The Flame's Daughter Episode 39 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Trapped in Flaming Manor, Lei Jinghong is despondent and consumes alcohol heavily, grappling with the grief of his Thunderbolt Clique's annihilation and his inability to seek revenge. Dao Liexiang, exasperated, smashes his wine jar and confronts him, demanding to know what she expects from her. Lei Jinghong admits he's torn between avenging his sect and choosing her. Dao Liexiang tearfully insists he choose her, expressing her deep desire for him to remain safely by her side and not venture out.
She confesses her own change, admitting she would never have begged a man like this before, even one who killed her second brother, yet now she only wants to be with Lei Jinghong. Lei Jinghong acknowledges his own fault in their predicament, but reaffirms that her brother's actions are not her burden. He then tells her that ever since they were trapped together in the bridal chamber, he has only wanted her, dreaming of her nightly.
He wishes she were not from Swordless City so he could abduct her and keep her forever. Dao Liexiang reassures him, declaring she is always his. Seeing her vulnerability, Lei Jinghong embraces her and takes her to bed. The next morning, Lei Jinghong observes a sleeping Dao Liexiang, feeling profound comfort from her sincere love, believing such a night makes his life complete.
Dao Liexiang teases him, noting his uncharacteristic gentle words and suggesting his former self would have simply kidnapped her. Lei Jinghong declares that old self is dead. He then agrees to venture out. In the courtyard, while pondering an escape, Lei Jinghong spots Feng Huang. He dismisses her maid and urgently warns Feng Huang to leave Swordless City, believing it to be too dangerous and assuming she has aligned herself with Dao Wuxia.
Heartbroken by his misconception, Feng Huang tearfully recounts her constant worry and tireless search for him since their separation. She dreamt of his torture and death, never imagining he would be here, having supposedly surrendered to Swordless City. Lei Jinghong, unable to reveal his true situation, silently endures her accusations. Dao Liexiang then arrives and witnesses Lei Jinghong talking with Feng Huang but chooses not to inform her brother.
Dao Liexiang, intending to obtain a divorce certificate from Zhan Feng at Flaming Manor, is instructed by Dao Wuxia to also deliver an invitation for the Martial Arts Conference he plans to convene next month. He then reveals his decision to hold her wedding with Lei Jinghong on the same day as the conference.
Dao Wuxia elaborates on his strategy: despite Lei Jinghong killing his second brother, he will feign magnanimity by publicly forming an alliance between World Swordless City and Thunderbolt Clique. This, he believes, will demonstrate their moral superiority to the martial arts world and ensure all sects willingly submit to Swordless City. In Pear Garden, Zhan Feng is deep in cultivation under Yin Xue's guidance.
Qin Hong voices concern that the powerful Dark River Internal Energy might lead Zhan Feng to demonic paths. Yin Xue explains that martial arts themselves are neutral; it is one's inner disposition towards kindness or evil that determines the path. He admits he is gambling that Zhan Feng, after his experiences, will purge his heart of distractions and master the skill.
As they speak, Lie Ruge rushes in, inadvertently causing Zhan Feng to almost lose control of his cultivation, which Yin Xue quickly stabilizes. Lie Ruge informs them of Dao Liexiang's arrival at the manor. Zhan Feng promptly writes and hands over the divorce certificate, warning Dao Liexiang against actions that might harm the martial arts world, a caution she returns. Lie Ruge then stops Dao Liexiang, inquiring about Lei Jinghong.
Dao Liexiang reveals Lei Jinghong is with her in World Swordless City and that their wedding is scheduled for the Martial Arts Conference. Lie Ruge, understanding their deep affection, expresses her sincere blessings, though she admits surprise that they remain in Swordless City. Dao Liexiang explains that her brother's power made escape impossible, and she now embraces her choice to be with Lei Jinghong.
She acknowledges their complex friendship, anticipating that future allegiances might force them to confront each other as enemies. Back in Swordless City, Dao Liexiang eagerly tells Lei Jinghong about their upcoming wedding during the Martial Arts Conference. Lei Jinghong immediately perceives Dao Wuxia's true intention: to publicly declare Thunderbolt Clique's submission to World Swordless City. A pang of sorrow hits Lei Jinghong, whose strength has been sapped by days of consuming "energy disintegrating powder."
He takes Dao Liexiang for a walk. At a market stall, he selects a string of Buddhist prayer beads as a token of his love, wishing her lifelong safety and hoping it will be passed down to their children. Realizing Dao Liexiang had inadvertently taken his money, and determined to use his own funds, he performs martial arts in the street to earn coins.
Despite enduring mockery about his weakened state and the downfall of Thunderbolt Clique, Lei Jinghong earns enough to buy the beads. During his performance, an old man, secretly planted by Dao Wuxia, approaches, urging Lei Jinghong to return to Thunderbolt Clique, claiming the sect still has disciples and denying Lei Jinghong's allegiance to Swordless City. Lei Jinghong dismisses the old man, maintaining his facade.
Dao Wuxia, having learned that the old man's attempt to sway Lei Jinghong failed, notes Lei Jinghong's remarkable endurance. To further provoke him, Dao Wuxia mercilessly kills the old man and orders Yi Lang to deliver the corpse to Lei Jinghong, explicitly stating its origin. Dao Wuxia then forces a reluctant Feng Huang to witness the unfolding "lively show." When Lei Jinghong sees the body of the last remaining elderly member of Thunderbolt Clique, his fury erupts.
He confronts Dao Wuxia, but, weakened by the "energy disintegrating powder," he is easily overpowered and brutally beaten by Dao Wuxia's guards. Feng Huang watches, her heart consumed by intense hatred for Dao Wuxia as Lei Jinghong is humiliated. That night, in Feng Huang's chambers, Dao Wuxia attempts to force himself upon her. Feigning compliance, she cleverly positions herself to grab a knife, but Dao Wuxia, having anticipated her move, quickly disarms her and brutally assaults her.
Meanwhile, in Dao Liexiang's room, Lei Jinghong, through tears, vows to never again consume the "energy disintegrating powder," preferring to die with honor. Heartbroken by his suffering, Dao Liexiang promises she will no longer force him to take it. That night in Pear Garden, the mournful notes of Yin Xue's guqin cease as Lie Ruge approaches, sensing his awareness of her presence.
She sits outside his door, reminiscing about a similar conversation they once had and how much easier it is to talk with a door between them. Lie Ruge then expresses her anxieties about the upcoming Martial Arts Conference, fearing their efforts might be futile or they might fail to defeat Anye Luo and destroy Dark River Palace. Yin Xue calmly articulates her unspoken worries, then agrees to tell her stories about her mother in three days. Lie Ruge, grateful for his understanding, reflects on how much better she feels after their conversation, enjoying the comfortable and unburdened talk they haven't shared in a long time.
