Ashes of Love Episode 44 Recap, Plot

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King of Gu City's forces had cornered Liu Ying and Mu Ci, with King of Gu City declaring his intent to eliminate them both. Just as the situation grew dire, Xu Feng arrived, suppressing the forces with his fire magic. King of Gu City attempted to dismiss Xu Feng's intervention as an internal Demon Realm matter, but Xu Feng retorted that King of Gu City was overstepping his authority by condemning without a full investigation.

Xu Feng, acting on a direct order from the Heavenly Emperor, stated he was there to assist in investigating the Demon Lord's death to prevent injustice, emphasizing that an unstable Demon Realm would inevitably affect the Heaven Realm. He also pointed out that King of Gu City, not being the Demon Lord, had no right to wield such power. King of Gu City defended his actions as upholding justice in the absence of a leader.

Xu Feng challenged him, asserting that true justice required a thorough investigation and offering King of Gu City the option to discuss the matter with the Heavenly Emperor if he disagreed. King of Gu City reluctantly agreed but warned that if the killer wasn't found, King of Bian City would be held accountable. Xu Feng accepted the challenge, stating he would uncover the truth within three days, then left with King of Bian City and his retinue.

Xu Feng instructed Liu Ying to bring the Demon Doctor who had examined the Demon Lord on the day of his death. The Demon Doctor reported that the Demon Lord's symptoms resembled poisoning by crimson grass, though he couldn't be entirely certain. Liu Ying recalled her father mentioning crimson grass, explaining it originally grew in Demon Sound Valley, where it killed all other plants and creatures due to its toxicity to demons.

She added that the Demon Family had incinerated it with heavenly fire 70,000 years ago. Mu Ci mentioned that 700 years prior, a healer named Li Chuan had attempted to re-cultivate the plant but was imprisoned and vanished after his release, leaving the success of his efforts unknown. Xu Feng decided that finding Li Chuan was their priority. Knowing that crimson grass could only thrive in extremely cold environments, they began to search.

Mu Ci eventually located a powerful, extremely cold barrier on the hillside of Mi Mountain. Xu Feng and his group breached the barrier, discovering an abundant cultivation of the deadly crimson grass. Xu Feng used his fire magic to destroy the plants, forcing Li Chuan to reveal himself, distraught over the destruction. Meanwhile, Moon Immortal visited Jin Mi, bringing popular romance novels to cheer her up.

Jin Mi, having just finished "Legendary Love Between an Immortal and a Mortal," a story Moon Immortal admitted to writing, questioned him about the Internal Dan and primordial spirit. She asked why, if an immortal's Internal Dan and primordial spirit were the core of their life force and magic, the immortal in the story could be killed so easily. Moon Immortal explained that immortals hide their Internal Dan and primordial spirit in secret locations known only to themselves for safety.

The immortal in his story had revealed this secret to his mortal beloved, leading to the tragic ending. Jin Mi absorbed this information, finding the story "legendary." Xu Feng then met with King of Gu City, informing him of the discovery of crimson grass and Li Chuan on Mi Mountain. He presented a Plague Needle, explaining that its toxicity, combined with extreme cold, aided the growth of crimson grass.

Xu Feng pointed out that Qiong Qi, the source of Plague Needles, was imprisoned in the Heaven Realm, making it impossible for him to conspire with Li Chuan. However, he noted that King of Gu City, having guarded Qiong Qi for centuries, might possess such needles. King of Gu City grew defensive, asking if Xu Feng suspected him. Xu Feng calmly stated they would know the truth once Li Chuan awakened.

King of Gu City tried to discredit Li Chuan as a madman, prompting Xu Feng to question how he knew this without ever meeting him. Xu Feng concluded by promising to uncover the full truth by the next day. After Xu Feng left, King of Gu City secretly ordered his subordinate to eliminate Li Chuan and decided he needed to visit the Heaven Realm himself. During this time, Mu Ci suffered another relapse of his Autopsy Wild Silkworms.

Liu Ying, distressed, pleaded with Xu Feng to use his fire-affinity blood to feed the silkworms, but Mu Ci rejected this, instead begging Xu Feng to burn them from his body using his Glazed Pure Fire. Liu Ying was heartbroken, knowing this would reduce Mu Ci's lifespan to only ten years. However, Mu Ci expressed his desire to live with dignity, free from dependence, and to love Liu Ying openly.

Seeing Mu Ci’s resolve, Xu Feng persuaded Liu Ying to respect his wishes. With a heavy heart, Liu Ying agreed. Xu Feng then used his Glazed Pure Fire to cleanse Mu Ci's body of the silkworms, warning Liu Ying that Mu Ci would become increasingly frail. Liu Ying vowed to care for him for the rest of his life. Xu Feng reassured them that true love, even if fleeting, was precious and urged them to cherish their remaining time together.

Soon after, Xu Feng and Liu Ying received news that Li Chuan had died in prison from crimson grass poisoning. A thorough inspection of the cell revealed no clues. Xu Feng suspected foul play, noting Li Chuan's death came immediately after his confrontation with King of Gu City. He advised King of Bian City to interrogate the prison guards.

However, Lord Liaoyuan suddenly arrived, announcing that the Heavenly Emperor, having learned of Xu Feng's success in identifying the Demon Lord's murderer, ordered his immediate return to the Heaven Realm for commendation. Xu Feng was puzzled, as he had not yet reported the findings and knew Li Chuan was merely a pawn. He departed, warning King of Bian City to be wary of King of Gu City and promising Liu Ying continued support for Mu Ci.

Upon his return, the Heavenly Emperor praised Xu Feng's efforts in establishing a balance of power in the Demon Realm and returned to him the military command of the Five-Direction armies, instructing him to focus more on Heaven Realm affairs. Kuang Lu expressed her indignation at the Heavenly Emperor's arbitrary decision to restore Xu Feng's military power, but Run Yu calmly told her that such power balancing was normal for a Heavenly Emperor.

The Heavenly Emperor then probed Run Yu for any resentment. Run Yu, ever humble, maintained that commanding troops was Xu Feng's strength, and his own leadership in military matters was merely temporary. He admitted that the generals might not obey him in a true conflict.

The Heavenly Emperor accepted this and then assigned Run Yu a new task: to travel to the Demon Realm and deliver an imperial decree to King of Gu City, who was soon to inherit the Demon Lord's position. Run Yu initially expressed concern, citing Xu Feng's long-standing involvement in Demon Realm affairs and his deep-seated animosity towards King of Gu City, but ultimately accepted the order.

Meanwhile, King of Gu City, reflecting on Xu Feng's unexpected shrewdness, decided to bide his time. He recognized the Heavenly Emperor's strategy to balance power between him and King of Bian City and advised his subordinate to remain patient until their own strength grew. Xu Feng visited the Floral Realm, hoping to see Jin Mi, but Chief Peony informed him that Jin Mi was observing a three-year mourning period and wished for solitude, refusing to see anyone.

She asked Xu Feng not to press the matter. Jin Mi, kneeling before the tombs of the Water Immortal and Wind God, was haunted by fragmented memories and a chilling realization: only Xu Feng and the Heavenly Empress could wield Glazed Pure Fire. With the Heavenly Empress imprisoned, this left Xu Feng as the sole suspect. She silently vowed to uncover the true killer and bring them to justice. Three years passed.

Jin Mi, still grief-stricken, reaffirmed her vow to expose the killer. During this time, Run Yu regularly visited the Floral Realm after his duties, spending time with Jin Mi and attempting to cheer her up by sharing news from outside. With their wedding day only three days away, Jin Mi confessed that despite Run Yu's kindness, her heart felt empty, and asked if he would still marry her.

Run Yu pledged to fill her heart, asking only for the right to openly protect her. Jin Mi apologized, her emotions still raw. Back in Xuanji Palace, Run Yu reflected on the Heavenly Emperor's perceived favoritism towards Xu Feng, believing himself to be merely a blemish in his father's eyes.

Determined not to let his three years of meticulous planning go to waste, Run Yu instructed Kuang Lu to alert the Bird Family and the three-direction Heaven troops, preparing for a rebellion on the day of his wedding. Unbeknownst to Run Yu, Xu Feng's loyal subordinate reported suspicious movements from the three-direction Heaven troops and the Bird Family, indicating a major impending action. Xu Feng deduced that Run Yu was preparing to rebel.

Meanwhile, on the eve of her wedding, Jin Mi finally agreed to see Xu Feng. She confessed that after three years of reflection, she now believed he was not her father's killer. Xu Feng admitted his indirect connection to the Water Immortal's death and pleaded with her not to marry Run Yu, promising a full explanation later.

Jin Mi expressed her helplessness, stating that her marriage to Run Yu was both her father's last wish and the Heavenly Emperor's decree, which she felt powerless to defy. She worried that refusing would only bring further punishment upon Xu Feng. She gave Xu Feng a lock of her hair as a token of her affection. Xu Feng, in turn, vowed to find a way to cancel the engagement, assuring her he would not let her marry Run Yu.

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Episode 45 Recap