Rakshasa Street Episode 21 Recap
> Rakshasa Street Recap
Beiluo Shimen, held in a prison cell, was consumed by guilt, lamenting his failure as a father to Shuier. In a neighboring cell, Shuier confided in Dog, revealing that Beiluo Shimen was her father, a fact he had long tried to keep from her by changing his name from Baishimen and erasing her memories of their past. She showed Dog a Kajianmiao mark on her arm, explaining it was a common childhood vaccination.
Shuier believed that since Dog, like her, came from another world and everything in Mingjing Village was an illusion, he too must have parents waiting for him in their true home. Meanwhile, Cao Yanbing lay gravely wounded, his bones shattered, feeling utterly devoid of hope.
His guardian spirit, Xu Chu, relentlessly encouraged him, reminding him that he was born to be a Dragon and that even with his claws broken, scales shed, palms severed, or if he fell into a shallow beach, a Dragon remains a Dragon. Xu Chu vowed that if Cao Yanbing didn't give up, he, even with only one arm, could tear the earth apart, no matter how many enemies stood before them.
Cao Yanbing, however, confessed his profound exhaustion, reiterating that his bones were all broken. He revealed that he had intentionally pushed Xia Ling away to protect her, as everyone close to him, like Wen Ze and Gui Fu Santong, had suffered greatly. He explained that while Li Xuanyuan possessed formidable power, he was a dual entity – a fusion of immortal and demon. His surface personality, Qingfeng, was kind, but his inner demon, Huasha, was a madman.
These two personalities constantly constrained his power. Given Xia Ling's own weakness as a Messenger, Cao Yanbing feared that if Huasha ever gained dominance, Xia Ling would become a puppet of the guardian spirit. Despite Xu Chu's persistent encouragement, Cao Yanbing remained despondent, overwhelmed by his severe injuries. As he felt his life slipping away, he thought of Xia Ling and his brother, Cao Xuanliang, expressing his unwillingness to surrender the world to a contemptible person like Nan Yufu.
He feared Cao Xuanliang might not be strong enough to avenge him, and he found himself deeply missing Xia Ling, hoping she was safe and happy in the human world, possibly even causing trouble for someone else. Xia Ling and Zhao Xin, accompanied by Bai Jingyin, eventually arrived at the cave to find Cao Yanbing barely clinging to life, with only a faint pulse. Zhao Xin urged Xia Ling to act swiftly.
Believing she was administering a "heart-strengthening needle" from the spiritual domain, Xia Ling plunged the object into Cao Yanbing's chest. This "needle" was, in fact, Xue Yonghou Zhang Xiu's iron pestle. The distinct scent of Zhang Xiu instantly roused Dian Wei, Cao Yanbing's guardian spirit, who had been dormant within him. Cao Yanbing was astonished by Dian Wei's sudden appearance.
Xu Chu then explained that Cao Yanbing possessed a "Martial God Body," allowing him to house multiple guardian spirits, and clarified that Dian Wei had always been his guardian, not just appearing after Wenze's departure. Dian Wei recounted that in the Second Year of Jian'an, Zhang Xiu, advised by Jia Xu, rebelled against Cao Cao, and it was only through Dian Wei’s fierce combat that Cao Cao escaped.
Dian Wei explained that the two-thousand-year-old scent of his sworn enemy, Zhang Xiu, had awakened him from his long slumber within Cao Yanbing. Messengers' strong recovery abilities stem from their guardian spirits. With Dian Wei awakened, Cao Yanbing's regenerative powers dramatically increased; his shattered bones automatically realigned, and his vital signs rapidly stabilized. Overjoyed to see him revived, Xia Ling rushed to embrace him, causing him a pang of pain.
Cao Yanbing then playfully clarified that it wasn't her affection that revived him, but the iron pestle she wielded, which, due to the enduring hatred, had awakened Dian Wei. Xia Ling realized that Zhao Xin had deliberately misled her, claiming the item was a "heart-strengthening needle" and that "love" was needed, when in reality, it was Zhang Xiu's weapon that had triggered Dian Wei's awakening through ancient enmity.
Zhao Xin then explained his convoluted plan, stating he used the principle of "using hatred to awaken love" by having her use the weapon of Dian Wei’s killer. Xia Ling, confused by the historical context, felt duped. Cao Yanbing and Zhao Xin teased her for her lack of understanding, which quickly earned them a playful beating from Xia Ling. After a night of rest, the trio decided to ascend Mount Nan to settle accounts with Nan Yufu.
As Cao Yanbing prepared his weapons, a Bai family elder advised him against forceful action, suggesting he should submit to fate. Cao Yanbing defiantly declared that his own will was fate, believing "No destiny, no God's will." He then took a "Yan Ling Xing" (Spiritual Word) from the elder, using it to rouse a surprised Zhao Xin and Xia Ling, and they set off together.
Meanwhile, on Mount Nan, Ziwei reported to Nan Yufu that Cao Yanbing was likely dead or, at best, a cripple, posing no threat, having sustained a heavy blow from Daojin Yihong while wearing a spirit-locking stone. Nan Yufu, never having truly considered Cao Yanbing a threat, maintained his arrogant confidence. He merely stated that he was "taking advantage of the situation" and ordered Taiwei to investigate Beiluo Shimen and retrieve the Wushangguo (Supreme Fruit).
As Cao Yanbing, Xia Ling, and Zhao Xin advanced, Zhao Xin remarked he wouldn't hit Xia Ling because she was Cao Yanbing's woman. Cao Yanbing quickly denied this, stating she wasn't his woman and Zhao Xin could hit her. Xia Ling glared at him, but their attention was soon diverted by a large contingent of Lingjia army soldiers ahead. Without hesitation, Cao Yanbing summoned Xu Chu and Dian Wei, who swiftly crushed the Lingjia army, clearing the path as they pressed onward towards Mount Nan.
