For many Jin Yong fans, Huang Yao Shi is one fascinating side character. It was natural that he would get his own origin story. I wouldn’t call this a prequel, because the fate of some characters didn't quite line up with the canon. This was more like an “alternate universe” story, and a very good one to boot. While the writers stripped away the more brutal aspects of Huang’s personality, they stayed true to the things that most defined him: his total disregard for what others think (his “cool factor”) and his undying love for his wife Feng Heng.

David Chiang as Huang Yao Shi was an awesome sight to behold. With his martial arts background, he knew how to make an entrance at each fight scene. Since Huang was a man of action and very little word, you can read him through David’s body language and micro-expressions. It was smart and subtle acting. Watch for the scene where he learned that his wife was pregnant. His reaction was priceless, in keeping with his eccentric nature.

Fiona Leung was at her most beautiful in this series. Her Feng Heng looked at Huang Yao Shi with such longing eyes that you can almost see his heart melt. Their relationship was as unique and unconventional as Huang himself. Even when surrounded by enemies, these two seemed to be in a world of their own. That's why it made zero sense when she left him hanging and ran off to try and save her father on her own. That was a stupid move and very unlike her intelligent self. It was sloppy writing and one of few flaws in an otherwise tight plot.

The writers really delivered a nice version of Chen Xuan Feng and Mei Chao Feng. They were less Bonnie-and-Clyde and more like Romeo-and-Juliet. Julian Cheung was just plain cute and so very likeable. His Chen Xuan Feng was much like Guo Jing, naive and principled and just a little shy. He and Mei Chao Feng were a case of opposites attract. Emily Kwan as Mei Chao Feng was surprisingly good. She may not be the prettiest actress, but Emily did have this fierceness to her acting. Unlike Feng Heng, Mei Chao Feng wasn’t ok with being helpless and protected by the man she loved.

This series had all-around good acting and character building. Ou Yang Feng was menacing yet pitiful. Liu Kai Chi was his usual best as the hilarious, no-filter Zhou Bo Tong. In fact, the whole of Quanzhen Sect was unexpectedly fun to watch. The plot had a good pace and didn’t linger unnecessarily. The fight scenes can be confusing with lots of cuts and shaky cam. Even so, the final frame with Huang Yao Shi catching a single flower petal with his sword was pure art. It was one of the most symbolically beautiful ending I’ve ever seen.