The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 21 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Days in the cave dragged on, and Zhou Botong and Guo Jing engaged in complex sparring, a dazzling display of martial arts. Zhou Botong, however, complained that Guo Jing was like a dull piece of wood with a wooden brain, easily tricked. Guo Jing apologized, saying he was slow-witted. Zhou Botong then retorted that Guo Jing wasn't "that" stupid, as he had reduced his strength during their fights, fearing to hurt Zhou Botong.
Zhou Botong then used an analogy of empty and full jars to explain his martial arts philosophy, emphasizing the utility of emptiness. He then decided to teach Guo Jing a new, greatest technique of the Quanzhen Sect, which he himself had invented: the Vacant Fist. Guo Jing, however, was distracted, his mind fixated on a note Huang Rong had sent him. He only managed to read "The full moon in seven days," before Zhou Botong snatched and ate it.
Guo Jing believed Rong wanted to meet him, but he was worried about being stuck in the forest, unable to read the rest of the note. His heart was confused, making it hard to learn. Zhou Botong urged him to focus on learning the Vacant Fist, arguing that if he couldn't even defeat him, Huang Yaoshi would never entrust Rong to him.
He advised Guo Jing to master his martial arts so he could either take Rong away or at least be strong enough to speak with Huang Yaoshi. Guo Jing conceded, and Zhou Botong began teaching him the Vacant Fist, repeating maxims like "Great perfection seems flawed, but it never fails. Great fullness seems empty, but it never ceases." Meanwhile, Huang Rong was confined to her room, grappling with her dilemma.
She heard footsteps, and Huang Yaoshi entered, finding her practicing calligraphy. He noted that while her writing was neat, it lacked strength, indicating a distracted mind. Huang Rong feigned sadness, explaining she was preparing the calligraphy as a gift for her mother’s upcoming death anniversary. She lamented that her calligraphy and poetry were far inferior to her mother's, suggesting her efforts were useless. Hearing her speak of her mother, Huang Yaoshi's expression softened.
Huang Rong, seizing the moment, declared she now understood his love and that everything he did was for her own good, and feigned giving up on Guo Jing to make her father spare him. She promised to obey him. Huang Yaoshi then announced he would kill Guo Jing. Huang Rong pretended indifference, claiming Guo Jing had disappointed her and she no longer cared. Later, Huang Yaoshi stood before his deceased wife Heng’s tomb.
He gently placed Huang Rong's calligraphy there, telling his wife that their daughter was almost sixteen, beautiful and smart, just like her. He refused to let her marry a "dumb fool" like Guo Jing. He mused that if Rong could truly forget Guo Jing, he might spare his life, leaving him to fend for himself in the Peach Blossom Forest. He promised to find Rong the best possible husband.
After that, free of worries, he would bring the Nine Yin Manual to his wife. In a tranquil inn, Mu Nianci was worried. She believed Yang Kang had gone to meet Wanyan Honglie despite his promises. Just then, Yang Kang appeared, holding a hand warmer. He explained it was for her, to combat the cold poison she sustained from Mei Chaofeng while saving him. He promised that once she felt better, they would return to Niu Village.
Yang Kang did meet Wanyan Honglie, telling him that he had spared his life previously out of gratitude for being raised, but now they were even, and if they met again, he would kill him. Wanyan Honglie eloquently tried to persuade him, asking if he was content to be a common Song citizen, reminding him that his destiny was his own to choose.
He tried to manipulate Yang Kang by recalling how he had sent Duan Tiande to Niu Village to seize Yang Kang's mother, claiming it was because he believed she deserved a better life than in the impoverished village. Wanyan Honglie argued that he loved Yang Kang’s mother more than Yang Tiexin did, and that Yang Tiexin had ruined their happiness and Yang Kang’s future. He suggested a true lover would have wished them well and left.
Yang Kang listened, his eyes wet with tears, but ultimately asserted his decision to return to Niu Village with Mu Nianci for a quiet life. Wanyan Honglie scornfully painted a picture of a commoner's life, suggesting it was beneath him. Despite Wanyan Honglie's words, Yang Kang and Mu Nianci arrived at their dilapidated home in Niu Village. Mu Nianci, full of excitement, envisioned their future, describing how they would decorate the house and plant osmanthus in the yard.
Yang Kang, however, was distracted, Wanyan Honglie’s words echoing in his mind. Noticing his unease, Mu Nianci asked what was wrong. Yang Kang confessed his guilt towards his deceased parents, for injuring Guo Jing, and for shaming his master and the Quanzhen Sect. Mu Nianci comforted him, assuring him that repentance would appease his parents' spirits.
Yang Kang then revealed his plan: he had heard Wanyan Honglie mention that Yue Fei's Wumu Manual had been stolen by a jailer named Kui Shun, who later joined the Beggars' Sect. Since Mu Nianci knew Beggars' Sect martial arts, he asked her to introduce him to Chief Hong, hoping to recover the Manual before the Jin acquired it and unleashed war on the Song people. For several days, Mu Nianci and Yang Kang searched for Chief Hong.
She explained that Chief Hong had only taught her for three days, so she didn't know other masters. Yang Kang expressed his anxiety, emphasizing the grave danger to the Song nation if the Jin obtained the Wumu Manual. Eventually, Beggars' Sect Elders Yu and Li sought them out. Yang Kang, after being introduced as a descendant of General Yang Zaixing, explained his concern about the Jin's pursuit of the Wumu Manual and asked about Kui Shun.
Impressed by his patriotism, the elders revealed that Kui Shun had hidden the Wumu Manual in Cuihan Hall within the Imperial Palace. Yang Kang immediately reported this information to Wanyan Honglie, who was delighted and forgave Yang Kang's past transgressions. When Wanyan Honglie planned to seize the Manual that very night, Ouyang Ke mocked his bravado, warning that the Imperial Guards would apprehend them before they could even enter the heavily fortified palace.
Yang Kang agreed that direct confrontation was unwise and suggested enlisting Ouyang Feng’s help, praising him as one of the Five Greats. Ouyang Ke declined, stating his uncle was obsessed with martial arts and was currently tracking the Upper Volume of the Nine Yin Manual on Peach Blossom Island. Yang Kang then offered a deal: if he could obtain the Lower Volume of the Nine Yin Manual, Ouyang Feng should help them secure the Wumu Manual.
Ouyang Ke, surprised that Yang Kang knew Mei Chaofeng possessed the Lower Volume, agreed to the exchange. In a deep mountain, Yang Kang cunningly set a trap for Mei Chaofeng. He had been intentionally leaving traces of the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, knowing she would seek him out to remove his martial arts. When Mei Chaofeng arrived, she was ambushed and captured. She demanded to know who had used such vile tricks.
Yang Kang declared it was her own fault and that she couldn't escape this time. As his men dragged her away, Yang Kang feigned concern, promising to find a way to save her. Back on Peach Blossom Island, Huang Rong had prepared a feast for her mother's death anniversary and her own birthday. Huang Yaoshi sampled her cooking, deeming it "acceptable" but not as good as her mother's.
Huang Rong, pretending to be slighted, mentioned how others always praised her cooking. Huang Yaoshi saw through her act, realizing she was still thinking of Guo Jing. Huang Rong then offered him a toast with wine she had secretly drugged. Meanwhile, seven days had passed. Guo Jing decided he could no longer stay in the Echo Cave. He knelt before Zhou Botong, expressing his profound gratitude for teaching him martial arts and how to propose marriage.
Zhou Botong, eager to avoid being indebted, tried to kowtow back to Guo Jing. Seizing the chaotic moment, Guo Jing sprang up and dashed out of the Echo Cave, despite Zhou Botong's warning shouts about the dangers of the Peach Blossom Formation. Unable to sleep, Zhou Botong worried about Guo Jing getting lost in the Peach Blossom Formation and ventured out to find him.
He called out for Guo Jing, lamenting Huang Yaoshi's mastery of formations, and soon found himself disoriented. Suddenly, a silver snake struck, biting him on the leg. Zhou Botong cried out in pain, calling for help. Hearing his shouts, both Guo Jing and Huang Rong, who had arrived at the empty Echo Cave looking for Guo Jing, converged towards the sound. They met in the Peach Blossom Forest, overjoyed at their reunion.
Huang Rong, still upset but more concerned for his safety, asked why he had come into the formation when her note had instructed him to wait in the Echo Cave. Guo Jing explained that Zhou Botong had eaten the note. Huang Rong offered to lead him out and urged him to never return to the island, suggesting they should never meet again. Guo Jing adamantly refused, declaring his intention to propose marriage to Huang Yaoshi.
