The Journey of Legend Episode 31 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
After discovering a half-torn paper and a gu worm on Deng Qingfeng's body, Xiao Qiushui scrutinized the scene with Deng Yuhan. Xiao Qiushui noted the torn paper, speculating that Deng Qingfeng had intended to leave a message. Deng Yuhan, remembering his father had previously concealed details about Herbal Valley despite his inquiries, believed Deng Qingfeng might have finally decided to reveal the truth.
Deng Yuhan immediately suspected Liu Suifeng, vowing to avenge his father regardless of where the killer fled, and questioned if Xiao Qiushui could confirm Liu Suifeng's guilt. Deng Yuhan asserted that his father had no other enemies, making Liu Suifeng and the Power Gang the only plausible culprits for such a monstrous act. Xiao Qiushui then asked Deng Yulan to recall any unusual events from the previous night.
Deng Yulan recounted that she had gone to her father's study during the second watch, Hai hour, and saw Liu Suifeng leaving. She had intended to follow him but was incapacitated from behind by Liu Suifeng, who struck her acupoint and rendered her unconscious. Deng Yuhan interjected, stating he had visited their father during the third watch, Zi hour, suggesting Deng Yulan might have misremembered the time.
However, Deng Yulan firmly insisted she heard the watchman's report before losing consciousness, making her certain of the time. Xiao Qiushui concluded that both accounts could be accurate, implying that another person must have entered Deng Qingfeng's room after Liu Suifeng. As Deng Yuhan began to lay the deceased of his household to rest, Xiao Qiushui noticed something in Deng Qingfeng's mouth. It was a bloodstained note bearing the words "Iron-clad."
Xiao Qiushui pondered if it referred to the Ironclad Constable, a close friend of his father who had bravely defended the Sword Retreat. He recalled that the Constable's body was never definitively found after the retreat was besieged, only some charred remains. He questioned why, among so many casualties, the Constable's body was uniquely missing. Deng Yuhan connected this to their father's past concealment of information about Herbal Valley but wondered how it intertwined with the Ironclad Constable.
Xiao Qiushui admitted he lacked certainty but was convinced that a hidden force was actively thwarting their investigation into the Marrow-Shattering Finger. Overwhelmed by guilt, Xiao Qiushui blamed himself, believing Deng Qingfeng would still be alive if he hadn't pursued the truth of his parents' deaths. Deng Yuhan quickly reassured him, declaring that the blame was not his.
He affirmed that vengeance for the Sword Retreat and the Hailin Sect was imperative, warning that without catching the murderer, more families would suffer. Deng Yuhan vowed not to be consumed by grief or surrender to the killer. He promised to join Xiao Qiushui in his hunt for this "cancer" of the martial world, as soon as he had completed the funerals for his father and fellow disciples.
Xiao Qiushui expressed concern for Deng Yuhan's ability to manage alone, but Deng Yuhan, driven by a fierce desire for justice, insisted he would make the killer pay. He urged Xiao Qiushui to be cautious. Meanwhile, Medicine King arrived at the Tang Sect to examine Tang Yaoshun. He informed Tang Fang that her father had been severely ill for a considerable time and his chances of recovery were slim.
Medicine King proposed a perilous method: a healthy individual would ingest a potent poison he prepared, then use their internal energy to transfer it to Tang Yaoshun. This "fighting fire with fire" approach carried a fifty percent chance of failure, with the risk that if it failed, Tang Yaoshun might not survive another week, and the healthy donor would also perish.
Tang Fang, desperate to save her father, knelt and begged Medicine King to teach her the method, declaring she would do anything. Touched by her filial devotion, Medicine King agreed. At the same time, Tang Qing, dispatched by the matriarch with a restorative soup, attempted to enter Tang Yaoshun's room, seemingly to ascertain his condition. Tang Fang blocked her, stating that Medicine King was merely a guest exchanging insights with her father, and the soup was unnecessary.
Tang Qing scoffed at Tang Fang's evasiveness, but Medicine King supported Tang Fang, explaining that while ordinary tonics were fine, a potent "life-saving" soup was unsuitable as Master Tang was ostensibly healthy. Tang Qing then delivered a veiled warning: the matriarch was concerned by Tang Yaoshun's infrequent appearances and suggested that if he could not lead the Tang Sect, a successor should be chosen.
She reminded Tang Fang that Tang Yaoshun was expected to appear at the mid-month assembly, which Tang Fang affirmed. After Tang Qing departed, Tang Fang, faced with her father's grave condition and the matriarch's pressures, implored Medicine King to proceed with the dangerous treatment. Tang Fang then began the process of transferring internal energy to her father, enduring significant strain on her own body.
Medicine King advised her to halt for the day, emphasizing that haste could be detrimental and promising to increase the dosage in future sessions. Tang Yaoshun briefly regained consciousness, apologizing to Tang Fang for being a burden. Tang Fang reassured him, vowing to do anything as long as he recovered. Unbeknownst to them, Tang Qing was discreetly listening outside the room. Elsewhere, Xiao Kaiyan, unable to get any news of Xiao Yiren, traveled to Jinzhong to inquire with Xiao Xueyu.
He heard that Xiao Xueyu was a benevolent heroine in the city, known for providing free medical care to disaster victims. Xiao Xueyu modestly confirmed this and asked why he had sought her out so late. Xiao Kaiyan expressed his deep concern about Xiao Yiren's fate, especially amid rumors of his collusion with the North Wasteland. Xiao Xueyu revealed that despite her extensive inquiries, she had also found no trace of Xiao Yiren.
Seeing Xiao Xueyu tirelessly practicing medicine alone, Xiao Kaiyan confessed that his feelings for her transcended sibling affection. However, Xiao Xueyu gently declined, stating she had always regarded him and Xiao Yiren as her elder brothers. She reminded him of her duty as a member of the Xiao family, especially now that only a few of them remained, and reiterated that he would always be her brother.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yiren, unable to return home due to accusations of colluding with the North Wasteland, was determined to uncover the true identity of the cloaked man who framed him. He believed that only by finding the culprit could he clear his name. Nangong Xiaoyi found Xiao Yiren and pleaded with him to return and explain the situation to their companions.
Xiao Yiren refused, feeling that no explanation would suffice without solid evidence, lamenting that he was now reviled like a rat in the street. Nangong Xiaoyi, however, insisted that she did not care what others said and only believed in him, urging him to stay. Concurrently, Zhao Shirong confirmed to Li Chenzhou that the supplies for the front lines were ready. Li Chenzhou announced his intention to travel to the capital for an audience with the Emperor.
Worried, Zhao Shirong tried to dissuade him, pointing out that he returned weaker after every visit due to the Emperor's jealousy and schemes. Li Chenzhou, however, reassured her that as long as the court still had need of him, his life was not in danger, and he would return safely. While traveling, Xiao Qiushui overheard conversations among common folk, mentioning the recent massacre of the reclusive Deng family by the Power Gang.
They also discussed Master Fei Yuqiao, head of the Fei family, one of the Three Mystic Sects, who had abruptly announced his retirement in three days, vowing to no longer involve himself in martial arts affairs. Xiao Qiushui realized that after his retirement, any secrets Fei Yuqiao held would be buried with him. He decided he must reach the Fei family within three days.
Xiao Qiushui arrived at the Fei residence, presenting a letter of introduction from Liang Dou, Devourer of Crimson Clouds, to Master Fei. Liu Suifeng arrived shortly after, attempting to enter without an invitation but was turned away. He then secretly ordered his subordinates to search for the Thousand Faces. Fei Yuqiao welcomed Xiao Qiushui, acknowledging Liang Dou's letter and inviting him to stay for a few days.
Xiao Qiushui then introduced himself as Xiao Qiushui, son of Xiao Xilou and Sun Huishan, and requested Fei Yuqiao to demonstrate the Marrow-Shattering Finger technique to confirm his parents' cause of death. Fei Yuqiao, surprised by the request, initially refused, stating the technique was too harmful and should have been eradicated. Xiao Qiushui clarified that he only sought to confirm his parents' death, not to learn the technique.
Fei Yuqiao then expressed suspicion, asking if Xiao Qiushui, known to be friends with Deng Yuhan, had massacred the Deng family to investigate the technique. Xiao Qiushui vehemently denied this, asserting that Deng Yuhan was his sworn brother and he would never harm his family, explaining that the accusation was a trap. He used Liang Dou's trust in him as proof of his character.
Fei Yuqiao conceded, agreeing that Liang Dou, a powerful figure, would not entrust a letter to a villain. Considering that the next day was his grandson Chengqing's coming-of-age ceremony and his own retirement, Fei Yuqiao wished to avoid complications. He agreed to demonstrate the technique "after" his retirement, once he had shed his responsibilities. Xiao Qiushui thanked him. The next day, many martial arts sects gathered at the Fei residence for the coming-of-age ceremony.
Fei Yuqiao addressed the crowd, announcing that his grandson, Chengqing, who preferred scholarship over martial arts, would succeed him as family head. He then declared his complete retirement from the martial world, stating that Fei family descendants would henceforth pursue commerce or scholarship and avoid martial affairs. He expressed hope that all past grievances with the assembled guests could be resolved. However, some guests immediately objected.
One man demanded compensation for his brother's arm, which had been severed by Fei Yuqiao's son, Fei Danfeng, and insisted on receiving the Thousand Faces technique. Many others joined in, clamoring for the Thousand Faces. Fei Yuqiao explained that five years prior, his eldest son, Fei Danfeng, was assassinated while on an imperial mission with the Thousand Faces, and his body was never recovered.
He claimed the Thousand Faces was burned to mere scraps that night and buried in the family's ancestral tomb to protect the Fei family from further troubles. He added that he had sworn an oath to exile and cripple any Fei family member who dared to learn the technique. Unexpectedly, two exiled Fei family grandsons who had secretly learned the Thousand Faces technique appeared.
They accused Fei Yuqiao of lying and demanded he hand over the item, claiming that if he had taught them earlier, they wouldn't have had to kill so many people. Fei Yuqiao denounced them as family traitors, reminding them of their expulsion for violating family rules and questioning their audacity to show their faces. The other guests continued to clamor for the Thousand Faces.
Fei Yuqiao, declaring that he would break his retirement oath, challenged them to a fight to the death. As Fei Yuqiao battled his two grandsons, he was struck by a poisoned palm. One of the grandsons then attempted to attack the young Chengqing. Xiao Qiushui intervened, blocking the attack and protecting Chengqing. Other martial arts members questioned Xiao Qiushui's interference in family affairs, accusing him of being a "traitor's kin" (referring to Xiao Yiren) and of massacring the Deng family.
Xiao Qiushui firmly stated that he could not tolerate the bullying of elders and children and insisted on intervening, especially since he needed answers from Master Fei. He proposed a wager: he would thrust his Sword of Changge into a giant rock. If anyone present could fully withdraw the sword, he would no longer meddle in Fei family matters.
If they failed, they must cease harassing the Fei family, and the two grandsons were to provide the antidote to Fei Yuqiao. The two grandsons confidently accepted the challenge, despite Fei Yuqiao's apprehension, boasting of their Qingtian Palm and Transmutation techniques. They attempted to pull the sword, even combining their efforts and shattering the rock, but a small piece of the stone remained stubbornly attached to the sword.
Xiao Qiushui explained that the smaller the piece, the harder it was to break, and their internal energy was insufficient. He asked if they conceded, which they did, and handed over the antidote. Xiao Qiushui reiterated that the wager was settled and instructed everyone not to trouble the Fei family again, dismissing the crowd. As the disillusioned crowd dispersed, believing the Thousand Faces to be truly gone, a servant rushed to Fei Yuqiao, reporting that the ancestral tomb had been desecrated.
