The Journey of Chongzi Episode 14 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
After a tense meeting, Chong Zi, understanding the potential danger of her inborn evil breath, proposed a drastic solution: to abandon her physical body and have her soul sealed within the soul-retaining mirror. She believed this would prevent anyone from exploiting her evil breath or casting a blood curse, buying time to find a way to eradicate her demonic aura. When Luo Yinfan questioned her reasoning, she explained that she simply didn't want to cause him any more trouble.
Min Yunzhong considered this a good idea, as it would not only thwart the demons' ambitions but also ease their own worries. However, Luo Yinfan vehemently rejected the proposal, arguing that it would exhaust her cultivation and her life was as precious as anyone else's. Chong Zi countered that he, being concerned about the people in the whole world, was also afraid of her becoming a demon.
Luo Yinfan firmly declared that he would not allow anyone, neither demons nor immortal sects, to harm her. With that, he took Chong Zi and left, leaving Min Yunzhong to ponder if Luo Yinfan's words included them. Later, in Chonghua Palace, Chong Zi, still distraught, pulled Luo Yinfan close, attempting to kiss him. He gently pushed her away, but the emotional intensity triggered her Heart-Devouring Poison.
Distressed, Chong Zi cried that she didn't want to marry or leave him, declaring her unwavering love. She reiterated that she was the chosen host for the sword of Ni Lun, born with an inborn evil breath that could bring catastrophe, and her self-sacrificing proposal stemmed from fear of burdening him. Luo Yinfan, in response, told her that she existed for herself, not for anyone else, and reminded her to maintain proper decorum, as he was merely her master.
Chong Zi sadly accepted this, acknowledging their master-disciple relationship. Luo Yinfan, reflecting on the Heart-Devouring Poison, wondered if Chong Zi's affection was a symptom of the poison or a misinterpretation of dependence as love. He also questioned his own feelings and whether sending her away might be a better choice. Chong Zi, sensing his distance, pleaded with him not to drive her away, hoping to restore their former closeness.
Elsewhere, Qin Ke entrusted Yu Du with a letter for his mother, explaining his decision to prioritize cultivation and distance himself from the power struggles of the Mortal World. Yu Du praised his insight. Qin Ke humbly credited Chong Zi for his change of perspective. He then passionately declared his desire to help Chong Zi control her evil breath and restore her carefree nature, vowing to become more powerful than Luo Yinfan to protect her.
Yu Du agreed to deliver the letter but sternly warned Qin Ke not to speak of protecting Chong Zi until he could surpass Luo Yinfan. Yu Du secretly mused that Chong Zi's heart had no room for anyone else. Sima Miaoyuan sought permission from Min Yunzhong to return home, fearing for her ailing father amidst the collapse of the Sima dynasty. Min Yunzhong refused her request, reminding her that her mortal ties were irrelevant to her immortal cultivation.
He criticized her for having too many distracting thoughts, which hindered her progress, suggesting that Chong Zi, despite her mistakes, had achieved more by retrieving the demon sword. Later, Qin Ke approached Sima Miaoyuan, who initially responded with sarcasm regarding his family's new status. Qin Ke, however, sincerely urged her to let go of mortal grievances and focus on their path as cultivators, aspiring to create a peaceful Six Realms.
He affirmed her as Nanhua's independent senior disciple, softening Sima Miaoyuan's heart. Chong Zi observed Yan Zhenzhu and Chengfeng together, stirring feelings of envy and sadness as she reflected on her own complex relationship with Luo Yinfan. Sima Miaoyuan, still stinging from Min Yunzhong's comparison, confronted Chong Zi. She accused her of witchcraft due to her connection with Wan Jie and insinuated she was a demon spy.
Chong Zi retorted that her personal relationships were none of Miaoyuan's business and that while she respected Zhuo Hao, she only saw him as a friend. Miaoyuan threatened to make Chong Zi leave Nanhua, but Chong Zi defiantly vowed to stay on Zizhu Peak with her Master forever. As Miaoyuan prepared to attack, Zhuo Hao intervened. Zhuo Hao, having overheard Chong Zi's earlier conversation, expressed his disappointment, acknowledging her true feelings for Luo Yinfan.
He warned her that Luo Yinfan's heart was solely for the world, leaving no significant place for her. Zhuo Hao then confessed his own deep affection, offering her his unwavering devotion and proposing marriage. Chong Zi, though grateful, gently declined, explaining that his offer was not what she truly desired. Heartbroken, Zhuo Hao accepted her rejection, realizing his love was unrequited. He promised to leave her alone but questioned if Luo Yinfan was aware of her feelings.
Filled with rage and despair, Zhuo Hao confronted Luo Yinfan, calling him unworthy of Chong Zi's love. He attacked Luo Yinfan, who effortlessly parried his blows and calmly advised him to control his words and actions. Zhuo Hao’s father, Lord Zhuo, was mortified by his son's recklessness. Determined to prove himself, Zhuo Hao vowed to master Qinghua Palace's most formidable techniques and eventually defeat Luo Yinfan.
Luo Yinfan instructed Sima Miaoyuan to retrieve water from the Sihai Sea to purify the demon sword daily and temporarily assigned Qin Ke to oversee other disciples' affairs. Meanwhile, Chong Zi visited the Six-world Monument, speaking to the demon sword as if Wan Jie's spirit still lingered within. She poured out her heart, expressing remorse and reaffirming her love for Luo Yinfan. She then witnessed Sima Miaoyuan and other disciples preparing to purify the demon sword with Sihai water.
Miaoyuan revealed that this was Luo Yinfan's order, intended to make Wan Jie's primordial spirit "completely vanish." Chong Zi was horrified by this revelation. Separately, Tian Zhixie conspired with a mysterious black-robed woman. Tian Zhixie planned to create a diversion in Shuozhou to draw Luo Yinfan away, ensuring they could act unimpeded. Chong Zi confronted Luo Yinfan, questioning if Wan Jie was truly beyond salvation.
Luo Yinfan confirmed that the demon sword's evil breath was too potent, necessitating its complete removal, even if it meant Wan Jie's permanent disappearance. Chong Zi, though understanding his duty, drew a parallel to her own situation, implying that he kept her close only to guard against her own evil breath. Luo Yinfan then forbade her from ever visiting the demon sword again.
Heartbroken, Chong Zi asked if he would treat her the same way if her primordial spirit were in the sword. Luo Yinfan's only reply was that his responsibility was to "protect the six worlds," confirming her fears. Luo Yinfan then announced his departure to Shuozhou to handle demon disturbances, ordering Chong Zi to remain on Zizhu Peak within a protective shield he had set up. Alone, Chong Zi succumbed to despair. Later, Chong Zi heard sounds of battle.
Chengfeng informed her that demons had invaded Nanhua, and Min Yunzhong and Yu Du were engaging the enemy. Yan Zhenzhu sent a message urging Chong Zi to protect the demon sword. Disregarding Luo Yinfan's instructions, Chong Zi rushed to the Six-world Monument, finding fallen disciples and a severely wounded Yan Zhenzhu along the way. At the Six-world Monument, Sima Miaoyuan confronted Chong Zi before collapsing, accusing Chong Zi of poisoning her.
As Chong Zi denied the accusation, a man's voice began to tempt her, urging her to break the shield surrounding the demon sword to save "Uncle" (Wan Jie). Chong Zi resisted, refusing to betray Nanhua, but the voice twisted her resolve, suggesting that Nanhua and her Master had already betrayed her. Just as Chong Zi hesitated, the loyal spirit snake sacrificed itself to protect her, its blood scattering onto the Wufang Pearls, causing them to crumble to ash.
Luo Yinfan, Min Yunzhong, and Yu Du arrived moments later to find the Wufang Pearls shattered. Sima Miaoyuan immediately accused Chong Zi of poisoning her and destroying the pearls. Chong Zi vehemently denied the accusations, explaining she came only out of concern for Wan Jie. Luo Yinfan sternly questioned her disobedience. Cornered and falsely accused, Chong Zi, in a defiant outburst, admitted she "had" wanted to prevent the sword's purification, stating the spirit snake simply did what she dared not.
She challenged the immortal sects' inability to save Wan Jie's soul without destroying him. When further pressed, Chong Zi, consumed by anger and resignation, declared that since they already considered her a demon, she would embrace the identity, understanding Wan Jie's helpless suffering. As the sect elders moved to subdue her, the remnant spirit of Wan Jie emerged from the sword to shield her, only to be obliterated by their combined attack.
Devastated by Wan Jie's final sacrifice, Chong Zi’s grief and righteous fury caused her inborn evil breath to erupt, surrounding her with a terrifying aura and glowing red eyes. A voice urged her to "break the shield" and avenge him. The others, witnessing her terrifying transformation, recognized the same evil breath as Demon King Ni Lun, fearing she was destined to become the new host of the demon sword.
In that critical moment, to prevent her complete descent into darkness and to protect the Six Realms, Luo Yinfan drew his sword, Zhubo, and pierced Chong Zi through the chest. With a profound sense of peace, Chong Zi leaned against his back, expressing gratitude that she would not "make a mistake" this time. She acknowledged his dedication to protecting the world and vowed to protect him in return.
