Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 2 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recaps
Fu Kangan and his entourage hurried their journey to Shang's Fort, aiming to arrive before nightfall. Meanwhile, at Shang's Fort, Ma Xingkong felt a profound sense of foreboding, realizing that if he insisted on leaving, his daughter and apprentice might be endangered before they even stepped out of the estate. His daughter, Ma Chunhua, asked him why he was so troubled.
Ma Xingkong revealed a long-held secret: thirteen years ago, he was injured in a fight with Shang Jianming, an opponent he lost to, and it took him half a year to recover. Less than half a month after that battle, Shang Jianming died at the hands of Hu Yidao. Ma Chunhua expressed confusion, suggesting they simply explain the truth to Old Madam Shang, as her father wasn't the killer.
However, Ma Xingkong then disclosed that Hu Yidao also died within five days of Shang Jianming, killed by Miao Renfeng. Aware of her son Shang Baozhen's affection for Ma Chunhua, Old Madam Shang had previously indicated that if Ma Xingkong agreed to the marriage, she might consider forgetting the grudge between their families. Shang Baozhen, overjoyed by his mother's words, excitedly ran to Ma Chunhua to tell her about the impending wedding.
Ma Chunhua, having no romantic interest in Shang Baozhen, strongly objected. Her senior apprentice brother, Xu Zheng, was equally furious. To prove his mother's sincerity, Shang Baozhen led them to the main hall, where Old Madam Shang and Ma Xingkong were engaging in polite conversation. As Old Madam Shang was about to formally propose a marriage between Shang Baozhen and Ma Chunhua, Ma Xingkong preemptively stated his own intention.
He explained that besides his daughter, he had only one apprentice, Xu Zheng, whom he regarded as his own son. Since Xu Zheng and Ma Chunhua got along well, Ma Xingkong wished to use Shang's Fort as the venue to arrange their marriage. This announcement stunned Ma Chunhua, Xu Zheng, and Shang Baozhen outside the hall. Xu Zheng was ecstatic, while Shang Baozhen was devastated. Ma Chunhua, however, angrily turned and left.
When Hu Fei later asked what was wrong, Ma Chunhua complained that she liked neither her stubborn senior apprentice nor the childish Young Master Shang, lamenting that marriages were decided by parents, a concept Hu Fei didn't fully grasp. Hu Fei, wanting to cheer her up, took her to a hillside where they laughed while he pushed her on a swing, encouraging her to go higher.
As Ma Chunhua and Hu Fei enjoyed themselves, Fu Kangan's procession arrived from the north, halting just outside Shang's Fort. Fu Kangan, finding the capital boring and drawn by Ma Chunhua's laughter, decided to stay for a few days. Old Madam Shang, with her son Shang Baozhen, rushed to greet him, respectfully kneeling before him, a gesture that clearly indicated Fu Kangan's extraordinary status.
Fu Kangan courteously asked her to rise and sent her back, stating he had duties to attend to but would visit Shang's Fort soon. As Ma Chunhua and Hu Fei walked away, the swing rope snapped, but Ma Chunhua gracefully landed on her feet, unharmed, her agility further catching Fu Kangan's eye. Ma Chunhua, despite her departure, frequently glanced back at Fu Kangan, her curiosity piqued.
Meanwhile, Miao Renfeng, after a long journey, finally arrived at the Medicine King Valley, seeking Master Yi Chen, the Chief of the Medicine King Sect. He insisted on entering the inner hall but promptly retreated upon seeing a young girl in a medicinal bath. Later, when Master Yi Chen was available, Miao Renfeng presented a blood-stained handkerchief.
He explained that thirteen years ago, he had a martial arts contest with Hu Yidao, which was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but it tragically ended in Hu Yidao's death due to poison on his own saber, becoming Miao Renfeng's lifelong regret. For thirteen years, Miao Renfeng had searched for the poisoner and finally found Master Yi Chen, hoping he could identify the poison and the culprit.
Master Yi Chen, bound by the Medicine King Valley's rule of exchanging a life for answers, offered Miao Renfeng a cup of tea, saying if he was willing to trade his life for the answer, he should drink it. Miao Renfeng, without hesitation, drank the tea. Master Yi Chen then revealed that he did not know who administered the poison but asserted that the Medicine King Valley never used poisons without antidotes.
He then challenged Miao Renfeng to kill him if he didn't believe him. Miao Renfeng, accepting the answer, respectfully left. Unbeknownst to Miao Renfeng, Master Yi Chen had indeed given him a cup of tea with an antidote earlier, subtly testing Miao Renfeng's character, which was proven by his forthrightness. Elsewhere, Ping Gui cautiously entered Yan Ji's mountain stronghold, attempting to retrieve the Hu family's saber manual.
He instructed Hu Fei to wait outside and escape if he didn't return within a specific time, refusing Hu Fei's offer to go in instead. Ping Gui, however, was struck by a poisoned arrow during the mission and critically wounded. Yan Ji and his men relentlessly pursued Ping Gui and Hu Fei down the mountain. Ping Gui, gravely injured, told Hu Fei he couldn't go on.
Hu Fei, distraught, begged him not to die and tried to drag him to safety. With his last breaths, Ping Gui recounted how Hu Fei's father had saved his life many years ago. He implored Hu Fei to practice martial arts, grow up, find Miao Renfeng to avenge his father, and be an upstanding hero like Hu Yidao. He made Hu Fei promise to stay alive, emphasizing that only by living could he exact revenge, before succumbing to his wounds.
After burying Ping Gui that very night, Hu Fei concealed the Hu family's saber manual in the grass. Yan Ji's relentless pursuit continued, forcing Hu Fei to a cliff edge, where he ultimately fell. Fortunately, Miao Renfeng, who was passing by the river below, rescued him. When Hu Fei awoke, he was initially hostile, but Miao Renfeng calmly explained that he had saved him from the water. Hu Fei, still wary, found himself conversing with Miao Renfeng.
Miao Renfeng asked about Hu Fei's martial arts, noting his "master isn't so great" and jokingly offering to become his new master. Hu Fei retorted that he would never take Miao Renfeng as a master, citing his perceived lack of skill. Miao Renfeng merely laughed, suggesting Hu Fei consider the offer for a few days. Yan Ji, watching from the forest, fumed, realizing that Hu Fei, now rescued by Miao Renfeng, complicated his plans.
Back at Shang's Fort, a gathering of martial artists arrived, including Chen Yu of the Taiji Sect, Zhou Tiejiao and his brothers from the Yanxing Sect, Qin Naizhi, the "Eight-armed Nezha," and Chang Yiji. Old Madam Shang greeted them, introducing Shang Baozhen to these esteemed seniors, many of whom were former colleagues and friends of her late husband.
Old Madam Shang then made a heartfelt plea, asking them to help capture Miao Renfeng and bring Shang Baozhen along so he could personally avenge his father. She presented lavish gifts, claiming they were from her late husband Shang Jianming. When the martial artists hesitated, citing the danger of confronting Miao Renfeng without Fu Kangan's approval, Old Madam Shang ordered Shang Baozhen to kneel and kowtow until they agreed to help.
Moved by her persistence and sorrow, the leaders, including Chen Yu, reassured her that they would indeed avenge Shang Jianming, their fellow schoolmate. Old Madam Shang then invited them to a side hall for drinks. Later, Old Madam Shang discreetly approached Chen Yu, offering him a personal bribe of gold and treasures.
She expressed her lifelong wish for Shang Baozhen, who showed great aptitude for the Bagua Knife, to follow his father's legacy and serve Fu Kangan, asking Chen Yu to speak favorably of him to Fu Kangan. Chen Yu, dismissing his attendants, acknowledged Fu Kangan would be pleased by a former subordinate's offspring joining him.
However, he subtly suggested that Old Madam Shang could do something more direct for Fu Kangan, making it easier for him to put in a good word. Old Madam Shang, perplexed, wondered what more she could offer as Fu Kangan lacked neither gold nor silver. Unbeknownst to her, Chen Yu knew of Fu Kangan's interest in Ma Chunhua, hinting that she should cater to his desires.
The thought of deliberately orchestrating the ruin of Ma Chunhua's innocence left Old Madam Shang feeling utterly defiled. Later, standing before Shang Jianming's memorial tablet, she wept, lamenting how her staunch character had stooped to such "filthy" methods for revenge and her son's future. Meanwhile, Yan Ji, observing the events, spotted Old Madam Shang's horse and formed a new, sinister plan. Soon after, a servant informed Ma Chunhua that Old Madam Shang wished to see her. Fu Kangan, observing Old Madam Shang's distress from afar, remarked to an attendant that such a method was "obscene," suggesting he was aware of the unsavory scheme being hatched.
