Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 19 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Guan Mu's father mourns the death of his young son. Gu Qingqiao expresses her doubts about Guan Mu's death, finding it suspicious. She questions why he would have scheduled a patient visit if he intended to commit suicide. If it wasn't suicide, she reasons, then someone deliberately placed his shoes by the river to create that impression, suggesting murder.
Ruan Shiqiong acknowledges the peculiarity but urges Gu Qingqiao to leave for Xiling immediately, stating he has informed their master, and they could get the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword quickly. Gu Qingqiao insists they must investigate Guan Mu's murder, stating she cannot bear to let him die without justice as he was their fellow disciple.
Ruan Shiqiong notes her deep bond with the Xiling disciples despite her primary goal of obtaining the sword, expressing his pleasure and hope that she will protect Xiling once she acquires it. Gu Qingqiao dismisses this, saying Xiling is secure under his protection. Lu Zizheng tells Gu Qingqiao to abandon the investigation and prioritize returning to Xiling for the sword.
He understands her urgent need for the sword in a way Ruan Shiqiong does not, hinting that she might not get another chance. Gu Qingqiao remains resolute in uncovering the truth about Guan Mu's death. Unable to persuade her, Lu Zizheng arranges for a Taoist priest to visit Guan Mu's family and advise them to bury their son quickly, suggesting a wrongful death could bring misfortune if the burial is delayed.
Gu Qingqiao, Lu Huahua, and other Xiling disciples approach Guan Mu's grieving father as he prepares for the burial. They plead with him to delay the funeral, explaining their suspicion of murder and their intention to find the killer. The father is torn, having been told by both the officials and the Taoist that it was suicide and prompt burial is necessary. Lu Huahua passionately vows to avenge Guan Mu with her life if he was murdered.
The disciples assure the father that Xiling will not forsake one of its own. Moved by their sincerity, Guan Mu's father agrees to trust them and postpones the burial, offering a deserted yard at Mr. Liao's inn for them to keep the body temporarily, asking them to keep the reason discreet from other guests. As the disciples prepare the yard, Lu Zizheng stands aside, seemingly detached. Gu Qingqiao encourages him to help, speaking about human interconnectedness, which Lu Zizheng rejects.
Ruan Shiqiong suggests Gu Qingqiao accompany him to visit an acquaintance who might help identify the unique martial art suspected in Guan Mu's death. They travel to a remote mountain dwelling. Upon arrival, they find the dwelling isolated with a tombstone nearby. Ruan Shiqiong reveals it belongs to his Senior Sister, Shan Yao.
He recounts the devastating battle fifteen years prior against the Sacred Blood Sect, where seven masters fought; five died, two, Song Qi and Shan Yao, went missing, and their master survived only because he was injured and couldn't participate. Song Qi, one of the missing masters, appears and is initially cold, telling Ruan Shiqiong he is not welcome.
Gu Qingqiao introduces herself as a junior disciple and respectfully acknowledges Song Qi's past heroism in defending Xiling, appealing to him to help investigate the recent death of a fellow disciple. Song Qi refuses, saying he has left the martial world behind. Ruan Shiqiong attempts to persuade him, reminding him of their history and acknowledging Song Qi was once considered the best martial artist.
Inside, Song Qi offers them tea made from dried bamboo leaves, a method his wife taught him. He confirms a painting is of his late wife, Shan Yao, who died ten years ago, and the tomb in the yard is hers. Gu Qingqiao apologizes for the insensitive topic. Song Qi accepts her apology, stating it was long ago. He inquires about their master, and Ruan Shiqiong says he is well.
Song Qi reminisces about the master being troublesome and Ruan Shiqiong being the youngest disciple, recalling Shan Yao predicting Ruan Shiqiong's extraordinary future. He accepts the past cannot be revisited and asks what they want. Ruan Shiqiong asks him to examine Guan Mu's body to determine the type of martial art that killed him. Song Qi again declines, unwilling to re-engage with the martial world.
Observing Song Qi's home, Gu Qingqiao notes his deep devotion to Shan Yao, preserving everything as it was when she was alive, including her favorite kites and camellias, which she realizes helps him cope with his grief. Ruan Shiqiong explains that Song Qi had intended to die with Shan Yao, but he saved him, though Song Qi became a different person afterward, living a repetitive life. He then reveals that Shan Yao died because of him.
He recounts the past: when Shan Yao was gravely ill, Song Qi begged their master to use the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword's spiritual power to save her, but the sword was in the Jiuqing Secret Cave only the master could access. Song Qi implored Ruan Shiqiong, the master's favored disciple, to ask for help. Ruan Shiqiong explained the complexity of using the sword. Song Qi offered his own life in exchange for Shan Yao's.
The master refused, sending Ruan Shiqiong to escort Song Qi out. The master later revealed to Ruan Shiqiong that saving Shan Yao with the sword required her to sacrifice her heart, which would kill Ruan Shiqiong, and even if she lived, she would be like him, "though alive, like dead," cursed by the sword. The master refused to let the curse continue.
Shan Yao died, making Ruan Shiqiong promise her something and expressing a wish to fly kites with Song Qi again. Song Qi tried to burn himself with her body, but Ruan Shiqiong saved him. Ruan Shiqiong tells Gu Qingqiao that meeting her has reminded him of the pain of that time and his regret. Gu Qingqiao shares her understanding of death, describing three stages, suggesting that remembrance keeps a person from the final death.
She tells Ruan Shiqiong that because Song Qi remembers Shan Yao, she is not truly gone, and cherishing life is the best way to remember the departed. Ruan Shiqiong expresses his gratitude and hopes she never experiences such regret, pondering whether the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword truly saves people and hoping it does, so she won't feel as helpless as he did when facing the loss of a loved one.
Gu Qingqiao attempts to lighten the mood by suggesting they get something to eat. Meanwhile, the Xiling disciples at the inn search anxiously for Lu Zizheng throughout the night after Guan Mu's death. The following morning, Gu Qingqiao finds him, having initially feared he had left without notice. Lu Zizheng states he returned to help quickly resolve the truth about Guan Mu's death so they can return to Xiling for the sword.
He admits he considered leaving but couldn't leave her alone. Lu Zizheng and others discuss who might have seen Guan Mu before his death. They decide to question the Herbal King Valley people, as they were in town for medical visits. They find Shen You and ask if he saw Guan Mu. Shen You confirms he spoke to Guan Mu by the river around dawn on the day he died, telling him others were looking for him.
Guan Mu mentioned he had a patient appointment, and they parted ways. Gu Qingqiao, Lu Huahua, and others return to Song Qi's house to pay respects to Shan Yao, bringing camellias. Gu Qingqiao tells Song Qi that if he doesn't agree to help, she will stay by Shan Yao's tomb until he does. Song Qi notes Gu Qingqiao's pure heart and resemblance to Shan Yao, expressing reluctance for her to suffer.
Lu Huahua also earnestly pleads for his help to find justice for Guan Mu. Moved by their sincerity, particularly Gu Qingqiao's determination, Song Qi agrees to accompany them back to the inn. He thanks Gu Qingqiao for the camellias, believing Shan Yao would appreciate them. Back at the inn, Song Qi is introduced to the other disciples. He examines Guan Mu's body, observing a small red bleeding point near the temple.
He concludes that a dissection is required to definitively identify the martial art used. The disciples request waiting until after the "first three" days have passed before dissection, and Song Qi agrees, stating he also needs time to prepare. Ruan Shiqiong organizes the disciples to take turns guarding the spirit. Gu Qingqiao is on guard duty when Senior Bao appears, startling her. As Senior Bao examines the body, Guan Mu suddenly reanimates and attacks.
Senior Bao and Senior Fu Rong try to fight the reanimated body but are overwhelmed. Ruan Shiqiong arrives and subdues Guan Mu using the Prajna Palm. However, Song Qi notes that this move shattered Guan Mu's heart meridian, complicating the process of identifying the original cause of death, and he will need more time. Drawn by the sounds of the struggle, other disciples rush to the scene. They find Man Tianxing dead and Lu Zizheng standing nearby.
The disciples demand an explanation. Lu Zizheng confesses to killing her, claiming she attacked him first and he acted in self-defense. Ruan Shiqiong declares that Lu Zizheng must be punished for killing a fellow disciple according to sect rules. Gu Qingqiao intercedes, begging Ruan Shiqiong to spare Lu Zizheng and offering to atone for him. Lu Zizheng rejects her plea, asserting he did nothing wrong.
He challenges the other disciples' self-righteousness, arguing they would have done the same in his situation. He defiantly states that if anyone attacks him in the future, he will kill them regardless of who they are, including fellow disciples. He dares Ruan Shiqiong to kill him but reminds him that he, too, is a disciple of Xiling, implying Ruan Shiqiong would also face consequences.
