Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 31 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
Li City was under a complete lockdown as authorities searched for the fugitive Baili Hongshuo. Tian Yuan, the Direct Commander, led the search, reaching the Treading Cloud House. Hou Zhengze, supporting a heavily disguised and inebriated Baili Hongshuo, managed to slip past Tian Yuan, narrowly escaping capture. Baili Hongshuo was profoundly drunk, showing no signs of waking up.
Hou Zhengze led him to a woodpile in a civilian residence, where they encountered Qiu Xiaotong, who had returned upon hearing the news. Qiu Xiaotong revived Baili Hongshuo by pressing his philtrum, but he remained dazed and oblivious to the danger, still muttering about wine. While the trio hid in the woodshed, Commander Mu Qi arrived, tasked with searching the area. Through a gap in the woodpile, Mu Qi met Baili Hongshuo's gaze but intentionally let him go unnoticed.
When Tian Yuan questioned him, Mu Qi subtly inquired about the reason for Baili Hongshuo's pursuit, indirectly revealing that the Marquis manor was accused of treason and Baili Hongshuo was deemed a fugitive. This shocking information instantly sobered Baili Hongshuo. Worried about his elder brother, Baili Hongxuan, he was desperate to return to Ye City to save him.
Both Qiu Xiaotong and Hou Zhengze tried to deter him, explaining that the entire Li City was sealed off by Imperial Guards, making escape impossible. Despite their pleas, Baili Hongshuo insisted on returning and quickly changed his clothes with their help. As soon as they stepped outside, they were spotted and surrounded by soldiers. Baili Hongshuo fought valiantly, but outnumbered, he was quickly subdued and bound with ropes. Suddenly, a blinding white mist erupted, obscuring everyone's vision.
Ji Qiu, who had returned to find his disciples, rescued the three, urging them to quickly escape through a small dog hole. Once they were through, Ji Qiu intended to turn back and assess the situation. Tian Yuan arrived at that moment and, seeing Ji Qiu alone, immediately hurled a hidden weapon at him. Outside the forest, Ji Qiu bestowed upon Baili Hongshuo all the remaining knowledge and possessions left by Yan Jisheng.
Ji Qiu then told Qiu Xiaotong that he was too old to keep running and instructed her to accompany Baili Hongshuo, care for him, and ensure he mastered all his techniques, proclaiming Baili Hongshuo his most talented disciple. He emphasized the necessity of splitting up to avoid a complete capture. As a final instruction, he bade Baili Hongshuo remember the cryptic phrase: "North of the Burning Flame, Above the Crimson River, lies the place of the key."
As the pursuers closed in, Ji Qiu unleashed a powerful charm, conjuring a vast wall of fire that stretched for miles, creating a barrier. Baili Hongshuo, Qiu Xiaotong, and Hou Zhengze used this diversion to escape, unaware that Ji Qiu, severely wounded by Tian Yuan's earlier attack, had succumbed to his injuries, spitting blood as he died. With a knowing smile, Ji Qiu acknowledged the accuracy of his own death prophecy and his success in finding a gifted successor.
Meanwhile, Baili Hongyi needed to travel to You Kingdom for a rescue, but she was constantly under the watchful eyes of the You Wu tribesmen. Ba Yin entered Baili Hongyi's tent, expressing her disdain for her, yet acknowledging Baili Hongyi's courage in setting aside old grievances to travel south for a rescue. Ba Yin declared her desire for Baili Hongyi to leave and never return, revealing that she had informed Baili Hongyi about Baili Hongxuan's impending execution in You Kingdom.
She clarified that this was not a stolen secret, as the news was already widespread in You Kingdom, but rather a calculated move to prompt Baili Hongyi's departure. Ba Yin then summoned a maid, knocked her unconscious, and helped Baili Hongyi disguise herself as the maid to slip past the You Wu tribesmen. Trusting Ba Yin in this critical matter, Baili Hongyi quickly changed her attire. Soon after Baili Hongyi's departure from the Wolf Tribe, Ming Yefeng discovered her absence.
He confronted Ba Yin, drawing his sword, but ultimately spared her life, acknowledging that all her actions were for his benefit. Ming Yefeng found a tiger tooth necklace left behind by Baili Hongyi, pressing it close to his heart. Baili Hongyi had left a letter explaining that she knew he would never permit her to go to You Kingdom, which was why she chose to leave without a word.
She expressed gratitude for everything he had done and implored him not to endanger himself for her again. She viewed this journey as her final severing of ties with the Prince of Great Plains, hoping to resolve all past animosity and burdens. Ba Yin subsequently instructed the maidservants to maintain the pretense that Baili Hongyi was still in her tent and unavailable to anyone, claiming these orders originated from herself.
In the You Kingdom palace, a mysterious figure mused about the "long-running chess game" finally reaching its conclusion, asserting that after this day, there would be no turning back. In the royal palace, Jin Yang, gazing into a bronze mirror, saw Baili Hongxuan imprisoned. Meanwhile, in the Lang Tribe territory, a strange celestial phenomenon occurred: next to the moon, stars shone many times brighter, forming a dragon-like shape, stunning everyone.
Ming Yefeng also looked up in astonishment, feeling an inexplicable power awakening within him. Baili Hongxuan, clad in prison garb, knelt in the grand hall. Despite his bruised and battered state, his spirit remained unbroken. Baili Haohe, seated on the throne, spoke with a starkly altered demeanor. He questioned Baili Hongxuan's opposition to him and cast doubt on Baili Hongxuan's past kindness, wondering if it had been genuine.
Baili Hongxuan vehemently denied Baili Haohe's claim to be the true Emperor and challenged his very identity. Baili Haohe then declared that he had long since grown up, no longer a child. He lamented Baili Hongxuan's dire circumstances and his physical wounds, claiming that the wounds in his own heart were far more agonizing, and that Baili Hongxuan's failure to recognize him was the source of his predicament.
Jin Yang transformed into a divine bird and infiltrated the palace to rescue Baili Hongxuan. Her nascent powers were insufficient for a magical extraction, so they resolved to escape on foot. However, they were swiftly discovered by the palace guards. Baili Hongxuan, weakened and overwhelmed, could not fend off the attacking soldiers. He watched in agony as Jin Yang was fatally stabbed multiple times while trying to shield him.
Jin Yang died in his arms, a serene smile on her face, having fulfilled her deepest desire to protect him with her life. It was at this moment that Baili Hongxuan's profound grief and burning hatred began, precisely as the mysterious figure had orchestrated to manipulate him. News of the Marquis manor's total collapse spread rapidly, transforming the formerly loyal general into a publicly reviled traitor.
Baili Hongshuo, traveling from Li City to the outskirts of Ye City, overheard widespread condemnation and baseless rumors accusing his family of treason and coveting the throne. The general consensus was that his entire family deserved their fate. At the heavily fortified gates of Ye City, Qiu Xiaotong wisely suggested they meticulously plan their next move.
Baili Hongshuo then told his companions that they had endured enough hardship for him and should not continue risking their lives, asserting that he alone should bear the burden of his family's affairs. However, Hou Zhengze and Qiu Xiaotong firmly refused to abandon him, reiterating their unwavering commitment to stay by his side.
