Guardian Episode 25 Recap
> Guardian Recap
Following the revelation of Zhu Hao's case, Zhao Yunlan finds no further clues from him and decides to send him back to the Marine Administration for custody. However, strange personality changes begin to manifest within the department. Da Qing, usually fond of snacks, complains bitterly after an interrogation, recounting how Zhu Hao violently attacked a waiter with a beer bottle without any provocation.
Guo Changcheng, previously timid, transforms into an aggressive and short-tempered individual, yelling at his colleagues for touching his diary. Zhu Hong, known for her strong demeanor, becomes uncharacteristically demure and openly affectionate toward an uncomfortable Zhao Yunlan. The change in Chu Shuzhi is even more drastic, with his new effeminate behavior horrifying Zhao Yunlan. Da Qing also acts strangely, dismissing his favorite snacks and declaring that the Special Investigation Department has "perished."
Faced with these bewildering transformations, Zhao Yunlan feels overwhelmed, with only himself, Shen Wei, and Lin Jing seemingly unaffected, though Lin Jing appears to be hiding something. Zhao Yunlan goes to the hospital for the victim's test results and encounters a highly agitated patient, Kong Jing, who is restrained. Kong Jing, an aspiring actor, tries to convince everyone he isn't sick and even feigns an asthma attack.
Dr. Cheng clarifies that Kong Jing is obsessed with acting and carries an asthma spray despite not having the condition. He has been diagnosed with delusional disorder, also known as paranoia, and claims to possess 99 different personalities. Dr. Cheng finds this claim medically unbelievable, explaining that such extreme personality dissociation would cause unbearable pain leading to death.
When Zhao Yunlan asks if the condition is infectious, Dr. Cheng confirms it is not, leading Zhao to conclude that psychic powers are at play and that Zhu Hao is the source. Zhao Yunlan learns that Zhu Hao has escaped from the heavily guarded Marine Administration. Soon after, Guo Changcheng and Da Qing proudly announce they have recaptured him, with Guo Changcheng still displaying his aggressive new personality and Chu Shuzhi gazing at him with admiration for his "manliness."
When brought back, Zhu Hao has reverted to his original, timid personality, denying any wrongdoing. Pressed by Zhao Yunlan, Zhu Hao recounts a New Year's Eve incident where his car brushed past a pregnant woman, but insists she was unharmed. He then recalls picking up a familiar-looking man in his taxi shortly before his assault on the waiter.
After identifying the man from a photo, and just as he is about to reveal more, an arrow from outside pierces his chest, killing him instantly. Following Zhu Hao's assassination, Zhao Yunlan, Chu Shuzhi, and Guo Changcheng split up to search for the assailant. During the search, Zhao Yunlan is captured by the escaped Kong Jing. Struggling with his fragmented mind, Kong Jing expresses admiration for Zhao Yunlan's competence, calling him a "perfect existence."
He reveals his plan to transfer his many personalities into Zhao Yunlan's body, which he deems more worthy. As the restrained Zhao Yunlan watches Kong Jing channel dark energy toward him, Shen Wei and the SID team arrive. Shen Wei swiftly incapacitates Kong Jing, who then, in agony, begs to be killed. Zhao Yunlan attempts to trick him into untying him, but before more information can be extracted, Kong Jing is fatally shot by an arrow fired by a Werecrow.
The Werecrow is accompanied by the Master of the Karma Brush. The Werecrow notes that with Kong Jing dead, the "schizophrenic virus" will become ineffective. The Master of the Karma Brush then speaks of their "boss's 10,000-year plan of rejuvenation," revealing Kong Jing's death marks the thirtieth 'mark' in Dragon City, with only three more needed.
He taunts Zhao Yunlan by mentioning his "beloved son" being tormented in the Palace of Lord Earth and reminding Zhao of his own past trauma before they depart. With Kong Jing, the source of the personality mutations, now dead, all those afflicted begin to return to their normal selves. With the source gone, the affected members of the SID return to normal.
Guo Changcheng, his kind self once more, frequently visits the cemetery, bringing flowers and food to honor those connected to their cases, including Li Qian's grandmother, Zuma, and Kong Jing. Meanwhile, Lin Jing discovers a syringe with pinholes in the area where Kong Jing was found, confirming it was likely used for injection.
At the cemetery, Guo Changcheng's acts of kindness are observed by Dongnan, a frail Werecrow with a weak constitution who, estranged from her own kind, has chosen to live out her final days in the human cemetery. Deeply moved by Guo's selfless compassion, Dongnan tells him she has never witnessed such genuine kindness. As her life ebbs away, she thanks him and asks him to continue bringing her favorite foods to her grave.
After Dongnan's death, another Werecrow appears, confirming Dongnan was one of them and expressing gratitude to Guo Changcheng for bringing her joy in her final moments. Upholding their principle of returning every favor, the Werecrow presents Guo Changcheng with a token that grants him one wish. Guo Changcheng immediately requests that they cease aiding their villainous boss and stop being enemies with the Special Investigation Department. The Werecrow, however, only promises not to harm Guo and advises him to choose his path carefully.
