The Journey of Legend Episode 5 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
After dinner, Xiao Qiushui went for a walk in the Qianzhu Yard and noticed unusually strict security around Xiao Xilou’s residence. He internally deduced that Madam Wu, who was sought after in the martial world for carrying the Hero Token, was likely hidden within the Xiao family mansion, making it a potential target for powerful experts. He concluded that additional safeguards were necessary.
Meanwhile, Liu Suifeng received an update from his informant within the Xiao family, confirming increased security around Qianzhu Yard, suggesting that if someone important was indeed hidden, they would be there. Liu Suifeng, wearing a mask, later attempted to scale the wall but was thwarted when the entire courtyard suddenly lit up, a new security measure implemented by Xiao Qiushui.
Xiao Xilou and Sun Huishan were initially surprised by the sudden illumination, but a guard explained it was Xiao Qiushui’s "perpetual lights" to prevent sneak attacks, which had even scared away a wildcat. Xiao Qiushui then tried to leverage this success to discuss his ambition for the young sect leader position, but Xiao Xilou curtly dismissed him to bed. Still, Xiao Qiushui resolved to become sect leader quickly to deal with the potential threats Madam Wu's presence might bring.
Later that night, Xiao Qiushui found Liu Suifeng about to go for a walk and insisted he return to discuss an important matter. Xiao Qiushui expressed his frustration about not securing endorsements from prominent figures, which prevented him from challenging Xiao Yiren for the sect leader position. He pressed Liu Suifeng for a solution. Liu Suifeng questioned Xiao Qiushui's desperation, to which Xiao Qiushui vaguely replied that many things couldn't be done without holding the position.
Liu Suifeng advised against acting too urgently. Growing impatient, Xiao Qiushui urged Liu Suifeng to reveal any "secret weapons" or martial arts, which Liu Suifeng denied possessing or being able to teach. Xiao Qiushui then asked if Liu Suifeng, once recovered, could help him destroy the Power Gang. Liu Suifeng stated he lacked such power.
Feeling that their friendship wasn't deep enough, Xiao Qiushui then declared that their friendship had "issues" and they needed to spend time together day and night to resolve them, forcing Liu Suifeng to sleep on the floor. Liu Suifeng, annoyed, secretly observed that despite Xiao Qiushui's apparent simplicity, his unexpected actions made gaining his trust much harder than anticipated. The next morning, Xiao Qiushui pestered Liu Suifeng for a plan.
Liu Suifeng, still somewhat exasperated, suggested a strategy: Kang Jiesheng, the profligate son of Master Kang Chuyu, had gambled away disaster relief funds three years prior. However, Kang Chuyu, out of deep affection for his son, covered up the scandal by using his own money to placate public outrage. Liu Suifeng proposed that if Xiao Qiushui could befriend Kang Jiesheng, he could then secure a recommendation letter from Kang Chuyu. Xiao Qiushui agreed that this was a good idea.
Shortly after, Kang Jiesheng arrived with gifts to propose to Xiao Xueyu, but she firmly rejected him. He then demeaned her, calling her an adopted daughter of the Xiao family and accusing her of acting superior, claiming his interest was her good fortune. Xiao Qiushui intervened, ridiculing Kang Jiesheng's appearance and reminding him that his father's previous lessons hadn't been enough. Kang Jiesheng became aggressive, but Xiao Yiren arrived, defusing the confrontation.
Xiao Yiren apologized for Xiao Qiushui's rudeness but firmly stated that Xiao Xueyu's marriage was her own decision and criticized Kang Jiesheng's inappropriate behavior, mentioning that his gambling habits would tarnish the Xiao family's reputation. Xiao Xueyu expressed her desire to remain with her parents and pursue a heroic path instead of marriage. Xiao Yiren then instructed a reluctant Xiao Qiushui to make amends with Kang Jiesheng over tea.
Privately, Liu Suifeng advised Xiao Qiushui that a simple tea apology wouldn't suffice after such a public offense. Xiao Qiushui, deciding to "offend him completely," proposed a gamble. He asked Liu Suifeng to lend him the rare Hanhao Stone, explaining that Kang Jiesheng's father, Kang Chuyu, had used this material to forge his sword, enabling his "Sun Sword Technique." After some reluctance, Liu Suifeng provided the stone.
Xiao Qiushui then revealed his plan to use mercury-loaded dice to ensure Kang Jiesheng's defeat. During the game, Kang Jiesheng initially balked at wagering his gold against the Hanhao Stone, but Xiao Qiushui upped the ante by demanding Kang Jiesheng’s "Young Sect Leader's Token" (a thumb ring). Kang Jiesheng, despite initial hesitation, agreed. In the final round, Kang Jiesheng rolled a twelve. Xiao Qiushui also revealed a twelve, then accused Kang Jiesheng of cheating, claiming his dice contained mercury.
When they checked Xiao Qiushui’s dice and found nothing, they "discovered" that it was Kang Jiesheng's dice, which they had secretly switched, that contained mercury. Kang Jiesheng, caught in his own trap, lost. Xiao Qiushui collected the gold bars and the token. Enraged, Kang Jiesheng accused Xiao Qiushui and Xiao Xueyu of being "secretly involved."
Xiao Qiushui, in response, smashed Kang Jiesheng's token, delivering a scathing speech about privileged individuals who, due to their innate luck, believe they can disparage others, vowing that such behavior would not be tolerated by him. As Kang Jiesheng prepared to retaliate, Xiao Xilou and Kang Chuyu intervened. Kang Chuyu made Kang Jiesheng accept his loss. Xiao Xilou made Xiao Qiushui apologize but also praised his clever words, noting that the punishment would be "recorded for now."
Kang Chuyu, eager to save face, praised Xiao Qiushui for guiding his son and reluctantly agreed to provide the recommendation letter. Xiao Qiushui later explained to Liu Suifeng that Kang Chuyu had been forced to comply to maintain his public image after his son's humiliation, a testament to understanding "human nature and worldly affairs." Xiao Qiushui expressed his belief that this successful collaboration would strengthen their friendship and accelerate the recovery of his "settings."
Xiao Xilou then convened a family meeting to make two important announcements. First, he revealed that Marching Pills, thought to be from the long-destroyed Herbal Valley, had reappeared in Guangling. He dispatched Xiao Yiren, along with Kaiyan, the Tiger Guards, and Shinian, to investigate. Xiao Xueyu volunteered to join them, citing her aspirations to be a hero and her skills in both martial arts and medicine.
Sun Huishan supported her, stating that more experience would be beneficial, and Xiao Xilou granted his permission. Second, Xiao Xilou, nearing his fifties, declared his intention to pass the sect leader position to Xiao Yiren, who had been diligently assisting him and was now independently managing affairs at Guangling Villa. He decided to expedite the succession ceremony before Xiao Yiren's departure for Guangling.
However, Xiao Qiushui dramatically interrupted, presenting Kang Chuyu’s recommendation letter (after initially holding it upside down) and demanding a fair competition for the sect leader position. Xiao Yiren, while expressing happiness for Xiao Qiushui's ambition, suggested he first gain more experience in the martial world before challenging him. Sun Huishan echoed this advice.
Xiao Qiushui, however, insisted he "couldn't wait any longer" and "didn't have the time," even offering to serve as sect leader for a year or six months before returning the position. Xiao Yiren chastised him for treating such an important position as a joke. But Xiao Qiushui maintained that his urgency was tied to "the lives of everyone in the Huanhua Sect."
Witnessing Xiao Qiushui's firm resolve, Xiao Xilou agreed to arrange a duel between the two brothers before Xiao Yiren departed. Xiao Yiren and Kaiyan expressed concern about Xiao Qiushui's chances, but Xiao Qiushui reiterated his "compelling reasons" and his lack of fear of embarrassment. Xiao Xueyu assured them that Xiao Yiren would not harm Xiao Qiushui. Sun Huishan then took Xiao Qiushui aside for a private training session.
Liu Suifeng's informant later reported that all servants recruited within the last three years had been dismissed by Xiao Qiushui's order that morning. The informant also revealed that after Liu Suifeng's earlier reconnaissance at Qianzhu Yard, the Xiao family had sent a sedan to the Sword Retreat, though the occupant was unknown.
Liu Suifeng internally concluded that Madam Wu had been moved to the Sword Retreat, making his plan to use the duel to gain access to the Qianzhu Yard now useless. Meanwhile, Sun Huishan began teaching Xiao Qiushui her "Triple Shameless Moves," a set of self-defense techniques designed for safe retreat rather than victory, which she had used before marrying Xiao Xilou.
She emphasized that while Xiao Yiren was reasonable, he was very concerned with his reputation, and cautioned Xiao Qiushui against being reckless, advising him to surrender if he couldn't win, as his life was paramount. The duel between the two brothers formally began. Xiao Qiushui suggested three smaller contests—internal energy, lightness skill, and precision—instead of direct armed combat, as they were family. Xiao Yiren agreed.
For the first round, testing internal energy, they were to attract iron bars placed on a table. Xiao Yiren successfully attracted one. When it was Xiao Qiushui's turn, he effortlessly attracted all the remaining bars.
