Legend of Awakening Episode 15 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Lu Ping voiced his apprehension that if his `Soul Confinement` were ever broken, his `Power of Awakening` might be exploited by the Shanhai Gang, questioning if he would meet the same tragic fate as others. Zhao Xifan firmly reassured him, upholding Zhaifeng Institute's tradition of never leaving anyone behind and vowing to prevent such an outcome.
Lu Ping, in turn, pledged that as long as Zhaifeng and their brotherhood stood, he would never waver or fear the Shanhai Gang, regardless of their schemes. They then noted the absence of their Master, Guo Youdao. Chu Min explained that Guo Youdao had returned to Zhaifeng Institute to recover, citing the high cost of medical treatment in Kaifeng, and had only instructed them to ensure all the emperor's bestowed treasures were safely transported back.
Sensing an unspoken truth, Lu Ping pressed Chu Min, asking what Guo Youdao was truly concealing and questioning his identity if not tied to the Shanhai Gang. Chu Min remained tight-lipped, urging Lu Ping to seek answers directly from Guo Youdao, a proposition Lu Ping reluctantly accepted, knowing they would soon return to Chenqiao Town where his master resided. Upon returning home, Qin Sang anxiously inquired about Lu Ping's safety.
Qin Qi, despite her denials, discerned her deep concern for him. He informed her that Lu Ping was safe and Wen Gecheng's body had been found in the forest. Qin Sang, although saddened by Wen Gecheng's betrayal, expressed confidence that the emperor, being a reasonable ruler, would understand if presented with a clear explanation, suggesting Lu Ping, as the `Force Combat Convention` champion, would be a superior candidate for the `Longjie Army`.
After a brief exchange, Qin Qi subtly rendered Qin Sang unconscious, wishing for her to awaken believing her recent troubles were merely a dream. Subsequently, Wen Rui uncovered secret letters and a list of Shanhai Gang spies embedded within the court, all found in Wen Gecheng's hidden chamber. Qin Qi immediately ordered the destruction of these documents and a discreet investigation into the listed individuals, strictly forbidding any public disclosure.
He explained that protecting the emperor's `New Deal`, which aimed to recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, was paramount, and Wen Gecheng's scandal could be exploited by opposing factions to undermine this vital policy. To safeguard the Qin family's honor and the emperor's reforms, Qin Qi orchestrated a cover-up, fabricating a story that Wen Gecheng had been killed by criminals, an act he claimed to have avenged.
Lu Ping and his companions soon found themselves confined to the `Hongfu Inn` by `Longjie Army` soldiers, acting under General Qin's orders to prevent anyone from leaving amidst the Shanhai Gang's unrest. Lu Ping observed the emptied inn and the soldiers outside, realizing their predicament. Zhao Xifan deduced that since Qin Qi had recommended Wen Gecheng into office and aided his rise, Qin Qi's family would face severe repercussions if Wen Gecheng's identity as a Shanhai Gang spy became public.
This made Lu Ping's group dangerous witnesses for Qin Qi. As they debated their limited options, Ling Ziyan, disguised as a maid, entered, warning them of Qin Qi's imminent actions and urging an immediate escape before the main forces arrived. They attempted to flee, but as they neared the city gate, Qin Qi intercepted them, tragically striking Ling Ziyan with an arrow.
In her final moments, she expressed sorrow to Lu Ping for not getting the chance to start a new life. Qin Qi then ordered a city-wide search, vowing that no Zhaifeng disciples would be spared. Lu Ping furiously confronted Qin Qi, demanding to know why he had killed an innocent woman who was neither a soldier nor an enemy.
Qin Qi coldly declared it a family matter, stating that some individuals were destined to die and would not escape his judgment. He then accused Lu Ping and his group of murdering an imperial official. Qin Qi offered Lu Ping a chance: surrender and cooperate with his investigation, and he would spare Lu Ping's life out of consideration for Qin Sang. Mo Lin vehemently rejected the offer, warning Lu Ping that he would be framed as the Shanhai Gang mole.
Lu Ping, attempting to save his companions, offered to go with Qin Qi if he would release the others, but Qin Qi refused any conditions. With renewed resolve, Lu Ping, supported by Su Tang and Mo Lin, defiantly declared his intention to fight for Zhaifeng. Qin Qi, enraged, ordered the `Longjie Army` to execute Lu Ping for murder and the others as his accomplices.
As a volley of arrows descended, a black-clad figure, who had previously saved Lu Ping and Su Tang from the Shanhai Gang, suddenly appeared, deflecting the arrows and rescuing them. The figure swiftly moved them to safety, remarking on their compassion for the deceased while fleeing for their lives. Lu Ping, desperate for answers, attempted to unmask the mysterious "Thief," asking his identity, but the figure evaded him and left to distract Qin Qi's forces.
Zhao Xifan noted the figure's familiarity and, believing he would escape due to his formidable martial arts, urged Lu Ping and the others to flee quickly, hoping for a future reunion. Recognizing that their group of four was too conspicuous a target, Lu Ping instructed Su Tang and Mo Lin to head north to find a safe haven.
Su Tang tearfully pleaded to stay, reminding Lu Ping of Zhaifeng's principle of never abandoning a comrade and his past promise to protect her. She recounted that if she hadn't met Lu Ping at the Shanhai Gang, she wouldn't have had the courage to live. Lu Ping corrected her, saying she had saved him, then entrusted her care to Mo Lin, who swore on his honor as the "No.1 assassin" to protect his "disciple."
After their emotional farewell, Lu Ping and Zhao Xifan decided to return to Zhaifeng Institute, fearing it might be implicated. Zhao Xifan, reiterating Zhaifeng's motto, agreed to accompany him. Meanwhile, at `Family Wei` in Chanzhou, Wei Zhong's servant urged him to flee, anticipating trouble. Wei Tianqi, unaware of his father's secrets, questioned his panic, unknowingly mentioning Wen Gecheng's Shanhai Gang affiliation. Wei Zhong, trying to reassure his son, explained they had to hide to protect him.
Suddenly, a `Shanhai Badge` was delivered, revealing Wei Zhong's allegiance to the Shanhai Gang to a shocked Wei Tianqi. The Fire Division Master then appeared, menacingly threatening Wei Tianqi. Wei Zhong desperately pleaded for his son's life, offering to comply with any demand. The Fire Division Master, dismissing Wei Tianqi as a "coward," revealed the Shanhai Gang leader's desire for Lu Ping, but stated that the current official search made direct action difficult.
He demanded Wei Zhong deliver Lu Ping by tomorrow noon, threatening to remove Wei Tianqi's teeth if he failed. Wei Zhong, witnessing his son's terror, reluctantly agreed. At Zhaifeng Institute, the remaining disciples eagerly awaited the return of Lu Ping, their `Force Combat Convention` champion. Wei Ming, a loyal servant to Wei Zhong, urged his master to fight the Shanhai Gang, emphasizing that they never spared losers and that resistance offered a slim chance of survival.
However, Wei Zhong, prioritizing Wei Tianqi's safety, dismissed the idea of fighting Shanhai Gang and resolved to capture Lu Ping. Meanwhile, Lu Ping and Zhao Xifan were traveling discreetly, with Zhao Xifan commenting on the hardships of their fugitive life and Lu Ping's past mistake of being caught due to a campfire.
Lu Ping revealed he had checked Chenqiao Town and Qin Qi hadn't arrived, but he hesitated to return directly to Zhaifeng, implicitly wanting to shield the disciples from the truth and their fugitive status. Zhao Xifan realized Lu Ping was protecting them, but Lu Ping insisted that Zhaifeng disciples would never abandon their comrades. He planned to return to Zhaifeng under cover of night, hoping to find justice there.
Zhao Xifan, now accustomed to their harsh life, pledged to find help. Lu Ping then light-heartedly gave Zhao Xifan some food he had "borrowed" from `Ruyu Restaurant`, humorously leaving the bill to Guo Youdao. Suddenly, a threatening letter arrived for Lu Ping, demanding he go to Zhaifeng Institute alone to save his compatriots. Zhao Xifan understood that it was time to return.
Back at Zhaifeng Institute, Lu Ping confronted Wei Zhong's men, rhetorically challenging Wei Zhong's subservience to Shanhai Gang and asserting his own successful escape from their control. He urged them to realize they could choose their own freedom. Meanwhile, Qin Qi received a report that Zhao Xifan and another individual were heading towards `Family Wei` in Chanzhou, diverting his pursuit from Zhaifeng Institute.
Qin Qi, annoyed by the black-clad figure's interference, rapidly changed his destination to intercept them at `Family Wei`, reaffirming his commitment to the emperor's New Deal and his willingness to play the "bad guy" for the greater good. At Zhaifeng Institute, Wei Zhong, anxious for his son, was on the verge of harming Lu Ping when Zhao Xifan arrived with Wei Tianqi, reuniting the father and son.
Wei Tianqi questioned his father's alliance with the Shanhai Gang, prompting Lu Ping to interject. Lu Ping explained that Wei Zhong's identity was now compromised, rendering him useless to the Shanhai Gang, who would not spare him regardless of his actions. He also revealed that Wei Ming had remained at `Family Wei` to plead with Qin Qi. Convinced, Wei Tianqi urged his father to cooperate with Lu Ping and release the Zhaifeng disciples. Wei Zhong agreed and ordered their release.
Lu Ping and Zhao Xifan then announced the temporary dissolution of Zhaifeng Institute, advising the disciples to seek temporary refuge, reassuring them that Zhaifeng would endure as long as they lived and that they would reunite. As Wei Zhong took Wei Tianqi, intending to seek mercy from Qin Qi, the Fire Division Master of Shanhai Gang abruptly appeared, delivering a fatal blow to Wei Zhong and urging Wei Tianqi to flee.
Shanhai Gang forces immediately stormed the institute, attacking the disciples. Lu Ping and Zhao Xifan confronted the Fire Division Master. The black-clad figure suddenly reappeared to assist them, prompting Zhao Xifan to order the Zhaifeng disciples to retreat to the main hall and escape through the back door while he covered their retreat. As arrows rained down, Qin Qi and the `Longjie Army` arrived.
Zhao Xifan urgently implored Qin Qi to set aside their differences and unite against the common enemy, the Shanhai Gang. Lu Ping, however, pursued the black-clad figure towards the back mountain, where he finally confronted the masked individual and recognized him as his master, Guo Youdao.
