Love and Sword Episode 8 Recap
> Love and Sword Recap
Rong Shukuang reached out to Yan Shao, hoping he would hand over the flower ball. Just as Yan Shao extended his hand, he suddenly tossed the flower ball into the air. Instantly, the ball scattered into countless petals, leaving everyone in shock. The members of the Ghost Valley Alliance who had been preparing to set the place on fire were immediately subdued by people Yan Shao had secretly arranged in advance.
Among them, Qian Jin Xiao attempted to light a torch but was discovered by the Villa Master, Lin. The two engaged in combat, and Qian Jin Xiao was wounded by Tang Sect’s hidden weapons while trying to escape.
When Qian Jin Xiao returned to the tavern to tend to her wounds, she was startled to find Lihua Bai already sitting in the room, staring at her. On the floor lay a lifeless body, and beside its fingers was a single written character. Lihua Bai revealed that she had long known Qian Jin Xiao was with the Ghost Valley Alliance. She also admitted that she had consumed the deadly Yuye Jinhua Wine, intending to use her life to atone for the countless lives taken by the Ghost Valley Alliance.
Qian Jin Xiao couldn’t bear to see his wife perish, so he revealed that the wine outside wasn’t wine at all but a poison known as Tian Nü San Hua. Lihua Bai expressed her gratitude for his honesty and left.
Above the Red Blossom Gathering, countless Kongming lanterns were released into the sky. Lin Shaoci never expected Yan Shao to have everything under control. Such a brilliant strategist, yet he was willing to act as a mere guard? Without Yan Shao, Yuchi Manor would have been in grave danger today. However, Yan Shao believed that as long as Rong Shukuang was around, there were no true gaps in their defenses. He praised Rong Shukuang’s extraordinary sharpness.
Just as Rong Shukuang was about to celebrate with Yan Shao by opening a jar of wine, Shen Zuitian suddenly led a group of men to attack the martial artists, making everyone believe that Yuchi Manor had set a trap for them.
Standing on the rooftop, Shen Zuitian drew his bow and fired an arrow, aiming not at a person but at a wine jar. Realizing something was wrong, Yan Shao quickly covered the jar with cloth, recognizing that it contained poison. He immediately ordered everyone to evacuate.
Chaos erupted as the Ghost Valley Alliance members attacked ruthlessly. Yan Shao fought against Huang Pao, injuring him with a kick. He then whistled for his horse, mounted it, and rode away. Worried, Rong Shukuang chased after him, commanding him not to die—he simply could not die.
At that moment, Lihua Bai arrived and told Yan Shao that the poison inside the jar was Tian Nü San Hua, which could be neutralized with water. Yan Shao immediately spurred his horse toward the nearest water source, instructing Rong Shukuang to evacuate the civilians.
Tang Yingluo, Yu Linglong, and the Villa Master joined forces to fight off the assassins of the Ghost Valley Alliance. Meanwhile, Yan Shao carried the poisoned jar and fled, pursued by Ghost Valley’s killers who tried to shoot the jar out of his hands. Dodging numerous attacks, he finally reached the river, where he hurled both the jar and his pursuers into the water, triggering a massive explosion.
Madam Xing demanded an explanation from the Villa Master for the events of the day. He promised to investigate thoroughly and provide an answer. Lin Shaoci also demanded accountability from Jiang Ruhai of Qian Xing Hall for colluding with the Ghost Valley Alliance. Jiang Cheng assured that if the truth was confirmed, there would be no mercy.
As the crowd dispersed, Rong Shukuang stood at the street entrance, waiting anxiously for Yan Shao’s return. When she finally saw him riding back on his horse, her eyes welled up with tears, and she rushed toward him. Their gazes locked, and something unspoken passed between them.
However, Yan Shao suddenly turned in another direction. Suspicious, Rong Shukuang followed. He pushed open a door and entered a courtyard. Just as Rong Shukuang was about to follow him in, a group of people surrounded her. Feigning calm, she drew her blade and warned them not to forget that she was the infamous Rong Shukuang, known for her ruthless kills.
Before things escalated, Lin Shaoci and Tang Yingluo arrived, recognizing the people surrounding Rong Shukuang.
Yan Shao had come to confirm whether Shen Zuitian was still present because the arrow had been fired from this location. Lin Shaoci informed him that they had caught Qian Jin Xiao attempting to ignite oil. Yan Shao quickly led people to the second floor, where they found Qian Jin Xiao and Lihua Bai lying lifeless on the bed, their fingers interlocked, leaving everyone in somber silence.
Tang Chanyi discovered Jiang Ruhai in hiding and confronted him about his involvement. Jiang Ruhai admitted his role in the events but insisted that his only goal was to seek revenge on the Six Great Sects. He had waited ten years for Tang Chanyi, but they had never ended up together. Offering his life as an atonement, he told her to kill him. However, Tang Chanyi ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it and let him go.
Lin Wanci apologized to her father, explaining that she had left the carriage the previous night because she had felt unwell and needed fresh air, inadvertently causing him to worry. She also feared that the Six Great Sects would suspect Yuchi Manor of wrongdoing. The Villa Master did not blame her but instead reassured the Six Great Sects that he would uncover the truth and give them a proper explanation.
Yan Shao and Lin Shaoci reflected on the incident. Lin Shaoci acknowledged that Yan Shao had orchestrated everything perfectly—except for one thing: they hadn't realized the Baihua Brew had been poisoned. They were unsure when it had been switched. Yan Shao mentioned that someone had seen Lin Wanci pause for a while while transporting the Baihua Brew through the streets, suggesting that might have been the moment it was swapped.
Understanding the situation, Lin Shaoci expressed his gratitude to Yan Shao. The Villa Master also sincerely thanked him but couldn't understand why such a talented individual would choose to serve as a mere guard. Lin Wanci worried that the Ghost Valley Alliance would continue to target Rong Shukuang and was grateful that Yan Shao had helped protect her. Yan Shao, however, stated that he would have also helped if Lin Wanci had been in danger.
Lin Wanci said she wished to rest, and Yan Shao offered to escort her. Rong Shukuang followed them outside and overheard their conversation, sensing something hidden in their words. However, she couldn't decipher it and instead thought they were merely exchanging poetic verses, which frustrated her. Angry, she stormed off.
Lin Wanci noticed that Rong Shukuang had indeed changed. The old Rong Shukuang would never have been this easily flustered.
Determined, Rong Shukuang prepared a selection of snacks and formally knelt before Yan Shao, requesting to be his disciple. Yan Shao readily agreed.
Meanwhile, Lin Wanci visited the water prison to see the captured child from the Ghost Valley Alliance. She spoke of a rabbit she once kept that refused to eat or drink, so she sealed it away, causing it to suffocate to death. The child, alarmed, finally spoke, asking who had done such a thing. Lin Wanci simply handed him a steamed bun, put a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture, smiled faintly, and left. Fear flickered in the boy's eyes.
Early the next morning, Rong Shukuang pestered Yan Shao to teach her martial arts, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t generate any strength. Frustrated, she lamented how weak she was. Yan Shao speculated that her injuries were affecting her and told her not to force it. He demonstrated swordplay and guided Rong Shukuang through it.
As she moved alongside Yan Shao, Rong Shukuang's heartbeat suddenly quickened, and she realized she might have developed feelings for him. Yan Shao reminded her to focus and train properly. When Rong Shukuang leaped over Yan Shao, her heart pounded even faster, and there was a hint of longing in her gaze.
Suddenly, Yan Shao released his grip, causing Rong Shukuang to fall to the ground. He warned her that martial artists must never be distracted by desire and questioned what she had been thinking about. Without hesitation, Rong Shukuang blurted out, "I was thinking about you!" but quickly retracted her words, swearing never to think such thoughts again.
Yan Shao, noticing her dizziness, caught her in his arms and checked her pulse. Realizing she was merely exhausted, he gently advised her to rest.
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