Episode Summary
Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen capture the Dream Demon, leading Mei Zhuyu to discover that the Demon Market is a mirror dimension of Chang'an.After this intense day, they finally consummate their relationship.The next day, disciples from Changxi Palace arrive, planning to attack the Demon Market with Mei Zhuyu's help. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Wu Zhen experiences a sudden, sharp pain after a tense encounter with the Wordless Book.
Spoiler Alert
Hunting a Dream Demon
The Set-Up
The episode kicks off with Mei Zhuyu and Shuang Jiang on the hunt.After getting Wu Zhen settled, Mei Zhuyu heads out to investigate the weird stuff happening in the city and runs into Shuang Jiang. They decide to team up and search for a Dream Demon, thinking it's probably hanging out in Liu Lane.
Meanwhile, Wu Zhen has her own plan. She finds the great demon Ling Xiao. She knows his long, dramatic life is exactly the kind of juicy dream that a Dream Demon can't resist. So, she uses a little magic to help him fall into a deep sleep, basically setting a trap.
The Dream Within a Dream
Outside, Mei Zhuyu and Shuang Jiang are on watch. They spot a strange light rising from the end of the alley. It floats toward the Ruyi Lounge. This immediately makes Shuang Jiang panic, worried that Hu Zhu is in danger.
Inside the dream, Wu Zhen catches the demon almost instantly. It turns into its true form: a fat-headed fish. Wu Zhen reveals her identity as the Cat Duke and tells the demon she's taking it back to the Demon Market for punishment. But just as she's about to make her move, everything feels off. She realizes she's not in Ling Xiao's dream. She's in the Dream Demon's dream.
Just in time, Mei Zhuyu bursts into the Ruyi Lounge and breaks the spell. Wu Zhen immediately transforms into a calico cat and bolts. Shuang Jiang, who was hiding, sees Hu Zhu holding the calico cat for a second before it vanishes into the night.
The Demon Market's True Nature
A Punishment and a Revelation
Back at the Demon Market, Wu Zhen deals with the fat-headed fish demon. It's still trying to argue its case, saying every living being's dreams have their own unique flavor. It then drops a bomb. It tells Wu Zhen it saw her deepest desire: to become a full demon. And it also saw Mei Zhuyu in that dream. Hu Zhu looks very interested by this news, but Wu Zhen is just annoyed and sentences the demon to the Demon Academy to get its act together.
Chang'an's Mirror World
Mei Zhuyu deliberately lets the calico cat (Wu Zhen) go. He follows her demonic energy to an abandoned area. There, he uses his powers to investigate and makes a massive discovery. The Demon Market isn't just hidden somewhere in Chang'an City.It's an entire mirror dimension that overlaps with the real city.Every street and market in the human world has a corresponding, shadowy demon version.
A Long-Awaited Night
Schemes and Suspicions
Things get complicated. Elder Hui secretly releases the Dream Demon back into Chang'an. We learn the Wordless Book is behind this. It wants to cause enough chaos to force the disciples from Changxi Palace to come down and intervene.
Shuang Jiang still suspects Hu Zhu is a demon. She goes back to the Ruyi Lounge to test her, but Hu Zhu plays dumb so well that Shuang Jiang leaves thinking she must have imagined things.
The Main Event
Mei Zhuyu gets back to his place and can't find Wu Zhen anywhere. As he's asking a servant, Wu Zhen shows up. Seeing him, she ducks into the bathroom and claims she was taking a bath. He opens the door and sees her sitting in the tub.He starts to leave, but she teases him, and he stops.
He walks back in, leans over the tub, and they finally kiss.He then lifts her out of the water. Mei Zhuyu apologizes for putting her in danger earlier and swears he'll never let it happen again. They embrace, and the two of them finally consummate their relationship.
Old Friends and New Enemies
The Morning After
The next day, Zhangming and other disciples from Changxi Palace arrive in Chang'an. Shuang Jiang, in a moment of carelessness, spills the beans that Mei Zhuyu has found the Demon Market.
Over at the Duke of Yu's place, Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen show up late. The Duke gives them a knowing look and advises that young people need to practice "moderation." Wu Zhen, looking a little pale, just says she's hungry.
A Tense Reunion
Mei Zhuyu meets up with his fellow disciples. They want his help to destroy the Demon Market. He agrees but tells them they need a perfect plan to succeed in one strike.
Later, Wu Zhen isn't feeling well. Liu Taizhen has some medicine prepared for her based on her symptoms. After taking it, Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu go for a walk. At an archery stall, the Wordless Book shows up and gets close to Mei Zhuyu. It starts talking about its past with Wu Zhen, clearly trying to provoke him. The two have a tense, coded conversation.
That night, everything comes to a head. Wu Zhen suddenly feels a sharp pain in her chest. She quietly gets up and leaves the room. Mei Zhuyu, who was only pretending to be asleep, opens his eyes.
