Episode Summary
The Emperor panics over a surge of demon transformations in Chang'le City, fearing the Demon King's return. Nan Fengyi is wrongly imprisoned but released by the Crown Prince. Meng Xizhou tries to prove the demons are transformed humans, gaining a three-day reprieve from the Empress to investigate. She receives help from the Crown Prince and Huo Xiao, while Miaoyun secretly orchestrates more attacks.
Spoiler Alert
The Emperor is in a state of panic. He confronts Du Yuelian about reports of dozens of people turning into demons in Chang'le City. Du Yuelian reveals the situation is worse than feared – the number may be closer to a hundred. The Emperor, shocked and terrified, slams the table, exclaiming that the Demon King has returned with the Shan Hai Tu (a mythical book containing all the demons). Empress Miaoyun tries to calm him, suggesting these demons might be stragglers who escaped from the Shan Hai Tu, like Situ Hanshan, hiding in their city. The Emperor, however, is convinced the Demon King's return signals an imminent war, and he is very scared.
Du Yuelian assures him that most of the demons have been captured by the Celestial Master Office and imprisoned in the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, awaiting the Emperor's orders. The Emperor immediately commands her to kill all the demons. Du Yuelian explains that some demons remain at large, and the Celestial Master Office is short-handed. She suggests that Nan Fengyi's assistance would be invaluable. However, Nan Fengyi was arrested yesterday by Guo Ji, the Minister of Justice, for allegedly possessing the Shan Hai Tu. The Emperor, enraged, questions Guo Ji's competence and demands to know who recommended him. He points out that arresting Nan Fengyi does nothing to stop the demons. The Emperor is so agitated that he starts coughing up blood.
Bei Gongshuo, who arrived earlier with the Empress, calms the Emperor, suggesting the demons might not be from the Shan Hai Tu and urges him to take care of his health. The Emperor orders Bei Gongshuo to release Nan Fengyi and represent him in the discussions about the demon countermeasures tomorrow. Meanwhile, Guo Ji visits Nan Fengyi in prison, accusing him of being the mastermind behind the demon transformations. Nan Fengyi points out the absurdity of the accusation, given his imprisonment. He challenges Guo Ji: if he possesses the Shan Hai Tu, how could these demons appear? Guo Ji, enraged by Nan Fengyi's logic, prepares to have him tortured.
However, the Crown Prince arrives, bearing the Emperor's order to release Nan Fengyi and involve him in the strategy discussions. Bei Gongshuo instructs Nan Fengyi to prepare himself and meet him at the Imperial Study. As the Crown Prince leaves, he subtly hints to Guanguan that there might be a bug on Guo Ji's shoulder. Guanguan takes the cue and pushes Guo Ji to the ground.
Renguang tells Meng Xizhou that her demon-detecting eyes have become more powerful, but Meng Xizhou claims she has been having eye problems lately. Renguang points out that she can now use her powers even without Nan Fengyi around. He questions why she helps the demons. Meng Xizhou explains that she witnessed Chen Sanlang's father disowning him after he transformed, and she felt pity. Renguang comments that this is human nature – even family ties are severed when someone becomes a demon.
Meng Xizhou is determined to prove that the demons are transformed humans. She, Nan Fengyi, and Du Yuelian arrive at the palace. The Empress orders Du Yuelian to immediately execute all the captured demons. Meng Xizhou protests, stating that the demons are transformed humans, a fact she can confirm with her demon-detecting eyes.
The Empress remains unmoved. Nan Fengyi, Du Yuelian, and even the Crown Prince advocate for Meng Xizhou, requesting a chance for her to prove her claims. The Empress grants her only three days; failure will result in a death sentence. As they leave, the Crown Prince calls Meng Xizhou aside and gives her his fish tally, a symbol of authority, to aid her investigation.
Meng Xizhou goes to the Ministry of Justice and presents the fish tally, requesting assistance. Guo Ji claims everyone is busy. However, Huo Xiao volunteers to join her. Guo Ji reports to his master, Miaoyun, that Meng Xizhou is investigating the human-to-demon transformations. Miaoyun states that Meng Xizhou's findings could actually benefit her. Miaoyun then dispatches Xuanxu Jiaoniang's Xuansi puppets to control people, transform them into demons, and make them kill. Meng Xizhou and Huo Xiao's investigation leads them to Jiaoniang.
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