Legend of Awakening Episode 4 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
As Lu Ping and Qin Sang fled from the Shanhai Gang members, Su Tang swiftly pulled them into another room at Ruyu Restaurant. Shanhai Gang operatives, including Situ Xing, burst into the room moments later. Su Tang, feigning to be a guest, told them that Lu Ping and Qin Sang had already escaped by jumping out the window. Situ Xing, after aggressively poking the bed with his weapon to confirm no one was hiding, followed suit.
Once the operatives left, Su Tang quickly released Lu Ping and Qin Sang. To her surprise, Qin Sang immediately held a sword to Lu Ping’s neck, intending to capture him. Su Tang angrily called Qin Sang foolish, pointing out that if Lu Ping were truly with the Shanhai Gang, he wouldn't have risked his life to save her from Situ Xing.
Qin Sang retorted that Lu Ping's actions were likely a ploy to get close to her "Wen uncle" (Wen Gecheng), and questioned his familiarity with Situ Xing and his attempt to snatch the Shanhai Badge at the fort. Lu Ping, sensing the escalating tension, instructed Su Tang to return to Zhaifeng Institute, assuring her that Qin Sang, being from a reputable family, would not harm him.
As he was led away by Qin Sang, Lu Ping subtly told Su Tang to "act according to the situation," and Su Tang resolved to save him and protect his identity. Meanwhile, downstairs, Su Tang overheard Wei Tianqi conspiring with Madam Jin to stage a heroic rescue for Qin Sang. Wei Tianqi explained his elaborate plan to hire strong men to cause trouble, allowing him to intervene and impress Qin Sang.
He even had Ling Ziyan detained to ensure his plan would proceed. Su Tang decided to use this information to her advantage. Further along the road, Qin Sang continued to interrogate Lu Ping, promising Qin family protection if he revealed the truth about the Shanhai Gang's pursuit. Lu Ping, however, pressed her for Wen Gecheng's whereabouts, vowing to leave her alone if she complied.
Qin Sang revealed that her brother, Qin Qi, had recommended Wen Gecheng as the examiner for the upcoming Soul Combat Convention because Wen Gecheng was a lone figure with no family or friends, ensuring fairness and silencing political opposition. This confirmed for Lu Ping that he could meet Wen Gecheng at the convention. Just as Qin Sang insisted on taking Lu Ping with her, Su Tang appeared, holding a captured Wei Tianqi and Ling Ziyan hostage.
Su Tang threatened to harm them if Qin Sang did not release Lu Ping. Ling Ziyan urged Qin Sang to prioritize her mission, stating her life was expendable for the Qin family. However, Su Tang rebuked her, emphasizing that everyone's life belongs to themselves and shouldn't be given up so easily. To force Qin Sang's hand, Su Tang released a swarm of wasps, prompting Qin Sang to order Ling Ziyan to save Wei Tianqi.
With a final warning that Qin Sang shouldn't fall into her hands again, Su Tang released Lu Ping. Back at Ruyu Restaurant, Mo Lin arrived with Zhao Xifan, hoping Qin Sang could corroborate his claim that Lu Ping was the God of Bandits. However, Qin Sang was no longer there. The commotion outside revealed Situ Luo and Situ Xing holding Madam Jin and other restaurant patrons hostage.
Madam Jin, seeing Zhao Xifan, called out for help, inadvertently exposing him and Mo Lin. Zhao Xifan froze upon seeing Situ Luo, the image of his deceased comrades flashing before his eyes. In a moment of panic, Mo Lin's crossbow bolt accidentally struck Situ Xing, killing him instantly and enraging Situ Luo. She taunted Zhao Xifan for his uselessness, unable to even wield a blade. Fortunately, Qin family guards arrived, engaging Situ Luo and forcing her to retreat, wounded.
After the encounter, Qin Sang, now free from Lu Ping, confided in Ling Ziyan her suspicions about how Xing Luo found them at Ruyu Restaurant, indicating a possible betrayal or opportunism from the Wei family. She decided to return to Kaifeng but expressed a strong premonition that capturing Lu Ping would bring her closer to uncovering the truth about the Shanhai Gang. She also reaffirmed Ling Ziyan's value, instructing her never to sacrifice her life so easily.
Meanwhile, Mr. Wei anxiously sent his men to rescue Situ Luo from prison, fearing for his own life after one Shanhai Gang operative was dead. However, Situ Luo, having severely injured her would-be rescuers, had already escaped and was heading directly to Chenqiao Town, specifically to Zhaifeng Institute. At Zhaifeng, as the disciples were preparing for bed, only Mo Lin, with his unique soul of Pivot, sensed Situ Luo's presence.
By the time Zhao Xifan arrived, Situ Luo had already begun her brutal attack, severely wounding many disciples. Mo Lin tried to drag a frozen Zhao Xifan away, but Zhao Xifan, as Zhaifeng's eldest disciple, refused to abandon his comrades. Situ Luo taunted the disciples, blaming them for the death of her "favorite slave" (Situ Xing) and demanding the person responsible. Zhao Xifan, knowing he couldn't defeat her, offered himself as a replacement.
Situ Luo demanded he hook her silver sickle into his shoulder and, like a dog, drag the injured disciples out one by one, leaving their survival to fate. As Zhao Xifan agonizingly agreed, Lu Ping, who had been hiding and grappling with his own deep-seated fear of Situ Luo, almost rushed out. Mo Lin intervened by confronting Situ Luo, telling Lu Ping he would handle her, giving Lu Ping an antidote, and instructing him to save the disciples.
Overcoming his past trauma, Lu Ping realized that constant evasion would only endanger more people. He donned the God of Bandits' mask and confronted Situ Luo. Zhao Xifan, now freed, instructed Mo Lin to use his soul of Pivot to locate Master Guo's hidden shāodāozi (ignitable liquor). With the shāodāozi found, Su Tang used her soul power to ignite it, causing an intense fire.
The fire dislodged Lu Ping's mask, revealing his identity as the God of Bandits to Zhao Xifan and Situ Luo. Recognizing him, Situ Luo attempted to escape to inform her lord, but Lu Ping, Su Tang, and Zhao Xifan pursued her to the lake. In a critical moment, Guo Youdao suddenly appeared and threw Situ Luo into the water. He then feigned ignorance and scolded Lu Ping for causing trouble, ordering him to clean the entire institute without rest.
Zhao Xifan, now aware of Lu Ping's true capabilities, intervened, taking responsibility for provoking Situ Luo and offering to bear all punishment in Lu Ping's stead. Guo Youdao, observing Zhao Xifan's strange behavior, suspected he had discovered Lu Ping's identity. Guo Youdao later confronted Lu Ping privately about Zhao Xifan's possible discovery. Lu Ping confirmed his intention to leave, offering Guo Youdao a sum of money.
He explained that Guo Youdao's pretense of holding him accountable for debt was a compassionate way to keep him safe at Zhaifeng. However, with the Shanhai Gang relentlessly pursuing him, he could not hide forever and would no longer implicate the institute. He declared their debts settled and his decision to participate in the Chanzhou county exam, severing all ties with Zhaifeng for everyone's good. After Lu Ping's departure, Guo Youdao spoke with Zhao Xifan.
Feeling ashamed and unworthy of being the eldest disciple, Zhao Xifan tried to return his badge. Guo Youdao encouraged him to understand the full situation by finding Lu Ping in the back mountains. Lu Ping was already in the back mountains, where he had been cultivating. However, the recent fight with Situ Luo had completely exhausted his remaining soul power, forcing him to restart his cultivation from scratch.
Su Tang found him and expressed concern, reminding him that his unstable soul power allowed him to act as the God of Bandits only once every two weeks, and this battle had drained him, jeopardizing his chances for the upcoming exam. Lu Ping, feigning selfishness, claimed he only fought Situ Luo because she threatened his safety, not to save anyone. Su Tang saw through his act, knowing he was only protecting her and bearing all the burdens alone.
Lu Ping insisted he was selfish and only cared for her, pushing away Zhao Xifan's offer of help. Later, Zhao Xifan approached Guo Youdao, seeking guidance on how to compensate Lu Ping. Guo Youdao cryptically pulled Zhao Xifan aside and revealed an item he had taken from Mo Lin earlier when trying to extort "meal expenses" from him. Guo Youdao complained that Mo Lin was a pauper who only had this "junk." Zhao Xifan immediately recognized the item as Mo's Carefree Weed.
