Fall in Love with a Fox Episode 26 Recap
> Fall in Love with a Fox Recap
Qu Zheng reflected on the extent of Baiwan's sacrifice, going to the Nonguple Palace knowing the danger, all to clear his name. Baiwan explained she wasn't afraid because proving his innocence was paramount, but she feared never seeing him again. Seeing her safe and sound, Qu Zheng insisted she must never take such risks again, declaring he would rather die than lose her. They promised to stay together forever.
The group arrived at the Black Spring Valley and decided to split into three teams to find Hu Qiqi, also known as Doctor Demon. They planned to use signal fireworks, each with a different color, to notify others if they found Hu Qiqi or encountered danger. Qu Zheng and Baiwan took the middle path, Su Zhuozhuo and Song Jianshan headed northwest, and Nameless and Jin Muqiu went northeast.
Nameless was specifically asked to take care of Jin Muqiu, while Su Zhuozhuo jokingly accepted Song Jianshan's reluctant offer to look after her. Su Zhuozhuo and Song Jianshan also expressed concern about Qu Zheng's recent strange behavior and unexplained symptoms, hoping Doctor Demon could examine him. Su Zhuozhuo and Song Jianshan quickly found themselves lost, despite having only walked for half an hour.
Su Zhuozhuo blamed Song Jianshan's poor navigation, while he suggested they simply pick a direction and keep going, rationalizing that at least they would eventually get out of the valley, even if they didn't find Hu Qiqi. Meanwhile, Nameless warned Jin Muqiu to be careful of the complicated terrain and poisonous thorns, even making road signs to prevent them from getting lost. Jin Muqiu noted his thoughtful nature.
She casually inquired about his plans after their mission was complete, and he stated he intended to join the effort to fight Jing Yuan, seeing it as his duty, and would then leave. Jin Muqiu reacted with disappointment, lamenting that she'd rather be trapped if that were the case, but quickly dismissed her comment when he asked what she said.
Baiwan, adopting a decisive demeanor reminiscent of Chu, took the lead, warning Qu Zheng about Hu Qiqi's expertise in poison from the Yan School. She instructed Qu Zheng to stay close and step exactly in her footprints as she scouted ahead, emphasizing the need for caution. Qu Zheng observed this commanding side of her, acknowledging that this was how Chu truly was – vigorous and in control.
He assured her that he loved her in any form, whether she was a little cook or a female hero. As time passed without success, Jin Muqiu pretended to be scratched by poisonous thorns, expressing pain. Nameless immediately became concerned and moved to help her, instinctively reaching to remove his mask to suck out the poison. Jin Muqiu stopped him, pointing out that removing his mask would break the rules of the Martial Arts Bet.
Nameless realized she had known his identity since they first met in the woods. He removed his mask, declaring that rules and the Martial Arts Bet meant nothing compared to her. Jin Muqiu confessed that she had lied about being injured and regretted making the bet in anger at the martial arts lake battle, which forced him to stay by her side silently as Nameless. He affectionately called her a silly girl and told her he didn't blame her.
He proclaimed that he wanted to be with her forever, whether he was Yu Linfeng or Nameless. She asked again if he would leave, and he definitively stated he would not, wishing only to stay with her forever, even if it meant living incognito. Su Zhuozhuo and Song Jianshan eventually managed to get out of the woods, finding a small wooden cabin they believed to be Hu Qiqi's residence.
Excited by their discovery, they sent a signal firework to the other groups. Entering the cabin, they found signs of recent occupation, including a half-copied prescription with dry ink, suggesting Hu Qiqi had left shortly before their arrival, around the time they sent the signal. There were multiple footprints, indicating Su Zhuozhuo and Song Jianshan had entered without encountering anyone or any fight, but they were suddenly attacked by an unseen assailant and knocked unconscious.
Qu Zheng and Baiwan arrived first at the cabin but found it empty, with no trace of Su Zhuozhuo or Song Jianshan. Jin Muqiu and Nameless arrived shortly after, with Nameless having put his mask back on. The four searched the area and soon found the injured and unconscious Su Zhuozhuo and Song Jianshan tied up. Upon questioning, the pair explained they were ambushed. They then discovered Hu Qiqi's lifeless body.
Qu Zheng examined him and determined he had died from the internal force of the Puyuan Canon. Jing Yuan arrived, accusing Qu Zheng of killing Hu Qiqi. Qu Zheng and Baiwan denied the accusation, arguing that Hu Qiqi was Jing Yuan's last hope to prove his innocence. Qu Zheng confronted Jing Yuan, accusing him of slaughtering the thirty-nine members of the Xu family five years prior, practicing demonic skills, and deceiving his own disciples.
Jing Yuan, seeing his plan unraveling and realizing he was cornered, effectively admitted to killing Hu Qiqi, stating he should have killed Qu Zheng, the last surviving member of the Xu family, years ago. As other martial artists, who had been alerted by a message from Qu Zheng, began to arrive, they recognized Jing Yuan's true nature and denounced him for his crimes and for framing Qu Zheng.
Jing Yuan became desperate, claiming they were no different from him in their desire for power. The others silenced him and vowed to eliminate him to protect the martial world. Jing Yuan boasted about his demonic power and attacked. A battle ensued, with Qu Zheng and Baiwan joining the fight against Jing Yuan. Due to the backlash from practicing the incomplete Puyuan Canon, Jing Yuan was quickly defeated.
Just as he was about to be captured, Qingyun appeared and rescued him, carrying him away. With his meridians severed and beyond saving, Jing Yuan lay dying. He confessed to Qingyun that the incomplete Puyuan Canon was dangerous to practice and that the missing pages Qu Zheng possessed held the method to resolve the backlash. He admitted he killed Hu Qiqi to protect his secret from the martial world.
He told Qingyun that he must now be decisive as the Young Host and regretted teaching him part of the Canon at the martial arts lake battle. Appointing Qingyun as the new Palace Master, Jing Yuan demanded that he avenge him by killing Chu and Qu Zheng and that he expand the Nonguple Palace. Qingyun agreed. Later, Zi Jing found a grieving Qingyun. Qingyun stated he no longer had a father.
Zi Jing pledged her unwavering loyalty and promised to gather the disciples to help him avenge Jing Yuan and lead the Nonguple Palace. Following Jing Yuan's exposure, the martial artists acknowledged his villainy and credited Qu Zheng with revealing the truth. While the other factions prepared to deal with the aftermath, Qu Zheng stated he had something important to do and left with Baiwan. They visited the graves of Qu Zheng's parents.
He told them that he had finally avenged their family and that the souls of the thirty-nine members of the Xu family could finally rest in peace. Baiwan, addressing them as her parents-in-law, vowed to always stay by Qu Zheng's side and take good care of him. Qu Zheng also promised to treat Baiwan well and live a happy life with her.
They decided to leave their past troubles behind, agreeing that from now on, he would simply be called Qu Zheng, and she would only be called Baiwan, discarding their old names associated with past hardships and identities, embracing their future together.
