Xiang83

Xu Xianzhe's inspiration for Dao Ma when he started drawing the manhua that started publication in 2015 is Tony Leung Ka-fai, in this film also featuring our protagonist needing to escort certain individuals to a certain place, by a certain date.

Yanzi-niang by Li Yunxiao is a vividly unforgettable wily flirtatious female as unique as Maggie Cheung portraying saucy calculating multi-faceted Jin Xiang Yu in this 1992 movie.

Chen Lijun as Ayuya turns in a strong performance that sees Ayuya as the most popular Lunar New Year character from the 2026 Lunar New Year movies of the box office, as per weibo announcement. Her performance is starkly different from the amazing Lin Ching-hsia due to character differences, but there are touching and feisty parallels seen in certain moments.

This is likely the movie which inspired Xue Xianzhe for his manhua. A mature screenplay, top-notch cast for villains and heroes, and solidly encompassing themes of wuxia. A Tsui Hark classic.

You're going for a deep dive into what appears to be simple lives and simple investigations, but the ending will leave you guessing throughout the entire process about whodunnit. Directors want you to use your noggin' to do the guesswork while wrenching your heartstrings in the process.

Karma, consequences, and flawed but beautiful relationships.

Every main character makes natural choices because of what they have experienced and what they believe. Every decision intersecting with someone dear to them creates inescapable destiny.