青龙图腾

Summary

Early-stage righteous restrained resolute monk late-stage true background announced left the monastic order and ascended the throne in the end gong x vicious and merciless action but personal style rather demonic shou.

Alternate history, ancient melodrama.

※Summary taken from EN fan-translation※

The Plot

Shan Chao's earliest memories began two years ago, when he was found collapsed at the back gate of Ci'en Temple with countless injuries on his body and no recollection of his past. His only clues were the sword he was clutching in his grip at the time - the Seven Stars Longyuan - and dreams that haunted him of a man he called 'shifu', who lived together with him in the frontier desert. In his dreams, sometimes they would hunt, sometimes they would practice martial arts, or ride a camel long distances through sand-filled skies, but they would all end up with him beaten bloody, crouching on his knees in front of the man begging for mercy, and eventually being stabbed with a sword.

On a moonlit night, Shan Chao encountered a nobleman in a silver mask whose face starkly resembled his 'shifu'. The man turned out to be the mysterious Imperial Guard Commander Xie Yun, presiding over the Northern Bureau Imperial Guards. Little did Shan Chao knew, this encounter would mark the beginning of his entanglement with the royal court and palace scheme, gradually unfolding his hidden past and identity.

Relationship Dynamic

Shan Chao seeks for answers, and the clues lead to Xie Yun.
A seemingly cold hearted master and a disciple who yearns for scrap of affection.
An Imperial Guard Commander and a young monk who couldn't set himself free from human desires and passions.
What would become of them in the end?

Warnings

This novel is R18 rated with violence, abuse, gore, questionable moral conducts, explicit sexual content, dubcon to noncon sexual elements.

Viewer discretion is advised!

• Personal Review

I'll be honest and say that plot is not the strongest point of the novel. There are inconsistencies and lack of logic in certain parts of the story, perhaps due to lack of beta and consideration when it comes to details. But overall, Huai Shang managed to tell a story that is easy to understand with decent pacing. It's the way the story got you curious to know what will happen next, even though a moment ago you might be pausing and asking yourself 'was that even possible?'.

For me personally, reading this novel was a fun, non-serious experience I marathoned it in three days. If you want a coming of age wuxia novel that's not too heavy on martial arts or politics, this one is a good one to add to the list.

Huai Shang writes very beautiful description when it comes to imagery and character appearances. I love it when I read a story and can immediately picture the scenes in my head. Transitions between a moment in the past and what was currently happening in the present done flawlessly, perhaps one of the best I've seen in this genre.

Characters' dialogues and emotions are also a significant strength in this author's writing style. Also, the action scenes are superb, definitely get you hyped.

The characters are, in my opinion, the advantage of this novel, not that they are excellently written, but it's more like they are written in a way that they are established as significant individuals (?). The way they look, the way they act, the way they think, everything tells so much about them as a person and make them not so forgettable even if they're a very minor side character. (And they are hot!)

Scholarly talk aside, don't we just love it when a shifu/shizun/laoshi character is sought after by all other characters? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Yes, this novel will give you just that.

※This character intro only contains the most basic info and is based on my personal interpretations.※

Main Characters

'I just want to be together with shifu, I... I want to stay here with shifu in this desert forever!'

Shan Chao

Protagonist of the novel, main character, awoke without memories of his past and only a sword, at the entrance of Ci’en Temple in Chang’an two years ago. Righteous and resolute.

'Should there be a next life, please don't let me meet you again.'

Xie Yun

The deuteragonist of the novel and main love interest. Imperial Guard Commander, presiding over the Northern Bureau Imperial Guards. A scheming, power-hungry man.

Side Characters

※Not all side characters are mentioned. This part might also contain mild spoiler for the characters' roles in the novel.※

Jing Ling

A cold-blooded killer with blood red hair and a beautiful face that makes young maidens lightheaded. Personal weapon are the Soul-Stealing Hooks. Has a history with Xie Yun.

Sect Leader Yin KaiYang

Jing Ling's master. Current Sect Leader of 神鬼门 (Gate of Demon), a barbaric sect that has grown powerful and difficult to restrain in a few years.

Crown Prince Li Hong

The sickly young Crown Prince who took a liking to Shan Chao, sees him as an older brother despite being told not to.

Empress Wu ZeTian

Intelligent, cunning, beautiful, terrifying woman. Ambitious enough to aim to usurp the throne and make her name in history. Shares a bond with Xie Yun.

Yuwen Hu

Great Cavalry General (Rank 2nd Lower), in charge of the cavalry camp. Descended from Sui dynasty nobility, favours neither factions of the Empress or the Crown Prince.

Jin Xin

Xie Yun’s personal attendant, bestowed onto Xie Yun by the Empress. Used to work in the Palace. A beauty with hidden prowess.

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NOVEL LINKS

Original Chinese version on JJWXC

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English Fan Translation by BlackBoxTL (ONGOING)