Ashes of Love Episode 42 Recap, Plot

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Sui He arrived at Luoxiang Mansion under the cover of night, intending to strike Jin Mi. However, Water Immortal's unexpected arrival forced Sui He to conceal herself. Water Immortal brought medicine for his daughter, Jin Mi, urging her to drink it and not to worry him with her frequent injuries. He expressed his intention to report Sui He's behavior to the Heavenly Emperor, noting her resemblance to her aunt.

Jin Mi, however, understood Sui He's animosity, attributing it to Sui He's affection for Xu Feng. Water Immortal then gently probed Jin Mi about her true love, to which Jin Mi confessed her heart felt empty and she couldn't identify her feelings. Recalling Jin Mi’s mother, Zi Fen, and past events, Water Immortal declared his understanding of Zi Fen's decision to conceal Jin Mi's identity.

He now saw that Jin Mi was suffering greatly due to love and encouraged her to choose boldly, assuring her of his support whether she chose Xu Feng or Run Yu, as long as she found happiness. Jin Mi thanked her father. Consumed by jealousy after observing the tender moment between Jin Mi and her father, Sui He transformed into Xu Feng. She then attacked Water Immortal, using the Glazed Pure Fire to fatally wound him.

Wind God, Lin Xiu, died while attempting to protect Water Immortal. Before his death, a small spirit named Liao Ting sought out Jin Mi, managing to utter only "Fire" before his spirit scattered. Jin Mi entered the courtyard to a horrifying sight: her father and Lin Xiu lay dead. Overwhelmed with grief, she wept inconsolably and collapsed. Xu Feng appeared, attempting to console a distraught Jin Mi, telling her, "It’s too late."

Jin Mi, in her anguish, pleaded with "Phoenix" to save them, but Xu Feng could only repeat that it was already too late. Jin Mi awoke, disoriented, initially believing her father's death was a nightmare. She soon faced the painful reality that Water Immortal was truly gone. Run Yu tried to comfort her, vowing to always be by her side and reminding her that both Water Immortal and Wind God were unjustly killed and awaited her to uncover the truth.

Xu Feng also offered solace, but Run Yu sharply rebuked him, asserting his place as Jin Mi's betrothed and questioning Xu Feng's motives. Overwhelmed, Jin Mi cried out, demanding both of them leave her. Alone, Jin Mi held the ice blade her father had given her, understanding he had imbued it with half his cultivation for her protection. With tears streaming, she apologized to her father and Lin Xiu, swearing to uncover the real murderer and avenge their deaths.

The Heavenly Emperor announced his decree, posthumously honoring Water Immortal as the Benevolent and Virtuous Immortal. He also officially postponed Jin Mi's wedding to Run Yu for three years in observance of mourning and declared that Jin Mi would immediately succeed her father as the Water Immortal. Later, Run Yu visited his father, the Heavenly Emperor, to discuss the case. The Heavenly Emperor expressed his grief, acknowledging Water Immortal as one of the few who dared speak truth to him.

Run Yu asserted that as Jin Mi's future husband, it was his duty to find her father's killer. He noted that the available records only stated Water Immortal died from Glazed Pure Fire, with no other leads. Run Yu pointed out that only Xu Feng and the Heavenly Empress possessed the high cultivation to wield Glazed Pure Fire.

Although all evidence—his presence, the distinctive Feibai script letter, and the Glazed Pure Fire—pointed to Xu Feng, Run Yu found it too direct, suggesting a deliberate setup. He vouched for Xu Feng, believing his brother incapable of such an act. The Heavenly Emperor agreed that Xu Feng was likely innocent but was at a loss as to the true culprit.

Fearing that publicizing the files would damage Xu Feng’s reputation, Run Yu advised sealing the investigation until the real murderer could be found. The Heavenly Emperor, acknowledging Run Yu's thoughtfulness, entrusted the entire investigation to him. Jin Mi remained at her father’s grave, distraught and in disbelief. While sorting through Water Immortal’s belongings, she discovered a letter indicating Xu Feng had an appointment with her father on the day he died.

This, coupled with the knowledge that Glazed Pure Fire was the cause of death, stirred suspicion within her. Yet, she found it difficult to reconcile these facts with her trust in Xu Feng. Xu Feng visited Jin Mi in the Floral Realm, joining her in mourning Water Immortal and Lin Xiu. He vowed to bring the true murderer to justice. Jin Mi questioned him about the investigation, and Xu Feng admitted to finding no traces at the scene.

Jin Mi, consumed by guilt, blamed herself for their deaths, but Xu Feng reassured her it wasn't her fault. Jin Mi then directly confronted Xu Feng, asking who in the six realms could freely control Glazed Pure Fire. Xu Feng explained that only he and the Heavenly Empress had mastered this supreme Phoenix Bird family magic. Jin Mi then produced the letter, written in Xu Feng's distinctive Feibai script, scheduling a midnight meeting between them regarding her.

She demanded to know why he was present at the scene and why her father's clothes were burned white by Glazed Pure Fire. Xu Feng vehemently denied writing the letter, claiming it was a frame-up and that he went to Luoxiang Mansion that night because he received a message from Water Immortal. He realized they had both been tricked.

Jin Mi, however, was overcome by the circumstantial evidence, concluding that since the Heavenly Empress was imprisoned, only Xu Feng could have wielded the Glazed Pure Fire. She accused him directly, "It was you. You killed my father." Deeply hurt by her accusation, Xu Feng defended himself, reminding her of their long relationship and his familial bond with Water Immortal and Lin Xiu. He argued that he wouldn't be so foolish as to leave a letter implicating himself.

Unable to prove his innocence, he offered her his life if she truly believed him guilty. Jin Mi, holding her ice blade, hesitated, her hand slowly dropping. She couldn't bring herself to kill him, her only desire being to have her father back. Xu Feng promised to find the murderer and bring them to her, asking for her trust.

Xu Feng learned from Lord Liaoyuan about the new decree forbidding all but the Eight-Direction Heaven Troops from investigating the case files. Lord Liaoyuan suggested Run Yu as a possible culprit, but Xu Feng dismissed the idea. He reasoned that Run Yu, skilled only in water-related magic, could not wield the Glazed Pure Fire. Moreover, Water Immortal had been Run Yu's political backer, making it illogical for Run Yu to murder him merely to frame Xu Feng.

Xu Feng then went to Pisuo Jail to confront his mother, Tu Yao. He directly asked Tu Yao if she was involved in the deaths of Water Immortal and Wind God. Upon hearing of their demise, Tu Yao reacted with alarming relief, stating, "That’s great." This confirmed Xu Feng's suspicion of her involvement.

He angrily accused her of implicating him in a morally reprehensible act, but Tu Yao dismissed his concerns, advising him that a truly great leader should not be constrained by minor scruples or mercy. She declared that she would act on his behalf to achieve his destiny, especially against Run Yu. She insisted that becoming Heavenly Emperor was her sole wish for him and urged him to marry Sui He to secure the Bird Tribe's backing.

Xu Feng firmly refused to marry Sui He, stating he wished to live his life his own way, even if it meant being misunderstood. Disgusted by her ruthlessness, Xu Feng left despite her desperate pleas. Meanwhile, in Pixiang Hall, Run Yu was being assisted by a subordinate, Kuang Lu, with star arrangements. She expressed her desire to learn quickly to alleviate his burdens. Run Yu calmly advised her patience, explaining that haste makes waste. He also mentioned that it was not yet time to arrange the Shen star mansion, as the Shang star had not yet fallen, a subtle reference to fate and timing.

Episode 41 Recap

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