Episode Summary
Kunlun is saved from a life-essence-stealing demon by Lu Yao, who is revealed to be on a divine mission from the Empress to help Kunlun succeed in an upcoming trial in Wuzhang Country. Lu Yao begins to mentor Kunlun in demon hunting, suspecting a local butcher is connected to a strange illness. Meanwhile, Muxian and Jinxiu's relationship shows hints of past connections and present misunderstandings, particularly after Jinxiu offers to buy Muxian a sword, triggering a memory for her. Baicha gives Muxian a powerful demon core, fueling her desire for revenge. The episode also features some lighthearted moments with Kunlun trying to play matchmaker between Muxian and Jinxiu, and an archery outing where Muxian and Jinxiu showcase their skills.
Spoiler Alert
So, picture this: our boy Kunlun is out in the countryside with a mysterious woman. He’s trying to make it super clear that his heart only beats for Tian Nv (the Heavenly Maiden, for those just tuning in) and that he only helped this lady out to, you know, score points with Tian Nv. Smooth, Kunlun, real smooth. Except, plot twist! This woman is actually a demon, and she’s not after his charm, she’s after his life essence. Just as Kunlun is about to become demon chow, who swoops in like a guardian angel? Lu Yao! Kunlun is over the moon, totally convinced Tian Nv is looking out for him.
This demon, it turns out, isn't just being evil for kicks; she needs these life essences for her husband. Lu Yao, not having any of it, throws down, and the demon, realizing she’s outmatched, makes a quick exit.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch (or, well, a fancy garden), Jinxiu has whipped up some food for Muxian. Muxian, ever the sharp one, basically asks, "You don't do this often, do you?" Jinxiu pretty much admits that if he cooked regularly, the results might be a tad more… edible. It's the thought that counts, right?
Just then, Kunlun and Lu Yao arrive. Lu Yao immediately recognizes Muxian. Kunlun does the intros, explaining Muxian is his sister-in-law. Lu Yao, with a poetic flair, compares Muxian to the "Hong Cha" (Red Tea) in the garden – bold and audacious. Muxian, playing it cool, just says she’s your average, everyday demon hunter. Nothing to see here, folks!
Later, Lu Yao gets a divine call from the Empress. Turns out, Lu Yao’s been living as a mortal, kinda clueless, but recently got her memories back and is now crashing at Kunlun's place. The Empress drops a major bombshell: two Tian Di (Heavenly Emperor) stars are set for a major trial in Wuzhang Country. A huge disaster is brewing, and whoever sorts it out first gets to light up their Tian Di star. Naturally, the Empress wants Lu Yao to make sure Kunlun is the one to shine. Oh, and by the way, how's Jinxiu? Lu Yao fills her in: this time around, Jinxiu and Kunlun are cousins. Keeping track of these reincarnations is a full-time job!
With all this cosmic drama unfolding, Kunlun decides Lu Yao is the master he needs and starts his demon-hunting apprenticeship. Their first field trip? Lu Yao gets a weird vibe from the local butcher. His meat-chopping skills are a little too precise, like every slice is a killing blow. Plus, a strange illness is spreading, and wouldn't you know it, the well and the butcher shop are suspiciously close. Kunlun, bless his heart, thinks she might be overthinking it. Lu Yao’s just like, "Dude, you really need to learn this stuff."
Elsewhere, Muxian and Jinxiu revisit the spot where Kunlun was attacked by the demon lady, only to find it sealed off because the Prime Minister's son (Xiangfu Shizi) got ambushed there. Bummer. So, they hit the shops instead. Muxian eyes a sword, and Jinxiu, ever the big spender, offers to buy it. When she hesitates, he says he'll just buy all of them – a line that zaps Muxian right back to a memory from Shui Xian's Huan Jing (Illusion Realm), where Jinxiu said the exact same thing to Hong Ning about buying rouge. This triggers something in Muxian. She snaps that she doesn’t like the sword and then hits Jinxiu with a loaded question: if he had to choose between the people in the city and those outside, who would it be? Before he can even process, she storms off, leaving Jinxiu completely baffled by her sudden mood swing. Guys, am I right?
But Jinxiu, probably still confused but clearly smitten, buys the sword anyway and gets Kunlun to play delivery boy. Kunlun, handing it over to Muxian, quips that it's not every day an "iron tree blooms" (meaning something incredibly rare is happening – perhaps referring to Jinxiu's gesture or Muxian's mood).
Then, Baicha shows up, looking a bit worse for wear, and gives Muxian a super precious Thousand-Year Snake Demon's Nei Dan (Inner Core). He got injured nabbing it for her! Muxian is touched but also fueled by a thirst for revenge, vowing that everyone who ever hurt her will pay. Chills, literal chills.
The drama doesn’t stop there! Kunlun and Jinxiu are having an archery session. Jinxiu is basically Legolas, hitting bullseye after bullseye. Kunlun, getting frustrated, lets an arrow fly… and nearly skewers Muxian! Thankfully, Jinxiu, with his lightning reflexes, knocks Kunlun’s arrow out of the air just in time. Close call!
To lighten the mood (or maybe stir more trouble?), the Yiniangmen (concubines/aunts) have prepared new clothes for Kunlun and Lu Yao. Kunlun, happy with his new threads, asks if Muxian and Jinxiu got some too. They did. So, Kunlun, ever the subtle matchmaker (not!), has the clothes sent over, telling Muxian that Jinxiu picked hers out, and telling Jinxiu that Muxian chose his. Jinxiu, thinking Muxian went to the trouble for him, is absolutely beaming. Oh, these complicated kids!
The episode wraps up with the four of them out for the evening. There’s an archery game where you can win prizes. Muxian and Jinxiu are total pros, effortlessly winning stuff, while Kunlun basically doesn’t even get a look-in. Some things never change!
