Young Blood Episode 42 (Ending) Recap
> Young Blood Recap
Lu Guannian arrived alone at Qichuan village, much to the surprise of Section 7. He ordered everyone to return to the altar and hold their ground, assuring them that reinforcements were on the way. He revealed that Ding Er's troops had already surrounded the area. On the altar, Lu Guannian explained that he rushed to Qichuan village after learning that both Zhou Xuan and Ding Er were there.
He urged Liang Zhu to release Zhou Xuan, confessing that Zhou Xuan was innocent and that he, Lu Guannian, was solely responsible for the deaths of nine thousand soldiers. He recounted how during the Song-Xia war, the Song forces faced inevitable defeat, while the Xia army suffered from a severe lack of resources, leading to an unsustainable stalemate for both nations. With Song unable to afford a prolonged conflict, Ding Er approached Lu Guannian.
After careful consideration, Lu Guannian agreed to cooperate with Ding Er, using the Battle of Qichuan as a means to end the war, believing it represented the minimum loss for the Song Empire. He admitted to writing the secret letter and providing the deployment map that resulted in the demise of nine thousand soldiers. When questioned, Lu Guannian produced the letter, showing a unique mark, "Qinghe," that he had added as a safeguard against traps and to protect Zhou Xuan.
Yuan Boqi confirmed the authenticity of the mark, but could not forgive Lu Guannian. Lu Guannian acknowledged his guilt, stating he deserved to die, but clung to life to pass on his accumulated knowledge, hoping his successors would defend the nation in the darkness. This, he revealed, was his motivation for establishing the Secret Repository.
He told Section 7 that while he had taught them, they had, in turn, taught him the value of mutual trust and having light in one's heart, traits he had lost. He noted Yuan Zhongxin was the "naughtiest" of Section 7, to which Yuan Zhongxin playfully suggested it was Wei Yanei. Lu Guannian expressed his relief entrusting the nation's future to them, imploring them not to become cold or make the same mistakes he did.
Yuan Boqi insisted that Lu Guannian's apology was insufficient to ease the suffering of the dead soldiers. Lu Guannian, accepting his condemnation, expressed a desire to fight alongside them to redeem the nine thousand fallen. Ding Er arrived with the Xia army at Qichuan village. Lu Guannian confessed he had sent his official seal to the Wuwei Army for reinforcements, but Ding Er revealed he had intercepted it, leaving them to fight alone.
Lu Guannian rallied the Song soldiers, urging them to defend their families and win the battle. Yuan Zhongxin remarked that he had never seen Lu Guannian so passionate. As the battle commenced, Yuan Zhongxin instructed Zhao Jian to remain on the altar and protect Zhou Xuan, promising to marry her after the conflict. Zhao Jian questioned this, and Yuan Zhongxin affirmed that her father had given his consent. They vowed to protect each other.
Likewise, Wang Kuan asked Jing, who was not a fighter, to stay on the altar and ensure her safety. While guarding Zhou Xuan, Zhao Jian recalled Ding Er's earlier threat against her father, demanding she kill Zhou Xuan if Yuan Boqi failed. Now, as a Xia secret agent disguised as a soldier lunged at Zhou Xuan, Zhao Jian swiftly killed the imposter, demonstrating her resolve.
Acknowledging Lu Guannian as a symbol of Song's morale, Ding Er ordered archers to target him. Despite being struck by numerous arrows, Lu Guannian valiantly raised the Song battle flag, declaring that as long as the flag stood, the army's spirit would endure. He ultimately fell at Qichuan village. Devastated by his death, Section 7 members grieved.
Yuan Boqi stepped forward, echoing Lu Guannian's sentiment, stating he was fighting for his fallen comrades and the nation, and swore they would fight to the very last moment. He directed some soldiers to protect Zhou Xuan while the rest engaged the enemy. Zhao Jian joined the battle after instructing Jing to protect herself. Yuan Zhongxin worriedly observed Yuan Boqi's relentless fighting, fearing for his brother's life.
Ding Er, confident in his elaborate defenses, dismissed the Song forces as easily defeated. In the brutal skirmish, Yuan Boqi was gravely wounded by Ding Er. Yuan Zhongxin watched his brother collapse, his heart piercing with pain. As Ding Er prepared to deliver a fatal blow, Wei Yanei and Mozang Baoli arrived with reinforcements. Mozang Baoli confronted Ding Er, condemning him for violating the Song-Xia peace and declaring his actions a capital crime. He ordered Ding Er's subordinates apprehended.
Ding Er, realizing his entire plan had been foiled by Yuan Boqi's foresight in contacting Mozang Baoli, expressed his frustration. Yuan Zhongxin, overcome with grief, grabbed a knife, intending to kill Ding Er, but Zhao Jian intervened. She argued that Ding Er's death would trigger a new Song-Xia war, and that a more fitting revenge would be for him to live and witness Ninglingge's complete downfall. For the greater good, Yuan Zhongxin reluctantly lowered his weapon.
Yuan Boqi's injuries were mortal. He gently told a tearful Yuan Zhongxin not to cry, stating he had only clung to life for revenge and, with that complete, his existence no longer held meaning. He asked Yuan Zhongxin to bury him there. Recalling a childhood memory of Yuan Boqi taking him in and promising him a home, Yuan Zhongxin wept.
In his final moments, Yuan Boqi, observing the affection between Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, suggested a name for their first child: Qichuan. Yuan Zhongxin, in his grief, playfully dismissed it as a "disgusting name," wondering what if they had a daughter instead. Yuan Boqi then passed away. Yuan Zhongxin honored his brother's last wish, burying him at Qichuan village. Wang Kuan informed Yuan Zhongxin that Zhou Xuan was safe and Instructor Liang had returned to Kaifeng.
He also revealed that Ding Er was imprisoned, facing severe consequences from both Song and Xia. Wang Kuan noted that Yuan Boqi, despite having the chance to kill Ding Er, chose not to, prioritizing the nation's peace. He highlighted that both Yuan Boqi and Lu Guannian had sacrificed their lives for frontier stability. Wang Kuan then shared that His Majesty, having been informed of their deeds by Zhou Xuan, was pleased and decided to reopen the Secret Repository.
Yuan Zhongxin questioned the purpose of returning, given Lu Guannian's death and the loss of many students. Wang Kuan reminded him of Lu Guannian's teachings: as members of the Secret Repository, they must fight the darkness with light in their hearts. He stressed that though the path was arduous, it was their duty to embrace the dawn for the nation and its people who yearned for peace.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin asked Zhao Jian about her father, Prince Zhao, as he hadn't seen him. Zhao Jian, lying, claimed he was recuperating in the suburbs. Yuan Zhongxin suggested they bring him back, but Zhao Jian playfully pulled him away, asking him to "be her man for one day," clarifying it wasn't what he might think. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan gently held Jing's hand, teasing her for her fiery temper.
Wei Yanei and Xue Ying expressed their joy over Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian's blossoming relationship. Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin spent joyful time together, their hearts filled only with each other, free from other concerns. Zhao Jian admitted she now understood the joy of simply having fun. Yuan Zhongxin then presented her with a bracelet, which he later confessed was his mother's, left for his future wife.
He used it to propose to Zhao Jian, acknowledging her ambitions and ideals, but promising to always be her steadfast companion in life, offering support when she needed it most. He pledged to join her in whatever life she chose, whether defending the nation, fighting for women's rights, or even engaging in farm work. He confessed that he once feared being vulnerable, but now, with the woman he loved, he feared nothing in the world.
Moved by his heartfelt words, Zhao Jian accepted the bracelet and his proposal, sealing their commitment with a passionate kiss. She reminded him that he still owed her a request, and in response, Yuan Zhongxin asked for three requests in return for his "secret," to be granted regardless of the cost. He declared himself "all hers."
Zhao Jian confessed that her life had been dull until she met him, and that even with potential future regrets, she felt utterly content in their present togetherness. The next morning, Yuan Zhongxin awoke to find Zhao Jian gone. Section 7 members discovered a note from Ding Er, revealing that he had escaped prison and kidnapped Prince Zhao, holding Zhao Jian hostage. Yuan Zhongxin realized this explained Zhao Jian's past distress at Qichuan village.
He declared his unwavering resolve to find Zhao Jian and her father, no matter the difficulty, and initially told Wang Kuan he would go alone to Xia, entrusting him with the Secret Repository's re-establishment. However, Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, and Jing immediately insisted on joining him, asserting their bond and shared destiny. Wang Kuan affirmed that Section 7 should handle such a critical mission, and together, they all declared their commitment to face the dangers of Xia as one. Yuan Zhongxin, accepting their unwavering loyalty, agreed, and Section 7 collectively resolved to embark on the perilous journey to Xia.
