Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 26 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
In the forbidden Dark Deer Sea of the Wolf Tribe, Ming Yefeng returned Chen Fu to Baili Hongyi. Having regained her memories, Baili Hongyi still held onto her previous impressions of Ming Yefeng, despite acknowledging his recent protection. While she no longer resisted him, she refused to offer him a smile. Ming Yefeng looked out at the sea, his mind drifting back to the happiest moments of his life.
He remembered a younger Hongyi, whom he called Xiao Ruo, affectionately calling him Big Brother, complaining about her pain when she fell, and declaring him her favorite. Although those joyous memories belonged to the past, Ming Yefeng felt that ensuring Hongyi's lifelong safety was all he desired. Mola Khan summoned Ming Yefeng to his tent, instructing him to suppress the Er Mian rebellion.
Ming Yefeng argued that the Er Mian unit was small enough to be handled by a mid-level general, but Mola Khan countered by emphasizing the treacherous mountainous terrain of Er Mian, suggesting a mid-level general lacked sufficient experience. Mola Khan explained that the Er Mian chief, Muo Luo, had repeatedly delayed tax payments and then killed the taxation official, making it a serious matter. Mola Khan stressed that Ming Yefeng needed to make an example of the rebels.
Mola Khan implied that Ming Yefeng now controlled Shu Chi, but Ming Yefeng dismissed this, stating he couldn't claim control while the King was present. After Mola Khan declared himself too tired to argue and reiterated that quelling the rebellion was Ming Yefeng's duty, Ming Yefeng agreed to go. However, he demanded a promise: upon his victorious return, Mola Khan must declare him the "Heaven's anointed person" as foretold by the High Priest.
Xili Du, the Chancellor, interjected, accusing Ming Yefeng of threatening the King, but Ming Yefeng retorted, asking if he should instead talk to the Chancellor. He explained he was merely reminding the aging King, who might easily forget such an important promise. Mola Khan, with thinly veiled sarcasm, praised Ming Yefeng's growing capabilities.
Ming Yefeng responded that he dared not neglect the King's years of nurturing, but firmly pressed for the promise: to declare him the "Heaven's anointed person" according to the Ancestral God's will. Mola Khan, seeing no alternative, agreed to grant him "everything he deserves" if he returned victorious. This promise, however, was a deceptive tactic, part of a conspiracy between Mola Khan and Xili Du to ambush and eliminate Ming Yefeng during the campaign.
After leaving the King's tent, Ming Yefeng immediately headed to the training grounds to personally select the most reliable soldiers for his campaign. Meanwhile, Xili Du instructed his subordinate that everything was ready and Ming Yefeng had chosen his own fate. High-ranking officials then conveyed a message to Muo Luo, the leader of Er Mian. Observing these developments, Gao Yi confronted his father, Xili Du, questioning whether their actions were truly for the future of the Wolf Tribe.
Gao Yi, having witnessed the suffering of internal conflicts in his youth, acknowledged that peace had only come with a strong King. He recognized that while the King was old, Ming Yefeng was the only one capable of wielding similar authority. Gao Yi argued that while Ming Yefeng might deserve death, the tribe without him would fall into disarray. Xili Du vehemently disagreed, asserting that Ming Yefeng must die for the tribe's future.
He invoked the ancestral rule of "pure bloodline," condemning Hongyi as a "demon girl" born of an "unclean person," predicting she would bring calamity. Gao Yi countered that it was no longer a time of ignorance where a mere rumor could destroy a general, warning that such actions would instead imperil the Wolf Tribe.
Xili Du cut him off, stating that the King's decision was final and ordered Gao Yi to remain in Shu Chi and stay out of the matter. In the You Kingdom palace, Baili Haohe grieved for Baili Hongyi, remembering her from childhood and the marriage he had recently arranged for her. He expressed sorrow over the irreversible tragedy but felt that pursuing revenge would be inappropriate amidst larger national concerns.
Empress He, however, suggested that it was "too early" for him to despair. She pointed out the absence of a body and the convenient death of all Imperial Guards who witnessed the event, raising doubts about Hongyi's demise. Baili Haohe wondered if she suspected Hongyi was still alive and why Baili Hongxuan would lie. Empress He reminded him that Baili Hongxuan had previously pleaded against Hongyi's marriage to He Yao.
She hinted that faking Hongyi's death could be considered treason, although she stressed she had no solid proof. Using a detailed analogy of brewing tea, she explained how a perfect blend of tea, water, fire, and time was necessary, and how even if everything appeared correct, a subtle lack of flavor could reveal imperfection. She applied this to Baili Hongxuan's account, suggesting it seemed plausible but might lack a crucial element.
She advised Baili Haohe to investigate patiently, like savoring tea. She concluded by stating that while Hongyi's funeral should proceed, more men should be dispatched to search downstream for her body, implying that a thorough search might reveal the truth. Back at the Li City military camp, Baili Hongshuo had returned. Commander Mu Qi questioned him about his recent peculiar behavior, such as his earlier instructions for only two guards at the gates and his denial of giving such orders.
Baili Hongshuo then spoke enthusiastically about military drills and tactics using philosophical terms, which Mu Qi found "strange." Qiu Xiaotong, worried that Baili Hongshuo hadn't come for their magic lessons, came looking for him for the first time. Hou Zhengze, who had been impersonating Baili Hongshuo, tried to send her away, claiming the general was resting and in a bad mood. Qiu Xiaotong insisted, pushing her way into Hongshuo's quarters.
Baili Hongshuo, distressed, yelled at her and Hou Zhengze to "Get out!" Hou Zhengze quickly pulled Qiu Xiaotong outside, explaining that something "happened in the general's family" and he was in a bad mood, urging her to return later. Qiu Xiaotong, though puzzled by the "change," said she would ask Hongshuo directly when he was in a better state and left.
Later, Mu Qi confronted Hou Zhengze, accusing him of lying and allowing the general to succumb to depression and unorthodox beliefs without trying to help him. When Hou Zhengze pleaded ignorance, Mu Qi revealed a document stating that the "Commandery princess sacrificed herself for the country" and had been posthumously conferred the title of Princess Jingguo. Hou Zhengze was utterly shocked, finally understanding Baili Hongshuo's profound grief.
Mu Qi, realizing his own harshness and Hou Zhengze's lack of information, blamed himself for being derelict in his duty. He instructed Hou Zhengze to care for the general and ensure his personal sorrow did not impede the entire Northern Defense army. Overwhelmed by the news, Hou Zhengze broke down in tears, fully comprehending the immense loss that had befallen Baili Hongshuo. In the Wing View Hall of the Marquis of Northern Defense Manor, Baili Hongxuan spent his days mourning.
His wife, Jin Yang, approached him to report on the condolences received from numerous high-ranking officials. Baili Hongxuan instructed her to manage these affairs, stating that Hongyi would not wish for him to be so sorrowful. He then dismissed her, despite her expressions of deep loyalty and willingness to share his burdens and help the family. She reminded him of her background in an official family, hoping to prove her usefulness.
Baili Hongxuan thanked her but, with a cold demeanor, formally asked her to leave if there was nothing else. Later, Uncle He approached Baili Hongxuan, reminiscing about Hongyi's arrival in the manor as a small child, rescued by Hongxuan's parents. He recalled her frequent nightmares of being pursued by Wolf Tribe members, suggesting she had lost her memory after witnessing her birth parents killed during a drought.
Uncle He confirmed that Hongyi's tiger tooth necklace was her sole possession from Li City and was never to be removed. He recounted an incident where Hongyi became critically ill after accidentally taking it off, only to recover after divination revealed it was "the pillar for her life and the anchor for her soul." Hongxuan recalled Ming Yefeng's words to Hongyi, identifying the necklace as the sacred tooth of the White Tiger, a gift from her mother.
He wondered if this was why she chose to return to the prairie. Uncle He tried to save Hongyi's favorite bow as a memento, but Baili Hongxuan refused, stating that since she was dead, a memento was pointless. He proceeded to burn all of Hongyi's belongings, declaring that their bond as brother and sister was now severed. Observing his actions, Ling Jun commented on Baili Hongxuan's decisive and emotionless nature, deeming his "heart of stone" a trait befitting a ruler.
She noted his swift transition from grief to future-focused resolution, despite the devastating revelation of his adopted sister being a Wolf Tribe princess. Jin Yang expressed faith in the Emperor's wisdom and Hongxuan's loyalty, but Ling Jun warned her about the severe treasonous implications of harboring a Wolf Tribe member in Great You, even if Hongxuan was unaware.
Ling Jun advised Jin Yang to simply "do what you should do," assuring her that both she and Baili Hongxuan would become stronger, and that eventually, he would realize that Jin Yang was the person he needed most by his side. Ming Yefeng's campaign to Er Mian began. During their journey, Chou Nu reported that heavy snow and collapsed roads made further advancement dangerous.
He also warned that delaying would give the rebels more time to prepare and risked exposure to enemy scouts. Ming Yefeng, acknowledging that the snow wouldn't stop soon, ordered his scouts to remain hidden and commanded the army to set up camp immediately.
