Twelve Legends Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Twelve Legends Synopsis
During the Republican era, the famous seal expert Jin Xingjian (played by Liu Yihao), who was originally transformed from Nvwa’s mending stone in ancient times, has been cultivating to be a human being and coming to earth for thousands of years.
He is in love with Yeming (played by Gulnazar), and in order to help her survive the thunderstorm, he starts a fantasy journey to find the seal.
The plot is based on the hero and heroine’s search for eight seals, which opens up a funny story that is either hilarious, or hot, or touching, or sweet.
The story revolves around the word “love” and shows the love-hate relationship of all kinds of living beings.
Twelve Legends Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Shanghai's bustling port was a hive of activity, with White Freight, the city's largest freight company, seeing the most traffic. Its business and territory were highly coveted. Bai Yushu, a young scholar who had studied abroad, had recently returned to inherit the family business after his father's sudden death. Despite his slender build, he worked alongside his employees, moving sacks and sharing meals, finding a bittersweet joy in his new role.
However, the company faced constant harassment from Bai Jin Gang, a notorious local gangster whose black-clad thugs, armed with axes, preyed on the docks. Even Bai Yushu’s father had tolerated them, leaving the inexperienced Bai Yushu feeling helpless and frustrated. Overwhelmed and angry, Bai Yushu urinated into the lake, unknowingly splashing Xiao Yu, a carp spirit who frequently visited the pier.
Xiao Yu, who often visited the pier because Bai Yushu shared his dry rations with her, was annoyed by this indignity and decided to go ashore to confront him. Her companion, Brother Kun, strongly cautioned her against it, warning of the numerous dangers in the human world. He recounted the unfortunate incident of Fatty Perch, who fell ill after eating human food.
Brother Kun emphasized that despite his thousands of years of cultivation, he had only ventured ashore twice, while Xiao Yu, with only a few hundred years of training, was too vulnerable. He reminded her of the legendary demon catcher Fa Hai, who even Bai Su Zhen, a powerful elder, couldn't defeat. Most importantly, he spoke of Jin Xingjian, a formidable demon catcher who specialized in extracting the essences of minor demons like Xiao Yu for his own cultivation.
Unmoved by Brother Kun's warnings, Xiao Yu swam towards the shore. Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian was in pursuit of a wolf demon. The demon pleaded for its life, offering its essence in exchange for freedom, but Jin Xingjian was relentless. He killed the wolf demon and took its essence. Back at his Hua Xue Gallery, Jin Xingjian entered a hidden chamber behind a bookcase. Inside, a beautiful woman named Ye Ming lay motionless on a warm jade bed.
Jin Xingjian gazed at her lovingly, murmuring that with just one more half-essence, she would awaken. He then integrated the newly acquired wolf demon essence into Ye Ming, and her finger subtly twitched. Later that day, Jin Xingjian received a visit from his friend, Ye Qingchun, a charismatic tailor.
Ye Qingchun, who had just been praised by socialite Mrs Liang for his exceptional tailoring skills and customer service, arrived at Hua Xue Gallery by climbing over a wall, as it was closed. He showered Jin Xingjian with compliments, praising his impeccable style and offering him a sample of the latest, finest cashmere fabric.
Ye Qingchun also attempted to entice Jin Xingjian with invitations to Mirador Restaurant, famous for its new Braised Butter Pigeon dish, or to explore new Ming dynasty antiques on Hankou Street. Jin Xingjian, however, remained aloof and generally uninterested, even when Ye Qingchun confirmed that his current attire was indeed the very latest fashion and suited him perfectly.
After Jin Xingjian left, Ye Qingchun inquired with Xiao Pi, Jin Xingjian's assistant, about his master's habits, learning that Jin Xingjian dressed meticulously at home but was indifferent to his appearance when going out, which prompted Ye Qingchun to consider making him pajamas. Alone by the pier again, Bai Yushu lamented his family's misfortune, feeling that he had failed his parents.
He angrily declared that the local thugs wouldn't dare cause trouble at his home, before once again urinating into the lake, frustrated by his inability to protect his business. Unknown to him, Xiao Yu was watching. Angered that he had "peed on her," despite Brother Kun's logical argument that a fish could not be splashed while in the water, Xiao Yu was determined to exact her revenge by bathing in his house.
Transforming into human form, she found walking on land difficult and painful. She took some clothes drying by the shore and clumsily made her way to Bai Yushu's residence. That night, as Bai Yushu was showering, Xiao Yu stumbled into his house. Startled, he splashed her with bathwater, accusing her of being a peeping tom. Xiao Yu furiously denied it, demanding to know why a man would be so shy.
After realizing she was a woman and seeing her soaked condition and discomfort, Bai Yushu apologized and offered her clothes and his shoes to alleviate her pain. Just as they were arguing, Bai Jin Gang's henchmen arrived, loudly demanding Bai Yushu to come out and threatening to burn his house down.
Bai Yushu, knowing their ruthless reputation and recalling his father's cautious approach, tried to deter Xiao Yu from confronting them, explaining that they were dangerous and had killed people without mercy. However, Xiao Yu declared herself a heroine from Mount Emei, dedicated to upholding justice, and quickly defeated all the thugs with swift and powerful martial arts moves. Astounded by her prowess, Bai Yushu hailed her as a hero and immediately asked her to be his martial arts master.
Xiao Yu agreed, on the condition that he provide her with a plate of snacks daily. Bai Yushu excitedly promised her all the delicacies in the world. As she began to teach him, demonstrating basic moves like "Fish Tail Whip," "Fish Leap," and "Undercurrent Surge," Brother Kun suddenly appeared, urging Xiao Yu to return home, reiterating the dangers of Jin Xingjian and the vindictive thugs. Xiao Yu, however, refused to leave until Bai Yushu had learned to defend himself.
Brother Kun, sensing a deeper reason for her stubbornness, pressed her, and she eventually admitted, albeit reluctantly, that she had fallen for Bai Yushu. Brother Kun, who secretly harbored feelings for Xiao Yu, was deeply frustrated by her confession. The next day, Bai Yushu, eager to impress, cooked a meal for Xiao Yu, explaining that he had learned it from Uncle Liu. Xiao Yu praised his cooking skills, noting they were far better than his fighting abilities.
They discussed his training, and Xiao Yu promised to teach him more, envisioning a future where he could handle threats on his own. Bai Yushu quickly caught on, reminding her that she had said not to leave everything to a girl, and then assigned her the task of washing the dishes. As they were finishing their meal, an employee rushed in, reporting new trouble at the pier.
Episode 2 Recap
The White Freight wharf was bustling as usual until a massive whirlpool suddenly formed, trapping a cargo ship laden with high-grade foreign wine destined for the governor's house. The workers were at a loss, noting the sudden choppy waters. Seeing no other option, Bai Yushu, the young master, took a rope, tied one end around his waist, and handed the other to the shore crew.
Despite warnings from the workers that it was too dangerous and the waves would "eat him up," Bai Yushu insisted he had to try, planning to swim to the boat so they could pull both him and the vessel back. As he struggled against the powerful current, Xiao Yu, who was nearby, leaped into the water without hesitation to save him.
Observing the scene from the pier, Lian Xuan, a demon hunter, sensed a demonic presence and prepared to capture Xiao Yu using a little magic, remarking on the whirlpool as a "petty trick." Xiao Yu managed to drag Bai Yushu to the surface, but before they could reach shore, a giant Kun, her companion and brother, swallowed her. The Kun had done this to prevent Xiao Yu from becoming too attached to the human world, refusing to release her.
However, Xiao Yu's antics eventually made him sneeze, allowing her to escape. Meanwhile, Bai Yushu awoke on shore, only to be told by his butler, Uncle Liu, that while the cargo had been salvaged, Xiao Yu was missing. Devastated, Bai Yushu refused to believe it, declaring, "She was right there with me. It can't be." Uncle Liu, however, blamed Bai Yushu's recklessness for her presumed death. Heartbroken and filled with guilt, Bai Yushu retreated to his room.
His despair was interrupted by a commotion outside as Bai Jin Gang’s thugs arrived, looking for trouble. They mocked Bai Yushu, asking where "that girl" was, the one who said she would "hit me whenever she sees me," before assaulting him. Just as he was cornered and beaten, Xiao Yu suddenly reappeared, swiftly taking down the thugs and declaring, "I dare you to come again. If you show up again, I'll beat you up again."
Overjoyed and relieved, Bai Yushu offered Xiao Yu snacks. He confessed that he knew Uncle Liu had lied and that she wouldn't leave him. Xiao Yu playfully retorted, "I came back to save you. What to do with your foolishness?" to which Bai Yushu replied, "I have you to help me." He asked if she was truly staying, and when she revealed she had no family, he offered her a home, promising, "I can afford simple food."
Xiao Yu then asked if he liked her. Though initially evasive, she stated she wouldn't stay otherwise. Bai Yushu then professed his feelings, asking if she would stay if he liked her, and she responded, "It's not certain." She then expressed her reluctance to be in a relationship while feeling "a mess" but also mentioned her ability to fight and small appetite. Taking this as an affirmation, Bai Yushu proposed to her.
He swore an oath, "regardless of poverty or wealth, health or illness, I'll be devoted to you and only you," and asked her to marry him. Xiao Yu accepted with a pinky promise, and Bai Yushu joyfully exclaimed, "I'm getting married!" To prepare for their wedding, Bai Yushu took Xiao Yu to his old classmate Ye Qingchun’s clothing store, promising her "the best gown in Shanghai."
Ye Qingchun, surprised to see Bai Yushu with a woman, offered to tailor their wedding attire for free. However, their joyous visit was interrupted when Jin Xingjian, from the adjacent Hua Xue Gallery, entered the store to collect a necktie. Xiao Yu immediately sensed his cold aura and felt a chill when Ye Qingchun introduced him, recalling her brother's warning that Jin Xingjian was a "great demon" who "collects our essence for his own cultivation."
Jin Xingjian offered Bai Yushu his help if he ever faced trouble, then delivered a cryptic warning: "I'm raising a fish recently. It keeps trying to leap out of the fish bowl. As you know, a fish can't live without water." Xiao Yu remained uneasy after his departure. Meanwhile, Bai Jin Gang, under pressure from his cousin, acquired a gun, vowing to take over White Freight. Unbeknownst to them, Lian Xuan had been trailing Xiao Yu since the wharf incident.
He spotted her on the beach as she shed her clothes and jumped into the sea, only to re-emerge later. Overhearing local thugs discussing whether she was a ghost or a demon, Lian Xuan confirmed their suspicions by loudly declaring, "A demon!" scaring them away. He then confronted Xiao Yu, introducing himself as a demon hunter and announcing his intention to capture her, citing the principle that "humans and demons are on different paths."
Xiao Yu pleaded her innocence, asserting she had "never done anything bad," but Lian Xuan insisted on following the "right path" for "humans and demons to stay in their own place." As Lian Xuan gained the upper hand, a mischievous green-clad woman, Xiao Qing, intervened, distracting him with taunts and giving Xiao Yu an opportunity to flee. Back at White Freight, Bai Jin Gang’s men attacked, now armed with a gun.
Xiao Yu, unfamiliar with such weapons, bravely confronted them, telling Bai Yushu to "run." Though she managed to repel the thugs, she was shot in the abdomen. As she collapsed, Kun appeared in his human form, scaring away Bai Jin Gang’s men. He then revealed Xiao Yu's true identity to Bai Yushu, stating, "We're demons. I'm her brother. I'm taking her back." Xiao Yu confessed her secret, "I am a demon.
I lied to you," reminding him of the colorful fish he used to feed, "That was me." Despite the revelation, Bai Yushu held her close, declaring, "I don't care. All I know is you're my fiancée," reiterating his previous promises and insisting on taking her to a hospital. Kun argued that as "fish, demons, evil creatures," they "should die in the sea, where we belong," but Bai Yushu vehemently shut him down, stating, "She is my fiancée.
It isn't up to you to give an order." In her critical state, Xiao Yu asked to be taken to Jin Xingjian. Kun warned her about the cost—her essence—but Xiao Yu, wanting only to be with Bai Yushu, accepted the risk, saying, "I don't care. I just want to be with Yu Shu." Kun, seeing her determination, agreed to accompany them. They rushed to Jin Xingjian’s residence, where he seemed to be expecting them.
Bai Yushu desperately pleaded for Xiao Yu's life. Jin Xingjian, however, demanded "half her essence" as the treatment fee, an amount he stated was "no bargaining." Kun begged for leniency, offering money or even his own essence, explaining that without half her essence, Xiao Yu, with her "few years of cultivation," would "become a fish." Xiao Yu, however, accepted the condition, stating that as a fish, "I need only a fish bowl."
Bai Yushu, reaffirming his love, declared, "I want her even if she's turned into a fish," promising to protect her for "my life" and the "next life" if needed, just so she could live. He vowed to marry her once she could regain human form, and she fondly acknowledged he would be an old man by then.
Jin Xingjian then proceeded, and Xiao Yu’s human form dissolved into a shower of light, leaving behind a small golden fish in Bai Yushu’s hands. Jin Xingjian instructed them to let the fish "rest," assuring them she would "recover soon." Bai Yushu, holding the fish tank, thanked Jin Xingjian, feeling that they could now "be together forever." After they left, Jin Xingjian took the acquired essence to a hidden room.
He used it to awaken Ye Ming, a woman who lay slumbering on a warm jade bed. Ye Ming stirred but did not recognize Jin Xingjian, asking, "Who are you?" He responded, "I'm Little Stone." Ye Ming recalled a time when she named a small stone entity "Little Stone" and designated him as her "brother," expressing disbelief that this tall, strangely dressed man could be him, as "Little Stone is a little boy."
Jin Xingjian showed her a green seal, which she remembered. He patiently explained that he was a "sky-patching stone" and "can grow if I want to." Ye Ming questioned his "strange clothes" and "hair," and Jin Xingjian explained that "everyone in this era dresses up like this." Confused about where they were and how he had grown, she learned that she had "slept for a long time"—for "10 years" due to an illness.
Overwhelmed, she couldn't remember anything, and Jin Xingjian urged her to rest, promising to get her food. The next day, the White Freight wharf was quiet. Bai Yushu, holding a fish tank containing Xiao Yu and carrying his luggage, left his home, feeling a rare sense of peace. From a distance, Lian Xuan watched him depart, sighing at Bai Yushu's persistent refusal to acknowledge that "humans and demons are on different paths."
Xiao Qing, who appeared beside him, called him "so conservative," playfully reminding him that "they love each other. It doesn't concern you." Lian Xuan, irritated, questioned Xiao Qing's right to lecture him as a demon, prompting her to challenge him to a chase.
Episode 3 Recap
Ye Ming, seeing Jin Xingjian in a pale long gown, complimented his appearance, stating it was much more agreeable than his previous attire. Pleased by her remark, Jin Xingjian offered her a meal from the Mirador Restaurant, a Western establishment, and patiently taught her how to use a knife and fork. Ye Ming, however, found the process cumbersome and the food unexceptional, except for the squab.
She offered a piece of it to Jin Xingjian, but he declined, lost in a memory of a time when he, as "Little Stone," had given her a pot of chicken, feigning dislike so she could have it all, as meat was a rare treat then. Ye Ming expressed her confusion, noting that her memory only extended to Jin Xingjian's childhood, leaving the past decade a complete blank.
She questioned what illness she had, but Jin Xingjian vaguely replied that she was already unwell when he found her ten years ago and he was unsure of the specifics, reassuring her that her current health was what mattered most. He then offered her red wine, which she found bitter.
Curious about the modern world, Ye Ming inquired about other new things, prompting Jin Xingjian to mention Western suits and the popular "dresses" for ladies, promising to have one custom-made for her. Meanwhile, Lian Xuan, having tracked Xiao Qing’s demonic aura, found her at the Deng Yun Pavilion. Xiao Qing, ever mischievous, openly mocked him, questioning his reputation as a master. Enraged, Lian Xuan confronted her, determined to subdue the "demon."
Their struggle moved upstairs, drawing a crowd of onlookers below. As Lian Xuan attempted to apprehend her, Xiao Qing, while being held, taunted him about his tight grip. She then abruptly produced a dagger, seemingly stabbed herself, and plunged from the building, creating a public spectacle and framing Lian Xuan for murder. The horrified crowd immediately alerted the police, who gave chase.
Xiao Qing, having transformed into a small insect, derided Lian Xuan’s clumsiness from afar, then subtly aided his escape. Lian Xuan, now a fugitive, fled to Hua Xue Gallery, forcing his way inside despite the house servant Xiao Pi's attempts to stop him. Jin Xingjian sternly rebuked Lian Xuan, reminding him of his prohibition from entering the gallery. Lian Xuan pleaded for sanctuary, explaining he had been framed by a demon and was in danger. Jin Xingjian remained unyielding.
However, Lian Xuan’s senses detected Ye Ming's presence, confirming her awakening. He immediately confronted Jin Xingjian, questioning if he had taken the "fish demon’s" essence. Lian Xuan demanded to know the whereabouts of "the painting" and threatened to eliminate Ye Ming, fearing the consequences if malevolent forces were to exploit her and her seal. Jin Xingjian vehemently forbade him, asserting he would protect Ye Ming and that her safety was not Lian Xuan’s concern.
Lian Xuan countered by reminding Jin Xingjian that they both shared responsibility for Ye Ming's injury and sealing. As this unfolded, Deputy Chief Bai Jin Gang arrived at Hua Xue Gallery with his officers, having traced Lian Xuan there. Furious about the public murder at Deng Yun Pavilion and the mysterious disappearance of the body, Bai Jin Gang, wary of offending Jin Xingjian, who was influential among Shanghai's elite, decided to handle the search personally.
Feigning concern for Jin Xingjian's safety, he requested permission to search the premises. Jin Xingjian, without hesitation, pointed out Lian Xuan’s hiding spot. Lian Xuan emerged, glaring at Jin Xingjian before attempting to resist arrest but was eventually overpowered by the police. Xiao Pi questioned Jin Xingjian's decision to hand Lian Xuan over, but Jin Xingjian calmly dismissed his concern. Following this, Jin Xingjian visited Ye Qingchun’s tailor shop to order several women's outfits.
Coincidentally, Ye Qingchun’s sister, Ye Lina, arrived, hoping her brother would create a show-stopping dress for a party hosted by the recently returned Zheng Gongzi. Upon seeing Jin Xingjian, Ye Lina was instantly smitten, her interest in Zheng Gongzi completely overshadowed. Jin Xingjian requested the dresses be made to Ye Lina's measurements, but specified a slightly tighter waist, a longer skirt, and a primary white color.
After Jin Xingjian departed, a lovestruck Ye Lina confessed her feelings to her brother and sought his help. However, Ye Qingchun, knowing Jin Xingjian's aloof nature, advised her against pursuing him, suggesting she would find him too reserved. After his arrest, Lian Xuan managed to escape police custody. Disguising himself, he later revisited Hua Xue Gallery.
This time, the house servant, Xiao Pi, politely refused him entry, falsely claiming that Jin Xingjian was dead and even offering money as his "inheritance." Unconvinced and desperate, Lian Xuan attempted to scale a wall to enter. While in an alley nearby, he was mocked by Xiao Qing for his situation. Before he could proceed further, Jin Xingjian appeared and magically restrained him, threatening to send him to the police station for breaching their earlier agreement.
Lian Xuan tried to bargain, promising not to harm Ye Ming, but Jin Xingjian dismissed his offer, reiterating that finding the painting was paramount, otherwise Ye Ming would still be in danger. They also argued about their past agreement concerning the painting and the eight seals. Separately, Deputy Chief Bai Jin Gang was eager to establish connections with the newly arrived Commander Duan, who had moved his family to Shanghai.
Despite spending considerable money on welcoming arrangements like car fleets, bands, and firecrackers, Bai Jin Gang and his cousin Chen Lei were denied entry by the Commander's aide. Annoyed, Chen Lei advised Bai Jin Gang to find a more personal way to impress the Commander, suggesting he appeal to Commander Duan's known hobby of collecting stamps, calligraphy, and paintings, especially unique stamps, as the Commander's birthday was approaching. Later that night, Ye Ming was disturbed by a vivid dream.
A sorrowful voice, identifying himself as her lover Yu Shao Bai, claimed they were once happy but were cruelly separated by Jin Xingjian, whom she used to call "Little Stone." Waking from the nightmare, the name Yu Shao Bai resonated in her mind. When Jin Xingjian brought her food, Ye Ming, feeling isolated and confined due to a mystical barrier preventing her from leaving her underground residence, confronted him about his distant behavior, accusing him of imprisoning her.
She then asked if others called him "Little Stone," realizing she had never given him a proper name despite his growth. Jin Xingjian then stated his full name: Jin Xingjian. Ye Ming immediately asked him if he knew Yu Shao Bai. Jin Xingjian, visibly startled, questioned how she knew the name and asked her, "Who is he?"
Episode 4 Recap
Ye Ming questioned Jin Xingjian about a man named Yu Shao Bai. Jin Xingjian, whom Ye Ming had always affectionately called "Little Stone" since childhood, chose to be evasive, making her suspect he was hiding something. Ye Ming pressed him, recounting a recent dream where Yu Shao Bai's gaze was strange, though she couldn't recall specific details.
She demanded to know who Yu Shao Bai was and what Jin Xingjian was concealing, insisting he either tell her the truth or release her. After leaving Ye Ming's room, Jin Xingjian confronted Lian Xuan, who was about to feed Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian asked if Lian Xuan had spoken to Ye Ming, which Lian Xuan vehemently denied, even claiming he wished to harm the "old demon."
This exchange made Jin Xingjian suspect that Yu Shao Bai, rather than Ye Ming herself, had awakened, posing an unforeseen danger. At his clothing shop, Ye Qingchun was greeted by his sister, Ye Li Na, who burst in asking about Jin Xingjian.
Ye Qingchun, a respected artist in the global fashion scene who once made clothes for the British royal family, playfully chided her for her infatuation, calling her a "new era woman" who was perhaps too bold in her pursuit. He tried to dissuade her by revealing that Jin Xingjian already had a girlfriend for whom he had commissioned a dress. However, Ye Li Na, undeterred, declared that as long as Jin Xingjian wasn't married, she still had a chance.
Despite his reservations, Ye Qingchun reluctantly agreed to introduce Ye Li Na to Jin Xingjian, recognizing her persistence. Ye Qingchun also reflected on Jin Xingjian's mysterious background, noting that those who had offended him in the past had met unfortunate ends. Xiao Pi reported to Jin Xingjian about his hometown sister, a former leading lady at a theater, who had been brutally taken by Bai Jin Gang.
Bai Jin Gang, ostensibly the deputy chief of the police bureau but actually the Qing Gang's most powerful rogue leader with British backing, had shot her fiancé—an official with the new government—and forced her into a brothel. Xiao Pi was particularly incensed that Bai Jin Gang dared to ask Jin Xingjian to carve a stamp for Commander Duan's birthday.
Jin Xingjian, upon hearing this, retrieved the jade stone that Xiao Pi had angrily thrown into the garden, intending to carve it himself. At Commander Duan's birthday banquet, guests presented their gifts. Bai Jin Gang confidently offered the stamp carved by Jin Xingjian, expecting praise. However, when the impression was revealed, it conspicuously lacked the character for "shame," intentionally omitted by Jin Xingjian, implicitly branding Bai Jin Gang as a shameless individual.
This public humiliation enraged Commander Duan, who, amidst the shocked guests, drew his pistol and shot Bai Jin Gang in the right ear. Ye Qingchun brought Ye Li Na to Hua Xue Gallery to meet Jin Xingjian. Ye Li Na, captivated by Jin Xingjian's presence, attempted to flirt and get close, even suggesting he use her as a model to measure for his girlfriend's dress.
Jin Xingjian, understanding her intentions, maintained a polite but distant demeanor, mindful of Ye Qingchun's presence. He instructed Xiao Pi to show them out. After their departure, Ye Li Na, still smitten, declared her intention to stay at her brother's shop to frequently visit Jin Xingjian, despite Ye Qingchun's exasperation. Jin Xingjian, contemplating her relentless pursuit and his need to find a lost stamp, considered moving.
Jin Xingjian received a phone call from his friend, Lord Jia, who had located one of Jin Xingjian's missing stamps in Beiping, at the Zhang family residence in Yongqing. The current owner, Young Master Zhang, an avid collector of carved seals, especially those by renowned artisans like Jin Xingjian, insisted on meeting Jin Xingjian in person to return it. Jin Xingjian decided to go to Beiping. Before leaving, Jin Xingjian visited Ye Ming in her subterranean chamber.
Ye Ming questioned if he still loved her "beyond siblings," recalling a childhood incident where he, as "Little Stone," burned a neighbor's woodshed because Young Master Zhang liked her. She challenged his past actions and doubted his promise to bless her if she found true love, given his current imprisonment of her.
Jin Xingjian, despite her accusations and demands for freedom or a valid reason for her confinement, remained steadfast in his commitment to her safety and assured her he would return. He then entrusted Ye Ming and the remaining stamps to Lian Xuan, instructing him to care for Ye Ming, providing her favorite foods such as Mirador Restaurant's Braised Butter Pigeon, and to manage the other seals.
Lian Xuan expressed regret for losing Yu Shao Bai's portrait ten years ago, acknowledging the trouble it caused. Jin Xingjian also told Xiao Pi to seek Ye Qingchun's help if anyone caused trouble at the house during his absence. Ye Li Na, having learned of Jin Xingjian's destination, quickly bought a train ticket to Beiping, claiming she had a school reunion there. She unexpectedly met Jin Xingjian on the train.
She chatted animatedly, offering to be his guide and listing Beiping's delights like roasted duck and the scenic Mount Xiang. She even folded a rose from a candy wrapper and gave it to him, an act that transported Jin Xingjian back to a memory of Ye Ming as a child, using candy to coax him into studying. Despite his reserved nature, her lively presence momentarily lightened his mood.
Upon arrival at the Beiping train station, Ye Li Na was greeted by her classmate Jenny, who wore a peculiar date seed pendant that caught Jin Xingjian's attention. Meanwhile, Bai Jin Gang, recovering from his injury, was still seething over the humiliation and the loss of his ear. His cousin Chen Lei urged immediate revenge, but Bai Jin Gang, recognizing Jin Xingjian's mysterious background and powerful connections, decided against a direct confrontation.
Instead, he decided to find a "reasonable" way to get back at Jin Xingjian, eventually instructing Chen Lei to deliver a "big gift" to Jin Xingjian, reverting to Qing Gang's no-reason tactics. In Beiping, Jin Xingjian went directly to Lord Jia's house. Lord Jia, who had sold his old mansion to invest in antiques and acquire new properties, warmly welcomed Jin Xingjian and immediately had a room prepared.
Lord Jia mentioned that Young Master Zhang, an avid collector of carved seals, especially those by renowned artisans like Jin Xingjian, was eager to meet him to personally return the stamp. Back in Shanghai, Lian Xuan brought food to Ye Ming in the basement, accidentally bumping into the enchantment while distracted by her. Ye Ming, who had no memory of him, was surprised to learn he was a demon hunter.
Despite her attempts to engage him in conversation out of boredom, Lian Xuan, wary and annoyed, bluntly refused, emphasizing his primary duty was simply to deliver food as per Jin Xingjian's request. That night, Ye Ming dreamt again. In her dream, Yu Shao Bai appeared, questioning her memory of him and asserting their love from a millennium ago. He accused Jin Xingjian of constantly trying to separate them and of now holding her captive like a "pet." He then expressed his deep longing for her.
Episode 5 Recap
At a class reunion in Beiping, Ye Li Na, who had been childhood friends and middle school deskmates with Jenny Niu, was upset that Jenny, once ordinary-looking, had transformed and now attracted all the male attention. Jenny's beauty was praised, with compliments like "Amazing!" and remarks about her being a "modern woman."
Ye Li Na, feeling ignored despite her elaborate attire, tried to interject, but her classmates teased her for making such a "grand appearance," likening her dress to a "wedding" gown. A suitor approached Ye Li Na, but only to ask her to pass a gift to Jenny, further frustrating her. Later, Jenny's beloved Mr. Zheng arrived and invited her to dance, which she happily accepted. Envious of Jenny's popularity, Ye Li Na confessed her deep affection for Jin Xingjian.
She described him as handsome as Pan An, talented as Cao Zhi, and graceful. His "ice-cold face" was "supremely handsome," and his "charming voice," even when saying "see guests out," was "pleasant." Just thinking of him made her heart pound, and she prayed to Cupid and Yue Lao for their "early union." Jenny, recognizing the object of Ye Li Na's affections, told her about a special "date seed necklace" she wore.
Initially, Jenny claimed it was for "good luck," symbolizing "early union" (a pun on the sound of the date seed). However, as a "modern woman," Ye Li Na scoffed at the "feudal superstition" and pressed for the truth. Jenny then admitted that her newfound charm and Mr. Zheng's affection were entirely due to the necklace, which she received from a master who "cast a spell on it" to solve "lovesickness."
Eager for similar results with Jin Xingjian, Ye Li Na insisted on getting one, and Jenny promised to take her to the master the next morning. The next day, Ye Li Na and Jenny Niu visited the master. After traversing several streets, they arrived at the master's residence, a spacious courtyard. The master, before Ye Li Na could speak, seemed to know why she had come.
Ye Li Na, as a modern woman, openly expressed her desire for Jin Xingjian to reciprocate her feelings, frustrated that her attempts had failed. She described Jin Xingjian as handsome, talented, and graceful, mentioning his surname was Jin. The master confirmed he had "long heard of him" and, noting Jin Xingjian's "youthful refinement" and Ye Li Na's "gentle grace," agreed to "change his rules" for them to form a good match.
He gave Ye Li Na a date seed pendant, instructing her to wear it closely every day and not to "tell a soul," promising it would be "effective" in a few days. Ye Li Na was overjoyed, thanking the master. Back at the Niu residence, Ye Li Na was delighted by her radiant appearance in the mirror, believing the necklace to be "absolutely magical."
The next morning, Jenny, to her annoyance, discovered her new Western dress missing, complaining to Madam Qian that "Ms Ye wore it." Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian and Lord Jia arrived at the Zhang Residence as planned. They found the house in disarray and covered in blood. Lord Jia, alarmed, wondered why no one knew about the deaths if the Zhang family was so prominent. Jin Xingjian, however, grimly concluded that the people were likely dead, adding, "They weren't murdered by humans.
Of course nobody would know," and noted that the incident occurred "not too long ago." He also detected a strange smell and found an object resembling a "date seed" on the floor, remarking that it had a "faeces" smell. Jin Xingjian then asked Lord Jia to help him locate a prominent family in Beiping with the surname Niu, specifically inquiring about a "Ms Niu" who might possess a date seed necklace.
Lord Jia, after noting there were "three or four" such families, agreed to help. Simultaneously, in a cave, a subordinate named Wang reported to Yu Shao Bai, whose portrait hung on a wall, that "It's done." During this time, Lian Xuan continued his routine of delivering food to Ye Ming in the chamber, always attempting to leave quickly. However, Ye Ming was persistent, seeking answers about Yu Shao Bai.
She threatened to falsely accuse Lian Xuan to Jin Xingjian of visiting her daily and expressing "lovesickness" for her, prompting Lian Xuan to label her a "despicable demon." She then pressed him about his relationship with Jin Xingjian, which he described as being "comrades-in-arms" and having "deep friendship." When she asked about Yu Shao Bai, Lian Xuan initially denied knowing him, but then, astonished, asked, "Why do you remember Yu Shao Bai?"
He inadvertently revealed that he had witnessed "stupid Stone" (Jin Xingjian) "wiping off your memory of Yu Shao Bai." Shocked, Ye Ming questioned, "Jin Xing Jian wiped off my memory?" Lian Xuan tried to backtrack, awkwardly suggesting it was "good" she remembered, as she would then know "how Yu Shao Bai treats you." Ye Ming, however, was determined, demanding to know, "Who's Yu Shao Bai? What has he done to me?" Lian Xuan refused, claiming ignorance.
Earlier, Lian Xuan had wrestled with the idea of poisoning Ye Ming to prevent her from causing trouble by remembering things, even recalling Jin Xingjian's earlier punishment for his attempt to kill her. He considered that Jin Xingjian might eventually be grateful, believing "long pain is worse than short pain," but found himself unable to intentionally go through with it.
It was only when he accidentally spilled poison into the soup that he resigned himself, concluding, "If it's meant to be." He presented the poisoned soup to Ye Ming. Ye Ming, sensing the poison, pretended to believe he wouldn't poison her, claiming it would ruin his reputation as a demon hunter. She then threatened to drink the soup, stating she had "a death wish." Lian Xuan desperately intervened, warning that Jin Xingjian would kill him if she died.
Ye Ming seized the opportunity, proposing she would state a claim, and he would answer "true" or "not entirely true." She posited, "Once upon a time, I had a lover named Yu Shao Bai. We were deeply in love. However, later, Jin Xing Jian. . . broke us apart. He even wiped off our memories, isn't that true?" Lian Xuan reluctantly replied, "True. But not entirely true."
Realizing his grave error in revealing too much, Lian Xuan stomped off, cursing his "stupid mouth." He later returned to tell Ye Ming, "Stupid Stone would never hurt you. Yu Shao Bai isn't a good man. That's all I can tell you," adding that if she drank the soup, it would be her own fault. He then secretly watched from a distance, relieved when Ye Ming did not consume the soup.
Simultaneously, Bai Jin Gang, still furious over being humiliated and losing an ear to Jin Xingjian's prank (by carving the word "virtue" with a missing stroke, implying Bai Jin Gang was without virtue), sent his cousin Chen Lei and a group of men to cause trouble at the Hua Xue Gallery. Chen Lei confronted Xiao Pi, demanding to see Jin Xingjian and declaring that the gallery must "cease business" due to a "disturbance" complaint about seal carving.
Xiao Pi tried to explain that Jin Xingjian was not there and no seals were being made, but Chen Lei dismissed him as a "lowly servant" and ordered his men to ransack the place. Amidst the chaos, Lian Xuan, startled by the commotion, tried to escape, jumping over a wall as Chen Lei's men pursued him. Chen Lei eventually called off the pursuit, stating they were primarily after Jin Xingjian.
Xiao Pi immediately ran to find Ye Qingchun, who was tying his tie, and urgently explained the situation. Ye Qingchun swiftly returned to the gallery, bringing along several influential official's wives. Chen Lei, upon seeing the formidable ladies, tried to be respectful, but they ignored him. Led by Ye Qingchun, the wives, pretending to be "exercising" and "boxing" to lose weight after eating too much, proceeded to "beat them up."
Chen Lei and his men were forced to retreat, nursing their injuries. Later, Chen Lei recounted the humiliating experience to Bai Jin Gang, complaining about the wives, who appeared "fresh, generous, and presentable" but "turned into beasts" with their "long, blood-red fingernails," pulling and tearing at them, leaving him "disfigured." Bai Jin Gang was enraged, calling his men "garbage" and "incapable of success but capable of failure."
He then ordered Chen Lei to capture Lian Xuan, not for the previous murder case (which was closed), but to force him to "reveal Jin Xingjian's whereabouts." His plan was to "frame" Lian Xuan as a "bandit," knowing the commander hated bandits, thereby leading to a city-wide manhunt for Jin Xingjian. Meanwhile, Lian Xuan returned to the messy Hua Xue Gallery.
Xiao Pi explained that the trouble was a result of Jin Xingjian "playing a trick on Bai Jin Gang" and that Lian Xuan was safe because his previous case was closed. Relieved, Lian Xuan went upstairs to rest. Sometime later, Jin Xingjian received a phone call from Xiao Pi, confirming that Ye Qingchun had successfully "settled" the matter and that Bai Jin Gang's men "won't be causing any more trouble" for a while.
Dressed to impress in Jenny's dress and exuding "fragrance," Ye Li Na arrived at Lord Jia's residence to see Jin Xingjian. Lord Jia, initially unsure who she was, quickly caught on when Ye Li Na boldly declared herself "Mr Jin's girlfriend." Amused, Lord Jia discreetly left them alone, promising to bring snacks. Under the subtle influence of the necklace, Jin Xingjian initially mistook Ye Li Na for Ye Ming, displaying an involuntary affection towards her.
Ye Li Na, emboldened, reminisced about their movie date (from Shanghai) and eagerly asked if her new dress suited her. Jin Xingjian, however, was primarily focused on the unusual date seed necklace she wore, immediately asking, "Ms Ye, where did you. . . get the necklace?"
Ye Li Na skillfully dodged the question, instead expressing her appreciation for his "caring" and then bombarding him with inquiries about her new perfume, suggesting a rowing date, and even playfully asking if he wanted to kiss her. Despite sensing something was amiss and using his divine eye to see glimpses of Ye Ming in her, Jin Xingjian still accompanied her to the cinema.
At dinner, as Ye Li Na enthusiastically described various dishes and local delicacies like "pastries at Juqing Restaurant and Zhilan Restaurant," "dried fruits from Changsheng Store," and "ice cream at Dong'an Market," Jin Xingjian continued to see glimpses of Ye Ming in her. He pressed her again about the necklace's origin, but Ye Li Na again evaded, ushering him into the movie. Later, she excitedly recounted her "magical" date to Jenny, who noted Ye Li Na looked "slimmer."
Ye Li Na confirmed that Jin Xingjian had inquired about the necklace, but she wisely claimed to have "bought it," not revealing it was from the master. Jenny praised her for being "so clever."
Episode 6 Recap
Ye Li Na, under the spell of the date seed pendant, continued to pursue Jin Xingjian at Lord Jia's mansion, even attempting to kiss him. Later that evening, still under the pendant's influence, Ye Li Na happily returned to Jenny's house to recount her "date" with Jin Xingjian. The next day, she returned to the mansion dressed in an alluring but eerie manner, claiming to be Jin Xingjian's girlfriend. Jin Xingjian, regaining his clarity, realized the necklace was an anomaly.
When Ye Li Na attacked him in a fit of rage, he swiftly subdued her, identified the date seed pendant as the source of her control, and neutralized its power, causing her to faint. Lord Jia, who initially misconstrued the scene as intimacy, rushed to assist after Jin Xingjian clarified she was demonically controlled and they discussed how to deal with the evil spirit in the pendant.
Jin Xingjian then took the pendant and followed its mystical trail to the residence of the "master," Mr. Red Bean of Love-sickness. The "master," who called himself Yue Lao's earthly manifestation and Cupid in the West, readily admitted to using the pendant to grant love wishes in exchange for human essence. He confessed to needing Jin Xingjian's blood to enhance his cultivation and threatened him when Jin Xingjian refused.
A battle ensued, in which Mr. Red Bean used a red jade seal he had acquired, which was a lost seal of the Shen family, believing it to be powerful. However, Jin Xingjian, the true owner of such seals, effortlessly gained control of it and defeated the date spirit. Under duress, Mr. Red Bean of Love-sickness revealed his true form as a 600-year-old date spirit.
He admitted to fabricating his earlier grand tale of being a 5,000-year-old date consumed by Peng Zu. His actual origin involved being excreted by an old Taoist priest whose constant practice of alchemy imbued him with a trace of divine aura, allowing him to gain wisdom and become a demon. He clarified that his use of date seed pendants to draw human essence was minor and driven by a desire for greater power, not malicious intent.
When confronted about the Zhang family massacre, Mr. Red Bean vehemently denied involvement, explaining that he discovered the family already dead and fled after attempting to steal their Bagua seal, recognizing the brutality as the work of a far more powerful entity than himself. Considering that Mr. Red Bean was not responsible for the Zhang family's demise, Jin Xingjian spared his life on the condition that he help locate other lost seals.
A few days later, Jin Xingjian and Ye Li Na departed for Shanghai after Jin Xingjian bid farewell to Lord Jia. On the journey, a shame-faced Ye Li Na apologized for her behavior, deeply embarrassed by her actions while under the pendant's influence. Jin Xingjian expressed understanding, acknowledging her desperation for love, and admitted to being drawn to her innocent and charming nature.
However, he gently but firmly rejected her romantic overtures, explaining that he already had someone he loved and encouraging her to forget him and move on. Ye Li Na found this difficult to accept. Meanwhile, Lord Jia, after concluding his affairs in Beiping, planned to follow Jin Xingjian to Shanghai in a few days. Meanwhile, Chen Lei's police force successfully ambushed and captured Lian Xuan.
During his transport back to the police station, Xiao Qing orchestrated a diversion, faking a cry for help that lured Chen Lei and most of his men away. She then freed Lian Xuan, spooking the remaining officer by pretending to be a ghost. Upon Jin Xingjian's return to Shanghai, Xiao Pi informed him of Lian Xuan's arrest and subsequent escape. Xiao Qing, despite saving Lian Xuan, continued to tease him, demanding he act as her follower for a day.
Lian Xuan, exasperated, struggled to comprehend Xiao Qing's contradictory actions—repeatedly tricking him yet always coming to his aid. Back at the police station, Bai Jin Gang was furious at the escape and ordered a city-wide manhunt for Lian Xuan. As a result of the manhunt, Lian Xuan disguised himself as an old man and reluctantly became Xiao Qing's constant companion, wandering aimlessly through the city. Xiao Qing eventually offered to buy him a meal to appease his grumbling.
Concurrently, in Shanghai, Ye Li Na remained deeply depressed by Jin Xingjian's rejection, refusing to eat or sleep. Her brother, Ye Qingchun, called a foreign doctor, who found no physical ailments and suggested a psychologist, leading Ye Qingchun to suspect she was lovesick. When Ye Li Na discovered that her brother had never met Jin Xingjian's beloved, she surmised that the other woman must be unattractive and was being hidden.
Reinvigorated by this thought, she declared she would not give up on Jin Xingjian until he was married, believing she still had a fighting chance. In her dreams, Ye Ming was continually visited by Yu Shao Bai, who subtly guided her, implying that Jin Xingjian was intentionally keeping them apart and that she would only meet him once she was truly free. Despite her repeated attempts to break free from the enchantment, Ye Ming remained confined.
Jin Xingjian, observing her frustration, attempted to soothe her by offering candies and personally folding origami roses for her. He tried to rationalize his decision to erase her memories as being "for her own good," but Ye Ming remained unconvinced, contrasting his inscrutable nature with Lian Xuan's straightforwardness. Despite her skepticism, she initially agreed to stop trying to recall her past.
Jin Xingjian then presented Ye Ming with a custom-made Western dress and high heels from Ye Qingchun, which she eagerly tried on, even practicing walking in the unfamiliar shoes. Jin Xingjian, reflecting on his actions, decided to grant Ye Ming more freedom. He removed the enchantment from her secret chamber and took her to explore Hua Xue Zhai. From the windows, Ye Ming observed the bustling modern world with a mix of fascination, loneliness, and confusion.
She asked about Mirador Restaurant, expressing her sense of unfamiliarity with this new world. She then decided to test Jin Xingjian's sincerity by declaring her intention to leave immediately and attempting to force her way out. Jin Xingjian swiftly blocked her, confirming her suspicion that he still did not fully trust her. Enraged, Ye Ming accused him of hypocrisy, asserting that his controlling behavior, far from being an act of love, was causing her immense pain.
She directly confronted him, recalling that a thousand years ago, he selfishly separated her from Yu Shao Bai and erased her memories. When Jin Xingjian offered no counter-explanation, Ye Ming concluded that his silence and actions constituted the deepest wound.
Episode 7 Recap
Confined in a secret room, Ye Ming confronted Jin Xingjian. She accused him of separating her from Yu Shao Bai and erasing her memories a thousand years ago for his selfish desires, recalling Lian Xuan's earlier words that Jin Xingjian (whom he called "Stone") had done so. Yet, she still clearly remembered Yu Shao Bai, which puzzled her. Jin Xingjian offered no alternative explanation, confirming her suspicions.
Meanwhile, a white mouse stealthily approached an inkstone on a curio shelf nearby, attempting to retrieve a talisman paper. An enchantment on the inkstone prevented its access. Jin Xingjian detected the disturbance but chose not to intervene, refraining from subduing the demon. The next day, Lord Jia arrived in Shanghai and immediately paid a visit to Hua Xue Gallery to see Jin Xingjian’s renowned collection of antiques.
Xiao Pi, Jin Xingjian's assistant, warmly greeted Lord Jia, acknowledging his master's close bond with him. Xiao Pi remarked that only Lord Jia shared Jin Xingjian's refined taste to truly appreciate the numerous treasures in the gallery, items he usually wasn't even allowed to touch. Lord Jia, a seasoned collector, expressed his profound love for antiques, calling them the most valuable treasures in the world, embodying craftsmanship, history, and beauty.
He stated that he would be content just to frequently admire and handle Jin Xingjian's collection. Jin Xingjian, in turn, extended his gratitude for Lord Jia's past hospitality in Beiping and affirmed his commitment to repaying his kindness. He promised to spare no effort if Lord Jia ever needed his assistance. Lord Jia, teasingly, asked for some premium scented tea, implying he might use it for a bath, which Jin Xingjian met with a rare jest, showing a lighter side.
Shortly after, a movie player arrived from the Hongkou Grand Theater. Jin Xingjian, hoping to entertain Ye Ming, set it up himself. Ye Ming was initially intrigued by the device, learning it was a French invention, but her interest quickly waned as she felt the weight of her captivity. She lamented that if he had let her go sooner, she would be watching movies freely in a cinema.
Jin Xingjian reiterated his promise to release her, but she retorted that it was "not the time yet," a phrase she found frustratingly repetitive. She complained about being tired of squab and uninterested in the movies, wishing for an end to her confinement, even if it meant her own or his death. Later, Ye Qingchun arrived with his sister, Ye Lina, to visit Jin Xingjian. Ye Qingchun expressed concern for Jin Xingjian's health, bringing American ginseng.
Ye Lina, still infatuated with Jin Xingjian, used the pretext of inquiring about a dress her brother had made for Jin Xingjian's "friend" to discreetly ask about his rumored sweetheart. She stated that her brother was eager to see how it looked on the friend. Jin Xingjian confirmed the dress suited "her," which Ye Lina interpreted as a confirmation of his affection for someone. Unable to contain her curiosity and rivalry, Ye Lina boldly demanded to see Jin Xingjian's sweetheart.
Jin Xingjian, visibly uncomfortable, remained silent for a moment before declaring himself tired and asking them to leave. Outside, Ye Lina pressed Xiao Pi for information, asking if he had ever seen Jin Xingjian's sweetheart. Xiao Pi, unaware of Ye Ming's presence, confirmed that no women, apart from visitors like Ye Lina herself, had ever been seen in Hua Xue Gallery.
Ye Lina concluded that Jin Xingjian had fabricated a sweetheart to reject her, despite her brother Ye Qingchun suggesting that Jin Xingjian had gone to great lengths to reject her. Undeterred, Ye Lina remained confident she still had a chance, even requesting her brother to make her a dress identical to the one he made for Jin Xingjian's mysterious friend. With wanted posters for Lian Xuan displayed throughout the city, Xiao Qing found them a hidden residence on the outskirts.
Lian Xuan, however, was restless. He confronted Xiao Qing, expressing his dissatisfaction with their living arrangements and asserting his intention to return to Hua Xue Gallery to "kill the old demon" Ye Ming, fearing unpredictable consequences. Xiao Qing argued against his reckless demon-hunting zeal, reminding him she had just rescued him and that he couldn't go back, but eventually agreed to accompany him, worried for his safety.
That night, Lian Xuan stealthily scaled the wall of Hua Xue Gallery, only to find Jin Xingjian already awaiting him. Jin Xingjian immediately scolded Lian Xuan, implying he should have kept quiet. Lian Xuan, frustrated, demanded to know why Ye Ming still remembered Yu Shao Bai, despite Jin Xingjian supposedly erasing her memories.
He argued that Ye Ming was dangerous, filled with resentment towards Jin Xingjian, and if Yu Shao Bai reappeared, it would only lead to a repeat of past tragedies, endangering more people. Jin Xingjian, however, remained resolute, telling Lian Xuan to mind his own business. Lian Xuan declared he must kill Ye Ming that day, prompting a physical confrontation. As they fought, Xiao Qing, who had been hiding nearby, was noticed by Jin Xingjian.
He urged Lian Xuan to leave, not wanting Xiao Qing to worry. Lian Xuan, climbing back over the wall, scorned Xiao Qing's offer of help, asserting his independence as a human before ultimately leaving through the main gate. Meanwhile, Lord Jia began experiencing peculiar events. After leaving Hua Xue Gallery, while purchasing a newspaper, he sensed someone behind him. Turning around, he saw a young woman holding an oil-paper umbrella, but she vanished in an instant, leaving the umbrella behind.
That night, a woman in white secretly entered his room as he slept, and he vaguely saw her by his bed. The next morning, he discovered a burnt-out candle on his bedside table. Confused, he summoned his attendant, who knew nothing about the candle. Lord Jia mused that it was as if he had seen a ghost. Pondering the strange occurrences, he recalled stories of spirits seeking humans either for revenge or love.
Since he had never offended anyone, he concluded that if the woman wasn't a ghost, she must be a demon, and her repeated appearances, without any harm, suggested she was drawn to him by love.
He found the idea rather "interesting" and recited a poem: "The spring breeze is blowing; The scent of the flowers fills the air but the moon is gone; I'm afraid the flowers will fall asleep late at night; So I light the candles and refuse to go to bed." Determined to uncover the truth, Lord Jia decided to set a trap.
That night, he lit a candle by his bed and pretended to be asleep, camera in hand, ready to "catch a ghost." The white-clad woman, Bai Yi, appeared again, silently entering his room and calling out "Sir." As she turned to leave, Lord Jia snapped a photo. With a flash of light, she vanished, leaving behind only a handkerchief. The next morning, he had the photo developed.
Analyzing the events, Lord Jia deduced that if she were an ill-intentioned demon, he would surely be dead. Her repeated, non-harmful visits and sudden disappearances indicated she wasn't a ghost but a demon, and her pursuit was driven by affection, confirming his earlier suspicion. As Lord Jia predicted, Bai Yi appeared again on the third night, this time materializing directly before him, which still gave him a start.
She introduced herself as Bai Yi and stated that she sought his help. Lord Jia, already anticipating her intentions, offered her the handkerchief she had left behind. She wasn't interested in the handkerchief, but when he presented her with an array of pastries he had specially prepared, she eagerly accepted, devouring them. Over the next few days, Bai Yi visited nightly, enjoying Lord Jia's hospitality. She initially came with a specific purpose but gradually found herself befriending him.
Lord Jia, delighted by her company, asked her to promise to visit him every day, as watching her eat boosted his own appetite. One evening, they played a dice game. Bai Yi, who had only just learned the game, surprisingly won, prompting Lord Jia to tease her by pretending he wouldn't honor his promise to help. When she became genuinely upset, he quickly appeased her, admitting he had deliberately lost to make her happy.
Bai Yi then revealed her request: she needed him to retrieve a talisman paper from an inkstone located on the second shelf of a curio cabinet in Hua Xue Gallery, assuring him it was harmless to humans. True to his word, Lord Jia went to Hua Xue Gallery, ostensibly to visit Jin Xingjian, bringing fresh fruits as a gift.
He skillfully sent Xiao Pi off to wash the fruits, using the opportunity to discreetly retrieve the talisman paper from the inkstone on the shelf. Jin Xingjian, observing Lord Jia's changed demeanor, subtly probed him, asking if he was "moved by that girl." He recalled Lord Jia's past obsession with the "Picture of Myna," for which he had even sold his ancestral home.
Lord Jia, a smile playing on his lips, confessed that while he was "impressed" by the painting, his feelings for Bai Yi were "more of true affection and love." He explained that he once believed he would spend his life surrounded by antiques, but meeting Bai Yi changed everything. He now found little interest in his treasures, consumed instead by thoughts of her desires and preferences.
When Jin Xingjian pressed further, asking what if she were to fall in love with someone else and leave, Lord Jia responded with profound sincerity: "Then, I'll let her go." He elaborated that true love meant respecting her decisions, otherwise, she would be no different from his inanimate treasures. Acknowledging their deep friendship, Lord Jia also asked for Jin Xingjian's understanding if he were to do anything that might seem to "let him down" in the future.
Returning home, Lord Jia found Bai Yi anxiously awaiting his return. She expressed worry that he might be unwilling to help her because she was a demon or because he didn't trust her. Lord Jia reassured her, confessing that his hesitation was only because he didn't want her to leave once her request was fulfilled. He wanted to continue seeing her. Bai Yi, touched, promised she would return and that after this task, she had nothing else to do.
She even offered to serve him as a maid. Lord Jia playfully suggested she serve him for thirty years, but Bai Yi stated she would leave if he were to marry. Lord Jia then declared that he had no plans for marriage, and despite her being a demon, he wished for her to stay with him always. He then directly confessed his love, saying, "Your eyes said it," acknowledging her unspoken feelings. With his sincere confession, they naturally became lovers.
Jin Xingjian, deeply affected by Lord Jia’s words about unconditional love and respect, was drawn into a painful memory. He recalled a past moment with Ye Ming, where she, in despair, pleaded with him to kill her, claiming that if she lived, Yu Shao Bai would continue to harm the world. He had refused, promising, "I don't want you to die. . . If I had a chance, I wouldn't have missed out on you."
Back in the present, Jin Xingjian brought Ye Ming a cup of tea, trying to be gentle, but she was crying after watching a movie where Lin Dai Yu died. He told her about Lord Jia falling in love with a "little white mouse," hoping to subtly draw parallels and convey his feelings. However, Ye Ming responded with coldness and anger.
She scoffed, suggesting that only someone like Jin Xingjian would lock up the one he loved, implying Lord Jia wouldn't do such a thing. She refused to engage in conversation, telling him she didn't want to see him and to leave.
Episode 8 Recap
Lord Jia presented Bai Yi with the talisman paper she desired. While handling it, she seemed to get a minor injury, to which Lord Jia showed concern. Seeing her intent to "repay his kindness" as described in storybooks, Lord Jia quickly intervened. He assured her his feelings were pure and respectful, not driven by improper desires. Curious about her purpose, he asked why she needed the talisman.
Bai Yi explained she sought to rescue her "sister," Ye Ming, who had saved her centuries ago. She recounted a time when she was a mere 100-year-old white mouse demon, nearly devoured by a 500-year-old snake demon. Ye Ming, a more powerful demon with thousands of years of cultivation, intervened, defeating the snake but suffering a bite from a venomous viper.
Despite Bai Yi's offer to suck out the venom, Ye Ming refused, explaining that Bai Yi's limited cultivation couldn't withstand the viper's potent poison. Ye Ming then urged Bai Yi to flee the snake-infested area. From that day on, Bai Yi vowed to repay Ye Ming’s kindness. However, with her own shallow cultivation, she couldn’t track Ye Ming’s whereabouts until she found her ten years prior, wounded and imprisoned in Jin Xingjian's basement.
Bai Yi was convinced that Jin Xingjian was a malicious demon, not only holding Ye Ming captive but also consuming other demons' essences to further his own cultivation. She recounted how many demons had fallen victim to him over the years, losing their cultivation without any mercy from Jin Xingjian. Lord Jia, who had always considered Jin Xingjian a good man, began to doubt his friend's true nature.
Bai Yi, determined to save Ye Ming, emphasized the danger due to Jin Xingjian's stringent security measures and enchanted key, admitting she had been waiting for an opportunity. Lord Jia first offered to go in her stead, but Bai Yi refused. Lord Jia then insisted on accompanying her, willing to face death if it meant helping her.
Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian brought Ye Ming food and attempted to describe the changes in the outside world, from emperors being replaced by presidents to new weapons like guns. Ye Ming, however, found his words a distraction, expressing her longing for freedom and demanding to know why he erased her memories. She pressed him, reminding him of their familial bond as brother and sister and assuring him she would not resent him, regardless of what he had done.
Jin Xingjian, however, remained resolute, refusing to reveal any information about Yu Shao Bai. Elsewhere, Lotus Xuan, still determined to eliminate Ye Ming, pondered his strategy. Recognizing that a frontal assault was futile, he opted for a cunning approach. Xiao Qing suggested he use a sleeping drug mixed with wine to incapacitate Jin Xingjian, creating a diversion. Lotus Xuan initially found the plan "despicable" but accepted it. Lacking funds, he borrowed money from Xiao Qing.
When Xiao Qing offered to accompany him to Hua Xue Gallery, Lotus Xuan questioned why a demon would follow a demon hunter into danger. Xiao Qing playfully challenged him to capture her, pointing out his constant threats to do so were never fulfilled. Lord Jia arrived at Hua Xue Gallery, inviting Jin Xingjian for a drink.
As they settled down, Jin Xingjian noticed Lord Jia sweating and subtly indicated his awareness of Lord Jia's underlying intentions, though he didn't confront him directly. Lord Jia eagerly poured his treasured wine, insisting Jin Xingjian drink. While Jin Xingjian remained sober, Lord Jia quickly became heavily intoxicated. In his drunken state, Lord Jia passionately confessed his love for Bai Yi, declaring he would do anything for her.
He then angrily accused Jin Xingjian of being a demon, consuming other demons' powers, and cruelly imprisoning Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian asserted that he was confining Ye Ming for her own good and dismissed the idea that he absorbed Yang energy. Lord Jia countered that women were not meant to be confined, arguing that locking up a person's body would not capture their heart, which would simply wander elsewhere.
As Lord Jia kept Jin Xingjian occupied, Bai Yi, in her original mouse form, silently slipped into the basement. Inside, Ye Ming was experiencing a vivid dream, seeing herself marrying Yu Shao Bai, only for his face to transform into Jin Xingjian’s. Bai Yi woke her, reminding her of their past, though Ye Ming, with her erased memories, could not recall Bai Yi. Still, sensing the urgency and threat from Jin Xingjian, Ye Ming agreed to escape.
Jin Xingjian, detecting the intrusion, moved to investigate, but Lord Jia blocked his path. Lord Jia then confessed his betrayal, apologizing profusely for his deception. He explained that his love for Bai Yi compelled him, and he would be a "villain" if he didn't help her. Jin Xingjian, understanding the complex nature of emotion, acknowledged that Bai Yi had done nothing wrong and chose not to hold Lord Jia accountable.
He then walked to the basement entrance and watched as Ye Ming and Bai Yi departed. However, as Ye Ming and Bai Yi entered the courtyard, they were confronted by Lotus Xuan, who had scaled the wall, two jars of wine in hand. Lotus Xuan, sensing the demon aura, mistakenly believed Bai Yi was an agent sent by Yu Shao Bai to "lure away" Ye Ming. He declared Ye Ming a dangerous influence and attacked Bai Yi.
Ye Ming intervened, attempting to shield Bai Yi, but Bai Yi was severely injured. Lord Jia rushed to Bai Yi's side. Jin Xingjian, having noted Ye Ming's untouched meal in the basement, soon arrived. Enraged by the situation, Lotus Xuan drew a blood-smeared money sword and aimed it at Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian intercepted the blow, but the sword, propelled by its momentum, veered towards Lord Jia.
Without hesitation, Bai Yi leaped in front of Lord Jia, taking the fatal strike. Bai Yi was gravely wounded, and even Jin Xingjian's powers could not save her. Disillusioned and believing Jin Xingjian's attempt to help was merely a pretense, Ye Ming led a distraught Lord Jia and the dying Bai Yi away, with Jin Xingjian offering no resistance. Despite Ye Ming's efforts to heal Bai Yi with her spiritual energy, it was in vain.
Recognizing her end, Bai Yi told Ye Ming that the life Ye Ming saved was now being returned. Bai Yi then used her last vestiges of power to erase Lord Jia's memories of her, hoping to spare him the agony of her loss, believing that forgetting could sometimes be a blessing. As Lord Jia carried her, he grew disoriented and weak, eventually collapsing. Bai Yi passed away in his arms, telling him that meeting him made her life complete.
The following morning, Lord Jia was awakened by a police officer, with no recollection of the night's events, only unexplained body aches. He returned to his mansion, where a servant presented him with a developed photograph of Bai Yi. Lord Jia found her beautiful but remembered nothing, a fleeting smile touching his lips as if recalling a distant dream. He mused on how his life, once set on perpetual bachelorhood, now stirred with a hint of emotion.
Meanwhile, Lotus Xuan, reflecting on Jin Xingjian's earlier warnings, began to question his own actions and expressed regret for severely injuring Bai Yi. Jin Xingjian reminded him that Bai Yi was a kind and loyal demon he had sheltered for ten years as she repaid Ye Ming's kindness, emphasizing that punishing evildoers should not come at the cost of innocent lives. Xiao Qing, finding Lotus Xuan still despondent, tried to console him.
She argued that demons, like humans, could choose their path, highlighting good deeds of other demons and questioning why they should be condemned solely for their nature or for loving humans. Lotus Xuan, however, remained firm in his belief that "humans and demons have different paths," asserting that any union with humans was inherently "against nature."
Jin Xingjian then explained to Lotus Xuan that he had allowed Ye Ming to leave Hua Xue Gallery to draw out Yu Shao Bai, whom he had been searching for over a decade. He instructed Lotus Xuan to keep a close watch on Ye Ming. Xiao Qing, who had been eavesdropping, materialized and sarcastically told Jin Xingjian that she would ensure Ye Ming's safety, advising him to cease lecturing Lotus Xuan. Upon learning of Ye Ming's departure from Hua Xue Gallery, Yu Shao Bai eagerly anticipated their reunion.
Episode 9 Recap
After leaving the Hua Xue Gallery, Ye Ming found herself in an unfamiliar and bewildering world. She was immediately confronted by a group of drunken wealthy young men who harassed her. She struck back at them. Fortunately, Xiao Tao intervened, diffusing the situation and offering Ye Ming a place to stay for the night, expecting the mysterious young woman to leave the next day.
However, Ye Ming had nowhere else to go and struggled to explain her background to Xiao Tao. She decided to stay, hoping to use her time to search for Yu Shao Bai. Xiao Tao understood Ye Ming's predicament and agreed to let her stay, on the condition that they split the twenty dollars monthly rent.
Ye Ming, who had no source of income, found the concept of "cash" and "work" foreign, confusing it with "silver" and "old ways," but she urgently needed a job. When she learned that Xiao Tao worked as a singer at the Xinxin Dance Hall, Ye Ming wanted to experience the world and begged to accompany her, believing it would be a lively place where she could easily inquire about Yu Shao Bai.
Xiao Tao, after initially resisting, reluctantly agreed to take her along to work. At the Xinxin Dance Hall, while Xiao Tao performed on stage, the club manager, Mr. Zhou, noticed Ye Ming gesturing towards Xiao Tao. Her striking appearance immediately caught his eye. Initially, he assumed she was a daughter from a distinguished family due to her refined demeanor.
However, upon learning that Ye Ming had run away from home and came to Shanghai specifically to find someone, Mr. Zhou offered to help her locate Yu Shao Bai, on the condition that she become a resident singer at the club. Ye Ming, who confessed she was not good at dancing but could sing, accepted his offer, captivating the audience and even Xiao Tao with her voice.
Ye Ming became the newest singer at Xinxin Dance Hall, her talent and beauty surpassing the other performers, making her a strong candidate for the top singer spot. Despite this, Xiao Tao, a popular singer herself who earned well and lived comfortably, remained kind-hearted and completely unfazed by others’ provocations. She bore no jealousy towards Ye Ming. Xiao Tao's true aspirations lay beyond the glitz and glamour of the nightclub.
She yearned for a quiet life, hoping to marry her beloved Yin Qing and start a family. Yin Qing was affectionately called "mute Yin" by the other girls due to his reserved nature and reluctance to engage with others, though he was deeply devoted to Xiao Tao. Yin Qing and Xiao Tao were of similar age, handsome, cultured, and generous, and their feelings for each other grew over time.
One evening, as Ye Ming and Xiao Tao left the dance hall, they encountered Yin Qing waiting for Xiao Tao. Ye Ming immediately recognized that he was no ordinary man, but seeing Xiao Tao’s affection for him, she chose not to expose his true nature at that moment, though a plan began to form in her mind.
Meanwhile, Lian Xuan, who had been secretly monitoring Ye Ming, reported back to Jin Xingjian at Hua Xue Gallery, expressing relief that Ye Ming was staying with a human. He recounted how Ye Ming almost got hit by a car, highlighting her unfamiliarity with the modern world. Lian Xuan, exasperated by Jin Xingjian's persistent focus on Ye Ming despite his impending thunder tribulation, reminded him of the danger to himself and, implicitly, to Ye Ming if he were to perish.
Lian Xuan also complained about being blamed by both Jin Xingjian and Xiao Qing for the death of the "little white mouse" (Bai Yi), lamenting that demon hunters were so despised. Elsewhere, Ye Qingchun was having a chaotic day. While enthusiastically purchasing what he believed to be the finest home-made fabric, he was swarmed by other vendors aggressively hawking their wares. In his frantic escape, he was scratched by a huge cat, almost causing a car accident.
He was admitted to the hospital where, after a dramatic display of concern for his "artistic hands" and a painful injection in his posterior, he learned his injuries were minor. However, his most capable worker, Liu Xiao Bing, had been severely injured in the same accident and would be bedridden for at least a year.
With Liu Xiao Bing out of commission, Ye Qingchun posted a "Now Hiring" sign but was disappointed by the stream of unsuitable applicants, some who performed strange tricks or spoke unintelligibly. Frustrated, he visited Hua Xue Gallery, sharing his woes with Jin Xingjian and praising Xiao Pi’s attentiveness and wit, only to be politely reminded by Jin Xingjian that Xiao Pi was indispensable at the gallery.
Shortly after Ye Qingchun left, Lord Jia arrived to bid farewell to Jin Xingjian, having acquired several treasures in Shanghai and now ready to return to Beiping. Jin Xingjian, realizing Lord Jia had no memory of their previous encounter and drinking session, and recalling Lord Jia's "inappropriate" behavior during that time, felt a pang of guilt and apologized for the past incident.
Lord Jia mentioned that he had heard of a jade seal similar to the one Jin Xingjian sought, found during wartime excavations in the north, and promised to inform Jin Xingjian if he discovered its whereabouts. Later, a young man named Ye Xiao Hu arrived at Ye Qingchun's clothing store seeking employment. Ye Qingchun was immediately struck by Xiao Hu's handsome appearance and refined manners, which seemed incongruous with applying for a servant's position.
He felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if they had met before. Xiao Hu explained that his family had recently gone bankrupt, forcing them to sell their mansion, and he wished to become self-reliant rather than be a burden. Impressed by Xiao Hu's sincere explanation, his ability to speak a "Western language," and his overall demeanor, Ye Qingchun hired him on the spot, offering him food and lodging in a vacant room behind the kitchen.
As Xiao Hu was changing into his uniform in the backyard, Jin Xingjian, passing by, recognized him. Meanwhile, Lian Xuan, in a theatrical Japanese disguise, also infiltrated the Hua Xue Gallery, though Xiao Pi quickly recognized him.
Episode 10 Recap
Ye Qingchun was extremely pleased with Xiao Hu, who spoke fluent foreign languages and maintained a constant smile, a surprisingly well-mannered young man to have hired in such a short time. Overjoyed, Ye Qingchun immediately took down the hiring sign and prepared a small room behind the kitchen for Xiao Hu to reside in. Soon after, Xiao Hu put on his new uniform, the first to wear the owner’s latest design, and began his duties at Christian Couture.
Ye Qingchun, noticing Xiao Hu's attentiveness when he brought him cappuccino, felt a peculiar familiarity with the new employee. Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian happened to pass by the clothing store and, upon seeing Xiao Hu, seemed to grasp something significant. Inside, Lian Xuan, still disguised as a Japanese man to avoid capture, informed Jin Xingjian that Ye Ming had gone to the Xinxin Dance Hall and was staying with a singer who had rescued her.
Believing it improper for a man to constantly follow a woman, Lian Xuan assigned Xiao Qing, whom he called "Caterpillar," to monitor Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian, complimenting Lian Xuan's disguise, told him he looked great no matter what he wore, a remark that left Lian Xuan slightly bewildered, unsure if it was a genuine compliment. As the clothing store reopened, the other employees struggled to attract customers.
Within days, all but Xiao Hu seemed to lose their drive, as he was exceptionally diligent and charming, able to delight every customer, male or female. This led to resentment among the other workers, who gossiped behind Xiao Hu's back, criticizing his appearance and speculating about his methods. Nevertheless, female customers were particularly fond of Xiao Hu, readily purchasing multiple Western dresses from him.
His sales performance quickly surpassed everyone else's, impressing Ye Qingchun, who then began to dream of expanding his business nationwide. Late one night, Xiao Hu secretly crept into the kitchen, his clear eyes transforming into glowing golden cat eyes as he greedily devoured raw meat from a basin, unaware he had been seen. The next day, other employees reported Xiao Hu's suspicious behavior to Ye Qingchun, claiming he was stealing raw meat.
Ye Qingchun initially dismissed their accusations as jealousy and unfair bullying, arguing that he provided plenty of good food and that no human would eat raw meat. However, when the kitchen's chef corroborated the story, confirming that raw meat consistently disappeared overnight since Xiao Hu moved in, Ye Qingchun grew concerned. He inspected the kitchen himself, finding it in disarray with bones scattered on the floor. While there was no direct proof, the evidence was unsettling.
Unable to cook in the messy kitchen, Ye Qingchun decided to order a lavish banquet from a nearby restaurant for everyone. Xiao Hu, upon seeing the spread, ate voraciously, but otherwise behaved normally during working hours. Later, an employee brought sunflowers sent by Madam Liang, but Xiao Hu quickly took them away, explaining that Ye Qingchun was allergic.
Ye Qingchun was surprised by Xiao Hu's knowledge and, accepting Xiao Hu’s explanation about his family having similar allergies, instructed that no sunflowers should be seen in the store, or even in the entire city. Another time, a female customer offered Xiao Hu some snacks, which he ate with such speed and enthusiasm that she found him endearing.
Despite these seemingly minor incidents, late one night, Ye Qingchun, drawn by rustling sounds, cautiously approached the kitchen and was horrified to witness Xiao Hu squatting on the ground, gnawing raw meat. Petrified, he froze. The next morning, Ye Qingchun, still shaken, rushed to the police station, struggling to articulate his bizarre encounter. That night, he was plagued by nightmares of Xiao Hu transforming into a wild cat.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ye Qingchun firmly decided he had to find a way to make Xiao Hu leave. Coincidentally, Lian Xuan, while at Jin Xingjian's residence (Hua Xue Gallery), detected a faint demonic aura emanating from Ye Qingchun’s neighboring residence. Eager to confront the demon, Lian Xuan prepared to act, but Jin Xingjian cautioned him, reminding him of the complexities of Bai Yi’s situation and suggesting they observe Ye Qingchun's decision first.
Jin Xingjian hinted that some people might choose to tolerate "pets," implying Ye Qingchun might not want the demon removed. Meanwhile, Ye Ming's debut performance at the Xinxin Dance Hall was met with thunderous applause. Wang Sha Sha, a fellow dancer consumed by jealousy, deliberately cut Ye Ming's stage costume. However, it was revealed that the dress belonged to Xiao Tao. Xiao Tao, enraged, grabbed scissors to retaliate against Sha Sha, but Ye Ming stepped in to calm the situation.
Unwilling to be drawn into such petty conflicts, Ye Ming decided to leave the dance hall early. As she exited, she encountered Jin Xingjian, who claimed he was there to enjoy her singing and expressed concern for her well-being. Ye Ming remained cold, accusing him of monitoring her and warning him not to speak of irrelevant matters. She confronted him about the past, particularly the erasure of Jia Beile's memory, questioning his motivations and what he was hiding.
Jin Xingjian explained that Bai Yi erased Jia Beile's memory to spare him pain and reassured Ye Ming that he would do anything for her, but never harm her. Still, Ye Ming, yearning for the truth about her past, told him that if he was unwilling to reveal it, he should stay out of her sight to avoid further futile arguments.
When Xiao Tao emerged and recognized Jin Xingjian from Hua Xue Gallery, Ye Ming simply dismissed him as "just a guest" and walked away with Xiao Tao. In the days that followed, Ye Ming's singing grew more captivating, quickly establishing her as the top performer at Xinxin Dance Hall.
Most of the other dancers acknowledged her talent, especially after Xiao Tao explained that Ye Ming had chosen to keep her salary the same as theirs, directing any additional earnings into a fund for their dowries. Only Wang Sha Sha continued to harbor resentment and sarcasm. As usual, Yin Qing arrived to pick up Xiao Tao after work.
Ye Ming pretended not to notice them, while Xiao Tao, in good spirits, suggested they all go for a late-night supper to celebrate Ye Ming's success. At a roadside stall, Xiao Tao cheerfully recounted how she and Yin Qing had met when she intervened to help him after he was swindled into paying five dollars for a chicken.
Ye Ming listened intently, occasionally making subtle, probing comments, but Xiao Tao, in her innocence, failed to recognize them as warnings about Yin Qing’s true nature. Xiao Tao drank glass after glass, eventually becoming heavily intoxicated. Yin Qing carried the drunk Xiao Tao home. Although Xiao Tao was feigning sleep, she clung to him, appreciating his tender care. Yin Qing gently tucked her into bed and, before leaving, kissed her forehead, which filled Xiao Tao with secret joy.
Worried about Xiao Tao's safety, Ye Ming waited for Yin Qing outside her door. She confronted him, acknowledging her prior knowledge of his demonic nature and his apparent recognition of hers, and questioned his presence near Xiao Tao. Yin Qing openly admitted to being a Blood Bat, but swore he had never consumed human blood, relying solely on chicken blood.
He pleaded with Ye Ming to allow his love for Xiao Tao, assuring her he only wished to protect her from afar. Ye Ming, sensing his sincerity and noting his weakened demonic aura after a brief test, realized he truly loved Xiao Tao. She spared his life but issued a stern warning: if he ever harmed Xiao Tao, she would destroy him.
Yin Qing then begged Ye Ming to keep his demon identity a secret from Xiao Tao, a request Ye Ming agreed to consider. Later, Xiao Tao confided in Ye Ming about her deep love for Yin Qing, lamenting her "lowly" status compared to him and expressing fear of his eventual departure.
Ye Ming, recalling the love story of Bai Yi and Jia Beile, assured Xiao Tao that social status was irrelevant in matters of the heart and encouraged her to pursue happiness. Ye Ming prompted Xiao Tao, asking if she would still love Yin Qing even if it meant heartbreak or losing her life. Xiao Tao affirmed her devotion, stating that even a single day of happiness with him would be worth any sacrifice.
Ye Ming, acknowledging her limited understanding of love, supported Xiao Tao's decision, emphasizing the rarity of finding an interesting person and the inherent value of freedom and fleeting joys in life.
Episode 11 Recap
After witnessing Xiao Hu eating raw meat, Ye Qingchun was terrified and determined to dismiss him. Despite Xiao Hu's seemingly pitiful demeanor, Ye Qingchun steeled his heart against any enchantment and let his staff push Xiao Hu out of the clothing store. That night, Jin Xingjian encountered Yin Qing at the dance hall entrance. Ye Ming, however, ignored Jin Xingjian and on her way home, noticed someone following her.
Jin Xingjian knew the One-Eyed General was lurking in the dark and warned Ye Ming to be vigilant and not to rely on him to find Yu Shao Bai. Ye Ming refused to listen and acted on her own, but Jin Xingjian did not insist, instead quietly following behind to ensure her safety. Later, a Blood Bat appeared before Ye Ming but vanished as soon as Jin Xingjian arrived.
Ye Ming confronted Jin Xingjian, accusing him of holding back information and preventing her from finding Yu Shao Bai. Jin Xingjian warned her that the Blood Bat was not benevolent, but Ye Ming remained headstrong, asserting her right to seek the truth on her own. She also pointed out that Jin Xingjian himself was not seen as a good demon by others. Jin Xingjian insisted on protecting her, quietly following her home.
That night, Ye Ming dreamt of Yu Shao Bai. Meanwhile, in his bed, Ye Qingchun turned over and was terrified to find a large, warm presence beside him. Xiao Hu was curled up on the duvet like a contented cat, sleeping soundly. The next morning, Ye Qingchun woke to an empty bed, assuming it was a nightmare. However, when he went downstairs, he found Xiao Hu diligently working as usual.
Ye Qingchun, confused, questioned his staff about why Xiao Hu was still there, reminding them that he had been fired. To his dismay, the staff members exchanged puzzled glances, seemingly having no memory of the previous day's events, while Xiao Hu maintained an innocent expression. Realizing everyone had lost their memory, and disturbed by Xiao Hu's increasingly innocent smile, Ye Qingchun was terrified. He immediately climbed the wall to sneak into Hua Xue Gallery, seeking help.
However, Jin Xingjian had anticipated his arrival and had Xiao Pi intercept him. Xiao Pi explained that Jin Xingjian was aware of the "beast" in his home and had already arranged for a demon hunter to visit. Lian Xuan soon arrived, eager to undertake the demon-hunting mission, as Jin Xingjian had informed him earlier that Yu Shao Bai was starting to act and had given Lian Xuan a different task from following Ye Ming.
Inside Ye Qingchun's store, Lian Xuan prepared to confront the demon. Xiao Hu, recognizing Lian Xuan as a demon hunter, deliberately shattered several perfume bottles, mixing their strong scent with his own faint demonic aura, making it difficult for Lian Xuan to pinpoint him. Xiao Hu then used the pretense of airing out the strong perfume smell to open a door and escape, but Lian Xuan caught him in pursuit.
The two fought fiercely; Lian Xuan, despite his efforts, was injured and forced to retreat, while Xiao Hu was also wounded and his clothes torn before he fled. Bewildered by Xiao Hu's unexpected strength for a seemingly minor demon, Lian Xuan returned to Hua Xue Gallery, recounting his embarrassing experience to Jin Xingjian. He complained that Xiao Hu, whose demonic aura was barely detectable, managed to injure him and tear his clothes, making him a public spectacle.
Jin Xingjian then revealed that Xiao Hu possessed one of his Bagua Seals, explaining why Lian Xuan was no match. Lian Xuan, furious that Jin Xingjian had sent him on a mission knowing the demon had a powerful artifact, accused him of being cunning. Jin Xingjian calmly dismissed his anger, telling him to rest and assuring him that he had other plans for Ye Ming. Later, Xiao Qing attended to Lian Xuan's scratches.
Injured, Xiao Hu sought refuge in the familiar alley behind Ye Qingchun's house, reminiscing about the time a young Ye Qingchun had found him, an injured stray cat, and gently offered him milk to heal. He remembered being adopted, fed well, and even slept in Ye Qingchun's arms. Xiao Hu thought about how much he loved Ye Qingchun, who loved him back. However, when Ye Qingchun went abroad for studies, his father, who disliked cats, abandoned Xiao Hu far away.
Despite this, Xiao Hu felt no resentment. He remained devoted to repaying Ye Qingchun's kindness, believing that Ye Qingchun simply didn't remember him and wouldn't harm him if he did. He only wanted to stay by his side forever. In the following days, Xiao Hu continued to sneak into Ye Qingchun's bedroom each night to sleep beside him.
Every morning, regardless of how many times Xiao Hu was chased away, the staff would forget the previous day's events and resume their work as if nothing happened. Desperate, Ye Qingchun tried to play along, seeking opportunities to escape. He attempted to distract Xiao Hu by claiming his design drawings had blown away, but Xiao Hu quickly retrieved them.
He then tried to escort a female customer home as an excuse to leave the shop, but Xiao Hu insisted on accompanying them all the way. Finally, Ye Qingchun tried to climb the wall of Hua Xue Gallery again, but Xiao Hu caught him just as he was making his escape. Suddenly, Jin Xingjian appeared at Ye Qingchun's shop. With a sweep of his hand, he stopped time, freezing everyone.
He confronted Xiao Hu, restraining him effortlessly, and questioned why he continued to stay with Ye Qingchun despite the poor treatment. Xiao Hu confessed his past, explaining his unwavering loyalty to Ye Qingchun, who had shown him immense kindness as a stray cat. He recounted how he found the Bagua Seal and used it to transform into human form solely to return and be by Ye Qingchun's side, never having used it for ill.
He pleaded with Jin Xingjian to let him remain with Ye Qingchun, even if it meant Ye Qingchun eventually died of old age, which Jin Xingjian pointed out would inevitably happen in a hundred years. Seeing Xiao Hu's sincere and benevolent heart, Jin Xingjian decided to spare his life. He demanded the return of the Bagua Seal, promising that Xiao Hu could still stay by Ye Qingchun's side. Tearfully, Xiao Hu surrendered the seal.
A flash of light enveloped him, and he transformed back into a small cat, immediately leaping into Ye Qingchun's waiting arms. Jin Xingjian then remarked that being a cute cat was better than being a demon. Meanwhile, at the nightclub, Jin Xingjian confronted Yin Qing, revealing his nature as a Blood Bat. Yin Qing admitted his true nature but firmly denied any knowledge of Yu Shao Bai.
He expressed his sole desire to live peacefully with Xiao Tao, whom he loved. Ye Ming, Xiao Tao, and Yin Qing then left the nightclub together, with Ye Ming pointedly ignoring Jin Xingjian. Xiao Tao remarked that Jin Xingjian seemed enchanted by Ye Ming and they would now have company while waiting for her. Jin Xingjian had other matters to attend to that night, and the trio departed.
Separately, Yu Shao Bai was informed that Jin Xingjian had acquired another seal. However, Yu Shao Bai remained confident, knowing that as long as he held one of the seals, Jin Xingjian would be powerless. He reiterated that his ultimate goal was Ye Ming. The next day, Ye Qingchun, with the little cat (Xiao Hu) nestled in his arms, visited Jin Xingjian to express his gratitude for resolving the "demon crisis."
He showed off his "new pet," marveling at its rare patterns, similar to one he had seen in Europe. He fondly recalled having a cat as a child, which he eventually lost, and expressed how much he loved this new "treasure." Jin Xingjian, understanding the situation, gently stroked the cat's head, saying that animals are intelligent and remember kindness.
Later, as Ye Ming and Xiao Tao walked past Hua Xue Gallery after Ye Ming received her salary, Xiao Tao suggested shopping for a new dress, replacing the one damaged by Shasha. They chatted about candied haws, with Ye Ming vaguely recalling a trip to the capital long ago but not a specific shop called Xinyuanzhai. Jin Xingjian, watching them from inside Hua Xue Gallery, received a panicked report from Lian Xuan about suspected demon attacks in the city. Jin Xingjian, however, instructed him to remain silent as Ye Ming passed by, not wanting her to overhear their conversation.
Episode 12 Recap
Ye Qingchun, a fashion designer, found himself in a creative rut, unable to produce new clothing lines. His shop staff were idle, and noblewomen constantly pressed for new designs. Just as he was struggling for inspiration, Xiao Tao arrived with Ye Ming, whose striking beauty immediately captivated Ye Qingchun and sparked a torrent of ideas. He declared that he would create a masterpiece for her.
Xiao Tao, a regular client, remarked on Ye Qingchun’s selective design process, noting that her own outfits took a week to complete, while Ye Ming’s would be ready in just one day. Ye Qingchun defended his methods, stating that while he put great thought into Xiao Tao's designs, Ye Ming’s presence brought him an "abundance of inspiration," and that "Christian" (his shop/brand) always aimed for perfection.
Xiao Tao, aware of Ye Qingchun’s popularity, joked that Ye Ming was receiving a huge honor by getting a custom design from him. As Ye Ming and Xiao Tao walked past the Hua Xue Gallery, Jin Xingjian, from inside, sensed Ye Ming’s presence and watched her intently until she disappeared from view. Later, he instructed Lian Xuan to keep an eye on Xiao Tao’s boyfriend, Yin Qing.
Jin Xingjian explained that although Yin Qing’s demonic aura was faint and he wasn't the direct murderer, he had a close connection to the recent string of "Blood Bat" attacks. Lian Xuan, initially surprised that he couldn’t detect the aura, playfully blamed his diminished senses on spending too much time with Xiao Qing.
He also worried that if Yin Qing was an associate of Yu Shao Bai, Ye Ming could be in danger, especially given that the previous victims were dancers, just like Ye Ming. Lian Xuan expressed his frustration that he couldn't openly hunt demons. Jin Xingjian, however, assured him that the demons emerged at night and instructed Lian Xuan to arrange a visit to the morgue to examine the latest victim's body.
That evening, after Ye Ming's performance, Mr. Zhou presented her with a selection of photos for an upcoming special performance. He promised to hang them across an entire floor the following Saturday, expecting the event to attract "all the influential officials and businessmen in The Bund." Ye Ming selected her favorite photo.
Meanwhile, a dancer named Wang Shasha, feeling overshadowed by Ye Ming’s success and lamenting her decreasing income, complained about her financial struggles and her inability to send money home for her mother’s medicine. On her way home, she was tragically attacked by a demon. Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing, tracking a demonic aura, arrived too late, finding only Wang Shasha’s lifeless body. Lian Xuan, returning to Jin Xingjian, expressed remorse for failing to intercept the demon despite sensing its presence.
He also criticized the incompetent police officer, Bai Jin Gang, for dismissing similar deaths as mere robberies. With the victims all being dancers and killed in the same manner, Lian Xuan urged Jin Xingjian to act quickly to prevent further loss of life, including Ye Ming's. Jin Xingjian, still pensive about the bite marks on the victims' necks, agreed to examine the dancer's body at the morgue the following night. Later that night, Yin Qing walked Xiao Tao home.
They shared a tender kiss at her doorstep before parting ways. The next morning, Xiao Tao, radiant with happiness, shared breakfast with Ye Ming. She declared her decision to live for herself, expressing that her life would be worthwhile if she could spend it with the one she loved. Hearing Xiao Tao's joyful words, Ye Ming was reminded of Yu Shao Bai from her dreams, strengthening her resolve to find him.
Xiao Tao playfully suggested Jin Xingjian might be Ye Ming’s beloved, praising his status and good looks, but Ye Ming brushed it off, referring to him as "Little Stone" and denying any romantic involvement. Separately, Ye Li Na, missing Jin Xingjian and distraught over her exam results, confided in her brother, Ye Qingchun. She was horrified to learn that he had developed an interest in Jin Xingjian's beloved, whom Ye Li Na saw as a "lowly dancer."
Ye Qingchun defended Ye Ming, insisting she was "not" an improper girl, and urged his sister to stop interfering with Jin Xingjian’s affections. Determined to understand the dancer’s allure, Ye Li Na, disguised as a man, visited the Xinxin Dance Hall, arriving just as Ye Ming’s special performance was beginning. At the same time, Yin Hao, a Blood Bat disguised as a wealthy young master, also arrived at the Xinxin Dance Hall.
Initially there to monitor Ye Ming, his attention was quickly diverted by Ye Li Na's extravagant spending. Annoyed by Yin Hao's ostentatious display of wealth, Ye Li Na ordered the most expensive liquor to outdo him. While watching Ye Ming perform, Ye Li Na openly admired her beauty. When Yin Hao sent ten bouquets of flowers to Ye Ming, Ye Li Na, in a fit of competitiveness, sent double that amount.
Yin Hao then attempted to flirt with Ye Li Na by reciting a classical poem, subtly implying a comparison to a courtesan, which Ye Li Na found "despicable" and called him "despicable." She challenged him to drink the expensive wine he had ordered, criticizing him for merely showing off. Later, Xiao Tao met Yin Qing by the bridge as planned. She confided in him that her contract would end in three days, and she might have to return to Hangzhou.
Yin Qing asked if she "must go." Xiao Tao admitted her reluctance to leave Shanghai, a place she had grown fond of, but explained she had no family or support there, unlike other dancers who had returned home to marry. Yin Qing, after some hesitation, declared that if she returned to Hangzhou, he would go with her. Xiao Tao expressed concern about him facing hardship in an unfamiliar place, but he insisted he was willing.
He then asked if she loved him. Xiao Tao called him a "silly boy" and pointed out his consistent presence and devotion as proof of her love. Xiao Tao then made a profound confession, stating she would stay in Shanghai to "live with you." Yin Qing appeared conflicted. Xiao Tao, anticipating his hesitation, acknowledged his status as a young master from a scholarly family, understanding that his family might not accept a dancer.
She reassured him that her love for him was genuine, not for his background, and she would even forgo a wedding if it meant being with him. Yin Qing still had "some difficulties," and Xiao Tao, thinking it was financial, generously offered her savings of over 3,000 in Li Xing Bank, suggesting they could start a small business or open a shop, even if it took years to turn a profit.
Deeply moved by her sincerity, Yin Qing finally embraced her and vowed, "Since you treat me with such sincerity, I won't let you down." They shared a passionate kiss under the falling snow, a testament to their newfound love. Meanwhile, Ye Li Na, in her drinking contest with Yin Hao, quickly became intoxicated and accidentally revealed her disguise by losing her fake mustache, piquing Yin Hao's interest.
Episode 13 Recap
Ye Li Na, heavily intoxicated and claiming to be a "god of wine," was seen being led away by Yin Hao after her shift at the Xinxin Dance Hall. Concerned for Ye Li Na's safety, Ye Ming followed them. In a secluded alley, just as Yin Hao intended to harm her, Ye Ming intervened. She confronted Yin Hao, exposing his true demonic nature, which she had sensed in the dance hall earlier.
She condemned him for preying on the innocent, and in the ensuing skirmish, Yin Hao quickly realized he was no match for her. Fleeing from Ye Ming, Yin Hao soon encountered Jin Xingjian, who demanded to know if he was the murderer of the dancers. Yin Hao boldly admitted to the killings but feigned ignorance when asked about Yu Shao Bai's whereabouts.
As Jin Xingjian prepared to extract his inner elixir, a swarm of hundreds of bats suddenly appeared, distracting Jin Xingjian and allowing the one-eyed general, Su Ran, to rescue Yin Hao. Grateful, Yin Hao listened as Su Ran, revealing his identity as a general serving the King, offered him an opportunity to restore the Yin clan. Eager to revive his family's standing, Yin Hao immediately pledged his loyalty.
Su Ran then instructed Yin Hao to involve his brother, Yin Qing, and the singer Xiao Tao, in their plans. Meanwhile, Ye Ming helped the confused Ye Li Na, who was still insisting she was "Mr. Ye," back to her home, commenting on how peculiar women could be. Yin Qing escorted Xiao Tao to her doorstep. Xiao Tao, still in a daze from his earlier confession, sought reassurance about his love and their future together.
Yin Qing confirmed his feelings, then wrapped his jacket around her, urging her to go inside before they exchanged goodbyes and promises to meet the next day. As Xiao Tao went in, Yin Qing's smile faded, and he sensed Yin Hao's presence. Yin Hao, displeased with Yin Qing's human attachments, confronted him, chastising him for straying from their Blood Bat nature.
He brought up Yin Qing's past with the scholarly Wen family, where Yin Qing had lived as a human and was cherished by Mr. Wen, who even intended to marry his daughter to him. Yin Hao then brutally revealed that he had murdered the entire Wen family, graphically describing the sweetness of their blood, especially the daughter's.
Enraged, Yin Qing demanded to know why he had killed the innocent Mr. Wen, but Yin Hao only mocked him further, calling him useless for refusing human blood. He then offered Yin Qing a vial of pure virgin's blood, which Yin Qing refused to drink. Exasperated, Yin Hao threatened Xiao Tao's life. Desperate to protect her, Yin Qing begged his brother to spare her, promising to agree to anything Yin Hao asked.
Yin Hao sinisterly accepted his brother's promise, holding Xiao Tao's life as leverage to make him cooperate in the plans to restore the Yin clan. Elsewhere, Lian Xuan was furious to learn that Yin Hao had been rescued by the one-eyed general. He blamed Jin Xingjian for allowing Ye Ming to awaken, which he believed had provided Yu Shao Bai with an opportunity to act.
Jin Xingjian retorted, reminding Lian Xuan that the entire predicament stemmed from Lian Xuan's own carelessness in losing the painting that sealed Yu Shao Bai. Jin Xingjian then revealed that he had discovered Yu Shao Bai possessed a crucial seal during his previous visit to Beiping. Realizing Yu Shao Bai's plans were already in motion, Lian Xuan panicked, but Jin Xingjian calmly asserted that Yu Shao Bai's eventual return was inevitable.
The following morning, Yin Qing, driven by a desire to protect Xiao Tao and take her away from potential trouble, went to Lao Feng Xiang Jewelry Shop before opening hours to order their largest wedding ring. He then secretly entered Xiao Tao's home, waking her. She, initially thinking she was dreaming, was overjoyed when Yin Qing presented the ring and proposed. She eagerly accepted, declaring she would marry him even without the ring.
Her joyful scream, however, startled Ye Li Na, who was sleeping in the living room. Peeking into the room, Ye Li Na accidentally witnessed Xiao Tao and Yin Qing passionately kissing, causing her to quickly and awkwardly close the door. After buying breakfast, Ye Ming saw Xiao Tao and Yin Qing leaving hand-in-hand.
Ye Li Na, still disguised as a man, gossiped with Ye Ming about the couple, recounting that Ye Ming had brought her home last night when she was too drunk to remember, even hugging her. Assuming Ye Ming was charmed by her "male" persona, Ye Li Na boldly invited her to lunch, unaware that her fly was open. Ye Ming subtly pointed this out, sending Ye Li Na scrambling off in embarrassment.
Later, Ye Li Na was outraged by a newspaper headline claiming Jin Xingjian had married his eighth concubine, dismissing it as fake news. She passionately declared Jin Xingjian her "lover," describing him as Shanghai's most eligible bachelor, noble, elegant, indifferent to women, and only having one young male servant.
Unaware that Ye Ming was Jin Xingjian's love interest, Ye Li Na expressed her unwavering devotion to him, hoping to win his heart despite knowing he had unrequited love for someone else. She even suggested Ye Ming consider her brother, Ye Qingchun, an artist and "trendsetter" who was also Jin Xingjian's neighbor, as a match, envisioning a future where they would all be neighbors and relatives. Meanwhile, Ye Qingchun was distraught when Ye Li Na didn't come home.
He lied to their father on the phone, claiming she was sleeping upstairs, while secretly dispatching his workers to find her. When a worker reported that Ye Li Na had been seen at Xinxin Dance Hall leaving with a wealthy man named Yin, Ye Qingchun was furious, vowing to "skin her alive." Just then, Ye Li Na burst into the store, complaining of body aches from sleeping on a couch.
She clarified that Ye Ming had taken her home after she got drunk at the dance hall. Ye Li Na then launched into effusive praise for Ye Ming, describing her as the "most perfect woman" with a "goddess-like elegance" but without high-and-mighty arrogance. Ye Qingchun, trying to discuss his worries, was repeatedly interrupted by his sister's excited chatter, leaving him exasperated and wondering if her mind was alright.
Later, Yin Qing took Xiao Tao to visit his home, a luxurious mansion nestled deep in the secluded forest. Xiao Tao was amazed by the opulence, happily envisioning their life there. Yin Qing, though relieved by her happiness, cautioned her about the isolated location, reminding her it meant being "disconnected from the outside world" and that there would only be the two of them. Xiao Tao, however, pledged her unwavering commitment, telling him she would "share his joys and sorrows."
Yin Qing, eager to start their life together, urged her to move in the very next day, offering to pay any breach of contract fees if she resigned from the dance hall early. Xiao Tao agreed. The following day at the Xinxin Dance Hall, Xiao Tao learned of the murder of their colleague, Wang Sha Sha, which left the other dancers distraught and fearing for their own lives due to the police's indifference.
They lamented that dancers like them, often orphans or abandoned, had no one to care if they lived or died, especially under the jurisdiction of Director Bai. Amidst the somber mood, Xiao Tao announced her decision to quit singing, explaining that Yin Qing wanted her to move in immediately. When some dancers questioned Yin Qing's wealth, Xiao Tao proudly showed them the wedding ring he had given her, asserting his financial capability.
She then informed the manager of her resignation and was advised to be cautious on her way home, as things were "not peaceful lately." Later, Director Bai arrived at the Xinxin Dance Hall, ostensibly to investigate the recent murders, sent by his superiors. Manager Zhou warmly greeted him, promoting Ye Ming, who was performing on stage, as their new star and destined to be the most famous singer in Shanghai. Director Bai, captivated by Ye Ming's beauty, dismissed the manager's attempts to entertain him, stating his intention to "question her backstage later," hinting at motives beyond his official duties.
Episode 14 Recap
Although Xiao Tao was reluctant to leave her sisters at the dance hall, she yearned to grow old with Yin Qing. She decided to say goodbye, despite her sisters' objections who felt Yin Qing was unsuitable for her, with only Ye Ming supporting her decision. Xiao Tao packed her belongings, preparing to leave the dance hall and start a new life with Yin Qing.
Ye Ming expressed her sadness, and Xiao Tao gave Ye Ming her most cherished dress, a gift from a general from her days as a top singer in Hangzhou. She told Ye Ming that only she could truly showcase its charm. Ye Ming suggested Xiao Tao could still return to sing, but Xiao Tao, now “Mrs. Yin,” made it clear she was moving on.
They shared a heartfelt farewell, acknowledging it was their last day living together, and Xiao Tao expressed how much she would miss Ye Ming. The Xinxin Dance Hall manager welcomed Deputy Chief Bai Jin Gang, who stated that he was investigating a series of recent murders of female entertainers in Shanghai, as ordered by his superiors. Bai Jin Gang’s attention was caught by Ye Ming’s performance.
Driven by lust, he then entered the backstage area, clearing everyone out to speak with Ye Ming privately. He introduced himself as the Deputy Chief of the Shanghai Police Bureau and explained that he believed a psychopath was targeting beautiful women. He offered increased police protection for Ye Ming due to her beauty. Ye Ming politely declined, suggesting he deploy his forces elsewhere as she had no need for protection.
Bai Jin Gang, surprised by her refusal, implied she might be the culprit. Ye Ming challenged his baseless suspicion, but Bai Jin Gang declared that from that day forward, he would personally escort her to and from work to ensure her safety and prove her innocence should further incidents occur. Ye Ming understood he intended to place her under surveillance. She asked him to leave, explaining she needed to change.
Just as he was leaving, Bai Jin Gang received a message from his subordinate that his commander had orders to leave the city that night. He told Ye Ming he would visit her again. Meanwhile, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing were eating at a noodle stall near the dance hall, observing the many patrolling officers. Xiao Qing sensed a demonic aura and suggested retreating.
They overheard other dancers discussing how Bai Jin Gang had taken an interest in Ye Ming and was not someone to be offended. Lian Xuan realized he needed to inform Jin Xingjian. As they were leaving, police recognized Lian Xuan, who was wanted from the Deng Yun Pavilion incident, and a chase ensued. Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing fled into an alley, with Xiao Qing noting Lian Xuan’s speed.
Lian Xuan, disheveled and smelling bad from hiding, returned to Jin Xingjian’s residence. Jin Xingjian immediately commented on his stench. Lian Xuan, exasperated, complained about Jin Xingjian staying comfortably indoors while he risked being arrested trying to keep an eye on Ye Ming. He finally relayed the news that Bai Jin Gang had taken a keen interest in Ye Ming and might cause her trouble.
As Lian Xuan had expected, Jin Xingjian's usual calm demeanor visibly shifted at the mention of Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian questioned why Lian Xuan hadn’t done anything, to which Lian Xuan defensively explained that revealing himself would lead to his arrest and Jin Xingjian would lose his informant, not to mention it wouldn’t deter Bai Jin Gang from Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian silently acknowledged the point, while Lian Xuan grumbled about his “stubborn and mean” nature.
Ye Li Na went to her brother Ye Qingchun’s clothing shop, but he was out. Despite a worker’s protest, she searched and found a beautiful white dress in a cupboard. Unbeknownst to her, it was a defective dress her brother had made for Jin Xingjian, with an unsewn waistline. Ye Qingchun later returned, realized Ye Li Na had taken the dress, and worried she would cause trouble.
Later, Ye Li Na wore the dress to the Xinxin Dance Hall and saw Ye Ming wearing an identical one. Recognizing it as a special dress her brother had made, she concluded that Ye Ming must be Jin Xingjian’s lover. Ye Ming denied being Jin Xingjian’s lover but confirmed he had given her the dress, clarifying that their relationship was not romantic and that she did not like him.
Ye Li Na felt relieved, but then noticed the unsewn waistline of her dress, mistakenly thinking she had gained weight. Embarrassed, she later left, frustrated by the situation. Outside the dance hall, Deputy Chief Bai Jin Gang tried to invite Ye Ming for a romantic late-night supper. Ye Ming bluntly refused, telling him he was “not good enough for her.” As Bai Jin Gang was about to retaliate, Jin Xingjian appeared.
He offered to share a drink with Bai Jin Gang, who retorted that he hadn’t forgotten Jin Xingjian’s previous interference that led to him being reprimanded by his superior. Jin Xingjian firmly told Bai Jin Gang to excuse himself, reminding him that Ye Ming had already clearly rejected his advances. Bai Jin Gang, though annoyed, reluctantly agreed to postpone their drink and left, vowing to “catch up next time.”
Ye Li Na, witnessing the interaction, questioned Ye Ming again about her feelings for Jin Xingjian. Jin Xingjian interjected, confirming that Ye Ming “indeed doesn’t like me.” Pleased, Ye Li Na unknowingly exposed her unsewn waistline. Jin Xingjian discreetly covered her with his jacket and offered to escort her home. As Jin Xingjian escorted Ye Ming home, she told him not to follow her.
He warned her against offending “despicable men” like Bai Jin Gang, explaining it would make her life difficult in Shanghai. Jin Xingjian was also hoping to use Bai Jin Gang's connections to find Yu Shao Bai, so Ye Ming's defiance could complicate his plans. Ye Ming, unafraid, countered that if he had simply told her the truth, none of these complications would have arisen.
Jin Xingjian questioned if she would believe him, asserting that everyone perceives truth differently, and she would only believe what she saw. He insisted on accompanying her to protect her from Bai Jin Gang’s harassment. Ye Ming stated she would not be grateful for his help. Jin Xingjian replied that he never sought her gratitude. He noticed she was still wearing the white dress he gave her, but Ye Ming dismissed it as “just a dress” that meant nothing.
She then told him that while he might know she likes white, he should also know that he is “really annoying.” At her doorstep, Jin Xingjian asked if the truth was “really that important.” Ye Ming affirmed its importance, revealing that Yu Shao Bai claimed Jin Xingjian had separated them and erased her memories.
She explained that she would despise anyone else for such an act, but since Jin Xingjian was like a brother to her—the only family she had found in this world—she refused to believe it. Feeling lost without an explanation, she constantly wondered about his reasons. Ye Ming called him “Little Stone” as she walked upstairs, disappointed by his silence.
Watching her go, Jin Xingjian thought to himself that if she knew the truth, she would suffer even more than she already was. Meanwhile, Bai Jin Gang was enraged by Jin Xingjian’s repeated interference and public humiliation. He told his subordinate that it was no longer about women, but about his “pride.” He fumed that Jin Xingjian, despite his reputation, had dared to disrespect him.
He also complained about the elusive suspect from Deng Yun Pavilion (Lian Xuan) who had escaped their grasp, which prevented him from dealing with Jin Xingjian more effectively. Bai Jin Gang vowed to search every corner of Shanghai to find that person. Elsewhere, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing were still out, arguing good-naturedly.
Lian Xuan commented that Ye Ming and Jin Xingjian seemed like “a good pair,” leading to a humorous debate with Xiao Qing about what constitutes a “good pair,” with Lian Xuan declaring himself a “gentleman” but teasing Xiao Qing about not being a “beautiful lady.” Their loud bickering prompted Xiao Qing to remind him to watch for patrolling officers, which Lian Xuan dismissed as unlikely at such a late hour.
Feeling hungry, Lian Xuan offered to treat Xiao Qing to supper. In their new home, Xiao Tao was delighted, adorned in a red bridal gown. Yin Qing gazed at her lovingly but expressed concern that their secluded life would cut them off from the outside world, feeling guilty for her sacrifice. Xiao Tao reassured him that she was willing to stay, eagerly anticipating their married life, and affirmed that he was the most important person to her.
She spoke of her past as an orphan who started performing at fourteen and found love only after meeting him at twenty. Yin Qing promised to love and cherish her alone for the rest of his life. Xiao Tao, recognizing the profoundness of his words, called it a “promise of a lifetime,” and they shared a dance. Later that night, Xiao Tao woke up thirsty and discovered Yin Qing was gone. She searched for him, calling his name.
She found Yin Qing in the garden gazebo, where he was confronted by his brother, Yin Hao, who had effortlessly found their secluded residence. Yin Qing feigned sleepwalking, and instead of being upset, Xiao Tao tied their hands together with a red string, promising to stay by his side always. Deeply moved, Yin Qing returned to bed with her. However, later in the night, Xiao Tao woke up again to find Yin Qing gone once more.
This time, as she searched downstairs, she encountered Yin Hao. Yin Hao tried to attack Xiao Tao, but Yin Qing intervened, pleading with his brother to show mercy. Yin Hao seized the opportunity, threatening Xiao Tao’s life to force Yin Qing to agree to help restore the Yin clan’s former glory and harm Ye Ming. Yin Qing, desperate to save Xiao Tao, relented.
After Yin Hao left, Yin Qing carried the terrified Xiao Tao back to bed, discreetly making the claw marks on her neck disappear. Xiao Tao soon woke up again, convinced she had seen a “red-eyed monster” or a “bat demon” hanging upside down in front of her. Yin Qing calmly assured her it was just a nightmare, pointing to their still-tied hands as proof that he had been by her side the entire time.
Though still shaken, Xiao Tao was somewhat comforted by the sight of their tied hands and eventually drifted back to sleep, with Yin Qing promising to protect her from any danger.
Episode 15 Recap
Still haunted by terrifying nightmares from a previous incident, Xiao Tao appeared weak and unwell. Observing her struggles to adapt to their isolated mountain home, Yin Qing thoughtfully arranged for her friends from the Xinxin Dance Hall to visit, knowing Xiao Tao missed her companions from Hangzhou as their contracts were nearing their end. Upon receiving the invitation, the dancers, including Yan Hong, Li Li, and Man Ni, were overjoyed.
Ye Li Na, who had also received an invitation, approached Ye Ming, confessing her feelings for Jin Xingjian. She acknowledged Ye Ming's many virtues, including her beauty, figure, elegance, and intellect, admitting that even she, a woman, admired Ye Ming. Ye Li Na expressed the difficulty of her choice, liking both Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming, but emphasized her desire for Ye Ming's friendship, which Ye Ming readily accepted.
Ye Li Na then suggested they all travel together in her car to Xiao Tao's place, sparing them the trouble and expense of hiring dirty, cramped taxis. Later that evening, as Ye Ming was leaving work, Jin Xingjian was waiting for her. Ye Li Na assured him she would take Ye Ming home safely, alleviating any concern. That night, Ye Ming dreamt of Yu Shao Bai, who asked if she was prepared to meet him.
The next morning, Ye Ming woke to find Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing waiting outside her apartment. To shake them off, she cleverly called the police. While Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing were discussing Yu Shao Bai's lack of activity and their own exhaustion, a group of police officers arrived, having been called by Ye Ming. Lian Xuan, panicked, fled to avoid capture, with Xiao Qing following, leaving them entangled with the authorities.
Ye Ming seized the opportunity to slip away and into Ye Li Na's waiting car. Meanwhile, Lian Xuan reported Ye Ming missing to Jin Xingjian and Ye Qing Chun. Ye Qing Chun, Jin Xingjian's associate and Ye Li Na's brother, quickly informed them that Ye Ming was safe with his sister, who had borrowed his car to take Ye Ming and her friends to Xiao Tao's for a party and an overnight stay.
Despite the reassurance, Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan immediately set off, clearly troubled by the news. The group of women arrived at Yin Qing's luxurious mansion, nestled beautifully among blooming trees on the mountain. They were all amazed by the grand house, marveling at Xiao Tao's good fortune in marrying such a devoted husband. Inside, Yin Qing proved to be an attentive host, cutting fruit for the mahjong table where the women were playing and chatting merrily.
Ye Ming, unfamiliar with mahjong, sat back, observing her surroundings. She sensed something unsettling about the house and, when she found Yin Qing in the kitchen preparing dinner, she cautiously inquired if there were "unclean things" present. Yin Qing, appearing uneasy, dismissed her concerns, attributing Xiao Tao’s pale complexion to difficulty adjusting to a new environment, not directly addressing Ye Ming’s implication about the house itself.
As the evening progressed, the dancers discussed Ye Ming's love life, with Ye Li Na claiming Jin Xingjian as her boyfriend, while Xiao Tao mentioned Ye Ming’s continued search for Yu Shao Bai. Two of the dancers, Yan Hong and Li Li, went to the restroom but failed to return after a long time. Man Ni and Ye Li Na decided to explore the house, which was filled with many valuable items.
Growing worried, Xiao Tao went to look for her missing friends. Just then, a frantic scream pierced the air. Yin Qing, hearing Xiao Tao’s distress, quickly directed Ye Ming along the mountain path to a bamboo forest at its end, assuring her she would find the person she sought there. He then rushed back to Xiao Tao’s aid.
Man Ni and Ye Li Na also heard the scream and found Xiao Tao staring in horror at Yan Hong and Li Li, suspended in mid-air, held by dozens of bats. Bats then attacked Xiao Tao and Ye Li Na. Yin Qing, transforming into a monstrous Blood Bat, protected Xiao Tao. Seeing his true form, Xiao Tao fainted from shock. Just then, Jin Xingjian arrived, fighting off the attacking bats to protect Ye Li Na.
Yin Hao, another Blood Bat, appeared, taunting Jin Xingjian that "the Queen is by the King's side," and that once the seal on the painting was broken, their King would be reborn. Jin Xingjian realized Yin Hao was trying to delay him. Jin Xingjian fiercely fought Yin Hao, who, despite being gravely wounded, remained smug, declaring that Jin Xingjian was too late.
Lian Xuan arrived, taking over the fight against the remaining bats and Yin Hao, and also arranging for the rescued dancers to be escorted down the mountain, allowing Jin Xingjian to pursue Ye Ming. Following Yin Qing’s directions, Ye Ming arrived at a small, secluded house, remembering Yu Shao Bai’s instructions from her dream to meet him there. Upon entering, she saw a portrait, and Yu Shao Bai’s voice confirmed his presence within the painting.
He explained that Jin Xingjian had trapped him there and erased Ye Ming's memories to prevent her from remembering his deeds or their past happiness. Unable to restore her memories, Yu Shao Bai offered to show her his own. Touching the painting as guided, Ye Ming witnessed memories from a thousand years ago. She saw their first meeting, when he chivalrously helped her, and their shared life where she brought him food, signifying their deep love.
Jin Xingjian, whom Yu Shao Bai later referred to as "Little Stone," often interfered, telling Yu Shao Bai to stay away from Ye Ming, whom Jin Xingjian called "his sister," indicating his early possessiveness. Yu Shao Bai, wanting to prove he could protect Ye Ming, joined the army. On the battlefield, he was mortally wounded, a fatal blow that he claimed Jin Xingjian delivered to prevent his return.
Defying Jin Xingjian's warnings about dire consequences, Ye Ming used half of her Bright Night Pearl to revive Yu Shao Bai. However, this act had unforeseen consequences: the pearl transformed him into a demon, making him a target for other creatures. He later encountered a thousand-year-old Blood Bat, whose power was absorbed by him after the pearl's immense force backfired on the bat, turning Yu Shao Bai into a monstrous entity, the King of the Blood Bat clan.
Jin Xingjian, who never wanted them together, used this transformation as an excuse, sealing Yu Shao Bai in the painting under the guise of upholding justice. Yu Shao Bai concluded that Jin Xingjian's actions stemmed from selfish, twisted love, not genuine virtue. Convinced by Yu Shao Bai’s account of their past, Ye Ming resolved to free him from the painting. She reached out, and he was released, embracing her as she did not resist.
Sensing Yu Shao Bai's release, Jin Xingjian halted his pursuit. Lian Xuan, rejoining Jin Xingjian after dealing with the remaining bats, was furious to learn that Yu Shao Bai had been freed. He condemned Jin Xingjian, realizing that Jin Xingjian had deliberately orchestrated Ye Ming’s encounter with Yu Shao Bai, believing it was the only way to "end it all."
Lian Xuan accused Jin Xingjian of reckless disregard for the consequences, especially seeing a repeat of events from ten years prior. He berated Jin Xingjian for his hypocrisy, calling his talk of "justice and virtue" a facade for his selfish desires, regretting that he hadn't killed Ye Ming earlier.
Episode 16 Recap
Xiao Tao awoke in a cave, overwhelmed with sadness and unable to accept that Yin Qing was a demon, a Blood Bat, and had deceived her. She knew she had loved him wholeheartedly, believing her hardships were finally over, only to discover that he was not human. Yin Qing tried to explain, admitting he was indeed a Blood Bat who had cultivated for hundreds of years but still struggled with his monstrous nature.
He confessed that his "sleepwalking" had been a lie, a cover for consuming blood, though he insisted it was only chicken blood. He told her that since meeting her, he genuinely wished to become human. Despite his explanations, Xiao Tao was terrified, crying out for him to stay away. Suddenly, Yin Hao, Yin Qing's brother, appeared at the cave entrance, looking injured.
Yin Qing instinctively shielded Xiao Tao, declaring to Yin Hao that he would break ties with the Blood Bat Clan and the Yin family. He stated he would never return to their clan, choosing instead to pursue the life he truly desired. Because of Yin Qing's words, Xiao Tao's internal conflict gradually subsided, and she realized she hadn't loved the wrong person, even if their paths were destined to be different as human and demon.
Yin Hao was enraged, emphasizing their shared destiny to revive the Yin Clan and the Blood Bats, a clan he called "sinners." He accused Yin Qing of abandoning his bloodline for a human woman and adopting human traits like hypocrisy and deceit. Yin Qing, in turn, told Yin Hao he only wished for a normal human life and reminded him that it was Yin Hao, not him, who was obsessed with the clan's revival.
Calling Yin Hao "Brother" one last time, Yin Qing announced he was no longer a Blood Bat and no longer Yin Hao's brother before taking Xiao Tao and leaving. Yin Hao cried out desperately for his brother, but Yin Qing did not respond. Outside the cave, they faced a daunting cliff with no visible path forward. Yin Qing embraced Xiao Tao, and with a powerful leap, revealed a pair of large wings, soaring into the sky.
Xiao Tao, looking up, saw the full moon as they flew between heaven and earth. Yin Qing confessed that he had fallen in love with her the first moment he saw her, dreaming of flying with her. He promised to take her to a distant place where no one could find them, where he would live as a human by her side forever. Xiao Tao readily agreed.
Meanwhile, Yin Hao reported back to the One-Eyed General, stating his task was complete, but lamenting that Jin Xingjian's strength had cost him over half of his centuries of cultivation. The One-Eyed General then killed Yin Hao, absorbing his demon essence for himself. Elsewhere, Yu Shao Bai, now freed from the painting, was extremely weak and sensitive to sunlight. Ye Ming drew the curtains for him as he expressed his fear of living permanently in the shadows.
He probed Ye Ming, wondering why Jin Xingjian had merely sealed him rather than killed him if he was truly cruel. Ye Ming argued that perhaps Jin Xingjian wasn't as bad as Yu Shao Bai claimed, as death would have been easier. Yu Shao Bai countered that "being neither dead nor alive" was far more agonizing. Yu Shao Bai then showed Ye Ming a vision of the past.
He recounted how Ye Ming had revived him with half of her Bright Night Pearl, an act that brought upon a terrible destiny, making him a target for other demons who coveted his inner elixir. During a battle, he absorbed the power of a Blood Bat that tried to seize his elixir, which transformed him from human to demon and caused him to fall into the demonic path.
He claimed Jin Xingjian, who never wanted them together, used the "excuse of justice" to seal him in the painting. He described his helplessness, watching Jin Xingjian seal him in the painting and separate him from Ye Ming, causing her suffering while he could do nothing. He said his body was now rotten to the core, bloodthirsty, and nocturnal, making him feel unworthy of Ye Ming.
Ye Ming, however, reassured him that she would not abandon him because of his current state, adding that she had come to realize that their suffering might stem from their relationship being "wrong since the beginning." As Ye Ming stepped out to fetch water, she encountered Jin Xingjian. She confronted him, stating that Yu Shao Bai had told her everything Jin Xingjian refused to explain and asking if he had anything more to say.
Jin Xingjian asked if she believed Yu Shao Bai, to which she replied "Why not?" She reminded him of his past vow to trust no one until her memories returned. She also pointed out that Jin Xingjian had always disapproved of their relationship, but now "you can no longer change anything." Jin Xingjian simply told her to protect herself, as he couldn't always be by her side.
When Ye Ming pressed him for an explanation, he stated that "the truth shall prevail" and "time will prove everything." After their conversation, Jin Xingjian returned to Hua Xue Gallery, only to find all the seals missing and Xiao Pi unconscious on the floor. Xiao Pi later clarified that he was hit by an unknown assailant and did not see who took the seals. Ye Li Na arrived at Hua Xue Gallery, intrigued by the events of the previous night.
She questioned Jin Xingjian about his true nature, asking if he was human or demon. Jin Xingjian revealed that he was born from the Divine Stone of Nuwa, while Ye Ming was a star in the lonely, dark galaxy who, unable to bear her solitude, descended to earth as a demon and landed on his jade mountain. He added that he had watched her grow over millennia.
Ye Li Na deduced he was speaking of Ye Ming and asked why he had released her now, after ten years of confinement. Jin Xingjian explained that ten years ago, the Blood Bat Clan set a trap to manipulate him, forcing him to injure Ye Ming to save her, leading to her decade-long imprisonment. However, knowing Ye Ming cherished the world's vibrancy, he couldn't bear to see her suffer in confinement.
He mused on the painful nature of love, stating that while it could lead to death, without it, one would rather be dead than alive. Ye Li Na confessed that she understood his love for Ye Ming and pledged to wait for him, just as he waited for Ye Ming.
Jin Xingjian expressed gratitude, lamenting that Ye Ming, after knowing him for thousands of years, still believed others more than him, unlike Ye Li Na who trusted him after a brief acquaintance. Meanwhile, Lian Xuan learned that the seals had been stolen. Jin Xingjian confirmed that Yu Shao Bai was the thief, and realizing the danger, Lian Xuan insisted they must retrieve them.
Before they could act, Bai Jin Gang, alerted by the One-Eyed General, stormed into Hua Xue Gallery with police, claiming a wanted criminal was hiding there. After an argument with Jin Xingjian about the search, Bai Jin Gang's men found and arrested Lian Xuan. In prison, Lian Xuan was brutally tortured, repeatedly refusing to confess to being a notorious robber or to implicate Jin Xingjian as an accomplice.
He remained defiant, telling his tormentors to kill him as he would never confess. Xiao Qing, concerned for Lian Xuan, snuck into the prison to free him. She urged him to escape, but he refused to leave without her. They were quickly caught in a trap set by Bai Jin Gang. Bai Jin Gang threatened to shoot Xiao Qing unless Lian Xuan confessed to being a robber and sacrificing the "little demon's life."
Though Lian Xuan initially claimed he had no relation to Xiao Qing, when Bai Jin Gang cocked his gun, Lian Xuan reluctantly confessed. However, Bai Jin Gang, a man of deceit, then declared that both would be executed at noon the next day, cruelly stating he was sending the "little lovers" to the execution ground for a "honeymoon in the afterlife."
In their adjacent cells, Lian Xuan chastised Xiao Qing for her foolishness, questioning why a demon would sacrifice herself for a demon hunter. Xiao Qing tearfully confessed her deep love for him, explaining that she had pursued him from West Lake to Shanghai, repeatedly saving him because she genuinely cared for him. She recalled their first meeting when she was still chubby after first taking human form and, mistaking his stare for affection, had instantly "had her eyes on" him.
Lian Xuan, however, reiterated his master's teaching that "humans and demons have different paths." As he spoke, Xiao Qing, heavily wounded, fainted, unresponsive to his panicked calls. Xiao Pi frantically informed Jin Xingjian that Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing were to be executed the next morning. Jin Xingjian immediately began carving a new seal, working until midnight. After finishing it, he instructed Xiao Pi to deliver the new seal to the Duan family residence.
Later that night, Yu Shao Bai appeared before Jin Xingjian, claiming he wished to end their "agonizing cycle of entanglement and grudge" for Ye Ming's sake and asked Jin Xingjian to treat her kindly. Jin Xingjian scoffed at Yu Shao Bai's "noble deed of letting go for love," reminding him of his ten years of suffering in the painting and accusing him of only knowing "deceit and exploitation."
Yu Shao Bai retorted, accusing Jin Xingjian of being "more cruel" for erasing Ye Ming's memories and imprisoning her in a secret room for a decade. Jin Xingjian, enraged by Yu Shao Bai's "distortion of the truth," warned him that if he had any affection left for Ye Ming, he should release her, otherwise "what you treasure will be gone forever." Jin Xingjian lunged at Yu Shao Bai, but Ye Ming suddenly appeared, yelling for him to stop.
Episode 17 Recap
As Ye Ming saved Yu Shao Bai from Jin Xingjian's grasp, a tense confrontation ensued between the two men. Yu Shao Bai claimed that after ten years trapped in a painting, he was now neither human nor demon, and therefore no longer worthy of Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian retorted that Yu Shao Bai had always been unworthy, accusing him of deception and manipulation. Yu Shao Bai fired back, calling Jin Xingjian more ruthless in his deceptions.
Ye Ming, intervening, demanded Jin Xingjian stop, asking if he was admitting his wrongdoing. Jin Xingjian replied that he didn't believe he had done anything wrong and expressed frustration that Ye Ming believed Yu Shao Bai over him. Ye Ming then explicitly asked if "all of this" was his doing, to which he finally responded "Yes."
Declaring she understood everything, Ye Ming asserted she would not allow Jin Xingjian to trouble Yu Shao Bai further, stating he had done enough wrong and should stop. Jin Xingjian, however, pleaded with Ye Ming for more time. Later, Yu Shao Bai expressed his desire to leave, claiming he was too selfish and cowardly, no match for Jin Xingjian, and unable to protect Ye Ming.
He spoke of centuries of their intertwined love and hate, and the pain of separation, believing his departure was the best outcome since he could no longer offer her the mortal life she desired. Ye Ming, however, confronted his cowardice, regretting having released him from the painting. She declared that she had lost her memories, and would experience love and pain on her own terms, refusing to live a life planned by either Jin Xingjian or Yu Shao Bai.
She asserted that whether he stayed or left, the outcome would be the same, and if Jin Xingjian persisted in tormenting them, she would fight to the bitter end. She left the choice to him. Yu Shao Bai then decided to stay, vowing never to let her down. Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian sat alone, reflecting on the past. He recalled Yu Shao Bai's words from ten years ago, realizing Yu Shao Bai had linked his primordial spirit to Ye Ming's.
This spiritual connection was why Jin Xingjian had refrained from killing Yu Shao Bai. He also realized this was why he hadn't revealed the truth to Ye Ming: he feared she might sacrifice herself, leading to both their deaths alongside Yu Shao Bai. Xiao Pi, on Jin Xingjian's behalf, presented a magnificent seal to Commander Duan. The Commander was highly impressed by its craftsmanship.
Taking the opportunity, Xiao Pi appealed to him, asking for help to rescue Jin Xingjian's friend, Lian Xuan, who had been arrested by Bai Jin Gang on false charges of robbery and was facing execution. Commander Duan, accepting the gift, instructed Adjutant Li to intervene and promised to personally thank Jin Xingjian later.
In the prison, Xiao Qing, facing imminent execution, confided in Lian Xuan, noting the irony of a demon hunter like him dying alongside a demon like her, but found it "worth it." She tearfully asked if he would love her in a next life if they were both free of their current forms. After a moment of silence, Lian Xuan affirmed he would.
She lamented the tragic divide between humans and demons, even for those who had done no wrong, believing it was her fate as a demon. Lian Xuan reiterated his promise of love in another life just as Adjutant Li arrived. Adjutant Li demanded Lian Xuan's immediate release, citing Commander Duan's orders. Bai Jin Gang, furious, challenged Li's authority and accused him of openly harboring a wanted criminal, warning of serious consequences.
Adjutant Li countered by accusing Bai Jin Gang of defying a military order. Although Bai Jin Gang was hesitant to directly oppose the Commander, his subordinate suggested they wait until Commander Duan left the city for a drill to seek revenge. Grudgingly, Bai Jin Gang ordered Lian Xuan's release. Lian Xuan then carried the unconscious Xiao Qing away. Back at Hua Xue Gallery, Jin Xingjian healed Xiao Qing until she regained consciousness.
Lian Xuan, relieved, sent Xiao Qing to rest and then confronted Jin Xingjian, noticing his weakened state. Jin Xingjian offered him wound medicine. Lian Xuan worried about Jin Xingjian's plan, especially since the seal was lost and his power diminished. Jin Xingjian explained his complex strategy: he intended to allow Yu Shao Bai to recover and grow stronger.
This was necessary because only a powerful Yu Shao Bai could enable Jin Xingjian to retrieve both his seal and the half of the Bright Night Pearl embedded within Yu Shao Bai, all before the coming Thunder Tribulation, thereby saving Ye Ming's life. Lian Xuan, however, remained skeptical, convinced Jin Xingjian was simply trying to save face after losing the seal. Jin Xingjian admitted he lacked full confidence and was acting strategically.
Soon after, Xiao Pi rushed in, informing Jin Xingjian that Commander Duan had indeed left the city for a military drill, fearing Bai Jin Gang would seize the opportunity to cause trouble. Indeed, Bai Jin Gang and his men swiftly surrounded Hua Xue Gallery. Jin Xingjian instructed Lian Xuan to take Xiao Qing and hide in Ye Qingchun's nearby clothing store, Christian Couture, as Bai Jin Gang was specifically after him.
As Bai Jin Gang entered, he accused Jin Xingjian of harboring criminals, now that the Commander was absent, and ordered his men to search the premises. Chen Lei led a search of Ye Qingchun's store. Ye Qingchun, trying to protect his shop, reminded Chen Lei that his valuable clothes should not be damaged and implied his family's influence. He sarcastically stated he had a "Caucasian cat" at home, implying no "rats" (fugitives) could be there.
Chen Lei, ignoring the warning, insisted on the search. Meanwhile, Ye Li Na arrived at her brother's store and quickly ushered Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing away, realizing it was too dangerous there and they needed a safer hiding place. Jin Xingjian, resisting arrest at Hua Xue Gallery, was shot and finally apprehended by Bai Jin Gang's officers. Chen Lei, upon learning of Jin Xingjian's arrest, concluded his fruitless search of Ye Qingchun's shop and left.
Ye Li Na managed to drive Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing out of the city, skillfully bypassing a checkpoint in the British Concession by subtly using her family's name and influence. She took them to a small, secluded hostel in the French Concession, a place Bai Jin Gang would not dare to enter. Lian Xuan expressed his concern for Jin Xingjian.
Xiao Qing, curious about their bond, asked Lian Xuan about his relationship with Jin Xingjian, marveling that he would risk his life for him. Lian Xuan explained they were family friends, a connection rooted in his martial uncle's long-standing admiration for Jin Xingjian. Soon after, Ye Li Na received a phone call confirming Jin Xingjian's arrest.
Lian Xuan, desperate, wanted to go to his aid, but Xiao Qing stopped him, warning that it would be walking into a trap given his injured state. Ye Li Na then vowed to find a way to help Jin Xingjian. That evening, Yu Shao Bai tried to rekindle intimacy with Ye Ming under the night sky, speaking of their long history and lamenting the changes in the world.
He attempted to kiss her, but Ye Ming gently pulled back, explaining she wasn't ready due to her memory loss. Yu Shao Bai apologized for being too forward, acknowledging her fragmented past. The next day, Yu Shao Bai struggled visibly with his deteriorating condition. Ye Ming, witnessing his pain, offered to share half of her Bright Night Pearl to alleviate his suffering, sending spiritual energy.
However, during the process, Yu Shao Bai made a sudden grab for her Bright Night Pearl. Ye Ming narrowly dodged him, pulling back, and confronted him about the attempt. Yu Shao Bai quickly claimed it was an uncontrollable surge of demonic energy within him that caused him to lose consciousness, apologizing for trying to harm her.
He then suggested she leave him, asserting he was no longer the Yu Shao Bai she had loved for thousands of years and didn't want to hurt her again. Ye Ming, though not entirely convinced by his explanation and unable to find immediate evidence, recalled Jin Xingjian's past warnings. She outwardly accepted Yu Shao Bai's apology for the moment, telling him not to blame himself, but inwardly, she no longer blindly trusted him and began to form her own conclusions.
Meanwhile, Ye Li Na tried to bribe an inspector to secure Jin Xingjian's release, but the inspector made inappropriate advances, which she rebuffed forcefully. Later, Uncle Gong appeared, informing Ye Li Na that he couldn't help; Bai Jin Gang, backed by the British and the Qing Gang, had issued strict orders for Jin Xingjian's death, and no one dared oppose him, especially during wartime.
He suggested that only Ye Li Na's influential father might be able to intercede with the British authorities. Separately, Ye Qingchun sought help from Mrs Liang, but she explained her husband, who was merely Commander Duan's treasurer, was powerless to intervene now that the Commander was away. Both siblings were left disheartened. Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing discussed Jin Xingjian's injured state and imprisonment.
Xiao Qing was shocked that the powerful Jin Xingjian could be harmed, but Lian Xuan explained his reduced abilities without the seal. Lian Xuan again felt compelled to rescue him, but Xiao Qing urged him not to, pointing out his own injuries would only lead to his capture. Xiao Qing expressed frustration at Jin Xingjian's "foolishness" for getting into such a state for an "old demon."
Ye Li Na broke down to her brother, Ye Qingchun, distressed that all her efforts to save Jin Xingjian had failed. She recounted how her father, who used to help her, had refused this time. Ye Qingchun comforted his weeping sister, explaining their father's unyielding nature and how he viewed relationships as mere bargaining chips.
He promised his sister that he, too, would find a way to save Jin Xingjian, whom he considered his most cherished friend, affirming that in life, finding someone and a cause worthy of devotion was enough. At the same time, soldiers engaged in a fierce battle stumbled upon an ancient tomb. During their excavation, they unearthed a heavy, mysterious seal.
Ye Ming, alone with her thoughts, found herself caught between Jin Xingjian's warnings about Yu Shao Bai's twisted nature and Yu Shao Bai's claims about Jin Xingjian's manipulations and erasing her memories. She recalled Jin Xingjian's past words about her trusting Yu Shao Bai over him, and Yu Shao Bai's insistence that he was no longer the man she once loved and couldn't protect her. Struggling with fragmented memories and conflicting narratives, Ye Ming wondered what the true story was and whom she could actually trust.
Episode 18 Recap
Ye Qingchun, deeply saddened, closed down his beloved fashion boutique, Christine's Fashion Store, dismissing his employees. He explained that he had given them shares when he opened the store, and now that it was closing, the money belonged to them. Customers and staff expressed their regrets, noting the chaos in society and wishing him well.
His sister, Ye Li Na, was with him, tearfully recalling how he had borrowed money from friends, including her pocket money, to open the shop despite their father's disapproval. Ye Qingchun comforted her, telling her not to cry and to think of joyful things. He revealed that his father had agreed to help save Jin Xingjian, on the condition that Ye Qingchun close the shop and return home to take over the family business.
He emphasized that Jin Xingjian was his most important friend, and while his dream of design was important, Jin's life was more so. He then instructed Ye Li Na to wait in the car while he locked up. Meanwhile, Yu Shao Bai convened with his subordinate, the One-Eyed General. Yu Shao Bai lamented his failure to acquire the other half of the Bright Night Pearl, revealing that his own half almost reverted to Ye Ming.
The One-Eyed General suggested this might be because the pearl originally belonged to Ye Ming, but Yu Shao Bai vehemently claimed it as his own. Yu Shao Bai admitted that Ye Ming had always maintained her guard around him, and he had underestimated the depth of her feelings for Jin Xingjian. Recognizing that his "pity act" was unsustainable, he stressed the urgency of their plans.
He affirmed that Jin Xingjian was under their control and would not escape death this time, despite knowing that Jin Xingjian was aware Yu Shao Bai’s internal power was too weak to absorb the pearl. He ordered the One-Eyed General to find powerful nourishing substances for him and firmly declared that Jin Xingjian must die.
Bai Jin Gang's cousin informed him that Jin Xingjian was to be released due to the influence of Ye Qingchun’s father, Old Master Ye, who had close ties with the British. Bai Jin Gang was surprised by Old Master Ye's intervention, as he typically didn't get involved in such matters. He also noted Ye Qingchun's significant sacrifice—closing his beloved boutique and returning to the family business—all for Jin Xingjian.
Despite the British orders, Bai Jin Gang, harboring deep resentment against Jin Xingjian, declared that his release didn’t mean the end of their conflict. He proclaimed that any unfortunate incidents after Jin's release would not be his responsibility. He ordered his men to prepare explosives, instructing them to capture Jin Xingjian the following morning after his release from the police station and bomb him into ashes outside the city.
When his cousin expressed concern about how they would explain this to the British, Bai Jin Gang remained resolute. That night, Bai Jin Gang personally visited Jin Xingjian in his cell. He mockingly acknowledged Jin's ability to garner support from the British but asserted that he was not powerless.
He reminded Jin that he had caused him to lose an ear and demanded his life in return, suggesting Jin should not involve others like Lian Xuan and the female demon, Xiao Qing. Bai Jin Gang then revealed his knowledge of Xiao Qing being a female demon and, more startlingly, that Jin himself was a male stone demon, highly susceptible to explosives.
He claimed this information came from a "capable demon," confirming Jin Xingjian's suspicion that Yu Shao Bai was behind Bai Jin Gang’s actions. Bai Jin Gang further taunted Jin about his inability to use his supernatural powers, which were suppressed by a special bullet, and advised him to simply accept his impending doom. The following morning, Jin Xingjian was released from the police station.
Ye Li Na arrived to pick him up, only to see Bai Jin Gang's men already taking him away in a car. She pursued them, and Lian Xuan, who was secretly observing, followed suit. They reached a remote location outside the city where Jin Xingjian was tied up. Bai Jin Gang's men prevented Ye Li Na from getting closer, warning her that their boss intended to test a new batch of Western explosives.
Horrified, Ye Li Na realized their plan to bomb Jin Xingjian. Just then, Lian Xuan intervened, rescuing Ye Li Na from the thugs, and together they rushed towards Jin Xingjian. Bai Jin Gang lit the fuse, taunting Jin Xingjian about his impending demise. Jin defiantly retorted, questioning if Bai thought he would survive after killing him. Bai Jin Gang vowed to blast him into ashes.
Lian Xuan attempted to reach Jin, but he and Ye Li Na were held back as the explosives detonated. Ye Li Na screamed in despair. Surveying the aftermath and finding no bodies, Bai Jin Gang concluded that Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan had been "bombed into pieces." However, unknown to Bai Jin Gang, Xiao Qing had swiftly rescued Lian Xuan, while Ye Ming had arrived just in time to save Jin Xingjian, preventing their complete annihilation.
Lian Xuan, severely injured, regained consciousness and cried out Jin Xingjian's name, heartbroken by what he believed to be his friend's death. In his grief, he initially blamed Xiao Qing for failing to save Jin Xingjian, but seeing her weakened state, he quickly relented, realizing she had put herself in harm's way to rescue him. Overwhelmed by self-reproach for not protecting his brother, Lian Xuan vowed to avenge Jin by killing Bai Jin Gang immediately.
However, Xiao Qing stopped him, reminding him that if he died, she would be left alone, emphasizing that she couldn't bear to watch him die. Ye Ming rescued Jin Xingjian and found him with a gunshot wound to his chest. She chided him for being unable to avoid a simple bullet, to which Jin Xingjian replied that his seal, his true form, was gone.
Ye Ming admonished him for his carelessness with such a crucial item, and then carefully extracted an enchanted bullet from his chest, recognizing its unusual nature. She pressed him to identify the culprit, and Jin Xingjian directly accused Yu Shao Bai, stating that Yu Shao Bai had also stolen his seal. Though Ye Ming already harbored suspicions, she feigned disbelief, questioning why Jin Xingjian would care for her life if she wouldn't trust him.
Jin Xingjian countered that she refused to tell him the full truth. They concluded that they both acted according to their own convictions. Later, Ye Ming confronted Yu Shao Bai, informing him that she had gone to rescue Jin Xingjian. Yu Shao Bai feigned nonchalance, asserting that her actions were her own freedom.
Ye Ming then recounted the suspicious details of Jin Xingjian's near-demise: the Qing Gang's elaborate bombing plot, their apparent knowledge that Jin was a demon, the stolen seal that weakened his powers, and the use of an enchanted bullet. She subtly implied that such a meticulously planned attack could only have come from someone intimately familiar with Jin Xingjian's vulnerabilities, then directly asked Yu Shao Bai if he was responsible.
Yu Shao Bai vehemently denied any involvement, claiming he would never jeopardize their relationship by taking revenge on Jin Xingjian, despite their historical animosity. Ye Ming apologized for her rash suspicions, and Yu Shao Bai urged her to place more trust in him.
While Ye Li Na and Ye Qingchun were mourning Jin Xingjian's presumed death, with Ye Li Na blaming herself and Ye Qingchun comforting her, Lian Xuan, who had already been reunited with Xiao Qing and realized his own survival, suddenly found himself facing the impossible: Jin Xingjian walked into the room. Ye Li Na, initially thinking she was hallucinating, realized Jin was truly alive when both Lian Xuan and Ye Qingchun reacted with shock and joy.
Everyone was overjoyed that Jin Xingjian had survived. Jin explained that he had been shot but assured them it wasn't serious, stressing the importance of keeping his survival a secret from Bai Jin Gang. They decided to hide in Hua Xue Gallery, believing the "most dangerous place is often the safest."
Ye Qingchun escorted Jin Xingjian, Lian Xuan, and Xiao Qing to the back of the gallery, where they scaled the wall and entered a hidden room before Ye Qingchun departed to assume his family responsibilities. Ye Li Na insisted on staying to care for Jin Xingjian, but he gently refused. Lian Xuan, using Xiao Qing as an excuse, left the secret room to find her.
Left alone, Ye Li Na told Jin Xingjian that she now understood that only Ye Ming was truly compatible with him, and that she no longer harbored romantic feelings for him, considering him instead as her brother. She expressed her belief that Ye Ming would eventually understand him and return to his side. Jin Xingjian gratefully accepted her as his sister.
In the days that followed, Jin Xingjian remained hidden in a secret room within Hua Xue Gallery, unable to expose himself. His friends were recovering from the recent events. Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing’s relationship grew more intimate, akin to a mortal couple. One morning, Lian Xuan was woken by Xiao Qing, who was attempting to make buns.
He playfully teased her about her poor cooking, which she defended by saying human food was difficult to prepare and she learned from Madam Zhang. Lian Xuan, recognizing her need for activity after her injuries, took over the task, demonstrating his culinary skills. Meanwhile, Yu Shao Bai’s health continued to decline. Ye Ming offered to transfer her internal energy to him, but he refused, fearing he might harm her again and insisting he could endure it.
Lian Xuan brought food, including his freshly made buns, to Jin Xingjian in the secret room. He urged Jin to focus on recovery, promising to retrieve his stolen seal and bring Ye Ming back. Jin Xingjian, however, cautioned Lian Xuan against acting rashly, warning him that he was no match for Yu Shao Bai without Jin’s seal. Lian Xuan scoffed, reminding Jin of his recent near-death experiences by bullet and bomb without his seal, and questioned his arrogance.
Jin maintained he had his own plan. Later, Ye Ming was seen lingering outside Hua Xue Gallery. Lian Xuan appeared, noticing her presence and teasing her about being there to "capture" him. Ye Ming, concerned, inquired about Jin Xingjian’s condition. Lian Xuan reassured her that Jin was "not going to die" and encouraged her to visit him, suggesting Jin would be happy to see her. Ye Ming declined.
Lian Xuan then pressed her, implying she was rushing back to Yu Shao Bai, whom he referred to as a "bat." He tried to persuade her to enter the gallery, offering to accompany her to retrieve Jin's seal and eliminate Yu Shao Bai. Ye Ming responded with a dismissive comment about "all you demons being the same."
Episode 19 Recap
Ye Ming's suspicion of Yu Shao Bai intensified, prompting her to search his hut for a seal while he was away. Upon his return, Yu Shao Bai acted as though he wasn't upset, which stirred a sense of guilt in Ye Ming. Despite this, she couldn't resist secretly following him. However, Yu Shao Bai was aware of her presence and deliberately put on an elaborate show with General Su, pretending to be a devoted and good-hearted man.
Believing his act, Ye Ming waited for Yu Shao Bai to return home, where she confronted him about the truth of their distant past. Yu Shao Bai revealed that his current state, experiencing death repeatedly, was a consequence of her desire for him to live forever. He explained that a thousand years ago, she had given him half of a Bright Night Pearl, transforming him into a demon so he could be her eternal companion.
Overwhelmed with remorse, Ye Ming vowed to find a way to save him, first offering her remaining half of the Bright Night Pearl, even if it meant her own demise, stating that a world without him held no meaning for her. Yu Shao Bai then suggested that a Nine-tailed Fox elixir could preserve his body, though it was incredibly rare.
Insistent on securing his immortality and atoning for the pain she had caused him, Ye Ming declared her intention to seek this rare essence. Meanwhile, the Jujube core spirit, having heard rumors of Jin Xingjian’s demise, went to Hua Xue Gallery to investigate. He encountered Lian Xuan, who, sensing his malicious joy at the news, quickly subdued him. Lian Xuan then brought the Jujube core spirit to the cellar where Jin Xingjian was hiding.
Seeing Jin Xingjian alive, the Jujube core spirit immediately changed his tune, flattering him and claiming to be relieved. Lian Xuan, however, quickly exposed the spirit's deceit. Ye Lina recognized the Jujube core spirit, whom she had previously encountered in Beiping, and the spirit then inquired if Ye Lina and Jin Xingjian were now together. The Jujube core spirit then revealed to Jin Xingjian that he had successfully located another seal Jin Xingjian had been searching for.
Commander Duan returned from his exercises, bringing with him a large collection of treasures from an ancient tomb, intending to have Jin Xingjian appraise them. However, he was enraged to discover that Deputy Director Bai Jin Gang had defied his orders. Before he could punish Bai Jin Gang, Jin Xingjian arrived.
Jin Xingjian publicly exposed Bai Jin Gang's wicked deeds, detailing how he had first used his authority to imprison him and then colluded with the Green Gang to attempt to blow him up in the countryside, all driven by personal grudges while Commander Duan was away. Enraged by Bai Jin Gang's betrayal and defiance, Commander Duan ordered Adjutant Li to strip Bai Jin Gang of his rank and imprison him, vowing severe punishment.
Bai Jin Gang, desperate, pleaded that Jin Xingjian was a demon, but he was dragged away. Commander Duan then extended his apologies to Jin Xingjian and asked for his expertise in appraising the newly acquired treasures, one of which Jin Xingjian identified as a "valuable object." In prison, Bai Jin Gang frantically called for help. That night, General Su (the one-eyed general) visited him.
Bai Jin Gang desperately begged General Su to save him, reminding him of their past collaboration where General Su had promised him the position of police chief if he eliminated Jin Xingjian. General Su, however, deemed Bai Jin Gang a liability, stating that he "knew too much" and that "it's not good for someone to know too much." With that, General Su killed Bai Jin Gang in his cell.
Following Bai Jin Gang's demise, Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan openly returned to Hua Xue Gallery. Lian Xuan expressed his relief, noting that Bai Jin Gang's death was well-deserved and likely orchestrated by Yu Shao Bai, which Jin Xingjian confirmed. Lian Xuan then complained about the ongoing struggle against Yu Shao Bai and inquired about the seals, expressing distrust of the Jujube core spirit.
Jin Xingjian informed him that no seals were found at Commander Duan's mansion, but he had encountered a demon there. Lian Xuan offered to accompany Jin Xingjian to the mansion the next day to search for the seals and investigate the demon's origins. Meanwhile, a series of strange incidents began to plague Commander Duan’s mansion.
First, his second concubine experienced something getting into her bed, followed by similar occurrences with his first wife, third concubine, and even the servants, who reported being touched by an unseen entity. Initially dismissive of such supernatural claims, Commander Duan eventually grew concerned as more reports surfaced, including from an older male servant who confessed to being molested by the entity even before the ladies.
Realizing his mansion was indeed haunted by what he termed a "perverted ghost," Commander Duan, unfazed by the supernatural, declared his intention to catch the entity himself. He decided to spend the night in his second concubine Ru Mei’s room. As he lay waiting, he felt something enter his bed. After two unsuccessful attempts to find anything, he became furious. He once again felt the presence, attempted to catch it, and was met with a slap. Enraged, he ordered Adjutant Li to place the entire mansion on high alert and immediately deal with anything that moved.
Episode 20 Recap
Commander Duan was found in his bedroom, frozen with wide-open eyes, a victim of a "pervert ghost" that indiscriminately harassed his concubines, old maids, and even the gatekeeper. Despite his military background, Commander Duan was disturbed by these events. After a night of consideration, he ordered two squads of soldiers to guard the mansion and summoned Jin Xingjian to inspect his treasures, sharing the strange incidents.
Jin Xingjian inquired about the increased number of soldiers, and Commander Duan admitted to strange occurrences in his home, describing it as something "trying to get into someone's quilt in the middle of the night and taking advantage of them." He claimed he only heard it from his servants and vowed to catch the culprit, whether human or ghost.
At Hua Xue Gallery, Lian Xuan lamented the absence of Xiao Pi, who had returned home to care for his parents, making the gallery feel "cold and lonely". While Jin Xingjian enjoyed the peace and quiet, Lian Xuan, bored, wanted to retrieve the seal and confront Yu Shao Bai. Jin Xingjian suspected the seal was with the demon causing trouble at Commander Duan's mansion.
Lian Xuan suggested a plan to weaken the demon for Jin Xingjian to secure the seal, but Jin Xingjian warned him to be cautious and not offend Commander Duan, suggesting Xiao Qing accompany him. Later, Ye Ming arrived at Hua Xue Gallery but hesitated to enter. Jin Xingjian invited her in, and she attempted to leave, claiming she was "passing by," but Jin Xingjian reminded her of her previous visit.
Ye Ming confided in Jin Xingjian, expressing her guilt and concern for Yu Shao Bai, admitting she had been "searching for the truth" but grew "scared" of what she found. She revealed her role in changing his fate, causing him to endure "the pain of death over and over," leading him to "turning demonic because of me."
Though their past love was real, she now felt "only remorse and guilt" and feared Yu Shao Bai, weakened from sealing and surviving on animal blood, "won't last for long." She believed "only the core of Nine-tailed Fox can help him." Jin Xingjian offered his help, promising to assist her if it would bring her "peace of mind". Although Ye Ming declined initially, Jin Xingjian secretly resolved to prove that "everything is not your fault."
Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing, dressed as demon hunters, arrived at Commander Duan's mansion. Li Adjutant, recognizing Lian Xuan, questioned their presence. Lian Xuan claimed an "evil presence" and declared his intention to "eliminate it," mentioning Commander Duan's tomb expedition and the wooden trunks as the source. After a horse went missing from the stable, Li Adjutant suggested consulting Lian Xuan.
Commander Duan dismissed them as "con artists" and ordered Li Adjutant to "kick them out" after Xiao Qing identified herself as Lian Xuan's "girlfriend." The concubines were frightened by the nightly disturbances. Commander Duan, frustrated with their talk of ghosts, went to the garden and encountered A'Wan drinking from the fountain. Struck by her appearance, he flirted with her and invited her to his room. In his room, he offered her a life of luxury as his fourth concubine.
A'Wan saw his "bad intention" and beat him into submission, after which he was captivated by her spirit. Despite his injuries, Commander Duan arranged a lavish meal for her, but she refused his advances, stating she beat him for his "bad intention" and thanked him for the food. Learning she was an orphan, Commander Duan offered her a permanent place in his household, which A'Wan accepted on the condition that he provide her with food and lodging.
Meanwhile, Ye Ming sought information about the Nine-tailed Fox from a cat demon, but was nearly ambushed. Jin Xingjian intervened, saving her. The cat demon explained the rarity of Nine-tailed Foxes and the dangers of obtaining their essence forcibly, warning that "only if the Nine-tailed Fox willingly offered" would the quest succeed. She advised them to abandon the quest. Jin Xingjian arrived, claiming he was "passing by".
Ye Ming expressed frustration, but Jin Xingjian reassured her they would find what they were looking for. The One-eyed General informed Yu Shao Bai about Ye Ming and Jin Xingjian's search, noting Jin Xingjian's lack of intervention, and ordered continued surveillance, cautioning against "doing anything rash." Ye Lina visited Jin Xingjian with fish soup, explaining she used the back door to avoid troubling him.
Jin Xingjian considered bringing Xiao Pi back, but Ye Lina suggested letting Xiao Pi stay home to care for his grandfather, volunteering to care for Jin Xingjian herself, and noted that chickens had been "going missing every now and then" from her house and nearby families, suspecting weasels. This information about the disappearing chickens resonated with Ye Ming. Following a lead, Ye Ming found Bai A'Jiu being accused of stealing a chicken.
After paying the man for the chicken, Ye Ming told Bai A'Jiu that "if you know it belongs to someone, that's called stealing." Bai A'Jiu revealed herself as a fox demon and denied knowing any Nine-tailed Foxes. Lu Jin Zhi, her beloved, then appeared. They returned home, where Lu Jin Zhi cooked chicken soup. Bai A'Jiu declared she would "steal another one tomorrow," prompting Lu Jin Zhi to firmly state he would "never eat stolen chickens."
Bai A'Jiu then fabricated a story about a "genetic disease" that required her to "steal chickens to eat in the middle of the night," which Lu Jin Zhi pretended to believe to soothe her distress, and then made her promise that they would repay the "sister" for the chicken and compensate the families whose chickens they had previously stolen.
Back at Commander Duan's mansion, Ru Mei, Ru Lan, and Ru Ju greedily asked him for treasures, money for a sick mother, and military academy admission for a brother. A'Wan overheard them complaining about Commander Duan, criticizing his hygiene and stinginess, and beat them up. Commander Duan discovered A'Wan's actions, A'Wan stated she beat them for speaking ill of him.
When A'Wan revealed the specific complaints, Commander Duan, angered by their disrespect, impulsively declared his intention to "divorce all three of them" to be with A'Wan alone, but A'Wan simply told him not to if he couldn't. Reaffirming his decision, A'Wan agreed, then declared herself hungry. The next morning, the three concubines speculated A'Wan might become his fourth wife since he hadn't spent nights with them.
Commander Duan asked them if he were to die in battle, would they be willing to "die along with me"? The concubines reacted with horrified aversion, realizing he was asking them to be "buried with him."
Episode 21 Recap
Commander Duan, despite years of companionship, couldn't bring himself to directly dismiss his three concubines, who, despite not being ideal partners, had been with him for years. So, he tasked Adjutant Li with the unpleasant duty of letting them go. He had earlier pondered aloud about their loyalty if he were to die in battle, a thought they quickly dismissed as inauspicious.
Adjutant Li presented each concubine with a platter of gold bars, explaining that the Commander, out of kindness, wished for them to lead comfortable lives wherever they chose to go. Far from being upset, the concubines were overjoyed, eagerly accepting the gold and promising never to trouble the Commander again. Adjutant Li reported back, noting their unexpected happiness, which only solidified Commander Duan's belief that they were "wasteful old women."
He then fondly thought of A'Wan, whom he considered superior, and went to find her. Upon entering A'Wan's room, Commander Duan found it empty and, for a moment, feared she had also left him, lamenting that "Women are unreliable these days" and even shedding tears. A'Wan soon reappeared, explaining she had gone to eat because she was hungry. Commander Duan, overjoyed, immediately began discussing marriage with her.
He jokingly asked if she was "here to beg for food," to which A'Wan frankly replied, "I'm here for a good life." She then requested that he stop being "handsy" with her. Commander Duan argued that physical intimacy was inevitable, but A'Wan, new to human form and unaware of human romance, insisted he wait until she genuinely fell in love with him.
Understanding her innocence, Commander Duan, acknowledging his own age, proposed they simply "live this way first" and "date," a suggestion A'Wan happily accepted. This was Lian Xuan's third visit to the Commander's mansion; however, he had not yet revealed himself, instead lurking outside to wait for the demon's appearance. Xiao Qing, eager to provoke action, transformed into a ghostly apparition, terrifying the guards, who screamed "A ghost!" and fled.
Lian Xuan understood Xiao Qing's intent, and seized the opportunity to formally visit, pointing out the mansion was haunted. Adjutant Li, having noted the recent disappearances of livestock from the barn, was inclined to believe in supernatural occurrences and invited Lian Xuan into the mansion to deal with the "ghost."
He discreetly asked Lian Xuan not to involve Commander Duan, explaining that the Commander "despises such claims and beliefs" and was currently deeply infatuated with A'Wan, whom he considered his "fourth concubine," possibly destined to become his legitimate wife. Lian Xuan, confident in his abilities, agreed to help. While Adjutant Li gave him a tour, Lian Xuan, sensing a strong demonic aura near Commander Duan's bedroom, discreetly noted it but chose not to reveal this immediately.
They proceeded to the backyard and the barn, where the mysterious livestock losses were occurring nightly. Later that night, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing positioned themselves on the barn roof, waiting. Xiao Qing questioned if the demon would even appear so late, but Lian Xuan trusted his "instincts." Soon, A'Wan arrived.
Just as an old woman was about to enter the barn, Lian Xuan, fearing the snake demon would harm her, quickly used a spell to knock her to the ground, preventing A'Wan from attacking. The commotion drew Commander Duan and his soldiers. The old woman, still recovering, claimed Lian Xuan had assaulted her and A'Wan. Commander Duan, enraged and protective of A'Wan, furiously dismissed Lian Xuan's claims that A'Wan was a demon.
A'Wan, feigning hurt, offered to leave if she was deemed a demon. Commander Duan, seeing this as further proof of her innocence, ordered Lian Xuan arrested, labeling him a "pervert" and accusing him of "misbehaving." Lian Xuan was taken to the woodshed.
Xiao Qing tried to free him, but Lian Xuan opted to stay, believing that escaping would only make him a fugitive and that Commander Duan, "bewitched by the demon," would eventually realize the truth and "beg me to capture the demon." The next morning, Commander Duan ordered Lian Xuan's release, but not because he had come to his senses. He revealed it was A'Wan who had "begged me to release you."
Lian Xuan, understanding A'Wan's manipulative "feigning kindness" tactic, continued to insist she was a demon. Commander Duan, still unwilling to believe him, angrily threatened to shoot Lian Xuan if not for A'Wan's plea. However, Adjutant Li intervened, cautiously mentioning that "two chickens were lost" from the barn last night. Lian Xuan seized the opportunity to point out that the demon had now moved from livestock to chickens.
Although Commander Duan still found it hard to believe A'Wan was a demon, the continuous, inexplicable disappearances began to plant seeds of doubt. He questioned Lian Xuan about the specific type of demon A'Wan was, but Lian Xuan could only say he could "smell her demonic aura" but was "uncertain for now." Frustrated by the lack of concrete answers and Lian Xuan's persistent accusations, Commander Duan sternly warned him to leave and never return to the mansion.
Commander Duan then went to A'Wan, confirming Lian Xuan's release. He asked where she had been early that morning, and she claimed she was hungry and went to the kitchen to eat. Recalling Lian Xuan's accusations, Commander Duan teased her about being a "chicken thief" with an appetite for "two chickens at once," but quickly dismissed the idea of her being a demon.
A'Wan, in turn, joked about making him broke and offered him "two chicken drumsticks" she had supposedly saved. Despite all the strange incidents, Commander Duan, still smitten, reaffirmed his unwavering belief in her, stating he would never believe she was a demon "even if the entire world said so." Meanwhile, in a nearby village, the scholar Lu Jinzhi prepared to leave for the city.
He told Bai A'Jiu that he was putting his dream of attending university aside to find work and provide for them, as the "admission fees alone cost three silver dollars," making it an impossible dream for the poor. Bai A'Jiu was saddened by his decision, but Lu Jinzhi reassured her he wasn't abandoning his dream, merely postponing it until they were more financially stable. He instructed her to stay home while he went to earn money.
After Lu Jinzhi's departure, Night Ming, a fox spirit herself, visited Bai A'Jiu. Bai A'Jiu initially thought Night Ming had come to reclaim a chicken she had stolen. Night Ming clarified she was just passing by. Bai A'Jiu, lonely after Lu Jinzhi left, welcomed the company. She then recounted how she met Lu Jinzhi: she was caught stealing his chicken, and during their struggle, the chicken died. They decided to stew and share it.
Lu Jinzhi, an orphan himself, took her in, recognizing her plight. Bai A'Jiu, however, confessed that she hadn't told Lu Jinzhi she was a fox spirit, as her parents had warned her never to reveal her true identity to humans. She expressed a strong desire to help Lu Jinzhi achieve his dream of going to university, even suggesting she could steal money for him.
Night Ming, understanding her good intentions, gently advised against it, explaining that true happiness comes from achieving one's goals through personal effort, not through ill-gotten gains, echoing sentiments Lu Jinzhi himself had expressed. Back at the mansion, Commander Duan, A'Wan, and Adjutant Li sat down for dinner.
Commander Duan, feeling jovial, invited Adjutant Li to join them at the table, noting how quiet the mansion had become with the concubines gone, and expressed his gratitude for A'Wan always being "by my side." He then publicly declared A'Wan the "lady of the residence." A'Wan, blushing, reminded him that she hadn't agreed to marry him yet, but Commander Duan playfully insisted he would "wait until you're willing." Adjutant Li, concerned, pulled Commander Duan aside.
He voiced his reservations about A'Wan's "unknown background" and the haste of the marriage. Commander Duan dismissed his concerns, proclaiming A'Wan to be "the most reliable woman on earth" and asserting that background meant nothing to him. Adjutant Li then directly asked A'Wan if "a man called Bai Jin Gang," whom he described as having an "injured ear" and wearing a "police uniform," had brought her to the mansion.
A'Wan, genuinely perplexed, stated she had no idea who Bai Jin Gang was. Irritated by Adjutant Li's persistent questioning, Commander Duan angrily ordered him to "get out." After Adjutant Li left, Commander Duan got quite drunk, and A'Wan helped him to bed. Later that night, A'Wan's hunger returned. She went to the barn, transformed into her enormous snake form, and devoured a horse.
As she finished her meal and attempted to leave, a magically enchanted iron cage suddenly descended, trapping her inside. Lian Xuan and Adjutant Li appeared, revealing their meticulously planned trap. Commander Duan, alerted to the commotion, rushed to the barn. He was furious to find A'Wan trapped, vehemently denying that she could be a demon and scoffing at the idea of a "fragile woman" consuming an entire horse.
However, A'Wan, from inside the cage, calmly admitted, "I ate the horse," explaining she "wasn't full after dinner" and found the horse "pretty plump." Commander Duan's demeanor instantly shifted to terror. He stammered, "Are you really a demon?" A'Wan confirmed her true nature, but quickly assured him that she had never harmed him and would always be good to him because of his kindness.
When he nervously asked what kind of demon she was, she smiled and asked, "Would you like to have a look?" before transforming into her colossal serpent form, leaving Commander Duan utterly speechless and trembling, barely managing to whisper, "I wouldn't dare."
Episode 22 Recap
Before sunset, Adjutant Li and Lian Xuan had already set a magical trap designed to capture demons, harmless to humans but injurious to any evil entity. Commander Duan, confronting A'Wan about eating his horse, was told by her that she wasn't full after dinner and found the horse quite plump. When he nervously asked if she intended to eat him, A'Wan boldly asked if he wished to see her true form.
Despite his fear, A'Wan transformed into a giant python before his eyes. Terrified, Commander Duan screamed for his guards to bring kerosene and burn her to death. A'Wan retorted that she had anticipated such a response. Although the soldiers fired their guns and kerosene was brought, A'Wan remained unharmed, her powerful serpentine body twisting to shatter the cage and escape. Commander Duan continued to shout orders for her to be killed, but she was gone.
Lian Xuan pursued A'Wan, declaring his intent to capture her. A'Wan, provoked by his relentless pursuit, retorted that he had forced her to act and then swiftly overpowered him with her coils, nearly causing him to lose consciousness. Just as she had him nearly unconscious in her coils, Jin Xingjian arrived and intervened.
A'Wan immediately released Lian Xuan, recognizing Jin Xingjian as the "young master" who had saved her hundreds of years ago when she was a small snake, giving her his seal for healing. Jin Xingjian also recognized her as the little "Flying Snake." He inquired about her presence at the Duan Mansion. A'Wan explained that she was born a hermaphroditic python, abandoned and bullied by her family and other snakes for being a "freak" until she met him.
After transforming into human form, she spent years searching for him in vain. Eventually, she found an ancient tomb to sleep in, only to wake up an unknown period later at Commander Duan's mansion, becoming his fourth concubine. A'Wan admitted that Commander Duan had treated her very well until her true form was revealed, and while she didn't fully understand love, she was willing to stay with him.
Jin Xingjian pressed her, asking if she would stop eating living creatures and consume only human food for Commander Duan's sake. A'Wan readily agreed, asserting that no one had ever shown her such kindness, making her willing to sacrifice for him. Jin Xingjian then pointed out that Commander Duan now knew her true demonic nature and doubted he would still accept her.
A'Wan, however, believed she had only frightened him and that he would forgive her if she explained, even admitting she had tried to hide her eating habits. Jin Xingjian gently implied that Commander Duan's fear went deeper than just her diet. Despite the potential difficulties, A'Wan remained hopeful, and Jin Xingjian allowed her to return to Commander Duan. Later, Lian Xuan woke up, recounting his near-death experience, and was informed by Xiao Qing that Jin Xingjian had saved him.
Surprised that Jin Xingjian, without his usual seals and powers, had seemingly allowed such a powerful demon to escape, Lian Xuan immediately confronted him. Jin Xingjian calmly revealed he had released A'Wan. Enraged, Lian Xuan accused him of being too weak to hold her and demanded to know about Jin Xingjian's seal.
Jin Xingjian clarified that it was a seal he had given to A'Wan in the past, further frustrating Lian Xuan, who had been searching for seals while Jin Xingjian was giving them away. Jin Xingjian explained that A'Wan needed the seal to return to Commander Duan and resolve her situation. Lian Xuan scoffed, arguing that Commander Duan was terrified of her, and expressed concern that A'Wan might not return the seal.
Jin Xingjian simply stated that he wanted A'Wan to experience love in the mortal world. Meanwhile, within Duan Mansion, soldiers were on high alert due to the recent demonic incident. The staff speculated that Commander Duan's impending departure to the Northern war might be a pretext for him to escape his fear of the demon. Alone in his room, Commander Duan drowned his sorrows in alcohol, haunted by memories of A'Wan and his cruel order to burn her.
He lamented his heartless actions, recalling her kindness and how he used to share food with her, expressing deep regret for causing her pain. He confessed his fear of her demonic form, admitting it was his first encounter with such a being. Later, A'Wan reappeared in his room. Commander Duan, initially startled and demanding to know how she dared to return, quickly shifted to overjoyed relief, confessing how much he missed her.
He dismissed his fear, offering her a drink and praising her as far superior to his former mistresses, for she loved him for who he was, not his money, and cherished his kindness regardless of her humble origins. A'Wan confirmed his unwavering kindness towards her. However, despite his protestations, fleeting images of her monstrous python form continued to plague Commander Duan's mind, a clear manifestation of his unconquerable fear.
A'Wan, observing his forced composure, understood that he, as a mere human, could not truly overcome his terror. That night, A'Wan made the difficult decision to leave Duan Mansion and relinquish her mortal attachments. She gave Commander Duan one of her scales as a keepsake, telling him she would never forget his kindness, but that he was still afraid of her. A'Wan then departed, leaving Commander Duan alone, clutching the scale and weeping silently, accepting their inevitable parting.
Sometime later, A'Wan met with Jin Xingjian, informing him that Commander Duan had already departed for the battlefield that morning. Jin Xingjian asked if she would follow him, but A'Wan gently refused. She explained that knowing she held a special place in his heart was enough. Witnessing his struggle between affection and fear had caused her pain, but she understood and did not blame him for being afraid of her true demonic nature.
She wished for his happiness above all else, not wanting him to live in torment. With a changed heart, A'Wan then returned the seal Jin Xingjian had given her, stating it was no longer of use to her. Jin Xingjian cautioned her that returning it would mean she could no longer assume human form. A'Wan accepted this, declaring herself content, having experienced the best of human love.
She announced her plan to return to the mountains for winter hibernation, hoping to remain undisturbed this time. Jin Xingjian, reflecting on A'Wan's choice later to Xiao Qing, conceded that her decision was perhaps the best for both her and Commander Duan. As Commander Duan led his troops to battle, wearing the scale as a necklace, A'Wan watched from a distant hilltop, tears streaming down her face, bidding farewell to her mortal love.
Meanwhile, Ye Ming spent time with Bai A'Jiu. Observing Ye Ming's kindness and knowing she was searching for the Nine-tailed Fox, Bai A'Jiu decided to reveal her true identity. Just then, Lu Jin Zhi returned home, slightly injured from a fall, and recognized Ye Ming. He invited her in, but Ye Ming politely declined, citing the late hour, and promised to visit again.
Before she left, Lu Jin Zhi shared his exciting news with Bai A'Jiu: he had been immediately hired by the Textile Bureau, though as an apprentice with only meals provided, but with the promise of a significant monthly salary upon becoming a full employee. Bai A'Jiu was overjoyed for him. Lu Jin Zhi offered her the meat buns he had brought for her, but she insisted he eat them instead.
Witnessing their simple yet profound happiness, Ye Ming later confided in Yu Shao Bai over the phone that she had found the Nine-tailed Fox but could not bring herself to harm her. Yu Shao Bai expressed his bitter disappointment, not for the essence, but for her perceived lack of love for him. He questioned if she still loved him, reminding her of her past willingness to defy fate and sacrifice for him.
He claimed the Ye Ming who loved him was gone, replaced by someone who would abandon him for others' happiness. Ye Ming, in turn, offered him the other half of her Bright Night Pearl, but Yu Shao Bai rejected it, stating that health without her love was meaningless and that this was his destiny. Later, by a lake, Jin Xingjian found Ye Ming contemplating her difficult situation and draped his coat over her shoulders.
Ye Ming felt overwhelmed, admitting she felt compelled to help Yu Shao Bai due to her past actions, even if she was unwilling, and couldn't say no to him. Jin Xingjian advised her against forcing herself, stating that replacing one guilt with another would not bring her happiness, and suggested that her perspective on things might be mistaken. However, Ye Ming insisted that everything was her responsibility.
She then asked Jin Xingjian what he would do if he were in Yu Shao Bai's position and needed the Nine-tailed Fox's essence to survive. Jin Xingjian acknowledged the profound dilemma, revealing his own inability to easily choose. Ye Ming then declared that she would resolve her own matters. Subsequently, Ye Li Na extended an invitation to Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan to recuperate at her family's villa in the mountains.
Jin Xingjian accepted, and Lian Xuan, despite initial reluctance, agreed to join them. Upon their arrival at the Ye family's mansion, Ye Qing Chun, greeted them warmly but quickly departed for business, leaving Ye Li Na to host. The housekeeper, Guo, then reported a series of strange occurrences: frequent chicken thefts at the mansion, with no trace left behind, leading to widespread fear that an evil spirit was at work.
Lian Xuan, despite detecting no demonic aura initially, expressed suspicion and confidently declared his intention to catch the mysterious chicken thief, reassuring the staff. Lian Xuan then set up a trap for the unknown culprit. Meanwhile, Lu Jin Zhi, suffering from a fever and feeling weak, worried about losing his newly acquired job at the Textile Bureau if he missed work again. Bai A'Jiu insisted he rest and offered to make him chicken soup, but they had no food.
Despite Lu Jin Zhi's protests and attempts to appear unhungry, his stomach growled, betraying his hunger. Feeling helpless and determined to get him food, Bai A'Jiu resolved to steal chickens "just one last time." Lu Jin Zhi, fearing for her safety, decided to accompany her, stating that if they were to eat stolen chicken, they would steal it together.
At the Ye family's mansion, Lu Jin Zhi warned Bai A'Jiu that something felt off, but she insisted on going ahead, and he helped her climb over the wall. As Bai A'Jiu attempted to steal a chicken, Lian Xuan's trap sprang, capturing her. She tried to escape, revealing her multiple tails during the struggle, but Lian Xuan, unfazed by her demonic form, eventually apprehended her. Just as Lian Xuan cornered Bai A'Jiu, Ye Ming arrived unexpectedly.
Ye Li Na, also present, initially mistook Bai A'Jiu for a mere young lady, but Lian Xuan quickly corrected her, warning not to trust a demon's appearance. He interrogated Bai A'Jiu about the thefts and her accomplice, threatening to bring Lu Jin Zhi in if she didn't cooperate.
Bai A'Jiu, denying Lu Jin Zhi's involvement, confessed that her name was Bai A'Jiu, she was the Nine-tailed Fox from the nearby mountains, and she had stolen chickens, but had committed no other misdeeds. When Lian Xuan then tried to attack Bai A'Jiu, Ye Ming intervened to protect her. Seeing this, Jin Xingjian stepped forward to shield Ye Ming, much to Lian Xuan's annoyance.
Episode 23 Recap
Under interrogation for stealing chickens, Bai A'Jiu confessed to acting alone and revealed she is a young Nine-tailed Fox, born with nine tails because both her parents were Nine-tailed Foxes. Lian Xuan was skeptical of her age, but Jin Xingjian confirmed A'Jiu's identity. A'Jiu sincerely apologized to Ye Li Na, promising to never steal again and to work to repay the stolen chickens.
Ye Ming spoke on A'Jiu's behalf, and Ye Li Na, expressing she didn't mind a few chickens, agreed to forgive A'Jiu but warned her against future thievery. Lian Xuan, frustrated that he was the only one appearing harsh, was pulled away by Xiao Qing under the pretense of seeking medicine for a supposed head injury. Jin Xingjian kindly offered A'Jiu food from the mansion since A'Jiu had none.
Left alone with Jin Xingjian, their conversation quickly turned to Yu Shao Bai. Ye Ming firmly told him that if Yu Shao Bai genuinely needed the Nine-tailed Fox's essence to prolong his life, she would assist him, having already made her decision. Jin Xingjian assured her he would support her regardless of her choice. Back at home, Lu Jin Zhi reiterated his request for A'Jiu to stop stealing chickens, which she agreed to.
Outside, Ye Ming listened to their conversation, bittersweetly recalling her happy past with Jin Xingjian, a stark contrast to her current predicament with Yu Shao Bai. She then fell into deep thought, realizing that since she had agreed to obtain the Nine-tailed Fox's inner elixir for Yu Shao Bai, A'Jiu was now in danger. When Lu Jin Zhi momentarily left A'Jiu, Ye Ming seized the chance to magically put him to sleep.
She warned A'Jiu about the dangers of being a Nine-tailed Fox with her true form now exposed and a loved one as a vulnerability. She advised A'Jiu to take Lu Jin Zhi and flee immediately, as she couldn't bring herself to harm her. A grateful A'Jiu began packing, planning to convince Lu Jin Zhi they needed to move. Soon after, Jin Xingjian confronted Ye Ming, asking why she released A'Jiu and what she planned for Yu Shao Bai.
Ye Ming, resolute, stated that if Yu Shao Bai's life was ending, she would die alongside him, believing it was the only way to prevent further harm and find peace from her past mistakes. Jin Xingjian, after observing Ye Ming's actions, revealed Yu Shao Bai's deception. He explained that although he had indeed sealed Yu Shao Bai, breaking the seal wouldn't immediately destroy him.
Instead, Yu Shao Bai was using the Nine-tailed Fox's essence to enhance his own power, and his ultimate goal remained the half of the Night Pearl within Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian clarified that Yu Shao Bai's current weakened state made him unable to withstand the Night Pearl's full power, risking a powerful backlash, hence his desperate pursuit of the Nine-tailed Fox's essence.
Ye Ming, struggling to believe Jin Xingjian's words, rushed home to confront Yu Shao Bai, but found him absent. Guessing he was in the back mountain, she went there, encountering One-Eyed General who tried to deter her by mentioning the feeding bats. Meanwhile, at his lair, Yu Shao Bai was about to feed on human blood when he sensed Ye Ming's approach.
He instructed One-Eyed General to divert her, allowing Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan to launch their assault on the Bat Cave. Ye Ming, noticing a flurry of bats, returned to find Jin Xingjian about to strike Yu Shao Bai. She intervened, and Jin Xingjian demanded the seals. Yu Shao Bai, pressured by Ye Ming’s presence, reluctantly admitted to taking the seals, claiming it was to protect his Blood Bat clan from Jin Xingjian's potential extermination.
An enraged Lian Xuan then exposed the truth: Yu Shao Bai and Ye Ming's lives were linked. Despite Jin Xingjian's desperate attempts to stop him, Lian Xuan attacked Yu Shao Bai, causing Ye Ming to experience the same agonizing pain. Witnessing this undeniable proof of their intertwined fate, Jin Xingjian forcibly dragged a furious Lian Xuan away. After the confrontation, Ye Ming finally understood Jin Xingjian's reluctance to kill Yu Shao Bai.
Yu Shao Bai confirmed that their shared Night Pearl linked their lives and admitted he stole Jin Xingjian's seals when he was unsealed, fearing being re-sealed and enduring endless torture, which he called "a fate worse than death." He claimed he only sought the Nine-tailed Fox's essence to survive and prevent Ye Ming from dying with him.
However, Ye Ming, recalling Jin Xingjian's earlier warnings about Yu Shao Bai's true desire for her Night Pearl, reaffirmed her refusal to let him take A'Jiu's essence. Despite Yu Shao Bai's pleas and reminders of her promise, Ye Ming vowed to stay by his side, "even if they turned to ash," and Yu Shao Bai promised not to disappoint her. Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan discussed the events.
Lian Xuan remained furious that Jin Xingjian hadn't killed Yu Shao Bai, despite knowing their lives were linked. Lian Xuan confessed his own desire to eliminate Yu Shao Bai, calling him an "old demon." They realized they had recovered six seals, plus Jin Xingjian's, totaling seven, with the last seal – the one Ye Ming used to break the original seal – still with Yu Shao Bai.
Jin Xingjian predicted Yu Shao Bai would undoubtedly seek the Nine-tailed Fox's essence to enhance his power before attempting to seize Ye Ming’s Night Pearl. He clarified to Lian Xuan that their priority was to find and protect the Nine-tailed Fox, as Ye Ming would never condone harming her. He emphasized that Yu Shao Bai wouldn't easily give up.
A'Jiu, deciding they couldn't stay on the mountain forever, convinced Lu Jin Zhi to move with her, claiming they'd "make lots of money" and explaining that she was "being targeted" due to her chicken-stealing. As they journeyed, they encountered soldiers conducting recruitment. To protect A'Jiu, Lu Jin Zhi quickly claimed she was his younger sister and too young to join, an assertion the soldiers accepted.
He then lied to A'Jiu, telling her that being a soldier was a job that would earn them a lot of money, promising to return for her after making enough so she would never starve again. A'Jiu, believing him, watched him leave. However, a weeping elderly woman revealed the grim truth: "Soldier recruitment" meant being sent to the front lines as cannon fodder, with little chance of survival.
Horrified, A'Jiu transformed between her human and fox forms to secretly follow the marching soldiers. She witnessed Divisional Commander Qi gather the conscripts, trying to inspire them, but when they demanded to go home, he fired a warning shot, threatening immediate execution for any deserters, thus forcing them into submission. Later, Yu Shao Bai attempted to covertly visit A'Jiu to take her essence, but Ye Ming, awakened, caught him in the act.
Ye Ming confronted him about his lies, asking if he truly needed the essence to survive or merely to enhance his power. Yu Shao Bai confessed that he wouldn't die without it, but he sought greater power to protect himself from Jin Xingjian's oppression and to ensure their shared happiness. Heartbroken by his repeated deceptions, Ye Ming reaffirmed her refusal to let him take A'Jiu's essence.
To persuade him to abandon the idea, she promised instead to stay by his side "even if they turned to ash." When he questioned if she would truly not disappoint him, she affirmed her commitment. Meanwhile, Ye Ming found A'Jiu still secretly following the conscripted soldiers. Ye Ming reassured A'Jiu that she wouldn't take her essence but urged her to leave the dangerous area. A'Jiu, however, was determined to rescue Lu Jin Zhi, refusing to abandon him.
Ye Ming cautioned her about the deadly power of guns and advised her to accept the human world's harsh realities, trusting in Lu Jin Zhi's strength. A'Jiu feigned agreement, only to slip away in the dead of night. On the battlefield, Divisional Commander Qi ordered Lu Jin Zhi and the other conscripts to charge a heavily fortified mountain as a diversion, aiming to draw enemy fire for thirty minutes until artillery support arrived. He threatened death for anyone who retreated.
Trapped between the relentless enemy bombardment ahead and Commander Qi's armed guards behind, Lu Jin Zhi and his comrades were forced into a desperate charge. Spotting Lu Jin Zhi in peril, A'Jiu, now invisible, rushed forward to shield him from the incoming bullets.
Episode 24 Recap
After shielding Lu Jin Zhi from a bullet and losing one of her tails, Bai A'Jiu assured Ye Ming that she was fine, stating she had nine tails and thus, many lives, and would not die. Ye Ming, however, questioned A'Jiu's actions, reminding her that some destinies, like Lu Jin Zhi's military service, cannot be altered. A'Jiu tearfully confessed she could not bear to see Lu Jin Zhi die.
Ye Ming then warned A'Jiu to always evade bats, as their discovery could cost her everything, including the chance to see Lu Jin Zhi again, and promised to protect her. Meanwhile, Yu Shao Bai's subordinate informed him that Ye Ming had released the Nine-tailed Fox. Yu Shao Bai, understanding that Ye Ming no longer trusted him, knew she would try to protect A'Jiu, so he instructed his subordinate to follow Ye Ming to find A'Jiu.
Later, Xiao Qing and Lian Xuan found Ye Ming, revealing that Jin Xingjian had sent them to protect A'Jiu, fearing Yu Shao Bai would harm her and distress Ye Ming. Xiao Qing, aware of the life-and-death bond between Ye Ming and Yu Shao Bai, expressed frustration at Ye Ming's decision to release Yu Shao Bai's seal, which had put Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan in danger.
When Lian Xuan realized A'Jiu was missing, Xiao Qing suspected Yu Shao Bai had abducted her, prompting Ye Ming to rush off to confront Yu Shao Bai. Divisional Commander Qi hosted a banquet to celebrate a recent victory. He praised Lu Jin Zhi for being the sole survivor of the Daredevil Squad and, impressed by his capabilities despite his appearance, promoted him to Platoon Leader.
Lu Jin Zhi later met A'Jiu, recounting his near-death experiences and expressing how much he missed her. When A'Jiu suggested they return to the mountains, Lu Jin Zhi refused, citing his duty as a soldier and the severe penalty for desertion. He shared his ambition to climb the ranks, earn enough money to buy a house in the city, and marry her, making her the wife of an officer. A'Jiu, deeply moved, accepted his proposal.
They began discussing wedding plans, with A'Jiu expressing a desire for a Western-style wedding gown. Their conversation was cut short when a soldier summoned Lu Jin Zhi back to the barracks for an urgent battle. Despite A'Jiu's pleas for him not to go, Lu Jin Zhi promised to return alive, marry her, and abandon the military after this final, tough battle, which he hoped would earn him a promotion to Regimental Commander.
Ye Ming confronted Yu Shao Bai, realizing he had trapped her. Yu Shao Bai confessed that his heart had always been with her and that he was only trying to keep her by his side. However, Ye Ming accused him of only seeking her Bright Night Pearl and branded him selfish.
Yu Shao Bai, having experienced the power of resurrection, admitted his ambition to gain divine power to control the entire world and mankind, and reaffirmed his intention to keep Ye Ming safe in the enchantment where even Jin Xingjian couldn't find her, envisioning them together forever. Over subsequent battles, Lu Jin Zhi was promoted to Battalion Commander, a feat attributed to A'Jiu's repeated sacrifices of her tails to protect him.
Yu Shao Bai, discussing his plans with his subordinate, stated that Ye Ming's imprisonment would not hinder his progress, as Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing were no match for him without her intervention. He emphasized that the Nine-tailed Fox's essence needed to be acquired strategically, not by force. Lian Xuan returned to Hua Xue Gallery, informing Jin Xingjian about A'Jiu's diminishing tails due to her selfless acts.
When Jin Xingjian inquired about Ye Ming, Lian Xuan noted her recent absence, speculating she might be with Yu Shao Bai. Worried, Jin Xingjian stormed Yu Shao Bai's lair, but Yu Shao Bai, leveraging his life-and-death bond with Ye Ming, feigned ignorance and rendered Jin Xingjian unable to harm him.
Yu Shao Bai then mocked Jin Xingjian, pointing out that while Ye Ming performed acts of service for Yu Shao Bai, she only regarded Jin Xingjian as a brother, implying Jin Xingjian had lost more profoundly. Jin Xingjian vowed to kill Yu Shao Bai one day. Back at the city, Lu Jin Zhi showed A'Jiu their new home, reiterating his commitment to provide her with a comfortable life as his wife.
As they planned their wedding, a soldier interrupted, calling Lu Jin Zhi back to the barracks for a critical battle. A'Jiu tried to stop him, but Lu Jin Zhi reassured her he would return. As Lu Jin Zhi departed, A'Jiu transformed into a white fox and secretly followed his vehicle.
At the barracks, Lu Jin Zhi overheard Divisional Commander Qi decide against giving him a gun, deeming him an unfit leader, a "poor scholar" who miraculously survived past battles and was unlikely to survive the upcoming "tough battle." Lu Jin Zhi clenched his fists, realizing he was being sent to his death. Yu Shao Bai, witnessing Lu Jin Zhi's palpable anger, reflected on his own past, telling his subordinate that greed was the most terrifying human trait.
He recalled his own experience as Yu Shao Bai, the sole survivor of the river city battle, where a Grand Chancellor offered him immense power—from general to emperor, and eternal life—in exchange for a "transaction." Yu Shao Bai readily accepted, driven by a desire to escape poverty and gain unlimited power. Flash forward to the present, Yu Shao Bai celebrated a victory, becoming a Grand General and solidifying his master's position as Grand Chancellor.
He then revealed to the Grand Chancellor his final step: to fully obtain Ye Ming's divine power, he would first have to "devour" the Grand Chancellor himself, a power he secretly gained when Ye Ming revived him. Meanwhile, Xiao Qing managed to capture A'Jiu, preventing her from following Lu Jin Zhi to the battlefield. She sternly reminded A'Jiu that she had only one tail left and that Lu Jin Zhi would return. Despite A'Jiu's pleas to be allowed to merely watch from afar without intervening, Xiao Qing refused, insisting on keeping her close, even while sleeping.
Episode 25 Recap
Xiao Qing woke to find Bai A'Jiu missing. Lian Xuan, realizing that Bai A'Jiu must have gone to find Lu Jin Zhi, rushed with Xiao Qing to the battlefield. Meanwhile, spurred by Divisional Commander Qi's words, Lu Jin Zhi fought fiercely, charging forward with his submachine gun. However, he was eventually struck by enemy fire, losing consciousness and falling into darkness. Bai A'Jiu, unable to locate Lu Jin Zhi on the battlefield, eventually found him unconscious in a hospital.
She stayed by his side, deeply apologetic for being late. When Lu Jin Zhi slowly regained consciousness, he admitted he had known she was a demon all along and that she had saved his life eight times already. Fearing death and the thought of leaving her alone and vulnerable, he desperately begged her to save him just one more time. Despite her extreme weakness and having only one life left, Bai A'Jiu couldn't bear to refuse him.
She resolved to offer her inner elixir to save him. However, just as she offered her essence, the dormant Yu Shao Bai, who had been possessing Lu Jin Zhi since he was admitted to the hospital, emerged from Lu Jin Zhi's body. He scornfully remarked on how love makes one foolish, then consumed Bai A'Jiu's inner elixir, which had caused her to revert to her fox form.
With Bai A'Jiu's essence now his, Yu Shao Bai's power greatly increased, allowing him to finally withstand sunlight. The next morning, Lu Jin Zhi awoke in the field hospital, suffering only a head injury and a bullet wound to his right leg, neither fatal. He expressed relief, mentioning Bai A'Jiu was waiting for him to return for their wedding. He mused that he had experienced a very long dream.
He then noticed a white fox by his bed, which the nurse explained had been there since last night and wouldn't leave. Lu Jin Zhi, unaware it was Bai A'Jiu, lovingly embraced the fox, intending to take her home as a gift for Bai A'Jiu, believing she would adore it. Shortly after, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing arrived at the military camp.
Upon seeing the white fox, still in its animal form despite having only one tail remaining, Lian Xuan immediately understood that Bai A'Jiu had lost her inner elixir. Yu Shao Bai then activated an enchantment, attempting to seize the half of the Bright Pearl within Ye Ming. However, before the pearl could fully merge with his own, Jin Xingjian intervened, stopping Yu Shao Bai and causing the pearl to return to Ye Ming.
Seriously injured and aware he was no match for Jin Xingjian, Yu Shao Bai fled. Lu Jin Zhi, still carrying the white fox, returned to his new home, expecting Bai A'Jiu to be there. As night fell and she didn't appear, he began searching for her throughout the city, asking everyone if they had seen a girl in white.
The white fox, unable to speak, watched Lu Jin Zhi's desperate search and his tearful pleas for Bai A'Jiu to return, vowing to find her no matter what. Despite days of fruitless searching, Lu Jin Zhi remained steadfast, resolute in his commitment to keep searching with the fox by his side.
Meanwhile, Ye Li Na received an early morning phone call from the Lu Mansion in Nanjing, informing her that her good friend, Lu Tian Jiao, was gravely ill and facing expulsion from school. Concerned, Ye Li Na immediately bought a ticket and traveled to Nanjing. Her brother, Ye Qing Chun, tried to convince her to wait so he could accompany her, but she insisted on going alone.
At the Lu Mansion, she was met by the unpleasant Third Lady, who tried to dissuade her from seeing Lu Tian Jiao, claiming she suffered from "hysteria" and was unfit for visitors. The Third Lady implied Lu Tian Jiao was a burden and suggested she be sent to a hospital, adding that she didn't have the manpower to care for her.
Ye Li Na pressed on, eventually speaking with Madam Li, who confirmed Lu Tian Jiao's condition: constant sleepiness, exacerbated by alcohol and medication, with doctors unable to diagnose her. Ye Li Na was shocked by the state of Lu Tian Jiao's room, littered with empty liquor bottles, and her friend's gaunt appearance. In her sleep, Lu Tian Jiao dreamt of Ye Ming shamelessly seducing her fiancé, Mr. Mo, and angrily confronted her.
Ye Ming, in the dream, calmly retorted that Mr. Mo was only a fiancé and that many men have mistresses, even hinting that Lu Tian Jiao might become the mistress herself. Back with Jin Xingjian, Lian Xuan, and Xiao Qing, Lian Xuan blamed himself for not tying up Bai A'Jiu, leading to her inner elixir being stolen. Jin Xingjian assured them they had done their best and shouldn't be hard on themselves.
He explained that although Yu Shao Bai now possessed Bai A'Jiu's inner elixir, his ancient human body could not fully contain the power of the Bright Pearl without disintegrating, which would also cause Ye Ming to vanish. Xiao Qing expressed frustration that their efforts seemed to have come to naught, but Lian Xuan, after some prodding from Xiao Qing, clarified his true concerns: Jin Xingjian's impending thunder tribulation.
If Jin Xingjian failed to gather all the seals, he would be struck by thunder, leaving no one to counter Yu Shao Bai's ruthlessness. Despite their bickering, which touched on their own marriage plans, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing decided to prioritize finding the last seal to protect Jin Xingjian. Yu Shao Bai, reflecting on his failed attempt to merge the Bright Pearl, was determined to obtain it.
He acknowledged that his ancient body was insufficient to handle its immense power. When the one-eyed general offered his own body, Yu Shao Bai rejected it as unworthy but assigned him another task. Meanwhile, Ye Ming awakened in the underground chamber, recalling past misunderstandings of Jin Xingjian's actions. She now understood his previous confinements were for her protection. Jin Xingjian appeared, confirming her thoughts and telling her that she was free to leave.
Ye Ming expressed her gratitude for his sacrifices but lamented that he had awakened her, as Yu Shao Bai would never give up trying to seize her half of the Pearl. She acknowledged their commensal knot meant she and Yu Shao Bai were destined to die together if the pearl were ever forcibly removed.
Jin Xingjian, pained, pledged to find a way to break the knot, assuring her he would never allow her to sacrifice herself again, as he couldn't bear to lose her. Ye Ming, deeply touched, promised to face all future challenges with him. Following the discussion, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing learned from a group of terrified bats that Yu Shao Bai had gone to Taiyuan.
To aid Jin Xingjian in avoiding the impending thunder tribulation, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing resolved to follow Yu Shao Bai to Taiyuan to locate the last seal, with Xiao Qing enthusiastically joining the mission to expedite their wedding plans once the serious task was complete.
Episode 26 Recap
Lu Tian Jiao was deeply enchanted by Mr. Mo, a handsome and powerful figure in her dreams, preferring to remain asleep forever than to wake. In one such dream, as she shared a romantic moment with Mr. Mo by the sea, she was interrupted by Ye Ming. Lu Tian Jiao angrily accused Ye Ming of shamelessly seducing her fiancé, Mr. Mo.
Ye Ming retorted that a fiancé means little, and many men have mistresses, even suggesting that Lu Tian Jiao might end up as one herself. As their argument escalated into a fight, Mr. Mo intervened, displaying his ability to levitate, which greatly impressed Lu Tian Jiao. Mr. Mo then declared his profound love for Lu Tian Jiao, calling her his "moon on a night of spring," "summer breeze," "flowers," and "honey," wishing their moment on the beach could last forever.
However, Ye Li Na's calls from reality eventually jolted Lu Tian Jiao awake. Distraught, Lu Tian Jiao immediately asked for Mr. Mo and tried to take medicine to return to her dream, but Ye Li Na stopped her. Lu Tian Jiao then confessed that she wasn't crazy but deeply in love with someone she met in a continuous dream.
She explained how she and Mr. Mo met on the first night, became acquainted on the second, and eventually got engaged on the third, yearning to be with him constantly. She revealed that her family disapproved and constantly prevented her from sleeping, even threatening to send her to a hospital, which forced her to resort to alcohol and medicine to induce sleep. She expressed fear that the "other woman" she saw in her dream would steal Mr. Mo away.
Ye Li Na suggested Lu Tian Jiao might be possessed by an evil spirit or even a ghost, but Lu Tian Jiao dismissed the idea, stating no ghost could be as handsome and charming as Mr. Mo. She even declared that she would accept him even if he were a male fox demon. Meanwhile, Ye Ming and Jin Xingjian sat watching the rain. Ye Ming voiced her deep desire to recover her lost memories, feeling incomplete without them.
Jin Xingjian proposed seeking a legendary thousand-year-old divine beast known as the Dream Eater, which feeds on human dreams and can manipulate them. He speculated that if the legend was true, the Dream Eater might be able to restore Ye Ming's memories, as dreams are essentially woven from memories, implying the beast would have access to them.
Ye Ming recalled having repeatedly dreamed of Yu Shao Bai, even after her memories of him were supposedly erased, suggesting the Dream Eater might be involved in facilitating those dreams. Jin Xingjian mentioned hearing reports from Nanjing of people suffering from "hysteria," sleeping for months without eating, which he believed was connected to a Dream Eater. With this lead, they decided to travel to Nanjing.
Elsewhere, Lu Tian Jiao's Third Lady attempted to send her to an asylum, despite Li Ma's desperate pleas. En route, Lu Tian Jiao feigned illness to create a diversion and managed to escape her captors. As Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming traveled by train to Nanjing, Ye Ming, unfamiliar with the modern world, described the train as a long, "people-eating snake."
Jin Xingjian was amused by her rare smile, commenting that he was unaccustomed to it, but that didn't mean he disliked it. That night, Lu Tian Jiao sought refuge from the rain in a dilapidated temple. Overwhelmed by despair and a sense of injustice from her family, who she believed wanted her out for her inheritance, she drank heavily to force herself back into her dream. There, she was pursued by a terrifying female ghost.
Mr. Mo appeared just in time, skillfully using his powers to drive the ghost away and comforting a terrified Lu Tian Jiao. She begged him to let her remain in the dream forever. Mr. Mo, however, gently refused, explaining that he could not bear for her to lose her life because of him, as he would become a sinner. He then gave her a specific address in reality, urging her to remember it carefully.
Upon waking the next morning, Lu Tian Jiao followed Mr. Mo's directions to a well-appointed house, but he was nowhere to be found. Determined, she forced herself to sleep again and found Mr. Mo in her dream, waiting for her. He confirmed the house was hers to occupy for as long as she needed, stating it was his way of atoning for the trouble he had caused her.
He advised her to look under the bed for a chest containing enough money to sustain her for one or two years, suggesting she find her own path or return home if all else failed. He then abruptly declared he would no longer appear in her dreams and urged her to forget him and live a good life. Lu Tian Jiao was devastated by his sudden departure, feeling abandoned and betrayed.
Soon after, Ye Li Na, Jin Xingjian, and Ye Ming arrived at the house. Earlier, Ye Li Na had visited the Lu family mansion in search of Lu Tian Jiao, only to be told by the Third Lady that she had run away, making Ye Li Na suspect the Third Lady was deliberately hiding her.
Jin Xingjian, having heard about Lu Tian Jiao's dreams, had deduced that "Mr. Mo," being a Dream Eater, would likely remain close to Lu Tian Jiao because he enjoyed feeding on her dreams, so they followed the clues to find her. Upon seeing Ye Ming at the house, Lu Tian Jiao immediately accused her of being the "other woman" who caused Mr. Mo to break up with her.
Ye Ming denied knowing any Mr. Mo, explaining that the image in Lu Tian Jiao's dream was merely an illusion. Jin Xingjian, observing this, commented that "Mr. Mo" must indeed have known Ye Ming for her image to appear in the dream.
Lu Tian Jiao then tearfully recounted her painful family history – her mother's early death, her father's frequent absence, her stepmother's (Third Lady's) constant animosity, and her brothers' unchecked debauchery, contrasting it with her own ostracization and attempts to be driven out, simply for wanting to sleep. She expressed her longing for a loving family like Ye Li Na's and reiterated her desire to live in a happy dream world over her harsh reality.
Jin Xingjian then explained that the Dream Eater, though having a physical form, consistently alters its appearance in dreams, making its true form rarely seen in reality. He proposed a plan: for Lu Tian Jiao to induce a lucid dream and feign suicide, believing that if the Dream Eater genuinely cared for her, he would reveal himself to save her. Lu Tian Jiao agreed.
She entered a dream, tearfully calling out for Mr. Mo, recounting her lonely past where she felt unloved and his broken promise of true affection. When he didn't appear, she threatened to end her life. This forced Mr. Mo to rush out, attempting to stop her. Lu Tian Jiao seized the opportunity and grabbed him, realizing his timely appearance confirmed Jin Xingjian's theory and exposed his true concern for her.
Lu Tian Jiao awoke to find a bizarre, pig-like monster on her bed. Jin Xingjian confirmed that this was the true form of her "Mr. Mo," the Dream Eater, now trapped within an enchantment he had placed at the door. Ye Li Na, disgusted by its appearance, loudly suggested killing and cooking it to ensure it wouldn't escape. Under this explicit threat, the timid Dream Eater was forced to transform into his human guise, revealing a disheveled and frightened man.
He confessed to being a simple dream-eating demon, drawn to Lu Tian Jiao's sweet romantic dreams. He admitted to using minor magic to encourage her to sleep and dream more frequently, allowing him to feast. When Jin Xingjian asked why Ye Ming's image had appeared in Lu Tian Jiao's dream, the Dream Eater hesitated, fearing for his life and the survival of his dwindling clan.
Under further pressure from Jin Xingjian, he reluctantly mimed the "one-eyed general," explaining that he had once encountered this "one-eyed general" (implied to be Yu Shao Bai from a past life) while foraging for food, who then forced him to perform a favor.
Episode 27 Recap
The Dream Eater, having been previously coerced by the one-eyed general to facilitate Yu Shao Bai's entry into Ye Ming's dreams, was now free but potentially in mortal danger. He explained that to recover Ye Ming's memories, they would need to visit all the places she had lived. Jin Xingjian readily offered to take him to Shanghai. However, the Dream Eater was apprehensive about Lu Tian Jiao, fearing she wouldn't allow him to leave.
Lu Tian Jiao, initially angry and unwilling to see the Dream Eater, was left behind when the Dream Eater seized an opportunity to escape during their private conversation, much to her fury. Before departing, the Dream Eater had requested a private conversation with Lu Tian Jiao. In their private conversation, the Dream Eater apologized for his deceptions but insisted that the sweet nothings he whispered in her dreams were genuine, and he truly loved her.
Lu Tian Jiao, though still resentful of his true, less glamorous appearance compared to the handsome Mr. Mo of her dreams, confessed that she would kill herself if he lied about loving her. She agreed to accept him, making him swear to be good to her forever. He swore, and as she closed her eyes, he seized the opportunity to escape. Jin Xingjian, upon realizing his escape, reassured a distraught Lu Tian Jiao that the Dream Eater would return.
Later that night, as Lu Tian Jiao stewed in anger in her room, Ye Li Na confided in Ye Ming, urging her to cherish Jin Xingjian's companionship. Ye Li Na suggested that a deep love for Jin Xingjian might be hidden within Ye Ming's lost memories, even though Ye Ming currently regarded him only as a younger brother. Reflecting on Jin Xingjian's unwavering support and care since she awoke without memories, Ye Ming found herself troubled.
Unable to sleep, she went for a walk and encountered Jin Xingjian. She pondered the emotional toll her lost memories had taken on him and considered the possibility of simply starting life anew if her past could not be recovered. Jin Xingjian, for his part, expressed his desire to protect Ye Ming and vowed to support her decisions, as he couldn't bear to lose her again.
Meanwhile, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing arrived at Gu Village, immediately sensing Yu Shao Bai's demonic aura. They soon realized the village was an illusion, a trap set by Yu Shao Bai. They encountered the one-eyed general, disguised as an elderly man, and engaged in a fierce battle. The general eventually fled.
Xiao Qing confirmed that everything they saw was an illusion, and Lian Xuan, fearing more of Yu Shao Bai's tricks, hastily searched for an exit with Xiao Qing, unaware that Yu Shao Bai was deliberately delaying them to put his larger plan into motion—involving the true form of the King of Bats. Despite the illusion, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing eventually broke through the enchantment and escaped.
Back at the Lu Mansion, Divisional Commander Lu erupted in fury upon discovering his daughter's disappearance. He harshly reprimanded his third concubine for her negligence and ordered her to find Lu Tian Jiao by any means necessary. Desperate to lure the Dream Eater back, Lu Tian Jiao, now confined to her room by an enchantment, resorted to attempting suicide by striking her head against a pillar. The desperate act succeeded in bringing the Dream Eater to her side.
The Dream Eater explained to Lu Tian Jiao the perilous nature of retrieving memories, warning that a single mistake could be fatal. Concerned for his safety, Lu Tian Jiao declared her intention to elope with him. As they attempted to flee, they were quickly surrounded by soldiers. The third concubine's forces captured them and brought them back to the Lu Mansion, dispatching a messenger to inform Divisional Commander Lu. Confined once more, Lu Tian Jiao was incandescent with rage.
She berated the Dream Eater, pointing out how his true form—disheveled, timid, and seemingly useless—was a far cry from the cultured and powerful Mr. Mo of her dreams, which the Dream Eater clarified was merely an illusion born of her imagination. She suggested he use his dream powers to scare her father into releasing them, but he explained he couldn't due to the enchantment on the house.
Divisional Commander Lu then arrived and was shocked to find the Dream Eater in his daughter's room. Enraged, especially after the third concubine labeled him a "scoundrel" for supposedly luring Lu Tian Jiao away, he ordered his men to execute the Dream Eater on the spot. Lu Tian Jiao, however, fiercely defended him, threatening to take her own life if her father harmed the Dream Eater, even claiming full responsibility for their attempted elopement.
Faced with his daughter's desperate plea, Divisional Commander Lu reluctantly spared the Dream Eater's life but sternly forbade Lu Tian Jiao from ever seeing him again. The Dream Eater was dragged away, and Lu Tian Jiao, locked in her room, vowed to rescue him. Upon learning of these events from Ye Li Na, who had spoken to a servant at the Lu Mansion, Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming decided to intervene.
Ye Li Na initially believed the timid Dream Eater would have fled Nanjing, but Jin Xingjian was certain he would remain close to Lu Tian Jiao. Indeed, the Dream Eater was found buying food, distressed by news that Lu Tian Jiao was refusing to eat or drink. Jin Xingjian offered him a deal: he would rescue Lu Tian Jiao if the Dream Eater, in turn, helped Ye Ming recover her memories.
The Dream Eater agreed, confessing that while his initial attraction to Lu Tian Jiao was driven by his appetite for her dreams, he had genuinely fallen in love with her and could no longer bear to be apart. He reiterated the grave dangers of memory retrieval: forgotten memories reside in a "world of extreme cold," each a snowflake. Navigating this vast, white expanse during frequent blizzards required extreme caution, as those caught could be buried forever.
Ye Ming, undeterred by the risks, expressed her determination to try, stating she would have no regrets, and even offered to repay him in her next life if he sacrificed his own. The Dream Eater humbly stated he only wished for Jiao Jiao's rescue. With their agreement sealed, Jin Xingjian orchestrated a plan. Ye Li Na created a loud diversion at the Lu Mansion, confronting the third concubine and threatening to spread rumors about Lu Tian Jiao's mistreatment.
While the guards were distracted, Jin Xingjian entered Lu Tian Jiao's room. Although she hesitated, concerned about the Dream Eater's safety and his newfound obligation to Ye Ming, Jin Xingjian reassured her that he would ensure the Dream Eater's well-being, just as he would never allow Ye Ming to come to harm. Reunited, Lu Tian Jiao and the Dream Eater expressed their joy, though he worried about how he, a humble demon, could provide for a rich young lady.
Ye Ming, however, affirmed that love transcended social status. The Dream Eater mentioned having seen Jin Xingjian's "shadows" in Ye Ming's dreams, suggesting that he held a significant place in her heart, despite her lost memories. They departed Nanjing on the earliest train to Shanghai, moving into the Hua Xue Gallery.
Episode 28 Recap
Lu Tian Jiao watched with deep concern as Dream Eater prepared to use his powers to help Ye Ming recover her lost memories. She understood the immense danger involved and the potential consequences. Dream Eater, however, reassured her, promising to return unharmed. He felt obligated to repay Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming for their assistance and vowed not to make Lu Tian Jiao wait long.
Ye Ming, aware of Jin Xingjian’s unspoken anxieties, told him that if the heavens were merciful and allowed her to recover her past, her greatest wish was to achieve a positive future with him. Despite the inherent dangers, her primary desire was to become a complete version of herself and understand what she had missed. Ye Ming acknowledged the possibility of not returning, stating that even if something terrible occurred, the thousands of years would have been worth it.
Jin Xingjian, visibly distraught, urged her to stop speaking such nonsense and pledged to wait for her. Lu Tian Jiao similarly made Dream Eater promise to come back, which he did. Before they began, Dream Eater explained that all forgotten memories are sealed within an extreme cold place, where each memory transforms into a snowflake. This realm is frequently swept by blizzards, threatening to bury anyone who isn't careful, trapping them forever with their lost memories.
Under Dream Eater's guidance, Ye Ming journeyed into the frigid memory realm. Moving quickly to evade the frequent blizzards, she managed to gather memory snowflakes, triggering a flood of forgotten events. Her memories revealed a past from a millennium ago, beginning with her first encounter with Yu Shao Bai and the development of their love.
During this period, Jin Xingjian was still Little Stone, a child who, out of jealousy for Yu Shao Bai’s affection, often troubled and even physically assaulted him. Ye Ming explained to Yu Shao Bai that Little Stone was her younger brother. Initially, Yu Shao Bai was a gentle and modest scholar, but over time, he transformed.
He grew tired of their peaceful life and sought glory by joining the army, convinced it was his only path to success and an escape from poverty. He proclaimed that a simple, ordinary life was never good enough for him. Despite Ye Ming’s heartfelt pleas for him to stay, Yu Shao Bai remained resolute, stating that nothing could stop him and that if she was willing to wait, she should, otherwise, they were finished.
As Yu Shao Bai fought on the battlefield, Ye Ming frequently used her divine powers to resurrect him, defying fate itself. Yet, these repeated interventions failed to change his ambition. Eventually, Little Stone grew into his adult form, Jin Xingjian, and confessed his enduring love to Ye Ming.
However, her heart belonged to Yu Shao Bai, and she gently rejected Jin Xingjian, reiterating that he was her younger brother, a bond that would remain even if he lived to be an old man. In a climactic battle, as Ye Ming prepared to save Yu Shao Bai once more, she made a shocking discovery: he had already stolen the Blood Bat King's essence, thus falling into the demonic path.
Yu Shao Bai then attempted to seize her Bright Night Pearl. Jin Xingjian arrived just in time to intervene and prevent the theft. However, he found himself unable to strike down Yu Shao Bai, because Yu Shao Bai and Ye Ming's lives were linked by their primordial spirits. Harming him would also harm her, and Jin Xingjian could not bring himself to kill Ye Ming.
Upon realizing the horrifying truth of Yu Shao Bai's betrayal, Ye Ming was heartbroken and determined to sever all ties with him forever. The narrative then fast-forwarded to the Republic era, where the devastating massacre at Gu Village shattered the tranquility Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming had found. In that conflict, Jin Xingjian and Lian Xuan successfully disrupted Yu Shao Bai's schemes.
Ye Ming, overwhelmed by the chaos, sought to perish with Yu Shao Bai, but Jin Xingjian, unwilling to witness her demise, instead put her into a deep sleep and sealed Yu Shao Bai within a painting. Overwhelmed by the complete story of her past, Ye Ming wept profusely, but then found herself ensnared in an illusion, trapped within the dream realm. Without a moment's hesitation, Jin Xingjian plunged into the dream to rescue her.
When a powerful tornado surged towards them, he instinctively pushed Ye Ming away to shield her. However, Ye Ming refused to abandon him, rushing back to embrace Jin Xingjian, vowing never to let him go again, even if it meant being sealed together. Realizing their dire situation, Dream Eater disregarded Lu Tian Jiao’s frantic warnings and bravely entered the dream. With immense effort, he tore open the tornado, successfully extracting Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming from the perilous illusion.
Though safe, Dream Eater immediately collapsed from exhaustion. That evening, as Ye Ming helped Jin Xingjian rest, she gently chastised him for his reckless actions in the dream. She admitted she was terrified of losing him just as her memories had returned, but Jin Xingjian explained his actions were not impulsive, but "premeditated." She thanked him for everything he had done, but he quietly expressed that she didn't need to offer "deliberate thanks" merely because she had regained her memories.
He advised her to rest, as her primordial spirit was damaged. Meanwhile, Lu Tian Jiao anxiously watched over Dream Eater until he finally awoke, much to her relief. She scolded him for his heroic but dangerous actions, telling him he had scared her. Dream Eater, after some playful banter, mollified her, promising he would always bear her scolding with a smile.
She continued to express her frustration with his perceived laziness and his "shameless" idea of staying indefinitely in someone else’s home. The next morning, Jin Xingjian had recovered, while Dream Eater appeared strikingly transformed, having trimmed his hair and beard, looking far more handsome than his previous unkempt self. Lu Tian Jiao proudly introduced him as "Mr. Mo from her dream."
As they ate breakfast, Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming observed the loving way Dream Eater and Lu Tian Jiao cared for each other, exchanging food and kind words. Dream Eater, comfortable in Hua Xue Gallery, admitted he hesitated to leave, fearing he couldn't provide Lu Tian Jiao with a comfortable life. However, Lu Tian Jiao expressed her strong desire for them to have their own home, emphasizing that relying on others was not a long-term solution.
Dream Eater then vowed to provide her with a prosperous and happy life, promising her everything other women had, including a grand wedding and a bigger, more luxurious home with maids, so she would never have to do any housework. Lu Tian Jiao, still somewhat skeptical, playfully told him to go sweep the floor.
Episode 29 Recap
Dream Eater and Lu Tian Jiao decided to move to Beiping, so they bid farewell to Jin Xingjian and Night Ming. Night Ming had mentioned their departure earlier, and Jin Xingjian, after seeing them off, gave them a letter for a friend in Beiping, Lord Jia, who would arrange accommodation for them. Lu Tian Jiao playfully suggested Jin Xingjian be their wedding witness if she and Dream Eater returned to Nanjing.
Night Ming then teased Lu Tian Jiao, saying that if Dream Eater weren't around, she might fall for Jin Xingjian herself, and playfully urged Lu Tian Jiao to guard him well. Jin Xingjian, in turn, expressed that he was indeed looking forward to their departure. Later, Night Ming remarked that the Hua Xue Gallery felt quiet without them, but Jin Xingjian assured her it would be lively once Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing returned.
Night Ming then reminisced about Xiao Qing's strong personality, recalling how Xiao Qing had once sharply criticized "her" (Night Ming) during a time she was deceived by Yu Shao Bai. She noted how Lian Xuan, though impulsive, benefited from Xiao Qing's guidance. Night Ming also recalled "her own" past with Jin Xingjian, remembering how he had helped "her" immensely in "her" youth.
Meanwhile, Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing continued to track Yu Shao Bai, following a strong demonic aura into the wilderness. Despite Xiao Qing’s concern that they might have lost him or walked into a trap, Lian Xuan insisted on seizing the opportunity to retrieve the seal. They discovered a hidden cave and ventured inside, noting the intense cold.
Deeper within, they found a massive ice formation, and to their shock, realized it encased the preserved body of the late Bat King. Lian Xuan deduced that Yu Shao Bai, who had stolen the Bat King's essence a millennium ago, intended to use this immortal body to replace his mortal one. Realizing the grave danger if Yu Shao Bai succeeded, Lian Xuan decided they must destroy the corpse immediately.
As Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing attempted to break the ice, Yu Shao Bai appeared, accompanied by the one-eyed general. Yu Shao Bai revealed that he had lured them there, knowing that Lian Xuan's "Blood of the Sun" was the only force capable of melting the "Cryotheum" encasing the Bat King's body. During the ensuing confrontation, Yu Shao Bai severely injured Lian Xuan, causing his blood to splatter onto the ice, which instantly began to melt.
Lian Xuan realized they had walked into Yu Shao Bai’s elaborate trap. He desperately tried to destroy the exposed body, but Yu Shao Bai blocked him, clearly intent on abandoning his current form and merging with the Bat King. As Yu Shao Bai successfully merged with the late Bat King’s body, Night Ming, back at Hua Xue Gallery, collapsed in agony, calling out Jin Xingjian's name. In the cave, the one-eyed general intercepted Xiao Qing and Lian Xuan's escape.
Despite their efforts, Yu Shao Bai’s enhanced power was overwhelming, and he swiftly defeated Lian Xuan. As Yu Shao Bai prepared to deliver a fatal blow to Lian Xuan, Xiao Qing selflessly stepped in front of him, taking the full impact of the attack. Her demonic essence was completely shattered. Lian Xuan, heartbroken, scooped up the gravely injured Xiao Qing and fled. The one-eyed general, also heavily wounded, pleaded with Yu Shao Bai for help, addressing him as "Your Majesty."
However, Yu Shao Bai coldly dismissed him, reminding him of his earlier offer to sacrifice himself, then callously extracted his essence before leaving him to perish. Lian Xuan desperately carried Xiao Qing, hoping to reach Jin Xingjian for help, but she succumbed to her injuries in his arms, her body dissolving into dust. Overcome with grief, Lian Xuan screamed for help, for Jin Xingjian to save her.
At the Hua Xue Gallery, Night Ming awakened, feeling strangely revitalized, as if reborn, with all her previous injuries miraculously healed. Jin Xingjian suspected this was connected to Yu Shao Bai’s recent actions, and he recognized the urgency of retrieving his lost seal. Night Ming then realized that the "sacred relic" Yu Shao Bai had given her to lift her seal in the past was, in fact, Jin Xingjian's own seal.
She recalled Yu Shao Bai mentioning it was a prized possession of the Blood Bat Clan and that he had hidden it in a mountain shack after the unsealing. Jin Xingjian, however, believed it was too late to retrieve it, as Yu Shao Bai would surely have taken it with him. Lian Xuan arrived at Hua Xue Gallery, carrying Xiao Qing’s ethereal remains, and frantically begged Jin Xingjian to use his seal to save her.
With a heavy heart, Jin Xingjian apologized, explaining that with her essence completely shattered, even he could do nothing. As Xiao Qing’s last vestiges dissolved into thin air, Lian Xuan's grief turned to rage, and he lashed out at Night Ming, blaming her for all the suffering.
He pointed out that with Yu Shao Bai now possessing an immortal body, no one could stop him, and even Jin Xingjian would be powerless to protect Night Ming when her Thunder Tribulation arrived, suggesting that killing Night Ming was the only way to end the chaos. Night Ming, consumed by guilt for inadvertently reviving Yu Shao Bai, believed herself to be the root of all the evil.
She felt she should have died long ago and that only her death could bring an end to the destruction. Jin Xingjian forbade her from entertaining such thoughts, promising to resolve everything himself and urging her to find salvation in life. Later, Night Ming asked Jin Xingjian to convey her apologies to Lian Xuan and give him time to heal. She confided in Jin Xingjian, speaking of her renewed feelings for him.
She confessed that upon reawakening, she sensed her affection for him had changed, but she had forced herself to see him as a brother. However, even the removal of her memories couldn't erase her love. She vowed to protect him from then on, promising to remain by his side, even if she dissolved into air or dust, and to forever be a part of him.
After this emotional confession, Night Ming used a spell to gently put Jin Xingjian to sleep. Meanwhile, a drunken Lian Xuan lay on the ground, hallucinating Xiao Qing. The illusory Xiao Qing scolded him for his dishevelled appearance, lamenting that he no longer resembled the heroic demon hunter she knew and even comparing him unfavorably to Jin Xingjian. Lian Xuan, through his tears, expressed that without her, his life's purpose of hunting demons felt utterly meaningless.
Episode 30 Recap
Drunk and disoriented, Lian Xuan stumbled and collapsed in the grass. He drifted into a dream, where he saw Xiao Qing beside him. Xiao Qing playfully chided him for his disheveled appearance and the smell of alcohol, pointing out his hypocrisy in criticizing Jin Xingjian for being blinded by love when he was doing the same. She questioned his current state, reminding him of his past as a great demon hunter, now seemingly no better than Jin Xingjian.
Lian Xuan lamented that demon hunting held no meaning without her. Xiao Qing then challenged him, implying that he knew the true culprit behind her death was not Ye Ming or Jin Xingjian, but Yu Shao Bai. She urged him to abandon his self-pity, promising to return to him if he committed to living well and continuing his mission to kill demons. Lian Xuan, desperate not to lose her again, pledged to pull himself together.
Xiao Qing also advised him not to blame Ye Ming and Jin Xingjian, acknowledging that her brief time with him was her happiest in hundreds of years. She asked him to take care of himself. As Lian Xuan awoke, he realized it was all a dream, but Xiao Qing's words resonated deeply. Still distraught, Lian Xuan made his way to Hua Xue Gallery, where he saw Ye Ming emerging.
Ye Ming expressed her sorrow for Xiao Qing's death and apologized for her past actions under Yu Shao Bai's manipulation, hoping for his forgiveness. However, Lian Xuan, consumed by grief and anger, refused to accept her apology, asking if it would bring Xiao Qing back to life. Ye Ming then entrusted Jin Xingjian's care to Lian Xuan, stating her intention to help "Little Stone" (Jin Xingjian) overcome his current predicament.
Lian Xuan, seeing her resolve to confront Yu Shao Bai, responded with bitterness, saying she should have died sooner to prevent all the suffering and that her death would put an end to everything. Ye Ming left for Yu Shao Bai's lair. Lian Xuan, realizing Ye Ming was walking into a trap, was torn. Fearing that Jin Xingjian would lose all hope if Ye Ming died, he rushed back into Hua Xue Gallery and roused the unconscious Jin Xingjian.
Meanwhile, Ye Ming confronted Yu Shao Bai, demanding Jin Xingjian's seals. Ye Ming proposed a trade: Jin Xingjian's seals for half of her own Bright Night Pearl. Yu Shao Bai, desiring her half of the Bright Night Pearl to complete his own power, agreed to the exchange. After Ye Ming threatened to destroy her pearl if he didn't cooperate, Yu Shao Bai threw the seals to her.
Once the seals were in her possession, Ye Ming immediately launched an attack, hoping to destroy them both. However, Yu Shao Bai retaliated, gravely injuring her and absorbing her half of the Bright Night Pearl, which merged with his existing half, significantly boosting his powers. Just then, Jin Xingjian arrived, holding the injured Ye Ming. She returned his seals, and he gently placed her aside as he prepared to face Yu Shao Bai.
Lian Xuan soon joined the fight, and together they confronted the formidable Yu Shao Bai. Yu Shao Bai, defiant, declared that what he could not possess, Jin Xingjian would not either. Jin Xingjian used all eight seals to suppress Yu Shao Bai's magic, trapping him within an array. Overwhelmed by their combined power, Yu Shao Bai was swiftly defeated. The now-whole Bright Night Pearl separated from his body and transferred into Ye Ming.
Seizing his chance, Lian Xuan, driven by a fierce desire to avenge Xiao Qing, fatally stabbed Yu Shao Bai. With his last breath, Yu Shao Bai issued an ominous warning: "Everything. . . has only just begun!" His body dissolved into dust, and strange black snow fell across the land, observed with shock by villagers who wondered about its portent. Jin Xingjian rushed to the unconscious Ye Ming, cradling her and vowing to save her, blaming himself for her condition.
He brought her back to Hua Xue Gallery and settled her in a secret chamber, promising to always be by her side. Later, Lian Xuan and Jin Xingjian shared a quiet moment over tea. Jin Xingjian started to express his sorrow over Xiao Qing, but Lian Xuan interrupted, revealing that Xiao Qing had visited him in a dream, urging him not to blame either Jin Xingjian or Ye Ming.
Lian Xuan announced his departure from Shanghai, stating he couldn't bear to remain at Hua Xue Gallery, constantly seeing Jin Xingjian and the "old demon," referring to Ye Ming. Before leaving, he gravely warned Jin Xingjian to guard his eight seals carefully, expressing his wish that Jin Xingjian would not fall victim to the upcoming thunder tribulation. Jin Xingjian thanked him, now knowing that it would be just him and the still unconscious Ye Ming left in Hua Xue Gallery.
For days, Jin Xingjian remained devotedly by Ye Ming's side, narrating tales of the outside world. He placed a beautiful proposal ring, which he had bought from Dahsin Department Store, on her finger, promising a grand wedding once she awakened. Suddenly, Ye Ming stirred and slowly opened her eyes, her first soft words being "I want to hear."
The past thousand years were too long, and Ye Ming, unwilling for Jin Xingjian to wait any longer, leaned over and kissed him. She recounted a dream of Jin Xingjian, "Little Stone," chasing her across a treacherous river for a thousand years, tirelessly clinging to her. She playfully scolded his stubborn devotion but then apologized for her own past habit of leaving without goodbye. Jin Xingjian reassured her that he would always find her, no matter where she went.
Their conversation was filled with profound affection; Ye Ming thanked him for being alive, and Jin Xingjian expressed his gratitude for the chance to reclaim what they had lost. They envisioned a future together, traveling the world and staying a year in each country after Jin Xingjian successfully navigated his thunder tribulation. Unbeknownst to them, the black snow that fell after Yu Shao Bai's demise had initiated a rampant epidemic in Shanghai's south city.
Many residents, including Ye Qingchun, fell gravely ill. His sister, Ye Li Na, discovered him collapsed at home, burning with fever, and immediately rushed him to the hospital. There, a nurse informed her that doctors suspected his illness was linked to the city's new epidemic, characterized by unrelenting high fever.
When Ye Qingchun awoke, he urged Ye Li Na to go home and tell their parents he merely had a common cold, to prevent them from worrying, and insisted she shouldn't visit him until his discharge. However, Ye Li Na refused to leave his side, recalling how he had always cared for her during her childhood illnesses, asserting her determination to stay and support him.
Back at Hua Xue Gallery, Jin Xingjian suggested they go to the cinema, which Ye Ming, having never been, happily agreed to. She decided to dress up elegantly, wanting to uphold her image as the lady of Hua Xue Gallery and not give any "admirers" of Jin Xingjian cause for amusement. As they were about to leave, Jin Xingjian received a phone call from Ye Li Na, her voice filled with panic.
She informed him that Ye Qingchun was seriously ill and she was alone and frightened at the hospital. Without hesitation, Jin Xingjian decided they must go to the hospital at once, and Ye Ming readily agreed, suggesting that their movie date could wait, as they had a lifetime ahead of them.
Episode 31 Recap
As a deadly plague swept through Shanghai, hospitals became severely overcrowded, with patients even lining the corridors and many without beds. Ye Li Na urgently called Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming for help after her brother, Ye Qingchun, contracted the mysterious illness. Despite the government sending the nation's best medical team, the unknown virus resisted all treatments.
Ye Li Na shared that although her father had brought in top doctors to find a cure, Ye Qingchun's fever kept returning, and she feared he wouldn't survive long enough for a solution. Seeing the nurses overworked and falling ill, Ye Ming stepped in to assist with patient care, expertly administering injections. She urged Ye Li Na to return home to avoid infection, as she and Jin Xingjian were immune.
However, Ye Li Na steadfastly refused to abandon her brother, recalling his past sacrifices for her and insisting she must stay with him through this ordeal. Ye Ming also comforted a young patient named Xiao Yue, giving her food and reassuring her that her mother was safe, encouraging the child to recover. Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian left to investigate the plague’s origin, after Ye Li Na informed them that the outbreak began in Chengnan.
Coincidentally, Lian Xuan returned to Shanghai and witnessed many villagers fleeing Chengnan, seeking doctors for their sick children in the city. An old woman warned Lian Xuan that the village was cursed with the plague, mentioning a strange haze that drifted down from the mountaintop a few days prior, after which everyone fell ill. Jin Xingjian, already at Chengnan, realized this haze was the plague's source.
Lian Xuan spotted Jin Xingjian and, noticing his rejuvenated spirit, surmised that Ye Ming had awakened from her coma. Together, they ascended the mountain, recognizing the location as the very spot where Yu Shao Bai had perished. Jin Xingjian recalled Yu Shao Bai's chilling words just before his death: "It is only the beginning."
He realized that upon the destruction of the Blood Bat King's body, Yu Shao Bai had released a thousand-year-old virus as a final, vengeful act, intending to condemn the entire city to death and potentially spread the calamity beyond Shanghai.
Concerned that despite Lian Xuan's strong magical powers, he was still human and susceptible to infection, Jin Xingjian securely confined him within Hua Xue Gallery for his safety, explaining that he couldn't bear for Lian Xuan to suffer harm as Xiao Qing had. Returning to the hospital, Jin Xingjian conveyed his grim findings to Ye Ming.
She was deeply concerned that the entire city would be destroyed, as the number of patients had doubled in a single day, and the doctors had made no progress against the unprecedented virus. Ye Ming lamented the fragility of human life and their seeming helplessness in the face of such a devastating illness.
She expressed her despair, greater even than when she was bound to Yu Shao Bai by the Commensal Knot, and declared her willingness to sacrifice everything, even her millennium-long cultivation, to offer the humans a glimmer of hope. Despite Jin Xingjian's earlier efforts to use his spiritual power to stabilize Xiao Yue, the child's condition suddenly worsened, her blood pressure dropping as doctors predicted she wouldn't survive the night.
Ye Li Na also succumbed to the plague while caring for her brother. Ye Qingchun was heartbroken by his sister’s stubborn refusal to leave, fearing they would both die. Ye Li Na, however, remained resolute, expressing hope that if they didn't survive, they would still be siblings in their next life. Ye Ming learned that even the new medicine supplied by the medical team was ineffective, leaving the doctors without options.
She stood in the courtyard, overwhelmed by the despair and the apparent futility of their efforts, but Jin Xingjian urged her not to give up hope before the very last moment. With a heavy heart, Jin Xingjian made a momentous decision. He informed Ye Ming he was returning to Hua Xue Gallery and asked her to take care of herself.
There, he told Lian Xuan that the plague would pass by tomorrow, intending to use his true body – his seals – to combat the epidemic. Lian Xuan was aghast, warning that using the seals would trigger the thunder tribulation, leading to Jin Xingjian’s complete destruction. Jin Xingjian, however, was unwavering, stating he could not bear to watch the city perish and did not want Ye Ming to live in constant worry.
He made Lian Xuan promise not to reveal his sacrifice to Ye Ming. Ignoring Lian Xuan’s desperate pleas, Jin Xingjian went to the mountaintop, the site of Yu Shao Bai's demise. He performed a ritual, shattering his seven seals into powder, which then dispersed over Shanghai, neutralizing the thousand-year-old virus. Lian Xuan, standing by, had to support the severely weakened Jin Xingjian. As dawn broke, Jin Xingjian murmured that someone had to do it.
Miraculously, as the sun rose, all the patients in the hospital, including Xiao Yue and Ye Li Na, began to recover. Ye Ming, unaware of Jin Xingjian's sacrifice, joyfully attributed the mass recovery to the medical team's new medicine. She rushed back to Hua Xue Gallery to share the good news with Jin Xingjian, failing to notice his weakened state or the tears streaming down Lian Xuan's face as he feigned excitement about the plague's end.
Later, Ye Qingchun and Ye Li Na, fully recovered, visited Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming to express their gratitude and bid farewell. Ye Li Na announced her decision to study medicine abroad, wanting to contribute meaningfully during these turbulent times. Ye Qingchun, having realized his narrow-mindedness, would return to Guangdong to inherit his father’s expanded business, intending to be a person who "puts out the fire" by helping people.
With Ye Ming's permission, Ye Li Na shared a farewell hug with Jin Xingjian, jokingly warning him to treat Ye Ming well, or she would always side with her best friend. After seeing the siblings off, Jin Xingjian mused on how everyone had changed. Suddenly, Lian Xuan presented them with movie tickets, urging Ye Ming to cherish the present. Jin Xingjian gently explained that Lian Xuan missed Xiao Qing.
Lian Xuan confirmed, expressing deep regret for not treating Xiao Qing better, and encouraged Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming to do everything they wished, without concern for him, including enjoying a good meal and having fun. Jin Xingjian and Ye Ming decided to honor Lian Xuan's kind intentions and accept the movie tickets.
Episode 32 (Ending) Recap
Ye Ming and Jin Xingjian spent a leisurely day and night together without purpose. As Jin Xingjian rested the next noon, Ye Ming's calls alerted Lian Xuan. He rushed in, finding Jin Xingjian unresponsive, his face pale and cold, and couldn't detect any breath, causing him to despair and believe Jin Xingjian had died to save the common people. However, Jin Xingjian soon stirred, explaining he had merely fallen asleep due to extreme weakness, which made his breathing imperceptible.
Ye Ming, relieved but suspicious of Lian Xuan's earlier pronouncements, pressed him for answers. Lian Xuan then confessed that the plague medicine was ineffective; Jin Xingjian had secretly used his true form, destroying his eight seals, to purify the virus. This sacrifice rendered him vulnerable to his impending thunder tribulation. Angered by Jin Xingjian's secrecy and self-sacrifice, Ye Ming worried about his fate during the thunder tribulation.
She remembered that she herself had survived her own tribulation years ago by hiding in a deep mountain cave and believed this mountain could also protect Jin Xingjian. Lian Xuan questioned if such an ancient mountain could still exist. Ye Ming confidently stated she remembered its location and believed it couldn't simply disappear. With the thunder tribulation nearing, they hurried to pack and rushed to the train station with Jin Xingjian, who was now too weak to walk unaided.
On the train, Lian Xuan, mistaking a normal thunderstorm for the actual thunder tribulation, comically panicked, much to Jin Xingjian’s amusement. Their journey was cut short when the train abruptly stopped; they learned a battle ahead had destroyed the railway tracks. All passengers were forced to disembark in the wilderness. Realizing the mountain paths would be treacherous for Jin Xingjian in his weakened state, Ye Ming insisted they proceed slowly to a nearby town to find alternative transportation.
Jin Xingjian, despite his frail condition, tried to maintain a brave front, though Lian Xuan commented on his worsening state and Ye Ming's bossy protectiveness. As they continued on foot, they inadvertently wandered into a war zone. Amidst explosions and gunfire, Ye Ming used her powers to shield Jin Xingjian. Lian Xuan bravely pushed Ye Ming out of harm's way, taking a bullet to his right leg.
Wounded, he carried the frail Jin Xingjian through the rugged forest as night fell. They were soon ambushed by soldiers. Jin Xingjian recognized them as Commander Duan's troops. Commander Duan, noticing Jin Xingjian’s poor condition, expressed concern. Jin Xingjian fabricated a story about traveling north for medical treatment and being caught in the war. Commander Duan promised safe passage out of the war zone.
Meanwhile, Lian Xuan, having received initial treatment, was informed by a doctor that his wound was severe and he was fortunate to avoid amputation, though he might need a walking stick permanently. He overheard Jin Xingjian pleading with Commander Duan to ensure Lian Xuan received the best medical care to save his leg. To put Jin Xingjian's mind at ease, Lian Xuan agreed to Commander Duan’s offer to stay in the military camp as an aide-de-camp.
Jin Xingjian gave Lian Xuan carving tools as a parting gift, urging him to return once he had completed his mission. Lian Xuan, now in a sky-blue military uniform, tearfully watched Ye Ming and Jin Xingjian depart, reflecting on their long, complicated, yet deep friendship. Ye Ming and Jin Xingjian, after much traveling, finally reached their destination, recalling their initial encounters. Ye Ming remembered choosing this beautiful place as her earthly home when she was a star.
She then recalled the day she first met "Little Stone" – a young boy who intruded into her home, proclaiming himself a deity transformed from a stone from Kunlun Mountain, a sky-mending stone. He steadfastly followed her, and despite her initial annoyance, she allowed him to live with her, calling him "Little Stone" and presenting him as her younger brother to outsiders. Little Stone was fiercely protective, even burning a suitor's woodpile because he liked Ye Ming.
He declared his intention to grow into a man and protect her. He once offered her a piece of his "true body" in the form of an engraved stone, but she refused, insisting he keep it safe. He confessed his deep admiration, saying she was the most beautiful person in the world. Upon finally reaching the area where Ye Ming remembered the protective mountain, they were dismayed to find it gone.
Ye Ming was distraught, but Jin Xingjian, seemingly unconcerned, comforted her, urging her to appreciate the beautiful scenery of her homeland. That night, Jin Xingjian, looking like a handsome stone statue weathered by time and seemingly on the verge of crumbling, spoke of his care for her future, suggesting places she could go to escape the elements and even visit Miss Ye in England. Ye Ming, distraught by his words, insisted that she wanted him by her side always.
She reiterated her commitment to facing the tribulation with him, even if it meant dying together. Jin Xingjian, with deep sadness, made her promise to live happily no matter what happened to him, saying it was his only wish and request. Tearfully, they embraced and shared a final kiss. As dawn broke the next day, Ye Ming went to fetch water for Jin Xingjian. Distant thunder began to rumble, growing louder and closer.
Suddenly, Ye Ming found herself uncontrollably suspended in mid-air, realizing with horror that this was her long-awaited thunder tribulation. Before she could react, Jin Xingjian lunged forward, shielding her with his own body and enduring the powerful lightning strikes. Through tears, Ye Ming realized he had known all along that this was her tribulation and had planned to sacrifice himself after destroying his seals. She begged him not to leave her.
Jin Xingjian, in his final moments, apologized and revealed that this very place was where they first met. He explained that he was one of the eight sky-mending broken stones left by Nuwa at the moment when Pangu separated heaven and earth. He was the continuous jade mountain that had accompanied and loved her for millennia, protecting her even during her previous tribulation.
Jin Xingjian transformed into a majestic jade mountain, his body absorbing the remaining lightning, thus saving Ye Ming. She collapsed inside the mountain cave, heartbroken, as the mountain, his true form, protected her through her tribulation. Ten years later, Ye Ming resided in a small cottage by the jade mountain, guarding it day and night. One day, while guiding a traveler, she heard a child's voice. Turning, she saw a boy who bore a striking resemblance to Little Stone.
He echoed Jin Xingjian’s words from their first meeting: "Big sister, are you a demon? I don't know who I am. I was transformed from a stone. But it isn't perfect." Overjoyed, Ye Ming wept, realizing that the proposal ring she wore, a symbol of Jin Xingjian's love, had finally found its true owner again.
