Episode Summary
Qing Li's peaceful illusion is shattered when she reveals her true identity as the Ghost-Faced Moth. She used a diversion to trap the villagers and feed a parasitic worm to Zhang Qi. Wangquan Fugui fights her and her puppet, but Qingtong wakes up to help. In the end, Zhang Qi, freed from control, kills Qing Li himself. The entire dock is wiped out, leaving Wangquan Fugui to question the possibility of human-demon coexistence. He and Qingtong then part ways, as he encourages her to find her own path in the world.
Spoiler Alert
A Perfect Illusion Shatters
So, we start off with Wangquan Fugui and Qingtong still feeling like something is off. They know the Deer Demon is lying about where he came from. You just get that classic "this is too good to be true" vibe from all of Peach Blossom Dock.
Qing Li pulls Wangquan Fugui aside. She begs him to spare Zhang Qi and everyone else at the dock once this is over. She even says she's willing to give up Zhang Qi for the sake of peace. The look Wangquan Fugui gives her is heavy. He knows something isn't right.
Later that night, the special "night peach blossoms" are supposed to bloom. Everyone gathers under the tree. Qing Li and Zhang Qi lead them in a prayer for a world where humans and demons can coexist without killing each other. It's a sweet moment. Butterflies start flying all around Qing Li. Everyone is genuinely praying for a better world.
But Wangquan Fugui sees right through it. He points out that the butterflies are just an illusion created by a demon. Qingtong gets it, though. She understands that even if it's fake, the hope is real. This dock is a sanctuary where people and demons can just live their lives.
The Trap is Sprung
Then, things go south fast. The Deer Demon makes a run for it. Wangquan Fugui immediately chases after him.
They get into a fight. Wangquan Fugui discovers a teleportation talisman on the demon. He instantly realizes this was all a setup. The Deer Demon was just a diversion to get him away from the dock.
While he's gone, the real trap springs. Back at the peach tree, everyone just collapses. Qingtong, the villagers, all of them fall into a deep sleep. Zhang Qi sees this and can't believe his eyes. And then Qing Li walks out from behind the tree. She uses her illusion magic to knock Zhang Qi unconscious and shoves a pill down his throat.
The Ghost-Faced Moth's Grand Plan
Wangquan Fugui gets back to the dock and walks into a complete nightmare. Everyone is wrapped up in what looks like spider silk. Qingtong is trapped, too.
Qing Li is just standing there, looking incredibly proud of herself. She reveals she fed Zhang Qi a substance called "Cha Ku Wa." It's turned him into a mindless puppet, just like Quan Rumu. She then traps Wangquan Fugui inside an ice barrier. The magic from the peach tree suddenly surges, making Qing Li and the controlled Zhang Qi way more powerful. For a moment, it looks like Wangquan Fugui is completely outmatched.
Just in time, Qingtong senses he's in mortal danger. She wakes up and breaks into the barrier to help him.
Qing Li's Twisted Love
Qingtong demands to know why Qing Li would do this. This is when Qing Li finally drops the nice-girl act. She transforms into her true form. She was never a butterfly spirit. She's a Ghost-Faced Moth.
She lays out her entire, horrifying plan. The "Cha Ku Wa" are actually the eggs of an ancient bird demon. They're parasitic worms. She used Zhang Qi's good heart to lure all the villagers and demons to the tree. Her goal was to use them as hosts to create more of these worms.
And her love for Zhang Qi? It was never real. She says that even if it takes her entire life, she will drag him down from his pedestal and keep him by her side as her broken toy. It's not love. It's obsession.
The Fall of Peach Blossom Dock
Wangquan Fugui is burning with rage. He tells Qingtong to get out of the barrier. He takes on Qing Li, and after a struggle, he manages to stab her with his sword.
The second Qing Li is wounded, Zhang Qi coughs up the worm pill. He's himself again. He stumbles toward Qing Li in total disbelief. Then, with his own hands, he kills the woman he thought he loved. It's absolutely brutal.
But the damage is done. All the villagers of Peach Blossom Dock are dead, poisoned by the Cha Ku Wa. A devastated Zhang Qi asks for just one day to bury his friends. Qingtong can't stop crying. The beautiful sanctuary was destroyed in a single night. Wangquan Fugui is left angry and full of doubt. He wonders if a place where humans and demons can live in peace is truly impossible. He believes no one, human or demon, should have their right to live stolen from them.
A Final Lesson and a Parting of Ways
Qingtong is heartbroken. She really loved Peach Blossom Dock.
Wangquan Fugui gives her a sword, the Wenchen Sword. He tells her he's going to teach her one last lesson. He says her path to understanding is through the sword. He explains he named her Qingtong not to trap her, but to give her a purpose. He wanted her to be his eyes, to see the world for him.
He tells her the world is huge. She can find her own place in it. She doesn't need to follow him.
Qingtong finally understands. He has his own path to walk, and now she has hers. They are going their separate ways. But as they part, she tells him that if they ever meet again, she would love to see the world with him.
