The Flame's Daughter Episode 27 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
When a servant claimed that Lie Ruge and Lei Jinghong had been secretly involved for a long time, the others present were astonished. Zhan Feng watched Yi Lang relentlessly press Lie Ruge, feeling a pang of compassion. At the hall meeting, Lie Ruge remained undaunted. She challenged the servant's credibility, asking Hall Leader Murong to identify her personal maids. Murong confirmed that he had never seen the maid currently testifying serving Lie Ruge.
Lie Ruge then pointed out Yi Lang's elaborate "show," questioning why he hadn't called her trusted maid, Xun Yi, if he was so concerned about her personal affairs. Yi Lang dismissed Xun Yi's testimony as biased. Lie Ruge countered that the maid was merely a cleaner, not a confidante, and thus her words held no weight. Other hall leaders agreed with Lie Ruge.
Lie Ruge then called upon Huang Cong, Prince Jingyuan's personal bodyguard and a top female detective, to testify. Huang Cong affirmed that she, Lie Ruge, and Lei Jinghong were together in Miaohe Town investigating the Qilin bomb when the explosions occurred, and Lei Jinghong was explaining the truth of Flaming Manor being bombed to her, making it impossible for Lei Jinghong to have been involved in the attack on Flaming Manor.
The other hall leaders began to question Yi Lang's integrity. Lie Ruge then addressed Yi Lang as "Sect Leader," demanding to know if he was certain Lei Jinghong was the one he had fought. Yi Lang was forced to admit that his eyesight was poor, and he had been mistaken. Lie Ruge dismissed Yi Lang from Flaming Manor for his deceit, warning him to leave for his own safety.
At Waterfall Cliff, Lie Ruge demonstrated the Qilin bomb to the assembled guests and hall leaders, explaining that it could only be detonated by pulling a pin. She emphasized that her father, Lie Mingjing, possessed unparalleled martial arts skills, capable of detecting any master within a hundred meters, making it impossible for someone to detonate the bomb near him without being noticed.
Yi Lang, ever cunning, argued that this only proved Lei Jinghong didn't personally detonate the bomb, not that the Thunderbolt Clique was uninvolved. Dao Wuxia and other hall leaders concurred, citing the Thunderbolt Clique's unique bomb formulas, with crucial steps known only to their leader. They maintained that since both Lie Mingjing and Die Yi died from the Qilin bomb, Lei Jinghong, as a member of the Thunderbolt Clique, could not be absolved.
When Yi Lang ordered Lei Jinghong to be imprisoned in the manor's dungeon, Zhan Feng intervened, declaring that he would personally guard Lei Jinghong in Maple Courtyard to prevent any mishaps. Dao Wuxia, discussing the matter with his subordinate, expressed frustration over Zhan Feng's perceived soft-heartedness towards Lie Ruge, suspecting he prioritized affection over ambition. He instructed his men to closely monitor Flaming Manor and planned to leave once Lei Jinghong's death was confirmed.
In Maple Courtyard, Dao Liexiang watched Lei Jinghong tied to a maple tree, denied water and food, and grew increasingly worried for him. Lie Ruge secretly sent Xun Yi to summon Dao Liexiang to Plum Courtyard. Dao Liexiang informed Lie Ruge that Lei Jinghong was rapidly deteriorating and would die within three days if neglected, believing this was the intention of his captors. Lie Ruge felt a responsibility to Lei Jinghong, who had come to the manor trusting her.
She asked Dao Liexiang to arrange a carriage, revealing her plan to personally escort Lei Jinghong out of Flaming Manor to seek help from her Senior Brother, Yu Zihan. Dao Liexiang expressed concern about the repercussions of Lie Ruge aiding a suspect in her father's death. Lie Ruge explained that she could not passively wait, as it would jeopardize her quest for vengeance and harm Lei Jinghong and those around her.
Dao Liexiang, moved, agreed to prepare the carriage, grateful for Lie Ruge's resolve. Later, in Maple Courtyard, Zhan Feng dismissed his guards. Lei Jinghong, untied, challenged Zhan Feng to kill him. Zhan Feng told Lei Jinghong that his presence forced Lie Ruge to act against Zhan Feng, blaming Lei Jinghong for creating animosity. He offered Lei Jinghong wine, which Lei Jinghong accepted, wishing to get drunk before dying.
Zhan Feng handed him the wine and then retreated into his room, closing the door. Soon, Lie Ruge gently pushed open Zhan Feng's door and asked if she could enter. Zhan Feng, drinking alone, invited her in.
Lie Ruge joined him, and as they drank, she reminisced about their childhood, particularly a drinking contest where she had secretly diluted his wine to ensure he won against Senior Brother Ji, wanting him to be happy and believing him to be a hero incapable of enduring failure. However, she now realized she was wrong, recognizing that a true hero does not trample on others.
She accused Zhan Feng of being a ruthless individual who eliminates anyone who stands in his way, citing his actions against Xie Xiaofeng, Ying Yi, Die Yi, Lei Jinghong, and even herself. She bitterly thanked him for not killing her, suggesting it might have been easier.
Lie Ruge questioned if his desire to be Sect Leader drove all his cruel actions, and whether his pursuit of the Thunderbolt Clique and Lei Jinghong was genuinely about seeking justice for her father or merely eliminating a rival. Zhan Feng, holding his wine jar, only told her that she shouldn't know such "filthy doings." As Zhan Feng tried to stand, a sudden, splitting headache struck him. He realized Lie Ruge had poisoned his wine.
Grabbing her hand as she tried to leave, he pleaded with her to stay by his side in his final moments. Lie Ruge took the Flaming Manor token from his waist, asking if he truly believed she would poison him to death. As Zhan Feng lost consciousness, Lie Ruge quickly left with the injured Lei Jinghong in the waiting carriage. As the carriage departed Flaming Manor, Dao Liexiang saw them off.
Lei Jinghong urged her to leave with them and forget Swordless City. Dao Liexiang refused, explaining that their escape would already cause turmoil, and her own disappearance would only escalate the chaos in Jianghu. She promised to join him another time, but for now, she needed to remain and protect the bigger picture. Lei Jinghong expressed concern for Die Yi and Xun Yi. Dao Liexiang then revealed that Die Yi had died during the manor attack.
Lei Jinghong was heartbroken, lamenting that he should have taken her away. Dao Liexiang questioned his deep concern, and Lei Jinghong revealed that Die Yi was his younger sister, explaining that he couldn't tell her the truth because her real mother was Anye Jue. Dao Liexiang comforted him, urging him to prioritize his survival and seek vengeance for Die Yi later. Meanwhile, Dao Wuxia received intelligence about a carriage leaving Flaming Manor without bodyguards.
He swiftly led his men to intercept it at the foot of the mountain. When the carriage curtain slowly opened, Dao Liexiang emerged. Dao Wuxia, initially suspicious, was led to believe by Dao Liexiang that she was leaving due to a dispute with Zhan Feng over Lie Ruge, and that her elder brother had stopped her and was bringing her back. He realized he had been tricked by Lie Ruge's diversionary tactic.
A planted rumor spread that Zhan Feng had refused to let Dao Liexiang leave and that they were "resting together," further solidifying the deception. Back at Flaming Manor, rumors spread that Lie Ruge had abandoned the sect to flee with Lei Jinghong. Yi Lang seized the opportunity, trying to incite the hall leaders by accusing Lie Ruge of taking the old Sect Leader's killer and openly defying Flaming Manor.
Hall Leader Murong defended Lie Ruge, suggesting she might have been in a difficult situation. Zhan Feng immediately refuted Yi Lang, declaring that Lie Ruge, as the old Sect Leader's daughter, could not be slandered. He announced that Lie Ruge had been "abducted" by Lei Jinghong and ordered all disciples of Flaming Manor and Azure Dragon Hall to report any sightings directly to him, strictly forbidding any private action that might "startle the snake" and endanger Lie Ruge's life.
Lie Ruge, Huang Cong, and Lei Jinghong journeyed towards the East China Sea to find Yu Zihan. Near the coast, they heard news of a victory in the East China Sea, bringing them immense joy for Yu Zihan. Suddenly, a small boy ran past, clutching a Flaming Manor token. Lie Ruge called out to him, asking about the token's origin. The boy pointed to the back of a white-haired scholar.
Following the direction, Lie Ruge recognized the familiar figure of Youqin Hong. Youqin Hong explained that he had been secretly following them, providing assistance since Lie Ruge and Lei Jinghong first met, all as per Grand Teacher's instructions. He revealed that Grand Teacher had anticipated Lie Ruge's escape, knew that Ji Jinglei's operation against Lei Jinghong was a mere charade, and had foreseen all subsequent events.
Lie Ruge, deeply touched by Grand Teacher's unexpected help, followed Youqin Hong to meet him. Meeting Grand Teacher, Lie Ruge expressed her condolences for her father's assassination. Grand Teacher, having suffered severe internal injuries and further sacrificing his energy outside the military camp, had lost all his martial arts; Youqin Hong had used his own internal energy to save Grand Teacher's life, which had caused his hair to turn white.
Lie Ruge was moved that these sacrifices were made for her, Yu Zihan, and the coastal citizens. Youqin Hong then conveyed Grand Teacher's message: they wished Lie Ruge to return with them to Ethereality Clique, as it was now the safest place in the world, beyond the reach of Anye Luo.
