Ever Night Episode 11 Recap, Plot

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Yu Lian, a tutor at the Academy, led the students to the Temple of Old Books, a building housing all known books. She explained that the Sage believed books record thoughts, but once written, thoughts are no longer fresh, hence the name "Temple of Old Books." Yu Lian outlined the rules: students could read anytime but must wash their hands and avoid spitting on the books.

They were strictly forbidden from taking or copying any books, with Yu Lian emphasizing that the Academy's rules were not to be questioned. She then guided them to the mysterious books on the second floor, warning that only those at the Dongxuan (Profound Grotto) stage should attempt to read them, as forcing entry without sufficient cultivation could lead to adverse consequences. Several students, including Ning Que, fainted upon trying to read, collapsing to the floor.

Ning Que awoke to find himself home, remembering nothing of what he had read. Undeterred, he repeatedly returned to the second floor of the Temple, only to faint each time and be carried back. Sang Sang nursed him, distressed by his constant illness, but Ning Que remained determined. He felt a metaphorical mountain blocked his path to cultivation.

Yu Lian warned him that his body constitution was unsuitable for cultivation, and continued efforts would be harmful, advising him to give up. Ning Que, however, believed there was another way to enter cultivation and begged to try. Moved by his resolve, Yu Lian granted him special permission to take notes, though they could not be removed from the Temple. For seventeen days, Ning Que diligently copied, yet comprehended nothing, questioning whether cultivation was real or imagined.

Meanwhile, the Sixth Prince's health deteriorated, baffling the imperial doctors. People from the Tianshu Office spread rumors that Princess Li Yu was the cause, blaming her "hard fate." Xia Tian fiercely refuted these claims before the Emperor, asserting that the Prince's illness was due to her own status as the Saint Virgin of the Demonic Cult and her marriage to an "outsider," urging the Emperor not to wrongly accuse Li Yu.

The Emperor, pleased by her understanding, ordered an end to such rumors in the palace, threatening severe punishment for those who defied. In the Temple of Old Books, Jun Mo, the Second Brother, wagered with Chen Pipi over finding a beginner's book. Chen Pipi stumbled upon Ning Que's notes, which included the insightful phrase, "Go upstairs again, go upstairs again. All previous worries disappear at this moment." Impressed, Chen Pipi wrote a response, adding his own reflections.

Ning Que's relentless efforts took their toll, and he fell gravely ill, believing he was dying. Sang Sang wept, feeding him ginger soup and imploring him to fight for his life, reminding him of their arduous journey to survive. Ning Que slowly recovered, touched by her devotion, and reaffirmed their commitment to live well, no matter what. Under the cover of night, Zi'mo met Long Qing on Peach Mountain.

Ye Hongyu, initially suspicious, drew her sword, but Long Qing intervened, identifying Zi'mo as the contact he sought. Zi'mo reported that Luo Kedi had replaced all the guards on the south side of Peach Mountain. He revealed that in three days, Elder Linfeng of the Light Hall would be performing a solo overnight vigil for the Lord of Southern Jin State.

Long Qing intended to stop Luo Kedi, but Zi'mo warned him of Luo Kedi's formidable and ruthless followers, cautioning that a direct confrontation could be fatal. Long Qing, steadfast in his belief that good triumphs over evil, declared he would not back down, even in the face of death. The next morning, Ning Que, feeling better, made another attempt to reach the second floor of the Temple of Old Books.

Li Hunyuan and Zhong Dajun immediately tried to stop him, ridiculing him for trying to emulate Xie Chengyun and aspiring to be a Pro Disciple of the Sage. Ning Que retorted that he only wanted to read. Li Hunyuan clarified that the "Second Floor" referred to the back hill, a special place where the Sage and his twelve Pro Disciples cultivated, and only the most outstanding disciples from the front courtyard could enter.

Ning Que defiantly declared that now that he knew about the Second Floor, he was determined to see it, challenging Li Hunyuan with a veiled threat about his skills as a "wood chopper in Shubi Lake," capable of "cutting heads like firewood." Princess Li Yu arrived, halting the escalating argument. She reprimanded Li Hunyuan, sending him back to his mansion for reflection. She then spoke privately with Ning Que, chastising him for his lack of respect. Ning Que coughed.

Li Yu advised him to cherish his health and serve the state. Ning Que countered that he did not seek fame or a grand ideal; he only wished to cultivate, frustrated by his slow progress. Li Yu invited him and Sang Sang to her birthday banquet, which coincided with her mother's death anniversary—a day her father, the Emperor, never celebrated for her. She gave Ning Que a waist token for entry.

Ning Que had planned to use the Academy's two-day holiday to visit Chen Zixian at the smithy to uncover the truth behind the Lin General's household massacre fifteen years prior. Li Yu's invitation forced him to accelerate his plans, sending Sang Sang ahead to the Princess Mansion. Ning Que braved the rain and arrived at the smithy, waiting until Chen Zixian was alone.

He confronted Chen Zixian, demanding to know why he had falsely accused General Lin of treason and why the entire household, including the gatekeeper, had been executed. Chen Zixian, accepting his fate, stated that he would die with everlasting regret regardless of his actions that night. At the same time, Luo Kedi and his men stormed the Light Hall, intent on assassinating Elder Linfeng. Chen Zixian cryptically suggested that his death would not satisfy Ning Que's thirst for vengeance.

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