Quippe: The war is not over yet. In fact, it looks like things are about to get worse.
Dew: Loose strings are about to get looser!
*Devy = Devil = Dongfang Qingcang
EPISODE 34 RECAP
Goddess Chidi (Ronghao’s Shifu) is really not doing well. She keeps having nightmares, seeing illusions, lashing out at people. There is a bit of dark magic inside her, after all, due to Ronghao’s dealing with the Devil.
It got to a point where she is possessed to slaughter a group of Heaven soldiers.
They bring the matter to the court, where they decide that they have no choice but to execute her for the collective good. Ronghao is very content with his current life of being tied up in one place and yearning for Chidi from afar. But no longer, the evil in his eyes flares again when he learns of the court’s decision. Well, now you’ve pissed him off again, Heaven People.
Dayin’s father has his own plan that night. He goes to meet Ronghao to negotiate the antidote for Jieli since she is still at Ronghao’s poison’s mercy.
The assistant lady’s life is being put on the trading board and Ronghao simply says, “She helped me with everything but if you have to kill her, just make it quick.”.
The father plugs his magic tablet into the key spot and activates the command to open Ronghao’s cell.
But Dayin runs in just in time to stop him. I don’t blame her, this deal sounds reckless.
What happens afterward is even more questionable. Dayin’s father drops the tablet. AND WITHOUT PICKING IT UP, he gets into a struggle with Dayin, who’s trying to make him reconsider his decision.
Ronghao attacks and Dayin’s father gets a full blow.
This is embarrassing. Can’t they have them spar at least for a few moves to show us not all the old men are useless here?
Dayin tries to save him and contain Ronghao but the father tells her to run for it. Only Dongfang Qingcang can battle Ronghao, he says. Yeah… I wouldn’t count on Devy to do anything right now unless it involves Orchid’s favorite snack.
Ronghao strikes at the father again and walks his evil walk slowly out of the Heaven Prison. Rule of thumb in C-dramas, Dayin: never mess with someone whose gorgeous Shifu is in danger.
The assistant lady stays behind to make things difficult for Dayin and her father, but Jieli arrives just in time. She pretends to obey but then attacks the assistant lady and finishes her there. You go, Jieli.
Cheers for free will!
The father then takes them both home and tells them to stay inside and not talk to anybody while he leaves to deal with the consequences of Ronghao’s escape.
Jieli and Dayin get into an argument and Jieli, as always, hides the truth with another truth. She doesn’t want Dayin to think her good deeds are for the sake of others (even if we know they are).
At Orchid’s place, Devy is still not having any luck with her. She even tells him that the “Orchid” that he knew is gone, so give it up. She says it nicely, of course.
But Devy points out that she is still very similar to the old Orchid. He tells her a bunch of things as proof.
Her response? Yeah yeah, that’s great, you’re invited to my and Changheng’s wedding.
Plus, Orchid has something more important to deal with right now. Dayin asks for her help to cure Jieli. Orchid gives them permission to stay at her place and promises to try her best.
Jieli and Shangque finally meet again but she does her best to keep him at bay.
As Devy and Shangque have their nightly talks, Devy brushes off the notion that Jieli is still the same person they knew before the war and that SQ should give up seeing her as the girl she once was. The irony flying past his devil ponytail. Seriously.
When Dayin is alone with Jieli, she reflects on how regal and majestic Orchid is. Because the drama is very much aware that Esther Yu’s adorable bunny-like presence is just not selling it, I guess? So they need a character to say out loud that she’s majestic.
Back to Devy. Shangque plucks up his courage to tell Devy that he should just give up and respect what Orchid said. Shangque alone may not be enough to get this guy to see reason; we need Xunfeng, we need the entire Moon Tribe on their knees like last time.
On their own, Changheng and Orchid discuss the Evil-Voice-Breaking-Out situation; they decide to work together to put a stop to it once and for all. You see, this is what lead couples should do. I’m not sure why the drama would not give Orchid and Devy the same chance.
They just can’t have two people be in love and work together. Angst and forced cooperation are what sell!
Anyway, Devy confronts Changheng and asks him why he decides to marry Orchid even though she isn’t “Orchid” at all. Changheng says it’s his destiny and duty. Awww, he is a terrible liar. Just say that you still have hope things will work out with her, Changheng. You’ve spent the entire drama struggling against “destiny”, no way you’re doing this because “destiny” tells you to.
Anyway, Devy watches as Changheng and Orchid walk away together in matching outfits. It’s such a shippable moment.
Go forth my Axolotl, live your destiny!