Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 22 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Miao Renfeng, suspecting Hu Fei's background, repeatedly attempted to gauge him, but Hu Fei maintained his facade of ignorance, refusing to admit any past encounters. Cheng Lingsu, aware of Hu Fei's deception, questioned him privately and learned the full story. Miao Renfeng recalled rescuing a young man from a burning iron chamber at Shang's Fort six years prior, noting that this rescuer wielded the Hu's Saber Techniques.
After observing Hu Fei use the same techniques in a recent fight, he concluded Hu Fei was that same young man. Miao Renfeng stated that Hu Fei's seamless mastery of the techniques, seemingly just by listening to his descriptions, indicated prior study. He thus deduced that Hu Fei's "Fourth Uncle" was the loyal servant Ping Si, making Hu Fei the son of Hu Yidao.
With his identity revealed, Hu Fei confirmed he was indeed Hu Yidao's son and demanded to know why Miao Renfeng had killed his parents. Miao Renfeng offered Hu Yidao's saber to Hu Fei, challenging him to defeat him with it to uncover the truth. In a fierce duel, Hu Fei wielded his father's saber against Miao Renfeng. Through the clash, Miao Renfeng seemed to relive his past confrontation with Hu Yidao and was ultimately defeated.
Overwhelmed, Hu Fei confronted Miao Renfeng about his conflicting actions—killing his parents yet guiding him. Miao Renfeng confessed that his youthful arrogance and a thirst for fame had led to the tragedy, expressing regret that "what's done can't be undone." He urged Hu Fei to strike him down, claiming this would reveal the truth. However, Hu Fei found himself unable to deliver the killing blow.
After Hu Fei departed, a gratified Miao Renfeng silently addressed the spirits of Hu Fei's parents, praising their son's righteousness and skill, predicting he would become a leader in the martial arts world. Distraught, Hu Fei stood before his parents' memorial tablet, lamenting his inability to avenge them, feeling he had failed them and his Fourth Uncle. Cheng Lingsu later spoke with Hu Fei, reiterating her belief that Miao Renfeng was unaware the blade was poisoned.
She recounted her own history as a dying orphan saved by her master, Master Wu Chen. She remembered overhearing Miao Renfeng's visit to Medicine King Valley, seeking answers about the poison on Hu Yidao's saber. Master Wu Chen, misinterpreting his intentions, accused him of trying to either shift blame or seek validation of his innocence. Miao Renfeng clarified that he only sought answers and demanded respect for his friend.
Cheng Lingsu reflected that if Miao Renfeng and her master had set aside their pride and communicated calmly, the poison's origin could have been uncovered, a fact her master always regretted. She also explained she came to help because she discovered the poison affecting Miao Renfeng's eyes was a unique formula from Medicine King Valley, which only she, with the rare Seven Pistil Chaenomeles sinensis, could cure.
When Hu Fei asked if it was the same poison that killed his parents, Cheng Lingsu stated that too much time had passed to confirm, but vowed to uncover the truth. Convinced, Hu Fei pledged to find the real culprit, realizing they shared a common enemy. Meanwhile, Tian Guinong, having gained favor with Official Fu, had become a prominent figure. He hosted a banquet, deliberately slighting Tang Pei, an official who had previously dismissed him.
Tang Pei subtly cautioned Tian Guinong that the emperor's favor was unpredictable and that failure could result in losing one's head. Back at the Tianlong Sect, Tian Guinong instructed his subordinate Tao to construct a grand hall to display a jade thumb ring from the emperor, declaring it would inspire all members to serve the emperor and elevate their sect to be the greatest in the world. Nan Lan, distraught over her daughter Ruolan's absence, missed the banquet.
Tian Guinong found her and presented her with gifts, promising to bring Ruolan back and suggesting they could have another child. He proudly showed her the emperor's ring, sharing his ambition to become a high-ranking official and make her a noblewoman. Unimpressed, Nan Lan expressed concern that his pursuit of fame would leave her alone and warned that such glory could lead to ruin. Feeling misunderstood, Tian Guinong left to rejoin his celebration.
Having decided to seek the mastermind behind the poison, Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu resolved to travel to the capital for the upcoming World's Sect Leaders Gathering to gather clues. They departed before Miao Renfeng's vision fully returned. When Miao Renfeng, now able to see blurred images, inquired about them, Sun Gangfeng informed him they had left on urgent personal business. On their journey, Hu Fei frantically searched for a forgotten item, claiming it was money.
Seeing through his excuse, Cheng Lingsu produced a wooden comb, remarking that it was more important than any saber manual or money. Hu Fei was relieved, unaware of her hidden disappointment. Sometime later, Miao Renfeng, his eyes fully healed, gazed at Hu Yidao's memorial tablet. Sun Gangfeng remarked on the serendipity of Hu Yidao's son healing his eyes and fighting alongside him, adding that Hu Yidao's spirit could now be at peace. Miao Renfeng then added that Hu Fei's exceptional talent and strong sense of justice would undoubtedly lead him to become a dominant figure in the martial arts world.
