Love in the Clouds Episode 20 Recap
> Love in the Clouds Recap
Situ Ling's hands were stained with blood, causing Fu Yue to panic, fearing that his continued opposition to Mu Qibai would turn him into an enemy of the entire Jixing Abyss. Situ Ling, however, explained, "I killed him." Fu Yue urged him to protect himself, but Situ Ling insisted he was fine.
He asserted that Mu Qibai had many enemies, and since the enemy of his enemy was a friend, he would lend that friend a hand, referring to Ji Bozai. Meanwhile, Princess Tianji directly confronted Mu Qibai. She revealed that the Judgment Hall had reported his abduction and private torture of Fairy Ming Yi. Mu Qibai admitted to investigating Ming Yi due to her spiritual veins, claiming Ji Bozai had harbored her.
Tianji retorted that she was the one protecting Ming Yi, having long intended for her to serve at Shouhua Academy. Dismissing the old rules, Tianji declared that she would soon decree, as the Venerable of Shouhua Academy, that all women with spiritual veins in Jixing Abyss need no longer hide and could become warriors. She then sharply questioned Mu Qibai, asking him to explain why a charred corpse from Zhushui Spiritual State was found in Jixing Abyss.
Mu Qibai's demeanor changed upon hearing "He's dead?" He attempted to deflect, stating it was not Tianji's place to question him, but Tianji pressed him, highlighting the Judgment Hall's swift report to her and asserting that Jixing Abyss was no longer his to control alone. Later, her attendant worried about Mu Qibai's increasing brazenness and his ties to Zhushui Spiritual State.
Tianji concluded that while it wasn't easy to directly accuse Mu Qibai, their only recourse was to awaken her father, the Emperor. The next morning, Twenty-Seven thanked Buxiu for his help at Dragon Carp Terrace, acknowledging his unexpected loyalty despite their usual animosity. Buxiu explained his actions were a necessity, as Twenty-Seven's capture could have exposed secrets of Wugui Sea, and also a repayment for Ming Yi saving Ji Bozai from the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop.
Twenty-Seven offered Buxiu three favors in return, but Buxiu initially declined. Twenty-Seven playfully suggested fishing as the first favor, prompting Buxiu to realize Twenty-Seven's true desire was to fish. They also joked about Buxiu not stealing dried fish. Afterward, Buxiu visited Ming Yi, who was lost in thought.
Ming Yi confided that while Buxiu worried about her, she feared that if she acquired the Golden Millet Dream, Ji Bozai would believe she had been deceiving him all along, leading to his hatred and the end of their connection. She lamented that a cold and decisive person like him would surely forget her quickly. At his master's memorial tablet, Ji Bozai stood in quiet contemplation.
He reflected that after all they had been through, he no longer cared about Ming Yi's past or true identity. All that mattered was her sincerity in the present. He reaffirmed his unwavering trust in her, no matter what the future held. Meanwhile, Mu Qibai's attendant advised him to be cautious as he was still affected by refining the netherbeast core.
Soon after, Chao Xuan, having learned of his brother Chao Yu's death, arrived in Jixing Abyss, seeking vengeance on Sun Liao. Sun Liao, desperate for mercy, confessed that Mu Qibai had secretly kept an unformed netherbeast. Chao Xuan then confronted Mu Qibai, cynically proposing to report to his father, the Emperor of Zhushui, that Chao Yu had sacrificed himself to create a netherbeast army, thereby solving Mu Qibai's current predicament.
He implied that Mu Qibai should hand over his hidden netherbeast to facilitate this cover-up. Mu Qibai, unfazed, challenged Chao Xuan, reminding him that the beast was in "his" hands and demanding Chao Xuan to politely ask for it. Mu Qibai then audaciously suggested that Chao Xuan cooperate in pinning all the blame for the netherbeast army on the deceased Chao Yu, promising him all the glory and achievements of Jixing Abyss once his own ambitions were realized.
After some contemplation, Chao Xuan, seeing the benefit, reluctantly agreed to cooperate, urging Mu Qibai to act quickly. Situ Ling visited Ming Yi, expressing his regret that he couldn't come to her aid sooner. Ming Yi inquired about the unidentified charred corpse found by the barrier, noting that she had seen a cut on its wrist. When Situ Ling confirmed the wound, Ming Yi pressed him, questioning how he knew given the body's condition.
After a brief hesitation, Situ Ling confessed that he killed Chao Yu because if he hadn't, Chao Yu would have killed her. He inwardly rejoiced at Ming Yi's evident concern for him. Elsewhere, Zhang Tai joyfully showed Ming Yi her newfound ability to use spiritual veins, explaining that Princess Tianji's treatment for her injuries had led to the discovery and removal of her Soul-hiding Nail, significantly boosting her cultivation. Ming Yi expressed her happiness for Zhang Tai.
Zhang Tai, sensing Ming Yi's inner conflict regarding Ji Bozai, gently encouraged her to cherish his affection, noting that everyone could see how much Ji Bozai cared for her. Ming Yi admitted her feelings for him but sadly believed their connection wouldn't last. Zhang Tai countered, emphasizing that moments of happiness were rare, and Ming Yi should embrace her joy in seeing him now, regardless of the future. Ming Yi's gaze drifted towards Ji Bozai, and her lingering doubts dissipated.
That same night, Yan Xiao, having spoken with Mu Qibai, faced a difficult decision. Mu Qibai, aware that Yan Xiao was reluctant to poison the Emperor, asserted that he had other methods and would simply frame Yan Xiao as the culprit, painting him as a lowly physician who betrayed the Emperor for power. This left Yan Xiao with no choice but to pour Mu Qibai's potent medicine into the Emperor's soup, which he then personally served.
Shortly after, Princess Tianji summoned Yan Xiao. Feigning illness, she tried to take Yan Xiao's medical artifact, then tearfully revealed Mu Qibai's treacherous plot against her father, accusing Yan Xiao of complicity in keeping the Emperor unconscious. She blackmailed Yan Xiao by threatening to fabricate a scandalous encounter, making it appear he had left her chambers disheveled at midnight, ensuring her uncle would believe her.
Desperate, Tianji begged Yan Xiao to help her save her father's life when Mu Qibai eventually tried to kill him. Yan Xiao, despite Tianji's accusations and tears, refused to defy Mu Qibai, citing his own powerlessness. Ultimately, he discreetly handed her his artifact and instructed her to act as if he had never been there, highlighting his perilous situation caught between two powerful figures. Later, Ji Bozai brought Ming Yi to a beloved scallion pancake shop.
Ming Yi tried to explain that her earlier confession of love was under the influence of the Soul-seizing Technique, but Ji Bozai dismissed the excuse, indicating he believed her words were sincere regardless. Meanwhile, the Emperor awoke, his illness cured by Princess Tianji's intervention. He summoned Ji Bozai for a private conversation, during which Ji Bozai informed him of Mu Qibai's extensive treachery. Recalling Ming Yi's earlier remarks about the Emperor not being power-hungry, Ji Bozai decided to trust him.
Princess Tianji also implored her father to act decisively for the sake of Jixing Abyss. The next day, the Emperor summoned Mu Qibai, who arrived feigning concern. The Emperor revealed he knew of the netherbeast army and pressed Mu Qibai to confess. Dropping his pretense, Mu Qibai openly accused his brother of weakness and indecision, claiming it was the reason Jixing Abyss had long suffered. The Emperor, deeply disappointed, ordered Mu Qibai to be imprisoned.
Situ Ling learned of Mu Qibai's arrest, noting that the news of Chao Yu's death and the charred corpse had spread, making Mu Qibai a convenient scapegoat, especially since Ji Bozai had already refined the netherbeast. Situ Ling concluded that Ji Bozai had skillfully outmaneuvered his opponent.
