Tiger and Crane Episode 4 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
After a seemingly easy victory achieved through trickery in a public display, Yi Mei assessed Hu Zi, wondering if he was truly the person they sought. A quick test, she concluded, would reveal the truth. Meanwhile, in the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Xintong hid. From her hiding place, she softly spoke to her late mother Yue's memorial tablet, acknowledging she had broken her spear but had also slain a demon and saved lives, just as Yue once did.
She vowed to find a way to repair the spear. Her father, Zhao Haotian, then entered the room, speaking to his deceased wife. He reiterated that, according to Yue's dying wish ten years prior, he had stopped teaching their daughter, Tong, martial arts. He proudly noted that Tong had grown into a fine young woman, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, unlike her mother who loved wielding weapons.
He expressed a wish that Yue could see Tong now, and reaffirmed his decade-long commitment to finding Black Wind to avenge her death, no matter how far he had to chase. Overhearing her father's words, Xintong was deeply moved. Hu Zi, having won a good opportunity but given it away, was chided by Eldest Master. Hu Zi explained that he had promised Zhao Xintong to let her have the magical item, valuing his word.
He acknowledged the importance of retrieving the Red Pearl to address the Netherworld Sea issue, but emphasized that Xintong’s spear, her mother’s last memento, was equally crucial. He recounted how she broke it saving him, and having lost his own mother at a young age, he understood her feelings.
Qi Xiaoxuan expressed concern about Hu Zi's excessive Yang energy, fearing he wouldn't even reach the capital, Fulong, where they hoped to find a way to suppress his demon aura, a task Yi Mei, with her five centuries of cultivation, might also struggle with. Hu Zi, however, assured them that the enchantment he had been taught was effective in suppressing his discomfort through meditation, though Eldest Master warned it wasn't a permanent solution.
Ultimately, Hu Zi declared that if no method was found in the capital to remove the Red Pearl, they could dissect him, as he wouldn't delay their important mission. He then dismissed them to rest. Qi Xiaoxuan, however, remained determined to retrieve the Red Pearl the following day, stressing its urgency. The next morning, Zhao Xintong met with Hu Zi and Qi Xiaoxuan.
She had deliberated all night and decided the Red Pearl was indeed more vital, as the Netherworld Sea matter couldn't wait. She would find another time to explain to her father and repair her spear. Hu Zi tried to dissuade her, concerned someone might have influenced her, but Xintong insisted it was her own decision. Together, they went to visit Yi Mei Fairy. They found her gravely injured.
She revealed that Black Wind, the Demon Lord who had disappeared for ten years, had reappeared in Babao Town and attacked her. News of the Zhao Sect's decline had spread throughout Babao Town. At a local inn, Zhao Mansion sorcerers faced ridicule, accused of being an "empty shell" since their leader, Zhao Haotian, retired from the Tiangang Hall. Locals taunted them for not having slain any demons in a decade, claiming Babao Town no longer needed their protection.
Amidst the mockery, one Zhao sorcerer admitted he planned to leave the sect. Suddenly, Black Wind manifested, declaring herself the very Demon Lord the Zhao family had sought for ten years, and vowed to eliminate all Zhao Mansion members present. At the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Xintong confronted her father, revealing she had secretly mastered the Zhao family's spear skills, having memorized the entire spear book except for the final chapter, Yan Ling Shan.
She explained that ever since her mother’s death, her father had changed, forcing her to learn refined arts instead of martial arts, but all she ever wanted was to slay demons, protect peace, and fight like her mother. Zhao Haotian was deeply disappointed, reminding her that her mother died at Black Wind's hands and her dying wish was for Xintong to live a peaceful life, far from their path.
He forbade Xintong from interfering with Black Wind, confining her to her room to reflect on her disobedience, strictly prohibiting her from leaving without his permission. Later, Hu Zi attempted to visit Zhao Xintong but was turned away by a guard who stated she was unavailable. Undeterred, Hu Zi scaled the mansion walls and found Xintong confined. He quickly released her, but they were soon discovered by Zhao Haotian.
Xintong pleaded with her father, asking him to consider her feelings and asserting her capability to fight and protect others as a grown woman. Hu Zi vouched for her exceptional spear skills, but Zhao Haotian remained adamant, ordering his men to drive Hu Zi out and escort Xintong back to her room. As he was being forced away, Hu Zi promised Xintong he would return to save her.
Meanwhile, Black Wind’s demonic energy enveloped Babao Town, signaling an impending major conflict. Eldest Master revealed Black Wind was a Demon Lord who escaped a major battle 500 years ago, explaining that the sorcery world had a rule to retreat when facing a superior being. He admitted that his past injury and current condition made him and Qi Xiaoxuan no match for Black Wind, further complicated by the unretrieved Red Pearl and the delayed Netherworld Sea matter.
He shared his past involvement as a magic weapon maker, having created a twin spear that could have defeated Black Wind long ago if used by Zhao Haotian and his wife, implying it was their failure that led to the current calamity. Eldest Master warned that the black smoke engulfing the town was more than just sorcery; it was a sophisticated formation.
He explained that Black Wind's ambush utilized Babao Town's octagonal layout, with the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise city gates each cursed with a Wind Eye, allowing the soul-consuming black smoke to strengthen the formation. Once the smoke dome fully closed, there would be no hope. To break it, they had to uncover the talisman eyes and dispel the dome's danger, with less than two hours remaining.
Zhao Haotian expressed surprise at Black Wind’s increased power, to which Eldest Master solemnly affirmed the severity of the situation, stating that even royal sorcerers from Tiangang Hall would retreat from a prepared Demon Lord. Despite the grave danger, Zhao Haotian declared his resolve to execute Black Wind. Other sorcerers, including Yu Jizi and Zhu Weng, stepped forward, offering their assistance to break the four Wind Eye formations simultaneously.
Zhao Haotian entrusted the town's safety to them, while re-emphasizing the need to keep Xintong confined. Inside, Zhao Xintong again pleaded with Uncle Chen to let her out, desperate to avenge her mother. Uncle Chen refused, citing Zhao Haotian’s strict orders and his concern for Xintong as the last heir of the Zhao Sect. However, Xiaoyun, Xintong’s loyal maid, having lost her own parents to Black Wind ten years prior, understood Xintong’s unwavering determination.
Moved by Xintong’s desperate plea to prevent further suffering, and fearing for Xintong’s peace if she couldn’t avenge her mother, Xiaoyun defied Zhao Haotian’s orders and released her, making Xintong promise to return safely. Outside, the Zhao Army prepared to fight. They knew the black smoke had soul-capturing demonic power, but also that the Zhao Spear could suppress it. After ten years of training, they were ready to guard and save Babao Town.
Eldest Master, having maintained human form for too long, briefly reverted to his true form, weakening him, but still helped cover for Qi Xiaoxuan and Hu Zi as they worked to uncover a talisman eye. Qi Xiaoxuan guided Hu Zi to use the enchantment method, warning him to stabilize his breath to avoid demonic invasion. Meanwhile, Zhao Haotian led a group towards the Azure Dragon Gate, the key to the formation. Zhao Xintong arrived to assist her father.
Though distressed by her presence, Zhao Haotian focused on breaking the talisman eye at the Azure Dragon Gate, which was the key to the formation. As the black smoke intensified and citizens sought refuge, Zhao Xintong helped gather and guide them. With concentrated effort, Zhao Haotian successfully broke the talisman eye, causing the Black Wind Formation to collapse. Even with the formation broken, Black Wind remained in the city.
She appeared before Zhao Haotian, taunting him about their ten-year separation and her increased power, claiming he couldn't conquer the sinister depths of the human heart. Zhao Haotian declared his intention to avenge his wife, Yue, with Black Wind's death. Black Wind callously retorted that she would send him to reunite with his wife. Zhao Xintong, filled with vengeance, also charged forward, vowing to avenge her mother. Black Wind noticed Xintong, remarking on her beauty but regretting her fate.
Zhao Haotian, seeing the tragically fallen citizens, sternly ordered Xintong, as the Sect Leader of the Zhao Sect, to immediately escort the remaining people out of the city, threatening expulsion if she defied. He then commanded the Zhao Army to guard the evacuation and fight Black Wind to the death.
Black Wind continued to mock the declining Zhao Sect, noting that none of Zhao Lingyan's descendants had mastered the ultimate Yan Ling Shan skill, and offered Zhao Haotian a chance to flee. However, Zhao Haotian, upholding his ancestors' legacy and reputation, refused to abandon his duty, stating that a Zhao Sect member would never choose escape, even if it meant shedding every drop of blood.
He then unleashed the Yan Ling Shan ultimate skill, piercing Black Wind with his long spear, leaving her with a look of surprise, though it remained uncertain if this final, desperate act would truly defeat her.
