The Journey of Chongzi Episode 4 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
In the demon realm, Chu Bufu continued to suppress the demon sword, preventing it from unleashing havoc upon the world. He was still wounded from an attack by Tian Zhixie, the protector of the Demon Palace, which had occurred years prior while he was escorting the demon sword, leading to the deaths of his master and junior brothers.
The demon sword itself, speaking to him, noted that its true host had not yet appeared and offered to grant his deepest wish if he became its container. Chu Bufu’s only desire was to save Gong Keran. Just then, Wan Yue appeared, mockingly addressing Chu Bufu as Wan Jie. He stated he knew Chu Bufu would refuse to join him but had come merely to deliver a message.
Wan Yue then revealed that Miss Gong was in Qinghua Palace, a piece of information that visibly shocked Chu Bufu, who questioned how Wan Yue knew. Meanwhile, Luo Yinfan and Chong Zi were in the Mortal World. Chong Zi, feeling hungry, gently chided Luo Yinfan for his ascetic ways, asserting that mortals should embrace worldly pleasures and that emotions, far from being a weakness, could help people.
To prove her point, she made a bet with Luo Yinfan that she could do good and get food without using magic or money. She then had him hold a sign to attract customers to a bun stall. The tactic worked, and soon, the buns were completely sold out. The grateful stall owners offered Chong Zi the last bun, which she accepted as proof of her abilities. She then passed it on to a hungry beggar nearby.
To her surprise, Chong Zi recognized the beggar as the leader of the children who used to bully her, the same one who had once been sent flying by Luo Yinfan's magic. Despite his harsh past, she saw how time had changed him and how bitter his life had become. She asked about Dou, and the beggar offered to take her to where Dou was, at the Xichun Restaurant.
Chong Zi wondered why she hadn't recognized Dou on her previous visit. Upon arriving, they found Dou, now known as Hong Dou, tragically deceased. She had chosen to hang herself rather than be forced into becoming a concubine by a local bully, who threatened to send her to a brothel. Overwhelmed with grief and regret, Chong Zi realized that this was the same girl she had seen just the night before, without recognizing her.
She desperately tried to revive Dou with her Nine-time Refined Elixir, but Luo Yinfan gently explained that it could not bring back the dead. As the bully arrived with his men, demanding Hong Dou, Chong Zi reacted instinctively, ready to exact revenge. Luo Yinfan intervened subtly, using his power to neutralize the bullies without resorting to lethal force, in line with his teachings about not harming the innocent.
After the bullies were driven away, the beggar shared his philosophy of accepting fate, but then urged Chong Zi to live well, not just for herself, but for Dou. Luo Yinfan and Chong Zi then buried Dou. Dou’s tragic death left Chong Zi feeling lost. She blamed herself, wondering if she could have saved Dou if only she had recognized her earlier.
She questioned her path of cultivation, having sought it to protect those she cared about, only to feel utterly helpless in the face of such suffering. Luo Yinfan acknowledged her sorrow but explained that such human joys and sorrows were common in the Mortal World, and that true immortals learned to accept the helplessness of the world. Chong Zi, however, passionately argued that as someone who was once a mortal like Dou, she couldn't simply stand by and do nothing.
Luo Yinfan then elaborated on the true responsibility of an immortal: not merely to mend individual regrets, but to strive to create a world where all could live happily, protecting the six realms and common people, especially mortals like Dou. Chong Zi, still processing his words, asked if she could truly become an immortal like him. Luo Yinfan reassured her that with him by her side, anything was possible, promising that they would be together for a very long time.
Continuing their journey, they encountered a young girl, Ting Xue, being brutally beaten by her stepmother who intended to sell her to a brothel. Chong Zi immediately intervened, stopping the stepmother's violence. Luo Yinfan questioned the woman's claim of motherhood, and Ting Xue revealed her father, a town physician, had died from illness, leaving her an orphan at the mercy of her cruel stepmother.
Luo Yinfan paid a sum of money to buy Ting Xue's freedom, and Chong Zi offered her more money to escape. However, Ting Xue, astute and insightful, saw through their celestial identities. She refused the money and, despite Luo Yinfan's attempts to encourage her to pursue medicine in a pharmacy, insisted on serving them as a maid. She even tried to bring them ginger tea when the mountain road turned cold and damp, an action Luo Yinfan deemed unnecessary.
Chong Zi, recalling Dou's fate and seeing similarities between Ting Xue’s plight and her own childhood, felt a deep empathy for the girl. She pleaded with Luo Yinfan to let Ting Xue stay and join an immortal sect, believing it would protect her from suffering. Luo Yinfan, however, saw Ting Xue's calculated intentions and cunning, which were unlike Chong Zi’s innocent nature. He stated that joining an immortal sect might not be good for her.
When Ting Xue was caught eavesdropping outside their room, she pretended remorse, reiterating her humble status and claiming she wasn't worthy to follow them. Chong Zi once again stepped in, revealing her own past as a beggar to reassure Ting Xue and again pleaded with Luo Yinfan to allow Ting Xue to stay, to which he reluctantly agreed.
Finally, the trio arrived at Qinghua Palace, a majestic realm floating above the East Sea, known for its beautiful scenery and ethereal peaks. Luo Yinfan and Chong Zi were greeted by various immortal dignitaries, many of whom praised Chong Zi, though some whispered that she didn't appear particularly special. Lord Zhuo Yao, the host, welcomed them and had Hong Yi escort Chong Zi on a tour.
During the tour, Chong Zi, having overheard earlier discussions, curiously asked Hong Yi about the Demon King Wan Jie, wondering why immortals feared him so much. Hong Yi described Wan Jie as the most powerful and cold-blooded demon in the Demon Palace but quickly assured Chong Zi that Luo Yinfan was invincible and that as his disciple, she would be more than capable of handling Wan Jie herself. Chong Zi, however, modestly demurred, stating she wasn't so powerful.
When Hong Yi suggested they ride swords for a faster tour, Chong Zi, who had not yet learned such magical skills, politely declined, claiming she preferred to walk and admire the scenery over several days. Hong Yi then offered to take her to the Sea Building, where Luo Yinfan typically stayed, to rest. Meanwhile, Ting Xue wandered off and encountered Zhuo Hao, the Young Master of Qinghua Palace, a flamboyant and flirtatious youth.
He initially mistook Ting Xue for Luo Yinfan's disciple due to her proximity to the esteemed Sage. He flirted with her, offering to avenge any wrong she might have suffered. Ting Xue, however, quickly pointed out Chong Zi as the true disciple of Sage Chonghua. Chong Zi, witnessing Zhuo Hao's frivolous demeanor, instantly took a dislike to him.
Unfazed, Zhuo Hao was instead captivated by Chong Zi, finding her "much funnier" than Ting Xue, and challenged her to a sword fight. Chong Zi refused, admitting she knew no swordsmanship. Disbelieving her, Zhuo Hao grabbed her by the collar, carried her onto his sword, and flew over the sea, eventually dropping her into the water. Realizing she truly couldn't swim, he quickly used a water-repelling spell and rescued her.
Soaked and humiliated, Chong Zi lashed out at him for his boorish behavior. Zhuo Hao, however, continued to tease her, calling her "young lady" and suggesting she marry him, claiming her master clearly didn't care for her since he hadn't taught her magic. Furious, Chong Zi defended Luo Yinfan, asserting his kindness. Zhuo Hao apologized, begging her not to tell Luo Yinfan, fearing discord between their sects.
Chong Zi agreed, but on the condition that he teach her some magic, specifically a "Calm Deep Meditation" spell, because she believed her master didn't teach her due to her talkative nature. As Zhuo Hao eagerly demonstrated the meditation technique, Chong Zi seized the opportunity to draw a turtle on his back. Just then, Luo Yinfan entered. Seeing Zhuo Hao's hands on Chong Zi, his face hardened.
Chong Zi quickly pushed Zhuo Hao away and rushed to appease her master, trying to explain that Zhuo Hao only wanted to pay his respects. Zhuo Hao left, confused by Luo Yinfan’s intense reaction, wondering why the Sage seemed even more flustered than Chong Zi. Later, at the grand birthday banquet by the lake, Chong Zi observed Mr. Kunlun and his wife, Madam Kunlun.
Luo Yinfan explained how Madam Kunlun, a woman of bold and forthright character, had relentlessly pursued Mr. Kunlun, even initiating the betrothal. Despite facing societal criticism for her unconventional approach, their love story had blossomed into an enviable immortal union. Luo Yinfan remarked that Chong Zi's personality had some similarities to Madam Kunlun.
As Luo Yinfan's fame and bachelor status attracted numerous admirers, many immortal ladies at the banquet sought to curry favor with Chong Zi, believing she was the key to his affection. When Luo Yinfan was called away by the Lord of Yuyin Palace, several ladies swarmed Chong Zi, offering her various delicacies. Soon, one particular immortal lady brazenly approached Luo Yinfan, openly declaring her feelings and accusing him of being heartless for ignoring her.
Enraged by her inappropriate advances, Chong Zi confronted the lady, publicly reminding her that Luo Yinfan detested physical contact from overly familiar individuals. She asserted that to truly stand by her master, one needed to cultivate strong magical skills to "kill demons," rather than simply throwing oneself at him, as such behavior would only be a burden. Other immortals remarked on Chong Zi’s sharp tongue, acknowledging her as a unique and potentially capable disciple.
Luo Yinfan, returning to the scene, quickly apologized for his disciple's "drunken nonsense." The banquet officially commenced, with exquisite dishes being served. Lord Zhuo Yao asked Luo Yinfan about his sister, Yunji, who had been in the Mortal World for several years and seemed to have forgotten his birthday.
Luo Yinfan spoke highly of Yunji, noting her charitable work, administering medicine and saving lives among mortals, stating that such good deeds were the best birthday gift, accumulating virtue for Zhuo Yao. Luo Yinfan also mentioned that three years prior, Yunji had been in Qingzhou, aiding its people against a group of unruly fox demons. Just then, Zhuo Hao arrived late to the celebration.
As he greeted his father, the turtle Chong Zi had drawn on his back was inadvertently revealed for all to see. Unaware of this, Zhuo Hao dismissively commented on the banquet, stating he only came because "the young lady" (Chong Zi) was there, and reiterated how much he missed her, despite Chong Zi's protestations that they were "hardly acquainted."
