The Journey of Chongzi Episode 22 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
Yunji prepared a prescription for Chong Zi's recovery, instructing Ting Xue on the herbs and cautioning that complete healing would take time. Alone with Luo Yinfan, Yunji voiced her lingering suspicions about Chong Zi, questioning if the previous Chong Zi was truly annihilated and what connection this new disciple shared with her.
Yunji acknowledged Luo Yinfan’s claim to prioritize the common people, but pointed out his reduced activity against demons since taking a disciple, suggesting he should encourage younger disciples like Qin Ke and Sima Miaoyuan to gain experience. Luo Yinfan asserted he never forgot his duties, emphasizing that Chong Zi’s healing and the villagers’ plight both required his attention.
Yunji then requested his spiritual power to assist her in refining medicine, later specifying that Chong Zi's prescription included Polygonum and Biliu Herb, assuring Luo Yinfan of her expertise. Waking up to find Yunji and Luo Yinfan together, Chong Zi felt a twinge of unease. She expressed a desire to return to the familiar comfort of Zizhu Peak, but Luo Yinfan reminded her that the villagers' poisoning meant they had to remain longer.
Yunji administered medicine to Chong Zi, explaining that Luo Yinfan had been using his spiritual power daily to aid her recovery, leading to his own depletion. She then explained the nature of Heart Poison, a demonic affliction that, while not inherently deadly, amplifies one's deepest desires—greed, hatred, and love—leading to self-destruction. She informed Chong Zi that the poison could naturally resolve if one suppressed desires for three months, but few possessed such willpower.
Handing Chong Zi an antidote for precaution, Yunji subtly warned her against uncontrolled desires, recounting the tragic tale of Yin Shuixian, a Tianshan Sect disciple who became a demon due to her uncontrollable love for her master. When directly asked about her feelings for Luo Yinfan, Chong Zi insisted she merely wanted to cultivate diligently to honor his efforts.
Yunji continued her veiled counsel, stressing that selfish desires could lead to evil, and a true immortal sect disciple should be austere. Chong Zi silently wondered if Yunji's words were a deliberate warning. Outside the clinic, villagers, maddened by Heart Poison, angrily demanded the "witch" to come out. Yunji identified the instigator as Yin Xinmo. Ting Xue attempted to distribute antidotes, but the frenzied villagers violently refused.
Luo Yinfan instructed Yunji and Ting Xue to retreat, then used his magic to immobilize the villagers while Chong Zi individually administered the antidote pills. As the villagers regained their senses, shame washed over them for attacking their saviors. To alleviate their guilt, Chong Zi, with Luo Yinfan’s silent approval, gently reassured them that their actions were mere illusions caused by the poison. While protecting Chong Zi during the chaos, Luo Yinfan became infected with Heart Poison.
He refused Chong Zi's offer of an antidote, confident he could overcome it by suppressing his desires for three months, and insisted Chong Zi keep the antidote for her own weaker cultivation. After the crisis, Luo Yinfan expressed his intention to return to Nanhua, acknowledging his absence and needing to thank Sage Tianji. Yunji proposed they all return to Zizhu Peak, offering to personally oversee Chong Zi's full recovery, which would free Luo Yinfan to attend to his duties.
Chong Zi tried to object, but Luo Yinfan accepted, leaving her disappointed. News of Yunji's presence at Zizhu Peak quickly spread among the Nanhua disciples, leading to widespread speculation about an impending marriage between her and Luo Yinfan. Yan Zhenzhu, overhearing the gossip, rebuked them.
Min Yunzhong, delighted by the prospect, explicitly regarded Yunji as the future mistress of Chonghua Palace and even suggested moving Chong Zi to Yuchen Peak to avoid her interfering with Luo Yinfan and Yunji's supposed romance. Yunji settled into her temporary residence on Zizhu Peak but found its elegance unfamiliar after her nomadic life. She then queried Luo Yinfan about Chong Zi's background, having noticed her pendant faintly glowing, deeming it unusual.
Luo Yinfan explained it was Chong Zi’s only keepsake from her mortal parents, and he had added an immortal seal to it to detect any danger to her, given her lack of prior magical training. Yunji, however, remained unconvinced, hinting at past events involving a previous Chong Zi and the Tianshan Sect, but Luo Yinfan firmly stated he had his own plans. Luo Yinfan realized Yunji's suspicions remained and resolved to protect Chong Zi's secret.
Meanwhile, he felt the Heart Poison accelerating its debilitating effects. Driven by worry after days without seeing her master, Chong Zi sought out Luo Yinfan. Her repeated calls triggered his Heart Poison, causing him intense pain. He sternly warned her to stay away, but Chong Zi, seeing his distress, rushed forward to wipe the sweat from his brow. Luo Yinfan, overwhelmed by her proximity and her gentle breath, lost control and gripped her wrist, his eyes clouded with mixed emotions.
At that moment, Yunji entered with medicine. She immediately pushed Chong Zi out of the room, recognizing the signs of Heart Poison in Luo Yinfan. She questioned him about his affliction and whether his feelings for Chong Zi were the cause. Luo Yinfan admitted his overconfidence in his self-control and pleaded with Yunji to keep his condition a secret. Elsewhere, Ting Xue was distributing herbal packages to Nanhua disciples when Sima Miaoyuan approached, observing her activities.
Sima Miaoyuan learned of Ting Xue's resentment towards Chong Zi, particularly her distaste for taking care of her. Sima Miaoyuan then subtly encouraged Ting Xue to take revenge on Chong Zi for her alleged influence over Luo Yinfan and Qin Ke, highlighting Chong Zi's supposed arrogance despite having a face like the former "witch." Sima Miaoyuan provided Ting Xue with Heart-burning Powder, a weak but painfully agonizing toxin, suggesting she use it to teach Chong Zi a lesson.
Ting Xue, fueled by jealousy, added the powder to Chong Zi’s medicine, declaring it a small taste of retribution. The Heart-burning Powder caused Chong Zi excruciating pain, making her desperate to find Yan Zhenzhu for help. On her way, Sima Miaoyuan intercepted her, cruelly taunting her about Luo Yinfan's supposed impending marriage to Yunji and Chong Zi's resulting anguish. Sima Miaoyuan feigned assistance only to brutally throw Chong Zi to the ground.
Qin Ke arrived, angrily reprimanding Sima Miaoyuan for her narrow-mindedness and unworthiness as Nanhua's senior disciple, especially for preying on Chong Zi's weakened state. He then helped Chong Zi back to her room. As Yan Zhenzhu tended to Chong Zi, news of Luo Yinfan and Yunji’s rumored marriage reached them. Chong Zi, already distraught, felt her heart sink. Yan Zhenzhu, acknowledging Chong Zi's evident affection for Luo Yinfan, encouraged her to pursue her feelings.
However, she warned that with Yunji's influence and the pressure of maintaining inter-sect relations, Luo Yinfan might be compelled to marry Yunji. Determined to seek clarity from her master, Chong Zi, accompanied by Yan Zhenzhu, hurried back to Chonghua Palace. As they approached, Chong Zi overheard Luo Yinfan's voice: "I have always put the common people first." Heartbroken and believing this confirmed his indifference to her, Chong Zi lost courage and turned away, unaware of the pivotal words that followed.
Luo Yinfan then confessed to Yunji that he indeed harbored feelings for Chong Zi, but firmly rejected Yunji's romantic overtures, refusing to sacrifice their individual happiness for an alliance between their sects. Realizing the truth of his long-held friendship, Yunji tearfully accepted his decision, agreeing to remain his confidante and ally.
