Young Blood Episode 6 Recap
> Young Blood Recap
Yuan Boqi decided to follow Mr. Fan as he took up the post of frontier inspector. Meanwhile, Lu Guannian formally recruited Yuan Zhongxin into Secret Repository. Lu Guannian introduced himself, noting that while Zhao Jian considered Yuan Zhongxin unsuitable, he believed the opposite, even suggesting Yuan Zhongxin would be a menace if not brought into the organization.
He acknowledged Yuan Zhongxin's difficult family circumstances with his mother's early death and brother's posting to the border, proposing that if Yuan Zhongxin excelled in Secret Repository, he could help his brother in future troubles. Lu Guannian offered Yuan Zhongxin a one-year commitment, after which he would be free to leave. Yuan Zhongxin felt he had no other choice but to accept.
Lu Guannian gave Yuan Zhongxin his first mission: to find the Secret Repository entrance independently, stating that true members should find a way even where there seems to be none. While Yuan Zhongxin searched, Zhao Jian appeared, warning him that Secret Repository members were all eccentrics and that once inside, escape would be impossible. Yuan Zhongxin eventually discovered a hidden entrance by observing the wind direction. Upon entering, he again encountered Zhao Jian, who showed him around.
She explicitly told him he could join any section but Section 7 with her, a condition Yuan Zhongxin readily agreed to, wanting to avoid her company. Meeting Lu Guannian, Yuan Zhongxin's direct entry via the hidden door surprised the Dean. Lu Guannian explained that few found that specific entrance, most following other clues.
Wang Kuan, for example, had solved a written puzzle, while Xue Ying followed a trail from a unique horseshoe to a smithy and then to the Secret Repository, a feat requiring an unusual background. Wei Yanei, however, tried to violently smash his way in, requiring Lu Guannian to personally intervene and lead him inside. Jing, due to her special background, was exempted from any entrance test.
Despite Yuan Zhongxin's protests, Lu Guannian firmly assigned him to Section 7, emphasizing that Secret Repository's top priority was maintaining peace and stability. Lu Guannian then brought Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Jing to their Section 7 courtyard, informing them that they would be responsible for their own food and clothing, and instructed everyone to gather in the lecture hall later. The Section 7 students assembled in the lecture hall.
Yuan Zhongxin, still referring to Jing as the "dancing girl," questioned her identity and how she entered Secret Repository without a test. Lu Guannian explained that Jing was special and not subjected to the usual assessment. He revealed that Jing was an adherent of the ancient Bohai clan, which was destroyed by the Qidan people, scattering its members. She was now a loyal Song citizen who had contributed to the imperial court, earning her special permission to join.
Yuan Zhongxin then keenly observed Xue Ying and deduced he was a militia soldier, a fact Lu Guannian confirmed. Yuan Zhongxin proudly detailed his reasoning, explaining that Imperial Guards and garrison soldiers typically had face tattoos, which Xue Ying lacked, and his wrapped hands suggested he was either from the newly formed Xuanyi Army or a militia, both of whom had hand tattoos.
Lu Guannian acknowledged Yuan Zhongxin’s intelligence but pointed out that Zhao Jian had undoubtedly noticed these details too but chose not to reveal them, respecting Xue Ying's privacy. Yuan Zhongxin, however, simply stated he wasn't there to make friends. Suddenly, Jing cried for help, entering the lecture hall with a disoriented Wei Yanei on her back. Exhausted, she explained she found him in this strange state, as if he had encountered a ghost.
Zhao Jian immediately noticed a light red tint and a lychee fragrance on Wei Yanei's hand, which Wang Kuan identified as coming from a perfume sachet. Zhao Jian quickly deduced that Wei Yanei had met Fu Qingyu of Section 3. When Yuan Zhongxin asked about Fu Qingyu's reputation, Zhao Jian revealed that Fu Qingyu was considered Secret Repository's most beautiful person, possessing unique beauty despite being a man who wore women's clothes.
Yuan Zhongxin exclaimed at the revelation, concluding that this startling encounter had left Wei Yanei in a state of shock, his mind wandering. In his dazed state, Wei Yanei muttered that both Zhao Jian and Jing were men, causing Jing to vehemently deny it. Zhao Jian clarified that while disguising one's appearance was easy, changing one's voice was not, and Fu Qingyu still retained a male voice, unlike hers and Jing’s.
Yuan Zhongxin, finding humor in the situation, jokingly suggested they remove their clothes so he could verify their gender. Lu Guannian then announced an important mission for Section 7, for which they would undergo five days of intensive training from three teachers in tracing, martial arts, and secret intelligence. Before training began, they needed to elect a section chief to lead them. The position would be decided by a vote among the members. The competition for section chief quickly ensued.
Wei Yanei attempted to bribe Yuan Zhongxin, explaining that given his own prominent identity, he couldn't be subservient to others. He promised to pay Yuan Zhongxin for his vote, adding that as chief, he could protect Yuan Zhongxin from Xue Ying. Yuan Zhongxin, ever pragmatic, asked for a price.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jian approached Jing, emphasizing the gravity of the section chief's role and advocating for unity between them as the only two women in Section 7 to prevent a man from taking the lead. When Jing asked if Zhao Jian wanted the position, Zhao Jian confirmed it. Jing suggested Wang Kuan and Xue Ying might support them, noting Wang Kuan's generous nature.
Zhao Jian, however, dismissed Wang Kuan's character as irrelevant, mentioning that their engagement had been abolished and she had no intention of marrying. She passionately argued that women shouldn't live dependent on men but should instead strive to contribute to the nation's stability like men. Jing, in turn, confessed that her father had arranged for her to join Secret Repository. Later, Zhao Jian secured Xue Ying's support by promising him significant credit for the upcoming mission if she became chief.
Xue Ying agreed to help her. The next day, the election took place with Zhao Jian, Wei Yanei, and Wang Kuan standing as candidates. As students voiced their support, Jing unexpectedly cast her vote for Wang Kuan. It was revealed that the previous night, Wang Kuan had approached Jing, highlighting the ongoing friction between Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin.
He argued that if either of them became section chief, their personal conflict would hinder the section's effectiveness, suggesting that only he or Jing should lead to avoid such infighting. Jing agreed to vote for him if she chose not to be chief herself. With the votes tallied, Zhao Jian, Wei Yanei, and Wang Kuan each received an equal number of votes, resulting in a three-way tie.
Unable to appoint a section chief through this method, Lu Guannian declared that the final decision would be made by the three teachers over the next five days of training, who would evaluate all members and select the most suitable individual to lead Section 7. The first class, "Secret News of the Underworld," was taught by Old Thief, who briefly covered face tattooing before sending the students to the courtyard for tracing lessons.
Instructor Yue, a former Xin'an Army officer, awaited them. His first challenge required the six students to physically touch him within the courtyard. Instructor Yue proved incredibly swift and elusive; even with four students attempting to catch him, he evaded their grasp. Yuan Zhongxin tried an unconventional tactic, scattering sand to see if it would touch Instructor Yue, but not a single grain adhered to him. Skeptical, Zhao Jian demanded Instructor Yue allow her to check him directly.
He agreed, and Zhao Jian, using both hands, easily made contact with him, winning the challenge. Following this, Instructor Yue and Old Thief began training the students separately. During their training, Yuan Zhongxin discovered that Xue Ying was illiterate. That evening, while conversing with Wang Kuan, Yuan Zhongxin mockingly discussed Xue Ying’s inability to read. Unbeknownst to them, Xue Ying overheard Yuan Zhongxin's taunts from behind.
Enraged, he stepped forward and with a single, furious strike of his knife, split the apple in Yuan Zhongxin's hand in two. Liang Zhu, tasked by Lu Guannian to instruct Section 7 in martial arts, arrived. Lu Guannian had found Liang Zhu in a drunken stupor and, in recruiting him, had given him free rein on teaching methods for Yuan Zhongxin, with the sole condition that Yuan Zhongxin should neither die nor be permanently disabled.
Liang Zhu gave a brief introduction before immediately diving into practical combat training, challenging Yuan Zhongxin to a one-on-one spar. Using the guise of instruction, Liang Zhu brutally beat Yuan Zhongxin, leaving him severely injured. Wang Kuan intervened, asserting that sparring with such a vast skill disparity was meaningless. Accepting Wang Kuan's point, Liang Zhu then decided the section members should spar among themselves. He specifically singled out the heavily injured Yuan Zhongxin to fight Xue Ying.
Xue Ying displayed immense power and ruthlessness. Yuan Zhongxin's initial defensive approach was ill-suited, and his attempts at counter-attacking were consistently a step too slow. Xue Ying repeatedly overwhelmed him, knocking him to the ground, leading Liang Zhu to declare Yuan Zhongxin's defeat was absolute. Yuan Zhongxin was knocked unconscious by Xue Ying. He later awoke to find Zhao Jian by his side, who told him he had been unconscious for a day and a night.
Zhao Jian admitted she was there against her will, fulfilling Lu Guannian's orders, as he hoped they would reconcile their differences for future cooperation in dangerous missions. As they talked, Zhao Jian explained her profound motivation for being in Secret Repository: she desired to live her own life, and Secret Repository was the only institution that allowed women to pursue such an education. She vowed to do anything to remain there and asked Yuan Zhongxin not to impede her path.
