Episode Summary
The Empress takes charge while the Emperor is in seclusion, investigating the re-emergence of the Demon King's power, which is linked to Hong Ning. Hong Ning and Jin Xiu confess their feelings for each other amidst danger. Dong Xuan Zhenren has a breakdown and destroys his Nei Dan. Jin Xiu reveals he used the precious Golden Lotus Dew to reincarnate Hong Ning, angering Lu Yao who then decides to leave with Lu Jiu. Jin Xiu secretly visits Heaven and obtains a bracelet from the Heaven's Book to suppress Hong Ning's demonic power. Meanwhile, the injured Bai Cha, whom Hong Ning doesn't remember, recovers and confronts Jin Xiu, vowing to protect Hong Ning from him. The Empress is also closing in on their location.
Spoiler Alert
"Love Never Fails" Episode 19: Power Plays, Heartfelt Confessions, and a Whole Lot of Trouble
We kick things off with the Empress basically telling everyone, "Listen up, the Emperor is off doing super important cultivation stuff with Tonghai, so don't bug him. All your problems? They come to me now." Grand Master Taiyi, bless his concerned heart, tries to pipe up about the re-emergence of the Demon King's power, which is, you know, a massive deal. But the Empress? She's all, "Honey, I've been fighting wars in the Star Sea for ages, you think I can't handle this?" And just like that, Taiyi knew to zip it.
So, this Demon King's power is rumored to be able to summon a Qilin (a mythical hooved creature, for the uninitiated), and the Empress, not one to sit idly by, sends her people to investigate if this is the real deal. Meanwhile, our girl Hong Ning is completely floored when a black snake pops up calling her "master." She's like, "Uh, I don't think so, buddy". The snake, clearly on a mission, urges her to drink some special spring water to remember her past before making a swift exit. This whole near-death experience (or whatever it was) has Hong Ning feeling some type of way. She turns to Jin Xiu and asks if he'll always protect her, admitting she's read enough storybooks to know she's caught feelings for him. She hadn't planned on spilling the tea, but with danger lurking, she figured it was now or never.
And guess what? Jin Xiu is totally into her too! They share a super sweet, heartfelt embrace. Aww!
But the drama doesn't stop there. Lu Yao and Bai Ling find themselves in a throwdown with Dong Xuan Zhenren. This guy is having a full-blown meltdown, first screaming that Hong Ning called him a demon, then questioning all the demons he's supposedly slain, insisting he's an immortal. Bai Ling tries to reason with him, saying it doesn't matter if he's a demon as long as he does good. But Dong Xuan Zhenren is too far gone and ends up destroying his own Nei Dan (his internal core of power). Just as things couldn't get crazier, Lu Jiu makes a dramatic entrance.
Jin Xiu, Hong Ning, and their crew manage to escape and find a spot to lick their wounds. Lu Yao, ever the pragmatist, starts grilling Jin Xiu about why Hong Ning was reincarnated. Jin Xiu fesses up: he used the super-rare Golden Lotus Dew (they only get one drop every ten thousand years!) and a Reincarnation Order to bring her back, preventing her soul from scattering. Lu Yao is, understandably, furious. "You just gave it away?!" she fumes, finally connecting the dots: Jin Xiu leading Hong Ning across the Karmic Fire Bridge is why he's now suffering from its backlash.
Jin Xiu admits he owes Lu Yao big time and promises to make it up to her. But Lu Yao's not interested; she just wants to take Lu Jiu and bounce. Jin Xiu warns her that taking Lu Jiu, who harbors a deep resentment towards them, might not be the best idea.
Elsewhere, Hong Ning stumbles upon an injured Bai Cha. He's pretty gutted to realize she genuinely doesn't remember him. Ever the kind soul, Hong Ning brings him to Jin Xiu, asking if he can stay and recover. Jin Xiu, surprisingly, agrees.
Later, Jin Xiu summons the Chrysanthemum Official, who’s clearly stressed. "The Heavenly Realm is on lockdown!" he complains, begging Jin Xiu not to call him unless it's an emergency because he's been sneaking down without logging his trips. Jin Xiu needs a favor: cover for him while he makes a quick trip to Heaven. The Chrysanthemum Official is basically like, "Are you trying to get me killed?!". Hong Ning brings Jin Xiu some medicine, feeling a bit down because Jin Xiu is being cagey and hasn't said anything about "Hong Cha" (this might be a slight confusion with Bai Cha, but the source says Hong Cha, so we'll roll with it). Unbeknownst to them, someone has already snitched to the Empress: Chrysanthemum Official has been making unrecorded trips, and the Demon King's power is currently chilling at the Cangwu Academy. The Empress, ever vigilant, orders her spies to keep watching.
Up in the Heavenly Realm, Jin Xiu consults the Heaven's Book and gets a chilling confirmation: the power within Hong Ning is the Demon King's power. Desperate, he asks if there's a way to suppress it without hurting her. The Heaven's Book gives him a bracelet. Just as Jin Xiu leaves, the Emperor himself makes an appearance. Dun dun dun!
Back in the mortal realm, Jin Xiu gives the bracelet to Hong Ning. Lu Yao decides it's time to leave, and Jin Xiu makes Lu Jiu escort her, much to Lu Jiu's chagrin.
Just when we think things might calm down, Bai Cha wakes up, and Hong Ning is overjoyed. Jin Xiu, however, sees an opportunity. He sends Hong Ning off to fetch some medicinal soup so he can have a little chat with Bai Cha. Jin Xiu lays it out: Hong Ning is a mortal in this life, innocent and pure, and he doesn't want to see her get hurt. But Bai Cha isn't having any of it. He fires back that all of Hong Ning's suffering has come from Jin Xiu, and he's not about to let Jin Xiu deceive her again.
