The Journey of Chongzi Episode 10 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
With Chong Zi trapped in the Land of Tribulations, Yunji discusses the grave situation with Luo Yinfan. Based on Sima Miaoyuan's report, they conclude Wan Jie did not intend to harm Chong Zi. Yunji suggests that Wan Jie would not hurt Luo Yinfan's disciple given their past friendship, but Luo Yinfan states that Chong Zi is different. They consider ways to break through the impenetrable barrier, as even the powerful Earthshock Spell proved ineffective.
Yunji proposes summoning Qinyuan monsters with a vine flute; their vast numbers could destroy the barrier. However, the special vine seedlings needed for the flute grow on Buzhou Mountain and are difficult to obtain. Luo Yinfan volunteers to retrieve them, but upon hearing news of Wan Jie's reappearance at Qingchang Mountain, Yunji offers to go to Buzhou Mountain in his stead, urging him to pursue Wan Jie.
Witnessing the exchange, Yunji's disciple, Ting Xue, notes Luo Yinfan's unusual act of saluting Yunji for Chong Zi's sake, concluding that he dotes on his disciple. Later, Yunji reflects that she cannot be sad over someone she never truly possessed, but anticipates that Chong Zi will be the one who feels pain. Chong Zi settles into Xichun Restaurant, fulfilling her promise to help the owner drum up business for three days.
Her charming demeanor and clever words quickly attract many customers, delighting the owner. After just one day, a peculiar incident occurs when a man, seemingly an immortal disciple, collapses at the restaurant entrance. He explains that he is suffering from the Golden Silkworm Poison of the Demon World. Fortunately, Chong Zi had learned detoxification methods from Yunji and easily cures him.
The man, Hai Sheng, explains his desire to join an immortal sect despite his insufficient aptitude, resolving instead to roam the world, punishing evil and promoting good. Grateful for her life-saving kindness, Hai Sheng declares his intention to hang her portrait in his hall, but Chong Zi bashfully declines, suggesting he honor her master, Luo Yinfan, the Nanhua Sage, instead.
Shortly after Hai Sheng departs, Chong Zi overhears conversations about immortal sects heading to Qingchang Mountain, with even Sage Chonghua attending. Concerned that Chu Bufu, still recovering from his old illness, would be at a disadvantage if surrounded, and longing to see her master, she decides to go to Qingchang Mountain herself. After informing the innkeeper, she leaves, brushing past Wang Yue at the door.
Hearing him inquire about wine, she generously offers him a pot of her precious Osmanthus Wine. Wang Yue feels indebted to Chong Zi. He intervenes to stop bullies from tormenting a beggar, and discreetly follows and protects her as she continues her journey. Eventually, Chong Zi confronts Wang Yue, demanding to know his purpose. He candidly admits he wishes to accompany her to Qingchang Mountain and reveals his demonic identity.
Chong Zi is initially hesitant to travel with a demon, but Wang Yue challenges the common prejudices against demons. His words resonate with her, reminding her of her own struggles with her inborn evil breath, and she agrees to travel together. Before proceeding, Chong Zi makes Wang Yue swear by the Demon God not to harm her with his powerful ring. They soon arrive at Qingchang Mountain, only to find the ground littered with the bodies of immortal disciples.
As demonic entities emerge and attack, Wang Yue shields Chong Zi with his body, sustaining an injury in a calculated act of protection. Chong Zi's suspicions about him dissipate completely. Hearing approaching footsteps, she urges him to leave to heal, and he swiftly departs. Chong Zi recounts the general events to Mu Yu and Qin Ke, but before she can elaborate, Min Yunzhong arrives, furious.
He vehemently accuses Chong Zi of colluding with demons and causing the deaths of immortal disciples, fueled by Sima Miaoyuan's implication that Chong Zi was too close to the demons. Mu Yu and Qin Ke vouch for Chong Zi's character and plead on her behalf, but Min Yunzhong is unmoved and prepares to unleash the Immortal Killing Seal on her, a punishment even Sima Miaoyuan finds excessively cruel.
Before Min Yunzhong can complete the formation, Luo Yinfan descends from the sky, shielding Chong Zi. He then brings her back to a room to rest. Chong Zi awakes from a nightmare, filled with terror, but Luo Yinfan's presence quickly calms her. Mu Yu arrives with a message from Min Yunzhong, summoning Chong Zi for questioning once she has recovered. The thought of facing Min Yunzhong again instantly clouds Chong Zi's demeanor.
Despite Chong Zi's explanations, Min Yunzhong remains convinced of her deep involvement with the demon race. Luo Yinfan, however, is resolute in protecting her. After a tense standoff, Min Yunzhong, unwilling to antagonize Luo Yinfan and finding aspects of the situation suspicious, reluctantly agrees to let Luo Yinfan take Chong Zi back to Chonghua Palace for the time being. Suddenly, Chong Zi remembers her three-day promise to Chu Bufu and implores Luo Yinfan for a few more days.
This hesitation sparks a progression of emotions in Luo Yinfan, from confusion to shock and then disbelief, showing signs of growing anger. He points out that given Chong Zi's inborn evil breath, Chu Bufu's sudden capture of her could not have been simple, and he is dismayed that Chong Zi would defy him for Chu Bufu's sake.
Min Yunzhong, standing nearby, fans the flames of Luo Yinfan's anger by suggesting Chong Zi is disobedient and might even go to Chu Bufu next. Luo Yinfan, without hesitation, attempts to forcibly take her away. In her desperation, Chong Zi resists, inadvertently manifesting the Spirit Seal. Realizing what she had done, she quickly retracts the spell and kneels before him. Min Yunzhong orders his disciples to take Chong Zi into custody.
As she struggles fiercely, her evil breath erupts, harming the disciples holding her. Witnessing this, Luo Yinfan decisively draws his sword and points it at Chong Zi. At that moment, a shadowy figure blurs past, and Chong Zi vanishes. The voice of Chu Bufu echoes, declaring that if the immortal sects cannot tolerate Chong Zi and intend to harm her, he will take her away.
Luo Yinfan and Min Yunzhong combine their powers to block Chu Bufu's escape, while Mu Yu and other disciples attempt to encircle him. Chong Zi, at great cost to her spiritual power, unleashes the Spirit Seal again to aid Chu Bufu. Seizing the opportunity, Chu Bufu clasps Chong Zi and swiftly returns with her to the Land of Tribulations, where he personally channels spiritual energy into her.
Initially, Chu Bufu looks at Chong Zi with his familiar tenderness, but this expression hardens into his usual coldness upon Wang Yue's arrival. Wang Yue, however, declares his purpose is to protect Chong Zi, stating that her identity must remain unharmed. Luo Yinfan returns to Chonghua Palace in a furious state, ignoring the approaching Yu Du. Qin Ke briefs Yu Du on what transpired.
Later, Mu Yu seeks out Luo Yinfan, pleading with him not to blame Chong Zi and expressing his belief that she would never conspire with demons. But Luo Yinfan, his face grim, coldly retorts that he has no disciple. Sensing his master's somber mood, Mu Yu quickly excuses himself, leaving Luo Yinfan alone by the pond to drink wine amidst the solitude of Chonghua Palace.
Chong Zi awakes in the Land of Tribulations and immediately asks Chu Bufu if he had rescued Gong Keran. She learns that his mission was in vain, an elaborate trap orchestrated by the immortal sects. Chu Bufu expresses regret for involving her, but Chong Zi insists she doesn't mind. Feeling that she has no home to return to, she chooses to stay and keep him company, even gathering medicinal herbs to help his recovery.
Chu Bufu pauses, then abruptly knocks the herb basket from her hands and sends her out of the barrier, unwilling to let her descend into a state like his, from which there is no turning back.
