Mysterious Lotus Casebook

EDIT: BRILLIANT

EDIT AFTER FINISHING THE DRAMA:
I certainly don't regret the subscription fee in the app. My points in the first version of this review still stand (read below). Everything had it's logic, no gut punching turning tides events for the sake of dramatisation, very nicely paced, keeps you glued to the screen. I especially appreciate Wanmian's character, you go girl!!! The character and actor of Di Fei Sheng (thank you so much to casting directors, I LOVE to see Xiao Shun Yao like this). There's an extra small episode in iqiyi app, but you don't really need to watch it, it doesn't add much to the ending. Although I would've appreciated a happy happy ending, the ending they wrote was understandable. Personally, this drama is up there on my list with the best ones on my list. I hope this writers team will do more dramas like this in the future.

Original review I wrote after watching 10 EPs, unedited:
I've watched 10 episodes so far and boy, I'd binge this in one day if I could but I don't have the time for that lol.
Storyline is catchy so far, great cliff hangers which make you want to watch another episode. Some cliff hangers spread even through two episodes which I like, it's a smart move.
I've watched many series and dramas from many countries, so some mysteries are a little see-through for me but it's fine. It's good that the writers put the storyline logically.
I like that there aren't crazy fast movements from one location to another, no big storyline jumps, just a normal pace for when you want to chill while watching.
The only annoying thing so far is the immense amount of Fang Duobing's lines, like he's talking TOO much in some places, but I guess it's part of the charm of his character.
Two of my favourite things so far - Xiao Shun Yao is one of the main characters and he finally has screen time!
And most importantly THERE'S A DOG AND HE SHOWED UP REGULARLY IN THE SERIES.

I'll let you know my final rating once I'm finished :-)

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a wuxia drama that EVERYONE HAS TO WATCH

You know that feeling after completing a show and one of your first thoughts are "Wow, it'll take a long time to find a drama like this again."? This was what I felt after watching MLC.

As someone who loves whodunit shows, I liked how they incorporated about 8-10 different mysteries in these 39 episodes while linking all of them for the overall story. The chemistry between the 3 male leads were also great and their personalities were all so extremely different but ironically complemented each other well. The pacing of the story was also to my liking. I can't exactly point out how and why, but it reminded me of the drama "the Untamed" - the vibes at least. The story continuously moves, so there's no filler episodes and the drama had me SEATED. I think what made me rate this drama a 10 instead of a 9.5 was the final plot twists in the last few episodes which had me gasping.

Overall, this drama is easy to watch and very suitable for wuxia and bromance shows lovers to watch!
p.s. the women in this drama are all SOOOO GORGEOUS

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Three bros, one mission: solve crimes, argue over swordsmanship, and look dramatic doing it

When I picked up this drama, I did not know the hype surrounding it. I just clicked because Cheng Yi is in it, though I was somewhat disappointed at first because it took me about 10 episodes to get used to Cheng Yi’s real voice. After overcoming that hump, it didn’t take long for me to be engaged in this intricate story about the once-glorified martial arts master becoming Sigu’s Sherlock Holmes. With unlikely side-kicks, Li Lian Hua traverses the pugilistic world, solving mysterious cases.

This is the third drama I’ve watched of Cheng Yi’s and he has proven again that he can definitely act. I loved how he portrayed Li Lian Hua’s brazenness with an ample amount of impertinence without coming across as arrogant. His comedic timing is impeccable without trying too hard. His facial micro-expressions were nuanced, but subtle. It was entertaining to watch him at work and the investigations were never dull.

For their part, both Joseph Zeng and Xiao Shun Yao delivered their roles respectively as Li Xiang Yi’s past rival and an ambitious wanna-be hero. It was funny to see how Di Fei Sheng stubbornly clings to their past conflict, to determine who is the best swordsman in the world, while begrudgingly admiring Lian Hua. Fang Duo Bing, on the other hand, is an over-eager neophyte trying to prove his mettle. Together, the three of them form an odd friendship that stands the test of time as they fight against the injustices of the world like the three musketeers.

The rest of the cast were not as memorable, but they were not one-dimensional and served their purpose. The major strength of this drama, aside from the trio, is the intricate plot. It’s thrilling but not too convoluted nor difficult to follow. Explanations brought forth by Lian Hua were plausible and not too farfetched. A drama that kept me on my toes and is not predictable is a plus in my books.

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Absolutely amazing story with one major issue

The best Cdrama I've ever seen. The story is really complex, you have to pay a lot of attention even on the little details so it can be a little bit hard for the first time, but it's very interesting, filled with lot of emotions. And even though there is a major plot twist, you can watch it multiple times.

Some people are angry about Li Xiangyi basically giving up on his life, but I think he wanted to erase the selfishness he suffered from. Even though he talks about his past self being arrogant, and selfish in reality he wasn't. But he is feeling that so he chose his path to be like this. I really liked how Li Xiangyi's and Li Lianhua's character was very different but still really similar to each other.
Forgiving the person who ruined his life by poisoning him was a little bit annoying but it's his life, his choice.

Fang Doubing was a little bit arrogantat the beginning but he wasn't full of himself at all. He always wanted to help others and his character development showed how much he doesn't resembles to his father.

Even though I gave 10 points to everything I had only 1 big problem with the story: Bicha poison.
It's so annoying we only know one thing about this poison: it's uncurable. But still we know nothing about how did the Demon lord made it. It seems to be a little bit stupid to make a poison without an antidote but still, it could have been used much more. Except for Li Xiangyi we never heard about anyone else who was poisoned with it. If it's the deadliest poison why didn't they use it more? Instead they are using Nanyin's poison wuxin huai which can be cured (for example De Feisheng). It would be much better to talk more about why is this poison so deadly, and to be honest why is it so rare they never made it again. For example they could have said it can be made only once bc it needs something so rare to make it. We didn't get answer for this.

Except this this series is really the best I've seen so far.

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Cheng Yi nailed it again....

I swear to God, Cheng Yi perfectly suits wuxia and xanxia roles. He plays each character as if they were made for him and seemed like his other selves in another world.

I rarely watch series without romance in it, but MLC was another exception. Instead of a fast-paced drama, they focused on solving each case, like a detective novel. My fave part was the Yipin Tomb. The martial arts scenes were on point. Was quite entertained everytime Fan Duo Bing got duped by Li Lian Hua, being the gullible and a kind-hearted guy that he is. Di Fei Sheng's character was a bit impressive as well, being the formidable leader of the Jinyuan Alliance but later on became friends with the two. Having highly skilled friends traveling along with you, LLH doesn't even have to lift a finger. They can wipe out any sect, honestly. If there's one thing I didn't like in this series, is Qiao Wan Mian. Her role may have been Li Xiang Yi's former lover, but she wasted a decade of her life pining for someone who might've been dead. She could've made use of the time to revive the Sigu Sect, as she was also considered a senior member and a master. I would've wanted her to become someone dependable, just like Shi Shui.

As for the open ending...Well, It would've been perfect if they just found a way where Styx flower grows and have Li Xiang Yi / Li Lian Hua take it. At least give him another couple decades to live and roam the martial arts world with his two buddies. Any maybe give Su Xiao Yong a chance to be LLH's end game? Haha.

Anyway, kudos to the staff and cast for a great show. Congratulations to MLC for bagging high spots in Weibo rankings as well.

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THE MOST INCREDIBLE WUXIA DRAMA I'VE EVER WATCHED

This is really good! I'm lost for words!! Usually I really skip scenes but this one, I didn't skip anything and sometimes I repeat scenes coz I want more!! (Specially the dance LXY had!! It was soooo mesmerizing ugh!!) EVERYTHING IS REALLY GOOD HERE! The actors, actings, osts, storyline, the plot and settings! It was perfect (well atleast imo hehe)

If you are hesitating to start coz there's no romance, you better start it nowwwww!! You don't really need romance to make the drama incredible (imo hehe) And I love the friendship here!!! It was beautiful and tbh I want someone like xiaobao in my lifetoo coz he is a keeper!!! I wanna keep him!! TT

I LOVE IT!! THAT'S IT! AND I WANNA REWATCH IT!! ❤️❤️

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Can we release our inner Li Xiangyi and embrace the Li Lianhua within us?

I haven't written any reviews before, so please forgive me if this one comes across as a bit "sentimental." But I can't help it; my feelings for this incredible drama are overflowing, and I truly hope that everyone else can experience the same joy I have.

This is a wuxia drama that's packed with action and filled with intriguing mystery-solving cases. These cases gradually unravel the profound mysteries of Li Lianhua/Li Xiangyi's world, on life, friendship, and the struggle he face. The story is an enjoyable ride, largely thanks to the laid-back and charismatic character of Li Lianhua. His perspective on the world, his values, and his journey towards redemption are truly captivating.

In between, there's the pursuit of youthful spirit, Fang Dou Bing and the rivalry spirit, Di Fei Sheng. It's Li Lianhua who remains the central focus. Their interactions build a beautiful foundation of friendship, understanding, loyalty and unwavering support.

Ultimately, what this story conveys to me is the importance of letting go of things that are beyond our control. It encourages us to find the courage to forgive and forget. It emphasizes the value of friendship and loyalty. It delves into the internal struggles that all humans face in their daily lives. The question it poses is profound: Can we release our inner Li Xiangyi and embrace the Li Lianhua within us?

I ended my review with the quote below.

" The battle at the East Sea ten years ago was on this day. 27th of the twelfth month. It is today. I didn't expect after fighting to the death ten years ago, ten years later, we'd be drinking together like this. That day...That year... The moon that year was not as bright as today. The moon that year was just like today. It was just like today. Li Xiangyi is dead. But his sword is not dead." - LLH and DFS (in the wedding room of JLQ)

" Everyone in this world only wanted a divine god Li Xiangyi who could do anything, but at least there was someone who treated me as ordinary person Li Lianhua, persistently without fail. Then, that is enough." - LLH to FDB (off-screen - script excerpt, not in the drama)

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“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.” ― John Lennon

This story is the perfect example for this because i was having a mini heat attack followed by a short deppression because of how the 40 th ep ended, and i have not been happy like that for years(well the time between untamed and this)to find that there was a special ep. the story is quite messed up unless you are interested in something less romantic and more thrilling if you are a sherlock homes fan i would ask you to have a go with this. it is indeed a mysterious story. the author talent is making things believable was what is to be mainly appreciated.
there aren't may too unusual "coincidences" like other xianxia and wuxia drama i have watched lately.
casting cheng yi as li xiang yi and li lianhua was so stupendous and he did a great job bringing the character to life.
although li xiangyi and li lianjua are the same person there is vast diffrence in their attitudes and the way ot show the transition of the world famous li sect leader of sigu sect, li xianyi to a wandering physician(fake)who doent seem to care about anything but about how to die.
he meets a person fang duobing, who claims to be li xiang yi's one and only disciple and ends up teaming up with li lianhu(who is li xianyi)and solves a bunch of myserious cases togather and finally becomes friends and confidents.
they solve that that are related to a 100 year old conspiracy that is related to li xiang yi himself and about his lineage.

IT IS NOT A ROMANCE DRAMA AND HAS GOT A LOT OF MYSTRIES AND THRILLS AND IT IS NOT FOR SOME ONE WHO WANTS UNBELIVABLE STORY AND TWISTS.
YOU CAN GIVE IT A TRY BUT CANNOT GUARANTY ANYTHING TO EVERY ONE BUT IS THE SECOND MOST FAVORATE DRAMA IN MY LIST.

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! MUST WATCH !

the more people ask me to tell them more about this show, the more i can’t stop talking about how amazing and breathtaking it is. music, acting, plot and everything is just too perfect. the ending was really bitter but i loved every part of it because Li Xiangyi finally got what he wanted and needed for 10 years. i did kind of wished for him to stay alive and see him with Fang Duobing and Di Feisheng but after all, he didn’t want to be saved. the friendship between the trio, Fang Duobing, Li Lianhua and Di Feisheng was everything for me,
the reason i watch this show over and over.

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Good Watch

One of the strongest points of this show is the plot itself. The pacing to me was great, the scenes would always feel important to the plot, and every case was related to the main story. The way it was all weaved together was amazing: the mystery reveals would take place at the perfect moment, the action scenes were very satisfying and the relationship development among the characters were well fleshed out. It is so refreshing to find a drama that let the plot naturally explore the relationships that would form among the characters rather than let the relationship (the romance, for example) drag the plot along. The action scenes were also all amazing - they really showed us how mighty these characters were, especially Li Xiang Yi/Li Lian Hua. The audience could truly feel that he was the best who was around! The choreography and execution really lived up to the hype that the scenes were trying to make us feel.

However, what truly kept me glued to my screen was the acting. I have some gripes about the acting of some of the supporting characters BUT the main trio was amazing throughout the entire drama. Special shoutout to Cheng Yi, who was nothing but only brilliant in portraying Li Lian Hua. He truly brought the character to life. He weaved in certain mannerisms and behaviours that may have been subtle and even unnoticed but they filled in Li Lian Hua's personality tremendously, to the point where I could feel his emotions - his feelings of grief, regrets, affection and betrayal - very, very deeply. Joseph Zeng and Xiao Shun Yao also showed that they understood Fang Duo Bing and Di Fei Sheng greatly, and their performances allowed for the perfect chemistry among them three as they journeyed towards uncovering the mystery that had been haunting them for years now.

Overall, you should give this drama a chance! It was definitely worth watching.

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