#zhuo yichen

[haifoct]

The one who couldn't be blinded, the one who helped Li Lun see.

[his-catness-tchalla]

#top ten anime betrayals

Fangs of Fortune ep.07

[fiftysevenacademics]

I think one of the reasons all the emotions hit so hard in Fangs of Fortune is the way hard, bitter feelings and violent actions are layered with softness and gentleness. All the main characters (except Ying Lei, who is just pure, soft sunshine), are hung up on rough feelings of grief, revenge, and remorse, betrayal. But each of them is willing to surrender those feelings, which for each of them have grown into a kind of mission, to let tenderness in. This gradually changes them.

The tenderness is shown through so many devices: touch, gaze, play and humor, frank and intimate conversation. It’s also shown through costumes:textured and soft textiles, fur, fluffy pom poms, velvet, that invite touch. Zhao Yuanzhou’s costume in his final scenes is the epitome of this– somber and solid-looking material on one side and a fuzzy white knit textile on the other to signify duality. In this case, the firmness of purpose, making amends, the inevitability of fate on the harder black right side, and the small choices we make to connect with and touch the lives of others on the soft white left.

The soundtrack music also conveys softness. Lead actors Hou Minghao and Tian Jiarui, especially, use incredibly soft, wavering voices to sing haunting ballads that sound like laments and lullabies. But there is also some harder rock music used during fight scenes to balance the dreamlike overall effect.

This all helps convey the theme that though none of the characters can escape what fate has chosen for them, they don’t need to let it harden them. Each has suffered great losses, each knows they will suffer more, but they remain pliable and willing toward each other.

I thought it was interesting that forgiveness wasn’t really a theme. There wasn’t a moment when Wen Xiao and Zhuo Yichen forgave Zhao Yuanzhou in order to love him. In fact, they held him accountable for his past actions until the end but loved him nonetheless. Zhuo Yichen showed his love by taking on the guilt of killing the man he loved, a death that both repaid a debt and saved the world and left him bereft and alone. Wen Xiao showed her love by tearing up the contract and releasing him to both be her lover and to die.

To live with duality, one must be flexible (a point made overtly in the swing scene). The characters that cannot do this, that rigidify on one side of the balance, are the villains. Wen Zongyu, who sealed himself inside hatred of demons after they killed his wife, and Li Lun, who sealed him inside hatred of humans, and a sense of betrayal by Zhao Yuanzhou for loving them. In the end, however, Li Lun, softens and releases the love that remains in his heart to save Zhao Yuanzhou and Zhuo Yichen. These characters live with contradictions and ambiguities.

So the main male characters become better, nobler men not by doing great, or violently masculine deeds, but by letting the softer, gentler, one might even say somewhat feminine side of their natures direct their actions.

[qpjianghu]

sometimes a family consists of two depressed demons, a weepy goddess, a possessed child prodigy, a silly mountain god, and an archer lady, and I think that's beautiful

[kandadze]

(Haven't started a rewatch yet but I live there now anyway, so-)

I just realized how the half-forced healing ZYZ did for ZYC in ep 4 seems to be a foreshadowing of the trajectory of their relationship as a whole, including their final moments in ep 34.

In ep 4, at this particular moment in the story, ZYC initially moves his hand away from ZYZ'S - he has every reason to believe that he doesn't need ZYZ's help, and he sure as heck doesn't want the demon in his personal space, much less *touching* him. When ZYZ gently but firmly reaches for him again, grasping his hand, ZYC still shows signs of resistance - that jaw clench, that feeble attempt at withdrawing - but he pretty much lets the healing happen, as if resigned to the fact that he's not strong enough to put up a real fight at this point.

But then (and on my first watch I paused the vid and started enthusiastically pointing the very fact out, loudly, no doubt freaking out my neighbors), once the healling is done and ZYZ makes a move to release ZYC, it is our swordsman who has to *uncurl his fingers first* to let ZYZ's hand go.

Now we all know how the turntables and in the following episodes, while ZYZ keeps helping and supporting ZYC in various ways, ZYC is the one to start repeatedly offering his hand to the demon in turn (the only instance I can think of in which he actually got a hold of ZYZ's hand first instead of just offering was when he wrapped his fingers around ZYZ's to prevent the casting of the one-word spell in the Bingyi cave).

As we reach ep 34, we have a tragic mirror of what happened in ep 4 (no pretty gifs of that scene exist, afaik, please point me in the right direction if I'm wrong). This time, ZYC is hurt in a way that can't be healed. This time, he wants and needs ZYZ to just *be* there, to stay. And ZYZ simply reaches out, waiting for ZYC to meet him halfway - because this time, he won't override ZYC's resistance, no matter how gently. It is now ZYC's decision to grasp the demon's hand. And it is ZYC's decision to then release ZYZ - in the most devastating meaning of the word - before ZYZ can make a move to let go.

[darknutmeg]

ALSO, the level of on screen chemistry these two had is something I am going to sing about until the end of time. GAH.

I hope they work together again someday.

(the acting in this scene was off the charts.)

[cageyworld]

An observation (and maybe why this storyline is resonating with me right now):

Bing Yi and Zhuo Yichen faced the very same terrible fate, each pushed by external forces into having no real choice at all.

Bing Yi (understandably) despaired and refused to act.

But in his despair and inaction, he couldn’t see the sliver of opportunity for hope and a happier ending that Zhuo Yichen found. Zhuo Yichen grieved, but he refused despair and inaction.

He refused the idea that he had no power at all to change fate.

[dramashutup]

That scene of Zhuo beating Zhuyan repetitively with the branch should be in the final episode at the end actually, or maybe in the extra episode? Yh

A fix it! Then we pan out to the credits rolling

Edit : either way he dies, this way it's just...funnier yknow

[zhuoyichenpretty]

Eps 34-35

Not many photos here because anything I screenshot in these eps would literally just give me psychic damage at this point (-:

Spoilers under the cut!

Ep 34:

I'm being so brave watching this fucking opening scene again.

No actually though I've watched it several times by now and it just keeps getting worse. What can one even say about all this? Ow??? Fuck???

Probably the most gruesome onscreen death of a child character in cdrama that I've seen like I didn't know they could even go there like that. I guess maybe because it's not gory or specifically violent? Idk the rules but man. His expression.

The way they play TJR singing their song and then switch to LZY's version. Maximum pain thank you guys.

ZYC's "I'm sorry" is so damn loaded. For not being there, for failing to protect him, but also for being the reason Bai Jiu made this decision. For giving Bai Jiu someone to love and protect and die for. For unknowingly and inadvertently causing this just by loving him and being loved by him. ZYC's remorse and regret as he makes the connections and pieces together Bai Jiu's thought process is so fucking haunting. Just the most awful way for his own words of comfort to come back. And like I'd commented previously—the way love begets grief.

I'm going to kms I knew when they put yet another cloak on ZYC that he'd be giving it to someone else but NO!!! Not like this oh my god

"哥帶你回家" (Ge will take you home) I don't even have the words for how painful this is. Is this the first time ZYC refers to himself as ge? Not just acknowledging that Bai Jiu's made an older brother of him? If not, it's certainly the most salient.

Both actors' skills can hardly be questioned atp (like, that's a damn difficult expression to die with), but I just have to marvel at the way TJR's acting (his micro-expressions!!!) is at once subtle and incredibly clear. That ZYC's every emotion is clearly telegraphed—his shock, his horror, his anguish, his regret, his desperation, his exhaustion—but so naturally done.

ZYC struggling with the weight of Bai Jiu's body and dropping it, on top of paralleling the flashback, is just so terrible in its reality. ZYC must already be so incredibly drained after that final battle. To have gone through such an unspeakable loss, to carry it on his back and find himself unable to even properly do that, to protect what's left of Bai Jiu from the mundanity of physical damage.

WX's dad nooooo you're leaving her to ZYZ but ZYZ's not planning on staying either nooooo

Are we sure the magic rain couldn't have saved WX's dad tho ):

WX don't tell ZYZ your self-sacrificial plan there's no way he'd let you go through with it girl!!! You gotta pull a ZYC and be vague as fuck and make sure everyone's feet are frozen to the ground so they can't stop you

ZYZ backing away after using the spell on WX, slapping himself when he nearly can't get himself to go through with dying. Good shit. But also my god I'm so sorry WX what a fucking traumatic ten minutes will anyone give her a fucking break? Living at any cost, at the cost of her beloved dying several feet away from her, yet another manifestation of her trauma with Zhao Wan'er, and knowing it's about to happen, begging to be given a say—cruel. PSJ has been offscreen for forever just because plot convenience (which, in itself, already sucks) but if she were here she would kill ZYZ herself for putting WX through this and the rain would just be a bonus.

The Cloud Light Sword stained with blood to the point it looks unfamiliar—good shit.

ZYC's fucking voice when he asks if there's any other choice. Art, I tell you.

Fucking hell. The twist on their fate being ZYC choosing it rather than being forced into it, to absolve ZYZ of the cruelty he's had to bear responsibility for in doing this to his loved ones. Zhiji was not misapplied in this damn story—ZYC understands and he understands over and over because who else could do this for ZYZ? To find one last way to lighten his burden in such a conflicting and complicated and impossible situation. To know exactly what must be hurting ZYZ and to bear the weight instead and to make sure he knows full well that's what's happening. For ZYC to take that hurt upon himself, entirely upon himself. The way that ZYC dealing the killing blow is actually the furthest thing from a moment of hardening his own heart, that it's in fact the height of his soft-heartedness. And how much that must hurt. Pain.

Also, imo ZYC making it purely his choice at the last moment is so clearly and specifically for ZYZ. Not for anyone else's sake, and precisely against his own and WX's wishes. Upon knowing ZYZ's commitment to death in this moment, whatever else happening has been made secondary. He is giving ZYZ all that he has left to give—fulfilling ZYZ's sacrificial determination, carrying out ZYZ's will to save the people, absolving ZYZ's guilt at what it's taken to get here.

(Totally tangential but I referenced AOT in my last post so I figured I'd make further reference: if anyone's familiar with Eruri—I'm somewhat reminded of Levi's choice. Being the only one with the power to save or let their loved one die. Choosing death for them, on their behalf, perhaps a decision opaque and counterintuitive to the rest of the world but completely and utterly made out of love and an inimitable understanding of the man they love. The most painfully and unimaginably selfless act, to give them peace at the cost of their own suffering.)

"小卓，你還是這麼..." (Xiao Zhuo, you're still so...) Oh this line kills me (ha). I love that it's unfinished. That it encapsulates ZYZ's surprise, his understanding and gratitude, and ultimately this sense of marveling at the man in front of him and what he's given ZYZ even now, at the very end. It tells me ZYZ recognizes ZYC's choice for what it is: the utmost act of a soft-hearted and boundless love that sees through him completely. Zhiji indeed.

The way ZYZ has unfulfilled promises with both WX and ZYC, the way they both call him a liar—good shit.

When I didn't know there was an episode 35 (or special episode I guess) I was boutta throw hands like what do you MEAN that's it??

Ep 35:

I do love a good hair-turning-white-from-grief trope (': But man, white hair like that at 24/25........Also though PSJ and WX finally have more noticeably different styling/silhouettes yayy they look gorgeous

God, but I can't bear looking at how small their group is now.

Searching all the mountains and seas, all 28 mountains in the Wilderness. ZYC, that kind of devotion...I really feel the need to echo ZYZ here, you're really so...

ZYC looking like ZYZ from behind because of his hair......ZYC's hand shaking holding Bai Jiu's bell............................

Also I'm really glad (I say this through tears) because I saw Bai Jiu didn't have his bell in ep 33/34 and I was like ??

Ah, are you kidding me I thought the pain was more or less over what do you mean Bai Jiu wants ZYC to 勿想勿念 [wù xiǎng wù niàn] (don't think of, don't miss)?? The way 不念不响 [bù niàn bù xiǎng] is literally the title of ZYC's character song, which then plays in the bg ('''':

(I can't really tell how well the subs explain it or how it comes across in translation so apologies if this context isn't necessary but the characters in the song title say "don't read, don't ring," but the character for "ring" is a homophone for "think of" and the character for "read" can also mean "miss." Missing someone/something is "想念" [xiǎng niàn]. Bai Jiu tells ZYC not to miss him through homophonous terms—a book he can't read, a bell that can't ring—and the song title is directly referencing that.) What an elaborate way to hurt me.

Bai Jiu really pulled a ZYC though with a box full of hurt/comfort just like ZYC had left WX

Ohhh the way WX's narration turns into ZYC's?? Honestly this drama's commitment to canonizing ZYC's love for ZYZ to the same level as WX's is really gratifying. And ZYC talking about a bone-deep sadness after ZYZ died. The parallel of baby!ZYC in front of the pond. I especially love the mention of ZYZ's age in comparison to ZYC's, these glimpses of the perspective ZYC has gained with hindsight. The distance of time and reflection and yet the unmistakable fondness and love. It is in part healing to hear.

Also imo ZYC if the scene chosen for ZYZ's POV of you is accurate I'd wager he saw you not as some angry child but as the pinnacle of humanity's beautiful bleeding heart.

ZYZ said it before right? That every human emotion is important? Well ZYC really has been constantly feeling the entire range of human emotion this whole drama lmao

Why yes I do think I need a heartwrenching MV-style montage of all the tragedies of this story that ultimately offers bittersweet catharsis and closure as the OST narrates about searching for someone and finding them in the end. Just what the doctor prescribed tyvm

WX saying ZYZ's final wish was to 落葉歸根 (translated as returning home, literally translates to "fallen leaves return to their root," implies returning home after a long time) the way humans do and ZYZ's soul literally being on a leaf of paper (which kinda sorta works in CN as well since "leaf" and "page" are homophonous) that, carried by the wind, returns to ZYC?? Home??? Are you joking bc I'm sobbing.

Gonna have to use this photo again bc literally how else do I describe how I'm feeling rn?

And that's a fucking wrap. I'm so. I don't even. Wow. Maybe in another couple of business days I'll throw together a brief review of the show as a whole, but right now I'm gonna drown myself in other people's metas and gifs and fics as god intended. Thank you as always for spending the time on my silly ramblings and I hope you enjoyed the ride!

[haifoct]

What do you expect me to understand? Me.

[his-catness-tchalla]

Zhao Yuanzhou. I'll definitely find the shred of your soul that I extracted myself. I'll search every mountain and sea in both the mortal world and the Wilderness.

Fangs of Fortune ep.34 extra

[silver-and-stars]

Oh, so you overcame the grief of losing your father and brother? Then SUFFER SOME MORE!!

[randomingoftherandomness]

Can I request a fic where Yichen is angry/sulky at Zhuyan and Zhuyan try so hard to coax him? Cue the others teasing Zhuyan relentlessly. Cute stuff.

Xiao Jiu looks at the scene in front of him, then looks over at the two jiejie quietly sniggering into their hands, and then to Ying Lei on the other side of him whose shoulders are shaking with the effort of not laughing out loud. He shakes his head, then looks back down at the courtyard where their great demon is currently tailing their family's commander around, gesturing and pleading.

"Do I... Want to know?" He asks, waving his hands at the show of Zhao Yuanzhou chasing after Xiao Zhuo gege with what looks like an ever-changing bouquet of flowers in his arms that shifts from orchids to daisies, and then for some reason, the brightest blooms that couldn't have been natural for the season.

"Zhao Yuanzhou is coaxing his little wife." Wen Xiao jiejie says around a little giggle.

Ying Lei huffs. "Are you sure he's coaxing his little wife and not outright begging his husband to not make him sleep on the floor tonight?"

In the courtyard, the demon has sweetly started to pinch at Xiao Zhuo's sleeve, tugging as he conjures a flurry of birds to sing around them.

Only to be met with a sharp scowl.

"Ah, it's actually working." Wen Xiao gasps.

Working? Xiao Jiu frowns and squints down at where Xiao Zhuo gege has begun hitting Zhao Yuanzhou with the flowers, kicking up a storm fall of petals that rain down around the couple.

The demon does not even move away from the hits and remains smiling as he lets the demon hunter destroy his gift. Feeling a shudder down his spine, Xiao Jiu shakes his head when in the next moment he sees the demon climb into the commander's arms.

He thinks he'll never understand adult relationships.

[tantai-jin]

有你的方向; the road home

❄️ 大梦归离 fangs of fortune

❄️ zhao yuanzhou/zhuo yichen (but very light, could probably be read as gen)

❄️ 5.1k, rated g

❄️ postcanon extension/sorta fix-it — an extension of the implications of the extra

❄️ zhuo yichen searches, then waits and waits

He saw himself in Zhao Yuanzhou’s manor again, veiled in hazy sunlight and falling petals. Laughter rang in the distance, mixing with the clinking of wine jars and a soft tinkle of bells, but he stood by the empty swing. Zhao Yuanzhou gripped the rope and pushed it slowly, carrying a rare weight of somberness; Zhuo Yichen wanted to scoop the feeling into his hands and crush it into dust.

Let’s go eat with the others, he wanted to say. You haven’t seen them for a long time. Doesn’t it hurt to have such a long dream all alone? Is it better there than it would be with me?

link on ao3

[ompred-blog]

It’s just a photo.

The photo in question…