Maiden and Shadow

A-Deng, a lantern bearer who has lost her memory, wanders the mortal world carrying a bronze soul lantern. There, she encounters Xie Jingchen, the General of Dingyuan, who is burdened by a long-standing injustice that has plagued his family. Together, they investigate a series of supernatural mysteries, including the vengeful spirits haunting the Liu Manor and eerie disturbances within frontier military camps. As they unravel these cases, they gradually uncover the long-buried truth behind a devastating war between humans and demons that took place three centuries ago. A-Deng and Ying, whose heart has been consumed by obsession and resentment, are revealed to be twin souls split from the divine spirit of the Creator God. Meanwhile, the Xie family has for generations carried the sacred duty of protecting the soul lantern, while Qin Chong, the empire's powerful Chancellor, is exposed as the hidden leader of the demon clan living among humans. After a thousand years of misunderstanding, Ying and A-Deng finally reconcile. However, Ying sacrifices herself to seal away an ancient evil threatening all realms. In the end, A-Deng and Xie Jingchen restore peace to the empire and set out on a journey across the three realms, carrying fragments of Ying's remaining soul in search of a way to reunite her spirit.