No Boundary Season 1 Episode 29 Recap
> No Boundary Season 1 Recap
Duanmu Cui was tormented by a childhood nightmare, her face contorted in pain. Wengu, a new soldier, happened upon her and used a special healing art from the Demon Clan to soothe her. A Mi, misunderstanding Wengu's intentions, thought he meant to harm Duanmu Cui and attacked him furiously.
Wengu tried to explain he was only trying to help the general, stating that he wouldn't save her if he bore ill will and that he was merely a lowly horse herder. He revealed he had once been rescued by Duanmu Cui, and considered them even. He then offered to accept any punishment. Duanmu Cui awoke and intervened, telling A Mi to stand down.
She defended Wengu, asserting that regardless of whether he was human or demon, she knew he harbored no malicious intent towards her. A Mi remained suspicious, pointing out Wengu's Demon Clan mark and warning that his intentions could change. Wengu clarified that his mother was human, making him a half-blood. Duanmu Cui acknowledged that mixed-bloods were not uncommon after a century of coexistence between humans and demons.
She explained that her caution stemmed from the trust earned by her soldiers through risking their lives, not from Wengu's heritage. Wengu expressed his gratitude, noting that he had faced ostracization from both humans and demons due to his mixed blood, and that Duanmu Cui's unbiased treatment was a rare sign of respect. Before leaving, Wengu wrote a calming prescription for Duanmu Cui. A Mi later realized from the prescription that Wengu had truly intended to help Duanmu Cui.
Duanmu Cui, reflecting on the prolonged war, lamented that they could not return to simpler times, but vowed to lead her people home, honoring her past promises. Meanwhile, Zhan Yan traveled with Yu Du, attempting to gather information about Duanmu Cui. He expressed his admiration for General Duanmu and his desire to join the Duanmu Brigade. However, Yu Du informed him that the brigade did not recruit new soldiers or men.
Instead, Yu Du offered to write a recommendation letter for Zhan Yan to General Yang Jian, Duanmu Cui's sworn brother, whose camp was currently recruiting. In the Demon Clan, Madam Wen, Wengu's mother, was in a tense exchange with the Demon King. She was distraught over the Demon King's callous killing of a small animal she had nurtured, and condemned his disdain for all lives outside the Dragon Clan. She stated her biggest regret as a doctor was saving him.
Madam Wen worried for Wengu, who was known as Tai Ao in the Demon Clan, especially with the Crown Prince's hostility towards him. To ensure his safety, she entrusted Hong Luan to find and protect him. Back at the human camp, Wengu discovered Cheng Qi, a chief officer, eavesdropping on a generals' meeting. Wengu also found a copper shell dropped by Cheng Qi, which carried the scent of the Demon Clan.
Cheng Qi, fearing exposure of his collaboration with the Demon Clan, subtly threatened Wengu. Duanmu Cui intervened when she saw Cheng Qi confronting Wengu, reminding Cheng Qi of his previous punishment. Cheng Qi claimed they were merely sparring. General Gao Bo Jian, Cheng Qi's superior, downplayed the incident. Duanmu Cui, however, asserted Wengu's skill as a healer and instructed him to deliver a calming herbal soup to her camp every two days, subtly providing him protection.
Later, General Gao Bo Jian reprimanded Cheng Qi for his insubordination. Cheng Qi, seething with anger, used the opportunity to sow discord, suggesting that Duanmu Cui, General Gu Chang, and Yang Jian were forming an alliance that would disadvantage General Gao. He then insinuated that Wengu was Duanmu Cui's spy and proposed eliminating him quickly. General Gao agreed, cautioning Cheng Qi to be discreet.
Cheng Qi then ordered Wengu to patrol outside Anyi City alone, intending for him to be killed, silently vowing that Wengu must die whether he had discovered anything or not. During his patrol, Wengu was ambushed by men in black. Hong Luan arrived just in time to help him, but they were outnumbered. As they struggled, Zhan Yan appeared and, seeing their predicament, quickly instructed Hong Luan to use the Peach Blossom Formation to trap their attackers.
They then made their escape. Meanwhile, at Duanmu Brigade, A Mi and other female soldiers were practicing martial arts when Cheng Qi arrived, taunting them. He spread rumors that Yu Du was dead and that the Duanmu Brigade would soon be dissolved and merged with other camps. To everyone's surprise, Yu Du returned at that very moment, stunning Cheng Qi.
Yu Du confronted Cheng Qi, challenging him to a duel with a humiliating wager, but Cheng Qi, intimidated, backed down and retreated, earning Yu Du's scorn. The female soldiers joyfully welcomed Yu Du, recounting how worried Duanmu Cui had been for him, having suffered sleepless nights and blaming herself. Duanmu Cui, seeing Yu Du safe, visibly relaxed.
Hong Luan led Zhan Yan and the injured Wengu to a secluded farmer's house belonging to Yi Luo, a kind young woman who lived alone. Wengu explained how he was ambushed and saved by Zhan Yan. Yi Luo, whose parents had died in the human-demon war, had been instructed never to leave her home, and she gratefully recalled how Hong Luan had once saved her from troublemakers and taught her to set up traps.
Yi Luo, observing Hong Luan's tender care for Wengu, innocently suggested that Wengu was Hong Luan's sweetheart. Hong Luan, embarrassed, denied it, but Yi Luo insisted, remarking on Hong Luan's deep care for Wengu. Hong Luan confided to Zhan Yan that she felt unworthy of Wengu and wished only for his lifelong happiness and safety from afar.
Zhan Yan, with a sense of personal experience, advised her to seize the moment, warning that missed opportunities could lead to a lifetime of regret. Hong Luan then asked how Zhan Yan knew of the Peach Blossom Formation, to which he replied that he had read about it in ancient texts. Hong Luan thanked him for saving them, and Zhan Yan expressed his joy at reuniting with them and wished them continued well-being.
Back at the camp, Yu Du reported to Duanmu Cui about the ambush and voiced his suspicion of a spy within the human camps. He noted that the horses for his mission, which had inexplicably gone wild during the ambush, were from General Gao Bo Jian's camp, and that Cheng Qi himself had delivered his horse that day. Yu Du vowed to uncover the truth and punish the spy.
Wengu, having recovered, woke up and was delighted to recognize Hong Luan, the little peach tree he had saved years ago, now in human form. Hong Luan recounted Madam Wen's concerns for him and her instruction to find him. Wengu revealed his chosen name, Wengu, explaining that "Gu" (meaning solitary) reflected his self-reliance as an orphan. He then informed Hong Luan of his mother's message: to take care of himself and avoid involvement in the two-race war.
To thank Zhan Yan for saving them, Wengu, as a human soldier returning to his duties, offered to take Zhan Yan to the human camp for recruitment. Hong Luan wished to accompany them, but Wengu urged her to return to Chong City to care for his mother, or at least to stay with Yi Luo.
He explained that her Demon Clan identity would put her in grave danger among humans, and his attention would be divided if he had to protect her, making the journey more perilous. Hong Luan reluctantly agreed, asking him to return to her if he encountered any trouble. Meanwhile, Cheng Qi and the mountain demon (Chinv) followed clues to the farm where Wengu and Hong Luan had recuperated.
The mountain demon, observing scattered peach blossoms, deduced that a Demon Clan member had aided in the rescue. She severely criticized Cheng Qi for his repeated failures, reminding him that if he failed to uncover the human's battle plans for Anyi, his identity would be exposed, jeopardizing her protection. Cheng Qi, shaken, theorized that "outsiders" must have helped Wengu and Yu Du, particularly after the mountain demon pointed out that the peach blossoms indicated Demon Clan involvement.
Yi Luo, realizing Hong Luan had forgotten her scented sachet, went to deliver it. However, she was intercepted by Cheng Qi and the mountain demon, who showed her a portrait and questioned her. Despite their threats, Yi Luo refused to disclose any information, leading the stubborn mountain demon to brutally kill her. Hong Luan returned to find Yi Luo's lifeless body.
Overwhelmed with grief, she mourned her friend, recalling their shared dreams and the nail polish Yi Luo had gifted her as a parting present. Hong Luan vowed to avenge Yi Luo by killing the "animal" responsible. As Yu Du continued his search for the spy's clues, Hong Luan, enraged, confronted Cheng Qi, seeking vengeance for Yi Luo's death, but she was wounded by the mountain demon in the ensuing struggle.
