In the fantasy drama The Unclouded Soul (逍遥), the line between comedy and impending doom is thrillingly thin. The story follows Xiao Yao (肖瑶), a spirited young woman accidentally thrust into the ancient conflict between humans and the Yaoguai (妖怪, mystical beings of folklore), mystical beings of folklore. Her unlikely ally is the formidable Yaoguai leader, Hong Ye (红烨). Their dynamic, filled with bickering and unexpected warmth, becomes the show's heart. The recent episode set in Pingjiang Fu (平江府) highlights this perfectly, blending slapstick humor with serious questions about prejudice and survival, all anchored by Tan Songyun's brilliantly witty performance as Xiao Yao.
Xiao Yao's Charm
Tan Songyun brings an infectious energy to Xiao Yao. She is not a typical heroine; she is quick-witted, stubbornly principled against injustice, and uses her human cunning as her primary weapon. Falsely accused of being a spy within the Yaoguai refuge, her response isn't despair but defiant action. To prove her loyalty, she volunteers for a near-impossible mission: stealing the enchanted blade of the chief demon hunter, Bing Zhu (秉烛). Her motivation is pure and relatable—she hates being wronged. This clear-eyed determination makes her immensely likable. She isn't waiting for rescue; she is orchestrating her own redemption, often with a clever plan and a cheeky smile.
Her humor is her shield and her tool. When required to learn a survival skill, she doesn't ask for a combat spell. Instead, she ingeniously requests the magic to turn leaves into silver, understanding that in the human world, wealth opens more doors than brute force. This pragmatic, almost modern sensibility creates hilarious friction with her more traditional Yaoguai companions, Da Li (大丽) and Luo Luo (啰啰), who are baffled by her priorities. Her comedy arises from her character, not just situational gags, making every laugh feel earned and authentic.
This charm is crucial for the story's balance. The Unclouded Soul deals with weighty themes of genocide and hatred, embodied by the ruthless human Feiyu Wei (飞羽卫) forces. Xiao Yao's levity prevents the narrative from becoming bogged down in darkness. She is the audience's conduit, approaching this dangerous, ancient feud with a refreshingly human perspective—one that values a good meal, a nice outfit from Jinxiu Fang (锦绣坊), and fair treatment for all, whether human or Yaoguai.
A Day in Pingjiang
Xiao Yao's mission leads her, Da Li, and Luo Luo into the bustling human city of Pingjiang Fu. The sequence is a masterclass in comedic storytelling and world-building. Xiao Yao's faith in her leaf-turned-silver is immediately tested when a corrupt guard confiscates it as a "fine." Unfazed, she adapts, scattering the remaining silver to create a diversion—a moment of pure, chaotic genius. Once inside, the trio's adventures highlight the stark contrast between the two worlds. They marvel at human luxuries, from fine clothes to elaborate tavern food, with Da Li wistfully admiring cosmetics.
This foray isn't just for supplies. It sparks a radical idea in Xiao Yao's mind: if Hong Ye could experience the joy and beauty of the human world, perhaps his deep-seated hatred would soften. In a bold move, she uses a magical jade pendant to summon him for a "day out." What follows is a beautifully layered sequence. She eagerly shows him street food like Tanghulu (糖葫芦) and tea, but for Hong Ye, the experience is haunting. He sees not just Xiao Yao, but echoes of a painful past, a woman named Ning'an (宁安).
The outing captures their complex bond. When Xiao Yao's righteous anger leads her to confront bullying Feiyu Wei soldiers, Hong Ye indulges her, subtly aiding her mischief with a fond, almost imperceptible smile. This "she causes trouble, he quietly enables it" dynamic is deeply engaging. Yet, the fantasy shatters when a careless moment sets a street ablaze. Hong Ye's frustration erupts, not at the fire, but at her naivete. His harsh reminder that she is merely a human caught in a deadly conflict serves as a cold splash of reality, foreshadowing the inevitable clash their worlds face.
The Inevitable Clash
Beneath the comedy, the episode meticulously builds tension. Hong Ye's final words to Xiao Yao are a sobering warning. He points out the windows of Pingjiang Fu, each plastered with talismans meant to ward off his kind. This visual symbolizes the unbridgeable fear and hostility of humans. "When war comes again," he silently wonders, "which side will you stand on?" This question hangs over their relationship, making every lighthearted moment feel precious and precarious.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yao's mission proceeds with farcical brilliance. Understanding human nature, she heads not to a fortress, but to a Qinglou (青楼, entertainment house), the city's information hub. Here, her theory about silver's power is proven spectacularly true. By offering a chest of it as a reward for "borrowing" the sacred blade, she sets off a greedy chain reaction that reaches the highest local officials. The Prefect and the Garrison Commander comically compete with absurd excuses about sick relatives needing exorcisms, exposing human corruption as a far greater and more laughable threat than any Yaoguai trickery.
The episode concludes with these parallel plots unresolved but deeply engaging. Bing Zhu, the demon hunter, grows suspicious and goes undercover himself. The stage is set for a convergence. While some narrative jumps feel abrupt, the emotional throughline remains strong. We are left invested in Xiao Yao's safety, curious about Hong Ye's past, and amused by the sheer chaos she unleashes. The Unclouded Soul succeeds because it never lets us forget the coming storm, even as we enjoy the sunny, funny, and oddly touching interlude in its eye. Tan Songyun makes us believe in Xiao Yao's impossible dream of peace, one clever scheme and genuine laugh at a time.
