The Wolf Episode 37 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Chu Youwen, mounted on Jueying, slowly rode towards Boxiang City alone, a spear firmly thrown into the ground before Mo Xiao to stop him. He commanded the Bo Army that no one was to cross that spear, or face death. Chu Youwen dismounted, gently pushing Jueying away, who reluctantly turned and headed towards Mo Xiao, as if knowing this was a final farewell. Meanwhile, Wen Yan appeared within the Bo Army ranks.
He revealed that he had been secretly ordered by Chu Youwen to withdraw all internal agents from Boxiang City, rather than use them for a pincer attack. Wen Yan recounted how he had informed Chu Youwen that Chu Kui was the one who murdered his elder brother, liberating Chu Youwen from the burden of false guilt.
Chu Youwen had felt indebted for his brother's death his entire life, leading him to secretly act as Prince of Bo to thwart Chu Kui's evil deeds and protect the innocent. Now, finally free from Chu Kui's manipulation, he could pursue what he truly desired: to put down his sword and atone for failing to protect the Ma Manor and for everything he owed Ma Zhaixing.
He acknowledged that he had taken too much from Ma Zhaixing and couldn't also deny her the right to vengeance. He confessed that he had purposely allowed her to learn about the Wolfbone Flower's effects on him, hoping she would believe she had avenged her family and thus find peace from the cycle of hatred.
Chu Youwen had instructed Wen Yan that after he seemingly died under the enemy's arrows, Wen Yan was to use his marshal seal to order the Bo Army's retreat, and Youzhen would then lead the army. He expressed a longing to join his elder brother, who had been lonely for too long. Despite Youzhen's protests, Chu Youwen explained that his sacrifice was to ensure Ma Zhaixing could truly live; if her family's murderer remained alive, it would torment her daily.
He declared that this seemingly suicidal act was, in fact, the one time he had truly lived for himself. As Chu Youwen approached Boxiang City, arrows, including one fired by Ma Zhaixing herself, struck the ground before him, serving as a warning. She then shot another, striking his left arm. The Wolfbone Flower, upon drawing blood, began to accelerate the beast venom within him, yet a faint smile remained on his face.
Ma Zhaixing, observing from the city walls, wondered if it was truly Prince of Bo, noting his lack of evasion and his smile even after being hit, attributing it to the Wolfbone Flower's effects and believing he might not even know where he was. She ordered a continuous barrage of arrows. Chu Youwen looked up, searching for her among the arrows, an untamed surge of primal instinct rising within him.
He let out a profound wolf's howl, a lamentation of grief, longing, struggle, regret, and reluctance, a release of the wild nature he had suppressed for years. Defying Chu Youwen's earlier command, Mo Xiao charged back towards him, seizing a large shield. Others from the Bo Army followed suit, raising their shields and forming a tight circle around Chu Youwen, determined to protect their commander who had led them through countless battles, even if it meant disobeying direct orders.
From the city, Marquis Wang led three thousand elite Jin soldiers out, transforming the area outside Boxiang City into a chaotic battlefield. Ma Zhaixing rode out, spotting the Bo Army's shield formation and realizing Chu Youwen was protected and beyond the reach of the arrows. Her horse stumbled, causing her to fall. A Bo Army soldier lunged with a sword, but she narrowly dodged.
Her bronze bell clattered to the ground, its tiny sound almost drowned out by the din of battle, but Chu Youwen heard it. He immediately broke free of the shield formation and rushed to take Ma Zhaixing away. Simultaneously, Ji Chong led five hundred elite soldiers to the rear of the Bo Army's camp.
He spotted Chu Kui's camp, marked by its prominent Nine-Dragon Flag, and was surprised that Chu Kui had not anticipated such a bold surprise attack from the Jin Kingdom. Back on the battlefield, Chu Youwen, holding Ma Zhaixing with one arm, galloped on Jueying, leaving the chaos behind. He had intended to die by the arrows, repaying everything with his life, but things had taken an unexpected turn. As the sun began to set, Jueying entered the dense forest.
The narrow mountain path made riding difficult, so Chu Youwen dismounted, gently patted the horse's flank, and sent it back on its own. Despite his severe arrow wounds, some arrows still lodged in his body, he ignored his own pain, his sole focus on Ma Zhaixing. After traveling for some time, Chu Youwen found a desolate temple. He urgently asked the residing Master to save Ma Zhaixing, then knelt outside, praying for her recovery.
The Master observed Chu Youwen's grave injuries, urging him to seek treatment, but Chu Youwen insisted his priority was Ma Zhaixing's survival, offering his life if she could be saved. The Master noted that the most dangerous period for Ma Zhaixing was over, and she would awaken within two days.
Meanwhile, the Jin King (Ji Chong) prioritized the search for the princess, uncertain if Prince of Bo was friend or foe, thus halting any further military advances until her safety was confirmed. The following morning, after an entire night spent watching over Ma Zhaixing, the Master confirmed she was out of danger. The Master noted Chu Youwen's deep concern for Ma Zhaixing, remarking that he still treated her as his future wife, despite her status as a royal princess.
The Master also observed Chu Youwen's severe, life-threatening injuries, deducing that he had intentionally put himself in harm's way, perhaps out of a desperate purpose or a disregard for his own life. Chu Youwen admitted the Master's observations were accurate, stating he only wished Ma Zhaixing to believe she had emerged victorious, having killed him, so that she could live without sorrow. He believed only his death could bring her true freedom.
The Master also revealed that the King of Yang had safely returned to the capital, but there was no news of Prince of Xun, suggesting a cover-up by Chu Kui to maintain stability.
The Master warned Chu Youwen of the Yang Army's extensive search for him and Ma Zhaixing, and advised that while reaching the Jin Kingdom on foot would take five to six days, crossing the treacherous Qi Mountain could shorten the journey to two days, albeit with inherent dangers, but also fewer chances of an ambush. Chu Youwen readily accepted the perilous Qi Mountain route, willing to undertake any risk to safely return Ma Zhaixing to Jin.
Later, Ma Zhaixing awoke and immediately tried to attack Chu Youwen, demanding to know what had transpired at Boxiang and why they were there. Chu Youwen restrained her hands and explained he had left Yang because Chu Kui had been using and deceiving him. He expressed deep regret and pain over his past actions and the harm he had caused her.
He revealed that at the War of Boxiang, he had chosen neither to fight nor surrender, but to offer his life as repayment. Ma Zhaixing remained unconvinced, attributing his words to the effects of the Wolfbone Flower and dismissing them as nonsense. Chu Youwen admitted the Wolfbone Flower was indeed his weakness, but asserted he was still conscious enough to take her hostage.
He cynically claimed he could use her as a valuable pawn to redeem himself and compensate for his failures. Ma Zhaixing defiantly declared she would rather die than let him succeed. Chu Youwen, in turn, asserted his power to both save and kill her. He then resolved that they would depart immediately.
He thought to himself that he needed her to continue perceiving him as an enemy, ensuring she harbored no lingering attachment to him, so he could eventually return and exchange his life for Youzhen's safety. He concluded that he had to get her to a safe place as quickly as possible.
