Legend of Awakening Episode 36 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
At the wedding ceremony, as Yan Qiuci prepared to pass his family's ancestral saber to his son, Yan Xifan, Lyu Chenfeng began to tremble. Pointing at Yan Qiuci, Lyu Chenfeng shouted that the man with that saber was the one who killed his brother. Yan Xifan questioned Lyu Chenfeng, who then directly accused Yan Qiuci of being the murderer from 19 years ago.
Yan Qiuci quickly seized control of the situation, publicly denouncing Lu Ping as a Shanhai Gang operative who had infiltrated the Longjie Army and ordering his capture. Knowing they were outnumbered, Lu Ping vowed that he, as the son of Leng Xiutan, would return for justice, and then fled with Lyu Chenfeng. Yan Qiuci immediately commanded his subordinates to pursue them. Confused and troubled by the sudden turn of events, Yan Xifan sought an explanation from his father.
Yan Qiuci was informed that the wedding guests had been settled and that Ling Ziyan was calmly waiting for Yan Xifan in her room. He dismissed his subordinate, confident that Yan Xifan, though confused, would eventually return to the Manor. Yan Qiuci then ordered a full search for Lu Ping and Lyu Chenfeng, emphasizing that all Manor members must claim that Lu Ping was merely a Shanhai Gang operative misled by Liu Song.
Later, Yan Xifan confronted his father, demanding an explanation. He accused Yan Qiuci of not detaining Lyu Chenfeng for his safety and questioned if he intended to kill Lu Ping and Qin Sang to silence them. Yan Qiuci admitted he should have personally dealt with them to avoid current troubles. When Yan Xifan asked if the "brother" Lyu Chenfeng spoke of was Leng Xiutan, Lu Ping's father, Yan Qiuci confirmed it.
He then revealed that his earlier claim that Shanhai Gang killed Lu Ping's parents was also true, because he was the founder of Shanhai Gang. Seeing that the truth was out, Yan Qiuci decided to openly discuss his past with Yan Xifan. Yan Qiuci recounted that over a decade ago, before Wuji Manor existed, Big Dipper's seven masters were renowned throughout Jianghu.
Master Leng Xiutan was exceptional at Force of Sound, his wife Shao Yinchu was a skilled swordswoman, and Yan Qiuci himself ranked second with his family's sword techniques. Chu Min and Guo Youdao were adept at Forces of Heft and Air, while Liu Song, the youngest to join, excelled in Force of Spirit. Lyu Chenfeng, though mentally unwell, possessed extraordinary talent in Forces of Temperature and Air and was a master weapon-smith.
Yan Qiuci fondly recalled Leng Xiutan's kindness and devotion to his wife and fellow disciples. One day, while visiting Yan Xifan and his mother, Yan Qiuci met the current His Majesty, Zhai Rong, then a young man with impressive foresight. They spoke all night and formed a close bond, with Yan Qiuci promising to persuade Big Dipper to assist Zhai Rong's aspirations. However, when Yan Qiuci approached Leng Xiutan about entering the political arena, his brother staunchly refused.
Leng Xiutan declared that Big Dipper would never interfere in political matters, as its purpose was to preserve martial arts, not serve temporal rulers. He believed that involving Jianghu in court disputes would strip martial artists of their pride. After Lu Ping's birth, Leng Xiutan, who was always more focused on martial arts than worldly affairs, became even more dedicated to his talented son.
Yan Qiuci, then young and ambitious, resented that Big Dipper thrived under his efforts while Leng Xiutan reaped the glory. He felt his own ambitions were stifled and began seeking an opportunity. This came when he overheard Leng Xiutan's conversation with Liu Song, revealing that Liu Song was a prince of Dan.
Leng Xiutan, out of loyalty, offered Liu Song two choices: leave Big Dipper and resume his princely duties, or stay as Tianji Peak's Song, severing ties with his royal identity. Leng Xiutan also demanded Liu Song surrender the Thousand Pine Ruler and the commander's seal as a sign of his commitment to peace. Yan Qiuci realized this was his chance and sought out Zhai Rong, offering to help him acquire the commander's seal in exchange for a new beginning.
To retrieve the seal, Zhai Rong and his men disguised themselves as a new sect. Yan Qiuci named this sect "Shanhai Gang" to make their cover more convincing, and they infiltrated Big Dipper under the guise of friendly sparring. To get to the heavily guarded seal in Qisha Institute, Yan Qiuci knew he needed to lure Leng Xiutan back.
He was aware that Leng Xiutan and his wife had expended much of their cultivation to suppress Lu Ping's innate six forces. Yan Qiuci faked a plea for help, knowing Leng Xiutan would rush back without fully recovering. Leng Xiutan, never suspecting his brother, believed Yan Qiuci was there to assist them against Shanhai Gang and instructed him to take Liu Song and Lu Ping to safety while he and his wife held off the attackers.
This misjudgment allowed Yan Qiuci to strike, killing both Leng Xiutan and his wife in one swift move. Yan Qiuci confessed that he initially intended to kill Lyu Chenfeng as well but couldn't bring himself to harm another junior disciple. Unable to let Lyu Chenfeng expose the truth, he imprisoned him in Wuji Manor's water prison, using drugs to erase his memories, and publicly claimed Lyu Chenfeng had gone on his travels and disappeared.
Yan Xifan was aghast, realizing his father had known Liu Song's true identity all along. He pleaded with Yan Qiuci to let Lu Ping go, but his father reiterated that the truth about Big Dipper and Wuji Manor must remain hidden to preserve their reputation.
Yan Xifan reminded his father of his childhood teachings about being an upright hero, but Yan Qiuci defended his actions, claiming that his position as Master of Jianghu, which he fought for, was a responsibility to maintain order and prevent the entire martial arts world from being devoured by warring factions. He told Yan Xifan that as his successor, he needed to understand these difficult choices.
Meanwhile, a Shanhai Gang subordinate reported to Liu Song about Lyu Chenfeng's disruption at the wedding and Lu Ping's escape. Liu Song smirked, noting that Yan Qiuci's unchanged personality was precisely what allowed his schemes to succeed. He instructed his subordinate to prepare, stating he must personally thank Yan Qiuci for giving Shanhai Gang its name. Overwhelmed, Yan Xifan retreated to be alone.
Ling Ziyan found him, urging him to set aside his grief and devise a plan to stop Yan Qiuci from harming Lu Ping. She warned that inaction would only lead to mutual destruction, benefiting Shanhai Gang. Yan Xifan, finding a new resolve, asked Ling Ziyan for her help. Yan Qiuci, having dispatched his men to search for Lu Ping and Lyu Chenfeng, went to meet Qin Sang.
He observed her anxiety over Lu Ping's safety and deduced that she had already realized His Majesty's involvement in the "Seven Star Event" of 19 years ago. Yan Qiuci confirmed her suspicions, then appealed to her loyalty as a subject, reminding her of the current alliance against Shanhai Gang. Qin Sang, however, fiercely warned him that if he harmed Lu Ping, she would ensure the entire Wuji Manor was destroyed in retribution.
Determined, Qin Sang set off alone to find Lu Ping. Meanwhile, Yan Qiuci and his subordinates, who were also searching for Lu Ping, were ambushed on the road and drugged unconscious by a potent potion administered by Yan Xifan and Ling Ziyan. Yan Xifan intended to use this time to resolve the matter and atone for his father's sins.
Later, Yan Xifan commanded all Wuji Manor disciples to return to their rooms by midnight, lights off, with no one permitted to leave, threatening expulsion for any disobedience. He then put Ling Ziyan to sleep with a potent potion, assuring her that all problems would be resolved when she awoke. Along the way, Qin Sang encountered Su Tang and Mo Lin.
Mo Lin noticed Qin Sang's unwell state and tried to check her pulse, but Qin Sang insisted they focus on finding Lu Ping together. Lu Ping and Lyu Chenfeng had found shelter in a small forest hut. Lu Ping reassured Lyu Chenfeng, who was still disoriented but began to recall fragments of "Ping'er." Lyu Chenfeng gradually regained his full memory, remembering his "brother" and "sister-in-law" and realizing he had not taken his memory-suppressing medicine.
He wanted to avenge them but, being without martial arts, felt helpless and turned to Lu Ping. Su Tang and Mo Lin then arrived, having discovered from Mo Bu Liu in Wuyou Valley that Lu Ping's Soul Confinement was jointly placed by his parents and Mo Bu Liu, costing them significant cultivation. This revelation made Lu Ping suspect foul play. He decided he needed to address the matter and entrusted Lyu Chenfeng to Su Tang and Mo Lin.
Qin Sang confronted Lu Ping, urging him to abandon his quest for revenge and return to Big Dipper with Lyu Chenfeng, Su Tang, and Mo Lin. She argued that Wuji Manor's strength was crucial for fighting Shanhai Gang. Lu Ping rebuked her, accusing her of submitting to Yan Qiuci and forgetting that Shanhai Gang killed Qin Qi. He stated that if protecting a so-called "greater good" meant ignoring right and wrong, then it wasn't worth protecting.
He asserted his own clear understanding of good and evil and his determination to seek vengeance. Qin Sang tried to dissuade him, reasoning that killing Yan Qiuci wouldn't bring his parents back and might only empower Shanhai Gang further. Lu Ping dismissed her concerns, stating he was not a "great figure" to contemplate such grand consequences and was tired of thinking. He warned her not to impede him.
Qin Sang then collapsed, the cold poison, a result of using her blood to activate Lyu Chenfeng's sword earlier, having entered her heart. Mo Lin quickly checked her pulse, and Qin Sang whispered to him not to reveal her condition to anyone. Lu Ping received a letter, disguised by Yan Xifan as an invitation from Yan Qiuci, inviting him to a meeting at Wuji Manor at midnight. As Lu Ping approached the Manor, he found Yan Xifan waiting.
Yan Xifan attempted to persuade him to give his father another chance. Lu Ping refused, explaining that as a son, he had certain responsibilities to fulfill. Yan Xifan then allowed him to enter the Manor, informing him that his father was waiting and entrusting Lu Ping with the future fight against Shanhai Gang. Inside, Lu Ping confronted Yan Qiuci, directly asking if he killed his parents and imprisoned him and Qin Sang. Yan Qiuci admitted to both.
He acknowledged his guilt for their deaths and offered to accept three blows as atonement. He requested that after these three moves, Lu Ping forget his hatred and unite with Wuji Manor against Liu Song. Lu Ping retorted, reminding Yan Qiuci of his father's potent "Blow Horns to Camp" martial art and his own newly mastered "five forces," implying that Yan Qiuci underestimated his strength and declared he would settle both old and new grievances today.
Yan Qiuci pleaded with Lu Ping not to hold Yan Xifan responsible, to which Lu Ping agreed. Lu Ping launched two powerful attacks, but Yan Qiuci stood his ground, making no attempt to defend himself. This left Lu Ping unsettled, sensing something was amiss, though he couldn't quite grasp what.
