The Journey of Chongzi Episode 38 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
Luo Yinfan carried Chong Zi back to a dwelling in the Mortal World. After he consumed the phoenix blood, his memories flooded back, filled with regret and self-reproach, and he vowed to spend the rest of his life by her side. When Chong Zi woke, she saw Luo Yinfan weeping beside her and recalled their past, including the moment Luo Yinfan named her Chong Zi, combining elements from Chonghua Palace and Zizhu Peak.
She remembered past challenges, including being in the demon sword, and questioned Luo Yinfan about his feelings for her, and also his past marriage proposal. Now, she realized her demonic nature had been eliminated, making her truly her old self again. Luo Yinfan comforted her, assuring her that everything was over and he was back. Chong Zi, looking around, asked where they were.
Luo Yinfan explained it was a nameless valley he discovered during his travels, noting its serene beauty and resemblance to Zizhu Peak, making it the perfect place for her. He expressed concern that she might suffer with him in such a simple place, but Chong Zi reassured him, declaring she would follow him wherever he went, as long as he was happy. Luo Yinfan then proposed they live there peacefully, like ordinary mortals.
They spent their days joyfully, catching fish in the river and enjoying the scenic views. Chong Zi thanked him, saying the place reminded her of Zizhu Peak, and Luo Yinfan was pleased she liked it. The Demon World, however, would not easily let go of Chong Zi.
After retrieving the demon sword from Buzhou Mountain, Wang Yue declared he would force Chong Zi to return eventually, stating it was her destiny as the blood relative of Ni Lun, born with evil breath. Mengji enthusiastically agreed, expressing belief in Wang Yue's ambition to unify the six worlds and inquiring about his supposed detachment from love and desire.
Wang Yue asserted that his emotions had been dead for millennia, fueling his unmatched drive for success, and that he was destined to restore order to the world. He then resolved to compel Luo Yinfan to surrender Chong Zi. Zhuo Hao, disillusioned, decided to leave the Demon World, which Wang Yue dismissed, stating his realm had no use for him. Meanwhile, Luo Yinfan returned from Nanhua, having retrieved Starlight for Chong Zi, as she missed practicing her spells.
He apologized that he couldn't restore Starlight to its former glory. Chong Zi, however, lovingly accepted it, stating it remained her precious treasure. Despite her outward calm, she recalled Luo Yinfan's past teachings about upholding justice and protecting the common people.
The thought that she and the weakened Starlight could no longer fulfill this duty, and that the world now feared and wanted to get rid of her, caused her immense anguish, involuntarily triggering her evil breath and almost harming Luo Yinfan. Distraught, Chong Zi apologized for losing control, but Luo Yinfan gently comforted her, taking responsibility for prematurely returning Starlight and promising to keep it safe for her.
He assured her that it wasn't her fault, urging her not to be so harsh on herself for having inherent evil breath, even after her demonic nature was purged. Luo Yinfan understood that while the Zhurong fruit could eliminate Chong Zi's demonic nature, it couldn't eradicate her innate evil breath. He knew that only by mastering the Mirror Heart Skill could he truly solve the problem.
He returned to Chonghua Palace briefly, where Yu Du updated him on Qin Ke's condition; Qin Ke was seriously injured but alive, having lost all faith in the immortal sects and refusing to return to Nanhua. Yu Du expressed regret for his past prejudices against Chong Zi, acknowledging her inherent goodness, and believed her current state was the best outcome.
Luo Yinfan, however, explained that the Zhurong fruit was merely a temporary solution and that only the Mirror Heart Skill could permanently address her evil breath. Despite Yu Du's skepticism about the skill's difficulty, Luo Yinfan vowed never to give up for Chong Zi and their future. Yu Du then offered him an antidote for the Heart Poison, which Luo Yinfan initially refused, convinced that his peaceful life with Chong Zi would heal him.
Yu Du insisted he take it as a precaution, explaining that while mastering the Mirror Heart Skill was a long-term goal, the antidote could help him face current challenges. Before leaving, Luo Yinfan asked Yu Du for immortal fruits and cakes for Chong Zi, which Yu Du gladly provided. Back at the nameless valley, Chong Zi awoke to find Luo Yinfan gone. Anxious, she rushed out to look for him, only to be relieved when he returned.
She expressed her fear that he wouldn't come back, thinking she had disappointed him the previous night. Luo Yinfan reassured her, saying he had left a note to prevent her worry and presenting her with the treats from Sage Tianji. Chong Zi was touched that Sage Tianji still cared for her and hoped other immortals would eventually shed their prejudice. Luo Yinfan then revealed he had taken the Heart Poison antidote.
Chong Zi questioned if his actions were merely a consequence of the poison. Luo Yinfan denied this, explaining his past distance was due to his inability to use spells against the poison's pain. He clarified that while the Heart Poison could be cured, love could not. He confessed that his actions were always from his true feelings.
He admitted that he had been afraid to acknowledge their relationship before because he had never experienced love and didn't know what it was. When Chong Zi asked if he knew now, he looked into her eyes and declared that when she was away or when he thought of her, he no longer needed the Heart Poison to remind him; he knew clearly that he loved her. Chong Zi, her eyes welling up, responded with "Me too."
The next morning, Chong Zi personally cooked a meal for Luo Yinfan. Zhuo Hao arrived, standing some distance away. He immediately confronted Luo Yinfan, accusing him of repeatedly endangering Chong Zi—first with a sword, then the ice prison, and now eliminating her demonic nature, suggesting it was merely a prelude to eliminating her entirely. Luo Yinfan curtly told him that Chong Zi was safe with him and their love needed no outside validation.
Chong Zi noticed Zhuo Hao and invited him to join them for a meal. However, a tense argument ensued at the table. Zhuo Hao challenged why Luo Yinfan didn't cook himself, given he helped with the prep, while Chong Zi defended Luo Yinfan, explaining she wanted to cook. Chong Zi asserted that she was no longer a "Young Master" but simply desired to be an ordinary woman. Frustrated, Zhuo Hao abruptly left, ignoring Chong Zi's attempts to stop him.
After Zhuo Hao's departure, Luo Yinfan asked what they had discussed. Chong Zi revealed she had urged him to leave the Demon World and return to Qinghua, though she doubted he truly listened. She then expressed regret that there was only one Zhurong fruit and she felt bad for Zhuo Hao. Luo Yinfan promised to find a way to help Zhuo Hao, admitting his own jealousy, as he didn't want to see Chong Zi upset over him.
Seeing him jealous, Chong Zi was secretly overjoyed. She playfully teased him before kissing him, delighted by this proof of his affection. Later, while Chong Zi rested, Luo Yinfan prepared a surprise. He had already procured and decorated a bridal chamber and laid out a phoenix coronet and robes. He also brought Lion to surprise her further. Chong Zi was amazed by the transformation, initially thinking they were already married.
Luo Yinfan gently explained that although he considered her his wife, mortal customs for such a lifelong event should not be overlooked. He then formally proposed, asking if she would marry him, become his wife, and remain by his side for life. Chong Zi was overcome with emotion, remarking that it felt like a dream come true. When he asked if she would still call him "Master," she replied she was simply used to it.
With heaven and earth as their witnesses, they performed the traditional wedding rites and drank the nuptial wine, formally becoming husband and wife, vowing never to be separated, thus bringing their two lifetimes as master and disciple to a perfect culmination. Meanwhile, Zhuo Hao stood dejectedly on a mountain peak, gazing at the distant courtyard adorned with red wedding symbols, which served as a painful reminder of Chong Zi's words to him.
He realized that despite his efforts, he would never win her love. He then hesitated outside Qinghua Palace, unsure of his place, and then left quickly, secretly followed by Ting Xue. In the days that followed, the Demon World launched frequent attacks on Qinghua Palace, demanding Luo Yinfan return Chong Zi. They threatened to abduct immortal disciples daily if their demands were not met. News quickly reached Nanhua, prompting Yu Du to urgently summon Luo Yinfan to discuss countermeasures.
Min Yunzhong, frustrated by the ongoing conflict, pressured Luo Yinfan to hand Chong Zi over to the Demon World. However, Luo Yinfan and Yu Du vehemently opposed this, with Yu Du arguing against pushing Chong Zi back to Wang Yue, especially after her demonic nature had been purged. Luo Yinfan stated that he would not ignore Qinghua's crisis. He had anticipated the war but had hoped to master the Mirror Heart Skill before confronting Wang Yue.
Now, seeing Wang Yue pushed to extremes by Chong Zi's absence, Luo Yinfan decided it was time for an early confrontation. He instructed Min Yunzhong to send a message to Lord Lan, urging him to secure the undersea passage of the Heavenly Lake, and declared he would personally rescue the abducted Qinghua disciples. Subsequently, Luo Yinfan was informed of Wang Yue's direct challenge: to meet him at the Hundred-Eyed Demon Cave in the East Sea.
Zhuo Hao then appeared at Chong Zi's house, informing her of Qinghua Palace's peril and the impending war between the immortal and demon realms. Chong Zi then understood why Luo Yinfan had left. Zhuo Hao warned her to stay indoors as she was vulnerable with Luo Yinfan occupied, adding that given her current status, it was indeed inconvenient for them to be together.
He expressed his satisfaction that she was happy, which left him with no regrets, and Chong Zi thanked him. After Zhuo Hao departed, Chong Zi, reflecting on the renewed conflict and the brevity of their peaceful days, found herself unable to suppress the surging evil breath within her, a sight secretly observed by Ting Xue.
