Moonlight Mystique Episode 22 Recap, Plot

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Cang Shan's mother came to visit in person, her words filled with urgency. She revealed that the Stone Clan had recently experienced a series of bizarre murders. Each night, clan members disappeared, only for their bodies to be discovered in the stone forest the next day. Although the manner of death varied, all the victims shared the same tragic expression, as if they had died with unresolved grievances. Their appearances were ghastly.

Cang Shan’s father, Cang Xuan, the clan leader, had decided to investigate, but once he left, he never returned. Desperate and out of options, Cang Shan's mother sought Fan Yue’s help, hoping he could assist the Stone Clan through this crisis. Bai Shuo was concerned about Fan Yue's health, but the Desireless Stone suddenly activated, displaying an image of a rugged stone village. Fan Yue deduced that the next "emotion" was tied to the Stone Clan.

Now, with the Desireless Stone having gathered the emotions of kindness, killing, and love, only greed and hatred remained—both clearly connected to death. Bai Shuo insisted on accompanying Fan Yue to the Stone Clan, and he did not stop her. When they arrived at the Stone Clan, Cang Shan's mother arranged accommodations for them. By chance, Cang Shan's friend, Shi Lei, passed by and warmly welcomed the group.

Given the urgency of the situation, Bai Shuo and Fan Yue followed Shi Lei to examine the victims' bodies. After inspecting them, Cang Shan was shocked to confirm that these individuals had not died instantly; their bones had been shattered, and they had been tortured to death in an unimaginably cruel manner. Shi Lei solemnly explained to Bai Shuo and Fan Yue that the Stone Clan had always lived in seclusion and never harbored grievances against others.

Within the clan, the people lived harmoniously without disputes. Such cruel methods could not have originated from anyone in the Stone Clan. However, Fan Yue disagreed, stating that Shi Lei's disbelief did not negate the possibility. Until the truth was revealed, everyone was a suspect. In the meantime, Zhong Zhao secretly visited Fu Ling in the dungeon and fed her a Lanling Sect elixir. Fu Ling, worried, reminded him that saving her would surely invite Zhen Yu’s harsh punishment.

But Zhong Zhao dismissed her concerns, expressing confusion over why Fu Ling remained so loyal to Zhen Yu, despite his treatment of her. Fu Ling recalled her past, being abandoned as a child and taken in by her master. Without him, she would not have survived. Fu Ling knew that she still had some use to her master and would likely endure more suffering but not death.

Zhong Zhao told her that it was precisely because of this that Zhen Yu continued to torment her. He then embraced Fu Ling tightly, leaving the dungeon with her. He declared that his actions were simply to repay her kindness and that from now on, they were even, and he would no longer intervene on her behalf.

Before leaving, Zhong Zhao said gravely that although Fu Ling held the title of demon lord in Cold Spring Palace and appeared prestigious, she was actually trapped in Zhen Yu’s torment. Her seemingly cold and ruthless demeanor was a façade, a means of self-protection, not her true nature. Zhong Zhao hoped that Fu Ling would realize that clinging to life as she was now was not the only way to live.

However, he was unaware that Fu Ling had taken the Heart-Eating Pill. In this world, not everyone has the privilege of choice. After leaving Fu Ling’s room, Zhong Zhao immediately went to Zhen Yu to confess. He sincerely explained that he had freed Fu Ling only to repay her and no longer wanted to be indebted to her. From now on, there would be no ties between them.

Zhong Zhao speculated that Zhen Yu had already deemed Fu Ling expendable and believed that Zhen Yu needed someone stronger by his side. He was confident that he could fill that role. As expected, Zhen Yu neither confirmed nor denied his actions. That night, Bai Shuo and Fan Yue, analyzing the victims’ gruesome deaths, suspected the case to be one of revenge.

Meanwhile, Cang Shan’s mother ventured out alone to pray to a mysterious figure for protection, but her pleas went unanswered, and she returned home dejected. Back at home, Cang Shan questioned his mother about whether the clan members' deaths were connected to old events, expressing resentment toward his father. This angered his mother, who slapped him and scolded him harshly. The following morning, Zhong Zhao brought medicinal soup to Fu Ling. While chatting, he indirectly inquired about Chen Ye’s whereabouts.

Fu Ling, who had been injured during a fight over spiritual herbs, experienced a headache and, in her confusion, recited Zhong Zhao’s family teachings. Hearing this, Zhong Zhao was visibly shocked. After probing further, he learned that Fu Ling had entered Cold Spring Palace ten years ago and was even more surprised when she mentioned Bai Shuo’s short blade and two unfamiliar little girls. Soon after, a wounded youth appeared at the entrance of the Stone Clan village.

Fan Yue, recognizing him by his flute, identified him as his younger brother, Qi Feng. However, he did not realize that Qi Feng was, in fact, Chen Ye from Cold Spring Palace. Bai Shuo diagnosed Qi Feng with severe spiritual vein damage in his legs. Though she was suspicious of his sudden appearance, she concealed her doubts. When Qi Feng regained consciousness, Fan Yue had a heartfelt conversation with him, bringing up events of the past.

Upon Fan Yue’s probing, Qi Feng revealed that the purple-eyed youth the Tiger Clan was searching for was not him but Fan Yue. Learning the truth, Fan Yue was consumed by guilt and self-reproach. Bai Shuo quickly followed him to comfort and calm him. Meanwhile, Zhong Zhao speculated that Fu Ling might be Bai Xi but lacked sufficient evidence and kept his suspicions to himself.

Jin Yao, fearing that an evil worm was about to be refined, worried about its devastating potential, which would rival the deadly plague of the past. Jin Yao hoped his fears would never materialize. Bai Shuo took the initiative to visit Qi Feng, and the two exchanged gifts.

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