Episode Summary
Elder Hui forces Liu Taizhen to trade a scale for Mei Si and Xuanhui's lives, but Xuanhui dies anyway. Wu Zhen discovers the Demon Market's connection to the Evil Spirit Infant and confronts the Wordless Book, who reveals his motives before killing himself. Elder Hui traps Wu Zhen, revealing his plan to resurrect the Infant and destroy Chang'an. Just as all seems lost, Mei Zhuyu rescues Wu Zhen, and his devastating secret is revealed: he has been containing the Evil Spirit Infant's power within his own body for eighteen years to protect her.
Spoiler Alert
A Deal, a Death, and a Devastating Secret
Alright, let's get into it. This episode was a big one. It starts heavy and pretty much never lets up.
The Price of a Life
We open with Elder Hui holding all the cards. He has Mei Si and Xuanhui, and he makes Liu Taizhen an offer she can't refuse. He wants one of her snake scales in exchange for their lives. She doesn't hesitate for long. Liu Taizhen rips off her own heart-scale and hands it over.
But the trade comes too late for Xuanhui. He's barely hanging on. With his last breath, he looks at Liu Taizhen and calls her "sister" before he dies. It’s a brutal start. Wu Zhen arrives at the Mei Manor to find Mei Si sobbing and holding Xuanhui's true form. Liu Taizhen has to pull Wu Zhen away. Big trouble is brewing in the Demon Market, and they have to go.
The Truth in the Warehouse
Back in the Demon Market, Wu Zhen gets to work. She asks the Wordless Book to list all the places accessible with the blood of the two dukes. The book names several spots but conveniently leaves out an old, abandoned warehouse. So, of course, that’s exactly where Wu Zhen goes.
Inside, she finds a stone statue of the Evil Spirit Infant. In the center of the room, there's a projection of the entire city of Chang'an. She finally gets it. This place was the original council hall. The Demon Market and the Evil Spirit Infant are connected at the source.
The Wordless Book's Final Chapter
Wu Zhen puts a plan in motion. She disguises herself as a grey rat to track down the Wordless Book. When she confronts him, the truth spills out. She recalls hearing secrets about his identity while she was sick. She thought it was just a fever dream, but now all the pieces fit.
The Wordless Book admits everything he did was for her. He reveals that Elder Hui now controls the entire Demon Market. He also says the Evil Spirit Infant is set to return tonight. He tries to control her one last time, but it's no use. Wu Zhen has fully transformed into a complete demon. Seeing her power, he says she is finally "whole" and then kills himself by severing his own meridians.
Elder Hui's Grand Plan
When Wu Zhen gets back to the Demon Market, it's a nightmare. Bodies are everywhere, and the place is thick with demonic energy. Elder Hui's voice leads her down into the Demon Prison. It's a trap. She's caught in a special cage that completely seals her powers.
Elder Hui mocks the Wordless Book for getting caught up in feelings. He reveals his real plan. He wants to resurrect the Evil Spirit Infant to reshape both the human and demon worlds. He yells at Wu Zhen, saying she isn't worthy of her position because her heart isn't truly with the demons. He shows her the original power that the Wordless Book could never find. His plan is to use its energy on the new moon to destroy Chang'an and welcome the Infant's return.
Wu Zhen, even while trapped, hits a nerve. She asks him how much of this plan is for the demon race and how much is just to erase his own shame of once being a lowly rat. His face changes. She's right. He leaves in a rage. In another cell, we see Liu Taizhen and the other elders, also captured.
A Past That Won't Stay Buried
As Wu Zhen weakens, she has a vision of the previous Cat Duke. She tells him she failed, but he says she'll understand her true purpose when she faces her darkest moment.
And then, Mei Zhuyu arrives. The cage, built to hold a powerful demon, shatters at his touch. He pulls her into his arms. Crying, she tells him she remembers seeing him eighteen years ago and wants to know what he did.
Here is the secret she was never meant to know. The Evil Spirit Infant is immortal. The only way to stop it is for a Cat Duke to seal it within their own body. Mei Zhuyu learned this truth all those years ago. He had his father seal the Infant's power inside of him, taking on the agonizing pain to protect her.
