The Journey of Legend Episode 36 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Xiao Qiushui finally presented Yan Kuangtu with a cloak that Madam Wu and Master Zhichen had entrusted to him, explaining he hadn't had the opportunity to return it earlier due to many prying eyes. Yan Kuangtu recognized it instantly as belonging to his younger sister, Yuan'er.
Xiao Qiushui further recounted Master Zhichen's mention that Yuan'er had been kidnapped by the Jiang brothers, contracted a severe illness during her escape, and was rescued by Master Zhichen, but her whereabouts remained unknown after that. Overwhelmed with regret, Yan Kuangtu confessed that his sister's disappearance was the greatest sorrow of his life, blaming himself for her loss.
Meanwhile, Xiao Kaiyan, having secured control of the Tang Sect and crossed Tang Yaoshun's name off his list, felt a step closer to his ultimate goal and wondered how Xiao Qiushui would respond to his latest move. Xiao Qiushui received news that General Wu was ordered back to the capital, raising concerns that the Wastelanders might seize the opportunity to invade Xianren Pass. He also predicted danger for General Wu on his journey, emphasizing the urgency of their actions.
Xiao Qiushui's teams had identified several suspicious Eagle Flute strongholds and were dispatched to investigate. The Shenzhou Alliance, including Deng Yuhan, was also clearing Eagle Flute strongholds, noting the Power Gang's unexpected cooperation in their shared objective. At the Power Gang, Zhao Shirong urged a weary Li Chenzhou to take his medicine, observing his old injuries flaring up. Li Chenzhou, despite his fatigue, inquired about the investigation into Xiao Kaiyan's stronghold within the Twelve Waterways.
Zhao Shirong reported no breakthroughs, prompting Li Chenzhou to order more men to be deployed. He then revealed a message intercepted by Song Mingzhu from the Eagle Flute: 20,000 elite Wastelander troops were bypassing Xianren Pass via waterways to infiltrate Daxi for a pincer attack, part of a larger force of hundreds of thousands secretly being assembled.
Li Chenzhou feared this would crush the people's will to resist and put General Wu in an impossible situation: returning to the capital risked Xianren Pass's fall, while refusing would lead to false accusations. Zhao Shirong suggested reporting Xiao Kaiyan's collusion with the Wastelanders to the Emperor. Li Chenzhou then instructed Liu Suifeng to accelerate the eradication of Eagle Flute strongholds and intercept the invading Wastelander troops.
Liu Suifeng, sensing Li Chenzhou's deteriorating health, discreetly asked Song Mingzhu to keep a close watch on the gang leader. Li Chenzhou later met with Xiao Qiushui, offering him the Power Gang Leader's Token and his vision for rebuilding the martial world. Xiao Qiushui, however, challenged the Power Gang's coercive methods, arguing that true leadership should stem from shared aspirations, not force. Li Chenzhou conceded that his methods were necessary in chaotic times to establish stability for future successors.
When Xiao Qiushui refused the token, stating their paths diverged despite shared goals, Li Chenzhou revealed that he was being poisoned with every imperial audience, an illness that had left him gravely ill and without other options. Xiao Qiushui reaffirmed that the martial world should be united by common purpose, like the Shenzhou Alliance, not governed by a single leader.
Given the Wastelanders' infiltration, he emphasized the critical need for unity to protect General Wu, ensuring he remains at Xianren Pass. Song Mingzhu, having overheard their conversation, reported to Liu Suifeng that Li Chenzhou intended to transfer leadership to Xiao Qiushui, expressing her disbelief and frustration at Liu Suifeng being bypassed. Although she omitted details of Li Chenzhou's poisoning, Liu Suifeng, already suspicious of Li Chenzhou's unusual conduct, deduced that the gang leader's illness was likely terminal.
While Yan Kuangtu was recovering, Xiao Xueyu urged him to rest and take medicine for his Soul-Piercing Nails. Yan Kuangtu, however, downplayed his injury. Many martial artists, coveting the Book of Oblivion, constantly spied on Yan Kuangtu. One day, Yan Kuangtu and Xiao Xueyu led some of these individuals into a desolate area. Yan Kuangtu escaped, but Xiao Xueyu was hit by a poisoned dart, immobilizing her. Searching frantically, Yan Kuangtu heard Xiao Xueyu blow a whistle.
The sound stirred a familiar feeling in him, and his Golden Swallow, a family heirloom, reacted to the whistle, guiding him to her. Upon seeing a birthmark on Xiao Xueyu's neck, Yan Kuangtu realized she was his long-lost sister, Yuan'er. He showed her the Golden Swallow, explaining it was their mother's legacy, activated only by her whistle. Xiao Xueyu then recalled fragmented childhood memories of flying kites with her brother.
The siblings joyfully reunited, with Xiao Xueyu expressing happiness while acknowledging the Xiao family who had raised her. Yan Kuangtu apologized for her past suffering. Xiao Xueyu, asking for nothing but his well-being, insisted he have the Soul-Piercing Nails removed. Yan Kuangtu reluctantly agreed. Xiao Qiushui, delighted by their reunion, promised to make arrangements for the nail's removal.
Following the Tang Sect rebellion, where Tang Yaoshun and Madam Tang were murdered by Tang Song, and Tang Fang was controlled by Puppet Needles, Liu Suifeng and Song Mingzhu arrived at the Tang Sect. They bypassed the trap-laden main entrance and entered an underground dungeon, where they found several medicine slaves, including an elderly one.
The old medicine slave, whose only reason for enduring his torment was to avenge himself on Master Tang, angrily attacked Liu Suifeng upon learning that Liu Suifeng had killed Master Tang. Liu Suifeng sought the Pulse-Restoring Art, but the old medicine slave, revealing it required "exchanging lives," refused to teach it. During their skirmish, Song Mingzhu found the secret manual. As they searched for Tang Fang, Tang Qing ambushed them.
Liu Suifeng detected her, and Tang Song, also present, used a ring to command the Puppet Needle-controlled Tang Fang to kill Liu Suifeng. Song Mingzhu swiftly retrieved the controlling ring from Tang Song, freeing Tang Fang. Liu Suifeng then urged Tang Fang to escape with them. Back at the Power Gang, Zhao Shirong reported to Li Chenzhou that the poison was spreading rapidly and offered him a Strengthening Pill from the Medicine King.
Liu Suifeng, however, asserted his ability to cure Li Chenzhou using the Tang Sect's medicine slave method. Li Chenzhou dismissed the offer, instead sending the Medicine King to check on Tang Fang and advising Liu Suifeng to abandon past grievances, seeing his entry into the Power Gang as a new beginning. Liu Suifeng, however, pledged unwavering loyalty, vowing never to forget Li Chenzhou's past kindness.
The Medicine King informed Xiao Qiushui that the Puppet Needle in Tang Fang had penetrated her marrow, warning of a severe backlash if the needle's removal was mishandled. Despite the grave risk, Xiao Qiushui insisted on immediate extraction. After a perilous procedure, Tang Fang slowly regained consciousness, recalling the traumatic murder of her father and Madam Tang by Tang Song. Xiao Qiushui comforted her, promising to help her rebuild the Tang Sect once she recovered.
Later, Liu Suifeng visited Tang Fang, bringing herbal medicine. Tang Fang thanked him, and Liu Suifeng advised her against reckless revenge, assuring her that those who colluded with the Waterway Gang would eventually face justice. Meanwhile, Yan Kuangtu, having just had the Soul-Piercing Nails removed, was drinking with Xiao Qiushui. He playfully expressed his feigned fear of Xiao Xueyu's scolding, admitting he only dared drink in her absence.
He thanked Xiao Qiushui for bringing the Medicine King to perform the extraction but confided that the deep-seated damage might prevent a full recovery, asking him to keep this a secret from Yuan'er (Xiao Xueyu). Pondering the meaning of life, Yan Kuangtu concluded it was "to revel in life, die without regrets, act with righteousness, and live a worthy life," a sentiment echoed by Xiao Qiushui.
Liu Suifeng gave Song Mingzhu a list of herbs, instructing her to procure them discreetly and without fail. When Song Mingzhu inquired about their purpose, Liu Suifeng firmly told her to complete the task without asking further questions. Professing her unwavering loyalty, Song Mingzhu vowed to stay by his side until her last breath and promised to gather all the herbs with utmost discretion.
Later, Song Mingzhu, after secretly arranging for the special herbs to be delivered to Liu Suifeng through a back entrance, publicly bought some common cold medicine from the front. She encountered Blade King, who, wary of the Power Gang's current instability, questioned her about the medicine. Knowing Liu Suifeng was often seen as cunning, Blade King suspected foul play. Song Mingzhu claimed it was for Liu Suifeng's cold and challenged Blade King to inspect it.
Blade King, still skeptical, expressed hope that the blade he had "forged" for Liu Suifeng, symbolizing punishment for traitors, would never need to be used, as it would deeply wound the gang leader. Song Mingzhu confidently dismissed his concerns, assuring him his efforts were wasted. She fiercely defended Liu Suifeng, stating that everyone misunderstood him; despite his cold exterior, his profound affection for those he valued was beyond their comprehension. Blade King, surprised by her passionate loyalty, surmised that she must be one of the rare few whom Liu Suifeng truly cherished.
