The Wolf Episode 45 Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Following Yao Ji's previous proposal to use the Night Fiends as live sacrifices for a ritual in Qitan's Longevity Forest, the plan to rescue them begins to unfold. As an imperial physician delivers Chu Kui's medicine, Zhang Jin subtly exchanges glances with Chu Yougui before naturally testing the medicine for poison. The medicine is then poured into a jade bowl and presented to Chu Kui by Jing Chuchu, who personally serves him.
Chu Yougui proposes that since Chu Kui is traveling to the Longevity Forest for a ritual, they should use the opportunity to spread word and lure Chu Youwen to rescue his comrades, the Night Fiends, so they can capture him. Chu Kui agrees to Chu Yougui's plan and instructs him to make the necessary preparations and accompany him to Qitan.
Upon hearing that her brother, the King of Qitan, intends to host Chu Kui, Princess Bao Na is enraged and travels to the Jin Kingdom to seek out Ma Zhaixing and Ji Chong. She informs them of the grave situation, revealing that Grand Diviner Yao Ji is to conduct a prayer ritual for Chu Kui, that Chu Yougui is accompanying them, and, most critically, that Chu Yougui secretly plans to meet her brother to lure and kill Chu Youwen.
Princess Bao Na also reveals that Chu Youwen's former subordinates, Wen Yan and other Night Fiends, are to be offered as sacrifices. Chu Youwen, though aware of this, resolves to go alone to save the Night Fiends, trusting that Yao Ji, whom he considers his life-and-death confidante, will assist him from within. However, Ma Zhaixing stops him, and both she and Ji Chong urge him not to risk himself alone.
Ji Chong devises a comprehensive plan for them to act as a united front, insisting that he, Ma Zhaixing, and Princess Bao Na accompany Chu Youwen to Qitan to provide support and ensure their collective return. At the royal tent set up outside the Longevity Forest, Chu Kui's health rapidly deteriorates due to the poisoning by Zhang Jin, who is coerced by Chu Yougui.
Yao Ji, witnessing Zhang Jin taking an antidote, realizes the truth and reveals it to Chu Kui. She explains that his worsening condition, the ineffectiveness of medicine, and his deteriorating eyesight are not due to the defeat at Boxiang or a broken spirit, but rather a deliberate act of sabotage. Zi Shen then brings Zhang Jin into the royal tent. Knowing his plot has been exposed, Zhang Jin immediately kneels and begs for mercy, confessing that Chu Yougui forced him.
Enraged and despite his impaired vision, Chu Kui blindly reaches for his sword, intent on killing Zhang Jin. Yao Ji intervenes, reasoning that killing Zhang Jin now would only alert Chu Yougui, potentially provoking him into a desperate struggle. Chu Kui, despite his fury and feeling mocked for his powerlessness, reluctantly heeds Yao Ji's advice, allowing Zhang Jin to live for the time being to keep Chu Yougui unsuspecting and potentially use him.
As Chu Yougui attempts to negotiate an alliance treaty with the King of Qitan on behalf of Chu Kui, Ma Zhaixing, Ji Chong, and Princess Bao Na arrive. Princess Bao Na exposes Chu Yougui's treacherous nature, citing past instances where he harmed her. Ma Zhaixing then subtly highlights Chu Yougui's instigation, advocating for peace between the two nations and suggesting that the King of Qitan is wise enough to resolve misunderstandings.
The King of Qitan, weary of their disputes, dismisses everyone from his presence. Inside the tightly sealed royal tent, dimly lit by flickering candles, Chu Youwen enters alone. Instead of confronting Chu Kui, he calmly explains his intentions. He assures Chu Kui that he has no desire to take his life for the Jin King or Ma Zhaixing, but that his commitment to his eldest brother prevents him from allowing Chu Yougui to harm Youzhen.
He clarifies that Yao Ji is assisting him in rescuing Wen Yan and the others, not betraying Chu Kui. Chu Youwen offers to help Chu Kui deal with Chu Yougui, but in return, asks Chu Kui to assist him in rescuing Wen Yan and the others during the upcoming ritual and to pass the throne to Youzhen within six months.
With no other leverage and facing imminent danger, Chu Kui, though recognizing Chu Youwen's surprising lack of ruthlessness, reluctantly agrees to his conditions. On the day of the sacrificial ritual, Ma Zhaixing, Ji Chong, and Princess Bao Na position themselves in hiding nearby to provide support for Chu Youwen.
Chu Kui, anticipating Chu Youwen's attempt to break out the prisoners, agrees to Chu Yougui's request to assist Grand Diviner Yao Ji in managing the ritual, emphasizing that capturing Chu Youwen is a top priority. During the ritual, Yao Ji uses silver-snake needles to make it appear as though Wen Yan and the other Night Fiends are bleeding to death, before subtly urging Chu Yougui to leave to meet other nobles.
Chu Youwen then appears and successfully rescues Mo Xiao and Hai Die. However, Wen Yan, whose meridian vessels were severed, succumbs to the potent poison that Chu Yougui had forced upon them. Mo Xiao explains that while Wen Yan had given Mo Xiao and Hai Die the antidote he secretly carried, it could not save Wen Yan because his meridians were already damaged, rendering the antidote ineffective for him.
This meant Wen Yan deliberately sacrificed himself so that Mo Xiao and Hai Die could live. Halfway back from meeting the nobles, Chu Yougui senses something is amiss and orders his army to return to the Longevity Forest. Spotting Chu Yougui, Ma Zhaixing deliberately lures him away. Chu Yougui, leading his troops, pursues her. When he realizes she is alone, he is pleased, intending to capture her alive.
Unexpectedly, Chu Youwen suddenly charges forward and takes an arrow meant for Ma Zhaixing. As Chu Yougui orders his subordinates to surround Ma Zhaixing and Chu Youwen, Ji Chong arrives, telling them to retreat while he covers their escape. In a critical moment, Princess Bao Na appears and holds a dagger to her own neck, threatening to take her life if Chu Yougui does not let them go.
Knowing that Princess Bao Na's death would guarantee he and Chu Kui would not leave Qitan alive, Chu Yougui is forced to retreat with his troops. Grief-stricken by Wen Yan's death, Chu Youwen holds a farewell ritual for him in the courtyard. He cuts his palm with a dagger, only to find black blood flowing out, a sign that he has been poisoned with wolfbane flower extract from the arrow, indicating his life is now fleeting.
Princess Bao Na confronts Ma Zhaixing, questioning why she isn't visiting Chu Youwen, especially since he was injured protecting her. Ma Zhaixing replies that despite Chu Youwen's actions, their past is scarred by a blood feud, and her current identity as Lord Chuan's princess consort makes it inappropriate for her to visit. After Princess Bao Na leaves in frustration, Ji Chong, unable to bear Ma Zhaixing's pain, reveals the complete truth about the Boxiang battle.
He explains that Chu Youwen intentionally exposed his weaknesses, like his aversion to wolfbane flower and his connection to butterflies, before the battle, intending to sacrifice his life to atone for the deaths at Ma Manor. Ji Chong also reveals that Chu Kui had secretly ordered the Night Fiends to assassinate Ma Zhaixing's father, a fact Chu Youwen was unaware of, and that Chu Youwen protected her relentlessly within his residence.
Chu Youwen had entrusted Ji Chong with the secret, asking him to never reveal the truth so that Ma Zhaixing could live free from the burden of hatred and pursue her revenge without additional emotional turmoil. Overwhelmed by this revelation, Ma Zhaixing collapses in tears, angrily demanding why Ji Chong didn't keep the secret forever if he intended to conceal it at all.
Ji Chong explains that he kept the secret out of loyalty to Chu Youwen and to allow Ma Zhaixing to live unburdened. However, seeing her kindness twisted by hatred and their marriage becoming a cage, he felt compelled to finally reveal the truth, pitying Chu Youwen and heartbroken for Ma Zhaixing.
