Episode Summary
The episode reveals the complex history between Chongyi Biao and E Shun through an extended flashback. After Kunwu (disguised as E Shun) defeats Chongyi Biao, a suspicious Chongyi Biao discovers a scar on his chest that matches E Shun's. We learn the real E Shun intentionally scarred himself to make the disguise convincing. The flashback shows their journey from rivals to best friends, bonded after Chongyi Biao won the warrior competition but was scorned by his family. Their friendship fractured after Chongyi Biao's father and half-brother took his title and his fiancée, leading to a dark turn at his mother's grave that cemented their feud.
Spoiler Alert
The Dauntless Youths Episode 8 Recap
Alright, episode 8 was basically one giant flashback. We finally get the history between Chongyi Biao and the man he thinks is E Shun.
The Scar and the Secret
The episode kicks off right after Kunwu beats Chongyi Biao. Chongyi Biao is suspicious. He doesn't believe this is the real E Shun. So, he slashes Kunwu's shirt open with a knife. A nasty scar is revealed on his chest. Chongyi Biao stares, completely stunned. He knows it isn't E Shun, but he also knows that scar.
Jiang Wenhuan gets angry at Chongyi Biao's stunt. He pulls Kunwu away to get him a new shirt. In another room, we see the real E Shun. He's drinking medicine. We learn that to make Kunwu's disguise perfect, E Shun actually gave himself a matching scar. That’s some serious commitment to a plan.
A Friendship Forged in Fire
The scar sends Chongyi Biao deep into his memories. This is where we spend the rest of the episode. Years ago, he and Kunwu were best friends. They were also fierce rivals. Before Kunwu left to escort a merchant group, they had a duel. Kunwu felt he wasn't as skilled as Chongyi Biao.
Back then, Kunwu was using the name E Shun. He gave the escort job to Chongyi Biao. This did not go over well with Chongyi Biao's family. His jealous half-brother ran to Beibo Hou and claimed Chongyi Biao was just trying to suck up to the merchants. Beibo Hou, without asking any questions, beat Chongyi Biao badly.
Kunwu (as E Shun) rushed in to stop it. He went straight to Nanbo Hou and demanded they release Chongyi Biao. He said the merchant group needed his talent. But Chongyi Biao was stubborn. He refused the help because he didn't want to start a fight with his brother.
A Misunderstanding and a Rescue
Later that night, someone knocks Chongyi Biao out in the stables. He wakes up inside Kunwu's tent. He immediately thinks Kunwu did it as revenge. He was wrong. It was his own older brother, Chong Da Gongzi, who knocked him out. The brother then pretended to chase after a "thief." Kunwu stepped out of his tent and told the brother he hadn't seen anyone. Chong Da Gongzi couldn't do anything, so he left.
Chongyi Biao learned he had misjudged Kunwu. But he wasn't grateful. He felt Kunwu was an outsider who shouldn't interfere in his family's problems. The two argued. Kunwu saw Chongyi Biao's talent being wasted and pushed him to enter the warrior competition.
The First Warrior and a New Bond
Chongyi Biao dominated the competition. He easily won and was named the "First Warrior." His older brother sourly said the tribe couldn't afford a celebration. But Kunwu showed up. He brought a rare dagger as a gift and a huge feast to celebrate with his friend.
This made Nanbo Hou and the older brother even angrier. They dismissed the dancers and openly mocked Chongyi Biao for being an illegitimate son who outshone the true heir. For the first time, Chongyi Biao stood up for himself. He said a friend's celebration is an honor for the whole tribe. He called them out for being terrible hosts.
Later, Kunwu took Chongyi Biao out to the grasslands. He poured strong liquor into a fire and watched it blaze. He told Chongyi Biao that if you are strong enough, you can burn across the entire grassland just like that fire. Something clicked for Chongyi Biao. They got drunk, and Kunwu started to stutter. Chongyi Biao laughed and nicknamed him "Little Stutterer." This is the moment they became true friends.
The Betrayal
Three years pass. Chongyi Biao and Kunwu have stayed in touch through letters. Chongyi Biao is now a respected warrior, which only makes his brother hate him more. Kunwu arrives suddenly to congratulate Chongyi Biao on his upcoming wedding.
Then everything falls apart. Chongyi Biao gives up his claim as the heir. His fiancée is promptly taken from him and given to his older brother. Chongyi Biao is furious. But his father, Nanbo Hou, sides with the older brother. The whole tribe gossiped about it. They said the most beautiful woman should marry the first warrior, but the rules were changed for the heir.
The two friends go to a small, lonely grave. It belongs to Chongyi Biao's mother. She died in childbirth because no one would save her. He feels his entire life has been a stain on his family's honor. Kunwu tells him to let go of the past. Chongyi Biao says he can't. He says his very existence reminds them of their sins, so they will never let him be. He seems to make a dark decision. Kunwu can only watch him walk away.
Back in the present, Chongyi Biao is drinking heavily. His men wonder about the complicated history he has with E Shun. They ask what kind of hatred could lead him to give the man that massive scar. Chongyi Biao just stares off, lost in thought.
