Legend of Awakening Episode 31 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Qin Qi, who had been secretly poisoned much earlier, found his condition worsening after he exerted himself saving the Emperor. Mo Lin desperately tried to find a cure, but Qin Qi knew it was too late. He urged them to leave before curfew, as their location had been exposed. With his last breaths, Qin Qi called Qin Sang and Lu Ping to his side.
He entrusted Lu Ping with a token given by Minister Xu, telling him that once he accepted it, he could no longer act recklessly. Lu Ping understood, promising to do his best to protect both Qin Sang and the Emperor. Remembering Lu Ping's previous request in Kaifeng, Qin Qi gave his blessing for Lu Ping to marry Qin Sang but sternly warned him that if he ever hurt Qin Sang, the entire Victorious Dragon Troop would seek revenge.
Qin Sang, heartbroken, begged her brother to stop talking, assuring him she only wanted him to live. Qin Qi lovingly told her that he always wanted to be a good brother and see her grow up happily, carrying all burdens for her. He confessed his shortcomings as a brother, but Qin Sang insisted he was the best. He declared that she, as his sister, deserved happiness.
With profound sadness, Qin Qi stated he wouldn't be present on her wedding day before succumbing to the poison. Yan Xifan expressed his admiration for Emperor Zhai Rong, who remained fearless and composed despite being in enemy territory. Zhai Rong, confident they would escape as they had countless times before, also complimented Yan Xifan's calm demeanor, noting his resemblance to Master Yan.
Yan Xifan then apologized for concealing his identity at the Force Combat Convention, but Zhai Rong dismissed it, calling Yan Xifan a friend for helping him escape and acknowledging Wuji Manor's role in protecting the country. Yan Xifan reassured the Emperor of his commitment to national duty and his resolve to protect him, while also expressing his urgent desire to return to Big Dipper to save his friend, Ling Ziyan. Their conversation was interrupted by Qin Sang's anguished cries.
Gathered outside Qin Qi's room, Lu Ping delivered the somber news of Qin Qi's passing. Lu Ping then presented the Emperor with the token Qin Qi had risked his life to obtain, reiterating his promise to ensure the Emperor's safety within E'zhou.
Yan Xifan pledged his assistance, and the Emperor, recognizing their valor, offered them a significant promise: if they successfully helped him escape, he would grant them any request, no matter how great, assuring them that a king's word is immutable. As curfew approached, Lu Ping instructed Huo Ying and Tang to escort the Emperor out of the city, where General Wen was waiting.
Qin Sang asked about his plans, and Lu Ping explained he would stay behind to settle matters with Zhou Youlong. Qin Sang, though worried, accepted her new responsibility as the owner of her brother's sword, vowing not to disgrace the Qin family. She made Lu Ping promise to return safely, meeting her outside E'zhou. Meanwhile, Zhou Youlong and his men arrived at Xu Weifeng's mansion, believing the Emperor was still there.
He ordered his men to surround all entrances, confident that if Lu Ping and the others were still in the city by curfew, he would kill them. Inside, Lu Ping and Yan Xifan were waiting. Lu Ping mocked Zhou Youlong, noting his preoccupation with his front teeth, and declared it was time to end their conflict. Despite their preparations, Lu Ping and Yan Xifan were outmatched by Zhou Youlong.
Yan Xifan was injured, and Lu Ping was ensnared by Zhou Youlong's chains, unable to move. Outside E'zhou, Qin Sang and the others successfully escorted Emperor Zhai Rong through the city gates. The Victorious Dragon Troop, led by General Wen, arrived to secure the Emperor. General Wen apologized for his late arrival and urged the Emperor to return to their border camp, citing the remaining danger.
Zhai Rong commended Qin Sang for her resilience and the spirit she shared with her brother, acknowledging her burden. Su Tang, worried about Lu Ping and Yan Xifan, insisted they wait, as only half an hour remained until curfew, and they couldn't abandon their friends. Qin Sang reinforced this, reminding the Emperor that Lu Ping and Yan Xifan had stayed behind for him, and leaving them would demoralize their soldiers. She affirmed Lu Ping's promise to return.
Despite General Wen's renewed warnings about the danger, the Emperor agreed to wait. Meanwhile, back at Xu Weifeng's mansion, Zhou Youlong cruelly tightened the chains around Lu Ping's neck, declaring his intent to make him die by suffocation, the most agonizing death. Lu Ping's mind raced, recalling Qin Qi's dying wish and Qin Sang's plea for him to return safely.
He realized he needed to be provoked further to break through the Soul Confinement and unleash his four forces, enabling him to contend with Zhou Youlong. In a critical moment, Lu Ping successfully broke through his Soul Confinement, unleashing his four forces. Zhou Youlong was stunned by this unexpected power. Lu Ping confronted Zhou Youlong, declaring his intent to avenge his master and General Qin, promising an "eye for an eye." Together, Lu Ping and Yan Xifan defeated Zhou Youlong.
Back at the city gates, General Wen observed the impending curfew and worried that Lu Ping and Yan Xifan wouldn't make it out. Su Tang, distraught, tried to rush towards the closing gates but was held back by Mo Lin. Just as the gates were about to shut, they paused, and Lu Ping and Yan Xifan appeared, fulfilling Lu Ping's promise to Qin Sang. That evening, the group camped at the foot of Big Dipper Mountain.
Lu Ping, eager to rescue those still trapped, decided that he and Yan Xifan would spearhead the rescue, with General Wen's forces following discretely to avoid alerting Liu Song. He then made arrangements for their separation: Su Tang would accompany the injured Mo Lin back to Wuyou Valley for healing and rest. Qin Sang declared her intention to complete her brother's unfinished duty by escorting the Emperor back to Kaifeng.
Despite their temporary parting, Lu Ping expressed his belief that they would all be reunited soon. In Big Dipper, Shanhai Gang members discovered that Yan Xifan had been replaced. One of them attacked Wei Tianqi, suspecting his involvement. Ling Ziyan, who had taken Yan Xifan's place, bravely confessed that she had let Yan Xifan go. The Shanhai Gang member, revealing her cruelty, began torturing Ling Ziyan, nailing her hand and threatening to hang her as a "bloody picture."
Just then, Lu Ping, Yan Xifan, and members of the Fifth College arrived. Lu Ping demanded to know Liu Song's whereabouts. The Shanhai Gang member threatened to kill Ling Ziyan, but Wei Tianqi, amidst the chaos, quickly revealed that Liu Song was in the Qisha Institute. Lu Ping immediately gave chase, using "The Horn" to melt the sealed iron door of the Qisha Institute's secret chamber. However, Liu Song and Chu Min were gone.
Guo Wushu, who had been imprisoned there with Yan Qiuci, expressed surprise that Liu Song had found a secret passage even he didn't know about. He instructed Lu Ping to inform Master Li Yaotian to send disciples in pursuit. Inside the chamber, Lu Ping found a message carved into the wall by Liu Song: "Zhai destroyed my country and disordered Big Dipper. This hatred must be avenged.
If Big Dipper is used by Zhai, I am no longer a member of Big Dipper." Having escaped through a secret passage with Chu Min, Liu Song was met by his subordinates, who congratulated him on his return as leader.
Despite Zhou Youlong's failure in E'zhou and Zhai Rong's escape, Liu Song declared the mission a success, as he had acquired the Thousand Pine Ruler, which he considered a valuable prize and a means to settle his grievances with Zhai Rong. He reflected on the Qisha Institute's secret passage, which he had co-developed with his junior martial brother Chenfeng, and wondered how Guo Wushu could have been ignorant of it.
He also commented on the continued arrogance of Big Dipper disciples. When a subordinate asked about Lu Ping, Liu Song confidently stated that the message he left would sow suspicion in Lu Ping's mind, and they only needed to bide their time. He then turned to Chu Min, who was still unconscious, and promised to personally show her what truly happened nineteen years ago.
Lu Ping studied Liu Song's message, puzzled by the mention of Emperor Zhai Rong and the Emperor's connection to Liu Song's grievances. Wei Tianqi, observing Lu Ping's concern, downplayed the message, commenting on Guo Wushu's anger and concern for Chu Min, and noting Lu Ping's own worry for Chu Min. Lu Ping acknowledged Wei Tianqi's changed character, remarking that he had become a "real man."
Wei Tianqi then informed Lu Ping that the Emperor was coming to Big Dipper for discussions, suggesting Lu Ping might even be rewarded. This news immediately concerned Lu Ping. Emperor Zhai Rong, upon meeting Big Dipper Institute Master Li Yaotian, emphasized the dire situation caused by Shanhai Gang's plotting against both the martial arts world and the court. He urged Li Yaotian to cooperate, warning of global unrest if they remained disunited.
Li Yaotian, regretting his past prejudices and the opportunity Shanhai Gang exploited, agreed to join forces with the Emperor to eliminate Shanhai Gang and rescue Chu Min. Zhai Rong expressed his gratitude on behalf of the people. Li Yaotian then reported on the relatively low casualties at Big Dipper but noted Liu Song's desperate effort to retrieve the Thousand Pine Ruler from Qisha Institute, suspecting a deeper motive.
The Emperor then revealed the true reason: the Thousand Pine Ruler, Liu Song's former weapon, contained a commander's seal left by the Liu Family, which Liu Song intended to use to incite rebellion across the land. Li Yaotian then understood why Liu Song was so obsessed with obtaining it, denouncing his ambition. Li Yaotian then reassured the Emperor that Liu Song would not be able to access the commander's seal.
He explained that Peak Master Lü, under the order of the late Master Leng Xiutan, had placed a secret lock on the Thousand Pine Ruler that only he could open. Since Lü Chenfeng had disappeared after Master Leng Xiutan's death, no one knew his trace, and Liu Song would be unable to unlock it.
Li Yaotian expressed shame for not understanding Master Leng Xiutan's foresight earlier, realizing now that Master Leng Xiutan had likely suspected Liu Song's intentions and created this safeguard. Yan Qiuci then assured the Emperor that with Big Dipper's precautions against Liu Song, no further trouble should arise.
However, Zhai Rong challenged Yan Qiuci's confidence, questioning how Liu Song could have succeeded in attacking Big Dipper and seizing the Thousand Pine Ruler if Yan Qiuci, as the Master of martial arts circles, hadn't become complacent. Yan Qiuci promised to return to Wuji Manor immediately to deploy new strategies against Liu Song, ensuring his plans would fail. The Emperor, in turn, hoped Yan Qiuci would uphold his promise and maintain his integrity.
Later, Yan Xifan observed his father, Yan Qiuci, interacting with the Emperor and noticed a familiar, almost argumentative, dynamic that suggested they were old acquaintances, not new ones. When asked, Yan Qiuci dismissed his son's suspicions, explaining that Wuji Manor, being located in Jin City, frequently dealt with the court, requiring him, as the martial arts leader, to maintain good relations with the imperial power in their joint effort against Shanhai Gang. Yan Xifan did not press the issue further.
Before departing for Wuji Manor, Yan Xifan made an additional request to his father: to provide shelter for Ling Ziyan. He explained how she had been tortured by Shanhai Gang while protecting him and, given her difficult life, he couldn't bear to see her suffer further. Yan Qiuci agreed, stating that the Wuji Manor could accommodate a solitary girl, especially one who had made such contributions. Separately, Emperor Zhai Rong summoned Ling Ziyan.
He acknowledged that Yan Xifan had risked his life to save her in Big Dipper and that she was fortunate to have gained his favor. However, he starkly reminded her of the vast social gap between her and the noble Yan Family. Zhai Rong proposed a deal: if Ling Ziyan would remain by Yan Xifan's side and relay intelligence about Wuji Manor's activities, he would grant her a suitable status, ensuring she could achieve a happy outcome with Yan Xifan.
He gave her time to consider his offer. Meanwhile, Liu Song returned to the Shanhai Gang headquarters. The Master of Forest Division, who had been acting as the Master, publicly announced that Liu Song had been operating behind the scenes for years and, now that their plans were coming to fruition, his true identity as the Master no longer needed to be hidden.
He formally stepped down from his temporary position, welcoming Liu Song back to his rightful place as the Master of Shanhai Gang. Liu Song's subordinates congratulated him, and he inquired about Chu Min's condition. He was informed that she was safely settled but still unconscious.
