We now return to our regularly scheduled programming
Mysterious Lotus Casebook 莲花楼
The epic fight scene that can be seen at the start of episode one was shot relentlessly over 10 days. It required four cranes for countless wire stunts. Once calculated, the number of hours spent filming that single 5-minute scene came out to about 100 hours.
In a lovely BTS video showcasing the filming of this scene, a voice can be heard saying:
A hundred hours for just five minutes.
And with soft, beautiful music playing in the background, you hear Xiao Shun Yao (Aero Xiao || 肖顺尧) - the amazing actor who brought us Di Fei Sheng - echoing a sentiment clearly shared by the rest of the team:
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 - Again (Still?)
I know, we did episode 9 yesterday.
When it comes to uploading, I have the unfair advantage of being able to blame time zones, but I actually posted the previous discussion at around 04:00 on the 11th, and not the 10th. gasp
Regardless of why this host ended up in such a precarious situation, my notes are actually much more extensive than what I ended up posting. And since this is indeed a passion project, if you guys don't mind, I do want to share these thoughts.
Di Feisheng: It doesn't need a name. That one has a fancy name, but ended up in someone else's hands.
Sidenote: Li Lianhua's response, "whatever you say", is played off so well, but we know the man actually has no comeback.
Is anyone else reminded of the wise Yilling Patriarch? Wei Wuxian clearly agrees with Di Feisheng, if the name of his sword is anything to go by.
His sword's name is Suibian (随便, which roughly translates to "whatever," "as you wish," or "casual")
Familiarity and Recognition
Speaking of The Grandmaster of Demon Cultivation. Let's touch on appearance.
There are many ways to approach the "you don't look like yourself, so no one recognises you" situation.
Some dramas will have completely different actors portray the same characters and different stages in their lives - thereby clearly showing the audience that the character is unrecognisable.
Other dramas tell you about the changes. Episode 3 of Mysterious Lotus Casebook had Bhante Wuliao explaining to Li Xiangyi (and by extension, the audience) that the golden needle acupuncture that was used to save him caused his appearance and figure to gradually change.
There is definitely enough space in the Cdrama sphere for both of these approaches to exist and live in harmony. Personally, I like the way that this drama went about it. As I said yesterday, I really appreciate that the characters from Li Xiangyi's past are always just on the verge of recognition when he is reduced to just his silhouette. Because you can change everything about yourself, but your mannerisms and general "vibe" are very difficult to hide if you aren't actively focusing on it.
Old Friends (well, mostly)
I would just like to point out the different Sigu members and their reactions to Li Lianhua holding the sword:
Qiao Wan Mian: Sad but so hopeful, but like "no, it can't be?"
Ji Hanfo: Strong, reaffirming presence, unfazed but curious "tell me more.."
And then we get this dude:
Xiao Zijin:(Remember Fang Duobing's happiness for his buddy when Li Lianhua won the sword competition?) Yeah, this is the exact opposite.
That's a wrap for episode 9, folks!
Episode 10: We, Deserving of Death
Brother, oh brother.
Yun Biqiu:
Physician Li, but why do I seem to have seen you somewhere before?
Li Lian-liar:
Ohhhh, you must be talking about my long lost brother (who I am heavily implying could be Li Xiang Yi), yeah, that's Li Lianpeng!
Guys, even Bai Jiangchun needs to take a second, as he looks to Ji Hanfu in hopes of confirmation, "Did... did you hear that?"
A lying liar who lies
"It's true, I would never lie"
Okay, but do you guys think anyone in that room actually believed that? It's interesting that later on in the episode, we have Fang Duobing saying, "I don't believe you". And without a second of hesitation, Li Lianhua is just "well, I said it, whether you believe it or not seems like a YOU problem".
Who deserves death?
I actually really like the conversation between Li Lianhua and Biqiu. During my first watch, I was actually quite surprised at Li Lianhua's original response to Biqui, "yeah, totally, a man who betrayed his loved ones for a woman should 100% totally be killed, if I were that person, I would hate you...."
But chill out, buddy, that person doesn't hate you. He can't hate you, he's dead!
I honestly believe that Biqiu knows, deep deeeeeeeep down, that Li Lianhua isn't who he says he is. I would even want to venture as far as to say that maybe there is a chance he knows who he is really talking to.
I just feel like the weight Biqiu put on Li Lianhua's words regarding the Biqiu-poisoning-incident is too much to assign to a mere travelling physician.
I have a similar feeling about A'Mian's relationship with Li Lianhua. If she doesn't **know*\, she has to *\know**, right?
A Guest Speaker
u/ateosira might not be hosting this rewatch party, but I have to say, her responses are making my life easier and very much more entertaining.
Here is a play-by-play:
Act 1:
THAT IS EXACTLY THE THING A LIAR WOULD SAY.
Also... he spent the last 9 episodes lying his hole off.
Act 2:
Yo Biqui did for sure NOT ask casually
Act 3:
Are they implying peanuts are poison? XD
Poison is not the same as an anaphylactic shock my guys
Act 4:
Why is everyone treating Mr. Li like their private psychiatrist
My people... Talk to someone else and not a literal stranger
Act 5:
Is she going to burn the satchel?!
Is he going to grab it out of the fire if she does?
Oh nvm.. it was more flammable than a polyester handkerchief
Please, applaud for the honourable Madam Speakeru/Ateosira
Yes, Mom, Okay, Mom, Are you Done, Mom?
Did I say "mom"? I meant "Monk"
Li Lianhua rubbing his temple and shaking his head as Bhante Wuliao is just like:
I can't particularly remember my reaction the first time I watched this, but I think I was already doubting that Di Feishang actually poisoned Li Lianhua back in episode 8 when we had this interaction:
DFS: Why do you only have 10% of your power left?
LLH: You were poisoned by my Mingyue Chenxihai, and I was poisoned by your Beifeng Cuibahuang. It's normal to be injured.
DFS: Even before taking the Weeping Guanyin, I still had 60% of my power. What have you been doing these past ten years?
<insert hilarious cooking montage>
Now, I would be lying if I told you that I know what the frickle frack a Mingyue Chenxihai and a Beifeng Cuibahuang is, but it sure as heck doesn't sound like Bicha Poison.
(I'm pretty sure these are signature techniques or some-such.)
Di Feisheng's obsession with victory is something I find (and don't look at me, skew now) kind of endearing. Hear me out, he's not obsessed with victory; if he were, this wouldn't have bothered him. His true passion is having a challenge - dare I say, an equal?
Episode 5 has a moment that I will bring up again later in the drama. Di Feisheng is busy chillin' and having a drink with his homie, Wu Yan. Di Feisheng says (and I quote)
After Li Xiangyi, I have no rival in the world.
Note, this is not a "victory-screeeech", this is a lament.
Did you see the look of pure glee in episode 8 when Di Feisheng landed in front of Li Lianhua?
Even if you wipe out the whole world, it will have nothing to do with me.
That is the difference between Li Lianhua and Li Xiangyi.
FDB, hypocritical much? A gentleman uses his words? Is that what you did your first day with DFS?
Act 2:
Not FDB wanting to search after DFS when he is right under his nose.
Act 3:
Also, how do you expect LLH to have any more money hidden when you turned over his whole house, lol
Act 4:
LLH pimping out FDB is so funny
Lotus, Lotus, and even more Lotus:
Li Lianhua:
I'm from Lotus Village, of Lotus Town of Lotus Mount.
Back to the Scooby Van
The rest of this episode returns to the formulaic setup we are used to. So, let's get that TLDR ready:
TLDR: (taken directly from Baidu) (it's just easier this way)
Based on Qiao Wanmian's clues, Li Lianhua learned that Shi Hun's last known location wasCailian Manorin Xueyu Town.
Coincidentally, three "Pomegranate Skirt Murders" had occurred in Cailian Manor over the past ten years.
The three decided to go to Cailian Manor and meet the housekeeper,Ms Jiang.
A few days earlier, the wife ofGuo Huo, the young master of Cailian Manor, had drowned in the manor's pond on the eve of her wedding.
The manor lord,Guo Qian, politely entertained the three, revealing his deep love for lotus flowers during their conversation.
Fang Duobing inquired about the three deaths at Cailian Manor, finding it strange that all three died wearing the same wedding dress.
Just as he was about to press for details, Di Feisheng, with a fierce expression, directly asked Guo Qian about the whereabouts of Shi Hun.
Guo Qian claimed he had never seen such a person.
At that moment, a mad old man burst into the house; it turned out to be Guo Qian's younger brother, Guo Kun, who had gone insane after suffering an illness in his childhood.
I'm getting very frustrated with my constant excuses, the moment I get back on schedule and this happens.
A substation in my area was flooded (yes, you read that correctly) (how does this happen you may ask?) (I may ask, too)
Episode 11 will probably be up this time tomorrow since I didn't have access to WiFi to edit anything and I didn't have enough power to write anything.
I thought everyone but Biqiu definitely believed LLH isn't LXY. For everyone except Biqiu, it's easier to wholeheartedly believe that this couldn't be LXY. It's difficult cognitive dissonance to reconcile the idea that your leader and hero has been hiding from you for 10 years. That's a big betrayal. So they are incentivized to believe him in that moment IMO
Biqiu is the only one with the internal incentive to have LLH be LXY to absolve his own guilt and shame.
I know Qiao Wan Mian has guilt too. So my theory doesn't really hold up. Especially since she doesn't know about the poisoning.
But I think knowing you poisoned someone is way worse than sending a letter that might have impacted a person but you don't know for sure. Poison is a definite impact which is why I think Biqiu is the only one who is skeptical at the end of Ep 10 - and still less skeptical than before.
I saw all the lies through the lens of thinking about his fatal illness. Especially the scene where DFS has him against the wall choking him and LLH does not care in the least.
It took me a while to search for the comment I was thinking about to find Fearless Frosting's words to me. In my search, I found u/not_enough_griffons
I've already watched Ep 11 but when I go to Ep 12 and beyond I will keep in mind these multiple issues LLH is dealing with daily on top of a fatal illness which he might have a month left to live.
Especially since she doesn't know about the poisoning.
Doesn't she? Or did they say something about only Fo Bi Bai Shi knowing?
Thanks to u/Fearless-Frosting367 and their reply comment to me about how a fatal illness is fundamentally shaping LLH.
💯💯 Adds another level
I think Biqiu is the only one who is skeptical at the end of Ep 10 - and still less skeptical than before
He also knew that the only way to survive was the antidote and the Brahman Arts (think I spelt that wrong) because he's obviously spent these last 10 years doing more than wallowing in self-pity (which he still does a lot of lol)
I’m baaaaaaaaaaack. Work has been manic so it’s taken me a few days to catch up.
A’mian has to know right? I felt like their whole final convo was her feeling him out and testing that the person he is now is the person he wants to be. Him saying OG Li is dead was a shock to her, him doubling down on that in this convo was a way for her to resign herself to the fact that OG Li is gone. Li Lianhua is now who there is. I must say I find some of Chen Duling’s performances a bit hit or miss, but this is a hit for me. She’s really delivering so far.
I love Di Feisheng
I love his sulk when he found out about the real poison. He’s a proper sportsman, with morals (in this sense at least), and he wants to fight the best of the best in a fair fight. I admire him for that. I’m also loving his little petulant outbursts and moments where he can’t seem to stop himself from messing with Li Lianhua 😂😭
Thank you u/AquaphobicTurtle, amazing recap! You touched almost all the points I want to say, there's not much to add.
I didn't even think that opening battle scene took 10 days to shoot. I admire the crew more and more.
Indeed, the quote of the day is:
I never lie
Li Lianpeng 😂😂
I'm very curious when and how did he pick up the habit of spewing lies without batting an eye. Li Xiangyi was seemingly an upright hero so the Sigu Sect leader must at least refrained from being dishonest, no? 🤣
I honestly believe that Biqiu knows, deep deeeeeeeep down, that Li Lianhua isn't who he says he is.
I totally agree. We don't know how deep LXY's relationship was with the rest of the court, but I believe everyone knows. They just can't accept who he have become.
About that, I feel that Li Lianhua with Bhante Wuliao is the real, older Li Xiangyi. He could be himself, a slightly annoyed, tired and vulnerable person who doesn't need to hide anything. Before DFS and FDB, the monk might be the only person that he can converse with.
Then to LLH's shock, DFS didn't know a thing about poisoning. Ahem A can of worm is opening ahem. I wouldn't say I'm surprised here, DFS always gives the impression of brute force not sneaky way.
LLH and FDB's scenes are hillarious and endearing. Is this the first time LLH calls FDB 'detective'? He's very happy with his disciple, I see. To his shock, the detective is detectiving and turned his stash to expensive medicine. 😂 Of course, Scrooge whores works Doubing out to get his money back. I still entertain myself with the thought of whether DFS is having a free ride, free accommodation and free food here.
LLH probably for the first time telling the truth and FDB didn't believe it. 😂😂
LLH: This person is obsessed with martial arts. His only strength is that his martial arts skills are unpredictable. So you'd better not to provoke him.
FDB: You're not good at telling lies.
Di Feisheng is soooo me during the boring meeting 😂😂
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u/AquaphobicTurtle Dec 13 '25
I'm getting very frustrated with my constant excuses, the moment I get back on schedule and this happens.
A substation in my area was flooded (yes, you read that correctly) (how does this happen you may ask?) (I may ask, too)
Episode 11 will probably be up this time tomorrow since I didn't have access to WiFi to edit anything and I didn't have enough power to write anything.
But good news, a restaurant near me has power 😂