Sword Dynasty Episode 23 Recap
> Sword Dynasty Recap
Zhangsun Qianxue suggested to Ding Ning that if their path to revenge became too difficult, they should abandon it and seek a peaceful, isolated life, just as they had lived before coming to Fengming. Ding Ning admitted that the closer he got to his goal, the less motivated he felt, often questioning the worth of their actions and fearing greater losses. Zhangsun Qianxue apologized for causing him distress, acknowledging his arduous journey.
Ding Ning, accompanied by Zhangsun Qianxue, arrived at the back mountain of the Sword Sect as per Baili Suxue's instructions. Baili Suxue informed them that the Life-sustaining Magic Art was hidden deep within a cave filled with miasma that could cause illusions. He warned that if a practitioner’s mind harbored distracting thoughts, their vital energy would be disrupted, leading to a loss of consciousness and ultimately mental instability.
He emphasized that unlike artificial illusions, this natural miasma was difficult to resist. Ding Ning noted that many powerful figures avoided this place, perhaps because they feared confronting their inner selves. Baili Suxue, implying Ding Ning was not "pure-hearted," gave him a final warning before Ding Ning entered the perilous cave while Zhangsun Qianxue waited outside. Inside the cave, Ding Ning's yang hyperactivity flared.
The miasma caused him to hallucinate, seeing visions of Zhangsun Qianxue teasing him and suggesting they settle down together. Despite the pain, he pressed on, eventually reaching an ancient cliff. There, he found a stone bowl containing a special spiritual water, which he drank. His mind cleared, and he discovered the Life-sustaining Magic Art inscribed on the cliff wall. He immediately sat down to meditate and began practicing the art.
Outside, Baili Suxue asked Zhangsun Qianxue about Ding Ning's yang hyperactivity, which she said he had since they first met, likely an inborn condition. Baili Suxue then questioned if Ding Ning was Liang Jingmeng’s inheritor, to which Zhangsun Qianxue confirmed he was the inheritor of the Nine-death Silkworm. She elaborated that Ding Ning had extensive knowledge of Liang Jingmeng's past, and had executed the "Song Shenshu case in Fengming."
She explained that from the moment they met, Ding Ning displayed extraordinary wisdom, strategy, and foresight, far beyond his years, and that their shared path to revenge against Yuan Wu began on that very day. Baili Suxue remarked that it was ironic they were discussing a disliked figure from ten years ago.
He recounted that Liang Jingmeng's ultimate despair and surrender during his defeat by the King of Heng stemmed from Ye Zhen's betrayal, a woman Liang Jingmeng once cherished as his life. He bitterly stated that for the sake of a woman, Liang Jingmeng destroyed the entire Bashan Sword Field and deserved his demise.
Baili Suxue revealed he had warned Liang Jingmeng about Ye Zhen, explaining she was a ruthless assassin dispatched by Xiaozhong Prefecture and trained in "poison spirit," capable only of seeking profit, not true love. Zhangsun Qianxue retorted that Yuan Wu also betrayed his own brother, acknowledging that Yuan Wu was responsible for her family's massacre. She recalled attempting to persuade Liang Jingmeng to abandon his radical reforms, which Yuan Wu was using to make an example of others.
They both conceded that it was difficult to assign blame for the past events. As Ding Ning delved deeper into the Life-sustaining Magic Art, his vital energy became chaotic, triggering a surge of long-suppressed memories of Liang Jingmeng. He remembered discussions with Ye Zhen about his reform plans, which faced resistance from powerful families. Ye Zhen informed him that eleven marquises, led by Marquis Gongsun, were petitioning against the Bashan Sword Field, and suggested making an example of Marquis Gongsun.
Liang Jingmeng hesitated, questioning if there was truly no alternative. Gongsun Qianxue then returned the Ninth-hell Dark Lord Sword to Liang Jingmeng, a symbolic gesture indicating their diverging paths, and stated that unsuitable people need not remain together. Liang Jingmeng was then seen leading troops to the Gongsun Marquisate. Gongsun Qianxue bravely confronted him, refusing to surrender her family's shops.
She argued that his radical reforms, which dismantled old institutions before new ones were properly established, would plunge Heng into chaos and harm the common people. She insisted that national progress required careful consideration, not reckless haste. She expressed her willingness to support the reform, but not in such an extreme manner. Swayed by her reasoning, Liang Jingmeng ordered his troops to retreat.
Ye Zhen was enraged by his retreat, accusing him of favoring Gongsun Qianxue and questioning if he harbored feelings for her. Liang Jingmeng denied any impropriety, explaining that his change of mind was based on improving the plan. He defended having given Gongsun Qianxue the Ninth-hell Dark Lord Sword, explaining that Marquis Gongsun had asked him to teach her swordsmanship and the sword suited her. Ye Zhen dismissed his logic, declaring that her every action was for his benefit.
The memory culminated with the King of Heng and Ye Zhen toasting Liang Jingmeng, who then realized the wine was poisoned. The severe backlash from the Life-sustaining Magic Art caused Ding Ning to collapse. Baili Suxue was present and caught him.
As Ding Ning lay unconscious in his arms, in his mind, he, as Liang Jingmeng, expressed profound remorse to Baili Suxue, regretting his stubbornness and refusal to heed warnings, which led to the tragic downfall of the Shang, Gongsun, and Bashan families. Baili Suxue, having deduced Ding Ning’s true identity as Liang Jingmeng, provided him with the spiritual water from the stone bowl, explaining its rarity and healing properties.
He confessed that ten years ago he would not have saved Liang Jingmeng, but Ding Ning’s actions had shown him genuine repentance. Upon regaining consciousness, Ding Ning asked Baili Suxue to keep his identity a secret from Zhangsun Qianxue, fearing that revealing it would irrevocably change their current peaceful relationship.
Baili Suxue agreed, understanding the delicate nature of the situation without needing further explanation, noting that sometimes it was best not to dwell on the past and maintain the present state. Meanwhile, worried by Ding Ning’s prolonged absence, Zhangsun Qianxue bravely entered the miasma-filled cave despite the danger. However, her internal energy was insufficient to resist the potent gas, and she quickly fainted.
In the Dafu Water Dungeon, Chen Xuan visited Lin Zhujiu, informing him that the King of Heng had decreed his execution in three days. Chen Xuan offered to spare Lin Zhujiu if he revealed the location of the Gushan Sword Manual. Lin Zhujiu, however, saw through the ploy, realizing that Yuan Wu and Ye Zhen were using him as bait to lure Liang Jingmeng's inheritor.
He subtly conveyed that he knew Chen Xuan’s true loyalty did not lie with Yuan Wu. After his recovery, Ding Ning went to pay his respects at Xue Wangxu’s memorial. There, he met Li Daoji, who informed him that Xue Wangxu had foreseen his perilous journey to Minshan and had left something behind for Ding Ning, entrusting Li Daoji to deliver it to him.
