The Moon Brightens for You Episode 36 (Ending) Recap
> The Moon Brightens for You Recap
With the war looming, Lin Fang expressed confidence, but his allies harbored deep concerns, particularly regarding Wang Dun, whose formidable martial arts were now augmented by the mastered Seven-star swordsmanship. Lin Fang revealed his clever ploy: when copying the sword manual, he deliberately omitted a crucial formula. This omission, "The chaos of Qi is endless. Knowing to balance your Qi is necessary," would prevent Wang Dun from properly regulating his Qi, leading to internal imbalance and eventual death.
Wen You recalled seeing Wang Dun clutch his right ribs in pain while practicing, pinpointing the Jingmen point as his potential weakness. Lin Fang confirmed this was indeed Wang Dun's vulnerable spot, and Wen You eagerly recognized this as their critical chance to turn the tide. Before the impending battle, Huo Yang presented Zhan Qinghong with a newly forged sword, explaining that he had kept and painstakingly reforged her old sword from the Lin House, believing she would eventually return.
Zhan Qinghong, already possessing an ancient blade, gratefully accepted it for safekeeping. Seeing that Wen You lacked a suitable weapon, as his own Jue sword was broken, Zhan Qinghong offered him the reforged sword. Wen You gladly accepted, confident it would make him a more potent force. Meanwhile, emotions ran high. Xiao Lan confronted Huo Yang, ensuring his sword was sharpened, and making him promise not to be reckless but to return alive, sealing their vow with a tight embrace.
Hua Yao, feeling a deep sense of unease and mentioning her baby’s frequent movements, begged Wen You not to leave. He gently reassured her, caressing her belly and telling their unborn child to be good until his swift return. Hua Yao still clung to him, reminding him of their past visits to the Qinhuai River Lantern Festival and hoping they could go again upon his return, a wish Wen You readily granted.
Zhan Qinghong, preoccupied with worries about the upcoming battle and whether her Seven-star swordsmanship was truly perfected, found solace in Lin Fang's embrace. When he told her, "You have me," her anxious heart immediately calmed. Lin Fang then confessed his profound contentment, saying he had known her name, heard her voice, felt her tenderness, and held her. He declared that from that moment on, she was the paradise of his life.
The next day, the Emperor’s procession for the sacrificial ceremony drew large crowds, protected by Imperial Guards. Hua Yao fussed over Wen You's clothes at the House Consort, her premonitions weighing heavily on her. Wen You soothed her, promising to return quickly. He then gently addressed their unborn child, urging it to be good and listen to its mother until his father's return. Wen You then followed Wang Dun's instructions, assisting in the plan.
At the Xuanyang Gate, Wang Dun approached the Temporary Palace, telling the Imperial Guards he was there to "welcome the Emperor" for an "auspicious time." When the eunuch stated the Emperor was resting, Wang Dun shockingly declared it was the auspicious time for "my enthronement" and ordered his men to attack. Inside, Wang Dun personally murdered the Emperor’s eunuch, witnessed by Wen You. Wen You then swiftly killed Ji Xiaoran.
Just as Wang Dun processed these events, the palace gates burst open, and Xiahou Ying, leading the Imperial Guards, surrounded the Temporary Palace. Xiahou Ying announced their mission to arrest rebels under imperial command. Wang Dun, defiant, accused Xiahou Ying of rebellion and illegal troop deployment. Xiahou Ying produced an imperial edict, confirming their orders. Wang Dun, undeterred, declared that after today, he would be emperor and Xiahou Ying the true rebel.
He rallied his men, promising wealth to his supporters and death to his opponents, ordering them to kill without mercy. Despite his plan's collapse, Wang Dun remained fearless. Zhan Qinghong and Lin Fang dramatically entered the fray, descending into the battle. They and their allies fought through the rebel forces, reaching the Changsheng Hall, where they found Wang Dun brazenly seated on the main throne, a picture of arrogant conquest.
Wang Dun’s martial arts proved exceptionally powerful, even overwhelming the combined efforts of Huo Yang, Wen You, and Zhan Qinghong. While Zhan Qinghong was locked in combat, Wen You attempted to strike Wang Dun, hoping to exploit his perceived weakness. However, Wang Dun had ingeniously integrated the Seven-star swordsmanship with his unique internal kung fu, making himself seemingly invulnerable without a discernible weak point. Wang Dun shattered Wen You's sword and struck him down.
With his dying breath, Wen You entrusted Hua Yao and their unborn child to Zhan Qinghong and Lin Fang's care before succumbing to his injuries. Huo Yang’s subsequent attack was repelled, leaving him unconscious. Zhan Qinghong then fiercely engaged Wang Dun with the Seven-star swordsmanship.
Lin Fang, having keenly observed Wang Dun's combat patterns, recognized his predictability and guided Zhan Qinghong to forget all conventional sword techniques, urging her to "think on your feet" and "use whatever you want," echoing the principle of "let both subject and object be dissolved." Embracing this new fluid style, Zhan Qinghong fought with renewed intensity, surprising Wang Dun with unpredictable moves like "Calling back the tiger to make the mountain collapse."
Lin Fang then directed her to attack Wang Dun's gall bladder, explaining it was essential for storing Qi to power his Seven-star swordsmanship, despite Wang Dun's claims of invulnerability. When Wang Dun denied this, Lin Fang cunningly advised Zhan Qinghong to strike his throat instead, to make him lose breath, rendering the exact weak point less critical. Taken by surprise, Wang Dun was cornered. Lin Fang observed that Zhan Qinghong no longer needed his guidance.
In a desperate final act, Wang Dun unleashed a poisonous powder, vowing to take them all with him. Seizing the moment, Lin Fang struck Wang Dun's vital point with a knife, killing him on the very throne he had so desperately coveted. Zhan Qinghong, finally avenging her family, expressed hope for peace in the Xiao Empire. Xiahou Ying’s Imperial Guards secured the Temporary Palace, and the populace rejoiced for peace and stability.
Wen Rou, learning of Wen You’s death from Xiahou Ying at her pharmacy, was overcome with grief. She then rushed to the House Consort to inform Hua Yao. Hua Yao was happily planning a visit to the Qinhuai River Lantern Festival with Wen You and showed Wen Rou the mask she wore the last time they went. She even offered Wen Rou some clothes and a rattle for her baby, sent by her family.
Wen Rou, unable to contain her sorrow, began to cry. Hua Yao, sensing the gravity of the situation, pressed for answers, repeatedly asking if Wen You would return. With tearful confirmation that "Brother can't come back," Hua Yao collapsed in shock. She later died in childbirth after delivering a healthy baby boy, finally able to, as she had wished, see the lanterns with Wen You in the afterlife. With Wang Dun’s coup thwarted, the Xiao Empire gradually returned to peace.
The people of Jun'an learned through Wulin Rumors that Qiu An would temporarily serve as the Wulin director, and the Seven-star swordsmanship was now safeguarded at the Crowing Temple. Zhan Qinghong had relinquished her position as leader of the Zhan Family to her eldest apprentice, Huo Yang, and retired from the martial world with Lin Fang to live a free and happy life, with Lin Fang promising to follow her wherever she went.
Huo Yang, now head of the Zhan Family Manor, began recruiting new disciples, vowing to uphold its legacy. Lin Fang and Zhan Qinghong bid farewell to Xiahou Ying and Wen Rou, wishing them a happy marriage. Wen Rou, however, stated that she would wait until after Wen You's mourning period before considering marriage. Eight years later, Xiahou Ying and Wen Rou were together. Xiao Lan diligently managed the Lin House.
Huo Yang, having recently won the Wulin assembly and secured the title of director, returned to the Lin House, where Xiao Lan initially thought he had lost and comforted him, assuring him that being her husband was enough. He then proudly revealed the Director's token, asking if she was satisfied with the title "Wife of the Director."
Xiao Lan, delighted, immediately wanted to share the good news with Lin Fang and Zhan Qinghong, having heard through Wulin Rumors that they had returned to the Zhan Family Manor. Huo Yang intended to tell his master that he was too busy to manage the Zhan Family and wished to return the leadership to her. At the Zhan Family Manor, Lin Fang and Zhan Qinghong lived a peaceful life.
They had a daughter, Lin Ruoqing, and had adopted Wen You's son, Wen Zijin. Lin Ruoqing, mischievous and playful like a young Zhan Qinghong, was often seen with the gentle and compliant Wen Zijin. One day, Zhan Qinghong caught Lin Ruoqing attempting to take Wen Zijin to the back mountain to pick "icy orchids" instead of copying the "bolting swordsmanship." She was about to scold her daughter when Lin Fang intervened, allowing the children to go.
Zhan Qinghong complained to Lin Fang about spoiling the children, especially Lin Ruoqing. Lin Fang playfully retorted that it was because Lin Ruoqing was just like her. He then lovingly told her not to get angry, reminding her to consider their unborn child, Lin Ruoxuan, who he joked would surely take after him and cause no worries.
