And the Winner Is Love Episode 42 Recap
> And the Winner Is Love Recap
Xia Qingmei, believing Lin Fengzi was still upset with him, presented her with food he had acquired, but she rejected it, stating she would not touch anything obtained from Lord Lu. She asked him not to buy such things again. Xia Qingmei became enraged, defending his alliance with Lord Lu by explaining it provided him with wealth to support Lin Fengzi and buy her supplements, ensuring no one would ever look down on him again.
His eyes grew red as he boastfully proclaimed he had mastered the ninth move of Lotus God Nine Moves, making him the world's number one martial artist, surpassing even Shangguan Tou. He disturbingly revealed that Shangguan Tou had been killed by Yuwen Muyuan, expressing regret that he never got the chance to defeat him.
As he grew more erratic, his words becoming a frenzied chant about his newfound power, he pushed Lin Fengzi away and urged her to leave before rushing out of the house. Later, Lord Lu consulted Yuwen Muyuan about the nature of martial arts, specifically whether they had inherent strengths or weaknesses. Yuwen Muyuan clarified that martial arts themselves held no such distinctions; rather, it was the practitioner's skill that determined strength.
He astutely recognized Lord Lu's true query was about how martial arts could counter each other. Yuwen Muyuan asserted that speed was paramount, capable of transforming even common moves into the most formidable techniques, which he believed was the true secret behind the dominance of Lotus God Nine Moves. Lord Lu agreed, confirming that Lotus God Nine Moves focused inner power for explosive bursts.
He then unveiled a hidden room filled with sulfur, saltpeter, and Chinese honey locust, revealing his knowledge of a potent explosive, Black Fire. He admitted to stealing its formula but lacked the expertise to determine the correct proportions for its creation and tasked Yuwen Muyuan with this critical assignment, recognizing his experience in weapon supervision at Hall of Flames. Yuwen Muyuan accepted.
Lord Lu then mused about the imminent power of this Black Fire, which he intended to use to compel all sects to submit to his newly formed Sects Alliance. Meanwhile, Zhong Xuezhi discovered that Lord Lu's ambition to establish the Sects Alliance was not universally supported, portending inevitable conflicts within the martial arts world. She confided in Hongxiu about her suspicions regarding Yu Chuzhi, expressing concern after seeing him enter a "secret chamber."
The Chinese plot also reveals that Zhong Xuezhi had secretly checked Yu Chuzhi's neck for Shangguan Tou's characteristic scar but found none, unaware that Shangguan Tou had used makeup to conceal it. When she confronted Yu Chuzhi in the chamber, he claimed he merely mistook it for a library.
After she dismissed him, Zhong Xuezhi told Hongxiu she worried he might be a spy, a notion Hongxiu dismissed, arguing no one would choose to impersonate such a publicly known figure as Shangguan Tou. Separately, Lin Zongxing visited his daughter, Lin Fengzi, and found her performing arduous chores. Distressed by her hardship, he implored her to return to Sword Manor, reminding her of Xia Qingmei's previous promise to provide her with a better life.
Lin Fengzi, however, steadfastly refused, declaring her marital home was now her true abode. She insisted she was happy and that Xia Qingmei treated her kindly, proudly displaying the gifts he had bought her. She explained his desire to prove his independence from Sword Manor and expressed her unwavering faith in him, promising to visit her father with Xia Qingmei once she recovered.
Lin Zongxing, though still concerned, reluctantly agreed, urging her to confide in him if she ever faced difficulties. As Yuwen Muyuan continued his work on the Black Fire, Feng Mo burst in, aggressively challenging him. Feng Mo threatened to set the workshop ablaze, making Yuwen Muyuan's death appear accidental, all in the name of avenging his father.
He taunted Yuwen Muyuan, calling him a traitor who had betrayed his sect and even hurt Zhong Xuezhi, and wished he had died in the "stones that day" ambush. Yuwen Muyuan questioned Feng Mo’s courage, suggesting his aggression stemmed from jealousy over Yuwen Muyuan's rising favor with Lord Lu rather than genuine vengeance. Feng Mo, in his rage, nearly revealed details about the stolen Blades. Just then, Lord Lu arrived, interrupting the heated exchange.
He sternly reprimanded Feng Mo, reminding both men that they were his vital "right-hand men" and must maintain harmony, especially with external threats looming over the nascent Sects Alliance. He dismissed Yuwen Muyuan. Lord Lu then privately instructed Feng Mo to prioritize his duties, emphasizing that Yuwen Muyuan's work on Black Fire was under his direct command. He ordered Feng Mo to assassinate Zhong Xuezhi in Winehouse of Fairyland.
Recognizing Feng Mo was no match for her, Lord Lu promised assistance from his "Warriors in Black," whose unique martial arts could counter Lotus God Nine Moves, and provided Feng Mo with a special "trump card." Later, Hongxiu confronted Shangguan Tou (disguised as Yu Chuzhi), questioning the emotional toll of his deception on Zhong Xuezhi and urging him to reveal the truth.
Shangguan Tou remained resolute, explaining that if Lord Lu discovered his survival, he would not only kill Shangguan Tou but also every person he held dear, citing Lord Lu's deep-seated hatred since his sister's death. He reiterated his commitment to keeping Zhong Xuezhi safe from this danger. Hongxiu countered that Zhong Xuezhi's quest for revenge put her in even greater peril, acknowledging that Shangguan Tou's plan to use Lin Zongxing to deter her had failed.
She expressed her exhaustion from maintaining the elaborate lie. Shangguan Tou thanked her for her support. Hongxiu then reported on his intelligence gathering, confirming that Hall of Flames disciples had been hiding in Sword Manor but had vanished after Lin Fengzi's wedding. Shangguan Tou deduced that Lord Lu was behind their disappearance, noting his cunning ability to orchestrate events without leaving evidence.
He speculated that Yuwen Muyuan's sudden alliance with Lord Lu wasn't for love, but a strategic move to reclaim Hall of Flames, concluding that the missing disciples were Lord Lu’s “welcome gift” to Yuwen Muyuan as the new leader. Concerned about Yuwen Muyuan's growing influence, Shangguan Tou decided to travel to Xiangzhou to personally investigate the Sects Alliance. Hongxiu reminded him of his profound importance to Zhong Xuezhi, before delivering a fan frame from Zhong Xuezhi intended for Yu Chuzhi.
That night, by a bridge, Zhong Xuezhi sorrowfully burned paper money. Yu Chuzhi (Shangguan Tou) approached her. She offered him the fan frame, explaining it was simply to repay his kindness, without deeper meaning. He gently probed her about "Shangguan Tou," whose name she had called out while drunk. She revealed that their relationship was complex and that he "is dead."
She explained she was burning paper money for him, for a respected official who was unjustly executed, and for a noble sister who met a tragic end with her unborn child, deceived by a "vicious snake." She then made a somber statement that some of the paper money was for herself, prompting Yu Chuzhi to question her words. She made a heartfelt plea for him to call her "Xuezhi," as Shangguan Tou once did.
He refused, asserting that the real Shangguan Tou would not wish her to inflict such suffering upon herself. Tearfully, she apologized for having mistaken him for her beloved, wondering if Shangguan Tou would be upset. She lamented that without him, even the most beautiful scenery in the world had lost its color. She noted the similarity in his gaze, reminding her of Shangguan Tou.
She assured him she would not commit suicide, as she was determined to avenge Shangguan Tou's "innocent death" and restore his family's honor, letting him finally rest in peace. When Yu Chuzhi questioned if she, being so young, could bear such a heavy burden, she replied that Shangguan Tou's family was now her family, making revenge a sacred duty rather than a choice.
She apologized for her forwardness, and he, in turn, apologized for not being able to grant her request. She told him she would be leaving soon, believing that with the passage of time, all regrets would vanish. She showed him a red string he had tied for her, a promise of his return, now a symbol to guide her to him. He asked if she "had to go," warning of the dangers.
She affirmed her resolve, acknowledging that Shangguan Tou always protected her and kept her from danger, but now, he could no longer stop her. She bid him farewell. As Yuwen Muyuan continued to work on the Black Fire, Feng Mo's earlier taunt about the "stones that day" echoed in his mind, triggering a vivid flashback.
He recalled the ambush during the Blades transport, where large rocks were rolled down a mountain, leading to the theft of the weapons, and the subsequent ruin of Hall of Flames and his grandfather's tragic death.
The memory intensified to the grim pronouncement of a military official: Zhong Xuezhi and Yuwen Muyuan were to be executed for their failure to protect imperial weapons and violation of military law, and Hall of Flames would be confiscated and placed under the command of the "Imperial Son-in-Law and Commandant." This powerful recollection underscored the deep-seated hatred and motivation driving Yuwen Muyuan's actions.
