Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 25 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Cheng Lingsu did not find the medicine bottle, which made Xu Zheng suspicious. He questioned their presence, asking if they were truly searching for something or merely scouting the premises. Just then, Ma Chunhua returned with her children, holding the very bottle they sought. She explained that her child, being naughty, had taken the bottle from the room to play with it, and apologized for the trouble. Hu Fei immediately recognized Ma Chunhua, calling her "Sister Ma."
After years apart, they had an emotional reunion as Hu Fei revealed his name. Overjoyed, Hu Fei introduced Cheng Lingsu as his second sister, Young Lady Ling, the successor to the King of Poison, which surprised Ma Chunhua. Their reunion was cut short by a commotion outside. A group of bandits surrounded the inn, declaring their target to be the Feima Escort Agency and warning everyone else to leave if they wished to live.
Xu Zheng, brave but outnumbered, went out to confront them, instructing Ma Chunhua to protect the children. Outside, Official He expressed concern to Shang Baozhen that Zhou Tiejiao and his brothers, leading the bandit attack, would take all the credit for capturing the children.
Shang Baozhen, however, calmly explained his strategy: let Zhou Tiejiao take the risks, while he, Shang Baozhen, would monitor the situation from afar, ensuring he could frame the report to Fu Kangan in his favor, thus "watching the tigers fight." During the skirmish, Xu Zheng was injured. Hu Fei intervened, rescuing Xu Zheng and engaging Zhou Tiejiao in a fierce fight. Zhou Tiejiao, wielding a remarkably sharp treasured sword, boasted that Hu Fei would die by it.
However, after a few swift exchanges, Hu Fei disarmed him. Impressed by Zhou Tiejiao’s reverence for his sword, Hu Fei returned it, stating that since they seemed to be men who did not want to harm the innocent, he would let them go if they abandoned their robbery. Recognizing Hu Fei’s superior martial skill, Zhou Tiejiao accepted the offer, stating they would retreat and hoping for a future encounter. After the fight, Ma Chunhua prepared some dishes for everyone.
Xu Zheng apologized to Hu Fei for his past rude treatment at the escort agency, but Hu Fei humbly dismissed it, recalling that the agency had provided him and Fourth Uncle with food and shelter when they were wanderers. They shared a toast to Master Ma. Meanwhile, Ma Chunhua and Cheng Lingsu conversed, with Cheng Lingsu complimenting Ma Chunhua on her intelligent and adorable children.
Ma Chunhua praised Hu Fei's kind nature, remarking that any woman who married him would be truly fortunate. Cheng Lingsu, in turn, asked if many girls liked Hu Fei, and Ma Chunhua shared a humorous anecdote about Hu Fei's intense dedication to training, once mistaking a stone for a bun. Through this conversation, Ma Chunhua subtly realized Cheng Lingsu’s affection for Hu Fei.
Zhou Tiejiao's brothers reported their failure to Shang Baozhen, mentioning the powerful young man who appeared out of nowhere. Shang Baozhen, enraged by their incompetence, decided to lead the assault himself. He sent dozens of masked assassins into the inn, intent on seizing the children. Hu Fei, recognizing the renewed threat, quickly instructed Cheng Lingsu to secure the children. Amidst the ensuing chaos and fierce fighting, Xu Zheng was gravely wounded and fell from the second floor.
Hu Fei and Ma Chunhua quickly dragged him to cover behind a counter. Cheng Lingsu strategically deployed her poisons, neutralizing the first wave of assassins attempting to breach their defenses. Outside, Shang Baozhen, wary of the silence and the potential of a poison master within, held back his main force, waiting for garrison soldiers to arrive with additional resources.
Zhou Tiejiao and his brothers, observing the situation, realized Fu Kangan’s true objective was not the escort agency’s silver, but the children, who bore a striking resemblance to Fu Kangan. They understood that Shang Baozhen sought to gain immense favor by delivering Fu Kangan's long-lost sons, which would lead to his rapid promotion and further arrogance.
Once the garrison soldiers arrived with firewood and kerosene, Shang Baozhen ordered them to encircle the inn with fuel and prepare fire arrows by dipping cloth strips into kerosene and wrapping them around the arrowheads. With Shang Baozhen’s command, a volley of fire arrows ignited the inn. However, Zhou Tiejiao, seeing the children still inside, urgently intervened, stopping the attack.
Shang Baozhen then called out to Ma Chunhua, who emerged with Hu Fei and Cheng Lingsu, mocking her appearance and reminding her of their past. He revealed that "Young Master Fu," the charming man she once knew, was now the powerful Official Fu. Shang Baozhen announced that he was there on Fu Kangan's orders to retrieve the children.
He offered Ma Chunhua a chance to return to the capital with her sons, implying that he could speak favorably of her to Fu Kangan, allowing her to regain his favor and ascend to a life of immense wealth and prestige. Inside the burning inn, Hu Fei watched helplessly as Xu Zheng's breathing grew faint due to his severe injuries.
Shang Baozhen's taunts about the children's "noble destiny" and the wealth they could achieve with Fu Kangan echoed from outside, a stark contrast to the dying Feima Escort Agency. Ma Chunhua desperately pleaded with Xu Zheng to hold on. With his last breaths, Xu Zheng instructed his children to listen to their mother and Uncle Hu, assuring them that he would always be with them in his heart.
Turning to Ma Chunhua, he expressed his profound contentment at having married her, declaring his life "worth it" before passing away, leaving Ma Chunhua utterly heartbroken. Though Hu Fei was ready to avenge Xu Zheng, Ma Chunhua restrained him, instructing him and Cheng Lingsu to protect the children. With an eerie calm, she walked out to confront Shang Baozhen. She questioned him about the 9000 taels of silver and how Fu Kangan knew about the children.
Shang Baozhen arrogantly dismissed her inquiries, scoffing at her intelligence and insulting her character, claiming Fu Kangan would never care for a "wanton woman" like her. Enraged by Shang Baozhen's despicable behavior, Hu Fei angrily declared his regret for having spared him back at Shang's Fort. Shang Baozhen, realizing Hu Fei's true identity, lunged at him, seeking to avenge his mother's death, but Hu Fei quickly subdued him. Zhou Tiejiao's men, cautious about harming the children, refused to intervene.
Ma Chunhua seized the moment. With cold, unwavering resolve, she delivered her vengeance, stabbing Shang Baozhen repeatedly, declaring each strike was for her father, for her senior martial brother Xu Zheng, and for the father of her sons. Zhou Tiejiao and his brothers, respecting Hu Fei's integrity and recalling his previous act of returning the sword, apologized for their involvement, clarifying that the conflict was Shang Baozhen’s personal vendetta.
They exchanged names, and Zhou Tiejiao warmly invited Hu Fei to visit them if he ever came to the capital. After tenderly burying Xu Zheng and comforting her children by telling them their father had become a star in the sky, Ma Chunhua bid farewell to Hu Fei.
She thanked him for his support, assured him she would persevere for her children, and gave him a bracelet, asking him to give it to Cheng Lingsu with instructions to treat her well, as she considered Hu Fei like a younger brother. Hu Fei watched Ma Chunhua and her children depart with Zhou Tiejiao's group towards the capital. Cheng Lingsu then asked Hu Fei if Ma Chunhua could never forget Fu Kangan.
Hu Fei, without directly answering, gave Cheng Lingsu the bracelet from Ma Chunhua, explaining that it was a gift because Ma Chunhua liked her. He then promised Cheng Lingsu that he would take care of her for the rest of his life, leaving her momentarily stunned and deeply touched, clutching the bracelet as a precious token. He then declared it was time for them to also head to the capital.
Meanwhile, Feng Tiannan and his son learned of Hu Fei’s escape and immediately sought Official Tang’s counsel. Official Tang, however, had already prepared a plan: he would take them to the capital for the upcoming World's Sect Leaders Gathering. Feng Tiannan expressed concern that Hu Fei might pursue them, but Official Tang confidently dismissed his worries.
He explained that he had used Feng Tiannan's money over the years to cultivate a vast network of informants among martial artists and court officials, ensuring he was privy to all happenings in the capital. He further assured Feng Tiannan that since Fu Kangan himself was organizing the gathering, Hu Fei would not dare to act recklessly in his presence. Convinced by Official Tang's connections and assurances, Feng Tiannan agreed to depart for the capital the next morning.
