A Forbidden Marriage Recap, Plot, Synopsis
A Forbidden Marriage Synopsis
The alluring and unruly Saintess Wangyue of the Sacred Fire Sect narrowly escapes death and is reborn as a destitute orphan. Determined to fulfill a wish she could not accomplish in her past life—winning the heart of the esteemed elder of a righteous sect, Yang Qing—she embarks on her new life with this goal in mind. By a twist of fate, Wangyue and Yang Qing come to know and understand each other. Together, they traverse the martial world, join forces to eliminate the true great villain, bring reconciliation between the Sacred Fire Sect and the righteous sects, and restore peace and harmony to the land.
A Forbidden Marriage Recap
Episode 1 Recap
The wedding ceremony of Yuan Yingxing, the Chief of the Shengyue Sect, and Yao Fu, a woman from the Yunmen Sect, was underway when it was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Wang Yue, the Saintess of the Shengyue Sect. Yuan Yingxing was taken aback, having believed that the Water Hall Master had confined her.
Upon inquiry, he learned that the Water Hall Master had left early that morning, seemingly with a new lover, prompting the Fire Hall Master to pursue him, leaving Wang Yue unguarded. Wang Yue, addressing the gathered crowd, expressed her indignation at not being informed of the Chief’s momentous occasion.
She derided the Chief for marrying a Yunmen woman, revealing that the four major sects—Yunmen, Biluo, Cangtong, and Qingcheng—had already set an ambush at the foot of the mountain, accusing Yuan Yingxing of forcibly abducting Yao Fu and threatening to annihilate the Shengyue Sect. As the various sects prepared to storm the mountain, Elder Yang Qing of the Yunmen Sect appeared, intending to retrieve his junior sister Yao Fu and prevent the siege.
He offered to negotiate, highlighting the formidable defenses of Tianyu Palace. However, others accused him of seeking peace and claimed Yao Fu had already opened a side gate on Mount Yin, planning to collaborate with the attacking forces to destroy the Shengyue Sect. Inside the wedding hall, Wang Yue confronted Yao Fu directly, accusing her of harboring ulterior motives for marrying into the Shengyue Sect.
Yao Fu, in response, feigned deep sorrow and offered herself to be killed, a dramatic gesture that only strengthened Yuan Yingxing’s resolve. He firmly declared that he would marry Yao Fu that day, regardless. Infuriated by his obstinance, Wang Yue reminded him of their shared past, having grown up together, and questioned how he could forsake the entire Shengyue Sect for this woman. Just then, an urgent report arrived: the four major sects were indeed attacking the mountain.
Yuan Yingxing immediately ordered his Left and Right Guardians to protect both Yao Fu and Wang Yue, while he led the remaining forces to confront the invaders. Left alone, Wang Yue and Yao Fu engaged in a fierce battle. Yao Fu, employing deceptive illusory techniques, eventually struck down Wang Yue, who then plummeted off the cliff. Yang Qing arrived moments too late, witnessing Wang Yue’s fall with his own eyes.
When Wang Yue regained consciousness, she found herself in an unfamiliar bed, still adorned in a wedding dress, feeling disoriented. Before she could fully process her situation, a matchmaker burst in and whisked her away in a sedan chair. From the matchmaker’s words, Wang Yue pieced together that she was to be married to a wealthy but elderly Master Chen, a match arranged by her uncle to settle his debts.
Relieved to discover she was still alive, she also realized her identity had changed; she was now known as Yang Wangyue. As she was being carried through the town, she caught sight of Yang Qing, but when she tried to call out to him, he seemed not to recognize her. Despite her confusion, Wang Yue resolved to escape, only to find that all her martial arts skills had inexplicably vanished.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan, a Yunmen disciple, discussed the recent events with Shang Huai. He lamented that while the martial world had largely returned to peace, the Saintess of the Shengyue Sect was dead, and the Water and Fire Hall Masters were missing, with the rest of the sect leaders imprisoned.
Shang Huai, surprised that Yang Qing had left his seclusion, learned from Jiang Yan that Yang Qing was investigating a series of child disappearances in Yangliu Town, which was Yang Qing's hometown, though he had left as an orphan after his parents’ death and had not returned since.
Yang Qing explained that the Yunmen Sect Leader had dispatched him to help the townsfolk and uncover the truth behind the unsettling disappearances, cautioning his junior disciples to be vigilant and trust no one. They learned from the local district leader that children had been vanishing near a flowering tree, and rumors suggested it was the work of "mountain spirits" sent by the "Flower Goddess."
Unwilling to marry Master Chen, Wang Yue, disguised as Yang Wangyue, deliberately set the Chen mansion on fire as a distraction for her escape. While fleeing, she slipped and fell, leading to a confrontation. Capitalizing on the situation, she dramatically accused Master Chen of forcibly marrying her and feigned vulnerability, skillfully garnering public sympathy and enraging Mrs. Chen. Drawn by the commotion, Yang Qing arrived to quell the unrest. Wang Yue, spotting him, opportunistically fainted into his arms.
Later, having "woken up," Wang Yue found herself under the care of Jiang Yan and Shang Huai. Learning that Yang Qing was from Yangliu Town and had authorized her stay, she became determined to remain close to him. She made repeated attempts to impress Yang Qing, even directly asking about his romantic status and offering to "marry him to repay him" for his kindness, promising to be his "lowliest maid."
Yang Qing, though, deflected her advances, attributing her care to his disciples’ pity and claiming he had no sympathy. Despite his coldness and repeated attempts to have Jiang Yan escort her back to her uncle’s (which she argued was impossible as her uncle fled and she’d be vulnerable to Master Chen), Wang Yue persisted in following him, lamenting her fate as the former Saintess now without a home or powers.
As Yang Qing and his disciples continued their investigation, they discovered suspicious activity involving large wooden chests at Master Chen's residence, used for his "13th concubine's" new room. Jiang Yan and Shang Huai suspected a connection to the missing children and suggested bringing Yang Wangyue back for more clues, vouching for her character despite her eccentricities. Driven by a secret mark of the Shengyue Sect she discovered, Wang Yue sought out Fan Hao, a Guardian of the sect.
She confronted him, accusing him of betrayal. Fan Hao initially denied any affiliation with the defunct Shengyue Sect, claiming it had "fallen apart" after being besieged by the four major sects. He explained that Yuan Yingxing had been captured, the Saintess was presumed dead, and the Chief’s wife was missing, rendering the sect "doomed." Wang Yue, revealing her true identity by showing her distinctive eyes, quickly turned Fan Hao’s demeanor from denial to shock and subservience.
He then confirmed that Ling Yin and Mingyang were fortunate to have been absent from the sect on the day of the attack, thus avoiding capture. He also explained that Yuan Yingxing, after hearing of Wang Yue’s presumed death, lost all morale, leading to the sect’s downfall.
Fan Hao revealed that all captured Shengyue Sect members were imprisoned in a special dungeon in Biluo Valley, which could only be opened by the Sun Blade, one of the Alliance Leader’s Tokens, currently held by the Yunmen Sect. As Yang Qing and his disciples discussed their findings about the missing children, contemplating Yang Wangyue's potential connection to the large chests and her value as a source of information, Wang Yue, still lingering nearby, reappeared.
She once again attempted to charm Yang Qing, offering him roasted chicken as an apology and reiterating her desire to stay by his side, promising to answer any of his questions if he allowed her to remain. Yang Qing, though exasperated, reluctantly permitted her to stay, realizing he wouldn't get rid of her easily.
When asked about Master Chen, Wang Yue flippantly dismissed his "forced marriage" and claimed she hadn't noticed anything unusual about the "nasty old man" amidst the chaos, frustrating Yang Qing's disciples, who concluded that extracting useful information from her would be a challenge and decided to send her back the next day.
Episode 2 Recap
Yang Wangyue found herself confronted by Mrs. Chen, who had discovered Wangyue was responsible for the fire at Chen's Mansion, causing significant financial losses. Infuriated, Mrs. Chen demanded compensation and threw a knife at Wangyue. Having lost her martial arts, Wangyue was defenseless. Just as the blade was about to strike, Yang Qing appeared and rescued her once more. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Wangyue declared her intention to marry Yang Qing and devote her life to him.
Concerned for Wangyue's safety, Yang Qing brought her to his residence. There, Wangyue was captivated by Yang Qing as he practiced his martial arts. She attempted to engage him, offering water and expressing her strong admiration, but Yang Qing, stating his cold nature, gently rebuffed her advances, which only deepened her affection. Their conversation was interrupted by Jiang Yan, who arrived to inform Wangyue that Master Chen's servants had reported her to the authorities for arson and attempted murder.
Wangyue denied the accusations, insisting she was a frail woman incapable of such deeds. Yang Qing, however, wryly remarked that she seemed capable. Jiang Yan assured Wangyue that he and Yang Qing had suppressed the arrest warrant but advised her that Yangliu Town was no longer safe, as Master Chen might seek revenge.
Wangyue lamented her lack of family or friends, suggesting she might have to face Master Chen's wrath alone, but then hinted at her desire to accompany Yang Qing and Jiang Yan back to Yunmen Sect. Yang Qing, sensing her true intentions, seemed to see through her act of feigned weakness. Later, Wangyue met with Fan Hao, a Shengyue Sect protector. She learned from him that the Sun Blade, essential for releasing their imprisoned sect members, was in Yang Qing's possession.
Fan Hao explained that Yang Qing was the most promising disciple in Yunmen, having already achieved the rank of Elder, and that Yunmen might have deliberately entrusted him with the Sun Blade to mislead those seeking it. Wangyue decided to investigate Yang Qing’s room that very night with Fan Hao's assistance, also requesting a roast chicken from his disguised shop. Meanwhile, Shang Huai expressed pity for Wangyue to Yang Qing, suggesting they take her back to Yunmen.
Yang Qing merely hinted that Wangyue might not be as helpless as she appeared. Yang Qing continued his investigation into Master Chen, suspecting him of involvement in the local missing children's cases. He instructed Shang Huai and Ling Xiao to visit Chen's Mansion under the guise of offering help with repairs, using the opportunity to gather intelligence.
He also tasked Jiang Yan with investigating suspicious cargo movements at the mansion's back gate, and planned to meet the district leader for more information. Wangyue found Jiang Yan practicing swordplay and offered him advice. She demonstrated basic sword techniques, emphasizing that true mastery lay not in imitation but in developing one's unique style.
Jiang Yan was surprised by her profound knowledge of swordplay, and Wangyue vaguely attributed it to her uncle, who she claimed had once been associated with Shengyue Sect. Wangyue then used the opportunity to inquire about Yang Qing's personal belongings and past relationships, openly declaring her affection for him. Shang Huai cautioned her, revealing that Yang Qing already had a "perfect match" within Yunmen.
This revelation visibly angered Wangyue, who defiantly stated that as long as Yang Qing was unmarried, she still had a chance, even threatening to eliminate any rival for his affection. Jiang Yan then defended Wangyue by quoting one of Yang Qing's teachings about respecting others' thoughts, which, ironically, made Wangyue even more smitten with Yang Qing. That night, Wangyue and Fan Hao secretly entered Yang Qing's room.
While searching, Wangyue stealthily placed a love charm under Yang Qing's pillow, believing it would make him fall for her. When Yang Qing unexpectedly returned, Wangyue quickly kicked Fan Hao under the bed, then feigned an innocent visit to Yang Qing, claiming the moonlight was too beautiful not to share. Yang Qing, however, saw through her pretense, questioning her motives and her unusual presence in his room. He pointed out the absence of a moon that night.
Wangyue confessed to placing the love charm, admitting her desire to make him like her. Later, Yang Qing and his disciples discussed the children's disappearance. They had discovered children's clothes in a warehouse at Chen's Mansion, suggesting the missing children were held there. Jiang Yan reported that a black-clad assailant he apprehended had a Shengyue Sect emblem, leading him to believe the sect was involved.
He also repeated rumors about the Saintess transforming and one of their hall masters consuming children to retain youth. Yang Wangyue suddenly appeared, interrupting their conversation to vehemently deny Shengyue Sect's involvement. She insisted the emblems were fake and the sect was not responsible for the disappearances, but she refused to provide any evidence, stating she "just knew."
Outside, Fan Hao, observing the fake emblem, explained to Wangyue that it was a crude imitation, clearly part of a larger scheme to frame Shengyue Sect for various misdeeds, including the robbery of the Qingcheng Beauties and the forced retirement of a Cangtong Sect disciple. Wangyue, realizing the implications, declared she must tell Yang Qing the truth to prevent him from believing these false accusations. Earlier, Yang Qing had also quietly investigated Yang Wangyue's background in Yangliu Town.
He spoke with the district leader, who mentioned Yang Wangyue's uncle, Yang Laoqi, lived in a remote part of town and was not well-regarded, partly due to his past association with Shengyue Sect. He also confirmed that Yang Laoqi had sold Wangyue to Master Chen for money, and that Wangyue had attempted to end her life multiple times after being sold. Yang Qing noted that Wangyue's demeanor didn't match that of a typical sheltered village girl.
The next day, Yang Wangyue attempted to follow Yang Qing, who was setting out to continue his investigation. She tried to convince him to take her along, claiming she was more familiar with the area and could help, even falsely stating that Jiang Yan was too drunk to accompany her to Chen's Mansion. Yang Qing saw through her lies and refused her offer, telling her to stop following him.
As Yang Qing walked away, he looked back at Wangyue, and a flashback to the former Saintess surfaced in his mind. Struck by the resemblance, he ran after her. In a moment of unexpected contact, they accidentally kissed, leaving them both stunned. Jiang Yan and a vendor witnessed the scene. The vendor complained that Wangyue had stepped on and ruined his "precious" book, a posthumous work by the former Saintess of Shengyue Sect. Wangyue dismissed the book's importance, but Yang Qing paid for it and instructed Jiang Yan to take it. Wangyue then asked to borrow the book once he was finished.
Episode 3 Recap
The Yunmen disciples suspected that the recent disappearances of children were connected to the Shengyue Sect. Wang Yue, upon hearing this, became enraged and debated with them. The disciples questioned how they could be trusted when they only had a mark as evidence, but insisted, "The truth is right in front of us. Besides, except Shengyue Sect, who else would do such an evil thing as taking kids?" Wang Yue retorted that they were making conclusions without evidence.
A disciple questioned her, asking why she had been defending Shengyue Sect. Yang Qing, who was also present, was then asked by Wang Yue for his opinion. Yang Qing stated that while Shengyue Sect "has never done such an evil thing before," the sect was "in chaos," and "we've found many clues here. We don't know if they've changed." He concluded by advising them not to "jump to conclusions before things become clearer."
Angered, Wang Yue declared, "You investigate it yourselves. I'm out of it. It has nothing to do with me anyway." and left, refusing to participate further in the investigation of the missing children. Wang Yue then arrived at a tavern where a storyteller was disparaging the Shengyue Sect, claiming, "Wherever Shengyue Sect went, it looked like a locust plague. Nothing was left. Families were separated."
He added that the devastation "brings tears to those who hear of it and heartbreak to those who witness it. Truly terrifying. Truly despicable." His performance earned him a reward from Miss Lu, the daughter of the Biluo Valley Chief. However, some patrons defended the Shengyue Sect, expressing doubt that the sect was as bad as the storyteller portrayed, especially considering "Shengyue Sect wasn't this crazy when it was destroyed." Miss Lu responded dismissively, "Shengyue Sect always does evil things.
They're even trafficking kids, causing panic. Anybody has the right to kill them." When Wang Yue challenged her to provide direct proof, Miss Lu sneered that some things were obvious, like "Dung beetles always wander in the toilet. I don't have to see it with my own eyes." She called Wang Yue a "countrywoman" and questioned why she would "ruin your good mood for some unrelated despicable people."
Wang Yue retorted, questioning Biluo Valley's authority to represent the righteous sects and asking if they "want to be the alliance leader of all the sects?" The patrons sided with Wang Yue, further humiliating Miss Lu. Enraged, Miss Lu drew her sword to attack Wang Yue, but Yang Qing suddenly appeared, striking the sword from her hand. Upon seeing Yang Qing, Miss Lu's demeanor shifted to one of delight.
Yang Qing intended to take Wang Yue away, but Miss Lu protested. Yang Qing then asked the bystanders if Wang Yue had insulted Biluo Valley, and the men who had previously defended Wang Yue confirmed her innocence. Displeased, Miss Lu sat down to listen to the storyteller, only to be informed by her subordinates that Yao Fu had appeared. Yao Fu had been missing since the Shengyue Sect battle, and everyone was curious about her whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Yao Fu stood in a cave, mourning her father and declaring that she had finally avenged him by destroying the Shengyue Sect. She decided to leave Yunmen permanently and carry forward her family's Fusheng Spell. As she prepared to depart, her senior brother, Bai, appeared, urging her not to leave or continue practicing the Fusheng Spell.
Bai explained that their master's death was not what she believed; he was gravely ill before his demise, and "Practicing the Fusheng Spell was the real reason for his death." Bai warned Yao Fu that if she continued, her "life will be in danger like Master's. You could be disabled, paralyzed, or even dead." Yao Fu initially dismissed his words, questioning how her father, who treasured the spell, would willingly choose such a path.
She reminded him that she had seen Shengyue Sect pursue her father. Bai then revealed that their master was killed while attempting to steal the Shengyue Token. He further clarified that their master became "obsessed with the Fusheng Spell" and "lost his mind. . . Evil thoughts were all over his head." He had heard that "the Shengyue Token could expel evil thoughts," leading him to try to acquire it, which resulted in his death.
Bai also mentioned that Master had kicked him out of the sect for trying to warn him. Yao Fu admitted that she had "felt a bit difficult when I do martial arts" while practicing, a symptom Bai confirmed was identical to their master's initial decline. Bai urged her to stop, revealing that "the Shengyue Token is the Moon Blade," which, along with the Sun Blade from Yunmen, was necessary to suppress evil thoughts.
He offered his help, but Yao Fu remained skeptical, stating she didn't understand and needed time to consider. Later, Yang Qing and Wang Yue sat on a rooftop, drinking and talking. Wang Yue, slightly intoxicated, playfully flirted with Yang Qing, asking when he would allow her "to marry you as a reward of saving my life?" Yang Qing teased her, saying that if she always expected such a reward, he would stop saving her.
Wang Yue stumbled as she prepared to leave, and Yang Qing caught her, carrying her down to the ground. Still unsteady, she nearly kissed him. She confessed her admiration for him, even muttering his name in her sleep. Yang Qing also noted that Wang Yue resembled an old acquaintance and commented on her similar stubbornness. The next morning, Yang Qing learned from his disciples that Master Chen had arrived with a group of intimidating thugs.
When Wang Yue was nowhere to be found, Yang Qing worried that Master Chen had taken her. Concerned for Wang Yue's safety, Yang Qing led his group to Master Chen's residence. To his surprise, he found Wang Yue standing with a drawn sword. From her posture, Yang Qing noticed a striking resemblance to the Saintess of the Shengyue Sect. Seeing Yang Qing, Wang Yue deliberately dropped her sword and feigned weakness, complaining that Master Chen had been "bullying" her.
Yang Qing took Master Chen aside to question him about the missing children. Master Chen was initially uncooperative, but Wang Yue, pretending to assist, threatened him with blinding darts if he didn't cooperate. Master Chen, terrified, finally confessed that he was "just following orders." He explained that from the first to the fifteenth day of each month, someone would deliver boxes to him, claiming they contained "offerings for gods."
He was instructed "to deliver it along the official roads to a place with a green scarf," but he did not know the contents or the contact person. He mentioned that a servant who had opened one of the boxes later died mysteriously. When pressed for the scarf locations, Master Chen revealed that the cargo always passed through Qinglai City before he was abruptly silenced and killed by a hidden assassin who then took his own life.
Jiang Yan confirmed that both Master Chen and the assassin were dead, and their clues were gone. Yang Qing instructed Jiang Yan to deal with the aftermath and hand over all others to the authorities, except Master Chen's wife. Wang Yue again tried to flirt with Yang Qing, asking if she could now marry him. Yang Qing rejected her, explaining, "We are not suitable for each other," and urging her to "Go home now."
Wang Yue persisted, asking if he was "just playing hard to get." Yang Qing firmly stated that the case was now more dangerous, implying she shouldn't be involved, but Wang Yue, claiming to be a "heroine in Yangliu Town," insisted she wasn't afraid of obstacles. Yang Qing recalled the past, when the Saintess of the Shengyue Sect had similarly pursued him relentlessly, sending him gifts and letters, despite his repeated rejections and warnings about the divide between good and evil.
He even instructed his disciples not to accept anything from her, fearing how Yunmen's association with Shengyue Sect would be perceived in the turbulent martial world. Later, Yang Qing's disciples reported that Shang Huai and the others had followed a clue to Qinglai City but found no contact. Just then, Yao Fu returned, greeted with relief by the disciples who had worried about her disappearance after the Shengyue Sect battle.
Yao Fu claimed she had been injured and was recovering at a family's home at the foot of the mountain. Yang Qing dismissed his disciples and confronted Yao Fu alone. He questioned her about the events during the siege of Shengyue Sect and her involvement. Yao Fu admitted to having "an agreement with Biluo Valley long ago to work together to wipe out Shengyue Sect that day."
She confessed to fighting the "demoness" who "suddenly charged in" and then killing her, stating it was "killing the evil and upholding justice." Yang Qing then pressed her about attacking Wang Yue. Yao Fu revealed that she believed Wang Yue was the Saintess of the Shengyue Sect, asserting, "You've already guessed it." She admitted that while the Saintess "did fall off the cliff that day," she was unlucky and "couldn't finish her off completely."
Yang Qing questioned her certainty, given that the Saintess always wore a veil and no one had seen her face. He also pointed out that Shengyue Sect had already disbanded, making Wang Yue's past identity irrelevant. Yang Qing sharply criticized Yao Fu's offensive actions against Wang Yue, stating, "If I hadn't arrived in time, Yang Wangyue would have died." Yao Fu promised to leave Wang Yue alone if Wang Yue stopped bothering her.
Satisfied, Yang Qing decided to leave with his disciples for Shuntian City, without informing Wang Yue. Wang Yue had initially wanted to leave but decided to stay to compete with Yao Fu. Jiang Yan, still worried about leaving Wang Yue behind, was told by Yang Qing that arrangements had been made for the district leader to take care of her.
On their journey, they encountered beggars who revealed that the Shengyue Sect had previously provided them with aid, saying, "It was Shengyue Sect who helped us. Now Saintess is dead, and Chief is missing. No one cares about us." This information led some disciples to question if they had "been wrong" about the sect. Yang Qing dismissed this, stating that ordinary people simply "take the side of whoever gives them food."
Meanwhile, Wang Yue, still trying to understand the missing children's case, discussed a map of the area with Jiang Yan, noting the numerous roads connecting Qinglai City, Lancang Town, Shuntian City, and Qingluan County. She pondered where the children could have been taken, lamenting that "stealing a child is no different from murder." She then listed the "second greatest hatred" as "stealing someone's love," drawing a parallel to her feelings for Yang Qing and her rivalry with Yao Fu.
Jiang Yan, however, pointed out that Yao Fu "knew Mr. Yang first." Wang Yue dismissed this, saying "what matters is love," and complained that Yang Qing "doesn't care about me at all." Jiang Yan tried to reassure her, revealing that after Wang Yue left, Yang Qing "went to Ms. Yao with a long face" and "asked me to take care of you."
Jiang Yan also mentioned how worried Yang Qing was when Master Chen kidnapped Wang Yue, saying he had "never seen Mr. Yang so worried before." Wang Yue's spirits lifted, believing that Yang Qing "deep down, he must care about me," and wondering if he had "fallen for me." Despite Yang Qing's departure without her, Wang Yue decided not to leave, realizing that it would play into Yao Fu's hands.
She asserted that she still had important matters to attend to, and reiterated her resolve to be the "wicked woman who steals Yang Qing from Yao Fu," vowing to get "the Sun Blade" and make Yao Fu "pay with your blood."
Episode 4 Recap
As Yang Qing led the Yunmen disciples out of Qinglai City, Wang Yue unexpectedly appeared, catching up to them. Despite Yang Qing's reluctance to have her follow, Wang Yue insisted on staying. She accused him of lying about their destination, having heard from the innkeeper that he was not going to Shuntian City. Wang Yue claimed their encounter in the vast Qinglai City was merely a coincidence.
Yang Qing tried to dismiss her, stating their relationship was impossible, prompting Wang Yue to question if it was "that woman," presumably Yao Fu, who was the reason. Yao Fu then intervened, noting Yang Qing's efforts to protect the "Saintess of Shengyue Sect" and remarking on Wang Yue's lack of gratitude. Yang Qing quickly denied that Wang Yue was the Saintess, clarifying that she had grown up in Yangliu Town and had no connection to the Shengyue Sect.
Seeing Wang Yue's unwavering determination, Yang Qing, with a sigh, allowed her to accompany them. Later, as Wang Yue was practicing dart throwing, her martial arts seemingly failing her, Yao Fu walked by. Wang Yue seized the opportunity, throwing a dart that Yao Fu effortlessly caught. Feigning a "slippery hand," Wang Yue claimed it was an accident and asked if Yao Fu was alright.
Yao Fu, however, saw through the ruse, implying Wang Yue was the Saintess and mocking her "petty trick" for revenge. She even offered to check Wang Yue's hand, claiming knowledge of traditional medicine. Wang Yue then dramatically cried out, accusing Yao Fu of assaulting her. Yao Fu, angered, warned Wang Yue that if she provoked her again, she would kill her again. At that moment, Yang Qing arrived, forcing Yao Fu to release Wang Yue.
Yao Fu complained to Jiang Yan that Wang Yue had initiated the conflict. Yang Qing and the Yunmen disciples checked into a tavern. Wang Yue sat beside Yang Qing and discreetly gave instructions to a waiter before leaving. Soon after, Yao Fu rushed out of her room, clutching her stomach in distress. Yang Qing realized Wang Yue had orchestrated a trick against Yao Fu. Yao Fu, unaware of the prank, wondered if her "evil thoughts" were acting up.
She consulted her Senior Bai, who, observing her symptoms, deduced she had accidentally ingested a laxative, likely from the teapot, and assured her the effects would pass. Upon realizing Wang Yue had drugged her, Yao Fu confronted her directly. Wang Yue defiantly admitted to it, even taunting Yao Fu about Yang Qing being in the adjacent room. Wang Yue then loudly cried for help, accusing Yao Fu of attempting to murder her.
Yang Qing's presence prompted Yao Fu to retreat, but she resolved to control Wang Yue's mind once more. True to her word, Yao Fu used her technique to control Wang Yue's mind when she saw Wang Yue in the courtyard, making Wang Yue act overly affectionate towards her. Wang Yue offered Yao Fu new lipstick, praised her unpretentious nature, and enthusiastically suggested shopping for dresses at Tianxiu Workshop and jewelry at Jade Pavilion.
Yao Fu, increasingly uncomfortable, repeatedly declined Wang Yue's insistent invitations. The Yunmen disciples, witnessing this unusual display, were perplexed by Wang Yue's sudden change in demeanor. Fan Hao, observing Wang Yue's strange behavior, grew suspicious. He mistakenly believed Wang Yue was feigning affection for Yao Fu to gain access to the Sun Blade through her.
He explained to Wang Yue that while Yang Qing was difficult to deal with, targeting Yao Fu was a clever strategy to acquire the Sun Blade. Wang Yue, however, insisted that Yao Fu was kind and she had no intention of harming her. Fan Hao then recounted how Yao Fu had almost killed Wang Yue in the past and how her actions had led to the downfall of the Shengyue Sect.
As Fan Hao spoke, a flicker of remembrance crossed Wang Yue's mind, and she recalled her deep-seated hatred for Yao Fu, declaring her a "witch." Overwhelmed, Wang Yue felt "strange," then suffered a throbbing headache and fainted. A waiter, witnessing Wang Yue's collapse, alerted Yang Qing. When Yang Qing questioned Wang Yue, she recounted how she hated Yao Fu but was inexplicably compelled to obey her whenever she saw her. Suspecting Yao Fu's involvement, Yang Qing confronted her.
Yao Fu initially denied any wrongdoing in Wang Yue's fainting. Yang Qing, however, pointed out the stark change in Wang Yue's attitude towards her and accused Yao Fu of resorting to "shady tricks," not having improved her martial skills. He then revealed and removed a broken bracelet from Yao Fu's wrist, implying it was used for mind control.
He sternly warned Yao Fu that if Wang Yue was not back to normal by the next day, he would personally ensure she learned the rules of Yunmen Sect. Later, Yao Fu's Senior Bai mentioned the broken bracelet, lamenting that she could no longer use the "Fusheng Spell" and reiterating that its continued use would lead to her demise, much like their master's fate.
He urged her to focus on obtaining the Sun and Moon Blades instead of dwelling on past grievances. Yang Qing returned to Wang Yue's room and found her still feigning unconsciousness. He saw through her act, and she finally admitted to being awake. Wang Yue expressed her anger at Yao Fu for using "dark magic" to control her and vowed to kill her.
Yang Qing asked if she truly believed she could defeat Yao Fu, to which Wang Yue confidently claimed to have countless ways to eliminate her. Yang Qing then challenged her to do so, mentioning Yao Fu was in her room. Wang Yue, realizing Yang Qing was seemingly siding with Yao Fu, became agitated. Yang Qing calmly explained that he had already "scolded" Yao Fu on Wang Yue's behalf and warned her against future transgressions.
Despite her initial desire for revenge, Wang Yue agreed to "let her go this time," attributing her concession to her affection for Yang Qing and her willingness to listen to him. Yang Qing then tried to have an honest conversation with her about her feelings for him, to which Wang Yue's responses were quite unconventional.
She expressed her fondness for men taller than her, good-looking with good figures, and those who speak slowly but act quickly, even finding his anger appealing, declaring him her "weakness." Yang Qing, in disbelief, jokingly asked if he should die to make her stop liking him, to which she enthusiastically agreed. Their conversation was interrupted by a Yunmen disciple, Shang Huai, who reported suspicious individuals at the tavern.
He explained that a group of people wearing the Shengyue Sect's emblem, carrying black bags that seemed to contain human voices, were in Room Yuehu. Yang Qing instructed Jiang Yan to stay outside and ordered Shang Huai to accompany him. Wang Yue, hearing this, insisted on joining them. Yang Qing tried to deter her, citing the risk of exposure, but Wang Yue defiantly followed him anyway. She burst into Room Yuehu, only to find it empty.
As she pondered the absence, Yang Qing, realizing the danger, shouted "Explosives!" and, pulling Wang Yue into his arms, leaped into the Qinglai River just as the room exploded behind them. They drifted downstream. Wang Yue helped the injured Yang Qing to the riverbank, where he rested against a tree. Wang Yue fell asleep, and when she awoke, Yang Qing was gone. She anxiously searched for him and found him nearby.
She ran to him excitedly but noticed the severity of his back injury. Meanwhile, back at the inn, Yao Fu learned from her Senior Bai that the unconscious Yunmen disciples were suffering from "Ghost Scent" poison, a deadly Shengyue Sect concoction that initially hides symptoms but eventually leads to death. Unbeknownst to them, Lu Xuanxuan, the Young Chief of Biluo Valley, was furious with her subordinates for attempting to kill Yang Qing.
She rebuked them, reminding them that Yang Qing had not yet directly opposed their sect. Despite their insistence that Yang Qing and Yuan Yingxing were future threats to their Chief's ambitions, Lu Xuanxuan, asserting her authority, forbade them from harming Yang Qing or leaving the city, declaring she would not let anything happen to him.
Yang Qing and Wang Yue sought shelter for the night at a nearby house owned by an old man named Mr. Zhang and his granddaughter, Tong Tong. Wang Yue, still playfully clinging to Yang Qing, introduced him as her "husband," despite Yang Qing's protests. Mr. Zhang shared that the Shengyue Sect had historically protected the local populace from chaos.
Later, in their borrowed room, as Wang Yue applied medicine to Yang Qing's wound, she flirted with him, calling the scar a "mark of their love" and playfully suggesting marriage. Yang Qing, uncomfortable, stated he would rather remain single for life than marry someone who minded his scars. Undeterred, Wang Yue continued to tease him, eventually leaning in and kissing him. To her surprise, Yang Qing fainted from the unexpected kiss.
Afterward, Wang Yue went to a clinic to procure more medicine. While on the street, she experienced a sudden hallucination, seeing Yuan Yingxing. She called out his name repeatedly before realizing he was supposedly confined in a dungeon, thus making his appearance impossible. This fleeting vision reinforced her resolve to quickly obtain the Sun Blade to save Yuan Yingxing.
Episode 5 Recap
While Yunmen disciples were preparing to stay an extra night in Qinglai City due to issues finding a carriage and waiting for Jiang Yan, Yao Fu, their Martial Aunt, was suddenly attacked. Yuan Yingxing emerged, saving her just as she was in danger. Yao Fu, a little unnerved, still thanked him, but Yuan Yingxing made it clear his rescue was only to ensure he could personally avenge Wang Yue, rather than let "nobodies" kill Yao Fu.
When Yunmen disciples stepped forward, wary of Yuan Yingxing, Yao Fu intervened, assuring them he was not a bad person. Undeterred, Yuan Yingxing threatened to behead the disciples one by one to make Yao Fu suffer the same pain he had endured. Faced with his renewed hostility, Yao Fu was forced to activate the Fusheng Spell again, causing Yuan Yingxing to become infatuated with her once more.
Under the spell, he clung to her, promising to eliminate anyone who dared to bully her. Yao Fu, seizing the opportunity, set three conditions for him: he must not reveal his identity as the Shengyue Sect Chief, refrain from indiscriminate killing, and avoid inappropriate displays of affection. Yuan Yingxing readily agreed, pledging to remember her every word.
Meanwhile, Wang Yue, upset with Yuan Yingxing for not heeding her past advice about Yao Fu and worried about Yang Qing’s worsening condition, rushed back to check on him. Yang Qing was in a feverish sleep, tormented by nightmares of his childhood, being called a "scourge" and denied food, until a kind old man offered him a home in Yunmen, becoming his family.
Realizing the severity of Yang Qing's state, Wang Yue decided to use the Shengyue Sect's mental technique, the only way to alleviate the poison. As she recited the verses, Yang Qing’s condition stabilized, and he slowly regained consciousness. Wang Yue feigned ignorance, claiming it was merely a simple mental technique to ease his discomfort.
However, Yang Qing shrewdly deduced that she had taught him the core martial art of the Shengyue Sect, a secret typically reserved for the Chief and Saintess. He was deeply moved by her trust. Suddenly, Yang Qing felt his qi and blood surge, overwhelming him. He pinned Wang Yue to the bed, about to kiss her, but was interrupted by the old man from the inn, who called them for dinner.
At dinner, the old man reminisced about a time when Shengyue Sect, Yunmen, and Biluo Valley were cordial, before conflicts erupted. Wang Yue corrected him, noting that period of peace was fleeting. Yang Qing used the opportunity to inquire about Shengyue Sect's past attempts at reconciliation with the righteous martial world. He wondered if his own tragic story with the previous Saintess might have ended differently if she had attempted to change the sect.
Wang Yue dismissed this, explaining that the Shengyue Sect was solely governed by its Chief, not the Saintess, implying the Saintess had no power to alter its path. She added that the Saintess, no matter how much she liked him, would never betray her sect. Wang Yue then openly flirted with Yang Qing, asking if he was smitten and wanted to marry her.
He denied it, but she playfully insisted he reconsider, only for their conversation to be cut short by the old man bringing the fish. The Yunmen disciples, clearly intimidated by Yuan Yingxing’s presence, quickly made excuses to leave the table, much to Yao Fu’s annoyance. Yuan Yingxing, still under the spell, promised he meant no harm and urged Yao Fu to eat. Later that night, Wang Yue returned to Yang Qing’s room, attempting to caress his face as he slept.
Yang Qing, though unwell, caught her hand, exasperated by her persistent advances. He implored her to return to her own room, finally getting her to agree by reluctantly calling her "Miss A-Yue." Wang Yue, however, reassured him that she would cure his poison. Meanwhile, Yao Fu, anxious to find Ling Yin, complained about the lack of information from Fan Hao.
A junior disciple voiced Yunmen's concerns, describing Ling Yin as an "old witch" responsible for child kidnappings, a reputation that stained the Shengyue Sect. Unbeknownst to them, Fan Hao had already located Ling Yin, who was living a surprisingly carefree life under soft-imprisonment by Mingyang, the Fire Hall Master. Fan Hao expressed his admiration for her tranquility, before revealing he was there because Ling Yin had offered a large sum for her escape.
Ling Yin, confident in her ability to escape, urged Fan Hao to join forces to overcome Mingyang and her shackles. At that moment, Mingyang appeared, demanding if Ling Yin still sought freedom. A defiant Ling Yin dared him to release her, to which Mingyang scoffed at her "useless" martial skills and accused her of bringing disgrace to the Shengyue Sect through her failures and flirtatious behavior.
Fan Hao attempted to mediate, appealing to their shared history as Shengyue Sect hall masters. Mingyang, however, called Fan Hao "double-dealing and money-obsessed," threatening to destroy his roast chicken shop if he helped Ling Yin. Panicked, Fan Hao quickly made his excuses and fled. Ling Yin, abandoned, yelled after him and then defiantly declared she could escape regardless, provoking Mingyang into vowing to keep her imprisoned until the previous Saintess's return.
Back with Yao Fu, she discussed her plan to find Ling Yin with her senior brother, Xiaobai, who cautioned her against seeking Ling Yin out due to Ling Yin's past grievances. Yao Fu assured him that the late Saintess Wang Yue had forbidden harm to Yunmen disciples, a directive Ling Yin would surely honor. As her senior brother left, Yuan Yingxing appeared, startling Yao Fu.
He claimed to have heard a man's voice in her room and demanded to see who it was. Just as he pressed her, the Fusheng Spell on Yuan Yingxing suddenly broke, and his true memories returned. He remembered Yao Fu's betrayal and her hand in the Saintess's death. Terrified, Yao Fu fled, but Yuan Yingxing pursued her, intending to kill her for Wang Yue's murder. Desperate to survive, Yao Fu blurted out that Wang Yue was still alive.
Yuan Yingxing halted, stunned, and pressed her for proof. Seizing the opportunity, Yao Fu offered him a deal: if he helped protect Yunmen disciples and locate Ling Yin, she would reveal Wang Yue's whereabouts. Otherwise, Wang Yue and the imprisoned Shengyue Sect members in Biluo Valley would all die. Yuan Yingxing, still doubtful, was swayed by the possibility of Wang Yue being alive.
Yao Fu appealed to their shared desire to protect their respective people, stating that cooperation was the best path, and she would submit to his judgment once the Yunmen disciples were safe. Yuan Yingxing agreed to spare her for now, but ordered her to help free the Shengyue Sect guardians from Biluo Valley, vowing to let Wang Yue personally kill Yao Fu as his atonement.
Wang Yue then led Yang Qing to Qinglai City, promising that her "cousin" would cure his poison, which would prevent him from fainting when she kissed him. Yang Qing, however, knew that only Ling Yin, the Demonic Healer, could cure him. Wang Yue vaguely explained that her "cousin" had some skills from working with her uncle in the Shengyue Sect.
While in Qinglai City, Wang Yue also revealed that "Qinglai" actually meant "Yang Qing comes," a name given by the "witch, Wang Yue," who spent a fortune to name the city. At a book stall, Yang Qing was surprised by Wang Yue's familiarity with the popular storybooks about him and the Shengyue Sect Saintess. He confronted her about the world's gossip regarding their romance, to which she admitted awareness.
He then asked why she wouldn't fulfill their "destiny," but Wang Yue simply stated, with feigned regret, that "Saintess Wang Yue is dead." Leaving Yang Qing, Wang Yue visited Fan Hao's roast chicken shop, where he revealed Ling Yin's current location. Wang Yue brought Yang Qing to Ling Yin's place, where Ling Yin was complaining about boredom while still shackled. Yang Qing, weakened by the poison, warned Wang Yue not to use her lightness skill.
Yang Qing deduced immediately that the woman was the Demonic Healer Ling Yin, exposing Wang Yue's deception about her "cousin." Wang Yue, flustered, tried to deny it, but Yang Qing calmly stated his disappointment in being lied to. Ling Yin, surprisingly, addressed Yang Qing by name, noting he was afflicted with the "Wuxiang" poison, and then flirtatiously asked Wang Yue if Yang Qing was her "lover."
To maintain her cover in front of Yang Qing, Wang Yue quickly created a new identity, introducing herself as "Yang Wangyue" and reminding Ling Yin that her uncle had introduced them. Ling Yin, catching on to Wang Yue's intention to deceive Yang Qing, played along, confirming that Wang Yue's uncle had indeed introduced them. Meanwhile, at Biluo Valley, Yuan Yingxing confronted a subordinate who was playing the "Moon Song," a tune only the Chief was permitted to play.
Yuan Yingxing rebuked the subordinate for his arrogance and disloyalty, but the subordinate argued that Yuan Yingxing was neglecting the imprisoned Shengyue Sect guardians. Remorseful, Yuan Yingxing admitted his past mistakes due to being "bewitched by a woman" and wondered if Wang Yue would forgive him if he didn't kill the subordinate. The subordinate, seizing the chance, urged Yuan Yingxing to save the guardians and reclaim Mount Yin, assuring him that Wang Yue would be pleased.
Yuan Yingxing, though still wary, ordered the subordinate to lead him to Biluo Valley. Back with Ling Yin, Wang Yue questioned if Yang Qing could break the "Nine-Ring Chain" shackles, which were made of dark gold and meteoric iron and could only be opened by solving their intricate puzzle. Yang Qing confirmed he could, and Ling Yin, impressed, remarked that nothing was too difficult for him.
Episode 6 Recap
Ling Yin confronted Wang Yue, furious that she had taught the core mental technique of the Shengyue Sect to Yang Qing. Ling Yin warned that if the Yunmen Sect ever turned against them, the Shengyue Sect would be at their mercy. Wang Yue dismissed her fears, stating she would kill Yang Qing if he ever betrayed her.
Yang Qing, having learned his own poison could be cured, pleaded with Ling Yin to extend her help to the other poisoned Yunmen disciples. Ling Yin initially refused, declaring that she only assisted Yang Qing out of respect for his friendship with Wang Yue and that treating so many people was too taxing. Unwilling to abandon his sect members, Yang Qing persisted, but Ling Yin remained resolute.
Seeing Yang Qing's desperation, Wang Yue intervened, agreeing on Ling Yin's behalf to treat all the Yunmen disciples. After some feigned reluctance, Ling Yin relented. Meanwhile, Lu Xuanxuan's father arrived. He questioned Lu Xuanxuan about her loyalty, scolding her for her lingering feelings for Yang Qing and for instructing her subordinates not to pursue him. He emphasized that anyone who stood in his way would be eliminated.
He also discussed with Lu Xuanxuan the ongoing preparations for sacrificial offerings, revealing they still needed three children and planned to gather them by the next day, thanks to Jin Buhuan's poisoning of the Yunmen disciples, which bought them time. Lu Xuanxuan promised to maintain the secret of Biluo Valley and to monitor the Yunmen disciples at the inn under the guise of checking on their health. Back at the inn, Ling Yin began treating the Yunmen disciples.
Jiang Yan and Shang Huai grew suspicious of her unconventional methods. Shang Huai became particularly agitated, questioning her identity and accusing her of being a fraud when she was vague about the poison's name. When Ling Yin finally revealed her name, "Lingyin," Shang Huai recognized her as the infamous Demonic Healer of the Shengyue Sect.
He vehemently denounced her as a "demoness" who kidnapped children for evil cultivation and refused her treatment, vowing to die a righteous death rather than accept her aid. Yang Qing and Wang Yue entered and intervened. Wang Yue urged Shang Huai to lower his weapon. To de-escalate the tension, Wang Yue prompted Ling Yin to introduce herself properly. Ling Yin, playing along, introduced herself as Lin Yin, Wang Yue's cousin, claiming to be a "good person."
Jiang Yan and Shang Huai were still skeptical, questioning her previous teasing and the Shengyue Sect's dark reputation. Yang Qing stepped in, reminding everyone that Lin Yin was there to help. He then made Shang Huai apologize to Lin Yin. Yao Fu, who had been searching for Ling Yin earlier, arrived and was surprised to find Ling Yin already there, treating the disciples. Ling Yin was displeased to see Yao Fu.
Later, Ling Yin confronted Wang Yue privately, demanding to know why she hadn't killed Yao Fu. Wang Yue admitted her current martial arts were insufficient to defeat Yao Fu and revealed that Yang Qing had instructed her not to harm Yao Fu. She further explained that she was remaining close to the Yunmen Sect to obtain the Sun Blade, which was necessary to free Yuan Yingxing from the Biluo Valley dungeon.
Ling Yin suspected Wang Yue also had romantic intentions towards Yang Qing, but Wang Yue insisted her primary goal was retrieving the Sun Blade. Wang Yue then encouraged Ling Yin to take the opportunity to avenge the past by attacking Yao Fu herself. Yao Fu also spoke to Yang Qing, expressing her concern about his close association with Ling Yin and Wang Yue.
She warned him about the dangers of aligning with members of the Shengyue Sect, suggesting that once the Yunmen disciples were cured, Ling Yin and Wang Yue should be asked to leave. Yang Qing, however, insisted he had his own reasons for keeping them close and told Yao Fu not to worry. When he brought up Yuan Yingxing, Yao Fu grew defensive and ended the conversation. Later, Wang Yue invited Yang Qing to her room for a drink.
Unbeknownst to Yang Qing, Ling Yin had laced the wine with Chenxiang Wine, a potent concoction designed to loosen tongues. As Yang Qing drank, he became visibly intoxicated and, under the influence, confessed his growing affection for Wang Yue. Wang Yue, thinking he was sufficiently affected, tried to inquire about the whereabouts of the Sun Blade. However, Yang Qing quickly succumbed to the wine's effects and passed out before revealing any useful information.
The next morning, Yang Qing emerged from Wang Yue's room and ran into Shang Huai. To deflect suspicion, Yang Qing claimed he had been discussing detoxification matters with Wang Yue. He then asked Shang Huai about his own recovery. Shang Huai praised Lin Yin's medical skills, noting his improved condition, though Yang Qing clarified that complete detoxification would still take nine days due to residual toxins.
Meanwhile, Ling Yin, frustrated by Wang Yue's inability to eliminate Yao Fu, decided to take matters into her own hands. She entered Yao Fu's room, lacing her tea and bed with poison. However, Yao Fu, sensing foul play, cleverly exchanged rooms with Jiang Yan, feigning discomfort with her window.
She then made Jiang Yan her personal assistant, instructing him to remain by Ling Yin's side at all times under the guise of helping with the remedies, effectively monitoring Ling Yin's actions. Ling Yin realized her plot was foiled and expressed her grudging acceptance. Yao Fu then overheard Lu Xuanxuan planning to harm Yang Qing. Concerned, she met with her senior, Xiao Bai, relaying Lu Xuanxuan's intentions and asking for his assistance in protecting Yang Qing.
Jiang Yan, true to his word, diligently followed Ling Yin. He questioned her extensive knowledge of Shengyue Sect poisons. Ling Yin fabricated a story about growing up in Mount Yin and collecting herbs for the sect to earn a living, explaining her familiarity with their concoctions. She cynically remarked that ordinary people cared more about survival than the martial world's conflicts.
Observing Jiang Yan's naive and trusting nature, Ling Yin, despite her usual coldness, offered him a blunt warning that his innocence would make him vulnerable in the martial world. She then instructed him to distribute the antidotes to the other disciples and to the inn staff who would clean Yao Fu's (now Jiang Yan's) room.
As Yang Qing and Wang Yue went to buy herbs, Wang Yue again pressed Yang Qing for information about the Sun Blade, expressing frustration that he wouldn't share secrets with her despite their closeness. Yang Qing explained that the Sun Blade was a top secret of the Yunmen Sect. Spotting a sugar figure vendor, Wang Yue expressed interest, leading Yang Qing to offer to make her one himself.
As Yang Qing learned to make the sugar figure, Wang Yue was reminded of a painful childhood memory where a Shengyue Sect member scolded her for desiring a sugar figure, telling her she didn't deserve it. After Yang Qing presented her with the handmade sugar figure, Wang Yue gifted him a drawing, boldly asking when he planned to marry her, given their shared experiences and increasing intimacy.
Their tender moment was interrupted by an old man, Zhang Bo, who tearfully pleaded for their help in finding his missing granddaughter, Tong. Yang Qing and Wang Yue immediately agreed, and Yang Qing instructed Zhang Bo to inform the other Yunmen disciples at the inn. Unbeknownst to them, Mingyang had been observing Yang Qing and Wang Yue.
Enraged by what he perceived as Yang Qing's disrespect towards the deceased Saintess, Mingyang vowed to eliminate Yang Qing, Yao Fu, and the entire Yunmen Sect, believing no one should resemble the Saintess. He confronted Yang Qing and Wang Yue in a bamboo forest, accusing Yang Qing of being a "hypocrite" and "behaving amorously with another woman" while the Saintess's body was barely cold. Mingyang then attacked. Just then, Lu Xuanxuan appeared. Yang Qing quickly asked Lu Xuanxuan to ensure Wang Yue and Zhang Bo's safety, promising to owe her a favor. Lu Xuanxuan hesitated, but Yang Qing urged her to go.
Episode 7 Recap
When Yang Qing encountered the Fire Hall Master Mingyang, he urgently asked Lu Xuanxuan to escort Wang Yue and Uncle Zhang to safety, acknowledging that he would owe her a favor. Despite Wang Yue's initial reluctance to leave, Yang Qing insisted she go with Lu Xuanxuan. After they returned to Uncle Zhang's home, Uncle Zhang expressed his fear that his granddaughter, Tong, might have been harmed by the Fire Hall Master.
Yang Qing reassured him, explaining that the attacker was Mingyang, the Fire Hall Master of the Shengyue Sect, who was after him, and that the sect had rules against harming the innocent. Yang Qing then stated that he had sent other disciples to gather information and that searching aimlessly would be pointless. Uncle Zhang, however, was distraught and insisted on looking for Tong himself. Yang Qing and Lu Xuanxuan tried to dissuade him.
Wang Yue then volunteered to join the search. Yang Qing pointed out that she didn't know martial arts or the terrain, making it dangerous. Lu Xuanxuan, visibly annoyed by Wang Yue's constant presence, agreed, stating Wang Yue would only be a burden. Wang Yue retorted that she had martial arts skills, which Lu Xuanxuan scoffed at. Just then, Uncle Zhang's granddaughter, Tong, returned, making the search unnecessary.
However, Wang Yue and Lu Xuanxuan continued their argument, escalating into a childish squabble about who was better, a "village girl" or someone with limited martial arts. Yang Qing intervened, deciding they would all stay the night to allow him to recover from his internal injuries and because the Fire Hall Master might not have gone far. He thanked Lu Xuanxuan for her help, suggesting she return to Biluo Valley to prevent her father from worrying.
Lu Xuanxuan, however, insisted on staying, claiming she had promised Jiang Yan to look after Yang Qing and would only leave once she had personally escorted Yang Qing back to an inn. This sparked another round of bickering between her and Wang Yue, which Yang Qing eventually cut short, allowing Lu Xuanxuan to stay despite the inconvenience. That evening, Lu Xuanxuan brought Yang Qing some mung bean soup, believing he needed nourishment.
Wang Yue suddenly appeared, took the soup from Lu Xuanxuan, declared it too salty, and told Lu Xuanxuan that Yang Qing could only eat light food and needed rest. Wang Yue then shooed Lu Xuanxuan away, telling her to bring soup another day. Afterward, Wang Yue questioned Yang Qing about the Yunmen Sect's rules regarding relationships between different generations, specifically a senior uncle and his junior niece.
Yang Qing confirmed it was generally forbidden but joked that some people enjoyed pushing boundaries, finding it "interesting." Wang Yue became serious, admonishing him as a pillar of Yunmen and a model of righteousness, warning him not to develop feelings for Lu Xuanxuan, as it would bring shame to the sect. Yang Qing, amused, realized Wang Yue was worried about his relationship with Lu Xuanxuan and teased her further. Wang Yue, flustered, even suggested he consider her as an option.
Yang Qing dismissed it as an "unrealistic thought" and joked about having once confessed to the sect leader while drunk. The next morning, Wang Yue subtly orchestrated a conversation with Uncle Zhang, within earshot of Lu Xuanxuan. She lamented Yang Qing's sleepless nights over the disappearance case and feigned regret about not being able to lure the Fire Hall Master away herself.
She explained that if she were captured, Yang Qing would surely rush to save her, thus putting her in his heart. This conversation was intended for Lu Xuanxuan's ears, and she indeed overheard it. Soon after, a subordinate arrived to inform Lu Xuanxuan that the offerings were ready to be transported back to Biluo Valley that night and that she was to personally escort them.
Lu Xuanxuan then questioned the subordinate about the Fire Hall Master, Mingyang, learning that he was a powerful martial artist seeking revenge for the Saintess Wang Yue (referred to as a "demoness" by outsiders) against all martial sects. Realizing Wang Yue's intention was to manipulate her into a deadly confrontation, Lu Xuanxuan decided to return to Biluo Valley. Later that day, Yang Qing found Wang Yue playing with Tong.
He confronted her, holding a note from Lu Xuanxuan stating her intention to lure the Fire Hall Master away to protect him. Yang Qing accused Wang Yue of orchestrating the situation, knowing that Lu Xuanxuan was no match for Mingyang. He expressed his profound disappointment in Wang Yue's "ruthless and cruel" disregard for human life. Wang Yue, angered by his accusation, argued that she had restrained herself and asked why he hadn't helped her drive Lu Xuanxuan away.
Yang Qing admitted his fault in trusting her but reiterated his disappointment. Angrily, Wang Yue declared that Yang Qing wanted her dead and challenged him to kill her himself, before turning and leaving. After Wang Yue's departure, Yang Qing reflected on his past with her, recalling a time when he, disguised as "Shanxiu," infiltrated Shengyue Sect to observe her.
This was how he and Ling Yin had initially formed their connection, as Yang Qing sought to understand the "Saintess" Wang Yue, who was rumored to be deeply in love with him. During this time, he witnessed Wang Yue's true nature, which was far from the "demoness" portrayed in the outside world, as she rescued and protected a group of women who had been rejected by their families after being kidnapped by bandits.
He remembered a night when Wang Yue, burdened by the challenges of her position, confided in him (as Shanxiu) about her struggles, missing someone deeply and feeling lost amidst the "storm rising and evil rampant." He had silently encouraged her with the phrase "never give up on life." She had then asked him what kind of person he liked, and he had written "upright, kind, passionate, honest, pure, and innocent" on her hand.
She mused that Yang Qing likely liked such a person, admitting she lacked most of those qualities but ultimately concluding that when one truly loved someone, such requirements seemed less important. Later, Yang Qing learned some clues about the missing children from Tong. Worried about Wang Yue, he went to find her. Meanwhile, Wang Yue, still upset, found herself lost and walking in circles in the forest.
Yang Qing then appeared, much to her joy, though she pretended to be angry and demanded apologies before returning. As they spoke, Mingyang suddenly appeared, declaring his intention to kill them both, seeing them as a "shameless couple." Yang Qing quickly took Wang Yue to flee. They found themselves in a magical formation, which Yang Qing realized was an illusion.
As Yang Qing's old injuries flared up, Wang Yue insisted she could handle Mingyang alone, but Yang Qing refused to let her get involved with the Shengyue Sect again. Seeing his weakening state, Wang Yue knocked Yang Qing unconscious. Confronted by Mingyang, Wang Yue revealed her true identity as the Saintess of Shengyue Sect. Mingyang, surprised and overjoyed to find her alive, swore his allegiance and offered to protect her.
Wang Yue, with her martial arts power damaged, instructed Mingyang to take Yang Qing with them, insisting that she would never abandon him. When Yang Qing regained consciousness, he asked Wang Yue to explain the previous night's events. Wang Yue confessed to knocking him out to deal with Mingyang. Yang Qing expressed his disappointment once more, advising her against carelessly risking lives, even in jest.
Wang Yue apologized for her previous words and explained that she had only meant to test Lu Xuanxuan, not actually put her in danger. Yang Qing accepted her apology but urged her to take matters of life and death more seriously. Reconciled, Yang Qing agreed to find food for a hungry Wang Yue.
While Yang Qing was away, Mingyang confronted Wang Yue, questioning her apparent affection for Yang Qing and reminding her of the blood feud between Shengyue Sect and the righteous sects. Wang Yue explained her actions were to rescue trapped Shengyue Sect members using the Yunmen's Sun Blade. Mingyang, concerned about Yang Qing's weakened state, insisted on staying by her side.
When Yang Qing returned, Wang Yue, to ensure Mingyang stayed close without revealing her true identity or his, playfully introduced Mingyang as her "ex-lover." Yang Qing, playing along with her fabrication, teased her about her "former lover" and pretended to be heartbroken, jokingly wishing them a happy reunion and many children. Wang Yue feigned chest pain, but Yang Qing continued his playful taunts, causing Wang Yue to express frustration as he walked off.
Unbeknownst to Yang Qing, Wang Yue, and Mingyang, they had stumbled into a formation set up by Lu Xuanxuan on her return route to Biluo Valley. Lu Xuanxuan's subordinates reported that Yang Qing and the Fire Hall Master had entered their formation, and despite the woman with no martial arts (Wang Yue's perceived state), Yang Qing nearly broke their trap.
Lu Xuanxuan was puzzled by Yang Qing's alliance with a Shengyue Sect member but was told they seemed to have entered by accident, unaware of the stronghold. Fearing that Yang Qing might discover the offerings, Lu Xuanxuan ordered her subordinates to hide them and to monitor Yang Qing and Mingyang, planning to release them after the offerings were safely transported out of the valley.
Episode 8 Recap
Wang Yue had fallen into a trap, and Yang Qing, in an attempt to rescue her, also ended up caught. Mingyang, who had been with them, found himself captured alongside them. Upon regaining consciousness, the three realized they had been taken to a remote fortress. Mingyang was puzzled by Yang Qing's actions, observing that he could have easily avoided the trap but chose to follow them in.
Yang Qing, however, explained his reasoning, stating that the fortress's complex Seven Killings Formation at the entrance indicated the captors did not intend to kill them, and therefore, someone would surely come to investigate. He planned to capture this person to uncover the fortress's secrets without further conflict. Wang Yue, however, playfully dismissed his elaborate explanation, insisting he entered the trap because he wanted to save her.
Yang Qing simply replied that her happiness was all that mattered and proceeded to investigate the fortress. As they explored, disguised among the fortress's inhabitants, Yang Qing noted that the well-organized defenses, with numerous watchtowers and patrols, suggested these were not ordinary bandits but martial artists. While observing their surroundings, they discovered three different classes of meals being prepared in the kitchen.
The lowest quality food—rice bran and rotten leaves—led them to suspect that the kidnapped children were being held there. Yang Qing then entrusted Mingyang with the Skylark Whistle, a signal to summon Yunmen disciples for assistance. Initially, Mingyang was reluctant to involve other righteous sects, but Wang Yue persuaded him to comply. Yang Qing and Wang Yue discovered clues related to children in a large room.
Meanwhile, Lu Xuanxuan heard the signal from the Skylark Whistle, realizing Yunmen disciples were approaching. Desperate to conceal her involvement with the fortress, she quickly devised a plan to pretend to be a victim. When Yang Qing and Wang Yue encountered her, she immediately pointed at Mingyang, falsely accusing him of kidnapping her and demanding a ransom from her father. Wang Yue defended Mingyang, stating he had been with them throughout. Yang Qing questioned what truly happened.
Lu Xuanxuan then launched into a fabricated story, claiming she was trying to help Yang Qing and Wang Yue escape by luring away Fire Hall Master but was instead attacked and held captive. She concluded that only Shengyue Sect would stoop to such acts. Mingyang angrily refuted her accusations, but Wang Yue intervened, explaining that Lu Xuanxuan was merely emotional. Yang Qing then tasked Mingyang and Wang Yue with searching other rooms and ensuring Wang Yue's safety.
Despite Lu Xuanxuan's emotional account, Yang Qing harbored doubts and continued to observe his surroundings. He soon discovered the fortress was deserted. Lu Xuanxuan, feigning helplessness and fear, tried to delay Yang Qing's departure, confirming to herself that the kidnapped children, whom she referred to as "goods," should have been safely moved by now.
When Yang Qing and Wang Yue found fresh wheel tracks, confirming the children had been transported away, Yang Qing instructed Wang Yue to stay and protect Lu Xuanxuan while he pursued the abductors. Meanwhile, Yunmen disciples, who had been summoned by the Skylark Whistle and were initially lost in a bamboo forest, heard the cries of children. They quickly located the carriage transporting the children.
Seeing the Yunmen disciples, the kidnappers tried to flee with the carriage, but Yang Qing intercepted them, apprehending one of the men. Lu Xuanxuan, feigning concern, offered to assist in interrogating the captured man.
She directly accused him of being instructed by Shengyue Sect, and under her intense questioning and veiled threats of Biluo Valley's interrogation methods, the man eventually "confessed" that the kidnapped children were indeed the missing ones and that Shengyue Sect had ordered him to sell them for profit. Lu Xuanxuan, unsatisfied with the mere confession, then invoked the man's family, questioning his conscience and implying his loved ones would suffer consequences for his heinous deeds.
Overwhelmed and desperate to protect his family, the man declared he acted alone and took his own life by throwing himself onto Lu Xuanxuan's sword, begging for his family to be spared. Yunmen disciples found this sudden confession and suicide suspicious, but Lu Xuanxuan attributed it to his fear of Biluo Valley's methods. This calculated act by Lu Xuanxuan effectively destroyed direct evidence and further implicated Shengyue Sect.
A Yunmen disciple reported to Yang Qing that the captured man, Cao Fei, had confessed to kidnapping children for profit under Shengyue Sect's orders before committing suicide by falling onto Lu Xuanxuan's sword. The other men in black they captured also took their own lives. Nine children were rescued, though most remained unconscious.
Yang Qing, still suspicious of the convenient confessions and suicides, dismissed the motive of mere profit as a "cover story" and decided to await the children's awakening for more reliable clues. Lu Xuanxuan then presented a piece of cloth bearing Shengyue Sect's Blood Moon mark, claiming it was further evidence of their guilt. Mingyang, however, vehemently denied that Shengyue Sect would engage in such despicable acts, accusing Lu Xuanxuan of continuous deception and framing.
Yang Qing mediated, reiterating that a piece of cloth proved nothing and that the children's testimonies were paramount. He then instructed everyone to rest before returning to the city and escorting Lu Xuanxuan back to Biluo Valley. Later, Mingyang informed Yang Qing that Wang Yue was attempting to cook for him, warning that the kitchen might be in chaos. Wang Yue expressed embarrassment over her culinary struggles but also her desire to be helpful.
She discussed the case with Yang Qing, agreeing that Lu Xuanxuan was highly suspicious and suggesting that Chief Lu of Biluo Valley might be the true mastermind, to which Yang Qing concurred, noting that the lines between good and evil are not always clear. Feeling inadequate without martial arts, Wang Yue proposed accompanying Yang Qing back to Yunmen to learn light-body techniques so she could better assist him.
Mingyang, clearly displeased by their closeness, interrupted their conversation, presenting a fish he had caught for them. Yang Qing then instructed them to finish eating and prepare to return to the city. In a separate development, Yuan Yingxing found himself caught in an ambush. Yao Fu appeared to rescue him from Biluo Valley's Mist Formation, urging him to trust her.
However, Yuan Yingxing, still harboring deep resentment from her past betrayal, rejected her help, accusing her of being insincere and even calling her "cheap" for meddling. Yao Fu admitted to her past betrayal but emphasized that she never wished him dead. She pointed out that Jin Buhuan, who was supposed to be helping him, had instead pushed him deeper into the trap, suggesting Jin Buhuan was the real traitor.
Despite Yao Fu's persistent warnings and attempts to lead him to safety, Yuan Yingxing, consumed by anger, stabbed her. Yao Fu, enduring the pain without complaint, continued to urge him to escape before Jin Buhuan arrived, but Yuan Yingxing simply told her to be silent and asserted that his affairs were none of her concern. Meanwhile, Ling Yin and Lu Xuanxuan encountered each other again, leading to a heated exchange of words.
Afterward, Ling Yin complained to Yang Qing, asserting that despite her tireless efforts in curing the Yunmen disciples, he was now planning to return to Yunmen without her or Mingyang. Yang Qing expressed his gratitude but explained that they had been away for too long and that given the historical animosity between Yunmen and Shengyue Sect, and Ling Yin and Wang Yue's connections to the latter, it would be inappropriate for them to continue traveling together.
Jiang Yan, defending Ling Yin, offered her a place in Yunmen, but Ling Yin dismissed it as a strategic "tactic" to achieve their own goals. Wang Yue, having overheard the conversation, stated she understood Yang Qing's difficult position and accepted his decision to part ways, wishing him a safe journey and hinting at a future reunion. Ling Yin then revealed to Wang Yue that her acceptance was merely a "playing hard to get" tactic. Ling Yin then invited Wang Yue to let her treat a wound, calling her a fool.
Episode 9 Recap
The Valley Chief expressed his deep dissatisfaction with Jin Buhuan for allowing Yuan Yingxing to escape the trap with Yao Fu's help. He reminded Jin Buhuan that he had been chosen for his decisive and calculating nature, and was even meant to inherit Biluo Valley and marry Lu Xuanxuan. Jin Buhuan apologized, stating he underestimated the support Yuan Yingxing still had after the fall of the Shengyue Sect, and pleaded for another chance.
The Valley Chief, however, was frustrated, highlighting the many opportunities he had given Jin Buhuan and his simple request for Yuan Yingxing’s head. Just then, news arrived that Yuan Yingxing was nearby. Seizing the moment, Jin Buhuan requested a team of elite archers to surround and kill the injured Yuan Yingxing, a plan the Valley Chief agreed to, demanding Yuan Yingxing’s head.
Jin Buhuan then rallied his archers, assuring them that capturing an injured Yuan Yingxing would be an easy task. He directed them to Yuan Yingxing's location, south of their current position, and instructed them to wait for his flute signal. When Jin Buhuan encountered Yuan Yingxing, he feigned loyalty, claiming he had finally found his Chief. Yuan Yingxing, however, saw through the deceit, remarking on Jin Buhuan's reported desire to kill him.
Jin Buhuan continued to profess his unwavering loyalty, but Yuan Yingxing challenged him to prove it by showing his heart. Realizing his deception had failed, Jin Buhuan ordered his archers to fire. Yuan Yingxing used his flute to deflect the arrows, the powerful vibrations causing immense pain to Jin Buhuan and his men. Jin Buhuan was captured while trying to flee.
Yuan Yingxing declared that if Jin Buhuan were not a Shengyue Sect disciple, he would have shared the fate of the others. He chastised Jin Buhuan for betraying the sect after receiving its grace and, as punishment, severed one of Jin Buhuan's arms, leaving him crippled. Shortly after, Yuan Yingxing encountered Yao Fu. Seeing his bloodied state, Yao Fu expressed concern and asked what Jin Buhuan had done.
Yuan Yingxing, however, ordered her away, lamenting that everyone he trusted, including her and Jin Buhuan, had betrayed him. He then showed her the Shengyue Token, stating it would have been their wedding token had she not betrayed him. Yao Fu insisted she never intended to betray him. Upon Jin Buhuan's return to Biluo Valley, the Valley Chief was further enraged by his dismembered arm and failure, especially after providing archers and setting a trap throughout the valley.
He questioned Jin Buhuan’s promises and guarantees, assuming a leak led to Yuan Yingxing's escape. Jin Buhuan once again begged for another chance, but the Valley Chief mocked him for becoming a cripple, stating he could not possibly marry Lu Xuanxuan off to such a man. Immediately after, Lu Xuanxuan, the Young Chief, returned to the valley. Her father, the Valley Chief, angrily demanded to know the whereabouts of the offerings.
Lu Xuanxuan explained that Yunmen disciples had unexpectedly found Qingmu Fortress and rescued all nine children. Despite cutting off all clues and ensuring everyone in Qingmu Fortress was dead, her father was furious, accusing her of failing to protect the children and tarnishing their family name. He commanded her to go to Qinglai City at once, under any pretext, to eliminate the children and prevent them from revealing their secrets.
Before Lu Xuanxuan departed, her father gave Jin Buhuan one last chance, promising to officiate his wedding to Lu Xuanxuan if he killed Yuan Yingxing, but voiding the engagement if he failed. Jin Buhuan vowed to make Yuan Yingxing die without a burial place. Separately, Wangyue, Ling Yin, and Mingyang were closely observing Yang Qing. Mingyang wondered if Yang Qing had realized Wangyue's true identity as the Saintess.
Wangyue, however, sensed that Yang Qing likely knew but chose not to acknowledge it. Ling Yin and Si (Fire Hall Master) playfully bickered about Yang Qing's perceived coldness towards Wangyue since Si's arrival, with Si being blamed for scaring Yang Qing off. Wangyue admitted that Yang Qing’s attitude towards her had indeed changed. Despite Ling Yin pointing out the flaws in her cover story, Wangyue was determined to get Yang Qing to take them to Yunmen.
That night, she snuck into Yang Qing's room, attempting to use a sleeping powder to compel him. Yang Qing, unaffected by the powder, gave Wangyue a chance to leave voluntarily before he forcibly removed her. He revealed his knowledge of her past association with the Shengyue Sect and warned her about the dangers of being linked to a fallen sect.
Wangyue, convinced that Yang Qing's rejection stemmed from his feelings for Yao Fu, angrily confronted him about a hidden letter she found. Yang Qing explained that his relationship with Junior Yao was based on shared responsibilities within Yunmen, unlike his fleeting acquaintance with Wangyue, and that her secrets forced him to be cautious. Devastated, Wangyue accused Yang Qing of elitism, claiming he considered her an undesirable village girl unworthy of an esteemed Yunmen Elder.
Yang Qing, expressing that some things were more complex than she understood, stated that he couldn't reciprocate her feelings beyond gratitude. Wangyue, hurt, warned him that he would regret treating her this way. Later, Wangyue, heavily intoxicated, tearfully confided in Ling Yin, expressing her anger at Yang Qing for rejecting her despite her status as the Saintess, feeling inferior to Yao Fu.
Ling Yin comforted her, promising to help Wangyue make Yang Qing unable to leave her, hinting at a "Compliance Pill" she was developing. The following morning, the Yunmen disciples found themselves surrounded by angry villagers. A plague had broken out in the village, starting with the children they had rescued, causing sores and pus, and spreading to families.
The villagers accused Yunmen of harming them and demanded an explanation from Yang Qing, refusing to let them leave or see the sick children. Shang Huai, angered by the accusations, wanted to force their way out, but Yang Qing insisted they avoid conflict with the common people. Yang Qing, along with Jiang Yan, secretly left to investigate. Meanwhile, Wangyue, Ling Yin, and Mingyang were discussing the mysterious plague.
Ling Yin, concerned by the unusual nature of the disease, went to ask Fan Hao, while Wangyue and Mingyang waited. Fan Hao explained that local doctors had declared it a highly contagious plague, threatening the entire town, and the infected were quarantined and left to die. He suspected it was deliberate poisoning to frame Yunmen. Ling Yin, along with Mingyang, then went to the quarantined ward.
Despite resistance from guards, Ling Yin's medical expertise and persuasion, along with Mingyang's determination, allowed them entry. Inside, Ling Yin quickly confirmed the presence of poison and began treating the children by bleeding them and using silver needles to draw out the toxins. Yang Qing and Jiang Yan found Wangyue and Ling Yin bravely caring for the sick, while others kept their distance. Jiang Yan noted Wangyue and Ling Yin's kindness, challenging Shang Huai's blanket condemnation of Shengyue Sect.
Yang Qing agreed that Shang Huai's judgment was too extreme and reflected that Shengyue Sect might not be entirely evil, suggesting their differences lay in their perspectives and methods rather than absolute good or evil. Jiang Yan suggested bringing Wangyue and Ling Yin back to Yunmen, despite Wangyue’s known conflict with Yao Fu, also revealing he received a strange carrier pigeon from Yao Fu.
Dismissing further discussion, Yang Qing and Jiang Yan joined Wangyue and Ling Yin in helping the villagers. After Ling Yin successfully treated the sick children, the District Leader and villagers expressed their gratitude to Yang Qing and offered to let Ling Yin and her companions stay until everyone fully recovered. Later, Yang Qing approached Wangyue, who was still upset with him. She accused him of being fickle and a hypocrite.
Yang Qing playfully suggested he needed to learn her dialect to understand her insults. Wangyue continued to criticize him, questioning his integrity and reminding him of his past "marriage" proposal. Yang Qing, however, acknowledged her by her personal name, "A-yue," for the first time. Wangyue, delighted yet still wary of his connection to Yao Fu, then listened as Yang Qing expressed gratitude for her help and offered her lotus cakes he had bought.
Despite her initial refusal, Yang Qing left the cakes for her to eat or discard as she wished before departing. Wangyue smiled, pleased that he finally called her by her given name. Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing and Yao Fu were still together. Yuan Yingxing was severely injured due to an ambush by Jin Buhuan, and Yao Fu cared for him despite her own injuries. Jin Buhuan, who had been secretly observing them, revealed himself.
Yuan Yingxing, aware of his presence, called him out. Jin Buhuan then dramatically declared his renewed loyalty, claiming his prior betrayal was a misguided attempt to rescue Shengyue Sect brothers imprisoned by Biluo Valley, believing only Yuan Yingxing could truly save the sect. Yuan Yingxing was skeptical, but Jin Buhuan presented a map of Biluo Valley, with the dungeon location marked, as proof of his sincerity and his long-standing desire to revive the sect.
Yao Fu, suspicious, warned Yuan Yingxing of a trap. Yuan Yingxing, ignoring her, ordered Jin Buhuan to open the map. As Yuan Yingxing examined the map, he was poisoned. Jin Buhuan, revealing his true intentions, declared it was Yuan Yingxing's day to die. Yao Fu bravely shielded Yuan Yingxing from an attack, ignoring his pleas for her to flee, and with a defiant declaration of trust, they both leapt off a cliff.
Episode 10 Recap
Yang Qing arrived to make amends with Wangyue, who, despite her inner joy, feigned anger. He had specially bought the hard-to-find Tipsy Lotus Cakes for her. As Yang Qing prepared to leave, he encountered Ling Yin in the courtyard. Ling Yin warned Yang Qing that Wangyue was no longer the same girl and if he couldn't commit to her, he should leave to avoid hurting her.
She also pointed out the strangeness of the children's poison, noting that typical poisons aren't contagious through sores. This indicated a potent poison, and since the children had no enemies, the culprit must be truly malicious. After Yang Qing left, Ling Yin entered Wangyue's room and saw the cakes on the table. She told Wangyue how difficult they were to acquire and that they were only available in Yuncheng, emphasizing Yang Qing's thoughtfulness, which surprised Wangyue.
Ling Yin also showed Wangyue a "Shunyi Pill" (Compliance Pill), suggesting it could make Yang Qing devoted to her. Wangyue was hesitant to use it, proving her genuine feelings, and Ling Yin teased her for being unable to act decisively on her affections despite two lifetimes of pursuit. Ling Yin then encouraged Wangyue to make a wish under a peach tree during the Flower King Festival. As Wangyue threw an embroidered ball, Yang Qing, who was still nearby, caught it.
Wangyue, still pretending to be upset, tried to leave, but Yang Qing quickly followed. She complained about his indecisiveness, questioning why he would buy her cakes and catch her embroidered ball if he couldn't return her feelings. Their argument was interrupted by a fortune teller who introduced himself as the "First Divine Diviner." Wangyue was initially skeptical, but the fortune teller revealed that she "shouldn't still exist in this world" and had been granted a second life by coincidence.
Intrigued, Yang Qing asked for his own reading, and the fortune teller revealed that Yang Qing once had a secret crush, but it ended before the person knew. Hearing this, Wangyue felt a surge of jealousy, thinking Yang Qing had loved someone else. The fortune teller advised Yang Qing not to "let go when you can have it." Wangyue pressed Yang Qing to reveal his past crush, and he openly admitted it was the Saintess of Shengyue Sect, Wangyue herself.
This revelation left Wangyue astonished and confused, wondering why he would have liked her former self. Yang Qing confessed that he had been fascinated by her unique beauty, spirit, and unrestrained nature, observing her from a distance. However, as an elder of Yunmen, he believed that "between good and evil, it's better to keep the line clear." As Yang Qing expressed his long-held affection for the Saintess, Wangyue nearly revealed her true identity.
However, Yang Qing, unaware of her true identity, then further explained his past reasons for keeping distance from the Saintess due to the potential trouble for Yunmen and the divide between good and evil. Understanding his deeply ingrained prejudice against the Shengyue Sect, Wangyue decided against revealing her true identity as the former Saintess. Despite his initial concerns about Wangyue's (claimed) connections to the Shengyue Sect (an uncle and a former lover), Yang Qing decided to bring her to Yunmen.
That night, Yang Qing taught Wangyue the Heavenly Dipper Flowing Cloud Steps, a supreme flying skill of Yunmen, as a gesture of trust. Moved by his actions, Wangyue vowed never to let him down. Later, an excited Wangyue told Ling Yin about Yang Qing's confession. Ling Yin then revealed that Yang Qing had actually infiltrated Shengyue Sect four years ago, disguised as Shanxiu, and had been observing Wangyue from nearby for about half a year.
Wangyue realized that Yang Qing had been the masked man whose chin she had lifted with her dagger hilt, and that his "accidental" encounters with her were deliberate, motivated by curiosity about the "demoness" who had publicly declared her affection for him. Ling Yin cautioned Wangyue against revealing her identity, especially with Shang Huai's suspicions, and reminded her that their priority was obtaining the Sun Blade. The next morning, Wangyue eagerly awaited Yang Qing's arrival, expecting to travel to Yunmen.
However, Yang Qing informed her that their plans had changed; the Sect Leader had ordered them to attend Chief Lu's birthday celebration at Biluo Valley. Wangyue, wanting to stay close to Yang Qing, fabricated a story about her own birthday being around the same time and convinced him to let her and Ling Yin accompany him. Yang Qing agreed but warned her to follow his lead and avoid trouble.
Meanwhile, at Biluo Valley, Chief Lu angrily confronted his daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, for failing to eliminate the children and for generally "messing things up." Jin Buhuan interceded for Lu Xuanxuan, reassuring Chief Lu that although they didn't fully succeed, the children's severe illness would render any of their testimonies unreliable. He also confirmed that Qingmu Village had been destroyed, all other evidence had been destroyed, and Yuan Yingxing had been thrown off Biluo Cliff, making his survival impossible.
Chief Lu, pleased by this news, reaffirmed his promise for Lu Xuanxuan to marry Jin Buhuan. Lu Xuanxuan, angered by her father's decisions and his ongoing feud with Yunmen (as she implies her own affection for Yang Qing), stormed off. Chief Lu and Jin Buhuan then plotted to use the upcoming birthday celebration, which would gather all the martial arts sects, to publicly expose Yunmen's secret regarding the Alliance Leader's Token and its missing Moon Blade.
They had discovered that the Shengyue Token, which had disappeared from Shengyue Sect and was held by its previous Saintess, was in fact the missing Moon Blade, a crucial component of the Alliance Leader's Token. They believed Yunmen had kept this a secret, deceiving the martial arts world, and aimed to make Yunmen fall from its position of power.
Upon their arrival at Biluo Valley, Wangyue and Ling Yin were unimpressed by their assigned room and began searching for the dungeon where their Shengyue Sect members were imprisoned. Mingyang also had successfully infiltrated the valley. Wangyue was stopped by a guard near a restricted area, claiming it was for Chief Lu's cultivation. Just then, Yang Qing appeared.
To avoid suspicion about her presence in a restricted area, Wangyue feigned affection and embraced him, only to be interrupted by Feng Xingyun, the Yunmen Sect Leader. Wangyue used the opportunity to slip away. Elsewhere, Mingyang, having successfully blended in by following a Qingcheng Sect disciple, relayed information to Ling Yin that Yunmen's Sect Leader had brought the Sun Blade, part of the Alliance Leader's Token, for a ritual.
Feng Xingyun questioned Yang Qing about the missing children's case, stating that while all clues pointed to Biluo Valley, there was no concrete evidence. He expressed his suspicion about Chief Lu, noting his history of stirring up trouble. Feng Xingyun also commented that "Miss Yang's voice" sounded familiar, but Yang Qing dismissed it by joking about the Sect Leader's failing memory.
Feng Xingyun then revealed that Chief Lu's grand birthday celebration was actually a ploy to gather the martial arts world to worship the Alliance Leader's Token, intending to expose the missing Moon Blade and discredit Yunmen. He confirmed that the Moon Blade's disappearance from Shengyue Sect would inevitably cause chaos in the martial world if revealed.
Feng Xingyun then entrusted Yang Qing with the Sun Blade, warning him to be extremely cautious, and they "deliberately" discussed the Alliance Leader's Token within earshot, aware they were being listened to. Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing and Yao Fu, having survived their fall from Biluo Cliff, were rescued and treated by Lady Bingcan, though Yao Fu's injuries were far more severe.
Feng Xingyun also mentioned that Yao Fu had sent a letter but had not been heard from since her arrival at Biluo Valley, expressing concern. He asked Yang Qing if he had found any clues about the Moon Blade during his time undercover in Shengyue Sect. Yang Qing stated he found no clues. Feng Xingyun then assured Yang Qing that he had a foolproof plan for the upcoming celebration.
Episode 11 Recap
Yao Fu was gravely injured, even more severely than Yuan Yingxing. Her condition worsened significantly because she had blocked a knife for him while her initial wound was still healing. She remained unconscious, her life hanging in the balance. Upon hearing this, Yuan Yingxing initially threatened the doctor who had rescued them, demanding that Yao Fu be saved. However, the doctor firmly refused. Learning there might still be a way to awaken Yao Fu, Yuan Yingxing pleaded for her help.
The doctor eventually revealed a Nine-Eyed Ice Silkworm, capable of devouring rotting flesh and healing wounds. But the silkworm had been dormant for many years and required someone with profound internal strength to awaken it, a process fraught with danger and extreme pain. Yuan Yingxing immediately agreed to undertake the perilous task.
Meanwhile, the Valley Chief discovered that the Alliance Leader's Tokens were intact, contradicting Jin Buhuan's earlier claim that the Moon Blade was missing and had been with the Shengyue Sect. When questioned, Jin Buhuan insisted this was impossible, stating the Moon Blade, which was also the Shengyue Token, should be with Yuan Yingxing, not Yunmen. To avoid a marriage to Jin Buhuan, Lu Xuanxuan volunteered to investigate. Her father, the Valley Chief, was reluctant, citing her past failures.
Jin Buhuan expressed concern about the danger to Lu Xuanxuan, but she was resolute, determined to marry Yang Qing, not him, and thus willing to risk anything. She dismissed Jin Buhuan, telling him to leave before she got angry and interfered with her mission. Later that night, Ling Yin and Mingyang covertly searched the valley for the imprisoned Shengyue Sect disciples. They nearly encountered two valley disciples, but Ling Yin, acting swiftly, kissed Mingyang.
The guards mistook them for other sect disciples engaged in a clandestine affair and paid them no mind, leaving Mingyang somewhat dazed by Ling Yin's boldness. At the same time, Wangyue secretly entered Yang Qing's room, searching for the Sun Blade. Lu Xuanxuan spotted Wangyue acting suspiciously and brought her own people to catch Wangyue red-handed. As Lu Xuanxuan's group searched the room, Yang Qing appeared.
He found Wangyue hiding in a cabinet and, to her disappointment, deliberately displayed the Sun and Moon Blades to Lu Xuanxuan, letting her believe they were the Alliance Leader's Tokens. Wangyue then seized the opportunity to inquire about the Alliance Leader's Token, but was disheartened to learn that the genuine Sun Blade remained securely at Yunmen. As Wangyue left, Yang Qing pondered whether her closeness to him was merely a ploy to obtain the Sun Blade.
To save Yao Fu, Yuan Yingxing selflessly used his blood to awaken the Nine-Eyed Ice Silkworm. The process was agonizing, causing immense pain and weakening him. Despite a helper urging him to stop and extract the silkworm, Yuan Yingxing refused, enduring the torment until the silkworm awakened. After placing the awakened silkworm on Yao Fu's wounds, the doctor suggested that the presence of a loved one could ease her pain.
Yuan Yingxing initially declared he wasn't close to Yao Fu and began to leave. However, upon hearing Yao Fu cry out in agony, he returned to her side, comforting her and promising to stay with her until she recovered. Yang Qing sought out Shang Huai to understand the events surrounding the Shengyue Sect's destruction, as he had been in seclusion at the time.
Shang Huai explained that Yuan Yingxing, despite his formidable martial arts, was captured because he became completely distraught after hearing of Wangyue's death, leaving him vulnerable. Shang Huai further revealed the Shengyue Sect's tradition of the Chief and Saintess marrying, implying that Yuan Yingxing and Wangyue were destined to be together. He also disclosed that the dungeon holding the Shengyue Sect remnants, a joint effort by several major sects, could only be opened with Yunmen's Sun Blade.
Yang Qing then realized Wangyue's true motive for approaching him was to acquire the Sun Blade to free her people. That night, Yang Qing watched Wangyue from outside her window as she slept. Wangyue was having a vivid nightmare, repeatedly calling out Yuan Yingxing's name, causing Yang Qing to deeply misunderstand her feelings. Ling Yin, passing by, noticed Yang Qing outside Wangyue's room. Yao Fu eventually regained consciousness.
Seeing her awake, Yuan Yingxing became visibly awkward, uttered a harsh remark about never wanting to see her again, and promptly left. Wangyue, realizing Yang Qing had overheard her calling Yuan Yingxing's name in her dream and was surely upset, immediately went to find him, desperate to explain. Yang Qing, though claiming he wasn't angry, clearly harbored deep feelings. Wangyue tried various methods to appease him, but he found her efforts insincere.
As Yang Qing pondered his feelings, he unexpectedly encountered the insightful fortune teller again, whose advice helped him to alleviate some of his doubts. Later, Yang Qing confronted Mingyang, who had trespassed into Biluo Valley. Yang Qing warned Mingyang that his presence, as a Fire Hall Master of the Shengyue Sect, would bring danger to Wangyue and the imprisoned sect members. Wangyue, arriving at the scene, supported Yang Qing's argument, urging Mingyang to leave.
Seeing Wangyue's distress, Mingyang agreed to depart. Yang Qing then showed Mingyang a discrete exit, cautioning him not to return if he truly cared for Wangyue's safety. Yang Qing then directly confronted Wangyue about her true intentions, questioning her identity as an orphan from Yangliu Town, her knowledge of Yuan Yingxing, and her mastery of Shengyue Sect techniques, and reiterated his dislike for her dishonesty.
Later, Wangyue found Yang Qing and, as a gesture of apology and sincerity, presented him with jujube cakes she had walked many miles to buy in the middle of the night. She explained that she undertook this journey to understand his past actions and to express her true feelings.
Wangyue tearfully confessed that she was sincere, that he was the only one she cared about and liked in the present, and that she never meant to treat him as a plaything. Yang Qing, still affected by her dream, admitted his unhappiness about hearing another man's name from her lips, but conceded that dreams are separate from reality. He was moved by her efforts and her heartfelt confession. Wangyue then joyfully reminded Yang Qing that it was his birthday. Yang Qing, surprised, realized he had forgotten and promised to find her later that evening to celebrate.
Episode 12 Recap
Yang Qing celebrated Wangyue's birthday, toasting her and wishing her well. Wangyue, inwardly pleased, decided that from then on, August 15 would officially be her birthday, ensuring Yang Qing would never feel deceived. She told him she wished to celebrate all future birthdays with him and then, probing his sincerity, asked if there was anything he wanted from her. Yang Qing, after some hesitation, confessed he was wary of being completely honest, but Wangyue urged him on.
He then posed a challenging question: who would she choose between the Shengyue Sect and him? Wangyue initially made a lighthearted complaint but, realizing he simply wanted her affirmation, quickly declared she would choose him. Yang Qing pressed further, asking if she would save him or Yuan Yingxing if they both fell into a river. Wangyue, after a similar playful complaint, stated she would save him.
Satisfied, Yang Qing then added that if Wangyue and Yao Fu fell into a river, he would save Wangyue first. Wangyue reciprocated, saying she would save him first. Satisfied, Yang Qing praised her cleverness and encouraged her to eat. Meanwhile, Yao Fu had brought Yuan Yingxing to Biluo Valley for Chief Lu's 50th birthday celebration, an event Yuan Yingxing scornfully dubbed "hypocritical."
Yao Fu cautioned him about the many masters present in the valley, stressing the need for strategy over direct confrontation. Yuan Yingxing, annoyed, questioned if she was "telling him what to do." Undeterred, Yao Fu insisted he stay close and avoid wandering off, warning him of potential repercussions. Later, she instructed him to remain confined to their room while she scouted the dungeon, explaining that his presence would easily draw unwanted attention from the gathered sect leaders.
Yuan Yingxing, feigning disinterest, told her he was tired of her "nonsense." Yao Fu promised to return with information about the dungeon's location, assuring him she would then lead him to rescue his people, provided he stayed put. Yao Fu then met Sect Leader Feng Xingyun and Yang Qing. Feng Xingyun was visibly relieved to see her safe and sound after her long absence from Yunmen.
Yao Fu quickly excused herself, claiming an appointment to guide a junior sister in swordsmanship. Feng Xingyun, though concerned for her rest, allowed her to depart. He then turned to Yang Qing, urging him to finalize his marriage to Yao Fu. Yang Qing firmly stated he was not considering marriage, dismissing the idea as a joke.
Feng Xingyun argued that their shared upbringing made them a "perfect match" and even brought up Yao Fu's "sacrifice" in infiltrating the Shengyue Sect and nearly marrying Yuan Yingxing. Yang Qing, however, reiterated that he had no romantic feelings for Yao Fu and questioned the tradition of marrying solely for social status. Abandoning the marriage topic, Feng Xingyun reminded Yang Qing of the critical importance of keeping the Alliance Leader's Tokens' issue secret until after the next day's banquet.
Yang Qing confirmed his understanding. Elsewhere, Lu Xuanxuan informed her father, Chief Lu, that she had personally seen both the Sun Blade and Moon Blade. To avoid marrying Jin Buhuan, she falsely claimed that Yang Qing, smitten with her, had eagerly shown her the Alliance Leader's Token after a "small trick." Chief Lu expressed skepticism but mused that Yang Qing's sudden change in demeanor might be due to Biluo Valley's rising power.
Jin Buhuan, present at the conversation, interjected, swearing he had seen the Shengyue Token—which was the Moon Blade—at the Shengyue Sect. Chief Lu, puzzled, questioned if there could be two Moon Blades, while Lu Xuanxuan accused Jin Buhuan of lying to incite conflict between her father and Yunmen. Jin Buhuan again insisted on his claim. Suddenly, Yuan Yingxing appeared, wielding the Moon Blade. He disparaged Biluo Valley's reputation for traps and martial arts as "nothing special."
Chief Lu recognized him, expressing disappointment that Yuan Yingxing was still alive. Yuan Yingxing retorted by demanding the immediate, unharmed release of his disciples, threatening to "bathe your Biluo Valley in blood" if his demands were not met. A fierce battle erupted. Despite the intricate mechanisms in the room, Yuan Yingxing remained unscathed and severely wounded Chief Lu.
In a desperate move, Chief Lu activated the "Star Formation" and later deployed the "Falling Geese Formation," using a "Rotate the stars, and switch the formation to break through" technique to launch a surprise counter-attack. This injured Yuan Yingxing, who was forced to flee. Lu Xuanxuan rushed to her father's side, while Chief Lu angrily blamed Jin Buhuan for his earlier false report of Yuan Yingxing's death.
Chief Lu immediately ordered a "complete lockdown of Biluo Valley," forbidding anyone from leaving, certain Yuan Yingxing was still within its confines. Yao Fu found the severely injured Yuan Yingxing and brought him back to her room, calling his name anxiously. As he lay unconscious, she considered taking the Moon Blade for her own healing. Yuan Yingxing suddenly awoke, immediately hostile and suspicious, demanding to know her intentions.
Yao Fu defended herself, asserting that if she wished him harm, she wouldn't have gone to such trouble. Yuan Yingxing, however, scorned her "meddlesome nature" and "pitiful expression," declaring himself "sick of seeing it" and expressing a desire to "tear off that face of yours." Yao Fu, despite his contempt, tried to explain her concern: the lack of a widespread search for him after his rampage was "suspicious" and likely "a trap."
Yuan Yingxing dismissed Biluo Valley as "nothing to fear," but Yao Fu reminded him that the four major sects were also present. She urged him to wait until the guests left Biluo Valley before acting. Yuan Yingxing retorted that they were "never on the same path," questioning her use of "we," and told her not to meddle. Yao Fu defiantly asked who else would care for him, insisting he heed her advice if he truly wanted to save his people.
Yuan Yingxing then blamed her for his current "helpless situation," prompting Yao Fu to exasperatedly promise to make amends for the past. She gave him an ultimatum: either leave Biluo Valley or stay in her room. She vowed to guard the door, saying he would have to "step over my dead body" to get past her.
The next day, Chief Lu gathered all the sect members and, standing before the bodies of his fallen disciples, announced Yuan Yingxing's intrusion and the massacre of his followers, appealing to the assembled heroes for help in catching him. Feng Xingyun then questioned why Yuan Yingxing, who was initially captured, had suddenly reappeared.
Chief Lu then admitted his earlier mistake in allowing Yuan Yingxing to escape while being escorted and apologized for concealing the information, accepting responsibility for the casualties, and renewing his passionate appeal to the assembled heroes to help him avenge these "innocent souls." Yang Qing, however, intervened, stating that Chief Lu's losses were "the price he paid for keeping the information of Yuan Yingxing to himself." He suggested they first subdue Yuan Yingxing and address other matters later.
Feng Xingyun then asked Chief Lu for a plan to lure Yuan Yingxing out. Chief Lu proposed a "fight fire with fire" strategy: executing some of the more than twenty Shengyue Sect members imprisoned in the dungeon, including high-ranking hall masters and Guardians, to honor the dead and force Yuan Yingxing's appearance. Yang Qing vehemently opposed this, asking, "Chief Lu, why massacre the innocent?"
He argued that imprisoning the Shengyue Sect members was for reform, not to justify their execution, and highlighted that the real issue was the long-standing animosity between the two factions, not constant evil acts by the Shengyue Sect. Wangyue, witnessing the exchange, silently condemned Chief Lu's "extraordinary hypocrisy" and secretly vowed to protect her Shengyue Sect members.
As the crowd chanted support for Chief Lu, Yang Qing called for order, explaining that the dungeon could only be opened with the Sun Blade, and asked Feng Xingyun for help. Feng Xingyun expressed reservations about the potential for further bloodshed but ultimately agreed to Yang Qing's request to hand over the Sun Blade. As Yang Qing retrieved the Sun Blade, a sudden flute melody filled the air. Wangyue and Ling Yin immediately recognized it as Yuan Yingxing's.
Ling Yin covertly warned Wangyue that only those who had practiced the Shengyue Sect's mental techniques could resist the flute's power, cautioning her not to reveal her true allegiance. Everyone present, except for Yang Qing, was visibly affected by the powerful music. Yuan Yingxing appeared and engaged Yang Qing in combat. During their fierce exchange, Wangyue unexpectedly stepped in, shielding Yuan Yingxing from Yang Qing's attack.
Heartbroken, Yang Qing angrily confronted Wangyue, accusing her of having multiple lovers within the Shengyue Sect. Wangyue denied Yuan Yingxing was her lover but affirmed his identity as Yuan Yingxing. When Yang Qing questioned why she saved him, she simply stated she was performing "one good deed a day." As Yang Qing repeatedly ordered her to move, she refused, continuing to protect Yuan Yingxing.
Just then, Yao Fu arrived, helping Yuan Yingxing and Wangyue to escape, with Yang Qing secretly trailing them. Later, in a more secure location, Yuan Yingxing lay severely injured, with Ling Yin and Wangyue by his side. Yao Fu was also present, but Ling Yin remained openly hostile, suggesting Yuan Yingxing kill her for the harm she had caused.
Yuan Yingxing, however, intervened, stating that Yao Fu was "still useful" for navigating their escape from the four major sects, and instructed Ling Yin to take her away. Wangyue objected, reminding Yuan Yingxing that Yao Fu had once "killed me once and used dark magic to cloud my mind," but Yuan Yingxing insisted. Once alone with Wangyue, Yuan Yingxing affectionately pulled her close, expressing how much he had missed her.
He recounted his past: falling off a cliff, losing his martial arts, and being mistaken for Yang Wangyue. Wangyue, relieved he was safe, then gently pushed him away, reminding him she was grown up and he couldn't treat her like a child anymore, hinting that Yang Qing had taught her this boundary. Yuan Yingxing teasingly asked if Yang Qing was the reason for her changed demeanor and if she blamed him for his past neglect.
Wangyue denied blaming him, stating that everyone has their own destiny and she couldn't keep him tied to her. She then asked him to "restore our Shengyue Sect," but insisted on taking revenge on Yao Fu. Yuan Yingxing acknowledged her growth and asked her to join him in rebuilding the sect. Wangyue, however, said she first needed to find the Sun Blade to rescue their imprisoned Guardians.
Yuan Yingxing promised to help her obtain the Sun Blade but warned her to stay away from Yang Qing. He then urged her to rest, and he fell asleep. The next morning, Wangyue awoke to find Yang Qing standing guard outside her room. She confessed her true identity as a member of the Shengyue Sect, apologized for her deception, and asked if she could take Yuan Yingxing, offering to pay any price or accept any punishment.
She then stated that they were "not suitable to be together," citing his belief that "good and evil cannot coexist," and declared she would "never betray the Shengyue Sect," suggesting it was best for them to part ways. Yang Qing, however, surprised her by calmly stating that he did not oppose her returning to the Shengyue Sect and had no intention of severing ties between them.
He explained that he now viewed the Shengyue Sect differently, seeing it as a necessary refuge for those with nowhere else to go in the martial world, despite its issues with lack of disciple discipline. He believed that many conflicts were rooted in old grievances, not current evil deeds. Yang Qing even suggested that Yuan Yingxing's earlier attempt to marry Yao Fu was a genuine effort to find a path to reconciliation for the Shengyue Sect.
He expressed a desire to speak with Yuan Yingxing about the possibility of peace between Yunmen and the Shengyue Sect, admitting he had been working on a solution. Wangyue was visibly touched by his words. Yang Qing concluded that there was still a "possibility" for them. Wangyue, feigning indignation, playfully accused him of ignoring her because he found her troublesome.
Yang Qing conceded that reconciling the sects was indeed "troublesome," but Wangyue, now overjoyed, decided she was "not leaving" and declared her love for him, vowing to stay. As they shared a tender moment, Yang Qing playfully commented on her disheveled appearance from their escape, and Wangyue teased him for ruining the romantic mood.
Episode 13 Recap
Yang Qing approached Yuan Yingxing to discuss a collaboration between Yunmen and Shengyue Sect, aiming to resolve the long-standing animosity between their factions. However, Yuan Yingxing immediately rejected the idea, claiming that decisions for Shengyue Sect were not his alone to make. Yang Qing, aware of Yuan Yingxing's authority, saw this as a flimsy excuse and offered his assistance if there were any difficulties.
Yuan Yingxing scoffed, reminding Yang Qing that Yunmen was known for conflict and that he saw no reason to invite trouble by cooperating with "righteous sects" that historically engaged in fighting and killing. He cited past betrayals where he had extended an olive branch, only to be met with an attempt on his life by Yao Fu and a large-scale attack on his sect.
Wang Yue, overhearing their conversation, grew upset with Yuan Yingxing's unyielding stance, especially his demand to be made alliance leader. She believed Yang Qing was different and genuinely wanted peace. Yuan Yingxing explained that while he once sought an honorable name for Shengyue Sect, the current power imbalance with Yunmen, coupled with his sect's scattered state, made cooperation risky. He doubted Yang Qing's ability to persuade not only Yunmen but also the other major sects to honor any agreement.
Wang Yue remained convinced that Yang Qing was trustworthy and urged Yuan Yingxing to at least try. Yuan Yingxing, however, insisted that even if Yang Qing was willing, the rest of the martial world would likely not be. He also raised the precarious situation of their imprisoned disciples in Biluo Valley, arguing that a direct confrontation was not feasible.
Finally, Yuan Yingxing proposed a condition for collaboration: after rescuing their disciples, Shengyue Sect would seal off its mountain, isolating itself from the outside world for five to ten years to reorganize and avoid further conflict. He also demanded that Wang Yue return to Shengyue Sect with him, leaving Yang Qing and their disputes behind.
Wang Yue initially agreed to return but expressed reservations about completely sealing off the mountain and abandoning Yang Qing, who she believed would understand their predicament. She even offered the leadership of Shengyue Sect to Yuan Yingxing, but he insisted it belonged to both of them. Yuan Yingxing then expressed his deep loneliness, lamenting how everyone feared or avoided him, and that he couldn't bear the thought of Wang Yue, his only constant companion, leaving him as well.
Wang Yue, torn, asked for more time to figure out how to explain things to Yang Qing. Later, during a meal, Yuan Yingxing continued to act possessive of Wang Yue, demanding her attention and food. Mingyang confirmed to Yang Qing that Wang Yue would indeed return to Mount Yin and that Shengyue Sect would be sealed off, with its members no longer stepping foot outside.
Wang Yue tried to reassure Yang Qing, insisting he shouldn't listen to such talk and offering him food, stating her preference for vegetarian meals with him. Mingyang advised Yuan Yingxing to rest given his injuries, but Yuan Yingxing seemed resolute in his decisions. Yao Fu later found Yang Qing and expressed her surprise at his tolerance for Wang Yue's apparent indecisiveness between him and Yuan Yingxing.
She highlighted the profound bond forged between Wang Yue and Yuan Yingxing through their shared past, fighting side-by-side through life-and-death situations. Yang Qing maintained his faith that Wang Yue would clarify her feelings in due time. Capitalizing on a moment alone with Yang Qing and Yuan Yingxing, Yao Fu deliberately burned her hand with Yuan Yingxing's medicine. Yang Qing, concerned, rushed to her side. Wang Yue witnessed this interaction and, in a fit of jealousy, pulled Yang Qing away.
Seizing the moment, Yang Qing kissed Wang Yue, taking her by surprise. Overjoyed and slightly flustered, Wang Yue proposed marriage, but Yang Qing, keen to test her commitment, replied that their relationship wasn't ready for such a step until she resolved the issue of Shengyue Sect sealing off its mountain. Annoyed by his reticence, Wang Yue warned him that he would regret his hesitation.
Meanwhile, Yao Fu also approached Yuan Yingxing, who was carelessly spilling medicine, feigning concern for his injuries. She probed him about the Shengyue Token, expressing worries that such a significant item, a betrothal token representing Shengyue Sect, could fall into the wrong hands and cause trouble. Yuan Yingxing asserted that it was "his" and Wang Yue's betrothal token and accused Yang Qing of "stealing" Wang Yue from him.
He dismissed "love" as a "fake and fleeting" emotion, claiming that human relationships were simply about mutual use. He argued that his long-term care for Wang Yue was a truer form of protection than Yang Qing's love, suggesting that if Yang Qing's love were to wane, Yunmen's people could harm her. Desperate, Yao Fu asked what would become of her if he married Wang Yue. Yuan Yingxing coldly dismissed her, reminding her of her past betrayals.
Later, Yuan Yingxing confronted Yang Qing, ridiculing his "childish tricks" like the kiss. Yang Qing admitted to being selfish. Yuan Yingxing then tried to undermine Yang Qing's confidence, claiming Wang Yue's affection was shallow and fleeting, based purely on the thrill of the chase, and that she would lose interest once she "got" him. Yang Qing countered that Wang Yue's lingering concerns about Yuan Yingxing and Yao Fu's past suggested she was not shallow.
Yuan Yingxing defiantly stated that Wang Yue was the saintess of Shengyue Sect and belonged with them, emphasizing her unique sense of belonging to the sect, which he believed Yang Qing could not provide. He further claimed he could make her leave Yang Qing with a single word, implying this was the source of her recent worries. Yao Fu attempted to steal the Shengyue Token from Yuan Yingxing's room, planning to use a sleeping fragrance.
However, Yuan Yingxing was unaffected and confronted her, revealing he was aware of her scheme. He taunted her about her past betrayals and rejected her offer to help him secure Wang Yue by removing Yang Qing in exchange for the token. He told her that Wang Yue would find a way to escape to Yang Qing even if trapped, and reiterated that, having betrayed him, she would never get anything from him.
On Wang Yue's true birthday, May 25th (which Wang Yue had forgotten), Yuan Yingxing surprised her with a special celebration and numerous small gifts, promising to make up for all the things she lacked in childhood. Yang Qing arrived unexpectedly, creating an awkward situation as Wang Yue had previously given him a different birthdate. Yuan Yingxing clarified the actual date. Yang Qing, gracefully accepting the situation, congratulated Wang Yue and promised her a grander gift the following year.
Yuan Yingxing and Yang Qing exchanged veiled remarks about Wang Yue's preferences and loyalties. Wang Yue, touched by the gesture, made a wish to "have Yang Qing and Shengyue Sect, and for everyone to be safe, harmonious, and happy." The next day, Yang Qing was noticeably distant towards Wang Yue. She tried to explain her lies, admitting she initially lied about her birthday to make him happy and then continued the deception.
She confessed that she might have to return to Mount Yin with Yuan Yingxing, who was her only family and whose request she couldn't refuse. She promised to come back for Yang Qing. Yang Qing, however, expressed his deep hurt and distrust, questioning how he could believe anything she said after her repeated deceptions, especially regarding her birthday. He worried that she would leave with Yuan Yingxing before ever truly confiding in him.
Desperate to convey her true feelings, Wang Yue passionately kissed Yang Qing. As Yang Qing walked away, disciples and Lu Xuanxuan found him, urgently informing him that the four major sects, in collaboration with Jin Buhuan (a former Shengyue Sect hall master and expert in formations who had betrayed them), had set up the formidable Liansha Formation in the valley, intending to capture or kill Yuan Yingxing. Concerned for Wang Yue's safety, Yang Qing immediately went to warn Yuan Yingxing.
Though Yuan Yingxing was confident in his ability to withstand the Liansha Formation, Yang Qing stressed that Wang Yue, lacking internal cultivation, would be highly vulnerable. Yang Qing declared that he was not helping Yuan Yingxing but protecting Wang Yue. He then formulated a plan to lure the attacking sects into Miyun Forest, allowing Yuan Yingxing and Wang Yue to escape. Yuan Yingxing, seemingly surprised by Yang Qing's selfless act, accepted the offer, remarking on Yang Qing's devotion and accepting his apparent sacrifice.
Episode 14 Recap
The martial world was in an uproar, with calls to eliminate Yuan Yingxing as righteous sects converged, their disciples fanning out to search for him. Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing returned to his dwelling, intent on leaving with Wangyue. He falsely claimed that Yang Qing had betrayed them by revealing their whereabouts, which led to the sects surrounding them. Wangyue, however, refused to believe that Yang Qing would betray her. At that moment, Yao Fu appeared.
Unwilling to see Yuan Yingxing and Wangyue together, she revealed the truth: Yang Qing had deliberately sacrificed himself to mislead the various sects, allowing Wangyue and Yuan Yingxing to escape. Upon learning of Yang Qing’s sacrifice, Wangyue immediately wanted to rescue him. Yuan Yingxing tried to stop her, even invoking his authority as the Chief of Shengyue Sect, commanding her to return with him.
Despite his efforts, Wangyue was deeply concerned for Yang Qing's safety and secretly left that night to find him. Yuan Yingxing, left behind, reflected on the depth of Wangyue's feelings for Yang Qing, which were far greater than he had anticipated. He then instructed his subordinates, Lingyin and Mingyang, to safely escort him back to Shengyue Sect, making sure Yao Fu did not approach him.
Wangyue did not find Yang Qing but instead encountered the various sects' disciples who tried to capture her. Just as she was in danger, Yang Qing appeared and rescued her. He had disguised himself as Yuan Yingxing to divert the attention of the sects. Wangyue recognized him and acknowledged his clever use of Shengyue Sect techniques to perfectly imitate Yuan Yingxing.
She then offered Yang Qing food and a cool mung bean soup she had brought, knowing he must be hungry and tired from his efforts. She expressed her regret for their recent quarrel and reaffirmed her commitment to preventing Shengyue Sect from sealing its mountain. She also promised that even if the mountain were sealed, she would find a way to meet him again, declaring that he would never be able to shake her off.
Yang Qing, moved by her words, confessed his feelings for her, and Wangyue embraced him. Their tender moment was interrupted by Yuan Yingxing's sudden appearance. He accused Yang Qing of trying to take Wangyue away under the guise of helping him. Wangyue, angered by Yuan Yingxing’s ingratitude, reminded him of Yang Qing's efforts for his sake.
Yuan Yingxing then revealed a more sinister plot: Jin Buhuan had betrayed Shengyue Sect and defected to Biluo Valley, setting up the Liansha Formation, a forbidden technique, in the Miyun Forest. This formation was designed to burn the entire forest, eliminating all the righteous sect disciples and allowing Biluo Valley to dominate the martial world. Yang Qing was horrified by Jin Buhuan's ruthlessness and Biluo Valley's ambition, recognizing the extensive internal strife within the supposedly righteous path.
Yuan Yingxing explained that once activated, the Liansha Formation was irreversible, but it could be stopped if they found and prevented Jin Buhuan, who controlled the core of the formation. Seeing the fire erupt in the distance, Yang Qing declared his resolute intention to enter Miyun Forest and break the formation to save the trapped disciples.
Wangyue, terrified for his safety, pleaded with him not to go, warning that he would be walking to his death if he failed to find Jin Buhuan. Yang Qing, prepared for the worst, told her to find a safe place and forget him if he did not return. Wangyue grew desperate, threatening to seal Mount Yin and never see him again if he left.
Witnessing her distress and unwavering concern for Yang Qing, Yuan Yingxing, now determined to protect Wangyue, stepped forward and announced that he would go into the formation himself instead of her. Inside the Liansha Formation, Yang Qing encountered an illusion of his master, Feng Xingyun. Feng Xingyun accused Yang Qing of betraying Yunmen for the "witch" of Shengyue Sect and disregarding his fellow disciples.
Yang Qing tried to explain that Shengyue Sect was not as evil as rumored, protecting the people around Mount Yin. However, his illusory master remained prejudiced, questioning Yang Qing's loyalty to Yunmen and his oath. Feng Xingyun then attacked Yang Qing to "sever this inner demon," but Yang Qing realized it was merely an illusion. Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing, who had also entered the formation, found himself in an illusion where he saw an injured Wangyue.
This illusory Wangyue expressed deep hatred for him, accusing him of only caring about Yao Fu and wishing her dead so he could be with Yao Fu. She demanded he die with her if he truly loved her. Yuan Yingxing, on the verge of taking his own life, was interrupted by Yang Qing, who had successfully broken free from his own illusion.
Yang Qing appeared to Yuan Yingxing, warning him that everything he saw was an illusion and urging him not to succumb to his inner demons. Yuan Yingxing quickly realized that Wangyue was not actually there. Yang Qing then confronted Jin Buhuan, proclaiming that a pure heart had no inner demons and accusing Jin Buhuan of causing the deaths of many righteous disciples for his selfish desires. Jin Buhuan ordered his followers to kill Yang Qing.
Despite Yang Qing's warnings about the formation, the disciples attacked. Yuan Yingxing then appeared, swiftly killing Jin Buhuan and his remaining disciples. He explained that Jin Buhuan had forced his subordinates to drink the "life-binding water," ensuring their deaths with his own. With Jin Buhuan dead, the Liansha Formation was broken. Wangyue and Yuan Yingxing found Yang Qing, and Wangyue, overjoyed that he was safe, embraced him tightly.
Yang Qing then asked Yuan Yingxing to escort Wangyue to Deyue Hotel in Yunmeng City while he and other disciples extinguished the forest fire. Wangyue urged Yang Qing to be careful. Later, at Deyue Hotel, Yuan Yingxing, observing Wangyue's concern for Yang Qing, asked if she was truly certain about her feelings. Wangyue passionately confirmed her deep love for Yang Qing and pleaded with Yuan Yingxing to "let her have him."
Seeing their sincere affection, Yuan Yingxing finally agreed to their union. He told Wangyue that she no longer needed to return to Shengyue Sect with him and offered to prepare her dowry for her marriage. Wangyue initially considered returning with him if the mountain wasn't sealed, but Yuan Yingxing insisted she stay and suggested reconciling with Yunmen.
He set a condition: she must help him retrieve the Sun Blade from Yunmen and rescue the imprisoned disciples in Biluo Valley, which Wangyue had already intended to do. Yuan Yingxing also informed her that Mingyang and Lingyin were near Mount Yin, and they would soon announce the sect's restoration. He embraced her, calling her his "most beloved little sister" and wishing she could remain a child forever.
When Yang Qing joined them, Wangyue checked on him, relieved he was unharmed. Yuan Yingxing then asked Wangyue to leave, as he had important matters to discuss with Yang Qing. Before leaving, Wangyue warned Yuan Yingxing not to bully Yang Qing. Yang Qing assured her he would not be bullied. In their private conversation, Yuan Yingxing agreed to cooperate with Yang Qing for reconciliation.
Yang Qing brought up the need to discuss terms with Yunmen's Chief and mentioned Yao Fu's agreement. Yang Qing expressed concerns about Shengyue Sect's violent tendencies and suggested a "complete overhaul" or "blood change" in its doctrines, moving away from "glorifying killing and bloodshed," and even replacing the Chief if necessary. Yuan Yingxing was insulted by Yang Qing's perceived audacity and believed Yang Qing was using Wangyue to pressure him.
Yang Qing clarified that Wangyue was not involved and warned that his current "moderate" proposals were just the beginning, and future demands would be even harsher. Yuan Yingxing retorted that his decision to reconcile was solely "because of Wangyue" and assured Yang Qing he would not go back on his word regarding her well-being. He emphasized his lifelong commitment to protecting her, which he intended to continue. Yang Qing firmly stated that he would protect Wangyue from now on.
Yuan Yingxing then issued a stern warning: if Wangyue suffered "even the slightest grievance," he would take her away, and Yang Qing would "never see her again," giving him only this one chance. Later, Yuan Yingxing found Wangyue eavesdropping outside. He teased her about her persistent habit and her inability to hear their quiet conversation. He then handed her the Shengyue Token, which symbolized the Chief's identity.
He explained its importance for her safety among the righteous sects and, with a hint of foreboding, said if he were to die, Shengyue Sect would be hers. Wangyue was touched but concerned for his well-being, yet Yuan Yingxing reassured her of his formidable abilities. Wangyue promised to always be the Saintess and to help rescue the people from Biluo Valley. Yuan Yingxing then departed. Shortly after, Yao Fu confronted Yuan Yingxing.
She criticized him for letting Yang Qing take Wangyue but acknowledged that Wangyue's heart truly belonged to Yang Qing. She claimed that by revealing Yang Qing's sacrifice, she had actually helped Yuan Yingxing, as Wangyue would never have forgiven him otherwise. Yuan Yingxing, still confused by Yao Fu's unpredictable actions, found her "meddling" and "disgusting."
Yao Fu admitted her past wrongs and her sincere desire to make amends, offering to help him rebuild Shengyue Sect and stay by his side, without seeking forgiveness. Yuan Yingxing, though wary, allowed her to follow him but warned her that if she were hurt or died, he would no longer care. The next morning, Yang Qing found Wangyue reading poetry in his room, trying to "improve her self-cultivation" for him. They playfully bickered about Wangyue's past "lies" and deceptions.
Wangyue offered herself as "compensation" for her past dishonesty, teasing that it was a "jackpot" for Yang Qing due to her beauty, intelligence, and loving heart. Their banter was interrupted by some disciples, who praised Yang Qing for breaking the Liansha Formation and shared the false news of Yuan Yingxing's death in the fire. Wangyue scoffed, remarking that Yuan Yingxing seemed to have "nine lives" and "dies eight times a year" according to the righteous sects.
She criticized Yunmen for its relentless focus on Shengyue Sect and Yuan Yingxing. After the disciples left, Yang Qing apologized for his earlier behavior, explaining that he had kicked her off the bed because he needed to pack for their return to Yunmen. Holding Wangyue close, Yang Qing asked her if she was willing to go to Yunmen with him. Wangyue, her face alight with happiness, readily agreed, declaring that she would go wherever he went.
Episode 15 Recap
Upon his return to Yunmen, Yang Qing immediately sought Feng Xingyun for punishment, having failed to bring Yao Fu back from Biluo Valley. However, Feng Xingyun did not blame him; instead, he praised Yang Qing for preventing a greater disaster by stopping Jin Buhuan's destructive actions. Feng Xingyun believed Yuan Yingxing was dead, which he considered a significant accomplishment that would allow everyone to rest easy. Yang Qing corrected him, revealing that Yuan Yingxing was still alive.
He admitted to keeping this information quiet to prevent widespread panic. Yang Qing further explained that Yao Fu was with Yuan Yingxing, and he was confident that Yuan Yingxing would not harm her, suggesting that Yuan Yingxing still harbored feelings for Yao Fu, and she was not entirely indifferent to him. Feng Xingyun vehemently rejected the idea of any affection between Yao Fu and Yuan Yingxing, believing Yuan Yingxing must have resorted to underhanded tricks.
He immediately wanted to summon the other sect leaders to pursue and capture Yuan Yingxing. Yang Qing cautioned against this, highlighting that Yuan Yingxing was likely heading to Mount Yin, a region with complex and dangerous terrain unfamiliar to Yunmen disciples. He reiterated his belief that Yuan Yingxing would not harm Yao Fu and proposed negotiating a peaceful resolution with the Shengyue Sect, emphasizing the value of peace.
Feng Xingyun dismissed the idea of negotiating with what he called "shameless lowlifes" and deemed Yang Qing too young to understand the deep-seated grudges between their sects. He told Yang Qing to rest, promising to find a solution for Yao Fu. At that point, Yang Qing knelt again and formally requested permission to marry Yang Wangyue. Feng Xingyun was taken aback, recalling Yang Wangyue as a "village girl" who had previously displayed inappropriate behavior and a lack of decorum.
He declared her unworthy of Yang Qing, especially given Yang Qing's betrothal to Yao Fu, a match Feng Xingyun considered perfect. Yang Qing, after a brief jest about Yang Wangyue's beauty, firmly stated that he only loved and intended to marry Yang Wangyue, requesting Feng Xingyun's blessing. This angered Feng Xingyun, who accused Yang Qing of prioritizing romantic matters during a critical time when issues with the Shengyue Sect remained unresolved.
He forbade the marriage, regretting ever letting Yang Qing leave the sect, and ordered him to reflect while confined in his room, not to emerge until he had reconsidered. Yang Qing defiantly stated that his mind would not change. Yang Qing remained confined in his room for three days, refusing to eat or drink. Jiang Yan, concerned for his well-being, tried to persuade him to eat, but Yang Qing was unyielding.
Feng Xingyun, hearing of Yang Qing's refusal to eat, questioned Jiang Yan about Yang Wangyue. Jiang Yan informed him that Yang Wangyue was an orphan from Yangliu Town, with an uncle who had served in the Shengyue Sect, though she had supposedly severed ties with him.
Jiang Yan admitted that while Yang Wangyue had been helpful, she had also caused a fair amount of trouble and, in his opinion, her principles and behavior were quite similar to those of the Shengyue Sect members. He concluded that Yang Wangyue was "worlds apart" from Yang Qing, being merely a small-town girl. Hearing this, Feng Xingyun hardened his resolve against the marriage, wondering how long Yang Qing would endure such hardship for a "village girl."
Unaware of Yang Qing's true intentions, Yang Wangyue arrived at Yunmen after three days, dismayed to find Yang Qing locked in his room. She tried to free him, expressing anger at Yunmen's unfair treatment. Yang Qing, speaking from inside, explained that he was allowing himself to appear miserable to soften Feng Xingyun's stance, hoping the Sect Leader would eventually relent to his wish to marry her.
Yang Wangyue was initially pleased, but her joy was short-lived when Jiang Yan, misunderstanding the situation, told her that Yang Qing's confinement was due to his failure to bring Yao Fu back. Feeling deceived by Yang Qing once more, Yang Wangyue grew upset. Jiang Yan then asked Yang Wangyue about Lin Yin's welfare. Yang Wangyue assured him that Lin Yin was capable of protecting herself and was likely enjoying her freedom, unaware of Jiang Yan's deeper feelings for Lin Yin.
Meanwhile, Lu Xuanxuan was dispatched to Yunmen by her father, Chief Lu. Her mission, disguised as an herbalist, was to ascertain if the Moon Blade, part of the Alliance Leader's Token, was truly missing. If confirmed, Biluo Valley planned to legitimately challenge Yunmen's position as Alliance Leader. Chief Lu also provided Lu Xuanxuan with the Six Harmonies Divine Art, which she eagerly accepted, believing it would enhance her martial skills and, consequently, Yang Qing's admiration for her.
Despite Lu Xuanxuan's concerns about Yunmen's existing suspicions towards Biluo Valley, her subordinate reassured her that all blame for recent incidents had been successfully shifted onto the now-missing Jin Buhuan, leaving Biluo Valley free from suspicion and in a position of credit for Yuan Yingxing's supposed death. This, he explained, was her opportunity to gather crucial intelligence. Feng Xingyun summoned Yang Wangyue, accusing her of clinging to Yang Qing and causing him to disregard rules and proper conduct.
He instructed her to return to Yangliu Town, offering to make all necessary arrangements. Yang Wangyue refused, stating she no longer had family there and Yang Qing was her closest person, having promised her she could stay. Feng Xingyun questioned what she admired about Yang Qing. Yang Wangyue, after initially giving a vague compliment about his appeal, elaborated on his noble character and her desire to learn from him.
Feng Xingyun dismissed her sentiments as superficial, arguing that she was too young to understand true affection and did not truly know Yang Qing. When Yang Wangyue proposed they marry to legitimize their relationship, Feng Xingyun retorted that Yang Qing was destined for Yao Fu, his childhood fiancée. Yang Wangyue vehemently condemned Yao Fu's character, accusing her of using seduction as a "ruthless and merciless" tactic against the Shengyue Sect Chief.
Feng Xingyun defended Yao Fu's actions as a necessary sacrifice for Yunmen, an instance of "all's fair in war" against heretics. Yang Wangyue challenged him, asking if such tactics would be acceptable if used against Yunmen itself, leaving Feng Xingyun momentarily speechless. Seizing the moment, Yang Wangyue demanded a thousand taels to leave, further infuriating Feng Xingyun, who dismissed her as a "money-grubbing, smooth-talking person" unworthy of Yunmen. Angered by Feng Xingyun's expulsion, Yang Wangyue stormed off.
Feng Xingyun, convinced she left for money, believed this would finally break Yang Qing's affections for her and ordered Yang Qing's release. Jiang Yan, chasing after Yang Wangyue, found her furious. She demanded to know who he thought was better, her or Yao Fu. Jiang Yan hesitated, leaning towards Yao Fu, prompting Yang Wangyue to scold him for his ingratitude. She then noticed a Yunmen recruitment poster and, determined to stay, declared her intention to join the sect.
Jiang Yan warned her that becoming a Yunmen disciple would make Yang Qing her "senior," creating an insurmountable hierarchical barrier to their relationship. However, Yang Wangyue remained undeterred, proclaiming her intent to defy Feng Xingyun and pursue an "epic romance" with Yang Qing, specifically to infuriate the Sect Leader. Having been released by Feng Xingyun, Yang Qing rushed to stop Yang Wangyue but arrived just as she successfully enrolled in Yunmen.
Su Ming, another new recruit, was there and knowledgeable about Yunmen's affairs, which Yang Wangyue noted before introducing herself. The new disciples were then presented to Feng Xingyun. Despite his extreme displeasure at seeing Yang Wangyue among the recruits, Feng Xingyun could not openly expel a newly admitted disciple without damaging Yunmen's prestige.
He confided in Wang Yuanhao, the elder who had passed Yang Wangyue, that he hoped she would fail the upcoming monthly entrance exam, providing a legitimate reason for her expulsion. He then sternly warned Wang Yuanhao to be responsible for any issues that arose concerning Yang Wangyue in the coming month. Yang Qing confronted Yang Wangyue, expressing his anger and frustration at her impulsive decision.
Yang Wangyue, however, proudly recounted how she had effortlessly impressed the elders with her martial skills, oblivious to the implications of becoming his junior disciple. She dismissed the change in address as "just a title," not understanding why it was so significant. Yang Qing, visibly hurt, accused her of being oblivious to his feelings and efforts.
He recounted how he had meticulously cared for her, from checking her horse to remembering her (incorrect) birthday, and knowing her food preferences, while she remained unaware of his. He questioned if she took his desire to marry her as a joke, or if she had considered his plans to persuade Feng Xingyun.
Yang Wangyue insisted she trusted him, but Yang Qing retorted that she never truly shared her feelings and always avoided direct answers, making him feel like he was being manipulated. Yang Wangyue, tearfully, explained that she had only wanted to comply with his wishes and had sought a way to stay because Feng Xingyun was trying to drive her away. She even found the idea of calling him "Senior Yang" amusing.
Yang Qing became even more enraged, emphasizing that he had countless junior disciples and she was not particularly important in that role. He accused her of undoing all his efforts, revealing that he had been in a "tug of war" with Feng Xingyun, begging to marry her, and had even gone five days without food. He was close to softening Feng Xingyun's heart, only for her actions to ruin everything.
Yang Wangyue, genuinely shocked, blamed him for not explaining things clearly, leading to a heated argument, with her threatening to abandon the marriage, and him retorting whether she truly believed he was desperate to marry her. Feng Xingyun later summoned Yang Qing, believing he had come to his senses. Yang Qing apologized for his defiance but continued to defend Yang Wangyue, describing her as merely "willful," not a "heretical sort" as Feng Xingyun claimed.
Feng Xingyun remained unconvinced, reiterating his payment to Yang Wangyue to leave and her subsequent return, reaffirming that Yunmen could not tolerate such a "money-grubbing, smooth-talking person." He dismissed Yang Qing's arguments about her talent, declaring that her virtues were irrelevant and she must leave if she failed the upcoming exam.
He then sternly warned Yang Qing to maintain proper boundaries as her senior and to curb any inappropriate feelings, threatening severe punishment for both of them if any gossip arose. Regarding the Yangliu Town missing children case, Feng Xingyun discussed the matter with Yang Qing, presenting a wanted notice for Jin Buhuan issued by Biluo Valley.
Biluo Valley claimed they too were deceived by Jin Buhuan, who had feigned repentance, then abducted children for personal gain and manipulated their disciples to pursue Yuan Yingxing to usurp the Shengyue Sect Chief position. Yang Qing found Biluo Valley's explanation suspicious, questioning Chief Lu's trust in Jin Buhuan. He revealed that Yuan Yingxing had actually escaped during his escort to Biluo Valley, which Chief Lu had kept secret to save face.
Jin Buhuan then offered to help recapture Yuan Yingxing, which Chief Lu believed, leading to the current situation. With Jin Buhuan now dead, there was no way to verify Biluo Valley's claims. Yang Qing confirmed that the body previously mistaken for Yuan Yingxing's was, in fact, Jin Buhuan's.
Despite Yang Qing's insistence that there were still many suspicious aspects requiring further investigation, Feng Xingyun, reasoning that Biluo Valley had no motive for child abduction, and with the children returned and Jin Buhuan dead, ordered the case closed to focus on more pressing matters. Later, Yang Wangyue deliberately sought out Yang Qing, feigning that her room had a leaky roof and that it was raining, implying she needed his help.
Yang Qing, still annoyed by her becoming his junior, reacted coldly. He pointed out it hadn't rained for days, only for Yang Wangyue to insist it was raining now, appealing to his sympathy. Yang Qing suggested Jiang Yan handle the repairs, but Yang Wangyue insisted only Yang Qing could enter her private room.
Yang Qing then sternly addressed her by her full name, reminding her of her role as his junior disciple and the need to maintain distance to avoid misunderstandings, forbidding her from inappropriate words or actions. At that moment, Lu Xuanxuan appeared, openly mocking Yang Wangyue for her "witch-like" behavior even after joining Yunmen, and reminded her of the impending trial. Yang Wangyue retaliated by telling Lu Xuanxuan, as a Biluo Valley member, to mind her own business.
Jiang Yan warned Yang Wangyue not to disrespect Lu Xuanxuan, who was the herbalist invited by the Sect Leader. Yang Qing, seemingly to provoke Yang Wangyue, agreed to teach Lu Xuanxuan swordsmanship, asking her to meet him at the training ground. Yang Wangyue, frustrated, quietly questioned Jiang Yan if Lu Xuanxuan was truly just an herbalist, suspecting ulterior motives.
At the training ground, Lu Xuanxuan pressed Yang Qing to teach her the "Suwen Sword Technique" she had seen him perform, describing its fluid beauty. Yang Qing reluctantly agreed, demonstrating two initial moves, "Sunset" and "Lone Wild Goose," explaining they required profound inner strength and not to worry if she couldn't master them immediately. To his surprise, Lu Xuanxuan replicated the moves flawlessly on her first attempt.
Yang Qing, noticing the bulging veins on her arm, suspected she had used some "evil arts." He asked her to demonstrate the moves again. Realizing she had been exposed, Lu Xuanxuan quickly feigned feeling unwell from overexertion and suggested they postpone the lesson.
Episode 16 Recap
During a class at Yunmen, Elder Shen was teaching rules, but Yang Wangyue was distracted, annoyed that Yang Qing had left with Lu Xuanxuan. She fumed internally, questioning how someone of Lu Xuanxuan’s low class could catch Yang Qing’s eye and wondering if he liked her. Elder Shen emphasized that all who join Yunmen must follow its rules, forbidding indulgence, gossip, stirring trouble, flamboyant dressing, and requiring uniform attire with dignified conduct.
He specifically called out Yang Wangyue for rolling up her sleeves and baring her arms, deeming it inappropriate. Yang Wangyue retorted, arguing that people wear clothes for comfort and style and that suppressing natural desires, such as enjoying food, was wrong. She provocatively mentioned the fresh bamboo shoots in the back mountain, suggesting they were delicious and she planned to pick some for him.
Other disciples, intrigued, agreed with Yang Wangyue, asserting that martial artists need to eat to have strength. Lu Xuanxuan then entered, accusing Yang Wangyue of inciting the disciples and asking for punishment, proposing thirty cane strokes and three days without food. Yang Wangyue argued that such strict rules were excessive for new disciples and contrasted them with Shengyue Sect's custom of settling disputes through combat, where the stronger prevailed. Elder Shen questioned how she knew Shengyue Sect's rules.
Yang Wangyue revealed that Yang Qing had told her. Yang Qing then arrived, confirmed her statement, and, asserting it was part of a five-year mission, took responsibility for Yang Wangyue's discipline. Yang Wangyue initially believed Yang Qing was saving her due to his lingering affection. However, Yang Qing corrected her, insisting she call him Martial Uncle and reminding her to act appropriately as a Yunmen disciple, while denying he had come to rescue her.
He instead assigned her to copy the sect rules ten times, threatening to add another copy for every word she spoke. Yang Wangyue was relieved to have avoided the cane, but Yang Qing subjected her to rigorous training, making her run twelve laps around the training ground, adding more when she complained about being late.
After the runs, he ordered her to practice horse stance, and then plum blossom poles, emphasizing that she must work harder than others to stay in Yunmen since she chose to join. New disciples Jiang Yun and Su Ming observed her punishment. Jiang Yun felt pity for Yang Wangyue, while Su Ming found her to be a unique figure within the sect. Later, Yang Wangyue saw Yang Qing tending to a group of young orphans.
Jiang Yan informed her that Yang Qing himself had been an orphan, abandoned and nearly starved as a child, only slowly learning to interact with others through the care of the elders and Sect Leader. Realizing their shared tragic past, Yang Wangyue felt moved and approached Yang Qing. However, Yang Qing simply instructed her to take care of the children, reminding her to obey her elders.
Yang Wangyue, though initially reluctant, managed to soothe one of the children, who affectionately called her "Sister." That evening, Yang Wangyue visited Yang Qing again, apologizing. She explained that she would never have joined Yunmen if she had known his confinement was for wanting to marry her. She confessed her own history as an orphan from Shengyue Sect, where deceit and schemes were rampant, causing her to develop a habit of not speaking her true feelings.
She then promised to treat him better, now that she understood his past hardships. Yang Qing remained cold, stating he couldn't discern her true intentions from her pretenses and told her to leave. When Yang Wangyue pleaded, asking if he wasn't moved, he said he couldn't tell when she was sincere. Yang Wangyue insisted she was genuine, accusing him of being petty for being upset about her joining Yunmen and apologized for her mistakes.
She then noticed him studying the Six Harmonies Convergence, a technique from Shengyue Sect, and offered her assistance. This finally prompted Yang Qing to engage in conversation with her. The next day, Yang Wangyue brought Yang Qing a bowl of bamboo shoots stewed with quail, which she had prepared herself, mentioning how her hands were hurt while gathering the tender shoots. Yang Qing, however, remained aloof, telling her to leave and that his meals were handled by the kitchen disciples.
He reminded her that only male disciples typically entered his room and urged her to maintain proper boundaries to avoid misunderstandings and uphold propriety. Yang Wangyue erupted in frustration, dismissing his concerns about propriety and asking if he had a conscience. She recounted her struggles to join Yunmen, narrowly escaping death, almost falling off a cliff while picking bamboo, and sneaking into the kitchen, all in an effort to get closer to him.
She lamented that her efforts were met with coldness. Yang Qing coldly retorted that he never ate bamboo shoots, criticizing her for not even knowing his preferences, and suggested that if she truly cared, she wouldn't have joined Yunmen while he was on a hunger strike for her. He repeatedly ordered her to leave. As she stormed out, Yang Qing looked at the bowl of soup with a smile.
Later, Jiang Yan brought Yang Wangyue some candies and ointment, revealing that Yang Qing had sent them but had asked him not to mention it. Buoyed by this hidden act of kindness, Yang Wangyue rushed to Yang Qing's room that night. She cheekily acknowledged his "tough talk" but his underlying care, proclaiming she was there to thank him and mentioning the gifts she had received.
Yang Qing, maintaining his facade of indifference, denied sending the candies and again ordered her to leave. Yang Wangyue complained about his repetitive command and playfully asked if he had been thinking about her. He threatened to throw her out if she didn't leave. Feigning exhaustion and hunger from her training, Yang Wangyue argued that if she fainted outside, it might alert the Sect Leader and elders. She admitted she was hungry and longed for his cooking.
Yang Qing then told her to move aside, seemingly agreeing to cook for her. Yang Wangyue, believing she had succeeded, thanked him. Standing outside his room later, she mused about how challenging it was to coax a man. She also wondered about Lin Yin, whom Yuan Yingxing had taken away, and how they were faring. Meanwhile, Yao Fu and Yuan Yingxing arrived at Mount Yin.
They attempted to force their way in but were injured by a poisonous flora at the entrance. Yao Fu quickly treated Yuan Yingxing's wounds and, later, she proposed a deal: she would help him reclaim Mount Yin, achieve reconciliation with Yunmen, and restore Shengyue Sect to its former glory, ensuring Yang Wangyue and Yang Qing could be together openly. In exchange, she requested to borrow the Shengyue Token once their objectives were accomplished.
Yuan Yingxing questioned her intentions for the token and expressed wariness of further betrayal. Yao Fu countered that if her goal was destruction, she wouldn't bother with such elaborate schemes. Yuan Yingxing playfully accused her of still harboring feelings for him, which Yao Fu dismissed, telling him to consider her offer. Yuan Yingxing then agreed to the deal. Yuan Yingxing then instructed an associate to write a letter to Yang Wangyue, summoning her back to Shengyue Sect.
He dictated that the letter should claim Yang Wangyue was faring poorly in Yunmen and that fine wine and food awaited her at Shengyue Sect, an obvious attempt to sow discord between her and Yang Qing. His associate questioned this, reminding Yuan Yingxing that he had already agreed to Yang Wangyue and Yang Qing's union and now had Yao Fu by his side.
Yuan Yingxing dismissed Yao Fu as merely having "some utilization value" and suggested Yang Wangyue was wasting her time, as Feng Xingyun, the Yunmen Sect Leader, would never approve of their marriage. He added that while he would not interfere if Yunmen sincerely accepted Yang Wangyue and reconciled with Shengyue Sect, he would make them pay a terrible price if they dared to harm her.
Yao Fu, overhearing his instructions to write the letter, confronted Yuan Yingxing, reminding him that his priority should be reviving the sect, not creating conflict between Yang Qing and Yang Wangyue, and that ruining his relationship with Yang Qing would hinder future reconciliation with Yunmen. Enraged, Yuan Yingxing choked Yao Fu, blaming her for his current efforts to revive the sect due to her past deception. He then dismissed her concerns as thinly veiled attempts to express care for him.
Separately, Lin Yin received a letter from Jiang Yan, which delighted her. Mingyang snatched it away, threatening to expose her "emotional entanglement" with Yunmen's disciple Jiang Yan to Yuan Yingxing, mockingly calling her "fickle" before tearing the letter. Yuan Yingxing appeared and commanded them to cease their bickering until they returned to Mount Yin. Jiang Yan, still in Yunmen, expressed concern to his junior, Shang Huai, about the lack of a reply from Lin Yin.
Shang Huai bluntly told him that Lin Yin was likely just toying with him and never genuinely liked him, adding that once a man falls in love, his brain stops working, referencing Yang Qing's apparent infatuation with Yang Wangyue. Shang Huai then advised Jiang Yan to be cautious, as the Langhuan Pavilion, where Yunmen stored important artifacts, was unsettled. Later, Lin Yin offered Mingyang a cup of wine, stating she wanted to know his true thoughts.
Mingyang, under the influence of the poisoned wine, began to hallucinate. He envisioned marrying Lin Yin, kneeling and swearing an oath of eternal love. He then confessed his love, explaining that he trained harder because he knew Lin Yin enjoyed martial arts and needed protection beyond her "bottles and jars of drugs." He then collapsed into a drunken stupor. Lin Yin, surprised by his unexpected sincerity, quickly left the room.
Reflecting on the incident, Lin Yin was flattered by Mingyang's affection, attributing it to her "dazzlingly beautiful, charming, and elegant" nature. However, she was bewildered as to when his feelings for her had developed. Yuan Yingxing, having witnessed the entire scene, entered and woke Mingyang by splashing water on his face. He then revealed Mingyang's drunken proposal and confession of love.
Mingyang, realizing Lin Yin had poisoned him, flew into a rage and vowed to confront her, but Yuan Yingxing reminded him not to let this personal matter delay the critical task of reviving the sect. Back in Yunmen, Yang Qing discovered a letter lying on Yang Wangyue's table. It was from Yuan Yingxing, addressed to "Yue," expressing concern about her being in Yunmen and claiming she was suffering humiliation from Yang Qing, whom he described as "two-faced" and untrustworthy.
The letter commended "Yue" for her sacrifice for Shengyue Sect and urged her to proceed with utmost caution in Yunmen. Reading this, Yang Qing misinterpreted the letter, believing that Yang Wangyue had joined Yunmen under the pretense of being his disciple, but was in fact secretly working for Yuan Yingxing to infiltrate the sect and steal the Sun Blade to save those imprisoned in Biluo Valley.
Episode 17 Recap
Yang Qing found Wangyue, seeking answers to his suspicions. He confronted her about her attempt to enter Langhuan Pavilion the previous night, where Elder Wang had stopped her. Wangyue admitted her curiosity about the treasures within, stating she had never seen them. Yang Qing directly asked if she was after the Alliance Leader's Token or the Sun Blade, emphasizing that these were Yunmen's most prized possessions.
He offered to show her, but only if she promised not to harm them, reminding her of the Pavilion's deadly defenses. He advised her to always consult him before acting rashly. Perceiving his concern, Wangyue wondered if he was no longer angry. Yang Qing dismissed her suggestion, reiterating his warning. Wangyue then mentioned Lu Xuanxuan's presence at the Pavilion and suspected Biluo Valley was plotting something, a thought Yang Qing silently acknowledged.
Yang Qing found it telling that Wangyue could deduce this, and she jokingly claimed to have been quietly paying attention to him. Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing and his followers arrived at Murong Xuan's sect. Murong Xuan, visibly nervous, quickly ordered his guards to form a formation and fled. Yao Fu intervened, stopping Yuan Yingxing from pursuing him, fearing an ambush. It was revealed that Yao Fu had previously met Murong Xuan alone.
Murong Xuan questioned her loyalty, recalling her involvement in eliminating the Shengyue Sect. Yao Fu, however, falsely claimed that Yunmen had sent her to negotiate with Yuan Yingxing, intending to gain his trust and eventually seize the Shengyue Token. She then demanded Yanmen's Saintess Hall as a temporary base for Shengyue Sect. Murong Xuan refused, deeming her request audacious, and offered a section of the back mountain instead, noting its abundant plants and existing structures would suit their needs.
Yao Fu escalated her threats, warning that Lingyin, the Water Hall Master, was highly skilled in poisons and medicine and would soon dismantle Murong Xuan's defensive barriers. She also revealed the massive amount of gunpowder hidden beneath Mount Yin, implying Yuan Yingxing might destroy everything, including himself, if provoked. Murong Xuan, whose sect had already lost its home, remained unfazed, inviting Yuan Yingxing to detonate the mountain if he wished.
Yao Fu then shifted tactics, observing his withered cyclamen and offering her knowledge of plant cultivation. Returning to the present, Yao Fu urged Yuan Yingxing to accept Murong Xuan's offer of peace, explaining that Murong Xuan had removed the "troublesome plants" (his defenses) as a sign of goodwill, but had also prepared for mutual destruction if Yuan Yingxing broke the agreement. Yuan Yingxing conceded and accepted the terms.
Wangyue, feeling bored, heard rumors from other disciples about a ghost haunting Yunmen, specifically Tianyi Pavilion. She decided to investigate, secretly hoping to use the opportunity to search for the Sun Blade. However, Lu Xuanxuan intercepted her. Wangyue, annoyed by Lu Xuanxuan, secretly tampered with Lu Xuanxuan's medicinal herbs, anticipating her embarrassment. Just as Wangyue watched gleefully, Feng Xingyun and other elders arrived. Wangyue's prank backfired, accidentally humiliating Feng Xingyun instead. Elder Shen, observing Wangyue's unusual quietness, immediately suspected her.
Lu Xuanxuan seized the chance to accuse Wangyue further. As a result, Feng Xingyun punished Wangyue by assigning her night duty in the bamboo forest. During her night duty, Wangyue spoke to herself, expressing her fear of Yang Qing's indifference. She then spotted a dark figure and followed it to Tianyi Pavilion. As she was about to enter, Yang Qing suddenly appeared. While they were speaking, Elder Wang emerged from the pavilion.
Wangyue, seeing him, suspected Elder Wang was the "female ghost." Elder Wang then led Yang Qing and Wangyue to a woman, his former disciple named Yunniang, who was indeed the one impersonating the ghost. Yunniang confessed her love for Elder Wang, explaining their forbidden master-disciple relationship and her subsequent expulsion from Yunmen. She revealed that she had been disguising herself as a ghost to see him daily and to prevent him from taking on new disciples.
Yang Qing and Wangyue realized that Elder Wang and Yunniang shared mutual feelings. To help them, Yang Qing promised to give Yunniang a new identity, thereby severing their master-disciple ties and allowing them to be together. Following this, Yang Qing confronted Wangyue, revealing he knew her true purpose in Yunmen was to obtain the Sun Blade for Shengyue Sect. Wangyue admitted her desire for the Sun Blade but also confessed her genuine feelings for Yang Qing.
Yang Qing acknowledged her intentions, stating he would help her achieve her goals if she trusted him and promised not to undertake any dangerous actions. He advised her to remain safely within Yunmen for the time being. Yuan Yingxing swiftly moved to rebuild Shengyue Sect, announcing its reestablishment in seven days and welcoming all. Some disciples expressed concern, arguing that rebuilding without the Saintess's blessing would be disastrous.
Just as dissent grew and some threatened to leave, Wangyue dramatically appeared as the Saintess. Her sudden presence silenced the critics, allowing the restoration ceremony to proceed without further objections. News of Yuan Yingxing's survival and his declaration to revive Shengyue Sect and unify the martial world reached Yunmen. Sect Leader Feng Xingyun was furious, dismissing Shengyue Sect as weakened and Yuan Yingxing's claims as "bold." He ordered letters to be sent to other sect leaders to gauge their opinions.
Yang Qing, however, advised caution, suggesting the news might be mere rumors. He recounted his past encounters with Yuan Yingxing, stating that while arrogant, Yuan Yingxing's ambition was limited to reviving his sect, not dominating the entire martial world. Yang Qing stressed that Shengyue Sect was rapidly recovering, and a head-on clash would result in a brutal, mutually destructive war. He urged the Sect Leader to consider peace talks, especially since Yuan Yingxing also seemed open to the idea.
At the Saintess Hall, Lingyin confronted Yao Fu, who was still wearing the Saintess robes. Lingyin mocked Yao Fu, stating she was no match for Wangyue and questioning her audacity to claim the Saintess title. Yao Fu dismissed the comparison, asserting that her actions had been beneficial to Yuan Yingxing. Lingyin scoffed at Yao Fu's self-importance and implied Yuan Yingxing was being too lenient with her.
Lingyin then revealed she had already administered a sedative, causing Yao Fu to feel its effects. She threatened to "carve her up piece by piece" to avenge Wangyue, dismissing Yao Fu's impending unconsciousness. Just then, Yuan Yingxing arrived, chastising Lingyin for her extreme actions. Lingyin explained that Yao Fu had harmed Wangyue and betrayed Yuan Yingxing, now serving only as a burden. After confirming the poison was merely a sedative, Yuan Yingxing ordered Lingyin to leave, prioritizing Yao Fu's safety.
Yang Qing, meanwhile, was teaching the Wenshui Technique, emphasizing its gentle yet powerful nature, contrasting it with the Yuenv Sword Technique. He corrected Wangyue's overly aggressive first move, stressing the importance of calm and solid fundamentals. He then called Wangyue to practice with him, warning her against distraction. Later that evening, Wangyue insisted that Yang Qing accompany her to the bonfire party, despite his usual avoidance of such gatherings.
At the party, Yang Qing was warmly welcomed by the disciples, who spoke of him and Senior Su as the "two gems of Yunmen." Female disciples debated over who was more handsome or approachable, with some finding Yang Qing too cold despite his good looks. Their discussion was interrupted by Lu Xuanxuan, who rudely warned Wangyue against her "delusional" thoughts about Yang Qing, reminding her of their generational difference within Yunmen and declaring their relationship impossible.
Wangyue retorted, using the "sour grapes" analogy, and asserted that mutual love transcends status. Lu Xuanxuan then threatened Wangyue with the upcoming exams, predicting her expulsion from Yunmen. Wangyue, unfazed, confidently announced that Yang Qing would tutor her, making the exams "a piece of cake."
After challenging Lu Xuanxuan and telling her to stay away due to her "sour talk" giving her a "toothache," Wangyue and Yang Qing were approached by disciples who, despite their earlier reservations, asked Yang Qing if he had someone he liked. Yang Qing skillfully avoided the question by taking Wangyue away to show her a swing he had recently discovered. There, Wangyue playfully asked if she was his "type."
Yang Qing, with a smile, admitted he liked her as his "precious treasure." Wangyue then asked him to help her study the sect rules to spite Lu Xuanxuan. Yang Qing teased her, revealing he had overheard her earlier desire to fail the exams to leave Yunmen. Wangyue confessed she wanted to pass to prove she was leaving Yunmen by choice, not by force. Yang Qing agreed to help her.
Episode 18 Recap
Wangyue, desiring to learn the sect rules, sought guidance from Yang Qing. Although she had to leave Yunmen, she wished it to appear as her own choice rather than an expulsion due to unworthiness. As Yang Qing taught her, they shared intimate and flirtatious moments. Yang Qing highlighted key points in the thick rulebook for Wangyue, suggesting she write them down to aid memory. Wangyue complained about the arduous task, but Yang Qing insisted.
She was distracted by Yang Qing's presence, telling him the "boring rules are nowhere near as pleasant to look at as you are." Before the examination, Yang Qing gave her a good luck charm. Elder Shen, overseeing the exam, warned all disciples against cheating, stating that any discovered instances would result in immediate expulsion. After the exam, Lu Xuanxuan accused Wangyue of cheating, claiming she had been looking down with a suspicious smile.
Wangyue vehemently denied it, asserting she had spent several nights memorizing the rules. When Lu Xuanxuan demanded she show what she had, Wangyue presented her pouch, asserting she had been looking at it, but Lu Xuanxuan dismissed it and continued searching. Wangyue refused to comply with further demands, arguing that the accuser should provide proof, especially in a Yunmen examination, not Biluo Valley's. Elder Shen, however, requested Wangyue to show the item to clear her name.
Wangyue again refused, questioning why she should prove her innocence when accused. A fellow disciple supported Wangyue's stance, emphasizing that the accuser bears the burden of proof. Lu Xuanxuan, dismissing Wangyue's credibility, then "discovered" a pre-planted cheat sheet and presented it as evidence. Wangyue, unfazed, exposed Lu Xuanxuan's ploy, revealing that she never uses Wujiang ink because it causes rashes, and instead uses ink infused with Five-Soul Grass.
She asked Elder Shen to smell the paper and showed fresh rashes on her hand, proving the cheat sheet had only just been placed on her. Yang Qing then appeared, corroborating Wangyue's innocence, stating he had monitored her and she had not cheated. Lu Xuanxuan attempted to backtrack, claiming she merely had suspicions, but the evidence spoke for itself. The exam results were announced, with Wangyue securing second place and officially becoming a Yunmen disciple.
Later, Lu Xuanxuan gathered the Yunmen elders to discuss eliminating Yuan Yingxing, citing Yunmen's position as the leader of the martial world. She expressed her father's regret for not killing Yuan Yingxing earlier and apologized for the demon's continued threat. An elder countered that the Shengyue Sect was currently weakened and posed no immediate threat, suggesting that further conflict was unnecessary. Lu Xuanxuan, however, insisted on Yuan Yingxing's ruthlessness and the sect's historical power, arguing for its elimination.
When asked why Chief Lu did not attend, she explained Biluo Valley was recuperating from previous battles with Yuan Yingxing. The elders pointed out that other sects were also recovering and could not afford more losses. Yang Qing interjected, advising Lu Xuanxuan to focus on her own sect's affairs and return to Biluo Valley, asserting that she had overstayed her welcome and was interfering in Yunmen's internal matters.
He specifically mentioned her attempt to frame Wangyue during the exam, stating he had conclusive evidence of her orchestration. Despite Lu Xuanxuan's protests of being ganged up on, Yang Qing affirmed Yunmen's authority. He then politely dismissed her, asking her to inform Chief Lu that discussions about Yuan Yingxing's elimination would be postponed. Ling Yin and Mingyang arrived at Yunmen, with Ling Yin encountering Wangyue and Jiang Yan there.
Ling Yin complained to Wangyue about Yuan Yingxing being bewitched by Yao Fu. Jiang Yan was overjoyed to see Ling Yin, recalling her previous help. He eagerly asked if she had received his letters. Ling Yin playfully dismissed their mundane content, teasing Jiang Yan about his letter-writing style for girls. However, she then feigned great interest, claiming his letters intrigued her so much that she came to see the described sights herself, asking him to take her.
Jiang Yan eagerly agreed. Wangyue interrupted, reminding Jiang Yan that Yang Qing was looking for her. When Wangyue met Yang Qing, she noticed his troubled demeanor, which he attributed to lack of sleep. She then thought about stealing the Sun Blade but couldn't tell him, a thought Yang Qing subtly acknowledged.
Wangyue inquired about the reconciliation efforts, and Yang Qing assured her that he had repeatedly spoken to Sect Leader Feng Xingyun, who was close to agreeing, and asked for more time. Wangyue expressed her impatience, mentioning Yuan Yingxing's growing restlessness, but Yang Qing stressed the need for Feng Xingyun to consider the entire martial world. Wangyue eventually agreed to wait.
Alone, Wangyue contemplated taking matters into her own hands to retrieve the Sun Blade, torn between betraying Yang Qing's trust and her duty as the Saintess to protect her people from Yao Fu's influence. Her resolve solidified, concluding that Yang Qing would understand her actions. She then tried to enter the Langhuan Pavilion by charming the guard, Su Ming, but Yang Qing's unexpected appearance thwarted her attempt, leading her to quickly leave.
Yang Qing sought out other elders to persuade Feng Xingyun regarding reconciliation with the Shengyue Sect. He argued that Feng Xingyun was not inherently bloodthirsty and that peace would benefit everyone, as both sides were weakened. An elder, Senior Wang, agreed that Feng Xingyun was open to the idea but felt constrained. Another elder, Junior Wang, supported reconciliation, recalling Yuan Yingxing's father as a visionary, though acknowledging Yuan Yingxing's extreme nature.
However, other elders, including Feng Xingyun, strongly opposed Yunmen initiating peace talks, arguing that Yunmen, as the martial world leader, could not set such a precedent. They also cited the missing Moon Blade as a major grievance. Yang Qing countered that finding the Moon Blade would be easier through reconciliation, which would also unite the Sun and Moon Blades to complete the Alliance Leader's Token, preventing future crises.
Despite his arguments, Feng Xingyun maintained that the matter was too significant for a hasty decision and required further deliberation. Yang Qing conceded. Feng Xingyun then announced that the new disciples would embark on mountain training, led by Elder Shen, to investigate a "haunting" in Yunyin Village. Wangyue was dismayed to learn about the upcoming mountain training in three days, as it would pull her away from Yunmen, potentially jeopardizing her mission to acquire the Sun Blade.
She also expressed her reluctance to leave Yang Qing, wishing he could accompany them. Yang Qing, aware of her true intentions, subtly questioned if she was genuinely reluctant to leave him or if she was still preoccupied with "certain things" in Yunmen. He then revealed his own mission to Biluo Valley, which would keep him away for a while, and instructed her to behave during the training.
Yang Qing privately worried that if Wangyue remained in Yunmen, she might attempt to steal the Sun Blade, leading to unforeseen consequences. Led by Elder Shen, the disciples arrived at Yunyin Village, finding it eerily deserted with all doors and windows tightly shut. Wangyue, finding this suspicious, pushed open a door and found a fearful village woman inside. The woman, distrustful, urged them to leave, claiming no knowledge of Yunmen or any request for help.
As the disciples expressed confusion, Ling Yin suddenly appeared. She calmed the woman, assuring her that the Yunmen disciples were her friends and the village's curse would not harm them, persuading the woman to let them stay. Elder Shen, however, grew suspicious of Ling Yin's identity, but Jiang Yan vouched for her, recalling her past assistance in Qinglai City when she cured them of the Shengyue Sect's Ghost Scent poison.
He highlighted her kind heart, and another disciple suggested Ling Yin's connection to the village could aid their training. Elder Shen, recognizing her contributions, apologized for his initial suspicion. Ling Yin informed the disciples that the village was indeed under a curse. She recounted the story: half a month prior, the village chief's son, Qiang, had provoked a "mountain ghost" while hunting. The villagers, disbelieving, sent their youth to investigate, resulting in many dying or going mad.
They sought help from Yunmen but received none for half a month, fueling their resentment. Ling Yin added that even those who hadn't gone to the mountain, including the elderly and infirm, had fallen ill after hearing strange flute music. Wangyue wondered if it was Yuan Yingxing's flute music, which could injure internal organs. Ling Yin also revealed that the villagers believed anyone entering their cursed village would die, citing a "mountain ghost's dream prophecy."
Elder Shen furiously dismissed the "curse" as a fabricated hoax designed to slander Yunmen and undermine its authority, vowing to uncover the truth. Suddenly, disciple Jiang Yu rushed in, reporting that Senior Qin, who had been fetching water, was now foaming at the mouth and unconscious. Jiang Yan immediately urged Ling Yin to examine him. Ling Yin identified the cause as rove beetles, a tiny, poisonous insect from the southwest.
She explained that she could not cure the illness directly and that an antidote could only be made after finding the queen beetle, which was impossible without knowing where the insects were contracted. She implied this was a ruthless method used by someone against Yunmen. As Ling Yin prepared to leave, seemingly unwilling to help further, Jiang Yan pleaded with her.
Elder Shen abruptly sealed Ling Yin's acupoints, identifying her as "Lingyin, the Demonic Healer," and accusing the Shengyue Sect of using their Mount Yin rove beetles to harm Yunmen disciples and ruin their reputation. He saw the peace talks as a mere facade and demanded to know their true sinister plot.
Jiang Yan, bewildered, protested that the Demonic Healer was rumored to be an old woman who devoured children, and that Ling Yin was young and beautiful, believing there must be a misunderstanding. Ling Yin affirmed it was a misunderstanding, but Wangyue shouted for Elder Shen to release Ling Yin.
Episode 19 Recap
Ling Yin, who had been captured, found herself in further danger when Mingyang, the Fire Hall Master of the Shengyue Sect, suddenly appeared to rescue her. Witnessing Mingyang's arrival, Elder Shen became even more convinced that the Shengyue Sect was responsible for the village's plight. He immediately ordered his disciples to set up the Seven-star Formation to capture both Mingyang and Ling Yin.
As Mingyang urged Ling Yin to escape due to being outnumbered, he also provocatively declared that the Yunmen disciples were beyond saving and that reconciliation between the Shengyue Sect and the Central Plains martial world was impossible. Elder Shen, angered by Mingyang's words, ordered his immediate capture. To save Mingyang, Wangyue cleverly staged a hostage situation by instructing Mingyang to take her captive and then feigning distress.
Elder Shen, hesitant to act rashly against Wangyue, reluctantly allowed Mingyang to leave with her. Once out of Elder Shen’s sight, Wangyue instructed Mingyang to quickly take a side road and escape to avoid further conflict. Mingyang initially wanted to return for Ling Yin, frustrated that she had suffered despite her efforts for Yunmen. He argued that the righteous sects would never accept them and suggested rescuing Ling Yin and attacking Biluo Valley directly.
However, Wangyue reminded him that without the Sun Blade, their efforts would be futile. She then ordered Mingyang to leave Yunyin Village at once, assuring him that she would handle Ling Yin's safety, while Mingyang promised to secretly protect them from afar. Meanwhile, Lu Xuanxuan and Jin Buhuan were observing the situation in the village.
It was revealed that Lu Xuanxuan was behind the rove beetle infestation, having tampered with the water source in the back mountain as revenge for being cast out of Yunmen. She recounted an old mountain ghost saying about Yunyin Village, explaining that the flute music was merely a distraction, while the true cause was the rove beetles in the water affecting people's minds.
Lu Xuanxuan boasted about the power of these rove beetles, which she claimed were a relic from Jin Buhuan and were almost impossible to counter. Her father later arrived, scolding her for failing to achieve her objectives in Yunyin Village despite wasting considerable resources. He was particularly focused on their main goal of using children as sacrifices and dismissed her explanations. Lu Xuanxuan tried to explain that Yang Wangyue had informed Yang Qing, who then found the queen beetle.
Her father dismissed her excuses, emphasizing that the rove beetles were a secret of the Shengyue Sect, unknown to ordinary people. He then ordered her to remain confined within Biluo Valley and forbade her from taking any further action. Lu Xuanxuan continued to insist that Wangyue, a Yunmen disciple, must be connected to the Shengyue Sect, prompting her father to order an investigation into Wangyue's background and Yunmen's alleged collusion.
Ling Yin remained tied to a chair under Jiang Yan's watchful eye. Ling Yin sarcastically asked Jiang Yan if he was punishing her for deceiving him, knowing his prior condemnation of the Shengyue Sect. Jiang Yan, recalling the martial world rumors that portrayed Ling Yin as a ruthless, ugly old hag who consumed blood, confessed that he too had spoken ill of her.
However, having witnessed her gentle and kind nature, and her past kindness to him and his junior fellow disciple, he apologized for his past judgments. Despite his newfound respect and his wish for her to remain true to her intentions, he regrettably stated he could not release her due to the long-standing animosity between Yunmen and the Shengyue Sect, especially after the Yunyin Village disaster. Ling Yin remarked on his pure and naive nature.
While Jiang Yan was searching for the queen beetle, he encountered Wangyue, who had just returned. They both expressed surprise at finding each other in the forbidden back mountain. Jiang Yan offered Wangyue water. Jiang Yan explained his quest to find the queen beetle that Ling Yin had mentioned, which he believed would be nearby. Wangyue suggested that the rove beetles, which cause hallucinations upon accidental consumption, likely spread through the water, food, or fruit.
She implied that the main water source was the most probable point of infection. Before they could proceed, Wangyue was suddenly ensnared by tree branches and forcibly abducted by an unseen assailant, leaving Jiang Yan unable to help. Soon after, Jiang Yan, now suffering from the rove beetle's effects with a swollen mouth, rushed back to Elder Shen, reporting Wangyue's abduction and unknown whereabouts.
This news further alarmed Elder Shen, who had just been informed that other disciples were also falling ill. Elder Shen, in his anxiety, ordered all other disciples, except Jiang Yan, to scour the area for Wangyue, entrusting Jiang Yan with guarding Ling Yin. He also dismissed a disciple's suggestion to summon Elder Yang, stating that Elder Yang was still in Biluo Valley and that he would handle the situation himself.
Ling Yin, observing Jiang Yan's distress and knowing that Wangyue's abductors were not from the Shengyue Sect as he suspected, pressed him to use the Yunmen cloud-whistle to summon Yang Qing. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning him that Wangyue's life was at stake if he continued to blindly follow Elder Shen's orders. Yang Qing, alerted by the cloud-whistle signal and a distress call from Yunyin Village, quickly set off to investigate.
He arrived at the scene just as Wangyue, tied to a tree, was calling out for Mingyang. Yang Qing rescued her, teasing her about calling for Mingyang despite knowing he would come. Wangyue explained that someone was framing the Shengyue Sect and Yunmen, and she intended to resolve the matter as repayment. She informed him that rove beetles were the cause of the village's harm, and that the only way to counteract them was to capture the queen beetle.
Mingyang, having arrived shortly after Yang Qing, confirmed Wangyue's assessment. He also revealed Shengyue Sect's secret knowledge that queen beetles feed on sedum lineare, indicating that their planter must have also cultivated the herb nearby. Working together, they successfully located and dealt with the queen beetle beneath the village's most important well.
Following the crisis, the Yunmen disciples, now recovered, credited Evil Doctor Ling Yin's knowledge of the rove beetles' habits, Fire Hall Master Mingyang's guidance, and Elder Yang and Wangyue's efforts in obtaining the antidote for their swift recovery. Elder Shen acknowledged that an insidious plot was unfolding, deliberately targeting the Shengyue Sect and attempting to draw Yunmen into the conflict.
He admitted his previous understanding of the Shengyue Sect had been biased, stating that righteousness and evil reside in the heart, not in sects. He, along with others, recognized that many disputes stemmed from miscommunication and urged Yunmen to set an example for reconciliation. Elder Shen, now convinced by personal experience, agreed to support peace talks and entrusted Yang Qing with the full responsibility of leading them. Later that evening, Wangyue and Yang Qing shared drinks.
Yang Qing, sensing Wangyue was holding back, pressed her to reveal her true feelings and intentions. Wangyue, feeling a sense of indebtedness, confessed her initial plan to drug him and steal his token to find the Sun Blade, but admitted she couldn't bring herself to betray him. After this heartfelt exchange, they gained a deeper understanding of each other, bringing them closer. Yang Qing then took Wangyue to the rooftop to admire the night sky.
Wangyue teased him, jokingly declaring her desire for a grand wedding and even inviting him to attend. Yang Qing, predictably, grew jealous. Seizing the moment, Wangyue genuinely expressed her wish to spend her life seriously with him, stating that he was the only person she had ever trusted, having never believed anyone else before. She confessed that while she initially only aimed to pursue him, she had genuinely fallen in love and didn't want him as an enemy.
She also revealed her long-term plan: if peace talks didn't yield results by Yuan Yingxing's birthday next month, she would have to take direct action to save lives. She acknowledged that by revealing her plan, she was essentially entrusting her life to him. They then made a solemn vow: to always be together, and if one betrayed the other, the betrayer would suffer a fate worse than death. Yang Qing, accepting his fate, promised to be her only man.
Concurrently, Feng Xingyun questioned Yang Qing about his investigation into Biluo Valley. Yang Qing reported suspicious activities, including Chief Lu being in seclusion and Miss Lu's absence, with guards refusing entry and appearing anxious. He expressed suspicion of Chief Lu and invited him to the upcoming Yunmen Grand Ceremony to discreetly test him, assuring Feng Xingyun that he would not let this disrupt the ceremony.
Separately, Yao Fu approached Yuan Yingxing to persuade him to agree to peace talks with Yang Qing after the Yunmen Grand Ceremony. However, Yuan Yingxing remained evasive and sarcastic, accusing Yao Fu of pushing him to cooperate with Yunmen. Despite Yao Fu's insistence that peace talks would benefit their side, Yuan Yingxing refused to trust her, even provocatively suggesting he would only believe her if she died, to which Yao Fu declared she would rather die than betray him.
Later, an Elder from the Yanmen Sect encountered Yuan Yingxing, initially criticizing the Sacred Moon Sect's lack of "spirit" due to the flowers Yuan Yingxing had planted. However, he then thanked Yuan Yingxing for the flower seeds (blue snowflake, rose, cosmos, and sweet alyssum), which Yao Fu had delivered on Yuan Yingxing's behalf, explaining that these were chosen by Yuan Yingxing to beautify the back mountain, away from the main path, as a gesture of goodwill.
The Yanmen Elder, impressed by Yuan Yingxing's "taste" and the Sacred Moon Sect's candidness, expressed his sect's desire for good relations and revealed he had already written to Yunmen's Sect Leader Feng, offering Yanmen's support to clear the Sacred Moon Sect's name. Subsequently, Yuan Yingxing found Yao Fu taking medicine. She admitted to having a slight cold. Yuan Yingxing then surprised her with a bouquet of baby's breath flowers.
Touched, Yao Fu apologized for her previous words, asking if her death would settle her debts if it led to reconciliation with Yunmen. Yuan Yingxing sternly forbade her from dying without his permission, reminding her that her life belonged to him and that she would slowly repay her debt to him in this life. Yao Fu, softened by his words, promised to discuss the peace talks with Yang Qing.
Episode 20 Recap
Yuan Yingxing, touched by Yao Fu's sincerity, presented her with Nine Golden Bells he had personally chosen. He explained that the bells symbolized having many children, revealing his profound desire for a future with her. Yao Fu, overwhelmed by his affection, hypothetically wondered if he would still care if she were to leave him forever. Yuan Yingxing firmly declared that such a day would never come, stating she still owed him a debt and he would never let her escape.
He then promised that peace talks with Yunmen could proceed if they sent representatives to Shengyue Sect, believing it would benefit his own sect. He sealed his intentions by presenting her with the Moon Blade and proposing they begin anew. However, the next morning, Yuan Yingxing awoke to find Yao Fu gone. Believing she had betrayed him, he immediately ordered Mount Yin sealed and a full search for her.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan found Ling Yin, who was playfully admiring her newly painted nails. Jiang Yan apologized for the misunderstandings caused by his sect in Yunyin Village and confessed his deep feelings for her. He acknowledged her true benevolent nature as the Water Hall Master, despite the rumors and the conflict between their sects.
Ling Yin, flustered, rejected his advances, citing their incompatible backgrounds and her lingering resentment over past events, although she denied any affection for the Fire Hall Master. A heartbroken Jiang Yan departed. Shortly after, Mingyang arrived and became enraged upon hearing of Jiang Yan's confession. He scolded Ling Yin about the generation gap, accusing her of being an "old cow eating tender grass." Ling Yin retorted that Mingyang was too nosy, prompting him to storm off.
Later, Ling Yin discovered a drunken Mingyang, fueled by his frustrations, beating a thief. She attempted to calm him, but he clung to her, lamenting his inability to get over her. Ling Yin, moved by his distress, offered to help him back to rest. During a practice session, Wangyue returned to Yunmen after several days and offered a roast chicken to Senior Su, who had covered for her attendance.
Yang Qing, observing Wangyue's cheerful demeanor, called her out for not mastering several advanced techniques, accusing her of being distracted and neglecting her studies. He made her stay behind for extra practice. Once they were alone, Wangyue playfully suggested he was jealous of her talking to Senior Su. Yang Qing admitted his jealousy and offered to handle her sign-ins himself in the future. Their intimate moment culminated in Wangyue kissing him.
Their private exchange was abruptly interrupted by Jiang Yan, who arrived seeking Yang Qing. The two quickly hid, with Yang Qing denying Wangyue's presence. Jiang Yan then informed Yang Qing that Yao Fu had returned and the Sect Leader desired to see him at Yunxiao Hall. Wangyue’s sword was inadvertently left behind. Yao Fu's return to Yunmen brought immense relief to Feng Xingyun, who had worried for her safety during her time with Yuan Yingxing.
He inquired about the peace talks, learning that Yuan Yingxing, fearing an ambush, refused to come to Yunmen and proposed Mount Yin as an alternative location. Both Yang Qing and Yao Fu defended Yuan Yingxing's caution, citing Yunmen's past actions against Shengyue Sect. However, Feng Xingyun was more concerned about the pervasive rumors of an inappropriate relationship between Yunmen and Shengyue Sect.
To quell these rumors and secure the support of other sects for reconciliation, he shockingly proposed a marriage between Yang Qing and Yao Fu. Both vehemently rejected the idea, with Yang Qing declaring his intention to marry only Wangyue and challenging Yao Fu to admit her feelings for Yuan Yingxing. Feng Xingyun, frustrated, made the marriage a non-negotiable precondition for any peace talks.
Later, Feng Xingyun confided in Yao Fu about his anxieties regarding the tumultuous martial world and Yang Qing's increasingly secretive nature, revealing he had entrusted the Sun Blade to Yang Qing. He again pressed Yao Fu to marry Yang Qing, hoping it would allow him to "at ease entrust Yunmen and the Sun Blade" to them. For the greater good of Yunmen, Yao Fu reluctantly agreed to the marriage and promised to persuade Yang Qing.
Meanwhile, Wangyue and Ling Yin, acutely aware of the rapidly approaching deadline for peace talks, began to strategize for a direct theft of the Sun Blade should negotiations fail. Wangyue cleverly used a "Compliance Pill" provided by Ling Yin to extract crucial information from a drunken Senior Su, obtaining the Sect Leader's handprint required to open the Alliance Leader's Token box in Langhuan Pavilion.
She then instructed Ling Yin and Mingyang to prepare for a swift raid to steal the Sun Blade and rescue their people from Biluo Valley. Later, Wangyue confronted Yao Fu, provoking her into a fight. Yao Fu initially tried to de-escalate, citing her promise to Yang Qing not to harm Wangyue, but Wangyue's taunts escalated the conflict.
Wangyue, proving to be outmatched, was rescued by Yang Qing, who intervened, accusing Yao Fu of harming a Yunmen disciple and ordering her confined to her room for self-reflection. Yang Qing then chastised Wangyue for engaging in a fight where she was clearly outmatched. Wangyue was deeply moved by his protection, asking if he would always be so kind to her. Yang Qing affirmed his commitment.
However, Wangyue, still guarded, expressed her disbelief in eternal, unconditional love, explaining that while she enjoyed hearing his promises of everlasting devotion, she believed all love had conditions. Yang Qing then articulated his own condition: mutual understanding, tolerance, and reciprocal love from her. He warned that if his efforts were unreturned, he would eventually grow weary and unable to continue. Wangyue, in turn, reassured him, pledging to reciprocate his love and ensure their relationship would not lead to his exhaustion.
Later that night, Wangyue and Yang Qing shared a drink. Yang Qing, knowing Wangyue was hiding something, pressed her to reveal her true feelings. Wangyue, feeling she owed him, confessed her initial plan to drug his wine to steal his token and find the Sun Blade. However, she admitted she couldn't bring herself to use him. This honest exchange deepened their understanding and brought them closer. Afterward, Yang Qing took Wangyue to the rooftop to gaze at the night sky.
Wangyue playfully teased him about marriage, feigning interest in attending her own wedding, which made Yang Qing visibly jealous. Taking this opportunity, Wangyue sincerely expressed her desire to spend her life with Yang Qing, stating he was the only person she had ever truly trusted. The Yunmen Grand Ceremony commenced with all disciples gathering to worship their ancestors, joined by leaders from various martial sects. Wangyue noticed Yang Qing wearing clothes identical to Yao Fu’s.
He explained that the Sect Leader intended to formally introduce them to the gathered disciples. Wangyue, suspecting an announcement of their engagement, complimented his charming appearance but lamented her inability to stand beside him as his "only one." Yang Qing invited her closer for a hug, and she subtly managed to stain his ceremonial clothes. A disciple then reminded Yang Qing that the Sect Leader was waiting, and Yang Qing, seeing through Wangyue’s satisfied smirk, changed his attire.
Concurrently, Lu Xuanxuan's father, the Chief Lu, assured his daughter that Yunmen's current arrogance would be short-lived, confident in their "irrefutable evidence" and their plan to eliminate Shengyue Sect, although his own primary focus remained on using children as sacrifices. During the ceremony, Yang Qing boldly proposed reconciliation with Shengyue Sect, highlighting their past contributions to peace and recent charitable actions. His proposal was met with outrage from other sect leaders, who accused Yunmen of becoming an "evil sect."
Lu Xuanxuan then publicly challenged Yang Qing’s motives, declaring his proposal was born of selfish desires rather than justice, and demanded that Yunmen disciple Yang Wangyue be brought to the hall for an important announcement.
Episode 21 Recap
In the main hall, Lu Xuanxuan declared that exposing Wangyue was a victory for the righteous sects. She boldly called for Yunmen disciple Yang Wangyue to be brought before all the martial arts sects, stating she had a major announcement to make. A Yunmen disciple escorted a confused Wangyue to the hall, where Sect Leader Feng Xingyun deferred to Lu Xuanxuan. Lu Xuanxuan, with an air of triumph, revealed Wangyue's identity as the Saintess of the Shengyue Sect.
Wangyue initially denied it, but Lu Xuanxuan presented her evidence, challenging Wangyue to explain why she had spoken up for the Shengyue Sect in Yangliu Town, her suspicious involvement in the missing children's case, and her close ties to Shengyue Sect's Fire Hall Master Mingyang and Water Hall Master Lingyin, whom she claimed was her cousin.
The other sect leaders demanded an explanation from Yunmen, questioning its ties to the Shengyue Sect and whether the proposed peace talks were truly impartial. Feng Xingyun asserted that all Yunmen disciples underwent strict scrutiny and that no one with an unclear background could enter. To prove her claim, Lu Xuanxuan introduced a test using vicious rove beetles, known to only spare those who have lived on Mount Yin, the Shengyue Sect's stronghold.
When the beetles did not bite Wangyue, her identity as the Shengyue Saintess was confirmed. Feng Xingyun immediately ordered her capture and imprisonment in the Seclusion Valley. Following the revelation, rumors quickly spread among the sects about Yunmen's alleged ties to the Shengyue Sect. Feng Xingyun confronted Yang Qing privately, who admitted he knew Wangyue was the Saintess.
Yang Qing confessed his efforts to facilitate peace between the Shengyue Sect and the major sects were for the benefit of the Central Plains martial world, not solely for Wangyue, though he also admitted he truly could not let her go. Feng Xingyun, however, saw Yang Qing as bewitched and gave him an ultimatum: marry Junior Yao Fu in three days, or Wangyue would be killed.
Yang Qing refused to marry Yao Fu, declaring Wangyue as the only woman he would marry and offering to take any punishment himself rather than abandon her. Meanwhile, other sect leaders gathered outside Yunmen, demanding answers from Feng Xingyun. Some called for Wangyue's immediate execution.
Yao Fu stepped forward to calm the agitated crowd, arguing that killing Wangyue during the Yunmen Grand Ceremony would provoke Yuan Yingxing, the leader of the Shengyue Sect, who was already contemplating retreating to Mount Yin. She recounted her own experience of being relentlessly pursued by Yuan Yingxing after she had once killed Wangyue, warning them of his merciless wrath. Lu Xuanxuan, undeterred, declared she would personally kill Wangyue.
Feng Xingyun intervened, promising a thorough investigation and announcing his intention to negotiate with Yuan Yingxing. Lu Xuanxuan and her father, Lu Jin, dismissed this as a tactic to protect Wangyue, given Yang Qing's obvious feelings for her. To quell the suspicions, Feng Xingyun publicly announced that Yang Qing and Yao Fu would marry in three days, with Yunmen's Alliance Leader's Token as a witness.
This news caused Lu Xuanxuan to become distraught, but it temporarily eased the tension among the other sect leaders. Privately, Lu Xuanxuan seethed, vowing to unseat Feng Xingyun from his position as alliance leader, while her father Lu Jin berated her for letting her personal feelings interfere with her mission. At the same time, Ling Yin and Mingyang learned from townspeople that Wangyue's identity had been exposed and she was imprisoned.
Yuan Yingxing also received reports of Wangyue's capture and the announcement of Yang Qing and Yao Fu's wedding. Yang Qing knelt before Feng Xingyun, pleading for him to revoke the marriage order, but Feng Xingyun insisted on it to preserve Yunmen's reputation. Later, Yao Fu found Yang Qing and urged him to accept the marriage. Yang Qing expressed confusion about her willingness to marry him, given her known affection for Yuan Yingxing, and suspected she had an ulterior motive.
Yao Fu cunningly suggested that the wedding day, with its large crowd, would be the best opportunity to rescue Wangyue. Despite this, Yang Qing remained firm in his refusal. Determined to free Wangyue, Mingyang and Ling Yin disguised themselves as Yunmen disciples and infiltrated the Seclusion Valley. They were stopped by Jiang Yan, and a fight ensued in which Mingyang easily overpowered him. Ling Yin, concerned for Jiang Yan, stopped Mingyang from causing further harm.
Yang Qing arrived and, using Feng Xingyun's stolen token, opened the gate to Wangyue's cell, allowing her friends to enter. Inside, however, Wangyue refused to leave. She explained that she trusted Yang Qing to convince Feng Xingyun to reconcile the sects and that leaving now would only bring further blame upon him. Frustrated, Ling Yin and Mingyang departed. As they left, Ling Yin checked on the injured Jiang Yan, which visibly annoyed Mingyang.
He pulled Ling Yin away, asserting she was his woman, but Ling Yin teased him, saying his performance would determine her decision. After hearing that Yang Qing's wedding to Yao Fu had been publicly announced, Ling Yin and Mingyang returned to the Seclusion Valley. This time, armed with the news of his apparent betrayal, they successfully convinced a heartbroken Wangyue to escape with them. Meanwhile, Yao Fu brought Yang Qing to Langhuan Pavilion.
Using the Fusheng mind-control spell, she made him agree to their marriage and manipulated him into showing her the Alliance Leader's Token. Dressed in their wedding attire, Yang Qing retrieved the box containing the Sun Blade. Just as Yao Fu was about to take it, Wangyue, accompanied by Ling Yin and Mingyang, burst in. Under Yao Fu's command, the mind-controlled Yang Qing attacked them, declaring that harming Yao Fu was like harming him.
A hurt and confused Wangyue pleaded with him to remember her. As Wangyue called out to him, Yang Qing momentarily broke free from the spell's grip and urged her to flee. Ling Yin and Mingyang quickly escorted Wangyue away, while Yao Fu began to experience severe headaches as the Fusheng Spell started to backfire. With the Sun Blade now missing, Feng Xingyun angrily confronted Yang Qing and Yao Fu.
Yang Qing took responsibility, but Yao Fu tried to deflect blame, suggesting his lingering feelings for Wangyue had made him weak. Feng Xingyun chastised them both and ordered Elder Shen and Junior Wang to pursue Wangyue. He then publicly canceled the wedding, citing Yao Fu's sudden illness, and confined her to her room to keep the theft a secret.
At the aborted ceremony, a triumphant Lu Xuanxuan announced that the "witch" had escaped and used the Sun Blade to free Shengyue Sect prisoners from Biluo Valley. She declared that Biluo Valley would no longer trust Yunmen and vowed to retrieve the "witch" and the token herself. Amidst the chaos, Yang Qing stepped forward, took full responsibility, and pledged to retrieve the Alliance Leader's Token, "no matter what it takes." Elsewhere, Yao Fu continued to suffer from severe headaches, realizing the Fusheng Spell was backfiring.
Episode 22 Recap
After being affected by a curse, Yao Fu regained consciousness to find herself by Yuan Yingxing's side. Yuan Yingxing, furious at her impending marriage to another, demanded an explanation. When Yao Fu remained silent, his anger intensified, leading him to imprison her indefinitely, vowing she would never again see the sunlight outside. At this point, Yao Fu was already severely wounded. Meanwhile, Wangyue had the Alliance Leader's Token and had departed. Feng Xingyun dispatched Yunmen disciples to track her down.
Concurrently, Chief Lu successfully mastered the Six Harmonies Palm technique and instructed Lu Xuanxuan to retrieve the Alliance Leader's Token. To evade detection, Wangyue and her group disguised themselves as Persian merchants. Ling Yin and Mingyang located Fan Hao, who ran a roast chicken shop, seeking his help to divert their pursuers. Fan Hao, initially reluctant, eventually conceded under their persistent pressure. As planned, Fan Hao led Jiang Yan to a secluded area.
Ling Yin and Mingyang then appeared, drugged Jiang Yan, and used him to threaten Elder Shen into opening the city gates. Prioritizing the safety of his disciples, Elder Shen complied. Ling Yin and Mingyang rode off, with Elder Shen and his men in pursuit. After the Yunmen disciples left, a group of Persian merchants, which included Wangyue's party, hurriedly made their escape.
Ling Yin had set a trap for Elder Shen and his group, using a potent poison she called Wu Xiang. Yang Qing and his men also tracked Wangyue to her hiding place. To prevent unnecessary complications, Yang Qing entered Wangyue's establishment alone. Upon seeing Yang Qing, Wangyue immediately followed him, and they spoke privately. Wangyue accused Yang Qing of betraying her by supposedly marrying Yao Fu, despite his earlier promises to reconcile their factions and release their people.
She expressed profound hurt, stating she had trusted him more than anyone, even Yuan Yingxing. Yang Qing, distraught, tried to explain that he had been under Yao Fu's bewitching spell, just as Wangyue had once been. However, Wangyue dismissed his explanation, arguing that his deep inner strength should have made him immune to such a trick, unlike her when she was vulnerable.
She declared she wanted him disgraced, not dead, and refused to return the Sun Blade, saying it would be a constant reminder of his betrayal and the loss of Yunmen's treasure. She then incapacitated him using Ling Yin's sedative. As Wangyue led the rescued Shengyue Sect disciples through a secret passage, they were ambushed by Lu Xuanxuan's forces.
Yang Qing, having feigned unconsciousness from the sedative which had little effect on him, rose to defend Wangyue, taking a deadly hidden weapon aimed at her. Elder Shen and his Yunmen disciples, who were being led by Ling Yin and Mingyang, arrived and intervened. Although Lu Xuanxuan wounded Elder Shen, she retreated with her forces without the Alliance Leader's Token. Yang Qing’s injuries were severe and life-threatening. Distraught, Wangyue declared her unwavering love for him.
Under the moonlight, they performed an impromptu marriage ceremony, with Wangyue vowing to be his wife for life, through death, and never to betray him. Soon after, other Shengyue Sect disciples arrived to escort them, including the severely wounded Yang Qing, back to Mount Yin. Meanwhile, Chief Lu celebrated the completion of his Six Harmonies Palm training.
Although Lu Xuanxuan failed to retrieve the Alliance Leader's Token, she informed her father that Yang Qing had openly colluded with the Shengyue Sect's "witch" and had gone to Mount Yin with her. She had already publicized this news throughout the martial world to discredit Yunmen. Chief Lu was delighted, viewing Yunmen's tarnished reputation as an opportune moment for Biluo Valley to rise and challenge Yunmen.
At Mount Yin, Yuan Yingxing, still holding Yao Fu captive and angered by her silence, was informed of Wangyue's return. He was enraged to discover Wangyue had brought Yang Qing with her and, furthermore, had married him. He called Wangyue naive for believing Yang Qing’s explanations and vows. Ling Yin, who arrived with Mingyang and Yunmen disciples (now forced to act as escorts), explained their successful strategy to get back to Mount Yin by disguising themselves.
She also informed Yuan Yingxing that Elder Shen was injured, asking for assistance to treat him. Later, Chief Lu, accompanied by several major sects, confronted Feng Xingyun at Yunmen, demanding he relinquish his position as Alliance Leader, citing his inability to retrieve the Alliance Leader’s Token from the "witch."
Feng Xingyun agreed to a duel, but Chief Lu, empowered by his newly mastered Six Harmonies Palm, defeated and gravely injured Feng Xingyun, thereby claiming the title of Martial World Alliance Leader. His first decree as the new Alliance Leader was the annihilation of the Shengyue Sect.
Episode 23 Recap
Lingyin continued to treat Elder Shen, whose condition worried many Yunmen disciples. Some voiced their reluctance to accept assistance from the Shengyue Sect, citing past conflicts and the supposed theft of the Sun Blade by Yang Wangyue. One disciple, Shang Huai, belligerently accused Lingyin of incompetence, claiming she was taking too long. Lingyin sharply retorted, reminding them that she had no obligation to save "that old man" and warning them not to push their luck.
Yang Qing, the other Yunmen elder present, stepped in to apologize for Shang Huai's outburst. Lingyin found Elder Shen's injuries perplexing and serious. She questioned Yang Qing about the difference in martial skill between Elder Shen and Lu Xuanxuan, who had inflicted the wounds. Yang Qing admitted that Elder Shen's power should far surpass Lu Xuanxuan's.
He wondered if Elder Shen's exposure to Ghost Scent, a poison, might have weakened him, but Lingyin dismissed this, stating that Elder Shen's internal strength was profound, and his Ghost Scent poisoning was not severe enough to cause such extensive damage. She revealed that despite the lack of external wounds, Elder Shen's internal organs were severely damaged by Lu Xuanxuan's palm strike, leaving him in critical condition.
Jiang Yan, another Yunmen disciple, confirmed his own experience sparring with Lu Xuanxuan, stating that her skills were insufficient to inflict such a severe injury. Lingyin then confirmed that Elder Shen was injured by the Six Harmonies Divine Art, an ancient and evil technique. She described its effects, stating that practitioners gradually succumb to bloodlust, becoming brutal killers. Murong Xuan of Yanmen, who had been observing the events, elaborated on the Six Harmonies Divine Art.
He explained that it kills invisibly, leaving only a palm print, and internally devastates the victim's meridians, leading to a swift death. Murong Xuan revealed that the technique was originally created by a former Chief of the Shengyue Sect, causing a catastrophe in the martial world before being suppressed by the Yunmen founder. He expressed concern that Biluo Valley had somehow rediscovered the manual and resurrected this dangerous art, linking it to recent cases of missing children.
Yang Qing realized that this information connected many unresolved mysteries. Murong Xuan advised Yang Qing to consult Yunmen's historical records on the previous conflict with the Six Harmonies Divine Art and to immediately inform Sect Leader Feng, who would understand the gravity of the situation. Lingyin, determined, declared that she would study the technique and find a cure, refusing to let Elder Shen die in the Shengyue Sect.
Meanwhile, at Tianyu Palace, Yang Wangyue was preoccupied with news of Yang Qing. Yuan Yingxing chided her for neglecting her duties, reminding her that Yunmen's status in the martial world had plummeted after Biluo Valley's Chief Lu seized the position of alliance leader. He warned Wangyue against getting too close to Yang Qing, given Yunmen's decline and Yang Qing's past betrayal of her by marrying Yao Fu.
Wangyue, however, was unconcerned with status, professing her desire to be with Yang Qing and even suggested he could manage the Shengyue Sect's affairs. Yuan Yingxing adamantly refused to provide any military support, including Lingyin and Mingyang. Wangyue pressed him, reminding him of his promise to support her and Yang Qing, mentioning that Yang Qing had nearly died for her. Yuan Yingxing countered by saying Yang Qing's marriage to Yao Fu was a ploy to obtain the Sun Blade.
Wangyue, undeterred, stated her unwavering trust in Yang Qing. To secure Yuan Yingxing's cooperation, Wangyue revealed that she knew he was secretly hiding Yao Fu. Faced with this, Yuan Yingxing reluctantly agreed to help. Shortly after, Yang Qing arrived at Tianyu Palace. Wangyue happily greeted him.
Yang Qing formally thanked Yuan Yingxing for their temporary refuge and proposed an alliance between Yunmen and the Shengyue Sect to counter Biluo Valley, emphasizing the grave threat posed by Chief Lu's practice of the Six Harmonies Divine Art and the potential for widespread devastation. Yuan Yingxing remained skeptical, again bringing up Yang Qing's marriage to Yao Fu as a sign of his untrustworthiness.
Yang Qing explained that his marriage to Junior Yao was a misunderstanding and suggested Yuan Yingxing could ask Yao Fu directly for clarification, but stressed the urgency of forming an alliance to prevent Biluo Valley from controlling other sects. Wangyue passionately advocated for the alliance, believing it would restore peace to the martial world and clear the Shengyue Sect's name.
Yuan Yingxing, still distrustful, demanded Yang Qing kowtow three times at Tianyu Palace, the sacred heritage site of the Shengyue Sect, as proof of his sincerity. Lingyin, with Jiang Yan's reluctant assistance, ventured out to examine the bodies of those killed by Chief Lu, hoping to find clues for a cure. Jiang Yan was visibly uncomfortable with the task.
Mingyang, a Shengyue Sect disciple, explained to Jiang Yan that despite Lingyin's reputation for "evil deeds," her unconventional methods, like dealing with the deceased, were always aimed at saving more lives. Jiang Yan, realizing his past misjudgment, apologized to Mingyang for his misunderstandings and earlier rude behavior. Back at the Shengyue Sect, Elder Shen regained consciousness.
He and Yang Qing discussed the troubling lack of response from Sect Leader Feng, leading them to suspect that something might have happened at Yunmen. Elder Shen proposed returning with all Yunmen disciples, but Yang Qing decided to go alone, citing Elder Shen's incomplete recovery. Wangyue vehemently opposed his departure, fearing for his safety and the possibility of becoming a widow. She reminded him of their wedding ceremony at the Shengyue Sect and his duty to her.
Yang Qing gently explained his responsibilities to Yunmen and the martial world, assuring her he would protect himself and return. To appease her, they played a game of cards, with the stakes being the Sun Blade or their wedding night. Wangyue playfully accused Yang Qing of cheating. She threatened to lock him in the Saintess Hall, like Yuan Yingxing did with Yao Fu, to keep him with her.
Yang Qing reaffirmed his love and desire to be with her forever, but insisted on fulfilling his duties. Wangyue eventually relented, agreeing to stay but vowing to send people to follow him and to lead an assault on Biluo Valley if he faced any harm. She offered him the Sun Blade for protection, but Yang Qing entrusted it to her, emphasizing that her safety and her support at the Shengyue Sect were crucial for his return.
Later, Elder Shen, though recovering, showed signs of his wounds reopening due to movement. Lingyin warned him to rest and delegate tasks to others. Elder Shen, touched by her care, sincerely thanked and apologized to Lingyin for his initial misjudgment of her. Outside, Jiang Yan approached Lingyin again, apologizing for his previous misunderstandings and confessing his feelings for her. Lingyin, however, gently rejected him, implying her heart belonged to someone else.
Jiang Yan, embarrassed, quickly tried to cover up his confession as a joke before excusing himself to help his teacher. Meanwhile, Yao Fu fell into a coma again, refusing to eat or drink. Yuan Yingxing, gravely concerned, summoned Lingyin to examine her. Lingyin found no external abnormalities but noted that Yao Fu's life force was slowly draining away, confirming she was dying, despite the inexplicable pulse.
Yuan Yingxing demanded answers from Yao Fu, threatening her with a "Compliance Pill" to reveal the truth. Yao Fu finally confessed that she was dying from the Fusheng Spell, a secret technique taught by her father that had backfired, a karmic retribution for her attempt to overthrow the Shengyue Sect. She also revealed that her father had died from the same spell and that only the Sun Blade and Moon Blade could save her.
Yuan Yingxing realized that the Moon Blade was actually the Shengyue Token and that Yao Fu had approached him solely to obtain it. Heartbroken, he asked her one last time if she had ever truly loved him. Yang Qing returned to Yunmen and met his master, Sect Leader Feng. He immediately questioned Feng's dismissive attitude towards Biluo Valley's aggression and the reappearance of the Six Harmonies Divine Art, urging an alliance with the Shengyue Sect.
Sect Leader Feng, however, became enraged, accusing Yang Qing of being bewitched by Wangyue, the "little demoness" from the Shengyue Sect. Without further ado, he ordered Yang Qing to be imprisoned in Seclusion Valley.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Yang Qing discovered a mark on his master Feng Xingyun, confirming Feng Xingyun's collusion with Biluo Valley, which deeply saddened him. Feng Xingyun, ashamed, merely admonished Yang Qing for his association with Wangyue, whom he called a "witch," before leaving. Yang Qing then pointed out that the mark, which Lu Jin's Six Harmonies Divine Art leaves on its victims, was fading on Feng Xingyun's hand, suggesting an anomaly, unlike the usual progression to a painful death.
Feng Xingyun dismissed Yang Qing's concerns as "nonsense" and locked him away for "reflection." Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing sought out Wangyue, pleading with her to provide both the Sun Blade and Moon Blade to save Yao Fu. Wangyue was highly suspicious of Yao Fu's intentions, recalling Yao Fu's past deceptions and attempts to sow discord. She questioned Yuan Yingxing's trust in Yao Fu over her.
Yuan Yingxing, however, insisted that Yao Fu was genuinely ill and had confessed the truth after taking Lingyin's Compliance Pill, revealing her past actions, including staying with him and marrying Yang Qing, were all to gather the blades. Wangyue debated if Yao Fu, who had killed her once and deceived Yuan Yingxing numerous times, was worth such a sacrifice.
Despite Wangyue's protests, Yuan Yingxing expressed that he could not bear to lose Yao Fu, stating that while Shengyue Sect could be rebuilt, he did not know what he would become without her. Touched by his profound love, Wangyue reluctantly agreed and handed over both the Sun Blade, the Alliance Leader's Token, and the Moon Blade, the Shengyue Token. Yuan Yingxing then presented both the Sun Blade and Moon Blade to Yao Fu.
Overwhelmed, Yao Fu was moved but struggled to explain her past actions. Later, as Yuan Yingxing was bathing, Yao Fu approached, wanting to care for him. Yuan Yingxing initially believed she was still after the Moon Blade and did not truly love him, but Yao Fu confessed her deep affection, explaining that various circumstances had prevented her from expressing it sooner.
She expressed a desire to spend her remaining days well with him, and Yuan Yingxing, in turn, accepted her offer, insisting that for the next few days, they must be together at all times. Lu Xuanxuan visited Yang Qing, who was imprisoned. She tried to persuade him to marry her, promising his release, but Yang Qing firmly declared his lifelong devotion to Wangyue, his only wife.
Heartbroken, Lu Xuanxuan revealed Biluo Valley's imminent plan to lead the martial world in besieging Shengyue Sect and vowed to bring Wangyue's head to him. Elder Wang bravely rescued Yang Qing, urging him to stop the impending bloodshed. He revealed that Yunmen's founder had once countered the Six Harmonies Divine Art using the Sun and Moon Blades. As they attempted to escape, Lu Jin intercepted them. Overmatched, they were suddenly aided by Feng Xingyun, who unexpectedly appeared, rescuing Yang Qing.
Feng Xingyun, gravely injured by Lu Jin's Six Harmonies Palm, handed Yang Qing a scroll containing the method to counter the Six Harmonies Divine Art. He revealed that his apparent defection to Lu Jin was a pretense to discover Lu Jin's weaknesses. Both Feng Xingyun and Elder Wang ultimately died at Lu Jin's hands. Lu Jin, having gathered leaders from various sects, falsely announced that Yang Qing had betrayed Yunmen and murdered both Feng Xingyun and Elder Wang.
Many, particularly Yunmen disciples, expressed disbelief. Lu Jin, using his authority, silenced their protests and declared that Biluo Valley would lead the martial world to eliminate Shengyue Sect, asserting that only then could peace be restored. Lu Jin then led the combined forces of various sects to Shengyue Sect. Yang Qing and Yuan Yingxing, alongside their disciples, prepared for battle. Lu Jin, using fire to spread chaos, was confronted by Murong Xuan.
Murong Xuan exposed Lu Jin's secret cultivation of the evil Six Harmonies Divine Art, revealing that it causes black veins to appear on the practitioner's body. He challenged Lu Jin to remove his clothes and prove his innocence to the assembled sects. Lu Jin refused, citing his status as acting Alliance Leader, and attacked Murong Xuan, severely injuring him.
When Lu Jin tried to intimidate the other sects with his position, many refused to submit, leading to skirmishes within his own ranks. The battle raged, with Yang Qing engaging Lu Jin directly, joined by the masters of three other sects. Recognizing that only the Sun and Moon Blades could defeat Lu Jin's formidable martial art, everyone urged Yuan Yingxing to retrieve them.
However, Yuan Yingxing, knowing Yao Fu's life depended on the blades, chose to fight without them to protect her. Before leaving Yao Fu, he made her pinky swear that she would never forget him, no matter where she went. Upon learning of Yuan Yingxing's selfless act, Wangyue rushed to Yao Fu's side and explained the dire situation. Realizing the gravity of the crisis and Yuan Yingxing's sacrifice, Yao Fu immediately returned the Sun and Moon Blades to Wangyue.
With the blades in hand, Yang Qing swiftly defeated and killed Lu Jin, averting a catastrophic war that threatened the entire martial world. Yang Qing was then declared the Alliance Leader and formally announced an era of peace and reconciliation between Yunmen and Shengyue Sect. After the dust settled, Wangyue discovered a letter from Yuan Yingxing, stating he was too tired and had decided to leave Shengyue Sect to wander the world.
Initially angered by his departure, Wangyue was then comforted by Lingyin, who also announced her and Mingyang's intention to leave Shengyue Sect and travel the world together. Wangyue playfully announced her plans to marry Yang Qing, reversing their previous wedding, and declared that the grand celebration would be held at Shengyue Sect, with all Yunmen members invited.
Yang Qing and Wangyue's wedding was a grand affair held in the main hall of Shengyue Sect, attended by important figures from various sects. Unlike previous unions, this ceremony was filled with genuine blessings for the truly beloved couple. Yang Qing reflected on how he had fulfilled Wangyue's dream of a magnificent wedding. During the wedding festivities, Wangyue discovered an old novel she had written, detailing her and Yang Qing's romantic adventures, including having three children. While some jokingly pointed out the fictional nature of the more ambitious parts, Wangyue was overjoyed, feeling that her dream of marrying Yang Qing had finally come true.
