The Flame's Daughter Episode 45 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Filled with worry after learning that Lie Ruge had been captured and taken to Dark River Palace, Yu Zihan instructed Xuan Huang to prepare his horse. An Ye Jue had brought him the news, stating that Lie Ruge's assassination plot had failed, leading to her capture. An Ye Jue warned Yu Zihan to come alone, without any guards, as no one could navigate the forest around Dark River Palace without their guidance.
Yu Zihan then commanded his loyal attendants, Xuan Huang and Huang Cong, not to follow him or approach Dark River Palace, threatening execution for disobedience. Despite their deep concern for his safety, particularly after observing his increasingly strange behavior since his legs had healed, Xuan Huang and Huang Cong were forced to remain outside, trusting that Yu Zihan had his own plan to manage the perilous situation.
Inside Dark River Palace, Lie Ruge had refused food and drink for three days. An Ye Luo tried to break her resolve, suggesting she already suspected the traitor. He spoke of the "cruelest thing in this world" being the loss of everything after experiencing bliss, using Yu Zihan’s miraculous recovery of hearing and the ability to walk as an example. Lie Ruge vehemently denied his accusations, insisting that her Senior Brother Yu would never betray them.
An Ye Luo then continued his manipulation, claiming Yu Zihan had always loved her but was held back by his disabilities. He asserted that after the battle at Mt. Yi, Yu Zihan, realizing he couldn't protect her due to his condition, agreed to An Ye Luo's terms. An Ye Luo claimed that as soon as Lie Ruge left Luoyang, Yu Zihan divulged their entire plan in exchange for a healthy body and to help An Ye Luo conquer the world.
Lie Ruge refused to believe him, demanding that Yu Zihan personally confirm the betrayal. An Ye Luo readily agreed, leading her to Yu Zihan. Upon seeing Yu Zihan, now able to walk freely, Lie Ruge was stunned. An Ye Luo sarcastically commented on the lack of a passionate reunion. When Lie Ruge questioned Yu Zihan about his recovery and his presence, he evasively told her not to ask.
She then directly asked if he had betrayed them, to which Yu Zihan, under duress to protect her, affirmed that he had. He claimed he revealed their plans after their meeting in the Flower Tasting Brothel, driven by a desire for a healthy body and the realization that he had many choices beyond her, as she was no longer the only person he cared about.
Heartbroken, Lie Ruge returned a jade thumb ring, a precious item from his Consort Mother, telling him he was no longer her senior brother and that he was a disgrace to their sect, before running off in despair. An Ye Luo gloated, revealing to Yu Zihan that he knew the "betrayal" was a lie, a means to protect Lie Ruge, and mocked how easily trust could be broken.
An Ye Luo then presented Yu Zihan with a deal: help him conquer the world, and he would grant Yu Zihan a healthy, ageless body. Yu Zihan, however, dismissed the offer, stating such a body held no use for him. Seeing his lack of interest, An Ye Luo raised the stakes, promising he could make Lie Ruge fall in love with Yu Zihan, ensuring she would desire no other man. Yu Zihan doubted his ability to achieve such a feat.
Meanwhile, An Ye Jue summoned Xunyi and ordered her to kill Lie Ruge. Xunyi refused, pleading with her mother to spare Lie Ruge, whom she considered a sister. She argued that Lie Ruge, being imprisoned, posed no threat. An Ye Jue dismissed Xunyi’s pleas, reminding her that anything related to Anye Ming could destroy the Sect Leader and angrily questioning if she couldn't compare to a man. She then dismissed Xunyi.
Although the subtitles don't show it, the Chinese plot indicates that Dark River Palace maids had laced candles with a poisonous incense, intoxicating Lie Ruge. Back in his room, Yu Zihan was contemplating how to escape when Lie Ruge, under the influence of the mysterious incense, entered. An Ye Luo's earlier words about making her fall in love with Yu Zihan echoed in the air.
Lie Ruge, acting unlike her usual self, confessed her longing for him and tried to intimately approach him, recounting how she "lost" him during a great fire and missed him terribly. Overwhelmed by her drugged state, Yu Zihan asked An Ye Luo to provide an antidote. An Ye Luo, however, taunted him, saying if Yu Zihan didn't want her now, she would become Yin Xue’s.
Despite his inner conflict and the powerful emotions stirred by her presence, Yu Zihan struggled to resist, reaffirming his affection for her but attempting to leave to retrieve the antidote. Lie Ruge, however, pleaded with him to stay by her side. Separately, in the prison, An Ye Luo interrogated Zhan Feng, confirming he was Lie Mingjing's son.
Despite acknowledging some past affection, An Ye Luo expressed his hatred for being lied to and ordered his men to torture Zhan Feng relentlessly, ensuring he remained alive for further torment. Yin Xue, imprisoned nearby, witnessed Zhan Feng's suffering. An Ye Luo then deliberately provoked Yin Xue, claiming that Lie Ruge was now engaged in an illicit relationship with Yu Zihan, having followed Yu Zihan's desire the previous night.
Zhan Feng immediately defended Yu Zihan, insisting he would never take advantage of anyone. An Ye Luo countered that it was he who restored Yu Zihan's health, fulfilling his "petty and low admiring heart," and questioned how many men could resist such an opportunity. He then reveled in the visible anger, envy, and pain displayed by both Zhan Feng and Yin Xue, recognizing their suffering as similar to his own. Later, Yu Zihan was summoned by An Ye Luo again.
As he left, Lie Ruge, still disoriented, begged him not to go, fearing his long absences. Yu Zihan reassured her to sleep. In his meeting with An Ye Luo, Yu Zihan strategically feigned loyalty, claiming his mother was from Dark River Palace and he was a spy in Flaming Manor. He then proposed to help An Ye Luo conquer the world, but only if An Ye Luo released everyone from Dark River Palace once their goal was achieved.
An Ye Luo tried to provoke him again, asking if he feared Yin Xue would steal Lie Ruge. Yu Zihan falsely claimed they had already slept together, making Lie Ruge un-stealable. An Ye Luo, satisfied with Yu Zihan's apparent dedication, granted him free passage in and out of Dark River Palace and asked for his plan.
Yu Zihan outlined a two-pronged approach: using the Flaming Manor's influence to rally all sects in Jianghu and, with Dark River Palace spies, seize control of the martial arts world; and within the imperial court, utilizing An Ye Luo's hidden agents to eliminate Prince of Jingyang, predicting total victory within a year.
An Ye Luo was pleased and, despite An Ye Jue's warning about Yu Zihan being difficult to control, ordered her to grant all his requests and for Yu Zihan to depart the next day. Returning to Lie Ruge, Yu Zihan found her still under the drug's influence. She playfully asked him to read to her, reminiscing about their childhood when he read martial arts manuals to help her practice speaking.
He lovingly indulged her, reading an ancient text as she drifted to sleep beside him. Simultaneously, Xunyi secretly visited Zhan Feng in the prison, observing his severely beaten state. Under the pretense of offering wine to the guards, she subtly approached Yin Xue and whispered for him to "bring Ruge here." Later, a subordinate reported to An Ye Luo that Xunyi had shown no unusual behavior, merely attempting to ingratiate herself with one of the guards and being rebuked.
An Ye Luo coldly dismissed her as "useless garbage," just like her mother. Yu Zihan then retrieved the Flaming Manor token from Lie Ruge, who had carefully hidden it, before telling her he would be gone for several days and asking her to wait for him. He departed Dark River Palace, making sure the palace maids knew he would return alone and expected a welcome.
On his way out, he asked Xunyi if she had any message for Ji Jinglei, knowing Ji Jinglei would be eager for news of her. Xunyi, in turn, subtly questioned Yu Zihan's true intentions, but he maintained that the time was not yet right to reveal his plans. Yu Zihan arrived at Flaming Manor, where he was greeted by the Hall Leaders.
He presented the Flaming Manor token, announcing his return to discuss the sect's future and demanding that all squad leaders gather within three days to prepare for battle. When Hall Leader Murong questioned his authority in Lie Ruge's absence, Yu Zihan explained that Lie Ruge, exhausted from recent conflicts, including the battles at Snap Thunder Village and Swordless City, was recuperating at his manor in Luoyang and had entrusted him with managing the sect’s affairs temporarily.
He then issued a firm order, backed by the Flaming Manor token, for all branches to gather their men for an impending major conflict. Yu Zihan returned to the Bamboo Courtyard, his mind heavy. Ji Jinglei visited him, inquiring about Lie Ruge. Yu Zihan explained that she was recuperating at his manor in Luoyang, exhausted by recent events, and that he and Ji Jinglei should handle the remaining matters.
Ji Jinglei readily agreed, also promising to find a doctor for Yu Zihan’s eyes once peace was restored. However, Bi'er expressed her unease to Ji Jinglei, pointing out Yu Zihan's uncharacteristic involvement in sect affairs and Lie Ruge's unlikely willingness to completely relinquish control. She urged Ji Jinglei to consider contingency plans, but Ji Jinglei, fully trusting Yu Zihan, firmly dismissed her concerns and ordered her to follow Yu Zihan's commands without question.
