Guardian Episode 37 Recap
> Guardian Recap
Upon returning to the Special Investigation Unit, the team found their headquarters in ruins. Li Hongchun, who had diligently guarded the entrance, lay fatally wounded after fighting off Yaqing's subordinates. He died in Da Qing's arms, and as he passed, Guo Changcheng's nascent psychic power manifested, allowing him to perceive Li Hongchun's final wish to fry tiny dried fish for the deputy director one last time.
Though shaken, Changcheng was encouraged by Zhao Yunlan to embrace his new ability to record the last wishes of the deceased. Filled with grief and renewed determination, the team vowed to avenge their fallen comrades. Zhao Yunlan recalled that the final Hallow, the Guardian Lantern, was likely among the old items stored at the unit. After a frantic search, they found the ancient lamp, but it was merely a shell without its wick, rendering it powerless.
Shen Wei speculated the wick was still on the Subterrane, but the only known passage was now heavily guarded by the Night King's forces, making a group crossing impossible. Just as they were losing hope, a scheduled email from Lin Jing arrived. His video revealed not only that he had been swallowed by the Night King, but also contained crucial intelligence: the Night King had ordered the closure of several "unnecessary passages."
This sparked a memory in Da Qing, who recalled that Ma Gui had created two passages between the worlds. One was the known route near the locust tree, while the other was entrusted to the Sub-beast tribe, guarded by their leader. With a new route identified, Zhao Yunlan, Da Qing, and Zhu Hong prepared to go to the Sub-beast camp, taking the sacred wood given to them by Serpent Four.
Before they left, Guo Changcheng gave Zhu Hong a necklace from Yaqing, hoping it could be used as a bargaining chip. Changcheng, now able to perceive the final wishes of the dying, decided to remain at the SIU to comfort the spirits of the dead, with Chu Shuzhi staying behind to protect him. The trio journeyed into the Sub-beast forest, only to be trapped in a disorienting maze of illusions created by Milu.
The shifting trees and dense fog separated them until Da Qing, an expert climber, scaled a real tree and spotted their foe. He and Zhu Hong worked together to defeat Milu, dispelling the maze. Meanwhile, Yaqing had gathered the Sub-beasts for an election to name a new Patriarch, confident she would win. Her plans were derailed when a Subterranean commander, acting on the Night King's orders, demanded she execute her own people.
Horrified that her goal of revitalizing her tribe had been twisted into this, Yaqing turned against the Subterraneans. She then demanded the sacred wood from Serpent Four, invoking the prophecy that whoever could make the dead wood sprout would be the true Patriarch. Just as Zhao Yunlan's group arrived, Zhu Hong was revealed to be in possession of the wood. At Zhao's urging, she gave it to Yaqing, who failed to make it sprout.
Zhao then explained that success required the right "strategy," not just will. Prompted by his advice, Zhu Hong recalled an old story and poured alcohol on the wood, causing it to miraculously grow new leaves. Witnessing this, the Sub-beasts proclaimed Zhu Hong their new Patriarch. Defeated, Yaqing conceded, acknowledging that cooperation with humans might be a better path for her people.
At the same time, Shen Wei returned to the Subterrane alone, heading for the collection room in the Palace of Lord Earth, where he believed the Guardian Lantern's wick was kept. After assuring a distrustful elder that he remained committed to protecting the Subterrane, his search was cut short. The Night King appeared and used his powers to have Shen Wei ambushed and knocked unconscious.
Elsewhere, Lin Jing awoke in a strange, organic environment, realizing he was inside the Night King's stomach. Thinking of Sha Ya, he resolved to find a way to escape before he was digested.
