Sword Snow Stride Episode 28 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Xu Fengnian, after receiving the "Biography of Wu Su" and the "Heavenly Dragon Map" in the previous episode, was now intently staring at the map, appearing lost in thought. Wei Shuyang, noticing his dazed state, called out to him, bringing him back to awareness. Xu Fengnian inquired about the meaning of the painting and text, to which Wei Shuyang replied they seemed unrelated.
As Xu Fengnian delved deeper into the book's contents, he grew increasingly anxious and restless, so he asked Wei Shuyang to leave him to quietly ponder alone. Meanwhile, at the foot of the mountain, Miss Hehe intercepted Zhao Kai and Golden-armor as they climbed.
She confronted Zhao Kai about the mysterious wooden box he had given Xu Fengnian and proposed they cooperate to kill Xu Fengnian, an offer Zhao Kai rejected, unwilling to act in such a public place as Yangcheng. Shortly after Wei Shuyang departed, Xu Fengnian plunged back into a profound trance, feeling as if moments or centuries passed. When he finally opened his eyes, his surroundings had dramatically transformed.
Outside the cliff, dense clouds and mist swirled, revealing a colossal celestial dragon, its eyes glaring and whiskers bristling fiercely. A figure, like a streaking comet, appeared to fly from thousands of miles away, landing directly on the dragon's head. It was Zhao Huangchao, the reclusive fisherman from Mount Longhu. The dragon roared like a tempest, filling Xu Fengnian with terror at its unmatched power. Suddenly, the image of his mother, Wu Su, appeared before him.
Dressed in white, her sleeves fluttering, she struggled against the celestial dragon, defying the natural order, until her soul ultimately dissipated. Overwhelmed with grief, Xu Fengnian knelt, weeping uncontrollably. This strange experience left Xu Fengnian's mind shaken. As he teetered on the brink of despair, Li Chungang's past words, "Those who cross Heaven's Gate can override all mortals" and the concept of "Open the Heaven's Gate," echoed in his mind.
He found profound enlightenment, wielding a blade to cleave through the void. The sky instantly changed, the dragon vanished, and the immortal disappeared. The entire Mount Kuanglu stood clear and serene, with only a light breeze and pale clouds. Soon after, Miss Hehe gracefully ascended the peak, intending to claim Xu Fengnian's life. Xu Fengnian, wounded from his ordeal, suggested they first enjoy the rising sun before engaging in combat.
During this time, he spoke about his mother, how he had always believed she was still with him, only now admitting she had truly departed in his dream. Miss Hehe listened in silence, initially unwavering, but eventually grew visibly moved. She abandoned her assassination attempt, declaring the scenery beautiful enough to spare him, and turned to leave. Xu Fengnian then called out to his mother, bidding her farewell.
Afterward, Xu Fengnian showed the book to Li Chungang, who explained that its contents were only effective against Xu Fengnian because his mother's death was his deepest wound, a vulnerability others could exploit. Li Chungang reassured him that having overcome this spiritual trial, such manipulative techniques would no longer affect him. Still, Xu Fengnian wondered who had sent the book. Li Chungang believed the sender would eventually reappear.
With this, Xu Fengnian destroyed the book and led his party to Mount Longhu. Early one morning, Yang Taisui rushed into Xu Xiao's chambers to rouse him, informing him that the Emperor summoned him to the palace. Xu Xiao, initially startled, settled back into bed.
Upon inquiring, he learned that an urgent report from Yangzhou stated Xu Fengnian had encountered Cao Changqing, one of the top three martial artists, in Yangcheng, which exposed Jiang Ni's identity as the West Chu princess. Xu Xiao, aware of Jiang Ni's true identity, expressed pride in keeping a princess as his son's maid.
Yang Taisui further explained that Li Chungang and Cao Changqing had fought to a draw, and before leaving, Cao Changqing declared his intent to return to West Shu to enthrone Jiang Ni as queen. Yang Taisui also pointed out that investigations showed Jiang Ni had repeatedly tried to assassinate Xu Fengnian since childhood, suggesting deep-seated animosity.
Despite this, Xu Xiao jokingly dismissed it as his son's "romance tricks" and feigned relief, stating he could finally sleep soundly knowing the new West Chu queen wanted to kill his son. Meanwhile, Jiang Ni had quietly slipped into Xu Fengnian's carriage. She revealed that Cao Changqing had helped her sneak back and explained his reasoning: if she were in danger, Cao Changqing would intervene to save Xu Fengnian only if she was nearby.
Jiang Ni requested "allowance" for her years of service, promising to leave for West Shu after Xu Fengnian safely left Mount Longhu. She also mentioned that Uncle Chess Master believed her presence in West Shu would benefit North Liang. Xu Fengnian cautioned her to keep her return a secret from everyone except his closest confidantes.
He also learned that Yu Youwei was with Uncle Chess Master, being trained to become Jiang Ni's personal lady-in-waiting and understand all the West Chu supporters. As Xu Xiao, after repeated urging from Yang Taisui, finally prepared to answer the imperial summons, Xu Fengnian reflected on his recent nightmare and the unknown assailant. He discussed his confusion with Li Chungang, who admitted he too was unaware of such martial world techniques after years of hiding.
Xu Fengnian then pondered Miss Hehe's earlier assassination attempts. He realized that both times he was injured, he had actually gained significant benefits: the first time allowed him to forcibly absorb vital energy and advance his Dahuangting cultivation, and the second, in Yangcheng, inadvertently resolved the crisis stemming from his killing of Liu Liting.
He began to suspect Miss Hehe was actually helping him, especially since she had chosen not to kill him when she had the best opportunity at sunrise. He wondered if this was another elaborate scheme by Xu Xiao, admitting that he increasingly found his father inscrutable. Upon entering the palace, Xu Xiao encountered Prime Minister Zhang Julu, whom he greeted.
Zhang Julu, however, ignored him and instead lauded General Gu Jiantang as loyal and the ideal candidate to take over North Liang, implicitly criticizing Xu Xiao's "ruling his own territory." Han Diaosi, representing the Emperor, then inquired if Xu Xiao, in exchange for his son's hereditary succession to the North Liang throne, would be willing to step down from his position as Grand Commander.
Xu Xiao, understanding the implication of a "deal," humbly declared himself too old and muddleheaded for such a significant post and pledged to submit his resignation as Grand Commander the next day. Immediately, Han Diaosi produced an imperial edict, confirming the Xu family's right to hereditary succession, ensuring the North Liang banner would remain Xu. Zhang Julu was enraged, demanding an audience with the Emperor.
Han Diaosi calmly explained that with North Mang eyeing them and West Chu stirring up trouble, the nation faced many crises. Therefore, the Xu family army was indispensable for safeguarding the realm. Xu Xiao, triumphant, gloated at Zhang Julu before leaving, clutching the imperial edict. As he departed, he deliberately reminded Han Diaosi of his true name, Han Shengxuan, and cautioned him not to overstep his authority.
Meanwhile, a seething Zhang Julu returned to his residence, where Longhu Arch-Taoist Zhao Danping had been waiting. Zhang Julu expressed his frustration that the Emperor had granted the hereditary succession despite his opposition, viewing it as "nursing a viper." Unbeknownst to Jiang Ni, who had earlier dismissed Zhao Danping as irrelevant due to his long absence in the capital, Zhang Julu revealed his secret plan to Zhao Danping.
He asserted that Xu Fengnian was a "bane" and must be eliminated for the future of the Liyang dynasty, and since Mount Longhu had benefited from the court, they should serve the nation. He further instructed Zhao Danping to also kill Zhao Kai, revealing him to be Han Diaosi's disciple and the Emperor's illegitimate son, a figure he deemed a "cause of chaos."
Zhang Julu asserted that Han Diaosi was manipulating events to instigate unrest and install Zhao Kai on the throne. Zhang Julu proclaimed his actions were for the eternal peace of Liyang, declaring that he would handle court affairs while Zhao Danping took care of matters in the martial world. Zhao Danping affirmed Mount Longhu's commitment to the empire and agreed to assassinate both Xu Fengnian and Zhao Kai.
