The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 38 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
As Guo Jing and Huang Rong moved stealthily through Iron Palm Mountain in disguise, Huang Rong expressed her disbelief that Guo Jing could still trust "Old Qiu," reminding him of how they had been deceived before. A passing guard, oblivious to their true identities, called them over and instructed them to deliver a light meal, prepared by the Chief, to the Young Prince of Jin.
Feigning ignorance as newcomers, they accepted the task, and the guard began to lead them towards Yang Kang's room. However, Mu Nianci intercepted them along the way, dismissing the guard and taking over the delivery herself. Once alone, she expressed her relief at seeing them safe. Huang Rong immediately confronted her about Yang Kang’s true character, revealing that he had killed Master Li Sheng and Yu Zhaoxing, and questioning why Mu Nianci remained fixated on such a wicked man.
Guo Jing tried to calm Huang Rong. Mu Nianci acknowledged that they were there for the Wumu Manual but warned them of the Iron Palm Sect’s heavy defenses, quickly adding that tomorrow would be their only chance to retrieve it. Suddenly, Yang Kang’s voice was heard, prompting Guo Jing and Huang Rong to quickly hide. Yang Kang entered, noting the untouched meal, to which Mu Nianci replied she was feeling tired and had taken a nap.
He showed concern for her, urging her to eat for their unborn child. Noting her cold hands, he gently suggested they take a walk outside. Mu Nianci led Yang Kang to Xin Nv Rock, explaining its ancient legend. She recounted how Emperor Gao Xin promised his daughter Xin Nv to whoever brought back his enemy Rong Wu’s head. Unexpectedly, a hound named Pan Hu returned with the head.
Xin Nv, upholding the pledge, insisted on marrying Pan Hu, whose devotion moved the heavens, transforming him into a handsome young man. They married at that very spot, had children, and lived happily. Inspired, Yang Kang vowed that they too would live happily ever after and have many children. Mu Nianci, however, expressed a quiet fear about their child’s future.
In response, Yang Kang promised that he would discuss their marriage with his father that evening, proposing they marry right there at the Iron Palm Sect to secure her status before their child’s birth. He envisioned himself becoming the world's conqueror with the Wumu Manual, making her an empress and their son a crown prince. Wanyan Honglie was initially reluctant but eventually agreed to a grand wedding for Yang Kang and Mu Nianci at the Iron Palm Sect.
Yet, his true agenda quickly surfaced. He instructed Yang Kang that after three rounds of drinks, they would immediately ascend the mountain to seize the Wumu Manual. Yang Kang, worried about Mu Nianci discovering their true intentions, tried to object, but Wanyan Honglie sternly reminded him not to prioritize personal affections over the bigger picture, stressing that this wedding offered a rare opportunity.
He then presented Mu Nianci with his late wife's favorite hairpin, an heirloom she felt was too valuable to accept. Wanyan Honglie insisted it was custom and then subtly probed her about her previous fall into the water. Mu Nianci claimed she was distracted by jumping fish and accidentally fell. Wanyan Honglie, recalling Yang Kang's earlier account of her avoiding a horse, grew suspicious, wondering which of them was lying.
Later, Mu Nianci and Yang Kang visited a bustling market at the foot of Iron Palm Mountain. Yang Kang, beaming with happiness, eagerly bought various items for their unborn child. Mu Nianci, however, remained somber, thinking of her unborn child and wishing to provide a healthy, loving home.
She silently resolved to kill Wanyan Honglie, believing it was the only way to awaken Yang Kang and deliver justice for her foster father and the innocent Guo family, as well as the Beggars Sect. Meanwhile, Wanyan Honglie meticulously orchestrated his plan to secure the Wumu Manual, dispatching Liang Ziweng and Master Lingzhi with his token to gather reinforcements and instructing Chief Sha and Hou Tonghai to put knockout drops in the wine to incapacitate Qiu Qianren and his men.
On their wedding day, Mu Nianci, clad in a red bridal gown, looked solemn rather than joyous. During the ceremony, she offered tea to Wanyan Honglie. Knowing his cautious nature and anticipating he would not drink it directly, especially given the discrepancy in their stories about her fall, she had applied arsenic to her lips.
As Wanyan Honglie hesitated, claiming the tea was too hot, Mu Nianci blew gently on it, then tasted it herself before offering it back, thus transferring the poison. Wanyan Honglie, seeing her taste it, feigned a sip. Unbeknownst to them, Qiu Qianren's twin brother, Qiu Qianzhang, seized the opportunity to pilfer treasures from Qiu Qianren's room, muttering about his brother's long-standing collusion with the Prince of Jin and his reluctance to share his ill-gotten gains.
On his way out, he stumbled upon a drunken Hou Tonghai, who, mistaking Qiu Qianzhang for Qiu Qianren, believed the stolen valuables were wedding gifts. Hou Tonghai spotted an embroidered pouch bearing Guo Jing's name among the treasures. Recognizing its significance due to Yang Kang's intense hatred for Guo Jing, Hou Tonghai eagerly snatched the pouch and, in his drunken state, hung it around his own neck. Qiu Qianzhang, relieved, quickly made his escape.
Meanwhile, Guo Jing and Huang Rong discovered the mountain guards incapacitated by the drugged wine. Guo Jing wondered if Mu Nianci was helping them, but Huang Rong immediately realized it was Wanyan Honglie’s doing, confirming her earlier suspicion that he intended to seize the Wumu Manual during the wedding. They decided to ascend the mountain immediately. As they climbed, a guard spotted them and swiftly reported their presence to Qiu Qianren.
At the wedding feast, a horn blast announced the intruders. Qiu Qianren quickly excused himself to investigate. Wanyan Honglie, sensing his plan was at risk, instructed Yang Kang to follow Qiu Qianren. But before Yang Kang could move, Mu Nianci suddenly spat a mouthful of blood. Liang Ziweng quickly identified the poison as arsenic. Wanyan Honglie coldly accused Mu Nianci of poisoning herself. Yang Kang, in shock, demanded an explanation.
Mu Nianci, her voice laced with bitterness, confessed that she had feigned loyalty to him and Wanyan Honglie. Her sole purpose, she declared, was to kill Wanyan Honglie for her deceased foster father, for the innocent Guo family, for the Beggars Sect, and for her unborn child, whom she would rather never be born than have an ungrateful and disloyal father like Yang Kang.
She scorned Yang Kang for stabbing his sworn brother, Guo Jing, asserting that Yang Kang was the one truly inferior to Guo Jing. Wanyan Honglie, revealing he had not actually drunk the poisoned tea, furiously choked Mu Nianci for ruining his plans and sacrificing her child. Mu Nianci defiantly retorted that he would never obtain the Wumu Manual. Just then, an attendant reported that Guo Jing and Huang Rong were on the mountain.
Knowing that the main ascent was likely sealed, Wanyan Honglie demanded that Yang Kang, who possessed Ouyang Feng's "Thousand Miles in One Moment" levitation technique, scale the side cliff to retrieve the manual. He threatened to kill Mu Nianci if Yang Kang refused. Torn, Yang Kang reluctantly agreed. As Guo Jing and Huang Rong ascended the mountain, they encountered Qiu Qianren. Huang Rong, mistaking him for his less formidable twin brother, Qiu Qianzhang, confidently challenged him.
She stood still, intending to let him strike her, certain he couldn't inflict serious harm. However, Qiu Qianren's powerful iron palm technique sent her reeling. Fortunately, her Soft Hedgehog Armor absorbed most of the blow, saving her life, though she was still badly injured. At the same time, the effects of the poisoned wine began to manifest in Qiu Qianren, weakening his powers. Guo Jing quickly seized the opportunity to carry the injured Huang Rong away.
He wished to descend the mountain to get her medical attention, prioritizing her over the Wumu Manual. But Huang Rong, despite her pain, insisted he continue the mission, not wanting her injury to hinder his important task. Yielding to her wishes, Guo Jing continued to ascend with her on his back. They soon reached the second knuckle of the Middle Finger Peak, where they discovered a stone door, realizing it was the entrance to the Wumu Manual's hiding place.
