The Legend of White Snake Episode 5 Recap
> The Legend of White Snake Recap
Overwhelmed by the loss of her child, Ms. Wu became distraught, allowing the Centipede Demon to take control of her. The Centipede Demon attempted to steal Bai Suzhen's demon core to increase its power, but Ms. Wu fiercely protected Bai Suzhen. Just as the situation grew dire, Xiao Qing and Fahai arrived. To fully focus on saving her child, Ms. Wu forcefully separated from the Centipede Demon, declaring her intention to save her daughter.
Deprived of a physical body, the Centipede Demon fought desperately for survival. Xiao Qing and Fahai coordinated their attacks, hitting the Centipede Demon's vital points, catching it off guard. Meanwhile, Bai Suzhen, unable to bear the thought of Changsheng's soul scattering and falling into the Underworld, strove to mend his shattered spirit. Jing Song, worried that Bai Suzhen was taking on too much, reluctantly joined the effort.
In the midst of this chaotic battle in the Reincarnation Road, Fahai observed Ms. Wu, realizing she was a combination of human and demon, intensely dark and evil. Xiao Qing scolded Fahai, vowing to become a nun if he killed Ms. Wu, while Bai Suzhen confronted Ms. Wu about the Centipede Demon's earlier attempt to steal her demon core. Ms. Wu, however, reiterated her sole purpose: to save Changsheng.
Jing Song then revealed that the Reincarnation Road was powered by Ms. Wu’s cultivation, and her current state put Bai Suzhen in grave danger if she continued. Changsheng's spirit, broken from centuries of reincarnation, desperately needed Ms. Wu's three thousand years of cultivation to be mended, and Bai Suzhen was determined to escort it across the Bridge of Death. Ultimately, Ms. Wu sacrificed her own soul, perishing as she mended Changsheng's fragmented spirit, allowing him to be reincarnated once more.
The Centipede Demon was then killed by Fahai's staff. Bai Suzhen, now holding Changsheng's reincarnation lamp, urgently sought to guide it through the Reincarnation Gate. However, as demons, they were not permitted to linger between the Three Realms, making every moment of delay increasingly perilous. Despite the danger, Bai Suzhen was resolute in her mission to save him, and her companions were unwilling to leave her side.
As the three were about to be pulled into the collapsing Reincarnation Gate, their genuine bond, expressed by their clasped hands, caught Fahai's eye. His master's teachings echoed in his ears: that killing intent could corrupt even a monk, while a kind heart could lead a demon to enlightenment. Understanding that he should not be blinded by prejudice or obsession, Fahai extended his help, rescuing the three from the collapsing path.
The illusion then dissipated, and the four successfully escaped back to the real world. Seeing the happy outcome, Fahai no longer obsessed with capturing Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing. He spared them that day, but warned them against any future injustice before departing hastily. Xiao Qing, despite being saved, remained defiant towards Fahai, but Bai Suzhen urged her to focus on helping the others.
Back in the real world, at Ms. Wu's embroidery workshop, Li Gongfu and Xu Xian were busy rescuing the poisoned constables and trapped children. Xu Xian, observing the centipedes emerging from the walls, deduced that the Centipede Demon's actual lair must be hidden in a place of darkness and humidity behind a painting concealed by a screen, a detail confirmed by the storyteller Blind Sun.
After rescuing the children, Li Gongfu praised Xu Xian, suggesting he would make a better chief constable. Just then, Ruyi arrived, expressing concern for Xu Xian's safety while he was on duty and urging him to return to Jishi Clinic. At the same moment, Bai Suzhen, weakened from her ordeal, saw Ruyi affectionately holding Xu Xian’s arm. Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, Bai Suzhen fainted into Jing Song's arms.
Xiao Qing, quick to react, intervened when Xu Xian tried to check Bai Suzhen’s pulse, stating that her sister needed rest. Ruyi, in turn, pulled Xu Xian away, reminding him that more injured constables awaited his treatment. Observing the scene, Jing Song became silently displeased by Bai Suzhen's obvious feelings for Xu Xian. With the Centipede Demon defeated and the children returned to their parents, only Changsheng remained.
Xu Xian, along with Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing, went to visit Mrs. Yu. They arrived just as Mrs. Yu, distraught over Changsheng's death, was about to take her own life. Bai Suzhen swiftly intervened, urging Mrs. Yu to reconsider for the sake of the child in her womb. It was revealed that Changsheng, having earned heaven's pity, had his complete soul return to Mrs. Yu's womb to be reborn.
Mrs. Yu, unaware of her pregnancy, was surprised, and Xu Xian confirmed she was indeed expecting. Xiao Qing then asked Bai Suzhen if this child was Changsheng reincarnated. Bai Suzhen explained Changsheng’s filial nature, how he had repeatedly reincarnated to seek his mother and suffered on her behalf. She attributed his current reunion with his mother to the heavens' mercy.
She also recounted Ms. Wu's tragic fate, having sacrificed her soul for Changsheng's reincarnation but ultimately suffering eternal damnation due to her heavy past misdeeds. Bai Suzhen reminded Xiao Qing that they must maintain their moral minds amidst the world's temptations to achieve enlightenment. After their visit, Xu Xian tried to catch up with Bai Suzhen, asking how she knew of Mrs. Yu's pregnancy without a pulse check.
Still upset by the earlier encounter, Bai Suzhen coldly replied that as a woman, she naturally knew such things, given the differences between men and women. Xu Xian, left to ponder her words, called himself stupid. Later, Xiao Qing discussed with Bai Suzhen how to truly understand a person's character. Xiao Qing suggested observing them when they believe no one is watching.
Intrigued, Bai Suzhen, despite Xiao Qing’s imperfect invisibility spell (which could only hide half), decided to put Xu Xian to the test. They covertly observed Xu Xian at Jishi Clinic, where he respectfully, yet firmly, rejected flirtatious advances from women from the Junxin House who offered free services in exchange for a visit. Bai Suzhen was impressed by his uprightness and integrity, especially when Xiao Qing noted the women's "fox demon" scent, which a mortal Xu Xian couldn't detect.
Ruyi then appeared, scolding Xu Xian for treating these women and asserting her authority as the clinic owner's daughter. Xu Xian, however, steadfastly maintained his medical ethics, explaining that as a physician, he could not turn away patients, especially "poor girls" like those from the brothel. Bai Suzhen realized her initial misunderstanding of his relationship with Ruyi; their interaction was purely professional. Further testing occurred when Xu Xian found a lost money bag.
Two men claimed it, but Xu Xian's astute observation and sharp intellect led him to deduce they were cousins playing a prank, confirming his pure intentions and wisdom. Bai Suzhen felt her love for him grow stronger with each revelation. Meanwhile, Fahai returned to his meditation hall and re-entered meditation, but he was increasingly troubled by his inner demon. His master, sensing his turmoil, inquired about his experience.
Fahai recounted a dream where he became a demon, pursued by another version of himself, only to be trapped by the Zijin Bowl, leading to his spirit scattering. He questioned why the Centipede Demon's influence persisted. His master explained that the dream was a manifestation of Fahai's own inner demon, born from his anger and lack of empathy for mortal suffering.
However, the master noted that dreaming of becoming a demon signified a nascent understanding of compassion and the ability to empathize with all beings. Despite Fahai's denial, his master sent him back to the mortal world to continue his spiritual journey. Xu Xian, eager to speak with Bai Suzhen, subtly prompted his sister, Xu Jiaorong, to host a celebratory banquet for those who helped resolve the child abduction case.
Xu Jiaorong, discerning his true intentions, readily agreed and tasked Xu Xian with writing and personally delivering the invitation to "Bai Mansion." Xu Xian diligently searched near Clear Wave Gate, as Xiao Qing had previously mentioned, but found only a desolate area, with locals unaware of any Bai Mansion. Believing Bai Suzhen wouldn't deceive him, he continued his search.
A sudden downpour forced him into an old, dilapidated pavilion, where he was astonished to find Bai Suzhen also sheltering from the rain. They exchanged surprised greetings. Xu Xian clarified that his earlier pursuit was not to question her medical knowledge but simply to talk to her after a long separation. He offered his handkerchief to dry her clothes. As the rain subsided, Xu Xian, concerned for her safety in the remote area, insisted on escorting her home.
Bai Suzhen agreed, secretly pleased that he would finally see her "Bai Mansion." Upon their arrival at the magnificent Bai Mansion, Xu Xian was visibly impressed, praising its elegant garden. While they were still outside, Xiao Qing and Jing Song were engaged in a fierce argument inside. Jing Song was adamant about taking Bai Suzhen back to Middle Sichuan for her protection, while Xiao Qing vehemently opposed it, calling him a "stinky rat" and a "Lin'an local tyrant."
Their bickering escalated, causing a mess inside the house. Before entering, Bai Suzhen realized she had lost her jade plate, and Xu Xian quickly found and returned it to her. Bai Suzhen, making it seem like a coincidence, then conjured another downpour, using the rain as an excuse to invite Xu Xian inside to escape the weather. As they entered, Xu Xian commented on the vibrant courtyard, while Bai Suzhen made a hurried excuse about absent servants.
Moments later, Bai Suzhen experienced a sudden dizziness, feeling "like eating a fly." Her hands grew cold. When Xu Xian offered to take her pulse, Jing Song quickly stepped in, asserting his own medical knowledge and a close relationship with Bai Suzhen, claiming there was no need for Xu Xian to bother.
