Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Episode 20 Recap
> Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain Recap
Hai Yunfan, recalling his past with Liu Li xian, earnestly tried to awaken her, calling out her name and urging her to recognize him. Observing this, Wang Lu praised Hai Yunfan's acting and improvisational skills, deeming them almost as good as his own.
He then continued to elaborate on the poignant tale for the onlookers, explaining how the hero, out of selfless love, concealed his feelings because Liu Li xian had lost all memory of him, not wishing his affection to become a burden. Wang Lu emphasized the importance of cherishing loved ones to avoid regret, declaring this sentiment the founding principle of his Heart Sect.
He concluded by praying for Liu Li xian to regain her memories soon so that she and Hai Yunfan could begin a new life together. As if on cue, Liu Li xian awoke, prompting Hai Yunfan to immediately ask if she remembered him or the badge. Liu Li xian claimed she only remembered her father giving her the badge.
The crowd, deeply moved by Wang Lu's story, expressed their sadness that Liu Li xian had lost her memories, wishing her a happy life and quick recovery. Wang Lu noted Liu Li xian's precise timing for the dramatic reveal of her memory loss, calling it a "killer move."
Suddenly, the drunkard who had initially accused Hai Yunfan tried to flee but was caught and forced to confess that Zhou Mingrui of the Qianling Sect had coerced him through threats against his wife and son. Later that night, Wang Lu, disguised as Elder He, confronted Zhou Mingrui.
Zhou Mingrui, believing the real Elder He was dead, arrogantly boasted about controlling all affairs of the Qianling Sect in Wuhou County, including abducting the Holy Girls, whom he blamed for their own vanity and greed. He dismissed Elder He as an "ungrateful dog" and warned Wang Lu not to incur the Hierarch's wrath.
Unbeknownst to Zhou, Wang Lu had brought others to overhear his confession, which he then revealed, still Zhou Mingrui remained defiant and attempted to order his subordinates to capture Wang Lu. However, the real Elder He then appeared, immediately terrifying Zhou, who dropped to his knees, begged for his life, and promised to publicly expose all of Qianling Sect's wrongdoings.
Elder He, furious, intended to kill Zhou on the spot, but Wang Lu intervened, demanding that Zhou first hand over the antidote for the Holy Girls. Zhou promptly complied. Wang Lu then instructed Wen Bao to distribute the antidote and advised the rescued girls to be cautious. Wang Lu spared Zhou Mingrui's life, recognizing his influence over the villagers.
He ordered Zhou to publicly denounce the Qianling Sect's misdeeds and ardently promote the Heart Sect, which Zhou obediently agreed to do. Wang Lu further assured one of the rescued girls, Lan, that his palm reading prediction of her marrying a wealthy, loving man would come true. Back at Wang Mansion, a grand feast was held to celebrate the return of harmony to the village. Wang Lu's mother praised him for his accomplishments.
Wang Lu, ever confident, boasted about his future as an Elder or even Sect Leader of the Lingjian Sect. Amidst the festivities, Hai Yunfan tried multiple times to speak with Wang Lu about Liu Li xian, but Wang Lu kept deflecting, instead urging him to drink.
Hai Yunfan tried to clarify that his "performance" with Liu Li xian was "not acting," but Wang Lu playfully misinterpreted it as Hai Yunfan having romantic feelings for her, a "serious crime" for a disciple, and continued to make him drink. Meanwhile, Liu Li xian, enjoying the feast, also drank heavily.
Hai Yunfan tried once more to ask Liu Li xian about the badge she carried, mentioning he had given it to her after saving her near Junhuang Mountain four years ago. Liu Li xian, however, insisted her master found it on her and dismissed his story as a "cliché" used to deceive young girls. Eventually, Liu Li xian became completely intoxicated and passed out, prompting Wang Lu to tell Hai Yunfan to take her to her room.
Unbeknownst to the revelers, Qianling Sect assassins, led by Chief Gao Qiao Lan, were lying in ambush, waiting for everyone to be completely drunk before launching their attack. Wang Lu, however, sensed the danger and knew they were outmatched. He left Elder He to confront the assassins, quipping that Elder He was skilled with women, while he (with Wen Bao) sought help. Wang Lu knew there was no other recourse than to seek help from the sword spirit Liang Qiu.
Meanwhile, back at Lingjian Mountain, Wang Wu sensed Wang Lu was in danger and moved to help him, but other elders stopped her, reminding her of the Six-Star Blood Poison afflicting her and the ongoing treatment she needed. They assured her that Wang Lu, possessing the Kunshan Sword and accompanied by Liang Qiu (the Black Frost Sword spirit), would be safe.
Wang Wu, though annoyed, reluctantly agreed, emphasizing that her concern for Wang Lu was purely for the success of her "Wuxiang Sword Bone" experiment, not personal affection. Back at the banquet, Wang Lu desperately pleaded with Liang Qiu, flattering her by declaring her the true perfect match for Ouyang Shang and dismissing Wang Wu by claiming she had self-immolated to undergo tribulation. Pleased by the praise, Liang Qiu agreed to help.
After taking Liu Li xian to her room, Hai Yunfan pondered why neither he nor Liu Li xian remembered the events of that fateful day. At the critical moment, Wang Lu, now empowered by Liang Qiu, arrived with Hai Yunfan and Wen Bao, turning the tide of the chaotic fight against Elder He and the assassins. During the fight, Zhou Mingrui attempted to escape but was promptly killed by Wen Bao.
Witnessing the tide turn, Gao Qiao ordered a full retreat for the assassins. Wang Lu, observing their sudden withdrawal, immediately suspected a diversion. He realized Liu Li xian was the only one missing and concluded she was their true target. Rushing to her room, they confirmed she had been abducted by Qianling Sect.
Wang Lu deduced that Liu Li xian must be more important to Qianling Sect than the Holy Girls, especially given her recent erratic behavior since descending the mountain. He speculated that she might have been brainwashed, similar to the villager Lan, and pondered the connection between her abduction and Qianling Sect's collection of blood. They decided their next objective was the Qianling Sect headquarters. Wang Lu and his group arrived at Yunli Pier.
Elder He explained that this area was under the jurisdiction of Lord Tianlun, the Head of Almighty Sect. Wang Lu remarked on Qianling Sect's audacity to operate directly under Lord Tianlun's nose, concluding that either Qianling Sect was incredibly secretive, or they had bribed Lord Tianlun, indicating that Almighty Sect was the only force they truly feared.
Wang Lu proposed a feint: he and Elder He would directly confront the Qianling Sect in their main hall, while Hai Yunfan and Wen Bao simultaneously rescued Liu Li xian. To infiltrate the headquarters, Wang Lu and Elder He donned robes of Almighty Sect Elders, planning to assert their authority and gain entry. Hai Yunfan and Wen Bao soon located Liu Li xian. To avoid alerting the enemy, Hai Yunfan instructed Wen Bao to wait while he approached her alone.
Hai Yunfan tried to remind Liu Li xian of their shared history, including their joint training, their adventures with Wang Lu and Wen Bao, and how he had saved her four years ago near Junhuang Mountain, giving her the badge as a memento. However, Liu Li xian, now calling herself Ye Li, the Empress of Qianling Sect, claimed no memory of him or their companions.
She dismissed his story as a "cliché" used to trick young girls and warned him to leave or face severe consequences. As this exchange unfolded, Wen Bao, who was waiting nearby, was suddenly ambushed, finding a blade at his throat. Meanwhile, Wang Lu and Elder He burst into Qianling Sect's main hall, ready to confront the Hierarch. To their utter shock, the Hierarch of the Qianling Sect was none other than Lord Tianlun himself, the Head of Almighty Sect. Wang Lu, stunned, declared the plot absurd.
