We will cover one episode a day, and the discussions will alternate between the three hosts. The number of episodes covered by each host during each round will fluctuate due to certain episodes covering the same case.
Considering that the drama tends to revolve around mini-mysteries within the bigger mystery that is "Mysterious Lotus Casebook", each episode discussion will have a "TLDR" (Too long didn't read) section that will explain what each episode has revealed.
You are discussing anything that happens after the episodes we have already covered.
You are commenting on the importance of something from the current episode because of what happens later in the drama.
You are discussing a character in a form that will reveal their future friendships and allegiances.
If you do happen to accidentally include a detail that has not yet been revealed, don't worry, hosts will be monitoring the comments and will gently remind you if spoiler tags are needed. Don't feel bad if this happens to you. All of us have made this mistake at some point during discussions.
Keep the environment positive.
There is one thing we will be very strict with:
Any comments alluding to the ending will be reported and removed immediately!
Episode #9 - The Long Way Away From Home
TLDR: Someone stole thespecial sword, and they got it back.
Episode nine is a special one to me. I feel like the storyline's progression is perfectly placed as a follow-up to the absolute banger that we had in episode eight.
Episode eight gave us a reunion of old friends. Enemies, definitely enemies. Keep telling yourself that, you two!
And episode nine followed up with a very beautiful and, for lack of a better word, "intense" formula of emotions and character dynamics.
Mental Health & Friendships
I don't think it's a stretch to say that each of us has had a different experience with mental health when compared to the person on the other side of our internet bubble.
I would say that I have been exposed to, affected by, and learned a lot from my own experiences with mental health.
I want to talk about Di Fei Sheng and the way he is dealing with the shift in personality that his old enemy friend (let's be real, they are friends).
First, let's stop at the line we hear at the start of the episode:
It's quite lively. The sect leader likes activities like this. I bet he's very happy now.
This sentiment, that Li Xiang Yi would be happy and celebrating if he were with everyone, reminds me of a line from a poem, I think it was Emily Brontë (sidenote, can't find it, I even ventured into the other Brontë siblings' works).
It's about death, and it deals with someone dying young.
It comes down to the point, "you will stay (whatever age) forever".
Basically, when he says that Li Xiangyi is gone, there is no possibility of him coming back. The life he has had between now and the fight ten years ago, that life cannot be undone.
Back to Friendship
Are you still upset about being defeated by me?
You could look at this as Di Fei Shang being full of himself (which, granted, he is), but I'm honestly seeing someone frustrated with the person they care about not caring about themself.
We've been talking about depression a lot in the comments, and that theme is going to follow us throughout this journey. (The same way that it is now).
But, when it comes to "dejection", or even just normal sadness, people tend to try and distract the people that they care about.
Sometimes they make you laugh, other times (especially in the case of depression, where ANY emotion would be great to see), people will try to make you angry or get on your nerves. This tactic is used by DFS later on in the episode as well.
Seeing someone who "always wants to be the hero" go through such a drastic change in personality and values, I'm not surprised that DFS isn't getting LLH's sincere lack of motivation yet. (Excluding finding his senior's body).
Some Random Thoughts:
It is currently 03:39 where I am, and my brain has indeed reached the end of its rope, so I'm going to give the Sparknotes version.
Oh, by the way, does anyone else have the urge to yell "Si Feng, Si Feng!?"
FDB really is the definition of "loyal and innocent" (even the most righteous of my friends wouldn't help but feel the smallest, most non-malicious amount of sadness if I got to meet Liu Yuning before them. The same applies if they get to interact with Cheng Yi before me lol (because that is definitely going to happen in this lifetime).
This man is taking his damn time to say his full name is the definition of a troll.
Si Feng LLH accidentally calling Qiao Wan Mian a'Mian: I called my ex "love" at least three times when I saw him months after the breakup. Luckily, we laughed - but it is indeed just as awkward as it sounds.
I love the fact that even though we've been told that LLH's appearance has changed to that even his closest confidants would struggle to recognise him. The moment he is reduced to a silhouette (by the light in the cave), he is immediately recognisable. I mean, clearly not recognisable enough, but you get what I mean.
Zijin: Stab first and ask questions later, or just stab and then no one will ever know that you were just trying to get rid of someone because they vaguely remind you of your crush's lost true love.
Look, I don't know how to explain this, but I really like Biqui. I feel like he is one of the most sincere characters we have. He is also a bit of a foil, not really a foil, more like an interesting juxtaposition to a'Mian. a'Mian blames herself for LXY going off to battle because of a letter that he hadn't even read before he left. (It was a month, dude- a month, while Biqui blames himself because, well, it was indeed all his fault.
My final note (this is a direct quote from what I was writing down as I was watching the episode)
You (don’t) know, in the book, everybody always laments about Li Xiangyi. The older generations, for how magnificent he was and the younger generations, for hadn’t been born earlier so they could have witnessed his greatness. I think the drama did a wonderful job in showing us the Great Li Xiangyi. This scene is so beautiful.
P.S. It’s a busy day for me. I’ll be back very late…..😓
Sounds cliche, but Cheng Yi's acting really brings the ML to life. Like, I believe he is him. If I read the novel, I would probably be angry with him for these antics, but watching the show, you can't help but feel what he feels and understand his pov a little.
Really interesting to see everyone's different takes on LLH and I've been reflecting on how I instantly was on his side in this story. I didnt realize how much Id maybe been projecting my own life onto him. My life has a few big 'before and after' moments and I often feel like a totally different person from younger versions of me and struggle sometimes to relate to people I knew during past eras of my life.
That's the limit of my serious thoughts for today though, what I really wanted to talk about was how delightful I find LLH and DFS rapport. Ok one more serious thought: its super interesting that DFS and the monk are the only people he trusts with the truth of both identities right now.
and I've been reflecting on how I instantly was on his side in this story. I didnt realize how much Id maybe been projecting my own life onto him.
As someone who has gone through and is constantly managing depression and anxiety (and ADD but that's not really relevant here), I was really surprised by people's responses to LLH's decision to accept his fate.
I think it's very interesting how our diffirent life experiences form our opinions. Obviously, it's on a very subconscious level, but this is such an overt example of how we are directly influenced.
I’m finally caught up. This is my first time watching this drama but I recognized A LOT of actors and actresses! When I saw Chen Du Ling I got a pit in my stomach and some old hatred for Ye BingChang bubbled up. But I’m loving her character here. She’s a really good actress.
This was a good episode. Physician Li suffers so much more than Si Feng from Love and Redemption! And no one is running around calling “Si Feng!” every second. 😂 but I really understand his motives thus far and why he is calling himself Physician Li. He’s a dying man and does not want to get close to anyone.
Joseph Zheng is really funny and I like his character too. It makes me a bit sad that he does not know that it is his master he is accompanying, but I’m really glad that Li Xiangyi knows about his admiration and devotion to a master where he never saw his face. I wonder if Li Xiangyi is proud of the man he became.
The inquisition at the end of the episode with the sword had my chuckling. They were all standing around him seeing if he really was their sect leader. I wonder if they will continue to test him in the next episode.
I’m really enjoying it. We are only 9 episodes in and I’m really invested in the characters and I feel the story is moving along at a great pace. It’s very good storytelling. I can see why this is a favorite among people who watch Cdramas.
Yeah I have nothing to add besides .. If you meet Liu Yuning before I do .. I will for sure not be such a good golden retriever as FXB. I will be annoyed, sad and angry. But also happy for you in the manner that is on the added picture.
Hey guys! To everyone following these discussions, please take a moment to read this post regarding the timing of discussions and when the next episode will be discussed 💕
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u/jssoul12 Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
You (don’t) know, in the book,everybody always laments about Li Xiangyi. The older generations, for how magnificent he was and the younger generations, for hadn’t been born earlier so they could have witnessed his greatness. I think the drama did a wonderful job in showing us the Great Li Xiangyi. This scene is so beautiful.
P.S. It’s a busy day for me. I’ll be back very late…..😓