Sword Snow Stride Episode 35 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
The small group sailed toward the northeast, nearing Wudi City on the East Sea coast. Long ago, Wudi City was known as Guanhai City, but after Wang Xianzhi became its master, he renamed it Wudi City, signifying his supreme power. During the journey, Li Chungang spoke candidly with Xu Fengnian. He revealed that Zhao Kai had attempted to bribe him with a secret letter about Lyupao’er’s relatives in exchange for his non-intervention in an assassination attempt against Xu Fengnian.
Li Chungang had not explicitly agreed, but Zhao Kai assumed he had. Li Chungang clarified that his only debt was to Lyupao’er, not her relatives, and explained that Xu Xiao had offered him refuge by building Tingchao Pavilion when he had nowhere else to go, allowing him to seek inner peace. Furthermore, Xu Xiao had visited Lyupao’er’s grave and offered incense on his behalf. These actions were sufficient reasons for Li Chungang to escort Xu Fengnian.
Xu Fengnian confirmed he was already aware that Zhao Kai was behind the assassination attempts, recognizing Fujiang Armor as Zhao Kai's man. He also knew about Li Chungang's meeting with Zhao Kai. When Shu Xiu entered, Li Chungang asked how Zhao Kai had bribed her; she admitted he promised her the White Emperor Esoterica of Simplicity. While she desired it, she feared the relentless pursuit of the North Liang cavalry if she betrayed Xu Fengnian.
Xu Fengnian reassured Li Chungang that he owed nothing to the Xu family, and whatever decision he made, Xu Fengnian would accept, as he was not the center of the world. Moved by Xu Fengnian's words, Li Chungang asked Shu Xiu to leave and then taught Xu Fengnian the sword techniques "Snakes in Sleeves" and "Open the Heaven's Gate." He declared his intention to challenge Wang Xianzhi in Wudi City, a celebration of his return to the Immortal-on-Earth realm.
Li Chungang also asked Xu Fengnian to pass on his sword art and sword intent should anything happen to him. Xu Fengnian agreed, visibly saddened by the prospect, a sentiment Li Chungang shared. A carrier pigeon arrived at the Xuanyuan family, signaling to Xuanyuan Qingfeng that it was time to repay a past favor. Meanwhile, in North Liang, Xu Xiao discussed with Li Yishan about Zhang Julu sending a letter to Chen Zhibao, an attempt to sow discord.
Li Yishan noted Chen Zhibao had not left his barrack since Xu Xiao returned. Li Yishan then spoke of Xu Fengnian’s recent activities, from the Xuanyuan family to Mount Longhu, piecing together his son's audacious plans which even they had been unaware of. Xu Xiao acknowledged that Xu Fengnian was truly fit to be the next Lord of North Liang.
Xu Xiao then emotionally dismissed his armor, noting that Xu Fengnian should be in Wudi City by then, and they could only await news from afar. The group finally arrived at Wudi City. Xu Fengnian chose to enter through the West Gate, just as Old Huang had done. The city wall was covered with thousands of swords, left behind by challengers defeated by Wang Xianzhi over the decades.
They also noticed a painting by the little monk from Mount Longhu on the wall. Ning Emei suggested the Fengzi Battalion accompany Xu Fengnian, but he refused, explaining that such a move would be seen as North Liang declaring war on the city. He emphasized that Old Huang had entered alone. The city gates were open and unguarded, as Wang Xianzhi alone was considered more formidable than any army.
To their surprise, the twelve martial slaves, who traditionally guarded the five floors of the tower, were all assembled at the gate, seemingly waiting for Xu Fengnian. It was clear that the rules had changed for him. Xu Fengnian surmised they were there to stop him from taking the sword box, but he was in no hurry. Instead of immediately heading for the sword box, Xu Fengnian led the group to a humble wine stall.
He asked the owner about "Old Huang," a thin old man with a sword box who had once fought Wang Xianzhi. The owner immediately recognized Jian Jiuhuang, recounting his heroic duel with Wang Xianzhi after having a drink at that very spot. Xu Fengnian ordered the same yellow wine and snacks, setting out two bowls and looking north, repeatedly raising his cup as if making toasts.
He recalled his three years of wandering with Old Huang, remembering their simple times eating sweet potatoes and Old Huang as an ordinary groom who became his companion, friend, and ultimately, family. Xu Fengnian was visibly emotional and became quite drunk. Li Chungang observed him, understanding his grief, and when asked to console him, remarked that Xu Fengnian needed to find his own way through it.
Xu Fengnian admitted he wasn't crazy, but simply wished to walk through time with Old Huang one last time. At the North Gate, Deng Tai'e appeared, encountering Zhao Kai, Yuan Tingshan, and Fujiang Armor. Deng Tai'e declined to enter the city immediately, stating it would interfere with the impending fights. Yuan Tingshan remarked that Wudi City seemed poised for chaos, a situation Zhao Kai welcomed, as it would make it easier to find Xu Fengnian.
Li Chungang eventually approached Xu Fengnian, advising him that to retrieve the sword box, he should confront Wang Xianzhi directly, not simply fight his way up the tower. Energized by this, Xu Fengnian walked to the center of the main street and loudly called out Wang Xianzhi's name, posing a challenge by asking: "What is 'clouds of the nine heavens hanging down' and 'water of the four seas rising up'?"
Even Zhao Kai, observing from afar, expressed admiration for Xu Fengnian's courage. Wang Xianzhi's powerful voice resonated from an inner city pavilion, and moments later, the white-haired elder flew to the rooftop. Li Chungang then extended his arm and, with a powerful cry of "borrow sword," summoned thousands of swords from all over Wudi City. The swords flew into the sky, suspended above the city in a dazzling display, leaving onlookers stunned.
Li Chungang explained he summoned so many swords for the sheer spectacle, as at his level, the number made no difference. He then told Xu Fengnian to go claim what was rightfully his. Wang Xianzhi proposed they take their battle out to the sea, and Li Chungang readily agreed. The two powerful figures soared towards the East Sea. Li Chungang stood suspended on a sword, while Wang Xianzhi rode the waves.
Thousands of swords surged towards Wang Xianzhi, but he deflected them with four powerful energy flows, three of which stood like pillars, shattering the incoming blades. A brief silence fell over Wudi City before erupting into a roaring frenzy as citizens and martial artists alike poured out of the city to witness the unprecedented duel. While the city emptied, Xu Fengnian calmly poured himself another bowl of wine.
Then, accompanied by Wei Shuyang and Ning Emei, he began to make his way to the city tower to retrieve the sword box, knowing the twelve martial slaves awaited them there. Zhao Kai, observing Xu Fengnian's move, cautioned Fujiang Armor to wait, anticipating that the martial slaves would confront Xu Fengnian.
