Swords of Legends Episode 18 Recap
> Swords of Legends Recap
Lan Sheng, still confined, expressed his frustration to Tusu about being enchanted. Tusu stated he could only release Lan Sheng if his sister Ru Qin permitted it. Lan Sheng was determined to avoid his impending arranged marriage to Yue Yan, especially after overhearing Ru Qin and Nanny Sun discussing their plans to lock him up and ensure the wedding proceeded quickly.
Exploiting a secret tunnel, Lan Sheng managed to escape his family's manor, later using the Qing Yu Si Nan Pei to catch up with Tusu, Qing Xue, Shao Gong, and Xiang Ling. As the group journeyed, Tusu found himself increasingly troubled by fragments of his past, wondering why he couldn't recall specific events, like saving Xiang Ling at Red Leaf Lake.
Qing Xue suggested that the Masked Man behind the An Lu Village incident might be linked to his past, urging him to find the Masked Man to uncover the truth about the massacre of his Wu Meng Valley clan. Lan Sheng, constantly hungry, bickered with Xiang Ling over food, feeling a bit left out when Tusu was offered fruits. Upon reaching Jiang Du, the group discussed visiting Hua Man Lou, a brothel, to find Jin Niang for fortune-telling.
Lan Sheng, curious about what a "brothel" entailed, insisted on joining, as did Qing Xue and Xiang Ling, despite Shao Gong's initial reservations. At Hua Man Lou, the group was immediately swarmed by courtesans. Tusu used a subtle spell to deter them. The establishment's madam intervened, explaining their rules. Shao Gong attempted to inquire about Jin Niang, but was informed she was currently out on an errand and her return was uncertain.
As they were leaving, Qing Xue spotted a man who looked strikingly similar to her elder brother, Feng Guang Mo, and instinctively chased after him, only to encounter Hei Yao. Hei Yao, who was now working at Hua Man Lou since his master was in Qin Chuan, was delighted to see Qing Xue.
He reiterated his romantic interest in her and offered to let her stay, but Tusu swiftly took Qing Xue away, leaving Hei Yao to vow that Qing Xue would one day be his. Later, Qing Xue initiated a magical video call with Grandma Ling Po. Her grandmother noticed Qing Xue's weakened energy and expressed concern about her prolonged stay in the human world, likening her to her missing elder brother.
Grandma Ling Po urgently commanded Qing Xue to bring Tusu and the Sword of Burning Solitude back to Youdu, warning of an impending catastrophe and threatening to send others if Qing Xue failed. Qing Xue pleaded for more time. Hei Yao, having eavesdropped on the conversation, reappeared and offered to help Qing Xue find her brother. Qing Xue described her brother as tall, handsome, and always smiling, having been missing for eleven years.
Hei Yao promised to help, but slyly asked if she would marry him in return. Qing Xue, burdened by her grandmother's demands and her worry for her brother, tried to persuade Tusu to return to Youdu with her. However, Tusu refused, explaining his commitment to Shao Gong in finding the Jade Ornament and citing his master's strict warnings against making deals with Youdu residents. Qing Xue felt deeply hurt, questioning if he truly distrusted her simply because of her origin.
Their argument was interrupted by Lan Sheng, who excitedly announced that Jin Niang had returned. The group immediately went to meet her. Jin Niang, who Shao Gong recognized as Su Jin from the Qing Yu Clan, explained that after Shao Gong had left, she had angered Chief Lei Yan and was cast out. She then wandered and learned magic and fortune-telling, finding a much freer and happier life at Hua Man Lou. Shao Gong expressed regret for her past difficulties.
Shao Gong then explained their purpose: to locate the Jade Ornament and for his friends to seek divinations. Xiang Ling wished to find her birth mother, but Jin Niang found it difficult without any specific information like a name or birthday. Qing Xue provided her brother's name and birth date. After performing a divination, Jin Niang reported no immediate results for Qing Xue, stating that her skills were shallow and she could only divine once a day.
She invited them to stay at Hua Man Lou for a few days so she could assist them further. Shao Gong, though suspicious, agreed to the arrangement. Following this, Jin Niang and Tusu had a private session where Jin Niang performed a divination for Tusu. When they emerged, Shao Gong eagerly inquired about Tusu's fate. Jin Niang stated directly that Tusu was destined for great misfortune, a fate that could not be reversed.
Disturbed by Jin Niang's prophecy and his fragmented memories, Tusu walked outside, his mind in turmoil. He happened upon a man, Yin Qian Xiang, in a heated argument with thugs over unpaid drinking debts. Tusu intervened and paid the debt for Yin Qian Xiang. Qing Xue, who had been following Tusu, immediately recognized Yin Qian Xiang as looking strikingly similar to her elder brother and excitedly called out to him.
Yin Qian Xiang, however, denied knowing her or being her brother, claiming he was just a handsome wanderer from the North, while Qing Xue was from the South. When Qing Xue pressed him about Youdu, he dismissed it as merely a newly opened wine house, stating he grew up in Jiang Du. Qing Xue was deeply disappointed. Shao Gong then appeared, further clarifying that Yin Qian Xiang was his friend and that Qing Xue had likely mistaken him.
Despite the misunderstanding, Yin Qian Xiang light-heartedly offered to be their "Big Brother Qian Xiang" anyway, as a gesture of goodwill. Later, Qing Xue secretly followed Yin Qian Xiang again. They sparred briefly, and Yin Qian Xiang recognized her. Qing Xue feigned interest in his wine gourd. Finding her charming, Yin Qian Xiang invited her to Peach Blossom Valley to drink wine and help him collect flower nectar for brewing.
Qing Xue discreetly used Youdu magic to test him, but he remained unaffected. As she watched him drink, she was reminded of joyful times with Feng Guang Mo in Youdu. Sensing her intense gaze, Yin Qian Xiang felt unnerved but promised to help her inquire about her elder brother's whereabouts during his travels. That night, Tusu dreamt vividly of the events in Wu Meng Valley. He awoke remembering some details, his mind restless.
Stepping outside for a walk, he found Qing Xue asleep, waiting for him. Upon seeing him awake, she quickly approached with concern. Touched by her care, Tusu allowed Qing Xue to take him to Peach Blossom Valley. There, she spoke of Youdu and the seven great malevolent swords, emphasizing that the Sword of Burning Solitude was the most powerful. She urged Tusu not to let Jin Niang's ominous prophecy affect him.
They then gazed at the stars, and Qing Xue swiftly made a wish upon a shooting star, smiling enigmatically when Tusu asked what she wished for. When Yin Qian Xiang sobered up, he found Hua Shang watching him. He quickly tried to appease her, bringing up Jin Niang and expressing his concern that Jin Niang might harm Shao Gong. Hua Shang, however, believed Jin Niang harbored feelings for Shao Gong and wouldn't betray him.
Reassured, Yin Qian Xiang embraced Hua Shang affectionately. Meanwhile, Lan Sheng, contemplating asking Jin Niang about his and Xiang Ling's marital fate, witnessed Jin Niang in a fit of rage after a servant saw the scar on her face. Her furious demeanor struck Lan Sheng as chillingly similar to Xun Fang, leaving him unsettled. Ling Duan and his disciples arrived in Jiang Du, having learned of Tusu's whereabouts while they were in Qin Chuan.
While Lan Sheng was bickering with Xiang Ling in the streets about Jin Niang, Xiang Ling spotted Ling Duan and quickly fled. Realizing Ling Duan and his group were from Tianyong City, Lan Sheng quickly led them in search of Tusu. Qing Xue, having been trying to convince Tusu to plant peach blossoms in Peach Blossom Valley, saw Lan Sheng approaching with Ling Duan. Tusu and Qing Xue quickly hid.
Lan Sheng called out for Tusu, but Tusu covered his mouth, preventing him from revealing their location. Ling Duan, growing impatient, demanded Tusu's appearance. Just then, Hua Shang appeared and dramatically splashed a basin of dirty foot water onto Ling Duan. Hua Shang feigned a quarrel with Yin Qian Xiang, making it appear she had accidentally splashed Ling Duan, then offered a sarcastic apology. Shao Gong and the others watched from their hiding spot, stifling their laughter.
Ling Duan's group, furious, demanded to know Tusu's whereabouts. Hua Shang dismissed them, telling them to return after changing into clean clothes. As they reluctantly left, Yin Qian Xiang intentionally tripped Ling Duan, sending him sprawling. Once Ling Duan's group was out of sight, Tusu, Shao Gong, and the others emerged, feeling pleased with their trick. Qing Xue and Xiang Ling chastised Lan Sheng for almost exposing Tusu again.
Qing Xue asked Xiang Ling to find a way to stall Ling Duan, and Lan Sheng eagerly offered his help. He later infiltrated Ling Duan's inn, befriending them to mislead them. Shao Gong pressed Jin Niang again to divine the location of the Jade Ornament pieces. Jin Niang, however, deferred, claiming she needed a few more days to recover her powers.
Shao Gong stated his intention not to linger in Jiang Du and that he would seek answers elsewhere if he couldn't find the Jade Ornament's whereabouts soon. Jin Niang then promised to help him once her energy was fully restored.
