The Flame's Daughter Episode 37 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
At World Swordless City, Dao Liexiang and Dao Wuxia were sharing drinks, their conversation having been influenced by An Ye Jue's words. Dao Wuxia expressed his willingness to spare Lei Jinghong’s life, but only if Lei Jinghong pledged eternal allegiance to World Swordless City. Dao Liexiang immediately doubted Lei Jinghong would agree to such terms. Dao Wuxia then probed, suggesting that if Lei Jinghong truly harbored feelings for her, he might reconsider.
He recalled the loss of their Second Older Brother, lamenting that even killing Lei Jinghong a hundred times wouldn't make amends, and reminded Dao Liexiang that she was his only remaining family. He pressed her on her affections for Lei Jinghong, saying he wouldn't kill Lei Jinghong if she was truly insistent on being with him. He explained that while Swordless City owed Thunderbolt Clique many lives, revenge was an endless cycle.
Dao Wuxia proposed to not only spare Lei Jinghong but also approve their relationship if he submitted, adding that he wanted to see if Lei Jinghong's sincerity for her was genuine. Meanwhile, Lei Jinghong arrived at Snap Thunder Village, which fell under World Swordless City's jurisdiction, ostensibly to pay his respects. His bodyguard, Huang, had warned him about the danger, but Lei Jinghong insisted, stating he didn't know when he'd be able to return otherwise.
Dao Liexiang was informed of his arrival and remarked on his defiant attitude, believing he sought to challenge her Eldest Brother. She decided to meet him there. Upon their meeting, Lei Jinghong urged Dao Liexiang to return to Jiangnan with him, confessing that she occupied "100%" of his heart since their promise in Zhan Feng's room.
However, Dao Liexiang countered, asking him to join her in World Swordless City, put down his thoughts of revenge, and become part of their sect. Lei Jinghong vehemently refused, stating he could not betray his ancestors and the fallen Thunderbolt Clique disciples who were killed by Swordless City. Dao Liexiang then reminded him that he, too, was responsible for the death of her Second Older Brother, who wouldn't have died if she hadn't tried to save Lei Jinghong.
She pressed him again on the depth of his feelings, to which he reaffirmed his 100% devotion. During their conversation, Dao Liexiang secretly slipped an "Energy Disintegrating Powder" into Lei Jinghong's wine. He quickly fell unconscious, and she had him brought back to World Swordless City. When Lei Jinghong awoke, his martial arts temporarily suppressed, he angrily accused Dao Liexiang of treachery.
She calmly explained that it was the only way to save his life, as her brother and countless Jianghu assassins were hunting him. Though he saw himself as a coward if he feared death, she admitted that she feared for "his" death, emphasizing that by preserving his life now, he could one day seek vengeance and rebuild Thunderbolt Clique.
She further revealed that her Eldest Brother had promised to let him live and even sanction their marriage if he agreed to submit to World Swordless City, now the world's foremost martial arts clan. Lei Jinghong remained defiant, refusing to marry under such terms, but Dao Liexiang argued that his weakened Thunderbolt Clique couldn't protect him, whereas Swordless City could. She assured him the powder's effect was temporary, a mere suppression, and he would fully recover in a few days.
She hoped that once he came to his senses, they would marry. Elsewhere, Feng Huang anxiously waited for news about Lei Jinghong at Snap Thunder Village, speculating that he had been captured by World Swordless City. She expressed her weariness, feeling that she had no place to go in the vast world, and despite having seen countless wealthy young masters in Flower Tasting Brothel, only Lei Jinghong held her heart.
Bodyguard Huang, having found no information, urged her to leave the dangerous area, suggesting she go to Flaming Manor, Luoyang, or Jiangnan, where he could temporarily house her in the Prince's manor. Feng Huang refused, stating that neither held any meaning for her without Lei Jinghong.
Bodyguard Huang, having promised Lie Ruge to look after both of them, was conflicted, but Feng Huang insisted she could manage on her own, as without Lei Jinghong, she wouldn't be targeted by Jianghu figures. Bodyguard Huang then decided to return to Luoyang to report, instructing his subordinate to inform Lie Ruge about Lei Jinghong's disappearance from Snap Thunder Village. Back at Flaming Manor, Ji Jinglei visited Zhan Feng, encouraging him to abandon his self-destructive path.
He acknowledged Zhan Feng’s mistake in trusting Yi Lang but stressed that he didn't deserve death for it. Ji Jinglei reminded him that Lie Mingjing was killed by Yi Lang, admitting his own guilt in overlooking Yi Lang’s true nature. He also believed Lie Ruge, despite her current resentment, would eventually reconcile with Zhan Feng once she had time to reflect. Zhan Feng, seemingly spurred by the conversation, declared he would "give her an explanation."
He then headed to the manor’s dungeon, knife in hand, intending to kill Yi Lang and then himself as atonement to Lie Mingjing. A terrified Yi Lang, seeing Zhan Feng with the knife, pleaded for his life, offering to reveal a vital secret about Zhan Feng’s parents. Zhan Feng, despite his initial reluctance, was intrigued.
Yi Lang disclosed that Lie Mingjing was Zhan Feng's biological father, and his birth mother was a beautiful dancer from the Western Region with mesmerizing blue eyes. Yi Lang explained that Lie Mingjing had known all along about Zhan Feng's secret cultivation of Dark River Palace martial arts, his conspiracies with World Swordless City, and all his misdeeds, yet consistently forgave him out of immense paternal love.
Zhan Feng was overwhelmed, repeatedly questioning why his Teacher would do such a thing. Reeling from the revelation, Zhan Feng went to Lie Mingjing's memorial tablet, consumed by despair at the thought of having repeatedly tried to harm his own father. Lie Ruge, having been informed that Zhan Feng had inexplicably released Yi Lang, rushed to the mourning hall. She found him sitting on the cold floor, deeply anguished.
Zhan Feng told her that Lie Mingjing had been aware of all his betrayals and actions, yet had always forgiven him and held onto hope without ever revealing the truth. Overcome with grief and confusion, Lie Ruge broke down crying, questioning why her father had kept such a secret. Yin Xue arrived, embracing the distraught Lie Ruge, and began to explain.
Yin Xue revealed that Lie Mingjing was indeed Zhan Feng's biological father and that Lie Ruge was the daughter of Zhan Feitian and An Ye Ming; the two infants had been exchanged at birth. Lie Mingjing had deliberately concealed this truth to protect Lie Ruge from An Ye Luo, who would relentlessly seek her out. He sacrificed his own son to safeguard her, simply wishing to see Zhan Feng marry and have a family one day.
Yin Xue recounted the events of that fateful night: An Ye Luo, obsessed with his martial sister An Ye Ming, stormed Flaming Manor to take her and her newborn child. Lie Mingjing, in a desperate act of protection, personally swapped the two babies. Zhan Feitian, not wishing to see the 1300 disciples of Flaming Manor suffer, committed suicide to save them after An Ye Luo promised to withdraw his forces if he did.
An Ye Ming, witnessing her husband's brutal death, was heartbroken. An Ye Luo, still consumed by his twisted love, tried to force An Ye Ming to return to Dark River Palace and marry him, presenting her with a hairpin she had once given him. In a final act of defiance and despair, An Ye Ming stabbed the hairpin into An Ye Luo's forehead, severely wounding him, and then took her own life.
With Zhan Feitian and An Ye Ming dead, Yin Xue intervened, snatching the baby (Zhan Feng) from An Ye Luo's grasp. Severely injured by An Ye Ming's attack, An Ye Luo was forced to retreat, vowing to return for the child. To further secure Lie Ruge's safety and preserve Lie Mingjing's protective deception, Yin Xue suggested a drastic measure: he would seal Lie Ruge for three years, during which she would remain in a comatose state and not age.
This would make her appear three years younger than Zhan Feng when An Ye Luo eventually reemerged after his required 19-year seclusion for recovery, thereby preventing him from ever suspecting the baby swap. Lie Mingjing agreed to this "nineteen-year agreement," accepting Yin Xue's condition that after 19 years, Yin Xue would take Lie Ruge away to live in seclusion, protecting her from An Ye Luo's inevitable revenge against Flaming Manor and the entire Martial Arts Society.
Upon learning the complete truth, Zhan Feng, consumed by anger and grief, resolved to seek vengeance against An Ye Luo. Yin Xue, however, stopped him. He reminded Zhan Feng that Lie Mingjing had sacrificed himself to protect both him and Lie Ruge, and going after An Ye Luo now, with his current martial arts, would be a futile act of suicide that would also endanger Lie Ruge.
Yin Xue pointed out that An Ye Luo had tormented Zhan Feng for years, teaching him evil martial arts, all because he believed Zhan Feng was his nephew. If An Ye Luo were to discover that Lie Ruge was the child he truly sought, he would never let her go. Yin Xue urged Zhan Feng to consider whether he wanted to destroy all of Lie Mingjing's sacrifices through a moment of rashness.
Acknowledging Yin Xue’s wisdom, Zhan Feng asked what he should do. Yin Xue advised him to calm down and maintain his facade as An Ye Luo’s nephew, never revealing the truth. He instructed Zhan Feng to meet him at Pear Courtyard in three days to discuss a long-term plan for revenge.
