The Wolf Episode 28 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
After retreating five li from Mangling, Chu Youwen honored his word, releasing Ma Jing and providing her with a horse, instructing her to return the wolf bow to Ma Zhaixing. He assured Ma Jing of her safety, even vowing to drench the entire kingdom of Yang in blood if he went against his word. Meanwhile, Chu Youzhen confronted Chu Youwen, questioning his transformation and his repeated missed opportunities, reminding him of their father’s warning against trusting enemies.
Chu Youwen retorted that Ma Jing was Ma Zhaixing’s kin and hinted at protecting Chu Youzhen from further danger, admitting fault for putting him in peril. Unconvinced and feeling treated like a child, Chu Youzhen threatened to ask their Father Emperor himself before departing, with Hai Die ordered to guard him.
Later, Chu Youwen instructed Mo Xiao to return the wolf bow to Ma Zhaixing, deeming it a nuisance, yet acknowledging she would likely take it, eager to use it to kill him. Ji Chong’s eldest brother, Li Juqi, expressed frustration at relinquishing such an opportunity and suggested leading the troops back to camp. Ji Chong, however, prioritizing Ma Jing’s life, chose to remain with Ma Zhaixing.
He had already declared that his sole reason for returning to Taiyuan was Ma Zhaixing, stating that only the Jin Kingdom could provide a final refuge for her and the Ma Family Army. When Ma Jing returned, explaining that the Prince of Bo no longer wanted the wolf bow, Ji Chong immediately suggested discarding it, calling it a possession of a "shameless man." Ma Zhaixing, however, stopped him.
She insisted on keeping it to prove her complete detachment from the Prince of Bo, explaining she had once sworn to use it to avenge her family and bring peace to her father. Ji Chong declared that their vendetta was no longer a personal matter for Ma Zhaixing and the Ma Family Army, as the Jin Kingdom would stand with them.
Ma Zhaixing countered, asserting that while the King of Jin fought for justice, her blood feud with the Prince of Bo was a personal one, and she must kill him with her own hands. Ji Chong lamented the loss of the lively Ma Zhaixing he once knew, to which she somberly replied, "She's dead."
Pledging loyalty to the King of Jin and the Prince, Ma Zhaixing insisted on formal address, acknowledging Ji Chong’s new status as a "dignified prince from Jin," a stark contrast to the vagabond bounty hunter she once knew. Under the protection of the Ma Family Army elite, Ma Zhaixing and Ma Jing immediately set off for the Jin Kingdom. Throughout the journey, Ma Zhaixing remained cold and silent, transformed by her ordeal.
She was consumed by hatred, a hollow shell intent on leading the Ma Family Army to confront and destroy the Prince of Bo. Ma Zhaixing reflected on the irony of Taiyuan becoming their resting place, given her past misunderstandings of the King of Jin. Ma Jing urged her not to feel that way, attributing their safe passage and the truth about the Ma Family massacre to Ji Chong's efforts, suggesting their meeting was a blessing from the late General Ma.
Back in the palace, Chu Youzhen knelt before his Father Emperor, Chu Kui, daring to question if he had framed the King of Jin for the Ma Ying massacre, leaving Ma Zhaixing alive only to control the Ma Family Army. Chu Youwen attempted to intervene, but Chu Kui, angered by the interrogation, ordered Chu Youzhen to apologize to his third brother and confined him to Prince of Xun's manor, forbidding anyone to release him without his command.
Subsequently, Chu Youwen reported his failure to eliminate Ma Zhaixing, revealing that she was rescued by both the Ma Family Army and the Jin Army, and, more shockingly, that Ji Chong was actually the King of Jin's youngest son, Li Juyao. Chu Kui was stunned, pondering Li Juyao’s true motives for infiltrating his kingdom. In the King of Jin's palace, palace maids gossiped with Chief Eunuch Shi En about the youngest prince, Ji Chong.
Shi En revealed the King of Jin's usual reaction to snow fungus soup—a favorite of both the King and Ji Chong—which was to smash the bowl whenever it appeared after Ji Chong’s departure seven years prior. However, today, upon hearing of Ji Chong's return, the King had remained silent and even consumed the soup, signaling a potential softening of his heart and an unspoken forgiveness, as he had never officially revoked Ji Chong’s princely title despite his prolonged absence.
As Ma Zhaixing's carriage approached Taiyuan city, she observed the heavily guarded gates and the disciplined demeanor of its citizens. The city, though bustling with shops, was remarkably clean and orderly, a testament to the King of Jin's successful "strong soldier" policies, which mandated military service for all able-bodied men, resulting in no beggars and a well-integrated army with the populace.
Ji Chong, while acknowledging his father's brilliant strategies in governance, from tax reduction to anti-corruption measures that brought peace to the people, still described him as arrogant and stubborn. Soon after, Ji Chong reunited with old subordinates from the Chuanlong Army, led by Ke Lang, who had since become a leader in the city garrison army. Their warm reunion was cut short when Ma Zhaixing spotted what she believed to be the Prince of Bo’s warrior wolf.
Convinced they were being monitored, she impulsively gave chase on horseback, causing chaos in the bustling market, despite the rules against fast riding in such areas. Chu Youwen, alerted to Ma Zhaixing’s arrival, immediately ordered Hai Die to remove the guards from Chu Youzhen's mansion and dispatched Mo Xiao to send spies into Taiyuan to monitor Ma Zhaixing and the Ma Family Army.
After failing to find the wolf, Ma Zhaixing returned, with Ji Chong admonishing her for mistaking a hunting dog for a wolf and causing a scene in the market, despite her hatred for the Prince of Bo. Ma Zhaixing accepted full responsibility, prompting Ji Chong’s brother to comment on Ji Chong constantly cleaning up her messes.
Ji Chong then accompanied Ma Zhaixing to the palace entrance, stating he could only go so far with her due to his unresolved issues with the King of Jin, but promised to break through any barriers if she ever needed him. Ma Zhaixing proceeded alone to an audience with the King of Jin, where she boldly offered the immediate service of the Ma Family Army’s thousands of soldiers for battle.
However, the King of Jin revealed his concern that her past entanglement with the Prince of Bo might cloud her judgment, especially after hearing about her recent recklessness in the market. The King of Jin advised Ma Zhaixing that emotional decision-making in battle would not only worry allies but also disgrace General Ma Ying's legacy. He advised her to first heal from her wounds and study military strategy, emphasizing that the ability to command an army is not acquired overnight.
Meanwhile, worried about Ma Zhaixing, Ji Chong secretly entered the palace. He was intercepted by Chief Eunuch Shi En, who, instead of bringing him to the King, led him to his old living quarters. There, Shi En presented a bowl of snow fungus soup, a dish Ji Chong’s mother used to prepare, symbolizing their family. Shi En gently urged Ji Chong to reconcile with his father, emphasizing the King’s hidden affection despite their seven years of stubborn estrangement.
He revealed that the King had consumed the soup that day, a sign of his unspoken forgiveness. Shi En then presented Ji Chong with princely attire, compelling him to realize that only by reclaiming his title as Prince of Chuan and Young Marshal of the Chuanlong Army could he truly protect Ma Zhaixing and the Ma Family Army. Taking the King of Jin’s words to heart, Ma Zhaixing diligently practiced her archery, to the point of injuring her hand.
Ma Jing urged her to stop, but Ma Zhaixing refused to seek Ji Chong’s help, feeling he had already done enough. Suddenly, the announcement of the Prince of Chuan’s arrival filled the air. Ji Chong appeared on the drill ground in his princely attire, astonishing everyone with his regal transformation. Ma Zhaixing, Ma Jing, and Ma Yehan bowed to him.
Ji Chong, though having reclaimed his title, clarified it was solely for easier access to Ma Zhaixing, not a full reconciliation with his father. Ma Zhaixing admitted her past recklessness and reiterated her determination to master archery and strategy to prove her capability to the King of Jin and lead the Ma Family Army.
Ji Chong, acknowledged by others for his past as a great general proficient in archery and cavalry, offered to be her teacher, recalling their previous archery showdown. Ma Zhaixing humbly requested his instruction in the ways of battle, aspiring to avenge her father. Ji Chong accepted, but on the condition that she would listen to his every command.
