No Boundary Season 1 Episode 14 Recap
> No Boundary Season 1 Recap
Now deeply in love, Zhan Yan was a changed man, no longer toiling away with endless work. Instead, he made sure to finish on time, eager to accompany Duanmu Cui on shopping trips. Shangguan Ce, displeased with Zhan Yan's transformation, found himself unable to argue with his superior and could only stew in silent frustration.
He confronted Zhan Yan, complaining that ever since Zhan Yan and Sect Leader Duanmu got together, he no longer shared meals, sleep, or cases with him, calling it cruel. Zhan Yan playfully suggested Shangguan Ce find someone himself, adding that it might be difficult as a "perfect maiden as described in the Book of Songs" was rare.
Duanmu Cui, overhearing, teased Zhan Yan for eavesdropping and threatened to tell her godfather, Yang Jian, to dock a month's wage, to which Zhan Yan claimed he merely "happened to be around the corner." Shangguan Ce lamented Zhan Yan changing for the worse, but Zhan Yan retorted that Shangguan Ce would also change once he found his soulmate, leaving Shangguan Ce to wonder if it would be for better or worse.
Zhan Yan doted on Duanmu Cui, buying her everything she desired. As they shopped, Duanmu Cui playfully asked if she would make him broke, worrying if he could still take care of her. Zhan Yan assured her he could support her and all her spirits, proudly stating his salary and imperial bonuses totaled 800 taels. Duanmu Cui, an immortal herself, feigned surprise that he was richer than her and declared she would "help" him spend his money.
They bought matching couple's outfits and later sat beneath a sky full of glittering stars. During a boat ride, Zhan Yan playfully rocked the boat, making Duanmu Cui ask what if she fell into the water. He promised he would never let her fall, but if she did, he would fall with her. They embraced, reaffirming their commitment.
However, their happiness was interrupted when Wengu confronted Zhan Yan, declaring himself Zhan Yan's enemy until Zhan Yan disappeared from Duanmu Cui's sight, as Zhan Yan had to "accept the dire consequences of his choice." Meanwhile, Wengu, heartbroken and furious, sought solace in alcohol by the river. Red Luan, worried, tried to comfort him, but his anger was too deep. Wengu questioned why he was inferior to Zhan Yan.
Red Luan assured him that in her heart, no one surpassed him, but Duanmu only had eyes for Zhan Yan. Wengu despaired, lamenting that his thousand years of waiting had made him a joke. Red Luan tried to stop him from drinking, reminding him that others worried about him, but Wengu dismissed it, believing Duanmu only cared for Zhan Yan. He declared that since his mother's death, Duanmu was all he had, and no one could ever take her away.
Drunk and enraged, Wengu cast a spell to conjure a storm. Red Luan, realizing his intent, scolded him, warning that Penglai would discover his Dragon Clan identity if he flooded Qifeng City. Wengu retorted that without Duanmu, he had no place in the world and did not care about Penglai; her presence was his true Penglai. His magical act caused a violent storm that flooded Qifeng City.
As the storm raged, Zhang Long and Zhao Wu speculated about Ghost Clan involvement, but Shangguan Ce dismissed their fears, sending them to patrol other streets while he headed to the shore. Zhan Yan also arrived at the waterfront and found Wengu. Wengu, still under the influence of alcohol, blamed Zhan Yan for the impending devastation of Qifeng City, calling him the "culprit" and "sinner."
Zhan Yan, confused, tried to guide the drunk Wengu away, but Wengu refused, claiming Zhan Yan, a mortal with a short lifespan, had no right to even mention Duanmu Cui, a high immortal. He insisted their relationship defied the Heavens and would bring "divine punishment," asserting that since Zhan Yan's appearance, Duanmu Cui had known no peace. He declared the storm not a natural disaster, but a "man-made calamity" caused by Zhan Yan.
Red Luan quickly intervened, leading Wengu away, who continued to rant about Zhan Yan being the cause of the disaster. At Duanmu Residence, a house spirit expressed concern about the storm, but Wengu reassured them that the barrier he and Duanmu had set would protect the residence. Duanmu Cui, however, worried about Qifeng City, noting the unusual ferocity of the storm. She suspected a Dragon Clan descendant was involved and asked Wengu if Penglai should be informed.
Wengu, covering his tracks, dismissed her concerns, claiming the Dragon Clan was extinct and it was merely a "rain-casting blunder" by the Thunder and Rain Gods. He further stated that interfering might lead to them being scolded. Duanmu Cui, firm in her resolve, declared that she would not let Qifeng City suffer as long as she was there, regardless of whether it was a natural or man-made disaster. Wengu, realizing the gravity of his actions, agreed to help.
Zhan Yan, meanwhile, sent a message butterfly to Duanmu Cui, warning her that the storm was worsening, a tsunami might hit, and urging her to leave Duanmu Residence and protect herself. Duanmu Cui asked where he was, and he replied "saving people" before the connection was lost, leaving her worried about him. Jiang Wenqing was informed of the extensive damage and casualties in Qifeng City.
As the magistrate, he bravely led all the prefecture guards to the streets to aid the distressed citizens, stating that his presence would reassure the people. His wife, Madam Jiang, insisted on accompanying him to help with registering losses and distributing relief supplies. Wengu, regretting his drunken actions, used his powers to secretly heal many of the injured, while Zhan Yan tirelessly saved people. Duanmu Cui employed her magic to stabilize crumbling roofs.
During the chaos, as a new wave of strong winds threatened the city, Duanmu Cui stood alone, battling the elements to protect the citizens. Zhan Yan, unable to leave her side, rushed to her, shielding her with his body from flying stone pillars. He declared that no matter what, in life or death, he would always be with her. Exhausted, Duanmu Cui eventually collapsed. Peach petals rained down around them, and they shared a tender kiss.
Zhan Yan carried the unconscious Duanmu Cui back to Xihualiu, where Wengu treated her. Anxious about her condition, Zhan Yan pressed Wengu for answers. Wengu delivered a devastating blow, stating that Duanmu Cui was "very bad" and blaming Zhan Yan, reiterating his earlier warning that their union would only bring her harm. He explained that as a high immortal, she was forbidden from romantic feelings, and her current state was a direct result of their relationship.
Wengu warned that if they did not separate, they would face "divine punishment," and Duanmu Cui would be "soul-scattered" and "perish forever." Zhan Yan was shocked, asserting that Duanmu Cui had never told him of such consequences. Wengu then revealed that Duanmu Cui herself was unaware, as her memories had been sealed. A thousand years ago, Duanmu Cui was a human general, betrothed to General Gu Chang, who had offered Chong City as a dowry.
Tragically, Gu Chang died in battle. In her grief, Duanmu Cui carried his coffin to war and ultimately died a tragic death. Wengu explained that her "single promise destroyed thousands of soldiers," leading her to bear the "emotional debts of thousands of people," which left her mentally unstable. Even after becoming an immortal, she could not forgive herself.
To allow her peace, the Goddess had sealed her memories of these past love debts, enabling her to live stably for a thousand years. Wengu accused Zhan Yan of making her fall in love again, which, if she were to regain her memories, would make her mentally unstable and her life a "living hell," potentially leading to her "eternal perishment" as the seal crumbled. Zhan Yan, desperate, asked if this was all true.
Wengu swore on "dying by thunderbolts" if he lied. He implored Zhan Yan, for Duanmu Cui's sake and her numerous sacrifices for him and Qifeng, to "spare her life" and leave her. Heartbroken, Zhan Yan walked out of Xihualiu. As Zhan Yan walked through Qifeng City, he recalled their happy memories: Duanmu Cui's joy over a sugar figurine, her wish for Qifeng Prefecture to be their home, and Duanmu Residence, with all their spirits, to be their family.
But Wengu's dire warnings echoed in his mind, and for Duanmu Cui's survival, he made the agonizing decision to let go. Duanmu Cui soon awoke, asking Wengu about her condition and the city. Wengu assured her Qifeng City was safe thanks to her and urged her to rest. She immediately asked for Zhan Yan, surprised he had left. Wengu subtly implied Zhan Yan was too busy and had "neglected" her, suggesting Qifeng City's safety was more important to him.
Duanmu Cui, however, was unfazed. As an immortal, she believed heavenly duties took precedence over love. She was not a woman who simply waited for her man; they both had their responsibilities and understood each other, describing their bond as "souls linked together" and "kindred spirits." While she believed this, Zhan Yan was in the Qifeng Prefecture archives, reviewing ancient records.
He found inscriptions detailing "General Cui defeated Ghost Clan, greatly meritorious," "Cui in love with Gu Chang," "Gu Chang died in Chong City," and "Cui carried coffin to battle, died at the end." This confirmed Wengu's entire story. Duanmu Cui soon arrived at Qifeng Prefecture, looking for Zhan Yan. Shangguan Ce, aware of Zhan Yan's intentions, told her Zhan Yan was busy inspecting post-disaster recovery and that her presence would distract him. Duanmu Cui, understanding, decided to wait.
Shangguan Ce then tried to entice her to the upcoming Double Seventh Festival celebration on Zhuque Street, but she refused, unwilling to enjoy herself while Zhan Yan worked tirelessly. Zhao Wu also tried to get her to fulfill her earlier promise of matchmaking for him, but Duanmu Cui, still preoccupied with Zhan Yan's absence, put him off, telling him to play with Shangguan Ce. Duanmu Cui then accused them of jealousy and trying to break her and Zhan Yan apart.
Zhang Long denied it, stating they were too inseparable, but Zhao Wu pointed out it had already been days since she had seen Zhan Yan. They then hastily claimed to be busy and left. Later, Shangguan Ce informed Duanmu Cui that Zhan Yan had been dispatched to inspect riverbanks in the "next district" and wouldn't return that night, claiming Qifeng Prefecture was severely understaffed. He urged her to return to Duanmu Residence, promising to inform her when Zhan Yan returned.
Duanmu Cui waited from morning until night, but Zhan Yan was nowhere to be seen. As she finally left, Shangguan Ce, Zhang Long, and Zhao Wu watched her depart, wondering about Zhan Yan's mysterious behavior. Alone in his room, Zhan Yan held the fabric doll Duanmu Cui had given him. He remembered a tender moment when she had given him the "ugly" doll, insisting he keep it safe and never lose it, to which he had promised.
She had then told him he was prettier than the doll. Another memory resurfaced: Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan resting together after helping the city. She had asked if his foot was better, and he had confirmed he was just tired. He had told her to rest while he stood guard outside, stating that as they were not yet married, it wouldn't be "decent" for them to stay together.
Duanmu Cui, feigning exhaustion and loneliness, had lamented being tired to her last breath with no one to accompany her, saying she would "fall asleep all by [her] own then." Zhan Yan had relented, promising to stay by her side. She had thanked him, then playfully warned him not to "secretly leave." Now, as he held the doll, Zhan Yan was heartbroken, knowing he had to break that very promise.
