Moonlit Reunion Episode 12 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
Wu Zhen, determined to settle her long-standing feud with Elder Hui, openly declared her intention to challenge him, stating she had finally figured out how to settle things according to his own philosophy: "winner takes all, loser is nothing." Elder Hui, confident, immediately shattered his chains, creating a fearsome life-and-death arena and urging Wu Zhen to accept the life-and-death challenge.
Wu Zhen accepted, stating that if she won, Elder Hui would lose his position as the head of the Gray Sect. News of the challenge spread instantly across the Beast Market, causing widespread discussion among demons, who had never heard of a Cat Lord and an Elder fighting to the death. Hu Zhu, shocked by Wu Zhen's acceptance, then sought out Liu Taizhen.
Liu Taizhen explained that the life-and-death challenge, a forbidden technique established by the first two Lords, was intended as a final safeguard against evil demons seizing power, to be invoked only in cases of widespread demonic rebellion against those in power. Liu Taizhen deemed Wu Zhen's actions reckless, but finding no way to intervene, she coldly declared that if Wu Zhen were to die, she would personally avenge her by killing Elder Hui.
On the eve of the decisive battle, Wu Zhen sat by the river, fishing, her mind in turmoil. Mei Zhuyu approached quietly, hesitating to speak, which only irritated her. He asked what she was doing, and she replied, "Fishing." He noted she had a "good appetite," and she explained the food was a "farewell feast" from Hu Zhu, implying she should "eat well before you go." Mei Zhuyu sensed she had something on her mind.
Wu Zhen then playfully suggested building him a golden house at her estate. Mei Zhuyu quipped, "And let me sing Changmen Fu inside," surprised she knew such unofficial stories from Wu Zhen's estate's rich library, then jokingly accused her of comparing him to a heartless man. She retorted that he was always "teasing and talking nonsense."
Mei Zhuyu, recalling Shuang Jiang's earlier warning about Changxi Palace disciples not being allowed to fall in love, silently acknowledged that he sought only the "cause, not the result" of his feelings, as he never planned to marry her and his heart was troubled by his affections. Wu Zhen, noticing his reticence, rose to leave. Mei Zhuyu asked her where she was going, to which she provocatively replied she had "an appointment with another man."
Mei Zhuyu simply asked her to "come back early," and Wu Zhen promised she would. He stood silently, watching her departure, unable to say anything more. That night, Mei Si was engrossed in "Yao Gui Notes," particularly a passage describing "Dark Moon Night, when ghosts and spirits gather." Puzzled, he asked Xuan Hui why duels were held on such a night.
Xuan Hui, after teasing Mei Si about his interest in such tales — which Mei Si explained was due to Lady Liu's fascination, stating that he wanted to "think what she thinks, like what she likes" — reluctantly explained. He revealed that on Dark Moon Night, without a visible moon, yin energy and the power of evil spirits reach their peak, making it a common choice for demonic duels.
Xuan Hui further expounded on the nature of demons, stating they are like humans, full of desires and evil thoughts. He also shared that his Xuan Snake clan's true form is the Yinglong, a powerful creature capable of summoning storms after a hundred years of cultivation, and he himself had cultivated for over a century. However, he clarified that Xuan Snakes are at their weakest before transforming into dragons.
He concluded that the fundamental rule of the demon world, observed for millennia, is "the strong prey on the weak, and the winner becomes king," musing about who would claim dominance this very night as demon winds began to stir. Meanwhile, the fierce duel between Wu Zhen, a Cat Spirit with only eighteen years of cultivation, and the millennia-old Elder Hui began. Many onlookers in the Beast Market believed Elder Hui had an undeniable advantage.
In their initial exchanges, Wu Zhen appeared to be at a disadvantage, enduring heavy blows but rising stubbornly each time she fell. Elder Hui, seeing her resilience, unleashed his ultimate magic weapon, pouring all his power into a final strike. Wu Zhen met him with her whip, and their battle raged, darkening the skies. As defeat seemed imminent for Wu Zhen, Elder Hui recklessly shattered the barrier, drawing down heavenly lightning.
This act was a grave violation of Beast Market law, ensuring severe punishment even if he won, but he disregarded it entirely. Thunderclouds churned, and lightning engulfed them within the shattered barrier. Wu Zishu flew in to assist but was repelled by the immense power of the lightning. Elder Hui was certain he would destroy Wu Zhen, but to his shock, she not only survived the lightning but used it to temper her body and break through her cultivation bottlenecks.
Elder Hui, furious, ranted that this world was "never meant for creatures like you—half-breeds." Wu Zishu, worried, called out to Wu Zhen. Finally, Wu Zhen revealed her true cat form, engaging Elder Hui in a cataclysmic final battle. Ultimately, Elder Hui was defeated. He could not comprehend how his millennia of cultivation had been no match for Wu Zhen, who had only cultivated for eighteen years.
Wu Zhen, with a cold demeanor, exposed his flawed philosophy, asserting that victory does not solely depend on the depth of one's cultivation. She challenged his belief in "the strong rule," asking if he would still uphold it now that he was at her mercy.
Wu Zhen then declared that true kingship in the demon world was not about "taking lives at will or holding absolute power," but about protecting both humans and demons, especially "the weakest beings," from being bullied. Despite several elders, including Elder Jin, pleading for leniency due to Elder Hui's long service and momentary lapse, Wu Zhen, acknowledging his crime of shattering the barrier between the human and demon worlds, decided to spare his life but enforce a harsh punishment.
She stripped him of all his cultivation, reducing him to a mortal, and banished him to the harsh human world, condemning him to experience the suffering of the weak, like a "solitary mouse." When asked if anyone had objections, the other elders submitted to Lord Cat’s command. Despite her victory, Wu Zhen was gravely injured. She remembered her promise to Mei Zhuyu to return home and, pushing through her injuries, made her way back.
Liu Taizhen, witnessing Wu Zhen's weakened state, suggested she rest at her place, but Wu Zhen insisted on keeping her word and going home. Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu anxiously waited for her, even as his servants tried to reassure him that Lady Wu often returned late or stayed out. He worriedly replied that she had promised to come back today and that he had a bad feeling, prompting servants to compare him to a "pining husband rock."
As midnight passed, Mei Zhuyu continued to wait outside her room, concerned about being rude by visiting so late. Wu Zhen eventually stumbled back, exhausted from her fight, finding Mei Zhuyu still awake and waiting for her. She playfully attributed her injuries to a fight, joking that she preferred "younger gentlemen" to older ones like Elder Hui. Seeing her severely weakened state, Mei Zhuyu offered to help her. Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Wu Zhen collapsed into his arms and fainted.
Mei Zhuyu, momentarily flustered, gently held her, allowing her to rest safely in his embrace. He attempted to move her, concerned about appearances, but she was unconscious. At the same time, Wu Zishu, addressing Liu Taizhen as "Eldest Brother Ten," unexpectedly visited her residence by climbing the wall, explaining he was anxious and didn't want to be rude by knocking late at night.
He shared a recollection of Mei Silang seeing a "monster-like shadow" during the Sky Lantern Festival, which he now found unsettling. Liu Taizhen asked if he sensed anything "strange" about the sky that night, but Wu Zishu did not, so she sent him away, promising to investigate further tomorrow and warning him not to climb her wall again. Shortly after, Liu Taizhen returned to her estate to find Mei Si asleep by her door.
He explained he was guarding her because it was Dark Moon Night, when "sinister energy is at its peak," and he worried for her safety, though he had accidentally fallen asleep. Relieved she was safe, Mei Si prepared to leave. Liu Taizhen then questioned him, asking how he knew about the Dark Moon Night's specific dangers. Mei Si revealed he learned it from the "Yao Gui Notes" written by "Lord White Snake," and offered to show her the book.
Liu Taizhen, though denying interest, was left pondering if she had indeed written such a detail in her own book, given she was the original "Lord White Snake." Meanwhile, Mei Zhuyu gently carried the unconscious Wu Zhen back to her room. As he cared for her burning fever throughout the night, recalling their past interactions, he began to harbor deep suspicions about Wu Zhen's true identity.
Concurrently, news spread across Chang'an of mysterious "heavenly fires" that water could not extinguish, with no discernible source. Authorities reported that several citizens had vaguely seen "demon shadows fleeing," reigniting ancient legends of the Beast Market. A firm declaration was made that "demons and monsters, spirits and fiends" must be "rooted out" and "exterminated completely." Simultaneously, Empress Wu advised the Emperor to return the heavenly fire case files to the Xuanjian Division and assigned a crucial task to Mei Zhuyu. Observing the Empress's deep trust in him, the Emperor decided to test Mei Zhuyu's abilities and investigate the true nature of the demonic presence in Chang'an.
