Legend of Awakening Episode 23 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Qin Qi and Minister Xia arrived in E'zhou for peace talks with envoys from Tan, but the strong military presence Qin Qi brought made Tan's General Xu Tianbing quite displeased. General Xu accused Qin Qi's forces of nearly surrounding the post, making him question if he was in Tan or Shuo. Qin Qi calmly explained that security was standard for peace talks and warned that Shanhai Gang had infiltrated E'zhou, urging caution.
General Xu, however, was still upset, also bringing up an incident where Minister Xu's son, Xu Weifeng, and Qin Qi's sister, Qin Sang, allegedly threatened him to let refugees into the city. Feeling disrespected, General Xu left the talks, and Minister Xu, caught in an awkward position, could only agree to postpone the negotiations. Upon returning, Minister Xu confronted Xu Weifeng about colluding with Jianghu individuals and Qin Sang to forcibly open the city gates for refugees.
Xu Weifeng defended his actions, stating that General Xu was overly cautious and the innocent refugees deserved immediate aid. He also requested that his companions from Big Dipper be allowed to stay. Minister Xu, while acknowledging his son's concern for state affairs, advised him to be less impulsive. He mentioned Qin Qi's warning about Shanhai Gang's ambitions, agreeing that outside help might be beneficial, and reiterated that the peace talks must succeed.
Xu Weifeng then presented his father with military strategies he had written, hoping to join the army. His father, however, dismissed these aspirations, urging him to focus on his health and not "reach too high." Frustrated by his father's dismissive attitude, Xu Weifeng secretly harbored the belief that if everyone was content with the status quo, no one would ever unite the world.
Later that evening, Su Tang approached Mo Lin, who was sulking and complaining about Qin Sang being an "idiot" for causing trouble. Mo Lin was also feeling jealous of Xu Weifeng. Su Tang offered him an osmanthus candy and requested a medicine that could strengthen a sick person. When Mo Lin realized the medicine was for Xu Weifeng, he initially refused, expressing his strong dislike for the "toy boy" and questioning Xu Weifeng's seemingly perfect nature.
However, a mischievous idea struck him, and he decided to give Su Tang a laxative, playing hard to get while hoping to prank Xu Weifeng. Su Tang, unaware of the deception, happily delivered the medicine to Xu Weifeng. She shared her own and Lu Ping's painful experiences trapped in a dreadful place (the Shanhai Gang), and seeing Xu Weifeng's suffering and his kindness towards the homeless, she wanted to help him succeed.
Moved by her words and her encouragement—something his own father had stopped offering due to his chronic asthma—Xu Weifeng consumed the medicine in front of her. Mo Lin, observing from the shadows, felt a surge of secret satisfaction. Mo Lin continued to watch Xu Weifeng's room late into the night, but to his surprise, there was no sign of the laxative taking effect. Finally, he saw Xu Weifeng, dressed in dark clothing, stealthily leave the mansion.
Convinced that Xu Weifeng was hiding something, Mo Lin secretly followed him. Xu Weifeng, sensing he was being tailed, quickened his pace and managed to lose Mo Lin at a turn. Meanwhile, Qin Sang, confined to her room, was visited by Lu Ping, who had climbed over the wall. Lu Ping reported that the scouts Qin Qi had lent him found no information about Yan Xifan.
Qin Sang mused that if Shanhai Gang planned to disrupt the peace talks, they would surely appear tonight. She also noted that General Xu Tianbing's arrogance had caused conflict with Qin Qi, but her brother had tolerated it for the greater good. Mo Lin then arrived, informing them about Xu Weifeng's suspicious nocturnal activities, reinforcing his belief that Xu Weifeng harbored secrets.
Just then, a subordinate rushed in with news that Xu Weifeng was in distress, spitting blood, and Su Tang was seeking help from Qin Sang. The group quickly headed to Xu's mansion. There, Su Tang confirmed Xu Weifeng's condition, which a servant described as poisoning. Lu Ping immediately demanded an antidote from Mo Lin.
Mo Lin, vehemently denying any poisoning, clarified that he had only given Xu Weifeng a laxative and suggested that Xu Weifeng's secret late-night activities might be the true cause of his ailment. Su Tang, finding a portrait of Yan Xifan on Xu Weifeng, further suspected Mo Lin of lying. Mo Lin swore on his reputation as the "World's No. 1 Assassin" that he would never use poison and felt betrayed that Su Tang believed Xu Weifeng over him.
Lu Ping pulled Mo Lin aside and urged him to apologize to Xu Weifeng. Enraged, Mo Lin refused, feeling that Lu Ping valued Xu Weifeng, a mere acquaintance, more than their deep friendship, and stormed off, declaring he would return to Wuyou Valley. Before Lu Ping could call him back, a servant announced that Xu Weifeng had awakened and had news of Yan Xifan.
Xu Weifeng claimed that Yan Xifan had been seen frequenting Tingsong Villa, a secluded courtyard outside the city, and that refugees had confirmed his presence there at night. Lu Ping apologized for Mo Lin's behavior but made it clear his suspicions about Xu Weifeng remained due to their brief acquaintance. Xu Weifeng, however, explained that he was simply repaying Su Tang's kindness and encouragement, as she was the only one who believed in his aspirations despite his lifelong asthma.
Lu Ping accepted the information and left with Qin Sang, instructing Su Tang to care for Xu Weifeng. Qin Sang, having left a note, had joined Lu Ping to find Yan Xifan. Qin Qi, upon learning of his sister's departure, furiously dispatched men to bring her back, prioritizing family despite Minister Xia's warning about the impending peace talks.
As they journeyed, Qin Sang expressed concern about Yan Xifan's state, but Lu Ping vowed never to give up on him, just as Yan Xifan had supported him in his darkest hours. He asserted that Yan Xifan was a righteous person and wouldn't want to be entangled with Shanhai Gang. Suddenly, Yan Xifan appeared, mocking Lu Ping's sentimentality and asserting his own independence, even blaming Lu Ping for the destruction of Zhaifeng.
He used his soul of Essence to immobilize Lu Ping, while Zhou Youlong, the head of the Fire Division, and his men bound Qin Sang. To protect Qin Sang, Lu Ping willingly submitted to being tied. Yan Xifan instructed Zhou Youlong to hold them until Shanhai Gang's "big event" was complete, after which they would be taken to the gang's headquarters. Meanwhile, while caring for Xu Weifeng, Su Tang noticed an acupuncture needle on his head.
Recalling Mo Lin's fervent denials, she suspected Xu Weifeng might be faking his poisoning. Her investigation then led her to a secret room in his quarters, where she discovered a Shanhai Badge, confirming her suspicion. Before she could react, Xu Weifeng ambushed her, using a needle to suppress her Force of Heft and render her unconscious, locking her in the secret room.
Xu Weifeng then met with Yan Xifan, revealing his true identity as the Shanhai Gang's lead operative in E'zhou, with Yan Xifan merely assisting. Yan Xifan questioned Xu Weifeng's alliance with Shanhai Gang, given his high birth. Xu Weifeng explained that alliances were based on shared interests, outlining his plan to disrupt the peace talks. He confessed that his father's unwavering pursuit of peace had prevented him from implementing his vision sooner.
He revealed that he had already arranged for a "scapegoat" at the post, utilizing his father's daily fruit deliveries to infiltrate a team to sabotage the peace talks, ensuring its failure would benefit Shanhai Gang and Tan. His ultimate goal was "war to end all wars," believing it was the only way to achieve lasting peace for the common people.
From the confines of the secret room, Su Tang confronted Xu Weifeng, branding him a liar for his noble pronouncements masking his ambition to instigate war for personal gain. Xu Weifeng coolly retorted that it was Su Tang who had encouraged his dreams and expressed his belief that she would stand by him when he achieved his goals. Su Tang adamantly stated he would fail, asserting that Lu Ping and Qin Qi would thwart Shanhai Gang's plans.
Xu Weifeng dismissed her, revealing that Lu Ping and Qin Sang were already trapped in Tingsong Villa, implying that Lu Ping's sentimentality made him a predictable sacrifice for the larger scheme. Mo Lin, still waiting outside Xu Weifeng's mansion, hoping for a call back, spotted Yan Xifan disguised and joining a group transporting fruits and vegetables to the post in a carriage.
He noticed a strong, unsettling smell of blood from the carriage, recognizing the danger, and immediately set off to find Lu Ping. At the post, Qin Qi and Minister Xia waited impatiently for General Xu Tianbing, unaware of the impending threat. Lu Ping and Qin Sang were held captive by Zhou Youlong and the Fire Division in a desolate area. Qin Sang proposed she distract Zhou Youlong to allow Lu Ping to escape and warn Qin Qi.
Lu Ping refused to abandon her, suggesting they wait for an opportune moment. Seizing an opportunity, Lu Ping provocatively questioned Zhou Youlong's subordinate status under Yan Xifan and the previous leader. He then dramatically offered himself, a "Heaven Awakener with six forces," for a marrow cleansing ritual, promising Zhou Youlong his formidable powers if Qin Sang was released. He declared his willingness to sacrifice his martial arts for her, even suggesting Zhou Youlong could eliminate Yan Xifan once empowered.
Zhou Youlong was clearly tempted by this offer. Just then, Yan Qiuci arrived, engaging Zhou Youlong in battle. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Mo Lin, who had tracked Yan Xifan to the post and rushed to find Lu Ping, emerged from hiding and rescued Lu Ping and Qin Sang. After their escape, Qin Sang, still processing Lu Ping's earlier declarations, asked if his words of affection were genuine or merely an act.
Lu Ping promised to give her an answer after the current crisis was resolved. Mo Lin interrupted their exchange, urgently recounting his discovery of Yan Xifan's infiltration of the post with a carriage reeking of blood. Lu Ping immediately realized the grave danger: Shanhai Gang intended to sabotage the peace talks, and with Yan Xifan's involvement, the situation had become far more perilous for Qin Qi.
