Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 13 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Hu Fei felt deeply indebted to Yuan Ziyi for saving his life, especially after seeing the bloodstains still visible on the 9999 steps leading to the Weituo Sect’s entrance. He had learned from Liu Hezhen that Yuan Ziyi had carried him up these steps on her knees, one by one. Despite Yuan Ziyi downplaying the feat, Hu Fei tried to express his feelings.
However, she interrupted him, stating that if he truly wished to thank her, he should simply do whatever she asked from now on. Tragedy struck when the Epiphyllum room at Weituo Sect caught fire, later revealed to be started by the Second Eldest Senior, Yuchi Lian. Although the fire was extinguished, all the Epiphyllum flowers were destroyed.
Hu Fei, seeing no hope for a cure, resigned himself to the possibility of never recovering, even telling Yuan Ziyi that he hadn't wanted her to go through so much trouble just to save a cripple. Yet, Yuan Ziyi refused to give up, tirelessly searching the burnt ruins that night, though ultimately finding nothing. Witnessing Yuan Ziyi's despair, Liu Hezhen recounted the tale of the Epiphyllum goddess and Veda.
He suggested that if even deities missed their chance, mortals shouldn't cling to obsessions, as not everything in life goes as planned. Perhaps touched by Yuan Ziyi's sincerity, a single, withered Epiphyllum bud, previously revived and cared for by the former abbot in his study, was discovered by the Weituo Sect disciples. Seeing the bud, which promised a bloom soon, Yuan Ziyi patiently guarded it. She recalled her master's rebuke for her "greed" concerning Hu Fei.
Yuan Ziyi silently prayed that if the Epiphyllum bloomed that night and its dew could heal Hu Fei's leg, she would immediately return to Tianshan, dedicating her life to Buddha, with only an oil lamp and ancient scriptures as her companions. Meanwhile, Tian Guinong arrived in the capital and hosted a banquet at Juying Restaurant, lavishing gifts on three officials to secure an introduction to Fu Kangan.
Fu Kangan, however, informed Tian Guinong that he lacked neither wealth nor loyal servants, but rather capable individuals. He presented Tian Guinong with a task: to persuade Miao Renfeng, renowned as the world's foremost expert, to attend the World's Sect Leaders Gathering, implying his presence would elevate the event. This request deeply troubled Tian Guinong, considering his past estrangement with Miao Renfeng over Nan Lan. Yuan Ziyi successfully collected the Epiphyllum Dew, which remarkably healed Hu Fei's leg.
After several days of rest, they prepared to depart, bidding farewell to Liu Hezhen. To repay Yuan Ziyi for her kindness, Hu Fei insisted on carrying her down the mountain. He then comically feigned residual pain and numbness in his leg, clinging to her side, seemingly unwilling to part. Elsewhere, Feng Tiannan and his son fled in the dead of night, only to encounter a band of horse bandits. To their surprise, the leader was Liu Zhiguo, an old acquaintance.
Because Caoyun Wharf was the Feng family's business, Liu Zhiguo had been managing it for years, generating significant wealth for Feng Tiannan. Despite knowing of Feng Tiannan's recent troubles in Foshan, Liu Zhiguo remained loyal, offering assistance without question. Feng Tiannan, recognizing his predicament and Liu's unwavering allegiance, generously gave ten thousand taels to reward Liu Zhiguo's men, expressing hope for a future comeback.
As Hu Fei and Yuan Ziyi continued their journey, they shared a meal of mushrooms Yuan Ziyi had personally gathered and roasted. Listening to her recount tales from her past, Hu Fei grew increasingly curious about her true origins, especially when she mentioned Tianshan. Yuan Ziyi gently but firmly warned him not to pry into her affairs. Hu Fei, though he stopped asking, playfully pestered her to massage his leg, claiming it still felt numb.
Despite her outward annoyance, Yuan Ziyi's actions betrayed her underlying care as she massaged Hu Fei's leg. While doing so, she recalled a conversation with her master, All-knowing Nun, about significant events in the martial arts world. The Nun had discovered that the imperial court was using the guise of a World's Sect Leaders Gathering to incite infighting among martial arts sects.
With Chief Chen disengaged from Jianghu affairs, the Nun felt compelled to prevent harm to upright individuals and sought to visit various orthodox sects with Yuan Ziyi to formulate a counter-strategy. Yuan Ziyi suggested that if the righteous sects refused to go to the capital, the evil factions would miss their opportunity. She deduced that the court's invitation was merely a ploy to control the martial arts world by manipulating its leaders.
Her solution was to "absorb" these potentially malevolent sects by replacing their leaders, thereby preventing the gathering from happening at all. Soon after, Yuan Ziyi and Hu Fei arrived at Fengxiang Town. Since leaving the mountain, they had been under surveillance, though Hu Fei remained unaware. He continued to feign leg pain to justify staying at an inn, and they ended up in the only available room.
His jests about Yuan Ziyi aging quickly if she stayed angry and his playful suggestion that she might "shave her head to become a beautiful little nun" angered her. Yuan Ziyi warned him to keep quiet, threatening to ignore him completely if he spoke another word. Hu Fei, recognizing her seriousness, fell silent. He briefly considered buying her jewelry to apologize, but Yuan Ziyi had already turned and walked away.
