Her Fantastic Adventures Episode 26 Recap
> Her Fantastic Adventures Recap
Gu Qingqiao felt the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword suddenly become very cold. She recalled that when she was alone in her room previously, the sword had become hot, leading her to wonder if Lu Zizheng was mistaken and Ruan Shiqiong was the sword spirit.
Duan Yu told her that as the Star of Rebellion, she should rely on her own senses to determine if a sword spirit existed, as only she could sense and control the power of the Four Treasures. As he spoke, the sword became hot again. Gu Qingqiao confirmed that Ruan Shiqiong's sword spirit truly existed.
She noted that the sword hadn't reacted at all when they left Xiling, but now it could convey meaning through temperature, indicating Master Ruan's consciousness might be slowly awakening. She wondered if the sword might become sentient. Duan Yu suggested this was likely another form of protection from Master Ruan. Gu Qingqiao accepted her role as the master of the Four Treasures and vowed to protect the sword spirit.
Magistrate Du's men were searching the entire city for his daughter, Du Ruoyun, but still couldn't find her. He was frustrated by their lack of progress and called them useless. His men explained that the search was slow because they couldn't announce her disappearance publicly, as doing so would ruin Du Ruoyun's reputation. Magistrate Du refused to issue a notice for that very reason and ordered them to continue searching secretly.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Du met with a figure known as Lord Shen Guan, who was revealed to be Lu Zizheng. Magistrate Du apologized for his daughter's impulsive actions. Lu Zizheng reassured him, stating it was fated and she would eventually return. He promised that Du Ruoyun would serve the Sacred Blood Sect and bring it glory, and he would grant her the position of Priestess when the sect was restored. Du Ruoyun was secretly staying in Xing Si's room.
Xing Si repeatedly urged her to go home, finding the situation inappropriate and worrying about her reputation if word got out. Du Ruoyun, however, refused. She felt she had lost all reputation after being rejected and having her engagement broken off by Duan Yu and didn't care about further damage. She didn't want to face her father or the town's gossip and blamed "them" for her predicament, demanding responsibility.
She felt she no longer seemed like a magistrate's daughter and unfavorably compared herself to Gu Qingqiao. Xing Si eventually allowed her to stay, but asked her not to open the door. He ended up sleeping by the door himself while she looked through his books. She commented that it was unfortunate he was only a guard. Gu Qingqiao went to find Duan Yu.
He told her that the Noble Families Congress was prepared and Lu Zizheng intended for the Sacred Blood Sect's return to be known to everyone. He mentioned that Du Ruoyun was still missing and noted Xing Si seemed unwell from lack of sleep due to the search. Duan Yu ordered the Wuyi Guards to also search for Du Ruoyun discreetly. Gu Qingqiao then asked about Master Kongkong.
Duan Yu said he had searched local temples without finding anyone named Kongkong and needed a portrait. Gu Qingqiao tried drawing but produced a picture no one could recognize. Duan Yu suggested she describe him while he drew. She described Master Kongkong as hairless with a long beard, big eyes, a short chin, and many wrinkles. Duan Yu's drawing was accurate. Gu Qingqiao praised him, calling him perfect for his skills, background, and looks, like a "Prince Charming".
Duan Yu called her a "deadly cute girl". Their conversation turned serious as they discussed their uncertain future. Duan Yu expressed his wish for her to live well, even if he were to die, which upset her as she didn't want to lose him. He said he felt the same. Shao Yi became increasingly worried about Du Ruoyun after three days of her disappearance.
He frantically told Xing Si he was going to search for her, even if he had to dig everywhere. Xing Si stopped him and revealed that Du Ruoyun was staying with him. Shao Yi confronted Du Ruoyun, calling her audacious. Du Ruoyun accused Xing Si of betraying her. Xing Si defended himself, saying Shao Yi was only worried about her.
Du Ruoyun resigned herself to being found but refused to go home, stating she was unable to marry and didn't want to face judgment. Shao Yi pointed out staying there would only worsen her reputation. She argued that if they kept it secret, no one would know, which Shao Yi called self-deception. He suggested she was acting irrationally due to anger. Du Ruoyun compared herself negatively to Gu Qingqiao, whom she called a joke but admitted was happy.
Shao Yi confirmed Gu Qingqiao's happiness, mentioning her fulfilling life in Xiling. Du Ruoyun lamented that she wasn't like Gu Qingqiao and couldn't adapt. She begged Shao Yi to leave her alone if he was her friend, wanting just a few more days of freedom from her identity as the magistrate's daughter. Shao Yi relented and asked Xing Si to house her for a few more days, promising to cover for his uncle, Magistrate Du.
Du Ruoyun expressed gratitude to Shao Yi and then included Xing Si. The Noble Families Congress was convened by Duan Yan. He announced that the Sacred Blood Sect was about to return. He recounted how his father had defeated their leader 15 years prior using the Qilin Bow after the sect had killed many people practicing their Blood Technique.
Duan Yan revealed that his father, Duan Sheng, had acquired the Heavenly Pearl, one of the Four Treasures, and to protect its location, he had split a map into four pieces, entrusting one to each of the four noble families present. Duan Yan warned them that the Sacred Blood Sect would undoubtedly seek these maps. Xu Xin of the Xu family declared his family's unwillingness to be involved further and offered to hand over their treasure map.
Despite Duan Yan and Principal Cheng urging him to reconsider, Xu Xin was resolute. Duan Yan then questioned if Xu Xin had betrayed them. Xu Xin confirmed he had joined the Sacred Blood Sect and attacked Duan Yan, stating he had trapped the attendees and demanded the other maps under threat of death. The other family masters ordered their guards to protect them, and a fight ensued.
After the battle, Duan Yan observed that Xu Xin, like the other defeated Sacred Blood Sect members, had committed suicide. He noted their fanatical determination and realized that if he could be ambushed, Great Master Zhang and Principal Cheng were likely also targets. Concerned for Principal Cheng's frail health, Duan Yan decided to change his route and travel to Jizhou to ensure his safety.
Meanwhile, Lu Zizheng received news that Duan Yan had been ambushed and was diverting to Jizhou to meet Principal Cheng, confirming it was part of his plan to catch them all at once. However, Lu Zizheng decided not to go to Jizhou himself, instead choosing to go to Xiling to settle something personally. He sent a message stating his intention to get the Heavenly Pearl first to open the gate of time and space, setting a challenge for Gu Qingqiao.
Gu Qingqiao found Du Ruoyun hiding in Xing Si's room while looking for Shao Yi. She initially suspected Xing Si was hiding a lover and teased him about it before discovering it was Du Ruoyun. Gu Qingqiao was surprised, but Du Ruoyun, accepting she was found, blamed Gu Qingqiao for the broken engagement and her subsequent humiliation, claiming Gu Qingqiao was responsible for everything. Gu Qingqiao rejected the blame, arguing the forced marriage was bound to fail regardless.
They exchanged insults and began to fight. Xing Si intervened, stopping them by sealing their acupuncture points. He apologized for restraining them and asked Gu Qingqiao to persuade Du Ruoyun. Gu Qingqiao refused, saying they couldn't reason together. Xing Si released Gu Qingqiao's points. Du Ruoyun then turned her anger on Xing Si, blaming him.
Gu Qingqiao tried to make her see that the forced marriage wasn't anyone's fault and that Xing Si had taken a significant risk by hiding her. Du Ruoyun remained defiant and ungrateful, insisting she would handle her own affairs. Frustrated, Gu Qingqiao left, telling Xing Si to handle her. Later, Gu Qingqiao spoke with her father, Mr. Gu. He noted she seemed upset and asked if she had been to the Duan Residence.
He reminded her about the broken engagement and advised her to stop interacting with Duan Yu, believing they were fundamentally incompatible. He admitted he was wrong to think marrying her to Duan Yu would bring her happiness and only wished for her to have a normal, peaceful life, free from complications. Gu Qingqiao understood his concern but explained she couldn't fully comply as she needed to help Duan Yu find the Four Treasures.
She assured her father there was no romantic possibility between them. Later that night, Xing Si brought Du Ruoyun a comb, only to find she had left a note. In the note, she stated she had returned home, apologized for not considering his difficulties while staying with him, and expressed her remorse. Du Ruoyun returned home and was grounded by Magistrate Du for ten days and ordered to copy family rules one hundred times for her disappearance.
She waited until he calmed down before stating she did not want to marry Duan Yu. Magistrate Du was furious, calling her actions ridiculous, especially after Duan Yu had already broken the engagement once and now she was refusing to marry. Du Ruoyun explained she had thought carefully and knew Duan Yu never liked her, so she would not be happy in the marriage. She questioned why she should marry someone if they wouldn't be happy together.
Her father scolded her for using such reasons like a commoner. Du Ruoyun adamantly refused, declaring she would not marry Duan Yu even if he beat her to death. Magistrate Du, accepting her resolve, sent a letter to the Duan family officially breaking off the engagement and severing all ties between the two families. Duan Yu's subordinate expressed concern about the implications for Lord Duan and mentioned Du Ruoyun's deep feelings for Duan Yu.
Duan Yu accepted the decision, stating he had been the one who inadvertently caused trouble for her. He declined his subordinate's offer to speak to her, believing it would only cause her more pain. Duan Yu privately reflected that he knew a relationship with Gu Qingqiao was impossible and wished to help her find the Four Treasures and return to her world as a way to repay her trust and assistance.
He knew finding the Four Treasures was her top priority. Lu Zizheng approached the Black Wood Human-shaped Sword and used a Soul-stealing Nail to temporarily seal its spiritual power, stating this would allow him to leave safely. He left a note for Gu Qingqiao saying he had urgent business and left first, adding narcissistically not to miss him. Sometime later, Shao Yi told Gu Qingqiao he wanted to enroll in Jizhou Academy to study.
He explained he hadn't been sleeping well and kept dreaming of someone named Xiao Wu, and needed a change of scenery. Gu Qingqiao agreed, feeling he needed a peaceful environment after recent events. Gu Qingqiao suggested to Shao Yi, Du Ruoyun, and Xing Si that the last of the Four Treasures might be with Shao Yi.
She reasoned that the previous treasures were found by or given to people she knew from her original world (Lu Zizheng gave her the Nine-turn Melodious Bell, Master Ruan gave her the sword, and Duan Yu found one in the Fire Crane Tribe), and only Shao Yi, Du Ruoyun, and Xing Si among their current group, besides Master Ruan, were people she knew from her modern life.
Shao Yi was surprised but agreed to look through his extensive collection of unusual items. They began moving and searching through many boxes. Du Ruoyun commented on the sheer volume of his possessions. Gu Qingqiao, thinking the Heavenly Pearl might be round, spotted a round object. Du Ruoyun quickly identified it as a "football" made by Xing Si, insisting it couldn't be the Heavenly Pearl and pushing it away. Gu Qingqiao was confused. Shao Yi didn't recall buying the item.
Frustrated that they couldn't find the Pearl, Gu Qingqiao wondered aloud why Master Ruan (the sword) had been so quiet lately. Meanwhile, back at the Xiling Sect, disciples were on high alert as ordered by Great Master Zhang Sifeng upon his return. Lu Zizheng arrived and was recognized as "Bai" by a disciple. Zhang Sifeng was happy and surprised to see him, also calling him "Bai". Lu Zizheng bowed, acknowledging his past transgressions.
Zhang Sifeng said it wasn't entirely his fault as he had been framed. They went inside. Zhang Sifeng asked about his relationship with Gu Qingqiao, and Lu Zizheng said she was his friend. Zhang Sifeng then asked his real name, Lu Zizheng. Zhang Sifeng recalled expelling him from the sect, seemingly related to Ruan Shiqiong's disappearance, and questioned why he returned if he hated Xiling.
Lu Zizheng admitted he did hold resentment but pointed out that even an honest person like Zhang Sifeng could feel a grudge. Lu Zizheng stated the purpose of his return was to report something: he had seen Master Ruan's sword spirit. This surprised Zhang Sifeng and confused the disciples who believed Master Ruan was merely traveling. Zhang Sifeng silenced the disciples, and Lu Zizheng corrected himself, saying he had misspoke. Zhang Sifeng then dismissed the disciples.
