And the Winner Is Love Episode 30 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Lord Lu, with his retainer Taishi Cheng, articulated his vision not of seizing the throne from his brother, but of presenting him with an orderly martial arts world, one entirely subject to imperial control. He declared that his unwavering ambition was to establish a well-ordered empire, making the entire martial arts community obey the government's laws and rid itself of the chaos that had persisted for centuries.
This, he asserted, would remind everyone of the true authority and supreme order, not just wealth or power. Taishi Cheng acknowledged Lord Lu's resolve. Lord Lu then sent Taishi Cheng to deliver an order to Leader Feng of the Huashan Sect, who pledged his sect's loyalty to Lord Lu's mission. At the Hall of Flames, all the Mo Knives were finally completed. Zhong Xuezhi, eager to fight alongside Yuwen Muyuan, insisted on personally escorting the vital weapons.
However, their journey was abruptly halted when Feng Mo's men attacked, sending boulders rolling down the mountain and causing many weapon carts to plunge into a ravine. Realizing this was a deliberate trap, Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan had no choice but to proceed with the remaining three hundred knives, a number far short of their commitment. Upon delivery, the military commander accused them of violating military law due to the missing weapons and ordered their immediate arrest.
Yuwen Muyuan desperately pleaded for time, finally securing a single day to recover the lost knives, offering himself as a hostage. He knew a day was insufficient and urged Zhong Xuezhi to escape with the other disciples as far away as possible, leaving him behind. Meanwhile, Feng Mo handed over the stolen knives to Taishi Cheng, who then gave Feng Mo a reward from Lord Lu.
Upon receiving the knives, Lord Lu smirked, fully aware that Shangguan Tou would soon learn of Zhong Xuezhi's predicament, eagerly anticipating how Shangguan Tou would play the hero to rescue her this time. Unable to abandon Yuwen Muyuan, Zhong Xuezhi returned to the prison to be by his side. She confessed that if she could choose again, she would never have become the Hall Leader or allowed him to be the Chief Guardian, so as not to implicate him.
Yuwen Muyuan, in turn, expressed his profound love, recalling how the happiest times were spent facing hardships with her and wishing he could shield her from all troubles to see her smile every day. He insisted they couldn't both die there. News of Zhong Xuezhi’s imprisonment reached Shangguan Tou, who was already actively investigating Lord Lu.
His father, Shangguan Xingzhou, had warned him about Lord Lu's ambition to encroach upon the martial arts world, and Shangguan Tou argued that such control would strip the martial arts world of its essential pride. Shangguan Xingzhou countered that order was paramount, and offered himself as Shangguan Tou's "chess piece" to counter Lord Lu's schemes. Shangguan Tou reaffirmed his commitment to uncovering the truth for Zhong Xuezhi, vowing that no one would harm her again.
Learning of her predicament, he wanted to rush to her aid, but Shangguan Xingzhou intervened, reminding him not to act rashly. Shangguan Xingzhou, sensing his son's deep love, decided to use a significant favor owed by the Minister of Military to save her. Despite his father's intervention, Shangguan Tou remained uneasy, suspecting Lord Lu had further plans, and resolved to go to Hedong himself as a precaution.
The following day, as Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan knelt at the execution ground, awaiting their fate, an unexpected order from the Minister of Military arrived. It commuted their death sentences, acknowledging the Hall of Flames' past contributions, but stripped them of their titles as Hall Leader and Chief Guardian, declaring them "dead" and anonymous, urging them to remain hidden. Both Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan understood then that Shangguan Tou was their savior, and Lord Lu, their would-be executioner.
Shangguan Tou, having sent his subordinate Wuming to ensure Zhong Xuezhi's safety, chose not to meet her, believing his continued involvement in the fight against Lord Lu would only bring her more danger. He mused that it was better for them to "forget each other in the Jianghu" than to be together and face more peril. When Lord Lu was informed of the pardons, he was astonished.
His retainer pointed out that Shangguan Xingzhou, as the backer of Shangguan Tou and the entire martial arts world, had clearly intervened. This revelation solidified Lord Lu's determination to eliminate Shangguan Xingzhou as a formidable obstacle. Meanwhile, imperial soldiers arrived at the Hall of Flames to seal it off, announcing that Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan had been executed for violating military law, and threatening anyone who resisted with treason and familial punishment.
Unaware of the true commutation, Elder Yuwen Zhongsong, upon hearing the false news of Yuwen Muyuan’s death, despaired, believing he had lost his only hope for the Yuwen family, and tragically hanged himself in the ancestral hall. When Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan returned, using her shrewdness to gain a moment to say goodbye, they found the Hall of Flames being evicted. Zhusha tearfully informed Yuwen Muyuan of his grandfather's suicide.
Yuwen Muyuan was heartbroken, kneeling before his grandfather's body, apologizing for not being there and for failing to live up to his expectations. Back at the Imperial Advisor's Mansion, Shangguan Tou expressed his gratitude to his father for saving Zhong Xuezhi.
Shangguan Xingzhou, still wary, advised his son to retreat with Zhong Xuezhi, allowing him to handle Lord Lu, whom he deemed "too stubborn" and prone to self-destruction, but Shangguan Tou refused to leave his father to face the danger alone. He argued that the martial arts world would undoubtedly fall into Lord Lu's hands if he did not act, and his own ability to counter Lord Lu should not be underestimated. Shangguan Xingzhou, acknowledging his son's unwavering resolve, urged him to always seek his help, emphasizing that their combined efforts would offer "more leeway" in their struggle against Lord Lu.
