x_AJ_x

We never see him actually die for starters, or his body. We have seen characters survive a lot of things they shouldn't have in this drama. A drama where they fly, magically heal each other and use human face masks to transform into other people. You don't need to put real world limitations on what people can and can't survive haha. He was also given a life saving pill in an earlier episode.

It's possible they did all die (which is a beautiful ending too, because that way they are all together) but they definitely also imply that Ruyi and NYZ may have faked their deaths. Again. (Something they both have a history of doing) It's an ambiguous ending for a reason. So that audiences can decide for themselves.

I really don't mind either interpretations but I maintain that Chu Yue hallucinating an imaginary child of two people she wasn't that close with doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Especially the unnecessary details about where his home is, (near the academy, a certain distance away etc etc) about his sister, his mother and father etc.

The delegation on horseback once again - definitely illusion. Ning Shi San? hmm. not necessarily. ambiguous.

1. Not really. Not with any of the main leads. There is one sided obsession directed at the FL but it is never reciprocated. So not a love triangle
2. Leads get together around episode 13
3. There is a brief breakup around episode 17or 18 but it doesn't last long. It's not a real breakup so much as them taking some time to think about what they really want for their future. It only lasts a handful of episodes.
4. ....not a happy ending in a traditional sense. It's hard to explain without spoiling. Bittersweet at best because of what happens to many of the characters.. The final scene is a little ambiguous about what it means for the leads. Many people here have different interpretations. I think both of the main interpretations are valid and beautiful for different reasons. But again, I can't really explain without spoiling. So it's up to you how much you want spoiled.

I don’t see why so many people are completely refusing to accept other people's interpretations of that ending. Speaking their own interpretation as though it is a fact rather than their own perception. If it was all 100% clear, people wouldn't be having discussions about what was real and what wasn't. The only thing that is pretty clear to me is that this was an intentionally ambiguous ending, haha. Probably to promote discussion.

Prefacing this by saying. The interpretation that they are all dead is not a bad ending to me. It was actually the ending I predicted going into it. In a way, I find this interpretation quite beautiful despite being sad. Because they are actually all together. Wherever you believe we go afterwards they are all together forever - or at least until their next life. They don’t have to miss or mourn each other. That’s a lovely thought.

However, this is definitely not the only valid interpretation. The writers and director definitely wanted to leave audiences with the idea that Ruyi and NYZ may have faked their deaths and escaped. Otherwise they would not have presented that scene in the way they did. There are so many other ways they could have Chu Yue mourn and think of the delegation, and have us see that they're all together in death without having an imaginary child come up to her, tell her unnecessary details about his home, where it is, his sister and his parents etc etc. Implying to her that they're still alive. This was added in because they wanted people to question it. Because they wanted people to think “Oh, wait, ARE they still alive?” As I've said in other comments. These are two characters who both started off the drama faking their death. Narratively speaking, it would make complete sense for the drama to end with them doing the same thing once more. They faked their deaths to escape - but this time they are not alone. They are together and at peace. When it comes to their wounds. We never saw them “die” we never saw their bodies. This is a fantasy historical where people heal each other and use human face masks to change into other people. It’s not the real world.

Personally, I don’t really understand why Chu Yue of all people would be imagining a fake child of people she wasn’t that close with. I feel if she was going to imagine anyone it would be Yu Shi San himself. And this is one of the reasons I somewhat question the idea that it was all illusion. If Yang Ying was the one in that scene. I’d definitely be leaning towards it being her imagination.

However, I really do believe both of these interpretations are correct. And I've seen so many people who seem very black and white about the fact that they’re definitely dead. It is far more likely that they left it so there is no right or wrong answer. That whatever ending the individual wants, is the correct one.

Personally, I’m satisfied with both interpretations.

Some thoughts about the different interpretations of the final scene.

This is a drama that started with the main two leads having faked their death. It actually makes sense that the drama ended with them faking their deaths again to escape. Only this time they are together. This is a drama where people fly, magically heal each other and use human face masks to transform into other people. Them surviving those wounds is not out of the question Especially as we never see them actually die and we never see their bodies. And NYZ recieved a life saving pill in an earlier episode.

It was definitely presented to audiences in a way that we are suppose to think them surviving is a possibility. It was intentional. Otherwise they wouldnt have included the kid at all. They would have had her just envision the delegation riding into the sunset.

The other interpretation is also valid and quite beautiful too though. (As they are all together) and what I expected.

So I really do think they intentionally left it so both endings are possible so the audience can decide.

Well yes and no. TTJ died in tteotm but not completely. It hinted at the novel's ending where his soul is saved and he is eventually resurrected. In a way this ambiguous ending where its left up to the audience to decide is what it has in common with a journey to love's ending. Where there are two interpretations of the ending. It implies that while the delegation died the two leads may have faked their death (again) escaped and had children. The ambiguous part for some people comes from not knowing with 100% certainty whether this is real or illusion. So its left up to the audience to decide. Both interpretations of this ending are valid and quite beautiful.

I agree about Ruyi and NYZ's happy ending with kids not being something significant enough for Chu Yue to be imagining it in such detail 10 years later. And I agree, if it was YY I would be way more inclined to believe it was an illusion.

I've heard others say the child was leading chu Yue to her death, a kind of lovely idea - but again, why would an imaginary child that never existed in reality be the one to take her to the afterlife. Wouldn't it have made more sense for it to be Yu Shi San himself doing that?

So it was definitely ambiguous.

It is possible Ruyi was a given posthumous title because she faked her death. Meaning everyone believed her and NYZ to be dead.

Not that unbelievable as we never actually see her body (nor NYZ) And both she and Ning Yuan Zhou started the drama having faked their death. It actually makes sense narratively for them to end it the same way. So they escape and get to live the life they wanted - one of peace away from everything else together. Ning Yuan Zhou was given a life saving pill in an earlier episode which makes it possible for him to have survived his injuries.

It is an ambiguous ending though, so the other interpretation is just as valid. It's obviously intentionally written and directed for the audience to choose what version they prefer.

He was destined to die to give birth to the devil god. But he didn't. Not as he did in the first timeline. That's the point. Him loving Li Susu, and him going through Bo're Life is what gave him love threads and it was this that allowed him to resist being taken over.

I loved the part after her death. It was only really 1 episode, Episode 29 . We see her return in the future at the end of that episode. It had some of the best acting from LYX. And honestly, his reaction to her death made compete sense. There was despair, anger and guilt. And he had his big Heathcliff moment with her body, which is basically a hallmark of gothic romance. It's one of my favourite scenes in the entire drama. How was he supposed to act when she died? How was he supposed to be after 500 years wandering and being tortured by the nether river looking for her? He was never going to be exactly the same as he was. In fact this was TTJ without the devil bone for the first time in his entire existence. (because she took it from him)

His manipulative nature did not disappear though - He basically tricked her into admitting he who she was almost immediately (honestly surprised she fell for that) and he literally spent the last few episodes manipulating everyone into believing he had truly become the devil god.

This was simply my take on it, of course. I understand not everyone is going to see it the same way though.

You verbalised what ive been saying but much better. The fact that the drama started with them having faked their deaths and very possibly ending it in the same way would be fitting.

To be fair YL had heart disease and wasnt expected to live past twenty. It is not that unbelievable that his heart gave out after fighting them running for as long as he did.

Well its ambiguous for a reason. Its intentionally left to the audience to decide. I dont think there is a right or wrong answer. Whatever you feel the ending is is what it is.

I do think that chu yue who didnt have particualrly strong ties to either Ruyi or NYZ imagining their kid and life in such detail doesnt make much sense. If anyone was going to have that scene of imagining them escaping and with kids it should have been YY. As she was close to them both and knew about their plan to have a baby. Which is what makes me think that though the delegation on horseback once again, was fantasy, Ning Shi San wasn't. I think it would make sense for them to end the drama with them faking their deaths as it started in the same way.

But if they are all dead. Well that's a perfectly good ending to me too.

Disagree. It was beautiful, no matter which way you fall on the "ambiguous ending" discussion.

it is supposed to be the main leads. lol

The boy's name is Ning Shi San. (Ning Yuan Zhou being the father) The fact that he has NYZ's last name and is named Shi San is what tips Chu Yue off about who his parents are. Chu Yue asks if the mother's last name is Ren. He says his sister is named Ren Lu. The implication is that NYZ and Ruyi faked their deaths and escaped and have been living quietly. (we never actually see them "die" or see their actual bodies). As the drama started with them having faked their deaths, it's kind of fitting that it ends with them doing the same. Only this time they are together.

However, it could also simply be part of her illusion. This is why the ending is ambiguous.

But the leads were intended to be the parents of the boy.

It's ambiguous. It is implied that Ruyi and Ning Yuan Zhao may have faked their deaths and escaped. (as they both did in the beginning of the drama) That they have been living a peaceful life off the grid and had two children. Ning Shi San and Ren Lu. Chu Yue realises this, and asks to meet them. She envisions the delegation riding alongside them, as they were in life, and as they will continue to be in death. (even if it is just in spirit)

However, it could also be taken as Ning Shi San also being part of that same illusion. and that they are indeed, all dead.

Him falling in love with her is a vital part of the story so that was always going to happen. I loved unhinged mad with love TTJ. It was pretty messed up. He had never felt emotions before and didn't quite know what to do with them once he had them.

I wouldn't even say he was ever really a full "bad boy". He was an empty shell who only knew suffering. He was kind of pitiful and tragic from the beginning. I think the entire point of that character is that he isn't inherently evil. It is something inflicted on him by another force (the ancient devil god) and not something he chose. Unhealthy, obsessive, willing to do anything to anybody in order to keep her. He was still pretty morally grey for a good chunk of it. But he did grow. I loved it. It wasn't just about romantic love. It was about love for the world, and choice/free will over fate.

This is another drama that while brilliant, is not going to appeal to everyone. Which is fair enough.

Why would she be imagining Ruyi and NZY's child though? Would it not make more sense for her to simply imagine YSS if she were missing him.

If anyone was going to imagine Ruyi and NYZ escaping and having kids I feel like it should have been YY - especially as she was there from the beginning and knew about their plans to have a baby.

I'm not saying it's not a valid interpretation. I always felt them all dying was a perfectly fine ending and I went into this drama expecting it. I don't see it as bad. But this is definitely an intentionally ambiguous ending. Otherwise they never would have had that scene at all.

In regards to "Uncle Deng" In the version I watched it said Uncle Ding. In both English and Chinese subs. 丁叔叔 Dīng shūshu. So I didn't realise that's who it was referring to...if it was who it was referring to?

Why are some people saying it's the best drama of the year? Because that's how they feel. of which they are entitled to feel that way. Many were satisfied with the ending even if you weren't. (this is fine. we all have different opinions on these things).

It's not my favourite drama of the year (That goes to Till the end of the moon personally) But I can see why some feel that way about this one.

Slightly ambiguous. So, bittersweet. We are led to believe all the characters die. Until the last scene where it is implied that the leads may have faked their deaths, escaped and had children. Chu Yue meets one of these children, and asks to meet his parents. She envisions the entire delegation riding alongside the leads once more. Together in spirit. They disappear and she then follows the child to meet his parents.

So it's up to the viewer to decide if everything is an illusion, including the child or if the leads did in fact fake their death.

And? Lol i'm not sure what that's supposed to mean. It doesn't confirm that they all died. Many people don't like ambiguous endings. They either like it when it's full tragedy, or they like it blissfully happy.

Chu Yu not being able to move on after 10 years and imagining a full detailed conversation with the child of people she wasn't actually that close too for most of the drama doesn't make much sense to me. But I accept it as a valid interpretation. But again, it's not a fact. If they wanted us to think Ruyi and NYZ had died with absolute certainty , they would never have included that scene with the kid at all.