Love in the Clouds Episode 11 Recap
> Love in the Clouds Recap
Xun Ming, having possessed Ji Bozai, did not relent. He then manipulated Ming Yi with dark magic, forcing her to grip a dagger with its tip aimed at Ji Bozai’s chest. Xun Ming, speaking through Ji Bozai’s body, commanded her to "Kill him, and I'll release you and Zhang Tai." Ming Yi defied him, proclaiming, "I will never hurt Ji Bozai."
When Xun Ming questioned if she had truly fallen for Ji Bozai, Ming Yi responded that "true love" isn't about sacrifice, directly countering Xun Ming's distorted view. As the blade neared Ji Bozai, Ming Yi, with a resolute act, seized the sharp edge with her bare hand, letting the blade cut into her palm, blood flowing freely. Her unwavering determination awakened Ji Bozai, allowing him to reclaim control of his body and forcibly expel Xun Ming.
As Xun Ming’s true form emerged, Ming Yi, despite her injury, vehemently accused him of being "trash" for using evil arts. She condemned his twisted "true love" for Xinliu, highlighting how he captured and controlled other fairies who resembled Xinliu. Xun Ming, enraged by her defiance and words, then warned them that they were no longer trying to save Zhang Tai. Though Ji Bozai was pained by Ming Yi’s self-inflicted injury, the immediate crisis left no room for tender care.
He confronted Xun Ming, who remained defiant, suggesting that Ji Bozai and Ming Yi could not stop Mu Qibai or those behind him, and declared that all their souls would perish there. Ji Bozai then revealed that while possessed by Xun Ming, he perceived a memory seal within Xun Ming’s mind, suggesting, "Perhaps there's another story to Xinliu's death."
He probed further, asking Xun Ming if he had considered that his memory with Xinliu might have been altered by Mu Qibai so that he could be used to raise netherbeasts. Ji Bozai highlighted inconsistencies: the Dengxian valley, which was always dark, appeared sunny in Xun Ming’s memories, and countless "Zheng" characters were carved in Luosheng Forest and Dengxian valley, questioning if Xun Ming truly didn't understand their meaning or was simply avoiding the truth.
Xun Ming, desperate for answers, questioned where his "true memories" were. Ji Bozai then proposed a deal: "I'll help you undo the seal, and you release Zhang Tai." Though Xun Ming questioned his trustworthiness, the desire for truth compelled him to accept. Xun Ming invoked divine spirits, declaring his willingness to surrender all his memories without regret to uncover the truth. As Ji Bozai lifted the memory seal, a series of harrowing flashbacks unfolded.
They revealed Mu Xinliu, seen practicing the qin at Luosheng Forest under her brother Mu Qibai’s instruction. Later, Xun Ming was seen compelling Xinliu, repeatedly demanding she affirm her love for him, saying, "Whether you have true feelings for me or not, you're the only one I love." Xinliu eventually discovered that Xun Ming was raising netherbeasts for Lord Hanfeng (Mu Qibai), enduring severe injuries from their backlash. Distressed by Xun Ming’s possessiveness—"You put yourself and me in a cage.
Don't even think about leaving me!" —Xinliu inflicted wounds on herself, which Xun Ming, in his delusion, misinterpreted as her cutting her blood to create medicine for him, asking her not to hurt herself for his sake. However, Xinliu, in a chilling turn, administered a concoction to Xun Ming, revealing that the medicine she had just fed him would not strengthen him against the netherbeasts' influence but instead "only made you weaker."
The true nature of their relationship became tragically clear. Xinliu, consumed by hatred for Xun Ming and his role in taming the netherbeasts for her brother, secretly poisoned his medicine to weaken him. When she realized that the netherbeasts couldn't kill Xun Ming, she confessed her hatred: "Xun Ming, I hate you! I hate you so much! I hate all of you!" She then angrily questioned, "Why must you marry me? Why must you trap me here?"
In a desperate attempt to escape his control, she plunged a dagger into Xun Ming’s chest, accepting her fate, "It's just one life. If you want it, I'll give you everything." As she fell, presumably killed by the enraged netherbeast, her last thoughts were of her lifelong struggle: "It turns out I won't taste any freedom in my life." Confronted with the brutal truth—that Xinliu had never loved him—Xun Ming’s mind shattered.
Ji Bozai confirmed the revelation, stating, "Xun Ming, these are all true. All the beautiful memories you have were fantasies created by your obsession. Did you really love her? You only love yourself." Ming Yi, seizing the moment, demanded that Xun Ming fulfill his promise and release Zhang Tai. Enraged and refusing, Xun Ming declared that foxes were "the most cunning and the most untrustworthy," and that they "dream on" if they thought they could save Zhang Tai.
He unleashed his pent-up resentment, transforming his decades of obsession into immense power, intending to trap Ji Bozai and Ming Yi within the illusion and destroy them all. Ji Bozai, realizing Xun Ming was trying to collapse the entire Illusory Realm, swiftly tore open a spatial passage for their escape. As they prepared to leave, Ming Yi, concerned for Zhang Tai's primordial spirit, hesitated, saying, "Zhang Tai's primordial spirit is still in Xun Ming's hands," and turned to rescue her.
In that instant, Xun Ming seized Ming Yi, coldly stating, "If you can't let go of her, you can die with her." Ji Bozai urgently called to Ming Yi, telling her the exit was closing and they couldn't both perish there, urging her to escape. Ji Bozai had nearly stepped into the escape route, his form almost swallowed by the passage's end. However, he decisively turned back, snatched Zhang Tai's primordial spirit, and handed it to Ming Yi.
In doing so, he was ambushed and knocked unconscious by Xun Ming. With the illusion on the brink of collapse, Ming Yi, remembering Ji Bozai's previous efforts and seeing him unconscious, sacrificed a petal of her own essence, forcefully shattering the illusion's constraints. When Situ Ling arrived at Luosheng Forest, drawn by the disturbance, he found Ji Bozai and Ming Yi lying unconscious amidst the wreckage.
Upon examining Ming Yi, he was alarmed to discover she had been poisoned by Heavenly Grief. Unable to reveal his true identity, he departed before she regained consciousness. Filled with rage, Xun Ming sought out Mu Qibai, accusing him of being a "liar." "You're taking your anger out on me because Ji Bozai forced you to reveal your true form," he accused. " He's far less disgusting than a liar like you!"
He further accused Mu Qibai of having "hidden your true memories" to manipulate him. Mu Qibai calmly admitted to sealing Xun Ming's true memories, claiming he had done so out of "kindness" because Xun Ming was "useless" and "couldn't accept the truth of Xinliu's death." Dismissing Xun Ming as a "spent tool" with no further use now that the illusion was broken, Mu Qibai mercilessly unleashed the netherbeast's power, eradicating his former pawn.
A subordinate then approached Mu Qibai, discussing the succession of targets—first Hou Zhao, then Xun Ming—and Ji Bozai’s quest to avenge Bo Yulan, concluding that Mu Qibai was next. Mu Qibai acknowledged this, but noted Ji Bozai was currently indispensable for Jixing Abyss. He then outlined his plan: "If we want to ruin Ji Bozai, we must first remove his identity as a warrior."
Mu Qibai further elaborated his ruthless philosophy, stating that "sacrifice is inevitable on the path to greatness" and that he would readily sacrifice even his closest kin. He proclaimed his intention to "rewrite the divine law" if current laws resulted in "divine punishments or karma" for his actions. Ming Yi diligently nursed Ji Bozai back to health at his bedside, offering him medicine.
When he awoke, he inquired about their escape, to which Ming Yi credited him for creating the exit. She then updated him on Xun Ming’s demise, explaining that after his death, Mu Qibai had claimed Xun Ming committed suicide out of guilt, leading the Judgment Hall to strip Xun Ming of his general title and brand him a criminal. Ji Bozai noted that despite the official story, Xun Ming still died at Mu Qibai's hands.
He then asked if she had known of his true intentions to avenge Bo Yulan, which she affirmed, stating that she had been by his side long enough to understand he sought to judge those who harmed Bo Yulan, not merely kill them. She confessed that she had subtly guided Zhang Tai in accusing Xun Ming before the Judgment Hall, ensuring he was rightfully condemned for abducting immortals and harvesting their primordial spirits.
Ming Yi then questioned why Ji Bozai had returned to save her when the illusion was collapsing. Ji Bozai, feigning nonchalance, attributed it to his "kindness," even mentioning his intention to return Ming Xian's fan despite him being his rival. Ming Yi clarified that his battle with Ming Xian was a necessary win due to a wager with Princess Tianji. She then probed his integrity, asking if he had ever considered poisoning Ming Xian.
Ji Bozai firmly denied it, stating he would "win against him fair and square" or accept "dying to him" without shame. Ming Yi acknowledged his honorable conduct, remarking that Ming Xian would undoubtedly appreciate such a worthy opponent, even considering him a "close friend." Sensing a shift, Ming Yi then directly addressed Ji Bozai's inherent distrust, noting he never consumed anything touched by others, and encouraged him to extend more trust to those who believed in him.
Ji Bozai, after a moment of contemplation, responded with a simple, "I trust you." As Ming Yi and Ji Bozai shared this intimate conversation, Situ Ling unexpectedly appeared in Wugui Sea, making his way directly toward Ji Bozai’s residence. A subordinate intercepted Situ Ling, politely informing him that "Immortal Ji and Fairy Ming Yi are asleep," and suggesting he return another day.
Aware of Situ Ling’s presence, Ming Yi, remembering it was their nominal wedding night, decided to embrace the opportunity to "act out" a passionate consummation. She teased Ji Bozai, asking if he had "forgotten how to act" after being away from Moonlit Blossoms for so long, and then challenged him, implying that he was "not a philanderer." They began their elaborate charade, engaging in playful provocations and lingering touches.
As their performance deepened, the line between pretense and genuine emotion blurred. Ming Yi felt her heart sway, struggling to maintain composure, while Ji Bozai, equally stirred, pulled her tightly into his embrace. Ming Yi then accused him of tricking her, noting his "weak will" for acting. She questioned if he truly believed there was an audience, only for Ji Bozai to affirm, "Who told you so? Weren't you immersed in your act? Continue."
Ming Yi then referenced their very first night in Wugui Sea, hinting that he had tricked her then too, mentioning a fire and her subsequent rejection. As unspoken sentiments filled the air, Ji Bozai began to confess, "If I tell you that I. . ." but his words trailed off, the nascent declaration of his affection merging silently with the quiet of the night, their understanding already clear without further words.
