Legend of Awakening Episode 26 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Lu Ping wanted to attend the celebration activities in the city, which Minister Xu was organizing after the peace talks, and asked Qin Qi if Qin Sang could accompany him. Qin Qi initially refused, stating Qin Sang could not go, and that military matters were not for a jianghu person to interfere with. Lu Ping then leveraged his previous contributions, leading Qin Qi to reluctantly agree, though he warned it was "just this time."
Qin Sang, who had been waiting, immediately emerged, and Lu Ping told her Qin Qi had agreed. Qin Sang then hugged Qin Qi, exclaiming that she had "the best brother in the world." Qin Qi sighed, implying he knew Lu Ping and Qin Sang had already colluded. Qin Sang then observed Su Tang leaving alone, visibly upset, and suggested Lu Ping go to her first. Su Tang visited Xu Weifeng's former residence, the Breeze Mansion, filled with regret.
She lamented that Xu Weifeng, whom she had initially believed to be a good person, had been corrupted by ambition, spilling innocent blood. She felt terrible for wrongly accusing Mo Lin, believing she should have noticed earlier that Xu Weifeng, despite never meeting Lu Ping's Senior Brother, possessed his portrait. She also felt terrible for trusting Xu Weifeng and believing she had become a burden to Lu Ping.
Lu Ping, while acknowledging that Xu Weifeng could have been a good friend in different circumstances, asserted that he had to stop him due to the innocent lives lost for his ambition. He comforted Su Tang, reminding her that as siblings, they never needed to say "sorry" to each other and that she would eventually meet someone who would treat her wholeheartedly. He then left her to collect her thoughts. Meanwhile, Mo Lin had been waiting outside Xu Weifeng’s mansion.
He explained to Lu Ping that he didn't dare go inside, hoping Su Tang would calm down and eventually "give him a better look." He openly admitted his ultimate goal was to "marry a wife," which Lu Ping teased him about, calling him out for having ulterior motives. Before leaving, Lu Ping genuinely thanked Mo Lin for saving Su Tang. Mo Lin, calling after him, claimed to smell a "surprise" awaiting Lu Ping ahead.
Lu Ping, having experienced many frights, was skeptical, but his skepticism vanished when he saw Qin Sang approaching him, wearing the red dress he had gifted her, leaving him momentarily stunned. Qin Sang took Lu Ping's hand, pulling him along to enjoy the bustling street. Lu Ping remained alert, constantly scanning for Shanhai Gang members, discreetly protecting Qin Sang.
Noticing his apprehension, Qin Sang gently reminded him that his past suffering in the Shanhai Gang was over, and he no longer needed to hide, insisting he walk openly with her and let others see his presentable face.
As they browsed stalls, they overheard Bao Niang regaling a crowd with heroic tales of "Major Lu" and "Young Master Yan," humorously describing them as fearsome to villains but handsome young men to the people, acknowledging that without them, no one could live peacefully. Just then, Yan Xifan and Ling Ziyan appeared at the other end of the street, immediately drawing cheers and gratitude from the thankful crowd.
Eventually, Lu Ping, Qin Sang, Yan Xifan, and Ling Ziyan gathered on a small bridge, soon joined by a late-arriving Mo Lin and Su Tang. As they sat on the bridge, Lu Ping expressed his uneasiness about the public attention, while Yan Xifan admitted he enjoyed it. Mo Lin, arriving late with Su Tang, comically tried to claim credit for his "No. 1 assassin" skills, but Su Tang brushed him off.
Mo Lin invoked their Senior Brother’s (Yan Xifan's) words: "no one in Zhaifeng would be left behind." Lu Ping then reflected on how much had changed since the 'Dianpo' event, yet he was grateful that "the right people are still here." Yan Xifan congratulated Lu Ping on his newfound freedom from the Shanhai Gang's oppression. Qin Sang, eager to cheer everyone up, announced a surprise and directed them to look at the sky.
As fireworks burst beautifully overhead, Qin Sang remarked that Lu Ping wasn't the only one capable of grand gestures. She encouraged him to cherish the feeling of "helping the weak and saving others' lives" and use it as a foundation for his new journey. The group, filled with gratitude and camaraderie, expressed how good it was to be together.
Qin Qi, tasked by the Emperor to quickly escort the Shanhai Gang leader, Yan Jin, back to Kaifeng for interrogation concerning the Liu family of Hedong, decided to take a small, covert path with Wen Rui, while Minister Xu and the main delegation returned on the main road. Minister Xu assented, cautioning them to deliver Yan Jin to Kaifeng without incident.
When Lu Ping requested to see Yan Jin, Minister Xu immediately refused, citing Yan Jin's status as a severe criminal, and stating that such military matters were not for a jianghu person to interfere with. However, Yan Xifan intervened, explaining Lu Ping's decade of torture at the Shanhai Gang's hands and his need for answers to find closure. He further reminded Qin Qi of Wuji Manor's current efforts in tracking down Shanhai Gang remnants, implicitly asking for a favor.
Qin Qi relented, agreeing to let Lu Ping see Yan Jin. Inside the prison, Lu Ping confronted Yan Jin with two questions: how his parents were killed and why he was imprisoned and tortured. Yan Jin, with sadistic amusement, confessed that the same tortures Lu Ping endured were first inflicted upon his parents, finding it "interesting" and recalling how even the Big Dipper Pavilion Master, Leng Xiutan, had begged for his life.
For the second question, Yan Jin taunted Lu Ping, telling him to reflect on the destruction of Zhaifeng Institute and Guo Youdao's death. He claimed Lu Ping's Heavenly Awakening power was too powerful for mortals, attracting disaster, and warned that Yan Xifan, Mo Lin, Su Tang, or even Qin Sang could be the next victims.
Enraged by Yan Jin's taunts, Lu Ping lost control and attempted to kill him, but Yan Xifan and Qin Qi quickly intervened, reminding him that Yan Jin was deliberately provoking him and that he shouldn't fall for it. Qin Qi later assured Lu Ping that Yan Jin would face justice.
Still troubled by the resurfacing memories, Lu Ping planned to return to Big Dipper, having already arranged for rooms for Su Tang and Mo Lin, aiming to provide them a new home after the loss of Zhaifeng Institute. Qin Qi, however, tried to persuade Lu Ping to come to Kaifeng instead, suggesting that Lu Ping, now more mature and "acceptable," could find greater purpose for his abilities within the court.
Lu Ping declined, expressing his desire for an "ordinary life" and his unsuitability for official circles. To sway him, Qin Qi then casually mentioned that Qin Sang would be returning to Kaifeng with him, despite Qin Sang’s attempt to protest. Lu Ping reflected on how both the Longjie Army and Big Dipper were now competing for him, believing his late master, Guo Youdao, would be proud of his achievements.
Soon after, Mo Lin delivered a letter from Chu Min, which bluntly ordered Lu Ping to "roll back to Big Dipper" once their current affairs were settled, admonishing him not to forget his master after becoming a hero. Qin Sang then asked if Big Dipper was "good, like Zhaifeng," to which Lu Ping replied it was beautiful and hinted at another "surprise" there, promising to take them back the very next morning.
Yan Qiuci, Yan Xifan's father, returned from his pursuit of Shanhai Gang remnants, questioning Xifan about Yan Jin's behavior. Yan Xifan recalled Yan Jin deliberately provoking Lu Ping in prison, seemingly desiring death. Yan Qiuci surmised that Yan Jin was "sacrificing himself" to protect a more important figure, indicating a true mastermind behind the Shanhai Gang.
The next morning, as Qin Qi prepared to escort Yan Jin to Kaifeng, his subordinate reported that Qin Sang had once again slipped away, leaving a note about her intention to join Lu Ping to Big Dipper for some "sparring." Qin Qi, resigned, acknowledged his sister's independence and decided not to stop her, noting the arduous journey wasn't suitable for her anyway. He simply ordered his men to recheck the prison cart.
Meanwhile, Mo Lin joked about Qin Sang being unhappy about returning and her fate as a pampered lady. He then wondered aloud about Yan Xifan, who had left without a word, to which Lu Ping replied that Xifan was with Ling Ziyan. Suddenly, Qin Sang appeared, having waited to join them on their journey to Big Dipper. Mo Lin playfully suggested Lu Ping would take her to Big Dipper only to then escort her back to Kaifeng.
Lu Ping, with a mischievous grin, agreed, saying it would surely "make her brother furious," which made Qin Sang blush. During their journey, Lu Ping continued to ponder Yan Jin's strange actions, particularly his past insistence on taking Lu Ping to the Shanhai Gang from E'zhou and his recent provocations in prison, which seemed designed to protect someone more significant. Qin Sang, sensing his lingering doubts, offered to return with him to investigate further if he felt it necessary.
Trusting his instincts, Lu Ping, with Qin Sang's support, decided to turn back and investigate his lingering doubts about Yan Jin. They soon caught up with Qin Qi's convoy, which was already intercepted by Yan Qiuci. Yan Qiuci reiterated his belief that Yan Jin was not the true Shanhai Gang leader and demanded to take Yan Jin back to Wuji Manor for interrogation.
As Qin Qi and Yan Qiuci stood in tense confrontation, a sudden surge of soul of Essence afflicted both the Longjie Army and Wuji Manor forces, causing them to attack each other in a chaotic frenzy. Amidst the chaos, the true Shanhai Gang leader, Liu Song, appeared, recognizable by his white hair and half-mask. He effortlessly controlled the battling forces, gloating about his power and mocking Qin Qi, while addressing Yan Qiuci as "second senior," hinting at a past relationship.
Yan Qiuci, recognizing Liu Song, attempted to attack him. Though not controlled by the soul of Essence, he was unable to get close, and Yan Xifan was also subdued amidst the chaos. Liu Song then ordered his men to rescue Yan Jin, whom he respectfully called "Teacher." Just as Liu Song was about to escape with Yan Jin, Lu Ping and his group arrived. Qin Sang bravely tried to intercept Yan Jin but was injured.
Lu Ping rushed to her side as Liu Song, with a chilling greeting to Lu Ping, made his escape, leaving Lu Ping filled with furious resolve. Back at a safe location, Mo Lin quickly treated Qin Sang, assuring everyone, especially a worried Qin Qi, that she was not gravely injured and would soon recover with rest and tonics.
When Yan Xifan came to check on Qin Sang, Lu Ping immediately confronted him, demanding an explanation for his sudden disappearance and then his abrupt reappearance to intercept the convoy. Yan Xifan explained that he had acted alone to avoid "startling" the true mastermind behind the Shanhai Gang. Lu Ping, however, fiercely criticized him for not discussing the plan, arguing that even if he had been used as bait, Qin Sang would not have been injured.
Yan Xifan tried to justify his actions as an emergency decision driven by his own responsibilities. Lu Ping, hurt and frustrated, lashed out, implying that Yan Xifan, now "Young Master of Wuji Manor," no longer valued their "ordinary brotherhood." Yan Xifan apologized for Qin Sang's injury and defended his decision to conceal information for Lu Ping's safety, stating he did not regret it.
Lu Ping recounted past incidents, like the Jin City boxing casino, where Yan Xifan had similarly acted alone for his supposed safety, causing Lu Ping immense anguish. He questioned if Yan Xifan viewed him as "useless," constantly needing help, and if their brotherhood meant nothing if they couldn't fight "side-by-side" and "trust each other."
Deeply wounded by Yan Xifan's repeated unilateral actions, Lu Ping declared that the Shanhai Gang was "his" enemy, and Yan Xifan's involvement was "none of his business." As Ling Ziyan, sensing the gravity of the situation, tried to intervene but was rebuffed by Lu Ping, she apologized for her presence. Yan Xifan remained silent, absorbing Lu Ping's words with a devastated expression, a clear rift forming between the brothers.
