The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 34 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Ouyang Ke was reveling in the company of two beautiful women, delighting in their fragrance. He commented on their beauty, even likening one's scent to his mother's. As he enjoyed himself, Yang Kang appeared. Ouyang Ke quickly tried to explain that it was a misunderstanding, but Yang Kang dismissed it, claiming he was tired of "the woman" and Ouyang Ke could have her if he wished.
Ouyang Ke, pleased by this apparent generosity, continued his lewd banter, boasting of his talent for discerning foot size by face. When Ouyang Ke's guard was relaxed, Yang Kang suddenly stabbed him. Shocked, Ouyang Ke cried out, asking why Yang Kang would betray him, a man he considered a brother, for a woman. Yang Kang coldly stated that the woman was carrying his child, and he would not fail to protect his family.
Ouyang Ke then threatened that his uncle would avenge him, but Yang Kang continued his assault until Ouyang Ke was dead. After killing Ouyang Ke, Yang Kang quickly released Lu Guanying and Cheng Yaojia, who expressed their gratitude and departed. He then turned to Mu Nianci, ensuring she was unharmed and reiterating his protective stance, claiming he killed Ouyang Ke because he deserved it and that no one would harm her with him around.
When he asked why she was at the tavern, Mu Nianci gave a fabricated story about picking up things from her old house. Yang Kang then intended to bury Ouyang Ke's body, but upon noticing the dagger embedded in it was inscribed with Guo Jing's name, he immediately changed his mind and decided they should leave at once, despite Mu Nianci's query about not burying the body.
Meanwhile, from their hiding place, Huang Rong expressed concern as Shagu picked up the Dog-beating Staff and ran after Yang Kang and Mu Nianci. Guo Jing tried to calm her, believing they could retrieve it later. However, Shagu approached Yang Kang and gave him the staff, which he accepted. When he tried to question the simple-minded girl about what she had witnessed, she could only babble "Bad guy!"
Huang Rong and Guo Jing, still trapped, were left perplexed by Yang Kang's actions, realizing he intentionally left the dagger to frame Guo Jing and provoke Ouyang Feng's vengeance. Shortly after Yang Kang's departure, Ouyang Feng arrived at Qu San Tavern, frantic for Ouyang Ke. His grief and rage quickly surfaced when he discovered Ouyang Ke's lifeless body. He desperately tried to heal him, calling out "Ke!" and even "my son!" in his anguish.
Overcome with sorrow, Ouyang Feng cried out, demanding to know who had committed such an act, urging his son to tell "Father." Hidden nearby, Huang Rong and Guo Jing were stunned to realize that Ouyang Feng was, in fact, Ouyang Ke's biological father. Ouyang Feng's gaze then fell upon the dagger embedded in Ouyang Ke's chest, clearly engraved with the name "Guo Jing." Blaming Guo Jing for his son's murder, Ouyang Feng swore a deadly oath of vengeance.
As he set Ouyang Ke's body ablaze, he expressed profound regret that his son had died without ever having called him "father," wishing he had acknowledged him sooner. Huang Rong and Guo Jing recognized the insidious plot, realizing Yang Kang had successfully shifted the blame for Ouyang Ke's death onto Guo Jing, inadvertently making Ouyang Feng a formidable enemy. Walking through the bustling streets, Yang Kang carried the Dog-beating Staff.
As he passed, members of the Beggars' Sect respectfully saluted him, addressing him as "Young Master." Initially confused by this deference, Yang Kang soon learned from some disciples that the green staff was, in fact, the Chief's Staff, the sect's sacred symbol of authority. He cleverly claimed that the Chief himself had personally entrusted it to him.
The disciples then informed him about the approaching Yuezhou Assembly on July 15th, the annual grand meeting where all members gather at Mount Jun to receive the Chief's teachings. Yang Kang feigned knowledge of the event and, after dismissing the disciples, secretly exulted in his newfound power.
Back at the mansion, Wanyan Honglie was overjoyed upon seeing the staff, realizing it meant Yang Kang could become the Chief of the Beggars' Sect, thereby turning the sect into an ally against the Mongolians. Yang Kang explained he had acquired the staff from a "fool," further delighting Wanyan Honglie, who saw it as divine favor for the Jin empire.
Yang Kang then voiced his desire to formally become Ouyang Feng's disciple, but Wanyan Honglie advised patience, warning that Ouyang Feng, still reeling from Ouyang Ke's death, might grow suspicious if approached too hastily. Later, Wanyan Honglie was surprised to find Mu Nianci in his room. She explained that Yang Kang had mentioned his recent fatigue, and she had prepared a refreshing flower tea for him, considering it her duty to show respect.
Though Wanyan Honglie feigned politeness, his naturally suspicious nature made him wary of the sudden gesture. He complimented her increasing thoughtfulness and noted Yang Kang's good fortune in having her, but also gently reminded her to rest due to her pregnancy, suggesting servants handle such chores. Mu Nianci encouraged him to try the fragrant tea, but he merely praised its aroma without taking a sip.
After he left, Mu Nianci put away the poison she had intended for the tea, realizing Wanyan Honglie's deep distrust made a direct assassination attempt incredibly difficult. She was relieved she hadn't managed to add the poison, as it would have exposed her true intentions. Inside the secret chamber, Huang Rong happily noted that their seven-day healing period was almost complete.
When she asked Guo Jing what his first priority would be upon their release, he promptly stated his intention to find Huang Yaoshi and clarify the misunderstanding regarding Huang Rong's supposed death, thereby protecting his own masters. Huang Rong playfully chided him for only thinking of his masters, but was secretly pleased when he added her name to his list of priorities.
Meanwhile, Guo Jing’s masters, the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen, having received a message from Chief Lu about Guo Jing's whereabouts in Niu Village, arrived at Qu San Tavern. They found Mei Chaofeng's body and were quickly confronted by Huang Yaoshi, who, still believing Guo Jing was responsible for Huang Rong’s death, had come to exact vengeance upon his disciples. He declared that all of them would die for Jing's perceived transgression.
Hearing his masters being attacked, Guo Jing, despite Huang Rong’s warnings about the risk to his recovery, impulsively burst through the wall to intervene. Severely injured and spitting blood from his incomplete healing, he managed to interrupt Huang Yaoshi's deadly assault. Huang Yaoshi's rage immediately vanished upon seeing his daughter, Huang Rong, alive and well. He swiftly attended to Guo Jing's critical injuries, making it clear he did so only out of love for his daughter.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong both expressed their gratitude. Guo Jing's masters, relieved and confused, asked Huang Rong to recount what had transpired since they last saw her. She explained her escape from the palace with Hong Qigong after a confrontation with Ouyang Feng and Hou Tonghai. She also revealed that Hong Qigong had made her his successor as the Chief of the Beggars' Sect, a position she reluctantly accepted but planned to relinquish.
She noted that she wasn't sure of Hong Qigong's current whereabouts after their venture to the palace for food. After their reunion, Huang Rong led her father, Huang Yaoshi, into Qu San's secret chamber. There, she showed him a dagger found on the skeleton of an imperial guard.
She revealed that Qu Lingfeng, one of Huang Yaoshi's former disciples, had stolen the numerous paintings and artifacts filling the chamber from the Imperial Palace, intending them as gifts to please his master. He was then pursued by imperial guards and died in the tavern. Huang Yaoshi initially dismissed the notion, asserting Lingfeng's righteousness. However, discovering Lingfeng's written confession, Huang Yaoshi was confronted with the painful truth.
He was deeply saddened, regretting his past harshness in banishing Lingfeng from Peach Blossom Island and crippling his legs, which ultimately led to Lingfeng's tragic death while attempting to seek his approval. Huang Rong consoled her father, encouraging him to focus on how to move forward. Moved by Shagu's solitary plight, Huang Yaoshi announced his decision to take her back to Peach Blossom Island and teach her all his martial arts.
Shagu, captivated by Huang Rong's playful mention of abundant watermelons on the island, eagerly agreed to go. Huang Yaoshi decided to leave the invaluable treasures in the secret chamber, as they were a constant reminder of Lingfeng's sacrifice and brought him only sorrow. Huang Rong then requested a specific painting depicting Cuiwei Mountain, explaining she wished to give it to Guo Jing, who had admired it at Guiyun Manor.
Shagu then presented Huang Rong with a crumpled note, describing the sender as "an old man, sillier than me." Huang Rong recognized it as a message from Zhou Botong, reminding her of the impending Yuezhou Assembly and assuring her that he would look after Hong Qigong. Concerned, Huang Rong realized she had lost the Dog-beating Staff. She gently questioned Shagu about who she had given the thin, green staff to.
Shagu, recalling the "bad guy" who had choked her, confirmed she had given it to Yang Kang. Guo Jing immediately recognized the gravity of the situation, knowing Yang Kang would exploit the staff to cause chaos and harm the Beggars' Sect, urging Huang Rong to retrieve it. Huang Rong, though she did not desire the position of Chief, felt honor-bound to fulfill her master's wishes.
Her plan was to go to Yuezhou, reclaim the staff from Yang Kang, and then identify a trustworthy elder within the sect to whom she could pass the leadership. Huang Yaoshi, after confirming his daughter's plan, advised her that she should not live a "dirty life" as Chief of the Beggars' Sect and instructed her and Guo Jing to return to Peach Blossom Island once the matter was resolved.
Huang Rong and Guo Jing were overjoyed, realizing this meant Huang Yaoshi had finally accepted Guo Jing, a sentiment seemingly influenced by Zhou Botong's earlier explanation about Guo Jing's unwitting mastery of the Nine Yin Manual. Huang Yaoshi sternly warned Guo Jing to always prioritize Huang Rong's happiness. Guo Jing’s masters also expressed their approval of Huang Rong, admonishing Guo Jing to treat her well and setting a meeting for August 15th at Zuixian Tavern.
After heartfelt goodbyes, the group separated. Suddenly, the cries of white eagles pierced the air, and Guo Jing immediately cried out, fearing something terrible had befallen Hua Zheng. High in a sturdy tree, Hua Zheng, Tolei, and their companions found themselves ensnared in a large net. Hua Zheng angrily demanded to know who their captors were and their intentions. Qiu Qianzhang, a figure they had encountered before, gloated, revealing he was behind their capture.
He recognized Hua Zheng's Mongolian royal lineage and anticipated finding valuables. Tolei, bound and helpless, offered a luminous pearl but pleaded for the return of his brocade pouch, a cherished gift from a friend. When Qiu Qianzhang discovered Guo Jing's name inscribed on the pouch, he questioned Tolei's relation to him. Tolei proudly declared Guo Jing his sworn brother.
Qiu Qianzhang scoffed at the notion of brotherhood, informing them that their lives were demanded by Jin's Prince Zhao, Yang Kang, and that he was merely executing orders. He mockingly advised them to avoid being Mongolian in their next lives. As Qiu Qianzhang prepared to deliver the final blow, a volley of projectiles swiftly cut the ropes, freeing Hua Zheng and her companions. Guo Jing and Huang Rong, with their group, arrived at that critical moment. Guo Jing rushed to Hua Zheng, asking if she was harmed. Overjoyed, Hua Zheng embraced him tightly, proclaiming she knew he would come to their rescue.
