Guardian Episode 38 Recap
> Guardian Recap
Following the lead of Zhu Hong, the new patriarch of the Sub-beasts, Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing enter a forbidden area and place the four hallows in their designated spots. However, they are unable to activate them to change the past, as the Guardian Lantern is missing its wick. Suddenly, a commotion erupts outside, prompting the trio to quickly secure the hallows and investigate.
The disturbance is caused by Professor Ouyang Zhen, who has injected himself with a mutant serum, becoming dangerously aggressive in his mission to eliminate the Sub-beasts. Seeing he is outnumbered, Ouyang prepares to inject more serum, but Zhao Yunlan tackles him. At that moment, Zhang Shi arrives and tosses a handgun to Zhao Yunlan. As Ouyang aims his serum, Zhao aims the gun. A single shot rings out, and Ouyang Zhen falls, his insane experiments ending with him.
Meanwhile, Guo Changcheng uses his psychic ability to broadcast the dying wishes of dozens of victims to their families via a live stream, helping to calm the panicked Dragon City and restore faith in the Special Investigation Unit. His mission complete, Guo and Chu Shuzhi rush to the forbidden area to meet Zhao.
After Zhang Shi helps subdue Ouyang Zhen, he reveals his true form and identity: the only Subterranean mutant left on the surface and a disciple of Ma Gui. With his help, a channel to Subterrane is opened, and the secret of the Guardian Lantern's wick is revealed to Zhao Yunlan.
As Zhao Yunlan prepares to go to Subterrane to rescue Shen Wei, Guo Changcheng insists on joining him to fulfill his promise of delivering the last words of fallen Subterranean soldiers to their families. Impressed, Zhang Shi places his hand over Guo's head, causing it to emanate a pure white light, astonishing even the ancient Da Qing, who marvels at a human heart so untainted. With a protective talisman from Chu Shuzhi, Guo Changcheng follows Zhao Yunlan into Subterrane.
In Subterrane, the Night King has Shen Wei bound and is torturing him with a whip. Weakened and pale, Shen Wei's wounds no longer heal since he shared his life force with Zhao Yunlan. The Night King taunts him by revealing that Zhao Yunlan is on his way, causing Shen Wei to roar in defiance, which only earns him his brother's dark, mocking laughter.
After the Night King leaves, the Regent, unable to determine which brother can truly save their people, decides to release Shen Wei, giving him a chance to fight back. Upon arriving in Subterrane, Zhao Yunlan and Guo Changcheng are immediately attacked. Zhao is quickly overwhelmed, but the heavily injured Shen Wei appears and shields him, vowing that no one will harm Zhao as long as he lives.
To ensure Zhao's escape, Shen Wei stays behind to fight off the pursuing soldiers. However, Zhao Yunlan's escape is thwarted. Guo Changcheng, who was secretly implanted with dark energy by the Night King, suddenly loses control at the critical moment and grabs Zhao's legs. Recognizing Guo's familiar, stubborn determination even while being controlled, Zhao smiles in resignation and tosses the bag containing the hallows to the arriving Night King, signaling his surrender.
Shen Wei, now defeated and bloody, is trampled and taunted by his brother. Zhao Yunlan, maintaining a defiant smirk, is bound to a stone pillar. The Night King boasts that he has orchestrated all this chaos to absorb the hallows' energy and become invincible, but his plan is incomplete without the Guardian Lantern. Zhao's mocking laughter enrages the Night King, who begins to beat him brutally. Just as the final, devastating blow is about to land, Shen Wei throws himself in front of Zhao, taking the full force of the attack.
