The Journey of Chongzi Episode 28 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
After suffering profound betrayal, Chong Zi's rage erupted. She first incinerated the immortal temple in Yangzhou, then ventured alone to Zizhu Peak, where familiar memories intensified her pain and resentment. She recalled a past conversation with Luo Yinfan where she vowed to stay with him always, only for him to now betray her trust. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, Chong Zi unleashed her power, setting Chonghua Palace ablaze.
She declared that she had lived two lives, each filled with suffering, betrayal by those she trusted most, and a birth steeped in deceit. She questioned why she had to endure such a fate, proclaiming her preference for never having experienced Luo Yinfan's affection. From that moment on, Chong Zi resolved to trust no one but herself, vowing to make everyone pay for their actions.
Meanwhile, Luo Yinfan endured the torment of Heart Poison in the Ice Prison, regretting his absence during the past three years, which left Chong Zi vulnerable to manipulation. He sensed her return to Zizhu Peak and Chonghua Palace but arrived to find her gone, a trail of destruction in her wake. Later, as he magically restored Chonghua Palace, he silently promised Chong Zi that he would not give her up and Zizhu Peak would always be waiting for her return.
Fellow sage Yu Du observed that even as a demon, Chong Zi retained a childlike impulsiveness, remarking that immortal treasures could not be destroyed by mere fire. Having made his decision, Luo Yinfan summoned Chengfeng and entrusted him with the Starlight staff to deliver to Chong Zi. However, Min Yunzhong intercepted Chengfeng, preying on his grief to instigate him into assassinating Chong Zi and secretly embedding the deadly Vile-Subduing Golden Needle into the staff.
Elsewhere, Zhuo Hao anxiously sought Chong Zi's whereabouts through Qin Ke, pressing him about the rumors of her demonic transformation. Qin Ke relayed news of a demon burning a temple in Yangzhou, suspecting it to be Chong Zi. Determined not to repeat his past regrets regarding Chong Zi's imprisonment, Zhuo Hao insisted on heading to Yangzhou immediately.
Qin Ke, admitting his own limitations due to his position in Nanhua and confessing his envy of Zhuo Hao's freedom, could not go and instead asked Zhuo Hao to take care of Chong Zi and persuade her to abandon her destructive path. Chong Zi, upon encountering Qin Ke, accused him of hypocrisy, questioning his supposed righteousness when he was absent during her suffering in the Ice Prison.
Qin Ke expressed remorse for his inability to protect her, insisting he would now do everything to shield her, regardless of her demonic status. Chong Zi, however, rejected his pity, reminding him that she was Nanhua's traitor and sought to destroy them all. As Luo Yinfan arrived to intervene, Chong Zi’s fury escalated. She declared her actions were her own and challenged him to kill her again.
Luo Yinfan tried to reason with her, separating their personal grievances from Nanhua, but Chong Zi countered that Nanhua was the very source of their conflict. She refused to return to the now-destroyed Zizhu Peak, boasting of possessing Ni Lun's Sword. When Luo Yinfan dismissed her claims of the sword's true power, Chong Zi fiercely announced her intention to sharpen its blade with his blood.
As Chong Zi prepared to strike, Min Yunzhong, Yu Du, and their disciples arrived, ready to attack. Suddenly, Mu Yu appeared, addressing Chong Zi as "Young Master" and apologizing for his delay. A bewildered Min Yunzhong demanded to know his true identity. Mu Yu revealed himself as Tian Zhixie, the Thousand-Faced Demon and left protector of the Demon World, admitting he had been lurking in Nanhua for centuries.
Min Yunzhong was left reeling in shock, realizing the depth of demon infiltration within Nanhua. Tian Zhixie then swiftly whisked Chong Zi away from the confrontation. Tian Zhixie confronted Chong Zi about her reckless actions, explaining that with her identity exposed and Zizhu Peak burned, the immortal sect would relentlessly pursue her.
He emphasized that her only viable option was to return to the Demon God Hall, reminding her that her amplified evil breath made revenge possible, but not alone against Nanhua's might. He urged her to channel her desire for death into a more useful purpose: uniting the demon forces, leveraging her noble demon blood, and bringing down those who had wronged her. Their conversation was interrupted by Zhuo Hao, who had tracked Chong Zi down.
He confessed his persistent affection, declaring that her being a demon or immortal did not diminish his love, and he would protect her with his life, unlike Luo Yinfan who had hurt her. Chong Zi, however, coldly rejected him, telling him not to flatter himself, stating she neither needed nor liked him, and that the Chong Zi he loved was dead. Tian Zhixie then sarcastically wished Zhuo Hao a bright future, stating Chong Zi could not accept his love.
Heartbroken, Zhuo Hao watched as Chong Zi departed with Tian Zhixie. Back in the Demon God Hall, Wang Yue officially introduced Chong Zi as Demon Zi, the new Young Master, and commanded all demons to assist her in unlocking the Tianmo Token, asserting her authority to kill anyone she disliked. Unimpressed by the formality, Chong Zi requested a quiet place away from them.
Wang Yue then arranged for her to reside in Shuiyue City, a serene location closest to the Mortal World, where she could cultivate without disturbance from other demons. Alone with her demon sword, Chong Zi reflected on Chu Bufu's dying words, urging her not to repeat his mistakes, and sensed that the sword had been waiting for her. Meanwhile, Min Suqiu found a drunk and despondent Zhuo Hao.
She chided him for his self-pity over Chong Zi, urging him to accept his duty as the Young Master of Qinghua Palace and his destiny to fight the demons. Zhuo Hao defiantly refused to blindly wage war, proclaiming he would rather become a cripple than succumb to their will. Min Suqiu accused him of stubbornness, claiming Chong Zi did not care for him. Zhuo Hao retorted by questioning her own unrequited love for a man who did not love her.
Min Suqiu affirmed her love was worth it, reminiscing about Zhuo Hao saving her in childhood and teaching her resilience, only to see him fall to such a state because of Chong Zi, whom she venomously called a "demoness." Failing to sway him, she finally gave up.
In Shuiyue City, Chong Zi experienced a vivid hallucination, seeing herself in the Ice Prison, begging Luo Yinfan for salvation, only for him to declare she deserved her fate and he wished to never see her again. Yin Shuixian appeared, commenting on the potent nightmare flowers and advising Chong Zi to discard unwarranted thoughts now that she was a demon. Chong Zi sarcastically questioned Yin Shuixian’s own persistent efforts for Sage Xueling.
Yin Shuixian then announced an old friend had come to see her: Chengfeng. Chengfeng greeted Chong Zi, remarking on the unexpected beauty of the Demon World, and pondering if Yan Zhenzhu once lived by the water as she wished. He asked if Chong Zi hated Zhenzhu for deceiving her.
Chong Zi admitted to the hatred for being used, yet also confessed to missing Zhenzhu, who had brought her happiness in Nanhua besides Luo Yinfan, and thus she chose not to hate a deceased friend. She then asked Chengfeng if he hated Zhenzhu. He replied that the divide between the two realms was not their fault. He asked if Zhenzhu had left any message. Chong Zi tearfully conveyed Zhenzhu's apology, which visibly pained Chengfeng.
Chengfeng then presented the Starlight staff to Chong Zi, explaining that Luo Yinfan sent it, hoping the staff would convey his unspoken words. Chong Zi accepted it, then curtly dismissed him. As Chong Zi held the staff, the Vile-Subduing Golden Needle swiftly entered her body, causing her demonic power to dissipate. Chengfeng, with a pained apology, revealed that the Golden Needle was designed to strip away all power.
He admitted that the sages had collectively decided on this, confirming Chong Zi’s suspicions that Luo Yinfan’s "kindness" was a ruse to kill her. Chengfeng justified his actions by asserting that Chong Zi, with her innate evil breath and demon status, was destined to be a disaster for the six realms, and blamed her for Zhenzhu's death. He then drew his sword, intending to painlessly scatter Chong Zi's soul.
Just as Chengfeng moved to strike, Tian Zhixie materialized, killing Chengfeng with a swift blow. Chong Zi, furious at his disregard for her command not to kill, demanded an explanation. Tian Zhixie explained that the situation demanded immediate action, promising it wouldn't happen again. He then forcefully extracted the Golden Needle from Chong Zi's body, vehemently reiterating his warning not to trust anyone in the immortal world.
He asserted that Luo Yinfan saw her only as a demon to be eradicated, and his past actions were due to her "special status," not love. Tian Zhixie then moved to destroy the Starlight staff, declaring that to achieve future greatness, one must sever all ties with the past. Chong Zi desperately pleaded with him not to destroy it, begging him to return it to her.
