Moonlit Reunion Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Moonlit Reunion Synopsis
An aloof gentleman and a pampered noblewoman lead double lives—by day, they are joyful lovers; by night, they fight to the death, all to protect peace and ensure tranquility for the land.
Moonlit Reunion Recap
Episode 1 Recap
A woman cloaked in black agilely pursued a Bat Demon across the rooftops of Chang'an late one night. She called out, demanding to know where the demon was going. As she cornered her prey, Commander Huang Yi of the Jinwu Guards arrived with his men, drawn by the noise. The Bat Demon seized the chance to flee, prompting the woman to swiftly escape over a wall and head towards Ruyi Pavilion.
Inside the lively Ruyi Pavilion, a calico cat darted through the bustling hall, avoiding patrons and servants, and disappeared into a private room. In a flash, the cat transformed into County Princess Wu Zhen, adorned in a splendid gilded feather dress. Wu Zhen, daughter of the Duke of Wu and sister to the Empress, was known for her rebellious spirit and unconventional life, despite her noble lineage.
Rumors of her scandalous liaisons filled Chang'an, though few knew that many of her "lovers" were demons in disguise, for Wu Zhen was, in truth, the Cat Lord, whose purpose was to subdue evil creatures.
For centuries, a hidden place known as the Beast Market, managed by the enigmatic Cat and Snake Lords and their four deputies, had maintained balance, preventing other demons from causing chaos in the human world and allowing them to avoid their historical nemesis, the Celestial Master of Changxi Palace. The Cat and Snake Lords had even aided the court in establishing the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, tasked with investigating and eradicating demons.
Despite this initial purpose, the Bureau had become an empty shell over time, while the Beast Market continued to preserve peace between realms. Soon after, Commander Huang Yi led his Jinwu Guards into Ruyi Pavilion, demanding a search for a criminal. Hu Zhu, the Ruyi Pavilion manager and a fox demon who served as a deputy to the Cat Lord, greeted him with a warm smile. She calmly assured Commander Huang there were no criminals, only beauties.
When Huang insisted he had seen someone, Hu Zhu revealed that the Young Marquis of Yu'an had reserved the entire pavilion that day to propose to Lady Wu, suggesting Huang not ruin the important event. Upstairs, the Young Marquis, Gu Changhuai, presented a marriage proposal letter, offering himself as a birthday gift to Wu Zhen. Wu Zhen, scoffing at his presumptuousness and her own infamous reputation, swiftly kicked him out over the railing.
Below, Mei Zhuyu of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs witnessed the dramatic scene, though he found little interest in such a spectacle, explaining to a vendor that he was new to Chang'an and unfamiliar with its famous tales. After the chaos subsided, Hu Zhu entered Wu Zhen's room, detecting the faint scent of blood and confirming Wu Zhen had fought a demon. Wu Zhen admitted the Bat Demon had escaped but noted that the encounter had given her clues.
She recalled recent theft cases where victims were adorned with gold, concluding they needed to set a trap to lure out the greedy culprit. Just then, Mingzhuang, Wu Zhen's maid, arrived with gifts and marriage proposals from the Empress. Mingzhuang explained that the Empress, wishing for Wu Zhen to finally marry, had ordered all noble families to submit marriage proposal letters from every eligible bachelor.
Wu Zhen immediately instructed Mingzhuang to announce a grand birthday banquet at Ruyi Pavilion for the next day, inviting noble ladies and talented gentlemen. No gifts would be accepted, but all guests were to "dress in their finest, wearing brocade and gold." Hu Zhu instantly understood this was Wu Zhen's plan to lure the demon.
Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu learned from a colleague that angering Commissioner Xu Luan meant being transferred to the records archive, a gloomy place where past stewards had mysteriously resigned. Interested in the ancient, sealed demon scrolls within, Mei Zhuyu deliberately provoked Commissioner Xu with disingenuous flattery, implying Xu should lead the Bureau to glory by personally investigating cases. Enraged, Commissioner Xu promptly banished Mei Zhuyu to the records archive.
No sooner had Mei Zhuyu arrived than his fourth brother, Mei Si, burst in, dragging him to Wu Zhen's banquet to help the Mei family compete with the Xie family in numbers of eligible bachelors. Mei Si explained that the Empress had ordered families to submit name cards for Wu Zhen, and the arrogant Xie family had submitted nineteen, while the Mei family, with Mei Zhuyu, had barely scraped together twenty.
Mei Si assured Mei Zhuyu he was merely a "number" and Wu Zhen would never be interested in him. He then added that Wu Zhen's luck was poor this year and she needed gold in her Five Elements, so guests were advised to wear gold accessories, urging Mei Zhuyu to put some on. At the banquet, while others reveled, Mei Zhuyu sat quietly, engrossed in case files.
Xie Loubo, a self-proclaimed scholar from the Xie family, along with his younger relatives, approached Mei Zhuyu, taunting him as a mere collateral branch of the Mei family and sneering at his position in the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Mei Zhuyu retorted sharply, leading Xie Loubo to accuse him of trying to charm Wu Zhen with his looks.
Mei Zhuyu warned them to mind their words, prompting an enraged Xie Loubo to order a bystander to "teach this young lord a lesson." At that critical moment, Wu Zhen appeared, firing an arrow through the air. She declared her admiration for Mei Zhuyu, asserting that he was better looking than Xie Loubo and demanding Xie apologize.
While ostensibly defending Mei Zhuyu, Wu Zhen was subtly observing the bystander Xie Loubo had ordered, recognizing him as the Bat Demon she had fought the previous night, but the demon vehemently denied this. As Mei Zhuyu prepared to leave with Mei Si, he heard breaking cups from upstairs. Concerned, he investigated, only to find Wu Zhen looking disheveled. Misunderstanding the scene, he awkwardly withdrew, assuming she had been intimate with someone.
Later that night, after escorting Mei Si home, Mei Zhuyu returned alone to the records archive. As he opened the door, a faint demonic aura emanated from the ancient scrolls, and rustling sounds indicated unseen creatures. He formed a hand seal, and a talisman shot from his sleeve, slaying the insect demon that had possessed the texts. Meanwhile, Wu Zhen entered a ruined temple, and a turn of a withered well led her to the Beast Market.
She released the Bat Demon she had captured, Fu Zhao, who revealed that he and the malevolent Fuxi were once a pair of bat-patterned earrings, one male and one female, forged in the previous dynasty and given life by human spiritual energy. He explained that Fuxi had been attacking people and stealing gold in Chang'an solely to find him, her lost other half, and he feared she would turn demonic if they were not reunited.
Wu Zhen understood that her initial guess about the demon's obsession with gold was correct, but the motive was not greed, but a desperate search. Fu Zhao further explained that he, with his keen hearing, had heard Fuxi near Ruyi Pavilion the previous night and had disguised himself as a servant to attend the banquet, hoping to persuade her to stop.
Wu Zhen, knowing that Fuxi had likely already possessed someone else and was losing control, decided she needed to find Fuxi quickly to prevent further trouble, despite her own half-demon nature leaving her powerless during the day. Seeking aid, Wu Zhen asked her deputy, Wu Zishu, to accompany her, hidden, to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. There, she approached Mei Zhuyu, playfully accusing him of being heartless for not comforting her about her "lost gold and silver."
When Mei Zhuyu asked for details to help, she scoffed at his perfunctory response. Commissioner Xu, eager to impress, interjected, assuring Wu Zhen that her concerns were Mei Zhuyu’s and he would ensure her satisfaction. Wu Zhen then visited Mei Zhuyu in his office within the records archive. She requested him to write her complaint, but Mei Zhuyu insisted it must be her own handwriting.
Feigning hunger and dizziness, she asked him to make her a complicated meal, a ploy for Wu Zishu to search the archives for clues to the recent cases and Fuxi's whereabouts. While Mei Zhuyu was away, Wu Zhen explored his office, playfully calling it "Lovesick Lane." When he returned, Wu Zhen accepted the complaint form he had written, acknowledging his "exception" to the rules.
She then questioned why he, a talented man, chose to work in the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, a place "with no money or prospects." Mei Zhuyu calmly responded that his only goal was to "uphold justice and protect the innocent" and "support the righteous and drive out evil," stating that "it's the same wherever you do it, as long as you do your job well."
Wu Zhen mused that he aspired to be a "true gentleman," unlike her, who lived a life of pleasure and was reviled by the people of Chang'an. She asserted that she cared little for their opinions, adding that one cannot truly judge others without understanding their hardships.
Episode 2 Recap
A fierce snow fell on a cold night as Wu Zhen found herself trapped in a dream. Years ago, a heavenly fire ravaged the city, and she, on the verge of death, was graced by a black cat. The cat's eyes burned like hellfire, granting her an extension on life at the cost of becoming half-human and half-demon, etching the title of Cat Lord into her fate.
Upon waking, Wu Zishu arrived, reporting that Fuxi had possessed Bi Tao, a dancer from Xiangsi Lane. Furthermore, Bi Tao's close friend, Zhe Liu, had recently been seen rehearsing at Ruyi Pavilion, which had drawn out Fuchao. Just then, Mei Zhuyu pushed open the door, and Wu Zishu vanished into smoke. Wu Zhen devised a plan, inviting Mei Zhuyu to accompany her to Xiangsi Lane.
Noticing his modest donkey cart, she engineered its disappearance, leaving him no choice but to ride in her elegant carriage. As they journeyed through the streets, the common folk whispered, saying the County Princess had found a new favorite, much to Mei Zhuyu’s embarrassment. At Xiangsi Lane, amidst decadent music and revelry, Gu Changhuai was enjoying himself. He deliberately put his arm around Zhe Liu, claiming her as his new companion, hoping to provoke Wu Zhen.
However, Wu Zhen paid him no mind, instead focusing on the restless Fuchao stirring within her sachet. Working together, Wu Zhen and Wu Zishu extracted Fuxi from Zhe Liu’s body. Suddenly, black mist surged and demonic energy permeated the hall, trapping the guests in a frenzied illusion surrounded by bats. Mei Zhuyu, recognizing the deception, dispelled the illusion using demon-banishing techniques. As he left Xiangsi Lane, he saw a tabby cat fall from the rafters.
A servant was about to scare the cat away with a stone when Wu Zishu appeared, stopping him and cradling the cat. Wu Zishu, aware of Mei Zhuyu's childhood aversion to cats, chuckled softly, noting that the feline would surely be saddened by the revelation. At the Beast Market, flickering ghostly flames illuminated Fuxi's gradual recovery. Fuchao, burdened by guilt over Fuxi's demonic transformation, apologized and explained the circumstances.
Wu Zhen offered guidance, telling them that in this world, walking alone possesses its own freedom, and companionship its own warmth; there is no need to be distraught by separation. Fuxi seemed to gain understanding, finally bowing in gratitude to Wu Zhen. Fuxi then recalled her first arrival in Chang’an, where she, in her true bat form, was found by a Xiangsi Lane dancer. The dancer, noticing she was damaged, took her to a jewelry workshop in the city.
There, Fuxi sensed a malevolent aura emanating from a secret compartment containing a blood-red stone. This evil presence corroded her spirit, gradually leading her into demonry. Upon hearing this, Wu Zishu's expression turned grim, and he declared the object to be a "Vengeful Spirit Bone," formed from the remains of a deeply resentful person. He warned that its presence could drive both humans and demons to madness. Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu entered his old Mei family home.
Cobwebs draped the dilapidated walls, yet his parents' memorial tablets remained spotless, stirring a flood of memories. He recalled waiting with his mother for his father to return, a return that never came as his father died in a heavenly fire. Later, a master from Changxi Palace took Mei Zhuyu as a disciple, revealing that the fire was not a natural disaster but the work of demons.
Now, Mei Zhuyu had joined the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, determined to uncover the truth and avenge his parents. Inside the palace, an eunuch reported to Empress Wu and Consort Mei that Wu Zhen had taken a liking to a young gentleman. Empress Wu, initially surprised, beamed upon seeing Mei Zhuyu's portrait. However, her joy turned to anger when she learned he worked for the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs.
She dismissed him as a mere "freeloader" relying on his looks and declared that such a minor official dared not cling to a County Princess, immediately ordering him to be taught a lesson. Wu Zhen, hearing the news, stormed into the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs.
Disregarding her own reputation, she caused a public scene, loudly declaring that Mei Zhuyu had no interest in her and that they would have nothing further to do with each other, all to protect him from the Empress's wrath. On her way back to her residence, Wu Zhen coincidentally met Liu Taizhen.
Though they appeared to be rivals, they were, in fact, the two rulers of the Beast Market: Wu Zhen as the Cat Lord and Liu Taizhen as the Snake Lord. Liu Taizhen, despite her long absence from Chang’an, was aware of the recent reappearance of demon hunters. She expressed concern that if the Changxi Palace cultivators were to resurface, it would inevitably lead to widespread conflict. Later that night, the jewelry workshop owner was drawn by a strange sound.
As he examined the Vengeful Spirit Bone in his hands, he turned to see all the pearls and jade in the room floating suspended in mid-air without any wind. Terrified, he fainted on the spot. The next day, the disoriented owner stumbled into the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs to report the incident. Xu Luan, the director, scoffed at his claims, convinced the owner was merely fabricating a supernatural tale to leverage the Bureau’s reputation for his business.
Mei Si, upon learning of his fiancée Liu Taizhen’s return to the capital, excitedly rushed to Yuzhen Workshop. Liu Taizhen, however, made an excuse to avoid him, leaving Wu Zhen to manage the situation. A commotion erupted downstairs as Xie Loubo began to mock Mei Zhuyu. Wu Zhen once again stepped in to defend Mei Zhuyu, dramatically splashing a basin of fragrant water into the crowd, causing a stir among the onlookers.
Episode 3 Recap
Wu Zhen stared coldly at Xie Loubo, accusing him of being a vulgar lowlife who bullied the weak. Xie Loubo responded by asking what she was doing. Wu Zhen claimed she had missed him and invited him to try incense, but then clarified she simply wanted to humiliate him. She further exposed his hypocrisy, stating he flaunted his family name and only cared for trivial matters, unlike a true scholar or gentleman who teaches, helps society, or acts chivalrously.
Wu Zhen, who accepted her own reputation as spoiled and unruly, asserted that Xie Loubo, despite his outward appearance, was worthless. When Manager Lingxiao was told to put Xie Loubo’s incense mist on Wu Zhen's tab, she agreed, implying that Xie Loubo's family had cut off his allowance and he couldn't pay his own bill. Xie Loubo, angered, stated he didn't need her to pay, prompting Wu Zhen to insist he pay himself. Shamed, Xie Loubo left.
After Xie Loubo's departure, Mei Si confided in Mei Zhuyu about Wu Zhen's unusual personality, which he believed stemmed from a tragedy eighteen years prior. He recounted the Great Fire of Chang'an, during which Wu Zhen got lost and was found unconscious, remaining comatose for three months, with her family even preparing for her funeral. Upon waking, her personality changed dramatically, becoming audacious and unruly.
The Wu family, overjoyed at her survival, spoiled her excessively, with only her elder sister daring to reprimand her. Mei Si advised Mei Zhuyu to be careful with Wu Zhen, warning he might not be able to handle her. Mei Si then mentioned that Minister Liu, Lady Liu's father, was hosting a Shao Wei Banquet soon and suggested Mei Zhuyu attend as the Mei family's representative.
Mei Zhuyu declined, stating he had more important matters, specifically the search for the Wu Hua Gu, a strange object that had caused a bat demon disturbance, with Wu Zishu assisting in the search. Noticing the late hour, Mei Zhuyu announced he needed to leave as the sun had set, having agreed to help a shop manager investigate a case. That night, Mei Zhuyu arrived at the jewelry workshop, introducing himself as Mei Zhuyu from the Xuanjian Bureau.
The nervous manager, who had reported a strange incident, explained that he had heard a voice while sleeping and that the "monster" only appeared after sunset. Unbeknownst to Mei Zhuyu, Wu Zhen was already inside, having secretly entered earlier to investigate the floating jewels and the Wu Hua Gu. She managed to evade Mei Zhuyu's notice by hiding multiple times in the shadows. As Mei Zhuyu approached, the manager suddenly screamed, claiming a monster had attacked him.
Mei Zhuyu saw a tabby cat leap out and disappear into the night. When the manager asked if the "monster" had escaped, he expressed relief upon hearing it was gone. He then became anxious about his valuable possessions, particularly a lamp meant as a gift for Minister Liu’s Shao Wei Banquet, fearing Mei Zhuyu might have damaged them and couldn't afford the compensation. Wu Zhen was still frustrated about not having found the Wu Hua Gu.
Wu Zishu, however, reassured her, stating that the Wu Hua Gu, despite its inert appearance, was cunning and would inevitably resurface to cause mischief, making its eventual discovery certain. Wu Zishu then presented Wu Zhen with a new medicine, an ancient, lost recipe designed to help her transform fully into a demon. After Wu Zhen took it, cat ears sprouted from her head, causing her concern about being discovered, though Wu Zishu found them rather appealing.
Fortunately, the ears eventually receded, and Wu Zhen was relieved to return to her normal appearance. Later that night, returning home, Wu Zhen found her father, Wu Chundao, playing the role of a celestial master. Wu Chundao, asserting himself as an outer disciple of Changxi Palace—a claim Wu Zhen scoffed at, reminding him the palace had closed long ago—insisted on his mystical pursuits.
Wu Zhen also voiced her frustration about her elder sister's strictness, lamenting that as an unwed woman, her mere presence at home seemed to offend her sister daily. Wu Chundao acknowledged his elder daughter's severity but assured Wu Zhen of her sister's underlying affection. He then revealed that Liu Gongshen had been promoted to Minister of Personnel and requested Wu Zhen attend the upcoming Shao Wei Banquet on his behalf, as he had retired from public office.
Wu Chundao also presented Wu Zhen with a "mosquito-repelling charm pot" he had acquired, which Wu Zhen, dismayed by his habit of collecting seemingly useless items, dismissed as "junk" turning their home into a "junkyard," though her father insisted it was a "rare treasure." After much pleading from Wu Chundao, Wu Zhen reluctantly agreed to attend the banquet.
The next morning, at the jewelry workshop, Xie Loubo arrived to collect a specially crafted glazed lantern intended for Liu Gongshen's Shao Wei Banquet. Noticing a missing gem, he instructed a craftsman to inlay the Wu Hua Gu in its place. As the lamp was lit, its beautiful design was illuminated, projecting the figure of a woman onto the wall. The craftsmen marveled at the lifelike quality of the painted figure.
Suddenly, one craftsman cried out that the shadow had turned its head, but the other dismissed it as foolish talk, urging him to quickly wrap the lantern. On the day of the Shao Wei Banquet, Mei Zhuyu accompanied Mei Si to the Liu residence. Mei Si somberly recounted his last visit five years prior, when he had proposed to Lady Liu.
He remembered her looking at him with the same smile she had when their families arranged their childhood betrothal, saying "good," only to follow it with a harsh "Get out." She had since returned all his gifts and forbade him from coming within thirty feet of the residence, threatening to set dogs on him.
Upon their arrival, they were immediately subjected to ridicule from various nobles who mocked Mei Zhuyu’s humble donkey cart and maliciously alluded to rumors of Wu Zhen’s "favor" towards him. As their laughter filled the air, the clear ringing of imperial bells heralded the arrival of Wu Zhen's magnificent carriage. Wu Zhen emerged, her eyes briefly meeting Mei Zhuyu's.
She offered a sarcastic apology to the crowd for startling them with her grand carriage, dryly remarking that she preferred Mei Zhuyu’s "delicate and charming" little donkey cart. She then subtly assured Mei Zhuyu, "Don’t worry. With me here, I won’t let anyone else’s dog bite you," effectively silencing his tormentors. During the banquet, Wu Zhen's servants presented gifts from her father. Among them, a painting was unrolled to reveal a portrait of Liu Taizhen.
Wu Zhen immediately recognized it as Mei Si's work but said nothing publicly, while Liu Taizhen accepted the portrait with composure. Mei Zhuyu then presented his own gift, a simple, ancient inkstone. Minister Liu accepted it graciously, praising its durable quality and comparing Mei Zhuyu to it. Xie Loubo, however, scoffed at the offering.
Mei Zhuyu then confronted Xie Loubo, echoing Wu Zhen's earlier words by warning him and others to refrain from commenting on her possessions, and by extension, him. Prompted to present his own gift, Xie Loubo unveiled the intricately crafted glazed lantern, which he claimed to have made especially for Lady Liu. Guests admired its exquisite detail, noting the embedded Wu Hua Gu was glowing with a strange light, which Wu Zhen, Liu Taizhen, and Mei Zhuyu all noticed.
Xie Loubo proudly pointed out that the woman depicted on the lamp was Lady Liu herself, and recited a poem he had inscribed. The attendees praised his poetic talent. Mei Zhuyu then subtly asked Wu Zhen if she was looking for the mysterious object. Acknowledging this, Wu Zhen attributed her unusual calm regarding supernatural phenomena to her "family traditions" and her father's long-standing obsession with celestial master arts.
Mei Zhuyu explained that he had read about shadow demons and believed one might be present. Wu Zhen then produced the "demon-repelling charm pot" from her father. Mei Zhuyu proposed a strategy: extinguish all the candles to force the shadow demon out, then reignite them to pinpoint its location. Wu Zhen agreed to assist him. Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu, having tacitly acknowledged each other's ability to perceive evil spirits, discreetly left the main hall.
Realizing the shadow demon was cleverly hidden among the candle shadows, they implemented Mei Zhuyu's plan and split up. They moved swiftly through the corridors, extinguishing the candles and plunging the main hall into darkness. As predicted, a ghostly shadow darted from the lantern, racing towards a side room where gifts were piled. Guests reacted with panic as the lights went out.
In the side room, Mei Si was engrossed in drawing a portrait of Liu Taizhen when the shadow demon attacked, wrapping itself around his neck. At the critical moment, Liu Taizhen revealed her true form, enveloped in a radiant white light, to fend off the demon. Before losing consciousness, Mei Si vaguely perceived her as a mystical, almost demonic, figure. Liu Taizhen then entrusted the unconscious Mei Si to Wu Zhen.
Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu entered the side room alone and successfully subdued the shadow demon, trapping it within the glazed lantern. As he did so, he noticed the glowing Wu Hua Gu embedded in the lantern's casing and discreetly took it. Wu Zhen quickly followed, and Mei Zhuyu, appearing calm, simply handed her the now-normal glazed lantern, stating he had only found Xie Loubo's lamp.
Taking the lantern, Wu Zhen examined the inscribed poem and noticed that its style was vastly different from Xie Loubo's usual work, leading her to conclude that the poem was not written by him.
Episode 4 Recap
At the Liu residence, servants shrieked about a ghost, drawing Minister Liu Gongshen and his guests to the side hall. There, they discovered Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu alone. Their initial fright over the supposed haunting quickly turned into whispers and gossip about the pair’s private meeting, with some speculating that Mei Zhuyu had once again won the County Princess’s favor. Liu Gongshen tried to dismiss the incident, reassuring everyone that such strange occurrences were impossible in the capital.
Meanwhile, Liu Taizhen, carrying a Glazed Lantern, went to a pavilion. She had learned from Wu Zhen that the shadow demon she sought was connected to the lantern and had brought Xie Loubo to meet it. Xie Loubo arrived, expecting a pleasant encounter with Liu Taizhen, but as the lantern light flickered, the figure of Yun Yi, the shadow demon, gradually materialized.
Liu Taizhen, setting the stage, praised a poetry collection Xie Loubo had sent her, then pointedly remarked that she heard it wasn't actually written by him. When Xie Loubo denied it, Yun Yi stepped forward, revealing herself and crying out, "It was me!" Xie Loubo was terrified, mistaking her for a ghost, but Liu Taizhen clarified that Xie Loubo himself had brought Yun Yi there. Yun Yi recounted her tragic story.
Years ago, she was a renowned poet at a Chang'an music house, born from a century-old lantern’s shadow, though with weak demonic powers. She cherished human culture and poetry, believing herself to be human. She met Xie Loubo, a talented scholar, and was captivated by him. She entrusted him with her life’s poems and savings, hoping he would help publish them.
However, Xie Loubo plagiarized her work, publishing it under his own name to gain fame while dismissing her original poems as “immature and mediocre” when she inquired. When Yun Yi confronted him, he cruelly humiliated her, even spreading lies that she had tried to force him into marriage and then committed suicide out of spite. Despairing, Yun Yi's soul merged with the Glazed Lantern, her physical form fading.
She had re-emerged only because the lantern was re-lit, to seek justice for his deceit. Upon the truth’s revelation, Xie Loubo, horrified, began screaming, "I won't plagiarize anymore!" as he stumbled away, oblivious to Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu approaching. Liu Taizhen restrained Yun Yi from pursuing him, explaining that taking his life would only validate his false claims of being harmed by evil spirits.
Just as Wu Zhen believed, true retribution lay in exposing his misdeeds to the world, letting him suffer public disgrace and witness the collapse of his stolen reputation. Yun Yi conceded, accepting this outcome. Knowing her time was short, as she had only lingered due to the Immortal Bone, Yun Yi wept, lamenting that despite her yearning for human warmth, she found only "hearts as cold as frost."
She expressed that her life experience was enough, and with that, she faded away, leaving only the dim Glazed Lantern. Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu arrived just as her last essence vanished. News of Xie Loubo's plagiarism and his role in Yun Yi's demise spread like wildfire throughout Chang'an, embellished by storytellers. Outraged citizens pelted his residence with rotten eggs and vegetables. Unable to bear the public's scorn, Xie Loubo descended into madness, becoming a public laughingstock.
Empress Wu, impressed by Mei Zhuyu's impartial and compassionate conduct in the Yun Yi affair, summoned Wu Zhen to the palace. Before the Emperor, the Empress lavishly praised Mei Zhuyu, noting his extraordinary character and suggesting Wu Zhen deepen her relationship with him.
The Emperor, who typically indulged his wife, privately advised Wu Zhen to consider marriage carefully, citing his own experiences and warning that despite initial affection, married life involved mundane trivialities that could wear down even the strongest feelings. Still, Wu Zhen was troubled by the unknown whereabouts of the Immortal Bone. The Four Elders of the Beast Market, led by Elder Grey, confronted Wu Zhen, angrily questioning her negligence and reminding her of past incidents.
Wu Zhen calmly accepted a five-day deadline to retrieve the Immortal Bone, placating them for the moment. Wu Zishu, displeased with Elder Grey's overbearing attitude toward Wu Zhen, privately warned the elder. Liu Taizhen, while searching for the Immortal Bone, found no traces of it anywhere except, she suspected, with Mei Zhuyu. Using this as an excuse, Wu Zhen began to frequently visit Mei Zhuyu's residence.
His young attendant, Wenhua, diligently prepared food and wine for her visits, which Mei Zhuyu initially found inappropriate, fearing for Wu Zhen's reputation. Wu Zhen, however, simply stated her own reputation was already "not good" and couldn't get worse. She even climbed over his wall to get in. Mei Si, hearing of Wu Zhen’s frequent visits, came to gossip. Wu Zhen openly confessed her admiration for Mei Zhuyu’s character, praising his integrity.
She noted that he never pandered to the powerful, flattered superiors, or tried to please her because of her status as County Princess, nor was he easily swayed by her challenges. Wu Zhen confided that she saw Mei Zhuyu as a solitary creature, bravely upholding his beliefs in "punishing evil and bringing peace to the good" in a world that didn't quite fit him. She found such an upright and noble gentleman captivating.
Mei Si was stunned, realizing Wu Zhen was as deeply smitten as he was, unaware that Mei Zhuyu, standing just outside the door, had overheard their entire conversation. The next morning, Mei Si, armed with demon-dispelling charms, burst into the Liu residence, declaring he was there to protect Liu Taizhen from demons. Her servants tried to stop him, and in the ensuing struggle, he accidentally threw his demon-dispelling bell, striking Liu Taizhen's hair.
Her eyes immediately turned cold, and she ordered her fierce dogs released, sending Mei Si fleeing in panic. Meanwhile, Wu Zhen confirmed with Wu Zishu and Hu Zhu that the Immortal Bone was indeed on Mei Zhuyu. Hu Zhu suggested knocking Mei Zhuyu unconscious to retrieve it, but Wu Zhen objected, citing his affiliation with the Mystical Judgment Bureau and his cautious nature. Wu Zishu assured her that he would handle any repercussions from the Four Elders.
Observing Wu Zishu preparing a medicinal bath gave Wu Zhen an idea. She planned to retrieve the Immortal Bone by sneaking into Mei Zhuyu's chambers while he was bathing, but as she attempted to do so, she accidentally made a noise, alerting him.
Episode 5 Recap
Mei Zhuyu, hearing a noise, coldly demanded, "Who?" Wenhua, who had just entered, reassured him, "Master, what's wrong?" Mei Zhuyu dismissed it, saying, "It's nothing, perhaps I misheard." He then told Wenhua to wait outside. Wu Zhen, who had already transformed into a tabby cat, leapt onto his desk, and Mei Zhuyu uncharacteristically picked her up and held her close.
Later that night, Mei Zhuyu buried what he believed to be the Undying Bone, sealing it with a spell, unaware that Wu Zhen had already swapped it. Wu Zhen returned to the Beast Market with the true Undying Bone. Together with the elders, she cast a spell to destroy it. However, the moment the bone shattered, a chilling killing qi emanated, shocking everyone. They realized it was not an ordinary Undying Bone but the remains of the Evil Demon Infant.
Eighteen years prior, the Evil Demon Infant had single-handedly invaded Chang'an, causing widespread chaos and nearly overthrowing the Beast Market. The previous Lord Cat had sacrificed his life and soul to eradicate it. The reappearance of its remnants meant the Evil Demon Infant might return, putting the entire Beast Market in dire peril. Meanwhile, a lone woodsman encountered a thick fog while walking in the mountains.
Through the haze, he saw an old woman by the roadside, whom he recognized as his long-deceased mother. Overwhelmed with joy and sorrow, he knelt, tearfully recounting his longing, oblivious to the sinister smile that touched the old woman's lips. The old woman's form gradually shifted, transforming into a beautiful young woman named Shan Posuo, who swiftly drained the woodsman's vital essence. Shan Posuo reflected on how easily mortals are fooled, lamenting the scarcity of people in her current location.
She mused that if she could enter Chang'an, she could cultivate and indulge as she pleased, finding great delight in it. Over several days, six cases of villagers disappearing in Chang'an's western outskirts caused widespread concern. Mei Zhuyu noticed the abnormality and wished to investigate personally, but Xu Luan had already dispatched his deputy officials.
These officials struggled along the arduous mountain path, complaining about the difficulty and their superior, Xu Luan, not taking the matter seriously, having sent them merely "to go through the motions." They speculated that the villagers were either lost or had eaten poisonous mushrooms, causing hallucinations. Suddenly, a dense fog enveloped them, and the mountain path seemed to twist, clearly indicating Shan Posuo's illusionary spell, drawing them into her trap.
Three missing villagers stumbled out of the mist, their faces ashen, eyes cloudy, snarling as they lunged at the officials. Shan Posuo, hidden behind trees, was about to claim her prey but was infuriated when a Rat Spirit intervened. The Rat Spirit warned Shan Posuo that such ostentatious hunting would surely attract the two Lords of the Beast Market. Seeing Shan Posuo's hesitation, the Rat Spirit asserted that by helping her, he was also helping himself.
Mei Zhuyu meticulously reviewed all the case files in the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs archives but found no record of the "Heavenly Fire" incident from eighteen years ago. He questioned Xu Luan about the missing file. Xu Luan vaguely replied that the relevant documents had been taken by the palace, explaining that even he, as the Chief Inspector, could only apply monthly to the palace records chamber to review them.
Just then, villagers from the western outskirts converged on Minister Liu Gongshen's residence, kneeling and begging him to intervene. Minister Liu publicly questioned Xu Luan regarding the matter. However, the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and the Capital Prefecture began to blame each other, neither willing to take on the troublesome case. With the crowd of villagers outside growing agitated and the situation nearly spiraling out of control, Mei Zhuyu stepped forward from the throng.
He clasped his hands and requested permission to investigate the western outskirts case himself. Minister Liu immediately granted his request. From the shadows beneath the eaves, Wu Zhen and Liu Taizhen watched from a carriage, exchanging a meaningful glance. Following this, Wu Zhen and Liu Taizhen returned to the Beast Market. Zhu Ying, Lord Snake's deputy, reported that lightning-struck wood, the only way to neutralize the Undying Bone's killing qi, was located in a cave in the western outskirts.
Wu Zishu elaborated that ordinary demons could not approach it, but Wu Zhen, as a half-demon, could approach it in her human form during the day. Wu Zhen immediately decided to go to the western outskirts herself the following day to retrieve the wood. Mei Zhuyu carefully counted his salary and the reward money from his cases, storing them securely in a box. He planned to propose to Wu Zhen in two days.
He realized the muddy, narrow path to his door and the dilapidated donkey shed were not suitable for Wu Zhen's arrival. Thus, he instructed Wenhua to hire people to pave the path and demolish the donkey shed, to which Wenhua reluctantly agreed, noting that while Mei Zhuyu was poor, Wu Zhen was wealthy, making them a suitable match. Empress Wu, concerned for her sister Wu Zhen's safety, dispatched Jinwu Guards Huai'an and Linyuan to escort her.
Though Wu Zhen found their presence superfluous, she did not refuse, heading directly to the western outskirts with them. Upon their arrival, Mei Zhuyu was surrounded by angry villagers questioning him. Seeing him alone and simply dressed, they assumed the authorities were merely placating them. Wu Zhen immediately declared her identity as County Princess Qinghe of the Duke Wu's residence, her regal bearing causing the villagers to retreat in awe, finally believing that the court was genuinely investigating the case.
As they entered the mountains, Mei Zhuyu led a donkey while Wu Zhen rode it, creating a harmonious scene. Wu Zhen told Mei Zhuyu she had informed her sister that she went because she was worried about his delicate health, which she claimed would not last an hour in the mountains. Elder Ash again sought out Wu Zhen, intending to report the disappearance of a rat demon. Wu Zishu coldly intercepted him, stating he would personally investigate the matter.
Elder Ash hinted that Wu Zishu should not let "blind loyalty" hinder his demonic cultivation, reminding him that Wu Zhen was, after all, only half-demon. After Elder Ash departed, Wu Zishu entered a secret chamber. He had already planned to extract a demon core to accelerate Wu Zhen's full demonic transformation. To prevent Elder Ash's suspicion, he summarily threw the rat demon into a cauldron, silencing it permanently.
Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu continued their journey up the mountain, where a gray miasma permeated the forest, accompanied by a faint, putrid smell. Mei Zhuyu thought it was ordinary fog, but Wu Zhen immediately recognized it as Shan Posuo's illusion. She promptly gave Mei Zhuyu a silk veil to cover his face. They bypassed the miasma, taking an alternate route into the mountains. Wu Zhen accidentally twisted her ankle, and Mei Zhuyu, without a word, carried her on his back as colorful butterflies fluttered around their intertwined figures.
Episode 6 Recap
Elder Gray secretly released a rat demon, intending to use it to stir chaos in the Demon Market. Ling Xiao, Deputy to the Serpent Lord, coincidentally witnessed Elder Gray casting a spell on the demon's forehead and immediately reported it to Wu Zishu. Wu Zishu realized Elder Gray had used a forbidden technique known as the Soul-Walking Technique, understanding that this was a diversion to target Wu Zhen.
Meanwhile, Shan Posuo, under Elder Gray's secret orders, set up a demon array around the Thunderstruck Wood. She was confident that Wu Zhen, in her vulnerable mortal form during the day, would be no match for the array's malevolence, even with Mei Zhuyu accompanying her. The rat demon promised Shan Posuo free reign to hunt in the western outskirts if he succeeded in taking over as the Cat Lord.
Wu Zhen feigned hunger to send Mei Zhuyu away, intending to investigate the Thunderstruck Wood alone. To her surprise, Mei Zhuyu returned with a rabbit, which annoyed Wu Zhen. She complained that not only did he dislike cats, but he also wouldn't spare such a cute rabbit. Wu Zhen then playfully grabbed his wrist, forcing his hand over the rabbit's soft fur before unexpectedly releasing it.
Wu Zishu tracked Shan Posuo to the western outskirts and intercepted her, demanding to know the rat demon's whereabouts. Shan Posuo smirked and refused to answer, instead casting a soul-capturing spell that conjured an illusion. The illusion depicted intimate scenes of Wu Zishu and Wu Zhen. At the same time, Wu Zhen, who was searching for the Thunderstruck Wood alone, became trapped in the demon array.
Fortunately, Mei Zhuyu appeared just in time, cutting through the array with his sword, which greatly annoyed Shan Posuo as she had underestimated him. After the ordeal, Mei Zhuyu bandaged Wu Zhen's injuries. Noticing lingering demonic energy in the forest, he excused himself to fetch water. Wu Zhen, also sensing the danger, worried for Mei Zhuyu's safety and quickly followed him.
As Mei Zhuyu entered a dense part of the forest, an illusory "Wu Zhen" appeared behind him, smiling and asking him to pick a flower. He plucked a fresh flower and tucked it into "Wu Zhen's" hair, allowing the illusion to attempt to bewitch him. Just as it leaned in close, he abruptly opened his eyes and pushed it away, revealing his awareness of the deception.
Meanwhile, the real Wu Zhen stumbled through the dense forest, repeatedly calling Mei Zhuyu's name. Suddenly, Mei Zhuyu appeared from the mist. As she stepped forward, he blocked her path with his sword. At that moment, another "Wu Zhen" appeared, identical in appearance and clothing to the first. Mei Zhuyu's gaze shifted between the two, and he ultimately plunged his dagger into the shoulder of the fake Wu Zhen. The illusion shattered, revealing Shan Posuo.
Seeing Shan Posuo's repeated failures, the rat demon was thoroughly disappointed. He coldly warned Shan Posuo to leave immediately, or her life would be in peril. Just as the rat demon prepared to return to the Demon Market, Wu Zishu appeared, trapping the rat demon and simultaneously inflicting heavy damage on Elder Gray's divine consciousness, which had been attached to the rat demon. This devastating blow destroyed Elder Gray's century of cultivation.
Mei Zhuyu, his face pale and lips bruised, collapsed under a tree; the miasma had already invaded his heart meridians. Seeing his condition, Wu Zhen pressed her lips to his, slowly drawing out the poisonous gas. Wu Zishu, saddened by the sight, then departed. With the Thunderstruck Wood now in hand, Wu Zhen asked Wu Zishu when they could destroy the Indestructible Bone Demon.
Wu Zishu explained that while the wood had the power to dispel evil, the Indestructible Bone Demon was formidable and required channeling heavenly thunder into the wood before it could be completely shattered. He advised Wu Zhen to recover from her internal injuries before the heavenly thunder arrived and offered to prepare medicine.
Wu Zhen then asked Wu Zishu to cover for her, expressing her concern about Shan Posuo, intending to return to the western outskirts to deal with her without Wu Zishu's nagging. Under the cover of night, Mei Si crawled through a dog hole in the back wall of the Liu Manor. Before he could even brush off the dirt, he looked up to find Liu Taizhen standing before him, her gaze as cold as frost.
Since the day he glimpsed a white serpent phantom before losing consciousness, Mei Si had been convinced that the Liu Manor harbored a demon and feared for Liu Taizhen's life. Seeing Mei Si's persistence, Liu Taizhen, in an attempt to shake off his entanglement, lied, telling him that to solve the mystery of the demon, he should investigate westward to find a special herb.
Mei Si followed her instructions and headed west, only to encounter Wu Zhen's group returning to the city. Upon hearing that Liu Taizhen had pointed him in this direction, Wu Zhen immediately understood that the foolish man had been tricked again. She ordered her attendants to escort Mei Si back to Chang'an. As the group reached the city gates of Chang'an, Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen bid each other farewell. Mei Zhuyu turned back towards the western outskirts alone.
Wu Zhen, believing that Shan Posuo was still at large and would continue to harm people, decided that the matter could not be left unresolved and personally returned to the western outskirts as well. At that moment, Mei Zhuyu, utilizing his Celestial Master techniques, heavily wounded Shan Posuo. The demon pleaded for her life, offering to reveal Wu Zhen's secret in exchange for survival. However, Mei Zhuyu chose to keep the secret sealed, along with Shan Posuo's life, and decisively slew her with his sword.
Episode 7 Recap
Wu Zhen deftly transformed into a cat and quickly rushed back to the suburban woods, only to be startled to find Shan Posuo had died under an extremely powerful magic spell. This mysterious magic made her intensely curious about the caster, secretly wondering who this formidable person could be. Meanwhile, during his cultivation, Mei Zhuyu kept unintentionally recalling Wu Zhen kissing him. This scene made him feel ashamed of his master's earnest teachings and too embarrassed to face Wu Zhen.
Thus, he strived to calm his mind, doing his utmost to focus on his cultivation. In the bustling Beast Market, Elder Grey was nonchalantly admiring a mural, as if nothing concerned him. Wu Zhen came to question him, but he vehemently denied being in the western suburban woods, even looking down on Wu Zhen, who was half-human and half-demon, and showing no respect for Master Cat. At this moment, various demons appeared one after another.
Ling Xiao immediately pointed out that he had seen Elder Grey use the Soul Wandering Technique yesterday. However, this technique causes extreme and highly detrimental damage to the body. Everyone suspected that Elder Grey would never joke with his own life. So, Wu Zhen revealed her Streamer Whip, which could accurately detect if his divine consciousness had left his body. Elder Grey tried to escape but was promptly and skillfully trapped by Master Cat.
Wu Zhen whipped Elder Grey in front of all the demons, forcing him to confess his various crimes. Afterward, she imprisoned him in the Beast Prison to uphold justice in the Beast Market. Wu Zishu stormed into the Beast Prison, intending to torment Elder Grey daily to vent his hatred.
At this point, Elder Grey reluctantly revealed the truth: he only wanted to seize the thunder-struck wood to preserve the Vengeful spirit bone, but he did not disclose the true purpose of preserving the Vengeful spirit bone. At the same time, he also firmly believed that although Wu Zishu arrived at the Beast Market like a blank slate, he naturally had his own selfish desires.
The next day, in a fit of rage, Liu Taizhen tied up Mei Si because he had repeatedly come to the Liu Manor to eliminate snake demons, causing her too much distress, so she simply tied him up. Wu Zhen, hearing that something had happened in the village again, was filled with anxiety and quickly rushed there, coincidentally encountering Mei Zhuyu. Three people in the village were again afflicted by miasma, unconscious and in critical condition.
Suddenly, a woman's scream came from afar; it turned out to be a pervert peeking at their bodies. Wu Zhen quickly entered the house to apprehend the person, but Mei Zhuyu recognized the person in front of them as Shuang Jiang. Shuang Jiang hastily explained that he was a Celestial Master from Changxi Palace, but Wu Zhen did not believe that Changxi Palace, which had disappeared for a hundred years, still had a successor.
Shuang Jiang further explained that he had gotten lost on the mountain earlier and had intended to take off his clothes to cool down but unfortunately rolled down the mountain and was mistaken for a pervert by these women. To prove his identity, Shuang Jiang took out a magic artifact, stating that it could extract the miasma from the villagers' bodies.
Little did he know, Mei Zhuyu, hidden in the shadows, noticed that Shuang Jiang had placed the incense burner incorrectly, fearing that the spell would be unsuccessful. Finally, unable to bear his low-level magic anymore, Mei Zhuyu secretly helped cast the spell, and the unconscious villagers were finally revived. Afterward, the villagers expressed their gratitude to Shuang Jiang for saving their lives. It was only then that Wu Zhen noticed Mei Zhuyu had disappeared.
It turned out that Mei Zhuyu was worried about being recognized by Shuang Jiang, which would expose his true identity, so he avoided Shuang Jiang. Wu Zhen enthusiastically invited Shuang Jiang to join them. Shuang Jiang happily boarded the carriage but unexpectedly came face-to-face with Mei Zhuyu. Mei Zhuyu preemptively called out, "Eleventh Junior Brother," and Shuang Jiang, understanding from his gaze, had no choice but to implicitly acknowledge this relationship.
Mei Zhuyu explained that he and Shuang Jiang were from the same hometown, using this to cover up their past. After Mei Zhuyu and Shuang Jiang arrived in the capital city, they quickly departed, which made Wu Zhen feel that Mei Zhuyu was somewhat strange this time, seemingly deliberately hiding something.
That night, Shuang Jiang informed Mei Zhuyu that ever since his First Senior Brother became the sect leader, he could no longer endure the hardships of the assessments, so he came down the mountain to seek refuge with him. Mei Zhuyu was willing to take him in but laid down three rules: they must address each other as fellow disciples and he must not reveal his connection to Changxi Palace to avoid unnecessary trouble.
The next day, Shuang Jiang discovered there was another person at home and immediately became alert, drawing his sword. The house servant Wenhua mistakenly thought a thief had broken in, and the two almost came to blows, leading to a misunderstanding. Shuang Jiang had eagerly anticipated breakfast, but seeing no meat, he was inevitably a little disappointed. At this moment, Mei Zhuyu saw a dossier and immediately hurried away to earn money to buy meat for Shuang Jiang.
Mei Zhuyu returned to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs with the closed case dossier of the western suburban woods. Minister Liu intended to offer words of commendation. Unexpectedly, Mei Zhuyu immediately asked to take over the position of Commissioner, which made Commissioner Xu, who was standing nearby, extremely awkward, his face turning very unpleasant.
