Ever Night Season 2 Episode 14 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
State Preceptor Li Qingshan persistently pressed King Li Zhongyi to deploy troops to apprehend Ning Que and Sang Sang, emphasizing that not only Peach Hill of West Shrine, but also Master Qi Nian and Chief Master Jiang Jing of Sect Tian Qing were uniting to besiege the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased.
Li Qingshan detailed how Chaoyang City of Yuelun State had been thrown into chaos by Ning Que and Sangsang, and that the Hierarch of West Shrine was resolute in hunting down the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased to avert the Eternal Night. He warned that West Shrine had communicated Ning Que and Sangsang were nearing the Tang State border and would arrive in two days, demanding Tang State intercept and eliminate them for the sake of all people.
Li Qingshan stressed that sheltering the two would mean becoming an adversary to the entire world of Light. King Li Zhongyi, however, dismissed these concerns, stating that Ning Que's return was a good thing and his duty was to protect all Tang People. Princess Li Yu soon arrived, confirming the news of Ning Que and Sangsang's impending return, which pleased the King.
Li Zhongyi playfully suggested he and Li Qingshan were discussing how to "protect" Tang People, a quick correction from "besiege and kill." Li Yu, acknowledging Ning Que and Sangsang's current struggles and Li Qingshan's concern for Tang State's safety, nevertheless reminded everyone that Sangsang was a Tang citizen and Ning Que was Mr. Thirteen of Tang State.
Li Qingshan reiterated that while Tang State was stable, the arrival of the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased and the looming Eternal Night, brought by Ning Que and Sangsang, would bring disaster if the King did not act decisively. Li Yu countered, questioning why they should turn against two Tang citizens, who were already hunted by the world, based merely on a rumor without knowing if it was true or what they had done wrong.
King Li Zhongyi agreed with his daughter. He then ordered Li Qingshan to use the Transmission Formation to send a message to Wei City. Li Qingshan protested the immense cost in manpower and resources for a mere note, noting such a formation was last used by the Founder King during a military emergency. Li Zhongyi firmly declared that anything concerning Ning Que was an emergency for him. Li Qingshan reluctantly complied.
To conceal Ning Que and Sang Sang's presence from the West Shrine Cavalry, General Ma Shixiang had them discreetly brought into the Wei City army camp in sacks. He posted guards and arranged for some of his men to drink with the West Shrine priests. The soldiers, overjoyed, welcomed Ning Que back. That evening, Ma Shixiang hosted a grand banquet, where everyone drank, sang, and danced in celebration. Ning Que and Ma Shixiang both became heavily intoxicated.
Sang Sang led Ning Que back to their old, humble room, noting how immaculately Ma Shixiang had kept it, exactly as it was. She realized his intention was for them to stay. The familiar surroundings stirred deep emotions, and they recalled their past together there. Sang Sang soon fell asleep, but Ning Que lay awake, troubled. He realized he could not burden Ma Shixiang and his men any further.
He quietly gathered their belongings and, before slipping out of the camp, took a small wooden plaque bearing his name from the doorway as a keepsake. Ma Shixiang awoke to find Ning Que and Sang Sang had departed. A soldier reported that the West Shrine priests had sobered up and were searching for him. Ma Shixiang, understanding Ning Que couldn't have gone far, decided to confront the priests.
He feigned ignorance regarding Ning Que and Sangsang's whereabouts, retorting their accusations with his own absurd claims. He defiantly stated that he was a Tang State soldier and would not be commanded by a West Shrine priest. The priest threatened to report Ma Shixiang's insolence to Peach Hill as the official stance of Tang State, holding him responsible for any future consequences. Just then, a Tang soldier delivered an official edict from King Li Zhongyi, sent via the Transmission Formation.
Ma Shixiang opened it, revealing only three words: "Let him go." He burst into laughter and forcefully expelled the West Shrine priests from Wei City, warning them that if they didn't leave, he'd throw them into Minshan Mountain for the hungry wolves. He then ordered his own men to eat, pointedly denying food to the departing West Shrine contingent. Meanwhile, Slow Li was recovering at the Academy, tended to by Yu Lian.
Despite Yu Lian's reassurances, he remained deeply worried about Ning Que and Sangsang, finding his medicine too bitter and expressing concern as the Master was still in seclusion. Ning Que and Sangsang continued their journey in a carriage, with a flock of black crows constantly circling above them. Ning Que voiced his reluctance to bring the "dark clouds" of their troubles into Tang City, and Sangsang agreed.
Observing Sangsang's worsening cold, and noting that even reading scriptures offered little relief, Ning Que realized they desperately needed a stable place for her to recuperate. Sangsang asked where such a place could be found, and Ning Que suggested the East Badlands, home to the Huang people. She agreed to become one of them if necessary. They soon arrived in the vast, snow-covered badlands. There, they encountered Tang, the Demonic Cult Universe Traveler, and Yuan Lie, who blocked their path.
Ning Que attempted to appeal to Tang, mentioning his past care for her sister Tang Xiaotang at the Academy. Tang rebuffed him, reminding him that he was confined at Confessing Cliff while her sister was at the Academy, and Tang Xiaotang had later become Yu Lian's disciple. She expressed relief that the Master hadn't entrusted her sister to Ning Que, whom she called a "wretch."
Ning Que then reminded Tang that he had killed Xia Hou, a traitor to the Huang people, and inquired how he would be thanked. Tang acknowledged the deed but stated she could have killed Xia Hou herself. She offered Ning Que food and liquor, urging him and Sangsang to leave and never cross paths again. Ning Que pleaded for them to be taken in, arguing that even without them, other nations would still seek to eradicate the Huang people.
He also reasoned that accepting them would gain the Huang people a formidable warrior and ensure Tang State and the Academy would not join any conflict against them. Tang refused, explaining that sheltering the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased would only hasten their destruction by the world and intensify their wars with West Shrine, as the Huang people currently needed a moment to breathe.
Sangsang then stepped forward, begging to be allowed to stay, stating they had no other refuge. Upon seeing Sangsang, Tang, Yuan Lie, and the other Huang people immediately knelt, recognizing her as the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased, whom they revered. Ning Que pressed Tang further, pointing out that since the Huang people worshiped Lord of the Deceased, they should treat his daughter well, lest his wrath befall them.
Yuan Lie interceded, suggesting they present Sangsang to the First Elder, viewing her arrival as a potential turning point. After a moment of thought, Tang agreed to take them to the First Elder, but cautioned that she could not guarantee the elders' acceptance. Ning Que thanked her, confident in his ability to "sweet-talk old men" and reassure Sangsang that they would finally have a home.
He offered her liquor, remarking on its pleasant taste, and promised her that Light never makes blunders and he would always be with her. Back at West Shrine, Xiong Chumo already knew that Ning Que and Sangsang had gone to the Badlands, the territory of the Demonic Cult, which venerated the Lord of the Deceased. He perceived this as a disadvantageous development and considered immediate military action.
He confronted Ye Hongyu, criticizing her failure and demanding to know the cultivation stage of the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased. Ye Hongyu stated that Sangsang's stage was "beyond anyone's imagination" and "impossible to judge." Xiong Chumo scoffed, questioning how Ye Hongyu, if Sangsang was truly so powerful, was the sole survivor of their encounter. Ye Hongyu retorted that Sangsang, possessing a human heart, chose not to kill her, unlike Xiong Chumo, who desired her demise. Xiong Chumo denied this, asserting he only sought her loyalty. Ye Hongyu, in defiance, declared her loyalty solely to the righteous path and walked away without another word.
