The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 11 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
After the funeral, the masters urged Guo Jing to accompany Mu Nianci to Niu Village and marry her, fulfilling a promise to Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo. However, Guo Jing firmly stated he would not marry Miss Mu. Qiu Chuji pressed for a reason, while his other masters remained relatively calm, believing Guo Jing was simply conflicted due to his betrothal to Princess Hua Zheng, Genghis Khan's daughter.
Qiu Chuji became enraged, accusing Guo Jing of being "greedy and unfilial," comparing him to Yang Kang. Another master suggested that Guo Jing could take Mu Nianci to Mongolia to explain the situation to Genghis Khan, as men are permitted multiple wives. But Guo Jing adamantly refused, declaring he would not marry Hua Zheng either. When pressed further about who he loved, Guo Jing, standing in the center of the room, bravely admitted that he loved Rong.
This confession was met with strong opposition from his masters, who already harbored ill feelings towards Huang Yaoshi and, by extension, his daughter, Huang Rong. Meanwhile, Wan Yan Honglie had dispatched men across the city to find Yang Kang, but they reported no success, nor was he found with Taoist Qiu. Wan Yan Honglie commanded them to continue the search by any means. Disconsolate and soaked by the rain, Yang Kang wandered aimlessly, feeling utterly alone. "
I'm not Song, nor Jin. Who am I? Who can tell me?" he muttered to himself. Overwhelmed, he eventually collapsed in the street. He later woke in a warm bed in an inn room, dressed in dry clothes, to find Mu Nianci sitting by his side. Seeing him stir, she smiled gently and asked how he was, carefully feeding him a tonic. Her gentle demeanor reminded him of his mother.
Still reeling from his identity crisis, Yang Kang asked about Yang Tiexin, wanting to know what he was like. Mu Nianci described Yang Tiexin as "clear-minded and loyal," emphasizing that he never forgot Yang Kang and his mother. Then, testing the depth of her affection, Yang Kang asked if she would still care for him if Yang Tiexin was not his father and he was not his son.
Mu Nianci immediately and unequivocally replied, "Certainly," which somewhat eased Yang Kang's troubled heart. Huang Rong eagerly awaited Guo Jing at a bustling restaurant, passing the time by idly plucking flower petals and murmuring about Guo Jing's feelings for her. As night fell and the restaurant closed, Guo Jing still hadn't appeared, leaving her disappointed. Determined, Huang Rong went to the inn where Guo Jing was staying.
There, she overheard Great Master Ke Zhene sternly forbidding Guo Jing from seeing her, branding her a "little witch." Guo Jing tried to defend Rong, prompting Ke Zhene to launch into a tirade against Huang Yaoshi, calling him "Heretic Huang," a "ruthless and cruel killer" who had crippled his own disciple and whose former student, Mei Chaofeng, had killed Asheng, one of the Seven Freaks’ disciples, when Guo Jing was young. Ke Zhene emphasized the deep-seated feud between them.
Guo Jing, however, steadfastly maintained Rong’s good nature and even suggested her father's disciple might have "erred," further infuriating Ke Zhene. Guo Jing then declared he could not live without Rong, nor she without him. Enraged, Ke Zhene vowed that as long as he lived, Guo Jing would not see "that little witch," locking him in his room for three days without food and entrusting the key to Zhu Cong.
The next day, as the Seven Freaks of the South walked through the lively streets of the Jin capital, Huang Rong, disguised as a small beggar, cleverly attempted to pick Zhu Cong's pocket for the key, but the quick-witted master easily thwarted her. Undeterred, Huang Rong then reappeared, this time as a long-bearded fortune teller. She accosted Ke Zhene, drawing the character "Ke" and boldly interpreting it as "wooden brain," implying his stubbornness was misguided.
She accused him of having "separated lovers" recently and warned that anyone who "forces them apart on purpose opposes the God," adding ominously that "lightning will strike." Ke Zhene, dismissive, scoffed at her words. However, that night, thunder indeed rumbled, and to the horror of the other masters, strange, ghostly apparitions flickered outside their windows. Even the skeptical Ke Zhene was unsettled by the "unworldly" sights and the eerie accuracy of the divination.
Fearing divine wrath, the other masters implored Ke Zhene to release Guo Jing, and he reluctantly conceded, ordering his immediate freedom. Han Xiaoying released Guo Jing, urging him and Huang Rong to leave quickly before Ke Zhene could change his mind. Delighted, Guo Jing and Huang Rong embraced and swiftly rode off on Guo Jing's little red horse, vanishing into the night. Shortly after, the masters discovered Huang Rong's "ghost" mask, firecrackers, and other theatrical props hidden under a tree.
The truth of the elaborate ruse became painfully obvious, infuriating Ke Zhene, who declared he would no longer consider Guo Jing his disciple. Though one of the masters tried to argue that Huang Rong's actions proved her sincere love for Guo Jing and that he was fortunate, and that love should not be thwarted, Ke Zhene remained adamant that he would never approve of their relationship.
Later, as they rested in a tranquil, moonlit forest, Huang Rong, exhausted from her efforts, quickly fell asleep on Guo Jing's shoulder. Watching her, Guo Jing realized how much effort she had put into freeing him and wished for her to rest well. The next morning, Guo Jing confessed his unease about having deceived his masters and proposed returning to apologize, believing it was wrong to lie, especially to those who had taught him for eighteen years.
Huang Rong, however, disagreed, arguing that returning now was not a good idea, as his masters were still furious and reasoning with angry people was futile. Guo Jing then clarified that he truly would not marry Mu Nianci because the one he loved was her, Rong. Huang Rong warned that going back would only lead to Ke Zhene confining him again, preventing them from ever meeting.
When she playfully threatened to leave if he didn't care about her, Guo Jing quickly reassured her of his deep affection. Guo Jing then asked Huang Rong about her father, Huang Yaoshi, wondering why his masters held such animosity towards him. Huang Rong explained that her father, known as the "Eastern Heretic" in the martial arts world, was indeed "weird" and idiosyncratic. He disdained complicated rules, often declaring all worldly regulations "nonsense."
She described him as a man of immense knowledge, well-versed in the Five Elements and many other subjects, possessing exceptionally high martial arts skills, which led people to both "mistrust and fear him." Huang Rong shared a more personal side, revealing that her father "adores me much" as she is his only child, her mother having tragically died during her birth.
Following Mei Chaofeng's betrayal, he had "expelled all his disciples," leaving just him, her, and the servants on Peach Blossom Island, where they had relied on each other for years. Guo Jing felt that if his masters truly understood this, they would not hate her father or reject her.
Huang Rong then proposed they meet his masters at the Mid-Autumn Day competition in Jiaxing, six months later, by which time she believed their anger would have subsided, and they might even "bless" their relationship. Initially, Guo Jing was pleased, thinking of the six months as a time for enjoyment. However, he quickly corrected himself, stating his true purpose was not to "play" but to "find Duan Tiande to avenge my father." Huang Rong, without hesitation, declared, "Get revenge.
Don't forgive! We'll go to Lin'an now. Find the villain for revenge." In the quiet of their room, Yang Kang admitted to Mu Nianci that he felt lost, unsure of his identity or direction, and urged her to leave him. Mu Nianci refused, reminding him that he had won their betrothal contest, and by custom, she would follow him.
She declared her love for him, regardless of whether he was a "Jin Prince or Song commoner," and expressed willingness to endure any "hardship" by his side. Moved by her unwavering devotion, Yang Kang seemed to reconcile himself with his identity as a Song person. Mu Nianci then proposed a "new life" together in Niu Village, a place his godfather often spoke of as green and mountainous.
There, they could build a house, farm, and live simply, a prospect that she said would make her happiest. Yang Kang agreed to her plan, promising to "be good to you forever" and never disappoint her. As they went to buy travel provisions, Yang Kang overheard Wan Yan Honglie's men searching for the "Young Prince." This fleeting reminder of his former status stirred his resolve, reigniting his ambition.
He then turned to Mu Nianci, asking if she wanted to "go home with me and be Jin Princess." Mu Nianci was incensed by his question, angrily refusing the offer. She reminded him that Prince Zhao (Wan Yan Honglie) was responsible for her parents' deaths and declared her intention to remain an "upright Song" person, warning Yang Kang not to forget his own Song heritage.
Near a river, Huang Rong playfully teased Guo Jing for not knowing how to swim, a skill she had mastered on her sea-surrounded Peach Blossom Island. She joyfully taught him. After their swim, they prepared a "Beggar's Chicken," which Huang Rong explained was encased in lotus leaves and mud, sealing in the aroma to create a "juicy and tender, with a smoky flavor." The tantalizing scent soon attracted an old, disheveled beggar with only nine fingers.
Having previously overheard the Seven Freaks discussing the "Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar Hong Qigong," Huang Rong immediately suspected his identity. They offered him a share of their chicken, which he devoured with gusto, declaring it the best he had ever tasted. He then offered them a valuable item as payment, but Huang Rong refused, joking that the chicken was "stolen" or "shared" by passing chickens. They introduced themselves, and the old man introduced himself as Hong Qigong.
Eager to keep him, Huang Rong began to list many other exquisite dishes she could prepare, from pork meatballs to steamed duck. Hong Qigong, a notorious glutton, was easily swayed and decided to stay longer. He praised Guo Jing for being lucky to have such a "beautiful, smart girl who could cook." As Huang Rong served more dishes, Hong Qigong impressed them with his discerning palate, accurately identifying every ingredient in a complex meatball.
He even recounted how he had "tasted" dishes for the Emperor by living on the palace kitchen roof for three months, always ensuring he ate the best. After satisfying his legendary appetite, Hong Qigong offered to repay them. Huang Rong seized the opportunity to ask him to teach Guo Jing martial arts, explaining that Guo Jing often felt unable to protect her. Hong Qigong initially refused, stating he "never taught martial arts to anybody."
However, deeply impressed by her culinary skills, he eventually agreed to "teach him a little bit," emphasizing that Guo Jing's learning would depend on his own ability. Later, as Guo Jing and Huang Rong sparred, Hong Qigong observed Huang Rong's unique fighting style. He immediately recognized it as her father's technique, noting her resemblance to "Heretic Huang" in her eyes and nose, and correctly deduced her identity as Huang Yaoshi's daughter.
Huang Rong asked if he knew her father, to which Hong Qigong proudly replied, "He's Eastern Heretic. I'm Northern Beggar. We fought often." Realizing the caliber of the master before them, Huang Rong eagerly pulled Guo Jing down to kneel, begging Hong Qigong to "take us as disciples." Despite her fervent pleas and promises of more delicious food, Hong Qigong staunchly reiterated his rule: "I took no disciple," and walked away, unmoved by their entreaties.
