Legend of Awakening Episode 48 (Ending) Recap
> Legend of Awakening Recap
Su Tang and Yan Xifan arrived on horseback at Shanhai Gang, with Su Tang admitting to Yan Xifan that she never thought she would return to that "hell again." Yan Xifan reassured her, promising she wouldn't have to "return all today." The gates of Shanhai Gang opened for them, indicating Liu Song had anticipated their arrival.
Liu Song, observing them, remarked on the "distinguished guests," identifying Yan Xifan as a "betrayer of Shanhai Gang" and Su Tang as an "associate from the gang." He challenged their identity, asking if they came as "the general of Shuo" or "the Younger Master of Yan Family." Yan Xifan declared he came as the Senior Disciple of Zhaifeng Institute to bring Lu Ping home, stating that "no one can be left behind" according to their rules.
Liu Song mockingly agreed to "send them home." Suddenly, Lu Ping appeared and seemed to strike Yan Xifan and Su Tang with a sword, leaving Yan Xifan stunned and crying out, "Lu Ping, you are insane." Liu Song reveled in the scene, exclaiming, "Bravo. . . It is interesting to see brothers kill each other."
He then stood up, his face recovered, having regained his ability to walk freely, thanks to Lu Ping's blood which allowed his Six Po abilities to connect. Liu Song boasted about using this newfound power to reclaim the land of Dan. However, Lu Ping unexpectedly turned his attack on Liu Song. Lu Ping revealed that he was never truly captivated by Liu Song's Force of Spirit.
He had seen through the illusions of his "parents" and "master," realizing they were "all fake." The "real ones are here," he stated, pointing to his heart. He had managed to master the Force of Memory, which Liu Song believed to be "just a legend" that "no one can acquire."
Lu Ping explained that this power was given to him by his "loved one at the price of her life," adding that Liu Song, being "heartless and emotionless," could never understand its true meaning. The Force of Memory, unlike the Six Po abilities which control the senses, "controls our minds," reminding him to stay true to his chosen path, to "never retreat" even when faced with immense hardship.
He concluded, "No matter how powerful the Force of Spirit is, it can’t conquer my heart. . . Liu Song, you lose." Liu Song scoffed at the idea of losing, arguing that the Force of Memory only made the Six Po abilities smoother and did not enhance fighting skill, suggesting their individual combat outcome was "unknown."
Just as he boasted, Yan Xifan and Su Tang joined Lu Ping in the fight, revealing their coordinated attack to be part of a deception. Yan Xifan mockingly told Liu Song that if he "didn’t die, how could you be so careless?" Then, to Liu Song’s utter surprise, Mo Lin appeared.
Mo Lin taunted Liu Song, saying he "never thought that I was so lucky" and explaining that the Mo Family, though born with blocked Force of Heft meridians, were also immune to poisons. He revealed that his father, Mo Buliu, had used a blood snake as a trial and transferred most of his force to him, dying in the process, on the very day Liu Song attacked Wuyou Valley.
After burying his family, Mo Lin left Wuyou Valley, determined to take revenge. Mo Lin then used the Soul Confinement, a technique passed down from his father, on Liu Song. Yan Xifan explained that because Liu Song had used all his strength earlier, the chains of Soul Confinement became even stronger, severing all his meridians. He warned Liu Song that if he "didn’t move, it would be fine," but now he was "a cripple."
Su Tang added that it was poetic justice that the Soul Confinement, which once protected Lu Ping's life (used by his parents and Master Mo), was now used to incapacitate Liu Song. Liu Song, now helpless, bitterly accused Lu Ping of "working for foes" and wished he had killed him in Qisha Institute. Lu Ping dismissed Liu Song's small-mindedness, stating that Liu Song "only know about hatred," which is why "Zhai Rong is more suitable. . .
to take the throne." Lu Ping recalled a meeting with Emperor Zhai Rong, where he learned Zhai Rong was aware of their plan to eliminate Liu Song. Lu Ping had explained that he was helping "the people in the country" and, having witnessed Liu Song's cruelty after Qin Sang's death, had decided to trust Zhai Rong and Yan Xifan's judgment in choosing a good emperor.
Zhai Rong agreed to cooperate, staging a "torture" to allow Lu Ping to "smoothly enter Shanhai Gang," and also agreed to "leave Shanhai Gang alive" as part of the plan. However, Zhai Rong warned that from then on, their lives would be up to fate. Lu Ping pointed out the fundamental difference between them: while both held hatred, Lu Ping chose "to be a man" while Liu Song chose "to be a ghost."
As the group departed Shanhai Gang, Mo Lin retrieved the Zhaifeng Institute uniforms. They set fire to Shanhai Gang, ensuring it "will not exist," and Liu Song died by the Thousand Pine Ruler. Outside Shanhai Gang, as Lu Ping, Yan Xifan, Su Tang, and Mo Lin rested, Lu Ping and Yan Xifan reminisced about their master bringing them and Su Tang out of a difficult situation in the past, and taking them back to Zhaifeng Institute.
Lu Ping acknowledged that after this, they would "have to be apart" because as "the one who assassinated the emperor," he "can’t go back in public." He understood that the Emperor needed a reason to pursue the remaining Shanhai Gang members. Therefore, Lu Ping decided to leave with Su Tang and Mo Lin. He believed this was the "best for all of us," allowing him to operate in Jianghu and fight for innocent people.
Lu Ping explained the concept of the "Double Stars of Kaiyang," one bright and one dark. Yan Xifan chose to "be an official" in the court, representing the bright star, while Lu Ping would "stay in Jianghu" to protect the common people, embodying the dark star. Yan Xifan expressed his reluctance to part, saying he would miss Lu Ping and that playing Pai Gow would be "three short," though Lu Ping quickly reminded him they never actually played.
Reflecting on their bond, they agreed that "as long as Zhaifeng remains, we are together." Emperor Zhai Rong honored Yan Xifan, appointing him Commander of the Victorious Dragon Troop and granting him the surname Zhao. Ling Ziyan, praised for her "kindness and gentleness," was conferred the title of Princess Yanling, and her marriage to Yan Xifan was arranged for that very day, ensuring they would "be happy together."
At the Big Dipper Institute, Chu Min continued to teach, though her memory remained impaired. She couldn't recall her disciples' names but vaguely remembered them "cooking crab porridge" for her. Li Yaotian observed that perhaps forgetting the past's cruelties "was good." Wei Tianqi remained at the Big Dipper Institute, managing Qisha Institute in Guo Wushu's stead. Meanwhile, Jin Ruyu, visiting Guo Youdao's tomb with Cypress Wine, was startled to encounter Guo Wushu.
Initially thinking Guo Youdao had "returned from the dead," she quickly recognized him as Guo Youdao's "bad-tempered brother." Guo Wushu introduced himself and stated his intention to reopen Zhaifeng Institute. Jin Ruyu, after accepting his gratitude for the tomb, demanded he repay his brother's debts to her Ruyu Restaurant.
Guo Wushu playfully blamed his brother's "bad habits since childhood," but Jin Ruyu, undeterred, reminded him that he would need her protection to run his school in Chenqiao, and suggested they first change their form of address, asking him to call her "Ruyu," explaining it meant "an ideal husband" and "good fortune."
A year later, under Emperor Zhai Rong's leadership, the Shuo Dynasty rapidly expanded its territory, aided by the Victorious Dragon Troop's constant victories and the discreet help of the Dark Walkers. Yan Xifan reflected on how Lu Ping and Su Tang perfectly embodied the name "Dark Walkers," working in the shadows yet maintaining a "perfect understanding" with him, as if their "hearts were together."
As Yan Xifan and Ling Ziyan entered Chenqiao Town to a jubilant welcome, Lu Ping, disguised as the God of Bandits, appeared on a rooftop. Their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment passing between the "Double Stars of Kaiyang," ready to continue their separate but intertwined paths of protecting the land and its people.
