Love a Lifetime Episode 39 Recap
> Love a Lifetime Recap
Rong Hua, preparing to leave the Ling Sect as previously arranged by Bai Su, unexpectedly discovered something amiss with a cherished portrait of Lin Ruohan, Nalan Yue's mother. The painting depicted a Chihua Pill with lifelike leaves, but now the pill itself was clearly missing, with visible marks of its removal.
Puzzled by this mystery, Rong Hua went to find Nalan Yue, only to discover him bound by shackles in a cave, his wrists bloody and his face contorted in agony as he struggled to suppress the virulent poison consuming him. Nalan Yue, aware of his own dangerous state, loudly warned Rong Hua to stay away and spoke harsh words, attempting to drive her off. Rong Hua, however, saw through his tough facade, understanding his desperate attempts to protect her.
Recognizing the deep emotional ties that were now threatening to harm them both, she decided that separating for a while was the best course of action to prevent further distress. Unaware of Nalan Yue's true suffering, Bai Weizhi mistakenly believed Nalan Yue had mistreated Rong Hua. As they traveled, he incessantly grumbled about Nalan Yue's supposed failings and planned to take Rong Hua back to Black Rock Mountain.
But Rong Hua, connecting recent events concerning her fellow disciples, sensed Mo Huan's manipulative scheme. She realized that Mo Huan, rather than abandoning the Ling Sect, might seize the opportunity of Dragon Howl City's weakened state to attack it. Thus, Rong Hua decided they must redirect their journey to Dragon Howl City to warn Rong Su and prepare defenses against the Ling Sect's impending assault.
Meanwhile, Nalan Yue, who had orchestrated Rong Hua's departure and his current predicament, spoke with Bai Su. Bai Su confessed that it was his first time lying, and it was for Rong Hua's sake, which had somewhat tarnished his lifelong reputation. Nalan Yue expressed gratitude to Guan Buzhuo for an earlier warning that helped him uncover Mo Huan's secrets.
Nalan Yue explained to Bai Su that he had discovered a faint scent of Doulongzhi on the Chihua Pill depicted in his mother's portrait. He realized that Doulongzhi has a catalytic effect, and when its powder is added to a dried Chihua Pill, it can cause the poisonous worms within to rapidly mature into extremely aggressive butterflies. These newly formed butterflies could then battle the Illusion Butterfly inside him.
If successful, he could use the new butterfly to destroy the Illusion Butterfly, thus surviving the devastating backlash of his cultivation. Bai Su worried about Rong Hua's emotional pain if she ever learned the full truth of Nalan Yue's sacrifices—how he intentionally led her to believe he was turning evil, provoked Nalan family members to disrespect her, and even faked Rong Jingfeng's death in front of her.
Nalan Yue believed these extreme measures were necessary to free Rong Hua from their intertwined fate and ensure her safety, preventing her from bearing his heavy burdens. He asked Bai Su to keep his secret from Rong Hua and to protect the Nalan family should he fail in his perilous endeavor. Bai Su, in turn, urged Nalan Yue to endure the upcoming ordeal, emphasizing that his survival was paramount to repaying Rong Hua's unwavering devotion.
Concurrently, Lu Yizhou relayed information to Rong Su about the Snow Union's drastic actions, including cutting off news sources by destroying Wang Zhiyuan's ships and implicating Wang Qingzheng's escort agency in a murder. He also reported that Mo Huan was indeed heading towards Dragon Howl City. Rong Su, while grateful for Nalan Yue's earlier help, initially suspected Lu Yizhou's accompanying her meant he was sent to monitor her regarding Rong Jingfeng.
Lu Yizhou clarified Nalan Yue's true, far-reaching intentions: to not only avenge the Nalan family but also to liberate them from the cycle of vengeance, clear Bai Su's name, and pacify the martial arts world by ensuring Rong Jingfeng's imprisonment. As Rong Su considered these profound strategies, news arrived that Mei Ying had appeared in Tingfeng Town. She quickly deduced this was a diversion by Mo Huan and decided to rush back to Dragon Howl City with Lu Yizhou.
Meanwhile, Mo Huan, having successfully lured many martial arts sects to Tingfeng Town in pursuit of Mei Ying, meticulously outlined her invasion plan. She instructed Guan Buzhuo to lead Ling Sect disciples to infiltrate Dragon Howl City through the east and west lookout posts, minimizing casualties, and then to directly attack the four halls, killing any who resisted.
Jinque was tasked with guarding Tingfeng Town and, upon seeing beacon fires lit in Dragon Howl City, to immediately send word to the gathered martial arts sects, inviting them to witness Dragon Howl City's change of ownership, signaling the Ling Sect's dominance. Mo Huan grandly announced that she herself would enter through the main gate. Inside Dragon Howl City, the guards desperately tried to close the gates as Mo Huan appeared.
Jingyuan heroically prepared to defend the city and urged a disciple named Xiaoxiao to escape and seek help, while he courageously confronted Mo Huan. However, Jingyuan was no match for Mo Huan's power and was quickly overwhelmed. Xiao Feng bravely sacrificed himself to protect Jingyuan, taking a fatal blow. Amidst the chaos, Ling Sect disciples declared Mo Huan's victory.
Outside Dragon Howl City, Guan Buzhuo intercepted Lu Yizhou and Rong Su, urging them to retreat as the city had already fallen. He revealed Mo Huan's brutal plan to annihilate all the disciples within Dragon Howl City. Seeing the beacon fires from the city and learning of Xiao Feng's death from the escaping Jingyuan and a disciple named Xiaoxiao, Rong Su was consumed by grief and resolved to return to the city and die alongside it.
Lu Yizhou, despite Guan Buzhuo's warnings, chose to accompany her. Mo Huan confronted Rong Su, explaining her vengeance: to make Rong Su and her father lose everything, just as they had betrayed her. She effortlessly subdued Rong Su but spared her life, wishing her to witness how the Nalan family's influence was now extending from the Northern Wastelands to Dragon Howl City. Rong Hua and Bai Weizhi arrived too late to save the city.
Rong Hua, recalling Nalan Yue's foresight, suddenly remembered the Chihua Pill antidote he had given her. A flashback showed Nalan Yue explaining that he had implanted a Chihua Pill in Mei Ying's heart, making the antidote Mei Ying's only lifeline.
Nalan Yue had carefully refined this antidote for Rong Hua, urging her to carry it always to control Mei Ying, despite the immense internal energy required for its creation which risked his own life amid the impending backlash of his cultivation. He had strictly forbidden Rong Hua from trying to heal him, unable to bear the thought of her being harmed.
Now, with Dragon Howl City lost, Rong Hua realized she could use the antidote as leverage against Mei Ying, forcing him to serve her. Bai Weizhi was overjoyed at this newfound hope, though Rong Hua remained concerned for her masters. Bai Weizhi reassured her that Master Zhiyuan had already cleared Master Qingzheng's name and that Bai Su was safe, diligently treating Nalan Yue. Meanwhile, Nalan Yue was undergoing his final, most perilous trial.
Bai Su administered the Doulongzhi-treated Chihua Pill, which caused the toxic worms to transform into powerful butterflies that entered Nalan Yue's body. Overwhelmed by the intense internal struggle, Nalan Yue lost consciousness, tore through his chains, and began to choke Bai Su. Bai Su desperately pleaded with him to endure the torment for at least twelve hours, for only then would he have a chance at survival.
Simultaneously, in the Ling Sect's main hall, the Tang School's deputy master and other Nalan family members who had been gathered there suddenly collapsed, convulsing in agony, as Nalan Yue's uncontrolled power manifested.
