Queen_Myrna

First of all, I came to this drama with little to no expectations after the debacle of first installment: Red Moon Pact. This one thankfully made up for it in a way that it gives me confidence and hope for the last one. Plus this show introduced me to actor Zhang Yun Long whom, I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of before...I even dismissed him when he was first announced as the ML *shame on me* and thought he would be a miscast and a bore to watch (never judge a book by its cover haha) Anyway, skills have done the talking and I'm glad to say that from now on, I'll be looking forward to his next works (man is underrated and deserves more lead roles)

Acting is top-notch, chemistry between the cast is harmonious and very natural making easier for the audience to bond with each character (something RMP failed to do miserably imo) The more you feel for those characters, the more you dread their impending deaths. Camaraderie is one of the strong point of this drama. It was heartwarming but also heartbreaking following their adventures and their fight against fate. Though it was a losing game, they still put their all to defeat that cunning enemy. They clearly underestimated their opponent. Was it foolish? Very much but that's what youth is all about after all...recklessness and cockiness. They learned it the hard way, paying a huge price with the loss of their lives. Masked group got almost entirely annihilated leaving our hero and Qu Zhou the only survivors of the pack , utterly consumed with guilt and grief. No wonder he is this cold and jaded in 'Sword and Beloved' ... Man is broken.

I don't know what exactly people were expecting...that sad ending didn't come as a surprise at all since it was foreshadowed in the 'future' (Sky City arc) and told as a backstory in RMP. The only thing that changed in that timeline: Wangquan Hong Ye is alive.

Another good point is that villains were more compelling and charismatic than in RMP. Black Fox and Lord Jiu Huo were riveting and badass. I even felt bad for Jiu Huo on how he was still clinging to his past love, Jia Lan, still believing he could revive her only to find out he was manipulated all along by Black Fox who impersonated his loved one just to use him for her own agenda. Black Fox is a manipulative and sadistic villain, feeding on humans' weaknesses such as love, fears, guilt etc... a really powerful and formidable villain.

I know many felt that main couple was boring but I beg to differ...their love was poetic, mature and unconditional but unfortunately bound to end tragically. That last straw (the loss of his beloved wife, Huaizhu) hardened our ML's heart beyond repair and allow us to have a better understanding of his character in the sequel 'Sword and Beloved'

Like I said in another post, plot is tighter than first installment and less confusing. Editing was also better.
Some loose ends here and there but nothing detrimental. Mu Mie/Leech demon's arc was probably my biggest gripe, they didn't have any satisfying closure imo. They just go their separate ways and forget each other? I was so invested in their cute lovestory for what? I didn't buy into that dual personality/different person bullshit. Him loving Red eyes more wasn't convincing at all. Such a cop out *sigh*

Qin Lan was also forgotten in the end...as a main character, you didn't even bother/care to explain what happened to her or whether she was still alive after jumping from this cliff (ok, no one dies from those cliffs🤣 and because I watched first part, I knew she survived but still🙄)...fortunately some kind souls posted that special clip of her being rescued by her future husband and that beautiful convo she had with her son Yue Chu (Red Moon Pact's ML) Don't tell me they couldn't include that clip into the main drama? 🙄

OST was beautiful, poetic but also catching. It will probably be on repeat mode for most of my 2025 (special mention to Zhang Yun Long's song 'Bamboo Night' which he personally wrote/composed/sang *mad respect*)
Cinematography was stunning, CGI was good enough imo and costumes/makeup/wigs were fabulous (Leech demon and Snake demon Hong Ye's makeup have my heart *so pretty*)

Rewatch value is good and I highly recommend to give it a chance. Don't be deterred by first part which was confusing and far from being a good introduction to the Fox Spirit's world.
I would even recommend you to watch this one first (since it's a prequel) and follow suit with Red Moon Pact...who knows? You may enjoy it better this way in the end.

After completing and tremendously enjoyed 'Love in Pavilion', I'm even more pumped up to watch the finale. Third part promised to be even better! (already watched the trailers and it looks insane!)+ Cheng Yi/Li Yi Tong as leads is more than enough to lure me in💯