Legend of Awakening Episode 3 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Qin Sang and her maid, Ling Ziyan, cautiously allowed an intruder, Mo Lin, into her room. Mo Lin claimed to be an assassin responding to the talent recruitment poster she had issued, but Qin Sang found his tattered appearance unconvincing and intended to hand him over to the authorities.
Mo Lin then demonstrated his extraordinary perception, derived from cultivating the soul of Pivot, by recounting Qin Sang's day in intricate detail, including her morning routine, her travels, and even the dishes she had for lunch at Pinxian Restaurant. After this demonstration, Qin Sang finally produced a piece of clothing she had taken from a masked man. Before she could agree to hire him, Ling Ziyan suddenly collapsed.
Mo Lin revealed he had subtly poisoned Ling Ziyan earlier that evening and offered an antidote and his services as an assassin if Qin Sang would hire him, asserting that his poverty was temporary but his skills were unmatched. Faced with Ling Ziyan's sudden collapse, Qin Sang reluctantly agreed, and Mo Lin promptly provided the antidote.
That same night, Mr. Wei, the master of the Wei Manor, accompanied by his guard Wei Ming, investigated the scene where Shanhai Gang members had been killed during an assassination attempt on Qin Sang. It was revealed that Mr. Wei himself was a Shanhai Gang infiltrator in Chan State, secretly collecting information under the guise of a merchant.
Concerned about the mysterious incident, he immediately dispatched a pigeon to Yan Jin, the Shanhai Gang Lord, reporting the death of Situ Chong and the theft of his Shanhai Badge. Mr. Wei also instructed Wei Ming to closely monitor Qin Sang and to apprehend anyone she might encounter, preventing them from falling into Qin Sang's hands.
Upon receiving the news, Yan Jin, enraged by Situ Chong’s death, immediately ordered Xing Luo, a top operative from the Fire Division, along with other experts, to head to Chenqiao to eliminate the unidentified threat. Meanwhile, Mo Lin, guided by the lingering scent of his target, found his way to Lu Ping's residence, Zhaifeng Institute. He noted the main gate was closed during the day, signaling something unusual.
He then overheard a conversation between Zhao Xifan and Jin Ruyu, gathering crucial information about the "God of Bandits" and Ruyu Restaurant. Mo Lin then reported back to Qin Sang, confirming he had located the culprit's hiding place at Zhaifeng Institute. He requested twenty strong men to assist in his plan to capture the person, assuring Qin Sang to await his good news at Ruyu Restaurant.
Qin Sang, remembering her brother's advice to trust those she employed, agreed to Mo Lin’s request and leveraged Wei Tianqi to secure the necessary manpower. At Zhaifeng Institute, Lu Ping was determined to find Wen Gecheng through Qin Sang and planned to slip away while his master Guo Youdao was absent. However, Su Tang voiced concerns about his still-recovering soul power after his previous encounter with a Shanhai Gang operative.
Zhao Xifan's newfound attentiveness, prompted by Guo Youdao's instructions to look after Lu Ping, made escape difficult. Just as Lu Ping finally found an opening, news arrived that Jin Ruyu had been re-kidnapped by a group of bandits seeking revenge, forcing Lu Ping to postpone his departure. Concurrently, Shanhai Gang operatives Situ Xing and Situ Luo already arrived at the Wei Residence.
A terrified Mr. Wei informed them that Qin Sang had hired someone to track down the mysterious expert, and a rendezvous was set at Ruyu Restaurant in Chenqiao Town. He expressed his fear, lamenting his past obligations to Shanhai Gang but prioritizing his son Wei Tianqi's safety. Despite being ordered home, Wei Tianqi later reappeared at Ruyu Restaurant, hoping to impress Qin Sang.
Ling Ziyan, who was instructed to escort Wei Tianqi back to Chan State, found him there trying to interfere with Qin Sang’s plans. At Ruyu Restaurant, Zhao Xifan led his disciples to rescue Jin Ruyu. The bandits fled, leaving behind a masked figure dressed as the "God of Bandits." Zhao Xifan confronted the imposter and removed his mask, revealing him to be Mo Lin, who did not resist.
Seeing Mo Lin's injuries, Zhao Xifan, despite Jin Ruyu's earlier misgivings about the "God of Bandits," offered to take him back to Zhaifeng Institute for treatment, unaware of Mo Lin's true identity or purpose. From a distance, Lu Ping observed the scene, recognizing it as a trap orchestrated for him but choosing to bide his time and await nightfall. Qin Sang, still at Ruyu Restaurant, received word that Mo Lin had been taken to Zhaifeng Institute, acknowledging his unexpected competence.
Wei Tianqi, attempting to stay with her, was ultimately summoned back by his father's men. Qin Sang, with Ling Ziyan escorting Wei Tianqi, remained behind. She allowed the situation between Mo Lin and the masked man (Lu Ping) to unfold, suspecting that the masked man had his own reasons for engaging Mo Lin. That night, Lu Ping feigned sleep in his room.
Mo Lin stealthily entered and attempted to shoot him with crossbow bolts, but Lu Ping skillfully evaded the attack, vanishing from his bed in an instant. Lu Ping led Mo Lin into the forest, skillfully evading the initial ambush. However, he deliberately allowed himself to fall into a quicksand trap created by "worm grass," a mechanism Mo Lin had painstakingly set.
As Mo Lin gloated, Lu Ping used his quick wits to switch positions, trapping Mo Lin in his own snare. Lu Ping then took Mo Lin's remaining money as "payment" for the sleepless night, leaving the frustrated assassin to ponder his next move. Undeterred, Mo Lin vowed to overcome the difficulties and complete his mission. Recognizing Lu Ping's formidable skills, Mo Lin decided to change his strategy from capture to assassination.
He sent a letter challenging Lu Ping to a meeting at a pavilion, planning to spring a deadly trap laden with poisoned arrows. However, Lu Ping anticipated this and saw an opportunity to deal with Zhao Xifan. Instead of meeting Mo Lin himself, he manipulated the situation, leading Zhao Xifan into Mo Lin's meticulously prepared trap, effectively immobilizing Zhao Xifan.
Lu Ping, leaving a confused Su Tang behind, explained that the situation, now involving aristocratic families, was too dangerous for her. He then took an item from Mo Lin's person (found when he trapped Mo Lin in the quicksand), which confirmed his suspicion that Qin Sang and Mo Lin were scheduled to meet at Ruyu Restaurant.
Su Tang expressed concern that Qin Sang might be colluding with Shanhai Gang, but Lu Ping dismissed the idea, stating that the Qin family, a loyal military lineage, would never be involved with such an organization. He revealed that his true aim was to leverage Qin Sang to find Wen Gecheng, and Mo Lin was merely a useful distraction to deal with Zhao Xifan's constant surveillance.
Lu Ping arrived at Ruyu Restaurant, found Qin Sang, and used Mo Lin's sedative powder to incapacitate and bind her. He demanded Wen Gecheng's whereabouts, threatening her with what he claimed was a potent poison he'd taken from Mo Lin, though it was later revealed to be mere face-washing water. Qin Sang, convinced that Lu Ping was a Shanhai Gang operative, defiantly refused, declaring she would rather die than betray her family.
Lu Ping clarified that he was not from Shanhai Gang and merely sought her help, admitting that his forceful methods were the only ones he had ever known. Just then, Xing Luo and another Shanhai Gang operative burst into Ruyu Restaurant. Realizing his soul power was suppressed, making him unable to fight, Lu Ping quickly decided against escaping alone. He returned to the room, grabbed Qin Sang, and together they escaped.
