang Hai invited Zhao Bing Wen and Gao Ming to dinner to confront them. Zhao Bing Wen, who already prepared for everything, remained calm when Zang Hai asked if he was a benefactor or enemy.
Zhao Bing Wen confessed to orchestrating the assassination of Kuai Duo’s family. Even if Kuai Duo had surrendered the Gui Seal, he would have been killed. Zhuang Lu Yin followed Zhao’s orders, and on his deathbed, Zhao Bing Wen took the seal from Cao Jing Xian. He also faked Shi Yi Ping’s death to mislead the emperor. Just then, imperial guards stormed in and arrested Zang Hai.
It turned out that Zhao Bing Wen had already sent Shi Quan (aka Lu Fen) to frame Zang Hai in front of the emperor. Surely Zhao Bing Wen didn’t forget to silence Shi Quan by had him killed in prison.
When he visited Zang Hai in prison, Zhao Bing Wen gloated that the Gui Seal and tokens were now within reach since the emperor has died. Zang Hai finally realized the whole plan had been to retrieve the bronze fish token from him.
Zhao Bing Wen claimed Kuai Duo had only spoken briefly to him at court and that the letters were actually from Zhuang Lu Yin. He positioned Gao Ming in Yuezhou, instructed Cao Jing Xian to guard the city gates, but hadn’t anticipated Kuai Duo entering through a secret passage. He waited in vain for someone to reveal the Gui Seal, until Zang Hai told him it was the emperor who had it all along.
Zang Hai questioned the shared past of Zhao, Zhuang Lu Yin, and Lu Min at Yong Academy. Back then, the three were bullied for their backgrounds and talents. One night, they drowned their bully. That was the moment that awakened Zhao Bing Wen’s belief in power.
Later, Lu Min was blamed for the murder. And in revenge, the bully’s family had him castrated. His official path destroyed, Lu Min became a eunuch and changed his name to Cao Jing Xian. The three rose to power, hiding their true alliance.
When Zang Hai asked why Zhao Bing Wen coveted the Gui Seal, he replied that it could turn Dongxia’s people into ghost soldiers. He wanted them to be an invincible army to serve the Great Yong Empire. Zhao Bing Wen believed history would praise him for his success.
To eliminate Zang Hai, Zhao Bing Wen framed him for the emperor’s death. Gao Ming plead to cooked Zang Hai’s final meal, and after Zang Hai was declared dead, Zhao Bing Wen personally checked his pulse.
Before allowing Gao Ming to take the body, he handed him poisoned tea. Later, upon hearing that Gao Ming was found dead near the city gates, Zhao Bing Wen realized Zang Hai might have survived and fled to Dongxia. But he continued with his plan.
Before Zang Hai realized, Zhao Bing Wen had already bought off Zhuang Zhi Xing. When he arrived, Zhao Bing Wen brought a news of his promotion and ordered an attack on Dongxia. Then he ordered Zang Hai brought to the tent, along with Zhang Mie’s journal containing Gui Seal secrets.
Using the instruction from the journal, Zhao Bing Wen extracted poison from the Gui Seal and tested it on a Dongxia man. The man’s wound healed rapidly but later transformed into an uncontrollable ghost soldier who had to be killed.
Zhao Bing Wen realized Zang Hai had tampered with the journal, tearing out the page that revealed Minglv Hu Da’s blood could neutralize the poison. Overconfident, Zhao Bing Wen went to the shrine to find the truth himself.
Zhuang Zhi Xing offered to escort him. Inside, Zhao Bing Wen tried to force Zang Hai to drink the extracted poison, but Zang Hai led him toward the murals, exposing him to hallucinogens.
Zhao Bing Wen and his guards were overwhelmed by illusion. In his delusion, Zhao Bing Wen saw a ghost soldier advancing with swords. Terrified and untrained in martial arts, Zhao Bing Wen stumbled and imagined being stabbed.
In reality, it was Zang Hai who walk up to him. He never touched Zhao Bing Wen. But he collapsed and died, likely from a heart attack. Outside, Xiang An Tu arrived with Dongxia soldiers and defeated the remaining guards.
What Happened to Gao Ming on The Legend of Zang Hai Ending?
Gao Ming, along with Xing Dou and Liu Chu, had long served Zhao Bing Wen out of gratitude. His loyalty wavered, however, when Zang Hai told him that he was the only person he trusted unconditionally. This is a confession that deeply moved Gao Ming.
After Zhao Bing Wen successfully convinced Zang Hai to remain in the capital, he tasked Gao Ming with retrieving the bronze fish token. Gao Ming tried to dissuade Zhao Bing WenBing Wen, arguing that Zang Hai was too young and not suited for political life.
This moment made Zhao Bing Wen suspect that Gao Ming harbored a soft spot for Zang Hai and perhaps even a hidden truth. Yet, he still ordered Gao Ming to fulfill his duty.
Gao Ming was struggled between loyalty and affection. He cared for Zang Hai sincerely, but he couldn’t defy Zhao Bing WenBing Wen. When Zang Hai was imprisoned, Zhao Bing Wen noticed Gao Ming’s distress and coldly told him to be prepared for the inevitable. Gao Ming then only asked him to at least grant Zang Hai some dignity in death.
Before the execution, Gao Ming cooked Zang Hai a full meal. Zang Hai, recognizing his sign, knew that Gao Ming has a plan to save him and ate heartily. When Zang Hai faced execution, Gao Ming stood silently outside the torture chamber, his heart heavy.
It was then he fully realized Zhao Bing WenBing Wen’s cruelty. After Zang Hai’s execution was over, Zhao Bing Wen offered Gao Ming a cup of poisoned tea. Knowing he couldn’t refuse, Gao Ming silently accept his fate.
Knowing Zhao Bing Wen planned to go to Dongxia to turn its people into ghost soldiers, Zang Hai vowed to stop him. He left the capital with only Xiang An Tu and Gao Ming. But just before their reach the city fate, Gao Ming revealed he would not accompany them.
He insisted on staying behind to watch Zhao Bing WenBing Wen’s every move. He also shared that he’d once fought with Xing Dou over Zang Hai. Xing Dou believed Zang Hai should abandon hatred to start anew, while Gao Ming believed only by facing it could he truly move forward. He reminded Zang Hai to live well.
Gao Ming gazed at the boy he’d loved like a son for ten years. As the carriage approached the gate, he covered Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu with mats, pretending to be transporting plague victims. The guard was skeptical until Gao Ming coughed blood, a convincing act that got them through.
Outside the gate, Gao Ming tried to keep up the pretense, though Zang Hai saw through him. Gao Ming handed over all his savings and told Zang Hai to wait for him. After the carriage moved on, Zang Hai found a letter.
In it, Gao Ming confessed he’d drunk poisoned tea from Zhao Bing Wen and was nearing death. He admitted he had lied to Zang Hai for ten years, envied Liu Chu for not knowing Zhao Bing Wen was Zang Hai’s enemy yet still cherished every moment they’d shared.
Zang Hai, deeply heartbroken, could only watch as the man who had been both master and father collapsed in the road. Just before he fell, Gao Ming lifted his left hand and waved goodbye. His tomb was erected outside the city and Liiu Chu was seen visited it before she left.
My Two Cents
Arrgghh… I’m still dying to know what task Zang Hai gave Guan Feng. At first I thought the task was to restore the Duke of Ping Jin’s residence. But that feels a little too simple. I have a feeling the mission is much more important. It was something we haven’t seen just yet.
All in all, even though the ending felt a bit rushed, I was genuinely satisfied with how it wrapped up. This kind of drama needs a final note that lingers after the last scene. And this one delivered. Could it be hinting at a Season 2? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Well, thank you for stopping by on this on The Legend of Zang Hai ending explained post, dear readers. I hope it helped satisfy your curiosity. I’ll see you again in another drama review and ending explained. Until then, take care and happy watching!
