The Wolf Episode 24 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Chu Youwen awoke to learn that his father, Chu Kui, had uncovered Yao Ji's plot and saved Ma Zhaixing. He was surprised by this turn of events and deeply remorseful for failing to protect Ma Zhaixing, which led to her imprisonment. Mo Xiao explained that Wen Yan had taken full responsibility for the incident. Chu Youwen then visited the severely injured Wen Yan in the secret room, expressing profound guilt and gratitude.
He bowed to Wen Yan, Mo Xiao, and Hai Die, acknowledging that it was his fault they were endangered. He promised never to involve them in such peril again and forbade them from making any further sacrifices on his behalf. Mo Xiao and Hai Die affirmed their unwavering loyalty, with Hai Die remarking that Chu Youwen had become much happier since falling in love with Ma Zhaixing, and that they enjoyed seeing him do "silly things" for her.
Wen Yan, despite his severe injuries, stated he had no regrets as long as his sacrifice was for a worthy cause. All three expressed their hope for the safety of both Chu Youwen and Ma Zhaixing. As Wen Yan's meridians were broken, Chu Youwen instructed Mo Xiao to find the best physician to treat him and to publicly announce that Wen Yan had taken a leave of absence to return to his hometown.
While Wen Yan recovered in the Bo Royal Mansion, Chu Youwen promised to help him regain his martial arts skills. This incident made Chu Youwen realize that he couldn't protect Ma Zhaixing on his own and that his continued presence might even harm her. He understood that his previous belief—that he could keep her safe by hiding the truth of the Ma Manor massacre and relying on the Ma Family Army's power—was a dangerous illusion.
Mo Xiao agreed, noting that if the Ma Family Army suffered heavy losses in their upcoming attack on Taibao Camp, their value would diminish, making Ma Zhaixing less essential in Chu Kui's eyes. Meanwhile, the King of Jin received a secret report that the Ma Family Army had fallen into Chu Kui's trap and was suffering from a miasma outbreak. Recognizing the Ma Family Army as loyal and righteous warriors, the King decided to intervene.
He dispatched his Crown Prince, Li Juqi, to the Yang Kingdom to find Ji Chong and ally with him to rescue Ma Zhaixing and the Ma Family Army, thereby protecting the lineage of a loyal general. In prison, Zi Shen, having arranged to be a meal attendant, offered to help Yao Ji escape using a disguise. However, she refused, stating that she had not fled for five years and would not start now, even facing execution.
When Zi Shen asked why she didn't expose the Prince of Bo for freeing Hong'er and her father to save herself, Yao Ji explained that Wen Yan had anticipated this, and Chu Kui would have only seen it as a false accusation, adding to her crimes. Zi Shen observed that her actions seemed designed to keep the Prince of Bo close, hoping he would become the man she wanted him to be.
Yao Ji angrily denied this, claiming that defeating the current Prince of Bo would be "too uninteresting." She declared her intent to wait for him to transform back into the formidable opponent he once was, confident that day would come. Unaware of Wen Yan's true condition, Ma Zhaixing and Ma Jing believed he had simply gone home to care for a sick relative, a facade maintained by Mo Xiao and Hai Die.
Chu Youwen spent a carefree day with Ma Zhaixing, playing games and sharing quiet moments. Ma Zhaixing reflected that she hadn't known such a carefree life since she drove "Wolf Boy" away. During a playful blindfolded game, and later while sitting back-to-back, she told him that just being with him, even in silence, reminded her of their childhood. She confessed that she saw their reunion as a divine gift, not a curse as Yao Ji had claimed.
Zhaixing recalled Yao Ji's warning that the "real" Chu Youwen was more than she could handle and that a curse would keep them apart. Calling him "Wolf Boy," Ma Zhaixing vowed that just as he had changed for her in the past, he would do so again, and no curse could ever separate them. Chu Youwen, feigning sleep, remained silent as she invited him to lean on her.
Near Taibao Camp, General Ma Fengcheng and his soldiers fell victim to miasma poisoning while scouting. An army physician confirmed the poison was too advanced to treat. Ma Fengcheng lamented that his only regret was failing to avenge General Ma Ying. He entrusted command of the Ma Family Army to Ma Yehan, instructing him to report the epidemic to the court, request reinforcements, and prepare to repel the enemy. A tearful Ma Yehan accepted the responsibility.
In the Jin camp, Li Juqi learned of Ji Chong's whereabouts and set off to find him. Disguised as an official, Ji Chong was in Kuizhou City investigating the death of a restaurant owner, Mr. Fang. He learned from Mr. Fang's friend that on the night of the Ma family massacre, Mr. Fang had encountered a "terrifying man" who strongly resembled the Prince of Bo.
Mr. Fang had planned to use a portrait to confirm his suspicion with General Ma Fengcheng but was murdered before he could. The friend believed Jin assassins had killed Mr. Fang to silence a witness. Suspecting the Prince of Bo, Ji Chong contacted an old acquaintance, Cheng Liang, to investigate. Just then, Li Juqi and his troops arrived. Cheng Liang apologized for betraying Ji Chong's location for the good of the Jin state.
Li Juqi confronted Ji Chong about his past, then revealed that Ma Ying's death had a hidden truth unrelated to the Jin army, offering to share the details if Ji Chong returned with him to Taibao Camp. Upon learning of her brother's poisoning, Ma Jing was distraught. Chu Youwen and Ma Zhaixing went to the palace to discuss the situation with Chu Kui. Acknowledging the Ma Family Army's dire state, Chu Kui had already sent imperial physicians.
He stressed the strategic importance of their attack on Taibao Camp, stating that a retreat was not an option. Chu Youwen volunteered to lead reinforcements, but Chu Kui refused, insisting he remain in the capital. He then accused Chu Youwen of letting his feelings for Ma Zhaixing cloud his judgment. Ma Zhaixing then bravely volunteered to go to the frontlines herself, arguing her presence would boost morale for what was a forward skirmish, not a full-scale battle.
Though Chu Youwen called her naive, Chu Kui praised her spirit and appointed her commander, promising 20,000 Jiaozhou troops as reinforcements. When asked for his opinion, Chu Youwen reluctantly agreed. After Ma Zhaixing left, Chu Kui’s demeanor hardened. He expressed his displeasure at Chu Youwen’s offer to go to the front. He revealed his true plan: the Ma Family Army was now disposable.
After they weakened the Jin forces, Chu Youwen was to lead an ambush and eliminate them entirely, along with Ma Zhaixing. Chu Youwen begged for Zhaixing's life, but Chu Kui was unmoved. He reminded Chu Youwen of his deceased older brother, Youyu, who died in battle because, as Chu Kui claimed, Ma Ying had defied a direct order to send reinforcements, choosing to preserve his own army instead.
Chu Kui confessed that he had tolerated Ma Ying's insubordination at the time out of necessity but later ordered the Night Fiends to assassinate him in revenge for his son's death. He told Chu Youwen that Youyu had died believing his brother would avenge him. Pressing his son, Chu Kui questioned his loyalty and declared that killing Ma Zhaixing and her family's army was a righteous duty to avenge his own brother.
