I wasn’t expecting this because I wasn’t paying attention at first. Then I realized Julia Xiang was in it. I did like her in several series that I watched so I gave it a try. Considering how I love mystery and all. How was it? It exceeded all expectations and blew me away. Too bad it didn’t do too well with viewers and received a lot of unfair criticisms. Hopefully, it will find its fanbase in due time.
Starring:
- Wang Xing Yue (王星越) as Xiao Bei Ming (蕭北冥). A famous genius detective from the Elite Constabulary Unit and was dubbed as Da Qi’s number one detective. He was framed for the death of his master and the mysterious deaths of the other court officials. He disappeared after the incident and was hunted for three years. After he surfaced again, he was poisoned by his fiancée (through a medic’s help) because she mistakenly believed that she was responsible for her father’s death (just like everyone who was led to believe so). In an attempt to buy more time for the investigation, he convinced her and some of the others go on a journey with him to unearth all the mysteries of years ago. This was my first time watching Wang Xing Yue although I know who he is. How was he? A natural. He was really charming and managed to bring out the playful side of the character as well the serious side when situations called for it. He convinced me he was definitely lead material and carried the show throughout.
- Julia Xiang (向涵之) as Zhong Xue Man (鍾雪漫). A detective of the Elite Constabulary Unit and Xiao Bei Ming’s fiancée. She could be quite hot-headed and reckless at times yet she had a strong sense of justice. What was heartbreaking for her was finding out her supposed fiancé had killed her father and could be the monster who was responsible for so many deaths. Even though she loved him dearly but wasn’t blinded by her sense of righteousness either. Julia once again convinced me of her ability in another role. It was a strongheaded character versus some others and she showed it well. What was admirable about her wasn’t just her righteousness and stubbornness that had paved her destiny, but also her willingness to apologize when she realized her mistake. It wasn’t all her fault because she was deceived by a mysterious hand playing them all behind the scenes. But she was willing to acknowledge the role she played in it all for causing Xiao Bei Ming’s misfortunes (regarding the poisoning incident and the constant attacks toward him). Unlike some characters I will not mention here by name, the writers made her character acknowledge the fact that she was wrong. It was okay to admit that and she was willing to take actions to correct it, regardless of the chance being slim.
- Chen You Wei (陈宥维) as Feng Qing Zhuo (風清濁). Nicknamed Xiao Bai Long (小白龍) (Little White Dragon), came from the Poison Valley, Elder Wu Shuang’s disciple. He was quite knowledgeable with all the medicine and poisons yet still had a lot to learn with honing his skills. Yet he was considered a gifted disciple under Elder Wu Shuang. He signed up to be their coroner and ended up traveling with them to find out the truth behind the officials’ deaths and the conspiracy behind it all. I had mixed feelings toward him at times and wondered about his true intentions. Yes, he was from the Poison Valley and wanted to hide his identity because of the biases people had toward the place. However, I didn’t want to dismiss that completely. Because the majority in here had alternative motives–as they found out along the way. I was glad I was wrong and he turned out to be a trusty companion along the way.
- Zhang Nan (张南) as Huo Dai Rong (霍黛蓉). One of the Haiya orphans that Huo Zong Yao brought back to raise. I don’t know but I suspected her throughout. I should have look at someone first. Yet somehow, she was looking so suspicious at times that it was hard to blame with all the mystery surrounding her family and all. I was glad she turned out all right because she could start over and live the life she wanted all along, in peace and all. She needed it, after all her clan had been through and how it led to many other complications throughout.
- He Luo Luo (何洛洛) as Tong Shuang (童雙) aka Bei Kun (北鯤). One of the orphans of Haiya who was brought back to raise. Yet he was neglected and abused hence gaining resentment toward them in general and wanted revenge. He was actually Xiao Bei Ming’s older brother but hid his identity throughout. His past was indeed very tragic yet his logic was really flawed with how he dragged all the other orphans into this scheme as well. Some even ended up losing their lives just because of a cause he promised. He justified it by saying that he was brought up in a cruel environment versus the others who were more fortunate, i.e. his brother and Huo Dai Rong. Yet he failed them because of how he rather dragged them into the conflict than actually unearthing the truth and let everyone know. Perhaps, he was too far gone to return. And how he said at the end that he hope they would never meet again if there was such a thing as reincarnation. And I indeed was taken aback. While I was looking at the other two to see if they were up to something, I completely missed him. That was actually a good twist (for me). Because of how pitiful he was and the songs playing to tell his stories aided it big time. Yeah, it was my bad. I bought into his pity stories, thinking he was the victim. (In the grand picture, he was but he became much more with his schemes later.) What was more, Xiao Bei Ming brought him back and trusted him throughout. But I guess that was the point? Making us lower our guards because Xiao Bei Ming trusted him? I thought he did a good job though with portraying both the harmless, tragic unlucky guy whose family was massacred and then following them afterward to show gratitude toward Xiao Bei Ming for saving him and helping him versus how he was after he revealed his true identity and his expressions afterward. The confidence vibe was completely different from his previous acts of pitiful looks and rash behaviors. Not to mention a touch of arrogance and insanity too. It was really good.
- Deng Kai (邓凯) as Zhuge Kong Yun (諸葛孔雲). A secret agent from the Secret Investigation Unit, constantly in rivalry with the Elite Constabulary Unit in general and with Xiao Bei Ming on a personal level. He was also considered smart and witty yet he was always a step behind Xiao Bei Ming. They grew up together (along with Zhong Xue Man) but always competed throughout. He was often stubborn and wanted to be right. Yet he wasn’t irredeemable or completely unreasonable because he actually believed in justice and doing the right thing. It was just that he often wanted to save face so he didn’t admit some stuff. When it came down to it, he chose to help Xiao Bei Ming and Zhong Xue Man. I was actually glad he wasn’t bad because it would be too cliche with how Tong Shuang was a vengeful character and was too far gone, etc. He was different and was able to stop and analyze the matter in a more reasonable way, not wanting fame and reputation to blind his sense of justice.
Supporting:
- Zhang Shao Gang (张绍刚) as Fang Tian Zheng (方天正). The head of the Elite Constabulary Unit after Zhong Yun Chi’s death. He appeared strict and followed the code to the T yet wasn’t coldhearted. He tried to use finesse to help the other group at one point or another.
- Feng Hui (冯晖) as Zhuge Tong (諸葛通). The head of the Secret Investigation Unit, Zhuge Kong Yun’s father. He used to be from the Elite Constabulary Unit and got along very well with Zhong Yun Chi but their relationship turned sour because of a misunderstanding. He later realized what was giong on and ended up trying to patch up the mistakes from the past by helping them. It was revealed at the end that he would retire and hand the head position to his son (which was approved by the emperor).
- Bao Jian Feng (保剑锋) as Emperor of Da Qi (大齊皇帝). He knew about the crime committed on the Haiya people of years ago but chose to conceal it. However, it was because of Xiao Bei Ming and the others uncovered everything, they forced him to make a public announcement and help rebuild Haiya once again.
- Nie Zi Hao (聂子皓) as Fang Yin (方寅). A detective of the Elite Constabulary Unit and Fang Tian Zheng’s nephew. He was arrogant and relied on his uncle’s reputation to push others back. He was often in disagreements with Zhong Xue Man. Yet when push came to shove, he would back his fellow detectives than let the other side win.
- Zhu Zhi Ling (朱致灵) as Li Long (李龙). An agent of the Secret Investigation Unit. Zhuge Kong Yun’s underling and only trusted Zhuge Kong Yun.
- Han Yu Chen (韩宇辰) as Liu Feng (刘风). A hardworking detective of the Elite Constabulary Unit.
- Lin Feng Song (林枫松) as Mo Chong (莫沖). A detective of the Elite Constabulary Unit.
- Tian Zhong (田重) as Jiang Yi (蔣義). A detective of the Elite Constabulary Unit.
Others:
- Shao Bing (邵兵) as Zhong Yun Chi (鍾雲赤). The previous head of the Elite Constabulary Unit, Zhong Xue Man’s father, Xiao Bei Ming’s master. I somewhat suspected him from the start. It was hard not to. Mostly because of Shao Bing portraying the character, lol. I didn’t think he was that innocent in the whole matter. In a way, I was right. He was indeed involved but wasn’t the mastermind behind it all. It was a tragedy he didn’t want either. He tried to convince the others to step in and take innocent the kids back to raise. Yet, his good deeds or attempt at redemption also caused other tragedies later on. (Example was how Tong Shuang was abused within the household, so his hatred fused him on the path of no return even more.)
- Shen Bao Ping (沈保平) as Uncle Hai (海伯). Pingyuan Escort Agency’s butler.
- Ding Xiao Ying (丁笑滢) as Lady Mo (莫娘子).
- Kent Tong (湯鎮業) as Elder Wu Shuang (無雙老人). He was Feng Qing Zhuo’s master. Although he was from the Poison Valley, he made it his journey to study medicine and tried to find cures for various sickness and poisons that already existed. One of which was the poison that had affected the soldiers that year. In his last dying moment, he managed to find the cure but couldn’t say it out clearly so there were a lot of guessing going around as to why he would create such a strong poison. It turned out, it was counteract with the other poison. This wasn’t revealed until near the end of the story but it was a good twist. He appeared so little but was the key to the most important puzzle of the story.
- Du Yu Ming (杜玉明) as Lao Chou Chong (老臭蟲). Elder Wu Shuang’s junior. He was a master of using poisons. He wanted to capture Xiao Bei Ming and experiment on him. He wanted to transfer Xiao Bei Ming’s poison to Zhong Xue Man as a way to cure the poison but was stopped. Then later, he found a way to subdue the poison but it was still there. That was until the unexpected and all was resolved (for the best). He wasn’t considered to be on any side. Maybe mostly just on his own side, choosing whichever path benefitted him the most.
- Cao Xin Yue (曹馨月) as Mrs. Liu (劉夫人).
- Niu Chao (牛超) as Zhu Yi Tie (朱一鐵). A detective from the Elite Constabulary Unit. He was the real killer of the Tailor Murder Case. However, he was also a pawn in the big picture.
- Hou Chang Rong (侯长荣) as Shen Bi (沈敝).
- Xiu Qing (修庆) as Miao Jie (苗傑). The head of the Heavenly Manual Pavilion.
- Huang Yu Qing (黄昱清) as Miao Yun (苗雲). One of the orphans of Haiya who was brought back by Miao Jie to raise.
- Li Yu (李煜) as Auntie Feng (冯姨娘).
- Sun Zhi Hong (孙之鸿) as Psychic Eyebrow Bai Yu (通靈人眉白魚). He specialized in hidden weapon.
- Li Ming (李明) as Ghost Judge Second Master Yin (鬼判陰二爺).
- Zhao Hao Hong (赵浩闳) as Luo Sen (羅森). One of the orphans of Haiya.
- Li Yu Tong (李羽桐) as Luo Shu (羅樹). One of the orphans of Haiya, Luo Sen’s sister.
- Wang Gang (王岗) as Qin Ye (秦业). He participated in the Haiya massacre of years ago.
- Lu Yong (卢勇) as Lu Wen Zhong (陸文忠). He participated in the Haiya massacre of years ago.
- Hou Chuan Gao (侯传杲) as Huo Zong Yao (霍宗耀). He participated in the Haiya massacre of years ago. He was also the one who brought Huo Dai Rong back and raised her.
- Xu Jia Qi (许佳琪) as Mrs. Huo (霍夫人). Huo Zong Ya’s second wife.
- Yu Xiao Ming (于小鸣) as Xue Qian Shan (薛千山). Huo Zong’s first disciple.
- Wang Zhuo Da (王卓达) as Li Xiao (李嘯). Huo Zong Yao’s second disciple.
- Li Xi Man (李汐曼) as Qing Ying (青櫻). One of the orphans of Haiya.
- Zhang Ling Xi (张龄汐) as Xiao Yue (小月). One of the orphans of Haiya.
- Wang Jian Xin (王建新) as Fan Jing Zhi (樊敬志). He participated in the Haiya massacre of years ago.
- Guo Dong Wen (郭东文) as Wu Zhui (吳錐). He participated in the Haiya massacre of years ago.
- Li Chao (李超) as Tong Xin (童心). He participated in the Haiya massacre of years ago. He was the one who took Tong Shuang back to raise him. Yet he allowed for his wife and others to bully the kid so bad that it fused Tong Shuang’s hatred even more.
- Lin You Wei (林佑威) as Bei Hai (北海). Xiao Bei Ming and Tong Shuang’s father. He was the one who created the pills for the military and was responsible for the majority of the tragedy that occurred. Although he realized his mistake later but it was too late. There were so many people hurt and so many things the couldn’t be reversed.
- Jin Feng (金丰) as Mrs. Xiao (蕭夫人). Bei Hai’s wife, Xiao Bei Ming and Tong Shuang’s mother.
- Ren Tian Ye (任天野) as Wu Lie (武烈). The emperor’s uncle. He was the one responsible for issuing the order of the Haiya massacre of years ago. He tried to repent by chanting the scriptures daily yet that wasn’t enough. Like Xiao Bei Ming said, he was just hiding and doing stuff to make himself feel better. It didn’t help anyone regarding the whole hiding stuff and all.
Likes:
- Wang Xing Yue/ Xiao Bei Ming and Julia Xiang/ Zhong Xue Man. I loved them. I didn’t think it was possible and didn’t know how their chemistry would come into play. Yet they convinced me. They could be cute but there was a sense of maturity about their relationship as well. Well, it was more like both were on a journey together and they learned and grew throughout. I also liked it that she was able to admit that she was wrong and apologized to him, stating how she should have believed him instead of just brushing it under the rug and expect him to be okay with it. I meant, he loved her so he would understand (like he said). But I rather she know when to admit she was wrong than just forget about it like some other show that expected all forgiveness without admitting anything, etc. (I said it above in her character section but just want to emphasize it here.)
- The strange friendship and rivalry among the three Xiao Bei Ming, Zhong Xue Man, and Zhuge Kong Yun. They grew up together so they knew the majority of the stuff about one another. It was strange seeing them compete but also how comfortable they were with one another at times. To the point that Xiao Bei Ming and Zhong Xue Man sometimes pushed the boundaries yet Zhuge Kong Yun didn’t take revenge on it. Sure, he wanted to compete regarding different investigations, but he wasn’t petty to the point of not knowing the big picture, etc. The funniest part was seeing how Zhuge Kong Yun lost the bet and had to steer their horses along during their wedding ceremony at the beginning and at the end. It was really full circle and showed their friendship and its growth through time.
- The exposure of what the royal family did and everything was stripped apart and presented to the public (as per Xiao Bei Ming’s request). I haven’t seen a series where I’m fully satisfied regarding the royal palace for ages now. That’s one of the reasons why I hate seeing those themes of recent. Sure, the main cast understand and reveal some stuff, but oftentimes the details got brushed aside or conceal somehow so the public do not know. That would give way for more mistakes in the future and none of the accountability, etc. Mysterious Lotus Case came to mind of recent because of how they had to hide the secret regarding the royal family, even Coroner’s Diary didn’t do it justice with allowing some stuff to come out. I understood why it couldn’t be expose completely. But still felt the royalties got so much grace versus the suffering of the others. So, I was glad this one went all the way with exposing things and letting the citizens know. The speech Xiao Bei Ming delivered to Wu Lie in the underground prison was very powerful and brought back some memories from the past about how some official would confront the emperor or so on. I was really blew away and Wang Xing Yue did really well in that scene. You could see the injustice for the Haiya people flowing through him and how the rest of the citizens were dragged in too because the royalties chose to commit such a crime and dealt with it in such a cruel way. He didn’t care for their justifications, he wanted justice all around. I haven’t seen that heat in a character for a while now so I was impressed that the writers went all the way. It wasn’t like they wanted to overthrow the whole empire to rule for themselves. They wanted transparency and justice for all the victims.
- Music. Loved the majority of the songs in here and how it was presented at times. They all fitted with the theme and helped move the story along.
- Makeup and costumes. Yes, I had to put this in because how fitting it was and they had the right touches.
Dislikes:
- None. Surprised? Yes, I was surprised too when I was trying to conjure up some kind of list. Perhaps, I was frustrated with some plot details at one point or another. But the reasons or other details came up later to explain the purpose of it. So, I thought that was enough for me and made sense one way or another.
Discussions:
- The main theme. Let’s talk about how creepy it is. Or I’m just scaredy cat. I couldn’t listen to it more than three times. Because it’s so ominous and haunting. The laughing didn’t help. But I clap them anyway for choosing the right song to lead us into the story and reserving that same mysterious and eerie atmosphere.
- Xiao Bei Ming NOT being able to use his martial arts for majority of the time. This somewhat reminded me of The Legend of Zang Hai because of how Zang Hai didn’t know martial arts so the fighting relied heavily on the female lead. Yet I felt this one did it better and Xiao Bei Ming wasn’t completely at a disadvantage. He managed to restore his martial arts later when the poison was temporarily suppressed. But the most important part was having his intelligence intact so he could figure out the cases. The rest of the team didn’t rely heavily on his abilities either. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and made up for it one way or another. So, that helped with the balance and all. Perhaps, the uneven appearances of different characters for the other one made it more distracting for me. I just like stuff that are more plot-focused than character-focused. That was all.
Recommended? 100% behind this. Yes, I’m that sure. People who love mystery would enjoy it. The thing is I know people watch for the cast mostly (and I’m also guilty of it), so it would help if you love the cast or willing to give them a chance. There were mixed reviews online (like most) and somehow the blame was pushed toward Julia (and somehow dragging in Love of the Divine Tree as well to justify their hate) yet I felt that both of her series for the year were really good. So, I guess it could be up to taste really. Because both had strong main leads with equal amount of screen time without one hogging over the other. I thought they focused on the plot overall so it was a success regarding the balance for everything. But that was just me.