Love Better Than Immortality Episode 22 Recap
> Love Better Than Immortality Recap
During a practice session, Qin Liufeng easily defeated Xiao Bai, observing that Xiao Bai was preoccupied. Xiao Bai admitted his deep concern for Chunhua. Soon after, Chief Leng arrived, relaying a message from Lingyang that Shangguan Qiuyue had detected their activities, necessitating the suspension of Chunhua's rescue operation. Despite the warning, Xiao Bai expressed an urgent desire to save Chunhua. Later that night, Qin Liufeng and Xiao Bai attempted to locate the entrance to Thousand Moon Cave.
They searched thoroughly but could not find it, noting the complex terrain and that no one could enter without guidance. Qin Liufeng, observing Xiao Bai's agitation, advised him to return to Fengming Manor to await further news. Meanwhile, Shangguan Qiuyue was fully aware that Chunhua was searching for messages hidden in her meals. Star Deputy Chief Gu reported that various sects that had attempted to besiege Thousand Moon Cave had been defeated, though many still lingered in the vicinity.
Star Deputy Chief Gu expressed concern that Chunhua's presence would directly provoke Fengming Manor and be disadvantageous to Thousand Moon Cave. However, Star Deputy Chief Ye silenced him, asserting that Shangguan Qiuyue had his own plans. Shangguan Qiuyue then questioned Star Deputy Chief Ye about his understanding of these plans. Star Deputy Chief Ye analyzed the current Wulin landscape, pointing out that the immortality fruit incident had severely crippled orthodox sects, yet Thousand Moon Cave and Legend Valley remained unscathed.
He proposed that abducting Chunhua could be a strategic move to alter the Wulin's power balance. Shangguan Qiuyue acknowledged Star Deputy Chief Ye’s insightful interpretation but then softly stated that Chunhua was not a mere pawn; she was his sister. Chunhua discovered another note in her meal, but before she could read it, Shangguan Qiuyue appeared. He invited her to play Go, using the black and white pieces to represent them.
He described how the black piece, despite its efforts to be with the white piece, only caused the white piece more pain because they were fundamentally different. Chunhua then asked if the black piece knew what to do. Shangguan Qiuyue, clenching his fists, admitted he did not know. Later, Star Deputy Chief Ye reported to Shangguan Qiuyue that Chunhua's morning rice contained a potent poison.
Shangguan Qiuyue interrogated the Moon Servant who delivered the meal but quickly deduced the poison's origin was the kitchen, not the servant herself. He then ordered the Moon Servant executed. Chunhua dreamed that Xiao Bai came to rescue her but killed Shangguan Qiuyue in the process. She woke up abruptly, tears in her eyes, surprised and saddened by Shangguan Qiuyue's death. She reminded herself that Xiao Bai was her true husband.
Acting on the information from the note, Chunhua went to meet Lingyang, only to discover he intended to kill her. Fortunately, Shangguan Qiuyue arrived in time, saving Chunhua and killing Lingyang. He then showed Chunhua a letter from Xiao Bai, which instructed Lingyang to retrieve the immortality fruit, revealing Xiao Bai's intent to harm her. Chunhua realized that Shangguan Qiuyue had saved her by replacing her poisoned meal.
Deeply distressed by Xiao Bai’s apparent betrayal, she wished to return to Fengming Manor to demand an explanation. However, Shangguan Qiuyue rendered her unconscious, quietly vowing to grant Chunhua freedom while ensuring her safety. Meanwhile, Xiao Bai received Lingyang’s jade pendant. Chief Leng, having learned of Lingyang's death, feared that his plot to kill Chunhua would be exposed.
He attempted to manipulate Xiao Bai by suggesting that Chunhua might have revealed Lingyang's identity, implying a connection between Chunhua and Shangguan Qiuyue. Qin Liufeng defended Chunhua, but Xiao Bai insisted he would only believe the truth if he heard it directly from Chunhua. Shangguan Qiuyue secured Chunhua with Icy Silk, explaining it would ensure her "safe freedom" within Thousand Moon Cave and prevent her abduction by outsiders.
Chunhua scoffed at this notion of freedom, questioning if tying someone to oneself constituted freedom. She took a Go piece, pondering her life, and then tried to tear off the Icy Silk in front of Shangguan Qiuyue, injuring herself. Shangguan Qiuyue carefully treated her wound and recounted a story from his lonely childhood, assuring her that he would never harm her. Despite his efforts, Chunhua reiterated her desire to leave Thousand Moon Cave and return to Xiao Bai.
Shangguan Qiuyue later sent a fake immortality fruit to Xiao Bai. Leng Ning suspected that Chunhua had informed Shangguan Qiuyue that the fruit was fake. However, Qin Liufeng disagreed, suggesting that Shangguan Qiuyue likely already knew the truth, noting that of all the sects, only Thousand Moon Cave had remained untouched by the severe casualties caused by the immortality fruit incident. Leng Ning commented on Shangguan Qiuyue’s actions, implying his abduction of Chunhua was due to uncontrollable emotions.
Xiao Bai, angered, tightly gripped his Fengming Saber, determined to find Chunhua as quickly as possible and uncover the full truth. As Chunhua combed her hair, Shangguan Qiuyue offered to help. Chunhua sharply rebuffed him, remarking that people would mock her if the Chief of Thousand Moon Cave combed her hair. She then challenged him, asking why he didn’t simply kill her, questioning if she still held some value he could exploit.
