The Wolf Episode 16 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Ji Chong expressed deep admiration for Ma Zhaixing, clarifying that his feelings were not improper as Prince of Bo might have assumed. He revealed that after years of roaming the world and encountering countless women, only Ma Zhaixing truly earned his respect. He first witnessed her in elegant attire, calmly and collectedly commanding seasoned soldiers with a spirit and strategy that rivaled any man.
Later, he saw her kindness and lack of prejudice towards an adventurer like himself, and her willingness to befriend him. Observing Ma Zhaixing’s profound devotion to Prince of Bo, which Prince of Bo appeared to ignore, Ji Chong felt her pain deeply. He vowed to protect her from that moment on. After leaving the border, a tearful Ma Zhaixing hurried towards a desolate area, frequently looking back. Just then, Ji Chong rushed to catch up.
He embraced her and, with a swift motion, tore off the red string from her wrist, declaring it a "chain" that bound her. He urged her to forget the painful engagement and live a free, carefree life, unburdened by agreements or imperial duties. Ma Zhaixing, however, maintained that despite the broken "chain," Prince of Bo, the imperial marriage agreement, the court, and the Ma Army still existed, meaning she would eventually have to return.
Deciding to rest for the night, they headed to a nearby inn. The following morning, Ma Zhaixing found Ji Chong gone. Venturing out, she encountered Princess Bao Na, who had arrived early at Nanliao Tower and grown restless. Princess Bao Na was surprised to see Ma Zhaixing and confirmed that she had not sent any letter to Prince of Bo changing their meeting location to Fuhu Forest.
They quickly realized that someone had impersonated Princess Bao Na, using her genuine seal and handwriting, to lure Prince of Bo into a trap at Fuhu Forest, putting him in grave danger. Ma Zhaixing urged Princess Bao Na to send her confidants to Nanliao Tower to gather the Bo Troop for rescue, as Prince of Bo likely traveled with few men. Meanwhile, unaware of the treachery, Chu Youwen, the Prince of Bo, prepared to meet Princess Bao Na.
He dispatched Mo Xiao and his men to Nanliao Tower to rendezvous with the Fourth Prince, Chu Youzhen, while he, accompanied by Wen Yan and a small contingent of Bo soldiers, proceeded directly to Fuhu Forest. The Jin soldiers, disguised as Qitan guards, greeted Prince of Bo in Fuhu Forest, claiming Princess Bao Na was on her way and they had prepared refreshments.
Once Prince of Bo was lured deeper into the forest, the hidden Jin troops, equipped with longbows, launched a barrage of arrows, scattering and decimating his elite forces. Despite Prince of Bo’s formidable martial skills and Wen Yan’s strenuous efforts, they were overwhelmed and captured, bound by iron chains. Upon discovering the ambush and seeing the dead Qitan warriors and Princess Bao Na’s confidants, Ma Zhaixing understood the severity of Prince of Bo’s plight.
She left a note for Ji Chong and, with Princess Bao Na, bravely ventured into the enemy camp to create a diversion. Their coordinated efforts created a crucial window for Prince of Bo to escape. Just then, Ji Chong, having found Ma Zhaixing's note, arrived. The Jin commander, Cheng Liang, was momentarily stunned by his appearance.
Seizing the opportunity, Prince of Bo broke free, leading his men to fight their way out of the encirclement as the enemy relentlessly pursued them. As the Jin soldiers continued their relentless pursuit, an arrow flew towards Ji Chong. Ma Zhaixing instinctively pushed him aside, taking the arrow in her own body. Wen Yan immediately rushed to her side, noting the arrow had penetrated deeply and dangerously.
He warned that without immediate blood staunching and treatment, her life was hanging by a thread. Distraught by Ma Zhaixing’s critical condition, Prince of Bo carefully cradled her and rushed back to their camp. The hundreds of pursuing Jin soldiers caught up, finding only Ji Chong remaining to face them. Initially, Cheng Liang mocked Ji Chong’s audacity in facing them alone. However, upon clearly seeing Ji Chong’s face, Cheng Liang was profoundly shocked.
He and his entire contingent immediately knelt, bowing before the valiant Young Marshal of the Chuanlong Army, who was none other than Li Cunxu, the crown prince of the Jin Kingdom. Recognizing his former subordinate, Ji Chong (Li Cunxu) ordered Cheng Liang to cease the pursuit, acknowledging that the assassination plot against Prince of Bo had failed. He then pressed Cheng Liang for information regarding the massacre of General Ma Ying’s family in Kuizhou.
Cheng Liang, admitting he didn't know all the details, led Ji Chong to believe it was most likely an act by Jin. Ji Chong, realizing there was more to the story, ordered him to investigate the matter thoroughly and discreetly. Cheng Liang, though puzzled by Ji Chong’s sudden interest in matters that no longer concerned him, agreed, urging Ji Chong to be cautious to avoid arousing Prince of Bo's suspicion and bringing danger upon himself.
Ji Chong reaffirmed that Jin was no longer his home and he now cared about someone else. Back at the camp, Ji Chong was blocked from entering Ma Zhaixing’s tent but, fueled by anger, forced his way in, only to find her on the brink of death. Wen Yan worked tirelessly, but Ma Zhaixing’s severe injuries caused her pulse to weaken. Prince of Bo desperately demanded Wen Yan save her, refusing to accept her death.
Fortunately, Princess Bao Na suddenly recalled that the Qitan State Priest had once created a life-saving elixir, with only three in existence, and she possessed one. She quickly administered it to Ma Zhaixing, who miraculously regained consciousness and vitality a short while later. Relieved that Ma Zhaixing was out of danger, Princess Bao Na prepared to return to Qitan to report the events to her father. Prince of Bo expressed his gratitude for saving Ma Zhaixing’s life.
Princess Bao Na observed Prince of Bo's heartfelt anxiety over Ma Zhaixing’s injuries, concluding that his deep affection for her was undeniable, especially in such a life-and-death situation. Later, Ji Chong confronted Prince of Bo, unable to comprehend his cold demeanor towards Ma Zhaixing in Kuizhou City, wondering if he had hidden difficulties. Prince of Bo remained evasive, only stating that Ma Zhaixing’s death would have made it impossible to explain to the Emperor or appease the Ma Family.
This further fueled Ji Chong’s misunderstanding, leading him to believe Ma Zhaixing was wasting her devotion. The two men engaged in a heated argument outside the tent. Prince of Bo easily overpowered Ji Chong initially, declaring that if Ji Chong made him take even one step back, he would lose.
Despite his pain and injuries, Ji Chong defiantly refused to retreat, winning the struggle through sheer endurance, and harshly condemning Prince of Bo as a cruel animal and merely a "wolf" kept by Chu Kui, unworthy of Ma Zhaixing’s affection. That evening, Ji Chong visited Ma Zhaixing in her tent. He angrily chided her for leaving the inn without permission and for recklessly taking the arrow for him, emphasizing how close she had come to death without the life-saving pill.
Ma Zhaixing smiled, trying to reassure him, but her expression changed drastically when Prince of Bo entered the tent. She firmly asked him to leave, wanting only Ji Chong to stay. Wen Yan, witnessing Prince of Bo being misunderstood, felt a pang of discomfort, believing they should talk things through. However, Prince of Bo dismissed it, stating that Ma Zhaixing’s survival was paramount, far more important than any explanation. Later, Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong shared a more intimate conversation.
Ji Chong explained that his own injuries were a "glory" from defeating Prince of Bo, unlike hers. He declared that from that moment on, he would never allow her to act foolishly alone again, especially her impulsive decisions that infuriated him. He pledged to be her "second Wolf Boy," promising to find and accompany her whenever she felt like disappearing, just as the original "Wolf Boy" used to do.
He vowed to never let her push him away or sink into suffering. Ma Zhaixing shared her regret over the original Wolf Boy's death, whom she felt she had "killed." She then spoke of a friend who had endured similar pain, watching comrades die for him. She wished that friend could stop blaming himself, and Ji Chong promised to convey her understanding to him if he had the chance.
Meanwhile, Prince of Bo and Wen Yan meticulously examined the arrowhead removed from Ma Zhaixing. Wen Yan identified it as a Jin army arrowhead, specially sharpened with protruding edges and a pointed tip to maximize damage and penetration. Prince of Bo deduced that if the Jin army was indeed behind the attack, it implied the presence of a spy within the Bo Troop. He ordered the Night Fiends to discreetly investigate, cautioning them not to alert the enemy.
In the capital, Chu Yougui learned of the failed assassination in Fuhu Forest and erupted in a furious rage. His wife, Jing Chuchu, overheard his plans and desperately pleaded with him to cease his malicious schemes against his own brothers, begging him to turn back for the sake of their unborn child, Lin'er. However, Chu Yougui remained obstinate, asserting that he would only betray his father-in-law if he failed to secure the throne.
During their heated argument, Jing Chuchu tragically stumbled and suffered a miscarriage. Chu Yougui was devastated by the loss of his child. After several complications, Princess Bao Na finally delivered the crucial alliance treaty to Prince of Bo. She also confirmed Ma Zhaixing’s improving condition, expressing her relief, and hinted at another "great gift" she had prepared for Prince of Bo.
