The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 14 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Huang Rong and Guo Jing discussed the recent events concerning Mu Nianci and Yang Kang. Huang Rong mentioned assisting Mu Nianci at the Jin Emissary's Residence, which puzzled Guo Jing, who wondered why Yang Kang was there. Huang Rong admitted she suspected Yang Kang still couldn't relinquish his life of luxury but held hope that Mu Nianci would eventually persuade him.
As they prepared to depart for Lin'an, Guo Jing suggested Huang Rong don male attire, expressing concern about encountering individuals like Ouyang Ke again due to her striking beauty. Huang Rong, flattered, readily agreed. Their journey led them to Tai Lake, where Huang Rong began to sing the "Water Dragon Chant." To their surprise, a voice from a nearby boat echoed her song with the same tune.
They approached the vessel and met Lu Chengfeng, a fisherman, who invited them to his home, Guiyun Manor. Upon arriving at the manor, Huang Rong noticed a distinctive Iron Eight Diagrams arrangement at the entrance, a feature typically associated with practicing the Air Striking Palms, a unique technique from Peach Blossom Island. Inside, Chief Lu's son, Lu Guanying, greeted them and led them into the estate.
In the study, Huang Rong's sharp intellect impressed Chief Lu as she critiqued a calligraphy piece he believed to be by General Han Shizhong. Huang Rong respectfully corrected him, explaining the poem was originally by General Yue Fei and had been inscribed by Han Shizhong only after Yue Fei's death due to political suppression.
She also pointed out that while Chief Lu's brush strokes were powerful, their hard-edged quality failed to capture the subtle depth intended by Yue Fei's profound concern for the nation. Chief Lu was deeply moved, declaring Huang Rong his first true soulmate. When Huang Rong subtly inquired about his leg injury, he vaguely attributed it to a childhood illness.
Later, Lu Guanying showed them to their rooms, cautioning them not to venture out at night due to the manor's intricate and confusing paths. Huang Rong, however, felt this was too simple; she surmised that Chief Lu, despite his appearance, was a highly skilled martial artist, observing the pervasive divinations and formations throughout the manor, which hinted at deeper secrets. Later that night, a horn sound roused Huang Rong and Guo Jing.
Huang Rong, recognizing it as a signal, excitedly pulled Guo Jing along to investigate. They discreetly made their way through the manor's maze-like formations, which Huang Rong easily navigated, explaining they were based on the 64 hexagrams of the Book of Changes, a specialty of her father. At the pier, they observed Lu Guanying marshalling a group of Tai Lake bandits, preparing to intercept a Jin Emissary's ship.
Among the bandits, they noticed a one-eyed man who notably opposed Lu Guanying's plan. This man was in fact Duan Tiande, though Guo Jing did not recognize him due to his altered appearance and the distance. Huang Rong mused about the unexpected dual identities within Guiyun Manor: Chief Lu, the seemingly reclusive master, and Lu Guanying, the outwardly ordinary young master who led a band of fierce bandits.
Soon after, Lu Guanying returned, having successfully raided the Jin ship and capturing Yang Kang. Initially, he intended to kill Yang Kang, given the deep animosity between the Jin and Song people. However, Guo Jing intervened, wanting to save Yang Kang for Mu Nianci's sake, hoping he might repent. Huang Rong subtly dislodged a waist token from Yang Kang, which revealed his identity as the Jin Young Prince.
Realizing Yang Kang's importance, Lu Guanying changed his mind, deciding to imprison him for thorough interrogation instead. The next morning, Chief Lu inquired about their sleep. Huang Rong brought up the horn sounds from the previous night, but Chief Lu quickly dismissed them as merely fishermen blowing conch shells during the fishing season, swiftly changing the subject.
Meanwhile, Yang Kang, having injured his guard, managed to escape his cell but found himself lost in Guiyun Manor's complex layout, eventually stumbling into Chief Lu's study. Lu Guanying confronted him, and Yang Kang, enraged by the "cunning tricks" used to sink his ship, challenged anyone in Guiyun Manor to a fair fight. He used the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, gravely injuring Lu Guanying. Chief Lu then intervened, displaying formidable Peach Blossom Island martial arts to defeat Yang Kang.
Huang Rong was startled by Chief Lu's demonstration of skills related to her own master and tried to press him for details, but he skillfully evaded her questions, urging them to rest. Guo Jing suggested they extend their stay to further investigate Chief Lu's background. Lu Guanying, nursing his injury, questioned why his father had never taught him these advanced martial arts, instead sending him to Master Kumu.
Chief Lu explained that he was forbidden to teach his own techniques without his master's explicit permission. That night, Huang Rong heard noises and roused Guo Jing. They followed the sounds to find Mu Nianci attempting to navigate the manor's treacherous formations. Huang Rong secretly assisted her, guiding her to Yang Kang's cell.
Reunited, Yang Kang asked Mu Nianci to take his Jin Emissary's seal to Prime Minister Shi Miyuan in Lin'an, claiming it was crucial for arranging a Song-Mongol alliance, a facade to gain trust for the Wumu Manual. Mu Nianci, however, staunchly refused to serve the Jin. Yang Kang then shifted his request, asking her to find his "other master," Mei Chaofeng, at an abandoned temple, as instructed by Yang Kang.
He instructed Mu Nianci to carve a message into wood, explaining that Mei Chaofeng was blind and that this was the only way for her to receive the message and come to his rescue. After Mu Nianci departed, Guo Jing expressed concern for her safety. Huang Rong reassured him, saying Mei Chaofeng would not harm her if she mentioned Yang Kang. Following Yang Kang's instructions, Mu Nianci arrived at the dilapidated temple.
As she began to carve the message into a piece of wood, she was suddenly confronted by Ouyang Ke, who recognized her and, recalling their previous encounter, began to harass her. Just as Ouyang Ke attempted to force himself upon her, his henchmen rushed in, announcing Mei Chaofeng's arrival and quickly forming a defensive perimeter.
