Bai Yao Pu Episode 4 Discussion

whither said:
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
----------------------------------------
Just like with the fox, the priestess starts out by saying she can't do anything to save the bird. The store owner really poisoned the little monk boy and the baby fox just to force her hand, damn. Ruthless, but understandable.

I wonder what that huge snake spirit's relation to the little boy is? His guardian spirit? Something to do with why he was abandoned as a baby? I guess we'll find out later in the story.

Of course the priestess quickly gave in and agreed to help the bird. The way she talks may be callous but her actions ultimately show her true self. Her method of revealing her patient's past is pretty visually interesting. But the show reused the animation sequence from the fox so she pulls on the exact same thread. I feel like that should have been switched up.

The bird only ever wanted to bring people happiness, but he didn't realize just how horrible people can be when money's at stake. That's why he ended up taking residence at a poor family's house - to see where true happiness comes from. Unfortunately, the woman's son became so focused on earning money that he spent less and less time with his mom. So even though their financial situation improved and their house was renovated, she became less happy. He even used origami his mom made to wipe his shoe :( Then he went and joined the army in hopes of more glory, only to lose his life. The bird realized that money can't bring happiness. Even the neighbour, who bragged about how well her son was doing, was secretly sad and neglected. The bird merged found the son's body on the battlefield, and merged with it to return to his mother. Cool to have this backstory after the last episode. But that magic was too taxing, which is why he's dying now.

The bird was saved, and just like the fox, the cost is promising the priestess one body part for her to use as medicine some time in the future. But I have a feeling that "contract" is just a pretense for her to hide her true kindness behind a facade of "just doing business". I don't think she would ever actually claim their body parts, at least not while they're still alive. The store owner tries to pretend that he only wanted the bird saved so he could get gold, but the priestess calls out his lie since he clearly cares about the bird. Then the store owner says "I didn't expect someone like you to care about other's lives". Just back and forth pot calling the kettle black, hmmm? What a bunch of lovable dorks.

Then in the ending scene we see that the couple that the store owner kicked out last episode is putting on a show mourning a lost mom in public. So he probably kicked them out for being ungrateful towards her in life. I think the show will do this a lot - introduce a character as sinister before revealing that they are a cinnamon roll through and through.