Legend of Awakening Episode 21 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Lu Ping spoke to Guo Wushu, acknowledging his sorrow over his brother's passing, even if Guo Wushu didn't want to admit it. Lu Ping explained that before his master, Guo Youdao, died, he had spoken of obscure things and arranged for Chu Min to bring Lu Ping to Big Dipper, knowing he would meet Guo Wushu. Guo Youdao's intricate plan involved using Guo Wushu to stimulate Lu Ping's competitive spirit, leading him to Qisha Institute.
There, Guo Youdao temporarily sealed Lu Ping's Soul Force by "connecting star to destiny," so Lu Ping could cultivate his Force of Sound to its extreme and obtain The Horn.
Chu Min confirmed that Guo Youdao’s extensive plans aimed to hone Lu Ping's resolve, prompt her to reclaim her responsibilities as a Peak Master, and, through Lu Ping, awaken Guo Wushu to let go of his past grievances, implying that Guo Youdao also served as a guiding example for Guo Wushu. Lu Ping further suggested that Guo Youdao's long-ago bet with Guo Wushu was intended to make him focus on cultivation.
Now, by bringing Lu Ping to meet him, Guo Youdao was subtly telling Guo Wushu that since he had achieved much, it was time to move on from his obsession. Lu Ping even offered to become Guo Wushu's disciple and compete with him if he still felt unsettled, but Guo Wushu declined, stating he already had a disciple.
Wei Tianqi tried to pursue Lu Ping, but Guo Wushu stopped him, reminding him that the Shanhai Gang was responsible for his parents' deaths, not Lu Ping. Guo Wushu declared that it was time to train, vowing not to lose to Lu Ping again in the upcoming competition. He expressed his determination to find a successor for his Kaiyang Peak Master skills, implying his renewed commitment after his brother's passing.
Lu Ping then turned to Chu Min with questions: why he recognized The Horn's melody, how the power of his "soul-devouring lock" resonated with it and broke on its own, and why Guo Youdao specifically wanted him to acquire Master Leng's weapon. Chu Min dismissed his numerous "whys," stating that some things simply come to fruition when fate allows.
When Lu Ping asked about Master Leng, Chu Min described him as an upright and honest hero with unparalleled martial skill, worthy of universal reverence. She then instructed Lu Ping to pay respects to both Guo Youdao and Master Leng. As Lu Ping knelt and thanked Master Leng for his divine weapon, promising to use it well, he noticed Chu Min crying.
She sharply told him to focus on his recovery and not to act impulsively, for he had only one life. When asked about her own plans, Chu Min acknowledged her prolonged idleness and declared her intention to reclaim her duties as a Peak Master. A disciple informed Lu Ping that Senior Xu Weifeng had left Big Dipper. It was believed he left due to embarrassment after attempting to learn Lu Ping's skilled pace but still losing.
Huo Ying interjected, explaining Xu Weifeng's deeper reasons and presenting a letter from him. In the letter, Xu Weifeng apologized for his loss and leaving his position as senior. He wrote of the suffering refugees near E'zhou due to the war between Shuo and Tan, and his resolve to join the army to contribute, having achieved nothing at Big Dipper. Qin Sang recognized the Xu Family in Jiangning as that of Xu Yanling, the Tan Military Minister.
A disciple further explained that Xu Weifeng, despite his noble birth, had always desired to join the army but was prevented by chronic asthma. He had come to Big Dipper years ago, training diligently, hoping to obtain The Horn to enhance his cultivation and thus qualify for military service, but Lu Ping had acquired it instead. Concerned for Xu Weifeng, who was still recovering from his injuries from Qisha Institute, Lu Ping felt a responsibility to help him.
He invited Qin Sang to join him, to which she agreed, citing her own family's teachings on upholding justice. Inspired by Lu Ping's resolve, Huo Ying and other disciples from the Fifth College, who shared a desire to leave the college and help others, also volunteered to accompany him to E'zhou. Meanwhile, Su Tang and Mo Lin, traveling near E'zhou, ran low on funds and food.
Su Tang, playfully claiming Mo Lin as her master, shared her last bun with him, only for it to be snatched by a desperate refugee. Mo Lin was about to retaliate, but Xu Weifeng intervened, giving the hungry person his own food and admonishing Mo Lin for his impulsiveness. Refugees, displaced by the Shuo-Tan war and facing an epidemic, were stranded outside E'zhou as General Xu Tianbing refused them entry.
Xu Weifeng, moved by their plight, confronted Xu Tianbing and pleaded for the refugees, but the general accused him of being a spy and ordered his arrest. Su Tang, declaring that people must fight for their lives if the gates remain shut, attacked the guards, and Xu Weifeng shielded her from an incoming blow, injuring his arm. Just then, Lu Ping, Qin Sang, and the Fifth College disciples arrived. Su Tang rushed to embrace Lu Ping.
Qin Sang held General Xu Tianbing hostage, demanding he open the city gates. Xu Weifeng explained to Xu Tianbing that true power is for defending against enemies, not oppressing citizens, and assured him that he would manage the refugees' accommodation and registration while isolating any suspicious individuals. When Xu Tianbing demanded to know his authority, Xu Weifeng revealed his identity as the son of Xu Yanling, the Military Minister, causing the general to immediately back down and open the gates.
Xu Weifeng promised to write to his father, praising the general's "good deed." He also reminded Xu Tianbing that whether there was war or peace, the common people were innocent, and urged him to show mercy. General Xu, recognizing Xu Weifeng's status and his father's pro-negotiation stance, conceded but held Xu Weifeng responsible for any issues with the refugees. Mo Lin expressed his surprise at Lu Ping's new "powerful connection."
The group brought the weak Xu Weifeng back to his Breeze Mansion in Qingfeng Alley. Su Tang, relieved that Xu Weifeng was recovering from his injuries, tended to him, even personally feeding him Mo Lin's special medicine. Xu Weifeng was touched by her care and was surprised to learn that Lu Ping was her brother. Meanwhile, Lu Ping and Qin Sang worked to settle the refugees.
Qin Sang observed a profound change in Lu Ping, noting his newfound willingness to help others, a stark contrast to his past indifference, and expressed her admiration for him. Their intimate moment was interrupted by the arrival of Mo Lin and Su Tang. Mo Lin, visibly jealous of Su Tang's attention to Xu Weifeng, playfully complained about her staying with the "toy boy."
Su Tang explained that they had come to E'zhou at the request of Yan Qiuci’s father and, during their journey, learned that Shuo and Tan had exchanged documents and were planning peace negotiations in E'zhou. Given that Shanhai Gang had a history of infiltrating the court and causing border unrest, Qin Sang inferred that their presence in E'zhou was likely an attempt to disrupt these peace talks.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Lu Ping dispatched Huo Ying and the other Big Dipper disciples back to report to Master Chu Min and Master Li, emphasizing that the skilled Shanhai Gang operatives might overwhelm local defenses, necessitating support from Big Dipper. He and Qin Sang would remain in the city to gather intelligence. Xu Weifeng offered his family's connections and assistance, adding that his father, the Military Minister, was already en route to E'zhou with the negotiation team.
Qin Sang also mentioned that her own brother would be joining the delegation, believing his aid would help expose the Shanhai Gang. With a plan established, they all agreed to proceed swiftly. Qin Sang then privately approached Lu Ping, revealing that her real purpose in E'zhou was to act as an envoy for her brother, hoping to persuade Lu Ping to cooperate in eliminating the Shanhai Gang.
Lu Ping, however, refused any direct collaboration with the court, citing Big Dipper's rule against political interference and his personal desire to live as an ordinary man, vowing to handle the Shanhai Gang on his own terms. He then invited Qin Sang to join him in visiting a teahouse, known for information gathering. Meanwhile, at the refugee settlement, Su Tang's lively conversations with Xu Weifeng caused Mo Lin's jealousy to flare, almost startling a child who had come for treatment.
Mo Lin tried to express his feelings to Su Tang, asking her to only give her affection (represented by sugar) to him, Lu Ping, or Senior Yan Xifan. But Su Tang, not understanding his underlying emotions, found him increasingly strange, which frustrated him, and he stormed off. Though still weak, Xu Weifeng fully supported Lu Ping's mission, offering to leverage his family's influence with General Xu Tianbing to provide assistance.
Lu Ping confided in Xu Weifeng, drawing a comparison between his resilience and that of Yan Xifan, whom Lu Ping described as his first true friend, who had risked his life by infiltrating the Shanhai Gang to help him. Lu Ping expected Xifan to join them soon. Suddenly, Qin Sang rushed in, distraught, holding a blood-written letter, announcing that something had happened to Yan Xifan. Rushing to the woods, Lu Ping found Yan Xifan gravely wounded.
Xifan claimed he had successfully infiltrated the Shanhai Gang with his father's assistance, mapping out their secret passages. He confessed to being overly ambitious, wanting to eliminate the leader for Lu Ping's sake, but he miscalculated and barely escaped, rushing directly to Lu Ping without even seeing his father. Lu Ping, however, was immediately suspicious, knowing the Shanhai Gang's brutal methods would not allow such an easy escape.
He pressed Xifan on how he knew Lu Ping's exact location at Breeze Mansion. Seeing his cover blown, Xifan dropped his pretense, acknowledging Lu Ping's constant vigilance. Lu Ping then confronted him, demanding to know what "magic potion" the Shanhai Gang had used to turn him against his own brother.
Xifan coldly revealed that the gang had manipulated him into believing Lu Ping was responsible for Zhaifeng Institute's destruction, and that only by capturing the "awakening" (Lu Ping) could peace be restored to the world. Lu Ping tried to reason with him, reminding him that the Shanhai Gang itself had destroyed Zhaifeng. Unmoved, Xifan gloated that he had prepared for this confrontation.
His Power of Essence had failed to deceive them, as Lu Ping and Qin Sang had already suspected and planned for such a betrayal. Qin Sang, who had followed Lu Ping as a precaution, then denounced Yan Xifan's actions. Xifan then commanded his hidden Shanhai Gang followers to capture Lu Ping.
