Ever Night Season 2 Episode 9 Recap
> Ever Night Season 2 Recap
Long Qing and Zi Mo brought the bound Wu Zhu to the Golden Horde to negotiate with the Da Chanyu. Wu Zhu, the daughter of the previous Da Chanyu, was distressed, exclaiming, "Let me down! Let me go!" Long Qing presented her to the Da Chanyu as his "gift," prompting Wu Zhu to call him "a devil."
The Da Chanyu welcomed Long Qing as his "friend from Zhong Yuan," boasting about his position as the chosen leader of the prairie, a claim Wu Zhu scornfully dismissed. Long Qing sought an exchange for Wu Zhu. The Da Chanyu promised him power, strength, money, and help to "get back on your feet," offering a bowl of wine in welcome. Long Qing immediately recognized the wine as poisoned and confronted the Da Chanyu, smashing the bowl.
Long Qing declared that the Da Chanyu could offer him nothing he desired, except his life. He accused the Da Chanyu of murdering the previous leader, usurping his position, and attempting to kill his daughter. Long Qing condemned the Da Chanyu's tyrannical rule, which had caused widespread famine, and vowed to "do god's work for justice."
The Da Chanyu retorted by revealing himself to be the most powerful cultivator of the Grassland Tribe, not just the leader of the Golden Horde. A fierce battle ensued, and Long Qing quickly defeated the Da Chanyu. Zi Mo unbound Wu Zhu, and Long Qing then placed Wu Zhu in the Da Chanyu's seat, proclaiming her the new leader. The people of the prairie knelt and hailed, "Your majesty, Wu Zhu Chanyu!"
One year later, Ye Hongyu was frequently seen consulting the Almighty Book, ostensibly searching for Ning Que's whereabouts. Her brother, Ye Qing, observed her, remarking on her choice to seek Ning Que rather than Taoist scriptures, and suggested she was searching for herself. Ye Hongyu, however, insisted she was merely aiding someone else who deeply cared for Ning Que.
She asserted that Ning Que was the only true threat to Taoism within the Academy, making his life or death crucial to her. She elaborated that unlike Mr. One and Mr. Two, Ning Que was unrestrained by moralities, Tang Code, or the laws of West Shrine, making him a formidable opponent because, as she claimed, they were "the same kind of people."
Ye Qing pointed out that Ning Que's name had vanished from the Almighty Book, implying he might no longer be alive. Ye Hongyu vehemently disagreed, stating, "Only I can kill him." Ye Qing then took the Almighty Book, reminding her that it could not be removed from Zhishou Temple. Tang Xiaotang, the Saintess of the Demonic Cult, continued her studies as Ms. Three Yu Lian's disciple at the Academy.
Chen Pipi showered her with affection, often buying her snacks, like the popular dried pork slices from BESTORE Shop that cost him three taels of silver. Their affection deepened, and they discussed their desire to marry. Chen Pipi wanted to return to the South Sea to consult his father about their marriage and inquire about Ning Que's whereabouts, while Tang Xiaotang felt confident she could manage her brother.
Chen Pipi initially hesitated to inform Yu Lian but then bravely declared he would, even if it meant punishment. Yu Lian, who had overheard their conversation, suddenly appeared. Chen Pipi, intimidated, offered her snacks and then revealed his plans. Yu Lian expressed skepticism about finding Ning Que in West Shrine, given that Slow Li, using his No-Distance power, had failed to locate him for a year.
She also cautioned Chen Pipi that returning to Zhishou Temple could mean he might never return to the Academy, leaving Tang Xiaotang behind. Despite Chen Pipi's insistence that Tang Xiaotang would wait for him, Yu Lian's words planted doubt. Chen Pipi then pleaded with Yu Lian to care for Tang Xiaotang should he not be able to return, and she reluctantly agreed.
Jun Mo sought out the Sage, expressing concern that Slow Li had been searching for Ning Que and Sangsang for an entire year without success. The Sage revealed that Ning Que and Sangsang were within the Tian Qing Chessboard, explaining, "Everything happens for a reason. Tian Qing Chessboard is their predestined fate."
When Jun Mo asked for specifics, the Sage enigmatically stated, "The chessboard is in the chessboard," adding that there was no absolute disaster, as the "natural cycle continues and endlessly grows," with fate decided by "god." Meanwhile, Sangsang dreamt again of the Heavenly Maid leading her by hand to the depths of a snow mountain. Waking to find Ning Que still asleep, parched and with their water supply depleted, she ventured out of their carriage to find water.
She approached an old man meditating nearby, asking for water. He agreed to guide her, but as crows circled ominously above, his demeanor turned sinister. He used his powers to incapacitate Sangsang. Ning Que awoke to Sangsang's absence, sensed trouble, and rushed to find her. He shot an arrow, striking the old man, who recognized it as "the thirteen arrows of Qi."
Ning Que confronted him, demanding to know why he attacked Sangsang, a girl who "didn't hurt you at all." The old man declared that "the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased needs to be dead," but Ning Que fiercely defended Sangsang, reminding him that he had raised her since childhood, that she had been his companion for eighteen years, and was "the sweetest and kindest girl" who "never hurt anyone."
When the old man tried to attack Sangsang again, Ning Que killed him. Seven Sense, observing from a nearby hill, witnessed the entire event. Ning Que then embraced the unconscious Sangsang, reassured her that he was there, and ordered their horse, Blacky, to continue their journey. Slow Li, who had been aimlessly searching the badlands for Ning Que, finally received a signal.
Seven Sense, upon finding Ning Que's iron arrow carving on the Tian Qing Tree — a message stating, "The Daughter of Lord of the Deceased, Sangsang. The eighteenth year of Tianqi. Me, Ning Que from the Academy, has visited here with my wife" — had summoned Slow Li with a bell. Slow Li was relieved to see Ning Que's message, playfully remarking on the quality of iron-carved words compared to brushwork.
Seven Sense, however, quickly turned to a more serious matter, demanding to know why the Academy had not yet clarified its stance on Mr. Thirteen (Ning Que) protecting the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased, especially since a year had passed since "the eighteenth year of Tianqi." Slow Li, reaffirming Ning Que's affiliation with the Academy, forcefully reclaimed the iron arrow, declaring his intention to bring Ning Que safely back to the Academy before any further discussion.
Seven Sense returned to report to Chief Master Jiang Jing, who handed him a golden compass. The Chief Master instructed Seven Sense to use the compass to locate Ning Que and Sangsang within the chessboard and apprehend them before Slow Li could. He stressed that Seven Sense must not be "tenderhearted" in eliminating evil. On their journey, Ning Que and Sangsang were ambushed by other cultivators demanding the "Daughter of Lord of the Deceased."
Fortunately, Slow Li arrived just in time, commanding the attackers to "Go away!" and driving them off. The reunion between Ning Que and Slow Li was brief, as Ning Que immediately asked Slow Li to examine Sangsang. Slow Li confirmed that Sangsang's apertures were blocked. He attempted to heal her, expending a significant amount of his vital energy.
He assured Ning Que he was merely "fine" and had "just had a cold," though he would later cough up blood from his exertion. Sangsang soon awoke, realizing she had "slept for a long time." Slow Li then explained that a single moment within the chessboard realm translated to a year in their world, hence the current "nineteenth year of Tianqi." He marveled at the unfathomable power of Tian Qing.
Sensing that their pursuers were closing in, Slow Li urged Ning Que to take Sangsang to Yuelun State to learn the laws of Sect Tian Qing to combat the "Qi of Coldness" within her, while he stayed behind to confront the enemies. Ning Que, worried about Slow Li's weakened state, reluctantly bade him to "take care" and hastened away with Sangsang in the carriage.
Seven Sense, seeing Slow Li's injury, ordered his followers to pursue Ning Que's carriage with the golden compass, while he remained to fight Slow Li. Ning Que was perplexed by their persistent pursuit until Sangsang explained that their pursuers were using a "golden compass," a Tian Qing magic vessel, to trace another Tian Qing magic vessel—the chessboard they were carrying.
Realizing that the Tian Qing Chessboard itself was revealing their location, Ning Que promptly buried it in the desert, effectively evading their pursuers, whom he called "simpletons." Messengers from West Shrine and other nations descended upon the Tang State, demanding the surrender of Sangsang. Xu Chongshan, firmly protecting Tang's borders, confronted a West Shrine envoy who questioned if the King of Tang intended to shield the "Daughter of Lord of the Deceased."
Xu Chongshan forcefully expelled all the foreign representatives, declaring, "Get out of the way! Go away!" Inside the palace, the situation grew tense as the populace was in an uproar. Li Qingshan urged King Li Zhongyi to make a decisive choice to quell the public outrage, but Li Zhongyi maintained that "Mr. Thirteen's choice is my decision."
Li Qingshan warned that the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased's appearance was an "omen of Eternal Night," causing anger among rulers and common people alike, and protecting her would be "not a good idea." Li Zhongyi then sought his daughter Li Yu's opinion, asking if she, as Ning Que and Sangsang's friend, wished to save them. Li Yu, though admitting her desire to help, stated that as an officer, she must prioritize "the big picture."
The King pressed her on the definition of "the big picture," citing the impending Eternal Night, widespread panic, the Academy's silence, and West Shrine's anger as examples. Prince Li Peiyan offered his advice: Ning Que, being a member of the Academy, should be handed over to them for disposition and not killed. However, he declared that while "we shouldn't kill Sangsang," "we should kill the Daughter of Lord of the Deceased."
The King found his suggestion "tricky," noting that his decision affected the "survival of Tang State." He then sarcastically wondered if sending someone to kill them would truly satisfy "those flunkies in West Shrine."
