Episode Summary
Jin Xiu investigates the "living puppet" crisis, facing obstruction from Xian Wang who seems to be involved. The horror escalates when Kunlun's Second Auntie (Er Yiniang) turns into a puppet, contaminating him. Mu Xian's mysterious past and connection to Lu Jiu are revealed as she's identified as Hong Ning, seeking revenge. Meanwhile, Bai Cha manipulates events, revealing that Mu Xian's current existence is tied to "resentment energy" from Xian Wang, which Bai Cha intends to secure for Mu Xian to use against Tian Di (the Celestial Emperor). Jin Xiu grapples with the revelation that he might be the "Shen Zun Da Ren" from Mu Xian's past and vows to protect her.
Spoiler Alert
Right off the bat, our determined Jin Xiu marches over to see Xian Wang. She's on a mission to get to the bottom of this whole "living puppet" crisis that's got the city in a panic. Xian Wang, however, is basically like, "Let's just sweep this under the rug, shall we?" He tries to shut down her investigation, warning her that even if the world descends into chaos, it's got nothing to do with him, and especially not with her. He even dangles the safety of her family and her beloved as a reason to back off. But you know Jin Xiu – she's not having any of it and declares she can't just stand by. Off she goes!
Back with her crew, Jin Xiu updates Lu Jiu. Turns out, Xian Wang has already snagged Wang Hu's fake corpse. And get this – Xian Wang's intel network in the General's manor is apparently deeper than just Wang Hu. Jin Xiu is adamant they need to keep digging into these living puppets because the common folk are totally defenseless. The order of the day? Beef up those patrols!
Meanwhile, Mu Xian has a tense little chat with Bai Cha. Mu Xian straight-up asks if Bai Cha is connected to this puppet mess. Bai Cha denies it, claiming it's not her doing. Mu Xian, bless her vengeful heart, says that while she's all for getting her revenge, she's not about to drag innocent civilians into it. Things get pretty dramatic when Bai Cha offers Mu Xian her sword, basically saying, "If you don't trust me, just kill me now." Mu Xian, clearly conflicted, lowers the weapon.
Then, things take a truly heartbreaking turn for Kunlun. He goes to visit Er Yiniang (Second Auntie/Concubine), only to find she's become one of the living puppets. It's a horrifying scene, and in the chaos, some of Er Yiniang's blood splashes onto Kunlun's eye. Lu Yao rushes in just in time to, well, "deal with" the Er Yiniang situation. Kunlun, terrified, warns Lu Yao to stay away, convinced he's now contaminated with something nasty.
Later, Mu Xian and Jin Xiu witness the grim reality of the situation as citizens flee for their lives. Jin Xiu, ever the hero, vows to fight to the very end, no matter what. Mu Xian, still a bit enigmatic, questions if Jin Xiu is really prepared to go up against these malevolent forces. Jin Xiu admits she doesn't quite understand Mu Xian's apparent reservations or misunderstandings about her, but she firmly states that even if she dies, she'll be one of those fighting until the last breath.
Poor Kunlun is found hiding in the kitchen, stress-eating and thinking Lu Yao has left him (and kind of being okay with it, the poor guy). But Lu Yao returns, much to Kunlun's visible relief. In a surprisingly tender moment, Lu Yao gently blindfolds Kunlun with a handkerchief, whispering that if he can't see, it'll be alright.
Just as we're getting a breather, Lu Jiu is slammed with some intensely painful flashbacks from a past life. This seems to be a trigger for Mu Xian, who suddenly appears, sword aimed right at Lu Jiu! Lu Yao jumps in to intervene. "Why are you going after Lu Jiu?" Lu Yao demands. Mu Xian cryptically replies, "Don't you know why?" And then it dawns on Lu Yao – Mu Xian is Hong Ning! Lu Yao tries to argue that whatever Lu Jiu did, it wasn't intentional. But Mu Xian (as Hong Ning) isn't buying it. She declares that wrongdoing demands punishment, questioning why immortals should be exempt from such rules. She vows she'll deal with them sooner or later.
As if things weren't chaotic enough, Bai Cha shows up and immediately gets into a fight with Jin Xiu, actually managing to injure her. Lu Yao and the others arrive on the scene, and Mu Xian pulls a fast one – she pretends to engage Bai Cha in combat but secretly lets her escape. Smooth.
Mu Xian then catches up with Bai Cha, demanding to know what her endgame is. Bai Cha reveals that Xian Wang has something she needs, and she'll retrieve it for Mu Xian, telling her to stay out of it.
Later, Jin Xiu confronts Mu Xian with a heavy question: "The 'Shen Zun Da Ren' (Respected Lord/Deity) you keep talking about... that's me, isn't it?"
Mu Xian is a whirlwind of confusion. "You are him, and yet you're not him," she confesses, "I don't even know what to do anymore." Jin Xiu, taking this revelation in stride, figures his current predicament is likely a result of too many bad deeds in a past life. Regardless, he makes a solemn promise: he will protect Mu Xian, no matter what.
The group then decides it's time to investigate Xian Wang's residence, splitting into three teams for a stealthy approach. Inside, Mu Xian meets Bai Cha again, who drops another bombshell: Xian Wang is practically swimming in a massive amount of "resentment energy." And here's the kicker – Mu Xian's current physical body relies on this very resentment energy to exist. That's the secret to how she, out of so many suffering demons, was the only one to survive and gain this form.
Mu Xian is, understandably, horrified. The thought that her survival is tied to the suffering of innocent people is too much. But Bai Cha tells her not to worry about the details; she'll get the resentment energy for Mu Xian, enabling her to finally seek revenge against Tian Di (the Celestial Emperor).
