Thank you for the mention of the Freud article contrasting Mourning and Melancholia. Before I get to that pertaining to Tang Lici, an overview of the novel versus drama for a certain trio is necessary.
What is novel-Tang Lici? He is from the future as the lead singer of Bronze Flute and one night, his own father Tang Yingdi declared Fu Zhumei to be worthy as lead singer and better than Tang Lici, taking Tang Lici’s place. Tang Lici himself is a perfected embryo of science, before he was born as a baby to the very-rich people whom he knows as parents. Liu Yan’s education was sponsored by Tang Lici’s parents, and he grew up with Tang Lici. He became a bodyguard to Tang Lici. Liu Yan and Tang Lici are from the future. The Celestial Realm did not exist, except in the drama.
Novel-Liu Yan was never a leader, always needing someone around him to have a sense of direction if he was not being directed to do something. WoF preserves these character traits, such as when Gui Mudan reveals to Liu Yan about the extent of Liu Yan being manipulated by Gui Mudan and how easily Liu Yan can be controlled by Gui Mudan.
For 38 chapters of the novel, A-Shui is aware that Tang Lici doesn’t love her, and this is what aids her self-preservation. Anybody who has properly read the entire novel can see that Tang Lici doesn’t love A-Shui, and this is especially true after 46 chapters. Within 26 chapters, Tang Lici told Liu Yan that because Liu Yan loves A-Shui, Liu Yan wants to protect her but because Tang Lici loves A-Shui, he wants to break her.
In their own ways for at least 38 chapters, Liu Yan and Tang Lici don’t respect A-Shui as someone who wants to be seen and understood. You would question what they understand about love. They have only projected their own visions onto her. But where Liu Yan despicably raped her and got her pregnant and she suffered a miscarriage after he fell into Xifang Tao’s trap and could not protect her from the consequences from other jealous female followers of Fengliu Dian, Tang Lici was very visible about his boundaries and barriers with A-Shui.
With civil careful cruel grace across more than 46 chapters, novel-Tang Lici made it clear what he thought of A-Shui relative to his usual considerations. He has been gallant in his actions. He did not physically harm her or violate her, and extended to her more kindnesses and protections than the other men who made her suffer. He also made it verbally clear what she had to give him if she wanted to be valued by him as more than what she had been getting from him, which primarily requires her giving him complete sexual domination over her and breaking her. He didn’t go as far as classifying her as a definite friend, and it was cruel to label her a courtesan with specific context. He doesn't press her to give in. He was frank and let her choose. His attitude was gracious and charming and uncompromising (take it or leave it is the impression you get).
As self-protection at one point, she mentioned loving Fu Zhumei to Tang Lici (which is true up to a certain point, because Fu Zhumei did touch her heart). She didn't know how Fu Zhumei is an emotional barb to Tang Lici. In Chapter 42, A-Shui is telling herself she must not fall for Tang Lici or it will only lead to her ruin. She also argued with Liu Yan after chapter 44, being verbally forceful that she doesn’t want to fall in love with Tang Lici after hearing Liu Yan's views.
Novel-Tang Lici’s bearing is gentle, refined, elegant. He is not verbose. His words are carefully calibrated. He is careful in how and when he utilises his presence. He does not like to be threatened, and he does not allow the old, the weak, the helpless to be killed for his sake. He made this punishingly clear to Bai Suche in the novel. To live is by his grace, to die necessitates his consent. He is an accomplished martial arts warrior, ruthless and precise. He is incredibly rich. Many women want him. And yes, a part of Fang Zhou is preserved in his abdomen.
Novel A-Shui is a character made interesting by circumstances. Novel A-Shui is not an interesting character. What I mean by this distinction is that due to having to continuously respond to the circumstances, A-Shui becomes interesting because by herself and with Fengfeng, she would be a normal single mother of zero notable skills not unique to the jianghu. But because of being made to suffer hardships due to two idiotic men (Yes, I am labelling Lord Haowen and Liu Yan here because in the novel they are horrible idiots IMO), and being forced to endure, plus share observations of Tang Lici or others plus interactions with other interesting characters and situations, she learns lessons while knowing enough about Fengliu Dian. Teng Ping thus makes A-Shui interesting.
Novel-Shen Langhun notes A-Shui’s lack of timidity at putting herself in danger to help others and is surprised, but he doesn’t know A-Shui feels soul-weary at not being truly seen by anyone while always having to be calm and resourceful with no one to lean on. I wonder if Novel-A-Shui’s ideas for herself at least once involved being willing to get herself killed for the sake of helping another person, so she wouldn’t have that burden anymore.
Novel-Liu Yan is a character made interesting by circumstances, but not an interesting character in himself. Novel-Liu Yan also tries to be someone he isn’t when emulating what he thinks is the worst of Tang Lici and in doing so, he fails at being truly bad (and this is emulated in the drama, where Tang Lici rubs in the fact to Liu Yan of Liu Yan not being able to truly scale to any height, be it good or bad). Novel A-Shui and Liu Yan are reactionary. Drama-Liu Yan is more interesting than novel-Liu Yan for me, but they both have the same flaws of being unable to plumb the depths of good and evil.
Tang Lici is an interesting character who drives and creates changes and circumstances. Yu Tuan’er is also an interesting character with those traits, just like Wanyu Yuedan and Fang Pingzhai. Novel-Xifang Tao is a VERY interesting character but would never be allowed into a drama, so they preserved Xifang Tao’s key traits which Chen Yao brought out wonderfully.
There’s one group known as Seven Cloud-Walking Blossoms in the novel which doesn’t exist in the drama. It is the dynamics of this brotherhood which also contributes to a fascinating novel, but I can also see why it was removed for the screenplay of WoF to make this drama Tang-Lici-centric. Yique Yinyang-Gui Mudan, Fang Pingzhai, Kuanglan Wuxing, Mei Hua Yi Shu and Xifang Tao as Yu Konghou belonged to this brotherhood. The novel has several more characters, all of which are interesting.
Wanyu Yuedan understands Tang Lici and Wanyu Yuedan is best-suited to enable Tang Lici to improve emotionally, but alas, between the two of them? All I can say is Wanyu Yuedan is someone I lament as only being a friend to Tang Lici.
Now, as to mourning and melancholia, for Tang Lici -> Novel-Tang Lici does not know what is mourning or melancholia. He would rather die than ask for help. His self-recklessness is balanced by wanting to keep Fang Zhou alive inside him, even if doing so is killing him. Tang Lici clearly rejects the idea and process of mourning. If Tang Lici was sat down and told about mourning versus melancholia, he’d still reject both processes also because his ego is buried in a state of suspension along with his deepest emotions which enable true transformation and grieving. He doesn’t see himself as worthless or inferior. He sees himself as capable enough, only sometimes he wants help and doesn't want to feel as if he carries the world. He does not seem to be aware he seeks a mother who would truly die for him. It's the parts of himself that he refuses to define which tips the balance of his decisions. The worth of his life is arbitrary to him, because that worth depends on the moment and circumstances and what he measures. He doesn't have melancholia. He's not interested in mourning nor melancholia. He'd vanish from a psychiatric couch the moment he realises he is on one.
This man-child is versed and primed in defences against all the wiles and cynicisms and exploitations of the world. What would truly touch him is someone noble of self and does not want or expect anything from him, male or female. And stubborn enough to make him realise. In the novel, the only female who meets this criteria is Yu Tuan’er, Liu Yan’s redemption. Shui Duopo is male in the novel.
What would make him open up? Someone who can see him as an equal and he can see as an equal, who can touch him emotionally. And he must want them to stay. Someone similar yet different enough. Someone emotionally strong and whole. If that is the entire classification… Only Wanyu Yuedan meets this difficult threshold, for drama and novel. For the drama, Shui Duopo meets this as well. But drama-Tang Lici, despite not being as emotionally volatile and psychologically cantankerous as novel-Tang Lici, has barriers somewhat similar and as tough as novel-Tang Lici. Being willing to die for Fang Zhou but not willing to share his plans in that aspect with anyone else (except Shui Duopo) is that example.
Novel-Tang Lici has had girlfriends and is experienced in pleasures of the flesh. He wants to have someone he can confide in, but he doesn’t want to be seen. He wants an equal. A mirror. An opening. If anyone is to see through him and wants to be able to stay with him, they would either have to abide by his verbalised rules or defy those rules in such a manner that Tang Lici wants them to stay. A-Shui abides by his words also because she is herself, character-wise. She can create surprises, but she will never go beyond a certain estimate of herself. She understandably cannot be the difference Tang Lici needs, and that results in her failure with Tang Lici not willing to recognise her as a specific individual and who she truly is beyond the verbal boundaries he has instituted.
Novel-Wanyu Yuedan telling or not telling her about Tang Lici would not have made a difference to the outcome between Tang Lici and A-Shui. They are completely incompatible.
Be it the drama or novel, Wanyu Yuedan is capable of defying Tang Lici and making himself a true friend of equals with Tang Lici, but Wanyu Yuedan has no intention and no interest in occupying such a position. Drama-Shui Duopo can also do this, because she decides where she wants to be and what she wants to do.
Tang Lici in the novel is condemned to eternal loneliness. If A-Shui had stayed with him instead of her being given money by him to leave him (which she does not take a cent of), would he be happy? No. People age. People change.
It is the only ending novel-Tang Lici could have had, because psychologically and emotionally he is frozen in an ice coffin that he cannot dig himself out of. In his case, two hands must clasp.
A-Shui was never his equal and never perceived as an equal. She was never suitable for him. She has good qualities that normal men prize, but this is Tang Lici whose psychological issues make him unsuitable for anyone, unless they can heal him. That seems to be only possible with Wanyu Yuedan. I'm sure Wanyu Yuedan can sense the details of a healthy love that could help Tang Lici change in a healthy manner and doesn't involve a specific motherly love craved by Tang Lici, but that would require getting completely consumed and burned. I wonder if Teng Ping realised this, and possibly she did. Novel-Tang Lici is a fascinating compelling character, but not a character I would recommend someone loving unless they know how to handle him. A force of nature is something I can appreciate from a distance, because I can gauge how tiring and exhausting and possibly destructive it would be up-close. I would have wanted to see Wanyu Yuedan having more of a friendship with Tang Lici, in the novel. Wanyu Yuedan can definitely handle him.
A-Shui can give Tang Lici peaceful nights for a short period of time, but for the long-term? No. This reality is not her flaw. It is ultimately due to his flaws, flaws shaped very cruelly in the modern era before he came to the time period of the novel. He also cannot give her what she truly needs and deserves. Can A-Shui truly and fully relax with Tang Lici for several days in a row, seeing him everyday and spending at least half of every day with him? No. Reading objectively will lead anyone to these conclusions.
When Tang Lici chooses in a much-later chapter to hurl A-Shui into harm's way to shield Liu Yan and protect Liu Yan, it is a cruelty lacking certain intentions that irreversibly breaks something he had preserved with her up until then. It doesn't make him different from the other men who have savaged her. I would say his choice of doing so is in a way, even more cruel than the two men who repeatedly raped her at different parts of her life, because she loves Tang Lici. But he never asked her to love him. He never asked her to promise him anything or give him anything. He has been clear about his priorities. What has he promised her, until that point? Nothing.
Do we fault someone for falling in love with us, when we never ask for it? Do we fault them for being shocked or losing something in their feelings for us, when we do something not outside of context relative to what we have previously told them ie how we view them relative to us in terms of dearness and position? What should A-Shui fault Tang Lici for, given all of this? What is your answer?
This is the novel, as I see it.
Teng Ping wrote herself into a corner with Tang Lici before that much-later fiasco happened, abandoning the novel until it was adapted for a drama, and then resumed writing. That is the sorrow and beauty of the Tang Lici who must understand "Enduring A Thousand Tribulations" to find himself in a place of being truly willing to see himself and come to terms with himself by coming out of his inner prison, instead of remaining buried. He finally achieves that, with no one else to bury. And when Teng Ping resumed writing, it is unavoidable that she took Tang Lici on this unchangeable path to his inevitable finish of loneliness.
I’m sure others will disagree with me about the ending, such as RBF. From what I can see, novel-Tang Lici would never be truly fully happy. Drama-Tang Lici lived a fulfilling life, and he broke the cycle of Samsara for himself to fulfill second chances for everyone else, believing in what Fang Zhou taught about everyone being inherently good as his body dissipates. The drama was much kinder to Tang Lici than the novel, but the unfinished novel is what paved the way for all these changes to drama-Tang Lici.
Due to a mother he needed but never had, Novel-Tang Lici never truly fathomed compassion, could not birth a different path for himself, and was doomed to loneliness. Due to meeting and understanding his mother who is kind and compassionate and sees the big picture, Drama-Tang Lici realised and embodied compassion as unconditional love, and was glad to sacrifice himself for everyone and give birth to second chances without feeling lonely, because he felt fulfilled.
Does this satisfy part of your interest in Tang Lici's psychology?
Ci Sha is fantastic in the movie! He brought out the angles of Heyi Xuan compellingly. His interview about how he prepared for his role is very interesting.
Please put your comments as spoiler alerts ⚠️. Some of us are still relishing this master piece.
That account doesn't appear to have read the novel. The rambling about Blood River is also very confusing. Teng Ping abandoned this novel and left it unfinished for at least 10 years, until it was loosely adapted into the drama known as WoF. The drama gives Tang Lici the finish and focus and fulfilment of being Tang Lici, unlike the novel.
Also, 46 chapters into the novel, it's clearly one-sided while Tang Lici also institutes very clear boundaries between himself and A-Shui. He is very much about his personal boundaries on his terms, and never gives A-Shui what she yearns from him in all those chapters, but he treats her much better than the other males who had been in her life before A-Shui meets him. Within those 46 chapters, novel-Tang Lici kisses Zhong Chunji because- Anyway, that kiss never happens in this drama.
There is no romance tag applicable to this drama for substantial reasons. Some viewers need to accept the reality that there is no romance between their favourite actress and ML because the drama is heroism-focused, as per the producers making it clear in an interview way before the drama aired.
The account you are replying to clearly cannot accept the drama and the novel. They have posted comments as chunks when the drama was airing, and also when certain accounts were throwing fits over their preferred actress not winding up with Luo Yunxi.
I was initially worry about the actor ability to portray CY, never heard of his name and my general dislike for…
He definitely made novel-Chi Yun more adorable and less cantankerous! Maybe his drama 花间酒人间月 will finally be released (interesting premise and synopsis).
There are definitely many good ideas that the drama instituted versus the unfinished novel, because being in a boyband from the future instead of the Celestial Realm would have been a wee bit hard for me to reconcile XD
Who cares? Hollywood has its own people getting bitten by spider, turn into massive green giant, fly to the sun…
You are welcome. It's not difficult for me. Movies such as "Creation of The Gods" and "Blades of the Guardians" run marathons. The first movie for Creation of The Gods needed the entire summer season to see the final takings.
I've shared more details uptop about "Blades Of The Guardians". For me, the wuxia movies I primarily enjoy are from the 1990s and before. I spoke to older people who themselves didn't want to watch a wuxia film in cinemas because they felt left out. I promised them the younger and older actors and actresses can fight in this movie. No green screens, hardly any slow-motion, and no fancy gadgets or CGI to camouflage a lack of ability. If you watch Shaw Brother movies, you'd know what I mean.
BoTG already broke everything it could break record-wise, so now it is primarily about recouping its expenditure.
WoF was attacked on Douban and also on the MDL page, twice via ratings and continuously throughout the airing of the drama by multiple troll accounts.
The most vicious troll account on the MDL "Whispers of Fate" drama page pretended to be a Luo Yunxi fan while also attacking the drama in different ways (such as purposely misleading others about statistics), and that user is now persona non grata amongst all Luo Yunxi fans internationally and domestically. That one also was dishonest about the novel that WoF is based on, so I started explaining very-specific-parallels of the unfinished novel with the drama to specific viewers, after the drama finished airing.
WoF page in November 2025 saw claims at one point about the donghua Renegade Immortal resembling Whispers of Fate romance-wise between two specific characters. Multiple viewers rebutted at least three accounts for clearly not knowing anything about "Renegade Immortal". Plus nobody starts watching "Renegade Immortal" for romance. Wang Lin and Tang Lici are as different as day and night, but Wang Lin and Tang Lici literally exert all of themselves for someone uniquely precious to them.
They deserve all the praise and recognition! 185 days.. That is 6 whole months in the desert!
They tried to summarise 15 episodes of the donghua in 126 minutes, understandably given what could be considered for a sequel. There are several changes I agree with, and one change I haven't made a decision about. I believe the movie would have benefitted from an additional four minutes taken from the manhua.
Yanzi-niang's specific scenes conveyed her character, her wit and her uniqueness very well. The team dynamics was endearing and hilarious, and quite dangerous at one point. Because of one small change different from the manhua during the sandstorm, Ani and Ayuya's relationship sisterhood-wise was enhanced and Ayuya's character also improved.
I would have wanted to see a bit more of Di Ting and Dao Ma's backstory. Yuen Woo-ping was very concise. As the man who wanted this movie made, and wanted certain actors and actresses in the casting, just watching the way he films is so oldschool and familiar, and brought tears to my eyes.
Here is manhua author Xue Xianzhe sharing a post about Yuen Woo-ping, with a video compiling several stars speaking about our beloved Director:
There are zero romance tags for this drama. If you are hoping the ML Tang Lici has a CP or is in a two-way romance, the answer is definitely no (unless you use your imagination and also ignore certain cues in the drama, then you'll be happy. All this is not difficult for some people) because a large number of viewers who don't enjoy romance are happy with this drama.
I say this because at least one MDL user misled a bunch of viewers to this page, by the time the drama aired. That user promoted and promised romance between the ML and a specific actress before the drama aired and during the airing of the drama, but hissy tantrums from those unhappy viewers occurred by the time a specific episode aired because the MDL users who honestly stated this drama is heroism-focused (as per at least one of the producers in an interview, way before this drama aired) were ignored.
That MDL user has also deleted all their weibo threads in the WoF forum above, especially after their troll behaviour of constantly undermining and attacking this drama (includes using misleading statistics to try to drive away viewers) for more than three months became impossible for fans of this drama and fans of the ML on this page to ignore.
Tl:DR -> If you're hoping for conventional romance and ML Tang Lici having CP in this drama, no.
If you want to see Luo Yunxi in a romance drama -> I suggest TTEOM or any of his other dramas where the romance pairing is definite.
If you're alright with the ML having chemistry with different male and female characters (he flirts with male and female characters in the novel), and this drama being heroism-focused on his journey with an interesting ensemble cast in a unique story where the ML is a mature protagonist akin to a chess-master, then you'll enjoy this. The ones who cannot stomach all this are perpetually stuck at episode 20 or 21, or drop the drama earlier than this. Hope this helps.
*waves* Only 16 of us at this point on MDL, with this drama as "PTW" XD
I remember adding this to my PTW list when there was less than 10 watchers and when this was mentioned (commencement shooting month is wrong at this point, but all other details...) : https://m.weibo.cn/status/5207309762691080
He is godlike, his powers are immense. There is obviously a great distance between him and the other humans. His…
I'm going to share insight into one of the fights in "Blades Of The Guardians" (please note any music isn't in the original): https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5269800286946504
I've watched this movie twice in an IMAX theatre, and I've also updated the MDL movie page with trivia and statistics. If you take a look, enjoy! I included at least one short video clip from a 1994 Jet Li movie, because I recognise several moves in certain fights and Jet Li clearly wanted this move to be included. A movie sequel is being planned. Comic author Xu Xianzhe has started to sketch for the sequel, according to his weibo.
The first movie Xu Xianzhe watched in wuxia as a child was directed by Yuen Woo-ping. To have his manhua being brought to life by Yuen Woo-ping was more than a dream come true. Xu Xianzhe is close to my age :D
He is godlike, his powers are immense. There is obviously a great distance between him and the other humans. His…
If you want to talk about females in wuxia- Wait, have you watched "Egg And Stone", a wuxia parody which I enjoyed? I and another MDL friend were having a conversation in their review comment section, where you might like the non-romance recommendations: https://kisskh.at/profile/MyLangyaList/review/300915
Historical costume C-dramas have their limitations. I'd say the females in WoF spanned a range of strengths and weaknesses, when it comes to female characters and tropes. Oh yes, have you watched "The Mirage"?
The hottest non-romance wuxia right now is "Blades Of The Guardians", the movie which has broken all domestic records for the wuxia film genre at the China box office, and also has unique female characters in the movie that are resonating with fans.
I have always found the equation between Tang Lici and Zhong Chunji very interesting. Zhong Chunji's entanglement…
Exquisite!
The connection of Fang Zhou to Tang Lici, and Tang Lici to Zhong Chunji is beautifully threaded in your mind and heart. How Tang Lici moved towards learning and embodying compassion in all its shades (as beautiful as his wardrobe) was truly splendid in the end, when he became the light of compassion in its most magnificent colour.
Whispers of Fate is not primarily about karma, but compassion and changing destiny.
And it is great that different characters and how they connect to others can touch different viewers. Great dramas have an ensemble cast able to do so.
I also wished that there had been more a bit time for the audience to see Tang Lici in his friendships with Zhong Chunji, Shen Langhun and at least two more characters, but the 40-episode limit for dramas was only recently removed. And with two more episodes...The Celestial Realm!
Wow! To get a 3.5 out of 4 from the highly influential and reliable Roger Ebert.com, is such a feat!!
I believe the overseas news is heartening, in terms of more than symbolism. Yuen Woo-ping wanted to make this movie more than 8 years ago, and finally sought out Wu Jing. Wu Jing didn't have the confidence to be part of the project nor take on the main role when he first heard of it, also because he has endured a lot of criticisms plus he knows wuxia films in general receive a lot of criticism and they don't do well. He also asked someone else for a second opinion, and they voiced all the plausible logical reasons of a wuxia film not succeeding while saying NO.
But Yuen Woo-ping managed to inspire Wu Jing.
Wu Jing also became even more determined, even after reading the source material, hence Wu Jing also became primarily responsible for drawing investments for this project. That said, why film a wuxia movie that is highly likely not to recover its expenditure?
After listening to that someone else, Wu Jing thought he had a suitable reply for Yuen Woo-ping who went to find Wu Jing in-person. In that meeting, Yuen Woo-ping took Wu Jing's hand and told Wu Jing, "京，这可能是我人生中最后一部戏了。" (Jing, this could be the last movie I make.)
Wu Jing's only reply was integrally Dao Ma, even though he didn't know it yet. "我接了。”
This project would not have happened without Yuen Woo-ping plus Wu Jing. Wu Jing mortgaged some real estate to finance this film according to one news article. Wu Jing has also made a 10-year pact with director Li Tianchi to aid martial arts and action films in China through at least one initiative.
The first 7 days of Spring Festival buzz is over, and now the post-Spring Festival period is going to ride on the coattails of the first seven days. From today onwards, "Blades Of The Guardians" is going to go through the hardest days of aiming to recoup enough of its expenditure. Just like the first movie for "Creation Of The Gods", what will be the total takings at the end of the run for "Blades Of The Guardians"?
The China box office needs enough variety. China's box office has been recovering over the past three years for the Spring Festival, but doesn't hide or help the fundamental problems with weekly attendance rates over an entire year in every cinema, each year, post-pandemic. "Nezha 2" is an outlier.
Over in South Korea, "The King's Warden" is doing well, and I hope it hits the numbers needed to really help the film industry.
Cinemas in many countries worldwide have suffered badly during Covid, and are still struggling to return to pre-pandemic…
His father had become seriously ill, and all his brothers died in battle.
Ayuya was a ray of light to Heyi Xuan, but the engagement was broken off. Lao Mo also did not want his daughter married to what Lao Mo considered a madman. Without what he considered to be his light and the Pei generals giving him the solution he needed, Heyi Xuan murdered his father to gain full lawful position as head of his clan, to go against Lao Mo. And in doing so, "take back" Ayuya as the future wife belonging to him all along, which Heyi Xuan alludes to at least twice to Lao Mo in the movie.
Ci Sha said even though Heyi Xuan's actions looks illogical and incomprehensible at first, they are necessary.
“不得不” is the key of Heyi Xuan's actions.
Zhishilang is the biggest immediate threat to the Emporer, hence a bounty of 100,000 coins versus Daoma as the second-most-wanted fugitive of 30,000 coins. The Five Clans have been given the ultimatum of helping to apprehend Zhishilang or losing their heads. One thousand Sui troops are at the disposal of the Pei generals for this matter. Lao Mo refused to agree. The other three heads of the respective clans would follow Lao Mo's decision. Heyi Xuan's choices became too obvious to Heyi Xuan.
He was once told by a seer that he would be crowned with five feathers by his beloved. And the prophecy came true. Just as Heyi Xuan finally understood what the seer meant, so will you, the viewer.
Other preparations by Ci Sha included adopting the posture of Heyi Xuan, as drawn in the comics. Facial hair such as the thin moustache, and bells when riding a horse were part of this portrayal.
In his essay of a biography about Heyi Xuan, Ci Sha also wrote about the experiences of Heyi Xuan, the friends Heyi Xuan had, Heyi Xuan's life and the circumstances. All this was in preparation for the moment the camera rolls: When Ci Sha becomes Heyi Xuan.
"As long as I become HIM, I reckon that all his thoughts, his actions and his expressions will be in place."
Working with Yuen Woo-ping gave Ci Sha a broader sense of focus. He also carefully observed the different portrayals and attitudes of Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse and other senior actors conveying their characters, as well as different working styles of martial arts by martial artists.
"The biggest emotional takeaway is that no matter the place, the time or your age, you must maintain your passion of self."
When asked what is most important for a young actor to hold onto in this rapidly-changing environment, Ci Sha almost literally blurted out, "Pure love for acting." He paused and then added, "It is necessary to maintain pure love for acting, but also a certain sobriety (ie clarity in self-awareness) when choosing roles and works." - https://finance.sina.cn/2026-02-24/detail-inhnvysx2491788.d.html?vt=4
The film industry, regardless of country, needs films such as "Pegasus 3", "Blades Of The Guardians", and "The King's Warden". I see them all as necessary. I believe "The King's Warden" should be able to reach 10 million cinema-goers. So far, my predictions for "Blades Of The Guardians" are correct.
When I write an article, I am acutely aware of the problem.
There are MDL users who are not aware and don't care. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but some people have no substance and no legs to fault productions if they are not paying for services that affect decisions in an industry, such as what types of films are being produced.
In the fight between Wu Jing and Jet Li, there are several moves that wuxia fans might recognise them using. One is a specific move involving a kick from "Fist Of Legend" in 1994, when Jet Li fought Chin Siu-ho (this entire fight is awesome including switches between fighting styles, and pay extra attention after 2:39): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JypP_UY0VgM
The best fights showcase an individual's character plus tell a story within each fight sequence of an individual.
Yuen Woo-ping had the rare luxury of working with three wushu champions in certain fight scenes. Certain fight sequences can only be filmed with such martial arts veterans because no wires are possible with the dexterity and strength required between seasoned fighters going at each other 100% ie very dangerous unless professionally capable... Minimum qualifications include those who have been in the national team and represented China in wushu and/or prodigies in martial arts. There's one point during filming when Wu Jing, Jet Li, Zhang Jin and Yuen Woo-ping are looking at specific footage after Jet Li mentioned age was catching up, and Yuen Woo-ping said the movements (specifically Jet Li) are too fast!
They deserve all the praise and recognition! 185 days.. That is 6 whole months in the desert!
Nicholas Tse was willing to risk his life and limbs given his allergies to horse hair, just to shoot this film. He had to take several antihistamine pills each time before each shooting, and the pills only last for 4 hours. He took the most pills during the shooting of the fight scenes with Wu Jing in the sandstorm. The intensive training they did with wirework for six months before shooting for the sandstorm scenes was necessary, because the risk of breaking an arm or leg or more is high when buffeted around in mid-air while swinging certain weapons.
Yu Shi didn't use any stand-ins when doing different leaps over burning oil (filming for the Dark Ox Flats).
For Wu Jing to fight and move the way he did in the trailer on horseback and on a horse is impressive, when you consider how many layers he is wearing in black throughout minimum-40-degrees-heat.
I'm grateful that I don't have to go through all that, and can sit in a cinema to see the fruits of all that toil.
Cinemas in many countries worldwide have suffered badly during Covid, and are still struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance. "Blades of The Guardians" contributes to this effort of helping cinemas by also drawing audiences aged 40 and above to the cinemas. Fans of the comic are curious, to see how characters have been conveyed. The movie adaptation of this manhua is a well-chosen bridge to younger generations who may not be familiar with Jin Yong's work and the concepts of wuxia.
I have watched this movie twice on IMAX screen. Sensation of being transported to experience a bird's eye-view is amazing, especially with the sandstorms, rolling vast sand dunes of the Gobi desert beautifully expansive and awe-inspiring, overlooking Mo Jia village, and glorious ending scenes. Pyrotechnics are insane. And each fight is wonderfully choreographed!
The ensemble cast really touched me with their efforts. Many of them them also wowed me with their portrayals. Ci Sha as Heyi Xuan is one of them, captivating me with his performance.
Ci Sha is a fan of the manhua, which was first serialised in July 2015 and is currently at 12 volumes licensed by Beijing United Publishing. Next week on 3 March, Kana will officially release Volume 1 in English.
Ci Sha read the manhua before being invited to be a part of the film. He watched the animation series by Tencent during casting, and wrote a long biography of his character which he sent to the author Xu Xianzhe, Yuen Woo-ping and Wu Jing. Discussing the inner world character of Heyi Xuan in his essay, he received approvals and he also contributed constructive suggestions to the script. For him, Heyi Xuan is psychologically complex (and I totally agree).
“成为角色本身，做好前期工作，写人物小传” - To become the character, prepare well with the preliminary work, and write a biography. He was joyous as a kid with a secret, when sharing in an exclusive interview about the audience being able to hear the bells of Heyi Xuan while riding the horse.
Hidden below the spoiler tag is what he went through, for his role:
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What is novel-Tang Lici? He is from the future as the lead singer of Bronze Flute and one night, his own father Tang Yingdi declared Fu Zhumei to be worthy as lead singer and better than Tang Lici, taking Tang Lici’s place. Tang Lici himself is a perfected embryo of science, before he was born as a baby to the very-rich people whom he knows as parents. Liu Yan’s education was sponsored by Tang Lici’s parents, and he grew up with Tang Lici. He became a bodyguard to Tang Lici. Liu Yan and Tang Lici are from the future. The Celestial Realm did not exist, except in the drama.
Novel-Liu Yan was never a leader, always needing someone around him to have a sense of direction if he was not being directed to do something. WoF preserves these character traits, such as when Gui Mudan reveals to Liu Yan about the extent of Liu Yan being manipulated by Gui Mudan and how easily Liu Yan can be controlled by Gui Mudan.
For 38 chapters of the novel, A-Shui is aware that Tang Lici doesn’t love her, and this is what aids her self-preservation. Anybody who has properly read the entire novel can see that Tang Lici doesn’t love A-Shui, and this is especially true after 46 chapters. Within 26 chapters, Tang Lici told Liu Yan that because Liu Yan loves A-Shui, Liu Yan wants to protect her but because Tang Lici loves A-Shui, he wants to break her.
In their own ways for at least 38 chapters, Liu Yan and Tang Lici don’t respect A-Shui as someone who wants to be seen and understood. You would question what they understand about love. They have only projected their own visions onto her. But where Liu Yan despicably raped her and got her pregnant and she suffered a miscarriage after he fell into Xifang Tao’s trap and could not protect her from the consequences from other jealous female followers of Fengliu Dian, Tang Lici was very visible about his boundaries and barriers with A-Shui.
With civil careful cruel grace across more than 46 chapters, novel-Tang Lici made it clear what he thought of A-Shui relative to his usual considerations. He has been gallant in his actions. He did not physically harm her or violate her, and extended to her more kindnesses and protections than the other men who made her suffer. He also made it verbally clear what she had to give him if she wanted to be valued by him as more than what she had been getting from him, which primarily requires her giving him complete sexual domination over her and breaking her. He didn’t go as far as classifying her as a definite friend, and it was cruel to label her a courtesan with specific context. He doesn't press her to give in. He was frank and let her choose. His attitude was gracious and charming and uncompromising (take it or leave it is the impression you get).
As self-protection at one point, she mentioned loving Fu Zhumei to Tang Lici (which is true up to a certain point, because Fu Zhumei did touch her heart). She didn't know how Fu Zhumei is an emotional barb to Tang Lici. In Chapter 42, A-Shui is telling herself she must not fall for Tang Lici or it will only lead to her ruin. She also argued with Liu Yan after chapter 44, being verbally forceful that she doesn’t want to fall in love with Tang Lici after hearing Liu Yan's views.
Novel-Tang Lici’s bearing is gentle, refined, elegant. He is not verbose. His words are carefully calibrated. He is careful in how and when he utilises his presence. He does not like to be threatened, and he does not allow the old, the weak, the helpless to be killed for his sake. He made this punishingly clear to Bai Suche in the novel. To live is by his grace, to die necessitates his consent. He is an accomplished martial arts warrior, ruthless and precise. He is incredibly rich. Many women want him. And yes, a part of Fang Zhou is preserved in his abdomen.
Novel A-Shui is a character made interesting by circumstances. Novel A-Shui is not an interesting character. What I mean by this distinction is that due to having to continuously respond to the circumstances, A-Shui becomes interesting because by herself and with Fengfeng, she would be a normal single mother of zero notable skills not unique to the jianghu. But because of being made to suffer hardships due to two idiotic men (Yes, I am labelling Lord Haowen and Liu Yan here because in the novel they are horrible idiots IMO), and being forced to endure, plus share observations of Tang Lici or others plus interactions with other interesting characters and situations, she learns lessons while knowing enough about Fengliu Dian. Teng Ping thus makes A-Shui interesting.
Novel-Shen Langhun notes A-Shui’s lack of timidity at putting herself in danger to help others and is surprised, but he doesn’t know A-Shui feels soul-weary at not being truly seen by anyone while always having to be calm and resourceful with no one to lean on. I wonder if Novel-A-Shui’s ideas for herself at least once involved being willing to get herself killed for the sake of helping another person, so she wouldn’t have that burden anymore.
Novel-Liu Yan is a character made interesting by circumstances, but not an interesting character in himself. Novel-Liu Yan also tries to be someone he isn’t when emulating what he thinks is the worst of Tang Lici and in doing so, he fails at being truly bad (and this is emulated in the drama, where Tang Lici rubs in the fact to Liu Yan of Liu Yan not being able to truly scale to any height, be it good or bad). Novel A-Shui and Liu Yan are reactionary. Drama-Liu Yan is more interesting than novel-Liu Yan for me, but they both have the same flaws of being unable to plumb the depths of good and evil.
Tang Lici is an interesting character who drives and creates changes and circumstances. Yu Tuan’er is also an interesting character with those traits, just like Wanyu Yuedan and Fang Pingzhai. Novel-Xifang Tao is a VERY interesting character but would never be allowed into a drama, so they preserved Xifang Tao’s key traits which Chen Yao brought out wonderfully.
There’s one group known as Seven Cloud-Walking Blossoms in the novel which doesn’t exist in the drama. It is the dynamics of this brotherhood which also contributes to a fascinating novel, but I can also see why it was removed for the screenplay of WoF to make this drama Tang-Lici-centric. Yique Yinyang-Gui Mudan, Fang Pingzhai, Kuanglan Wuxing, Mei Hua Yi Shu and Xifang Tao as Yu Konghou belonged to this brotherhood. The novel has several more characters, all of which are interesting.
Wanyu Yuedan understands Tang Lici and Wanyu Yuedan is best-suited to enable Tang Lici to improve emotionally, but alas, between the two of them? All I can say is Wanyu Yuedan is someone I lament as only being a friend to Tang Lici.
Now, as to mourning and melancholia, for Tang Lici -> Novel-Tang Lici does not know what is mourning or melancholia. He would rather die than ask for help. His self-recklessness is balanced by wanting to keep Fang Zhou alive inside him, even if doing so is killing him. Tang Lici clearly rejects the idea and process of mourning. If Tang Lici was sat down and told about mourning versus melancholia, he’d still reject both processes also because his ego is buried in a state of suspension along with his deepest emotions which enable true transformation and grieving. He doesn’t see himself as worthless or inferior. He sees himself as capable enough, only sometimes he wants help and doesn't want to feel as if he carries the world. He does not seem to be aware he seeks a mother who would truly die for him. It's the parts of himself that he refuses to define which tips the balance of his decisions. The worth of his life is arbitrary to him, because that worth depends on the moment and circumstances and what he measures. He doesn't have melancholia. He's not interested in mourning nor melancholia. He'd vanish from a psychiatric couch the moment he realises he is on one.
This man-child is versed and primed in defences against all the wiles and cynicisms and exploitations of the world. What would truly touch him is someone noble of self and does not want or expect anything from him, male or female. And stubborn enough to make him realise. In the novel, the only female who meets this criteria is Yu Tuan’er, Liu Yan’s redemption. Shui Duopo is male in the novel.
What would make him open up? Someone who can see him as an equal and he can see as an equal, who can touch him emotionally. And he must want them to stay. Someone similar yet different enough. Someone emotionally strong and whole. If that is the entire classification… Only Wanyu Yuedan meets this difficult threshold, for drama and novel. For the drama, Shui Duopo meets this as well. But drama-Tang Lici, despite not being as emotionally volatile and psychologically cantankerous as novel-Tang Lici, has barriers somewhat similar and as tough as novel-Tang Lici. Being willing to die for Fang Zhou but not willing to share his plans in that aspect with anyone else (except Shui Duopo) is that example.
Novel-Tang Lici has had girlfriends and is experienced in pleasures of the flesh. He wants to have someone he can confide in, but he doesn’t want to be seen. He wants an equal. A mirror. An opening. If anyone is to see through him and wants to be able to stay with him, they would either have to abide by his verbalised rules or defy those rules in such a manner that Tang Lici wants them to stay. A-Shui abides by his words also because she is herself, character-wise. She can create surprises, but she will never go beyond a certain estimate of herself. She understandably cannot be the difference Tang Lici needs, and that results in her failure with Tang Lici not willing to recognise her as a specific individual and who she truly is beyond the verbal boundaries he has instituted.
Novel-Wanyu Yuedan telling or not telling her about Tang Lici would not have made a difference to the outcome between Tang Lici and A-Shui. They are completely incompatible.
Be it the drama or novel, Wanyu Yuedan is capable of defying Tang Lici and making himself a true friend of equals with Tang Lici, but Wanyu Yuedan has no intention and no interest in occupying such a position. Drama-Shui Duopo can also do this, because she decides where she wants to be and what she wants to do.
Tang Lici in the novel is condemned to eternal loneliness. If A-Shui had stayed with him instead of her being given money by him to leave him (which she does not take a cent of), would he be happy? No. People age. People change.
It is the only ending novel-Tang Lici could have had, because psychologically and emotionally he is frozen in an ice coffin that he cannot dig himself out of. In his case, two hands must clasp.
A-Shui was never his equal and never perceived as an equal. She was never suitable for him. She has good qualities that normal men prize, but this is Tang Lici whose psychological issues make him unsuitable for anyone, unless they can heal him. That seems to be only possible with Wanyu Yuedan. I'm sure Wanyu Yuedan can sense the details of a healthy love that could help Tang Lici change in a healthy manner and doesn't involve a specific motherly love craved by Tang Lici, but that would require getting completely consumed and burned. I wonder if Teng Ping realised this, and possibly she did. Novel-Tang Lici is a fascinating compelling character, but not a character I would recommend someone loving unless they know how to handle him. A force of nature is something I can appreciate from a distance, because I can gauge how tiring and exhausting and possibly destructive it would be up-close. I would have wanted to see Wanyu Yuedan having more of a friendship with Tang Lici, in the novel. Wanyu Yuedan can definitely handle him.
A-Shui can give Tang Lici peaceful nights for a short period of time, but for the long-term? No. This reality is not her flaw. It is ultimately due to his flaws, flaws shaped very cruelly in the modern era before he came to the time period of the novel. He also cannot give her what she truly needs and deserves. Can A-Shui truly and fully relax with Tang Lici for several days in a row, seeing him everyday and spending at least half of every day with him? No. Reading objectively will lead anyone to these conclusions.
When Tang Lici chooses in a much-later chapter to hurl A-Shui into harm's way to shield Liu Yan and protect Liu Yan, it is a cruelty lacking certain intentions that irreversibly breaks something he had preserved with her up until then. It doesn't make him different from the other men who have savaged her. I would say his choice of doing so is in a way, even more cruel than the two men who repeatedly raped her at different parts of her life, because she loves Tang Lici. But he never asked her to love him. He never asked her to promise him anything or give him anything. He has been clear about his priorities. What has he promised her, until that point? Nothing.
Do we fault someone for falling in love with us, when we never ask for it? Do we fault them for being shocked or losing something in their feelings for us, when we do something not outside of context relative to what we have previously told them ie how we view them relative to us in terms of dearness and position? What should A-Shui fault Tang Lici for, given all of this? What is your answer?
This is the novel, as I see it.
Teng Ping wrote herself into a corner with Tang Lici before that much-later fiasco happened, abandoning the novel until it was adapted for a drama, and then resumed writing. That is the sorrow and beauty of the Tang Lici who must understand "Enduring A Thousand Tribulations" to find himself in a place of being truly willing to see himself and come to terms with himself by coming out of his inner prison, instead of remaining buried. He finally achieves that, with no one else to bury. And when Teng Ping resumed writing, it is unavoidable that she took Tang Lici on this unchangeable path to his inevitable finish of loneliness.
I’m sure others will disagree with me about the ending, such as RBF. From what I can see, novel-Tang Lici would never be truly fully happy. Drama-Tang Lici lived a fulfilling life, and he broke the cycle of Samsara for himself to fulfill second chances for everyone else, believing in what Fang Zhou taught about everyone being inherently good as his body dissipates. The drama was much kinder to Tang Lici than the novel, but the unfinished novel is what paved the way for all these changes to drama-Tang Lici.
Due to a mother he needed but never had, Novel-Tang Lici never truly fathomed compassion, could not birth a different path for himself, and was doomed to loneliness. Due to meeting and understanding his mother who is kind and compassionate and sees the big picture, Drama-Tang Lici realised and embodied compassion as unconditional love, and was glad to sacrifice himself for everyone and give birth to second chances without feeling lonely, because he felt fulfilled.
Does this satisfy part of your interest in Tang Lici's psychology?
Also, 46 chapters into the novel, it's clearly one-sided while Tang Lici also institutes very clear boundaries between himself and A-Shui. He is very much about his personal boundaries on his terms, and never gives A-Shui what she yearns from him in all those chapters, but he treats her much better than the other males who had been in her life before A-Shui meets him. Within those 46 chapters, novel-Tang Lici kisses Zhong Chunji because- Anyway, that kiss never happens in this drama.
There is no romance tag applicable to this drama for substantial reasons. Some viewers need to accept the reality that there is no romance between their favourite actress and ML because the drama is heroism-focused, as per the producers making it clear in an interview way before the drama aired.
The account you are replying to clearly cannot accept the drama and the novel. They have posted comments as chunks when the drama was airing, and also when certain accounts were throwing fits over their preferred actress not winding up with Luo Yunxi.
There are definitely many good ideas that the drama instituted versus the unfinished novel, because being in a boyband from the future instead of the Celestial Realm would have been a wee bit hard for me to reconcile XD
I've shared more details uptop about "Blades Of The Guardians". For me, the wuxia movies I primarily enjoy are from the 1990s and before. I spoke to older people who themselves didn't want to watch a wuxia film in cinemas because they felt left out. I promised them the younger and older actors and actresses can fight in this movie. No green screens, hardly any slow-motion, and no fancy gadgets or CGI to camouflage a lack of ability. If you watch Shaw Brother movies, you'd know what I mean.
BoTG already broke everything it could break record-wise, so now it is primarily about recouping its expenditure.
WoF is the most successful C-drama of 2025 if you look at all the achievements, details being so plentiful that our data masters summarised as best as they could in two posts (but still lacks quite a few details): https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146888-shui-long-yin-whispers-of-fate-3weeks-post-svip-finale-achievements
WoF was attacked on Douban and also on the MDL page, twice via ratings and continuously throughout the airing of the drama by multiple troll accounts.
The most vicious troll account on the MDL "Whispers of Fate" drama page pretended to be a Luo Yunxi fan while also attacking the drama in different ways (such as purposely misleading others about statistics), and that user is now persona non grata amongst all Luo Yunxi fans internationally and domestically. That one also was dishonest about the novel that WoF is based on, so I started explaining very-specific-parallels of the unfinished novel with the drama to specific viewers, after the drama finished airing.
WoF page in November 2025 saw claims at one point about the donghua Renegade Immortal resembling Whispers of Fate romance-wise between two specific characters. Multiple viewers rebutted at least three accounts for clearly not knowing anything about "Renegade Immortal". Plus nobody starts watching "Renegade Immortal" for romance. Wang Lin and Tang Lici are as different as day and night, but Wang Lin and Tang Lici literally exert all of themselves for someone uniquely precious to them.
Hunter2022 hasn't replied to the user Azure, despite spamming this "Blades Of The Guardians" movie page. More than 10 days ago, Azure rebutted their claims about "Renegade Immortal" because the original forum post clearly shows someone hasn't watched Renegade Immortal while making ludicrous claims: https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146464-whispers-of-fate-is-too-similar-to-renegade-immortal
Yanzi-niang's specific scenes conveyed her character, her wit and her uniqueness very well. The team dynamics was endearing and hilarious, and quite dangerous at one point. Because of one small change different from the manhua during the sandstorm, Ani and Ayuya's relationship sisterhood-wise was enhanced and Ayuya's character also improved.
I would have wanted to see a bit more of Di Ting and Dao Ma's backstory. Yuen Woo-ping was very concise. As the man who wanted this movie made, and wanted certain actors and actresses in the casting, just watching the way he films is so oldschool and familiar, and brought tears to my eyes.
Here is manhua author Xue Xianzhe sharing a post about Yuen Woo-ping, with a video compiling several stars speaking about our beloved Director:
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5268337375839650
I say this because at least one MDL user misled a bunch of viewers to this page, by the time the drama aired. That user promoted and promised romance between the ML and a specific actress before the drama aired and during the airing of the drama, but hissy tantrums from those unhappy viewers occurred by the time a specific episode aired because the MDL users who honestly stated this drama is heroism-focused (as per at least one of the producers in an interview, way before this drama aired) were ignored.
That MDL user has also deleted all their weibo threads in the WoF forum above, especially after their troll behaviour of constantly undermining and attacking this drama (includes using misleading statistics to try to drive away viewers) for more than three months became impossible for fans of this drama and fans of the ML on this page to ignore.
Tl:DR -> If you're hoping for conventional romance and ML Tang Lici having CP in this drama, no.
If you want to see Luo Yunxi in a romance drama -> I suggest TTEOM or any of his other dramas where the romance pairing is definite.
If you're alright with the ML having chemistry with different male and female characters (he flirts with male and female characters in the novel), and this drama being heroism-focused on his journey with an interesting ensemble cast in a unique story where the ML is a mature protagonist akin to a chess-master, then you'll enjoy this. The ones who cannot stomach all this are perpetually stuck at episode 20 or 21, or drop the drama earlier than this. Hope this helps.
I remember adding this to my PTW list when there was less than 10 watchers and when this was mentioned (commencement shooting month is wrong at this point, but all other details...) : https://m.weibo.cn/status/5207309762691080
I've watched this movie twice in an IMAX theatre, and I've also updated the MDL movie page with trivia and statistics. If you take a look, enjoy! I included at least one short video clip from a 1994 Jet Li movie, because I recognise several moves in certain fights and Jet Li clearly wanted this move to be included. A movie sequel is being planned. Comic author Xu Xianzhe has started to sketch for the sequel, according to his weibo.
The first movie Xu Xianzhe watched in wuxia as a child was directed by Yuen Woo-ping. To have his manhua being brought to life by Yuen Woo-ping was more than a dream come true. Xu Xianzhe is close to my age :D
Historical costume C-dramas have their limitations. I'd say the females in WoF spanned a range of strengths and weaknesses, when it comes to female characters and tropes. Oh yes, have you watched "The Mirage"?
The hottest non-romance wuxia right now is "Blades Of The Guardians", the movie which has broken all domestic records for the wuxia film genre at the China box office, and also has unique female characters in the movie that are resonating with fans.
Here's the article I wrote that was published before the movie premiered: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/cinematic-wuxia-epic-blades-of-the-guardians-premieres-on-february-17
The connection of Fang Zhou to Tang Lici, and Tang Lici to Zhong Chunji is beautifully threaded in your mind and heart. How Tang Lici moved towards learning and embodying compassion in all its shades (as beautiful as his wardrobe) was truly splendid in the end, when he became the light of compassion in its most magnificent colour.
Whispers of Fate is not primarily about karma, but compassion and changing destiny.
And it is great that different characters and how they connect to others can touch different viewers. Great dramas have an ensemble cast able to do so.
I also wished that there had been more a bit time for the audience to see Tang Lici in his friendships with Zhong Chunji, Shen Langhun and at least two more characters, but the 40-episode limit for dramas was only recently removed. And with two more episodes...The Celestial Realm!
May you enjoy Tang Lici and more here, in this CNY compilation: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5267396190541070
But Yuen Woo-ping managed to inspire Wu Jing.
Wu Jing also became even more determined, even after reading the source material, hence Wu Jing also became primarily responsible for drawing investments for this project. That said, why film a wuxia movie that is highly likely not to recover its expenditure?
After listening to that someone else, Wu Jing thought he had a suitable reply for Yuen Woo-ping who went to find Wu Jing in-person. In that meeting, Yuen Woo-ping took Wu Jing's hand and told Wu Jing, "京，这可能是我人生中最后一部戏了。" (Jing, this could be the last movie I make.)
Wu Jing's only reply was integrally Dao Ma, even though he didn't know it yet. "我接了。”
This project would not have happened without Yuen Woo-ping plus Wu Jing. Wu Jing mortgaged some real estate to finance this film according to one news article. Wu Jing has also made a 10-year pact with director Li Tianchi to aid martial arts and action films in China through at least one initiative.
The first 7 days of Spring Festival buzz is over, and now the post-Spring Festival period is going to ride on the coattails of the first seven days. From today onwards, "Blades Of The Guardians" is going to go through the hardest days of aiming to recoup enough of its expenditure. Just like the first movie for "Creation Of The Gods", what will be the total takings at the end of the run for "Blades Of The Guardians"?
The China box office needs enough variety. China's box office has been recovering over the past three years for the Spring Festival, but doesn't hide or help the fundamental problems with weekly attendance rates over an entire year in every cinema, each year, post-pandemic. "Nezha 2" is an outlier.
Over in South Korea, "The King's Warden" is doing well, and I hope it hits the numbers needed to really help the film industry.
Enjoy the official end-credits Easter Egg using Doubao Seedance 2.0! https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5269922335956282
Ayuya was a ray of light to Heyi Xuan, but the engagement was broken off. Lao Mo also did not want his daughter married to what Lao Mo considered a madman. Without what he considered to be his light and the Pei generals giving him the solution he needed, Heyi Xuan murdered his father to gain full lawful position as head of his clan, to go against Lao Mo. And in doing so, "take back" Ayuya as the future wife belonging to him all along, which Heyi Xuan alludes to at least twice to Lao Mo in the movie.
Ci Sha said even though Heyi Xuan's actions looks illogical and incomprehensible at first, they are necessary.
“不得不” is the key of Heyi Xuan's actions.
Zhishilang is the biggest immediate threat to the Emporer, hence a bounty of 100,000 coins versus Daoma as the second-most-wanted fugitive of 30,000 coins. The Five Clans have been given the ultimatum of helping to apprehend Zhishilang or losing their heads. One thousand Sui troops are at the disposal of the Pei generals for this matter. Lao Mo refused to agree. The other three heads of the respective clans would follow Lao Mo's decision. Heyi Xuan's choices became too obvious to Heyi Xuan.
He was once told by a seer that he would be crowned with five feathers by his beloved. And the prophecy came true. Just as Heyi Xuan finally understood what the seer meant, so will you, the viewer.
Other preparations by Ci Sha included adopting the posture of Heyi Xuan, as drawn in the comics. Facial hair such as the thin moustache, and bells when riding a horse were part of this portrayal.
In his essay of a biography about Heyi Xuan, Ci Sha also wrote about the experiences of Heyi Xuan, the friends Heyi Xuan had, Heyi Xuan's life and the circumstances. All this was in preparation for the moment the camera rolls: When Ci Sha becomes Heyi Xuan.
"As long as I become HIM, I reckon that all his thoughts, his actions and his expressions will be in place."
Working with Yuen Woo-ping gave Ci Sha a broader sense of focus. He also carefully observed the different portrayals and attitudes of Wu Jing, Nicholas Tse and other senior actors conveying their characters, as well as different working styles of martial arts by martial artists.
"The biggest emotional takeaway is that no matter the place, the time or your age, you must maintain your passion of self."
When asked what is most important for a young actor to hold onto in this rapidly-changing environment, Ci Sha almost literally blurted out, "Pure love for acting." He paused and then added, "It is necessary to maintain pure love for acting, but also a certain sobriety (ie clarity in self-awareness) when choosing roles and works." - https://finance.sina.cn/2026-02-24/detail-inhnvysx2491788.d.html?vt=4
And here is Ci Sha in a BTS compilation, during his filming: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5269585339089747
The film industry, regardless of country, needs films such as "Pegasus 3", "Blades Of The Guardians", and "The King's Warden". I see them all as necessary. I believe "The King's Warden" should be able to reach 10 million cinema-goers. So far, my predictions for "Blades Of The Guardians" are correct.
When I write an article, I am acutely aware of the problem.
There are MDL users who are not aware and don't care. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but some people have no substance and no legs to fault productions if they are not paying for services that affect decisions in an industry, such as what types of films are being produced.
Meanwhile, I am sharing the extent of efforts different cast members put in, to make "Blades Of The Guardians": https://news.mydramalist.com/article/cinematic-wuxia-epic-blades-of-the-guardians-premieres-on-february-17#comment-25216214
The best fights showcase an individual's character plus tell a story within each fight sequence of an individual.
Yuen Woo-ping had the rare luxury of working with three wushu champions in certain fight scenes. Certain fight sequences can only be filmed with such martial arts veterans because no wires are possible with the dexterity and strength required between seasoned fighters going at each other 100% ie very dangerous unless professionally capable... Minimum qualifications include those who have been in the national team and represented China in wushu and/or prodigies in martial arts. There's one point during filming when Wu Jing, Jet Li, Zhang Jin and Yuen Woo-ping are looking at specific footage after Jet Li mentioned age was catching up, and Yuen Woo-ping said the movements (specifically Jet Li) are too fast!
Yu Shi didn't use any stand-ins when doing different leaps over burning oil (filming for the Dark Ox Flats).
For Wu Jing to fight and move the way he did in the trailer on horseback and on a horse is impressive, when you consider how many layers he is wearing in black throughout minimum-40-degrees-heat.
I'm grateful that I don't have to go through all that, and can sit in a cinema to see the fruits of all that toil.
I have watched this movie twice on IMAX screen. Sensation of being transported to experience a bird's eye-view is amazing, especially with the sandstorms, rolling vast sand dunes of the Gobi desert beautifully expansive and awe-inspiring, overlooking Mo Jia village, and glorious ending scenes. Pyrotechnics are insane. And each fight is wonderfully choreographed!
The ensemble cast really touched me with their efforts. Many of them them also wowed me with their portrayals. Ci Sha as Heyi Xuan is one of them, captivating me with his performance.
Ci Sha is a fan of the manhua, which was first serialised in July 2015 and is currently at 12 volumes licensed by Beijing United Publishing. Next week on 3 March, Kana will officially release Volume 1 in English.
Ci Sha read the manhua before being invited to be a part of the film. He watched the animation series by Tencent during casting, and wrote a long biography of his character which he sent to the author Xu Xianzhe, Yuen Woo-ping and Wu Jing. Discussing the inner world character of Heyi Xuan in his essay, he received approvals and he also contributed constructive suggestions to the script. For him, Heyi Xuan is psychologically complex (and I totally agree).
“成为角色本身，做好前期工作，写人物小传” - To become the character, prepare well with the preliminary work, and write a biography. He was joyous as a kid with a secret, when sharing in an exclusive interview about the audience being able to hear the bells of Heyi Xuan while riding the horse.
Hidden below the spoiler tag is what he went through, for his role: