Legend of Awakening Episode 27 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
The relationship between Lu Ping and Yan Xifan became strained after Lu Ping accused Yan Xifan of acting on his own without discussion, calling him a "waste" and declaring Shanhai Gang his personal enemy, none of Yan Xifan's business. Yan Xifan later recalled his own experience attempting to assassinate Yan Jin, where he encountered a masked, white-haired man in a wheelchair and subsequently lost control of his spirit, becoming a pawn of Shanhai Gang.
He shared his suspicion with his father, Yan Qiuci, noting Shanhai Gang's unusual familiarity with the Big Dipper Institute and its ability to assassinate the master and escape, which suggested a spy within Big Dipper. Given that Liu Song was the only one on the mountain at the time and specialized in the rare and difficult Force of Spirit, Yan Xifan believed Liu Song was the culprit.
Yan Qiuci, witnessing his son's distress and argument with Lu Ping, comforted Yan Xifan and admitted his own oversight in not anticipating Liu Song would personally rescue Yan Jin. He emphasized that as the heir to Wuji Manor, Yan Xifan must be prepared to make necessary sacrifices and employ tough methods. He declared that Liu Song must be eliminated.
Yan Qiuci initially planned to keep the truth from Lu Ping, wanting him to enjoy a period of peace, believing that the past was a yoke and Lu Ping shouldn't be burdened prematurely. Fueled by righteous anger over his eldest brother and sister-in-law's deaths, Yan Qiuci vowed to eliminate Liu Song.
Despite being surprised by his father's intense reaction, Yan Xifan, prioritizing the eradication of Shanhai Gang, accompanied Yan Qiuci to the Big Dipper Institute to consult with Master Li Yaotian. Meanwhile, after his heated argument with Yan Xifan, Lu Ping sat by Qin Sang's bedside, waiting for her to awaken. Su Tang informed Lu Ping that General Qin Qi wished to speak with him, as Qin Qi's party was preparing to depart.
Qin Qi confirmed his intention to take Qin Sang back to Kaifeng for proper healing, as her bone injuries, though not life-threatening, required careful recuperation. He also needed to report the Shanhai Gang's latest actions to the Emperor and couldn't remain in foreign territory indefinitely. Lu Ping, acknowledging that Qin family could provide the best medical care, handed Qin Qi a scar-removing medicine prepared by Mo Lin, asking him to give it to Qin Sang upon her awakening.
Qin Qi then reiterated his previous invitation, stressing the differences between the martial arts world and the imperial court. Lu Ping agreed to consider the offer carefully but stated his immediate need to return to Big Dipper to consult with his masters regarding the true Shanhai Gang master, a former Big Dipper disciple whose emergence promised widespread chaos.
After the conversation, Lu Ping explained to Su Tang that letting Qin Sang return with her family was the best option given their resources. He then decided it was time for them to return to the Big Dipper Institute, expressing concern about how devastated Master Chu Min would be to discover Liu Song's true role.
At the Big Dipper Institute, Yan Qiuci informed Li Yaotian that Liu Song, the true Shanhai Gang master, was a former Big Dipper disciple and a member of the royal family of Dan. Yan Qiuci explained that Liu Song had infiltrated Big Dipper under false pretenses, aiming to leverage martial arts power for his political ambitions.
He believed that the previous Big Dipper master had uncovered Liu Song's true intentions, leading Liu Song to conspire with Shanhai Gang to assassinate the master and abduct Lu Ping. Yan Qiuci condemned Liu Song for continuing to cause chaos and war, lamenting the innocent deaths and the tarnished reputation of Big Dipper. Li Yaotian was appalled by the treachery.
As he prepared to summon the peak masters to discuss countermeasures, Yan Xifan suggested keeping the painful truth from Chu Min due to her long-standing affection for Liu Song. However, Chu Min was already present, having overheard the entire conversation from just outside the door. Confirmed by Yan Xifan, she quietly accepted the shocking revelation, her composure surprising them. Li Yaotian advised leaving her alone to process the immense emotional blow.
Chu Min, visibly heartbroken, walked to a pillar inscribed with names of past disciples, including Liu Song's, and lost herself in memories. Upon arriving at the Big Dipper Institute, Lu Ping, Su Tang, and Mo Lin found Chu Min in this state of profound sorrow, immediately realizing she had learned the truth about Liu Song.
Chu Min despaired, reflecting on the 19 years she had mourned Liu Song, only for him to be alive yet never once reach out to her. She felt like a fool, her self-perception of being "free-spirited and perceptive" now shattered by the cruel joke. Lu Ping approached her, gently telling her that the past was now truly over. Chu Min, filled with despair and anger, finally regained her resolve.
Lu Ping reminded her of Guo Youdao's dying words: "The path ahead is to move forward, not to look back." Inspired by this, Chu Min, though still deeply grieved, began to release her sorrow, signaling her determination to move past Liu Song. Her long whip, once held back by sentiment, would now show Liu Song no mercy. Meanwhile, at Shanhai Gang, Liu Song surveyed his domain, reflecting on the 19 years that felt like a dream.
He learned that Yan Jin was injured and went to him, stopping Yan Jin from self-punishment for his failure. Liu Song presented Yan Jin with a new, high-quality Qin, complete with a hidden compartment for weapons, to replace his broken one. Yan Jin, concerned for Liu Song's identity and safety, argued that Liu Song should not have risked himself or shown mercy, reminding him that "weakness can make people lose their fighting spirit."
Liu Song, however, insisted that Yan Jin was indispensable. He emotionally recounted how Yan Jin was the only one who refused to abandon him after he was severely injured and lost his mind, forcing him to confront his broken reflection daily and teaching him the harsh principles of power: "to achieve great things, one must stop at nothing, be extremely obsequious, and be extremely cruel and merciless."
Liu Song declared that the prince he once was died the night of the Qisha Institute fire; he was a changed man, no longer afraid of being recognized. He entrusted the remaining plans to Yan Jin, urging him to recover. Back at the Big Dipper Institute, Li Yaotian assembled the disciples, announcing that Liu Song, a former Big Dipper member, had commanded Shanhai Gang for years, causing chaos and aiming to instigate war.
To eradicate this evil, Big Dipper Institute would form an alliance with Wuji Manor and host a Seven Star Convention, inviting all martial arts sects to strategize. Li Yaotian would personally draft the Seven Star Invitations for distribution by disciples. Lu Ping volunteered to deliver the invitations to Kaifeng, explaining to Li Yaotian that he wished to personally inform General Qin Qi about Liu Song's royal lineage from Dan, acknowledging the political implications. Li Yaotian approved.
Before leaving, Lu Ping sought out Guo Wushu at Qisha Institute, requesting to select a suitable sword. Guo Wushu, initially terse, allowed Lu Ping to take one if he could retrieve it himself, remarking that Lu Ping likely wanted it for Qin Sang, whose Kuiying Sword was broken. Lu Ping also asked Guo Wushu to look after Su Tang, who was still dispirited.
When Guo Wushu initially refused, Lu Ping cleverly provoked him by implying he was inferior to Guo Youdao, prompting Guo Wushu to quickly accept the responsibility. Elsewhere, disciples of the Fifth College complained about Master Chu Min, who had descended into a fit of drunken despair in their courtyard, shattering wine jars and raging, though no one dared to approach her. Lu Ping instructed Mo Lin to ensure Chu Min received twenty jars of wine daily.
He admitted to Su Tang and Mo Lin that forgetting someone remembered for so long was not easy, and Chu Min needed time to heal. After settling affairs with Su Tang and Mo Lin, Lu Ping set off for Kaifeng. Yan Xifan approached him, expressing concern for his safety while delivering the Seven Star Invitations due to Liu Song's hidden agenda. He offered to send his subordinate, A Ze, in Lu Ping's place.
Lu Ping, feeling his capabilities were being questioned, vehemently refused, stating that Yan Xifan's overprotective actions made him feel useless, and that he could not accept such "protection." He then departed without looking back. Seeing Yan Xifan's dejection, Ling Ziyan offered words of comfort, assuring him that Lu Ping would eventually understand his intentions.
She then announced her own decision to leave Big Dipper, explaining that she was not a disciple and did not wish to rely on others, intending to make her own way in the world. Unwilling to let a "weak girl" venture out alone, Yan Xifan stopped her and invited her to join him at Wuji Manor, offering her a secure place to stay. Ling Ziyan accepted, and they rode off together.
Meanwhile, in Kaifeng, Qin Sang had recovered enough to awaken but found herself confined to her room by Qin Qi for further rest. When she finally managed to go outside, she discovered Qin Qi painstakingly attempting to repair her broken Kuiying Sword.
Qin Qi, covered in soot, explained that his skills were insufficient to restore the delicate sword without compromising its function for the Force of Air, deeply touching Qin Sang, who assured him that her safety was paramount, not the sword. She affectionately teased him about his blackened face. Qin Qi expressed deep regret and guilt over her injury, urging her not to be reckless or rush into danger again, stating his strictness was always for her well-being.
Knowing Qin Sang's desire to see Lu Ping, Qin Qi firmly told her that while he appreciated Lu Ping's actions in E'zhou, he could not approve of their relationship. He explained that as a daughter of a prominent official, her every action was scrutinized. Moreover, with Shanhai Gang's involvement in national politics, Lu Ping's identity was sensitive, and Qin Qi wished to shield her from such a "chaotic situation."
He proposed a compromise: he would recommend Lu Ping to the Emperor, and if Lu Ping secured an official position and proved diligent, he would no longer object. Qin Sang was conflicted, knowing Lu Ping's true aspiration was a simple life outside court, yet she didn't want to burden her brother. Qin Qi challenged her to see if Lu Ping would change his life path for her, reiterating his desire to protect her from any suffering.
Qin Sang grew increasingly frustrated, as her letters to Lu Ping seemed to vanish without a trace, and he had not visited her despite her serious injuries. Her maid, unaware of Qin Qi's underlying intentions, even suggested Lu Ping was "heartless." In a fit of anger, Qin Sang, feeling abandoned, decided to "make a clean break" and threw out a dress Lu Ping had given her.
Moments later, regretting her impulsive act, she went to retrieve it, only to find it gone. As she furiously cursed the supposed thief, Lu Ping dramatically appeared, holding the very dress she had thrown. He playfully chided her for her "cruelty" and her "bandit" tendencies for cursing him out, admitting that he was indeed a "little bandit" who wouldn't deny taking what he wanted.
He explained his primary reason for being there was to deliver a Seven Star Invitation for the upcoming Big Dipper Convention, but it was clear his true intent was to see her. They shared a tender moment, holding hands, before Qin Qi and General Wen Rui arrived. Qin Qi, upset by Lu Ping's clandestine entry via the back wall, quickly separated them, sending Qin Sang away while he spoke to Lu Ping.
Before she left, Lu Ping discreetly handed Qin Sang a small, mysterious item, promising it was a "surprise" and would be useful. General Wen expressed his open hostility towards Lu Ping, blaming him for Qin Sang's troubles and admitting he wished to kill him. Qin Qi, however, quickly steered the conversation to business. Lu Ping revealed two critical matters.
First, he informed Qin Qi that the true master of Shanhai Gang was Liu Song, a former Big Dipper disciple and a member of the royal family of Dan.
He explained that while the full extent of Shanhai Gang's connections to the court or its deeper schemes remained unknown, Big Dipper sought to ally with martial artists to eliminate this threat and advised Qin Qi to take early precautions, emphasizing that his sect did not wish to meddle in court affairs. Qin Sang, secretly listening from outside, was intrigued by this "serious business" and the "surprise." Lu Ping then moved to his second, more personal, matter: he formally proposed marriage to the Qin family, requesting to take Qin Sang as his wife.
