#Dong Huo

[simspaghetti]

Finally completed the Dong Huo quest!

So the dragon cave is now fully explored and we've got another tomb ticked off :)

[whenlovetriestoleave]

zheng jie, ann tai heng, li xiangyu, & dong chengwei by ted wang for wonderland china styling by chen yongheng, makeup by qin huo, hair by tomoko

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes (2024)

Gifs of Ending of cdrama "A Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes"

ENG SUB 【嫁东宫 / Palace Shadows: between Two Princes 】 EP01｜替嫁新娘 🆚 腹黑太子 ❗️极限拉扯❗️ #2023中国电视剧 #cdramatv

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zoJvI7_Tw

[sifu-kisu]

Master Fu Zhensong

Fu Zhensong, a native of Qinyang, Henan, was 50 years old at the time. When he was young, he learned from Jia Qishan, a disciple of Baguazhang master Dong Haichuan, and Chen Yanxi, a master of Chen-style Tai Chi. Chen Yanxi was the grandson of Chen Changxing, a master of Chen-style Tai Chi, and Chen Changxing's branch belonged to the Wudang School. Fu Zhensong practiced hard for six years and learned single-practice frame, pushing hands, and weapons. He was proficient in martial arts. Masters Jia and Chen pointed out that superior boxing skills need to be slow and pure and fast, and develop extreme speed in real slowness, so as to achieve the point of softness wrapped in iron and pure softness turning into pure hardness. Later, Fu Zhensong went to Guandong and met Song Weiyi, the imperial guard of Emperor Xianfeng, and learned the Tai Chi Lightning Palm and Lightning Punch. When Fu Zhensong was 40 years old, he served as a soldier under Zhang Zuolin. Because of his outstanding martial arts, he was appreciated by the brigade commander Li Jinglin and served as the commander of the martial arts company. In 1927, Fu Zhensong left the Fengtian Army and studied martial arts with Beijing martial artists such as Sun Lutang, Yang Chengfu , Li Shuwen, and Huo Dian Ge. In 1928, the Nanjing Central Guoshu Museum was established and Fu Zhensong was hired as the chief teacher of Baguazhang.

[atamascolily]

Lily liveblogs: Thunderbolt Fantasy 4x02

In which a member of the Dong Li imperial family is a fanboy, Lang Wu Yao is really Going Through It, and the plot thickens.

Lin puts on his Mantis shell to go visit the Big Bad. Yi Piao Miao has resting bitch face, so his sneer is probably just the usual and not, you know, Lin's disdain for Locust, but I can't help reading it in anyway.

It's very rare for Lin to outright lie, so his statement that he killed one of Shang's comrades and took his form is striking. It's necessary for the con, and I guess it's true from a certain point of view (it's 100% what Piao Miao would have said), but it still feels a little weird because I'm so used to pointed half-truths from him and this is a bit beyond his usual spin.

"He didn't even suspect my real identity" is classic Lin Xue Ya double-talk, though--Shang certainly saw through Lin's illusion but he doesn't know Lin is playing both sides at the moment in an effort to troll Locust.

Even if Lin's descriptions of Shang are not 100% accurate (is he really drinking all day??), they're accurate in spirit; Shang is depressed and isolated, and Locust seeks to take advantage of that.

Lin is bluffing when he tells Locust he could take the Index immediately, but Locust doesn't call it, saying that he wants to avoid Xie Ying Luo's mistake. This suits Lin fine.

"Be careful what you wish for"--Locust, like Lin, is acutely aware Shang is ill-suited for remaining on the sidelines and seeks to wear him down through ennui. Never mind that Shang is probably a drunken master, given his skill set. But this hesitation is Locust's mistake, even if he doesn't realize it yet--either that, or he's caught on to Lin's true identity and is deliberately sidelining him.

Locust telling "Mantis" that he knows what he was up to with Jun Po is hilarious… too bad Lin has zero interest in actually doing his "job".

Once the Zoom meeting is over, Lin transforms back into his real self, correctly identifying that Locust has something else going on.

confirmation that Lin uses his sleeves for storage!!! yes!! (I mean, I was pretty sure he did, because I would store everything in my sleeves if I had his outfit, but it's nice to see it on screen)

Lin saunters off to give Shang a pep talk… his wording suggests he's going to tease him and also brew some sort of power-up to get him back into fighting form. Damn it, these two aren't even on screen together in this episode and their dynamic gets me every time. GIVE ME SOME COMEDIC HIJINKS, please, I need this in my life.

meanwhile, Dan Fei meets with the Dong Li emperor's younger brother, who is a huge Hu Yin Shi fanboy. He's basically Chao Feng's counterpart--flightly, vain, and preoccupied with his obsession--but more benign. I wonder if those two will end up getting hitched when Dong Li and Xi You are reunited.

he tells Dan Fei he'll organize a bishounen convention so she can recruit all the pretty people to join, hahahaha

unfortunately, our fanboy royal isn't interested in helping Dan Fei by taking her request for aid seriously, and his more level-headed advisor explains after he's gone that Xi You is sending spies for an invasion so there are no troops to spare (Huo Shi Ming Huang pondered as much in the S2 post-credits scene, so it isn't a surprise he's decided to go for it). War is brewing on multiple fronts; this is the calm before the storm.

love how Juan Can Yun skips when he sees his wife; those two are so cute. also love how Bo Yang Hou has now taken up residence there as the stern uncle.

Dan Fei decides they will go on a quest to retrieve… wait for it… a super-powerful legendary magical sword personally forged by Bai Lian himself (although not named directly) 200 years earlier. This was why Shang name-dropped this guy in the first episode, huh--it was a callback so we'd be primed for this beat.

(due to a linguistic quirk, the fansubbers translated "lotus" as "rosemallow", in case you're wondering why the sword's name seems so random)

anyway, new macguffin alert! love how no matter what the problem is in this show, it always involves a sword.

between Lin and Dan Fei, Shang's retirement isn't going to last, and that's probably a good thing if he's actually day drinking as much as Lin claimed to Locust. We all joke about letting him rest, but Shang's personality and temperament are ill-suited for just hanging around doing nothing… he's gotten what he wanted (sort of) but it's making him utterly miserable. Good things he has friends to drag him kicking and screaming back into the narrative… oh, wait, they won't even have to do that, all Juan Can Yun and Dan Fei have to do is tell him they're marching off into certain danger and he'll cave instantly because he's a huge softie and these are his kids now. Works every time.

in the demon realm, Lang Wu Yao is fighting the han jiao. Interestingly, Xing Hai wants to intervene; I guess even she has standards of fair play?? Instead of her whip, though, she pulls out her fulu (paper talismans) that she uses to control/paralyze people, which tells you a lot about how dangerous she considers the han jiao. (She did the same technique with Shang in S3 rather than fight him directly.)

Azibelpher continues to be a gloating dick, as usual, but we need him to deliver the necessary exposition.

the demons really love living weapons, huh… first the demon gods, now the han jiao, and only the Shen Hui Mo Xie can consistently stop either of them. Really makes you wonder what Azibelpher has planned for Lang, since he is clearly manuevering him towards some unknown end beyond merely becoming a demon…

I didn't notice this earlier, but the han jiao don't have back legs… they're just muscular worms with bat-like membranous wings (and we know from the opening credits they can fly). They're so cute it's hard for me to take them seriously as a threat. I also really want to know how they did the puppetry for them; it's incredible work.

love how Ling Ya can talk in sword form even though he doesn't have a mouth

Ultimately, Lang is right - the only way out for him is forward into the unknown… even if it means descending into his personal hell and forsaking his humanity. His pride and his rage and his pain won't allow him to back down, especially not after everything Azibelpher has done to him. Without Shang and Tian Ming, Lang is especially vulnerable to this kind of manipulation; Ling Ya tries, but he is all too easily overruled.

the moment where the triumphant music as Lang kills the monster abruptly cuts out and we have this awkward and grotesque segment of Lang taking out decades of frustration on its corpse, intercut with Azibelpher's triumphant gloating. ... it's so painful

further confirmation that Lang's powers are fueled by his emotions and that all of the suffering he's endured in his life are fuel for him now. (In other words, he might be half-demon by blood, but he's full demon now, as his hidden heritage awakens and overwhelms his human side.) Ling Ya is able to call him back to himself, but it's too late…

Lang Wu Yao's gasp as he realizes what he's done, staring down at his bloody hands… my heart… In that moment, he believes that everything bad he's ever thought about himself is true, that he truly is a monster… and that, more than anything else, is what triggers his transformation… that final piece of self-loathing and shame and disgust.

and he literally becomes the image of his father, who represents everything he hates about himself!!

meanwhile, Spider and Wasp arrive in the demon realm, and it's clear why their boss gave them magical weapons or else they'd be toast. Wasp is so happy to just kill things, I love that for her.

even with all the squabbling, these two are getting along better than I expected, honestly. Spider gets points for clever use of his chains, and Wasp is in heaven because she can slaughter everything in her path.

oh, and we meet a new demon, Ansarto, who is part deer, part spider, 100% nightmare fuel in the best possible way and I love him. In keeping with the "eyes" motif, he's covered them. I really want to know how they did his puppet; it's fantastic work.

because Might is Right and Wasp and Spider each killed a han jiao, they get special treatment, lol. Presto, instant banquet!

they re-used the dishes and cups from Seven Sins Tower for this scene, and either Mie Tian Hai imported his tableware from he demon realm or all of the TBF villains shop at the same Evil Wuxia Target, take your pick.

Spider is trying to play it cool and negotiate, but the question is who is really manipulating whom here? meanwhile, Ba Wang Yu just wants to kill people and doesn't give a shit about the details, so it's all the same to her. I love her so much. But I think this scene really demonstrates how, despite their differences, they arrive at the same conclusions--they're really not so different after all.

(also it's so refreshing to watch a female character just chow down with gusto on screen, even if demon food is a little heavy on the eyeballs)

of course Ansarto wants them to take down Azibelpher, which puts them squarely in the line of fire as plot threads converge. Either they're gonna get killed or Azi is going to convince them to join his side instead, and I honestly don't know which.

Oh, and the Murder Princess is going after Tian Ming in the next episode, so that should be interesting. does this mean a catfight over Lang hahaha

Preview shows a new character - a female demon with purple hair and armor - stomping on a han jiao corpse, a close-up of Demon Prince Lang, Juan Can Yun wearing some kind of mask (??), Shang looking nonplussed and Tian Ming playing her guzheng at sunset as soldiers arrive. Can't wait!!!

[the-monkey-ruler]

Love of Seven Fairy Maidens (2011) 天地姻缘七仙女

Director: Huo Yaoliang Screenwriter: Li Meng Starring: Liu Yang / Zhou Yang / Wu Qingzhe / Chen Haomin / Li Jie / Zhang Li Genre: Comedy / Fantasy / Costume Country/Region of Production: Mainland China Language: Mandarin Chinese Date: 2011 Number of episodes: 50 Single episode length: 45 minutes Also known as: Seven Fairies of Joy 2 Type: Crossover

Summary:

The Jade Emperor and his mother have seven beautiful daughters. These seven fairies came to the mortal world for various personal reasons, causing chaos in the heaven and the mortal world. The eldest fairy wanted to find the prince of destiny, Kuixing, who was taken away by her. The second fairy fell in love with a man named Shangguan Zilan at first sight, and followed him to the mortal world at the instigation of Chang'e. The third fairy happened to fall in love with Wang Jin, the head of the Yamen police. The pet jade mink raised by the fourth fairy mischievously ran to the mortal world. In order to find the jade mink, the fourth fairy came to the mortal world, but met the prince of the previous dynasty, and the two had a bad relationship. The fifth fairy risked her life to protect a promise. Although the sixth fairy was the most timid, she still bravely stepped into the mortal world to find her sisters. We are most familiar with the story of the seventh fairy, and the story between her and Dong Yong is not over.

Source: https://tv-1.chinesemov.com/tv/2011/Love%20of%20Seven%20Fairy%20Maidens

Link: N/A

[shu-of-the-wind]

Character Guide and plot summary of SOTB to this point: 

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

The Investigators Lan Fan Huo, also known as Enkhtuya. Formerly a member of the Huo, one of the Yao’s sworn subordinate clans, Lan Fan’s true identity has been banished by the Dowager Empress. She is currently posing as a nomadic woman, Feiyan Ma, from the steppes, and acting as an imperial spy.

Side note, I finally have a facecast for Lan Fan! Dilraba Dilmurat.

His Imperial Majesty, Ling Yao, the Dawn Emperor. Extremely Stressed about declaring it open season on himself (romantically? Violently? Both? Who knows) by opening the Lotus Hall. Also extremely stressed about his job overall. He is half-brother to Mei Chang as well as Lien Hua, Xinzhe, and Dong Mao Feng, but defeated them in the race for the throne by bringing a Philosopher’s Stone to Xing. 

Her Highness, Imperial Cousin, Princess Mei Chang. Alphonse’s alkahestry teacher, First Governor of Chang-guo, and the half-sibling of Ling Yao and Dong Mao, Xinzhe, and Lien Hua Feng. Usually accompanied by her bearcat, Xiao Mei. Has feelings for Alphonse Elric. 

Alphonse Elric, a Western traveler and old friend of the Dawn Emperor. Despite Ling’s best attempts to keep him out of the ongoing situation, he’s as deep in it as anyone. Has feelings for Mei Chang, but is not voicing them. It’s possible he is unaware of them.

Suyin Ma. Also named Sarangerel. The wife of Shan Yao, and Feiyan Ma’s cousin. Suyin claims Fuu told her about Lan Fan’s past prior to her joining the Huo family, but has not elaborated on how, when, or why.  

Shan Yao. Suyin’s husband, Commander of the Imperial Guard, Lan Fan’s supervisor for her current mission, and Ling Yao’s older cousin. He has known both Ling and Lan Fan for over a decade and has many embarrassing stories in his arsenal because of it. Lan Fan is currently staying in Shan and Suyin’s rooms at Pubuchuan. 

Niu Lu. An alkahestrist trained by Mei and a former torturer for the Imperial Army, Niu Lu is currently serving as Lan Fan’s maid during her investigation of the Fengs. 

The Suspects The Triplets, Dong Mao, Xinzhe, and Lien Hua Feng. The triplet children of the Feng family, and Imperial Cousins in their own right, and as such half-siblings of Ling Yao and Mei Chang. They have come to the capital to tear the Dowager Empress from her position of power by whatever means necessary. 

The Dowager Empress, Huian Yao. Ling Yao’s mother. Ambitious, venomous, and ruthless. Appears to have played a role in the massacre of the Nohin people alongside the Retired Emperor, Ling’s father. Currently working with Minister of the Left Shen Liu to get one of her chosen subordinates into the role of Ascending Empress. Fond of poisons. 

Residents of the Imperial City Shen Liu. Minister of the Left and primary ally of the Dowager Empress, though they historically have not gotten along very well. Has been pressuring Ling to get married for at least the last eighteen months. He absolutely loathes Feiyan Ma.

Bao Zhang. Minister of the Right and founding member of the Reconciliation committee. He is reclusive and odd, rarely coming out into court even though he is one of the most powerful ministers in the Imperial City. He has a pet crow that delivers messages for him, and an assistant, Yue, who is a mathematical genius.   

Xiao Niao Song, First Governor of Song-guo. Head of the Song family, mother to Xiao Huan, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Xie Song. Another founding member of the Reconciliation committee. She respects Feiyan Ma and is seeking her advice on dealing with the nomadic peoples on Song-guo borders.

Xiao Huan Song, Second Daughter of the Song family. The Song Family’s entrant into the competition for the role of Ascending Empress. She is an alkahestrist. 

Jian Zhang. Imperial Master of the Horse and Bao Zhang’s cousin. Reclusive and resents politics. A former soldier, he served in the border wars with Thamasq. He is helping Feiyan Ma with Changchang.

The Cao Brothers, Aiguo and Heng. Aiguo Cao is Lien Hua’s fiance. He has appalling manners and a worse personality. Heng, his younger brother, is equally as unpleasant.  

Biyi Chang. The Thirteenth Lady of Chang-guo, a distant cousin of Mei’s. She is shy, awkward, and quiet. She was also Suyin’s first friend at court. 

Caterina della Barbarigo. An Aerugan noblewoman and the fiancee of Dong Mao Feng, she struggles with Xingese cultures, languages, and customs. Lan Fan has offered to teach her more Xingese. 

Gen Chang. Lan Fan’s bodyguard, a former imperial guardsman, and a distant cousin of Mei’s. He may or may not have a slight crush on Lan Fan. He was assigned to guard Feiyan Ma after the Firebrand assassination attempt that nearly killed her.

Citizens of Xinjing Xiaoqing. A former firebrand, Xiaoqing is half-Qarashi and half-Xingese. Al is teaching her the basics of alkahestry in return for her assistance in infiltrating the Fires of God in the capital. She is an older-sister figure to Peizhi.

Peizhi. An assistant groom. Formerly a jockey in the Xuanwu ward. He owes Feiyan Ma his life, and is determined to repay the debt any way he can, up to and including getting into massive trouble with Xiaoqing. He and Changchang have a very special bond that seems to be related to his latent alkahestrical abilities.

Changchang. A trained warhorse who has gone half-feral due to abusive treatment. Lan Fan rescued her along with Peizhi, and is trying to convince her that humans are not universally shitheads. It’s not going particularly well.  

The Fires of God Father Shiloh Trener. The shadowy leader of the Fires of God. An Amestrian who learned (or convinced himself) that he is the son of the sun god, Leto after a forty day fever which culminated on the day the Elric brothers exposed Father Cornello as a fraud. In the wake of the  outbreak of Liore’s civil war, he led his religious community to the desert, and then to Feng-guo, where they are currently settled. 

Huli. “Fox.” A Firebrand and an assassin. Possibly Cretan or Amestrian. Has tried to kill the Fengs at least once (that we know of) and seems intent on fighting Lan Fan. Original name unknown.

Lang. “Wolf.” A Firebrand. A Xingese man working as a spy for the Feng in the Imperial City while simultaneously reporting all their doings to the Fires of God. He is mute, and speaks primarily through sign language. Original name unknown.

Sheng. “Weasel.” A Firebrand, an Aeurgan, and a former slave. Seems to be the leader of the quartet of Firebrands who are after the Fengs, or, at least, the only one that Huli will listen to. Original name unknown.

Mao. “Cat.” A young Firebrand, approximately sixteen. She has pursued alkahestrical treatments which have turned her into something similar to a chimera, but unable to shift back and forth between her human and animal forms, which means she has long, permanently extended claws, fangs, and hair that is more like long fur. Original name unknown.

Shu (formerly Shubiao, but I fucked up, that means computer mouse, please feel free to laugh your ass off at me). “Mouse.” A Nohin man and Firebrand that Lan Fan captured snooping through her quarters. His original name is Kazuki Sakari. He is currently in hiding after escaping imperial custody, and cannot reunite with his firebrand cohort for fear they will simply execute him for his failures.

PLOT SUMMARY: It is September 1918, three years after the ascension of the Dawn Emperor, Ling Yao, and troubles are brewing on the northwestern border of the Empire. The Feng, one of the Fifty Families of the Xing nobility, have been eliminating Yao spies sent into their territory, Feng-guo, for the past several months. Knowing that the Gathering, the bi-annual celebration and political meeting of all the Fifty Families at the capital, is approaching, Ling orders Lan Fan to take on the role of a steppes noblewoman and enter the imperial court to spy against the Feng triplets. The triplets—Sixth Prince Dong Mao, Seventh Prince Xinzhe, and Ninth Princess Lien Hua—are attending court formally for the first time since the Dawn Emperor’s ascension, and there are concerns that they are planning to assassinate Ling in an attempt to gain power and push the Yao out of ascendancy in the Court. 

Despite her discomfort—Lan Fan is the Emperor’s Shadow first and foremost, and is extremely discontented with having to leave her position and her charge as Ling’s guard—Lan Fan takes the position. She is posing as Feiyan Ma, the “cousin” of the wife of Shan Yao, the commander of the Imperial guard and one of Ling Yao’s cousins. Shan’s wife, Suyin Ma (also known as Sarangerel) is pregnant, and wants a member of her family to be with her in the capital throughout her pregnancy and the birth of her first child. Mei Chang, in illicit support of Lan Fan’s position, provides Lan Fan with a maid and guard of her own, Niu Lu, a half-Drachman noblewoman who is a talented alkahestrist as well as a professional spy and torturer. Despite a rough start in the capital, Lan Fan manages to befriend at least two of the Feng triplets, along with Mingli Chen, a particular friend of Xinzhe Feng. She accompanies them to horse races in the lower districts of the capital, during which she saves a young jockey and his irascible, traumatized mount, a former war horse named Changchang. Thanks to her actions, Lan Fan meets a young woman, Xiaoqing, who is ana-Qarashi and Xingese. She is attempting to teach herself healing alkahestry to assist people in the Xuanwu districts of the capital, the poorest and most destitute people in the area. 

While attending a party at the Chang estate, Lan Fan saves the Feng triplets from an assassination attempt by a masked intruder, who is later identified as Huli, a warrior and spy from a Letoist religious cult known as the Fires of God. The Fires of God believe that Shiloh Trener, an Amestrian who formerly lived in Liore, is actually the son of the Sun God, Leto, come to earth. The group is gathering recruits and converts in preparation for the end of the world. Their base of operations is in Feng-guo, and the Feng triplets, along with their uncle, Mengyao, have been trying to keep the ongoing political damage a secret from the other Fifty Families as well as the Emperor. Xiaoqing, who used to be a firebrand, lost her mother to the cult, and she and her father left Feng-guo and fled to the capital to get away from the chaos. 

During this time, Lan Fan has been struggling with her work as a spy. She does not feel that she is capable of pretending to be another person, let alone that she has the right to act as a noblewoman, particularly when she was raised from a very young age to be an imperial bodyguard and shadow. Putting herself in the spotlight in any way makes her deeply uncomfortable. She struggles with interacting with Ling on a more equivalent footing (noblewoman to emperor, as opposed to servant to emperor) and with the emperor’s attention. Ling asks her to go riding with him in the mornings, which is of particular note to the gossip grapevine, as the Dawn Emperor has been extremely reluctant to even discuss the potential of marriage, let alone lavish any special attention on any noblewoman at court. 

Ling is struggling as well, in ways that Al (who is in Xing to study Xingese alkahestry) doesn’t particularly understand. When Al attempts to push and states that Ling, as emperor, can do what he wants, Ling lashes out and states that he can’t do what he wants where Lan Fan is concerned, because the last thing he wants to do is make her uncomfortable and force attentions where they may not be wanted. He knows that he has feelings for Lan Fan, and that they’re more than likely returned, but he also knows that Lan Fan’s identity is wrapped in her honor and her service as bodyguard, and that so long as that state of affairs continues, nothing can possibly happen between them. However, due to Lan Fan’s role as spy, and their attempts to get the Feng to remain interested in and trust Feiyan Ma, Ling is caught between his wish to keep Lan Fan alive, safe, and happy, and courting Feiyan Ma to ensure that she remains politically and materially relevant to the people they are investigating. 

Meanwhile, the investigation is escalating. The day before the Gathering opens, Lan Fan catches a firebrand spy—a Nohin man—snooping around her rooms. The man, Kazuki Sakari (referred to as Shu by himself and firebrand cohort) was attempting to find information about Feiyan Ma after her interference in the assassination attempt on the Feng triplets. The discovery of a Nohin man rattles Lan Fan, who is also Nohin, and has been hiding her identity for over a decade with the help of her grandfather. During the Gathering ceremony, Lan Fan discovers that Xinzhe and Mingli are lovers, which could get them executed due to anti-sodomy laws in the imperial court. She promises Mingli she will keep their secret. However, during her attempts to research queer love, she is drawn into a meeting with the Minister of the Left, the Dowager Empress Huian Yao, and the Song Family regarding the complex issues surrounding the northwestern borders and raiding by nomadic steppes peoples, such as the Ma. During the debate, Lan Fan brings up the massacre of the Nohin people, backed by the former Emperor, Ling’s father; the Dowager Empress threatens to have her exiled. Ling settles tempers, with difficulty. The following day, the Firebrands attempt to assassinate Lan Fan, which results in her being poisoned. 

As Lan Fan recovers in the Emperor's chambers, Al, Mei, and Peizhi, the jockey that Lan Fan rescued, learn that the Firebrands have been smuggling in massive amounts of weapons from Thamasq into Feng-guo, in an attempt to raise an insurrection against the Feng family and take over the province. Shu escapes custody and flees to a Nohin safehouse. As a result of the attempt on Feiyan Ma’s life, the Emperor’s Shadow—Lan Fan—is exiled permanently from Xing after complaints registered by the Dowager Empress. While Lan Fan herself is not going anywhere (the position of Emperor’s Shadow has been filled by a soldier with a similar height, build, and qi signature as Lan Fan), she now has no identity to return to after the job is over. Her life and her existence as Lan Fan Huo, particularly as the Emperor’s Shadow, has been terminated by Huian Yao, and Ling was unable to do anything to stop it. She is angry about this but feels horrible for being angry with Ling, specifically; she has not explicitly forgiven him but understands this was not his fault, and is hiding from her own complicated emotions about the entire situation.

Lan Fan throws herself into the investigation of the Fengs and the Firebrands, as well as her role of Feiyan Ma, meeting regularly with Xiao Niao Song, the head of the Song family, as well as other important members of the imperial court, including the Minister of the Right, Bao Zhang, a reclusive administrator who puts her name forward as a member of a new political group, the Committee for the Resolution of Human Rights Abuses, Conflicts, and Injustices, or colloquially the "Reconciliation Committee." Additionally, Lan Fan meets Dong Mao Feng’s betrothed, an Aerugan woman named Caterina della Barbarigo, and one of the Feng retainers, a mysterious woman named Lotus who seems to have a strong bond with Dong Mao. 

Finally, Lien Hua Feng makes the decision to trust Feiyan Ma, and reveals that the goal of the Feng is not to assassinate the Dawn Emperor, but rather his mother, the Dowager Empress, as revenge for Huian Yao poisoning their mother and killing their baby sister in utero twelve years before. The problems with Yao spies being killed in Feng territory was the result of a misunderstanding; the Feng believed the spies were sent by Huian Yao, not the Emperor, and summarily executed them, while the Emperor believed that Feng spies on the border were part of a plot to overthrow him, not investigating the internal goings-on of Feng-guo. Lien Hua also introduces Lan Fan to one of her own spies in the palace, a mute man named Lang, who Lan Fan knows is a double agent for the Firebrands. Lan Fan does not reveal Lang's betrayal to Lien Hua in the moment. Instead, she asks Xiaoqing to infiltrate the Firebrands’ base of operations in the capital, and Xiaoqing, wishing to avenge her mother, agrees. 

The Gathering closes, and many families return to their home provinces. However, due to the Emperor’s announcement that he is going to begin his search for a wife, many families summon daughters and cousins to the court in an attempt to take the role of Empress. The Emperor is retreating to Pubuchuan for the winter, a mountain palace with many hot springs to last them through the long snows. Only ten families have been invited. It is here that the battle for the role of Empress will occur—and Ling has already asked that Lan Fan participate, in her role as Feiyan Ma, to keep up the ruse of their courtship. Lan Fan agrees.

[yeonchi]

Dynasty Warriors Online Weapon Moveset Counterpart Digest

During the years that Dynasty Warriors Online was in service, many weapons have been made available for players to choose from. The game started off with weapons from Dynasty Warriors 5 before later adding in weapons from 7, 8 and even 9 along with Warriors Orochi 2 and Samurai Warriors 3. Original weapons exclusive to the game have also been made available as well.

The list begins after the break. Please notes that the names for some weapons, particularly in later games, may be different to the names in the game that the movesets were taken from.

Crescent Blade 偃月刀 - Guan Yu (DW5)

Great Axe 大斧 - Xu Huang (DW5)

Great Club 砕棒 - Xu Zhu (DW5)

Iron Rod 鉄鞭 - Huang Gai (DW5)

Scimitar 朴刀 - Xiahou Dun (DW5)

Pirate Sword 甲刀 - Gan Ning (DW5)

Battle Rod 砕棍 - Xiahou Yuan (DW5)

Twin Rods 双鞭 - Taishi Ci (DW5)

War Axe 戦斧 - Dian Wei (DW5)

Twin Picks 双戟 - Pang De (DW5)

Twin Sabers 双剣 - Lu Xun (DW5)

Twin Maces 双錘 - Diaochan (DW5)

Bronze Spear 直槍 - Zhao Yun (DW5)

Cudgel 長棍 - Original (DWO)

Twin Fans 桜扇 - Daqiao (DW5)

Strategist Fan 燕扇 - Sima Yi (DW5)

Vision Staff 幻杖 - Pang Tong (DW5)

Sorcerer's Staff 妖杖 - Zhang Jiao (DW5)

Iron Claw 鉄鈎 - Zhang He (DW5)

Nanman Gauntlets 蛮拳 - Meng Huo (DW5)

Iron Sword 鉄剣 - Zhou Yu (DW5)

Tyrant Sword 獄刀 - Dong Zhuo (DW5)

Battle Shield 戦盤 - Original (DWO)

Whip 多節鞭 - Original (DWO)

Curved Voulge 長双刀 - Wei Yan (DW5)

Pole Blade 鉤鎌刀 - Zhang Liao (DW5)

Noble Sword 宝剣 - Yuan Shao (DW5)

Iron Spear 鉄槍 - Ma Chao (DW5)

Wood Nunchaku 両節棍 - Ling Tong (DW5)

Chakram 夏圏 - Sun Shangxiang (DW5)

Bronze Pike 鉄矛 - Zhang Fei (DW5)

Iron Blade 斬馬刀 - Guan Ping (DW5)

Feather Fan 羽扇 - Zhuge Liang (DW5)

Boomerang 投弧刃 - Zhurong (DW5)

Wolf Sword 積刃剣 - Sun Quan (DW5)

Broad Sword 将剣 - Cao Cao (DW5)

Eastern Sword 弧刀 - Zhou Tai (DW5)

Tonfa 旋棍 - Sun Ce (DW5)

Buckler Blade ���壁 - Cao Ren (DW5)

War Blade 盤刀 - Huang Zhong (DW5)

Dagger Axe 戦戈 - Yueying (DW5)

Flute 鉄笛 - Zhenji (DW5)

Twin Blades 双刃剣 - Cao Pi (DW5)

Apex Blade 尖剣 - Liu Bei (DW5)

Cursed Deck 呪符 - Zuo Ci (DW5)

Trident 三尖槍 - Jiang Wei (DW5)

Long Fork 叉突矛 - Xingcai (DW5)

Glaive 断戟 - Lu Meng (DW5)

Halberd 鉄戟 - Lu Bu (DW5)

Nodachi 野太刀 - Ranmaru Mori (SW3)

Horned Blade 麟角刀 - Original (DWO)

Jamadhar 穿刃 - Original (DWO)

Greatsword 巨剣 - Fu Xi (WO2)

Light Sword 細剣 - Nuwa (WO2)

Fang Sword 牙剣 - Sun Jian (DW5)

Double Fans 桃扇 - Xiaoqiao (DW5)

Fanged Club 狼牙棒 - Original (DWO)

Snake Sword 蛇剣 - Original (DWO)

Ogre's Fist 重手甲 - Original (DWO)

Dragon Barbs 龍牙鈎 - Original (DWO)

Marbles 堕落 - Da Ji (WO)

Throwing Knives 鏢 - Wang Yuanji (DW7)

Crimson Flute 紅蓮笛 - Zhenji (DW7)

Blue Dragon Sword 青龍刀 - Sima Zhao (DW7)

Lance 螺旋槍 - Deng Ai (DW7)

Thunder Spear 雷鳴槍 - Jiang Wei (DW7)

Wheels 火焔圏 - Sun Shangxiang (DW7)

Flying Swords 飛翔剣 - Zhong Hui (DW7)

Dragon Fan 龍扇 - Zhuge Liang (DW7)

Twin Axes 双鉞 - Zhang Liao (DW7)

Red Dragon Sword 紅龍刀 - Sun Quan (DW7)

Long Bow 長弓 - Huang Zhong (DW7)

Splendid Claws 飛麗爪 - Zhang He (DW7)

Heavy Axe 大鉞 - Xu Huang (DW7E)

Orb & Scepter 打球棍 - Guo Jia (DW7XL)

Twin Dragon Swords 双龍剣 - Liu Bei (DW7)

Striking Rods 打双鞭 - Taishi Ci (DW7)

Whirling Tonfa 旋撃棍 - Sun Ce (DW7)

Qilin Fang 麒麟刀 - Xiahou Dun (DW7XL)

Sword & Hook 撃剣 - Xu Shu (DW7E)

Chain Whip 月香鞭 - Diaochan (DW7)

Sky Piercer 方天戟 - Lu Bu (DW7)

Arm Blade 鉄舟 - Huang Gai (DW7E)

Pugil Sticks 双杖 - Daqiao (DW7E)

Iron Fan 鉄扇 - Xiaoqiao (DW7)

Waving Nunchaku 波闘棍 - Guan Suo (DW7)

Spinner 旋刃盤 - Bao Sanniang (DW7)

Rapier 刺剣 - Liu Shan (DW7)

Short Halberd 短戟 - Han Dang (DW8)

Long Blade 長刀 - Guan Yu (DW7XL)

Trishula 筆架叉 - Wang Yi (DW7XL)

Shaman Staff 錫杖 - Zhang Jiao (DW7)

Circle Blade 断月刃 - Ding Feng (DW7E)

Curved Blade 打刀 - Zhou Tai (DW7)

Lightning Sword 迅雷剣 - Sima Shi (DW7E)

Arm Cannon 連弩砲 - Guo Huai (DW8)

Pulverizing Club 潰棒 - Xu Zhu (DW8)

Dragon Spear 龍槍 - Zhao Yun (DW7XL)

Hand Axe 手斧 - Dian Wei (DW8)

Talisman Cards 導符 - Zuo Ci (DW8)

Flying Boomerang 飛刀 - Zhurong (DW8)

Great Iron Blade 大剣 - Guan Ping (DW8)

Dual Blade 双斬剣 - Cao Pi (DW8)

Crossed Pike 十字戟 - Lu Lingqi (DW8XL)

Double Trident 両刃槍 - Jiang Wei (DW8)

Bladebow 刃弩 - Yueying (DW8E)

Dagger 匕首 - Original (DWO)

Bow & Rod 鞭箭弓 - Xiahou Yuan (DW8)

Dual Hookblades 双鉤 - Yue Jin (DW8)

Twin Pistols 双短銃 - Original (DWO)

Battle Ge 闘戈 - Yueying (DW8)

Great Sickle 大鍘刀 - Zhou Cang (DW9)

Broad Axe 長鉞 - Xin Xianying (DW9)

Extension Blade 伸細剣 - Yuan Shao (DW9)

Nine Rings Blade 九環刀 - Sun Jian (DW9)

Winged Fan 翼扇 - Sima Yi (DW9)

Master Voulge 眉尖刀 - Wei Yan (DW9)

Battle Staff 闘棍 - Zhou Yu (DW9)

Piercing Spear 貫薙槍 - Ma Chao (DW9)

Swallow Swords 飛燕剣 - Lu Xun (DW9)

War Trident 三尖刀 - Yu Jin (DW9)

Ballistic Spear 射刃槍 - Man Chong (DW9)

Rake 九歯鈀 - Lu Su (DW9)

Sword & Shield 盾牌剣 - Xingcai (DW9)

Framed Halberd 画戟 - Lu Bu (DW9)

Mandarin Duck Hooks 鴛鴦鉞 - Lianshi (DW9)

Jeweled Pike 宝戟 - Lu Meng (DW9)

Striking Sword 烈撃刀 - Sima Zhao (DW9)

Falcon Axes 隼双鉞 - Ma Dai (DW9)

Emei Piercers 峨嵋刺 - Wang Yi (DW9)

Shadow Fan 翳扇 - Pang Tong (DW9)

Battle Gloves 眷手甲 - Meng Huo (DW9)

Flaming Sword 焔刃剣 - Sun Quan (DW9)

Chaos Rods 壊双鞭 - Taishi Ci (DW9)

Sky Splitter 裂空刀 - Guan Ping (DW9)

Crescent Edge 月牙鏟 - Li Dian (DW9)

Studded Club 裂棒 - Xu Zhu (DW9)

[waywardwizzard]

Gabriel Tam sighed and dragged a tired hand down his face.

Quietly, he shook his head and stood up, loosening his tie. Why couldn't Samuel do his job for once? Was it really so hard-

A soft snick caught his attention.

Gabriel watched, frozen, as someone opened his study window and crawled through, another person following closely behind them.

"Who are you?"

The question was out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

The two masked figures froze, but before Gabriel could so much as blink the tallest one had pulled out a gun and was pointing it at him. The shorter one was still frozen, slightly hidden behind the gunman.

"I could ask ya the same thing," the man with the gun said, his voice muffled behind the dirty brown bandana.

Gabriel drew himself up to his full height, drawing on every etiquette lesson he had to sit through when he had been younger.

"I'm Gabriel Tam, owner of this house. I'll ask you again, who are you?"

"I'm 'fraid that's none of yer business, Mr. Tam."

The tallest man turned to his partner, his eyes softening, "You go and get what we came for, boy. I'll make sure he stays here."

The man gave a stilted nod and walked past Gabriel, avoiding the older man's eyes.

"Eyes here Mr. Tam."

Gabriel turned, his eyes narrowed.

"Why are you here?"

The man shrugged, his gun steady.

"Let's just say I ain't here for me."

Gabriel wanted to press for more information but before he could the shorter man had come back, a small duffle bag slung over one shoulder.

As he brushed past, Gabriel caught his eyes and the older man drew in a sharp breath.

"Simon."

The man, Simon, froze, his back to Gabriel.

"Are you happy?" Gabriel spat out without waiting for a reply. "You've ruined this family and now you have the audacity to-"

"It ain't audacity if it's his to take," the gunman said, his eyes sharp, "You go doc'. There's something I need to discuss with Mr. Tam."

"Captain-"

The Captain shook his head, leaving no room for arguments.

Simon gave the captain a long look before he nodded. He clambered back through the window, never once looking back at his father.

When the gunman was sure Simon was out, he stalked forward, holstering his gun.

He grabbed Gabriel by his lapels, his eyes blazing. The older Tam swallowed, the collar of his shirt digging uncomfortably into his skin.

"Now, you listen carefully, Mr. Tam. You may think Simon is a chi sin no fu but if there's one thing he ain't it's that. The kid's loyal to a fault, smart and brave too. Three traits I don't know where he got it from 'cause it certainly ain't from you.

He gave up everything for his li'l sis when you wouldn't even look at her letters. You've lost the best pair of kids in the 'verse, Gabriel, and I ain't even sure you realize it."

The man let go of Gabriel and strode to the open window. Gabriel smoothed down his lapels and tried to fix his hair, his head spinning.

Before the rogue reached the window he turned back, his browncoat flapping in the slight breeze. "Oh, and one more thing. You ever hurt them again you ta ma de hun dan, I'll hunt you down. And I won't be so civilized next time. Dong ma?"

With one last look, the man climbed out and shut the window. It was quiet in the study, almost as if nothing had happened. Taking a deep breath, Gabriel pressed a key on the Cortex. He scrolled for a while, searching for a specific number. It wasn't long before he found it. The call connected and he cleared his throat.

"General Huo? It's Gabriel Tam. I have news about the fugitives' whereabouts."

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Author's note

I hope this one ain't too bad, things have been hectic lately and I didn't have a lot of time to write this. Sorry if it's a little... stilted.

[programmedradly]

Writing Patterns

Thank you for the tag, @forerussake! <3

Rules: List the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern!

The Lantern welcomes him. - when the lights go up and the music stops, Guardian, Weilan

"Where is he?" - catch me if you can, Guardian, Weilan

It occurs to Chang Dong about a minute after starting the engine and turning the car around that maybe it would have been a better idea to take Liuxi's Jeep home and come back later to fetch his own. - you whose heart would sing of anarchy, Parallel World, Ye Liuxi x Chang Dong

Shen Wei is on his way home when the first few signs of rain turn into heavy drops, falling to the ground in quicker and quicker succession, until the sky opens and the sidewalk becomes alive with people trying to hurry somewhere dry. - all in the knowing of you, Guardian, Weilan

When they're in bed together, she likes to put her cheek on Chang Dong's chest and listen to his heartbeat. - putting songs into the hearts of the doomed, Parallel World, Ye Liuxi x Chang Dong

A huge dining table in the middle of the precinct is an idea way more police departments should adopt, Ray thinks. - One More Day, Guardian/Due South crossover, Gen

He finds Bai Haotian outside, keeping dry under the roof and anxiously peering out into the darkness. - not only the sugar, but the days, Lost Tomb Reboot, Huo Daofu x Bai Haotian

"My grandma said it was a family curse," Changcheng says, a crooked smile pulling at his lips. - (like i was looking for a place to rest), Guardian, Chuguo

There's a small notebook at the very back of the drawer in the nightstand in Xiaoge's room in Wushanju. - I will set sails and follow the breeze, Lost Tomb Reboot, Iron Triangle

He goes to bed as soon as they get home, because he's tired, he's always so tired, and being trapped inside the Huo residence didn't help. - i think of loss and i can only think of you, Ultimate Note, Pingxie

Hmm. Something I like to do is not using names in the first line. Sometimes I add them after the fact, if I think just using pronouns might be confusing for readers. But when I start writing, it's usually after thinking about the story for so long, it's perfectly clear to me who "he" is, so why should I specify Zhao Yunlan?

Sometimes I pick a canon hook to start a story, like the scene in Lost Tomb Reboot where they wait for Wu Xie in the rain, and then take it from there.

Otherwise I guess I ilke to start pretty much in medias res. I'm not really seeing much of a pattern. 😅

[bunnybananasims]

Capp-Shear family, Roaring Heights - World Adventures #69

While Regan and Charlie were mostly at home, the adventures and explorations of the young adults went on for many days, and because of their frequent visits and interactions with the locals, the new visitors from the household started feeling very at home and comfortable in Shang Simla.

Besides getting new experiences and sights, Hamlet met a new friend at the market, who’s also a teenager like him. They got to know each other more over dinner at the local restaurant, and just talked about random stuff, about life in Roaring Heights and Shang Simla.

Meanwhile, underneath the same place, Noemi got an opportunity to explore the legendary treasure trove of Dong Huo, one of the ancient warlords of China.

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes (2024)

Gifs of Intro of cdrama "A Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes"

ENG SUB 【嫁东宫/Palace Shadows: between Two Princes 】 EP01｜替嫁新娘 🆚 腹黑太子 ❗️极限拉扯❗️ #2023中国电视剧 #cdramatv

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zoJvI7_Tw

[fourseasonsfigs]

Junzhe Extended Universe (JZEU) Fig Index

These figs celebrate the acting and filming history of both Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun. I've noted the character(s) in italics next to each post for easy searching. I'll also add a character listing for each actor at the bottom of the post since it's easy to get individual characters mixed up (at least by me!)

Part 3

Yuechu with Peach - Dongfang Yuechu

Chulian on Lake - Dongfang Yuechu & Qing Lian

Xu Si is Rising with the Wind (Handcrafted) - Xu Si

Part 2

Pearl of the East China Sea - (young) Lin Shu

Home Country World - Han Ye

Your Highness, Calm Down - Han Ye

No Regrets - Han Ye

Masked Prince - Han Ye

White and Gold Han Ye - Han Ye

Black and Gold Han Ye - Han Ye

Long Feiye Motioning his Guard Forward - Long Feiye

Meet Han Ye in the Rain (Official) - Han Ye

I See You Han Ye (Official) - Han Ye

Niuniu Wants to Fight - Xu Jin

Prince Han Ye (Handcrafted) - Han Ye

Little Sugar Man - Zhong Wumei

Little Daoist Priest - Dongfang Yuechu

Niuniu with Bun - Xu Jin

Little Jade Daoist - Dongfang Yuechu

Moonlight Night - Long Feiye

Yuechu Yin Yang Landscape Figures - Dongfang Yuechu

Small Winecup Qinglian - Xiao-Zhe

Accidental Medical Exam - Lingyue - Ling Rui & Wang Yue

Night Night - Long Feiye

Dongfang Yuechu (Handcrafted) - Dongfang Yuechu

Marilyn Ming Xia - Ming Xia

Battle Damaged Niuniu - Xu Jin

Tianshu Beichen - Dog's Blood Drama - Long Feiye & Han Ye

Daoist Priest with Sugar Gourd - New Year's JZEU Series (13) - Dong Fang Yuechu

Fifth Sister - Zhong Wumei

Prince Rich - Han Ye

Princess Xixi - Xia Yanxi

Incomparably Beautiful Hair - New Year's JZEU Series (12) - Ji Fa

Peerless Little Prince - New Year's JZEU Series (11) - Zhong Wumei

Master Gong Xue - New Year's JZEU Series (10) - Wei Ying

Spicy Police Flower - New Year's JZEU Series (9) - Huang Weiping

Part 1

Early Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Rabbit Lantern Daoist - Dong Fang Yuechu

Clever Little Daoist - Dong Fang Yuechu

Cool Little Daoist - Dong Fang Yuechu

Zhongpei - Zhong Wumei & Pei Yuntian

The Bravest - For Your Safety - Zheng Zhi

The Flaming Heart - I'm Always Here - Huo Yan

Lingyue Love at First Sight - Ling Rui & Wang Yue

Early Mid-Autumn Festival: Sweet Tangyuan Little Daoist - Dongfang Yuechu

Genius Investor - Xu Si

Xiao Yue is Coming - Wang Yue

Ink and Wash Daoist Priest - Dongfang Yuechu

Niuniu Flying a Kite - Xu Jin

War-Damaged Prince - Han Ye

Bright Boy - (young) Lin Shu

Firefighter Huo Yan - Huo Yan

Graceful Prince - Han Ye

Don't Go to Work, I'll Take Care of You - Zhao Fanzhou & Zhang Min

Minguo Military Husbands - Ming Xia & Fang Yan

Han Ye with Sword - Han Ye

XuXu - Xu Jin & Xu Si

Irregular Daoist - Dongfang Yuechu

A-Han and Xiao-Zhe Drinking Wine - A-Han & Xiao-Zhe

A-Han and Da Shixiong - A-Han & Da Shixiong

Pajama Party - Fang Yan (cross posted from Junzhe fig index)

Tanghulu Niuniu - New Year's JZEU Series (2) - Xu Jin

Xue Shao - New Year's JZEU Series (1) - Xue Shao

Xiaohui Lang - Xu Jin

Jade Waist Slave - Xue Shao

Han Ye and Ji Fa Hidden Knife - Han Ye & Ji Fa

Han Ye and Xu Jin Battle Couple - Han Ye & Xu Jin

Lingyue - Teddy Bear - Ling Rui & Wang Yue

Lingyue - Delivery - Ling Rui & Wang Yue

Hamburger Xu Si - Xu Si

Bedtime Game - Fang Yan (cross posted from Junzhe fig index)

Firefighters - Huo Yan & Zheng Zhi

Fat Head Qinglian - Xiao-Zhe

Sweet Shenping - Lin Shen & Huang Weiping

Prince Han Ye on Horseback - Han Ye

Luminous Club - Fang Yan & Gu Chijun

Here's the listings of the TV series / films for each actor, followed by the character played. Thanks to Wikipedia for basic information as well as general Google and Twitter searching.

Character List - Zhang Zhehan

Why Love You: Xia Yanxi

Ni Shi Hen Mei: Xiao Zhi

Love For Hope: Zou Xiang

Eager to Create: Ah Le

Haunting Love: Li Ming Yan

Crazy for Palace: Xiao Hao

Palace 3: The Lost Daughter: Sun Heli

Incisive Great Teacher: Jin Renbin

Cosmetology High: Pei Yuntian

The Romance of the Condor Heroes: Ye Lu Qi

Crazy for Palace 2: Xiao Hao

Love YunGe from the Desert: Liu Xu

Nirvana in Fire: (young) Lin Shu

Ban Shu Legend: Wei Ying

ACG Hero: Zhang Wei

Decoded: Han Bing

Demon Girl (I and II): Ming Xia

Happy Mitan: (cameo) Dian Xiaoer

Above the Clouds: Ke Luo

Legend of Yunxi: Long Feiye

The Bravest: Zheng Zhi

Brother (short film): Wang Yue

Chang Dao Bing Cha (short film): Xiao Fei

Mi Fang (short film): Xiao Fei

Mian Ju (short film): Xiao Fei / Xue Shao

Everyone Wants to Meet You: Zhang Min

The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion: Xu Jin

Word of Honor: Zhou Zishu

1921: Xiao Zisheng

(TBD) The Second Sight Fall in Love: Yang Jingyi

(TBD) Castle in the Time: Gu Chijun

(TBD) Zhao Ge: Ji Fa

(TBD) Retro Detective: Huang Weiping

Character List - Gong Jun

Sword Chaos: Bi Lu

Lost Love in Times: Yuan Che

Advance Bravely: Xia Yao

Unique Lady (I & II): Zhong Wumei

Flavor It’s Yours: Lu Weixun

The Love Equations: Zhao Fanzhou

Begin Again: Ling Rui

Word of Honor: Wen Kexing

The Player: Ren Yixia

The Flaming Heart: Huo Yan

Shining Like You: Fang Yan

Dream Garden: Lin Shen

Legend of Anle: Han Ye

Rising with the Wind: Xu Si

Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Yue Hong: Dongfang Yuechu

[go back to Master Fig Index]

[atamascolily]

TBF Theory: Human and Demons Have A Common Origin

The War of Fading Dusk happened 200 years before the start of Thunderbolt Fantasy, but it overshadows everything that happens in the present. The reason so many magic swords exist is so humanity could fight the demons invading their world. They succeeded, but at a cost--the country of Wan Yu was separated by a vast wasteland full of monsters and divided into Xi You and Dong Li, with no interactions until Shang Bu Huan hacked his way through.

We don't know why exactly the demons invaded, or why exactly they stopped, only that it was a unilateral decision from the Demon King to order a retreat and forbid contact with the human world. The exceptions are holdouts like Xing Hai, Zhao Jun Lin, and Azibelpher who said "fuck that" and kept on doing their thing for various reasons of their own. But given all of the established themes, I'm going to hazard a guess that a major twist in S4 will be the reveal that humans and demons have a common origin, and/or the human world and demon world were originally one and the same, just like Xi You and Dong Li were once one nation.

Humans and demons are different, but they're not that different--while demons come in a wide variety of shapes, at least some of them are humanoid, and we know the two races can interbreed with each other. In real life, that usually implies some degree of relation or common ancestor, but this is a fantasy world where magic exists, so all bets are off. Nevertheless, Lang Wu Yao's existence demonstrates that it is in fact possible for humans and demons to produce viable offspring, so I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they aren't as different from each other as we've been led to believe.

And I think Azibelpher knows this, because why else would he fuck around with Ling Mo Yan in the first place, and why is he so interested in his son? Why did he defy the demon king's orders and interact with the human world--sure, it was for the lulz, but I doubt that's the only reason. We may not know the full extent of his plans, but Azibelpher has an agenda, and unfortunately for poor Lang, he's right in the middle of it. (Like every Urobuchi villain, Azibelpher has an obsession with fate, destiny, and chessmastery; he may or may not be winging it, but he's got something particular in mind.)

This would also explain something that's puzzled me about S3 on rewatch, which is to say that it sure seems like Azibelpher deliberately sends Shang Bu Huan back in time to the Wars of Fading Dusk to meet Bai Lian and learn the secret behind the magic swords: they were either ordinary swords carried over from another world that gained unexpected abilities as a result of the transfer, OR were forged specifically for that purpose in a location that transferred from another world (Bai Lian's estate). They weren't divine gifts from the gods, they were just one poor confused guy from another world making the best of a bad situation. You know, the sort of thing anybody would do in that position.

(But why does Azibelpher want Shang to know this? What purpose does it serve? And it can't possibly be a coincidence, not when Juan Can Yun, who was right there when Azibelpher interrupted the three of them, gets left behind. What is he planning?? TBD.)

Given the theme of duality as well as the theme that things that are of both worlds have special powers, it's not hard to imagine this information being used in some fashion in future installments. There's already a few hints of it--the "blade whose existence is beyond reality" that Huo Shi Ming Huang claims is the only thing that can kill him, and there's Lang himself, a child of both worlds--and probably more we don't yet know about. Certainly, the trailer and promotional materials for S4 seem to imply that Lang's voice is somehow the key to everything.

Perhaps once upon a time, humans and demons and/or their worlds were the same, and perhaps there are those who would like to see that again, even as there are plenty who would prefer to keep them separate. (Can you imagine Xing Hai's reaction when she finds out??) If that's not as least some of the politicking going on in the demon world in S4, I'll be shocked.

Just as I think Xi You and Dong Li will be reunited before the end, I think the same will be true on a much larger scale for humans and demons as well, though whether that means a literal merger or a metaphorical one is not yet clear.

[acesandfairydust]

Symbol of Dong Huo's Treasure Trove found!

[shu-of-the-wind]

okay so the universal response for swallows on the beam playlists being posted has been "yes please," and i'll include these in the next a/n as well, but! see playlist links below.

i will have one english language and one chinese language playlist for every character i have created a playlist for. right now only the english language playlists for the characters below (lan fan/feiyan, ling, xiaoqing, lien hua, and xinzhe) have been formalized in a way that i like. i'll probably fuss them again in future because i can never let anything just exist anyway i'll post the chinese playlists when they're ready and add them to this post in a reblog.

MOST OF THESE PLAYLISTS ARE NSFW BECAUSE I LIKE MUSIC THAT HAS A LOT OF SWEARS PLS DON'T BE MAD

Chapter by Chapter Background Music Playlist. This is the ONLY playlist that is on Youtube at this point because certain tracks are just not available on Spotify. Let me know if y'all want youtube links for all the playlists and I can transfer stuff over pretty easily. (this one is sfw! it's all OSTs aside from a few songs in chinese.)

Lan Fan Huo | Feiyan Ma and Feiyan Ma | Lan Fan Huo. These are different playlists because Feiyan Ma and Lan Fan Huo are slightly different even if they are the same person playing different roles, so it's a fun musical swap for me even if tones are very similar.

The Dawn Emperor | Ling Yao. Self explanatory.

Lien Hua Feng and Xinzhe Feng. Dong Mao playlist in progress.

Xiaoqing Cao.

The Fires of God | hail the sun god's chosen.

All other major characters have a playlist in progress.