Episode Summary
Zhangming's carelessness exposes the Celestial Masters' hideout. Shuang Jiang tries to protect the fox demon Hu Zhu, and they both fall off a cliff. Mei Zhuyu searches for them while Zhangming sets a trap using Hu Zhu as bait. This leads to a major misunderstanding between Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen, and culminates in Wu Zhen revealing her identity as the County Princess to save Hu Zhu from Zhangming.
Spoiler Alert
It all started because Zhangming got impatient. He snuck out to practice his forbidden arts. This made it easy for Elder Hui to track the lingering evil energy right back to the Celestial Masters' hideout. Elder Hui found their spot and then left. Right after, Hu Zhu showed up. Wordless Book had to think fast. He lied, telling her he was planning to use Shuang Jiang to track down the masters.
Of course, Hu Zhu decided to follow Shuang Jiang herself. She tailed her to the abandoned house where the masters were hiding. Shuang Jiang knew someone was behind her, though. She turned and urged Hu Zhu to get away. But it was too late. Zhangming appeared out of nowhere, his eyes full of murder. He went straight for Hu Zhu. Shuang Jiang, without a second thought, jumped in front of her to block the attack. Zhangming's blow was powerful. It sent both of them flying off a cliff.
A Misunderstanding and a Manhunt
While this was happening, Mei Zhuyu was at the Xuanjian Division. He performed a ritual and sensed a new evil presence in Chang'an. He described it as an "infant demon."
The next day, his disciples told him what happened to Shuang Jiang. They said she fell from a cliff while protecting a fox demon. Zhangming put on a big show of being a heartbroken teacher, but you could see he didn't care at all. Mei Zhuyu wasn't fooled. He was angry that Zhangming's carelessness led Hu Zhu to them in the first place. He told everyone to stay put and went to the cliff to search for Shuang Jiang and Hu Zhu alone.
Down in the valley, Shuang Jiang used his own energy to protect Hu Zhu. When she woke up, he shared his last bit of food with her. They didn't talk much. They just huddled together for warmth.
The Reveal and the Escape
As Shuang Jiang carried the injured Hu Zhu, a thought hit him. If Hu Zhu is a fox demon, then what about Wu Zhen? He started to panic, thinking his little master might have married a demon. Hu Zhu saw his face and swore that Wu Zhen is human. Shuang Jiang then clarified that Mei Zhuyu isn't a master from Changxi Palace.
They finally made it out of the valley. At the city gate, they bought some steamed buns. Shuang Jiang felt he owed Hu Zhu for her help, but he knew a human and a demon couldn't be together. He decided to count to ten and let her go. But Hu Zhu was too weak. Her injuries made her lose control, and she reverted to her true form as a red fox. People on the street panicked and shouted for the guards.
Word spread quickly about a "long-tailed wolf" on the loose. Wu Zhen heard the news and knew it had to be Hu Zhu. Mei Zhuyu and Huang Yi started a search in Liu Lane. Hu Zhu, in her fox form, scrambled into the Ruyi Lounge to hide.
A Trap is Sprung
Wu Zhen and Wordless Book rushed to the Ruyi Lounge to help the fading Hu Zhu. But Mei Zhuyu was already outside the door. Wu Zhen blocked him, refusing to let him search the room. Just then, a faint fox whimper came from inside. Mei Zhuyu's face hardened. He pushed past Wu Zhen and entered the room. He found Wordless Book sitting by the bed. The immediate assumption was that Wu Zhen and Wordless Book were having an affair. Wu Zhen couldn't explain, so she just told Mei Zhuyu to leave.
Later, Hu Zhu woke up and told Wu Zhen the truth. She revealed that Shuang Jiang is from Changxi Palace and is working with the Celestial Masters. She warned Wu Zhen to be careful around Mei Zhuyu.
Meanwhile, a battered Shuang Jiang returned to the Xuanjian Division. He told Mei Zhuyu everything and mentioned a strange energy he felt on Hu Zhu. Mei Zhuyu knew at once it was one of Zhangming's tracking talismans.
Just as he predicted, Zhangming used the talisman to track Hu Zhu to the Ruyi Lounge and captured her. Mei Zhuyu and Shuang Jiang ran to save her. They walked right into Zhangming's trap. He was using Hu Zhu as bait to lure out a more powerful demon. In the middle of the night, Wu Zhen walked into the Ruyi Lounge alone. She announced that she was Mei Zhuyu's wife. Then she revealed her true identity as the County Princess. Zhangming froze. He was shocked and realized he almost made a huge mistake.
