Dance of the Sky Empire Episode 23 Recap
> Dance of the Sky Empire Recap
Yunshan informed Yu Fengmu and Su Youlian that she would not be returning to the State of Sha with them. She explained her decision to stay in Tianqi, unable to leave Xiao Fengming alone with the demon spirit, despite Yu Fengmu's warning about its immense power. Yunshan insisted she merely wanted to stay by Xiao Fengming's side until they could return to save him.
After Yunshan asked what he would do if Su Youlian were in danger, Yu Fengmu relented and agreed to her staying, urging her to be careful. Meanwhile, in Tianqi, Long Wei'er and Zheng Bainian were brought to the South City Execution Ground to be decapitated. They were charged with colluding with the renegade Li Xuan, deceiving the Emperor, and arbitrarily releasing the Kunwu fugitive. Just as the execution was about to commence, Li Xuan stormed the grounds.
With Feng Changqing and Bian Lingcheng providing support, he fought through the guards, rescued Long Wei'er, and urged Zheng Bainian to escape with them. The news of Long Wei'er's escape infuriated the Crown Prince. He lashed out at his subordinates for their failure, punishing them for allowing Li Xuan to free the prisoners. Shortly after, Yunshan stormed into the East Palace, trying to warn the Crown Prince that Xiao Fengming had been possessed by the Dragon Emperor's demon spirit.
The Crown Prince dismissed her claims as slander, demanding proof and highlighting Xiao Fengming's recent display of extraordinary spiritual power, which he valued greatly. As Yunshan was dragged away, she confronted the possessed Xiao Fengming, threatening to expose him to the world. The demon spirit mocked her, but for a brief moment, Xiao Fengming's true self surfaced, calling out Yunshan's name before the demon regained control and ordered her to be watched.
Later, the Crown Prince praised the demon spirit's abilities and tasked him with eliminating Li Xuan and Long Wei'er, promising significant rewards if he helped him ascend the throne and dominate the neighboring states. The demon spirit eagerly pledged his assistance. Li Xuan and Long Wei'er discussed their next steps, deciding to travel to the State of Sha.
Long Wei'er believed that Su Youlian, having failed to awaken the Dragon Emperor and with her Saintess Stone destroyed, would seek the other Saintess Stone located there. She also suggested the journey might help Li Xuan recover his lost memories. Though hesitant, Li Xuan agreed. Zheng Bainian, feeling there was no place for him in Tianqi, decided to join them. Feng Changqing and Bian Lingcheng offered to accompany them, but Li Xuan declined, not wanting them to risk themselves further.
Feng Changqing noted that Li Xuan had become powerful enough to handle things on his own, and they bid each other farewell. On their journey, Su Youlian and Yu Fengmu arrived at Shiye City, the border of the State of Sha. Yu Fengmu explained that the once-bustling city had become desolate due to unequal treaties that allowed Tianqi soldiers to freely enter Sha territory, leading to widespread extortion and abuse.
After witnessing Tianqi soldiers harassing a vendor, Yu Fengmu intervened, swiftly punishing the aggressors. He then issued an order for the immediate rebuilding of border defenses, declaring that any Tianqi soldiers entering Sha territory without cause would be killed. He explained to his subordinate, Batou, that Tianqi's internal turmoil—including the struggle for the throne and the chaos caused by the demon spirit—would prevent them from retaliating.
Yu Fengmu stated that his priority was to give the Saintess Stone to Su Youlian; he believed that if she could awaken the Dragon Emperor, the ensuing chaos in Tianqi would create an opportunity for the State of Sha to recover. By a river, a distraught Li Xuan played a xun, weeping over how he had implicated Long Wei'er. She comforted him, asserting that she would have saved him regardless.
Later, Zheng Bainian offered Long Wei'er an antidote to reverse her male disguise. She accepted, stating she was tired of hiding, especially now that she was free from the Tianqi Emperor's control, but sharply rebuked Zheng Bainian when he suggested her decision was due to her feelings for Li Xuan.
The next morning, Li Xuan saw Long Wei'er bathing and noticed a birthmark on her hand, which reminded him of the female child the Elder of the Book of Heaven had shown him in a vision. He was confused, unable to reconcile this with his belief that Long Wei'er was male. Suddenly, a snake lunged at Long Wei'er, and Li Xuan jumped to protect her, confirming her female identity in the process.
With her identity revealed, Long Wei'er explained that eighteen years ago, a court soothsayer prophesied that a princess's birth would bring disaster to the nation. When her mother, Imperial Concubine Xie, gave birth to a girl, she had a trusted maid secretly take the infant out of the palace and entrust her to her uncle's care to save her life.
