Episode Summary
In Episode 5 of "The Seven Relics of Ill Omen," Mu Dai discovers a writhing, patterned mark on Luo Pinting's back, which the Mystic identifies as a parasitic entity linked to an ancient ritual. Friends Cao Yanhua and Yi Wan San arrive, and during their stay, Luo Pinting secretly begs Yi Wan San for help. Later that night, she violently attacks Cao Yanhua and attempts to escape by jumping from a window but is subdued by Luo Ren and Mu Dai. The Mystic reveals the pattern is an ancient word for "knife" and explains that the "Xinjian" curse will transfer to a new host if the current one dies, potentially driving the host to suicide. To build trust, Luo Ren takes Mu Dai to the desert, shares his painful family history, and gives her the knife he once used to threaten her.
Spoiler Alert
"The Seven Relics of Ill Omen" Episode 5 Recap: The Devil on Her Back
This Episode , the mystery surrounding Luo Pinting deepens into horrifying territory. A parasitic entity, a desperate plea for help, and a violent late-night attack push Luo Ren and Mu Dai to their limits, forcing them to confront the true nature of the curse they're up against.
A Disturbing Discovery
While helping Luo Pinting bathe, Mu Dai makes a horrifying discovery: a patch of skin on Pinting's back is writhing, etched with a bizarre pattern. She immediately contacts the Mystic for help. He speculates it's a parasitic organism and sends a video reference. As Luo Ren listens to the audio from the clip, he recognizes the eerie tune as the same one Luo Pinting often hums. The Mystic traces the melody to a "Qishen" (God-Worshipping) ritual from the Lengquan region, promising to dig deeper. The news leaves Mu Dai and Luo Ren more disturbed than ever.
An Unlikely Barbecue
Meanwhile, Cao Yanhua is moping at the bar over Mu Dai's absence. Not wanting to be stuck working, Yi Wan San concocts an excuse about needing to go to Xiao Shang He to protect Mu Dai. The two friends head to Luo Ren's house, but their attempt at stealthy surveillance is foiled when Luo Ren spots them on his security camera. He graciously invites them in. Mu Dai tries to send them home, but they insist on staying to help.
The timing is perfect, as the housekeeper, Zheng Bo, returns with groceries and suggests a barbecue to lift everyone's spirits. During the gathering, Mu Dai tends to Luo Pinting in her room. When Luo Ren takes over, he notices Pinting's chapped lips and gently applies his own lip balm, carefully shaving off the tip with a knife first to keep it clean—a small gesture revealing his deep, meticulous care for her.
A Secret Revealed and a Desperate Plea
Later, after Mu Dai helps him with a sprained back, Zheng Bo confides in her. He reveals that Luo Ren and Luo Pinting are not blood siblings and that people had even tried to set them up romantically years ago. The revelation gives Mu Dai pause, and she silently tells herself to focus on the mission and not let her personal feelings get in the way.
Seizing an opportunity, Yi Wan San offers to bring Luo Pinting her dinner. As he enters the room, Pinting looks directly at him and whispers a desperate, quiet plea for help. The unexpected moment puts Yi Wan San on high alert, though he doesn't know how to react.
A Night of Terror
As night falls, Mu Dai sits in the courtyard, lost in thought, when Luo Ren joins her to thank her for her help. The quiet moment is shattered by a sudden commotion. Yi Wan San, having decided to act, had snuck to Luo Pinting's room. After getting through the password-locked main door, he spoke to her through the inner security gate, promising to call the police. Pinting, lowering her voice to a whisper, lured him closer, only to suddenly shoot her hand through the bars and grab him.
Hearing the noise, Luo Ren rushes upstairs to find a scene of chaos: Luo Pinting is choking Cao Yanhua. He gives chase as Pinting makes a break for the window, attempting to leap out. Luo Ren manages to grab her just in time, desperately holding on as she dangles from the ledge, scratching his hands in the struggle. Just as his grip is about to fail, Mu Dai arrives and swiftly knocks Luo Pinting unconscious, ending the terrifying ordeal.
The Rules of the Curse
Mu Dai sends a photo of the skin pattern to the Mystic, who confirms it's an ancient character for the word "knife." He explains that the pattern emerges whenever the entity inside Pinting is ready to escape and kill. The Mystic also uncovers a terrifying rule governing the Xinjian, the malevolent force at play: upon the host's death, it simply transfers to a new person. He warns that if Luo Pinting is kept locked up for too long, the Xinjian might force her to commit suicide to find a new host. To mitigate the risk, Luo Ren sends Mu Dai, Cao Yanhua, and Yi Wan San to a hotel for their own safety while he calls for a doctor with a full set of emergency medical equipment.
A Moment of Trust in the Desert
Needing to clear their heads, Luo Ren takes Mu Dai to the desert. Under a sky full of stars, he finally opens up about his past: his father had an affair, and after a car accident left him poisoned, he was sent to live with his uncle, Luo Wenmiao. His uncle raised him like a son, and now, Luo Pinting is the most important family he has left.
In a profound gesture of trust, Luo Ren gives Mu Dai a small knife—the very same one he held to her throat when they first met. The two return with a deeper bond, but the true danger is far from over.
