No Boundary Season 1 Episode 20 Recap
> No Boundary Season 1 Recap
After Shangguan Ce's persistent persuasion, Zhan Yan, unable to let go of Duanmu Cui, resolved to find her. Duanmu Cui had already bid farewell to Jiang Wenqing and departed Duanmu Caolu with earth escape magic. Zhan Yan rushed over, only to find he was too late to see her. Jiang Wenqing, understanding Zhan Yan's predicament, advised him to pursue his heart's desire rather than second-guessing Duanmu Cui's feelings.
He reminded Zhan Yan that Duanmu Cui, being a girl, would not openly declare her feelings, and urged him to act quickly. Zhan Yan expressed his hesitation, feeling their vast difference in lifespan made their union impossible. Jiang Wenqing countered by explaining that even deities are not eternal, and "Nothing stays forever. Everyone will disappear. Only memories and love remain unchanged."
He challenged Zhan Yan, asking if he, as Duanmu Cui, would choose to die with love and hate or live a lonely eternal life, urging him to "Cherish the person you love." Jiang Wenqing then presented Zhan Yan with a transfer order to Wenshui County, stating he was suitable for the constable's post there. Zhan Yan realized the depth of Jiang Wenqing's support and, understanding that he must seize even a fleeting moment, decided to pursue Duanmu Cui.
Meanwhile, Yue Long Men discovered a Penglai Drawing fragment within Wang Xiu. He attempted to take it but was repelled by her inherent power. After her recovery, Wang Xiu, now youthful and radiant, scorned her aged husband, Liang Wen Qi, and began a relationship with Liu Biao. Seizing this opportunity, Yue Long Men transformed into Liu Biao, intending to manipulate Wang Xiu into willingly offering her heart blood.
Duanmu Cui arrived in Wenshui County, finding her fake fragment useless for locating the real one. Through casual conversation with a local shopkeeper, she learned of the strange happenings in the Wang family: Liang Wen Qi had suddenly aged overnight and disappeared, while his wife, Wang Xiu, had miraculously regained her youth. Duanmu Cui realized the Penglai Drawing fragment was likely within Wang Xiu.
Witnessing the local constable's ineffectiveness in the Wang family case, Duanmu Cui found herself thinking of Zhan Yan's competence. Concerned for Duanmu Cui, Wengu, who had learned of her whereabouts, set out to find her. Fearing exposure regarding Liang Wen Qi, Wang Xiu sought "Liu Biao's" help. Yue Long Men, still disguised as Liu Biao, performed a ritual to "prove" Liang Wen Qi was a Youzu, intending to cover up Liang Wen Qi's true cause of death.
Duanmu Cui intervened, proclaiming Liang Wen Qi was not a Youzu and was already dead before the ritual. She suspected this was a cover-up and resolved to preserve Liang Wen Qi's body for further investigation. Wengu arrived at the Wang residence, introducing himself as an old acquaintance of Liang Wen Qi. He revealed that Liang Wen Qi had sacrificed an ancestral elixir to save Wang Xiu's life. This revelation stirred deep guilt in Wang Xiu, who then confronted "Liu Biao."
Yue Long Men, as Liu Biao, feigned a sudden illness, claiming he had secretly sacrificed his lifespan to save Wang Xiu and bind Liang Wen Qi's spirit. He asserted that only her pure heart blood could save him. Overcome with guilt and love for "Liu Biao," Wang Xiu prepared to extract her heart blood with scissors, but Duanmu Cui swiftly intervened, warning her that "Liu Biao" was deceiving her.
Yue Long Men, recognizing Duanmu Cui, then revealed his intention to kill her before escaping. Duanmu Cui gave chase, but the cunning Yue Long Men transformed into Zhan Yan, tricked her into shrinking, and attempted to kill her. Duanmu Cui narrowly escaped, evading his grasp. Zhan Yan arrived in Wenshui County and proceeded to the Wang family to investigate Liang Wen Qi's death.
The shrunken Duanmu Cui, mistaking him for Yue Long Men in disguise, bound him with her miniature deity binding rope. However, the rope, also diminished in size, was easily broken by Zhan Yan. Duanmu Cui then realized it was the real Zhan Yan. She followed him and observed him cradling a doll, speaking words of longing that were clearly meant for her. Zhan Yan, overjoyed to see Duanmu Cui, despite her tiny form, expressed his relief that she was real.
They quickly set aside their past grievances to work together on the case. Zhan Yan heard Wang Xiu's cries for help and rushed to her aid. However, Wang Xiu, still traumatized by Yue Long Men's deception, mistook Zhan Yan for the disguised Youzu and chased him away. Meanwhile, Duanmu Cui discovered that the Penglai Drawing fragment she possessed (from the cocoon) had been replaced with a fake, realizing Yue Long Men had swapped it.
As night fell, the tiny Duanmu Cui fell asleep comfortably in Zhan Yan's hand. Watching her sleep, Zhan Yan apologized quietly for the hardships she had endured. The next morning, Duanmu Cui confronted Wang Xiu, explaining that Liang Wen Qi had willingly sacrificed his longevity and ancestral elixir to save her, while Wang Xiu had been blinded by wealth and manipulated by the Youzu into causing his death.
Zhan Yan presented Liang Wen Qi's farewell letter, found on his body, which confirmed his selfless love and desire for Wang Xiu's happiness. Reading the letter, Wang Xiu was consumed by remorse and wished to die. She then asked Duanmu Cui to remove the Penglai Drawing fragment from her body, stating she preferred to age and die to reunite with Liang Wen Qi. Duanmu Cui agreed to her request.
With their misunderstandings resolved, Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan continued their search for the missing Penglai Drawing fragments. Following the fragments' spiritual guidance, they ventured into a desolate area. There, Yue Long Men, the elder of the Nine Hells, attacked them to seize the fragments. During the intense confrontation, Duanmu Cui was captured by Yue Long Men.
