Age of Legends Episode 9 Recap
> Age of Legends Recap
Liu Ziguang continues to struggle with fragmented, terrifying memories of his past, causing him to dread sleep. He is haunted by visions of being locked in a cage, beaten, and shot at, with him returning fire. He wonders if he truly knows Arthur, who fervently believes in their past connection.
Earlier, after Liu Ziguang was promoted to Security Team Captain, Li Wan, acting as interim president of Zhicheng Corporation, tasks him with accompanying her to Longyang for a crucial bidding project. Their competitor is Long Shaoping of Shenzhou Group, who is backed by the formidable Hou Sihai. Liu Ziguang agrees to the assignment on the condition that his security team receives a 10% salary increase, a demand Li Wan promptly accepts.
During their journey to Longyang, the convoy is sabotaged with tire-puncturing nails, leading to a car accident. Liu Ziguang immediately shields a terrified Li Wan and deduces the incident was intentional. Nie Wanfeng, informed by his subordinate Tiger Brother about Hou Sihai’s attempt to hinder Liu Ziguang, confidently asserts that Hou Sihai and Long Shaoping are no match for him but instructs Tiger Brother to continue monitoring Liu Ziguang. Hu Rong and her police team arrive at the scene.
From a distance, Hou Sihai’s enforcer, Sun Wei, is incensed to see Liu Ziguang and Hu Rong once again thwarting their plans. Mr. Yin, a close associate of Li Wan's father, arrives unexpectedly, warning Li Wan that several other bidding convoys have also been targeted and urging her to withdraw, offering his bodyguards. Li Wan, however, declines, suspecting Mr. Yin's sudden appearance and offer of protection are suspicious.
Upon arrival at their Longyang hotel, a secretary arranges rooms for Li Wan, Liu Ziguang, and Hu Rong. Li Wan loudly insists on sharing a room with Liu Ziguang, citing her need for protection. Liu Ziguang politely refuses, offering his room number. Hu Rong cleverly intervenes, feigning a massage for Li Wan’s injuries, and discreetly swaps room keys to prevent Li Wan from moving into Liu Ziguang’s room.
Unbeknownst to them, Hou Sihai’s men are already trailing them, with Sun Wei ordering Long Shaoping’s crew to act once they enter the bidding venue. Aware of the surveillance, Hu Rong coordinates with her police team stationed outside the hotel and briefs Liu Ziguang on a decoy plan.
The next morning, as Liu Ziguang and Hu Rong deliberately prolong their breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Li Wan, disguised in hotel staff uniform, successfully slips out of the hotel and heads to the conference hall. Realizing they have been outmaneuvered, Hou Sihai’s men retaliate by tampering with the hotel elevator, trapping Liu Ziguang and Hu Rong inside.
The dark, confined space triggers a severe panic attack in Liu Ziguang, bringing forth vivid, terrifying memories of being caged, beaten, and shot at by someone in a drug factory. He recalls returning fire himself. As Liu Ziguang trembles and curls up, Hu Rong immediately kneels, pulls him into her arms, and calmly reassures him. Soon after, Li Wan successfully wins the bid, a victory widely reported in the news.
Watching the broadcast, Mr. Yin coldly questions how long her good fortune will last. Han Jin and his team arrive at the hotel to rescue Liu Ziguang and Hu Rong. In the car, Hu Rong thoughtfully reflects on Liu Ziguang’s traumatic recollections, remarking to Han Jin that Liu Ziguang seems more responsible than he might appear.
Back at the police station, Hu Rong and Han Jin report Hou Sihai’s role in orchestrating the car accident and his extensive criminal enterprise to Director Song. They learn that Hou Sihai has established a large criminal organization in Jiangbei. While they have some evidence of his activities, Director Song advises continued covert investigation to gather more proof before a full-scale operation to dismantle the entire network.
Meanwhile, Nie Wanfeng is informed that Liu Ziguang has once again thwarted Hou Sihai’s efforts. He orders his subordinates to continue observing Liu Ziguang, predicting that Hou Sihai's temper will lead to further confrontations, which Liu Ziguang can handle. Separately, Hou Sihai, undeterred by the bidding loss, devises a new plan to control the supply of essential construction materials for the Longyang project, aiming to disrupt Zhicheng Corporation’s operations. Arthur, sent by Grandpa Guo, appears at Zhuo Li’s boxing gym.
When Liu Ziguang arrives, Arthur, calling him "Sect Leader" and "Right Light Envoy," excitedly recounts an elaborate tale of Liu Ziguang saving the "Light Sect" from a "bloodbathing war." Liu Ziguang, finding him incoherent, tries to dismiss him, but Arthur’s deep loyalty and insistence on protecting him are evident. Liu Ziguang eventually provides Arthur with food. After Arthur is fed, Liu Ziguang calls Hu Rong to arrange for Arthur’s return to the martial arts school.
Li Wan later gives Liu Ziguang a luxurious motorcycle, saying it's a company provision for him as Zhicheng’s Security Team Captain. Liu Ziguang accepts, thanking her on behalf of his team for the recent 10% raise he negotiated. Li Wan tries to persuade him to call her "Xiao Wanzi," but he politely insists on "Boss." Li Wan then instructs her secretary to prepare an award banner, intent on having Liu Ziguang accompany her to deliver it to the police station.
She asserts her determination to surpass Hu Rong, believing there is "nothing she can't have." The next day, Li Wan arrives at the police station with Liu Ziguang to present the award banner. She publicly expresses gratitude for the police's assistance during the Longyang bidding, specifically thanking Hu Rong and Han Jin.
She dramatically recounts how dangerous the situation was, including Hu Rong and Liu Ziguang being trapped in the elevator, though Liu Ziguang interjects that she never actually asked him about it. Li Wan then playfully asks Han Jin when he plans to marry Hu Rong and start a family. Hu Rong's face visibly darkens in response to the banner, which reads "Police Couple," and Li Wan's teasing.
Later, Han Jin enters his office to find Whitey hanging the "Police Couple" banner, which Whitey claims he retrieved from Hu Rong's trash. Han Jin is clearly displeased. Whitey then criticizes Han Jin for his passive approach to Hu Rong, suggesting he should be more proactive. Annoyed, Han Jin rebukes Whitey for meddling and angrily throws the banner into the trash, but after a moment of reflection, he retrieves it and carefully stores it away.
Hu Rong's distressed mood affects her performance during shooting practice, making her unable to concentrate. Whitey observes her poor results and tells her she won't pass the upcoming assessment, suggesting she should abandon her career as a detective and focus on her relationship with Han Jin, whose affection for her is well-known. He further reveals that Han Jin is the future son-in-law of Deputy Mayor Hu, emphasizing Liu Ziguang's lack of a chance.
Just then, Liu Ziguang arrives at the police station, stating he has other matters to discuss with Hu Rong and that Whitey shouldn't meddle in his personal life. Whitey continues to push the issue, prompting Li Wan to appear and declare her interest in Liu Ziguang, asserting that she "fancies him" and he "should just accept it."
Shortly after, the principal of Arthur's martial arts school calls Hu Rong, telling her that her "boyfriend Liu Ziguang" has taken Arthur from the school and she needs to come pick him up. This revelation stuns Whitey, and a flustered Hu Rong immediately rushes to find Liu Ziguang. Hu Rong’s parents visit the police team as assessments approach. Hu Rong’s mother pulls Han Jin aside and directly asks if he likes Hu Rong.
He confirms his affection but expresses concern that a confession might make their working relationship awkward. He promises to confess soon. Later, still worried after the elevator incident, Hu Rong's mother questions Hu Rong about Liu Ziguang, advising her to stop investigating him and leave it to Han Jin, labeling Liu Ziguang as dangerous. Hu Rong, exhausted, retreats to her room, while her parents continue to discuss their concerns about her safety as a criminal investigator.
Back at the "Truly Authentic" gym, Liu Ziguang, Zhuo Li, and Bei Xiaoshuai review their monthly earnings. Liu Ziguang divides the profits into three shares, setting aside his portion for Li Jianguo. Inspired, Zhuo Li and Bei Xiaoshuai also contribute most of their shares. Zhuo Li then reminds Liu Ziguang that Arthur might hold clues to his missing eight years, piquing Liu Ziguang’s interest. Following this, Liu Ziguang, after learning Arthur's whereabouts from Hu Rong, seeks him out.
Arthur, ecstatic that Liu Ziguang came for him, excitedly reasserts their connection, claiming Liu Ziguang taught him martial arts and saved his life. Arthur also takes out a black stone he is wearing, insisting Liu Ziguang put it on him. Liu Ziguang, recalling Hu Rong's previous comment about Arthur having no known family, decides to bring Arthur back to Zhuo Li’s place. Arthur is overjoyed.
After Arthur is fed, Liu Ziguang calls Hu Rong to arrange for Arthur’s return to the martial arts school. Liu Ziguang, still struggling with his memory, is troubled by Arthur's unwavering conviction that they know each other. He recounts his nightmares of being tortured in a cage. Despite Hu Rong's assertion that Arthur has no known family and only seems to know Liu Ziguang, Liu Ziguang remains conflicted about their potential past connection. He questions whether the vivid, terrifying images are real memories or mere figments of his imagination.
