Divine Destiny Episode 20 Recap
> Divine Destiny Recap
Zhang Yinyin, Ji Ruochen, and Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox arrived at the Endless Sea. Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox opened the gate to the Monster Forbidden Zone for them, and both Zhang Yinyin and Ji Ruochen entered, each finding themselves in an illusion. Inside his illusion, Ji Ruochen found himself in what appeared to be Tianxin Cave of Xixuan Mountains. Recognizing it as an illusion, he resolved not to be deceived.
The Sorrowful Love Venerable soon appeared, initially chiding "Zhang Yinyin" for taking too long and remarking on the coldness of "her cave," before Ji Ruochen formally introduced himself. The Venerable, impressed by his manners compared to "that girl," asked why he sought Nuwa's Tear – whether for healing or selfish cultivation. The Venerable then attempted to take something from Ji Ruochen, but was burned by a powerful purple energy emanating from him.
Realizing his formidable power, the Sorrowful Love Venerable declared that Ji Ruochen would not obtain Nuwa's Tears from her. Meanwhile, in Zhang Yinyin's illusion, she encountered the Sorrowful Love Venerable and was happy to finally meet her, believing it meant obtaining Nuwa's Tear was imminent. When asked who she was to Ji Ruochen, Zhang Yinyin confirmed she was both his senior and his fiancée. The Sorrowful Love Venerable then proposed an exchange for Nuwa's Tear: Zhang Yinyin's most precious possession.
Zhang Yinyin initially believed this meant Ji Ruochen himself, vehemently refusing to harm him, as he was her entire life. The Sorrowful Love Venerable clarified that she desired all of Zhang Yinyin's memories of Ji Ruochen, stating that if Zhang Yinyin was willing to forget him, he could be saved.
She detailed that the forgetting would be gradual, "day by day, little by little," until all memories of him were erased, ensuring that even if they met again, she would forget him instantly. Zhang Yinyin struggled with this immense sacrifice, asserting that her memories with Ji Ruochen were irreplaceable and more precious than anything.
The Sorrowful Love Venerable countered, arguing that memories were worthless if Ji Ruochen remained "a waste for the rest of his life" due to his ruined cultivation, and Zhang Yinyin would be left with "endless regrets and self-blame." She pressed Zhang Yinyin, reminding her of Ji Ruochen's deep resolve to avenge his senior, save Xixuan Sect, and help those suffering.
The Sorrowful Love Venerable stressed that Zhang Yinyin should help him fulfill these noble aspirations rather than clinging to her memories for selfish desire. After much internal anguish, Zhang Yinyin finally made the agonizing decision, telling the Sorrowful Love Venerable to "take them all," as long as Ji Ruochen could recover and achieve his goals.
As the Sorrowful Love Venerable extracted these "extremely pure memories," Zhang Yinyin wept, expressing her fear of never seeing Ji Ruochen again and her deep sorrow that their shared love would now only be remembered by him, begging him not to forget her. Just as the incense stick given by Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox was about to burn out, Ji Ruochen and Zhang Yinyin emerged from the Monster Forbidden Zone.
Ji Ruochen, now feeling his true spirit greatly strengthened, realized he had recovered and correctly guessed that Zhang Yinyin must have obtained Nuwa's Tear. Zhang Yinyin also expressed joy at his recovery. He anxiously asked Zhang Yinyin what she had exchanged for it, but Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox interjected, claiming she had exchanged her "most important Heavenly Fox Secret Technique" to protect Zhang Yinyin's secret. Ling and Qing Yi rushed to greet them, overjoyed by their return.
However, confusion quickly set in as both Zhang Yinyin and Ji Ruochen realized they couldn't remember what had transpired inside the Monster Forbidden Zone. Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox explained that anyone who leaves the Monster Forbidden Zone forgets the events within, as it happened to her as well. Ji Ruochen, filled with joy from his recovery, tried to affectionately reach for Zhang Yinyin, but she recoiled, not recognizing him and calling him a "lecher."
Ling subtly confirmed that Zhang Yinyin seemed to have forgotten everything. Zhang Yinyin remembered Ling, Qing Yi, and Master Ziyang, but Ji Ruochen was a complete stranger to her. Ji Ruochen desperately tried to jog her memory, reminding her of their shared past: their purpose in coming to Endless Sea to heal him, their time together in the hut, making medicine, raising goats, and even planning to open an inn.
He also mentioned Xixuan Mountains, Qiushui, and how he used to cook for her when she was locked up. As he pressed her, Zhang Yinyin became increasingly distressed and collapsed. Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox assured them Zhang Yinyin would be fine after a sleep, but strictly warned them not to provoke her by trying to make her remember. Ling suggested taking Zhang Yinyin back to Xixuan Mountains, hoping Master Ziyang and the others might know how to help.
Ji Ruochen readily agreed. Qing Yi, however, worried that Zhang Yinyin, having been expelled from Xixuan Sect and now not recognizing Ji Ruochen, wouldn't go with him. Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox ingeniously devised a plan: she told Zhang Yinyin that she needed to return to Xixuan Mountains to deliver a message to Master Ziyang from her, and since Ji Ruochen was also going, she should accompany him.
Despite Zhang Yinyin's initial reluctance to return to the place she had escaped, she could not disobey her master's directive. Ji Ruochen introduced himself as "Ji Ruochen, from a division under Xixuan Sect," apologizing for mistaking her for an "old friend." Although Zhang Yinyin accepted his apology, she still preferred not to travel with him.
Nevertheless, Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox insisted, with Ling and Qing Yi supporting her, praising Ji Ruochen's humor and kindness, assuring Zhang Yinyin the journey would not be boring. Ling and Qing Yi explained they could not accompany them as their "Dragon and Tiger Universal Cannon" needed repair using a specific magic tool found only in the Endless Sea. Though Zhang Yinyin found them all peculiar, she eventually conceded and set out with Ji Ruochen.
As they journeyed towards Xixuan Mountains, Zhang Yinyin questioned Ji Ruochen's name, playfully calling him "Ruo Ji" (weak chicken). Ji Ruochen shared that a close friend, who was independent, ambitious, honest, and cute, once said the same, and that he had "lost" her. Zhang Yinyin realized Ji Ruochen had initially mistaken her for this lost friend.
Soon, they heard commotion about "The Best Chicken in the World" and joined the crowd, only to find the highly sought-after delicacy was sold out. Ji Ruochen, noticing Zhang Yinyin's disappointment, devised a clever trick. He snuck into a wealthy household, where he disguised his voice and made their God of Wealth statue "speak," demanding chicken.
The awestruck family, believing their deity had manifested, frantically gathered all the finest chicken dishes, including roast chicken, crispy roast three-yellow chicken, fried chicken liver, fried chicken pops, and caterpillar fungus soup. Ji Ruochen and Zhang Yinyin then enjoyed their feast on the rooftop, laughing at the family's excited scramble. Zhang Yinyin, impressed, remarked on Ji Ruochen's ingenuity, noting how unusual such a clever scheme was for his typically serious demeanor.
Ji Ruochen, in return, claimed he had learned it from her. Over a shared drink, Zhang Yinyin declared Ji Ruochen her "bro," yet still advised him to discard his fake Chiying Sword, asserting that a Xixuan disciple shouldn't carry a counterfeit. When Ji Ruochen asked how she knew it was fake, she simply stated the real one had already been given away.
Zhang Yinyin then directly asked Ji Ruochen if Qing Yi had arranged for him to take her back to Xixuan for treatment due to her memory loss. Ji Ruochen was surprised by her accurate guess. Zhang Yinyin expressed her concern about returning to Xixuan, as she no longer considered herself a disciple. Ji Ruochen tried to change the subject, offering her more food.
Zhang Yinyin observed his intimate knowledge of her preferences, noting he knew she preferred chicken wings over feet and didn't eat orange pith. When she pressed him, he revealed even more details: her morning routine, her dislike for bathing Evil-Repelling Beasts, her joy at winning exams, her favorite color (pink), and her favorite food (mung bean cake).
Again, he attributed this knowledge to Qing Yi, though Zhang Yinyin seemed to question if she had ever shared such specific details with Qing Yi. Zhang Yinyin then asked why Ji Ruochen always wore a "long face," prompting him to share his lingering sadness about his lost friend and his uncertainty if she would ever remember him. He told her his return to Xixuan was in hopes of seeing her again.
Zhang Yinyin encouraged him, quoting the adage, "where there's a will, there's a way," assuring him that if he was sincere, he would find her. They toasted once more. Meanwhile, away from their journey, discussions were underway regarding the Banished God, Yinfeng, and Fairy Gu, Gu Qing. It was revealed that if they were to launch an attack on Xixuan Sect, the Banished God and Fairy Gu would need to join their cause.
One individual, presumably Yinfeng's Master Uncle, complained that Yinfeng was solely focused on Gu Qing and helping her study the Book of Heaven, disregarding him. They believed that the Banished God and Fairy Gu had both fallen in love, which, while seemingly a positive development, made them "more like humans" with "many weaknesses," thus rendering them exploitable for a greater agenda. Later, the Crown Princess sought to meet with Yinfeng.
A messenger conveyed Yinfeng's adamant refusal, stating he had said all he needed to, and that matters between them were long settled. He explicitly forbade anyone from disturbing Fairy Gu's cultivation. Distraught, the Crown Princess entrusted the messenger with a letter, claiming it contained information vital to Yinfeng and Gu Qing's lives, warning that he would regret not reading it forever. However, upon receiving the letter, Yinfeng, without even opening it, simply ordered it to be burned.
