Episode Summary
In Nanyang City, demon hunter Jiu Xuanye investigates a series of murders linked to a Human-faced Owl Demon demon. He encounters Duan Banxia, a young woman from a prominent family who can see supernatural entities. Duan Banxia's brother, Duan Yanqiu, marries a singer, Qu Manniang, who is secretly a demon. Jiu Xuanye tries to expose Qu Manniang, while Duan Banxia grapples with her ability and the dangers surrounding her.
Spoiler Alert
"The Demon Hunter's Romance" Episode 1: Love, Demons, and a Wedding Gone Wrong
Okay, so the episode kicks off with a sudden downpour in Nanyang City. People are scrambling for cover, and this little kid is chilling outside a restaurant. The owner tells him not to wander off. Inside, we meet Jiu Xuanye (Ren Jialun), who's been there all afternoon, basically eating the restaurant out of house and home. People are definitely noticing his appetite.
Then, this flashy woman, all decked out, strolls in with an umbrella. She's a singer at the local joint. Jiu Xuanye gets this weird feeling, like something's off about her. Suddenly, the restaurant owner realizes his kid's gone. The kid's chasing a paper frog near a puddle, and just as he reaches for it, a creepy hand shoots out from the ground! Jiu Xuanye, sensing danger, swoops in and chops off the arm, saving the kid. But the demon vanishes. He's about to give chase when he hears trouble back at the restaurant. He rushes back to find the flashy singer dead, with a hole in her neck. Yikes!
Enter Duan Yanqiu, the local law enforcement officer. He's on the case, but these throat-slashing murders are piling up, and he's got nothing. No witnesses, no leads. Meanwhile, at the Duan family mansion, Duan Banxia is back from Yunzhou with her dad. Grandma and Aunt Duan Tian are all over her, fussing about her health and whether she's still seeing those "strange things." Duan Banxia hesitates, then says the medicine's working and she can't see them anymore. Grandma's relieved, thinking the doctor's doing his job. But Duan Yingheng, Banxia's dad, looks a bit uneasy.
Uncle Duan Heming chats with Duan Yingheng, and then Duan Yanqiu arrives. He's about to get married, but he's been swamped with these murders. He tells Duan Banxia not to believe in demons and just focus on getting better.
Back in her room, Duan Banxia's mending her dad's old pouch. Her maid, Tingzhou, gossips about Duan Yanqiu marrying a singer. Apparently, the family was against it, but Duan Yanqiu threw a fit, so they caved. Tingzhou says the singer's hit the jackpot. Just then, Duan Banxia sees a carp jumping in the pond and freaks out. She slathers some medicine on her hands and tells Tingzhou to mind her own business.
Later, Chixue is dozing off when Jiu Xuanye shows up. He learns that the Human-faced Owl Demon is hiding in the Duan mansion. Jiu Xuanye plans to head over there, leaving Chixue to deal with You Huang, who's been tailing them.
Outside, it's raining again. Duan Banxia sees her dad looking stressed. She's worried because he's been out late. He says he's just settling things after being away. Duan Banxia doesn't like the marriage Grandma's arranged for her, and Duan Yingheng knows it, but he thinks it's a good match. She gives him the mended pouch, and he loves it, even though it's not fancy.
It's Duan Yanqiu's wedding day, and the house is buzzing. A kid drops his rattle, and when Duan Banxia picks it up, she sees a bird's shadow on the ground. She looks up, terrified, and sees the bride, Qu Manniang, passing by. Qu Manniang stops and glances at Duan Banxia, who can't meet her eyes. On the roof, Jiu Xuanye is watching everything.
Wedding night! Duan Yanqiu lifts Qu Manniang's veil, and they start getting cozy. But Duan Banxia's outside, watching the room, worried something's going to happen. She feels awkward and is about to leave when she sees the bride's shadow reveal feathery wings! Just in the nick of time, Jiu Xuanye and Chixue crash the party, accusing Duan Yanqiu of marrying a demon. He doesn't believe them and chases after Jiu Xuanye. Duan Banxia sees it all.
Duan Yanqiu refuses to believe his wife's a monster. Duan Banxia, scared, warns him that Qu Manniang might be a demon, but he dismisses it and tells her to stay away from Qu Manniang, who's supposedly shaken up by last night's events.
Back in her room, Duan Banxia sees a Wen Yao fish floating around. She's terrified and tries to leave, but Jiu Xuanye appears! He tells her he's a demon hunter and knows she can see the fish. He wants her to tell Duan Yanqiu the truth about his demonic bride. He also asks her to bring him some food.
Duan Banxia pretends to agree, but then she runs out, yelling about a thief in her room. Jiu Xuanye has to bail. But he pops up again near Duan Banxia on the street, freaking her out. She learns from Tingzhou that Duan Yanqiu fell for Qu Manniang after seeing her perform her ventriloquism act.
To figure things out, Duan Banxia visits Qu Manniang, who plays the victim, saying she's never had a loving home until Duan Yanqiu came along and accepted her. She knows people don't like her, but she genuinely wants to be with him.
Qu Manniang gets close to Duan Banxia, saying she admires her and touching her face and throat, coveting her voice. Duan Banxia gets creeped out and tries to leave, accidentally opening a window. Sunlight streams in, revealing Qu Manniang's huge wings! She runs away in terror.
Later, Duan Banxia seeks out Jiu Xuanye. He tells her she's got a rare gift for seeing things others can't and notices a scent on her that temporarily calms the mind but makes her dull. Jiu Xuanye says there's a wedding in the woods, but Duan Banxia can't see it because of the scent. He thinks it's a waste of her senses and uses a potion to open her eyes, revealing a group of people in red clothes.
