Ever Night Season 2 Episode 38 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
Ning Que presents a bold strategy: create a false impression of defending the capital and the God-Startling Formation while secretly uniting forces for a direct assault on West Shrine. The ultimate goals are to eliminate The Drinker and The Butcher and prevent Heavenly Maid from ascending to heaven. Jun Mo immediately supports Ning Que, acknowledging the need for a meticulous plan that will span a long time.
Slow Li, the eldest brother, echoes this, stressing the importance of seizing the initiative to attack West Shrine before they can fully prepare. Yu Lian suggests uniting the most powerful forces and trusted individuals in the human world, a path that demands sacrifice and may lead to deep peril, forcing them to endure and observe the darkness before striking decisively.
Yu Lian expresses their determination to shatter all limitations, eradicate darkness and injustice, and usher in an era of perpetual light and freedom for the world. Chen Pipi wonders if Sage would approve, to which Slow Li responds with confidence that Sage will guide them from heaven.
Meanwhile, at West Shrine, Luo Kedi reports to Xiong Chumo that Ning Que and the Academy members are still within the God-Startling Formation, with a continuous flow of valuable materials suggesting they are rebuilding it. Luo Kedi suspects Ning Que intends to hold the capital at all costs, making it difficult to target him. Xiong Chumo dismisses this, believing that once the Light Conference begins and Heavenly Maid returns to heaven, the capital will be annihilated.
When Luo Kedi suggests that Heavenly Maid remaining in West Shrine would benefit them, Xiong Chumo rebukes him, declaring that what belongs to heaven must return to heaven, and what belongs to the human world must remain on earth. He then orders Luo Kedi to swiftly reorganize their armies and unite all states, proclaiming that Heavenly Maid's ascension will mark the beginning of another full-scale war against Tang State. Jun Mo dispatches a bookboy to summon Chao Xiaoshu.
Initially, Chao Xiaoshu is surprised by the direct summons but agrees to meet Jun Mo. Jun Mo unveils the Academy's clandestine plan. Chao Xiaoshu finds the strategy ingenious but difficult, questioning if they are truly prepared to defy heaven and initiate such a war, especially with The Drinker and The Butcher now aligned with West Shrine. Jun Mo counters that war is inevitable, and striking first will grant them the advantage.
Recognizing the formidable threat of The Drinker and The Butcher, Chao Xiaoshu volunteers to confront them. Xiong Chumo, presenting tributes from Yuelun State to Heavenly Maid, suggests eliminating the Academy. Heavenly Maid remains unconcerned, confident the Academy will appear at the Light Conference on Peach Mountain. She then presses Xiong Chumo to find the Envoy of Light.
Despite Xiong Chumo having already selected six pairs of virgin boys and girls, Heavenly Maid rejects them, stating that the truly purest person resides in Zhishou Temple. Xiong Chumo is surprised but promptly accepts the order to go to Zhishou Temple. To neutralize The Drinker and The Butcher, Yu Lian proposes an extreme measure: Chao Xiaoshu must self-deprive his cultivation to completely earn their trust. Chao Xiaoshu readily agrees, viewing his cultivation as a small price for victory.
Jun Mo affirms that only Liu Bai, the Sword Saint, possesses the ability to both cripple Chao Xiaoshu's cultivation and conceal swords within him. Jun Mo resolves to write to Liu Bai, acknowledging the perilous nature of this mission but deeming it essential for the war against Heavenly Maid. Chao Xiaoshu, embracing his fate, sets off for the Sword Pavilion.
At the Sword Pavilion, Chao Xiaoshu encounters Liu Bai's brother, who, despite his blindness, recognizes Chao Xiaoshu and questions his worthiness to seek Liu Bai's aid again, recalling his near-fatal visit. Chao Xiaoshu insists that Liu Bai would not remain neutral during a world catastrophe. He then directly confronts Liu Bai, humbly requesting another duel. He admits his inadequacy but emphasizes his unwavering courage in facing powerful adversaries, explaining his impending mission to make the world a better place.
He delivers Jun Mo's message: "A sharp sword shouldn't be in its scabbard. Nor should the human world be under Heavenly Maid's control forever." Liu Bai, initially dismissive, is moved by Chao Xiaoshu's conviction and grants his request to destroy his cultivation while preserving his life for the mission. Liu Bai plunges a sword into Chao Xiaoshu, crippling his cultivation. As Chao Xiaoshu struggles to stand, he gives Liu Bai the Academy's letter.
Liu Bai agrees to conceal two swords within Chao Xiaoshu but warns him that the day the swords emerge will be his last. Chao Xiaoshu accepts his fate, hoping his sacrifice will be meaningful. Meanwhile, Ning Que, accompanied by Brother Chang, races towards West Shrine. It is revealed that Ning Que has left the capital, much to Jun Mo's surprise. On their journey, they encounter Yang Erxi, who, after years, shares a drink with Ning Que.
Yang Erxi, a general who fought in the previous war against Tang State, reflects on their survival amid widespread death and warns Ning Que of the dangerous path ahead. Upon learning that Blacky and Sang Sang are both gone, Yang Erxi, who also lost his wife, encourages Ning Que to find another companion, but Ning Que, deeply grieving, asserts that Sang Sang is his only love. After a somber farewell, Ning Que and Brother Chang continue their journey.
Xiong Chumo, Ye Hongyu, and Luo Kedi arrive at Zhishou Temple. Luo Kedi admonishes Xiong Chumo for addressing Chen Mou by name, but Chen Mou, his cultivation destroyed, passively endures Xiong Chumo's arrogance. Xiong Chumo boasts of his unprecedented authority, which Chen Mou dismisses by saying Xiong Chumo lacks a "sense of shame." Xiong Chumo then dismisses Chen Pipi, calling him childish despite his status as the Twelfth Master of the Academy.
Xiong Chumo ignores Chen Pipi and demands that Chen Mou accompany him to Peach Mountain as the Envoy of Light for the Light Conference, emphasizing the honor of assisting Heavenly Maid. Chen Mou refuses, claiming he is not the right person. Xiong Chumo insists that Heavenly Maid's decision is final and demands Chen Mou choose between willing cooperation or forced compliance. Chen Pipi vehemently supports his father's refusal. Annoyed by Chen Pipi, Xiong Chumo orders him away.
Luo Kedi attacks Chen Pipi but is effortlessly repelled. When Ye Hongyu draws her sword, Heavenly Maid intervenes, loudly stopping her. Heavenly Maid declares that Chen Mou is not her chosen Envoy of Light; it is Chen Pipi. Xiong Chumo then tries to persuade a bewildered Chen Pipi, highlighting the immense honor of the role. Chen Mou watches, worried.
Xiong Chumo, realizing the strategic value, immediately orders Luo Kedi to spread the news of Chen Pipi's appointment, hoping to draw Ning Que and the Academy to the Light Conference. He dismisses the Academy's efforts to rebuild the God-Startling Formation as a ridiculous attempt to defend the capital. Following the plan, Ning Que disguises himself as a Song State citizen and secures a job as a kitchen helper in West Shrine.
His true aim is to reach the Hall of Light to prevent Heavenly Maid's ascension and find Sang Sang. A guard warns him against approaching the Hall of Light or the dangerous peach grove protecting it. Ning Que understands that passing the peach grove is his only way to the Hall of Light, a crucial step in Sage's plan to keep Heavenly Maid in the human world and prevent her from ruling. He is confident Sang Sang is there.
Ning Que attempts to infiltrate the Hall of Light but is met by a powerful, unseen force in the peach grove. Despite his efforts, he cannot penetrate the Peach Mountain Formation. As he rests, Blacky appears. Realizing he cannot breach the formation, Ning Que decides to retreat with Blacky and seek an alternative path. Sang Sang, craving baked sweet potatoes from a beloved thousand-year-old stall, shares them with Heavenly Maid, recalling her past with Ning Que and Sage.
She spots Ning Que nearby and joyfully calls out to him. Enraged, Heavenly Maid renders Sang Sang unconscious, declaring that Ning Que has come to his demise. Ning Que approaches the sweet potato stall and buys three, as was his custom. Suddenly, thunder erupts in the sky.
The vendor, recognizing Ning Que's connection to Sage, advises him that the lightning has created a temporary breach in the peach grove, making it accessible to the Hall of Light that night, just as Sage once found a way. Under the cloak of night, Ning Que rushes back to the Hall of Light. He successfully passes through the now-breached peach grove and arrives at the base of a towering cliff. He begins to climb, clinging to vines.
Inside the Hall, Sang Sang senses Ning Que's approach and, filled with delight, begins to dance. Heavenly Maid, observing this, mockingly comments on the sweet potatoes and then casually throws one, which transforms into a stone, striking Ning Que and sending him falling to the bottom of the cliff.
