Love Better Than Immortality Episode 21 Recap
> Love Better Than Immortality Recap
Xiao Bai's wedding was abruptly interrupted by Shangguan Qiuyue, who dramatically appeared to claim Miss Chunhua, formerly known as Hua Xiaolei, as his own, asserting that she had slept with him. Qiuyue declared that while Xiao Bai could destroy the immortality fruit, he would take "Little Chunhua," severing her ties with Fengming Manor. After her abduction, Qiuyue noted that Chunhua preferred to believe in destiny rather than trust her own judgment.
He dismissed her view of love, offering to put her feelings to the test. Chunhua vehemently rejected his advances, seeing him only as a "damned devil brother" or the one who eloped with her, even threatening to make him into a puppet if he continued to bother her. Qiuyue promised to grant her wishes if she stayed in Thousand Moon Cave, even if it meant his death. Following the chaotic wedding, Qin Liufeng and Xiao Bai were seen training.
Xiao Bai, preoccupied with worry for Chunhua, was not at his best. Chief Leng arrived to report that Shangguan Qiuyue had become aware of their plans, necessitating a temporary halt to the operation to rescue Chunhua. Chief Leng also questioned Qin Liufeng about his detailed knowledge of a scar on Chunhua’s body, subtly hinting at an intimate relationship with either Chunhua or Xiao Bai. Qin Liufeng skillfully deflected, asserting his deep camaraderie with Xiao Bai.
Despite the abduction, Xiao Bai remained resolute in his priority: the destruction of the immortality fruit, though Chief Leng reminded him that the real fruit was not in their possession. Qin Liufeng then explained that Lingyang, Chief Leng's hidden operative within Thousand Moon Cave, who owed Chief Leng a life debt, could only be summoned by a specific flute melody, thus outlining their rescue strategy.
Simultaneously, within Thousand Moon Cave, Star Deputy Chief Gu reported the approaching siege by various sects, warning that Chunhua's presence would escalate conflict with Fengming Manor. However, Star Deputy Chief Ye reprimanded him, confident in Qiuyue’s arrangements. Star Deputy Chief Ye explained that the immortality fruit incident had severely weakened the righteous Wulin sects, leaving only Thousand Moon Cave and Legend Valley unharmed. He suggested that capturing Chunhua could shift the balance of power.
Qiuyue mused that while Star Deputy Chief Ye's understanding was astute, Chunhua was not merely a chess piece. Qiuyue later invited Chunhua to play chess, likening them to chess pieces. He conveyed his desire to be with her, yet acknowledged that this only caused her more pain, admitting they were fundamentally different. When Chunhua asked him what he truly intended, Qiuyue clenched his fists, confessing he did not know.
Meanwhile, Star Deputy Chief Ye discovered a strong poison in Chunhua's food and promptly reported it to Qiuyue. Later, while Chunhua ate, Qiuyue joined her, making light remarks about her sharp tongue. He even offered her chopsticks, a gesture she initially misinterpreted as a threat, only to realize he was merely trying to be polite. Chunhua had a disturbing dream where Xiao Bai killed Qiuyue during her rescue.
She awoke with tears, startled and strangely saddened by the thought of Qiuyue’s death, immediately reminding herself that Xiao Bai was her true husband. Chunhua, anxious about her situation, spent seven days waiting for Xiao Bai to rescue her. During this time, she received a note and attempted to draw a map from its instructions. Qiuyue appeared, took the map, and ridiculed her poor drawing skills, claiming he already remembered the layout of Thousand Moon Cave.
Subsequently, Lingyang, Chief Leng's hidden operative within Thousand Moon Cave, attempted to kill her. Qiuyue intervened just in time, saving Chunhua by killing the spy. He then revealed a letter from Xiao Bai, demanding the return of the immortality fruit, which upset Chunhua deeply. She realized that Qiuyue had been protecting her all along, even swapping out her poisoned food.
Heartbroken by Xiao Bai's apparent betrayal, Chunhua demanded to return to Fengming Manor for clarification, but Qiuyue knocked her unconscious, murmuring that he wished to grant her freedom while ensuring her safety. Unbeknownst to Fengming Manor, Qiuyue heard the distinct flute tune that summoned Lingyang, immediately ordering an investigation into the piper. Back at Fengming Manor, Xiao Bai received Lingyang's jade pendant.
Chief Leng, concerned that Lingyang's death might expose his order to kill Chunhua, attempted to manipulate Xiao Bai, implying that Chunhua herself had leaked information and was somehow connected to Qiuyue. Qin Liufeng defended Chunhua, but Xiao Bai insisted he would only believe it if he heard it from Chunhua herself. To prevent any further abduction attempts, Qiuyue tied Chunhua with Icy Silk, claiming it was for her "safe freedom."
Chunhua scoffed at the idea and attempted to tear off the silk, injuring herself in the process. Qiuyue gently tended to her wound and shared a story from his childhood, reassuring her that he would never harm her. Despite his efforts, Chunhua remained resolute, expressing her desire to return to Xiao Bai. Qiuyue later showed Chunhua a fake immortality fruit, mocking her for believing it was real and stating it was only good for deceiving old men.
He also playfully warned her not to be "naughty" and prevented her from sleeping in her usual spot. Qiuyue eventually sent this fake immortality fruit to Xiao Bai. Leng Ning, upon seeing it, suspected that Chunhua had revealed its falsity to Qiuyue. However, Qin Liufeng reasoned that Qiuyue likely knew it was a fake all along, pointing out that Thousand Moon Cave was the only faction unaffected by the real fruit's devastating consequences.
Observing this developing situation, Feng Caicai questioned why Qiuyue had abducted Chunhua in the first place, to which Leng Ning sarcastically suggested it was an uncontrollable act of love. Xiao Bai, enraged, clutched his Fengming Sword, his determination to rescue Chunhua burning fiercely. In a tense moment, as Chunhua was combing her hair, Qiuyue offered to help, but she sharply rebuffed him. Their conversation quickly turned to her past as Hua Xiaolei.
Qiuyue feigned forgetfulness about their previous encounters, claiming he only remembered her initiating contact and his fondness for a particular birthmark, but not for "Hua Xiaolei" herself. He then distinguished Chunhua from her former identity, swearing he would treat Chunhua well and urging her not to sow discord. Chunhua accused him of never truly liking Hua Xiaolei if he allowed her to marry Xiao Bai for a cultivation method.
She asserted that he treated her like a mere pet and that she desired to marry Xiao Bai, not him. She directly confronted him, asking if he had brought her to Thousand Moon Cave intending to kill her, to which he simply replied that he merely wished to prevent her marriage to Xiao Bai.
