Phoenix23

i am not sure if it is ep 12 only or later so read ahead with caution..

"Wang Pu says he underestimated the characters"

i think as the plot has been through XHA's lens throughout , in first part we were all as invested as XHA in revenge against YFS and the episodes though ended in cliffhangers we got 2 episodes and some clarification/understanding..here as the Tiemo king said XHA knew YFS and could plot, but he has no clue about him..as of now I feel as viewer I have as less info as XHA has..and there is uncertainity in path of XHA and that got depicted in today's episode..if that was the intention of scriptwriter it is brilliant, if not then lets see as plot moves forward

good observations and insights..
if he could be spy XHA then it is like equal spies on both sides, a matching character to Shifu

YSF is as powerful at fighting as XWY..he isn't someone who could be easily overpowered even with that many people as per the plot

I think XHA has an idea of Tiemo infiltration..he was ready with the powder..and he knew Teimo had some role in his father's death..I guess he didn't expect his own Shifu to be shadow gaurd..But his Shifu has said himself, dont know who he finds more scary "XHA or YFS"..

Got kicked out of Douban..so you are spreading hate here🤣

When XHA comes to know YZ has been badly injured he really looked like a "checkmate" king..and to come back after that with such brilliance..awesome strategy and plot, and well acted by Cheng Yi..
also XHA and the Beihuan army is in white and Huben army and YFS is in black dress during the episode, like black and white chess pieces..
also XHA wants YFS's lady soldier (don't remeber her name) also dead for playing a part in his siter's death..

she was under Huben's watch..I don't think she was under their control

the strategy behind YFS's death was class...HXA really looked deranged and actually used that to manipulate YFS..the strategy, the brains 🔥🔥
now the "shifu" has revealed himself to be the villian and prisoner is Tiemo's king..wow..but also looks like XHA was expecting something as he was ready for it..
and Yin Zheng better be alive..they have always confirmed dead person as dead in this drama..him not saying YZ as dead..I am really hoping he comes alive
and why kill Gu Yu?
everyone s gone now..and Knowing Cheng Yi..XHA may not stay till end, also XWY may not be the king in end with the character growth of the prince he seems to be the one who'll be crowned king..and will Aunt Xin and Qingyi come back or is it the end of their roles?

one game finished to reveal a bigger game underneath

Is it Choice/FreeWill or Destiny/Fate?
every death on the righteous side, like HXA burying and burning the huben army person, is answered equally by the villain side , like WP killing the soldier in same way..there are many such parallels throughout..as if Fate is keeping scores..yet all characters be it YZL, Aunt Xin and her son, WP, BW all seem to also be choosing to work for HXA or YFS..and all their choices directly or indirectly aiding/thwarting the whole "game"...
so how much is fate? how much is Free will?
I know this is work of fiction but the scriptwriter has done a great job of making it as realistic to real life as possible with the synchroniciies, premonitions, defeats, betrayal, loyalty, wins, escapes, deaths..
One of the best dramas of this year..after Kill My Sins I didnt expect something as intellectual but VOA has been really amazing so far and even surpassed KMS for me..

Marcus Here Youtube channel just posted that Douban has removed fake profiles after massive downvoting by fake profiles for VOA..is it true?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XTfWfdQk6NY&pp=ygULbWFyY3VzIGhlcmU%3D

also we dont know the identity or importance of YFS's prisoner

she is biased..I think she secretly watches and enjoys dramas and just posts negative comments for personal reasons/views..she used to comment on Liu Yuning's looks and that he is not capable of carrying entire drama on his own and he is not lead ML material..and this year he produced 3 masterpieces and one ADWAD which she cant stop talking about..her viewpoint is not correct..

this drama deserves much more according to me considering the plot, the way each episode slowly reveals deeper plot without removing the emotional component and making it too intellectual...the scriptwriter has done a great job on this one,,hope it gets even more recognition🔥

this is the drama there has been least talk and almost all action..ep18 is the 1st time the mastermind and villian meet

man Cheng Yi's acting is truly remarkable..he hasnt raised his voice ever and yet subtle change in expressions and tone conveys the kindness and comfort he feels wround his own people and the chill look he gives YFS and the cold way he said to YFS 's aid "you must die too" and he also looks deranged around Yang and YFS now..all of this portrayed subtly with microexpressions but not so subtle that it'll get missed..a treat to watch ❤️❤️
every death in this drama (there are many) has been mourned and drama does show the implications it has on people close to them, be it villan or hero..1st C-drama I am watching where every death has had a meaning and consequence..

this feels like a game of chess between two masterminds..each character being played like a pawn from either side..

I think Xiao Wu Yang is Xiao Wen Jing's father's brother..not sure though

not sure why they need to kill Bai Wan..she was the one reason for XHA to hold on to a sense of normalcy or family..now even his revenge seems half-hearted...
also Han Zhiling's death is seeming unnecessary..they both could've escaped..
and why are the villians surviving..the one at the village, Aunt Xin and her son..