As a long ancient drama series, it has one of the best 50-episode plots that hypes you up throughout, the whole drama was a climax, never a dull moment! If surrounds a bravery and smart female lead whose family was murdered and as she escaped, she formed allies and seek to find revenge for her family. The whole drama was full of thrilling scenes that make you tensed up from time to time, but do not expect a massive production as some epic scenes were replaced with animated graphics (comic-style). Not sure if it was to save budget, I would say it's a pretty smart move to save cost while keeping the storyline, but couldn't deny the fact that it does look a bit anti-climax... Another anti-climax part will probably be their kissing scenes, when you had high hopes but there are none, only the side cameo couples had it; although I saw somewhere that the director is trying out some special way to show a kiss scene... but I don't really buy it and honestly it disappoints a little. However these don't really affect much on how I grade this drama in overall as the other parts of the drama were pretty good:)

CAST! When I saw the starring casts list, immediately I clicked! But unlike other dramas with terrible storyline and solely based on the fame of the stars, this series definitely did justice to the casting lineup, worth chasing for! All the casts were pretty good, not just visually good but great performance too, Leo Wu being exceptionally impressive! I noticed him since Nirvana in Fire, which I believe it's the same for most of the viewers too. It shocks me seeing how FINE he has grown up to be and not to say his unquestionably stunning performance and acting skills in the drama. Cool, cute, charismatic and physical body shape, he has it all, literally being one of the most charming generals! Actresses wise, Dilraba was visually perfect for the role, she does look like someone that walks out from the comic book, but in terms of acting, I prefer Zhao Lu Si, as I'm impressed on her crying scenes, natural yet heartbreaking; although she has been crying almost every episode in the first half of the drama HAHA but she looks pretty cute still, guess she really fits the role! Liu Yu Ning was a hidden gem, never thought this King of OST is appearing in an ancient drama series, and honestly he has stolen all the attention and my love for the drama mainly for his adorable matching with Zhao Lu Si; although he wasn't the best acting actor but he's absolutely my favourite role in the drama! Among the 5 main roles, I would say Alen Fang's role is the most unfavourable one. He wasn't a villain actually but he was pretty much a coward in the whole drama, was supposed to be a big brother of the female leads but ended up protecting none of them. I would say luckily this role had Alen Fang's fine visual, so I could actually bear with his cowardice a little...

On top of the 5 main roles, I would say their cameo roles that come along there throughout the series are very much to my liking too, as a subordinate, a brother, a friend, a disciple, a master, a general, they were all very LOYAL and contributed to the success of the fight; although the screening time were very much lesser, but I love them too!

Encountered so many cheesy and boring side couples in other C-drama series, I never had high expectation on the second couple. BUT FINALLY, is the very first time I fell in love with second lead couple more than the main ones, and FELL SO HARD: Hao-Yan Couple, a love story of a Big Bad Wolf and a Little Rabbit!! It's fascinating how the cold-blooded killer got warmed by the pure-hearted princess and started being such a nerdy sweetheart, their story only started in the second half but it was more than enough scenes to capture viewers' hearts! So better don't drop the drama halfway or you'll miss out a lot here! That's one part I never get enough of and can rewatch it again and again!

In terms of production, it's a 9 out of 10. I find it a bit lacking in terms of fighting or war scenes, not as many as expected, it's a shame as I know Leo Wu was always taking martial lessons but he wasn't really able to show off that much in this drama as he was always on his horse haha! But when he does in those few scenes, you know he pulls off VERY WELL! Besides the fighting part, to emphasize, I would proudly say they had the BEST DRAMA OSTs!! What a powerful sound track that gives you all the goosebumps, I love all the songs so much, can't even name one to be my top favourite because they were all so good, and as the drama has ended, I can only immersed myself of reminiscing the series with the OSTs!

Honestly while some people were cheering for second season, I find it just nice for only one season, but I'm hoping to see more great dramas like this coming up this year and hope to see the casts reunited in other series sometime in the future! :)