Episode Summary
Meng Xizhou and Nan Fengyi expose Situ Hanshan's plot to control officials with Gu insects. A battle ensues, and Hui Fang sacrifices himself to activate a trap, capturing Situ Hanshan. Pei Rong, devastated by Hui Fang's death, blames and attacks Meng Xizhou. Meng Xizhou dreams of Renguang, who confirms Nan Fengyi is her destined master. Nan Fengyi carries an unconscious Meng Xizhou home in the snow and asks her to become his apprentice.
Spoiler Alert
After escaping the imperial prison, Meng Xizhou and Nan Fengyi confront the Emperor, with Du Fenglei also present. Nan Fengyi reveals that the demons, Yanlong and Nine-Tailed Fox, did indeed attempt to assassinate them. The Emperor commends both Nan Fengyi and Meng Xizhou for their prowess. Meng Xizhou, with newfound confidence, declares that she is, after all, the daughter of Li Shiyi. This open admission surprises Du Fenglei, who remembers her previous denials.
Nan Fengyi informs the Emperor that Situ Hanshan is not only colluding with demons but has also cultivated a large number of Gu insects, whose lifespan is set to expire that very night. Coincidentally, Situ Hanshan has invited all the court officials for a banquet, leading Nan Fengyi to suspect a sinister plot to "replace" the officials with demonic entities.
The Emperor orders Nan Fengyi and Du Fenglei to set up a demon-trapping array, and to everyone's surprise, he includes Meng Xizhou in the mission. Thrilled and slightly disbelieving, Meng Xizhou confirms the Emperor's decision. Du Fenglei leads the Demon Hunters from the Celestial Master's Residence to Situ's mansion, with Meng Xizhou and Nan Fengyi joining them.
However, their entry is interrupted by Hui Fang, who expresses his desire to quit his job as a coroner. He explains that Pei Rong's family looks down on his profession, and he yearns to become a constable to earn their respect and provide a better life for Pei Rong and their unborn child. Nan Fengyi initially refuses, fearing for Hui Fang's safety, as he is an ordinary person with no combat skills. But Hui Fang's determination convinces Nan Fengyi, who assigns him a crucial task.
Nan Fengyi and Meng Xizhou break through the initial barrier and confront Situ Hanshan. They find the officials incapacitated, infested with Gu insects. Situ Hanshan, seeing the duo, intends to turn them into his puppets as well. Nan Fengyi engages Situ Hanshan in a fight, buying time for Meng Xizhou to activate the main array with a special stone. However, Situ Hanshan intercepts her, knocking her to the ground.
In a critical moment, Hui Fang appears, attempting to place the stone and activate the array. Situ Hanshan strikes him down, but with his last ounce of strength, Hui Fang manages to complete the task. The array activates, trapping Situ Hanshan. Despite his capture, Situ Hanshan issues a chilling warning, vowing that this is only the beginning and that they will all die.
Nan Fengyi emerges too late, finding Hui Fang dead. The Heavenly Master's team removes the Gu insects from the officials and sends them home. Meng Xizhou and Nan Fengyi carry Hui Fang's body back, where Pei Rong is overcome with grief.
Pei Rong blames Nan Fengyi for Hui Fang's death, recalling the previous loss of Pei Xun. She lashes out at Meng Xizhou, accusing her of cursing Hui Fang to death with the house she sold them. In a fit of rage, Pei Rong strikes Meng Xizhou with a stick, knocking her unconscious.
In her dream, Meng Xizhou encounters Renguang, who comforts her and points out the changes in her umbrella. Meng Xizhou mentions using the umbrella to collect the Gu insects. Renguang reveals that she has found her destined master, confirming that it is indeed Nan Fengyi. Meng Xizhou yearns to meet Renguang in person, and Renguang assures her that the time will come.
Meng Xizhou awakens to find herself being carried by Nan Fengyi in the falling snow. She offers to walk, but Nan Fengyi, noting that his shoes are already wet, insists on carrying her. He takes her back to her place, but her housemates, Dan Qian and Fifth Uncle, are asleep, leaving her locked out. Seeing the steps outside, Nan Fengyi recalls his father, Bai Gongze, explaining their purpose. Turning to Meng Xizhou, Nan Fengyi proposes that she stay at his place and, more significantly, that she become his apprentice.
