Sword Dynasty Episode 32 Recap
> Sword Dynasty Recap
At Fengwu Palace, Yuan Zihan observed that the Xian forces were merely feigning attacks, not intending a full invasion. Despite this, he was bound by his father's orders to remain stationed there and could not return to the capital, leaving his brother Yuan Zichu's situation and an associated plan a major concern.
A subordinate attempted to reassure him, suggesting that Yuan Zichu's outburst in court, directly mentioning Liang Jingmeng and hitting a nerve with the King, was likely an unintentional mistake with severe consequences regardless. Yuan Zihan, unwilling to remain passive, sought a plan. His subordinate then reported that Zhu Yuan's men had located Jiang Li of Baiyang Cave and Nangong Caishu of Qingteng Sword School near the border.
Recognizing their past association with rebels who pursued Liang Lian, Yuan Zihan instructed his men to follow them closely, hoping that if they remained within the cordon, they could "reel in a big fish." Meanwhile, an urgent report reached the King of Li at Anding Gate: patrol guards found dozens of dead bodies outside the city, victims of Xiaozhong Prefecture's poison.
A blood letter discovered on one of the bodies warned the King of Li to retreat his army, or he would suffer the same fate. The King, infuriated by Queen Ye Zhen's insidious tactics in using Xiaozhong's elite troops to attack his rear, debated the retreat. While he was reluctant to break the alliance with Xian, his medical officer confirmed the poison's deadly nature and lack of antidote, warning that its next target would be the capital of Li itself.
Faced with this dire threat, the King of Li reluctantly ordered his troops to withdraw. Upon hearing of Li's retreat, Mo General Qianmu was not surprised, though he expressed lingering anger. He knew Li had always been hesitant about the alliance. Despite the alliance's crumbling, Qianmu remained resolute, recalling the tragic death of his master, Lian Ying, at the hands of Marquis Fang.
Learning that Fang Xiumu was the general leading the Heng forces, Qianmu was determined to fight, viewing it as a chance to avenge his master and settle scores from the Lushan Alliance Meeting. During the ensuing battle, Heng's army, employing powerful fire wheels, overwhelmed the Mo forces. The intense fiery assault devastated the battlefield, leaving a bloody trail of dismembered bodies. Days later, the King of Heng made a triumphant return to the capital, greeted by his officials.
Chancellor Li updated him on the war's progress: Li had retreated, General Qianmu was defeated, and the King of Mo had ordered a 20-li withdrawal. The King then commanded Fang Xiumu to redirect his forces to Liangshan County, consolidating troops to defend it. He also acknowledged Queen Ye Zhen's Xiaozhong elite troops for their significant contribution in breaking the three-state alliance. Despite these victories, the King stressed that Xian's ambitions were not to be underestimated.
In Minshan, Jiang Li and Nangong Caishu recounted their experiences in Fengwu to Baili Suxue and Lin Zhujiu. Lin Zhujiu inferred that Ding Ning had found the Great Torture Sword and confronted Yuan Wu. He predicted that Yuan Wu would undoubtedly dispatch a large Heng army to capture Ding Ning, making his escape difficult.
Baili Suxue advised Jiang Li and Nangong Caishu to remain in Minshan and share all details of what happened in Fengwu, so they could formulate the next course of action. Back in the palace, Queen Ye Zhen visited Yuan Zichu, who was under house arrest. Yuan Zichu confessed to having no memory of the incident in court where he lost his composure.
He also mentioned feeling weak without a clear cause and expressed fear that his father, the King, was now disappointed in him. Ye Zhen, already suspicious, instructed a subordinate to arrange for doctors to thoroughly examine the Crown Prince and uncover any anomalies. Later, Ye Zhen spoke with the King of Heng, voicing her concern over Yuan Zichu's strange illness and hinting at a Xian witch influencing Yuan Zihan, implying a potential conspiracy.
The King dismissed her suspicions about Yuan Zihan without proof, but confirmed that he had already sent Huang Zhenwei to investigate Yuan Zichu's situation. The King then unexpectedly demanded control of Ye Zhen's elite Xiaozhong Prefecture troops. When she resisted, he retorted that she had no choice and challenged her deep-seated guilt over Liang Jingmeng's death, accusing her of maintaining this sorrow for ten years.
He suggested that if Liang Jingmeng were still alive, she wouldn't need to feel guilty anymore. At this point, Huang Zhenwei reported to the King, confirming suspicious circumstances during Yuan Zichu's Fengwu trip. He revealed that a maidservant named Xiao Yue, usually not permitted to accompany the army, had traveled with Yuan Zichu to Fengwu and had been comatose since their return, effectively severing any further leads.
Huang Zhenwei ventured to suggest that Yuan Zichu's outburst was not intentional and pleaded for his house arrest to be lifted. The King, however, seemed lost in thought, recalling his own confrontation with Ding Ning over the Great Torture Sword and Ding Ning's challenge to his reign, and ignored the plea, realizing Ding Ning's true identity. Turning back to Ye Zhen, the King continued their conversation.
He understood her tears were for Liang Jingmeng and her heart had never truly belonged to him. He then delved into Ye Zhen's past, revealing that she was an "inheritor" from Xiaozhong County, an island nation that used the brutal "Gu-sheng" method to select its strongest leader every ten years.
She had abandoned this path and her mission for Liang Jingmeng, but her regret and emptiness had driven her to cultivate the Life-sustaining Magic Art, aspiring to break into the Eighth Realm. The King confronted her ambition to surpass him, reminding her of the karmic cycle. He then delivered a shocking revelation: Ding Ning was, in fact, Liang Jingmeng.
This news shattered Ye Zhen, who reacted with a desperate, desolate laugh before immediately dispatching Ye Xinhe to Fengwu, ordering her to bring Ding Ning back to her, by any means necessary. Meanwhile, Ding Ning and Zhangsun Qianxue were in a cave, immersed in cultivation. Their potent sword energy radiated, filling the entire mountain. Zhu Yuan, passing by, noticed the unusual phenomenon and immediately ordered his men to surround the area, believing the rebels were at hand.
Inside the cave, Zhangsun Qianxue successfully broke into the seventh realm, the Mountain-moving Realm, impressing Ding Ning. However, Zhu Yuan seized the opportunity to attack while Ding Ning was still absorbing vital energy. Zhangsun Qianxue bravely shielded Ding Ning at the cave entrance, but during the struggle, she was struck by Zhu Yuan's poison. Just as she faltered, Ding Ning emerged, his sword drawn.
Zhu Yuan was stunned, realizing Ding Ning had not only achieved a breakthrough but now possessed power superior to his own. He could only watch as Ding Ning swiftly rescued Zhangsun Qianxue and fled.
Later, concerned for Minshan's safety now that the King of Heng had returned and learned Ding Ning's true identity, Baili Suxue instructed Jiang Li to prepare for a swift departure, emphasizing that he must escort Lin Zhujiu out of Fengming before the King of Heng could locate them. Jiang Li pledged to do so, not wanting to disappoint Ding Ning.
Ding Ning, riding furiously, realized that with Yuan Wu now aware of his true identity, Baili Suxue would be in grave danger. He knew he had to reach Minshan before Yuan Wu did, to meet Lin Zhujiu and protect Baili Suxue. Zhangsun Qianxue, weakened by her recent breakthrough and the poison, found the journey difficult. Ding Ning found a dilapidated hut for them to rest. However, shortly after they entered, Zhu Yuan and his soldiers arrived, surrounding the small dwelling.
