And the Winner Is Love Episode 25 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Huashan and Emei Sects launched a joint attack on the Hall of Flames, overwhelming the disciples. Yuwen Zhongsong calmly directed the defense, but their forces were no match for the invaders. Feng Cheng, fueled by vengeance for his father, desecrated Chong Ye’s memorial tablet, vowing to eradicate the Hall of Flames. Inside, Zhusha eagerly wanted to join the fight, but Yuwen Zhongsong urged patience, warning that rushing out would be a trap.
Chequ supported this, telling Zhusha they couldn't just die like that. At this critical moment, Chong Xuezhi arrived. She confronted Feng Cheng for his repeated aggressions and for disturbing her father's peace, declaring that as long as she lived, he would not succeed. She unleashed the Nine Moves of Lotus God, severely injuring Feng Cheng, forcing him and his Emei allies to retreat to Huashan.
Amidst the chaos, Liuli encountered Abbess Ciren and tearfully questioned why her mother's death had been concealed from her and how long she would continue to be used. Abbess Ciren, seeing Liuli had discovered the truth, cruelly struck her down, proclaiming there was no longer any need to keep her alive. Chong Xuezhi found Liuli and mourned her. A disciple informed Chong Xuezhi that Liuli's last words were a plea for forgiveness and that she was a spy from Emei.
Chong Xuezhi, already aware of Liuli's true identity, expressed that she would have forgiven Liuli anyway, recognizing that Liuli was coerced and meant no real harm. Shangguan Tou also arrived late. He revealed that he had only recently discovered Liuli was his cousin, Abbess Baiyun's daughter, at Immortal Mountain Yingzhou and had promised to keep her secret until she could confess herself.
He asked Chong Xuezhi to keep Liuli's true identity a secret and requested to take Liuli's body to be buried with her mother. Chong Xuezhi agreed, hoping Liuli could rest in peace. Shangguan Tou warned her that Feng Cheng’s attack was not merely for revenge, as Feng Mo had hinted at a powerful mastermind behind him. Chong Xuezhi acknowledged the warning but, overwhelmed by the Hall's devastation, asked Shangguan Tou to depart so she could focus on reconstruction.
Meanwhile, Lord Lu learned of the Hall of Flames' attack. His attendant detailed the destruction of their workshop, the injured disciples, and the death of Elder Yuchi, noting the severe losses. Lord Lu remarked that it "pours when it rains" for the Hall of Flames, and questioned his advisor about Chong Xuezhi's fitness to be sect leader. His advisor implied that her capacity to revive the sect would determine her true leadership.
Elsewhere, Feng She, burdened by his own secrets, asked Shangguan Tou what he would do if his father was a universally hated man. Shangguan Tou replied that if his father was a good man and had no secrets from him, he would still honor him regardless of public opinion. However, if his father was deceitful and untrustworthy, he would not recognize him, no matter how much he was respected by others.
Reflecting on this, Feng She decided to part ways with Shangguan Tou to seek answers about his own past. Shangguan Tou, without objection, secretly instructed Wuming to follow Feng She and report any developments. Back at the Hall of Flames, Chong Xuezhi expressed regret, believing that if she hadn’t left to investigate the Huashan disciple’s death at Immortal Mountain Yingzhou, she could have prevented the current catastrophe and the deaths of Elder Yuchi and Liuli.
Yuwen Muyuan reassured her that it was Feng Cheng’s scheme. He then revealed a new crisis: the Hedong governor had issued a military order for the Hall of Flames to produce 1,500 Blades within 70 days, a drastic increase from their usual annual quota of 500, with severe military punishment for failure. Chong Xuezhi was dismayed by this impossible task, especially with their workshop destroyed and most artisans injured.
Yuwen Muyuan suspected a deliberate plot, linking the attack and the impossible order to Lord Lu, who had recently attempted to recruit the Hall of Flames to unify the martial arts world under his influence. Yuwen Muyuan explained he had refused Lord Lu, and immediately after, the attacks and the impossible order began.
Chong Xuezhi agreed it was no coincidence and vowed not to surrender, directing all disciples to repair the workshop and forge day and night, even if it meant working around the clock. She sent Zhusha to recruit more artisans from Anping County. However, Zhusha returned, explaining that while people were willing to help, the Hall of Flames had exhausted its funds caring for the injured and rebuilding, leaving them unable to pay even basic wages.
Chong Xuezhi, resolute, offered her own jewelry to be pawned to secure immediate funds, promising to find other solutions. Meanwhile, Lin Fengzi returned to Sword Manor and informed her father, Lin Zongxing, about Yuan Shuangshuang's true identity. Lin Zongxing was shocked to learn his trusted aide was Feng Cheng's spy.
He expressed his deepest concern for Lin Fengzi, advising her to stay out of the dangerous world of Jianghu feuds, particularly after learning her master, Yuan Shuangshuang, had only come for the Nine Moves of Lotus God and had now been exposed. He assured Lin Fengzi he would not pursue the matter further and only wished for her safety.
At Huashan Sect, Yuan Shuangshuang, having been exposed and unable to return to Sword Manor or Snow Swallow Cult, was told by Feng Cheng to stay by his side. Feng Cheng, still recovering from his injuries, acknowledged Chong Xuezhi's improved "Lotus Wing" martial arts. Shangguan Tou traveled to Dongdu for his father, Shangguan Xingzhou’s, 50th birthday.
He disclosed his findings: Man Feiyue, who spread the epidemic, had a powerful mastermind behind her whose goal was far more than just spreading disease; it was potentially a scheme to destabilize the entire martial arts world. He also linked this to Feng Cheng's attack on the Hall of Flames, suspecting the same hidden manipulator. He sought his father’s help to connect the fragmented clues.
Shangguan Xingzhou, the Imperial Advisor, performed a divination, revealing "the southwest is unfavorable, the northeast is ominous," but the specific meaning remained unclear. Shangguan Xingzhou then questioned Shangguan Tou’s reluctance to return home, gently suggesting he consider serving the court. He emphasized that the matters Shangguan Tou was investigating were serious and involved powerful figures, and aligning with the government could provide crucial support, making his investigations more effective.
Shangguan Tou questioned whether this would violate the unspoken rule of non-interference between the martial arts world and the court. Shangguan Xingzhou explained that the court and the martial arts world were not as separate or peaceful as they seemed; their connections were intricate, like deep water where the bottom cannot be seen. He concluded by saying that the court was the deep water, and the martial arts world merely the fish within it.
Shangguan Tou thanked his father for the profound advice. Feng She, now at Huashan, finally confronted Feng Cheng, asking why he had claimed to be his father. Feng Cheng confirmed it, recalling Feng She's resemblance to his mother, whom he described as a very kind woman. He expressed regret for his past mistakes and his long search for Feng She.
Feng Cheng, seeking to make amends, asked Feng She to come home and give him a chance to be a father. Feng She, after confirming his acceptance as the "second young master of Huashan," agreed to stay. Feng Cheng, aware of Feng She's past association with the Hall of Flames and his hatred towards them for his grandfather's death, expressed his hope that Feng She would cease his pursuit of revenge against them.
