The Sun in the Dark Episode 23 Recap
> The Sun in the Dark Recap
Changgeng, having fully transformed into the Night Deity, declared that anyone who opposed him deserved death. Yun Ya positioned himself to protect Bai Xiaoying from Changgeng’s assault. Earlier, Yun Ya had outwardly pledged his loyalty to the new Night Deity, a move Changgeng had seemingly appreciated, calling him a "clever person." However, when Changgeng unleashed his wrath on Bai Xiaoying, proclaiming her vital essence depleted and commanding her to die, Yun Ya instinctively urged her to flee, still shielding her.
Wan Yan, witnessing her father's monstrous transformation, pleaded with him to stop harming Yun Ya, arguing that this cruel man was not the father she knew, the Immortal Lord who had always opposed the Night Deity. Changgeng, angered by her defiance and her defense of an enemy who had released Bai Xiaoying, grabbed her by the neck, declaring that she should enjoy the glory he brought and not resist, or he would not let her go.
He then released her, revelling in his newly acquired godhood, explaining his meticulous, millennium-long scheme to use Ye Chenyuan to extract the Night Deity's power from Bai Xiaoying for his own use. He asserted that he no longer needed the Night Deity's power to balance the Three Realms, intending instead to unify the universe under his rule.
He then warned Wan Yan that her public defiance would be forgiven as a first offense, but any further disobedience would mean she would cease to be his cherished daughter. Terrified, Wan Yan complied, expressing her understanding. Satisfied, Changgeng promised her eternal love and favor as long as she remained obedient, regardless of his title. Changgeng then confronted Yun Ya, acknowledging that while freeing Bai Xiaoying was unforgivable, leading the subsequent assault against the immortal sect had redeemed him.
Changgeng demanded absolute loyalty, which Yun Ya outwardly accepted, claiming he only freed Bai Xiaoying to repay a favor and would show no mercy in the future, especially since her heart belonged to Ye Chenyuan. To further solidify his control, Changgeng announced his intention to arrange a marriage between Yun Ya and Wan Yan, noting Wan Yan’s deep admiration for him and Yun Ya being his most trusted person. Yun Ya expressed gratitude for the impending marriage.
Changgeng reminded Yun Ya that all his skills and achievements were bestowed upon him. Yun Ya countered that his accomplishments were earned righteously, questioning Changgeng’s own conscience. Changgeng scoffed, asserting that without his patronage, Yun Ya, being so young, would never have become an Upper Immortal; he was chosen solely for his obedience. Yun Ya, regretting his past actions, implied he should have rebelled sooner.
Infuriated by Yun Ya's defiance, Changgeng punished him by transforming him into a mindless puppet through demonic energy, ensuring his unwavering loyalty. Changgeng then asked if he would betray him again, to which the now-controlled Yun Ya replied he would "never betray Master." Changgeng was satisfied, proclaiming Yun Ya his favorite disciple. Bai Xiaoying and Ye Chenyuan had sought refuge in a secure mountain hideaway, hoping to live peacefully.
Ye Chenyuan, aware of Bai Xiaoying's severe injuries but not wanting her to worry, prepared her favorite dishes and then left her side quickly, both trying to present their best side to the other despite knowing the dire situation. Bai Xiaoying, despite her weakening state, expressed a craving for fruits, which Ye Chenyuan readily agreed to gather. However, Bai Xiaoying secretly knew her body was failing, realizing she couldn't even pick up chopsticks.
At one point, Ye Chenyuan found her in a vulnerable state, fearing she was attempting to end her life. Bai Xiaoying quickly reassured him she wasn't, explaining her physical frailty was making her uncoordinated, and promised to stay with him, assuring him she was truly fine. Ye Chenyuan later found a fragment of the Divine Sword, hoping it could help restore Bai Xiaoying. Bai Xiaoying realized he had known about her worsening condition all along.
She dismissed it as unimportant, stating that merely surviving and having these extra days with him was more than enough. She asked Ye Chenyuan to promise her he would always be happy, regardless of her fate. Wan Yan outwardly accepted her father's marriage arrangements, expressing delight at the dowry and wanting to personally select items for their marital home. Yet, she secretly lamented her father's madness and her powerlessness, particularly her concern for Yun Ya's unknown fate.
Changgeng, pleased, allowed her to go but insisted she take Xiao Rong with her. Meanwhile, Ye Chenyuan, concerned about Bai Xiaoying's deteriorating health, decided he needed to return to the immortal sect to find something that could help her. Wan Yan, under the pretense of severe abdominal pain, sent Xiao Rong away to fetch Immortal Xiyuan, so she could secretly search for Divine Sword fragments.
She hoped to find a way to save her father, whom she still believed was only temporarily misguided by the Night Deity's influence, reminding herself that he had always taught his sect to oppose the Night Deity. Ye Chenyuan encountered Wan Yan during her search. As Yun Ya, now under Changgeng's control as a mindless puppet, approached them, Ye Chenyuan recognized his altered state.
Wan Yan, believing Yun Ya would never harm her, urged Ye Chenyuan to take the Divine Sword fragment and flee, intending to face Yun Ya alone. She desperately tried to appeal to Yun Ya, reminding him of her identity and his former proud, unyielding self. Despite her pleas and her confidence, the controlled Yun Ya brutally stabbed her with his sword. As Yun Ya's consciousness briefly returned, he was horrified to find Wan Yan gravely wounded by his hand.
With her last breaths, Wan Yan expressed her shock at being betrayed by him, her satisfaction in fulfilling her duty as the Immortal Lord's daughter, and her bittersweet regret about their impending wedding, which was only three days away. Yun Ya, distraught, tried to offer help, but she urged him not to succumb to the Night Deity's control, praising his strength before she finally succumbed to her wounds, leaving Yun Ya in anguish.
When Changgeng discovered Wan Yan's lifeless body, he was consumed by grief and rage, questioning why she had defied him and who had bewitched her. A voice, likely from an attendant, accused him directly of being responsible for his daughter's death. Refusing to accept blame, Changgeng commanded the now re-controlled Yun Ya to gather forces and capture Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying, vowing to avenge Wan Yan.
Yun Ya, acting as Changgeng's mindless puppet, then confronted Ye Chenyuan and Bai Xiaoying, declaring his intent to kill them in revenge for Wan Yan. During this attack, Bai Xiaoying was unexpectedly drawn into the Divine Sword, a space she recognized as its interior, expressing concern for Ye Chenyuan who remained outside. Inside, she encountered a wisp of spirit, who identified herself as Divine Maiden Xi Wu, Bai Xiaoying's mother.
Her mother explained that she had perished 1,500 years ago and only her spirit lingered within the sword, waiting to see her daughter again. Bai Xiaoying confronted her mother's spirit, asking if she was the one who made her the Night Deity's vessel. Divine Maiden Xi Wu apologized, explaining that sealing the Night Deity within Bai Xiaoying was the only way to save humanity 1,500 years ago.
She expressed her profound sorrow for having to harm her own child, the person she loved most, drawing a parallel to the pain Ye Chenyuan endured by being forced to kill Bai Xiaoying in their past six lifetimes. Bai Xiaoying questioned her mother's suffering and stated that her explanation did not equate to forgiveness. Her mother admitted her shame for subjecting Bai Xiaoying to a fate of endless suffering and did not seek forgiveness, only a chance to make amends.
As her last act, Divine Maiden Xi Wu imparted her remaining divine power, sealed within the Divine Sword, to Bai Xiaoying, wishing her to protect herself and live a life of peace and happiness. With a final farewell, she faded away, urging Bai Xiaoying to find peace and forgive her decisions. Empowered by her mother's sacrifice, Bai Xiaoying emerged from the Divine Sword. She then confronted the controlled Yun Ya, severely injuring him.
She told him to return to Feng Changgeng and declare that their lives would never be his, promising to personally end Feng Changgeng's life. Returning to Ye Chenyuan, Bai Xiaoying realized her mother had been protecting her all along and that her blood was the key to entering the Divine Sword. She regretted believing Feng Changgeng's lies and acknowledged that the current devastation of the Three Realms was a consequence of her past actions.
Ye Chenyuan, understanding Bai Xiaoying's renewed resolve, suggested they confront Feng Changgeng to settle matters once and for all. He affirmed his commitment, stating that as long as they were together, he would accept any outcome without regret. He then proposed they marry once more, hoping this time, unlike their previous interrupted attempts, their solemn and sacred moment would finally be completed without disturbance.
