Tiger and Crane Episode 2 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
In Ruyun Village, villagers, controlled by a Blood-absorbing Demon, attacked Hu Zi. Zhao Xintong intervened, effortlessly tossing some of them aside, while Hu Zi pleaded with her, Qi Xiaoxuan, and the Eldest Master not to harm the innocent villagers. He understood they were under the demon's influence, and as a result, the group, despite their formidable skills, held back their full power, which put them at a disadvantage.
Hu Zi, lacking any magical abilities, was soon overwhelmed by the frenzied villagers. However, a strange internal power surged within him, sending the villagers flying. His eyes glowed with an unusual light, and he instantly perceived the Red Pearl within Doggie. Qi Xiaoxuan quickly realized that the Blood-absorbing Demon had possessed Doggie and urged Hu Zi to retrieve the Red Pearl. Hu Zi hesitated, knowing that removing the pearl would kill the boy.
Qi Xiaoxuan pressed him, stating that Doggie was no longer himself and that the entire village would perish if Hu Zi didn't act. After a moment of painful inner conflict, Hu Zi struck Doggie. The Red Pearl was dislodged, and the Blood-absorbing Demon was forcefully expelled from Doggie's body. There was no time for sorrow as Hu Zi immediately engaged the Blood-absorbing Demon, while Qi Xiaoxuan, Zhao Xintong, and the Eldest Master fought to contain the enraged villagers.
Despite his ordinary human body, Hu Zi was soon overwhelmed by the demon, spitting blood, yet he fiercely clutched the Red Pearl, refusing to surrender it. In an act of desperation to prevent the demon from seizing it, he swallowed the Red Pearl whole.
The Eldest Master observed that Hu Zi possessed a peculiar bone structure; unlike ordinary people who would instantly perish from swallowing such a powerful yang object, Hu Zi's divine power surged, allowing him to not only survive but also defeat the Blood-absorbing Demon, which was swiftly pierced through the heart and disintegrated. With the demon destroyed, the villagers regained their senses. Doggie's mother cradled her deceased child, weeping uncontrollably and vehemently accusing Hu Zi of murder.
Other villagers joined in, blaming Hu Zi for bringing the Red Pearl and the resulting disaster to Ruyun Village, claiming he was a jinx. The Eldest Master explained that although Hu Zi was uniquely resilient, the Lock Yuan Curse he had previously cast would only temporarily prevent the Red Pearl from harming Hu Zi. It needed to be removed within days, or it would absorb all of Hu Zi's essence, causing him to explode.
The Eldest Master suggested a senior expert in magical artifacts and techniques, known as Yi Mei Fairy, residing in the nearby Babao Town, might have a solution. Qi Xiaoxuan initially expressed concern about delaying their critical mission concerning the Netherworld Sea but ultimately agreed to a maximum three-day detour to Babao Town, stating he would return to the Fulong Capital with the Red Pearl regardless of the outcome.
The villagers, unified in their grief and anger, demanded Hu Zi's immediate banishment. Granny, who had raised Hu Zi, tearfully bade him farewell, acknowledging that while the village no longer needed him, the outside world did. As they began their journey, Hu Zi struggled with the emotional toll and physical exhaustion. Qi Xiaoxuan, frustrated by Hu Zi's slow pace and complaints, as he was deliberately slacking, temporarily unsealed the Lock Yuan Curse.
He explained that within ten steps of him, the yang energy of the Red Pearl inside Hu Zi would explode. Hu Zi, fearing for his life, had no choice but to follow closely. During their journey, Hu Zi inquired about Qi Xiaoxuan's identity, learning that he was an Imperial Demonologist serving the Tiangang Hall. Hu Zi, expressing a long-held dream of becoming an Imperial Demonologist, humbly requested Qi Xiaoxuan's guidance.
The Eldest Master then proudly revealed that Qi Xiaoxuan was not only a descendant of the Ancestral Demonologist Qi Wuji but also the commander of the Imperial Demonologists. Upon arriving in Babao Town, Zhao Xintong, whose family resided there, excused herself to check on them, promising to visit after they had seen Yi Mei Fairy.
The Eldest Master then directed them to the most magnificent building in town, explaining it was Yi Mei Fairy's home, as she was renowned as the unique "Illusionary Treasure Demonologist" who crafted powerful magic weapons. The Eldest Master mentioned his own past as Qi Wuji's magic weapon and Yi Mei's connection to Ye Kongming, one of the five young heroes of the Battle of Peak Valley, implying a long-standing acquaintance.
Upon meeting Yi Mei Fairy's aide, Xing Zhi, they were ushered inside. When Yi Mei Fairy appeared, she immediately perceived the Red Pearl within Hu Zi, but also noted a powerful, pervasive demon aura inside him. Yi Mei Fairy revealed that the presence of the demon aura prevented her from directly removing the Red Pearl. She possessed a magic weapon capable of suppressing this aura, which was necessary before the Red Pearl could be extracted.
However, she explained her strict rule: any seeker of her treasures must first win a tournament held at the town's fighting altar, which was conveniently scheduled for the following day. Hu Zi was reluctant, feeling exhausted from the previous day's ordeal and doubting his ability to fight.
He pressed the Eldest Master, asking if his ancient power could help, but the Eldest Master regretfully stated that his power was diminished from the Battle of Peak Valley, forcing him to regularly revert to his brush form for recuperation, and thus he could neither suppress the demon aura nor remove the Red Pearl. Hu Zi then turned to Qi Xiaoxuan, who admitted he had never encountered such a peculiar demon aura.
Despite Hu Zi's continued reluctance, the Eldest Master emphasized Yi Mei Fairy's unyielding nature regarding her rules, asserting that no one could persuade her otherwise. He then suggested that Qi Xiaoxuan train Hu Zi to prepare him for the fighting altar. Qi Xiaoxuan was initially unwilling, and Hu Zi was equally resistant to his teaching, finding his explanations of "yin and yang qi" and "essence" too complex.
The two bickered, leading Hu Zi to declare he would simply fight the tournament relying on brute force, much as he had against the Blood-absorbing Demon. Growing increasingly frustrated with Qi Xiaoxuan, Hu Zi directly asked the Eldest Master to teach him instead. The Eldest Master, recognizing Hu Zi's innate talent, agreed to take him as a disciple, making him Qi Xiaoxuan's junior apprentice. While Qi Xiaoxuan consented to this arrangement, he sternly reiterated that he still required the Red Pearl in three days, regardless of the training or the tournament outcome.
