Ever Night Season 2 Episode 40 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
Ning Que, determined to save Chen Pipi without prematurely revealing his identity and risking the Academy's meticulously crafted plans, secretly followed Ye Hongyu, hoping to request her aid. As she returned to the Hall of Light, Ye Hongyu sensed a familiar presence and was surprised to find Ning Que, who had bravely, or foolishly, ventured into the heavily fortified West Shrine.
He pleaded with her to help Chen Pipi, but Ye Hongyu, feeling powerless, urged Ning Que to leave immediately, warning that Heavenly Maid was aware of everything in the world and would not permit him to depart Peach Hill alive. Ning Que, disheartened, left, leaving Ye Hongyu with a heavy heart. Ye Qing, upon learning of Chen Pipi's predicament, resolved not to stand idly by and intended to risk his life to rescue Chen Pipi from Peach Hill.
Before departing, he visited Liu Bai at the Sword Pavilion to borrow his sword and bid him farewell. Liu Bai questioned his decision, viewing it as a betrayal of his Taoism and advising him against such a dangerous mission. Ye Qing countered that Taoism itself might be flawed, arguing that just as Sage fought for humanity's light, they too should make their own choices, dismissing the Light Conference as a hypocritical tool of West Shrine's dominance.
Despite Liu Bai's assertion that Ye Qing's cultivation was crippled, Ye Qing insisted he still possessed the sword in his heart and the courage to wield it. He requested to borrow Liu Bai's sword, believing the world needed Liu Bai's "sword of the man's world" to prevent Heavenly Maid from underestimating humanity.
Liu Bai, a lifelong devotee of swords, shared his philosophy that swords are meant to be broken in battle, not rust in tombs, and revealed that his sword had already gone, implying it was now in action. He then advised Ye Qing to abandon his dangerous mission and instead focus on finding his true Tao, to which Ye Qing reluctantly acquiesced. Meanwhile, Chen Pipi, fearing he would disrupt the Academy's plans and disgrace Sage, resolved to take his own life.
After tearfully bidding farewell to his favorite foods and all his Academy brothers and sisters, he attempted to hang himself, only for the rope to snap, much to his frustration. Heavenly Maid then appeared, stopping his suicide attempt and asserting her authority over him. She warned that if he died, she would ensure the demise of his loved ones, including his father, elder brother, and most painfully, Tang Xiaotang.
Heavenly Maid promised their safety if he complied and remained on the altar as her Messenger. Sang Sang, speaking through Heavenly Maid, pleaded for Chen Pipi's release, reminding Heavenly Maid that he had saved Ning Que's life. Heavenly Maid scorned human emotion as "disgusting and superfluous," a useless sentiment that only led to powerlessness. Sang Sang passionately argued that emotion provides comfort and that Ning Que's willingness to stand for Chen Pipi proved he was not alone.
She stressed that even if Heavenly Maid eradicated everything, she would forever remain isolated, as only humanity, the "small worms," required mutual comfort, which in turn forged unforgettable memories. Sang Sang then recounted cherished memories with Ning Que, describing their humble beginnings in Wei City where he carried her through the streets and warmed her feet, and their later life in the capital where she braided his hair daily.
She spoke of their visits to Chen Jin Store for rouge and Victory Hut for meals, and their travels with Sage to distant lands. As Sang Sang, overcome with emotion, wept, Heavenly Maid, unexpectedly touched, gently wiped her tears. Sang Sang continued her recollections, including Ning Que's promise that their love would never fade, their wedding blessed by Sage, and Sage's teachings about the paramount importance of living and enjoying life's simple pleasures.
Unaware of these profound discussions, Tang Xiaotang pressed onward, hurrying towards Peach Mountain, the image of her emotional farewell with Chen Pipi still vivid in her mind. The Light Conference commenced as planned, with Xiong Chumo reporting to Heavenly Maid that all preparations were complete. Chen Pipi was brought to the sacred altar, while Ning Que, disguised, merged into the throngs of spectators. West Shrine officials chanted, proclaiming, "Light will never die. Righteous path lasts forever.
The Light Conference will be a blessing to the world." Elsewhere, Drinker and Butcher heard the distant chants, confirming the ceremony's start. They opted to remain hidden, believing Heavenly Maid would summon them if needed, and prioritized their own continued existence. The ceremony was interrupted when Chen Pipi suddenly demanded water.
Luo Kedi, vexed, questioned his nerve but Chen Pipi, citing Heavenly Maid's desire for a "watery fatty" Messenger, insisted on his right to drink, even daring them to kill him. After swiftly downing one bowl, he playfully requested another, then publicly chastised Ye Hongyu, recalling childhood acts of kindness and a comical memory of seeing her shower, implying her present lack of empathy. Xiong Chumo, exasperated, then officially declared the ceremony open.
As Heavenly Maid began to invoke her power to destroy Chen Pipi's cultivation, Tang Xiaotang dramatically burst through the defenses, rushing towards the altar and crying out Chen Pipi's name. After a tearful embrace, Chen Pipi handed Tang Xiaotang the second bowl of water, which she drank without hesitation.
Tang Xiaotang declared her intention to take Chen Pipi away, but Xiong Chumo immediately stepped in, dismissing her as a mere second-generation Academy disciple and mocking her, reminding her that Yu Lian had once destroyed his cultivation. Ye Hongyu then cast a Great Formation of Confinement around Chen Pipi and Tang Xiaotang, a move Xiong Chumo shrewdly recognized as a protective measure rather than an actual entrapment. Enraged, Xiong Chumo ordered Luo Kedi to drag Tang Xiaotang from the altar.
At that critical moment, Long Qing appeared, taking Xiong Chumo hostage and demanding the release of Chen Pipi and Tang Xiaotang. Xiong Chumo attempted to provoke Long Qing, but Long Qing remained resolute, stating his unwavering belief that Ning Que would come for Sangsang and that they would all live. Luo Kedi then attacked Long Qing, creating a diversion that allowed Xiong Chumo to strike Tang Xiaotang, knocking her off the altar.
Xiong Chumo then taunted Chen Pipi about his crippled cultivation and his inability to perform the Finger of Original Simplicity, urging him to accept his fate as the Messenger. It was then that Ning Que revealed himself, calling out to Chen Pipi. Ning Que sprang forward to shield Chen Pipi, defiantly proclaiming that if Sage once cut down the peach blossoms of the hill, he would now flatten the entire Peach Hill.
Xiong Chumo, recognizing Ning Que as the guardian of the God-Startling Formation, gloated that this marked the end of the Tang State, but Ning Que countered that it was West Shrine that would perish, embracing his "rampant" nature. Sang Sang, recognizing Ning Que, watched him with renewed hope. Heavenly Maid immediately summoned Drinker and Butcher to engage Ning Que. As the two formidable figures began to move, Li Manman (Slow Li) and Chao Xiaoshu appeared, intercepting them. Li Manman calmly explained that he was there to prevent them from interfering, as his two younger brothers were currently in West Shrine.
