The Dauntless Youths Episode 28 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Jiang Wenhuan deduced that Gongsun Wuyu had obtained both the elixir of immortality and the human-skin drum. Knowing these dangerous artifacts would bring widespread chaos and destruction according to ancient prophecies, he urged the Zhongli people to seek shelter. However, the people, including officials, were resolute in their refusal to leave, expressing profound gratitude for the Princes' past efforts in saving them and wishing to contribute their meager strength to protect their home.
An official stated that without the Princes stepping up, the city would have been destroyed. They, as scholars with no strength to protect the city, were ashamed but pledged to follow Jiang Wenhuan's lead. Jiang Wenhuan assured them that he and the Prince's Escort would protect them at all costs, and the people repeatedly thanked him. Gongsun Wuyu, in her fury, ordered a city-wide massacre.
She confronted Chong Yibiao, instructing him to assist her in achieving her goals, and in return, she would bring the living Jiang Yiyao back to him. Chong Yibiao threatened to kill Gongsun Wuyu after Yi Yao's return, but Gongsun Wuyu retorted that if he truly sought revenge, he should pursue supreme power to reshape the unjust world, adding that she merely wanted him to comprehend the ease of death.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wenhuan convened an urgent meeting with the other princes to devise a strategy. They acknowledged the difficulty in resisting Gongsun Wuyu's powerful forces, with many enemy generals and their own scarce, inexperienced troops. They discussed how help from Donglu was sought but its arrival uncertain. Scouts confirmed that the Taotie Army completely surrounded Zhongli City. A significant portion of Zhongli's forces had been eliminated, leaving only a small, ill-equipped, and untrained contingent of newly conscripted men.
Outnumbered, they predicted the city would fall within three days under a strong assault. One suggested that while leading the populace to escape was impossible, the Prince's Escort might break through at night. Xin Jia, despite admitting his fear of death, asserted that having pledged to protect the Zhongli people, he would stand firm. Jiang Wenhuan, seeing their unwavering resolve, made the decision to fight to the death.
He instructed the various groups: Xin Jia was to lead able-bodied civilians in reinforcing the palace gates, E Shun was to lead the Prince's Escort in repairing defense mechanisms and preparing ambushes at the palace gates, and Miss Asu was to comfort and hide the elderly, children, and women within the palace. He also instructed all citizens to retreat into Zhongli Palace, noting that those in the north of the city would need more time to arrive.
Gongsun Wuyu's generals assured her that no city could withstand the Taotie Army for more than a day. Following her orders, her soldiers began setting fires outside the city, intending to force out and kill anyone within. Inside, the terrified citizens speculated about the unfolding events, lamenting the probable loss of those in the north of the city.
Watching the inferno from the city wall, Kunwu was overcome with grief, recalling the traumatic massacre of his own family, Uncle Lin, and the Kun Army, and questioned why he was still alive when he had been powerless to stop any of it. Jiang Wenhuan joined him, acknowledging that they, too, had been unable to prevent the tragedies. An old man then approached them, offering warm Dried Cabbage Pies. The familiar scent brought back memories of Kunwu's childhood.
The old man shared that his family had been making these pies in Zhongli for three generations, and the taste had never changed. He asserted that as long as people and their spirit remained, homes could be rebuilt, and cities restored, for the people were the very roots of Zhongli, saved by the Princes' sacrifices. He thanked Jiang Wenhuan on behalf of the people, who were then urged by Jiang Wenhuan to return to shelter from the cold.
Jiang Wenhuan commented on Kunwu polishing his bow, reminiscing about a competition where Kunwu had bested Chong Yibiao with a single arrow. Kunwu then spoke, saying that if he did not return, an item should be given to his brother, but Jiang Wenhuan insisted he keep it himself. Kunwu remarked on the unexpected cold of the southern winter.
Jiang Wenhuan playfully dismissed Kunwu's notion of what constituted real snow, asserting that Zhongli's beautiful, cold snow was truly remarkable, and if Kunwu ever saw it, he would understand. Kunwu agreed to see it. Jiang Wenhuan, in a gesture of deep trust and camaraderie, handed Kunwu an accessory, presenting it as a memento, but Kunwu recognized it as a personal gift. In return, Kunwu gratefully presented Jiang Wenhuan with his Kun family copper token.
The following day, Gongsun Wuyu and Chong Yibiao launched a full-scale assault on the city. Jiang Wenhuan and the Princes divided their forces to meet the enemy, engaging in a fierce battle. During the intense fighting, Chong Yibiao suddenly turned his sword on Xin Jia, who fiercely condemned Chong Yibiao for his heartless and ungrateful nature, regretting ever considering him a brother. Xin Jia questioned if slaughtering civilians and bullying the weak was the "righteous path" of Lilibei's bravest warrior.
An enemy general then used the Taotie banner, a symbol of the King's personal expedition, to warn the princes that their refusal to surrender constituted treason, threatening their entire clans with annihilation and the destruction of their homelands. Inside the city, as their forces were pushed back, the princes debated their options. Some feared the consequences of defying the royal banner, arguing that protecting Zhongli's people shouldn't lead to the ruin of their own countries.
Xin Jia, in a fit of rage, offered to cut down the "ragged banner," but was cautioned that such an act would be considered high treason. Observing the dire situation and the princes' hesitation, Kunwu stepped forward. He introduced himself not as E Shun, the Nambo Marquis' heir, but as Kunwu, the son of the loyal and valiant General Kunze of Zhongli State, having impersonated E Shun to seek revenge.
He confessed to deceiving the emperor and everyone, stating he was beyond redemption and, unlike the others, had nothing left to lose. He declared it was most fitting for him to retrieve the flag. Jiang Wenhuan, refusing to let Kunwu face certain death alone, insisted on joining him.
However, Kunwu reiterated that from that moment, he was no longer E Shun of the Princes' Escort but solely Kunwu of Zhongli, stating his actions were purely for national and family vengeance and bore no relation to the Princes' Escort. He dramatically severed ties, declaring they would all serve their own masters, concluding with a solemn "We'll never meet again."
Despite his earlier severing of ties, Jiang Wenhuan, filled with apprehension, returned the Kun family copper token to Kunwu, hoping it would safeguard him and ensure his return. As Kunwu prepared to charge, Jiang Wenhuan called out "I'll wait for you to come home."
Kunwu, in a resolute voiceover, declared his unwavering commitment to his homeland, stating that as a son of the Kun family, protecting Zhongli was his destiny, and that the river which nurtured him would one day embrace him again. He then galloped like lightning towards the enemy, prepared to fight for his country even "through fire and water."
From the city walls, Jiang Wenhuan ordered the other Princes and archers to provide covering fire, shouting for them to "shoot arrows to cover E Shun." Gongsun Wuyu observed their efforts, remarking that a momentary act of bravery would not lead to a good outcome. Despite the valiant efforts, the enemy's overwhelming numbers soon surrounded Kunwu, who sustained multiple sword wounds, his battle robe soaked in blood.
Witnessing Kunwu's peril, Jiang Wenhuan, unable to bear it, leaped from the city wall and charged into the enemy ranks to protect him, while also warning Kunwu to watch out for Chong Yibiao. Chong Yibiao, seeing Jiang Wenhuan, raised his bow and arrow, but a flicker of hesitation crossed his face, preventing him from firing immediately.
Simultaneously, Xin Jia rallied the remaining Princes, declaring that the Princes' Escort brothers would "live or die together" and shouting, "Kunwu Army will never retreat! Charge!" The other princes echoed, "Kunwu, we're coming!" With his remaining strength, Kunwu fought his way to Gongsun Wuyu, aiming to cut down the Shang King's banner, which could have turned the tide of battle. However, before he could achieve his objective, he was brutally struck down by a sword and fatally killed.
Jiang Wenhuan's voiceover lamented, "Even a small ant can shake the sky," reflecting on their shared experiences and camaraderie, asking, "If you need help, can't we trust you and assist you?"
