Guardian Episode 11 Recap
> Guardian Recap
The tragic story of Ge Lan and Sang Zan concludes. Consumed by hatred for the tribal rules that caused Ge Lan's death, Sang Zan confesses to poisoning the elder, believing his own soul was forfeit the moment he took revenge. When the tribe attempts to exhume and burn Ge Lan's body, they unearth the Mountain-River Awl. To stop the cycle of violence, Sang Zan activates the hallow, transforming into a being of pure energy.
He warns his people to flee before the Awl's power permanently encases him in ice. Zhao Yunlan and the Black Robed Envoy confirm Sang Zan's identity as the transparent energy being trapped within the ice. Just as they begin the rescue, Zhu Jiu springs his trap, revealing he orchestrated the entire ordeal to use human power to claim the Mountain-River Awl.
A fierce battle erupts between Zhu Jiu and the Black Robed Envoy, and the force of their clashing dark energy splinters the ice tomb. Freed but weak, Sang Zan joins the fight. When Zhu Jiu tries to absorb his energy, Wang Zheng uses her own power to shield him. This gives the Black Robed Envoy an opening to seize the Mountain-River Awl from the fissure, while Zhao Yunlan fires a specialized bullet, forcing the wounded Zhu Jiu to retreat.
The Black Robed Envoy suspects that Zhu Jiu's meticulous plan points to a greater conspiracy. Moved by Wang Zheng's desperate pleas and Zhao's empathy, he agrees to use the Mountain-River Awl to restore Sang Zan. His energy body rebuilt, Sang Zan is brought to the SID as the new file clerk, a "punishment" Zhao jokingly assigns for their long separation. As energy beings are sensitive to sunlight, Zhao arranges for them to travel after sunset.
Back at the SID, Zhao and the Black Robed Envoy discuss the case, agreeing there is likely a mastermind behind Zhu Jiu, especially since the hallows can backfire on Subterraneans. Zhao later muses to Da Qing about the Black Robed Envoy's true identity, wondering if such a powerful being could live among humans. Da Qing admits that despite his vast knowledge, the supreme leader of the Subterraneans is a complete mystery to him.
Meanwhile, Guo Changcheng laments his own uselessness in battle, wishing for Zhao’s composure or Chu’s dependable strength. While the team is away, Shen Wei prepares for their return by using Serpent Hypnosis on Guo Changcheng, compelling him to forget his name until Zhao Yunlan is back safely. The SID later returns to a triumphant welcome from the villagers.
At the celebratory feast, Zhao drinks heavily, and a concerned Shen Wei, who normally abstains, drinks a bowl of strong liquor on Zhao's behalf, only to immediately pass out. Later that night, while looking after the unconscious professor, Zhao Yunlan detects a foul, familiar odor on Shen Wei's clothes: the unmistakable stench of Underworld beast blood. The realization is instant and absolute—Professor Shen Wei is the Black Robed Envoy.
When Shen Wei awakens the next morning, he finds the SID has already left, leaving behind only a short note from Zhao, a clear signal that his identity has been discovered. A new case develops at a research institute, where director Zheng Zhongyuan and his team are using high-frequency ultrasound to gruesomely kill fish. A compassionate researcher, Tan Xiao, is disgusted by the cruelty and is promptly fired.
To celebrate, Zheng has his 15-year-old mute step-daughter, Zheng Yi, play the violin. After seeing his daughter off, Zheng returns to the lab, where a chilling voice announces his time is up. A powerful ultrasonic wave kills him and his team. The deaths are staged as suicides, with the victims seemingly compelled by dark energy to slash their wrists. Zhao dispatches Chu to track down the missing Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi.
Meanwhile, Lin Jing discovers Zheng's last phone call was to a landline, which is answered by Shen Wei. Concurrently, Zhao sends Zhu Hong and Guo Changcheng to find her Fourth Uncle, a Serpent elder, to inquire about the history of the hallows. Wary of her involvement in human affairs, her uncle tricks her into drinking realgar wine, a substance potent only to serpents. As her strength drains away, she realizes he has trapped her to keep her out of the conflict, leaving a panicked Guo Changcheng helpless.
