Sword Snow Stride Episode 12 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
After much contemplation, influenced by Xu Weixiong and his father, Xu Fengnian decided to assume control of the three states of North Liang. He explained to Xu Xiao that only by taking on this responsibility could he bring his younger brother, Xu Longxiang, home and prevent him from being used as a pawn.
While Xu Xiao was delighted by Xu Fengnian's decision, he found the reason insufficient and urged him to first visit his master, Li Yishan, promising to give him a better reason upon his return. Xu Fengnian arrived at Tingchao Pavilion and found Nangong Puye listening intently to the floor, claiming there was a hidden space below. Xu Fengnian, intimately familiar with the pavilion, dismissed her claim as overly suspicious.
Nangong Puye did not argue further, instead asking for the return of her blade, Xiudong. Though reluctant, Xu Fengnian complied and then ascended to find Li Yishan. Seeing his master's chess game, Xu Fengnian noted a hidden killing intent. Li Yishan, however, declared this interpretation wrong, swept the pieces away, and invited Xu Fengnian to a new game.
He also revealed he knew Wang Chonglou had passed the Dahuangting to Xu Fengnian and advised him to speak his true feelings to his father. Meanwhile, Xu Xiao went to Tingchao Pavilion alone and channeled his inner energy to activate a massive wooden wheel mechanism, revealing a deep, winding tunnel beneath. Nangong Puye, who was reading on a level above the mechanism, did not notice Xu Xiao opening the passage.
When Xu Fengnian descended, he was stunned to see the secret entrance, where Xu Xiao was waiting for him. Inside the passage, father and son had a heart-to-heart conversation. Xu Fengnian confessed his long-standing resentment, reminding his father that he had married his eldest sister off to Jiangnan, despite knowing her love for Hong Xixiang, merely to secure the support of the region's literary circles.
He pointed out that his second sister, Xu Weixiong, was sent to Shangyin Academy not just to study, but to foster the world's acceptance of North Liang. Now, even Xu Longxiang had been sent away. Witnessing his family members being sacrificed one by one for political stability, Xu Fengnian found the situation tragic. Xu Xiao countered that with formidable enemies and a fearful royal family, North Liang's survival necessitated sacrifices.
To help his son understand, Xu Xiao led him to the end of the passage, which opened into a vast chamber resembling an ancestral hall, lined with hundreds of sets of armor and spirit tablets. Xu Xiao explained that this was the resting place for fallen soldiers, including Chen Zhibao's father, who sacrificed his life to save Xu Xiao's.
He recounted the valiant deeds of others who founded their dominion: General Wang Jian, who held up a city gate with his bare hands; military advisor Zhao Changling, who died just short of avenging his family; and others who made the ultimate sacrifice. Xu Xiao explained his infamous "Slayer" title came from eliminating aristocratic families during the wars, comparing them to thick branches that block sunlight from the common people.
He then revealed a crucial truth: the sacrifices of Xu Fengnian's sisters were voluntary, undertaken specifically to protect him and ensure his smooth succession. He further explained that he sought to keep the Xu family in power not for personal greed, but to prevent the 350,000-strong army from descending into chaos and destroying the hard-won peace. Finally understanding his father's profound motivations, Xu Fengnian accepted the immense responsibility on his shoulders.
However, he rejected his father's methods of "killing and tricks," vowing to find a "third way" to protect both the dream and his family. Though skeptical, Xu Xiao challenged him to try. Deeply moved, Xu Fengnian bowed profoundly to the spirit tablets of the fallen warriors. Concurrently, Yu Youwei misinterpreted a tense situation as an assassination attempt on Jiang Ni by Xu Weixiong's subordinates.
Hongshu quickly clarified that the intimidating men were not assassins, but former bandits personally captured and recruited by Xu Weixiong, which explained their intimidating demeanor. Meanwhile, aboard a boat to Shangyin Academy, Xu Weixiong stared at a chess piece carved by Xu Fengnian. Zhao Kai suddenly emerged from the water, offering his company, but she coolly dismissed him, telling him she would see him in class.
Wei Shuyang, discovering the secret passage had been opened, was initially startled but rejoiced upon learning Xu Fengnian and Xu Xiao were inside, and he hurried to pack for a long journey. Within the chamber, Xu Xiao outlined his plan: Xu Fengnian would journey through the martial world to Wudi City to retrieve Old Huang's sword box, a crucial step on his path to becoming the North Liang King.
Meanwhile, Xu Xiao would travel to the capital to negotiate a deal with the court, securing Xu Fengnian's hereditary succession in exchange for withdrawing his daughters from their strategic posts in Jiangnan and Shangyin Academy. Xu Fengnian, understanding his father's plan, declared he would find a way to achieve these goals with less sacrifice. Gratified by his son's ambition, Xu Xiao urged him to leave, saying he wished to spend more time with his old comrades.
Once alone, Xu Xiao solemnly promised the spirits of the fallen that he would mold Xu Fengnian into a worthy king who would protect the world. Subsequently, Xu Xiao went to the dungeon and spoke aloud of the dangers his son would face on his journey to Wudi City, musing that he needed a protector, before tossing a key inside. Outside, he saw Wei Shuyang packed for travel and granted him permission to accompany Xu Fengnian.
Just then, a powerful killing intent emanated from the secret passage. Nangong Puye moved to intervene, but Xu Xiao stopped her as an unnamed man emerged. Nearing the New Year, Xu Fengnian set out to visit Old Xu, a veteran soldier, before his departure. On his way, he met Shu Xiu, who revealed her true name, explaining her former alias was used while serving Lin Tanhua.
She had been released by Xu Xiao and was tasked with giving Xu Fengnian the dungeon keys, leaving the fate of Ning Emei in his hands. She warned him that Ning Emei resented him for not bringing Xu Longxiang back from Mount Wudang. Xu Fengnian then went to the dungeon, unlocked Ning Emei's shackles, and informed him that Xu Longxiang was safe at Mount Longhu.
He invited Ning Emei to join his travels after the New Year to personally bring Xu Longxiang back. Ning Emei agreed. Xu Fengnian continued to his visit with Old Xu. They reminisced about fighting alongside Xu Xiao for the dream of peace and justice. Xu Fengnian, after drinking some Tusu wine, asked for Old Xu's opinion on his suitability as the North Liang King.
He reflected that he had once considered Chen Zhibao for the role but now understood he was unsuitable. Despite his calm exterior, Chen Zhibao harbored a deep-seated rage that would inevitably reignite wars, destroying the very peace Old Xu and his comrades had fought to build. Xu Fengnian reaffirmed his commitment to protecting that peace.
