Sword and Beloved Episode 3 Recap
> Sword and Beloved Recap
The little spider lay critically injured, beyond saving unless Wangquan Fugui refined his spiritual power with the winged spirit pearl, a turn of events he mused might be destiny. The little spider soon awakened, surprised to be alive. She asked Wangquan Fugui if he had saved her, noting his pale complexion and offering to fetch a towel. He stopped her, asking if she wished to take human form.
The little spider eagerly expressed her desire, hoping to become a powerful demon who could cultivate faster and protect her younger brother, No.12581, as all their other siblings had perished. She pleaded with Wangquan Fugui to help rescue her brother. Wangquan Fugui, however, told her that she must realize her own wishes. On a cold day, Wangquan Fugui led the little spider into the courtyard and drew out the winged spirit pearl.
She floated upwards, curious about the pearl, to which Wangquan Fugui replied it was unimportant, but it would transform her into a human. With Wangquan Fugui’s spiritual power, the little spider successfully transformed into a beautiful young woman, excitedly touching her new face and twirling before stumbling, unaccustomed to two legs. Wangquan Fugui instructed her to stand firmly and try walking. She exclaimed that it must not be a dream and wanted him to pinch her.
He told her to return inside, while she reassured him that she would adapt to walking on two legs, marveling at how different the world looked from her new perspective. During the Wangquan Manor’s morning practice, Quan Jingting arrived with his retinue, challenging the current Wangquan Swordsmanship. Wangquan Fugui stepped forward and soundly defeated his challenge, leaving Quan Jingting’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Wangquan Hongye addressed Quan Jingting, reminding him of his expulsion from the Wangquan family over a decade ago and his subsequent change of surname to "Quan," emphasizing that as a guest in Wangquan Manor, he should observe proper guest etiquette. Quan Jingting, acknowledging Wangquan Hongye as the Chief of Yiqi Alliance, confirmed his presence for the upcoming Blue Sky Convention and stated that his son, Quan Rumu, would proceed directly to the Li Residence.
Wangquan Hongye then instructed his men to escort Quan Jingting and his party to the guest quarters. Wangquan Fugui returned to his room, visibly weakened and coughing up blood, noting that transferring spiritual power to the little spider had taken a considerable toll. The now human-shaped spider, Qing Tong, happily approached him, demonstrating her improved ability to walk on two legs.
Wangquan Fugui, however, was dismissive, stating he needed to regulate his breathing and heal, and remarking that her current dress was unsuitable. While Wangquan Fugui meditated, another spider demon, sent by Madam Yin, entered, urging Qing Tong to kill him by stabbing his Baihui acupoint with a needle, as he was vulnerable. Qing Tong refused, insisting her task was merely to monitor Wangquan Fugui, not assassinate him.
The other spider demon accused her of disloyalty and threatened to report her to Madam Yin, which would lead to her brother’s death. Enraged, Qing Tong quickly encased the other spider demon in a cocoon, proclaiming that she would cultivate diligently and rescue her brother with her own strength. Soon after, Feng Tingyun came to visit Wangquan Fugui and immediately sensed his significant loss of spiritual power, wondering if the Raccoon Dog Demon King or Quan Jingting had harmed him.
Wangquan Fugui assured her he was fine and asked her to return. Feng Tingyun confessed her affection for him but also stated that she would relinquish her pursuit if a more suitable person appeared. She then asked if he had seen the little spider demon who delivered her letters.
Wangquan Fugui replied no. Feng Tingyun expressed a hint of sadness, finding the spider interesting but acknowledging that humans and demons were meant for separate paths and could not be friends, a fact she understood. After Feng Tingyun departed, Qing Tong emerged from her hiding spot, asking Wangquan Fugui if she looked more beautiful in her human form compared to her spider form. He found her question noisy.
Qing Tong thanked him for saving her life and pledged to repay him. She then requested that he teach her sword skills, wishing to grow stronger to protect her loved ones. Wangquan Fugui agreed but commented on the unsuitability of her attire. He began to instruct Qing Tong in sword arts, explaining that elements like wind, frost, rain, and snow were all natural breaths, aiding in enlightenment. Qing Tong diligently practiced, impressed by his mastery.
She observed his quiet appreciation for sights like sunset glows and flying birds, realizing that he was confined and yearned for the outside world. This realization stirred anger within her, and she resolved to do something for him. Qing Tong was nearing completion of her sword instruction, with only one seven-move technique remaining. However, Wangquan Fugui informed her that he would not have time to teach her before the impending Blue Sky Convention.
He also had another mission before his departure, and Qing Tong eagerly requested to accompany him. Wangquan Fugui's mission was to eliminate the Red Silver-ringed Snake Demon King, a notorious creature that relished clear water and dark forests, responsible for devastating 130 families in Kangshui Town, and now hiding in a valley on Huyan Mountain under an Yiqi Alliance order for execution. Unbeknownst to them, Quan Rumu was stealthily following.
As Wangquan Fugui was about to deliver the killing blow to the snake demon, Quan Rumu suddenly attacked, blinding Wangquan Fugui with True Dragon Power, leaving him vulnerable to the snake demon. As the demon king prepared to strike, Qing Tong courageously intervened, standing defiantly in front of Wangquan Fugui despite her innate spider-demon fear of snakes, shaking but unyielding.
The snake demon king scornfully called her a "lowly little thing," but Wangquan Fugui, recovering his sight and strength, declared that she was no such thing and was by no means inferior, before finally slaying the Red Silver-ringed Snake Demon King. Qing Tong was thrilled and emotional about their first mission together, recounting her fear but pride in her performance, which she attributed to Wangquan Fugui's sword teachings. He offered her a piece of candy as a reward.
Wangquan Fugui then revealed that his eyes were scorched by the True Dragon Power and would take at least a month to recover. Meanwhile, Quan Jingting was pleased to learn of Wangquan Fugui’s blindness, seeing it as proof of Quan Rumu's effectiveness. He then visited Wangquan Shouyi, who provided him with the freshly concocted Dragon Tempering Pill, essential for Quan Rumu to defeat Wangquan Fugui at the Blue Sky Convention.
During the meeting, one of Quan Jingting's allies questioned the plan, expressing doubt that Quan Rumu could succeed even with such aid. Mr. Fei expressed his sorrow to Wangquan Fugui, lamenting that his father had finally agreed to let him travel by horse carriage to the Blue Sky Convention, freeing him from his palanquin to see the outside world, only for him to become blind.
Qing Tong, deeply saddened by Wangquan Fugui's condition, cried that she couldn't protect anyone she cared about. Wangquan Fugui gently told her to be his eyes. She joyfully accepted, promising to weave more beautiful scenes for him, hoping he would one day see the world, including the mythical Bamboo Pavilion by River Huai.
As they began their journey in a horse carriage, Qing Tong eagerly pointed out a flock of Datian birds flying south, noting a young bird that momentarily fell behind but quickly rejoined its family. She expressed her happiness at being his eyes. Wangquan Fugui, listening to her joyful descriptions, remarked that the world outside must be beautiful because she sounded so happy.
