Guardian Episode 32 Recap
> Guardian Recap
After Zhu Hong's harrowing dream came to an end, a pervasive sense of unease settled over everyone, leaving them fearful and unable to rest. Meanwhile, online rumors intensified, viciously targeting Chu Shuzhi and resurrecting his painful past, even dragging his family into the mud. For Chu Shuzhi, his deceased younger brother, Chu Nianzhi, was a sacred and inviolable memory. The online attacks breached this sanctity, pushing Chu Shuzhi's century-long self-restraint to its breaking point.
His heart, long suppressed, now churned with a desire to annihilate those who verbally abused and tormented others from behind screens. Chu Shuzhi confronted Zhao Yunlan, fiercely demanding to go to Subterrane alone to bring the Black-Robed Envoy back. Zhao Yunlan refused, deeming Subterrane unsafe. Chu Shuzhi was furious, explaining that while he accepted the consequences of his crimes from a hundred years ago, he could not stand by while his family was slandered.
He yearned to return to his homeland, the very place that had birthed him and led him down an irreversible path. Realizing Chu Shuzhi's resolve, Zhao Yunlan relented but ordered Guo Changcheng to follow him closely and report any incident immediately. Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng ventured to the portal connecting the human realm and Subterrane. After kicking a bewildered Guo Changcheng through the gate, Chu Shuzhi followed.
Inside Subterrane, he confronted the Regent, whom he correctly suspected had become the Night King's pawn, demanding to know the Black-Robed Envoy's whereabouts. The Regent feigned ignorance, but Chu Shuzhi saw through his deceit, exposing his connection to the emerged Night King. The Regent warned Chu Shuzhi not to jeopardize his impending freedom, but Chu defiantly declared that he had worn the Spring and Autumn Cangue voluntarily and could not be trapped.
Realizing the Regent was useless, Chu Shuzhi decided to return to report to Zhao Yunlan, but first led Guo Changcheng to retrieve something important. He dug through a century of layered earth and unearthed an ancient, wrapped box, only to find it empty. The hope drained from Chu Shuzhi's face as his heart shattered; the box was supposed to hold the last remnants of his beloved brother, but it contained nothing.
Chu Shuzhi was consumed by memories of his twin brother, Chu Nianzhi. Though they shared an inseparable bond, Nianzhi dreamt of becoming a hero like the Black-Robed Envoy. His ambition led him astray, and after causing multiple deaths, he was sentenced to execution by the Regent. Chu Shuzhi, bearing an identical face, tried to take the blame for his frail brother. However, the merciless Regent, unable to distinguish between them, subjected both to inhuman torture.
Nianzhi died at the execution ground, and the enraged, heartbroken Chu Shuzhi's personality fractured. His violent side erupted, and after a murderous rampage, he was bound by the Spring and Autumn Cangue for a century. With his sentence nearly complete, the Night King had no intention of letting him find peace. Maddened by the loss of his brother's memento, Chu Shuzhi raced towards the sky pillar, finding an unconscious Black-Robed Envoy bound by shackles.
His attempt to use his puppet powers only seemed to cause the Envoy more pain. Suddenly, the Night King's voice echoed, morphing into Chu Nianzhi's image to torment Chu Shuzhi. The fleeting appearances of his brother’s face drove Chu Shuzhi to the brink of insanity. In a final, cruel twist, the Night King seemingly killed Guo Changcheng before his eyes, causing Chu Shuzhi's world to crumble as he watched another person he cared for fall.
Chu Shuzhi awoke from what felt like a terrifyingly real dream and was summoned by Zhao Yunlan. Zhao confirmed that what Chu had seen was true: Shen Wei was indeed trapped and unconscious beneath the sky pillar, and he urged Chu to rest. To Chu's astonishment, Guo Changcheng then appeared, perfectly fine. Guo explained that he had only feigned death to deceive the Night King.
Despite this seemingly happy outcome, Chu Shuzhi felt a lingering pain in his heart, a deep emotional ache that persisted from the dream. He remained disoriented and plagued by self-doubt, grappling with the blurred lines between his nightmare and reality.
