Divine Destiny Episode 24 Recap
> Divine Destiny Recap
First, Zhang Yinyin is frustrated, unable to defeat Ji Ruochen, who insists she return home while he proceeds alone. Fellow disciples share her frustration, even playfully suggesting tying him up and sending him on his way. Zhang Yinyin, finding the phrase "send him on his way" unsettling, learns from a disciple that there might be a way for her to join. She then asks Xuanzhen if she had known Junior Ji before, as his insistence on her leaving felt familiar.
Xuanzhen reveals that Ji Ruochen secretly likes her but is too timid to express it due to his seemingly ordinary appearance. He suggests Zhang Yinyin subtly hint at her own affection to make Ji Ruochen reconsider, but advises her to choose a more romantic setting than the present. Zhang Yinyin is eager to try. Ji Ruochen has made up his mind to go, unwilling to be persuaded. Xuanzhen notes that Ji Ruochen's preoccupation is with Zhang Yinyin remembering him.
Zhang Yinyin later approaches Ji Ruochen, telling him that sitting with him feels familiar and that when he tried to send her away, she claimed to experience a headache, with many images of him flashing through her mind, making her wonder if they had met before. Ji Ruochen, intrigued, asks if she remembers anything, though internally he suspects she might be feigning. Zhang Yinyin states she vaguely recalls something, feeling their relationship is unusual.
Ji Ruochen's internal thoughts reveal his fear: even if she were to fall for him again, she would inevitably forget him once more, and the deeper her affection, the more completely she would forget. Zhang Yinyin then requests to accompany him to destroy the spiritual cave, hoping the extended time together might trigger more memories. Ji Ruochen directly asks her who taught her to pretend.
She feigns hurt, accusing him of not believing or liking her, and asks if Qiushui or Xuanzhen put her up to it. He calls out for Xuanzhen and Qiushui, acknowledging their desire to help him but reiterating his decision. One of them criticizes him for being stubborn and warns him of acting like a hero to his death. Ji Ruochen then asks Senior Qiushui and Senior Xuanzhen to send Zhang Yinyin back.
Zhang Yinyin, refusing to beg, states she can go back herself. However, she then proposes that she will personally escort herself back to Xixuan Mountains if he agrees to take her "husbands" (the other disciples) with him, as they are not poisoned. Ji Ruochen accepts this condition, playfully referring to her as his "wifey." Zhang Yinyin playfully instructs her 'husbands' to take good care of Ji Ruochen.
Later, a disciple urges Ji Ruochen to speak with Zhang Yinyin before they part ways, but he declines, not wishing to upset her further. They then decide to head immediately for the nearest spiritual cave in the fortress. As they proceed towards the fortress, Ji Ruochen senses another presence. Zhang Yinyin reveals herself, having followed them and deciphered the map of spiritual cave locations.
She playfully insists Ji Ruochen call her "Senior," chiding him for his lack of manners, and demands to be taken along. Ji Ruochen, observing her persistence despite not even remembering his name, finds her endearing and agrees to her company.
Meanwhile, within the fortress, the Imperial Advisor instructs his disciples to set up the Tianxuan Altar Formation in the eight directions of the fortress and to prepare an ambush near the Drum Tower, declaring his intent to make it Ji Ruochen's grave. He confides that the sacrifices of the fortress's inhabitants are a small price for the greater good and that his actions have been concealed.
Ji Ruochen's group approaches the fortress, noting its unusual silence and the absence of guards, suspecting an ambush. They discover a powerful barrier. Qingyi identifies it as the Tianxuan Altar Formation from Zhenwu Temple, condemning the Imperial Advisor as sinister. Just then, Qingyi, Ling, Dragon Elephant, and White Tiger arrive, explaining that their uncle sent them because he anticipated danger. Qingyi passionately argues for Ling to help destroy the spiritual cave, given his high skill.
However, Ling states his master's strict instruction to only protect them and not interfere with the destruction of the spiritual cave. Zhang Yinyin and Qingyi try to persuade Ling to join, arguing that he doesn't always have to obey his master completely, which he partially concedes by saying he would "naturally offer help" if they were in danger. They finally convince Ling to somewhat disregard his master's orders. Inside the fortress, Ji Ruochen's group faces an ambush.
Ji Ruochen is struck by hidden weapons that are poisoned. Zhang Yinyin, who previously experienced a severe headache attempting to recall memories, is still unwell. Yinfeng and the Imperial Advisor are seen observing the situation. Yinfeng corners Qingyi, Dragon Elephant, and White Tiger, dismissing them as "little demons."
Qingyi fiercely confronts Yinfeng, accusing him of aiding evil and questioning his past actions, specifically identifying him as the one who killed the Bamboo Snake and further harmed Ji Ruochen after he was already severely wounded. Yinfeng, unmoved, declares his presence is solely to protect the spiritual cave, promising to release Qingyi once the Imperial Advisor captures Ji Ruochen.
Yinfeng, confident in the formation which was set up with his immortal power, assures Gu Qing that Ji Ruochen will not escape and the spiritual cave will be safe. Gu Qing, however, remains hesitant. She expresses her reluctance to believe Ji Ruochen is truly evil, recalling his past self-sacrifice in Haofang to eliminate demons despite knowing he might die.
She acknowledges her past resentment towards him due to personal reasons, but now, having recognized his identity and reconciled, she asserts that her former hatred has faded. Nevertheless, she declares she will not stand idly by if he indeed seeks to become a demon and destroy the spiritual cave. She hopes he was merely misguided, and states they will soon know his true nature once he is in the fortress.
While Ji Ruochen searches the fortress, snow begins to fall, and he picks up an umbrella, recalling that if Zhang Yinyin were to remember their past moment sheltering from rain, she might experience another headache. Zhang Yinyin, observing his strange behavior, finds Ling more reliable. Later, she reflects on Ji Ruochen, admitting he's "weird." She recalls trying to coax him in the "shabby temple" as advised, only for him to appear eager and ask what else she remembered.
This makes her question their true relationship and whether Xuanzhen's claim that he likes her is true. A senior advises her to let things happen naturally, drawing a parallel to her own experience with someone who pursued her without reciprocation. Seeking fresh air, Zhang Yinyin finds Ji Ruochen waiting outside. She directly asks if he likes her. He questions who told her, and she names Xuanzhen, noting her own recent observations support the idea.
He denies it, apologizing if his actions caused misunderstanding, promising it won't happen again. Zhang Yinyin, however, insists she clearly remembers something about "Tianxin Cave." He tries to dissuade her, citing her recent severe headaches. Despite his efforts, she insists on her memory of "Tianxin Cave," leading to another excruciating headache. Ling helps her inside to rest. A disciple suggests that if remembering Ji Ruochen causes such pain, he should stay away from her, and the problem would be solved.
After this, Ji Ruochen decides to leave Zhang Yinyin under Ling's care to search for the spiritual cave alone. Meanwhile, the Imperial Advisor, observing the unfolding events from above, informs Gu Qing that the "fish has taken the bait." Gu Qing, still wavering, requests more time to decide, stating that Ji Ruochen has done nothing wrong yet.