IrenaK

Revealing her identity

She continues to sneak around in her spirit form and I wonder: can Duan Xu sense her only when he has the sword at his side, or can he do it on his own? Simu even raised a question whether Xu had been given Deliverance only because he was her spell-bearer? I want to see how this will turn out to be... That captain with lost memories remembered some flashes, and Duan Xu has marked him as a spy. Is he, though? I'd love to know what he has forgotten and why that happened.But the most important part of this episode was that she finally revealed to him that she's the Sovereign of the Spirit World and wants to make a deal—fulfilling one of his wishes for 10 days for one of his senses. Repeating it five times. And the question now is: what will the general do? She's very determined and persuasive, but they both are tough nuts! Will she succeed? And what did Duan Xu's blood do to the sword? Did it enhance it? Or fed it? That's another very interesting thing to learn eventually... 🤔

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The spell-bearer and the Right Hand

First, I have to praise the visuals! Even though we’re in the mortal world, everything is filled with traces of the afterlife — the Void. Having the Sovereign of the Spirit World walking among mortals gives the show such an ethereal, otherworldly, and sometimes even grim atmosphere. I love it. I’m also really enjoying the little boy, Chenying. He’s just so amazed by everything magic-related! Even when Simu denies it, I think he’s convinced his "elder sister" is the one behind it all.Secondly, the way Simu's right hand man appeared the first time. That scene showed him as a very powerful figure in the Void. The black waves circling around him... just WHOA! Definitely give a vibe of someone very powerful, quite ruthless even and domineering. But then he visited Simu with a completely different vibe — a friend, quite caring. And we learned she's in mortal world "on vacation"... hmm — could it mean something? 🤔But thirdly, and most importantly, Simu got the confirmation that the general Duan is the spell-bearer who can give her the missing five senses. And what a scene it was! In slow motion he ran through her invisible body, leaving traces of his essence, enough to activate the golden pearl — the ultimate confirmation that he's the one. I’m quite excited to see how this all continues! However, I actually don’t remember the full story behind her five senses—was she born without them, or did she lose them at some point? 🧐

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The mystery around the ML

Wow, this episode just keeps building the mystery around the male lead.The backstory really adds to the suspicion regarding his true identity. What is with the red birds? And that ancient language? And the look in his eyes—he was absolutely wild! He’s definitely no ordinary general, and I’m loving it.Simu is so intrigued by him, observing him while she’s invisible... but is she really? Maybe he cannot see her, but he can definitely sense her. I’ve noticed that more than once now! And that scene where she played the dirge for the general, sitting in the snow while he fought with such bloodlust... it was pure art! I literally had chills during the entire sequence. Amazing!

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Curiosity between the leads

General Duan Xu became even more interesting in this episode. It’s clear he has already cracked several of He Simu’s secrets—like her inability to see colors, taste food, or feel temperature, and her hidden identity—and yet he is clearly intrigued by her. I wonder why! It’s obvious he has secrets of his own, and I hope we get some of his backstory soon.Also, the little boy, Chenying, seems to be their biggest shipper... and the children overall! They really like He Simu and General Duan. Their cheering, 'They are bowing for the marriage!' when our leads were just bowing in greeting, was hilarious! 😂I love how different she is with spirits—ruthless and bossy—but with humans, she is an actress. She is so intrigued by them and everything related to the five senses she’s missing.Apparently, General Duan has some special skills, like sharper eyes and keener hearing. I wonder if those are just skills he has honed through training, or if there is something more to him! 🧐

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Very interesting start

This show is visually very interesting. The aesthetics are quite gloomy—often dim and plain in colour—which makes the female lead, He Simu, stand out so much. She is very colourful, from her red dress to her vibrant spells!The male lead, General Duan Xu, remains a mystery not just to me, but to He Simu as well. He has this sword, Deliverance, but he barely draws it. However, once he did, it seemed to startle He Simu's lantern, and I believe that’s when she and her magical powers became visible to him. I’m really curious to see how this story continues because, so far, I’m quite clueless!The fact that she can’t see colours, hear music, or feel cold, warmth, and touch is so sad. I suspect that as the leads develop an affection for each other, she might gradually regain those senses. Maybe the key isn't the sword, but love itself?Also, I wonder if the "obsession" He Simu took from the dying father about his son—who is now being presented as her brother—will mean something later on. She even introduced herself with another name, He Xiaoxiao, if I remember correctly.And the chemistry between leads looks quite good.

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I absolutely loved the ending!

Oh, what an ending! Some might object, but I think it was very satisfying and very well wrapped up without leaving any loose ends. 🤗👏The Yu family's end was well deserved, I think. Lord Yu, ironically in a struggle to make his son take the blame for his own sins, got accidentally killed by him. Madam Yu, with her son and grandson, was exiled and their wealth was confiscated, and she even "lost" a bit of her sense of reality and kept living in a limbo where she tried to match her son with Tingyun. Her mind was her sharpest tool, which she will never be able to use properly ever again, meaning she was crippled in her own way. 😌I didn't expect to see Yake any more, and I thought what we saw before was her ending, but I think it's even better knowing she became an instructor in Ganlin Town, because it actually suits her quite well. 🙂‍↕️ All the other side characters also got well-earned endings. Sen married Miss Wang, Miss Wu got her freedom, the Mo family got their first scholar, Tingzhou excelled with his teachings, and then there's the Wei couple's shenanigans in the bedroom... 🤭However, I didn't expect to see Mr Jin, as I thought he had died from that beating. But crippling his leg, just as he had cut his ear for betraying his brothers and Zhao Ling, was a good enough ending for me. He wasn't a bad person after all, he just sometimes had misplaced trust and motives. 😌But as for Zhao Ling and Tingyun... I couldn't be happier with how the story ended for them! 🥹❤️ I was so proud when Ling did not accept the Emperor's generous reward and chose to stay as regional commander to live his days happily in peace with Tingyun and their daughter (and maybe more children if they eventually come) in Ganlin Town. 🤗This drama was such an emotional journey, touching on so many topics that are still relevant nowadays, and not only in China, but in other countries too. It showed very well how people can lose themselves in the climb for power, wealth, and status — how much they have to sacrifice if they aim too high... So, in the end, choosing peace, love, and values that matter to one's heart can be way more rewarding than all of that. 🥹I liked one line that one of the Yus said a couple of episodes ago — that the top is very cold. And I couldn't agree more, as it did feel that way very often. 😔The cinematography was stunning and the OST was a treat for my ears. The directing and actors did their job marvellously, making me hate the villains, love the heroes, and sometimes question their choices and motives, especially Zhao Ling's, but it all showed how human they are — with their faults, their strengths, their emotions, their desires, and ambitions.All I can say is, I really loved this drama, and I highly recommend it to anyone. 🤗A pure masterpiece in its own way. 💖

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So many wins!

After so many losses, we finally got an episode with so many wins! 🥳They got the golden weight and other evidence. Even Mr Jin stepped forward to right his wrongs, even though he most likely got beaten to death (I really don't think he survived that). 😌And Yake provided a very important document that reveals all of Minister Yu's allies, which could have been lost if Tingyun had disposed of her gift... And I am overall kind of satisfied with Yake's ending, because in my eyes she has redeemed herself with all the help and change of heart she had in these last few episodes. And since Tingyun has also forgiven her, I see no reason to dislike her anymore. 🥹Loved to see some combat scenes with DYX, as we didn't get that many in total throughout the drama, contrary to what I expected. AND THE NORTHWEST ARMY CAME! Oh, how I cheered! Of course, that will cost Commander Wang his post and rank, but, hey — Northwesterners stand together! 🤗The final minutes of the episode were particularly satisfying, where one minister after another just stepped forward and impeached Minister Yu for many different embezzlements, murders, and other crimes. 👏

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Going full circle

They got me bad — I really believed the Emperor had turned his back on Zhao Ling and that he actually died from poison... I was sad and angry at how they chose to kill him — in prison, wrongly accused. 😒Yet, when Lord and Madam Yu wondered how easily Ling had died and even wanted a confirmation, which they didn't get, I started to hope. And, oh, how happy I was that he was alive! AND not only that... Even though it's for the investigation, he's back to being Jiuweijiao, making it feel like it has come full circle now!I am hyped for him being the smuggler again — he even looks more cheerful now. 😌Let's bring Minister Yu and his wife down! I am so ready for it! 👏😏

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Loyalty should go both ways...

Damn, that Emperor! He was the one who gave those lands, identity, and everything to Zhao Ling, and he knew he was a salt smuggler! And he did nothing? Said nothing? How can that be called deceiving the throne!? Loyalty should go both ways... 😠😞And Mr Jin, you fool... Another greedy victim of Lord Yu's schemes. 😒 At least Sen wasn't accused, but this doesn't change what Mr Jin did. To be fair, I thought Lord Yu would have him killed to silence him in case something went sour. And I am happy Sen didn't kill him. That would have been too much for his pure soul. 😟And Madam Wan with the upper Northwest ladies coming to Tingyun's aid... That moment was so touching. They are not gone; they still stand with their "sister". 🥹

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Shifting relationships and choosing themselves

She chose to stay! I am so grateful, because a divorce would be the worst possible solution when they have already given up so much for that status and wealth... 🥹But I want to praise Yake in this episode. She finally made a decision for herself, and a right one at that. Away from those vipers who ruin everything they touch. Her decision will be the first stain on the Yu family's polished reputation, and I can't wait for the dominoes to start tumbling until they are in utter ruin. 👏And her help to Tingyun? Well, I will consider this as her redemption for her past mistakes. Though, I didn't expect she would be the one to tell Tingyun how her mother died.. But she knows now. And I can sigh in relief — that secret was heavy on Ling and their relationship. 😌😮‍💨

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Yu family becomes even worse

​OMG, my stress levels are rising! I can't believe Mr Yu threw his son under the bus just like that and Madam Yu got Madam Wu killed! They really are willing to do literally anything to reach their goals.... 😧​And them trying to spread the rumours of Madam Zhao having an affair with Young Master Yu? They should beware of taunting that tiger in Zhao Ling's skin, because once it breaks free, none of those people will be safe... He won't tolerate anyone slandering his beloved! 😠​Madam Mo, why did you make General Mo sign that "donation" agreement? It was so obviously a bribe! How could they even consider that as an opportunity... 🤦‍♀️​Now all my hopes are on Tingyun and Concubine Wu's co-operation to clear the name of the Northwest people and maybe even reveal some of the stuff Mr and Madam Yu are doing behind the scenes. 🤞

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The gift, the parting and the escape.

And once again I just want to say how beautifully stunning the visuals are of this drama. It really does look like almost every scene is a piece of art! 😍His gift to her — a map of the Spirit Realm, with each place having descriptions of smells, colours and everything else she can't really sense herself — was so thoughtful. Only someone who truly cares and holds the other person dear would make something like that. 🥹I don't trust either of Simu's Hands. Yan Ke has already proven multiple times that he's a villain in this story, but Jiang Ai plays a more mysterious game. And now with Bai Sanxing having escaped from prison, the question is what do either of them plan to do with him? Because they're both hiding that they've seen him. And how did the guard-eye fall asleep? Was someone "helping" it? 🤔

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Simu's backstory and other choices

She was so much stronger than any of those other spirits who coveted the lantern and the Sovereign status. No wonder the lantern literally chose her. 🤗And did she have her senses when she was chosen or she never had them? 🤨But why did she erase their time in the illusion world from his memory? Did she think it would be a weakness to her or maybe a threat to him? 🥺Also, I don't know if Left Hand can be trusted, however Right Hand is definitely getting high just to get his little imaginary moments with He Simu where she's head over heels for him... Sir, that illusion was nothing like the real version! 🙄P.S. Starting to remember a bit more of what was happening.

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