The Dauntless Youths Episode 7 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Jiang Wenhuan, eager to confirm if E Shun was the little slave he had rescued, accompanied him to the slave market. Unbeknownst to Jiang Wenhuan, the E Shun by his side was actually Kunwu, impersonating the real E Shun. Kunwu was deeply moved by the sight of numerous slaves being brutally beaten by their owners, yearning to intervene.
However, he remembered the real E Shun's stern warning against exposing his identity, which could lead to dire consequences for both of them. He forced himself to maintain a cold demeanor, appearing indifferent to the distressing scene, all while sensing Jiang Wenhuan’s probing gaze and meticulously avoiding any actions that might betray his connection to the little slave.
As they walked through the market, the same cruel slaver who had previously whipped Kunwu (when he was the little slave) was once again abusing a slave. The slaver glanced at E Shun (Kunwu), finding his face strangely familiar. Kunwu, noticing the slaver's suspicious look, quickly asked if he had ever visited the slave market in the Southern Capital. The slaver, claiming to have "been everywhere," confirmed he had, successfully diverting his attention and resolving the immediate tension.
Jiang Wenhuan also remarked that E Shun looked familiar to him. Meanwhile, in a nearby area, A Si, vehemently opposed to her father's repeated attempts to force her into marriage, fled and threatened to jump from a cliff. Spotting Jiang Wenhuan and E Shun (Kunwu) nearby, A Si dramatically declared her intention to marry both of them, hoping this audacious claim would finally deter her father. Kunwu, stepping forward as E Shun, respectfully addressed Mr. Li, A Si's father.
He diplomatically praised A Si's noble character, martial prowess, intelligence, beauty, and heroic spirit, asserting that she was not an ordinary woman to be confined. He suggested that Mr. Li should consider finding her a suitable partner from the upcoming Prince Camp assessment, where many exceptional young men would showcase their talents. Mr. Li, appeased by this suggestion, agreed, finding the idea of a prince for a son-in-law acceptable. A Si expressed her gratitude to E Shun.
Later that evening, Jiang Wenhuan located the slaver and pressed him further about E Shun. The slaver admitted he had lied earlier to appease E Shun (Kunwu), but genuinely felt he had seen E Shun before, though he couldn't recall where. Concurrently, Mr. Li visited the Prince Camp to speak with E Shun (Kunwu), inquiring about his age and marital status, and expressing his belief that E Shun would be a perfect match for A Si.
Kunwu politely declined, explaining his commitments and the dangers of military life in the Prince Camp made it unsuitable for marriage at that time. Misinterpreting Kunwu's refusal, Mr. Li assumed E Shun’s parents needed to approve the match and stated his intention to discuss it with the Nanbo Marquis when he visited the Southern Capital. Kunwu, seizing the opportunity, quickly asked Mr. Li about his timber dealings with the Marquisate.
Mr. Li clarified that his business with the Nanbo Marquisate involved cloth and spices, not timber, which was an "official road" trade managed by the Dongwu Marquisate. This revelation confirmed Kunwu's suspicion that Jiang Wenhuan had been deliberately testing his knowledge to verify his identity. The following day marked the first round of the Prince Camp assessment: a horsemanship competition. The princes gathered at the stables to select their mounts.
Xin Jia, an expert in assessing horses, observed the small, somewhat inferior horse chosen by E Shun (Kunwu). When asked, Kunwu (as E Shun) claimed to be unskilled in horsemanship and simply chose a random horse. Jiang Wenhuan, recalling the little slave’s exceptional riding skills, began to question his initial assumption, wondering if E Shun truly wasn't the little slave. He decided the truth would be revealed on the racetrack.
The horsemanship competition began with the princes divided into two groups. E Shun (Kunwu) competed in the first race but rode slowly, leading to a win for Chong Yibiao’s team. In a subsequent race, Xin Jia won, but the overall team scores remained tied. The final deciding round pitted Jiang Wenhuan against Chong Yibiao. Both were highly skilled, making it a close contest. However, members of Chong Yibiao's team interfered, causing Jiang Wenhuan to fall from his horse.
Severely injured, Jiang Wenhuan insisted on continuing, but Kunwu, torn, remembered the real E Shun’s strict command not to surpass Chong Yibiao in horsemanship to protect his identity. Yet, seeing Jiang Wenhuan's determination despite his injuries, Kunwu rushed forward, took Jiang Wenhuan's place in the race, and, against the earlier instruction, rode with astounding skill, ultimately winning the competition. This unexpected display of horsemanship once again intensified Jiang Wenhuan's suspicions about E Shun's true identity.
After the race, E Shun's butler, Uncle Bing, reprimanded Kunwu for his reckless actions, fearing that his identity had been compromised, as the real E Shun was known for his poor horsemanship. Indeed, Chong Yibiao was already suspicious, openly challenging Kunwu and stating that "that guy" couldn't have genuinely won the race. Chong Yibiao decided to conduct another test.
The next day, during the stake fighting competition, Chong Yibiao aggressively confronted Kunwu (as E Shun), employing a vicious style seemingly intent on harming him. Kunwu, unwilling to endure the assault any longer, chose not to use E Shun's known fighting style. Instead, he unleashed his own unique combat skills and easily won the match. Furious and certain of his suspicions, Chong Yibiao confronted him, declaring, "You are not him! Who are you? !" He then raised his knife, preparing to strike.
