The Journey of Legend Episode 8 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Xiao Qiushui and Liu Suifeng sought refuge in Lady Hongxiu's room at Qunfang Hall. Lady Hongxiu, grateful for Xiao Qiushui's past kindness in defending the courtesans, willingly offered her help. She informed them that the town's exits were blockaded by Sword King's men, making a swift departure crucial to meet Madam Wu.
Xiao Qiushui asked for a way out, to which Lady Hongxiu suggested two options: disguising themselves as courtesans for an event outside town or hiding in a nightsoil cart. Xiao Qiushui firmly rejected the former, prompting Lady Hongxiu to explain the nightsoil cart option, noting its stench would deter thorough inspection. Xiao Qiushui expressed urgency to Liu Suifeng, stating the rendezvous point had changed and he needed to find Madam Wu quickly.
Meanwhile, Song Mingzhu, after searching extensively, reported to Liu Suifeng that Madam Wu was nowhere to be found on the main roads leading from the Xiao Residence. Liu Suifeng, confident in Xiao Qiushui's strategic mind, ceased the search, believing Xiao Qiushui had cleverly concealed Madam Wu's whereabouts. He recognized that Sword King's widespread blockades hinted at an inside mole near Madam Wu, a suspicion Xiao Qiushui had also harbored.
Liu Suifeng deduced the mole was likely the Nameless Demon, one of Sword King's generals whose identity remained unknown. He instructed Song Mingzhu to follow him discreetly, anticipating that Xiao Qiushui would inadvertently lead them to Madam Wu, thereby unmasking the Nameless Demon. Back in their hiding place, Liu Suifeng returned with food, finding Xiao Qiushui listing martial sects. Xiao Qiushui explained that his mother had identified these sects as staunch allies of the Xiao family.
He planned to seek their assistance in rescuing his family after ensuring Madam Wu's safety, believing the martial world was founded on righteousness. Liu Suifeng, however, held a more cynical view, asserting that power and profit were the true motivators in the martial world, and that Power Gang could easily sway allies with incentives.
Xiao Qiushui challenged this, recounting heroic tales and expressing his belief that despite the difficulties, true heroes who championed justice for the weak would always emerge and unite. They then made a wager: the winner would claim a cherished possession from the loser, testing whether the martial world was ultimately driven by profit or righteousness. Liu Suifeng accepted, confident in his own assessment.
Shortly after, Lady Hongxiu brought news that the nightsoil cart had broken down, leaving them without that escape route. Undeterred, Xiao Qiushui formulated a new plan: to impersonate Power Gang members. He asked Lady Hongxiu for two black cloaks and a carriage. His reasoning was that few of Power Gang's subordinates truly knew the faces of their top leaders, Li Chenzhou, Zhao Shirong, or Liu Suifeng. He declared he would impersonate Liu Suifeng, taking Liu Suifeng's distinct white fan.
He then assigned Liu Suifeng to impersonate Zhao Shirong, instructing him to stay hidden within the carriage, as Liu Suifeng's past conflicts with Power Gang made him too recognizable to be seen openly. He reassured Liu Suifeng that he would not have to wear women's clothing, simply to use his knowledge of Power Gang to avoid detection. That night, Xiao Qiushui, disguised as Liu Suifeng, rode on horseback while Liu Suifeng, as Zhao Shirong, sat hidden in a sedan chair.
At the town's checkpoint, a Power Gang guard, recognizing the distinctive white fan, questioned if they were Vice Leader Liu and Lady Zhao. Despite the guard's insistence on verifying their identities due to his orders, Xiao Qiushui's aggressive demeanor and Liu Suifeng's deployment of the Flow-Cloud Sleeve Technique from within the carriage quickly convinced the guard. Recognizing the unique martial art of Lady Zhao, the guard immediately ordered his men to clear the path, allowing them to pass.
Once safely outside town, Xiao Qiushui thanked the carriage drivers and asked them to return the cloaks to Lady Hongxiu. He then jokingly remarked on Liu Suifeng's unexpected skill with the Flow-Cloud Sleeve Technique, which Liu Suifeng dismissed as merely a "scare tactic." Meanwhile, in Guangling, Xiao Yiren, Xiao Xueyu, and Xiao Kaiyan discovered a sinister plot.
They found a poisoned officer and, after Xiao Xueyu's medical intervention, learned that a mysterious organization was forcing people to refine and test alchemical pills that induced madness and violence, identifying them as Marching Pills. The officer described the perpetrators as martial artists with cauldron-engraved tokens, leading Xiao Yiren to suspect the Power Gang. Soon after, Nangong Xiaoyi arrived, concerned about the dangerous investigation. She, along with Xiao Kaiyan, suggested caution, advising against direct confrontation with the powerful Power Gang.
Xiao Yiren agreed that making enemies would harm Huanhua Sect and decided to send a messenger pigeon to his father, Xiao Xilou, for guidance. Xiao Qiushui and Liu Suifeng reunited with Tang Fang. Together, they followed the secret markers and located Tang Rou, Kang Chuyu, and the other allies. Madam Wu expressed deep gratitude to Xiao Qiushui for risking his life to retrieve the letter, which had enabled their timely reunion.
Xiao Qiushui reassured her that once General Wu's forces arrived the next day, he would seek aid from martial allies to rescue the Xiao family. Kang Chuyu offered his personal assistance in this endeavor. However, that night, after gathering in a derelict courtyard, many of the group fell dizzy after consuming porridge. Kang Chuyu then revealed his true colors, announcing that he was the Power Gang's Nameless Demon and the porridge contained Limbs-Weakening Powder.
He gloated about his long-held deception, including his role in Xiao Qiushui's selection as young sect leader, vowing to kill Xiao Qiushui. Xiao Qiushui, who had not eaten the porridge, remained unaffected. As Power Gang members surrounded the courtyard, Madam Wu's personal guards bravely stayed behind to create a diversion, allowing Xiao Qiushui to escape with Madam Wu and the others. Deep in the forest, their path was blocked by Yan Guigui, the Iron Cavalry Demon, a brutal warrior.
Xiao Qiushui and Tang Rou fought together, eventually defeating him. In the ensuing chaos, Song Mingzhu snatched Madam Wu's package, and Liu Suifeng, feigning pursuit, followed her. Madam Wu warned that the package contained the Nieyuan Box, holding the Hero Token, and if opened incorrectly, a corrosive liquid inside would destroy it. Xiao Qiushui, prioritizing Madam Wu's safety over the stolen package, dismissed the loss of the Hero Token, insisting that her well-being was paramount.
Unexpectedly, a second man emerged from Yan Guigui's armor, revealing he was the "legs" for his brother for years and was now free. Xiao Qiushui and Tang Fang quickly subdued this second assailant. Liu Suifeng caught up to Song Mingzhu and took possession of the Nieyuan Box.
Realizing that only Madam Wu knew the safe method to open it, Liu Suifeng, working in concert with Song Mingzhu, inflicted a wound upon himself, intending to use his "injury" to trick Madam Wu into opening the box. Soon after, Kang Chuyu seized Madam Wu, demanding the Hero Token. Xiao Qiushui and Liu Suifeng arrived almost simultaneously, distracting Kang Chuyu. Amidst the confrontation, Kang Jiesheng, Kang Chuyu's son, ambushed Xiao Qiushui from behind.
Without hesitation, Tang Rou threw herself in front of Xiao Qiushui, taking the fatal sword blow. Just then, General Wu's reinforcements arrived. General Wu, upon seeing Tang Rou's grave injury, ordered his archers to eliminate Kang Chuyu and Kang Jiesheng. Kang Jiesheng was killed by a volley of arrows, while Kang Chuyu managed to escape in the confusion.
Back at the military camp, a medic sorrowfully informed everyone that Tang Rou's heart meridians were severed, and there was no hope of recovery. A distraught Tang Fang wept by her sister's side. Tang Rou, with her last breaths, expressed happiness at having saved a friend, though she knew she had angered her sister again. She spoke of her desire to build a reputation for chivalry to help her father and her struggling Tang Sect branch.
She then asked to speak with Xiao Qiushui alone. She reminded him of their first meeting, recalling his words about navigating the unpredictable martial world with "swords as oars" and "chivalry as a boat." She expressed gratitude for understanding these principles. Xiao Qiushui tearfully apologized for failing to protect her, but Tang Rou assured him that he had protected the "moral compass in their hearts."
Her final wish was for Xiao Qiushui to be patient with her strong-willed sister, Tang Fang, and to take care of her. Tang Fang, though heartbroken, insisted she could care for herself. Xiao Qiushui solemnly promised to fulfill Tang Rou's request. As Tang Rou passed away, she mused on the "Shenzhou Alliance being truly wonderful," hoping that in twenty years, when she was reborn, the land would be filled with chivalry.
Overcome with grief, Zuoqiu and Deng Yuhan vowed that every honor earned by the Shenzhou Alliance from that day forward would include Tang Rou's contribution, ensuring they would always remain together in spirit.
