The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 25 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Hong Qigong instructed Guo Jing to write a pseudo Nine Yin Manual for Ouyang Feng. He explained that since only Guo Jing knew the manual's true contents, he could write whatever he wanted, and no one would be able to judge if it was right or wrong. This way, they could escape safely without violating their code of chivalry. Guo Jing praised his master's brilliance, but Hong Qigong reminded him that Ouyang Feng was a formidable martial artist.
He advised Guo Jing to make the text ambiguous, adding something untrue for every three verses, especially for keywords. For instance, if the original text said to breathe eight times, he could change it to two or ten. Hong Qigong emphasized that Zhou Botong would rather die than help Ouyang Feng, and he would not do such a disgraceful thing either. Guo Jing began to brainstorm changes, suggesting "palms facing the sky" could become "soles facing the sky."
He then suggested "gathering energy in the lower abdomen" could be changed to "gathering energy to the butt," but Hong Qigong rejected it as too obvious. Guo Jing then proposed "gathering energy in the chest," which Hong Qigong approved of, noting that Guo Jing’s time with Huang Rong had made him more clever. Meanwhile, Yang Kang was in a dim room, frustrated as he repeatedly failed to pierce a skull with his Nine Yin Skeleton Claw technique.
Sha Tongtian reported to him that Mei Chaofeng refused to reveal anything about the Nine Yin Manual despite their efforts. Yang Kang then went to the dungeon, feigning concern for Mei Chaofeng, who was disheveled and spitting blood from torture. He promised to intercede with Wanyan Honglie for her release if she revealed the manual's whereabouts. Mei Chaofeng agreed, stating the manual was not on her but she could lead them to it. Her true intention, however, was to escape.
As they traveled, she pretended to teach Yang Kang the verses for the fourth level of Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, reciting, "Channel energy to ten fingers through the Centre. . . Handstand facing tree like the palm civet. Climb with claws to enhance grip strength." Then, she seized an opportunity, caught Yang Kang off guard, and leaped off a cliff. Mei Chaofeng, bruised and battered, stumbled into Niu Village and collapsed at Mu Nianci's home.
Despite Mei Chaofeng having harmed her in the past, Mu Nianci, with her kind heart, tended to her wounds and brewed her medicine. Mei Chaofeng warned Mu Nianci that Yang Kang was working for Wanyan Honglie and had tried to kill her. Mu Nianci dismissed this, insisting that Yang Kang had his own reasons for being with Wanyan Honglie and that his heart truly belonged to the Song dynasty.
Mei Chaofeng scoffed, calling Mu Nianci a moron and stating that she knew Yang Kang best, describing him as cruel, hypocritical, and unscrupulous, entirely captivated by power and wealth. Yang Kang and his men pursued Mei Chaofeng to the outskirts of Niu Village. Reluctant to enter the village himself due to Mu Nianci, Yang Kang ordered Sha Tongtian and his men to search it.
Sha Tongtian's group arrived at Mu Nianci's house, where they discovered the lingering scent of herbal medicine used for wound healing. Realizing Mei Chaofeng must have been there, they broke in. Mei Chaofeng had already fled, but Mu Nianci was apprehended by Sha Tongtian as she tried to escape. She was bound and subjected to questioning about Mei Chaofeng's whereabouts. Suddenly, Yang Kang burst in, disregarding his men's attempts to stop him.
He declared Mu Nianci was his woman, then swept her into his arms and carried her away. News of Yang Kang's actions reached Wanyan Honglie, who was furious. He chastised Yang Kang for forgetting his status as a Jin prince for an "ordinary Song woman." Yang Kang explained that Mu Nianci had stood by him during his darkest days, risked her life to save him, and that everything she did was for him.
He assured Wanyan Honglie of his unwavering loyalty to Jin and promised that Mu Nianci would never oppose Jin or Wanyan Honglie. However, Wanyan Honglie remained suspicious, especially after Sha Tongtian informed him of Mu Nianci’s past connection with Yang Tiexin and her bond with Guo Jing. Concerned that Mu Nianci could hinder their search for the Wumu Manual, Wanyan Honglie ordered Sha Tongtian to keep a close watch on Yang Kang and report any suspicious activity.
Later, Yang Kang tenderly applied ointment to Mu Nianci’s injured hands. She expressed her worry for his safety with Wanyan Honglie, suggesting they seek help from Guo Jing and Huang Rong, whose combined skills and intelligence would be invaluable. Yang Kang vehemently refused, stating he didn't need their help, remembering how they had looked at him when they last parted ways.
He insisted that only by acquiring the Wumu Manual could he truly elevate his status and earn the respect of everyone, including Taoist Qiu, Guo Jing, and Huang Rong. Mu Nianci then offered to stay by his side, ready to face the dangers with him. Yang Kang, however, decided to take her back to Niu Village first, promising to discuss her staying with Wanyan Honglie at a more opportune moment. He asked her to simply believe in him.
On the open sea, aboard Ouyang Feng’s spacious ship, Guo Jing diligently copied the Nine Yin Manual while Ouyang Feng watched over him. In another cabin, Hong Qigong engaged Ouyang Ke in conversation, subtly mocking Ouyang Feng. Ouyang Ke, offended by Hong Qigong's remarks about his uncle's supposed inferiority, went to complain to Ouyang Feng. This, ironically, reassured Ouyang Feng; he concluded that Hong Qigong's indignation meant that the manual Guo Jing was copying must be genuine.
Ouyang Feng then revealed his true intention to Ouyang Ke: he planned to set the ship ablaze and send Hong Qigong and Guo Jing to a watery grave, along with all the concubines and maids. Ouyang Ke expressed a slight hesitation, but Ouyang Feng chided him, saying that a leader couldn't be weak-minded. Unbeknownst to them, Hong Qigong had wandered into the wine storage, searching for a drink, and overheard Ouyang Feng's sinister plot.
He rushed to Guo Jing, rousing him from his writing, exclaiming that Ouyang Feng intended to burn the ship and kill them all. They swiftly boarded a small boat and rowed away. Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Ke, preparing to escape themselves, discovered their small boat was gone. At that moment, Huang Rong arrived at sea, seeing the large ship engulfed in flames.
Distraught, she ignored Ouyang Ke's warnings and rushed onto the burning vessel, determined to find Guo Jing and Hong Qigong. From a distance, Guo Jing spotted Huang Rong on the blazing ship and immediately began rowing back. On the burning deck, Hong Qigong engaged Ouyang Feng in a fierce duel. Ouyang Ke, seizing the opportunity, took Huang Rong hostage on the small boat and confronted Guo Jing. The situation escalated, with thick smoke and raging fires consuming the ship.
Hong Qigong gained the upper hand over Ouyang Feng. Seeing the mainmast about to collapse, Hong Qigong, with a selfless cry, urged Ouyang Feng to escape first. But Ouyang Feng, lacking any chivalry, instead retaliated by releasing a venomous snake, which bit Hong Qigong. Guo Jing and Huang Rong, witnessing their master's injury, rushed to his aid. Huang Rong quickly moved Hong Qigong to the small boat, while Guo Jing confronted Ouyang Feng, buying her time.
No sooner had Huang Rong settled their master than the massive ship, weakened by the fire, suddenly split apart. Guo Jing and Ouyang Feng plummeted into the churning waters. Huang Rong, watching helplessly, immediately plunged into the sea to save Guo Jing.
