Tiger and Crane Episode 23 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
Xiaoxuan's primordial spirit was rapidly dissipating, and the assembled group watched helplessly as it faded. Suddenly, Eldest Master burst in, using spirit essence given to him by Qi Wuji to protect Xiaoxuan's primordial spirit. Eldest Master explained that five hundred years ago, his master, Qi Wuji, infused this power into both him and Yi Mei, and recently, Yi Mei had transferred it from her body to his.
Eldest Master then revealed a blue Soul Lamp on Xiaoxuan's chest, which was the location of his primordial spirit. This method, Eldest Master warned, could only sustain Xiaoxuan for forty-nine days. After that period, the Soul Lamp would extinguish, and if Xiaoxuan's primordial spirit had not returned to his physical body by then, it would completely dissipate and cease to exist forever.
Later, Jiang Xici expressed her doubts to Eldest Master, questioning if he had been tricked by Yi Mei again. Eldest Master vehemently denied it, stating that the golden spirit essence was indeed Qi Wuji's, an authentic transfer. He explained that he had been captured by Yan after Yan took over Xiaoxuan's body. When Eldest Master refused to join their plans, Yan grew furious and abandoned him in a valley after leaving on a dragon.
Eldest Master then traveled back to the capital, only learning about the recent events at the Qi Mansion. Upon hearing that they were recovering the Phurba from Fulong Bay, he rushed over. Eldest Master confessed that he only knew Yi Mei harbored a deep obsession with her master, Ye Kongming, not returning to the mainland. He had no idea what she was plotting or why she went to Peak Valley, noting she had been conspiring for five centuries.
He recalled their departure from the island, where Yi Mei boarded the ship first with the child of Qi Wuji and Ye Kongming, while Qi Wuji and Ye Kongming, protecting everyone, did not successfully board the ship, throwing Eldest Master onto the ship at the last moment. He further explained that Yi Mei was originally Ye Kongming's doll, only taking human form in Peak Valley, and had no known external grievances or secrets.
Despite Yi Mei's complex motives, Eldest Master urged them to focus on reactivating the Phurba. The next morning, Hu Zi, Yuqian, and Ice Cube discovered Xiaoxuan was missing from his room and worried about him. They soon found him practicing sword skills outside. Xiaoxuan explained he had gone out alone to train, not wanting to disturb them. He acknowledged that while he was more comfortable than when he was a puppet, this body was still temporary.
He described his time as a puppet as depressing and helpless, feeling trapped and unable to act despite seeing and hearing the outside world. He expressed his gratitude for their support, affirming his commitment to living each day well for their sake, and asked them to join him in overcoming future challenges. Everyone was relieved to see Xiaoxuan recover, but he reminded them to keep the temporary nature of his body a secret.
Meanwhile, First Master, who was still unable to appear publicly, tasked Second Master with continuing to manage Disha Hall affairs. First Master and Second Master then summoned Zhao Xintong, informing her that the Emperor had decreed that the Three Main Halls nominate a new Chief Commanding Master. They both strongly suggested she contend for the position.
While acknowledging her capabilities and her past efforts in protecting the people and Tiangang Hall during the chaos, they emphasized the critical importance of the role. First Master explained that only the Chief Commanding Master could command armies and forge alliances with other states like Qianyu and Julun to confront their enemies. He stressed that if the Elder Council, who were power-hungry, seized the position, their plans would be thwarted. Convinced by the strategic necessity, Zhao Xintong agreed to try.
Separately, Cheng Shu brought his son, Cheng Jinian, to Yangming Hall. Cheng Shu informed Cheng Jinian that he and the other Elders had decided to nominate him for Chief Commanding Master. Cheng Jinian, however, expressed concern about Zhao Xintong's rising popularity among Royal Sorcerers. Cheng Shu advised him to suppress her influence before it grew too strong.
Meanwhile, Eldest Master observed Xiaoxuan's rapid recovery and movements, noting that they were beyond what a normal person could easily achieve, attributing it to his ancestor's divine power. However, he warned Xiaoxuan that excessively using his temporary body would accelerate the dissipation of his primordial spirit. Eldest Master promised to teach him mental methods to stabilize his primordial spirit, urging him not to be too hasty, and added that their journey to Peak Valley would need to be expedited.
First Master called for Hu Zi, explaining that despite various attempts, the Phurba remained inert. He asked Hu Zi to try activating it again, noting that Hu Zi no longer possessed the demonic tail but had previously reached the three levels of Phurba techniques. Hu Zi's attempt, however, also failed, confirming that the Phurba's spiritual power was completely drained. First Master expressed his confusion as to why Yi Mei would leave it there.
In Peak Valley, Yi Mei and Yan finally arrived. Yi Mei acknowledged that it had been five hundred years since she was last there. They soon encountered White Demons, whose weakness, Yi Mei revealed, lay in their hearing. They fought their way through, as Yi Mei stated that Peak Valley was the birthplace of demons and the key to the secret of Twin Primordial Spirits.
During their fight, a black-clad figure, identical in appearance to Moguzi but without albinism, emerged from behind the white demons. Back at the capital, First Master lamented the Phurba's unresponsiveness, noting that even Yi Mei had failed to activate it for five centuries until Hu Zi, with his immense demonic energy, successfully did so. He worried that no one else on the continent could serve as a suitable vessel, emphasizing that Xiaoxuan was running out of time.
Jiang Xici tried to activate the Phurba with captured demons but failed to awaken it. Therefore, First Master instructed Jiang Xici and Second Master to search for other secret methods in the Collection Pavilion. Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong and Xiao Yunzi continued to lead demon hunting patrols in the surrounding areas, questioning whether ordinary demons would be useful for activating the Phurba, although clearing them was deemed necessary. During a demon hunting patrol, Xiao Yunzi and Zhao Xintong encountered an ambush.
Xiao Yunzi reported that they were hit by poisoned needles, and when he regained consciousness, Zhao Xintong was gone. The attackers were masked, and their faces were unseen. Yuqian was instructed to care for the injured while Hu Zi and Xiao Yunzi set off to find Zhao Xintong. At the Tiangang Hall, the Elder Council convened a meeting of the camp commanders to discuss the nomination of the Chief Commanding Master.
When Xiao Yunzi was noted as absent, they proceeded without him, announcing their unanimous decision to nominate Cheng Jinian, citing his public efforts in providing relief to refugees. However, several camp commanders, including Wu Lidan, strongly disagreed, arguing that Cheng Jinian was merely campaigning for himself. They pointed out that Zhao Xintong had done much for the capital during the war and had been acting commander-in-chief, recommending her instead.
Debates arose, with some elders questioning a woman's capability to lead the state's sorcerer armies. Wu Lidan intervened, emphasizing that Zhao Xintong held the Commander-in-Chief Dragon Token, making her the legitimate acting commander-in-chief, and that her opinion should be consulted. After much dispute, the Elder Council, aware that Eunuch Liu from Di City was awaiting their decision, reluctantly agreed to wait until Shen Shi (3-5 PM).
If Zhao Xintong could return to the Tiangang Hall by then, they would reconsider the nomination. Cheng Jinian presented a recommendation letter, purportedly signed by the common people, to the Elders. He had obtained these signatures by forcing people to provide fingerprints after receiving his aid. The Elders were eager to use this to quickly confirm Cheng Jinian's appointment, suggesting they directly report to the Emperor without waiting for Zhao Xintong.
Wu Lidan, however, reminded them of their agreement to wait for Zhao Xintong until Shen Shi, pointing out that it was not yet time. The Elders reluctantly agreed to wait. Meanwhile, Hu Zi and Xiaoxuan, after finding evidence that the ambush was orchestrated by the Elder Council, deduced that Zhao Xintong was likely held by Cheng Jinian's people. They infiltrated a location filled with guards and successfully rescued Zhao Xintong.
Xiaoxuan instructed Hu Zi to take Zhao Xintong to the Tiangang Hall but chose not to accompany them himself, reasoning that his appearance with Yan and Yi Mei in the past would cause undue complications. At the Tiangang Hall, the Elders were growing impatient as Shen Shi approached. Wu Lidan continued to stall them, maintaining that it was not yet the appointed time. Just as the Elders were about to force the announcement of Cheng Jinian, Eunuch Liu arrived.
He revealed that Zhao Xintong had already informed him of all the Elder Council's illicit activities, including their scheme to harm the acting commander-in-chief and usurp the position of Chief Commanding Master. He presented witnesses who, under Hu Zi's interrogation, had confessed. Cheng Shu attempted to take full responsibility to protect his son, Cheng Jinian, but Eunuch Liu declared that all involved would face severe consequences, including the punishment of their entire families.
Eunuch Liu then formally congratulated Zhao Xintong on her promotion to Chief Commanding Master, marking her as the first woman to hold the position in a hundred years. As they departed, Hu Zi warned Cheng Jinian of retribution if Zhao Xintong had been harmed. Zhao Xintong, overwhelmed by the new responsibility, expressed her uncertainties, but her friends reassured her, promising to be her unwavering support in all future endeavors.
