Chapter 38 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
After a night of intimacy, Zhangwei and Xingyin talk in bed. He asks if she truly remembers him and their shared history. Xingyin confirms she remembers everything and clarifies that her engagement to Chengyin was a political ploy. They reminisce about their student days—how their rivalry bloomed into friendship and love. Zhangwei reveals that the plan to restore Xingyin’s immortality required a mortal to take the Divine Pearl Lotus; he wanted to go to the Mortal Realm, but Xingyin insisted on going instead because he was more seriously injured. The chapter flashes back to the night she left: she enchanted him to sleep and journeyed to the Jade Palace’s chasm despite his desperate attempt to stop her. She endured the painful stripping of memories and power during the descent. Back in the present, they reaffirm their bond and make love again, accepting whatever future awaits them—immortal or mortal.
Key Events
- Zhangwei confirms Xingyin’s restored memory of their relationship.
- Xingyin explains that her engagement to Chengyin was a decoy against meddling ministers.
- Flashback to student sparring: Zhangwei cuts Xingyin’s arm, then brings her jasmine as an apology.
- They recall their early weiqi games, which fostered mutual respect and friendship.
- The full backstory of the Divine Pearl Lotus plan is revealed: only one could become mortal to take it, and Xingyin chose to go instead of Zhangwei.
- Xingyin describes enchanting Zhangwei to sleep and descending into the chasm despite his last-minute attempt to stop her.
- She reveals the agony of losing her memories during the transformation.
- In the present, they decide to build a new life together, regardless of whether she regains immortality.
Character Development
- Xingyin: Moves from uncertainty and lingering resentment to full understanding and acceptance of Zhangwei’s past actions. She reclaims her own agency by insisting on recounting her decision to descend, and she firmly asserts her vow to protect Tianxia.
- Zhangwei: Shows vulnerability and jealousy about the engagement, yet demonstrates unwavering commitment. His willingness to let her go to the Mortal Realm and his patience during her mortal life reveal deep love and restraint.
- Their relationship: Evolves from conflict and mistrust to fully transparent communication and emotional intimacy, closing the distance created by her lost memories.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Memory and Identity: The recovery of personal history is central to the chapter. Xingyin’s regained memories do not just restore knowledge but reshape her sense of self and her choices.
- Sacrifice and Love: Both characters willingly endure pain and loss for the other’s survival. Xingyin’s choice to descend and suffer memory loss echoes Zhangwei’s earlier sacrifices.
- The Vulnerability of Immortality: Even immortals face agonizing consequences. The chapter highlights how power does not eliminate suffering—it can deepen it.
- Jasmine (Symbol): The gift of jasmine in the student flashback marks the turning point from rivalry to attraction. It reappears as a sensory trigger for memory and tenderness.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 38 provides the missing backstory of how Xingyin became mortal. It resolves long-standing questions about her engagement, Zhangwei’s motives, and the role of the Divine Pearl Lotus. The emotional weight of their shared past—and the pain of forgetting—is laid bare, strengthening the foundation for their renewed relationship. This chapter also clarifies the origin of the Wuxin threat and the Empress’s harsh actions, tying together multiple plot threads.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why did Xingyin choose to descend to the Mortal Realm instead of letting Zhangwei go?
She was stronger at the time because his injuries were worse. She feared he would not survive the transformation, so she decided to bear the risk herself.
2. How does the flashback to the student sparring scene contribute to the story?
It shows the early dynamics of their relationship: rivalry that hides attraction, Zhangwei’s perceptiveness (noticing her favorite flower), and the moment their emotional wall cracked. This memory reinforces that their bond existed long before the trials of the plot.
3. What does Zhangwei mean when he says, “We will make a new one” in response to Xingyin’s uncertainty about returning home?
He prioritizes their future together over any specific realm or status. Whether she remains mortal or regains immortality, he is committed to building a life with her, showing that love transcends external circumstances.