The Legend of Heroes Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Legend of Heroes Synopsis
At the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Jin soldiers invaded, and treacherous ministers controlled the court. Commoners and righteous men, Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin, betrothed their children to each other before their birth but were later killed by the Jin soldiers. Qiu Chuji, a Taoist priest from the Quanzhen Sect, made a bet with the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan: they would each search for the descendants of the Guo and Yang families and teach them martial arts, meeting eighteen years later to compare their skills at Drunken Immortal Tavern.
Guo Jing and Yang Kang grew up under the tutelage of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and Qiu Chuji, respectively. Eighteen years later, Guo Jing, following his master’s orders, traveled south and met Huang Rong, the daughter of "Eastern Heretic" Huang Yaoshi. They quickly fell in love, but their relationship faced many obstacles. "Western Venom" Ouyang Feng sought Huang Rong’s hand in marriage for his nephew Ouyang Ke. After several contests, Guo Jing emerged victorious, but his five masters were killed on Peach Blossom Island, causing misunderstandings and separation between the couple.
On the other side, Yang Kang, greedy for wealth and status, acknowledged a Jin as his father. An unintended martial arts contest led him to fall in love with Mu Nianci, the righteous daughter of Yang Tiexin, yet he remained stubborn and repeatedly harmed Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and other righteous warriors, aiding the Jin in seizing the "Wumu Legacy." In the end, he met his tragic fate at the Iron Spear Temple in Jiaxing.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong traveled thousands of miles, meeting martial arts masters from all over the world. As his martial skills improved, Guo Jing avenged his father's death, resolved the grudges of his sect, seized the "Wumu Legacy," led the army in a westward expedition, followed his late mother's teachings, debated martial arts at Mount Hua, and saved Xiangyang from national disaster. The once simple and honest, naive and clumsy young archer grew into a stalwart man, resolutely bearing the burden of his fractured country.
The Legend of Heroes Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Du Shi reprimanded Tuo Lei. Young Guo Jing stood up for him but was also reprimanded. At the same time, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan arrived and recognized Guo Jing by the dagger he was holding, realizing he was the child of Guo Xiaotian and Li Ping. They accepted Guo Jing as their disciple.
That year, the Black Wind Shuangsha, Mei Chaofeng and Chen Xuanfeng, known for their murderous rampages, also came to the desert in pursuit of the Seven Freaks. In the ensuing fierce battle, Guo Jing was captured by Chen Xuanfeng but accidentally hit Chen Xuanfeng's weak spot, causing his death. Mei Chaofeng, now blinded, fled, but Zhang Asheng of the Seven Freaks also perished in the fight.
Following the battle, Guo Jing trained under his six masters. Despite his slow nature, the Seven Freaks, due to their bet, continued to teach him diligently. Years passed, and Guo Jing grew up practicing daily. As the duel date approached, Guo Jing learned from his masters that he would be traveling to Jiangnan at the age of eighteen to compete with his sworn brother, Yang Kang.
Although Guo Jing trained hard, his progress was limited. Ma Yu of the Quanzhen Sect noticed issues with the Seven Freaks' teaching methods, which hindered Guo Jing's learning. Ma Yu offered to teach Guo Jing a mental cultivation method, significantly advancing Guo Jing's martial arts skills. The Seven Freaks noticed the change and, while following Guo Jing, discovered Mei Chaofeng's whereabouts, mistakenly believing Guo Jing was learning martial arts from the notorious Mei Chaofeng.
The Seven Freaks sought out Mei Chaofeng to avenge Zhang Asheng, but Mei Chaofeng, having mastered the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, was too powerful. Guo Jing tried to help but was misunderstood by his second master. Ma Yu intervened, explaining that he had taught Guo Jing the mental method, leading the Seven Freaks to forgive Guo Jing. Together, they fought Mei Chaofeng, with Guo Jing seizing the opportunity to injure her with a dagger, forcing her to flee.
The Seven Freaks instructed Guo Jing to meet them at the Drunken Immortal Tavern in Jiaxing on March 24. Sensing that Mei Chaofeng was still in the desert, they planned to deal with her before heading to Jiangnan to find Guo Jing. Guo Jing bid farewell to his masters and set off for Jiangnan alone.
Huang Rong, disguised as a beggar, was being harassed by a shop assistant. Guo Jing stepped in, paid her debts, and invited her to eat. Huang Rong ordered a feast, and after the meal, Guo Jing, noticing her thin clothing, offered her his mink coat and some travel money, advising her not to steal buns again. Learning that Huang Rong had run away from home after a quarrel with her father, Guo Jing urged her to return home, mentioning her father's likely concern. Touched by his words, Huang Rong decided to reconcile with her father. She then asked Guo Jing for his prized horse, and he agreed without hesitation, his loyalty bringing her to tears. Huang Rong happily rode away on the horse.
Mu Yi held a martial arts competition to find a husband for his daughter, Mu Nianci. Wanyan Kang, a prince of the Jin dynasty, passed by and, intrigued, joined the contest. Despite a fierce fight, Mu Nianci was defeated by Wanyan Kang, who showed no intention of marrying her but took her shoe, infuriating Mu Yi. Seeing it as a mockery, Mu Yi attacked Wanyan Kang but was injured in the process.
Episode 2 Recap
Seeing that Yang Kang was about to break his promise and leave, Guo Jing, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't bear it and reminded Yang Kang that his behavior was wrong. He should marry Mu Nianci as agreed. Since Yang Kang was unwilling to marry her, he should return Mu Nianci's shoe. Spoiled and willful, Yang Kang disliked Guo Jing's meddling and decided to teach him a lesson. In the ensuing fight, Guo Jing was not Yang Kang's match and was injured.
Despite being injured, Guo Jing stubbornly refused to let Yang Kang leave, leading to another confrontation. Seeing Guo Jing losing again, Wang Chuyi of the Quanzhen Sect intervened to help. Yang Kang's men then engaged Wang Chuyi. At a critical moment, the princess arrived, prompting Wang Chuyi to quickly take Guo Jing and leave. Mu Yi overheard the princess's voice and felt it sounded like an old acquaintance.
Eighteen years ago, Mu Yi and his sworn brother Guo Xiaotian went hunting and met Qiu Chuji. They got along well, and Qiu Chuji named their children Guo Jing and Yang Kang, giving them short swords as symbols of friendship between the Guo and Yang families for generations. Duan Tiande was ordered to arrest Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin. Seeing no safe escape, Guo Xiaotian decided to stay behind and let Yang Tiexin flee with his family. Guo Xiaotian was eventually killed by soldiers, and Yang Tiexin, after sending his wife away, returned to rescue Guo Xiaotian's wife but fell off a cliff after being shot.
Wang Chuyi, poisoned by the Sand Palm, asked Guo Jing to take him to an inn to rest and recover. However, they were intercepted by the Four Ghosts of the Yellow River. Huang Rong appeared and helped Guo Jing escape, telling him to take Wang Chuyi to the inn while she dealt with the Four Ghosts. Guo Jing took Wang Chuyi to the inn, where Wang Chuyi began healing his injuries. Although his life was no longer in danger, the internal poison had not been fully expelled. If not treated within twelve hours, he might suffer lifelong disabilities.
Guo Jing hurried to buy medicinal herbs but found they were out of stock in the city, suspecting it was the prince's doing. Wang Chuyi had heard from Ma Yu about Guo Jing's chivalrous nature and was willing to risk his life to save him. Guo Jing then received a letter from Huang Rong asking to meet, believing she could find the herbs. Wang Chuyi hinted at Huang Rong's unusual background, but Guo Jing trusted she wouldn't harm him.
At the agreed meeting place, Guo Jing was happy to see the Four Ghosts captured. Following the call of "Brother Jing," he was surprised to see Huang Rong in her true feminine form. Anxious to find the antidote for Wang Chuyi, Huang Rong reassured Guo Jing, promising to get the medicine that day. Although the snacks Guo Jing brought for Huang Rong were crushed, she appreciated his thoughtful gesture.
Huang Rong explained that the herbs had been taken by the Zhao Palace, suggesting they go there to find them. Concerned about Huang Rong's safety, Guo Jing initially wanted to go alone but eventually agreed to take her along. They arrived at the Zhao Palace and discovered that Yang Kang had imprisoned Mu Nianci and her father. Yang Kang told Mu Yi that he couldn't let others know about their connection due to his royal status. He intended to keep them locked up for a few days before sending them home, promising to visit them in a year or two for the marriage. Mu Yi didn't believe Yang Kang's sweet words and wanted to discuss the matter with the princess, but Yang Kang firmly refused.
Episode 3 Recap
Guo Jing and Huang Rong secretly followed Yang Kang and discovered that after leaving the prison, he went to visit the princess. The princess inquired about the martial arts competition held to find a spouse. Yang Kang said that he had brought Mu Nianci and her father, Mu Yi, back to the palace and had ordered his men to treat them well. The princess instructed her son to properly apologize and warned him not to misbehave in the future. Although the princess wanted to personally apologize to Mu Nianci and Mu Yi, Yang Kang found an excuse to refuse.
Huang Rong kidnapped the steward of the Zhao Palace and deliberately injured him, forcing him to seek medicine from Yang Kang. The steward found Yang Kang, who wrote a note to Liang Ziweng to get the medicine. Huang Rong then instructed Guo Jing to follow the steward to retrieve the medicine while she stayed behind to eavesdrop on the conversations in the palace.
Wanyan Honglie, the sixth prince of the Jin dynasty, arrived at the palace to discuss important matters with the martial artists. He recalled how the Jin army had been defeated by Yue Fei, which was well known. Wanyan Honglie wanted to perform a great service for the emperor. He had learned that during his imprisonment, Yue Fei had written a military book, "The Martial Strategies of Yue Fei," containing his lifetime of knowledge on military tactics, training, and siege warfare. Wanyan Honglie believed that if the Jin dynasty could obtain this book, unifying the country would be easy.
Guo Jing followed the steward to get the medicine but was recognized by an apprentice who then reported him, leading to Guo Jing's imprisonment in the pharmacy. There, Liang Ziweng's pet snake sensed an intruder and attacked Guo Jing. To save his life, Guo Jing drank the snake's blood. This made Guo Jing extremely hot. When Liang Ziweng discovered that his treasured snake, which he had raised for over a decade, had been killed and consumed, he was devastated.
The apprentice informed Liang Ziweng that someone had stolen medicine from the pharmacy. Huang Rong, upon learning that Guo Jing was in trouble, rushed to rescue him but ended up revealing her own presence and was surrounded. The assailants, realizing she was from Peach Blossom Island and fearing Huang Yaoshi, decided to kill Huang Rong. Guo Jing arrived at the prison to rescue Mu Nianci and her father. Mu Yi, upon learning that Guo Jing was the son of his old friend Guo Xiaotian, was relieved that his sworn brother's family had survived all these years. Guo Jing wanted to take Mu Nianci and her father away, but Mu Yi insisted on staying to demand justice for his daughter.
Meanwhile, the princess arrived at the prison and ordered the release of Mu Nianci and her father. Ouyang Ke, the young master of White Camel Mountain, appeared at the Zhao Palace to rescue Huang Rong. Ouyang Ke had been invited by Wanyan Honglie. At Ouyang Ke's request, Wanyan Honglie handed Huang Rong over to him. As Guo Jing searched for Huang Rong in the palace, he unexpectedly encountered the Four Ghosts of the Yellow River. After drinking the snake blood, Guo Jing's abilities had significantly increased, and he easily defeated the four ghosts.
Grieving over the loss of his snake, Liang Ziweng was furious and sought to drink Guo Jing's blood. Ouyang Ke, fascinated by Huang Rong's beauty, wanted to keep her by his side and attempted to subdue her through a sparring match, but Huang Rong cleverly thwarted his attempts, making him even more interested in her.
While evading Liang Ziweng, Guo Jing accidentally stumbled into the princess's courtyard. Wanyan Honglie, concerned that thieves might disrupt the princess, visited her. Years ago, Wanyan Honglie, wounded by Qiu Chuji, hid in Niu Family Village and was saved by Bao Xiruo. Infatuated with her, he ordered Duan Tiande to lead men to attack Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian's families while he secretly rescued Bao Xiruo, telling her that her husband had been killed by soldiers' arrows. Wanyan Honglie couldn't understand why, after eighteen years, Bao Xiruo still couldn't forget Yang Tiexin and never saw his true feelings. Bao Xiruo, expressing a desire to visit Niu Family Village, received Wanyan Honglie's permission to go.
Episode 4 Recap
Mu Yi secretly followed Princess Bao Xiruo to her residence. After Wanyan Honglie left, Mu Yi appeared in Bao Xiruo's room. At first, Bao Xiruo did not recognize Mu Yi's true identity, but when he mentioned the events of Niu Family Village, she realized that the person in front of her was her husband, Yang Tiexin, whom she had longed for over the past eighteen years. Reunited, the couple's eyes were filled with tears.
Bao Xiruo was about to ask Yang Tiexin how he had survived the pursuit years ago, but at that moment, Yang Kang arrived. Bao Xiruo quickly hid Yang Tiexin in a cupboard, but Yang Kang sensed something was amiss and entered the room. Suspecting his mother was hiding something, Yang Kang attacked the cupboard where Yang Tiexin was hiding. Guo Jing, who was hiding in the shadows, saw Yang Tiexin get injured and intervened.
Bao Xiruo also stopped Yang Kang, revealing that the man before him was his biological father. Yang Kang refused to believe that he was not Wanyan Kang of the Jin people, but rather Yang Kang, a Han. He did not want to acknowledge Yang Tiexin as his father, insisting that his mother was deceived. Heartbroken that her son did not recognize his real father, Bao Xiruo tried to commit suicide by ramming her head against a pillar.
Seeing Bao Xiruo injured, Yang Tiexin decided to take her away from the Zhao Palace. Yang Kang tried to stop them, but Yang Tiexin used the unique spear technique of the Zhao family to block Yang Kang, forcing him to confront his true heritage. Mu Nianci arrived at the courtyard looking for her father. Yang Tiexin told Bao Xiruo that Mu Nianci was his adopted daughter, and then took Bao Xiruo and Mu Nianci away from the palace.
Guo Jing found Huang Rong in the palace, but they were intercepted by palace guards. They had no choice but to hide in a dry well, where they unexpectedly encountered Mei Chaofeng. Recognizing Guo Jing as the disciple of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, Mei Chaofeng intended to kill him. However, Huang Rong revealed Mei Chaofeng's true identity, stopping her.
Huang Rong convinced Mei Chaofeng to help them fend off the palace guards, promising to plead with her father, Huang Yaoshi, on her behalf. Guo Jing and Huang Rong, along with Mei Chaofeng, managed to escape the well. Mei Chaofeng realized that her master was not in the palace and demanded the secrets of Peach Blossom Island's martial arts from Huang Rong in exchange for her help.
Yang Kang led palace soldiers to stop Yang Tiexin and his group from escaping, determined to take his mother back. At this moment, Ma Yu of the Quanzhen Sect appeared and, learning that Yang Tiexin was Qiu Chuji's friend, helped Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo escape through the city gate. Mei Chaofeng, Guo Jing, and Huang Rong fought against Ouyang Ke and Liang Ziweng, but as Mei Chaofeng had gone mad, they gradually began to lose.
Just then, Yang Kang returned to the palace, ordering Liang Ziweng and the others to help find his mother, allowing Guo Jing and the others to escape. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan arrived at the palace, intending to kill Mei Chaofeng, who had gone mad. However, Guo Jing, grateful for her previous assistance, stopped them. Huang Rong took the opportunity to lead Mei Chaofeng away from the palace.
Huang Rong only saved Mei Chaofeng because she did not want anyone from Peach Blossom Island to die at the hands of outsiders. Mei Chaofeng then revealed that after being blinded by the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, she had been hiding in the Zhao Palace, where she secretly practiced martial arts and was discovered by the young Yang Kang. Yang Kang found a hiding place for her, and in return, Mei Chaofeng agreed to teach him martial arts.
Wanyan Honglie and Yang Kang soon caught up with Yang Tiexin and his group. Yang Kang intended to kill Yang Tiexin himself. Qiu Chuji appeared to save Yang Tiexin, but Yang Kang poisoned Qiu Chuji when he was off guard. Ma Yu quickly provided protection to help Qiu Chuji detoxify.
Bao Xiruo refused to return to the palace with Yang Kang, and Yang Kang stubbornly refused to acknowledge Yang Tiexin as his father, only recognizing Wanyan Honglie, who had raised him for eighteen years, as his father. Wanyan Honglie, resentful that Bao Xiruo had never shown him any affection, decided to kill Yang Tiexin and take Bao Xiruo away. Seeing that they could not escape their fate, Yang Tiexin did not want to implicate the innocent Qiu Chuji and Mu Nianci.
He took his own life with the Yang family's spear. Unable to bear living without her husband, Bao Xiruo also took her own life with a dagger.
Episode 5 Recap
Guo Jing brought Wang Chuyi to the scene. As Yang Tiexin was dying, he entrusted his adopted daughter Mu Nianci to Guo Jing. Though reunited after eighteen years, Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo ultimately died together, fulfilling their final wish. Under Yang Kang's hint, Mu Nianci held Yang Kang hostage, forcing Liang Ziweng and others to hand over the antidote for the poison affecting Qiu Chuji, successfully saving him.
Late at night, Yang Kang came to pay his respects to his mother, Bao Xiruo, but Qiu Chuji believed that Yang Kang, who recognized a traitor as his father, had no right to offer incense to the Yang couple. Despite this, Yang Kang insisted on honoring Bao Xiruo, infuriating Qiu Chuji, who wanted to kill him. Guo Jing intervened, and considering Yang Kang as Yang Tiexin's only bloodline, Qiu Chuji temporarily spared his life.
Yang Kang had lived as Wanyan Kang for eighteen years, never knowing his true identity. He was heartbroken and could not accept the sudden change in his identity. Mu Nianci, worried about Yang Kang, followed him. Though she did not try to persuade him, she knew that her parents hoped Yang Kang would live well. Qiu Chuji intended to fulfill Yang Tiexin's dying wish by arranging for Guo Jing and Mu Nianci to marry.
However, Guo Jing did not want to honor this engagement. Ke Zhene revealed that Guo Jing had been conferred the title of Golden Blade Consort by Genghis Khan in the desert. Despite this, Guo Jing did not want to marry either Mu Nianci or Princess Hua Zheng, openly confessing his love for Huang Rong. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, upon learning that Huang Rong was Huang Yaoshi's daughter, forced Guo Jing to swear never to see her again.
Unable to comply with his masters' demands, Guo Jing found himself in a difficult position between his masters and Huang Rong. Huang Rong arrived and decisively took Guo Jing away on horseback. Huang Rong asked Guo Jing why he did not want to marry Mu Nianci or Princess Hua Zheng. Guo Jing honestly expressed that he only wanted to be with Huang Rong, and his heart could not hold anyone else.
Huang Rong, happy with Guo Jing's confession, also admitted that she only liked Guo Jing. Guo Jing wished to ask his masters for permission to marry Huang Rong, promising to explain the situation to Mu Nianci and to dissolve his engagement with Princess Hua Zheng in the desert. Guo Jing and Huang Rong returned to the courtyard but could not find his masters.
They decided to wait until the gathering at Drunken Immortal Tavern in six months to plead with them. Eighteen years earlier, Qiu Chuji learned that the families of Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian were besieged by Duan Tiande. Upon discovering that Guo Xiaotian's wife was hiding in Fahua Temple, he went there to find her but was intercepted by the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan.
When Qiu Chuji found out that Duan Tiande had slandered him in front of Master Jiao Mu and the Seven Freaks, claiming he had defected to the Jin people, a misunderstanding ensued, leading to injuries on both sides. Later, the Seven Freaks and Master Jiao Mu realized they had been deceived when they saw Duan Tiande at Fahua Temple.
They then agreed to separately rescue the widows of the Yang and Guo families and have their children compete at Drunken Immortal Tavern in eighteen years. Eighteen years later, Qiu Chuji and the Seven Freaks reunited. While Guo Jing had become a chivalrous and righteous man, Yang Kang had recognized a traitor as his father. Qiu Chuji publicly admitted defeat in their bet.
Although Ke Zhene was angry that his disciple liked Huang Rong, Daoist Ma Yu saw that Huang Rong genuinely liked Guo Jing and persuaded Ke Zhene to let the marriage proceed according to Guo Jing's wishes. Mu Nianci took the wandering Yang Kang back home. Yang Kang could not understand why his mother had insisted on abandoning the wealth of the palace to return to Niu Family Village.
Mu Nianci left Yang Tiexin's iron spear with Yang Kang as a memento. Although Yang Tiexin had betrothed Mu Nianci to Guo Jing before his death, Mu Nianci knew Guo Jing had someone he liked and would not marry him. She acknowledged only that her father had betrothed her to Yang Kang, who won her hand in a martial arts contest.
Yang Kang, moved by Mu Nianci's sincerity, promised to marry her at Niu Family Village once he settled his current affairs. As Guo Jing and Huang Rong traveled through a forest, they unexpectedly encountered Hong Qigong. Huang Rong, in high spirits, gambled with Hong Qigong on a game of Cuju.
Episode 6 Recap
Guo Jing started the Cuju match but, having never played before, he accidentally kicked the ball too hard, breaking it. Hong Qigong declared that Guo Jing had lost the match, but Huang Rong was not willing to accept defeat. Hong Qigong suggested a sleeping contest instead. Huang Rong told Guo Jing to continue competing with Hong Qigong, assuring him that she had a way to make Hong Qigong lose.
During the sleeping contest between Hong Qigong and Guo Jing, Huang Rong roasted a Beggar's Chicken. The enticing aroma made it hard for Hong Qigong to resist. Meanwhile, Liang Ziweng chased after Guo Jing to suck the blood that had absorbed snake venom. Guo Jing and Huang Rong were no match for Liang Ziweng, but at the critical moment, Hong Qigong intervened to save them. Recognizing Hong Qigong, Liang Ziweng knelt and begged for mercy.
Guo Jing, kind-hearted as always, allowed Liang Ziweng to leave. Hong Qigong was completely won over by the aroma of the Beggar's Chicken and willingly admitted defeat in the contest. Huang Rong had already recognized Hong Qigong's identity and used gourmet food to entice him into teaching them martial arts. Hong Qigong, noticing Huang Rong's martial arts style, realized she was Huang Yaoshi's daughter and refused her request to accept Guo Jing as a disciple.
Unwilling to give up, Huang Rong prepared a table of delicious dishes the next day. Attracted by the aroma, Hong Qigong came by, and Huang Rong took the opportunity to praise his martial arts, claiming he was even better than her father, Huang Yaoshi. Flattered, Hong Qigong showed himself.
Being a food lover, Hong Qigong enjoyed the meal prepared by Huang Rong and agreed to teach Guo Jing some martial arts moves, though he did not promise to accept him as a disciple. Hong Qigong personally taught Guo Jing "Regret of the Dragon. " Despite his slow comprehension, Guo Jing eventually mastered one move after practicing, which pleased Hong Qigong.
Huang Rong continued to win over Hong Qigong with gourmet food, convincing him to teach her a set of martial arts as well. Ouyang Ke found Huang Rong and Guo Jing. Reluctant to give up on taking Huang Rong back to White Camel Mountain, Ouyang Ke attempted to kill Guo Jing. However, Guo Jing, who had learned one move of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, managed to hold his own in a fight against Ouyang Ke.
Despite injuring Guo Jing after several battles, Ouyang Ke intended to take Huang Rong away but was unexpectedly interrupted by Hong Qigong. Ouyang Ke released venomous snakes to attack Hong Qigong, but Hong Qigong swiftly killed the snakes. Out of respect for Ouyang Feng, Hong Qigong let Ouyang Ke go, though Ouyang Ke left reluctantly. Huang Rong prepared a full snake feast to reward Hong Qigong.
When Hong Qigong learned that Ouyang Ke had been troubling Guo Jing and Huang Rong, he agreed to continue teaching Guo Jing the first fifteen moves of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Under Hong Qigong's meticulous guidance, Guo Jing's martial arts skills improved rapidly. After Bao Xiruo's tragic death, Wanyan Honglie returned to the small courtyard of the palace. Despite eighteen years of sorrow, he never won Bao Xiruo's love.
Yang Kang also returned to the courtyard to bid farewell to Wanyan Honglie, expressing his intention to return to his mother's hometown, Niu Family Village in Lin'an, to atone for his mother's sins. Wanyan Honglie did not want his son to leave. Although Yang Kang was not his biological son, Wanyan Honglie had always treated him as his own.
He told Yang Kang that he could continue using the Wanyan surname and inherit the throne after his death if he wished. Yang Kang explained to Mu Nianci that he couldn't return to Niu Family Village with her yet because he wanted to stay with Wanyan Honglie to protect Yue Fei's "Wu Mu's Military Strategy" from Wanyan Honglie's greed, hoping to change the opinions of those who looked down on them.
Mu Nianci ultimately chose to trust Yang Kang and allowed him to stay with Wanyan Honglie.
Episode 7 Recap
After teaching Guo Jing martial arts for thirty days, Hong Qigong prepared to bid farewell. However, Huang Rong still hoped that Hong Qigong would teach Guo Jing the final three moves of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Guo Jing was already satisfied and gratefully thanked Hong Qigong for his teachings, which made Hong Qigong appreciate Guo Jing's wisdom.
The next day, Hong Qigong left without saying goodbye. Huang Rong and Guo Jing also prepared to head to Zuixian Restaurant as scheduled. Guo Jing planned to go to town alone to buy some dry food, leaving Huang Rong in the courtyard to pack their belongings. After Guo Jing left, Ouyang Ke attacked Huang Rong with venomous snakes, and Huang Rong was accidentally bitten and poisoned. Ouyang Ke took the opportunity to abduct the unconscious Huang Rong.
When Guo Jing returned to the courtyard from town and found Huang Rong missing, he deduced from the dead snakes that Ouyang Ke had taken her. Following Huang Rong's trail, he pursued them. Guo Jing successfully caught up with Ouyang Ke and rescued Huang Rong. Together, they fought Ouyang Ke. Thanks to Hong Qigong's training, their martial arts skills had improved significantly, and they managed to defeat Ouyang Ke. Realizing he was no match for them, Ouyang Ke seized the chance to escape.
The Mongols had already infiltrated Song territory and were cooperating with the Song people. Now, with the Jin forces capturing land on both fronts, Wanyan Honglie instructed Yang Kang to secretly infiltrate Song territory as a Jin envoy. His task was to find someone to kill the Mongol envoy and frame the Song people for it, thereby breaking the Mongol-Song alliance without a fight.
Mei Chaofeng, having successfully practiced the internal energy techniques taught by Huang Rong, had now cleared her meridians, resulting in a significant increase in her martial prowess. Yang Kang invited Mei Chaofeng to accompany him to Song territory, knowing well her enmity with the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. With the Jiangnan Seven Freaks and the palace experts planning a battle on the fifteenth of August, they planned to seize the opportunity to kill their enemies in one go. Mei Chaofeng declined to travel with Yang Kang but assured him that she would seek revenge against the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan on her own.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong arrived in town to rest. Huang Rong spotted Mu Nianci and deliberately separated from Guo Jing to secretly find her. Mistakingly believing that Mu Nianci had feelings for Guo Jing, Huang Rong snatched the short sword, a keepsake from Yang Tiexin, from Mu Nianci's hand. Unable to defeat Huang Rong, Mu Nianci was trapped by her. Huang Rong intended to make Mu Nianci promise not to marry Guo Jing. Learning that Huang Rong had feelings for Guo Jing, Mu Nianci assured her that she had no intention of marrying him. Huang Rong, realizing that Mu Nianci liked Yang Kang and posed no threat to her relationship with Guo Jing, cleared up the misunderstanding. Before parting, Mu Nianci gifted the short sword to Huang Rong.
Mu Nianci bid farewell to Huang Rong and headed to Niu Family Village. Along the way, she heard that the Jin envoy was a young prince. She followed them secretly and successfully found Yang Kang. Meanwhile, Huang Rong and Guo Jing encountered Lu Chengfeng, the master of Guiyun Manor, fishing on the river. Lu Chengfeng and the couple hit it off immediately, and he invited them to stay at his manor for a few days.
Lu Chengfeng asked his son, Lu Guanying, to entertain Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Later, he invited Huang Rong and Guo Jing to admire his landscape paintings. Impressed by Huang Rong's insightful comments, Lu Chengfeng regarded her as a kindred spirit. While staying at Guiyun Manor, Huang Rong noticed the iron Bagua in their room and became curious about the peculiarities of the manor and Lu Chengfeng's identity.
That night, the sound of conch shells woke Huang Rong. She roused the sleeping Guo Jing to investigate, but they inadvertently fell into the manor's Bagua maze. Using her knowledge of Qimen Dunjia, Huang Rong easily navigated the maze and successfully emerged at the lakeside.
Lu Guanying learned that the Jin envoy would cross the lake that night. He decided to lead the people to intercept the Jin's wealth, distributing half to the poor by the lake and dividing the rest among the villages. As Yang Kang, the Jin envoy, crossed Taihu Lake by boat, his party was ambushed.
Episode 8 Recap
Lu Guanying led people to capture Jin envoy Yang Kang. Guo Jing secretly discovered that the person captured was Yang Kang. Originally, he wanted to step forward to explain to Lu Guanying that Yang Kang was not a Jin spy. He believed Yang Kang must have been used by the Jin people to come here. Huang Rong believed that they did not know the details of Manor Master Lu at the moment and could not act rashly.
The two decided to wait and see and seize the opportunity to rescue him. Yang Kang was brought to see Manor Master Lu Chengfeng. He mocked those who captured him, saying they were just villains who used numbers to defeat fewer opponents. Under Yang Kang's provocation with words, Lu Guanying decided to have a duel with Yang Kang alone. Yang Kang defeated Lu Guanying with the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.
Seeing Yang Kang acting presumptuously in Guiyun Manor, Lu Chengfeng stepped forward to teach Yang Kang a lesson. Lu Chengfeng asked Yang Kang who Black Wind Double Blight were to him, but Yang Kang did not answer Lu Chengfeng's question. Lu Chengfeng ordered someone to temporarily imprison Yang Kang in Guiyun Manor. Huang Rong saw Lu Chengfeng secretly teaching Yang Kang martial arts and discovered that what he knew was surprisingly Peach Blossom Island's martial arts.
She wanted to investigate this matter first. Guo Jing and Huang Rong saw Mu Nianci in the manor. Huang Rong secretly helped Mu Nianci walk out of the Bagua Formation maze. Mu Nianci successfully found Yang Kang, but she was temporarily unable to rescue the trapped Yang Kang.
Yang Kang entrusted Mu Nianci to take the gold chain around his neck to Lin'an Prefecture for Chancellor Shi Miyuan, asking him not to meet the Mongolian envoy, and even asking him to immediately execute the Mongolian envoy after capturing him. Mu Nianci was unwilling to work for the Jin people and refused to go deliver the message. Yang Kang had no choice but to ask Mu Nianci to find Mei Chaofeng to rescue him.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong overheard the conversation between Yang Kang and Mu Nianci. Believing Yang Kang was treacherous and colluding with the Jin people, in anger, they were unwilling to rescue Yang Kang. Mu Nianci, entrusted by Yang Kang, came to deliver a message to Mei Chaofeng, but was unexpectedly trapped and taken away by Ouyang Ke, who had come here. Ouyang Ke threatened Mei Chaofeng to hand over the Nine Yin Manual.
Seeing that Ouyang Ke was no match for Mei Chaofeng, he summoned a snake formation to surround Mei Chaofeng. Mei Chaofeng, being blind, was trapped by the snake formation. At the moment of crisis, Huang Yaoshi's xiao music broke the snake formation and saved Mei Chaofeng, and also made Ouyang Ke fearful and leave. Guiyun Manor received a skull threat. Lu Chengfeng knew this was a demonstration from Black Wind Double Blight.
He asked Lu Guanying and his mother to temporarily stay in Bei Zhuang in Wuxi City first, while he wanted to stay and settle years of grudges. Lu Chengfeng did not want to involve Guo Jing and Huang Rong and sent the two away from Guiyun Manor. Before parting, Lu Chengfeng also gifted Huang Rong gold and longevity-enhancing medicine as a gift.
Just at this moment, Iron Palm Water Skimmer Qiu Qianren learned that Guiyun Manor was in trouble and came to help. He was extraordinarily arrogant and believed his martial arts were superb. His performance was astonishing. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan arrived at Guiyun Manor. Seeing that Guo Jing was still with Huang Rong, Ke Zhen'e forced Guo Jing to leave Huang Rong, but Guo Jing honestly stated that he truly loved Huang Rong and would not leave Huang Rong.
The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan learned that Black Wind Double Blight were about to arrive at Guiyun Manor. They decided to stay and help. Qiu Qianren believed that the Jin army would head south soon.
In order to avoid devastating casualties from a battle between the two sides, Qiu Qianren suggested that Lu Chengfeng should release the Jin Prince, and then gather heroes from all walks of life to make the Song Emperor understand the huge disparity in strength, so that he would surrender without a fight. This way, saving the people of the world from the troubles of war would be the best strategy.
Huang Rong mocked Qiu Qianren for having empty thoughts of chivalry but being so shameless. Guo Jing asked Qiu Qianren for guidance on behalf of his masters. Unexpectedly, Guo Jing tested out the details of Qiu Qianren's showmanship within a few moves. Guo Jing concluded that Qiu Qianren only knew some superficial martial arts. Seeing that he was no match, Qiu Qianren originally wanted to seize the opportunity to escape. Unexpectedly, at this moment, Mei Chaofeng arrived at Guiyun Manor.
Mei Chaofeng sensed that the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan were in Guiyun Manor. To get revenge, she single-handedly fought against the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. Huang Rong seized the opportunity to capture the escaping Qiu Qianren, but learned from his mouth that Huang Yaoshi had been killed by the Seven Masters of Quanzhen. Mei Chaofeng and Lu Chengfeng, upon learning of their master's death, resolved to charge into Mount Zhongnan to make the Quanzhen Sect be buried with him.
Episode 9 Recap
The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan believed that Qiu Qianren was habitually deceptive, that Huang Yaoshi's martial arts were unparalleled, and that the Seven Masters of Quanzhen were also proper individuals. It was impossible for the two sides to fight. Perhaps these were all Qiu Qianren's lies. Huang Rong and others pressed Qiu Qianren, and only from his lying mouth did they learn that Huang Yaoshi was unharmed.
Mei Chaofeng asked Lu Chengfeng to release her disciple Yang Kang, so that the past could be forgotten by both sides. Lu Chengfeng believed that releasing Yang Kang was equivalent to letting a tiger return to the mountains, endangering the Song dynasty's territory. He was willing, for the sake of Yang Kang being Mei Chaofeng's disciple, to let him stay in Guiyun Manor and reflect behind closed doors.
Lu Chengfeng was worried about his master and invited Mei Chaofeng to visit their respected master together on Peach Blossom Island. But Mei Chaofeng, having betrayed her master's sect, had no face to see her master again. She wanted to avenge Chen Xuanfeng and then end her own life to atone for her sins to her respected master.
Guo Jing frankly admitted that he had killed Chen Xuanfeng, asking Mei Chaofeng to come and settle the score with him, and not to seek revenge on his masters in the future. Huang Rong stepped forward and suggested that Mei Chaofeng and Guo Jing determine the winner within ten moves, but Guo Jing was willing to spar with Mei Chaofeng for fifteen moves. After a round of sparring, Mei Chaofeng could not defeat the greatly improved Guo Jing.
Although she did not win against Guo Jing within fifteen moves, Mei Chaofeng was still insistent on avenging Chen Xuanfeng. Guo Jing injured Mei Chaofeng with the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Huang Yaoshi appeared and saved Mei Chaofeng, taking her away. Mei Chaofeng did not know that the person who had saved her twice was her master. Huang Yaoshi personally treated Mei Chaofeng's injuries and instructed her to kill Guo Jing.
Huang Rong brewed herbal soup to treat the internal injuries of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. Ke Zhen'e, in a fit of pique, refused to drink the soup and was even very dissatisfied with Huang Rong. Huang Rong left in anger. At this moment, Mei Chaofeng returned to Guiyun Manor to challenge Guo Jing. With Huang Yaoshi's assistance, Mei Chaofeng did not fall behind Guo Jing in this match.
Seeing Guo Jing frequently under pressure, Huang Rong also recognized that the masked person assisting Mei Chaofeng was her father, Huang Yaoshi, so she simply stepped forward directly to stop the duel. Eighteen years ago, Duan Tiande abandoned Li Ping on the battlefield. Li Ping gave birth to Guo Jing in the snow, and was later rescued by people from the grasslands.
Guo Jing was educated by his mother from a young age that one day he must return to the Song dynasty to seek revenge on Duan Tiande. At this time, Duan Tiande, hiding in the Taihu Lake waterway, secretly infiltrated the prison and rescued Yang Kang. Huang Yaoshi revealed his true appearance. Mei Chaofeng and Lu Chengfeng both knelt and bowed to their master.
Huang Yaoshi asked Mei Chaofeng for the Nine Yin Manual, but Mei Chaofeng discovered that the Nine Yin Manual she had previously hidden on her person had disappeared, guessing that it was taken by the Skilled Scholar Zhu Cong. But the Skilled Scholar Zhu Cong denied taking the manual. Mei Chaofeng confessed her capital crime.
Huang Yaoshi told Mei Chaofeng to find the person who stole the manual, kill everyone who had read the manual, and then find the descendants of the Peach Blossom Island disciples and send them all to the island. Huang Yaoshi investigated and learned that Lu Chengfeng had not privately taught Peach Blossom Island's martial arts to his son Lu Guanying. He agreed that from then on, Lu Chengfeng could teach Lu Guanying Peach Blossom Island's martial arts.
He also gave a manual of leg techniques to Lu Chengfeng to help him walk freely in the future. Huang Rong did not want to go home, but pressured by her father, she had no choice but to agree to return to the island. Guo Jing caught up to Huang Yaoshi, wanting to keep Huang Rong. Instead, Huang Yaoshi wanted to hold Guo Jing accountable for killing his disciple Chen Xuanfeng.
Huang Rong was worried that her father might actually kill Guo Jing, so she appeased Guo Jing and followed Huang Yaoshi to leave. Yang Kang, who had escaped from prison, brought Duan Tiande to meet the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. He stated that he had pretended to surrender and stayed by Wanyan Honglie's side with the goal of reclaiming the 'Book of Wumu' for the Song dynasty.
Facing Guo Jing's questioning, Duan Tiande stated that he had harmed Guo Xiaotian years ago under orders, and that person was Wanyan Honglie, the Sixth Prince of Great Jin. Although Duan Tiande begged for mercy from everyone, Guo Jing and Yang Kang still killed him to avenge their parents. Yang Kang and Guo Jing talked over wine. Yang Kang was resentful that he had been deceived by Wanyan Honglie, recognizing a thief as his father for eighteen years.
Guo Jing was furious that Wanyan Honglie had killed his father. He and Yang Kang swore a blood oath and became sworn brothers. They vowed to kill Wanyan Honglie to avenge their fathers. The next day, Guo Jing bid farewell to Lu Chengfeng and his son, preparing to go north with Yang Kang to kill Wanyan Honglie.
He agreed to meet his masters, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant in Jiaxing after the first day of the seventh month, and then go to Peach Blossom Island together. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan worried about Yang Kang's cunning nature and reminded Guo Jing to be more cautious, and also to be wary of the dangers of the Jianghu.
Episode 10 Recap
Guo Jing and Yang Kang arrived in a town to rest. The innkeeper warmly welcomed the two. Yang Kang guessed that Lu Chengfeng had specifically arranged for people to entertain them because he had treated him poorly at Guiyun Manor. Guo Jing did not suspect anything at first, but after tasting the dishes, he found that they seemed quite similar to Huang Rong's cooking. He couldn't help but miss Huang Rong.
Guo Jing didn't understand why Yang Kang followed Mei Chaofeng to learn those wicked martial arts. Yang Kang explained that he didn't have Guo Jing's good fortune, nor did he have the opportunity to learn the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms from Hong Qigong. He also wasn't liked by the proper Quanzhen master Qiu Chuji. Guo Jing believed that Qiu Chuji disliked Yang Kang because he misunderstood that Yang Kang had recognized a thief as his father.
If Yang Kang explained the truth to Qiu Chuji, Qiu Chuji would naturally forgive Yang Kang's past actions. But Yang Kang believed that following Qiu Chuji didn't offer much future prospects. He felt resentful internally that he had fallen from being a little prince to a state even worse than Guo Jing. """ Twenty-three years ago, the Ming Cult burned down the White Camel Mountain Villa with a single fire. The Ouyang family were scattered for many years.
Later, Ouyang Feng rebuilt the villa. Ouyang Feng returned the position of villa master to Ouyang Ke's deceased father and did not stay at the White Camel Mountain Villa himself. Later, after Ouyang Ke's mother passed away, the people in the villa wanted to choose a new villa master, and only then did Ouyang Feng return to the villa to help Ouyang Ke become the master of White Camel Mountain Villa.
Ouyang Feng was always traveling and worried that Ouyang Ke would be unattended, so he arranged for many girls to take care of him at White Camel Mountain. Ouyang Ke always wanted to find a woman who was like his mother, but no woman was exactly like her. He could only keep those who resembled her by his side. Later, the woman most like his mother left with a scholar. Ouyang Ke found the two and killed them.
Ouyang Ke prepared to take the captured Mu Nianci back to White Camel Mountain Villa with him. Mu Nianci was unwilling but was forced into a stone coffin by him. Guo Jing and Yang Kang arrived in Jintan and were still warmly hosted by the innkeeper. Only after Guo Jing ate the beggar's chicken personally cooked by Huang Rong did he confirm that Huang Rong had arranged their meals. Guo Jing learned that Huang Rong knew their route of travel.
He bid farewell to Yang Kang and hurried ahead to the next stop, Baoying, to meet Huang Rong. Guo Jing rushed to the inn in Baoying and indeed met Huang Rong, who had arranged meals for him in advance. Both were very happy to be reunited. The next day, Guo Jing and Huang Rong heard that many girls around Baoying had gone missing.
Some people even guessed that it was the work of people from the Beggar's Sect, which angered Guo Jing. Huang Rong discovered a signal for an emergency meeting of the Beggar's Sect on the street. They followed the signal and found several members of the Beggar's Sect, hearing them planning to rescue Miss Cheng from Old Man Cheng's shop tonight. The two followed them and discovered that the Beggar's Sect members were also kindly trying to help Miss Cheng.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong learned from Li Sheng, a member of the Beggar's Sect, that the flower thief might be from the Western Regions. Huang Rong guessed that this person was Ouyang Ke. Upon learning Li Sheng's plan, Huang Rong decided to pretend to be Miss Cheng and get kidnapped, thereby finding Ouyang Ke. That night, Huang Rong was indeed kidnapped by Ouyang Ke's men.
Li Sheng and Guo Jing led people to follow and found Ouyang Ke, but Ouyang Ke quickly discovered their whereabouts and released poisonous snakes to bite Li Sheng. Guo Jing attacked Ouyang Ke, but he was not Ouyang Ke's match. Because of this, Ouyang Ke looked down on the martial arts of the Beggar's Sect. Unexpectedly, Hong Qigong arrived at the scene to teach Ouyang Ke a lesson.
Ouyang Ke used Ouyang Feng as a shield, arguing that even in a martial arts contest, Hong Qigong's disciple should fight him. Huang Rong seized Ouyang Ke's words as an opportunity to remind Hong Qigong that he had not trained a direct disciple, and thus the vast common people could not be protected solely by him. Hearing Huang Rong's words, Hong Qigong decided to take a disciple on the spot.
He immediately taught the last three stances of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and promised that if Guo Jing defeated Ouyang Ke, he would accept him as a disciple. Hong Qigong demonstrated the last three stances of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms on the spot. Guo Jing realized that these last three stances were actually variations combining the previous fifteen stances. He truly mastered the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and injured Ouyang Ke with his very first move.
Ouyang Ke was defeated, handed over the antidote for the poisonous snakes, and left in a disheveled state. Huang Rong told Hong Qigong about how Ouyang Ke had taken the opportunity to attack her earlier. She asked Hong Qigong to accept her as a disciple. Facing the eloquent Huang Rong, Hong Qigong finally agreed to accept her as a disciple. Huazheng followed Tuo Lei to the Song Dynasty.
She wanted to find Guo Jing, but unexpectedly, their group was attacked by Jin soldiers on the way. Guo Jing and Yang Kang rendezvoused and heard the white condor calling. He, Huang Rong, and Yang Kang followed the white condor's guidance and successfully rescued the attacked Huazheng and Tuo Lei's group.
Episode 11 Recap
Yang Kang followed the tracks to the ruined temple. Here, he found Wanyan Honglie. Yang Kang wanted to settle things with Wanyan Honglie today. He learned that Wanyan Honglie instigated Duan Tiande to kill Yang Tiexin's family and then pretended to save his mother. His poor mother was deceived for a lifetime. Wanyan Honglie admitted that he was smitten with Bao Xiruo the moment he saw her back then.
To get Bao Xiruo, he had Duan Tiande fabricate the Niu Family Village incident. Although Wanyan Honglie admitted that he owed Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo, he had never wronged Yang Kang. Wanyan Honglie stated that for so many years, he had treated Yang Kang as his own son, and his battles were fought with the desire for Yang Kang to become the ruler of the world.
Back in Niu Family Village, he sacrificed his conscience to marry Bao Xiruo and become Yang Kang's father, but Wanyan Honglie never regretted it. Although the killer of his father had raised him for eighteen years, Yang Kang stabbed Wanyan Honglie but ultimately decided to let him go. """ In the ruined temple, Mu Nianci, who was trapped in a stone coffin by Ouyang Ke, overheard the conversation between Yang Kang and Wanyan Honglie.
She felt disappointed by Yang Kang's actions. Afterwards, Guo Jing and Huang Rong arrived. Yang Kang said he had not found Wanyan Honglie. Huang Rong did not believe Yang Kang. She searched the ruined temple but found no one. Just as she was about to leave, she heard movement from inside the stone coffin and unexpectedly found Mu Nianci trapped inside. Huang Rong asked Mu Nianci if she had heard Wanyan Honglie come here, but Mu Nianci did not answer.
Huang Rong and Guo Jing had to go elsewhere first to search for Wanyan Honglie. Only after Guo Jing and Huang Rong left did Mu Nianci strike Yang Kang. She couldn't understand why Yang Kang didn't avenge his parents and why she would like such a heartless person as Yang Kang. Mu Nianci didn't want to tell Guo Jing simply because she didn't want Yang Kang and them to fight each other.
But Yang Kang also said that he couldn't bring himself to personally kill the enemy who had raised him for eighteen years. Recognizing a thief as his father from birth was not the life he chose; his life was always full of difficulties. Now, merely living was only because of Mu Nianci's existence. Huang Rong and Guo Jing did not find any trace of Wanyan Honglie.
Huang Rong was convinced that Yang Kang had let Wanyan Honglie go for wealth and glory. However, Guo Jing thought Huang Rong's prejudice against Yang Kang was too deep. He believed it was difficult for someone to choose to start anew and that they should choose to believe Yang Kang. Huang Rong and Guo Jing returned to look for Mu Nianci.
Seeing that Yang Kang was inseparable from Mu Nianci, Huang Rong guessed that Yang Kang felt guilty and feared she would question him, so she simply suggested they stay at the Hot Spring Villa for the night. Huang Rong and Mu Nianci soaked in the hot springs alone. With just a little probing, Huang Rong discovered that Mu Nianci was hiding something from them.
On the other side, Yang Kang was worried that Mu Nianci couldn't deceive Huang Rong, so he simply told Guo Jing that he had let Wanyan Honglie go that day. Guo Jing understood Yang Kang's choice and was relieved by Yang Kang's sincerity, deciding that he would avenge this later.
Guo Jing learned that Yang Kang planned to return to Niu Family Village with Mu Nianci and said that after he killed Wanyan Honglie, he would take Huang Rong back to live in Niu Family Village as well. Mu Nianci asked Yang Kang to take chicken soup to Huang Rong.
Yang Kang unexpectedly overheard Huang Rong thinking that he gave up revenge for a promising future and further concluded that Yang Kang would not easily return to Niu Family Village with Mu Nianci. The next day, Guo Jing and Huang Rong discovered that Yang Kang and Mu Nianci had left without saying goodbye. The two decided to head to Zhongdu immediately. On the way, Guo Jing went to Jintan to visit Huazheng and Tuo Lei.
Tuo Lei and others were anxious to go to Lin'an for the Song-Mongol agreement, but Huazheng's injuries were not yet healed. She could only be temporarily entrusted to Guo Jing's care. Huang Rong helped Guo Jing take care of Huazheng. Hearing the unconscious Huazheng call out Guo Jing's name, Huang Rong felt jealous.
When asked about his feelings for Huazheng, Guo Jing said he regarded both Huazheng and Tuo Lei as family; the three of them grew up together since childhood. Huang Rong envied the friendship they had from growing up together and also envied that Huazheng could openly like Guo Jing. Guo Jing told Huang Rong that once Huazheng recovered, he would definitely explain the matter of their relationship clearly to Huazheng and dissolve their engagement.
When Huazheng woke up and saw Guo Jing, she happily hugged him, which made Huang Rong very jealous. So, she told Huazheng that men and women should not have close contact and that she would take care of Huazheng instead of Guo Jing while she was injured. In the following days, Huang Rong saw Huazheng and Guo Jing interacting intimately and angrily wanted to return to Peach Blossom Island.
Guo Jing pacified Huang Rong and decided to explain things clearly to Huazheng. Facing Huazheng's questions, Guo Jing admitted that he only saw Huazheng as a sister and that his acceptance of the Golden Saber Consort decree back then was merely because he didn't want Huazheng to marry the commander and be bullied. Saddened, Huazheng decided to return to the grassland and also told Guo Jing that their engagement was still valid and that she would wait for him on the grassland forever.
Episode 12 Recap
Yang Kang and Mu Nianci hurried all the way to Niu Family Village. To save money, the two tightened their belts. Mu Nianci was already used to this kind of life. She worried that Yang Kang might find such a life undignified. Yang Kang told Mu Nianci not to worry about him; he said they wouldn't feel undignified earning money through their own efforts. Huang Yaoshi missed his wife Feng Heng.
Since his wife's passing, his daughter Huang Rong became his sole reliance. He accompanied Huang Rong in practicing martial arts and studying. Later, Huang Rong always secretly ran to her mother's grave to talk about her worries, and Huang Yaoshi knew he couldn't keep his daughter anymore. Guo Jing came to Peach Blossom Island alone to find Huang Rong, but he was trapped on Peach Blossom Island and couldn't find a way out.
He unexpectedly walked into Qingyin Cave and met Zhou Botong. Zhou Botong pretended to be Huang Yaoshi and told Guo Jing to try and walk out of the Peach Blossom Formation, but Guo Jing tried dozens of times according to the method but couldn't find a way out. Finally, Guo Jing realized he was being tricked and also learned that the person before him was not Huang Yaoshi.
Zhou Botong said he had been trapped on Peach Blossom Island for fifteen years. Guo Jing learned that Zhou Botong knew Huang Rong, asked him to help find Huang Rong, and said he would also help Zhou Botong leave the island. Yang Kang and Mu Nianci performed in the streets to earn money for their journey home. Officers appeared and demanded official permits from the two.
Mu Nianci didn't know that street performances required permits, but Yang Kang thought they were deliberately making things difficult for them. Mu Nianci originally wanted to give the money they earned to the officers to settle the matter, but the officers became lustful and wanted to take her away. In anger, Yang Kang injured these officers. Mu Nianci didn't want trouble and persuaded Yang Kang to leave. Huang Rong talked about her worries in front of her mother's grave.
She had thought Guo Jing was honest and loyal, a good match, but she didn't expect him to be engaged. Now, she couldn't forget Guo Jing. Huang Yaoshi heard his daughter's worries and played the "Bi Hai Chao Sheng Qu". Zhou Botong was attacked by the demonic sound, but unexpectedly, Guo Jing was not affected at all.
Zhou Botong guessed that Huang Yaoshi didn't truly want to kill Guo Jing; he just wanted to test the depth of the relationship between Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Zhou Botong had been trapped on Peach Blossom Island for fifteen years and wanted Guo Jing to spar with him to relieve boredom. Guo Jing originally wanted to go find Huang Rong but was forced to practice martial arts with Zhou Botong.
These years, Zhou Botong had researched the "Left and Right Technique" himself. Seeing Guo Jing curious about this martial art, he directly pulled Guo Jing and taught him this martial art. Yang Kang saw that Mu Nianci liked a jade hairpin on the street. He specifically used a jade pendant from the prince's manor to exchange for the jade hairpin and wanted to give it to Mu Nianci.
Unexpectedly, when he returned to the inn, he found that Mu Nianci had been captured by the officers they encountered on the street during the day. To protect Mu Nianci, Yang Kang was beaten up by the officers, and even the jade hairpin he bought was broken. At the moment of crisis, people from the prince's manor came to rescue him.
People from the prince's manor persuaded Yang Kang to return to the manor, but now Yang Kang could no longer face Wanyan Honglie. Guo Jing originally wanted the people delivering food to help him send a letter to Huang Rong, but these people feared Huang Yaoshi and naturally wouldn't agree to help. Zhou Botong told Guo Jing that these people were villains from outside the island, captured by Huang Yaoshi and had their tongues cut off.
Guo Jing found a note from Huang Rong inside a steamed bun, but it was snatched away by Zhou Botong and destroyed. Zhou Botong thought that if Huang Yaoshi knew Huang Rong and Guo Jing were secretly in contact, he definitely wouldn't let Guo Jing off. Seeing Guo Jing insisted on finding Huang Rong, Zhou Botong suggested that Guo Jing bring his master Hong Qigong for support, so that Huang Yaoshi might give him some face. Guo Jing summoned his white eagles to send a message to Hong Qigong, asking him to come to Peach Blossom Island to help with the proposal.
Episode 13 Recap
Yang Kang followed Mu Nianci to Niu Family Village in Lin'an County. Seeing the dilapidated home, Yang Kang sighed at the impermanence of life. Huang Rong told her father Huang Yaoshi how hard it was to forget someone. And how her father had been living alone all these years since her mother passed away? Huang Yaoshi told his daughter not to fear forgetting someone, but to fear not being able to forget.
Huang Rong planned to let Guo Jing return to the prairie after seeing him. - Zhou Botong, trapped on Peach Blossom Island for fifteen years, had researched the Emptiness and Serenity Fist. He believed it perfectly integrated with Guo Jing's Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. He then taught this fist technique to Guo Jing, and Guo Jing learned about seventy to eighty percent of it after a night of practice.
Zhou Botong took Guo Jing to attempt the Peach Blossom Formation again. It was at this moment that Huang Rong also came to see Guo Jing. Guo Jing was very happy to see Huang Rong, but Huang Rong told Guo Jing that she indeed liked him very much, but she also understood that she absolutely could not share Guo Jing with anyone else.
Huang Rong told Guo Jing that she had gotten Huang Yaoshi drunk, and now was Guo Jing's last chance to leave Peach Blossom Island. But Guo Jing said that he had never thought of leaving Peach Blossom Island; he chose to be with Huang Rong. - Huang Yaoshi rushed here wanting to kill Guo Jing. Zhou Botong appeared to protect Guo Jing, but unexpectedly, he was bitten by a snake.
Huang Yaoshi also discovered that many venomous snakes had appeared on the island, and he quickly took Huang Rong away from the area. Guo Jing took Zhou Botong back to the cave and personally sucked out the snake venom. Afterwards, Huang Rong ordered someone to send the snake venom antidote. Guo Jing personally helped Zhou Botong treat the snake bite wound and saved Zhou Botong's life.
- After Zhou Botong woke up, in order to deal with Huang Yaoshi, he pulled Guo Jing into becoming sworn brothers. Guo Jing was grateful that Zhou Botong thought highly of him, so he agreed to become sworn brothers. Zhou Botong unexpectedly found the Nine Yin Manual on the cloth wrapping Guo Jing's dagger.
It turned out that the dagger Mei Chaofeng had was wrapped in the Nine Yin Manual, so when Guo Jing's second master gave the dagger to Guo Jing, he also took Mei Chaofeng's Nine Yin Manual. Zhou Botong recognized that this was the real Nine Yin Manual and successfully obtained it from Guo Jing. - Ouyang Ke's snake formation was broken by Huang Yaoshi. Huang Yaoshi saw Ouyang Feng bringing Ouyang Ke to visit and led them onto the island.
Zhou Botong didn't want to break his senior martial brother's promise not to practice the Nine Yin Manual, but he was curious about this martial art. So, he tempted Guo Jing to learn this martial art. However, Zhou Botong did not tell Guo Jing that this martial art was the Nine Yin Manual. Instead, he told Guo Jing that if he became the number one martial artist in the world, he could marry Huang Rong, which greatly moved Guo Jing.
- Huang Rong, following her father's orders, paid her respects to Ouyang Feng, but she also told him about the many times Ouyang Ke had made things difficult for her in the Central Plains. Ouyang Ke voluntarily apologized and proposed marriage in front of Huang Yaoshi, presenting a precious treasure that wards off poison to Huang Rong. Although Huang Rong disliked Ouyang Ke, Huang Yaoshi still let his daughter accept the gift first.
Huang Rong was angry and wanted to injure Ouyang Ke, but was stopped by Huang Yaoshi. She could only leave in anger. Huang Yaoshi accepted the anti-poison treasure, but also stated that the marriage proposal could be discussed again later. - Mu Nianci saw the Four Devils of the Yellow River chasing members of the Beggars' Sect. Grateful that Hong Qigong had taught her martial arts, she decided to step in to help.
The person she saved told her that on the fifteenth of next month, there would be a gathering in Yuezhou, and asked her to relay the news that the "Wumu Testament" was in Cuihan Hall back to the sect. Mu Nianci asked Yang Kang to take care of this person, while she personally went to inform the Beggars' Sect of the news. Yang Kang was trapped by his inner demons and personally killed the Beggars' Sect member.
- Guo Jing, tricked by Zhou Botong, practiced the Nine Yin Manual, and indeed his skills greatly increased. Huang Rong came to Guo Jing and told him that Ouyang Feng had brought Ouyang Ke to Peach Blossom Island to propose marriage. Huang Rong wanted to leave Peach Blossom Island with Guo Jing. Guo Jing originally wanted to take Zhou Botong with him, but Zhou Botong wanted to leave after fulfilling his bet with Huang Yaoshi.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong had no choice but to leave first. - Guo Jing and Huang Rong reached the seaside and were stopped by Ouyang Ke. Guo Jing stepped forward to teach Ouyang Ke a lesson, but was counter-attacked by Ouyang Feng. At the same time, Huang Yaoshi played the "Green Sea Tide Sound Melody" to disrupt the situation. At this stalemate, Hong Qigong descended from the sky and settled the battle with one move.
Both Guo Jing and Huang Rong were very happy to see their master. Hong Qigong was invited onto the island. He personally proposed to Huang Yaoshi for Huang Rong's hand on behalf of Guo Jing. Now that Guo Jing and Huang Rong were deeply in love, Ouyang Ke was naturally not a good choice compared to the honest and loyal Guo Jing. Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong both defended their respective nephew and disciple. The two disagreed and were prepared to fight fiercely.
Episode 14 Recap
Ouyang Feng of the West and Hong Qigong of the North faced off. The Toad Skill and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms were evenly matched. Huang Rong and Guo Jing watched the battle from the side. Ouyang Ke saw how close the two were and, feeling jealous, ambushed Guo Jing. Huang Rong blocked Ouyang Ke's poisonous needle, and Guo Jing also struck back to teach Ouyang Ke a lesson. Huang Rong helped Guo Jing.
Ouyang Feng sensed Ouyang Ke was in danger and stepped in to assist. Although Huang Rong was protected by Huang Yaoshi, Guo Jing was unexpectedly injured when he blocked a palm strike from Ouyang Feng while trying to save Huang Rong. Huang Yaoshi saw that Guo Jing was injured protecting his daughter, so he took out a Nine Flower Jade Dew Pellet and gave it to Guo Jing to treat his injury.
Because Guo Jing was injured, Hong Qigong wanted Ouyang Ke to also take a palm strike from him. For this, Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong argued again. Huang Yaoshi stepped forward to mediate, and also stated that he would give everyone a satisfactory explanation tomorrow. Mu Nianci was captured by Wanyan Honglie. She was subjected to torture to reveal clues about the "Wumu Testament".
Yang Kang rushed to the prison to rescue Mu Nianci and also said that he would give Wanyan Honglie an explanation. Mu Nianci learned that Yang Kang had gone to find Wanyan Honglie to save her, but she would rather die than have Yang Kang become Wanyan Kang again. However, Yang Kang stated that he had returned to reclaim the "Wumu Testament". After getting the book, he would give it to Guo Jing.
Although Mu Nianci was reluctant to believe what Yang Kang said, she could not change Yang Kang's decision. Yang Kang came to find Wanyan Honglie. He apologized for rescuing Mu Nianci and also hoped Wanyan Honglie would agree to let him keep Mu Nianci by his side. Wanyan Honglie learned of Yang Kang's intention and agreed to let him keep Mu Nianci by his side.
Although Wanyan Honglie knew the "Wumu Testament" was in Cuihan Hall, it was a forbidden area in the palace and guarded by martial arts experts from the Song dynasty. He decided to wait until Ouyang Feng arrived before going to retrieve the "Wumu Testament". Ouyang Feng asked Ouyang Ke if the real reason he came with him to Peach Blossom Island this time was just for the Nine Yin Manual.
Ouyang Ke frankly admitted that Huang Rong had deeply captured his heart, so he naturally wanted to marry her as well. The next day, Huang Yaoshi stated that he would present three tests to challenge Ouyang Ke and Guo Jing. The winner would be the son-in-law of Peach Blossom Island, and the loser could choose any unique skill from Peach Blossom Island.
Seeing that Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong both wanted a fair match, Huang Yaoshi simply proposed that Hong Qigong fight Ouyang Ke, and Ouyang Feng fight Guo Jing. Huang Yaoshi required Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong not to use internal energy, and either Guo Jing or Ouyang Ke falling off the branch would result in losing the match. The competition began.
In the first round of martial arts, Ouyang Ke was knocked off the branch, and Guo Jing won the match. The second match was on music. Huang Laoxie tested the two with the "Green Sea Tide Sound Melody". He admitted that in this round, Guo Jing was superior in concentration and internal energy, but Ouyang Ke was better in music, so this round was considered a draw.
For the third round, Huang Yaoshi had Guo Jing and Ouyang Ke recite from a book. Hong Qigong thought Huang Laoxie's test was unfair to Guo Jing, but Guo Jing, determined to marry Huang Rong, still decided to participate in the competition. Guo Jing participated in the third round of the competition, but found that the content in the book was the martial art that Zhou Botong had taught him earlier.
Guo Jing successfully recited the content from the book, but Huang Laoxie insisted that Guo Jing had taken the Nine Yin Manual that Mei Chaofeng had left behind. Previously, Zhou Botong appeared and accused Dongxie and Xidou of bullying the younger generation.
He took out the upper and lower volumes of the Nine Yin Manual, personally destroyed the scriptures, and also stated that the only Nine Yin Manual in the world was now in Guo Jing's mind, and the best way was to let Guo Jing become Huang Laoxie's son-in-law. Guo Jing did not know that the "Waotong Zhenjing" he had learned before was the Nine Yin Manual.
Huang Laoxie was also furious that Guo Jing had taken the scriptures and attacked Zhou Botong. Zhou Botong, using only one hand, naturally could not defeat Huang Laoxie. The reason Huang Laoxie wanted the Nine Yin Manual was only because his wife had died because of it, and he wanted to personally destroy the Nine Yin Manual to commemorate his wife.
Huang Yaoshi apologized for trapping Zhou Botong for fifteen years and also agreed to let Zhou Botong take Guo Jing away from Peach Blossom Island. Huang Laoxie told everyone that the matter of his daughter's marriage was thus dropped. He saw Ouyang Feng and his nephew off and also promised to teach Ouyang Ke a Peach Blossom Island martial art. Ouyang Ke proposed learning the Peach Blossom Island's art of the Five Elements and Strange Gates.
Huang Laoxie gave the formation techniques to Ouyang Ke to study. Hong Qigong and Zhou Botong took Guo Jing away from Peach Blossom Island. Guo Jing was reluctant to leave. Huang Laoxie believed that Guo Jing was too cunning; he tricked Hong Qigong into teaching him the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and tricked Zhou Botong into becoming sworn brothers with him. He would not marry his daughter to such a person.
Zhou Botong apologized to Guo Jing for his well-intentioned mistake, but Guo Jing knew that Zhou Botong was also trying to help him, so he naturally did not blame Zhou Botong. Hong Qigong and Zhou Botong together comforted Guo Jing, who was greatly disheartened because his plea was rejected. Hong Qigong even suggested letting Guo Jing take over as the leader of the Beggars' Sect.
Huang Rong unexpectedly overheard her father's words in front of her mother's grave and learned that there was something wrong with the pleasure boat that Guo Jing and the others were taking to leave the island. She quickly boarded a boat to rescue them. Meanwhile, Guo Jing and the others also discovered that there was something wrong with their boat, and to survive, they could only jump into the sea. Huang Rong saw the pleasure boat explode from afar, and she was also thrown into the sea by the blast.
Episode 15 Recap
Huang Rong was washed ashore on an island. After waking up, she searched for Guo Jing on the island but unexpectedly found Ouyang Ke who had also been washed onto the island. Afterwards, she also found the injured Hong Qigong. It turned out that before this, Hong Qigong, Guo Jing, and Zhou Botong had jumped into the sea.
Later, Zhou Botong disappeared, while Guo Jing and Hong Qigong drifted on the sea for several days and encountered Ouyang Feng's pirate ship. Ouyang Feng coveted the Nine Yin Manual and attempted to kill them. Hong Qigong and Ouyang Feng fought fiercely on the ship. During the fight, Hong Qigong kindly saved Ouyang Feng, but was ambushed by Ouyang Feng. Now Hong Qigong was poisoned by snake venom. Ouyang Ke stated that he had the antidote for the snake venom.
He asked Huang Rong to give him her Soft Hedgehog Armor, and he would hand over the antidote. He even spoke teasingly to Huang Rong. Huang Rong, angered, attacked Ouyang Ke but was instead acupunctured by Ouyang Ke. Seeing that Ouyang Ke was about to insult Huang Rong, Hong Qigong forcefully intervened to teach Ouyang Ke a lesson and drive him away.
Only after Ouyang Ke left did Huang Rong learn that her master Hong Qigong had lost all his internal energy trying to save her. Hong Qigong knew he did not have much time left and could no longer protect Huang Rong. He wanted Huang Rong to find a way to leave, but Huang Rong naturally would not abandon her master. She stated that she would definitely find a way to detoxify Hong Qigong.
Hong Qigong knew it would be difficult to hide the fact that he had lost his internal energy from Ouyang Ke. He asked Huang Rong to take over as the leader of the Beggars' Sect. Afterwards, he passed the symbol of the Beggars' Sect leader, the Dog Beating Staff, to Huang Rong, instructing her to attend the Beggars' Sect meeting by Dongting Lake on the fifteenth day of the seventh month.
Wanyan Honglie received a letter from Ouyang Ke, asking him to send troops to Peach Blossom Island to assist. In exchange, he would persuade Ouyang Feng to agree to help seize the Wumu Testament. Hong Qigong personally taught Huang Rong the unique Dog Beating Staff technique known only to the leader of the Beggars' Sect.
Hong Qigong worried he couldn't hold on for too long, so he taught Huang Rong the Dog Beating Staff technique despite his body being poisoned for many days. Huang Rong encountered Ouyang Ke while searching for water for Hong Qigong. She traded with Ouyang Ke using a method to find freshwater sources, asking Ouyang Ke to prepare food for them every day. After several days, Ouyang Ke grew increasingly suspicious that Hong Qigong was poisoned by snake venom.
He attempted to test Hong Qigong, but was blocked by Huang Rong. Seeing that force wouldn't stop Ouyang Ke, Huang Rong had no choice but to lead Ouyang Ke away from the cave. Huang Rong fled all the way to the cliff. She would rather die than be with Ouyang Ke, so she could only temporarily jump into the sea. Huang Rong returned to the cave from the sea.
She told Hong Qigong that now they could only strike first before Ouyang Ke. Ouyang Ke came to the cave again to test Hong Qigong. This time, Hong Qigong revealed before him that he had lost all his internal energy. Huang Rong also simply agreed to be with Ouyang Ke for her master's sake. Ouyang Ke, happy, naturally listened to Huang Rong in everything, but unexpectedly, he was tricked by Huang Rong into swearing outside the cave.
Huang Rong also took the opportunity to pull on the vines on the cave wall, causing rocks to fall and crush Ouyang Ke. Ouyang Ke was successfully trapped under a large rock, and Guo Jing also appeared at this moment. Huang Rong asked about Guo Jing's previous experiences. It turned out that after Hong Qigong was ambushed, the ship exploded, and both Hong Qigong and Guo Jing fell into the sea and were caught in an undercurrent.
He and Ouyang Feng managed to drift to the island only by grabbing onto broken wood. Ouyang Ke was pinned under the large rock. After Ouyang Feng discovered this, he wanted to rescue his nephew. He threatened Hong Qigong's life to make Guo Jing and Huang Rong help rescue Ouyang Ke. Even with Guo Jing and Huang Rong's help, they couldn't move the large rock. Huang Rong thought a winch might be able to save Ouyang Ke.
The two of them started making a winch, hoping to use the rising tide to rescue Ouyang Ke, but ultimately, their efforts were in vain. Ouyang Ke believed he couldn't escape this calamity. He recounted a story he heard as a child, saying that all his life he had just wanted an answer. He asked Ouyang Feng if he was his son, and Ouyang Feng did not deny it in the end. Huang Rong came up with an idea to let Ouyang Ke breathe temporarily using a bamboo tube while they waited for the high tide to rescue Ouyang Ke.
Episode 16 Recap
Guo Jing and Huang Rong successfully rescued Ouyang Ke using the power of the tide. Ouyang Feng took Ouyang Ke to the cave, immediately occupying the spot where Hong Qigong was recuperating. He showed no gratitude for Guo Jing and Huang Rong's help and even threatened them to help find food. Ouyang Ke had broken a leg.
Being inherently proud, he couldn't stand this blow, but Ouyang Feng was unwilling to let his nephew give up on himself and promised to definitely cure Ouyang Ke upon returning to the Western Regions. Ouyang Feng asked Ouyang Ke why he was crushed under the giant rock. Ouyang Ke, worried that Ouyang Feng would kill Huang Rong, said that he was accidentally crushed by the giant rock.
- Hong Qigong used all his martial energy to force the snake venom out of his body. Although he saved his life, he lost all his internal energy. Guo Jing said that even if Master lost his martial arts, it didn't matter, and he and Huang Rong would always stay by Master's side. Ouyang Ke was jealous that Guo Jing had taken his beloved.
To avenge his nephew, Ouyang Feng deliberately restrained Hong Qigong and threatened Guo Jing's life to make him transcribe the Nine Yin Manual from memory. Huang Rong gave Guo Jing an idea: now that only Guo Jing knew the Nine Yin Manual, if Guo Jing deliberately wrote it incorrectly, Ouyang Feng wouldn't know. Guo Jing altered the original text of the Nine Yin Manual and handed the transcribed text to Ouyang Feng, also successfully bringing Hong Qigong back.
Hong Qigong initially complained that Guo Jing had handed over the Nine Yin Manual to save him. When he learned from Huang Rong that it was a fake Nine Yin Manual, Hong Qigong was very happy. Ouyang Feng demanded that Guo Jing cut down a hundred trees a day and also had Huang Rong take care of Ouyang Ke. As they were no match for Ouyang Feng in martial arts, they could only reluctantly obey the orders.
Hong Qigong saw that Guo Jing was feeling down and told him that his grandfather and father had both been slaves under the Jin people, and that kind of experience was the real suffering. The current hardship was nothing compared to that. Hong Qigong also comforted Guo Jing, saying that Huang Rong was clever and would not suffer at the hands of Ouyang Feng and his nephew. With Hong Qigong's comfort, Guo Jing finally cheered up.
Guo Jing's internal energy was consumed too quickly when cutting trees using the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. Hong Qigong told Guo Jing to think of clever ways to avoid internal energy depletion. Guo Jing remembered that Zhou Botong had also mentioned the rapid internal energy consumption of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, and that the Nine Yin Manual could just make up for this deficiency. Guo Jing had never been able to fully understand its mysteries.
Hong Qigong had Guo Jing transcribe the contents of the Nine Yin Manual from memory, and he helped analyze it. This unexpectedly helped Hong Qigong recover some of his internal energy, and Guo Jing, under Hong Qigong's guidance, also grasped the mysteries of the Nine Yin Manual, making his palm strikes consume less internal energy. Hong Qigong deliberately made Guo Jing appear utterly exhausted in front of Ouyang Feng, so that the calculating Ouyang Feng would lower his guard.
The next day, Ouyang Feng had Huang Rong and Guo Jing build a boat with the cut trees and also had Huang Rong prepare food and freshwater for leaving. Guo Jing and Huang Rong built the boat for Ouyang Feng during the day and secretly built a raft at night to prepare to leave the island.
Ouyang Feng discovered that Guo Jing and the others were building a raft, and he took Ouyang Ke and secretly left the island using their raft. Ouyang Feng was too clever for his own good; Huang Rong had long guessed Ouyang Feng's wariness, so she secretly tampered with the raft. Seeing Ouyang Feng leave with Ouyang Ke, Guo Jing and Huang Rong also took Hong Qigong and left the island by boat.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong's boat encountered wind and waves at sea, but fortunately, they encountered a large ship and called for help, not knowing that this large ship belonged to Wanyan Honglie. Guo Jing saw Yang Kang and Wanyan Honglie together and was disappointed that Yang Kang had defected to the Jin people. Afterwards, the group also saw Ouyang Feng and his nephew on the ship.
Wanyan Honglie originally intended to recruit Hong Qigong, but Hong Qigong was unwilling to be associated with the Jin people. Wanyan Honglie was about to throw Hong Qigong and the others into the sea when Ouyang Feng stepped forward and temporarily saved them. Wanyan Honglie learned that Yang Kang had actually become sworn brothers with Guo Jing and suspected Yang Kang's intentions in defecting to him.
Yang Kang stated that Guo Jing possessed the Nine Yin Manual, and his sworn brotherhood was merely for the sake of the Nine Yin Manual. However, Wanyan Honglie believed that Guo Jing now possessed extraordinary internal energy and was unsure if Yang Kang's plan would succeed. Guo Jing's martial arts achievements and experiences made Yang Kang jealous, and he couldn't understand why Guo Jing was superior to him in every aspect.
Mu Nianci advised Yang Kang that Guo Jing was now his sworn brother, and it would be better for them if Guo Jing was well. She urged Yang Kang to rescue Guo Jing, but Yang Kang said now was not a good time.
Episode 17 Recap
Wanyan Honglie wanted Ouyang Feng to help seize the Book of Wumu, but Ouyang Feng was currently focused on seeking a doctor to heal Ouyang Ke's broken leg. Wanyan Honglie promised that once they obtained the Book of Wumu, and the Jin unified the world, it would be easy for Ouyang Feng to get the Nine Yin Manual or find famous doctors throughout the land. Ouyang Feng was moved by this and agreed to Wanyan Honglie's request.
Ouyang Feng came to find Hong Qigong and the others. He said that the Nine Yin Manual Guo Jing gave him was obscure and difficult to understand, and he suspected that Guo Jing had given him a fake Nine Yin Manual. Facing Ouyang Feng's threat, Huang Rong said that many parts of the Nine Yin Manual were not in Central Plains language but in Tocharian.
To get Huang Rong to help translate the text, Ouyang Feng agreed to take care of Hong Qigong and the others' three meals a day. - Mu Nianci secretly came to the cabin and released Huang Rong and the others. She told them to leave in a small boat, but unexpectedly, before Guo Jing and the others could leave, they were surrounded by Jin soldiers.
Wanyan Honglie wanted to order his men to kill Guo Jing, but the Old Urchin Zhou Botong descended from above and rescued Guo Jing and the others. It turned out that Zhou Botong had previously fallen into the sea and, after drifting for several days, incredibly found Huang Rong's boat, which allowed him to survive. Wanyan Honglie's men initially didn't think much of Zhou Botong, but then discovered his extraordinary martial prowess.
Ouyang Feng also revealed Zhou Botong's identity as Wang Chongyang's junior fellow apprentice, persuading Wanyan Honglie to let the group leave. Guo Jing was worried that Mu Nianci would be punished for letting them leave. Huang Rong said that although she didn't worry about Yang Kang having a hidden reason for defecting to the Jin, she believed that Yang Kang was wholeheartedly devoted to Mu Nianci, so Mu Nianci would be fine.
Huang Rong had originally wanted to return the Dog Beating Staff and refuse to succeed as Beggar Gang leader. Now that Hong Qigong was safe and sound, and his power was gradually recovering, her taking on the role that day was only a temporary appointment in a moment of crisis. Hong Qigong said that Huang Rong was the smartest and least greedy person he had ever met in his life.
Huang Rong remained calm in changing circumstances and was a truly wise person, so no matter when or where, he wanted to pass the leadership of the gang to her. Wanyan Honglie used Yang Kang's lifelong martial arts practice without encountering a famous master as a reason to ask Ouyang Feng to accept him as a disciple.
However, Ouyang Feng said that the Bai Tuo Mountain Villa's lineage was passed down strictly within the family, and as he had already passed on his martial arts to Ouyang Ke, he naturally could not take another disciple. Huang Yaoshi came to Wanyan Honglie's ship looking for his daughter Huang Rong. Ouyang Feng lied, saying he hadn't encountered Huang Rong.
However, Wanyan Honglie's attendants said that three days ago they had encountered floating corpses at sea, and the description matched Huang Rong, Guo Jing, and their group. Hong Qigong regretted that he had never managed to eat the Mandarin Duck Five Treasures Feast in the imperial palace during his lifetime. He had hidden in the palace for three months that year but still couldn't achieve his wish.
Now that the Mongol and Song sides were about to form an alliance and important diplomatic envoys might meet, perhaps the imperial palace would prepare this dish. Hong Qigong, Huang Rong, and the others planned to go to the imperial palace to taste this dish. Huang Rong discovered that Zhou Botong had secretly taken her Dog Beating Staff.
She chased after Zhou Botong to get the staff back and also complained that Zhou Botong had caused Huang Yaoshi to misunderstand Guo Jing, preventing the two from being together. Now that Hong Qigong's injuries were not yet healed, Huang Rong wanted Zhou Botong to escort them to sneak into the imperial palace to steal and eat the Mandarin Duck Five Treasures Feast.
Zhou Botong was worried that Huang Rong would damage his reputation in the martial world and finally reluctantly agreed to Huang Rong's request. Huang Yaoshi believed his daughter had drowned herself for Guo Jing out of love. He blamed his daughter's death on the Jiangnan Qi Guai and sent a message to Lu Chengfeng to issue a martial world kill order. Lu Chengfeng knew this was an order given by Huang Yaoshi in a fit of anger.
He told Lu Guanying to quickly find the Jiangnan Qi Guai and inform them, hoping the Jiangnan Qi Guai would temporarily lie low in the desert. Guo Jing and Huang Rong's group came to Niujia Village. They found an empty tavern to rest for a while. Zhou Botong thought the tavern was haunted and was noisy about wanting to leave. Huang Rong searched around the tavern and discovered Sha Gu.
To her surprise, this person actually knew martial arts from Taohua Island. Huang Rong intentionally played a game of hide-and-seek with Sha Gu and discovered a secret room in the tavern. There were many skeletons in the secret room. Afterward, Huang Rong also found Qu Lingfeng's skeleton in the secret room. Huang Rong guessed that Qu Lingfeng collected jewelry hoping to one day return to Taohua Island and regain his master's favor, but unexpectedly, the jewelry was coveted by others, and he died tragically here.
Episode 18 Recap
Guo Jing and Huang Rong unexpectedly saw Mu Nianci on the street. They guessed that Yang Kang and his group must have also come to Lin'an. Wanyan Honglie earnestly requested Ouyang Feng to help him enter the palace and seize the Book of Wumu. Once the situation stabilized, he would definitely agree to any of Ouyang Feng's requests. Guo Jing and Huang Rong followed Mu Nianci to an inn.
In the room next to Wanyan Honglie's, they overheard that they were about to enter the palace to seize the Book of Wumu at Cuihantang. - That night, Guo Jing, Hong Qigong, Huang Rong, and Zhou Botong and their group also came to the palace. Huang Rong instructed Zhou Botong to escort Hong Qigong to the imperial kitchen, while she and Guo Jing would go together to stop Wanyan Honglie.
Huang Rong heard Wanyan Honglie and the others discussing that the Book of Wumu was hidden ten zhang north of Cuihan Bridge, but when the two arrived there, they found only a rock garden. Afterward, Huang Rong discovered that there was a hidden passage inside the rock garden. To prevent Wanyan Honglie from getting the Book of Wumu, Huang Rong told Guo Jing to guard this place, while she went out to lure the imperial guards here.
Wanyan Honglie brought a group of experts from the prince's mansion to Cuihan Bridge. With Guo Jing blocking them, the experts from the prince's mansion could not seize the Book of Wumu. Wanyan Honglie earnestly requested Ouyang Feng to take action. Guo Jing was not Ouyang Feng's match; he fought against Ouyang Feng alone, while on the other side, Yang Kang was sneaking into the cave to search for the Book of Wumu. Huang Rong led the imperial guards there.
Wanyan Honglie realized their presence was exposed and hurried away with his men. Guo Jing was injured by Ouyang Feng. He fought with his life to block Ouyang Feng, but unexpectedly, he was stabbed in the back by the cruel and ruthless Yang Kang. Guo Jing was disappointed that his sworn brother would betray him like this and could only watch Yang Kang leave with the box containing the book.
Mu Nianci, hiding in the dark, personally saw Yang Kang hand the book to Wanyan Honglie and was extremely disappointed. Huang Rong brought the seriously injured Guo Jing back to the Niujia Village tavern. Guo Jing told Huang Rong that there was a method for healing injuries in the Nine Yin Manual. He asked Huang Rong for help, and the two needed seven days and seven nights to circulate their energy for healing.
Unexpectedly, just as the two began healing in the secret room, Wanyan Honglie arrived here with experts from the prince's mansion to stay. Wanyan Honglie opened the box but did not find the Book of Wumu. He guessed that the real military treatise was still in the palace. Ouyang Feng prepared to take the experts from the prince's mansion back to the palace tonight to search again. Ouyang Feng brought the experts from the prince's mansion to the palace.
Several of them split up to search for the military treatise in the palace. Zhou Botong and Hong Qigong unexpectedly spotted the figures of the experts from the prince's mansion. Zhou Botong played a trick on them, using masks to scare several of them unconscious. Seeing the experts from the prince's mansion return empty-handed, Wanyan Honglie worried that delay would bring complications and personally went to the Iron Palm Sect to seek help from Qiu Qianren.
Before leaving, he specifically instructed several experts from the prince's mansion to stay here and take care of Yang Kang and Ouyang Ke. Cheng Yaojia, a disciple of Qingjing Sanren Sun Buer of the Quanzhen Sect, and Lu Guanying both came to the tavern looking for Guo Jing. Both were anxious to find Guo Jing because of the Taohua Island incident.
The two originally intended to leave here and continue searching for Guo Jing but encountered the returning experts from the prince's mansion. Their martial arts were not strong enough, and they were subdued. Sha Gu saw them bullying people and stepped forward to stop them, but her hidden Taohua Island martial arts were recognized. The group wanted to humiliate Huang Yaoshi and intended to attack Sha Gu while Huang Yaoshi was not there. However, unexpectedly, Huang Yaoshi arrived here, and fearing Huang Yaoshi's martial arts, the group fled in panic.
Episode 19 Recap
Cheng Yaojia and Lu Guanying prepared a simple meal at the tavern for Huang Yaoshi. Huang Yaoshi regretted not fulfilling his daughter Huang Rong's marriage wishes. Seeing Lu Guanying's interest in Cheng Yaojia, he asked Cheng Yaojia if she would be willing to marry Lu Guanying. Both were willing to stand up in times of crisis. Where else could such good people be found in this world? Cheng Yaojia and Lu Guanying were already mutually interested.
Under Huang Yaoshi's matchmaking, the two married here. Huang Yaoshi played the Bi Hai Chao Sheng Melody. Cheng Yaojia and Lu Guanying, with their hearts connected, naturally followed their hearts and consummated their marriage. Meanwhile, Guo Jing in the secret room nearly suffered a Qi deviation upon hearing the melody. With Huang Rong's encouragement, he narrowly escaped. The next day, Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia discovered Ouyang Ke, who had come out to find food, at the tavern.
The two did not recognize Ouyang Ke. Ouyang Ke pretended to be a passing traveler. The kind-hearted Cheng Yaojia and Lu Guanying did not make things difficult for him and even offered Ouyang Ke some food. Once Ouyang Ke had his fill, he revealed his true nature. Cheng Yaojia recognized him from the flower in his hand as Ouyang Ke. Ouyang Ke then grabbed Lu Guanying and forced Cheng Yaojia to undress and humiliate her.
Sha Gu burst into the room, shouting about the girl eating watermelon. Ouyang Ke guessed that there were others hidden in the tavern. He coaxed Sha Gu into opening the secret room. Ouyang Ke sneaked into the secret room and discovered Huang Rong healing Guo Jing. Huang Rong and Guo Jing used their palms to heal, and together they taught Ouyang Ke a lesson, temporarily driving him out of the secret room.
Mu Nianci happened to arrive at the tavern and was also struck with acupoints by Ouyang Ke, who was hiding in the shadows. Ouyang Ke, filled with lust, intended to humiliate Cheng Yaojia and Mu Nianci, but Yang Kang arrived shortly after. When faced with Ouyang Ke's inquiries, Yang Kang only said that he was not interested in romance at the moment and was more willing to offer Mu Nianci to Ouyang Ke to fulfill their brotherly bond.
Ouyang Ke, to test Yang Kang, gave Cheng Yaojia to Yang Kang, while embracing Mu Nianci. Seeing Ouyang Ke take action to bully Mu Nianci, Yang Kang took advantage of his carelessness and stabbed Ouyang Ke to death with a knife. An enraged Yang Kang stabbed Ouyang Ke several times, killing him.
Yang Kang stated that Ouyang Ke had repeatedly bullied his betrothed wife, Mu Nianci, and he must kill Ouyang Ke today to relieve his hatred, because in Yang Kang's heart, Mu Nianci was his last dignity. Because Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia saw that he killed Ouyang Ke, Yang Kang originally wanted to kill them to silence them.
Mu Nianci did not want Yang Kang to kill innocent people indiscriminately, saying that not everyone in the world is a bad person. Yang Kang listened to her advice and let Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia go, and Lu Guanying also promised not to reveal what happened today. Yang Kang buried Ouyang Ke's body overnight but unexpectedly found the Dog-Beating Stick that he had taken from Ouyang Ke's hand. Mu Nianci recognized that this belonged to the Beggar Clan.
Yang Kang believed that this item must be related to Guo Jing and Huang Rong. He thought that if Ouyang Feng came to look for Ouyang Ke in the future, he could use this Dog-Beating Stick to frame Guo Jing for Ouyang Ke's death and use him as a shield. Mu Nianci admitted that she was selfish and should not have let Yang Kang, a promising young man, accompany her to live in seclusion in the mountains.
She could no longer live without Yang Kang. Knowing that Yang Kang admired Guo Jing, Mu Nianci said that she had a friendship with Hong Qigong when she was young. She wanted to return the Dog-Beating Stick to Hong Qigong and take the opportunity to have Hong Qigong accept Yang Kang as a disciple.
Mu Nianci did not want Yang Kang to be with the Jin people, so she wanted Yang Kang to make friends with some chivalrous people and learn some real skills. Wanyan Honglie came to the Iron Palm Clan to seek help from Qiu Qianren, hoping that he could intercept the envoy on Meng Fang's return north and take the opportunity to frame the Song people and interrupt the Meng-Song alliance plan.
Ouyang Feng chased Zhou Botong, asking about the Nine Yin Manual. The two were evenly matched in martial arts and could only chase while fighting. Huang Yaoshi, following the sound of Zhou Botong, rushed over and questioned Zhou Botong about Guo Jing's whereabouts. Zhou Botong, thinking of leaving Hong Qigong in the palace, told Huang Yaoshi and Ouyang Feng to go to Niujia Village first, as he wanted to go to the palace to bring Hong Qigong out.
Episode 20 Recap
The Quanzhen Seven Masters believed Huang Yaoshi was cruel by nature. Now he was convinced that the death of his daughter Huang Rong was related to Guo Jing, and he was determined to seek revenge on Guo Jing, not even sparing the Jiangnan Seven Freaks. While the several people were discussing, Qiu Qianren in the next room overheard their conversation.
Qiu Qianren told the Quanzhen Seven Masters that their martial uncle Zhou Botong had been trapped on Peach Blossom Island for fifteen years, suffering immensely, and was killed by Huang Yaoshi shortly after escaping Peach Blossom Island. The Quanzhen Seven Masters were very shocked upon hearing this news. Qiu Qianren said that at that time, Huang Yaoshi, upon learning of his daughter's death, sent Zhou Botong out to sea to look for Guo Jing, but he accidentally died at sea.
For the death of their martial uncle, the Quanzhen Seven Masters decided to seek revenge on Huang Yaoshi. The group of Quanzhen Seven Masters arrived at Niujia Village. Qiu Chuji met Yang Kang here.
He wanted to step in and discipline this rebellious son who acknowledged a villain as his father on behalf of Yang Tiexin, but unexpectedly Mu Nianci came forward to plead for Yang Kang, stating that Yang Kang had given up his identity as a Jin person and returned to being Yang Kang. Qiu Chuji spared Yang Kang out of consideration for Mu Nianci.
He then asked Yang Kang and learned that Guo Jing had died at the hands of Huang Yaoshi. In their anger, the Quanzhen Seven Masters decided to set up the Big Dipper Seven Formation here to deal with Huang Yaoshi. In the secret room, Huang Rong learned of this and worried about the safety of her father, Huang Yaoshi. Mei Chaofeng came to Niujia Village to look for Yang Kang but unexpectedly encountered the Quanzhen Seven Masters.
Learning that the Quanzhen Seven Masters were seeking revenge on her master, Mei Chaofeng simply decided to face the Quanzhen Seven Masters alone. Although her martial arts were ruthless, she was ultimately limited by her blindness and was quickly at a disadvantage. However, Huang Yaoshi soon arrived at the scene.
The Quanzhen Seven Masters believed that Huang Yaoshi had not only harmed their martial uncle Zhou Botong but also killed Guo Jing, and now they were determined to avenge both of them. Subsequently, Ouyang Feng also arrived at Niujia Village. The Quanzhen Seven Masters were even more convinced that the Eastern Heretic and Western Venom were in cahoots.
Huang Yaoshi fought the Quanzhen Seven Masters one against seven, and with the help of Ouyang Feng, he successfully broke the Big Dipper Formation. Huang Yaoshi disdained Ouyang Feng's offer of help. Unexpectedly, Ouyang Feng turned around and helped the Quanzhen Seven Masters fight Huang Yaoshi. During the fight, Mei Chaofeng was injured while protecting her master.
Qiu Chuji and the others, seeing Senior Martial Brother Tan killed, were enraged and wanted to kill Huang Yaoshi, but were temporarily stopped by their other senior martial brothers. Yang Kang, holding the Dog-Beating Stick, was surrounded and intercepted on the street by people from the Beggar Clan. The Beggar Clan members recognized Mu Nianci.
They inquired about Hong Qigong, but Yang Kang claimed he was about to take the Dog-Beating Stick to Yuezhou and could only disclose the details upon meeting with the clan stewards. Although Mu Nianci was dissatisfied with Yang Kang lying, under his smooth talk, she still did not expose his lie. Huang Yaoshi personally treated Mei Chaofeng's injuries but was unable to save her.
Mei Chaofeng had been lonely and destitute since childhood, and only her master Huang Yaoshi treated her the best. Yet, she had made terrible mistakes, betrayed her sect, and hurt her master's heart. She longed to return to Peach Blossom Island and stay there forever. Before she died, Mei Chaofeng learned that her master was willing to re-accept her as a disciple and take her home. After kneeling and thanking her master, she passed away sadly.
The Jiangnan Seven Freaks came looking for them at Niujia Village. Huang Yaoshi questioned them and confirmed that they had killed Chen Xuanfeng and blinded Mei Chaofeng. In his rage, Huang Yaoshi decided to kill the Jiangnan Seven Freaks. Guo Jing appeared to save his masters, and Huang Rong also rushed over to stop him. Because they had interrupted their healing, Guo Jing also coughed up blood and fainted. Huang Yaoshi personally treated Guo Jing's injuries.
Seeing that his daughter was safe and sound, Huang Yaoshi naturally would not act to kill the Jiangnan Seven Freaks. Huang Rong led Huang Yaoshi to Qu Lingfeng's secret room. Seeing that his disciple had longed to return to Peach Blossom Island before his death, Huang Yaoshi felt sad. He learned that Qu Lingfeng had left behind a daughter. Afterwards, Huang Rong also cleverly questioned Sha Gu and learned that she was Qu Lingfeng's daughter.
Huang Yaoshi decided to take Sha Gu back to Peach Blossom Island. After experiencing the scare of losing his daughter, Huang Yaoshi had already agreed to let Huang Rong and Guo Jing be together. Subsequently, after burying Qu Lingfeng and Mei Chaofeng, he took Sha Gu back to Peach Blossom Island. Zhou Botong sent a message saying that he had lost Hong Qigong and was going back to look for Old Master Seven's tracks.
Huang Rong guessed that Hong Qigong must be heading to Yuezhou. She and Guo Jing decided to find Yang Kang and retrieve the Dog-Beating Stick before the fifteenth of the seventh month. Huang Rong also wanted to select a more suitable Beggar Clan Chief with Hong Qigong.
Wanyan Honglie received a secret letter from Yang Kang, learning that he was holding the Beggar Clan's token and had decided to go to Yuezhou to attend the Beggar Clan conference, planning to use this opportunity to subdue the Beggar Clan. Wanyan Honglie asked Qiu Qianren, after intercepting and killing the Mongol delegation, to go to Yuezhou and lend Yang Kang a hand.
Episode 21 Recap
Guo Jing detected that Torei and Huazheng were in trouble from the sound of the white eagle's cry. He quickly took Huang Rong and rushed to their rescue. Qiu Qianren led the Jin soldiers to intercept the Mongol delegation. He originally planned to order his men to kill Huazheng, Torei, and the others directly, but unexpectedly Guo Jing arrived just in time and saved them. The Wangfu experts were no match for Guo Jing.
They originally wanted Qiu Qianren to step in and deal with Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Huang Rong revealed Qiu Qianren's identity as a swindler. Qiu Qianren, being stubborn, didn't mind Huang Rong hitting him and even bluffed that he would wait for Huang Yaoshi to find him. Huang Rong didn't believe what he said and beat him until he fled in a panic. Huang Rong chased after Qiu Qianren, but unexpectedly, Huang Yaoshi also followed.
Qiu Qianren knew he couldn't fight Huang Yaoshi and originally wanted to arrange a sparring session for another day, but Huang Yaoshi believed that sparring depended on the two people involved, not the location. The two were about to start sparring, but unexpectedly, Qiu Qianren suddenly refused, claiming he had severe abdominal pain. Taking advantage of Qiu Qianren's departure, Huang Rong snatched the Iron Palm Sect token from him.
Guo Jing fought against the Wangfu experts by himself, but they unexpectedly held Huazheng hostage to threaten him. At the critical moment, Guo Jing and Torei cooperated seamlessly, successfully repelling the Wangfu experts and saving Huazheng. Huang Yaoshi discovered that Guo Jing and Huazheng were very close and questioned Guo Jing about her identity. Torei also asked Guo Jing when he would return to the grasslands to marry Huazheng.
When Huang Yaoshi learned that Guo Jing already had an engagement, he accused him of playing with his daughter's feelings. In front of everyone, Guo Jing stated that he had always treated Huazheng as his younger sister since childhood. Huazheng was enraged and felt abandoned by Guo Jing, so she turned and left. Yang Kang and Mu Nianci arrived in Yuezhou and saw the conflict between the Clean-Clothes Faction and the Dirty-Clothes Faction of the Beggar Clan.
Yang Kang appeared holding the Dog-Beating Stick and persuaded everyone. The Beggar Clan members, fearing the Dog-Beating Stick as the Clan Chief's token, all listened to what Yang Kang said, which made Yang Kang feel greatly pleased. Mu Nianci privately instructed Yang Kang not to show the Dog-Beating Stick in public and told him to return it to Hong Qigong as soon as possible.
Yang Kang outwardly agreed to Mu Nianci, but secretly his greed for the Dog-Beating Stick began to grow. That night, Yang Kang took the Dog-Beating Stick to meet the Beggar Clan elders. He claimed that he had come to attend the Beggar Clan conference on Hong Qigong's dying wish.
Yang Kang also told the elders that Hong Qigong had died at the hands of Huang Yaoshi and Guo Jing, and that he had already been accepted by Hong Qigong as his disciple. Yang Kang explained that the reason he knew the Nine Yin White Bone Claw was because Mei Chaofeng had taught him a few moves when he was a child.
Later, while wandering the Jiangnan region righting wrongs, he encountered a great villain and was saved by Hong Qigong in a moment of crisis. Afterwards, the two were attacked by Huang Yaoshi and Guo Jing at Niujia Village. He risked his life to save Hong Qigong, and Hong Qigong accepted him as a disciple before his death and presented him with the Beggar Clan token, the Dog-Beating Stick.
The three Beggar Clan elders believed Yang Kang's words, thinking that Hong Qigong had passed the position of Beggar Clan Chief to Yang Kang before his death, and firmly supported Yang Kang as the successor. Because Guo Jing admired Yue Fei, Huang Rong had asked Huang Yaoshi for a painting from Qu Lingfeng's secret room to give to Guo Jing. While resting during their journey, the two unexpectedly discovered a clue about the Wumu Testament hidden within the painting.
They decided to keep this information a secret and not let the Jin people know the true location of the Wumu Testament. Guo Jing and Huang Rong arrived in Yuezhou. While dining at a tavern, the two unexpectedly met Lu Youjiao from the Beggar Clan. Lu Youjiao recognized them as Hong Qigong's disciples.
Hearing them mention Qiu Qianren, Lu Youjiao warned Huang Rong not to underestimate Qiu Qianren, but Huang Rong, based on her experience, was certain that Qiu Qianren was a complete swindler. Yang Kang took Mu Nianci to the tavern to eat and unexpectedly saw Guo Jing. He quickly took Mu Nianci and temporarily left.
Huang Rong recognized Lu Youjiao as the leader of the Dirty-Clothes Faction, while Elder Jian and others who entered the tavern to eat afterwards were elders of the Clean-Clothes Faction. Huang Rong knew the two factions had always been in conflict and advised Elder Lu Youjiao to have the members of the Dirty-Clothes Faction dress more cleanly, so that their disputes could be resolved. Unexpectedly, Elder Lu Youjiao became angry and left because of this.
Elder Peng came to tell Guo Jing and Huang Rong that they had been poisoned by Elder Lu Youjiao. For this, he even specifically brought them the antidote. Huang Rong naturally didn't believe what he said. Seeing that persuasion was ineffective, both sides began to fight, and Elder Peng took the opportunity to knock the two unconscious. Elder Peng gave the painting from Guo Jing's bag to Yang Kang.
Although the painting was damaged, Guo Jing had carried it with him the entire way. Yang Kang studied it and discovered clues about the Wumu Testament hidden within the painting. Guo Jing and Huang Rong woke up and found they were tied up in a dark room by Elder Peng. Now they couldn't escape the ropes and could only wait for Elder Peng to arrive to find out what he intended to do.
Episode 22 Recap
Yang Kang took Mu Nianci to meet Elder Jian, Elder Peng, and Elder Liang of the Beggar Clan. Mu Nianci was very happy to learn that Yang Kang had joined the Beggar Clan. Yang Kang also stated that he would definitely realize his ideals and ambitions in the Beggar Clan and would not disappoint Mu Nianci. Yang Kang wanted to marry Mu Nianci on the day of the Beggar Clan assembly.
With the help of the Beggar Clan's preparations, Yang Kang and Mu Nianci were ready to get married that day. Yang Kang handed the painting containing clues to the Wumu Testament to Wanyan Honglie. Upon learning that the testament was on Iron Palm Peak, Wanyan Honglie was very happy. The Beggar Clan had always been an obstacle to the Jin people's southward advance.
Yang Kang said that if the entire Beggar Clan were to move south, it might save them a lot of trouble. Yang Kang stated that he would arrange this matter after he took over the position of Beggar Clan Chief. Ouyang Feng came to find Yang Kang, looking for Ouyang Ke. He returned to Niujia Village but could not find any trace of Ouyang Ke, and even the clues they used for contact usually had disappeared.
In his anger, Ouyang Feng believed Wanyan Honglie had not protected Ouyang Ke well and originally intended to kill him. Yang Kang stepped forward and stated that Guo Jing had killed Ouyang Ke. Yang Kang told Ouyang Feng that Guo Jing and Huang Rong were currently in his hands, and he was about to take over the position of Beggar Clan Chief.
He only regretted that he had no special skills and felt like he was walking on thin ice, hoping to become Ouyang Feng's disciple to learn skills and unify the Beggar Clan. Yang Kang and Mu Nianci held their wedding in the Beggar Clan and became husband and wife. Mu Nianci, dressed in red, waited for Yang Kang in the bridal chamber.
She told him to attend the Beggar Clan assembly first, and she would wait for him in the room. At the Beggar Clan assembly, Elder Peng announced the news of Hong Qigong's death to everyone. Yang Kang also appeared before the Beggar Clan members and falsely accused Huang Yaoshi, Huang Rong, and Guo Jing of causing Hong Qigong's death.
Lu Youjiao did not believe what Yang Kang said, thinking that Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi were good friends and would not try to kill each other brutally. The Clean-Clothes Faction elders hoped that Yang Kang, who held the Dog-Beating Stick, would take over the position of Beggar Clan Chief. However, the Dirty-Clothes Faction members believed that Hong Qigong had previously intended for Elder Lu Youjiao to succeed him as the Beggar Clan Chief.
The two sides argued endlessly, but because Yang Kang claimed to have Hong Qigong's dying wish and held the Dog-Beating Stick, the Dirty-Clothes Faction could only acknowledge Yang Kang's position as Chief. Yang Kang ascended the Xuanyuan Platform and successfully took over the position of Beggar Clan Chief.
Afterward, he ordered his men to bring Guo Jing and Huang Rong before everyone, accusing the two of killing Hong Qigong and stating that he would kill them today to avenge Hong Qigong. Lu Youjiao and others did not believe that Guo Jing and Huang Rong would kill Hong Qigong and hoped Yang Kang would investigate the matter clearly. Guo Jing and Huang Rong had their acupuncture points sealed, rendering them unable to speak.
Yang Kang threatened Huang Rong's life to force Guo Jing to confess to his accusations. Seeing that Guo Jing and Huang Rong were about to lose their lives at the hands of the Beggar Clan, the Iron Palm Sect members arrived to pay their respects upon entering the mountain. Lu Youjiao seized the opportunity to persuade Yang Kang to temporarily imprison Guo Jing and Huang Rong and deal with them after entertaining the Iron Palm Sect.
Qiu Qianren brought his people to the Beggar Clan. Upon learning that the Beggar Clan had a new Chief taking office today, he brought countless treasures as a special gesture of offering. Qiu Qianren stated that these treasures were gifts from the Sixth Prince of the Jin people and tried to persuade the Beggar Clan members to move south.
Yang Kang also agreed to the Beggar Clan moving south, but Lu Youjiao believed that the Beggar Clan's foundation in the north could not be easily abandoned, and the Jin people's gifts should certainly not be accepted. The Clean-Clothes Faction obeyed Yang Kang's orders, but Lu Youjiao firmly refused to withdraw from the north, and some members of the Beggar Clan also vowed not to become traitors.
Seeing that he could not succeed, Qiu Qianren killed two Beggar Clan members as a demonstration. Guo Jing unexpectedly comprehended the profound mysteries of the Big Dipper constellation by observing the changes in the stars. Using this insight, he integrated his understanding and finally mastered the Nine Yin Manual. He used his internal energy to break free from his restraints, then rescued Huang Rong and headed to the Beggar Clan assembly.
Qiu Qianren was about to kill Lu Youjiao, who swore not to move south. Guo Jing appeared and saved Lu Youjiao. Fighting against Guo Jing, Qiu Qianren found that this person had extraordinary martial arts skills. Since the Mount Hua Sword Conference was approaching, he did not want to engage in further combat with Guo Jing. He chose to leave the Beggar Clan with his men instead of following Yang Kang's plan.
It turned out that before this, the real Qiu Qianren had his younger brother, Qiu Qianzhang, impersonate him to deal with the Mongol delegation. Only because the Beggar Clan assembly was about to start fighting did he personally come to this place. Yang Kang had Elder Peng lead his men to surround and attack Guo Jing and Huang Rong, determined to kill them. Guo Jing helped Huang Rong escape the Beggar Clan's encirclement.
Huang Rong used Beggar Clan martial arts to snatch the Dog-Beating Stick from Yang Kang's hand and informed the Beggar Clan members that Hong Qigong had not died, but that Yang Kang was deliberately spreading rumors here. Holding the Dog-Beating Stick, Huang Rong told everyone in the Beggar Clan that she was the successor of the Beggar Clan personally appointed by Hong Qigong. Huang Rong told everyone that Yang Kang's real surname was Wanyan, that he was the son of the Sixth Prince of the Great Jin, and that he had come to seize power and destroy the Song dynasty.
Episode 23 Recap
Elder Peng and others in the Beggar Clan did not believe what Huang Rong said about Yang Kang. Huang Rong simply took out the Iron Palm token, stating that she took it from Yang Kang's person, proving that Yang Kang was a lackey of the Jin people. Seeing Huang Rong ruin his plan, Yang Kang ambushed Huang Rong. Fortunately, Huang Rong was wearing her Soft Thorn Armor and narrowly escaped.
To prove that she was Hong Qigong's disciple, Huang Rong demonstrated the Dog-Beating Stick technique to teach Yang Kang a lesson. Although Lu Youjiao believed this was the authentic Dog-Beating Stick technique, Elder Peng was still unwilling to acknowledge it. Afterwards, Elder Peng and others proposed that if Huang Rong could defeat the three of them using the Dog-Beating Stick technique, they would recognize her as the Beggar Clan Chief.
Huang Rong fought one against three and successfully defeated Elder Peng and the other two with the Dog-Beating Stick technique. The three of them finally acknowledged her position as Chief. Elder Peng feigned submission, but intended to mislead Huang Rong and take the opportunity to harm her. Fortunately, Guo Jing reacted in time and injured Elder Peng, saving Huang Rong from injury.
Huang Rong arranged for Elder Jian and Elder Liang to lead disciples east to Lin'an to welcome Hong Qigong, and for Elder Lu to bury the two brothers, Yu and Li. She also stated that when she was not in the Beggar Clan, all clan affairs would be temporarily handled by Elder Lu. Yang Kang fled in the chaos. To prevent Mu Nianci from learning the truth, he secretly incapacitated her and took her away.
Huang Rong and Guo Jing saw Qiu Qianren swindling and cheating on the street, but at this time, they did not know that this person was actually Qiu Qianzhang, not Qiu Qianren. Qiu Qianzhang saw the two and originally wanted to escape but was caught red-handed. Huang Rong taught Qiu Qianzhang a lesson. Qiu Qianzhang again pretended to have stomach discomfort. Seeing that Huang Rong did not believe him, heshamelessly pulled down his pants in public.
Guo Jing, angered, stepped forward to teach Qiu Qianzhang a lesson, while Qiu Qianzhang deliberately agreed to meet Guo Jing at the foot of Iron Palm Peak seven days later for a contest. Huang Rong and Guo Jing remembered that the Wumu Testament was hidden on Iron Palm Peak and readily agreed to the appointment. Mu Nianci woke up and realized that everything Yang Kang had done by going to the Beggar Clan was for the Great Jin.
In anger, she wanted to kill Wanyan Honglie. Yang Kang found out and stopped her in time. Mu Nianci was disappointed that Yang Kang had not only lied to her but also used her, completely betraying her trust. Wanyan Honglie originally wanted Yang Kang to kill Mu Nianci, but Yang Kang said that besides his parents, Mu Nianci was the person who loved him the most in the world, and he could not kill her.
Mu Nianci was completely disillusioned with Yang Kang. Disheartened, she cut her hair to sever ties and bid farewell to Yang Kang. Wanyan Honglie brought Yang Kang to the Iron Palm Sect. Qiu Qianren talked about the origin of the Iron Palm Sect. Qiu Qianren was originally from Jiangnan. Back then, General Han Shizhong refused to rely on the current prime minister Qin Hui and opposed peace talks with the Jin, so his military power was stripped by the court.
Han Shizhong's fierce general, Shangguan Jiannan, was Qiu Qianren's mentor. Shangguan Jiannan, originally from the Iron Palm Sect, later returned and took over as the sect leader. His mentor was loyal to the Song dynasty, but unexpectedly, treacherous officials were in power and could not distinguish between loyal and virtuous people, which made Qiu Qianren think, "Why save such a court? " Huang Rong and Guo Jing arrived at the Iron Palm Sect openly with the sect's token.
Seeing that Wanyan Honglie and others had already arrived, they decided to go to the central peak of Iron Palm first to retrieve the Wumu Testament. Wanyan Honglie worried that the Iron Palm Sect was not truly submitting and had Yang Kang go ahead to scout the path before they went to search for the Wumu Testament.
Yang Kang searched for the path up the mountain, but halfway through, he was forbidden entry because he had entered the Iron Palm Sect's forbidden area. Huang Rong and Guo Jing arrived at the Iron Palm Sect and met Qiu Qianren. Huang Rong mistook him for the person they had agreed to meet and was unexpectedly struck by his Iron Palm technique, spitting blood. Seeing Huang Rong injured, Guo Jing quickly took her away.
To escape their pursuers, Guo Jing took Huang Rong into the Iron Palm Sect's forbidden area to treat her injuries. Unexpectedly, they encountered Qiu Qianzhang here. Huang Rong realized that the person in front of them was the one they had agreed to meet, and the person they met at the foot of the mountain earlier was the real Qiu Qianren.
Qiu Qianzhang had no choice but to admit that they were twin brothers and his real name was Qiu Qianzhang. When they were young, he and his younger brother saved Shangguan Jiannan's life. The old sect leader decided to teach them martial arts to repay their life-saving kindness. At that time, he was frail and sickly, so the martial arts were naturally passed on to Qiu Qianren, while he achieved nothing.
Huang Rong asked Qiu Qianzhang why he was hiding here. Learning that this place was the resting place of successive sect leaders, containing countless rare treasures, Qiu Qianzhang had come here to find weapons to prepare for the seven-day appointment. Guo Jing discovered that Qiu Qianzhang had hidden treasures and also unexpectedly found the Wumu Testament in his possession. Wanyan Honglie and Yang Kang learned that someone had entered the forbidden area.
They guessed that Guo Jing and Huang Rong had broken in. They originally wanted Qiu Qianren to lead them in, but Qiu Qianren was unwilling to break the sect's rules. To avoid internal conflict, Yang Kang suggested setting fire to the mountain to force Guo Jing and Huang Rong to escape on their own.
Episode 24 Recap
Qiu Qianren set fire to the mountain, trapping Huang Rong, Guo Jing, and others in a cave. Having no other option, they could only head towards the mountaintop. Qiu Qianzhang also followed closely. Facing the edge of the cliff, both Guo Jing and Huang Rong thought they were about to lose their lives there. Guo Jing's white condor was called and arrived. Guo Jing, carrying Huang Rong, easily leaped down the cliff using the strength of the white condor.
Qiu Qianzhang also copied Guo Jing and jumped down the cliff, but fell to the bottom because he was unable to utilize the bird's power. The Iron Palm Sect sent people to pursue them. Guo Jing could only carry Huang Rong and head towards the miasma forest. Qiu Qianren and the others had no choice but to stop outside the miasma forest. Huang Rong discovered a formation within the miasma forest.
The two walked out of the formation and found a wooden house. They sought refuge and went to the wooden house to rest temporarily, where they encountered the divine calculator Ying Gu. Huang Rong figured out the answer to Ying Gu's arithmetic problem. Ying Gu was also surprised by Huang Rong's natural intelligence. Qiu Qianren used sound transmission over a long distance, hoping Ying Gu would help search for Guo Jing and Huang Rong in the miasma forest.
Ying Gu questioned the identities of the two. Guo Jing honestly stated that they were disciples of Hong Qigong and had been injured by Qiu Qianren for intruding on Iron Palm Mountain. Ying Gu told Qiu Qianren that she would take care of the two herself. Ying Gu took Huang Rong's pulse and discovered that she had been injured by Qiu Qianren's Iron Palm technique, and her death was imminent within a few days.
Guo Jing was unhappy with Ying Gu's statement and originally wanted to take Huang Rong out to seek medical treatment. Ying Gu was displeased that the two were coming and going as they pleased. When they exchanged blows, Ying Gu despairingly discovered that the martial arts she had painstakingly practiced for over ten years were not as good as Guo Jing's.
Ying Gu stated that there was only one person in the world who could save Huang Rong from the injury she had sustained, but whether that person was willing to provide treatment was unknown. At Guo Jing's earnest plea, Ying Gu gave the two three brocade pouches.
As they were leaving, she discovered that Huang Rong was the daughter of Huang Yaoshi of Peach Blossom Island and reminded her that although the Nine Flower Jade Dew Pill was a sacred medicine, she should not take too much of it. Guo Jing took Huang Rong out of the miasma forest. From the brocade pouches, he learned that only Duan Zhixing could save Huang Rong from her injury.
The two hurried to Taoyuan County to seek an audience with him. Duan Zhixing learned that Huang Rong was the daughter of Huang Yaoshi and also a disciple of Hong Qigong. Seeing her severely injured, he agreed to help heal her. Duan Zhixing exhausted his lifelong cultivation and performed his supreme skill, the One Yang Finger, to save Huang Rong.
Huang Rong was grateful for his life-saving kindness and offered the sacred medicine of Peach Blossom Island, the Nine Flower Jade Dew Pill, as a gift. Unexpectedly, after taking the Nine Flower Jade Dew Pill, Duan Zhixing was poisoned. From Guo Jing and Huang Rong, he learned that they had found him because Ying Gu had told them. He also guessed that Ying Gu had secretly poisoned the Nine Flower Jade Dew Pill with the aim of poisoning him.
Duan Zhixing did not blame the two. He simply considered this to be resolving the karma between him and Ying Gu. Twenty-two years ago, after the Battle of Mount Hua, the Nine Yin Manual was entrusted to Reverend Wang Chongyang of the Quanzhen Sect. Reverend Wang was worried about being unable to defend against Ouyang Feng, the Western Venom, snatching the Nine Yin Manual, so he came to Dali to exchange the One Yang Finger with Duan Zhixing.
The person who accompanied Reverend Wang to Dali was none other than Zhou Botong. With nothing to do, Zhou Botong wandered and played in the palace. He coincidentally met Consort Liu there, and their interactions crossed forbidden lines. Duan Zhixing spared Zhou Botong for the sake of Reverend Wang Chongyang, warning Zhou Botong never to come to Dali again. He was also willing to grant their wish and let Consort Liu leave.
However, Zhou Botong did not know her identity as a consort and regretted his actions even more. After apologizing, he hastily left Dali. Later, Ying Gu gave birth to a boy alone in the study. Later, the child was injured by someone, and Ying Gu came to beg Duan Zhixing to save him. However, Duan Zhixing ultimately did not save the child. Later, feeling guilty towards Ying Gu, he abdicated the throne to the Duan family and became a monk.
Although Ying Gu's child was not killed by Duan Zhixing, he did die because of his jealousy and indifference. The grudge between the two had always been a knot in Duan Zhixing's heart, and now it could be considered resolved.
Episode 25 Recap
Ying Gu came at midnight to seek revenge on Duan Zhixing. Guo Jing appeared and tried to persuade Ying Gu to spare Duan Zhixing. Seeing that Ying Gu wouldn't listen, Guo Jing had no choice but to intervene and stop Ying Gu from killing him. Unexpectedly, Duan Zhixing used the One Yang Finger to trap Guo Jing. For all these years, he had been waiting for Ying Gu to come, fearing she wouldn't arrive to settle this karma.
Duan Zhixing let Ying Gu take his life herself, but Ying Gu thought of all the good things Duan Zhixing had done for her over the years and still couldn't bring herself to kill him. Qiu Qianren followed them. Ying Gu unexpectedly discovered that Qiu Qianren's laughter was identical to the laughter of the person who had killed her son back then, only then realizing that it was Qiu Qianren who had killed her son.
Back then, Qiu Qianren injured the child hoping that Duan Zhixing would exhaust his cultivation saving the child, thus having one less opponent in the Battle of Mount Hua. Ying Gu wanted to kill Qiu Qianren but was no match for him. Qiu Qianren not only injured Ying Gu but also thanked her for bringing Huang Rong to seek medical treatment, which not only poisoned Duan Zhixing but also drained his true energy.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong appeared to stop Qiu Qianren from killing Ying Gu. Qiu Qianren further entertained the idea of killing Huang Rong to disturb Huang Yaoshi's mind, so that he would have one less opponent in the Battle of Mount Hua. Huang Rong knew that it would be difficult to injure Qiu Qianren, so she could only team up with Guo Jing to trick Qiu Qianren and make him wary.
Duan Zhixing's appearance made Qiu Qianren believe that his power was still present, so Qiu Qianren could only leave temporarily. Ying Gu had already given up seeking revenge on Duan Zhixing, only asking him to pray for her deceased child day and night. Ying Gu was surprised to learn from Huang Rong that Zhou Botong had left the island and persuaded Ying Gu to stay alive and seek out Zhou Botong, and together with him, kill Qiu Qianren.
The last few chapters of the Nine Yin Manual were in Sanskrit. Guo Jing learned that the Nine Yin Manual might help Duan Zhixing recover from his injuries, so he volunteered to transcribe the Nine Yin Manual to help Duan Zhixing heal. Duan Zhixing also agreed to help translate the Sanskrit and would teach it to Guo Jing and Huang Rong once he had studied it. The Jurchen forces were retreating steadily.
Wanyan Honglie received six secret imperial decrees urging him to return to the capital. If he still couldn't obtain the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum to turn the tide of battle, the Emperor would be furious, and he and Yang Kang would have no peace. Yang Kang stated that martial arts masters from the martial world would gather at Drunken Immortal Inn in Jiaxing on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month for a competition.
Guo Jing and the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan would definitely go, and Yang Kang said this was their last chance to retrieve the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan knew about the misunderstanding between the Quanzhen Sect and Huang Yaoshi. To prevent conflict in the martial world, they went to Peach Blossom Island to find Huang Yaoshi and explain the matter.
The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan arrived at Peach Blossom Island, but because Huang Yaoshi did not want to see them, they were trapped within the grand formation of Peach Blossom Island and could not find Huang Yaoshi. Duan Zhixing practiced the cultivation methods from the Nine Yin Manual, perhaps gaining five years' worth of progress in just one month.
He gave the cultivation methods to Guo Jing, asking him to pass them on to Hong Qigong to practice, which might help Hong Qigong unblock his eight extraordinary meridians and recover his martial arts. Guo Jing and Huang Rong bid farewell to Duan Zhixing and went to find their master, Hong Qigong. Zhou Botong found Hong Qigong from the palace and brought him along to search for Guo Jing and Huang Rong.
Along the way, he also took the opportunity to overpower the four top experts from the Prince's manor loyal to Wanyan Honglie and make them serve him and Hong Qigong. Hong Qigong unexpectedly saw Ke Zhen'e's whereabouts in Jiaxing and went to find him, while the playful Zhou Botong stayed at the inn to compete in endurance with the experts from the Prince's manor.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong found Zhou Botong at the inn, learned that he was in a competition, and Huang Rong intervened to stop the competition. After questioning Zhou Botong, they couldn't find out Hong Qigong's whereabouts, so the two had to go out and search for their master.
Episode 26 Recap
Guo Jing and Huang Rong found Ke Zhen'e on the street. The moment Ke Zhen'e saw Huang Rong, he wanted to kill her. To protect Huang Rong, Guo Jing had no choice but to intervene and stop him. Ke Zhen'e cursed Guo Jing for being ungrateful and betraying his master and ancestors. Hong Qigong rushed to the scene to plead for Guo Jing.
Ke Zhen'e told Guo Jing that if he still remembered the kindness of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, he should kill Huang Yaoshi and Huang Rong. If he refused, the bond between master and disciple would be severed from then on. Under extreme anger, Ke Zhen'e vomited blood and fainted. Guo Jing quickly took his master to the inn to rest.
Hong Qigong told Guo Jing and Huang Rong to return to Peach Blossom Island to find out the truth of the matter. He and Zhou Botong would look after Ke Zhen'e. Before leaving, Guo Jing gave the Nine Yin Manual, translated by Duan Zhixing, to Hong Qigong, asking him to cultivate this technique to restore his eight extraordinary meridians and recover his martial arts. Guo Jing and Huang Rong arrived at Peach Blossom Island.
At Huang Rong's mother's grave, they discovered the bodies of the other masters of the Five Freaks of Jiangnan. Huang Rong searched the entire island but found no trace of her father, Huang Yaoshi. Guo Jing suspected that Huang Yaoshi had killed his masters using the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. Huang Rong argued that Huang Yaoshi's life or death was unknown, so Guo Jing had no right to blame her father.
Huang Rong hoped Guo Jing could calm down and draw conclusions only after finding Huang Yaoshi. The emotionally devastated Guo Jing wanted to bury his masters himself. Just then, he heard the voice of his fourth master. The deranged fourth master regained his senses before his death, intending to tell Guo Jing who the killer was, but ultimately failed to provide complete information. Guo Jing, however, became certain that the killer was Huang Yaoshi.
Although Guo Jing knew Huang Rong was innocent, she was now the daughter of his enemy. Guo Jing could no longer be with Huang Rong. Huang Rong took out the Drunken-Life-Dream-Death wine from the island, asking Guo Jing to drink it to forget her, go seek revenge on her father, and even return to the grasslands to become the Golden Blade Consort.
Guo Jing said that if one day he were to die by Huang Yaoshi's hand, he hoped Huang Rong would not be sad. Guo Jing buried his masters properly, ended his relationship with Huang Rong, and intended to leave Peach Blossom Island. As Guo Jing left the island, he encountered people from the Quanzhen Sect.
Learning that the Five Freaks of Jiangnan had died tragically on Peach Blossom Island, the people from the Quanzhen Sect also prepared to seek revenge on Huang Yaoshi. --- The Quanzhen Sect widely issued heroic invitations, challenging Huang Yaoshi to a battle. Huang Yaoshi received the message and later went to the appointment. However, the Quanzhen Seven were no match for Huang Yaoshi at all. Ke Zhen'e also came to avenge his brothers.
Hong Qigong stopped Guo Jing, stating that Huang Yaoshi was not someone who would indiscriminately kill innocent people. His ability to not kill Ke Zhen'e and the people from the Quanzhen Sect now showed that he was not the murderer of the Five Freaks of Jiangnan. However, in his anger, Guo Jing was unwilling to believe this and still regarded Huang Yaoshi as an enemy.
Guo Jing filled a position in the Big Dipper Formation, joining forces with the Quanzhen Seven to seek revenge on Huang Yaoshi. Huang Yaoshi was not afraid of them. Ma Yu questioned Huang Yaoshi if he had killed junior brother Tan and martial uncle Zhou Botong. Huang Yaoshi disdained explaining. However, Guo Jing stepped forward and told everyone that Taoist Tan had died at the hands of Ouyang Feng, and Zhou Botong was also not dead.
Now the feud between the Quanzhen Sect and Huang Yaoshi was resolved. Guo Jing planned to settle the score for his masters alone with Huang Yaoshi. Huang Yaoshi did not admit to killing the Five Freaks of Jiangnan. Huang Rong came to explain for her father; she knew that Huang Yaoshi would not have killed the Five Freaks of Jiangnan.
Hong Qigong stepped forward to persuade everyone to cease fighting temporarily, so as not to let outsiders make a joke of the Central Plains martial arts world. Hong Qigong did not believe Huang Yaoshi had killed the Five Freaks of Jiangnan and advised Guo Jing to investigate the matter thoroughly. It was only now that Huang Yaoshi learned someone had taken advantage of his absence from Peach Blossom Island to kill all the Five Freaks of Jiangnan and frame him.
Wanyan Honglie, Ouyang Feng, and others, including Yang Kang, arrived at Drunken Immortal Inn. Qiu Chuji wanted to kill Yang Kang, who had recognized a thief as his father. The Quanzhen Seven and Ouyang Feng faced off. Under Huang Rong's deliberate provocation, Guo Jing also entered the fray to fight alongside the Quanzhen Seven. Yang Kang and the four top experts from the Prince's manor joined forces to deal with Ke Zhen'e.
Seeing Ke Zhen'e injured, Huang Rong appeared and rescued him. Midway through Guo Jing's fight with Ouyang Feng, Zhou Botong also rushed to assist. Zhou Botong saw Ouyang Feng bullying the Quanzhen disciples and Guo Jing, but Ouyang Feng was completely unwilling to fight him and directly left the scene. Subsequently, Wanyan Honglie ordered the Jurchen soldiers to surround and attack everyone. Everyone had no choice but to temporarily hide inside the Drunken Immortal Inn.
Yang Kang forced Guo Jing to hand over the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum. Guo Jing did not want to implicate everyone and prepared to go out and negotiate himself, asking Taoist Ma Yu to take the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum and leave the place with everyone else. Huang Rong was reluctant to let Guo Jing go out to face death. The Quanzhen Sect was also willing to stay and help.
Huang Yaoshi simply proposed going out to fight alongside Hong Qigong. Unexpectedly, Ke Zhen'e proposed a new method that could get everyone out.
Episode 27 Recap
Yang Kang and others sensed something was wrong and entered Drunken Immortal Inn to check, finding no trace of Guo Jing and the others. It turned out that Ke Zhen'e was originally from Jiaxing and was quite familiar with the innkeeper of Drunken Immortal Inn. Later, to prevent accidents, the innkeeper dug a secret passage from the back kitchen leading outside. Ke Zhen'e led everyone to escape to safety.
The Quanzhen Seven said their goodbyes and left, and Huang Yaoshi also took Hong Qigong to find a place to recuperate. Yang Kang, along with the four top experts from the Prince's manor, stopped Guo Jing and demanded the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum. Guo Jing vowed not to hand over the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum, even unto death. Seeing that Qiu Qianren also appeared to help Yang Kang, Guo Jing stepped forward to fight against Qiu Qianren.
Yang Kang took the opportunity to grab Ke Zhen'e and corner Guo Jing, threatening Guo Jing with Ke Zhen'e's life to force him to hand over the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum. Guo Jing could not bear to see his master die at the hands of Yang Kang, so he took out the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum in exchange. At this moment, Zhou Botong and Huang Rong appeared to help.
Huang Rong told Zhou Botong that Qiu Qianren had bullied Ying Gu back then and asked him to teach Qiu Qianren a lesson with his martial arts, while she took the opportunity to rescue Ke Zhen'e. Huang Rong took Ke Zhen'e to rest in a dilapidated blacksmith shop and specifically gave him medicine to heal his injuries.
Although Ke Zhen'e was grateful for Huang Rong's life-saving grace, since several of his brothers had died at the hands of Huang Yaoshi, he still planned to kill Huang Rong to let Huang Yaoshi know the pain of losing a loved one. He also intended to immediately kill himself beside Huang Rong afterward to repay her kindness from today. At this moment, Huang Rong sensed that Jurchens were coming and took Ke Zhen'e to hide in the shadows.
Wanyan Honglie brought Yang Kang and others here to rest, and later Ouyang Feng also arrived with Sha Gu to meet up. Ouyang Feng stated that Sha Gu was the orphaned daughter of Qu Lingfeng, Huang Yaoshi's favorite disciple, and he planned to use Sha Gu to constrain Huang Yaoshi. To protect Ke Zhen'e hidden in the shadows, Huang Rong voluntarily revealed herself.
To distract Ouyang Feng, Huang Rong deliberately mentioned that Huang Yaoshi had deciphered the strange text of the Nine Yin Manual, thus enticing Ouyang Feng to go and help Huang Yaoshi, who was currently being troubled by the Quanzhen Sect. Ouyang Feng did not entirely believe Huang Rong's words but only agreed to leave the next day. Huang Rong found Sha Gu and questioned her about the events before she was taken away from Peach Blossom Island.
She learned that on that day, Huang Yaoshi had arranged for the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan to temporarily stay on the island, while he left the island to find Huang Rong, instructing Sha Gu to greet the Quanzhen Seven on the island. After Huang Yaoshi left the island, Yang Kang and others arrived at Peach Blossom Island. They discovered Sha Gu's whereabouts and learned from her that the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan were also on Peach Blossom Island.
Huang Rong guessed that Yang Kang and others had killed the Five Freaks of Jiangnan, as she knew her father would not have left other people's bodies near her mother's grave. Huang Rong revealed that Ouyang Feng and Yang Kang had killed the Five Freaks of Jiangnan, deliberately leaving Ke Zhen'e alive, solely to frame Huang Yaoshi for the deed.
For this purpose, Huang Rong took out the small emerald shoe that her second master held tightly in his hand before his death. This object was the token from Mu Nianci's martial arts competition to choose a husband. Upon learning the truth, Ke Zhen'e was filled with anger. Ouyang Feng and others also sensed the commotion. To protect Ke Zhen'e, Huang Rong deliberately coaxed Sha Gu into revealing the matter of the limping ghost being killed in Qu San's tavern.
Yang Kang originally wanted to kill Sha Gu to silence her, but Ouyang Feng was eager to find out who was truly protecting Sha Gu. Facing Huang Rong's questions, Sha Gu revealed that Yang Kang had killed the limping ghost, Ouyang Ke. Huang Rong also recounted what she had heard and seen that day.
Yang Kang was furious that Huang Rong had ruined his important matter and struck out to kill her, but he was injured by the Soft Hedgehog Armor she wore. Previously, Huang Rong had been struck by her fourth master before he died, and the Soft Hedgehog Armor had unfortunately been stained with poison from that strike. Just when Yang Kang was injured by it, he was also poisoned.
To avenge his nephew, Ouyang Feng told Wanyan Honglie and others that Yang Kang had been poisoned by snake venom, and that anyone scratched by the poisoned person would also contract the poison. Wanyan Honglie pleaded with Huang Rong to save Yang Kang for the sake of Mu Nianci, but Huang Rong stated that Ouyang Feng's poison was incurable.
Seeing that Yang Kang was surely going to die, the people from the Prince's manor quickly took Wanyan Honglie and left the place. Yang Kang had strived and schemed throughout his life, only to meet a tragic end here. Before his death, he regretted not being able to spend his life peacefully with his parents and Mu Nianci. Early the next morning, facing Ouyang Feng's interrogation, Huang Rong frankly admitted she had lied yesterday.
She explained that asking Ouyang Feng to come and save her father yesterday was merely to help him find the murderer of Ouyang Ke. Ouyang Feng, interested in knowing the contents of the Nine Yin Manual, coerced Huang Rong using Ke Zhen'e's life. Huang Rong agreed to leave with Ouyang Feng, instructing Ke Zhen'e to take good care of himself before parting. Qiu Chuji and Guo Jing searched for them and found Ke Zhen'e here.
Seeing Yang Kang's tragic death, Guo Jing felt sorrow in his heart. Qiu Chuji also blamed himself for not having educated Yang Kang properly. Guo Jing personally buried Yang Kang, fulfilling the bond of brotherhood between them.
Episode 28 Recap
Guo Jing joined with people from the Beggar Gang to search for Huang Rong, but for a full month, they failed to find any trace of Huang Rong. Guo Jing and Lu Youjiao went north to search for Huang Rong and unexpectedly encountered Jin soldiers fighting Mongol soldiers. Guo Jing intervened to help the Mongol soldiers defeat the Jin soldiers. Guo Jing met Tuolei again. Tuolei asked Guo Jing if he was willing to return to the grassland together.
Guo Jing was hesitant. Lu Youjiao suggested that Guo Jing should first return to the grassland to see his mother, while he would continue searching for Huang Rong with the Beggar Gang brothers and inform Guo Jing as soon as there was news. Guo Jing returned to the grassland. The mother and son were both very happy to see each other. Guo Jing told his mother about his experiences over the past year.
Li Ping saw that her son liked Huang Rong, but also worried about Guo Jing's engagement with Princess Huazheng. Guo Jing wanted to tell the Great Khan the truth and break off the engagement. Li Ping expressed that no matter what choice her son made, she would support him. Guo Jing came to pay his respects to the Great Khan, wanting to cancel the marriage with Princess Huazheng.
The princes believed that Guo Jing's repeated attempts to cancel the marriage with Huazheng were too insulting to them and wanted to teach Guo Jing a lesson. Huazheng appeared to protect Guo Jing, even going so far as to threaten suicide to force her father and brothers to yield. Huazheng asked Guo Jing in what way she was inferior to Huang Rong. Seeing that Guo Jing was unwilling to answer, she said that she would always wait for Guo Jing.
Temujin gave Guo Jing a chance to atone by performing meritorious service, having Guo Jing accompany him on the western expedition. Temujin also enfeoffed Guo Jing as Noyan, giving him ten thousand soldiers to follow them on the campaign. Guo Jing was completely ignorant of marching and fighting, but remembering Yue Fei's Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum, Guo Jing diligently studied it, hoping it could be helpful.
Lu Youjiao and Lu Chengfeng learned that Guo Jing was about to embark on a western expedition. The two came to find Guo Jing, preparing to assist him. The Beggar Gang and others had not found news of Huang Rong. Lu Chengfeng told Guo Jing that his master had already gone to White Camel Mountain to look for Ouyang Feng, so Guo Jing should not worry. Currently, the Song and Mongols were allied in attacking the Jin.
Heroes and brave men from the Beggar Gang and Guiyun Manor all came to assist. Guo Jing did not fully understand many military strategies in the Treatise in Wumu's Mausoleum. Lu Youjiao actively explained them to Guo Jing one by one. Because of this, Guo Jing quickly grew and successfully won a battle. Guo Jing again asked Lu Youjiao about the military treatise. Lu Youjiao still put it off, saying he would explain it tomorrow.
Guo Jing became suspicious and followed Lu Youjiao, but unexpectedly encountered Ouyang Feng in the woods who was there searching for Huang Rong. Ouyang Feng wanted to capture Guo Jing to force Huang Rong to appear. The confrontation between the two attracted people from the Beggar Gang. Ouyang Feng was also accidentally injured by Guo Jing. To avoid attracting attention, he could only leave temporarily. Temujin was angered by the failed attack on the city of Samarkand.
Now in a dilemma, Lu Youjiao offered a suggestion. From this, Guo Jing also guessed that it was Huang Rong's idea and asked Lu Youjiao to take him to see Huang Rong. Seeing that he could not hide it from Guo Jing, Lu Youjiao had no choice but to take him to see Huang Rong. Lu Youjiao told Guo Jing that the gang leader was at the summit of Tumufeng mountain.
In order to see Huang Rong, Guo Jing was not afraid of the risk of falling to his death and attempted to climb the peak again and again. Lu Youjiao couldn't bear to see Guo Jing get hurt. He gave him an idea: use sheep legs to build a climbing ladder and climb up to the summit with its help. Guo Jing and Huang Rong met again. The two embraced, easing their longing for each other.
Guo Jing apologized for having previously misunderstood Huang Yaoshi and Huang Rong, and also honestly stated that his feelings for Huang Rong were sincere. Guo Jing asked Huang Rong how she escaped. Huang Rong explained that she deliberately led Ouyang Feng to Guiyun Manor, used the Bagua formation of Guiyun Manor to trap Ouyang Feng, and seized the opportunity to escape.
Later, Huang Rong wanted to return to Peach Blossom Island, but Ouyang Feng pursued and blocked her the entire way. She could only go all the way north to the grassland to find Guo Jing. She infiltrated the military camp, and Ouyang Feng, in order to find her, also infiltrated the Mongol military camp. So as not to cause trouble for Guo Jing, Huang Rong had not sought him out the whole time.
Guo Jing asked Huang Rong to stay by his side from now on and never leave him again. Huang Rong sensed that Ouyang Feng had also come nearby. She deliberately mentioned the Nine Yin Manual to Guo Jing, stating that she would transcribe the translated Nine Yin Manual, and that to guard against Ouyang Feng, they could not take the Nine Yin Manual away from the mountain top.
Ouyang Feng heard their conversation and decided to wait for the two on the mountain top. After Guo Jing and Huang Rong came down from the mountain top, they conveniently burned the ladder built from sheep legs, determined to trap Ouyang Feng on the summit until he died. Ouyang Feng waited on the mountain top until midnight but did not find Guo Jing and Huang Rong. He cursed the two for being untrustworthy.
The large army had besieged the city for several days but could not conquer it. The Mongol soldiers were facing a shortage of supplies, and Guo Jing was also in a bad mood because of this. Subsequently, Huang Rong saw Ouyang Feng actually leap down from the mountain top. From this, she thought of a method to attack the city. She told Guo Jing to order the soldiers to cut up the tents to make wings, thus creating leather parachutes to help the army attack the city.
Episode 29 Recap
With the help of the leather parachutes, Guo Jing and Huang Rong led the soldiers to fly into the city of Samarkand, successfully opening the city gate to help Temujin enter with his cavalry. By the time Wanyan Honglie received the news and dispatched troops, it was already too late.
After entering the city, Guo Jing originally wanted to chase Wanyan Honglie's remaining troops to capture him, but at Huang Rong's reminder, he thought that Wanyan Honglie might not be among the remaining troops. He searched among the captured soldiers in the city and indeed found Wanyan Honglie hiding there. Guo Jing brought Wanyan Honglie before Temujin. Having fallen to such a state, Wanyan Honglie naturally had nothing to say. Temujin handed Wanyan Honglie over to Guo Jing for disposition.
Facing Guo Jing's interrogation, Wanyan Honglie frankly admitted the fact that he had killed the Guo and Yang families back then. Guo Jing asked Wanyan Honglie to put an end to this grievance. Wanyan Honglie believed that his current predicament was dying for the Great Jin, but Guo Jing, a Song person, was serving Temujin. He even pointed out that after Temujin destroyed the Great Jin, he would massacre the Great Song.
After warning Guo Jing, Wanyan Honglie committed suicide by slitting his throat. Having achieved this great merit, Temujin wanted to reward him. When Guo Jing saw that Temujin intended to execute all the captives inside and outside the city, he couldn't bear it and exchanged his reward for the lives of these commoners and captives. Although Temujin was furious, he agreed to Guo Jing's request. Guo Jing returned to the main tent and found Huazheng there.
Huang Rong had thought that Guo Jing had already broken off the engagement, but unexpectedly, Guo Jing frankly admitted that he had not been able to break it off. He had used the merit of capturing the city to save the lives of innocent people. Disappointed that Guo Jing had given up on her, Huang Rong left in a huff. Guo Jing could only bid farewell to Huazheng and quickly go after Huang Rong.
On the way, Guo Jing discovered Ouyang Feng trapped in quicksand. Ouyang Feng lied about Huang Rong's whereabouts to trick Guo Jing into rescuing him from the quicksand. Then he fabricated the lie that Huang Rong had fallen into quicksand and died. Guo Jing mistakenly believed Huang Rong was dead and vomited blood in grief. A month later, Temujin wanted to continue attacking Daliang, the capital of the Jin people.
Guo Jing proposed a feigned attack on Daliang, and then breaking the Jin army after the reinforcements from Tongguan arrived. This way, Daliang would naturally fall without a direct assault. Guo Jing originally wanted to go south with his mother to visit their hometown, but Temujin flatly refused, citing the dangers of the battlefield. After Li Ping learned of this, she believed that Temujin must have other intentions for acting this way.
She learned that Temujin had given Guo Jing, Tuolei, and others silk pouches, telling them to open them and act according to the plan after conquering Daliang. Li Ping secretly opened the pouch and discovered that Temujin wanted Guo Jing and the others to move south after conquering Daliang to attack Lin'an and destroy the Great Song. Li Ping knew that Temujin was using her life to threaten Guo Jing.
Guo Jing did not want to collude with the enemy for glory, so he decided to take his mother back to Lin'an that very night. As Guo Jing was about to leave that night, he was discovered by Temujin. Guo Jing believed that Temujin, allied with the Great Song to attack the Jin people, had broken the alliance halfway, which was not the act of a hero. Temujin did not think he had broken the alliance.
He ordered Guo Jing to be court-martialed for opening the silk pouch and defying military orders. Huazheng and Tuolei pleaded for Guo Jing. Temujin asked Guo Jing to swear allegiance to the Mongol tribe, but Guo Jing steadfastly refused to destroy the Song. Temujin ordered his men to bring Li Ping to threaten Guo Jing.
Li Ping mentioned that Qiu Chuji's original intention when naming Guo Jing and Yang Kang was to hope that they would not forget the Humiliation of Jingkang. Li Ping did not want her son to become a traitor. She told her son to do what he wanted to do and become the person he wanted to be. Then Li Ping committed suicide with a dagger and died in Guo Jing's arms. --- Guo Jing buried his mother in an oasis.
Tuolei and Huazheng came looking for him there. Knowing that they could not keep Guo Jing, they specifically came to say goodbye. Huazheng secretly telling Temujin about Guo Jing's departure was just because she wanted to keep him, but she didn't expect that this would lead to the death of Guo Jing's mother. Huazheng blamed herself and wanted to atone with her death. Guo Jing stopped Huazheng.
He did not blame her and also thanked them both for coming to see him off. Guo Jing bid farewell to Tuolei and Huazheng and returned to Lin'an, but he was surrounded and beaten by the common people of the Great Song. Fortunately, Qiu Chuji and Ke Zhen'e appeared and rescued Guo Jing. Guo Jing was greatly struck by the deaths of his mother and Huang Rong.
Although he had practiced martial arts since childhood, he couldn't even protect his closest family, lover, and master. Upholding chivalry felt meaningless. Qiu Chuji told Guo Jing that all the literary strategies, military tactics, powerful armies, and sharp weapons in the world could either bring disaster upon the world or benefit mankind.
Guo Jing did not want to fight with others anymore in this life, only wanting to forget all his martial arts and never again involve himself in the grievances of the jianghu. Seeing the current dispirited Guo Jing, Qiu Chuji thought of Zhou Botong, who had once gone through a similar experience. On the street, Guo Jing saw Mu Nianci holding a child. Guo Jing told Mu Nianci the news of Yang Kang's death.
Although Mu Nianci had cut off all ties with Yang Kang, it was unavoidable that she felt sorrow upon hearing of his death. Mu Nianci thought of Yang Kang's misguided life and hoped that her child would grow up to be an upright person and atone for his father's sins. Mu Nianci asked Guo Jing to name the child. Guo Jing believed that Yang Kang had met such an end because he could not repent and start anew. He hoped that when the child grew up, he would be able to acknowledge his mistakes and correct them, so he named him Yang Guo.
Episode 30 (Ending) Recap
--- Guo Jing buried his mother in an oasis. Tuolei and Huazheng came looking for him there. Knowing that they could not keep Guo Jing, they specifically came to say goodbye. Huazheng secretly telling Temujin about Guo Jing's departure was just because she wanted to keep him, but she didn't expect that this would lead to the death of Guo Jing's mother. Huazheng blamed herself and wanted to atone with her death. Guo Jing stopped Huazheng.
He did not blame her and also thanked them both for coming to see him off. Guo Jing bid farewell to Tuolei and Huazheng and returned to Lin'an, but he was surrounded and beaten by the common people of the Great Song. Fortunately, Qiu Chuji and Ke Zhen'e appeared and rescued Guo Jing. Guo Jing was greatly struck by the deaths of his mother and Huang Rong.
Although he had practiced martial arts since childhood, he couldn't even protect his closest family, lover, and master. Upholding chivalry felt meaningless. Qiu Chuji told Guo Jing that all the literary strategies, military tactics, powerful armies, and sharp weapons in the world could either bring disaster upon the world or benefit mankind.
Guo Jing did not want to fight with others anymore in this life, only wanting to forget all his martial arts and never again involve himself in the grievances of the jianghu. Seeing the current dispirited Guo Jing, Qiu Chuji thought of Zhou Botong, who had once gone through a similar experience. On the street, Guo Jing saw Mu Nianci holding a child. Guo Jing told Mu Nianci the news of Yang Kang's death.
Although Mu Nianci had cut off all ties with Yang Kang, it was unavoidable that she felt sorrow upon hearing of his death. Mu Nianci thought of Yang Kang's misguided life and hoped that her child would grow up to be an upright person and atone for his father's sins. Mu Nianci asked Guo Jing to name the child. Guo Jing believed that Yang Kang had met such an end because he could not repent and start anew.
He hoped that when the child grew up, he would be able to acknowledge his mistakes and correct them, so he named him Yang Guo. Qiu Qianren brought Jin experts to heavily slaughter Song soldiers in the Great Song. Zhou Botong chased after Qiu Qianren to continue fighting him. And on the other side, Qiu Qianren and Ke Zhen'e saw the Jin soldiers being intercepted and also provided assistance.
Guo Jing fell into difficulty; he still couldn't accept why martial arts should be used to resolve all this. Liang Zi Weng saw Guo Jing trapped in the predicament, and took the opportunity to try and drink all his blood. Under Guo Jing's defense, he shook off Liang Zi Weng, causing his death. Qiu Qianren threatened Zhou Botong with a poisonous snake.
Zhou Botong, unable to fight back, sought help from Guo Jing, but Guo Jing, deep in his madness, couldn't hear his plea at all. In the end, Ying Gu arrived and saved Zhou Botong. Guo Jing believed that after studying martial arts for over ten years, he could not only not save Huang Rong and his mother, but also couldn't personally kill the murderer of his five masters.
Furthermore, he had inadvertently helped oppressors and caused the deaths of many Song commoners. In his madness, he wanted to end his own life. At the critical moment, Emperor Duan, Master Yi Deng, intervened and saved Guo Jing. Master Yi Deng told Guo Jing that every peak expert faces this issue during a bottleneck period. Many people, like Guo Jing, will be troubled by inner demons. If they overcome these inner demons, they can become grandmasters like Wang Chongyang.
If they cannot overcome these inner demons, they will be blinded like Qiu Qianren and Ouyang Feng. He thought back to when his seven masters taught him martial arts for upholding chivalry and justice, and how his mother had also taught him to protect his home and people like his father. Guo Jing asked Master Yi Deng if it was also a sin to have the ability but choose to ignore it.
Master Yi Deng told Guo Jing that what kind of person he could become was not determined by martial arts, but by himself. Under Master Yi Deng's guidance, Guo Jing finally sobered up. He stepped forward to face Qiu Qianren. Now, Guo Jing's martial arts had broken through after Master Yi Deng's illumination, and he easily defeated Qiu Qianren.
Guo Jing did not kill Qiu Qianren, but rather hoped he could use his status as a grandmaster to benefit the people. Back then, corrupt officials were in power, and Qiu Qianren's esteemed master died tragically at the hands of the Great Song, making him believe that such a Great Song was not worth saving.
Qiu Qianren had painstakingly practiced martial arts for over ten years, originally intending to expand the Iron Palm Sect, but unexpectedly, he was defeated today by a young newcomer like Guo Jing. With his beliefs collapsing, he intended to end his own life. Master Yi Deng intervened and stopped him, stating that Shangguan Jiannan was originally a subordinate of General Han Shizhong, and later founded the Iron Palm Sect, and had also consistently resisted foreign invaders and recovered lost territories.
Shangguan Jiannan perhaps did not intend for Qiu Qianren to expand the Iron Palm Sect. Qiu Qianren was still unwilling to believe these words. Everyone present was unwilling to kill Qiu Qianren. Ying Gu, however, wanted to strike and kill Qiu Qianren to avenge her son.
Master Yi Deng blocked a blow for Qiu Qianren, believing that if Ying Gu killed Qiu Qianren, the Iron Palm Sect would not let it rest, and the jianghu martial world would be thrown into chaos. Ying Gu originally wanted Zhou Botong to kill Qiu Qianren, but Zhou Botong made an excuse to escape. Ying Gu had no choice but to chase after Zhou Botong.
Master Yi Deng told Qiu Qianren that his master was not saving the Great Song or the court, but actually saving the common people. Under his illumination, Qiu Qianren was willing to follow Master Yi Deng to atone for his sins. Master Yi Deng gave him the Dharma name 'Ci En' and had him study Buddhism with him. The Mongol tribe's attack on the city was imminent. To protect Xiangyang, Guo Jing decided to risk his life and fight.
He infiltrated the Mongol tribe alone, but unexpectedly found Ouyang Feng there. By following Ouyang Feng, he unexpectedly discovered that Huang Rong was still alive. Guo Jing rescued Huang Rong while Ouyang Feng was away from the main tent. The two, reunited after a long separation, learned that Huang Rong had been captured by Ouyang Feng after she left the tent that day. Guo Jing told Huang Rong that his trip was to assassinate Temujin.
As a subject of the Great Song, he did not want to see Temujin invade the Great Song and harm its common people. Huang Rong knew that Guo Jing alone could not resist an army of one hundred thousand, but she was willing to accompany Guo Jing into this situation.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong overheard the conversation between the second prince and Ouyang Feng, and learned that the second prince was preparing to use the army to pressure Temujin into attacking Xiangyang forcefully. Amidst the military chaos, Ouyang Feng wanted to assist the second prince. Guo Jing appeared and blocked Ouyang Feng, luring him away by citing the mysteries of the Nine Yin Manual. After several rounds of fighting, Ouyang Feng was not Guo Jing's match.
He was unwilling to lose to a junior like Guo Jing. Ouyang Feng, who was obsessed with cultivating the Nine Yin Manual, became delirious and didn't even know who he was. He was tricked by Huang Rong into fighting the shadow of the current world's number one, 'Ouyang Feng', to spend the rest of his life. Guo Jing appeared in the Mongol yurt and asked if the Great Khan's order to withdraw from Xiangyang was true.
Temujin left Guo Jing alone in the main tent. Earlier, he had intended to recruit Guo Jing as his son-in-law, but later realized that Guo Jing would always be a Han Chinese and would naturally pledge allegiance to the Great Song. He knew the purpose of Guo Jing's trip, and now that he was critically ill, he didn't need Guo Jing to take action. Temujin did not want to see Guo Jing and Tuolei face each other in battle.
Today, Guo Jing did not take advantage of the conflict between Tuolei and his brother to harm anyone; Guo Jing was a person who valued relationships and righteousness no matter where he was. Guo Jing believed that in his view, a hero of the current generation must be someone who benefits the common people and cares for them; killing many people does not necessarily make one a hero.
Temujin, however, believed that conquering the world and killing countless enemies throughout his life was what made a hero. The Mongol tribe withdrew their troops. Guo Jing did not know if he could stop the Mongol tribe's next southern invasion, but he was willing to strive for this his entire life. Huang Rong took Guo Jing to observe the Mount Hua Summit Debate.
At the peak of Mount Hua, the Southern Emperor had retired, the Western Poison had not arrived, and only the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong and the Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi were present for the appointment. Huang Rong had Guo Jing participate in the Mount Hua Summit Debate, fighting two against one.
If Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi could not defeat Guo Jing within three hundred moves, then Guo Jing would be the winner of this year's Mount Hua martial arts competition. The chivalrous deeds of the great hero Guo Jing were widely spread. Meanwhile, the young Yang Guo lived in seclusion in the countryside with his mother Mu Nianci, about to begin the story of another jianghu hero.
