Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 36 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
Under the influence of a controlling force, Baili Hongyi arrived in Shuchi, indiscriminately killing anyone who called her a "wicked woman." More Wolf Tribe members rushed to the scene but were easily overpowered by Baili Hongyi. As they succumbed to the physical pressure and knelt before her, Mola Khan emerged from his tent.
His appearance saved Baili Hongyi the trouble of searching for him, and Mola Khan, who had been clamoring to execute the wicked woman, was killed right before everyone's eyes. After taking Mola Khan's life, Baili Hongyi noticed Ming Yefeng among the onlookers. However, when Ming Yefeng looked up at her, Baili Hongyi suddenly felt as though she was back in a volcanic lava field.
In her vision, the person before her removed their mask to reveal Ming Yefeng's face, while her own face was similarly hidden by a mask. Seizing the moment of Baili Hongyi's mental instability, Ming Yefeng unconsciously unleashed his power, freeing the others from her grasp, and Baili Hongyi collapsed, falling unconscious. Despite Ming Yefeng's assurances for an explanation, the crowd was unwilling to spare Baili Hongyi, believing the ancient prophecy of "pure blood and a thriving tribe" was coming true.
They vowed never to tolerate Ming Yefeng's actions again. Gao Yi seized this opportunity, suggesting Baili Hongyi be held elsewhere until the matter was thoroughly investigated. He argued that since many Wolf Tribe members had witnessed her killings firsthand, accepting his proposal was a necessary compromise. Gao Yi then quietly promised Ming Yefeng to ensure Baili Hongyi's safety. Ming Yefeng, faced with the overwhelming anger, had to agree to Gao Yi's terms.
However, later, tribal leaders from various tribes, including Ming Lai, collectively pressured Ming Yefeng to execute Baili Hongyi for the tribal killings, threatening rebellion if he refused. To protect Baili Hongyi and buy time, Ming Yefeng was forced to agree to her public execution the following day. Meanwhile, after his Marquis residence was gone and the Baili clan labeled traitors, Baili Hongxuan, feeling useless, did not want to burden Jin Yang.
However, Ling Jun would not let him give up, as they had long planned for his awakening. Ling Jun guided Baili Hongxuan to understand that Baili Haohe was merely a puppet. Ling Jun then took Baili Hongxuan to a cliff overlooking the land, challenging him to abandon his responsibilities. Baili Hongxuan, ever dedicated to the country, resolved to accept any trial to regain his power, even if it meant death. He bravely leapt off the cliff.
The crucial condition for this trial was to personally kill Baili Haohe. Ling Jun doubted Baili Hongxuan, known for his benevolent nature, could commit regicide unless he confronted his true self. Jin Yang, worried that the trial (which would result in death if he failed to kill Baili Haohe) would take Baili Hongxuan's life, tried to intervene and kill Baili Haohe herself, regardless of exposing her own identity.
Baili Hongxuan, however, refused to let her sacrifice herself for him, just as he had done ten thousand years ago. Baili Hongxuan stood at the execution ground, facing a puppet Baili Haohe. Baili Hongxuan declared he would publicly execute the puppet, stating that the Baili Haohe seen in court was an illusion created by a demon. He shot an arrow, striking Baili Haohe in the chest. Baili Haohe laughed as flames erupted from his chest, engulfing Baili Hongxuan.
He then reappeared in a cloud cottage, transformed into Fire God Zhu Rong. Jin Yang, seeing his divine form, was startled but quickly spoke, saying she hadn't intentionally hidden things and that his true nature was not as important as his heart, welcoming his return. Ling Jun then conversed with Baili Hongxuan, acknowledging his return as Fire God Zhu Rong. Ling Jun explained that the demon in the palace was a puppet and Jiuying was the true threat.
She stated that Baili Hongxuan was destined to save the world and that his spiritual power still needed nurturing. Separately, Baili Hongshuo, his companion Hou Zhengze, and another were searching for An Tingfeng when Hou Zhengze suddenly became entranced and ran into a deep well. Baili Hongshuo jumped in to rescue him, encountering a female demon. As they struggled, An Tingfeng arrived and defeated the demon.
With her dying breath, the demon accused Hou Zhengze of being a demon like her, questioning why An Tingfeng ignored his true nature. An Tingfeng explained to Baili Hongshuo that the demon presence in the royal palace was attracting other spirits. This situation began on the day of Baili Hongxuan's wedding, when a powerful demon (implied to be Jiuying, whom An Tingfeng had been pursuing) appeared in Ye City and unsealed many other demons and awakened dormant spirits.
An Tingfeng clarified that the "Nine-winged Dragon" Baili Hongshuo had read about was actually Jiuying, and that Jiuying was the source of the immense demonic energy in the palace. Driven by the desire to avenge his family and his elder brother's death, Baili Hongshuo insisted on being trained, despite the inherent dangers. An Tingfeng acknowledged Baili Hongshuo's unusual talent, stemming from Master Ji Qiu who had guided him. He warned that the necessary trial could cost Baili Hongshuo his life.
Baili Hongshuo, having lost his family, was fearless. He recalled Master Ji Qiu's cryptic words: "North of the Burning Flame, above the Crimson River, lies the place of the key," which An Tingfeng confirmed was the location of the trial. An Tingfeng agreed to help, but on the condition that Baili Hongshuo not seek revenge against Jiuying until his spiritual power was fully awakened. They then set off for the "place of the key."
Ming Yefeng and Baili Hongyi continued their journey. Chou Nu intercepted them, reminding Baili Hongyi of the countless tribe members, including the former King, who died by her hand, and how she had destroyed Shuchi. He emphasized that Ming Yefeng had sacrificed his title as King and now faced being hunted by his own people, all to protect her. Chou Nu declared that the prophecy was a true reality, not just a rumor.
When Ming Yefeng tried to intervene, Chou Nu bid farewell, stating his loyalty was only to Ming Yefeng, and then used a knife Ming Yefeng had given him to take his own life, unwilling to leave the prairie. Meanwhile, Gao Yi confronted Ming Lai, questioning why he had allowed Ming Yefeng and the wicked woman to leave, implying that her presence would bring endless disasters to the prairie.
Gao Yi asserted that Ming Lai, as a High Priest, should have foreseen these events. He then subtly positioned himself, suggesting that this was not an end but a new beginning for the Wolf Tribe, and that he needed assistance to "pave the way through the proper course of events." When Ming Lai questioned why Gao Yi would aid Ming Yefeng but not him, Gao Yi clarified that he simply aligned with the consensus of the people.
He further implied that the catastrophe for the Wolf Tribe was inevitable and that Ming Lai himself would benefit from the unfolding events. Ming Yefeng and Baili Hongyi continued their journey. Baili Hongyi, feeling confused, asked Ming Yefeng to explain what had happened in Shuchi. He reassured her that she was not herself that day and was controlled by a witchcraft, likely a "Mantra of Puppet," designed to eliminate them both.
While he couldn't identify the specific person responsible, he focused on protecting her. He explained that by finding the You Wu tribesmen, they would be safe. Baili Hongyi worried if she might have harmed the You Wu, but Ming Yefeng assured her it was highly unlikely, as You Wu tribesmen, being demi-gods, were difficult to kill. They reached the homeland of the You Wu tribesmen, a place where they worshipped the Sacred Tree, an illuminating Pan Wood in Hengtian Mountain.
As they approached the Sacred Tree, Ming Yefeng felt an increasing sense of unease. He saw You Wu tribesmen and then placed the shattered Thousand Mountain Decree at the tree's roots, adding his blood. The tree roots instantly transformed into a towering, vibrant sacred tree, and the You Wu tribesmen appeared. Ming Yefeng recalled a nightmare where Baili Hongyi was a traitor intent on killing the You Wu.
Relieved to see her acting normally, he was about to approach the You Wu when Yijiu Mo suddenly appeared and restrained Baili Hongyi. Yijiu Mo revealed that he had been waiting for Ming Yefeng and accused him of orchestrating everything. Ming Yefeng, believing Baili Hongyi was under a spell, demanded to know what witchcraft had been performed on her.
Yijiu Mo countered, urging Ming Yefeng to see for himself who he was trying to save, proclaiming that Baili Hongyi was the one who had killed the You Wu tribesmen. He added that You Wu tribesmen could not be killed by anyone else, only by her. With this revelation, Baili Hongyi broke free from her restraints and reverted to the same violent state she was in when she massacred Shuchi.
