anitfa

1, when they are trapped in underground cell of chess battalion

2, stabbed in bed when he accompanied injured Yu'er

3, when Yu'er learnt about the past and the role of Qi Yan in it, he stabbed himself out of guilty.

4, when he threatened the eunuch with his life to release Yu'er and the violet girls

Sadly, it is underrated.

It is his fate to self-sacrifice. His selflessness is unparalled.

Yes. Slowly, she gains her senses, her memory of the past 9 lives, her power, and better understanding of ML's love, sacrifice, and selflessness. In the end, she let go her grudge and get redemption.

However, in this story, she is not the "problem solver", but the ML. She is the victim that ML tries to save and help repeatedly. So, you won't see her doing many meaningful initiatives or heroic acts for the story progression.

Physically, as the god of war, she is the strongest among being. But, ML is the one who has the heart of steel.

Tons (!) and till the very end of the story, there are still misunderstandings.

MCL is young adult story, while TBOY is teen.

Sad ending is not a bad thing as long as it is logical and consistent with the plot and character. It is much better than a forced and cheap happy ending. The "after taste" after the last episode makes this drama lingers longer.

The Blood of Youth

Maybe you would like "Stand by Me" aka "Dream of Chang'an" too. It is a serious palace historical drama that is taking inspiration from a real emperor from Tang Dynasty.

Or, you might like "The Longest Day in Chang'an"

Tang Lianyue

Interesting points. What should it be then to satisfy you?

You should know your preference/ purpose. Some people watch this for Cheng Yi or other casts. Some other for the genre (wuxia, investigation, mystery), or the theme (brotherhood, chivalry, etc).

Once you know what you like, you will watch this drama for your own good, not because people say it is good.

The blood spitting here is very minimal (!) in comparison to other C-drama.

IMO, because the brotherhood among the three MLs is very lively and refreshing. Their character developments are wonderful to see. No toxicity. Full maturity. It is serious, but funny. It tells a "tragedy", but gives us a ton of comedy.

It is a good drama. To understand 100% of the story, watch it till the end. You won't regret your experience.

This drama can be your starting point to enjoy C-drama, especially wuxia genre (martial arts story). Particularly this drama, the romance is only 30% of the story. Mostly, it is about brotherhood, chivalry, and adventure.

It is martial arts story, but their styling is like they are having superpower/ anime/ fantasy like. It is just the creativity that sets this drama apart from traditional wuxia. If you like palace drama, 50% of this drama is telling palace politics, too, but in fictional empire. This blending of martial arts world and palace story is what makes this drama superb.

There are some possibilities, IMO. Xiao Se vs Ao Yu is not covered in the drama yet. Baili and Nanjue still have unfinished business.

TTEOM and LAR have their own strength. Each has unique story and technicality in the drama making.

LAR main story is around the demons. LAR main theme is that good and evil is not black and white. Don't fall into prejudice and follow the law of nature. While TTEOM is the Devil God. TTEOM main theme is the struggle against destiny and prejudice, freedom to be your own self.

Both stories are heart wrenching and ML FL love are beautiful, but the ending of LAR feels better. LAR gives us happiness and closure, but TTEOM frustrates us with the open ending. LAR like ending is what xianxia should end, IMO.

What is it that is shifted?

Jump to episode 25, start the angsty part early.

I have watched that review. I don't agree to most ideas she proposed, except for one thing. It is true that the blood vomiting scenes in TTEOM are pretty exaggerated and look ugly. There is no scaling on how the blood should be spat out. Every time there is heavy blooding, every one is still healthy and okay after that. So, the blood seems like a decoration. The correlation between the amount of blood and the level on injury is near zero in TTEOM, IMO.

After watching Love and Redemption, I can compare how blood vomiting scenes here and there are executed. I prefer the one in Love and Redemption, because it is used to indicates severe injuries and it gives rise the feeling of fear that ML is getting weaker and weaker, and he will die. However, generally, I don't like watching blood vomiting in any drama. I hope the future dramas would control it and make it more realistic.