Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 15 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
In the Li City military camp, Baili Hongshuo appeared visibly weary. He was startled when Hou Zhengze, disguised as Baili Hongyi, entered to add coal to the brazier. Although Baili Hongshuo initially played along, teasing Hou Zhengze about "practicing fighting later," he quickly grew annoyed and ordered Hou Zhengze to "change back" from his disguise.
Hou Zhengze tried to explain that he was just trying to cheer up the general, recalling Brother Bai Yi's instructions to take good care of him, but Baili Hongshuo sharply ordered him out. Moments later, a soldier reported a mass murder at a village on the border of Li City and the Wolf Tribe. Baili Hongshuo initially questioned why he was being informed instead of the local magistrate, but the soldier emphasized the gravity of the situation, given its location.
At the crime scene, officials discovered an entire family dead, yet with no external wounds or signs of poisoning, which led them to believe the Wolf Tribe was not involved. The only survivor was an infant found sleeping peacefully in a rice bin, presumed to have escaped detection. Baili Hongshuo ordered a thorough investigation into the strange deaths and increased border security.
Later, back at the camp, Baili Hongshuo pressed Hou Zhengze about his shapeshifting ability, asking if he was human or a demon. Hou Zhengze insisted he was human, humorously sticking out his tongue and claiming demons had no tongues, a notion Baili Hongshuo quickly debunked.
As Baili Hongshuo pondered the existence of demons and the unexplainable nature of the recent events, another report arrived: the family that had adopted the sole surviving infant from the first massacre had also been completely wiped out in the same mysterious manner. Arriving at the second crime scene, Baili Hongshuo and his men found the Wu family similarly deceased, with no wounds or signs of poisoning, and the same baby again sleeping unharmed.
Baili Hongshuo immediately recognized this pattern, stating that the baby's repeated survival could not be a coincidence. He questioned the baby's connection to the killer and how he managed to escape death each time. A subordinate suggested the killer might be targeting the infant, but Baili Hongshuo dismissed the theory, reasoning that if the baby was the target, the killer would not leave him behind after the murders.
On the way back to the camp, Baili Hongshuo and Hou Zhengze noticed a crowd gathered to watch a performance. An old man, dressed like a Taoist priest, and a roughly-attired young woman, his disciple, were putting on a "demon catching" show. The girl pointed and declared a demon's appearance, while the old man chastised the skeptical onlookers, explaining that ordinary humans couldn't see such beings.
The girl then urged the crowd to be silent and not disturb her master's preparations. However, the girl was quickly distracted by Baili Hongshuo, openly admiring his handsome appearance, much to her master's dismay. The girl, reminded by her master, scattered some foul-smelling chicken blood onto the snow. With a flourish, the old man performed a "Crimson Light Blazing Flame" spell, causing the blood to ignite. As the crowd applauded, Baili Hongshuo stepped forward to expose their "phony trick."
He pointed out the stench of the chicken blood and accused them of disturbing the peace in Li City. He then ordered Hou Zhengze to arrest the fraudulent duo, prompting the old man to immediately signal their escape. The master and disciple attempted to flee, but Baili Hongshuo and Hou Zhengze quickly cornered them. The old man, Ji Qiu, tried to use his "Demonic Spirit Illusion" technique, but it appeared to fail.
However, they mysteriously vanished from Baili Hongshuo's sight and reappeared in a forest, tumbling to the ground. Ji Qiu, oblivious to how they escaped, bragged to his disciple about his "special technique," misremembering its name as "Casting Aspersions" (lit. " Spitting Sand at Illusions"). Suddenly, An Tingfeng emerged from the shadows, correcting Ji Qiu's mistake and revealing that he was the one who had covertly rescued them.
An Tingfeng then precisely identified Ji Qiu as the eighth principal disciple of the revered Yan Jisheng, but scornfully remarked on his current incompetence, lamenting that such a great master had taken on an "unworthy disciple." Infuriated, Ji Qiu threatened to trap An Tingfeng in a magical maze, but his attempts to use his ancestral treasures proved futile. An Tingfeng then effortlessly disarmed Ji Qiu, seizing his fan and demonstrating his superior control.
In the Wolf Tribe Chancellor’s tent, Xili Du was speaking with his son about the recent rebellion. His son questioned Xili Du's role in the matter and urged him to abandon A'Na Huai, arguing that A'Na Huai's rash actions and proven rebellion would likely incur the King's wrath and that it was time to change their allegiance.
However, Xili Du firmly believed A'Na Huai could still make a comeback, reminding his son that A'Na Huai was the King's only remaining son. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Mola Khan, who instructed Xili Du to accompany him to see A'Na Huai. Mola Khan confronted A'Na Huai, who was under watch, seeking an apology.
A'Na Huai, however, remained defiant, bitterly accusing his father of wanting him dead and claiming he was merely mimicking Mola Khan's own teachings that "the result is all that matters." He refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, further infuriating Mola Khan. Mola Khan condemned A'Na Huai's impulsiveness, stating that his son's rash actions had squandered any chance he had against the increasingly powerful Ming Yefeng.
Xili Du tried to intercede, arguing that A'Na Huai's tenacity, though misguided, showed leadership potential, but Mola Khan expressed deep disappointment, admitting that even if he pardoned A'Na Huai for his treasonous act, his son was no longer a match for Ming Yefeng's cunning. Mola Khan also voiced concerns about the scandal of an heir attempting patricide and how it would be perceived by the tribes.
Xili Du informed Mola Khan about Ming Yefeng's possession of the legendary Thousand Mountain Decree, a powerful artifact that commands the allegiance of the mysterious and skilled You Wu Tribe. This decree, combined with Ming Yefeng's numerous military victories and growing influence among the tribes, rendered A'Na Huai's chances of succession virtually nonexistent, especially with the added charge of treason.
Mola Khan lamented A'Na Huai's impulsive nature and lack of strategic foresight, admitting that despite his willingness to defy the Ancestral God's will for his son, A'Na Huai's current state and past actions made it incredibly difficult to secure his claim to the throne.
Xili Du suggested reframing A'Na Huai's "rebellion" as a mere "family quarrel" or a drunken incident to save face, and Mola Khan, recognizing Ming Yefeng's deep ambition beyond just the throne, agreed to protect A'Na Huai for now, instructing Xili Du to ensure his son caused no further trouble, as A'Na Huai, despite his flaws, remained undeniably loyal to the Wolf Tribe.
In Ye City, Baili Hongyi felt isolated after Baili Hongshuo's departure and being confined to the manor by Baili Hongxuan. Baili Hongxuan explained that He Yao, despite being demoted, now controlled Ye City's finances, which he intended to use to expose He Yao's true nature. His current strategy involved targeting Zhou Jingxing, the Mayor of He Nei, who served as He Yao's "sharp claw" in land encroachment.
To execute this plan, Baili Hongxuan was feigning illness and urged everyone in the manor to maintain a low profile. Baili Hongyi, missing her brother, asked if Baili Hongshuo had written and if he had mentioned her. Baili Hongxuan, however, stated their correspondence was purely about official matters, leaving her visibly disheartened. Later, Baili Hongyi visited Jin Yang, who remarked on her loneliness without Baili Hongshuo.
Jin Yang, while subtly hinting at Baili Hongyi's "crude" nature, also feigned admiration for her "carefree attitude." The conversation quickly turned to Baili Hongxuan, with Jin Yang probing Baili Hongyi for details about his hobbies and preferences, admitting her own ignorance as his wife. Baili Hongyi could only offer vague guesses about military books. Jin Yang then expressed her envy of the close bond between the siblings, feeling a significant distance from her husband.
Baili Hongyi tried to reassure her, explaining Baili Hongxuan was simply "slow to warm up to people." Jin Yang then skillfully convinced a reluctant Baili Hongyi to accompany her in selecting fabrics for the manor's new clothes, pleading for her help as a newcomer. Unbeknownst to Baili Hongyi, the Jin Yang she spoke with was merely a puppet. The real Jin Yang had been in the Cloud Hut, training with Ling Jun to fully awaken her latent abilities.
Ling Jun continued to guide her in distinguishing between real people and magical illusions, noting her steady progress. The real Jin Yang then returned, carefully ensuring her secret training remained undiscovered.
