The Flame's Daughter Episode 9 Recap
> The Flame's Daughter Recap
Lie Ruge learned that the Snap Thunder Village case was closed, with Cao Renqiu identified as the culprit. She found it hard to believe that the seemingly meek Cao Renqiu could have poisoned Old Village Leader Xie. When she arrived at Snap Thunder Village, she was surprised to see the villagers celebrating, as Dao Wuxia of World Swordless City had allegedly uncovered Cao Renqiu's crimes, including extorting private taxes and poisoning Xie Houyou.
Lie Ruge expressed her doubts to Lei Jinghong, feeling that the sudden resolution seemed too convenient, as if designed to silence them. She decided to confront Zhan Feng and demand to see Xie Houyou's corpse. Hall Leader Murong tried to dissuade Lie Ruge, advising her not to openly doubt Zhan Feng as a fellow member of Flaming Manor, but Lie Ruge insisted that she would question anything that raised her suspicions, even if it were her own father's conclusion.
She requested to see the evidence. Zhan Feng, with the assistance of Hall Leader Ling and Hall Leader Murong, presented signed testimonies from Cao Renqiu's accomplices and Cao Renqiu himself, along with the poison found in the food, all confirmed by Ping'an Town's coroner. A disciple also testified that Old Village Leader Xie and Cao Renqiu had frequent quarrels and a fierce argument the night before the murder.
Lie Ruge remained unconvinced and demanded to see both Xie Houyou's corpse and Cao Renqiu. Zhan Feng told her that Xie Houyou's corpse was destroyed by Cao Renqiu using a corpse disintegrating fluid to hide evidence, and that Cao Renqiu even went to pay his respects this morning.
When Lie Ruge insisted on seeing Cao Renqiu, Hall Leader Ling angrily retorted that no one was allowed to see an important criminal privately, questioning if she believed they were all conspiring to frame Cao Renqiu. Lie Ruge then produced the Flaming Token, asserting her authority to demand Zhan Feng bring Cao Renqiu and all involved parties for interrogation. Zhan Feng reluctantly agreed, but a soldier then reported that Cao Renqiu had escaped by sedating the guards.
Zhan Feng, suspecting Lie Ruge was intentionally trying to embarrass him due to their broken engagement, claimed she only believed a child's words over concrete evidence. He promised to retrieve Cao Renqiu and let her interrogate him herself. Unbeknownst to Lie Ruge, Zhan Feng had orchestrated Cao Renqiu's "escape" through his maidservant Yingyi, who led Cao Renqiu and his son, Xiaofeng, out of Swordless City.
Cao Renqiu, desperate, urged Xiaofeng to flee with him, insisting he was innocent and pleading that he did not kill his father-in-law. As Zhan Feng pursued them, Cao Renqiu knelt before him. Zhan Feng ordered soldiers to kill Cao Renqiu. Xiaofeng witnessed his father's murder and, consumed by hatred, vowed to avenge him, repeatedly calling Zhan Feng a murderer. An Ye Luo's voice could be heard prompting Zhan Feng not to be "soft again."
Though Zhan Feng knew that to "cut grass, one must remove its roots," meaning to eliminate all potential threats, he initially hesitated to harm the young boy. However, An Ye Luo suddenly appeared and twisted Xiaofeng's neck, killing him instantly. Horrified by An Ye Luo's brutality, Zhan Feng, with red eyes, questioned why An Ye Luo would not even spare a child. An Ye Luo calmly replied, asking if Zhan Feng wanted the boy to live with such deep grudges.
Before leaving, Zhan Feng used a thunderbolt bomb to destroy Cao Renqiu's body and the soldiers who carried out the killing, telling the remaining soldiers to attribute everything to Thunderbolt Clique, ensuring no witnesses or evidence remained. As Lie Ruge walked out of Snap Thunder Village filled with doubts, Lei Jinghong caught up with her. He told her that Zhan Feng had deliberately orchestrated Cao Renqiu's escape to silence him, a realization that dawned on Lie Ruge immediately.
She rushed to pursue Zhan Feng. She found Zhan Feng emerging from the woods, carrying Xiaofeng's lifeless body. This sight shattered her emotional defenses. Overwhelmed by anger and despair, she confronted Zhan Feng, accusing him of killing Xiaofeng and demanding he draw his sword. Zhan Feng, confident she was no match for him, initially refused, but Lie Ruge insisted on fighting, feeling that the master she once admired so much was completely gone, replaced only by deep hatred.
Despite her best efforts, Lie Ruge was ultimately defeated by Zhan Feng. Huang Cong carried the heavily injured Lie Ruge back to Silver Snow. Silver Snow immediately began to heal her, but also discovered a crack in the seal he had placed on her nineteen years prior, which contained all her past life memories. He knew that such a crack was irreparable and could only try his best to postpone its complete break.
When Lie Ruge awoke, she was devastated, crying about her own powerlessness. She expressed her regret to Silver Snow for letting her go alone, and confessed her inadequacy, having trained Flaming Fisticuffs for over a decade yet feeling like a useless piece of trash when she couldn't avenge Xiaofeng. She pleaded with Silver Snow to teach her how to become stronger.
Silver Snow embraced her, assuring her that she didn't need to be strong, as long as she stayed by his side, he would protect her for the rest of her life, ensuring no one could harm her. Dao Liexiang overheard a conversation between her brothers, Dao Wuxia and Dao Wuhen, discussing news from the capital that Prince Jingyuan, Yu Zihan, was gravely ill and not far from death. Dao Wuhen cruelly remarked that the "crippled" brought it upon himself.
Dao Liexiang almost got caught eavesdropping by her brother, but her maid, Bier, casually approached with snacks, helping her avoid suspicion. Later, Dao Liexiang thanked Bier for her help, to which Bier responded that Lie Ruge had once saved her, and helping Lie Ruge's friend was like helping her. Dao Liexiang resolved to find a way to convey this critical news to Lie Ruge.
Under the cover of night, a group of women in red robes, carrying alluring "flowing fire" lanterns, arrived in Ping'an Town. Huang Cong and Die Yi were curious about these magical lanterns, learning they were a technique of the Dark River Palace, prompting them to wonder if the long-thought-vanquished palace was returning.
Lei Jinghong then suggested a connection between the Dark River Palace and Flaming Manor's history, citing rumors that Lie Mingjing used their support to eliminate Zhan Feitian and become sect leader. Meanwhile, a servant from Dark River Palace delivered their best injury medicines, Xingnan gallbladder and Jiuchi lotus, to Silver Snow, stating that An Ye Luo had learned of the Ethereality Clique head's presence in Ping'an Town and Lie Ruge's severe injuries.
Lie Ruge, unaware of An Ye Luo's involvement in Xiaofeng's death, awoke and expressed her desire to return to Flaming Manor to report the case to her father. Silver Snow advised her that it would be futile. With Xie Houyou's corpse gone and the alleged killer, Cao Renqiu, also dead, there was no tangible evidence. He pointed out that Jianghu already believed Snap Thunder Village was justly abolished due to internal strife caused by private tax collection.
Trying to overturn the case with just her words would be impossible. He acknowledged her suspicions about World Swordless City, agreeing that their sudden involvement after Dao Liexiang destroyed their shop seemed too coincidental, suggesting a connection, but emphasized that she currently lacked proof. Silver Snow's counsel was to wait patiently for the right opportunity.
He advised her to keep her suspicions close to her heart and let them grow, then act decisively when the chance arrived, but warned against alerting their enemies prematurely if she wasn't absolutely certain. Seeing Lie Ruge's despondency, Silver Snow suggested taking her to Ethereality Clique, his own sect. When Lie Ruge asked if she would be accepted, Silver Snow revealed he was the clique leader, assuring her there would be no obstacles.
He jokingly told her he was the one who opened a brothel in Luoyang to wait for her, and she playfully dismissed it as another one of his lies. Lie Ruge agreed to accompany Silver Snow to Ethereality Clique after Xiaofeng was properly buried. When Lei Jinghong tried to persuade her to visit Thunderbolt Clique with him, Lie Ruge informed him of her plans to go to Ethereality Clique.
Lei Jinghong expressed doubt about finding the mystical mountain, but Silver Snow simply stated he had his ways. Following the local custom for unmarried children, Xiaofeng was cremated. Lie Ruge prayed for his soul to be free from pain and harm. She then took his ashes to Snap Thunder Village for burial, only to be stopped at the entrance by World Swordless City guards who claimed it was their territory and no longer Xiaofeng's home.
Dao Liexiang appeared and confronted them, stating that only if Lie Ruge could defeat her would one person be allowed entry. Knowing Lie Ruge was still recovering from her injuries, Lei Jinghong stepped forward to fight Dao Liexiang, eager for a long-anticipated match. During their intense battle, Dao Liexiang revealed a crucial message for Lie Ruge: Yu Zihan was dying soon. Lei Jinghong, despite his prowess, was no match for Dao Liexiang and was quickly defeated.
Dao Liexiang then told Lie Ruge to hand over Xiaofeng's ashes, promising to bury them herself. Lie Ruge instructed Die Yi to give the ashes to Dao Liexiang, and they left.
