Tiger and Crane Episode 9 Recap
> Tiger and Crane Recap
A fortune teller predicted Hu Zi's inner turmoil, stating that the White Tiger was imprisoned and in grave danger. Hu Zi deduced that a man in a black robe was responsible. Before Hu Zi could press for more information, individuals seeking Commander Qi Xiaoxuan interrupted, and the fortune teller vanished. Hu Zi then agreed to lead them to Qi Xiaoxuan at Wanchun Pavilion.
At Wanchun Pavilion, Mu Dan challenged Qi Xiaoxuan to a game of chess, promising to reveal all clues to the missing sorcerers if he won. The game, a "Quadruple Ko" according to Mu Dan, ended in a draw. Despite her earlier promise, Mu Dan changed her mind, asking Qi Xiaoxuan to return the following night for the information. Though annoyed by her reneging on her word, Qi Xiaoxuan left without further dispute.
He then met Hu Zi and Commander's subordinates, who informed him that the body of test taker Shan Cha had been found in the suburbs and sent to Siyin Lineage for an autopsy. As they prepared to return to the Siyin Lineage, Qi Yanran, accompanied by her subordinates, blocked their path at the entrance of Wanchun Pavilion.
She demanded Hu Zi be arrested, accusing him of being a suspect due to his demonic power and close association with the deceased test taker. Qi Xiaoxuan argued that Hu Zi’s case had already been explained in the hall and that Qi Yanran was merely framing him. To avoid further confrontation, Qi Xiaoxuan agreed to take Hu Zi and the others directly to Tiangang Hall for questioning. Inside Tiangang Hall, Cheng Jinian praised Qi Yanran's decisiveness.
The Chief Commanding Master questioned Qi Xiaoxuan about his night visit to the Ghost Market and his repeated protection of Hu Zi. Qi Xiaoxuan asserted he went to the Ghost Market specifically to find clues, believing Shan Cha's death was linked to earlier sorcerer disappearances. Qi Yanran scoffed at his claims, accusing him of visiting brothels under the guise of investigation.
Qi Xiaoxuan fiercely defended his actions, swearing on the Zhao Clan's name that they were investigating, and accused Qi Yanran of malicious harassment. Qi Yanran dismissed Hu Zi's innocence, citing a rumor that Shan Cha had visited Hu Zi's room before her death. Frustrated by the lack of belief, Hu Zi boldly declared he would find the true culprit and avenge Shan Cha within five days, offering to accept imprisonment if he failed, but pleading that his companions be spared.
The Chief Commanding Master granted him only three days, stipulating that if the murderer was not found by then, Hu Zi would be jailed, the others would be disqualified from the Royal Sorcerer Exam, and Qi Xiaoxuan would be stripped of his Commander position. Hu Zi accepted the terms, much to the dismay of his worried companions. With only three days, their immediate priority was to examine Shan Cha's body at the Siyin Lineage.
There were no external injuries, but all of Shan Cha's spirit essence had been completely drained. Qi Xiaoxuan suspected the perpetrator was a demon of at least Demon Lord level. A mane found in Shan Cha's hand led Manzhu Shahua to consult the Collection of Demons across Ten Thousand Years.
She identified the mane as belonging to a creature called Bo, or Horse Demon, a dangerous beast resembling a horse with a white body, black tail, and curved claws, whose cry sounded like a drum. She revealed that Horse Demons are attracted to Nine-color Birds, whose rainbow-like feathers under sunlight have a captivating effect on them. Manzhu Shahua then provided a small magic tool that could attract Nine-color Birds.
They attempted to use a whistle to lure a Nine-color Bird, but the bird was too cautious and evaded capture, breaking the whistle in the process. Despite the setback, Hu Zi devised a new plan. He found a chicken shed and took a chicken, leaving some money behind, much to the dismay of Qi Xiaoxuan who maintained Royal Sorcerers don't steal.
Hu Zi then instructed Wang Yuqian to attach Nine-color Bird feathers to the chicken and paint it to resemble a Nine-color Bird, hoping to fool the Horse Demon. After their preparations, the four went to Zuihua House for dinner.
Over the meal, Qi Xiaoxuan outlined his strategy: he had already arranged for the open-air theatre owner to spread news throughout the capital about a public display of the Nine-color Bird, confident that this would lure the Horse Demon, as it was its primary weakness.
They assigned roles for the next day's operation: Xintong would guard the front entrance disguised as a flower seller, reporting any suspicious individuals; Wang Yuqian would manage the seating inside the theatre, also reporting on Xintong's signal; Qi Xiaoxuan would lead the capture; and Hu Zi would secure the back exit, ensuring the demon could not escape. They all understood that this was their only chance.
Meanwhile, Mu Dan waited for two hours at Wanchun Pavilion, but Qi Xiaoxuan did not appear. The next day, many people gathered at the theatre, eager to see the "divine bird." The four companions were strategically positioned, but the cunning Horse Demon sent a scout. The scout quickly detected the deception and fled. Hu Zi, sharp-eyed, immediately pursued the scout but failed to apprehend him.
Realizing their ruse had been exposed and could not be repeated, the group felt at a loss. It was then that Mu Dan arrived, informing Qi Xiaoxuan that the Horse Demon was concealed among the Royal Sorcerers themselves. Qi Xiaoxuan, initially dismissive of her source, a "homeless beggar," was challenged by Mu Dan, who asserted her network of such individuals were her most reliable informants.
Qi Xiaoxuan decided to return to Tiangang Hall to report this crucial development, but Hu Zi, impatient with official procedures, slipped away and ventured into the Ghost Market alone. In the Ghost Market, Hu Zi encountered the Horse Demon and was knocked unconscious. The Horse Demon attempted to drain his spirit essence but found Hu Zi's body peculiar and his essence impossible to absorb.
Yi Mei Fairy and Xing Zhi then appeared, revealing that Hu Zi possessed the Phurba and was an indispensable part of their grand scheme. Yi Mei Fairy warned the Horse Demon not to target Hu Zi again and commanded it to inform its master to expedite the collection of spirit essences.
She outlined the three stages required to activate the Phurba within Hu Zi: the first, the Material Stage, would require Hu Zi to slay a demon of Demon Elder level or higher; the second, the Bodhicitta Stage, would involve Hu Zi overcoming inner demons and obsessions; the final stage remained a secret.
She also mentioned that Hu Zi would be trained by the Eldest Master, and the first activation would take place on a full moon night, when the Phurba's energy was at its peak. Meanwhile, Qi Xiaoxuan and his companions searched for Hu Zi throughout the night, only to find him lying unconscious at the inn's entrance the following morning.
Hu Zi recounted his encounter with the Horse Demon in the Ghost Market, expressing bewilderment as to why the demon had returned him unharmed instead of taking his essence. Qi Xiaoxuan questioned Hu Zi’s decision to act alone without waiting for news. Hu Zi countered that waiting for the official process would waste precious time. Cheng Jinian then appeared, taunting Hu Zi and suggesting that his unharmed return implied a connection with the demon. Hu Zi reacted aggressively, but Qi Xiaoxuan intervened, preventing a public brawl and reminding them of the consequences of fighting in broad daylight.
