Twelve Legends Episode 17 Recap
> Twelve Legends Recap
As Ye Ming saved Yu Shao Bai from Jin Xingjian's grasp, a tense confrontation ensued between the two men. Yu Shao Bai claimed that after ten years trapped in a painting, he was now neither human nor demon, and therefore no longer worthy of Ye Ming. Jin Xingjian retorted that Yu Shao Bai had always been unworthy, accusing him of deception and manipulation. Yu Shao Bai fired back, calling Jin Xingjian more ruthless in his deceptions.
Ye Ming, intervening, demanded Jin Xingjian stop, asking if he was admitting his wrongdoing. Jin Xingjian replied that he didn't believe he had done anything wrong and expressed frustration that Ye Ming believed Yu Shao Bai over him. Ye Ming then explicitly asked if "all of this" was his doing, to which he finally responded "Yes."
Declaring she understood everything, Ye Ming asserted she would not allow Jin Xingjian to trouble Yu Shao Bai further, stating he had done enough wrong and should stop. Jin Xingjian, however, pleaded with Ye Ming for more time. Later, Yu Shao Bai expressed his desire to leave, claiming he was too selfish and cowardly, no match for Jin Xingjian, and unable to protect Ye Ming.
He spoke of centuries of their intertwined love and hate, and the pain of separation, believing his departure was the best outcome since he could no longer offer her the mortal life she desired. Ye Ming, however, confronted his cowardice, regretting having released him from the painting. She declared that she had lost her memories, and would experience love and pain on her own terms, refusing to live a life planned by either Jin Xingjian or Yu Shao Bai.
She asserted that whether he stayed or left, the outcome would be the same, and if Jin Xingjian persisted in tormenting them, she would fight to the bitter end. She left the choice to him. Yu Shao Bai then decided to stay, vowing never to let her down. Meanwhile, Jin Xingjian sat alone, reflecting on the past. He recalled Yu Shao Bai's words from ten years ago, realizing Yu Shao Bai had linked his primordial spirit to Ye Ming's.
This spiritual connection was why Jin Xingjian had refrained from killing Yu Shao Bai. He also realized this was why he hadn't revealed the truth to Ye Ming: he feared she might sacrifice herself, leading to both their deaths alongside Yu Shao Bai. Xiao Pi, on Jin Xingjian's behalf, presented a magnificent seal to Commander Duan. The Commander was highly impressed by its craftsmanship.
Taking the opportunity, Xiao Pi appealed to him, asking for help to rescue Jin Xingjian's friend, Lian Xuan, who had been arrested by Bai Jin Gang on false charges of robbery and was facing execution. Commander Duan, accepting the gift, instructed Adjutant Li to intervene and promised to personally thank Jin Xingjian later.
In the prison, Xiao Qing, facing imminent execution, confided in Lian Xuan, noting the irony of a demon hunter like him dying alongside a demon like her, but found it "worth it." She tearfully asked if he would love her in a next life if they were both free of their current forms. After a moment of silence, Lian Xuan affirmed he would.
She lamented the tragic divide between humans and demons, even for those who had done no wrong, believing it was her fate as a demon. Lian Xuan reiterated his promise of love in another life just as Adjutant Li arrived. Adjutant Li demanded Lian Xuan's immediate release, citing Commander Duan's orders. Bai Jin Gang, furious, challenged Li's authority and accused him of openly harboring a wanted criminal, warning of serious consequences.
Adjutant Li countered by accusing Bai Jin Gang of defying a military order. Although Bai Jin Gang was hesitant to directly oppose the Commander, his subordinate suggested they wait until Commander Duan left the city for a drill to seek revenge. Grudgingly, Bai Jin Gang ordered Lian Xuan's release. Lian Xuan then carried the unconscious Xiao Qing away. Back at Hua Xue Gallery, Jin Xingjian healed Xiao Qing until she regained consciousness.
Lian Xuan, relieved, sent Xiao Qing to rest and then confronted Jin Xingjian, noticing his weakened state. Jin Xingjian offered him wound medicine. Lian Xuan worried about Jin Xingjian's plan, especially since the seal was lost and his power diminished. Jin Xingjian explained his complex strategy: he intended to allow Yu Shao Bai to recover and grow stronger.
This was necessary because only a powerful Yu Shao Bai could enable Jin Xingjian to retrieve both his seal and the half of the Bright Night Pearl embedded within Yu Shao Bai, all before the coming Thunder Tribulation, thereby saving Ye Ming's life. Lian Xuan, however, remained skeptical, convinced Jin Xingjian was simply trying to save face after losing the seal. Jin Xingjian admitted he lacked full confidence and was acting strategically.
Soon after, Xiao Pi rushed in, informing Jin Xingjian that Commander Duan had indeed left the city for a military drill, fearing Bai Jin Gang would seize the opportunity to cause trouble. Indeed, Bai Jin Gang and his men swiftly surrounded Hua Xue Gallery. Jin Xingjian instructed Lian Xuan to take Xiao Qing and hide in Ye Qingchun's nearby clothing store, Christian Couture, as Bai Jin Gang was specifically after him.
As Bai Jin Gang entered, he accused Jin Xingjian of harboring criminals, now that the Commander was absent, and ordered his men to search the premises. Chen Lei led a search of Ye Qingchun's store. Ye Qingchun, trying to protect his shop, reminded Chen Lei that his valuable clothes should not be damaged and implied his family's influence. He sarcastically stated he had a "Caucasian cat" at home, implying no "rats" (fugitives) could be there.
Chen Lei, ignoring the warning, insisted on the search. Meanwhile, Ye Li Na arrived at her brother's store and quickly ushered Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing away, realizing it was too dangerous there and they needed a safer hiding place. Jin Xingjian, resisting arrest at Hua Xue Gallery, was shot and finally apprehended by Bai Jin Gang's officers. Chen Lei, upon learning of Jin Xingjian's arrest, concluded his fruitless search of Ye Qingchun's shop and left.
Ye Li Na managed to drive Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing out of the city, skillfully bypassing a checkpoint in the British Concession by subtly using her family's name and influence. She took them to a small, secluded hostel in the French Concession, a place Bai Jin Gang would not dare to enter. Lian Xuan expressed his concern for Jin Xingjian.
Xiao Qing, curious about their bond, asked Lian Xuan about his relationship with Jin Xingjian, marveling that he would risk his life for him. Lian Xuan explained they were family friends, a connection rooted in his martial uncle's long-standing admiration for Jin Xingjian. Soon after, Ye Li Na received a phone call confirming Jin Xingjian's arrest.
Lian Xuan, desperate, wanted to go to his aid, but Xiao Qing stopped him, warning that it would be walking into a trap given his injured state. Ye Li Na then vowed to find a way to help Jin Xingjian. That evening, Yu Shao Bai tried to rekindle intimacy with Ye Ming under the night sky, speaking of their long history and lamenting the changes in the world.
He attempted to kiss her, but Ye Ming gently pulled back, explaining she wasn't ready due to her memory loss. Yu Shao Bai apologized for being too forward, acknowledging her fragmented past. The next day, Yu Shao Bai struggled visibly with his deteriorating condition. Ye Ming, witnessing his pain, offered to share half of her Bright Night Pearl to alleviate his suffering, sending spiritual energy.
However, during the process, Yu Shao Bai made a sudden grab for her Bright Night Pearl. Ye Ming narrowly dodged him, pulling back, and confronted him about the attempt. Yu Shao Bai quickly claimed it was an uncontrollable surge of demonic energy within him that caused him to lose consciousness, apologizing for trying to harm her.
He then suggested she leave him, asserting he was no longer the Yu Shao Bai she had loved for thousands of years and didn't want to hurt her again. Ye Ming, though not entirely convinced by his explanation and unable to find immediate evidence, recalled Jin Xingjian's past warnings. She outwardly accepted Yu Shao Bai's apology for the moment, telling him not to blame himself, but inwardly, she no longer blindly trusted him and began to form her own conclusions.
Meanwhile, Ye Li Na tried to bribe an inspector to secure Jin Xingjian's release, but the inspector made inappropriate advances, which she rebuffed forcefully. Later, Uncle Gong appeared, informing Ye Li Na that he couldn't help; Bai Jin Gang, backed by the British and the Qing Gang, had issued strict orders for Jin Xingjian's death, and no one dared oppose him, especially during wartime.
He suggested that only Ye Li Na's influential father might be able to intercede with the British authorities. Separately, Ye Qingchun sought help from Mrs Liang, but she explained her husband, who was merely Commander Duan's treasurer, was powerless to intervene now that the Commander was away. Both siblings were left disheartened. Lian Xuan and Xiao Qing discussed Jin Xingjian's injured state and imprisonment.
Xiao Qing was shocked that the powerful Jin Xingjian could be harmed, but Lian Xuan explained his reduced abilities without the seal. Lian Xuan again felt compelled to rescue him, but Xiao Qing urged him not to, pointing out his own injuries would only lead to his capture. Xiao Qing expressed frustration at Jin Xingjian's "foolishness" for getting into such a state for an "old demon."
Ye Li Na broke down to her brother, Ye Qingchun, distressed that all her efforts to save Jin Xingjian had failed. She recounted how her father, who used to help her, had refused this time. Ye Qingchun comforted his weeping sister, explaining their father's unyielding nature and how he viewed relationships as mere bargaining chips.
He promised his sister that he, too, would find a way to save Jin Xingjian, whom he considered his most cherished friend, affirming that in life, finding someone and a cause worthy of devotion was enough. At the same time, soldiers engaged in a fierce battle stumbled upon an ancient tomb. During their excavation, they unearthed a heavy, mysterious seal.
Ye Ming, alone with her thoughts, found herself caught between Jin Xingjian's warnings about Yu Shao Bai's twisted nature and Yu Shao Bai's claims about Jin Xingjian's manipulations and erasing her memories. She recalled Jin Xingjian's past words about her trusting Yu Shao Bai over him, and Yu Shao Bai's insistence that he was no longer the man she once loved and couldn't protect her. Struggling with fragmented memories and conflicting narratives, Ye Ming wondered what the true story was and whom she could actually trust.
