The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 42 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Master Yi Deng revealed the general principle of the Nine Yin Manual and Huang Shang's insightful footnotes to Guo Jing. This crucial section, originally written in Sanskrit by Huang Shang – a scholar proficient in Taoist canon, Buddhist sutras, and Sanskrit – was intended to prevent those with ill intentions from misusing its unparalleled martial arts to bring disaster upon the world.
Guo Jing, despite not knowing Sanskrit, had by chance memorized the entire passage, which Master Yi Deng regarded as a blessing in disguise, a reward for his kindhearted and chivalrous nature. Huang Rong, concerned for Master Yi Deng who had depleted his powers to save her, inquired if cultivating the general principle would aid his recovery.
Master Yi Deng explained that although his Buddhist martial arts differed from the Manual's Taoist inner power cultivation, the general principle taught ultimate martial arts applicable to all cultivations. Thus, his recovery, which would typically take five years, could be achieved in just three months by following the Manual's guidance.
Huang Rong was delighted by this news and further asked if the general principle could also help her master, Hong Qigong, who had lost his martial arts after being bitten by Ouyang Feng's viper. Master Yi Deng confirmed that if Hong Qigong practiced according to the general principle, his martial arts would be restored in no time. With renewed hope, Guo Jing and Huang Rong bade farewell to Master Yi Deng and began their journey down the mountain.
As they walked by a flowing river, Huang Rong mused on their remarkable luck. She felt that no matter what perils they encountered, they always managed to find a silver lining. She cited their narrow escape from Yang Kang at Xuanyuan Platform, which led Guo Jing to uncover the secrets of the Big Dipper Formation, and her own injury from Qiu Qianren's palm, which inadvertently revealed the mysteries of the Nine Yin Manual.
However, Guo Jing expressed that he would rather lose his own martial arts or suffer any harm himself than see Huang Rong endure any pain. Huang Rong playfully chided him, feigning anger that he would choose to be injured, thus making her grief-stricken. Guo Jing, with his characteristic clumsiness, struggled to articulate that he merely wished for neither of them to be harmed. Seeing his earnest but fumbling explanation, Huang Rong burst into laughter, cherishing her simple and kindhearted Jing.
Their immediate task was to find Hong Qigong and impart the general principle of the Nine Yin Manual to him. Huang Rong remembered their master mentioning that he would attend the martial arts duel at Zuixian Tavern in Jiaxing on August 15th, arriving several days early to enjoy the local cuisine. They decided to head straight for Jiaxing.
Meanwhile, in Prince Zhao’s residence in Lin'an, Yang Kang remained cloistered in his room, drowning his sorrows in wine since his return from the Iron Palm Sect. He commissioned a painter to create a portrait of Mu Nianci, and only when her image appeared on paper did a faint smile touch his lips as he whispered her name. Elsewhere, in the bustling streets of Jiaxing, Hua Zheng and Tolui were out shopping.
Hua Zheng was visibly ecstatic, eagerly counting the days until August 6th, when Guo Jing was expected to return with them to Mongolia for their wedding. She declared that after that date, Miss Huang would have to let go of him. Yang Kang, standing nearby, overheard their conversation and appeared thoughtful. Later, Yang Kang silently returned to Prince Zhao's residence, where Wanyan Honglie confronted him.
Wanyan Honglie expressed concern over his son's prolonged grief for Mu Nianci, insisting that dwelling on the past was unproductive. He reminded Yang Kang of the dire military situation faced by the Jin Dynasty, which had suffered several defeats, and the Emperor's pressing demand for the Wumu Manual. Wanyan Honglie believed the Manual could turn the tide and even help conquer the entire land.
He reiterated that the August 15th duel at Zuixian Tavern would attract many martial adepts, including the Seven Freaks of the South, who would undoubtedly lead them to Guo Jing and the Manual. Earlier, Wanyan Honglie had lamented to his subordinates his regret at not having exposed Mu Nianci's true intentions, believing they would have secured the Wumu Manual then, and later in his conversation with Yang Kang, he further blamed Mu Nianci for her deceit.
Upon arriving in Jiaxing, Guo Jing and Huang Rong planned to find an inn, but then they spotted Yinggu and discreetly followed her to the Green Dragon Tavern. Sitting at a table, Yinggu suddenly told Huang Rong about four medicinal ingredients for treating Huang Rong's poison: black sesame, pokeweeds, plum, and wormwood. The tavern waiter then hurried Yinggu upstairs to her room.
After Yinggu departed, Huang Rong found her words perplexing, wondering why Yinggu would offer such a prescription, especially while checking into an inn so close to her Black Marsh abode. Feeling something amiss, they decided to stay the night to observe Yinggu. Their assigned room had no windows, a detail the waiter dismissed as being the last available, while Yinggu's room was directly next door.
Unknown to Guo Jing and Huang Rong, Yinggu had recently been ambushed and poisoned by Qiu Qianren upon her return to the Black Marsh. Qiu Qianren had accused her of hiding Guo Jing and Huang Rong, and knowing she had saved their lives, gave her a potent poison, declaring she would die from internal organ failure if she didn't get an antidote within seven days.
As a waiter delivered their meal, Guo Jing began to eat, but Huang Rong quickly stopped him. She had a sudden realization: black sesame and wormwood were generally incompatible in traditional medicine. She then deciphered Yinggu's cryptic message: the first characters of the four ingredients – "Hei, Shang, Wu, Liu" – sounded phonetically similar to "Black inn, don't stay" in Chinese, a clear warning that the establishment was a trap.
Guo Jing immediately spit out his food, and they promptly fled the tavern. However, as they reached the courtyard, they were surrounded by members of the Iron Palm Sect. Qiu Qianren emerged, laughing triumphantly, confident he had them ensnared. Yinggu, hearing his distinct laughter, recognized it as identical to that of the masked assailant who had injured her son years ago. Fueled by rage, she violently struggled, breaking free from her ropes.
As Qiu Qianren clashed with Guo Jing, Yinggu leaped from her room and demanded the antidote. Seizing an opportunity during their intense exchange, Huang Rong deftly snatched the antidote from Qiu Qianren’s grasp. Yinggu swiftly consumed it, her renewed strength directed at Qiu Qianren as she sought vengeance for her son.
Huang Rong surmised that Qiu Qianren had likely injured Yinggu's child back then to force Master Yi Deng to expend his inner power to save him, thereby weakening Yi Deng and eliminating a formidable opponent for the Mount Hua Sword Meet. Qiu Qianren, despite their combined efforts, managed to escape. Meanwhile, Yang Kang continued to drown his sorrows, slipping into a semi-conscious state where he hallucinated Mu Nianci by his side.
He reached out to embrace her, only to find his arms empty. A violent storm then blew open his window, revealing a helpless, squawking baby bird that had fallen from its nest. Yang Kang bitterly reflected on his and Nianci's fates, likening themselves to the vulnerable birds, their lives controlled by others, their destiny subject to the whims of fate.
This realization ignited a fierce defiance within him, and he vowed never again to be manipulated by Wanyan Honglie or anyone else, proclaiming that he would be the master of his own destiny. Later, as Wanyan Honglie discussed his plans for the August 15th takeover of the Wumu Manual, Yang Kang entered with Ouyang Feng.
Yang Kang questioned Wanyan Honglie's strategy, revealing that Guo Jing was slated to return to Mongolia with Princess Hua Zheng for their wedding on August 6th, suggesting he might not even be at the Zuixian Tavern. He also pointed out Guo Jing's increasing martial prowess under Hong Qigong and his knowledge of the Nine Yin Manual, coupled with Huang Rong's intelligence, making them formidable opponents.
Yang Kang then presented his own comprehensive three-step plan to eliminate Guo Jing and the Central Plains martial artists, and elevate Ouyang Feng to martial supremacy. Wanyan Honglie was unsettled by Yang Kang's sudden maturity and strategic acumen, feeling he no longer recognized his son. Wanyan Honglie proposed enlisting Prime Minister Shi Miyuan to deploy Song troops alongside Jin forces to encircle Zuixian Tavern.
However, Yang Kang vehemently disagreed, arguing that a civil official ordering troop deployments would arouse suspicion and jeopardize their entire operation. Despite Wanyan Honglie's anger, he patiently listened as Yang Kang elaborated on his strategy: on the day before August 15th, Ouyang Feng would instigate internal conflict among the martial artists, driving them into Zuixian Tavern. Once trapped, they would be ambushed with a barrage of arrows and venomous snakes, ensuring no one could escape.
As the first step of his plan, Yang Kang sent a letter along with a silk pouch embroidered with Guo Jing's name to him. This pouch, originally given by Guo Jing to Tolui during their sworn brotherhood, had fallen into Qiu Qianzhang's hands (likely via Hou Tonghai when Tolui was tied up) before reaching Yang Kang.
For the second step, Yang Kang announced that he and Ouyang Feng would personally implement it, while others were dispatched to meticulously survey Zuixian Tavern, charting every possible exit. Meanwhile, in Jiaxing, the Seven Freaks of the South arrived at Zuixian Tavern earlier than planned. They reminisced about their legendary battle against Qiu Chuji and Master Jiaomu eighteen years prior, noting how much the tavern had changed, with the old waiter now promoted to manager.
They planned to attend the August 15th gathering. Elsewhere in Jiaxing, Guo Jing and Huang Rong continued their search for Hong Qigong. Huang Rong, craving Jiaxing's famous mould cakes, asked Guo Jing to buy some. Guo Jing went to Zuixian Tavern, known for its cakes, and there, to his surprise, he encountered his Seventh Master, Han Xiaoying.
