My Dear Brothers Episode 8 Recap
> My Dear Brothers Recap
Hou Chi was subjected to punishment by Yuan Zhao. The first rule of the Yuhua Sect forbids women, and Hou Chi willingly accepted the fire whip punishment in Shi Xia's stead, pleading guilty. During this, Lin Kui reported finding a packet of instant noodles among Shi Xia's belongings in Hou Chi's library. Hou Chi fiercely declared it was not an object from the Devil Sect but his personal property, retrieving it.
Yuan Zhao scoffed, questioning how Hou Chi, who hadn't left the mountain in two hundred years, could possess personal items, and insisted it was a demon's object, ordering its destruction. Hou Chi stood firm, stating the item was his and urging his master not to inquire further. Enraged, Yuan Zhao invoked the sect's rules, declaring severe penalties for defying a master or defecting. He ordered the fire whip execution to proceed.
As the lashes struck Hou Chi, Shi Xia, locked away, felt a sympathetic pain and struggled in vain against her restraints. Yi Yaogua, witnessing Hou Chi endure the brutal punishment for Shi Xia, was distraught and urged him to discard the "Devil Sect object" to end his suffering. However, Hou Chi clung tightly to the instant noodles packet.
As Hou Chi was nearing unconsciousness from the blows, Master Yuan Ye intervened, pleading that further punishment would kill him and jeopardize Yuhua Sect's millennium foundation, especially with the Immortals Alliance preliminary contest only seven days away. Yuan Zhao halted the execution, but warned Hou Chi that this was not a reprieve; he must win first place for the Yuhua Sect in the upcoming election to atone for his mistakes.
Hou Chi then requested that his master promise not to harm Shi Xia while he was away, stating that if he couldn't protect one person, how could he protect all living beings? This demand infuriated Yuan Zhao, who angrily dismissed Hou Chi, ordering him back to his courtyard. Meanwhile, Bi Hong went to the Commandment Hall to deliver food to Shi Xia.
The guards initially barred his entry, but he bribed them with newly refined Jade Dew Heart Clearing Pills, which promised three years of cultivation increase per pill. Shi Xia, hearing the door open, initially thought it was Hou Chi and brightened, but her spirits fell upon seeing Bi Hong. Bi Hong explained he couldn't undo the "Immortal Binding Rope" as he lacked the enchantments. Shi Xia, unconcerned for herself, anxiously questioned him about Hou Chi's condition and wounds.
Bi Hong reassured her that Hou Chi was fine, having only received a few fire whips, and gave Shi Xia medicine for her own recovery, advising her to take it morning and night. He further explained that due to the imminent Immortals Alliance preliminary contest, Yuan Zhao would not inflict severe punishment on Hou Chi, who would soon depart for Immortal-Demon Town to participate. Shi Xia then wondered if Hou Chi would visit her before he left.
Elsewhere, the Devil Lord Qiu Ping was directing a play depicting his battle with Hou Chi. He chastised his actors, including Er Ha who was playing him, for their lack of "sense of faith." A subordinate reported a "takeaway" from the Yuhua Sect. Later, Er Ha shared gossip with Devil Lord Qiu Ping: Hou Chi had taken in a sister, and this sister carried Qiu Ping's portrait.
Qiu Ping, amused, initially believed she was his fan, but Er Ha clarified that the girl claimed not to know him, merely admiring his beauty. Qiu Ping speculated it was illogical for Hou Chi to keep someone who liked him, then recalled he was the one who fabricated having a "sister" during his last fight with Hou Chi to distract him.
Feeling a sense of responsibility for Shi Xia's predicament, Qiu Ping declared that they must save her, regardless of her identity. Overhearing a conversation among Yuhua elders, Qiu Ping learned that Yuan Zhao was greatly agitated by any mention of the Holy Tree, especially since Shi Xia had caused it to sprout "demon sprouts" and "sinister flowers." The elders discussed Shi Xia's fate, with Yuan Zhao deciding to deal with her after Hou Chi became the alliance head.
He was further angered to discover that Hou Chi had untied Shi Xia's bindings before leaving, and immediately ordered her to be re-bound and guarded tightly. Outraged by the hypocritical behavior of the "noble sects" who promised kindness but plotted cruelty behind their backs, Qiu Ping resolved to rescue Shi Xia in a "high-profile" manner, ensuring the entire Immortal Sect would witness his power.
Back in his courtyard, Hou Chi sat beneath the Holy Tree, clutching the damaged packet of instant noodles, regretting his inability to protect Shi Xia. Yuan Zhao appeared and, at the cost of his own vitality, healed Hou Chi's injuries. He admitted his earlier anger and acknowledged Hou Chi as a good child, agreeing to Hou Chi's terms regarding Shi Xia.
While she, as a woman, could not freely roam the Yuhua Sect, she would be kept in the Commandment Hall, and Yuan Zhao promised not to trouble her further if Hou Chi focused on the contest. Hou Chi thanked his master. Bi Hong then helped Hou Chi meet Shi Xia in the Commandment Hall, distracting the guards for a brief moment. Shi Xia, seeing Hou Chi, teared up.
Hou Chi untied her restraints, his heart aching at the red marks on her arms. Shi Xia inquired about his fire whip wounds, but Hou Chi brushed it off as a minor injury, not wanting her to worry. Hou Chi gave Shi Xia a handmade doll, assuring her it would help her sleep. Shi Xia asked when he would return. Hou Chi replied "soon," but confessed it was his first time leaving the mountain, so he was unsure.
He advised her to ask Bi Hong for help if needed and to avoid provoking Master Yuan Zhao. Shi Xia promised to be sensible and not cause trouble, noting that Hou Chi always resolved her issues. Hou Chi insisted it was natural for a brother to help his sister. Shi Xia assured him she would eat and sleep well, perhaps even gaining weight, and urged him to be careful on his journey.
Before leaving, Hou Chi asked her to call him "brother" one last time. Shi Xia refused, finding such farewells unlucky and hinting that her feelings for him were more than just familial. Hou Chi embraced Shi Xia tightly, asking her to wait for his return. Outside the sect, Bi Hong waited for Hou Chi and presented him with a self-drawn Map of the Cultivation World.
Just then, Yi Yaogua arrived, insisting on accompanying Hou Chi, explaining that the other masters had collectively decided he was the best person to escort Hou Chi to Immortal-Demon Town. Hou Chi could only accept with resignation. True to his word, Devil Lord Qiu Ping, who was later revealed to be Shi Xia's older brother Shi Dong, infiltrated the Commandment Hall.
He swiftly bundled Shi Xia into a sack and, to create a grand spectacle, ran through the sect shouting, "The Devil Lord has come to rescue people!" attracting a large number of Yuhua disciples. The disciples gave chase, but none were a match for Devil Lord Qiu Ping, who showcased his formidable powers, defeating them and escaping Yuhua Mountain with Shi Xia. Once they were clear, Devil Lord Qiu Ping removed the sack. Shi Xia and Qiu Ping looked at each other, and in unison, called out their respective names: "Shi Xia!" and "Shi Dong!" , finally recognizing each other as siblings.
