Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 32 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
Baili Hongshuo used his teleportation ability to enter the family manor, where he was immediately overcome with memories. He ran his hand over the pillar where Baili Hongxuan had carved the heights for him and Baili Hongyi as children, and saw the old archery target where his eldest brother had patiently taught him to shoot. The stark contrast between these vivid childhood memories and the current dilapidated state of the manor left him heartbroken.
In a fit of anger, he tore down the official seals on the hall door, only to find that Baili Haoyuan's armor was gone. He recalled the vow they, the three siblings (Baili Hongshuo, Baili Hongxuan, and Baili Hongyi), had made to protect their home, a vow that now seemed impossible to uphold as they were scattered and the manor lay in ruins. Hou Zhengze and Qiu Xiaotong, worried about Baili Hongshuo, followed him to the manor.
Hou Zhengze, acknowledging the changed circumstances, advised against rash actions, but Baili Hongshuo insisted on just taking a quick look inside. As soldiers began patrolling the area, they realized it was unsafe to stay. Hou Zhengze proposed they seek refuge at his home, assuring them of its safety. At Hou Zhengze’s home, his sister and brother-in-law warmly welcomed them.
Hou Zhengze, known to his family by the nickname "Water Baby," introduced Baili Hongshuo as Bai Hong and Qiu Xiaotong by her own name, explaining he was back on a "secret military mission." Later that night, Qiu Xiaotong sensed Baili Hongshuo was awake and tried to console him from outside his room, expressing her understanding of his pain. She likened his situation to her own separation from her Master, emphasizing that temporary partings can lead to better reunions.
She also mentioned her own senior sister who wouldn't abandon her, implicitly suggesting Baili Hongshuo also had support, and reassuring him that he would rescue Baili Hongxuan. When Hou Zhengze arrived with chicken soup made from a chicken his sister had raised for three years, they discovered Baili Hongshuo had already left, deducing he must have gone to the Imperial Prison. Baili Hongshuo infiltrated the Imperial Prison, only to overhear guards discussing Baili Hongxuan's transfer.
As he prepared to leave, he was attacked by a black-clad figure, who revealed herself to be Baili Hongyi, also attempting a rescue. It became clear that He Yao had anticipated their arrival and laid a trap. He Yao then appeared, accusing Baili Hongxuan of colluding with foreign enemies and using Baili Hongyi's presence (as the Jingguo Princess) as further evidence.
Baili Hongshuo fiercely defended his brother, demanding to know his whereabouts, but He Yao gloated, revealing Baili Hongxuan had suffered greatly in prison and refusing to disclose his location. As He Yao's men attacked, a white fog suddenly enveloped the area, and Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi vanished. Meanwhile, Qiu Xiaotong and Hou Zhengze, having followed Baili Hongshuo, witnessed Hou Zhengze transforming into Baili Hongshuo to draw away pursuers, thus revealing his shapeshifting ability to Qiu Xiaotong.
After the escape, Qiu Xiaotong confronted Hou Zhengze about his mysterious power, realizing he had been impersonating Baili Hongshuo multiple times, even during her early interactions with "Baili Hongshuo." Despite her anger at his deception, Hou Zhengze tried to explain he was born with the ability and used it to help Baili Hongshuo, even learning magic on his behalf. The group, now including Baili Hongyi, regrouped and sought safety at Hou Zhengze’s home.
He Yao reported the prison incident to Baili Haohe, confirming Baili Hongshuo's return and Baili Hongyi's appearance, and reiterating his belief in Baili Hongxuan’s treason. Baili Haohe, though troubled by the thought of punishing his childhood friend Baili Hongshuo, was swayed by the Empress Dowager's relentless prodding. She insisted that showing mercy to Baili Hongxuan and Baili Hongshuo, who harbored traitorous intentions, would be a dereliction of his duty to Great You.
Convinced that Baili Hongxuan had deceived him for over a decade, Baili Haohe hardened his resolve, ordering He Yao to send more troops to capture Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi, ensuring they would not escape punishment. Back at Hou Zhengze's home, Baili Hongyi sat alone, meticulously studying a map to plan Baili Hongxuan's rescue. She felt a profound burden of guilt, believing that all the misfortunes befalling the Baili clan stemmed from her.
Looking through a crack in the window at Baili Hongshuo, she silently decided that once Baili Hongxuan was safely rescued, disappearing from Baili Hongshuo's life forever would be the best outcome for everyone. Far away in the vast wilderness, Ming Yefeng clutched the tiger tooth necklace Baili Hongyi always wore. He felt he could not stand by while she faced danger alone. Suddenly sensing a presence, Chou Nu swiftly drew his sword, pointing it at Gao Yi's neck.
Gao Yi, who commanded the Tili Three Units, questioned Ming Yefeng's decision to pursue Baili Hongyi, reminding him of his responsibilities as King of the Wolf Tribe and suggesting that Baili Hongyi's departure should be a cause for celebration, as it removed a potential weakness. Ming Yefeng, however, disregarded Gao Yi's counsel, his determination unwavering.
Watching Ming Yefeng walk away, Ba Yin felt a deep ache in her heart, finally understanding that Baili Hongyi held a place in his heart above all else, a place she could never hope to occupy. Baili Hongyi spent the entire night without sleep, trying to pinpoint Baili Hongxuan’s possible location. A tense atmosphere persisted between her and Baili Hongshuo; both stubbornly refused to initiate conversation.
Unaware of the true nature of their relationship, Qiu Xiaotong and Hou Zhengze believed them to be biological siblings simply having a quarrel. They attempted to mediate, but their efforts were in vain due to their lack of understanding of the underlying issues. Despite their mutual avoidance, a plan was needed to rescue Baili Hongxuan.
Hou Zhengze found himself in the unenviable position of a messenger, shuttling between Baili Hongshuo's and Baili Hongyi's rooms, relaying their conflicting strategies and suffering the brunt of their frustration. Baili Hongshuo argued against Baili Hongyi's initial reckless "needle in a haystack" approach of checking every possible location, warning that He Yao had heavily guarded all plausible locations, turning them into traps.
He then proposed targeting the Royal Archives (Lantai), which was under He Yao's control but had a familiar layout, making success possible if Baili Hongxuan could cooperate from within. Baili Hongyi, however, criticized his plan as rash and impractical given the heavy guards and unknown internal situation. She vehemently rejected any further delay, emphasizing the imminent execution. Hou Zhengze, exasperated, then relayed Baili Hongshuo's cutting remark, who called her an 'illegitimate child unfit to be an ally'.
Despite this personal attack and her own stated intent to repay the Baili family's kindness with her life by going alone, she insisted on proceeding to Lantai that very night. Exasperated by their stubbornness, Hou Zhengze finally threw up his hands, complaining loudly to Qiu Xiaotong outside about their childish behavior, questioning why they couldn't simply discuss matters face-to-face for the greater good.
His exasperated words were overheard by Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi, who, prompted by his outburst, finally sat down together to talk. As they both opened their mouths to speak, only to hesitate, a subtle tension filled the air.
