Episode Summary
In "Eternal Brotherhood Season 2" Episode 9, a fragile peace between the Dragon and Elf clans is shattered when the Northern Tribe attacks. Guxi and Qiluo sacrifice themselves in a fiery explosion to save Zichuan Xiu, leaving him devastated. Seeking to unite the tribes, Zichuan Xiu meets the enigmatic Elder Budan, who appears as a young boy with mystical powers. However, Budan refuses to form an alliance, scarred by past betrayals from the Zichuan clan. Meanwhile, in the capital, Zichuan Ning investigates Zichuan Xiu's status, and Di Lin faces a personal crisis as his wife Xiujia's high-risk pregnancy worsens.
Spoiler Alert
Eternal Brotherhood Season 2, Episode 9 Recap: Sacrifice and a Crisis of Faith
This Episode , "Eternal Brotherhood" delivers a powerful episode filled with heartbreaking sacrifice, a desperate quest for unity, and simmering political intrigue back in the capital. Zichuan Xiu is tested like never before as he confronts the consequences of his leadership and the deep-seated mistrust that plagues the lands of Yuanzhou.
A Fragile Alliance and a Tragic Loss
The episode opens on a hopeful note. Since Zichuan Xiu tasked the Dragon and Elf clans with building homes together, a genuine peace has blossomed.
Driven by a sense of duty, Zichuan Xiu, along with Bai Chuan, Hu An, and Aze, races to their aid. Their plan is to offer themselves as hostages in exchange for the prisoners' freedom, hoping to fight their way out later. But they are severely outnumbered, and Zichuan Xiu is still recovering from his previous injuries.
In a devastating turn of events, Guxi and Qiluo reappear. Realizing that the only hope for their people lies in Zichuan Xiu's survival, they make the ultimate sacrifice. They ignite barrels of gasoline they had planted earlier, creating a massive explosion that forces Zichuan Xiu's party to retreat while they are consumed by the flames.
Back at their camp, Zichuan Xiu sets up memorial tablets for Guxi and Qiluo, blaming his own recklessness for their deaths.Bolstered by the unwavering support of his followers, Zichuan Xiu makes a new resolve: he will seek out the legendary Elder Budan of the temple.
The Enigmatic Elder Budan
Zichuan Xiu's journey leads him to Blue Village, where he first meets the chief, Busen. Initially unimpressed by Zichuan Xiu's sickly appearance, Busen's attitude changes when Zichuan Xiu keenly observes that Busen favors his right leg due to an old injury on his left—a weakness that could be exploited in a fight.
The temple is a sacred place, forbidden to outsiders without permission. Zichuan Xiu is the first person in a thousand years to be granted entry.
Zichuan Xiu makes his plea, explaining the battle of Payi City and his vision for a future where all people are treated as equals. He asks Budan to use his influence as a symbol of faith to unite the tribes against the Northern Tribe.
A Plea for Unity and a Painful Refusal
Despite the promising start, Zichuan Xiu returns to his waiting followers with bad news: Budan has refused his request.
Zichuan Xiu explains this was the rogue action of Lei Hong, not the will of the Zichuan family, but the damage is done.Budan cannot risk the fate of his people on another potential betrayal; as he puts it, ants cannot trust bees, and his people are too fragile to survive another broken promise. Even when Zichuan Xiu points out that he himself is now a traitor to Zichuan and should be considered one of them—a man of Yuanzhou—Budan remains steadfast. Defeated for now, Zichuan Xiu decides to leave the village, though his followers vow to continue the fight with or without the elder's blessing.
Intrigue in the Capital
Meanwhile, the political games in the capital continue:
- Ma Wei reports to Princess Zichuan Ning that while Zichuan Xiu was named Grand Marshal of Yuanzhou, the territory is actually managed by someone named Rudi, and Zichuan Xiu himself has been missing for some time. Zichuan Ning remains unconvinced of his innocence and demands Ma Wei find more concrete evidence.
- Li Qing privately confronts Ma Wei, warning him not to exploit the princess's affection for Zichuan Xiu for his own personal gain. Ma Wei gives his assurance that his intentions are pure.
- In a more personal crisis, Di Lin's wife, Xiujia, is suffering from severe dizziness during her pregnancy. The physician advises terminating the pregnancy for her own safety, but she adamantly refuses and hides the severity of her condition from Di Lin. As Di Lin is speaking with her, he receives an urgent message that trouble is brewing in the northwest.
Spoilers & Analysis
This episode marks a significant turning point for Zichuan Xiu's journey in Yuanzhou. The heroic sacrifice of Guxi and Qiluo serves as a brutal lesson in the costs of war and leadership. It fuels his guilt but also hardens his resolve, pushing him to seek a larger alliance. Their deaths transform the conflict from a strategic mission into a deeply personal crusade.
The introduction of Elder Budan adds a fascinating layer of mysticism and political complexity. His youthful appearance and supernatural abilities make him an enigma, but his refusal to join Zichuan Xiu is grounded in the very real trauma of past betrayals. The revelation that Lei Hong's past actions are still poisoning Zichuan's reputation creates a formidable obstacle. Zichuan Xiu isn't just fighting the Northern Tribe; he's fighting the ghosts of his own family's history. To win over Yuanzhou, he must first heal a wound he didn't inflict.
Back in the capital, the subplots highlight the dangers closing in on all three sworn brothers. Zichuan Ning's search for the truth about Zichuan Xiu is being manipulated by the ambitious Ma Wei, whose true motives remain suspect.Di Lin, the ruthless head of the Ministry of Supervision, is about to face his greatest vulnerability: a crisis involving his wife and unborn child. This personal turmoil, coupled with new military troubles in the northwest, threatens to distract him at a critical time. The stage is being set for multiple conflicts to converge, testing the bonds of brotherhood, loyalty, and love.
