Dear Mr. Heavenly Fox Episode 16 Recap
> Dear Mr. Heavenly Fox Recap
Qi Yuanbao awoke from a disturbing nightmare, haunted by accusations that Chang Yue was a murderer and that he had deceived her, planning to take her soul to harm humanity. Her father, seated beside her, expressed deep regret for not being able to protect her. He confessed that he had realized too late, on the day of the Fox Hunt Ritual when she mysteriously disappeared, that Chang Yue's intentions might have been related to her soul.
He wished for her to forget Chang Yue but acknowledged her deep feelings. He then gave her a Truth Pill, explaining that whoever consumed it would answer any question truthfully. He urged her to find some answers for herself. Meanwhile, a messenger informed Chang Yue that Qi Yuanbao was waiting for him at Xiao Jing Lake in the north of the city. Elsewhere, Xue Hanyu discovered Su Qianqian's sachet in his possession.
Mistaking it for something she carelessly lost, he went to return it, complaining about her being careless and her rough demeanor, having recalled her hitting him on the neck. Su Qianqian, annoyed, called him stupid. Her sister then revealed to Xue Hanyu that Su Qianqian had deliberately given him the sachet because she harbored feelings for him.
Realizing this, Xue Hanyu rushed back to Su Qianqian, playfully snatching the sachet back, claiming it was his now that she had given it to him. Despite feigning indifference, Su Qianqian was secretly pleased. He then sniffed the sachet, remarking on its pleasant scent, before quickly affirming his liking for it when she offered to take it back. At Xiao Jing Lake, Qi Yuanbao met Chang Yue, who noticed her troubled expression.
She offered him the Truth Pill, asking if he would take it. Without a moment's hesitation, Chang Yue swallowed the pill. Qi Yuanbao then began her interrogation. She asked if he was the future Sky Fox of the fox race, to which he affirmed. She asked if he had approached her solely to complete an emotional trial and take the soul within her, and he confirmed it.
She pressed further, asking if his role as her mentor, his care and protection, were merely tactics to make her fall in love with him, and again, he affirmed. Devastated, Qi Yuanbao realized his feelings were never genuine. Her next questions probed the cultivators' mishap: if he was present, if his illusion needles were the weapons used, and if he had indeed killed people at Suiyue Mountain.
Chang Yue struggled, coughing up blood and collapsing as the Soul-devouring Grass, which had been secretly mixed into the Truth Pill by Huo Shuyai's faction, took effect. Huo Shuyai and his followers appeared, confirming the poisoning. Believing Chang Yue was a killer and heartbroken by his deception, Qi Yuanbao prepared to strike him herself. However, Grand Elder intervened, scornfully remarking on the humans' greed and ingratitude, before swiftly taking Chang Yue away.
Later, Huo Shuyai questioned Qi Yuanbao, asking if she had intentionally allowed Chang Yue to escape, which she denied. Back at his residence, a weakened Chang Yue lay ill. His subordinate noted that the jade pendant, Mohen, which was intrinsically linked to Chang Yue's life, had mysteriously returned to him from Qi Yuanbao. The subordinate expressed anger at Qi Yuanbao's perceived ruthlessness and betrayal, particularly her seemingly intentional poisoning of Chang Yue despite his sincere sacrifices for her.
Chang Yue, however, lamented Qi Yuanbao's deep lack of trust, concluding that the human heart was indeed cold and unfeeling, and knew that any explanation would now be futile. Meanwhile, Qi Yuanbao, in a fit of despair and unaware that the Truth Pill was poisoned, attempted to smash items Chang Yue had given her, oblivious to her bleeding hands. Her senior sister, believing it best to forget him, threw the jade pendant into a nearby lake.
Qi Yuanbao desperately tried to retrieve it, but her fellow disciples held her back. Huo Shuyai approached Qi Yuanbao's father and knelt, formally requesting Qi Yuanbao's hand in marriage. He explained that he and Qi Yuanbao had been childhood sweethearts and he had long intended to marry her. He expressed his deep anguish at seeing her tormented by the fox demon and regretted not having proposed sooner. He pleaded for a chance to make amends and protect her.
While moved by Huo Shuyai's sincerity, Qi Yuanbao's father stated that his daughter was deeply shaken and not ready for marriage. Huo Shuyai vowed to wait. Qi Yuanbao's father then explained that his daughter was strong-willed and the final decision rested with her. Elsewhere, Yunrong's master discussed Huo Shuyai's proposal, speculating that the Huo family suspected Qi Yuanbao's true identity.
The master instructed Yunrong to subtly aid Huo Shuyai in marrying Qi Yuanbao, believing that if Qi Yuanbao developed feelings for Huo Shuyai, Chang Yue, as the future Sky Fox, would never be able to retrieve his soul from her. The master explained that Chang Yue was the future Sky Fox, and if he were to retrieve the heart soul and ascend, it would become an insurmountable task for the master to deal with Qi Yuanbao in the future.
Yunrong understood her instructions. Later, Qi Yuanbao's father gently broached the subject of Huo Shuyai's proposal. Qi Yuanbao, however, firmly rejected it, asserting that she only regarded Huo Shuyai as an older brother and harbored no romantic feelings for him. Her father accepted her decision, promising to decline the proposal on her behalf. Feeling unwell, Chang Yue left his room. Upon inquiring about his aunt, he learned she was searching for an antidote to the Soul-devouring Grass.
Chang Yue revealed that as a Red-Tailed Silver Fox, the herb, while causing immense pain, could not kill him and had no true antidote. He sensed an impending danger. His aunt appeared, attempting to harm innocent villagers to extract their heart blood, believing it could form a Blood Essence Pill to cure Chang Yue. Chang Yue intervened, preventing her, stating he would rather perish than use the lives of innocents.
His aunt chastised him for siding with ungrateful humans who had wronged him. Chang Yue, however, declared that his actions were guided by his conscience, and he would never unjustly take an innocent life, be it human or fox. His aunt, lamenting his naivety, warned him that humans would ultimately shatter him, but Chang Yue remained steadfast in his choice. His aunt relented and departed.
Shortly after, a black-clad figure brutally murdered the villagers, leaving behind illusion needles to frame the fox clan. News quickly spread throughout the city that the "demon fox" had killed more innocent people, with phantom fox needles found at the scenes. The city plunged into fear. Rumors also began to circulate that Qi Yuanbao had colluded with the demon fox and allowed his escape, leading to the escalating violence.
Worried about the growing resentment towards Qi Yuanbao, Huo Shuyai instructed his disciples to intensify their search for Chang Yue, specifically ordering them to keep the true extent of the public's anger from Qi Yuanbao. Despite these efforts, Qi Yuanbao noticed her fellow disciples hurrying about, their expressions grim. When she asked, they vaguely claimed they were dealing with small bandits. Later, she saw Xue Hanyu trying to conceal an injury on his face.
He initially claimed he had fallen from the mountain. However, under her persistent questioning, Xue Hanyu reluctantly revealed the truth: many commoners in Beixuan City had been killed by the "demon fox." An angry mob had gathered at Qishan Gate, attacking anyone from the sect and demanding that Qi Yuanbao be handed over. They feared that if her soul were taken, it would bring disaster upon the human world. Xue Hanyu warned her not to venture outside, fearing the mob would "tear her apart."
