The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 48 Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
Guo Jing, accompanied by Taoist Masters Qiu Chuji and Wang Chuyi, followed Ke Zhene to the desolate Iron Spear Temple. Inside, Yang Kang lay dead. Guo Jing, filled with sadness, spoke to his deceased sworn brother, recalling how Yang Kang had forgotten their vow, colluded with their parents' killer for fame and money, and died unrepentant. He expressed sorrow to Yang Kang’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Yang, for his failure as a brother.
Ke Zhene, however, cursed Yang Kang, stating that while he deserved to die, it was a pity to see the loyal Yang Tiexin's reputation ruined. Qiu Chuji, consumed by guilt, carved "Disloyal Disciple Yang Kang Taught by Incapable Qiu Chuji" onto a tablet at the grave, taking responsibility for failing to guide Yang Kang to be a good man. Guo Jing acknowledged Qiu Chuji's righteousness in admitting his mistake. Afterward, Guo Jing buried Yang Kang in a nearby forest.
Nearby, Zhou Botong had apprehended Peng Lianhu, Hou Tonghai, and their group. Still holding a grudge from the Zuixian Tavern incident, Zhou Botong lightheartedly suggested various brutal punishments for them. When Guo Jing arrived, he asked the villains about Huang Rong’s whereabouts, but they claimed ignorance, stating they had parted ways with Wanyan Honglie after Yang Kang’s death.
Guo Jing was shocked to learn Huang Rong was missing, and Zhou Botong clarified that Old Venom (Ouyang Feng) had taken her away. Zhou Botong suggested killing the villains since they knew nothing, but Guo Jing proposed a more merciful approach: to allow them to repent. He requested that the Taoist Masters take the villains to the Quanzhen Sect to be tutored.
Qiu Chuji agreed, and Zhou Botong also approved, eagerly imagining having them to play with daily, though he quickly excused himself from returning to the sect. Guo Jing then asked the Taoist Masters to take the blind Ke Zhene back to his home in Jiaxing, which Qiu Chuji agreed to. Before departing, Ke Zhene urged Guo Jing to find Huang Rong and bring her home.
With Ke Zhene taken care of, Guo Jing joined the Beggars' Sect disciples in an extensive, nationwide search for Huang Rong. Months passed without success. One day, as Guo Jing and Elder Lu Youjiao were dining outside a small restaurant, Guo Jing studied the Wumu Manual, admiring its intricate military formations. He noted the eight formations—Sky, Earth, Wind, Cloud, Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix, and Snake—created by Zhuge Liang and modified by General Yue, were indeed powerful.
He asked Lu Youjiao if he understood them, but Lu Youjiao humbly admitted he knew nothing of military strategy. Guo Jing lamented that the valuable manual was wasted in his hands, wishing Huang Rong were there, as her cleverness would allow her to understand it instantly. Suddenly, a large number of desperate refugees appeared, begging for food. When the restaurant owner tried to drive them away, Guo Jing intervened.
After learning from the refugees that the Jin army's retreating remnants were brutalizing villagers, killing, robbing, and assaulting women, Guo Jing was enraged. He gave the owner all his money, instructing him to feed the starving refugees. He prepared to fight another approaching group of soldiers, but they turned out to be his sworn brother Tolui and Master Jebe.
Tolui, however, immediately confronted Guo Jing, calling him "Golden Dagger Son-in-law" and striking him, believing Guo Jing had broken his sister's heart. Guo Jing explained he had been framed by the Jin and showed Tolui the pouch from their sworn brotherhood, clarifying that they were both victims of the "Young Prince's" scheme. The misunderstanding cleared, and the brothers reconciled. Tolui explained they were returning to the steppes after being unable to breach Tongguan, which the Jin fiercely defended.
He suggested Guo Jing return to Mongolia with them, and Guo Jing agreed, eager to see his mother. He asked Lu Youjiao to continue searching for Huang Rong. Back in Mongolia, Guo Jing observed the vast expansion of Genghis Khan’s territory. Tolui proudly spoke of their father's unparalleled achievements.
They found Genghis Khan in his royal tent, fuming over the repeated provocations of the small country Chorasmia, whose king, Mohammed, had robbed Mongolian trade caravans, killed their people, and burned the beards of their emissaries—a grave insult to Mongolian pride. Genghis Khan's anger subsided when Tolui announced Guo Jing's return. Genghis Khan welcomed him warmly, noting that Tolui had explained Guo Jing had been framed by the Jin.
Guo Jing pledged his life to aid the Great Khan, who declared war on Chorasmia. Guo Jing then surprised his mother, Li Ping, who had been speaking to her deceased husband Guo Xiaotian’s memorial tablet, expressing her deep worry for her son. As they talked, Guo Jing recounted his adventures, focusing on Huang Rong. Li Ping understood Huang Rong was a good girl but was concerned about Guo Jing's engagement to Hua Zheng.
Guo Jing expressed his dilemma between his promise and his love. Li Ping advised him that a man must be responsible and keep his word, following his father's example. Guo Jing decided: if Huang Rong was found safe, he would marry Hua Zheng; but if she suffered misfortune or remained unfound, he would remain unmarried. He relayed this decision to Hua Zheng, who, despite her initial heartbreak at Lin'an when she thought he had broken their promise, accepted his terms.
She acknowledged his integrity and declared that she would wait for him on the steppe for as long as she lived, even for ten or twenty years, stating that finding Huang Rong was his business, and waiting for him was hers. While Guo Jing helped Genghis Khan prepare for the western campaign, he continued to study the Wumu Manual.
One day, Lu Youjiao arrived with two Beggars' Sect disciples, offering assistance for the upcoming war and reassuring Guo Jing about the ongoing search for Huang Rong. Soon after, Tolui rushed in, reporting that his elder brothers' drunken soldiers were fighting. Lu Youjiao discreetly gave Guo Jing a note detailing how to use the Coiled Snake Formation to separate the fighters and the Winged Tiger Formation to capture them. Guo Jing swiftly quelled the chaos, even tying up the princes.
Genghis Khan, observing from afar, praised Guo Jing's military prowess and appointed him Noyan, the highest military rank, to lead three troops on the right flank during the western campaign. Guo Jing humbly declined the promotion but eventually accepted, pledging his life to the Great Khan. He also successfully pleaded for the two princes' lives, who were pardoned on the condition of redeeming themselves in the war.
Genghis Khan declared that after the conquest of Samarkhand and Mohammed's death, he would arrange Guo Jing's wedding to Hua Zheng. Genghis Khan then deployed his army, with Ögedei, Chagatai, Jochi, Guo Jing, Tolui, and himself leading various flanks. In his tent, Guo Jing, now a general, continued to study the Wumu Manual but still struggled with some of the formations.
He grew suspicious of Lu Youjiao's sudden military insight, especially since Lu Youjiao repeatedly claimed he needed to "go back and think" to explain specific formations. Once, after Lu Youjiao left, Guo Jing glimpsed a familiar figure in the army and tried to pursue, but Lu Youjiao quickly intervened, urging him to rest. Suddenly, Ouyang Feng appeared in Guo Jing's tent, demanding Huang Rong, stating she had escaped and must be with him.
Guo Jing was overjoyed to hear Huang Rong was alive, but feigned ignorance of her whereabouts, realizing she must be secretly helping him and needed protection from Ouyang Feng. Ouyang Feng sensed Guo Jing was hiding something. Ouyang Feng then returned Guo Jing's dagger, explaining that Huang Rong had revealed at the Iron Spear Temple that Yang Kang and Wanyan Honglie's trap had caused his masters' deaths, for which Ouyang Feng was mistakenly blamed.
He proposed a deal: if Guo Jing revealed Huang Rong's location, he would not harm her. Guo Jing refused, asserting that Ouyang Feng could not harm Rong in his military camp. Lu Youjiao arrived, and Guo Jing further warned Ouyang Feng that this was not a place he could come and go as he pleased. Guo Jing countered with his own condition: Ouyang Feng must respect Huang Rong's choice regarding the Nine Yin Manual and not force her.
Ouyang Feng scoffed, and after a brief standoff, left without Huang Rong. Guo Jing stopped his soldiers from chasing him. After Ouyang Feng's departure, Guo Jing asked Lu Youjiao to tell Huang Rong to stop hiding and meet him. Lu Youjiao, however, seemed troubled and demurred, claiming he didn't know where she was.
Guo Jing, worried about Huang Rong falling into Ouyang Feng's hands, became stern and issued a military order: if he did not meet Huang Rong by the same time tomorrow, Lu Youjiao would face military punishment. Meanwhile, Wanyan Honglie was actively inciting the King of Chorasmia to wage war against Mongolia.
