Moonlit Reunion Episode 22 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
Mei Zhuyu entered Changxi Palace accompanied by his senior brothers. Sect Master Chang Ming praised Mei Zhuyu for his recent journey to Chang'an, acknowledging his success in assisting the Mystic Appraisal Bureau, capturing demons, and discovering the location of the Beast Market.
While the other disciples were eager to descend the mountain immediately to confront the demons, Mei Zhuyu clarified that the recent ink tiger menace in the capital was not a demonic incursion but rather a result of human machinations. He explained that someone had used dark magic to create lesser demons for personal gain, and he had stumbled upon this scheme. Given this new information, Chang Ming agreed to postpone the immediate descent, opting for careful planning.
Following this, Chang Ming proposed promoting Mei Zhuyu to Chief Commander, commending his innate talent, profound skills, and unique understanding of the Beast Market. However, Mei Zhuyu humbly declined the offer, citing his lack of experience. He then revealed his true reason for returning to the Palace: to accept punishment. Mei Zhuyu confessed that he had "fallen in love with someone" in Chang'an and wished to "leave the sect, marry her, and share a life together."
As Mei Zhuyu knelt before his late Master Si Qing's spiritual tablet, he reflected on his past. He recalled a time as a young orphan, desperate for food, when he had chased a wild pheasant. He encountered Si Qing, who revealed the pheasant was actually an evil spirit. Si Qing, then the Celestial Master of Changxi Palace, offered to take Mei Zhuyu as a disciple, promising him sustenance and a purpose: to exorcise demons, dispel misfortune, and perform good deeds.
Mei Zhuyu readily accepted. Years later, a more studious Mei Zhuyu, having read about cultivators abstaining from worldly desires, once refused a roasted chicken from his Master. Si Qing playfully chided him for becoming "boring" and "clinging too tightly to books." He questioned Mei Zhuyu on the true meaning of "Tao" and his reasons for cultivating, emphasizing that true cultivation "begins with the heart" and encouraged him to "take your time with your life and seek it."
Back in the present, Sect Master Chang Ming attempted to dissuade Mei Zhuyu, suggesting his affections were merely a temporary infatuation from "Chang'an's prosperity." He offered to overlook the transgression if Mei Zhuyu would "mend your ways." Mei Zhuyu, however, stood firm. He passionately argued that love sprang from the heart and could not be changed.
He asserted that if he were to "admit fault against my own will" now, Chang Ming would never trust his resolve in a genuine life-or-death situation, questioning if he would then "seek gain and avoid loss, nor abandon righteousness just to survive." Witnessing Mei Zhuyu’s unwavering conviction, Chang Ming reluctantly stated he could no longer protect him.
He then announced the ancient Changxi Palace rule: any disciple seeking to leave the sect must enter the White Night Formation and "endure White Night Divine Birds passing through his body," a ritual that would sever all ties with the Palace. Mei Zhuyu, with quiet dignity, accepted this fate, expressing his gratitude. The other senior brothers discussed Chang Ming's decision, expressing deep concern for Mei Zhuyu.
They recounted a grim tale from a century ago, when a disciple who underwent the White Night Formation suffered unbearable pain for years before ultimately taking his own life. They worried Mei Zhuyu might not survive the ordeal. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Second Senior Brother Xiaomu, on his way to his quarters, witnessed a mysterious figure in black silently placing an object into the eye of the White Night Formation, a sight that raised his alarm.
In the Beast Market, Wu Zhen publicly announced her impending marriage to Mei Zhuyu, causing a stir among the demons who gossiped about the "Cat Master marrying a mortal." An elder questioned the rumors, but Wu Zhen defiantly stated that her marriage was "what business is my marriage to you?" and challenged them to produce any "Demon Market Code" that prohibited her from marrying.
Elder Jin openly criticized her, accusing her of constantly trying to "break new ground" and bearing "resentment" towards tradition. Wu Zishu also vehemently objected. Wu Zhen, however, firmly declared, "My fate is controlled by no one. I'll take responsibility if it goes wrong." She warned Wu Zishu to "set your stance right" and reassured the elders that the Beast Market's rule of secrecy from mortals would "not change." She wished to "experience" what humans experienced.
Ten days passed, and Mei Zhuyu had yet to return to Chang'an. Duke Wu worried that his daughter might be jilted, though he also acknowledged Wu Zhen's own past actions of deceiving suitors, fearing she might be facing retribution. As soon as Duke Wu finished speaking, thunder rumbled, and he shook his head and left.
Wu Zhen, however, maintained her faith, assuring her father that "He will come back," even as he pointed out that it was "already the twelfth" day. In the bustling streets of the Beast Market, a betting pool had started on Mei Zhuyu's return. Many citizens placed bets on him abandoning Wu Zhen, convinced he would not return. Yet, Hu Zhu, with unwavering belief, wagered all her money on Mei Zhuyu's eventual return. Back at Changxi Palace, Mei Zhuyu remained kneeling.
Shuang Jiang, newly released from confinement, rushed to him, offering stolen buns and questioning Mei Zhuyu's stubbornness. Mei Zhuyu, however, reaffirmed his commitment, stating, "She's still waiting for me." He confided in Shuang Jiang that for eighteen years, his life had been solely devoted to uncovering the past and eliminating evil, devoid of joy or expectation. This changed the moment he met Wu Zhen; he could "never forget" her riding on horseback when he returned to Chang'an.
He believed their encounter was destiny, and for the first time, he felt "longings and desires for the future." He vowed, "I can't leave my loved one alone in Chang'an with dangers surrounding her. I must go back and protect her. I can't let what happened eighteen years ago happen again." With the eyes of the entire Changxi Palace upon him, Mei Zhuyu, stripped of all weapons, stepped into the White Night Formation.
Countless luminous blue birds descended from the sky, causing horror among the senior brothers. Mei Zhuyu bravely endured the first piercing of the bird feathers through his body. To everyone's shock, the flock circled back and pierced him a second time. Shuang Jiang, distraught, attempted to intervene but was held back by the formation's barrier.
Just as Mei Zhuyu began to succumb, losing consciousness and showing signs of petrification, an inner resolve, echoing his Master's teachings to "Hold the mind upright, and all illusions will shatter," empowered him. At that precise moment, Second Senior Brother Xiaomu, who had witnessed the mysterious figure earlier, secretly infused a strand of true qi into the formation. With a resonant clang, the Changxi Mace materialized, dispelling the attacking birds and gently lifting Mei Zhuyu from the ground.
Wu Zhen, though outwardly composed, had harbored concerns for Mei Zhuyu's safety but had found comfort in the thought of his deep cultivation. Her faith was rewarded; Mei Zhuyu, having miraculously survived two grueling bird-piercings, was found severely injured. Chang Ming offered him a temporary stay in the Palace for recovery. However, other disciples immediately protested, arguing that as he was no longer a sect member, he could not remain.
Mei Zhuyu himself, eager to return to Chang'an, declined the offer, stating he had "meeting someone" and needed to "hurry back." Before his departure, Chang Ming presented him with one final, difficult request: he must leave the Changxi Mace behind. Chang Ming explained that while the mace was a gift from their Master, it was intended for a disciple of Changxi Palace, "not for Mei Zhuyu, who abandons the sect for worldly desires."
Mei Zhuyu, recalling his Master's profound gesture of entrusting him with the mace and teaching him to wield it, felt a pang of sadness but ultimately complied, entrusting the cherished artifact to Chang Ming.
