The Flame's Daughter Episode 20 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Yu Zihan looked at Lie Ruge, asking if she would accept him marrying another woman if it weren't for the proposed marriage alliance. Lie Ruge, understanding his underlying concern, playfully told him to go ahead and marry, suggesting a princess would ensure he was well cared for and make the manor livelier, causing Yu Zihan's spirits to plummet. Lie Ruge then admitted she was joking and confirmed his suspicion that the alliance was a scheme.
She asked if he had a countermeasure, to which he replied that he had already submitted a memorial to Luoyang and was awaiting the Emperor's approval, which he believed would resolve the situation. The Emperor had indeed approved Yu Zihan's request to personally lead an army against the Japanese Kingdom. In the imperial court, a minister reported Yu Zihan's memorial, proposing to lead 100,000 soldiers.
While one minister questioned Yu Zihan's health for battle, another minister conveyed Yu Zihan's argument that the marriage alliance was a deceptive ploy that would lead to more unreasonable demands. Yu Zihan believed that since he was the chosen prince for the alliance, it was his duty to lead the army and defeat the enemy, which would also provide a clear explanation to the citizens.
Another minister concurred, and the Emperor acknowledged the severity of the Japanese problem, exacerbated by corrupt officials and lax coastal defenses, stating it could not be resolved through marriage. He praised Yu Zihan's competence to rebuild defenses and investigate corruption, realizing that only by personally leading the expedition could Yu Zihan quell public criticism after refusing the marriage. The Emperor, seeing a rare moment of agreement among his advisors, gave his decree.
Yu Zihan later met with Lie Mingjing, apologizing for the trouble his decision caused. Lie Mingjing reassured him, telling him to go with peace of mind as Flaming Manor would be safe under his care. He then instructed Yu Zihan that upon his victorious return, he and Lie Ruge should marry. Yu Zihan, still processing the news, expressed his disbelief, feeling unworthy of Lie Ruge, who was as "bright as pearls and jades," especially given his disability.
Lie Mingjing, however, insisted that Yu Zihan was the best choice for Lie Ruge and encouraged him to start thinking about the wedding. Shortly after, Lie Ruge, hearing the news of Yu Zihan's expedition, rushed to him. She expressed deep concern for his health, particularly how the humid coastal climate would affect his legs during a war expedition, and feared the ongoing schemes of Prince of Jingxian, noting the slim chances for him fighting in a wheelchair.
Yu Zihan acknowledged the real threat posed by the Japanese and the suffering of the citizens, emphasizing it was his unavoidable duty. When Lie Ruge offered to accompany him, citing her improved martial arts, Yu Zihan firmly refused, stating the battlefield was too dangerous for her. He assured her he would leave Huang Cong to protect her and asked her to wait for his victorious return.
With Yu Zihan departed, An Ye Luo conferred with his aide, noting Prince of Jingxian's ambition and how controlling him could benefit An Ye Luo. He then voiced his concern that Zhan Feng might hesitate to execute their plan. That night, Zhan Feng, battling his conscience, approached Lie Mingjing's sleeping quarters. Lie Mingjing, sensing his presence, engaged him in a duel. Zhan Feng fought with lethal intent, but quickly found himself at a disadvantage.
In desperation, he resorted to the Dark River Palace boxing technique taught by Ying Yi, striking with vicious force. Lie Mingjing struggled to defend himself. Yi Lang, observing from the shadows, intervened, reminding Zhan Feng that Lie Mingjing was merely testing his martial arts. Enraged, Zhan Feng turned his red eyes on Yi Lang and choked him with a wolf-like gaze, only releasing him when Yi Lang reiterated that Lie Mingjing was merely testing his martial arts.
Zhan Feng's eyes slowly returned to normal. Lie Mingjing, regaining his composure, then praised Zhan Feng's greatly improved skills, advising him to drink less for his health, and instructed him to take Dao Liexiang to World Swordless City for a long-overdue family visit, to showcase their unity to the Jianghu world. Lie Mingjing was privately disappointed by Zhan Feng's use of Dark River Palace techniques against him, and his attempt to attack him.
Later, Lie Mingjing secretly ordered Ji Jing Lei to quickly mobilize all elite forces from Azure Dragon Hall to return to Flaming Manor within five days, stressing that the movement must remain a secret. Soon after, Lie Ruge came to him, concerned about Yu Zihan's health and the possibility of a trap by the Japanese.
Lie Mingjing, having anticipated her thoughts, agreed to let her go and help Yu Zihan, reassuring her that the manor would be secure with him, Zhan Feng, Ji Jing Lei, and Yi Lang present. Lie Ruge promised to return quickly once the war stabilized. At Fiery Waterfall Cliff, Yi Lang found Zhan Feng, criticizing his inability to swiftly defeat Lie Mingjing despite learning Dark River Palace techniques.
He offered to help Zhan Feng become the Sect Leader, proposing he himself become Deputy Sect Leader. Yi Lang revealed his motivation, stating that Lie Mingjing only cared for Lie Ruge, and despite his years of loyal service, he had gained nothing. As a sign of his sincerity, Yi Lang admitted to intercepting a letter from Lie Ruge to Lie Mingjing earlier in the year, requesting help to save Yu Zihan.
Zhan Feng, however, coldly rejected Yi Lang's comparison between them, asserting he was different. Meanwhile, Lei Jinghong, hearing that Dao Liexiang had returned to World Swordless City, rushed there to see her. Dao Wuxia, Dao Liexiang's brother, cautiously welcomed Lei Jinghong to the manor to discern his intentions. Lei Jinghong explained that he was seeking alliances after being disowned by Thunderbolt Clique and was pleased to find Zhan Feng and Dao Liexiang there, as it saved him time.
He later reunited with Dao Liexiang, who questioned his true motives, reminding him of the dangers he faced and her married status. Lei Jinghong, however, insisted she was his, referencing their wedding night, and warned her never to side with Dark River Palace or her brothers and Zhan Feng if he met a tragic end. The next day, Feng Huang, Lei Jinghong's companion, expressed a desire to visit Dongbin Restaurant and Imperial Mud Shop.
Lei Jinghong, though annoyed by her frivolousness, agreed to take her, aware that Feng Huang was using the opportunity to scout the area, applying the principle of knowing one's enemy. At the Imperial Mud Shop, Dao Wuxia, noticing Feng Huang, approached her. Feng Huang feigned vulnerability, explaining that after Yin Xue’s death and the closure of Flower Tasting Brothel, she had sought a new patron in Lei Jinghong but found him useless.
Recognizing her ambition, Dao Wuxia offered her a life of comfort in World Swordless City and promised to eliminate Lei Jinghong for her, to which Feng Huang tacitly agreed. Dao Wuxia later confided to his eldest brother that while he did not trust Feng Huang's loyalty, he believed in her desire for wealth and power, seeing her as a valuable spy against Lei Jinghong, who still posed a potential threat.
Feng Huang, in turn, angrily confronted Lei Jinghong, scolding him for risking his life pursuing Dao Liexiang and claiming she had to flirt with Dao Wuxia to cover for his indiscretions. In the military camp, generals presented grim reports to Yu Zihan, detailing the complex and elusive Japanese forces, who were skillfully led by former Chengping pirates familiar with their empire's naval strategies.
Yu Zihan, weary from days without rest, diligently studied the war maps, much to the concern of his attendants, who noted that only Lie Ruge could pull him away from his duties. Suddenly, a multitude of lanterns appeared in the sky above the camp. Soldiers sent to investigate were caught in fiery explosions, their faces disfigured. Amidst the chaos, a figure in red descended safely from the lanterns; it was Lie Ruge.
Yu Zihan, horrified, called out to her, and inexplicably, all the lanterns seemed to avoid her. She explained that the phenomenon was an illusion known as "Flowing Fire," but she could not explain why it had spared her or how to break it.
