#but Shi Mei always gets a pass

[darlingpwease]

MO RAN is like the summer sun — impetuous, impulsive, passionate and hot, like an overexcited dog who rushes at you, not noticing that at the moment of games he bites your hand like a dog who has played too much, becoming too excited, especially when his hands begin to "live their life" on your body, respectfully remaining on his own place only when he tries to get into your personal space, smiling smugly, like a golden youth in the second generation or the son of a city lord. when MO RAN whimsically coquettishly asks you to take care of him while he is ill or bends over, with eyes like a seductive fox spirit, asking if you are hungry or if you want to walk with him, and you feel how physically difficult it is for you to resist his pressure, especially when he is so persistent and hot, almost smells like liquid the sun, and when his arms wrap around you, hiding his face in his shoulder, or when he almost wraps himself around you, purring, disconnecting because of shizun's scolding, only to immediately gently wrap himself again, playfully smiling with a purple sparkle in his black eyes.

CHU WANNING is not like that at all — he is more like a lonely willow spreading its branches over a cold hand, or like a thousand-year-old ice that begins to melt only when you are near, as if something in him moves and comes to life when you faithfully follow him; looking at you as some kind of spirit of fruits or flowers while he is nothing more than an ugly bare tree that you decided to greet and take care of for some reason, instead of passing by like everyone else, ennobling and caring, patiently waiting until his crooked branches give the first tiny buds, taking care of them as the most precious in the world. when he slowly opens like a flower, feeling a caress, timidly reaching out to you with branches, you do not immediately realize that these are not branches, but vines — and that some flowers have an amazing ability to be possessive, and that not all flowers should be put together, especially if you start a flower garden, because some of them may perceive the need to compete very badly, especially when they do not understand how, but are no longer sure if they can simply retreat, feeling the softness of sincere care on themselves and allowing you to touch the fragile stem through the thorns.

SHI MEI is more like CHU WANNING at first glance, but you know that inside he is no better than MO RAN — almost like the side of another coin, especially when a flower sprouts in you, absorbing all the positive, but you know that it is necessary for your plan, and SHI MEI purrs, as if a spring river, still full of cold water of melted snow, which only warms under the rays of its sun — after all, it was you who broke his walls, expecting to see what is hidden inside, and you can't complain, can you? he promises you that he will create many pleasant memories with himself that you will always remember, and you do not dare to say that a flower can work with you... differently when his long fingers slide over your chest, and tears leave golden spots on your skin. it's more like a river that seems narrow and small, but at the bottom, under a huge column of clear water, a monster sleeps, keeping you with him, and it would almost embarrass you if you were more sensitive, but in your case there is nothing to say. he is beautiful, abnormally beautiful, too beautiful — you yourself know that beauty can only be "demonic" — but you really have nowhere to go when SHI MEI whispers hotly, pressing cold weak body against your hot one, that as soon as the plan comes to fruition and everything goes well, you will live together. definitely together. after all, with a flower and the future that you will meet, you can only be with him — and with his mind, he can only be with you.

Xue Meng feels apprehensive when he touches your shoulder too uncharacteristically gently, noticing your appearance, but you have nothing to say except that you are 'working too hard' and 'tired' — and you try to say it as quietly as possible, without attracting the attention of SHI MEI or MO RAN, who finally gave you peace, although you know it won't be for long. at least, for obvious reasons, CHU WANNING, cannot be with you 24/7, although he clearly sometimes feels the desire to tie you to his hip, especially when he irritably throws imperious phrases while MO RAN coquettishly circles around you or you care too much about SHI MEI, because you need to imitate the action of a flower, and preferably in this way so that no one understands anything, which is a bit problematic when the eyes do not come down from you, including the look of SHI MEI, who understands that the action cannot be instantaneous, but gently smiling with a hint that only you understand.

... you're don't, you don't know when it became so difficult to be a transmigrator. can't you just do your job while the world is working normally???

[llostwriter]

The Husky And The White Cat Shizun With Their Baobei

Chapter 16

Seeing your Shizun in such a weak state at the hands of Mo Ran reminded you of your past life. The scenes where Taxian-Jun mentally and physically tortures Shizun leave you unable to do anything at all. In the beginning of your second past life, you wouldn’t interfere at all; you would simply allow the plotline to go its way. However, that didn’t end well. You learned the hard way.

Chu Wanning’s blood was completely soaking the flower pond. The supposedly healing wounds were once again bloody. His Flower Spirit Sacrifice Technique backfired upon Mo Ran’s accidental invasion, interrupting his concentration. You didn’t know any better; you passed by to check on Shizun. By the end, you were there, and the scene that greeted you was the wounds on Chu Wanning’s back tearing open as Mo Ran rushed over to hold onto him.

Chu Wanning would never intentionally make such a reckless, careless move if it weren’t for some outside interference. You didn’t even have to use your toes to guess who would have caused this accident!

You rushed over to Chu Wanning’s side, completely pushing Mo Ran aside. The unconscious Shizun’s face was pale, his lips were blue, and his body was as cold as ice.

Mo Ran was afraid that you would hate him for that error of his, so he hurriedly said, “Shixiong y/n... I really didn’t know.”

He followed you behind as you carried Chu Wanning, still processing what just happened. Realizing that he got himself into trouble. He was almost glad; after all, isn’t that what he has always wanted in the end? For the death of Chu Wanning. But there was always a lingering fear and anxiousness creeping in on him; he wasn’t sure why. When Shi Mei died, he took away Mo Weiyu’s definition of hope in this cruel world. When he heard about your death, his obsession with Chu Wanning grew since starting from that day, Chu Wanning was the only thing he had. But when Chu Wanning also died. He only remembered that on those days, he did not cry or smile. It was almost as if he had completely given up on everything, including himself.

Without knowing about Mo Ran’s inner thoughts or caring about them, you settled Chu Wanning on his bed. The candles brightened the dark room, illuminating his naked body, which was covered in wounds. It was an almost terrifying sight to see, knowing that even with you here, he’s still getting injured continuously. He would need someone who specializes in healing.

“What are you waiting for?! Go get Shi Mei!” It was the second time you shouted at Mo Ran. The first time was when Mo Ran kissed Chu Wanning on the lips. Mo Ran, even despite being as qualified as dumb as a dog with a stick, quickly rushed out of the room.

In this cultivation world, there are a few ways that people heal themselves. Either through time or meditation. Or if the person is a cultivator, they can heal themselves or call for another cultivator who specializes in healing to heal them. Chu Wanning could have asked for the disciples that specialized in healing; however, he was too stubborn to even ask for help. Therefore, he didn’t ask for any help, and now his condition has worsened.

The transfer of spiritual energy could speed up the healing process; however, it is crucial to make sure that the spiritual energy being transferred to another is a match to the other’s element. Or else, instead of healing, it can disrupt the flow, leading to adverse effects like physical discomfort, pain, or even worsening of the injury.

Your element doesn’t match with Chu Wanning.

But Xian’ye is a match with the wood and metal elements; therefore, you end up transferring some of its spiritual energy onto Chu Wanning. The wounds close up after only a few seconds. You dressed him in his usual white robes.

———-

One thing that you didn’t expect was that Mo Ran would actually bring Shi Mei over.

[peachy-runa]

I have come up with the perfect (personally) "a journey to love" alternate ending. 

OK, so, after thinking about it all night. I have come up with the perfect (personally) "a journey to love" alternate ending. 

The ending, which is less painful than their death, will give them justice but will still hurt me. 

*Qian Zhao didn't die. He just went into a coma.* BUT! on the day where Emperor Wu died, where he got bombed because of that disabled lord (I forgot his name), he died in Qian Zhao arms. The emperor said sorry multiple times to Qian Zhou; he didn't stop to say sorry until his last breath. and Qian Zhao will cry, saying that the emperor should live because he's the one who wants to kill him. 

*Sun Lang didn't die. But he lost one of his arms.* He's going to be devastated by the fact that he lost one of his arms. saying that he's not going to be a hero. Yu Shisan will hug him and assure him that, even from the very first time, he's already a hero. That one of his arms is gone is a sign that he's a hero. Hence, after seeing Qian Zhou in a coma and Sun Lang lose one of his arms, *Yu Shi San will still send Yuan Lu to the capital an.* BUT! Yuan Lu will meet Ruyi and Ning Yuanzhou. During the time when Yuan Lu passed out on his horse, Ning Yuanzhou would see him and immediately help him. Yuan Lu will rattle Ning Yuanzhou about how he should hurry up to help Shisan. with the fact that Yu Shisan is all alone, so they need to hurry up. And just like that, they left Yuan Lu in Mei Niang hand. And with that, Yuan Lu will not meet Princess too, but he will (in poin number 10).

*Li Tong Goang action of trying to marry Ruyi in episode 37 will not happen!* Because that is so unnecessary. Yknow, they already made li tong guang stop pursuing ruyi in the episode before it, and suddenly they made him be like that again?? duh, weird.

*Li tong guang will still interfere ruyi ning yuanzhou action in the palace (the one where they killed prince 2).* and because he will not tried to marry ruyi (like i said in poin 3). He will immediately go to he county with chu yue and still married to yang ying. Ruyi and ning yuanzhou too will go to wu like in episode 38.

*and with that, the war will still go on.* but qian zhou would not be participating although he's already wake up from his coma because he will treat the war victims. Yuan lu (that passed out because of exhaustion) would not go to war but he will made equipment for war. sun lang would be knocked unconscious by ning because he was constantly trying to go to war. *Yu shisan would still lose his eyes :(* BUT! he's not going to die! Yes, He would feel devastated by the fact that he lost his vision. However, the gang will not leave his side. The gang will stay by his side, assuring him that everything is going to be okay. And because of this, yu shi san --the one who always keep his feeling to himself-- will learn to open up. And chu yue --someone who have never been in a relationship-- will learn to set aside her feelings and comfort other people.

*Li Tong Guang will not be as reckless as he did in episode 39 and 40.* Cause in my opinion, in the early episode, they showed us that Li Tong Guang is someone who is used to go to war. its weird to think that someone who is used to war doesn't know the pitfalls of war (like in episode 39 the one that killed deng hui). Hence, Ning yuanzhou and ruyi too will not died!!

and with this, in the last battle where reinforcement from lord dan yang come, the gang will fight like they did the first time they fight together. *Sun lang will be yu shisan eyes, and yu shisan will be sun lang arms!!* (damn i cried imagining this…). qian zhao, yuan lu, chu yue, crimson guard, six realms, mei niang would participate in war too. Ning yuanzhou and ruyi would kill the king, just like how ruyi capture zhou jian in their first war. With that they will get their peace!! (continue on note)

[rmorde]

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun (2HA, Erha) delivered everything I wanted in a story plus everything I never knew I would actually want in a story.

When I consumed all four books and realized there was more, I was horrified. So, I ventured to all fan translations I can get and practically lost sleeping hours to finish it. It is that good imo.

First off tho, it is not for the faint of heart. Do not be fooled by the cover with pretty art. The premise barely scratches the surface of how dark the story is. Book 4 is also a fucking trap that lulls you into bringing down your defenses before giving you an upper cut in the face then pummeling down your soul into tiny little pieces.

It promised me a cute albeit dark-ish story of two men falling in love. However, what it delivered was a narrative with a thin veneer of fluff to hide tons of absolute brutality concerning racism, classism, elitism, generational trauma, body horror, genocide, rape, mob mentality, gossips, and so much more.

At its core tho, it is still a love story. You just need the patience of a saint and nerves of steel to power through all the pain and agony after the Farming Arc (Basically, be like Chu Wanning as a Reader). ----> I guess you can summarize my feelings as "Went in for the BL. Stayed for the plot. Surprised how underneath that pain, horror, and tragedies woven in the story - it was always about love."

Sure, there were asspulls here (Nangong Bloodline Mo Ran) and there (Butterfly Boned Beauty Feast Mo Ran). There were attempts to set up those reveals tho but they were a bit clunky. However, it is not too detrimental to the overall appeal of the story for me. There were weird phrasings and word choices too but I gave them a slide since it is a light novel after all.

The gore in the story is unexpectedly top notch tho. The fights and monsters are interesting. The stakes in the plot really ramps up the suspense. While some Reveals are fairly obvious, they were still rewarding because they were set up quite nicely such as the reveal of 0.5 Chu Wanning's soul being implanted in the current timeline Chu Wanning, Taxian-Jun appearing, and Shi Mei not being as nice as he presents himself to be.

I also like how redemption was explored in the story. A lot of characters, like Mo Ran, were presented with second chances to fix their own fuck ups. While the villainous characters were sympathetic, they were not given a pass. All of them have to work hard and make the right choices to achieve true redemption.

Just for example: Mo Ran. He feels remorse for everything he had done as Taxian-Jun. He did his best to make up for it. Chu Wanning even forgives him. However, it was not enough. Because the wrongs he had done are not just againstbWanning after all. He still had to pay for his sins with his peaceful life as Grandmaster and earn his happy ending through zombie Taxian-Jun.

There are many more characters trying to seek redemption in the story but I think it would be better if that is in a separate post instead.

Now, another recurring theme featured in Erha is kindness. In the story, Kindness can both be a blessing or a curse. A small amount of it can have big repercussions. Also, contrary to what most people think, kindness is a choice that requires a lot of (mostly thankless) hard work and sacrifice.

Anyway, Erha is my first danmei and I love it. It is dark but with a nice satisfying ending. I'll check out others. Scumbag Villain Self Saving System seems to be a good follow up but from I have read so far about it, it's kind of a parody/comedy type of story?

Maybe I'll check out Heaven Official's Blessing first instead.

[thebritishdragon]

Hello my good fellow, tell me fun facts about all your ocs. 👀

All of my ocs? Well well well well!!!!!

I have to use my lmk ones for this! And maybe I might add my ninjago ocs at the end!

~~~~~~~

First we have -Ping Coa-

He is a very mysterious and cold demon! He used to be sweet and nice. But sadly something tragic happened. In his younger years his lover was killed in a massacre and he’s been furious ever since!

Ping doesn’t typically use his powers(Telekinesis and light control) But if the demon/person he’s fighting is powerful enough. Then he is not afraid to use them.

Ping is around 1000 years old, yet in mortal years he’s around twenty three!

~~~~~~~

-Ao Jinhai/Dushe Jingshen-

I made him before I realized that Ao Guang names his children 1, 2, and 3…

I’m only going to explain his past. Parts about his future is top secret! Unless I’m bored and want to share things.

He is the fourth and youngest son of Ao Guang. Jinhai loved hanging out with his brothers. After all, he was a child. But then, Ao Bing and Nezha fought. His brother had died to the Third Lotus Prince. And Jinhai had hated him ever since.

Years had passed and Ao Guang was getting strict. Especially to Ao Jinhai. Now, after everything that has happened to Jinhai so far made him wonder. He wanted answers. He wanted to fight the Third Lotus Prince. Which is such a terrible idea but he’s grieving.

But Ao Guang makes sure that Ao Jia, Ao Yi, and Ao Jinhai can’t go check out the surface. Which pisses them all off but Ao Guang is spooky so none of them do anything.

That is until Ao Jinhai runs away.

Long story short, he realizes that he definitely can’t take on Nezha. So he hides away from his father and brothers for a bit. Meets some snake friends. When he meets these cool snakes(they’re normal snakes) he realizes he can talk to them. He can even shapeshift into a snake! But sadly that’s all his shapeshifting powers could do.

After a while jttw starts. Bing bang boom he meets them. After accidentally killing everybody in a village. Everybody is pissed off, Ao Lie is there.

It seems I forgot to mention Ao lie, Ao Jinhai’s cousin. BUT WAIT!!! Does that mean… *gasp* Ao Jinhai is actually Mei’s GREAT UNCLE!?!?!?! I think that’s the correct familial term for whatever that is. But they just call each other cousins.

Ao Jinhai changes his name to Dushe Jingshen so when people ever refer to him. Ao Guang and his brothers would never find him!

~~~~~~~

-Shan Ji de-

Where do I even start? So she doesn’t really have much of a story. She’s 21, but 800 in demon years.

She’s a celestial monkey with three noses(a curse really)

And with those three noses she can smell almost anything!

Ji de is based off of a golden-headed lion tamarin!

She basically has all the basic celestial monkey powers. Like shapeshifting, golden eyes of truth. Other things as well…

I honestly don’t really have a story for her! She’s mostly just a chaotic and goofy little goober!

~~~~~~~

-Shi-

I impulsively made her, she has no story or any plots. She’s just here.

~~~~~~~

-Zǔzhó-

Brother to Bái Hé. He also doesn’t really have a story. But I’d love to make one with you!

He has a funky magic mirror that he uses to teleport through!

~~~~~~~

-Kěpà-

Kěpà has a depressing childhood… his father was abusive towards him and his mother. And as a young fox spirit(that’s all he is) he couldn’t do a single thing.

But his father will always leave an impact on his life. After Kěpà becomes an adult, he decides enough is enough. After all, shapeshifters are extraordinary

He would go on to use his talents for horrible things, even if these people were good or bad. He would shapeshift into a woman, flirt with whichever victim seemed to be into it. And then invite that man to his place. He would go onto reveal his true self, kill the person. Chop them up and make soup.

Just don’t interact with this guy if you’re a man.

~~~~~~~

And that’s all I have for lmk ocs! And damn do I need more female characters-

[assortedsouls]

HC Fic: Waiting for Shizun

Five years is a long time when you're young. Especially for someone like Xue Meng, impatient and used to getting what he wants, even if he sometimes need to work hard for it. Unfortunately, when it comes to the re-awakening of his Shizun, he can do nothing but wait. Wait and train hard, not wanting to disappoint the man he admires so much. The man that he, in a way, views as not just his teacher, but also as an older brother figure, but mostly teacher.

So Xue Meng waits and trains. Not just his sword and cultivation, but he also takes on more sect-related responsibilities. Learns more from his father about how to run the sect. It's boring, but he knows that one day it will be his duty to do so. There are day when he wants to travel too, just like Mo Ran and Shi Mei. His father would agree, of course he would, but Xue Meng knows he can't just leave. His place is on Sisheng Peak, to help his father look after the sect and his Shizun. To train and study. To help with some of the younger disciples. Yes, sometimes his emptions and temper gets the best of him and accidents happens, but he always own up to them. He doesn't want Shizun to wake up and find his disciple as childish as he was when he died went unconscious. Xue Meng knows his faults, knows he's emotional and spoiled, pampered and sheltered, but he also knows he's good and strong. He knows his worth and his strengths as well, and as self-centred as he is, nothing means more to him than his Shizun's approval and praise, except maybe also his father's, but his father has always been quick to give him love.

Xue Meng waits and trains. Even when sick does he leave for the bamboo grove. Once he trained so hard that he passed out and woke up in his bed with his mother scolding her in that gentle way of hers, which is actually worse than harsh words and loud voices. He needs to be the best, the strongest. He can't disappoint his Shizun when he wakes, but for now, he rests.

Xue Meng waits and trains. With Mo Ran by his side, he fights ghosts and demons. Fights the creatures that escaped the rift. They bicker, he and his cousin, but it feels good too. Mo Ran is shameless, but he missed him and Xue Meng is glad to work with him again.

Xue Meng waits and trains. He studies hard and sometimes read and ask questions out loud just outside the Red Lotus Pavilion. Each morning, he comes by and wishes his Shizun a good day and he wishes him goodnight each evening. Sometimes he talks about things he has achieved, that might happen quite frequently, actually, like when he won the Spiritual Mountain Competition.

Xue Meng waits and trains. He's trainign when the messages comes and Longcheng is temporarily discarded and forgotten as he sprints to the Red Lotus Pavilion. But the waiting is still not fully over. Swallowing down his excitement. Being sensible. But then, over two shichen later, he finally gets to she his Shizun again. Had anyone else knocked him to the floor like that, he would've bristled, but as soon as he hears that sweet, deep voice, those soothing tones, he throws himself at the man, hugging him like his life depends on it. "Shizun, it's me... look... it's me..." he utters, tears already falling, the joy of being reunited with his Shizun too intense to contain, threatening to burst out of his chest, so despite his best tries, Xue Meng cries. Finally, the waiting is over.

[vierandancer]

Everyone, at some level, learns how to move to a rhythm as a child. Meiko was no exception. She grew up in a little village full of ex-pirates, occasional jigs and bursts of song were unavoidable. Meiko had always enjoyed dancing -- but she didn't become a dancer until she left home.

When her brother left ahead of her to go on a big adventure, she thought he had boarded a ship heading to Limsa Lominsa, as they had planned. Unbeknownst to her, he accidentally took a ship that left him close to Gridania instead. Mei spent all of the gil she had on her person to catch up to him, being as overprotective as she was at the time. When she learned he hadn't turned up, she had no way to secure passage to get to him. She had to work to make the money for an airship pass.

At first, she was referred to the Rogues' Guild through Baderon. After a few weeks, though, the jobs started to slow there. It was during this time that she caught a show by Troupe Falsiam, and she was immediately recruited by Nashmeira into the group.

That being said, most of her dance steps and training was headed by her fellow dancer, Ranaa Mihgo, while Nashmeira oversaw everything (mainly due to her still recovering from a previously-earned injury). Meiko was surprised at how quick she was able to pick up the steps, and quickly fell in love with the craft. She remains a dancer main to this day.

Additionally, Meiko is always constantly observing the movements of peoples of other lands. She will often come up with her own routines based on the various cultures she's come across, although often only for personal practice rather than public performance. She is excellent both on stage and in battle using the Kriegstanz style that Troupe Falsiam taught to her, but has since shied away from performing with the troupe due to her obligations to the Scions, and fear that her reputation would overshadow the others' talent.

FFXIV Daily Question n°118 : Does your character know how to dance ? Did someone in particular taught them ? Are they self-taught ? Are they good ? What kind of dances do they shine the most in if any ?

[translations-by-aiimee]

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Chapter 46

Original Title:  二哈和他的白猫师尊

Genres: Drama, Romance, Tragedy, Xianxia, Yaoi

This translation is the product of my limited knowledge of Chinese characters as I attempt to learn the language. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

Chapter Index

Chapter 46 - This Venerable One Wakes Up

When he woke up, Mo Ran found that he was still in the Divine Weapons Arsenal.

He felt like he had slept for a long time, but when he opened his eyes, he found that not much time had passed. It even seemed to have been just like the blink of an eye.

He didn't know if it was because the technique was successfully broken but when he woke up, he found himself lying on the ground, but he was completely unscathed. His hideous wound, dripping blood, seemed like a nightmare, and there were no traces left on his body.

Mo Ran couldn't help but be surprised and happy. Looking at Shi Mei again, he didn't know when he had also passed out, but surprisingly, he was also unharmed.

Could it be that after passing Gouchen's trial, Gouchen not only removed the illusion but also healed the injuries they suffered in the illusion?

. . .

Although when he thought about it, Gouchen didn't want to intentionally harm anyone, This was in line with the original purpose of the trial, but Mo Ran just didn't feel like it was real. He even felt like he'd been robbed of the aftermath.

Among the four, he was the first to wake up.

Then it was Shi Mei. Seeing Shi Mei slowly opening his eyes, Mo Ran was overjoyed, and said again and again: "Shi Mei! We're fine! It's fine! Look at me!"

There was a daze in Shi Mei's eyes at first, and then they gradually became clear. His eyes suddenly widened: "A-Ran?! You-"

Before he finished speaking, he was being hugged tightly by Mo Ran.

Shi Mei couldn't help but stare, but he still gently patted his shoulder: "What's wrong with you. . ."

"I'm sorry, I made you suffer so much."

Shi Mei said blankly: "It's really nothing. I just had a dream."

Mo Ran said: "That's really hurts!"

Shi Mei: ". . . What really hurts?"

At that moment, Xue Meng also woke up. He didn't know that he had dreamed, and shouted loudly: "How dare you! How dare you make light of me! " He abruptly sat up.

Seeing that he was awake, Shi Mei went over and said: "Young master."

"Ah. . . How come it's you? How did you get here?" Xue Meng thought he was still in a dream.

Mo Ran was in a good mood, and the look of Xue Meng was also very soft. He smiled and told him what happened. Only then did Xue Meng suddenly return to his senses.

"So it was a dream. . . I thought. . ."

Xue Meng coughed lightly in order to cover up his embarrassment. He suddenly found that Chu Wanning, who had always been the most powerful, was still asleep and hadn't woken up. He couldn't help but be shocked.

"Why hasn't Shizun woke up yet?"

They walked over and inspected Chu Wanning's wounds. Since Chu Wanning was injured before the illusionary realm had opened, according to Gouchen's design, the only damage that could be healed had to be from the illusionary realm. Therefore, Chu Wanning's shoulders were still soaked in a lot of blood, which was shocking to see.

Mo Ran sighed and said: "Wait a little longer and see."

A stick of incense could have burned before Chu Wanning finally woke up.

He slowly opened his phoenix eyes, and when he woke up, his eyes were empty and cold, as if a white snow had fallen. After a long time, he rolled his eyes and his gaze fell on Mo Ran.

But he seemed to be the same as Xue Meng. He was still not fully awake for a moment. He looked at Mo Ran and slowly extended his hand, saying in a muted voice: "You…"

Mo Ran said: "Shizun."

Hearing him calling him that, Chu Wanning's hand froze midair. His pale face seemed to get a trace of colour, and his eyes suddenly brightened: "Ah. . ."

"Shizun!!"

Xue Meng rushed over, pushing Mo Ran to the side, and held Chu Wanning's hand: "How are you doing? Are you better? Shizun, you didn't wake up for so long. I was worried to death."

Chu Wanning saw Xue Meng, slightly stunned, and then the haze in his eyes gradually dispersed. Then he took a look at Mo Ran. He saw that, although he was looking at him, he was holding Shi Mei's hand tightly, never letting go even for a moment.

". . ."

Chu Wanning then woke up completely and his face became cold. Then, like a fish in a dried-up pond, his expression died completely.

Shi Mei said with concern: "Shizun, are you okay? Does your shoulder hurt?"

Chu Wanning said calmly: "I'm fine, it doesn't hurt."

He slowly stood up with Xue Meng's help. Mo Ran was puzzled for a moment. Chu Wanning had hurt his shoulder. Why did he have a weak posture while standing, as though his feet were injured?

Mo Ran thought that Chu Wanning didn't know what happened in the illusion just now, and briefly went over it again.

When Shi Mei listened, he felt that something was wrong. When he listened to it again, he felt even more strange. He couldn't help but said: "A-Ran, you said that I saved you?"

"Yep."

Shi Mei was quiet for a moment and said slowly: "But I. . . just now, I was dreaming. I never woke up."

Mo Ran was startled but then he smiled: "Don't be ridiculous."

Shi Mei said: "I'm not kidding. I dreamed. . . I dreamed of my parents. They were still alive. That dream was so real, it was like. . . I couldn't bear to leave them. I really-"

Before he finished speaking, he heard Chu Wanning say indifferently: "There's nothing to be surprised about. Gouchen's illusion probably erased your memory of saving him. Either way, neither I nor Xue Meng saved him. Since he said you saved him, you must have saved him."

Shi Mei: ". . ."

"Otherwise, is there some way for Gouchen to exchange people's consciousness?" Chu Wanning said coldly.

He wasn't about to make a small issue into a big deal. He originally wanted to tell Mo Ran the truth. He originally hoped that Mo Ran would be able to realize that the person in the illusion wasn't Shi Mei, but him who had exchanged minds with Shi Mei.

However, Mo Ran's last confession to Shi Mei was too embarrassing for Chu Wanning.

When he woke up, he looked into Mo Ran's dark, shiny eyes. There was a moment when Chu Wanning felt that perhaps Mo Ran had some feeling for him in his heart.

Such a humble expectation was also a weak thought that he dared to quietly indulge for too long.

But that was just his self-indulgence.

The blood he shed, the injuries he suffered, Mo Ran will never know, and he doesn't need to know.

He wasn't stupid. Although he didn't say it, he could already feel how much Mo Ran cherishes that gentle and beautiful person. He could see himself standing in the corner, like a puppet that has accumulated dust.

But when he heard Mo Ran say "I have always loved you", Chu Wanning still felt like a wretched loss, defeated.

The hug in the illusion, in Mo Ran's eyes, was given to him by Shi Mei.

But Mo Ran will never know that the hug was actually from him, a handout given to another poor person.

Chu Wanning never thought that Mo Ran would love him, so he worked hard to suppress this feeling, not to force it, not to disturb it, just not touch it.

Those reckless loves and passionate obsessions are only grown on the soil of youth. When he was young, he also hoped that someone could always be with him and drink under the moon, but he kept waiting, never waiting for anyone in particular. Later, day by day, his reputation and status in the cultivation world were getting higher and higher. Everyone looked up to him and said that he was not close to people. Later, he also accepted such high expectations and stayed unapproachable.

He seemed to be hiding in a cocoon, the years adding more lines of silk to the cocoon. At first he could still see a little light seeping in through the cocoon, but as the years went by, as the silk grew and the cocoon became thicker, he could no longer see the light. In the cocoon there is only himself and the darkness.

He doesn't believe in love, he doesn't believe in what's behind the curtain, and he doesn't want to pursue anything. What should he do if he had gone through many hardships, biting open the cocoon and stumbling out, but no one was waiting for him outside?

Although he likes Mo Ran, this person was too young, too distant, and too fiery. Chu Wanning was reluctant to approach, afraid that one day he would be burned to ashes by such a flame.

Therefore, every retreat he could take, he retreated.

He didn't know what he had done wrong.

So much so that he only had a little bit of wishful thinking left, but he was still drowned by the cold rain that covered the whole sky.

"Shizun, look over there!" Xue Meng's exclamation broke Chu Wanning from his thoughts. He followed the sound and saw that the molten iron was rolling again in the sword-casting pool. Surrounded by flames, the ancient tree spirit broke out of the water again. But the tree spirit's pupils turned white, clearly not in its right mind. In both hands, he held Gouchen's glittering silver sword.

Chu Wanning said: "Run! Hurry up!"

Without him repeating it a second time, the disciples immediately ran towards the exit.

The mind-controlled tree spirit raised his head to the sky and whistled. The iron chains started shaking with tingling vibrations. Obviously, no one spoke, but all four heard a voice in unison:

"Stop them. None of them can escape."

Xue Meng paled: "Someone is talking in my ear!"

Chu Wanning said: "Ignore him. It's Zhaixin Liu's Temptation of the Heart technique! Run!"

When he said this, everyone else remembered that Zhaixin Liu had mentioned to them when they were fully aware that the so-called Temptation of the Heart technique used the greed in a person's heart as bait to make them kill each other.

Sure enough, the voice in Chu Wanning's ears hissed: "Chu Wanning, are you tireless?"

"The shizun of his generation, Yunheng of the Night Sky. Such a person yet he can only quietly love his disciple in secret. You have sacrificed a lot for him, but he doesn't know any better. He has never seen you in his eyes, and only likes that gentle and pleasant young master. How pitiful are you?"

Chu Wanning's face was ashen. Ignoring the noise in his ears, he swept towards the exit.

"Come to me. Pick up this ancestor sword. Kill Shi Mei and no one will stand between you. Come to me and I can help you get what you want and make the one you love fall in love with you. Come to me. . ."

Chu Wanning said angrily: "Such a wretch, get lost!"

The others obviously heard different conditions put forward by the voice. Although they slowed down, they were still able to resist the temptation. As they got closer and closer to the exit, Zhaixin Liu seemed to grow more frantic, and the howling in his ears was almost distorted.

"Think it through! Once you go out that door, you won't have another chance!"

The voice in everyone's ears was different, whistling mournfully.

"Chu Wanning, Chu Wanning, do you really want to be alone for the rest of your life?"

"Mo Weiyu, I'm the only one in this world who knows where the death-raising elixir is, come to me and let me tell you—"

"Shi Mingjing, I know your deepest desire, only I can help you!"

"Xue Ziming, the magic weapon you picked is a fake! Jincheng Lake has the last weapon made by Gouchen. If you come back, this ancestor sword will belong to you! Don't you want the ultimate divine weapon? Don't you want to be the pride of the heavens? Without the divine weapon, you'll never be able to compete with your peers! Come to my side. . ."

"Xue Meng!" Mo Ran suddenly noticed that his cousin, who was running beside him, was nowhere to be seen.

As soon as he turned his head, he saw that Xue Meng's footsteps became slower and slower before finally stopping. He looked back at the silver-blue sword that was floating in the sword-casting pool.

Mo Ran's heart was dumbfounded.

He knows how deep Xue Meng's obsession with divine weapons was. This kid must have been very disappointed after learning that the weapon he got was a fake. It would be perfect for Zhaixin Liu to tempt him with the ancestral sword.

"Xue Meng, don't believe him, don't go there!"

Shi Mei also said: "Young master, let's go, we're almost at the exit!"

Xue Meng looked back at them blankly, but the voice that echoed in his ears became more and more bewitched: "They're jealous of you and don't want you to get a divine weapon. Think about Mo Weiyu, he has already obtained his weapon. He can't wait for you to get nothing. You have nothing to gain. You two are brothers. If you are inferior to him, the position of venerable master on Life-Death Peak will, of course, be his."

Xue Meng murmured: "Shut up."

In front of him, Mo Ran seemed to be anxiously shouting something at him, but he couldn't hear clearly at all. He just kept holding his head and repeating: "Shut the fuck up! Shut up!"

"Xue Ziming, the weapons in the Divine Weapons Arsenal aren't suitable for you. If you don't get the ancestral sword, you will only be subservient to Mo Weiyu in the future. At that time, he will be your venerable master, and you will kneel before him and listen to his whims! Think about it, killing him isn't a problem at all! There have been many sibling rivalries since ancient times, not to mention that he's only your cousin! Why do you hesitate?! Come here - let me give you the sword. . ."

"Xue Meng!"

"Young master!!"

Xue Meng suddenly stopped struggling. He opened his eyes violently, and his eyes were actually red.

"Come to my side. . . you are the pride of heaven. . . to be worthy of the honor of the God of Weaponry. . . "

Chu Wanning sternly said: "Xue Meng!"

"Come here. . . Only when you become the venerable lord of Life-Death Peak can the lower cultivation world become peaceful and tranquil. . . Think about those suffering people, think about the injustices you have suffered. . . Xue Ziming, let me help you. . ."

Unconsciously, Xue Meng had arrived at the boiling sword-casting pool. Zhaixin Liu's spirit was holding Gouchen's ancestral sword, and his white eyes were bloodshot.

"Very good. Take this sword and stop them all!"

Xue Meng slowly lifted his hand and tremblingly took the silver-blue sword.

"Kill them."

"Kill Mo Weiyu."

"Go. . . ahhhhhh!!!!"

Suddenly, Xue Meng took out the long sword and yanked the brilliant sword into his hand. Then he stabbed with his backhand. The spiritual light of the primordial sword flowed, reflecting the handsome son of heaven in a snowy light. Until the illumination of the sword, his eyes were no longer red with blood his eyes but were more bright and pure than usual.

The sword did not stab at Mo Ran, but instead pointed directly at the body of Zhaixin Liu, penetrating his abdominal organs!

In an instant, the earth rumbled, and the ancient willow shook.

The Temptation of the Heart technique was broken, and the heavens and earth in the Divine Weapons Arsenal collapsed.

Xue Meng gasped heavily. He had exhausted all his strength to break free from the temptation. He stared at Zhaixin Liu, his young face full of the persistence and purity of a young man. In those burning eyes, arrogance and innocence could be easily seen.

The so-called child of a phoenix is more than just something attained through cultivation.

"Don't try to confuse me, and don't try to harm others."

Xue Meng finished with a gasp and fiercly pulled out the long sword!

Zhaixin Liu burst into a cloud of fish-stench blood in the blink of an eye. Before dying, his consciousness returned to his original body, and the hostility in his body suddenly disappeared.

He clutched his chest, barely steadying his crumbling body. He raised his face and opened his mouth. Although there was no sound, his words were clearly discernible.

"Thank. . . you. . . for. . . stopping. . . me. . ."

The body of Zhaixin Liu is a spirit from ancient times comparable to the formidable power of the ancestor sword. Both suffered from the collision. The ancestor sword in Xue Meng's hand also suddenly lost its aura, and it suddenly lost its colour.

At the same time, the ten thousand year-old tree spirit scattered with a big bang.

In an instant, ten thousand streams of light scattered into the water's waves like fireflies, circling and dancing around everyone, the brilliance flowing. The golden light was bright, and finally, each fading away, disappearing.

Shi Mei said: "Young master, come quickly. The whole place is going to collapse!"

The earth trembled. It wouldn't hold for long.

Xue Meng turned back and took one last look at the Divine Weapons Arsenal. With a "clang", he threw down the damaged ancestral sword and abandoned it. Behind him, the bricks and tiles collapsed, like an avalanche of snow.

[ramblingguy54]

How do you think Turning Red improves over Brave? Since John Lasseter is no longer affiliated with Pixar. Brenda Chapman was sadly booted off her own movie due to creative differences with Pixar and Lasseter. Domee Shi was able to tell the story she wants to tell. I can relate more to Mei Lee than Merida who I can not sympathize. Turning Red is also a bit more grounded compared to Brave which is kinda directionless.

     Turning Red improves over every thing Brave wanted to accomplish through its own daughter & mother conflict. Turning Red is a lot more introspective on Mei’s mannerisms being so highly learned from her mother, Ming. Domee Shi’s movie has stood out to many, myself included, and clicked so well because she didn’t have someone like Lassester breathing down her neck 24/7. Turning Red is easily a better experience to enjoy for myself, than what Brave could pull off. Which isn’t to say I hated Brave, far from it. Brave as a movie was pretty decent, but lacked that extra OOMPH to make it feel like an animated gem in Pixar’s library. Granted, not every movie has to be excellent to feel like a worthy addition to their franchise, overall. I liked stuff such as what Monster’s University brought to the table. It’s third act alone made that movie so worth watching and added more weight to Sully & Mike’s friendship, making their already excellent first movie even better.

     Getting back on topic, Turning Red strikes every emotional beat that was needed to make it successful, given you feel the intimate experiences each person who helped Domee Shomi make Turning Red’s story as endearing as it is. Their documentary they released about behind the scenes added to my admiration for this silly, yet in-depth, exploration of a kid overcoming learned generational thinking having been present in not only her family, but much of their historical family culture, too. Turning Red studies those struggles of Asian family hardships in a humorous manner never shying away from painful underlying context of why Ming is controlling over Mei’s life. She means well in wanting to be close to her daughter, but this mind set stems from an environment Ming’s own mother thrust upon her. Ming was always told the “right” and “wrong” ways in living a happy successful life, which she tried her hardest in passing to Mei.

     Brave touched upon traditional family values being challenged, but Turning Red cuts deeper into this core foundation. Mei faces an internal crisis of anxiety from one single question, “What if I end up growing apart from someone I once love and respected?”, brought on by a single conversation from Ming’s mother talking about how they were once close, until the red panda “ruined” their family dynamic. Turning Red doesn’t waste time in utilizing the ideas it wants to accomplish, which is why the third act seriously impressed me. There were plenty of writing seeds planted throughout its zany atmosphere that the dramatic turns it takes don’t feel jarring or out of place for their story they want to tell.     Brave falters in this area for me because it had very cool concepts and ideas, much like Turning Red. Unfortunately, it got marred by development hell because of severe creative differences. You can feel it throughout the whole films run time. Honestly, it’s a miracle the film didn’t turn out worse. In a way, Brave stumbled so Turning Red could leap into the air in its own silly graceful endearing fashion.

[llostwriter]

The Husky And The White Cat Shizun With Their Baobei

Chapter 8

You stood aside, watching as the same exact situation from past lives occurred.

You failed to prevent the Flower of Everlasting Hatred from entering Mo Ran's body. This time you didn't even lower your guards, but you still ended up failing; it was almost like rewatching tragedy happening again.

Mo Ran got caught sleeping with a male prostitute. As a result of his continuous interactions with Rong Jiu, who was a male prostitute from a brothel. You thought that you could prevent it, and you did everything you could. After you realized that the time between Shizun's seclusion and The Flower of Everlasting Hatred had already passed during your temporary coma for a week, you realized you were too late.

The immediate reaction to your temporary coma was you running toward the dorm room of Mo Ran, ignoring the concerned looks of the disciples passing by. It didn't matter that your body might have been weak after the temporary coma; after all, if Mo Ran truly blackens, it's all over for everyone.

Seeing that Mo Ran was alright, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief, but you made sure to always be there for Mo Ran. Even at times, when he would vent his frustrations about the unfairness of Shizun’s treatments to you while he laid his head on your shoulder or sometimes even on your lap, You would always try to defuse his hatred for Shizun by bringing up the good factors about Shizun's punishments and how they were all for his own good.

Sometimes you'll even allow him to hug you to sleep which was something you'd never done in your past life. After all, in your current life, you must do anything to increase your affection levels.

But of course, you'll still set up some boundaries, especially when things get a bit too intimate for your liking. Hugs and cuddles are alright, but when it comes to kisses on certain parts of your body or sometimes even his hands getting closer to your inner thigh, you simply feel uncomfortable therefore not allowing him to continue further.

Even if you do feel somewhat guilty after seeing his disappointed look, it reminds you of a puppy that just got kicked by their most trusted person. As much as you want to increase affection points, you don't have to go that far; you could just stay with the casual affectionate activities.

Maybe that's where things went wrong. Ever since a few times of your rejection of deep intimacy, your relationship with Mo Ran started to grow apart. He still greets you with courtesy; however, he wasn't as joyful, energetic, and playful around you as he used to be. While your relationship with Mo Ran started to fade, Mo Ran's relationship with Shi Mei started to grow closer.

Everything was going so well, until it was all ruined. You started to rethink your choices. If you and Mo Ran were to engage in what he wanted, maybe this wouldn't have happened. That was what your previous thoughts were, until you rejected them. Even if you and Mo Ran were to engage in such activities, who was to say that everything would still end up in the same way? And it would keep you up at night, knowing that you basically took advantage of your shidi at his lowest moment. You weren't sure if it still counted as taking advantage, especially when he was the one so desperate for it. You simply couldn't.

You knew things were going back to their original points, especially when you watched from afar, like the moments where Mo Ran would sneak out of Sisheng Peak in the middle of the night.

You did catch him at one point, and you did have the intention of telling Mo Ran to stop his visits. Before Shi Mei made an appearance interrupting your moment, asking you to assist him with tending the books.

"You shouldn't worry too much about him; after all, he's simply a kid; he needs his own freedom as well," Shi Mei attempted to reassure you.

By the time you turned back to look around, Mo Ran was already nowhere to be seen. Leaving you all alone with Shi Mei, and later on with you assisting Shi Mei by putting the books back in their rightful places. It was quite a lot for one person, so you couldn't really say that Shi Mei purposely did it to distract you from helping Mo Ran.

As days passed, you watched as Mo Ran continuously visited the brothel, to the point where you're starting to wonder if you could even stop the same ending from occurring. You could forcefully stop Mo Ran from visiting, but that may also greatly damage your current process with him. So you decided not to do anything. Gritting back your teeth, do the same as you always have done: sit back and not do anything.

Everything was going as it originally did. So you didn't even bother listening to Xue Meng and Chu Wanning's conversation with Mo Ran, who was currently kneeling on the ground with Tianwen wrapped tightly around his waist. Mo Ran was not even showing a single sense of guilt.

Until that one strange familiar sentence that Mo Ran said, catching both you, Xue Meng, and Shizun's attention: "Chu Wanning! You may be skilled, but watch me screw you to death later!"

[evehere]

Nanping-fu in Yearning willow

So, when I was writing about CWN kneeling in the shrine, I realised I had some misconceptions about where everything was in a siheyuan (*/▽＼*) thus, I went to do some research!

Pictures were either taken from an old edition of The Dream of the Red Chamber 红楼梦 (these pictures are everywhere, but I couldn't find the exact source) or from google. If any of you know them, please tell me!

First of all, here's a picture of Nanping-fu (I hope the quality gets better if you click on it):

This is a drawing mixing the structure of Jia-fu in The Dream of the Red Chamber with the blueprint of a late Qing princess' residence.

(More information and pictures below the cut!)

Nanping-fu was a four-tier siheyuan. From the main door to the backyard, there were four courtyards surrounded by buildings, all interconnected with roofed pathways. The four courtyards had each a main building, which were, from south to north, the festoon gate, the shrine, the hall and the main house. All of them had the same dark grey pitched roofs and crimson pillars, and the floor was paved with the same cool grey stones.

Each courtyard was shaped as an elegant square garden. On his way from the backyard, Liuyan House—where Rong Jiu shared residence with the other concubines—to his office, Mo Ran passed next to the main house, Yihong Hall—his own residence.

On the eastern side of Yihong Hall was Honglian House, Chu Wanning’s home.

To summarize, we have from outside to inside:

The shrine: Danxin Hall (丹心殿)

The main hall: Shuijian Hall (水鉴殿)

The main house, where Mo Ran lives: Yihong Hall (怡红殿)

The eastern house, where Chu Wanning lives: Honglian House (红莲居)

The western house: Cunju House (存菊堂)

The backyard: Liuyan House (柳烟阁)

And some more I’ll add once the plot moves forward.

The "tiers" make reference to how many doors there are. From the front door to the festoon door, there's a small courtyard where servants used to live, so that counts as one courtyard (一进院). From the festoon door to the shrine there's a second courtyard, from the shrine to the hall there's a third and from the hall to Mo Ran's Yihong Hall there's a fourth.

Strictly speaking, the backyard counts as a courtyard as well, but five-tier courtyard were usually for higher ranking nobles. Of course, later in history there were also six-tier and seven-tier courtyards, and there was always the possibility to extend the gardens or the houses to the left or to the right.

This picture is from Pinterest (again, found no source), but I added some changes to it.

Generally speaking, siheyuan were organised as this picture shows (bear in mind that that's a two-tier), I'll just add that usually all the women lived in the back courtyard (concubines, daughters), at the innermost structure, keeping them secluded. Side halls were for sons only.

Some other notions regarding Nanping-fu:

The most honourable position is right in the center. That's why the shrine, the main hall and the owner's hall (Mo Ran, in this case) are all aligned in the center line. The garden was a later add-on.

The main hall is used to receive guests and to hold important events. Along with the shrine, these are the most important places in a siheyuan, and the most grand and solemn places.

Besides, the best position is “sitting in the north, facing the south”. Houses facing the south are the best because they get more light during the day. Servants, however, live in the quarters at the southern wall, facing the north, which is much darker.

Right after the center is the eastern side (which, from their perspective, would be the left). The legal spouse, or zhengshi, usually has their rooms at the eastern side of the owner's hall. In Nanping-fu, that would be Honglian House, Shi Mei's and, later, Chu Wanning's home. The western one is usually for the children, but since Mo Ran doesn't have children, a high-position concubine occupies it.

The rest of the concubines live in the backyard.

Now, about the rooms, I'm using as references pictures from The Dream of the Red Chamber (beware I'm not using the spaces as they were intended in the Dream of the Red Chamber).

This would Mo Ran's room at Yihong Hall. Mo Ran would usually sleep in the bigger bed as the western/left side, and if he got tired of whoever was keeping company that night, he could send them to sleep in the bed at the eastern side.

This would be Chu Wanning's room in Honglian House. The rest of the concubines room would be like this one, but without the library at the right side (with only two spaces: a entrance hall and the bedroom).

Now some pictures from google to illustrate the colours and how the courtyards were arranged!

But I tend to imagine the interiors as they were pictured in Story of Minglan.

I like this last one a lot. Because there would be no electricity and everything was lit with candles, the room would get rather dark in the nights. Yet it looks very rich and rather sensuous, with the darkness clouding your sight of the bed.

Most information about siheyuans was found here!

[thecartooncorner]

For this week’s post we’ll be reviewing Disney Pixar’s latest film “Turning Red”. And don't worry this is spoiler free for those of you who haven't watched it yet.

Just like Disney & Pixar's ‘Coco’ & ‘Encanto’, Turning Red tackles generational trauma and ending generational curses, but this time it’s for the girlies with mommy issues that spent their teen years obsessing over books and boybands.

Set in 2002, the movie is about 13 year old Meilin Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) who’s torn between upholding her mother’s standard of being a perfect daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Things then get more complicated when she magically turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets overly emotional, a curse passed down for generations from her mom’s side of the family.

Not only is the red panda a cultural reference, a nod towards Mei’s Chinese heritage, which was beautifully represented throughout, it’s also a clever metaphor for puberty and self expression. Turning Red didn’t hold back on how uncomfortable, awkward and gross you feel when going through these changes, all while teaching the audience that everyone has that cringey and weird side to them and you should embrace it despite what others think.

Although, we do see this last notion challenged throughout the movie with Mei and her mother, Ming’s (voiced by Sandra Oh), relationship. 

We see both the internal and external conflict that Mei faces between being her authentic self and being the version her mother expects from her. And although the main focus was on Mei and overcoming and coping with these things, they made sure to emphasize that though Mei’s mother made her feel pressured and suffocated, it’s important to recognize that Ming was also a byproduct of that same cultural trauma (the pressure of upholding tradition, to always be perfect, seeking acceptance by trying to meet standards set and kept for generations within the family). 

 I think I've watched this movie at least 3 times already and I cried every single time. Seeing such personal issues be so carefully fleshed out evoked a lot of emotions, especially for those of us who grew up with similar experiences. 

Aside from the familial issues, one of the things a lot of people, including myself, loved about this movie is how authentic and relatable it was to being a teenage girl. According to the producer, director Domee Shi wanted everyone to embrace their inner 13 year old when making this film. This along with the fact that a lot of it was based on Shi’s own experiences as a teen, is what really led this movie to connect so personally with a wider audience.

For me personally, one of the more lighthearted aspects of the movie that I absolutely adored was Mei and her best friends’ obsession with the boy band 4Town. Whether it was the Backstreet Boys, One Direction or BTS etc you were obsessed with, if you went through a boyband phase like me, then you’ll definitely be hit with some nostalgia.

Overall, Turning Red is a great movie for all ages to enjoy. It’s an emotional yet comedic and fun coming of age film that covers the complexities of strained mother-daughter relationships, healthy female friendships. It also had strong and well-done asian representation with a diverse cast all brought together through incredible and very cute animation. Not to mention the soundtrack is also fire and really captured that early 2000s vibe.

[neowitcher]

5 Favourite Books and Films | Winter 2022 Releases

1. Fresh (2022), dir. Mimi Cave  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Frustrated by scrolling dating apps only to end up on lame, tedious dates, Noa takes a chance by giving her number to the awkwardly charming Steve after a produce-section meet-cute at the grocery store. (Letterboxd)

This refreshing thriller starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and is easily my favourite film of the year so far. It made me think of all the best parts of You (2018-) and some of the gore in Jennifer’s Body (2009) and I highly recommend it to any thriller lover who isn’t faint of heart. It also features amazing side characters, and Jonica T. Gibbs does an especially amazing job playing Mollie, loved her and the entire film!

2. Love & Other Disasters, by Anita Kelly  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. [...] After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them.  [...] As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after. (Goodreads)

I’m not always the biggest fan of romance novels but this one had my entire heart! It was quite spicy but also heartwarming and with its fast pace, I could hardly put it down! Key words are food play and foot play, make of that what you will. Big recommendation for anyone into (spicy queer) romance!

3. The House (2022), dir. Paloma Baeza, Niki Lindroth von Bahr and Emma De Swaef, Marc James Roels  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Across different eras, a poor family, an anxious developer and a fed-up landlady become tied to the same mysterious house in this animated dark comedy. (Letterboxd)

These three short stories all creeped me out in some way or another and in doing so, left a big impact on me. The animation styles are gorgeous and it’s near impossible to stop watching once you’ve started. On top of that does it have incredible soundtrack. I highly recommend to anyone who likes animation and Tim Burton.

4. Turning Red (2022), dir. Domee Shi  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Thirteen-year-old Mei is experiencing the awkwardness of being a teenager with a twist – when she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda. (Letterboxd)

This!!! Watch this!!! Nothing made me happier than seeing a bunch of nerdy kids hang out and obsess over famous boy bands. The generational trauma and struggles of growing up are made into such a wonderful and accessible film that I can’t recommend enough. No more period erasure, thank you. This film is important and fun and I hope everyone cares as much for this as I do. 

5. Kimi (2022), dir. Steven Soderbergh  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Seattle, an agoraphobic tech worker discovers evidence of a violent crime while reviewing a data stream, and is met with resistance and bureaucracy when she tries reporting it to her company. To get involved, she realizes she must face her greatest fear by venturing out of her apartment and into the city streets, which are filled with protestors in the wake of the city council passing a law restricting the movements of the homeless population. (Letterboxd)

Finally, the thriller that was so exciting but didn’t entirely stress me out as most thrillers tend to do. Kimi did a great job at portraying mental health issues and how the pandemic further impacted that. Zoë Kravitz is an incredibly talented actress and a pleasure to see on the screen, and she truly carried this role. Overall, not the most groundbreaking story but a solid watch nevertheless!

[spockandawe]

Hi, spockandawe... if you don't mind me asking, who are your top 5 favorite characters in 2ha? And why? I'm sorry if you've answered this question before.

Hm! I think I’ll have an easier time with this than with the mxtx characters, mainly because meatbun’s side characters mostly don’t resonate with me as strongly as the mains (and also because I haven’t read the mtl for this one, so I know that there are important characters who I’ve only heard about in passing so far). But with what I know now:

Fifth favorite: Mei Hanxue :X I just... love an asshole, and I love an agent of chaos, and even though my only exposure has been through the blind date extras and fanworks, I am HERE for this. I don’t really have any deep thoughts, just that I see these decisions he makes and I’m like ‘oh wow, that’s out of line, but also? hard same.’ On my end my attachment to the character is VERY much ‘no thoughts head empty’ but I really, really, really like him XD

Fourth favorite: Okay. So. This is coming more from a perspective of ‘I’m pretty sure this character is going to get fascinating’ rather than ‘this character has done something super fascinating already, but... Shi Mei. I’ve avoided any detailed spoilers that don’t come up explicitly in the blind date extras, and I’m not looking for spoilers, but.... I want to know more about what’s going on in his head. He REALLY has my attention.

Third favorite: Mo-zongshi, where I am definitely splitting Mo Ran into two pieces, because this story is so much about the nature of personal development and change over time. And like........ I entered this story looking for another Luo Binghe. I did not get that thing, but I also love this particular character a LOT. I was invested in him when he was still just a sulky asshole, but then the development was fascinating, and then the orpheus arc just CAME for me, good lord. And where he is after the time skip is probably my favorite version of him, which totally makes sense, but I am always here for a character who is trying to work on self-improvement while also being suffocated under the weight of past wrongs they can never completely atone for. This story REALLY does it for me on that emotional front.

Second favorite: Okay. Don’t judge. But...... Taxian-jun. I just love him. He’s such an asshole, but I love him. I was kind of like ‘uhh okay’ at ‘deep-fried empress song’ in the beginning of the book, but when we got actual context for what that meant, I was DYING. And I felt bad for laughing so hard, but like. Oh my god, I love it and I love him. And I am also a sucker for a character who’s kind of a dick, where part of that is a bad attitude, but part of it is like... that he’s also very bad at doing a social. That also applies to my next entry, except that I do very much enjoy it when a character doesn’t have much INTEREST in making other people think he’s good or nice or whatever. And also, the blind date extra with taxian-jun is one of the most hilarious things i’ve read in my whole fucking life

First favorite: CHU WANNING, oh my god. This character came STRAIGHT for me and ripped out my heart and stomped all over it. This character fucks me up more than maybe any other cnovel character I’ve encountered yet. He deserves the world. SOMEBODY GIVE HIM THE WORLD. HE IS MY BEST BOY AND DESERVES ALL THE NICE THINGS EVER INVENTED. I will not take questions or criticism, only nice things, earmarked specifically for chu wanning

[curiosity-killed]

evidence of a lost past part 2

prev

cw: body image

Drawing in a deep breath, Xie Lian slowly lifts his gaze from his toes up to meet his eyes in the mirror. Jun Wu always said that the foundation of art came from knowing yourself. Knowing what you could or could not do, what would be real and what would be artifice when it moved through you. 

He’d turn it into a game, almost, a pop quiz: how many freckles did Xie Lian have, which of his arches was higher than the other, which finger always dipped lower than the rest when he extended his arms. When Xie Lian answered too quickly or made an error, he’d raise one eyebrow in silent question and Xie Lian would always flush, embarrassed by his own mistake. Now, he looks in the mirror and tries to make sense of what he sees.

 He’s grown since he left the company, just an inch or so in height, but his shoulders are broader and chest thicker than when he was a seventeen-year-old standing at the barre. His hair’s longer, too, bundled up in messy bun at his nape that will fall out the moment he tries a pirouette. After leaving, after his parents, he’d cut off all his hair one night in a fit of pique. If he was done dancing, then let all of it be done, he’d thought. He’d wanted to scrub away every notion of the life he’d lost out of his identity, remake himself into some new mask and character. In the eight years since then, it’s grown long again and brushes the middle of his back when it’s loose. He rocks back into his heels and then forward onto the balls of his feet, flexing his toes so that the polka dots on the soles peek out. His old head teacher had rules about warm-ups; Jun Wu had guidance. At the school, warm-ups were permitted until pliés as long as they were not overly baggy or distracting. For the girls, they’d been allowed to put on legwarmers in pointe but only for the first three exercises. If you needed warm-ups past that, Master Mei had always said, it meant you were injured and shouldn’t be dancing at all but sitting by the front and resting. Years removed from the studio, Xie Lian could now see that rule for the protection it was: chiding students to check in with their bodies and recognize when they needed to stop pushing and let them rest. Back then, it had seemed the worst kind of weakness to sit by the mirrors at the front of the studio and watch everyone else dance. He can still remember passing by the student lounge between classes one Saturday and catching Jian Lan tucked into a corner of a couch, clutching her ankle like she was holding it together with her hands alone. Once he’d joined the company, when Jun Wu took him under his wing, he’d learned a new side to those rules. “At this level, someone is always watching,” Jun Wu had confided during lunch once. “It’s important to present the best version of yourself.” He hadn’t ever said Xie Lian shouldn’t wear soft socks and ripstop pants, but there had been a quiet disappointment to his expression when Xie Lian mentioned it. It felt less like a reprimand and more like he’d offered Xie Lian something special and lofty, advice a gift chosen specifically for Xie Lian—and Xie Lian had been too young and naïve to appreciate it. He’d stuck with his leggings and tailored white jacket with the gold trim after that. Now, he rolls his shoulders under a t-shirt he got for volunteering a hundred hours one summer and the flannel he’d considered a victory at a dollar fifty. Probably, he should shed them both and face himself fully. Even Master Mei would scold him for trying to dance in such baggy clothing. It was too easy to cheat, to relax his abs and sway his back and hide all sorts of sins. His stomach rolls at the thought, choking up high in his throat. He can’t remember the last time he’d taken his shirt off in front of anyone, and he shies away from doing it now where he’d have to see himself. It’s fine. He’s only messing around. The thought is a foreign one, but he clings to it. He’s not really dancing, not really trying to do anything. He knows he’s not a dancer anymore, that he turned his back on that life eight years ago. He’s just—he’s just fooling around in an empty studio with no one watching. Exhaling, he turns his back to the mirror. There’s a stereo system built into a cabinet, and it only takes a few minutes of fumbling before he gets his phone hooked up and the Spotify commercial blares through the speakers in each corner. Wincing, he spins the volume knob down till it’s almost silent and hunts around for some playlist. “It’s just dancing,” he mumbles to himself as he walks away to the opening strains of some delicate instrumental melody. Just—play. In the center of the room, he settles into a parallel second and closes his eyes, listening. The piano tiptoes through the harmony, delicate soprano notes like tiny silver bells, but over and through it, the strings ache and murmur. He sways to it at first, rolling through the pads of his toes and shifting languidly on his hips. His right arm lifts with the strings, elbow first, and unfurls to the quiet plea of the cello. Collapsing to the left, he brings his body around in a low arc to swing up his left leg to devant, foot flexed. The music is loud enough to wash away thoughts of the past or of anyone walking in. It sweeps around him, cradles his limbs and pulls his body into motion. He thinks fleetingly of Hua Cheng, of the easy way he caught on to each combination and stretched and bent it to his own shapes. Spinning through a pencil turn, he freezes to the side and draws into a balance at the top of his demi-pointe, a precarious perch suspended only by the counterbalance of his extended leg. The last time he danced was in a posh little studio where all the windows looked out over the city. It had mostly catered to children with a few advanced students who were set to fly off to new companies any day. His skin had itched under their curious, disdainful eyes, and his ears had filled with imaginary whispers of what they might think of a him. A failure, Icarus floundering in the sea and thinking he could still kiss the sky with his sodden, melted wings. There is no one watching here. Alone in the studio, he skates across the grey floor and leaps without thinking of falling. When he falls out of a shoulder roll he saw Shi Qingxuan do effortlessly in their class the other week, he drops to his back and laughs, breathless, up at the ceiling. He doesn’t know how many songs have played, but sweat prickles his hairline and sticks his shirt to his back. There’s a pleasant burn in his hips and in the skin of his feet after he kicked his socks off to better feel the floor. Breathing in, he lets the laughter bubble through his chest as he sinks into the familiar marley panel. “Fuck,” he says and then laughs at the sound of it in his voice. Rolling up, he drops his elbows to his knees and leans forward to rake a hand back through his hair and draw out the tie still clinging desperately to the ends it. This time, he braids it back tight against his skull and secures the ends with the ponytail. There was a phrase somewhere in the middle there—a low lunge with weight shifts into a turn—he wants to tease out, play with. He ties off the braid and shrugs out of the flannel that’s starting to get over-warm across his back. Grinning, he pulls himself up and starts again.

[akatsuki-shin]

Review: 天官赐福 Tiān Guān Cì Fú (Heaven Official's Blessing)

Notes:

(Very) long post ahead

Contains spoiler

This is my personal review and does not represent the entire audience, you are free to agree or not agree with what I’ve written here

Feel free to reply/send me a message if there are things you want to discuss

Summary:

The most beloved Crown Prince, pride of the Kingdom of Xianle with abundance of talents and achievements, Xie Lian, ascended to Heaven and became a martial god at the young age of 17 on the path to fulfill his dream "to save the common people".

Three years after his ascension, he saw his kingdom beginning to decline and in order to save his beloved country, Xie Lian defied the rules of Heaven and descended back to the mortal realm. Nevertheless, instead of saving them, his interference ended up accelerating the fall of Xianle, annihilating the once prosperous nation under the war of rebellion and a mysterious, horrifying plague.

The people who once praised and worshipped him day and night now condemned him, his devotees left him, they burnt his temples and divine statues, and Xie Lian himself was ultimately banished from the Heaven.

He ascended for the second time a short while later, but was banished once more very soon after. Since then, he lived among the mortals - surviving by collecting junks as he was now branded as the "God of Misfortune", the "Scrap Collecting Immortal".

800 years later, Xie Lian ascended again for the third time. Though having neither temples nor devotees, he accepted his responsibility as a martial god and carried on with his duties until one day, there came a certain, incidental encounter with a mysterious youth clad in red.

STORY: 7/10

TGCF overall is an (almost) complete, satisfying read with well-written twists and development.

Unlike the two previous MXTX's novels, the main pairing here (HuaLian) did not have to go through complicated misunderstandings and is a beautiful representation of love and devotion. Of course, this means there is a lack of conflict between them, but considering all the trials and tribulations the characters have gone through, this lack of conflict feels like a relieving fresh spring amidst the painful and exhausting journey throughout the entire five books.

The best and my most favorite plot twist is the Earth Master Ming Yi having been dead for a while, and the "Ming Yi" we know turns out to be the Black Water Submerging Boats, He Xuan. I'm the kind of person who always suspects characters, but even my furthest suspicion was "only" him being the Reverend of Empty Words, not He Xuan.

Truthfully, prior to reading this novel, I've seen Shi Qingxuan's "MING-XIONG, I'M SORRY x9999" post before without context, and I thought Ming Yi was going to die a tragic death because of Shi Qingxuan. Turns out it's kind of the opposite, huh? Nice one, really.

I also like how each character's "end" feels satisfying. Especially for the villains, they didn't necessarily have to die some tragic, vengeful death, but was provided with an ending that perfectly fits their background story and deeds. For example, in most stories, a character like Xuan Ji would be most likely be given some well-deserved punishment as her death, given everything she's done. But no, in the end she was given a reality check and was finally able to let go of her hundreds of years grudge. And then Qi Rong - I will talk more about him later on in the "Character" section.

One part I really love is the Extra Chapter about the Cave of Ten Thousand Gods. The chapter itself overall is mostly nonsensical and chaotic, but it was just so touching when HuaLian created a "Little Hua Cheng" statue to accompany Xie Lian's "Crown Prince who Pleased the Gods" statue, especially when this Little Hua Cheng statue gave Crown Prince Xie Lian statue a flower, and then Crown Prince Xie Lian received it, lifted him up and carried him in his arms. This one was maybe a bit biased because as much as I love the current HuaLian, I have a special soft spot for the young Xie Lian carrying, cradling the little Hua Cheng back then in the past. ;v;

Though, with all due respect, I must say that TGCF is actually below my expectation.

The biggest issue I have with TGCF is... What is Xie Lian's motivation? What drives him to move forward in the story? What is even the whole story's purpose?

I'm not quite sure how to word this properly, but let me give some examples.

When you read Harry Potter, you know immediately that Voldemort is the bad guy and he must be defeated.

When you read the Lord of the Rings, you know immediately that the One Ring must be destroyed to prevent Sauron from regaining his power.

Or, in MXTX previous works...

In SVSSS, it was clear since the beginning that Shen Yuan's mission is to fix the "Proud Immortal Demon Way" if he wants to survive.

In MDZS, it was clear that Wei Wuxian, together with Lan Wangji's, needs to unravel the mystery behind that fierce left arm. All of their past stories and WangXian getting together in the end are just something they discovered along the way, not the initial "motivation" that drives the character to move forward.

What about TGCF? The Xie Lian who ascended for the third time actually looks like he just wants to go along with the flow, carrying out his duties day by day with responsibility. When Bai Wuxiang later, later, later on appeared to haunt him again, it didn't seem like Xie Lian has any ambition to hunt him down or exact a revenge, just that he wanted to forget about Bai Wuxiang and never recall anything about him ever again. The main character looks like he's not being driven by anything, just...carrying on where the plot takes him? It's just missions after missions and whatever huge things happening in between is just something they accidentally passed by along the way.

At this point, the only purpose of the story I can think of is bringing Hua Cheng and Xie Lian together. The romance is great, I have no complain. But if it's just that, no need to jammed-pack 250+ chapters just to make two people getting together?

Speaking of which, I also think that the way new characters keep being introduced all the way to almost the final showdown of the story feels info dump-ish, because the background story needs to be dropped there along with the characters, but then most of these characters fade away immediately after.

For example, the previous Civil God before Ling Wen, who looks like he’s going to pose some real trouble, but then was easily defeated and was never mentioned again afterwards. And this is especially true for He Xuan; after such a huge arc where he committed such extreme things, after that he was barely mentioned again, even having his “strong impression” leveled down by the joke about him being the poorest Calamity and owing lots of debts to Hua Cheng.

Basically what makes TGCF a long story is because there are too many stories about the side characters in addition to the main characters that are dumped out of the blue instead of slowly being revealed along the way.

Though, I love how the story gradually unravels the "Four Famous Tales" because initially, I thought it wasn't something crucial, and I wished they could've done this for other characters, too.

There is a little bit of plot holes here and there, as in who actually cut open Jian Lan/Lan Chang's baby and made it a ghost, and for what? Even if it turned out that she just met a bad guy or nobody important, at least provide an explanation in one paragraph? Especially because important side characters like Feng Xin and Mu Qing are involved here, so I'm pretty sure us readers need some explanation.

And more importantly, how can Jun Wu become the Emperor martial god? There's no mention about him ascending, only that he annihilated a dynasty of gods before sitting on the throne of the Great Martial Hall. But how can he, like, emitted god-like aura and not some evil aura? Is it because he used to be a god? But he's a ghost? Explanation where???

The gags and comedies are pretty fun, but honestly, the more I read, the more they ruin the atmosphere and suspense, added with the uncalled PDA between Hua Cheng and Xie Lian even during the most important moments. Honestly, I was bored the fuck out of my life from the moment they start fighting Jun Wu with those divine gundams, and only start gaining interest again much later on when Hua Cheng dissipated into butterflies.

Not saying the story's bad. Just... It's not up to my expectation... Characters being inserted here and there with a bunch of background story, gags and a show of PDA being flaunted during crucial moments. And when Mei Nianqing started telling the truth about the Kingdom of Wuyong, that's just plain info dump right there, seriously...

CHARACTERS: 7/10

Interesting characters, but only a few bore a lasting impression on me. Other than the main characters, which are Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, the only side characters (minus Bai Wuxiang as the main villain) who left quite some impression on me were probably just Feng Xin and Mu Qing.

Pei Ming is okay, at least he is still memorable until the end, and his character improved, too.

He Xuan, after having been introduced with such extreme, after his arc is over, was easily forgotten just like that.

Mei Nianqing, is borderline Deus Ex-Machina with a huge chunk of info dump that could solve everything, then he stopped being useful for the rest of the story.

Shi Qingxuan... Honestly, he's almost annoying, too noisy. I don’t hate him (and I kind of like him initially), but the way his character was being handled and presented post-Black Water arc feels disappointingly lazy and he was just there to make the party more merry.

Xie Lian himself, as the protagonist, how do I say this... This is maybe due to the translator's writing style (not MXTX’s fault), but whenever he screams in all capslock, it feels too extreme and borderline OOC? Of course, the original novel written in hanzi couldn't have included capslock.

What's great about him, though, is that despite all he'd gone through, he can still retain a pure heart and could not be swayed to be evil, just as he himself said "Body in the abyss, heart in paradise".

Now Hua Cheng, he is overall a super interesting character and I personally love this type of male characters. But he seriously is way too OP, almost like the original Luo Binghe (Bing-ge) a.k.a. too ideal, too perfect, no flaws, always capable of easily finding a way out in every single peril. I only forgive him for being like this because he dissipated into butterflies at the end of the battle with Jun Wu, making me think "oh, finally he's actually not invincible".

Still, his devotion to Xie Lian is very well written, very well presented, and his "I am forever your most devoted believer" is just downright the most powerful line in the whole story.

Now I promised to talk about Qi Rong, yeah? I haven't the slightest idea why it is even necessary to have Qi Rong as the Night-touring Green Lantern. I mean, yes he is there to make up the number of the Four Great Calamities, but that was for the characters who live in that world. As the novel's reader, I don't see any particularly important roles there for Qi Rong other than being an annoying meme fodder despite his actually pretty-cool first foreshadowing and appearance? Even his issue with Lang Qianqiu does not seem to give that much impact on the overall story, it could've just passed simply being explained in several pages.

Though I'd say he's got the best character development compared to others. Instead of dying as some hateful villain, the way he ended up deciding to protect Guzi at the cost of his own life can already be expected from miles away, but still bittersweet and touching nonetheless - how this crazed, mental person could still love when being presented with such pure, innocent feelings to the point that he acknowledged Guzi as a his own son.

By the way, E Ming and Ruoye are cute, I take no criticism.

TECHNICAL ASPECTS: 8/10

I can't really describe this with words, but MXTX's overall writing technique has greatly improved since MDZS.

It feels more "solid" to read instead of scattered here and there.

The info distribution has improved (fewer info dump compared to before), the story's no longer switching between past and present all of a sudden.

Description of characters and environment are sufficient, the plot is progressing steadily.

Several issues I have with this aspect though, the Prologue being ten pages is just way too long, I don't think I need that much information being stuffed right to my face right from the beginning.

There are excessive use of "Turns out..." every single time an explanation is going to come.

"Xie Lian didn't know whether he should cry or laugh" is honestly has been used probably more than 50 times just in the last two books. Although I'm reading a translation, I'm pretty sure the original Chinese version is being repetitive with this phrase, as well, because the translators couldn't just whip up any other phrase from thin air and put it in someone else's novel.

Almost half of scene transition is always caused by some sudden, external disturbance like "All of a sudden they heard someone's coming", "All of a sudden X visits their room", etc.

OVERALL SCORE: 7.3/10

Worth to read, satisfying overall. The main pairing's love story is just so well written and sweet. As long as you can withstand the violence and gore, though. 😂

TGCF highlights perhaps one of the ugliest natures of mankind: Being nice to someone as long as they're beneficial, and immediately throwing them away once the benefit was no more.

Once that person does not seem to be beneficial anymore, everyone would leave them instantly, even turning on them and start spitting on them without even trying to understand the reason why said person "stopped being beneficial".

Both as a Crown Prince and a martial god, Xie Lian and the Crown Prince of Wuyong were praised, revered, worshipped by the citizens of Xianle and Wuyong respectively. Because they were always helping, always fulfilling the people's wishes. But how easily it was for those very same people to turn on Xie Lian and the Crown Prince of Wuyong when they encountered misfortunes, completely turning a blind eye to the laborious effort both characters have been putting to save them from annihilation, even if it was visible in broad daylight.

It is also worth to note another trait of mankind that this story underlines: To always find a scapegoat or blame others for one's own misfortune and failure - be it another human being, another group of people, the government, even the gods - after having taking their generosity for granted.

Which is why I think the true villain of the story is not Bai Wuxiang, but those citizens of the ancient Wuyong who were now nothing more than resentful spirits eternally burning within the lava of Tonglu Mountain - a well deserved punishment after what they did to their Crown Prince.