An innocent love story amongst a game of chess

This drama has some of the most engaging plot lines ever. A princess whose father is the prime minister as well as the brother of the empress while her mother is the elder princess sister of the emperor. You can imagine how adored this princess is. And we as the audience get to see how her entire world view is questioned when the people who cared for her are out to get her. Eventually she will find family with unlikely people.

This drama has a very beautiful cinematography, both indoor and outdoor scenes are brilliantly shot. The Ost and the soundtrack is really really beautiful too. I like this kind of romances, where there's not much misunderstandings and the cp communicates well.

But my favorite part of the drama gotta be the court politics. In the drama the country changes four emperors in a period of three years. The unrest, the schemes, everything is so well depicted. The politics inside the court among the several noble classes as well the politics with the outer forces from other countries, mixes so well together. This drama truly is a game of chess where everyone outsmarts the other. Among this is loyal soldiers who die innocently because of the whims of those in power. The cp spends a considerable amount of time apart doing there own things. But the politics is soo good, I assure you, you won't miss the romance scenes at all.

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A love as vast and beautiful as the galaxies

This drama has some really beautifully shot scenes. The lantern festival in the first few episodes is one such scene. It is one of the most striking first meeting between the ml anfld fl I've seen so far. The scene where the ml and fl meet in a forest in the middle part of the drama is also really beautiful. You can feel the chemistry and the warmth oozing out of the screen. The scene where the ml finally takes his revenge is also bloody amazing (pun intended). And ofcourse the ending scene with everyone stargazing is magnificent. The background ost and the sound effects just takes the scenes to another level.

I loved all the characters. The Chen family has such a funny yet wholesome dynamic lol. The best characters by far are the Royal trio, the emperor, empress and the consort. Loved them to bits, especially the fact how they break every stereotype their character has in cdramaland. My favorite characters were the two bodyguards of the ml, A'qi and A'fei, they're so hilarious. And atlast the ml and the fl are phenomenal. The chemistry is off the charts. Fl isn't dumb!! And ml isn't cold!!!!

P. S: Wu Lei's voice alone deserves 10 stars!

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Better than the source novel and gets even better each episode

This is probably the only drama that is much better than the original source novel. And the unique quality of this drama: it gets better as the episodes go on.

The world building in this drama is stunningly done. All the clans have their own flavor to them. It has some really beautiful cgi+ cinematography too.

The best thing about this drama? The relationships!

Bai Xuelu and Qing Gang start off as enemies but they end up becoming the sweetest couple there is. Bai Xuelu has the best character growth I've seen in any drama. She starts off as your usual green tea 2nd fl, but you can see from the start, there's something special about her. At the end she becomes so empowered and a overall great human being. She had potential and definitely achieved it! Qing Gang is just so righteous and charming. There relationship developed very organically.

Bai Xueying and Shi Yu fell in love a little too fast but they are the much needed calmness amidst all the knives in this drama.

Now are main couple: Shi Ying is the best! Whatever it is, looks, righteousness, kindness, backstory. He is the best in everything. This man even has some good humour mind you, definitely not your usual shifu. He and Zhu Yan are more or less the same age too! He is just so pure, I cried for him the most. He deserves the world but the world is too cruel to him.
Now Zhu Yan, I admit she's kinda annoying. I hated the way she treats Zhi Yuan. She calls him a friend but her actions kind of suggest something more than that. I was secretly happy everytime Great Grand Priest reprimanded her lol. But at the end she redeems herself with a ton of sacrifices.
Xiao Zhan always does a great job playing whatever character he gets. His emotional scenes and they eat he carries himself in character are really non-questionable. Ren Min does crying scenes like no other. Wang Churan is really good too.


Da Siming aka Great Grand Priest is my favorite character. He's this no bullshit guy everyone fears. And the only person who actually gets works done and puts the useless emperor on line. The emperor is too useless he gives me a headache. The empire wouldn't last a day if anybody depended on the Emperor. I liked the friendships in this drama too. Bai Xueying, Zhu Yan, Qing Gang trio was fun.
Chong Ming is sooo fun to watch. He's adorable, confident, hilarious and savage. Our most beautiful and favorite divine bird!!

The true OTP of this drama? Why yes it's obviously Chong Ming and Shi Ying.

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Peace is like a dream, why not fight till I'm damned

Do you believe in second chances? This drama tells the story about a girl who used every way possible and everyone around her to become an Empress. This Empress had a terrible ending and died horribly. Now she is back to the time before she went down the path of no return, and decides to fight against her destiny.

The best part of this drama to me, are the three male leads.

Our 2nd ML, Yan Lin is a bright and cheerful lad and the son of a Marquis. He is upright, and dotes on the FL endlessly in the start of the story. I think he has gone through the most character development in this drama. By the end of the story, having gone through much turmoil, he has matured a lot. But he still hasn't let go of his principal characteristics: upright, loyal and bright. This is how character development should be done!

Our 3rd ML, Zhang Zhe comes from a meager background. He has climbed the social ladder merely through his own talent. He works at the Ministry of Justice, quite befitting his just and unwavering character. From start to finish, in every lifetime, he never once takes sides in politics due to personal reasons and only supports the truth wholeheartedly. His romance with the Fl strikes a chord in me. I really like the dynamic between a high ranking noble lady × weak but talented poor scholar. I love the scene where they meet on a rainy day and they leave with their sight still lingering on each other.

Our ML, Xie Wei is the mastermind of most of the plots. He has ulterior motives and is dedicated to taking revenge. The more you get to know his character, the more you fall in love with him to the point that by the end of the story, you get addicted to his character. Can I just say Zhang Linghe is beautiful beyond measure, he looks otherworldly like a peach blossom spirit. Dark mysterious and beautiful ah! At first I was more interested in the 3rd ML with the FL, but as the story goes on, the differences between ML and him becomes greater. ML truly is willing to sacrifice his revenge, his hand (matters a lot cuz he's obsessed with playing guqin) and even himself for the FL. He's cold at the beginning but as soon as he starts falling in love it's like every scene they're together in combusts into fire. Best ML I have ever seen in drama ever. I just wanna watch more of Zhang Linghe T^T.

The FL is not as interesting as the MLs but Bai Lu is a good actress and it's easy to place yourself in her shoes, so it works out.

I love the side characters. You Fangyin and Boss Lyu's love story is soo sad. Love all the people by the ML's side— his bodyguards Jian Shu and Dao Qin and even the fake Xue Dingfei. Love the princess (I ship her 100% with the FL lol). I'm glad they didn't make the FL's sister the stereotypical evil character. Instead she has her own personality, storyline, and development. I really love her color palette and dressing style, goes super well with the character. The other side female characters are cute too (especially the astrologer, super funny).

The villains got so much on my nerves. But it's their job so idk. That Xue Shu is a damned b**** idk how they managed to cast someone that looks and talk evil all the time. I don't feel bad for her one bit. Her brother can go to hell too and so can their mom and dad. Evil family.

Anyways watch this drama, if you wanna look at beautiful scenery and even more beautiful people! 10/10 would recommend.

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Two unfortunate souls destined to be together

This is one phenomenal drama. Every thing from the story to the acting to the characters is just perfect. As the drama goes one, you'll fall in love with the characters (even the side characters). But what makes this drama so beautiful is actually the way the scenes are shot so magnificently and the background soundtrack.

The first part of the drama is a bit slower but keeps getting intense as we move on. The initial introduction of the characters is done really well to make the audience feel connected to them. The Lou Yao arc shows the difference between the fl with the ml vs with Lou Yao and draws emphasis on why the fl and ml are the otp. Every thing has a reason in this drama which is rare in dramaland these days.

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The most beautiful Xianxia you'll ever watch, with golden comedy and a starry love story.

This is not your typical Xianxia, it is much more than that.
You'll laugh and cry in this drama. This drama is a comedic gold, with really really great humour. But it also manages to hit you in the feels every now and then. From episode 1, I highly sympathized with the fl Yetan. She was treated as a harbinger of doom for all her life. You'll understand her pain really well, Li Landy portrays her so beautifully. As the drama went on I started to love the second fl too. She's so calm and rational, opposite to our fl but compliments are perfectly. Can I just say I love He Xualin 's voice. Then comes the two male leads. Chaofeng, at first he's a tiger in a sheep's costume. But you can't dislike him. Luckily he resolves himself fairly quickly and becomes this adorable third prince you'd want to protect!

Now the best part of this Drama - Chen Xingxu! Oh man where do I even begin. He's just soo good. He portrays a total of five characters in this drama. The reserved and cold Emperyan; the three soul shards- innocent and kind Lamu, money obsessed Mei Youqin, the flirty and elegant Wenren; and finally the reborn Shaodian Youqin. I'm so astonished by how he managed to portray these very different characters while making them feel like they're the same person at the same time. I've nothing but praise for his voice work here, he managed to change the way all five characters speak while not changing his voice! Impressive can't even express how good his acting was here.

I loved, loved the chemistry between the main leads. It's sooo sweet I wanna cry. The second leads had a great lovestory too. I love how different they are yet they compliment each other. I'm so glad the twin sisters stayed loyal to each other till the end and never once betrayed each other, unlike most other Xianxias.

Every single side character is soo soo good in this drama. The Prince of the beast realm Di Lanjue, Ziwu, Qingheng and everyone else. I love how this drama has the kindest heavenly empress of any xianxia ever. Oh and really adorable immortals lol. Both the male leads have adorable attendants. Feichi and Hamo for Youqin and Sushi and Hachao for Chaofeng. I love this supporting cast love stories. Even the supposedly evil characters are not bad. Wudai appears to be a brute at first but oh god is he adorable and so is Jialuoluo. The Emperor of the mortal realm may appear to be just another bad dad but thank God he's not.

By the end of this drama you'll be left wanting more. I cried and laughed a lot watching this drama. I wonder if the heavens will fill the void in my heart after this drama ended.

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The most fun and best xianxia of 2023!

Where to even begin. This story is set in a world where humans and spirits of all kinds coexist. There is a sort of enmity between them yet some fall in love with each other. Enter our main leads, a dragon that was betrayed by his ex and had to throw his heart scale away and our fl a Taoist, that was born with a heart disease and is alive due to that heart scale. And thus ensues the most fun adventure.

The best part of this drama is definitely the characters and the humour. Our main leads have a firy chemistry since the first time they meet. There interactions and bickering is just too fun to watch.

The fl in this drama is my favorite fl ever. She is strong and smart. Yet kind and fun. What she lacks in magic, she just uses brute force to cover. I've never once seen a fl so logical and soo relatable. She holds are grudges well and I'm so glad for it. She also pays back her favors ten fold. The most adorable, smart and downright beutiful soul fl I've ever seen.

The ml is just as adorable too. Hou Ming Hao 's acting really suprised me. He just has so much emotions. He suffers quietly. The ml probably has been through the most in this drama yet he has the purest heart of all.

The second ml Bai Xiaosheng, I won't lie I liked him better when he was a matchmaker to our couple. Later when he falls in love with the fl I kinda disliked him. But don't worry it lasts only 2-3 episodes and he is back to being the best matchmaker ever.

Then comes the supporting casts. ZhuLi and Huang Xiao Yan, these two are soo soo cute. Adorable kids fall in love and try their best to protect each other. Xiangge and Feng Qing Shou probably has the hottest setup in the story. Rival business owners who actually love each other. They have a beautiful relationship too.

My favorite parts in the drama is when all the three couples gather together, helping each other or just having fun. The friendship in this drama really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

There are so many other couples that were tragic. The snake man and monastery's QinYu. Xi Feng and Pufang. Chen Yi and Xue Lin, Lu Musheng and Fox Princess, etc. I liked their story bits too.

I really liked the wise old men Shifu and brush Sprite as well as Yan Hui's senior Zi Chen. As for the villains they are despicable but I like how none of them are one dimensional, they all have a proper reason to be how they are.

Bonus: the songs are super nice. Also this drama has a really beautiful opening ;)

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A story adorned in rich culture and reflects real life beautifully

This drama is set in the Song Dynasty. It tells the story of Shen Minglan born in a family of officials. Though they're officials that work in the royal court, they're not exactly upper noble class. The Shen daughters are three sisters. Minglan is the youngest one born of a unfavored mistress that died during childbirth.

This story is very beautiful. Unlike most stories that depend on excessive drama and action to make them worth watching. The Story of Minglan takes pride in detecting the highs and lows of daily life. The conflicts in the first part of the drama are mainly based on the Shen family's struggle to solidify a footing in the capital, and finding suitable husbands for the three daughters. This part is akin of a good slice of life story. Every detail is brilliantly portrayed to paint a picture of those times. It makes you feel as if you're living in those times.

The later part of the story has a heavier plot, as Shen Minglan has married a noble general. So the plot drabbles more into royal politics and conflicts. This part of the story is quite adventurous and fun to watch. The love stories in this drama are nothing crazy but manage to portray real life relationships in a very raw way. Shen Minglan has two suitors before marrying the general. One portrays puppy love where the other is just convention.

The main leads Zhao Liyin and Fang Shaofeng were married irl at the time of this drama's filming hence the chemistry is quite good. The characters are flawed making them more relatable. The side characters are all very lovable. The drama has extremely beautiful ost and cinematography. It feels like a poem about the Song Dynasty in itself.

But the most special thing about this drama for me personally, is the rewatchability. Very seldom I find a drama where every now and then I feel like rewatching it. Even if I like a drama very much, I usually don't find myself wanting to revisit it, or even if I do I almost never watch the entire thing from start to finish. But with this drama I've already watched it twice. The second time I watched it while simultaneously reading the novel (there's barely any change in the plot). And I was thinking about watching it for the third time and hence decided to write this review.

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This drama infuriates me to the point of no return

I'm not even going to bother write a long descriptive review for this drama. That would simply be a waste of my effort.

Among the cast I really used to like the ML, saw him in General and I, as Chu Beiji. He was really cool there. But here he appears annoying solely due to the story. I absolutely hate the Fl and Tan Song Yun's face doesn't help at all. This is the most infuriating FL I've come across in a while (and I've read tons of crappy transmigration novels, none of them are this bad).

This kind of dog blood dramas should be banned. People have nothing to do than just get up and scheme all day long with the most annoying tone of voice ever. I have seen many many palace dramas, and none of them harem schemes are as bad as this. This is just plain boring and dumb. The FL lead has such a annoying face, makes my blood boil. I really wanted her to suffer more but she didn't. The ML looks attractive in other dramas is reduced to a pig trotter here. What sword and brocade, rename this to “The Green tea b1tch and the pig trotter+ his 101 useless concubines”.

The only likable thing about this drama is not even in the drama, it's a teaser trailer with the red string of fate concept. Though I'd appreciate if it didn't include the Fl's face.

0/10 would never come close to anything like this.

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Magical, mystifying, dripping in rich culture and history

Strange tales of Tang Dynasty is originally a book written by Pu Songlin during the Qing Dynasty, which makes it more than 260 years old. There are so many adaptations of this book's stories but this drama's version is my favourite. These drama showcases quite a few cases and in the journey also manages to put together a very lovable cast.

The first case is of a kind of black tea that everyone in the imperial capital is addicted to but it actually causes hallucinations. Here we meet our detective duo. The older Su Wu Ming (the brain) and the younger Lu Lingfeng (the brawn). I loved their chaotic banter so much. Political upheaval forces them to leave the capital and go south, where they chose to stick together. They cross several places like Nanzhou, Ninghu, Luoyang, before returning to the imperial capital Chang'an. They solve mysteries every place they go, and make the lives of the local people so much better.

But obviously the duo is incomplete without the most lovable team ever. Pei Xijun who is in love with Lu Lingfeng and leaves her house to follow him. She is a brilliant painter and her portraits are often crucial to solve the cases. Chicken Fed, a beggar our duo randomly picked up, who turned out to be a genius doctor who knows everything. Chu Yingtao, a girl from the Jianghu, who can best her way to solve the case (also Su Wuming's love interest). And lastly Xue Huan, an adorable kid Lingfeng takes as his disciple. Without this half harmonious, half chaotic, but fully funny cast this drama wouldn't be so enjoyable.

I even like the smallest of the minor roles, like the guards and soldiers. Yes they all have actual personalities in this drama. Another thing I absolutely love about this drama is every character is well thought out. There's no villains just for the purpose of being evil. Everyone has their reasons. The crown prince and the princess are such complex and well written characters. Even the emperor that only appears for a few minutes in the last episode seems to have his own motives.

The bgm and ost are really good. The cinematography fits well with the story. It's beautiful, sometimes eerie, sometimes dreamy, sometimes magical. Very befitting the plot of the drama.

One of the only detective dramas I have watched without skipping a second. Highly recommended. It has mysteries, supernatural stuff, slight horror, sweet romances, hilarious moments and also emotional moments. It has everything!

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When everything has returned to dust, who was the one you gave your heart

The classical story of painted skin by Pu Songlin tells story of a fox spirit who falls in love with a already married general. In this rendition Xiao Wei (Ding Chengxin) the fox spirit is a boy. Pei Rong and general Wan Sheng are married but Pei Rong, the lady is the general here.

Amongst a beautiful setting, and exquisite cinematography is a story that is sure to tug at heartstrings. The melancholic theme of this short film manages to get you attach to the characters in just thirty minutes, something regular length dramas often struggle to achieve.

General Pei Rong (Wang Churan) finds a abandoned boy and brings him home where she lives with her wounded husband Wang Sheng (He Changxi). Unbeknownst to them, this boy is actually the heart-eating fox demon Xiao Wei. He wants to replace his own heart with Wang Sheng's, let him take the blame so he can live with Pei Rong.

“It took Xiao Wei thousand years to learn how to fall in love, but he did not know it takes two people to be in love”

There is grey area in this film. All the stolen glances and longing gazes makes you wonder who is actually love with whom. At the end Xiao Wei gives Wang Sheng a lock of hair supposedly Pei Rong's so they can be together in the next life. But this lock actually belongs to himself. So who is it that Xiao Wei loves? And why would Wang Sheng let him have his own heart? The film does not explicitly tell you that. But that is the beauty of subtlety, you have to watch to find out by yourself!

Ding Chengxin is truly the most beautiful person I have ever seen in my life (and I do not say this lightly). He has a pair of eyes that seem to hold oceans in them. Like upturned peach blossoms falling in the air and eyebrows like swords. Really beautiful as if an ancient painting. I'm waiting to see more of his dramas, especially xianxia/Wuxia

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A fun journey with ghosts and exorcists

Very rarely I see a drama soo good that it touches my soul. Everything about this drama is just pure goodness. The plot is very strong and without any bs unlike most dramas. The drama focuses on Zhong Yunfei an exorcist and his brothers Liu Hanyan (sister) and Wang Fuqu. They go on vanquishing evil while meeting and solving the problems of the people they meet. Their are several sets of characters each with a unique story and a pretty good conclusion. I loved each and every one of them. My favourite part of the drama was actually the friendship between the three. Very rarely we see a brotherhood so strong with zero backstabbing. This was also one of the rare instances that the heaven was actually fair. I would recommend this drama to anyone and everyone!! The word underated itself proves to be underated for this one.

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A long review spanning three lives and three worlds~

Ten miles of peach blossom- a classic Xianxia story which has many characters that you'll love or love to hate and a story you're bound to be obsessed with!

We all love our main leads Ye Hua and Bai Qian. They have a beautiful love story that shows you how deep the longing is and how the heart grows fonder with distance.

But this review is a tribute to the supporting cast.

Mo Yuan - the shifu of our fl and the God of War. This is a man with integrity and always does what he deems is righteous. Despite being in love with the fl he chooses to not say anything and goes as far as to make sure she's happy with the ml. He was only in for a few episodes but left an deep impression on me.

Xuan Nu- TMOPB has several villains but this is a character that despite being a villain gains my pity. Yes she's jealous of the fl but that's justifiable when everyone compares her to fl. Unlike Sujin she's not a unjustified man-crazy woman, she grows from a insecure but innocent young lady to a person that'd do whatever it takes to be powerful. And when she becomes powerful she tries to get Lijing's love to solidify her position but in the process actually falls in love with him. Her end is pitiful but she's a character with depth and complexity.

Lijing and Qilin- despite being a second ml who is supposed to be obsessed with our fl, I think Lijing is a well developed character. Yes he cares deeply about the fl, but never does he back away from his responsibilities. And his Qilin is just adorable lol.

Yanzhi and Zi Lan- these two are the cutest side couple in this story. Yan Zhi is a princess of the ghost tribe but she has a golden heart. She treats everyone fairly. A strong independent yet kind character. Zi Lan despite being a immortal is not judgemental in the slightest, he's also quite fun to watch.

Bai Zhen and Zhe Yan - The fourth fox Prince Bai Zhen, he's kind, witty and powerful. He loves his sister deeply and is a man that holds friendships over silly rules. The phoenix Zhe Yan is said to be by withdrawn from the world. But he's the best uncle anyone can hope to have. He's friendly, funny and great doctor. Also these two act like an old married couple, I live for their interactions.

Si Ming, Cheng Yu, Lian Song - the gossip trio of the heavenly realm. A breath of fresh air among the rigid heavenly tribe. They are the best friends you wish you had.

Dijun and Fengjiu - the side couple we all ship. A cute little fox princess gets saved by a retired grumpy heavenly lord and tries her best to return the favor. They fall in love and just to know are not fated to be. Starts as the cutest love story ever. Fengjiu is soooo cute smh, and Dijun, well who won't fall for him lol.

The Kunlun disciples- a group of disciples that have zero shenanigans going on. No jealousy over who their master treats better, no judgement based on family background, no bullying just pure brotherhood and helping each other.

There are so many and I mean too many more characters to list. The fox King and Queen, the snake couple and their son. The bratty cousin of Ye Hua, the most disgusting villain ever who I wish just died several times-Sujin and so many other characters that I loved to the bits.

Overall this drama has great cast, godly soundtrack, beautiful cinematography and a heart wrenching story spanning three lifetimes. And MARK CHAO!!!! What else do you need. If you like xianxia this a cult classic. Don't wait any longer just watch it! ♡

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Tragically beautiful love story paired with the most brilliant cinematography

If I could rate it more than 10 I would. This drama has impacted me the most. It's just so morbidly beautiful. The love between a princess and her eunuch, it's extremely tragic and painfully innocent. I loved the emperor too, he was kind and benevolent to his people but that didn't mean he was flawless, afterall the heaven's son is still human. The empress is such a strong character, she loved but her love was never reciprocated. At the end she could only do her duty to get the emperor's attention and this made her so strict. The emperor's one true love the concubine is also tragic, she truly loved the emperor but was forced to be a demon by the ruthless harem politics. While the concubine (Huirou's mother) she only wanted her daughter to be happy by at the end couldn't protect her. The novel that this story is inspired from is by far the most tragically beautiful novel I've ever read and the drama is befitting too. I just wish they paid more attention towards the love story.

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Wuxia but better!

A male lead that doesn't act overly cold and mysterious but is actually sweet and kind and also has a brain (like he's really cunning)??? A female lead that doesn't act cringey and childish but actually has responsibilities????? Oh my god this drama is a masterpiece. The cinematography is outstanding film level but the characters are even better. We all love Wuxia old masters right? Right? This drama has plenty. From Lao Huang (a friendly and loyal master) to the greatest master who is actually cute (Li ChungGang) this drama has it all. The female lead doesn't go running behind the male lead and the male lead doesn't try to hide his feelings. The best part of the drama you ask? Well it's the relationship between the male lead and his father. Outside the father is the human slaying heartless general but inside he's a caring and doting father who gets chased by his son with a shoe and fears his daughter. A cute little brother, caring sister, dangerous tsundere sister, you name it, this drama has it all. I recommend watching this drama. It's Wuxia without the cringey tropes!!

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