The Flame's Daughter Episode 42 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
An Ye Luo discovered Dao Wuxia's betrayal, instructing Zhan Feng to secure the bodies of Yi Lang, Dao Wuxia, and Lei Jinghong during the upcoming martial arts conference. While tracking Yi Lang, Dao Liexiang was unexpectedly knocked unconscious by Zhan Feng to prevent any interference, given her identity. Meanwhile, at an inn, Yin Xue and Lie Ruge awaited Yi Lang's arrival, as Yin Xue had anticipated his presence.
To pass the time, Lie Ruge questioned Yin Xue about his past, asking when he joined the Ethereality Clique. Yin Xue explained he was once taught by another master for a brief period before being recommended to the Ethereality Clique due to his exceptional talent. Lie Ruge teased him about being well-liked, and Yin Xue shamelessly agreed that everyone, regardless of age or gender, adored him. Eventually, Yi Lang's arrival was announced by a disciple, confirming Yin Xue's prediction.
Secretly, Dao Wuxia's disciples were setting up bombs in the inn. After a loud explosion, Dao Liexiang regained consciousness and desperately tried to rush into the burning inn, calling out for Lie Ruge and "Sir." However, Dao Wuxia forcibly pulled her away, asserting his authority as her elder brother and the impending leader of the martial arts world, declaring he must eliminate all opposition.
Dao Liexiang later confided in Lei Jinghong that their eldest brother had used bombs on the inn where Lie Ruge and Yin Xue were staying. She revealed that she had tried to warn them but was attacked mid-way, waking up to find the inn ablaze with no one daring to enter, making their survival unlikely. Yi Lang managed to escape the inn, but he was relentlessly pursued by masked assassins.
At Huang Sao's noodle shop in Ping'an Town, Yi Lang exchanged a final glance with Huang Sao, but as he was ruthlessly killed by the masked assassins and dragged away, he denied she was his mother. Afterward, Zhan Feng visited the noodle shop. Lie Ruge had previously informed Zhan Feng that Yi Lang was not an orphan but had been kidnapped as a child, and Huang Sao was his birth mother.
She also believed Yi Lang was aware of this but chose not to acknowledge her, unwilling to relinquish the prestigious status of being "godson of the Sect Leader" at Flaming Manor. Lie Ruge had specifically instructed Zhan Feng to allow Yi Lang to see his mother one last time, recalling Huang Sao's kindness towards her in Ping'an Town.
Zhan Feng, after finishing his noodles, left some silver for Huang Sao, stating it was a small token from his junior sister for her past help. Following Yi Lang's death, Zhan Feng instructed his men to sever Yi Lang's head, burn his body, and then place the head in a red-wrapped box to be presented the next morning in Swordless City. Unbeknownst to Dao Wuxia, Lie Ruge and Yin Xue were not killed in the inn explosion.
Zhan Feng had secretly dealt with Dao Wuxia's men, making it appear as if the inn had exploded, and the masked assassins who killed Yi Lang were, in fact, Zhan Feng's own followers, sent to rescue Lie Ruge and Yin Xue. As the day of the martial arts conference dawned, Dao Wuxia was informed that some of his men involved in the inn attack were missing.
Suspecting foul play, he ordered the city gates to be sealed, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. Despite the grim events, Dao Liexiang and Lei Jinghong prepared for their wedding in festive attire. Dao Liexiang proposed that they use the bustling martial arts conference as a cover to escape and live a reclusive life together. Lei Jinghong held her hand, agreeing to the plan.
As they left the courtyard for the ceremony, Dao Liexiang ordered her maid, Xiao Yan, to immediately remove Feng Huang from Swordless City, as she did not want the woman to spoil her mood. Xiao Yan explained that the city gates were sealed, but Dao Liexiang insisted that Feng Huang still be cast out, even if the gates were closed. Lei Jinghong tried to calm Dao Liexiang's jealousy, reiterating their plan to escape once the gates eventually reopened.
At the Martial Arts General Assembly, Dao Wuxia publicly announced the unfortunate news of Lie Ruge's supposed death the previous night, which was met with shock and lament from the martial artists. He then proceeded to announce his sister’s wedding to Lei Jinghong, explaining that Lie Ruge had previously vouched for Lei Jinghong, leading him to put aside their past grievances. As the wedding ceremony was about to commence, Zhan Feng arrived at Swordless City, finding the gates tightly shut.
He forcefully demanded their opening, leading a subordinate to report his arrival to Dao Wuxia. Dao Wuxia ordered the gates opened and invited Zhan Feng to witness the wedding. Zhan Feng offered a sarcastic congratulations, implying Dao Wuxia was now the "Sect Leader" of the martial arts world. The ceremony proceeded with Dao Liexiang and Lei Jinghong bowing to heaven and earth, to Dao Wuxia, and then to each other, marking their union.
As the guests offered their congratulations, Dao Wuxia, seemingly pleased, urged the newlyweds to retire quickly, presumably to spare them from the impending turmoil. However, Zhan Feng intervened, declaring that with the joyous event concluded, it was time for a "death matter" – his mission, on behalf of An Ye Luo, to take Dao Wuxia's life. A fierce battle erupted between Dao Wuxia and Zhan Feng, captivating the assembly.
Dao Liexiang, still in her wedding gown, rushed towards the danger, attempting to intervene as her brother's life was at stake. As Dao Wuxia began to falter, he tried to discredit Zhan Feng, accusing him of making false claims about An Ye Luo's orders. At this critical moment, Lie Ruge dramatically appeared, alive and well, to everyone's astonishment.
She refuted Dao Wuxia's claims and publicly exposed his crimes of illicitly collecting dark taxes, colluding with Japanese pirates, and his attempt on her life the previous night. When Dao Wuxia demanded proof, Lei Jinghong, seizing the opportunity, rushed forward and stabbed Dao Wuxia, declaring it was for the blood debts owed to the Thunderbolt Clique. Dao Liexiang screamed in horror, throwing herself onto her dying brother.
Overcome with grief, she cradled his body, questioning Lei Jinghong why he had killed both her brothers, especially after they had just been wed, despite admitting her brother's wrongdoing. In her despair, Dao Liexiang seized a sword, intending to take her own life, but Lei Jinghong desperately grabbed the blade, his hands bleeding profusely as he struggled to disarm her. Overwhelmed, Dao Liexiang eventually lost consciousness.
Amidst the chaos, Swordless City guards arrived with Feng Huang, demanding justice for their fallen leader. Yin Xue, however, swiftly rescued Feng Huang. Lie Ruge then urged the gathered martial artists to retreat to Snap Thunder Village in Ping'an Town, where her men awaited. Yin Xue, with Zhan Feng and Lie Ruge, covered their escape, leading the martial artists out of the city and leaving Swordless City to them.
At Duan Lei Zhuang, Dao Liexiang awoke from her grief, confronting Lei Jinghong with renewed pain and accusation. She demanded to know if his entire courtship and their wedding had been a calculated scheme, a trap to ensnare her. Lei Jinghong, his eyes reddened, vehemently denied it, insisting that everything was merely a series of coincidences and that his feelings for her were genuine. To prevent her from leaving, he used his martial arts to momentarily immobilize her.
Completely disillusioned and heartbroken, Dao Liexiang declared that meeting him was the biggest mistake of her life. Witnessing her unwavering resolve and profound resentment, Lei Jinghong, with a heavy heart, released her acupoints. Without a word, Dao Liexiang turned and walked away, leaving him behind. Outside, Feng Huang, having witnessed the entire painful exchange, followed Dao Liexiang, concerned for her well-being.
