The Dauntless Youths Episode 17 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
The young Kunwu, echoing his father’s parting words—"You are the descendant of the Kun family. You must remember, the Kun family army never surrenders!" —made a desperate decision. He would use himself as a decoy to draw away the pursuers, hoping to secure his sister's survival. He ran until he reached a river, and with no other options, he plunged into the water, crying out to his father. Miraculously, he survived, washed ashore by the currents.
Meanwhile, a soldier reported to the State Preceptor that the Kun family had been annihilated, and the boy who jumped into the river was "definitely dead." Shortly after, another soldier discovered a little girl. The State Preceptor recognized her as Su Ying’s daughter, the "little saint of the Sus," and declared it "truly a blessing from heaven." After his escape, Kunwu concealed his identity and lived as a slave.
He recounted how, upon leaving Zhongli, an envoy proclaimed his father a rebel who killed his mother in Zhongli Palace, then went mad and slaughtered their entire family. These alleged crimes brought divine punishment, transforming the family into monsters, leading to the Kun clan's decline and the Kun family army becoming "a disgrace to Zhongli." Kunwu explained that the You Su clan, from which the Imperial Lady's lineage descended, practiced illusionary arts.
While most contemporary You Su people performed mere tricks, the Imperial Lady's true bloodline, once awakened, could mesmerize people and create illusions. Jiang Wenhuan questioned why his sister, Qingqing, with such power, hadn't escaped. Kunwu revealed that Qingqing had been under Xian Xuanji's control with drugs for years, suppressing her illusionary abilities. He asserted, "I'm the only one who can save her." Jiang Wenhuan acknowledged, "It seems you have to take the risk."
Kunwu responded with a resolute "Yes," adding, "Even if it means death, I must go." Jiang Wenhuan then warned Kunwu that failure could implicate Prince Nanbo, the real E Shun, and the entire Princes Guard, stressing, "Have you ever thought about whether your actions will affect the Princes Guard?" Kunwu responded with deep sorrow, "I've thought about all of these. I'm sorry to all of you."
He described how he had lost all hope as a slave, viewing merely living as a luxury, until he met Jiang Wenhuan in the slave market. Jiang Wenhuan saved him and promised to train him to be a brave warrior, freeing him from slavery. Kunwu realized he had "been kneeling for too long, and had forgotten how to be a proud Kun family member." Jiang Wenhuan accused him of lying, but Kunwu insisted he hadn't.
Jiang Wenhuan countered that Kunwu still "chose to go to Zhongli Palace alone," reminding him, "Qingqing is my last relative. I promised my father to protect her." Jiang Wenhuan challenged his identity, saying, "The one who promised my father is Kunwu. But who are you now? You're E Shun of the Princes Guard, the one I saved, a slave I picked up. Who are you?" Kunwu, torn, pondered, "You are right. Who am I? Kunwu. E Shun.
I can no longer tell if my feelings are true or false, or who I really am." Jiang Wenfeng intervened, suggesting Kunwu had apologized and had done nothing to harm the Princes Guard, attributing his actions to circumstances. Jiang Wenhuan retorted that if Kunwu had wronged the camp, he wouldn't be alive. Jiang Wenfeng then asked what they should call him: "E Shun or Kunwu?" Kunwu replied, "You can call me Kunwu. E Shun."
Jiang Wenhuan firmly declared, "From now on, in the Princes Guard, there is only the heir of the South Bohai Marquis, E Shun, not Kunwu." Meanwhile, the State Preceptor received a secret letter about a former subordinate of Prince Nanbo being in the Princes Guard. He considered the possibility that the Prince Nanbo was related to the Kun Army. Despite his aide's skepticism about any historical connection, the State Preceptor dismissed it, stating the information "It's impossible to be wrong."
He then questioned if the Prince Nanbo was a former Kun family member or "Kunze's son, Kunwu," and if E Shun had ever been to Zhongli. Upon learning he had not, the State Preceptor deemed the situation "suspicious" and "must be vigilant," ordering an immediate change to their plans. He vowed to "kill this time" the person who "should have died seven years ago," to "cut the grass and pull out the roots."
Later that night, soldiers arrived at the Princes Guard, announcing that the Sacred Wedding ceremony would be held the following day. Jiang Wenfeng worried they had discovered E Shun's real identity. Kunwu, preparing for the worst, stated that if his identity was known, it had "nothing to do with you" and he wouldn't "drag you down." Jiang Wenhuan calmly observed that if the soldiers knew E Shun's identity, they would have stormed in already.
The official delivering the message explained that a thief had broken into the palace, frightening the King and worsening his illness, necessitating the early ceremony to prevent complications. He insisted all young masters attend. The official reported back to the State Preceptor that E Shun had a "bloody smell" and concluded he was the palace intruder. The State Preceptor confirmed his suspicion, realizing that "the remnants of the Kun family have made it.
They have become the Prince of the South Bohai State." He vowed to "tear off your mask," and ordered ambushes and archers to be set up around the ceremony. He decided against acting immediately due to insufficient evidence, stating that if E Shun didn't show up, the wedding would proceed, and they would "get rid of that annoying Imperial Lady first."
However, if E Shun dared to save her, the State Preceptor would "expose him and kill him on the spot," vowing to "wipe out the Kun family." Kunwu was later seen trying to send a message via pigeon to Jiang Wenfeng, but Jiang Wenhuan appeared, intercepting it. Jiang Wenhuan revealed he had caught the "stupid pigeon," adding, "To send a letter to East Lu, without asking me, the heir of Donglu, if I agree."
Kunwu tried to assert his will, but Jiang Wenhuan challenged him to "try to get out of this room." Kunwu then offered Jiang Wenhuan a pot of wine, thanking him for repeatedly saving him, treating him as a brother, and trusting, understanding, and protecting him after seven years as a slave.
He then stated he had sent a letter to Donglu explaining his true identity and that his actions were solely for personal revenge, ensuring the Princes Guard would not be implicated. He promised to repay Jiang Wenhuan if he returned the next day, but said nothing if he didn't. As Kunwu finished speaking, he suddenly collapsed, having been drugged by Jiang Wenhuan, who intended to prevent him from risking his life to save Qingqing, stating, "I'm sorry.
No matter what, I cannot let you take the risk." From a rooftop, Jiang Wenhuan carefully tossed a bottle to Qingqing. He explained it was an antidote, synthesized from her "medicinal dregs" by his sister Jiang Yiyao, which would allow her to use her illusionary powers for "half an incense stick's time." He detailed his plan: he would create chaos among the crowd to distract the priest, buying her time to retreat to the alley entrance.
There, someone would take her away once her illusion made everyone confused. Meanwhile, Chong Yibiao was tasked with guarding Kunwu, who was tied up, to ensure he didn't disrupt Jiang Wenhuan's carefully laid plans. Kunwu, awake but restrained, tried to persuade Chong Yibiao to release him, arguing that while Chong might not care about his life, his identity's exposure would bring disaster to Nandu and implicate Jiang Wenhuan, so helping him was helping Jiang Wenhuan.
Chong Yibiao remained resolute, stating that Jiang Wenhuan had strictly instructed him to keep Kunwu contained for their safety, and even warned Kunwu that if he died, Jiang Wenhuan would not live either. Despite Chong Yibiao's efforts, Kunwu managed to break free, frantically calling out for Jiang Wenhuan. As the Sacred Wedding ceremony officially began, the State Preceptor ordered his soldiers to monitor for E Shun, commanding them to capture him.
Not seeing E Shun, the State Preceptor abruptly ordered the ceremony to begin earlier. Kunwu, having broken free, burst onto the scene. He was surprised to see Jiang Wenhuan already amidst the crowd, actively creating a diversion. Jiang Wenhuan confronted Kunwu, asking why he had come, and a brief struggle ensued as Jiang Wenhuan reiterated his vow as leader to protect the Princes Guard and ensure their safe return.
Qingqing, seeing Kunwu and Jiang Wenhuan, immediately unleashed her illusionary powers, causing everyone present to faint. When Jiang Wenhuan and Kunwu regained consciousness, Qingqing was nowhere to be found. The bewildered populace, seeing the Imperial Lady gone, mistakenly believed she had ascended to heaven and began to prostrate themselves, chanting "The Imperial Princess ascended! May the heavens bless Zhongli!" The commotion roused the State Preceptor, who, despite his earlier certainty, was now enraged, commanding his guards to "Wake up!"
and launch a "city-wide arrest: fake prince & Imperial Princess," demanding they be found "dead or alive." He declared, "Disguise as the prince and kidnap the Imperial Lady. Kunwu, you can't escape this time." Elsewhere, the Zhenren, monitoring the situation, sensed that "Su Qingqing's fate has changed," and pondered, "Can fate really be changed?" In the streets, a white-clad woman, Jiang Yiyao, frantically ran, attracting the pursuing soldiers. The soldiers realized she was not the Imperial Lady.
Chong Yibiao arrived just in time to rescue her, confirming that she had indeed "saved the Imperial Lady" using a 'golden cicada shedding its skin' ruse to help Qingqing escape. Qingqing was discovered trembling in a back alley by Kunwu and Jiang Wenhuan. Acting decisively, Jiang Wenhuan told Kunwu to take Qingqing and leave, saying, "You go first. I'll draw them away. It's easier for me to get rid of them than three of us."
He instructed them to "meet outside the city," stressing to Kunwu, "you must protect her no matter what, right?" As Jiang Wenhuan diverted the pursuers, he encountered the Zhenren. The Zhenren, seemingly seeing her own future in him, declared, "You are my destined one." Despite Jiang Wenhuan’s confusion, she then stabbed him. Jiang Wenhuan later awoke to the State Preceptor inquiring about his injuries.
Jiang Wenhuan fabricated a story, claiming he saw the Imperial Lady being kidnapped at the ceremony, tried to intervene, but was wounded and knocked unconscious by the assailants. He added that the Zhenren appeared just in time, scaring the culprits away and saving him. The Zhenren corroborated his account, effectively clearing Jiang Wenhuan of suspicion. Meanwhile, Kunwu and Qingqing reached the outskirts of the city, where they found a waiting carriage—a testament to Jiang Wenhuan's meticulous foresight.
Qingqing, now sensing the deeper plan, confessed to Kunwu that she had been hiding something. She handed Kunwu a letter from Jiang Wenhuan, which read: "By the time you read this, you should have achieved your goal and saved the Imperial Lady. If that's the case, please leave Zhongli quickly to avoid any further trouble. Between you and me, there is no debt. The road ahead is long. Take care. I'm lucky to have met you in this life."
A brief flashback showed Jiang Wenhuan purchasing Kunwu as a slave for fifty coins. Kunwu, now understanding Jiang Wenhuan’s ultimate intent, silently acknowledged, "It turns out that he never planned to let me stay. That's right. Staying here will only drag everyone down." Qingqing then asked, "So, are we still leaving?" Kunwu firmly replied, "Yes," and they departed.
