Sword Dynasty Episode 17 Recap
> Sword Dynasty Recap
Ding Ning and Prince Yuan Zichu arrived at the camp to meet the King of Heng. Prince Yuan Zihan was also present and scornfully questioned Yuan Zichu's presence, stating that he should be in Fengming enjoying life, not at Lushan. Yuan Zichu replied that as sons and subjects, it was their duty to be by their father's side, to share his burdens.
Yuan Zihan then sarcastically suggested they switch roles, with him accompanying their father while Yuan Zichu returned to rule Fengming. A guard soon announced that the King wished to see both princes and their friend, Ding Ning. Inside, Ding Ning hesitated to kneel before the King, prompting Yuan Zichu to urge him. The King of Heng, having heard of Ding Ning, ordered him to raise his head for a better look.
Ding Ning feigned awe, claiming he had never met such a high-ranking official. He apologized for unknowingly taking the Crown Prince out of Fengming, stating he had believed Yuan Zichu was just Su Mu from Yuyang Sword School. Yuan Zichu corroborated this, taking the blame for concealing his identity. Yuan Zichu then described their trip to Wushan, explaining that Zhou Rongmo had coveted the Rudraksha, which could reshape a golden body, and coerced them into the formation.
This formation was filled with intricate mechanisms from the four states: Heng, Xian, Li, and Mo. He credited Ding Ning with saving his life, but lamented that the Rudraksha had been destroyed, preventing them from presenting it to the King. When asked about others in the formation, Ding Ning mentioned an old man from Xian, about sixty years old, who seemed to have set the formation and even provided them with a carriage.
The King of Heng identified him as the Old King of Xian, expressing joy that the Old King failed to obtain the Rudraksha, which he believed ensured Heng's triumph at the upcoming Lushan Alliance Meeting. Recognizing Ding Ning's rare talent, the King of Heng declared that Ding Ning would accompany him to the Lushan Alliance Meeting. Yuan Zichu requested to join as well but was refused.
The King of Heng instructed Yuan Zichu to return to Fengming immediately to secure Heng's foundation. He explained that if he were to fall at Lushan, Yuan Zihan would lead the charge on the battlefield, while Yuan Zichu would guard the homeland. He envisioned a future where, once Heng regained its strength, the two brothers would unite their forces to conquer the three rival states and establish an empire.
Yuan Zichu understood his father's intentions, realizing it was a profound responsibility rather than a punishment for his unauthorized departure. However, this decision bred deep resentment in Yuan Zihan, who felt his father was unfairly favoring Yuan Zichu. Having endured years as a hostage in Xian, Yuan Zihan now wished Yuan Zichu could experience such hardships in his stead.
Unbeknownst to them, this animosity was a calculated part of the King of Xian's strategy: he had cultivated Yuan Zihan into an arrogant and disruptive figure during his time as a hostage, then exchanged him for Prince Liling, intending for Yuan Zihan to sow discord within the Heng royal family. Later, Yuan Zichu visited Ding Ning's camp, bringing wine.
He explained that the King had ordered him back to Fengming, citing the dangers of Lushan and the need for a capable successor in case of his demise. Ding Ning toasted Yuan Zichu for his companionship and care during their journey. Yuan Zichu then asked if Ding Ning had anticipated Zhou Rongmo's kidnapping. Ding Ning confessed that he had, revealing his true motive for the journey: to obtain the Rudraksha to cure Xue Wangxu, his master's, severe illness.
He admitted that the Rudraksha destroyed by Zhou Rongmo was a fake, and he had intentionally lured Zhou Rongmo to ensure the real one's safety. Ding Ning shared that he hadn't presented the real Rudraksha to the King due to his own personal reasons. Yuan Zichu, understanding Ding Ning's plight, confirmed that Xue Wangxu was the head of Baiyang Cave and offered to personally deliver the spiritual medicine to him in Fengming.
He reassured Ding Ning that the King would not investigate its whereabouts, and he would keep their secret. Yuan Zichu expressed that in the royal palace, genuine friendship was precious, and brotherhood even more so. At Lushan, the Kings of Xian, Li, and Mo arrived, engaging in polite but subtly tense exchanges. The King of Xian greeted the King of Li, reminiscing about his valiant father and praising the current King of Li's regal bearing.
He then addressed the King of Mo and Chancellor Lian, commending their mutual trust, which the King of Mo humbly reciprocated by praising Xian's prosperity. The King of Xian inquired about the recovery of the Heads of 12 Sorcerers, Mo's national treasure, lamenting its loss as a reason for Heng's repeated incursions.
The King of Mo confidently declared that he had located the Heads and would restore Mo to its former position as the leading state, inviting the King of Xian to the grand ceremony. The King of Xian then proposed an alliance of their three states against Heng, suggesting they seize Liangshan County and advance through Tanbu Pass to attack Fengming. Just then, the King of Heng made a dramatic entrance.
The King of Xian implied a taunt that the King of Heng was too afraid to attend after the previous meeting where Heng lost Liangshan County. The King of Heng dismissed this, stating he had no reason not to attend. The King of Xian retorted that if Heng continued to cede a city at each meeting, it might last a few more years, then provocatively challenged, "What if I demand Fengming today?" This was dismissed as a mere jest.
Chancellor Lian urged everyone to take their seats. The King of Heng, with an ulterior motive, attempted to recruit Chancellor Lian to serve in Heng. Lian Ying respectfully declined, stating that he served the state and its people, not merely the monarch, and intended for his bones to be buried in Mo. The King of Xian then offered "wine and food of Xian" to the King of Heng, which turned out to be plain water and soybeans—a clear insult.
Yuan Zihan was incensed, but the King of Heng calmly restrained him. The King of Xian then raised a toast to the arduous journey, but the King of Heng initially refused to drink, only doing so after the King of Xian pressed him for his lack of respect. Meanwhile, the general Liang Lian led the Tiger Wolf Army in a full-scale assault on Liangshan County. The Lushan Alliance Meeting progressed to the martial arts contest among the masters.
The King of Mo initiated, challenging Heng. He stated that with Chancellor Lian still alive, he could not effectively govern, and Mo could not advance. He declared that only Chancellor Lian could guarantee Mo's victory. Despite other officials expressing concern for Lian Ying's advanced age and the potential chaos if he failed, the King of Mo pressured them, asking if they valued Lian Ying more than him. Faced with this ultimatum, Lian Ying consented to fight.
Qianmu, Lian Ying's disciple, desperately pleaded with his master not to go, recognizing it as a deliberate trap set by the King of Mo. Lian Ying, however, advised Qianmu to diligently assist the young King, hoping he would mature into a wise ruler.
The King of Xian commented to Prince Liling that the King of Mo intended to eliminate Lian Ying, noting that Lian Ying had previously assisted the former Crown Prince, and the King of Heng's recent public offer only exacerbated the young King of Mo's insecurity and pride. Prince Liling carefully noted this observation. The King of Heng sent Fang Xiang, the foremost of his Eleven Marquises, promising his family a hereditary marquis title if he secured victory.
The King of Heng reminded everyone that Fang Xiang was the warrior who had personally taken the head of Mo's former Crown Prince in a past war. Chancellor Lian acknowledged Fang Xiang's prowess but also paid tribute to the former Crown Prince's indomitable spirit. The King of Heng then specifically instructed Fang Xiang to kill Lian Ying, emphasizing that this victory was crucial for future plans to conquer Mo.
In return, Fang Xiang humbly requested the King to mentor his younger brother. As the duel began, Fang Xiang asked Lian Ying if he resented him for killing Mo's former Crown Prince. Lian Ying admitted his hatred but expressed faith that the current King of Mo would eventually prove as capable as his predecessor. He reflected that both were compelled to fight to the death by their sovereigns.
Ding Ning observed the King of Heng, his inner hatred intensifying, and briefly contemplated assassination but deemed the timing unfavorable. Lian Ying, a master of Mo's spectral arts, skillfully combined malevolent Yin-Gu poison with his vital energy and imbued it into his sword. Fang Xiang, momentarily careless, allowed the Yin energy to penetrate his body, poisoning his internal organs. Spectators believed Fang Xiang's defeat was inevitable. Lian Ying declared that he could not afford to lose this fight.
To counter the potent poison, Fang Xiang made a drastic choice: he sacrificed half of his cultivation and severed his own meridians, expelling the toxin. The King of Heng, immensely pleased, seized the opportunity to taunt the King of Xian, questioning if Xian possessed any generals brave enough to compare with Fang Xiang. Lian Ying, deeply impressed by Fang Xiang's resolve, expressed his admiration.
Fang Xiang, in turn, lamenting Lian Ying's fate, questioned why such a grandmaster would serve an ungrateful king, and extended an invitation to join Heng, promising him the highest honors. Lian Ying politely declined the offer, reiterating his unwavering commitment to serving his state and its people, not just a king, throughout his life without regret. He requested Fang Xiang to show no mercy, stating that to die in such a battle would be his honor.
Lian Ying then unveiled the Qianshan Token, a revered treasure of the Shanyin Sect. Yuan Zihan scoffed, dismissing it as a mere "broken token." The King of Heng, ignoring his son, asked Ding Ning to explain its mysteries. Ding Ning observed black energy emanating from the ground and flowing into the token beneath Lian Ying's feet but admitted he could not fully comprehend its profundity.
The King of Heng then reprimanded Yuan Zihan, instructing him never to judge things solely by their surface appearance. He explained that for Mo, a nation steeped in spectral arts, Yin energy was paramount for cultivation. The Qianshan Token possessed the ability to harness the vast reserves of Yin energy accumulated underground for extended periods. He recalled that over 200,000 soldiers had perished at Lushan in a past battle, enriching the land with immense Yin energy. With the Qianshan Token, Chancellor Lian had an inexhaustible supply of this power, making Fang Xiang's fight incredibly arduous.
