Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Episode 19 Recap
> Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Recap
Yun Muyang's army launched an attack, causing panic with shouts of "Intruder!" and "Attack! Protect Winged Empress!" . Du Xianyin's subordinate informed her that Yun Muyang was attacking. Du Xianyin initially believed her true identity had been exposed. However, her subordinate observed that Yun Muyang seemed to be there to save her, not harm her. Confused, Du Xianyin wondered if her actions hadn't been discovered. She quickly told her subordinate to leave through the back door.
When Yun Muyang finally reached her, he embraced her, exclaiming that he had finally found her and was afraid he wouldn't see her again, vowing to protect her. Du Xianyin apologized for crossing the line, but Yun Muyang dismissed it, reminding her there was no need for apologies between them. He expressed his certainty that she would come to him, adding that he had been waiting for her.
After Feng Ruche returned from the barrier, she was fully accepted by her teammates. Lin Yuecong also remained in Wuxiang Camp, and things seemed to be improving. The camp was filled with lively interactions, including Fang Qimo playfully recounting a past "epic moment" to a mostly uninterested Feng Ruche. Later, in their room, a student demanded twenty pearls from Lin Yuecong for moving her bed and doing needlework.
When Fang Qimo offered to pay, the price was playfully doubled to forty pearls, teasing him for his wealthy family. Fang Qimo then playfully ran off, leading to a chase. Seeing the group's camaraderie, a reflective Feng Ruche thought it was good to see everyone merry like in the past, believing it lightened the sadness of parting and that life had to keep going. Under the full moon, Feng Ruche waited in a pavilion with moonshine, expecting Xue Jingkong.
When he arrived, he asked what she was doing there in the middle of the night and who she had invited to drink with. Misunderstanding, Xue Jingkong accused her of waiting for Fang Qimo, dismissing anyone else as "fooling around" with her. He drank the moonshine, remarking on its harm to health and ordering her never to drink it again, asserting his authority as her teacher. Feng Ruche then revealed that he was drinking from her cup.
She casually stated that it was nothing, as she didn't bother with such trivial matters, especially after they had "gone through thick and thin." Xue Jingkong, feeling the wine's strong effect, asked her what it was, noting its tastelessness initially. He then realized his spiritual power was recovering rapidly and wondered if it was because of her.
Feng Ruche, observing his reaction, warned him that the wine had a slow but strong effect and urged him to return, threatening punishment if he was late for training. The next day, the Wuxiang Camp rankings were updated, showing Feng Ruche in first place. Lin Yuecong genuinely congratulated her, admitting that she herself had been the one holding her back in the past.
Xue Jingkong addressed the students, emphasizing that while ranking was important, teamwork and unity were paramount for victory. He then prompted Feng Ruche to present the reward she had mentioned. Feng Ruche revealed her creations: flying tools and handheld arrows. She explained that wings were crucial for fighting Nanyu City, and these tools would allow humans without natural wings to fly and attack enemies. Everyone was excited to try them, and they successfully soared through the air.
A student asked who taught her to create such gadgets. Feng Ruche explained that a friend of her father, a traveling man, had given her a book called "Craftmenship of Ocean and Sky" when she was five. She added that he said if anyone asked, her master should be Master Ji Shu, the creator of the Sky Castle.
Despite her enthusiasm, when it was her turn to fly, Feng Ruche hesitated, excusing herself by saying she wasn't feeling well and would try another time. The trauma of the Linyuan Platform incident prevented her from taking flight. Du Xianyin received a note instructing her to meet in the woods at midnight. There, she found Qi Zhenxian, who revealed his true knowledge of her identity.
He revealed that he had known her true identity and had previously covered for her, even arranging Physician Jia's assassination to save her from exposure. He explicitly told her she was to bring Feng Ruche to her death during the training. Du Xianyin, on her knees, pleaded with him to spare her mother and family, claiming she had done nothing wrong. Qi Zhenxian made her stand, assuring her he would protect her family if she followed his instructions.
He acknowledged that Feng Ruche, whom Du Xianyin wanted dead, was the real daughter of Feng Tianyi. Qi Zhenxian then revealed his connection to Madam Xuan Ji, stating that his Silver Wings Cavalry had grown strong thanks to her past support and funding, and his current actions were a repayment of gratitude.
He vowed to obey Madam Xuan Ji's commands and clear all enemy forces for her, assuring Du Xianyin that the world would belong to her as the Winged Empress. Du Xianyin, skeptical, pressed for his conditions. Qi Zhenxian demanded 800,000 Yu Zhu as military expenditure and, after their success, the right to be king of the nineteen northern counties.
Xue Jingkong noticed that Feng Ruche's inner demon had resurfaced, stemming from her inability to let go of the Linyuan Platform incident. He wanted to help her overcome it. While in her room, Feng Ruche was pulled into an illusion by a mysterious mirror. Her reflection taunted her, questioning her right to the name Feng Ruche, pointing out her broken crown, lost golden wings, and inability to fly, asking if she still wished to be Empress.
Feng Ruche awoke distressed, finding Xue Jingkong there. She realized he had been probing her mind. He confirmed her lingering trauma. Feng Ruche mistakenly apologized, attributing her earlier failure to his carelessness in assessment, suggesting her inner evil had resurfaced. Xue Jingkong corrected her, saying it wasn't a misunderstanding but her own hesitation. He asserted that her true enemy was herself, not Lin Yuecong, the Phantom Killers, or even Xuan Ji.
He advised her to bury the unforgettable memories in her heart if she couldn't forget them. Using spiritual magic, Xue Jingkong then transported Feng Ruche back into an illusion of the Linyuan Platform incident. She fought and defeated a group of strong men using skills learned at Wuxiang Camp. However, Xuan Ji appeared in the illusion, taunting her about her lack of qualifications to be Empress and calling her golden wings wasted.
Feng Ruche was again overwhelmed, had her wings severed, and lay severely wounded. Waking from the illusion, Feng Ruche saw actual blood on her hands, indicating the emotional pain from the illusion. She wanted to try again immediately, but Xue Jingkong told her to rest, as she was exhausted. Du Xianyin accompanied Qi Zhenxian on a trip to Yan City to visit frontline generals.
Before they departed, Qi Zhenxian expressed concern for Yun Muyang's recovery and suggested he accompany Du Xianyin. However, Du Xianyin questioned if his concern was for her or for the Winged Empress, and Qi Zhenxian asserted that the Silver Wings Cavalry needed Yun Muyang to oversee it personally. Later, passing through Nanyu City, Du Xianyin reported to Madam Xuan Ji about the Wuxiang Camp incident.
She confessed her failure to kill Feng Ruche, who had been aided by an expert, and asked for punishment. Xuan Ji dismissed it, noting Feng Ruche had already lost her wings. Du Xianyin then underwent another painful Golden Wings Plating Technique. Despite her tears, Xuan Ji slapped her, demanding she smile through the pain and reminding her to never forget what she had been taught. Xuan Ji then ordered Du Xianyin to kill Yun Muyang.
Du Xianyin, who cared deeply for Yun Muyang, argued against it, trying to justify his usefulness, stating he didn't suspect her and could help restrain Wei Yuan Ting. She revealed Qi Zhenxian's demands for 800,000 Yu Zhu as military expenditure and control over the nineteen northern counties after their success, suggesting his avarice made him a useful tool.
Xuan Ji, however, was resolute, explaining that Yun Muyang was Qi Zhenxian's right-hand man, and Qi Zhenxian would never be truly loyal to her. She believed Qi Zhenxian was only using Du Xianyin's status to strengthen his own cavalry and insisted that killing Yun Muyang would cripple Qi Zhenxian. Madam Xuan Ji handed Du Xianyin a bottle of poison, stating her decision was final. She told Du Xianyin to let go of her feelings for Yun Muyang, as the Golden Wings Plating Technique would shorten Du Xianyin's life, making a future with him impossible.
