ADAPTED FROM BAI LU CHENG SHUANG'S LOVE IN THE CLOUDS
Are you all right?
Why did only you come? Where's Ming Yi?
How is His Lordship?
The Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop has been removed,
but the netherbeast core inside him is leaking.
He could lose his mind at any moment.
Be careful.
Ming Yi?
-Ming Yi. -Ji Bozai.
Ji Bozai. Ji Bozai.
Wake up.
What happened to him?
His body and mind are weak.
Even the nightmares he finally let go of
have returned.
Nightmares
about the Sunken Abyss?
His Lordship once told me
that being poisoned there kept him alive,
though at the time,
he wished he'd died instead.
Those miasmas and herbs kept him alive.
But it wasn't until he met Bo Yulan
that he was truly healed.
It's all right.
I'm here.
You're safe now. It's all right.
It's all right.
You're safe now.
You're awake.
Finally!
At Mu Qibai's instigation, Meng Yangqiu
poisoned me with a Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop.
Mu Qibai will probably come soon with his men
to pin the crime of raising netherbeasts on me.
Am I alive now
only because of you?
Buxiu went to Dragon Carp Terrace first to stall them.
Then I went to help.
We're allies.
Of course, I'd protect you.
Yesterday at Shouhua Academy,
everyone said I was raising netherbeasts.
Did you not suspect I might have
absorbed the netherbeast core for myself
instead of refining it?
What?
So, you really didn't.
Earlier,
did you also believe I never plotted against Ming Xian?
I trust you.
You entered my Spirit Well, didn't you?
Yes.
So, you know everything?
Yes.
I know you hid
the Golden Millet Dream in your Spirit Well.
Everyone in the Six Realms covets it.
You had a chance to take it.
And I'm Ming Xian's greatest rival.
You could have eliminated me
once and for all.
Though gravely injured yesterday,
I could still sense
you using Jixing Abyss spiritual power.
It was the Graft Spell, right?
You could've kept your identity hidden from me.
Why didn't you use it before?
I got tired of lying to you.
So, I stopped.
Will you lie to me again?
Are your feelings for me
real?
-I… -Your Lordship,
Lord Hanfeng and Immortal Situ are here.
It's about time Mu Qibai came.
You carry netherbeast energy. How will you face them?
Let me handle it.
Immortal Situ, you rarely show enthusiasm for work,
yet whenever it concerns Wugui Sea,
you're always the first to arrive.
Who exactly are you doing this for?
Lord Hanfeng, what are you implying?
Investigation and law enforcement are the duty of the Judgment Hall.
No matter the case,
I'm obligated to uncover the truth as soon as possible.
You tried to frame my husband with some caltrop,
and you still dare to cause trouble at Wugui Sea today?
Since the day the sinner Hou Zhao turned himself in,
I'd suspected
someone in Jixing Abyss was raising netherbeasts,
so I ordered a search.
Little did I expect
Ji Bozai to be the culprit.
-Now, with solid evidence… -Solid evidence?
Tell me.
What exactly makes it solid?
After Meng Yangqiu gave Ji Bozai a Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop,
Ji Bozai started to emit netherbeast energy.
Everyone at Shouhua Academy saw it with their own eyes.
-Yes. -Many people saw it.
-It's absolutely true. -Yes.
Do it!
Wait.
Everyone knows
that those who raise netherbeasts
carry lingering netherbeast energy that never fades.
So, let's test him again.
If no netherbeast energy is found this time,
it will prove his innocence.
This Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop was retrieved
from Shouhua Academy by the Judgment Hall after Ji Bozai left.
Ming Yi,
may I have the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop
taken from Ji Bozai?
I can remove its power so it won't detect anything.
It disappeared when I took it off him.
I couldn't keep it.
Don't worry.
I'll find a way to prove Immortal Ji's innocence.
Thank you.
How can you prove
this Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop hasn't been tampered with?
Then examine it yourself, Lord Hanfeng.
Anyone who raises netherbeasts
wouldn't dare touch it.
Situ Ling is bluffing him.
Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop.
Immortal Situ, is this really the same caltrop as before?
If it is,
how can you hold it barehanded?
The caltrop can detect netherbeast energy,
but it's harmless itself.
Of course, he can touch it.
Really?
But Lord Hanfeng told me
it must never be touched directly,
so…
-Meng Yangqiu! -What's happening to Meng Yangqiu?
-Yeah. -Meng Yangqiu!
Something's wrong.
-Is his old illness acting up? -Meng Yangqiu.
Meng Yangqiu.
Yan Xiao, check on him quickly. What's going on?
He looks like he's dying.
Hurry, see what's wrong.
What's wrong with him?
-Yes, hurry. -Something's off.
-Right. -He was fine just a moment ago.
Meng Yangqiu.
-Ji Bozai? -He found out?
He saw through it.
Lord Hanfeng, are you trying to kill him here in my Wugui Sea?
Exactly.
Well…
Kill him?
Bozai, what are you talking about?
Ji Bozai
has netherbeast marks on his face!
He's tainted by netherbeasts!
If Lord Ji truly keeps netherbeasts and has been corrupted by them,
he would've lost his mind long ago and fallen under their control.
But look, he stands before us, perfectly sane.
What more proof do you need?
-Ji Bozai… -Did he really…
You want another test with the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop?
Did he really do such a thing?
I'll do it myself.
Immortal Ji dares to touch it barehanded.
-I don't think he keeps netherbeasts. -I think so too.
That brat Situ Ling tricked me.
This caltrop can't detect anything.
Just a petty trick.
I saw right through it.
It may be petty,
but it's enough to expose you.
How…?
Your Lordship!
Lord Hanfeng has netherbeast marks too!
-How could that be? -Right.
-How's that possible? -Has he…
Has he been raising netherbeasts?
Hard to say.
Right.
I simply channeled the netherbeast energy
that was once forced into me back into the caltrop.
Lord Hanfeng,
you must be familiar with this technique, right?
The energy you injected was a bit too strong.
It took me more time
to recover my appearance.
Is this true?
Did Lord Hanfeng really do such a thing?
He wouldn't stoop so low, right?
How can he do that?
Now you see.
My husband never kept netherbeasts.
The problem has always been that Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop.
Meng Yangqiu was tricked by Lord Hanfeng.
In truth, Lord Hanfeng tampered with that caltrop
to frame me through Meng Yangqiu.
I merely used his own trick against him.
If you do not believe me,
I can go to the Judgment Hall with Lord Hanfeng
and settle this once and for all.
-Good idea. -Yes.
-Another test. -Exactly.
-Do a test with another caltrop, -Another test will do.
and all will be clear.
Lord Hanfeng,
do you not dare?
Then please, Lord Hanfeng and Immortal Ji,
come with me to the Judgment Hall.
I will uncover the truth
and find out whose body truly bears netherbeast energy.
The Judgment Hall enforces the law impartially.
Do you intend to defy it, Lord Hanfeng?
All the immortals are watching.
It was me.
I accidentally harmed Immortal Ji.
This is the truth, Chief Situ.
It's all my fault.
His Lordship knows nothing.
You tried to harm Ji Bozai?
Since Ji Bozai became an immortal,
Jixing Abyss has seen many disturbances,
so I wanted to test him with a caltrop.
But that caltrop belonged to the sinner Xun Ming.
Xun Ming probably tampered with it.
My negligence caused this chaos.
It has nothing to do with Lord Hanfeng.
Please punish me, Chief Situ.
You didn't know Xun Ming tampered with it,
yet you knew it couldn't be touched by hand?
All is my fault.
Please punish me.
Lord Hanfeng,
you really should be raising dogs.
Otherwise, your talents are wasted.
Surely you jest.
I've failed in my duty.
I raised these worthless "dogs" who brought shame upon me.
I failed to discipline them
and ended up causing harm
to your body and mind.
Since he has confessed,
Chief Situ, please investigate impartially and strictly.
Of course.
And don't forget Meng Yangqiu.
He was the one who gave Bozai
the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop.
Bring him away.
Now that the matter is settled,
we will take our leave.
-I knew Immortal Ji was innocent. -Yes, he's innocent.
We are sorry, Immortal Ji.
We misunderstood you before.
-We truly misunderstood you, Immortal Ji. -We misunderstood you.
Please, Lord Hanfeng,
find the one who's been keeping netherbeasts
and tear them to pieces.
Certainly.
When that day comes,
I will invite you both to witness it.
Great.
-Granny Xun. -Yes.
See them out.
Please leave.
They're finally gone.
How did you suddenly think
to plant a caltrop with netherbeast energy back onto Mu Qibai?
Situ Ling's plan
was simply to use a weakened caltrop to solve the immediate problem.
But those who wish to frame me
will always come up with new tricks.
So, I muddied the waters.
Then they would have no leverage against me.
What's wrong?
I think the Graft Spell backfired.
It reverses spiritual veins. Dangerous indeed.
-Let me take a look. -I'm fine.
I…
Mu Qibai just lost a round.
He'll try to get back at you.
Go and refine the netherbeast core.
I will head back now.
After some rest, I'll be fine.
Be careful when you refine the netherbeast core.
Yan Xiao, what are you doing here?
Shao Qun took all the blame.
The Judgment Hall can only punish him according to the law,
so I came to get you out.
What's wrong?
Look at me now.
You must be laughing at me inside.
It's not that bad.
Come on.
But Yan Xiao,
I really can't figure it out.
What on earth is going on? Ji Bozai is innocent.
Lord Hanfeng's men tried to frame him.
But why?
What does Lord Hanfeng even want?
And now,
Tianji will never forgive me.
How can I ever explain this to her?
Yangqiu, how could Tianji possibly forgive you?
You and I are both Lord Hanfeng's men.
And anyone who serves Lord Hanfeng
is naturally Tianji's enemy.
-I am Lord Hanfeng's man? -Right.
Since when?
-You have always been. -Why?
I'm just distantly related to him.
Tianji was close to him as a child
and often brought me along to play with him,
so I got to know him too.
Lord Hanfeng is just a relative with an official title.
Every time you had those meetings,
pre-meetings, meetings within meetings, and whatnot,
I just happened to be included.
How does that make me…?
I guess I really am his man.
So, that means you are too, right?
-Let's go. -Oh, right!
You used to be just a guard.
Lord Hanfeng helped you become a physician.
No wonder Tianji never seemed happy to see you after that.
Yangqiu,
maybe you should learn to be a bit sharper.
I'll never go near Lord Hanfeng again.
Yan Xiao,
you won't either, right?
Why aren't you saying anything?
When he tried to kill me, did he give you a signal?
Did he tell you
to kill me?
I'm right this time, aren't I?
We're close like brothers.
He ordered you to kill me.
Isn't that enough to make you stop working for him?
Did it never occur to you
that I would have killed you?
Of course not.
I know you well.
Lord Hanfeng used to be kind,
but now he's cruel.
Why would you want to keep serving him?
You want to become a physician?
What a joke!
What are you doing?
Lord Hanfeng.
You were all promoted by me.
Is this how you serve His Majesty?
By bullying a colleague?
Our apologies, Lord Hanfeng.
Pick up his books for him.
-Yes. -Yes.
Remember,
from now on, no one is to bully Immortal Yan Xiao again.
Understood.
Lord Hanfeng,
you know my name?
I remember the name and background of every one of the 9,000 members
of Jixing Palace.
Thank you for standing up for me.
Even in your humble position, you remain diligent.
If all of Jixing Abyss's young ones were like you,
I would have no worries.
From today onward, you have access to the Langhuan Pavilion
to study medical texts.
I hope that one day, you will become a physician.
Lord Hanfeng…
My goal is to make Jixing Abyss rise above oppression
and for its descendants to live free from humiliation.
You will be able to walk that upward path,
right?
I won't fail your expectations, Lord Hanfeng.
Is there a reason why you have to serve him?
Why must there be a reason?
Yangqiu,
let me tell you the truth.
I chose to serve Lord Hanfeng.
I wanted to climb higher through his power.
Why are you so surprised?
Meng Yangqiu, you come from a family of wine immortals.
No matter what happens,
you can still live comfortably in Jixing Palace as a casual immortal.
But me?
I have no one to rely on.
No one has the right to judge how I choose to rise.
Only those born to comfort and privilege
can afford to care about dignity.
Let's go.
Yan Xiao,
should I write a letter of apology to Tianji?
Shao Qun…
Greetings, Lord Hanfeng.
It's time to find an opportunity
for His Majesty to take this.
That won't be necessary, Lord Hanfeng.
His Majesty is old and frail.
Even without intervention, he will not last long.
This elm was my favorite.
After it withered,
I tried many ways to revive it.
But its roots were too weak.
No matter how carefully I tended to it,
I could not bring it back to life.
So, why not uproot it,
bury it
with those other plants that can no longer grow,
and turn them into nourishment?
Perhaps then it might live again
and one day grow into a towering tree
that shelters all beneath it.
If you wish to save this elm,
I will return to study my medical texts.
There may still be a cure.
Even with your skill,
you cannot ease the pain I feel right now.
Yan Xiao,
the choice is yours now.
Will you save one person today
or save millions in the future?
Immortal Ji, the netherbeast core in you keeps leaking.
You must refine it again as soon as possible.
You forced your way out of seclusion,
and after removing the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop,
your body has become dangerously weak.
You're now even more vulnerable to the netherbeasts' temptation.
You must hold fast to your heart
and not let them cloud your mind.
Are you really going to refine us?
Ji Bozai,
I can grant you the greatest power in the world
and make you the strongest in all Six Realms!
Join us!
Stay off my bed. You shed.
Ming Yi, you've been suppressing
the aftereffects all this time in order to save Buxiu.
You are truly tough and heroic.
I'm just lucky Ji Bozai didn't notice.
It actually took me an entire day to treat the aftereffects.
The more petals this Grief Blossom loses, the worse it gets, huh?
So, you do realize it.
Ming Yi, we do aim to destroy the netherbeast army,
but as you see, the situation now is…
I know.
Time is running out.
So, Twenty-Seven, listen carefully.
If something happens to me,
you must sever our master-servant spiritpact in advance.
At least one of us should survive.
How heartless are you?
I treat you like family, and you treat me like a stray cat?
I'm just being reasonable here.
Am I wrong to say so?
-I'm only talking about a possibility. -That won't happen!
His Lordship is in seclusion refining the netherbeast core.
Before leaving, he gave me a prescription
and told me to gather the herbs accordingly
and take care of you.
Here.
Wugui Sea is truly busy today.
We have another visitor.
Ming Yi, you used a lot of spiritual power yesterday.
I brewed this Jade Dew Tonic for you.
It will help.
Thank you, Immortal Situ.
From yesterday until now,
you have helped me twice.
-I really don't know how to repay you. -If you are willing,
repay me with your hand in marriage.
I'm joking.
I ask nothing in return for what I do for you.
Immortal Situ, I…
I only hope
that when you someday leave Ji Bozai,
you will remember to come to me.
Immortal Situ,
I'm not the person you think I am.
Even if I were,
you don't need to be so…
Ming Yi,
I once lived
like a walking corpse,
unable to see any hope.
It was because I met you
that I made it this far.
What you have done for me
matters far more than you realize.
Well…
-This… -May I
keep this hairpin as a memento?
This is my…
Has Your Lordship found any new leads in Wugui Sea?
Ji Bozai did create a real Spirit Well
and hide the Golden Millet Dream inside it.
Ming Yi must have married Ji Bozai because of that,
to form a heart imprint and share divine consciousness.
So, she also knows that the Golden Millet Dream
is hidden in the Spirit Well?
She shares divine consciousness with Ji Bozai,
so why hasn't she
entered the Spirit Well to take the antidote?
Given how cunning Ji Bozai is,
he must've hidden it somewhere even more secret.
There is another possibility.
She couldn't bring herself to take it.
Impossible.
Only those who share divine consciousness
can enter each other's Spirit Wells.
Your Lordship cannot reach the Golden Millet Dream for now.
But that person already discovered your whereabouts.
For your safety, let me kill him.
He once showed interest in me.
If I offer myself,
he will drop his guard.
Fuyue, I don't need you to go that far for me.
This is between him and me.
Arrange a meeting with him for me tomorrow.
Remember, I will go see him myself.
Not you.
You returned empty-handed again
from raiding Wugui Sea.
If Situ Ling hadn't interfered,
everything could've gone according to plan.
The Situ family has always been loyal to me.
I don't know what's with that youngest son of theirs,
but he keeps sabotaging my plans.
-I've sent people to look into it. -Enough!
How dull are you?
After all this, do you still not realize whose side Situ Ling is on?
I…
will deal with him myself.
Understood.
Although we didn't succeed this time,
the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop did serious damage to Ji Bozai.
He must be retreating to seclusion now
to refine the netherbeast core again.
If we can find his hiding place,
we can destroy him in one strike.
Do you have a plan?
I do have one.
You know too little about Ji Bozai,
which is why you keep making mistakes.
Please instruct me, Your Lordship.
Ji Bozai was gravely wounded yesterday.
His companion beast should not have been able to counterattack.
Yet his silver dragon defeated you all.
Do you know why?
Yesterday at your mansion,
I saw a woman with spiritual veins.
She was the one who beat you.
Ming Yi?
As I recall,
you know a soul-seizing technique
that can shatter a person's guard
and force them to tell the truth.
You know what to do, right?
Tomorrow, make sure you draw Ji Bozai out.
SILK SHOP
-Flowers! -Come quickly!
Take a look, miss.
I like this one.
-Take this one, then. -All right.
Flowers! Have a look!
-I'll take this one. -Flowers!
-Sure. -Here.
Thank you. Come back again.
I never expected a mere dancer like you
to be so defiant.
I only want you to casually lure Ming Yi over.
It's a simple thing.
Why make yourself suffer so much?
In your dreams.
Give it back to me!
Give it back!
What are you doing?
Lord Hanfeng.
When Situ Ling came by yesterday, what did he say to you?
He said to remember to come to him if I left Ji Bozai.
-Twenty-Seven! -No way.
That was a plain love confession!
How could you just say that so calmly?
It's not like that.
He used to be bullied by his older brothers.
I took him to the Qingyun Tournament to cheer him up.
He's probably just grateful to me.
If you ask me,
he's just confusing gratitude with affection.
He will understand in a few years.
Didn't you tell him you weren't Ming Xian?
Yet he keeps helping you
again and again.
He's a stubborn kid.
What if he can't move on?
Then I…
"Need to discuss something with you. Zhang Tai."
Fuyue…
MOONLIT BLOSSOMS
…get people to get Chao Yu drunk,
and I will handle the rest.
My dear brother,
you don't really think
luring me here
with the Golden Millet Dream's whereabouts
gives you a chance to kill me, do you?
In your dreams!
Just like your lowborn mother,
you don't deserve to live in this world at all.
"All is proceeding as planned.
We await Your Lordship.
Respectfully, Lord Hanfeng."
Do you remember
the day you stood against me with Ming Yi?
One look,
and I knew you liked her.
Useless fool,
you actually fell for a married woman?
I will show you
what will happen to the woman you love.
Chao Yu,
what are you going to do?
If you lay a finger on her…
Just wait and see. on her…