Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Episode 21 Recap
> Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Recap
Feng Ruche, grateful for Xue Jingkong's repeated assistance, wished to help him in return. She made him fried egg noodles, which he initially refused, stating he doesn't eat them. However, she revealed that while he was saving her from her fears, she saw his deepest fear: the death of his foster parents at the hands of Xu Yu. She asserted that it wasn't his fault and urged him to face his own fears, just as he helped her.
Xue Jingkong then ate the noodles, acknowledging them as "okay" and "not bad." Observing from a distance, Fang Qimo realized the wine Feng Ruche had previously requested from him was meant for Xue Jingkong, and he sadly departed. Feng Ruche then presented Xue Jingkong with a Frost Bottle she had invented, explaining it could preserve snowflakes indefinitely. Xue Jingkong, with a simple gesture, conjured a snowy landscape.
Delighted, Feng Ruche filled the bottle with snow and presented it to him as a birthday gift. She reminded him that he once shared that it snowed on the first day he arrived in this world, inspiring his name. She declared this his first birthday present, promising to give him another gift every time it snows, emphasizing that no one is born a jinx.
She also offered him a drink, confirming this time it was just water, unlike a previous occasion. Later, Fang Qimo persuaded Feng Ruche to come out, dismissing her concerns about Xue Jingkong. He attempted to impress her by performing a magic trick, claiming his family has a generations-long history of magicians, boasting that his great-grandfather, Fang Wuyi, could turn stones into gold. His attempt to turn a stone into gold, however, quickly failed, causing a scene with a vendor.
He then tried to distract Feng Ruche with various activities. Feng Ruche reiterated that she only saw him as a good friend. Despite her clear rejection and her admission that she liked someone else—prompting Fang Qimo to correctly infer it was Xue Jingkong—Fang Qimo made an impassioned public confession. He declared his love for her, stating that even if she didn't reciprocate his romantic feelings, he would always be by her side as her best friend, supporting her through everything.
Overwhelmed by the public spectacle, Feng Ruche agreed to be friends. Fang Qimo was overjoyed and immediately began excitedly recounting stories about his esteemed ancestor, Fang Wuyi. Unseen by them, Xue Jingkong stood nearby, holding a pear blossom pastry meant for Feng Ruche, visibly displeased. At Wuxiang Camp, Xue Jingkong summoned Fang Qimo and commanded him to kneel. When Fang Qimo defiantly refused, Xue Jingkong used a secret technique to force him down.
Fang Qimo continued to be disrespectful, questioning Xue Jingkong's authority and disparagingly referring to Fang Wuyi as an "old demon" for living for two centuries. Xue Jingkong responded by slapping him.
Fang Qimo, still defiant, boasted about his great-grandfather, Fang Wuyi, detailing his lineage from a powerful priestess, his adoption into the Fang family, his mastery of magic that preserved his youth, his feat of containing the Four Symbols and Four Perils, and his renowned ability to turn stone into gold. He even dared to compare Fang Wuyi's appearance favorably to Xue Jingkong's. In response, Xue Jingkong himself demonstrated the stone-to-gold trick, leaving Fang Qimo stunned.
Fang Qimo then accused Xue Jingkong of secretly learning his ancestor's technique. Xue Jingkong then recited the Fang family's ancestral teachings verbatim: "Have integrity and be cautious. Stay mindful. Be vigilant to avoid becoming idle. Do not lose your sense of humility. Cast aside your desires and live in contentment." This left Fang Qimo utterly shocked, and he finally realized that Xue Jingkong was indeed his great-grandfather, Fang Wuyi, pleading for release.
As the final day of Wuxiang Camp training arrived, Xue Jingkong addressed the recruits. He acknowledged that all of them had successfully cultivated confidence, courage, and determination. Therefore, he announced the elimination process was canceled; all of them would be inducted into the Silver Winged Cavalry. He declared that from that moment on, they were no longer rivals but closely bonded comrades, emphasizing that true victory lay in surpassing oneself.
The recruits cheered, planning a celebration, though some jokingly suggested Xue Jingkong "the old one" should sit out. After dismissing Fang Qimo with a hundred lines of ancestral teachings, Xue Jingkong led Feng Ruche to a secluded path covered in fallen leaves, a shortcut to the underground palace. Feng Ruche, delighted, playfully danced along the path, expressing her intention to find Xue Jingkong a birthday present, noting his birthday was approaching.
Xue Jingkong cautioned her that shorter paths are often more difficult, to which she replied that her path had never been easy anyway, and she wished to walk it with him. She then asked for a gift for her successful completion of Wuxiang Camp, specifically requesting that he call her "Ah Che," recalling he had used that name before. After a slight hesitation, Xue Jingkong softly murmured "Ah Che."
Feng Ruche confessed her desire to accompany him on his journey, no matter how challenging, wishing their path together would be long and unending, and urging him not to walk alone. As their intimate moment deepened, Xue Jingkong's ice-bound illness suddenly flared, causing his hand to visibly freeze. He abruptly ended their walk, citing impending rain. Yun Muyang later noticed Xue Jingkong's frozen hand, but Xue Jingkong dismissed it as insignificant.
However, Yun Muyang subsequently overheard Xue Jingkong confiding in Xing Shangli. Xue Jingkong confirmed his ice-bound illness symptoms were indeed returning, revealing that Xu Yu, whom he referred to as "the mute," was approaching. He expressed his determination to defeat Xu Yu this time, before his "cryo sickness completely takes over," acknowledging Xing Shangli's concern about his ability to avenge his foster parents and protect Feng Ruche in his current weakened state.
Xue Jingkong devised a formation to trap Xu Yu, initiating a battle. However, his ice-bound illness worsened, putting him at a disadvantage. During the intense fight, Yun Muyang impulsively charged forward, confronting Xu Yu and exclaiming, "You're the one who killed my parents!" Despite being no match for Xu Yu, Yun Muyang recklessly sought revenge. Xue Jingkong bravely intervened, shielding Yun Muyang from an attack. Ultimately, Xue Jingkong, weakened by his illness, was severely injured and overcome by Xu Yu.
Fortunately, Xing Shangli arrived in the nick of time, rescuing both Xue Jingkong and Yun Muyang from Xu Yu's grasp. Back at their quarters, Feng Ruche tearfully questioned Xing Shangli about Xue Jingkong's critical condition, desperately pleading with him to save him. However, Xing Shangli gravely informed her that Xue Jingkong's injuries were too severe, and he "can't be saved," attempting to console her by remarking on Xue Jingkong's long life.
Feng Ruche was heartbroken and refused to accept this prognosis. Meanwhile, Yun Muyang regained consciousness and immediately inquired about Xue Jingkong, insisting on seeing his "brother" and expressing his deep concern and desire to stay by his side. Feng Ruche remained steadfastly by Xue Jingkong's bedside, weeping uncontrollably, while Xing Shangli tirelessly searched through books for a potential cure.
