Ever Night Season 2 Episode 25 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
At the besieged Wei City, the Golden Horde Calvary leader ordered a volley of arrows, but Queen Xia Tian, utilizing Demonic Cult skills, deflected them all, remaining unharmed. From the city wall, General Ma Shixiang and his deputy Wei Budao watched in astonishment. Wei Budao immediately recognized the Demonic Cult skills, exclaiming, "Queen is a cultivator!" Ma Shixiang, however, quickly silenced him, forcefully reminding him, "Don't mention the status of Queen any more.
The former king was so wise and mighty. I think he must have already known this. Since he could forgive her, why should we make things difficult for her?" The Tang army, their morale boosted, cheered loudly, "Tang State is sure to win!" Xia Tian continued to fight against waves of Golden Horde attackers, but eventually, against their leader, she grew exhausted. Just as the leader moved to strike, Ning Que arrived, scattering the Golden Horde cavalry and providing relief.
Ma Shixiang, overjoyed to see him, exclaimed, "It's him! He's still alive!" After repelling the invaders, Ning Que returned to the military camp. He first paid respects at Li Zhongyi's altar and then questioned why everyone remained in Wei City. Ma Shixiang, in response, suggested they ask "those two from the capital." Ning Que declared that they must leave immediately, taking all defending troops and citizens, including Ma Shixiang. Xia Tian supported Ning Que, stating, "Mr. Thirteen is right.
As long as the capital hasn't been broken through, Tang State would never die." Ma Shixiang then entrusted Wei Budao with the Wei City ensign, a symbol granted by the former king, instructing him to ensure the safe passage of the Queen and Sixth Prince, Li Hupo, to the capital. When Wei Budao questioned if Ma Shixiang himself wouldn't be leaving, Ma angrily dismissed him.
Ma Shixiang insisted Ning Que eat some local delicacies before leaving, then falsely claimed to have a lover in Wei City as a reason to stay. Ning Que saw through his lie, knowing Ma was unwilling to abandon Wei City, and tried to persuade him to leave, asking how he could resist the Golden Horde alone. Ma Shixiang defiantly stated, "I want to have a try."
Ning Que then threatened to stay as well, reminding Ma Shixiang of his duty as the executor of His Majesty's edict, specifically, "He entrusted his young son to your care." Ma Shixiang countered that since Ning Que was absent at the time, he took on the responsibility, but now Ning Que was back and should fulfill the duty.
He handed Li Zhongyi's edict to Ning Que, declaring that Ning Que, as the Guardian of Tang State, bore the safety of the nation. He urged Ning Que, "Remember. Don't bring me into disrepute," before forcefully sending him off, while shedding tears himself. Meanwhile, in the capital, Li Yu diligently managed state affairs as the regent, praying to her deceased father, Li Zhongyi.
She expressed her frustration, wondering why the ministers still did not trust her despite her tireless efforts, and what she needed to do to earn their satisfaction. Back in Wei City, Ning Que, Ma Shixiang, and Xia Tian discussed the dilemma of transporting Li Zhongyi's body. Ning Que pointed out that the pine coffin was too heavy and would make it difficult to save time and remain hidden while returning to the capital.
Xia Tian, resolute, declared, "His Majesty wanted to go back to the capital. I must bring him back." Ning Que proposed finding a method to bring the Emperor back safely without attracting further trouble. When Ma Shixiang despaired of other options, Xia Tian simply stated, "Burn him." Ma Shixiang was hesitant, finding it inappropriate, but Xia Tian insisted that Li Zhongyi, being a "free spirit," would not care about such formalities. Ma Shixiang ultimately conceded, agreeing that "He really is."
Xia Tian then personally lit the coffin, and in front of the assembled soldiers, Li Zhongyi's body quickly turned to ashes. The following morning, Xia Tian and Li Hupo, carrying Li Zhongyi's urn, prepared to depart. Ning Que led the remaining troops and all the citizens out of Wei City. Before leaving, Ning Que made Ma Shixiang promise, "Don't grow old. Don't die. Wait for me to perform my filial duty for you." Ma Shixiang, tearfully, reciprocated, "I promise you.
I won't grow old. I won't die. I'll wait here till you come back." As Ning Que's convoy disappeared into the distance, Ma Shixiang stood alone on the city wall, beating a drum in farewell. He then locked the city gates, tears streaming down his face as he watched them go, accepting his solitary stand.
Long Qing, leading the Golden Horde Calvary, swept through the Tang border, leaving a trail of destruction, burning and killing all Tang citizens in their path, and heading directly for the capital. Back in Wei City, Ma Shixiang stood guard on the city wall. He was startled when he encountered Wei Budao, who had not left, and initially mistook him for an enemy, threatening, "I'll kill you!"
Wei Budao revealed his identity, and a surprised Ma Shixiang questioned why he hadn't left. Ma Shixiang then asked about the ensign, which Wei Budao confirmed his brother had safely taken. Realizing it was just the two of them, Ma Shixiang was shocked to see a crowd of young, able-bodied citizens also remaining behind. When he asked them why they hadn't evacuated, they defiantly replied, "We won't leave. We are born to be Wei City people. This is our homeland.
We would stay here with you, General Ma!" Deeply moved by their loyalty, Ma Shixiang declared, "With such loyal civilians as you, Tang State would never die!" He then rallied them to prepare for the upcoming battle. The enemy forces soon launched another attack on Wei City. Ma Shixiang, alongside the loyal citizens, fought valiantly, but they were severely outnumbered.
In the end, Ma Shixiang was struck down by a barrage of arrows, dying on the battlefield, a martyr for his country. In the capital, Li Hunyuan displayed increasing impulsiveness and brutality. He ranted about a minister named Zeng Jing and his Imperial Sister Li Yu, who he felt was trying to control him. Overwhelmed by state memorials, he ordered a eunuch to read them.
When his tea was served too hot for the second time, scalding his tongue, he flew into a rage, accusing the eunuchs of pushing their luck after his supposed leniency. He demanded to know who was responsible, then ordered his guards to "Drag them out and behead them." When a guard hesitated, Li Hunyuan seized a sword. As the eunuchs pleaded for their lives, one bravely stepped forward to admit he served the tea.
Li Hunyuan praised his backbone, then violently stabbed him, declaring, "Did you see? This is the result of disobeying my orders!" When a loyal bodyguard questioned what crime the eunuch had committed, Li Hunyuan, furious at being questioned, killed the bodyguard with his sword. The murdered bodyguard was revealed to be Xu Chongshan's own brother. Enraged by this injustice, Xu Chongshan tracked Li Hunyuan to the Imperial Garden, intending to kill him.
Li Hunyuan, protected by the God-Startling Formation within the palace, taunted Xu Chongshan, who then resorted to using Demonic Cult skills. At that critical moment, He Mingchi intervened, recognizing Xu Chongshan's Demonic Cult techniques and identifying him as a "follower of that wicked woman." He Mingchi, feigning weakness, stated, "You are a strong practitioner of the Demonic Cult, naturally I am not your match."
But then quickly warned, "However, your judgment is flawed, so today, you are definitely the one who will die." He Mingchi then activated the Killing Formation of Cornice Animal, a privilege granted to him by "His Majesty" to protect the King, and used it to strike down Xu Chongshan. As he died, Xu Chongshan cursed Li Hunyuan, calling him a "fatuous ruler."
Li Hunyuan, shaken by the attempt on his life and the discovery of a "trusted follower of that wicked woman" within the palace, thanked He Mingchi. He Mingchi seized the opportunity to manipulate the easily swayed Li Hunyuan, subtly suggesting that the true threat to his throne wasn't the Queen or Sixth Prince, but someone "far away on the horizon, and yet close under your eyes."
He further fueled Li Hunyuan's paranoia by reminding him of his Imperial Uncle's comment that he was "a king without seal of state" and urged him to reclaim his power from his Imperial Sister, Li Yu, warning that "If you step back again, you will fall off the cliff, Your Majesty." Meanwhile, Li Yu had ordered a search for Xu Chongshan, whose disappearance puzzled her.
Hua Shanyue informed her that before Xu Chongshan went missing, Li Hunyuan had mistakenly killed a bodyguard, who happened to be Xu Chongshan's blood brother. This revelation immediately clarified everything for Li Yu, who now understood the true reason behind Xu Chongshan's disappearance.
