The Journey of Legend Episode 30 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Xiao Qiushui arrived at the Power Gang headquarters to meet Li Chenzhou, who first inquired about the burial of Xiao Qiushui's parents. Xiao Qiushui then asked the purpose of the meeting. Li Chenzhou brought up the symbol left by the killers of Xiao Qiushui's family, which he had mentioned at Nantiandang, and explained that this person was also an enemy of the Power Gang, having colluded with North Wasteland to endanger Daxi.
Li Chenzhou asserted that the Power Gang bore the duty to protect their land. Xiao Qiushui questioned why Li Chenzhou resorted to intimidation to unite the martial world instead of doing so based on righteousness. Li Chenzhou countered that the martial world was complex and without his strong leadership, it would never unite. He was willing to be a villain if fear brought unity.
Xiao Qiushui argued that fear should not be the bond and that the events at Nantiandang proved righteousness was paramount. He stated that the Power Gang was making things worse and that Li Chenzhou was using the wrong methods. Li Chenzhou maintained that while their approaches differed, they shared a common goal. He then proposed an alliance.
Li Chenzhou presented an Eagle Flute, explaining that it was used by both Xiao Qiushui's family's killer and a Power Gang traitor, and was found on Wastelanders at Nantiandang. He concluded that Xiao Yiren was used as a pawn by these same culprits and stressed the necessity of an alliance, with the Marrow-Shattering Finger being their only lead.
Xiao Qiushui, though agreeing the alliance was more like mutual exploitation, confirmed he was already planning to confront Deng Qingfeng of the Hailin Sect and Fei Yuqiao of the Fei family. He then requested a favor: for the Medicine King of the Power Gang, known for his unique skills, to treat his friend Tang Fang's ailing father. Li Chenzhou acknowledged that sending the Medicine King to the Tang Sect was unusual but promised to arrange it.
Xiao Qiushui thanked him and departed. Later that night, Tang Fang was restless, kept awake by cicadas and concern for her father. She had left the Tang Sect six months prior, hoping to find clues about Yan Kuangtu at Nantiandang, but her hopes were unfulfilled. Xiao Qiushui comforted her, suggesting that a cure for her father might exist beyond the Book of Oblivion, and that their friends were also diligently searching for remedies.
He expressed his belief that a solution would be found. The next day, after paying respects to his parents, Xiao Qiushui informed Tang Fang that he would not be joining her, but the Medicine King was on his way to the Tang Sect to treat her father. After bidding farewell to his companions, Xiao Qiushui embarked on the journey to the Hailin Sect with Deng Yuhan.
Approaching Deng's home through a market, Xiao Qiushui suggested buying gifts for his family, but Deng Yuhan declined, citing a strained relationship with his father. Xiao Qiushui then questioned why Deng Qingfeng, whose family traditionally practiced sword arts, had learned the Marrow-Shattering Finger. Deng Yuhan explained that his father was a martial arts enthusiast who sought to revitalize the declining Hailin Sect by learning various techniques, with the Marrow-Shattering Finger likely being one of them.
He mentioned that his father had been in seclusion for years and that their relationship had grown distant, but firmly believed his father would never harm Xiao Qiushui's parents. Nevertheless, he agreed that confronting Deng Qingfeng was necessary to clear his name, a sentiment Xiao Qiushui echoed, hoping to quickly identify the true culprit. Upon their arrival at the Deng residence, Deng Yulan, Deng Yuhan's elder sister, warmly welcomed them.
She directed Deng Yuhan to the study to meet their father, Deng Qingfeng, while she escorted Xiao Qiushui to the main hall. However, as soon as Deng Yuhan entered the study, he was ambushed and tied up. Deng Yulan offered Xiao Qiushui a meal, promising his father would meet him afterward. However, after Xiao Qiushui consumed the poisoned food, Deng Yulan ordered her servants to tie him up and deliver him to Heavenly King Zhu.
To her surprise, Xiao Qiushui had anticipated their move and incapacitated her by striking her acupoints. Knowing Deng Qingfeng was present, Xiao Qiushui demanded he reveal himself. From behind a screen, Deng Qingfeng responded with a powerful voice, seemingly using a Lion's Roar technique, and launched hidden weapons. Xiao Qiushui, noticing the smell of saltpeter and deducing the use of mechanical devices to project voice and launch attacks, realized Deng Qingfeng lacked genuine internal energy.
He insisted Deng Qingfeng come out, stating he wouldn't leave until the truth about his parents' death was uncovered. After an exchange, Xiao Qiushui shattered the screen, forcing Deng Qingfeng into the open. They exchanged a single palm strike, which Deng Qingfeng, clearly weakened, could not withstand, collapsing to the floor. Xiao Qiushui noticed that Deng Qingfeng had used the Marrow-Shattering Finger. Deng Yuhan, now free, rushed to his father's side, shocked by the fight.
Xiao Qiushui explained that Deng Qingfeng was already injured and apologized for exacerbating his condition. He revealed the "Echo Wall" and the mechanical devices in the room, which Deng Qingfeng had used to simulate profound internal energy and maintain his family's standing. Deng Yuhan, stunned, urged his father to confess. Deng Qingfeng then admitted that fifteen years ago, during the Herbal Valley bandit purge, he was struck by Thunderfire bombs, severing his meridians and stripping him of his martial prowess.
Despite surviving, he had spent years in seclusion, only recovering a tenth of his original strength. He had refurbished his manor to install mechanisms, including the Echo Wall, to hide his weakened state from his past enemies. He further revealed that, witnessing the downfall of allied sects and aware of Liu Suifeng's machinations, he felt compelled to ally with Heavenly King Zhu to ensure his family's survival.
He expressed deep guilt for not aiding the Xiao family during their crisis, but swore he was innocent of their massacre. Finally, he stated that he chose to reveal the truth to help Xiao Qiushui find the real killer. After the confession, Xiao Qiushui, using Master Dayin's Breath-Returning Technique, attempted to restore Deng Qingfeng's meridians. He informed Deng Qingfeng that due to the long-standing nature of his injuries, only a tenth of his martial prowess could be recovered.
Deng Qingfeng, having long accepted his condition, expressed contentment, stating his sole wish was for his family's safety. After Xiao Qiushui's departure, Liu Suifeng secretly entered Deng Qingfeng's study, determined to seek revenge for the Herbal Valley tragedy. Deng Qingfeng confronted him, lamenting that Xiao Xilou should not have saved Liu Suifeng, who had become a demon.
Liu Suifeng presented a handwritten testimony from the assassin Yuchi Qing, which stated that Herbal Valley had no dealings with North Wasteland and only produced pills to feed the poor. She claimed the North Wasteland had fabricated rumors after their request for military use of the pills was denied.
Deng Qingfeng countered with his own recollection of the past, explaining how he and Xiao Xilou had investigated Herbal Valley after receiving tips about them colluding with North Wasteland to produce Marching Pills. He described how Xiao Xilou had offered Liu Suifeng's mother a chance to prove her innocence, but she stubbornly refused. Deng Qingfeng then recounted seeing North Wastelanders moving Marching Pills within the valley.
Liu Suifeng angrily retorted, accusing the martial artists of killing his people to cover up their crimes and questioning why they would expect a welcome after acting as bandits. He then demanded to know who provided the ledger detailing Herbal Valley's transactions with North Wasteland. Deng Qingfeng claimed ignorance, which Liu Suifeng disbelieved, leading him to inject Deng Qingfeng with a gu worm to force the truth out.
Surprised to learn that Xiao Xilou had saved his life and sent him to the Tang Sect after the Herbal Valley massacre, Liu Suifeng nevertheless dismissed it as an oversight, further berating Deng Qingfeng for betraying Xiao Xilou by allying with Heavenly King Zhu. Before he could press further, a servant's voice from outside forced Liu Suifeng to flee. Later that night, Deng Yuhan visited his father.
He observed Deng Qingfeng's tell-tale sign of lying—looking downwards—and directly confronted him about withholding the full truth regarding the Herbal Valley incident. Deng Yuhan warned his father that Liu Suifeng was ruthless and would not cease harassing the Hailin Sect, urging him to abandon his alliance with Heavenly King Zhu, which he deemed no better than the Power Gang.
He declared his intention to leave with Xiao Qiushui at dawn, pleading with his father to choose a righteous path and stop disappointing him. Shortly after Deng Yuhan left, Deng Qingfeng, reflecting on his son's words, began to write something at his desk. However, he was suddenly attacked by masked assailants who brutally murdered him to silence him.
The following morning, as Xiao Qiushui and Deng Yuhan were preparing to depart, Deng Yulan rushed to them with news of Deng Qingfeng's death. They immediately returned to the residence, where they found Deng Qingfeng deceased. Xiao Qiushui examined the body, discovering a gu worm on his hand and noting that the fatal wound was a puncture to the back, caused by a Tang Sect hidden weapon.
Deng Yuhan, overcome with grief and guilt, blamed himself for leaving his father and identified several external injuries matching the distinct pattern of Liu Suifeng's fan. Xiao Qiushui then drew attention to a piece of paper on the table, torn in half, suggesting that Deng Qingfeng had attempted to leave a message.
