Ashes of Love Episode 38 Recap, Plot

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Liu Ying visited Jin Mi in the Floral Realm, requesting to borrow her Beast of Dreams. Although hesitant to face Mu Ci's past, Liu Ying’s father, the King of Bian City, encouraged her, promising to stay by her side. Using the Beast of Dreams, Liu Ying witnessed Mu Ci's tragic memories.

She saw him confess his enduring love to someone, only for that person to reveal she had fallen for another and couldn't be with him due to his mixed nature. Mu Ci's declaration that he had loved only her from the beginning broke Liu Ying's heart. After this, Liu Ying realized that the Heavenly Empress was controlling Mu Ci and intended harm upon Jin Mi.

Feeling this knowledge was crucial, Liu Ying returned the Beast of Dreams to Jin Mi, expressing her gratitude. Jin Mi recalled Liu Ying's vital assistance in the mortal world, which saved her from vanishing like Rou Rou. Liu Ying then confessed that Mu Ci was the one who, under duress from the Heavenly Empress, killed Qiang Huo with the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow in the mortal realm.

She pleaded with Jin Mi to place any blame on her, not Mu Ci, as he was a good person forced into action. Jin Mi was shocked to learn the Heavenly Empress was behind these attempts on her life. Liu Ying, still deeply concerned, urged Jin Mi to exercise extreme caution if she ever returned to the Heaven Realm, as the Floral Realm offered a degree of safety the Heaven Realm would not.

Back in the Demon Realm, an attendant informed the King of Bian City that the backlash from Mu Ci’s Autopsy Wild Silkworms was overwhelmingly strong. The King then confided that there was indeed a method to control the Silkworms from absorbing Mu Ci's magic, expressing his own deep affection for Mu Ci, whom he had raised since childhood, and his unwillingness to see him in such agony. Overhearing this, Liu Ying rushed in, eagerly asking her father about the method.

The King tried to deter her, explaining the immense toll it would take on the person performing the rescue, knowing Liu Ying's willingness to sacrifice herself. Just then, Mu Ci suffered a violent seizure. Liu Ying instinctively attempted to transfer her magic power to him, but her father stopped her, clarifying that such a forceful transfer would only worsen Mu Ci's torment.

When Liu Ying, in despair, pressed for the true method, the King of Bian City, without hesitation, cut himself, offering his own bones and blood. He revealed that while the Autopsy Wild Silkworms were generally incurable, the bones and blood of a powerful individual could temporarily suppress them and alleviate Mu Ci’s suffering.

He explained this was why he initially kept the method from Liu Ying, fearing the severe consequences: a drastic reduction in magic power and profound exhaustion for the rescuer. Overcome with emotion, Liu Ying apologized for her recklessness. Her father comforted her, reiterating his own love for Mu Ci and his ultimate desire for Liu Ying's happiness. The Heavenly Empress inquired about Xu Feng and Sui He, learning they were safe in the mortal world.

She promptly ordered Sui He's memory to be restored to foster their relationship. Her attendant, revealed to be Qi Yuan, then reported on Jin Mi, stating that Fairy Yuan Ji, dispatched by the Heavenly Emperor, guarded her continuously, preventing any assassination attempts. The Heavenly Empress instructed him to postpone action for a few days to avoid the Heavenly Emperor's scrutiny.

She also checked on the status of the Spirit-Vanishing Arrow, learning it was crafted from Qi Yuan’s bones and blood and required more time, which she reluctantly granted. Later, with Sui He present, the Heavenly Empress expressed her frustration about Jin Mi secretly visiting Xu Feng while he was confined. She scornfully labeled Jin Mi a "little demoness" and lamented their failure to eliminate her in the mortal world, observing that her relationship with Xu Feng had only deepened.

She rebuked Sui He for her ineffectiveness, to which Sui He apologized for disappointing her. The Heavenly Empress then turned her attention to Run Yu, describing him as a cunning individual who merely feigned gentleness, hinting at his true ambitions for the throne, which would be bolstered by an alliance with Jin Mi and the support of Water Immortal, Wind Immortal, and the Floral Realm. She worried about the disastrous implications if Xu Feng remained infatuated with Jin Mi.

Ultimately, she declared Jin Mi to be the primary obstacle, whose elimination was necessary to sever Xu Feng's affections and dismantle Run Yu's power base. Sui He voiced concerns about the difficulty of harming Jin Mi in either the Floral or Heaven Realm, but the Heavenly Empress dismissed her worries, confidently asserting that with determination, anything was achievable.

Water Immortal discussed Jin Mi's recent visits to Qiwu Palace with Wind Immortal, expressing his profound desire for his daughter to live a carefree life after their reunion. He admitted that while he wouldn't mind if Jin Mi chose Night Immortal, allowing their family to live peacefully, her burgeoning affection for Fire Immortal brought unwanted scrutiny from the Heaven Realm and, more critically, the ire of the Heavenly Empress. Both agreed they could not remain passive.

Wind Immortal remarked that their tranquil days were over, but Water Immortal, prioritizing Jin Mi's happiness, declared he feared no conflict with the Heavenly Empress. However, he expressed lingering fear from Jin Mi's mortal tribulation and the potential schemes the Heavenly Empress might devise if Jin Mi insisted on being with Xu Feng.

Water Immortal considered appealing to the Heavenly Emperor, but Wind Immortal advised against it, citing the Emperor's unwavering stance towards the Heavenly Empress after Su Li's death as proof of his unreliability. Jin Mi, who had playfully transformed into a butterfly to amuse them, overheard this distressing conversation. Her heart ached with guilt, realizing she had been absorbed in her personal romance while her family worried.

She mused on her time with Xu Feng in the mortal world, wondering if it was merely fleeting impulsiveness. The thought that the Heavenly Empress might have killed Rou Rou, making Xu Feng the son of her enemy, further complicated her emotions, leading her to believe she couldn't betray her father and Auntie Lin Xiu by pursuing him.

Water Immortal found Jin Mi lost in thought, gently asking if her engagement to Night Immortal was troubling her and cautioning her against breaking it due to the widespread complications it would cause. Having reflected deeply, Jin Mi declared that her marriage would be decided by her father, acknowledging her past impulsiveness and affirming her unchangeable decision. Water Immortal, relieved and somewhat amused by his daughter's decisive turn, noted how she had the Heavenly Emperor's two sons to choose from.

He then instructed her to move into Luoxiang Mansion with him for a few days. He asked Wind Immortal to teach Jin Mi the intricate rituals of the Heaven Realm, fearing her free spirit from the Floral Realm might cause embarrassment for Night Immortal. Jin Mi playfully suggested he was more concerned about his own reputation, to which her father tenderly replied that even her disgracing him would be an honor.

A subordinate informed Xu Feng that the Heavenly Empress remained in her palace, but Sui He had been frequently visiting her. Xu Feng instructed him to continue monitoring his mother’s activities. The subordinate then reported Jin Mi’s arrival in the Heaven Realm, mentioning she would reside in Water Immortal's Luoxiang Mansion. Delighted by this news, Xu Feng immediately changed his plans from attending Xuan Ling Lord Doumu's lecture at the Empyrean Cloud Palace to visiting Jin Mi.

Upon reaching Luoxiang Mansion, a fairy informed Jin Mi that Fire Immortal was requesting an audience, but Jin Mi curtly refused, asking the fairy to send him away. Undeterred, Xu Feng disregarded the refusal, pushed past the fairy, and entered, confronting Jin Mi directly. He demanded to know why she wouldn't see him.

Jin Mi, her Yun Elixir now repaired and her emotions muted, coldly told him not only that she wouldn't see him today, but that they should limit their future encounters, as she was destined to marry Night Immortal. Xu Feng was stunned. Jin Mi reasoned that their relationship caused distress for her father, Auntie Lin Xiu, the Heavenly Emperor, Chief Peony, and Night Immortal, concluding that such a troublesome matter must inherently be wrong.

Xu Feng passionately countered that love knew no right or wrong, reminding her of their mutual affection. Jin Mi, however, dismissed their mortal romance as mere "impulsiveness" and argued that their deep love alone was insufficient to overcome the numerous obstacles they faced. Xu Feng defiantly declared he would never permit her to marry Night Immortal.

When she warned him about the consequences of destroying a marriage, he boldly proclaimed he was an immortal and feared nothing, neither in heaven nor on earth. His only true fear, he confessed, was her changing heart. He recounted his immense joy when she had accepted his feelings after her mortal tribulation, transforming his once aimless existence into a future filled with shared dreams.

He desperately questioned the sudden change in her decision, asking if she was being forced or if he had inadvertently caused her distress, promising to resolve any issue. Jin Mi simply replied that his current persistence was, in fact, causing her trouble, and she admitted her own confusion. An attendant then subtly reminded Xu Feng about Lord Doumu’s lecture.

As Xu Feng left, he stated he would assume her current mindset was a temporary confusion and would wait for her to come to her senses. He issued a final warning for her to be cautious in the Heaven Realm, specifically advising her to steer clear of his mother. After Xu Feng's departure, Jin Mi pondered whether he knew something more, and subsequently ordered an attendant to discreetly monitor the Heavenly Empress’s activities at the Zifangyun Palace.

Meanwhile, the Moon Immortal and Xu Feng headed towards Xuan Ling Lord Doumu's dharma assembly. Earlier, the Moon Immortal had observed Xu Feng furiously burning red strings that various fairies had tied, hoping for a match. When asked what was wrong, Xu Feng remained silent, his anger palpable. At the Luoxiang Mansion, a celestial attendant, disguised as a fairy from Supreme Lord Lao, invited Jin Mi to taste new elixir, explaining that Water Immortal was at the dharma assembly.

Jin Mi, recognizing the attendant as someone from the Zifangyun Palace, suspected a trap laid by the Heavenly Empress. She agreed to go, requesting a moment to change clothes. During this time, she secretly summoned Yan You, explaining the situation and her strong belief that the Heavenly Empress, who had killed Rou Rou, was now targeting her.

Jin Mi was resolved to confront the Heavenly Empress, hoping to make her confess her crimes, and instructed Yan You to quickly fetch her father to witness the confession, thereby providing evidence for justice. Yan You, despite his apprehension for Jin Mi's safety, agreed to bring Water Immortal and urged Jin Mi to be extremely cautious. Jin Mi was then led to the Zifangyun Palace, confirming her suspicions about the Heavenly Empress's involvement.

The Heavenly Empress, addressing Jin Mi as "Immortal Jin Mi," mockingly noted her long wait. Simultaneously, Xu Feng and the Moon Immortal arrived at the lively dharma assembly. Jin Mi, feigning innocence, apologized for her accidental presence, claiming a lost attendant misled her, and attempted to leave. Just as Xu Feng was settling in, Lord Liaoyuan urgently reported that Jin Mi had been taken by the Heavenly Empress’s people. Xu Feng immediately departed the assembly in a frantic search.

Back at Zifangyun Palace, the Heavenly Empress dropped her pretense, revealing her true intention was not to offer elixir but to "refine" Jin Mi, curious about her true form. Jin Mi reiterated that her father, Water Immortal, had already announced her true form as a Six-petal Frost Flower. The Heavenly Empress scoffed, casting doubt on Jin Mi's paternity and Water Immortal's certainty, declaring, "Words are but wind. Seeing is believing," and vowing to personally uncover Jin Mi's true nature.

She then unleashed the "Alcohol-brewed Fire," the fourth of eight levels of hellfire, asserting that the lower levels would be ineffective. She chillingly reminded Jin Mi that her mother, Zi Fen (the former Floral Immortal), had endured the final, Glazed Pure Fire, and wondered how many levels Jin Mi could withstand. Jin Mi was horrified, realizing the Heavenly Empress was responsible for her mother's suffering.

She accused the Heavenly Empress of sending assassins in the mortal world, which led to Rou Rou's death, and now of harming her mother. Jin Mi vowed to seek retribution for these past and present wrongs. The Heavenly Empress merely sneered at Jin Mi's defiance. An attendant (likely Yan You) rushed to inform Run Yu that Jin Mi was in danger.

As the Heavenly Empress escalated to the seventh level, "Boiling-oil Fire," Jin Mi fiercely retaliated with her water magic, her powers confirming her lineage to the Heavenly Empress. With a final, desperate surge of power, the Heavenly Empress unleashed the eighth and ultimate level, "Glazed Pure Fire." Jin Mi questioned the Heavenly Empress's relentless desire to kill her.

The Heavenly Empress, consumed by hatred, listed her reasons: Jin Mi being Zi Fen’s daughter, her uncanny resemblance, and her perceived seduction of Xu Feng, proclaiming that even a thousand deaths for Jin Mi would not be enough. Jin Mi, however, defiantly declared she would endure until her father arrived. She boldly challenged the Heavenly Empress, expressing surprise that such a powerful figure would fear her. Enraged by Jin Mi's taunts, the Heavenly Empress, calling Jin Mi an "evildoer," vowed to personally destroy her.

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