The Sun in the Dark Episode 22 Recap
> The Sun in the Dark Recap
The complex relationship between Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying continued, marked by her intense love that sometimes manifested as possessiveness and harsh treatment, and at other times as deep care. Their wedding day arrived swiftly, fulfilling Bai Xiaoying's long-cherished wish from their past life. She expressed that her deepest desire was to marry him, and as she saw him, she declared that this time, she could truly become his wife. Despite her joy, Ye Chenyuan appeared stoic, unsettling her slightly.
Earlier, Ye Chenyuan had warned Bai Xiaoying against removing her wedding attire, threatening to slaughter all until no soul remained across the Three Realms if she disobeyed. Yet, seeing her in red, he had also expressed admiration, declaring she looked beautiful and that they should acquire more red garments for her. He had urged her to smile more as their wedding approached. A subordinate then informed Bai Xiaoying that the wedding preparations were complete.
Meanwhile, Yun Ya arrived to meet Wan Yan and her group. Wan Yan was surprised by his presence, and Yun Ya assured them he came alone, declaring his path now diverged from Bai Xiaoying's, and he would no longer serve her interests. Wan Yan challenged him, reminding him of his past actions aiding Bai Xiaoying’s assault on the immortal sect and the slaughter of their members, questioning why they should trust him now.
Yun Ya responded by emphasizing his intimate knowledge of Bai Xiaoying's operations and threatening Wan Yan with his blade, stating he could kill her. Elder Kongming intervened, vouching for Yun Ya and noting that given their current weakness, they needed him more than he needed them. Later, Wan Yan privately expressed understanding for the others' wariness, explaining their suffering under Bai Xiaoying.
She acknowledged Yun Ya's past act of smuggling medicine to her in the immortal sect, believing his honor and loyalty still persisted. Wan Yan revealed that Immortal Xiyuan was covertly gathering forces to storm the Nine Heavens during Bai Xiaoying's wedding to rescue Wan Yan's father. Yun Ya agreed the wedding was the opportune moment but revealed his true aim was not the Immortal Lord, but Bai Xiaoying herself.
When Wan Yan questioned if he intended to kill her, Yun Ya denied it, instead stating his desire to claim Bai Xiaoying and make her exclusively his. Wan Yan, aware of her own feelings for Yun Ya, questioned his obsession with Bai Xiaoying, especially after he had left her faction. Yun Ya explained his obsession stemmed from the madness of seeing his desperate efforts outmatched by a rival's casual gesture in love.
Wan Yan asked if he was merely using them to achieve his conquest of Bai Xiaoying. Yun Ya challenged her to expel him, maintaining that only through him could her father be saved, leaving the choice to her. Bai Xiaoying woke up coughing blood, visibly weak. When Ye Chenyuan asked what was wrong, she lashed out at him, accusing him of wanting her unwell so he wouldn't have to marry her, and told him to leave.
She silently lamented that in his heart, she was just an irredeemable demon, and he would never care for her. However, Ye Chenyuan did not leave. He returned with soup he had brewed, insisting she drink it while it was warm. Bai Xiaoying asked why he would do such a thing and if he wasn't angry after her scolding. Ye Chenyuan simply replied he did it because he wanted to.
He then spoke of images appearing in his mind, with her in them, and his inability to understand why he kept thinking of her. Bai Xiaoying realized he was regaining some spiritual awareness. She agreed to tell him more if he fed her. Bai Xiaoying revealed that they had met long ago, in past lives, and were lovers. Ye Chenyuan felt a sense of familiarity and asked what happened between them.
Bai Xiaoying stated that the past didn't matter, nor did the future; only the present moments they cherished together were enough. Noticing her deteriorating health, Ye Chenyuan again expressed concern. Bai Xiaoying tried to dismiss it as mere tiredness and asked him to carry her to the hot spring. Ye Chenyuan refused, stating he knew she wasn't torturing him but helping him recover, and he wouldn't allow it if it harmed her.
Bai Xiaoying insisted she was willing to sacrifice for his recovery, claiming to know her own condition and still urging him to take her. Ye Chenyuan stubbornly refused. He confronted her, telling her her efforts to hide her self-sacrifice were transparent, and pleaded with her to stop. Bai Xiaoying, however, remained resolute, assuring him she would be fine after two days of rest and that she would do anything for him.
Overwhelmed with worry, Ye Chenyuan asked how he could not be concerned. To create a cherished memory, Bai Xiaoying suggested they go to the Mortal Realm for the lantern festival on Qixi. As they floated lanterns, people fled, mistaking Ye Chenyuan for the Night Deity, leaving them alone. Ye Chenyuan, guided by Bai Xiaoying, closed his eyes and made a wish.
He then experienced a powerful surge of memory, recalling a familiar presence beside him from the past and realizing it was Bai Xiaoying. She affirmed that he had always been the one by her side. Ye Chenyuan admitted his memories were still unclear but that images surfaced whenever he was with her, confirming her importance to him, and expressed a wish for her to tell him everything. Bai Xiaoying promised that day would come.
When he asked her wish, Bai Xiaoying revealed she wished for him to let go of hatred and for world peace. Ye Chenyuan then asked what she would choose if forced between him and world peace. Bai Xiaoying chose world peace, explaining that she knew it was the "real him," and urged him to turn back.
Ye Chenyuan sadly responded that he couldn't turn back, but vowed that even if she gave up on herself, he would never give up on her. The auspicious hour for Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan's wedding arrived. The ceremony proceeded with the traditional bows. After the rituals, the officiant announced they were to be sent to the bridal chamber, but Bai Xiaoying interrupted, stating that it would be too dull and they would follow her rules.
Ye Chenyuan agreed to listen to her. Bai Xiaoying then declared her wish to drink the nuptial wine with Ye Chenyuan there, with everyone present as witnesses. After they drank the wine, Ye Chenyuan suddenly felt his powers dissipate and questioned Bai Xiaoying about what she had done. She calmly assured him it was just a suppressant and wouldn't harm him, explaining her ultimate plan: she wanted him to live on as the complete Ye Chenyuan.
Ye Chenyuan protested vehemently, begging her not to abandon him, calling her his wife. He tried to stop her and even called out to Hua Yuying for help, but Bai Xiaoying forbade Hua Yuying from approaching. With her last act, Bai Xiaoying entrusted Ye Chenyuan to Hua Yuying, explaining that by transferring all her power to him, she could finally rest easy, considering it her last gift.
Holding Bai Xiaoying, Ye Chenyuan's memories fully returned, and he cried out, questioning her foolishness, stating he only wanted her safe and sound. At that moment, the protective barrier around them broke, and Yun Ya led the immortal sect in a charge. Ye Chenyuan, though revived, struggled to his feet. Wan Yan confronted Yun Ya, accusing him of being allied with "them."
Yun Ya explained his turn, stating that since being by Wan Yan's side couldn't give him what he wanted, he would take it himself. Wan Yan then demanded Bai Xiaoying release the Immortal Lord to atone for her sins. Bai Xiaoying fiercely challenged the Nine Heavens' right to preach, accusing them of their own vile deeds.
She exposed a shocking truth: Wan Yan's father had destroyed the Divine Sword's spirit, causing the Night Deity to revive every three centuries and plunging the Mortal Realm into suffering for 1,500 years, all for their own worship and power. Wan Yan vehemently denied it, accusing Bai Xiaoying of slandering her father.
Bai Xiaoying declared that since Ye Chenyuan had revived, Feng Changgeng no longer needed to exist, and she would personally kill him to mourn all the lives he had caused to perish. Wan Yan, in response, ordered the immortals to form an array. As Wan Yan lunged at Bai Xiaoying, Yun Ya blocked her attack, asserting that killing Bai Xiaoying would not help save the Immortal Lord.
Wan Yan then surmised that Bai Xiaoying's depleted energy meant she had used the Night Deity's power to revive Ye Chenyuan, concluding the power must now be within Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying asked a weakened Ye Chenyuan if he was alright, but Wan Yan observed his magic was weak and realized the Night Deity's power was not within him. Suddenly, Feng Changgeng declared himself the Night Deity, confirming Bai Xiaoying's earlier revelations.
Wan Yan confronted her father, horrified to see demonic energy surrounding him, finally understanding that he was the true Night Deity. Feng Changgeng confirmed it, boasting that with the Divine Sword destroyed, nothing could threaten him anymore. Wan Yan realized Bai Xiaoying had been telling the truth all along. Feng Changgeng taunted Wan Yan, noting she had only just figured out his scheme: he had used Ye Chenyuan's revival to channel the Night Deity's power through Bai Xiaoying.
He stated he had kept his word by reviving Ye Chenyuan, but now, considering both Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying useless and worthless, he intended to dispose of them. Feng Changgeng then declared himself the true Lord of the Night Clan, demanding their obedience. Hua Yuying, loyal to Ye Chenyuan, defied Feng Changgeng, declaring her hatred for hypocrites and her allegiance to Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying alone.
Feng Changgeng called her a stubborn fool, and despite her defiant challenge to kill her if he dared, he struck her down. Jiaotu, an opportunistic member of the Night Clan, praised Feng Changgeng and condemned Hua Yuying, encouraging others to follow the new Night Deity. Jiaotu explained her loyalty was to whoever held the title of Night Deity, and now that the mantle had shifted, her allegiance naturally transferred. Feng Changgeng commended Jiaotu for her cleverness. He then turned his attention to the dying Bai Xiaoying, declaring her vital essence depleted and promising to hasten her end. He prepared to strike.
