And the Winner Is Love Episode 1 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Chong Ye, the leader of Hall of Flames, created the supreme martial art, Lotus Wing, which combined the Nine Moves of Lotus God and the Lotus Sutra. The belief that "whoever obtains the Lotus Wing will rule the world" led many in the martial arts world to covet it. Chong Ye, practicing the Nine Moves of Lotus God in isolation, fell into madness and took his own life.
The world then realized that both parts of the Lotus Wing were indispensable for proper cultivation. With the martial world in turmoil and Hall of Flames in danger, Sword Manor stepped in to guarantee their safety. It was agreed that Chong Ye's daughter, Chong Xuezhi, would lead her sect into seclusion, with the Nine Moves of Lotus God entrusted to Sword Manor and the Lotus Sutra remaining with Hall of Flames, for a pact of five years.
Five years swiftly passed, and Chong Xuezhi, now a beautiful young woman, prepared to leave Hall of Flames. Her mission was to represent her sect at the Hero Assembly in Dongdu, carrying the Lotus Sutra, to prove that Hall of Flames was not an evil cult.
She solemnly swore to the elders and guardians that she would not fail them, promising to clear the sect's name, reclaim her father's Nine Moves, complete the Lotus Wing, and restore the glory of Hall of Flames. The Chief Guardian, Yuwen Muyuan, along with guardians Zhu Sha and Liu Li, set out to protect Chong Xuezhi on her perilous journey. Not long after their departure, they were ambushed by members of the Silver Whip School.
The leader of the Silver Whip School's disciples, Guan Peng, confronted Yuwen Muyuan, claiming the attack was to avenge his father, whom Chong Ye had killed years ago, stating that "a daughter must pay for her father's debts." Yuwen Muyuan saw through their pretense, knowing they were truly after the Lotus Sutra. He told them that if they truly wanted the manual, they should win it fairly at the Hero Assembly.
Hall of Flames had no intention of provoking other sects, but would not hesitate to fight back if Chong Xuezhi or the manual were threatened. Yuwen Muyuan's group easily defeated the Silver Whip School disciples and, to demonstrate their sect was not evil, allowed them to leave without further harm. However, shortly after, a mysterious masked figure intercepted the retreating Silver Whip School members.
The figure declared that anyone who troubled Hall of Flames would die, and swiftly cut down all but one of them. The sole survivor rushed back to his leader, Wang Yinya, who, enraged, mistakenly blamed Hall of Flames for the deaths and swore to take Chong Xuezhi's life.
Meanwhile, in the Huashan Sect, leader Feng Mo gathered his disciples, reminding them of Chong Ye's past atrocities, which had led to the deaths of his grandfather, brothers, and many sect members, bringing shame to Huashan. He declared that Hall of Flames "must be destroyed for the greater good."
Chong Xuezhi's group decided to leave the dense forest and travel on the main road, as Yuwen Muyuan warned of dangers from opportunistic sects like the Silver Whip School, whose members, though mediocre in martial arts, excelled at forest ambushes. Yuwen Muyuan sent their guardian Chequ ahead to arrange for a carriage and meet them at Yunxi Inn.
Later, at the inn, Chong Xuezhi tried to relieve Zhusha, who had been punished by Yuwen Muyuan for speaking out earlier, but Yuwen Muyuan insisted on upholding the rules. While dining, they observed the ostentatious procession of the Divine Spirit Temple, a notorious cult led by Man Feiyue, known for her mastery of poisons and her practice of using male disciples for testing. A confrontation ensued when Divine Spirit Temple disciples blocked their path.
Zhusha openly criticized them, which provoked Man Feiyue's chief disciple, Feng She, to comment on Chong Xuezhi's beauty. Man Feiyue then audaciously suggested they become friends, but Chong Xuezhi refused any association with their "evil ways." Yuwen Muyuan, sensing their true intent, advised Chong Xuezhi to retreat to their room. Chong Xuezhi pursued Man Feiyue. Man Feiyue, cornered, threw a device that released poisonous smoke to escape, leading Chong Xuezhi into an ambush set by Wang Yinya's men.
Her eyes were injured by lime, and her beloved horse, Paper, was killed. Just as she was in dire straits, Shangguan Tou, the handsome leader of Moon Valley and the Imperial Advisor's son, appeared and saved her. He took her to a cave for shelter as heavy rain began to fall and applied medicine to her eyes. He had also buried her horse, Paper, which deeply saddened Chong Xuezhi, as it was a cherished gift from her father.
She asked Shangguan Tou to light a whistling arrow to signal her companions, but he advised waiting for the rain to stop, as the mountain and rain would obstruct the signal. While waiting, Chong Xuezhi tried to learn about her rescuer, asking where he was headed so she could repay his kindness. Shangguan Tou dismissed the need for repayment and revealed he was on a mission to protect someone important.
Chong Xuezhi recounted how she and her older brother, Yuwen Muyuan, had grown up together, practicing martial arts and riding their horses, Paper and Ink, a bond that ran deeper than with others. Shangguan Tou subtly reminded her to guard her identity while traveling. As the rain subsided, he lit the whistling arrow, and after ensuring her companions had arrived, he quietly departed, leaving Chong Xuezhi with only a vague impression of his outline.
Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Flames' temporary lodgings, the other guardians, including Liu Li, worried about Chong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan's prolonged absence, but Guardian Haitang reminded them that Yuwen Muyuan had instructed them to wait. After the reunion, Chong Xuezhi expressed her regret for the ambush and the death of Paper, which had delayed their journey.
She also playfully insisted that Yuwen Muyuan stop calling her "Young Master" outside the sect and revert to calling her "Xuezhi," as they had done in childhood. Yuwen Muyuan, after a moment of formality, affectionately addressed her as "Xuezhi," pleasing her greatly. Elsewhere, at Sword Manor, leader Lin Zongxing instructed his chief disciple, Xia Qingmei, in swordsmanship. He reminded Xia Qingmei to be cautious at the Hero Assembly, where he would be carrying the Nine Moves of Lotus God.
Lin Zongxing mused that while the five-year pact dictated the Nine Moves be returned to Hall of Flames, doing so might spark panic among other sects, given the power of the manual. He urged Xia Qingmei to observe carefully beyond the surface of the competition. Chong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan eventually arrived in Dongdu, a bustling city.
In the market, Chong Xuezhi was amused by a street vendor selling caricatures, especially one that depicted her unflatteringly, calling her an "ugly shrew" and a "witch." She then encountered Lin Fengzi, Lin Zongxing's daughter, who greeted her warmly, stating she recognized Chong Xuezhi despite their years apart.
However, Yuan Shuangshuang, leader of the Swallow Sect, intervened, coldly addressing Chong Xuezhi as a "witch" and warning Lin Fengzi against associating with her, implying that Hall of Flames only survived thanks to Sword Manor's protection. Angered by Yuan Shuangshuang's remarks, Chong Xuezhi decided to leave. As she turned, an arrow was suddenly fired at her. She quickly pulled Zhu Sha out of the way, and in a flash, Xia Qingmei appeared, deflecting the arrow with his sword.
Back at Tianbao Inn, where Hall of Flames had secured lodging, guardians like Haitang and Chequ identified a threat from the "Azure Shark Gang." However, Mr. Qi, the innkeeper, greeted Yuwen Muyuan and assured him that despite his establishment being nonaligned in the martial world, he upheld rules and would guarantee a safe and comfortable stay for Hall of Flames, having already received their deposit.
Later, in their rooms, Chong Xuezhi teased Zhu Sha, asking if she too wanted to be called by her given name, "Sha," since Chong Xuezhi allowed Yuwen Muyuan to call her "Xuezhi." Zhu Sha enthusiastically agreed, prompting Chong Xuezhi to jokingly threaten to call her "Sha'er."
