Sword and Beloved Episode 8 Recap
> Sword and Beloved Recap
Feng Tingyun confronts Qing Tong, accusing her of clinging to her senior, Young Master Fugui, and ignoring the division between humans and demons, which she believes will only bring him trouble. Feng Tingyun gives Qing Tong an ultimatum: die by her sword or leave immediately. Qing Tong, claiming to be dying from Gu poison she ingested to obtain the antidote for Young Master Fugui, insists she has one last thing to do before she can leave.
She earnestly asks Feng Tingyun if she has ever visited the Bamboo Pavilion by River Huai, explaining she wishes to embroider a true depiction of the place for Young Master Fugui before her impending death. Feng Tingyun dismisses Qing Tong’s pleas, revealing that the poison in Qing Tong’s body has already been neutralized. She accuses Qing Tong of being a liar and warns her again to stay away from her senior, or she will report Qing Tong to their Master.
Later, Feng Tingyun, conflicted by her emotions, admits to herself that Young Master Fugui has only recently shown signs of happiness. Despite her inner turmoil, she meets with her Master but decides not to disclose anything about Qing Tong. Qing Tong approaches Young Master Fugui, asking if he gave her the only antidote. He confirms this, assuring her that his own poison has been neutralized.
He praises her bravery for solving the problem and saving her brother, telling her that her efforts were not in vain. Qing Tong, deeply touched, expresses her gratitude and vows to remember his kindness forever. Afterward, Feng Tingyun seeks out Young Master Fugui, reminding him of their first meeting nine years ago when he saved her village from a demon attack.
She confesses that she fell in love with him then, dreaming of becoming as powerful as him and fighting by his side. She demands to know why he would care for a "frail spider demon." Young Master Fugui explains that every life deserves respect, and he simply did not want Qing Tong to be killed. Feng Tingyun retorts, asking why he never showed her the same pity.
Young Master Fugui clarifies that if he hadn't pitied her, she wouldn't be standing there now. She then directly asks if he likes Qing Tong. Young Master Fugui, after a moment of hesitation, states that a demon is still a demon, and humans and demons walk different paths, especially for a Soldier like himself. He asserts that he will handle his affairs in his own way and leaves.
When Feng Tingyun asks why he is not afraid of her reporting him to their Master, Young Master Fugui responds that it is because she is Feng Tingyun, whose sword essence is as free as the wind and as graceful as drifting clouds. Later, in a conversation with her Master, Feng Tingyun decides that she will walk her own path as a Swordswoman, regardless of Young Master Fugui’s feelings.
Meanwhile, imprisoned in the Sword Tomb, Quan Jingting, accompanied by his loyal attendant Quan Lu, bitterly recounts his failure and expresses his ambition to dominate the Wangquan family by obtaining the Dragon Spine Sword. He speaks with a representative of the Black Fox, who questions if he can fulfill the goal of making Young Master Fugui reviled by the world. Quan Jingting expresses his deep-seated resentment towards his own son, believing only Quan Lu is truly loyal to him.
Later, he declares his readiness to undergo a painful transformation into a half-human, half-demon by absorbing the energy of the Dragon's Breath, even though his powers are gone. He vows to eliminate anyone who stands in his way and to abandon any hindrances. He reaffirms his promise to the Black Fox to drive the Soldier, Young Master Fugui, into darkness when the time is right.
Wangquan Hongye is displeased when he learns that Young Master Fugui did not completely eradicate the small demons at Mount Baiwu. Young Master Fugui explains that many of these lesser demons had not committed evil and were merely struggling to survive under Madam Yin, asserting that all lives, human or demon, have a right to exist, and a Soldier should not kill the innocent indiscriminately. Unconvinced, Wangquan Hongye takes Young Master Fugui to his wife's grave.
He lectures his son, emphasizing the sacrifice his mother made and warning that Young Master Fugui’s compassion will weaken him and damage the Soldier's credibility. Young Master Fugui counters that he has not weakened; instead, his heart has warmed with connections of family, friendship, and nature, making him stronger. Infuriated, Wangquan Hongye draws his sword, challenging his son.
After a tense exchange where Young Master Fugui holds his own, Wangquan Hongye, frustrated by his inability to break his son’s resolve, angrily sheathes his sword and departs. Alone at his mother's tomb, Young Master Fugui contemplates the purpose of his sword and his mother's sacrifice, wondering if she would forgive him for choosing a different path. Back at their residence, Rumu asks Young Master Fugui if his uncle gave him a difficult time.
Young Master Fugui downplays the encounter and then inquires about Rumu’s own past. Rumu recounts that his father, Quan Jingting, had once indiscriminately killed many dragons in the Western Regions. A dragon demon kidnapped Rumu when he was thirteen, seeking retribution, but his father showed no concern for his life. The kind-hearted dragon demon then took Rumu with her, and when Rumu suffered from asthma attacks, she would heal him with her powers.
Over more than a decade of wandering together, Rumu developed deep feelings for her. He explains that he learned his unique sword path not from manuals, but by observing nature. He admits he is still searching for her. Rumu shares a profound insight with Young Master Fugui, stating that "the only 'impossible' in this world is the one we place on ourselves." Young Master Fugui then expresses his thoughts on Qing Tong.
He believes that not all encounters are meant to last, and he has his own path as the Soldier, burdened by his mother's sacrifice and the responsibility of protecting the Yiqi Alliance, which prevents him from being lost in romantic attachments. He hopes Qing Tong will not be chained by her dream of him, but instead awaken to pursue her own happiness. Unbeknownst to them, Qing Tong is outside, overhearing their conversation.
Heartbroken, she recalls Feng Tingyun's words about the human-demon divide. However, she also dreams of creating a world where humans and demons can coexist, believing that Young Master Fugui would be happy for her then. Realizing her presence might be a burden, she secretly resolves to leave him. Later, Steward Fei reports to Wangquan Hongye that the illicit medicine, Chakuwa, sold by Xiyun Hall, has been traced to Peach Village in Dingling Mountain.
He explains that the village, once an uninhabited valley choked by miasma, has been transformed by Zhang Qi, the respected heir of the master of the Black Sword Zhang family, Zhang Zheng, into a thriving community where humans and demons live together. Both Steward Fei and Wangquan Hongye, recalling that Zhang Qi's father, Zhang Zheng, was Wangquan Hongye's sworn brother and a source of guidance in the past, believe that Zhang Qi could not be responsible for such wrongdoing.
Therefore, Wangquan Hongye assigns Young Master Fugui the mission of going to Peach Village to bring Zhang Qi back to Wangquan Manor. Young Master Fugui accepts the task, vowing to ensure Zhang Qi’s safety. Steward Fei, while acknowledging Wangquan Hongye's strict demeanor, reveals that his master also carries deep sorrow and hopes Young Master Fugui will not disappoint him again. Young Master Fugui reassures him that he understands his purpose in the world.
Qing Tong, having decided to leave, visits Feng Tingyun to deliver a new outfit she meticulously wove, featuring a lotus embroidery. Feng Tingyun accepts it, expressing a wistful sentiment: "If only you weren't a demon." Qing Tong reaffirms her decision to leave and not return, acknowledging that her presence would only cause trouble for Young Master Fugui. She bids Feng Tingyun farewell, urging her to take care.
As she departs, Qing Tong reflects, wondering if she would have ever met Young Master Fugui if she had not been a demon. Learning of Qing Tong's intention to leave, Young Master Fugui asks her to accompany him on his mission to Peach Village before she goes. A carriage is then prepared for their journey to Peach Village in Dingling Mountain.
