The Legend of White Snake Episode 25 Recap
> The Legend of White Snake Recap
Wang Daoling, disguised as the immortal Lü Dongbin, orchestrated a theatrical display with Jin Ruyi to deceive Xu Jiaorong. Ruyi dramatically offered to jump off a cliff, claiming it was necessary to gain the immortal's aid for the Xu family, which she said was in grave danger. Wang Daoling then announced that Jiaorong was plagued by evil spirits because a millennium-old snake demon resided in her house.
He explained that snake demons excel at shapeshifting, making them undetectable to mortals like Jiaorong, and that due to her husband's past capture of a centipede demon and a fox demon, other demons, including a giant snake two months prior, had targeted their family in revenge. To remove the perceived evil spirits from Jiaorong, Wang Daoling performed a ritual and then presented her with a "Master Order," claiming it could summon celestial soldiers to vanquish the snake demon.
Jiaorong, completely convinced, accepted it without question. Meanwhile, Xiao Qing and Zhang Yutang, who had been secretly observing, realized that Wang Daoling was a charlatan trying to swindle Jiaorong. They intended to intervene, but Xiao Qing suddenly suffered a severe stomachache after consuming too much iced honey dessert, making her unable to move. She even suspected Zhang Yutang of poisoning her, to which he denied, explaining her stomachache was due to overeating.
Zhang Yutang then quickly carried Xiao Qing back towards the Baohe Clinic. Wang Daoling later recounted the history of the "Master Order" to Jin Ruyi. He revealed that he was once an elixir boy under Taishang Laojun. During his time in heaven, he fell deeply in love with Lingrui from the Peach Garden, whose appearance and temperament were identical to Ruyi's. His infatuation led him to neglect his duties, causing a fire in the elixir furnace.
Though he managed to save only the "Master Order," he was banished to the mortal realm and transformed into an ugly demon. He still believes that Jin Ruyi is his beloved Lingrui, who sacrificed her celestial status to follow him to the human world. Jin Ruyi, however, showed little interest in his romanticized past, her sole focus being on using the "Master Order" to subdue Bai Suzhen.
Meanwhile, on their way home, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen encountered a poor, disfigured old man who had been cast out of Yichun Clinic because he could not afford treatment. Moved by compassion, the couple pushed through the onlookers, helped the old man to his feet, and, undeterred by the foul-smelling sores covering his body or his lack of money, brought him back to Baohe Clinic. Despite his dire circumstances, the old man remained proud and demanding.
When Xu Xian proposed an expensive herbal remedy, the old man scoffed, suggesting it would be cheaper to bury him. Xu Xian patiently consulted his medical texts to find a more affordable alternative. Bai Suzhen offered the old man plain porridge and pickles, which he also complained about, claiming it was unjust to be denied fine food and wine. Despite his difficult nature, the couple remained unfazed and continued to offer their generous assistance.
While the old man rested, Xu Xian expressed his deep admiration for Bai Suzhen, stating that while the world feared demons, she was the kindest and most compassionate. Bai Suzhen, in turn, confessed that Xu Xian was the only person who truly understood, cherished, and loved her without fear, affirming her decision to entrust her life to him. The old man, who was the real Lü Dongbin in disguise, secretly perused Xu Xian’s medical books and notes, adding insightful annotations.
When Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen returned with a newly formulated, affordable "Heart Nourishing Decoction," the old man, after a quick glance, critiqued the prescription, suggesting additions of licorice, date kernels, and Dangshen to improve its efficacy and palatability. Xu Xian quickly realized the old man's profound medical wisdom. Lü Dongbin then instructed Xu Xian to prepare a special herbal bath to treat his sores.
After his bath, the old man, now transformed and looking like an immortal, gifted Xu Xian a revered medical text, the "Collection of Chunyang," which included the formula for "Skin Repair Powder," suggesting it was what he used to heal himself. Recognizing his true identity, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen expressed their heartfelt gratitude. As Lü Dongbin prepared to depart, the heavens dramatically changed, with thunder and lightning. He quickly urged Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen indoors under a pretext.
Simultaneously, Zhang Yutang was carrying Xiao Qing through a bamboo forest when a lightning bolt, targeting celestial forces but hitting Xiao Qing’s tailbone. Panicked, Zhang Yutang shielded Xiao Qing with his body when another lightning bolt snapped a tree branch, and Zhang Yutang, in a selfless act, shielded Xiao Qing with his body. Seeing his selfless act, Xiao Qing shed tears of gratitude for Zhang Yutang.
Sensing the celestial disturbance, Lü Dongbin covertly destroyed the fake "Master Order" that Jiaorong had placed in her family altar, restoring peace to the human realm. Affected by the celestial magic, Xu Jiaorong fell unconscious. In a dream, Lü Dongbin appeared to her, urging her to stop believing deceptive words, warning that it would disrupt her family's peace. Waking up, Jiaorong felt renewed guilt for ever doubting Bai Suzhen. Jiaorong’s husband, Li Gongfu, found her and brought her back inside.
Later, he suggested the "Taoist Priest Lv" who gave her the charm was a fake, but Jiaorong, still influenced by Jin Ruyi’s recommendation and the supposed magic, was half-convinced. When Zhang Yutang brought Xiao Qing back, Xiao Qing, still in pain, recounted encountering Jin Ruyi and the imposter on the mountain, asserting they were working together to harm their family. She accused Jin Ruyi of coveting Xu Xian and plotting against Bai Suzhen.
Jiaorong, torn between her sisterly bond with Xiao Qing and her initial trust in Jin Ruyi, struggled to accept Xiao Qing’s accusations. Li Gongfu supported Xiao Qing, chastising Jiaorong for trusting outsiders over her own family. Bai Suzhen examined Xiao Qing, playfully alarming her by declaring her "poison" incurable. Xiao Qing, terrified, made a will to Bai Suzhen to care for her "four demons" and even expressed concern for Zhang Yutang, regretting eating too much of his dessert.
Bai Suzhen then gently explained to Xiao Qing that she was not poisoned but was experiencing her first menstrual period, playfully congratulating her on becoming a "grown woman." Xiao Qing, overwhelmed by the monthly prospect, lamented the troubles of being a woman, jokingly wishing she had chosen to cultivate a male form instead. Bai Suzhen comforted her, emphasizing the unique gift of life-giving that women possess. Meanwhile, Zhang Yutang, pacing anxiously outside, questioned Xu Xian about Xiao Qing’s condition.
He sincerely offered to take responsibility for her "illness," vowing to care for her indefinitely, even offering to pay for her medicine from his salary. Xu Xian, amused by his sudden concern, provided him with simple advice for caring for Xiao Qing. Xu Jiaorong, observing Xiao Qing's growing age, began arranging potential marriages for her. However, Bai Suzhen subtly rejected these matches, expressing a desire to keep Xiao Qing longer.
She confided in Xu Xian about her concerns, realizing Xiao Qing, whom she always considered naive, had fallen in love with Zhang Yutang. Bai Suzhen worried about the consequences of a human-demon relationship for Xiao Qing, explaining that demons carry a "love poison" that can harm mortals, just as Xu Xian had been afflicted in the past. Xu Xian, however, reiterated his belief that true love transcended species, citing their own happy marriage.
Bai Suzhen, recalling the sacrifice she made to save Xu Xian from the demon venom, was hesitant to reveal the full truth. She worried Zhang Yutang might not accept Xiao Qing’s true nature and that Xiao Qing’s wild temperament might struggle with marital constraints. Xu Xian agreed to discreetly inquire about Zhang Yutang's relatives to learn more. Later, Xiao Qing found Zhang Yutang making Rehmannia Paste.
She teased him for being clumsy, but also showed care by offering him a handkerchief to wipe his sweat. Their playful banter continued as she helped him, leading to Bai Suzhen observing their growing closeness. When asked directly, Xiao Qing initially denied her feelings, but eventually admitted that Zhang Yutang was no longer annoying and that she indeed liked him.
