Palace Survival Chronicle

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Xia Qing died and was forcibly thrown into a book, becoming a sidekick to a tyrant. The system told him that as long as he took over the tyrant’s body and completed the plot, he could come back to life. Xia Qing looked at the unpredictable and cruel new emperor of the Chu Kingdom in front of him, rolled his eyes, and said, “Come back to life? Don’t you know I died poor in my previous life? Get lost, don’t stop me from reincarnating.”

The system shrank back, bracing itself, “Um… Host, how about I introduce the plot to you first? Maybe you’ll change your mind.”

Xia Qing reached out and grabbed it, “I don’t want to hear it. Shut up and send me back.”

However, the system didn’t shut up. Right in front of him, it talked non-stop, rapidly narrating a cheesy and popular story. The plot of the tyrant in the book was basically a series of suicidal actions in the early stages, followed by being hopelessly in love with the protagonist but unable to be with him, getting tortured and heartbroken to death.

The system cautiously asked, “Don’t you want to know the ending?”

What a joke. Xia Qing covered its mouth, “I don’t!”

“But I do.” A light laugh came from across the table.

Xia Qing and the system looked up at the same time.

The young emperor, who had been turning pages with his head down, finally put down the book and looked over. With his flowing black hair and snowy white robe, he placed his hand on the table and smiled gently at Xia Qing. His voice became tender and affectionate, as if whispering to a lover, “Go on, let him speak. I want to hear my own ending.”

Cold as ice, his tone was so light that it seemed capable of cutting through moonlight.

***********

For certain reasons, the two of them reached an agreement.

#What’s it like to have a double soul with the tyrant?#

#It’s a tale of surviving (suicidal) in the palace.#

***********

Lou Guan Xue was inherently cruel and sinister, with deep-seated hatred buried within his flesh and blood, like an evil spirit. When he first met the soul from another world, his mind was cold, and he only wanted to use him. But unexpectedly, due to a twist of fate, that person saw all his past — he saw the ugliest, most cowardly, and humiliating side of him, yet chose to rescue him from those memories filled with mud and blood.

Lou Guan Xue once thought about killing him.

But on the day when the tower collapsed, with merfolk turning into demons and darkness enveloping the world, that person put down his sword and his soul disappeared.

He knelt before the formation with bloodshot eyes, his black hair turning white, falling into madness overnight.

***********

Afterward, Lingwei flowers blossomed throughout the heavens and earth, in the blue sky and yellow springs, all in search of one person.

Author’s remark:

1. 1v1, very sweet!

2. The character setting for the attacker is actually quite satisfactory! And the receiver’s soul flying away isn’t caused by the attacker, mainly for the sake of returning to the original body (the synopsis feels like too many spoilers, whatever, it’s just a short story, love it or leave it)! Actually, there’s not much emotional turmoil in the plot.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Chronicle of Palace Survival
宫廷生存纪事
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Mistakenly Saving the Villain (4)
Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know (3)
The Seventh Year the Demon King Captured the Holy Monarch (1)
The Obsessive Shou Moves On (1)
Buddha-like Rebirth (1)
Dongfang Bubai’s Reborn Yang Lianting (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Historical, Cultivation, Xianxia, Wuxia, Xuanhuan
  2. Reading list
  3. Danmei I completed
  4. TBR (GL/BL) 4
  5. Like it

Latest Release

Date Group Release
06/03/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c76
06/03/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c75
06/03/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c74
06/02/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c72
06/02/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c71
06/02/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c70
06/02/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c73
06/02/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c72
06/02/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c71
06/02/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c70
06/01/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c69
06/01/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c68
06/01/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c67
05/31/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c66
05/31/24 Chrysanthemum Garden c65
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30 Reviews sorted by


ylial
ylial rated it
April 23, 2024
Status: Completed
I thought that this would be a light hearted and somewhat hilarious transmigration, rather it has a dystopian setting where morals are twisted (dont worry heaviness is not elaborated too much since this is a short story).

Good points: overall plot and MC-ML interactions. Characters are intricately linked to one another. Everything is explained

Downside: due to the shortness of the story, don't expect the characterization of others to be profound. MC is surrounded by arrogant, selfish, s*upid, annoying side chara.
Spoiler

The newly formed God (ML) was betrayed by the shark clan/merman and allowed the humans and sharkclan to extract and divide the souls and pull out the bones.


This led to shark clan losing their power since their strength is dependent on God; they became s*aves by human.

The MC is a cultivator and encounter ML God in their previous life. Etc

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komo komo
komo komo rated it
June 5, 2024
Status: c76
Amazing? NO AWESOME!

I loved this story, I'll put it in my reread list!

This story is something else for real, I love the feeling between them, felt so real, you know when starting this novel I didn't think that I would be addicted to it!

... more>> Throughout reading this novel, you would understand mysteries, but I'm not satisficed with the ending.

I want to see them together more, I want to know about other seniors!

I want to know about their daily life together, this is my only regret!

This story is realistic somehow in retributions.

I will recommend this novel to you, if you liked any kind of xianxia novel with a little spice of rebirth.

And their PDA is sweet, don't you agree with me? 😁🤞 (¬‿¬) <<less
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Erratic Paradoxes
Erratic Paradoxes rated it
April 13, 2024
Status: c76
What brought me in was the subversion of the ML seeing MC was there the entire time and then I stayed for the plot. Binge read this in four to five hours and the journey was to the end was gorgeous

Short 76 chapters but this was quite literally the best read I've had in a long while. Xia Qing and Lou Guanxue's relationship is built so well. Everything has a reason to be there and it's deeper than just a transmigration. Their character development is plotted out good, especially... more>> Xia Qing.

I think this will stay on my brain for a while.

Spoiler

It's a constant cycle of hatred and violence between the Shark/mermaid clans versus humanity that's severed at the end. There's so much pain brought onto the both of them but they have each other throughout the story until their ending.

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Old_Cat
Old_Cat rated it
May 26, 2024
Status: Completed
Finally finished after one night. I thought it would be a messy story as it is kind of all over the place at the start. There's transmigration, then mermaids, the there's God and all those things that seems out of place at the start, but it made sense at the end as the mystery of the past starts to unravel. What is the curse, it's origin, and all that stuff. It mostly revolves around revenge and karma. Definitely enjoyed reading it despite not being really fond of historical novels.
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beyukii
beyukii
May 13, 2024
Status: c20
I am only on ch20 but I am almost dropping this novel.

At first I thought it would be one of those comedic, fun to read kind of story. But no, ok.

So maybe historical, ancient kingdoms, palace drama? Not really. I feel like this novel is all over the place. Transmigration, reincarnation, system, ghosts, ancient kingdom, evil step mom, mermaid?, sharks, gods?

You are reading some ancient chinese costume drama with modern transmigrator guy but then suddenly BOOM they are talking about mermaid race and half mermaids. And then boom, they... more>> are talking about some greek god like figures.

I mean there is no concrete rule that you can't mix mermaid theme with gods and goddesses and making background into china instead of fantasy world. I feel like it would turn into angst and wife chasing crematorium genre later?

Oh and ML is currently 16y. Old baby tyrant who has mommy issues and childhood trauma and ptsd. Not really "charismatic" for now.

I wanted to read the reviews before dropping, maybe I should give it some chance. People seem like have enjoyed it. <<less
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Staringatastar
Staringatastar rated it
June 8, 2024
Status: Completed
Wonderful story - great translation, great storytelling, great message. I can not wholeheartedly recommend it as much as some other books with similar messages, like "The Seventh Year The Demon King Captured The Monarch", but I personally loved it and think it's a very thoughtful, realistic, necessary message. For a relatively short novel, it reads like a longer one. There's beautiful world building, and very detailed characters that are thoughtfully built up over the course of the book. The only thing the author sacrifices in the shorter format is a... more>> more gradual ending and better resolution for some of the side characters.

No one does "mysterious" like this author. I swear. There weren't any big, unexpected twists. Instead, secrets slowly unveil themselves and didn't really catch my by surprise, but the discovery process is still very engaging and feels realistically like someone slowly unraveling a mystery. The two main characters are also presented as super mysterious and cryptic (for good reason), and fit together so well.

Spoiler

In response to the reviewer that thought the romance came too suddenly and had no deep foundation, I think they missed an important part of the ending. It's explained that because the MC was told to cultivate by observing the land and sea, and because he did it so diligently, he built a connection with the land spirit and also the god of the sea. This is why the land spirit feels so familiar to him and saves him in the end. This is also how he gets noticed by the god, and it's implied this is why the god bothered to save him when he went out adventuring. This slow exchange of favors at the beginning resulted in them catching each other's eyes and fascinating each other; and then built into a deep understanding, tolerance, and love in the second life. It's actually a really deep, meaningful love that's built up and been reinforced over time.

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I love how well rounded, and generally unjudgemental the author was of most of the characters in the story (with maybe 3 exceptions). A very big point is that people are all acting as they feel is right, or with their own justifiable motivations. But just because something feels right doesn't mean it is the right action in the long run. There's a beautiful part of the story where one of the characters sees the world as a cauldron that brews people using misery. And honestly, I felt it. Sometimes, the sorrow, the misfortune, the wrongs, just come so fast and hard and for no reason. It makes people angry, it ferments hatred, and it maintains a cycle of grudges that never ends. There's a biblical message of needing someone to sacrifice themselves to break that cycle. It's not that the savior sacrifice himself out of the goodness of his heart, it's that he could see that if he didn't, there would be an endless cycle of hatred that would destroy everyone. And because he had loved ones on both sides of the fight, he would rather give them a shot at happiness even at his own risk.

There's a corollary to the idea of not holding a grudge, which is that not everyone who can forgive the enemy is doing it out of a desire to move past the never ending retribution. We see in the "original mc" that someone can also align themselves with new masters and be unburdened by past entanglements due to their own selfishness. In the end, this is pure selfishness, not wisdom, but if you compare it to the disaster that can come from too much empathy and appreciation for people
Spoiler

as shown by the high priest

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, we're left wondering who is actually more selfish. What feels wrong in one instance turns out to be the right approach with the wrong intentions, and what feels right at the beginning turns out to be a calamity.

This cyclical, reap-what-you-sow theme extends itself to nations and races. There's the idea that one nation's strength can wax and wane, and the strong of one era might become the downtrodden in the next. This is such a good lesson to keep in mind. Don't step on the weak, or make fun of the humble. Circumstances can change in the blink of an eye.

In case you can't tell, this is not a light hearted story, and certainly not as frivolous as the summary suggests. However, if you want a subtle yet heart warming romance, philosophies on how views change with time, and engaging mystery, I highly recommend trying this story. Just enter with your mind switched on - things move fast, especially at the end! <<less
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joytothewild
joytothewild rated it
May 20, 2024
Status: c36
Currently caught up with translations and would like to say I'm enjoying it very much. This is definitely a page-turner with an immersive worldbuilding crafted by an atmospheric writing style.

Going by the synopsis many probably expect a normal transmigration into ancient chinese society, but no, it's actually an original fantasy/cultivator universe built by the author themself, and they did a very good job. Many stories' worldbuilding is often worddumping paragraphs that are there for the sake of the fantasy genre and are not personally related to the characters themselves, which... more>> causes the readers to not care about any of the word vomit. However, in this story, the worldbuilding is slowly revealed from events encountered by the characters or when the main leads discover something about themselves, which makes you have to care about the world they're in otherwise you won't be able to understand the characters' origins or emotional backstory. And I can tell they actually take the time to choose words and sentences to make it atmospheric too.

For the main leads, they're written well. I mean, at this part of the story (1/2) I still cannot tell what the ML is thinking behind his facade but I can tell he's changed his hostile attitude towards MC in the beginning. He grew up in a twisted environment, and it's hard to tell if he's planning a big grand revenge or not because from MC's perspective, he's going on his daily life in a carefree manner. On the contrary, the MC is transparent; whenever he dreams something about his past, he just spills everything to ML. And I love his backstory so much, it's so well done. We have him dreaming of his life in the modern world, how he always liked to sit and people-watch, his indifferent attitude towards life and death, and his attachment to c*astity, which is revealed later to be tied to his Taoist roots. And while this amnesiac kid is clueless and confused most of the time, he's actuially badass, dishing out cultivator moves while he's bewildered how he's doing all of it lol.

Supporting characters are also explored and have their own backstories! You'd see the type of character not very deeply explored in books like a fallen prince whose "selfishness is so extreme in a way it's kind of pure, " a villainous queen mother who hides her haughty indifference by pretending to be approachable, etc.

In short, it's a good story with good pacing, good worldbuilding, main and supporting characters with different personalities and backstories but are tied together by a strange fate. The way the author crafts the world is also very pretty, to the point I want to see it made into a movie. I might come back to edit this later when translations are done, but for now, 5/5 stars. <<less
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Zozo7400
Zozo7400 rated it
August 19, 2024
Status: Completed
Monday, 12:54 pm

I really loved this story! Cultivation stories are always my favourite anyway, but the reason I enjoyed this story so much is because it's also a different concept. I mean it's cultivation but it has it's different aspects. It was enjoyable and engaging. I'm so glad I read it!

Tbh there were moments I hated song guichen and well he deserves the hate but the again when u look at the whole situation, like I'm doing rn, it's really hard to blame him. He did do bad stuff but... more>> it all was a cycle. Merfolk weren't good, neither were humans. No one can be blamed. I feel pity for him and his end... *sigh* it's better than death so ya.

Anyways, I felt a lot of emotions from this story towards many different characters and there were some ups and downs but in the end, the only feeling that remains rn is joy (that I came across this story and read it) and melancholy (on finishing one another good novel).

Until my next review ~

❤❤❤ <<less
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Lazy_Queen
Lazy_Queen rated it
June 6, 2024
Status: Completed
The plot follows the mystery of what really happened a thousand years ago between the humans, merfolk and the god/demon, a mystery that holds out for most of the story as you really only figure out the truth together with the characters.

Characters that are very well written. At first I didn’t know how the ship would work but it did work. The relationship between sect brothers are also fun and tragic at the same time.

I’m so happy and grateful that this novel was translated :)
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En-Jay99
En-Jay99 rated it
June 5, 2024
Status: Completed
Kinda weird tbh. I think the romance would've made more sense if the 'past' of MC and ML was more meaningful or they had ANY conversation, but as it is, it didn't really make sense for them to 'love the other to death' so suddenly. I think obsession intwined with affection fits the ML more. Enjoyed the mystery overall and the plot. There was some interesting commentary about cycles of hate and revenge but also some sections are a bit ???? When trying to understand what the villains were doing... more>> or the meaning behind some of the schemes. As tight as the first half was, the second half of the novel was very scattered in its logic and fantasy elements. By that point I was invested and I kept reading, but it was a bit of a let down. Less than a hundred chapters and some things felt a little shoved in or a little weak.

The MC is enjoyable though and his commentary feels like the only bit of sanity in this mad world. <<less
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Googut
Googut rated it
May 12, 2024
Status: Completed
I needed to do this review! I loved this novel, it has mystery, fantasy and the MC and ML are captivating. The romance between the protagonists develops very naturally and spontaneously. It's really cool to see how they develop during the plot, understanding themselves and each other better.

About the mystery, I feel like if I say too much it will take away from the fun of the plot, but know that I was surprised, I didn't expect it because there are no clues about it in the synopsis.

a clue:

... more>>
Spoiler

It's about the MC's backstory.

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I really liked the world building too, I found it very interesting. Anyway, I hope more people read this novel, I stayed up all night until I finished it, I couldn't wait for the translation lol <<less
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sbob
sbob rated it
September 10, 2024
Status: Completed
My issue is that I fell in love with the first two chapters and the rest of the novel turned out not what I expected. The two chapters were closer to the synopsis but it was actually more of a mystery merfolk historical setting.

That said, the world building and character introductions were rich and vibrant, coming off the page. The main leads’ personalities and the resultant chemistry between them was good, funny, and at times spicy. They were also well crafted (e.g. MC’s avoidance to love and discovery as a... more>> result of the Dao he pursued) where they are both different types of OP and indifference that’s just so delicious to read and look forward to see them reacting to the usual situations (villain, whiny cannon fodder).

But while that’s all good, and I had eventually come to terms with it being a different type of story, it’s honestly quite complicated. Because MC is an unreliable narrator, and randomly gets flashes of memory (sometimes conveniently timed), I struggled to keep track of the multiple twists and turns of the plot. With that, I think there were a good amount of things unexplained:

Spoiler

What was the modern life split lifetime? Was that really a life he led, or a parallel space he got sent to, or a hallucination? He speaks as if it’s a life he lived, but he went from Peng Lai disciple to modern world then dragged back by Zhu Ji? How did that happen?

Also on MC, not enough backstory, why was he the ‘purest soul’, why did Zhu Ji tie him to ML’s life and death? Since she ‘planned it all’, was it to kill two birds with one stone—but she didn’t know ML was the god? She didn’t see them sink into the sea, or have that bond, how would she know?

And ML becoming a god = dying = MC dying along + MC not wanting ML to suffer was honestly confusing. Is MC pretending to sacrifice = less bloodshed = less eventual pain for the ML? But it’s a stretch...

Also, I think I missed it, what’s so special about that bone flute? (Cute btw) and what’s with the random relic that could body-fy the MC’s soul? The little flame/system was also quite random, so it liked to read dog blood novels... I feel like if they introduced more of the three saintess mermaids it would help more.

It also felt like MC/ML were conveniently out of the picture/unconscious when needed.

And suddenly ten years later MC’s body is formed? This spirit of Peng Lai sure is something... a convenient plot point which I wish had more build up.

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Ok what an unexpectedly long list. For all those things, I unfortunately did not cry or heart twinge at the big twists or sad parts. I did laugh and find their interactions amusing and the villains irritating enough to deserved their shitty endings.

Wish it were twice the length to properly expand on the world and its bits. The romance part was good though.

Likely won’t reread. <<less
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Tecchan123
Tecchan123 rated it
September 9, 2024
Status: c41
I just wanna say this novel is waay different from what I was expecting from the summary. The summary sounded like a dogblood drama plot which I was looking forward to reading but there hasn't really been much of that from what I read so far.

I don't know if it's just me but I'm kind of having a difficult time understanding what's going on most of the time. The way the novel is written (or translated (?)) makes some scenes difficult to comprehend and it feels a bit all over... more>> the place with all the elements added to it and how they all connect to each other (cultivation, reincarnation, mermen, demons, gods, palace drama, etc.). So although I can somehow understand what I'm reading, I can't really tell where the plot is leading up to.

I just hope everything will be explained properly in the end, and everything will be tied up together well. Because as of halfway through the novel, everything feels like a blur and I feel like I'm reading through a fog. Lol Will update my review once I finish.

Spoiler

Also I sometimes find the MC and ML's conversations frustrating because the ML has never really communicated properly (?) and is never straight to the point. He always talks in a teasing manner and sometimes I can't tell whether he's messing with the MC or is actually serious. Most of the time the conversation goes nowhere and just like the MC, I always end up feeling frustrated at the end of the conversation.

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taszida
taszida rated it
August 21, 2024
Status: c76
Rating: 5/5

This novel was absolutely AWESOME! I loved every moment and have already added it to my reread list. The story is profound and intriguing, with a depth that kept me hooked from start to finish. While it might seem all over the place at first, everything ties together for a reason, creating a narrative that’s as complex as it is engaging.

The MC, Xia Qing, is an amnesiac who navigates this twisted world with a mix of confusion and quiet strength. Despite his bewilderment, he's surprisingly skilled, dishing out powerful... more>> cultivator moves while trying to make sense of it all. His backstory, tied to his Taoist roots, adds layers to his character, making him someone you can't help but root for.

The ML, Lou Guanxue, is enigmatic and mysterious, with a facade that hides his true intentions. He grew up in a harsh environment, and his initial hostility towards Xia Qing gradually evolves into something much deeper. Their relationship is built on mutual understanding and growth, and it's one of the highlights of the novel.

Be warned, though—this is not a lighthearted, comedic read. The plot is deeply emotional and, at times, melancholic. The relationship between the characters felt so real and genuine that it left me feeling a bit sad when the story ended so quickly. I wanted more of their daily life together and to explore the other characters further.

In short, this is a beautifully written novel that I highly recommend, especially if you enjoy xianxia with a twist. The only downside? It ended too soon, leaving me with a lingering sense of melancholy. <<less
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Nana_
Nana_ rated it
August 3, 2024
Status: Completed
I simply love this novel; it is definitely among my top three favorite BL stories, and I would even dare to say it might be my favorite of all so far.

I love how the relationship between the MC and ML flowed, extremely smooth and extremely understandable how their feelings developed.

The dynamic between all the characters is very good, including fights, conversations, feelings in general, and how each one interacts with each other.

It also has one of the best settings I've ever read, keeping me captivated even by character descriptions, scenes,... more>> or even landscapes.

There is a duality in almost all characters, making them completely alive, human, complex, and deep, each with different goals, thoughts, and feelings.

It is a story that makes the reader reflect, exploring many philosophical, moral, and existential questions.

In short, this story is definitely ideal for my taste; if I had the opportunity to own a physical book of it, I would be very happy. <<less
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Out in the night
Out in the night rated it
July 12, 2024
Status: Completed
I have been reading novels since almost four years but this is the first time my lazyself is writing a comment. It is just so perfect that I wanted to appreciate it. The balance of story love action is so beautifully done.I hope the author creates more wonderfull works like this. And obviously translation is also well done because if translation is not done properly no matter how good a story is you wouldn't want to read it.
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alice_animelover
alice_animelover rated it
June 7, 2024
Status: c33
33 chapters in and I need to complain.

... more>>
Spoiler

Originally, I thought the author was good at storytelling, but then... it slowly got bad.

Translators did AMAZING, so not talking about them, but the actual author and her storytelling ability.

I feel that everytime there is a scene involving four characters or more, the author kind of stumble with the writing, but maybe that's just me.

Anyway, barely consistent with the character, MC yeets objects from afar to interrupt bullies from bullying.

..... But, why does he act so s*upid and cruel when he sees the guard?!?! Bro understood to comfort a child, bro saved a merman, but bro just rolls his eyes at the guard because he thinks the guard is too s*upid and that he has too much drama? Like, man was half dead when he met MC for the first time, but MC barely gives a crap about the guard. If we are gonna talk about being full of drama, explain why the eff he is still next to the ML?! At least the guard have a reason for his loyalty! Where tf is MC's reasoning??? "I'm just used to always being next to you" like.... bruh.... if you don't shut your mf hypocritical ahh mouth.... GRRRRRRRR..... why does MC lose character and braincells when he has a scene with the guard? Not only that, he acts all indifferent and haughty with the guard like he is some f*cking royal person. It's so irritating to read this inconsistency.

Yes, I'm aware MC likes to be indifferent and mind his own business and stay away from drama. I'm aware he does have his own way to help those in need, like throwing objects, but whenever the guard shows up, his indifference, ridicules, and him wanting to mind his own business triples! Ok, maybe it's because he wants to avoid the protagonist shou, or maybe it's because he feels that this is the fate of the characters and that's why he just mocks them from a distance and doesn't do anything, but then that makes him one shitty ass MC for not holding ML to the same concept.

Anyway, sorry for the vent. I'm only 33 chapters in so maybe I'm jumping to conclusions too fast.

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I really, really want to like this story!!!! It has potential!!!!!

But after reaching their reunion, I.....

What happened to the writing.....????? <<less
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ReiXiu
ReiXiu rated it
October 9, 2024
Status: Completed
4.5 stars.

I don't have a better equivalent english word for this but one thing I can say about this novel is nakakabitin (didn't/couldn't get enough, unsatisfied).

It was a good romance and story but I was left wanting to see a bit more. It felt like an abrupt ending can only be filled in with my imagination 😂. I guess the author didn't want to drag it out for a few more chapters even though it could have used more

... more>>
Spoiler

exposition for the aftermath of MC's rebirth and the timeskip. Give us a new conflict and leave it to the main cp to get together immediately and fix everyone's problems peripherally 😅

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This was slow burn as hell, you've already finish over half of the novel before they get to anything remotely romantic and even later a confession and a get together. Still worth it though. The build up of interactions felt very natural so far for me mostly with the main cp getting to know each other and getting comfortable with each other's personalites. Really really wanted to see more 😭. But I recommend you guys try it out don't give up halfway before being able to see the forgone conclusion it's worth the read. <<less
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baetriarchy
baetriarchy rated it
September 5, 2024
Status: Completed
5/5

"There's not much emotional turmoil" MY ASS

I went into this novel expecting a lighthearted transmigration xianxia story - only 76 chapters, how deep could it be?!

I came to truly connect with the character of Xia Qing; detached from deep emotional influence on his judgement but pulled into this meddlesome mortal world by the power of love and his innate inability to turn from the objective truth, he is wonderfully complex and compelling. The author has a way with metaphor and description (and shoutout to CG TLers as always!!) but doesn't... more>> go overboard, and somehow manages to pull the reader in with gruesome details and delicious characterization of both our MC Xia Qing and ML Lou Guan Xue as individuals with their own mysterious pasts and karma as well as their relationship as it builds cautiously then boldly together.

Truly, this one had winding plot and amazing clues dispersed in between rich text and drool-worthy BL moments between XQ and LGX that I finished it in less than 48 hours.

I'll summarize the major plot points (for my own recollection) later; all I know now is that I NEED a physical copy of this and I WILL be rereading this.

Many happy wishes to this weirdo, freak-for-freak couple, and RIP in peace 'System' <3

Edit: the novel summary is actually pretty accurate but below are my bullet points to help me remember some of the more complex story beats; I tried to minimize spoilers.

  • It starts with amnesiac Xia Qing, who is given the premise of this world by a System; unluckily for him, tyrant teen emperor Lou Guan Xue hears the whole thing and begins to devise a plan to use him since LGX's body is subject to torment every year in retribution for some 100 year-old family sins
  • XQ learns about the world: there are merfolk who once reigned supreme but desired the power to go ashore and after some human opposition and xianxia-style betrayal, they got their wish but were then doomed to never return to the sea and thus began the age of merfolk subjugation while the human families who fought the merfolk had to deal with this intense demonic suffering every year. Truly a lose-lose situation, which quickly becomes a theme...
  • LGX's mother is a merfolk but his father is from the human Chu family, and the moral of this story is that every side (and yes, there's more than 2 sides to this century-long battle) has sinned and must experience their karmic retribution
  • XQ and LGX independently need the power to free the merfolk, save the humans, and ultimately cleanse the world of this tangled mess of karma that has led to reincarnations and cycles of killing
  • Through a series of adventures, they pick up clues; XQ discovers more about his past in this world and the truth about the modern world and LGX seems to be collecting pearls for some mysterious purpose
  • Along the way, we see XQ grow to not just recognize his own fears as easily as he's able to observe others, but face them after much turmoil and come to acceptance even though with acceptance comes inevitable suffering. There's a lot of great philosophy in the book, brought forth mostly by XQ, about embracing the vicissitudes of life and not avoiding fear or pretending to be above it but becoming more powerful in your acceptance in spite of it
  • There's several "boss battles" and the relevance of the System's protagonist is revealed... in delightfully gruesome fashion
  • There's so many ups and downs but with some notes, the plot is easy enough to track and the patterns and parallels are not lost of the reader. That's why I believe, in addition to the great messaging, that this book will become one that is excellent for a re-read and I look forward to absorbing even more clues and Easter eggs~
In the end, this is a book about facing your demons and balance: too much attachment leads to obsession and breeds resentment, but not enough closes you to the power that is love and family; violence fought with violent justice can only end in cyclical suffering and distracts you from what truly matters not just today but what will matter in a hundred years.

And there's just so many quotes I love <3 XQ is badass, cute, mature, and cringe all at the same time which makes for a fun dynamic, and LGX is f*cking unhinged. We love to see it >w<

Covered by spoilers since it's a lot!
Spoiler
  • "The system choked, 'Uh, not quite like that. You're following the typical plot of a male protagonist, but didn't I already emphasize? This is a melodramatic BL novel. So, the protagonist's character, he's more like an airheaded, clueless sweetie.' After explaining, the system added dryly, 'If he wasn't like this, he wouldn't be the shou at all.'"
  • "'I don't know what he hates. But you're right, even if I knew every step he took before, or even know what his next step would be, I still wouldn't understand him. But, Senior Sister, ' Xia Qing paused for a moment and asked, 'Why do I have to understand him?'"
  • "Lou Guan Xue casually said, 'You can continue pretending to be clueless, I'll give you time.' Xia Qing maintained his posture as if about to jump out of the window. Lou Guan Xue: 'But don't take too long, be obedient, you wouldn't want to see me impatient.' '... Goodbye!' Xia Qing boldly jumped in through the window."
  • "'What if they find the pearl before us?' Xia Qing was about to say 'You might as well untie this rope for me' but Lou Guan Xue replied casually before he could finish, 'Then we'll just kill them all.' '...' Xia Qing hesitated for a moment before saying, 'Oh, then you must find it before them.'"
  • *after kissing him at a super tense moment in this tomb, great timing LGX lmao* "'You are going crazy right now.' Lou Guan Xue lowered his eyes, his smile deepening, and said softly, 'Oh, there's crazier. Do you want to see?'...Holy cow!"
  • "Relatives and friends may scatter, and evildoers will receive retribution. Good or bad, everything has its end. Happiness is short-lived, and so is resentment."
  • "'Falling for you might indeed be an irreversible mistake.' Lou Guan Xue fell silent for a moment, then chuckled softly, his tone gentle. 'Is that your answer to me?' Xia Qing didn't reply to that question. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Lou Guan Xue's neck and closed his eyes wearily. 'Forget it, let it be an irreversible mistake.'"
  • "Lou Guan Xue smiled softly, with a hint of ambiguity, his eyes full of madness, and whispered, 'Xia Qing, at that time, I really wanted to take you as an illusion and then kill you.' Xia Qing was stunned, but he didn't feel as overwhelmed as when they first met. He calmed down and gently held his hand. Lou Guan Xue continued, 'After killing you, I would turn you into a puppet, your flesh and blood living for me, your soul controlled by me, staying by my side forever.' Xia Qing was momentarily stunned, not knowing what to say."
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VeronicaVictoria
VeronicaVictoria rated it
July 2, 2024
Status: Completed
Well...I didn't read the reviews before reading this one. Glad I did though, so worth it.

The story have many genres incorporated into it, but I feel that it was truly mixed well. The spacing, the plot, got me hooked the entire time I was reading and now (just finished today), I just need more of them (the protagonists).

Unlike those who reviewed before me, I can definitely feel the romance, maybe because the story did not make the romance very loud, just there, quietly enjoying its sweetness. Besides, their identities and... more>> love story began 100 years ago, where also at that time, chaos ensued, chaos that ended 100 years later

Spoiler

actually, 110 years later, since 10 years after, it truly ended

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As someone who doesn't really historical novels, this makes me want to read this genre more.

Definitely worth a read, don't let other reviews discouraged you from reading this one, and judge this novel on your own. <<less
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