The Dauntless Youths Episode 25 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Jiang Wenhuan confronted Zhong Liyuan, asserting that Zhong Liyuan's intense hatred stemmed not merely from Jiang Wenhuan being from Shangshan, but from Gu Xi's apparent affection for him. This exchange fully exposed Zhong Liyuan's sinister nature. Enraged, Zhong Liyuan furiously forbade any mention of Gu Xi's name.
Jiang Wenhuan retorted that Gu Xi had undoubtedly seen Zhong Liyuan's true colors, labeling it as karma for his cruel and heartless disposition, and questioning how the diviner could willingly remain by his side. Overwhelmed by anger, Zhong Liyuan initially intended to strike Jiang Wenhuan dead with his sword, but a sudden change of heart led him to believe that a quick death would be too merciful.
Instead, he opted to inflict prolonged torment, slashing Jiang Wenhuan's leg with his sword, declaring that while the wound wouldn't kill him, it would ensure he suffered a fate worse than death. Meanwhile, Gu Xi awoke from a terrifying dream in which Jiang Wenhuan and others were brutally tortured. Disturbed, she immediately went to the Black Water Pool, the mystical device used for fate divination, and decisively destroyed it before departing.
Zhong Liyuan soon arrived, furious at the destruction of the Black Water Pool. In his uncontrollable rage, he murdered an innocent maid. Elsewhere, Xin Jia was consumed by self-reproach, believing he was responsible for plunging everyone into peril and causing their suffering. That evening, he sought solace in drink, wishing he had been the one captured instead. He was told that moping around was pointless and that he should prioritize saving Jiang Wenhuan before contemplating his own death.
Xin Jia resolved that even as a perceived failure, he must rescue his comrade. He determined to save Jiang Wenhuan. Gu Xi appeared before Chong Yibiao, who was discussing the daunting challenge of rescuing Jiang Wenhuan from the heavily fortified Zhongli Palace. She proposed an alliance, stating that they must cooperate with her if they wished to save Jiang Wenhuan. Chong Yibiao, skeptical, demanded proof of her intentions. In response, Gu Xi presented a marriage invitation.
Upon receiving Gu Xi's marriage proposal, Zhong Liyuan surmised her true motive was to save Jiang Wenhuan. Nevertheless, he decided to play along, intending to exploit the news to further torment Jiang Wenhuan. He dispatched a guard to inform Jiang Wenhuan of the impending wedding and the accompanying general amnesty, knowing the message would be a cruel mockery of his prisoner's plight. Gu Xi and E Shun meticulously planned Jiang Wenhuan's rescue for the wedding day.
Gu Xi cautioned them against any rash actions and instructed them to follow her lead. She subtly revealed her awareness that E Shun was not who he seemed, without directly confronting him. Instead, she pointed to the stars, speaking of the sun's journey through Yang Valley and the water of Xianchi, and describing Jiang Wenhuan as a person born to bring light.
She praised Jiang Wenhuan as a sincere individual who consistently stepped forward in times of crisis, turning danger into safety, and never gave up even in desperate situations, always turning the tide. She noted that being around Jiang Wenhuan often made her ponder if she could be as fearless.
She then spoke of the interconnectedness of all things and people, and referenced Yao Guang, the Poh Jung Star in the Big Dipper, signifying breaking through obstacles to establish a new order, and the principle of placing oneself in a desperate situation to find a way to survive. She confessed that she once believed she had deciphered fate, but now understood she had merely been avoiding another possible destiny, one that might truly be different.
She declared that from that moment, she would believe only in herself, not in heaven or earth. Before their departure, she gave Chong Yibiao a safety rope, expressing her hope for the princes' safe return, and instructed him to rendezvous with the Taotie Army outside the city after they set off. On the day of the wedding, the princes escorted Gu Xi towards the palace.
Jiang Wenhuan was brought to the ceremony, compelled to witness the woman he loved marrying Zhong Liyuan. Zhong Liyuan, in a rare display of tenderness, escorted Gu Xi, resplendent in a wedding dress, into the palace. He remarked that she alone deserved to wear such a magnificent garment. Jiang Wenhuan watched, bewildered, unable to comprehend Gu Xi's true intentions. During the wedding ceremony, Gu Xi faltered.
Zhong Liyuan, having anticipated her plot to use the wedding as a trap to rescue Jiang Wenhuan and leverage the princes to intimidate him, ordered his soldiers to encircle the princes. Trapped, Gu Xi was left with no choice but to complete the wedding rituals. Following the ceremony, Gu Xi approached Jiang Wenhuan and pressed her forehead against his, silently conveying a vision of Zhongli's dire future: a prolonged and devastating war that would plunge its people into profound suffering.
Distraught, Jiang Wenhuan questioned how such a fate could befall them, reminding her of her earlier declaration to defy destiny. Gu Xi made him promise to protect Zhongli no matter what happened in the future. Jiang Wenhuan agreed, then asked about her role. Gu Xi responded that Zhong Liyuan would be her responsibility, and the people of Zhongli would be his. She declared that they would defy fate together that day.
With that, Gu Xi tragically ended her own life, believing that only her and Zhong Liyuan's demise could alter the future. Zhong Liyuan rushed to Gu Xi's dying body, holding her close. Gu Xi quietly asked if he remembered her true name, reminding him of his promise to call her by it after Xian Xuanji's death. Zhong Liyuan could only utter "Gu Xi," confirming he had forgotten. With a determined resolve, Gu Xi drew a dagger and stabbed Zhong Liyuan.
As he lay dying, Zhong Liyuan struggled to whisper her real name, "Yao Guang." Gu Xi wept, lamenting how Zhong Liyuan had forgotten Zhongli, its people, and their shared promises, allowing ambition and desire to consume him. She wondered if things would have been different had they never met. Dying, Zhong Liyuan pleaded with "Yao Guang" not to leave him, expressing his fear and stating she was the only one he cared about and trusted in the world.
Gu Xi held him, reassuring him that they would face the journey to the netherworld together, and reiterated her final wish for him to protect the people of Zhongli. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Xin Jia burst in with reinforcements, boldly declaring that no one would harm his brothers again. Later, Jiang Wenhuan had recovered significantly from his wounds.
While tending to Jiang Wenhuan's injuries, his helper discussed a plan to remove the poison from Anashi's arm, proposing to use "corpse's blood as a catalyst" to combat the poison, acknowledging the inherent risks of treating poison with poison. Jiang Wenhuan then discovered a peculiar mark on Anashi's arm, realizing it wasn't the expected corpse poison. He questioned if his sleeve might have been stained with bloodstone powder during the medicine preparation, and how Anashi could have been affected by it.
