The Woman in Night Devil Forest

"**The Woman in Night Devil Forest**" (夜魔の森の女, *Yama no Mori no Onna*) is the third episode of the first season of *Thunderbolt Fantasy*. It originally aired on July 22, 2016.

## Plot

> To defeat the villainous Miè Tiān Hái, Dān Fěi and her party will need to get through an army of bloodthirsty undead. The safest way to do this would be to recruit the help of a necromancer, but the person that Lǐn Xuě Yā has in mind makes the others very nervous, for a good reason...
>
> Episode 3 Synopsis, Crunchyroll

Shòu Yún Xiāo appears to intend to threaten Shāng Bù Huàn into confirming his identity, but saves him from a Xuán Guǐ Zōng foot soldier. Yún Xiāo tells Juǎn off for taking to long, but Bù Huàn demands to know just why the strangers would risk picking a fight with the Xuán Guǐ Zōng that everyone seems to be terrified of, and Shòu Yún Xiāo explains he was asked by a friend to help Shāng out should they meet. Just as Shāng asks who would go through the trouble, Guǐ Niǎo reveals himself. As he and Dān Fěi reveal themselves, Guǐ Niǎo and Yún Xiāo discuss his new alias to use in front of the others, and Yún Xiāo introduces his old friend to his new student, and Cán Yún promises to do as he's told, just as his tutor does. Dān Fěi then introduces herself to the obviously distracted Juǎn. Naturally these antics agitate Bù Huàn, who demands an explanation. Guǐ Niǎo says the Xuán Guǐ Zōng are nasty characters who won't let Bù Huàn go, and Bù Huàn correctly surmises that the only way to avoid them is taking out their leader. However, as Shāng Bù Huàn doesn't know where Seven Sins Tower is, Guǐ Niǎo once again offers for the loner to travel with them. But Bù Huàn is adamant he can go through less trouble should he goes alone, and takes off. But as Guǐ Niǎo points out, the demon spine mountains is the opposite direction. Bù Huàn sets off again in the right direction, threatening the others not to follow him. The earnest Dān Fěi attempts to explain they have no choice but to follow the same road, but as they reach the inn they will stay at for the night, sir Shāng has been integrated in the group. (But still acts surly and aloof during dinner). That evening, Guǐ Niǎo explains the location of the Demon Spine Mountains, and the obstacles that await them.

Seven Sins Tower is said to be the former home of an experienced necromancer, where Miè Tiān Hái once worked as a mere guard, but eventually the sorcerer disappeared, and the young guard became The Bones of Creation. Shòu Yún Xiāo theorizes Tiān Hái had something to do with it, which was all but confirmed. With the masters library at his disposal, Tiān Hái became self taught in the art of necromancy, even perfecting some spells of his own, which he uses to satiate his strongest desire, obtaining the most powerful of the swords forged during the war of fading dusk. One of these spells allows him to relive memories of the deceased, assuredly how Shāng Bù Huàn became a target despite defeating Cán Xiōng. The former master ensured his tower would be protected by his three barriers, trials which have never been bested. luckily, Guǐ Niǎo knows how to get past each of them. The first is the Valley of the Dead, a field where the corpses of an ancient war roam aimlessly and attack any living thing. The fastest way through would be to put the dead to rest with a necromancer of their own. Dān Fěi seems disturbed by the idea of using the dark arts, but as they seek to intrude on unholy grounds, the only way through is by unholy means. Fortunately, Guǐ Niǎo has someone in mind. The second obstacle, the Valley of the Doll, Where a giant stone golem stands guard and is similarly defensive. The guardian will crush anything that moves, but has a certain weak point behind its head. The one to take the fateful shot should the the Sharp-Eyed Impaler himself, which explains why Yún Xiāo was recruited. The final trial, The Labyrinth of Darkness, has many paths, but only one true exit, if the true path is not followed, it will take you to an unknown dimension, with no way out. However the true path can be followed using the Soul Echo Flute, a relic which is kept by an old teacher of Guǐ Niǎo's. Seeing as every obstacle is to be passed using someone else's skills, Bù Huàn accuses Guǐ Niǎo of never doing anything, but as Guǐ Niǎo proudly reminds him, the greatest weapon is friendship. While they wait for the owner of the Soul Echo Flute to receive his message, They will attempt to meet the necromancer, who appears to have "Ignored" Guǐ Niǎo's request, (or at least Shāng thinks so.) Yún Xiāo is in disbelief as the woman Guǐ Niǎo is talking about appears to live in the Night Devil Forest, meaning she is the Demoness known as the Night's Lament; Xíng Hài. Shòu and Cán Yún appear to know who of her, so Dān Fěi and Bù Huàn ask about her reputation. As Guǐ Niǎo explains, her behavior "invites misunderstandings". Yún Xiāo is entirely opposed to her inclusion, but Guǐ Niǎo insists she is the best at what she does, and seeing as they face the Bones of Creation, they will need the best in their respective fields, which is why he selected the Sharp Eyed Impaler as well. Yún Xiāo and Juǎn relent, but will have no responsibility should it backfire.

That night, as Shāng Bù Huàn maintains his weapon, he is visited by Dān Fěi, who once again wants to attempt to explain why their quest in necessary. She asks whether or not he believes in the Hù Yìn Shī's mission, or would call it a superstition. Shāng explains that he's been around, and most times when he hears stories of ancient, magical weapons they turn out to be frauds. Dān Fěi acknowledges the commonality of imitations, but assures him that the Tiān Xíng Jiàn is the real deal. Bù Huàn asks if she could be sure, and had ever tested it, since if it was fake, Miè Tiān Hái would have left, and if it was real, it could have been used to defeat him. However, within the Hù Yìn Shī, that is the ultimate taboo. Shāng recognizes that Dān Fěi is scared most of breaking tradition, and says he wouldn't have taken things as far to maintain tradition, and wouldn't have died for it the way Dān Héng did. He tells Fěi to go back to get rest, considering they may not be able to relax until Miè Tiān Hái is defeated. With her gone, Bù Huàn confronts Juǎn Cán Yún, who is peeping outside. Juǎn claims he wanted to ensure Shāng "didn't try anything" with Fěi. But is justified with the fact that she left his room looking very unhappy, so Juǎn asks what he could have told her. Especially since His bro and the quests benefactor have both refused to tell him anymore about why Dān Fěi is so desperate. Shāng retains that he doesn't need to know, but Cán Yún can't talk to Dān Fěi without knowing more about her, and he wants to get closer to her to possibly attach his alias to the Hù Yìn Shī's name, and propagate himself to legend. Because of this nature, Shāng tells him she's too proper for him, but Cán Yún isn't ready to give up yet, and won't stop until the name "The Frozen Wonder of the Spear" is known by all women throughout the land.

The next evening, the party have made their way to the Night Devil forest, where the ignorant Shāng Bù Huàn is surprised at the not so subtle hints that their new recruit might not be of this realm. They are greeted by an automatic spell that warns them of the penalty of trespassing. Shāng seems scared of the image of Xíng Hài, noting how demon-like she is Unfortunately, she *is* a demon, and Guǐ Niǎo accuses Bù Huàn of prejudice. Bù Huàn, like Yún Xiāo is against the demon joining them, but as Guǐ Niǎo reminds him, some demons formed an attachment to the human world and remained there after the War of Fading Dusk, and that not all demons are intrinsically evil. Yún Xiāo agrees, but notes that the reputation of Xíng Hài is particularly grisly, both him and Cán Yún treating some rumors about her as truths. Guǐ Niǎo is confidant he can get her to listen to reason and join them, despite the threatening message, but either way, with her warning message being automatic, in order to talk to the real Xíng Hài, they will need to get past her guard dogs, reanimated corpses of past intruders. With assurance from Guǐ Niǎo that he can convince her if he can make it to her, Dān Fěi decides to clear the way for him, disregarding her distaste with her environment. Juǎn Cán Yún decides to fight with her, with permission from Shòu, and Guǐ Niǎo, Shāng, and Yún Xiāo move ahead. The two prove to each other the other is more formidable than they thought, proving they make quite the pair. Meanwhile, Xíng Hài swears she to enact her revenge on the Enigmatic Gale for disrupting her refuge.

## Characters

* Shāng Bù Huàn
* Shòu Yún Xiāo
* Liè Mèi
* Juǎn Cán Yún
* Lǐn Xuě Yā "Guǐ Niǎo"
* Dān Fěi
* Miè Tiān Hái
* Cán Xiōng
* Xíng Hài
* Lián Qí (Mentioned)

## Techniques

* Tornado Clearing - Juǎn Cán Yún
* Flowering Night Judgement - Dān Fěi
* Dragon Storm Strike - Juǎn Cán Yún
* Sacred Bristle Ward - Dān Fěi

## Trivia

* The scene in which Shāng Bù Huàn is seen polishing his blade, the usually hidden blade can be seen, revealing it is wooden instead of metal. This is officially reveal in episode 12
* Juǎn Cán Yún and Dān Fěi prove to make quite the pair several times, eventually resulting in their marriage at the end of the first season.
* The reason Xíng Hài and Lǐn Xuě Yā fell out was revealed in the spin off novel.