No Boundary Season 1 Episode 8 Recap
> No Boundary Season 1 Recap
The gnat siblings, driven by hunger, attempted to re-enter the human population to feed. Duanmu Cui swiftly intervened, trapping them with her Divine Spider. To protect the common people, she intended to eliminate the gnat siblings with her Samadhi True Fire, telling them they could not return to humans and that they were not monsters. The mother gnat pleaded for mercy, reminding Duanmu Cui that her children were innocent and ignorant.
Duanmu Cui, however, revealed that the mother and her husband’s act of feeding human blood to their fetuses had destined their children to become demons who, having tasted blood, would never cease their hunt. Duanmu Cui asserted her duty to eliminate this evil to prevent further harm to innocent lives. In a poignant act of maternal love, the mother gnat, realizing the grave sins she and her husband had committed, leaped into Duanmu Cui’s Samadhi Fire, embracing her children.
She proclaimed her willingness to die to atone for their crimes, lamenting that her simple wish for her children's safety had not been granted and questioning if they had been wrong from the very beginning. This selfless sacrifice purified the gnat siblings’ malevolent aura, restoring their clarity of mind. Moved by this display of profound maternal love, Duanmu Cui shed tears.
Zhan Yan approached her gently, offering a handkerchief, noting her tendency to "bring it up herself" even when he didn't mention her crying. He encouraged her to express her emotions freely, reassuring her that she was no longer alone, surrounded by her spirits at Xihualiu, companions at Qifeng Prefecture, and his presence. Duanmu Cui, wiping her tears, insisted she wasn't crying, claiming it was merely "using tears to rinse my face," and feared her eyes would be swollen and unattractive.
Zhan Yan countered that as the "prettiest High Immortal of the Three Realms," she would always be beautiful, revered as a hero by the citizens of Qifeng. Duanmu Cui, however, expressed a longing to avoid being a hero, wishing instead that none of the tragic events had ever occurred. Duanmu Cui then asked Zhan Yan to help her hang a prayer lantern, which was formed from the purified soul of the mother gnat, at Madam Wang’s mansion gate.
Moments after the lantern was placed, the joyful cries of newborns echoed from inside the mansion. Madam Wang had given birth to a healthy pair of boy and girl twins. This fortunate outcome was a result of the gnat siblings’ reincarnation, enabled by their mother’s earlier act of kindness in releasing Madam Wang. Duanmu Cui then suggested to Zhan Yan that they should depart.
As they strolled through Zhuque Street, observing the city illuminated by countless lights, Duanmu Cui mused that after a thousand years as an immortal, she had forgotten the true essence of "home," acknowledging that immortals typically had no one to light a lantern for their return. Responding to her wistful reflection, Zhan Yan presented her with a "human world lantern," suggesting she hang it at the entrance of her residence.
He promised it would serve as a personal beacon, illuminating her path and accompanying her home. Duanmu Cui was visibly touched and thanked him. Upon their return to Xihualiu, she gave him a gift, instructing him to open it later as a token of her gratitude for escorting her home and for the lantern. Zhan Yan agreed and encouraged her to rest. Later, alone in her room, Duanmu Cui found herself warmly reminiscing about her shared moments with Zhan Yan.
That night, while Duanmu Cui was in a deep slumber, Hong Luan, believing Duanmu Cui's powers were still weakened from her previous injury, quietly entered her room. She stealthily removed a fragment of the Penglai Drawing from Duanmu Cui's Qiankun bag. Unbeknownst to Hong Luan, Duanmu Cui was, in fact, secretly observing her actions. The following morning, at Qifeng Prefecture, Zhan Yan delivered a report on the gnat case, uncharacteristically praising Xihualiu’s contributions.
Shangguan Ce, finding Zhan Yan’s sudden change in attitude suspicious given their usual disagreements, tried to inspect a gift box bearing Xihualiu’s distinctive pattern. Zhan Yan deftly evaded his attempts, playfully chiding Shangguan Ce for his intrusive curiosity. Later, in his room, Zhan Yan opened the gift: a Lacquer Garden Butterfly, also known as a Fantasy Ant or Drowsy Bug, an artifact capable of inducing peaceful sleep.
Speaking to Duanmu Cui through the butterfly, he realized she had noticed his difficulty sleeping. Duanmu Cui playfully attributed her insight to being the "smartest immortal" and her keen observation skills. When Zhan Yan thanked her for her concern, she feigned indifference, claiming her only worry was his lack of sleep impeding their case-solving. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ce, accompanied by Zhang Long and Zhao Wu, eavesdropped on Zhan Yan's conversation. Noticing the room fall silent, they snuck in.
Shangguan Ce, unable to resist his curiosity, opened the butterfly box himself and immediately succumbed to the Drowsy Bug's power, falling into a deep sleep. Zhan Yan, having anticipated this, emerged and ordered Zhang Long and Zhao Wu to escort Shangguan Ce out, report his unauthorized entry to Lord Jiang, and ensure all three faced appropriate punishment for their actions. Duanmu Cui’s behavior that morning was markedly different from her usual self.
She meticulously applied makeup and consulted Hong Luan on her attire, a sight that greatly alarmed Xiao Qing Hua, who speculated that Duanmu Cui harbored romantic feelings for Zhan Yan. Duanmu Cui explained to Hong Luan that she was merely preparing for an official meeting at Qifeng Prefecture to discuss the gnat case, asserting that a formal appearance demonstrated Xihualiu’s respect.
She also instructed Hong Luan to tell Wengu to return to Xihualiu promptly from Wengu Medical Hall, as the conditions there were not suitable for an extended stay. Hong Luan, having delivered fresh clothes to Wengu, was informed by him that he could not return yet. His internal injuries sometimes caused him to lose control and reveal his true Dragon Clan form, a secret he wished to keep from Duanmu Cui and others.
Hong Luan then attempted to persuade Wengu to embrace his destiny as the rightful king of the Demon Clan and lead them out of Ninth Hell. Wengu, however, adamantly refused, reminding her of his father’s past mistakes, which led to war and subsequent atonement for the Demon Clan. He declared he wanted no part in the Demon Clan or Ninth Hell, stating his priority was not to burden Duanmu Cui, who had always accepted his half-demon heritage without judgment.
He sternly warned Hong Luan to be cautious with her words, reiterating his unwavering decision not to release the Demon Clan from Ninth Hell. In a grim corner of Ninth Hell, a cunning Demon Clan elder rallied a group of demons. He challenged them, asking if they were truly willing to escape, even if it meant being consumed by the Penglai Seal.
When they affirmed their desperate desire for freedom, he promised to lead them to a new life if they pledged allegiance to him. Although some questioned his claim to leadership, noting his lack of Dragon Clan blood, he asserted his deep connection to and knowledge of the former king, arguing that he was the most capable leader now that the Dragon Clan had fallen.
He dismissed rumors of a surviving Dragon Prince as a mere coward who had never returned to Ninth Hell, and the demons, convinced, renounced any faith in a feeble king. They pledged their loyalty to the elder, who, in turn, vowed to locate the Penglai Drawing, shatter the seal, and liberate them from Ninth Hell, inciting a fervent chant of "Break free of the Ninth Hell!"
As Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan walked through the city, Duanmu Cui playfully asked Zhan Yan if he noticed her new dress. He meticulously pointed out minor details like its length and beadwork, which she found amusingly boring. Enthusiastic citizens greeted Zhan Yan, who then proudly introduced Duanmu Cui to the crowd. She received a flurry of compliments for her role in subduing the gnats, much to her delight.
Duanmu Cui remarked that she finally understood why Zhan Yan enjoyed his life as a sheriff in Qifeng City, finding it equally appealing. Outside a popular osmanthus egg stall, Duanmu Cui, eager to try the delicacy, attempted to use magic to acquire some. Zhan Yan gently stopped her, revealing his acquaintance with the owner, Qiao'er, which allowed them to bypass the queue and secure a table.
He shared his expertise on making osmanthus eggs and playfully offered to cook for her sometime. After Duanmu Cui burned her tongue on a hot egg, Zhan Yan carefully fed her, even removing the goji berries she disliked. Suddenly, Duanmu Cui spotted Yang Jian and quickly excused herself, feigning an urgent need to use the restroom, before rushing to meet her brother.
Yang Jian, who had descended to check on Zhan Yan, expressed dismay at Duanmu Cui consuming mortal food, cautioning her against becoming too entangled in the human world and reminding her of her mission to return to Penglai. Duanmu Cui defended mortal cuisine, but denied any deep attachment to humans. Yang Jian, secretly relieved that her feelings for Zhan Yan did not seem profound, nonetheless decided to leave Tian behind.
Tian's mission was to keep a close watch on Duanmu Cui, ensuring Zhan Yan maintained a three-step distance from her and that his name was not even spoken in her presence. Yang Jian promised Tian mortal buns as a reward for successfully completing his task.
