The Legend of Taotie Episode 17 Recap
> The Legend of Taotie Recap
Chang Qing felt deeply saddened as he saw the Linglu perish because of him. Naturally kind-hearted, he would never have taken a life if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. The Langya King was preparing to host a rain-praying festival and sent invitations to every pastry chef in the city, asking them to contribute their efforts for the disaster victims. Ji Wenzhen, confident that Little Stone’s hands were now crippled, believed she would surely claim victory.
When Zhu Chengbi’s health improved slightly, she went to Zhao Heng’s residence to express her gratitude. Little Stone’s arms had been successfully reattached, and he was able to resume making pastries. Seeing Little Stone still persistently working on *Heaven and Earth in Spring* moved Zhu Chengbi deeply. She recalled what Little Stone’s master had once said: Ji Wenzhen, driven by excessive desire, could never successfully create *Heaven and Earth in Spring*.
In contrast, Little Stone, who had devoted over a decade to perfecting one single pastry, had achieved a flavor that Ji Wenzhen could never replicate. Zhao Heng knew that the *Red Plum Umbrella* and Little Stone’s pastries alone wouldn’t be enough to sustain Zhu Chengbi’s life. Every day, he asked his subordinates whether there was any news of Chang Qing, instructing them to inform him immediately if they found him. Finally, the day of the competition arrived.
Little Stone and Zhu Chengbi shared a carriage to the event. As they chatted along the way, Little Stone recounted how he first heard the voice of the Divine Dragon when he was four years old. Unfortunately, it had only spoken a single sentence, and no matter how many times he returned to the bridge, he never encountered it again.
His master had told him that the Divine Dragon loved this particular pastry, so Little Stone had spent his life perfecting it in the hope of fulfilling his master’s dying wish. At the competition, Ji Wenzhen represented *Seeking Fragrance Hall* with her creation, *A Thousand Colors in Bloom. * Its unique design and vibrant colors earned high praise from the judges, who immediately declared *Seeking Fragrance Hall* the winner.
However, Zhu Chengbi interrupted their decision, pointing out that Little Stone’s entry had yet to be tasted. She requested a reevaluation. Zhao Heng, present at the event, supported the request and urged the judges to carefully assess all entries. Little Stone finally presented his perfected *Heaven and Earth in Spring*. Upon tasting it, the judges were astonished, declaring that while Ji Wenzhen’s creation was a worldly delicacy, Little Stone’s pastry was truly divine.
Overcome with frustration, Ji Wenzhen, who had schemed endlessly to win, broke down, unable to bear the weight of her desires. Carrying his completed pastry, Little Stone reverently walked to the Divine Dragon Bridge and, as the heir of the Mei clan, presented *Heaven and Earth in Spring* to the Divine Dragon. After a long and arduous journey, Little Stone was overcome with emotion and wept. As his tears fell onto the pastry, they formed small, bright red spots.
Zhao Heng explained that pastries must be made with one’s heart to achieve perfection. The Divine Dragon, tasting the long-awaited flavor, leapt out from the depths of the pond. After all these years, it finally received its answer and was just as excited as Little Stone. Seeing the Divine Dragon brought Little Stone great joy. However, an assassin suddenly burst out from Ji Wenzhen’s sedan chair. The attacker, wielding the *Dragon Scale Sword,* aimed to kill the Divine Dragon.
Chang Qing returned to Tianxiang Tower and learned that Zhu Chengbi and her maids had gone to the competition. Overjoyed to know everyone was there, he rushed to the venue. Seeing the assassin disrespecting the Divine Dragon, he immediately used his giant calligraphy brush to draw an indestructible shield that blocked the first attack from the *Dragon Scale Sword. * When the second attack came, the *Red Plum Umbrella* in Zhu Chengbi’s hands emitted a brilliant light, deflecting the sword.
At that moment, Mei Sheng appeared and personally presented the pastry to the Divine Dragon. Savoring the long-sought flavor, the Divine Dragon was satisfied. It bid farewell to Mei Sheng and lifted the disasters plaguing Wuxia. Gentle rain fell across the land, saving the region. Chang Qing pleaded with the Divine Dragon for a few drops of its blood. The Divine Dragon graciously granted his request before vanishing into the ether.
With peace restored, Zhu Chengbi reflected on the bond between Mei Sheng and the Divine Dragon. The Divine Dragon could have left the pond many years ago, but it remained out of loyalty to a promise. Similarly, Mei Sheng tirelessly persevered year after year, climbing mountains and crossing rivers to fulfill a single vow. One might call them both “foolish,” yet their devotion was touching.
Now that the *Red Plum Umbrella* no longer contained Mei Sheng’s spirit, Zhu Chengbi grew alarmingly weak again. Chang Qing quickly brought the medicinal ingredients he had gathered to meet the mystical physician. Determined to save Zhu Chengbi, he was willing to pay any price for the antidote.
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