It's a novel.. Everything is bound to happen like the novel. If ur complaining about the pacing, I agree since…
I think calling it ‘sloppy writing’ is a stretch. What you’re describing is a shift in narrative focus, not a writing failure.
The ML feeling like a side character right now doesn’t automatically mean he is one—it just means the story is prioritizing other arcs at this point. A character’s importance isn’t measured by how many scenes or fights they get in a few episodes
And bringing up the heir and his brother actually proves the opposite of your point—the writers clearly can build strong subplots and characters. They’re choosing to develop different layers of the story instead of keeping everything centered on one dynamic.
You’re expecting the ML to constantly perform his ‘strong general’ role, but stories don’t always work in a straight line like that. Sometimes characters step back so other conflicts can build.
Not liking that direction is fair—but that’s a preference issue, not automatically bad writing.
As a novel reader.. I kind of understand. This drama is actually female centric, the plot actually revolves around…
I actually understand what you’re saying—you’re talking about character balance, not just screen time. But I think you’re misreading what the story is doing with him.
He hasn’t become ‘useless,’ he’s just not being used in the way you expected. There’s a difference. From the start, he was introduced as powerful, yes—but that doesn’t mean the story has to keep proving it through constant fight scenes. Sometimes a character’s role shifts depending on whose story is being told. Right now, the narrative is clearly centered on her growth and decisions. That doesn’t erase his importance—it just means his role is more situational than dominant. Strength in a story isn’t only about screen time or action scenes.
Also, saying he has ‘no purpose’ ignores the fact that his presence still drives parts of her choices, the political stakes, and their dynamic. He’s not gone—he’s just not the focus at this point in the story.
You’re expecting equal spotlight in a story that was never structured that way. That’s not bad writing—it’s just not the kind of storytelling you prefer
Li Huaian is seriously injured. He cant even stand properly. He will only drags them down if he goes to the battlefield.…
Your argument only works if we pretend her decisions exist in a vacuum. They don’t. You keep listing how everyone ‘respected’ her choices, but you’re ignoring why—because her judgment has consistently led to results when others hesitate. Also, calling it ‘treacherous’ assumes intent to betray, when it was clearly about preventing a worse outcome. There’s a difference between undermining someone for selfish gain and stepping in when their decision risks everything.
And let’s be honest—if the situation had gone wrong because she stayed passive and ‘respected authority’, you’d be the first to call her useless.
You’re not really arguing about fairness—you’re just holding her to a standard where she’s wrong no matter what she does
You’re not really arguing about fairness—you’re just holding her to a standard where she’s wrong no matter what she does.”
This way, you’re not just attacking—you’re flipping their logic back on them, which hits harder
Oh my, I love that she went to the battle but I hate that she did it by knocking out Li Huaian. She doesn't learn,…
I actually like her attitude and the decisions she made. Yes, they were reckless, but in the end, they helped everyone. Sometimes people need to step up, because if no one does, nothing will change. Even in real life, not all rules should be followed blindly—if breaking them leads to something better, then why not? Even Mulan broke the rules to save others. I’m not trying to offend anyone, I just think not everything has to follow a strict order.
It's a novel.. Everything is bound to happen like the novel. If ur complaining about the pacing, I agree since it's kinda fast but if you're one of the commentor who didn't like FL killing the general then.. Theres nothing u can do coz it's female centric and it's what's on the novel.
So all hopes of having good fight sequence from ML are dashed ? I guess that was the last fight sequence . All…
It actually align with their position and personality. Xie Zheng leads and plans.. Chang yu fights like a soldier. General changxin was about to leave that place if FL didn't intervene to avenge Mandi..
As a novel reader.. I kind of understand. This drama is actually female centric, the plot actually revolves around…
He appears when the plot involves him but as u can see it's not the case. FL past being reveal one by one.. And all the charcaters revolves around her and her family..
He must take male centered drama roles, he is acting in the female centered ones...
Yeah... A lot of ML fans are really mad. Idk if it's true but it's kinda becoz they wanted the ML to shine more coz he's more popular.. This is not a n empty word, I did read comments that says that. ZLH should take male centric coz his fans are kinda the toxic.
As a novel reader.. I kind of understand. This drama is actually female centric, the plot actually revolves around…
It still fits their character. Xie Zheng is more calmer. Chang yu asked him to choose who he wants to kill and choose chang xin and chang yu face yuan qing... Changxin is not on the bingo card of chang yu, he just happen to be there.. Yuan qing left so ML pursue him. Mandi died, what chang yu did is becoz her emotions are high.. Yuan qing told Xie zheng to kill him but instead Xie zheng choose to capture him... So as u can see their situation is different.
I am not liking where this is heading. suddenly she is a general? i mean yes she is depicted as someone physically…
Lol. She's not general yet... She joined the battle and killed 2 generals alone. She spared with general he and it was shown already that her father indeed pass down the technique to her... It's been like 3 or 4 episodes and u still can't let go the fact that her actions rooted becoz Xie zheng lied.. Why blame her when she herself learned and apologized. It's called character development.
The ML feeling like a side character right now doesn’t automatically mean he is one—it just means the story is prioritizing other arcs at this point. A character’s importance isn’t measured by how many scenes or fights they get in a few episodes
And bringing up the heir and his brother actually proves the opposite of your point—the writers clearly can build strong subplots and characters. They’re choosing to develop different layers of the story instead of keeping everything centered on one dynamic.
You’re expecting the ML to constantly perform his ‘strong general’ role, but stories don’t always work in a straight line like that. Sometimes characters step back so other conflicts can build.
Not liking that direction is fair—but that’s a preference issue, not automatically bad writing.
He hasn’t become ‘useless,’ he’s just not being used in the way you expected. There’s a difference. From the start, he was introduced as powerful, yes—but that doesn’t mean the story has to keep proving it through constant fight scenes. Sometimes a character’s role shifts depending on whose story is being told.
Right now, the narrative is clearly centered on her growth and decisions. That doesn’t erase his importance—it just means his role is more situational than dominant. Strength in a story isn’t only about screen time or action scenes.
Also, saying he has ‘no purpose’ ignores the fact that his presence still drives parts of her choices, the political stakes, and their dynamic. He’s not gone—he’s just not the focus at this point in the story.
You’re expecting equal spotlight in a story that was never structured that way. That’s not bad writing—it’s just not the kind of storytelling you prefer
Also, calling it ‘treacherous’ assumes intent to betray, when it was clearly about preventing a worse outcome. There’s a difference between undermining someone for selfish gain and stepping in when their decision risks everything.
And let’s be honest—if the situation had gone wrong because she stayed passive and ‘respected authority’, you’d be the first to call her useless.
You’re not really arguing about fairness—you’re just holding her to a standard where she’s wrong no matter what she does
You’re not really arguing about fairness—you’re just holding her to a standard where she’s wrong no matter what she does.”
This way, you’re not just attacking—you’re flipping their logic back on them, which hits harder
THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE NOVEL. CHANG YU IS THE ONE WHO KILLED GENERAL CHANG XIN.
Chapter 108.. The Emperor will promote Chang yu for killing that general.
They are following the novel.