Episode Summary
Hong Ning and Jin Xiu's wedding is tragically interrupted by Grand Master Taiyi and celestial soldiers, aided by Bai Cha who betrays Cangwu Mountain. Bai Cha releases demons, leading to widespread chaos and death, including Pang Shen and Wen Xin, with Tian Nanxing also sacrificing himself. Gu Jiu's Samadhi Fire goes out of control. Misled by Bai Cha, Hong Ning witnesses Jin Xiu mercy-killing her parents (who were being consumed by the uncontrollable fire) and, believing he betrayed her, unleashes her Demon King powers, breaking their marriage bond. She vows revenge in her next life before dying. A devastated Jin Xiu, learning of Cangwu Mountain's heavy losses, postpones his reincarnation to seek the Dijun.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicked off with what should have been a joyous occasion: Hong Ning and Jin Xiu's wedding ceremony. They went through the rites, and Jin Xiu, ever the romantic, brought out a red string. He explained that according to his homeland's customs, this string, woven from mortal longing by Yue Lao (the Matchmaker God, for those new to the C-dramaverse), would bind them together for all eternity. Sweet, right? Well, hold onto that feeling because it doesn't last.
After the "I do's" (or the C-drama equivalent), Hong Ning was whisked off to the bridal chamber, as is tradition. Jin Xiu was supposed to follow after a celebratory drink with his disciples. But as the drinks were poured, Lemon Spirit voiced a concern that many of us were probably thinking: where on earth was Jiaobo? Uh oh, foreshadowing much?
Just as things were getting a little too quiet, Grand Master Taiyi decided to crash the party, bringing a host of celestial soldiers. Luckily for Cangwu Mountain (or so we thought), a protective barrier kept them out. Taiyi, however, wasn't worried, smugly stating someone would soon take care of that. And who else but the ever-shady Bai Cha to do the honors, shattering the barrier. Gu Jiu, bless his observant heart, sensed something was amiss and went to investigate, only to have a mysterious light enter his body. File that under "things that can't be good."
With the gates wide open, Bai Cha stormed the dungeon, taking down Baibuqu and his crew. His justification? Jin Xiu is nothing but a sanctimonious fraud. Charming. Bai Cha then unleashed all the demons locked away, while Jin Xiu found himself face-to-face with Grand Master Taiyi, leading to an epic showdown. Baibuqu, injured but loyal, managed to drag himself back to warn the others. Wen Xin, thinking fast, urged Bai Ling to get the wedding guests to safety and find Jin Xiu.
The situation escalated quickly. Bai Cha and his demonic army descended upon the wedding celebration. Bai Ling was injured, and poor Pang Shen was tragically killed by a demon. Wen Xin, ever the protector, told Bai Ling to run and get word out, while Tian Nanxing made the ultimate sacrifice, shutting the main gate to buy Bai Ling time. In his final moments, Wen Xin told Tian Nanxing he was the best disciple he'd ever had. Tian Nanxing, with heartbreaking resolve, vowed to uphold the honor of Cangwu Mountain.
But Bai Cha wasn't done. He taunted Tian Nanxing, trying to force him to denounce Jin Xiu. Tian Nanxing, a true hero, refused. He even managed to land a hit on Bai Cha with poisoned needles, but alas, they had no effect. Bai Cha, in his cruelty, struck down Tian Nanxing and then, just to add insult to injury, burned the beautiful bridal sedan chair.
As other disciples rushed to the scene, Gu Jiu unleashed his Samadhi Fire. But here’s where that mysterious light from earlier probably came into play – the fire went completely rogue, burning everything in its path, and Gu Jiu couldn't control or retract it. Panic! Amidst this chaos, Lemon Spirit tried to reach Hong Ning to warn her to escape, but was tragically cut down by the celestial soldiers.
When Bai Ling saw Grand Master Taiyi and his troops, she initially thought help had arrived. Imagine her fury when she realized they weren't there to save Cangwu Mountain, but to capture the Demon King. She let loose a string of well-deserved curses. Jin Xiu finally arrived on this scene of utter devastation, only to find Bai Ling and others being consumed by Gu Jiu's uncontrollable Samadhi Fire – a fire so potent it destroys even the soul, meaning no chance of reincarnation.
Then, Bai Cha found Hong Ning and delivered the most twisted version of events: Jin Xiu only wanted her for her Demon King powers, he’d ratted out all the demons to the Celestial Court, and now the Court was here to wipe them all out. Talk about manipulation!
Faced with an unbearable choice, Bai Ling begged Jin Xiu to kill them. If their souls were destroyed by the fire, it would be the ultimate end. With no other option to spare them that fate, a heartbroken Jin Xiu did the unthinkable, ending their suffering.
And who should walk in at that exact moment? Hong Ning. She witnessed Jin Xiu killing her parents (as Bai Ling was her mother). The devastation was absolute. Consumed by grief and rage, she shattered the bracelet that likely suppressed her powers, unleashing her full Demon King might and severing the red string that bound her to Jin Xiu. She demanded to know why he would do such a thing. Jin Xiu tried to explain, but in her pain, Hong Ning couldn't hear it, couldn't believe him. She attacked him, only to be struck down herself by Grand Master Taiyi.
In her final moments, cradled by a devastated Jin Xiu, Hong Ning vowed that in her next life, she would find him and kill him. Ouch. Jin Xiu, utterly shattered, begged her not to leave.
The scene then shifted to the underworld, where Jin Xiu was about to reincarnate. He asked about the people of Cangwu Mountain, and the officials told him many had perished and their names were still being processed. Hearing this, Jin Xiu couldn't bring himself to move on. He decided he had to find the Dijun (Emperor Lord).
