Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 38 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recaps
Hu Fei, disguised as Cheng Linghu, continued to shine at the World's Sect Leaders Gathering, securing victory after victory for the Huaquan Sect. During one match, he faced an opponent who used a special pipe containing charcoal that would heat up and release hallucinogenic smoke. Thanks to Cheng Lingsu’s insightful advice, Hu Fei managed to overcome this formidable foe.
His impressive martial arts skills drew attention, with even Fu Kangan observing his performance with interest, acknowledging the unexpected talent from a seemingly small sect. Hu Fei confidently declared his intention to advance to the finals and contend for the Jade Dragon Cup. Behind the scenes, Official Hai, who ran a large gambling den for the tournament, was dismayed by Cheng Linghu's consistent wins, which had led to significant losses for him and his associates.
Manager Sai, one of Official Hai's men, investigated Cheng Linghu, discovering he was not a long-standing member of the Huaquan Sect but a lone bandit from the Sichuan-Tibet border, who had seemingly joined the tournament to exploit the gambling opportunities. Manager Sai then met with Cheng Lingsu, who was posing as Cheng Linghu's sister. He proposed a partnership: Cheng Linghu would continue winning to drive up betting odds, then strategically lose to a powerful, reputable opponent to maximize their profits.
Cheng Lingsu agreed, ensuring Cheng Linghu's honorable defeat. Meanwhile, Zhou Tiejiao, wary of the unfolding events, advised his brothers to stop betting, sensing a dangerous political maneuver by either the Red Flower Club or the Qing court, and urged them to avoid the capital. Cheng Lingsu and Hu Fei, aware of the deeper implications, decided to play along with Official Hai's scheme, with their true objective being to draw out Shi Wanchen.
Unbeknownst to Tian Guinong, Miao Renfeng had already escaped captivity with the help of Nan Lan. In a moment of profound gratitude, Miao Renfeng expressed his love and thanks to Nan Lan and their daughter, Ruolan, asserting that having them in his life made his journey through the martial arts world worthwhile. He entrusted Ruolan's care to Nan Lan, acknowledging the continued turbulence in the martial world.
At the Sect Leaders' Gathering, Fu Kangan directly confronted the All-knowing Nun regarding her disciple Yuan Ziyi's connection to the Red Flower Club. He presented evidence that Yuan Ziyi had secretly held a funeral for Feng Tiannan, a known Red Flower Club traitor who had escaped the King's Residence and was later killed. Yuan Ziyi stepped forward, admitting her connection to Feng Tiannan as her biological father, an illegitimate daughter whose mother was abandoned and died tragically.
Yuan Ziyi herself narrowly escaped a horrific fate before being rescued and taught Buddhism by the Nun. Despite her mother's dying wish never to acknowledge Feng Tiannan, Yuan Ziyi felt compelled to give him a proper burial, seeing it as a way to sever their ill-fated connection. Witnessing Yuan Ziyi's spiritual enlightenment, the All-knowing Nun decided to perform her tonsure on the spot, with Fu Kangan as a witness.
Back on the arena, Hu Fei, still disguised as Cheng Linghu, continued his dominant performance. He swiftly defeated Tong Huaidao, known for his twin meteor hammers, and despite Manager Sai's earlier arrangements for Cheng Linghu to lose to Ke Zirong of the Qiqing Sect, Hu Fei once again emerged victorious, much to Manager Sai's fury. Manager Sai accused Cheng Linghu of betrayal and declared their deal null and void.
As Cheng Linghu completed his third consecutive victory, the All-knowing Nun arrived with Fu Kangan, who openly declared the tournament a trap. The Firearm Brigade immediately swarmed the venue, taking everyone present into custody. Tian Guinong, wielding his Cold Moon Saber, then appeared at the controlled gathering, boldly stating his intent to claim the Jade Dragon Cup. Meanwhile, Cheng Lingsu found herself ambushed and surrounded by Shi Wanchen and his cronies.
Hu Fei bravely engaged Tian Guinong, but even with his skill, Tian Guinong's superior weapon posed a deadly threat. Just as Hu Fei was on the verge of defeat, Miao Renfeng burst through the doors, making a dramatic entrance. Amidst the chaos, Hailan Bi, ignoring Fu Kangan's safety, ordered the Firearm Brigade to launch a gunpowder attack to level the entire isolated island.
Sensing the imminent danger to Fu Kangan, Zhou Tiejiao and his brothers decided to confront Hailan Bi and thwart his destructive plan. Separately, Xue Que, still fixated on the Medicine King's Compendium, demanded it from Cheng Lingsu. Cheng Lingsu agreed, on the condition that Xue Que would leave Medicine King Valley permanently. After the tumultuous events, Yuan Ziyi, now a nun, prepared to return to the Tianshan Sect with her master.
Before her departure, she gave a jade pendant to Cheng Lingsu, expressing her hope that Cheng Lingsu would stay by Hu Fei's side. Hu Fei, now fully understanding his feelings for Cheng Lingsu, spent a short but precious time with her. Sadly, Cheng Lingsu ultimately sacrificed herself to save Hu Fei, lamenting that she would not live to see him with a full beard. Earlier, Cheng Lingsu had gone to Mount Yuquan with Lv Xiaomei to find condensation grass.
Lv Xiaomei, disapproving of Cheng Lingsu's attempts to bring Hu Fei and Yuan Ziyi together, argued that fate could not be forced. While collecting herbs, Lv Xiaomei was poisoned. Cheng Lingsu, sensing the foul play, quickly administered an antidote and then feigned unconsciousness as Shi Wanchen, Xue Que, and Murong Jingyue appeared. Shi Wanchen dramatically descended upon Cheng Lingsu, giving her an ultimatum: surrender the Medicine King's Compendium and become his disciple, or die.
Xue Que and Murong Jingyue urged her to comply, but Cheng Lingsu fiercely condemned them for betraying their former master and sect. To ensure Lv Xiaomei's escape, Cheng Lingsu fought Shi Wanchen with all her strength. However, Shi Wanchen, having mastered the formidable Green Silkworm Poison technique, proved to be far more powerful. Cheng Lingsu, weakened and struggling even with the protection of the Medicine King's Compendium, was in grave danger.
Fortunately, Lv Xiaomei had run to alert Hu Fei, and Yuan Ziyi, upon seeing Lv Xiaomei, had followed her, leading to their timely arrival. Hu Fei and Yuan Ziyi joined forces, successfully repelling Shi Wanchen and his disciples. After Cheng Lingsu recovered with medicine, she asked Hu Fei to convey her thanks to Yuan Ziyi. Hu Fei, overjoyed by Yuan Ziyi's presence, offered her a wooden comb, but Yuan Ziyi, to his shock, declared their connection severed.
She revealed her true identity and the insurmountable barrier of the feud over her father's murder. Heartbroken, Hu Fei watched her leave, then hung the comb on a sky lantern, a symbolic farewell to their shared past. Meanwhile, Hailan Bi's investigation into Official Tang's corruption case uncovered that Tang had accepted substantial bribes from various sect leaders, using the amounts to determine the allocation of Jade Dragon Cups.
This revelation sparked greed among other sect leaders, who, complaining about needing to pay more money, adopted Zhou Tiejiao's suggestion to recoup their funds by exploiting the gambling den. This scheme aimed to not only regain their losses but also potentially secure a Jade Dragon Cup and expand their influence.
