Legend of Awakening Episode 13 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Qin Sang had long anticipated the final match of the Soul Combat Convention against Lu Ping, a chance to finally determine a victor. However, Ling Ziyan unexpectedly pleaded for Lu Ping, expressing concern for Zhao Xifan's unrecovered injuries. She feared that if the Zhaifeng team lost, they might be assigned undesirable posts, potentially outside Kaifeng.
Qin Sang firmly refused, stating that intentionally losing would not only disgrace her brother, Qin Qi, and the Qin family but also demean Lu Ping and their prior agreement for a fair fight. She declared she would not hold back and would compete honorably. As Zhao Xifan was unable to participate, the Zhaifeng team entered with three members. Mo Lin quickly eliminated two opponents from the Tianzhao women's team, then, along with Su Tang, withdrew from the arena.
Mo Lin humorously suggested he was helping create a "romantic ending" for Lu Ping and Qin Sang. To ensure fairness and prevent accusations of having a numerical advantage, Qin Sang instructed Ling Ziyan to also withdraw from her side. The final duel began with only Lu Ping and Qin Sang remaining. Qin Sang's Force of Color suppressed Lu Ping's soul of Sound, putting him at a disadvantage.
Just as Lu Ping was about to sustain a serious injury, Ling Ziyan suddenly re-entered the arena. To everyone's astonishment, she deftly evaded Qin Sang's "Glowing Dance," a secret Qin family technique believed to be unblockable. This act was seen as a grave affront to the Qin family, prompting their guards to move in and apprehend Ling Ziyan. Lu Ping, however, intervened, blocking the guards. Qin Sang asserted it was a family matter and forbade Wen Rui from interfering.
Wen Rui countered, arguing that Ling Ziyan, having discovered a way to counter the "Glowing Dance," posed a significant threat. If she were ever to be used by an enemy against General Qin Qi on the battlefield, the consequences for the Longjie Army and the nation would be dire. Seeing Qin Sang's internal conflict, Ling Ziyan was prepared to take her own life, but Lu Ping stopped her, declaring he must protect her since her intervention was to save him.
Lu Ping produced a golden token, a gift from the Emperor to the Qin family, and offered it to exchange for Ling Ziyan's life, surprising the onlookers. Qin Sang clarified that as Lu Ping was not a member of the Qin family, the token held no authority for him. However, acknowledging his previous act of saving her, she offered a compromise. She invoked the Qin family's golden token to formally reinstate their match.
The outcome of this final duel would determine Ling Ziyan's fate: if Lu Ping won, Ling Ziyan would be free to go with him; if Qin Sang won, she would personally execute Ling Ziyan. Despite Wen Rui's concerns about her authority in Qin Qi's absence, Qin Sang affirmed her decision, stating her brother was away on assignment and she was in charge.
She told Lu Ping this was her greatest act of benevolence, and Ling Ziyan's survival now rested on fate. Lu Ping accepted the terms, instructing Zhao Xifan and Su Tang to guard Ling Ziyan. The match resumed, but Lu Ping quickly noticed Qin Sang's numerous deliberate vulnerabilities. He realized she was soft-hearted and didn't truly wish to harm Ling Ziyan. Deciding to be the "bad guy," he cooperated, and together they played out the final act of the competition.
Lu Ping emerged victorious, becoming the Soul Combat Convention champion. Qin Sang, acknowledging her defeat, released Ling Ziyan, warning her that if they ever met again, she would show no mercy. Amidst the joyous cheers for Lu Ping, Qin Sang quietly and melancholically departed the convention. Lu Ping took Ling Ziyan to the Sutra Repository at Zhaifeng Institute, entrusting her to Chu Min's care. Chu Min, however, insisted that Lu Ping, having brought the trouble, should deal with it himself.
As Ling Ziyan began tidying the repository, Lu Ping told her that from then on, she was no longer a servant and was free to do as she pleased. Ling Ziyan expressed her desire to follow Lu Ping, but he encouraged her to consider other possibilities before making a hasty decision. When Ling Ziyan worried about Qin Sang being punished for letting her go, Lu Ping assured her he would handle it.
Meanwhile, Qin Sang was at home, dutifully copying family rules as punishment for her actions. Her brother, Qin Qi, concerned for her, offered to find her a new sword attendant, but Qin Sang politely declined, saying she preferred to be alone. Although Qin Qi ordered Wen Rui to continue searching for Ling Ziyan, he ultimately decided to let go of his grievances against Lu Ping, acknowledging him as the champion who could serve the court.
Later, Lu Ping secretly visited Qin Sang, joining her in her punishment. Qin Sang playfully pointed out their differing calligraphies and taught him to write correctly, deepening their connection. Lu Ping shared a childhood memory of a flower field in his hometown and promised that once his Soul Confinement was broken, he would return to plant flowers and grass, inviting Qin Sang to join him. Qin Sang feigned disinterest in a "village place" but secretly harbored anticipation.
The four members of Zhaifeng Institute, including Lu Ping, Zhao Xifan, Su Tang, and Mo Lin, were summoned to the Hall of Drop Arch to meet the Emperor. Despite the Emperor's offer of official positions and titles, Lu Ping boldly requested money instead, much to the shock of the court. Mo Lin jokingly suggested Lu Ping was possessed by Guo Youdao. The Emperor, impressed by Lu Ping's unconventional demeanor, granted a generous sum of silver.
Lu Ping presented the money to Guo Youdao, declaring it sufficient to rebuild ten martial towers and instructing him to stop lamenting their destruction. Lu Ping then announced his intention to leave the imperial court and return to his sect with Wen Gecheng to finally break his Soul Confinement, hoping it would bring ease to Zhao Xifan's return to Zhaifeng.
When Su Tang announced Wen Gecheng's arrival, Guo Youdao became noticeably agitated and quickly excused himself, claiming a headache from drinking too much the previous night. Lu Ping and Su Tang found his behavior highly suspicious. Wen Gecheng reassured Lu Ping about his imperial service but then brought up a more pressing matter: the Shanhai Gang's attack at Xinghua Restaurant.
He confirmed he had not disclosed their meeting location to anyone and suspected someone close to Lu Ping had leaked the information. Wen Gecheng hinted at Guo Youdao, given that he was the only one who knew the details and was not with them during the attack. Although Lu Ping was reluctant to confront his master, Wen Gecheng insisted on a swift resolution, emphasizing that a Shanhai Gang member nearby would perpetually endanger Lu Ping and Su Tang.
Lu Ping found Zhao Xifan waiting for him, who staunchly refused to believe Guo Youdao could be a Shanhai Gang member, citing their long history. Lu Ping, though also unwilling to believe it, acknowledged Wen Gecheng's point about the unpredictability of human hearts and Guo Youdao's recent strange behavior. He tasked Su Tang with finding Mo Lin to confirm Guo Youdao's presence at Xinghua Restaurant.
Su Tang met Mo Lin at the restaurant, where Mo Lin used his keen sense of smell to confirm that Guo Youdao did indeed carry the unique scent of the Xinghua Restaurant's Apricot Blossom Wine, indicating he had been there despite his claims. This deepened their suspicion. Lu Ping, still wanting to give Guo Youdao the benefit of the doubt, decided to give him one last chance.
Meanwhile, Chu Min suspected Guo Youdao was hiding something and attempted to confront him, but Su Tang, feigning Ling Ziyan's injury relapse, urgently called Chu Min away, preventing the confrontation. Guo Youdao secretly checked the wound on his left shoulder, relieved that the bone-piercing nail had not caused external bleeding, hoping to keep his secret for one more night.
Later, Lu Ping approached Guo Youdao, offering him some Apricot Blossom Wine and inviting him for a drink, which Guo Youdao declined, claiming he had recently quit. Lu Ping then recounted a peculiar story told by a storyteller at Xinghua Restaurant: a fox, escaping a hunter's burning house, was rescued by a farmer.
The grateful fox later discovered the farmer sharpening his knife, realizing the farmer and hunter were in league, waiting for its wounds to heal so its fur would be valuable. Lu Ping pointedly asked Guo Youdao if the fox was foolish for trusting, and then, with a penetrating gaze, asked what Guo Youdao himself was hiding, drawing a parallel between the farmer's long deception and his master's secretive actions.
Separately, Qin Sang located the injured Wei Tianqi, having received an indirect message from him, and was joined by Zhao Xifan. Qin Sang, under the pretense of checking on Wei Tianqi's health, helped Zhao Xifan persuade Wei's father to leave them alone. During their private conversation, Qin Sang and Zhao Xifan discovered a distinctive Shanhai Gang mark on Wei Tianqi's hand, revealing his undeniable connection to the organization.
