The Flame's Daughter Episode 38 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Having escaped, Yi Lang arrived at the Dark River Palace gates, only to be blocked by Anye Jue. She sternly informed him that the Dark River Palace never takes in a "stray dog" and promptly ordered Xunyi to execute him. However, Xunyi intentionally missed, allowing Yi Lang to flee, much to Anye Jue's disdain, who dismissed the failed attempt as "useless garbage."
Meanwhile, in the tranquil pear garden, Lie Ruge sat beneath a blossoming tree, questioning Yin Xue why her father, Lie Mingjing, had consistently withheld the truth, even allowing Zhan Feng to harbor deep resentment. Yin Xue tenderly explained that Lie Mingjing's actions were driven by profound love for his sworn brother, as well as for Lie Ruge and Zhan Feng, having long disregarded his own life and death.
His ultimate hope was for Lie Ruge and Zhan Feng to marry, ensuring the sect's lineage, and for Zhan Feng to eventually acknowledge him as father. Lie Ruge recalled her father's joy at Zhan Feng's wedding, wishing he had been candid. Yin Xue clarified that revealing the truth would have exposed Zhan Feng's true identity to Anye Luo, forcing Lie Mingjing to endure Zhan Feng's hatred to maintain the deception.
Feeling the weight of these sacrifices, Lie Ruge vowed to someday expose the truth, declaring Zhan Feng's true parentage and honoring her father's memory. Soon after, a servant reported that Yi Lang was still at large and that Lei Jinghong, after visiting Ping'an Town to pay respect to the deceased sect leader of Snap Thunder Village, had vanished. Lie Ruge dispatched Azure Dragon Hall to discreetly investigate Lei Jinghong's whereabouts.
A famished Yi Lang, wandering after his escape, was offered a warm bowl of noodles by a kind old woman at a roadside stall. She inquired about his family and if he was heading to Swordless City, praising its leader, Dao Wuxia, for his just rule. Yi Lang confirmed his destination.
The old woman then shared her sorrow, mentioning her own son had been abducted years ago, making her wonder if he, too, was now surviving in the martial arts world. The woman's warmth and the simple meal softened Yi Lang's long-hardened heart, triggering a vivid memory: as a child, he and his mother returned home to discover his father brutally murdered, his mother's heartbroken cries echoing over the body. Elsewhere, Feng Huang persistently sought Lei Jinghong.
At Dongbin Restaurant, she confronted Dao Liexiang, who coldly denied any knowledge of Lei Jinghong and warned Feng Huang to leave Swordless City, citing their family's blood feud with him. Undeterred, Feng Huang questioned the waiter about Dao Liexiang's recent, frequent visits. The waiter revealed that, following the Thunderbolt Clique incident, the restaurant had begun receiving a steady supply of fine wines from Jiangnan.
Ordering a flask of the Jiangnan wine, Feng Huang confirmed her suspicion: Lei Jinghong was indeed being held in Swordless City. Within Swordless City, Dao Liexiang continued to force Lei Jinghong to take "energy disintegrating powder" daily. Lei Jinghong questioned his purpose to her now that he was powerless. Dao Liexiang, however, firmly declared that despite her martial prowess and wealth, her only desire was for him to live, dismissing any concern for public opinion.
She explained that the drug's frequency would decrease over time, and he could stop taking it once they were married and her brother no longer saw him as a threat. When Lei Jinghong refused the medicine, she calmly stated she would forcefully administer it. Later, a servant informed Dao Wuxia that a woman at Dongbin Restaurant had been drunkenly demanding he pay her wine bill, claiming he owed her from the past. Intrigued, Dao Wuxia went to the restaurant.
There, he found Feng Huang, still drinking. A ruffian approached and brazenly grabbed her hand. Upon Dao Wuxia's arrival, Feng Huang immediately accused the man of harassment. Without hesitation, Dao Wuxia ordered the man to sacrifice the offending hand. Impressed, Feng Huang remarked that she should have "pestered him instead," to which Dao Wuxia replied she still had the opportunity to change her mind, before taking her back to Swordless City.
Upon his return, Dao Wuxia was informed of Yi Lang's arrival. Yi Lang, describing himself as a capable survivor from Flaming Manor, offered his services, boasting of his extensive knowledge of Flaming Manor's operations and his ability to help Dao Wuxia defeat them. Recognizing his utility, Dao Wuxia appointed Yi Lang as the chief steward of Swordless City. Dao Liexiang, present at the announcement, scornfully referred to Yi Lang as "a dog who can speak human words."
Later, Dao Liexiang confronted her brother about bringing Feng Huang back, cautioning that Feng Huang was more cunning than he imagined, especially given her ties to Lei Jinghong. Dao Wuxia, however, dismissed her concerns, explaining that many of his numerous concubines, some from rival sects, were also far from simple, yet all understood that he was their ultimate protector and provider of comfort and stability.
He believed women loved fine clothes and rich food, and that Feng Huang would eventually accept this reality too. In the pear garden, Yin Xue and Zhan Feng sparred. Yin Xue detected Zhan Feng's Dark River internal energy, noting it was only at the third level. He explained this incomplete training prevented Zhan Feng from fully losing his humanity.
To defeat Anye Luo, Yin Xue revealed, one must master all nine levels of the Dark River Internal Cultivation, a technique he offered to teach Zhan Feng, disclosing his own past connection to Dark River Palace.
Yin Xue warned that each advancement would strip away more of one's humanity, culminating in complete heartlessness and emotional isolation, a state Anye Luo himself failed to achieve due to his desires, and Yin Xue admitted he too had been held back by emotional ties. Zhan Feng hesitated, and Yin Xue urged him to consider his decision carefully. Zhan Feng later found Lie Ruge diligently searching the manor's library.
She was seeking internal energy methods to counter the Chill Spell for Yin Xue, expressing a persistent unease about his condition despite apparent improvements, despite Flaming Internal Energy being somewhat useful. Zhan Feng offered his help. Lie Ruge then offered a heartfelt apology to Zhan Feng for all the hardships he had endured because of her. Zhan Feng, forgiving her, admitted his own fault for not trusting their father.
Seeing her earnestness, he recalled a tender memory of her diligently sewing shoes for him in their youth. Afterward, a servant informed Ji Jinglei that Lie Ruge and Zhan Feng had spent the entire day together in the library, which initially delighted him. However, Ji Jinglei soon remembered Zhan Feng's marriage to Dao Liexiang, realizing the impediment this posed to any future with Lie Ruge. He resolved to speak with Zhan Feng.
At the base of a waterfall, Ji Jinglei remarked on Zhan Feng's significant martial arts progress. He then informed Zhan Feng of Ying Yi's death by drowning and that Lie Ruge had discreetly arranged for her burial. Zhan Feng expressed profound regret, feeling Ying Yi's tragic end was a consequence of her association with him. Ji Jinglei then inquired about Zhan Feng's future with Lie Ruge. Zhan Feng stated their past was "already a matter in the past."
Yet, Ji Jinglei, discerning Zhan Feng's lingering feelings, suggested that a "celebratory event" within the sect could uplift everyone's spirits. Zhan Feng then asked about Ji Jinglei's feelings for Bi'er. Ji Jinglei, feeling unworthy due to his blindness, wished Zhan Feng to find a good, righteous, and skilled partner for her. Bi'er, overhearing their conversation, was deeply moved.
She approached Ji Jinglei and declared that her commitment "all comes from willingness," vowing to care for and protect him for the rest of her life. This powerful declaration profoundly impacted Zhan Feng, solidifying his love for Lie Ruge and his "willingness" to sacrifice his emotions to master the Dark River internal energy for her sake. That night, Zhan Feng stood vigil outside Lie Ruge's room in the Plum Garden.
The next morning, Lie Ruge's maid reported his presence through the night. Later, Zhan Feng approached Yin Xue, announcing his decision to learn the Dark River internal energy. Yin Xue, emphasizing the time constraint, stated Zhan Feng needed to master all nine levels before the upcoming Martial Arts Society Conference, a feat that took Anye Luo six months to achieve just the eighth level before he killed his teacher and defeated many masters.
Zhan Feng expressed doubt about surpassing Anye Luo so quickly, but Yin Xue reassured him that with his and Lie Ruge's combined efforts, they had a plan to defeat Anye Luo, urging Zhan Feng to concentrate solely on his training.
