Love a Lifetime Episode 41 Recap
> Love a Lifetime Recap
Guan Buzhuo questioned Mei Ying's loyalty, pointing to the Mei family's Eight-Diagram Formation set up outside his room. Mei Ying denied setting the formation, prompting Mo Huan, who was present, to deduce that Mei Xueman, after stealing the antidote to cure Mei Ying, must have set the trap to frame him instead. Rong Su and Rong Hua received a message from their father, "Come to Dragon Howl City as soon as possible."
Rong Hua recognized her father's handwriting and worried why he would enter a city now controlled by the Ling Sect. Rong Su surmised that Rong Jingfeng, having built Dragon Howl City himself, would never abandon it to villains, but she also expressed concern that he acted arbitrarily without consulting them. Rong Hua then insisted on accompanying Rong Su and Xuan Ye to Dragon Howl City.
Worried about Liuli's safety amidst the potential chaos, Xuan Ye approached Nalan Yue (Lin Jing) for assistance. He explained his fear that Liuli, imprisoned within Dragon Howl City, might not hold on much longer given the Ling Sect's strict defenses, and implored Nalan Yue to help him rescue her if the situation escalated into a battle. Nalan Yue assured him that he would not stand by, and would assist if an opportunity arose.
Soon after, a disciple reported that Rong Jingfeng had entered Dragon Howl City alone. Mei Ying eagerly offered to capture Rong Jingfeng, but Mo Huan ordered Guan Buzhuo to guard Mei Ying and ensure Mei Xueman was brought to her after she dealt with Rong Jingfeng. Inside Dragon Howl City, Rong Jingfeng boldly declared that the city was his, built by his own hands, and no one could take it from him.
He scorned the Ling Sect members, warning them they would die. Mo Huan confronted him, asserting that the seat no longer belonged to him and there was no place for Rong Jingfeng in the martial world. Rong Jingfeng reminisced about his past triumph in crippling the Ling Sect, then lamented that a single wrong step had led to his current predicament. Mo Huan countered that his tragic end was destined the day he betrayed her.
Rong Jingfeng defiantly declared that his best decision was leaving Mo Huan and the Ling Sect, whose disciples were treated as pawns. He expressed his deepest regret was destroying Lingxu Pavilion, as it caused Rong Hua immense suffering and led to his own downfall. Infuriated, Mo Huan vowed to settle their long-standing animosity, promising to make Rong Jingfeng greet Rong Su outside the city for a final farewell.
As Mo Huan moved to strike, Nalan Yue swiftly intervened, saving Rong Jingfeng and astonishing Mo Huan with his significantly increased power, having not only mastered Xuanbing Fu but also cured himself of the fantasy butterfly poison.
Nalan Yue berated Rong Jingfeng for his blind pursuit of power, reminding him he had sacrificed his daughter for a worthless status, but Rong Jingfeng remained consumed by his obsession, insisting Dragon Howl City was his and symbolized his status in the martial world. The battle raged, drums reverberating through Dragon Howl City as Nalan Yue fiercely fought Mo Huan. Outside the city, the drumbeats suddenly ceased, causing Rong Hua to fear the worst for her father.
However, Bai Weizhi reassured her that Rong Jingfeng knew the city's terrain better than anyone and would not be easily caught. Rong Hua clarified that her father's message indicated he was prepared for a desperate, final stand, leading her to believe they were walking into Mo Huan's trap.
Mo Huan, on the rampart, commanded her disciples to capture everyone in Dragon Howl City, intending to imprison them and force them to witness her unification of the martial world, punishing all who betrayed her, including the Nalan family. Rong Su and her companions saw activity on the rampart and realized it was Rong Jingfeng.
Bai Weizhi cautioned Rong Hua about her father's apparent madness, but Rong Hua, unwavering, declared she would fight her way into the city, even if alone. Lu Yizhou and Cang Qi arrived to protect Rong Hua, revealing that Nalan Yue was carrying out a critical plan, and any questions should be directed to him later. Witnessing his daughters' arrival, and seeing Rong Hua get stabbed in the ensuing chaos, Rong Jingfeng, standing on the city wall, was overcome with regret.
He lamented his lifetime of ambition, recognizing his miserable end was self-inflicted and a consequence of his obsession with Dragon Howl City, now destroyed. He wished for a next life free of power struggles, only to be with his wife and daughters. With a final, sorrowful cry for his lost home, Rong Jingfeng embraced the Dragon Howl City plaque and dramatically leaped from the city wall.
Rong Hua and Rong Su rushed to him, distraught, as he held their hands, expressing his wish that they survive and that his life's competitive pursuit was a mistake. Later that night, Nalan Yue approached the mourning hall where Rong Hua was weeping. She recognized his caution and thoughtfulness, understanding that his past actions were meant to protect her, though she still endured immense pain.
She acknowledged that he hadn't killed her father in the northern wastelands and had even asked Rong Su to bring him back, all for her sake. However, her brief glimpse of her father on the city rampart had become their final goodbye. She told Nalan Yue that she understood his hatred for her father and did not blame him for not entering to pay respects.
Nalan Yue admitted he could not bring himself to offer incense, as the vivid memory of Rong Jingfeng's massacre of the Nalan family still haunted him. Rong Hua sorrowfully stated that the chasm between them had widened, believing their destinies had diverged the moment her father slaughtered the Nalan family. Nalan Yue, seeing her exhaustion, urged her to rest and suggested they continue their conversation another day.
Driven by a new resolve to protect her loved ones and acknowledge the dangers lurking, Rong Hua understood that even with Nalan Yue's enhanced powers, he could not always be by her side. She realized the importance of self-reliance and repeatedly implored Nalan Yue to train her, to which he eventually agreed. From that point on, they trained tirelessly in the forest from dawn till dusk, practicing martial arts moves and cultivation techniques without interruption.
Despite her aching muscles and swollen hands, Rong Hua's determination never wavered, leading Nalan Yue to suppress his concern and continue their rigorous training, even when it pained him to see her suffering.
Mo Huan, severely weakened by a backlash from her recent battle, revealed to Guan Buzhuo that Nalan Yue had not only deciphered his mother's secret painting to detoxify himself but had also, by chance, mastered the final layer of Xuanbing Fu, making him a formidable opponent whom she might no longer be able to defeat. Due to her weakened state, Mo Huan had to temporarily postpone capturing Mei Xueman.
She ordered Guan Buzhuo to tighten security, reinforcing all vital pathways to prevent any infiltration, and reiterated the importance of closely monitoring Mei Ying. Guan Buzhuo assured her that defenses were heightened and Mei Ying was under strict surveillance, unable to cause trouble. Alone, Mei Ying worried about his sister, realizing he needed to find a way to prevent her from falling into Mo Huan's hands.
Mei Xueman informed Nalan Yue that her brother, acting under Mo Huan's orders, had invited her to Dragon Howl City, promising her a safe escape. Nalan Yue understood Mo Huan's intent to use Mei Xueman as leverage against Mei Ying, but doubted Mei Ying's ability to protect her. He formulated a plan: to make Mei Ying trust Mei Xueman while simultaneously sowing seeds of suspicion in Mo Huan regarding Mei Ying's loyalty.
This strategy, he warned Mei Xueman, would require her to endure some hardship, to which she readily agreed, hoping that by getting her brother imprisoned by the Mei family, he might find a final chance at survival. Shortly after, Xuan Ye implored Nalan Yue to rescue Liuli from her imprisonment in Dragon Howl City, as he feared for her life given the city's chaotic state and strict Ling Sect defenses.
Nalan Yue assured Xuan Ye that he had a plan that could address both Mei Xueman and Liuli's predicaments, reiterating the need for absolute secrecy from Rong Su and Rong Hua. Putting his plan into motion, Nalan Yue brazenly entered Mei Ying's room. Mei Ying, thinking he was safe within Dragon Howl City, threatened to call for help.
Nalan Yue retorted that if he were to openly escort Mei Ying out of the city, Mo Huan would undoubtedly suspect Mei Ying of secretly colluding with him, thus irrevocably ruining Mei Ying's reputation in the martial world. This left Mei Ying in a quandary. Following Nalan Yue’s provocations, Guan Buzhuo and Jin Que discovered Mei Ying's escape. They immediately suspected inside help and initiated a widespread search, reinforcing city exits while Guan Buzhuo personally checked the main gate.
Seizing this diversion, Nalan Yue infiltrated the dungeon. He found Liuli, who was surprised by his presence, and informed her that Xuan Ye had sent him, waiting outside for her. Despite Liuli's concerns about the numerous guards, Nalan Yue provided her with an antidote to quickly restore her powers, instructing her that she had only half an hour to escape.
Using the Mei family's secret art, he disguised Liuli as a Ling Sect disciple, enabling her to walk out of Dragon Howl City undetected. Outside, an anxious Xuan Ye, who had been waiting since dawn, recognized the disguised Liuli. They embraced tearfully. Xuan Ye apologized profusely for failing to protect her, vowing to guard and cherish her for the rest of his life.
He revealed his plans for them to retire from the martial world, having already secured a beautiful mansion surrounded by flowers in a picturesque location, a testament to his long-held desire for a peaceful life with her. Before fully embracing their new life, Xuan Ye and Liuli decided to bid farewell to Rong Su. However, disciples from the Hall of Life blocked their path, stating that Rong Su had explicitly ordered not to see Xuan Ye.
Xuan Ye insisted on a face-to-face meeting to clarify matters, but the disciples, despite acknowledging Xuan Ye's superior strength, remained firm in their duty. Frustrated, Liuli feigned departure but then swiftly used her crystal ball to immobilize the disciples, allowing them to proceed to Rong Su. Upon seeing them, Rong Su immediately struck Xuan Ye, severely injuring him.
Liuli vehemently defended Xuan Ye, recounting his years of loyal service and self-sacrifice for Rong Su, but Xuan Ye stopped her, humbly admitting his faults. Rong Su, after delivering a sharp rebuke about his supposed disloyalty for prioritizing Liuli, ordered them to leave. Liuli, however, defiantly asserted that if Xuan Ye were truly disloyal, he would never have risked returning. Without another word, Rong Su turned and left with her sword. It was Rong Hua who, with a heavy heart, then quietly allowed Xuan Ye and Liuli to depart.
