Moonlit Reunion Episode 28 Recap
> Moonlit Reunion Recap
Elder Hui, using intelligence gathered by the Heretic cultivators under Sect Master Chang Ming, discovered that the Celestial Masters were recuperating in an abandoned residence outside Chang'an. He promptly reported this information to Wu Zishu. Elder Hui explained that Sect Master Chang Ming's impatience led him to secretly practice the cell transformation technique, causing his foul smell to be unconcealed, which allowed Elder Hui to locate the residence.
Wu Zishu praised Elder Hui's shrewdness, to which Elder Hui responded by emphasizing the omnipresence and resilience of rats. He then left at Wu Zishu's instruction. Soon after Elder Hui's departure, Hu Zhu appeared, curious about Wu Zishu's presence. Wu Zishu, thinking quickly, lied and claimed he was trying to locate the Celestial Masters, suggesting that he might be able to find their traces through Shuang Jiang, a self-proclaimed Celestial Master in the city who had been acting suspiciously.
Hu Zhu then covertly followed Shuang Jiang to the outskirts. Shuang Jiang, sensing her presence, urgently whispered for her to leave, warning her of the danger, especially from his First Senior Brother, Chang Ming, who showed no mercy to demons. Hu Zhu confronted Shuang Jiang, asking about the Celestial Masters' true purpose in Chang'an. Before she could get an answer, Chang Ming discovered Hu Zhu. Enraged, he moved to eliminate the demon.
Shuang Jiang, unwilling to see Hu Zhu harmed, bravely stepped forward to protect her. However, Chang Ming's powerful magic struck both of them, sending them plummeting into a ravine. Chang Ming, though briefly vexed by Shuang Jiang, decided that even a fool could be useful for his plans. That evening, Mei Zhuyu released a spirit fire within the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, and a remnant soul appeared as he expected.
Despite a thorough search, the demon baby was nowhere to be found. After contemplating, Mei Zhuyu recaptured the remnant soul and keenly sensed that the demon baby was hidden within Chang'an. Mei Zhuyu's colleague noted the bad weather and predicted rain, prompting Mei Zhuyu to comment on the usefulness of heavenly thunder, connecting it to past incidents involving the Demon Market and suggesting a link between the barrier and the thunder.
The following day, Mei Zhuyu's senior brothers rushed to inform him that Shuang Jiang had fallen off a cliff the previous day while defending a fox demon. They elaborated that Shuang Jiang, after leaving his baggage, went to find the Sect Master, inadvertently revealing their location and attracting a powerful and cunning fox demon.
They claimed that Chang Ming arrived and wounded the demon, but Shuang Jiang, acting as a traitorous disciple, pleaded for its life, calling the demon his best friend. The demon then supposedly dragged Shuang Jiang down the cliff with her. Chang Ming feigned deep sorrow and self-reproach for being too lenient. Another senior brother, however, subtly blamed Chang Ming, pointing out his own recklessness for leaving the array while still emitting a foul smell.
Mei Zhuyu then declared he would search for Shuang Jiang and warned everyone else against acting rashly. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the ravine, Shuang Jiang revived Hu Zhu and offered her his only dry ration, a flatbread. Hu Zhu questioned why Shuang Jiang saved her and fell with her, to which he replied that he hadn't thought, only feared her death. She reminded him she was a demon and he a Celestial Master, asking if he wouldn't kill her.
He simply said he would "subdue" her, not torture an injured demon. They shared the bread in silence. At the same time, Mei Zhuyu ventured into the ravine alone, searching for Shuang Jiang and Hu Zhu. Shuang Jiang carefully carried the injured Hu Zhu on their way back home. Along the journey, a thought struck him: if Hu Zhu was a fox demon, could Wu Zhen also be one? His face betrayed his surprise.
Seeing this, Hu Zhu quickly swore on her cultivation that Wu Zhen was absolutely not a fox demon, urging Shuang Jiang not to speculate. Hu Zhu then asked if Mei Zhuyu, whom Shuang Jiang called his "Tenth Brother," was also from Changxi Palace. Shuang Jiang denied it and swore that while there were ten registered Celestial Masters in Changxi Palace, Mei Zhuyu was not one of them.
Elsewhere, Wu Zishu went to the Demon Book Pavilion, searching for the remnant soul, growing increasingly anxious as it remained elusive. After an arduous journey, Hu Zhu and Shuang Jiang finally made it out of the ravine. However, due to her unhealed injuries, Hu Zhu's strength failed her, and she reverted to her fox form, unable to transform back into a human. She was soon discovered by passersby, who reported her to the authorities.
Mei Zhuyu and his colleagues searched the city for the reported "vicious wolf," which Mei Zhuyu, based on eyewitness descriptions of its "petite yet feral" nature and "big, long tail," deduced was more likely a fox. Hu Zhu, desperate, sought refuge in Ruyi Pavilion. At that moment, both Wu Zhen and Wu Zishu arrived at Ruyi Pavilion. Wu Zhen, frantic, knew she had to treat Hu Zhu quickly before Mei Zhuyu arrived.
Wu Zishu noted Hu Zhu's severe injuries, suspecting the Celestial Masters were responsible, and decided she had to be treated on site, as returning to the Demon Market was not an option. Shortly after, Mei Zhuyu appeared at the door, demanding to search the room as part of the official search for the "feral wolf." Wu Zhen used various excuses to block them. Mei Zhuyu insisted on searching, saying he believed her but needed to check "just in case."
Wu Zhen reminded him it was his birthday and she was waiting for him at home. When Mei Zhuyu tried to force his way in, he caught sight of Wu Zishu inside. Misinterpreting the situation, he believed Wu Zhen was having an affair and, heartbroken, turned to leave. Wu Zishu then subtly challenged Wu Zhen, questioning if Mei Zhuyu was worth her hesitation and if she truly harbored no suspicions about him.
Upon waking, Hu Zhu quickly informed Wu Zhen of the truth: Shuang Jiang was part of a group of Celestial Masters from Changxi Palace. She recounted seeing five of them in the suburbs concealed by an array, confirming they were not ordinary Celestial Masters. She also relayed what Shuang Jiang had sworn to her: that Mei Zhuyu was not one of the ten registered Changxi Palace Celestial Masters.
Wu Zhen, pondering this, noted that any threats should not be overlooked, expressing concern that their peaceful days might not last long. Meanwhile, Shuang Jiang returned to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, famished. While devouring food, he told his Tenth Brother, Mei Zhuyu, that Hu Zhu was indeed a fox demon. He mentioned sensing a mysterious aura—Chang Ming's—lingering in Hu Zhu's body when they parted, and worried about her condition.
Mei Zhuyu immediately surmised it was a Demon-Hunting Talisman placed by Chang Ming. As night fell, Chang Ming, guided by the talisman, tracked Hu Zhu to Ruyi Pavilion and successfully apprehended her. Mei Zhuyu and Shuang Jiang rushed to the scene, intending to rescue Hu Zhu, unaware that Chang Ming was deliberately using her as bait.
Chang Ming explained to Mei Zhuyu that her survival was solely for the sake of his plans; since her refusal to talk proved her high status in the Demon Market, she made excellent bait to lure out a "big fish." Later that night, Wu Zhen arrived at Ruyi Pavilion. Chang Ming, mistaking her for the "big fish," prepared to strike.
However, Wu Zhen calmly declared she was there to find her husband, Mei Zhuyu, stating it was his birthday and he was "seeking pleasure" at Ruyi Pavilion, and she was "here to catch him in the act." Chang Ming promptly halted his attack, realizing she was the Qinghe County Princess. Mei Zhuyu then entered, identifying Chang Ming and his men as "a few old friends from Quzhou," claiming they had rented Ruyi Pavilion for a couple of days of fun.
Wu Zhen, however, pointed out the darkness of the pavilion and their lack of food or drink, calling it a "strange way to have fun." She then asked if she could take Mei Zhuyu home, to which Chang Ming assented. Wu Zhen, being polite, then invited Chang Ming and his friends to their home for the birthday celebration, promising a warm welcome.
