The Dauntless Youths Episode 26 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Jiang Yiyao discovered that Anashi was severely afflicted by corpse poison, which had spread throughout his body. She was full of self-blame, fearing it was residue from her work with the blood crystal. When Gongsun Wuyu inquired what she had done, Jiang Yiyao explained that Anashi had touched the blood crystal. Gongsun Wuyu questioned why Anashi was affected if he hadn't been poisoned by the corpse poison before.
He theorized that Anashi's prolonged coma made his body resemble a living corpse, and the blood crystal might have had a suppressing effect on him. Gongsun Wuyu pleaded with Jiang Yiyao to keep Anashi's condition a secret from others, including her injured second brother, Jiang Wenhuan, and the untrustworthy Princes' Camp, as he feared for Anashi's safety. Jiang Yiyao agreed to prioritize Anashi's recovery.
She realized that while the treatment would be similar to Jiang Wenhuan's, Anashi's weakened state from years of slumber meant he couldn't withstand potent medicine. Therefore, she decided to use Shanlingzi, a herb known for its gentle effects, believing it could awaken Anashi. She resolved to go into the mountains immediately to find it.
The next day, as Jiang Yiyao prepared to go into the mountains to collect the Shanlingzi, Chong Yibiao stopped her, warning that Zhong Liyuan's followers were still at large outside the station. Jiang Yiyao convinced him to come along, explaining that Shanlingzi grows on the unique "young bamboo" in the forest, which is visually hard to distinguish. She taught him that one must listen carefully to the "breathing" sound of the leaves when the wind blows to locate it.
Initially, Chong Yibiao found all bamboo sounds alike. Jiang Yiyao, recalling her master's teachings, advised him to close his eyes, calm his mind, and feel with his heart, suggesting his mind was too cluttered. Chong Yibiao then recalled painful memories of being called a "despicable mare's son" and a "disgrace to Libei." After composing himself, he successfully located the distinct sound, leading Jiang Yiyao to the young bamboo.
As Chong Yibiao prepared to cut the bamboo, Jiang Yiyao noticed fine down on its body, which could be life-threatening if inhaled. She quickly hugged his head, covering his face. Chong Yibiao, shaken, scolded her for putting herself in danger and for risking harm to her neck. He spoke so rapidly that Jiang Yiyao had to cover his mouth, asking him to slow down so she could understand his lip movements.
He then told her she didn't need to risk herself to save him, declaring that this act repaid his life-saving favor. Before these events, Chong Yibiao discussed ""Gu Xi"" with another prince, noting she was a pitiful yet respectable person. Chong Yibiao reaffirmed his promise to ""Gu Xi"" to protect Zhongli Kingdom and its people, regardless of his return to Donglu.
Meanwhile, the masked leader of the Fourth faction, lamenting Zhong Liyuan's death, instructed his subordinate to proceed with their plan without any further failures. At the station, Jiang Wenhuan informed Jiang Yiyao of a summons from Zhongli Palace for the princes to attend a banquet, instructing her to stay put as Gongsun Wuyu was out buying medicine for Anashi. After Jiang Wenhuan left, Jiang Yiyao discovered Anashi was missing.
Chong Yibiao, intercepting the other princes on their way to the palace, suspected a "divide and conquer" tactic, finding the palace summons unusual given that Zhongli's affairs were managed by ministers. He immediately rushed back to the station, worried about Jiang Yiyao. His fears were confirmed: neither Jiang Yiyao nor Anashi could be found. Jiang Wenhuan discovered Jiang Yiyao's bell, leading him to believe she was in trouble.
With Jiang Wenhuan's old wound flaring up, he and another prince stayed behind for treatment. He tasked Chong Yibiao with finding Jiang Yiyao and Anashi, and sent Xin Jia to inform Gongsun Wuyu of the situation. In the forest, Jiang Yiyao, seeing a distant shadow she mistook for Anashi, followed it, diligently marking her path on the complex terrain. Meanwhile, Chong Yibiao and others were also searching for her, calling her name.
Eventually, Jiang Yiyao discovered Anashi tangled in numerous red threads in an area also marked by these strange lines. Just then, the masked leader of the Fourth faction appeared, coldly informing her that since she had uncovered Anashi's secret, she could not be allowed to live. She was then pushed into a pile of grass, where a lifeless hand emerged and choked her.
Though Chong Yibiao was nearby, still calling her name, he was suddenly drawn away by a distant sound. Helpless, Jiang Yiyao could only watch him leave before closing her eyes in despair. A Si and her guards arrived in Zhongli, searching for the princes. On their way, they discovered Jiang Yiyao's body in the forest. A Si recognized the distinctive Panlong totem on Jiang Yiyao's handkerchief and ordered her guards to respectfully take the body with them.
At the Zhongli station, Gongsun Wuyu was consumed by guilt, blaming himself for leaving to buy medicine for Anashi. Chong Yibiao soon returned, carrying Anashi, whom he had found in the suburban woods after chasing away a Fourth faction member. He noted strange needle marks on Anashi's arm, suggesting bloodletting by his captors. Gongsun Wuyu was perplexed as to why the Fourth faction would bleed Anashi. Chong Yibiao then declared his urgent need to find Jiang Yiyao.
Meanwhile, A Si arrived at the Zhongli station and encountered Jiang Wenhuan. She inquired if he knew a girl with a Panlong totem handkerchief, explaining they had found her body. Jiang Wenhuan, initially hopeful that she had found his sister, was shattered when he realized it was indeed Jiang Yiyao. Overwhelmed with grief, he vomited blood upon seeing her lifeless form. A companion observed that Jiang Yiyao's eyes remained open, as if she had an unfulfilled wish.
Chong Yibiao, returning to the station, found Jiang Yiyao's body. Heartbroken, he carried her to a lake outside the city. He remembered her past longing to see the sunset on the grassland and how he had promised to take her. As the sun set, he noted its beauty was the most similar to the grasslands, a poignant fulfillment of his promise.
A flashback showed Jiang Yiyao making a "safety rope" for her brothers, hoping for their safe return, and expressing that she would wait for Chong Yibiao. That night, Jiang Wenhuan personally buried his sister, vowing to avenge her death.
