The Journey of Legend Episode 9 Recap
> The Journey of Legend Recap
Tang Rou, gravely wounded, told Xiao Qiushui to look after his sister, Tang Fang, and expressed his wish to be brothers again in the next life. Xiao Qiushui tearfully agreed, but afterwards felt immense guilt, wondering why he couldn't prevent Tang Rou's death despite having saved him once before. The others placed Tang Rou's body in a coffin.
Madam Wu offered Tang Fang a carriage to transport Tang Rou's body back to the Tang Sect for burial, noting the urgency due to the heat. Tang Fang, however, stated she had urgent family matters to attend to and would be delayed a few days. She requested Madam Wu to send someone to escort Tang Rou's body instead, and Madam Wu, understanding, assigned Jiang Yue to the task.
Xiao Qiushui and his Shenzhou sworn brothers knelt before Tang Rou's coffin, vowing to be brothers in the next life. Liu Suifeng, who was disguised as Feng Lang, also regained consciousness. The doctor reported that while his sword wound was not critical, a palm strike from Kang Chuyu had burnt his lung meridians, aggravating an old injury from childhood that no conventional doctor could treat.
Liu Suifeng revealed that he had once been cured by a reclusive master named Dayin, who was known to wander the world. Feeling responsible for Liu Suifeng's injuries, Madam Wu, reluctant to see another life lost, offered the Hero Token to Master Zhang, instructing him to accompany Liu Suifeng on a search for Master Dayin, believing righteous martial artists would assist. Liu Suifeng initially declined, arguing it was his duty to guard the token, not use it for himself.
Madam Wu countered that the Hero Token, originally forged by the leaders of Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei to save the nation and punish evil, had instead caused decades of bloodshed. She declared that using it to save a life now would fulfill its true purpose. Tang Fang then volunteered to join the search, explaining that as a woman, she could provide more attentive care to the injured Liu Suifeng and assist Master Zhang.
Madam Wu, perceiving Tang Fang's hidden motives, agreed but cautioned her to remain true to her kind and innocent nature. Tang Fang recalled her father, Tang Shunyao, who had been gravely injured by Yan Kuangtu during the battle at Mount Wuxing. He believed the Book of Oblivion held the only cure and suggested that Yu Zhiliao of the Clueless Gate might know its location.
Tang Shunyao emphasized that his injury must remain a secret, as revealing the Tang family leader's weakness would lead to the destruction of their family branch. He entrusted Tang Fang with the vital task of finding the Book of Oblivion to secure their survival. Meanwhile, Xiao Qiushui, still consumed by guilt over Tang Rou's death, stayed by Liu Suifeng's bedside to find some comfort.
Deng Yuhan informed Xiao Qiushui that Chaoran, overwhelmed by grief, intended to seek immediate revenge against the Power Gang. Xiao Qiushui intervened, stopping Chaoran from acting rashly. He explained that a direct, impulsive attack would only lead to more casualties among their own and would not truly harm the formidable Power Gang. Instead, he urged them to find their true enemy and formulate a long-term plan for revenge. Xiao Qiushui then instructed Chaoran and Deng Yuhan to seek reinforcements.
Chaoran would return to his family to ask for help from the Hailin Sect, while Deng Yuhan would go to the Qu family at the Sword Retreat. Xiao Qiushui warned them to be extremely cautious on their journey, especially of Kang Chuyu, whose formidable ice-cold internal energy made him a dangerous opponent, and who would undoubtedly seek vengeance for Kang Jiesheng.
After they departed, Xiao Qiushui’s thoughts returned to Liu Suifeng's injury, finding it strange that Kang Chuyu’s attack, while severe, did not seem to have overly damaged his internal energy, making his completely bedridden state suspicious. As Master Zhang, Liu Suifeng (still disguised as Feng Lang), and Tang Fang journeyed to find Master Dayin, Master Zhang, concerned about potential damage from recent conflicts, decided to inspect the Hero Token.
He explained that the token was housed in a special box with two layers: an inner compartment for the token and an outer one filled with corrosive liquid that could destroy the token if opened improperly. He then used a password to open the box. At that moment, Liu Suifeng, showing no signs of weakness, snatched the Hero Token.
Master Zhang immediately drew his sword, but Liu Suifeng, who had orchestrated a setup with "Dream-Bound Jialuo Incense" burning in the room, quickly incapacitated both Master Zhang and Tang Fang. Xiao Qiushui, arriving just then, witnessed Liu Suifeng's sudden vitality, confirming his suspicions. He confronted Liu Suifeng, pointing out the critical flaw in his story: Kang Chuyu practiced ice-cold internal energy, yet Liu Suifeng’s lungs were supposedly "burnt," proving he had been faking his injury all along.
Liu Suifeng, no longer bothering with his disguise, admitted he was a mole for the Power Gang, sent to retrieve the Hero Token. Xiao Qiushui denounced his betrayal, recalling Liu Suifeng's earlier cynical statements about the world uniting through profit, to which Liu Suifeng mockingly responded, asking how Xiao Qiushui liked the "luck" he had brought. He declared that Xiao Qiushui and his family were pathetic and laughable.
Liu Suifeng attempted to leave with the unconscious Tang Fang, but Xiao Qiushui fiercely blocked him. A struggle ensued, and as Xiao Qiushui began to tire, Song Mingzhu arrived, warning Liu Suifeng that General Wu's troops were rapidly approaching. Liu Suifeng released Tang Fang to escape with the Hero Token, engaging Xiao Qiushui in a lethal duel to deter pursuit. After Liu Suifeng and Song Mingzhu fled, Xiao Qiushui, though severely injured, was rescued by General Wu's arriving soldiers.
A military doctor confirmed his injuries were not fatal, and Tang Fang, who was also rescued, felt a growing affection for Xiao Qiushui upon learning that he had worried for her even while unconscious. In a safe location, Song Mingzhu offered to kill Xiao Qiushui and Tang Fang to appease Liu Suifeng, but he sternly forbade her from harming Tang Fang.
Liu Suifeng then declared that with the Hero Token secured, the siege on the Xiao family would intensify, and he vowed to drag Xiao Xilou's corpse to Herbal Valley as a tribute once the Xiao family ran out of water. Song Mingzhu suggested he take some Pine Stone Pills to recover from the strain of using the Turtle Snake Thunder Sting Technique to fake his injuries, but Liu Suifeng sharply told her to mind her own business.
General Wu's former troops converged at Madam Wu's location. They reported that General Wu had been unjustly imprisoned a month prior, accused by the imperial court of failing to defend the pass. His loyal subordinates had deserted their military posts and retreated to the mountains, refusing to be disbanded and reassigned as laborers.
They pleaded with Madam Wu, urging her to use her noble title to petition the emperor and vindicate her son, arguing that only she could save him and, by extension, preserve their elite force. An aide further emphasized that refusing would lead to the massacre of these thousand iron cavalry, which would be a great loss for Daxi. Madam Wu, accepting the gravity of the situation, declared she would risk her old age and journey to the capital.
At the Power Gang's headquarters, Liu Suifeng secretly struck the Assembly Drum, summoning the various leaders. He accused Sword King's men of obstructing his pursuit of the Hero Token in Lingliang Town and questioned the mysterious appearance of Iron Cavalry Demon Yan Guigui, implying Sword King had acted without the gang leader's authorization. Ju Xiushan stepped forward and confessed to giving the orders on behalf of Sword King.
Liu Suifeng then cited Gang Rule Fourteen, which required approval from the gang leader or deputy for all commands. Ju Xiushan retorted that Liu Suifeng himself had violated gang rules by bringing a low-rank messenger into the Xixian Hall, which was reserved for high-ranking members. Liu Suifeng, unfazed, declared that the rule only applied to the living, not the dead, and brutally ordered Song Mingzhu to kill the messenger as a chilling warning.
Despite attempts by others to mediate, Liu Suifeng asserted his authority as deputy leader in the absence of Sword King and Fire King. Ju Xiushan, undeterred, reminded Liu Suifeng that even if he were found guilty of disrespect, his punishment would only be a brief confinement in the Contemplation Cell.
He then escalated his accusations, detailing how Liu Suifeng's subordinate, Iron Demon Fu Tianyi, had embezzled funds and colluded with enemies, and how Purple Phoenix had attempted to poison and assassinate him. Ju Xiushan further stated that all Kings had taken the "Better-Dead Pills," which would gravely injure any who killed another King, making them vulnerable to execution. Liu Suifeng confidently declared that one could still strike without murderous intent, hinting at a loophole.
Amidst the escalating tension, Li Chenzhou, the Power Gang leader, and his wife, Zhao Shirong, emerged from their seclusion, entering the main hall. Zhao Shirong immediately questioned the uproar, reminding everyone that the leader was in meditation. Ju Xiushan quickly seized the opportunity to denounce Liu Suifeng, accusing him of tyranny and false allegations. Zhao Shirong stated that mere words were insufficient as proof.
Ju Xiushan then produced a confidential letter, allegedly written by Iron Demon Fu Tianyi, accusing Liu Suifeng of secretly colluding with Heavenly King Zhu of the Twelve Waterways. Ju Xiushan further claimed that Liu Suifeng had orchestrated Fu Tianyi's death to eliminate a rival and consolidate his power. Liu Suifeng vehemently denied these accusations. Li Chenzhou, after examining the letter, deemed it a "self-serving fabrication" and insufficient as evidence.
He then questioned Liu Suifeng about the extensive siege on the Xiao family's Sword Retreat, which had caused numerous casualties. Liu Suifeng explained that his actions were motivated by the pursuit of the Hero Token, which he then presented to Li Chenzhou. As Li Chenzhou took the token, he was reminded of a past event: Yan Kuangtu, the legendary martial artist, being pursued by sixteen sects, defiantly holding the very same Hero Token.
In a flashback, Yan Kuangtu had challenged his pursuers, offering both the Hero Token and the Book of Oblivion to anyone who could defeat him, vowing that all would obey his commands if they failed.
