Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 41 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recaps
Ji Qiu explained that her touch had made it impossible for him to visit her again, signifying their final farewell. He urged Hou Zhengze to care for Qiu Xiaotong, vowing to hold him accountable if she were ever saddened. Embracing her for the last time, Ji Qiu encouraged her to be brave and follow Baili Hongshuo. Before he could finish, he completely vanished, leaving Qiu Xiaotong sobbing on the ground, comforted by Hou Zhengze.
Meanwhile, Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi explored a grand stone chamber, searching for the Water Jade. Baili Hongyi questioned if the legendary item could truly be there. Hearing sounds from beyond a wall, Baili Hongshuo used his Going Through Wall Technique to transport them to another section. There, a mystical projection on the wall depicted Chisong Zi and Dinu Sang from ancient times. Baili Hongyi recognized the mulberry fairy.
The ancient lovers exchanged vows of eternal devotion, pledging to remain inseparable through all lifetimes. They noticed that Chisong Zi and Dinu Sang held what appeared to be the Water Jade. An unseen male voice, later identified as An Tingfeng, resonated through the chamber, remarking on the mulberry fairy’s beautiful love story but expressing regret over her persistent obsession. He mused that perhaps it was time for her to achieve true enlightenment.
An Tingfeng's voice continued, explaining that the Water Jade could only be retrieved by two people deeply in love. Remembering the ancient couple's actions, Baili Hongshuo suggested they replicate the ritual. As they joined hands, reciting the same vows, they recalled cherished memories, and a smile blossomed on their faces. The Water Jade materialized in their hands.
Baili Hongyi wondered why they had to find the Water Jade if it belonged to Chisong Zi and Dinu Sang, concluding that only the mulberry fairy could know the reason. The chamber held the tale of the Dinu Sang sisters, both of whom loved Chisong Zi. While the younger sister ascended to Heaven with Chisong Zi, the elder remained trapped by her unfulfilled love in this spiritually abundant place.
An Tingfeng, observing this, acknowledged his own similar two-thousand-year-long obsession, which he now intended to satisfy. He reassured Ling Jun that his primary concern was the Water Jade, and his wish would soon be granted. Elsewhere, Jin Yang, struggling to control her Zhen bird form, found An Tingfeng and Ling Jun sharing tea.
She confronted them, questioning how a demon hunter and a demon could sit together when she, in her demon form, felt unaccepted by Baili Hongxuan, contrasting it with his past rejection of her as the demon Zhen Bird. Jin Yang implored Ling Jun to restore her human form, convinced that her current appearance was repulsive and would drive Baili Hongxuan away. Ling Jun calmly stated that this was her true form and urged her to accept reality.
Jin Yang recalled Baili Hongxuan, in his past life as the deity Zhu Rong, having saved her, but then rejecting her for being a demon. She now insisted that Baili Hongxuan, as Sir Marquis, truly loved her, having married her and called her his companion, believing his past rejection was only due to her demon form. Despite Ling Jun’s attempts to make her face the difficult truth, Jin Yang fervently maintained Baili Hongxuan’s love for her.
She begged Ling Jun for one last magical intervention to regain her human form, certain it would restore Baili Hongxuan’s affection. An Tingfeng intervened, reminding Jin Yang that she possessed something vital for Baili Hongxuan, implying he would prioritize it over sentiment. Ling Jun then informed Jin Yang that An Tingfeng's spell would only last for two hours, after which she would revert to her Zhen bird form.
Ling Jun advised her to resolve any unfinished matters quickly to avoid regrets, stating this was her final act of assistance. Jin Yang, recognizing a shared understanding, tearfully told Ling Jun that she understood the feeling of lonely, silent waiting. After retrieving the Water Jade, Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi encountered Baili Hongxuan. Baili Hongxuan addressed Baili Hongyi as "Ruo'er," referring to her as the princess of the Wolf Clan, Li Ruo.
Baili Hongshuo immediately corrected him, asserting that she was Baili Hongyi and that her name would not change since her father had brought her home. Baili Hongyi then proceeded to deliver the Water Jade to the mulberry fairy. As the two hours expired, Jin Yang, back in her Zhen bird form, faced Baili Hongxuan. Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi were also present.
During the confrontation, it was revealed that Zhen Bird had absorbed a portion of Jiuying’s spiritual energy during an ancient demon-sealing battle. This power was crucial for their grand plan. As Baili Hongxuan drew his sword, Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi cried out in disbelief, begging him not to harm his wife. Jin Yang asked if he truly intended to kill her. Baili Hongxuan replied it was for the sake of all living beings.
Jin Yang acknowledged her inability to fight her husband but questioned if he ever considered their bond. Baili Hongxuan promised to bury her with him, her tombstone inscribed, "Beloved wife of Baili Hongxuan." Jin Yang then asked if he had ever loved her, or Jin Yang. Realizing he had never truly cared for her, she accepted her fate, choosing to release her own long-held obsession and set him free.
Jin Yang bid him a final farewell, hoping they would never meet again, and dissipated into the air. Baili Hongxuan shed a single tear, but upon reopening his eyes, all emotion had vanished. Ling Jun watched as a single feather, all that remained of Zhen Bird, drifted into her hand and dissolved. An Tingfeng later explained to Ling Jun that he had anticipated Zhen Bird’s sacrifice.
He had deliberately sent her to Baili Hongxuan because, having absorbed Jiuying’s most potent spiritual energy, she would have been an undefeatable foe in battle. He noted that emotions create a fatal weakness, an Achilles' heel from which no one can escape, believing Jin Yang would sacrifice herself for love. Similarly, the mulberry fairy, upon examining the Water Jade, realized that Chisong Zi had never truly noticed her.
Like Jin Yang, she decided to let go of her millennia-long obsession, finding peace in her fate as a lonely soul trapped within a small radius around her mulberry tree. The mulberry fairy then transported Baili Hongshuo, Hou Zhengze, and Qiu Xiaotong to Spirit Mountain. Baili Hongshuo was deeply saddened and silent over Jin Yang's fate. Hou Zhengze, witnessing the tragedy, wondered if Baili Hongshuo would also eliminate him if he possessed similar spiritual powers.
Qiu Xiaotong, though initially hesitant, asserted Baili Hongshuo's noble character, believing him different from his brother. She then stammered out the truth: Hou Zhengze had seen Master Ji Qiu, who had returned as an immortal to protect them during their escape from Li City. She tearfully recounted how Ji Qiu had always worried most about Baili Hongshuo at Red Pine Stream. Overwhelmed with grief and regret, Baili Hongshuo knelt on the ground.
He acknowledged Ji Qiu’s sincerity in wanting him as a disciple, his unwavering protection, and his ultimate sacrifice, lamenting that he had done nothing in return. With profound respect, Baili Hongshuo formally acknowledged Ji Qiu as his lifelong mentor, vowing eternal reverence.
