Guardians of the Dafeng- Episodes 17-18
Hey Guardians of the Dafeng fans! Episodes 17 and 18 took the tension to a whole new level, with Xu Qi’an diving headfirst into the mysteries surrounding Sangbo Lake while navigating palace politics and deadly foes. From intense investigations to hilarious misunderstandings, these episodes delivered everything we love about the series. Let’s get into the details!
Episode 17: Secrets Beneath the Lake
Fresh out of prison (again!), Xu Qi’an wasted no time diving into the case assigned by Wei Yuan. Tasked with leading multiple halls in the investigation, Xu Qi’an’s sharp instincts immediately led him to suspect that something was sealed beneath Sangbo Lake. Wei Yuan’s warning to focus solely on the explosion rather than digging deeper only fueled Xu Qi’an’s curiosity—because, of course, when does he ever listen?
The scene at the lake was eerily calm, but Xu Qi’an’s dive revealed an ominous discovery—massive stone pillars, iron chains, and ancient inscriptions that hinted at a larger, darker secret. His findings rattled Li Yuchun, who suspected the involvement of the Directorate of Celestial Observations.
Meanwhile, the investigation led Xu Qi’an and his team to the Ministry of Justice, where bureaucratic arrogance met the unstoppable force of Xu Qi’an’s one-strike style. Watching him knock down guards to get the information he needed was incredibly satisfying. However, just as things seemed to be progressing, Xu Qi’an’s lead on suspect Zhou Chixiong ran cold, leaving the team frustrated and scrambling for new clues.
The episode closed with Xu Qi’an realizing that the blood-draining method used on the temple guards pointed to a high-level practitioner with terrifying skills—making their mission all the more dangerous. And just when things couldn’t get any tenser, Xu Xinnian suggested Xu Qi’an flee to Yunzhou, planting a seed that could change everything.
Episode 18: A Killer's Trail and a Royal Trap
Things escalated quickly when the Taikang County Magistrate, a key witness, mysteriously died in his cell under suspicious circumstances. Chu Caiwei’s Qi-watching abilities revealed that he died peacefully, leading to the chilling conclusion that a Wu Shenshi—an infamous assassin capable of silent kills—was involved. Li Yuchun’s reaction? Pure dread. If they couldn’t find a way to counter this kind of enemy, their mission was doomed.
Realizing that Zhou Chixiong might have fled to Yunzhou, Xu Qi’an reached out to his mysterious guild members for help. The interactions between the group were hilarious as always, with Xu Qi’an skillfully leveraging past favors to convince Member Two to track Zhou’s movements. It’s always fun to see how Xu Qi’an balances charm, wit, and negotiation even in the direst situations.
Meanwhile, Xu Qi’an’s cautious attitude around Wei Yuan was a refreshing change. The near-execution still weighed on him, and it was clear that despite Wei Yuan’s guidance, their relationship had become more complex. Wei Yuan’s admission that a plan was in place to fake Xu Qi’an’s execution earlier was a huge reveal, showing that Xu Qi’an had been a pawn in a much larger game all along.
The biggest laugh of the episode? Xu Qi’an’s shock upon entering the palace and discovering that everyone thought he was the Eldest Princess’s "favorite." The misunderstanding, courtesy of Lin An’s scheming, led to a hilarious moment where he realized he had been duped. The awkwardness was palpable when he openly declared loyalty to the wrong princess—oops!
DramaZen's Opinion
Episodes 17 and 18 were packed with suspense, action, and a touch of comedy that kept me fully engaged. Xu Qi’an’s dive into the Sangbo Lake mystery revealed some chilling secrets, and his relentless pursuit of the truth despite Wei Yuan’s warnings shows just how bold and sharp he is. The bureaucratic roadblocks at the Ministry of Justice were frustrating but watching Xu Qi’an bulldoze through them with his “one-strike” approach was beyond satisfying.
The sudden twist with the Taikang County Magistrate’s mysterious death added an eerie vibe, and the introduction of the Wu Shenshi assassin angle made the investigation feel even more dangerous. I loved how Xu Qi’an cleverly leveraged his guild connections to track Zhou Chixiong, proving once again that his network is one of his greatest assets.
On the lighter side, the palace drama took a hilarious turn with Xu Qi’an discovering the rumors about him being the Eldest Princess’s "favorite." Lin An’s mischievous schemes never fail to add some much-needed comic relief amidst all the tension.
Overall, these episodes balanced mystery, action, and humor perfectly. Xu Qi’an’s journey keeps getting more intriguing, and I can’t wait to see what secrets Sangbo Lake is hiding!
