The Flame's Daughter Episode 52 (Ending) Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Lie Ruge lay listlessly on her bed as the rain continued to fall. A sound from outside startled her, and she quietly rose to investigate. Pushing the door open, she was astonished to find Yin Xue standing there. Tears streamed down Lie Ruge's face as she whispered, "You're still alive." Yin Xue embraced her, and Lie Ruge, choked with emotion, asked him why he hadn't come to find her. Yin Xue replied that he dared not.
He explained that a hundred years ago, he had wanted to be with her forever, yet she had been killed because of him. This time, he only wished to ensure her safety for a lifetime, but he still allowed her to face danger. He admitted that he had heard rumors that Lie Ruge and Yu Zihan had retired and secluded themselves in the mountain forest together, which made him afraid to act on his deep obsession.
Lie Ruge confronted him, stating that he had believed those rumors, which was why he didn't seek her out. Yin Xue confirmed this, acknowledging that his past obsession had hurt her, making him fearful of seeking her again. That night, Yin Xue recounted how, after being gravely injured, he was sure he would die. Unexpectedly, he found himself back at the Ethereality Clique. His Grand Teacher examined his wounds and explained that this misfortune had, in fact, brought him blessings.
The Chill Spell was an incurable poison, but the Dark River Internal Cultivation was the most evil martial art. The antagonism between the two had broken the Chill Spell, effectively saving him. The Grand Teacher had said that his survival now depended on his own fate. Later, Yin Xue and Lie Ruge, deeply in love and reunited after a long separation, finally consummated their marriage. The next morning, Lie Ruge awoke to find Yin Xue gone.
A young white-clad boy was in the courtyard reading, and he told Lie Ruge that Yin Xue had gone to gather medicinal herbs, explaining that Yin Xue earned his living by picking herbs on Ethereality Peak. By evening, Yin Xue returned with the herbs, and Lie Ruge had prepared dinner.
During the meal, Lie Ruge asked him why he went out to pick herbs every day, and Yin Xue humorously replied that he was so diligent he had already cleared all the herbs from the nearby mountains and had to venture farther. As they laughed, hurried footsteps were heard outside. Yin Xue warned Lie Ruge to stay inside, explaining that since he had left Dark River Palace, its disciples had been constantly pursuing him.
The Dark River Palace members asserted that no member was ever allowed to leave the sect, and even if they died, they must die within it. Having Lie Ruge by his side, Yin Xue absolutely refused to return to the demonic sect. He stepped out to fight the Dark River Palace members. Unable to bear watching, Lie Ruge rushed out to assist him. In the fierce struggle, Lie Ruge was tragically stabbed through the chest.
Yin Xue, cradling her, struggled step by step up Ethereality Peak, hoping his Grand Teacher could heal her. He knelt before his Grand Teacher, pleading to save Lie Ruge, vowing to kneel at Ethereality Peak for ten years if only she could live. Outside the Ethereality Cave, a biting cold wind swept through. Yin Xue remained kneeling at the entrance where Lie Ruge was supposedly being treated. His Grand Teacher emerged and informed him that Lie Ruge had died.
Before her death, she had left a message for Yin Xue, urging him to abandon the demonic path and re-cultivate Ethereal Immortality. Hearing Lie Ruge's final words, Yin Xue begged his Grand Teacher to allow him to return to the sect. His Grand Teacher reminded him that to re-enter the immortal path, he would have to endure a hundred years of extreme cold, allowing ice to become his bones and snow his flesh.
Furthermore, he would have to dispose of all his cultivated martial arts skills. His Grand Teacher warned that even if he achieved immortality, he might not be able to control fate and could suffer Heaven's retribution if he continued to harbor feelings and desires. Undeterred, Yin Xue declared himself willing to accept these conditions. Lie Ruge, in a trance, felt as if she had traveled through time.
In this shifting timeline, she witnessed Yin Xue carrying her gravely wounded self back to Ethereality Peak, kneeling before his Grand Teacher, begging to rejoin the sect, and willingly sacrificing his lifetime's martial arts, enduring celestial punishment, and a century of suffering for her. With red eyes, Lie Ruge cried out, "Yin Xue, I'm still alive, I'm still alive!" Her heart-wrenching wails echoed through the valley. As if summoned, Yin Xue instantly awoke.
His Grand Teacher, seeing him revived, joyfully told him that he had been trapped in the ninth level illusion of the Dark River Internal Cultivation and couldn't escape. It was the red-clad woman from down the mountain, Lie Ruge, who had entered the illusion to help him, finally releasing him and allowing him to awaken. The many disciples of Ethereality Peak congratulated Yin Xue.
His Grand Teacher then told him that he could now leave the mountain, explaining that since he had mastered the Dark River Internal Cultivation, he could no longer remain in the Ethereality Clique. Yin Xue descended the mountain, his heart eager to return to Ping'an Town, where Lie Ruge was waiting for him. Meanwhile, Lie Ruge awoke to find herself in Xue's Sesame Seed Cake shop in Ping'an Town.
Huang Cong informed her that she had been unconscious for several days and nights. A guard then reported to Huang Cong that the Flower Tasting Brothel had reopened, and Yin Xue had announced to the world that he was seeking a fated person. Lie Ruge heard this as if from another lifetime, and Huang Cong urged her to prepare quickly. At the Flower Tasting Brothel, a crowd had gathered, eager to witness its reopening.
Phoenix, who had taken over as Madam of the brothel, gracefully told everyone that the grand owner would only formally open the establishment once the fated person arrived. The Flower Tasting Brothel's floor was covered in petals, and decorations adorned every corner. Lie Ruge, radiant in a red gown, walked in. She ascended the steps, where Yin Xue was playing the zither. Lie Ruge silently prayed that this was not a dream.
Yin Xue looked into her eyes and assured her that it was not a dream, then drew her into his embrace. He explained that the Chill Spell in his body was antagonistic to the Dark River Internal Cultivation, and while it had broken the spell, it had also trapped him in the Dark River Internal Cultivation's demonic illusion. He was fortunate that she had helped him escape.
Lie Ruge asked if the events in the illusion were real, and Yin Xue confirmed that everything that transpired in the illusion was a true reflection of their shared past. Lie Ruge tenderly caressed Yin Xue's thin face and promised him that from that moment on, every day, every second, she would be there whenever he wished to see her, ensuring he would never have to suffer torment again to be with her. Reflecting on their journey, the two shared a loving kiss.
