Episode Summary
Meng Xizhou faces family and romantic struggles, questions her path as a Demon Hunter, and is summoned to the Emperor after revealing her Demon-Seeing Eyes, leading to her imprisonment with Nan Fengyi. They face a conspiracy involving Situ Hanshan and the Nine-Tailed Fox, prompting Xizhou to seek magical training from Fengyi.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Meng Xizhou walking home from the Ministry of Justice. She spots her Fifth Uncle and younger sister, Dan Qian, posting notices to sell their house. Times are tough, and Fifth Uncle laments the difficulty of buying a house these days. Xizhou calls out to them, and they're overjoyed to see her. Xizhou feels a pang of guilt for the trouble she's caused them, but Fifth Uncle brushes it off. He declares he'll stop pushing her to marry; she can stay single if she wants, and he'll take care of her.
It's the day of Sikong She's execution, and Xizhou goes to the execution grounds to pay her last respects. On her way back, she's filled with remorse for failing to protect Sikong She's only family member, Ah Hua. She's also haunted by Nan Fengyi's words, questioning why she, with her sympathy for demons, continues to be a Demon Hunter. Xizhou begins to question her own motives, realizing she might have become a Demon Hunter to prove she's Li Shiyi's daughter, not just some foundling Fifth Uncle picked up.
As she walks, lost in thought, she bumps into her old crush, Xiao Lin. He asks for another chance, but Xizhou turns him down. Just as the awkwardness peaks, Nan Fengyi rides up on his horse and whisks her away.
At Nan Fengyi's home, Nan Sixu and a neighbor, Wang Niangzi, see them arrive together. Nan Sixu is furious and insults Xizhou, saying she's not good enough for Fengyi. Xizhou, angered by his words, storms off. Walking down the street in her worn-out shoes, she's followed by Fengyi. He explains to Sixu that Xizhou is crucial to solving their case. He then catches up to Xizhou, noticing her damaged shoe. Fengyi offers her a new pair, claiming they were bought for his sister. Xizhou is hesitant, but he insists she try them on, slipping them onto her feet.
Xizhou is secretly thrilled with the perfect fit and the shoes' beauty. Fengyi, seeing her delight, quickly clarifies he didn't buy them specifically for her. Xizhou then asks if he smells something delicious. Fengyi turns to see a nearby stall selling hubing (a type of flatbread). He buys thirty, claiming they're for the people at the Ministry of Justice, but it's clearly a gesture for Xizhou, though he won't admit it.
Huo Xiao arrives, announcing that the Emperor has summoned them regarding the puppet spirit case. Xizhou panics, fearing she'll be imprisoned as a suspect again, and refuses to go.
Fengyi warns her that refusing is defying an imperial decree. They eventually arrive at the palace. Xizhou uses her "Demon-Seeing Eyes" and identifies three demons, including Situ Hanshan. The Emperor questions them about the Situ Mansion case. Xizhou reveals that Pei Xun was controlled by a Gu Insect. Situ Hanshan dismisses this and rallies others to his side. Xizhou offers to prove it, asking to use one of the Emperor's cranes. She places the extracted Gu Insect into a crane, demonstrating its loss of control.
However, the crane soon returns to normal. Situ Hanshan mocks Xizhou's abilities. Xizhou reveals she has Demon-Seeing Eyes. This revelation provokes Situ Hanshan further, leading to Xizhou and Fengyi's imprisonment. Fengyi warns Xizhou that exposing her eyes makes her a target. A demon appears, but Fengyi easily overpowers it. Just as he's about to uncover their plan, the Nine-Tailed Fox arrives. She uses an illusion on Xizhou, but it's broken. The Nine-Tailed Fox reveals that Situ Hanshan will act tonight. Xizhou proposes that Fengyi teach her magic, and he agrees, seeing her potential.
