Sword Snow Stride Episode 7 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Just over a month after Old Huang's departure, Xu Fengnian's Coming-of-Age Ceremony arrived. On a snowy day, as Xu Fengnian headed to Tingchao Pavilion to find his father, Xu Xiao, he was captivated by Nangong Puye practicing her sword amidst the falling snow, displaying the demeanor of a true martial master. Xu Xiao, a cautious man, remained wary of Nangong Puye, having sent spies to investigate her background for days without success, finding her origins suspicious.
However, Li Yishan encouraged Xu Xiao to trust his son's judgment, praising Nangong Puye as an exceptional talent who, within a decade, would be capable of defeating anyone in the martial world. While they discussed her, Xu Fengnian approached Nangong Puye after her training, inviting her to his ceremony. She politely declined, explaining her aversion to noisy gatherings.
Shortly after, a secret report arrived from Mount Longhu, revealing that Old Huang had left and was on his way to Wudi City. Xu Fengnian hoped Old Huang would return soon after his fight, but he felt uneasy, knowing that Wang Xianzhi of the East Sea was an unparalleled force. As the auspicious time for the ceremony approached, Xu Xiao led Xu Fengnian out of the North Liang King's residence and towards a mountain path east of the city.
Upon reaching the summit, his late wife Wu Su's tomb came into view, where the steward and maids had been waiting. Customarily, a man reaching adulthood at twenty could then enter officialdom or military service. Xu Xiao guided Xu Fengnian to his deceased wife's grave, choosing to pay respects neither to Heaven and Earth nor to their ancestors, but solely to his mother, Wu Su.
After a series of intricate rituals, large snowflakes began to fall, deeply affecting Xu Xiao, who then took out a ceremonial cap sewn by Wu Su herself and placed it upon Xu Fengnian's head. The late North Liang Princess Consort Wu Su was renowned as a legendary woman from a prominent martial arts family. She was once a formidable sword master, navigating the martial world in a male guise, with a style similar to Nangong Puye.
Wu Su later met Xu Xiao, choosing to defy her family and leave the Sword Tomb of the Wu family for him. She famously wore white mourning clothes for the North Liang army, entering the imperial city alone to beat a drum, her fierce and imposing presence striking awe into all who beheld her. Within the royal household, she was a virtuous and loving wife and a caring mother. Thus, even years after her passing, she remained a revered figure.
However, the circumstances of Wu Su's death remained shrouded in heavy suspicion, a taboo for the Liyang Dynasty and a deep wound for the Xu father and son. Xu Fengnian knelt before his mother's tombstone, expressing his profound longing for her. Afterwards, he and Xu Xiao stood atop the mountain, overlooking Lingzhou. With the ceremony completed, Xu Fengnian had officially matured.
He initially assumed Xu Xiao would press him to take over North Liang, but to his surprise, Xu Xiao revealed that he had privately sent Xu Longxiang out of Lingzhou City. Explaining his decision, Xu Xiao stated that because Xu Fengnian was unwilling to make difficult choices, he had resolved the potential future troubles on his behalf. Xu Longxiang's situation was precarious, as military officials were targeting him due to his unique innate power.
To protect him and prevent further conflicts, the only way was to transform him into an ordinary person by reshaping his root bones, and the only sect capable of such a feat was Wudang. Xu Fengnian, however, viewed Xu Xiao's well-intentioned actions as cruel. Xu Fengnian immediately rushed home to pack, intending to ask Nangong Puye to accompany him to Wudang.
However, Nangong Puye refused, stating she could not leave Tingchao Pavilion, as helping him might lead Xu Xiao to expel her. Her sole purpose was to master peerless martial arts to avenge the deceased. As a parting gift, Nangong Puye gave Xu Fengnian her Xiudong sword for self-defense and suggested he seek help from Old Kui. Initially, Old Kui strongly objected to accompanying Xu Fengnian. Still, remembering Old Huang's parting instructions, he reluctantly agreed.
The two made their way to the stables, only to discover that Xu Xiao had already moved all the horses to the military camp to prevent Xu Fengnian from going to Wudang. Fortunately, Jiang Ni had anticipated Xu Fengnian's plan and held back two horses for him. Though she spoke harshly, she clearly cared for him. As Xu Fengnian and Old Kui prepared to leave, they were blocked by city guards under orders to prevent the heir apparent from leaving.
They also learned that Chu Lushan, tasked with escorting Xu Longxiang, was not in the city. Suddenly, a military camp horn sounded, and Xu Fengnian instantly thought of Ning Emei. He rushed to the dungeon to find him, explaining that Xu Xiao intended to destroy his brother's root bones. Shocked, Ning Emei promptly helped Xu Fengnian by ordering the city gate opened. As they were about to exit, they saw Chu Lushan returning.
Although Chu Lushan had left Xu Longxiang at Mount Wudang as ordered, he was unaware of Xu Xiao's true intentions. Old Kui reassured Xu Fengnian, telling him not to worry, as destroying root bones required the Wudang Heart Art known as Dahuangting, a skill no one had mastered in recent years. However, Chu Lushan interjected, stating that the Chief of Wudang, Wang Chonglou, had indeed achieved Dahuangting.
Before the group could leave, Chen Zhibao rode out to deliver a message from Xu Xiao. The message conveyed that Xu Fengnian, now an adult, must learn to make choices. If he insisted on going to Mount Wudang, Ning Emei and Chu Lushan must return to Lingzhou. To ease Xu Fengnian's burden, Ning Emei and Chu Lushan readily agreed to stay behind.
With his resolve firm, Xu Fengnian set off for Mount Wudang, intending to confront Wang Chonglou directly, though Old Kui cautioned him that the Chief might not grant an immediate audience.
