Resumen del episodio 21 de The Unclouded Soul
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To save Bing Zhu, Lu Pianpian utilized Immortal Lord Suimeng’s Exquisite Crystal Heart, appearing before the Emperor in the guise of an exalted immortal. She warned him that his lack of sincerity would lead to his demise and that his quest for the Yuli Spring was currently a futile dream. When the Emperor pleaded for guidance, she explained that the hundred maidens previously offered were plagued by selfish desires, rendering him unworthy.
She revealed that the key to his long life was a truly sincere person by his side: Bing Zhu of the Feiyu Guard. Realizing he had almost executed his only hope, the Emperor immediately ordered Bing Zhu’s release. In the Imperial Prison, Ji Yan had already begun to assert his new authority.
Resenting Bing Zhu's former superiority and fearing that a public execution might lead to complications—especially since Bing Zhu had consumed the Yuli Spring and might survive a beheading—Ji Yan decided to kill him privately. He ordered wet mulberry paper to be pressed onto Bing Zhu's face, intending to suffocate him. Bing Zhu, feeling profound disillusionment toward the Emperor’s greed and his brothers' betrayal, prepared for death. However, just as he was losing consciousness, a royal decree arrived.
The eunuch announced a full pardon and summoned Bing Zhu to the West Garden, citing his years of loyalty and demon-slaying merit. Following her actions, Lu Pianpian spoke with Tan'er. She explained that by using the heart, she had transformed into a "Mei" (spirit), meaning she was now immune to nightmare techniques but would eventually be hunted as a demon. She told Tan'er that her only moral compass now was the protection of their small group—Bing Zhu, Tan'er, and herself.
She somberly asked that if she ever truly turned evil, they should be the ones to end her life. Meanwhile, Hong Ye and Luoluo were traveling back to Demons' Valley. Luoluo, unaware that Hong Ye had lost his spiritual power, spent the journey complaining about hunger and his love for rolling in the mud. Hong Ye lamented letting a pig demon handle the directions after Luoluo admitted he had forgotten a shopkeeper’s advice about a faster water route.
Their journey was interrupted when Luoluo fell into a bandit trap. Despite his lack of magic, Hong Ye maintained his composure, posing as a wealthy merchant's son. He successfully bluffed the bandits, offering them a "treasure" to release his "attendant," and scared them off. Xiao Yao caught up with them shortly after, having refused to be left behind.
She confronted Hong Ye for trying to disappear for her safety, insisting that she wanted to face the coming storms by his side. Moved, Hong Ye agreed they would return to the valley together. At the West Garden, the Emperor received Bing Zhu with feigned warmth, claiming the imprisonment was a final "test" of his character. He appointed Bing Zhu as the Bulwark Duke, granting him land and a generous grain stipend.
The Emperor’s true motive remained his obsession with the Yuli Spring; he urged Bing Zhu to use his favor with the "Exalted Immortal" to secure the elixir. Bing Zhu played along, asking if the immortal was still the one in the painting. The Emperor replied that the immortal had many incarnations and that her reappearance gave him hope for eternal life.
Returning to his residence as a Duke, Bing Zhu was met by Ji Yan and the other guards, who knelt in terror. Ji Yan attempted to save himself by claiming they were only following orders to support their families. Bing Zhu demanded an account of their collusion with the demons. Ji Yan confessed that since Xiao Yao’s capture, they had been working with a demon named Heiwu.
Twice a month, the demons provided minor spirits for the guards to deliver to the Emperor’s refinery in exchange for rewards. Ji Yan argued that this arrangement was a "win-win," as it kept the guards employed and the Emperor satisfied without the danger of real combat. That night, Bing Zhu met Lu Pianpian on a rooftop. He lamented his inability to save anyone despite his title.
He was surprised to find that he still felt heartache, questioning if the Exquisite Crystal Heart he now carried should have made him emotionless. Lu Pianpian comforted him, explaining that desire, not nature, corrupts. She expressed her hope that they would never be enemies, but begged him to keep his promise if she ever lost her way. As Hong Ye, Xiao Yao, and Luoluo reached Demons' Valley, Hong Ye led them through a secret barrier he had established years ago.
Inside, they found a bamboo demon named Zhuzi being hunted by Wu Huan. Hong Ye stepped forward, masking his weakness with a grand display of authority. He declared that while the Dreamshard Immortal had died, he, the Demon King, was very much alive. He threatened Wu Huan for harming his own kind and gave him a count of three to flee. While the bluff worked on Wu Huan, the Feiyu Guards watching from the shadows became suspicious.
They noticed that despite his formidable words, Hong Ye hadn't used a single bit of spiritual power. Realizing the Demon King was vulnerable, the guards turned back, eager to hunt the "prey" they had almost let escape. Sensing the approaching danger, Xiao Yao prepared to stand with Hong Ye to face the search party.
