My Dear Brothers Episode 33 Recap
> My Dear Brothers Recap
Lord Shen Guan rebuked Yuan Zhao, stating that Hou Chi's failure to complete the sacrifice on time had caused severe instability in the Immortal-Devil Array. She revealed that she had almost exhausted all her holy power to temporarily stabilize the array, but it would not hold for long. Yuan Zhao admitted his mistake and vowed to make amends and fulfill his mission.
Meanwhile, the Holy Root was dispelling its evil aura and would soon be ready for transplantation into Bi Hong. Despite easily obtaining the Holy Root (which Hou Chi had removed from his own body and given to him), Bi Hong expressed his dissatisfaction, feeling he had lost everything he truly desired, especially Shi Xia's love.
Qiu Li, however, urged him to focus on becoming the head of the Alliance, asserting that with that power, he could have anything, including Shi Xia. Bi Hong countered that even possessing Shi Xia's body wouldn't guarantee her heart, as he felt he had lost her the moment he took back the Holy Root. Qiu Li, in contrast, declared that gaining was always better than losing for her.
She was determined to have Shi Dong by her side, even if only his body. Bi Hong questioned her obsession, reminding her that Shi Dong was not her biological brother, but Qiu Li retorted that in her heart, Bi Hong, her biological brother, was not even a fraction as important as Shi Dong.
Recognizing Qiu Li's twisted love and deranged state due to a life in darkness, where the Devil Lord was her only light, Bi Hong resolved to fulfill his brotherly duty and guide her back to normalcy, making up for his years of neglect. Qiu Li then directly threatened Bi Hong: she would help him transplant the Holy Root and become the Alliance Head if he helped her win Shi Dong back.
If he refused, she would destroy the Holy Root, leaving him with nothing. Bi Hong, realizing he needed to humor Qiu Li to stabilize her, outwardly agreed to her terms, secretly planning to decide his next steps after securing the Holy Root and to make up for her inner deficiencies. Yuan Zhao, learning of Bi Hong's ambition to become Alliance Head, volunteered to help.
Bi Hong shared his concern that Shen Guan might not accept him as the Alliance Head given their defiance of Heaven's Way. Yuan Zhao promised to convince Shen Guan if Bi Hong was willing to accept all the responsibilities that came with the position. Yuan Zhao, expressing remorse for failing as a father to both Bi Hong and Qiu Li, offered to meticulously care for Bi Hong, who was weak, to prepare him for the dangerous Holy Root transplant.
Qiu Li, observing their interaction, sarcastically questioned Yuan Zhao's sudden appearance as a "loving father," highlighting that it was too late for such an act. She then walked away, leaving Yuan Zhao to ponder her hurtful words. Shi Dong, though saddened to see his sister marry, was happy for her. He busily prepared for a modern-style wedding for Shi Xia and Hou Chi, enlisting Yuan Ye to officiate and rehearse the wedding vows.
Shi Dong also directed Er Ha and others in laying out a long flower path, quipping that it was the "most unpleasant path" he'd ever walked, hence its length. He also promised not to cry during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of "ceremony." The wedding ceremony commenced with Yuan Ye attempting to deliver a heartfelt speech, which Shi Dong promptly cut short, urging him to begin.
Shi Dong then walked Shi Xia down the long flower path, noting her cold hands and playfully denying his own nervousness. As Yuan Ye recited the vows, Shi Dong, ever the prankster, had altered them to be more optimistic, changing "sickness or health, poverty or wealth" to "health or more health, rich or richer." He explained that Shi Xia couldn't be sick, Hou Chi was already in his current state and couldn't get worse, and poverty was even less acceptable.
He also inserted a clause demanding that both Shi Xia and Hou Chi "respect their elder brother." Shi Xia, initially surprised by her brother's additions, agreed. Hou Chi, too, vowed to stay by Shi Xia, whether his hair was white or black, or his power was strong or weak, and to respect her elder brother. After exchanging rings and a kiss, Yuan Ye pronounced them husband and wife.
During the bouquet toss, Yi Yao caught the flowers and presented them to Qing Feng, sealing it with a kiss amidst cheers. Later, in their room, Shi Xia and Hou Chi drank cross-cupped wine, marking their true union. Hou Chi, still innocent in worldly matters, knew they were to "consummate their marriage" but was unsure how to proceed, mentioning their previous disrupted wedding night.
Shi Xia, blushing, assured him it was something that would happen naturally when the time was right. They then consummated their marriage under the Holy Tree. The next morning, Shi Xia woke to a wondrous sight: the Holy Tree had blossomed. Plucking a flower, she found it tasted sweet, realizing her sense of taste had miraculously returned. Excitedly, she called for Hou Chi, who entered the room. To her astonishment, his formerly white hair had transformed back into black.
A Master (Shi Bo) later confirmed that the essence of the Holy Tree within Hou Chi had been reactivated, restoring his vigor and gradually enhancing his holy power, promising it would become even stronger than before. Shi Xia playfully declared him an "elf" and expressed her joy at having married "a man who has a tree inside him."
Shi Xia then presented Hou Chi with a "marital contract" bearing a heart-shaped pattern, explaining that in her world, it symbolized "I love you." Hou Chi, in turn, reciprocated her feelings. Elsewhere, Qiu Li's subordinate reported that Yuan Zhao appeared to be creating a magical instrument, raising concerns it could be detrimental to the Devil Sect. Qiu Li, inherently distrustful, ordered the Devil Sect's protective restraints activated, determined to uncover Yuan Zhao's true intentions.
Yuan Zhao later approached Qiu Li, presenting her with a rabbit lantern identical to one that Yuan Zhao and Bi Hong had once picked out for her. However, Qiu Li, still bitter, coldly crushed the lantern, hurting Yuan Zhao deeply. As she returned to the demon cave, the presence of Bai Li, who had been dormant, began to stir, causing Qiu Li to wonder if she had indeed misunderstood Yuan Zhao in the past.
Bai Li's voice echoed, stating that she had always believed her father abandoned her, but realized she was wrong. Qiu Li dismissed it, asserting that a "misunderstanding" could not erase Yuan Zhao's past wrongs and that only the sentimental would be swayed by such trivial matters. Bai Li's voice then retorted that if Qiu Li truly wasn't moved, she wouldn't be able to perceive Bai Li's presence.
Meanwhile, Bi Hong, having successfully conditioned his body and transplanted the Holy Root, was ready to assume the position of Alliance Head. Yuan Zhao, upon confirming Bi Hong had fully mastered the Holy Root, informed him that Shen Guan had granted permission for him to enter the Celestial Palace the following day and entrusted him with the Alliance Head's seal.
It was then that Bi Hong learned the shocking truth: the Alliance Head's mission was to sacrifice for the Immortal-Devil Array. He realized that Yuan Zhao had been sacrificing himself all these years and had intended to groom Hou Chi to take his place, but now he understood Yuan Zhao's lies were meant to protect him and fulfill a promise to Bi Hong's mother to ensure his peaceful life.
Despite this revelation, Bi Hong declared that this was his mission, and he would not shy away from it but would accept it calmly. He recalled his childhood, secretly admiring Yuan Zhao's training with Hou Chi and longing for a Holy Root to train alongside them. Qiu Li, feeling abandoned, murmured to herself, "I knew it. They are still trying to get rid of me."
