When Destiny Brings The Demon Episode 24 Recap
> When Destiny Brings The Demon Recap
Liao Tingyan remained in Sima Jiao's residence to recuperate, often reflecting on recent events. She pondered if her aunt's memories were fabricated, but she had personally witnessed Shi Qianlv saving her, so how could that be false? Unable to determine the truth, Liao Tingyan wanted to leave. When an opportunity arose, Feng Qi took her and Ye Ruling to escape. Inside her room, Liao Tingyan discussed her confusion, wondering why certain memories appeared in her Soul Manor.
She questioned if Sima Jiao was right about her being Liao Tingyan, who had simply lost those memories. If what she saw in her Soul Manor was real, then her aunt's memories would be false. She also noted that if Sima Jiao had something to hide, he wouldn't have insisted on searching her aunt's soul. Ye Ruling suggested that perhaps Liao Tingyan's father had been lying to her all along.
Liao Tingyan was reluctant to believe it, as her father had once saved her life, and they had lived together for eighteen years. She admitted her cultivation was too low to re-enter her Soul Manor to uncover the truth, but affirmed her resolve to find it. Just then, Sima Jiao arrived. Hongluo, newly reincarnated, opened the door and exclaimed at his handsome appearance, thanking him for transferring her soul and giving her rebirth.
Feng Qi also appeared, and Hongluo suggested the three of them gather for drinks. Liao Tingyan declined, stating Hongluo was too young to drink. Hongluo, however, sensed a tension in the room, realizing it was a rivalry between lovers. Liao Tingyan, still upset with Sima Jiao, did not look at him, which displeased him.
Hongluo remarked that one was a celestial grandmaster to whom Liao Tingyan had sworn a lifelong vow, and the other was her childhood friend of eighteen years. She wondered if the lifelong vows were gone or had never existed and pointed out that Liao Tingyan had no memory of Sima Jiao. Feng Qi agreed, but Liao Tingyan quickly changed the subject, suggesting they drink tea to celebrate Hongluo's return. Sima Jiao continued to care for Liao Tingyan's recovery.
He instructed his disciples to make cleansing pills to help her restore her cultivation. When the first batch was deemed too bitter, he ordered them remade, despite being told it would require more of his precious blood. He insisted on sweet pills. Meanwhile, Nianjiu, the Black Serpent Lord, after an unsuccessful search for Shi Qianlv, received an update from Sima Jiao that Hongluo had returned safely and was unharmed.
Nianjiu responded to "Ruling," confirming his deep connection to Hongluo's past identity. Hongluo and Liao Tingyan ate together, with Hongluo noting that Sima Jiao's food suited her taste better than anything from Celestial Crane City. Feng Qi then joined them, dressed similarly to Sima Jiao. Hongluo complimented Feng Qi, saying he was just as dashing as Sima Jiao, but immediately felt she was making things worse.
Feng Qi offered to cook anything Liao Tingyan desired, but Hongluo pointed out that he didn't truly know Liao Tingyan's tastes, unlike Sima Jiao. Feng Qi then shared that his mother had said the best cooking loses its charm if used for business, hinting at his own noble background. Liao Tingyan inquired about his mother, noting that the food he described was rare even in the Demon Realm.
They also discussed their desire for seclusion, a secret between Feng Qi and Liao Tingyan, and whether Liao Tingyan still wished to go to Grain Rain Vale. Liao Tingyan asserted that she needed to uncover the truth first. That night, Liao Tingyan prepared to leave the residence alone to find her father and the truth, but Hongluo and Feng Qi followed her. They wondered how to bypass the guards.
Sima Jiao, who had been secretly observing them, used a spell to make the guards fall asleep. Liao Tingyan and Hongluo, unaware of Sima Jiao's intervention, believed the guards were simply slacking off and quickly slipped away. Outside the residence, Liao Tingyan felt restless, wondering if Sima Jiao was sad or angry about her departure.
Meanwhile, the Preceptor of the Demon Realm had been tracking Liao Tingyan for a long time, hoping to use her Frost Fish physique to enhance his cultivation. His men reported that Feng Qi had taken the Frost Fish, along with a child, to Zhenshi Inn, believing it was an opportune time to act.
However, Sima Jiao sensed danger and swiftly intervened, rescuing Liao Tingyan from an ambush by the Preceptor's agents who had tampered with incense in her room to render her unconscious. When Sima Jiao interrogated one of the captured assailants, he learned they were sent by the Preceptor but not their exact motive for abducting her. Liao Tingyan woke up back at Sima Jiao's residence.
Bi'an brought her the sweet cleansing pills and explained what had happened, emphasizing that Sima Jiao had rescued not only Liao Tingyan but also Hongluo and Feng Qi. Bi'an expressed sorrow that Liao Tingyan couldn't reciprocate Sima Jiao's genuine feelings, given her confusion about the truth. Liao Tingyan confessed she didn't know how to face him, uncertain of what was real. Bi'an told her the pills were made with Sima Jiao's blood to boost her cultivation and strengthen her body.
Liao Tingyan realized that Sima Jiao knew that increased cultivation would allow her to enter her Soul Manor and discover the truth. She wondered why he wasn't afraid and felt deeply conflicted, questioning if her entire life of over a decade was a lie if Sima Jiao's account was true and her father's false.
The Demon Realm's Preceptor learned about the powerful defensive anklet Sima Jiao had given Liao Tingyan, which contained Sima Jiao's spiritual power and possibly his heart-protecting bone. He realized that even if Feng Qi brought Liao Tingyan to them, they couldn't overcome such a powerful artifact. They needed Liao Tingyan to remove it herself.
He also discovered that Shi Qianlv had previously attempted the Soul Cleanse on his sister, Shi Qiandu, to sow discord between her and Sima Jiao, but failed. Recognizing Shi Qianlv's expertise, the Preceptor, with the backing of the Demon Realm, invited Shi Qianlv to his residence, promising to help him rise again if he helped them kill Sima Jiao by luring Liao Tingyan out.
Shi Qianlv agreed, but insisted on needing "bait" to draw her out, to which the Preceptor stated he already had someone in mind. Sima Jiao confronted Feng Qi, who accused Sima Jiao of trying to confine Liao Tingyan for life. Sima Jiao retorted that Feng Qi only ever thought about winning Liao Tingyan's heart, which made him easily exploited. He revealed that the Zhenshi Inn was a trap, and someone intended to abduct Liao Tingyan in her sleep.
He warned that anyone who harmed her would face his wrath. Determined to uncover the truth, Liao Tingyan took the cleansing pills and successfully entered her Soul Manor. She focused on her past with the person she believed to be her brother. There, she witnessed Sima Jiao killing Shi Zhenxu, who had cursed Sima Jiao and her. Shi Zhenxu's venomous words made Liao Tingyan realize he didn't seem like family at all, but rather an enemy.
She understood that she had been manipulated, that she was not a Shi family member, and that her "father" and aunt had conspired to use her against Sima Jiao. She speculated that even Shi Qiandu's death might have been part of their scheme. Further exploring her Soul Manor, she found a hidden section filled with cherished items and delicious foods, including fried chicken, confirming it was her spiritual space.
She discovered a notebook detailing her relationship with Sima Jiao, proving that she was indeed the one who had dated him. She also found a pair of rings, realizing she had intended to propose to Sima Jiao and might have loved him more than he loved her. Sima Jiao, sensing Liao Tingyan's distracted state after taking the pills, entered her Soul Manor to ensure her safety. He saw her notebook and the rings.
Liao Tingyan, startled by his appearance, dropped the rings. Sima Jiao picked them up, curious about why she was so agitated. He put one on, and it fit perfectly, confirming it was meant for him. He asserted that she had once loved him and still did, and that she would rely on and trust him, just as he would her. He then placed the other ring on her finger.
Liao Tingyan, still a little defiant, insisted they were not wedding rings, but merely couple rings. Sima Jiao then asked if he was now her boyfriend. Liao Tingyan, blushing, conceded, acknowledging that the evidence in her Soul Manor was irrefutable, making it impossible to deny her identity as Liao Tingyan. Sima Jiao held her hand, saying that regardless of her name, he would never mistake her.
He playfully added that his certainty came from his intelligence, implying her confusion was not surprising. Liao Tingyan, feigning anger, interrupted him, threatening not to be Liao Tingyan anymore if he continued to tease her. Meanwhile, Mr. Ghost of the Demon Realm met with Feng Qi, urging him to convince Liao Tingyan to remove her defensive ankle bracelet so they could abduct her.
Feng Qi refused, unwilling to put Liao Tingyan in danger, but Mr. Ghost noted his hesitation, believing there was still a chance to sway him. Hongluo, having fully recovered her original appearance, looked at herself in a mirror, excited. Liao Tingyan, however, found the rapid shift from "enemies to lovers" too fast and wondered how to face Sima Jiao or approach their relationship. Hongluo advised her to meet Sima Jiao after bathing and dressing up.
Nianjiu, the Black Serpent Lord, then appeared, calling out to "Ruling." Hongluo, remembering nothing of him, stated she no longer knew him and wouldn't resume their past. She told him that she was no longer "Ye Ruling" and reminded him not to call her by that name, wishing him to move past the old memories. Liao Tingyan prepared for a bath. Sima Jiao, anticipating her needs, had already warmed the cold pond water to a comfortable temperature, leaving Liao Tingyan surprised by its warmth.
