Sword and Beloved Episode 2 Recap
> Sword and Beloved Recap
Wangquan Hongye visited Huaizhu's tombstone, lamenting that Wangquan Fugui had lost all joy in life to become a Soldier. He swore he could not show weakness, as it would betray Huaizhu's sacrifices for him and the Yiqi Alliance, firmly believing that a Soldier exists solely to slay demons. Meanwhile, a small spider demon, No.12580, witnessed Wangquan Fugui's earlier confrontation with his father.
She approached him, offering horseweed for his wounds and criticizing Wangquan Hongye for being too harsh, especially on Wangquan Fugui's birthday. Wangquan Fugui, however, coldly rejected the medicine and walked away. No.12580 then offered an internal injury medicine, but he ignored her again. Wangquan Fugui was left bewildered by his father's words, questioning what secrets he was truly keeping.
He remembered his father's earlier warning that Wangquan Hongye, under the Jinlan Mask, had been defeated by emotion, losing his closest friends and loved ones, and vowed not to let Wangquan Fugui follow the same path. That night, Wangquan Hongye was disturbed by a recurring dream of the Black Grief Tree, which he distinctly recalled cutting down with his own hands.
The dream tree, cloaked in ominous energy, taunted him with a sharp female voice, claiming he had never truly killed her, and that in this world, love fades while hatred grows. She challenged his belief that raising a Soldier could control the Demon Realm, eagerly anticipating a confrontation with Wangquan Fugui, the "sharpened blade" he had forged. Wangquan Hongye woke with a start, wondering why his dreams were consistently connected to the "outer circle" and if it had truly returned.
His attendant, Fei Grandpa, reported a recent surge in hostility and cross-border attacks from the Demon Realm, possibly linked to the Black Fox, underscoring the urgency for Wangquan Fugui to master the Heaven-and-Earth Strike. Fei Grandpa also informed Wangquan Hongye about the upcoming Blue Sky Convention, a grand talent selection event for the Yiqi Alliance, meticulously prepared by Master Li of Peach Garden's Li family.
He then revealed that Quan Jingting, whom Wangquan Hongye stripped of his Wangquan surname and exiled to the Western Regions 15 years prior for practicing dark arts with demon cores, was returning with his son, Quan Rumu, who had once been Wangquan Hongye's favorite nephew. Quan Jingting and Quan Rumu made a dramatic entrance into the city, creating a stir with their heavy cargo. Quan Jingting tracked down Wangquan Shouyi at his tobacco house, a front for his illegal activities.
Quan Jingting exposed Wangquan Shouyi's trade in forbidden medicine, extracted from demon cores, which he sold in the Western Regions to avoid detection by Wangquan Manor. He threatened to expose Shouyi to Wangquan Hongye. To further pressure Wangquan Shouyi, Quan Jingting showcased Quan Rumu's swordsmanship, a powerful display that nearly achieved the legendary Heaven-and-Earth Strike.
Quan Jingting revealed his 15-year grudge, stemming from a "minor mistake" that led Wangquan Hongye to strip him of his rightful Wangquan surname and exile him. He challenged Wangquan Shouyi's cowardice for merely cursing Wangquan Hongye in the shadows. Quan Jingting proposed a plan: at the Blue Sky Convention, Quan Rumu would defeat the Soldier, Wangquan Fugui, and seize the Wangquan Sword.
Given the Yiqi Alliance's many fence-sitters, Quan Jingting believed that if Rumu succeeded, Wangquan Shouyi could rally support for their revolt, making the Alliance their own. Though Wangquan Shouyi dismissed it as a simple plan, Quan Jingting asserted his direct approach, reminding Shouyi of the severe consequences if his illicit drug trade was exposed. He argued that "heroes are made by their times," and together, they could turn the Yiqi Alliance into Shouyi's "cash cow."
To ensure the plan's success, Quan Jingting demanded a high-grade pill to enhance Quan Rumu's power, with Quan Rumu himself scornfully rejecting Shouyi's initial offering of inferior elixirs. Later, No.12580 approached Wangquan Fugui, offering him a small wild chrysanthemum as a belated birthday gift. She explained her lack of fear, believing he would not harm the weak and innocent, and that he would have killed her already if he intended to.
Wangquan Fugui, in turn, revealed his full knowledge of her identity as a spy from the Silk Cave, dispatched by Madam Yin, who harbored deep resentment towards him and frequently sent spider spies. He detailed her methods of weaving brocade and using silk vibrations for communication, and her cunning use of Feng Tingyun to gain access to his residence. He ordered her to leave.
Desperate, No.12580 pleaded to stay, highlighting the countless expendable spiders in the Silk Cave and her imminent death if she returned without information. Noticing his preoccupation with maps, she offered to weave any desired scenery into a brocade, having traveled extensively. She then collapsed, revealing injuries inflicted by a male spider. Wangquan Fugui, seeing her distress, carefully set her broken bone and prepared a soothing medicine bath.
He pondered why she had previously saved a wounded human swordsman in East City, given that demons typically despise humans. No.12580 confirmed that he had allowed her to stay because of her offer to weave desired scenery. Wangquan Fugui then showed her a map, pointing to a place called "Bamboo Pavilion by River Huai," and asked if she had ever visited it. She hadn't, but described similar serene bamboo forests by water with elegant pavilions.
She complained about the bitter medicine, asking for candy. He initially declined, but later placed a piece of candy near her. He even folded a paper boat for her to rest in. Throughout their time, No.12580 chattered incessantly, questioning his sparse room despite Wangquan Manor's wealth, and remarking on the significance of the "Bamboo Pavilion by River Huai" to him. She bid him goodnight, promising to see him the next day. The following days continued in a similar fashion.
No.12580 offered him tea and speculated about his dislike for the title "Soldier." She explained that her arm injury slowed her weaving, and again asked for candy, suggesting it would speed up her work. Wangquan Fugui silently provided another candy. She asked if Feng Tingyun had inquired about her, to which he replied that he had informed Feng Tingyun that a spider had been chased away.
No.12580 remarked on Feng Tingyun's innocence and confidence, playfully suggesting they were a good match, but quickly silenced herself when Wangquan Fugui showed annoyance. She continued describing the scenery for the brocade painting. As the "Bamboo Pavilion by River Huai" brocade neared completion, No.12580 prepared for her departure. She observed him deliberately performing sword moves slowly, realizing he was doing so to give her information to report back to the Silk Cave.
She thanked him for the opportunity to live and for the "sweet candy." She questioned how he viewed demons, since he didn't see them as terrifying monsters like those in the Silk Cave. He simply replied, "Demons." She elaborated that small demons like her were like wild chrysanthemums, easily crushed, yet they, too, yearned for life. She recalled saving the human swordsman in East City because she recognized his desire to live.
She expressed gratitude for his kindness and wished him happiness, sensing his profound loneliness and gentle nature, promising to cherish the memories of her time with him. Upon the completion of the exquisite "Bamboo Pavilion by River Huai" brocade, No.12580 hailed it as the most beautiful she had ever seen. She wished Wangquan Fugui would one day see the real pavilion and escape his solitude.
She hoped to weave more beautiful scenery for him and vowed to live on, offering to become his "eyes" in the world. With a heartfelt goodbye, she left. Wangquan Fugui, gazing at the brocade, reflected on the profound impact it had on him. He acknowledged that he could no longer indiscriminately kill demons, pondering if all demons truly deserved death. Back at the Silk Cave, Madam Yin reviewed No.12580's intelligence, including Wangquan Fugui's sword techniques, daily routine, and habits.
She openly admitted the intelligence was useless, as her true intention in sending No.12580 into Wangquan Manor was not to gather information, but to cultivate her as Wangquan Fugui's weakness. She planned to orchestrate a reunion between the Soldier and his "little spider" at an opportune moment.
Soon after, Fei Grandpa delivered a new mission to Wangquan Fugui: the Xin family had requested assistance from the Yiqi Alliance against the aggressive Raccoon Dog Demon King, Fu Li, who had driven them into a land of miasma. Wangquan Fugui noted the unusual aggression of the typically peaceful raccoon dog clan.
Fei Grandpa explained that Fu Li had usurped the old king, acquiring a powerful winged spirit pearl capable of absorbing human spiritual power and aiding in demon transformation, which she used to oppress human clans. Fei Grandpa encouraged Wangquan Fugui to excel at the upcoming Blue Sky Convention to earn his father's permission to venture beyond the manor. Wangquan Fugui, with a new resolve, declared he would no longer dwell on "useless things" like maps.
Meanwhile, No.12580's frail younger brother was rewarded for her successful mission. He shared news of their next mission: stealing the winged spirit pearl from the raccoon dog clan. When her brother, No.12581, was called to undertake the dangerous task, No.12580, remembering his previous injury at the hands of the Yiqi Alliance, immediately volunteered to go in his stead. She covertly infiltrated the raccoon dog territory to steal the winged spirit pearl but was quickly discovered by Fu Li.
The Raccoon Dog Demon King mocked her as a "mere spider demon" for daring to steal their treasure. Just as No.12580 believed her life was forfeit, Wangquan Fugui appeared, challenging Fu Li. No.12580 was stunned to see him. A fierce battle ensued, with Fu Li employing her shapeshifting abilities against Wangquan Fugui. He ultimately defeated her, seized the winged spirit pearl, and destroyed her. As he prepared to leave, Wangquan Fugui sensed No.12580's presence.
He found her severely wounded, on the brink of death. Recalling her poignant words about small demons also yearning to live and her gratitude for his kindness, Wangquan Fugui realized her injuries were irreversible through conventional means. He decided the only way to save her was to use the newly acquired winged spirit pearl to refine and transfer his own spiritual power into her. He mused that perhaps this extraordinary turn of events was simply "heaven's will."
