The Legend of the Condor Heroes Episode 52 (Ending) Recap
> The Legend of the Condor Heroes Recap
On Mount Hua, the Second Sword Meet was underway, but with a unique twist. With Emperor Duan (Southern Emperor) having retired, Ouyang Feng (Western Venom) yet to arrive, and Hong Qigong (Northern Beggar) disinclined to compete, Huang Rong proposed a challenge. Her father, Huang Yaoshi, and Hong Qigong would each spar with Guo Jing. The one who defeated Guo Jing in fewer moves would be declared the victor.
However, if neither of them could defeat Guo Jing within 300 moves, then Guo Jing would be the Number One in the martial world. Huang Yaoshi sparred first, failing to defeat Guo Jing within 300 moves. Then, Hong Qigong and Guo Jing began their intense spar. Huang Rong excitedly counted the moves, calling out numbers as they exchanged blows.
Both martial artists employed techniques from the Dragon Subduing Palms, with Hong Qigong attacking with water and Guo Jing countering with stone, creating a spectacular display. After 300 moves, neither could claim victory, leading Huang Rong to happily declare Guo Jing the Number One in the martial world. Just as she spoke, Ouyang Feng arrived, shockingly performing martial arts while standing inverted. He proclaimed himself the Number One, boasting that he had mastered the Nine Yin skills.
Huang Rong, recognizing "Old Venom," mockingly asked if his meridians had circulated in reverse, which Ouyang Feng proudly confirmed. She explained to Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi that she had deliberately mistranslated parts of the Nine Yin Manual, telling Ouyang Feng he had to practice it in reverse, and to her dismay, he had unintentionally gained immense power by doing so.
Guo Jing confronted Ouyang Feng, and even with Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong joining the fray, the three grandmasters were no match for Ouyang Feng’s distorted but potent martial arts. Ouyang Feng repeatedly asserted his claim to be the Number One. Realizing that Ouyang Feng was completely delusional from his reversed meridians, Huang Rong led him to a pool of water.
She pointed at his reflection, telling him that the true "Ouyang Feng" and the Number One in the martial world was in the water, challenging him. The mad Ouyang Feng, confused about his own identity and asking "Who am I?" , fiercely engaged in a battle with his own reflection. Huang Rong, Hong Qigong, and Huang Yaoshi seized the opportunity to leave.
Huang Yaoshi praised Huang Rong's quick wit, acknowledging that without it, he and Hong Qigong might never have escaped. As they descended the mountain, Guo Jing mused that the title of "Number One" was empty and only drove people mad. Huang Yaoshi agreed, stating his purpose at Mount Hua was not for fame but to meet friends. Hong Qigong then revealed his true intention: he came to witness Guo Jing become the Number One.
He believed the younger generation should take over and that the Central Plains desperately needed someone like Guo Jing, who was both skilled in martial arts and upright in character. Hong Qigong wished for Guo Jing to lead the martial world against intruders and revive their land, becoming a true hero of their time. Guo Jing assured his master he would bear his teachings in mind.
After their serious conversation, Hong Qigong suddenly declared he was hungry and asked Huang Rong for her good dishes. Huang Rong laid out a lavish feast, offering Hong Qigong his favorite drumstick. However, he surprisingly claimed to have no appetite, stating it was the first time in his life he felt this way in front of good food. Huang Rong then teasingly went to retrieve another dish from the pot.
When she returned with it, the aroma immediately piqued Hong Qigong's interest. He recognized it as the "Poached Five Treasures," a dish he had longed for his entire life. Despite his earlier claims, he eagerly devoured it, proclaiming it better than anything made by imperial chefs and declaring he could "retire from the martial world" after tasting it. Huang Yaoshi then suggested that Guo Jing and Huang Rong return to Peach Blossom Island to finally marry.
Guo Jing, whose mother had passed away, agreed, deferring to his masters and future father-in-law. Huang Yaoshi decided to send someone to Jiaxing to inform Guo Jing's Master Ke Zhen'e. Their plans were interrupted by a familiar eagle's cry, delivering a letter from Hua Zheng. In her letter, Hua Zheng informed Guo Jing that Genghis Khan intended to attack Xiangyang, knowing of his loyalty to his country. The urgent news changed their plans entirely.
Huang Yaoshi instructed Guo Jing and Huang Rong to rush to Xiangyang. He advised them to help the local official guard the city if he was cooperative; otherwise, they should replace him and lead the people and soldiers themselves against the Mongolians. He also instructed Huang Rong to inform the northern branch of the Beggars' Sect to join the national effort. Guo Jing and Huang Rong immediately set off for Xiangyang. Along the way, they stopped at a mountain inn.
They heard a baby crying and soon saw Mu Nianci emerge, gently cradling the child. Guo Jing and Huang Rong were astonished to find her alive. Mu Nianci explained that after she jumped off the cliff, she was rescued by an elderly woman and later given an antidote by a traveling physician. She woke from a three-day coma, and the child was saved.
She had since stayed at the inn, helping the old woman to make a living, choosing not to return to Niu Village due to painful memories and preferring to focus on raising her child away from thoughts of Yang Kang. Guo Jing then gently broke the news of Yang Kang's death. Mu Nianci was heartbroken but, through her tears, admitted she had come to realize that it was Yang Kang's own greed and ambition that led to his tragic end.
She hoped he could find a better path in his next life. She asked Guo Jing to name her child. Guo Jing, reflecting on Yang Kang's family loyalty and unfortunate choices, named the boy Yang Guo, signifying "making amends for faults." He promised to teach Yang Guo all his martial arts when he grew up, hoping he would become loyal, devoted, and a protector of the innocent.
Guo Jing also gave Mu Nianci a dagger, the token of brotherhood between him and Yang Kang, explaining that weapons themselves hold no good or evil, only the person wielding them does. After bidding farewell to Mu Nianci, Guo Jing and Huang Rong sped towards Xiangyang. Upon arriving, they found the city bustling. They immediately sought out the Pacification Commissioner to report the enemy's approach and strategize defenses based on the Wumu Manual, hoping to save Xiangyang.
However, they were initially turned away by guards who claimed the commissioner only saw guests on specific days. Undeterred, they forced their way in and found the commissioner enjoying himself. Guo Jing tried to deliver his urgent military report about the Mongolian attack, but the commissioner was confused, mistaking them for Jins and disbelieving the Mongolians would attack after forming an alliance. Just then, a scout reported the Mongolians were only a few miles away, charging towards the city.
The commissioner, realizing his error, immediately panicked and ordered the gates shut, intending to flee. Huang Rong had the cowardly commissioner arrested. Guo Jing then addressed the disheartened Song soldiers, reminding them that Xiangyang was Song's protective barrier and that defending it meant protecting their own families. His impassioned speech, emphasizing that "If the city falls, the family is ruined," rallied their spirits, and the soldiers vowed to "Guard Xiangyang! Protect Song!"
Huang Rong then proposed a tactic from the Commentary of Zuo, "Xian Gao's Way," to buy them time. She disguised herself as the Pacification Commissioner, Lv Wende, and rode out to meet the Mongolian general. Presenting gold, silver, and jewels, she claimed the Song Emperor believed the Mongolians were attacking Jin via Xiangyang and offered these treasures as a token of appreciation. She then invited the general to the city tower for drinks, where General Meng Gong awaited.
The Mongolian commander, wary of a trap, politely declined, stating his troops had already set up camp outside the city, and left. Huang Rong knew her stratagem was merely a delaying tactic. The true solution was to capture the Mongolian commander. That night, Guo Jing infiltrated the Mongolian camp. To Guo Jing’s dismay, he discovered the commander was none other than his sworn brother, Tolui. They reunited, a poignant moment as old friends found themselves on opposing sides.
Tolui revealed that his father, Genghis Khan, was unwell, and he and Ögedei were leading the army. Guo Jing pleaded with Tolui to withdraw, appealing to their brotherhood. Tolui, torn, acknowledged their different loyalties—he was a Mongolian, and Guo Jing was a Song. He expressed sorrow at their predicament but declared he could not abandon his mission. Guo Jing, in turn, could not bear to see Song fall and its people suffer bloodshed.
They lamented their fate, remembering their childhood vow to be together through thick and thin, now bound by conflicting duties. They shared a solemn drink, knowing their next meeting would be on the battlefield. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a messenger reporting that Genghis Khan was gravely ill and summoned Tolui back immediately.
The Great Khan also expressed a strong desire to see Guo Jing one last time and instructed Tolui to bring him along if he was found in the south. Guo Jing informed Huang Rong of the situation, assuring her that Xiangyang was safe for the moment. He felt compelled to visit Genghis Khan one last time. Huang Rong, ever supportive, immediately agreed to accompany him. Guo Jing and Huang Rong traveled to Genghis Khan's camp.
The Great Khan, despite his illness, was excited to see Guo Jing and insisted on donning his armor. He invited Guo Jing for a walk, reminiscing about uniting all Mongolian tribes and his ambition to conquer the Central Plains. His weakened state was apparent when he missed a shot with his bow, noting it was his first miss in decades and that his end was near. He boasted about the vast empire he had built, unparalleled in history.
Guo Jing acknowledged his immense achievements but gently countered, reminding him of the countless lives lost and the orphans and widows left grieving due to years of war. Guo Jing asserted that a true hero does not merely fight wars but cares deeply for the people, possessing a compassionate heart, earning admiration in life and adoration in death. Genghis Khan, deeply affected, recalled Guo Jing's words from Samarkand about a hero needing a heart large enough to embrace all people.
He reflected on his own life, from his youthful ambition to be a grassland hero, through his conquests that earned him titles like "Wolf of Steppe" and "Pride of a Generation," to his current realization that he was just "an old man waiting to die." He pondered, "What is a hero? What does it take to be a big hero admired by everyone in this world?" In 1227 A. D.
, Genghis Khan passed away, concluding a life defined by conquest and the battlefield. It was said that until his last breath, Genghis Khan murmured the word "hero." Guo Jing reflected that while everyone desires to be a hero, a true hero's purpose is to save those suffering. He spoke to Huang Rong, admitting their plans to leave the martial world after Mount Hua had changed.
Huang Rong reassured him, stating she would follow him anywhere, content as long as they were together. Recognizing the unending misery of the people, Guo Jing declared their destination: Xiangyang. He acknowledged that while they alone might not be able to defend the entire Song dynasty, they could at least protect Xiangyang and shield its people from the ravages of war, allowing them to live in peace.
