Episode Summary
Meng Xizhou passes her Demon Hunter test, aided by Nan Fengyi's secret support. Du Yuelian challenges her, but Xizhou proves her skill. It's revealed that Fengyi is Xizhou's disciple. They join a meeting to discuss catching Guiling. Xizhou and Fengyi investigate the Sikong Mansion's escape, suspecting a secret passage. They trace a waterway, encountering Prince Bei Gongshuo, and discover Situ Hanshan hiding underwater.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Meng Xizhou waking up, still chanting spell incantations. She finds Nan Sixu nearby and asks where Nan Fengyi has gone. Nan Sixu tells her that Fengyi left early for the Ministry of Justice. Xizhou feels a pang of disappointment, thinking Fengyi is avoiding her. Sixu, ever observant, points out that Fengyi left her some hubing (flatbreads) for breakfast.
Later, at the Celestial Master's Residence, Xizhou worries about her dwindling energy. She's starting to doubt if Fengyi will show up to support her. Little does she know, Fengyi is outside, secretly affixing a charm to the wall, hoping it will boost her powers.
It's finally Xizhou's turn to be tested. She's pitted against a woman surnamed Bai in a contest of the Earth-Burrowing Technique. Thanks to Fengyi's tutelage, Xizhou wins easily. Du Yuelian, ever the sore loser, challenges Xizhou, claiming she couldn't possibly have improved so much. Xizhou calmly reminds her that she's already passed the test. Du Fenglei steps in, reminding Yuelian that the Celestial Master's Residence needs all the help it can get.
Just then, Fengyi arrives. Xizhou, distracted by his presence, is nearly caught off guard by a sneak attack from Yuelian, but she dodges it effortlessly. Xizhou playfully asks Fengyi why her "disciple" is here, shocking Yuelian and Fenglei, who are stunned to learn that Fengyi is Xizhou's student.
Fengyi confirms that Xizhou is indeed his master. He tries to lead Xizhou away, but Yuelian stops them, impressed by Xizhou's ability to evade a third-level Demon Hunter's attack. Xizhou is officially inducted into the Celestial Master's Residence. Du Fenglei sees a resemblance between Xizhou and his late senior, Li Shiyi, filling him with hope.
Yuelian calls a meeting of the newly qualified Demon Hunters, including Fengyi, to discuss strategies for capturing the elusive Guiling (puppet spirits). The discussion quickly devolves into a chaotic argument. Yuelian points out that their biggest challenge is locating the Guiling's hiding place. Xizhou offers her unique ability to see through disguises with her "demon-detecting eyes," but Yuelian dismisses it as impractical. They decide to split up, and Xizhou and Fengyi leave together.
Outside, Xizhou asks Fengyi where they're going. He reveals they're heading to his Fifth Uncle's shop. He suspects there's more to the escape of Situ Hanshan and his apprentice, Han Qi, from the Sikong Mansion. Xizhou quickly realizes he wants to examine the mansion's blueprints for secret passages.
At the shop, Fifth Uncle reminisces about Xizhou's difficult past, telling Fengyi how she used to beg with him as a child and later became a broker of haunted houses, earning a reputation as a jinx. Fengyi is visibly moved. Xizhou finds the blueprints, but they can't find any obvious hiding spots.
Fengyi takes Xizhou out for a meal. Xizhou wonders if they'll have to resort to a house-to-house search. Fengyi reassures her that they'll find a way. Suddenly, Fengyi notices a nearby water channel and remembers that Situ Hanshan's true form is a Jiaoren(a merman). He realizes Hanshan might have escaped through the city's underground waterways.
They trace the waterway to its end, where they find Prince Bei Gongshuo with his attendants, Pingping and Guanguan, making rubbings of artwork. Han Qi suddenly appears, attacking the Prince. Fortunately, the Prince is protected by his royal aura and is only knocked down. Fengyi and Xizhou rush in, and the Prince, seeing Xizhou, mistakes her for a goddess. The group ends up in an underwater chamber beneath the mansion's lake, where they discover Situ Hanshan is indeed hiding.
