Guardian Episode 33 Recap
> Guardian Recap
Following his confrontation with Zhao Yunlan, Chu Shuzhi found himself trapped in a dream orchestrated by Mr. Nightmare. In this illusory world, a healthy Guo Changcheng appeared, affectionately calling Chu Shuzhi "brother." This dream version of Guo Changcheng noted Chu Shuzhi's discomfort, as he relived being flogged and burned, a pain he was willing to endure for his late brother, Chu Nianzhi, whom he couldn't save.
The fake Guo sympathized, expressed his own brotherly affection for Chu, and then suggested they return to Subterrane with Nianzhi. He argued their fates were controlled by powerful figures like the Regent, questioning the point of safety. When Chu Shuzhi asked how he knew about the Regent's involvement, the imposter deflected, claiming it was a guess. The manipulation deepened as "Guo Changcheng," after learning about Nianzhi's love for food, offered to cook for Chu.
He then asked to see Nianzhi within the puppet doll and proposed the idea of reviving him using the Hallows. When Chu Shuzhi dismissed it as impossible, "Guo" argued that he himself had been revived after dying, preying on Chu's guilt. He claimed to have read in an SID library book that a dead person with an "intact body"—like Nianzhi's state inside the doll—could be brought back. He downplayed the risks, promising an end to Chu Shuzhi's long nightmare. "
Guo" led Chu Shuzhi to the SID, explaining they needed to break its protective shield so Nianzhi, a Subterranean, could enter. As Chu Shuzhi prepared to strike the shield, he set a trap, suggesting they dine together afterward and eat the spiciest food. " Guo" readily agreed, exclaiming, "the spicier, the better." This immediately exposed the deception, as Chu Shuzhi never eats spicy food, a fact the real Guo Changcheng would never forget.
Realizing the trick, Chu demanded to know the imposter's identity. The illusion revealed himself as Mr. Nightmare and taunted Chu, who shattered the fake Guo with a single strike, breaking free from the dream. However, the dream shifted to confront him with the painful truth of his past. He relived an argument with his twin brother, Chu Nianzhi, who wanted to go above ground and "be a hero," accusing Chu Shuzhi of wasting his talent on a puppet doll.
The dream then revealed the horrific reality: it was Chu Shuzhi who had gotten into a fight at a bar and killed someone. His gentle, identical twin, Chu Nianzhi, was mistaken for him. In the brutal justice of Subterrane, the innocent Nianzhi was surrounded by those seeking "a life for a life" and burned to death. In his final moments, Nianzhi used his ability for the first and only time, shrinking his essence into the puppet doll.
Upon learning this, a grief-stricken Chu Shuzhi had gone on a vengeful rampage, leading to his sentence of 100 years of imprisonment. The dream forced him to face the reality that he was responsible for his beloved brother's death. Chu Shuzhi awoke, frantically calling for Guo Changcheng, only to realize he had never returned.
The truth crashed down on him: influenced by the nightmare, he had not only been the cause of his brother's death but had now endangered another important person, Guo Changcheng, whose fate in Subterrane was grim. Overwhelmed by grief, Chu collapsed. Zhao Yunlan, witnessing his despair, couldn't bring himself to reproach him.
Mr. Nightmare's voice echoed, mocking the idea of finding real joy, declaring that some are "doomed to live in darkness forever" and that he would be the "master of all this." Meanwhile, the SID team worried for Guo, hoping his noted resilience would see him through. Receiving news from Subterrane, Zhao Yunlan instructed Da Qing to watch over Chu Shuzhi and went alone.
In the Palace of Lord Earth, he found a severely injured Guo Changcheng, with Shen Wei's Gonggong Long Sword beside him. It was clear that as the Night King attacked Guo, an injured Shen Wei had used his remaining power to protect him and send him away from the Sky Pillar. Zhao was then confronted by the "shadow man" who had once stolen the Longevity Sundial, whom he recognized as the Black Robed Envoy.
The Envoy explained he had been released from prison to fight the Night King but had escaped. Nearby, Zhao found Shen Wei bound by cursed chains. The Black Robed Envoy revealed that while Shen Wei had once captured him, he had also cared for his family and pleaded for mercy on his behalf. Recognizing Shen Wei's past kindness and seeing the Night King's true goal of domination, the Envoy felt honor-bound to help.
Zhao took the Gonggong Long Sword and tried to break the chains, but the dark magic repeatedly threw him back. Despite Shen Wei's desperate pleas for him to stop, Zhao persisted. Witnessing this, the Black Robed Envoy took the sword and, with a final, powerful blow, sacrificed his own life to shatter the chains and free Shen Wei. Zhao Yunlan returned to the SID with the unconscious Guo Changcheng, entrusting him to Chu Shuzhi and Da Qing.
He then escorted the injured Shen Wei home, who savored the simple pleasure of sunlight after his long confinement. They discussed Mr. Nightmare's failed attempts to trap Chu and Zhu Hong, noting their growing inner strength. Zhao acknowledged the increasing dangers but admitted his exhaustion. Back at the SID, unable to accept Guo's critical condition and despite Da Qing's warnings, a desperate Chu Shuzhi moved to use the Longevity Sundial to save him.
Meanwhile, Lin Jing, a brilliant but lazy inventor at the Marine Administration, was summoned by his superior. The "Mister" praised Lin's talent and revealed his plan to transfer him to the SID as a lead researcher. He framed it as an opportunity to study Subterranean genes for their lab's genetic engineering projects, a monumental scientific endeavor. Lin Jing agreed on the condition that he would never act against the spirit of science.
As the episode closed, Mr. Nightmare continued his work, taunting unseen victims. In his coma, Guo Changcheng heard the voices of his teammates. Suddenly, the SID team awoke with a start, realizing they had all mysteriously fallen asleep and dreamt of each other. They discovered that the SID's protective shield had failed and could not be reactivated.
