Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 40 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
Baili Hongxuan discussed Jin Yang’s true nature with Baili Hongshuo, reassuring him that despite Jin Yang being a Zhen Bird demon, she is kind-hearted and has never harmed anyone. He emphasized that Jin Yang is his wife and family, and her past contributions to him and their manor should not be dismissed due to her identity.
Baili Hongshuo was relieved by his elder brother’s perspective, agreeing that demons, like humans, possess both good and evil, and indiscriminate demon hunting is meaningless. Moments later, Jin Yang, still recovering, attempted to summon Ling Jun using a ginkgo leaf and a chanted spell, but received no response. An Tingfeng explained to Baili Hongxuan and Baili Hongshuo that all existence stems from the five elements: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth.
Ancient times saw five elemental deities: Water God Xuan Ming, Fire God Zhu Rong, Wood God Gou Mang, Metal God Ru Shou, and Earth God Hou Tu. He deduced that Baili Hongyi is Hou Tu, noting her unique demonic energy suggests she intentionally sealed a powerful demon, likely Jiuying, within herself rather than being controlled by it. He added that their current gathering was likely destined to combat Jiuying, stressing that all five deities are indispensable for this task.
Accepting this arrangement, Ming Yefeng and Baili Hongxuan agreed to set aside their past grievances for the greater good. An Tingfeng, aware of Jin Yang's true form, subtly challenged Baili Hongxuan, questioning how he would act when the heavenly mandate to kill demons directly conflicted with his love for a demon.
Meanwhile, Baili Hongyi awakened from vivid memories, convinced she had killed Yi Jiumo in the desert and the You Wu tribesmen, despite Ming Yefeng’s insistence that Yi Jiumo took his own life. Overwhelmed by guilt and confusion about her identity, she questioned who she truly was, feeling she was no longer herself. Ming Yefeng gently affirmed her as Li Ruo, the Wolf Tribe Princess and his beloved sister, promising to restore everything to normal and handle their situation.
He showed her a new mark on her body, explaining it was a sign of her innate spiritual power as Earth God Hou Tu, just as his own power came from Wood God Gou Mang, and the Baili brothers also possessed similar divine powers. He urged her to trust him and not worry, suggesting they go for a walk.
The group, now including Baili Hongxuan, Baili Hongshuo, Ming Yefeng, Baili Hongyi, An Tingfeng, Hou Zhengze, and Qiu Xiaotong, journeyed towards Red Pine Stream, the sacred burial ground of Wolf Tribe’s fallen spirits. To avoid direct confrontation with the Wolf Tribe army, they took a circuitous route, bypassing Shu Chi and marching north from Lan Jia’er Mountain. As they entered Red Pine Stream, Jin Yang struggled to control her demonic form and quickly retreated from the others.
Soon after, Hou Zhengze and Qiu Xiaotong became separated and were captured by ambushing Wolf Tribe warriors. The remaining five were also attacked, prompting Baili Hongxuan to accuse Ming Yefeng of treachery. Ming Yefeng denied involvement, suggesting their approach had been compromised. Gao Yi, a Wolf Tribe leader, then openly thanked Ming Yefeng, believing this was his chance to eliminate the Baili family and avenge his kin.
In the ensuing battle, Ming Yefeng defended his allies against the Wolf Tribe, even preventing Baili Hongxuan from harming Gao Yi directly. Ling Jun then arrived, swiftly subduing the remaining Wolf Tribe members. Ming Yefeng negotiated the release of Hou Zhengze and Qiu Xiaotong in exchange for Gao Yi. He then earnestly pleaded with Gao Yi, urging him to lead his people west over Lan Jia’er Mountain to escape an impending, unstoppable calamity.
Though Baili Hongxuan disapproved of Ming Yefeng's perceived leniency towards an enemy, calling it "phony kindness that invites future tribulation," he remained silent, recognizing the necessity of their current alliance. Later, separated from the main group, Baili Hongyi and Ming Yefeng encountered a transparent apparition of Princess Na Cheng.
Though Baili Hongyi initially didn’t recognize her, a flood of fragmented memories soon revealed the ethereal figure to be her mother, who was urging a younger Baili Hongyi to flee, explaining that Wolf Tribe’s sacred ladies must remain virgins. As the apparition faded, Baili Hongyi collapsed in grief, desperately wishing to see her mother again, while Ming Yefeng comforted her, assuring her that her mother would never be angry with her.
Meanwhile, the other members of the group gathered deeper within Red Pine Stream. An Tingfeng chanted a spell, calling forth the master of Red Pine Stream from a spirit tree. The woman, who identified herself as the guardian of the stream, acknowledged their quest and stated that Red Pine Stream was the sole path to Spirit Mountain. She offered them passage in exchange for finding the Water Jade, which she claimed would only appear to those who were truly fated.
With a wave of her hand, she made everyone except An Tingfeng vanish. She then addressed An Tingfeng as "Sir Metal God," and he expressed hope that after the demon within Baili Hongyi was purged, they could return to this place and see Princess Na Cheng once more. Elsewhere, Baili Hongyi found herself in a stone chamber with Baili Hongshuo, searching for an exit, while Ming Yefeng and Baili Hongxuan were trapped together in a deep well.
Baili Hongxuan, still holding a grudge, refused to cooperate with Ming Yefeng. He accused Ming Yefeng of betraying him in the past by delivering his secret letter, which detailed a plan to plot for the throne, to He Yao, leading to Baili Hongxuan's supposed death. Ming Yefeng, seemingly learning of this rumor for the first time, confirmed its truth, then retorted that Baili Hongxuan’s actions were his own fault and he deserved his fate.
Despite their bitter history, Baili Hongxuan reluctantly agreed to trust Ming Yefeng for their survival, warning him not to lie. In another part of Red Pine Stream, Hou Zhengze also began to manifest his demonic form, confirming his identity as a demon. Distraught, he apologized to Qiu Xiaotong, fearing her rejection.
However, Qiu Xiaotong reassured him, proclaiming that it didn't matter if he was human or demon; he was her special friend, refuting his belief that humans and demons could not be friends. As their emotions deepened, the supposedly deceased Ji Qiu suddenly appeared. He immediately chastised Qiu Xiaotong for being smitten and Hou Zhengze for making advances. Ji Qiu revealed he knew of Hou Zhengze’s transformation and his impersonation of Baili Hongshuo to learn magic.
He quickly used his own power to stabilize Hou Zhengze’s human appearance, emphasizing that Hou Zhengze's inner heart was what truly mattered. He urged Hou Zhengze to care for Qiu Xiaotong and warned him not to let his demonic form be seen by others. Ji Qiu then instructed him to ensure Baili Hongshuo continued his diligent practice before vanishing.
