The Journey of Chongzi Episode 23 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
Chong Zi sat alone on a mountain, distressed by the rumors of Luo Yinfan and Zhuo Yunji's growing closeness. She felt a sharp ache in her heart, weighed down by shame and sadness, believing she was a burden to Luo Yinfan. She told Yan Zhenzhu she had decided to bless Zhuo Yunji and her Master, asserting that only Zhuo Yunji was worthy of Luo Yinfan, who held the common people in his heart.
Yan Zhenzhu challenged Chong Zi, questioning her quick surrender, but Chong Zi insisted her feelings for Luo Yinfan were different from others' admiration, stating she needed to "complete him." Yan Zhenzhu scoffed, remarking that Sage Chonghua hardly needed a young girl to complete him. She then asked Chong Zi what she would do if she were in love with Senior Chengfeng.
Yan Zhenzhu declared that she herself would fight to the end for someone she loved who loved her back, regardless of their identities, positions, or even if one was an immortal and the other a demon, vowing to cherish every moment. Meanwhile, Mu Yu visited Luo Yinfan on Zizhu Peak, subtly expressing his concern for Chong Zi. He claimed to have heard Chong Zi was being bullied and suggested Luo Yinfan didn't care enough about his disciple.
He delivered a message from the Councilor regarding Luo Yinfan and Zhuo Yunji's impending marriage, urging them to prepare. Luo Yinfan dismissed it as "nonsense." Mu Yu then spoke plainly, advising Luo Yinfan to manage his relationships carefully, ensuring he neither saddened Chong Zi nor offended Zhuo Yunji. Luo Yinfan curtly told Mu Yu that his matters on Zizhu Peak did not require his concern.
Mu Yu retorted that he couldn't ignore Chong Zi's plight and warned that if things continued, Chong Zi might have to move to Yuchen Peak. When Luo Yinfan questioned whose idea this was, Mu Yu stated it was irrelevant, as he was the only one in Nanhua who truly pitied Chong Zi apart from Luo Yinfan.
Luo Yinfan challenged him, asking what the cost would be if he refused, to which Mu Yu ominously replied that it would be more severe than he could imagine. Mu Yu then apologized, saying everything was for the sake of Luo Yinfan and Chong Zi. Unbeknownst to Chong Zi, Ting Xue had been eavesdropping on their conversation. She later approached Chong Zi, pretending to be surprised that Chong Zi didn't know she was being sent to Yuchen Peak.
Ting Xue fabricated a story, claiming that Senior Mu had discussed with Luo Yinfan that Luo Yinfan and Zhuo Yunji's marriage was approaching, making it inconvenient for a female disciple like Chong Zi to remain on Zizhu Peak. She implied Luo Yinfan had agreed to send Chong Zi away. Chong Zi was furious, dismissing it as a lie, but Ting Xue continued to suggest that Chong Zi should leave so she could stay and "take care of my Master."
Chong Zi angrily ordered Ting Xue out, accusing her of stirring up trouble. Despite her skepticism, Chong Zi ran down the mountain and saw a grand dowry being delivered from Qinghua Palace. Unbeknownst to her, these were for Zhuo Hao and Min Suqiu's wedding; misinformed by Ting Xue, Chong Zi immediately assumed they were for Luo Yinfan and Zhuo Yunji, believing the marriage between Qinghua Palace and Nanhua Sect was imminent.
Luo Yinfan summoned Chong Zi, apologizing for his recent neglect and stating he had made a decision. Chong Zi, however, interrupted, declaring her willingness to move out to avoid making things difficult for him. She believed he was having trouble making up his mind about his marriage to Zhuo Yunji because of her presence on Zizhu Peak. She admitted her incompetence for not understanding his worries sooner.
Luo Yinfan was angered, asking why she would collude with others after he had tried so hard to protect her. Chong Zi replied that she no longer wanted to be a coward hiding behind him; she desired to become an excellent immortal worthy of being his disciple, reiterating her decision to move to the quiet and suitable Yuchen Peak for cultivation. When Luo Yinfan asked who put such ideas in her head, Chong Zi insisted it was her own decision.
Luo Yinfan, seeing her resolve, conceded that he would not stop her. Chong Zi then bid farewell to Zhuo Yunji, stating, "From now on, Master will be left to you." After Chong Zi left, Luo Yinfan, overwhelmed by his suppressed Heart Poison, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and the jade hairpin he had prepared for Chong Zi fell and shattered. Yunji observed this, her emotions a complex mix.
The next day, Chong Zi, having packed her belongings, including Luo Yinfan's paper-cutouts, met Mu Yu on her way to Yuchen Peak. As she walked, she looked back, longing for Luo Yinfan. Mu Yu, seeing her sadness, tried to console her, but Chong Zi expressed her belief that she could impress her master upon her return. Mu Yu praised her growth, saying Luo Yinfan would be pleased. Chong Zi secretly vowed to stand beside Luo Yinfan as his equal someday.
During her time on Yuchen Peak, Luo Yinfan frequently checked on her, sending her fruits and the repaired jade hairpin through Mu Yu. Qin Ke and Yan Zhenzhu also visited, ensuring she was not lonely. Chong Zi wore the jade hairpin, feeling as if Luo Yinfan was still by her side. Meanwhile, Min Suqiu, who had stayed in Qinghua Palace for some time, was disheartened by Zhuo Hao's indifference towards her.
She informed Zhuo Yao, his father, of her intention to return to Nanhua Sect, complaining that Zhuo Hao barely spoke to her. Knowing Min Suqiu was Councilor Min's grandniece and had been doted upon, Zhuo Yao promised to arrange her marriage with Zhuo Hao as soon as possible, believing marriage would settle his son's immature ways.
During a discussion about the rising demon activity and the need for preparedness, Zhuo Yao suggested that an early marriage between Qinghua Palace and Nanhua Sect could boost morale. Though Luo Yinfan questioned whether alliances required marriage, Min Yunzhong was pleased, readily agreeing to a grand wedding for Min Suqiu and Zhuo Hao before the war with the demon tribe. Luo Yinfan continued to suffer from the Heart Poison.
Zhuo Yunji, acknowledging her past admiration for Luo Yinfan, now respected his feelings and chose not to pester him. She confessed to seeing him as an important friend and urged him to control his emotions, as the Heart Poison was exacerbated by agitation. She then delivered a harsh truth: he must not see Chong Zi until his Heart Poison was cured. Luo Yinfan, frustrated, acknowledged her words.
Yunji, feeling that she "must help him," decided to act, murmuring, "Chong Zi, Sorry." That night, Chong Zi had a vivid nightmare where Luo Yinfan accused her. She woke up to find Zhuo Yunji by her bedside, bringing her a bowl of Meditation Powder soup. Yunji noted that Chong Zi's cold poison was almost gone, praising her progress at Yuchen Peak. After Chong Zi drank the medicine, Yunji directly told her she wished her to "leave your master."
Chong Zi, confused, clarified she had already moved from Zizhu Peak. Yunji then declared that she and Luo Yinfan were getting married, a decision made by both Qinghua Palace and Nanhua Sect, stating that "personal wishes don't count" in such high-stakes matters. Chong Zi questioned if such a marriage could bring happiness without mutual affection, but Yunji argued that sacrificing personal happiness for the unity of the two sects was the best solution.
She claimed that caring for Chong Zi had caused Luo Yinfan to have "distracting thoughts," threatening his transcendent status, and that with the support of two major sects, his achievements could surpass Celestial King Yunqiu. Yunji pressed Chong Zi, asking how she could watch Luo Yinfan remain "trapped on Zizhu Peak forever" if she truly loved him.
Chong Zi refuted the idea, stating she had no such power and questioned if the vast immortal sect couldn't accommodate a mere student like her. She politely thanked Yunji for her advice but firmly stated that her fate rested with her Master and asked Yunji not to return, finding her "medicine too bitter" to take anymore. Chong Zi was left wondering if she truly was a burden to Luo Yinfan but refused to believe it.
Driven by her doubts, Chong Zi rushed to find Luo Yinfan. She tearfully confronted him, accusing him of forgetting his disciple now that he had a wife. Luo Yinfan, pulling her into an embrace, denied his supposed marriage, declaring that she was his Chong Zi, and he only dreamed of her. Chong Zi, still reeling from Yunji's words, questioned why she should believe him over others who said she was unworthy and that he no longer wanted her.
Luo Yinfan tried to explain his absence, but Chong Zi interrupted, confessing her stubbornness and her inability to leave him. She pleaded with him to scold her or tell her to stay away, promising to obey. Instead, Luo Yinfan silenced her with a passionate kiss, then, for her protection, wiped her memory of the encounter, telling her to "just think of it all as a dream."
Soon after, Yan Zhenzhu encountered Luo Yinfan, who instructed her to take good care of Chong Zi and ensure she did not come to Zizhu Peak again, as he would not see her for now. Yan Zhenzhu pressed him about his marriage to Zhuo Yunji, but Luo Yinfan remained silent and departed. Chong Zi awoke later, unable to recall the specifics of her visit to Luo Yinfan.
Yan Zhenzhu informed her that Luo Yinfan had brought her back and specifically requested she no longer seek him out on Zizhu Peak. Chong Zi lamented that all good things "only appear in dreams." Yan Zhenzhu suggested that if Chong Zi were not his disciple, she could openly compete with Zhuo Yunji.
Chong Zi, though despairing that Luo Yinfan had no place for her in his heart, mused how hard it was to forget him after being his disciple, even wishing she could call him by his name instead of "Master." Yan Zhenzhu warned her of the danger in such thoughts. However, Chong Zi's mind, now hazy, was further influenced by a malevolent voice urging her to kill Zhuo Yunji, claiming it was the only way to be with Luo Yinfan.
Despite a deep subconscious resistance, recalling how Zhuo Yunji had helped Luo Yinfan and saved many people, Chong Zi found her resolve weakening as she went to confront Zhuo Yunji. Zhuo Yunji, surprised to see Chong Zi away from Yuchen Peak late at night, was then injured by Chong Zi.
