Tiger and Crane Episode 22 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
At the tombstone erected for Jiang Xici, the First Master of Disha Hall, the Second Master recalls how decades ago, Jiang Xici defied her family to become a Royal Sorcerer in the capital. He, a parentless servant, followed her, willing to endure any hardship. He continues to view her as more than just the First Master; she was the noble lady who vowed to eradicate injustice.
He remembers her teaching him that men should not cry easily, which is why he has never shed tears. He solemnly promises to avenge her death by confronting Yi Mei. Wang Yuqian then proposes a bold plan to construct a long suspension bridge over the Netherworld Sea, connecting Fulong Bay and Peak Valley, to safely transport sorcerers. He claims this method successfully links Qianyu State and Fulong State.
However, the Second Master swiftly dismisses the idea, explaining that the Netherworld Sea's intense flames would incinerate any bridge. He also points out that Wang Yuqian's drawing inaccurately portrays the distance between Fulong Bay and Peak Valley as far shorter than reality. Soon after, Mo Guzi arrives, stating he has recovered from past injuries. He introduces his distant niece, Mo Lingzhi, a skilled practitioner of demon-subduing magic who has extensively studied ancient texts, including those concerning Peak Valley.
Zhao Xintong expresses her admiration for Mo Lingzhi’s vast knowledge. The Second Master observes Mo Lingzhi’s striking resemblance to a young Jiang Xici and subtly inquires if she has any Southern relatives named Jiang. Mo Lingzhi gracefully denies this, clarifying that their surnames are homophones but spelled differently. Zhao Xintong mentions her unsuccessful attempt to persuade the Council of Elders to launch an expedition to Peak Valley.
Mo Lingzhi affirms Zhao Xintong’s initiative, stressing that Yi Mei’s grand scheme necessitates their immediate action to breach the Netherworld Sea and stop her, even with limited sorcerers. She explains that 500 years ago, the sorcerer leader Qi Wuji used the divine Phurba to slay the Demon Emperor, whose blood formed the Netherworld Sea.
Yi Mei, having activated the Phurba, intends to use it to create a path through the sea, so they, too, must retrieve the Phurba from the Netherworld Sea to advance to Peak Valley. Everyone agrees this is the crucial first step. The group proceeds to Fulong Bay, initiating the search for Red Pearl fragments around the Netherworld Sea, hoping to assemble a miniature formation capable of withstanding the sea’s fiery assault and retrieving the Phurba.
The task is recognized as perilous, given the scarcity of complete Red Pearls and the inherent danger of venturing into the Netherworld Sea. In their downtime, Hu Zi patiently helps the puppet, Qian, practice walking, affectionately calling him "Ice Cube." He diligently cleans Qian after a fall, treating him with the same care as a human.
Despite Hu Zi’s unwavering encouragement, Qian feels profound despair, believing himself useless without a dantian, meridians, or true Chi, asserting that without a physical body, his existence is meaningless. His frustration peaks when he spots a snake nearing Hu Zi but is powerless to warn or defend him. Hu Zi carries the dejected puppet back to the inn, where they encounter Mo Lingzhi. Hu Zi defends Qian, asserting he is his friend and was harmed by demons.
He then asks Mo Lingzhi for help, noting her vast knowledge. Mo Lingzhi, after a brief examination, discerns Qian’s primordial spirit is incredibly faint and warns that without a suitable physical vessel, his existence will soon fade. Hu Zi attempts to lift Qian’s spirits by presenting him with new clothes, identical to his old ones, reminding him that despite his current form, he is still Qi Xiaoxuan, a proud descendant of the Qi family and a Royal Sorcerer commander.
However, Qian remains deeply despondent, withdrawing from everyone, including Zhao Xintong and Wang Yuqian, preferring to be left alone. Hu Zi and Zhao Xintong worry about his pervasive negativity, noting that as Qi Xiaoxuan, he is accustomed to leadership and is struggling with his inability to contribute in his puppet body. Hu Zi stresses the urgency of their mission to retrieve Qi Xiaoxuan’s body from Peak Valley, as Mo Lingzhi confirmed his primordial spirit is weakening.
News then reaches Hu Zi and Zhao Xintong that Xiao Yunzi, the commander of the Red Camp, and Wang Yuqian, whom Hu Zi and Zhao Xintong affectionately call "Brick," have departed without a word. Hu Zi defends Wang Yuqian, convinced he would not abandon them, while Zhao Xintong speculates he might have a compelling, unspoken reason for his sudden departure. They agree that finding the Phurba remains their immediate priority.
Their spirits lift when Wang Yuqian and Xiao Yunzi unexpectedly return, bearing seven high-quality Red Pearls—a miraculous discovery given the general scarcity of fragments. Wang Yuqian then reveals his true identity: he is the Prince of Qianyu State.
He clarifies that he had written to his father, who dispatched the Red Pearls to the border, and he and Xiao Yunzi, who is actually Guard Yun sent by the King to protect him, had gone to retrieve them, not to desert their allies. The group expresses their gratitude for Qianyu State's crucial assistance, lightheartedly warning Wang Yuqian against any future unannounced departures.
The urgency of their mission intensifies as Mo Lingzhi highlights that Qian’s puppet body has limited time, prompting Mo Guzi to begin constructing the Red Pearl formation with the Thousand Thread. Qian, still withdrawn, overhears a conversation among the group discussing the tragic fall of the Qi Sect: Jiang Xici, the First Master, was killed by Yi Mei, and Qi Zilu, the Chief Commander, along with Zhi Xie, perished in the Netherworld Sea.
Overwhelmed by this devastating news, Qian cries out in disbelief, demanding to know if his father and grandmother are truly gone. Mo Guzi presents the completed micro formation, composed of the seven Red Pearls. He explains that entering it will protect one from the Netherworld Sea’s flames, but the formation’s integrity can only be maintained for approximately an hour. Failure to exit within this timeframe will cause the formation to shrink and collapse, leaving the person vulnerable.
Zhao Xintong expresses deep concern over the brief duration and asks if it can be extended, but Mo Guzi confirms it is the absolute limit. Both Hu Zi and Zhao Xintong volunteer to enter the Netherworld Sea to retrieve the Phurba. Hu Zi asserts his agility and small stature make him the ideal candidate for controlling the miniature formation, which he practices with, despite its erratic movements.
Meanwhile, at Jiang Xici’s tomb, Qi Yanran confronts the headstone with bitter words, accusing Jiang Xici of dying too easily, despite her legendary power. She recalls Jiang Xici’s preference for Fei and the two blades Jiang Xici had gifted them.
Qi Yanran laments Jiang Xici’s disapproval of her "domineering" nature and her own relentless efforts to defy Jiang Xici’s wishes, yet rising through the ranks to become Commander-in-Chief, all without ever receiving a word of praise, feeling overshadowed by Qi Xiaoxuan. She states her life, saved by Jiang Xici, will be a debt she repays. The Second Master appears, confirming that Jiang Xici’s body was never found, suggesting it may have been consumed by demons or destroyed.
Qi Yanran expresses disbelief, speculating that Jiang Xici might still be alive and challenging her to appear. The Second Master urges her to be calm, stating that if Jiang Xici were alive, she would have returned to Disha Hall. He tells her that she took a wrong step that led to the downfall of the Qi Sect and Jiang Xici’s death.
Despite the capital’s hunt for Qi Yanran, the Second Master refuses to arrest her, acknowledging her as the last remaining bloodline of the Qi family. He urges her to leave the capital, but Qi Yanran defiantly refuses, declaring she has her own path to follow. The Second Master arrives to provide support for the perilous mission. As Hu Zi prepares, exhausted from practicing with the formation, they suddenly discover the Red Pearl formation is gone, along with Qi Xiaoxuan.
A frantic search confirms their fears: Qi Xiaoxuan, in his puppet form, has taken the formation and bravely entered the Netherworld Sea alone. Rushing to the Netherworld Sea, they witness the Phurba surface, but Qi Xiaoxuan remains submerged. Realizing Qi Xiaoxuan sacrificed himself to retrieve the Phurba, Hu Zi is consumed by a desperate urgency.
Despite Zhao Xintong's pleas not to commit suicide by entering the now almost destroyed formation, Hu Zi, unwavering in his resolve to save his friend, plunges into the fiery depths of the Netherworld Sea. Moments later, he emerges, clutching Qi Xiaoxuan’s barely discernible primordial spirit. Mo Lingzhi immediately intervenes, temporarily stabilizing Qi Xiaoxuan’s precarious primordial spirit. She warns that his puppet body is now useless, and without a suitable new vessel, his spirit will dissipate.
Qi Xiaoxuan, overcome with despair, questions why Hu Zi risked his life for him, believing himself utterly useless and only wanting to perform one final act of contribution. Hu Zi vehemently rejects his self-pity, reminding Qi Xiaoxuan that they never gave up on finding his body and that he has no right to quit.
Qi Xiaoxuan admits he believed he was a burden, especially after the loss of his father and grandmother, and feared his limited time would only hinder them. At this crucial moment, Mo Guzi tearfully reveals the stunning truth: Mo Lingzhi is none other than Jiang Xici, Qi Xiaoxuan’s grandmother. He explains that after Yi Mei injured her, he used a forbidden Mo family technique to revive her, though it reversed her meridians, causing her to de-age to eighteen years old.
A stunned Qi Xiaoxuan now understands Mo Lingzhi’s striking resemblance to his younger grandmother. With Jiang Xici herself now present and alive, everyone, including Jiang Xici, rallies around Qi Xiaoxuan, urging him to hold onto hope. They assure him that if Jiang Xici could be saved, anything is possible, promising to find him a new body and reminding him of their shared promise to visit Zuihua House. Jiang Xici sternly tells her grandson that she saved his life, and he must live. Despite the renewed hope, Qi Xiaoxuan’s primordial spirit continues to weaken.
