Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 24 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
Baili Hongyi had been experiencing fragmented memories, making her feel that the truth about her past was within reach. She confided in Baili Hongshuo, expressing her desire to stay longer to uncover everything. Although Baili Hongshuo initially urged her to leave, she insisted that when her parents died, Ming Yefeng was present and knew the truth about her family. She recalled a dream she frequently had as a child, but this time, Ming Yefeng was in it.
Baili Hongshuo suspected Ming Yefeng of using witchcraft to cause hallucinations, but Baili Hongyi firmly believed these were real memories, albeit vague ones, concerning her birth parents. She explained that a "fog" in her mind had begun to dissipate since she was brought to the Wolf Tribe, and she was close to discovering her true origins and what happened to her parents.
Acknowledging her deep need for self-discovery, Baili Hongshuo agreed to remain by her side, promising to accompany her wherever she chose to go. He declared that he would always be there for her, no matter what kind of future they faced. Their conversation deepened, with Baili Hongyi confirming her understanding and desire to be with him. As they sat down to eat and drink, a sudden realization struck Baili Hongshuo: the wine they were about to share was poisoned.
He quickly snatched the cup from Baili Hongyi's hand, but it was too late; he had already ingested some. Panicked, Baili Hongyi immediately called for Ming Yefeng. When he arrived, she confronted him, accusing him of using despicable methods if he intended to kill her. Ming Yefeng denied poisoning the wine. Soon after, Ba Yin arrived, surprised by Ming Yefeng's apparent concern.
Ming Yefeng accused her, but Ba Yin denied involvement, pointing out that everyone in the Wolf Tribe harbored hatred for the Baili family and wished for Baili Hongyi's death, making any tribesman a suspect. Furious, Ming Yefeng declared that if anything happened to Baili Hongyi, he would make everyone in the camp pay with their lives. His guards searched the tents but found no trace of the poisoner or antidote.
A witch doctor identified the poison as Daemonorops Margaritae, explaining that an antidote could be brewed from turmeric and ephedra sinica, but it would take three days. Desperate, Baili Hongyi drank the poisoned wine herself, forcing Ming Yefeng to act swiftly. He questioned if Baili Hongshuo was worth such a sacrifice, to which she retorted that he had no right to ask, vowing that if Baili Hongshuo died, she would not wish to live either.
Baili Hongshuo, barely conscious, tried to tell her not to do foolish things, but she playfully defied him, saying she would be even more impudent. Ming Yefeng eventually found Yi Jiumo, who provided an antidote for the Daemonorops Margaritae. Mistrustful, Baili Hongyi insisted Ming Yefeng drink one bowl first. After he begrudgingly complied, she allowed him to give that same bowl to Baili Hongshuo, while she took another.
After the antidote took effect, Ming Yefeng sent his men to discreetly take Baili Hongshuo away from the Wolf Tribe's territory. Baili Hongyi furiously threatened to kill Ming Yefeng if he harmed Baili Hongshuo, leading Ming Yefeng to have his guards keep a close watch on her. Baili Hongshuo, now recovered and confronting Ming Yefeng, offered himself as a hostage in exchange for Baili Hongyi, emphasizing his value as a commander.
Ming Yefeng dismissed his offer, stating he was no longer interested in such things. He openly acknowledged his desire for Baili Hongyi and provocatively asked Baili Hongshuo if he would rather see her marry He Yao than be with him. Baili Hongshuo vehemently refused both options, asserting that for the Baili family, Baili Hongyi was merely a pawn, valuing their glory over her happiness. He swore he would never let her marry anyone else.
Ming Yefeng warned him to return to You Kingdom, claiming Baili Hongyi was a hundred times better off with him. As their argument escalated, Baili Hongshuo questioned Ming Yefeng's true intentions, given the Wolf Tribe's hatred for her, and vowed to rescue her. Just as their conflict was about to turn violent, Baili Hongxuan arrived. He demanded to know Ming Yefeng's motives, who replied cryptically, saying he wanted "what you don't want."
Ming Yefeng then stated that since the Marquis's family had effectively relinquished Baili Hongyi, Baili Hongxuan no longer needed to concern himself with her. Baili Hongxuan insisted on taking his sister back, but after a tense standoff where Ming Yefeng's forces outnumbered them, Baili Hongxuan made the painful decision to prioritize Baili Hongshuo's safety. He ordered Tao Sheng to escort Baili Hongshuo back to Li City, explaining that if he couldn't protect both, he had to secure Baili Hongshuo first.
Baili Hongshuo protested vehemently, reminding his brother of the Wolf Tribe's bloodthirsty nature and their shared history with Baili Hongyi, demanding to know what Baili Hongyi truly meant to him. Baili Hongxuan stated he would avenge Baili Hongyi but could not risk both brothers, while Baili Hongshuo vowed never to abandon her. Back in the tent, Baili Hongyi, now alone with Ming Yefeng, demanded the truth about her past.
She accused him of deliberately manipulating her memories and questioned his motives for repeatedly bringing up her parents and protecting her despite holding her captive. Her painful flashbacks intensified, showing blurred images of her childhood, including happy kite flying with a young Ming Yefeng, her mother putting a tiger tooth necklace around her neck and urging her to hide, and a young Ming Yefeng promising to find water for her. Baili Hongyi was overwhelmed by the resurgence of these memories.
Witnessing her distress, Ming Yefeng tried to help her calm down, inadvertently tapping into his own latent powers, causing a green glow to emanate from him as the power of the Wood Spirit God began to stir. Meanwhile, in a forbidden area, Yi Jiumo observed Ming Yefeng's developing abilities, pleased that his manipulation was working. He began chanting a spell over a glowing red gu worm, accelerating Baili Hongyi's memory retrieval.
As the chant reached its peak, a crimson light engulfed Baili Hongyi, and the surrounding sea turned blood red, signifying her complete recollection of the past. Ming Yefeng then escorted the transformed Baili Hongyi, whose pupils now shone green, to the border to meet Baili Hongxuan and Baili Hongshuo. She dramatically declared that she was not Baili Hongyi but Li Ruo, a member of the Wolf Tribe whom the Baili family so deeply despised.
She revealed that her mother, Na Cheng, was the Great Chieftain's daughter and the Wolf Tribe's Sacred Lady, while her father, Yan Bin, was from You Kingdom. Her mother had betrayed the Wolf Tribe to elope with her father, leading them to flee south. However, when they reached You Kingdom's border, Baili Haoyuan, then a general, refused them entry because her mother was a Wolf Tribeswoman.
This cruel act trapped them between two hostile forces, ultimately leading to her parents' deaths at the hands of pursuing troops. Baili Hongyi asserted that while the pursuers were the immediate killers, Baili Haoyuan was equally responsible. She expressed disgust and fear at the thought of having called the killers of her biological parents "Father" and "Mother" for so many years, realizing their kindness was likely born of guilt or fear of her vengeance.
She definitively stated that she was neither a You Kingdom native nor a member of the Baili family, and with that, she severed all ties with them, declaring they would never meet again. In response, Baili Hongxuan ordered his Imperial Guards to capture them.
