No Boundary Season 1 Episode 3 Recap
> No Boundary Season 1 Recap
Upon learning of Madam Jiang's return, Zhan Yan went to visit her, immediately noticing a drastic change in her demeanor and tone. Madam Jiang, who had never called him "Sheriff Zhan" before, now did so, and even scolded a servant, leading Zhan Yan to believe something was amiss. Meanwhile, Duanmu Cui and Wengu had brought Hong Luan back to Xihualiu.
Duanmu Cui was quite pleased with Hong Luan's cooking, finding it more appetizing than Wengu's, though Wengu himself did not share her enthusiasm, promising to improve his own culinary skills. Zhang Long and Zhao Wu reported that all the missing persons had been located, but the earliest victim was already showing signs of decomposition. Zhan Yan shared his concerns about Madam Jiang's transformation with Shangguan Ce, Zhang Long, and Zhao Wu.
Shangguan Ce suggested seeking help from Duanmu Cui, and with no other recourse, Zhan Yan reluctantly decided to go to Xihualiu for assistance. Duanmu Cui had been restlessly awaiting Zhan Yan's arrival, convinced he would eventually come to her for help. Her internal monologue confirmed her belief in her unparalleled ability to capture demons. Soon enough, Zhan Yan's plea for her assistance echoed through Xihualiu.
Zhan Yan and Shangguan Ce arrived outside Duanmu Bridge, where they encountered Qing Hua, a loyal bowl spirit guarding the entrance. After a brief interaction, Duanmu Cui appeared and declared that she would only agree to help if Zhan Yan could successfully cross the Duanmu Bridge. As Zhan Yan stepped onto the bridge, it seemed to come alive, sprouting tentacles to impede him. Despite the treacherous challenge, he used his martial prowess to successfully pass.
Having successfully crossed Duanmu Bridge, Zhan Yan was granted an audience with Duanmu Cui in her residence. He apologized for his previous impetuousness. Duanmu Cui then laid out three conditions: first, all demons would be hers to handle, while the people would be his; second, any future requests for assistance must be made over tea at her residence; and third, she would inform him later.
Zhan Yan readily agreed to all conditions, including the unspecified third one, stating that his life was a small price to pay if it meant saving the common people. With their agreement, Duanmu Cui borrowed the Earth God's path and used earth travel to swiftly reach Madam Jiang's room in Qifeng Prefecture. There, she employed the Samadhi Fire to force out the Mirror Spirit that had possessed Madam Jiang.
Shangguan Ce, Zhang Long, and Zhao Wu remained to care for Madam Jiang, while Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan pursued the fleeing demon. As they chased the Mirror Spirit, Duanmu Cui explained its nature to Zhan Yan: it was a Mirror Spirit, skilled at exploiting human obsessions to seize souls and possess bodies. She stressed that it only borrowed bodies temporarily, and once abandoned, the victims would become like living dead.
To help Zhan Yan "get a feel" for the demon, she handed him a mirror and told him to look into it. Distracted by a stall of adorable dolls, Duanmu Cui insisted on buying all of them, prompting Zhan Yan to pay the 500 wen deposit she demanded, which she humorously presented as a "fee" for her assistance.
Zhan Yan, having earlier noticed a peach blush scent in the demon's trail and recalling Madam Jiang's purchase of rouge at Tianxiang Pavilion, suspected it was the Mirror Spirit's lair, a suspicion confirmed by Duanmu Cui, who said the demon had just breached her barrier and hidden inside. Upon entering Tianxiang Pavilion, Duanmu Cui pulled Zhan Yan into a cabinet to hide.
Their close proximity led Zhan Yan to a critical realization: all of Duanmu Cui's belongings, including the patterns on her clothes and her Qiankun bag, were reversed, and she smelled of the peach blush she supposedly disliked. He realized she was not the real Duanmu Cui but the Mirror Spirit in disguise. Zhan Yan engaged the Mirror Spirit in a fierce battle.
The real Duanmu Cui, who had been observing from a distance, intervened when Zhan Yan seemed to be losing, accidentally shattering a mirror and allowing the Mirror Spirit to escape. Duanmu Cui asked how he distinguished her from the impostor. Zhan Yan revealed that the real Duanmu Cui disliked the scent of peach blush, while the Mirror Spirit clearly embraced it. He also commented on her blushing, calling it an "interesting habit."
The victims were all moved to Wengu's medical hall, where Wengu's protective formation temporarily preserved their bodies. However, their souls remained missing, and without their return, they would continue to weaken and eventually die. The Mirror Spirit had retreated into its illusion world, making it difficult to lure it out. The only option was to enter the illusion world, but this carried the severe risk of never waking up.
Despite the danger, Zhan Yan and Duanmu Cui resolved to enter the illusion world to retrieve the victims' souls. Zhan Yan confessed that like all humans, he carried regrets. Before they embarked, Red Luan, diligently reciting Xihualiu's rules, apologized to Zhan Yan for leaving him alone during the Cui Yu case, explaining her awkward status as a Peach Blossom Demon.
Meanwhile, in the celestial realm, Wengu informed the God of Justice that Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan had entered the illusion world. The God of Justice, concerned about the ancient Mirror Spirit and a potential "love affair" between Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan, instructed Wengu to keep a close watch on Duanmu Cui and report any health issues. Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan then stepped into the Mirror Spirit's illusion world.
It immediately drew Zhan Yan to the deepest regret of his heart: seeing his deceased parents, who offered him a meal. Zhan Yan, almost succumbing to the beautiful illusion, was pulled back by Duanmu Cui. He recounted his regret over his parents' death, believing it was due to his childhood playfulness and late return home. Duanmu Cui explained that remorse, regret, and desire were the true traps, not the demon's sorcery.
They then observed other victims, including Madam Jiang, all immersed in their own dreams, completely changed from their real-world selves. The Mirror Spirit could create any desire, turning ordinary people into flamboyant figures. Duanmu Cui detected the Mirror Spirit's presence by its peach blush scent. To avoid detection, she embraced Zhan Yan, attempting to blend in as a couple within the dream. However, the Mirror Spirit still noticed them.
Strangely, instead of attacking, the Mirror Spirit merely snatched the hairpin Madam Jiang had given to Duanmu Cui, confirming it was its target. When Duanmu Cui confronted the Mirror Spirit about its actions, the demon revealed its face as a copper mirror and declared that just as mortals have desires, so do demons.
It then manipulated the people trapped in the illusion, turning them against Zhan Yan and Duanmu Cui by convincing them that the two would take away everything they desired. These dreamers, preferring to "die in dreams than to wake up and live," attacked, and in the ensuing struggle, Zhan Yan was stabbed while trying to protect a young boy. Duanmu Cui assured him, "Fear not, I'm here."
