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| The Vendetta of An Finale Breakdown – Power, Betrayal, and the Cost of Survival (Photo: Youku) |
After twenty-eight episodes, The Vendetta of An (长安二十四计) officially closes its chapter on Youku, and the finale lands exactly the way this drama has always promised: tense, morally grey, and quietly devastating. From the very first scene of the final episode, the tone is already heavy, making it clear that not everyone is walking away intact — emotionally or physically.
Directed by Lin Feng, this historical thriller never aimed to comfort. Instead, it focused on consequences, and the ending stays true to that vision, leaving viewers with mixed emotions rather than easy closure.
Set during the Wude reign, the story revolves around the disappearance of the Huben Dark Guards after power shifts in Chang’an. Xie Huai’an, an official carrying a decade-long vendetta, enters a dangerous political chessboard where loyalty is rare and survival always comes at a cost.
What starts as personal revenge slowly expands into a shadow war involving dethroned rulers, false alliances, and characters forced to choose between morality and survival. By the time the final episode begins, everyone is already standing on the edge.
Recap of The Vendetta of An Final Episode
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The finale (EP28) opens with Xiao Wu Yang deliberately exposing himself to draw out Wu Zhong Heng. The two clash in a brutal fight where youth gives Xiao Wu Yang an early advantage, but neither side truly wins. Both are badly injured, and Wu Zhong Heng attempts to retreat.
Xie Huai’an follows, finally within reach of the man who destroyed his family. But the moment never fully arrives — Wu Zhong Heng has backup, forcing Xie Huai’an to hide and preserve his strength rather than risk everything.
Back at the battlefield, Xiao Wu Yang continues fighting waves of hidden killers. Just as exhaustion sets in, Xiao Wen Jing appears.
Believing his younger brother still stands with him, Xiao Wu Yang lowers his guard — only to be betrayed. Xiao Wen Jing stabs him, not once, but repeatedly.
The betrayal isn’t born from hatred alone. Xiao Wen Jing explains his choice: he had been trapped under Wu Zhong Heng’s control, watching the empire crumble and realising he held nothing but a title.
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Promises of survival and power pushed him into becoming a pawn, knowing full well he was chosen because he was easy to control.
Even after being wounded beyond recovery, Xiao Wu Yang refuses to strike back. Instead, he places his hand on Xiao Wen Jing’s shoulder, urging him to protect Chang’an and its people. The revelation lands hard — Xiao Wu Yang never desired the throne. Losing everything at his brother’s hands is something he accepts.
Wu Zhong Heng takes advantage of the moment, blinding Xiao Wu Yang and leaving him broken. The shopkeeper who once sheltered them witnesses the aftermath and is filled with regret and fury.
Xie Huai’an nearly ends Wu Zhong Heng’s life in a final confrontation, but Zhu Zhi Long intervenes at the last second. The chance for revenge slips away yet again.
The episode closes on quiet despair rather than triumph. Xiao Wen Jing wanders alone, rejected even by the shopkeeper he once relied on.
Wu Zhong Heng, shaken by how close he came to death, orders a full manhunt for Xie Huai’an — who remains unseen, but very much alive.
The Vendetta of An Ending Explained
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The ending of The Vendetta of An is not about justice being served — it’s about the price of survival.
Xie Huai’an doesn’t get his revenge. Xiao Wu Yang doesn’t reclaim power. Xiao Wen Jing survives, but loses his soul. Wu Zhong Heng wins for now, but lives in constant fear. No one truly escapes the system they’re trapped in.
This finale reinforces the drama’s central theme: in a world ruled by schemes and power, even righteous intentions are slowly eroded. Victory doesn’t come with peace — only with more scars.
Rather than closing the story neatly, the ending deliberately leaves wounds open, reminding viewers that history rarely rewards the morally upright.
Cast & Characters Wrapped
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Xie Huai’an / Liu Zhi: Survives, but remains a fugitive. His revenge is unfinished, turning him into a lingering shadow rather than a hero.
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Xiao Wu Yang: Loses everything yet remains morally intact. His quiet acceptance becomes one of the drama’s most powerful moments.
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Xiao Wen Jing: Lives on, burdened by betrayal and rejection. His survival feels more like punishment than victory.
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Wu Zhong Heng: Technically triumphant, but deeply shaken. Power keeps him alive, fear keeps him awake.
TLDR + Short Review
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TLDR:
A sharp, emotionally heavy finale that refuses to offer easy answers. Revenge fails, power corrupts, and survival comes at a painful cost.
Short Review:
The Vendetta of An sticks to its core identity till the very end. It’s slow-burning, thoughtful, and deliberately uncomfortable — but that’s exactly why it works.
Final Verdict: 4.2/5 stars
FAQ
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Is the ending happy or sad?
It’s a tragic-leaning ending. No clear winners, only survivors carrying consequences.
Does Xie Huai’an succeed in his revenge?
No. The drama intentionally denies him closure, reinforcing its realistic tone.
Could there be a Season Two?
A second season is possible. Members of the production team have shared that continuation depends heavily on fan support and public enthusiasm. If greenlit, the story could explore Xie Huai’an’s future, shifting power dynamics, or a new generation facing the same cycle.
Would Season Two keep the same cast?
That remains uncertain. The team has indicated flexibility depending on the story direction.
Your Thoughts?
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The Vendetta of An doesn’t aim to please everyone — and that’s its strength. It’s a drama that trusts viewers to sit with discomfort, unanswered questions, and moral complexity.
If you enjoy historical thrillers that prioritise consequence over comfort, this one is absolutely worth discussing — and debating — long after the credits roll.
What did the ending mean to you: realism done right, or pain without payoff?