I almost didn't watch this show because of a few things.

1. Dub. Yes, the whole show is dubbed by the original or other actors. I understand it's because the language is very rich, intricate, and subtle that everything needs to be clear, but at first it almost made me turn it off. I got used to it.

2. First few minutes I thought the setting was going to be in regional and mountain areas but 90% of the show takes place in the capital city of the empire.

3. The exaggerated martial arts. It's actually pretty nice and fun to watch but can take a while to get used to.

4. This is my first Chinese series. It had so many names and locations that at first was hard to keep up with but eventually it was easy.

Now that I got that out of the way:

The show's story is what sets it apart. Layers upon layers and very beautiful setups that make the show work. There's really not much more I can say without giving it away but if you want a nice story with a great plot, this is the show.

The actors and cast. Everyone was excellent and really complemented each other. They'll grow on you.

Overall, I loved the show and although it was 54 episodes, it didn't feel like it dragged on or felt too long or too short. It was just the right amount.

If you have doubts about watching, like I mentioned above, just watch a few more episodes. You'll see how good this show can be.