Swords of Legends Episode 16 Recap
> Swords of Legends Recap
Ru Qin was quietly saddened in her room. Lan Sheng came to comfort her, suggesting that Shao Gong and Xun Fang might eventually break up. Ru Qin scolded him, telling him not to speak carelessly and to treat Xun Fang with respect in the future. Lan Sheng grumbled and left. Qing Xue was with Tu Su, worried that Shao Gong might no longer accompany them to Jiang Du now that Xun Fang had returned.
Just then, Shao Gong arrived and explained that Xun Fang's health was poor, so their trip to Jiang Du might need to be delayed for a few days. Tu Su and Qing Xue were overjoyed to hear that Shao Gong still intended to take them. Xun Fang noticed a new zither in Shao Gong's room. Tong Yi informed her that Ru Qin had gifted it, which made Xun Fang jealous.
She instructed Tong Yi to clean the Fang family's old residence, expressing a desire to move back there. Tong Yi discreetly tried to ascertain if Xun Fang remembered her past with Shao Gong, but Xun Fang dismissed her, stating she didn't wish to dwell on past matters. Later, Xun Fang confronted Ru Qin, deliberately flaunting her affection for Shao Gong and suggesting Ru Qin take the zither back.
Ru Qin, displaying her usual composure, retorted that if Shao Gong disliked the zither, he could simply discard it, leaving Xun Fang speechless. When Shao Gong returned from his rounds, Xun Fang feigned self-reproach, claiming she might have offended Ru Qin due to her lack of social grace. She subtly probed Shao Gong about his feelings for Ru Qin. After receiving reassurances from Shao Gong, Xun Fang asked him to play the zither for her.
In her room, Ru Qin heard Shao Gong's music and wept. Qing Xue and Tu Su also listened; Qing Xue remarked on the difficulty of Shao Gong and Xun Fang's reunion, while Tu Su remained impassive. Tu Su approached Shao Gong, stating his intention to go to Jiang Du with Qing Xue and suggesting Shao Gong remain to care for Xun Fang.
However, Shao Gong reaffirmed his promise to them, deciding that Xun Fang would stay in Qin Chuan temporarily while he accompanied Tu Su and Qing Xue to Jiang Du. Upset by this, Xun Fang deliberately shattered an object. Shao Gong immediately entered, concerned. Xun Fang pleaded with him not to leave her, complaining that he prioritized his friends over her and that she held no importance in his heart.
Faced with Xun Fang's petulance, Shao Gong found himself in a difficult position. Lan Sheng persisted in trying to convince Tu Su to take him to Jiang Du, enthusiastically promoting himself as a capable follower. However, when Tu Su informed him that Shao Gong would also be joining them, Lan Sheng dramatically exclaimed that life was unbearable. In a fit of pique with Shao Gong, Xun Fang redirected her anger towards Tong Yi, who had come to deliver her medicine.
Lan Sheng entered and defended Tong Yi, getting into an argument with Xun Fang. Witnessing Xun Fang's arrogant and abusive treatment of Tong Yi, Lan Sheng, in a rare display of his young master's temper, demanded she moderate her behavior before escorting Tong Yi away. Lan Sheng spoke ill of Xun Fang to Ru Qin, but Ru Qin refused to believe Xun Fang was the shrew Lan Sheng described.
Lan Sheng then threatened to confront Shao Gong about Xun Fang's behavior, but Ru Qin stopped him, insisting he shouldn't meddle in Shao Gong's family affairs. Lan Sheng, in turn, urged Ru Qin to pursue a relationship with Shao Gong. Just then, Shao Gong arrived and informed Ru Qin of his impending departure, entrusting Xun Fang to her care.
Unable to bear it, Lan Sheng lashed out at Shao Gong, but Ru Qin quickly silenced him, assuring Shao Gong that she would look after Xun Fang well. Shao Gong then departed. Ru Qin remained firm in her refusal to let Lan Sheng go to Jiang Du, pressing him to consider marrying Yue Yan, but Lan Sheng reiterated his refusal to marry her.
Muttering to himself that Tu Su, Qing Xue, and Shao Gong were all leaving, Lan Sheng decided he, too, would run away. He packed his belongings, brought over a ladder, and climbed the wall, only to collide with Xiang Ling at the top. Lan Sheng suggested they elope, promising to help her track Tu Su, and they agreed to flee together.
Lan Sheng learned of Tu Su and Qing Xue's itinerary and planned to wait by the riverside with Xiang Ling. However, they were intercepted by Yue Yan's Nanny, who had men seize Lan Sheng. Ru Qin then confined him to his room and asked Tu Su to seal the door with a magical spell that would only dissipate after seven days. Lan Sheng, outraged, cursed Tu Su.
After being confined, Lan Sheng soon faced his sister Ru Qin, who was furious. She accused him of being fooled by a demon (Xiang Ling) and nearly causing Tu Su's death by attempting to use a Jade Ornament to absorb Tu Su's murderous aura. Lan Sheng insisted he had good intentions, aiming to heal Tu Su based on Xiang Ling's information, and defended Xiang Ling's character. However, Ru Qin questioned Xiang Ling's unclear background and ulterior motives.
Ling Yue, also present, sided with Ru Qin, warning against demons. Despite Lan Sheng taking full responsibility for taking the Jade, Ru Qin, believing he was lying to protect Xiang Ling, slapped him across the face. Upset, Lan Sheng later complained about the slap to Xiang Ling. Ru Qin later apologized to Tu Su for Lan Sheng's reckless actions, expressing concern for Tu Su's fluctuating aura.
She also decided to be stricter with Lan Sheng and sought Qing Xue's help to arrange a marriage between Lan Sheng and Yue Yan, intending to use a "throwing the marriage ball" event to force Lan Sheng's hand, believing this would save him from entanglement with Xiang Ling and solidify the Fang family's future. Later, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lan Sheng was tricked into attending the "throwing the marriage ball" event organized by Yue Yan and Ru Qin.
Despite his attempts to escape the marriage ball and the pursuing men, he was eventually caught, prompting him to desperately shout for freedom, declaring he would rather die than marry. Ru Qin, present at the scene, publicly announced she had found a good match for him and hoped for blessings on the union. Qing Xue accompanied Yue Yan on a walk. Yue Yan voiced her concern that if Lan Sheng was forced into marriage, he might resent her.
Qing Xue reassured her that Ru Qin would assist her. Yue Yan then expressed fear about surviving her eighteenth year, to which Qing Xue advised her to maintain her health, promising she would be fine. At that moment, a black cat appeared. Qing Xue used her magic to conjure a fish for the cat, leading Yue Yan to believe Qing Xue's kindness would bring her good fortune. The two then bid each other farewell.
Ru Qin unexpectedly witnessed Xun Fang secretly meeting a man in black. She relayed this to Tong Yi, who admitted to also harboring suspicions about Xun Fang. Tong Yi then suggested enlisting Tu Su and Qing Xue's help to investigate the matter thoroughly. Tu Su set a trap and waited with Qing Xue. Noticing Qing Xue's fatigue, Tu Su urged her to rest. Qing Xue began reminiscing about her childhood, and as they chatted happily, Tu Su's bell rang.
The man in black appeared and was trapped by Tu Su, revealing his true form: the small black cat Qing Xue had previously encountered, named Hei Yao. Xun Fang quickly arrived to plead on behalf of Hei Yao. Hei Yao was bound. Shao Gong questioned Xun Fang about his identity. Hei Yao addressed Xun Fang as his master and recounted his history with her, leading Qing Xue to realize that the cat was there to repay a kindness.
Xun Fang interceded for Hei Yao, pleading with Shao Gong to release him. Hei Yao then detailed the hardships Xun Fang had endured while searching for Shao Gong, which filled Shao Gong with guilt. Ru Qin also apologized to Xun Fang, who responded with magnanimity. Shao Gong suggested Xun Fang accompany him to Jiang Du, but Xun Fang, unexpectedly reasonable, stated she would stay in Qin Chuan with Tong Yi and await his return.
As Tu Su escorted Hei Yao away, Hei Yao clung to Qing Xue, jokingly asking her to be his wife. Tu Su glared at him, prompting Hei Yao to quickly slip away. Shao Gong, observing Tu Su's pensive mood, approached him. Tu Su, anxious about the upcoming journey, shared his fragmented memories of childhood, prompted by Xiang Ling's tales and a phantom vision of Wu Meng Valley in An Lu Village.
He expressed his frustration at being unable to recall more, mentioning how the Sword of Burning Solitude's aura had caused him immense suffering, even making him wish for death, and turned him into an enemy to many, including causing Zhao Ling's demise. Despite the hardships and an uncertain future, Tu Su affirmed his resolve to live on courageously. Shao Gong, deeply moved, acknowledged their bond as brothers through thick and thin.
Tu Su then revealed that Ling Duan was aware of his location in Qin Chuan and that he intended to leave after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Shao Gong believed these events might be connected to the masked man, an idea Tu Su readily agreed with, sensing that their enemies would eventually seek them out. Shao Gong then proposed an ambitious plan: to gather all the fragments of the Jade Ornament.
He explained that while Lan Sheng's previous attempt to absorb Tu Su's aura had failed due to an incomplete artifact, a complete Jade Ornament might offer hope to control Tu Su's murderous aura. Tu Su, without fully comprehending the intricate details, expressed his trust in Shao Gong and his willingness to accompany him, not wanting others to worry about him. Shao Gong, determined to defy fate and challenge the will of heaven, welcomed his decision.
Shao Gong suggested they first travel to Zang Zhao, to a place called Hua Man Building, to consult a fortune teller named Jin Niang for clues regarding the Jade Ornament's whereabouts. Ling Yue, concerned about Ling Duan, told Shao Gong that since Ling Duan now knew Tu Su was in Qin Chuan, he would surely not let him go.
To prevent the Chief Leader from forcing Tu Su's return, Ling Yue felt he had to go back to Tian Yong City immediately. Shao Gong then informed Ling Yue of his plan to leave Qin Chuan that day for Jiang Du, expressing his wish to take Tu Su with him. Shao Gong explained that Jiang Du was a populous place where news traveled quickly, and he intended to search for the remaining fragments of the Jade Ornament there.
He reiterated that if they could find the complete artifact, it might help Tu Su control his murderous aura, acknowledging Lan Sheng's previous failed attempt with a broken piece. Shao Gong emphasized his deep friendship with Tu Su, stating they had been through life and death together. Ling Yue, acknowledging Shao Gong's dedication to Tu Su's well-being, agreed to return to Tian Yong City first to thwart Ling Duan's efforts. He entrusted Tu Su to Shao Gong's care, warning him to be vigilant of the masked man.
