Sword Snow Stride Episode 13 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
After visiting Li Yishan, Xu Fengnian goes to see Xu Yongguan, a blind old soldier, bringing him New Year's provisions. Xu Yongguan expresses his deep admiration for General Xu Xiao, whom he has served his entire life but never met. When Xu Xiao, present but unidentified, humbly refers to the general as just an old man, Xu Yongguan becomes agitated.
However, upon grasping Xu Xiao's hand, he recognizes the touch from a wartime visit when Xu Xiao comforted him after an eye injury, and he kneels in respect. Learning that Xu Fengnian is the general's son, Xu Yongguan declares his life is now without regrets. Xu Xiao assures him that as long as North Liang's flag flies, the spirits of their fallen comrades live on.
On New Year's Eve, Xu Fengnian and Nangong Puye share wine in Tingchao Pavilion, listening to the "Requiem for the Phantom of North Liang," a song with lyrics by Xu Fengnian's second sister and music by him. Nangong Puye praises the lyrics but finds the music average, a sentiment Xu Fengnian's sister shares. Knowing he is leaving for Wudi City, she lends him her twin swords, Xiudong and Chunlei, to be returned upon his safe arrival.
Later, a drunken Xu Fengnian stumbles upon a one-armed old man searching for martial arts manuals. The old man, enticed by wine, cryptically tells him the real treasures are the antiques on the upper floors. Before disappearing, the old man remarks with a laugh how interesting it is that Xu Xiao has a son like him.
The next morning, Jiang Ni is shocked to find Xu Fengnian in her room and furiously, yet quietly, pushes him out, warning him not to explain the situation to anyone. As spring arrives, Xu Fengnian prepares to depart. Xu Xiao outlines his escort: Ning Emei leading a hundred Fengzi Battalion cavalrymen, Qing Niao as his carriage driver, the scholar Wei Shuyang for his broad knowledge, and the well-informed Shu Xiu.
He is joined by Jiang Ni, whom Xu Fengnian brings along to protect her from his second sister's subordinates, and Yu Youwei, who follows Jiang Ni. To his surprise, the disheveled one-armed old man is also part of the group. Xu Xiao calls the old man a "great demon suppressed under Tingchao Pavilion" and strictly forbids Xu Fengnian from ever letting him touch a sword. The other driver is Lv Qiantang, whom Xu Fengnian recognizes as Lin Tanhua, the assassin.
Xu Xiao explains that Lv Qiantang's cooperation is coerced to aid Xu Fengnian's first stop in Qingzhou, where the Lin family is cornered by the Lord of Jing'an. Xu Xiao reveals their plan: he will go to the capital while Xu Fengnian travels the martial world, a joint effort to secure North Liang's hereditary succession. Meanwhile, at Shangyin Academy, Xu Weixiong receives a letter from North Liang.
Zhao Kai appears and mentions their potential marriage alliance, but she rebuffs him by throwing the ancient sword Hongchi at his feet and telling him to leave. Han Diaosi then arrives, informing Zhao Kai that Xu Fengnian's journey is a perfect opportunity for an assassination. He explains that while there is no official decree, Xu Fengnian's death would throw North Liang into chaos, creating a chance for Zhao Kai to rise. Intrigued, Zhao Kai agrees to the plan.
Xu Fengnian's party meets Ning Emei and the Fengzi Battalion, who are waiting discreetly in the woods. Their path is soon blocked by the heavy Iron Cavalry led by Dian Xiongchu, acting on orders from Chen Zhibao to wait for the general to bid farewell personally. Chu Lushan arrives with his own troops, creating a tense standoff with Dian Xiongchu. Chen Zhibao appears and halts the confrontation.
Xu Fengnian challenges Chen Zhibao's intentions, who replies that for North Liang's sake, Xu Fengnian cannot die yet. Rejecting Chen Zhibao's offer of an Iron Cavalry escort, Xu Fengnian chooses to trust Ning Emei. Chen Zhibao remarks that Xu Fengnian lacks the ruthlessness, cunning, and connections to rule, to which Xu Fengnian declares his journey is precisely to "win the heirship." He then tasks Chu Lushan with escorting his father to the capital.
On the road, the one-armed old man senses Jiang Ni's innate talent and offers to teach her martial arts. She declines, but when he mutters the name "Mumaniu," she seems to recognize his true identity. Later, at a riverside camp, Lv Qiantang tells Xu Fengnian his family's survival now depends on Xu Fengnian staying alive. Shu Xiu observes Lv Qiantang, noting his eyes reveal a man whose heart is already dead.
Yu Youwei urges Jiang Ni to escape, but Jiang Ni cynically explains that Xu Xiao is using her as a valuable bargaining chip and that she has been saving money for her own funeral, as she has no family or home left. That night, Xu Fengnian asks Jiang Ni to read to him from a selection of martial arts manuals, offering a penny per word.
As she reads from the "Compendium of Swords," the one-armed old man dismisses it as nonsense, claiming he once scolded its author, Du Sicong, for his flawed understanding. He scoffs at "Sword Mantra of Killing Whales" for its weak execution of a grand idea and derides a manual by Wang Chonglou as useless for someone who hasn't mastered the Dahuangting. He briefly explains that the "Treatise of the Most Exalted One" is the foundation for internal energy cultivation. Frustrated that his constant interruptions are costing her money, Jiang Ni demands payment, only for the old man to playfully claim he has none.
