Sword Snow Stride Episode 33 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Zhao Xituan stared in disbelief at the numerous scattered swords, knowing that Zhao Danping, despite Li Chungang's return to the Immortal-on-Earth realm, would not easily yield. Zhao Danping chuckled, explaining that the Prime Minister, Zhang Julu, had ordered the show of force against North Liang. To satisfy the powerful minister, he had merely feigned a serious confrontation, lest a real conflict provoke Xu Xiao's formidable wrath.
Li Chungang, now confirmed to be an Immortal-on-Earth, further clarified that the realm itself did not guarantee victory, especially against a master like Wang Xianzhi. He likened a master's confrontation to a buffalo fight, where a mere clash could settle matters, preventing unnecessary bloodshed and implying his actions earlier were more about intimidation than a full-blown battle. Back at Mount Longhu, Zhao Xituan proceeded to the back hall and respectfully invited the Old Ancestor.
The grand doors opened, and a figure emerged, appearing as a mere child. This was Zhao Xuansu, the only Immortal-on-Earth on Mount Longhu, seemingly a step away from achieving true immortality. Zhao Xuansu revealed his hidden agenda: his prolonged use of the rejuvenating cultivation method had left his internal energy depleted, and his death was imminent. His only hope for survival lay in becoming an immortal by "smuggling" himself through Heaven's Gate.
He believed that a climactic duel between Li Chungang and Wang Xianzhi would create a momentary opening in Heaven's Gate, allowing him to seize the opportunity. He also emphasized the intertwined destinies of Mount Longhu and the imperial court, asserting that the royal family's increased fortune would lead to their own prosperity. For these reasons, Xu Fengnian could not die on Mount Longhu, as it would draw Xu Xiao's fury upon them.
Instead, Zhao Xuansu intended to accompany Xu Fengnian to Wudi City, where he believed both Xu Fengnian and Zhao Kai were destined to perish. Meanwhile, Zhao Kai, driven by his ambition, discussed his plans with Yuan Tingshan. He acknowledged that Li Chungang's continued presence made direct action against Xu Fengnian difficult. Zhao Kai confessed that he aimed to marry Xu Weixiong, Xu Fengnian's second eldest sister, whom he considered his destined match.
He believed that only by throwing the world into chaos through Xu Fengnian's death could he rise to a position worthy of her. To aid Yuan Tingshan, Zhao Kai bestowed upon him a secret martial arts text from the Xuanyuan family, promising him a bright future. Zhao Kai then approached Shu Xiu, revealing his knowledge of her Nanjiang martial arts lineage, which required the legendary "White Emperor Esoterica of Simplicity" to prevent a practitioner from succumbing to madness.
He offered her this invaluable text in exchange for her assistance in arranging a meeting with Li Chungang. Xu Fengnian prepared to depart from Mount Longhu. Before leaving, he gently handed the Hukui Vajra to Xu Longxiang, his brother, solidifying their bond and promising a future reunion.
Ning Emei, the general of the Fengzi Battalion, approached Xu Fengnian, offering a sincere apology for his past doubts and pledging his continued service and the protection of the Fengzi Battalion, having come to recognize Xu Fengnian as North Liang's true future leader. Qing Niao and Li Chungang were also part of the departing group. Shu Xiu, having taken her time wandering, finally appeared just as the ship was about to set sail.
As the ship departed Qinglong Creek, Xu Fengnian sat silently on the deck, hesitant to look back at his brother. Soon after, Qing Niao spotted a Jianglong boat approaching, belonging to Xuanyuan Qingfeng and Wei Shuyang, signaling an impending farewell. Li Chungang, ever perceptive, subtly cleared the deck, allowing Xu Fengnian and Jiang Ni a private moment to say goodbye.
However, Xu Fengnian used the opportunity to advise Jiang Ni about the chaotic state of affairs in Shu, warning her about the "Humble Army" bandits, many of whom were old Chu veterans whose loyalty to the former royal family had long since faded. He cautioned her that gaining their allegiance would prove difficult. Xuanyuan Qingfeng then briefly spoke with Xu Fengnian, settled some matters, and departed on a smaller boat.
Xu Fengnian helped Jiang Ni cross the wooden plank to her own vessel, a moment of unspoken reluctance as he then turned and retreated into his cabin. Jiang Ni felt a pang of disappointment, and after bidding farewell to Wei Shuyang, she lingered, hesitant to order the ship to depart. To her surprise, Xu Fengnian re-emerged from his cabin and, in a public gesture, presented her with a simple copper coin and the magnificent Daliang Dragon and Sparrow sword.
Yu Youwei, watching from a distance, quietly stepped aside, her unrequited affection for Xu Fengnian evident to Cao Changqing, who observed that Xu Fengnian's heart was entirely given to Jiang Ni. A gentle breeze ruffled Jiang Ni's hair, and Xu Fengnian tenderly brushed it back before Cao Changqing approached, prompting a formal farewell.
As Jiang Ni's ship sailed away, Li Chungang revealed to Xu Fengnian that Jiang Ni had secretly arranged for the Divine Token, the national heirloom of West Chu, to be transferred to him before her departure. This mutual exchange of deeply significant items was akin to a profound bond.
On her own ship, Jiang Ni gazed at the copper coin, understanding its profound meaning as a symbol of the life Xu Fengnian had given her during a time when she had lost all will to live. She contemplated the uncertain path ahead and the possibility that their next meeting might be on a battlefield. Xu Fengnian's next destination was Shangyin Academy.
Meanwhile, Zhao Kai, still with Yuan Tingshan, openly declared Xu Weixiong, Xu Fengnian's second eldest sister, as his future wife, despite her unawareness of his claim. He affirmed his belief that only by killing Xu Fengnian and plunging North Liang into chaos could he attain the stature required to marry such a remarkable woman.
As Xu Fengnian's ship continued its journey south along the Dragon King River and into the wilderness, a young boy appeared, holding a white cloth bearing the words "Xu Xiao is my father, Hello, Brother." This was Zhao Xuansu in disguise, who introduced himself as Long Yuxuan, or Xiaochong, claiming his recently deceased mother had revealed Xu Xiao as his father and wished for him to return to North Liang.
Despite Long Yuxuan's tearful performance and efforts to endear himself, especially to Shu Xiu, Xu Fengnian and Li Chungang remained suspicious of his timely appearance. Xu Fengnian decided to keep the boy close, believing it better to observe a potential threat openly than to let them plot in secret. As the ship's pace quickened towards Shangyin Academy, Xu Fengnian admitted his nervousness about reuniting with his formidable second sister. Li Chungang advised him against calling her "Second Eldest Sister," explaining her dislike for the term as it suggested a comparison to her elder sister, a competition she intensely disliked.
