LayarHijau – The latest drama starring Cheng Yi and Li Yitong, Sword and Beloved (天地劍心, Tiāndì Jiànxīn), aired its final episode last night, surpassing 626 million total views. The series reclaimed the second spot on China’s Maoyan drama ranking, just behind Fight for Love (山河枕, Shānhé Zhěn), and surpassing Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang’an (唐朝詭事錄之長安, Tángcháo Guǐshì Lù zhī Cháng’ān), Blood River (暗河傳, Àn Hé Zhuàn), and Whispers of Fate (水龍吟, Shuǐ Lóng Yín).
Spoiler warning: This article contains details about the drama’s ending.
In the finale, Li Yitong voluntarily allows Cheng Yi to extract the “seed of sorrow” from her body to help defeat the final antagonist, Black Fox. As a result, she returns to her spider form, awaiting rebirth. Cheng Yi, carrying the legacy of his parents and the Masked Sect (面具团, miànjù tuán), sacrifices his life to activate the “Heaven and Earth Sword” (天地一劍, Tiāndì Yī Jiàn), combining the Sword of Authority and the Pure Sunlight, leaving his final words: “A soldier is born as an offering, dedicated to heaven and earth, with no regrets!”
Additional spoiler: The next scenes contain highly emotional and tragic moments.
The two finally board a small boat to the Huai Shui Bamboo Pavilion (淮水竹亭, Huáishuǐ Zhú Tíng) to watch the sunset, as requested by Li Yitong. During this moment, their conversation is full of sorrow and acceptance: Wang Quan Fugui says, “The sunset is beautiful; your final wish has been fulfilled.” Li Yitong, shedding tears, responds, “The sun sets, birds return to their nests, and the little spider must also go to her place. My life this time is complete.”
Li Yitong then sacrifices herself; she bleeds as the seed of love is removed, leaving her final words: “Thank you for giving me such a wonderful life. Goodbye, my Fugui.” Cheng Yi quietly replies, “Thank you for your sacrifice.”
Cheng Yi then faces Black Fox alone, wearing white battle armor and sporting white hair. The voice of Li Yitong within the remaining seed of love helps him awaken. A fierce duel ensues, and Wang Quan Fugui ultimately sacrifices himself to activate the “Heaven and Earth Sword” (天地一劍, Tiāndì Yī Jiàn), destroying Black Fox. Before dying, he transfers his remaining spiritual energy into Li Yitong’s seed of love, allowing her to return to her spider form beneath the Tree of Suffering, waiting for rebirth. This scene left many viewers deeply emotional.
Other characters also face tragic endings: Quan Rumu (郭俊辰, Guō Jùnchén) is killed by his father and wife, Quan Jingteng (譚凱, Tán Kǎi), while Long Weiyun (何瑞賢, Hé Ruìxián) ends her life in a blood-stained wedding dress, leaving a profound impact on viewers.
The ending reinforces themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and harsh fate, serving as an epic conclusion to this emotionally charged fantasy action drama.
