#dfqc: WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?!?!

[snickerdoodlles]

Feeling so full of love for Xiao Lanhua tonight. Like, what a fucking character. She’s 10 pounds of mischief in a 5 pound bag. Her approach to life is ‘fuck around and find out’. No one is as balls to the wall as she is. “Then do it” is her regular response to people literally trying to kill her. Her first scheme was to drug DFQC and her second was “I need to get struck by lightning.” It took her multiple months to admit she had feelings for DFQC, then all of 3 days after to propose to him. Hands down the funniest arc in the whole show was people trying to break up her and DFQC, as though she hasn’t spent the ENTIRE SHOW being the most obstinate and stubborn person in the world, even more than The Bitchiest Bitch To Bitch (DFQC). She really said ‘what if I was full of chaos but cute about it’ and she IS and it’s WONDERFUL

[historicalasiandramas]

CLJ Recaps

This episode took me two days to watch because the secondhand embarrassment was too much. The second time through was much funnier because I got to see Xunfeng stare at Orchid!DFQC like "wtf is wrong with you?"

Other than Xunfeng's perfect bombastic side eye, I am obsessed with his armor here! He's got crystals practically growing out of him.

We found out last time that Rong Hao has spies in Cangyan Sea, and I wondered how that was possible. I found the answer to that at the end of this ep.

Orchid!DFQC is presented the leader of these spies and then expected to kill him to show his power. Obviously, Orchid doesn't want to kill one of her own. In fact, she can barely even wield DFQC's sword. While SQ and the other lords make confused expressions, Xunfeng is watching like a hawk. In fact, I'm surprised he hasn't figured out yet that there's something wrong with his brother's power.

Orchid manages to get off without killing the spymaster by using him to send a threat back to Yunzhong. Meanwhile DFQC!Orchid apparently has enough physical strength to twist a grown man's arm. Since Orchid is not a violent person, she would have never known that. Moon Supreme also has the advantage of the bone orchid bracelet, which will protect Orchid's body from harm. He knows exactly how to use it since he's the one who gave it to her and has no trouble breaking out of his cell.

Meanwhile courtesans are kicked out by Orchid and gather in the hallway to question Shang Que as to why Moon Supreme would reject them.

DFQC himself confirms it later, but he is a virgin and also not good at dealing with women. SQ orders the women to stay away from Moon Supreme's chambers in the future unless specifically called for.

And then immediately after, SQ is summoned to Moon Supreme's chamber XD The music gets silly and SQ starts acting awkward. He declares that he would die for DFQC but seems to think that either he's gonna get fucked or DFQC is gonna ask to be fucked. It doesn't make things better when Orchid literally drags him onto the bed.

Poor awkward dragon!

Orchid absolutely does not notice and instead asks about the past and what kind of person DFQC was before. She lies and says that due to an injury, she can't remember and that her magic is damaged. It's funny cuz this is actually true for Orchid herself but it's just a ruse here.

Obviously in a place where the powerful are respected, there's no way DFQC would be accepted as Moon Supreme if he can't even defend the position. Since Orchid asked, I'm pretty sure SQ will do his best to help cover up any supposed lapse in power until Orchid & DFQC can switch back.

Before SQ can say anything else, DFQC storms in and pins Orchid to the bed.

"Are you gonna watch from there?" SQ decides that he absolutely does not wanna get mixed up in whatever the hell is going on here, so he hurriedly leaves.

Meanwhile in Haishi City, it's confirmed that one of the courtesans was actually a spy! She confirms that DFQC is holding on Rong Hao's master's Destiny Book. It's time to attack directly, but Die Yi has her doubts.

Moon Supreme doesn't trust anyone and all their spies (other than the courtesan that just left I guess?) were cleared out. How will they defeat him? Don't worry! Rong Hao knows a guy!

That guy turns out to be Xunfeng! It's been 30k years and he hasn't forgiven his brother for killing their father. How useful for devious darling!

And speaking of DFQC killing his father, Orchid has questions about that. Since the Moon Tribe favors strength, she assumes there's a law or unspoken rule that if you defeat someone you must kill them. Moon Supreme says there is no such rule.

Oh my gods, Orchid! You can't ask something so plot important this early in the show! We don't get an answer for that because it's time for another really big reveal.

Not only could it be argued that Xunfeng is the reason for his brother's capture (due to not arriving in time), but he was also the one who helped Rong Hao build Haiyi City. This is absolutely DELICIOUS information!!

Also before this secret meeting in the woods, I didn't really think Xunfeng was particularly pretty. But there's something about his eyes that just??

When he was glaring at DFQC before, Xunfeng's head was angled slightly downward, making him look intimidating. Here, it's the opposite. His head is angled up and his eyes are narrowed so that it looks like he's looking down at Rong Hao.

Unlike his brother, Xunfeng is ruled by his emotions: particularly anger. Because he's so bent on avenging his father, Xunfeng doesn't even realize that he's at Rong Hao's mercy. I noticed that Rong Hao speaks gently to Xunfeng - like a father would.

When he tilts his head and asks this, Rong Hao is almost sweet. Like literally anyone with half a brain cell would be like "a man capable of secret machinations like this can absolutely not be trusted," but Rong Hao made it sound like he's forever indebted to Xunfeng.

His mind games are absolutely next level and I am unfortunately a huge simp for that kind of character.

Look at that smirk. That's my gender and my religion. You make a characters smirk and I am their stan first and a person second.

Unfortunately a new toxic ship has sailed and I kinda ship Rong Hao and Xunfeng now WHOOPS

[naughtynanzhu]

I know fans are generally obsessed and weird with shipping male characters but if you watch love between fairy and devil and actually honestly think what went on between dongfang qingcang and xiao run was more than friendship, you are either insane or straight up fetishize male friendships (especially in eastern asian media (bc you're so used to white dudes not wanting to be within ten feet of each other that anything more makes you think it's romance or lust)) fidjfnekffk

dfqc didn't even wanna call it a friendship at the time and it was... very obvious they were not chasing after each other... it's one thing if you're like "what if- wouldn't that be fun" but if you're like "oh they wanna fuck" fkdkmcdndj seek help

[thegreymoon]

Love Between Fairy and Devil

They are cooperating after all!!

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Pretty people 🖤

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Too late!! Too late!! She already loves the Moon Supreme! 🤗

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Jealous baby doing his best to control himself 😆😆

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Crying, they are so cute!! 😭

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Well, if he hasn’t, he’s about to find it now 😫

Also, you’ve got to love how he’s all, “Why won’t you tell me? He’s my brother, do you think I would hurt him?” My dude, you already tried to kill him when he was weak. Multiple times! 

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LMAO, these two idiots 😂😂 He’s dragon, isn’t he the one who should be hoarding money?

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LMAOOOO, nobody is asking for your consent, asshole.

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This is him 👇👇

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He does have some braincells after all. 

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You’re better off being sworn brothers with DFQC.

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Rong Hao let himself be arrested too easily. I don’t trust him for a minute. 

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Good boy!

I am loving this character development! 

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The ‘fairy guillotine’ 😂😂

I’m sorry, I can’t stop laughing at the concept 😂😂

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Wait, are they Jieli’s parents??

This is the actress playing Jieli, right?? Or I’ve gone completely faceblind. 

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So, no? I’m faceblind after all?

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Of course it will hurt Orchid, come now, why are you asking stupid questions, I thought you were the one with all the braincells around here! 

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She *is* the daughter of the fairy lord and the demon woman! That is definitely the same actress! 

Rong Hao is involved, he probably switched the babies. 

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OH MY FUCKING GOD. 

JUST SHUT UP ALREADY. 

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Mess.

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THANK YOU.

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Bone Devouring Spike 😫😫

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You must be joking.

Xunfeng, I hope you’re proud of yourself. 

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Crying 😭😭

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NOOOOOOO, YOU DIDN’T GET TO HANG THE LOCK!!

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Well, this seems like hell.

Also, Dylan can act, what do you know! 

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And, BTW, let’s not even get into how Not Smart™ it is to get your all-powerful leader incapacitated like this with a war looming. 

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Don’t let Jieli get a whiff of that key!

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OMGGGGGGGGGGG 😱😱😱😱

YES!! YES!!!!! OF COURSE IT’S A YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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OH, FOR FUCK’S SAKE, JUST LET THEM KISS!!!!!!!

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Well, it can’t be worse than a Bone Devouring Spike 😑

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Tell him, girl!

Assert yourself, even though your choice is to enter a torture cave that may as well kill you, against his better judgement.

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Own what you did, asshole. 

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He’s keeping count, LMAO

Twice it was for your own good!

***

Aaaaaaand, into the sarcophagus she goes!

[llycaons]

clj ep8. big news - I finished it all in one sitting!

VERY very fun to have dfqc be like ‘hmm she was very happy when she was praised by lord ch, but for some reason I was...uncomfortable. very odd’ dude you like her!

god damn this is a gorgeous landscape

MAN fuck this guy. I hope he dies or something

hhhrggggh I get his mindset but this is incredibly cruel and it seems like he’s been toying with her feelings. he didn’t have to tell her the whole story/that he has feelings for her/that she’s in danger if they were suspected of having an affair but to make her think that he thinks she’s worthless is so awfu;. I think she deserved at LEAST a face to face conversation

also, why did that fairy have that stone? did he really give it to her?

the way this was edited to make her exit dramatic and tragic but after every fade she was only 10 feet further away...looked a bit silly

this fucks so hard I want this house

oh shit, lord dfqc is rolling up with a LOOK. I fucking love this costume

don’t love that yellow sash. I think it clashes with the rest of her dress in color and texture

maybe this is a translation thing but I feel like if someone said THAT to me I’d start to be suspicious

local man so so angry about crying due to his heartbond with girl who he totally doesn’t have feelings for. more at 11

okay. this is very silly

dang just like in tgcf

...I dislike this trope quite a lot tbh, I think it’s dumb. in general I don’t like ‘nonromantic’ kisses and I know this wouldn’t work anyway which kind of ruins it for me. also I think being scared of drowning/not being able to breathe would make it kind of a horrifying experience lmao

everyone stand very still he’s rediscovering feelings

this is prettyyy I don’t remember where it is

love that set detail

it seems like everyone’s seen this wedding except xlh herself. has she ever looked?

sob he doesn’t know what emotions are so when he gets upset at the thought of her getting married he’s like ‘what a strange physical sensation’ 😭

MAN I love this guy. all he does is appear and disappear and kneel and do errands. and he’s a dragon. what a good henchman

oh she wants him to drink this so badly

I want a boat like that! shit!

now why might he say this, hmm? surely he can’t be...concerned for her 🤔

FUCK THIS GUY!!!!!

[historicalasiandramas]

CLJ Recaps

The first 12 minutes of this ep is the previous Moon Supreme making excuses for his abuse, naturally. He says that DFQC was the hope of the Moon Tribe's survival. Seems like a lot of pressure to put on a teenager but OK!

Me & DFQC upon hearing this:

He then asks his father an important question: If you could turn back time, would you make the same choice? The previous Moon Supreme answers that he would do it all again. Neither DFQC nor I are surprised.

The previous Moon Supreme tearfully pulls the "I had no choice" card, but this only further enrages his son. In the past, his father was fierce, strict, and firm. He demands to know why the old man waited until death to say that. In response, we get a flashback of when Shuiyuntian was winning the war against the Moon Tribe.

DFQC accuses his father of using him as a tool to fight against Shuiyuntian. Old Moon Supreme denies it ofc, saying that he couldn't bear to watch his son suffer.

Sir, you are literally the cause of your son's suffering!! You put a teen through a ritual that was so painful that he begged for death instead. What the fuck do you mean you "couldn't bear it"? The previous Moon Supreme said that he chose death rather than bear living with the thought that he'd hurt his son, which IMO is a cowardly thing to do.

Teen!DFQC's emotions were removed, so he wouldn't have been able to feel resentment towards his father for the ritual. The old man merely had to step down and allow his son to take charge, but he was selfish instead. But Orchid gets fixated on the old man's wording.

She says that she read the secret book and nowhere did it say that killing a loved one was necessary for the ritual to work. Old Moon Supreme explains that emotions are hard to kill (ofc) and that every time they recover, it takes another 1000 years to completely remove them again.

He says that his death was to ensure that DFQC's emotions did not recover. The old man recognizes that his son's emotional root has recovered and says that's why he's in so much pain. He asks, "Do you want all your previous suffering to be in vain?" which is honestly so cruel. He tries to goad DFQC into killing him, claiming it will free him from his pain, but DFQC says he can't do it.

Rather than have the decision made for him like last time, DFQC wants to make his own choice.

He chooses mercy and says he doesn't want to forget what it's like to feel. He remembers the good times and the bad and can experience joy and sorrow on his own. During this lull, Orchid offers DFQC the ball he played with when he was younger. He is still emotional and can only stare at it, but the previous Moon Supreme recognizes it immediately.

He reaches out and the ball materializes in his hand. Orchid & DFQC watch as the old man turns the ball over and relives when his son was young. He holds the ball out and DFQC sees a flash of his father from happier times. He kicks it towards his son in an attempt to connect, but DFQC hesitates. The flower is about to burn out and he doesn't have much time left. Orchid urges him to kick the ball back.

He doesn't. He looks up and the flower and his father's soul both fade into dust. I'm honestly really glad that DFQC didn't kick it back because wtf even was that scene? He made the decision not to permanently destroy his father's soul, but also not to forgive him.

Back on the surface, it's Xunfeng's designated execution by lightning day. Apparently in the Moon Tribe you can summon lightning with a special drum, which I think is really cool! Orchid steps forward to protest but DFQC eventually raises a hand to stop after 30 hits. He asks how many strikes are left, and an attendant answers: 51.

Moon Supreme declares that he'll take the remaining blows for his brother, and both Shangque and Orchid protest. Xunfeng is so weak that he has to be held up by guards, but he still doesn't trust DFQC. Moon Supreme removes his top and orders the executioner to summon more lightning. Naturally, he hesitates to harm his ruler.

The main theme plays as he is struck my lightning over and over, and Orchid can't bear to watch. With each strike, Xunfeng gets more shaken. Why is his brother doing this? At the last strike, he falls to his knees and Orchid and SQ rush over. XF refuses to thank DFQC and vows to avenge their father even in death.

This upsets Orchid, who heard the truth from their father himself.

She says that he doesn't know the truth between their father and DFQC and calls Xunfeng selfish. During her rant, Moon Supreme stares at her in awe. Orchid has been awfully brazen lately, but who doesn't find a woman defending you sexy? ;) She leaves behind the mirror that captured her interaction with the previous Moon Supreme so she wouldn't forget.

DFQC is supported by Orchid & SQ back to his quarters where he promptly passes out. Orchid worriedly consults with the physician who says that lightning is powerful. Even though DFQC isn't going to die, he still needs to recover.

I'm really into the aesthetic of the palace staff, and I'm kinda sad that DFQC and Xunfeng don't have painted lips or elaborate jeweled headdresses. Maybe I just miss Arthdal. Orchid is about to leave when DFQC suddenly grabs her wrist in panic. She's delighted that he's awake, but Moon Supreme weakly asks where she's going. "I'm not going anywhere. Your medicine is almost ready and I need to keep an eye on the fire."

This is the first of many gentle touches in this episode. Though he reached out in panic at being left alone, Orchid takes DFQC's hand in both of hers to soothe him. Seeing this needy side of him is actually very endearing. Orchid is used to taking care of herself, but treats her loved ones kindly so she's the perfect person to take care of DFQC while he recovers.

However when Orchid returns with his medicine, the bed is empty. She searches for him and finds DFQC crumpled on the floor of the previous Moon Supreme's room and holding his childhood ball. When he hears Orchid approach, he tries to wipe his tears but is instead wracked with grief. Orchid sits beside him and reaches out but he puts a hand up to stop her. He's shaking too much and when her hand makes contact with his, he wraps his fingers around hers.

She wraps her arms around him and he clings to her and sobs. He's experiencing grief for the first time since his father's death.

He asks if killing his Love Tree will make the suffering end, but we already saw him fail at that. Orchid holds him and silently cries with him as he sobs that he doesn't resent his father anymore.

Orchid continues to care for DFQC as he recovers and catches Xunfeng looking anxiously through the window of his brother's room, unable to enter. Now that he knows about their father, I'm sure he has a lot to say! Meanwhile Moon Supreme is sitting in bed reading a book with his hair down.

This is the first time we've seen him this vulnerable with anyone. The disheveled hair and open robes mean that he's completely relaxed and doesn't care that Orchid sees him this way. He's even started to act bratty around her! DFQC refuses to take his medicine because it's too bitter, and Orchid chastises him and says that's why it's taking him so long to recover.

She bribes him with flower cakes and he takes the medicine, but Shangque appears and says that Xunfeng wants to see DFQC. He's annoyed but immediately stands up and straightens out his clothes, much to Orchid's shock. He'd just said that he needed her help to walk, but clearly it was a lie!

XF does the Chinese equivalent of a mano (touching forehead to an elder's hand, or in this case, ring) and asks about DFQC's recovery. Now that he knows the truth, XF is being incredibly meek and Im kinda into it! But he's not just there to ask how his brother is doing: he has information.

When DFQC was sealed away 30,000 years ago, everyone thought he was dead. This led to mutiny in Cangyan Sea. In the midst of the chaos, a mysterious man approached Xunfeng. That was Ronghao, who would later become the Lord of Haishi City. RH said that as long as XF helped him build the city, he would help control the Northern and Southern Kings.

DFQC is not impressed that his brother left the fate of their people to a stranger. XF says that when he discovered that Ronghao was using the primordial spirits of people from the Moon Tribe, he carefully examined his memories and found something strange: every time it seemed like Xunfeng was losing, Ronghao would help him. But when XF had the advantage, the Northern and Southern kings always got away. He was playing them against each other.

XF feels guilty towards his people for dragging them into a civil war and allowing the power of the Moon Tribe to dwindle. He says that being pardoned was a mistake and he should die for his actions.

Orchid is listening in and after hearing that DFQC didn't pardon XF, she looks a little sad. He goes on to say that in order to correct his mistake, XF must win future battles. XF looks up in shock at his brother and promises that he will. DFQC dismisses him but XF hesitates, causing Moon Supreme to think that there are perhaps more details to report.

The problem is that Xunfeng was hoping to speak to his brother instead of his ruler. When they're alone, Orchid brings this up to DFQC. She says instead of always scolding XF as the Moon Supreme, DFQC needs an intimate gesture to show that he's forgiven.

Unfortunately, DFQC's training was solely in fighting & conquering. He has no idea how to be a person (much less a brother) outside of being the Moon Supreme. Orchid says he should try smiling, but DFQC's attempts are a little unsettling. Orchid gives him some assistance, which only makes him look more ridiculous. After smiling training is done, she suggests that DFQC hug his brother.

But he has no idea how to hug! Orchid opens her arms to show him but accidentally gets too close to his face and embarrasses herself. They're starting to be Conscious of each other and it's so delicious! Back in her Siming Hall replica, Jieli catches Orchid smiling and even calling the Moon Supreme cute.

She praises Orchid's "acting" and says that even she herself was fooled. When Orchid hesitates, JL jumps up.

Orchid denies any real feelings and says that of course she's just acting! But JL's staring unnerves her. She's definitely aware that there's Something There That Wasn't There Before ;)

While this is going down, DFQC is meeting with XF to tell him about how to free the 100k soldiers that are trapped in stasis. He's tracked down the next reincarnation of Chidi Nuzu, who is apparently named Xie Wanqing. He gives XF the order to go to Yunmeng Lake when she is born and take her to Xuanxu Realm. Putting her soul into the Shuofeng Sword will break the seal of the spell. XF is speaking excitedly this entire time and is eager to show his brother what he's capable of.

As he's leaving, Moon Supreme tells him to wait and attempts to put theory into practice. When he raises his hand, XF visibly flinches and seems alarmed. When DFQC's hand comes down on his shoulder, he jumps a bit.

These are two men who are not used to being affectionate with each other and it shows! But the gesture is not lost on XF, especially now that he knows his brother previously had his emotions removed. He manages to smile awkwardly back and then excuses himself. In the background, SQ is grinning like a madman with his teeth showing. That kind of smile is a bit too advanced for Moon Supreme atm.

SQ is happy to act out the encounter for the ladies and Orchid says that DFQC is still shy about showing his emotions to others but the fact that he's trying shows great improvement! The thought of his master making up with his brother delights Shangque, but he is worried about something.

Since Yannu was betrayed by her lover from Shuiyuntian, the two have been mortal enemies. An emotional Moon Supreme is unheard of. Orchid doesn't understand why there must be hatred in the heart of a leader. She says that DFQC is different and JL is on the cusp of calling Orchid's bs when the man himself appears.

Moon Tribe custom dictates that to thank someone, you must apply your own blood to the other person's face. He knew that Orchid wouldn't like real blood, so DFQC replaced it with cinnabar instead. I read up on it and while it's toxic to humans, it's apparently been used in Chinese lacquerware for centuries! Orchid is hesitant, but DFQC insists that this tradition is important because it's the first time he's ever thanked somebody.

Orchid relents and offers her cheek to Moon Supreme. He touches her SO GENTLY that I want to explode!!!!

They are both starting to be more conscious of each other and Orchid seems to be catching real feels. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS TO UNFOLD!!

[historicalasiandramas]

CLJ Recaps

TW: talk of abuse

The opening really sets the scene for what kind of backstory we're gonna get.

Orchid is seen picking a flower and is about to put it in her hair when one of the hunters stops her. The woman says that the white blossoms are called Salt Frost Flowers and are only worn by widows, which is why all the other women are wearing one. There are only women and children in this camp because the husbands and sons who were old enough to fight went away 30,000 years ago and never came back.

Orchid apologizes and uses her magic to reattach the flower to its stem.

"I really hope their families get to come back home, too."

Notice how DFQC is behind her. She spoke softly but the camera zooms in on him after, meaning he definitely heard her. As he's walking through the camp, an old woman recognizes him and calls him, "Moon Supreme." Realizing who he is, all the younger woman bow before him. The old woman does not. DFQC asks why, and she says she will after she gets answers from him. I LIKE THIS WOMAN ALREADY!

Her first question: where the fuck were you the past 30,000 years? She says that Cangyan Sea became a wasteland and her people suffered. I wonder if that was a direct consequence of the war with the fairies or due to Xunfeng's incompetence as a ruler?

The younger woman are aghast at the accusation beg for mercy but Moon Supreme says to let the old woman finish.

So even though everyone else is reacting with fear, this matriarch sees Moon Supreme as someone who was supposed to protect her people. Interesting! She says that she's aware that such open questioning is out of line, but she's old and doesn't care if she dies. She simply wants him to make things right and bring back the soldiers that were sealed by the previous Goddess of War.

Instead of answering her, Moon Supreme stalks off and Orchid follows. She quietly asks why he didn't explain that he didn't mean to abandon his people, but DFQC isn't in the mood to talk about it. Or so he thinks! With the sweetest manipulation, Orchid manages to pry it out of him.

Orchid brings up the story the village elder told of Moon Supreme visiting as a child with his father on a hunting trip in the past. She says she envies him.

We know now that she did have parents, because Lord Liyuan mentioned before that he knew Xiyun's grandmother. Which is why it's so weird that he doesn't recognize Orchid as the reincarnation of Xiyun. Also I know it's part character and part culture, but "I envy you for having parents," is not really something you say to a kid who was abused by a parent.

There's a weird flashback of Old Moon Supreme being nice to DFQC, but tbh I skipped over it. I have no interest in this man or his backstory, but apparently Orchid sees it as a mystery to solve. DFQC scoffs and says, "What's there to envy?"

Orchid vehemently disagrees and says that it's extremely lonely. Moon Supreme reminds her that he said before that love is only a burden. To his shock, Orchid laughs. When he demands why, she says, "You're saying things you don't mean."

Orchid: When I first arrived in Cangyan Sea, everyone said that your rule was absolute. Anyone who offended you for any reason would die. But back there, the old woman scolded you to your face, yet you didn't punish her. I think you were touched by her love and attachment to her family, right?

Orchid says that being unable to bear something implies sympathy and compassion, which are both definitely emotions. But how can that be, since his emotions were removed?

As she suspected, Moon Supreme's Heart Tree is starting to bud! They're just tiny leaves for now, but Orchid is overjoyed. She promised him that she would heal the Tree, and she did! DFQC himself is more shocked than pleased though. Up until now, he's lived his life without these emotions. The recovery of his Heart Tree means that even if the One Heart Curse is lifted, he'll still feel things.

Immediately afterward, DFQC has a nightmare about his father. Unable to sleep, he stands near the fountains and contemplates. Orchid comes to find him and shoves an orchid plant in his face, claiming that it'll help him sleep. He's had enough of her interference though.

DFQC says he had to go through unimaginable suffering in Hell in order to remove his emotions. Now that they're coming back, wasn't it all for nothing? And how would he be able to lead the Moon Tribe?

Since the Moon Tribe and the fairies were on good terms in Yannu's time, I imagine that she wasn't a ruthless leader. Unless that's what Chong Hua was into. I'm not gonna kinkshame ;) Orchid says she just doesn't want to see Moon Supreme in pain, but he blames her for all his recent suffering. He banishes her from his sight and Orchid leaves with tears in her eyes.

After that emotional scene, we get Jieli breaking into the vault. She asks, "You let me in so easily?" And honestly, I'm wondering about that too. There must be a xianxia version of Arcane Lock, surely? Speaking of D&D spells, Jieli literally has a Bag of Holding and she gleefully stuffs it full of treasures. Turns out getting in isn't the tricky part, but getting out is. She's caught by the guards and namedrops Orchid, hoping to be let free.

The scene switches to DFQC telling the servants to take the food away and getting annoyed. Apparently his compassion is recurring, since he sent much of the palace staff away to reunite with their families - including the chef. The new chef wasn't instructed on what Moon Supreme likes.

Shangque senses how on edge his master is and sends the servants out.

The way he leans in to quietly ask this is so kind. DFQC heaves a sigh and tells SQ the truth:

Unfortunately, Moon Supreme can't even enjoy a drink before he's interrupted. The guards who caught Jieli brought her before him to verify her claims of sisterhood with Orchid. SQ reacts with alarm when seeing her, while DFQC is straight up pissed. It was Jieli who helped Orchid attempt escape last time, and Jieli who got Orchid nearly killed.

As she always does when she's scared for her life, JL lies to Moon Supreme's face and says that the things she took were for Orchid's amusement. DFQC has SQ check the contents of her bag.

No Jieli, that's just what makes you happy. Moon Supreme says that if these things make Orchid happy, JL is free to give them to her. He even says that Orchid is free to take anything else she likes. Thinking she's free, JL thanks him profusely. As SQ is packing up her bag, DFQC notices something in it that makes him investigate: a wooden statue.

This triggers a flashback of a younger DFQC crying with his hands raw and bleeding. A woman sits down beside him and comforts him. I thought it was his mother but apparently she was just a servant. I've been watching dramas for over a decade and should've known better XD

Apparently, his father told him to carry an iron sword but the iron cut into his skin and made him bleed. While wiping his hands, the maidservant says that carrying an iron sword makes him a man - an Iron Blood Warrior of the Moon Tribe. She shows him a carved figure of Yannu with her sword and lets him carve his own. Apparently, the young crown prince is so talented at woodwork that he could even become a carpenter.

He brightens up briefly, before remembering his duty and this scene happens:

He seems upset about the idea. The maid asks, "You don't want to become Moon Supreme?"

The maid is satisfied with this passionate answer and says that regardless of what DFQC becomes in life, he has to be a strong person with convictions like that. She then tells the story of Yannu, the founder of the Moon Tribe. Yannu led their ancestors across Memory Loss River to Cangyan Sea.

The maid tells the young prince to look closer at the figure at her scars, which are tokens of her glory. She says that DFQC will be like Yannu someday, leading his people to victory. She says that the cuts on his hands will be his first scar. We return to the present where DFQC is fiddling with his ring.

SQ recognizes this behavior and immediately says that he'll take JL out of DFQC's sight and interrogate her himself.

Unfortunately, being caused to remember things has put Moon Supreme in a bad mood. He tells SQ to kill Jieli. SQ then begs to be punished in JL's stead, because they Bonded earlier. This is the first time Shangque has openly disobeyed Moon Supreme, and he's not happy. He throws SQ against the wall and uses magic to lift the axe of the guard who brought JL in.

Orchid rushes in to shield JL with her body at the last second, and he has to stop the axe. He was a fraction of a second too slow, and cuts Orchid. The same mark appears on his own wrist. He tells her to move aside, but Orchid refuses.

On the one hand, Jieli did cheat & use Orchid. On the other hand, she was the only one who was able to infiltrate the palace and help her escape. I like her as a character but I really don't see JL as having friends. Moon Supreme is infuriated that he was disobeyed AGAIN, but he doesn't have time to say anything further cuz apparently Xunfeng is yelling in his cell about paying respects to their father. He storms off leaving the three alone.

JL collapses on the ground and then stares at Orchid, who asks why Jieli is looking at her like that.

She's lied, cheated, and stolen, but JL has never had someone stand up for her like that before. She thinks she's unworthy and thus thinks Orchid is foolish for caring about someone other than herself.

And then we go to the brothers. XF is tied up and kneeling on the ground. DFQC berates him saying, "How dare you pay respects to Father after doing something so stupid." He's referring to the attempted coup, of course. He's unfazed by Xunfeng's declaration of wanting to kill him, probably because that's their normal.

What he can't forgive is secretly working with the Lord of Haishi City (Rong Hao) and endangering his own people. So the Soul Transformation Cauldron used the souls of fairies AND Moon Tribe members! Yikes, Xunfeng. At first he's fiesty and tells DFQC to just kill him instead of bothering to list his sins.

DFQC says: "You're my brother. You should know better than anyone that I don't need a reason to kill someone." That seems to shut him up. XF then admits that Rong Hao never told him where the concentrated evil came from. He then says that even though he hates his brother, he would never put their people at risk on purpose.

And then he says exactly what I said before: if XF wasn't so blinded by revenge, he would've seen that he was being manipulated clear as day. A man who hides his face and uses evil spirits is def not one to trust. He has a fascinating face journey that I should probably gif.

He then says that their father favored DFQC and devoted his life to his eldest son. It certainly seemed like that in the first flashback when he was younger. But as soon as he was old enough, a sword was shoved in his hand. DFQC also seems to think that it was Xunfeng who was favored.

Emotions get the best of Xunfeng and he demands (again) to know why his brother would kill their father just to become Moon Supreme? DFQC's upper lip curls in disgust.

It's unlikely that Xunfeng was aware of the horrific abuse that DFQC had to go through. He probably idolized both his father and older brother as a child. Tensions are running high between the brothers now, but DFQC regains control to make the execution announcement.

Death by lightning. Interesting! He also switches bodies with Orchid if they kiss when there's lightning. I'm sure that she will not interfere at all with the killing of your brother :)

SQ suggests delaying the execution since three days from now is the death anniversary of Old Moon Supreme. He JUST said that he doesn't consider that dude to be his father. Catch up, Shangque! DFQC really said, "You want me to be the bad guy? Fine!"

We then cut back to the girls and Jieli asks why Orchid can't heal herself, since that's kinda her thing.

Maybe Orchid just needs to start thinking of people as more complicated plants! JL offers her a potion to help, but Orchid refuses and says that she can't keep buying things on credit. Even after selflessly saving Jieli's life, Orchid is still aware that she's a businesswoman (derogatory) first and a person second.

JL says it's a gift rather reluctantly and Orchid is astounded. Could it be that Jieli is starting to do things without profit in mind?! Orchid comments that it's strange that DFQC would be angry about a wooden statue and JL says she spoke to Shangque about it.

Of course he did! Why keep a milf around if she's a positive influence on your son, right? You gotta teach him that emotions are bad and that you're doing him a favor by removing them. I literally do not care about a single one of that fucker's motives. More importantly, Orchid hears about Xunfeng's execution sentence.

She goes to see DFQC and asks about the trial. He reveals that XF was tricked by the Lord of Haishi. She begs him to reconsider killing his brother, even using his proper title.

She says that they're family, but DFQC once again says that Xunfeng's only family is their dead father. Orchid asks if Old Moon Supreme ever loved his son, as though that absolves him of being a shitty father. As usual, Orchid forgets herself and tries to fix something that doesn't need fixing.

And since DFQC's emotions are recovering he lashes out, making the flames rise with his anger. He reveals that his father doted on XF but no matter what DFQC did, he could never please his father. Apparently DFQC showed signs that he was gifted enough to wield hellfire, but even then his father wasn't proud of his son.

This is DFQC at his most villainous and it's justified. He's angry that he did everything his father wanted, suffered through so much abuse, and yet now even Orchid is saying, "Maybe it was you and not him?" The flames die down when he sees how earnestly Orchid is looking at him. She was initially afraid and held up her hands to shield her face from the fire, but she was still listening to him.

Unfortunately she didn't actually hear him. Orchid insists that there must be another explanation. DFQC makes a grand speech about how he was only a tool for his father and that it was laughable that something he risked his life to remove is now back.

Shangque and Jieli both tell her later that Orchid is only making Moon Supreme more agitated and that she should stop. The ep ends with her asking SQ to tell her everything about the day DFQC killed his father.

Tbh I'm really annoyed by this arc. I know it's plot relevant but I really do not want to sit through several more eps of everyone else justifying DFQC's abuse. I'm glad that he's angry about it! I'M angry for him about it! But I will press on.

[naughtynanzhu]

there's been multiple people I've seen completely miss or overlook that part. and obviously torturing your son in any situation is wrong and fucked up but also there were... not a lot of options and the situation was way bigger than both of them.

I think it also has to do with the black and white morality mindset that goes on around here. the thing about high fantasy and insane shit like this is that it's extremely hard to judge from our own reality. people might say they'd NEVER make that choice but there's also nothing in our day to day lives thats even close to something like that, so how do you know what you'd do? it's a tragic situation and it's supposed to be, that's the whole point. they took a father and put him in the worst possible spot and he had to make a terrible decision.

anyways it was an extremely fucked up situation with extremely fucked up choices (do that to your son or watch your entire tribe die) and neither choice is right.

even though the whole situation with dfqc being tortured out of his emotions is a terrible scenario, the only thing worse would've been him going through it repeatedly for the rest of his immortal life.

every now and then, someone with piss on the poor comprehension comes along and truly believes the first moon supreme chose to die bc he was a coward and not bc dfqc would've suffered more if he lived... like did y'all miss where he said if dfqc hadn't killed him, he'd have to keep going through that torture over and over again the rest of his life to stay that way? and if he hadn't met xiao lanhua, he absolutely would've wanted to continue being emotionless bc he really believed that was the only way to be a strong leader. he would've done that trial thousands of times thinking it was the only way to protect the moon tribe

[cloudyysworld]

Girly pop really tell the most dangerous man in the world to go touch grass and let her sleep in peace, she snapped "You think you are special because you are stronger than me? EVERYONE IN THIS REALM ARE STRONGER THAN ME MF" at him when he threatened her, iconic behavior fr

Feeling so full of love for Xiao Lanhua tonight. Like, what a fucking character. She’s 10 pounds of mischief in a 5 pound bag. Her approach to life is ‘fuck around and find out’. No one is as balls to the wall as she is. “Then do it” is her regular response to people literally trying to kill her. Her first scheme was to drug DFQC and her second was “I need to get struck by lightning.” It took her multiple months to admit she had feelings for DFQC, then all of 3 days after to propose to him. Hands down the funniest arc in the whole show was people trying to break up her and DFQC, as though she hasn’t spent the ENTIRE SHOW being the most obstinate and stubborn person in the world, even more than The Bitchiest Bitch To Bitch (DFQC). She really said ‘what if I was full of chaos but cute about it’ and she IS and it’s WONDERFUL