Tiger and Crane Episode 6 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
Qi Yanran, holding the Red Pearl, confidently stated her intention to personally escort it to the capital, yet immediately accused Qi Xiaoxuan of causing the premature failure of the Red Pearl from Fulong Bay. She claimed this led to the Netherworld Sea breaching its levee the day before, flooding all surrounding villages and leaving countless citizens homeless. Qi Yanran asserted that Qi Xiaoxuan’s father was awaiting his return to the capital, but she would now handle the Red Pearl's transport.
Discovering a demonic tail on Hu Zi, Qi Yanran presumed him to be a demon and attempted to kill him, but Qi Xiaoxuan intervened, defending Hu Zi by asserting he was not a demon. Qi Yanran scorned Qi Xiaoxuan for aligning with a demon, reminding him of his status as a Royal Sorcerer and the unique heir to the Qi Sect, while dismissing his explanation that the demonic energy was implanted by an outsider.
Yi Mei Fairy then corroborated Qi Xiaoxuan's account, explaining that Hu Zi had accidentally swallowed the Red Pearl, and during its retrieval, they discovered the implanted demonic tail. Yi Mei Fairy urged Qi Yanran to return to the capital to rebuild the formation, and personally stated she would take responsibility for the Red Pearl's delay before Qi Xiaoxuan's father.
Qi Yanran, though now accepting Hu Zi would not be killed, continued to verbally lash out at Qi Xiaoxuan, mocking his protective instincts and labeling him a cowardly and indecisive person unfit to inherit the Qi Sect, vowing to prove herself the true successor. Eldest Master intervened, emphasizing the urgent situation at Fulong Bay and the importance of resolving the Netherworld Sea crisis. Qi Yanran acknowledged his words and departed with the Red Pearl.
After Qi Yanran's departure, Hu Zi awakened. Eldest Master immediately informed him that Qi Xiaoxuan had risked his life to save him. Qi Xiaoxuan, typically reserved, curtly instructed Hu Zi to pack for the capital. Hu Zi, still disoriented, found Qi Xiaoxuan cold and initially refused, questioning why he needed to go to the capital if the Red Pearl had been retrieved.
Eldest Master explained that while the Red Pearl was removed, the demonic tail in Hu Zi’s body was unstable and could potentially harm the populace. He revealed that Qi Xiaoxuan, during Hu Zi’s near-death state, had entered Hu Zi’s subconscious realm using his primordial spirit and spirit essence, nearly sacrificing his own life. This heroic act had depleted half of Qi Xiaoxuan's spirit essence, requiring half a year to recover.
Eldest Master also prompted Hu Zi to thank Yi Mei Fairy for using an ancient magic tool, the Phurba, to suppress his demonic aura. Yi Mei Fairy then probed Hu Zi about the origin of the demonic tail, suggesting that the Phurba's injection had unsealed his memories. Hu Zi, however, lied, claiming no recollection.
In an internal monologue, Hu Zi revealed his true motivation for agreeing to go to the capital: his mother was a tiger demon, taken by a wolfman wearing a Royal Sorcerer token, and he believed the answers lay in the capital. Later, Hu Zi attempted to thank Qi Xiaoxuan by making turtle soup, but added so many tonic herbs that Eldest Master, who tried it, was overwhelmed, leading to a humorous exchange about Hu Zi's attempts at healing.
Despite the antics, Eldest Master confirmed their departure for the capital later that day. Meanwhile, Zhao Xintong stood at her parents' tomb, deeply missing them and reflecting on her father’s legacy. She recounted his teachings about the Zhao family’s generations of chivalrous and righteous deeds, and his sorrow that the family’s decline began with his generation. Zhao Xintong, however, vehemently disagreed, seeing her father as a hero who bravely protected Babao Town.
She then made a solemn vow: to prevent the Zhao Sect’s downfall, to avenge all the humiliation suffered at the hands of Wu Lidan a thousandfold, and to reclaim everything the Zhao family had lost. Afterwards, back at the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Xintong attempted to disburse the remaining family wealth to the household members, announcing her intention to leave as she was now the sole descendant.
The family members, led by Uncle Chen, pleaded with her to stay, arguing that her departure would dishonor her father’s memory. Zhao Xintong explained that while her Zhao family blood tied her to them, staying confined to Babao Town would prevent her from restoring the Zhao Sect's former glory.
She declared her decision to travel to the capital to take the Royal Sorcerer Exam, believing that only by returning to the Tiangang Hall could the Zhao family’s past splendor be revived. Hearing this, the townspeople of Babao Town and the Zhao family members rallied, apologizing for past misgivings and pledging to join the Zhao Sect to protect the town’s peace.
They urged her to pursue her ambition in the capital, promising to stay and safeguard the Zhao family and its legacy in her absence. Touched by their loyalty, Zhao Xintong agreed, reaffirming her commitment to the Zhao Sect’s future. Separately, Yi Mei Fairy contemplated an ancient painting, her sole memento from five centuries past, reflecting on the countless lives she had witnessed.
Eldest Master questioned her decision to gift the powerful Phurba—once used to slay the Demon Emperor—to the stranger Hu Zi. Yi Mei Fairy explained that the Phurba had been unusable for 500 years and could now effectively suppress Hu Zi's demonic energy, making him a suitable vessel. She expressed concerns about its inherent difficulty to control and the potentially dire consequences if mishandled, entrusting Eldest Master with monitoring Hu Zi.
From a nearby prison, Black Wind, a demonic entity, screamed accusations at Yi Mei Fairy, revealing she had been imprisoned for ten years, her demonic power drained to cultivate artifacts. Yi Mei Fairy offered Black Wind freedom on the condition that she would once again sow chaos in Babao Town to test a young man.
Yi Mei Fairy then confirmed to an unseen presence that they had finally found the most suitable vessel after 500 years, signaling the imminent launch of their grand plan. Soon after, Zhao Xintong, Qi Xiaoxuan, and Hu Zi approached Yi Mei Fairy. Zhao Xintong announced her intention to travel to the capital to take the Royal Sorcerer Exam and reinstate the Zhao Sect's emblem in the Tiangang Hall.
Qi Xiaoxuan offered his assistance, and Hu Zi, now unburdened and having gained a deeper understanding of a sorcerer's purpose from his journey, decided to join them for the exam. Yi Mei Fairy then presented Zhao Xintong with the Ci Xiong Double Spear, which belonged to Zhao Xintong’s parents, explaining she had refined it into a single, size-changing weapon, now returned to its rightful owner.
She also warned Hu Zi against removing the Phurba, as it was crucial for suppressing his demonic energy and its removal would be life-threatening. Before heading to the capital, a commander reported to Qi Xiaoxuan that while the Red Pearl’s premature breach had caused the complete destruction of Qingquan Village, there were fortunately no casualties due to the timely evacuation ordered by Qi Xiaoxuan’s Master. Qi Xiaoxuan instructed the commander to use all his savings to aid the displaced villagers.
He also learned that Qi Yanran had blamed him for the Red Pearl’s delay to the Tiangang Hall, but Qi Xiaoxuan remained resolute, stating he would seek forgiveness after ensuring the villagers were settled. Upon their arrival in the bustling Fulong Capital, Hu Zi, Qi Xiaoxuan, and Zhao Xintong were captivated by the sights. They encountered Wang Yuqian, known as Qian Yu San Ren, selling romance novels.
He boasted that his bestsellers featured Royal Sorcerer Qi Xiaoxuan as the heroic protagonist, describing him as a handsome and accomplished young man, completely oblivious that the actual Qi Xiaoxuan stood beside Hu Zi. Wang Yuqian, eager to share his insights into "girls' hearts," invited Hu Zi to Feifan Tavern. Shortly after, Hu Zi noticed a deceptive "golden jade tree" tossing game.
The vendor claimed the tree was a valuable heirloom obtained from slaying a demon clan and promised it to anyone who could toss a dart into an impossibly inverted, high-placed pot. Recognizing the scam, Hu Zi borrowed money from Qi Xiaoxuan and, after confirming the rules, cleverly bounced his dart off the ground to land it inside the pot.
The distraught vendor, exposed, tearfully confessed his deceit and begged Hu Zi to accept other prizes, explaining he had taken the golden jade tree without his family's knowledge and feared his father's wrath. Hu Zi, playing the righteous hero, demanded the vendor return all the cheated money to his victims and cease his fraudulent activities, which the vendor readily agreed to. Hu Zi proudly gloated about his "heroic" act, much to Qi Xiaoxuan's dry amusement.
Later, while dining at a lively restaurant, they witnessed Wang Yuqian frantically fleeing from a group of angry men. Hu Zi, Qi Xiaoxuan, and Zhao Xintong intervened, demanding an explanation. The men accused Wang Yuqian of being a "liar" and a "con artist" who, claiming medical prowess, had inexplicably used a brick to knock out their master, Master Zhang, who was seriously injured.
A second group then arrived, also pursuing Wang Yuqian, revealing that their master, Master Zhao, had suffered a similar brick attack from Wang Yuqian after drinking at Xinghua Restaurant the previous day. Hu Zi expressed his disbelief, calling Wang Yuqian a "beast with a human face" for such actions. As the two groups began arguing over who had the right to seize Wang Yuqian, Master Zhang and Master Zhao themselves entered the restaurant, fully recovered and in high spirits.
They hailed Wang Yuqian as a "miracle doctor." They explained that they, old friends, had recently engaged in a bitter dispute over the positioning of a wall while rebuilding their mansions, which led to Master Zhang calling Master Zhao's family "three generations of beggars." This verbal exchange escalated, resulting in Master Zhao having his family assault Master Zhang, leaving both men bedridden with physical and emotional wounds.
They both recounted how Wang Yuqian, using his mysterious brick, had "treated" them, causing them to suddenly understand and forgive each other. Master Zhang's injuries healed quickly, and Master Zhao realized the folly of holding grudges against an old friend. They had since reconciled, attributing their renewed friendship and well-being to Wang Yuqian's unusual intervention.
One of the masters then attempted to ask Wang Yuqian for assistance with a personal matter, which Wang Yuqian immediately declined, stating he could not help. Intrigued, Hu Zi and Qi Xiaoxuan pressed Wang Yuqian about his peculiar "medical" methods. Wang Yuqian clarified that his ability was not medical expertise but a unique innate power.
He explained his "borrowing and repaying debts" technique: he could strike a suffering individual with a brick, sealing their pain—a process he called "borrowing"—and then strike the source of their pain, the assailant, dissolving the sealed suffering—a process he called "repaying debts." He likened this complementary exchange to Yin and Yang.
He warned that if the "debt" was not "repaid" to the assailant within seven days, it would backfire and return to the original sufferer in multiplied intensity, affecting even himself. Wang Yuqian lamented that this unusual method, despite its efficacy, was widely misunderstood and unappreciated, forcing him to leave Qianyu State and come to Fulong State to participate in the Royal Sorcerer Exam, hoping for a more accepting environment.
He confessed that he had lost all his money on the journey and had resorted to writing and selling romance novels, with his stories about "Qi Sect's young master, Qi Xiaoxuan," being his most popular. It was then, as he described his fictional hero, that Wang Yuqian finally recognized the real Qi Xiaoxuan sitting before him, his eyes widening in surprise.
