When Destiny Brings The Demon Episode 29 Recap
> When Destiny Brings The Demon Recap
Sima Jiao had prepared a beautiful Flower Sea as a garden in Yan City for Liao Tingyan and immediately took her to see it. Liao Tingyan was still playfully upset that he had used his seclusion as an excuse to delay their wedding, but once they arrived, she was enchanted by the beauty. Sima Jiao explained that the entire garden was built to resemble her Soul Manor, as he had been captivated by its serene atmosphere during his first visit.
He told her that if she ever felt restless, she could come here to sleep, and all her unease would vanish. Liao Tingyan admired the scent of the rare wood, which Sima Jiao said would calm her heart and suppress the turmoil within. She then remarked on how sleepy the peaceful place made her feel, and Sima Jiao told her to rest, promising to stay by her side.
As Liao Tingyan drifted off, Sima Jiao began transferring his cultivation to her. She jolted awake, horrified, questioning why he was giving her all his power. Sima Jiao calmly stated that it was about to begin, revealing that he had fused the Fengshan Spirit Fire into his blood and soul, and it would soon all belong to her.
He explained that he was never meant to last long, noting the conflicting Spirit Fires within him had caused his body to collapse. He confirmed that the Sima clan was destined to fall, and he, too, would die. He refused to let his Spirit Fire extinguish with him, expressing his wish to leave it to her, as he only loved her in this world.
He also revealed that the demon core in her body had fused with her inner core and could not be removed, and only this Spirit Fire could suppress it. With his soul as a guide, she would become "the second him," possessing power above all living things, without suffering the Spirit Fire's torment. Liao Tingyan vehemently refused, threatening to find hundreds of men if he died, but Sima Jiao insisted she would never forget him.
He urged her to live well, promising to return to her across any distance, even as a gentle breeze, to stay with her for millennia. Liao Tingyan wept, begging him not to leave. With a final "live well," Sima Jiao passed away, leaving behind his wedding ring, which Liao Tingyan put on, vowing he must live. Nineteen years later, Liao Tingyan had transformed, diligently managing the affairs of both the immortal and demon realms.
She had united the two realms, which were previously separated by Yin-Yang Lake, and, by merging with the Spirit Fire, gained boundless power, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. However, rumors persisted that she had ruthlessly killed her fiancé, Sima Jiao (referred to as Lord of Mercy), to gain the Spirit Fire, a notion that instilled fear in some, but also ensured no one dared challenge her authority.
Despite her formidable reputation, Liao Tingyan was seen as a caring ruler who implemented policies like an eight-hour workday for officials and subsidies for the common folk, fostering harmonious relations between immortals and demons. However, in private, she continued to suffer the burning pain from the Spirit Fire and often visited the Flower Sea Sima Jiao had built, reminiscing about him and often weeping.
She scoffed at the "rare wood's" calming properties, feeling it only made her miss Sima Jiao more, realizing he must have endured similar pain while feigning strength. Her Preceptor, Hongluo, offered her calming medicine for the pain and inner turmoil caused by the demon core. Hongluo explained that Sima Jiao, as Grandmaster, had sacrificed his very being to cleanse Liao Tingyan's demon core, losing his cultivation and soul.
To give him a chance at survival, Liao Tingyan had saved a wisp of his soul, but without a complete vessel, it had to be released into the world to find its own path, leaving Liao Tingyan still tormented and unaware of his whereabouts. Despite the peace she had created, Liao Tingyan longed for Sima Jiao.
Hongluo expressed her frustration to Liao Tingyan about Nianjiu, who had become secretive and kept missing their dates, leading her to suspect him of infidelity. Liao Tingyan, knowing Nianjiu's character, confronted him. She demanded to know his recent activities and, sensing Sima Jiao's distinct aura on him, accused him of knowing Sima Jiao's whereabouts all along.
Nianjiu confessed that 19 years prior, Sima Jiao had instructed him on where he might be found if Liao Tingyan preserved his soul, though Sima Jiao had kept his full plans secret. Nianjiu explained that Sima Jiao, due to not receiving the Soul-Restoring Pill, had lost his memories, making it impossible to follow his original plans or be convinced by others of his past. However, Nianjiu believed Sima Jiao had his own methods.
He revealed that Sima Jiao had been reborn as a prince in the mortal Hu Kingdom, ascending to the throne as a child and facing numerous assassination attempts. Nianjiu admitted he had been secretly traveling to the mortal realm to protect him, which was why he had been neglecting Hongluo. Liao Tingyan mused that Sima Jiao always ended up in a position of authority, wondering if being an emperor was part of his unfinished business.
Nianjiu also warned that the demon lord You Yan might have returned using Bi An's body, and his location was unknown. He cautioned Liao Tingyan that in the mortal realm, especially in Hu Kingdom, her immense powers would be severely restricted, and using high-level spells could cause her immense pain or backlash. Liao Tingyan, accustomed to being mortal, was unfazed, but Nianjiu stressed the importance of concealing their true identities to prevent chaos and the danger of encountering You Yan.
Hongluo agreed to accompany Liao Tingyan. Hongluo gathered information during their journey to the mortal realm, informing Liao Tingyan that Sima Jiao, as the Hu Kingdom's ruler, was rumored to be cruel, lustful, and surrounded by many concubines, suggesting he might be a foolish emperor. Liao Tingyan, however, maintained that Sima Jiao's perceived brutality in his past life was superficial, and his current marital alliances were likely politically motivated to stabilize his precarious throne.
She declared that she would accept him in any form, as long as he was alive. Meanwhile, Sima Jiao, now the ruler of the Hu Kingdom, had arranged a public "execution" for Governor Wei Xianyu, whom he suspected of plotting rebellion under the instruction of the ambitious Marquis of Nanyan. This was a ploy to draw out the Marquis's conspirators. Liao Tingyan, unaware of the ruler's true motives and seeing an injustice, attempted to save Wei Xianyu.
Though Hongluo warned her about the backlash of using powerful immortal magic in the mortal realm, Liao Tingyan reflexively used her powers, briefly suffering the pain of the backlash, but succeeded in rescuing Wei Xianyu. Sima Jiao's eunuch later reported that Wei Xianyu had been rescued by an unknown individual, prompting the ruler to order an investigation. Unbeknownst to Sima Jiao, Wei Xianyu was visited by Yi Huo, who delivered a message from the Marquis of Nanyan.
Yi Huo pressed Wei Xianyu to act swiftly and kill Sima Jiao, as the previous bandit attack had failed and returning to the palace would strengthen the ruler's position. Wei Xianyu, feeling no restraint after Sima Jiao's apparent ruthlessness, vowed to "strike at the root" and ensure Sima Jiao's death for the Marquis. Later, Sima Jiao looked out a window from a tavern and saw Liao Tingyan, dressed in orange, instantly captivated.
He immediately sent his guards to bring her to him. The guards approached Liao Tingyan and Hongluo, explaining their lord wished to invite her to the Songbird Pavilion. Realizing the implications, Liao Tingyan angrily asked if their lord was Sima Jiao. The guards, shocked that she used his name, confirmed it.
Enraged that Sima Jiao was not only a womanizer with many consorts but now also "snatching girls," Liao Tingyan’s earlier promise to accept him wavered, her standards having "shot up." Seeing her temper, Hongluo decided to return to Yan City, telling Liao Tingyan to report that she was in seclusion and the Preceptor would handle state affairs. Liao Tingyan, however, signaled the guards to lead the way to the Songbird Pavilion.
Elsewhere, a cloaked figure, implied to be You Yan in Bi An's body, sensed the powerful aura of the demon core and Spirit Fire in the mortal realm. He was surprised that Liao Tingyan had merged with the Spirit Fire and descended to the mortal world. Believing the timing to be perfect, having recuperated for over a decade, he decided it was time to "meet some folks."
