Legend of Awakening Episode 1 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
During a heavy snowfall, Lu Ping and his adopted sister Su Tang, who had been held captive by the Shanhai Gang, managed to escape the horrific place, with Lu Ping carrying Su Tang to safety. In this land plagued by continuous disputes, Zhai Wei, a minister of the Dan Kingdom, led a rebellion, establishing a new nation called Shuo, which stood in opposition to the Dan Kingdom in the north.
Amidst this chaos, the practice of martial arts and soul force grew in prominence. Warriors honed their external martial skills and cultivated six internal souls: Vision, Sound, Energy, Pivot, Strength, and Essence. Even with a lifetime of practice, achieving mastery of all six souls was rare. Legend spoke of "Awakeners," individuals born with innate mastery of all six souls, a phenomenon seen only once in a century.
Meanwhile, Qin Qi, a general from the Shuo Kingdom, visited the Big Dipper Institute, renowned for its Seven Star Array, to invite its master, Li Yaotian, to train Shuo's army. Qin Qi, skilled in the Sun Streamer Swordplay, demonstrated his prowess against the Big Dipper Array, while Wen Gecheng used his soul of Pivot to analyze the different soul forces at play.
Despite Qin Qi's respectful invitation and the promise of a patriot's honor from the Emperor, Li Yaotian courteously declined. As they departed, Qin Qi discovered his younger sister, Qin Sang, had secretly followed them, her soul of Vision showing significant improvement. Qin Sang playfully chastised her brother for shooting an arrow near her, while Qin Qi reprimanded their attendant, Ling Ziyan, for allowing her mistress to wander.
Qin Sang defended Ling Ziyan, claiming they both wished to admire the martial arts master. Just then, a report arrived from Chan State detailing harassment by the Shanhai Gang, prompting Qin Qi to agree to a meeting in Chenqiao Town on his return journey to the capital. Qin Sang, eager for adventure, insisted on joining.
In Chenqiao Town, at the Zhaifeng Institute, the disciples, led by their eldest disciple Zhao Xifan, were undergoing rigorous training, chanting slogans about surpassing the Big Dipper Institute. Lu Ping, still weak from past injuries, struggled to keep pace, enduring taunts from his peers. Su Tang fiercely defended him, asserting that his weakness was due to old wounds and challenging anyone who disagreed to a fight.
Zhao Xifan, maintaining strict discipline, declared that no one, regardless of ability, would be left behind. As they trained, Lu Ping spotted Wen Gecheng in a passing carriage. A fragmented memory surfaced, and he recognized the minister. He instructed Su Tang to distract Zhao Xifan, then swiftly gave chase. Zhao Xifan quickly noticed Lu Ping's absence and pursued him. Lu Ping’s attempt to enter the local government office to reach Wen Gecheng was thwarted by guards.
Inside, Mr. Wei, the head of the local Wei family, presented Qin Qi with a Shanhai Badge, explaining that various Jianghu sects had either been annihilated or vanished after receiving similar tokens. He relayed a plea for help from the Fengling Gang, who had also received a badge. Wen Gecheng dismissed the incidents as common Jianghu disputes, advising Qin Qi against intervention to avoid disrupting the upcoming Soul Combat Convention and risking the Emperor's displeasure.
Qin Sang argued that the government should not ignore fatalities, but Wen Gecheng countered that the martial arts world had its own rules and that the Wei family, having received the plea, should handle it. Qin Qi, persuaded, tasked Mr. Wei and an official with the investigation. Dissatisfied with her brother's decision, Qin Sang resolved to act on her own.
Zhao Xifan intercepted Lu Ping just as he was attempting to sneak into the government office, demanding an explanation for his unauthorized departure. Zhao Xifan, demonstrating his skill by hitting a coin on a wine urn with an arrow using his soul of Vision, challenged Lu Ping to replicate the feat. Lu Ping's attempt was clumsy and failed, drawing more mockery from the other disciples.
He sarcastically commented that if Zhao Xifan hadn't interfered, he might have been enjoying a luxurious life in Kaifeng with the general. Zhao Xifan chastised Lu Ping for his lack of discipline, idleness, and the potential harm his actions could bring to the Zhaifeng Institute. As Zhao Xifan prepared to punish Lu Ping with the Zhaifeng Staff, Su Tang stepped in, declaring her unwavering loyalty to Lu Ping.
Lu Ping seized the opportunity to flee but was caught by Guo Youdao, the master of Zhaifeng Institute, who had taken them in years ago after their escape from the Shanhai Gang, often rescuing people for a fee. Guo Youdao instructed Zhao Xifan not to harm Lu Ping too severely, citing a debt Lu Ping owed him, to which Lu Ping humorously retorted that Guo Youdao was even greedier than Zhao Xifan.
Guo Youdao then outlined their next mission: the wealthy widow Jin Ruyu, owner of Ruyu Restaurant, had been abducted by bandits and was to become their "bandit's wife." Rescuing her would bring much-needed funds to repair the institute's leaky walls. He assigned Zhao Xifan and Su Tang to the rescue, while Lu Ping, as punishment for his earlier antics, was to clean the stables, forgo dinner, and sleep outside, then serve as lookout during the mission.
Zhao Xifan, disapproving of Guo Youdao's mercenary approach to "righteous acts," was initially reluctant, but Guo Youdao hinted that the legendary "God of Bandits" would make an appearance, swaying Zhao Xifan's decision. That night, Su Tang brought Lu Ping some steamed buns and osmanthus candy in the stables. She expressed regret over his punishment and wondered why he didn't showcase his true abilities to avoid mockery. Lu Ping, however, playfully suggested he didn't want them begging him to stay.
He revealed that he possessed the rare six-soul mastery, and his seemingly random sword strike earlier had actually been to kill a venomous snake, a fact he wished to keep secret. He reiterated their long-held plan: once Wen Gecheng was found, they would leave Zhaifeng Institute. Su Tang voiced her fear that the Shanhai Gang might track them to Chenqiao Town, but Lu Ping reassured her, stating they had survived once and would continue to do so.
Meanwhile, Qin Sang and Ling Ziyan stealthily waited at the Fengling Gang's stronghold for the Shanhai Gang operatives. A Shanhai Gang walker appeared, uttering ominous words, and Ling Ziyan prepared for battle with her Kuiying Sword. Qin Sang, confident in her family's Sun Streamer Swordplay, initially dismissed the Shanhai Gang as weak.
However, she soon realized they were trapped in an illusion, cleverly woven by a single Shanhai Gang practitioner using his soul of Essence, causing them to fight each other without realizing the truth. Recognizing the deception, Qin Sang managed to snatch a Shanhai Badge from the practitioner before retreating with Ling Ziyan.
After an all-night chase, Ling Ziyan suggested returning to Kaifeng to inform General Qin, but Qin Sang felt ashamed due to the casualties the Fengling Gang suffered during her intervention. She refused to let the practitioner retrieve the badge. As the Shanhai Gang operative closed in again, Ling Ziyan courageously offered to lure him away, confident her mastery of the soul of Energy would allow her to outrun him.
She advised Qin Sang to seek refuge at Chuanyun Fort, and they quickly exchanged clothes. At Chuanyun Fort, Jin Ruyu confidently told the bandits that she expected Guo Youdao to rescue her, believing he still cared despite his outward demeanor. She instructed them to play along with her "hero saves the beauty" scheme. Upon hearing that Zhaifeng Institute forces were approaching, the bandit leader hastily escorted Jin Ruyu to the wedding hall.
There, the disguised Qin Sang encountered the real Jin Ruyu, who initially mistook Qin Sang for a Zhaifeng disciple sent by Guo Youdao and jested about his interest in her. Qin Sang, maintaining her disguise as a government official, convinced Jin Ruyu to swap clothes with her for safety, instructing her to remain hidden in the room regardless of what transpired.
Zhao Xifan, upon arriving at the fort with his disciples, briefed them on their tasks: some were to drug the bandits' food, while Su Tang was to assist him in securing Jin Ruyu. However, Zhao Xifan revealed his true intention was not merely rescue, but to apprehend the notorious God of Bandits, who regularly intercepted and robbed other criminals, a repeated challenge for Zhao Xifan.
Su Tang, visibly upset, reminded Zhao Xifan that the God of Bandits had once saved his life. Another disciple mocked Zhao Xifan for his consistent failures against the God of Bandits, suggesting he was merely trying to save face. Zhao Xifan insisted on upholding the law as a role model for Zhaifeng Institute.
Inside the fort, the bandit leader gleefully accepted the Shanhai Badge from Qin Sang, believing it to be an heirloom from his new "wife," and the bandits celebrated. As Zhao Xifan and his team infiltrated, Su Tang sensed something was wrong. Zhao Xifan then realized that the bride was not Jin Ruyu, and confronted the disguised Qin Sang, who now held the Shanhai Badge. The recognition of "Shanhai Gang" sent a jolt of alarm through Su Tang.
