The Flame's Daughter Episode 21 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Yu Zihan inquired of Lie Ruge why the surrounding Flowing Fires seemed to actively avoid her, even though she professed no knowledge of how to break them. Lie Ruge experimented several times, confirming that the Flowing Fires indeed did not harm her. These mystical fires had completely encircled the military camp for ten miles, severing all external contact.
Inside the camp, Lie Ruge observed the injured soldiers and citizens facing a critical shortage of medicine, with only about three days' supply remaining. She bravely volunteered to retrieve more medicine, suggesting she could tie the supplies to her body to protect them from the flames. However, Yu Zihan, deeply concerned for her safety, adamantly forbade her from taking such a risk, stating he was a coward when it came to her well-being.
Despite his refusal, Lie Ruge persisted in trying to leave, but Yu Zihan eventually immobilized her by blockading her acupoints, telling her not to waste her inner energy as she wouldn't be able to break free. Meanwhile, outside the camp, Huang Cong found herself trapped by the Flowing Fires. Each time she struck them with her sword, it triggered an explosion, eventually leaving her unconscious.
An Ye Jue, observing from a distance, mocked Huang Cong's futile efforts and revealed that these "evil fires" were her creation. Soon after, a messenger delivered a letter from An Ye Jue to Yu Zihan. The letter confirmed An Ye Jue, not the Japanese pirates, was responsible for the blockade and demanded Lie Ruge be handed over for disfiguring her, in exchange for the army's safety.
Yu Zihan immediately instructed his subordinates to keep the contents of the letter strictly confidential, especially from Lie Ruge. High in the Ethereality Clique's Misty Peak, nestled amidst ancient glaciers, a single firefly flew into a rock cave and landed gently on the ice encasing Yin Xue. Deep in his frozen slumber, Yin Xue sensed the danger Lie Ruge was in and slowly began to stir.
Youqin Hong, Yin Xue's student, received his teacher's summons via the firefly and followed it to find Yin Xue. The disciples of the Ethereality Clique, upon seeing their Clique Leader Yin Xue about to leave, pleaded with him.
They explained that their Grand Teacher had severely depleted his energy to save Yin Xue previously and was now in seclusion, having specifically instructed that Yin Xue's cold poison required at least a hundred years to heal, during which he must not leave the Cold Icy Wall. Yin Xue, despite his weakness, asserted that he could not stand by while the Dark River Palace conspired with Japanese pirates to bring disaster upon the innocent.
Before departing, he solemnly instructed his disciples that for the next century, no one should be led up the mountain, as they were the last inheritors of the clique and must be extremely careful. Yin Xue, supported by Youqin Hong, journeyed to the East China Sea. Together, they swiftly dispelled the Flowing Fires that trapped the camp.
Youqin Hong confronted An Ye Jue, warning her to be sensible and withdraw, boasting that Yin Xue had taught him not only how to extinguish Flowing Fires but also how to wield them. An Ye Jue scoffed in disbelief. However, from behind Youqin Hong, Yin Xue, using the last vestiges of his inner power, utterly shattered the Flowing Fires. Shocked by Yin Xue's apparent return, An Ye Jue retreated, vowing revenge.
Youqin Hong carried the now extremely weak Yin Xue into the military camp, informing Yu Zihan that the elder was the Grand Teacher of the Ethereality Clique, who had exhausted his energy to drive away the Flowing Fires. Yu Zihan promptly arranged a tent for their recuperation. Yin Xue was so frail he could barely hold a cup as Youqin Hong diligently brewed herbs for him. Upon hearing the news, Lie Ruge came to pay her respects.
Unwilling for Lie Ruge to see his weakened state, Yin Xue disguised himself as an old man. Lie Ruge expressed her profound gratitude to the "Elder" for saving their lives. Noticing his cough, she offered him water. As she handed him the cup, her hand brushed his, feeling an intensely familiar coldness. Lie Ruge froze, looking closely at the "Elder." He turned his face, their eyes met, and Lie Ruge was momentarily transported.
The look in his eyes was so familiar, evoking a deep sorrow, reminding her of how Yin Xue used to look at her before he vanished, having fulfilled her wish to save Yu Zihan. Overwhelmed, Lie Ruge quickly excused herself. Later, Huang Cong reported that during her confinement, she overheard Japanese voices, confirming that Dark River Palace was indeed colluding with the Japanese Kingdom to eliminate them. Yu Zihan decided to launch a counterattack.
He ordered his men to immediately set up formations for battle, anticipating a sneak attack while his soldiers were recuperating after days of confinement. As the Japanese pirates entered their ambush, Lie Ruge and the "Grand Teacher" were nowhere to be found. Yu Zihan immediately ordered his men to search for them. Youqin Hong, citing the "Grand Teacher's" poor health and the danger of remaining in the camp, decided to depart.
Lie Ruge, however, insisted on accompanying them to see them off. During their journey, Lie Ruge heard the sounds of the Japanese pirate attack. She promptly handed her Flaming Token, a symbol of her Sect Leader status, to Youqin Hong, urging him to take it and escort the "Elder" to safety while she returned to fight the Japanese pirates.
Yin Xue, still disguised, grasped her hand, warning her of the danger, but Lie Ruge looked into his eyes and declared that she must return, no matter the peril. An Ye Jue, observing the battle, initially saw the Japanese forces struggling against Yu Zihan's men.
An Ye Luo had instructed her not to ensure the Japanese pirates' victory, but rather to prolong the conflict, preventing Yu Zihan from eliminating them completely and thus keeping him from returning to the palace or aiding Lie Ruge. True to his plan, An Ye Jue launched another wave of Flowing Fires, threatening to annihilate the camp. Suddenly, a flurry of snow descended, repelling the Flowing Fires. An Ye Jue watched, stunned, realizing that Yin Xue was not dead.
Emboldened by this celestial intervention, Yu Zihan's forces rallied, their morale soaring, and quickly turned the tide of battle. They captured thirty-four Japanese pirates, and Yu Zihan immediately ordered their interrogation to pinpoint their hidden sea bases and identify any local collaborators among pirates, refugees, and merchants. Meanwhile, An Ye Luo, impatiently awaiting the demise of Lie Mingjing, reiterated his instructions to Zhan Feng to expedite the task.
Zhan Feng, accompanied by Dao Liexiang, left No Blade City and returned to Flaming Manor, with Lei Jinghong and Feng Huang departing shortly thereafter. At the entrance of Flaming Manor, Yi Lang intercepted Zhan Feng. He informed Zhan Feng that during his absence, Lie Mingjing had recalled all the elite members of the Azure Dragon Hall to the manor, a clear sign that Lie Mingjing had been preparing against him.
Yi Lang warned Zhan Feng that any further hesitation would be too late and arranged to meet him in Lie Mingjing's training room that night during the second watch. Zhan Feng, recalling An Ye Luo's words about Lie Mingjing killing his parents and then raising him to gain a reputation for benevolence, felt a surge of resolve. As Zhan Feng quietly approached Lie Mingjing's training room during the appointed time, he paused, preparing to knock.
Before he could, Lie Mingjing's voice, calm and clear, called out his name from within. At this moment, Zhan Feng recalled Lie Mingjing's past words, reflecting on his excellent Destiny Sword skills and affirming that he would always be there to receive him, as Flaming Manor was his home and he was his father.
