Episode Summary
Ji Bozai fakes a story to mislead Mu Qibai, while he and Ming Yi secretly try to uncover each other's motives. To get information, Ji Bozai makes a deal with Hou Zhao, trading a cure for his daughter's illness for Hou Zhao's memories. Through this, he discovers the horrifying truth about his master's murder at the hands of Mu Qibai, Hou Zhao, and a mysterious third person. Ming Yi, meanwhile, works to win the trust of Ji Bozai's staff while secretly hunting for the Huangliang Dream.
Spoiler Alert
The Ultimate Sob Story
The episode kicks off right where we left off. Mu Qibai is cornering Ji Bozai about his spiritual power. He wants to know how Ji Bozai got it.
Ji Bozai puts on a real show. He looks absolutely devastated. He claims he wasn't born with his powers. He says he got them by pure chance later in life. Then the waterworks start. He tells a sob story about being bullied as a kid. He says his powers were a blessing that came out of that suffering.
Mu Qibai is not buying it for a second. He knows it's a ridiculous lie. He's really just mad that Ji Bozai is hiding the Huangliang Dream and won't share. He's about to lose his temper. But then he spots Ming Yi eavesdropping nearby.
A Battle of Wits (and Flirting)
Ming Yi knows she’s been caught. She strolls right into the room. She drapes herself over a couch, trying to look seductive. Mu Qibai was already suspicious of her. But then he sees a spiritual cultivation manual lying open next to her. He gets flustered and makes an awkward exit.
Once he's gone, Ji Bozai pretends to be all sweet and tender with Ming Yi. But he's secretly using his powers to check out her spiritual veins. He wants to know what she's really made of.
Ming Yi is way ahead of him. She knows exactly what he's doing. In one move, she flips them over so she's on top. She uses the opportunity to search him for the Huangliang Dream. She comes up with nothing.
A Desperate Deal for a Cure
Later, Buxiu brings Ji Bozai a special plant called Night-Seeing Grass. Ji Bozai takes it straight to the Abyss. He's there to meet Hou Zhao, the head of the Judgment Hall.
Ji Bozai has some serious leverage. He knows Hou Zhao’s daughter, Ruo Shui, has a fatal congenital disease. This grass is the only thing that can save her. Hou Zhao is desperate. He agrees to trade his entire life's memories for the cure. Ji Bozai keeps his word. He immediately tells Buxiu to deliver the Night-Seeing Grass to Ruo Shui.
The Truth About Ming Yi
Buxiu also comes back with a report on Ming Yi. We learn her real backstory. She is the daughter of a fairy who gathered herbs at the Waters of Cold and Heat. Her parents were both killed by Blood Pearl Flower poison. After that, she was left all alone and had to make her own way in the capital.
Playing the Long Game
Ming Yi gets her hands on a special bug. It's a Yu Chong, and it can track the Huangliang Dream. She has her subordinate, Ershiqi, tame it for her. Her boss, Ming Xin, is furious. She hears that her people keep failing. She also knows Ji Bozai is getting in the way, and her hatred for him grows.
Soon, Granny Xun gives Ming Yi new orders. The Shouhua Pan Palace is choosing fighters for the upcoming Qingyun Conference. Ji Bozai is going, and he’s taking Ming Yi with him. First, she has to learn all the proper etiquette of the capital.
Ershiqi thinks Ji Bozai's behavior is strange. He suspects this whole thing is a trap. Ming Yi isn't worried. She decides to just play along. She knows she released the bug. Finding the Huangliang Dream is now just a matter of time.
Winning Over the Dragon Lady
Ji Bozai keeps trying to access Hou Zhao's memories. But every time he's about to dive into the man's mind, he gets interrupted. Ming Yi is always outside making some kind of noise, "accidentally" breaking his concentration. He has to give up each time.
Granny Xun starts the etiquette lessons. Her words are sharp, and she's clearly testing Ming Yi with every step. Ming Yi plays her part perfectly. Sometimes she has tears in her eyes. Other times she's all soft words and charm. It works. Ji Bozai starts to feel sorry for her. Even Granny Xun's harsh gaze begins to soften.
Ming Yi has no idea how to make Star-Wishing Cakes. Still, she stays up all night trying. Her fingers get stained from the ingredients. She finally manages to make a decent-looking batch and gives them to Granny Xun. The cakes are delicious. Granny Xun sees how sincere Ming Yi seems to be about Ji Bozai. She finally eases up.
Granny Xun tells Ming Yi her own story. She had a very difficult life. Then Ji Bozai saved her. From that day on, she swore she would never betray him. Ming Yi finally understands her loyalty. She comforts the old woman and offers her more cakes. Granny Xun accepts.
The Horrifying Truth
Ji Bozai finally gets a moment of peace. He successfully enters Hou Zhao's memories. There, he sees the truth about his master Bo Yulan's murder.
In the memory, Hou Zhao was working for Mu Qibai. They had Bo Yulan locked in a dark prison. They tortured him relentlessly. They wanted the formula for the Huangliang Dream. But Bo Yulan would rather die than talk. He never said a word, no matter the pain.
Then, a man in black robes appeared. He was holding a soul-stealing artifact. A dark energy filled the room. He ripped Bo Yulan's soul right out of his body. The master died in unimaginable agony.
A Vow for Revenge
Ji Bozai witnesses his master's horrific death in the memory. He is overcome with grief and rage. He swears an oath. He will kill all three murderers to avenge his master.
Back in the present, Ming Yi is in her room. She suddenly feels a strange disturbance outside. She rushes out into the courtyard. It's a mess of broken branches and dead leaves. A cold, murderous energy hangs in the air.
