- Drama Title: When Destiny Brings the Demon
- Also Known As: 献鱼, Fish Offer, Long for Fish, Offering Fish , Offering Salted Fish, Offering Salted Fish to Master, Xian Yu, Xiang Shi Zu Xian Shang Xian
- Director: Wen De Guang
- Cast: Chen Fei Yu, Wang Ying Lu
- Screenwriter: Jin Lu
- Genres: Romance, Fantasy
- Episodes: 33
- Date Of Release: August 16, 2025
- Original Network: Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku, Netflix, Viki
- Adapted from the novel “Xiang Shi Zu Xian Shang Xian Yu” by Fu Hua
Dear readers… how are you today? These past few days, I’ve been busy catching up with Chinese dramas, writing notes, and of course, trying to balance it all with my daily routines at home. Sometimes it feels like there aren’t enough hours in a day, but sitting down to share my thoughts with you always gives me joy. So, let’s take a moment to relax together and dive into the world full of magic, adventures, love, in When Destiny Brings the Demon drama review, and of course, Chen Fei Yu. Happy reading! 😉
When Destiny Brings the Demon Synopsis
Zou Yan is an ordinary office worker from a modern world. One day, she suddenly finds herself waking up in the body of a young woman named Liao Ting Yan, a small disciple from Serene Vale Sect. Her fates changed after she was chosen to serve Sima Jiao, a very powerful cultivator and master of Gengchen Celestial Palace.
The infamous Sima Jiao has been sealed in the mountains for 500 years. The long isolation and torture have left him bitter, vengeful, and unpredictable.
Yet, the new Liao Ting Yan is nothing like the original “her”. The real Liao Ting Yan is an assassin from the Demon Realm who was sent to kill Sima Jiao. However, as a modern person, the new Liao Ting Yan thought that surviving a big boss is more important than living with ambition.
She only wants a simple and carefree life. Her laid-back and almost indifferent nature unsettles Sima Jiao, who was used to fear and betrayal. But at the same time, she intrigues him more than anyone ever has. A strange bond begins to grow between the temperamental immortal and the modern slacker.
What starts as a forced arrangement gradually transforms into love that challenges destiny. Across trials, realms, and even lifetimes, their connection is tested again and again. Will their love truly have the power to heal a heart that has been shrouded in darkness for too long?
When Destiny Brings the Demon Drama Review
Back in March 2020, the WHO officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. We started shutting our doors and staying at home. It was such a stressful era. Ambulance sirens blaring almost nonstop, hardly any good news, and everyone worrying about their lives and loved ones. I was no exception. Even now, the sound of sirens still makes me feel uneasy.
When things escalated and my stress level peaked, I desperately looked for something to ease my mind. So I tried many things and eventually found my solace in web novels. I devoured them, Cnovels, Knovels, Jnovels, even western ones.
One of the first that stuck with me was Offering Salted Fish to the Master. I stumbled upon it on Novelupdates.com and read the translation on wordrain69.com. Honestly, I don’t remember much of the story anymore. Yet I remember the title, because, well, I love eating salted fish. 😅
And I’ve said this before somewhere in my review that Cnovel English translation titles are often hilarious. You should check them out sometimes. 😆
As a person who spent years in Cdramaland and Cnovels, I feel that 2025 has been really kind to me. So many great dramas were adapted from web novels. For instance, Legend of the Female General drama, Moonlit Reunion, Summit of Our Youth, Youthful Glory, Deep Affection Eyes, Reborn, The Demon Hunter’s Romance, Our Generation, The Princess’s Gambit, The First Frost, A Moment but Forever, The Best Thing, The Glory, Filter, Fluorished Peony, and The Immortal Ascension. This is a long list, I know. But it’s crucial because I shamelessly wanted to promote my drama review articles.😁
Anyway, Cnovels really opened up a whole new world to me. I grew up on western novels; Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, and R.L. Stine were on my list before I got to know Stephen King, John Grisham, Philip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, Cassandra Clare, and many more. Chinese books were there in the bookstore, but mostly wuxia manhua, which I wasn’t fond of, even though my brother swore by them.
This year, I was both thrilled and excited when I discovered that Cdramaland was brimming with novel adaptation dramas. Some turned out wonderfully, while others… well, let’s just say I chose to regard them as an entirely different story.
If you never read a Cnovel, my dear readers, I highly recommend giving it a try. My dear friend, Dewi, even translated two interesting novels on this website: Ascending Do Not Disturb and Sansheng, Wangchuan Wu Shang. If you read Bahasa Indonesia, you should definitely check them out. They were among the stories that kept me company during the pandemic.
And now, back to the drama (yes, I know. I always say that). 😅
When Destiny Brings the Demon is a collaborative work of art of many people. It comes from the same producers who gave us The Last Immortal, Dark Nuns (a Korean movie), I Am Nobody, Hidden Love, Word of Honor, Kill My Sins, Guess Who I Am, In Blossom, and The Blood of Youth. This time, they bring to life When Destiny Brings the Demon, adapted from the novel Xiang Shi Zu Xian Shang Xian Yu, written by Fu Hua.
The same writer is behind Moonlit Reunion and several other interesting novels. At the helm is director Wen De Guang, who was the brilliant mind behind Love’s Rebellion, The Legend of Heroes, The Legend of Zhuohua, and Story of Yanxi Palace.
Surely, credit must be given to everyone behind the perfect chemistry between Chen Fei Yu and Wang Ying Lu. As a self-proclaimed romance junkie, I can confidently say I was more than satisfied with Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan’s relationship. From the beginning of the drama, I could sense the spark between them.
I really can’t wait for the moment they finally came together. And when it happened, the screen was filled with kissing scenes. Chen Fei Yu and Wang Ying Lu also didn’t shy away from showing just the right amount of skinship that spices up the story.
After Lighter & Princess with Zhang Jing Yi, Chen Fei Yu also appears in this year’s drama Eat Run Love. Unfortunately, the story was not my cup of tea, so I had to drop it halfway. Still, his presence lingered in my mind. And when I finally saw him again in this drama, I was stunned all over again. Chen Fei Yu has that rebellious, pretty-boy aura that fits perfectly with Sima Jiao’s personality.
He carried Sima Jiao’s arrogance and charm so well that I couldn’t imagine anyone else in this role. Even in moments when the script felt a little exaggerated, his presence gave weight. Honestly, Chen Fei Yu as Sima Jiao made me think, “Yes, this is exactly how I picture him”.
Meanwhile, I can’t forget Wang Ying Lu as the indifferent Feng Bao Bao in I Am Nobody and I Am Nobody: The Showdown Between Yin & Yang. Just like Liao Ting Yan, Feng Bao Bao also had that one-of-a-kind personality that made her stand out throughout the series.
Back then, she played a cold, detached, and unfeeling Feng Bao Bao. But here, as Liao Ting Yan, her performance was almost comical. She is carefree, expressive, and bursting with energy. And as the story progressed, you get to see her shift into another different personality and still managed to stun me.
Wang Ying Lu mailed it as Liao Ting Yan, and I think this is the perfect time to announce it loud and proud: I’m officially her fangirl now. 😁
The Story – A Master’s Pain and A Capybara’s Gain
The love story of Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao was fascinating because of their starkly different personalities and backgrounds. There were so many things to gossip… err comment, about them.
Our odd couple was formed from the rigid and vengeful Sima Jiao, who came from a magical world where only the strongest held the power. Meanwhile, Liao Ting Yan was a modern woman with a modern mindset. She strongly believed in the core ethical principle that human life is sacred and valuable. In short, his world was about “kill or be killed”, whereas hers was more like “let’s talk about it first, shall we?”.
This contrast showed how different they were from each other. Sima Jiao had always lived in bitterness, mistrust, and constant wariness of others. He was so used to being feared by others that when he realized that Liao Ting Yan didn’t fear him and treated him like an ordinary person, it shocked him.
Modern people were highly adaptable. We live in a world where changes happen constantly. Technology, jobs, trends, and even social norms evolve so quickly that people grow used to adjusting. We are also exposed to different cultures, ideas, and lifestyles, and it makes us more flexible in thinking and open to alternatives.
And without even realizing it, we are always in “resilience training” our whole lives. Yes, we don’t face knives, swords, or arrows. But climate change, job insecurity, economic shift, and pandemic were our biggest fears.
And this is where Liao Ting Yan’s personality shines, as well as being hilarious. At first, she was terrified of Sima Jiao’s cruelty. But then survival instinct kicked in. Liao Ting Yan used everything she knew about enduring a terrible boss in the workplace.
In this world, losing her job means losing her life. So she became a very obedient subordinate who often used sweet talk to keep the big boss happy and calm (or looked like one).
And although her bootlicking skills were only so-so, she did her best to make Sima Jiao at least look less stormy. Each night, the only thought before bed was a simple gratitude for surviving the day.
Well, many people entertain themselves with horror movies simply because losing their jobs is scarier than meeting a ghost. Do you agree? 😉
That’s why I love Liao Ting Yan’s character so much. She was an incredibly special character that I found in Cdramaland. She is not a powerful character who crushes enemies, nor a helpless damsel who constantly needs to be protected. She simply wants to do what she can do and not become a burden for anyone, especially not to Sima Jiao.
Her positive outlook allows her to see right through him and discover that beneath his thorny character is a man who just longs for warmth. And this is what makes Sima Jiao gradually fall for her. She sees him as a human being.
In terms of appearance, Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan were like heaven and earth. Sima Jiao looks like a noble prince. Despite his terrible temper, he is the epitome of elegance in the form of a pretty boy. It’s not about how he dressed, but the aura he carried. His movements are smooth, never rushed or clumsy. He speaks (his threats 😆) in a tender and calm voice.
He remains composed when others lose their cool. His presence speaks louder than his name. Meanwhile, Liao Ting Yan is the complete opposite. Her face is an open book. Every emotion, whether joy, anger, disappointment, or sadness, is right there on display.
She is loud, awkward, clumsy, and always talks too much. When she walks inside the room, people notice because of the noise and chaos she brings. Definitely not because of her charm. Yet her honesty, sincerity, and kindness radiate from her. She is like a capybara, harmless, easy-going, and able to get along with anyone.
The whole differences, both in personalities, appearance, and background, form the foundation of the story. Together, they embody the timeless idea that love can overcome all barriers.
Aside from Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao’s relationship, we also get a second couple, Hei Nian Jiu and Ye Ru Ling. Ye Ru Ling is a complicated character, constantly swaying between good and bad because of her responsibility. Still, her genuine fondness for Liao Ting Yan makes it easier for me to brush off her mistakes.
As for her romance with Hei Nian Jiu, it should have been an interesting pairing. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite feel the sparks between Wang Yi Ting and Gao Han. Don’t get me wrong, they both did a good job in their roles, just maybe not as a couple for me. ☹️
The ending of When Destiny Brings the Demon is a rocky path. However, it was a happy and satisfying ending for all of them. I bet you all wondered if Liao Ting Yan returned to her world or not. Well, you can read it on my Ending Explained post later.
The Story – Kiss First, Heal Later
I love When Destiny Brings the Demon because the whole story progresses smoothly. The pacing was perfect, not too fast nor too slow. The first arc, when Liao Ting Yan and Sima Jiao stayed at the Three Saints Mountain, was the longest.
This is the time when the romance began to take root, sprinkled with humour and light-hearted moments. In my opinion, it was actually the best part of the show.
The second and third arcs of their relationship were the trials filled with separation and heartbreak. I cried during this parts. The second arc is crucial for Liao Ting Yan because it is where she had to face her special identity as Fish Frost from the Demon Realm. Thankfully, the tender moments, the kisses, and Sima Jiao’s presence often eased the tension I felt throughout these episodes
So, in short, the first arc centered on Sima Jiao, the second arc on Liao Ting Yan, and the third arc on both of them, finally confronting their strongest enemy to claim their happiness.
When Destiny Brings the Demon is not only a love story between Liao Ting Yan/Zou Yan and Sima Jiao, but also about a healing journey. It gives us a clear message that childhood trauma is no joke. It was unfortunate for Sima Jiao because he grew up surrounded by toxic people who took advantage of him.
The prolonged abuse, exploitation, and being treated as a resource rather than a human being slowly stripped away his humanity. Because to survive, he numbed all his emotions, built walls of mistrust, and cultivated ruthlessness as a defence mechanism. Sima Jiao’s cruelty was not born pure from malice, but from necessity.
Liao Ting Yan represents the antithesis of his world. Physically, her cold constitution soothed the burning pain. Emotionally, her relaxed personality eased his tense heart. Thus, this drama is not just about romance, but about love, presented through humour, daily companionship, and sincerity, which can act as a catalyst for trauma recovery.
As the story progressed, Sima Jiao learned what it feels like to have faith and hope. At the same time, Liao Ting Yan learned how to steel her heart. She stepped out of her safe bubble and faced the cruelty of the world. Together, through all the rocky paths and trials, they grew into better, stronger versions of themselves.
The Visual – From Grand Sets to Goofy Pet
The Visual of When Destiny Brings the Demon is a charm. Some scenes will make you go “Aaaahhh”, while others might have you snorting with laughter. Truly. That’s what’s happened to me. For example, the Baifeng Mountain scene and the giant snake were a bit meh. But then I was in awe at smaller details, like the soft light radiating from Sima Jiao’s body when he tried to locate Liao Ting Yan. 😍
But my absolute favorite was the sets. The production team must have worked very hard to design such intricate and detailed backdrops. There were so many different locations, and while the Eight Palaces look similar at first glance, if you pay close attention, you’ll notice the unique details on each set.
And of course, I can’t forget the Spirit Fire. Somehow, it reminded me so much of Calcifer from Howl’s Moving Castle. Not only the fiery appearance, but also the grumpy personality. 😆
The Characters
Sima Jiao (Played by Chen Fei Yu)
As the powerful grandmaster of the Gencheng Celestial Palace, Sima Jiao was living like a walking gold mine. The leaders of the Eight Palaces needed his pure blood for themselves because the Sima clan’s body and blood is a rare medicine that can improve cultivation. And since he was just a child, Sima Jiao had no power to resist.
To protect Sima Jiao from those who sought his life, his parents fused the Spirit Fire into his body. While it granted him invincible power, it also condemned him to endless excruciating pain. Enduring such a hellish life for 500 years twisted his personality.
He grew into an apathetic, vengeful person who was ruthless and hot-tempered. But everything began to change after he met Liao Ting Yan. With her unique perspective and laid-back personality, she slowly softened his rough edges, teaching him what it meant to care for others and even show a little empathy.
Beneath his cold (but handsome) exterior, Sima Jiao still had good qualities in him. He was fiercely protective of those closest to him. Though he rarely said kind words, those who knew him best, like Hei Nian Jiu and Lio Ting Yan, understood that deep down inside, he was a good person.
Even so, mark my word, he could be merciless to people who are evil to him. Sima Jiao was also remarkably clever. He was shrewd and had his own calculations about everything. He could predict things with almost uncanny accuracy. The only thing he could never quite understand was Liao Ting Yan and her one-of-a-kind personality.
Liao Ting Yan / Shi Yan / Zou Yan (Played by Wang Ying Lu)
As a modern world’s office worker, Zou Yan was used to the fast-paced lifestyle, endless pressure, poor work-life balance, job insecurity, office politics, and cutthroat competition. All of that eventually led to both physical and mental strain. So when she woke up in the magical world of Liao Ting Yan, Zou Yan was elated, and she treated it like a holiday. 😆
Let’s be real, who wouldn’t want that kind of life? A laid-back life without deadlines chasing you or targets breathing down your neck? I meant… Me want it!!🙋🏻♀️
The original Liao Ting Yan was supposed to be a cold-blooded assassin with a mission to kill Sima Jiao. But the new Liao Ting Yan? She only wanted to live like a salted fish (Chinese slang for someone with zero ambitions and just wants to lie around. Basically, a couch potato or slacker).
She has no interest in political struggles among the women sent to serve Sima Jiao. Even when she became his chosen one, all she wanted was to laze around, enjoy good food, and sleep soundly, free from any grand ambitions.
To her, Sima Jiao was just a big boss, while she happily positioned herself as a devoted follower/obedient subordinate in the office. Yet beneath the carefree attitude, this Liao Ting Yan had a soft heart, incredible adaptability, honesty, and a firm belief that the only way to survive this dog-eat-dog world was to cling tightly to Sima Jiao.
The real Liao Ting Yan has a special constitution. Her body carries an extreme cold nature. This explains why whenever Sima Jiao touches her, the burning pain that torments him is instantly soothed, and even his anger eases.
Ye Ru Ling / Hong Luo (Played by Wang Yi Ting)
Ye Ru Ling is the illegitimate daughter of Yin Liu Nian, the master of Yin Palace. But because her mother came from the Demon Realm, Ye Ru Ling grew up in harsh conditions with her mother and sister, Ye Cang Lan.
She, her family, and the people of the Demon Realm were treated as lowly slaves by the Yin Palace. Before her death, her mother entrusted her with a difficult mission: to lead their people back to the Demon Realm.
But accomplishing this was nearly impossible because the powerful barrier between the two realms was set up by the Sima clan. Which meant only Sima Jiao and the mysterious Fish Frost had the power to break it.
When Ye Ru Ling was sent to the Three Saint Mountain to serve Sima Jiao, she met Liao Ting Yan. Her warm, sincere, and easy-going personality immediately drew her in.
Ye Ru Ling enjoyed her company and was genuinely fond of her. As a person, Ye Ru Ling is intelligent and calculating, yet also compassionate. She often finds herself torn between her personal desires and the responsibility she bears for her people.
Hei Nian Jiu (Played by Gao Han)
Hei Nian Jiu used to be Sima Jiao’s “foolish snake”. He gained a human form after meeting Ye Ru Ling from the Yin Palace. And from then on, he turned into a love-struck fool, trailing after her like a lost puppy.
Hei Nian Jiu isn’t a bad person. He was just too naïve and had no one to guide him properly. Sima Jiao was kind to him in his own way, but he was never the type of master who would actually mentor others. So, it wasn’t Hei Nian Jiu’s fault that he ended up being such a fool. 😅
Like a loyal dog, Hei Nian Jiu would do anything for the people he cared about. Like Liao Ting Yan, he could also be considered a devoted follower/obedient subordinate to Sima Jiao.
But as a person, he couldn’t leave Ye Ru Ling as his heart was bent on her. As he slowly learned the ways of the human world, Hei Nian Jiu’s mind grew sharper, and he became much more reliable. Still, it took him years before he could reach that level of intelligence.
The Conclusion
When Destiny Brings the Demon is definitely a drama that you need to consider putting on your watch list. As for me, I already put it on my rewatch list. This drama did a good job in their main focus: romance. Everything was sweet, tender, and heartwarming, with just the right amount of humor to brighten up your busy day.
So, after reading this review, have you decided to watch When Destiny Brings the Demon? I would love to hear your thought on it. Thanks for spending your time with me, dear readers. More drama reviews are coming soon, so stay tuned. Happy watching!
