Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 21 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Feeling guilty about her past interactions with Lu Zizheng, Gu Qingqiao called out his name repeatedly, searching for him and asking where he had gone. Duan Yu appeared, asking if she was looking for Lu Zizheng and if she truly didn't want to see him. He stated it was "Better a quick death than prolonged pain." He asked about the poison she had previously been affected with, and she responded that her heart was poisoned, and he was the poison.
He tried to explain that he hadn't wanted to kill her at the time, only to save her, but she told him she didn't believe him. Speaking to his subordinate Xing Si, Duan Yu noted that Gu Qingqiao hated him more than he had imagined and insisted he could not allow her and Ruan Shiqiong to spend time together. Later, Gu Qingqiao was preparing sky lanterns, having forgotten to write on them. Ruan Shiqiong offered his help.
Duan Yu arrived, expressing that he and Gu Qingqiao had unfinished business, and addressed Ruan Shiqiong as "Predecessor Ruan." Gu Qingqiao pulled Duan Yu aside for a private conversation. She told him firmly that she did not know the Sacred Blood Sect and had no desire to get involved in the feud between them and the Duan family.
When Duan Yu tried to assure her he wouldn't let her get involved, she interrupted, stating that if he killed her, she naturally couldn't be involved. She declared that once she found the Four Treasures, she would disappear completely, saving him the trouble of killing her. She asked him to let her finish speaking and suggested they leave some good memories between them.
Duan Yu attempted to give her something and ask one question, stating that he had truly loved her. Gu Qingqiao discussed her past with Duan Yu with her Senior Sister, Miss Fu Rong, and their fellow disciple, Lu Huahua. Her Senior Sister and Lu Huahua reacted protectively, calling Duan Yu heartless. Gu Qingqiao clarified that the events were from a long time ago and that she just wanted him to recover quickly and leave the mountain.
Miss Fu Rong agreed to ensure he healed properly. Later, Miss Fu Rong was shown deliberately causing Duan Yu pain while dressing his wound, commenting that as the young master of the Duan family, he should be able to endure it. Xing Si observed this, noting that the medicine seemed to have pain-relieving properties and concluding that the Xiling disciples did not want Duan Yu to stay.
Duan Yu acknowledged that Gu Qingqiao misunderstood him and that their hostility was understandable. Duan Yu met with Predecessor Wang, who examined his injury, confirming it was healing well after about a month. Duan Yu praised Xiling's medical skills and Predecessor Wang's expertise.
He then requested to stay longer to recuperate and take the famed medicinal baths, reasoning that leaving too soon would be discourteous given the historical alliance between the Duan family and the Xiling Sect against the Sacred Blood Sect. Predecessor Wang granted permission for him to stay. Gu Qingqiao confided in Ruan Shiqiong about her identity as the Star of Rebellion, showing him the five-petal mark on her leg as proof.
She explained that three petals had already turned black, and a fourth was starting to turn. She told him someone had informed her that she would die if all the petals turned black, and she had already felt her strength significantly diminish. She stated that the only way for her to save herself was to pull out the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword and find the Four Treasures, questioning whether the sword's power alone would be sufficient.
Ruan Shiqiong informed her that his Master had replied and would be returning to Xiling soon, which brought Gu Qingqiao hope that she would soon be able to pull the sword out. The head of the Xiling Sect, Zhang Sifeng, made a dramatic return to the mountain, expressing shock and anger at the changes, particularly the opening of the Penglai Bathhouse. He caused a scene in the bathhouse.
Gu Qingqiao was informed about the commotion and, upon arriving, realized the troublesome old man was her Master, Zhang Sifeng. She attempted to appease him by offering him food after his journey, but he loudly refused. Gu Qingqiao later prepared dishes for him, including braised pork, which he again publicly refused to eat. Ruan Shiqiong quietly informed Gu Qingqiao that Zhang Sifeng was vegetarian.
However, when left alone, Zhang Sifeng eagerly consumed the braised pork and then called out to Gu Qingqiao (addressing her as "Qing") to ask for water. Ruan Shiqiong reported to Zhang Sifeng, confirming that the sword seeker had appeared.
He explained that when Dongfangchun Jiaoqing (Gu Qingqiao) touched him, the Black Wood power within him resonated with her, restoring parts of his true self and allowing him to feel emotions like joy and sorrow again, which he hadn't felt in a long time. He explicitly stated his decision to pull the sword for her. Zhang Sifeng feigned illness, claiming a headache and ringing ears, citing his advanced age (104) and need for rest, dismissing Ruan Shiqiong's words.
Ruan Shiqiong insisted that Gu Qingqiao would die if the sword wasn't pulled, but Zhang Sifeng continued to pretend not to hear. Duan Yu visited Zhang Sifeng, offering gifts as a gesture of gratitude for the medical treatment he received in Xiling. Zhang Sifeng mentioned having a past acquaintance with Duan Yu's father and praised Duan Yu's demeanor. He then probed Duan Yu, asking if he was acquainted with "Dong. . . what's her name?"
Duan Yu candidly admitted they had some past interactions. Zhang Sifeng found his honesty somewhat surprising. After Duan Yu left, Zhang Sifeng examined the gifts, which included exquisite items but were primarily valuable objects like a gold pot. He expressed disappointment that there was nothing interesting among them and concluded there was something "odd" about the connection between Duan Yu and "Dong. . . something Qing."
Zhang Sifeng summoned Gu Qingqiao, initially referring to her as "Pipa" and making disparaging remarks about her name and appearance, stating she didn't deserve the name "Pipa" and calling her "ugly." He demanded to know why she had come to Xiling. When she initially claimed she came to learn medicine, he physically confronted her, threatening to kill her if she didn't tell the truth.
Under pressure, she confessed that she had a strange illness treatable only by the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword and that she would die without it, confirming her identity as the Star of Rebellion. She denied conspiring with Duan Yu, stating they met by chance. Asked who else knew about her situation, she revealed Ruan Shiqiong knew and presented Zhang Sifeng with a written agreement from Ruan Shiqiong promising to help her.
Zhang Sifeng took the paper, examined it, and then proceeded to eat it, stating unapologetically that he would not keep his word. When Gu Qingqiao protested, he challenged her to fight him. He then declared that he would not give her the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword and demanded that if she wanted to live, she must cook him braised pork every day, mocking her eating habits.
In another conversation with Zhang Sifeng, Ruan Shiqiong noted that Gu Qingqiao resembled Senior Sister Shan Yao, insisting that this resemblance, along with her identity as the sword seeker, was why he felt a connection to her. Zhang Sifeng dismissed the resemblance and firmly refused to allow Ruan Shiqiong to risk his life for Gu Qingqiao's uncertain future.
Ruan Shiqiong was later seen speaking with Predecessor Wang, entrusting Zhang Sifeng to his care if he were "not around," stating he was going on a long journey. Gu Qingqiao spoke to Duan Yu, confirming that Xing Si had told her he had tried to protect her and wasn't trying to kill her. She stated she was no longer angry but reiterated that their destiny as enemies meant they could never be together.
She explained that she had come to accept her fate and the urgent need to find the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword and the Four Treasures, acknowledging the difficulty. She told him that sharing this with him had taken considerable courage. Duan Yu attempted to respond or intervene.
