Legend of Awakening Episode 17 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
In an underground fighting arena, Lu Ping, known for fighting only once daily with high odds, easily defeats an opponent specializing in the Force of Heft who mistakenly believes Lu Ping can only use the Force of Air and the Force of Pivoting. Lu Ping swiftly throws him, revealing he commands more than just two forces.
An observer identifies this unique power as the Force of Spirit Lock, confirming that the fighter is indeed Lu Ping, the man thought to have fallen to his death from a cliff. Meanwhile, at Wuji Manor, Yan Xifan awakens and apologizes to his father, Yan Qiuci, for his past actions.
Yan Qiuci, the revered "Wild Sword in the Northwest," takes a walk with his son, praising Xifan’s maturation and his recent triumph at the convention where he defeated a Shanhai Gang master. He explains that his past distance was to allow Xifan to confront his inner demons. Yan Xifan reveals that his self-imposed exile at Zhaifeng Institute led him to a good master, Guo Youdao, and valuable friendships, providing him with a renewed purpose and reason to wield his sword.
He vows to seek justice for Lu Ping, harmed by the Shanhai Gang’s Force of Spirit Lock. Yan Qiuci accepts his son as an ally against the Shanhai Gang but advises him to rest and recover first. Yan Qiuci’s subordinate, A Ze, confirms that Guo Youdao was indeed Yan Qiuci’s fourth junior brother, prompting Yan Qiuci to reflect on the coincidences of fate.
A Ze also reports that Lu Ping possessed the unique Force of Spirit Lock, like a certain "younger master" from the past, but Yan Qiuci cuts him off, unwilling to dwell on the deceased and sadden Xifan further. Yan Qiuci expresses regret over Zhaifeng’s destruction, but now resolves to use Wuji Manor’s strength to fight Shanhai Gang. Soon after, Yan Xifan hears reports of Shanhai Gang activity in Jin City and decides to investigate.
A scout spots Shanhai Gang agents, and Yan Xifan, seizing the rare opportunity given Qin Qi's relentless pursuit of the gang, follows them. He overhears them discussing a fighter named Lu Ping, who possesses the Force of Spirit Lock and is openly fighting in an underground boxing casino. Overjoyed to learn Lu Ping is alive, Yan Xifan rushes to Jin City with his men.
Outside the casino, A Ze confirms Lu Ping's presence, leading Yan Xifan to question Lu Ping's blatant self-exposure. Yan Xifan decides to enter alone to assess the situation, instructing A Ze to alert the Jin City army and to launch an assault if he doesn’t emerge within half an hour. Inside the boxing casino, Yan Xifan is ambushed by Zhou Youlong, the Master of Shanhai Gang’s Fire Division, who reveals he knew of Yan Xifan’s pursuit and set a trap.
Lu Ping intervenes, much to Yan Xifan’s relief, but also comments on Xifan’s poor timing. Yan Xifan quickly understands Lu Ping’s intention: to be captured by the Shanhai Gang to infiltrate their ranks and seek revenge. To assist Lu Ping’s plan, Yan Xifan pretends to betray him, stabbing him. Just as reinforcements, including Chu Min and government officials, arrive, Yan Xifan stops Chu Min.
Faced with these overwhelming numbers, Zhou Youlong and his men retreat, taking the seemingly compliant Yan Xifan with them, leaving the grievously wounded Lu Ping behind. Later, Zhou Youlong questions Yan Xifan’s loyalty, especially after he killed Wen Gecheng, the Wind Division Master, and was known to be Lu Ping’s friend.
Yan Xifan dismisses his friendship with Lu Ping as trivial and claims his loyalty shifted due to Zhaifeng’s inadequacy and Qin Qi’s unfair treatment after the convention, where he was punished for killing an enemy. He declares his ambition for fame and power, which he believes Shanhai Gang, with its influence in the Shuo Country and grand plans, can offer. Impressed by Yan Xifan’s audacity, Zhou Youlong demands a blood oath.
Yan Xifan willingly cuts himself and performs the ritual, earning Zhou Youlong’s trust and officially becoming an agent of the Fire Division. Lu Ping eventually regains consciousness, calling out for Xifan, only to find Ling Ziyan beside him. She explains that Guo Youdao used a rare technique called "Stealing Heaven and Changing Earth" to save her life and entrusted Chu Min to care for her. Chu Min then enters, expressing relief that Yan Xifan’s strike missed Lu Ping’s heart.
Lu Ping, however, observes that Xifan’s precision with a sword is always impeccable and deduces that the stab was a deliberate act, a calculated maneuver to enable Xifan to infiltrate the Shanhai Gang on his behalf. Meanwhile, in Jin City, a torrential downpour doesn’t deter Su Tang and Mo Lin from their desperate search for Lu Ping. Su Tang, anxious for her brother, pulls a reluctant Mo Lin away from his meal, insisting they continue.
They get lost in the forest, and Su Tang, frustrated, accuses Mo Lin of intentionally misleading her to make her his disciple. Before Mo Lin can defend himself, he collapses, overcome by exhaustion. Su Tang, alarmed, quickly rushes to find medical help for him. Back at Big Dipper Institute, Chu Min brings the grievously wounded Lu Ping for treatment.
The institute is in a state of decline, with its Master, Li Yaotian, and other Peak Masters discussing the need to appoint a new Master for the long-vacant Yaoguang Peak, especially with upcoming new disciple recruitment. A disciple reports a "crazy woman" forcefully entering and heading for the medicine room. Li Yaotian and the others confront Chu Min, who, without ceremony, addresses Li Yaotian by name and demands he save Lu Ping, declaring that the boy cannot die.
The disciples are stunned when Li Yaotian, the Sect Master, addresses her as 'Junior Senior Sister Chu Min,' and reveals that she is none other than the legendary Master of Yaoguang Peak, a prodigy who achieved four forces at the age of sixteen. Li Yaotian promptly begins treating Lu Ping. In the Qin family, Qin Sang has advanced her cultivation to three forces. However, she remains deeply melancholic over Lu Ping’s presumed death.
Her brother, Qin Qi, tries to lift her spirits by offering her favorite hibiscus cakes, but she angrily dismisses his attempts, feeling he doesn't take her training seriously by going easy on her. Alone in her room, Qin Sang looks at a dress Lu Ping once gave her, recalling their shared memories. Overwhelmed by grief, she blames herself for not being strong enough to protect Ling Ziyan and Lu Ping, believing him to be gone forever.
Yan Xifan, now firmly established as a Fire Division agent, accompanies Zhou Youlong to meet the Shanhai Gang Master. Zhou Youlong reports his failure to capture Lu Ping, citing Chu Min and government interference, and suggests a retaliatory attack on Big Dipper. The Master scolds Zhou Youlong for his recklessness, reminding him that Big Dipper is a powerful sect not to be provoked lightly.
He emphasizes that the "E'zhou grand plan" is paramount, and Lu Ping’s capture is to be temporarily postponed. The Master instructs Zhou Youlong to prepare for E'zhou, a border region between Shuo and Tan, leaving Yan Xifan to ponder Shanhai Gang’s mysterious intentions for the strategic location. As evening falls, the Master withdraws to a secret chamber for his daily cultivation.
Yan Xifan realizes the depth of his commitment as a spy; he must uncover the gang’s secrets, remembering their mastery of the Force of Spirit for mind control, which once annihilated the Fengling Gang. Later, Chu Min drinks under the moon, lost in memories of Guo Youdao. Li Yaotian arrives, confirming Lu Ping’s injuries are stable and not life-threatening. He then formally requests Chu Min to reclaim her position as Master of Yaoguang Peak.
Chu Min refuses, stating that circumstances have changed and the position holds no meaning for her now. She criticizes Li Yaotian, telling him his leadership lacks courage, not ability. Li Yaotian, however, presses on, revealing he learned from Ling Ziyan that Lu Ping is Guo Youdao’s disciple and a wanted criminal. He questions the propriety of bringing such a person to Big Dipper and seeks to understand Lu Ping’s deep connection to Guo Youdao and Chu Min.
Chu Min sharply cuts him off, declaring that Lu Ping’s background is irrelevant; all that matters is the boy’s safety. Li Yaotian then cautiously reminds her that the Master of Kaiyang Peak, an old rival of Guo Youdao, would not tolerate any matter concerning him. Chu Min is suddenly alarmed, realizing she had completely forgotten about "that old man," and quickly rushes to check on Lu Ping. Lu Ping wakes up at Qisha Hall, seeing a figure approaching. He calls out, "Master!"
