Episode Summary
In Episode 8, Zichuan Xiu struggles to integrate the resistant Moon Bay Elves into his forces, eventually winning them over by providing for their basic needs. Meanwhile, in the Northern Tribe, political tensions escalate during a sacrificial ceremony as princes plot against each other. Duke Ross aggressively pursues Princess Kadan, leading to a confrontation. During the royal hunt, Kadan is discovered to be pregnant. To protect her from the Emperor's wrath against the Zichuan family, Yun Qianxue falsely claims he is the father, leading the Emperor to entrust Kadan to him and punish Prince Kadun for his schemes.
Spoiler Alert
Eternal Brotherhood Season 2, Episode 8: Recap & Spoilers
This episode juggles the challenges of forging a new alliance with the deadly political games of the Northern Tribe, leading to a stunning turn of events that will permanently alter the futures of Princess Kadan and those loyal to her.
A Test of Leadership
The story opens in Zichuan Xiu's camp, where the newly allied Moon Bay Elves and the people of Bulu Village are proving to be a difficult bunch. After a good meal, Bai Chuan attempts to begin their military training, but she's met with stubborn resistance. The elves argue that farming is far more practical and refuse to pick up weapons. Desperate, Bai Chuan resorts to bribery, promising that anyone who masters their training will be rewarded with meat. The tactic works, but only just.
The alliance is fragile. During training, the elves and the villagers are constantly at each other's throats, their bickering nearly escalating to violence. An exasperated Bai Chuan lays down the law: no training, no food. To prove her point, she organizes a hunting competition. Zichuan Xiu's elite Xiuzi Camp returns with a massive haul, while the elves and villagers, too busy fighting amongst themselves, come back empty-handed. True to her word, Bai Chuan feeds only the soldiers, leaving the others to go hungry.
Furious at her failure, Bai Chuan vents her frustrations to Zichuan Xiu, ready to give up on the recruits. Just then, word arrives that the elves, led by a man named Guxi, are packing up to leave. Zichuan Xiu personally intervenes. Guxi explains that his people are simple farmers who want no part in war; they only want to live peacefully. Understanding that their resistance stems from a basic need for security, not a lack of spirit, Zichuan Xiu changes his approach. He provides them with money and materials to build proper homes, addressing their immediate concerns of food and shelter. His insight and generosity convince them to stay, proving that true leadership is about understanding your people's needs.
Intrigue in the North
Meanwhile, the Northern Tribe's sacrificial ceremony is underway, and the court is thick with ambition. Duke Ross arrives with an offering ten times larger than anyone else's, a clear display of his power and intent. He is housed with Prince Kadun, immediately creating friction with Prince Kalan. The Emperor's confidant, Heisha, reports that all the princes are secretly plotting to seize the throne, but the Divine Emperor reveals he is already well aware of their schemes.
The arrogant Duke Ross pays a visit to Princess Kadan, inspecting her quarters as if they were already his and demanding she agree to leave with him. When her handmaiden protests his insolence, he moves to strike her, nearly knocking Kadan over in the process. Yun Qianxue arrives just in time, his imposing presence enough to force Ross into a retreat. As he leaves, Ross vows he will marry Kadan after the ceremony is over. Kadan, wanting to handle the situation herself, decides against telling her father. Instead, she seeks out Prince Kalan, proposing they form an alliance to deal with their common enemy: Kadun.
Kadun and Ross are already plotting their next move. They see the upcoming royal hunt as the path to power, with the ultimate prizes being the title of Crown Prince and Kadan herself. Kadun promises to help Ross secure his marriage to the princess.
The hunt is dramatically interrupted when a slave from the Dragon Tribe bursts in, begging the Divine Emperor for justice. He accuses a lord named Rudi of murder and tyranny. Kadun, seeing an opportunity, publicly condemns Rudi's actions. However, the Divine Emperor remains unmoved. He coldly declares that in this world, the strong are the victors, and orders the slave to be executed on the spot. Visibly shaken by this cruelty, Kadan announces that she too will participate in the hunt.
Later, Kadun confronts Kalan, accusing him of orchestrating the slave's plea. Kalan simply remarks that their father, the Emperor, never shows his true emotions, so the outcome is far from decided.
A Secret Revealed
As the hunt progresses, concern grows when Kadan doesn't return. The Emperor is informed that the hunting grounds contain dangerous pitfalls filled with "Bloodthirsty Ducks," and, more alarmingly, that Kadun's men were seen in that area. Suspicion immediately falls on the prince.
Just as the Emperor begins to suspect foul play, Kadan returns, clearly wounded from an encounter with the ducks. The Emperor instructs Heisha to check her pulse. The diagnosis is shocking: Kadan is pregnant.
Enraged, the Divine Emperor demands an explanation, roaring that he will not allow his daughter to be involved with the Zichuan family. As a terrified Kadan prepares to confess the truth, Yun Qianxue drops to his knees. He claims responsibility, stating that he and the princess became intimate when he was escorting her back to the capital.
In a stunning resolution, the Divine Emperor entrusts his beloved daughter's care to Yun Qianxue.
In a private moment, Kadan confesses to Yun Qianxue that she is deeply in love with the child's real father. Before she can say his name, Yun Qianxue stops her. He tells her that a future between her and the father is now impossible, and that he will willingly take on the role of husband and father to protect her and the unborn child.
The episode concludes with the Emperor summoning Kadun. He furiously strikes his son, berating him for his incompetence, for his failure to control his subordinate Rudi, and for plotting against his own sister. He punishes Kadun, warning him that he is a fool for not recognizing the blatant greed of Duke Ross, whose ambition far outstrips his own.
