Ever Night Episode 52 Recap, Plot

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The master of Zhishou Temple, Chen, accompanied Long Qing to the deep South Sea. Chen cautioned Long Qing about the dangers of obsession, considering it the greatest obstacle in cultivation, even to light or darkness. Long Qing, however, expressed his desire for power, unable to find light through darkness. Chen acknowledged Long Qing's resolve, assuring him that Haotian would guide him once his confusion dissipated.

Chen instructed Long Qing to go ashore and proceed to Zhishou Temple, urging him not to regret his choice. Long Qing, remembering the words, "Light will never die, Haotian will last forever," acknowledged his master's expectations and went ashore. Ning Que returned to the Academy, where he was warmly welcomed by his senior brothers and sisters. A formal ceremony was held where Ning Que bowed and offered tea to the Sage, officially becoming his disciple.

He then greeted his senior siblings, including First Brother, Second Brother, and Third Sister Yu Lian. When choosing his Academy uniform, Ning Que picked a black one, which Yu Lian said the back hill purchasing staff would custom-tailor for him, suitable for all four seasons. Ning Que inquired about Chao Xiaoshu, mentioning his recent challenge with Liu Yiqing. The Sage confirmed that Chao Xiaoshu was safe.

Li Manman reassured Ning Que, explaining that despite Liu Bai having taken Chao Xiaoshu's Blue Steel Sword, its qi remained, proving he was still alive. The Sage then instructed Ning Que to return to Confessing Cliff for further reflection. The Sage promised a gift would be sent to the cliff that night and instructed other disciples to prepare music, play chess, and cook. Accompanied by Sang Sang, Ning Que returned to Confessing Cliff.

He immersed himself in the "Mind attack of Universality" scripture, absorbing its content so thoroughly that the pages became blank. That night, the Sage visited him. Ning Que demonstrated his understanding, explaining concepts like the sun and moon's cycle representing Dao. The Sage revealed that the moon, though currently absent from the sky, once existed and was erased by someone.

The Sage then recounted the legend of the Eternal Night, explaining that every millennium, Haotian's enemy, the Lord of the Deceased, would reappear, plunging the world into extreme cold and causing widespread suffering. He confirmed that signs of this were already observed by him and Li Manman in the Far North.

Ning Que questioned if he was the Son of Lord of the Deceased, fearing the massacre at General's Mansion and the conflict at the Yan-Tang border were a result of his existence. The Sage dismissed the idea as absurd and assured him that he was not the Son of Lord of the Deceased.

The Sage then offered Ning Que a drink, instructing him to sleep well and prepare to descend the mountain the next day, reminding him to uphold his promises to Sang Sang. Jun Mo arranged for Liu Yiqing to recover at the Academy, promising his release once Chao Xiaoshu's whereabouts were confirmed. Liu Yiqing questioned if he would remain indefinitely if Chao Xiaoshu wasn't found.

Jun Mo revealed that the Eleventh Brother was preparing a special medicine for Liu Yiqing's eye injury, implying that Liu Yiqing's willingness to stay depended on this, but the Academy would not force him to remain. Liu Yiqing confessed that Chao Xiaoshu was alive and not at the Sword Pavilion.

He recounted how Chao Xiaoshu had broken into the Sword Pavilion's "Chamber of Swords," leading to a confrontation with Liu Bai, who had ordered his men to escort him away for recovery. Liu Yiqing offered to write a letter to Liu Bai requesting the Sword Pavilion disciples' assistance in locating Chao Xiaoshu, an offer Jun Mo accepted. Meanwhile, Chao Xiaoshu awoke in a humble hut, discovering he had been rescued by a widow after collapsing at her doorstep.

Back at the Academy, Li Manman expressed his concerns to the Sage, fearing Liu Bai might seek retaliation for Liu Yiqing's presence and anticipating West Shrine's machinations. The Sage, however, remained unperturbed, stating that he respected Ning Que's choices and advised against excessive worry for the future. Ning Que tried to persuade Sang Sang to return to West Shrine to assume the position of High Priest of Light Hall, but Sang Sang wanted to remain by his side.

Ning Que attempted to appeal to her by citing the grand ambitions of others, but Sang Sang declared her "vision" was to stay put forever. Ning Que admitted that having her care for him was more important than her becoming High Priest, yet acknowledged the need for West Shrine to have a High Priest. Three days later, Ning Que brought Sang Sang, along with specialties from the capital, to meet Cheng Lixue and Tianyu priest.

Ning Que tried to delay Sang Sang's return, arguing she was too young for such a prestigious role. Cheng Lixue clarified that inheriting the High Priest seat was a lengthy process involving "Zhizuoxunzheng"—a period of studying scriptures and undergoing cultivation among mortals—which was why West Shrine was eager for her to begin soon. Ning Que reiterated his support for Sang Sang's decisions. Sang Sang then stated her unwillingness to go "not right now" and proposed returning in "three more years."

Tianyu priest agreed to meet her in West Shrine in three years. Cheng Lixue questioned Tianyu priest's hurried departure. Tianyu priest revealed that events unfolding in the Jurisdiction Department were far more serious than anticipated. He emphasized that their goal was not to prevent these events, but to ensure that once they occurred, things would revert to their intended course.

Tianyu priest then disclosed he had seen light appearing on Peach Hill in three years, confirming Sang Sang's inevitable return to West Shrine, noting that a mere glance at her had nearly blinded him and affirmed his belief, "Light will never die. Haotian lasts forever." Meanwhile, Liu Bai confronted his Sword Pavilion disciples, holding Liu Yiqing's letter and sword, demanding an explanation for Liu Yiqing carrying Chao Xiaoshu's sword.

He singled out a particular disciple, revealing him as a West Shrine infiltrator, questioning if West Shrine was truly superior to the Sword Pavilion and denouncing him as a cold-hearted "slave of West Shrine." The spy claimed the Hierarch wished to use the Sword Pavilion. Liu Bai countered that taking without permission was stealing. The spy corrected him, stating it was the High Priest of Jurisdiction who gave the orders, not the Hierarch.

Liu Bai sarcastically admitted he might have wronged the Hierarch and inquired about the Jurisdiction High Priest's tenure, suggesting it was "time to change." He then pressed the spy about being promised the Commander position upon returning to Peach Hill. Upon the spy's confirmation, Liu Bai declared, "you borrowed from me, now you have to pay." Despite the spy's desperate pleas for mercy, Liu Bai swiftly struck him down with his sword as the spy attempted to flee.

Liu Bai instructed a disciple to quickly deliver a sword to Ye Hongyu. The disciple expressed concern, fearing that if Ye Hongyu were to grasp Liu Bai's sword intent, she would grow to become a formidable enemy of the Sword Pavilion. Liu Bai, however, asserted that Ye Hongyu, referred to as Dao-addicted, would naturally overcome her current obstacles, and he merely wished to accelerate her progress.

He explicitly stated that his action was a direct retaliation: "That old freak from Jurisdiction lent Yiqing one sword. I'll return the favor to Ye Hongyu." He then issued a decree, declaring that from that day forward, the Sword Pavilion would completely rupture its ties with the Jurisdiction Department of West Shrine.

Meanwhile, at the Jurisdiction Department, the High Priest was consumed with rage, lambasting Luo Kedi, because their plan to incite conflict between the Sword Pavilion and the Academy had backfired. He further raged that their spies within the Sword Pavilion had been exposed and scornfully accused Luo Kedi of trying to pin responsibility on Long Qing, a "wasted man." Overwhelmed by fury, the High Priest, revealed to be the Hierarch, directed his wrath at the Sage.

He ranted about the Sage's past actions, such as chopping down West Shrine's peach trees and exiling the Temple Master, vowing that the Sage would eventually die. Consumed by vindictive fury, the Hierarch swore to make the Sage pay a blood price for the humiliations inflicted upon him and West Shrine, promising that the Sage would face the condemnation of all people and that everything the Sage cherished would be utterly destroyed.

Under the careful tending of the widow, Chao Xiaoshu's injuries gradually healed. She observed his improved health and asked about his departure, which he confirmed. Curious about his past, she requested he share his stories. Chao Xiaoshu dismissed his own experiences as uninteresting, but their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the village bully, Fourth Master, and his cohorts.

Fourth Master immediately insulted the widow and accused her of bringing shame upon the village by harboring a strange man, implying improper relations. When Chao Xiaoshu stepped in to intervene, Fourth Master warned him not to meddle. The widow then bravely confronted Fourth Master, exposing him as her husband's killer.

She recounted how her husband had gone to sea with Fourth Master three years prior, only for Fourth Master to return alone, falsely claiming her husband had been swept away by waves. Cornered, Fourth Master confessed to orchestrating the husband's death because she had refused to become his concubine. Enraged by this callous admission, Chao Xiaoshu unleashed his power, striking down Fourth Master and his men.

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