When Destiny Brings The Demon Episode 21 Recap
> When Destiny Brings The Demon Recap
Sima Jiao, accompanied by Nianjiu, rapidly conquered Celestial Crane City. The city's previous lord quickly surrendered, opening the gates to welcome the new master. The citizens, aware that the Grandmaster had merged with two spirit fires, greatly enhancing his power, joyfully came out to line the streets. Among the crowd, Hongluo was captivated by the majestic black serpent, later identifying him as the Winter City Lord and desiring him.
Liao Tingyan, however, was drawn to the striking young man atop the serpent, remarking on his "pretty face" as she wondered how such a "white-faced scholar" could command a black python. She was surprised to learn from others that this imposing figure was none other than Sima Jiao, the Grandmaster himself, whose name was not to be spoken directly.
This revelation shocked Liao Tingyan, who had always envisioned Sima Jiao as a fearsome, grotesque monster, as described by her father, and now felt it impossible to ever defeat him. Meanwhile, Shi Qianlv had been discussing his plans with a relative, Qiandu. He lamented his current pathetic state, all because of Sima Jiao, who had grown stronger after fusing with the new Spirit Fire and was killing many of their clan.
Shi Qianlv revealed that Liao Tingyan was his "weapon," possessing an extreme-cold nature capable of suppressing Sima Jiao's Spirit Fire. Eighteen years prior, he had brought her to the Demon Realm and performed a Soul Cleanse Spell to erase her memories, ensuring she would be loyal to him. Her cold constitution hadn't affected Sima Jiao before because she had forgotten how to wield it, necessitating regular marrow cleansing to awaken her abilities for the sole purpose of killing Sima Jiao.
Liao Tingyan returned home, where Shi Qianlv, whom she knew as her father, introduced her to his sister, her "aunt." Shi Qianlv then informed Liao Tingyan that Sima Jiao's capture of Celestial Crane City was an opportunity for her to strike. Despite Liao Tingyan's reluctance, fearing it would be a suicide mission, Shi Qianlv insisted, telling her that her aunt was there to help with another marrow cleansing to fully awaken her extreme-cold nature. Liao Tingyan resignedly accepted.
Later, after the cleansing, Qiandu observed that Liao Tingyan's extreme-cold nature was greatly improved, and since Sima Jiao still harbored feelings for her, he would not suspect her, increasing her chances of success. However, Shi Qianlv worried Liao Tingyan might hesitate to strike, so he cast a Nightmare Spell on her to solidify her resolve for revenge. The next morning, Liao Tingyan told Shi Qianlv that her dream of Zhenxu had fueled her rage and desire to kill Sima Jiao.
She feigned excitement to go out and "stretch her bones," privately realizing that the nightmare was likely her "father's" doing, as he was consumed by thoughts of revenge. Liao Tingyan shared her desire to flee to Grain Rain Vale with her father, expressing that she felt a simple tube whistle was important to her and that her current priority was accumulating enough money.
Hongluo, her closest friend, offered all her hard-earned savings, meant for her own freedom, to help Liao Tingyan, suggesting they leave together. Hongluo confessed that while improving her cultivation was for self-protection, her poor health kept her at Rouge Terrace. She believed that if she could win the favor of the black serpent city lord, she could secure her freedom and escape Rouge Terrace. Liao Tingyan, deeply touched, promised to repay her.
Liao Tingyan returned home and attempted to discuss their departure with her father, Shi Qianlv. However, he furiously rejected the idea, reminding her of the Shi family's great vengeance and accusing her of abandoning their cause. He demanded she not forget who killed her brother, ruined him, and destroyed their family, expressing profound disappointment in her. In the midst of this confrontation, a young boy rushed in, urgently informing Liao Tingyan that Hongluo had died.
Grief-stricken, Liao Tingyan went to see Hongluo for the last time. She learned from the old madam of Rouge Terrace that Hongluo had been brutally abused and murdered by two Zhihun clan members, underlings of the black serpent lord, after fiercely resisting their advances. Liao Tingyan recalled Hongluo's poignant wish for her to provide a proper burial and their shared dream of a peaceful life in Grain Rain Vale.
Overhearing the two men casually boasting about their horrific act, Liao Tingyan was overcome with rage. Despite never having killed anyone before, she confronted them, declaring that they had taken her only source of peace. She then brutally avenged Hongluo by killing both men. Nianjiu, the black serpent lord, reproached a subordinate for not stopping him from drinking too much, then detected the scent of blood.
He quickly found his two deceased clansmen and, following the blood trail, tracked down Liao Tingyan. Recognizing her, he immediately captured her, despite her struggles and pleas for him to release her, and brought her before Sima Jiao. Seeing Liao Tingyan again, Sima Jiao's eyes welled with tears. Liao Tingyan, disoriented and suffering from amnesia, felt immense panic at the sight of her perceived archenemy.
While attempting to brace herself for a confrontation, she was perplexed by Sima Jiao's tearful and affectionate gaze. As Sima Jiao gently embraced her, Liao Tingyan unexpectedly felt an overwhelming drowsiness and fell asleep, unknowingly affected by a spell Shi Qianlv had placed on her. Liao Tingyan awoke to find Sima Jiao by her bedside. Seeing him as her enemy, she seized a dagger and attempted to strike him, wounding his hand.
Sima Jiao then used a truth-telling spell, compelling Liao Tingyan to reveal that she had been with an old man named Shi Qianlv, whom she called "Father." He had repeatedly cleansed her marrow and taught her to kill. When Sima Jiao questioned why she hadn't returned to him, Liao Tingyan reiterated their supposed enmity. Sima Jiao realized her memory had been erased, attributing it to Shi Qianlv's machinations to turn her against him.
He firmly declared that she was Liao Tingyan, his cultivation partner, and had no relation to the Shi family, who merely sought to exploit her. Though initially bewildered, Liao Tingyan was touched by his unexpected gentleness. Outside, the Zhihun clan members, angered by the deaths of their kinsmen, demanded that Sima Jiao hand over Liao Tingyan for justice.
Sima Jiao countered that the matter was also his family affair and proposed settling it by the Demon Realm's rule: the stronger decides. He then questioned Liao Tingyan about why she killed. She explained that she sought revenge for her best friend, Hongluo, who had been brutally murdered by the two Zhihun clan members. Sima Jiao acknowledged her pain, noting her changed perspective on killing compared to before.
He promised to handle the situation himself, reiterating his pledge that she would never again be forced to kill. He even offered to temporarily revive the two dead men so she could kill them again, but Liao Tingyan asked if he could revive Hongluo. Sima Jiao explained that while Hongluo's body was gone, he could use the Soul Transfer Spell to allow her to be reborn, retaining her memories and emotions, making her past death feel like a dream.
Overjoyed at the prospect of seeing Hongluo again, Liao Tingyan thanked him, emphasizing Hongluo was her only true friend in the Demon Realm. Sima Jiao, with a hint of sadness, noted that he had also once treated her sincerely, and that her presence was all that mattered. Nianjiu, the black serpent city lord, intervened, rebuking the Zhihun clan for demanding retribution when their own members were the initial culprits, and announced that Liao Tingyan was the "Grandmistress."
The clan members reluctantly acknowledged her new status. Sima Jiao then ordered Nianjiu to capture Shi Qianlv alive, intending to make him suffer for his deeds. Nianjiu noticed Sima Jiao's bleeding hand, wounded by Liao Tingyan, and offered to call Baizhu for treatment. Sima Jiao dismissed it, explaining that the fusion of the two spirit fires made his power immense but also increased backlash, making wounds harder to heal.
He then instructed Nianjiu to guard him as he prepared to perform the Soul Transfer Spell for Hongluo, despite Nianjiu's concerns about the immense toll it would take, especially after Sima Jiao had recently removed his heart-protecting bone to forge a defensive anklet for Liao Tingyan. Observing Sima Jiao's fierce protection of Liao Tingyan and allowing her to be referred to as "Grandmistress," Shi Qianlv's faction realized that "Yan" was indeed Liao Tingyan.
They were astonished by Sima Jiao's profound devotion, wondering how he could have found a "new love" so quickly, only to deduce that his "new love" was in fact Liao Tingyan herself. Realizing that Winter City was now under Sima Jiao's firm control, they strategized to lure Liao Tingyan away so they could use her to forge an artifact.
Shi Qianlv then turned to a subordinate, confirming their continued contact with the orphan of General Chang, now known as Feng Qi, who worked as a guard in Celestial Crane City and had been given minor tasks per Shi Qianlv's instructions. Shi Qianlv noted Feng Qi's close relationship with Liao Tingyan, deciding it was time to put him to use in their scheme.
