maryxiah

Yep, all for the sake of raising conflicts. I wonder if they were going to rewrite the novel and republish it 6 years later, why not just revamp the characters as well? I am seriously wondering why they even adapt this story in the first place.

I guess it's time for Feng Zi to snap into reality and grow up from her naivety. I'm glad that she finally finds out the truth, my hope is she doesn't stand in the way of the OTP, although there is one scene in trailer where Tou is hugging her that's giving me anxiety.

I can't wait for that battle scene, it looks pretty brutal in the trailers. I hate palace/court's politics, which is why I tend to avoid palace dramas, I'm dreading that part in this drama especially of Tou's family connection to the royal family.

Side note: the crown prince is really handsome I wouldn't mind seeing him on screen more, not Lord Lu cuz he looks sickly.

Uhm, I think you're going to be disappointed. I'm up to episode 24 so far, although I don't have a problem with the pacing or plot, many have complained about the abundant dialogues. I think the dialogues are mostly just people plotting against Xue Zhi, or Xue Zhi and Tou developing a romantic line, rather than the dialogues, I think most have an issue with the lack of real conflicts, as in nothing is getting the adrenaline going, but something big is happening in next week's episode, I don't know how it'll fare but I'm fine with anything tbh.

I feel you. Sometimes when I watch Mu Yuan looking at Xue Zhi, I feel really bad for the guy, if this is Mu Ci, that'd be even more tragic. Mu Yuan has done nothing but protecting Xue Zhi to the best of his ability, he's really earnest towards her that it's breaking my heart when Xue Zhi goes to Tou, and all Mu Yuan says when she comes back is, "Everything is fine now that you're home." He's talking about himself, that he's her home. Bah, I'm sad now.

I understand, it's all about personal preference. I am enjoying the OTP so I feel like their romance is rather short-lived, given they were only together for like 2 episodes, the rest is just them flirting, testing the water, and discovering feelings. Although I'm excited about uncovering mysteries and all, I still want the OTP to clear the air and get mushy again lol. Sorry!

You're aware there are two versions of the novel right? I'm starting to think you might be reading the later version. I read a review of the first version online and according to the poster, Xue Zhi forced Tou to take responsibility of Feng Zi and then slept with him, which resulted in her pregnancy, that is honestly more messsed up to me. Apparently the first version is darker and more tortuous, while the second version is slightly mellow.

I'm still in the middle of writing a recap of the novel based on the reviews I read online for those who are interested in knowing the major plot. I sometimes get confused too, because everyone's recap/review of the novel is different everytime I try to understand the story. I think I might have to flip the novel and read too, which ugh, I don't wanna invest my time in messed up plot which I already know I would hate, but at the same time, I'm also curious about their story in the novel.

It's more of plot speculations than real trailer, which is plenty in youtube and they never clarify it.

The front part is everything that we have seen so far. The latter part says Xue Zhi and Tou finally clear up the misunderstanding and all obstacles, which in turn strengthen their relationship. Mu Yuan, who is secretly in love with Xue Zhi, is heartbroken and hurts Tou out of his selfish desire, pushing Tou off the cliff. Xue Zhi finds out about this matter and has a momentary meltdown, and painfully cut ties with Mu Yuan. Mu Yuan is devastated and leave in tears. Mu Yuan eventually turns to the dark side because of his unrequited love, and quietly trains for the Nine Moves of God and eventually turns evil. At this time, Mu Yuan finds out Tou isn't really dead and plot to kill him again. During their duel, Xue Zhi finds out about it and rushes over, when Tou is about to get hurt, she flies over in tears to shield him from the sword. She is heavily hurt and lying in a pool of blood, Mu Yuan sees his bloodied sword and has a meltdown, and then he turns to leave. That's it.

Oh man, I can't believe I was on a roller coaster of emotions during Feng Zi's scenes. I was excited when I thought she was smartening up by figuring out she was lured to Suzhou, and then she fell for Master Yuan's words again. And she did the most despicable thing by taking advantage of Tou when his acupoint was blocked and forced to stand still, that's sexual assault, girl! I was so upset on Tou's behalf and it's clear that he was angry about it too! The only thing I'm hoping from her now is to clear the misunderstanding with Xue Zhi for Tou to redeem herself for all the pains and troubles that she inflicted on Tou!

On another note, even though our OTP still hasn't clear the misunderstanding, I'm glad that we can still see them together in today's episodes. I'm also glad that Xue Zhi is willing to give Tou a chance to explain himself despite it being interrupted. I like an OTP that makes an effort to resolve issues rather than just moping around and wallow in self-pity, it helps that they're embroiled in so many mysteries that they don't have time to mope, but painful for my shipper's heart that hopes to see them in kissy-face again. I hope they can resolve this issue by next week.

The only thing that gets on my nerves real bad is this background music that's supposed to highlight their romance/love/feelings whatsoever but it is so weird and out of place, it doesn't sound romantic at all. The zoom out background is annoying too but I'm seeing it less now.

I love their OSTs though, my current favorite on the loop is Fate Ends, which is kind of ominous lol, but the sad lyrics really speaks to me, especially the parts that go, "If this fate is unavoidable, why fight it? Why not just love for the heck of it? There is nothing right or wrong. Just the torture of love trials."

I think my most favorite part of the whole drama is that everyone really speaks their minds, especially when it comes to the main OTP, they don't beat around the bush and everything is just crystal even though there is some misunderstanding here and there.

It's so funny that I just finished today's episodes and saw this comment, someone in the drama pointed out the same thing to Tou today, lol.

But I want to point out that nothing in this drama is pointless, everything happens for a reason, I didn't understand it then, but now I'm at the point in the drama where I can see the direction they were going with the revelation of Tou's background.

I'm pleasantly surprised that this drama isn't as straightforward as it seems, the plot is cliched for sure, but it has a proper direction and purpose. It's a shame not many people enjoy the current plot, but I'd say this is perfect for me.

Yes, I really love the atmosphere in the bts, you can definitely see how at ease the casts and crews are. Plus the director interacts with the casts a lot, asking for their opinions in some scenes and approve of their ad-libs, not to mention discussing the emotions or the particular ways the characters should act. I love their bts a lot, some I have rewatched a couple of times.

I'm cracking up so much because of the director, he was literally staring at them from behind Leo's shoulder with a smile, and then suggest Yukee to drop her gaze and act demure. In many bts, he was standing so close to them, lol.

Hahahaha, this comment cracks me up. I think it's their makeup, way too whitecast. Though my issue with their apperance is that everyone is way too skinny! I feel like they'd get blown away by the wind any time!

Everyone wants Xue Zhi dead, so nothing new there. Although the inter-relationship between the sects are kind of messy, with lovers hiding their relationship, a bastard son raised by another sect leader, spies from the same or other sect and etc.

You must be in episodes 13-14 because that's how I felt when the OTP spent some time apart and he was in the process of discovering his true background and reconciling with his father.

I really love the romance centric plot, political machinations or power struggle in historical dramas tend to bore me. That's why I prefer xianxia than wuxia because they're mostly romance centric plot. What's best about this drama, for me, is that they don't hold back with the level of cheesiness and lovey-dovey. I'm really enjoying it so far.

They seem to be lovers, judging from the way she treats him.

Translation:

CXZ: I'm a demoness of a cult in the martial arts world, so naturally I can't compare with the precious daughter of the Sword Manor. The son of an imperial advisor should be with the daughter of a prince. It's my fault for having wild hope, for thinking I could actually win mister's (Tou's) heart.
SGT: Zhi Er... How could you think like that? Do you actually doubt my true heart for you?
CXZ: (Scoff) Where does mister's true heart lie in? Though I'm not a precious daughter of an important family and understand the principle of a heart for a heart, I have always treated you sincerely since the beginning, but you... you only hide things from me and lie to me. Was it really hard to explain this matter to me earlier? Do my trust and understanding mean nothing to you? I know mister you're of nobility, naturally, you have no reason to explain to other people, it was I who was foolish, for actually thinking of becoming your only exception.
SGT: I have never cared for what others think of me, the only one I care, is how you think of me. That's why I couldn't say anything.
CXZ: Forget it. Things have happened. There is no meaning to discuss it further. The Hall of Flame is now facing a crisis in and out and is framed repeatedly, I don't have the energy to be one of the thousands of flowers at mister's mercy. Without my hindrance in the future, you can live your life as that elegant Shang Guan Tou, and I should put the matters of Hall of Flame as a priority. No matter how dangerous the road ahead of me, I will not bother you anymore, mister and I should live our own lives well, forget one another in the martial arts world.

Apparently preview of tonight's episodes from Tencent, iQIYI and Youku are slightly different. This is from Tencent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv1-HVUDVp0

iQIYI and Youku's previews were already posted here last night.

I thought she was pregnant when Tou was engaged to Feng Zi? Also, I'm really glad they cut off all the messed up dramas in the novel, apparently Xue Zhi forced Tou to take responsibility with Feng Zi, but then decided to sleep with him, which resulted in the pregnancy. So freakin messed up.