Ever Night Season 2 Episode 33 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
Ye Hongyu caught up with Ye Qing, who was leaving after his defeat, stating he lost and wished to clear his mind. Ye Hongyu expressed concern for his severe injuries, but Ye Qing revealed that his Xueshan and Qihai apertures were useless, rendering him a wreck beyond healing. Despite his state, he found delight in his recent battle with Jun Mo, which allowed him to grasp a new understanding: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."
He encouraged Ye Hongyu to continue her path as a Tao-Addict, believing she would one day surpass him, a feat he had long anticipated. He then cast aside his sword, declaring that from that day forward, swords held no meaning in his life, freeing him to contemplate other matters. Ye Qing advised his sister to watch Liu Bai's upcoming battle at Green Gorge, emphasizing its significance for her.
With a wave, he bid her farewell, leaving Ye Hongyu to watch his retreating figure and weep in sorrow. Meanwhile, Chen Mou attacked Li Manman. Chen Pipi rushed to them, kneeling and pleading with his father to spare his senior siblings Li Manman and Yu Lian. Chen Mou, disappointed in his son, called him worthless.
Chen Pipi, affirming his identity as a disciple of the Academy, offered to fight Chen Mou himself to give Li Manman and Yu Lian a moment to rest. He promised that if he lost, he would faithfully return to Zhishou Temple. Li Manman, seeing Chen Pipi's desperation, suggested they allow him this chance, worried about his future if denied. Chen Pipi, after a moment of hesitation, attacked Chen Mou but was effortlessly defeated, collapsing in tears.
Li Manman told Yu Lian that while their combined strength might not stop Chen Mou, they could at least stall him to buy Ning Que time to repair the God-Startling Formation. Yu Lian readily agreed to fight to the death. Chen Mou, however, declared his primary goal was not to kill but to destroy the formation itself, knowing that Ning Que possessed the formation key but had not yet fully repaired it.
After easily defeating Li Manman and Yu Lian, Chen Mou continued his advance. Chen Pipi desperately called out to his father, but it was in vain. Yu Lian then urged Chen Pipi to help Li Manman, while Li Manman reminded them that Sage had entrusted the city to Ning Que, and this immense pressure was his to bear. They decided to rest and await Ning Que's success in repairing the formation or inscribing "that character."
At Green Gorge, Liu Bai seized the opportune moment to challenge Jun Mo. Jun Mo, now equipped with his repaired iron sword, calmly accepted the challenge. Their intense battle commenced, with countless ethereal swords swirling around them. Both were evenly matched, fighting fiercely. Jun Mo, growing stronger through the fight, managed to wound Liu Bai in the chest but lost his right arm. Despite this severe injury, Jun Mo remained unfazed.
Liu Bai acknowledged the depth of Kendo, distinguishing between sword and method, power and skill, and the importance of speed and length, concluding that simplicity is strength. Though Jun Mo had paid a steep price, Liu Bai noted he hadn't won.
Jun Mo countered that losing an arm to render Liu Bai unable to fight was a worthwhile exchange in the context of the battle of Green Gorge, as he could still hold the pass with half a life while Liu Bai had to withdraw to Sword Pavilion for healing. Jun Mo emphasized that his inability to fight was temporary, while Liu Bai's injury, though less severe, meant a permanent change.
Jun Mo declared his commitment to his promise to prevent anyone from passing Green Gorge as long as he stood, equating valuing commitments with valuing oneself. Liu Bai expressed regret at the thought of Jun Mo potentially falling to lesser foes in the future. Jun Mo, unfazed, stated he would simply do his best without regret. Liu Bai then departed, urging Jun Mo to make the most of his remaining time.
Ning Que and Mo Shanshan tirelessly searched the city, holding the formation key. They finally located the heart of the problem. As Ning Que connected the dots, he realized that every place they had been to repair the formation – the House of Calligraphy, Red-sleeve House, Victory Hut, Princess's Mansion, Spring Breeze Pavilion, Yanming Lake, and other familiar spots – were all places Sangsang had once frequented.
He deduced with dawning horror that Sangsang was, in fact, unwittingly sabotaging the God-Startling Formation. Mo Shanshan was stunned and urged him not to speculate wildly. Ning Que explained that Sage had built the formation specifically to counter Sangsang, and by bringing her to live in the capital, he had inadvertently allowed her presence to cause significant, unconscious damage.
With a heavy heart, Ning Que decided to sever all traces Sangsang had left in the capital with his knife, believing this was the only way to fully restore the God-Startling Formation, a painful act that meant irrevocably breaking his connection with her. He regretted ever bringing Sangsang to the capital. He went resolutely to Zeng's mansion, where he saw a vision of Sangsang joyfully accepting their betrothal. Next, he visited the Red-sleeve House, recalling her playful run.
At a street noodle stall, he remembered her describing the perfect noodles. In a rouge shop, he thought of her fondness for buying beautiful rouge, specifically mentioning Franic. He then went to Songhelou, remembering she would only book banquets there when she was exceptionally happy. Finally, Ning Que arrived at the House of Calligraphy, their first home in the capital, where Sangsang had left the most memories. He recalled her excitement over selling calligraphy and earning money.
Confronting a spectral image of Sangsang, he called her a "Loser" and declared, "You are not Sangsang!" before ruthlessly severing all her remaining traces. He sadly realized he now understood everything but that it was too late. Just as the God-Startling Formation was completely restored, Chen Mou suddenly appeared and struck Ning Que down. Chen Mou scoffed at Ning Que's lingering regret. Ning Que questioned Chen Mou's allegiance to Taoism, asking why he wouldn't seek freedom beyond its confines.
Chen Mou countered that Taoism's pursuit of transcendence and the Academy's mission to save the world were fundamentally incompatible. He asserted that all beginnings must have an end, and all cycles must conclude, seeing this as the law of the Great Tao. Since Sage had ascended, Chen Mou declared, the Tang State was destined to be terminated. He expressed surprise that Ning Que, despite his temperament, had not fled the city days ago.
Ning Que defiantly declared Tang State his home and vowed to protect it, even if he knew it was a hopeless endeavor, stating that this unwavering commitment was his "principle." Ning Que then employed the "Yi" character he had recently comprehended. He explained its dual meaning: the visual form of intersecting swords and the implied meaning of silently cutting grass, signifying "This road is impassable."
However, Chen Mou dismissed Ning Que's power, commenting that his cultivation level was far below expectations and that he still hadn't grasped the true "Yi" character. Chen Mou repeatedly defeated Ning Que, who, despite bleeding profusely and being knocked down again and again, continued to rise and fight. Chen Mou then bypassed Ning Que, walking directly towards the imperial palace, leaving Ning Que struggling on the ground, questioning how he could protect a city when he couldn't even protect himself.
