Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 13 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
In the territory of the Wolf Tribe, Mola Khan and all of the Wolf Tribe's Units gathered to welcome High Priest Yi Jiumo. After Mola Khan offered another respectful bow, Yi Jiumo slowly opened his eyes and delivered a message from the Ancestral God. He declared that all kin of the God possess divine blessings and divinity, and only with a compassionate heart can they ensure peace and prosperity.
With a wave of his staff, a tree root rapidly grew from the barren ground, transforming into a towering tree. Witnessing this miracle, everyone knelt in reverence. Yi Jiumo announced that this year, marking the Ancestral God's millennium anniversary, the chosen one would be revealed to Mola Khan, indicating who should become the next King. He urged Mola Khan to nurture this individual to ensure the Wolf Tribe's enduring strength.
Meanwhile, Ming Yefeng heard a haunting prophecy repeat in his mind: "The fire is extinguished. The ocean is separated. Children cry. Disasters arrive." Yi Jiumo concluded the ceremony by stating that the chosen one had already received a divine implication from the Ancestral God and announced that the annual Ancestral God ceremony would be held under this newly formed chosen tree. He subtly warned A'Na Huai to be cautious of Ming Yefeng, describing him as a formidable individual.
A'Na Huai, resentful that his father favored Ming Yefeng, became increasingly impatient. He expressed his frustration to his advisor, then decided to confront Yi Jiumo, seeking to be declared the chosen one. His advisor cautioned him, suggesting that Yi Jiumo and Ming Yefeng might have already conspired, and urged him to approach the High Priest with sincerity. A'Na Huai, aware of his father's unwavering trust in Yi Jiumo, felt compelled to act.
He directly asked Yi Jiumo for the identity of the chosen one, but the High Priest refused to reveal divine will in private. A'Na Huai then attempted to bribe Yi Jiumo, promising him the title of "King of all Kings" with equivalent wealth and power if he were to ascend to the throne. Yi Jiumo calmly dismissed the offer, asserting that his existing status as the Ancestral God's chosen High Priest already granted him immense honor.
When dismissed, A'Na Huai resorted to threats, questioning if Yi Jiumo could be so indifferent to the Wolf Tribe's future. He argued that as the King's only son, his succession was the only logical path to prevent internal strife and ensure the tribe's unity. Yi Jiumo, unperturbed, responded that the true chosen one would be someone the people believed in, and if A'Na Huai garnered sufficient support from all units, he would have nothing to fear.
He firmly reiterated that the Ancestral God's judgment was final and sent A'Na Huai away. Later, Yi Jiumo met with Ming Yefeng, probing his curiosity about the chosen one. Ming Yefeng, confident in his own abilities, stated that he did not believe in fate, only in himself, and questioned the relevance of the chosen one to his own ambitions.
Yi Jiumo recited the ancient prophecy, linking it to a legend of a past calamity where a deity restored balance to the world. He then told Ming Yefeng that he possessed similar extraordinary abilities. With a slight use of his spiritual power, Yi Jiumo temporarily activated Ming Yefeng's abilities, making him realize his extraordinary nature, and stated that he was destined for a great burden.
Ming Yefeng dismissed these legends as irrelevant to the Wolf Tribe and insisted his life's pursuit had nothing to do with such cosmic events, adding that he lacked the power to achieve such feats. Yi Jiumo, however, saw through his words, pointing out that Ming Yefeng's ultimate goal could only be achieved through "unlimited power," questioning his efforts to rally different units and win people's trust across the prairie.
He assured Ming Yefeng that their ultimate objectives aligned, emphasizing that Ming Yefeng possessed divine power that he should not squander. In the Marquis' mansion, Jin Yang was busy selecting fabrics for winter clothes. She examined various options brought by Housekeeper He, with her maid Wan Xi, including exquisite brocade from Badong, but found some colors too vibrant. Suddenly, she felt a chill, her hand trembling as blue feathers began to appear on her skin and spread to her neck.
Distressed, she quickly wrapped herself in a cloak and retreated to her room, trying to hide her condition and repeatedly refusing Wan Xi's attempts to call a doctor. However, Wan Xi, concerned, brought a doctor to her room. Just as the doctor was about to examine her, Ling Jun appeared, placing a hand on Jin Yang's chest to temporarily suppress the feather's spread.
The doctor, sensing Jin Yang's tension, attributed her symptoms to seasonal changes, prescribing rest and exercises to strengthen her body. After leaving, Ling Jun, reflecting on the situation, noted that the metaphorical "pawn had dropped" and "the seal was slowly breaking," indicating that time was running out and that chaos would ensue if they did not act swiftly.
Back in the Wolf Tribe, A'Na Huai once again expressed his frustration to his advisor that Yi Jiumo had not revealed the chosen one's identity. During the annual Ancestral God ceremony, Mola Khan asked Yi Jiumo to communicate with the Ancestral God for blessings and to identify the chosen one. Yi Jiumo then performed a ritual, pouring wine onto a surface where a character, "Feng" (Ming Yefeng), momentarily appeared before vanishing.
Yi Jiumo declared that the Ancestral God had pointed out a chosen one, describing him as "wise and courageous, unmatched throughout the ages," and predicted prosperity for the Wolf Tribe, though he did not publicly name him. Only Yi Jiumo and Mola Khan were aware of the chosen one's identity, and Mola Khan retained the right to decide if and when to announce it to the larger tribe.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace of Ye City, Right Prime Minister Pang Hua and officials from the Censorate formally impeached General He Yao. They accused him of colluding with foreign enemies, oppressing the populace, and conspiring against his colleagues. Emperor Baili Haohe was visibly surprised, questioning the gravity of the accusations and lamenting that Baili Hongxuan had not informed him beforehand.
Pang Hua elaborated that reports against He Yao had been accumulating for three years, but conclusive evidence—letters written by He Yao himself, detailing his collusion with the Wolf Tribe's Bai Ze Unit to eliminate rivals, amass wealth, and control Li City's water resources—was only recently obtained during the Li City water crisis. He explained that Baili Hongshuo, Commander of the Northern Defense Left Army, had sent his deputy, Mu Qi, to deliver these crucial documents.
Emperor Baili Haohe expressed disbelief that his own cousin and appointed general could commit such crimes. Overwhelmed, he turned to the Empress Dowager, asking for guidance. The Empress Dowager, expressing her anger at such a serious charge, asked Baili Hongxuan if he had known about the evidence.
Baili Hongxuan admitted he was aware but explained that his mission in Li City was solely to manage the water crisis, and he had only heard about He Yao's transgressions from his brother, Baili Hongshuo, whom he trusted completely. He clarified that he had not been in a position to offer advice or intervene earlier. Despite officials urging a thorough investigation, the Empress Dowager quickly ordered He Yao's immediate return to the capital, seemingly to buy time.
Later, He Yao returned to Ye City and presented Yuan Qing's head in court, prostrating himself and proclaiming himself a sinful minister. He claimed he was misled by his military advisor, Yuan Qing, who he alleged was the true culprit. He Yao tearfully recounted how Yuan Qing, knowing his crimes were unforgivable, had left a confession letter and committed suicide, instructing his family to sever his head as proof for the Emperor.
He presented this narrative as evidence that Yuan Qing had acted alone, taking full responsibility for his "failure to supervise" his subordinate. Pang Hua countered, arguing that years of collusion, taxation, and water monopolization could not have been executed by a mere military advisor without the General's full involvement. Baili Hongxuan further pressed the matter, reminding the court that the Ministry of Justice had confirmed the letters implicating He Yao were indeed in his own handwriting and bore his seal.
He questioned how He Yao could claim ignorance when such documents existed. He Yao, desperate, claimed Yuan Qing had expertly forged his handwriting and stolen his seal to impersonate him. The Empress Dowager ordered officials, including Jiang Hong from the Ministry of Justice and Pang Hua, to compare the handwriting. They confirmed that Yuan Qing's supposed confession letter matched He Yao's known handwriting.
Baili Hongxuan immediately pointed out that this only proved Yuan Qing's ability to imitate He Yao's script, not that He Yao's prior letters were forgeries. He argued that with Yuan Qing dead and unable to testify, the case remained full of doubt and demanded a thorough, impartial investigation into the serious crime of colluding with enemies, warning against a hasty conclusion of merely "failure to supervise."
The Empress Dowager asserted that the law was impartial and she would handle the case strictly. Baili Hongxuan, however, persisted, urging her to not let herself be blinded by falsehoods or show favoritism. Emperor Baili Haohe intervened, trying to mediate between Baili Hongxuan and his mother. He privately told Baili Hongxuan that his actions had created a difficult situation for him, torn between his nephew and his cousin.
He urged Baili Hongxuan to understand his position as a young Emperor reliant on his court, and to be more accommodating to the Empress Dowager, who had endured much hardship. Baili Haohe reassured Baili Hongxuan that he cared deeply for the Great You and detested traitors, promising an objective investigation into He Yao's case. Ultimately, the Empress Dowager delivered her verdict. Yuan Qing's family was condemned to slavery for his heinous crime of colluding with enemies.
He Yao was stripped of his titles as Marquis and General of Northern Defense and demoted to Treasurer of Ye City for his failure to supervise his subordinates. He Yao accepted the punishment. The Empress Dowager then reprimanded Pang Hua and the Censorate for their delayed reporting of the issues in Li City. Baili Hongxuan, however, defended them, citing the remote location of Li City and praising their eventual success in uncovering the evidence, suggesting their merits should offset any negligence.
