The Journey of Legend Episode 12 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Tie Xingyue and Qiu Nanshun led Xiao Qiushui near the rumored cave of the First Cave Demon, expressing their desire to join the Power Gang for glory and fame. They envisioned themselves becoming renowned, with Tie Xingyue even declaring his intention to be known as the Poison Demon due to his deadly skills. Xiao Qiushui subtly questioned if they would harm innocent people, to which they responded that their aim was prestige, not evil deeds.
Suddenly, a black-clothed figure appeared and took Tie Xingyue and Qiu Nanshun away. Before Xiao Qiushui could react, Zuoqiu and Deng Yuhan arrived. Deng Yuhan apologized for failing to secure reinforcements from his own family, explaining that his father had almost prevented him from leaving. Xiao Qiushui reassured him, appreciating his loyalty and presence. Zuoqiu introduced the Qu family sisters, Qu Mushuang and Qu Minmiao, who had also come to offer their support after hearing about the Xiao family's plight.
Hearing that Tang Fang had been captured by the Sword King, the sisters informed him that they were about to enter Guangling, the Sword King's territory, and suggested seeking help from the renowned righteous figure, Qu Hanshan, known for his Forest of Justice. Xiao Qiushui recalled his father mentioning Qu Hanshan's reputation for fairness, believing he would not refuse assistance. Xiao Qiushui decided to go alone to the Forest of Justice to meet Qu Hanshan.
He instructed Deng Yuhan, Zuoqiu, and the Qu sisters to proceed to the Guangling Villa to inform his elder brothers, Xiao Yiren and Xiao Kaiyan, about the situation at the Sword Retreat, emphasizing the need for collective action. Meanwhile, Qu Hanshan was seen justly resolving a dispute between Master Qi of the Blood Blade Sect and Master Huo. Qu Hanshan, known for his unwavering impartiality, reminded everyone of the "Forest of Justice" principle – equal judgment for all.
He ordered Master Qi to hand over his murderous disciple for punishment and warned Master Huo against further retaliation, stating he would personally intervene if innocent lives were harmed. He then made the two masters swear an oath of peace, breaking a stone tablet to symbolize the consequences of betrayal. Impressed, Xiao Qiushui approached Qu Hanshan, introducing himself as being from a side branch of the Huanhua Sect and urgently seeking his help with the Power Gang's siege.
Qu Hanshan graciously invited him into his study, ensuring their conversation would be private. As soon as Xiao Qiushui entered, Qu Hanshan inquired about the Hero Token, revealing he already knew Xiao Qiushui's true identity and his connection to Xiao Xilou. While pretending to answer, Xiao Qiushui noticed Tang Fang's distinctive floral accessory in a corner of the hall, immediately realizing that Qu Hanshan was indeed the Sword King, a vice-leader of the Power Gang.
Seizing the opportunity to sow discord within the Power Gang, Xiao Qiushui claimed that he had indeed received the Hero Token from Madam Wu, but in his panicked state after his friend's abduction near Guangling, he had encountered and been robbed by Song Mingzhu of the Power Gang. Believing Xiao Qiushui's story, Qu Hanshan furiously sought out Liu Suifeng. Liu Suifeng, however, had already anticipated Xiao Qiushui's trickery and mocked Qu Hanshan for being deceived.
He warned Qu Hanshan that his twenty-year facade as Guangling's great hero was about to be shattered. Enraged, Qu Hanshan dismissed Liu Suifeng and returned to his residence to confront Xiao Qiushui. While Qu Hanshan was confronting Liu Suifeng, Xiao Qiushui located Tang Fang's confinement room within Qu Hanshan's residence. After eliminating the guards, he was intercepted by Kang Chuyu. The two engaged in a fierce battle, but Qu Hanshan soon arrived and overpowered Xiao Qiushui.
Meanwhile, at the Guangling Villa, Xiao Yiren received a letter, supposedly from his father, Xiao Xilou, instructing them to cease the investigation into the Marching Pills and avoid provoking the Power Gang to prevent further calamity for the Huanhua Sect. Xiao Xueyu, finding the message uncharacteristic of her father, closely examined the letter and discovered it was written with common oil-soot ink, not the pine-soot ink her father typically used, confirming it was a forgery.
Shortly after, Deng Yuhan and Zuoqiu arrived, delivering the grave news that the Huanhua Sword Retreat was under siege by the Power Gang. Realizing their letters had been intercepted, Xiao Yiren immediately prepared to lead forces back to the Sword Retreat. However, Xiao Kaiyan argued that as the acting leader of the Huanhua Sect, Xiao Yiren's place was in Guangling to rally support.
Lady Weng of the Bishan Sect, who had also arrived to offer aid, concurred, emphasizing that Xiao Yiren should stay to personally gather allies in Guangling. Xiao Yiren agreed and dispatched Uncle Kong with the forces towards the Sword Retreat, planning to join them later with reinforcements. Deng Yuhan added that Xiao Qiushui was currently seeking Qu Hanshan's help. Concerned about Xiao Qiushui's impetuous nature, Xiao Yiren decided to personally visit Qu Hanshan, with Xiao Kaiyan accompanying him.
Xiao Qiushui, now Qu Hanshan's prisoner, was brought before him. Qu Hanshan, no longer concealing his identity as the Sword King, demanded the Hero Token, offering Xiao Qiushui safe passage in return. Xiao Qiushui defiantly refused, promising to expose Qu Hanshan's true nature to the world and denying he ever possessed the token, challenging Qu Hanshan to search him.
Just as Qu Hanshan prepared to do so, his old friend, Gu Junshan, the Divine Wanderer, arrived unexpectedly, having tracked Power Gang activity to Guangling. Kang Chuyu, also present, discreetly led Xiao Qiushui to an adjacent room, silencing him to prevent him from speaking. Gu Junshan grew suspicious of Kang Chuyu's presence and noticed sounds of struggle from the next room.
He presented evidence linking Kang Chuyu to Power Gang crimes, first describing the Sword King's unique white hair, which appears when he uses a special protective energy. He then presented Kang Chuyu's jade pendant, found at a crime scene, further pressing him. During Kang Chuyu's weak denial, Xiao Qiushui broke free from his bonds and rushed into the main hall, warning Gu Junshan that Qu Hanshan was the Sword King.
Kang Chuyu tried to stop Xiao Qiushui but was swiftly struck down by a poisonous palm strike, with Xiao Qiushui warning Kang Chuyu about the effects of the poison. While Gu Junshan bravely confronted Qu Hanshan, Xiao Qiushui slipped away to rescue Tang Fang, Tie Xingyue, and Qiu Nanshun from the storeroom. Tang Fang, upon seeing Xiao Qiushui, exclaimed about his deception regarding his identity, but Xiao Qiushui urged her to focus on escape.
Gu Junshan fought valiantly, but Qu Hanshan, unleashing his unique sword energy without a physical blade, inflicted a devastating injury, shattering Gu Junshan's facial features. In his dying moments, Gu Junshan questioned the whereabouts of Du Yueshan, another of the Great Three of Guangling. As Qu Hanshan prepared to deliver the final blow, Xiao Qiushui returned to protect his ally.
Qu Hanshan attempted to tempt Xiao Qiushui with power and glory if he surrendered the Hero Token and joined the Power Gang. Xiao Qiushui vehemently refused, condemning Qu Hanshan's betrayal of justice. Knowing Xiao Qiushui was outmatched, Gu Junshan made the ultimate sacrifice, using his last breath to hold off Qu Hanshan, urging Xiao Qiushui and the others to escape and expose the Sword King's secrets.
Before Xiao Qiushui, Tang Fang, Tie Xingyue, and Qiu Nanshun could escape Qu Hanshan's residence, they were ambushed by Kang Chuyu and his men. They fell into a hidden trap, plummeting into a dark underground cave. Inside, Xiao Qiushui heard the sound of flowing water, inferring there must be an exit. As they cautiously moved forward, they discovered a disheveled man chained to the cave wall, whom Tie Xingyue and Qiu Nanshun found eerily familiar.
