The Journey of Legend Episode 35 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Xiao Kaiyan consolidated his control over the Twelve Waterways, asserting himself as the true Heavenly King by eliminating those who defied him and demanding loyalty from the terrified onlookers. He promised his followers martial world supremacy and abundant fame and fortune. This triumph fueled his ambition, recalling a recent audience with the Emperor. During their meeting, the Emperor expressed concern over General Wu Jie's unwavering resolve against the North Wasteland and the powerful pro-war faction supporting him.
Desiring peace, the Emperor hinted at Xiao Kaiyan's potential to become the Imperial Preceptor if he could resolve this. Xiao Kaiyan, seizing the opportunity, proposed a plan: the Emperor would issue an edict for Wu Jie's immediate return from Xianren Pass, while Xiao Kaiyan would ambush Wu Jie en route. His capture would delay Wu Jie, making it appear as if the general defied the imperial summons, thereby discrediting the pro-war faction and facilitating peace with the North Wasteland.
The Emperor, pleased with the "three birds, one stone" strategy, agreed, only stipulating that Wu Jie should retire honorably, not be punished. Later, when meeting with representatives from the North Wasteland, Xiao Kaiyan discussed the benefits he would receive, including the "Book of Oblivion," showing his confidence that his plans would soon come to fruition. Internally, he vowed to make Xiao Qiushui kneel and admit his defeat.
Meanwhile, Xiao Qiushui was recovering from his injuries when his friends found his room empty despite Xiao Xueyu's assurance that his wounds were healed. He had been abducted by Yan Kuangtu, who sealed his acupoints and put him in a carriage. Xiao Qiushui demanded to know their destination, and after Yan Kuangtu unsealed his acupoints, he revealed they were going to Wudang.
Yan Kuangtu had already recognized Xiao Qiushui as his worthy disciple and explained his grand vision: the North Wasteland was a looming threat, and the Daxi martial world was fragmented by internal strife and traitors. To revive the martial world within a decade, he sought to unite Shaolin and Wudang by merging their distinct martial arts into a peerless new form, which would then be spread for all righteous individuals to learn.
This unity, a "martial world for all," was essential to resist the external threat. Yan Kuangtu chose this moment because the newly appointed Shaolin Abbot Tianxiang was visiting Wudang Leader Taifeng, presenting a rare opportunity. Upon their arrival at Wudang, Abbot Tianxiang and Leader Taifeng respectfully greeted Yan Kuangtu, thanking him for exposing the villain Ji Wupeng at the recent Hero Assembly.
Yan Kuangtu wasted no time in criticizing their leadership, finding them unworthy successors to the legendary Tianzheng and Taichan. He directly proposed his demand: Wudang and Shaolin must open their martial arts to each other, sharing their techniques to avert a great calamity. Leader Taifeng strongly objected, arguing that merging unique martial arts styles was a serious taboo in cultivation. Abbot Tianxiang agreed, stating that while Shaolin and Wudang could fight side-by-side, exchanging techniques was unthinkable.
Yan Kuangtu scoffed at their narrow-mindedness, explaining that Wudang's internal cultivation and Shaolin's external techniques were complementary and would greatly strengthen each other if fused. When they still refused, Yan Kuangtu declared, "Then let's fight." Despite Xiao Qiushui's plea for mediation over violence, Yan Kuangtu proceeded to spar with both leaders, effortlessly defeating them using a combination of Shaolin's Great Palm and Wudang's Composite Fingers techniques. Humbled, Tianxiang and Taifeng admitted defeat and accepted his wisdom.
Yan Kuangtu lauded their willingness to accept defeat, declaring that with time, their sects would produce talents rivaling Tianzheng and Taichan. Just then, three legendary Wudang masters, Jiusheng, Jiusi, and Jiuyi, emerged. They acknowledged their defeat to Yan Kuangtu twenty years prior but confidently asserted that he might not defeat them now, especially using only Shaolin and Wudang techniques.
As they prepared for an internal energy clash, Xiao Qiushui intervened, echoing Yan Kuangtu's earlier sentiment that martial arts should not be solely for personal victory but for the greater good of Daxi. The Wudang elders, impressed by Xiao Qiushui's wisdom and reputation, discussed the current dangers posed by North Wasteland spies and the misuse of the Thousand Faces technique, which had caused much suffering among the sects.
Xiao Qiushui reiterated his support for Yan Kuangtu's proposal, emphasizing that combining the strengths of both sects would lead to ultimate victory. Leader Taifeng and Abbot Tianxiang, however, challenged Xiao Qiushui to prove his conviction: if he could withstand three strikes using Shaolin and Wudang techniques, they would consider his proposal. Yan Kuangtu encouraged Xiao Qiushui, stating that sometimes truth must be forged through fists. During the challenge, Xiao Qiushui skillfully countered the first two attacks.
In the third strike, the three Wudang elders unleashed a devastating "Five Fingers, One Heart" technique, a move that seamlessly integrated both Shaolin and Wudang martial arts. Unable to find a counter, Xiao Qiushui conceded defeat. However, the elders then revealed that he hadn't truly lost; they had been forced to use their combined Shaolin-Wudang technique because he was proving too formidable.
They praised Xiao Qiushui's benevolent valor and his concern for the world, proclaiming him a "hero of the younger generation" and asserting that the martial world's future belonged to young leaders like him. They officially endorsed him as the Martial Circle Leader. Later that evening, Yan Kuangtu led Xiao Qiushui to the peak to visit the Hero Monument, erected years ago by Tianzheng, Taichan, and Zhichen to establish the Hero Token.
Yan Kuangtu recounted how he had carved a turtle on the monument long ago to mock the "cowardly" heroes of his time, especially Taichan, for their inaction during chaotic periods. He expressed that his trip to Wudang had fulfilled a wish, and promised to return the Hero Token to Xiao Qiushui after completing one last task.
He spoke of his hopes for Xiao Qiushui's "Shenzhou Alliance" to transform the martial world and for his name to eventually grace the monument as a true hero. Xiao Qiushui humbly replied that his actions were not for fame, just like Yan Kuangtu's. Yan Kuangtu applauded his philosophy of living with a clear conscience.
Xiao Qiushui then confessed his struggle with the clashing Shaolin (rigid) and Wudang (soft) energies within him, asking if this was the reason Yan Kuangtu brought him there. Yan Kuangtu confirmed this, then, offering his assistance, he transferred all his internal energy to Xiao Qiushui to help him fuse the conflicting powers. The immense effort caused Yan Kuangtu to collapse, coughing up blood. Simultaneously, in the Tang Sect, Tang Fang diligently nursed her weakened father, Tang Yaoshun.
Tang Song, coveting the family head position, ambushed them, killing Tang Yaoshun in cold blood. He then used a Puppet-Control Needle to subjugate Tang Fang, forcing her to obey his commands. When the old Matriarch arrived, furious at Tang Song's treachery, he revealed he had already dosed her with a Weakness Toxin that would activate if she used her martial arts. Despite her failing strength, the Matriarch fought back, but Tang Song's bribed personal guard attacked her from behind.
As she struggled, Tang Qing, Tang Song's sibling, finished her off with hidden weapons. With both Tang Yaoshun and the Matriarch dead, Tang Song and Tang Qing seized the Tang Sect Token. Xiao Qiushui quickly brought the ailing Yan Kuangtu to his sister, Xiao Xueyu's, medical clinic.
Xiao Xueyu examined him and explained that while his life was not in immediate danger, an old iron nail, deeply embedded in his neck with profound internal energy, had flared up, affecting multiple meridians. Yan Kuangtu revealed that the "Soul-Piercing Nail" was from an ambush by Tang Yaoshun on Mount Wuxing years ago. Xiao Qiushui offered to remove it, and after Xiao Xueyu administered an Eaglewood Pill to stabilize Yan Kuangtu's energy, he attempted the extraction.
However, the nail seemed to merge their internal energies and burrow deeper with each attempt. Yan Kuangtu stopped him, explaining that the nail had become fused with his marrow over the years. He preferred to endure the dizziness and weakness rather than risk death by its removal. Despite Xiao Qiushui's determination to find a solution, Yan Kuangtu strictly forbade him from seeking help from the Tang Sect, declaring he would rather die. Xiao Xueyu then suggested they allow Yan Kuangtu to rest.
