The Journey of Legend Episode 15 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Xiao Qiushui discovered a letter from his mother, Sun Huishan, in his travel bag, along with the Sword Retreat key. In the letter, his mother confessed that she and his father had lied about the Sword Retreat's water reserves, which were almost depleted. After consulting with the elders, they had decided to sacrifice themselves to give the younger generation a chance to survive.
She expressed her fear of not living to see him return and wished for him to reunite with his siblings and live well, trusting he would become the pillar of the Xiao family. She ended with a secret message, telling him not to inform his older brothers that he was her favorite and most handsome son. Reading this, Xiao Qiushui was heartbroken, realizing the Sword Retreat would not last long against the Power Gang's persistent siege.
He immediately sought out his elder brothers, Xiao Yiren and Xiao Kaiyan, and his sister, Xiao Xueyu, urging them to return to the Sword Retreat to save their parents. Xiao Xueyu expressed her sadness, wondering why their mother would write such a letter. Xiao Yiren insisted they should depart immediately and travel day and night, believing they could still make it back. He added that Qu Hanshan had already rallied Guangling's volunteers, and they would leave after regrouping.
However, Xiao Qiushui vehemently objected, pleading with Xiao Yiren that they could not delay any longer and that Qu Hanshan would never help them. He warned that their parents would truly die if they didn't act fast. Xiao Yiren reprimanded Xiao Qiushui for his "defeatist talk" and his persistent distrust of Qu Hanshan, reminding him that Guangling's martial arts community had pledged support.
Desperate, Xiao Qiushui revealed that he knew about future events, explaining that he had somehow fallen into this fictional world and possessed foresight of the story's ending. As he spoke, the Demon Codex activated the Boiling Blood Cocoon, causing him immense pain. Despite his suffering, he crawled towards Xiao Yiren, begging him not to take Qu Hanshan to the Sword Retreat, swearing on his life that Qu Hanshan was the Sword King.
He asked for one chance, promising to prove Qu Hanshan's true identity at the Forest of Justice. Xiao Xueyu intervened, vouching for Xiao Qiushui, saying he would never joke about their parents' lives and that if Qu Hanshan was truly trustworthy, he shouldn't fear a test. Xiao Qiushui, further pressed, swore that if he couldn't prove Qu Hanshan was the Sword King, he would atone with his life.
Xiao Yiren, however, dismissed his pleas, telling him to stop gambling with lives and to focus on recovering, citing a past instance where he had trusted Xiao Qiushui, and reiterating that the family's fate was too critical for any more missteps. Meanwhile, Tang Fang, having escaped her previous predicament, returned to the Guangling Villa.
Upon seeing Xiao Qiushui's severely injured state, with his limbs broken and martial arts crippled by Qu Hanshan, she felt immense guilt for not being able to help him. Xiao Qiushui, however, downplayed his injuries, saying he merely fell for Qu Hanshan's trick. He then light-heartedly asked to borrow one of her lucky darts for self-defense, which she reluctantly gave him.
He then tasked her with a mission: a reclusive master, living 15 miles south of the villa, had developed a potent Tendon-Rejoining Salve that could heal his injuries. Fearing that his follower Zuoqiu's poor communication skills would prevent him from acquiring it, he requested Tang Fang to retrieve it, and she immediately set off. Xiao Qiushui, however, had anticipated Tang Fang's return and her protective nature. He had secretly instructed Zuoqiu to intercept her.
As Tang Fang was led into a dense forest by Zuoqiu, she was suddenly trapped in an iron cage. Zuoqiu explained that Xiao Qiushui, severely injured, did not want her to get further involved in his dangerous plans. He conveyed Xiao Qiushui's wish for her to return to the Tang Sect quickly and warned her not to come back to Guangling Villa or visit the Forest of Justice once the cage's mechanism was released at night.
Tang Fang was enraged, demanding to be freed and questioning Xiao Qiushui's motives. Alone, Xiao Qiushui reflected on his realization that the fates of his parents and friends were far more significant than mere words in a book. He resolved to expose Qu Hanshan's true nature, even if it meant sacrificing his own life and never returning to his original world.
The next day, Xiao Yiren and Xiao Kaiyan discussed leaving Xiao Qiushui behind at the villa due to his severe injuries, believing it better for him to rest than endure the journey. Xiao Yiren and his entourage, along with Qu Hanshan, then proceeded to the Forest of Justice. Xiao Yiren formally thanked Qu Hanshan for his assistance on behalf of the Xiao family.
Qu Hanshan, maintaining his facade of righteousness, claimed to despise the Power Gang and assured them he wouldn't abandon the Xiao family. He mentioned that Xiao Xueyu was waiting at a suburban teahouse with other righteous sects, while the Five Tigers were already at the Forest of Justice. As they were about to depart, they were surprised to find Xiao Qiushui, gravely injured and in a wheelchair, waiting for them on their path.
Xiao Yiren rushed to him, questioning his presence. Xiao Qiushui, however, apologized to Qu Hanshan for his past offenses and asked to speak with him privately about the Hero Token. Initially hesitant, Qu Hanshan's interest was piqued by the mention of the Hero Token, and he approached Xiao Qiushui, despite Xiao Yiren's unspoken concern about what his brother might say.
As Qu Hanshan drew near, he expressed suspicion about Xiao Qiushui's intentions, questioning what more tricks he could play in his injured state. Xiao Qiushui, however, maintained his composure, declaring that he had no tricks but intended to expose Qu Hanshan's true nature. Provoked, Qu Hanshan lunged, grabbing Xiao Qiushui's arm, intending to cripple him further. With a surge of desperate strength, Xiao Qiushui forced out the Boiling Blood Cocoon, forcing Qu Hanshan to resist with his true power.
In doing so, Qu Hanshan inadvertently unleashed his Blood Sword Energy, revealing his true form as the Sword King. The onlookers, including Xiao Yiren and Xiao Kaiyan, gasped in realization. Exposed, Qu Hanshan swiftly fled. Xiao Qiushui, gravely wounded by the Blood Sword Energy, collapsed, his life ebbing away. His brothers rushed to his side, realizing with profound sorrow that Xiao Qiushui had sacrificed himself to reveal the truth.
With his last breaths, Xiao Qiushui clutched their hands, reaffirming that he had never lied to them and begging them to save their parents. Xiao Yiren and Xiao Kaiyan, overwhelmed with grief and remorse, promised to fulfill his dying wish.
Xiao Yiren quickly devised a plan to divide their forces: Xiao Kaiyan would take a detachment via the water route to the Sword Retreat, while Xiao Yiren would lead others to Jinzhong and then circle back, hoping to divert the Sword King's attention. The family butler, Liang, was tasked with arranging Xiao Qiushui's burial in Guangling. Meanwhile, Tang Fang managed to escape the iron cage.
Upon returning to the Guangling Villa, she found it adorned with white mourning cloths and a coffin in the courtyard, where Xiao Qiushui lay. Liang, the butler, presented her with a wooden box, as per Xiao Qiushui's instructions. Inside, she found the lucky dart she had given him and a letter.
In the letter, Xiao Qiushui apologized for sending her away and entrusted her with a Golden Swallow, a token Madam Wu had asked him to deliver to Yan Kuangtu's kin, a task he could no longer complete. He also mentioned a dagger given to him by Master Zhang Linyi, asking her to tell the elder that he had never disgraced his teachings.
Most importantly, he urged her and everyone else to live well and strictly forbade her from seeking revenge for him. Overcome with tears, Tang Fang remembered past tender moments with Xiao Qiushui. Unwilling to accept his death, she grabbed a sword, determined to avenge him. Liang desperately tried to dissuade her, reminding her of Xiao Qiushui's final plea not to seek revenge, emphasizing that his spirit would not rest if harm befell her.
Tang Fang, however, lashed out, asking if Xiao Qiushui had ever understood her feelings. Later that night, as Tang Fang sat alone, drinking in sorrow, a loud crash echoed from the mourning hall. She rushed inside to find Liang unconscious on the ground and Xiao Qiushui's coffin empty. Simultaneously, Xiao Qiushui awoke in an unfamiliar location, discovering Liu Suifeng beside him. Recognizing him, Xiao Qiushui initially mistook him for Feng Lang.
Liu Suifeng corrected him, revealing his true identity and explaining that he had saved Xiao Qiushui's life by administering Medicine King's Xuanhuang Elixir after he was fatally wounded by the Sword King's Blood Sword Energy. Xiao Qiushui, still angry, accused Liu Suifeng of being despicable for playing the savior. He confronted Liu Suifeng, asserting that he had exploited his trust to infiltrate the Xiao family, endangered the Sword Retreat, and engineered the frame-up in Guangling.
Liu Suifeng admitted to orchestrating all their actions, stating that their every move had been within his calculations. However, he confessed his only miscalculation was Xiao Qiushui's "death-defying heroism" in abandoning his martial arts for what Liu Suifeng considered false hope. Xiao Qiushui, undeterred, defiantly asked if Liu Suifeng had ever calculated his own death.
