Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 37 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
Baili Hongyi's eyes turned deep red, and she again transformed, killing the surviving You Wu tribesmen. Ming Yefeng questioned Yi Jiumo, asking what witchcraft she had performed on Baili Hongyi. Yi Jiumo countered that Ming Yefeng should look closely, claiming it was Baili Hongyi who killed the You Wu tribesmen, who are otherwise unkillable except by her. Baili Hongyi herself declared that traitors must die.
Yi Jiumo then revealed that in ancient times, a catastrophic demon created the You Wu Tribe, granting them immortal and indestructible divine power but also a vicious curse of annihilation every sixty years. To escape this, the You Wu Tribe had sought the only person who could perform a blood sacrifice on the Thousand Mountain Decree for millennia, believing that only this person could save them and ensure their tribe's survival.
Yi Jiumo informed Ming Yefeng that he is the Wood God, the deity of the You Wu tribesmen, while Baili Hongyi is the very demon who created them, making them natural enemies. She warned Ming Yefeng that he must face this inevitable conflict, stating that once things begin, they cannot easily stop, and both of them would be swept into it.
Ming Yefeng, however, insisted that these grand matters had nothing to do with him, only identifying himself as Ming Yefeng and her as Li Ruo. Yi Jiumo warned him that if he did not kill her, she would kill him. As Baili Hongyi killed the traitorous You Wu tribesmen in front of Ming Yefeng, seemingly validating Yi Jiumo’s words, Ming Yefeng declared he would rather die by Hongyi’s hand than harm her.
Yi Jiumo mocked his devotion, challenging him to prove his words and asking if he wouldn't fight back even if she killed him. Seeing his unwavering stance, Yi Jiumo prepared to accept all of it, seemingly to sacrifice herself to end the conflict, but Ming Yefeng intervened to stop her. Yi Jiumo, with her last breath, reiterated that if he didn't kill Baili Hongyi, Hongyi would kill him.
Ming Yefeng vowed to find a way to save her, but Yi Jiumo cryptically stated that only "him" (later revealed to be Jiuying) could save Hongyi, yet Ming Yefeng would not find him, and that Hongyi would show him no mercy. Baili Hongyi then collapsed unconscious into Ming Yefeng’s arms, and Yi Jiumo dissipated. As Baili Hongshuo and An Tingfeng ventured deeper into the place of the key, Qiu Xiaotong fervently prayed for Baili Hongshuo's safety and well-being.
An Tingfeng, whose spiritual power was of Metal, warned Baili Hongshuo that the place was filled with extreme fire, born with heaven and earth, hundreds or thousands of times more powerful than the fire spirits cultivated by any deity or demon.
He explained that his spiritual power couldn't overcome this power and he couldn't last long, instructing Baili Hongshuo, whose natural attribute was Water, to adjust his breathing, form a mudra, and purify his senses, as only he had the possibility to fight this battle. Meanwhile, Hou Zhengze was distracted, still troubled by the Well Source Spirit’s words suggesting he was also a demon.
He recounted to Qiu Xiaotong that the demon claimed they were not much different, implying he too was a demon because he could change forms and even transform into other people's appearances since he was young. Qiu Xiaotong quickly dismissed this, reassuring him that he couldn't be a demon since he had never harmed anyone and frequently helped people, including risking his life for Baili Hongshuo.
She also pointed out that demons are scary and strange, whereas he was timid, fussy, nagging, and ordinary-looking. As a student of Taoism, she firmly asserted he was definitely not a demon. Relieved by her words, Hou Zhengze joined Qiu Xiaotong in praying for Baili Hongshuo's safe return. Inside the place of the key, Baili Hongshuo encountered Yan Huo (Burning Fire), who guarded the Three Knobs.
After a brief exchange where Baili Hongshuo identified himself, Yan Huo warned him to retreat. Baili Hongshuo was no match for Yan Huo and was quickly knocked down. However, in his soul, a guiding spirit appeared, revealing his true identity: Xuan Ming, the Water God and Lord of the Northern Land, who governs winter. This revelation allowed Baili Hongshuo to activate his dormant powers, and he quickly subdued Yan Huo.
The spirit, identifying itself as Ru Shou, the Western Metal God, informed Baili Hongshuo that his spiritual power would grow stronger with each demon he captured, as his floral tattoo would extend. When Baili Hongshuo asked when he could defeat the demon in the palace, Ru Shou advised patience. Baili Hongshuo then mentioned seeing a totem symbol of the Fu Song Unit while extinguishing Yan Huo.
With the trials completed, Baili Hongshuo, An Tingfeng, Hou Zhengze, and Qiu Xiaotong prepared to travel to the Fu Song Unit, located in the eastern part of Great You. Ling Jun suddenly appeared, immediately drawing An Tingfeng's animosity, who revealed he had been hunting her for a long time, surprised she would deliver herself to him. Ling Jun, however, stated that if he killed her now, Baili Hongshuo might never see his elder brother again.
Baili Hongshuo initially disbelieved her, having witnessed his brother's death, calling her statement a foolish lie. But Ling Jun countered that what he saw might not be the truth, implying he should understand this after all he had been through. Realizing she was referring to the Mantra of Puppet, Baili Hongshuo understood that Baili Hongxuan was indeed alive, saved by Ling Jun’s use of the technique.
To uncover the full truth, An Tingfeng temporarily set aside his obsession with capturing Ling Jun, and the group agreed to follow her. Meanwhile, at the Fu Song Unit, Baili Hongxuan and Jin Yang were greeted by Shentu Guan, who apologized for the lack of a proper welcome due to a family emergency: his father, the Clan Chief, had suddenly passed away. Baili Hongxuan expressed surprise, knowing the Clan Chief to be healthy.
Shentu Guan initially offered vague explanations, but Baili Hongxuan, discerning something amiss and further prompted by Jin Yang mentioning a demon, pressed him for the truth. Under pressure, Shentu Guan revealed that his father and seven other clan members had died suddenly on the same morning, their faces dark green.
An autopsy revealed their stomachs, intestines, and even mouths were stuffed with iron, yet their bodies remained undamaged despite the extreme heat liquid iron would produce, which would normally leave no remains. Ling Jun, having heard the description, quickly identified the culprit as an Ironstone Demon with a deep-seated grudge, as only such a demon could use liquid iron as a weapon without destroying the bodies.
Desperate, Shentu Guan pleaded with Baili Hongxuan to save the Fu Song Unit, promising their full support with all the clan's strength. Baili Hongxuan agreed to capture the demon for them in five days. As Baili Hongxuan diligently cultivated to recover his abilities quickly, Jin Yang watched him with unease. Ling Jun, noting Jin Yang's concern, pointed out that Baili Hongxuan, with his innate fire spirit, was well-suited to fight the Ironstone Demon.
She suggested waiting for a "fire day" when the demon’s power would be weakest and his own strongest for a greater chance of success. Jin Yang expressed her belief in Baili Hongxuan’s strength but admitted her worry, knowing the Ironstone Demon was no ordinary foe, possessing extraordinary skill from the cultivation combining iron and stone, and that her husband had never encountered such a powerful demon before.
Ling Jun, however, remained confident, assuring Jin Yang that Baili Hongxuan would not lose and offered to bring Baili Hongshuo to him, allowing Hongxuan to focus on the demon. When Baili Hongshuo finally arrived at the Fu Song Unit, he saw Baili Hongxuan right before his eyes and could hardly believe it. Memories of Baili Hongxuan being alive resurfaced, and he cautiously walked towards his brother, fearful that it might all be an illusion.
Only when he grasped Baili Hongxuan's hand did he finally give in to his excitement and relief. Baili Hongxuan acknowledged his survival, thanking Baili Hongshuo for his rescue attempt that day. The two brothers, overcome with emotion, embraced and wept, as if reunited after an eternity. An Tingfeng, however, did not abandon his intent to capture Ling Jun.
He expressed skepticism about a demon helping humans, asking sarcastically if she was a good demon, and referencing Ling Jun's past actions in Ye City. Ling Jun retorted that good and bad existed in both humans and demons. Baili Hongxuan, grateful for Ling Jun saving him and Jin Yang, defended her, explaining that she had helped him find Baili Hongshuo while he recovered from severe injuries and loss of martial arts.
An Tingfeng then tried to resume his pursuit, but Baili Hongxuan firmly blocked him, stating Ling Jun was his friend. An Tingfeng, recognizing Baili Hongxuan as Fire God Zhu Rong and one of the Five Proper Gods, questioned why he would obstruct a demon hunter’s innate duty. Baili Hongxuan countered that blindly hunting demons without regard for right or wrong was foolish blind hatred, despite appearing righteous.
Baili Hongshuo also pleaded with An Tingfeng not to harm Ling Jun because she had saved his elder brother. An Tingfeng, unwilling to directly confront them, agreed to spare Ling Jun for now, stating that the brothers had much to talk about. Before leaving, An Tingfeng warned Jin Yang not to be swayed by demon charms or make forbidden demonic pacts.
Ling Jun thanked Baili Hongxuan for his protection and departed, acknowledging An Tingfeng would not trouble her for the time being. Baili Hongxuan then instructed Jin Yang to arrange accommodations for Baili Hongshuo's friends, as he and his brother needed to talk. Alone, Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongxuan shared their newly discovered identities. Baili Hongxuan confirmed Ling Jun's critical role in his survival and subsequent "bone and blood rebirth," stating he was no longer the Baili Hongxuan of the past.
He explained that after leaving Ye City, under Ling Jun's guidance, he underwent this transformation. Baili Hongshuo then revealed his own transformation, having learned at the place of the key that he was the ancient Water God, Xuan Ming of the North, endowed with innate spiritual energy far beyond ordinary mortals. He also questioned Baili Hongxuan about the fire he saw, to which his brother confirmed he had unsealed the power of the Fire God.
Baili Hongxuan expressed that they were destined for more than ordinary lives, carrying a greater responsibility. He declared his intention to follow Heaven's guidance and shoulder the burden of protecting all beings, believing that with their combined strength, they could face any challenge without fear. However, Baili Hongshuo’s vision was more focused; he only wished to avenge the Prince of Great Plains’ Manor by eliminating the demon in the palace responsible for its destruction.
Both Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongxuan, though having awakened their divine identities, had not yet fully recovered their memories or powers as gods. Baili Hongxuan stressed that their revenge against the palace demon could only be achieved by finding Jiuying.
When Baili Hongshuo questioned his trust in Ling Jun, Baili Hongxuan affirmed it, acknowledging that since Ling Jun's arrival in Ye City, everything had changed, and an unseen hand seemed to be orchestrating all events, with everything they experienced connected to her. He admitted he didn’t fully understand her purpose but needed her guidance to gain power, intending to make his final judgment after investigating everything.
The brothers then shared a drink, celebrating their reunion and vowing to control their own destinies and never be separated again. When Baili Hongshuo mentioned that Baili Hongyi would be happy to know Hongxuan was alive, Baili Hongxuan sharply dismissed the thought, stating their bond as siblings was a thing of the past after the destruction of the Prince of Great Plains' Manor, urging Hongshuo not to dwell on it either, as many things awaited them in the future.
