Sword and Beloved Episode 35 Recap
> Sword and Beloved Recap
Wangquan Fugui coldly dismissed Qing Tong, accusing her of overstepping her bounds as a pet. With tears in her eyes, Qing Tong reminded him that he had given her her name and taught her swordsmanship, stressing that she was not meant to be anyone's mere pet. She then declared that he was no longer the Wangquan Fugui she once knew before turning to leave.
Qing Tong later sought out Jiang Bo, who reported that Fugui's power was too great for them to oppose. Jiang Bo revealed that Fugui had commanded him to shut down Zelan Hall and to capture demons from outside the city to imprison in Asura Hall, where Fugui could absorb their demon power. Jiang Bo reassured her that, for now, they were only capturing evil demons.
Qing Tong questioned the change in Fugui, noting that his four sword attendants had witnessed ferocious Dragon Qi in the sky when he killed Quan Jingting in the Western Regions, suggesting it might have affected him. She pondered if this was the reason for his transformation, especially since he had previously absorbed dragon power without ill effect. Qing Tong ordered Jiang Bo to report any further inappropriate actions by Fugui.
Privately, she feared that Fugui, like Qingcheng before him, had been possessed by Black Fox and suspected that if he continued absorbing demon cores, it would confirm Black Fox's influence, as these cores would be tainted with the Power of Hatred. Meanwhile, Black Fox observed Fugui, noting his newfound cruelty. A Black Fox subordinate expressed surprise at Jiuwei's failure, but another corrected him, stating that their Madam’s true plan was for Fugui to "fail" in saving Rumu.
This would force Fugui to personally destroy his brother's spectral form, thereby fully immersing him in hatred. Black Fox gloated that the "seed of hatred" in Fugui's heart had now fully grown, preparing him to break the barrier and offer up his "perfect body." As Wangquan Fugui walked through a desolate street covered in corpses, wielding the Soul-Devouring Umbrella, an illusion of Rumu appeared before him.
Black Fox's voice echoed, challenging Fugui to see if he still had the determination to wield his sword against someone he grew up with. The spectral Rumu, filled with resentment, accused Fugui of not being the brother he once knew, declaring that the real Rumu was dead. The illusion blamed Fugui for his father Quan Jingting's actions and for Rumu's own suffering, including being possessed by Black Fox even after death.
He pointedly asked where Fugui was when Long Weiyun suffered the brutal removal of her dragon scales, horns, and bones, and demanded how Fugui intended to repay his debts. Fugui internally acknowledged that this resentful spirit was not his true brother, recalling Rumu's genuine desire to fight Black Fox and live peacefully, always with a smile.
Recognizing it as Black Fox's manipulation, Fugui regretfully admitted he could not repay his debts but asserted that the illusion must die, and struck it down. Black Fox watched, pleased that Fugui had proven capable of eliminating even his closest kin, marking his full alignment with their cause. Qing Tong reflected on the teachings of the Joy and Sorrow Sect master, who spoke of the tree seed within her as the key to breaking the impasse.
The master had taught that "Love is the lifeline of those who have the tree seed. They are born of love, and for love, there's no place they can't reach. If they can turn the threads of love into a mighty force, though mountains collapse, seas surge, and mists enshroud the way, love shall be their blade to break the impasse."
Having fully refined her own tree seed, Qing Tong now understood that the secret to breaking the impasse was to completely sacrifice oneself for one's beloved. Qing Tong confronted Wangquan Fugui again, who questioned why she hadn't left. She asked if he truly intended to break the barrier to meet Black Fox, and then, heartbreakingly, asked what she was to him. Fugui coldly replied that everyone was merely a pawn in this game.
Realizing her fate, Qing Tong asked if she would be next. She acknowledged her earlier promise to always accompany him, but knowing words were futile, she declared her willingness to die, requesting only to choose the final location. They traveled by boat to the Bamboo Pavilion by River Huai. There, Qing Tong poured out her heart, thanking Fugui for helping her achieve human form and experience life's joys, and for his warm companionship.
She reflected on their long journey together, regretting that their path was ending, and spoke of her dreams of a future with him, free from shackles, traveling the world and witnessing all its wonders. As the sun set, she expressed her gratitude for the beautiful memories. She requested one last hug, saying that "love that begins must have an end" and that this was their conclusion.
In his embrace, Qing Tong tragically ended her own life, allowing Fugui to receive the tree seed from her body. Fugui, with a pained expression, acknowledged her sacrifice, telling her that the Joy and Sorrow Sect was her true destination. A Black Fox subordinate reported that the "Soldier" (Fugui) had killed his "little spider" (Qing Tong) and taken the Black Grief Tree seed from her body, and was now heading to Heavenly Gate.
Black Fox rejoiced, confident that Fugui would now help her break the barrier, allowing her to escape and seize his "perfect body" to subjugate all beings in the Six Realms. With the Wangquan Sword, the Water-Control Orb, the tree seed, and his own Purest Sun Flame, Wangquan Fugui had assembled the four artifacts needed to defeat Black Fox. He immediately set off for Heavenly Gate. News of Fugui's approach reached others.
Feng Tingyun, with the disciples of Wangquan Manor, and Fan Yunfei and Li Xueyang, with the Western Regions soldiers, had already gathered at Heavenly Gate, prepared to stop him from breaking the barrier. Black Fox hailed Fugui's arrival, believing he had become just like her—emotionless and consumed by hatred for fate. She ordered her followers to assist Fugui in breaking the barrier.
Feng Tingyun confronted her senior, declaring that they would die before allowing him to pass and warning him that "he who slays the dragon becomes the evil dragon." Ignoring their pleas, Fugui unleashed the "Thirteen Heaven-and-Earth Strikes." With Black Fox's forces aiding him from within, he violently tore open the barrier set by the Third Young Master of Aolai. As Fugui flew through the breach, Feng Tingyun cried out for her senior in despair, powerless to stop him.
