Love Better Than Immortality Episode 5 Recap
> Love Better Than Immortality Recap
Chun Hua is informed by an unseen voice that the mental cultivation method might be with Xiao Bai, urging her to obtain it quickly. She recalls searching Fengming Manor and the study without success, concluding the method must be on Xiao Bai. She is warned that if she fails to retrieve it within three days, she will be killed. Qin Liufeng and Xiao Bai journey to participate in a poetry meeting.
On their way, they come across vendors in the market openly selling copies of the Su family's mental cultivation method for a small sum. Intrigued, Qin Liufeng questions a vendor who claims to have acquired them from a mysterious Mr. Shi, a figure who is rarely seen. After purchasing all the available copies, Xiao Bai deduces that Mr. Shi must have connections to the evil sect, and Qin Liufeng resolves to investigate him, confident they will find clues.
The vendor also mentions that the original chief of the Su family committed suicide after the method spread throughout the martial arts circles, leading to the sect's demise. Upon arriving at the inn, a waiter informs Qin Liufeng and Xiao Bai that Miss Feng Caicai and Miss Leng Ning have also arrived. Hearing Leng Ning's name, Qin Liufeng immediately becomes flustered and rushes to change into more refined attire.
Leng Ning, the daughter of Swordsman Leng Ying, is admired by Qin Liufeng, though she prefers to dress in men's clothes and aspires to be a formidable figure in the Wulin. While she secretly harbors feelings for Qin Liufeng, his overtly flirtatious nature often annoys her. Feng Caicai, the daughter of Swordsman Feng Qianwei, is also present.
She is highly praised for her beauty, intelligence, and martial prowess, and is seen as an ideal match for Xiao Bai, with whom she shares a long-standing acquaintance. Chun Hua enthusiastically approaches Leng Ning and Feng Caicai, but in her excitement, she mistakes Feng Caicai for Leng Ning and makes an awkward comment about Leng Ning's male attire.
Although she quickly corrects herself, praising Leng Ning's heroic appearance, Leng Ning, noticing Qin Liufeng's familiarity with Chun Hua, makes a subtle remark about his constant companionship before excusing herself, implying her displeasure. Later, during dinner, Feng Caicai presents Xiao Bai with a meticulously hand-stitched gown, advising him to wear more somber colors for his future responsibilities. Chun Hua, observing Feng Caicai's interest in Xiao Bai, seizes the opportunity.
She expresses exaggerated admiration for Leng Ning's cool male attire and asks Feng Caicai to give her the gown meant for Xiao Bai. Feng Caicai politely refuses, offering to make a new one for Chun Hua instead. Chun Hua, while feigning gratitude, takes the gown, declaring that from now on, she will be responsible for all of Xiao Bai's clothes, much to Feng Caicai's quiet irritation.
Qin Liufeng then openly invites Chun Hua to reside at Qin's Mansion, describing its "beautiful girls" in an obvious attempt to make Leng Ning jealous. Chun Hua, seeing through his scheme, cleverly turns the situation back on him. She states that as a honored guest of Fengming Manor, she requires Xiao Bai's consent to leave. When Qin Liufeng asks Xiao Bai, Xiao Bai avoids directly answering, simply asking Qin Liufeng not to "embarrass" him.
Qin Liufeng retorts that letting Chun Hua leave would be an embarrassment to Xiao Bai. Seeing Xiao Bai in a difficult position, Chun Hua intervenes, reminding everyone that Xiao Bai saved her life and she cannot leave him before repaying his kindness. Xiao Bai is visibly pleased by her declaration. Feng Caicai's expression is complex as she observes Xiao Bai and Chun Hua's interaction.
Meanwhile, Fu Lou learns of the failed assassination attempt on Shangguan Qiuyue, noting that his subordinate, Star Deputy Chief He, had perished after entering Thousand Moon Cave. He reiterates that the attempt was a warning to Shangguan Qiuyue to stay away from Legend Valley, and orders his subordinates to intensify their search for the immortality fruit, which has been missing since the Medical Sage's death. He instructs them to kill anyone who obstructs their efforts.
It is revealed that Fu Lou's relentless pursuit of the immortality fruit is driven by his desire to save his wife. Chun Hua attempts to bribe a waiter to secure a room adjacent to Xiao Bai's. Unbeknownst to her, Shangguan Qiuyue has already replaced the inn's staff. The imposter waiter leads Chun Hua to a room Shangguan Qiuyue has specially prepared for her.
Chun Hua is initially surprised to find Shangguan Qiuyue there but quickly realizes his trickery and scolds him for harming innocent people. Shangguan Qiuyue, clearly displeased, confirms she tried to bribe the waiter to share a room with Xiao Bai. Chun Hua admits her true intention was to find an opportunity to steal the mental cultivation method from Xiao Bai, having previously failed to locate it within Fengming Manor. Shangguan Qiuyue grants her an extended deadline to accomplish her mission.
Later that night, Chun Hua opens her window to enjoy the moonlight, hoping to share a romantic moment with Xiao Bai, who also opens his window. However, Feng Caicai opens her window, intruding on the moment and engaging Xiao Bai in conversation, reminiscing about their childhood martial arts training under the moon. Frustrated by the interruption and her inability to see Xiao Bai, Chun Hua angrily closes her window.
Still annoyed by their continued chatter, Chun Hua loudly feigns being disturbed by Feng Caicai's "loud voice." Xiao Bai, believing her, apologizes for the disturbance and closes his own window, advising Chun Hua to rest early. During her bath, Chun Hua fantasizes about Xiao Bai appearing, expecting him to be flustered and flee. Instead, Shangguan Qiuyue appears, calmly observing her from the doorway. Chun Hua screams in surprise, tumbling back into the tub.
Shangguan Qiuyue laughs, comments on her carelessness, and then brazenly reminds her that he has seen her naked since childhood, adding that she is not a stranger. He then directly accuses her of attempting a "honey trap." Hearing Chun Hua's scream, Xiao Bai comes to check on her. Shangguan Qiuyue, annoyed by Xiao Bai's concern, pointedly warns Chun Hua not to use such "disgraceful" tactics. Chun Hua, though furious, remains silent.
Believing Shangguan Qiuyue is there for the upcoming poetry meeting, Chun Hua advises him to be cautious, as the "orthodox sects" are numerous. Shangguan Qiuyue appears pleased by her concern, simply telling her to take care of herself. The poetry meeting commences with Fu Lou announcing "justice" as the theme, in light of the stolen mental cultivation methods. Qin Liufeng recites a classic line of poetry but bafflingly claims unfamiliarity with its author, Li Qingzhao.
Chun Hua, secretly delighted by his apparent ignorance, anticipates winning the competition. Shangguan Qiuyue then engages in a tense, veiled exchange with Fu Lou, hinting at their ongoing conflict, mentioning hidden poisons and Moon Servants, and the pursuit of immortality. Following this, Feng Caicai recites a poem about sacrificing family for the greater good. Xiao Bai then recites the same lines, also advocating for self-sacrifice for the state.
Leng Ning follows with Wen Tianxiang's "Crossing Lonely Sea," a poem about unwavering loyalty even unto death. Chun Hua, clearly feeling left out and jealous, makes pointed remarks about Leng Ning's "cold and heartless" nature and Xiao Bai's perceived indifference to those around him, contrasting his demeanor with Leng Ning's uprightness and implying their unsuitability.
Qin Liufeng then takes the stage, acknowledging Chun Hua, and recites his own poem, which he interprets as linking the concept of "justice" to "profound friendship and strong righteousness." Meanwhile, hushed comments about Xiao Bai and Feng Caicai being a "perfect match," endowed with both beauty and talent and equal in social status, reach Chun Hua, who explodes in frustration, railing against the "right way," "sacrificing for righteousness," and the restrictive "rules of martial arts circles."
Qin Liufeng agrees, lamenting how one can be "unequivocal" with so many rules, and proposes breaking the rules of the poetry meeting. The meeting concludes with Fu Lou and Shangguan Qiuyue resuming their subtle threats, their conversation revolving around the immortality fruit and Fu Lou's motivation to save his wife.
