Ever Night Season 2 Episode 19 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
He Mingchi expressed concern over the God-Startling Formation being compromised while Ning Que was away from the capital. Li Qingshan, representing the South Branch of Sect Haotian, swore to defend the formation to the death until Ning Que's return, emphasizing that it was a vital barrier for Tang State. When He Mingchi tried to pry for more information about the formation's location, Li Qingshan sternly warned him against such inquiries.
Li Qingshan explained that the God-Startling Formation was created by Sage and is the greatest formation in the world, its guardian chosen by the formation itself, just as Yanse was chosen by the vermilion bird and now Ning Que. He reiterated that no one should discuss, question, or guess about the capital's last barrier. He Mingchi assured his master he understood. Meanwhile, Sage, Sangsang, and Ning Que arrived at the Tang State capital.
Ning Que felt as if ages had passed since he was last there, and expressed how he never dreamed they would be able to return and walk freely, as if nothing had happened, only Sage could make it so. Sage recalled building the city, calling it the happiest time of his life, and confirmed that the God-Startling Formation was also his creation, thus justifying Ning Que's inheritance of its key.
They walked openly into the city, with Sage dismissing the need for a carriage, and headed back to the House of Calligraphy. Inside the House of Calligraphy, Ning Que busied himself with making food, noting that Sangsang used to handle such tasks but he now did them, having become skilled both in battle and in the kitchen. He proudly promised Sage signature dishes. Sangsang, holding the black chess piece, seemed distant.
Ning Que asked Sage why Tang State never unified the world. Sage explained that while Tang State was invincible against other nations, West Shrine remained. He admitted he wasn't powerful enough at the time to confront West Shrine without alarming Haotian, a feat he wished he could have accomplished. Ning Que praised Sage's strength for even considering such a feat. As Ning Que finished cooking, Sage instructed him to leave the food for others and prepared to depart with Sangsang.
Ning Que questioned who "they" were, but Sage simply led them out. Sangsang lingered, remarking that the place smelled familiar, as if she had been there before but couldn't recall. Ning Que, worried that Sangsang was forgetting their past, pulled her along, fearing she might one day forget him entirely. Shortly after, Slow Li, Jun Mo, and Yu Lian arrived at the House of Calligraphy.
Finding the delicious food, they happily ate, with Slow Li noting that Sangsang had cooked Sage's favorite dishes, and Jun Mo reminiscing about meals and drinks with Ning Que. They all raised a toast, wishing Ning Que and Sage the best. Back in the carriage, Sage shared his experiences of searching for the Butcher and the Drinker, explaining he sought to understand how humans could triumph over Haotian. He Mingchi and Li Qingshan were engaged in a game of Go.
Li Qingshan commented on the unique "cycle of all-dominating ko" scenario, where a draw could only be achieved if neither side compromised, a rare outcome as He Mingchi, his disciple, had never achieved even a draw against him. He Mingchi insisted on a draw, suggesting he now stood as an equal to his master. He Mingchi then subtly inquired about Li Zhongyi, mentioning rumors that His Majesty was mortally wounded and would soon pass away. Li Qingshan coughed in alarm.
After He Mingchi left, Li Qingshan used the Go pieces for divination, which indicated the coming of Eternal Night, causing him to collapse in despair. Sage, Sangsang, and Ning Que journeyed to a mountain top. Ning Que asked Sage if Eternal Night was truly imminent, to which Sage replied that there was no Lord of the Deceased, and that the artifacts of Sect Tian Qing were merely intended to suppress what they "believed" to be the Lord of the Deceased.
Ning Que found this hard to believe, arguing that if no Lord of the Deceased existed, Sangsang could not be its daughter. Sage then clarified that Sangsang, after being the Daughter of Light, transformed into the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased, hunted by the world. He revealed his realization: absolute Light is absolute darkness. Sage admitted that the moment he infused Sangsang with the power of the human world, his war with Haotian had begun.
Sage recounted how Haotian had watched him during their travels, which diminished his enjoyment of earthly pleasures. Despite not believing in fate, Sage acknowledged that his destiny became inextricably linked with Haotian's. He revealed that eighteen years ago, in the Academy's back hill, he witnessed Sangsang's birth as the little Zeng's baby girl. He also saw her become the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased at Rotten-wood Temple, and later, how Ning Que rescued her and they were both hunted.
Though he had many opportunities to intervene, he held back, instinctively maintaining distance from the unfolding fate. Ning Que pointed out that Sage eventually made a choice. Sage explained he was tired of human affairs and seized this opportunity to resolve his own mental obstacles and fight Haotian, to ensure Sangsang could remain with Ning Que.
Ning Que questioned if this battle was inevitable, and Sage affirmed that with both knowing the other's location, he could no longer refuse Haotian's invitation. Ning Que asked why Haotian would bring Eternal Night if Haotian was the Lord of the Deceased. Sage speculated that Haotian might have grown fearful of humanity's proliferation, comparing humans to ants that could eventually cover the sky if numerous enough, thus implying Haotian's intent to periodically reset the world with catastrophe.
When Ning Que asked about his confidence in fighting Haotian, Sage stated he had none, as they had never truly fought. Sangsang, now speaking with the voice of Haotian, declared that she had no confidence to defeat Sage. Sage then revealed that he recognized Haotian's presence in Sangsang back in the Badlands.
He explained that he had deliberately exposed Haotian to human experiences—delicious food, beautiful sights, and even marriage with Ning Que—to instill a longing for the human world, noting the irony of Haotian, who once viewed humans as worms, now marrying one and experiencing its beauty. Sage then challenged Haotian, stating that just as Haotian had sought him out for battle in the heavens, he wished to invite Haotian to experience the human world.
Sangsang, embodying Haotian, then spoke of the Scroll "Ming" of the Almighty Book, and how light encompasses the sun and moon, creating the circle of life. Sage, impatient, told her to "just save it" and urged her to go. Chen Pipi, at Zhishou Temple, sensed the imminent grand battle, reflecting on Sage's earlier words about Haotian's potential fear of humanity.
Thunder rolled in the sky, and Xiong Chumo, along with the forces of Xiling and the Chief Preacher and other cultivators, all sensed the anomaly in the heavens, closely monitoring this battle of the century. Sangsang then transformed into the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased, a being that embodied both darkness and light. She flew towards the sky, with Ning Que desperately reaching out to her, calling her name.
Sage, calling out "Haotian," then leaped into the sky to confront her. Ning Que watched helplessly as his beloved Sangsang and his revered teacher ascended to battle, the intensity blinding him. Chen Pipi, observing from afar, mourned Sage's disappearance into the clouds, calling for Sage to manifest. The Chief Preacher led his disciples in prayer for Sage's swift manifestation. High above, Sangsang, as Haotian, mockingly told Sage that he could not return to the heavens.
On the ground, Ning Que frantically screamed for Sage and Sangsang to return, but they were already gone. Overcome with grief and powerlessness, Ning Que collapsed unconscious in the desolate wilderness. A fleeting light appeared in the sky, prompting the Drinker to chastise Sage for his stubbornness, sacrificing eternal life for an impossible fight against fate.
The Butcher, holding a small wooden stick, mused that Sage's ascension had freed him from decades of exile in the South Sea, yet he wondered if Sage's influence would still block him. A full moon rose as Slow Li, with other Academy disciples, looked up at the night sky, silently praying for Sage.
Following Sage's ascension, the entire world was enveloped in a prolonged and heavy snowfall, an event destined to be recorded in history and to bring significant changes to the human world. General Ma Shixiang arrived to report Sage's ascension to Li Zhongyi. Xia Tian tried to prevent him from entering, suggesting he submit a written memorial instead. Ma Shixiang insisted on an immediate audience due to the urgent nature of the news.
Li Zhongyi, from inside, eventually ordered Kiddo to open the door. Upon seeing His Majesty, Ma Shixiang reported that Sage had ascended to heaven. Hearing this, Li Zhongyi, exclaiming "The sky is falling!" coughed up blood and fainted, surrounded by his distressed attendants.
