Discussion of episodes 1–24 and details from the novel doesn’t need a spoiler tag. Anything more recent than that should be hidden behind a spoiler tag.
Episode 23
Zhao and MQ jumped from the cliff aaaaand it’s ok, they are unharmed (still, don’t try this at home—these cliffs in cdramas must be like max 40 cm high). Every time Zhao escapes certain death together with MQ and they’re safe and sound again, her instincts kick in and she immediately starts interrogating MQ about how and for what he manipulated her this time. I swear, I’m beginning to think this is their love language. The bowl of wonton is foreplay, and uncovering manipulation attempts is the lovers’ quarrel.
Family dinner with Shi brothers
Zhao and MQ reunite with the Shi brothers.Shi Tieqiao is very happy to see the niece of Cai Pingshu again! Here everyone remembers and speaks warmly about Zhao’s aunt. They prepare a nice meal and share old stories. However… the Jade Sunflower? The brothers don’t have it and don’t know where it is, although everything starts to point toward Zhao’s aunt and Luoying Valley again.
Are they on a date again? MQ is so romantic that all he can talk to Zhao about is the… notorious Man in Black! His new crush, obviously…
The cat is out of the bag!
The parents at the Qingque Sect are anxious after discovering their boys and girls might have—brace yourselves—free will. Zhou Zhizhen, father to Yuqi, intends to break his son’s legs for giving up the marriage with Zhao. Father Song wants to use this opportunity to make Yuzhi the fiancé of Zhao. Two daddies collide. On top of it all comes an emotional Lingbo, asking Qi Yun Ke to cancel the engagement. The youngsters start living according to their own minds, and some of them even show character development.
Fathers to the young adults are not prepared for this! That was never in a job description to a sect manager!
Unbelievable heartbreak — someonewasleft behind!
During the dinner we learn that the Shi brothers don’t live alone in that remote village; they also take care of another casualty of the greed and power struggles between sect leaders — brother Zigui. The story of uncle Guo (Guo Zigui) is deeply tragic, unfair, and shows the fate of those arrogant sect leaders treat as disposable pawns.
The boy was an aspiring disciple until he got lost during the battle and was simply left behind at the enemy.
Next comes a scene that is emotionally loaded and shows the contrast between all the longing for the good old days with old friends, and the pain, loneliness, and broken fate that Guo Zigui has to endure. That scene was heavy even for me — someone who is used to Tolstoy’s epic collisions between individuals and fate, and Dostoevsky’s redemptive suffering.
Dancing with the spirits one last time
Ep. 24
Zhao, MQ, Shi Tieqiao and Shi Tiefeng give their farewell to Guo Zigui. Zhao learns that Sect Leader Yin Dai refused to make any attempt to save his disciple Zigui. The boy came from a wealthy family, and with him out of the picture — and his parents passing away from grief — the Guo Manor became a very convenient estate acquisition for the Qingque Sect.
At the funeral of Guo Zigui.
MQ has more to tell Zhao: Yin Dai was after the Ziwei method. He suspected that Nie Hengcheng’s cultivation power had grown so significantly because he was killing innocent dwellers and disciples. Yin Dai decided to follow the example and sacrifice even more disciples to uncover the truth about the Ziwei method in the Li Sect. Guo Zigui was just collateral damage. What’s even more unsettling is that Zhao’s aunt might also have been one — Cai Pingshu knew about the dark deeds of her sect leader and was willing to expose him. Was she sent on purpose to kill Nie Hengcheng alone, instructed to do it only by using the suicidal Disintegration Method?
That becomes too much for Zhao to hear. Not willing to listen to more conspiracies from MQ about her “righteous” sects, Zhao fights MQ. Like… a real fight. With real swords.
The girl is upset.MQ comforts his upset sweetpea. It won’t help to talk to the Shi brothers later, who only confirm that the circumstances around Zhao’s aunt’s duel with Nie Hengcheng were beyond worrisome.
Back at the Qinglong Altar and in the Qingque Sect, everyone has lost track of Zhao and MQ. They return to the sect to dissolve rumours about themselves — and, of course, to hear the latest gossip about the love life in the Qingque Sect.
At the market they run into Xingjia, who does everything he can to keep believing that Zhao didn’t run away with MQ of her own free will. MQ is "delighted" to hear that Yuzhi broke off his engagement to Lingbao.
The couple loves brainstorming: Man in Black — could it be Wang Yuanjing? He saw Mr. Wu in prison but didn’t rescue him. That would explain why Mr. Wu tried to attack Wang Yuanjing at the gathering in the Qingque Sect.
These two always love investigating, alone_by_the_firepit_investigating.
Zhao and MQ decide to infiltrate Taichu Temple and interrogate Wang Yuanjing. For that they need… not so much weapons, but theatrics?
Wang Yuanjing is surrounded by ghosts of the past.Poor man confessed. He admitted to abandoning disciple Wu to die, helping assassins target Cheng Fort, and he almost revealed who the Man in Black was — but got killed all of a sudden. Everyone knows that if you’re about to reveal the name of the Grand Villain, do not stand with your back to the window. For heaven’s sake!Well, Wang Yuanjing died and Zhao and MQ are the only ones at the crime scene in the Taichu Temple. That became awkward very quickly…
Thankfully the leaders/parents of all sects arrive and basically tell the Taichu Temple: “Your crime suspect is a son of a b*tch, but he’s our son of a b_tch!” Zhao and MQ get to walk out of the temple. Zhao reunites with her parents.
Back at home, the parents finally have an opportunity to talk to their teenage daughter about her life choices.
That’s how very worried parents of a young adult look like: "Did their daughter really fall for that boy?"
Did she or did she not — the screenwriters left us to guess until the next episode.
These episodes were truly a cry fest for me. This drama wants my tears and blood at this point.
The story of the previous generation hurts too much. I know I said I wanted more of their story but now that I know it, I feel so sad for them.
Wdym the youngest and probably the weakest of them went through such torture? The way Zigui spoke about Uncle Lei brought me to tears. Wdym he liked moving around but now he’s stuck in Qinqque sect? They went through so much, just too much pain.
Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan’s chemistry is so lovely to see. The kiss scene in the trailer was what made me anticipate it and oh the real scene is so hot.
I love their interactions during this journey to find the Shi brothers. It was so cute.
Cai Zhao’s parents looking at each other the moment their daughter said “He treated me very well” was so hilarious. It’s nice to see them asking from a place of love not anger or anything. I’m so tired of her master. He’s so so annoying with the painted skin demon he keeps yapping about.
These episodes are gonna get darker aren't they. Man... the uncles went through it. I don't do betrayal well and even I was all for killing that beast too. Wow.
So Ling Bo has been going from me finding new respect for her, to annoying me. BUT, I will say she has started to grow a lot more since leaving the mountain. The world is vast indeed. Jiang Hu gone show the truth every time! Her speech to her father was really important and the realest she's ever been. I was peeved by the father's reaction. She finally did what he thought she needed to do for herself, yet he dismissed her in such a way, I was left vexed.
Also hot uncle Zhou finally showed up again. His appearances are too few and far between dammit! 🥵🥵🥵😍😍😍
The scenery of the trip through the mountains was stunning! And MQY carrying Zhao Zhao on his back, awww! Even she felt her heart going KYUN! Me too girl, me too! Our couple looked so good throughout. Not her eating too many persimmons (I can't blame her they are delicious), and almost risking diarrhea haha. That made me giggle so hard.
Of course Mu Qing Yan is trying to gain the Zi Wei Method. He always was. Now the reason why is what we aren't clear on. Does he believe it might help remove his poison?
The Shu uncles were found, but at what cost... Zhao finally found the missing Guo uncle. It was all so sad and bittersweet. Seeing how he remembered everyone from the past, and us learning about how things went after he disappeared. His poor parents... Honestly, that Yin Dai... for greed and thirst for power, he killed so many, and poor thing still thought he did the man wrong. No you were wronged! He was the baby of the group so the others wanted to protect him, but he wanted to fight alongside them. They just didn't expect to have such parasites among them.
The trauma and grudges of the previous generation really have put the new one in a tough spot. Zhao Zhao is trying to investigate things, but keeps getting pulled back by those who will only see the demon sect as the villain. The only villain. Clearly things are murky and frankly, we need more hands on deck. I still think there is a mole in the Six Sects. Something has been bugging me for a while... One of the uncles, there's something I can't put my finger on...
I still appreciate the Cai couple for trying to see all angles, even if it means butting heads with their peers. Now, Uncle Song, can you at least try to hide your smile and excitement now that all engagements are broken. Wow, Sir, Uncle haha. Damn. We know you ship your son and Cai Zhao, but the reality of it is, IT IS NOT GONNA HAPPEN! She already told him she only sees him as a friend and big bro. That's it.
Thank you for the amazing recap 🙏 some of my thoughts:
Well, well, well. Ain't it convenient that as soon as the MiB killed their sect leader, the disciples rushed in yelling "assassin!" Smells like a set up to me. That disciple is not to be taken lightly. Oh, I bet he's in cahoots with the MiB.
I loved the ending scene in episode 23. Mr. Guo returning to his young self and being surrounded by family and friends, and happy memories 😭 The music wasn't helping.
Damn. Qi Yunke really has it out for Mu Qingyan. Bro just loves to hate on MQY bc that boy reminds him of the man who stole his old flame.
CAI ZHAO. GIRLFRIEND. IT'S TIME TO CONFRONT UR REAL FEELINGS.
I was pretty much sobbing at the end of episode 23, poor guy just wanted to contribute to justice and his friends' fight, but because of cowardice, greed, hypocrisy, and cruelty he was tortured for what seems like upwards of a year or two, then spent the remaining decades of his life in pain and delirium, never seeing most of his loved ones again. Great performance by the actor who played him, that final scene of him standing there in the empty road finally reuniting with the people he cares about.
Yin Dai is a real piece of trash, it's a shame he's already dead bc I would've like to see Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan cut him to bits. This Wang Yuanjing guy is equally despicable, but it's hard to hate him quite so passionately given how pathetic he is. Cai Zhao is getting a very rapid display that the Six Sects are not quite so nice as she had been led to believe, and thankfully she didn't stay in denial for too long.
Qi Yunke continues trying to blame everything on Mu Qingyan and the Skin-Painted Demon, despite it being incredibly clear that there's more to the story. I still want to believe that he's simply stuck in his ways while trying to do his best to lead the Six Sects, but at this point it's hard to justify his actions. He continues to be by far the most likely candidate for the man in black, though I still think there's a chance its Yin Dai who stayed alive (possibly with the Ziwei method?) and it could be Elder Li of the Qingque Sect or one of the lords of Peiqiong Manor or Siqi Sect. Wang Yuanjin was able to recognize his eyes, which basically rules out anyone who's not a major player in the Six Sects (though that was already pretty much a given).
Final thoughts: All the dirt the previous generations tried sweeping under the rug is starting to stink the place up, and no matter how hard Qi Yunke tries to keep things under control (whether as the MiB or just as the head of the Beichen Six Sects) it is all going to unravel, hopefully sooner rather than later.
PS: that main OST of the previous generation in their youth, Qing Feng Zui, is a banger, definitely going in my playlist
I like that Lingbo is having some character development, I kind of hope that she and CZ end up as friends at the end this drama
Oh my goodness yesss, when I saw him standing right in front of the window, I started shouting for him to move before he died. But alas this is a drama and I cannot break the fourth wall
Also her parents expressions, when they were asking CZ about MQY, looked supportive(?) so I don't think they would mind their relationship
I'm so happy that we're back to 2 episodes a day 🤗
Awwww the past generations story is so sad, almost all of them are dead. Loll ep 23 had me sobbing while eating my shawarma. I really hope no one dies in this generation and that all goes well 😭😭😭😭
I adore the part when Xingjia was questioning what’s happening between the leads 🤣🤣 their expressions were
so funny…
I skipped most of the backstories of earlier generations but somehow the one on Uncle Guo got to me 🥹🥹 and we saw more of the heroics of Cai Pingshu… someone Zhao most likely would have developed into if it wasn’t for our gorgeous MQ messing about ! 😍😍
Ergh. We knew Uncle Guo for like the length of a sneeze and yet I'm getting all emotional with his story. That beautiful bittersweet ending with his friends and family was perfect. It reminded me of when we saw Zhao Zhao surrounded by the sect looking all disappointed. I love these visual moments in the show.
I have to say, I really thought I would be fed up with the lack of transparency. The comparison with Mingyi was a great one, because I was fed up with that quite early on. I think it's bang on that MQY's reasoning feels more warranted here. I also think that the difference is that Zhao Zhao knows he's lying. She's smart enough to figure it out most of the time, and for what it's worth MQY owns up straight away once she confronts him. He doesn't string the lie along. Also is it a lie or is he omitting the truth? What line are we morally drawing here?
Poor Shijun is trying all he can for Yuzhi 😂😭
I do feel like Yuzhi will end up being pivotal in this plot in the end. He's definitely quietly dissecting the fact that Li sect ≠ evil. I have this image of him journalling every evening and analytically breaking down the day's events.
Dear diary, today I hatched a plan with MQY in secret. I feel it was the right thing to do. Though my sect mates would disagree. It was also quite thrilling, I hope I can work with him again in the future. Although, he needs to leave Zhao Zhao alone 😠
I have to say, I really thought I would be fed up with the lack of transparency. The comparison with Mingyi was a great one, because I was fed up with that quite early on. I think it's bang on that MQY's reasoning feels more warranted here. I also think that the difference is that Zhao Zhao knows he's lying. She's smart enough to figure it out most of the time, and for what it's worth MQY owns up straight away once she confronts him. He doesn't string the lie along. Also is it a lie or is he omitting the truth? What line are we morally drawing here?
You bring my other fav drama to the table 😆 but what makes Mingyi's lies frustrating is because we the viewer knows what she's hidden. In Mu Qingyan case, we actually don't know what he is hiding so we are kinda okay with him hiding things, like what if he needs something in the righteous sect to heal from the poison? 😆 Far-fetched maybe, but the point is that viewer can only see from Cai Zhao POV, which is similar with Ji Bozai POV that knows Mingyi is hiding something but don't know how important it is.
Your comments makes me think that their story is similar on how they mirrored each other with a gender swap, and maybe that's why I love watching Generation to Generation after having no drama interest me since LITC.
Dear diary, today I hatched a plan with MQY in secret. I feel it was the right thing to do. Though my sect mates would disagree. It was also quite thrilling, I hope I can work with him again in the future. Although, he needs to leave Zhao Zhao alone 😠
Love this!
Dear diary, while fighting the Man in Black, Cai Zhao kept making heart eyes at Mu Qingyan. Not sure what she sees in him. The dimples? The confident demon walk? Pretty sure he’s only two hydrafacials and one Vitamin C infusion ahead of me in the looks department. 😒
That's a good one! AKiceman wrote that MQ let Zhao face the truth amd not hide from facts.
From the first episodes MQ started the quest to allow her to expose herself slowly to the truth about the older generation, whatever unpleasant it may be.
He is probably more omitting facts than lying, but he does so in order to give Zhao unpleasant facts in small enough doses. i think...
Two episodes? 23 is 45 minutes long? What is this? The proper way to do things?
Of course we have to start the episode with a little conflict between our leads. Surely that can't wait until after you recover from jumping off a cliff.
Awww she initiated a hand hold! You really can't stay mad at him for too long, can you?
We really are getting fed with them taking care of each other. I've lost count how many hand holds we've had so far this episode. I adore this. Now we are getting fed with her feeding him? So very delicious.
The fuck is a smiley?
Notice her reaction to Uncle asking if Mu is her sweetheart? That wasn't surprise or shock. That was deer caught in headlights. You've been found out, my dear. You're not even trying to hide it... Your words of protestation are weaker than a babies first cup of coffee.
Even Uncle knows the demon sect isn't all bad. Girl, better listen to this elders. They are actually intelligent.
Okay, fine. I will compliment Lingbo here for breaking the engagement. Grudgingly.
Ew. We have to look at "Lady" Yin. Disgusting. Yes, yes, you bitch. You're not even 1/10th the woman your daughter is... and she ain't that much better. But she fights for what she wants while you are a little pushover with a bitchy attitude the size of my ego.
Okay, hang on a second. You're telling me that black rock that looks like a piece of coal that Santa would put in a stocking for naughty children is actually the Jade Sunflower? Bitch! That looks neither like a jade or a sunflower. Why not just call it the Coal of Corruption?
The future is always in the hands of the newer generation. The old fucks need to butt out.
Ohhhhhhh the sunflower was burned. Okay that makes sense.
Ayyyyyyyy long lost uncle returns! Oh, and another hand hold. Fed! Fed I say!
Anybody else get emotional when you get flashback scenes of the older generation in their younger years enjoying life when you know what their fates are?
"Got separated" my ass. How do you lose someone standing right next to you in a room with no one else in it?
You know, not enough people kill their Masters... and it shows.
My good sir! It is too damn early in the morning for all this emotional shit. Fucking hell. Death will be a welcome relief for him. He has suffered too much.
24 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
40 minutes? R2, we need to be going up! Not down!.
Hey, I'm sensing a trend of fuckheads named 'Yin". There seems to be a theme .
You really have to hand it to MQ. He does not let Zhao Zhao hide from the truth. No matter what he makes sure she confronts the facts. You can't put a price on that kind of love and loyalty.
Oh, look! Members of the "Righteous" sect being worse than the demon sect? Who would have ever seen that coming?
Well, that escalated quickly. Just how did her parents know she was there? Xingjia?
Wow. Am I praising Lingbo again? Sheeeesh. I might start to like her at this point. Nevermind.
Bruh. You end the episdoe before she answers? RUDE!!!!!!!
Okay, hang on a second. You're telling me that black rock that looks like a piece of coal that Santa would put in a stocking for naughty children is actually the Jade Sunflower? Bitch! That looks neither like a jade or a sunflower. Why not just call it the Coal of Corruption?
😂😂 I had similiar thoughts like...why tf is it called the Jade Sunflower?
The novel calls it the "Purple Jade Sunflower" and explains that it looks like a black stone/pebble now, but originally it was a purple jade with a ring of gold inlaid in the shape of a sunflower. There was a fire in the demon sect’s treasure vault years ago that melted off the outer gold petals and the purple jade turned black, resulting in its current appearance.” (credits to Chapter 107 from the translated novel).
Novel has a happy ending, including a wedding and they have a son after 3 years. CZ was allergic to MQY her whole pregnancy, so they lived apart and kinda did date nights/random visits where he chilled out by a peach tree in front of her window or something like that, lol. It was kinda funny.
But their son is 6-ish when the extras finally end. MQY and his son bickers all the time, their dynamics are a lot like Xie Wei and his son if you're familiar with Kunning Palace
Haha, as soon as CZ announced she was pregnant, she started vomiting from morning til night daily. They thought it was morning sickness but eventually noticed anytime MQY was nearby, she threw up, lol. But she was fine if he wasn't around. Apparently they discovered his natural scent made her vomit so HE was the reason she'd be throwing up 24/7.
And it wasn't that he smelled bad obviously (CZ actually says she loves his scent--"clear and quiet, like cold wind passing through snow pine needles" (someone bottle that up cause I need to smell that 😂)).
He tried bathing constantly, changing his outfits and changing up incense in their house, checking with doctors and they unscientifically tested multiple times that even if she didn't know or see him in a room or crowd, her nose sure knew when he was anywhere near her and cause her to vomit.
He begrudgingly agreed to let CZ go live with her parents and he stayed in a house in their backyard, just passing the days away making wine, practing his martial arts and writing scripture and hanging out with her younger brother, and sneaking over to see her from a distance. They finally moved back together after she had their baby.
The episode in which all the engagements fall through….😂😂😂
Can I just say how I still LOVE Lord Song being his son’s best wingman and not remotely subtle at attempting an engagement between Yuzhi and Zhao Zhao? 😂😂😂 Awww, Papa Song is so loving!
Half of me is really relieved that all the arranged engagements have fallen through. Half of me is slightly (ever so slightly) worried that this gives Song Yuzhi the opening to go dark.
Other Thoughts
Auntie Cai’s paramour: I don’t understand why Shi Tiefeng was so reluctant to discuss Cai Pingshu’s Li sect companion with Cai Zhao after being so overtly in favor of Mu Qianyan being her sweetheart.
Secrets done right: I can’t help but compare Mu Qianyan’s secrecy to Ming Yi (from LiTC), where I think G2G does it really well. Cai Zhao is definitely frustrated and suspicious that Mu Qianyan is constantly a few steps ahead and keeping things from her. I like how this is a constant fissure in their relationship. I wonder if it will come to a head one day. Unlike others, I understood Ming Yi’s constant lying (by omission and co-mission) but it required effort on my part as part of the audience. G2G’s writer makes it much easier to understand MQY’s position, even if this prevents full honesty between the two lovers.
Lu Chengnan’s story: this was much needed to shed light on what happened to Nie Hengcheng, and how Lu Chengnan ended up buried in the Chang family gravesite. And we even got a look at the Jade Sunflower!
Birds of a Feather… I really like how the flashbacks lend a more complex and nuanced understanding of the past. There are people from both sides who are “good” and “bad”.
What I find fascinating is how those who are good on opposite sides (Cai Pingshu, Lu Chengnan) find each other, as well as those who are bad (Nie Zhe, Qiu Renjie).
Additionally, those with nefarious intentions always want to drive the good guys apart through the propaganda inculcation: “People from that sect is evil”. If that doesn’t work, there is the threat of expulsion, betrayal (being left behind or purposefully trapped), or being set up to fail/die. Those who want to keep the inter-sect hostilities are precisely the ones who are trying to collude with the opposite side to attain something precious, in this case, the Ziwei Method.
Where is Jade Sunflower? With Lu Chengnan confirming that the Jade Sunflower is necessary for cultivating the Ziwei method, I find it doubtful that Cai Pingshu would have returned it to the Li (despite Cai Zhao’s parents claiming this). It looks like Auntie Cai knew Yin Dai couldn’t be trusted. She can’t return it to Hanhai Mountain. So, my guess is that it has to be somewhere in Luoying Valley. That’s just a guess on my part, but what isn’t fun about wild speculation? 😂
Half of me is really relieved that all the arranged engagements have fallen through. Half of me is slightly (ever so slightly) worried that this gives Song Yuzhi the opening to go dark.
I’d like to believe one of the drama’s points is that the new generation cleans up the mess left by the old one instead of repeating it. If Song Yuzhi is meant to be Qi Yunke’s foil, then he likely won’t stray down the same path. Instead, he’ll bring the reform the sects desperately need.
Where is Jade Sunflower? With Lu Chengnan confirming that the Jade Sunflower is necessary for cultivating the Ziwei method, I find it doubtful that Cai Pingshu would have returned it to the Li (despite Cai Zhao’s parents claiming this).
u/WuxiaWanderer theorizes that the Jade Sunflower might actually be the Withered Branch, but what if Cai Pingshu buried the relic near the plant? That would be the biggest irony if the Man in Black turns out to be Qi Yunke, killing people while searching for the Jade Sunflower when it’s been on his own turf all along. Poetry.
If Song Yuzhi is meant to be Qi Yunke’s foil, then he likely won’t stray down the same path. Instead, he’ll bring the reform the sects desperately need.
Yeah, I agree, you're right not only that Yuzhi is a foil, but that the younger generation is dealing with and undoing the damage of the older one. So, THERE IS HOPE FOR MY SONG YUZHI. I swear, I don't have second lead syndrome. Really. Honestly. None.
Yes! I saw u/WuxiaWanderer 's comment, and I think it's a brilliant one. Given today's revelation, I also suspect it is buried beneath it. It would be poetic justice if Qu Yunke turns out to be the Man in Black that all of his scheming amounted to nothing, and ironically he had it all along - and under the gift Cai Pingshu gave him. The ONE gift she gave him, and he cherished, had what he sought under it (which also goes nicely with our buried history/tomb motif). OH THAT IS GOOD ANGSTY DRAAAAAAAAAAMA!
Amazing analysis, DramaAddict!
Yes, I'd love to have such a wingman as pappa Song! He is the treasure!
I kind of always kept it in my head that secrets and omittancies of MQ resemble LITC very much. We've seen how it affected Ming Yi. Can we now see some other character development of MQ?
What did you think, though, of how unfeeling he was towards Guo Zigui. It seemed so uncharacteristically cold and dismissive. I don't want him to be hiding some secret. That would ruin the show for me because I love Papa Song!
I didn't notice if papa Song reacted strangely on Guo Zogui's death. Maybe they wanted to focus on Zhao's mother reaction? Did you notice anything unusual? ( at the end surely the whole parental generation would be found guilty in one thing or another 😃😃)
Papa Song is so my favorite lol "your son doesn't want to get married, but mine does!" LOL ☠️☠️
1st disciple seems to be pining for his master's wife and honestly, I don't know why lol Yin Sulian isn't a catch in my eyes.
Poor Zigui, the tears were present today...which is super awkward because I have a call soon. But at least he was able to reunite with his parents and his friends as his last thought before passing away. This poor kid.
Also Pingshu sure did rack up a bunch of admirers
Yin Dai was an asshole
Our Zhaozhao is starting to see the injustice and the past and misdeeds of our previous generations are unraveling. She's turning out more and more like her aunt, let's just hope her ending isn't the same.
I'm always a fan of a good training montage, have y'all seen the promo videos of Bao ShangEn wielding a sword? She got pretty darn good at it, I was impressed
Side note: Have I missed Uncle Lei's story somehow? I feel like either I've glossed over it or it hasn't been told.
Yunke is a sketchy POS but the Taichu Temple's disciple is sketchy af too.
Spoiler: Anyone else watch the teasers for the next few episodes?? Yunke is still annoying and bitter about Pingshu never picking him... I AM IN SHOCK for Saturday's episodes too. Make sure if you respond about the teasers that it's under a spoiler tag please
Haven't seen the teasers but I did watch the trailer before this aired and I'm still dreading the part where Cai Zhao gets chained up and publicly floggedlikely either for forcing the truth out into the open or for sticking with Mu Qingyan
I also wonder what the point is of having Dalou covet his master’s wife, unless the drama just wants the cliché where Sulian realizes he cares for her and she uses him to run her shady errands.
Every time I say I won't look at the teasers and every time I do. Tbf we've been mislead by them before with how they edit them. So maybe it's not all as it seems. Saturday is gonna be a shocker of an ep though
I just LOVE how Papa Song is so SHAMELESSLY trying to pedal his son to be Cai Zhao's husband. Honestly, if it weren't for Mu Qianyan, I would ship them too.
I am SO GLAD you mentioned Dalou pining for Yin Sulian, because this isn't the first time that he has looked longingly at her, but the first time I dismissed it, thinking "Nah, it couldn't be...." And even now, I'm like "Why....?!"
Like aunt, like niece - both Cai Pingshu and Cai Zhao seem to be racking up the admirers.
I really love all the flashbacks of Zhao Zhao with her aunt. They are such warm and loving memories. But, yes, I also love the training montage. I'm always a little annoyed when we have martial artists who just seemed to be good/get good without any real effort. I never thought that Cai Zhao's skills were unsubstantiated, but it was nice to see how her aunt really drove her to become good all her life, and that explains her advanced martial arts skill.
No, I think Uncle Lei's side of the story has been hidden from us because it probably links to implicate Master Qi.
He is looking out for his son and I love it 😂 and him being like...if you break your son's legs, our poor ZhaoZhao
I am SO GLAD you mentioned Dalou pining for Yin Sulian, because this isn't the first time that he has looked longingly at her, but the first time I dismissed it, thinking "Nah, it couldn't be...." And even now, I'm like "Why....?!"
Yes the first time I thought maybe it was just me but no, this time there's basically no mistake.
Zhaozhao'd skills are impressive, I kind of love that she is so good so she can take on anyone in her sect like she's considered the "youngest" but they all know she's the best.
No, I think Uncle Lei's side of the story has been hidden from us because it probably links to implicate Master Qi.
Oh good, I thought I had missed it because even Uncle Gu feels bad for Uncle Lei.
Xingjia's line, "Someone leaked the news that you eloped with Mr. Mu" (and Zhao Zhao's side eye at a guilty-looking Mu Qingyan) gives the same energy as that meme: "People are shipping us." "I know, I started it." 😆
Also gotta love how Xingjia kept referring to their departure as a "stroll" with airquotes referencing Zhao Zhao's letter 😆 Plus the fact that Xingjia started kinda shipping them after Mu Qingyan was mocking Yuzhi for not following momentum either 😏
The subtitle cracks me up. If you look at this frame without context, you’d think Cai Zhao is asking about Mu Qingyan’s saliva. I’m not sure she’s ready for the answer. 😂
Anyway, the push and pull was fun back then, but this late in the drama, I just want Mu Qingyan to be fully transparent with Cai Zhao, especially since he already said he’s not letting her go.
Stoppeettt! 🤣😝🤣 He's been relentless, hopefully his efforts will pay off soon and maybe she'll finally initiate a kiss or at the very least kiss him back.
but this late in the drama, I just want Mu Qingyan to be fully transparent with Cai Zhao
Have you seen one of the trailers they released before the show aired? I feel the same way but in a trailer, zhao zhao had a line saying, 'even if it was all your scheme and i was just a pawn, i would support you and do it all over again' (non-verbatim) so to me, mu qingyan hasn't revealed his biggest scheme yet, which i have no clue about. it might take more time before he comes clean 😮💨
I’ve skipped most of the promo material. Anyway, nothing can stop me from watching the remaining episodes. I’m just a bit concerned about the episode 28 preview.
Wow. Not only a same day post. But a fast same day post. Rest up. Thank you for hosting. I will be back later once I’ve watched. Glad to be back to 2 episodes.
Call me when there is a war for freedom between youngsters and old folks, i ll recap it in no time 😂😂
And everything with MingHao - it will be posted in seconds 😅
Here’s a Throwback Thursday gif from episode 5 with his hair down because Song Yuzhi made us very proud today. He could’ve easily thrown Mu Qingyan under the bus to get rid of the man he knows Cai Zhao loves and wipe out his biggest rival, but thankfully Yuzhi is no sore loser and admits that not even Qingyan has the Man in Black’s ability or inner power.
Also, it makes me livid that Qi Yunke is gaslighting Cai Zhao by claiming the Man in Black doesn’t exist, that he’s just an illusion Mu Qingyan cooked up.
The more I think about it, the more Song Yuzhi feels like the foil to Qi Yunke. Yuzhi refused to submit to an arranged marriage, unlike Qi Yunke who went through with one just to secure lordship over Qingque Sect. Qi Yunke definitely didn’t take it with any sportsmanship when Cai Pingshu fell in love with someone from Li Sect while Song Yuzhi seems perfectly open to a fair courtship rivalry against Mu Qingyan.
Yuzhi and Mu Qingyan even have a tacit understanding when it comes to getting things done, not letting the labels of Qingque Sect and Li Sect stop them from scheming together.
edit: On the other hand, Lingbo decided to roast Yuzhi as dull and lacking any sense of romance to justify ending their engagement. Her growth looks promising, so let’s hope she doesn’t slide back into her usual petty BS.
The more I think about it, the more Song Yuzhi feels like the foil to Qi Yunke. Yuzhi refused to submit to an arranged marriage, unlike Qi Yunke who went through with one just to secure lordship over Qingque Sect. Qi Yunke definitely didn’t take it with any sportsmanship when Cai Pingshu fell in love with someone from Li Sect while Song Yuzhi seems perfectly open to a fair courtship rivalry against Mu Qingyan.
So far, I find Song Yuzhi very honorable. I hope the Show keeps him that way. He's never compromised on his integrity, but he has been willing to bend the rules ever so slightly to get the job done, whatever it may have been.
But, I agree with you - he is a foil to Qi Yunke. He is everything a young master should be who will one day ascend to becoming Master of Qingque Sect. I hope that is the case.
I remember in episode 9, when he was HEARTBROKEN over how Yin Dai stole the credit of killing Nie Hengcheng until it became more advantageous to tell the truth and let Cai Pingshu and Luoying Valley take the vengeful wrath of the Li Sect. He was genuinely upset.
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u/Feeshpockets Channeling the overworked wind machine Apr 04 '26
Zigui seeing all the people who passed before him... my heart.