Sword Snow Stride Episode 1 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
The Divine Land was once in chaos, with nine states fragmented and constantly at war. The Liyang Dynasty rose from this turmoil, sweeping away eight states to establish unity. A significant part of this achievement was due to the North Liang Cavalry, led by Xu Xiao, the Lord of North Liang. With an invincible force, he vanquished six states and brought peace to the world.
Upon Liyang's unification, Xu Xiao was made a lord, tasked with guarding the three border states and commanding 350,000 North Liang soldiers to defend against foreign enemies. As Liyang's most powerful official, a lord not born into the royal family, Xu Xiao's immense power stirred caution in the Emperor's heart, who intended to marry Princess Suizhu to Xu Xiao's eldest son, Xu Fengnian, to control North Liang.
To avoid this imperial marriage, Xu Fengnian, the oldest son of the Lord of North Liang, left his luxurious life behind at his father's arrangement. For three years, he roamed the martial world with his attendant, Old Huang, and a single horse, returning with his reputation as a playboy intact. Journeying home, Xu Fengnian and Old Huang appeared as destitute refugees, a stark contrast to other noble scions.
Dressed in tattered clothes and unarmed, Xu Fengnian resorted to stealing sweet potatoes and fishing in rivers, even having to give away their horse as compensation at one point. Despite their hardships, they found joy in their simple life, until a group of soldiers on horseback approached, putting them on alert. The group settled in a deserted temple, declaring their intent to capture the Lord of North Liang’s son.
Lacking a portrait, they interrogated any young man of similar age they encountered. Xu Fengnian, tested like a trapped animal, was subjected to their scrutiny. The leader was convinced that the Lord of North Liang’s son would possess martial arts, but Xu Fengnian, with his slow reactions and lack of inner energy, seemed to be an ordinary refugee. However, Xu Fengnian recognized the military flag of the West Chu Halberd Troops.
Seizing the moment, he feigned being a fellow countryman, lamenting the fall of West Chu. He spoke of his country's destruction and his people becoming wandering ghosts, which stirred a deep sorrow in the leader. The leader recounted the Jinghe Battle, where 120,000 Halberd Troops were annihilated, leading to West Chu’s demise. This memory fueled his desire for revenge, vowing to kill Xu Xiao's son to avenge his people.
At dawn, Xu Fengnian and Old Huang slipped away from the temple. A short distance away, they witnessed the same Chu remnants attacking a white-clothed person, whom they mistook for the North Liang heir. Xu Fengnian observed the fight, noting the white-clothed person's refined demeanor but ruthless skill. Though his travels had taught him some discretion, Xu Fengnian urged Old Huang to leave quickly.
Unexpectedly, a spy within the North Liang army delivered a portrait of Xu Fengnian to the Chu remnants, exposing his identity. In this critical moment, Xu Fengnian sought the white-clothed person’s aid, offering a hefty sum for his life and even claiming he wished to kill Xu Xiao himself. The white-clothed person remained unresponsive, seemingly uninterested in interfering. Just as the Chu leader was about to strike, the white-clothed person swiftly knocked the blade away.
After confirming Xu Fengnian's identity, the white-clothed person proposed a deal: in exchange for protection, they would be granted entry into Tingchao Pavilion. Xu Fengnian readily agreed. The three rested in an old forest. Xu Fengnian, observing the white-clothed person's fair skin and alluring features, nicknamed them "White Fox." He learned that the White Fox was a martial arts enthusiast seeking the vast collection of martial arts manuals within Tingchao Pavilion, believing their current skills were "not good enough."
Suddenly, the Chu remnants were spotted on a cliff above. The White Fox swiftly subdued them and left them for Xu Fengnian to decide their fate. Understanding the Chu people's desire for revenge, Xu Fengnian chose to spare them. Touched by his decision, the White Fox revealed the two blades at their waist: Xiudong, long and blunt, symbolizing the way of the world; and Chunlei, short and sharp, symbolizing the poison in human hearts.
The gesture implied that Xu Fengnian's choice made him worthy of seeing these blades. As night fell, Old Huang sang a simple, repetitive tune while Xu Fengnian tried to sleep. Later, the White Fox, having consumed a sweet potato laced with knockout drops, fell into a deep slumber. Old Huang woke Xu Fengnian, confessing he had drugged the sweet potato with an anesthetic stolen from a shady inn.
Unsure of the White Fox's true intentions and fearing they might harbor ill will towards Xu Xiao, Old Huang advised they leave their protector behind. The two left the forest, and just outside the city walls of Lingzhou, they stopped at an apricot wine stall. As they sat down, the Chu remnants appeared again, with their leader ordering wine to send them "on their way." Just then, the White Fox appeared, asking if their agreement still stood.
Upon Xu Fengnian's confirmation, the White Fox defeated the leader in a single move. Satisfied, Xu Fengnian whistled, and an eagle soared over the city walls. Xu Longxiang, Xu Fengnian’s younger brother, also known as Huangman’er, saw the signal and joyfully ran from the mansion. Moments later, Ning Emei, a general from the Fengzi Battalion, led a formidable cavalry charge out of the city toward them. Seeing the North Liang cavalry, the defeated Chu leader discarded his weapons.
Ning Emei, however, was displeased by the White Fox's arrogant demeanor and moved to attack, but Xu Fengnian intervened, ordering him to dismount. As Huangman’er arrived and knelt before him, Xu Fengnian was overcome with emotion. He told his brother to rise so they could talk, then ordered the best wine, deciding they would all eat and drink their fill before returning to the mansion together.
