The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 22 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
In the quiet confines of Qingyin Cave on Peach Blossom Island, Zhou Botong, finding days boring, insisted on sparring with Guo Jing, teaching him profound martial arts, including the "Mutual Hands Combat" technique and later the "Empty Fist." Meanwhile, Huang Rong was confined to her room, grappling with a difficult situation. Her father, Huang Yaoshi, found her practicing calligraphy, which she cleverly used to placate him.
She feigned sadness about her mother's upcoming death anniversary, presenting the calligraphy as a tribute. Huang Yaoshi, remembering his beloved late wife, softened and, seeing Huang Rong seemingly relinquish her affections for Guo Jing, decided to leave Guo Jing to his own devices in the Peach Blossom Forest. Elsewhere, in a secluded inn, Mu Nianci worried over Yang Kang’s disappearance, suspecting he had gone to meet Wanyan Honglie.
Yang Kang eventually returned, bearing a hand warmer for her, stirring her emotions. Under the cloak of night, a thoughtful Yang Kang met Wanyan Honglie, who, with his eloquent persuasion, deeply moved Yang Kang, causing him to shed tears. Despite this, Yang Kang initially resolved to return to Niujia Village with Mu Nianci. Their arrival at the dilapidated Niujia Village, with its broken roofs and overgrown weeds, contrasted sharply with Wanyan Honglie’s descriptions of a royal life.
Realizing this simple existence was not for him, Yang Kang turned his attention to the Beggar's Gang. Mu Nianci helped him meet Elders Yu and Li, to whom Yang Kang revealed the Jin people’s interest in the Wumu Legacy. The outraged elders unwittingly divulged the crucial location of the Wumu Legacy: Cuihan Hall. Yang Kang, however, promptly betrayed this information to Wanyan Honglie, returning with significant merit, which earned him forgiveness for past transgressions.
Knowing Cuihan Hall was heavily guarded within the imperial palace, Yang Kang proposed involving Ouyang Feng. Ouyang Ke, Ouyang Feng’s nephew, quickly declined, explaining his uncle was engrossed in martial arts and planning to seek the Nine Yin Manual’s upper scroll on Peach Blossom Island. Yang Kang’s interest was piqued; he offered to help find the lower scroll of the Nine Yin Manual in exchange for Ouyang Feng’s assistance in seizing the Wumu Legacy.
Subsequently, in a remote mountain region, Yang Kang cunningly captured Mei Chaofeng, exploiting her blindness under the guise of concern. Back on Peach Blossom Island, Huang Rong, having diligently feigned obedience for days, finally seized an opportunity to drug Huang Yaoshi. At the same time, Guo Jing, no longer able to endure his confinement, rushed out of Qingyin Cave, despite Zhou Botong's attempts to stop him. Unable to sleep, Zhou Botong soon followed in search of Guo Jing.
Huang Rong, arriving at Qingyin Cave, found it empty. In the beautiful yet treacherous Peach Blossom Forest, a silver snake suddenly attacked Zhou Botong, biting his leg and causing him to collapse in pain. Hearing his cries, Guo Jing and Huang Rong, who had coincidentally met on their way, rushed to him, their long-awaited reunion filled with immense joy. After their joyful reunion, Huang Rong suggests that Guo Jing leave Peach Blossom Island and they part ways.
Guo Jing becomes anxious, swiftly explaining that his agreement to be the Great Khan’s son-in-law was merely out of necessity. He assures her he never wanted that role, viewing Hua Zheng as a sister whom he doesn't want to upset but won't marry. He declares his unwavering love, stating he only wants to be with Rong and will stay with her even if everyone disagrees. Deeply moved, Huang Rong decides they will leave Peach Blossom Island together.
Just as Guo Jing and Huang Rong prepare to depart, Zhou Botong's pained cries for help echo through the forest. Huang Rong warns Guo Jing against returning, revealing she drugged her father's wine, and fears he will be furious if he wakes to find them there. However, Guo Jing insists on helping Zhou Botong, stating he cannot abandon a friend in need, and Huang Rong vows to go with him.
They discover Zhou Botong, unconscious with blue lips, suffering from a severe snakebite. Huang Rong quickly instructs Guo Jing to tie off Zhou Botong’s leg to prevent the venom from reaching his heart. Without hesitation, Guo Jing sucks the poison from Zhou Botong's wound. At that moment, Huang Yaoshi arrives, furious to learn Huang Rong drugged his wine for Guo Jing's sake.
Guo Jing tries to reason with him, promising to return to Genghis Khan to cancel his betrothal to Hua Zheng. However, Huang Yaoshi declares that even if Guo Jing is not the Great Khan's son-in-law, he still forbids him from marrying Huang Rong and attacks Guo Jing. Zhou Botong, regaining consciousness, intervenes, pointing out that Huang Yaoshi would not be a hero if he killed a man already weakened by poison.
Recognizing Huang Yaoshi's long-standing desire for the Nine Yin Manual, Zhou Botong offers to give him the complete manual if he releases Guo Jing. Huang Yaoshi, visibly tempted, agrees to temporarily spare Guo Jing. Suddenly, a distant flute sound is heard, and poisonous snakes begin to appear, signaling the arrival of Ouyang Feng. Huang Yaoshi, realizing Ouyang Feng's unexpected visit must signify something important, takes a reluctant Huang Rong with him to greet their guests.
Ouyang Feng arrives with Ouyang Ke and his disciples, presenting many gifts. Ouyang Ke attempts to apologize to Huang Rong for his past behavior, claiming he didn't know she was Huang Yaoshi's daughter. Huang Rong scoffs at his insincerity, but Ouyang Feng intercedes, assuring Huang Yaoshi that he has already disciplined his nephew. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Huang Yaoshi invites Ouyang Feng and his entourage to enter the island.
Meanwhile, Zhou Botong and Guo Jing return to Qingyin Cave. Guo Jing asks if Zhou Botong is alright, and Zhou Botong confirms his recovery, crediting Guo Jing for almost sacrificing his own life to save him. Guo Jing remarks that he feels fine and attributes his quick recovery to having once consumed the blood of a viper at Prince Zhao's Residence, which seemingly granted him resistance to poisons.
Zhou Botong, now feeling a profound obligation, struggles to find a way to repay Guo Jing. Despite Guo Jing's assurances that no repayment is necessary, Zhou Botong, after some deliberation, proposes they become sworn brothers. He reasons that as brothers, their lives would be shared, thereby nullifying any debt for saving his life. Though Guo Jing hesitates, Zhou Botong presses him, and they perform the ritual, becoming sworn brothers.
Guo Jing expresses his concern for Huang Rong, to which Zhou Botong replies that Huang Rong was taken away by her father and that Guo Jing likely won't see her for a while, adding to Guo Jing's worries. In a small pavilion over the lake, Huang Yaoshi gives Ouyang Ke permission to explore the island, cautioning him to avoid the Peach Blossom Forest due to its numerous traps.
Ouyang Feng then reveals his true intention: to propose marriage between Ouyang Ke and Huang Rong. He presents a rare Rhinoceros Dragon Pill, a Western treasure impervious to all poisons and the only one of its kind, as the formal betrothal gift, in addition to the earlier "souvenirs." Huang Rong vehemently rejects the proposal, declaring she would rather die than marry Ouyang Ke, whom she despises for his wickedness.
However, Huang Yaoshi disregards her feelings, stating he finds Ouyang Ke far superior to Guo Jing and that a union between their two families, both led by renowned martial arts masters, would be a proper and dignified match. He then pronounces his decision final. Zhou Botong, eager to relieve his boredom, insists on sparring with Guo Jing. He offers to fight barehanded while Guo Jing uses any weapon.
When Guo Jing retrieves his dagger, Zhou Botong spots that it is wrapped in a piece of human skin covered with intricate writing. Recognizing it instantly as the lower scroll of the Nine Yin Manual, he is overjoyed, exclaiming about the treasure he has found. Guo Jing, oblivious to its significance, suggests throwing it away, explaining that his second master, Master Zhu, acquired it from Mei Chaofeng.
Zhou Botong's excitement soon turns to despair as he recalls his solemn vow to his senior brother never to practice the Nine Yin Manual himself. Noticing Zhou Botong's distress, Guo Jing asks if he has a problem, offering to help despite his own perceived stupidity. This sparks an idea in Zhou Botong's mind: he cannot practice the manual, but Guo Jing can. By teaching Guo Jing and observing him, Zhou Botong believes he won't be breaking his oath.
He devises a deceptive name for the technique, calling it the "Bu-Butong Manual," and proceeds to instruct Guo Jing in the practice of the Nine Yin Manual, starting with breathing techniques and concentration while facing north. In a damp, frigid prison cell, Mei Chaofeng is securely confined within an iron cage suspended over a pool of water. Yang Kang visits her, feigning concern and claiming he is not responsible for her capture.
He reveals that Ouyang Ke informed his adoptive father, Prince Zhao, that Mei Chaofeng possessed the lower scroll of the Nine Yin Manual, which led to this elaborate trap. Mei Chaofeng, however, dismisses his words as lies, highlighting that he still refers to Prince Zhao as "father," proving his reluctance to relinquish a life of wealth and glory. She then informs him that the Nine Yin Manual is not with her, nor does she know its whereabouts.
A surprised Yang Kang presses her for the location, promising her freedom in return. Mei Chaofeng remains steadfast in her ignorance, and Yang Kang's attempts to persuade her are futile. His subordinate later asks if he successfully obtained the manual, to which Yang Kang responds that he needs to find another way to compel her cooperation. Distraught by the forced marriage proposal, Huang Rong decides to prank Ouyang Ke to buy time to see Guo Jing.
When Ouyang Ke approaches her, declaring his deep affection, Huang Rong, though annoyed, feigns interest and offers to show him the beautiful Peach Blossom Forest. Despite her father’s earlier warnings about the traps within, Ouyang Ke, eager to please, agrees to follow her. Inside the forest, Huang Rong gives him peaches, deceptively calling them "poisonous," and then pretends to go fetch an antidote, leaving him entangled in the maze-like traps while he cries for help.
She then rushes to Qingyin Cave, relieved to find Guo Jing well. Huang Rong informs him of Huang Yaoshi’s decision to marry her to Ouyang Ke, and firmly states she will never agree, insisting that she, Guo Jing, and Zhou Botong must leave the island together. Guo Jing readily agrees. Zhou Botong attempts to prevent their departure, reminding Guo Jing of their oath as sworn brothers.
Huang Rong suggests he join them, but Zhou Botong is determined to defeat Huang Yaoshi first. A spark of inspiration hits him, and he realizes he can employ his "Mutual Hands Combat" technique to effectively fight Huang Yaoshi as two individuals. As the trio finally attempts to leave the cave, they hear Ouyang Ke’s desperate shouts for help from the Peach Blossom Forest. Shortly after, a familiar voice—that of Hong Qigong—is heard from within the forest.
Hong Qigong explains that he received Guo Jing's message sent by a condor and has come to act as a matchmaker for Guo Jing. Huang Yaoshi personally comes to greet Hong Qigong, a distinguished guest. Hong Qigong apologizes for accepting Huang Rong as his disciple without first consulting her father, explaining that her beauty, intelligence, and exceptional cooking skills were irresistible. Huang Yaoshi, pleased by his daughter's good fortune, accepts the situation and asks Hong Qigong to guide her.
Huang Rong then reveals that Hong Qigong has also taken Guo Jing as a disciple, teaching him the powerful Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. Huang Yaoshi, surprised by Guo Jing's good fortune, regards him with newfound respect. Zhou Botong attempts to interject, but Huang Yaoshi tries to dismiss him. Hong Qigong reminds Huang Yaoshi of the proper guest etiquette, and Huang Yaoshi, conceding, agrees to deal with Zhou Botong later, noting he's still trapped.
Hong Qigong clarifies that he specifically came to Peach Blossom Island for Guo Jing, to act as his matchmaker. For Hong Qigong's sake, Huang Yaoshi agrees to allow Guo Jing to stay on the island for a few more days. Just then, Ouyang Ke’s frantic cries for help echo through the air, prompting Huang Yaoshi to go find him. Huang Rong, when questioned, denies any involvement in Ouyang Ke's predicament.
Still within the Peach Blossom Forest, Hong Qigong, found by Huang Rong and Guo Jing, playfully comments on Ouyang Ke's predicament, whose incessant itching from the "poisonous" peaches later clearly indicates his discomfort. Huang Rong, still concerned about her father's insistence on her marriage to Ouyang Ke, expresses her worries to Hong Qigong.
After a moment of teasing, Hong Qigong, recognizing Guo Jing's sincere love for Huang Rong, reassures them both, promising he will not allow Huang Yaoshi to force the marriage. Meanwhile, Ouyang Feng finds Ouyang Ke, still entangled and itching. Ouyang Feng probes Ouyang Ke about his true feelings for Huang Rong. Ouyang Ke initially maintains that his pursuit of Huang Rong was merely to aid Ouyang Feng in acquiring the Nine Yin Manual, but his hesitation betrays deeper emotions.
Ouyang Feng then gently takes Ouyang Ke's wrist, acknowledging his nephew's affection. He solemnly declares that he considers Ouyang Ke his own son and will ensure all his wishes are granted, including marrying Huang Rong, seeing it as a strategy that achieves two goals simultaneously.
