Tiger and Crane Episode 10 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
Cheng Jinian, convinced that Hu Zi was involved in Shan Cha’s death and perhaps even collaborated with a demon, publicly ridiculed and confronted him, warning Zhao Xintong not to be swayed and risk her Royal Sorcerer Exam. Qi Xiaoxuan stepped in to defend Hu Zi, urging Cheng Jinian not to jump to conclusions before the truth was known.
Cheng Jinian, however, remained aggressive, accusing Qi Xiaoxuan, a descendant of the Qi Sect and commander of the Royal Sorcerers, of blindly defending Hu Zi, who had caused much trouble since arriving in the capital, leading to Qi Xiaoxuan’s corporal punishment and now dragging him into Shan Cha's demise. Hu Zi, angered by the accusations, was ready to fight, but Qi Xiaoxuan restrained him. Wang Yuqian intervened, advising Cheng Jinian to leave before things escalated.
Zhao Xintong also tried to de-escalate the situation, acknowledging their limited time. Wang Yuqian then distracted Cheng Jinian by mentioning a promised "sensual art book" which turned out to be misleading sacred texts, effectively deflecting his anger and convincing him to depart, albeit with a threat to see what Hu Zi could accomplish. Hu Zi insisted that Zhao Xintong and Wang Yuqian prioritize their Royal Sorcerer Exam and not get involved in the horse demon case.
However, both refused to step aside, asserting that catching demons was the responsibility of all sorcerers, not just Hu Zi's. They pointed out that Hu Zi's return to the inn was suspicious and that given the time constraints, splitting up was the most efficient plan. Qi Xiaoxuan and Hu Zi decided to retrace Hu Zi's steps to the ghost market, suspecting the horse demon had a specific purpose for being there.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong and Wang Yuqian would question shops that were open around dawn, hoping someone had seen the horse demon send Hu Zi back. High in a mountain hollow, Yi Mei and Xing Zhi surveyed the entirety of Fulong Capital. Xing Zhi updated Yi Mei about Hu Zi’s involvement in the sorcerer murder case, mentioning he was a primary suspect and that Qi Xiaoxuan's group had only one day left of the three-day deadline set by Qi Zilu.
Yi Mei remained indifferent, stating there was no need to intervene unless the Phurba was threatened. She believed the opposing faction had exposed themselves and that strategic sacrifices might be necessary. She then instructed Xing Zhi to decorate their garden with camellias, a flower her Master particularly favored. At the ghost market, Qi Xiaoxuan and Hu Zi investigated the alley where Hu Zi was attacked, looking for any clues about the horse demon's activities.
They questioned a local vendor who hadn't seen any demons but mentioned singers from the Wanchun Pavillion performing with demon masks. Suddenly, they spotted a suspicious individual running. After a chase, they apprehended him, only to discover he was not the horse demon but a child trafficker. They immediately arrested him for daring to sell children under the Tiangang Hall's jurisdiction.
Elsewhere, Zhao Xintong and Wang Yuqian found little success in their inquiries, showing shopkeepers a rough drawing of Hu Zi and a furry demon, but getting no useful information. Feeling frustrated, Zhao Xintong excused herself to investigate other areas alone. While questioning beggars in the slums with her drawing, a scream alerted Zhao Xintong to the presence of a demon. She sent someone to alert other sorcerers and confronted the horse demon herself.
In the ensuing fight, she managed to stab its left arm. By the time Qi Xiaoxuan and Hu Zi arrived, the horse demon had already escaped. Zhao Xintong informed them of the injury and suggested that a quick, one-by-one search of all Royal Sorcerers would surely reveal the horse demon.
Qi Xiaoxuan acknowledged the urgency but highlighted the bureaucratic hurdle: such a search required the full cooperation and approval of the Three Main Halls—Disha Hall (managed by his grandmother, who was more approachable) and Yanluo Hall, which strictly adhered to procedures and required the Council of Elders' consent. Hu Zi became impatient, arguing that following such a lengthy process would allow the horse demon to escape. Qi Xiaoxuan agreed, concluding that desperate times called for desperate measures.
Qi Xiaoxuan then declared that they would immediately begin a comprehensive search of all Royal Sorcerers from the Three Main Halls, requesting Yanluo Hall's cooperation but stating they would proceed regardless. He promised to apologize to Senior Zhi Xie, the chief of Yanluo Hall, later, emphasizing that missing this opportunity would lead to more sorcerer deaths. Inside Yanluo Hall, Hu Zi and Zhao Xintong searched, but found no sorcerer with an injured left arm.
They realized that Old Zhang, a senior member from the Demon Burning Pagoda, was missing. Other sorcerers tried to dissuade them from investigating him, citing his long service. However, just as they insisted on checking, Old Zhang appeared, apologizing for his delay in catching an escaped water spirit. He displayed his left arm, which showed no trace of injury.
The Yanluo Hall officials immediately seized on this, reprimanding Qi Xiaoxuan for his unauthorized and unproductive inspection, questioning his authority, and mocking the Tiangang Hall's reputation. Despite Qi Xiaoxuan's explanation that strict adherence to procedure would allow the horse demon to escape, his father, Qi Zilu, ordered Qi Yanran to confiscate Qi Xiaoxuan's Fulong Token, temporarily stripping him of his commander rank and control over Tiangang Hall sorcerers.
He gave them until midnight to solve the horse demon case, threatening imprisonment for all involved if they failed, and assigned Qi Yanran to take over the case afterward. Later, Qi Xiaoxuan's grandmother, Jiang Xici, comforted him, expressing regret for not intervening sooner due to the Tiangang Hall's reputation, but promised to support him now that his father was pressuring him. She assured him that Disha Hall would assist, sending all case documents their way.
Despite his suspension, many sorcerers voluntarily continued to follow Qi Xiaoxuan. While distributing porridge to beggars in Fulong City, Mu Dan encountered Qi Xiaoxuan. She explained that her widespread network among the commoners and beggars provided her with valuable information. Qi Xiaoxuan shared his frustration that despite injuring the horse demon, they found no injured sorcerers.
Back at Disha Hall, after reviewing lists of recently captured demons, Qi Xiaoxuan discovered a crucial pattern: a sorcerer consistently went missing within a day or even hours after a demon was captured and sent to the Demon Burning Pagoda. This strong correlation led them to suspect foul play within the Demon Burning Pagoda itself, suggesting the killer might be hiding there.
However, they recognized that investigating the Demon Burning Pagoda, a crucial stronghold for imprisoning demons and under the jurisdiction of Yanluo Hall, would be exceedingly difficult, especially after Qi Xiaoxuan's recent reprimand. With the midnight deadline fast approaching, waiting for official approval was not an option. Understanding the urgency, Qi Xiaoxuan immediately went to Tiangang Hall with his grandmother, Jiang Xici, hoping to persuade his father, Qi Zilu, to authorize an immediate investigation into the Demon Burning Pagoda.
Meanwhile, back at the inn, Cheng Jinian continued to taunt Hu Zi, accusing him of being the killer and threatening him with imprisonment if he failed by midnight. Zhao Xintong tried to mediate, and Hu Zi assured everyone he would not give up before the deadline. Privately, Hu Zi grew impatient, wondering if his own mother might be imprisoned in the pagoda. He declared that if Qi Xiaoxuan didn't return within the hour, he would act independently.
At the Demon Burning Pagoda, Hu Zi found Qi Xiaoxuan already attempting to enter, having failed to secure his father's cooperation. Despite the guards, Qi Xiaoxuan was determined to break in. Zhao Xintong soon arrived and selflessly engaged the guards, allowing Hu Zi and Qi Xiaoxuan to proceed into the pagoda. Inside, Old Zhang confronted them.
Qi Xiaoxuan apologized for their unauthorized entry, explaining the gravity of the sorcerer murders and their suspicion that an escaped demon from the pagoda was responsible. Old Zhang, feigning indignation, eventually granted them permission to search, claiming he had nothing to hide and full control over the imprisoned demons. During their search, they encountered a snake demon that used seduction. A moment later, a leaf fell from Old Zhang's person.
Old Zhang quickly threw it into a fire, dismissing it as a common weed. However, Qi Xiaoxuan detected a unique herbal scent and suspected it was more than just a weed, noting Old Zhang's haste in burning it. They questioned Old Zhang about having seen a horse demon or tiger demon, but he vehemently denied it, claiming intimate knowledge of every demon within the pagoda. Leaving the pagoda, they concluded Old Zhang was highly suspicious.
Hu Zi noted that Old Zhang's physique resembled the suspicious figure he had followed in the ghost market. Qi Xiaoxuan believed the leaf was significant, perhaps a healing herb, and suggested Zuisheng Hall in the ghost market might hold answers. After leaving the pagoda, Old Zhang proceeded to absorb the essence of another sorcerer.
He then met with his Master, who warned him that Tiangang Hall was already suspicious and that no mistakes could be tolerated before their grand plan was fully implemented. Old Zhang reassured his Master that it was almost complete. Later, Qi Xiaoxuan, Hu Zi, Zhao Xintong, and Mu Dan converged on Old Zhang's residence, seeking concrete evidence, as Old Zhang's seniority in Yanluo Hall prevented them from acting without proof.
Inside, they discovered Old Zhang's paranoid nature: he used Fragrant Soul Herb as incense to conceal his demonic aura, a scent Hu Zi recognized from his fight with the horse demon. As they searched, Old Zhang unexpectedly returned. The four quickly hid, waiting for an opportune moment. They considered confronting him directly but recognized his formidable strength, realizing they would need more than just brute force.
