Side Story of Fox Volant Episode 8 Recap
> Side Story of Fox Volant Recap
Hu Fei, now a prisoner with a broken leg, deeply regretted his impulsive actions that led to the tragic demise of the Zhong family. He lamented not taking Yuan Ziyi’s warnings seriously, realizing his naivety regarding the treacherous ways of the martial arts world. When Yang San, the head of the prison, entered his cell with an arrogant demeanor, Hu Fei endured his taunts, including remarks that everyone in Foshan Town, from people to animals, obeyed Old Master Feng.
Hu Fei defiantly countered, likening Yang San to a dog. As Yang San then mocked him, saying Young Master Feng had ordered special treatment and wished for Hu Fei to suffer a fate worse than death, Hu Fei, feigning weakness, promised important news. As Yang San leaned in, Hu Fei bit off his ear in a desperate act of fury.
Feng Tiannan, furious at Yuan Ziyi's continued evasion, offered a hefty reward for her capture, setting it at 100 taels for information and 3000 taels for her direct capture, dead or alive. The Magistrate, eager to please, assured him that patrols were thoroughly searching Foshan Town, with strict entry-only rules at all four gates and the Green Standard Army on standby.
Posters were plastered everywhere, leading to a frenzy of arrests as any beggar was suspected of being Hu Fei's accomplice. Day after day passed with no trace of Yuan Ziyi. Feng Yiming grew impatient, pointing out that even the highly skilled individuals hired by his father had failed to locate her. Feng Tiannan explained that these experts were meant to prevent her escape once she appeared, not to actively track her.
Concluding that she was merely in hiding, Feng Tiannan decided he needed to provoke her further. The authorities swiftly announced Hu Fei's public execution. Feng Yiming confirmed to a servant that this was a carefully calculated bluff to lure Yuan Ziyi out, asserting that Hu Fei remained valuable bait. He mused that the more critical Hu Fei's situation, the greater the chance his accomplice would appear, envisioning her being "cut into pieces" by their forces.
Meanwhile, in his cell, Hu Fei struggled to consume the dreadful prison porridge. Yang San, his ear bandaged, brought the execution notice, relishing in stomping on Hu Fei's injured leg and gloating about his impending death. That night, Hu Fei dreamt of Yuan Ziyi. He was later subjected to Feng Yiming’s further taunts, who questioned which sweetheart he was longing for.
Hu Fei defiantly responded, telling Feng Yiming to relay a message to his father: Master Hu would pursue him to the ends of the earth to avenge the Zhong Family. Old Master Feng, overhearing this, angrily intervened, stopping Feng Yiming from beating Hu Fei further and ominously declaring Hu Fei's "good days are over." Unbeknownst to them, Yuan Ziyi had already infiltrated the prison, knocking out Yang San and disguising him as Hu Fei.
On the day of the execution, Feng Yiming, convinced Yuan Ziyi was too cowardly to appear, urged his father to proceed to avoid ridicule from the assembled heroes. Old Master Feng, believing that killing Hu Fei would neutralize most of the threat, agreed. As the execution commenced, a grim discovery was made: the man being hanged was not Hu Fei, but Yang San, identified by a dropped prison token. Feng Tiannan was left seething with humiliation and unprecedented defeat.
Concurrently, Nan Lan, living at the Tian family mansion, still yearned for Miao Renfeng and worried about his well-being. She reminisced to her daughter Ruolan about her dreams of marrying a hero and the constant anxiety it brought.
A maid, Hong, brought Nan Lan a custom-made outfit from Tian Guinong for her birthday, but Nan Lan gently refused, citing Miao Renfeng's simple tastes and recalling her own wedding without new clothes or a banquet, emphasizing her devotion to him who saved her life. Later, urged by a maid, Nan Lan went to meet Tian Guinong, only to find a lavish birthday celebration in full swing, complete with guests and entertainers.
Tian Guinong claimed Miao Renfeng had requested a grand birthday party for her. Nan Lan, while grateful, expressed sadness that Miao Renfeng would likely only remember the martial arts world and his friends, not her birthday. Yet, the elaborate celebration touched her deeply, the first time she had felt such care since marrying Miao Renfeng. As fireworks exploded, she watched, oblivious to Tian Guinong's gaze fixed on her.
Nan Lan gradually adjusted to life at the Tian mansion but still missed Miao Renfeng. She approached Tian Guinong, requesting his help in discovering Miao Renfeng's whereabouts. Tian Guinong readily agreed, sending someone to Miaojiang. However, Tao Baisui soon burst in with devastating news: Miao Renfeng had been killed in Miaojiang by the Golden Sand Gang's throat-sealing needle, dying from poisoning. Nan Lan, who had been listening from nearby, collapsed upon hearing the terrible news.
After regaining consciousness, she remained inconsolable in her room for days, refusing food, convinced her worst nightmares had come true. Tian Guinong personally comforted her, urging her to eat for Ruolan's sake and offering medicine. He offered heartfelt assurances that he would care for her and her daughter, allowing them to stay indefinitely. Nan Lan, moved by his sincerity, found herself experiencing an inexplicable feeling towards him.
After rescuing Hu Fei from prison, Yuan Ziyi brought him to a secluded riverside. Hu Fei, still recovering, questioned why Yuan Ziyi had risked herself, admitting his mistake in underestimating Feng Tiannan. Yuan Ziyi, with a hint of mockery, reminded him that "the idiot and the conman always come in pairs," implying his gullibility. Hu Fei, annoyed but appreciative, urged her to leave to avoid capture, even offering to cover her retreat despite his injuries.
Yuan Ziyi silenced his protests, asserting that she had no energy to quarrel. A passing Physician Xu recognized them as friends of the Zhong family. Despite the Feng family's extensive search in the mountains, Physician Xu, declaring his refusal to let the Feng family run rampant, offered them refuge. Meanwhile, back at the Feng mansion, Old Master Feng was furious with Feng Yiming, scolding him for letting Hu Fei escape and calling him "useless."
He lamented being outsmarted by a "young lady" after decades of cunning in the martial arts world, acknowledging that Hu Fei and Yuan Ziyi remained a persistent threat. Feng Yiming reassured his father that Hu Fei was still trapped in Foshan. He then proposed a new plan: using Zhong Sisa, the sole surviving member of the Zhong family, as bait.
Old Master Feng readily agreed, realizing that the chivalrous duo would surely appear to rescue her, and if they didn't, the blame for Zhong Sisa's demise would fall on Hu Fei and Yuan Ziyi.
