The Flame's Daughter Episode 30 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Lie Ruge covertly infiltrated Yishan, where she observed disciples of Dark River Palace moving through the forest. She captured one, changed into their clothes, and blended into their ranks. Meanwhile, Xun Yi was suspended from a tree, having endured three days and nights without food or water, a harsh punishment from her own mother, An Ye Jue.
An Ye Jue was confident that Lie Ruge would come, telling a subordinate that Lie Ruge's deep loyalty and affection, especially for Xun Yi who grew up with her, made Xun Yi the perfect bait. An Ye Jue threatened that if Lie Ruge didn't appear within four hours, Xun Yi would die a tragic death and become a vengeful ghost to torment her.
A subordinate urged An Ye Jue to wait, reminding her of a promise to An Ye Luo to kill Lie Ruge and the earlier failure to secure the Thunderbolt Clique, warning that An Ye Luo's trust might be lost if this chance was missed. An Ye Jue, after some consideration, agreed to wait for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before Xun Yi's execution. Prince Yu Zihan, demonstrating his foresight, successfully diverted the assassins pursuing him.
He instructed his men to quickly find Lie Ruge. Youqin Hong, worried for Yu Zihan's safety, offered to stay and protect him. However, Yu Zihan, deeply concerned for Lie Ruge, insisted that Youqin Hong also join the search, assuring him not to worry about his safety. Yu Zihan himself began calling out for Lie Ruge. The allotted time quickly expired.
An Ye Jue, still expressing disdain for Lie Ruge, stated that Lie Ruge's failure to appear proved her worthlessness and that Xun Yi's death would be at the hands of her "good sister." She ordered a maid to gouge out Xun Yi's right eye. However, a woman in a red veil, who was Lie Ruge in disguise, stepped forward, picked up the knife An Ye Jue had discarded, and approached Xun Yi.
Seizing the moment when An Ye Jue's attention wavered, Lie Ruge threw the blade towards the treetops, igniting the fuses of hidden firecrackers. The resulting explosions created a thick smoke screen, under which Lie Ruge quickly freed Xun Yi and fled with her, catching An Ye Jue by surprise. They took refuge in the treetops. Lie Ruge heard Yu Zihan calling her name from nearby and, happy to see him, called back, "Senior Brother! We're here!"
She believed they were saved. Suddenly, Lie Ruge felt a sharp pain in her abdomen as Xun Yi plunged a knife into her. A shocked Lie Ruge questioned Xun Yi's actions, and Xun Yi chillingly replied, "Because I'm An Ye Jue's daughter." Yu Zihan, witnessing Lie Ruge's betrayal, was horrified. His wheelchair became stuck, and he tumbled down the hill. Unable to walk, he desperately crawled towards Lie Ruge. Yi Lang suddenly arrived, stepping on Yu Zihan's back.
Despite this, Yu Zihan continued to crawl, his gaze fixed solely on Lie Ruge. Yi Lang then acupunctured Yu Zihan and took him away. A cold wind began to blow, and snowflakes fell as Yu Zihan's subordinates frantically searched for him. Youqin Hong, sensing Yin Xue's proximity amidst the heavy snow, exerted all his effort to find Yin Xue. Xun Yi returned with An Ye Jue to Dark River Palace.
An Ye Jue coldly refused to be called "Mother," insisting on "Third Sect Leader." Xun Yi recalled seeing An Ye Jue only twice in twenty years, yet she never forgot her. An Ye Jue held no ordinary mother-daughter affection for Xun Yi; her heart was solely for An Ye Luo.
To obtain the formula for the Kylin Fire Thunder for An Ye Luo, she was forced to marry Lei Hentian and subsequently give birth to Xun Yi, who she considered a humiliation. An Ye Jue removed a token from Xun Yi, stating she wouldn't need it as they were returning to Dark River Palace. Xun Yi then pleaded for Ji Jinglei's release, reminding An Ye Jue of her promise.
An Ye Jue revealed that Ji Jinglei was no longer in her custody but at the Thunderbolt Clique headquarters, which was soon to be eliminated by An Ye Luo's order. She added that Lei Jinghong, despite owing Lie Ruge a debt of kindness, couldn't even protect himself, let alone Ji Jinglei.
An Ye Jue then permitted Xun Yi to go save Ji Jinglei, but on the strict condition that she not mention An Ye Jue or her connection to her, instead using her identity as a member of the manor. Meanwhile, Yi Lang brought Yu Zihan to Dark River Palace. An Ye Luo expressed satisfaction with Yi Lang's actions and instructed him to keep Yu Zihan's capture a secret.
To further solidify Yi Lang's position as the master of Flaming Manor, An Ye Luo ordered him to swiftly eradicate the Thunderbolt Clique, explicitly instructing him to blame Lie Ruge's death on Lei Jinghong as a justification for annihilation, which would greatly boost Yi Lang's prestige. An Ye Jue attempted to object to this order, but An Ye Luo irritably silenced her, ordering her not to interfere and to assist Yi Lang.
Zhan Feng confronted An Ye Luo to inquire about Lie Ruge. An Ye Luo coldly informed him that Lie Ruge was dead. Zhan Feng was enraged, questioning why An Ye Luo insisted on killing her and accusing him of causing her death, despite An Ye Luo's denial that he personally delivered the fatal blow. An Ye Luo, however, reveled in Zhan Feng's distress.
He sadistically described the torment of losing one's love, likening it to a worm's silk tightening around the heart, causing unending pain. An Ye Luo twisted the knife further, reminding Zhan Feng that he himself had destroyed Lie Ruge's home, killed her father, and ultimately caused her demise. He taunted Zhan Feng for grieving the daughter of his "archenemy."
After enduring An Ye Luo's cruel words and being called a "good-for-nothing," Zhan Feng left Dark River Palace in silence, retreating to hide outside Flaming Manor. Yin Xue rescued Lie Ruge and administered a "forget troubles powder," intending for her to temporarily forget the betrayal and escape all pain. When Lie Ruge awoke from her stupor, she had no memory of Yin Xue, asking who he was.
Yin Xue introduced himself as a good friend, explaining that she had been drugged and forgotten many things. Lie Ruge thanked him for saving her, to which Yin Xue replied there was no need for thanks between them. She noticed his coldness and asked if he was hurt. Yin Xue informed her that they had offended someone and were fleeing for their lives, emphasizing the need to continue their journey quickly to ensure her safety.
Lie Ruge, now in a carefree state, readily agreed and helped gather food for their escape. They eventually arrived at Yin Xue's humble but clean hideout. With Lie Ruge presumed dead and Zhan Feng missing, Flaming Manor's elders agreed that Yi Lang, as the Old Sect Leader's godson, should temporarily assume the position of sect leader.
Yi Lang, after some initial hesitation where he suggested appointing the Deputy Sect Leader's wife, eventually accepted the role under the elders' insistence, who argued against an outsider holding such power. He addressed Lie Mingjing's spirit tablet, lamenting that despite his decades of service, he was always less favored than Zhan Feng or Lie Ruge, but now, he alone was worthy to inherit the sect.
Yi Lang immediately ordered a widespread search for Lie Ruge, demanding her body if she was dead. He then publicly announced that Thunderbolt Clique was responsible for the deaths of Flaming Manor's two sect leaders, declaring an all-out war and commanding the Martial Arts Society to surround and annihilate them, asserting that Flaming Manor and Thunderbolt Clique could not coexist. Following this, Yi Lang's forces burned alive hundreds of Thunderbolt Clique disciples.
News of Lie Ruge's death due to Thunderbolt Clique's bombs, and Yi Lang's subsequent declaration of war, quickly reached Dao Liexiang. Despite her servant's warnings against defying the Martial Arts Alliance, Dao Liexiang, refusing to believe Lei Jinghong would commit such an act, determined to go to Jiangnan to find him. She instructed her servant to seal Maple Courtyard and claim she was ill to avoid guests.
At Thunderbolt Clique, Lei Jinghong's subordinates reported devastating losses, with hundreds of disciples burned alive by Yi Lang's forces. Despite the grim situation and his subordinate's pleas to escape, Lei Jinghong defiantly refused to flee, stating he was the Young Master of Thunderbolt Clique and would stay to fight. He expressed his weariness of constantly fleeing since his father's death, unwilling to abandon his sect in its darkest hour. Just then, Dao Liexiang arrived, surprising Lei Jinghong.
She urged him to leave, explaining that World Swordless City had surrounded the area and offered to help him and Feng Huang escape in disguise. Lei Jinghong initially resisted, believing his survival was useless if Thunderbolt Clique was destroyed. Dao Liexiang passionately argued that as long as he lived, Thunderbolt Clique could endure and eventually make a comeback, citing Dark River Palace's decade of seclusion to regain power.
Convinced by her words, Lei Jinghong agreed to prepare to leave with her. They acknowledged their deep bond, with Lei Jinghong asking if there was any need to distinguish between them, and Dao Liexiang affirming she would wait for him, whether it be ten or twenty years. During their escape, they passed Ji Jinglei, who recognized Dao Liexiang. That night, Yin Xue's cold poison relapsed. His face became frosted, and his body shivered uncontrollably from the cold.
Lie Ruge, witnessing his suffering, was distraught and asked what was wrong, wondering if an old illness had returned or if his martial arts had gone awry. Yin Xue, struggling with the intense pain, urged her not to speak, while Lie Ruge desperately asked what she could do to help him.
