Dear Mr. Heavenly Fox Episode 18 Recap
> Dear Mr. Heavenly Fox Recap
Distraught and walking alone through the streets, Qi Yuanbao was tormented by vivid memories of her past with Changyue, especially her confession to him on the Qiqiao Festival and his subsequent kiss, realizing those moments could never return. The pain of having wronged him brought tears to her eyes. Internally, she questioned what she had done to provoke such extreme actions from him, feeling he had left her with no choice but death.
Despite his accusations of her harming his people, she felt he never sincerely sought the truth, yet she stood by her sincerity, even if her initial approach was for cultivation purposes. While eating, Qi Yuanbao was accosted by angry townspeople who recognized her as the "demon woman." They cursed her for her perceived heartlessness and ingratitude, accusing her of causing their families' deaths and being bewitched by a demon fox.
Despite their accusations, Qi Yuanbao vehemently defended Changyue, asserting that he was not a demon fox and had killed no one. Her father intervened, urging her to compose herself and seek out the true culprit to clear Changyue's name and bring peace to the departed souls, noting that this was the demeanor of a Qishan Gate daughter and expressing pride in her.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Abyss, Changyue was being tended to by Yixuan, a woman arranged by the Grand Elder. Yixuan carefully dressed his wounds, a task Changyue previously permitted no one to perform. Yixuan also offered him Hundred Flower Solidifying Honey, explaining that his spiritual energy was severely depleted and the concoction would alleviate his pain and aid recovery. Changyue thanked her.
Observing this, an attendant remarked on Yixuan's meticulous care, noting how Changyue treated her differently from others, who were never allowed near him. They speculated that Changyue's current openness stemmed from heartbreak caused by the "unfaithful, heartless, and ungrateful woman" from the mortal realm, Qi Yuanbao. Later, Changyue asked the Grand Elder about her investigation into the Phantom Fox Needle.
She reported that the access records for the Treasure Pavilion had been completely erased, indicating the perpetrator’s thorough preparation and suggesting it was someone with intimate knowledge of the place, as very few could enter. Qi Yuanbao spoke with her father, expressing her confusion over the motive behind the killings in the city and the framing of Changyue. She wondered if it was merely to incite conflict between cultivators and Changyue.
Her father clarified that the true aim was to provoke a confrontation specifically between her and Changyue. He then revealed to Qi Yuanbao the ancient rumors of the Corpse Puppet King and the Spirit Child—a powerful entity that once wrought havoc upon the world, and a prophesized savior. To her shock, he explained that she was the Spirit Child.
He elaborated that the culprits, coveting the Corpse Puppet King's power, orchestrated the conflict to prevent Changyue from reclaiming her soul essence, thus allowing them to take her to Fragmented Moon Mountain to awaken the Corpse Puppet King. Qi Yuanbao's father further linked this to Huo Chen's earlier accidental entry into the Corpse Puppet King's demon tomb, implying that the culprits wished to silence him and monopolize the Corpse Puppet King's power.
Qi Yuanbao realized that the culprit must be someone close to them, as they were intimately aware of their affairs, including the breach of the Demon Exorcism Array at Qishan Gate and the rumors spread during her wedding to Huo Shuya. She deduced that the culprit's possession of a Phantom Fox Needle suggested possible collusion within the fox tribe. Determined to uncover the truth, Qi Yuanbao declared her intention to go to the Northern Abyss.
Despite her father's warnings that the culprits would try to stop her, she resolved to proceed, even if it meant appearing to go to Fragmented Moon Mountain to fulfill their wishes. Meanwhile, the barrier protecting the Northern Abyss continued to weaken, with tremors becoming increasingly frequent. Changyue's attendants blamed Qi Yuanbao for having consumed his soul essence, which prevented him from ascending and reinforcing the barrier.
Changyue informed them of another method recorded in the "Northern Abyss Chronicles": if a Celestial Fox could not ascend, they could refine their spiritual power and spirit body at the Departure Altar for twenty days to forge an indestructible barrier that would last a century. His attendants, alarmed, realized he intended to sacrifice himself. Changyue confirmed it was indeed time. In a separate conversation, Su Qianqian approached Xue Hanyu, who was making chicken soup for his grieving cousin Qi Yuanbao.
Su Qianqian suggested they meet less frequently to avoid upsetting Qi Yuanbao further. Xue Hanyu, surprised by her sudden cooperativeness, agreed. To Xue Hanyu's surprise, Su Qianqian then announced she was returning to Suyun City the next day, stating her father deemed her skills insufficient for the investigation at Fragmented Moon Mountain and that she would only be a burden.
As she tearfully said goodbye, Xue Hanyu stopped her, giving her a comb and promising to come find her in Suyun City after his return, reminding her of all the delicious foods she had promised to treat him to. They made a pinky promise not to lie to each other, with Su Qianqian playfully calling him an "old dog" for suggesting lying would make one a "puppy." The next morning, preparations were underway for the journey to Fragmented Moon Mountain.
A junior sister inquired why Qi Yuanbao was wearing a bamboo hat. Xue Hanyu replied that she was heartbroken and her eyes were swollen from crying. As the group departed, Xue Hanyu and Su Qianqian (the real Su Qianqian) later discussed the successful deception. Su Qianqian, boasting about her acting skills, revealed that Qi Yuanbao had "slid and knelt" and pleaded with her to impersonate her, stating she couldn't manage without her. Xue Hanyu praised Su Qianqian's performance.
He warned her against peeking out, reminding her that her father and sister (and others) believed she was Qi Yuanbao, and she risked her father's wrath if he discovered she hadn't returned to Suyun City. Su Qianqian lauded Qi Yuanbao's "diversionary tactic," which allowed Qi Yuanbao to travel to the Northern Abyss safely while everyone's attention was focused on them. However, Su Qianqian was shocked to learn she would have to maintain the disguise for an entire month.
At the Northern Abyss, attendants fretted that Changyue would be gone forever, noting that after four days he would disappear. Back at the Departure Altar, Changyue began his self-sacrifice. The Grand Elder arrived, desperately calling out to him, urging him not to be reckless. Changyue solemnly declared that as the future Sky Fox, he had failed his duty by losing his soul essence, making ascension impossible.
He resolved to sacrifice himself to reinforce the barrier, despite the Grand Elder's warning that he would vanish completely. Changyue remained firm, stating that consolidating the barrier and protecting the fox clan was his inherent duty. He bowed deeply to the Grand Elder, whose pleas were in vain. She conceded that no one could sway Changyue once his mind was made up but, unable to fully relinquish her worry, followed after him.
Meanwhile, Qi Yuanbao, following her map, found herself at an unfamiliar location, not the Northern Abyss, and became disoriented. Just then, Changyue's aunt, having expressed her determination not to let Changyue sacrifice himself, pushed Qi Yuanbao towards the fading Changyue. Qi Yuanbao was overjoyed to see him, crying out his name and expressing relief at finally finding him. However, a visibly weakened and translucent Changyue glared at her.
He commanded her to stop, drawing his sword, and questioned her audacity in trespassing into the Northern Abyss, asking if she truly didn't deserve to die. Qi Yuanbao, realizing the depth of her past mistakes, admitted her culpability. She confessed to believing false accusations, wronging him, doubting him, and hurting him. As she tried to explain further, Changyue silenced her. Seeing his pain and hesitation, Qi Yuanbao took a knife and, knowing he couldn't bring himself to harm her, stabbed herself.
