The Dauntless Youths Episode 15 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
The princes, including Jiang Wenhuan, were overcome by the miasma that enveloped the forest. Jiang Wenhuan regained consciousness to find his sister, Jiang Yiyao, by his side. She was busy administering antidotes to everyone, explaining that they would be able to move freely after two hours. Xin Jia expressed his gratitude, praising Jiang Wenhuan for having such a kind and skilled sister, a witch doctor from Donglu City.
When asked why she had left her master to travel, Jiang Yiyao, who communicates through lip-reading due to a childhood accident that left her unable to hear or speak, conveyed that their elder brother had sent her to act as the military doctor.
Jiang Wenhuan, concerned for her safety on such a perilous journey, initially tried to dissuade her, but Jiang Yiyao argued that her presence was even more necessary precisely because of the danger, and returning alone would be even riskier. Reluctantly, Jiang Wenhuan agreed to let her stay, instructing everyone to look out for her. The other princes, including Xin Jia, assured him they would pamper her.
Xin Jia, ever playful, tried to flirt with Jiang Yiyao, asking her age and if she had a crush, then jokingly asked for her opinion of him. Jiang Yiyao, however, "read" his lips and pointed out the dark clouds on his forehead, a sign of "kidney deficiency," much to Xin Jia’s embarrassment. Later, a poisonous snake suddenly lunged. Without hesitation, Chong Yibiao shielded Jiang Yiyao, taking the bite himself.
Xin Jia urged for immediate treatment, warning that Chong Yibiao could lose an arm. Jiang Yiyao quickly stepped in, treating the wound by extracting the venom, offering Chong Yibiao a piece of cloth to bite down on to manage the pain. Chong Yibiao, unaccustomed to such close contact with a woman, felt a sense of awkwardness after she finished. That night, E Shun couldn't shake the feeling that the miasma's sudden appearance was suspicious.
Jiang Wenhuan, also sleepless, joined him outside their tents, agreeing that the miasma and the venomous snake attack were unusual, especially given that snakes fear fire. He concluded that they were being watched and that trouble had begun with the mention of the elixir. E Shun, trying to lighten the mood, jokingly compared Jiang Wenhuan’s gloomy expression to his dog fighting for food. He then suggested they both stay awake and keep watch together for the night.
The group eventually reached Zhongli City. As they entered, Kunwu experienced a vivid flashback of his childhood, recalling the tragic massacre of his family and how he had hidden his younger sister, Qingqing, in a cage, promising to return for her. He remembered his father telling him, a descendant of the Kun family, that the Kun family army would never surrender. His father then collapsed, seemingly dying, with Qingqing by his side.
Upon entering the city, they found a bustling crowd gathered for the "day of the Holy Girl's appearance." Xin Jia, excited by the prospect, dragged everyone to witness the event. On a raised platform, a veiled girl performed a graceful dance. E Shun, lost in thought, involuntarily uttered "Qingqing," seemingly reminded of his own missing sister. After the ceremony, the princes proceeded to the Zhongli Palace, but were kept waiting for a prolonged period, which irritated them.
Xin Jia, frustrated, kicked over a flowerpot. A man, who turned out to be the frivolous King of Zhongli, emerged, furious that they had harmed his precious Purple Allionora. He ordered his guards to kill them. Fortunately, the State Preceptor intervened, identifying them as envoys from Shangshan and asking the King to be merciful. The State Preceptor then subtly urged the King to return to his chambers to change and discuss matters, effectively de-escalating the situation.
Later, the princes formally apologized to the King. However, the King remained aloof and left the entire diplomatic exchange to the State Preceptor, who then arranged for the princes' accommodation at the inn. During this interaction, the State Preceptor seemed to recognize E Shun, inquiring if he had visited Zhongli before and suggesting he take a tour, all while maintaining a polite demeanor. After the princes departed, the State Preceptor's eyes betrayed a chilling, murderous intent.
As the princes left the palace, the Holy Girl passed by. Xin Jia, ever mischievous, stealthily stole her handkerchief but was quickly noticed. He hastily hid the handkerchief on E Shun. Realizing the Holy Girl deeply cherished the embroidered item, E Shun returned it to her. Back in her chambers, the Holy Girl took out a small toy, a gift from her brother. Overwhelmed with emotion, she began to cry, sensing that her brother was finally close.
The news from the South, she mused, seemed to be true. Later, at the inn, Jiang Wenhuan observed E Shun’s reaction to the Holy Girl and teased him, jokingly suggesting that the usually aloof Prince of the South Capital had fallen for a beauty, and offering to help him pursue her if he was interested. While discussing the strange occurrences, Xin Jia noted that the State Preceptor had deployed guards around their inn, disguising surveillance as protection.
Jiang Wenhuan questioned the State Preceptor's true intentions, noting that the minister, despite being from Shangshan, was hindering their search for the elixir. He warned everyone to be vigilant in the increasingly bizarre city of Zhongli. That same night, the Holy Girl performed a ritual by a pool, biting her finger and chanting prayers, asking the spirits if her brother was safe.
As she observed something in the water, a maid named Ling'er, startled by an unexpected noise, fell into the pool and was instantly consumed. Gu Xi, a male Zhenren and a master of divination, arrived and declared that once someone enters the divination platform (the pool) and offers their life to the spirits, they cannot be saved. He revealed that he had foreseen the Holy Girl's arrival and Ling'er's death, emphasizing that it was Ling'er's destiny.
The Holy Girl, questioning this unwavering belief in fate, then asked Zhenren about her own destiny, as she, who was meant to die, had survived. Zhenren cryptically responded, "Soon." Reporting to the State Preceptor, Zhenren confirmed that the divination platform had been cleared and the Holy Girl had returned to her chambers. The State Preceptor, interpreting the Holy Girl's divination, asserted that "he" had returned, and what was destined would come to pass.
He then inquired about the selection for the next Holy Girl, to which Zhenren replied that Su Qingqing was the last remaining of her lineage, and her death would leave no successors. The State Preceptor, declaring that the one living under the Holy Girl's name had lived too long, ordered preparations for a Sacred Wedding. Zhenren expressed concern about needing a credible reason for such a significant event to appease the populace.
The State Preceptor cunningly suggested using the King's recent poor health as justification. He revealed his true motive: Su Qingqing knew too much, and her death would draw out "that person," allowing them to eliminate him once and for all. To ensure Zhenren's cooperation, the State Preceptor flattered him, calling him his "trusted right hand" in divination, and promised him the position of State Preceptor upon his own success.
The next day, Jiang Wenhuan, E Shun, and Xin Jia were out in the city, but they noticed they were being followed by the same trackers. They decided to toy with them, leading them on a chase through the busy streets. During the chase, Chong Yibiao, mistaking Jiang Yiyao for one of the trackers, accidentally severed her bracelet.
He then tried to force a shop owner to fix the intricate piece, but the shop owner, intimidated by Chong Yibiao's imposing presence, fainted. Chong Yibiao, left with no choice, began to repair it himself, telling Jiang Yiyao not to follow him or it wouldn't just be the bell that broke. Meanwhile, rumors of the Sacred Wedding had spread throughout Zhongli City. Xin Jia, having successfully evaded his trackers, returned to the inn to report.
He confirmed that the Sacred Wedding was indeed a human sacrifice, a tradition from the Holy Girl's Clan that had been abolished decades ago. He explained that it involved the Holy Girl consuming mercury to preserve her body, a chilling ritual described by the phrase "pure water reflects the heart, the sun and moon can be seen clearly." With the ritual now being revived, the entire city was abuzz, wondering if it would proceed smoothly. Jiang Wenhuan, taking in the gravity of the situation, asked if anyone had seen E Shun.
