Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023)

After dropping at ep 16 I restarted it again cause couldnt find ny other good drama to watch and I like wuxia drama
Let me make it straight compare to otehr wuxia drama this one is just average
it starts good but loses its temp in between
suddenly everything become illogical repetitive
specially in the middle that village where they meet cannibel's was completely lifter from MDZS /untamed the Yi city arc , same kind of village, misty dangling of bell, woman walking alone on desrted street , I was expecting even Lin Hua to cook a porridge
Feels like writer didnt have ny idea how to make it 40 episodes series
Acting wise Joseph zhang has impressed me. alot in an eagerly loving young boy and his loyalty to Li Lan Hua is commendable
Chengyi was better than all his previous drama
among females only that evil princess in red impress me
worst part all seniors make up was v bad some just have put one strip white hair as wig to look old but tehir face had no wrinkle and full makeup
I dont think i will rewatch it again

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Seemingly lighthearted story of wasted lives

Great and enjoyable story where there are no heroes and mostly flawed humans even if you have your moustache twirling, maddly laughing, perpetually monologing villains. The fact that they made the celebrated Sigu sect populated with nothing but idiots and self-involved characters with LXY as their uncontested leader will forever be dear to my heart. Especially as they were all written as likeable or at least understandable.

I enjoyed most the slow peeling of layers of hero-worship that clouded the narrative - for the character and viewer alike. Considering the main motivation of the LXY is not being able to deal with said hero worship (and his perceived inability to fulfil it with healthy dash of burn-out wonderchild), that was very nicely done. This is also a reason why I wasnt annoyed about the fact that everybody was obssessed with our LXY. It was ridiculous but played nicely to the whole theme of hero worship, meeting expectations and child geniuses dealing with glitches.
LXY can´t deal with the whole thing and runs away to live a simple life. But no matter what, he cannot escape fame and his past, which ultimately results into his death (the irony is - the legends remains). On this note, I loved the dynamic between LXY and DFS (the guy in general) - for me it created an option of carefree future where LXY is alive and well, where he truly let go of his past (as opposite to the zen-like statements LLH is spewing all over the place whilst living in this own portable tomb). DFS is another prodigy who, contrary to LXY, has much healtier approach to his past traumas, i.e. confronting them. and dealing with them.
In this sense, him pestering LXY for another match is sort of... asking him to live and be f*cking less sucidal, to let go of the guilt and truly move on, i.e. not throwing everything away just because of one mistake. Unfortunatelly... LXY is and awfully stubborn and arrogant man, so - there goes the ending. (Side note: the little side-story about the two drinking-fighting budies was a nice mirror to this LXY-DFS motif).

You could watch it as a hero´s journey where the MC is FDB on his road to adulthood (it´s rather explicit) - which could be to some extent viewed as casting off the rose-coloured glasses. All his heroes are f*ck-ups, most of the adults are rather useless and the whole martial world is filled with selfish, scheming or just hurt and confused people. And the boy goes through a journey and grows up while magically protecting his bubbly personality, just somewhat temepered, Which is cool and plausible.
And then there is the ending. Our bubbly boy forever optimistic and... nothing had seemingly changed. We are back on the starting point where the legend lives and people who should live their lives keep pining for one scared and scarred person who is too wrapped up in past for anybody´s well-being (dont get me wrong, i like LXY and accept the validity of his issues, but he is a deeply flawed creature - which makes him so wonderful, i guess).

Side note to this - the whole show can be viewed just as a prolonged and higly aeshetized suicide, basically. LXY most of the show talks about letting go of the past but he is unable to do so when it comes to himself (no matter what he says). He gives great advice, just doesnt live according to it, as it usually happens.

The detective cases and their reasoning is sometimes awfully farfetched but given the genre, it´s not really that much of an issue. On the positive note, in the initial stories not everything was explained in various explanatory monologues, which was nice. Not that there were none, but at least initially they offered some clues to chase for the viewers first.

There are some tiresome parts in the later part of the story where they try to keep up the detective structure which doesnt add much to the supposedly rising tension of the story. The main consipracy was interesting especially for the emotional impact. The final siege got a bit ridiculous.

However, if you want to see strong or even interesting female characters, don´t botther with this story. I greatly appreciate that the past love interest had some agency, but it doesnt change the fact that all the female characters are written either as fawning over one of the three main guys or/and having no personality and agency aside from helping them. Main evil lady is obssessed with a man, another woman marries a person after couple of days to aledgedly piss of another guy, young girl plays the wikipedia role to impress the guy and so on, and so on. The only one who maintained some levelheadedness was always faithful to LXY and pops up usually just to resolve some administrative issue (especially at first).
Still, it is a good and enjoyablel show. Just watch it for the boys.

As for acting, music, visual apeal etc - all nice and withtout much issue. the cgi is sometimes slightly subpar but nothing to cause much bother.

To sum this unexpected rambling up - there are many annoying tropes in this show but despite that, it´s very enjoyable and good watch because of the story (so many fix-it musings, so many...), the slight subversion of certain tropes and mostly the characters.
It could be viewed as tragedy, hidden behind the grand schemes and light elegant tones. Same as LXY hides his own issues with jest and diversions and never speaks of them, the show never overanalyzes (or even explicitly states) many of the issues he or others face . Whether that is done because dwelling too much on such things would only cheapen them or to forcibly preserve the elegant and rosy image, that is up to interpretation.

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Masterpiece of a martial arts chinese drama

A wonderful heart warming series focused on heroism and the true spirit of the wuxia world. Let go of fame, power and the past. A great story with powerful acting, great action and flawless production. There's not much romance, but that's ok. The focus of the story is the solving of cases and bromance. The tropes are classic, but delivered so well. It's truly a one of a kind chinese drama. And as with many chinese dramas these days, the special episode is a must watch.

I personally thought the ending was fitting and true to the main character. A must watch!

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Spectacular plot, unexpected twists, one of the best wuxia series there is (teeny spoilers)

Starting with the acting, we have ChengYi and Joseph, two actors who are absolutely perfect and acts out their roles to absolute perfection. ChengYi acts as the young LXY, and the older more mature LLH, the two personalities creating a stark contrast; Joseph as the young and vigorous 'kid' who dreams to be the greatest hero like LXY. Even ShunYao was great at being the cold and aloof, sometimes evil yet sometimes seemingly good-hearted DFS. The complex characters really add to the fun of the whole series.

Then there's the evil characters. The multiple plot twists here was amazing! Some weren't entire shocking as there was quite a heavy foreshadowing of the twist since a few episodes before it actually happens, but it was still unexpected to say the least. And then the least expected twist happens and I just sat there with my mouth open. JianLiqiao is simply gorgeous, yet also insidious and down-right sinister, but yet I can't ignore her absolute loyalty for DFS up until a certain point.

The 'bromance' was something i had expected, but didn't really get, but I wasn't let down at all as I love the master-disciple relationship of LXY and FDB. They are just absolutely a hilarious and genius. The most bromance we can get is between LXY and DFS, really DFS's conflict of wanting to win yet keep LXY alive at all costs is just so sweet.

The fighting scenes are beautiful, and the OST is very nice and suiting to the theme of the series - heroes, brotherhood - wuxia.

The ending really made my cry buckets, it may not have ended on a happy note, but it is slightly open-ended, and I'm much more willing to interpret it in a happy way.

Spoiler incoming:
LXY is highly likely dead, and that is the most logically conclusion. But without a true ending, I can always assume that Heaven favours LXY, and send him a miracle cure. He can continue traversing the world as a different hidden identity, and he may never be found by FDB/DFS, or maybe he will. Nothing is for certain, and that is a much more hopeful ending that what is most likely the true ending of LXY.

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EDIT: BRILLIANT

EDIT AFTER FINISHING THE DRAMA:
I certainly don't regret the subscription fee in the app. My points in the first version of this review still stand (read below). Everything had it's logic, no gut punching turning tides events for the sake of dramatisation, very nicely paced, keeps you glued to the screen. I especially appreciate Wanmian's character, you go girl!!! The character and actor of Di Fei Sheng (thank you so much to casting directors, I LOVE to see Xiao Shun Yao like this). There's an extra small episode in iqiyi app, but you don't really need to watch it, it doesn't add much to the ending. Although I would've appreciated a happy happy ending, the ending they wrote was understandable. Personally, this drama is up there on my list with the best ones on my list. I hope this writers team will do more dramas like this in the future.

Original review I wrote after watching 10 EPs, unedited:
I've watched 10 episodes so far and boy, I'd binge this in one day if I could but I don't have the time for that lol.
Storyline is catchy so far, great cliff hangers which make you want to watch another episode. Some cliff hangers spread even through two episodes which I like, it's a smart move.
I've watched many series and dramas from many countries, so some mysteries are a little see-through for me but it's fine. It's good that the writers put the storyline logically.
I like that there aren't crazy fast movements from one location to another, no big storyline jumps, just a normal pace for when you want to chill while watching.
The only annoying thing so far is the immense amount of Fang Duobing's lines, like he's talking TOO much in some places, but I guess it's part of the charm of his character.
Two of my favourite things so far - Xiao Shun Yao is one of the main characters and he finally has screen time!
And most importantly THERE'S A DOG AND HE SHOWED UP REGULARLY IN THE SERIES.

I'll let you know my final rating once I'm finished :-)

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a wuxia drama that EVERYONE HAS TO WATCH

You know that feeling after completing a show and one of your first thoughts are "Wow, it'll take a long time to find a drama like this again."? This was what I felt after watching MLC.

As someone who loves whodunit shows, I liked how they incorporated about 8-10 different mysteries in these 39 episodes while linking all of them for the overall story. The chemistry between the 3 male leads were also great and their personalities were all so extremely different but ironically complemented each other well. The pacing of the story was also to my liking. I can't exactly point out how and why, but it reminded me of the drama "the Untamed" - the vibes at least. The story continuously moves, so there's no filler episodes and the drama had me SEATED. I think what made me rate this drama a 10 instead of a 9.5 was the final plot twists in the last few episodes which had me gasping.

Overall, this drama is easy to watch and very suitable for wuxia and bromance shows lovers to watch!
p.s. the women in this drama are all SOOOO GORGEOUS

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Cheng Yi nailed it again....

I swear to God, Cheng Yi perfectly suits wuxia and xanxia roles. He plays each character as if they were made for him and seemed like his other selves in another world.

I rarely watch series without romance in it, but MLC was another exception. Instead of a fast-paced drama, they focused on solving each case, like a detective novel. My fave part was the Yipin Tomb. The martial arts scenes were on point. Was quite entertained everytime Fan Duo Bing got duped by Li Lian Hua, being the gullible and a kind-hearted guy that he is. Di Fei Sheng's character was a bit impressive as well, being the formidable leader of the Jinyuan Alliance but later on became friends with the two. Having highly skilled friends traveling along with you, LLH doesn't even have to lift a finger. They can wipe out any sect, honestly. If there's one thing I didn't like in this series, is Qiao Wan Mian. Her role may have been Li Xiang Yi's former lover, but she wasted a decade of her life pining for someone who might've been dead. She could've made use of the time to revive the Sigu Sect, as she was also considered a senior member and a master. I would've wanted her to become someone dependable, just like Shi Shui.

As for the open ending...Well, It would've been perfect if they just found a way where Styx flower grows and have Li Xiang Yi / Li Lian Hua take it. At least give him another couple decades to live and roam the martial arts world with his two buddies. Any maybe give Su Xiao Yong a chance to be LLH's end game? Haha.

Anyway, kudos to the staff and cast for a great show. Congratulations to MLC for bagging high spots in Weibo rankings as well.

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Can we release our inner Li Xiangyi and embrace the Li Lianhua within us?

I haven't written any reviews before, so please forgive me if this one comes across as a bit "sentimental." But I can't help it; my feelings for this incredible drama are overflowing, and I truly hope that everyone else can experience the same joy I have.

This is a wuxia drama that's packed with action and filled with intriguing mystery-solving cases. These cases gradually unravel the profound mysteries of Li Lianhua/Li Xiangyi's world, on life, friendship, and the struggle he face. The story is an enjoyable ride, largely thanks to the laid-back and charismatic character of Li Lianhua. His perspective on the world, his values, and his journey towards redemption are truly captivating.

In between, there's the pursuit of youthful spirit, Fang Dou Bing and the rivalry spirit, Di Fei Sheng. It's Li Lianhua who remains the central focus. Their interactions build a beautiful foundation of friendship, understanding, loyalty and unwavering support.

Ultimately, what this story conveys to me is the importance of letting go of things that are beyond our control. It encourages us to find the courage to forgive and forget. It emphasizes the value of friendship and loyalty. It delves into the internal struggles that all humans face in their daily lives. The question it poses is profound: Can we release our inner Li Xiangyi and embrace the Li Lianhua within us?

I ended my review with the quote below.

" The battle at the East Sea ten years ago was on this day. 27th of the twelfth month. It is today. I didn't expect after fighting to the death ten years ago, ten years later, we'd be drinking together like this. That day...That year... The moon that year was not as bright as today. The moon that year was just like today. It was just like today. Li Xiangyi is dead. But his sword is not dead." - LLH and DFS (in the wedding room of JLQ)

" Everyone in this world only wanted a divine god Li Xiangyi who could do anything, but at least there was someone who treated me as ordinary person Li Lianhua, persistently without fail. Then, that is enough." - LLH to FDB (off-screen - script excerpt, not in the drama)

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“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.” ― John Lennon

This story is the perfect example for this because i was having a mini heat attack followed by a short deppression because of how the 40 th ep ended, and i have not been happy like that for years(well the time between untamed and this)to find that there was a special ep. the story is quite messed up unless you are interested in something less romantic and more thrilling if you are a sherlock homes fan i would ask you to have a go with this. it is indeed a mysterious story. the author talent is making things believable was what is to be mainly appreciated.
there aren't may too unusual "coincidences" like other xianxia and wuxia drama i have watched lately.
casting cheng yi as li xiang yi and li lianhua was so stupendous and he did a great job bringing the character to life.
although li xiangyi and li lianjua are the same person there is vast diffrence in their attitudes and the way ot show the transition of the world famous li sect leader of sigu sect, li xianyi to a wandering physician(fake)who doent seem to care about anything but about how to die.
he meets a person fang duobing, who claims to be li xiang yi's one and only disciple and ends up teaming up with li lianhu(who is li xianyi)and solves a bunch of myserious cases togather and finally becomes friends and confidents.
they solve that that are related to a 100 year old conspiracy that is related to li xiang yi himself and about his lineage.

IT IS NOT A ROMANCE DRAMA AND HAS GOT A LOT OF MYSTRIES AND THRILLS AND IT IS NOT FOR SOME ONE WHO WANTS UNBELIVABLE STORY AND TWISTS.
YOU CAN GIVE IT A TRY BUT CANNOT GUARANTY ANYTHING TO EVERY ONE BUT IS THE SECOND MOST FAVORATE DRAMA IN MY LIST.

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A Wuxia Detective Bromance Story Done Right!

When I first heard about this drama and saw the cast lineup, I didn't have much expectations so I didn't try it immediately. I waited until more episodes were out before finally giving it a try. And I was shocked at the quality! I could tell from episode 1 that this drama put a lot of attention on the story, characters, and sets. I felt such high potential for this drama that I slowly watched the available episodes and waited to binge after it was done airing. I haven't felt this excited watching a wuxia drama since Untamed.

There are so many good things to love about this drama. It may feel a bit slow-paced in the beginning but after going through their first case, the pace picks up.

1. Solving the Cases. I love watching a good crime story and this drama did a great job at telling interesting but not predictable cases throughout the drama. There were also some great plot twists that were unexpected as Li LianHua and Fang XiaoBao were solving the case. It was particularly interesting because of the cooperation between the 2 leads. Such great chemistry.

2. The Relationships/Characters. Every character was introduced nicely and I could see the motives behind their decisions. The main and supporting roles were built with a solid backstory which helped you see how they grew from the first episode. But Li LianHua would have to be the most interesting because it is not typical of a wuxia drama to show the strongest hero at such a low moment in their life. The bromance between Li LianHua and XiaoBao was done so well too. They have perfect balance of bickering and cute sweet moments. I slowly grew to love the two of them, as well as with Di Fei Sheng. There is not a boring moment when the 3 of them were on screen.

3. The Story. In the beginning, the drama felt a bit slow but each case was built so naturally to lead up to the climatic conflict at the end. There were no useless filler scenes to just add to the episode length because every moment was needed. Also, there were so many unexpected points in the story and it just pulled me deeper into this world. Ugh I'm so sad now that I finished this drama :(( It is also sad

4. The Fight Sequences. All the fight sequences were choreographed so amazing! It was thrilling to watch them fight and Cheng Yi is so great at pulling them off! It truly showed what makes wuxia dramas so fun to watch. I have to say that Li Xiang Yi is just so skilled though... all his fight sequences were so nice and that was only with 30% of his power. UGH THE TALENT.

Anyways, I recommend this drama to anyone who loves wuxia dramas with great crime-solving and bromance!

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