Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 21 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Zhong's leader and his men, including the Hades of the South Sea, had already set an ambush at Miao's villa. The Hades of the South Sea confronted Sun Gangfeng, demanding to know Miao Renfeng's whereabouts. Sun Gangfeng defiantly stated that the Hades would have to go through him first if he wanted to see Hero Miao, declaring he would avenge Miao Renfeng's injured eyes.
Although they expected Miao Renfeng's blindness to have severely weakened him, the five attackers underestimated him and were quickly outmatched. Soon, many Tianlong Sect disciples leaped down from the rooftops, armed with weapons. As Sun Gangfeng tried to intervene, he was trapped by five men. Miao Renfeng, outnumbered and protecting his infant daughter, Ruolan, struggled to cope. Just then, Hu Fei arrived, dropping from above to fend off the numerous disciples.
Meanwhile, Cheng Lingsu, observing from a corner, quickly scattered some poisonous powder onto a water wheel, then doused their attackers with two buckets of the poisoned water. Hu Fei warned Miao Renfeng to hold his breath, explaining that someone from the Medicine King Valley had activated poison. Soon, many surrounding attackers collapsed, unconscious. Tian Guinong, angered by his subordinates' failure, arrived with more men, determined to kill Miao Renfeng himself, stating it was their destiny.
Hu Fei stepped forward, insisting that this was his personal feud with Tian Guinong, and told Miao Renfeng to take care of Ruolan. During their fight, Miao Renfeng recognized Hu Fei's "Hidden Sabre" as a Hu's Sabre Technique, even advising him to "not counter force with force," and noted that Hu Fei seemed to anticipate his moves. Hu Fei, using the Hu's Sabre Technique, easily defeated Tian Guinong.
Unable to fight back, Tian Guinong revealed that Nan Lan had suffered a miscarriage. He bitterly recalled how Miao Renfeng had heartlessly sent Nan Lan away when she came to see her daughter, not knowing she was pregnant with Tian Guinong's child. Days after being turned away, Nan Lan was heartbroken, and the child died.
Tian Guinong dared Miao Renfeng to kill him, but Miao Renfeng, shaken by the news, declared their feud settled and ordered Tian Guinong to leave and never return. Tian Guinong, furious, challenged Miao Renfeng to kill him if he truly was a man. On the way back, Tian Guinong struggled with internal injuries, coughing up blood, looking utterly defeated.
He refused to return to Tianlong Sect in such a state, unwilling to let Nan Lan see his shame, especially after failing to deliver on his promise to her. Tao Baisui then reminded Tian Guinong about the secret letter from the Red Flower Club that they had intercepted, a potential leverage against Miao Renfeng. Tian Guinong agreed, and they changed their course, heading for the capital.
Meanwhile, back home, Nan Lan was busy with her maids, preparing clothes and blankets for her child, eagerly anticipating a joyful family reunion with Tian Guinong and their baby. Full of hope, she rushed to the door to welcome Tian Guinong, only to find severely wounded Tianlong Sect disciples, who reported the disastrous outcome of the ambush. Hearing their account, Nan Lan was instantly plunged into despair. After the commotion at Miao's villa, everyone moved indoors.
Miao Renfeng learned that Cheng Lingsu was the direct disciple of the King of Poison. Out of deference for his past conflict with the King of Poison, he initially refused her treatment, despite her explanation that the potent poison required the Seven Pistil Chaenomeles Sinensis, which she had cultivated, to cure.
Cheng Lingsu clarified that her master, once known as Yi Chen, had changed his name to Wu Chen three years prior and had reached true enlightenment before his death, holding "no resentments, no regrets," thereby nullifying any past grudges. Lv Xiaomei added that even if he were alive, her master would want Cheng Lingsu to help Miao Renfeng. Recognizing the passage of time and the finality of death, Miao Renfeng eventually relented and accepted Cheng Lingsu's help.
Cheng Lingsu began the treatment with acupuncture, assisted by Hu Fei and Sun Gangfeng. She warned that the Seven Pistil Chaenomeles Sinensis, though a cure, would cause extreme pain upon skin contact for three days, followed by unbearable itchiness and numbness, before his eyes would finally heal. Lv Xiaomei helped Miao Renfeng to rest. Sun Gangfeng promised to care for Ruolan. Hu Fei, however, remained troubled. He stood silently, wrestling with his conscience, acknowledging Miao Renfeng as his father's killer.
He felt compelled to help Miao Renfeng heal his eyes, planning to face him honorably once his sight was restored, despite an inner voice reminding him of Miao Renfeng's superior martial arts and the increased difficulty of vengeance once he recovered. Lv Xiaomei noticed Hu Fei's silent and moody return to his room, finding his behavior puzzling given the positive turn of events. Emperor Qianlong was enraged upon seeing the Red Flower Club's letter to Miao Renfeng.
He explained to Fukangan that he had previously spared the Red Flower Club, not out of inability, but hoping they would repent and serve the imperial court. Now, however, the Red Flower Club was gaining momentum in Xinjiang and planning rebellious actions at the World's Sect Leaders Gathering. Qianlong declared that the nation could no longer tolerate them, and he would not allow any more failures.
Fukangan proposed a plan to allow Red Flower Club members to infiltrate the gathering before apprehending them all, eliminating future threats. Impressed by Fukangan's loyalty and diligence, Qianlong praised him, but also cautioned him to be wary of martial artists, reminding him to reward the loyal and eliminate the disloyal. As a mark of his trust and to facilitate his mission, Qianlong then bestowed his imperial sword upon Fukangan, granting him discretionary power.
Due to Tian Guinong's meritorious service, Fukangan publicly rewarded him with a jade thumb ring, a personal gift from the Emperor. Then, to the astonishment of all present, Fukangan bestowed upon Tian Guinong the Jade Dragon Cup, a symbol of ultimate supremacy among all martial arts sects, which was originally intended to be awarded at the World's Sect Leaders Gathering. This unprecedented favor drew effusive compliments from the other sect leaders, greatly boosting Tian Guinong's confidence.
He knelt to express his loyalty, vowing to uncover the full details of the Red Flower Club's upcoming plans. Fukangan, in turn, rallied the other martial arts leaders to assist Tian Guinong in this national endeavor, promising rich rewards for their efforts. Hu Fei grew increasingly conflicted, practicing his sabre techniques alone in his room.
He knew that Miao Renfeng was already the greatest master in the world, and if his eyesight were restored, defeating him would be an even more daunting task. Unbeknownst to Hu Fei, Miao Renfeng stood silently outside his door, using his heightened sense of hearing to discern the specific moves of the Hu's Sabre Technique being practiced, already forming a clear understanding of Hu Fei's identity. Cheng Lingsu cooked a simple vegetarian meal.
Miao Renfeng felt apologetic for not providing better hospitality. Sun Gangfeng offered to go to the market for meat to thank Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu, and assured Miao Renfeng he would take care of Ruolan while Miao Renfeng recovered. While others chatted, Hu Fei remained quiet, his face shadowed by a melancholic expression. Cheng Lingsu noticed his sadness and discreetly asked him about it.
Hu Fei denied having any worries, but Cheng Lingsu, recalling his honesty at Medicine King Valley, gently chided him for lying. Although she respected his privacy, she asked him not to lie to her again. Later, Cheng Lingsu informed Miao Renfeng that she would continue daily acupuncture and blood circulation treatments. Miao Renfeng expressed profound gratitude, asking how he could repay her, to which she humbly responded that he was "being too kind."
Miao Renfeng also thanked Hu Fei, remarking on his extensive travels and knowledge for his young age. Hu Fei humbly attributed it to his nomadic lifestyle. Then, Miao Renfeng asked Hu Fei a pointed question: if he had been to Shang's Fort six years ago.
