The Dauntless Youths Episode 20 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Gu Xi congratulated the State Preceptor, Xian Xuanji, on his ascension to the throne of Zhongli, praising his clever tactic of using others to achieve his goals and fulfill his ambition to become the ruler. However, Xian Xuanji expressed dissatisfaction, stating it was too early to celebrate because Jiang Wenhuan and his companions were still alive. He declared that his position as ruler would not be stable until they were eliminated.
Gu Xi, looking surprised, explained that she had followed his orders and led them into the Su Tomb, which was known for having no exit, but they had unexpectedly escaped. Xian Xuanji then revealed his foresight, explaining that he had crossbowmen waiting outside the tomb entrance. If she had shown any leniency and failed to lead them in, everyone, including her, would have been shot.
He wanted the blame for harming the envoys to fall squarely on Zhongli Yuan, solidifying the charge of treason. Gu Xi asked if he would have killed her too if she hadn't succeeded, to which he affirmed, "According to the law, you should be executed." However, he quickly reassured her, saying he would never mistreat those loyal to him. He then confidently stated that Mt.
Qingluan was now entirely under his control, packed with his elite forces, making escape for the Prince's Camp impossible. He asked Gu Xi for her divination on whether he would win this impending battle. After a moment, Gu Xi replied, "Beneath the black water, the undercurrents are surging. Your wish will surely succeed." Pleased, Xian Xuanji instructed her to rest at the Divination Platform for a few days.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wenhuan had deduced that Xian Xuanji had framed Zhongli Yuan to legitimately seize the throne. He was also suffering from a blood crystal poison that had spread throughout his body. Jiang Yiyao was researching the blood crystal and the corpse poison to find a cure, cautioning Jiang Wenhuan against using his internal force, as it would accelerate the poison's spread. Jiang Wenhuan asked if there was any method that would allow him to use his internal force.
Jiang Yiyao revealed a medicine that could forcibly suppress the poison for ten days, but if the antidote wasn't administered within that time, the poison would backfire, enter his organs, and become incurable. Jiang Wenhuan declared that ten days was sufficient. He decided that instead of being trapped on Mt. Qingluan awaiting death, they should attack Zhongli Palace, capture Xian Xuanji, and rescue Zhongli Yuan. Xin Jia, however, worried about their small numbers and limited strength.
At this moment, General Lin stepped forward, declaring that the Kun's Army shared an irreconcilable hatred with Xian Xuanji and offered their full cooperation. He emphasized that trust was paramount in battle, and only by uniting would they prevail. With their plan set, they divided their tasks: Qing Qing set out to find a hidden path to escape Mt. Qingluan, while Jiang Yiyao focused on developing the antidote.
During her research, Jiang Yiyao made a critical discovery: healthy human blood would nourish the blood crystal, causing it to grow, but for a person already infected with corpse poison, the blood crystal would treat them as a host, eroding their bones and leading to death. Qing Qing later returned, disheartened, having failed to find any new path out of Mt. Qingluan, noting that the area had been a forbidden zone for seven years.
Suddenly, an arrow flew in, carrying a map of Zhongli Palace. Everyone was surprised, speculating about a mysterious benefactor. Jiang Wenhuan wondered if it could be Gu Xi, recalling her previous ambiguous actions. Jiang Yiyao was nearly struck by another arrow, but Chong Yibiao quickly pulled her to safety, accidentally dislocating her arm. To distract her from the pain, Chong Yibiao pointed out a distant butterfly while skillfully resetting her arm and bandaging it.
Jiang Wenhuan later pondered Gu Xi's contradictory actions, leading them into a trap then providing a map. He concluded that Gu Xi must be serving a different master, making the map more trustworthy as "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Meanwhile, the Shangshan King received a secret letter from Jiang Wenhuan, accusing Xian Xuanji of luring the Prince's Camp into danger, framing Zhongli Yuan, and deceiving the emperor.
The letter further reported that the princes had broken through the siege on Mt. Qingluan and were preparing to launch a night raid on Zhongli Palace to rescue King Zhongli Yuan. The letter also revealed that Xian Xuanji had soft-imprisoned Zhongli Yuan, intending to use the Shangshan King to eliminate Zhongli Yuan and seize his position.
Enraged by Xian Xuanji's ambition and deception, the Shangshan King appointed Gongsun Wuyu, who had a teacher-student bond with the princes, to lead the Taotie Army to Zhongli and quell the rebellion. Jiang Wenhuan, Kunwu, and their combined forces launched their attack on Zhongli Palace. They breached the city gates with surprising ease, which immediately raised Xin Jia's suspicions. Indeed, they quickly realized it was a trap as Xian Xuanji and his Zhongli forces surrounded them.
Xian Xuanji emerged, mocking Jiang Wenhuan and General Lin, calling them "monsters" who should have remained hidden. He was confident that he would crush them and claim all of Zhongli. Just as the battle seemed lost, a zither melody echoed through the palace, and Xian Xuanji's soldiers began to fall. Gongsun Wuyu, with the Taotie Army, appeared, revealing that their infiltration was a deliberate part of a larger plan.
Jiang Wenhuan explained that he had anticipated Xian Xuanji's arrogance and hatred towards the Prince's Camp, using it to draw him out. Gongsun Wuyu then formally announced the Shangshan King's edict, declaring Xian Xuanji a traitor guilty of high treason for harming envoys, framing the King, and being rebellious, and therefore worthy of execution. Cornered, Xian Xuanji made a desperate move, seizing Zhongli Yuan and holding him hostage. Zhongli Yuan, feigning terror, begged Xian Xuanji to spare him.
As Xian Xuanji retreated, he stumbled. With his back to the others, Zhongli Yuan's face contorted into a menacing grin. He subtly plunged a dagger into Xian Xuanji's heart, whispering that he had waited for this moment for many years. Once Xian Xuanji was dead, Zhongli Yuan quickly reverted to his terrified demeanor, scrambling away and pretending to be a helpless, weak monarch.
After the chaos subsided, Gongsun Wuyu noticed Jiang Wenhuan's injury and drew a Fire Yang Talisman on him, hoping its potent yang energy would counteract the yin-based blood crystal poison. She then suggested that Jiang Wenhuan and the others return to Donglu, citing the strange and unpredictable events unfolding in Zhongli. However, Jiang Wenhuan, believing they were close to uncovering the full truth about the immortal elixir, refused to leave.
Meanwhile, at the Divination Platform, Gu Xi consulted her oracle, perplexed to find that Zhongli's fate, despite Xian Xuanji's death, was continuing to decline even faster, showing ominous signs of "Heaven rises, earth sinks, Yin and Yang are out of balance, the wicked gain power, and all is in chaos." Shortly after, Zhongli Yuan, now officially reinstated, visited Gu Xi, inviting her to a celebratory banquet.
Gu Xi, citing her role as a Zhenren, politely declined, stating that the occasion was unsuitable for her. Zhongli Yuan, respecting her decision, promised not to force her. Left alone, Gu Xi performed another divination, the same dire omens reappearing, deepening her confusion about Zhongli's destiny.
