The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 45 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Huang Yaoshi found himself locked in a fierce battle with the Quanzhen Sect members. His martial arts were profound, and the initial few Quanzhen Taoists were no match for him. Observing from a window, Qiu Chuji saw his junior brothers struggling and quickly descended to assist, joining them to form the intricate Big Dipper formation. Despite the array’s complexity, Huang Yaoshi navigated through it, responding with surprising agility.
However, Qiu Chuji's disciple, Yin Zhiping, with his shallow foundation, was the first to sustain an injury. Ke Zhene, who had been watching the prolonged conflict, then also entered the fray. Guo Jing, who was watching from above with Hong Qigong, intended to join the fight, but Hong Qigong restrained him.
Hong Qigong observed that Huang Yaoshi was not fighting with intent to kill; otherwise, the Quanzhen Taoists would have been dead, as none of them were a match for him. Guo Jing, however, was determined, asserting that Huang Yaoshi had killed his five masters. Hong Qigong doubted this, stating it was impossible and that Huang Yaoshi was not that kind of person. Guo Jing countered, claiming he had buried them himself and that it was definitely Huang Yaoshi.
Dismissing this as "Nonsense!" , Hong Qigong insisted Huang Yaoshi would not do such a thing. Overwhelmed by his desire for revenge, Guo Jing leaped into the battle. He declared loudly that he would kill the "thug" Huang Yaoshi to avenge his masters, a sentiment echoed by Ke Zhene. Huang Yaoshi, seemingly unfazed by the attack, questioned why Guo Jing was there and where Rong was, asking if she had been driven away by the Mongolian princess.
Guo Jing angrily told him not to bring her up, stating he would still kill Huang Yaoshi even if Rong were present, and branded him a "mortal foe." As Guo Jing prepared a killing blow, Ma Yu of the Quanzhen Sect intervened, calling a halt. He deemed it dishonorable to defeat Huang Yaoshi with a numerical advantage, but he still demanded an explanation for the deaths of Tan Chuduan and Zhou Botong.
Huang Yaoshi, refusing to explain, dared them to kill him to glorify Quanzhen's name. Guo Jing then clarified that Zhou Botong was alive and that Tan Chuduan had been killed by Ouyang Feng. He recounted that he had seen Ouyang Feng ambush Tan Chuduan in Qu San Tavern while recovering from an injury. Hong Qigong corroborated this, confirming that Zhou Botong had been with him all along, much to the surprise of the Quanzhen Taoists.
With this new information, Ma Yu apologized to Huang Yaoshi for the misunderstanding, resolving the feud between the Quanzhen Sect and Huang Yaoshi. However, Guo Jing's personal vendetta against Huang Yaoshi remained. He reiterated his demand for justice for his five masters. Huang Yaoshi initially denied involvement, but when Guo Jing refused to believe him, Huang Yaoshi defiantly admitted to the killings, saying, "Yes, I killed them. So what?"
Just then, Huang Rong rushed in, distraught, pleading with her father not to take the blame, as she knew he was innocent. Huang Yaoshi, however, insisted he had "finished them off." Before the situation could escalate further, Ke Zhene suddenly collapsed, poisoned. Qiu Chuji urged Guo Jing to take his master away for treatment. As Guo Jing left with Ke Zhene, he vowed to return the next day to take Huang Yaoshi's life.
Huang Rong was beside herself with worry, having tried to convince her father to defend himself, but he remained stubbornly silent. Hong Qigong found her and listened to her account of events on Peach Blossom Island. He reassured her, believing it unlikely that Huang Yaoshi was the true culprit, noting that even Huang Yaoshi found Guo Jing's masters admirable.
Hong Qigong concluded that only by uncovering the real killer could Huang Yaoshi's name be cleared and the truth brought to light. Meanwhile, Qiu Chuji treated Ke Zhene's poisoning. Ke Zhene, emotionally distraught by the loss of his five brethren, recounted their lifelong bond. He then compelled Guo Jing to kneel and swear a solemn oath. Guo Jing had to vow that he would kill Huang Yaoshi with his own hands to avenge his five masters.
If he ever allowed Huang Rong to sway him again, Ke Zhene would die a gruesome death, dismembered, and suffer eternal damnation without reincarnation. Guo Jing initially resisted, begging not to utter such a terrible curse upon his beloved master, but Ke Zhene threatened to take his own life if Guo Jing refused. Tears streaming down his face, Guo Jing reluctantly took the full, horrifying oath.
Unbeknownst to them, Huang Rong was outside, listening to every word, her eyes welling up with tears as she witnessed Guo Jing's agony. Later that night, Hong Qigong met with Huang Yaoshi for drinks. He gently chided Huang Yaoshi for his stubbornness and tendency to invite misunderstanding. He revealed that Huang Rong had confided in him about the events on Peach Blossom Island.
Hong Qigong warned Huang Yaoshi that the person who framed him was meticulous and ruthless, and he feared this incident was merely part of a larger, more sinister conspiracy. He urged Huang Yaoshi to resolve Guo Jing's misunderstanding with him and to focus on finding the true killer. Meanwhile, Guo Jing and Huang Rong met by a lake outside the city. Guo Jing, heartbroken by the oath, told Huang Rong they should no longer meet.
Huang Rong, who had overheard the oath, pleaded with him not to abandon her, reiterating that her father was innocent and merely too proud to defend himself. She reminded him of their shared journey and deep bond. Suddenly, Ke Zhene appeared and attacked Huang Rong, branding her a "little witch." Guo Jing instinctively blocked the blow but was reprimanded by Ke Zhene, who accused him of prioritizing Huang Rong over his fallen masters.
Ke Zhene vehemently insisted that Huang Yaoshi was the killer, citing his brethren's accounts and his own miraculous escape, saved by Xiren. Despite Guo Jing's attempts to explain, Ke Zhene threatened to disown him and, failing that, attempted to strike Huang Rong again. Guo Jing, torn, once more protected Huang Rong, but the pressure from his master was immense. Overwhelmed, Huang Rong tearfully left, disheartened by Guo Jing's apparent choice.
The next morning, at the agreed-upon location, Guo Jing declared his intention to face Huang Yaoshi alone, seeking to avenge his masters personally. Huang Rong, however, stepped in front of her father, declaring that Guo Jing would have to kill her first. She asked Huang Yaoshi to promise not to intervene, as she intended to sever ties with Guo Jing herself. Ke Zhene sternly reminded Guo Jing of his sacred oath and the tragic deaths of their masters.
Guo Jing, his face a mask of agony, raised his palm as if to strike Huang Rong, but at the last moment, he turned the blow upon himself. He vomited blood, declaring that this self-inflicted wound was to repay Huang Rong for saving and treating him at Qu San Tavern, and that from that moment, their bond was broken, they owed each other nothing. Kneeling before Ke Zhene, he tearfully confessed his inability to harm Rong.
Just as this emotional confrontation reached its climax, Ouyang Feng arrived with his disciples. He openly admitted to killing Tan Chuduan and attempted to incite Huang Yaoshi to join him in eliminating the Quanzhen Sect. Huang Yaoshi rebuffed Ouyang Feng, reminding him of Mei Chaofeng's death. When a Quanzhen Taoist remarked that Huang Yaoshi had "lost to us yesterday," Ouyang Feng, seeing an opportunity, announced his intention to avenge Huang Yaoshi's supposed humiliation. Before Ouyang Feng could act, Hong Qigong, who had been observing from a balcony, leaped down, announcing he had something to say.
