The Dauntless Youths Episode 9 Recap
> The Dauntless Youths Recap
Chong Yibiao vividly recalled inflicting the striking scar on E Shun's chest. He remembered waking up to find his mother's grave adorned with beautiful Gesang flowers, which the tribe believed was a divine manifestation. E Shun later confessed to planting them overnight, working diligently to create the beautiful display and stating that such a wonderful place could not be evil or sinful.
On the day of Chong's older brother's wedding, E Shun confronted the older brother, warning him that by openly taking Chong Yibiao's woman, he had made himself an enemy of the Southern Capital. E Shun declared he would help Chong Yibiao reclaim what was lost and vowed that the Southern Bohr State would be his family's eternal enemy.
A subordinate of Chong's older brother then reported completing the task of destroying the Gesang flowers, admitting that a child who tried to protect the field had been accidentally killed. Chong's older brother callously dismissed the death as a "small matter." Meanwhile, news spread that Chong Yibiao was going crazy. Chong Yibiao furiously confronted his father, the Prince of Beibo, who accused him of rebellion.
Chong Yibiao lashed out, detailing how his older brother had taken his woman, stolen his throne, and tried to kill him. His greatest anger stemmed from his brother trampling on his mother's resting place and killing an innocent child who had promised to shoot a black eagle for him someday. Chong Yibiao confirmed his intent to rebel, vowing to make his father experience the "pain of losing a child."
As Chong Yibiao moved to attack his brother, E Shun bravely stepped in, blocking the fatal blow. When Chong Yibiao questioned E Shun's allegiance, E Shun said nothing. After that incident, E Shun was severely wounded and fell into a coma. He was sent back to the Southern Capital for treatment, barely surviving but left with a chronic illness. He had not been in contact with Chong Yibiao since, until their reunion at the Prince's Camp.
Kunwu (as E Shun) explained to Jiang Wenhuan that he had intervened to prevent Chong Yibiao from bearing the eternal guilt of fratricide, and despite his current weakened state, he had no regrets. He lamented that their relationship could never return to what it once was. Jiang Wenhuan, who had been harboring suspicions about E Shun's identity, probed him about his sudden mastery of riding and his unfamiliarity with Chong Yibiao's fighting techniques.
Kunwu revealed that his martial arts had deteriorated after his illness, making it difficult to use his previous fighting style. Seeing his frailty, his father had hired the best teachers to teach him riding and archery, so he could defend himself in critical moments. Kunwu told Jiang Wenhuan he knew of his suspicions, questioning when they began, whether during their camaraderie or shared trials. Jiang Wenhuan insisted he had always considered E Shun a friend.
Kunwu then revealed his poor health and exhaustion, stating he no longer wished for deep connections, preferring a life free from desires to avoid the pain of loss. Jiang Wenhuan, refusing to listen further, told E Shun to focus on his recovery and left. After Jiang Wenhuan's departure, Kunwu reflected that temporarily easing suspicion was not a long-term solution and that he needed to maintain distance from Jiang Wenhuan for both their sakes.
He was reminded of his personal mission to find his sister, which prevented him from revealing his true identity. Kunwu mused that had it not been for Jiang Wenhuan saving his life multiple times, he would surely be dead. He also felt that if not for his own unfortunate fate, they might have been lifelong friends, acknowledging a debt to Jiang Wenhuan. Chong Yibiao, still suspicious, confronted E Shun's steward, accusing him of sending messages.
The steward feigned ignorance, claiming the true E Shun was in the Southern Capital and questioning why a pigeon letter was needed. Chong Yibiao asserted that the person in the camp was a fake, citing inconsistencies like the scar being forgeable, the imposter's superior horsemanship, and a distinct lack of the real E Shun's cunning nature. The steward, admitting Chong Yibiao knew E Shun best, then revealed the truth.
He explained that the real E Shun's health had steadily declined since the incident three years prior. He had been bedridden and only recently showed slight improvement. The steward emphasized that E Shun's fragile condition meant he could not endure the journey to Donglu, let alone the rigorous training. He warned that if the Southern Bohr State revealed E Shun's critical health, it would expose the Southern Capital's vulnerability, potentially leading to its invasion by rival lords and the king.
Appealing to their past friendship, the steward implored Chong Yibiao not to report the secret. Chong Yibiao, recalling E Shun's past fearlessness of cold and his current debilitating condition, replied, "It has nothing to do with me," which the steward understood as an agreement to keep the secret and thanked him. E Shun, through a letter delivered by pigeon, decided to inform Chong Yibiao of the truth, hoping for his help.
His steward handed Chong Yibiao a Gesang flower, a gift from E Shun, with a message: "A flower from the north to comfort you." The steward conveyed that E Shun had no specific requests, only hoping that Chong Yibiao, now free from past constraints, would achieve great success. He reiterated his personal plea for Chong Yibiao to keep the secret. Later, at the training camp, A Si arrived.
Other trainees teased her about coming to find Jiang Wenhuan, but A Si, to hide her true feelings, insisted she was looking for E Shun. After Jiang Wenhuan dismissed the others, A Si cautiously proposed a fake marriage to E Shun to escape her father's incessant pressure to marry. Before E Shun could respond, Jiang Wenhuan enthusiastically agreed on his behalf, eager to expedite the plan. A Si, surprised and grateful, thanked E Shun, promising to repay his kindness.
The following day, Jiang Wenhuan and Kunwu (as E Shun) arrived at Mr. Li's mansion for the mock marriage proposal. Jiang Wenhuan brought two large geese, claiming they were wild geese, a traditional wedding gift in Donglu. A Si was annoyed by his antics, but Jiang Wenhuan insisted that with the handsome Kunwu, Mr. Li would be impressed.
A Si introduced Kunwu to her father, who, upon meeting "E Shun," was delighted, praising his demeanor and agreeing that A Si's choice finally aligned with his own. Mr. Li quickly dismissed all other matchmakers, but then surprisingly produced a wedding invitation, intent on setting a wedding date immediately. A Si and Kunwu protested, saying it was too soon.
In a moment of inspiration, Jiang Wenhuan knelt before Mr. Li and dramatically confessed his deep love for A Si, vowing to die without peace if he could not marry her. A bewildered and angry Mr. Li ordered Jiang Wenhuan to be thrown out, putting a stop to the immediate marriage plans. Afterward, A Si, Kunwu, and Jiang Wenhuan went to Chanting Pavilion for drinks.
A Si remarked that Mr. Li must have seen through their act, but Kunwu assured her that the commotion would at least keep her father from bothering her for a while. Jiang Wenhuan also lightheartedly suggested that if not for his intervention, A Si and "E Shun" would be in the bridal chamber. A Si, Jiang Wenhuan, and Kunwu drank heavily.
A Si explained that her father's urgency for her marriage stemmed from his fear of her being bullied by "villains in Kunquan Alley" after his death. Jiang Wenhuan, now quite drunk, openly wondered why Kunwu, who had earlier seemed distant, was so willing to help A Si. He then started questioning A Si directly, asking why she kept coming to the Prince's Camp if she had no feelings for anyone there.
A Si denied frequent visits and retorted, "Then aren't you and I also a good match?" Jiang Wenhuan, momentarily stunned by her drunken confession, quickly tried to dismiss it, urging everyone to drink and forget what was said. Seeing A Si was completely drunk, Kunwu suggested taking her home. Kunwu decided to take her home first while Jiang Wenhuan stayed to finish his drink.
