KimLecap

In the novel, at first, Song and Mu Qingyan only care about their rivalry, and didn't even consider Zhou Yuqi as rival. Yet, when they saw him in action and Cai Zhao appreciating him, they realized he can really jeopardize them, which drove them into deploying different schemes to win Cai Zhao.
Here, it is much too obvious that Zhou Yuqi has something with his cousin so there is no threat.

It's a shame that they are simplifying Zhou Yuqi's arc

Well, the truth is that there was no misunderstanding caused by Qi Yunke regarding the death of Cai Pingshu's friends. They were killed because the masked guy wanted to eradicate the threat of their combined force.

Qi Yunke is obsessed because he failed Cai Pingshu, he failed the vow they had which was to fight for the righteous. However, he was attracted by Yin Dai's promise of glory as his successor and by Yin Qinglian's beauty.
I think something in him was broken when he realized that because of him, his dear friend had to go fight all alone, that he had a part in her death. He tried to make amend, to take revenge but ultimately, he can't deny his cupidity.
And in the end, he took drastic décisions.

In the 80's, Barbara Yung and Michael Miu, respectively Huang Rong and Yang Kang, were paired in the New adventures of Chor Lau Heung after filming Legend of Condor heroes - and we all saw the great chemistry between Barbara and Felix Wong.
Anyway, the pair of Barbara and Michael was one of the best in the 80's wuxia drama ❤️

I think he was fully cured when he left Qingque sect, which means pretty early in the story.

The art created by his father is really powerful so it did help him, he just needed time.

It's definitely xianxia.

In the novel, I don't remember Mu Qingyan being so poisoned...

Many things were simplified from the novel to the drama, it's quite a shame but the drama is still enjoyable.

Sometimes, they are available on youtube :)

Just some thought sharing.
Your point also makes sense :)

Haha sorry, I didn't mean to frustrate you.

I do realize that 80's drama might be to old to be watched. But it's just like with Hollywood movies watching classic such as Gone with the wind.

If you have the opportunity to do so in the future, I sincerely recommand you to watch these dramas. 🤗

Still, it wouldn't have been so predictable is there was not the cast list (we then saw that ML's dad has a twin brother) or the different trailer videos.

Besides, even the casting gives hints. When I looked at the actor for Qi Yunke, it was hard to imagine he would just be the nice and peaceful elder.

I am biased because I just finished the novel, which is pretty well developed. You really understand the why and how.

He matchmade the grandfather with a lady who had a "difficult" personality. They started all lovey but when the grandfather dis something wrong (I don't remember the detail) she left him, he got depressed and when he found her, she was about to die, blaming him for their 2nd son's early death. He got so depressed and heartbroken that he died.

Not in the novel

There is definitely an excessive use of white powder for female actresses like FL, wife of Qi Yunke, and Qi Lingbo.
For Yin Qinglian, it's so white that I thought she was a geisha...

Still, I really like the drama, the songs and BGM are all very good.
Takes me back to dramas from decades ago ☺️

Yes, I also had the same suspicions then I read a misleading spoiler like "he only wants Cai Zhao's happiness" so I thought "why not, he might just be nice".
But I was so naive, casting an actor with this face, he can't be just the nice and honest master.

Still, his backstory is pretty interesting too.

She can't see through him because he kind of raise her. He was very présent during her aunt's convalescence, helping her aunt and taking care of Cai Zhao.

I think it's obvious for us because we are used with this type of pattern in dramas but for FL, it's about someone we trust.
Can we imagine someone dear to us being a monster?

Well, for those old enough, we have been graced with the chemistry of:
1. Barbara Yung x Felix Wong - Legend of Condor Heroes 80's HK
2. Barbara Yung x Michael Miu - The New adventures of Chor Lau Heubg 80's HK
3. Idy Chan x Andy Lau - Romance of condor heroes 80's HK
4. Annie Man x Gilbert Lam - The heroine of the Yang's 90's HK
5. Noel Leung x Aaron Kwok - Revelation of the last hero - 90's HK
6. Idy Chan x Tony Leung - The grand canal 80's
And so on.
And I'm only listing chemistry between in the lead couple.

Back then, the chemistry between male actors (either brothers figures, adversaries, enemies...) or actresses was also impressive.
(The impressive Yang brothers in the short TVB drama for example)

Yet, I agree, Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan have great chemistry here, I really enjoy them together, or separate but still thinking about the other one.

Unfortunately, that's how life is and somehow, stories mostly reflect perceptions of life.

Here, I won't say that righteous sects are fully hypocrites and evil sect is misunderstood.

Here, I would say that some individuals in righteous sects are hypocrites who manipulated the goodwill of those who want and believe they are doing right. What is interesting here is that it's seems hard for the mass to voice up against those hypocrites because some are blind to these manipulations, or maybe maybe some think about the greater good and don't want to damage their own side.

Regarding the evil sect, as usual, the range goes from open mind to unethical approach to wicked and evil beings...

Face to these situations, one of this drama solution is to erase the roots of everything wrong.

I don't know for wuxia dramas in the past 10 years but for xianxia dramas, it was indeed quite boring (lot of 3 cycles of love, lot of blood here and there, etc.)

This drama is pretty refreshing for me. It reminds me of the 80's HK wuxia dramas. I was afraid the ending would be like 90's. There is a nice vibe of Legend of condor heroes or Heavenly sword and dragon saber. And back then, the supra trope was already used.

A good work with the songs and the BGM.

The best message in this drama is that you will always be acclaimed for fighting "evil", but there will not be as much support to denounce hypocrisy.

There may be no such definite good and evil, the line between right and wrong is very thin.

The key is to be true to oneself.