Sword Snow Stride Episode 6 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Feeling guilty for having kept her martial arts skills and identity as a death guard secret, Qing Niao came to bid farewell to Xu Fengnian, intending to leave the mansion. However, Xu Fengnian ordered her to stay and reveal the truth. Qing Niao explained that Xu Xiao had secretly arranged four death guards, designated by the heavenly stems Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding, to protect Xu Fengnian since his birth. Each guard operated independently, unaware of the others.
She herself was Bing, and she revealed that Yi and Ding had already died for Xu Fengnian during his three years of travels, though he didn't even know their names. Xu Fengnian questioned if Hongshu might be the remaining guard, Jia, but Qing Niao didn't know. Deciding her deceit was punishment enough, Xu Fengnian ordered her to stay, reminding her that from now on, her identity was simply his maid, not a death guard.
Later, Xu Fengnian expressed his frustration and powerlessness to Old Huang, citing the recent difficult choice presented by Xu Xiao: either kill Ning Emei or send his brother Xu Longxiang away from North Liang. Recalling the pain of his sisters' departures, he felt helpless. Old Huang, wanting to help, suggested a plan. He reminded Xu Fengnian of the powerful warrior Chu Kuangnu, the "Old Hunk" imprisoned under the lake.
As a child, Xu Fengnian had tried and failed to break his chains. Old Huang proposed freeing him now, asserting that all Xu Fengnian needed was a sharp blade, and by tradition, whoever personally freed Chu Kuangnu would gain his allegiance. Xu Fengnian borrowed the exceptionally sharp blade, Chunlei, from a skeptical Nangong Puye. At the lake, unable to break the chains himself, he gave the sword to Chu Kuangnu.
Shortly after, the lake churned violently, and Chu Kuangnu erupted from the water, wielding two blades. His roar attracted Wei Shuyang, the pavilion's caretaker. Wei Shuyang attacked with a column of water, but Chu Kuangnu shattered it and swiftly defeated him. Ignoring Xu Fengnian's attempt to intervene, Chu Kuangnu declared that he only spared the young master because he had been freed. He then demanded to know the whereabouts of Li Yishan, seeking revenge.
Just then, Old Huang appeared with his sword box. Chu Kuangnu, recognizing his old rival, Jian Jiuhuang, immediately challenged him to avenge a past defeat. Old Huang accepted, unleashing his famous swords. He called out "Dragon and Snake," "Twin Lotus," and "Three Catties," with just three moves forcing Chu Kuangnu, who had bested Wei Shuyang in one, to yield.
Xu Fengnian was stunned to learn that the unassuming Old Huang was the legendary swordsman Jian Jiuhuang, second only to the Sword God Li Chungang, and the very person who had defeated Chu Kuangnu and imprisoned him in the lake decades ago. With Chu Kuangnu subdued, the authoritative Old Huang commanded him to stay and protect Xu Fengnian for two months while he was away on business. Chu Kuangnu reluctantly agreed.
That night, Old Huang revealed to Xu Fengnian his destinations: Mount Longhu for a "business deal" and Wudi City to finish a fight with its lord, Wang Xianzhi, that he had fled from nearly 30 years ago. Wang Xianzhi calls himself "Second Best" because for twenty years, no one has dared claim the title of "Best." Old Huang recounted that he was once a swordsmith who gained insight into swordsmanship.
Fear of defeat and death caused him to flee his duel with Wang Xianzhi, leaving his sword, Huanglu, behind and living in shame for decades. However, traveling with Xu Fengnian for three years, and witnessing the young master's fearlessness despite having no martial arts, inspired Old Huang to finally conquer his own fear. He was now ready to face his past.
He also explained that at Mount Longhu, a master who fears challenging Wang Xianzhi himself would observe the fight in exchange for a valuable item. On the eve of his departure, Old Huang sang a song about an old dog seeking bitterness in sweetness, which Xu Fengnian now understood was about Old Huang himself. He revealed that his travels with Xu Fengnian had finally helped him perfect his ultimate technique, the "Ninth Sword."
Recalling their journey, Xu Fengnian named it "Six Thousand Li." The next morning, Xu Fengnian walked Old Huang to the city gate of Lingzhou. They exchanged gifts of salt in gourds and walked in silence. As Old Huang departed, Xu Fengnian called out to ask if he could win against the "Second Best." Old Huang replied that winning or losing didn't matter; the 30-year-old debt had to be paid. He promised to return with wine from the East Sea for them to share.
