Dance of the Sky Empire Episode 21 Recap
> Dance of the Sky Empire Recap
Having rescued Su Youlian, Yu Fengmu attempted to get her out of the city, but they found the gates heavily guarded. Seeing her injuries, he decided against forcing their way through and instead found a safe place outside the city to tend to her wounds. Using his own spiritual power to heal her, he reassured her that he would handle everything.
Grateful but desperate, Su Youlian pleaded with him to repair the broken Saintess Stone, the last hope for her Kunwu clan. Yu Fengmu gently explained that with its spiritual energy dissipated, the stone was now just an ordinary rock, even if restored. Crushed by the realization that she had failed her people, Su Youlian was overcome with guilt.
Yu Fengmu then offered a new path, revealing there was another way to awaken the Dragon Emperor if she agreed to return with him to his homeland, the State of Sha. Later, Yu Fengmu discussed his plans with his subordinate, Dao Ba, who expressed deep concern. Dao Ba argued that helping Su Youlian would require marriage, a union she would not want as she only loves Li Xuan, and that the effort would dangerously shorten Yu Fengmu's own life.
Yu Fengmu remained resolute, stating he would help her regardless of whether she married him or the personal cost. He explained his motivation was greater than personal feelings; the State of Sha had long suffered under Tianqi's rule, and awakening the Dragon Emperor was the key to his nation's freedom, a cause for which he would gladly give his life.
He then confided in Dao Ba about an ancient secret, recalling the tale of the Kunwu's Princess Qingsheng, who had a hybrid son with a human ten years ago. While the child, rumored to have destructive power, was supposedly killed by Lord Zi, Yu Fengmu mused that such imperial Kunwu blood could have been used to suppress the Dragon Emperor. He then instructed Dao Ba to safeguard a particular belt, hinting at its future significance.
Meanwhile, imperial soldiers arrived at Moyun Academy to arrest Li Xuan. Lord Zi did not intervene, stating that as Li Xuan was responsible for letting the siren into the Secret Realm and the resulting deaths, he must face the consequences. Before the Emperor, a wounded Li Xuan was fiercely rebuked for betraying the human race. The Second Prince, Long Wei'er, defended Li Xuan, insisting he was deceived, but the Crown Prince immediately accused Long Wei'er of being complicit.
Li Xuan's father, Li Shude, also pleaded for his son, but the Emperor, enraged, threatened to punish anyone else who interceded. The Crown Prince pressed for an immediate execution, prompting Long Wei'er to again defend Li Xuan and accuse the Crown Prince of acting on a personal grudge. Exasperated, the Emperor ordered Li Xuan to be taken away for execution. At this critical moment, Li Shude stepped forward once more.
Citing his lifelong loyal service, he begged the Emperor to spare his son, the last of the Li family line. Then, in a final act of atonement, he took his own life in court. Devastated, Li Xuan cried out as his father died, whose last words were an apology for failing his mother. Overwhelmed by grief, Li Xuan lost control, unleashing a powerful surge of Kunwu energy. Just then, Lord Zi arrived and subdued him.
He advised the Emperor against executing Li Xuan, arguing that it would destabilize public morale. Instead, he proposed that Li Xuan, whose crimes were atoned for by his father's sacrifice, be imprisoned. This would allow him to later serve the state against the Kunwu, a compelling argument given the court's need for warriors. The Emperor agreed and ordered Li Xuan's imprisonment. In prison, Li Xuan was taunted by the jailers.
Long Wei'er soon arrived, warning the guards not to mistreat Li Xuan. He promised to secure his release and to oversee Li Shude's funeral. Long Wei'er then sought an audience with the Emperor. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, furious that Li Xuan had escaped death, conspired to undermine Long Wei'er by recruiting his own talented individuals.
In the imperial study, Long Wei'er offered to lead a mission to capture Su Youlian as atonement and requested that Li Xuan join him, arguing he might not be able to defeat the powerful siren alone. The Emperor agreed. Afterward, Long Wei'er's subordinate, Zheng Bainian, worried that Li Xuan's feelings would prevent him from killing Su Youlian, but Long Wei'er cryptically replied that this outcome would still mean his plan was half-successful.
Long Wei'er escorted Li Xuan from prison, stoking his anger by reminding him that his father’s death was a direct consequence of Su Youlian's actions. Back at the Li family home, a servant brought out a painting that Li Shude had supposedly cherished. Long Wei'er immediately recognized the woman in the portrait as Princess Qingsheng of the Kunwu clan, a fact unknown to the staff.
Their mourning was interrupted by the arrival of the steward from the Cui family, who formally returned the betrothal gifts and cancelled the engagement to Cui Pianran, citing the Li family's disgrace. Elsewhere, Su Youlian awakened, still clutching a mysterious pearl from the Secret Realm. Yu Fengmu's subordinate reported that the city was in chaos, with a city-wide manhunt for her.
He added that members of the Kunwu clan had reportedly massacred Moyun disciples and were slaughtering citizens across the city. Su Youlian was incredulous, declaring it impossible. She explained that after the Dragon Emperor was sealed, all Kunwu people had their spiritual powers suppressed, leaving them weak and vulnerable. They would not have the power to commit such atrocities, leading her to suspect that someone was deliberately framing the Kunwu clan.
