Starting this show was a bit of a whim because I've heard so many stories about how good it is. I’m going in completely blind, with no idea what to expect, other than it being a story about a deep bond between two men in the martial arts world. 🙂The concept of the "Seven Nails" seems like an interesting plot driver. So far, I have no real clue what’s happening—except that the main guy wants to die and has chosen a slow, painful way to do it. I don't quite understand his reasons for this particular choice yet, though I suspect it might be related to the death of his younger brother. 🤔😔I also discovered that this was apparently Zhou Ye's first role! I’ve only seen her as Yanhui in Back From the Brink, and comparing the two, this character seems somewhat similar—lots of energy and personality. 😏After just one episode I still know very little, but it is definitely interesting enough to keep me watching! 😏
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The Patriarch is quite clever... making everyone believe they are fighting for the real Dragon Sword... tsk tsk tsk 👆🤨However, to me it looked like Su Muyu and Bai Hehuai were a bit shocked in a bad way by how the Patriarch had tricked them. I wonder if that will change their relationship in any way. 🤔 And, of course, I could always turn out to be wrong, lol!Knowing this now, it's funny to think of all those guys believing they have become the Patriarch. Now the Mu family leader has not only a fake sword but also that promise Su Muyu made—to kill him with his own hands. And we all know Su Muyu keeps his word; it's like a personal code he lives by. 👆🤭But what else caught my attention was the Patriarch's question to the guy from the Soul Reaper Hall: "Who ordered you to kill Second Master Tang?" Does that mean the Patriarch wasn't the one who killed him and Black Tortoise is after the wrong guy? Or did I misunderstand something there? 🤔
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I am really enjoying all the internal politics within the families. Their relationships are quite complex—full of backstabbers, double agents, and those with hidden agendas. So interesting!I also loved the explanation behind the names Mu Yu and Chang He: the first meaning "Evening Rain" and the other "Prosperous River." Those names fit their personalities so well! 😏🤔😌One thing that confused me, however, was the conversation between Su Muyu and the Patriarch about the poison. I thought the red veins were the poison, but Mu Yu said he had dispelled it. Now the question is—are those veins something else, or was Su Muyu lying? 🤔Regardless, I loved how he told the Patriarch that his one condition was that Chang He's death is off-limits. That man is not to be touched! 😏 And the ending of the episode was amazing—Chang He knows best just how superior Mu Yu is to Su Ze in power and skill.And most importantly, even if just for a brief moment, I got to see my favourite couple of "enemies"! 🥰
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I loved how Su Zhe completely changed after finding out Bai He Huai is his daughter. I didn't even know I needed that relationship in the show! Su Zhe is actually so funny, and he’s totally fine with her calling him a "scummy father", lol! 😂We already saw that guy from the Xie family killing his own family member, and after he exchanged those secret lines with Su Cheng He, it’s very clear he’s in an alliance with him. I suspect the poison girl and the coin guy from the Mu family will eventually end up in an alliance with Su Muyu as well. It’s so interesting to see how all the alliances will unfold! They are already there, only I just don’t know all of them yet. 😏Overall, this episode was amazing! It wasn’t as much about the fights for me as it was about the relationships. And that last scene, with all of the Zodiacs kneeling before Su Muyu, gave me goosebumps! 🔥👏😌
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It looks like the members of the 12 Zodiacs are from all three families—Mu, Su and Xie. I didn’t catch that before! Now I wonder if they are considered betrayers of their families. At the moment, as the fight for the Patriarch's title and sword intensifies, all those families are going against the 12 Zodiacs, who are the only force standing between them and the current Patriarch. 🤨And the healer really does have her own agenda with the Patriarch! I think she did exactly what he accused her of—trying to spy on his mind and memories. However, I was a little confused: was it Su Zhe who was freed from being Kui? The marked guy the healer knew? It seemed that way, didn't it? 🤔In this episode, it felt even more like there's a potential romance arc between Su Muyu and the healer (sorry, I keep forgetting her name!). But I must say, I felt he could have a strong bond with the poison girl, too. I'm not sure if it's brotherly, just friendship, or something more. That guy is still a complete mystery to me! 🤔😏Also, that landing with the umbrella reminded me so much of Mary Poppins—I couldn't help it! 😂 And his 18-sword technique was just EPIC! 👏🤩😮
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I’m curious about what those red veins on Su Muyu’s neck mean! Is it lingering trauma from the city where everyone died, or something he got from the Patriarch when he refused to kill Changhe? I also wonder if there is a deeper relationship forming between Su Muyu and the physician.However, my heart still belongs to Rabbit and Black Tortoise. Their dynamic is so entertaining—it’s becoming very clear that he is completely into her! 🤗😏😂
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I thought the Patriarch was the most powerful person for all the assassins, but is it actually Soul Reaper Hall? Anyway, Su Muyu is the only one who has ever refused to assassinate the people that the Hall ordered, thus earning the title "Three Refusals." That says a lot about his character—he has some moral code and a self-drawn line that he is not going to cross, no matter who asks him or what are the consequences. 😯😏However, this stand naturally puts him in danger... so, to save his friend, Su Cheng He agreed to take all the tasks Su Muyu declined, earning himself the title "The Undertaker". This is one of the relationships I’m already deeply invested in! 🤗The other one, of course, is Rabbit and Black Tortoise. She is constantly flirting with him, and he is clearly barely holding himself together to avoid falling for her charms. In the end, even when she’s gravely injured and they are supposed to be "enemies," he still won’t let her die and even heals her. I could watch those two all the time! Even though I know they aren't the main focus of the story... oh boy, are they enjoyable! 😏🔥The third thing I want to mention is the healer girl because it feels like she has a secret agenda. She asks way too many questions, gives suspicious looks to everyone, and even knows secret Su clan techniques? Any one of those things would be suspicious on its own, but all of them combined just shouts it! 🤔😯
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The fighting scenes and abilities are truly amazing! The CGI for their skills looks like a high-definition video game, and the music is an absolute treat for my ears! 🤗However, the scene with the Lump Children was soooooo creepy! 😱 The masks alone were scary enough, but combined with that song, it was honestly worthy of a horror movie.After two episodes, the show looks very interesting. I can't entirely grasp the relationships between—or even within—the clans yet because the dynamics vary so much, but I’ll likely get there as the story progresses.But what I loved the most were Rabbit and Black Tortoise! Their chemistry could set my screen on fire, even during a fight scene. I suspect we might have an "enemies-to-lovers" trope in store for us, and if that’s the case, I am totally here for it! 🤗😍✨
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Oh, Gong Jun looks so badass! I already love his character, even though I know so little about him. 😍
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This episode was incredibly sad, filled with farewells—some by free will, others forced—but all of them were painful to watch. It is especially heartbreaking that the separation between Chang Yu and Zheng was so full of hurt and resentment. If only they would speak from the heart and explain the bitterness weighing on their minds... but instead, they chose to hide behind sharp words and cold phrases. However, I was thrilled to finally see a kiss, even if it was somewhat forced and bittersweet.When Chang Yu learned that Yan Zheng had been called to the front lines in Lucheng, she didn’t hesitate for a single second. She was ready to drop everything and run after her husband. It just goes to show that you can’t fool the heart; when you truly care for someone, your first instinct is to rush to their side, no matter what.Even the Marquis, as ruthless and cold as he can be, kept his most precious memory of Chang Yu: the blue ribbon. When he marched into his fortress on horseback, clad in his Marquis armor, that ribbon was tied in his hair. It was such a powerful, silent signal of his true feelings. And he left a token for her too, as a birthday gift—wristbands designed specifically for her.I’m really hoping for their reunion soon.
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This episode really raised the stakes! It started with Yan Zheng’s diversion, allowing Chang Yu to successfully hide Bao'er. From there, the tension only built during Chang Yu's rescue mission for Yu Qianqian. Her path led to the Magistrate’s mansion, where she found an unlikely ally in the Magistrate's arrogant daughter. Locked in her room while her father was held captive, the daughter was surprisingly cooperative. She even tried to trade Song Yan back to Chang Yu, though Chang Yu had no interest in the man. Ultimately, a deal was struck: save the Magistrate in exchange for Yu Qianqian’s release.Then, the real mastermind was revealed. While the other factions believe Wei Xian is behind the chaos, it’s actually Prince Changzhou’s favoured son, Sui Yuanqing.The highlight of the episode was Chang Yu disguising herself as a maid to get to him alone. He initially intended to use her for his own pleasure, but our girl was one step ahead—rope around his neck and a knife at his throat! The Prince’s reaction was fascinating; initially surprised and angry, he quickly became intrigued. Smirking flirtatiously, he seemed amazed by our "wild beast." The way he kept repeating that he would remember her—his eyes practically on fire—made it clear she has already become his obsession. To make matters worse, he knows there is a connection between the Marquis and this intriguing girl. He taunted the Marquis with yet another smirk, mentioning how "sweet" her skin was, sending Zheng into a fit of rage as he chased after the sassy Prince.The ending was touching, yet bittersweet—our lovers reunited at the place they first met. Zheng is clearly relieved she is safe, but the Prince’s words are obviously still haunting him. The music in this episode was incredible; it elevated the action-packed scenes and perfectly amplified the tension and suspense.And of course, the Magistrate had to claim all the credit for the planning... what a good-for-nothing man! I could say so much more, but no need. This episode was packed with everything and executed beautifully... 10/10 for me!
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This episode was quite calm overall and filled with so much love, but I was so angry at everything that interrupted those almost-kisses in the beginning! First, Chang Yu falls asleep, then little Ning runs in, and the next morning when they finally try to talk about it, Yu Qianqian arrives... aaaaah!I loved Mr. Zhuo's gift to his wife. He is actually very attentive and clearly loves her. They quarrel like a classic old married couple, but it’s so sweet to see that side of them. 🤗The moment that lady appeared with the gift for Bao’er, I was suspicious right away. I didn’t trust her for a second—and I was right! She turned out to be Qi Min's spy. Also, how did Madam Yu’s maid lose the children again? Her excuse was being distracted for a second, but she wasn’t even near them; she was too busy buying that food with the red balls on a stick!I’m very confused about Qi Min’s true identity now. Previously, I thought he was Prince Chengde because he had the seal, but this episode Zheng said he’s Sui Yuanhai, the eldest son of Prince Changxin. Either Zheng mixed it up and thought Qi Min is the other brother or I just misunderstood it before! I’m sure it’ll become clearer to me as the plot moves on.It’s official now... Zheng leaves in three days, right after Chang Yu’s birthday. I am sad already knowing this happiness and peace will end so soon, but I know the plot needs to move on. Honestly, I’ve been ready for the next phase for a couple of episodes already!
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This show surprises me more and more with every episode. I love the games everyone is playing, the pieces being moved, the lies being fed, and all the backstabbing.This episode was beautiful in many ways, especially watching how deeply in love Chang Yu and Yan Zheng are. The preparation for the New Year was so heartwarming. It was so nice to see Zheng agree to write blessings for the whole village—including Granny Keng! Even though he stated before that he doesn’t do things on demand, only when he wants to, he did it for them.If I understood correctly, is Qi Min a former Crown Prince of Changzhou? Was he the prince who was caught in the fire with the Marquis’s father? That would definitely explain the possible scars! I have to say—if Qi Min and the Marquis of Wu’an team up, I am so for it! They could be the "baddest of the bad" on the battlefield. That’s exactly what I want to see from freedom fighters: going all-in against the enemy. The only concern now is making sure Qi Min doesn't betray our Zheng.I cannot wait for the next episode and many more after that. I need to see what happens next!
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Very Qianqian-centric episode! We finally got to learn more about her past. I am not sure yet if the grey-haired man, Qi Min, is the one she's been hiding from, but she feels like she knows him and has those nightmares where he's in a mask.She said he had a different voice and a scarred face back then... so I wonder, maybe some magical medicine cured the man? He seems very possessive of her, obsessed even. Not sure if that can be called love, but we'll see. He has such a scary aura and a chilling way of talking. Also, it looks like he's sick, coughing from time to time—I wonder if he coughs blood? It wasn't really shown yet.But I loved how he dealt with the drunkard Mr. Wu and that gossiper Mrs. Sang! They both deserved every bit of that and much more for everything they did.Ning and Bao Er were so cute together! I really loved the part when the kids ran from room to room—the camera work was amazing there. I was so scared for them when Qi Min heard that noise while they were hiding in the chest... omg, I prayed they would be fine! Thanks to that random man who accidentally pushed the lantern, they were. Phew... Zheng found them in the most adorable "sleep-together" afterward. :)Chang Yu's jealousy bits were perfect! Let's see how she'll act when her husband pretends to be Qianqian's husband. That is, if he agrees...
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Zheng's love for Chang Yu reached yet another level in this episode, showing the Marquis of Wu'an's true ruthlessness toward that meat guy. I loved how he turned so fierce and protective, ready to kill just because that guy "wanted to scare her". Uff, the feels! I loved every single bit of it.I was so looking forward to seeing how the plot with Gongsun and the disguised scholar would evolve. This episode revealed her as the Grand Princess, Qi Shu. Gongsun recognized her and noticed the Empress Dowager An, using her as a distraction to lure Li Huai'an away from the Marquis.He had to give up his heart for that plan; I saw how sad it made him to lose the Go partner he had waited so long to meet. The Princess’s heart just broke as well from this unwanted separation. I really like this couple, and I hope the plot eventually works in their favour.I am still very intrigued by Yu Qianqian's background. Who was the man she married? Who is the father of her son? Who is she hiding from? It really looks like she and Qi Min have a history. Either way, the plot is thickening and slowly moving into the next phase. I expect a major shift soon, as way too many people now know the Marquis is alive. I can see the chessboard of the political game moving, and a war is clearly brewing.P.S. I just can't... the actor playing Zhou Ran, Han Yi Ting, looks so much like a young Hou Ming Hao... those eyes!
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IrenaK