Love in the Clouds Episode 28 Recap
> Love in the Clouds Recap
Buxiu expressed deep concern for Ji Bozai, realizing that his master had directly refined the Golden Millet Dream by draining his own vast spiritual power, a process as agonizing as being flayed alive, all so that Ming Yi could consume it directly. Ji Bozai admitted that he had indeed taken such extreme measures because he desperately needed to save Ming Yi.
Buxiu lamented that this sacrifice meant Ji Bozai could no longer rely on the Spirit Well and risked a severe relapse of the Heavenly Grief within him during the upcoming Qingyun Tournament, potentially leading to his demise. Ji Bozai, however, brushed off Buxiu’s worries, assuring him that the Spirit Well’s impediment was only temporary.
Despite his initial disapproval of Ming Yi, Buxiu then urged Ji Bozai to marry her, reasoning that the immense sacrifice Ji Bozai had made for her was akin to a grand betrothal gift. Ji Bozai, however, clarified that he did not expect Ming Yi to repay him. When Buxiu discovered that Ming Yi was completely unaware of Ji Bozai's intervention and instead believed Situ Ling had saved her with his heart's blood, he was incensed.
Buxiu dismissed the notion that heart's blood could genuinely repair spiritual veins destroyed by Heavenly Grief, suspecting Situ Ling was merely putting on a show. He impulsively offered to kill Situ Ling, but Ji Bozai stopped him, explaining that he desired Ming Yi to marry him willingly, not out of a sense of obligation for a life-saving favor. Shortly after, Ji Bozai moved into Shouhua Academy, strategically choosing a room directly below Ming Yi’s.
He personally delivered her favorite scallion pancakes, marking his presence in her daily life. Meanwhile, Ming Yi, now recovered and staying at Shouhua Academy, was visited by Situ Ling. She thanked him profusely, still believing his heart's blood was responsible for her recovery. Situ Ling, fearing her identity would be exposed, urged her to leave Shouhua Academy with him. Ming Yi declined, stating her promise to the Empress and her commitment to the upcoming tea gathering prevented her departure.
Their conversation was interrupted by Ji Bozai, who arrived with a blanket for Ming Yi, claiming she had been cold the previous night. He then provocatively introduced himself as Ming Yi’s "husband" to Situ Ling and insisted they all share a meal. Feeling caught between the two, Ming Yi excused herself and sought refuge in a nearby tavern. Both Ji Bozai and Situ Ling followed her.
At the tavern, they continued their subtle yet intense rivalry, vying for Ming Yi’s attention. Overwhelmed by their bickering, Ming Yi left again. Ji Bozai then confronted Situ Ling, sternly warning him that if he continued to approach Ming Yi and brought her harm, he would not be lenient.
Later, a wounded Fu Yue reported to Situ Ling, explaining she had successfully copied the Bo's Medical Classics by circumventing Ming Yi's Yaoguang Mountain Fire Array using a secret Yousu Fox Tribe technique. Situ Ling, consumed by despair, confided in Fu Yue that no matter his efforts or how long he waited, Ming Yi's eyes never truly acknowledged him. Fu Yue, heartbroken for him, encouraged him to pursue power, offering to share her lifespan with him.
She asserted that only by controlling spiritual veins and ascending to a high position could he protect himself and everything he cherished, urging him to become the person he desired for his own sake. Ji Bozai, aware that Situ Ling currently bore no malice towards Ming Yi, instructed Buxiu to accompany him to the tea gathering. Buxiu was tasked with closely monitoring the actions of Zhushui Spiritual State and Yaoguang Mountain, anticipating that any ill intentions would eventually reveal themselves.
Buxiu, having become more expressive, complained about Ji Bozai's self-sacrificing nature. Ji Bozai noted Buxiu's growing "humanity" and encouraged him to experience emotions and feelings beyond a life of constant battle. Elsewhere, Zhang Tai, frustrated by Zheng Tiao's terse and infrequent replies to her letters, invited Ming Yi and Tian Ji for drinks to drown her sorrows. During their conversation, Tian Ji inquired about Ming Yi's relationship with Ji Bozai, but Ming Yi feigned drunkenness to avoid answering.
The next day, Ming Yi spoke with Chen Xi, who revealed his ambition to become a Forger was inspired by his brother, who died heroically in the Qingyun Tournament while saving his comrades. Moved by his dedication, Ming Yi vowed to mentor him diligently, helping him become a skilled artisan worthy of his brother’s legacy. Situ Ling sought out Ming Yi again, making a final plea.
He asked if she appreciated his act of "expending his heart's blood" for her, and reminded her of a promise she had made. Ming Yi confirmed her gratitude and pledged lifelong loyalty as a friend, but firmly stated they could only be friends, reiterating her choice to prioritize herself. Situ Ling observed that she would likely not be so resolute if it were Ji Bozai before her. This rejection, coupled with his persistent yearning, ignited a deep-seated resentment within him.
Under the insidious influence of the blood moon ring, past humiliations flooded his mind, driving him to madness and plunging him into an abyss of obsession. The blood moon ring, calling him by his true name, Chao Yuan, tempted him to merge with its power, promising to help him obtain Ming Yi and everything he desired. Later, Ming Yi discovered a fragment of a Recording Mirror among her old belongings.
Ji Bozai produced another half that he had found at Dragon Carp Terrace. Upon combining the two, they learned from Buxiu's investigations that the legendary name list left by Mu Qibai was, in fact, this very Recording Mirror, which he would split in half during transactions with the Upper Three Realms as a means of mutual restraint.
Ji Bozai deduced that the fragment Ming Yi possessed belonged to Ming Xin, and Ming Yi confirmed that her cat, Twenty-Seven, had indeed brought it to her from Yaoguang Mountain. Although incomplete, the reassembled mirror revealed a partial image of Ming Xin making a deal with Mu Qibai (referred to as Lord Hanfeng) for Heavenly Grief.
Ming Yi surmised that Ming Xin was the one who had poisoned her with Heavenly Grief and resolved to obtain the missing piece of the mirror at the upcoming tea gathering to gather conclusive evidence. Ji Bozai then disclosed Situ Ling's true identity, revealing him to be Chao Yuan, the youngest son of the Zhushui Emperor. He further explained that Chao Yuan had come to Jixing Abyss in pursuit of the Golden Millet Dream.
Ming Yi recalled Chao Yuan's earlier confession of being from Zhushui Spiritual State and his quest for the Golden Millet Dream. She also remembered his suspicious actions at the Sunken Abyss and his decision to give the Bo's Medical Classics to Master She, finally realizing the profound danger he posed. Meanwhile, Situ Ling, now known as Chao Yuan, appeared before his father, the Zhushui Emperor.
He presented the complete formula and all necessary herbs for the Golden Millet Dream, but admitted the Diwu tree's core, an extinct catalyst, was missing. Boldly, he negotiated with his father, declaring his ambition to cultivate his own spiritual veins, ascend to the highest position in Zhushui Spiritual State, become his father's fully recognized heir, and uncover his father's ultimate plans for Zhushui and the Qingyun Tournament. He proclaimed his intent to defy destiny itself.
Impressed by Chao Yuan's newfound courage and ambition, the Emperor revealed that two years prior, after Jixing Abyss's defeat, a tribute to Yaoguang Mountain and Zhushui Spiritual State included two wilted roots of the Diwu tree. One had been stolen by Bo Yulan, leading to her capture by Mu Qibai, while the other had been sent to Zhushui, which he now bestowed upon Chao Yuan to cultivate. Following this, the Emperor summoned another person for an important task.
