The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 3 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
In the royal tent, Golden envoys distributed money to the Mongolians. Young Guo Jing, witnessing this, boldly declared that no one desired their "stinky money." Enraged by Guo Jing's defiance, the Third Jin Prince drew an arrow and shot it directly at him. Just in time, Jebe, an archer, swiftly fired his own arrow, knocking the Jin prince's arrow off course and saving Guo Jing.
Following the incident, the Jin envoys, including the Third Prince and the Sixth Prince Wanyan Honglie, were invited into the royal tent. Temujin, the Great Khan, subtly apologized for the "unruly child." As they toasted, Temujin and Jamukha introduced themselves as Wang Khan's godsons, and Sengum as Wang Khan's son. Wang Khan then highlighted their prowess. The Sixth Prince Wanyan Honglie expressed interest in the archer who saved Guo Jing, learning it was Jebe, a new recruit under Temujin.
He requested Jebe be invited for a drink. When Jebe arrived, Temujin offered him a drink from a gold bowl, but Sengum objected, deeming a squad leader unworthy. Temujin, in a clever move, called for his own war helmet, filled it with wine, and offered it to Jebe, stating that he allowed his soldiers to drink from it. Jebe gratefully accepted, pledging his life to Temujin, deftly resolving the subtle attempt at humiliation.
Meanwhile, on the vast grassland, Guo Jing and Tolui, Temujin's son, decided to become sworn brothers, or "andas" in Mongolian custom. Guo Jing initially hesitated, noting Tolui's status as the Khan's son, but Tolui dismissed rank, declaring Guo Jing a "top hero" for his bravery against the Jin prince. They exchanged gifts; Tolui gave Guo Jing a present and asked for Guo Jing's dagger.
Guo Jing, however, refused to part with the dagger, explaining it was a gift from his mother. Instead, he offered Tolui a small embroidered bag made by his mother, which Tolui happily accepted. Kneeling before the open sky, they swore an oath to be brothers for life, loving and supporting each other. Later, the Jin Emperor's decree was announced, appointing only Temujin as Commissioner of Bandit Suppression and granting his descendants the right to guard the north of Jin.
Temujin, recognizing this as a deliberate attempt to sow discord, inquired if any other Mongol heroes would receive appointments. The envoy dismissively stated that only Temujin and Wang Khan were truly significant. Temujin then sincerely championed his sworn brother Jamukha Khan, praising his virtues and military skill, and requested an appointment for him. When the envoy rejected the idea, Temujin offered to yield his own appointment to Jamukha.
This act surprised the Jin princes; Prince Rong observed that Temujin was too cunning to be easily divided from Jamukha, while Prince Zhao, still underestimating Temujin, scoffed at his relatively small army. Prince Rong, however, warned that a united Temujin and Jamukha could pose a significant threat to Jin. On the plains, Guo Jing and Tolui successfully shot a fat rabbit. However, they were intercepted by a group of children led by Dushi, Wang Khan's grandson and Sengum's son.
Dushi arrogantly claimed the rabbit, saying it was his and even demanding payment. Tolui protested, asserting it was a wild rabbit they had shot. Dushi escalated the argument, further boasting that Tolui’s sister, Hua Zheng, was betrothed to him, and therefore Tolui should obey. A fierce brawl erupted among the children.
Unbeknownst to them, the Seven Freaks of the South—Ke Zhene, Zhu Cong, Han Baoju, Quan Jinfa, Zhang Asheng, Nan Xiren, and Han Xiaoying—had journeyed to the Mongolian Desert in their six-year long search for Guo Xiaotian's child. They overheard the children fighting and noticed Guo Jing, who then revealed a dagger. Ke Zhene intervened, scattering the children and questioning Guo Jing about the dagger, which made them recall their quest for the two children.
When Tolui called out "Guo Jing," the Freaks realized they had found their charge. Overjoyed, Ke Zhene confirmed Guo Jing's identity and learned his father, Guo Xiaotian, was killed by Duan Tiande. The Freaks expressed their eagerness to teach Guo Jing martial arts so he could avenge his father, even though Guo Jing initially resisted, citing his mother's advice not to fight. They then taught him some basic moves.
Recognizing Guo Jing’s dullness but also his earnestness, Ke Zhene challenged him to climb the formidable cliff alone that night to prove his bravery and dedication, stating that fear could not be tolerated in martial arts training. That night, as the Seven Freaks waited on the cliff, Quan Jinfa discovered a pile of skulls, each bearing five finger marks.
Ke Zhene immediately recognized them as evidence of the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, a sinister skill practiced by the "Twin Killers," Copper Corpse Chen Xuanfeng and Iron Corpse Mei Chaofeng. Ke Zhene recounted how these two had killed his elder brother and blinded him years ago. Though initially advising his companions to flee due to the Twin Killers’ formidable power, the other Freaks refused, vowing to face the danger together.
Zhu Cong then found a collection of empty coffins, leading Ke Zhene to deduce that the Twin Killers would return to the site for their macabre practice. He devised a plan for a surprise attack, hiding in a coffin himself while instructing the others to conceal themselves and strike without mercy, cautioning them about the Twin Killers' poisonous fingertips. Soon after, Mei Chaofeng arrived, killing a person and initiating her practice.
Ke Zhene launched his ambush, engaging her in a fierce battle. The combined efforts of the Seven Freaks gravely injured Mei Chaofeng, leaving her permanently blinded. Desperate, she cried out for Chen Xuanfeng, who promptly appeared. At this precise moment, young Guo Jing, having bravely climbed the cliff, reached the top only to be seized by Chen Xuanfeng.
The situation turned dire as Chen Xuanfeng held Guo Jing hostage, fighting off the Freaks while Mei Chaofeng, blinded, called out to him. During the intense struggle to rescue Guo Jing, Chen Xuanfeng, momentarily distracted, was fatally stabbed by Guo Jing's dagger. With his dying breath, Chen Xuanfeng urged Mei Chaofeng to retrieve the Nine Yin Manual hidden in his chest. In the chaos, Zhang Asheng, one of the Seven Freaks, suffered mortal wounds.
Han Xiaoying, distraught, wept as Zhang Asheng, with his last words, comforted her, promised to marry her, and praised her beauty before passing away in her arms. Witnessing Guo Jing’s bravery in facing the "bad guy," Ke Zhene formally accepted him as their disciple. Guo Jing kowtowed to his masters, including the fallen Zhang Asheng, who, even in death, served as an inspiration.
Ke Zhene and the others emphasized that though he may not be bright, Guo Jing must train diligently to avenge his father. Ten years passed. Under the guidance of the remaining six Freaks, Guo Jing practiced martial arts day and night. However, despite his relentless effort, his progress was dishearteningly slow, causing concern as the date for the contest at Zuixian Tavern drew nearer.
The masters, particularly Ke Zhene and Han Xiaoying, debated his lack of improvement, but Ke Zhene stressed the importance of persistence and stubbornness, traits Guo Jing possessed. One day, Hua Zheng rushed to Guo Jing, reporting that a flock of black condors were attacking their two white condors. Rushing to the scene, Hua Zheng denounced the black condors as robbers. Guo Jing, agilely mounting his horse, rode forward and, with a single, expert shot, brought down two black condors.
His impressive archery earned him praise from the onlookers, and Temujin himself awarded Guo Jing his golden knife, a weapon that had served him in countless battles. Later, Guo Jing and Hua Zheng discovered that the adult white condors had perished in the fight, leaving two helpless baby condors stranded on the dangerously high cliff. A Taoist appeared, and with remarkable agility, he flew up the cliff face and safely brought down the young condors.
Astonished by the Taoist's martial prowess, Guo Jing knelt and humbly requested guidance, confessing his struggles with learning martial arts and his masters’ frustrations. The Taoist, observing Guo Jing’s sincerity, agreed to offer him pointers. He instructed Guo Jing to meet him at the cliff top at midnight in three days, which would be the middle of the month, but strictly warned him not to disclose this to anyone. Guo Jing expressed doubt about his ability to climb the steep cliff, but the Taoist simply advised him to put his heart to it, and he would find a way.
