The Dauntless Youths Episode 8 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Chong Yibiao’s blade cut through Kunwu’s clothes, revealing a deep scar on his chest. Seeing this, Chong Yibiao’s eyes widened in disbelief, realizing that the man before him was not E Shun, yet the identical scar left him utterly confounded. Jiang Wenhuan, annoyed by Chong Yibiao’s reckless act, quickly intervened. He asked if E Shun was hurt and pulled Kunwu away, telling him he would take him back to change his clothes.
Later, in their room, Jiang Wenhuan handed Kunwu some medicine, his gaze lingering on the scar on Kunwu’s chest. He asked why the scar was so deep. Kunwu understood Jiang Wenhuan’s unspoken questions. He explained that to make the impersonation perfect, E Shun had gone through a procedure to replicate the scar on his own body.
Sensing Jiang Wenhuan’s continued probing, Kunwu openly addressed it, stating that while he and Chong Yibiao were once close friends, they also carried deep-seated grudges. Kunwu then recounted a memory from years ago, before the "Bravest Warrior of the Grassland" competition. He, as the real E Shun, had heard much about Chong Yibiao, the second son of the Duke of Beibo, praising him as a skilled and intelligent young hero.
E Shun had sought to befriend him, engaging in a sparring match where he acknowledged Chong Yibiao's superior martial arts. Subsequently, E Shun had appointed Chong Yibiao as the reception envoy for the Southern Capital caravan. However, Chong Yibiao’s older half-brother, resentful of this, falsely accused him before their father, the Duke of Beibo, of using underhanded tactics to secure the position and called him a "bastard." The older brother then physically assaulted Chong Yibiao.
The Duke of Beibo intervened, not to defend Chong Yibiao, but to reprimand him, telling him to always remember his "place." Just then, a younger E Shun arrived, respectfully greeting the Duke. He then publicly declared that while he may have been rash in appointing Chong Yibiao without permission, Chong Yibiao was undeniably the only suitable candidate for the Southern Capital's reception envoy, regardless of his status.
Chong Yibiao, however, defiantly refused the position, stating that he only needed to remember he was Chong Yibiao of the Libei Grassland, not a mere envoy. He stormed out, earning further insults from his older brother, who called him a "wild seed." That night, Chong Yibiao woke up tied in E Shun’s tent, immediately accusing E Shun of kidnapping him in retaliation for his refusal. E Shun clarified that he merely sought friendship.
He then explained that he had found Chong Yibiao unconscious in the stable after his brother had knocked him out and was now pretending to search for "thieves" to justify his interference. E Shun dismissed the older brother and untied Chong Yibiao, explaining his actions were to prevent Chong Yibiao from acting rashly. Chong Yibiao apologized for the misunderstanding but firmly told E Shun not to meddle in his family affairs.
E Shun, in turn, challenged Chong Yibiao’s submissive attitude toward his family, calling him a "weakling" and a "tamed wolf" who was tough with outsiders but yielded to his own. He provoked Chong Yibiao, asking if he truly wanted to remain subservient and goaded him into participating in the "First Warrior" competition. The next day, Chong Yibiao competed in the "Bravest Warrior of the Grassland" competition.
As expected, he emerged victorious and was presented with the "Blade of the Brave" by the Duke of Nanbo. Chong Yibiao’s older brother attempted to minimize the achievement, claiming that frugality prevented a proper celebration. However, E Shun countered this by providing a rare, bronze jade-faced dagger as a gift and hosting a lavish banquet with abundant food and wine. This display of generosity and support further angered the Duke of Beibo and Chong Yibiao’s brother.
The older brother abruptly stopped the music and dismissed the dancers, declaring the king's tent no place for such revelry. The Duke of Beibo then instructed Chong Yibiao to send E Shun and his gifts away, stating that while their kindness was appreciated, Libei valued frugality. Chong Yibiao defended E Shun’s celebration, arguing it was a friend's gesture and that such treatment was not the proper way to host guests.
E Shun then intervened, suggesting that their deep friendship transcended the confines of a "small tent" and proposing they move the celebration to the vast expanse of the open grassland. On the prairie, Chong Yibiao confessed his sadness, lamenting that despite his fame and fortune, no one in Libei truly celebrated his success. E Shun then dramatically poured strong Libei liquor into a fire, explaining that such a potent spirit, if it desired, could consume the entire grassland.
He told Chong Yibiao that he was "the strongest liquor on the Libei Grassland," and his strength as the first warrior was his own achievement, unchangeable by anyone, including his family. E Shun affirmed their unique bond, declaring Chong Yibiao his only true friend in the world. Moved, Chong Yibiao embraced E Shun, acknowledging their friendship. They drank deeply until E Shun became drunk and began to stutter, prompting Chong Yibiao to playfully dub him "Little Stutterer."
Kunwu’s narration revealed that from then on, they became close friends, riding horses freely across the grassland. E Shun’s horsemanship greatly improved under Chong Yibiao's tutelage, though he never quite surpassed him. E Shun often expressed his preference for the boundless freedom of Libei over the "exquisite birdcage" that was Nan Capital, urging Chong Yibiao not to limit himself. They frequently engaged in friendly races across the open plains.
E Shun returned to Nan Capital, and three years passed before they met again. During this period, Chong Yibiao continued to ride the grasslands, out-hunting his older brother and further cementing his popularity among the people, intensifying his brother’s jealousy. E Shun and Chong Yibiao maintained their friendship through correspondence, with E Shun once writing to praise Chong Yibiao’s success and promise a rematch upon his return.
E Shun then made a sudden visit to Libei for Chong Yibiao’s impending wedding to the "most beautiful woman of the grassland," He Lianxin, congratulating him and expressing ambitious hopes for them to become powerful lords. However, events soon took a cruel turn. Chong Yibiao was coerced into relinquishing his position as heir, and his fiancée was given to his older brother.
Enraged, Chong Yibiao confronted his father, demanding to know why he had to surrender both his rightful place and his chosen woman. The Duke of Beibo coldly reminded him of his "lowly" birth, declaring that the position of Duke of Beibo would "never be passed on to a lowly son." Accepting this harsh reality, Chong Yibiao turned to leave, his defiant gaze catching his older brother's eye.
His brother, in turn, complained to their father about Chong Yibiao's insolence, warning of rebellion, and pressed for his own marriage to He Lianxin. The Duke of Beibo rebuked his older son for his weakness and inability to manage a woman, warning that he might not be able to protect him if he didn't improve, especially with Chong Yibiao gaining influence.
Meanwhile, whispers spread among the tribe, questioning the Duke of Beibo’s decision to defy tradition and marry the "first beauty" to the heir instead of the "first warrior." Later, Chong Yibiao led E Shun to a small, isolated grave. Kneeling before it, Chong Yibiao revealed it was his mother’s resting place.
He explained that his mother, a "lowly slave" never officially recognized by the family, became pregnant after an encounter with a drunken Duke of Beibo, who was then the heir. She was hidden away, living in constant fear, and eventually died during childbirth. Chong Yibiao recounted how no one in the Duke’s household had tried to save her, and in fact, they had rejoiced in her death as a means to cleanse the family’s noble name.
His own existence, he bitterly stated, served as a constant reminder of the "humble stain" on the Chong family's prestigious lineage. E Shun gently urged him to let go of the past, but Chong Yibiao fiercely responded that he wished to, but "they won't let me," declaring his very existence a "sin." With a hardened resolve, he stated that if he was destined to gain nothing, he would "give up everything and want nothing."
E Shun watched helplessly as Chong Yibiao walked away, leaving him alone beside the desolate grave. Back in the present, Chong Yibiao sat drinking, a heavy mood hanging over him. His companions, having learned of his difficult past, reflected on the complicated relationship between him and E Shun, noting how they now seemed more like "enemies."
One companion specifically asked about the deep scar on E Shun's chest, wondering if Chong Yibiao truly inflicted it and how much hatred could drive such an act. Chong Yibiao, after a moment of thought, simply responded, "It's hatred, I guess."
