Mizuhira-san

Is it fate, or is it a choice?

This is one chilling episode. When a parent decides, it's absolute, and nothing can stop them from protecting their children. No matter how good a person was, their morals and principles get tested when confronted with huge dilemmas that revolve around their beloved people. For the Zhuangs, it was Zhuang Shen (to avenge his son), then it was the Empress (to avenge her father and to protect her son, and their rightful status). For the Murongs, it started as a grudge by the son, Murong Yao, which led to the father Murong Zhong choosing the bloody path to cover for his son... The Fengs' harsh past pushed the Emperor on to a twisted road, which eventually broke the relationships not only within the family, but also with his close aides, who once served the country and fought on the battlefields together during their younger years. So what exactly went wrong? Was it simply one's fate, or was it the choices these people made? It's such a dilemma....

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To protect what you hold dear

I see this episode not as a rebellion arc, but more like different factions going to great lengths to protect what they hold most dear: status, family, and future. In such times when d8@th would always knock on one's door at the most unexpected times, people take huge measures to protect their beloved, sometimes to the point of no return. Humans are such fragile beings that a small stain can make them waver, and it's hard to keep tiptoeing on the thin line of good and evil. As of the latest episodes, we see that the villains weren't purely villains from the start; they were made to become one. These people fell victim to the deadly sins of human beings, be it due to revenge or led by desperation to count on the last remaining silver lining they have to survive...

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A wistful dream

A safe haven built for both demons and humans crumbled in just one night due to a certain demon blinded by greed. Qing Li, known as a butterfly demon, appeared humble and kind, yet she betrayed the trust of those who believed in her and let down Zhang Qi's sincere love for her. In truth, she was a Ghost-faced Moth that preferred the familiar darkness to the brightness her partner represented. Her foolish envy and obsessions drove Qing Li to cultivate the 'Chakuwa' flower for ten long years by luring innocent humans and demons to the Peach Blossom Village, all under the guise of helping them find a place to call home. Zhang Qi remained unaware of her schemes until he himself fell victim to them. Sometimes, love isn't everything, but it is also love that can transform us into someone unrecognisable, whether good or bad.

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An episode for the sweet tooth, mixed with bitter feelings

The roller coaster ride has set off to a new destination, Zhennan. With the ignorant, lovesick princess in tow, Xia Jing Shi was able to escape from the grasp of Susha's territory. How foolish the princess consort was. I can't even find the words to describe her anymore. It's exhausting to watch her trying to win over her love. How can she threaten her blood-related older brother by pointing a dagger at herself to negotiate!? I'm totally speechless! Despite all that, her brother let her go.... NOW onto the sweet scenes! They are so romantic! The way FSG held YX during the fireworks scene was so tender, and YX holding the clay figurine SG made for her was just like a mother protecting her child..😸 MOST IMPORTANTLY, the kiss!!! KYAAHHHH!!! Help! That was soooo hot!!! 😍❤‍🔥

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An episode of hurtful wounds

This episode is filled with emotional scenes at every turn and made me tear up at certain scenes. One of them is the d8@th match between Yi Xiao and her former comrade Wei Ran. The latter has wronged her along with their master, for a certain mission which they see differently about its consequences. One side wanted to sacrifice while the other wanted to protect. Wei Ran was nothing more than a loyal subordinate, might I say, too loyal, for him to even betray his sworn family for the bigger picture his master decided to achieve. Yi Xiao got hurt trying to stop them and their delusional plan. Even after all that, Yi Xiao decided to let Wei Ran live, due to her remaining familial affection she had for him. That was her final mercy. Another scene which made me emotional yet again was when ML tried to comfort FL. Li Qin nailed it as the devastated Yi Xiao after learning the truth from WR. And lastly, that hurtful conversation between Feng Sui Ge and his younger sister. Wow, how could she even utter those words towards her brother like that? A sheltered princess who knows nothing about the outside world.. Feng Xi Yang will only understand when she actually faces hardships and the brutal reality herself. I can feel the hurt Feng Sui Ge felt when he heard his sister's harsh words. They pierced like sharp knives right through the heart...

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Siblings; old and new

As a favoured child, Qiao Yan wouldn't truly understand the hardships Xu Yan had faced, and all the unfair treatment she got from her parents. However, it's heart-warming to watch them walk side by side like they did when they were young, talking freely without any masks or concealed secrets. I'm glad Xu Yan is opening up to her elder sister slowly. On the other hand, we can see another sibling relationship between Xu Yan and Shen Hao Chen, her young brother-in-law. The poor boy is like the black sheep of the family, always causing trouble at school. However, that's just because he wanted the love and attention of his mom, dad and older brother. I think Xu Yan sees that, because she was the same. Xu Yan saw her past self in this young boy and wanted to help mend the relationship he has with his family members, but they are all 'too busy' to listen. The child is not an asset, and Xu Yan needs to knock some sense into the Shens' heads...

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Like a beautiful tragic poem

Wangquan Fugui is the young master of the Wangquan clan who's burdened with the responsibility of being the most powerful member of the family and a 'Soldier' who hunts down demons. His father, Wangquan Hongye, is a poor man who carries old scars from his past of losing his friends and loved ones. Buried in guilt, he vowed to never let his son walk the same path as him, which turned him into a cold, distant person who would push his only heir to his limits, to be able to master and wield the 'Heaven and earth' sword technique. The way Wangquan Hongye treats Fugui was unacceptable as a parent, but in my humble opinion, Hongye's actions and decisions stemmed not only from the burdens of both his past experiences, but also from a sense of foreboding from his dreams. He didn't want to break the promise he made with his late wife, Dongfang Huaizhu, and to avoid his wife's sacrifice from becoming all for naught. Although I haven't watched the prequel, [Love in Pavilion], it breaks my heart to watch these broken people consumed in their own anguish. A father who can't forgive himself for his past actions and mindsets which dragged the people close to him to their demise, and a son who want nothing but the love and acknowledgement from his father; both of whom are suffering from their inner demons... As long as their inner demons run wild, we won't be seeing any redemption arc especially for the father, who had long thrown his heart to the abyss. He would just be headstrong about fulfilling the last wishes of his late wife and taking on the responsibilities of protecting mankind in his new, strict and heartless ways, in contrast to his kind-hearted younger self...The opening episode is just like a sad poem, a requiem of sorts, that bring us back to the past which shaped the lives of the Wangquang father and son of present time... The BGMs and the hums in these songs were laced with nostalgia, heartbreak, regret, and most importantly,... hope...

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