Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Episode 8 Recap
> Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 Recap
The Seven-Star Lamp ceremony began with blessings for the Empress and the nation. However, as Feng Ruche, in her role as the Winged Empress, ignited the seven-star lamps, they suddenly extinguished. A frantic shaman, Kong Sang, burst into the grand hall, prophesying, "When the Golden Wings are spread and the Empress appears, the seven stars will fall and Nanyu will perish. Nanyu City is about to be destroyed! A huge disaster is coming!"
He knelt before Yu Guocong, admitting, "We've made a mistake. We shouldn't have deceived people about the truth. Such an evil act will bring a huge disaster upon us!" He further accused Feng Ruche, declaring, "That Winged Empress is an imposter! We have to face our retribution now!" When Yu Guocong tried to silence him, Wei Yunting interjected, questioning if he was trying to cover up the truth.
Kong Sang then shockingly confessed that Yu Guocong had forced him to forge Feng Ruche's Golden Wings and swap the royal blood in the Blood Tester. Yu Guocong tried to dismiss his words as lies, but Kong Sang, after repeating his dire prophecy, committed suicide. Seizing the moment, Wei Yunting ordered his guards to arrest both Yu Guocong and Feng Ruche.
Yu Guocong realized the depth of Wei Yunting's betrayal, understanding that Pei Huan had been swayed to his side and that the framing of Pei Jing was merely a ruse to remove him. Wei Yunting, admitting he had waited too long for this moment, had Yu Guocong taken away, leaving Feng Ruche a prisoner as well. Confused by the turn of events, Feng Ruche appealed to Madam Xuan Ji and Bai Dangdang to testify for her.
Madam Xuan Ji, however, remained indifferent, while Bai Dangdang, abandoning their past friendship, openly claimed that Feng Ruche's identity was fake and that her wings were deliberately fabricated by Yu Guocong. He falsely stated that Yu Guocong had sent someone to forge a pair of Golden Wings for her beforehand, and then ordered him to stage an act with her on the street, promising him a general's position in return.
Feng Ruche was deeply shocked and devastated by Bai Dangdang's blatant distortion of the truth, realizing he was deliberately framing her. Under arrest, Feng Ruche confronted Madam Xuan Ji, demanding to know what was happening and accusing her of conspiring with Wei Yunting. Madam Xuan Ji scoffed, asking if Feng Ruche truly believed herself to be the cunning fox in their game, when in reality she was merely "the little lamb that was shared among us."
When Feng Ruche defiantly stated she wouldn't let Madam Xuan Ji get away with it, the Madam mocked her, questioning if she intended to use her "moralities" and advised her to "be on my knees kowtowing right now, begging me to spare your life." Feng Ruche retorted, "Go to hell!" Impressed by her courage, Madam Xuan Ji offered a cruel "chance": if Feng Ruche could defeat the strongmen before her, she would be set free.
Despite her fighting spirit, Feng Ruche, severely injured, was no match for the men. After being brutally beaten, she was lifted before Madam Xuan Ji, who then ordered, "Chop them off," referring to Feng Ruche's wings. After her wings were severed, Madam Xuan Ji gloated, "You've lost, Your Majesty. I'll give you another chance to beg me." Feng Ruche, still defiant, was called "a thief from the street who wishes to be the Winged Empress."
Madam Xuan Ji declared her profound hatred for the arrogance of the Winged Clan, stating, "Today I'll let you experience what it's like to lose your wings, and fall to your death." She commanded her guards to throw Feng Ruche off Sky City. As Feng Ruche plummeted, Madam Xuan Ji also tossed away the bamboo tube that Xue Jingkong had given her, which he once explained contained a "milliweb" spider that could transmit messages, happy or unhappy, to him.
Feng Ruche desperately clung to the falling bamboo tube and cried out for Xue Jingkong, her voice resonating through the device, echoing her past words to him, "Master. It's me." Meanwhile, Xue Jingkong was in a bamboo forest searching for Lian Yi, but was relentlessly pursued by Xuyu. The two engaged in a fierce battle, and Xuyu managed to ensnare Xue Jingkong, who was already suffering from a spiritual backlash. However, his attention was drawn to the falling bamboo tube.
Seeing it, Xue Jingkong, with a surge of desperate strength, broke free from Xuyu's hold and rushed to Feng Ruche's side. Xue Jingkong caught her just before she hit the ground and carried her back to Sky City, his gaze icy with fury, intent on punishing Madam Xuan Ji. But Feng Ruche, gravely wounded and fading, whispered, "Master, don't bother her. There's not much time left. Let's just have a chat."
Xue Jingkong, honoring her last wish, spared Madam Xuan Ji. He then carried Feng Ruche to the academy, but upon arrival, Xing Shangli delivered the heartbreaking news: "She's already dead." Xue Jingkong refused to believe it, protesting, "That's impossible. I brought her back to life last time." Xing Shangli confirmed the grim reality, explaining, "Every part of her body is broken. She can't be saved anymore," her meridians completely severed beyond repair.
Despite Xing Shangli's declaration, Xue Jingkong refused to accept Feng Ruche's death. Xing Shangli urged him to stop, pointing out his own depleted state. He questioned Xue Jingkong's unwavering determination, asking, "Do you wish to die? You already know where your brother is. Why do you insist on saving her?" Xue Jingkong replied, filled with guilt, "If I got there earlier, she wouldn't have died."
Xing Shangli, seeing his resolve, asked if he had "fallen in love with this ugly girl." Xue Jingkong denied it, explaining that Feng Ruche was "someone special," as "she still has the memories I've wiped out." He then desperately asked if there was any way to save her. Xing Shangli revealed, "Not me. It's you. Inject her with your magic wood. The magic wood has powers. Perhaps it can help her gather vital energy."
He warned Xue Jingkong that performing such an act would deplete all his spiritual powers and compel him to stay by Feng Ruche's side until she fully recovered, implying potential unforeseen consequences. Xue Jingkong, without hesitation, proceeded with the ritual, using all his spiritual energy to save Feng Ruche. After the ritual, Xing Shangli commented, "You've used up all your powers just to save this ugly girl. What are you going to do if that mute comes?"
Xue Jingkong simply responded, "It doesn't matter," indicating Feng Ruche's importance above all else. Meanwhile, Wei Yunting visited Yu Guocong in prison, offering him wine for "the two of us" to share after "a long time." He reminisced about "20 years" and "this leg of mine," bringing up an old grievance.
Yu Guocong explained that his suggestion to ambush the enemy's camp back then, which led to Wei Yunting's injury, was intended for Wei Yunting to "take credit for it" and get "promoted," reminding him, "We're brothers forever." Yu Guocong acknowledged, "I do feel guilty. . . for what happened to your leg," but Wei Yunting angrily cut him off, "Stop bringing that up!"
Yu Guocong then questioned if Madam Xuan Ji had orchestrated Kong Sang's suicide to validate the Blood Tester deception and if Wei Yunting had purposefully "framed Pei Jing. . . and took away my power over the army!" Wei Yunting insisted Pei Jing was not framed. Yu Guocong, frustrated, exclaimed, "I just don't get it. I've been tolerating you for so many years. Why did you harm my only son? You idiot! You've been used!
You still refuse to admit it." He lamented, "I don't know since when. . . it ended up like this between us. How ridiculous." Yu Guocong then declared, "From now on, you will regret it. You'll regret not adding poison to my cup of wine. You'll regret losing your last chance to kill me." Wei Yunting, undeterred, countered, "It doesn't matter. There are plenty of chances for me to watch you die."
Yu Guocong then revealed his trump card: "My dear brother. This prison. . . was built by me." Before Wei Yunting's eyes, Yu Guocong activated a hidden mechanism and escaped through a secret passage. Wei Yunting furiously realized Yu Guocong was gone, shouting, "You're useless!" at his guards.
