The Journey of Legend Episode 16 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Xiao Yiren met with his sister, Xiao Xueyu, who had just learned of Xiao Qiushui's death at the hands of Qu Hanshan, the Sword King. Distraught, Xiao Xueyu wished to return to Guangling to see her brother one last time, but Xiao Yiren insisted there was no time for grief. He reminded her that Xiao Qiushui sacrificed himself to expose the Sword King and ensure their parents' safety, urging them to hasten their return to Sword Retreat.
Xiao Yiren explained that their second brother, Xiao Kaiyan, was already ahead, using a force map from Xiao Qiushui to find a path, and they would depart as soon as he returned. Meanwhile, Liu Suifeng continued to press Xiao Qiushui for the whereabouts of the Hero Token, to which Xiao Qiushui defiantly replied that the token was not his, and Liu Suifeng would never obtain it.
Finding Xiao Qiushui uncooperative, Liu Suifeng used pressure on his acupoints, causing him immense suffering. While Liu Suifeng consumed roast duck, taunting his captive, Xiao Qiushui, remembering his brothers' urgent journey to Sword Retreat, resolved to stall Liu Suifeng to buy them precious time. He decided to change his confrontational attitude. Soon after, Xiao Kaiyan returned to Xiao Yiren's group. He reported that Qu Hanshan had ambushed his scouting party, killing all the men who accompanied him.
Xiao Yiren deduced that Qu Hanshan had likely set up further defenses on their intended path. He decided they must alter their route and head towards Diancang Sect, leveraging their father's past connections with the sect. Despite the hardship, everyone agreed to endure and press on. Back with Liu Suifeng, Xiao Qiushui now ate the food offered to him with gusto, even though he knew it was poisoned.
Liu Suifeng mocked his intelligence for eating tainted meat, but Xiao Qiushui dismissed it, stating that after risking his life to expose Qu Hanshan, he no longer feared death or poison. He also revealed that Madam Wu had never mentioned the Hero Token to him, only instructing him to find Yan Kuangtu's relatives. Dissatisfied, Liu Suifeng activated the Qijue Poison, causing Xiao Qiushui to writhe in agony as if countless ants were devouring his meridians.
Later, Liu Suifeng's subordinate, Song Mingzhu, reported that the Snake King was en route to Diancang Sect. Wary of another betrayal similar to that of the Purple Phoenix, Liu Suifeng instructed Song Mingzhu to follow the Snake King and eliminate him if he showed any signs of disloyalty. Suddenly, the Sword King arrived at Liu Suifeng's lodging, demanding Xiao Qiushui's release. Liu Suifeng refused, accusing the Sword King of planting spies like Purple Phoenix and Kang Chuyu.
A fierce confrontation ensued, during which Xiao Qiushui, despite his poisoned state, seized the opportunity to escape the room undetected. The Sword King, realizing Xiao Qiushui was gone, was frustrated by Liu Suifeng's carelessness. Meanwhile, in Sword Retreat, the dwindling water supply was a grave concern. Xiao Xilou refused to drink the water offered by Sun Huishan, wanting to preserve it. He pondered their dire situation, acknowledging the valiant efforts of those resisting but lamenting their entrapment.
He declared his readiness to lead a final, desperate charge if no reinforcements arrived, prioritizing the survival of the younger generation and the sect's legacy. Sun Huishan reassured him, expressing her belief that Xiao Qiushui, being clever, would surely return with aid. Xiao Xilou echoed her sentiment, secretly expressing his pride in his brightest son.
Having escaped, a weakened Xiao Qiushui stumbled through a forest and was discovered by the Dragon River Four Punks, four men who made a living by collecting corpses for rewards. Initially intending to drown him and claim the bounty, they then recognized him as Xiao Qiushui. Believing him to be responsible for the deaths of their friends, the Dragon River Three Heroes, they sought revenge. Just as they were about to kill him, Liu Suifeng arrived and intervened.
The Snake King, true to Liu Suifeng's suspicions, massacred the Diancang Sect, leaving behind a few survivors to falsely accuse Liu Suifeng. As Xiao Yiren's group approached the sect's vicinity, they encountered a dying Diancang disciple who, before succumbing to snake venom, managed to utter "Liu Suifeng" and "snake." Xiao Yiren's party soon faced an ambush led by the Snake King and his followers.
The battle was fierce, and just as they were engaged, the Power Gang's Fire King, Zu Jindian, appeared by boat, further assailing them. During the battle, Song Mingzhu, having confirmed the Snake King's treachery and collusion with Zu Jindian, confronted and killed him. In the brutal fight that followed, many of Xiao Yiren's men, including Shinian, sacrificed themselves to protect him and the others as they tried to escape.
Witnessing the heavy losses, Xiao Yiren cried out to the heavens, questioning why the benevolent Xiao family was suffering such a fate. Xiao Xueyu, hearing his lamentations, finally grasped the reality of Xiao Qiushui's death. Overwhelmed by grief, she eventually found resolve, reminding Xiao Yiren that their parents' lives and the sect's future now rested on their shoulders. Back at Liu Suifeng's location, Xiao Qiushui had been recaptured.
Liu Suifeng brought the Dragon River Four Punks, now bound, before Xiao Qiushui. He warned that if Xiao Qiushui did not reveal the Hero Token's location within the time it took for three incense sticks to burn, he would cripple the four men. To prove his point, he immediately injured one of the Punks' kneecaps, causing them to frantically beg Xiao Qiushui to comply. Meanwhile, Song Mingzhu reported to Liu Suifeng privately, confirming the Snake King's betrayal.
She recounted the attack on Xiao Yiren's group, during which Shinian had fallen, and that she had recovered his personal token. Armed with this new leverage, Liu Suifeng entered the room and threw Shinian's token at Xiao Qiushui's feet. Horrified, Xiao Qiushui stared at the token and demanded to know what Liu Suifeng had done to his family. Liu Suifeng simply replied that his actions were irrelevant; what mattered now was what Xiao Qiushui would do.
