Sword Snow Stride Episode 18 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Having survived the naval ambush, Xu Fengnian and his companions arrived in Xiangfan. The bustling city stirred a profound melancholy in Jiang Ni, who explained that Xiangfan was once the capital of Chu, a place where she had heard her native Chu accent in her childhood. Now, the people who spoke it were gone.
She recounted how Xu Xiao had besieged the city for three years with a hundred thousand soldiers against two hundred thousand Chu people, including civilians, who vowed to fight to the death. When the city finally fell, fewer than ten thousand remained alive. Xu Fengnian added that his father had later visited the city, claiming that tens of thousands of lonely souls wailed nightly beneath the prosperous streets.
When Jiang Ni questioned if this was a boast of his father's invincibility, Xu Fengnian clarified that Xu Xiao's words were a constant reminder to himself—a warning that he must prevent chaos from recurring at any cost, making the North Liang Army's banner paramount to him.
Xu Fengnian then expressed his own contrasting philosophy: he was different from his father and would not be like him, believing that if he could not protect the important people around him, then the "world" or the "grand plan" held no meaning. Jiang Ni playfully called him childish for this belief. Meanwhile, at the Mansion of Lord of Jing'an, Zhao Xun admitted to his father that he had underestimated the number of skilled masters protecting Xu Fengnian.
The Lord of Jing'an, however, emphasized that the true issue was North Liang. Zhao Xun revealed he had arranged a scapegoat for his failed assassination attempt by killing the son of a naval commander named Wei Dong, justifying it as a warning to a suspected spy. Criticizing his son's bloodlust, Lord of Jing'an revealed that the Lin family's extermination was an imperial order following the attempt on Xu Fengnian's life, implying that killing a single man's son was insufficient.
To truly close the case, the Lord of Jing'an had ruthlessly ordered the slaughter of Wei Dong's entire family, remarking that they could now "take care of each other in heaven." Soon after, a guard from Xu Fengnian's party, identified as the Lin family's Tanhua, arrived to invite the Lord of Jing'an to the inn. The Lord of Jing'an declined, claiming to be busy with Buddhist scriptures.
Zhao Xun was shocked that Lin Tahua was still alive and suggested reporting Xu Xiao for deceiving the Emperor, but his father stopped him, advising they feign ignorance as Lin Tahua's survival was potential leverage against North Liang. Shortly after, a disguised Zhao Kai arrived at the mansion. He waited for Lin Tahua to leave before announcing he had come by appointment to resolve the anxieties of the lord and his son.
In the inn, Xu Fengnian confidently told Jiang Ni that the cunning Lord of Jing'an would not kill him yet, as he was waiting for news from the capital. At the mansion, Zhao Kai proposed helping the Lord of Jing'an kill Xu Fengnian, reasoning that his death would incite North Liang to rebel, plunging the world into chaos and providing the Lord of Jing'an an opportunity to seize the throne.
The Lord of Jing'an revealed he already knew that the eunuch commander Han Diaosi was Zhao Kai's master and had given him the precious Fujiang Armor, leading him to correctly deduce that Zhao Kai was the Emperor’s unrecorded son. The Lord of Jing'an pointed out that chaos would also open a path to power for Zhao Kai himself. Despite this, he ordered Zhao Kai thrown into the dungeon.
Overruling Zhao Xun’s protests, the Lord of Jing'an explained his patient strategy: they would await news of Xu Xiao’s fate in the capital. If Xu Xiao were killed, then eliminating Xu Fengnian would be a simple finishing touch; but if Xu Xiao survived, they would be fools to make themselves his primary target. Meanwhile, Xu Xiao, leading three hundred cavalry, journeyed toward the capital. Outside the city, he paused by a large willow tree, reminiscing about his late wife.
Just then, Prime Minister Zhang Julu arrived and, in a deliberate provocation, ordered the tree cut down. Xu Xiao remained outwardly calm, ordering his troops to march directly into the city without stopping. News of this encounter quickly reached the Lord of Jing'an. Upon entering the palace grounds, Xu Xiao was confronted by Liu Tiren, a third-rank official who accused him of arrogance for bringing a blade and wearing a five-claw robe.
Xu Xiao asserted his right was an "imperial favor," challenged Liu Tiren on proper court etiquette, and then brutally beat the hypocritical official. Learning of this, Zhang Julu scorned Liu Tiren for "fishing for fame" and sent a cryptic message to the Lord of Jing'an in Qingzhou: "It is not something that comes from outside, but emerges from within the heart."
As Xu Xiao waited in the palace, the monk Yang Taisui informed him that the Emperor was unwell and could not meet him. Xu Xiao admitted to "beating Liu Tiren for fun" and correctly guessed the Emperor was avoiding him. Yang Taisui confirmed his suspicion, stating that the Emperor's willingness to meet depended on "how your son leaves Qingzhou."
Back at the mansion, Zhao Kai explained Zhang Julu’s ambition to weaken the vassal lords, with North Liang as his primary target. Zhang's provocation was a gambit to force Xu Xiao to retaliate, thereby compelling the Emperor to execute him. Zhao Kai also clarified the Emperor's own strategy: let Xu Xiao die of old age and allow the "playboy" Xu Fengnian to inherit, leading to North Liang's internal collapse. This strategic difference explained Zhang's aggression.
The Lord of Jing'an then received and interpreted Zhang Julu’s message as an urge to "spontaneously kill Xu Fengnian." He realized the Emperor was waiting for news from Qingzhou: if Xu Fengnian left unharmed, the Emperor would suspect an alliance. Killing Xu Fengnian would put the Emperor at ease, but it would also trigger Zhang Julu's true plan: to make Qingzhou and North Liang destroy each other.
Feeling trapped, the Lord of Jing'an decided to act, ordering his carriage prepared to meet Xu Fengnian, bringing his consort, Pei Nanwei, with him. At the Yuelai Inn, Ning Emei observed Qingzhou soldiers surrounding the premises and instructed Shu Xiu to inform Xu Fengnian of the danger. A servant then announced that Lord of Jing'an had arrived with his consort and son and was waiting in a back room.
Upon hearing this, Xu Fengnian mentioned he had heard that the Lord doted on his consort, Pei Nanwei. When Jiang Ni questioned his interest, Xu Fengnian simply stated it was very important. Wang Chudong then confirmed this, explaining it was common knowledge that the Lord treasured Pei Nanwei. Xu Fengnian prepared to meet his host. Though Jiang Ni expressed reluctance, she followed him toward the room.
Upon arrival, a guard blocked her and the rest of the party, stating that Lord of Jing'an would only see Xu Fengnian. As the door was closed, Ning Emei attempted to intervene, but Xu Fengnian, from inside, ordered him not to be rude.
