Till the End of the Moon Episode 25 Recap
> Till the End of the Moon Recap
Tantai Jin approached Ye Xiwu, confirming the porridge was made specifically for him. He asked her to feed him, and when she complied, he used an illusion to control her. He had already had Nian Baiyu investigate the poison in the porridge, identifying it as peacock's gall from the Sheng Kingdom, a lethal poison with no antidote. Feeling betrayed, Tantai Jin used the Ruo River Soul-controlling spell on Ye Xiwu.
Under its influence, she confessed that she poisoned him to save Xiao Lin, leading Tantai Jin to believe she loved Xiao Lin and wished for his death for Xiao Lin’s sake. When Ye Xiwu regained consciousness, she found herself outside Jing Kingdom with Xiao Lin and was confused about how they escaped. Xiao Lin explained that she had drugged Tantai Jin and stolen the Tiger Tally, allowing them to pass through the city gates unhindered.
He noted that their escape had been unusually smooth. Ye Xiwu, realizing she had been manipulated, urged Xiao Lin to leave quickly, saying she would return to Jing Kingdom after Tantai Jin's anger subsided. Meanwhile, Tantai Jin received news that something had happened to the Ye family and rushed to their mansion. He found Ye Xiwu's grandmother poisoned by peacock's gall and, before her death, promised to protect Ye Xiwu and ensure she would never suffer any grievances.
Ye Bingchang then tried to deflect blame, claiming Ye Xiwu would never intentionally poison her grandmother and that the grandmother must have accidentally consumed the poisoned porridge. However, Tantai Jin interjected, revealing that the porridge was meant for him, not the grandmother. This shocked the entire Ye family. Tantai Jin inwardly acknowledged that this would make Ye Xiwu feel abandoned by her family. Ye Xiwu and Xiao Lin met with Pang Yizhi and the remnants of the Sheng army.
Pang Yizhi had defied Xiao Lin's orders to retreat, waiting an extra four days for his return. As Xiao Lin greeted Pang Yizhi, Ye Xiwu, still under Tantai Jin's puppetry spell, unexpectedly stabbed Xiao Lin. The Sheng soldiers were furious, accusing Ye Xiwu of betraying them for Tantai Jin. Tantai Jin, who was observing from afar, confirmed his intentions to Nian Baiyu.
He explained that by forcing Ye Xiwu to betray Xiao Lin in front of everyone, she would become estranged from all her allies and have nowhere to go. He believed that with no one else to turn to, she would be forced to return to his side, as he was the only one who could protect and love her. He ordered his troops to capture both Ye Xiwu and Xiao Lin alive, instructing them not to harm either of them.
Despite his injury, Xiao Lin protected Ye Xiwu, telling his men that he was wounded by Jing Kingdom's secret guards and that Ye Xiwu was not involved. Pang Yizhi quickly removed the spell from Ye Xiwu, then explained that the weapon used to stab Xiao Lin was a Soul-gnawing Wedge, which slowly drains a person's blood, leading to a weak and eventual death.
Xiao Lin then revealed the news from the capital: Ye Xiwu's grandmother had passed away, and Tantai Jin had visited the Ye mansion the night of her death. Ye Xiwu was devastated, realizing Tantai Jin's deception and his true cruel nature. Xiao Lin knocked Ye Xiwu unconscious and insisted on sending her away for her safety, despite her pleas to stay and her guilt.
Before his final stand, Pang Yizhi offered Xiao Lin a Virid Blood Pill to temporarily stop his bleeding and sustain his life. Xiao Lin took the pill and, in a desperate act, used a knife to dig the Soul-gnawing Wedge out of his own body. He then prepared for his final battle and sent the unconscious Ye Xiwu away in a carriage. However, Ye Xiwu later awoke, struggled free, and escaped the carriage, determined to return.
Tantai Jin's General Feng led an attack on the Sheng army but failed to capture Xiao Lin. Instead, Xiao Lin, despite his severe injuries, rallied his remaining forces and the refugees, broke through the Jing army, destroyed their provisions, and rescued prisoners, leading them southward by sea.
Tantai Jin received a letter from Xiao Lin, who, now referring to Tantai Jin as "Your Majesty," reflected on their past as a prince and a hostage, and the unfortunate turn of events that led to them becoming enemies. Xiao Lin acknowledged Jing Kingdom's ascendancy and Sheng Kingdom's demise, requesting Tantai Jin to treat the former Sheng people with kindness.
He offered the Heart-guarding Scale, a treasure of his sect, as a congratulatory gift for Tantai Jin's unification of the realm. Lastly, Xiao Lin asked Tantai Jin to spare Ye Bingchang's life, despite having cut all ties with her. Tantai Jin scornfully remarked on Xiao Lin's "congratulatory gift." Ye Xiwu returned to the abandoned Sheng army camp, only to find memorial banners, confirming Xiao Lin's death. She was heartbroken.
Pang Yizhi, deeply saddened, told her that the remaining Sheng soldiers would sail south, and he himself intended to return to the Xiaoyao Sect for further cultivation, finding the human world too painful. When asked about her plans, Ye Xiwu remained silent. Tantai Jin, believing Ye Xiwu would never return after he had orchestrated the death of her beloved, fell into despair, lamenting that he had lost her.
As his carriage traveled out of the city to pay respects to Xiao Lin, it was suddenly stopped. Ye Xiwu stood in the road. She declared that she had returned because she wanted to be by his side. She urged him to let go of the past and start anew, offering her forgiveness and asking for his. Tantai Jin, overjoyed and relieved, embraced her, saying he forgave her. Yet, in her heart, Ye Xiwu knew she had an unfinished mission, one she was determined to complete this time.
