In Rainless Bell episode 35, Zhan Zhao steps into the lethal trap of Chongxiao Tower while taking on the Yaksha infamy to shield Ming Zhu'er. As Guo Yinglong destroys her clan's martial secrets and Lord Xiangyang arms the compound with hidden explosives, Zhan Zhao chooses righteousness over clearing his personal name.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Drama Title | Rainless Bell (Yu Lin Ling / 雨霖铃) |
| Episode | Episode 35 (Total 37 Episodes) |
| Broadcast Networks & Platforms | CCTV-8, YOUKU, TVING, Watcha, Apple TV |
| Lead Cast | Yang Yang (Zhan Zhao), Zhang Ruonan (Guo Yinglong), Alen Fang (Bai Yutang) |
The Setup: Betrayal, Stolen Maps, and the Open Gate
Official Di isolates young Ming Zhu'er and uses an archival dossier from the Ming clan massacre to poison the boy's mind, claiming that his trusted protector Zhan Zhao is the murderous Yaksha.
"You have been deceived by Zhan Zhao all along." — Official Di
Meanwhile, Guo Yinglong risks everything by going through a staged wedding ceremony inside the Xiao residence to secure the fourth remnant scroll of her family's martial code. For readers tracking the styling details of this sequence, see our breakdown of Guo Yinglong's bridal wardrobe. Rejoining Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, she delivers the Wanshan County gold mine map, exposing Lord Xiangyang's broader treason.
"This is the map of the Wanshan County gold mine." — Guo Yinglong
The trio infiltrates Chongxiao Tower, the nerve center of Xiangyang's insurrection. Rather than mobilizing sentries to lock them out, Lord Xiangyang dismisses his perimeter guards and swings the gates open, inviting them straight into a concealed inferno.
Four Narrative Turning Points Driving the Climax
1. Zhan Zhao Owns the Yaksha Shadow
When confronted with official records showing Zhu Jiliang received exile instead of execution, Zhan Zhao pulls his sword at the magistrate office. He does not waste breaths arguing his virtue.
"If it is the Yaksha you seek, the Yaksha can deliver!" — Zhan Zhao
Taking on the accusation spares Ming Zhu'er from learning devastating details prematurely, demonstrating how true chivalry often demands bearing wrongful blame to protect innocent lives.
2. Guo Yinglong Breaks Her Clan's Legacy
Commander Xiao attempts to coerce Guo Yinglong into activating the Linglong Eye for Lord Xiangyang's campaign. Instead of clinging to ancestral prestige, she vows to burn the martial manual.
"This is the path I chose." — Guo Yinglong
Her refusal redefines martial honor: power is meaningless when tied to corrupted rulers.
3. The Chongxiao Powder Keg
Lord Xiangyang's tactical surrender of the perimeter turns out to be an ambush built on sulfur and black powder.
"Open the gates of Chongxiao Tower!" — Lord Xiangyang
By luring the imperial guards into the multi-level pavilion, the rebel prince converts the structure into an inescapable furnace. Similar tactical traps played out during court showdowns in our Blossoms of Power Episode 36 Ending Explained.
4. Treason Alienates Xiangyang's Own Allies
Dong Jun discovers secret agreements ceding Song border territory to Western Xia in exchange for military backing.
"The people of Song will be cast into ruin and perpetual war." — Dong Jun
Trading away sovereign land fractures Xiangyang's coalition from within, signaling the moral collapse of his uprising much like the internal fractures examined in Under the Moonlight Episode 26 Ending Explained.
Unresolved Mysteries Heading into the Final Two Episodes
Even under Ming Zhu'er's tearful glare, Zhan Zhao holds his ground without retaliating.
"So Zhu Jiliang spoke the truth; you were lying to me after all." — Ming Zhu'er confronting Zhan Zhao
Three central threads remain to be settled before the curtain falls on episode 37:
- The Identity of the Second Yaksha: The judicial documents indicate that another figure operated under the Yaksha mantle during the Ming family eradication.
- The Antidote for the Extreme Cold Poison: Whether Xiao Dang and Guo Yinglong can synthesize a remedy before the frost venom permanently damages vital meridians.
- Delayed Imperial Reinforcements: With court factions stalling military relief, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang must disarm Chongxiao Tower's explosive network on their own.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Official Di accuse Zhan Zhao of being the Yaksha in episode 35?
Official Di used past imperial court documents regarding Zhu Jiliang's punishment to convince Ming Zhu'er that Zhan Zhao murdered his family, intending to shatter the boy's trust and divide the heroes before their assault on Chongxiao Tower.
Why does Guo Yinglong decide to destroy the Linglong Eye manual?
Guo Yinglong realizes that warlords like Lord Xiangyang seek the Linglong manual solely to consolidate illicit power. Burning the text severs her family from corrupt alliances and prioritizes justice over clan dominance.
What trap awaits Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang inside Chongxiao Tower?
Lord Xiangyang purposely opened the pavilion gates and withdrew his guards to draw the imperial agents inside, where the structure had been pre-rigged with gunpowder and sulfur to trigger a fatal explosion.