Legend of Awakening Episode 43 Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Liu Song learned that Yan Xifan had pledged loyalty to Zhai Rong, which meant Yan Xifan could no longer serve him, so Liu Song decided to treat him as a sacrifice. He dispatched Yan Jin to support the Dan army in Jin City, while Lin Tianyi remained behind to oversee the creation of the Force Eaters army.
Liu Song explained that the blood acquired from Lu Ping was sufficient, and once the Force Eaters were complete, Shuo would be as insignificant as ants. He spoke to a vision of his deceased Imperial Father, believing their Liu clan's return to power was imminent. Meanwhile, the Victorious Dragon Troop continued their search for Lu Ping, but without success.
General Wen informed Ling Ziyan that the Emperor’s oath meeting was scheduled for the following day, which they anticipated would be Lu Ping's prime opportunity to act. General Wen assured Ling Ziyan that the Victorious Dragon Troop would maintain strict security to protect the Emperor. Lu Ping used the soul of Essence to infiltrate the Victorious Dragon Troop.
The next day, Zhai Rong convened the oath meeting, delivering a stirring speech about how Shuo's territory was won with the hands and blood of his soldiers and himself. He declared his personal expedition against Dan, who had allied with Shanhai Gang to invade their borders, vowing to show them that Shuo could both conquer and defend its lands. As the troops chanted "Victory, Shuo!"
, Zhai Rong suddenly ordered an unexpected change in his escorting guards, causing Lu Ping to adjust his plan. Lu Ping then intercepted the Emperor's sedan, shouting that changing guards was futile and no one could save Zhai Rong today. To his surprise, when he cut through the sedan, he found Qin Sang inside.
Qin Sang tried to dissuade Lu Ping, urging him not to be swayed by Liu Song and to use his power for the greater good of the country and its people, as his heroic parents would have wanted. Lu Ping retorted that she was not his parents and questioned whether they would have sacrificed themselves for the greater good, blaming their deaths and Mo Lin's on the struggle for power.
He concluded that since loyalty and filial piety were at odds, he had to make his decision today. As Guo Wushu and Wei Tianqi rushed to the scene, Guo Wushu chastised Wei Tianqi for his slow cultivation of the Force of Air and grumbled about Yan Xifan’s delayed message. They saw troop movements and realized Lu Ping was involved.
Zhai Rong argued that Liu Song had plunged the world into chaos after the Seven Star event, and Lu Ping himself suffered from it. He claimed his actions against Lu Ping were to prevent greater unrest. Zhai Rong urged Lu Ping to disarm, asserting that the Liu Family of Hedong was corrupt, and the Late Emperor's ascension was divinely ordained.
He explained his new policies strengthened the nation for the people’s benefit, and his personal expedition was to save the populace from Liu Song's atrocities at the border. If Lu Ping persisted in his assassination attempt, it would only lead to widespread chaos. Qin Sang, as a minister, affirmed her duty to stop Lu Ping, but acknowledged his pain. She offered her life to atone for the Emperor if it would pacify Lu Ping's hatred.
Lu Ping, heartbroken, felt that Qin Sang had become "like them." Qin Sang quickly denied this, assuring him that he was loved and that she would stand by him through life or death, right or wrong. She expressed her wish for them to go to a serene place after the war and live an ordinary life, a dream she believed he always held.
However, Lu Ping stated that someone like him might not be worthy of an ordinary life and admitted he never intended to survive. With that, Lu Ping self-destructed. Guo Wushu and Wei Tianqi arrived to find Lu Ping barely clinging to life. Guo Wushu deduced that Lu Ping had made a desperate choice to break the sixth lock, causing his internal energy to become chaotic and his meridians severely damaged. Qin Sang desperately pleaded with Guo Wushu to save him.
Guo Wushu managed to temporarily stabilize Lu Ping's heart pulse but regretfully informed them that even Wuyou Valley could not save his life. Qin Sang, remembering Lu Ping's longing for an ordinary life and his lifelong suffering, decided against further treatment. She declared that if his chances of survival were slim, she would rather he spend his remaining days living the ordinary life he always wanted, unburdened. She pledged to follow whatever decisions he made.
Guo Wushu agreed and arranged for Lu Ping to be taken back to Big Dipper for care. Zhai Rong, convinced that Lu Ping was a dying man, ordered his troops to cease pursuit, deciding it was pointless to waste resources on him. He redirected his focus to the urgent campaign against Shanhai Gang. Qin Sang went to the palace to formally submit her resignation. Zhai Rong was furious, questioning her timing given the impending war against Dan and Shanhai Gang.
Qin Sang explained that the Longjie Army, now well-trained and led by General Wen and Yan Xifan, was strong enough without her. She asked Zhai Rong to grant her resignation. Zhai Rong reminded her of her promise to Qin Qi. Qin Sang reiterated that she remembered, which was why she had desperately tried to stop Lu Ping earlier. She then declared that since her brother Qin Qi's death, Lu Ping was her sole concern.
With his life hanging by a thread, they no longer had a lifetime together, but she wished to spend every remaining moment by his side, sharing life and death. She reminded Zhai Rong that Lu Ping's life of hardship was a consequence of Shuo's affairs. While she harbored no resentment and would defend Shuo to her last breath, her only plea was to be allowed to accompany Lu Ping in his final moments, to comfort him after his lonely life.
Enraged, Zhai Rong dismissed her, declaring he never wanted to see her again. Qin Sang, understanding his reluctant acceptance, thanked him. Qin Sang secretly visited Ling Ziyan, who was preparing to depart with the Victorious Dragon Troop. Qin Sang congratulated Ling Ziyan on becoming a General of the Longjie Army, acknowledging Ling Ziyan's greater sacrifices. She entrusted Ling Ziyan and Yan Xifan with the responsibility of serving the country, cautioning them about the dangers of the battlefield.
Qin Sang also asked Ling Ziyan to look after General Wen, who might be disheartened by the departure of both Qin Qi and herself. Ling Ziyan assured Qin Sang she and Yan Xifan would heed her words. Ling Ziyan confessed her longing for Yan Xifan, admitting she now understood how "one day apart seems like three years." She then inquired about Lu Ping.
Qin Sang responded that Lu Ping was fine and that they would travel to a quiet, beautiful place to enjoy some peaceful days together. Ling Ziyan expressed her hope that Qin Sang and Lu Ping, being the most important people in her life, would protect each other and remain inseparable. Meanwhile, Lin Tianyi successfully refined Lu Ping's blood after his sixth force lock broke.
He informed Liu Song that this new medicine could prevent the festering in Force Eaters and allow them to withstand the power of six forces. He noted the success rate was 50/50. Situ Luo, having previously been harmed by Lu Ping, volunteered to test the medicine with her life. The experiment was a success, leading to the potential creation of an invincible Force Eaters army.
Liu Song triumphantly declared that Lu Ping had ultimately resolved his problems, viewing it as fate. He then addressed a vision of his deceased brother, Leng Xiutan, mocking him for never achieving six forces and for being killed by treacherous individuals, unlike himself, who would not hesitate against enemies. Liu Song vowed to personally kill Zhai Rong and seize Shuo, which he considered his rightful power, promising his path would be longer and more enduring than his brother's.
A subordinate reported that Chu Min had threatened with her life and managed to acquire the blood snake. Liu Song confronted Chu Min, questioning her repeated betrayals for outsiders. Chu Min retorted, asking if his betrayal of everything for hatred was worth it. A subordinate offered to "tame" her, but Chu Min defiantly declared her disgust for the place and her willingness to die rather than stay, preferring to "kill myself before I go crazy" than endure the "dark days."
Liu Song questioned if their "former love" meant nothing to her, and Chu Min challenged him to release her if he still held "a trace of sincerity" for their past relationship. Surprisingly, Liu Song ordered her release, explaining that as one of the last remaining Big Dipper masters, he didn't want to lose her and would "get you back in person" when she "figures it out."
Chu Min firmly declared, "There will never be that day," and rode away with the blood snake. Liu Song’s subordinate expressed concern about Chu Min taking the blood snake to the wrong place. However, Liu Song, observing her, deduced that Chu Min had not truly changed and would seek a way to counter the Force Eaters army, undoubtedly heading to Wuyou Valley.
He saw this as an opportunity; since Wuyou Valley was difficult to locate, Chu Min would unwittingly lead them there. Liu Song resolved to use Wuyou Valley as a proving ground for his Force Eaters army, sacrificing its inhabitants to inaugurate his grand plan for universal conquest. Chu Min rode relentlessly, but eventually collapsed from exhaustion. The blood snake she carried escaped and bit her. The bite briefly roused her, allowing her to recapture the snake before continuing her journey.
Back in Wuyou Valley, Mo Buliu struggled to devise an antidote for the Force Eaters' blood, lamenting that Yan Xifan's samples were of little help without understanding Shanhai Gang's "marrow cleansing" principle. He despaired over his inability to fulfill Mo Lin's dream. Su Tang, who was nearby, accidentally pricked her finger. Mo Buliu questioned why she endured such hardship with him.
Su Tang, asserting that she was Mo Lin's wife by their lifelong promise, insisted she must be filial to Mo Buliu in Mo Lin’s absence. She stated she had chosen her path and did not find it bitter, remembering how Mo Lin had given her a new choice after she had spent her life simply following her brother. She declared she would never give up halfway.
Mo Buliu reluctantly allowed her to stay, acknowledging Mo Lin's description of him as kind despite his eccentric nature. Su Tang playfully promised to "take care of him until the end of his life," which Mo Buliu quickly dismissed as bad luck, wishing for meat instead. Mo Buliu then asked if she had given up on finding her brother.
Su Tang replied that her brother had his own path, and by assisting Mo Buliu in finding a way to withstand the six forces, she was truly helping him. She pledged her full support. Mo Buliu, accepting her resolve, affectionately called her "Young Madam Mo." Su Tang then left to gather some herbs. Mo Buliu watched her go, reflecting on her heartfelt devotion. As Su Tang stepped out to gather herbs, her composure broke.
She wept, remembering cherished moments with Mo Lin, particularly his playful attempts to become her master or disciple, and his heartfelt proposal of marriage, which she had accepted. She angrily scolded "bad Mo Lin" for breaking his promise to let her bully him for life, lamenting the pointlessness of being "Young Madam Mo" alone. Suddenly, she heard a sound and turned to find Chu Min, on the verge of collapsing. Su Tang rushed to her side, calling out "Master Chu Min," just as Chu Min fainted into her arms.
