Sword and Beloved Episode 18 Recap
> Sword and Beloved Recap
Compelled by the circumstances, Wangquan Hongye declared his decision to remove Fugui's sword meridian, stating that the Wangquan family must not fail the people of the world and that this action would eliminate a threat forever. He explicitly ordered the removal of "the Soldier's" sword meridian. Despite the painful nature of the procedure, Fugui calmly submitted, telling his father that he was best at enduring.
An ally questioned if he could uphold his Way as a crippled person, unable to wield a sword and restricted in movement. Following the removal, an elder announced Fugui's exile to the Western Regions, where he would be branded with a binding spell, ensuring he could never leave. Fugui reassured his father not to blame himself, stating he had anticipated everything and only wished for his father to understand his Way.
Wangquan Hongye, however, wondered if Fugui had considered himself in his calculations. Before his exile, Fugui made a final request to his father: to retrieve Steward Fei's body and give him a proper farewell, acknowledging Fei's lifelong companionship.
As Fugui stood before Fei's body, tears streamed down his face, remembering Fei's unwavering support, his mischievousness in allowing Fugui to touch the Jinlan Mask, his encouragement for Fugui to win the Blue Sky Assembly and see the world, and his fierce defense of Fugui against other alliance members. Fei's spirit had wished for Fugui to find happiness, to live an ordinary life, which would make him content. With a final "Farewell," Fugui bid goodbye to his beloved guardian.
Fugui then proceeded to his agreed meeting place with Qingtong, calling out for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Instead, a butterfly appeared, delivering a message from Qingtong stating she had an urgent matter to attend to and would come to him later. Under the escort of guards, Fugui arrived in the Western Regions. One of the guards offered him a more comfortable dwelling, but Fugui declined, saying the current one was sufficient, and dismissed the guard.
The guard reminded Fugui that the binding spell meant he could never leave the Western Regions, but promised to send word if he found any news of Qingtong. Fugui thanked him. The guard then relayed a final message from Wangquan Hongye: "From this day forth, there will never again be a Soldier in the Yiqi Alliance." At Dongfang Huaizhu's grave, Wangquan Hongye poured wine and wept, lamenting the day's events.
He revealed that Fugui had foreseen everything upon his return to Wangquan Manor, even proposing the transplant of his sword meridian to Young Master Rumu. Fugui's reasoning, as recalled by Hongye, was that this way, Wangquan Hongye could continue to lead the Yiqi Alliance, and Rumu could uphold his Way of the Sword, declaring that to gain, one must sacrifice, and he had no regrets.
Hongye further reflected on Fugui's actions, noting that his son sought to prove the Black Fox's existence to clear his father's name. To prevent the Black Fox from escaping, Fugui had to unleash the Heaven-and-Earth Strike, knowing it would lead to his condemnation. Hongye agonized over whether he had ever shown Fugui love, and felt unworthy of his son's sacrifice.
He vowed to become a selfish father, taking on the burdens of the Yiqi Alliance and the Black Fox alone, so that Fugui would be free of such entanglements. Wangquan Hongye wished for Fugui to live a happy, ordinary life in the Western Regions, to find joy in simple existence, away from conflict. Young Master Rumu awoke in the Cold Pool, where Feng Tingyun informed him of recent events, including Fugui's sword meridian removal and exile to the Western Regions.
She explained that his own old injury had been healed by the alliance's Divine Healer using potent medicine, which had caused his ten-day unconsciousness. She also presented him with the First-Snow Sword, which had been returned from the Master's side hall. Feng Tingyun conveyed that he was to remain at Wangquan Manor for recovery, offering to find him a different residence if he disliked the Cold Pool.
Rumu declined a new room but requested a different sword, stating that the First-Snow Sword belonged to his cousin, and he did not deserve to wield it. He then confronted Quan Jingting, who was miserably sweeping the courtyard. Quan Jingting feigned innocence, claiming the Black Fox's possession caused his evil deeds and that his concern for Rumu's loneliness kept him alive.
Rumu, recognizing his father's true nature, dismissed the excuses, stating he knew what kind of person Quan Jingting was and that he didn't believe the Black Fox was solely to blame. Quan Jingting goaded Rumu to kill him, asserting he was not afraid of death but feared leaving Rumu alone. Rumu, disgusted, reiterated that there was no father as cruel and immoral as Quan Jingting, whose actions were unforgivable.
Despite his anger, Rumu couldn't bring himself to kill his father, but threatened him if he continued to use the familiar address "Rumu." In his mind, Rumu heard his cousin Fugui's words of encouragement, promising to treasure the gifted talent, live on, and decide his own fate, looking forward to their reunion.
While dining in Sandstorm Town in the Western Regions, Fugui was recognized as a southerner by the waiter, who noted his simple meal choice and asked if he was settling down. Fugui affirmed his intention to settle, listening as the waiter commented on the town being the most peaceful part of the chaotic Western Regions. A sand painter began a show, narrating the history of the Western Regions.
A thousand years ago, it was an ocean with Penglai Island, home to the dragon clan led by True Dragons, and the human kingdom of Qianxia. The dragons possessed the Water-Control Orb, a relic of immense power that, when used, turned True Dragons into berserk dragons, causing widespread slaughter. To survive, other demon clans allied with humans.
The Corsac Fox Clan and the human Li Army then united, enduring massive casualties, to unleash the Myriad Blight Formation, sacrificing countless lives to finally destroy the berserk dragon and bring peace. A bystander questioned why the region was still chaotic if the Li Army was so strong. The sand painter explained that the Water-Control Orb, rumored to grant dominion over the Western Regions, had recently been found by bandits, leading to the current unrest.
Upon hearing this, Fugui decided he could not ignore the matter and resolved to investigate, heading into the desert. Qingtong awoke in an unfamiliar room, disoriented and unable to recall recent events. Her sister, Qingcheng, rushed to her side, dressed entirely in black, a significant change in appearance. Qingtong questioned her sister's presence and their location. Qingcheng spun a tale, claiming she had rescued Qingtong from a life-threatening situation with the Yiqi Alliance and brought her to Qianji City.
When Qingtong expressed her urgent need to find Fugui, Qingcheng dramatically clutched her side, feigning an injury from the supposed rescue. She then emotionally manipulated Qingtong, accusing her of only caring for Fugui and disregarding her sister's sacrifices and life. Qingcheng insisted that Fugui was likely dead, having used the Heaven-and-Earth Strike and fulfilled the prophecy of the Third Young Master of Aolai, causing the Yiqi Alliance to abandon him.
Qingtong was distraught, refusing to believe Fugui was gone, and tried to leave immediately. Qingcheng intensified her act, accusing Qingtong of abandoning her again, as she had allegedly done in the past, and offered her medicine. Reluctantly, Qingtong stayed. Qingcheng promised to send people to search for Fugui, urging patience. However, Qingtong grew suspicious, realizing Qingcheng’s meticulous care was a guise for soft imprisonment. When Qingcheng was absent, Qingtong secretly summoned a familiar demon.
Learning that Qingcheng's tight control of Qianji City yielded no information, Qingtong instructed the demon to relay a message to Madam Yin, requesting her help in locating Young Master Fugui. Meanwhile, the Black Fox Queen observed that Wangquan Fugui had finally comprehended the Heaven-and-Earth Strike, signaling that "the day of breaking the circle" was near. Her assistant congratulated her but noted the loss of two clones, asking if the Jiuwei clone should be dispatched to deal with the "Soldier."
The Black Fox Queen explained that Jiuwei, a clone formed from her own severed tail, was specifically created to possess the Soldier and should not be used lightly. She then inquired about Guifeng, learning that Guifeng had approached Qingtong, whom she referred to as "that lowly demon." Considering Qingtong's crucial role in her plan, the Black Fox Queen ordered Guifeng to incite hatred and revive her Grief Tree before Fugui could break the circle.
Separately, Young Master Rumu, having learned of the Demon Realm's instability due to Fugui's departure and Quan Jingting's recent rampage, expressed his intention to join efforts to subdue the demons. Despite his attendant's reminder of his need for recuperation as per the Master's instructions, Rumu firmly commanded him to lead the way.
