Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 10 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
In the imperial palace, Baili Hongxuan and Baili Haohe were discussing matters concerning Li City when Empress Dowager He arrived. She knew they would be conversing there and, after scolding Baili Hongxuan in court, adopted a gentle tone, reassuring him that her sternness was to prevent accusations of favoritism. She also inquired about Jin Yang, mentioning that Jin Yang often attributed their harmonious marriage to the Empress Dowager and frequently visited Gracious Cloud Temple for her well-being.
The Empress Dowager then suggested Jin Yang visit the palace more often to avoid loneliness, a suggestion that made Baili Hongxuan wary of Jin Yang's growing closeness to her. She concluded by urging Baili Hongxuan to resolve the Li City crisis carefully, not just for his own sake but for the Emperor's, cautioning him against covering up any mistakes, as it would reflect poorly on the entire Baili family.
After the Empress Dowager departed, Baili Haohe asked Baili Hongxuan if he believed in demons. Baili Haohe recounted a dream prompted by Baili Hongxuan's repeated inquiries about a specific palace servant. In the dream, he saw a person with "red lips and white teeth, sharp brows and bright eyes" who declared, "She would return again."
While Baili Hongxuan dismissed the idea of demons and deities, Baili Haohe believed it, linking the mysterious plague in Li City to an offense against a mountain demon. Baili Hongxuan, though skeptical, promised to find a solution for both the demonic and human causes of the disaster, announcing his immediate departure for Li City. Meanwhile, in Li City, Baili Hongshuo gathered his trusted subordinates to inquire about the whereabouts of the Black Underworld Shrine.
None of them knew, except for Hou Zhengze, who offered to lead the way, having heard about it from an old soldier. As they approached, Hou Zhengze expressed his fear, describing the shrine as eerie, remote, and filled with malevolent energy, rumored to hold a monster. Baili Hongshuo, telling Hou Zhengze to wait, attempted to enter alone.
However, the shrine was heavily guarded, and the soldiers refused entry to anyone, even Commander Baili Hongshuo, citing strict orders from General He Yao that only He Yao himself could pass. Faced with insurmountable resistance, Baili Hongshuo was forced to retreat, feigning an urgent military report. Hou Zhengze, seeing Baili Hongshuo's frustration, led him to a secluded spot. There, he revealed an extraordinary ability: he could transform into anyone he touched, including their voice.
To demonstrate, he dramatically changed his appearance and voice to perfectly mimic Baili Hongyi. Shocked, Baili Hongshuo's first reaction was to demand if Hou Zhengze had touched Baili Hongyi's face, to which Hou Zhengze confirmed, explaining they had lived together. Baili Hongshuo sternly warned him never to touch Baili Hongyi again, not even a single strand of her hair.
Hou Zhengze, a loyal but timid subordinate, explained he had kept his "born gifted" ability a secret, fearing others would see him as a demon, but his loyalty compelled him to help Baili Hongshuo, even if it meant risking exposure. With this new information, Baili Hongshuo quickly formulated a plan: if Hou Zhengze could touch He Yao's face, he could transform Baili Hongshuo into He Yao.
Elsewhere, Baili Hongyi, held hostage by Ming Yefeng in a station, fiercely expressed her hatred for the Lang Tribe, stating her family was destroyed by them and she would retaliate a hundredfold. Ming Yefeng, observing her, noted her noble background and doubted she truly understood "destroying the family." He complimented her graceful demeanor, yet taunted her for her "wild side," suggesting she behaved more like a Lang Tribe woman than a "pretentious" You Kingdom woman. This remark enraged Baili Hongyi.
Ming Yefeng also hinted at Baili Hongshuo's deeper affection for her, suggesting it was more than mere sibling love, which further agitated her. He advised her to pray for Baili Hongshuo's success in finding the person he sought, warning that if he failed, she would be "eaten up by the Lang Tribe without leaving even a bone behind."
To execute their plan, Baili Hongshuo disguised himself as an incompetent commander, inviting He Yao for drinks and claiming he was overwhelmed by the plague crisis. At the banquet, a dancer named Zhenzhen, performing alluringly, caught He Yao's eye. Baili Hongshuo subtly encouraged He Yao's lustful advances towards Zhenzhen. As He Yao became increasingly infatuated and attempted to force himself on the dancer, Baili Hongshuo seized the moment, knocking him unconscious with a swift strike.
Hou Zhengze, though disgusted by He Yao's lecherous behavior, quickly transformed Baili Hongshuo into He Yao's exact likeness and stripped He Yao of his clothes for Baili Hongshuo to wear. Hou Zhengze warned Baili Hongshuo that the transformation would not last long. Disguised as General He Yao, Baili Hongshuo returned to the Black Underworld Shrine and encountered no resistance.
Hou Zhengze, also in He Yao's form, positioned himself at the entrance to stand guard, repeatedly cautioning Baili Hongshuo to be careful, a testament to his profound concern for his commander. Inside the chilling, disorienting Black Underworld Shrine, Baili Hongshuo was guided by an unseen force deeper within. Yi Jiumo suddenly appeared, addressing Baili Hongshuo by name and revealing he knew Baili Hongshuo was coming and was the one who had guided him.
Yi Jiumo handed him a potion, stating it was an antidote for the water plague. When Baili Hongshuo pressed for more answers, Yi Jiumo cryptically explained that his own "imprisonment" was not by He Yao's will but a deliberate act on his part, as he had been stationed there, waiting for Baili Hongshuo to arrive. He urged Baili Hongshuo to prioritize saving the people and his "loved one," Baili Hongyi, as the time for further revelations had not yet come.
Following Yi Jiumo's instructions, Baili Hongshuo used the antidote, and news quickly spread from his camp that the water plague in Li City was cured, with soldiers personally demonstrating the safety of the well water. General He Yao, upon waking from his drugged stupor, was enraged to learn of the plague's resolution and his own abduction.
His guards reported that Baili Hongshuo had attempted to enter the Black Underworld Shrine earlier, followed by "General He" (Baili Hongshuo in disguise) later, confusing them entirely. He Yao realized he had been tricked by Baili Hongshuo. Meanwhile, Ming Yefeng had brought Baili Hongyi to the Bai Ze Unit. The elders recognized her as the offspring of Baili Haoyuan, who had slaughtered thousands of their people.
Bai Nuo attempted to incite them to kill Baili Hongyi for revenge, promising them the position of chief. Ming Yefeng observed, questioning Bai Nuo's eagerness. Baili Hongyi, with fierce defiance, challenged them to a fair one-on-one fight if they untied her, taunting them for their cowardice. Ming Yefeng ordered her unbound. Just as she prepared to fight Ming Lai, Baili Hongshuo arrived, presenting Yi Jiumo.
Yi Jiumo, now revealed as the esteemed High Priest, ordered Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi to be taken out of the immediate assembly. He then addressed the elders, announcing his return and exposing Bai Nuo's treachery: usurping his position as chief through the Cloud Shifting method, suppressing his power, and colluding with the You Kingdom, a severe violation of tribal law punishable by death. Bai Nuo desperately denied it, claiming Yi Jiumo was long dead.
Despite an elder, Wan He, attempting to defend Bai Nuo, Yi Jiumo presented irrefutable evidence of treason, compelling the elders to agree to Bai Nuo's execution. Bai Nuo pleaded with Wan He, reminding him of a past promise of protection, but Wan He stated he only protected heroes, not traitors.
Bai Nuo was then taken away, and a subordinate later reported to He Yao that Bai Nuo had been beheaded by Ming Lai, who was now poised to become the new chief. Despite calls for revenge against Baili Haoyuan's children, Yi Jiumo ordered Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi to be released, citing their "deep connection" with the Lang Tribe and the future of Bai Ze and Shu Chi.
As Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi were being escorted out, Ming Yefeng approached them. He remarked on hiding Baili Hongyi's identity as a woman. Baili Hongshuo accused Ming Yefeng of not keeping his promise. Ming Yefeng, in turn, offered continued cooperation to defeat He Yao, suggesting Baili Hongshuo could then rule Li City, ensuring harmony between them.
Baili Hongshuo sternly rejected the offer, stating his cooperation was solely due to Baili Hongyi being held hostage and that this was the first and last time. Ming Yefeng expressed regret, and the two siblings departed. Once alone, Baili Hongyi questioned Baili Hongshuo, asking why he had "snuck out" and implying he didn't trust her. Baili Hongshuo clarified that he was worried about her safety. She then sarcastically noted that the water crisis was resolved thanks to his efforts.
Back at the Black Underworld Shrine, He Yao, piecing together the events—the sudden cure of the plague, Baili Hongshuo's earlier attempt to enter the shrine, his own drugged state, and the guards' report of an imposter He Yao—realized Baili Hongshuo had orchestrated everything. The news of Bai Nuo's beheading by Ming Lai and Ming Lai's potential ascension to chief further solidified his suspicions.
He Yao connected all these events to Baili Hongshuo, realizing Baili Hongshuo not only knew about Yi Jiumo but also about his secret alliance with Bai Nuo. Enraged by the deception and multiple setbacks, He Yao vowed that he would show Baili Hongshuo no mercy this time.
