And the Winner Is Love Episode 22 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan discovered that the swords left by the attackers of the Heavy Flame Palace were from the Huashan Sect. Yuwen Muyuan speculated that this was a probing attack, and if they didn't investigate, Huashan Sect would become more audacious. Zhong Xuezhi declared that the Heavy Flame Palace would take the initiative, just as her father had.
Yuwen Muyuan initially planned to go to Huashan Sect, but Zhu Sha and Che Qu volunteered, arguing that Yuwen Muyuan, as Chief Guardian, was needed at the Heavy Flame Palace. Zhong Xuezhi agreed, supporting Zhu Sha and Che Qu's request, believing it would avoid giving Feng Cheng, the sect master of Huashan, too much importance and allow Zhu Sha and Che Qu to gain experience. Yuwen Muyuan reluctantly consented, advising them to be careful.
Soon after, Che Qu and Zhu Sha arrived at Huashan Sect. They threw the Huashan Sect assassins' swords in front of Feng Cheng. Feng Cheng knew what was going on but feigned ignorance, refusing to admit he had sent people to attack the Heavy Flame Palace. Che Qu argued, presenting the hidden markings on the swords, which were made by the Heavy Flame Palace for Huashan Sect years ago, with clear customization details inscribed. Feng Cheng could not deny it.
Seeing the evidence, Feng Cheng was speechless. Che Qu and Zhu Sha did not press further; their purpose for this trip was to give Feng Cheng a warning, and they had achieved their goal. Meanwhile, Shangguan Tou and his confidant Wuming were having tea in the market. Wuming noted that Zhong Xuezhi hadn't appeared after they waited all night.
Shangguan Tou, however, believed that Xuezhi didn't truly suspect him of having an affair with Lin Fengzi; she was upset that he hadn't informed her beforehand. He also mentioned that Yuwen Muyuan, the Chief Guardian, had been watching him all night. Soon after, Feng She appeared and exchanged a bag of silver with Shangguan Tou, promising his assistance if needed, which Shangguan Tou noted would be useful.
Later, as they camped in the wild, Feng She asked Shangguan Tou about Zhong Xuezhi. Shangguan Tou admitted they had a small misunderstanding, which he believed would soon be resolved. Feng She then offered to share secrets about Man Feiyue. He claimed she was much older than rumored and did everything for money, though he disassociated himself from her "crazy" or "insane" methods. Shangguan Tou connected the flu in Anping County to Man Feiyue's money-making schemes.
Feng She confirmed Man Feiyue received a lot of gold for her activities, including the Hero Assembly and the Anping County flu. He further revealed that Man Feiyue’s ultimate goal was the Lotus Wing from Zhong Xuezhi. Shangguan Tou pondered whether the flu outbreak was a mere coincidence or part of a larger, directed conspiracy targeting Xuezhi. Feng She also mentioned that Man Feiyue would re-melt all the gold she received.
Shangguan Tou realized this implied the gold was from the authorities, marked with official seals, which Man Feiyue would want to remove. He concluded that the situation surrounding the flu was far more complex and worried about Xuezhi's safety. Shangguan Tou returned to Moon Valley, where Lin Changran noted his troubled expression and correctly assumed he had a disagreement with Zhong Xuezhi. Shangguan Tou explained it was a misunderstanding and confessed that Lin Changran was inadvertently involved.
He then recounted a past incident with Lin Fengzi: years ago, Fengzi had tricked him into drinking, causing him to pass out. He awoke the next morning in her bed, which infuriated Lin Zongxing, Fengzi's father and Shangguan Tou's master. Lin Zongxing accused Shangguan Tou of defiling his daughter, and despite Shangguan Tou's clear memory that nothing had happened, Fengzi remained silent.
Lin Zongxing then punished Shangguan Tou by crippling his martial arts and expelling him from the Lingjian Sword Manor, even attempting to poison him. Lin Changran, realizing this was why Shangguan Tou was near death when they first met, expressed regret for unknowingly sending him back into danger. Shangguan Tou hoped Xuezhi would eventually understand and forgive him, but he acknowledged that she needed time to cool off.
He then revealed his more pressing concern: finding the mastermind behind Man Feiyue's actions, who he believed was orchestrating a larger conspiracy that might endanger Xuezhi. He mentioned having a friend who could provide information. At Winehouse of Fairyland (Xianshan Yingzhou), a Huashan Sect disciple was found dead with a distinct five-petal lotus mark, a signature of the Nine Moves of Lotus God.
Another Huashan disciple caused a ruckus, accusing Zhong Xuezhi of murder and threatening to raze Winehouse of Fairyland if she wasn't handed over. Hongxiu, the proprietor, maintained her establishment's neutrality and her own reputation, declaring she would report the incident to the authorities and personally ensure the truth was uncovered. A Judge arrived, noting the lotus mark and implicating Zhong Xuezhi, as the Nine Moves of Lotus God was the exclusive skill of the Heavy Flame Palace.
Despite Hongxiu's protests, the Judge asserted the court's authority over martial arts affairs and ordered the body taken for a thorough examination, promising a complete investigation. Upon receiving Hongxiu's urgent letter, Zhong Xuezhi was astonished that someone had been killed by the Nine Moves of Lotus God. Yuwen Muyuan was concerned, but Xuezhi argued that apart from Hong Sheng, no one else in the martial world knew the technique.
The presence of the lotus mark suggested that Hong Sheng might not have died as they believed during the Hero Assembly, perhaps merely fainted from his injuries, and was now actively framing the Heavy Flame Palace. She couldn't understand why he would target a Huashan disciple. Yuwen Muyuan feared it was a trap designed to lure Xuezhi, escalating the existing feud between the Heavy Flame Palace and Huashan Sect. Zhu Sha and Che Qu echoed his concerns.
However, the Elder in Chief supported Xuezhi's decision to go, believing it was essential to personally uncover the truth and clear the Heavy Flame Palace's name. Zhong Xuezhi, defending Hongxiu's past assistance (especially during the Xuantianhongling Temple incident where Zhong Tao died), decided to personally go to Winehouse of Fairyland to investigate, check on Hongxiu, and pay respects to the late Zhong Tao.
Yuwen Muyuan, along with Liuli, reluctantly agreed to accompany her, while Zhu Sha and Che Qu were tasked with strengthening the Heavy Flame Palace's defenses. Before Zhong Xuezhi's departure, Shangguan Tou, accompanied by Wuming and Feng She, arrived at Winehouse of Fairyland. Hongxiu greeted Shangguan Tou, playfully acknowledging his visit. Feng She, introducing himself, caught Hongxiu's attention as she flirtatiously remarked on his attractiveness.
Shangguan Tou explained to Feng She that Winehouse of Fairyland was a place where guests lived like celestials, enjoying music, fruits, and the company of "fairies" who particularly favored handsome young men like Feng She. Feigning disinterest, Feng She attempted to leave, but Hongxiu playfully challenged him, asking how he could claim not to fit in without having met the fairies.
