Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 33 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Ma Chunhua was now free of poison, but Cheng Lingsu explained that her heart meridian was damaged and Hu Fei still needed to channel his qi to her to help her recover vitality. Hu Fei was eager to help immediately, but Cheng Lingsu told Lu Xiaomei to prepare the medicine first, suggesting Hu Fei channel his qi after Ma Chunhua had taken it. Hu Fei, grateful for Cheng Lingsu's help, promised to avoid rash decisions in the future.
Cheng Lingsu, concerned about his impulsive nature, mentioned he always agreed but never kept his word. Hu Fei then suggested they seal the promise with a pinky swear: if he ever acted recklessly or foolishly, she would show her pinky finger to remind him. Hu Fei then informed Cheng Lingsu that he intended to attend the World's Sect Leaders Gathering in the capital, along with her and Ji Xiaofeng.
He explained that Fu Kangan's residence had requested a headcount for the gathering, and he had promised Ji Xiaofeng to win a cup for the Huaquan Sect to help them redeem their honor. He also saw it as an opportunity to settle his score with Feng Tiannan, who would surely be present. Cheng Lingsu, concerned for Hu Fei's safety as a wanted fugitive, questioned the danger of entering the manor again.
Hu Fei reassured her, citing her disguise skills, and also mentioned that the gathering would be a good place for her to gather information about the heartbreak grass, as it would be a gathering of heroes and warriors. Cheng Lingsu then asked if he had any other "selfish reasons," specifically whether he hoped to see Yuan Ziyi there. Hu Fei admitted that Yuan Ziyi would "probably" be there and that he wished to clarify his doubts with her.
He then recounted how Yuan Ziyi had recognized him during his infiltration of the king's residence but did not expose him, instead creating a distraction in the garden with the princess to help him escape, specifically mentioning using a dung cart and shooting secret weapons from behind to impede pursuers. Cheng Lingsu noted that Yuan Ziyi's actions suggested she still cared for him.
Hu Fei conceded, but expressed that Yuan Ziyi did not open up to him as Cheng Lingsu did. Cheng Lingsu suddenly felt unwell, but dismissed it as needing rest. Lu Xiaomei then arrived, informing them that Ma Chunhua had finished her medicine, prompting Hu Fei to leave to channel his qi to her. Alone, Cheng Lingsu stared at a medicine bottle, pondering whether she should reveal her own secrets to Hu Fei, especially since he was so honest with her.
As Tian Guinong prepared to marry Nan Lan, she expressed deep unease, stating her desire for him to abandon involvement in the martial arts world. She recounted how her own father had the Cold Moon Saber forged in his ambition to rise to power, only to be ambushed and tragically die in a distant land. It was this very blade that led her to meet and marry Miao Renfeng.
She stressed that being embroiled in martial arts inevitably led to conflict and expressed relief that the Cold Moon Saber was now hidden in a snow cave, preventing further bloodshed. Nan Lan proposed that after their marriage, they retreat from society, living a peaceful life of poetry and books, far removed from the martial arts world.
Tian Guinong, while feigning agreement, subtly introduced his name, "Guinong," which he claimed symbolized his late father's wish for his descendants to live a peaceful farming life, weary of bloodshed. However, he insisted on attending the upcoming World's Sect Leaders Gathering in the capital, stating that failing to do so after receiving the Jade Dragon Cup would bring severe repercussions from the Imperial Court upon the entire Tianlong Sect.
Nan Lan accepted this condition, agreeing to marry him upon his return. Tian Guinong then admired her, promising to take her anywhere she wished after their wedding. Yuan Ziyi arrived at the Huaquan Sect, sent by her master, the All-knowing Nun, who had learned from Feihong that Hu Fei now led the sect and instructed Yuan Ziyi to retrieve the children from him in disguise.
Inside, Lu Xiaomei was immediately suspicious of Yuan Ziyi, trying to prevent her from seeing Hu Fei and warning Cheng Lingsu that Yuan Ziyi was allied with Fu Kangan. Cheng Lingsu intervened, chastising Lu Xiaomei and inviting Yuan Ziyi to her room while Hu Fei was occupied healing Ma Chunhua.
Cheng Lingsu thanked Yuan Ziyi for her assistance during Hu Fei's escape from the king's residence, detailing how Yuan Ziyi provided cover by using a dung cart and shooting secret weapons from behind to create a distraction. Yuan Ziyi remarked that Hu Fei must have told Cheng Lingsu everything, to which Cheng Lingsu confirmed his candid nature, adding that Hu Fei still couldn't forget Yuan Ziyi.
Cheng Lingsu also expressed concern about Hu Fei's poor judgment and sentimental nature, making it difficult for him to distinguish good from evil. Yuan Ziyi agreed, praising Cheng Lingsu's brilliance and suggesting she was perfectly suited to guide Hu Fei. Cheng Lingsu demurred, wishing she were smart enough to resolve Hu Fei's confusion about what had happened at the Guanyin temple.
Yuan Ziyi then revealed her true identity as Feng Tiannan's daughter, stating she would never acknowledge him, having hated him her entire life, a hatred far deeper and longer-lasting than Hu Fei's. She implored Cheng Lingsu to keep this secret, as she loathed her identity and the blood of Feng Tiannan within her.
Yuan Ziyi also explained that due to her upbringing by her master and her oath to follow Buddhist teachings as a member of the Tianshan Sect, she was destined to never get involved with Hu Fei again, viewing her past actions as a way to repay kindness and self-redemption rather than selfless love. She observed Cheng Lingsu's unwavering devotion to Hu Fei, declaring them a "match made in heaven" and wishing them a long life together.
Visibly moved, Cheng Lingsu then revealed her own secret: she was born in Miaojiang and had been afflicted by a venomous poison as a child. Although her master cured her, the prolonged presence of the poison had left her body weakened. To extend her life, her master had spent years formulating the rare and difficult-to-make Nine Revolutions Returning Origin Pill.
Having been out of the Medicine King Valley for months, her supply was dwindling, and she planned to return to the valley after Ma Chunhua's full recovery in a couple of days. She acknowledged Hu Fei saw her only as a sister and, as a sick, short-lived person, she could not aspire to love. Cheng Lingsu then urged Yuan Ziyi to reconsider her stance on Hu Fei, believing her master would support their relationship.
Yuan Ziyi redirected the conversation back to her original purpose: retrieving the children. She explained that the Red Flower Club, aware of the Imperial Court's nefarious intentions behind the World's Sect Leaders Gathering, sought to disrupt it. However, with their leaders being wanted fugitives, her master, All-knowing Nun, had been entrusted with gaining the king's residence's trust to obtain the list of attendees. Yuan Ziyi's mission was to retrieve the children to solidify this trust.
She clarified that Hu Fei, with his candid and uncompromising nature, was unsuitable for such a mission requiring strategic patience and enduring humiliation for the greater good. Understanding the full scope of the mission, Cheng Lingsu immediately blew out a poison candle she had lit as a precaution, offering Yuan Ziyi an antidote in her tea, and apologizing for suspecting her of ill intentions. Yuan Ziyi acknowledged Cheng Lingsu's skill.
Yuan Ziyi expressed concern about how to convince Hu Fei to let go of the children, but Cheng Lingsu assured her she would help. Knowing that Hu Fei would refuse Yuan Ziyi's request for the children, Cheng Lingsu discreetly attempted to leave with them, only to be intercepted by Lu Xiaomei. Lu Xiaomei, recognizing Yuan Ziyi's association with Fu Kangan, loudly questioned Cheng Lingsu's actions, inadvertently alerting Hu Fei. Hu Fei arrived, perplexed by the scene.
Lu Xiaomei accused Yuan Ziyi of trying to "take the kids." Cheng Lingsu urged Hu Fei to let Yuan Ziyi take the children, assuring him they would be returned after the gathering. Hu Fei, however, firmly refused, demanding the children back, emphasizing that he had not agreed to this. In a moment of urgency, Yuan Ziyi, unable to explain fully, promised to return the children within five days and solidified her oath by cutting a lock of her hair.
Hu Fei reluctantly handed the children over to Yuan Ziyi, who instructed them to obey her and help her when necessary. Meanwhile, Feng Tiannan and his son, Feng Yiming, with the help of Official Tang, had strategically positioned themselves along Yuan Ziyi's expected route, intending to capture her and claim credit from Fu Kangan. Hu Fei was deeply puzzled by Cheng Lingsu's sudden shift in attitude toward Yuan Ziyi, from suspicion to calling her "sister" and defending her.
He pressed Cheng Lingsu for an explanation, but she insisted she had promised Yuan Ziyi to keep her secrets, especially from him. Cheng Lingsu simply stated that everyone had "unspeakable reasons" and that Yuan Ziyi's situation was not simple. Meanwhile, Yuan Ziyi and Feihong, sensing an ambush, abandoned their carriage and entered a narrow alley with the children. They were quickly confronted by Feng Tiannan, Feng Yiming, and Official Tang, who then led their men to attack.
During the ensuing chaotic fight, Feihong bravely fought and killed Feng Yiming. Overcome with grief and rage, Feng Tiannan relentlessly attacked Yuan Ziyi. Feihong urged Yuan Ziyi to prioritize the children's safety and escape, while she held off their pursuers. Feihong, outnumbered, was ultimately captured by Official Tang. Yuan Ziyi, distraught, reported Feihong's capture to the All-knowing Nun. Official Tang and Feng Tiannan escorted the captured Feihong towards the king's residence to claim credit.
Along the way, Zhou Tiejiao's three brothers, maintaining a facade of composure, observed Feihong closely. They noted that she did not seem to recognize them, which somewhat allayed their fears of being implicated in Hu Fei's actions. Zeng Tieou expressed concern that Feihong and Yuan Ziyi were clearly working together, and if Feihong revealed their past assistance to Hu Fei, they would face severe consequences.
However, Zhou Tiejiao, having carefully observed Feihong, concluded that she showed no sign of recognizing them. He reassured his brothers that their interactions with Hu Fei had been individual, and as long as Hu Fei remained free, they were safe. Upon arriving at the king's residence, Official Tang and Feng Tiannan presented Feihong to Fu Kangan.
Fu Kangan immediately asked for the children, to which Official Tang regretfully admitted he had only managed to capture Feihong, identifying her as the All-knowing Nun's disciple. Feng Tiannan, consumed by grief, recounted his son Yiming's death while attempting to rescue the princes and vehemently demanded justice, urging Fu Kangan to order the arrest of the All-knowing Nun and her other disciple, Yuan Ziyi.
However, just as Fu Kangan was about to issue the order, the All-knowing Nun herself entered the chamber, accompanied by Yuan Ziyi and the two children, who were safe and sound. Relieved, Fu Kangan immediately sent the children to rest in their room, but requested the All-knowing Nun and the others to remain, intending to get a full explanation of the events.
