Love in the Clouds Episode 21 Recap
> Love in the Clouds Recap
Despite Mu Qibai's imprisonment, Ming Yi felt an unsettling premonition that something significant was about to occur, a sentiment Ji Bozai shared, suspecting Mu Qibai had a hidden strategy. Indeed, Mu Qibai's loyal subordinate, Shao Qun, who had seemingly taken the blame for his master, secretly fed his own blood and flesh to a netherbeast. Ultimately, Shao Qun sacrificed himself by leaping into the Sunken Abyss, enabling Mu Qibai to gain complete control over a new netherbeast army.
When Ji Bozai, Ming Yi, and others learned of the events in the Sunken Abyss, it was already too late. Mu Qibai had managed to escape with the newly formed netherbeast army and vanished, going into hiding. Princess Tianji observed that the upcoming Prayer Night, when the power of the stars and netherbeasts would be at their peak, would be Mu Qibai's opportune moment to attack Jixing Palace.
Recognizing the urgency, Ming Yi proposed a solution: she would re-create the demon-repelling parasol, an artifact Ming Xian had once designed to seal netherbeasts. Although the Emperor of Yaoguang Mountain had previously destroyed the original, Ming Yi, having witnessed its creation, believed she could replicate it.
Twenty-Seven worried that this act would expose Ming Yi's true identity as Ming Xian, potentially endangering her, but Ming Yi dismissed these concerns, prioritizing the protection of the Six Realms and its innocent inhabitants from the imminent netherbeast threat. Meanwhile, Meng Yangqiu, remorseful for having inadvertently planted the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop in Ji Bozai, wrote a letter of repentance, hoping for Princess Tianji's forgiveness. Separately, Princess Tianji summoned Yan Xiao, inquiring about Mu Qibai's whereabouts after he regenerated the netherbeast army.
Yan Xiao feigned disinterest, suggesting she had other means to find out since the Emperor had recovered. He then provocatively questioned her ambition and ability to lead Jixing Abyss, implying she relied on others like Ji Bozai as a prince consort. He even challenged her to marry him, so he could take control. Tianji, undeterred, approached him, kissed him, and offered to marry him immediately if he wished, in exchange for information.
Yan Xiao, however, scorned her offer, perceiving it as a political maneuver, accusing her of being willing to marry anyone for power. He then cruelly suggested that Meng Yangqiu, with his unquestioning loyalty, would be a more suitable consort. Infuriated, Tianji called him a jerk. Meng Yangqiu, witnessing Tianji's distress, stepped in to comfort her. In the days that followed, Ming Yi dedicated herself to crafting the demon-repelling parasols, with Ji Bozai silently standing by her side, his affection evident.
She made many parasols for the general populace, which were simple to use and created a defensive barrier with a gentle spin. She also designed a unique parasol for Zhang Tai, whose nascent spiritual veins needed a reliable artifact. While Ming Yi focused on strengthening the parasols to handle more spiritual power, Ji Bozai offered to infuse them with his own spiritual energy once they were complete.
Observing their interactions, their companion beasts, Buxiu and Twenty-Seven, bickered over who initiated their deepening feelings, though Granny Xun saw the truth clearly. Ming Yi subtly tried to retrieve the powerful artifact Embers from Ji Bozai, a fan Ming Xian had designed. Ji Bozai, still sensitive about her bringing up Ming Xian, spitefully claimed to have destroyed it.
Distressed, Ming Yi reminded him of Embers' importance in combating netherbeasts, but Ji Bozai retorted that her past was irrelevant, emphasizing their current bond as spouses with a shared heart imprint. Later, Ji Bozai confessed his unwavering commitment to Ming Yi, promising to protect her during the coming battle with Mu Qibai. Ming Yi, deeply touched, suggested they protect each other.
She then proposed using the Heartbond Array, a powerful but perilous technique mentioned in ancient texts and the Illusory Realm, which had sealed netherbeasts a century ago. It required perfect synchronization between spellcasters, with any deviation resulting in immediate self-immolation. Ji Bozai, confident in their deep connection, agreed that if necessary, they would use the Heartbond Array, for they were truly of one mind. Unbeknownst to Tianji, Yan Xiao had been covertly collaborating with Ji Bozai.
He had previously met with Mu Qibai on Dragon Carp Terrace, where Mu Qibai, questioning Yan Xiao's affection for Tianji, dismissed love as secondary to power. Yan Xiao explained that Tianji was incapable of leading Jixing Abyss, making her an unsuitable ally, and then agreed to feign loyalty to Mu Qibai. Mu Qibai, in turn, promised Yan Xiao the prestigious title of Lord Hanfeng and a position as a non-relative vassal after he ascended the throne.
Yan Xiao also assured Mu Qibai that even though Tianji had helped her father recover, the divine enfeebling powder he administered would still weaken the Emperor Mu Yuanfeng, making the Prayer Night the perfect time for Mu Qibai to claim the throne.
Yan Xiao later revealed to Ji Bozai that his elaborate deception, including his harsh words to Tianji, was necessary to gain Mu Qibai's trust, and implored Ji Bozai to protect Tianji if their plans went awry, confirming that he had given the antidote to Ji Bozai and his allies, allowing them to feign poisoning. Meanwhile, Ming Xin, having recovered from injuries sustained in Jixing Abyss, secretly traveled to Zhushui Spiritual State to meet with the Emperor.
He criticized Jixing Abyss's recent turmoil, including Ji Bozai's underestimated power and Mu Qibai's destruction of Zhushui's netherbeast research and the death of Lord Jingxi. Ming Xin offered to help the Zhushui Emperor eradicate Jixing Abyss in exchange for aid in becoming the Crown Prince of Yaoguang Mountain. The Zhushui Emperor, enraged by Mu Qibai's deception regarding his son Chao Yu's death and his attempt to defy him, readily agreed, granting Ming Xin a powerful "important item" to assist him.
As the Prayer Night commenced, Mu Yuanfeng, the Emperor of Jixing Abyss, led the ritual to draw starlight and pray for his people's well-being. Suddenly, Mu Qibai appeared with his netherbeast army, revealing his plan to coerce Mu Yuanfeng into signing the Abdication Decree. Mu Qibai mocked his brother, claiming Mu Yuanfeng's prayer, tainted by the divine enfeebling powder in his system, would become a curse upon his people.
He demanded Mu Yuanfeng cede the throne, promising to lead Jixing Abyss to unprecedented glory by conquering Zhushui Spiritual State with his netherbeast army. He further taunted his brother for his perceived cowardice, stating that only the strong survive. Mu Yuanfeng, however, fiercely condemned Mu Qibai for betraying their people and sacrificing them for power. At this critical moment, Ji Bozai burst into the hall to rescue Mu Yuanfeng. Mu Qibai, surprised, questioned how they weren't poisoned.
Ji Bozai revealed their counter-strategy: they had feigned poisoning to ensnare Mu Qibai. Tianji confronted Mu Qibai, denouncing his illegitimate power grab and asserting her own commitment to leading Jixing Abyss without violence, drawing support from Meng Yangqiu, who praised her principles and condemned Mu Qibai's reliance on external, uncontrollable forces. Ignoring Mu Qibai's protests, everyone then swiftly moved into a defensive formation, ready to face the impending battle.
