Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 36 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Cheng Lingsu disclosed Shi Wanchen’s true identity to Hu Fei, revealing that Shi Wanchen, known as the Lord of Poison, was a former sect-mate of her master. He had been expelled for his unrestrained use of poison, which caused many deaths. She suspected that the poison used to blind Miao Renfeng came from Shi Wanchen, and it might also be linked to the truth behind the deaths of Hu Fei’s parents.
To prevent Shi Wanchen from harming more people, Cheng Lingsu resolved to attend the World's Sect Leaders Gathering to cleanse her sect. Hu Fei, feeling that Cheng Lingsu was his only remaining family, insisted on accompanying her despite the inherent dangers. Cheng Lingsu warned him that Shi Wanchen had mastered the Jade Silkworm poison technique and was incredibly skilled with poisons, admitting she had suffered greatly from him that very day.
Meanwhile, Miao Renfeng journeyed to the snow cave to pay respects to Hu Yidao and his wife on the upcoming anniversary of their deaths. To his fury, he discovered that their graves had been entirely destroyed, and the Cold Moon Saber had vanished. Elsewhere, Tian Guinong, now in possession of the Cold Moon Saber, reveled in his excitement, anticipating his rise as one of the Eight Great Sect Leaders. He remained oblivious to Nan Lan observing him from outside.
Upon seeing the Cold Moon Saber in Tian Guinong’s hands, Nan Lan was filled with anger and disappointment. She confronted him, accusing him of deceit and of committing the heinous act of desecrating graves in pursuit of fame and glory. Tian Guinong dismissed her feelings, arguing that he bore the responsibility for the entire Tianlong Sect and could not afford to let down his ancestors.
He claimed the arrangement for his Jade Dragon Cup had been canceled, forcing him to compete, and without the Cold Moon Saber, he had no chance of winning. Nan Lan countered, reminding him that her own father died because of that saber, and she did not want him to repeat the same mistake. She accused him of being obsessed with "empty fame" and never truly intending to quit the martial world as he had promised.
To appease Nan Lan, Tian Guinong apologized, promising to return the Cold Moon Saber immediately and rebuild the desecrated graves of Hu Yidao and his wife. Nan Lan, seemingly convinced, made him promise never to act so recklessly again. However, his promises were a mere pretense. While he arranged for Nan Lan to be engrossed in a play, his true plan came to fruition. Enraged by the desecration, Miao Renfeng arrived seeking justice, only to fall into a trap.
Tian Guinong had already sent men to kill Miao's guard, Sun Gangfeng, and capture their daughter, Ruolan. With Ruolan's life on the line, Tian Guinong forced the great warrior to surrender. Unbeknownst to them, Hailan Bi was investigating Official Tang's case and discovered that Tang had accepted bribes from numerous sect leaders, arranging the positions for the Jade Dragon Cups accordingly. Seeing an opportunity, Hailan Bi decided to force the sect leaders to pay him as well.
Many sect leaders grumbled about having to pay again for the same honor. Zhou Tiejiao, however, proposed an alternative: Hailan Bi could establish a gambling house, and they, knowing the rigged outcomes, could profit from unsuspecting bettors. This way, they could still secure the Jade Dragon Cups and expand their sects. Later, Nan Lan noticed Tian Guinong's absence. Just as she was about to question a servant, Tian Guinong returned, promising her a surprise.
He led her to a room in a separate compound where her daughter, Ruolan, was waiting. Nan Lan was overwhelmed with shock and joy at the unexpected reunion. Tian Guinong made an excuse to leave, claiming he needed to attend to the play troupe. In reality, he went to the secret chamber in the ancestral hall where Miao Renfeng was imprisoned.
He relished the sight of the martial world's "number one hero" utterly helpless before him, gloating that from now on, he would be Ruolan's only father. After the initial euphoria of reuniting with Ruolan, Nan Lan grew curious about how Miao Renfeng could have willingly given up their daughter. She sensed the strange demeanor of the maids and servants, who stammered and refused to explain.
Nan Lan feigned leaving the room and secretly listened, overhearing the maids discussing Tian Guinong's evil deeds: how he had previously poisoned Miao Renfeng’s eyes and now used the Cold Moon Saber and Ruolan as bait to capture him. They expressed pity for Nan Lan, who remained oblivious to her husband’s treachery. Distraught, Nan Lan rushed back in, imploring them for help.
Guided by the maids and nannies, Nan Lan found her way to the ancestral hall and to the door of the secret chamber. From there, she overheard Tian Guinong's voice, full of accusations and taunts directed at Miao Renfeng. Tian Guinong recounted how he and Miao Renfeng were once close childhood friends. He admitted to always admiring Miao Renfeng's natural talent in martial arts but felt inferior and despised, constantly overshadowed by him.
He resented that Miao Renfeng had refused to teach him even a single technique but readily taught Hu Yidao, his supposed "rival and enemy," within just two days of acquaintance. He confessed to feeling sad and defeated by this. Tian Guinong then confessed that he had procured poison from Shi Wanchen and applied it to Hu Yidao's saber, originally intending for the poison to kill Miao Renfeng.
However, due to the unexpected swap of weapons between Miao Renfeng and Hu Yidao, it was Hu Yidao and his wife who tragically died. Tian Guinong admitted his initial disappointment but later found a perverse satisfaction in the outcome. He reveled in watching Miao Renfeng suffer, "mentally and physically exhausted" and "living in a living hell" while tirelessly searching for the truth, deeming this a far greater torment than simply dying and finding freedom.
He further revealed that he was also responsible for poisoning Miao Renfeng's eyes. He explained that this act was born of jealousy, as he felt Heaven was blind to allow Miao Renfeng to possess such a beautiful woman like Nan Lan, whom he believed Miao Renfeng did not cherish. He claimed to have "carried out Heaven's will" by taking Nan Lan from him, asserting that Miao Renfeng was "unworthy" to have her.
Tian Guinong declared his ultimate goal: to utterly isolate Miao Renfeng, leaving him without a brother, wife, or child. He vowed to keep Nan Lan by his side forever, seeing her as his "spoil of war for defeating" Miao Renfeng. He boasted that he would soon obtain the Jade Dragon Cup, publicly marry Nan Lan, and be recognized as one of the Eight Great Sect Leaders.
Meanwhile, Miao Renfeng, the "Golden-face Buddha" once worshipped by thousands, would see his golden facade crumble, becoming a "laughing stock of the world." Overhearing this chilling confession, Nan Lan was filled with profound despair, and upon returning to her room, she collapsed to the floor.
