Tiger and Crane Episode 21 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
Hu Zi woke from his unconscious state to find Cheng Jinian and his guards forcibly arresting him, accusing him of rebellion and massacring the capital's citizens. Meanwhile, Commander-in-Chief Zhao Xintong was denied entry to the prison to see Hu Zi. As she attempted to force her way in, Wang Yuqian intervened, explaining that the Elder Council had explicitly forbidden visitors, especially her, fearing her close relationship with Hu Zi would lead to impropriety and disgrace the Royal Sorcerers.
Wang Yuqian revealed that the Council saw Zhao Xintong's appointment as commander-in-chief as a direct affront, and they were deliberately setting a trap, hoping she would make a mistake. Breaking into the prison now would not only fail to rescue Hu Zi but also jeopardize their larger plan to capture Yi Mei. Hu Zi, though imprisoned, was safe for the moment, and a different strategy was needed to free him.
In his prison cell, Hu Zi was determined not to succumb to despair. He knew he needed to escape to rescue his mother, White Tiger, from Qianyu and Peak Valley. He lamented his lack of knowledge, wishing he had studied more. Meanwhile, the Elder Council deliberated on Hu Zi's fate, facing public outrage over their perceived failure to protect the city. Some argued for his immediate execution, citing the Chief Commander's stance that all demons must die.
Cheng Shu, son of one of the elders, suggested keeping Hu Zi imprisoned indefinitely, hoping to lure his accomplices into a trap for a mass arrest. However, the elders, wanting to eliminate future threats, ultimately decided against prolonged imprisonment. Shortly after, an assassin from the Elder Council's guards attempted to strangle Hu Zi in his cell. This attack triggered a protective mechanism within Hu Zi, causing him to exhibit overwhelming power, nearly killing his assailant.
Zhao Xintong and Wang Yuqian, having arrived at the prison, found Hu Zi in a trance-like state, his enhanced power making him mistake them for enemies. Zhao Xintong's persistent calls, however, eventually broke through his disorientation, restoring his clarity. The assassin quickly returned to Tiangang Hall to report his failed attempt to the elders, claiming Hu Zi became "possessed" and overwhelmingly powerful. Moments later, Zhao Xintong and Wang Yuqian arrived with Hu Zi, directly confronting the elders.
Zhao Xintong accused the Council of using private force, presenting the rope the guard used to try and kill Hu Zi. Wang Yuqian, having observed that the assassin's boots matched those of the Elder Council's guards, further questioned why all the prison guards had withdrawn when they arrived, suggesting a pre-arranged plot. When the elders demanded proof, the assassin, visibly terrified by Hu Zi's mere presence, confessed to attempting murder.
Elder Cheng Shu immediately distanced the Council from the assassin's actions, calling it a personal vendetta, then turned to reiterate Hu Zi's alleged crimes of conspiracy. Zhao Xintong fiercely defended Hu Zi, highlighting his past heroic deeds in Ruyun Village, Babao Town, and the capital, asking why he would save people if he harbored ill intent.
She dramatically declared that if the Council continued to listen to rumors and harm the loyal, she would not accept her position as acting commander-in-chief. Hu Zi then spoke, acknowledging his lineage as the son of a tiger demon, but firmly stating that he was raised among humans in Ruyun Village and had never harmed anyone.
Despite an elder's skepticism about his future intentions, a multitude of sorcerers from Yanluo Hall, Disha Hall, and Tiangang Hall, whom Hu Zi had previously aided, flooded the hall to vouch for his character and plead for his release. Faced with such overwhelming public support, the Elder Council relented, agreeing to release Hu Zi, though one elder privately expressed concern about "storing up trouble for the future" by setting him free.
After his release, Hu Zi thanked the sorcerers who had come to his aid. Outside the hall, Xiao Yunzi approached Wang Yuqian, urging him to return to Qianyu State, citing the king's concern over his involvement in Fulong's chaos. Wang Yuqian, secretly a Prince, reiterated his need to stay, stating Hu Zi's unstable condition and nearly transforming.
Hu Zi, deeply troubled by his momentary loss of control and the demonic blood flowing within him, asked Zhao Xintong to promise to kill him if he ever fully succumbed and harmed innocent people. Haunted by a voice he recalled, seemingly from Yan, telling him to retrieve Qi Xiaoxuan's body from the Black Water Pool, Hu Zi immediately set off. Meanwhile, Qi Yanran awoke, having been saved by a mysterious woman.
She learned from her rescuer that Yi Mei had escaped, splitting open the Netherworld Sea and heading towards Peak Valley. Despite her injuries, Qi Yanran immediately declared her intention to return to the Qi Mansion. Arriving at the Black Water Pool, Hu Zi discovered a wooden puppet that surprisingly spoke, revealing itself to be Qi Xiaoxuan. His primordial spirit had been sealed within it by Yi Mei.
Qi Xiaoxuan explained the "choose between two" destiny of the Qi Sect, where one sibling was destined to disappear, and this time it was his turn. Hu Zi refused to accept this, declaring there was still hope and he would help Xiaoxuan break his fate with Yan. Hu Zi then brought the puppet back to the bamboo house, where Zhao Xintong and Wang Yuqian, though initially startled, quickly accepted the extraordinary truth.
Xiaoxuan, in his new form, inquired about Qi Yanran, his father, and his grandmother, Jiang Xici. Hu Zi's friends revealed that Qi Yanran had defected to Yi Mei's side, and that Xiaoxuan's father and the First Master were recuperating from minor injuries sustained in the recent conflict. However, they deliberately concealed the truth about Jiang Xici's uncertain fate to spare Xiaoxuan distress. Qi Xiaoxuan attempted to control his new puppet body, struggling initially.
He also expressed a sense of responsibility for Yan's current state, believing his choices may have led to their predicament. Wang Yuqian offered to find someone from Qianyu State to teach him telekinesis, encouraging him to start with basic movements. Hu Zi further motivated Xiaoxuan by likening his own journey from a "loser" to Xiaoxuan's current situation, emphasizing that "We're the masters of our own fate."
As Qi Yanran attempted to return to her family's manor, she found it being looted by opportunistic thieves. Servants had fled, and she was quickly discovered and relentlessly pursued by sorcerers, now a notorious fugitive. Cornered and at her wits' end, she was rescued once more by the mysterious woman.
This woman, who was Jiang Xici in a rejuvenated form, confronted Qi Yanran about her betrayal, reminding her that her actions had led to the Qi family's downfall and her current plight. Jiang Xici severely criticized Yanran's arrogance and recklessness, stating that her resentment towards her grandmother and her desperate attempt to prove herself had only brought disaster. She urged Qi Yanran to atone for her mistakes and become the Qi family's last hope.
Later, this rejuvenated Jiang Xici met with Mo Guzi, who confirmed that his Mo family's forbidden medical art had saved her life after her fall, "reversing her meridians and bringing her back to the original state," thereby restoring her youthful appearance. Mo Guzi also admitted this was his first time using the secretly learned forbidden art. This transformation ensured no one would recognize her.
Jiang Xici, now appearing as a young woman, cautioned Mo Guzi against revealing her true identity, especially to Qi Yanran, due to the widespread unrest and many prying eyes. She also mused on the state of affairs in the capital, noting the corruption of the Elder Council and expressing a desire to connect with Zhao Xintong, whom she saw as a promising new leader capable of revitalizing the stagnant power structure.
