Episode Summary
Xu Qi'an exposes and executes the corrupt Duke Cao and Que Yongxiu, then renounces his official position. The Emperor attempts to kill him, but Xu Qi'an vanishes due to a mysterious power. Everyone forgets him. Six months later, Wei Yuan sacrifices himself in battle. Xu Xinnian becomes a prominent official. Xu Qi'an's family and friends no longer remember him. Princess Lin'an feels a deep sense of loss. Xu Qi'an is confronted by his father, Xu Pingfeng, about the nation's destiny.
Spoiler Alert
In a dramatic turn of events, Xu Qi'an is surrounded by his allies – the Golden Gongs, members of the Si Tian Jian (Directorate of Celestial Studies), and friends from the Spring Breeze Hall. They stand with him as he publicly reveals the heinous crimes of Duke Cao and Que Yongxiu. Justice is served swiftly as Xu Qi'an personally beheads the two corrupt officials.
Having purged this evil, Xu Qi'an dramatically throws down his Watchmen token, apologizing to Wei Yuan. He's done with being an official. Wei Yuan reflects on this, acknowledging the ideal of serving with integrity, both to the heavens and the people, but also the rarity of achieving that ideal in the cutthroat world of politics.
A pat on the shoulder brings Xu Qi'an face-to-face with Zheng Xinghuai, who expresses the gratitude of the people of Chuzhou. Xu Qi'an smiles, a sense of peace washing over him – Zheng can finally rest.
The Emperor arrives with soldiers, intent on killing Xu Qi'an. But their crossbows are useless. A flash of golden light erupts as Xu Qi'an swings his blade, and he vanishes, along with the light. A mysterious figure employs celestial techniques, and suddenly, everyone forgets Xu Qi'an ever existed.
Six months later, storytellers in the capital are enthralled by the Chuzhou case, attributing the Emperor's willingness to reveal the truth to the "working people." Wei Yuan calls a meeting of ministers, urging them to speak from their conscience.
At the morning court, Emperor Jing accuses Wei Yuan of insubordination. Wei Yuan counters by producing the Semi-Sage inscribed blade, forcing the Emperor to issue a self-criticism edict. The ministers unanimously support Wei Yuan, leaving the Emperor speechless.
With the Witch God Sect growing bolder, Wei Yuan leads the army to crush them. After fierce battles, Wei Yuan sacrifices himself. Now, only the Chief Grand Secretary handles the court's affairs, assisted by "Adult Xu" – the much-discussed Xu Xinnian! He's become a sharp, just official, fulfilling his earlier ambitions.
Xu Qi'an returns to the Xu family, buying his little sister a candied hawthorn. But his family, including his uncle Xu Pingzhi and his cousin, don't recognize him. It's as if he never existed. Saddened, he dedicates his time to writing a booklet on alchemy principles, sending it to the Si Tian Jian.
He passes by the Spring Breeze Hall, seeing his former colleagues still upholding justice. He spots Tian Di Society members eating noodles, laughing – Chu Yuanzhen's sword sheath even bears a poem Xu Qi'an once gifted. They all feel a void, but can't place who's missing.
Princess Lin'an often returns to the lakeside pavilion, feeling a profound sense of loss, waiting for someone she can't remember. One day, a poetry collection arrives, filled with beautiful verses. Lin'an vaguely recalls the poet who brought her so much joy, remembering she once asked why his poems lacked the final lines. He'd replied that giving her the complete collection meant he couldn't stay by her side. Realizing he's returned, she rushes out, but it's too late.
Xu Qi'an walks a sunlit path, witnessing Minister Zheng's family reunion. Everything has returned to its simple, happy state, except for his own absence. He rests under a tree, and in a dreamlike state, is taken to Yunzhou to meet a masked figure.
The figure, clad in black, is someone Xu Qi'an has seen in his memories. He reveals that Da Feng's fate is tied to Xu Qi'an, that the Supervisor seeks to elevate the nation's fortune, and Xu Qi'an is the key. Xu Qi'an finally realizes the masked man is his father, Xu Pingfeng. His father declares, "True contentment lies in detachment. This nation's destiny was always ours to bear."
Ending Explained:
The ending of "Guardians of the Dafeng" revolves around power struggles and difficult choices.
Key Character Fates:
- Xu Qi'an: After exposing and executing Duke Cao and Que Yongxiu, Xu Qi'an is erased from everyone's memory due to his father, Xu Pingfeng, using celestial techniques. He returns to his original modern life as Yang Ling. Hints of his existence remain, like the incomplete poetry collection and Princess Lin'an's sense of loss, setting up a potential second season.
- Emperor Jing: He is exposed as the mastermind behind the Chuzhou massacre. He is forced to issue a self-criticism edict, but his power wanes as Princess Huai Qing rises.
- Wei Yuan: He sacrifices himself in battle against the Witch God Sect. His body is preserved at the Si Tian Jian, hinting at a possible return.
- Princess Huai Qing: She allies with Xu Qi'an, forces Emperor Jing to abdicate, and becomes the first Empress of Da Feng, symbolizing a new era.
Key Plot Points:
- Zhenbei King's Massacre: Xu Qi'an reveals the Zhenbei King as the true culprit of the Chuzhou massacre and kills him.
- Xu Pingfeng's Scheme: Xu Qi'an's father, Xu Pingfeng, manipulates events to seize the nation's destiny.
- Supervisor's Plan: The Supervisor tries to use Xu Qi'an's destiny to advance his own power, but Xu Qi'an resists.
Meaning and Cliffhangers:
- Sacrifice and Power: Xu Qi'an's disappearance represents the cost of justice, but his spirit influences the court (e.g., Xu Xinnian becoming a righteous official).
- Bittersweet Ending: While some characters sacrifice themselves (Wei Yuan, Zheng Xinghuai), Da Feng finds stability under Princess Huai Qing. Xu Qi'an's memory lives on indirectly.
- Season 2 Setup: Xu Qi'an's "disappearance" might be linked to celestial techniques. His potential return, Xu Pingfeng's fate, and the Witch God Sect's threat remain unresolved.
The ending uses Xu Qi'an's "disappearance" and "rebirth" to symbolize the harsh realities of power struggles and individual choices. It also maintains the core theme of justice prevailing over evil, albeit at a cost. Princess Huai Qing's ascension and Xu Qi'an's "forgotten" status highlight the idea that history is written by the victors, while also leaving room for future storylines.
