Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 16 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
An Tingfeng released Ji Qiu and Qiu Xiaotong from their bindings, subtly guiding Ji Qiu towards his desire to restore his ancestors' glory. He pointed out that Qiu Xiaotong lacked the talent needed for this and that Baili Hongshuo, the young man they had encountered, was an extraordinary individual. Ji Qiu, having already recognized Baili Hongshuo's potential, admitted he had deliberately shown weaknesses to attract him and intended to take him as a disciple.
An Tingfeng further advised Ji Qiu that recent bizarre murder cases at the Li City border, where villagers and even the adoptive families of a surviving male infant were wiped out, were not human acts but caused by a monkey-like demon called You Yan. This demon, covered in patterns, liked to play dead when seen, and fed on human bone marrow.
He suggested that if Ji Qiu could help Baili Hongshuo resolve this demonic problem, taking him as a disciple would be much smoother. An Tingfeng then returned Ji Qiu's ancestral treasure and disappeared. Qiu Xiaotong, initially skeptical, quickly came around to the idea, realizing the benefit of having a handsome junior brother. At the Li City military camp, Baili Hongshuo was in a meeting discussing border defenses, cautioning against the cunning Wolf Tribe.
A soldier then informed him that the two "scammers," Ji Qiu and Qiu Xiaotong, had returned and were causing a disturbance outside. Curious, Baili Hongshuo ordered them to be brought in. Upon seeing Baili Hongshuo, Ji Qiu immediately announced his intention to take him as a disciple, urging Baili Hongshuo to acknowledge him as master to learn authentic skills. Baili Hongshuo, incredulous, questioned Ji Qiu's audacity.
Ji Qiu asserted that Baili Hongshuo needed his help with the recent mysterious murder cases, which he claimed were caused by the demon You Yan. He confidently stated that he could catch the demon, promising that Baili Hongshuo would naturally become his disciple once the problem was solved. Baili Hongshuo then challenged Ji Qiu to define demons and gods. Ji Qiu eloquently explained that "demons rise because of humans; if people have no weaknesses, then demons won't rise.
If people abandon ethics, then demons will rise; if people are virtuous, then demons die." He further elaborated that "the sun, moon, stars, wind, rain, thunder, lightning, mountains, rivers, and seas all have gods, and humans can also become gods." He stated that supernatural powers were not innate but rather the inherent power within human spirits being awakened.
Impressed by Ji Qiu's philosophical responses, Baili Hongshuo challenged Ji Qiu to demonstrate his abilities by solving the demonic problem, warning that failure would result in their past deceptions being settled. Ji Qiu agreed, requesting three days to prepare for an altar ritual, citing the need for perfect timing, location, and people, which were currently unsuitable.
After Ji Qiu confidently declared his words carried weight and promised to make them submit in three days, he attempted to leave with Qiu Xiaotong. However, Baili Hongshuo, under the guise of hospitality, ordered Mu Qi and Hou Zhengze to prepare a room for them, effectively confining Ji Qiu and Qiu Xiaotong in the military camp. Xili Du visited A'Na Huai, assuring him that Mola Khan, his father, still favored him despite his previous acts of rebellion.
Xili Du explained that a son defeated by his father had no reason to be ashamed and that A'Na Huai still had a bright future if he showed remorse and loyalty at the appropriate time. A'Na Huai, who had previously believed his father would never forgive him, seemed to finally grasp his father's true intentions and the opportunity to mend their relationship.
However, what he didn't realize was that it was already too late; others were already at play, ensuring he wouldn't survive this predicament. Inside Ming Yefeng's tent, Chou Nu observed that Mola Khan had not yet punished A'Na Huai, and the elders remained silent. Chou Nu urged Ming Yefeng to eliminate A'Na Huai to prevent future trouble, noting that most tribal clans had already pledged allegiance to Ming Yefeng.
Ming Yefeng, however, revealed he possessed the legendary Thousand Mountain Decree, which commanded the formidable You Wu tribe (a mysterious, highly skilled, and elusive ancient tribe), acknowledging it was the reason Mola Khan feared him. He explained that while military strength could seize the throne, maintaining it required the support of the High Priest and the elders to win the people's hearts, a strategy Mola Khan used as a check and balance.
He saw A'Na Huai's current predicament as a result of his own rashness and cautioned against acting hastily, as Mola Khan was actually protecting A'Na Huai by entrusting him to Xili Du. Acting now would be the worst strategy and could backfire. Suddenly, Xili Du's son, Gao Qiantong, unexpectedly entered Ming Yefeng's tent, brazenly suggesting Ming Yefeng wanted to eliminate an obstacle.
Moments later, a commotion outside led Chou Nu to report that A'Na Huai had committed suicide out of fear of punishment. Gao Qiantong showed no surprise, coldly stating that A'Na Huai got what he deserved. He then questioned Ming Yefeng about his next move, implying he would now aim for the throne.
Ming Yefeng, recognizing the manipulation, deduced that A'Na Huai's death, which only Xili Du's tribesmen could have orchestrated while A'Na Huai was in their custody, was a deliberate act by Gao Qiantong and his father. This intricate move, seemingly to clear Ming Yefeng's path, made Ming Yefeng deeply wary of Gao Qiantong's formidable ambition and cunning. This entire scheme, from A'Na Huai's perceived suicide to Ming Yefeng's forced implication, was orchestrated by Yi Jiumo under Ling Jun's command.
Their goal was to force Ming Yefeng to acknowledge his ambitions, leaving him with no alternative but to comply with their plans. With the Jiuying breaking its seal soon, and Ming Yefeng still hesitant, they believed this was the only way to compel him into action. Mola Khan, heartbroken, presided over A'Na Huai's cremation, personally throwing a torch onto his son's body, engulfing it in a fiery dragon.
He then summoned Ming Yefeng, confronting him directly about A'Na Huai's death and accusing him, though Ming Yefeng denied it, stating it was impossible for him to enter A'Na Huai's guarded cell. Mola Khan, feigning grief and trust, acknowledged Ming Yefeng's superior capability and intelligence compared to all his sons, declaring that the future of the Wolf Tribe now rested on Ming Yefeng and that they must support each other to maintain peace and tranquility on the grasslands.
Despite his outward composure, Mola Khan believed Ming Yefeng was responsible for A'Na Huai's death and harbored deep hatred. However, lacking concrete evidence, he chose to pretend trust and bide his time rather than forcing Ming Yefeng into open rebellion. In Ye City's Marquis Manor, Jin Yang attempted to instill ladylike virtues in Baili Hongyi.
She took Baili Hongyi to select fabrics for Baili Hongxuan and Baili Hongshuo, suggesting luxurious options like cloud silk brocade from Shu and thick Wei Silk, along with snow sable tails and specific colors like sandalwood or indigo for belts, and dark Xuan or bamboo green for cloaks. Baili Hongyi, unfamiliar with such matters, struggled to choose, noting that her brother found cloud silk beautiful but not durable, and that Uncle He usually handled such affairs.
Jin Yang, seeing her unique character, eventually made the selections herself. Later, Jin Yang also tried to teach Baili Hongyi embroidery, emphasizing its importance for a future daughter-in-law's skills (virtue, speech, appearance, and work). Despite Jin Yang demonstrating intricate patterns, Baili Hongyi showed little aptitude, only managing to poke many holes in the fabric before hastily excusing herself and escaping back to Baili Hongxuan's Wing View Hall.
Baili Hongyi sought solace in Baili Hongxuan's Wing View Hall, temporarily escaping Jin Yang. She admitted that her earlier anger towards Jin Yang had subsided, and she now appreciated having a capable female head of the household who managed things she couldn't, finding her quite virtuous.
Baili Hongxuan informed her that the Empress Dowager had decreed for the Marquis Manor to attend the Lunar New Year's Eve banquet in the palace, and unusually, had specifically requested Baili Hongyi's presence, despite her never having participated in such events before.
Despite Baili Hongyi's protests that she was unsuitable for such occasions and her suspicion about the Empress Dowager's sudden interest after so many years, Baili Hongxuan insisted she must go, having already prepared gifts for her and advising her to practice palace etiquette with Jin Yang. He urged her to be cautious, speak little, and show patience during the banquet, explaining that such events were usually to entertain vassals and foster relations, and perhaps the Empress Dowager simply missed her.
Three days later, Baili Hongshuo led a troop to the designated forest at the border. Ji Qiu, intending to perform his "ritual," asked everyone, including Baili Hongshuo, to leave, claiming the heavenly secrets of his magic could not be revealed to outsiders, and that Baili Hongshuo, as an outsider not yet a disciple, also could not watch.
Baili Hongshuo, however, ordered Mu Qi to seal off the entire forest, making escape impossible for Ji Qiu and Qiu Xiaotong, and warning of military law for any violators. Realizing they were trapped, Qiu Xiaotong panicked, but Ji Qiu, after a moment of thought, decided they would resort to their "specialty" – their usual tricks of deception. Once prepared, Ji Qiu summoned Baili Hongshuo.
With Baili Hongshuo and a minimal guard present, Ji Qiu sat within a circle of stones, chanting about profound mountains and spiritual energy. He then secretly ignited a fire stick behind him and threw it outside the circle, which rapidly spread, creating a circular wall of "Red Lotus Flame" around him, showcasing his "power."
