The Flame's Daughter Episode 8 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Upon learning that Dao Liexiang had smashed the sesame seed cake shop, Dao Wuxia was enraged. He confronted Dao Liexiang, who claimed she acted to prevent the occupants from hindering his plans. However, Dao Wuxia suspected she was trying to warn them to leave Ping'an Town.
He reminded her of their father's tragic death decades ago, when Lie Mingjing and Zhan Feitian had unfairly defeated him two-on-one, leading to the establishment of Flaming Manor and his father's subsequent demise due to depression from losing his reputation. Dao Wuxia asserted that Swordless City was destined to destroy Flaming Manor and chastised Dao Liexiang for alarming the enemy.
He later ordered the immediate assassination of Xie Houyou, the leader of Snap Thunder Village, fearing that Xie Houyou's knowledge of Swordless City's illegal private tax collection would be exposed. Xie Houyou, despite his son-in-law Cao Renqiu's pleas to leave Ping'an Town for safety, had been determined to stay and protect the citizens. Meanwhile, Die Yi, concerned for Lie Ruge's safety, sought out Hall Leader Zhongli at Flaming Manor.
She learned about a recent murder in Ping'an Town and the resulting unrest. When Zhongli revealed that Zhan Feng had been dispatched to handle the case, Die Yi, worried about Lie Ruge being alone, secretly gathered Lie Ruge's favorite snacks and set off for Ping'an Town. Yin Xue observed Huang Cong discreetly protecting Lie Ruge. He was pleased with Yu Zihan's arrangement, especially after his own sesame seed cake shop had been vandalized.
Yin Xue instructed Huang Cong to keep Lie Ruge constantly in sight, acknowledging that he himself might not always be able to provide full attention. Huang Cong assured him of Yu Zihan's strict orders to protect Lie Ruge. In Ping'an Town, the news of Xie Houyou's death spread quickly, with many speculating about the killer. Some believed Swordless City was responsible, possibly due to Xie Houyou uncovering Dao Wuxia's secrets regarding private taxes.
Others suspected the Thunderbolt Clique, who might benefit from a conflict between Flaming Manor and Swordless City. Young Master Lei of the Thunderbolt Clique, present in the marketplace, reacted violently to the accusations but later offered compensation. Lie Ruge, after hearing the rumors and being visited by Xie Houyou's distraught grandson, Xiaofeng, who believed his grandfather was murdered, sent a carrier pigeon to Yu Zihan, asking him to investigate.
Yu Zihan received the letter and immediately sent a stern oral warning to Dao Wuxia through his guard, Xuan Huang, threatening repercussions if Lie Ruge was endangered. Back at Flaming Manor, Lie Mingjing tasked Zhan Feng with investigating Xie Houyou's death, cautioning him that the situation was more complex than it appeared. He also instructed Hall Leaders Murong and Ling to meet Zhan Feng in Ping'an Town. Zhan Feng, with Ying Yi accompanying him, departed for Ping'an Town.
Lie Mingjing privately expressed his hope to a trusted confidante that if he were to pass the sect leader position to Zhan Feng, the confidante should assist him, but not cover up any wrongdoing. That night, Die Yi finally found Lie Ruge at the sesame seed cake shop. She was initially stopped by Huang Cong, who didn't recognize her, but Yin Xue vouched for Die Yi's identity.
Lie Ruge was surprised to learn that Huang Cong had been covertly protecting her on Yu Zihan's orders. Lie Ruge and Die Yi joyfully shared snacks, and Die Yi informed Lie Ruge that Zhan Feng was coming to investigate. The next morning, as Zhan Feng and Ying Yi arrived in town, Die Yi expressed her anger at Ying Yi's presence, but Lie Ruge maintained a composed demeanor, continuing to sell her sesame seed cakes.
She even offered a warm cake to Zhan Feng as he passed by, which he accepted. At Snap Thunder Village, Zhan Feng began his investigation. His initial assessment revealed that Xie Houyou had died from internal injuries, contradicting the local government coroner's report of poisoning. Cao Renqiu, Xie Houyou's son-in-law, admitted he lacked martial arts knowledge and had accepted the poisoning diagnosis. Dao Wuxia, arriving at the scene, also insisted that Xie Houyou had died of chronic poisoning.
Zhan Feng remained suspicious, clearly discerning internal injury, but Dao Wuxia subtly displayed a fan bearing the characters "Dark River Palace." Recalling the past and the potential for greater chaos, Zhan Feng, despite his doubts, publicly declared the cause of death as poisoning after Hall Leaders Murong and Ling arrived, stating that re-examining the body would be disrespectful.
Xiaofeng, distraught and in mourning clothes, burst forward, vehemently protesting that his grandfather had died from internal injuries, not poison, and angrily rebuked his father for his cowardice. He then ran to Lie Ruge at the sesame seed cake shop, reiterating his conviction. Lie Ruge, moved by Xiaofeng's plea, decided to investigate.
Yin Xue, though acknowledging Zhan Feng's potential to conceal the truth, reluctantly agreed to wait for Zhan Feng's "fair result" after Lie Ruge expressed her continued trust in her First Senior Brother, believing he would not compromise justice in such a serious matter. Ying Yi quickly informed Zhan Feng of Lie Ruge's presence outside Snap Thunder Village.
Zhan Feng rushed out and prevented Lie Ruge from entering the mourning hall, declaring that no one was allowed near Xie Houyou's body until a conclusion was reached. Lie Ruge confronted him, urging him to conduct a thorough investigation and deliver a fair result to the Jianghu. Looking into her sincere eyes, Zhan Feng, against his will, promised to handle the matter justly.
To swiftly close the case, Zhan Feng ordered the immediate arrest of Cao Renqiu, accusing him of poisoning Xie Houyou to usurp his position. Dao Wuxia, upon hearing of Cao Renqiu's arrest, was pleased and instructed his men to spread rumors that Snap Thunder Village's demise was due to internal strife caused by their own private tax collection, a "heaven's retribution." Late that night, Zhan Feng sat alone in the mourning hall, deep in thought and visibly conflicted.
A dark, shadowy figure, An Ye Luo, appeared at the window. An Ye Luo mocked Zhan Feng's perceived weakness and reminded him of his parents' tragic death, a manipulation that hardened Zhan Feng's heart, erasing his hesitation and strengthening his resolve for revenge. An Ye Luo, the powerful and cold leader of Dark River Palace, still harbored an obsessive, unrequited love for his deceased martial sister, An Ye Ming, who had married Zhan Feitian years ago.
