Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 20 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
When Xue Que sealed the entrance to the underground chamber, she believed Cheng Lingsu was trapped without recourse. However, Cheng Lingsu had placed a burning candle at the vent, causing the toxic smoke to reverse its flow and drift back into the underground secret room.
Jiang Tieshan and Xue Que, initially confident that the underground design protected them from rising smoke and that their master had disowned them, soon succumbed to the fumes and fell unconscious, unaware of Cheng Lingsu’s ingenious plan. Blacksmith Wang, amazed by this unprecedented phenomenon of smoke flowing downwards, helped Cheng Lingsu by chiseling open the entrance. Inside, Cheng Lingsu promptly treated Jiang Xiaotie, extracting the Seven Heart Begonia poison from him.
Jiang Tieshan and Xue Que slowly regained consciousness, their initial shock turning to joy as they saw their son alive, though a complex mix of emotions remained. Following Cheng Lingsu’s subtle cue, blacksmith Wang picked up a wooden stick and began beating Jiang Tieshan, who grimaced and endured the assault without resistance. Jiang Tieshan acknowledged his past wrongdoings, having seized blacksmith Wang's land, forced him to construct the iron house, and injured him, leaving him bedridden for half a year.
Hu Fei observed this, realizing that Cheng Lingsu had brought justice and allowed blacksmith Wang to release his pent-up anger. Once blacksmith Wang’s rage subsided, Cheng Lingsu instructed Jiang Tieshan and Xue Que to return the land and leave the area. She provided them with three bundles of Drunken Fragrance, explaining that the fragrance, though potent, was intended to deter pursuers without causing further fatalities or escalating existing feuds. Xue Que begrudgingly agreed to her terms.
As they exited the secret chamber, blacksmith Wang packed his belongings and asked Hu Fei his name. He then earnestly advised Hu Fei to treat Cheng Lingsu well for the rest of his life, claiming that any discerning person could see her affection for him. Hu Fei, taken aback, insisted they had only known each other for a day.
Unconvinced, blacksmith Wang continued to praise Cheng Lingsu as intelligent, kind-hearted, and skilled, urging Hu Fei to listen to her and keep her happy. Before they could fully depart, Jiang Tieshan rushed out, calling for Cheng Lingsu. He explained that the Drunken Fragrance required three equally skilled individuals to deploy effectively against enemies, implying that his son, Jiang Xiaotie, was too weak to contribute.
Cheng Lingsu, however, pointed to the basket she had carried, revealing that Murong Jingyue, their eldest senior brother, was inside. She suggested Jiang Tieshan seize this opportunity to reconcile with him, thus gaining a powerful ally for defense, and acknowledged that the beating he received helped dissipate the lingering poison in his system. After parting ways, Hu Fei remarked on Jiang Tieshan's unexpected gratitude, noting that only Cheng Lingsu could devise such a clever, mutually beneficial solution.
Cheng Lingsu and Hu Fei returned to the hut by daybreak. Lv Xiaomei awoke from her induced slumber, initially confused, recounting a dream of attending the Heavenly Queen Mother's Peach Party with the Barefoot Immortal. Hu Fei quickly informed her that Cheng Lingsu was the direct disciple of the King of Poison and was preparing to treat Miao Renfeng.
Lv Xiaomei, instantly apologetic for her previous hostility, now praised Cheng Lingsu for curing her long-standing pollen allergy with a single pill, a feat no other doctor had achieved. Cheng Lingsu modestly downplayed her skill. Hu Fei then formally requested Cheng Lingsu to treat Miao Renfeng's eyes. She agreed but asked him to promise her one favor, the nature of which she had not yet decided. Hu Fei readily accepted, vowing to honor his promise.
Before their journey, Cheng Lingsu, remembering her master's teachings to care for herself and uphold the sect's legacy, placed Nine-Round Restoration Pills into a satchel and respectfully bowed to her late Master Wu Chen's memorial tablet. Meanwhile, in the capital, Fu Kangan, basking in the Emperor's newfound favor, shared the good news with his mother, the Old Madam. He revealed the Emperor had approved funds for jade, golden, and silver dragon cups for the upcoming martial arts tournament.
The Old Madam, perceiving his strategy, correctly deduced that he had already distributed the most prestigious jade cups to powerful sects to win their allegiance. She laid out a grand vision: first, the martial world would be brought into the Imperial Court, then the Court would penetrate the martial world, and ultimately, the entire martial world would become subservient to the Imperial Court. Fu Kangan confirmed that inns for sect leaders were already under construction in the capital.
The Old Madam emphasized that this unique, hands-on guidance from the Emperor was a profound mark of imperial favor, and Fu Kangan vowed to live up to His Majesty's expectations. Elsewhere, Tian Guinong, still smarting from his previous failed assassination attempt on Miao Renfeng, convened a meeting with four formidable martial artists: Silver-Haired Lion Sun, Chang Shengtian, Buddha's Hand Lan, and South Sea Ghost King.
Each of them harbored deep-seated hatred for Miao Renfeng, recounting personal tragedies at his hands, yet all admitted their apprehension due to his unfathomable martial skills. Just then, Zhong's Eldest Brother emerged from a back room, delivering crucial news: Miao Renfeng had been blinded by poison and was no longer the invincible warrior he once was. This revelation ignited their morale, and they eagerly resolved to mobilize their disciples and launch a full-scale assault on Miao Renfeng.
For Miao Renfeng's safety, Sun Gangfeng had found a secluded mountain cave. Concerned for his daughter Ruolan, Miao Renfeng instructed Sun Gangfeng to start a fire for warmth, despite Sun Gangfeng's warnings that the smoke might attract their enemies. Miao Renfeng, though, dismissed the threat, confident he could handle "a few thieves." However, the damp conditions of the cave caused Ruolan to develop a fever.
Sun Gangfeng expressed his concern that if not treated promptly, it could lead to lasting health issues. Miao Renfeng, though downplaying her condition as a "slight fever," resolved to descend the mountain to purchase medicine the following morning. He also spoke of Hu Fei, praising his good heart, exceptional martial skills, and heroics, expressing confidence that he would successfully bring the King of Poison for his treatment.
Meanwhile, resting in a dense forest, Hu Fei sat under a tree, lost in thought as he gazed at a wooden comb. Lv Xiaomei, now cheerfully calling Cheng Lingsu "Sister Cheng" after her pollen allergy was cured, approached Hu Fei. She playfully inspected his bag, discovering simple clothes, a saber manual, and a withered blue flower that Cheng Lingsu had given him, which pleased Cheng Lingsu to see he still cherished.
However, Lv Xiaomei then spotted the wooden comb in Hu Fei's hand and, realizing it was meant as a gift for a beloved, pressed him for details about his "sweetheart," asking if she was as kind as Sister Cheng. Cheng Lingsu, overhearing this, felt a pang of sadness. Hu Fei, to avoid further questions, urged Lv Xiaomei to sleep, warning that staying up late would negate the effects of her medicine.
Back at Miao's villa, Tian Guinong and his men found the property deserted, despite their disciples having kept watch for two days and nights, guarding all exits without success. Zhong's Eldest Brother reasoned that Miao Renfeng, with a baby, could not have traveled far. He volunteered to set up an ambush within the villa, confident they could "trap him like a turtle in a jar" upon his return.
Tian Guinong enthusiastically agreed, ordering Zhong's Eldest Brother to lead the Tianlong Sect disciples and other experts to hunt Miao Renfeng down, declaring they would "drink his blood and eat his flesh." The next morning, as dawn broke, Sun Gangfeng, concerned about Ruolan's ongoing sickness, informed Miao Renfeng that he would head to the town for medicine. Miao Renfeng cautioned him to be extremely careful and to flee immediately if he encountered any of their enemies.
