The Journey of Chongzi Episode 24 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
Upon learning of Yunji's death, the Demon Lord Wang Yue rejoiced, anticipating great turmoil among the immortal sects. Yunji's body remained within the Nanhua Sect, while the Qinghua Palace Lord Zhuo Yao rushed to Nanhua, enraged by his sister's demise. Min Yunzhong and Yu Du speculated that an internal betrayal was likely, an act intended to sever the long-standing alliance between Nanhua and Qinghua. Ting Xue, Yunji's disciple, tearfully accused Chong Zi of the murder.
Zhuo Yao, believing her words, vehemently demanded that Chong Zi pay with her life. Despite Yu Du's attempts to advocate for a more thorough investigation, Zhuo Yao remained unyielding. To diffuse the escalating tension, Min Yunzhong led his disciples to Yuchen Peak, where Chong Zi resided. Chong Zi denied any involvement in Yunji's death, stating she had not left Yuchen Peak, but the presence of mud on her boots fueled suspicions.
Mu Yu suggested detaining Chong Zi in the Immortal Prison. Luo Yinfan, learning of his disciple's arrest, confronted Min Yunzhong. Min Yunzhong challenged Luo Yinfan to find the real killer if he believed her innocent, and Luo Yinfan accepted, promising to personally uncover the true culprit to clear Chong Zi's name. After Luo Yinfan departed, Sima Miaoyuan privately informed Min Yunzhong that the bond between Luo Yinfan and Chong Zi seemed "overly intimate," far exceeding a typical master-disciple relationship.
She expressed concern that Nanhua might face another scandal like that of Yin Shuixian, suggesting Chong Zi could be a demon spy using a similar appearance to seduce Luo Yinfan. Min Yunzhong's expression darkened, realizing the matter not only jeopardized inter-sect relations but also challenged ethical norms. He feared the potential damage to Nanhua's reputation and Luo Yinfan's standing, determined to prevent a repeat of past disgraces. Meanwhile, Zhuo Hao, having received news of his aunt's death, arrived at Nanhua.
Consumed by grief, he angrily confronted Luo Yinfan, blaming him for failing to protect Yunji and Chong Zi—the two women most important in his life. However, Zhuo Hao still believed in Chong Zi's innocence. When Min Suqiu, influenced by Ting Xue, attempted to slander Chong Zi's character, Zhuo Hao swiftly rebuked her, accusing her of harboring personal resentment rather than seeking justice.
Luo Yinfan then used an illusion to guide Zhuo Hao to the Immortal Prison where Chong Zi was being held. Through his Heaven's Eye, Zhuo Hao witnessed Chong Zi and detected faint seals and evil breath surrounding her, leaving him stunned. Luo Yinfan then appeared, revealing Chong Zi's true nature and clarifying that the wounds on Yunji's body were not inflicted by Chong Zi's magic weapon.
Recognizing the immediate need to act, both men agreed to set aside their differences and cooperate to find evidence that would exonerate Chong Zi. Their investigation led them back to Yuchen Peak, where they discovered distinct demonic black energy, clearly not Chong Zi's evil breath. Luo Yinfan deployed the Wuhua Shield, which made the concealed demonic magic in the hall undeniable. They concluded that Sha Yihuan, a demon renowned for bewitching victims through dreams, was the true perpetrator.
Luo Yinfan then visited Chong Zi in her cell. She tearfully recounted a dream on the night of Yunji's death, where a voice compelled her to kill Yunji, promising that Luo Yinfan would then belong solely to her. She confessed her fear that this dream made her appear guilty. Luo Yinfan reassured her, explaining that a demon had invaded Nanhua, attempting to manipulate her before taking action itself.
He promised to find the true culprit and bring her back to Zizhu Peak. Chong Zi, deeply moved, expressed her desire to return to Zizhu Peak to focus on cultivation, hoping for a small place in his heart. Luo Yinfan tenderly comforted her, promising to clear her name and make all necessary arrangements for her impending trial.
As Luo Yinfan and Zhuo Hao pressed forward with their investigation, Qin Ke, distressed and unable to defy the Immortal Venerable, pleaded with Zhuo Hao for help. Zhuo Hao informed his father, Zhuo Yao, of the evidence pointing to Sha Yihuan as the murderer, not Chong Zi. However, Zhuo Yao, prioritizing Qinghua's honor, disregarded the truth and insisted that Chong Zi must die. He then confined Zhuo Hao to prevent him from interfering further.
Zhuo Yao marched to Min Yunzhong, demanding Chong Zi's immediate execution and accusing Luo Yinfan of biased protection. To appease Zhuo Yao and safeguard Nanhua's reputation from becoming a "laughing stock," Min Yunzhong reluctantly agreed to take Chong Zi to the Six-world Monument for execution. Upon learning of Chong Zi's peril, Mu Yu swiftly dispatched a message to Luo Yinfan.
Qin Ke rushed to Zhuo Hao, helping him break free from his confinement, and Yan Zhenzhu also decided to assist, declaring Chong Zi her best friend in Nanhua. The three rushed to the Six-world Monument. There, Min Yunzhong, ignoring Chong Zi's desperate pleas of innocence, continued to attack her, severely wounding her and threatening to banish her to the Underworld to prevent her rebirth. Zhuo Hao, Qin Ke, and Yan Zhenzhu arrived, interceding.
Zhuo Hao presented evidence that Yunji's death was caused by a demon, while Qin Ke offered to take Chong Zi's punishment. Chong Zi, weakened and falling into Yan Zhenzhu's arms, cried out for her Master. Min Yunzhong, undeterred, unleashed another powerful strike that overwhelmed Zhuo Hao and Qin Ke, sending Chong Zi plummeting from the monument. At that critical moment, Luo Yinfan appeared, catching Chong Zi and shielding her.
He furiously confronted Min Yunzhong and Zhuo Yao, accusing them of attempting a wrongful execution without trial, despite evidence of demonic involvement, simply to silence the truth. Acknowledging Luo Yinfan's immense power, Min Yunzhong and Zhuo Yao hesitated. Seizing the moment, Zhuo Hao stepped forward, offering to administer Qinghua Palace's punishment himself, a pre-arranged tactic with Luo Yinfan to preserve Qinghua's dignity while saving Chong Zi's life. Zhuo Hao unleashed the "Sea Flame," Qinghua's formidable yet non-lethal attack.
Luo Yinfan shielded Chong Zi, absorbing the full impact. Once the attack concluded, Luo Yinfan demanded an explanation for their severe mistreatment of his disciple. Zhuo Yao, unwilling to involve himself further in Nanhua's internal affairs, departed. Min Yunzhong, left with no alternative but to address Luo Yinfan's demands, declared that Chong Zi would face a formal trial in Liuhe Hall the following day.
