Dear Mr. Heavenly Fox Episode 9 Recap
> Dear Mr. Heavenly Fox Recap
Chang Yue carried the unconscious Qi Yuanbao back to the inn, only to discover that her heart veins were completely severed. Xue Hanyu, refusing to believe she was doomed, insisted on taking her home immediately, convinced his uncle could save her. Chang Yue urged him to calm down, explaining that the ferocious spiritual energy awakened in Yuanbao’s frail body had caused a severe backlash, severing her heart veins.
Meanwhile, Yunrong, also severely injured from her confrontation with Qi Yuanbao, was questioned by her Senior Brother and Junior Sister Shen. Yunrong explained that Qi Yuanbao's spiritual power had suddenly surged, making her no match. Junior Sister Shen expressed surprise, mentioning that Qi Yuanbao's spiritual power was supposedly cut off by her father. She then stated that with Qi Yuanbao's heart veins severed, she was sure to die, meaning Junior Sister Shen would no longer need to monitor her.
Upon hearing this, Yunrong's Senior Brother exclaimed in alarm, realizing the gravity of Qi Yuanbao's condition. A healer informed Qi Yuanbao's father that severed heart veins were beyond medical cure, stating that even their young master's intervention would be futile. Overcome with guilt for failing to protect her, Qi Yuanbao's father declared his intention to sacrifice his own life and cultivation to protect her heart veins, effectively trading his life for hers.
His disciples pleaded with him to reconsider, warning that even with his sacrifice, Yuanbao would only survive for three more months. Despite their pleas, he was resolute and dismissed them all. He then entrusted them with the task of caring for Yuanbao, asking only that she live her remaining days peacefully and without worry. Both Xue Hanyu and Su Qianqian felt immense guilt.
Xue Hanyu blamed himself for failing to protect Qi Yuanbao, lamenting that he was useless and couldn't even protect his uncle. Su Qianqian tried to comfort him, assuring him that he was never useless in her eyes. She reminded him that he had risked his own life to go back and save Qi Yuanbao, an act of great loyalty which she admired, stating that Qi Yuanbao loved him just as much.
She also reassured him that Qi Yuanbao, being a "troublemaker," was sure to be protected by fate and wouldn't die. Unbeknownst to them, Chang Yue approached the unconscious Qi Yuanbao. Despite warnings from an attendant that his Soul Essence was the vital source of the Sky Fox's power and crucial for him, Chang Yue disregarded them. He temporarily froze Qi Yuanbao's father to prevent interference and then extracted his own Soul Essence ("Mo Hun"), transferring it to Qi Yuanbao.
He explained that this Soul Essence could only sustain her life for one month and would temporarily ease her pain, urging her to keep the Soul Charm with her at all times. He declared that he would go find the true antidote that could save her, telling Yuanbao to wait for him to return. After Chang Yue unfroze him, Qi Yuanbao's father discovered to his astonishment that his daughter's pulse was gradually stabilizing.
He questioned everyone, but no one had seen anyone enter the room. Relieved, he announced that Qi Yuanbao was temporarily safe and decided against sacrificing his life. He ordered Xue Hanyu to send letters to all major sects, asking them to search for miraculous heart-protecting medicine, and commanded an immediate return to Qishan Sect. He privately wondered if a master had secretly intervened to stabilize her heart veins.
Back at her sect, Yunrong was severely reprimanded by her master for failing to capture Qi Yuanbao and for causing her heart veins to sever and spiritual roots to be lost. Yunrong defended herself, attributing it to Qi Yuanbao's sudden spiritual root eruption. Her master, however, decided that Qi Yuanbao was currently too gravely injured and weak to be useful for resurrecting the Corpse Puppet King, so they would wait.
Elsewhere, Huo Shuya (Huo Ping's father from the plot) overheard news that Qi Yuanbao's heart veins were completely severed and she wouldn't live much longer, causing him great concern. He informed Huo Ping that he would be going to Jade Peach Snow Mountain to find the Violet Scale Fruit, a treacherous journey to retrieve a rare herb from the cliffs.
Recognizing Huo Ping's deep affection for Yuanbao, his father allowed Huo Ping to join the dangerous expedition, instructing him to be extra careful. In turn, Huo Ping advised his father to be safe on his own journey to Suiyue Mountain. Seven days later, Qi Yuanbao finally woke up. She only remembered Chang Yue carrying her back to the inn after she collapsed, but nothing else from her unconscious state.
Xue Hanyu informed her that she had been asleep for seven days and seven nights. Su Qianqian's sister found Qi Yuanbao's recovery perplexing. Despite her heart veins supposedly being severed and her having only days to live, Qi Yuanbao had now fully recovered. She also received a letter from her father instructing her to "stay put" for the time being, preventing her from taking any immediate action against Qi Yuanbao.
Su Qianqian, believing her sister might want to return home, expressed her reluctance to leave, feeling it would be disloyal to abandon Qi Yuanbao who was injured protecting them. Qi Yuanbao discovered the jade pendant (Soul Charm) on her chest, recognizing it as Chang Yue's cherished possession. She asked Xue Hanyu about Chang Yue's whereabouts, wondering why he hadn't visited her since she woke up.
Xue Hanyu explained that Chang Yue had disappeared after her collapse and might have returned to Mount Taiyi. Soon after, her father entered, displaying an unusual level of gentleness and care, asking about her well-being, advising her to rest, and offering her special meals. His unprecedented kindness made Qi Yuanbao suspicious, leading her to wonder if she was secretly dying. Her father, seemingly flustered by her directness, quickly left, entrusting Xue Hanyu with her care.
Xue Hanyu remarked on her father's changed demeanor, noting he usually would have punished her. Later, Qi Yuanbao's father stood outside a locked room, lost in thought. He was overcome by memories of happier times when his family of three was together, recognizing that those days were now irrevocably lost.
Su Qianqian offered Qi Yuanbao a rare and potent heart-protecting medicine from the Su family, claiming it was to settle their debt, as Qi Yuanbao's injury was partly due to her. Qi Yuanbao playfully accused her of only wanting to save Xue Hanyu and saving her was just an afterthought, to which Su Qianqian retorted that it was because Qi Yuanbao was "too weak." They shared a lighthearted moment, bickering over the medicine.
Chang Yue was determined to venture into the treacherous Wan Lu Abyss to find the Pusa Leaf, the only known antidote that could save Qi Yuanbao. His attendant warned him that the Abyss was a deadly place, especially since he no longer possessed his Soul Essence. His aunt arrived and tried to dissuade him, questioning if he truly understood the fatal consequences of entering such a perilous place.
Chang Yue, however, was resolute, stating that he would regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't retrieve the Pusa Leaf for Yuanbao, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. His aunt questioned his priorities, asking if he truly valued a mortal woman above his own life. Chang Yue confirmed his dedication. His Grand Elder then appeared, admonishing him for prioritizing a mortal woman over his mission and the future of their fox descendants.
She reminded him that no one had ever returned alive from the Wan Lu Abyss in thousands of years. To make him "come to his senses," she struck him, causing him to cough up blood. Despite the blow, Chang Yue remained unwavering, kneeling and begging both his aunt and Grand Elder to allow him to undertake this quest. Seeing his determination, his aunt finally suggested they trust him and let him go.
