Go Into Your Heart Episode 40 Recap
> Go Into Your Heart Recap
The episode begins with Sheng Jingchu encountering Nie Wei Ping, who chastises him for considering retirement and abandoning his responsibilities after Master Xie Han Zhou's passing. Nie Wei Ping reminds Sheng Jingchu of Master Xie's profound care and dedication, having raised and trained him for decades, culminating in their final, cherished Go match.
Sheng Jingchu, overwhelmed by grief and guilt, feels unfilial for his actions and believes he should leave the dojo, citing Master Xie's supposed dying wish for him to establish his own independent dojo. Nie Wei Ping urges him to face the challenges ahead, comparing life's decisions to a game of Go that must be played alone. Later, Lan contacts Sheng Jingchu, pleading for him to return to a chaotic Jiuzhou Dojo.
Sheng Jingchu quietly reflects on Master Xie's enigmatic final request. Cheng Liao provides comfort to a visibly despondent Sheng Jingchu, tending to his needs with warm milk and food, which he gratefully accepts. Meanwhile, Yao Ke gives an exclusive interview about the turmoil at Jiuzhou Dojo, deflecting blame onto Sheng Jingchu's emotional state and Xie Chang An's reactions. He claims Master Xie entrusted the dojo to him before his death, implying it was a deliberate choice.
Lan and Cao Xihe are perplexed by Yao Ke's behavior, but Xie Chang An insists they honor his father's final wishes. Sheng Jingchu then returns to the dojo, swiftly dismissing the gathered reporters. He confronts Yao Ke and the other disciples, announcing his intention to uncover the source of the malicious rumors circulating online, which contain sensitive insider information.
He proposes a series of Go matches, believing that the game will expose the true intentions and guilt of the culprit, as one's true thoughts cannot be hidden on the Go board. Sheng Jingchu plays against Lan, quickly observing her uncharacteristic hesitancy. Lan confesses to having complained online about the dojo's recent issues but vehemently denies spreading any malicious rumors, apologizing for her thoughtlessness.
Next, Sheng Jingchu plays Xie Chang An, noting his anger and aggressive play, which Xie Chang An admits is a manifestation of his frustration rather than an act of betrayal. Finally, Sheng Jingchu plays Cao Xihe, whose disorganized play reveals his internal conflict. Cao Xihe admits to engaging in online arguments with netizens who slandered Jiuzhou, inadvertently worsening the situation and providing them with damaging screenshots.
He expresses deep remorse, and Sheng Jingchu instructs him to issue a public apology online. Jiang Yuda is excused from playing, as he is new and not privy to the dojo's internal affairs. Sheng Jingchu then dismisses everyone, preparing for his final match. Sheng Jingchu confronts Yao Ke, who refuses to play, dismissing the match as a waste of time.
Sheng Jingchu recounts Yao Ke's history of defeats against him, labeling him a laughingstock in the Go world and suggesting he chose the wrong profession. Enraged, Yao Ke boasts of his control over Jiuzhou and vows to permanently ban Sheng Jingchu from the dojo. He proudly reveals his elaborate plot to ruin Sheng Jingchu's reputation through public opinion, sow discord among the disciples, and brand Sheng Jingchu as a "selfish scoundrel."
Yao Ke then shockingly claims that Master Xie originally intended the dojo for Sheng Jingchu but, due to Sheng Jingchu's "stupidity," it fell into his hands instead. Sheng Jingchu, connecting the dots, clarifies that Master Xie had merely "mistaken" Yao Ke for him in his final moments. Sheng Jingchu exposes Yao Ke's cunning plan: Master Xie's true intention was for Sheng Jingchu to temporarily leave Jiuzhou to overcome his personal struggles, not to abandon it.
Yao Ke had twisted this, capitalizing on Sheng Jingchu's absence from the memorial service and Xie Chang An's emotional outburst to generate negative publicity, portray Jiuzhou as being in crisis, and then "heroically" step in to "save" it, thereby destroying Sheng Jingchu's career and solidifying his own power. Yao Ke, cornered, confesses to orchestrating all the schemes, including instigating the attack on Sheng Jingchu by Yang Xiaoyu's father that injured Cheng Liao, and spreading the false information.
He expresses regret only that Sheng Jingchu wasn't completely incapacitated by the attack. Sheng Jingchu then reveals that the previous Go matches with the other disciples were merely a ruse, a calculated "show" designed to force Yao Ke's confession, as Yao Ke's conscience prevented him from even making a single move in their game. He credits Nie Wei Ping's guidance for helping him understand the truth.
As Yao Ke's full confession is complete, hidden reporters burst in, capturing his desperate attempt to flee. News reports soon confirm that Yao Ke and Yao Pu have been detained for five days for instigating an attack and spreading false information, and Yao Ke has received a lifetime ban from the Go community. A defeated Yao Ke is shown watching the news from home.
Sheng Jingchu visits Master Xie's grave, apologizing for his previous weakness and his absence from the funeral. He assures his master that all matters at the dojo have been resolved and promises to not shed tears, as Cheng Liao had advised him. Cheng Liao, distressed by Sheng Jingchu's persistent emotional pain, confides in Chun Yao, feeling helpless to console him. Chun Yao acknowledges Sheng Jingchu's profound bond with Master Xie, who was like a parent to him.
She shares her own experience of grief after their mother's death, emphasizing that consistent companionship, rather than words, is what Sheng Jingchu needs most at this time. Meanwhile, Jiang Yuda proposes to the other disciples that Jiuzhou Dojo should be revitalized by forming a professional Go club. While they agree on the path, they express concerns about funding and resources. Jiang Yuda confidently assures them he can secure the necessary support.
In another development, Xu Chi meets with Cheng Yi and Jiang Yuda. Xu Chi candidly admits that his past efforts to keep Cheng Yi in Binhai and get her a job at Pinecone Video were driven by his romantic feelings for her. He reveals he has finally accepted that his feelings are not reciprocated and that their relationship will remain platonic. Xu Chi reflects on the unpredictable nature of love, which he now understands.
He formally withdraws his romantic pursuit, offering his heartfelt congratulations to Cheng Yi on finding love with Jiang Yuda. He playfully warns Jiang Yuda to treat Cheng Yi well, declaring himself her protective "maternal brother." After giving them a celebratory meal as a gift, Xu Chi departs. It is later revealed that Xu Chi leaves Pinecone Video, as his primary motivation for working there, his feelings for Cheng Yi, is no longer relevant.
Cheng Liao later finds Sheng Jingchu lamenting the neglected plants at the dojo, seeing their withered state as a reflection of his own spirit and the dojo's decline. Cheng Liao reassures him, using the analogy of the now-revived plants to express her belief that with care and time, he too can recover and "come to life again." Sheng Jingchu questions if he can, and Cheng Liao affirms her belief in him.
