Episode Summary
Zhong Xueman and Feng Qingzhuo set a trap to capture Old Bug in a desperate attempt to obtain the Fire Cicada and save a collapsed Xiao Beiming. After a tense negotiation involving a precious manual, Old Bug successfully prepares the cure. Once revived, Xiao Beiming cleverly forces Old Bug to reveal a shocking secret about the death of Feng Qingzhuo's master.
Spoiler Alert
Deep down, Zhong Xueman refuses to believe that her father would collude with General Huo or be a member of the Night Devil organization. Although she finds Qingying's claims suspicious, she feels compelled to continue investigating. The next day, she informs Fang Zheng that Zhu Guangsha is part of Night Devil, pretending she discovered this from General Huo's ledgers. However, she intentionally conceals the Haiya incident, aware that the person who destroyed those records is incredibly powerful and not someone to be trifled with.
Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming suddenly collapses, and Feng Qingzhuo's acupuncture skills are not enough to save him. Desperate, Zhong Xueman rushes to the authorities, hoping her senior apprentice-brother will issue a wanted notice for Old Bug to find the Fire Cicada needed to cure Xiao Beiming, but her request is denied. By chance, Tujian recognizes medicine carried by her junior apprentice-brothers as belonging to Old Bug and tracks him to a secluded courtyard. Old Bug agrees to help but demands the return of the Little White Dragon, warning that without his intervention, Xiao Beiming will surely die.
That evening, Zhong Xueman confronts Feng Qingzhuo about his origins again, but he remains silent. She already learned from Old Bug that Feng Qingzhuo is from the Valley of Ultimate Poisons and now questions his motives for hiding his identity, wondering if he is secretly plotting something.
Elsewhere, Huo Dairong notices Feng Qingzhuo's distress. He confides that he is upset about keeping secrets from a friend. She comforts him, saying that everyone has secrets and what matters is not having the intent to harm others.
After careful consideration, Zhong Xueman decides to feign cooperation with Old Bug, leading him to a hidden courtyard where Feng Qingzhuo is pretending to be unconscious. Just as Old Bug is about to take him, Feng Qingzhuo's eyes snap open, revealing their trap. The two are outmatched by Old Bug, but luckily, a hidden Huo Dairong swiftly knocks him out with a club. It is revealed that Feng Qingzhuo had already confessed his identity to Zhong Xueman the previous night, and they had planned this confrontation together.
Upon waking, a furious Old Bug tries to provoke Feng Qingzhuo by mentioning his late master. He scoffs at their plan to use the Fire Cicada, claiming their method would be fatal and only he can prepare it correctly. He demands the "Yin-Yang Manual," his master's final testament, in exchange for his help. Feng Qingzhuo, prioritizing Xiao Beiming's life, agrees. Knowing Old Bug is cunning, he tears the manual in half, promising the second part only after Xiao Beiming is saved.
While Old Bug prepares the Fire Cicada, Feng Qingzhuo watches his every move to prevent any tricks. The next day, Xiao Beiming takes the medicine and awakens. After thanking Old Bug, he immediately interrogates him about Night Devil. When Old Bug refuses to talk, Xiao Beiming threatens to spread a rumor that he has defected, which would make him an enemy of the organization. Cornered, Old Bug reveals a stunning truth: he did not poison Feng Qingzhuo's master; rather, his master died because of Ice Heart Grass, a matter related to his own senior apprentice-brother.
