Legend of Awakening Episode 16 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
The black-clad figure's mask was struck off, revealing Guo Youdao. Lu Ping confronted his master, demanding to know why Guo Youdao had hidden from him for three years, what his true intentions were, the truth behind his parents' deaths, why he saved Lu Ping from the Shanhai Gang, and the meaning of Wen Gecheng’s dying words. Guo Youdao acknowledged Lu Ping's sharp perception, admitting he had "finally grown up."
He brushed off his injuries as minor, promising to explain everything once they escaped, emphasizing that running for their lives was the priority. However, Master Zhou of the Shanhai Gang’s Fire Division, arrived, mocking Guo Youdao’s current predicament. Guo Youdao retorted with insults about Master Zhou’s lack of manners.
Despite his injury, Guo Youdao asked Lu Ping if he wanted to beat Master Zhou, urging him to trust him, and boasted that he could defeat "such a waste" with one hand. Guo Youdao then used the "Disguise from God" technique, utilizing Lu Ping's assistance to repel Master Zhou. The technique, however, had a severe backlash, further debilitating Guo Youdao.
Master Zhou, observing Guo Youdao’s fading life force, taunted him, promising tortures awaiting them back at the Shanhai Gang, rather than an immediate death. Facing capture and prolonged suffering for Lu Ping, Guo Youdao decided death was preferable. He grabbed Lu Ping and plunged them both over the cliff. Yan Xifan and Qin Qi arrived just in time to witness Guo Youdao and Lu Ping falling. Yan Xifan was devastated, crying out for his master and Lu Ping.
Qin Qi engaged the Shanhai Gang members, but as he struggled, Yan Qiuci, the Master of Wuji Manor and known as the "Wild Sword in the Northwest," appeared. Yan Qiuci, who had mastered five forces, intervened to protect his son, Yan Xifan. Master Zhou, recognizing Yan Qiuci's formidable reputation, fled. Yan Qiuci warned Qin Qi against pursuing the retreating Shanhai Gang.
Qin Qi acknowledged Yan Qiuci’s presence and, respecting the martial arts leader, allowed Yan Qiuci's people to handle the situation, then departed to manage his remaining affairs. Yan Qiuci, observing his son's profound grief and self-blame for not being able to save Lu Ping and Guo Youdao, urged Yan Xifan to stand strong, telling him to seek revenge. Yan Qiuci assured Yan Xifan he would send people to search for them at the foot of the cliff.
He advised Yan Xifan not to return to the Zhaifeng Institute, suggesting that the less the other children knew, the safer they would be, and that Qin Qi would no longer bother them. Yan Xifan agreed to return home with his father. During their plummet, Guo Youdao protected Lu Ping, transferring his cultivation using the "Disguise from God" technique.
He recalled saving Lu Ping and Su Tang from the Shanhai Gang years ago, bringing them to Zhaifeng Institute, and creating a "debt" to keep them safe and rooted there. He remembered Lu Ping's youthful desire to leave the institute to take the township test. Now at the bottom of the cliff, Guo Youdao urged Lu Ping to remain quiet to avoid attracting Qin Qi's soldiers, while Lu Ping noted they were miraculously alive but he couldn't move.
Guo Youdao explained that his "Disguise from God" power transfer was difficult to absorb. He joked about his "clever" ways, calling himself the "God of Bandits," and saying he transferred power because Lu Ping's skills were "pitiful." Feeling the cold, Guo Youdao took a sip of wine. Lu Ping realized his master had absorbed the entire impact of their fall. Guo Youdao then called Lu Ping "a big problem" as a disciple.
Lu Ping, still immobilized, accused Guo Youdao of purposely making him immobile to avoid answering his questions, threatening to haunt him if he died without revealing the truth. Guo Youdao admitted that while some questions had answers he knew, he "dared not think deeper" about them, and some he simply didn't know. Taking a last sip of wine, he earnestly told Lu Ping that this time he wasn't joking.
Guo Youdao imparted his final words of wisdom: "It's not your past that matters, but your future. In the future, keep going and don't turn back." He then peacefully succumbed to his injuries, lying down for a "nap." Lu Ping desperately tried to rouse Guo Youdao, calling his name and begging him not to sleep.
He spoke to his unresponsive master, reminiscing about their time at Zhaifeng: Guo Youdao constantly demanding five thousand taels of silver, meticulously calculating every meal and garment, Ms. Jin’s crush on him, and how the disciples would laugh when Guo Youdao returned from Kaifeng with a bruised face, joking about his "shrew" there. Lu Ping's pleas grew more desperate, calling Guo Youdao an "old man" and a "liar," vowing never to forgive him for running away without providing answers.
Finally breaking free from his paralyzed state, Lu Ping cried out to his master, but Guo Youdao was gone, forever silent. Overwhelmed with grief, Lu Ping embraced Guo Youdao's lifeless body and wept. At the Zhaifeng Institute, other disciples, including Ms. Jin, anxiously awaited news of Guo Youdao and Lu Ping. Qin Sang arrived, pressing Qin Qi for information about Lu Ping.
A subordinate then reported that search efforts at the cliff yielded only large bloodstains, and with wild animals in the area, it was feared that Lu Ping and Guo Youdao had perished without a trace. Qin Qi informed Qin Sang that the two had been forced off the cliff by Shanhai Gang. The disciples were heartbroken, some tearfully accusing Qin Qi's men. Qin Sang, collapsing in despair, mourned their presumed deaths.
Qin Qi then publicly declared that Lu Ping had committed suicide due to guilt and, to prevent further complications, announced the immediate closure of the Zhaifeng Institute, ordering all its members to disband and return home. Once everyone had left, Lu Ping, who had been hiding nearby, secretly entered the now-empty Zhaifeng Institute, carrying Guo Youdao's wine flask. Speaking to the flask, he assured his master that everyone was well but lamented that "Zhaifeng will disappear."
Reflecting on Guo Youdao's advice to move forward, Lu Ping questioned how one could advance without knowing their past or having a home. Filled with a mixture of hatred and confusion, he vowed to avenge his master and the Zhaifeng Institute, swearing to seek out the Shanhai Gang and demand answers for everything they owed him. With this resolve, Lu Ping truly left the Zhaifeng Institute behind.
Meanwhile, Chu Min was in Kaifeng, tending to Ling Ziyan, who had surprisingly survived. Chu Min explained that Guo Youdao had used "Disguise from God" to shift Ling Ziyan's heart meridian, saving her life, though the arrow wound itself was very real. Ling Ziyan expressed immense gratitude to both Chu Min and Guo Youdao.
Chu Min revealed that Guo Youdao had stated Ling Ziyan needed to "die once before the Qin's" to gain a chance at survival, adding that "exchanging life for life" was Guo Youdao's specialty. Ling Ziyan hoped Lu Ping was safe with Guo Youdao, but Chu Min dismissively called Guo Youdao a "fool who risks his life."
In the imperial court, an official named Xia criticized the Force Combat Convention as a disaster for having produced Lu Ping, who killed Wen Gecheng. Qin Qi then presented himself before the Emperor, admitting his "sin." He explained that he had known Lu Ping's Shanhai Gang identity and had set a trap during the convention to lure out accomplices.
This operation severely crippled the Shanhai Gang and captured most of their spies within the empire, but it tragically led to Wen Gecheng's death. Qin Qi confessed to not informing the Emperor beforehand to prevent the plan from leaking, asking for punishment. Xia questioned Qin Qi’s narrative, but Qin Qi challenged him to provide counter-evidence, offering to resign and accept punishment if his report was found to be false.
The Emperor, believing Qin Qi's intentions were for the good of the country, dismissed Xia's harsh criticism and ordered the matter to be handled discreetly. After dismissing Xia, the Emperor confided in Qin Qi about greater concerns. He dismissed the past Shanhai Gang as insignificant but noted their current ambition to infiltrate the court. He revealed recent military reports from City Jin: the Liu’s from Hedong were actively contacting Xidan, their ambitions clearly revealed.
He pointed out that many Shanhai Gang spies Qin Qi had captured were former residents of the Dan Country, suggesting a connection between the Shanhai Gang's seemingly unorganized actions and benefits to the Liu’s. He concluded that the Liu’s must be the true masters behind the Shanhai Gang.
The Emperor then tasked Qin Qi with the critical mission of eradicating the Shanhai Gang, strengthening border garrisons to defend against an invasion by the Liu’s and Xidan, and coordinating with neighboring states, for which he would soon dispatch envoys. Qin Qi pledged his unwavering loyalty and commitment to the mission. At Wuji Manor, Yan Xifan was plagued by nightmares, frequently waking and calling out Lu Ping’s name.
His family was deeply worried about his refusal to eat or drink since returning. Uncle Wei informed Yan Xifan that his father, Yan Qiuci, was busy with border issues near City Jin and had advised Yan Xifan to let go of the past now that he was home. Meanwhile, Lu Ping was seen in an underground martial arts arena, honing his cultivation.
A spectator described him as an anomaly: he fought only once a day, using no more than two of his six awakened forces, yet he never lost. While ordinary people could only cultivate a fixed force, Lu Ping could rotate through all six, with only the Force of Spirit being slightly less proficient. He had defeated opponents in duels, group fights, and even wild beasts. When asked for his name, another person identified him as Lu Ping. He continued to fight, determined to overcome all challenges.
