Ever Night Episode 1 Recap, Plot

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The Haotian world operates on a cosmic cycle, where every millennium, the Lord of the Deceased is said to descend, plunging the world into an Eternal Night, a period of extreme cold and desolation where life cannot thrive. However, within this world, a select few can perceive the original Qi of heaven and earth with their minds, becoming cultivators who progress through stages like Preliminary Awareness, Awareness, No-Doubt, All-Seeing, and All-Knowing.

Major sects, including the Haotian Sect in the West Shrine, the Demonic Cult exiled to the Northern Badlands, Sect Tianzhi, and the Academy founded by the Sage in the Tang State, guide the world's cultivators. Hidden from ordinary sight are the powerful masters, beyond the All-Knowing stage, dwelling in places unknown to ordinary people, which include Zhishou Temple, Hanging Temple, the Gate of the Demonic Cult, and the Academy's Second Floor.

A prophecy made fifteen years prior by the High Priest of Light Hall foretold the arrival of the Son of Lord of the Deceased in the Tang State’s capital, portending bloodshed. Fifteen years later, the Vermillion Bird guarding the Tang State's capital awakened in the night. In this world, despite the vast differences in power, some individuals, like ants striving against fate, rise against the odds to defy their preordained path.

In the 15th year of Tian Qi, under a scorching desert sun, a young man named Ning Que, known as the woodcutter of the Shubi Lake, lounged in the sand. His tranquility was broken by the approach of seven skilled Tang State cavalrymen. Ning Que quickly mounted his horse, ready to ambush horse thieves. Soon after, the cavalry discovered a group of seemingly dead bodies, only to realize it was a trap.

Horse thieves, hidden among the rocks, unleashed a volley of arrows and attacked with blades. During the skirmish, a sharp projectile brought Ning Que’s horse down, throwing him to the ground. Rising quickly, he saw his comrades being overwhelmed. Ning Que expertly cut down the horse thieves who rushed him. Two years prior, the Golden Horde's Khan united with the Tang State by marrying Princess Li Yu to foster peace.

However, in the 15th year of Tian Qi, the Khan suddenly died, and a decree from the Golden Horde demanded his wife, Princess Li Yu, be buried with him. On the night of her forced burial, Princess Li Yu's close maid, Ban Xia, selflessly offered to take her place. As the Golden Horde guards discovered the deception and pursued the escaping Princess, she was saved by the flying blade of Lvqing Chen, a powerful cultivator.

To evade further pursuit, Princess Li Yu continued her journey to Wei City disguised as a maid named Mei Shu. As dawn broke over Wei City, Ning Que returned, much to the relief of Mashi Xiang, the city's general. Mashi Xiang had saved Ning Que and Sang Sang from a pile of corpses years ago and raised Ning Que as his own son.

Sang Sang, a short, dark-skinned girl whom Ning Que had dug out of that very same pile of corpses and raised alongside him, rushed to meet him, calling out to him as "Young Master." Though often sharp-tongued, Sang Sang was diligently devoted to Ning Que, who was her entire world. Their bond was evident later as Sang Sang playfully scrubbed Ning Que’s back while he bathed, teasing him about selling his strong black horse, which she complained ate too much.

Ning Que joked about selling her if she kept his hair crooked, to which she retorted he'd look good bald. He also shared a bottle of Jiujiang double distilled wine with Sang Sang, remarking on its potency. Meanwhile, in the sacred hall of the West Shrine, the Tianyu House held its graduation debate. Long Qing, the Prince of the Yan State, dressed in white, stepped forward to face the High Priest of the Tianyu House.

Long Qing had been forced by his father to become a cultivator at the West Shrine in his youth and had since gained prominence. When questioned about the impending Eternal Night and the fate of humanity, Long Qing declared his belief in an undying Light and Haotian’s eternal presence, asserting that if a Son of Lord of the Deceased appeared, a Son of Light would rise to fight for Haotian.

While his "Light" philosophy impressed Priest No-Name of the Light Hall, it drew skepticism from Luoke Di, the Chief of Jurisdictions, who challenged him to pass the three departments’ tests to enter the Light Hall. Long Qing accepted the challenge, agreeing to undertake a practical training mission to the Badlands to locate the Gate of the Demonic Cult.

Before his departure, Long Qing visited Weiguang Ming, the High Priest of Light Hall, who had been imprisoned in the Secluded Pavilion for fifteen years. Weiguang Ming warned Long Qing of the extreme danger of his mission to the Badlands, but Long Qing remained resolute, vowing to find the Son of Lord of the Deceased to help Weiguang Ming regain his freedom.

Back in Wei City, Princess Li Yu, still disguised as Mei Shu, requested a meeting with General Mashi Xiang, asking for an experienced, loyal guide to help her cross the treacherous Minshan Mountain and return to the capital discreetly. Mashi Xiang assigned Ning Que to the task. That evening, Ning Que approached Mashi Xiang, discussing the princess’s carriage, noting the fresh knife and arrow marks.

He deduced that the carriage had been attacked, and given the recent death of the Khan of the Golden Horde and the "maid's" pale complexion, he concluded that someone within the imperial palace sought to harm the Princess. He voiced his reluctance, not wanting to risk his life on such a perilous journey.

Mashi Xiang revealed that the Academy had replied to his application, offering him a chance to take their entrance exam in two months, and that traveling with the princess would get him to the capital for free. Despite Mashi Xiang's plea, Ning Que remained hesitant, citing his fear of death.

However, when Mashi Xiang mentioned that Lvqing Chen, a cultivator at the Upper stage of all seeing, was accompanying the Princess, Ning Que’s demeanor instantly changed, and he declared his willingness to go.

Episode 2 Recap