Flying up without Disturb Episode 8 Recap
> Flying up without Disturb Recap
After the tumultuous events at Yuanji Sect, where Kong Hou was nearly forced into a marriage and both Jin Ling and Zhou Xiao had their heart's blood taken, the immediate crisis had passed. Kong Hou, having discovered that the unusual flowers on the vines that had ensnared her were identical to those Jin Ling wore, suspected a connection. When Jin Ling, still recovering, brought her a meal, Kong Hou subtly questioned her about the flowers.
This prompted Jin Ling to investigate their origin herself, inadvertently leading her into danger. Worried, Kong Hou sought out Zhong Xi. Together, they, along with Zhou Xiao—who had been searching for Kong Hou after she disappeared from the bridal chamber—rushed to the backyard and rescued Jin Ling from a dark cultivator. During the pursuit, Zhou Xiao was injured, and as Zhong Xi attended to him, he confirmed that Zhou Xiao's heart's blood had indeed been stolen.
Kong Hou, while healing Jin Ling, found the same disturbing mark, indicating she too had been a victim. Zhong Xi, Kong Hou, and Zhou Xiao initiated a thorough investigation into the numerous disciples of Yuanji Sect. They observed several disciples practicing bare-chested, revealing that nearly all of them bore marks indicating their heart's blood had been extracted.
The disciples, including Mao Mao and Fu, were visibly exhausted, with some speculating that their strict training regimen was Zhou Xiao's way of venting frustration over Jin Ling's injury. Zhong Xi theorized that the heart's blood was being harvested to collect spiritual energy, which was then used to nourish the mysterious flower field they had found, though the ultimate purpose remained shrouded in mystery. He struggled to comprehend how such a delicate procedure could be performed without anyone noticing.
However, as Kong Hou changed Zhong Xi's dressing, a flash of insight struck her: acupuncture. She realized that only through precise acupuncture techniques could heart's blood be drawn subtly, making the victims unaware of the violation. Zhong Xi found her deduction plausible. They then approached Zhou Xiao for information about potential suspects, especially among the acupuncturists. Zhou Xiao admitted he couldn't identify anyone suspicious among the four officially recognized acupuncturists, as they had all been recruited from outside the sect.
He did, however, mention Zhang Feng, Master Shuang Qing's son, who had studied medicine from a young age but was known to be simple-minded, making him seem an unlikely culprit, despite also bearing a similar mark. Zhou Xiao suggested immediately informing Master Shuang Qing, but Zhong Xi advised against it, cautioning that the investigation was incomplete and premature exposure could alert the true mastermind. Disregarding Zhong Xi's advice, Zhou Xiao confided everything to Master Shuang Qing.
The Master was enraged to discover that a dark cultivator had infiltrated his sect and vowed to personally uncover the truth. The following day, in the presence of Zhong Xi and Kong Hou, Master Shuang Qing declared the investigation concluded. He presented a bound acupuncturist, explaining that he had once rescued the man from being bullied in Sanshu City and brought him into the sect, only to be betrayed.
He publicly expressed regret for his poor judgment in not recognizing the man as a dark cultivator. To "purge the sect's disgrace," Master Shuang Qing summarily executed the alleged culprit. He then dismissed Zhong Xi and Kong Hou, stating that Yuanji Sect would handle the remaining issues. However, the haste and public nature of the execution only deepened Zhong Xi’s suspicions, a sentiment shared by Lin Hu. Kong Hou expressed her unease, believing that Yuanji Sect harbored even darker secrets.
Soon after, a junior disciple urgently informed Kong Hou that Jin Ling was awake and wished to see her. Kong Hou excitedly rushed to Jin Ling’s side, only to find her still unconscious in bed. At that moment, Master Shuang Qing appeared. Elsewhere, Lin Hu reported his findings to Zhong Xi. He revealed that Master Huang Qi had elucidated a forbidden art practiced by powerful dark cultivators involving a plant called Roumanluo.
When a dark cultivator's physical body is damaged, they bury it in a spiritually rich location and cultivate Roumanluo around it. The plant then absorbs spiritual energy, nourishing and regenerating the damaged body, and produces vibrant, bewitching flowers as it thrives. Understanding the connection to the flower field, Zhong Xi declared their immediate need to destroy it. Before they could act, Kong Hou was captured by Master Shuang Qing.
He dragged her to the backyard, where the dark cultivator, revealed to be possessing Zhang Feng, used vines to absorb Kong Hou’s spiritual energy. In a tragic turn, Shuang Qing had been coerced by the dark cultivator, who held Zhang Feng's life hostage, forcing the Master to capture Kong Hou. Zhong Xi and Lin Hu arrived to intervene.
The dark cultivator, speaking through Zhang Feng, recognized Zhong Xi from a past confrontation, gloating that Kong Hou was responsible for the destruction of his original body. Zhong Xi confronted the possessed Zhang Feng, acknowledging that the real Zhang Feng was a victim. Zhong Xi managed to subdue the dark cultivator, but the tenacious vines still clung tightly to Kong Hou.
Just as Zhong Xi appeared helpless, Kong Hou’s fireproof robe, a gift from Elder Qiu Shuang, activated, burning away the vines and freeing her. Overwhelmed with relief, Zhong Xi embraced Kong Hou, who expressed gratitude for her miraculous robe. Although Zhong Xi had sustained severe internal injuries during the battle, he stoically concealed his pain from Kong Hou, merely stating he was fine when she inquired about his well-being.
Following the intense confrontation, Zhou Xiao led Zhong Xi and Kong Hou to Master Shuang Qing’s secluded cultivation cave. He explained that Shuang Qing was not complicit with the dark cultivators but had been desperately trying to save his son, Zhang Feng, who had been threatened. They found Master Shuang Qing consumed by grief, mourning Zhang Feng's death and lamenting the tragedy that had befallen his innocent son. Zhou Xiao offered his solemn condolences.
As Zhong Xi prepared to leave with Kong Hou, his hidden injuries proved too much to bear. He suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed. Kong Hou, alarmed, immediately began to regulate his energy, assuring him that she could help and urged him to hold on. Meanwhile, in a hidden chamber, a group of dark cultivators celebrated the manifestation of the forbidden art, believing it would ensure their lord's grand plan.
Elsewhere, various sect elders and leaders were engaged in a heated discussion. One elder argued that Kong Hou, having just descended the mountain, should be recalled due to the dangers she faced, citing a messenger talisman she had sent describing peril. Another countered, emphasizing that Kong Hou's journey was for cultivation, and she needed to learn to solve problems herself, not retreat at the first sign of trouble.
They acknowledged that Lin Hu's reports strongly suggested Jiu Su was indeed attempting to rebuild his body. To prevent widespread panic in the Lingyou Realm, they decided against a public announcement, instead instructing all major sects to reinforce their defenses. Concerns were raised about Zhong Xi's deteriorating health, with some suggesting he be recalled. However, others argued that Zhong Xi, dedicated to vanquishing evil, would never abandon his mission.
They believed that since Jiu Su had only recently restored his body and his power was not yet insurmountable, Zhong Xi still had a chance, and to prevent him from pursuing a cure would be a far greater blow to his spirit. Back at Yuanji Sect, Master Shuang Qing, utterly heartbroken, retreated from all sect duties, leaving Zhou Xiao to shoulder the immense burden of managing the sect.
Zhou Xiao, dedicating himself to caring for the still-unconscious Jin Ling, found his feelings for her deepening into an undeniable affection. He tirelessly watched over her, softly pleading for her to awaken and promising to fulfill her every wish.
Before their departure from Yuanji Sect, Zhou Xiao sincerely apologized to Zhong Xi and Kong Hou for his earlier actions, explaining that his hasty decision to inform Master Shuang Qing about the heart's blood was rooted in his belief that his Master would never harm them. He reiterated that Shuang Qing had been a victim of coercion and hoped that their sects would not become adversaries.
However, Lin Hu was stern, stating that Zhou Xiao still owed them an apology, especially given Zhong Xi's injuries, and that the matter of inter-sect relations was now beyond their control, to be decided by the elders. Despite her anger towards Yuanji Sect, Kong Hou showed compassion by giving Zhou Xiao a visiting card to Master Huang Qi's Residence outside Yuan City, advising him to take Jin Ling there for healing, as Master Huang Qi was a wandering healer.
Kong Hou expressed her disappointment that her original purpose of seeking Jin Ling’s guidance to resonate her phoenix-headed konghou was now thwarted. In return, Zhou Xiao suggested she seek out Jiao Tong, the foremost music cultivator in the Lingyou Realm, who resided in Yi City. Zhong Xi and Kong Hou, accompanied by Lin Hu, then set off for Yi City.
Along the way, Kong Hou, vibrant with excitement, enthusiastically shared tales of Yi City's romantic legends and renowned delicacies, all gleaned from a storybook titled "Ten Thousand Perfect Places" by Master Writer. Zhong Xi, amused, playfully asserted that Master Writer had never penned such a work, prompting Kong Hou to defiantly insist on her knowledge. With a sly smile, Zhong Xi then revealed his true identity as Master Writer himself.
Kong Hou, utterly disbelieving, retorted that if he were Master Writer, she would be the rightful sect leader of Yunhua Sect. Upon their arrival in Yi City, they were met with a peculiar sight: all the young women were accompanied by handsome men, and some even brazenly attempted to recruit Zhong Xi and Lin Hu for their establishments.
An inn attendant clarified that Yi City was the domain of the Hehuan Sect, a sect predominantly led by women, which explained the local custom of female companions. The attendant also informed them that while the Blissful Isle of the Hehuan Sect was easily accessible, meeting the esteemed Master Jiao Tong at the exclusive Jiao Tong Pavilion was a different matter.
The Pavilion operated only at night, catered exclusively to female guests, and acquiring a ticket was both difficult and prohibitively expensive. When Kong Hou expressed dismay at the exorbitant price, Zhong Xi, without a moment's hesitation, produced a large sum of money, insisting that she proceed to meet Jiao Tong without concern for the cost. Later, Kong Hou discovered Zhong Xi secretly engrossed in a romantic storybook called "Jade Immortal Bond," a genre she herself enjoyed. She playfully teased him about his unexpected literary taste and his shyness, trying to snatch the book from his hands.
