Episode 1 recap: Qi Xiao Xuan's Quest for the Sun Bead
Five hundred years ago, evil demons wreaked havoc on the Eastern Continent, causing widespread suffering and despair. Qi Wu Ji, a righteous warrior, led numerous demon masters to capture the Demon Emperor, slaying him in the Peak Valley. Finally, peace was restored to the world, and people experienced relief from their hardships. However, the blood of the Demon Emperor transformed into the Abyss of Infernal Fire, tearing the once unified continent apart into four fragmented regions: Fu Long, Qian Yu, and Ju Lun.
The demon masters of these three nations formed alliances to resist the Abyss, using the sun beads to create a vast array that extended for thousands of miles, preventing the advance of the Abyss and protecting the people of the continent. This ensured the safety of the land and the well-being of its inhabitants. Legend has it that the Infernal Fire consumes all things, and even ordinary mortals and monsters cannot approach it. Moreover, any physical entity that falls into the Abyss is obliterated, so it can be said that the Nine-Tailed Tiger Demon no longer exists.
Qi Xiao Xuan (played by Zhang Ling He) is an Imperial Demon Master. While drinking tea at a teahouse, he hears a commotion and comes out to assist the local authorities in capturing a demon. Using his skills, Qi Xiao Xuan manages to apprehend the demon, but in the process, the demon struggles and takes an ordinary citizen hostage. Aware that the demon is trapped in his own carefully laid trap, unable to escape, the demon releases the hostage in an attempt to flee. However, Qi Xiao Xuan swiftly kills the demon with a sword, and the Ink Brush Old Master catches the baby that was flying in the air during the commotion. Just as Qi Xiao Xuan breathes a sigh of relief, his subordinates report an anomaly in the Fu Long Bay.
Qi Zi Lu, the leader of the demon masters, listens to the report from his subordinates, stating that the sun bead has cracked and the array is intermittently appearing and disappearing. Jiang Xi Ci, Qi Yan Ran, and others are present, and Cheng Shu and Zhou You Jiu find the reports from their subordinates absurd and claim that the sun bead, being a sacred object, cannot be damaged by external forces. Qi Xiao Xuan feels that arguing here is pointless and decides to go and see for himself to ascertain the true situation. Jiang Xi Ci agrees with Qi Xiao Xuan's reasoning and decides to go and witness the truth as well.
Qi Zi Lu saw that the Sun Pearl had cracks and wanted to find another Sun Pearl to replace the old one. Jiang Xi Ci thought that Qi Xiao Xuan should go find the Sun Pearl, but Qi Yan Ran was unwilling. However, in the end, the shopkeeper insisted that his younger brother should go. Qi Xiao Xuan was fully aware of the mission entrusted to him by his people, so he hurriedly set out to find the Sun Pearl. He discovered that once he found a Sun Pearl that had just formed, it would inevitably attract demons and evil spirits. He wanted to return to the city as quickly as possible. On the way, Qi Xiao Xuan suddenly encountered an old man shouting for help. To be cautious and ensure there was no deception, he wanted his subordinates to wait while he approached the situation. Unfortunately, he fell into an enemy ambush.
Hu Zi saw that he had finally caught someone and wanted to rob them of some belongings. Just as he obtained the Sun Pearl, Qi Xiao Xuan approached him with a sword. Hu Zi sensed that something was not right and pretended to cry. Seeing that Qi Xiao Xuan felt compassion, Hu Zi quickly fled. Just as Qi Xiao Xuan was about to retrieve the Sun Pearl, he discovered that it had been switched.
Hu Zi happily returned to the village and gave the Sun Pearl to the village children as a reward. Zhao Xin Tong (played by Wang Yu Wen) found a shop run by monsters and wanted to kill them but discovered that they were not dead. While Hu Zi was dreaming, he suddenly saw someone in his dream but was abruptly awakened. Upon waking up, he saw that the village was on fire and quickly carried the old lady on his back. Qi Xiao Xuan also arrived in the village at this time and was deeply moved by Hu Zi's desperate efforts to save the villagers. Qi Xiao Xuan informed the villagers that the fire was not accidental but deliberately set by someone. Hu Zi realized that the trouble was caused by the Sun Pearl he had taken and hurriedly went to find the pearl.
Qi Xiao Xuan and Hu Zi arrived at the scene only to find that the Sun Pearl had been stolen. Qi Xiao Xuan decided to stay and guard the area for the safety of the villagers. Hu Zi felt intimidated by Qi Xiao Xuan's formidable identity. Hu Zi gave the Sun Pearl to Qi Xiao Xuan, but Qi Xiao Xuan suddenly sensed the presence of demonic energy and wanted to leave in a hurry. However, Hu Zi repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay and go together. Qi Xiao Xuan suspected that Hu Zi had transformed into a demon, but Zhao Xin Tong happened to arrive and proved that Hu Zi was not a monster. Da Lao Ye believed that once a monster obtained the Sun Pearl, it would absorb its essence, so he believed the monster was still in the village. Hu Zi discovered that the old lady and the villagers were already under the control of the monster, which made him furious. Hu Zi's words angered the monster, and it wanted to kill him.
I think Qi Xiao Xuan is doing great as he is now. Individual lives are being valued, while not giving up on the well-being of the world. He delayed taking the Crimson Pearl to save Hu Zi, but still controlled it within a limited time, trying to balance both aspects as much as possible.
SOS, it's finally going to air! Hu Zi, the orphan from the mountains, accidentally swallowed the precious Chi Zhu, which led him to meet Qi Wu Ji, the descendant of the demon-slaying ancestor. Dual male leads, a group of passionate youths, and a team fighting demons—this setup is right up my alley!
One is Hu Zi, the orphaned fiery youth with a faint touch of chuunibyou aura. It's like he has a bit of social bull on him, and his sense of humor really hits my funny bone.
The other is Qi Xiao Xuan, the captain of the national demon-hunting team.
He's stern and somewhat obsessed with cleanliness, a cool and arrogant young master. He has two souls, one black and one white. Oh my, I love his dual personality!
As reluctant partners, they embark on an adventure together, experiencing all sorts of hilarious daily life moments.
The jokes keep coming, and it gives me a feeling of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" meets "The Young Warriors." From being mortal enemies at first sight to trusting each other through life and death, they become each other's strong support.
They grow together as a development-oriented couple, and I love it! The contrast between their actions and demeanor is adorable. Can I ship them with a light tap on the shoulder?
To be honest, this drama treats us like fools. Whether the Red Pearl is cracked or not, everyone who watches it knows. Yet, the senior figures in the story have the audacity to say it's impossible, absolutely impossible. This is a matter concerning the lives of the people, and they're just spouting empty words.
And can you believe they actually let an unreliable young person go and retrieve the pearl? On top of that, the young one gets bewitched and loses the pearl along the way. In the village, they suddenly say there are demons and tell everyone to go home and secure their doors and windows.
Come on, guys, there was just a recent fire incident! And didn't they say there's a device that resonates with the pearl? Why do they still need someone to guide them?