Sword Dynasty Episode 16 Recap
> Sword Dynasty Recap
On their journey to Lushan, Ding Ning, Yuan Zichu, and the Zhou family's Old Ancestor observed numerous soldiers from Heng and Xian along the road. Yuan Zichu explained that during the previous Lushan Alliance Meeting, the Kingdom of Heng was not as strong and had suffered a defeat by Xian, leading to the forced ceding of Liangshan County.
He asserted that the current meeting, though ostensibly about renegotiating territory, was actually a showcase of strength after years of quiet preparation by all states, with an outcome that would significantly impact the world. Ding Ning noted that this explained the soldiers' high spirits, acknowledging that the world outside the palace was far broader than what he had learned from books.
Sensing the peril of their destination, Wushan, Ding Ning suggested Yuan Zichu change course for Lushan, but the Zhou family's Old Ancestor firmly refused, preventing them from leaving his carriage. Upon arriving at Wushan, the Zhou family's Old Ancestor bound Ding Ning and Yuan Zichu to a large rock, intending to prevent their escape. Despite their predicament, Yuan Zichu remained optimistic, recalling Ding Ning’s earlier warning about the dangerous journey.
He reasoned that their captor hadn't harmed them because they still held value, suggesting a mutual leverage. Yuan Zichu mused that they had become "friends in adversity." Ding Ning, feigning agreement, inwardly lamented that their opposing loyalties—Yuan Wu being Yuan Zichu’s father—meant they could never truly be friends.
Meanwhile, the King of Xian, whom the Zhou family's Old Ancestor recognized as the old King of Xian, had already reached the Formation's entrance, seeking the Manglong Rudraksha to reshape his golden body. He revealed to his attendant that he had orchestrated the timing of the Lushan Alliance Meeting specifically because the Rudraksha in the Formation was ripe.
The Zhou family's Old Ancestor decided to wait for the stone door to open, planning to use his internal energy to push Ding Ning and Yuan Zichu into the Formation, thereby preventing the Xian King's men from getting ahead.
The King of Xian’s followers attempted to breach the closing stone door, but he stopped them, explaining that the Misty Rain Formation was one he had personally set up years ago to protect the Rudraksha he discovered, fearing it would be stolen. He elaborated that the Formation, a synthesis of the four states' specialties—Heng swords, Xian metal vessels, Li magic charms, and Mo spectral arts—only opened at noon on this specific day each year.
Once entered, only he could easily break it; otherwise, escape was incredibly difficult. He ordered his subordinate, Li Yunrui, to send for reinforcements, stating his intention to kill anyone who managed to break the Formation and seize the elixir. The Zhou family's Old Ancestor, hearing this, remained confident, believing that with the Rudraksha, he could reshape his golden body and be invincible.
Ding Ning attempted to persuade the Old Ancestor to let him and Yuan Zichu split off, arguing their lower cultivation levels would be a hindrance, but the Old Ancestor, impressed by Ding Ning’s intelligence, insisted he accompany them, believing it would make their journey safer. Once inside the stone door, Ding Ning, Yuan Zichu, and the Zhou family's Old Ancestor fell into a cavern.
They soon discovered that all six paths within the intricate stone formation led back to their starting point. Ding Ning diligently left marks beside each path to track their movements. The Zhou family's Old Ancestor, frustrated by their inability to exit, concluded that the surrounding vegetation was obscuring their way and began to hack at it. Ding Ning tried to stop him, but it was too late.
The King of Xian, outside the Formation, explained to his attendant that the plants were a unique Mo item: harmless in themselves, but their damaged branches released a poisonous gas. Inhaling it would cause paralysis, loss of the five senses, and eventually, death by suffocation. Inside, Yuan Zichu quickly succumbed to the gas, panicking as he lost his sight.
Ding Ning reassured him and then suggested to the Old Ancestor that since he and Yuan Zichu were too poisoned to continue, the Old Ancestor should go ahead alone to get the elixir. The Old Ancestor, suspecting Ding Ning had a plan, questioned him. Ding Ning revealed his observation that the Formation shared similarities with Mo's spectral arts, and its column engravings resembled Li's magic charms.
He instructed the Old Ancestor to stand in the center of the six pillars and sequentially channel his internal force into them, predicting this would break the Formation. Trusting Ding Ning, the Old Ancestor followed the instructions, successfully deactivating the Formation and causing the poisonous plants to retract. Just as Ding Ning secured the Rudraksha, Zhou Rongmo, realizing Ding Ning's deception, furiously attempted to kill him. However, Ding Ning retaliated and killed the Old Ancestor with the Nine-death Silkworm.
Simultaneously, the formation gate opened, and the King of Xian, accompanied by his followers, rushed in, witnessing Ding Ning killing Zhou Rongmo. The King of Xian, recognizing the unique technique, remarked that the rumors were true and asked if Ding Ning was Liang Jingmeng's disciple. Ding Ning expressed gratitude that his master was still remembered after ten years.
He then explained that Yuan Zichu had inhaled the poisonous gas and passed out, prompting the King of Xian to offer an antidote, which Ding Ning used to revive Yuan Zichu. When asked about the Rudraksha, Ding Ning lied, claiming the deceased Zhou Rongmo had consumed it. He further elaborated that Zhou Rongmo, a wicked man driven by improper practice, had abducted him and Yuan Zichu to reshape his golden body with the elixir.
The King of Xian, convinced and lamenting his own ill-fate with the elixir, offered Ding Ning and Yuan Zichu a ride in his carriage. Yuan Zichu politely declined, pointing out that as Heng citizens, riding in a Xian carriage during the critical Lushan Alliance Meeting, which involved crucial diplomatic affairs between their two states, would attract undue attention and gossip.
Impressed by their prudence, the King of Xian ordered Li Yunrui to leave one of his carriages for them, ensuring they had a comfortable journey. Concurrently, Changsun Qianxue, with the aid of Ye Celeng, stealthily infiltrated the former Gongsun mansion, now Marquis Fang's Mansion, under the cover of night. Ye Celeng explained the mansion's guard rotation, allowing them a window to enter.
As Changsun Qianxue revisited her childhood home, Snow Garden, Ye Celeng delicately defended Liang Jingmeng, asserting that his reforms were intended to heal Heng's deeply rooted ailments, not to target noble families, and blamed Yuan Wu for the bloodshed. Changsun Qianxue, however, rejected further discussion; the narrator noted her profound love for Liang Jingmeng, but also stated that the deaths of her family due to his actions meant she could not forget the pain he inflicted.
Ye Celeng revealed her own hatred for traitors like Ye Zhen and her initial misunderstanding of Changsun Qianxue, but affirmed her unwavering loyalty to her master. Using the dry well in the Snow Garden, which was a secret escape passage known only to the Gongsun family and thus overlooked by Marquis Fang, they descended into the underground waterway.
As they navigated the dark and winding passages, Ye Celeng noticed floating oil on the water and sensed guards ahead, realizing the waterway was a trap. She identified it as the King of Heng's strategy to burn all prison-breakers, a tactic reminiscent of events ten years prior. Recognizing they were moving downstream, and understanding that the terrain dictated water flow in the windless tunnels, they deduced that the true Dafu Water Dungeon must be located upstream from the oil trap.
They found a section of the wall that appeared newly constructed, lacking moss, indicating it was their target. With the location pinpointed, they decided to return and formulate a detailed plan. Separately, Chen Xuan waited by the Wei River for three days as arranged, but Ye Celeng never appeared, and he eventually left in disappointment. Back on the road, Ding Ning was driving the carriage provided by the King of Xian when they were intercepted by Heng soldiers.
Upon recognizing Yuan Zichu, the soldiers immediately knelt, saluting him as the Crown Prince. Ding Ning feigned astonishment, exclaiming at Yuan Zichu's hidden identity. Yuan Zichu, allowing a slight smile, instructed the general to rise and asked if King Heng was nearby, stating he had urgent information to convey.
When the general questioned Yuan Zichu’s presence in a Xian carriage and if he had been abducted, Ding Ning quickly interjected, explaining that the Crown Prince had been injured by poisonous gas and was still weak. Apologizing for the delay in his recovery, the general promptly offered to escort them to the camp. Ding Ning, still maintaining his act, teased Yuan Zichu for deceiving him about his royal status for so long.
