Guardian Episode 8 Recap
> Guardian Recap
After a month of hard work, Guo Changcheng was officially welcomed into the Special Investigation Unit, with Director Zhao Yunlan personally announcing his employment. Da Qing humorously warned Guo about the challenges of working under the talkative director. Zhao had already informed the Marine Administration of the new hire and was awaiting internal approval. Wang Zheng presented Guo with his employment notice and a special stamp, explaining that it would prevent the office's protective shield from blocking his entry.
Lin Jing, the shield's inventor, boasted about its necessity for protecting the hallows stored within. Seeing Guo's concern about his lack of psychic powers, Lin Jing gave him a newly invented weapon. This device could transform Guo's fear into electricity, making it more powerful the more scared Guo became. However, Guo's enthusiasm was dampened by his confession that he was also afraid of electricity, a reaction Zhao had anticipated from afar. Meanwhile, Zhao Yunlan continued his investigation into Shen Wei.
He called the Bioengineering Department at University of Dragon City, feigning interest in a collection of classic books to get in touch with the professor. Zhao admitted to Da Qing his plan was to get close to Shen Wei and investigate him further, as an initial scan with Lin Jing’s energy detector had revealed nothing unusual. Zhao mused that if Shen proved harmless, he would invite him to join the unit.
Despite Da Qing's warning about the Marine Administration's scrutiny, Zhao insisted he would take full responsibility. Later, Zhao met a woman to buy the books, but he recognized a mark on one, revealing he himself had donated the collection to the university library. After exposing her lie, Zhao had the books taken to the office for everyone to read and announced he was going to discuss their new office with Minister Song.
In Zhao’s absence, an anonymous letter containing a black totem and the words "I know who you are" was delivered to Wang Zheng. Reading it triggered a painful, fragmented memory surge, and she kept the letter. Shortly after, the Black-Robed Envoy arrived, revealing that Ding Dun, a recorder from the Palace of Lord Earth, had escaped into the mortal world. Ding Dun possessed the psychic power of tactility, allowing him to see remnant memories by touching objects.
The Envoy suspected a mole within the Palace and believed Ding Dun was part of a larger conspiracy, urging the unit to capture him. As the team discussed the matter, Wang Zheng suddenly fainted. A sinister voice, later revealed to be the antagonist Candle Nine, was heard confirming that Wang Zheng's memories were key to their plan. Expressing disdain for humans, Candle Nine ordered the next phase. While searching for the fugitive, Chu Shuzhi discovered Ding Dun's dead body.
Candle Nine's voice was heard again, posthumously promising Ding Dun credit for his role once the "Mountain-River Awl" was secured. Elsewhere, the Black-Robed Envoy lamented Ding Dun’s death to an unseen, neutral entity, expressing concern about another elusive enemy. The entity refused to get involved in the "fight between gods," but the Envoy pressed for information about a vital item he sought, fearing for the safety of those he protected.
That evening, Shen Wei found a haggard Zhao Yunlan suffering from severe stomach pain by the roadside. He helped Zhao home to his messy apartment and, after getting him to lie down, began to tidy up. A talisman suddenly flew through the window—a reply to an inquiry Zhao, as "Master of Guardians," had sent about Shen Wei.
The message stated that while the name "Shen Wei" was not on the list of Subterraneans, a powerful figure in ancient texts had once used that name. As Zhao slept, Shen Wei subtly altered the message with ink to conceal his true identity. He then watched over Zhao for the entire night. In the Northwest Mountainous Region, Candle Nine followed a map to an ancient cave.
Inside, he found a "Patriarch" who had been trapped for a century, now one with the cave itself. Candle Nine taunted the immobile figure before revealing numerous artifacts, including an "icy awl" he believed would perfect his grand scheme. The following morning at Zhao's apartment, Shen Wei advised him to take better care of himself. He also mentioned he would be leaving Dragon City for a research trip and cautioned Zhao not to leave the city, no matter what.
Shortly after Shen Wei left, Da Qing urgently summoned Zhao to the unit. Wang Zheng had collapsed after reading a newspaper article about a landslide in the Northwest Mountainous Region that had uncovered strange characters. Da Qing recalled that they had found Wang Zheng as a transparent, amnesiac energy being in that same area. Upon waking, Wang Zheng’s memory was restored. Recalling fragmented scenes and the name "Sang," she resigned with a newfound sense of purpose.
Zhao immediately connected her recovery to the Northwest. Just then, Lin Jing announced that the Hallow of Longevity Sundial, long dormant, was suddenly glowing intensely. Recalling the Envoy's words that hallows can resonate with each other, Zhao had Lin Jing trace the source. The signal was coming from 20 kilometers north of the Northwest Mountainous Region, confirming the area's critical importance.
