Episode Summary
In a world plagued by demons, the legendary demon hunter Li Shiyi and the Bai Ze clan imprison them in the "Shan Hai Tu," but the artifact's power comes at a cost. Fifteen years later, a real estate agent, Meng Xizhou, tries to sell a haunted mansion. Meanwhile, Nan Fengyi trains to become a demon hunter, while dealing with his family's traditions. When a coroner buys the haunted house, Nan Fengyi decides to help. Meng Xizhou, also seeking a demon at the mansion, accidentally kills a possessed official, Pei Xun, witnessed by Nan Fengyi, leading to her arrest.
Spoiler Alert
The series opens in the Yongchang era, a time when demons wreaked havoc among humans. The land is in turmoil, and the people live in constant fear. Li Shiyi, the greatest demon hunter of his time, teams up with the Bai Ze clan to trap countless demons within the "Shan Hai Tu," a powerful artifact guarded by the Bai Ze family for generations. However, activating the "Shan Hai Tu" comes at a terrible price: it backlashes against the user. Soon after, the Bai Ze household is annihilated, and Li Shiyi is found dead in his home. The "Shan Hai Tu" vanishes, and its whereabouts remain unknown.
Fifteen years later, strange events unfold. A cat demon is said to be haunting the Sikong Mansion, where the entire Situ family has been murdered. Enter Meng Xizhou, a real estate agent known as the best in the business, specializing in selling "unlucky" houses. She's determined to sell the haunted Sikong Mansion, showcasing its layout and boasting about its "excellent floor plan," perfect for a young couple starting out.
As Meng Xizhou tries to convince potential buyers, one man points out the house's dark history, recalling how the previous couple died right where they're standing. Suddenly, a broom falls, and Meng Xizhou notices a strange reaction from her oiled paper umbrella, which she's carried for over a decade. Spooked, the buyers flee. Meng Xizhou ventures into the courtyard, spotting a black cat. As she watches it, a woman suddenly appears behind her.
Startled, Meng Xizhou faints. Meanwhile, Nan Fengyi, a young man from the Nan family's umbrella workshop, is practicing martial arts. Nan Sixu, the workshop's manager, brings him food and inquires about his love life, or lack thereof. Nan Sixu serves him chicken soup and four special pills, claiming they'll boost his energy. Nan Fengyi explains that the Beidou Yuan Formation, the highest-level secret technique of a fifth-rank demon hunter, can't be mastered overnight. He worries that Nan Sixu's "remedies" will poison him. Nan Sixu, insistent, reminds him to stay away from women to maintain his "virgin male body," believing it's crucial for mastering the technique. He even mentions that Nan Fengyi's father suffered internal injuries from the intense training, but assures him it's fine. Hearing about his father, Nan Fengyi suddenly gets a nosebleed.
Just then, Hui Fang, a coroner from the Ministry of Justice, arrives, announcing he's bought a house. Nan Fengyi is shocked to learn it's a haunted house. Hui Fang explains that he and his pregnant wife, Pei Rong, managed to get a 500-liang discount. It turns out Pei Rong was the woman who scared Meng Xizhou, and the couple haggled with her to lower the price.
Nan Fengyi, concerned about Pei Rong's pregnancy, urges Hui Fang to return the house, but he refuses. Nan Fengyi decides to secretly help them cleanse the house. Back with Meng Xizhou, her adoptive father, Fifth Uncle, asks if she sold the house. She hands him the money, and he tells her to distribute flyers. Meng Xizhou sits outside the Celestial Master's residence, remembering her father, Li Shiyi, the demon hunter. She longs to follow in his footsteps, but her lack of talent has kept her from being accepted. The Celestial Masters say they'll let her in if she catches a demon. Recalling the cat demon at Sikong Mansion, she heads there.
The Emperor summons Nan Fengyi and Pei Xun, the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, ordering them to eliminate Situ Hanshan, who poses a grave threat. Pei Xun arrives at Sikong Mansion, where Meng Xizhou is also present. Meng Xizhou witnesses a Gu insect entering Pei Xun's body. He loses control and attacks her. In self-defense, Meng Xizhou's umbrella kills Pei Xun. Nan Fengyi witnesses the event, and Meng Xizhou is arrested and taken to the Ministry of Justice. Situ Hanshan orders his subordinate, Han Qi, to dispose of Pei Xun's body and hide any trace of the Gu insect. Nan Fengyi's subordinates, Huo Xiao and Huo Ting, are furious about Pei Xun's death, blaming Meng Xizhou.
