The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 13 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Huang Rong returned with an armload of sewing needles she had snapped up from town. Hong Qigong decided that she, not Guo Jing, should learn the "Needle Shower" routine to counter Ouyang Feng's poisonous snakes. He explained that Ouyang Feng, though formidable in single combat, uses snakes to deal with multiple foes, a tactic Hong Qigong despises.
Huang Rong proposed a strategy where Hong Qigong would fight Ouyang Feng, Guo Jing would engage Ouyang Ke, and she would use her Needle Shower to kill the snakes. Hong Qigong worried Guo Jing’s Eighteen Dragon-subduing Palms were still three stances short, which Huang Rong countered by asking him to teach the full routine.
Although Hong Qigong initially hesitated to take Guo Jing as a formal disciple, finding him too "stupid," he eventually demonstrated the technique to Huang Rong, then left her to practice it alone in the forest, admonishing her to count every needle. Later, when Guo Jing and Hong Qigong brought food to the forest, they found Huang Rong missing. Huang Rong had been abducted by Ouyang Ke's snake shepherdesses and was now bound in a room.
Ouyang Ke passionately declared his love, telling her she was unique among all women and that he thought of her constantly. Huang Rong feigned being touched, but stipulated that she would only agree to be with him if he married her formally with a proper wedding. Ouyang Ke was overjoyed, immediately proposing that his uncle visit Peach Blossom Island to ask for her hand.
However, Ouyang Ke, aware of her Soft Hedgehog Armor, did not untie her, revealing his intention to take her to the Western Regions first, where his uncle, Ouyang Feng, would handle the situation. Meanwhile, Guo Jing and Hong Qigong searched frantically for Huang Rong, asking everyone they met, while Hong Qigong dispatched Beggars' Sect disciples to assist. As evening approached with no success, Guo Jing grew distraught, weeping and blaming himself for leaving her alone in the forest.
Hong Qigong urged him to use his brain, reminding him that Huang Rong was clever and would surely leave them traces. A flash of insight struck Guo Jing, and he began searching the ground, soon discovering one of Huang Rong's sewing needles. Hong Qigong confirmed it was a deliberate trace, meant to lead them to her, and Guo Jing, spurred on, found more needles, following the path she had laid.
Ouyang Ke, undeterred by Huang Rong's feigned affection, bundled her into a carriage, intending to take her to the Western Regions for his uncle to handle her Soft Hedgehog Armor. Huang Rong defiantly declared that Guo Jing would rescue her, a claim Ouyang Ke scoffed at, calling Guo Jing a fool. Just as the carriage was about to depart, Guo Jing and Hong Qigong arrived.
Ouyang Ke's men immediately engaged Hong Qigong, but the Old Beggar declared that meddling was his hobby and this was now his business. Hong Qigong then instructed Guo Jing to demonstrate the Eighteen Dragon-subduing Palms he had learned. Guo Jing unleashed three powerful stances, quickly gaining the upper hand. Huang Rong seized the opportunity to mock Ouyang Ke's inferior skills compared to his uncle. Defeated, Ouyang Ke, along with his men and snakes, retreated resentfully at Hong Qigong's command.
Guo Jing immediately went to Huang Rong, apologizing for her ordeal. She, in turn, expressed her unwavering faith that he would always come to save her. Hong Qigong lightly teased Guo Jing for nearly crying when she was missing, to which Guo Jing reaffirmed his promise to go to the ends of the earth for Huang Rong. Hong Qigong, declaring himself fed up with Guo Jing and Huang Rong's overly affectionate displays, announced his departure.
Huang Rong, however, convinced him to stay for a farewell dinner, promising not to use it as an opportunity to ask him to teach Guo Jing more martial arts. She then went to the market alone to buy ingredients. There, she spotted Mu Nianci and, recalling the previous attempt by Qiu Chuji to betroth her to Guo Jing, decided to play a trick.
Huang Rong deliberately bought up all the rouge Mu Nianci had shown interest in and then brazenly snatched a dagger from Mu Nianci’s possession, citing the "Guo Jing" inscription on it. Mu Nianci protested that it was her only memento from her parents and tried to reclaim it, but Huang Rong, confident in her superior martial arts, challenged her to fight for its return. During their sparring, Mu Nianci recognized Hong Qigong's "Carefree Fist" in Huang Rong's moves.
Huang Rong, admitting they were "old friends," then immobilized Mu Nianci and demanded she swear not to marry Guo Jing. Mu Nianci, to Huang Rong's surprise, laughed and said she had no intention of marrying Guo Jing. She explained that while her adoptive father had wished for it on his deathbed, he had previously betrothed her to another. Relieved, Huang Rong returned the dagger.
Mu Nianci then spoke warmly of Guo Jing's honest and chivalrous nature, prompting Huang Rong to confirm her own unwavering loyalty to him. Huang Rong then invited Mu Nianci to stay with them. As they were about to leave, they discovered a message from Hong Qigong carved on a tree branch, bidding them farewell and warning Huang Rong not to be naughty, confirming his departure.
That evening, Guo Jing was surprised to see Mu Nianci with Huang Rong, and Huang Rong recounted their encounter. Mu Nianci explained that Hong Qigong had taught her martial arts for three days years ago as repayment for her and her father saving two Beggars' Sect members. Later, under the cloak of night, Mu Nianci stood by a tranquil lake, gazing abstractedly at the water while caressing a jade pendant.
Huang Rong, noticing her, playfully snatched the pendant and, upon seeing the character "Kang" inscribed on it, immediately understood that Yang Kang was Mu Nianci's beloved. Mu Nianci confided that Yang Kang had promised they would return to Niu Village to live a simple life, but he was currently delayed by "something to take care of." Huang Rong, however, harbored deep skepticism, questioning whether Yang Kang would truly abandon his life of privilege for a commoner's existence.
Mu Nianci, undeterred, affirmed her belief in Yang Kang, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of love and the certainty one feels when meeting "the one." Elsewhere, Jebe and Tolui were en route to Lin'an to forge an alliance with the Song. Jebe expressed confidence in the alliance, noting the Song's financial strain from Jin's annual tributes and their renewed determination with Mongol backing. Huazheng, secretly missing Guo Jing, had disguised herself and followed them, only to be discovered.
She adamantly refused to return, determined to reach Lin'an to see Guo Jing. Simultaneously, Wanyan Honglie received intelligence of the impending Mongol-Song alliance. He urgently discussed with Yang Kang that Temujin's growing ambition, coupled with this alliance, would put Jin in a precarious position between two enemies.
Wanyan Honglie ordered Yang Kang to immediately travel south to Lin'an and prevent the Mongolian emissary from meeting the Song Emperor, suggesting that the emissary's death at Song hands would effectively drive a wedge between the potential allies. He advised Yang Kang to travel lightly with a few skilled fighters, remain discreet, and only intervene directly if absolutely necessary.
In the dim, eerie confines of a dry well within the Prince's residence, Mei Chaofeng practiced the Quanzhen Sect's inner power techniques that Guo Jing had taught her. Her legs were recovering remarkably fast. Yang Kang arrived, expressing admiration for her rapid progress and asking her to teach him the routine. Mei Chaofeng, however, refused, stating she had betrayed her own master and could not impart Quanzhen martial arts without proper permission.
She promised to teach him the formidable "Heart Shattering Palms" once he had fully mastered his existing skills. Yang Kang then requested Mei Chaofeng's assistance on his journey to Lin'an, seeking her as a safeguard for his mission. Mei Chaofeng agreed, eager to settle her score with the Seven Freaks, who were also heading south.
As she needed to practice daily and preferred land travel, while Yang Kang planned to travel by water, they decided to journey separately and rendezvous in Suzhou. Meanwhile, in Wuxi City, Mu Nianci was strolling through the market when she spotted one of Yang Kang’s attendants purchasing valuable wild ginseng to be delivered to "The Jin Emissary’s Residence." Realizing this meant Yang Kang was in the city and staying at the Jin residence, her heart stirred with suspicion and concern.
That night, Huang Rong observed Mu Nianci slipping out late and, curious, followed her. She watched as Mu Nianci hesitated outside a window, then heard Yang Kang’s voice from within. Understanding the situation and sensing Mu Nianci’s reluctance, Huang Rong, with a mischievous grin, gave her a decisive push through the door and then discreetly departed. Inside, Yang Kang was taken aback to see Mu Nianci.
She immediately confronted him, questioning why he was still working for the Jin, especially after finding him in the Jin Emissary’s Residence. Yang Kang vehemently denied her accusation, defending his presence by claiming he had not lied to her and was staying to find the Wumu Manual, a task he insisted was crucial for the survival of the Song and his reason for traveling to Lin'an.
He passionately reiterated his promise to return to Niu Village and marry her once the Manual was secured, emphasizing that as an orphan, she was his only family. Mu Nianci, deeply swayed by his earnest words, believed him and pledged to wait for him forever.
When Yang Kang made a physical advance, she gently but firmly resisted, reminding him of her dignity and his respect, to which he apologized and reaffirmed his commitment to a proper marriage after his mission was complete.
