Word of Honor checks all the boxes for a typical martial arts series – sectarian rivalry, revenge plots and a delightful relationship between a disciple and his teachers – proving to be a perfectly compelling and well-paced story.

But what makes it so enjoyable is that it’s far more profound than an empty clash of swords. The rivalry between the Ghost Valley and other seemingly ‘upright’ sects appears to be an allegory on the clash between Good and Evil, but Word Of Honor upends this by revealing the corruption amongst ‘heroes’. As sects go on a crusade to eradicate sin, they neglect to see that the rot has already wormed its way into their hearts.

The seeming incompatibility between the ghostly and mortal realm makes for an unlikely union between ZZS and WKX. And yet, it somehow works because they understand what it’s like to live troubled lives with cruel fates. For ZZS, who was ready to waste away and disappear into the twilight, the mere fact that he eventually allowed himself to be saved proved that the only person who could change his mind about life was WKX. And for WKX, who has walked a path doomed to unholiness, all he needed was something to pull him back to the world of humans and humanity.

So, is it a BL? Technically no. But I would say that the depth of ZZS and WKX’s relationship far transcends effortless banter and flirty conversations. The audience gets a sense that their unspoken bond runs far deeper than these superficial interactions. At the heart of their story is a quest to protect the only thing that matters to them – each other.

My full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/06/15/word-of-honor-2022-review/
My compilation of the romantic scenes: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/06/15/word-of-honor-bl-romance/