Episode 20 recap: Hu Zi met his mother.
Qi Yan Ran witnessed the devastating casualties among the people in the city he was protecting. Everywhere was in ruins and desolate. In addition, Mrs. Qi (Old lady) had also passed away, intensifying his hatred towards Yi Mei. Wu Li Dan was injured by a monster and lay on the ground. The monster, seeing Wu Li Dan in such a miserable state, felt delighted, believing that the debt had been repaid. It proudly informed Wu Li Dan that it had been defeated and imprisoned in the Demon Incineration Tower by him. Although Wu Li Dan had captured numerous monsters, he couldn't recognize this particular one. Nevertheless, he was determined not to let it go and was willing to do anything to kill it.
Just as the monster was about to kill Wu Li Dan, Zhao Xin Tong saved him and left without a word. Wu Li Dan felt conflicted. Hu Zi relentlessly pursued Yan, urging him to return the bodies of Qi Xiao Xuan and others. Yan found Hu Zi's selfless dedication to a single person somewhat laughable and wanted to give him a chance. However, Hu Zi insisted on saving Qi Xiao Xuan.
In this endeavor, Hu Zi was stabbed by Yan. It seemed as though Hu Zi entered a hallucination, where many people called him a monster and isolated him. Zhao Xin Tong, Qi Xiao Xuan, and all those who knew him were killed by his hand. Hu Zi was overwhelmed with despair and anger. He severely injured Yan in a fit of rage. However, after Qi Xiao Xuan woke up, she asked Hu Zi to kill her. This awakened Hu Zi, and he fought fiercely with Jin Gang Jue and Yan. He continuously asked Yan where Qi Xiao Xuan was, and Yan told him that he would reveal it when he had a chance to survive. At this moment, Yi Mei approached and took away Jin Gang Jue, also injuring Hu Zi. Yi Mei deemed Hu Zi useless. Zhao Xin Tong and Wang Yu Qian tried to approach Hu Zi, but a tiger appeared to protect him. Hu Zi saw his mother and was overjoyed. Cheng Ji Nian took advantage of the situation and accused Hu Zi of colluding with the monsters. Zhao Xin Tong asked everyone else to leave and stayed behind to confront Cheng Ji Nian.
Qi Yan Ran harbored deep resentment towards Yi Mei, but Yi Mei claimed that it was Qi Yan Ran who brought his grandmother to him and urged him to leave quickly. Qi Yan Ran fought desperately against Yi Mei but was eventually taken away by someone. Cheng Ji Nian demanded that Wang Yu Qian hand over Hu Zi. Yan wanted to find out the truth of the past and followed Yi Mei to the Underworld Sea.
Hu Zi was excited as he looked at his mother. He wanted her to turn back into a human. Zhao Xin Tong hoped that they could distinguish right from wrong and identify who the real monsters were.
Yi Mei took Hu Zi's mother away, and Yan felt that Yi Mei was somewhat cruel and wanted to eliminate him completely. He believed that Yi Mei had been planning for several days.
After the devastation caused by the monsters, the people had been displaced and everywhere was in ruins, filled with the sounds of wailing. Wang Yu Qian didn't quite understand why Yan was helping Yi Mei, and Zhao Xin Tong was heartbroken to see such a tragic scene. Cheng Shu, the female elder, wanted to report to the court and sought further recognition.
The elder wanted to select some individuals from the people who were suitable for important tasks. However, Cheng Ji Nian was chosen as the commander, and everyone recommended Zhao Xin Tong. But the elder used the excuse that Zhao Xin Tong hadn't passed the exam and couldn't be used. Wu Li Dan chose to abstain, and others felt that the selection process was somewhat unfair and decided to abstain as well. They had no choice but to select Zhao Xin Tong. Wu Li Dan also cared about Zhao Xin Tong and was quietly changing his perception of her.
Cheng Shu saw that everyone opposed his son, but he still didn't give up. He believed that if Zhao Xin Tong couldn't handle the responsibility, Cheng Ji Nian should replace her. Zhao Xin Tong presented some ideas at the meeting, but the elder repeatedly declined them. However, the proposed solution was not reliable, and everyone in the meeting respected the principle of not complicating matters. After the elder disagreed with Zhao Xin Tong's approach, she left.
The elder was infuriated that the commander did not value him and was arrogant. Cheng Ji Nian informed the elder that Zhao Xin Tong and Hu Zi had an unusual connection with the monster. The elder sent people to capture Hu Zi for interrogation. Hu Zi was bewildered when he saw a group of people coming to arrest him, wondering why they had the right to capture him.
I'm always moved by the friendship between Hu Zi and Qi Xiao Xuan. When the other person, Yan, emerges from within Qi Xiao Xuan, he claims to have no friends and wants to kill his own brother in front of Hu Zi. Even in the face of this version of Qi Xiao Xuan, Hu Zi firmly believes that he is just under a demonic spell.
Both male lead and male second lead portrayed their characters excellently. Although the director didn't do a great job with this drama, the actors were impressive. It's much better than that neighboring fire-rescue drama, which they treat like a treasure but only updates three days a week.
I won't watch it anymore. Plain TV dramas are not worth watching, but this one is good.