PeachBlossomGoddess

And Qiushui should really stick it to him - it's all thanks to you asshole!

Daxi - should be Song dynasty and Beihuang should be the Great Jin (Jurchens) who invaded Song and humiliated the Song royal family in the Jingkang period. After the collapse of their capital, the imperial family fled to the South and established the Southern Song dynasty. This is a popular period to set wuxias - Jin Yong's most popular work LOCH was also set at this time.
Madame Wu should actually be patriot Yuefei's mother so her son that was arrested is Yuefei himself. If you know his story, he was a legendary fighter who kept the Jurchens at bay for years until his own government put him to death. The imperial family in this story should be very useless. All of the names were changed bc I am sure they are going to "distort history" in this telling. I am keen to see how XQS helps Yuefei/General Wu unite a divided martial world to fight against their enemy Beihhuang. If that is how they tell the story there should be no villain per se bc the biggest enemy is really Beihuang.

Some historical background on the story setting - may or may not be spoilers so I am going to hide it anyway:

The early AI/game parts were written by the screenwriter. Once you get past that, it converges into the original novel which was a 1970s or 80s classic wuxia. After Jin Yong and Gu Long, the writer Wen Ruian is considered one of the best wuxia writers of that time. I didn't read this book but I know its considered one of his best works.

I am going to guess it ends up fortuitous as by breaking his limbs, Qu Hanshan has somehow unleashed his meridians to reach new heights of martial arts ability. Not a spoiler its just a guess from watching/reading way too much of this genre.

While I understand what Cheng Yi said was taken out of context, it is just bad luck that he inadvertently waded into a sensitive topic. People in China's work week is 6 days from 9am to 9pm. Most of them watch while multi-tasking, that is why short dramas have become way more popular than long ones and the economy has been struggling since covid. So his comments were viewed as insensitive and out of touch with the reality of the times or most people's lives. To the average person, immersing themselves in a 40 episode drama is a luxury that isn't within reach.

While I don't like how the AI/game plot was written (esp the cringey dialogue OMG), I do think its hilarious how they are mocking the recent trend in the fantasy genre (esp in gaming) where the hero is invincible and has many cheat codes and other means to beat the system.

I don’t rate anything until it’s over but I think so far 8 is fair.

The first few episodes are a bit iffy but by episode 7 or 8 it gets good if you like classic wuxias.

This is a bit of a Don Quixote plot where he is on a mission to revive chivalry and righteousness in the martial world. I quite like this kind of story and how it’s told.

I agree that he seems to be struggling to get in character in this drama. I have seen much better from him and it doesn’t help that he is out acted by Xu Zhenxuan, who is simply killing his role. I remember this to be a controversial production where he had some injuries during the fight scenes. Maybe he is on some serious meds and distracted. As for the plot itself I think apart from the AI related bits, it’s getting more interesting as we go along. Classic wuxias can meander a bit that is why the genre hasn’t been popular in recent years. It is taking the time to illustrate how internal divisions and in fighting and a loss of the righteous spirit is undermining the sects in Daxi and playing into the kingdom’s downfall to Beihuang.

Terrific review. I just don't have time to watch this but thanks for making me feel like I did.😘

You'll find out. Not being facetious, just don't want to spoil you.

Ah ok - that makes sense, tyvm.

Hahaha - my dad certainly did but he doesn't remember it anymore.

I don't understand how Qu Hanshan got his hands on it. Did XQS have it all along? I think I may have missed something.

Question about the Heroes Token

Yes indeed he is but he lives in HK now. He also wrote The Four which was adapted many times and Heroes 2022:
https://mydramalist.com/67855-say-hero-who-is-hero

It was a good frame job indeed. And Tang Fang just stood there for so long when she was a witness.

I thought it was bc Tang Fang's father told her Crazy Yan cured him the first time bc he felt responsible for his injury. So I just assumed he had to be the guy Crazy Yan flew away with.