The Lotus Casebook (2023)

Dresses in red and holding a sword in his hand, he will never lose in the rivers and lakes

But in the end he (Li xiangyi) lost and seriously injured. Leave his position as sect leader and his lover, he used a new identity as Li Lianhua ten years later. Worked as “miraculous” doctor and solved cases with detective Fang Duobing aka Li xiangyi “apprentice” along with his enemy which he fought during East Sea War. Travelling around the Jianghu world with his Lotus House and the more he travelled, the closer he is to what he has left ten years ago.

ChengYi brings Li lianhua to life. His appearance and clothing style is very lianhua I read in the novel. Simple and less stand out when he’s in crowd because lianhua gave less prominent aura compared to when he was Li xiangyi. Cunning and less ambitious because he already accepted his fate as no longer the number1 in Jianghu world but as a person who only has one year to live. Joseph Zhang the youngest among the trio irl and in this drama, the most cheerful and most ambitious and I think he played it brilliantly. Xiao Shun Yao as Di Feisheng, the enemy turn friend of Lianhua also bring justice to his character. The trio chemistry is very good and funny as the story goes on and sometimes I cannot stop smiling.

This drama handles each cases quite well and brilliantly which made you cannot stop guessing the mastermind behind each cases. But it's not bored. And how they put the twists here and there, it were brilliantly done. The most unexpected plot twist towards the ending. WOW. From smaller cases became big cases, everything revolved around lixiangyi himself.

This maybe one of few drama that villain is wicked but it's hard to hate them. The actors and actress played the villain very well and beautiful too.

One of the most good thing about this drama is the stories for each cases progressing so fast. The twist and secrets of other characters prevailed without dragging them except Lilianhua is LixiangYi.

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A Captivating Drama with a Unique Mix of Action and Mystery

MLC is not the typical fast-paced drama, as it mainly focuses on solving individual mysteries that all contribute to the main storyline. While it might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially for viewers who like non-stop action and romance, it presents a story and character-driven approach that is worth exploring.

Personally, I appreciate the drama’s dedication to providing copious details for each case. I occasionally appreciate the intricacies of detective work, if it’s decently executed, so MLC has been a rewarding watch for me.

Cheng Yi’s portrayal of Linhua/Xiangyi starts out light, but as the story progresses, he conveys his character’s deeper nuances with impressive skill. He proves yet again that he is an actor of remarkable finesse, his skill lying in his subtlety and ability to convey emotions without excessive theatrics. He might not fit the conventional or popular "visual" mold, but his versatility makes him stand out (not to mention he dubbed himself here, which gives his character some authenticity). The dynamic between Cheng Yi's character and Joseph Zeng's character is very humorous and engaging. Their chemistry adds a delightful touch to the drama, and when Xiao Shun Yao's villainous character enters the mix, things become even more intriguing.

While it might be tempting to drop MLC after just a few episodes due to the initial slower pace, I think doing so is a disservice to the show's brilliance. I know I gave it a chance, and I found myself drawn into a thrilling narrative that kept me hooked until the end. If you're looking for something fresh and different from the typical romance-centered c-dramas, I think MLC is the perfect choice. It’s smart, witty, and funny, but also pulls at your heartstrings in all the right ways! It is one of the best c-dramas of 2023, hands down!

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Have Lotus House Will Travel

The enchanting tale of "The Lotus House," also known as Lianhua Lou (莲花楼), paints a picture akin to a mobile haven, much like an RV, that has been Li Lianhua's (portrayed by Cheng Yi) cherished abode and means of travel for an entire decade. Amidst the harmonious simplicity of his desires, Li Lianhua seeks solitude and a modest existence. His days are devoted to cultivating sustenance, preparing his own meals, and embodying the role of a wandering country healer, a role that has earned him the moniker of the "miracle doctor" for his rumored power to resurrect the departed. Accompanying him is his faithful canine companion, Húlíjīng (Vixen). This captivating drama is a delightful adaptation of Teng Ping's novel, "The Lotus House with Auspicious Patterns."

Each character in this story possesses a clear and unassuming life goal. As Li Xiangyi a decade ago, Li Lianhua harbored ambitions of becoming the world's preeminent swordsman and achieving fame. His aspirations were intertwined with a pursuit of justice and a mission to safeguard the realm. Fang Duobing (Joseph Zeng) embodies the spirited zeal of youth, aspiring to be a valiant hero championing noble causes. On the contrary, Di Feisheng (Xiao Shunyao), a former adversary, remains fixated on challenging Li Xiangyi to a fateful swordfight, unable to reconcile being second-best.

Though Li Lianhua and Di Feisheng initially shunned the complexities of the "jianghu," their apathy is rekindled by the fervor of the youthful Fang Duobing, whose fervent commitment to the world's safety becomes their shared responsibility. Despite disparate backgrounds and personalities, an unlikely bond unites the trio, propelling them on a journey marked by cryptic clues, unraveling mysteries, and unmasking murderers. The threads of destiny interweave, leading to the revelation of a grand conspiracy, ultimately restoring equilibrium and justice to the realm. Amidst the challenges, lighthearted banter and camaraderie flourish, infusing the narrative with both humor and heartfelt moments.

Li Lianhua's character is multifaceted and deeply intriguing. His choice of the name "Lianhua," meaning lotus, initially piqued my curiosity. Once known as Li Xiangyi, he attained early acclaim as a martial prodigy, establishing the Sigu Men sect while still in his adolescence. His dominance in the martial world was unmistakable, yet it bred envy and resentment, straining relationships and leading to his isolation. This path ultimately culminated in solitude and abandonment, prompting Li Lianhua's poignant rebirth as the lotus, emblematic of purity amid adversity. In an atypical narrative arc, the main character's trajectory descends from the zenith, and Li Lianhua's journey captivates through graceful withdrawal rather than audacious ascent.

Li Lianhua's sagacity shines through as he contemplates his imminent departure from this mortal realm. His patient and earnest method of untying emotional knots and offering solemn farewells to those entwined in his life evokes both contemplation and reverence. The poignancy of bidding adieu with grace and tranquility emerges as a poignant motif, enriching the depth of Li Lianhua's character portrayal.

Cheng Yi's portrayal of Li Lianhua is captivating and well within his artistic range. The actor masterfully encapsulates the essence of a character marked by vulnerability and profound sentiment. His synergy with the endearing Fang Duobing and Di Feisheng characters is noteworthy, preventing his character from being overshadowed while complementing the ensemble.

My Verdict

While the drama's pace is brisk and features multiple layers, I had hoped for a more in-depth exploration of the intricate investigative cases, as well as a heightened suspense element. Despite this, the narrative retains a charm that delves into introspection and personal transformation. The story poignantly underscores the capacity for individuals to undergo profound inner change, revealing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

While the drama's tone embraces gravity through themes of murder and mortality, its dialogues are skillfully peppered with humor, and poignant yet brief romantic interludes leave a touching impression. The intricate dynamics between Li Lianhua and Qiao Wanmian (Chen Duling) illuminate diverse facets of love, revealing nuances of affection, sacrifice, and perception.

The characters' nomenclature carries an element of playful irony, reflecting the author's wit and ingenuity. The story exudes a delicate charm, its narrative craftsmanship interwoven with themes of transformation, forgiveness, and the fragility of life.

A captivating gem, "The Lotus House" is a worthy addition to your viewing repertoire—indeed, a delightful and enriching watch that should not be missed.

Bravo!

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Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies.

Mysterious Lotus Casebook is a dark 江湖/jiānghú story about the ultimately futile aspirations and obsessions of the martial world. In an epic battle for supremacy, Di Feisheng of the dark Jinyuan Alliance challenges Li Xiangyi, the leader of the righteous Sigu sect. Both men disappear from the martial world afterwards, leaving a vacuum at the top and their sects in disarray.

Ten years later, aspiring young detective Fang Duobing comes across Li Lianhua, a famous itinerant doctor whom he is convinced is a quack. Determined to expose him, he attaches himself to Li Lianhua as inextricably as a wad of chewing gum in his hair. They run into Di Feisheng, who immediately recognises in him his old nemesis Li Xiangyi. The two old rivals remorselessly keep Fang Duobing in the dark as they try to figure out who sabotaged their fight and search for Li Xiangyi's deceased sect brother Shan Gudao's corpse. An unlikely friendship develops as they work together to solve a series of strangely connected jiānghú cases.

Plot wise, this drama is solid but dry and unremarkable. The cases all unfold at a fast pace and are easy to follow, but do not engage audience participation. They are simply plants for clues to a treasure hunt for artefacts that unlock the main conspiracy. Despite a hint of the supernatural, the cases fall short of chilling or suspenseful. The hidden mastermind behind the main conspiracy is pretty obvious and revealed fairly early on, and even the ironic twist at the end is not much of a surprise. Both villains are one-dimensional jiānghú archetypes driven by vanity and delusions of grandeur. Wang Herun's scarily convincing portrayal of the Saintess of the insane cackle elevated the role beyond its one-dimensional character blueprint.

\What makes this drama a success are fascinating main character designs, strong rapport among the three leads, the scintillating dialogues, and well-choreographed and exciting action sequences. The real mystery is about who Li Xiangyi was and why he was killed. The answers are at surface trivial. Li Xiangyi was perched at the top of the martial arts world as the world's best swordsman and leader of the righteous sects. This made him the envy and natural target of virtually everyone. However, Li Xiangyi was far from the perfect hero of Fang Doubing's idealistic imagination. In fact, he was a self-absorbed, pompous ass who believed the universe revolved around him and his worldview. His swordsmanship is matched by a brilliant, cynical mind and a razor-sharp tongue that, according to poor Ai'man, can slay a person with a few words. If there is one thing lacking in Cheng Yi's otherwise stellar performance, it is that his Xiangyi is too empathetic. This masks his many flaws and hides how insufferable and difficult he was as a person. It took me awhile to realise that his sect had some inkling who Li Lianhua really was but they refused to recognise him because they just did not want Li Xiangyi to come back.

As for Li Lianhua, he is just a shard, a detached, sickly, disillusioned and world-weary remnant of the glorious Li Xiangyi. Cheng Yi really compels with his heart rending expression of this facet of the character singing his swan song without a shred of self pity. I lived for the sudden bursts of energy or sheer willpower that momentarily revives the breathtaking, dazzling and dizzying swordsmanship that propelled Li Xiangyi to dominate wuling. Only to all too rapidly diminish back into Li Lianhua again, a wickedly unapolagetic compulsive liar whose mantra is clearly, "Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies." This is how he keeps everyone, and especially the hapless Fang Doubing, at arm's length; to avoid new personal entanglements. Fang Doubing (which literally means "sickly") is a parody character, the typical naive, high-minded, young adventurer raring to make a difference in the martial world. The dialogue is well written and humorously illustrates how grudgingly Li Lianhua is moved by this pesty young detective and tacitly accepts him as his successor. However, this kind of clichéd relationship dynamic of the clueless sidekick that elevates the brilliant sleuth is too common and quickly becomes boring. Li Lianhua's lies to Fang Doubing went on for too long to the point it became cruel and unnecessary. Their relationship is over explored and shortchanges the more interesting relationship in the drama.

What disappoints me most is that the writers opted to very cursorily explore the more complex and interesting relationship between Di Feisheng and Li Lianhua. Di Feisheng is the most layered villain in this story; that rare antagonist who transforms into a protagonist. Like Li Xiangyi, he rises to the top of his sect through sheer martial prowess rather than by winning hearts and minds. They are enemies who become friends, both betrayed and searching for answers. But his story is sidelined for much of the drama, his backstory is rushed, and his relationship with Li Lianhua does not really get a chance to develop and grow. Yet the best moments of this drama, are when all three of them are together, like a found family.

I like that this ends with an action-packed finale and satisfying final confrontations with the antagonists. But as for the plot, the best reveal is when Fang Doubing figures out who Li Lianhua is, which isn't really a revelation to the viewer. And I can't really pinpoint when the plot reaches its climax, as none of the high points make a strong impression. As for the ending, it is fitting but not as definitive as I would have liked. Most of Li Lianhua's journey is about putting his affairs in order and offering closure to those he cared for; to help them move on from Li Xiangyi who in all the ways that mattered died ten years ago. Yet Li Lianhua continues to string poor Fang Doubing (and us) along, which is too cruel and inconsistent with the drama's core message about letting go of past attachments and moving on. These kinds of endings that try to please all audiences really annoy me. I still enjoyed this superbly well written drama, immensely even though I think it had the potential to be much better. For me, this is an excellent 8.5/10.0 and a highly recommended watch.

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Through my severed ties and broken identity can that lead me back to my once triumphant life

This drama is refreshing with its setup. As a male lead drama it isn't centered on romance. It may have bits of it, but it's too early to tell right now. What I can tell is that the action is choreographed well, the story is easy to follow, and the characters I really like so far.

Ever since watching Immortal Samsara I have became hooked to Cheng Yi as an actor. Here I am again hooked. His character is so different than I have previously seen him in. He isn't regal, he isn't perfect and in love.. he is a man with an abundance of regret who has given up his identity to live his life peacefully and respected now as a traveling doctor. I am satisfied that here Cheng Yi is playing a dual sided character, held down by his past but significantly weaker with limits. He was OP before but to an extent that he ended up much weaker. His character is so interesting because of this and his potential talent and strength that unfolds. His character is so tragic, a once talented youth now telling himself that he can live to die without conviction or relationships to hold him back other than his old partner. Slowly it becomes aware he doesn’t want to die, as he calls out for help or tells Duo Bing directly he needs medicine. Without blatantly saying anything it’s crystal clear that he now has people he wants to protect and a hope for the martial arts world. So it’s very tragic to me to see this man who was once so powerful slowly getting closer and closer to death without any hope of living. He doesn’t want to die but accepts it and acts like it’s no problem to him when he really is soft hearted.

I enjoy the whole aspect of traveling and solving mysteries together. Where there are some that take larger spans of episodes to complete than others. This keeps the drama feeling fresh and doesn't get stale because they aren't staying in one place. So that means that it should be a more action oriented and character driven story. The sequence of episodes have mysteries that weave together a fuller narrative. Also.. there is a dog that is seen often

I think this drama will catch attention with it being male-lead. Going past censorship because it is not a romance.. maybe some bromance. Right now there is no ounce of that really. The chemistry is good between who is introduced early on. Duo Bing and Li Lian/ Xiang Yi have that playful banter and wit between the two. I can't say too much about them without spoiling what's happening. What I can say is that the dynamic of master-student is there. Cheng Yi's character is the experiences one while Duo Bing is a fresh faced detective, a young master with servants that follow him. That leaves me interested in his upbringing being fleshed out more, meeting his parents and seeing if he is a disgrace to them or not. There is a lot of room for heartbreak and heart-wrenching moments even without this being a romance.

With each episode I find the bond between Duo Bing and Li Lian all the more touching. That’s the word I chose specifically because whenever the two part I think about all the moments they had together like cracking cases, working off eachother for an unsaid common goal. There is a lot of trust between the two and the fondness Duo Bing has for Li Lian almost feels like some sort of destiny, that Li Lian really can reprise his role as a hero as Xiang Yi and be a true master for Duo Bing. Li Lian convictions hold him back, and he has them for Duo Bing as well, he doesn’t want to hurt him and hold back his future. What is tragic is that Duo Bing sees him as a part of his future in both egos that Li Lian has as his former self and present. Duo Bing has this version of Xiang Yi being perfect and a mighty hero as Li Lian believe that life of his was selfish and the complete opposite of how Duo Bing sees he self proclaimed master. The point in the drama where Duo Bing realizes that his master was infront of him all along and his past and future have been connected the whole time will be just as heartbreaking as it is a relief.

SPOILER//
Now episode 30 comes in. It has been too long for me to see two men earnestly fighting for eachothers lives when they both acknowledged they don’t have to. The thing is at certain points in this episode it is giving me the feeling that The Untamed did.. and that’s a haunting thing. A very good thing.. a wonderful thing. Now I’m putting this here because this is why I pushed the rating to a 10. The moments building up to a payoff of episode 30. It tells me why these two are fighting for eachother, and even though they have their rough patches- they’ve been through too much to let the other die. I love to see Duo Bing fight and be called crazy for it because he will kill for Li Lian, he protects him and nurtured him and man… it’s just great. Duo Bing has been wronged many times by Li Lian and honestly it would be hard to trust him, but he sincerely cares and respects him at this point that it’s no question for him to fight with his life on the line to protect him. It’s kind of giving off a little more than the initial relationship.. not saying anything.. I’m just feeling it. In ANY other context between a man and a woman what happens would be seen as romantic. So I’m saying they are soulmates ok. Like I kid you not Duo Bing gets so protective and Carrie’s Li Lian and yells at his superiors that he will be the one to take care of him, he won’t let anyone touch him, he will kill anyone who touches him… oh my god.. and the mother is an ally.. That sort of writing without saying completely how they feel is so smart, it’s what sends this drama a notch above the others. Honestly I just want Immortality to release and see Chu Wanning be respected and treated so precious in the same way as Duo Bing treats Li Lian.. Li Lian has no friends and Duo Bing is his first and only best friend, they drank wine on a rooftop.. Duo Bing gives up his title and status in the court.. and the guy is so prideful. He lives off his pride but sets it aside no question just to be able to take Li Lian with him. Pure devotion.. it’s a blessing to watch a drama that doesn’t revolve around romance and instead is smart and thoughtful and gets me to feel.


So to me this is a solid drama. It doesn’t have faults I can pick apart. The story is weaves together by mysteries towards smaller goals, larger goals, and then the crux of the show which has yet to reveal itself in the early episodes. It is like nothing is as it seems. I really like how each mystery has plot twists and there are new elements added on that makes it more enriching. So many layers to Xiang Yi and his past and Duo Bing reminding him constantly of who he was not only as a symbol of his once partner in the martial arts world but a older brother figure to him. Duo Bing flips his past on his head by being more youthful and naive than his uncle ( that was Xiang Yi’s partner) so it’s refreshed and he is now more of a younger brother figure to him.. if you can call it that.. I don’t know.

The self loathing Li Lian has compared to Duo Bing’s fresh attitude and then compare that to Fei Sheng’s self righteousness. He is also another main character that isn’t focused on as much as the main pair but has his story unfolding in its own way. He isn’t one dimensional but you can see how other characters see him as such. As a domineering figure, a prescribes without much compassion. But he is a lot more than that.. can’t say much without spoiling his character too much. But his story is a really good and interesting one, I like his character a lot more than I initially thought I would. Duo Bing is a firecracker, he is so funny at times with his honest and blunt reactions. I love that he has no filter and clearly needs guidance.

I can't go without talking about the Lotus Tower, that is Xiang Yi's moving house. It is pretty sick of an idea. It's so cool, his character is just so cool. The action isn't too flashy, same with the acting. It's natural, but also has lots of unnatural things when it comes to the story and seeing things I haven't seen. The setting grounds this drama so it isn’t magical.. but sometimes it feels eery like there are other things at play.

The more I think through this drama the more I can see different aspects that makes this drama excellent. The dynamic between Duo Bing and Li Lian/Xiang Yi especially. That is 10/10 hits all marks.

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The art of letting go

This show essentially IMHO is about learning letting go. Li Xiangyi could let go his fame, glory, romantic love, and hatred and transformed into Li Lianhua, whereas the villains couldn't let go of their jealousy and obsession. Other characters are in between for letting go.

This is the first time ever I leave a review for a show as it left a deep impression for me. It's also my first Cheng Yi show, I had no idea who he was although I knew he played a judge in "Draw the Line" which I haven't watched.

I knew this show existed because I saw some Youtube comments about this show was the show they most looked forward to. When I saw the first 2 episodes were available in iQiyi, I was prompted to watch.

I don't know what to expect as I hadn't read the synopsis. But once I started, I couldn't stop. It had all the ingredients in dramas that I enjoy, which are Sherlockian mysteries, humor, bantering, with plenty of bromance. For the mysteries they gave enough clues to let people guess but with some twists that sometime the audience wouldn't know such as changing gender, changing appearance which were not common in "normal" stories. However the conclusions they arrived are logical so that is a plus for me.

Some of the cases are heart breaking and show the best and worst of human nature plus the compassion of our duo detectives.

Now let's move on the duo (which occasionally became trio). Li Lianhua is the Sherlock of the show. He is smart and has very strong observation and deduction powers. He also lies as easily as he breathes. He is also a renowned physician although nobody knows about his past. The Watson of the show is Fang Duobing, a wide-eyed rich kid who wants to be a detective. When he discovered that Lianhua could deduct really well, he stuck to Lianhua like glue to the annoyance and amusement of the latter. They later formed a deep friendship and camaraderie. To complete the trio is Di Feisheng who knows Lianhua's real identity and was determined to have a duel with him. Both he and Lianhua tried to hide Lianhua's identity which made a lot of funny stories in the beginning of the show.

There is also an overarching arch in the story and some of the stories are actually related to a big conspiracy dated 10 years ago which Lianhua and co tried to uncover. This arch is closely related to Lianhua's past which he tries to let go and triggers the development of each character.
One of the most profound part in the show is when Lianhua told someone the transformation from Li Xiangyi to Li Lianhua. Li Xiangyi was at the top of the world to the admiration and envy of a lot of people in Jianghu. Because of some misfortunes, he became penniless and his main focus was not to get hungry as he grew his own vegetables. During this time, he couldn't hold on to any grudges and resentment or even former glory as his main focus was survival. This part was very touching and Cheng Yi truly delivered. As Lianhua, he could roam freely in his lotus tower and helped people through medicine.

Acting wise every one did great, especially the main characters. I need to check out the main trio works in the future. I deducted some points because the villains were too one dimensional even though they were well acted and Li Xiangyi could let go of everything except his guilt which in fact he was not really guilty about when we later found out. He could forgive others and let others to live their lives without guilty but he never forgave himself.

It's definitely a good show for mystery, humor, and wuxia fans. Upon rewatch, we could appreciate the story and acting more.

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3 Amigos in Moving Lotus Tower Solve Mysteries & Bring Justice to Jianghu

10 years can change a person completely or it can keep someone exactly the same. This series was very well written and I'm very glad to have watched it. So much so, that it's hard to move on from honestly. I don't follow any of the actors from this one though I have previously seen both Joseph and XSY in other series, first time watching Cheng Yi. This show came very close to getting a perfect score if it wasn't for a few things that I couldn't get over. Overall, the 3 Amigos in the moving lotus tower that solve mysteries and bring justice to Jianghu were impossible to resist.

Pros: The storyline and you're always wondering whodunnit. Favorite characters were the 3 amigos (with FDB only once he grew up and matured). When the three of them were together especially during DFS's memory loss, had to be the best both because of the comedy and their interactions; who could forget the constant calls for "Ah Fei".

Let's talk about how the plot went from LLH trying to find his senior's body as it was his only reason for living to finding out that said senior was still alive and the biggest antagonist of them all with only the Saintess as number two. The heartbreak LLH faced each time something new about the past came out and how as LXY he had missed understanding the fundamentals as he was still very young. The agony of suffering from the Bicha poison each time he over used his inner power. For 10 years he used it very little and therefore was able to control it but in that last year when finally on the path to the truth, brought him agonizing pain. Cheng Yi did a fantastic job as both the suffering man and one that could lie through his teeth with a straight face that had the audience laughing and shaking their heads each time dumbass young FDB would fall for it; while DFS would just walk away basically saying "you're full of shit." He was whip smart and often steps ahead of everyone, being able to tell who the murderer of a particular case was as they got closer to the real truths as each case was tied with the next one. He was able to unveil that the supposed spy amongst the Segu sect, really was working behind enemy lines for over 10 years. He made peace with his impending demise and wanted everyone around him to do the same.

DFS was a great morally gray character; because of his upbringing his first instinct was to kill but overall he ran by the Jianghu code of ethics. He didn't kill women except Saintess at the end but she deserved it. He wanted to fight LXY fair and square but neither got that 10 years ago because of all the people pulling the strings behind the scenes. When he had that Rama Vessel thing, first thing he did was cure himself of mind control, then return to Di fortress, destroy his childhood captor/Shifu and free the current kids under that freak's control.

FDB lands both in the pros and cons for me. I like the older him way better. Because of his caring nature towards LLH and his ability to be the detective everyone wanted to see and being able to explain things and speak like an adult and the funny relationship with Ah Fei. The older FDB was a much better version that Joseph did well. No matter what, he was the one that always had LLH's back and he was a very quick study of anything martial arts or technique related; dude was like a sponge.

The two antagonists or Saintess and SGD were very ruthless and both of everything they did was exactly what you wanted to see in antagonists up until the end and that will be explained below. Still, SGD had to be more ruthless as he killed a child 10 years before just to get his hands on some armor.

Most of the support especially the MVP of the show or Foxy Spirit, LLH's dog were for the most part well placed and really did a good job for as long as they needed to be there. The Sigu sect was a bit behind mentally on a lot of things and it was full of spies; it's like it got stuck 10 years ago and never went anywhere. If I had to choose the next sect leader, it would definitely be Shi Shu as she was always on top of things and didn't jump to conclusions like everyone else.

The martial arts scenes were top notch. Starting from the first episode, onwards, whether actual battles or just LLH dancing with his sword to express whatever emotions he was feeling were very well choreographed and done. You could tell each actor put his everything into it. When martial arts scenes were very well executed, it just elevated a wuxia for me. I'm also very glad they sidestepped romance in this one; there were undertones and we all braced for them but thankfully in every case it was quickly let go of. These types of dramas just don't need that in the slightest.

I like the open ending but wish the extra part one was actually added to 40 as it would have made a lot more sense because otherwise the ending of actual 40 seemed rushed and incomplete. But it's a lot better than them all finding him dead on a road somewhere or floating in a river. OSTs, costumes, sets, CGI were all on point.

Cons: Not very many of these but I'd have to say FDB got on my ever loving nerves in the beginning and it took quite a while before he grew up. Acting like a brat and throwing adult sized tantrums at LLH and in general actually made me happy when LLH just left him at the side of the road multiple times. He was insufferable. I really wished they matured him a lot faster.

Also many of the Segu sect members basically had no voices they just stood there like statues to make up space and said maybe 5 lines the entire time. The character of Zijin and his jealousy was so extra and unnecessary; he didn't understand anything even until the end. Every time he opened his mouth, you just rolled your eyes and prayed he'd get off screen faster. Ah Mian--while I understand her necessity as LXY's old flame and all that and her taking charge of the sect towards the end away from the jealous and unnecessary Zijin--why was she always in tears? She reminded me of the cartoon character Droopy as her eyes were always swollen, red, and teary even when she was fighting at the end. The fact that none of them could tell that LLH was LXY though they knew him best even with half a mask or no mask was laughable. His face hadn't changed, just his hairstyle and clothing. Same went for DFS, his own people couldn't tell it was him with half a mask? Really unbelievable. Plus knowing how deadly LXY's poison was, they believed him when he said he could cure it? Like how? Those were the first plot holes I noticed.

The other plot hole was during that last showdown, where did LXY and SGD's Master's wife come from? If she knew the secret of LXY's origins this entire time, why not tell him? How did she know where to find them? And it had to happen when both sides were stumped. It was way too obvious and put a bit of a damper in a great momentum building episode. Now though I liked both SGD and Saintess as the main antagonists; their ruthlessness took a plummet when they both started to get overly delusional towards the end and let out that nails on chalkboard Halloween store witch prop cackle. It absolutely ruins every antagonist it touches; laughing evilly doesn't have to sound like that. Both did it numerous times and that's another reason this drama just couldn't have that perfect score.

Would I recommend it? I absolutely would. I'm notoriously picky with dramas, so what I view as cons, may be nonsensical for others. The show itself is really great and I enjoyed it very much. I think if you like wuxia and mysteries, this is the drama for you.

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A mysterious drama

I really love this drama. A breath of fresh air from lots of romance drama that I’ve watched. There’s a lot of case mysteries that are related to one another. It’s hardly guess who the real culprit is. This drama has a lot to offer. There’s action, drama, comedy and little romance. But the one that I really like in watching dramas is the lessons that you can learn when watching dramas. Here the lesson is you have to accept your mistakes and forgive yourself and move on. A happy and contented life is truly simple. It’s not good to be on the top or to be number one. Many people would envy and despise you and you would also be an arrogant person because you think people would only rely on you. I like li huanua realization in life. I want to have that kind of house where you can move from place to place that you would not need to worry if somebody would steal your belongings. Truly a happy life is simple and no worries like Li Huanua! ❤️

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No sword bites so fiercely as an evil tongue

A drama that surpassed my initial thoughts and let me adventure on the story a lot more than I expected. It has also been the first time I've enjoyed a wuxia drama so much after so many years, so this drama will hold a special place in my heart.

The story is more than what is shown. The difference between Li Xiangyi & Li Lianhua is also very big. Xiangyi was someone who wanted to help everyone, save them & being centered to only one thing, the martial world. He gave his all to be the best & find his senior's remaining's, only to later on to find that the senior hated him.
As for Lianhua, he is someone who learned more about the world, other than only martial, he learned how to cook, take care of his Lotus Tower, his dog, and also be free, not restricted by any laws, travel the world as he wanted. He had the ability to do everything he wanted to, he wasn't constrained anymore & not seen anymore as the first martial artist in martial world. He was just Li Lianhua, a simple human with the thought to do whatever he wants before dying by the poison. He as well made a friend, his first true friend, FDB. He was able to do everything he wanted to do.

As for the other characters in MLC, they were well written and really well portrayed by the actors & actresses. The biggest shock of the drama was that Lianhua's senior, Shan Gudao, was still alive and that he wanted to control the world. Shan Gudao hated Lianhua because he was never praised by their master & thought that Lianhua never cared about him, but that was never the case. It was really sad to see his senior go against him, but at the same time it was nice to see Lianhu'a revenge towards Gudao for killing his master and doing all those things towards him & the rest.

Also, as someone who hasn't read the novel & doesn't really know if they kept the same storyline, I really enjoyed the story a lot. It was a kind of story that wasn't dragged at all, the cases were really well analyzed which made me to anticipate the next case. Just like said above, I've enjoyed that drama a lot, the fights, the story, the emotions, the characters, the costumes, everything was well portrayed. It was a drama that I have never seen before with interesting plot, and also Cheng Yi made me enjoy the drama more and more.

If you are an enjoyer of costume dramas, resolving cases, non-romance then this one is for you.

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Murder, Evil Masterplans, and Warmhearted Camaraderie

Excuse me as I lie in a puddle of my love for these three dorks.

The best part of this drama is undoubtedly the three MLs and their friendship/relationships with each other. They are the essence of the drama and why it’s so enjoyable. Li Lianhua, the clever, seemingly apathetic pathological liar (liarhua. Okay sorry) who would rather plant vegetables than return to his previous glory. Fang Duobing, the hotheaded, endearingly loyal young detective who never knows what’s going on. Di Feisheng, the arrogant, snarky enemy-turned-frenemy who is seemingly both selfish and selfless.

It’s their chaotic fights and witty banters and Fang Duobing being constantly tricked that define this drama and make it so comforting. But Li Lianhua also forms such precious relationships with the other two MLs: friendship with Fang Duobing and vague friendship/frenemyship with Di Feisheng. Fang Duobing and Di Feisheng are both so in love with Li Lianhua, and I mean, same. But all jokes aside, this drama served me exactly what I had been looking for—beautiful platonic relationships that go just as deep as romantic ones do.

Only (personal) complaint in regards to the character dynamics is that I wish Di Feisheng got more time with the other MLs. The drama was more focused on Li Lianhua and Fang Duobing’s friendship, so DFS spent a lot of time away from them, and I would’ve enjoyed some more trio moments.

Cheng Yi is also a joy to watch in this. This is my first drama of his, but I’ve still heard lots about and seen lots of his acting ability. From the casual nose-scratching to Li Xiangyi’s pompous demeanor to pain-filled eyes to witty remarks, Cheng Yi nailed Li Lianhua and Li Xiangyi alike.

As for the plot, the cases were interesting! Each case usually gets about 2-3 episodes, with occasional episodes in between dedicated toward moving the overall plot forward. It’s fun to watch Li Lianhua crack open each case (however unrealistic they may be) and string the clues together. The overarching plot, however, was rather weak. This drama fails to draw the watcher into the main plot with 1 dimensional, classic maniacally cackling villains and an unsophisticated world domination conflict. It felt crude and unoriginal. I think it would’ve done much better as a drama about solving cases and growing personally along the way.

One thing I did appreciate about the plot was Li Lianhua/Li Xiangyi’s arc. He did feel overly righteous and self-sacrificing at times, but I enjoyed seeing how he dealt with his past and how he moved on. I do wish there was a bit more self-forgiveness involved (which is why I would’ve preferred a plot more focused on the characters’ personal journeys rather than whatever dumb outside conflict they created).

Highly recommend if you’re looking for lovable characters, lots of chuckles and smiles, and some interesting murder cases! Plus some mean sword dances. Cheng Yi really danced like he had bills to pay.

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