The Dauntless Youths Episode 18 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Upon returning to the Prince's Camp after his transfer, Jiang Wenhuan was met by Xin Jia, who had been waiting for him all day. Xin Jia expressed concern, stating that E Shun and the imperial princess were missing and he couldn't find them anywhere. Jiang Wenhuan calmly revealed that E Shun and the imperial princess had already left the city, implying it was for the best.
Xin Jia worried about how to explain this disappearance to the King, but Jiang Wenhuan assured him he would handle it. He then stated that since they were getting no help, they would have to find the elixir of immortality themselves. Later that night, Jiang Wenhuan secretly entered the palace library. He discovered a heavily worn scroll detailing Mt. Qingluan, the legendary ascension site of the Nine-tailed Fox and the guardian of Zhongli's immortal aura.
The scroll mentioned that the ancient Su Tomb, where the fox's traces ended, was located there. Suddenly, Zhenren appeared, stating she had been waiting for him. She led him to the Black Water Pool to divine his fate. Jiang Wenhuan dropped his blood into the murky water, and the pool revealed "North" and "Mt. Qingluan." He confirmed he already knew about Mt.
Qingluan and asked about the Su Tomb, which Zhenren identified as the ancestral burial ground of the Zhongli Su clan. Jiang Wenhuan questioned why Zhenren, a subordinate of the State Preceptor, would help him find clues to the elixir. Zhenren simply asked if her allegiance mattered since he had found his answers, then reminded him that she had once called him her "destined one" and hoped he would explain what that meant to her in the future.
After Jiang Wenhuan departed, a black-clad figure emerged, questioning Zhenren about revealing too much. Zhenren explained that while fate cannot be changed, Jiang Wenhuan must still embark on this journey. The next day, the State Preceptor was furious upon learning that Jiang Wenhuan had discovered Mt. Qingluan. His anger escalated when he realized Jiang Wenhuan also knew about the Su Tomb, suspecting someone had deliberately guided him there.
Despite the Su family's current inability to cause trouble, the State Preceptor saw an opportunity. He decided to send the princes to Mt. Qingluan, feigning a search for the elixir, but secretly intending to eliminate Jiang Wenhuan and a few other princes. He planned to blame Jiang Wenhuan for rash actions. He respectfully requested the King's permission, arranging for Gu Xi to accompany them as a guide.
Gu Xi expressed her skepticism about their safe return, but Jiang Wenhuan asserted that they would all return, "not a single one less." Meanwhile, Kunwu and Qingqing (his sister) were making their way out of Zhongli territory. Qingqing felt a mixture of reluctance to leave and joy at being with her brother. They overheard villagers discussing the Prince's Camp heading to Mt. Qingluan in search of medicine, specifically mentioning an ancient tomb.
Qingqing immediately recognized this as the Su Tomb, their ancestral burial ground, a place their mother had warned was "one-way." Worried for Jiang Wenhuan, Kunwu initially intended for Qingqing to hide safely at the foot of the mountain while he went to join Jiang Wenhuan. However, Qingqing insisted on going with him, reminding him that Jiang Wenhuan had saved her life and expressing her suspicion of the State Preceptor's motives in sending them to a place so secretly known.
Kunwu, realizing his own concern for Jiang Wenhuan (due to his earlier deception), eventually agreed to let her accompany him for her safety. As the Prince's Camp traveled, the princes grew weary. Jiang Wenhuan sought a suitable camping spot, noting the risk of miasma in lower, damp areas. Zhenren (Gu Xi) suggested he scout ahead. Jiang Wenhuan, Chong Yibiao, and Gu Xi ventured deeper, leaving Xin Jia and the rest of the camp to rest.
Jiang Wenhuan questioned Gu Xi's unexpected familiarity with the mountainous terrain, hinting that she might have grown up in the mountains. Gu Xi denied this, claiming she had never been there and was merely following the path. While the main group rested, a "poison smoke" was covertly released, causing everyone to faint. Jiang Wenhuan, Chong Yibiao, and Gu Xi found a flat, high ground, but quickly discovered a thick, toxic miasma encroaching from behind them, effectively cutting off any retreat.
Gu Xi confirmed its lethal properties, and Jiang Wenhuan realized their only option was to press forward. Coincidentally, Kunwu and Qingqing arrived, encountering several black-clad assassins poised to attack the fainted princes. Kunwu swiftly dealt with some of the attackers, but the remaining assassins continued to pursue Jiang Wenhuan's group. Kunwu quickly located Jiang Yiyao among the fainted princes and roused her with smelling salts. Jiang Yiyao, still disoriented, recalled encountering "miasma" and fainting.
Kunwu corrected her, explaining it was poison smoke. Concerned for Jiang Wenhuan's safety, Kunwu instructed Qingqing to care for the other fainted princes while he went to rescue Jiang Wenhuan. Jiang Wenhuan, Chong Yibiao, and Gu Xi eventually found the entrance to the Su Tomb. Jiang Wenhuan sensed they were being followed. Gu Xi then revealed they had no path backward, only forward. Forced to proceed, they entered the tomb.
Inside, Gu Xi spoke cryptically about a hexagram she had cast for them, foreshadowing to die first and then revive. She then challenged Jiang Wenhuan to prove if he could truly defy fate. Following their entry, Gu Xi reported to the State Preceptor that Jiang Wenhuan and two others had been lured into the Underworld. She further confirmed that the remaining members of the Prince's Camp were being surrounded and targeted for elimination.
The State Preceptor questioned if she believed the ancient saying, "Su Tomb, once you enter, you can't come back," eagerly anticipating the unfolding events. Jiang Wenhuan, Chong Yibiao, and Gu Xi fell into an underground mechanism. Chong Yibiao heard a terrifying, deep sound. They discovered numerous soldiers standing dead, wearing military badges of the Kun Army. These soldiers, now mindless monsters, attacked them fiercely. Guided by Xin Jia's lingering scent, Kunwu arrived just in time.
He recognized one of the attacking figures as "Uncle Lin." Calling out "Uncle Lin," Kunwu managed to awaken the old soldier's consciousness. A flashback showed a young Kunwu practicing archery with Uncle Lin, who praised him as the future master of the Kun Army and taught him the Kun Family Wall Array, a formation symbolizing their unwavering commitment to protect Zhongli and their clan.
Upon hearing Kunwu's voice, Uncle Lin and the other Kun Army soldiers (who were monsters) bowed, recognizing him as their "Young Master," their consciousness seemingly restored. Kunwu affirmed that they were his old subordinates of the Kun family.
