Legend of Awakening Episode 40 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Lu Ping sat with Su Tang in Wuyou Valley, reflecting on their surroundings. He confided in his sister that he had made up his decision. He no longer wished to be exploited by Liu Song or the Shanhai Gang, preferring to leave his powers locked and live a carefree life in Wuyou Valley, a life they had once dreamed of as children, full of flowers and sweet treats.
Su Tang, surprised, questioned if this meant he was giving up on Qin Sang. Lu Ping admitted his regret over their last unpleasant encounter and wished Qin Sang could forget him, while he would cherish their memories. Su Tang, in turn, promised to stay by his side with Mo Lin, wherever he chose to be. Lu Ping gently probed Su Tang about her feelings for Mo Lin, observing that "the assassin loves you." He encouraged her, saying, "Life is short.
Don’t wait when we have met the ones we love." Later that night, Mo Lin was found lamenting his perceived uselessness, unable to help his brother, his "sister-in-law," or marry Su Tang. Su Tang approached him, initially only speaking of Lu Ping's decision to stay in the valley. Disappointed, Mo Lin pressed her, asking if she truly had nothing else to say. He then straightforwardly asked if she would marry him.
After a moment of hesitation, as he turned to walk away, Su Tang called out, "Yes, I will!" Overjoyed, Mo Lin received Lu Ping's enthusiastic blessing, who jokingly remarked that he "need[ed] a brother-in-law." Mo Lin immediately declared he would have Mo Chuangu craft Su Tang the most beautiful wedding dress.
Although Su Tang teased him for his eagerness, saying she would marry him even without a gown, Lu Ping insisted that a wedding dress makes a girl "like fire and warm everyone looking at her." He then asked Su Tang to convey their gratitude to Mo Buliu. The following day, Su Tang visited Mo Buliu, who was struggling to feed his parrot, Little Mo.
She thanked him on Lu Ping's behalf, understanding that Mo Buliu had given her brother work not out of necessity for the prosperous valley, but to help him heal from past traumas. She even playfully exposed Mo Buliu's hidden kindness by pointing out the mud on his shoes from eavesdropping. For Lu Ping's "theft" of Mo Buliu's sugar, Su Tang offered a unique gift of earthworms for Little Mo, which Mo Buliu gladly accepted.
Su Tang then questioned why Mo Buliu, despite his gentle nature, was so opposed to Mo Lin's dream of becoming the world's greatest assassin, to which Mo Buliu sternly declared his rules were supreme in Wuyou Valley. Suddenly, the valley's mist forest alarm sounded, signaling intruders. Everyone, including Lu Ping who rushed to confront them, assumed it was the Shanhai Gang. However, the visitors were Yan Xifan and Ling Ziyan.
Lu Ping acknowledged repaying Yan Xifan for a past rescue, but the reunion was strained. Yan Xifan announced he was there on imperial orders to bring Lu Ping to Kaifeng, claiming the Emperor wished to discuss the Shanhai Gang's Force Eater plot. Lu Ping, however, suspected the Emperor merely wanted to study his awakening power.
Su Tang passionately intervened, revealing that Lu Ping's Soul Confinement locks were placed by their parents to save his life, and breaking the last one would be fatal. Lu Ping reaffirmed his decision to stay in Wuyou Valley and sever ties with imperial affairs and the Shanhai Gang, appealing to their shared Zhaifeng bond.
Yan Xifan, visibly shaken by the news of the locks, hesitated and began to withdraw, but Ling Ziyan reminded him of a second secret imperial edict for him, questioning how he would report to the Emperor. Yan Xifan vowed to find a "win-win approach," refusing to let Lu Ping risk his life further. As Yan Xifan pondered his predicament, Mo Lin, who had been secretly observing them, offered his own "win-win approach."
He criticized their tendency to handle everything alone, reminding them of their successful teamwork at the Point-Wielding Convention, and gave Yan Xifan his token, promising a way through the mist forest and a solution. Meanwhile, Mo Buliu learned of the Longjie Army's presence, lamenting that Wuyou Valley couldn't offer Lu Ping peace despite his promise to Lu Ping's parents. He announced his retreat to the back mountain for seclusion, forbidding anyone from approaching.
Mo Lin, convinced his father held the key to Lu Ping's Soul Confinement, led Yan Xifan to secretly observe Mo Buliu. He explained that if Lu Ping was safely cured and attained his six forces, Yan Xifan could take him to Kaifeng, secure his family's safety, and then orchestrate Lu Ping's escape, thus achieving a "win-win" outcome. He stressed the unbreakable bond of their Zhaifeng family.
They then witnessed Mo Buliu in a hidden room, cultivating a radiant red plant, only for him to be poisoned and cough blood. Mo Lin and Yan Xifan rushed in, and as they helped a weak Mo Buliu towards his room for medicine, Lu Ping unexpectedly arrived with the antidote.
Lu Ping explained that he had followed Mo Lin after noticing his suspicious movements, and Little Mo, sensing danger, had led him to Mo Buliu's room where he found the medicine, allowing him to intervene in time. Lu Ping admonished Mo Lin's recklessness and urged Mo Buliu to prioritize his health, as Lu Ping had decided to stay in the valley.
Mo Buliu, in turn, chided Mo Lin for not informing him of his impending marriage, to which Mo Lin retorted that his father was always elusive. In the privacy of his room, Mo Lin questioned Mo Buliu about the poisonous flower. Mo Buliu revealed it was the legendary Two Form Flower, capable of rebuilding meridians, which he had successfully cultivated after it was believed extinct, though it was not yet ready for use.
Mo Lin deduced it was for Lu Ping's Soul Confinement. Mo Buliu confirmed he aimed to help Lu Ping withstand the six forces, but the process was perilous. He explained the flower's dual nature: it required human blood and the soul of Pivot to purge its potent toxins, a feat he had attempted countless times over the years, only to be poisoned himself, surviving only with Little Mo's medicinal herbs.
Tearfully, Mo Buliu confessed he had promised "Brother Leng" (Lu Ping's father) 19 years ago to save Lu Ping, but now, old and diminished in power, he feared he could not succeed. Mo Lin, deeply moved, realized his father's 19-year seclusion was not timidity, but a profound sacrifice to uphold a promise. Overwhelmed with remorse, Mo Lin apologized for his past accusations and pledged to stay and share the burden of Wuyou Valley with his father.
Mo Buliu, though outwardly gruff, stated he was tired and needed to sleep. Unbeknownst to them, Lu Ping and Yan Xifan had overheard their entire conversation. Outside, Lu Ping advised Mo Lin to cherish his father and to abandon the pursuit of the Two Form Flower, accepting his own fate of remaining in Wuyou Valley. He reflected on past grievances, acknowledging that a lifetime was a small price for a "win-win" outcome for his brother.
Lu Ping then urged Mo Lin to focus on his wedding, spend more time with Mo Buliu, noting the parrot's superior filial piety, and ensure Su Tang's happiness before heading off to tend to Mo Buliu's herb field. Yan Xifan, recognizing Lu Ping's stubbornness, reassured Mo Lin that as the senior, he would handle the threat of the Force Eaters.
Later, Yan Xifan apologized to Ling Ziyan for breaking his promise to take her to Kaifeng and asked for a favor. Meanwhile, Mo Lin, while trying on wedding clothes, revealed to Mo Chuangu that he had been poisoned in Shanhai Gang but dismissed it as minor, forbidding him from telling his father to avoid upsetting him on his wedding day. He stubbornly declared he would continue to call Su Tang "Master" even after they were married.
Later, Mo Lin was interrupted by Mo Chuangu announcing a visitor who had entered the valley using Mo Lin's token. It was Ling Ziyan, who had come on her own initiative, revealing Yan Xifan's desperate plan to cultivate the Two Form Flower that very night, using his own blood.
He believed this was the only "win-win" solution for Lu Ping and Wuji Manor, even if it meant sacrificing his life, and had entrusted Ling Ziyan to deliver the flower to Mo Lin should he succeed. Ling Ziyan tearfully pleaded with Mo Lin to intervene, stating her unwillingness to see Yan Xifan hurt, and arguing that Mo Lin, with his Tiancan bloodline and stronger soul of Pivot, had a much higher chance of success.
She even offered to sacrifice her own life if he agreed. Mo Lin affirmed his commitment to protecting both Yan Xifan and Lu Ping. As Su Tang approached, Mo Lin told Ling Ziyan he needed to finish his wedding first, but promised to meet her at a bamboo cabin in the valley's southwest by nine o'clock that night, reassuring her that he had a plan for the Two Form Flower.
Mo Lin then joined Su Tang, who was choosing wedding hair clasps. He selected a "Ruyi hair clasp," wishing her a life of fulfilled desires. When asked for her wish, Su Tang expressed her deep hope for Lu Ping and Qin Sang to reunite, confiding that despite Lu Ping's claims of moving on, he still cared for Qin Sang.
She felt selfish for finding happiness while her brother was still suffering, and wished for both Lu Ping and Qin Sang to find happiness. Su Tang's heartfelt words ignited a sudden realization in Mo Lin: the Two Form Flower, with its ability to rebuild meridians, could not only unlock Lu Ping's Soul Confinement but also counteract the Cold toxin afflicting Qin Sang. This made the flower critical for the well-being of all of them.
Overwhelmed by this insight, Mo Lin rushed off, playfully telling Su Tang that she was wiser than him and he looked forward to seeing her in her wedding dress. After Lu Ping had given Su Tang some osmanthus sugar, Mo Lin took Su Tang to a hidden Osmanthus forest he had prepared, filled with osmanthus cakes, pastries, and wine, explaining that his wedding, as the "best assassin," needed to be special.
He cryptically mentioned an assassin's belief that a lingering attachment could prevent death. As Su Tang happily indulged in the treats, she grew drowsy. Mo Lin then revealed that he had drugged the osmanthus sugar. Speaking to the unconscious Su Tang, he affirmed his decision to cultivate the Two Form Flower, not only for Lu Ping but also for Qin Sang, thus sparing Yan Xifan from risking his life.
He viewed this as a "profitable business" that would help three people. He told Su Tang that he had brought her there to imagine her in her wedding dress, believing that her waiting for him would ensure his safe return. He jokingly asked her not to hit him when she woke up and realized he was now her husband.
