Hola, dear readers, I bet most of you who clicked on this page are curious about the ending of When Destiny Brings the Demon. You’re probably eager to know what would happen to Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan’s relationship. Will she return to her world or stay for good? Fret not. I’m here to guide you through it. So without further ado, let’s dive in. Happy reading!
Read this drama review and ending explained here:
When Destiny Brings the Demon Ending Explained
What Happened to Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao on When Destiny Brings the Demon Ending?
Since he absorbed the new Spirit Fire, Sima Jiao’s body has been collapsing. He knew that his life was numbered. The thunderbolts only slowed down the Fire’s drain. When the time came, Sima Jiao chose to transfer all his power to Liao Ting Yan so it could help her purify the demon core within her.
All the while, he secretly carved a path for her by instilling fear of Spirit Fire in her enemies, making them bow before her. Later, he planned to spread news that she had slain him and absorbed his Spirit Fire, so she would become the Immortal-Demon Ruler.
When she learned about this, it was too late. The power had already been passed, no matter how hard she refused. Liao Ting Yan’s heart shattered. For her, Sima Jiao sacrificed himself because the demon core had fused with hers, and it could not be removed.
Only Spirit Fire could suppress it. He left behind his soul to guide her, sparing her from excruciating burning pain. Then Sima Jiao vanished from her arm, leaving only his ring.
Nineteen years later, the two realms united under Liao Ting Yan, who became the ruler who enforced work-life balance. She created new laws: no one should work over eight hours a day. But her life wasn’t free of pain. To give Sima Jiao a chance to survive, she preserved a wisp of his soul and granted his rebirth. This made her endure pain day and night.
Through Hei Nian Jiu, Liao Ting Yan learned that Sima Jiao had guessed that she would preserve him. He had planned to go to the mortal realm and chase after You Yan. Now, he was the emperor of the Hu Kingdom, hated by many, especially Marquis Nan Yan.
Hei Nian Jiu secretly protected him. Liao Ting Yan decided to descend and see him. Hei Nian Jiu warned her not to use her power, or she would suffer from the backlash.
The mortal Sima Jiao had an infamous reputation, was a ruthless person, and a womanizer. At first, Liao Ting Yan accepted it. For her, he was alive, and that was enough.
But when he invited her, she got angry. She thought that the present Sima Jiao was such a debauched ruler who dared to snatch women on the street. Yet, the moment she saw him, tears fell. But this Sima Jiao didn’t know her and was suspicious of her. She has to strike his acupoint just to hug him.
What she didn’t know was that Sima Jiao recognized her face. It had appeared in his dreams since he was young. However, because Liao Ting Yan interfered in his plan to execute Wei Xian Yu, he suspected her ties to Marquis Nan Yan. To secretly investigate Liao Ting Yan’s identity and motives, Sima Jiao took her to the palace.
Knowing that he already guessed that she wasn’t a mortal, Liao Ting Yan admitted she was a fairy. She resolved to make him fall for her again, while dissolving his doubts. When bandits ambushed him, Liao Ting Yan shielded him and was stabbed.
The wound was fatal, but it didn’t harm her at all. Although her action proved that she is not Marquis Nan Yan’s subordinate, his wariness lingered.
Gradually, Sima Jiao’s heart softened. He felt relaxed with her. Even slept soundly when he was with her. During this time, Liao Ting Yan assessed his condition. He has lost his memories and power, but his cunning nature remains. He pretended to be weak and harmless to fool his enemies.
Meanwhile, while they were busy with themselves, You Yan watched from the shadows. After resting for a decade, Liao Ting Yan’s aura woke him up.
Sima Jiao has another consort, Noble Consort Si Xian. She is Marquis Nan Yan’s daughter and one of his countless concubines in his harem. At a palace banquet, Liao Ting Yan noticed the Empress Dowager’s resemblance to Sima E, Sima Jiao’s real mother.
She thought that this must be reflecting his regret over their brief bond. In the middle of the banquet, a concubine possessed by demon power tried to stab Sima Jiao. Liao Ting Yan shielded him again, but the demonic energy seeped into her wound.
As they were getting closer, Liao Ting Yan revealed that they had once been demon lovers. But he died too soon, so he followed him to the mortal world. To prove her sincerity and devotion to him, Liao Ting Yan helped him deal with Marquis Nan Yan by arranging Wei Tian Yu’s rescue from a murder attempt. The angry Wei Tian Yu exposed the marquis’s crime.
Meanwhile, Hong Luo reveals the marquis’s ties to You Yan. She also found that a mysterious spiritual barrier was set up at Hushan Hall. Liao Ting Yan sensed the powerful barrier and suspected it was left by the immortal Sima Jiao as part of a deeper plan.
The demonic energy within Liao Ting Yan’s body began to stir. Dongyang Zhen Ren warned that if she lost control, she must give up her cultivation to sever the demon core’s influence. This becomes a dilemma for Liao Ting Yan.
Without cultivation, she cannot protect Sima Jiao, but with it, she might kill him. Her only option was to strengthen the Spirit Fire with her own blood. This is a risky move, though. She might die because of it.
Meanwhile, their relationship improved as well. Liao Ting Yan told him stories about her past, including the excruciating pain she had endured. One conversation led to a kiss. As things grew passionate, she stopped him. Sima Jiao protested, but she said it wasn’t time yet. While waiting, he should just sleep under the quilt. 😅
You Yan asked the Marquis to collect a hundred children for him. Initially, the Marquis refused. To force the Marquis to agree, You Yan killed Si Xian and framed Liao Ting Yan for the crime. To clear her name, Liao Ting Yan agreed to be imprisoned. With the help of Hong Luo and Hei Nian Jiu, Liao Ting Yan investigated Si Xian’s death.
Meanwhile, You Yan intended to create chaos in the country by causing a drought and famine. Hong Luo made it rain, ending the drought and clearing Liao Ting Yan’s name. However, suspicions about the dead children lingered. Liao Ting Yan realized that she had no choice but to strengthen the Fire with her own blood. Afterwards, she began dreaming of her modern life.
During the coming-of-age ceremony, Sima Jiao was crowned king. Liao Ting Yan chose to remain in prison until her name was cleared. As the crown touched his head, Sima Jiao’s past memories returned. The first person to learn about this was none other than the foolish snake, Hei Nian Jiu. Sima Jiao needed Hei Nian Jiu’s help to make snow for Liao Ting Yan.
In the palace garden, Sima Jiao called her Ting Yan and performed a rejuvenation spell in front of her. He admitted that, despite his memory loss, he had finally understood the bitterness of being kept in the dark. He made the snow as an apology to Liao Ting Yan. Liao Ting Yan vented her anger by hitting him, but she soon fell into his arms, and they reconciled with a kiss.
Sima Jiao revealed that Hu Mountain used to be called Feng Mountain. It is the birthplace of the Fengshan clan. A long time ago, after sealing You Yan into the Nine Nether Purgatory, the key was fused into the body of the Hu emperor.
Sima Jiao planned the prevention mission a long time ago. He cast a secret spell into the emperor’s crown. At his coming-of-age ceremony, Sima Jiao will remember the forgotten memories.
Since You Yan cannot be killed outright, he has to be sealed in the Nine Nether Purgatory. This could only be done after Sima Jiao was crowned, as only the emperor of the Hu Kingdom could enter Mount Hu.
Sima Jiao was unaware that Liao Ting Yan was also hiding a secret. She didn’t know what would happen to the demon energy if the demon core lost control, and she chose to perish as well if that happened.
Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao held a grand wedding. Their friends from other realms were there to witness the occasion. Liao Ting Yan gave Sima Jiao the couple’s rings and explained that they were called wedding rings.
She explained to him that in her hometown, wedding rings symbolize an eternal bond between two people, even in the face of death. Liao Ting Yan’s expression was a mixture of happiness and sadness.
The day has finally arrived. Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan went to the Hushan Hall to perform the rites. But then chaos ensued when Marquis Nan Yan started a coup. Sima Jiao was outnumbered. The Marquis demanded that he hand over the imperial seal.
Sima Jiao complied. Then, Yao Yan appeared and took the seal from the Marquis. Sima Jiao did not have his power, so Liao Ting Yan went up against You Yan instead. A fight broke out on the ground. Marquis Nan Yan was killed. But before he died, the Marquis managed to stab Sima Jiao.
Seeing Sima Jiao in pain disrupted Liao Ting Yan’s concentration. She immediately went to Sima Jiao, who was severely wounded. You Yan saw this as an opportunity to escape. Unfortunately, Sima Jiao’s wound was too severe, and he died.
Suddenly, the Life and Death Thunder Tribulation appeared. Sima Jiao’s lifeless body flew, and lightning struck him. He Nian Jiu urged the stunned Liao Ting Yan to chase after You Yan. He promised to take care of his grandmaster.
Liao Ting Yan used everything she had to fight You Yan. She managed to injure him, but not enough. Thankfully, Sima Jiao appeared with a new Spirit Fire.
The new Spirit Fire originated from the one that Sima Jiao found in Taiwei. Mountain. It was reforged with Bi’an’s blood and rekindled by the Spirit Fire inside Liao Ting Yan’s body. Sima Jiao said that if the Spirit Fire survived a thunder tribulation, it would transform into a new one.
During the fight, Liao Ting Yan could feel the Spirit Fire draining her. When Yao Yan was finally sealed, she was exhausted. Her body slowly slid down, and Sima Jiao caught her. Only when her body started to dissipate did he realize that she was about to leave.
Liao Ting Yan told him that, since she had fulfilled her mission, she would probably return to her world. Sima Jiao said he would find her, but she said her world was beyond the three realms. Liao Ting Yan expressed her love and joy in sharing three lifetimes with him. She also reminded him to enjoy fun things or delicious food for her. With that, her body vanished. He tried to catch her but failed.
Zou Yan opened her eyes in the hospital bed, groggy from the accident. The doctor informed her that she had only suffered a mild concussion. She knew in her heart that her life with Sima Jiao was just a dream. She was discharged soon after.
The next day, Zou Yan went to the office and met with her boss, Lily. She said that the investor, Wei Jiao, will hold another meeting, a proposal meeting. Zou Yan should take her proposal and meet with him in person. Wei Jiao’s flight was scheduled that night. Zou Yan could meet him if she got to the meeting place before 6:30 p.m.
So, Zou Yan rushed to the address. The train was packed, and the roads were jammed. She tried her best, but when she arrived, the meeting room was empty. She sat on the stairs, feeling despair. She muttered that she wished she had the Spirit Dew with her.
Zou Yan didn’t know that Wei Jiao was waiting for her. He approached and stopped beside her. When she raised her head, she saw a pair of familiar eyes. Smiling, she said that she had found him again. Wei Jiao asked if she knew him. “Of course I do,” she replied, smiling as they gazed at each other.
What Happened to Ye Ru Ling / Hong Luo and Hei Nian Jiu on When Destiny Brings the Demon Ending?
Hong Luo never recovered her memories as Ye Ru Ling. When Liao Ting Yan became the Immortal-Demon Ruler, she became his preceptor. To improve their relationship, Liao Ting Yan gave Hei Nian Jiu some relationship advice. She said that once feelings become deep, one must seize the moment or risk losing the chance.
Hei Nian Jiu apologized to Hong Luo for being oblivious back then, which caused her to carry the burden alone. Touched by his sincerity, Hong Luo finally opened her heart to the foolish human named Hei Nian Jiu.
Their relationship improved greatly, and he proposed to her. They both helped Sima Jiao and Liu Tingyan face their strongest enemy, You Yan. When they got married, Hong Luo and Hei Nian Jiu were among those celebrating the wedding.
What Happened to You Yan on When Destiny Brings the Demon Ending?
The former Demon Lord, You Yan, used Bi’an’s body as a vessel for his soul because the Fengshan blood nourishes souls. He then flew to the mortal realm and rested for over a decade.
I use “he” to refer to You Yan because he is essentially a man. 😉
You Yan woke up when he sensed Liao Ting Yan’s aura in the mortal realm; the timing was right for him to continue his plan. In order to prevent his body from aging, You Yan killed children and absorbed their blood and essence.
You Yan thought that Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao had reunited in the mortal realm to stop her from opening the Nine Nether Purgatory and releasing his demonic soldiers. The door to the Nine Nether Purgatory was located under Mount Hu. In order to open it during the ceremony rites, he needed Sima Jiao’s imperial seal.
You Yan could not make a direct move toward Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao, so he needed help from the Marquis of Nan Yan. He appeared at the Marquis’s mansion and proclaimed that he could help the Marquis get rid of Sima Jiao and seize the throne. The Marquis did not immediately believe him. To show his sincerity, You Yan killed Wei Tian Yu.
You Yan told the Marquis that Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan had been lovers in the past. The Marquis planned to cause trouble in court by raising the issue of building a canal. You Yan’s mission was to disrupt the process so the Marquis could blame Liao Ting Yan.
However, their plan was foiled when Liao Ting Yan ordered Mu Ni Sheng and Chi An He to build the canal overnight. You Yan tried to sabotage the process. However, Hei Nian Jiu appeared, and You Yan’s power was depleted. With no other option, You Yan ran.
Because of this failure, the Marquis began to doubt. He refused You Yan’s request for a hundred children. To force the Marquis, You Yan killed Noble Consort Si Xian and framed Liao Ting Yan. Driven by anger, the Marquis of Nan Yan agreed to work with You Yan and began gathering children.
As drought and famine spread across the country, children were found dead in the same manner as Noble Consort Si Xian. The ministers and officials blamed Liao Ting Yan and asked Sima Jiao to burn her. Of course, he didn’t care and continued with his plan to marry her and crown her empress. They held a grand wedding, which made the Marquis furious.
Through Yi Huo, You Yan, and the Marquis learned that Liao Ting Yan was weak. To avoid missing another opportunity, they decided to strike during the worship rite. The Marquis’s goal was the throne, while You Yan’s goal was the imperial seal.
During the fight, Sima Jiao was outnumbered. The Marquis of Nan Yan demanded the imperial seal, and Sima Jiao gave it to him. But before he could celebrate, You Yan snatched the seal from his hand.
Seeing this, Sima Jiao smiled and told the dazed Marquis that he had been used by the demon. Then, Liao Ting Yan appeared, and she and You Yan began to fight. The Marquis saw this as an opportunity to kill Sima Jiao. He managed to stab Sima Jiao, but lost his own life in the process.
When Liao Ting Yan turned her attention to the wounded Sima Jiao, You Yan flew to Hu Mountain. He thought he would succeed, but he didn’t know that he had fallen into Sima Jiao’s trap. Sima Jiao intentionally opened the door to the Nine Nether Purgatory to trap You Yan inside.
You Yan fought as hard as he could. However, he was no match for Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao. Especially after Sima Jiao gained a new Spirit Fire, which made him even more powerful. You Yan was sealed in the Nine Nether Purgatory, leaving only the lifeless Bi’an.
My Two Cents
After watching When Destiny Brings the Demon for the umpteenth time, I realized the ending felt rushed. I wished they had added a few more episodes to make it more satisfying. The moments between Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan became fewer and shorter toward the end, and I craved more time for them to be together.
Additionally, the coup fight could have been staged more grandly. The production team could have taken cues from other dramas with exciting palace battle scenes, such as Fighting for Love, The Rise of Phoenixes, and The Rebel Princess.
Despite these minor dissatisfactions, I was entertained throughout the drama. What about you, dear readers? Did you feel the same way, or did you see it differently? Either way, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment box below. Until next time, I’ll see you again with another drama review and ending explanation post. Happy watching!
