Love in the Clouds Episode 9 Recap
> Love in the Clouds Recap
Upon Ming Yi's arrival at Moonlit Blossoms, her lack of grace in dance, having been raised as a boy, was evident. Despite practicing a simple dance hundreds of times, she struggled to grasp the steps, infuriating the Madam. Zhang Tai, however, bravely stepped forward, claiming she had taught Ming Yi the wrong steps the previous night and offering to take the punishment herself. The Madam, though aware of Zhang Tai's loyalty, insisted on punishing both.
Zhang Tai then skillfully deflected by mentioning her recent illness and the potential loss of business from Immortal Xue, Immortal Hao, and Immortal Liu if she fell ill again. However, Ming Yi took responsibility for herself, insisting her poor dance skills and lack of practice were to blame and that she should face the consequences alone. This act of mutual protection forged a deep bond between them.
News of Zhang Tai's sudden marriage, without any prior notification, struck Ming Yi as highly unusual and concerning. Ming Yi visited Zhang Tai and immediately sensed something was amiss, observing her stiff demeanor and lack of usual sparkle. Probing with questions about her new husband, General Xun Ming, Zhang Tai responded with uncharacteristically formal praise like "learned, courteous, honest, and loyal," a stark contrast to her previous superficial assessments of men.
Ming Yi's final test, inquiring about a wrist injury that was actually on Zhang Tai's waist, confirmed her suspicions. Ji Bozai then revealed a puppet mark on the back of Zhang Tai's neck, confirming it was a mere likeness. He explained that Xun Ming had extracted seven of Zhang Tai's senses, and without her remaining three souls and seven senses reunited within 15 days, she would perish.
The sisters at Moonlit Blossoms, distraught by the news and recalling Zhang Tai's unwavering kindness and generosity, tearfully pleaded with Ming Yi for her rescue. Ming Yi, recalling Zhang Tai’s past protection, felt immense grief and implored Ji Bozai for his aid. Ji Bozai warned Ming Yi that saving Zhang Tai would mean confronting the most formidable fox demon in Jixing Abyss, Xun Ming, a powerful and elusive adversary.
He cautioned that even with his full protection, success was not guaranteed, and Xun Ming could easily destroy her. Undeterred, Ming Yi solemnly thanked Ji Bozai, declaring that her friendship with Zhang Tai was more precious than a thousand mountains, and she would brave any danger for her. Ji Bozai then accompanied Ming Yi to Xun Ming's Dengxian Cave to see Zhang Tai.
Xun Ming initially tried to obstruct them, stating his wife no longer wished to meet anyone from her past. Ji Bozai smoothly persuaded him by feigning hunger, asking for a meal to stabilize Ming Yi's "unstable" emotions, thus securing their entry. During the meal, Ji Bozai discreetly ignited a demon fire, creating a distraction that drew Xun Ming away.
Since Xun Ming had separated all of Zhang Tai's three souls and seven senses, Ji Bozai used a secret technique to help Ming Yi's primordial spirit leave her body and enter an illusion to meet Zhang Tai. He explained that Ming Yi could not directly rescue Zhang Tai from this illusion. Only by learning Xun Ming's most cherished memory from Zhang Tai and then recreating it could they access the true Illusory Realm and retrieve Zhang Tai's soul.
He further cautioned Ming Yi that traveling with one's primordial spirit was inherently dangerous and that she would have only a short time, the duration of an incense stick, to speak with Zhang Tai. If Xun Ming discovered them, he would abandon Ming Yi to save himself. Ming Yi, though aware of the risks, was resolute and accepted the terms. Within the illusion, Ming Yi found Zhang Tai, who, though she could hear Ming Yi's voice, could not see her.
Ming Yi explained the situation and urged Zhang Tai to reveal Xun Ming's most cherished memory. Zhang Tai recounted her initial enchantment with Xun Ming at Moonlit Blossoms, finding him different from other men and "tall, handsome, and rich." However, after their marriage, she realized he was "insane." He repeatedly forced her to re-enact fox-tribe wedding ceremonies, sometimes over twenty times, always requiring them to play music together until her fingers hurt.
He also insisted on calling her "Mu Xinliu," leading Zhang Tai to suspect he had a deceased lover by that name. When Ming Yi pressed for the most cherished memory, Zhang Tai admitted she didn't know but believed it related to his beloved.
Zhang Tai then detailed her capture: after trying to persuade Xun Ming to let her visit Moonlit Blossoms and getting him drunk to extract information about his past love, he confessed, "Whether you have true feelings for me or not, you're the only one I love." He then tried to kiss her multiple times.
During yet another forced wedding ceremony, Zhang Tai, tired of playing music, fainted as he approached her and awoke to find herself trapped in a "forest," which she believed was her bridal chamber in Xun Ming's Dengxian Cave. She also heard chilling cries of other women, suspecting they were Xun Ming's previous wives who had met tragic ends, and feared she might suffer the same fate.
Zhang Tai confessed she couldn't hold on much longer, and Ming Yi promised she would not let her die there. As the incense stick neared its end, Ji Bozai swiftly extracted Ming Yi from the illusion. They emerged from Dengxian Cave, feigning that they had enjoyed a hearty meal, successfully avoiding Xun Ming's suspicion. Ming Yi, recalling Zhang Tai's mention of "Mu Xinliu" and the "Mu clan," suggested they check the royal genealogy at the Judgment Hall.
Just as they were trying to access the restricted royal genealogy of Jixing Abyss, Situ Ling unexpectedly returned. Ming Yi quickly hid Ji Bozai, confronting Situ Ling alone. With Situ Ling's assistance, Ming Yi found records of "Mu Xinliu," confirming she was Mu Qibai's cousin, married to Xun Ming, and deceased. This solidified their deduction: Xun Ming's most cherished memory was his wedding to Mu Xinliu.
As Situ Ling affectionately called Ming Yi "Sister," Ji Bozai, consumed by jealousy, emerged from the shadows. He confidently embraced Ming Yi, declaring his claim, and suggested that if Situ Ling truly wished to be family, he should address Ji Bozai as "Brother-in-law." After Ji Bozai escorted Ming Yi away from the Judgment Hall, Situ Ling sought out his subordinate, Fuyue.
Fuyue updated him on her investigation into Ming Xian, revealing that after losing the last Qingyun Tournament, Ming Xian vanished from Yaoguang Mountain, some believing she defected. Fuyue had not yet discovered why Ming Xian reverted to her female form and was now with Ji Bozai. Situ Ling, however, reacted with uncharacteristic fury upon learning Fuyue had investigated Ming Xian, instructing her not to harm Ming Yi.
Fuyue, disheartened by his rare display of anger, solemnly pledged to obey his command. Meanwhile, Ming Yi, seeking to assuage Ji Bozai's jealousy, cleverly proposed marriage to him. To rescue Zhang Tai, Ming Yi proposed they hold a wedding ceremony in Luosheng Forest, intentionally recreating Xun Ming's past wedding ritual. This idea secretly pleased Ji Bozai.
Ming Yi, however, assumed Ji Bozai would refuse, and earnestly promised that after Zhang Tai was saved, she would not cling to him and would let him decide their future. These words, despite her good intentions, brought an inexplicable pang to Ji Bozai's heart, yet he still agreed to the marriage. News of the wedding in Luosheng Forest, a place sacred as the spot where Xun Ming and Mu Xinliu had pledged their love, enraged Xun Ming. Mu Qibai, recognizing Ji Bozai and Ming Yi's scheme to lure Xun Ming out, advised him to go if he must, but cautioned him to maintain his composure.
