Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance

 UnaSpenser:

(I don't think he chose to die for Gong Gong's hopeless cause, just because he was grateful to Gong Gong. I think he saw it as part lashing out at his own enemies and part dignified death, ending his this lonely painful life he's had to endure. His wounded self just couldn't see way to another path that was at all desirable. If only she wasn't his enemy's daughter..... )

I also don't think he chose to die for the sake of Gong Gong's cause. But I think it mostly had a lot to do with his comrades. He wanted to die with them. He didn't want to become the old man from the donkey meat shop. The last survivor who has to live on, unable to forget his countless dead comrades.

If XY's identity was different and if he really thought they could have had a future together, maybe that would have changed how he felt about surviving. Maybe. 

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Chapter 29:

“Who was that old man selling donkey meat?”

“He used to be a subordinate of Qi Yo and one of the survivors in the final battle in Yi Province. Carrying all the memories of those who perished, it’s easier just to have died.” Xiang Liu smiled “Actually, to a General, the best ending is to die on the battlefield.”

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Chapter 35:

Xiao Yao was silent before suddenly asking, “Xiang Liu, why did you pick Gong Gong? Because he’s your adoptive father?” Xiao Yao didn’t know how she had the guts to ask him this question, probably because Xiang Liu didn’t seem like Xiang Liu tonight.

“Not just because he’s my adoptive father, there are also all those soldiers I fought along with and watched them die. We drank together, we went to battle together, we picked up our fallen brethren’s bodies…” Xiang Liu looked over at the altar. [The altar of the old man from Chapter 29.] “For hundreds of years, do you know how many of my fellow soldiers I’ve had to personally cremate?”

Xiao Yao couldn’t imagine, but she understood what Xiang Liu felt. Her Fourth Uncle could have survived that day, and he did love Fourth Aunt and Zhuan Xu, but he chose to die alongside his soldiers. In this world there was camaraderie so strong that one would die rather than abandon it.

Xiang Liu laughed and pointed at his head. “I’ve lost count, but they are all here.”

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Chapter 46:

Zhuan Xu said, “I know you have some connection with him, and truthfully I’m rather admiring of his ability and loyalty. I’m even envious of Gong Gong’s fierce and unbending connection with him, but the Sheng Nong Kingdom is a thing of the past……….I have to eliminate them!”

“I know.” Xiao Yao was fully aware that Zhuan Xu did everything he could already to have them safely submit. The Xuan Yuan Kingdom had to fight this war, and for the Sheng Nong resistance army this would be a form of release. Zhuan Xu is doing nothing wrong, as the ruler of a kingdom he had to snuff out the final pocket of resistance, but Gong Gong and Xiang Liu were also not wrong in sticking with their loyalty and beliefs.

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Epilogue:

In the distance he could see fires burning, that was Ru So burning the entire mountain to force them to come out and battle. The final battle was about to arrive. All the soldiers knew their fate and they willingly chose this path in life. The world was at peace and the people were safe and secure. These Sheng Nong resistance army soldiers were now discarded in the passage of time and had become pointless. So death was the best release for them, and the most comforting final destination.

 UnaSpenser:

XL ended up being the only reason to follow the story any longer. But, now, knowing where it goes, I don't think I'll watch Season 2. I'll keep myself steeped in the story of XL and let the rest go. (I mean, who really cares about which monarch gets to rule the world and whether a princess will marry the "best" nobleman? Yawn.

XL is the reason I started this show. I saw a photo of XL on the CDrama subreddit and thought he looked cool lol so I started watching it on Viki. I'll still watch Season 2 though because I want to know what they changed from the novel.

@Navi this whole ancient Chinese bra moment killed me. What??? I feel robbed. 

 Navi2124:

Fang Feng Bei finished drinking her blood and he gently licked the bite and Xiao Yao’s bleeding stopped. When he put down her wrist, there was no bite anymore and what remained looked like a passionate kiss mark.

Hmgngngngnggngngngn help

 bella_143:

i am rooting for Xiang Lu and Xiayao...i hope they would end up together 

Hey Bella! I see you're new here!

Let me send you some welcoming gifts:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MqTzONXY5_0

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DhoDaHwKe0E

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Uqas8UF2z3Q

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7FS_Jyfrb5o

 Elise:

TJC said if he was Xiao Yao, he'd want her to end up with Xiang Liu: https://twitter.com/tiff_ilosophy/status/1699752819044339784

Hahaha XL or FFB? 

Why not both? 😂