The Great Ruler Episode 44 Recap
> The Great Ruler Recap
Mu Feng explained to Mu Chen that he had spent ten years creating the Devil-dissipating Circle, a powerful formation built by moving mountains and filling seas to counter Evil Deity. He assured Mu Chen it would not fail, even without external aid. Mu Chen, accepting his father's words, instructed Mu Feng to guard one of the array eyes while he himself would undertake the perilous task of luring Evil Deity into the formation.
Jiu You, believing her agility made her the most suitable, tried to volunteer for this role. However, Mu Chen sternly rebuked her, accusing her of reckless behavior that had already jeopardized their strategy. He emphasized that Evil Deity's primary target was him, and only he could effectively draw the deity into the trap.
For her insubordination, Mu Chen confined Jiu You for a day, although she desperately pleaded to be released to assist in the ongoing battle against the Tuling Guards. As preparations continued, Shen Cangsheng, while guarding a crucial array eye, found himself in a fierce confrontation with Wen Qingxuan. Simultaneously, Mu Chen alerted Tan Qingshan to Evil Deity's imminent arrival.
Tan Qingshan confirmed that the Devil-dissipating Circle was ready for immediate activation and departed to await Mu Chen at the formation's core, urging him to return safely as he was the hope of all. Moments after Tan Qingshan left, Evil Deity materialized before Mu Chen. Nearby, Mu Feng tended to an injured elder, who recounted his inability to withstand even a single strike from Evil Deity despite his many years of cultivation.
Mu Feng confirmed that their control over the array eye was secure. Evil Deity, observing Mu Chen, mocked the God of Heaven for sending a mere "baby" to oppose him, deeming it utterly laughable. Mu Chen defiantly challenged him to a fight, suggesting the outcome would reveal who was truly ridiculous. Mu Chen successfully maneuvered Evil Deity into the activation range of the Devil-dissipating Circle. Mu Feng promptly ordered the formation's activation, successfully trapping Evil Deity and preventing his escape.
Meanwhile, Liu Mubai engaged in a fierce battle with Tuling Guards to shield Tang Qian'er. After subduing his attackers, he attempted to approach Qian'er, but she recoiled, asking him to keep his distance. His profound emotional attachment to her caused the Heartless Whip within him to inflict excruciating pain. He poured out his apologies to Qian'er, confessing his past errors and acknowledging his betrayal of their friendship and her genuine affection. He was haunted by memories of their shared past.
Wen Qingxuan then appeared, taunting Liu Mubai that his current remorse was too late. She asserted that his regrets and apologies held no significance now; only victory alongside Evil Deity mattered, as it promised him all the power he craved. Liu Mubai reflected on his life, recalling his childhood dream of becoming the strong pillar of the Liu Territory, marrying the woman he loved, and upholding their family's motto of impartiality and righteousness.
He lamented how a single misstep had led to a cascade of errors, culminating in the destruction of Liu Territory and the deaths of many, including his mentors Zhu Tian and Lord White Dragon. His quest for power had driven him to align with Evil Deity and lead the Tuling Guards, yet he had ultimately failed to protect the one he loved, a failure that caused him immense anguish.
Witnessing his wife and child in peril, Liu Mubai decisively severed his own arm, a clear act of betrayal against Evil Deity, and attacked Wen Qingxuan. However, during their struggle, the array eye that Qian'er was guarding was inadvertently destroyed, causing the Devil-dissipating Circle to lose its effectiveness. With the formation compromised, Evil Deity brutally attacked Jiu You, then mercilessly killed Zhou Ye.
Evil Deity then seized Jiu You by the throat, prompting Mu Chen to deploy the Great Futu Pagoda in counterattack. Evil Deity managed to wound Mu Chen, but at that critical moment, a wisp of Qing Yanjing's spiritual consciousness emerged from within Mu Chen, deflecting Evil Deity's attack and saving her son. As her spirit faded, Mu Chen launched a furious assault.
Mu Feng, understanding that the Devil-dissipating Circle demanded a soul to activate and blood as a sacrifice, chose to offer his own life, pouring his soul and blood into the formation. Overcome with grief but fueled by unwavering resolve, Mu Chen channeled his full strength, activating the Devil-dissipating Circle to its maximum power and ultimately destroying Evil Deity. As Evil Deity's form dissolved, a single drop of his blood fell onto Mu Chen's shoulder.
Everyone rejoiced, believing Evil Deity was definitively vanquished. Mu Chen, however, looked upon the spiritual remnants of his parents, consumed by sorrow. Tang Qian'er, seeing the battle conclude, asked Liu Mubai to wait inside while she went to assess the situation. Mu Chen, holding a bead containing his father's essence, whispered that his father had gone to reunite with his mother. Tan Qingshan inquired about their next course of action, having received a message from Yan Emperor.
Shen Cangsheng explained that although Evil Deity was defeated, the Tuling Guards remained a threat. To ensure lasting peace, she vowed to relentlessly pursue and eliminate all remaining Tuling Guards. Tan Qingshan raised a concern: the prophecy foretold nine evil eyes, yet only eight had appeared. Shen Cangsheng confirmed that the Eye of Void was still missing, implying that the true crisis had not yet been fully averted and that the final eye must be destroyed for peace of mind.
Unbeknownst to them, the Evil Deity Mu Chen had slain was merely a powerful clone. The true Evil Deity had already arrived at Tailing, intending to carve his name onto the Firmament Rank and usurp its vast power. Luo Li and Grand Master Tailing discovered Evil Deity's nefarious plot. Luo Li quickly dispatched a message to Luo Qingya, reporting Evil Deity's presence at the Firmament Rank within the Tailing Ancient Clan.
Upon receiving this critical intelligence, Mu Chen and his companions realized they had only defeated a clone and immediately set off for Tailing to confront the true Evil Deity. At Tailing, Evil Deity struggled repeatedly to inscribe his name on the Firmament Rank, which the Tailing Ancient Clan had steadfastly guarded for centuries to prevent any malevolent entity from defiling it. Mu Chen and his allies arrived, launching a combined assault that temporarily repelled Evil Deity.
Mu Chen eagerly called out to Luo Li, but to his heartbreak, she gazed at him with an unfamiliar expression, asking who he was and admonishing his "frivolous" behavior, telling him to cease bothering her and damaging her reputation. Despite her outward coldness, Luo Li felt a profound and unsettling sense of familiarity and an inexplicable "bond" in her heart, which caused her confusion and spiritual unease.
Grand Master Tailing interjected, stating that Luo Li was the Goddess of Tailing and implying Mu Chen had mistaken her identity. He requested Mu Chen and his group to depart, citing the clan's need to recover from the recent attack. Although his companions tried to remind him that Luo Li was no longer the woman he remembered, Mu Chen, deeply wounded by her non-recognition, sadly left.
Later, Luo Li confessed to Grand Master Tailing that she felt a sudden chest pain and her spiritual power was unstable. She described a "knot" in her heart, leaving her feeling unsettled. She then inquired if she had ever met Mu Chen or his companions before. Grand Master Tailing denied it, stating she had "never" seen them. Luo Li, however, insisted that upon seeing Mu Chen, she felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity and an urge to follow him.
She recalled a similar, though less intense, feeling when she met Li Xuantong. She firmly believed she had not only met Mu Chen before but had shared a very close relationship with him, yet she could not recall any specific memories. Grand Master Tailing attributed her distress to Evil Deity's powerful influence on her mind, advising her to rest and focus on recovery.
Meanwhile, Liu Mubai, now with only one arm, prepared food, lost in memories of cooking for Tang Qian'er. Back at North Sect, Mu Chen relentlessly sought a way to defeat Evil Deity, neglecting his own well-being while constantly thinking of Luo Li. Jiu You, witnessing his self-destructive behavior, finally revealed the truth: Luo Li had made the ultimate sacrifice, choosing to become the Goddess of Tailing to merge two divine bloodlines.
This was the only way she could carve Mu Chen's name onto the Firmament Rank, which was necessary to save his life. This transformation, however, required her to sever all emotional ties, becoming "loveless." Stunned by the extent of Luo Li's sacrifice, Mu Chen resolved to find her and help her reclaim her lost memories. He traveled to Tailing and pleaded with Grand Master Tailing to restore Luo Li to him.
Grand Master Tailing, acknowledging Mu Chen's possession of the Heavenly Sword, still refused his request. He firmly stated that Luo Li, as the clan's Goddess, was bound by a sacred contract that could not be broken, and her past connections were irrelevant. Mu Chen offered any form of compensation to the Tailing clan, vowing to do anything within his power.
Grand Master Tailing then posed a difficult question: would Mu Chen be willing to sacrifice his own life if that was the ultimate cost to awaken Luo Li and break her sacred contract?
