Episode Summary
Meng Xizhou discovers she's turning into a demon, causing her to reject Nan Fengyi and stay at the palace for treatment. Situ Hanshan is tormented by Du Fenglei's spirit. Meng Xizhou confronts Renguang about her heritage. She later resigns from her position and breaks things off with Nan Fengyi, while Du Yuelian discovers a crucial clue about breaking a formation.
Spoiler Alert
Meng Xizhou wakes up to a shocking discovery: feathers on her arm. Bei Gongshuo confirms her worst fear – she's turning into a demon. As a demon hunter, this revelation shatters her world. Just then, news arrives of Nan Fengyi's visit. Meng Xizhou insists on facing him, fearing he won't be at ease otherwise.
Nan Fengyi, clearly worried, asks if she's okay. Meng Xizhou assures him she's fine, but he wants to take her home. Bei Gongshuo interjects, suggesting she stay at the palace where the imperial physicians can treat her. Despite Nan Fengyi's pleas, Meng Xizhou refuses to leave. She insists on staying for treatment, and Bei Gongshuo promises to take good care of her. Nan Fengyi, though heartbroken, agrees to come back for her when she's better. After he leaves, Meng Xizhou breaks down in tears, while Nan Fengyi walks away dejected. Meng Xizhou thanks Bei Gongshuo for his help, and he assures her it's his duty.
Meanwhile, Situ Hanshan is haunted by visions of Du Fenglei, who taunts him about his past misdeeds and the consequences of his skin-changing ritual. Du Fenglei reveals that his body is naturally compatible with demons, and his demon core has been severely depleted, leaving him barely alive within Situ Hanshan's stolen skin. He warns Situ Hanshan of the endless torment and agonizing death that awaits him. Situ Hanshan tries to dismiss it as a dream, but Du Fenglei insists that while he may be dead, Situ Hanshan's retribution is just beginning.
Back in her dream, Meng Xizhou confronts Renguang, demanding to know if he knew all along that she was a demon. Renguang reminds her that both humans and demons possess intelligence and emotions. Meng Xizhou argues that demons are inherently evil, but Renguang urges her to see things from a different perspective. She criticizes him for encouraging her to become a demon hunter, given her true nature. Renguang reveals that her father, Li Shiyi, was indeed the greatest demon hunter, and Meng Xizhou asks if her mother was a demon. Renguang replies that it doesn't matter; she was still Meng Xizhou's mother. Meng Xizhou wonders why her father would have a child with a demon, but Renguang insists she is not an anomaly, she is simply herself. When she asks when he'll tell her about her mother, he says that all will be revealed in time.
Suddenly, Meng Xizhou coughs up blood. Bei Gongshuo, deeply concerned, summons the best imperial physicians, but they are baffled by her unusual pulse. Meng Xizhou jokes that maybe a veterinarian would be more helpful, as she's now part bird. A veterinarian is called, and he identifies the problem. However, Meng Xizhou says she doesn't want treatment, fearing she'll never return to her former self.
Situ Hanshan, now inhabiting Du Fenglei's body, is enjoying tea and reading when Guo Ji arrives. Guo Ji reports that he's found a connection between Nan Sixu and Bai Gongze. Situ Hanshan orders him to investigate whether Nan Fengyi is Nan Sixu's biological son. Before Guo Ji leaves, Situ Hanshan instructs him to throw away an umbrella, but Guo Ji reminds him it's an important memento from Du Yuelian. Situ Hanshan claims he was confused. Guo Ji notices Situ Hanshan drinking tea, something the real Du Fenglei disliked.
Meng Xizhou believes she's no longer suitable for Nan Fengyi. Just then, Nan Fengyi arrives with her favorite pastries. Meng Xizhou tells him she won't be returning to the Nan family umbrella shop and will be staying at the Eastern Palace, taking Bei Gongshuo's hand as she leaves. She then submits her resignation at Celestial Master's Residence. Du Yuelian senses there's more to Meng Xizhou's actions. Du Yuelian finds an ancient text revealing that the blood of a Golden-Winged Bird is needed to break Bei Gongshuo's formation. Nan Fengyi, possibly aware of this, sheds a tear.
