The Wolf Episode 49 (Ending) Recap
> The Wolf Recap
Ma Zhaixing tearfully told Chu Youwen to live his life to the fullest, even if he only had half a year left. She apologized to him, urging him to rest so she could complete one last task for him. She implored him not to be stubborn if she did not return, and asked him to keep the memory of butterflies for her.
Upon arriving at Suyang, where Chu Youzhen was tied to the city wall, Ma Zhaixing demanded to meet Chu Yougui. She informed Chu Yougui's guards that Lord Bo was on the verge of death and his final wish was to see Chu Youzhen safe. Therefore, she had risked everything to come, willing to pay any price, even ordering the Jin Army to retreat, in exchange for Chu Youzhen's safety.
Although Chu Yougui remained suspicious, questioning if Lord Bo was truly dying or if it was a ploy, and whether Ma Zhaixing, as a princess, could genuinely command the Jin Army to retreat, he was ultimately persuaded by his subordinate that Lord Bo must be in dire straits to allow Ma Zhaixing to risk her life.
Ma Zhaixing affirmed that even if the Jin Army defied her, her own Ma Family Army's retreat would leave the remaining Jin Army vulnerable and force their withdrawal. Still harboring doubts, Chu Yougui decided to let her in, believing her to be a mere "weak woman" entering "like a lamb to the slaughter." Ma Zhaixing stipulated that she would only enter the city after Chu Youzhen was released.
Before stepping inside, she exchanged hairpins with Yao Ji, declaring them "sworn friends." She asked Yao Ji to take good care of Lord Bo if she did not make it back. Yao Ji recalled Ma Zhaixing's prior arrangement to secretly enter Suyang, using her identity as the princess to negotiate peace and offer troop withdrawal to secure Chu Youzhen's release, knowing well that if Chu Yougui chose to kill indiscriminately, Ma Zhaixing might not come out alive.
As Ma Zhaixing walked determinedly into the city, Yao Ji tried to follow but was blocked by soldiers. Meanwhile, Ji Chong awakened, realizing the Qitan Guardian Stone he carried, an amber, had saved him from injury. Chu Youwen, having found a letter left by Ma Zhaixing, immediately set off for Suyang on horseback. In her letter, Ma Zhaixing implored him not to follow her, explaining how her life had been a constant pursuit of him, bringing her much hardship.
She wished for his remaining life to be free from such arduous pursuit, stating that having him in her life meant she had no regrets. Inside Suyang, Ma Zhaixing faced Chu Yougui. Instead of submitting, she boldly demanded that he open the city gates and surrender. Enraged by her defiance, Chu Yougui ordered his soldiers to kill her. Ma Zhaixing fought with fierce resolve, massacring the surrounding soldiers single-handedly.
Despite her actions, her internal thoughts revealed her deep desire to live alongside Chu Youwen forever, even though she was prepared to sacrifice herself if it meant saving Chu Youzhen and ensuring Chu Youwen's safety and future. As arrows rained down, Chu Youwen, unfazed by the volley, scaled the city wall. He confronted a general, commanding his former Bo Army soldiers to freeze, declaring he was there to save lives, not to take them.
Recognizing their former master who had saved them and endured hardships alongside them, the Bo Army soldiers collectively knelt, clearing a path for Chu Youwen. Ma Zhaixing, her hands stained with blood from the many palace soldiers she had slain, slowly approached Chu Yougui. In a panic, Chu Yougui seized Chu Youzhen, threatening to kill him with Lord Bo's sword.
Ma Zhaixing instinctively moved to protect Chu Youzhen, and Chu Yougui seized the opportunity, stabbing her through the chest with his sword. As Chu Yougui prepared to deliver another fatal blow, Chu Youwen arrived, blocking the sword with his hand before tenderly embracing Ma Zhaixing. He was filled with remorse, wishing he had arrived sooner to spare her suffering.
Ma Zhaixing comforted him, assuring him that seeing him one last time was enough for her, and expressing satisfaction that she had accomplished her mission without relying on anyone. Chu Yougui, recognizing he was no match for Chu Youwen, pleaded for his life, offering to abdicate the throne and surrender the imperial jade seal.
Chu Youwen ignored his pleas, instead speaking to Ma Zhaixing about a little girl on Langshou Mountain who had worried people would see him as a wolf monster. He then explained that he had come to realize the true monsters were those who distorted themselves for power and desire. Seizing Chu Youwen's distraction, Chu Yougui attempted to stab him, but Chu Youwen swiftly retaliated, fatally piercing him with his long sword.
Ma Zhaixing, with her last breath, murmured that she missed Langshou Mountain, concluding that the true monsters resided at the bottom of the mountain, among people. Ma Zhaixing expressed her longing to return to Langshou Mountain, but acknowledged there was no longer any opportunity. She spoke of seeing many butterflies dancing beautifully and tearfully confessed she could not bear to forget him, asking him to find her in their next life if he still loved butterflies.
Chu Youwen promised he would. With that, Ma Zhaixing died in his arms. Chu Youwen broke down in anguish. Ji Chong rushed to the scene, witnessing the tragic sight, and knelt down in despair, realizing he was too late. A torrential rain poured over Suyang for three days, as if Heaven mourned Ma Zhaixing. Six months later, the world's political landscape had completely transformed.
Following Chu Youwen's guidance, former Bo Army officers uncovered the truth of Chu Yougui's regicide and usurpation, leading to Lord Xun, Chu Youzhen, inheriting the throne. Months passed, and peace settled across the land. Chu Youzhen, demonstrating his dedication to the welfare of the common people, willingly abdicated his throne for the sake of avoiding further conflict, thereby returning the Jin Kingdom to its people. On the grasslands, Ji Chong returned the mended Qitan Guardian Stone to Bao Na.
He informed her that it had saved his life but had broken in the process, and he had gone to great lengths to have it restored. Bao Na initially feigned indifference, but Ji Chong pressed her to pack her belongings, inviting her to wander the world with him. True to his free-spirited nature, Ji Chong embarked on this new journey, now accompanied by Bao Na.
Meanwhile, Mo Xiao and Hai Die fulfilled their promise, settling in a small town in Jiangnan. They adopted many orphans, treating them as their own children, and named one of the boys Wen Yan. Yao Ji, no longer serving the court, dedicated herself to studying medicine and healing the sick, wishing that all the good fortune she accumulated would go to Ma Zhaixing, whom she credited with saving them all.
The whereabouts of Chu Youwen and Ma Zhaixing remained unknown to the world. However, in the world of wolves, a wolf does not live on after losing its sole companion. Thus, it was believed that Chu Youwen ultimately chose to follow Ma Zhaixing, joining her in death.
Though they had departed, their story, of the boy and girl from Langshou Mountain who found profound love despite hatred and hardship, would always be remembered, with the hope that their love would continue to flourish in another world.
