Guardians of the Ancient Oath Episode 8 Recap
> Guardians of the Ancient Oath Recap
After Xia Da was captured, Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi coerced him into revealing information. Baili Hongyi produced a "sugar bean," which she dramatically described as a potent poison that would cause intense itching and pain, making victims scratch their skin and muscles, eventually tearing out their hearts and bleeding from all orifices before dying, with death itself being a relief for those who could even make it that far.
Baili Hongshuo intensified the deception, asking Xia Da if he felt an itch on his back and warning him not to scratch. Cornered, Xia Da frantically demanded an antidote. Baili Hongshuo and Hongyi insisted he first disclose how the water source was blocked. Xia Da admitted they had merely diverted the water flow. He described the location as five miles up a mountain trail from their current spot to Qianling Lake, near two Red Birch trees.
As a temporary measure, Baili Hongyi gave him another "Hundred Fragrance seed," promising the full antidote in three days if he cooperated in restoring Li City's water supply. Xia Da reluctantly consumed the pill and agreed to lead the way. Meanwhile, back at Li City, He Yao was furious upon learning of Baili Hongshuo's solo venture to Qianling Lake with only one guard.
A subordinate tried to suggest Baili Hongshuo was merely curious about the "mountain monsters" He Yao had earlier mentioned as the cause of the water shortage. He Yao, however, scoffed at the idea of Baili Hongshuo becoming a hero, revealing he had already instructed his subordinate Bai Nuo to show no mercy if he encountered Baili Hongshuo. When the subordinate questioned what would happen if Baili Hongshuo didn't return, He Yao simply ordered continuous updates on the situation.
Xia Da led Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi to a cave at Qianling Lake, which contained a deep well. Xia Da explained that to solve Li City's water problem, Baili Hongshuo needed to dive into the well, swim underwater to the other side, and break a massive rock blocking the flow, though he doubted Baili Hongshuo's ability to do so.
Baili Hongshuo suggested Xia Da join him, but Baili Hongyi intervened, arguing it was getting dark and they should wait until morning to avoid any tricks. Xia Da taunted them as suspicious cowards, to which Baili Hongyi sharply told him to be quiet. They decided to guard Xia Da overnight. As Baili Hongshuo and Baili Hongyi watched Xia Da sleep, they spoke in hushed tones.
Baili Hongyi asked how Baili Hongshuo recognized her earlier when they were both disoriented by the Shao grass poison. Baili Hongshuo revealed that since childhood, Baili Hongyi always bit him with two specific teeth, a unique pattern he had grown familiar with. A flashback showed a young Baili Hongyi biting Baili Hongshuo during a playful argument, asserting her role as his older sister.
Back in the present, they joked about their clever deception of Xia Da, each attributing the more elaborate parts of the fake poison description to the other. Baili Hongshuo then gently covered the sleeping Xia Da with a blanket. The next morning, Baili Hongshuo prepared to enter the well. Baili Hongyi offered to accompany him, but he insisted on going alone, entrusting her with watching Xia Da.
He urged her not to overexert herself and to surface if she encountered any trouble. He then dove into the well and, after swimming to the other side, found the massive rock blocking the water flow. Despite his efforts, he couldn't move it. Xia Da, who had been pretending to sleep, made sarcastic remarks about Baili Hongyi being Baili Hongshuo's "wife," which she swiftly silenced. Meanwhile, in Ye City, Baili Hongxuan visited the Emperor.
The Emperor complained about being bored due to Baili Hongxuan's recent absence. Baili Hongxuan apologized, explaining he was occupied with matters at his manor, specifically that Princess Jin Yang had fallen ill with a cold after relocating from Liao Dong, likely due to adjusting to the new environment. He assured the Emperor she was recovering well with rest.
The Emperor expressed concern, recalling the Empress Dowager's fondness for Jin Yang, and suggested Jin Yang visit the palace more often to keep the Empress Dowager company. He remarked that Jin Yang's marriage was a fortunate match for Baili Hongxuan, sparing him a difficult union with a daughter from the He family.
The Emperor also reassured Baili Hongxuan about Baili Hongshuo's assignment to the border, stating that despite He Yao's character, he would not dare harm Hongshuo, and the Emperor himself was watching over him. He promised that upon Baili Hongshuo's successful return from Li City, he would be justly rewarded with promotions and benefits.
Later, Jin Yang paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, who noted Jin Yang looked thinner and inquired about her well-being in the Marquis's manor and Baili Hongxuan's treatment. Jin Yang politely affirmed that everything was well and that Baili Hongxuan treated her kindly. The Empress Dowager, pleased with her choice of daughter-in-law, advised Jin Yang to visit the palace frequently if she felt lonely due to Baili Hongxuan's busy schedule.
Back at the well, after Baili Hongshuo had dove into the well and climbed to the location of the massive rock, he tried but failed to move it. It was then that a mysterious white-robed, masked figure suddenly appeared behind him, chanting, "The fire is extinguished. The ocean is separated. Children cry. Disasters arrive." Baili Hongshuo, startled, asked who was there, then experienced a splitting headache.
When the figure vanished, Baili Hongshuo realized his hand felt strangely enveloped by flowing water. The masked figure reappeared before the immense rock and attacked Baili Hongshuo with spiritual energy. Instinctively, Baili Hongshuo raised his water-covered hand, launching an aerial strike that, to his surprise, also manifested as water. The masked figure disappeared again, and Baili Hongshuo's attack slammed into the rock, instantly shattering the massive stone he couldn't move earlier.
Without time to ponder the strange event, Baili Hongshuo realized the fractured rock would soon release an torrent of water. He quickly exited the well, grabbed Baili Hongyi and Xia Da, and hurried them out of the cave just as water began to surge. Upon their return to Li City, water miraculously flowed into all the wells and homes.
Baili Hongshuo chose to keep his role in restoring the water a secret, wanting to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from He Yao. However, the rapid return of water just days after his arrival led the grateful residents of Li City to hail him as a lucky star, believing their sincerity had moved the mountain god.
Hou Zhengze gleefully reported the public's perception to Baili Hongshuo, who preferred to be seen as someone who indulged in pleasure rather than a capable hero, to minimize He Yao's scrutiny. Baili Hongyi, however, expressed concern, questioning why a Wolf Tribe member had Baili Hongshuo's portrait. She suspected He Yao's involvement, highlighting the growing animosity between the Baili and He families. Baili Hongshuo cautioned against baseless speculation, noting that collusion with the Wolf Tribe was a severe crime.
He considered the possibility that the Wolf Tribe deliberately showed the portrait to sow discord between him and He Yao, a tactic he worried could lead to internal conflict that only the Wolf Tribe would benefit from. Baili Hongyi observed that Baili Hongshuo had matured and become more thoughtful since coming to the border. Despite the serious discussions, Baili Hongshuo's spirits were high.
He gifted Baili Hongyi a magnificent Qinghai Cong horse, explaining its lineage and its unparalleled endurance in harsh climates compared to the faster Ferghana horses. He described the Qinghai Cong as a horse that could be trained but never truly tamed, becoming a loyal lifelong friend to anyone it liked. He praised Baili Hongyi's "brave and thoughtful" nature, predicting the horse would favor her.
Baili Hongyi, disguised as his male guard, successfully rode the spirited horse and named it Chen Fu. She acknowledged it was truly a fine gift, one of the first worthy presents he had given her in years. He then presented her with a black obsidian stone, which he called a "good thing" that fell from the sky during a "fire descending from the sky" when he was in Liao Dong.
He knew she would appreciate it, remembering her love for stargazing. Baili Hongyi found the stone beautiful and decided to wear it as a necklace, though she jokingly demanded more expensive gifts in the future. In a moment of intimacy, Baili Hongshuo asked if she liked Li City and if she liked being with him. Baili Hongyi affirmed her fondness for the city and him, unequivocally stating he would always be her most important brother, causing an awkward pause.
In Ye City, Jin Yang confessed to Ling Jun that she had told Baili Hongxuan about her true nature, but he didn't trust her, making her feel like a "detestable outsider." Ling Jun reassured her that Baili Hongxuan was not heartless and explained that Jin Yang's deep affection for him stemmed from a profound, inseparable connection established long before they met in the Marquis's manor.
Ling Jun reminded her that she had once wanted to repay his kindness, but he hadn't accepted it. Jin Yang declared that she not only wished to repay his kindness but also desired a rightful place by his side, hoping he would love her and that she could endure all hardships with him. Ling Jun advised that once Jin Yang recovered her memories and abilities, she would be able to assist Baili Hongxuan.
She also urged Jin Yang to fulfill her duties as the lady of the manor and provide him with a warm home, trusting that Baili Hongxuan, who valued loyalty and bonds, would eventually recognize her sincerity. Back in Li City, their moment was interrupted by Hou Zhengze, who reported that Li City residents were experiencing widespread hallucinations, filling clinics throughout the city. He suspected a water-borne epidemic, describing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, disorientation, and even violent tendencies.
While younger adults might snap out of it with intense pain, the elderly and children were much worse off. Baili Hongshuo recalled his own experience with Shao grass. He quickly ordered his commander, Mu Qi, to establish centralized treatment centers in the city and ensure all patients received equal treatment regardless of status. He Yao then arrived, accusing Baili Hongshuo of causing this new catastrophe, claiming the entire city now believed Baili Hongshuo had angered mountain monsters.
Baili Hongshuo dismissed this as baseless rumor, reiterating that he had captured the supposed "mountain monster" (Xia Da) and that the Wolf Tribe was the true culprit. He Yao, unmoved, issued an ultimatum: Baili Hongshuo had three days to resolve the crisis, or he would face severe consequences from the Emperor and Empress Dowager, and Li City would be lost. Baili Hongshuo confidently assured He Yao that he would not disappoint him, having already dealt with the "mountain monster" once.
