The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 17 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Having finally located Duan Tiande after years of searching, Guo Jing, consumed by rage, confronted the man responsible for his father's death. Guo Jing revealed Duan Tiande's long-concealed birthmark, confirming his identity as Guo Xiaotian's murderer. Duan Tiande, desperate to save his own life, confessed that he had acted under the orders of Wanyan Honglie, the Jin Prince, to kill Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin and abduct their wives.
He further revealed that the entire plot was orchestrated by Wanyan Honglie to acquire Bao Xiruo, Yang Kang's mother. Enraged by this shocking revelation, Yang Kang ended Duan Tiande's life with a single, furious palm strike. Yang Kang was left reeling from the eighteen years he had unknowingly spent calling his parents' killer "father." Overwhelmed with anguish and shame, he retreated to the forest to vent his fury.
Guo Jing, meanwhile, knelt before his father Guo Xiaotian's memorial tablet, vowing to personally avenge his father by killing Wanyan Honglie, the true mastermind. Yang Kang joined him, swearing that even if Guo Jing faltered, he would personally seek out and eliminate Wanyan Honglie.
Before Guo Xiaotian's spirit, Yang Kang solemnly pledged his allegiance to the Song people, declaring he was the son of a loyal Song subject and would never betray his homeland, accepting a tragic death if he broke his word. Unable to sleep, Guo Jing and Yang Kang later talked in a bamboo grove. Yang Kang, who had once prided himself on being the Young Prince of Jin, now considered his identity a source of "unbearable shame."
He disclosed that his journey south was initially on Wanyan Honglie's orders to prevent a Mongol-Song alliance. He suspected that Wanyan Honglie, now aware of Yang Kang's capture at Tai Lake, would personally travel south to thwart the alliance. Resolved not to let Wanyan Honglie succeed, Yang Kang declared his intention to go north immediately to kill Wanyan Honglie and avenge their parents. Guo Jing readily agreed to join him.
Remembering their fathers' long-standing pact, they formalized their bond, becoming sworn brothers, each using a dagger, inherited from their fathers, as a token of their brotherhood. They swore before heaven and earth to be of one mind and to collectively avenge their fathers by eliminating Wanyan Honglie. Meanwhile, the Mongolian emissary party, including Hua Zheng, Tolui, and Jebe, was resting in a forest clearing. Hua Zheng, missing Guo Jing deeply, wished for her white eagles to find him.
Tolui teased her, suggesting her true wish was for Guo Jing to return to Mongolia and marry her. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when Wanyan Honglie's forces attacked, aiming to intercept and eliminate the emissaries before they could reach the Song emperor. Outnumbered, Jebe instructed Hua Zheng and Tolui to escape. To evade their pursuers, Tolui quickly sourced Song-style clothing for them to wear as a disguise.
Guo Jing and Yang Kang then bid farewell to Lu Chengfeng at Guiyun Manor. The masters of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan offered their advice, with Ke Zhen'e warning Guo Jing about the unpredictable nature of Lord Huang and the dangers of Peach Blossom Island. However, Han Xiaoying reminded them of Huang Rong's intelligence and devotion to Guo Jing, recounting how she cared for him when he was poisoned, which softened their stance.
Ultimately, Ke Zhen'e set a meeting point for Guo Jing, his masters, and Yang Kang: the Zuixian Tavern in Jiaxing on the first day of the fifth month, from where they would collectively travel to Peach Blossom Island to fulfill the standing appointment. As Guo Jing and Yang Kang traveled north, they found pre-arranged accommodations and meals at every inn. Guo Jing wondered about their mysterious benefactor.
Yang Kang initially assumed it was Lu Chengfeng, viewing it as a strategic move to win over martial artists. However, Guo Jing admired Lu Chengfeng's chivalrous nature. Over dinner, while discussing martial arts, Yang Kang envied Guo Jing's numerous masters, including Hong Qigong. Guo Jing, however, praised Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen Sect as a benevolent master, encouraging Yang Kang that with dedication, he too could achieve greatness.
Convinced, Yang Kang contemplated abandoning the unorthodox martial arts taught by Mei Chaofeng and seeking out Qiu Chuji with Mu Nianci, wondering how she was faring. Unbeknownst to them, Mu Nianci had been abducted and was held captive by Ouyang Ke. She attempted to escape but was quickly discovered. Ouyang Ke, showing no mercy, punished her by confining her within a coffin. Later that night, Yang Kang, alone in his room, reflected on his situation.
Although he maintained a facade of friendship with Guo Jing, he felt a deep-seated resentment, realizing that his martial arts and opportunities were now inferior to Guo Jing's, leaving him with a sense of unfairness. Someone continued to arrange food and lodging for Guo Jing and Yang Kang. Guo Jing noticed his favorite dishes at every meal, particularly a specific Beggar's Chicken, and realized it was Huang Rong's thoughtful handiwork.
Yang Kang, seeing Huang Rong's devotion, felt a pang of envy at Guo Jing's good fortune. Guo Jing, realizing Huang Rong must be in Baoying County, decided to head there immediately to find her. Concurrently, Baoying County was troubled by a spate of missing women, drawing the attention of the Beggars' Sect, who were investigating.
Ouyang Ke, the Young Master of White Camel Mountain and nephew of Western Venom Ouyang Feng, had set his sights on Miss Cheng of Tongren Pawnshop. Despite the presence of Beggars' Sect disciples guarding her shop, he brazenly approached Miss Cheng at her pawnshop, attempting to woo her with a valuable jade pendant, which she politely but firmly rejected. Undeterred, Ouyang Ke confidently declared that no one could stop him from having her.
Guo Jing arrived at the largest inn in Baoying County, where he spotted Huang Rong making arrangements for him and Yang Kang. He discreetly followed her to a quiet spot by a small river. There, Huang Rong, believing herself alone, spoke aloud of her longing for him and her desire to cook his favorite dishes. Unable to contain himself, Guo Jing emerged, and the two, overjoyed at their reunion after their separation, embraced tightly, sharing their mutual affection.
Huang Rong playfully chided him for following her, reminding him of her father's disapproval, but Guo Jing declared that without her, life held no meaning. He also shared that his masters now viewed her more favorably, acknowledging her kindness and devotion. A sudden thunderstorm forced Guo Jing and Huang Rong to seek shelter in a dilapidated temple. Inside, they overheard several Beggars' Sect disciples discussing Miss Cheng of Tongren Pawnshop and their plan to "act first" to capture her.
Huang Rong, aware that even within the vast Beggars' Sect there could be unsavory characters, and feeling a responsibility to Hong Qigong's reputation, decided with Guo Jing that they should intervene to prevent these rogue disciples from harming her. They quickly followed the disciples to Tongren Pawnshop, where they witnessed an altercation. Guo Jing skillfully used the "Divine Dragon Swishes Tail" move to stop the fighting, confronting the Beggars' Sect members for their despicable actions.
