Episode Summary
Wangquan Fugui gets involved in the Sand Fox Kingdom's royal succession after Fan Yunfei accidentally swallows the Water-Controlling Pearl. He agrees to stay as Fan Yunfei's teacher to help him pursue Li Xueyang. Meanwhile, Qingtong is tricked by Qingcheng into believing Wangquan Fugui is dead, but she discovers he's alive after seeing one of his unique lanterns.
Spoiler Alert
The Pearl and the Prince
An Accidental Snack
So, Wangquan Fugui helps some workers get to safety. But he doesn't leave with them. He says he has to go save a puppy. You just have to love this guy.
His mission gets sidetracked, though. He finds Fan Yunfei with a local bandit leader. Fan Yunfei claims he's there to get the Water-Controlling Pearl. Just then, Li Xueyang shows up to fight the bandit, and Fan Yunfei immediately hides behind her. Classic.
They start fighting. Wangquan Fugui watches and figures something out. The bandit can't actually use the pearl's power. She's just swinging it around like a shiny rock. He tells Fan Yunfei to help Li Xueyang. In the chaos, Fan Yunfei ends up swallowing the Water-Controlling Pearl. Yes, he swallows it.
Li Xueyang can tell Wangquan Fugui is no simple lantern maker. She invites him to join her army. He turns her down flat. Fan Yunfei, on the other hand, is totally interested. But his Sand Fox Kingdom guards stop him.
A Royal Mess
Fan Yunfei is not taking no for an answer. He grabs Wangquan Fugui and drags him to the palace to meet his father, the king. Wangquan Fugui notices some dragon carvings. Fan Yunfei casually mentions the place used to be a Dragon Palace.
The king is focused on one thing. He wants an elder to confirm the pearl is really inside his son. He thinks this proves Fan Yunfei should inherit the throne. The elders are not convinced. They point out that trying to remove the pearl could kill Fan Yunfei. Seeing the situation, Wangquan Fugui decides he should probably step in and help.
He proves that Fan Yunfei does have demon power. He just has no idea how to use it. The elders make a deal. They’ll back Fan Yunfei as the heir if Wangquan Fugui agrees to be his official royal teacher. Wangquan Fugui refuses.
Later, Fan Yunfei begs him for help. He doesn't want to be king. He just wants the pearl out so he can go find Li Xueyang. He explains he met her a long time ago in the desert and protected her. He’s been into her ever since.
Wangquan Fugui thinks it over. He realizes the title of "royal teacher" carries more weight than "lantern maker." It could be useful. He agrees to stay for a while. This leads to a great scene where Fan Yunfei finds Li Xueyang. He transforms into his true sand fox form to jog her memory. She just slaps him and sends him flying. She tells him she doesn't remember who saved her. She only remembers the person was very fluffy.
A Cruel Lie
The Fake Grave
Qingtong hasn't heard anything from Wangquan Fugui. She's getting desperate. Qu Chu finds her and says he has news.
He takes her to a newly made grave. He tells her Wangquan Fugui is dead. Qingtong refuses to believe it. Then Qingcheng shows up and doubles down on the lie. She says Quan Rumu built the grave. She claims that after Wangquan Fugui died, Quan Rumu became the new "Weapon Human" for the clan.
This sends Qingtong into a rage. She wants to go to the Wangquan Mountain Villa to get revenge. She's so angry she slaps Qingcheng across the face. Qingcheng just plays the victim. She then offers to help Qingtong get stronger by finding her secret manuals to boost her power. It's a setup, of course. She gives Qingtong books that won't work for her, just to keep her weak and dependent.
A Glimmer of Hope
Qingtong tries to practice with the new skills. She makes no progress and gets more and more frustrated.
Then, a breakthrough. Someone from Qianji City buys a fish-shaped lantern that came from the Western Regions. Qingtong sees it and knows immediately. It's Wangquan Fugui's work. She knows his style anywhere. He isn't dead. He's alive, and he's in the Western Regions.
Burdens of the Wangquan Clan
A Gift and a Curse
We check in on Quan Rumu. He's been fighting demons day and night. Wangquan Hongye comes to see him, concerned.
Quan Rumu says he's figured it out. Wangquan Fugui gave him his own sword power. He also says that Fugui told him he had no regrets about it. Wangquan Hongye is clearly in just as much pain over the whole situation. He tells Quan Rumu that he is not a "Weapon Human." He should live his own life.
Later, Wangquan Hongye hears there's trouble in the Western Regions. He decides to send Quan Rumu. Quan Rumu agrees but asks to bring Quan Jingting with him. Before leaving, he asks Wangquan Hongye if he has any message for Fugui. Wangquan Hongye says nothing.
