Sword and Beloved Episode 13 Recap
> Sword and Beloved Recap
Wangquan Hongye watched his son, Fugui, leave, his heart heavy with complex emotions. Although their paths diverged, he felt he had fulfilled his promise to his late wife, Dongfang Huaizhu, by letting Fugui go when he desired. Addressing the gathered crowd, Wangquan Hongye declared that the Soldier had endured the ordeal of a thousand swords piercing his heart and had abandoned the Wangquan Sword.
He asserted that the prophecy foretelling an individual associated with a spiritual stone would not apply to Fugui. Meanwhile, Fugui carried Qing Tong to a dilapidated temple. He soon collapsed, having absorbed a potent, overbearing energy from Quan Jingting's Dragon Spine Sword. This demonic power clashed violently with his own spiritual energy, leaving him unconscious. Qing Tong slowly regained consciousness, finding Fugui unresponsive.
Despite her own severe injuries, she painfully crawled over to tend to him, but discovered her spiritual energy was unable to transfer to him. Back at the Yiqi Alliance, Quan Jingting continued to stir up discord, reminding everyone of Fugui's words about the world belonging to all living beings, not just humans or demons. He insinuated that Fugui had become demonized, leaving the alliance members to ponder their future stance.
Fei, angered, condemned Quan Jingting for harming Fugui and causing his departure, which resulted in a significant loss for the Yiqi Alliance. He vowed to remember this transgression. Wangquan Hongye glared at Quan Jingting, who then provoked him further, stating this was the second time Wangquan Hongye had protected Fugui. An elder defended Quan Jingting, arguing his actions were for the alliance.
Suppressing his fury, Wangquan Hongye ordered Quan Jingting to be sent back to the Sword Tomb and forbidden from leaving. Quan Jingting, however, chose to walk back himself, advising the others to reflect on his words. Fei scoffed at Quan Jingting's hypocrisy. News of the Soldier's plight reached the Black Fox Madam. She learned that Fugui had been wounded by Quan Jingting's Dragon Spine Sword but had unexpectedly gained the Purest Sun Flame, awakening his Dongfang bloodline.
She also heard that Quan Jingting had successfully driven a wedge between Fugui and the Yiqi Alliance. Seeing this as a golden opportunity, the Black Fox Madam fantasized about recruiting Fugui to her side. She immediately dispatched Gukui, one of her clones, to find him. Amidst a heavy downpour, Wangquan Hongye went to the Cold Pool, where Fugui had left his sword.
Overwhelmed by longing for his son, he confided in Fei, questioning how Quan Jingting, confined to the dark Sword Tomb, could have known about Qing Tong's hiding place. Fei agreed that someone must be secretly assisting him and promised to investigate. He also assured Wangquan Hongye that he would keep an eye on Fugui's whereabouts and safety. Wangquan Hongye wished for Fugui's well-being.
As winter deepened, the Yiqi Alliance's Soldier had defected from Wangquan Manor, and both the human and demon realms were searching for him. Tai Sui, another clone of the Black Fox Madam, sought out Quan Jingting and recounted a story. She began by questioning his lack of guilt for his actions, then proposed a plan from her Madam to destroy Wangquan Hongye.
Tai Sui revealed that the Black Fox Madam was born from the Black Grief Tree in Tushan, a being of darkness who nurtured the tree with hatred. She explained how Wangquan Hongye, leading the Mask Group, broke through the outer circle and, with the aid of Dongfang Huaizhu who burned her life force, used the Heaven-and-Earth Strike to sever the Black Grief Tree.
This act destroyed the Madam's physical form, leaving only a wisp of hatred, and caused Wangquan Hongye to lose his Heart of Sword due to guilt. After years of dormancy, the Black Fox Madam slowly absorbed the world's hatred through the remnants of the Grief Tree and resurrected, which in turn revived her clones that remained outside the circle. Tai Sui told Quan Jingting that this was his chance for revenge.
Quan Jingting expressed skepticism about harming Wangquan Hongye, given his strength. Tai Sui countered by highlighting the Madam's past success with mind-control and hinted at a scar on Wangquan Hongye as his weakness, instructing Quan Jingting to exploit it. Meanwhile, Qing Tong had taken Fugui to a secluded mountain for recovery. She diligently wove and embroidered, trading her work for medicine and necessities.
On New Year's Eve, she went down the mountain with newly embroidered handkerchiefs to procure more medicine and festive supplies, leaving Fugui to rest. Before leaving, she checked her cobweb barrier, noting it was intact, which meant the village was safe for now. At the village, Mrs. Qian, the pharmacist, complimented Qing Tong's embroidery and mistakenly assumed Fugui was her husband, commenting on how hard Qing Tong worked to care for him and wishing them reunion by making yuanzi.
Qing Tong clarified that Fugui was her savior. Back in their mountain dwelling, Fugui slowly woke. He discovered the Purest Sun Flame still within him, realizing it had protected his meridians and purged the evil energy during his coma. He felt his mother, Dongfang Huaizhu, had been watching over him. Qing Tong returned, overjoyed to find him awake. They celebrated by making "yuanzi" (glutinous rice balls), which Qing Tong explained were a New Year's tradition symbolizing reunion.
She assured him the stuffing had no meat, but Fugui, now more open-minded, suggested he wouldn't always have to be vegetarian. They enjoyed the yuanzi, and Fugui, learning of the coin tradition for good luck, secretly placed the coin into Qing Tong's bowl when she stepped away, wishing her good fortune. She playfully accused him of the switch, and they shared a tender moment.
Unbeknownst to Fugui, Qing Tong noticed the cobweb barrier being triggered, signaling the arrival of Silk Cave spies, but decided not to burden him with the news. That evening, they descended to the lively Huadeng Village to enjoy the lantern festivities. They met Ma Xiaolian, the village head's daughter, who accidentally bumped into Qing Tong but quickly apologized. Xiaolian, realizing they were visitors, invited them to her home.
There, they were offered "Rice Tea" and joined the villagers in making lanterns. The villagers continued to mistake Fugui and Qing Tong for a married couple, praising Qing Tong's devotion to her "husband." Qing Tong again gently corrected them, saying Fugui was her savior. The village elder explained the New Year's Eve ritual dedicated to the River God, involving lighting lamps and staying up all night, praying for good weather and peace. They were welcomed to participate.
Ma Xiaolian began the "Rolling Lamp" dance, a tradition symbolizing an everlasting light that must not touch the ground. However, she sprained her ankle, and Qing Tong, having observed her, bravely stepped in to continue the dance, to the delight of the villagers. Meanwhile, an elder taught Fugui how to make a "fish lantern" to convey his wishes to the River God.
As they made their lanterns, Fugui wished for a world free of evil and a life of carefree freedom, like the villagers. Qing Tong, in turn, wished for Fugui to be free from worldly troubles, to roam the world and pursue his heart's desires. Later, they joined the villagers in drinking homemade rice wine. Fugui, much like his mother, discovered a high tolerance for alcohol. Observing the peaceful scene, Fugui smiled more freely. As the night progressed and the lanterns illuminated the village, a mysterious voice echoed, "I finally found you, Soldier."
