Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 25 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Magistrate Du was under orders from a mysterious figure. He was instructed to obtain the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword from Gu Qingqiao. If he failed to get the sword, he was to bring Gu Qingqiao back alive. This order meant that, contrary to Magistrate Du's initial intentions, he now had to ensure Gu Qingqiao survived. Outside the court, Shao Yi struck the drum of grievance, demanding that Magistrate Du convene court and try Gu Qingqiao's case.
Initially, Magistrate Du intended to handle the matter privately, but he was forced by the gathering crowd's pressure to open the court. Shao Yi stated that his action was intended to solidify the case against Gu Qingqiao, leaving no room for Duan Yu to defend her. Magistrate Du, under pressure, agreed to a public trial. Shao Yi then demanded that Gu Qingqiao be brought out for a face-to-face confrontation, a demand Magistrate Du conceded to.
During the trial, Shao Yi dramatically changed his testimony. He claimed that he had not been kidnapped by Gu Qingqiao, but rather had been kidnapped "with" her by Mantra Sect followers. He asserted that Gu Qingqiao had saved him from the Mantra followers and was his savior. Magistrate Du, suspicious of this sudden shift, produced a previous signed confession from Shao Yi, reminding him that Gu Qingqiao's initial conviction was based on that document.
He warned Shao Yi that changing his testimony now would mean the previous confession was false, a crime punishable by exile. Shao Yi claimed he had signed the first confession while he was unconscious or delirious, rendering it invalid. Duan Yu then stepped forward, supporting Shao Yi's claim and arguing that according to the law, testimony given while unconscious should be disregarded, requiring a retrial of the case.
Magistrate Du maintained that Gu Qingqiao's case had been decided based on clear witness accounts and evidence, and could only be overturned if a new witness appeared to prove she was not the kidnapper. Just then, a masked figure arrived, claiming to be the witness they needed. The person announced they were from the Divine Palace and offered a token as proof. Removing the mask, the figure revealed himself to be Lu Zizheng.
He explained he was a Divine Palace Priest sent undercover into the Mantra Sect, where he had posed as the Right Guardian to witness a prophecy. He testified that he had personally seen Gu Qingqiao and Duan Shao Yi abducted together by Mantra followers. With this testimony from a Divine Palace Priest, Gu Qingqiao was finally acquitted. Gu Qingqiao expressed her gratitude to Lu Zizheng for saving her once again.
Duan Yu questioned Lu Zizheng's identity as a Priest and asked why, if he knew Gu Qingqiao was innocent, he hadn't testified earlier. Lu Zizheng explained that Gu Qingqiao was destined to face this hardship, as it was necessary for her to go to Xiling. He confirmed that, as a Divine Palace Priest who knows all things, he was aware of her identity. Lu Zizheng then stated his intention to stay at the Gu residence.
Duan Yu offered him lodging at the Duan manor, citing the inconvenience of a man staying at Gu Qingqiao's home. However, Lu Zizheng insisted, saying he had stayed there before, and Gu Xingwu, expressing gratitude for Lu Zizheng saving his daughter, welcomed him to stay. Gu Qingqiao saw Duan Yu out, telling him she needed to talk privately with Lu Zizheng.
She updated Lu Zizheng on the events that transpired after he left Westling and apologized for having misunderstood him regarding Man Tianxing. Acknowledging his status as a Priest, she asked if he could use his abilities to locate the fourth Treasure. However, Lu Zizheng admitted he did not know where it was. Lu Zizheng then inquired about the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword. Gu Qingqiao told him she had entrusted it to Duan Yu for safekeeping.
He asked if she would be willing to leave with him if they successfully gathered all four Treasures. Gu Qingqiao replied that she was a dying person and did not wish to burden him. She informed Lu Zizheng that the Xiling Head had suggested Ruan Shiqiong might become a Sword Spirit within the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword and asked if he knew how to awaken a Sword Spirit. Lu Zizheng believed he might have a way.
Gu Qingqiao then offered to take him to find Duan Yu to retrieve the sword. Meanwhile, Ruo Yun was deeply upset by Duan Yu's actions – his decision to help Gu Qingqiao get acquitted and his subsequent refusal to marry her. She felt like the subject of mockery in Changqing. Her father, Magistrate Du, also disregarded her feelings and insisted on the marriage. Distraught, she wandered the streets late at night where she was found by Xing Si.
With nowhere else to go, Xing Si reluctantly took her back to his simple dwelling for the night. Back with Gu Qingqiao, Lu Zizheng proposed using her blood to awaken the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword, explaining that as a "Star of Rebellion," her blood might have the power to control the Four Treasures and serve as a necessary conduit. Gu Qingqiao, willing to try anything for her martial uncle, cut her finger and dripped blood onto the sword.
The sword suddenly reacted, flying into the air. Lu Zizheng used his power to suppress the sword's energy, causing it to fall back down, now unresponsive. Lu Zizheng then declared that the Sword Spirit did not exist and speculated that perhaps the Xiling Head had misled them to comfort Gu Qingqiao.
Duan Yu, however, countered that the Head had indeed mentioned the possibility of Ruan Shiqiong becoming a Sword Spirit, similar to the Westling founder, but had also stated it might not happen. He added that he, too, was a Xiling disciple and hoped Ruan Shiqiong was still alive. Saddened by the apparent confirmation that Ruan Shiqiong was truly gone and there was no Sword Spirit, Gu Qingqiao was comforted by Duan Yu. He invited her to join him in releasing sky lanterns, a Westling tradition for remembering the deceased, suggesting she could write her thoughts for Ruan Shiqiong on the lanterns.
