Young Blood Episode 4 Recap
> Young Blood Recap
Wang Kuan and his companions grew suspicious that the street performers at Zhoubei Fair might be Liao agents, prompting them to investigate the government archives for their origins. Pei Jing, a member of Secret Repository, reported back to Wang Kuan, Xue Ying, and Wei Yanei that imperial guards had blocked off the fair after their departure, indicating Song forces were not forewarned about the disappearances there.
She explained that Secret Repository, despite its name, was an academy without real power, and Dean Lu Guannian expected their Section 7 to handle the investigation independently. Wang Kuan, therefore, decided to examine the archives. Leveraging his identity as the son of the Grand Commandant, Wei Yanei easily obtained the necessary records from the Kaifeng Government Office.
After reviewing them, Wang Kuan was surprised to discover that the performers were not Liao people, leading him to conclude that a third faction was likely operating in Kaifeng. Meanwhile, Han, who had been observing a puppet that mysteriously appeared on the street, moved it indoors, noting it was unoperated yet had clearly moved on its own. He recognized it as one of the puppets from the fair and found the situation strange.
As he prepared to move to a new location, a knock sounded at his door. A street performer from the fair arrived, begging for money. With Han and his subordinates distracted, Yuan Zhongxin seized the opportunity to escape with Zhao Jian. With the assistance of the other performers, they then captured Han, who offered no resistance, stating he couldn't win against so many people.
With Han bound, Zhao Jian turned her attention to Yuan Zhongxin, holding him at knifepoint and demanding to know his true intentions. Yuan Zhongxin falsely confessed he was an imperial guard who had used her as bait to lure out Liao agents, apologizing for the deception. When Zhao Jian questioned why she was unaware of imperial guard involvement, Yuan Zhongxin explained that different troops often operated independently to claim credit.
Trusting him for the moment, Zhao Jian asked to meet his superior. Yuan Zhongxin led her to the old puppet master. When she questioned the old man about the imperial guards, she quickly realized Yuan Zhongxin had tricked her. Before she could react, Yuan Zhongxin knocked her unconscious. He then accepted a land deed and money from the old performer as payment for handing over Zhao Jian. Later, Wang Kuan's group located the residence of the performers.
Yuan Zhongxin emerged, announcing that he had captured both a Liao agent (the old puppet master) and Zhao Jian. He then demanded 50,000 guan of copper coins and the release of his brother, Yuan Boqi, in exchange for them. Xue Ying immediately drew his sword and held it to Yuan Zhongxin's neck, demanding Zhao Jian's immediate release. Yuan Zhongxin, unperturbed, challenged them to kill him if they dared, but warned that Zhao Jian would never be found if he died.
Pei Jing returned to Secret Repository to consult Lu Guannian. Dean Lu decided that saving lives was more important than money and agreed to Yuan Zhongxin's terms. Pei Jing returned with the first installment: 10,000 guan of copper coins, arriving in over two hundred carts. Yuan Zhongxin, however, insisted on the full amount and Yuan Boqi's release before handing over the captives. Yuan Zhongxin then ordered the carts to proceed with him.
As they moved through the market, he suddenly broke free from his restraints, fired a signal flare, and incited the surrounding populace to loot the copper coins. In the ensuing chaos, he escaped, with Xue Ying in hot pursuit. Wang Kuan explained that Yuan Zhongxin, hailing from a martial arts family, possessed formidable fighting and evasion skills, second only to his brother, Yuan Boqi, and thus, Xue Ying might not be able to defeat or catch him.
Indeed, after a long chase, Xue Ying admitted that Yuan Zhongxin's escape abilities were superior. Meanwhile, the puppet master's subordinates realized Yuan Zhongxin had betrayed their earlier agreement, complaining that they only received 1,000 guan of the money and that Yuan Zhongxin had not joined them as promised. Yuan Zhongxin eventually found Han, intending to hand him over to the imperial guards.
However, Han revealed he was a far more skilled martial artist and had deliberately allowed himself to be captured, having come to Kaifeng specifically to be caught by Yuan Zhongxin. Han, not wishing to harm Yuan Zhongxin, inquired about the puppet performers, whom Yuan Zhongxin confirmed were seasoned criminals involved in various illicit trades. Realizing that Yuan Zhongxin couldn't deliver the promised 50,000 guan, Han offered to surrender himself to the authorities, allowing Yuan Zhongxin to take credit.
Yuan Zhongxin then wrote a note to Wang Kuan, informing him of Han's whereabouts. When Wang Kuan's group found Han, he revealed his true identity as Han Duanzhang, from the Northern Court's Grand Ti Yin Directorate, not a common agent. He stated his true purpose was to meet the Song Emperor. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin, still holding Zhao Jian, prepared to take her out of the city, intending to exchange her for Yuan Boqi.
Zhao Jian, however, revealed she had anticipated his entire plan. She deduced that Yuan Zhongxin never truly wanted to join Secret Repository, fearing that the court would use him as leverage against his brother. His plan was to create a reputation for himself as a disreputable individual by ransoming a supposed Liao agent for money, then use Zhao Jian to secure Yuan Boqi's release, and finally escape Kaifeng with his brother to live in seclusion.
Impressed by her astuteness, Yuan Zhongxin was shocked when Zhao Jian revealed she had already diverted their carriage towards Secret Repository, leaving him with no other option but to join. As Zhao Jian prepared to take him back, Yuan Zhongxin mentioned a secret code at a "Fragrance Shop," trying to lead them there. Zhao Jian, however, saw through his attempt to find a back exit and escape.
Yuan Zhongxin confessed his strong aversion to joining Secret Repository, threatening to commit suicide if forced. Wang Kuan, seeing through his friend's bluff, called him out. In a final act of defiance, Yuan Zhongxin leaped into a nearby well.
