The Legend of White Snake Episode 24 Recap
> The Legend of White Snake Recap
Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen arrived at Mount Emei, which is in Sichuan, where the Snake Valley, Bai Suzhen's original home, is located. Xu Xian was captivated by the stunning scenery. He inquired about Jing Song, believing him to be another spirit from Mount Emei, and suggested they pay him a visit. Bai Suzhen then revealed that Jing Song, a powerful immortal golden mouse, had sacrificed all his cultivation and passed away to retrieve a fairy grass for her.
Deeply moved by Jing Song's sacrifice, Xu Xian expressed his gratitude for making his relationship with Bai Suzhen possible. He raised a toast to Jing Song, vowing to care for Bai Suzhen and ensure Jing Song's selfless act was not in vain. Xu Xian prayed for Jing Song's soul to ascend to heaven and regain immortality, and for Bai Suzhen's wishes to be fulfilled.
Witnessing the spiritual essence of all things in Snake Valley led Xu Xian to declare his lifelong commitment to vegetarianism, vowing never again to harm innocent lives for his appetite. He explained this decision, citing his fear of death and the universal craving for life among all creatures. Bai Suzhen, understanding his compassionate heart despite his lack of cultivation, expressed her respect.
Xu Xian then mused about cultivating with Bai Suzhen to achieve immortality together, but quickly corrected himself, saying he envied only the life of a loving couple, not immortals, due to the brevity of human life and his reluctance to leave her alone.
Bai Suzhen reassured him that even if they were to be separated, she would search for him across heaven and hell to reunite, a promise Xu Xian wholeheartedly believed, vowing to wait for her even for a millennium. Bai Suzhen then led Xu Xian to a rooftop where, using her magic, they could witness the beauty of the world from above.
Xu Xian expressed his wonder, admitting he had never truly appreciated the charm of the world of mortals until he saw the myriad lights from such a vantage point. He remarked that the most ordinary things were often the most beautiful. Although there was no moon or stars that night, Bai Suzhen, having saved some moonlight, conjured them to be admired alongside the city's glow. This magical experience deepened Xu Xian's admiration for her.
Unbeknownst to them, Xu Xian's sister, Jiaorong, was increasingly filled with suspicion. One night, worried that Xu Xian might be hungry after becoming a vegetarian, she tried to deliver food to his room but received no answer, despite believing them to be inside. When Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen suddenly appeared from seemingly nowhere, Jiaorong questioned how they could have gone out unnoticed.
Xu Xian explained she must have been in the kitchen, and Bai Suzhen presented Jiaorong with new, fashionable embroidery patterns. Later that night, Jiaorong confessed her unease to her husband, Li Gongfu, stating that Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen had been acting strangely. She recounted the incident of them disappearing and reappearing, and how a vase she had accidentally broken in their room was now miraculously restored.
Li Gongfu tried to rationalize these events, even confessing he had once secretly replaced her ceramic Guanyin statue after breaking it, leading to a heated exchange about the revered temple artifact. Jiaorong insisted that ever since the Dragon Boat Festival, their house felt peculiar, suspecting evil spirits, but Li Gongfu dismissed her concerns as mere tiredness. While Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian deepened their bond, Xiaoqing, though feigning indifference, was secretly envious of their affection.
Her companions gossiped that her frequent troublemaking stemmed from jealousy, given that no one had ever loved her in her five hundred years of existence. Xiaoqing, overhearing them, declared her high standards and disdain for ordinary people, prompting her companions to quickly flatter her. Later, alone and bored on a tree branch, Xiaoqing yearned for company. At that moment, Zhang Yutang, who had sworn off snake hunting, entered the forest.
Seeing a snake near Xiaoqing, and concerned for her safety, he instinctively captured it with a rope. Xiaoqing, hidden from view, conjured a sudden storm that soaked Zhang Yutang, leaving him sick and miserable. He released the snake as he promised Xu Xian he would. She delighted in his plight, convinced he would never change his old ways. The next day, Zhang Yutang, suffering from the cold, came to Baohe Clinic.
Finding Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen out, only Xiaoqing was present. Realizing her magical prank had caused his illness, Xiaoqing panicked, fearing she might have inadvertently killed him. Despite her lack of medical knowledge, she desperately tried to concoct a prescription, confusing Codonopsis root and Scrophulariae root powder. Zhang Yutang, noticing her error, suggested waiting for Xu Xian, which angered Xiaoqing. To get back at him, she dramatically declared he had an incurable disease.
Just then, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen returned. Zhang Yutang, terrified, immediately pleaded for Xu Xian’s help. Bai Suzhen instructed Xu Xian to tend to him and pulled Xiaoqing aside to reprimand her for her reckless behavior. Xu Xian, seeing an opportunity to steer Zhang Yutang away from hunting, fabricated a diagnosis, claiming his cold was a chronic condition from years of hunting in damp mountains, and that he must give up hunting to recover.
When Zhang Yutang expressed concern about his livelihood, Xu Xian offered him a position as a clerk at Baohe Clinic. Zhang Yutang eagerly accepted, vowing to learn diligently, much to Xiaoqing's chagrin. Later, Bai Suzhen gently chided Xu Xian for his deception, but he reasoned that it was a way to deter Xiaoqing from more mischievous acts and to provide Zhang Yutang with a safer profession.
Zhang Yutang, starting his new job, was initially teased by Xiaoqing, who insisted he call her "Boss" and then proceeded to "teach" him medicine by deliberately misidentifying herbs like basil, stonecrop, pseudo-ginseng, gastrodia elata, and even a carrot. When Zhang Yutang, amused, corrected her, Xiaoqing became indignant and threatened to dock his pay. Zhang Yutang complained to Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen, causing Xiaoqing to stomp away in anger.
Bai Suzhen apologized for Xiaoqing's behavior, explaining that her difficult upbringing as an orphan had led them to spoil her. This revelation sparked a newfound empathy in Zhang Yutang, who, also an orphan, approached Xiaoqing to apologize. He proposed a visit to a lively temple fair on Imperial Street as a gesture of atonement, tempting her with the promise of delicious food, particularly Mrs. Zhang's renowned shaved ice with honey.
Xiaoqing, initially feigning disinterest by claiming she had seen such fairs for "hundreds of years," soon gave in to the temptation. At the fair, Xiaoqing enthusiastically devoured ten meat buns and ten candy figures. Later, she ate over ten bowls of shaved ice, still only feeling half-full, much to Zhang Yutang's dismay and concern for her health. While Zhang Yutang went to get her another bowl, Xiaoqing spotted Jin Ruyi and Jiaorong looking secretive and decided to follow them.
Meanwhile, Jin Ruyi, still determined to expose Bai Suzhen, debated with Wang Daoling. Ruyi insisted that everyone should know Bai Suzhen was a snake demon. Wang Daoling, however, pointed out that Xu Xian already knew Bai Suzhen's true identity from a previous incident and would still protect her, making a public revelation futile and humiliating for Ruyi. Exasperated, Ruyi blamed Wang Daoling for her failed marriage to Xu Xian.
Wang Daoling, proclaiming his unwavering loyalty and willingness to die for her, prompted Ruyi to question why he wouldn't fight Bai Suzhen if he was so brave. He explained his inability to defeat Bai Suzhen, given her millennia of cultivation and Xiaoqing's assistance. Ruyi then suggested they acquire their own "helpers," specifically an "inside agent."
Wang Daoling immediately understood she meant Jiaorong, and Ruyi elaborated that if Jiaorong knew Bai Suzhen was a demon, she would oppose her, thereby providing them with the necessary leverage. Wang Daoling realized Ruyi's scheme was to "kill her through others," using Jiaorong as an unwitting pawn. Jin Ruyi set her plan in motion. She had Wang Daoling use magic to create a dangerous incident, causing a stand to collapse near Jiaorong. Ruyi then dramatically "rescued" her, quickly walking away.
Jiaorong, grateful and concerned, followed Ruyi, who feigned shame about stabbing Xu Xian at the wedding. Ruyi then carefully planted seeds of doubt, claiming an unseen force controlled her hand at the wedding and suggesting that evil spirits or something "unclean" haunted the Xu household. She cited the python, Xu Xian's amnesia, and the stabbing as evidence, further warning Jiaorong that some demons could prevent offspring. Growing increasingly alarmed, Jiaorong asked how to deal with such a threat.
Ruyi suggested seeking help from an immortal at Grandmaster Lv Temple, known for its potent prayers and for Lv Dongbin's occasional descents to assist mortals. Convinced by Ruyi's urgency and logic, Jiaorong agreed to go immediately, believing her sincerity would be rewarded. At Grandmaster Lv Temple, Jiaorong prayed for Xu Xian's safety, wondering if the immortal would appear as an ordinary person. Jin Ruyi assured her that their sincerity would be rewarded.
Soon after, a small, illusory snake appeared, which Ruyi interpreted as a divine guide. They followed it on a winding path up the mountain until they reached a cliff, where Wang Daoling, disguised as an immortal Taoist priest, awaited them. The false priest immediately warned Jiaorong to keep her distance due to a "strong demonic scent" on her. Alarmed, Jiaorong asked what to do.
Jin Ruyi then dramatically appealed to the priest, proclaiming him to be God Lv, sent to help Jiaorong, and declared her willingness to pay any price for his assistance. To prove her sincerity, Wang Daoling challenged her to jump off the cliff. Without hesitation, Jin Ruyi plunged into the chasm, a sight that left Jiaorong utterly terrified.
