Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 7 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recaps
During a hunting expedition in the Wolf Tribe's Bai Ze Unit, Chief Bai Nuo was challenged to an archery contest by Ming Lai, who sought to lure him away and kill him. After Ming Lai demonstrated his skill, a subordinate named Yu Jin praised him, leading Ming Lai to suggest a competition to see who could shoot a deer first. Ming Lai eagerly rushed ahead. However, Bai Nuo, anticipating Ming Lai's attempt to isolate him, had already set a trap.
He overpowered Ming Lai with the help of guards and confronted him, accusing him of mobilizing troops in secret. Ming Lai feebly denied it, claiming he had not wanted to disturb Bai Nuo. Bai Nuo expressed surprise that Yu Jin seemed swayed by Ming Lai, but Yu Jin asserted he would not become a sinner by surrendering to the Great You Kingdom.
Just as Bai Nuo was about to have Ming Lai killed, Ba Yin, Ming Lai's sister, arrived and demanded her brother's release. Bai Nuo, confident in his long-held power, declared that he would not have ruled Bai Ze for so many years without having his own strategies. At the elders' meeting that followed, Bai Nuo formally accused Ming Lai and Ba Yin of attempting to assassinate him, claiming Xiao Shiqi's timely intervention prevented the "traitors'" success.
He urged the elders to witness Ming Lai's punishment. Ming Lai, however, remained composed, instructing his sister Ba Yin to present their evidence. Ba Yin revealed a letter of allegiance from Bai Nuo to the Great You Kingdom, detailing his collusion with He Yao of Li City and his intention to surrender.
She emphasized that the King of Shu Chi was already aware of Bai Nuo's treachery and had dispatched an army, warning that Bai Ze faced destruction if Bai Nuo was not dealt with. Bai Nuo vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing the letter as a forgery by the ambitious Ming Lai siblings.
Elder Wan He, however, questioned how Ming Lai obtained such vital evidence, pointing out that Ming Lai and Ba Yin had violated tribal law by conducting their own investigation rather than petitioning the elders. He suggested the evidence's credibility was compromised and criticized their insubordination. Ming Lai retorted by questioning the elders' judgment, implying they were swayed by Bai Nuo's influence. Just then, Ming Yefeng, the Ten Thousand Cavalry General, arrived, announcing his presence was mandated by the Great King.
He frankly stated that his five thousand cavalry were positioned a mile away, and a war could only be averted if the Bai Ze people reaffirmed their loyalty to the King. He issued a stern warning that any continued support for a surrenderer would lead to Bai Ze's eradication from the Wolf Tribe's lands, and the Great You Kingdom would also reject them. Elder Wan He assured Ming Yefeng that Bai Ze would never support a traitor.
Despite Ming Lai's frustration with the elders' seeming indecision, Elder Wan He maintained that the internal matter would be thoroughly investigated, politely asking Ming Yefeng not to interfere directly. Ming Yefeng agreed, but reiterated that the outcome would have far-reaching consequences for the entire Wolf Tribe and he would await their decision on behalf of the King. Despite the clear evidence of Bai Nuo's intent to surrender, his deep-seated influence within the Bai Ze Unit meant his position remained unshaken.
A frustrated Ming Lai considered a preemptive strike, but Ming Yefeng cautioned him against such rash action. Ming Yefeng explained that without the elders' explicit support, killing Bai Nuo would be deemed high treason, a crime punishable by the execution of the entire tribe according to Bai Ze law. Ming Yefeng reiterated that the only legitimate path to leadership required the elders' backing.
Therefore, the immediate priority was to locate Yi Jiumo and expose Bai Nuo's past conspiracy of exiling the priest. Ming Yefeng assured Ming Lai that once this was accomplished, support would naturally rally behind him. Ming Yefeng also mentioned that he might need to visit Li City for further investigation, but promised a plan to find Yi Jiumo was already underway.
Ming Lai, resolved, pledged his full allegiance to Ming Yefeng's strategy, vowing to eliminate Bai Nuo and trusting that Ming Yefeng would not disappoint him. In Li City, after coming out of the Tayun Tower, Baili Hongyi accidentally knocked over an old woman's water bucket. The woman's distress revealed the severe water shortage plaguing Li City for the past year, forcing residents, especially the poor, to purchase water at exorbitant prices after their daily ration of one bucket per family.
She mentioned rumors of a mountain demon outside the city preventing access to other water sources. Baili Hongshuo, shocked that such a critical issue in a military town hadn't been reported, witnessed soldiers enforcing the harsh water restrictions and selling additional water for one tael of silver per bucket. General He Yao justified this policy as a means to encourage conservation due to limited supply.
Outraged by what she perceived as He Yao's hoarding, Baili Hongyi wanted to confront him directly, but Baili Hongshuo intervened. He decided to speak with He Yao himself, making Baili Hongyi promise not to act impulsively until they fully understood the situation. Back at his camp, Baili Hongshuo immediately implemented strict water conservation measures, ordering all his troops to ration water and refrain from unauthorized bathing, demonstrating solidarity with the suffering populace.
He Yao was, in fact, secretly colluding with Bai Nuo to control Qianling Lake's water source, hoarding it and selling it at inflated prices to the citizens, all while spreading fabricated tales of mountain demons to cover his tracks. Baili Hongshuo approached He Yao, his uncle, about the water crisis, feigning casual inquiry about its impact on city defense.
He Yao, with a bandaged arm he attributed to martial arts practice, denied any malicious intent, claiming the high prices were solely to restrict consumption and that he was deeply worried about the situation. He explained that Qianling Lake, Li City's main water source, had been taken over by a group of "mountain monsters" a year prior, who were using it for their cultivation.
He Yao stated he initially doubted the rumors, believing it to be northern barbarians, but after repeatedly sending men who never returned, he was forced to accept the demon narrative. He further argued that sending an army to fight these powerful demons would lead to a prolonged war, leaving Li City and the entire Great You vulnerable to the Wolf Tribe.
Feigning resignation, Baili Hongshuo expressed his perceived uselessness and hinted at an early departure, leaving He Yao seemingly unconcerned and even somewhat intrigued, musing that he wanted to see what the "third son of the Prince of Great Plains" was capable of. Meanwhile, Bai Nuo himself secretly visited He Yao, informing him that Ming Lai and Ba Yin had grown suspicious and obtained compelling evidence against him.
Bai Nuo warned that exposure would ruin both their futures, emphasizing the need to avoid any mistakes. He assured He Yao that their long-standing cooperation meant he could confidently manage the water control scheme without issue, reiterating his commitment to their plan before taking his leave. Skeptical of the "mountain demon" narrative, Baili Hongshuo decided to investigate Qianling Lake himself.
He first sought information from veteran soldiers, who warned him of a terrifying ancient monster called the "Ao Wolf" and the fate of He Yao's previous expeditions. Dismissing the monster tales, Baili Hongshuo obtained directions to Qianling Lake, ordering the soldiers to keep their conversation confidential. He declined his loyal subordinate Mu Qi's offer to accompany him, insisting that he needed Mu Qi to command the camp in his absence and that he could move more discreetly alone.
Taking only Baili Hongyi with him, Baili Hongshuo teased her about believing in monsters. At the edge of the forest leading to Qianling Lake, he handed her the Departing Soul Sword, a weapon she had long desired, telling her he had her for protection. She playfully promised to "bite them for him." Deep within the forest, they encountered strange noises and a blue glowing, human-shaped anomaly on a tree.
Baili Hongshuo quickly uncovered the deception: it was merely a tree trunk smeared with honey, attracting insects that had been artfully arranged to resemble a human figure, a "silly trick" designed to frighten people. After exposing the fake "mountain demon," Baili Hongyi spotted a fleeting shadow and, without hesitation, gave chase, quickly vanishing from Baili Hongshuo's sight.
Alone, Baili Hongyi was then attacked by dark, vine-like tendrils, while Baili Hongshuo became disoriented by multiple illusory figures of Baili Hongyi, drawing him into a futile pursuit. Suddenly, a masked "savage" ambushed Baili Hongshuo. During their struggle, Baili Hongshuo was bitten and realized his attacker was not a savage but Baili Hongyi, herself under the same powerful enchantment. Unwilling to harm her, he resorted to twisting her ear, a familiar gesture from their childhood spats.
The pain and familiarity of the action jolted Baili Hongyi back to her senses. With their minds clear, they discovered several clumps of Shao grass in the vicinity. Baili Hongshuo recognized it from his studies as a plant resembling barley, emitting a green aura capable of causing hallucinations. They quickly concluded that someone had deliberately lured them there to make them fight each other while being secretly observed.
To draw out their hidden enemies, Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi feigned a brutal fight, collapsing as if gravely injured and unconscious. As expected, Wolf Tribe members emerged from the shadows. Their leader, Xia Da, confirmed their identities with a portrait, then ordered his men to kill them. However, Baili Hongshuo, who had anticipated their move, swiftly counterattacked, knocking Xia Da to the ground.
In a matter of moments, all the Wolf Tribe members were incapacitated, with only Xia Da left alive. Baili Hongshuo questioned Xia Da, confirming their origin, and confronted him about the "mountain monsters" being a mere trick involving Shao grass, and whether the water crisis in Li City was also their doing. Xia Da defiantly refused to speak, shocked that Baili Hongshuo possessed his portrait and challenging him to kill him.
Baili Hongshuo, intent on extracting the truth, ordered his men to take Xia Da back for interrogation. In a separate development, two mysterious figures discussed an imminent "thousand-year-old grand plan" involving a distant journey and the ability to control the "Water element." One inquired about the other's confidence in this endeavor, hoping nothing would go wrong. The other responded that it would be simpler than controlling the Fire element, considering any effort a small sacrifice for the grand plan's fruition.
With "everything will happen soon," they bid farewell, emphasizing the need for an early departure due to the long journey ahead. Baili Hongshuo led Xia Da, the captured Wolf Tribe leader, to their camp. He interrogated Xia Da, reiterating that with the "mountain monster" exposed, it was time to uncover the true cause of Li City's water shortage and demanding to know how they blocked the water source.
When Xia Da refused to speak, Baili Hongyi forced him to swallow a "Hundred Fragrances seed," a potent secret drug from the Great You Kingdom. She warned him that without the antidote, any attempt to escape would result in bleeding from all internal orifices. Xia Da, still defiant, scoffed at their threats, but Baili Hongshuo grimly detailed the drug's terrifying effects: an agonizing, intolerable itch, followed by rotting skin, and ultimately, a gruesome death.
Baili Hongyi further elaborated on the horrific torture, describing how the poison, derived from a thousand exotic plants, would cause an initial itch to escalate into widespread, unbearable sharp pain, as if countless insects were biting and burrowing into one's organs. Victims would be driven to scratch their own skin, tear through their muscles, and in some cases, even rip out their own hearts, before finally succumbing to a slow, bloody death.
