And the Winner Is Love Episode 2 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
As Chong Xuezhi and Zhu Sha chatted, an assailant from the Silver Whip School covertly fired a cold arrow. Chong Xuezhi narrowly dodged it, but her attacker persisted. Fortunately, Xia Qingmei of Sword Manor arrived in time to rescue her. Zhu Sha immediately asked if Chong Xuezhi was unharmed, to which she replied she was fine. Chong Xuezhi thanked Xia Qingmei for his intervention. Upon seeing a manual, Chong Xuezhi eagerly reached for it, stating it was her father’s.
Xia Qingmei gently cautioned her to adhere to the rules. Chong Xuezhi, still insisting the manual belonged to her sect, retracted her thanks. Xia Qingmei explained that Sword Manor had always been allied with Hall of Flames, and he was there under his master's orders to protect them. He advised Chong Xuezhi to be cautious in the dangerous martial world and avoid making enemies, before departing with a promise to meet again at the Hero Assembly.
Soon after, Yuwen Muyuan arrived and, after confirming Chong Xuezhi was well, inquired about Xia Qingmei. Chong Xuezhi explained that Xia Qingmei had saved her from the Silver Whip School's assassination attempt. Yuwen Muyuan expressed frustration over the Silver Whip School's persistence, while Zhu Sha chastised him for exposing Chong Xuezhi to danger, given the many eyes on her and the Lotus Sutra. Chong Xuezhi intervened, asking Yuwen Muyuan not to blame Zhu Sha.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Tou, accompanied by his secret guard Wuming, was considering when he could depart for Emei. He had promised an elder to protect Chong Xuezhi and wished to complete his task quickly so he could leave. Wuming, strolling through the street, purchased an exaggerated, unflattering painting of Chong Xuezhi from a vendor, who introduced her as the notorious leader of Hall of Flames. Wuming later showed the painting to Shangguan Tou, asking him to identify the person in it.
Wuming informed Shangguan Tou that Chong Xuezhi and her companions were staying at Tianbao Inn. At Tianbao Inn, Chief Feng of Huashan Sect hosted Priest Xingyi of Shangqing Sect and Abbess Ciren of Emei Sect. After a brief apology for his late welcome, Chief Feng got straight to the point, asking about their true intentions for attending the Hero Assembly. Priest Xingyi and Abbess Ciren initially dismissed it as a routine biennial event for martial arts competition.
However, Chief Feng clarified that this year’s Assembly was different: the winner would negotiate with Hall of Flames on behalf of the martial world to determine the ownership of the Nine Moves of Lotus God and the Lotus Sutra. He suggested that Sword Manor, though authoritative, was too partial to Hall of Flames, making its decision unreliable. Instead, he proposed Huashan Sect, having suffered greatly when Chong Ye killed his father, should be entrusted with the manuals.
He offered to share the manuals with Priest Xingyi and Abbess Ciren if they supported Huashan Sect in securing the victory. Priest Xingyi elaborated on the rules, emphasizing that being the sole person on stage at the end of the day guaranteed victory, making sparring a mere formality. The Hero Assembly commenced at Dongdu Hall in Luduan Temple, with Abbot Shiyan presiding.
Xia Qingmei, representing Sword Manor, arrived with Lin Fengzi, bringing the Nine Moves of Lotus God manual, drawing covetous stares from the assembled martial artists. Whispers circulated about Xia Qingmei’s rising fame and the absence of Sword Manor Leader Lin Zongxing, and his brother Lin Changran, both royal figures who supposedly disdained mere martial arts manuals.
Lin Fengzi, noticing the stares, asked Xia Qingmei why everyone was looking at them, to which he replied that their gaze was on the manual, not them. Chong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan also took their seats. The arrival of Shangguan Tou, Leader of Moon Valley, created a stir, with many marveling at his handsome appearance. Abbot Shiyan, surprised by Moon Valley's participation, apologized for not reserving a seat for Shangguan Tou, who simply stated that one chair was sufficient.
Lin Fengzi, equally captivated by Shangguan Tou, was gently reminded by her master to compose herself and remember her identity. Chong Xuezhi, observing Shangguan Tou, remarked to Yuwen Muyuan that he was "not much better than the painting" (referring to the caricatured portrait Wuming had purchased). Zhu Sha cautioned Chong Xuezhi about Shangguan Tou's reputation for romantic entanglements, while Yuwen Muyuan dismissed him as merely seeking entertainment, a sentiment Chong Xuezhi shared.
Abbot Shiyan then declared the rules: the competition would last until sunset, with three drumbeats signaling the end, and the last person standing on stage would be the winner. He emphasized that all sparring should be non-lethal. Chief Feng sent his disciple Bai Mulin to the stage. Bai Mulin fought valiantly, defeating his opponent. However, a disciple of Man Feiyue ambushed and poisoned Bai Mulin, who soon collapsed and died.
Chief Feng, rather than expressing grief, calmly requested Abbot Shiyan to offer prayers for his deceased disciple. Chong Xuezhi was shocked by Chief Feng's callous indifference, but Yuwen Muyuan explained that, to him, a disciple's life was trivial compared to the manuals, adding that the imperial court forbade interference in martial arts affairs. With no one willing to challenge, Abbess Ciren suddenly leaped onto the stage, challenging Hall of Flames.
Xia Qingmei, given Sword Manor's close ties with Hall of Flames, stepped forward to accept the challenge, respectfully requesting guidance from the elder Abbess. Xia Qingmei, despite his youth, displayed exceptional skill and eventually defeated Abbess Ciren. Following his victory, Xia Qingmei surprisingly challenged Chong Xuezhi. Lin Fengzi questioned her Master why Xia Qingmei challenged Chong Xuezhi.
Her Master explained it was a tactical move for the "greater good": if Qingmei lost, Chong Xuezhi would gain prestige, and if Chong Xuezhi lost, it would be preferable to losing to another sect. Chong Xuezhi accepted the challenge. As they fought, it became clear that Chong Xuezhi's martial arts skills were no match for Xia Qingmei's, prompting worry from Zhu Sha and Liu Li. Just as Xia Qingmei’s sword neared Chong Xuezhi, Shangguan Tou intervened, blocking the strike.
Chong Xuezhi gazed at him, realizing he was the mysterious man who had saved her earlier. Yuwen Muyuan, rushing to Chong Xuezhi's side, questioned her recklessness, but she merely reiterated her growing certainty that Shangguan Tou was her rescuer. Yuwen Muyuan confirmed that the man was indeed Shangguan Tou, Leader of Moon Valley. Onlookers buzzed with excitement as Shangguan Tou took the stage.
Shangguan Tou, accepting Xia Qingmei's challenge, stated he was merely curious to witness Xia Qingmei's "heroic demeanor," while Xia Qingmei declared his intent to showcase his "heroic talent" and learn about Moon Valley's unique skills. Shangguan Tou, armed only with a folding fan, fought Xia Qingmei, effortlessly overpowering him. Yet, at the decisive moment, Shangguan Tou abruptly disengaged, flying away and conceding the match. Abbot Shiyan declared Xia Qingmei the winner of the Hero Assembly.
Lin Fengzi's Master noticed her distraction and reminded her of her identity, as she was still fixated on Shangguan Tou. Xia Qingmei then thanked everyone and announced a judgment convention for the following day at Dongdu Hall in Luduan Temple. A sect leader voiced hope that Hall of Flames would provide a satisfactory response regarding the five-year pact. Yuwen Muyuan reassured Chong Xuezhi that negotiating with Sword Manor was not necessarily a negative outcome. Suddenly, Xia Qingmei collapsed on stage.
Doctors quickly determined he had been poisoned some time ago and might not survive the day, lamenting the "heartless monster" responsible. Lin Fengzi, distraught, called out to her master, who instructed her to care for Xia Qingmei while he sought an antidote. A monk from Luduan Temple then revealed that the poisoned tea Xia Qingmei drank was originally intended for Hall of Flames. Chong Xuezhi and Liu Li rushed to Xia Qingmei's aid.
Lin Fengzi informed Chong Xuezhi about the tea. Chong Xuezhi requested Liu Li, skilled in medicine, to examine Xia Qingmei. Liu Li diagnosed it as Mandala Poison, a rare western poison. She could formulate an antidote, but it would be time-consuming, and some ingredients were scarce, making Xia Qingmei's survival uncertain. Yuan Shuangshuang then suggested that Man Feiyue was likely responsible, recalling how Man Feiyue had ambushed them en route to the Assembly.
Even if Man Feiyue hadn't administered the poison, she would possess the antidote. Chief Feng, outraged by his disciple Bai Mulin's death and Xia Qingmei's poisoning, vowed to capture Man Feiyue for revenge and to obtain the antidote, departing with Yuan Shuangshuang. In a secluded forest, Man Feiyue and Wang Yinya of Silver Whip School discussed the failed assassination attempt on Chong Xuezhi. Man Feiyue blamed Xia Qingmei for interfering, but Wang Yinya insisted that Chong Xuezhi must die.
Man Feiyue, fearing exposure, threatened to reveal Wang Yinya's involvement if he didn't uphold his promise. Wang Yinya then confronted Man Feiyue, demanding the full antidote, before staging a struggle to "seize" it from her. He then presented the antidote to Yuan Shuangshuang, explaining he had tracked Man Feiyue after suspecting her of poisoning Xia Qingmei. Yuan Shuangshuang gratefully accepted, hoping it would save Xia Qingmei.
Xia Qingmei soon regained consciousness and instructed Lin Fengzi to safeguard the Nine Moves of Lotus God. Despite her master's advice to keep the manual close, Lin Fengzi decided to entrust the Nine Moves of Lotus God to Abbot Shiyan. She reasoned that with Xia Qingmei gravely injured and their combined strength insufficient, entrusting it to the Abbot was the safest course of action to avoid her father’s wrath.
Abbot Shiyan accepted, promising to return the manual intact to Xia Qingmei at the next day's judgment convention. Meanwhile, at Chamber of Leaf, Shangguan Tou received a message from Abbess Baiyun of Emei, urging him to come to Emei for answers about his background. Wuming noted that without his commitment to protect Chong Xuezhi, Shangguan Tou would already be in Emei. Shangguan Tou, though not troubled by his background, admitted to being conflicted.
He instructed Wuming to prepare for their departure to Emei immediately after the judgment convention. Wuming then asked if Shangguan Tou was curious about Chong Xuezhi’s "fate." Shangguan Tou responded that her fate was her own, and he was simply fulfilling a promise. The following day, at the judgment convention in Luduan Temple, Xia Qingmei presented the Nine Moves of Lotus God, stating that after five years, Hall of Flames and Sword Manor should address its ownership.
Chong Xuezhi acknowledged her father's past mistakes, which were caused by the manual. She vowed that Hall of Flames would never again practice the Nine Moves of Lotus God, ensuring no one would be harmed by its power. Xia Qingmei, acknowledging Chong Xuezhi's vow, declared that Sword Manor had fulfilled its five-year responsibility and was ready to return the manual to Hall of Flames.
However, the other sect leaders vehemently objected, unwilling to trust Chong Xuezhi's promise and accusing Sword Manor of favoritism towards the "evil cult." Priest Xingyi explained that practicing the Nine Moves of Lotus God without the Lotus Sutra would lead to madness and self-destruction, arguing that returning it would risk another catastrophe like five years prior. Abbess Ciren concurred, asserting that both manuals should be safeguarded by the martial world.
Zhu Sha angrily protested their attempts to seize Hall of Flames' property. Seeing the escalating greed, Chong Xuezhi calmly asked the leaders where they believed the two manuals would be safest. Abbess Ciren immediately proposed Emei Sect, but Chief Feng quickly countered, suggesting Huashan Sect. Another leader pointed out Chief Feng's calculated silence throughout the proceedings.
Finally, exasperated by their self-serving arguments, Chong Xuezhi declared that if the manuals continued to cause such discord, it would be best to simply burn them "once and for all." The leaders collectively cried out in horror, "No, no, no!"
