The Dauntless Youths Episode 3 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
A colossal monster charged towards Jiang Wenhuan, who, despite being outmatched, faced it without fear. As people panicked and fled the city, Chong Yibiao and Kunwu joined the fray. Although scared, Xin Jia courageously entered the battle, calling out, "Brother Jiang, I'm coming!" and taunting the creature. Together, the four heroes successfully defeated the monster. Meanwhile, Ning Ziyu was urgently summoned by his father, Prince Ning, who cautioned his son not to get involved.
A servant rushed in to report that the giant monster had been defeated, much to Prince Ning's shock at the swiftness of its demise. He then led Ning Ziyu away. In the stables, A Si discovered a bronze plate. Examining its unique crest, she recognized it as the emblem of Prince Ning's carriage, immediately suspecting a connection to the evil creature. She decided to discreetly follow.
As she rode past, Jiang Wenhuan, having just helped defeat the monster and en route to assist his brother, spotted her, wondering, "A female thief? Why is she here?" Jiang Wenfeng, overseeing the chaotic aftermath, ordered that the deceased prince be given a proper burial and that the civilian casualties be either returned to their families or buried with military honors.
One of the princes confronted Jiang Wenfeng, demanding an explanation for the monster's appearance and calling the beast fight "suspicious." Jiang Wenhuan secretly followed A Si, who had lost track of Prince Ning. Prince Ning, however, noticed A Si and confronted her, demanding to know who she was and why she was following them. A Si boldly accused him of disturbing Donglu by releasing evil creatures. Prince Ning immediately ordered his men to kill her.
Just then, Jiang Wenhuan intervened, stating that a lord should not openly bully a young woman. Prince Ning attempted to establish a false kinship with Jiang Wenhuan, but Jiang Wenhuan rebuffed him, reminding him that disrupting the beast fight was "a crime of deceiving the emperor" and "punishable by death." Recognizing one of Prince Ning's men as the thief who had stolen the imperial edict, Jiang Wenhuan realized Prince Ning's full involvement.
When the henchman threatened A Si, Jiang Wenhuan feigned indifference, claiming he wouldn't care if a "thief" died. A furious A Si lashed out at Jiang Wenhuan, vowing revenge. As they bickered, Jiang Wenhuan seized the opportunity to swiftly rescue A Si, then urged her, "Let's go." Jiang Wenfeng addressed the assembled princes, acknowledging the "heartbreaking" incident and promising a thorough investigation and explanation. While some princes called for justice from the king, Jiang Wenhuan interrupted, urging calm.
He then presented Prince Ning and revealed that the monster originated from Prince Ning's manor, showing the bronze plate with the Ning family crest found in the monster's transport box as proof. Under pressure, Prince Ning confessed, "What if it was me?" He tearfully explained his actions were driven by the king's desire to leave him "childless." He revealed that ten days prior, he received a secret report that the "Hostage Camp" would be re-opened.
Having already lost one son, he declared, "We can't let the Ning family have no descendants," and admitted to accepting "secret arts" from the West to create the monster, hoping to deter the princes. He concluded by accusing Shangshan of being "unkind" and the emperor "unrighteous." The princes questioned Gongsun Wuyu about the alleged "hostage camp." Gongsun Wuyu clarified that the king intended to open a "Prince Camp" in Donglu, not a hostage camp.
He explained that the camp's true purpose was to find an ancient elixir of life, a national treasure, which a divine guide revealed to be among the princes. He presented an imperial edict, assuring them that their lives would be safe and that finding the elixir would bring immense honor to their nations. Prince Ning, however, scoffed at this, calling it "Yuan Yang's" trick and accusing the other princes of being "hypocrites" with grievances against Shangshan.
He proclaimed his willingness to sacrifice himself against the "tyrannical king." Jiang Wenhuan retorted, criticizing Prince Ning for harming innocents and calling him a fool who, despite his eloquent words, "caused such chaos" and acted no differently from the "tyrant" he condemned. Jiang Wenfeng then ordered Jiang Wenhuan to step back and declared to Prince Ning that "no excuse justifies murder." Prince Ning, with desperate resolve, urged Ning Ziyu to "Go now!"
, bravely fighting against the soldiers to cover his son's escape. Despite his father's sacrifice, Ning Ziyu was tragically shot while fleeing and collapsed, dying. Witnessing his only son's death, Prince Ning was overcome with grief and also perished. Jiang Wenhuan expressed profound regret and self-blame, lamenting that if he had discovered the truth earlier and acted differently, the outcome might have been less tragic. He then ordered everyone back to the city.
Jiang Wenfeng, accepting responsibility for the arena incident, declared, "I failed in my duty, disgracing Your Majesty's grace and the legacy of the Jiang family. I accept my punishment." As he prepared to receive his punishment, Jiang Wenhuan intervened, asserting, "I'm the heir of the Dongwu Marquisate. I'm the one who should be punished." Jiang Wenhuan struggled with the guards who held him back, while Jiang Wenfeng ordered him to leave.
An officer then announced the King's decree: while Prince Ning was the primary instigator, the Dongwu Marquisate was also at fault for poor oversight. Jiang Wenfeng would be punished, and an imperial plaque would be revoked as a warning, though his ducal title was spared due to his ancestors' military achievements. Later, kneeling in the ancestral hall, Jiang Wenhuan blamed himself for his helplessness and inability to take his brother's punishment.
His master reminded him that he had always been his brother's "pride." Jiang Wenhuan resolved to find the elixir, promising his master, "I won't let him down." Meanwhile, Gongsun Wuyu applied medicine to Jiang Wenfeng's wounds, and they discussed the tragic annihilation of the Ning family. Gongsun Wuyu gave Jiang Wenfeng the bronze plate Jiang Wenhuan had found, explaining it was from the West and linked to the mysterious person who stole the imperial edict.
He identified the arena monster as a "Kui Ba Shi," likely created by the West's secret arts. Jiang Wenfeng reflected on the West's history of conflict with Donglu and their renewed activity, concluding that the impending "Prince Camp" could bring more trouble. He ended by stating his determination to "Protect Donglu. Protect the children." On the eve of the Prince Camp's opening, Kunwu had a solemn conversation with a steward.
The steward reminded him of their agreement: Kunwu must remain in the Prince Camp, and in return, his master would help find his sister. The steward stressed the irreversible nature of their plan, warning that exposure would mean a "death sentence." Kunwu anxiously inquired about his sister, learning she was alive but that "sometimes being alive is more painful than death." The steward reassured him that the master would help rescue her once the agreement was fulfilled.
Kunwu then recalled his own father's words, "My son, live on, and protect Qingqing," and ultimately agreed to the terms. Elsewhere, A Si returned home to an angry father who scolded her for previously eloping and now "provok[ing] the Dongwu Marquisate." He threatened to beat her, but when she defiantly offered herself for punishment, he dismissed the servants, revealing his true concern for her safety.
He firmly dismissed her desire to work in Qiankun Alley and warned her to stay out of Dongwu Marquisate affairs, saying, "Those princes aren't as simple as they seem." Meanwhile, Jiang Wenhuan and Kunwu (posing as Ezhun) were drinking. Jiang Wenhuan expressed deep regret over the arena incident, lamenting his inability to save his dog Dahuang, prevent Prince Ning's schemes, and how his brother had to take his punishment.
He declared his intention to bid farewell to his "incompetent" past self. Kunwu (as Ezhun) explained the tradition of river lanterns in the Southern Capital for mourning, and they released two, "one for the living, one for the dead." Jiang Wenhuan then shared his ambition to restore the Jiang family's honor and secure his brother's rightful place as master of the Dongwu Marquisate through the Prince Camp's mission. Kunwu (as Ezhun) simply stated his desire "to live."
They toasted to their survival. Jiang Wenhuan playfully teased Kunwu about his drinking prowess and jokingly called him "Huang." Kunwu expressed gratitude for Jiang Wenhuan saving him in the arena, noting that he felt like an old friend. Jiang Wenhuan, continuing the joke, proposed they become sworn brothers to "take Huang's place." Kunwu feigned reluctance to leave, but Jiang Wenhuan pleaded with him to stay, again calling him "Huang."
In a covert operation, a group of black-clad men secretly exhumed Ning Ziyu's body, discovering to their surprise that he was still alive. They took him away, pleased that "Our master will be satisfied."
