Twelve Legends Episode 22 Recap
> Twelve Legends 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.
