Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 45 (Ending) Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
The spiritual essence of Water God Xuan Ming guided Baili Hongshuo, and eventually, the two merged into one. In this mystical state, Baili Hongshuo was shown a vision of Jiuying being sealed, and he understood that he was meant to seal Jiuying once more, to which he agreed. Meanwhile, Jiuying rose from her bed within the imperial palace, looking at Baili Hongyi’s reflection in the mirror with disdain.
However, when she discovered the necklace around her neck was missing, she frantically searched for it. Perhaps from the day she was sealed within Baili Hongyi’s body, they had already become one. As Jiuying surveyed Ye City, now desolate and lifeless due to her actions, her wild laughter echoed, tinged with a hint of loneliness. Ming Yefeng infiltrated the imperial palace, determined to kill Jiuying. When he finally confronted her, Jiuying, appearing as Baili Hongyi, challenged him.
She questioned if he had truly thought through his intentions, reminding him, "I'm your Li Ruo." She recounted their past, how he fell in love with Hou Tu but chose to seal her (Jiuying) within Hou Tu's body for the sake of "righteousness." Jiuying declared that Hou Tu, Li Ruo, and she were now one and the same, and the person he swore to protect was also her.
She taunted him, asking if he would kill Hou Tu by killing her, or fulfill his promise to follow her. Ming Yefeng's sword halted at Jiuying's neck, unable to strike, and in his agony, he asked her to kill him instead. However, Jiuying merely knocked him unconscious, binding him within the palace rather than ending his life, hinting that as Baili Hongyi, she also possessed Baili Hongyi's emotions, which is why Baili Hongshuo could easily rescue him.
Baili Hongxuan, resentful of An Tingfeng's manipulation of his life, sought revenge against him before targeting Jiuying. An Tingfeng confronted Baili Hongxuan, observing his unchanged arrogant and pompous personality. An Tingfeng pointed out that Baili Hongxuan's original intention was to save the world, but his self-righteousness and excessive desire to be a hero made him easily manipulated. This reminded Baili Hongxuan of a past encounter with his fellow deities.
In a flashback, he was seen sparring with Baili Hongshuo (as their past selves, Zhu Rong with his Crimson Flame Sword and Xuan Ming with his Sacred Sunset Valley Sabre). Xuan Ming had once urged Zhu Rong to focus their power on defeating Jiuying, who was then causing chaos and had overwhelmed heavenly troops. Zhu Rong passionately declared his lifelong cultivation of the Fire Spirit was to jail the demon, even at the cost of his life.
An Tingfeng (as Ru Shou) had then grimly remarked that Zhu Rong became a hero but got everyone killed, questioning if it was truly worth it. Back in the present, Baili Hongxuan vehemently stated that as the grievance began with him, he would see it to the end, challenging An Tingfeng to a fight. Though An Tingfeng seemingly orchestrated Jiuying's unsealing due to his obsession, Ling Jun was the true mastermind.
An Tingfeng had pursued Ling Jun for centuries but spared her due to a certain address, eventually becoming her friend. Ling Jun chose to stay by An Tingfeng's side, feigning support for his ambitions, all as part of her intricate scheme to free Jiuying. Yet, Ling Jun confessed to herself that matters of the heart were uncontrollable, and she had unexpectedly fallen for him. She bade An Tingfeng farewell, admitting that her intentions had changed.
An Tingfeng, observing her injury, pressed her, lamenting that their paths were always destined to diverge, and he had trusted the wrong person. Baili Hongshuo rescued Ming Yefeng from Jiuying’s confinement, causing Jiuying to angrily question his actions, to which Baili Hongshuo retorted that Ming Yefeng possessed more humanity than she did. Shortly after, Baili Hongshuo revived both Baili Hongxuan and Ming Yefeng.
However, upon regaining consciousness, the two immediately attacked each other, leading to a fierce confrontation between the three former deities. Enraged by their infighting, Baili Hongshuo intervened, stopping their destructive battle. He passionately declared that their past was over and they were now facing a catastrophic disaster that threatened all living beings. He implored them to set aside their personal grievances and hatred, which had led to their earlier defeat, and unite to confront Jiuying.
Everything had started with the five of them, and it was time for them to end it together. Later, on a night as cool as water, Ling Jun and An Tingfeng shared a final drink together. Ling Jun revealed that her only remaining act was to sacrifice herself for him. As she was engulfed in fiery flames, Ling Jun smiled serenely, finding contentment in her fate. Though proud, An Tingfeng, perhaps without realizing it, had developed deep feelings for her.
Ling Jun's essence dissipated from the world, but in a spiritual sense, she would forever remain by An Tingfeng's side. Finally, the day of reckoning arrived. Baili Hongxuan, Baili Hongshuo, and Ming Yefeng united to confront Jiuying. Jiuying mocked their diminished strength, reminding them that it took all five deities to barely contain her in the past, and now, with only three of them and their powers not what they once were, they stood no chance.
An Tingfeng arrived to join the battle, but even his presence could not harm Jiuying. With a mere flick of her hand, Jiuying grievously wounded Ming Yefeng and Baili Hongxuan, striking them down to their deaths. Baili Hongshuo and An Tingfeng desperately tried to awaken Baili Hongyi, but it was futile. Jiuying then transformed back into Baili Hongyi's form and walked slowly towards Baili Hongshuo, sword in hand.
She taunted him, challenging his love, asking if he could truly distinguish whom he loved—Baili Hongyi or Jiuying. She questioned if he liked her name or truly her, before declaring it was their ending and offering to fulfill his wish. Jiuying plunged the sword into Baili Hongshuo’s abdomen. Bleeding profusely, he tightly embraced her. He declared that regardless of whether she was Baili Hongyi or Jiuying, she was his beloved, and that they would end what they had started together.
He produced Baili Hongyi's necklace and placed it around her neck. As he affirmed his unwavering commitment to her, white mist enveloped them, and the ground beneath them began to freeze, encasing them both entirely in ice. An Tingfeng, witnessing the tragic scene, cried out in despair, urging Xuan Ming not to be impulsive. Perhaps this was the best solution to have both. Afterward, peace returned to the world.
An Tingfeng was left alone, but his consuming obsession had finally lifted. On the rooftop where Ling Jun had departed, he poured two cups of wine, placing one for himself and the other for an unseen companion, affirming that his friends were never truly lost to him. In the You Kingdom, a new emperor, Baili Haohe, presided over a realm of peace and tranquility.
Legends of the Five Deities of Elements—who, a thousand years ago, vanquished the evil demon Jiuying to usher in an era of prosperity—circulated throughout the land. Though these tales could not be verified, everyone on that ancient land lived under the blessing of their sacrifice, as the legends of the deities faded into time, leaving behind a human realm in harmony.
