Sword Snow Stride Episode 24 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Xu Longxiang, sensing Zhao Kai's aggressive intent, prepared to face him without fear. As they stood on the brink of confrontation, Zhao Xituan, a Longhu Arch-Taoist, leisurely approached. Zhao Kai's demeanor immediately shifted, claiming the encounter was merely a misunderstanding and displaying the Three-thousand Red Thread given to him by Han Diaosi. Recognizing Zhao Kai as Han Diaosi's disciple, Zhao Xituan chose not to pursue the matter further, but demanded an apology for Zhao Kai's earlier aggression.
To Zhao Xituan's surprise, Zhao Kai humbly knelt, earnestly asking for forgiveness. This display of adaptability impressed Zhao Xituan, who remarked that a new generation of talents was emerging. Xu Longxiang, confused by the sudden change, was told by Zhao Xituan that he was his successor and to call him Master. Liu Liting's wife, upon waking, found their house surrounded by a crowd and learned the devastating truth: her husband had been dragged through the city by a horse.
The leader of the group was identified as Xu Fengnian, the Son of the Lord of North Liang. As Xu Fengnian rode through Yangcheng, unaware of a hidden assailant, Miss Hehe ambushed him with a swift blow, striking him from behind. Meanwhile, Xu Zhihu stood vigil at the entrance of the Mansion of Lu, awaiting her brother's arrival. When Xu Fengnian and his entourage reached the mansion, Liu Liting's body was cold and lifeless.
Having been separated for many years, the reunion of sister and brother was fraught with emotion. Xu Fengnian embraced Xu Zhihu, promising to take her back to North Liang. However, he immediately fainted. Xu Zhihu discovered a large, bloody wound on his back, causing her great alarm. Although his injury appeared severe, it was merely a flesh wound, easily bandaged with no lasting harm.
In contrast, Liu Liting's distraught wife was determined to seek justice against the Xu family and proceeded to the governmental office in Liyang City to file a formal complaint. At a posthouse in the capital city, Han Diaosi, the head of the eunuchs, paid a visit to Grand Commander Xu Xiao. Xu Xiao appeared unconcerned by the news Han Diaosi brought, seemingly preoccupied with a game of chess.
Han Diaosi, observing Xu Xiao's "cheeky" chess style, noted he only continued if he was winning, otherwise he'd sweep the pieces away. Han Diaosi then presented secret reports from Jiangnan detailing Xu Fengnian's violent actions: he had broken into the house of Jiangnan gentleman Liu Liting, tied him to a horse, and dragged him to Yangcheng, killing him.
This atrocity shocked scholars across Jiangnan, prompting them to draft a joint memorial to the throne, which was now en route to the capital. Han Diaosi revealed a second report: Xu Fengnian had been ambushed by assassins upon entering Yangcheng. While Xu Xiao feigned indifference to his son's fate, Han Diaosi confirmed that Xu Fengnian had sustained a back injury but was now recovering in the Mansion of Lu, saved by his cavalrymen.
Han Diaosi elaborated that while His Majesty found Xu Fengnian's violent behavior amusing, his injury and the subsequent protection from the Lu family could complicate the situation, especially concerning Xu Fengnian's hereditary peerage. Han Diaosi suggested that for Xu Fengnian to secure the hereditary peerage, North Liang must become isolated.
He even proposed that Xu Xiao order Xu Fengnian to kill members of the Lu family to force a conflict, but Xu Xiao dismissed the idea as impossible, stating he could not order his son to kill relatives. Han Diaosi reiterated that if the Lu and Xu families did not fall out, the hereditary peerage would not be maintained, leaving Xu Xiao to ponder his next move.
Despite the Lu family's esteemed status as renowned Jiangnan scholars, their deference to Xu Xiao's fearsome reputation as the Slayer prevented them from expelling Xu Zhihu from their home. Xu Fengnian's injury, though a setback, proved to be a fortunate turn of events. It startled the Lu family, who now feared being accused of orchestrating the assassination or incurring Xu Xiao's wrath.
Consequently, they meticulously cared for Xu Fengnian, with the governmental office even refusing to accept Liu Liting's wife's complaint, citing a fabricated illness among its officials. Er'qiao, Xu Zhihu's maid, lamented the Lu family's previous harsh treatment, noting they only provided comforts like coals after Xu Fengnian's injury. Xu Fengnian found himself torn; causing a rift with the Lu family, as his father intended, would undoubtedly worsen his sister's already difficult position. Seeing his hesitation, Xu Zhihu resolved to act.
She secretly arranged for a carriage, intending to visit Liu Liting's mansion to pay respects to the deceased. She told Er'qiao that what Xu Fengnian could not bring himself to do, she would. Er'qiao warned her that such a visit would fuel rumors of an affair with Liu Liting, but Xu Zhihu was resolute, instructing Er'qiao to tell Xu Fengnian she was out to fetch a doctor.
Unbeknownst to them, Jiang Ni and Yu Youwei attempted to visit Xu Fengnian but found his room empty. Meanwhile, Xu Fengnian, having anticipated Xu Zhihu's intentions, had already dispatched Ning Emei's Fengzi Battalion to monitor the Lu family's movements. He intercepted his sister on her way to Liu Liting's mansion. Xu Fengnian urged Xu Zhihu to return home, pleading with her not to endure further suffering for his sake.
He promised that once he recovered, he would devise a strategy that pleased both the capital and his sister, perhaps by making trouble with other Jiangnan literary figures. At the same time, Yang Taisui met with an official, the Prime Minister, in the capital. Yang Taisui reported Xu Xiao's calm reaction to his son's assassination news, concluding that Xu Xiao was a "weasel" who would not give up on the hereditary peerage.
The Prime Minister, however, believed that North Liang should not remain under the Xu family's control and expressed concern that the failed assassination, due to Li Chungang's presence with Xu Fengnian, complicated their plans. Yang Taisui assured him that a figure from Mount Longhu, capable of challenging Li Chungang, had been sought out.
The Prime Minister asserted that the strategy of appeasement was flawed and that a decisive, albeit chaotic, action against Xu Fengnian was necessary for the nation's long-term stability. He warned Yang Taisui against harming the nation's integrity and urged him to act swiftly. Following the sound of a zither, Zhao Kai arrived at the Bottomless Pool, where he found an old man seated cross-legged, engaged in fishing.
Zhao Kai sent one of his Fujiang Armors to test the old man, but the soldier was effortlessly repelled by a powerful internal force before even drawing close. The old man then tossed the Imperial Seal towards Zhao Kai, who instinctively caught it. Holding the seal, Zhao Kai's mind was consumed by a vivid dream of himself, dressed in imperial robes, ascending the throne while civil and military officials bowed before him.
The dream was so compelling that Zhao Kai became lost in its reality until the old man's intervention helped him regain consciousness. Through their ensuing conversation, Zhao Kai learned the old man was Zhao Huangchao, the very person Han Diaosi had sent him to find. Zhao Huangchao explained that his unique power allowed him to disturb an individual's mind using an object, thereby drawing them into a dream that mirrored their deepest desires.
He revealed that he had known about Zhao Kai for a long time, including his royal lineage and his mission to kill Xu Fengnian. Zhao Huangchao recounted that twenty years prior, he had engaged in a battle with Wang Xianzhi, which resulted in a backlash that crippled his cultivation. He had since retreated to Mount Longhu, residing by the Bottomless Pool, where he spent his days fishing for a thousand-year salamander with a crimson wild fruit.
He explained that the waters of the Bottomless Pool suppressed his backlash, and he could not leave the mountain until he caught the salamander. He also mentioned that using his technique on the Fujiang Armors was easy because Han Diaosi had erased their minds when they were put into the armor. Later, Xu Xiao finished a chess game with Yang Taisui.
He expressed his frustration to Yang Taisui regarding the lack of progress in investigating his wife Wu Su's murder, an inquiry he had entrusted Yang Taisui with years ago. Yang Taisui, uncharacteristically silent at first, finally revealed that one person involved in Wu Su's ambush was currently in the capital, though specific details were still unknown. Xu Xiao sensed something suspicious given Yang Taisui's unusual evasiveness, indicating his determination to uncover the full truth.
