Sword Snow Stride Episode 17 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Following his journey across Chunshen Lake, Xu Fengnian arrived at Mushan Island, where Wang Linquan, a former foot soldier of the North Liang Hupu Battalion, respectfully welcomed him. Wang Linquan explained that according to North Liang's military regulations, there was no need for him to kneel, affirming that once a soldier, always a soldier. He then introduced his daughter, Wang Chudong, to Xu Fengnian and proposed that she serve him that night, a suggestion that visibly shocked Xu Fengnian.
Meanwhile, at the Jing'an King's residence, Zhao Xun confronted his father, who was attended by Consort Pei Nanwei. Zhao Xun was incensed, believing his father was humiliating himself by allowing a reception for Xu Fengnian. The Lord of Jing'an, however, recognized Wang Linquan as Xu Xiao's spy and understood that his exposure was a calculated move.
He revealed that Xu Xiao was voluntarily removing his spy in exchange for the Lord of Jing'an's guarantee not to obstruct Xu Fengnian's hereditary succession. Frustrated by his father's perceived inaction, Zhao Xun suggested killing the Wang family along with Xu Fengnian, but his father urged patience. Dismissed, Zhao Xun later met with Zhao Kai, confirming their plan to lead the navy out the next day to intercept and kill Xu Fengnian, with Wu Liuding's assistance.
That night, Xu Fengnian introduced Wang Linquan to Lü Qiantang. To his astonishment, Lü Qiantang learned from Wang Linquan that his mother, Madame Lin, was safe within the residence. He rushed to see her and confessed that he had taken refuge under North Liang, intending to bring the remaining members of their family back with him. Madame Lin reacted with fury, berating him for abandoning the Lin family's honor by joining a "traitor" like Xu Xiao.
She disowned him and declared that the Lin family would remain in Qingzhou. After she left, Wang Linquan offered to help move the Lin family out of Qingzhou on two conditions: first, Lü Qiantang must contact the Lin family's old subordinates in the city to obtain crucial secrets about the Lord of Jing'an for Xu Fengnian. Second, he must pledge unwavering loyalty to Xu Fengnian and protect him at all costs.
Wang Linquan warned that any harm to Xu Fengnian in Qingzhou would result in the remaining Lin family members being handed over to the Lord of Jing'an. When Xu Fengnian began to object, Wang Linquan clarified that he was acting on General Xu Xiao's explicit instructions. Lü Qiantang solemnly vowed to protect Xu Fengnian with his life. The next morning, as Xu Fengnian prepared to depart for Qingzhou, Wang Linquan again urged his daughter, Chudong, to accompany him.
Chudong adamantly refused, openly expressing her disdain for Xu Fengnian. When Wang Linquan grew angry, Xu Fengnian intervened to stop him. He decided to leave his Fengzi Battalion on the island with Yu Youwei and the two beasts, explaining that without imperial orders, North Liang forces could not enter the city of Xiangfan. Soon after his small boat departed, three of the Qingzhou Navy's Yellow Dragon Towered Ships appeared.
Witnessing the approaching warships from the island, Chudong realized the grave danger and quickly alerted her father. On board one of the warships, Zhao Xun, goaded by Zhao Kai, ordered his flanking ships to sink Xu Fengnian's vessel and leave no survivors. As the massive ships loomed, Xu Fengnian remained unfazed while his hidden guards emerged, ready for battle. Ning Emei leaped onto an enemy ship and severed its massive patting pole, preventing it from smashing their boat.
When the enemy used grappling hooks, Lü Qiantang demonstrated immense strength by pulling the heavy tower ship closer, allowing Qing Niao, Wei Shuyang, and Shu Xiu to board and swiftly dispatch the soldiers. As the battle raged, Zhao Xun ordered an archer to fire at Xu Fengnian, who instantly deflected the arrow with his saber. Suddenly, Wu Liuding of the Wu Family Sword Tomb appeared in a small boat, declaring his intention to settle a debt from his mother's past.
He used his bamboo staff to lift an entire tower ship, intending to crush Xu Fengnian's vessel. At that moment, Li Chungang intervened. He leaped onto the warship's deck and, with a single stomp, flipped the massive vessel into the water. Recognizing Li Chungang's overwhelming power, Wu Liuding quickly retreated. As Xu Fengnian began rescuing fallen soldiers from the water, Fujiang Armor agents, dispatched by Zhao Kai, launched a failed underwater ambush with thrown halberds.
With the naval attack thwarted, Zhao Kai recognized defeat and withdrew. Xu Fengnian boarded the flagship, where Zhao Xun had already found a scapegoat in Wei Wei, the son of the navy commander. Claiming Wei Wei had seized control to attempt the assassination, Zhao Xun swiftly beheaded him. Xu Fengnian observed calmly, then walked up to Zhao Xun and publicly slapped him across the face. Suppressing his rage, Zhao Xun politely saw Xu Fengnian off the ship.
Observing from the island, Wang Linquan and Chudong were relieved. However, Chudong remained disgusted by Xu Fengnian's lecherous reputation, blaming him for her father's offer, while Wang Linquan remained determined to send her to his side. Xu Fengnian, reflecting on the fight, realized the Fujiang Armor's underwater attack indicated a separate plot by a hidden mastermind who had merely leveraged Zhao Xun's naval assault, a foe he was sure to meet again.
