Dance of the Sky Empire Episode 9 Recap
> Dance of the Sky Empire Recap
During the Grand Assembly of States, Su Youlian captivated the audience with her graceful dance in a white gown, her movements enchanting everyone present, including Yu Fengmu. The performance earned her widespread praise, even from the Tianqi Emperor himself. When the Emperor prepared to bestow a reward, the Crown Prince attempted to decline on Su Youlian’s behalf. However, Su Youlian, determined to acquire a specific token, insisted on approaching the Emperor to claim her reward.
Observing from his seat next to Li Xuan, Long Wei'er, the Second Prince of Tianqi, correctly predicted that Su Youlian intended to request the token. Though initially disbelieving, Li Xuan feared that such a request might lead to unforeseen complications. He employed a magical trick, subtly altering Su Youlian’s words and causing her to ask for a golden hair clasp instead. Realizing Li Xuan’s interference, Su Youlian became enraged and stormed out of the hall.
Outside the palace, Su Youlian confronted Li Xuan with her sword, but found she was unable to harm him. She accused him of ruining her plans, and when he feigned ignorance, she furiously questioned his interference before storming off. Her intense reaction left Li Xuan to ponder her true identity. Elsewhere in the palace, Second Prince Long Wei'er discussed the banquet events with his aide, Zheng Bainian.
Long Wei'er explained that he strategically chose not to expose Su Youlian's Kunwu identity, as doing so prematurely would have made him appear overly aggressive, arousing his father's suspicion and risking an accusation of slandering the Crown Prince. He suspected Su Youlian was sent by the Kunwu clan to free Shi Xingyu, a move that could destabilize the entire human clan.
Separately, the Crown Prince consulted with his mother, the Empress, who advised him to remain prudent to secure his position. Soon after, Yu Fengmu arrived at Long Wei'er’s invitation. Long Wei'er proposed an alliance, pointing out Sha State's ambition to break free from Tianqi's dominance and Yu Fengmu's own desire to rise above his current standing, laying the groundwork for a conspiracy.
Later that evening, Su Youlian wandered through the bustling streets of Qingtian City, feeling isolated and expressing her homesickness, particularly missing her sister and regretting her failure to obtain the token. Yu Fengmu, having just left the palace, found her. Acknowledging her loneliness, he gently inquired about her homeland. Su Youlian vividly described her beautiful hometown, adorned with seasonal blossoms where girls danced in vibrant attire.
Yu Fengmu comforted her by pointing to the unchanging sky above them, which evoked a tender memory for Su Youlian of stargazing with her sister and their shared belief that deceased clan members become stars. Believing her sister to be the brightest star in the sky, Su Youlian expressed her longing for her. Soon, they decided to return to the academy before the magical boundary closed.
As they made their way back, they witnessed a brutal scene: Tianqi soldiers, subordinates of General Wu, cruelly escorting Kunwu clan prisoners. Su Youlian immediately moved to intervene, but Yu Fengmu restrained her, cautioning her against reckless action. He revealed that he knew her true identity but affirmed that in his eyes, she was simply Su Youlian, his friend, and that Sha State did not condone the oppression of the Kunwu people.
At that moment, General You An, a Kunwu leader, appeared alone to rescue his people. When the soldiers threatened to execute a captive if You An did not surrender, Yu Fengmu and Su Youlian sprang into action, fighting alongside You An to liberate the prisoners. General You An, recognizing Su Youlian, addressed her as "Saintess," confirming her high standing within the Kunwu clan.
Yu Fengmu then led the few surviving Kunwu captives to a secluded location, providing them with water and care. The rescued Kunwu were few and mostly elderly, weak, or ill, having suffered greatly under human oppression. Su Youlian, deeply pained by their condition, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Yu Fengmu. She then made an earnest request: to help transport her remaining clan members safely out of the city, an appeal Yu Fengmu readily agreed to.
Upon returning to the academy, Su Youlian encountered the Cui sisters, Yanran and Pianran. Yanran noticed Su Youlian’s injury with concern. Su Youlian quickly dismissed it, claiming it was a minor scrape from practicing. However, Cui Pianran grew suspicious, having just overheard news about Kunwu prisoners being rescued, and she eyed Su Youlian with doubt. Later, in her room, Su Youlian entered the virtual mirror to report to her Master, the Sword Spirit, about the cruelty of the human race.
The Sword Spirit was enraged, condemning the humans as evil and asserting that their end would come upon the Dragon Emperor's release. He sternly demanded that Su Youlian expedite acquiring the token and eliminate Li Xuan, whom he deemed a "stumbling block." Su Youlian, however, was reluctant, arguing that a rash killing of Li Xuan would plunge Qingtian City into chaos and risk exposing their operations. She also denied having any personal feelings for him.
Her Master, dismissing her concerns as "woman's soft nature," reminded her of the brutal suffering endured by their Kunwu brethren, reiterating that saving the Dragon Emperor was their sole objective. He affirmed that while sending the rescued clan members out of the city was the immediate priority, eliminating Li Xuan was an inevitable necessity. Meanwhile, Yu Fengmu conversed with a confidant, whom he addressed as "Your Highness," regarding Su Youlian.
His confidant expressed reservations about their involvement, but Yu Fengmu clarified that assisting Su Youlian in rescuing the Kunwu captives was an integral part of their broader strategy. He asserted that they would further aid her in liberating the Dragon Emperor, emphasizing that by helping Su Youlian, they were ultimately advancing their own agenda. Elsewhere, Xiao Fengming exhibited peculiar behavior, appearing to be sleepwalking through the academy courtyard late at night.
Princess Yunshan, witnessing this, became concerned and attempted to follow him but soon lost sight of him in the darkness. The following morning, Princess Yunshan discovered Xiao Fengming asleep in her courtyard, completely unaware of his nocturnal wanderings. Soon after, Li Xuan approached Su Youlian, intending to apologize, but his efforts were interrupted by the arrival of Yu Fengmu and Cui Pianran.
Cui Pianran pulled Li Xuan aside, informing him that her father had revealed the presence of more Kunwu clan members secretly hidden outside the city. Li Xuan remained skeptical. However, Su Youlian and Yu Fengmu overheard the conversation. Su Youlian immediately felt compelled to rescue her compatriots, but Yu Fengmu, suspecting a trap, urged caution, advising that he investigate the claim thoroughly before they took any action. As the day progressed, Li Xuan continued his persistent attempts to apologize to Su Youlian, only to be repeatedly thwarted by Yu Fengmu's timely interventions.
