Ever Night Episode 42 Recap
> Ever Night Recap
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The Butcher, complaining incessantly about the Drunkard's idleness, is surprised by the Sage's arrival. The Butcher understands the Sage's purpose for visiting: he and the Drunkard are the sole survivors of the last Eternal Night, and the Sage seeks details about the event. The Butcher, however, responds with cynical remarks, asserting that Haotian keeps humanity in captivity like pigs fattened for slaughter, demanding their sacrifices, and is ultimately heartless.
The Sage counters this bleak view, expressing his steadfast belief that "man can conquer Haotian," a conviction he considers his personal gamble. Separately, Ning Que questions Li Manman about Xia Hou's strength and his affiliation with the Demonic Cult, wondering how such a person could become a general of State Tang. Li Manman clarifies that the demon within a person's heart is the most fearsome entity.
He describes Xia Hou as a former free spirit, a goshawk of the Badlands, who unfortunately shackled himself and became a shepherd dog for hunters. When Ning Que asks how to defeat him, Li Manman advises him to go directly to Tu Yang City to confront the North-Defending General. In the snowy wastes, a Huang Ren discovers a severely injured Long Qing, near death from the cold, and provides shelter.
Upon regaining consciousness, Long Qing, identifying himself as the Son of Light from the West Shrine, attempts to kill his rescuer, declaring his mission to purify the world. The Huang Ren, angered by this ingratitude, easily subdues Long Qing, then casts him back out into the snow to fend for himself. Meanwhile, Ning Que and Mo Shanshan continue their journey, sharing a horse and accompanied by Li Manman as they make their way towards Tu Yang City.
Long Qing, battered and consumed by despair, painfully drags himself to a riverside where Lu Chenjia eventually finds him. He feels like a lifeless corpse, broken by his defeat and the loss of his cultivation. He bitterly reflects on how Ning Que's arrow on the snowy cliff destroyed his Aperture Qihai and Aperture Xueshan, rendering him forever unable to cultivate. He believes his past pride and glory were merely footnotes to his ultimate downfall.
Lu Chenjia reassures him, urging him to start anew and pledging her unwavering love and support. Long Qing, however, recalls a terrifying vision from his Academy entrance exam where he saw himself killing her, which Lu Chenjia dismisses as a mere illusion. Despite her devotion, Long Qing harshly rejects and pushes her away. Lu Chenjia then produces a snow lotus, a cherished gift from Long Qing's past, hoping it will reignite his spirit.
But Long Qing, completely disheartened, crushes the flower underfoot, declaring himself a "good-for-nothing." Lu Chenjia, heartbroken, cries and begs him not to despair, but Long Qing, resolute in his misery, walks away, announcing his intention to break their engagement. He reminds her of her noble status as the Princess of State Yuelun and the renowned Flower-Addict.
Lu Chenjia, undeterred, continues to follow him, vowing to remain by his side despite his rejection, even picking up the cloak he heartlessly discarded to shield him from the elements. During a journey break, Ning Que finds Mo Shanshan writing in the snow. He playfully asks if she can see him clearly, expressing a lighthearted concern that she might forget him once she returns to Dahe State. Mo Shanshan assures him he is always in her thoughts.
Li Manman then suggests that a connection forged during a journey can sometimes last a lifetime, hinting at marriage between Ning Que and Mo Shanshan. Startled by the suggestion, Ning Que's reaction makes Mo Shanshan feel awkward, believing he disapproves. To alleviate the tension, Li Manman formally accepts Mo Shanshan as his sworn sister, binding her to the Academy's family.
Ning Que then promises Mo Shanshan a tour of the Capital's best food and sights, and a chance to see her write many words, sealing their new bond with a pinky swear. Li Manman initially intends to take only Ning Que to meet Xia Hou in Tu Yang City the following day, but Mo Shanshan insists on accompanying them, preferring to face the danger with Ning Que rather than worrying from afar. Li Manman ultimately agrees.
Upon arriving at Tu Yang City, the trio attends a banquet hosted by Xia Hou. Ning Que pointedly refuses to eat or drink, glaring at Xia Hou with an intense gaze. Xia Hou addresses Ning Que's animosity by recounting his tumultuous past: he reveals his identity as a former member of the Demonic Cult, whose leader disappeared after Ke Haoran's single-handed assault on their mountain.
Many disciples were killed or dispersed, forcing Xia Hou to flee to State Tang, where he joined the army and, through his dedicated defense of the borders, rose to become the North-Defending General. He admits that agents from the West Shrine later discovered his Demonic Cult background and coerced him into committing unspeakable acts by threatening his closest relative's life, which he claims not to regret.
Seeking Li Manman's understanding, Xia Hou describes himself as a traitor, the "dregs of the darkness" barely surviving under the light, constantly burdened by his past. He expresses his desire for greater power to achieve true freedom. Xia Hou acknowledges that his words won't change Ning Que's resolve but feels compelled to share his hidden truths with Li Manman.
He recounts his failed attempt to seek guidance from the Sage, who refused to meet him but conveyed two words through the Emperor of Tang: "Take inaction." Li Manman clarifies the Sage's meaning, explaining that inaction could have prevented much suffering. Xia Hou counters that inaction would have jeopardized his closest relative. Li Manman then reveals that the Sage's approval enabled Xia Hou's sister to become the Queen of State Tang.
Li Manman then levels his own accusations, charging Xia Hou with ordering his subordinate Lin Ling to disguise himself as a bandit to attack Ning Que and Mo Shanshan, and attempting to kill Ning Que to seize the Almighty Book. Xia Hou confesses to both acts. Li Manman demands Xia Hou's immediate retirement, dismissing Xia Hou's attempt to invoke the Academy's rule against interfering in state politics.
Li Manman asserts that while Xia Hou's other crimes are minor matters, attempting to kill Ning Que, his youngest brother, is a "big deal" that the Academy will not overlook. Xia Hou raises a toast to Ning Que, who immediately feels dizzy and his vision blurs from a poisoned drink. Li Manman intervenes, engaging Xia Hou in a brief but intense confrontation that leaves Xia Hou internally injured.
Defeated, Xia Hou agrees to retire from all his official positions by the following year. Li Manman deems this timeframe too late, but Xia Hou insists on a proper handover of his extensive duties, citing the unstable situation in the Badlands and the need to defend Tu Yang City against the unpredictable Huang Ren.
Li Manman accepts the terms, promising to relay them to the Sage, but sternly reminds Xia Hou to honor his commitment before departing with Ning Que and Mo Shanshan. Chongming reports to the King of Yan State that their intelligence confirms Long Qing's cultivation was destroyed by Ning Que, and he is now missing. Chongming volunteers to personally search for his brother.
However, the King vehemently refuses, stating he has already recalled all search parties and will not waste Yan State's resources on an "invalid" like Long Qing. When Chongming passionately argues for his brother, the King slaps him. The King reveals that he views both his sons as chess pieces for Yan State's revival and that he allowed Chongming to remain in State Tang fifteen years prior to learn tolerance.
He believes Long Qing's current defeat, if embraced, could force him to shed his pride, which is the only hope for Yan State's true revival. The King then declares that State Tang's deception must be avenged, commanding that both brothers must unite to deliver a fatal blow to State Tang when it is at its weakest. Chongming asks if Long Qing will survive, and the King replies that his fate now rests with Haotian.
In a dilapidated house, Long Qing remains utterly despondent. Lu Chenjia stays by his side, pleading for him to reclaim his former self as one of the Three Addicts. She expresses her desire to stay with him, hoping they can return to their past, and asserts that if he still cares for her at all, he should let her remain. Long Qing offers no response, lost in his despair.
