Sword Dynasty Episode 22 Recap
> Sword Dynasty Recap
Jiang Li was found by Xue Wangxu practicing sword forms late into the night. Jiang Li admitted he was not as intelligent as Ding Ning and therefore needed to compensate with diligence for the upcoming tournament, hoping to bring honor to Baiyang Cave. Xue Wangxu, seeing his pure character, presented him with the Baiyang Short Sword, the token of Baiyang Cave's head. Jiang Li humbly refused, believing Ding Ning was more worthy.
However, Xue Wangxu insisted, stressing the importance of leadership and urging him to embrace the Baiyang Cave's ethos of firmness and indomitable spirit, ensuring the cave's glory would be passed down. He advised Jiang Li to prioritize his safety in the tournament, cautioning him against recklessness, and to keep an eye on Ding Ning. Liang Lian, recently appointed, showed great zeal in pursuing the Gushan Sword Manual, believing the final clue lay within the impenetrable Dafu Water Dungeon.
However, the King of Heng, already aware of the situation, feared others combining the clues, as it might reveal his weakness or the path to the ninth realm, which he struggled to reach. He confided in Ye Zhen his frustration over being the world's best yet struggling to break through to the ninth realm.
He considered destroying the Gushan Sword Manual entirely, ensuring no one could ever discover his weakness or the path to the ninth realm if he himself failed to achieve it. Ye Zhen understood the King's intention to eliminate Lin Zhujiu. She visited Lin Zhujiu in the Dafu Water Dungeon, attempting to manipulate him by revealing that Yunshui Palace and the Sword Sect of Lie had combined their clues and would soon attempt a rescue.
She speculated that Liang Jingmeng's successor would surely be tempted by such news. Lin Zhujiu angrily denounced Ye Zhen, lamenting how unrecognizable she had become since their youth, questioning her loyalty to Yuan Wu and her forgotten affection for Liang Jingmeng. Ye Zhen, visibly angered by the mention of their past, coldly retorted, "Everyone for himself, and the devil takes the hindmost," before leaving him with a stark warning of his impending execution should no one come to his aid.
The following day, Jing Liuli officially announced the tournament rules: the top three cultivators would be accepted into the Minshan Sword Sect, with the overall champion earning the privilege to study the Life-sustaining Magic Art. Baili Suxue then addressed the assembly, emphasizing the sanctity of Minshan's rules due to two candidates having been attacked in the Sword Tomb the previous day.
He sternly warned that any competitor attempting to harm an opponent would face immediate deprivation of their martial arts skills. During this address, Maidservant Rong subtly exchanged glances with Sun Xing, who was among the contestants. The first round of battles commenced, quickly filtering out many participants. Jiang Li emerged victorious in his initial bout, followed by Sun Lie (Sun Xing, who was disguised) and Ding Ning winning their respective matches.
After further elimination in the second round, only Sun Lie, Jiang Li, and Ding Ning remained for the final stages. The next match pitted Sun Lie against Jiang Li. Jiang Li confronted Sun Lie, accusing him of attacking Nangong Caishu and Xie Rou the previous day, to which Sun Lie gave an affirmative response. Sun Lie mocked Jiang Li's repetitive sword techniques. Sun Lie then feigned a concern for Jiang Li’s master, distracting him and launching a sneak attack.
Fortunately, the Baiyang Short Sword, newly entrusted to Jiang Li, shielded him from injury, though Sun Lie scoffed at Xue Wangxu for entrusting the "head's token" to Jiang Li, calling it foolish. Jiang Li warned Sun Lie not to insult his master, then conceded the match, and Sun Lie was declared the winner. Meanwhile, Xie Rou and Nangong Caishu regained consciousness. Xie Rou recalled being attacked from behind by Sun Lie in the Sword Tomb.
Nangong Caishu, recognizing Sun Lie's true identity, urged Xie Changsheng to inform Ding Ning that Sun Lie was actually Sun Xing, warning that he intended to harm Ding Ning. Xie Changsheng rushed to find Ye Celeng, who admitted she already harbored suspicions about Sun Lie. Upon hearing Xie Changsheng's confirmation that Sun Lie was indeed Sun Xing, Ye Celeng immediately gathered her forces and headed to the Minshan arena.
While awaiting Ding Ning's match, Xue Wangxu, seated with Jiang Li, gently chided his disciple for his earnest nature, wishing he possessed some of Ding Ning's shrewdness. Jiang Li once again tried to return the Baiyang Short Sword, believing it belonged to Ding Ning, but Xue Wangxu playfully stopped him, emphasizing that it was a day of glory for Baiyang Cave. The final battle began: Sun Lie versus Ding Ning. Sun Lie acknowledged Ding Ning's reputation before they clashed.
During their intense duel, Ding Ning skillfully cut through Sun Lie's cloak, revealing his disfigured face and confirming his true identity as Sun Xing. Sun Xing, no longer hiding, proclaimed his identity as Sun Lie from the Shadow Mountain Sword Cave, but Ding Ning dismissed his words, confidently stating he could defeat him again. Sun Xing raged, recounting how Baiyang Cave had humiliated and destroyed him, vowing to take Ding Ning's life and exact ten times the revenge.
Ding Ning responded by pointing out that even if Sun Xing won, the world would only acknowledge Sun Lie, questioning his fixation. Sun Xing retorted that his past self was dead, and his current actions were solely to quell the bitterness in his heart, making Ding Ning experience despair.
Meanwhile, Maidservant Rong approached Xue Wangxu, inquiring if he remembered his past agreement with "Her Majesty," reminding him that his loyalty to the Kingdom of Heng was the price of his survival. Xue Wangxu affirmed his loyalty but pleaded with her not to harm his disciples. Maidservant Rong revealed her true purpose: to secure the Life-sustaining Magic Art for Her Majesty, and for this, Sun Xing must win.
She taunted Xue Wangxu, asking how he felt watching his two disciples fight to the death. Xue Wangxu firmly declared that only Ding Ning was his true disciple. With that, Maidservant Rong swiftly paralyzed both Xue Wangxu and Jiang Li. Jiang Li watched helplessly as Maidservant Rong then murdered Xue Wangxu, creating a diversion. Ye Celeng rushed in, shouting for Ding Ning to save his master, but Maidservant Rong made her escape.
Enraged by his master’s death, Ding Ning experienced a sudden breakthrough, advancing to the fourth realm and utterly defeating Sun Xing. Severely injured, Sun Xing begged Ding Ning to kill him to avenge his master. Ding Ning merely turned and walked away. As Sun Xing made a final desperate lunge to assassinate Ding Ning, Jing Liuli intervened, striking him down with a single sword stroke. Ding Ning returned to his dying master, informing him of his victory.
Xue Wangxu, with a gentle tap on Ding Ning's head, expressed his profound gratitude, calling it the greatest honor of his life and a joyful day for Baiyang Cave, before peacefully passing away. When Nangong Caishu and the others arrived, Xue Wangxu had already closed his eyes. Overcome with sorrow, Ding Ning collapsed. Thanks to Baili Suxue's expert medical care, Ding Ning soon regained consciousness.
Zhangsun Qianxue was by his side, explaining that Jiang Li and the other disciples had already respectfully laid Xue Wangxu to rest in Baiyang Cave. She urged Ding Ning not to leave Minshan, emphasizing that his worsening Yang Hyperactivity made learning the Life-sustaining Magic Art a matter of immediate urgency. Baili Suxue, however, cautioned that the Life-sustaining Magic Art could not simply be taught; it required profound personal enlightenment, and a misunderstanding could lead to severe consequences, even madness.
He admitted that many Minshan disciples had failed to comprehend its true essence, with success dependent solely on personal enlightenment. He further noted the extraordinary power of the mastermind behind Sun Xing's infiltration and Xue Wangxu's assassination, who even with their influence, could not obtain Minshan's treasure, underscoring the art's profound mystery. Nevertheless, Baili Suxue promised Ding Ning all necessary care and resources, regardless of his decision to pursue the art.
Zhangsun Qianxue then confided in Ding Ning that she had revealed certain truths to Baili Suxue to secure his life, but had carefully concealed their overarching revenge plan. Ding Ning acknowledged their reconciliation. Zhangsun Qianxue, reflecting on their journey, advised Ding Ning to proceed with extreme caution in his investigation of the waterway map, expressing her profound weariness of the conflict.
She then suggested they abandon their revenge altogether, proposing they find a secluded haven, far from worldly strife, to live out their lives in peace. She confessed that the closer they came to their goal, the more her resolve wavered, fearing that further pursuit of vengeance would only bring greater loss and suffering.
