Sword Dynasty Episode 2 Recap
> Sword Dynasty Recap
The rain outside had stopped, and the sun was about to rise. Zhangsun Qianxue woke up in Ding Ning's arms. She reacted with shock and anger, pushing him away and fiercely warning him not to be so disrespectful again, threatening to kill him without hesitation if it happened again.
Ding Ning explained that given the disparity in their cultivation levels, holding her was the only way he could save her from her condition, and he noted that her Ninth-hell Sword Formula was far more potent than he had imagined, requiring more patient practice. He then retorted, asking why she found him and allied with him to overthrow the King of Heng if some things weren't more important than life and death.
Zhangsun Qianxue clarified that while Liang Jingmeng was culpable in the extermination of her Gongsun family, making his disciple someone she "could" kill, she also harbored secret feelings for him despite his love for Ye Zhen. She felt it was profoundly unfair that he, despite his great deeds, met such a tragic end. Her ultimate goal in Fengming was to kill the King of Heng, whom she believed was responsible for Liang Jingmeng's fate.
She acknowledged that Ding Ning's existence aided her own cultivation, which is why she did not kill him, aligning with him to achieve their shared goal of overthrowing the Heng Kingdom. For years, the Heng Kingdom has considered Liang Jingmeng's name taboo due to his overwhelming fame, even after his death, referring to him only as "That Man."
Ding Ning then pointed to some flower paintings on a wall, identifying one as representing Song Shenshu and asking Zhangsun Qianxue about another. She identified the second as Marquis Dugu. Ding Ning questioned if she had been spying on him, to which she claimed to have merely guessed. Zhangsun Qianxue then challenged Ding Ning on how he managed to kill Song Shenshu, a practitioner of the third realm.
Ding Ning replied that for those below the fourth realm, there was little difference in strength, implying his superiority, and noting that only "That Man" (Liang Jingmeng) would dare utter such a statement; others would only court death. Zhangsun Qianxue commented that three people had died in Fengming recently, and the Shendu Bureau and the Jiantian Bureau would soon investigate their tavern.
She asked Ding Ning about their plans for the coming days, but he stated they could only wait for their "chess pieces" to make a move. The Jiantian Bureau began investigating Marquis Dugu’s death. Ye Celeng, the director, received reports that Marquis Dugu and his groom were found dead in a suburban forest, while Zhao Zhan was buried outside the city with no visitors. After inspecting Marquis Dugu’s body, Ye Celeng recognized the distinctive Moshi Swordsmanship, Liang Jingmeng's unique style.
This led her to believe that rumors of Liang Jingmeng's disciple appearing in Fengming might be true, though her subordinate urged caution. Ye Celeng ordered an investigation into Marquis Dugu’s recent activities and his enemies from the past ten years, suspecting the motive was more complex than coveting his marquis position. Meanwhile, at the Shendu Bureau, Mo Qinggong reported to Chen Xuan about Marquis Dugu's death, also noting the use of Moshi Swordsmanship.
Chen Xuan instructed his men to monitor Zhao Zhan’s grave to capture anyone who came to pay tribute, noting that three true disciples of Liejian Furnace still remained, and who knew how many remnants of Lie Kingdom still existed behind them.
Mo Qinggong reported a young man named Ding Ning from the Wutong Tavern as suspicious, but then explained that his "yang hyperactivity" condition, characterized by excessively strong internal qi leading to premature aging, prevents him from becoming a practitioner or a Liejian Furnace loyalist. Mo Qinggong even questioned if Ye Celeng, as a former disciple of "That Man," could be the murderer, but Chen Xuan dismissed him.
Mo Qinggong also expressed concern about Murong Cheng's death, especially since he was engaged to marry into Marquis Fang's family, but Chen Xuan dismissed it as meaningless since the matter already involved Marquis Fang's family. Zhangsun Qianxue discovered Ding Ning attempting to absorb a medicinal pill and warned him against it, fearing his death. He claimed his unique cultivation method made it possible, even joking about dying in her bed.
Zhangsun Qianxue expressed her frustration, questioning why he insisted on arduous cultivation and meddling in dangerous affairs instead of living a normal life. Ding Ning revealed that this was the only path for him to stand before the King of Heng. Zhangsun Qianxue cautioned him that his "yang hyperactivity" symptoms were worsening, and forced cultivation would surely kill him within a year.
She pressed him on why he was so driven to avenge a man who had been dead for so long. Zhao Si, a true disciple of the Liejian Furnace, paid tribute at Zhao Zhan’s grave. Ye Celeng confronted him, questioning his brazen presence in Fengming. Zhao Si rebuked her, emphasizing the Liejian Furnace's loyalty and contrasting it with her own perceived betrayal of her master for personal gain.
A fierce fight ensued, and though both were seventh-realm practitioners, Ye Celeng was injured. Just as she was in peril, Chen Xuan, masked, intervened and rescued her. Zhao Si watched them leave, then retrieved a spirit tablet that held clues, placing it back in his embrace. Afterwards, Ye Celeng explained that her return to Fengming was at the King's command, lamenting that she would prefer not to be back.
Chen Xuan expressed his concern for her safety in Fengming, stating he couldn't always be there to protect her. He also revealed his suspicion that her sudden recall by the King of Heng was part of a larger scheme. Chen Xuan knew that the Liejian Furnace and the Yunshui Palace were aware of the Gushan Sword Manual's secret.
He believed the King summoned her to kill Zhao Zhan specifically to draw out the Liejian Furnace's remnants and uncover the Manual's location. When Ye Celeng questioned how he knew about the Manual, Chen Xuan explained that a crucial prisoner, an old member of the Bashan Sword Field, had been held in Dafu Water Dungeon for ten years, relentlessly interrogated by the King about the Gushan Sword Manual.
Chen Xuan, concerned for Ye Celeng's safety, chose not to reveal the prisoner's name, while Ye Celeng in turn expressed concern for Chen Xuan's own safety given his dangerous work at the Dafu Water Dungeon. Prince Liling of Xian, a political hostage in Heng due to his father’s disfavor, visited the Wutong Tavern, drawn by rumors of its beautiful patroness. He complained about the wine’s sour taste and argued with other patrons.
When Zhangsun Qianxue appeared, he was instantly captivated, seeing her as an opportunity to win back his father’s favor and ascend to the crown prince position by offering her to the King of Xian. Ding Ning, however, saw through his intentions.
He coolly demanded payment for a broken wine pot and insisted Prince Liling clean up the shards, internally noting that his "chess piece" had taken the bait, implying he intended to use Prince Liling to draw out Wang Taixu of Liangcenglou. Zhao Si sought out the sole survivor of the massacred Shang merchant family, who was now hiding in the fish market.
He informed her of Zhao Zhan’s death at Ye Celeng’s hands and explained that Zhao Zhan had been living in seclusion in Fengming for three years, not to assassinate someone, but to search for what "That Man" had left behind – the legendary Gushan Sword Manual.
Zhao Si proposed an alliance: she should inform the Liejian Furnace if she found any of "That Man's" disciples and keep an eye on the Yunshui Palace, as they might also possess clues to the Gushan Sword Manual. He specifically mentioned that Bai Shanshui had also appeared in Fengming. In return for her help, the Liejian Furnace promised to share the Manual and protect her.
News arrived that Song Shenshu’s body was found in the fish market, appearing to have died on the same day as Marquis Dugu. Ye Celeng identified the cause of death as the Nine-death Silkworm Martial Art, immediately associating it with Liang Jingmeng. Realizing the connection between the two murder sites via Wutongluo, she ordered a thorough investigation of suspicious individuals at the tavern on the day of Marquis Dugu's death.
Later, Queen Ye Zhen summoned Ye Celeng, inquiring about the investigation. Ye Celeng confirmed both deaths were caused by "That Man's" martial arts, but speculated there might be two different murderers due to varying cultivation levels displayed. She suggested the motive could be related to coveting Marquis Dugu’s position, given the tradition of maintaining eleven marquises, and requested to pursue this lead.
Queen Ye Zhen, subtly probing Ye Celeng’s loyalty, questioned if she would personally deal with a former fellow disciple if the killer turned out to be one of Liang Jingmeng's inheritors who also coveted the marquis position, and also suggested that the King had recalled Ye Celeng to verify her loyalty. Ye Celeng affirmed her loyalty, stating she would prove it through her actions. Following the leads, the investigation narrowed down to the owner and worker of the Wutong Tavern.
Ye Celeng learned that the tavern had been closed on the day Marquis Dugu died, and its occupants were Zhangsun Qianxue and her nephew, Ding Ning. Ye Celeng led a raid on the tavern, directly confronting Zhangsun Qianxue and subtly checking her cultivation level, finding none. Zhangsun Qianxue, feigning innocence, asked if she had committed any wrongdoing. Ye Celeng apologized, claiming it was a misunderstanding during an ongoing investigation.
However, her suspicions were reignited when she asked why the tavern was closed during the heavy rain. Zhangsun Qianxue explained she closed it due to lack of customers, noting the neighboring oil shop was also closed. But Ye Celeng's gaze fell upon the distinctive wall paintings, depicting various flowers. Zhangsun Qianxue quickly explained they were recipes for wine-making, identifying a rose and a sweet osmanthus. Ye Celeng, however, noticed Zhangsun Qianxue's subtle nervousness.
