The Flame's Daughter Episode 36 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
On the day of Yi Lang's inauguration as the Flaming Manor's Sect Leader, various clique and gang leaders sent only their juniors with gifts, citing various reasons for their absence. Dao Wuxia, City Leader of World Swordless City, arrived with Dao Liexiang, his Third Miss. Dao Wuxia subtly informed Yi Lang that Yu Zihan's Imperial Bodyguard, Huang Cong, was also en route. Meanwhile, Zhongli Wulei secretly infiltrated the Flaming Manor's dungeon.
He found Zhan Feng, severely injured, and quickly sealed his acupoints and major heart channels. As Zhongli Wulei helped him to safety, Zhan Feng inquired if his Junior Sister, Lie Ruge, had returned, to which Zhongli Wulei confirmed her return and vowed that if anything were to happen to her, hundreds of Azure Dragon Hall members would die with her. Back at the ceremony, an attendant announced that Dark River Palace had sent gifts.
Hall Leader Ling, incensed, immediately wanted to confront them, recalling the deep animosity between Flaming Manor and Dark River Palace. However, Yi Lang dismissed his concerns, stating that times had changed, and Dark River Palace was now a growing power. Dao Wuxia sided with Yi Lang, remarking that Dark River Palace was now performing "merciful works" unlike the "rotten to the core" Thunderbolt Clique.
Yi Lang agreed, claiming that their past conflict was enough, and he did not wish for a century-long war. He ordered the Dark River Palace envoys to be admitted, warning a protesting Hall Leader Ling to remember his place. As Huang Cong arrived at Flaming Manor, he found many Dark River Palace "witches" waiting outside.
Asserting his authority as the Imperial Bodyguard of the Prince of Jingyuan, Huang Cong sternly ordered them to leave, declaring that Flaming Manor and Dark River Palace would never coexist. Disguised as Huang Cong's attendants, Lie Ruge and Lei Jinghong slipped into the manor. Inside the grand hall, Yi Lang ungraciously welcomed Huang Cong, then sharply warned him to follow Jianghu rules and not interfere with his proceedings.
Huang Cong, however, openly challenged Yi Lang's legitimacy, stating that rumors in Miaohe Town questioned how Yi Lang seized the sect leader position in Lie Ruge's absence. When Yi Lang claimed his election was upright, Huang Cong demanded to see the Flaming Token. Yi Lang claimed it had disappeared with the previous Sect Leader, but to his shock, Huang Cong produced it himself. The crowd murmured in recognition.
Lie Ruge then stepped out from Huang Cong’s escort, her presence stunning Yi Lang. She demanded he admit his crimes, then listed three major offenses: murdering the Old Sect Leader, repeatedly framing her, and wrongfully implicating the Thunderbolt Clique. When Yi Lang demanded proof, Zhan Feng, still visibly injured, slowly emerged, declaring himself to be the evidence. Seeing the situation unravel, Dao Wuxia tried to leave, but Lie Ruge stopped him, insisting he clear Thunderbolt Clique's name before everyone.
Dao Wuxia scoffed, pointing out the few remaining members of Thunderbolt Clique and questioning the need for such a spectacle. At that moment, Lei Jinghong dramatically appeared, affirming he was still alive and would clear his sect's name. Dao Wuxia, seething with anger over his younger brother's death, lunged at Lei Jinghong, vowing revenge.
Lie Ruge swiftly intervened, stating that while outside the manor, she would not interfere, within its walls, Lei Jinghong was her guest, and no vendettas would be settled there. Dao Wuxia reluctantly agreed, promising to let Lei Jinghong live another day. Yi Lang, now cornered, admitted to his crimes but then attempted to justify his actions by slandering Lie Mingjing, the Old Sect Leader.
He claimed Lie Mingjing was a despicable man who had murdered his sworn brother, Zhan Feitian, to seize control of Flaming Manor. Yi Lang further alleged that Anye Luo had merely sought revenge for his elder sister, An Ye Ming, and was framed by Lie Mingjing, thereby twisting Dark River Palace into the "righteous sect." As the crowd was left in confusion by Yi Lang’s audacious claims, a figure in a veiled hat stepped forward. It was Yin Xue.
He unequivocally refuted Yi Lang’s narrative, revealing that Zhan Feitian had been coerced by Anye Luo into committing suicide to save the lives of thousands, and An Ye Ming had then taken her own life out of unbearable grief for her husband.
When Yi Lang questioned how an outsider could know such details, Yin Xue declared he was the one who helped Lie Mingjing defend against Dark River Palace that day, displaying a token from the Ethereality Clique, a sect renowned for its impartiality. The assembled martial artists affirmed their trust in the Ethereality Clique. With the truth now revealed, Yin Xue advised Lie Ruge to ask her guests to leave and to take care of her internal affairs.
Lie Ruge then officially announced to all the gathered heroes that Yi Lang was solely responsible for the Old Sect Leader's tragic death, thereby exonerating the Thunderbolt Clique. She offered Flaming Manor’s resources and manpower to help Lei Jinghong rebuild his sect. After the guests departed, Lie Ruge addressed Yi Lang. He fell to his knees, admitting his guilt and apologizing for Lie Mingjing's death.
But Zhan Feng, filled with rage, broke one of Yi Lang’s legs before having him confined to the dungeon. Meanwhile, Dao Wuxia, still intent on avenging his brother, instructed his subordinates to discreetly follow Lei Jinghong and kill him once he left Flaming Manor. In the dungeon, Yi Lang, now imprisoned, confronted Zhongli Wulei, bitterly confessing to Die Yi’s murder.
He explained his deep-seated resentment: despite being Lie Mingjing’s godson, he felt distrusted, while Zhongli Wulei was given the loyal Azure Dragon Hall and even Lie Ruge’s maidservants showed unwavering loyalty to him. Feeling unjustly treated and inferior, he lashed out by killing Die Yi, deriving satisfaction from the pain it would cause Zhongli Wulei.
He recounted Die Yi's fierce loyalty, how she was unafraid of death for herself but became furious when he threatened Zhongli Wulei, vowing to haunt him. Zhongli Wulei, heartbroken but composed, refused to stoop to Yi Lang's level and left, stating that the Sect Leader would mete out his punishment. Later, Zhongli Wulei stood before Die Yi’s memorial tablet, grief-stricken. In his anguish, he had a fleeting vision of Die Yi, her smiling face calling his name, before she vanished.
Overwhelmed by sorrow, he carefully packed her memorial tablet, intending to leave Flaming Manor and retreat from the martial arts world. However, Hall Leader Murong, who had just returned to the manor, saw Zhongli Wulei preparing to depart. Hall Leader Murong had initially retired due to Yi Lang’s character but hurried back upon hearing of the inauguration. He gently urged Zhongli Wulei to stay, reminding him that Flaming Manor, once admired, was now seen as a group of bandits.
He proposed that they set a three-year deadline to restore the manor to its former glory. Lie Ruge, witnessing this, solemnly promised that she would not disappoint their hopes and would indeed restore Flaming Manor to the number one martial arts clan within three years. The Plum Courtyard returned to a lively state, becoming a place of celebration for Lie Ruge’s return, with Ji Jinglei, Lei Jinghong, Yin Xue, and Bi’er toasting their victory and the revenge for Lie Mingjing.
As they celebrated, Zhan Feng quietly approached, but Lie Ruge, still struggling with his complicity in Yi Lang's schemes, refused to let him enter her courtyard. Yin Xue interceded, suggesting that Zhan Feng might have been unwilling and advised Lie Ruge to give him seven days to explain, but Lie Ruge questioned Yin Xue's defense of Zhan Feng.
Yin Xue then revealed his long-standing acquaintance with Lie Ruge’s father, Lie Mingjing, stating that by seniority, Lie Ruge should call him "uncle." Meanwhile, Dao Wuxia met with Anye Luo at Dark River Palace to discuss rescuing Yi Lang. Anye Luo, however, dismissed Yi Lang as useless, seeing no reason to save him. Outside, An Ye Jue intercepted Dao Wuxia privately and urged him to spare Lei Jinghong's life.
She reminded Dao Wuxia of their own past, filled with many deaths, suggesting that unceasing vengeance would lead nowhere. An Ye Jue, noting she never begged anyone, asked Dao Wuxia to weigh her words carefully. Lei Jinghong, intending to return to Thunderbolt Clique in Jiangnan, bid farewell to Ji Jinglei.
Ji Jinglei expressed concern for his safety, but Lei Jinghong, now more mature, stated that death was nothing to fear for a martial artist and asked Ji Jinglei not to worry Lie Ruge. They shared a final drink. As Lei Jinghong and Feng Huang prepared to leave Flaming Manor, Lie Ruge appeared at the gate, playfully chiding him for attempting to depart without a proper farewell.
Acknowledging the dangers of night travel, Lie Ruge revealed that Huang Cong, having fulfilled Yu Zihan’s mission to protect her, would now be returning to the Prince’s manor and would escort Lei Jinghong and Feng Huang all the way back to Jiangnan, ensuring their safe passage. Lei Jinghong expressed deep gratitude for her thoughtful arrangements, and they departed together with Huang Cong.
