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sid_guardian2025-07-20 11:58 pm
trobadora) wrote in sid_guardian2025-07-20 11:58 pm
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Guardian Readalong: Vol. 3, Chapters 21 & 22
Welcome aboard for this week's chapters of our Guardian readalong!
Here are last week's chapters. You can find all previous discussions on the schedule post (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5), or via the !readalong tag.
This week's chapters:
- Chapter 21: The Yanluo Kings want to use Zhao Yunlan's heart's blood as the Guardian Lantern's wick, but the yao storm the Yanluo Courts under the leadership of Fourth Uncle, and likewise the daoists and assorted other immortals who were present at Kunlun Mountain. Ghost Face and various gui break free from the Wangchuan, and Shen Wei's trap is sprung. Zhao Yunlan half learns, half figures out Shen Wei's plan, and Zhu Hong clarifies Zhao Yunlan's feelings for Shen Wei. Ghost Face blows himself up.
- Chapter 22: Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi fight various youchu (including the fake rogue cultivator) with the combined might of fear stick and zombie powers, then escape to the top of the mountain, but end up in trouble there again anyway. Meanwhile, Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan and Lin Jing run into Daqing, escape from the Netherworld, and find SID and other people waiting for them. Shen Wei plans to re-seal the Four Pillars with the Hallows, and Zhao Yunlan tells Shennong's mortar to take his place and take care of his parents. Everyone comes together to help Shen Wei.
Excerpts:
1) Zhu Hong defends Zhao Yunlan against the Yanluo Kings' designs
With only the barest hint of a smile, Zhao Yunlan looked back at them. Zhu Hong, on the other hand, exploded. The lower half of her body transformed into a giant snake's tail, coiling around Zhao Yunlan. The delicate corners of her eyes elongated to reveal a cold-blooded animal's vertical pupils. "Don't you know he's just a mortal?" she demanded.
Unfazed, Zhao Yunlan answered for them. "They're not blind. Of course they know. Besides, would they dare try to force my hand like this if I weren't mortal?"
Zhu Hong's scales were as red as blood; when she hissed in fury, her scarlet forked tongue flickered out. "Why not just say you want to take his life?!"
Zhao Yunlan snorted. "Just think how bad that would sound."
"All mortals age and die," chorused the Ten Kings. "It is a normal part of the Reincarnation Cycle."
That's right. It's nothing but a mortal body! Can't you give it up to save the world?
2) Shen Wei is caught out
A storm cloud descended on Zhao Yunlan's face. "Shen Wei, get the fuck out here!"
In response, Shen Wei slowly slipped out from behind the chamber's massive stone door. He looked far more anxious now than he had a moment ago during all his scheming and plotting.
When Zhao Yunlan's gaze fell on the crusted blood on Shen Wei's chest, his fist clenched hard enough that veins popped out on the back of his hand. He looked like he wanted to hit Shen Wei.
Instantaneously, Lin Jing reacted, grabbing Zhu Hong and covering her mouth as soon as Shen Wei appeared. Despite her confusion, he pulled her off to the side.
Zhao Yunlan stayed silent for a long time, and Shen Wei's anxiety grew by the second. Finally, Zhao Yunlan spoke. "Shen Wei."
Shen Wei was instantly reminded of Zhao Yunlan's exhausted words after he'd seen through Shen Wei's deception in the Great Divine Tree: "If you keep doing this, I'll really be angry with you." Panicked, Shen Wei took a step toward him.
"Stay over there," Zhao Yunlan said, voice very low. "Don't come over here yet. It's not time for you to reveal yourself."
3) Zhu Hong and Shen Wei have a rapprochement
There was an awkward silence between them until, after a while, Shen Wei suddenly spoke again. "You... You care deeply for him, don't you?"
The question made Zhu Hong feel as if something had been stuffed into her heart. "Yeah," she mumbled.
"Then... Then why did you tell me all this?"
Zhu Hong rolled her eyes. "I just want you to stop upsetting him."
Confusion flickered across Shen Wei's face for just a second. He seemed somewhat distracted. His brows knit together, and the glittering water of the pool beneath the Soul-Guarding Lamp reflected in his eyes. Zhu Hong had just about concluded that his soul had drifted away when he finally looked back and nodded at her.
"You're right," he said sincerely. "Many thanks."
4) Speech time for Ghost Face
An instant later, the mask split in two. The halves fell, revealing the face that was a gloomy mirror of Shen Wei's. Ghost Face's robe billowed like a flag in the wind, despite the still air.
"Very well," Lin Jing heard him say hoarsely. "You win. I can't beat you. You don't even deign to fight me... Very well."
Shen Wei stopped.
"You and I were born exactly the same. I don't understand how I was inferior to you. You're the solitary, noble Soul-Executing Emissary, while I'm the King of the Gui everyone wants to kill. That's all fine." Ghost Face gave a guttural laugh. "I merely hate that you're too despicable and cowardly to even fight me, instead choosing to humiliate me with these...these ants. You'll regret this! You think you've won without dirtying your hands? Yes, you'll regret this, my good brother."
5) Chu Shuzhi weaponises Guo Changcheng's fear
"Are you afraid?" Chu Shuzhi asked seriously.
Ever honest, Guo Changcheng nodded so vigorously that he looked like a chicken pecking at rice.
"Scared to death?" Chu Shuzhi continued. Guo Changcheng wiped his tears and kept on pecking. "That's good." There was zero sympathy in Chu Shuzhi's voice. "Keep it up."
That left Guo Changcheng speechless. Chu Shuzhi patted him firmly on the shoulder and adopted a creepy tone, pointing past him. "Look. What's that?"
Guo Changcheng looked where he was pointing and found himself staring straight into the eyes of a few youchu. With his fear primed by Chu Shuzhi, a bloodcurdling, inhuman scream exploded out of him. "Ahhhhhhhhhh-!!!"
6) Shen Wei addresses the crowd
Then Shen Wei addressed the crowd. "All those years ago, Kunlun-jun, the Mountain God of the Great Wild, sealed the Four Pillars. I was heir to the thirty-six mountains and rivers, but I was born in filth. I am unable to establish any connection with the Four Hallowed Artifacts, so I hope you will all lend me a hand. You'll have my deepest gratitude."
Having said that, he resumed his true appearance. He stood before them clad in the Soul-Executing Emissary's midnight robes, the full length of his hair spilling down around him. His innate demonic aura was unmistakable, as was his air of gentlemanly righteousness; a man at war with himself yet possessed of an elegance beyond compare.
No one could reject him.
7) Zhao Yunlan's request for Shennong's mortar
With his back to the pagoda tree, Zhao Yunlan glanced at the ground. All seemed completely peaceful beneath the tree, not at all as though something impossibly vast was being held down. He was out of cigarettes, so he reached into his dad's pocket and claimed the packet he found there.
He lit up, then briefly stood in silence, wreathed in smoke. After a moment, he said, "Actually, I have a favor to ask of you."
"I am at Kunlun-jun's disposal," Shennong's mortar said quietly.
"No, I mean it," said Zhao Yunlan. "I'm my parents' only son. By all rights, I should take care of them in their old age and see them off. I never imagined I'd run out of time, but here we are. White-haired elders shouldn't have to see their black-haired children off. Think of a solution for me."
More moments passed before the mortar said, "I... I confess I don't understand what Kunlun-jun means to say."
Zhao Yunlan snorted. "Don't play dumb. I think you know exactly what I'm getting at."
Shennong's mortar took a long look at him. "So in the end, is the Soul-Executing Emissary only able to uphold his vow because you've agreed to accompany him into death?"
Casually blowing a smoke ring, Zhao Yunlan asked, "Do you think I'm selling my body?"
Questions:
What do you think of Shen Wei's plans? Or of the way he acts towards Zhao Yunlan? Is it satisfying seeing all the different characters coming together again? Are you following everything that's going on? How annoyed are you that we don't learn how Lin Jing made it to the Yanluo Courts in one piece? Any thoughts about Ghost Face exploding himself, and what the drama made out of that? Which of the things that has a direct parallel in the drama is your favourite bit of adaptation?
(As usual, these are just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like!)
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no subject
That's a very good question, but I think in the end this may all be happening simply because the Kings fail at logic. xD At least Zhao Yunlan thinks so? ("Years of experience working with the Netherworld told Zhao Yunlan that the dumbasses were obviously planning to ask something of him, but they were unwilling to swallow their pride to do so.", in chapter 20 when they're actively being rude.) But ITA that they fail at logic really spectacularly, and they don't seem to have any actual reason to do any of that.
"What's the carrot? What's the stick? Just the flattery vs. the rudeness?"
I think so, yeah.
"So the drama version isn't exactly ethereal, but they kept this - it too can glow without a wick!"
Oh, true, neat! :D
"That's a good question! Why did they stop him, when that might have worked? Are they so sure killing him to get a wick for the Soul-Guarding Lamp is a better bet? I know ZYL says next that Kunlun if reawakened probably wouldn't have much power after all this time, but surely being a primordial god would count for something, if even his mortal reincarnation's blood is enough to provide a wick? /probably overthinking"
Sounds like maybe if Zhao Yunlan dies trying and doesn't end up reawakening Kunlun's spirit (or if the spirit is not strong enough), there is no chance to ever get a wick for the Lamp again? So if they let him go, everything may be lost.
"I love how fearless she is, later even attacking the Yanluo Kings!"
Yesss! ♡ She used to be terrified of the Emissary, and now she's facing all kinds of powerful supernatural beings like it's no big deal, YAY ZHU HONG. :D
"Through the doors being held closed against the invading ghosts? I mean, maybe the yao brushed the ghosts and the door guards away, but I feel like that would merit a mention?"
Lol yeah, I'm just assuming everyone else knows about other doors, and the ghosts are attacking the first door they found. :D
"My version of the fan translation helpfully links Wikipedia."
Oh, thanks, I didn't think to look this one up!
"It's so fascinating to me that not even the Yanluo Kings can apparently tell the difference?!"
Yeah, I think only Shen Wei can. This makes me think - is it considered filthy to go down to the Seal and to know how it works? Like, Shen Wei is both the divine chosen one for this duty, and also he's the one who conveniently deals with the things no one else wants to be involved with?
"What's stopping Ghost Face from turning around on the spot? It says a few paragraphs down that The Chaos that could swallow everything formed a huge blockade behind them. The Yanluo Courts had become a battlefield, inside and out. - so was the released Chaos not just a lure, but also a trap? Is it stopping Ghost Face from leaving again?"
Oh, fantastic point, this must be it! I had no idea what was stopping him either, and I was also wondering what the blockade even did - I didn't get to any conclusion and didn't put the two things together, lol. This makes sense and explains everything!
"Is he controlling them, or are they actually on his side?"
I think he's controlling them, or at least he's scary enough that they have no choice but to follow. Maybe controlling the non-sentient gui and terrifying the sentient ones, like the one who guarded Lin Jing.
"Ugh, she just attacked the Yanluo Kings for you, don't be so condescending! :("
Aw. :( He's technically right - she is brave, but she's not strong. But his tone could be slightly more supportive indeed!
"I'm not sure why he's disguising his voice?"
I didn't get it either, but
"That made me laugh. Get out here, but don't!"
Lol, I didn't catch that. :D
"Wait, so Ghost Face didn't have the Dial any more? Or was SW only remote-controlling it? *confused*"
*high-five on the confusion!*
"I must have missed something - what does "everyone got a taste of it" mean?"
I don't think it's explained, and I would love to know more too. I think we only know that they felt the Chaos somehow, and that's why they all gathered there. But what exactly that entails, and how it makes them suffer - no idea!
"I really hate how contemptuous Zhao Yunlan is about Shen Wei's plans. He can't even admire the cleverness, or the skill? Even if he does dislike being lied to/not being let in on the plan. (I'm not sure whether that's his issue, or if there's something else he disagrees with, other than Shen Wei getting himself icicled. He's just being extremely abrasive towards someone he knows can't shrug it off the way his team does.)"
I think his main problem is Shen Wei making him worry that he's actually in danger. I'm quite sure he will admire the cleverness and skill once he cools off - he always does. :D But his tone is unpleasant here, I agree.
"But it's pretty depressing to me that Zhu Hong has to explain to Shen Wei that Zhao Yunlan doesn't mean all the things he says ..."
I see your point about the conflict, but with this specific thing I see a parallel to Wei taking everything Kunlun says at face value. I think he puts a lot of value in words (there was this paragraph about books helping people understand their feelings better; and even if his university job is just a disguise, he still chose literature on purpose), and Zhao Yunlan really doesn't, and this may be the first time this even occurred to Shen Wei as a possibilty. Which does mean he doesn't know Zhao Yunlan very well! But it could be because he's never considered that people could have a different relationship with words than he does.
> >"You've lied to him?" she exclaimed, eyes wide and mouth agape.
"I'm not sure what she's so shocked about here?"
She doesn't know about the fake visions and everything, does she? I guess she doesn't expect Shen Wei/the Emissary to lie to anyone, let alone to Zhao Yunlan.
"It's so fascinating to me that not only does Ghost Face blow himself up (unlike the drama, where Ye Zun is blown up by Shen Wei), he also splits his mask himself, while Ye Zun's mask in YOHE is split in a fight."
Ahhh, now that you pointed it out, it kinda goes with how he causes all the problems himself because he doesn't want to (can't?) face the actual problem.
"None of this is fine! Ghost Face and all the gui have a very legitimate grievance here, and I really dislike that Shen Wei hates himself so much that he's basically throwing his entire species under the bus."
^ The actual problem. ITA!
"(The illustration with giant Ghost Face in the sky reminds me of the drama's livestream from Dixing, btw - that image hanging in the sky!)"
I can see that! :D When they don't have characters who can change their size, but they still want this imagery, lol.
> >"Me? We gui are part of the natural order."
"That's what Shennong said!"
Indeed! Makes me wonder if the gui kept this as some kind of traditional/culturally significant/holy saying.
"This sounds like I should know whose skeleton this is, but I don't ... Anyone?"
The only young man we know there is Feng Dawei, so I'm just assuming it's him, because otherwise I also have no idea. *shrugs* :D
"That is so fascinating! But somehow I feel like they'd have been better off not trapping themselves on top of a mountain ..."
Right?? My thoughts exactly. xD
"After the Netherworld convention, we have another one here! :D"
Lol! :D :D It's really sweet. :D
"Huh, "the resort", is Shennong's mortar expected to just know about that?!"
Hah, good question! If he knew where to come, he was probably in contact with the SID? And they knew where everyone went.
> >Long ago, Kunlun sealed the Four Pillars with the Four Hallowed Artifacts.
"Where does that fit into the backstory again? I'm doing so badly with all of this. /o\"
It's after his body was turned into the Lamp and before they go to guard the the Seal. I don't think we ever see it on-page, but Zhao Yunlan summarizes it twice: "After Nüwa repaired the sky, I used the Four Hallowed Artifacts to seal the Four Pillars. Was that when I abandoned you…and died?" (after the fake reveal) and "Kunlun gave the blood of his heart to seal the Four Pillars and then finally gave up his divine form and sent his primordial spirit to keep watch over the Great Houtu Seal." (after the full reveal).
"So Zhao Yunlan's blood forms the wick, but what ignites it is his soulfire? What were the Yanluo Kings expecting to use?"
Fantastic question, I have no idea? At first I thought maybe the soulfire is only needed for resealing the Pillars, and at this point the Kings just wanted the Lamp to have a wick, but the resealing was going to have to happen sooner or later (and very soon indeed!), and idk what they planned to use then.
...Wait no, Kunlun's other soulfire is intact on his other shoulder. So I guess that's what they were going to use. D: I'm not deleting the rest of my thought process, lol, but I'm pretty sure that's the answer!
"I'm unsure what "establishing a connection" with the Hallows means here, or why Shen Wei should be unable to do it. (But I believe it, because Evil Worldbuilding™ hates gui.)"
There will be a bit more about establishing a connection, but it does sound to me like Shen Wei is only unable to do it for Evil Worldbuilding reasons.
no subject
LOL! Can't argue with you there, but that is hilarious.
Sounds like maybe if Zhao Yunlan dies trying and doesn't end up reawakening Kunlun's spirit (or if the spirit is not strong enough), there is no chance to ever get a wick for the Lamp again? So if they let him go, everything may be lost.
Oof, yeah, good point - I hadn't thought of him potentially dying, but that at least makes sense.
Yeah, I think only Shen Wei can. This makes me think - is it considered filthy to go down to the Seal and to know how it works? Like, Shen Wei is both the divine chosen one for this duty, and also he's the one who conveniently deals with the things no one else wants to be involved with?
I don't think it can be considered filthy, or that would surely apply to Nüwa and Kunlun too? But yeah, they absolutely have this vibe of "this is absolutely important, we don't need to bother with it ourselves, it's that guy's job" - essential workers being looked down on. :p
He's technically right - she is brave, but she's not strong. But his tone could be slightly more supportive indeed!
Yeah, he's right that she's no match for them, but she deserves better than him treating her like a silly little girl. *grumbles*
I didn't get it either, but
Oh! *headdesk* Yeah, you're right, that makes sense, now I get it!
(I totally failed to grasp what
Which does mean he doesn't know Zhao Yunlan very well! But it could be because he's never considered that people could have a different relationship with words than he does.
Yeah, I just find that doubly sad, both for Shen Wei on his own and for Weilan. *clings to the drama*
She doesn't know about the fake visions and everything, does she? I guess she doesn't expect Shen Wei/the Emissary to lie to anyone, let alone to Zhao Yunlan.
The JJWXC version makes it a bit clearer that she's shocked he lied to ZYL successfully - she thinks he can see through everything!
Ahhh, now that you pointed it out, it kinda goes with how he causes all the problems himself because he doesn't want to (can't?) face the actual problem.
Oof, yeah, that's so true. *pets him*
Makes me wonder if the gui kept this as some kind of traditional/culturally significant/holy saying.
Headcanon accepted!
It's after his body was turned into the Lamp and before they go to guard the the Seal. I don't think we ever see it on-page, but Zhao Yunlan summarizes it twice: "After Nüwa repaired the sky, I used the Four Hallowed Artifacts to seal the Four Pillars. Was that when I abandoned you…and died?" (after the fake reveal) and "Kunlun gave the blood of his heart to seal the Four Pillars and then finally gave up his divine form and sent his primordial spirit to keep watch over the Great Houtu Seal." (after the full reveal).
Thanks muchly! I can't hold all these PP events in my head; it's all a muddled mess to me because of the uncertain state of reality of almost everything we hear. My brain just checked out of trying to hold onto any of it, LOL.
...Wait no, Kunlun's other soulfire is intact on his other shoulder. So I guess that's what they were going to use. D: I'm not deleting the rest of my thought process, lol, but I'm pretty sure that's the answer!
Oh, you're right, that has to be it. So they want to harvest both his body and his soul ...
There will be a bit more about establishing a connection, but it does sound to me like Shen Wei is only unable to do it for Evil Worldbuilding reasons.
Thanks! Looking forward to finding out more.
no subject
Oh, and also I realized later, if the Kings already know for sure that Kunlun's spirit can't possibly be reawakened when the Lamp is unlit, there is no point in letting Zhao Yunlan try (especially if he can get himself killed in the process). But idk if they know for sure or if they're just making an assumption.
"I don't think it can be considered filthy, or that would surely apply to Nüwa and Kunlun too? But yeah, they absolutely have this vibe of "this is absolutely important, we don't need to bother with it ourselves, it's that guy's job" - essential workers being looked down on. :p"
Oh yep, that's a much better way to put this. xD ITA, and very good point about Nüwa and Kunlun!
"The JJWXC version makes it a bit clearer that she's shocked he lied to ZYL successfully - she thinks he can see through everything!"
Ah, I didn't put these things together, thanks! :D That's adorable, and also she's not wrong - he did see through everything in the end, all on his own, it was just a little bit too late.
"I can't hold all these PP events in my head; it's all a muddled mess to me because of the uncertain state of reality of almost everything we hear. My brain just checked out of trying to hold onto any of it, LOL."
That is so valid and understandable, ngl. xD
"So they want to harvest both his body and his soul ..."
Yeahhh, and idk why it makes it even more morbid (it's already morbid enough when it's just his body!) but it kinda does, at least to me. D:
no subject
Yeah, that wasn't clear to me at all.
and also she's not wrong - he did see through everything in the end, all on his own, it was just a little bit too late.
Yes! She knows he's good at this sort of thing, and he is, he's just not infallible. *g*
Yeahhh, and idk why it makes it even more morbid (it's already morbid enough when it's just his body!) but it kinda does, at least to me. D:
I feel the same way, yeah.
no subject
but she deserves better than him treating her like a silly little girl. *grumbles*
Might he be deliberately antagonising her (as well as the pulling seniority thing they do) to distract her from going into battle? If she's mad at him, that shifts her focus.
Yeah, I just find that doubly sad, both for Shen Wei on his own and for Weilan. *clings to the drama*
Yes, this! *clings with you*
no subject
Idk, maybe? I guess that would make sense.
no subject
I think he's controlling them, or at least he's scary enough that they have no choice but to follow. Maybe controlling the non-sentient gui and terrifying the sentient ones, like the one who guarded Lin Jing.
You don't think some of them might agree with his position? (Like Zhu Jiu in the drama?)
I think we only know that they felt the Chaos somehow, and that's why they all gathered there. But what exactly that entails, and how it makes them suffer - no idea!
Maybe it's that they all got drawn into the fighting? That's what I assumed.
no subject
Oh, I'm sure some of them do! But I'm also relatively sure that most of them are just like any other military - they fight because they have to, or for their own unrelated reasons.
"Maybe it's that they all got drawn into the fighting? That's what I assumed."
Oh, just that? That's possible, and I like this possibility. :D (I thought there was also something inherently unpleasant about being aware of the Chaos, which made them suffer before they even came to the Netherworld. But it's not explained what it would feel like, and I would like it a lot better if it's not a thing at all.)
no subject
(I thought there was also something inherently unpleasant about being aware of the Chaos, which made them suffer before they even came to the Netherworld. But it's not explained what it would feel like, and I would like it a lot better if it's not a thing at all.)
I mean, tbh, I have no idea. ;-p :D