Age of Legends Episode 40 Recap
> Age of Legends Recap
Nie Wanfeng received a phone call from his subordinate, Wanka, who reported that the M Country police had located the remains of Huang Zhenwu, the undercover officer. Wanka informed Nie Wanfeng that the police were investigating the killer and were starting to suspect Sangbo. A security camera outside Huang Zhenwu's bistro was found, potentially containing incriminating video. Wanka promised to retrieve the footage before the police could get any evidence.
Nie Wanfeng instructed Wanka to send him the video once secured. Shortly after, Nie Wanfeng ordered another subordinate, referred to as "Brother Hu," to arrange a plane ticket for himself to M Country the following day. Nie Wanfeng explained that the police were investigating Huang Zhenwu's death, and since Liu Ziguang was the one who killed the undercover officer, the investigation would eventually lead to him.
Taking advantage of Liu Ziguang's memory loss, Nie Wanfeng planned to shift all blame onto him, framing him as Sangbo, the murderer of Huang Zhenwu. Meanwhile, Liu Ziguang brought Hu Rong to a special spot, reminding her that it was where they first held hands and he first confessed his feelings. Hu Rong agreed, explaining it was why she wanted to revisit the place after his proposal.
Liu Ziguang reaffirmed his deep love and commitment to protecting her for the rest of his life, assuring her that she belonged to him alone. Later that evening, Hu Rong arrived home, beaming with joy as she showed her mother her engagement ring. Her mother's eyes were red, but she claimed they were from happiness after seeing the video of Liu Ziguang's proposal.
Hu Rong expressed her profound love for Liu Ziguang, and her mother, while happy, felt a touch of sadness about her daughter growing up and getting married. Hu Rong reassured her that she would always be her and her father's little girl. As Hu Rong went upstairs, she joyfully exclaimed about her upcoming marriage. Before going to bed, Liu Ziguang and Hu Rong exchanged loving goodnight messages.
That night, Hu Yuejin's wife, unable to sleep, expressed her profound sorrow over Huang Zhenwu's sudden death, lamenting that Hu Rong would never get to know her biological father. Hu Yuejin revealed he had always hoped to tell Hu Rong the truth once Huang Zhenwu completed his mission, retired, and returned to Jiangbei, so they could reunite. He was heartbroken that Zhenwu had died without ever hearing Hu Rong call him "Dad."
Hu Yuejin felt they must tell Hu Rong the truth quickly, so Huang Zhenwu could rest in peace and Hu Rong could fulfill her filial duty. His wife worried about the immense emotional blow this would be for Hu Rong, but Hu Yuejin was resolute, believing they couldn't keep it a secret forever and decided to tell her the next morning. The following morning, Hu Rong was surprised to find dumplings prepared for breakfast.
Hu Yuejin invited her to sit down and solemnly began to recount his long history with Huang Zhenwu, his trusted comrade. He shared how Zhenwu, a conscientious and excellent officer, had been transferred to the drug enforcement front lines in Yunnan. Hu Yuejin explained that when Zhenwu left, his wife was heavily pregnant and tragically died from birth complications two months later. Zhenwu, on an important mission, could not even return for his wife's funeral, a lifelong regret.
Hu Yuejin then revealed that Huang Zhenwu's newborn daughter was left in Jiangbei and entrusted to him and his wife, who raised her for over twenty years due to the dangerous nature of drug enforcement work. He then opened a box, retrieved a photo, and confirmed to a stunned Hu Rong that Huang Zhenwu was her biological father, and she was the child he had entrusted to their care.
Hu Rong was overcome with shock, asking if Huang Zhenwu was her father and if she was the child in the photo. Hu Yuejin gently acknowledged her difficulty in accepting the truth but affirmed that Huang Zhenwu was indeed her biological father and loved her deeply. He explained that Zhenwu had no choice but to leave her due to his duty, as the families of front-line anti-narcotics officers also required protection.
For many years, Zhenwu, alone in a foreign country, constantly thought of her, visiting when he could or sending gifts. Hu Yuejin revealed that many of Hu Rong's childhood items, from school supplies to new year clothes and toys, were prepared by Huang Zhenwu. He reminded her of a severe bout of pneumonia she had in high school, prompting her to realize that the blurred figure she vaguely saw then was Huang Zhenwu.
Hu Yuejin confirmed this, adding that Zhenwu was deeply moved and cried when Hu Rong, in her feverish state, called out "Dad," but he quietly left to avoid raising suspicion. He also shared that when Hu Rong wanted to apply to the police academy, he and his wife were hesitant, but Huang Zhenwu wrote a letter firmly supporting her decision, which ultimately convinced them.
Hu Yuejin recounted how Zhenwu returned once to see her when she started college, playing basketball with her, unaware it would be their last encounter. Hu Rong finally understood why Hu Yuejin celebrated his birthday twice each year—one was for Huang Zhenwu, with videos and photos sent to him. A flashback showed Huang Zhenwu receiving these photos, marveling at Hu Rong's growth and memorizing her features.
He expressed pride that she was following in their footsteps and found strength in the thought of them fighting crime in different places. Huang Zhenwu's greatest wish was to return home, see his child, and personally thank Hu Yuejin and his wife. Hu Rong's mother, sitting nearby, wiped away her tears. Reading a letter from her biological father, Hu Rong could no longer suppress her grief. Later, Hu Rong ran upstairs, closing herself in her room.
After some time, she reappeared dressed in black, with a white flower pinned to her chest, and bowed deeply before a portrait of her biological father, Huang Zhenwu. Her mother remarked that Huang Zhenwu, like Hu Rong, had always loved her dumplings. Hu Rong then went to the police station, where she found her colleagues preparing for Huang Zhenwu's memorial service.
She approached Han Jin, who was also there, and confronted him, asking if he had known the truth about her father all along and why he kept it from her. Han Jin admitted he had known but had been instructed by Huang Zhenwu, his "Teacher," not to tell her, fearing it would disrupt her happy life or suddenly cause her pain.
He explained that Huang Zhenwu had always hoped to complete his mission and return to reunite with her, so she could acknowledge him as her father. Hu Rong asked what kind of person Huang Zhenwu was to Han Jin. Han Jin described him as the most capable, courageous, dedicated, humble, and careful individual who taught him the true meaning of being a police officer.
He affirmed that Huang Zhenwu was a good cop, and would have been a good father if he had the chance, recalling Zhenwu's wish to be an ordinary man to live a peaceful life with his wife and daughter. Han Jin revealed they had been searching for Huang Zhenwu for a long time, only confirming his sacrifice the day before.
When Hu Rong asked how he died, Han Jin explained that M Country police suspected drug lord Sangbo was responsible for his death. Distraught, Hu Rong immediately sought out Liu Ziguang at Didi Daodao and brought him to a basketball court. She tearfully recounted how, five years ago, she had played basketball there and encountered a man she thought was a stranger, who was, in fact, her biological father.
Liu Ziguang, initially confused, listened as Hu Rong explained that her current father was her adoptive father, and her biological father, Huang Zhenwu, was an undercover drug enforcement officer. He had been sent to M Country five years prior to investigate the "Angel" drug and was murdered half a year ago by Sangbo.
Liu Ziguang embraced the grieving Hu Rong, comforting her by assuring her that she still had her Father Hu, Mother Hu, and him, and that he would always be there to love her and protect her from any future hardships. Hu Rong then asked him to accompany her to her father's memorial service the next day, and Liu Ziguang readily agreed.
Hu Rong later penned a heartfelt letter to her biological father, expressing her regrets for not knowing him and her pride in being his daughter, promising to become a good cop like him. The memorial service for Comrade Huang Zhenwu was held at the police station, presided over by Hu Yuejin. He spoke of Zhenwu as the team's first captain, an old comrade-in-arms, and Hu Rong's biological father, who had been gloriously sacrificed overseas and had now returned home.
Han Jin then shared his own memories, recalling his training under Huang Zhenwu eight years ago in Yunnan's Drug Enforcement Team. He recounted a terrifying first field operation where Zhenwu bravely confronted drug dealers while Han Jin cowardly hid.
After the danger passed, Zhenwu sternly told him he no longer considered him his student, a moment that spurred Han Jin to dedicate himself to becoming a worthy police officer, hoping one day to earn the right to call Zhenwu "Teacher" again. Liu Ziguang arrived late with flowers. Upon seeing Huang Zhenwu's portrait at the memorial, he suddenly began to tremble.
Fragmented, horrifying memories from an M Country bar flashed through his mind: Huang Zhenwu speaking of his daughter, himself and Nie Wanfeng acting as "brothers," and the chilling image of himself and Nie Wanfeng killing Huang Zhenwu in that bar. Overwhelmed with disbelief, Liu Ziguang abruptly left the service. Liu Ziguang immediately went to Nie Wanfeng, his face grim, and demanded to know if they had known each other previously and if Nie Wanfeng had ever witnessed him commit murder.
After a brief pause, Nie Wanfeng confirmed that Liu Ziguang had indeed killed someone, and that they were sworn brothers. Liu Ziguang, agitated, questioned why Nie Wanfeng had not told him sooner. Seeing Liu Ziguang's sudden distant demeanor, Nie Wanfeng urged him to sit down, claiming he had withheld the truth to protect him from painful memories. Nie Wanfeng then began to narrate their past, describing their acquaintance and eventual brotherhood.
However, he severely twisted the facts, portraying Liu Ziguang as a greedy and ruthless drug lord who had willingly embarked on a criminal path of drug trafficking for wealth, even allying himself with the drug dealer Colby. Nie Wanfeng claimed he had tried to dissuade Liu Ziguang, but to no avail.
