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There is something almost ironic about watching yet another drama starring Cheng Yi already knowing that death awaits his character in the end, as if it were an unwritten contractual clause. In this case, however, that predictability works in the story’s favor. From the early episodes, the script makes it clear that there will be no escape for the protagonist, and it earns its credibility by remaining consistent to the very end. The political conspiracies are well structured, the tragic core is respected, and within its chosen framework, the narrative shows no obvious structural flaws. It knows exactly where it is going.

That confidence wavers briefly between episodes seven and ten, when the pacing slows to a near standstill and risks draining the drama of its emotional weight. Thankfully, the series regains momentum and delivers a strong final stretch, supported by solid technical work in makeup, set design, and overall atmosphere. The protagonist’s ultimate sacrifice for the greater good culminates in a strikingly lucid, almost illusory scene of Huai An walking through the city he gave his life for, watching daily life move forward just as he once foretold. It is a restrained, melancholic ending that honors the journey.