Heaven Official's Blessing//TGCF: Novel & Manhua Review - PART 25 - Chapters 87-88 Reaction!
Added 2023-01-16 14:00:03 +0000 UTC*Headphone Warning*
Well, just when you think things can't get WORSE for our cinnamon bun deity...they really get WORSE. The Human Face Disease becomes a catalyst that leads our boy Xie Lian to a set of decisions that cause him to utterly lose faith in not only everything around him, but HIMSELF. It hurts here, folks.
Luckily, amidst the depths of despair, there is a solitary light flittering like a butterfly to shine some hope for Xie Lian, even if he doesn't even realize it, himself, yet. I thought two chapters would be a BREEZE this week. *nervous laughter* And we're only halfway through volume 3, now...
Thank you for watching with me and for all the support!
Comments
Hey!!! I hope you had a great time away! And yes, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I do love that, despite Hua Cheng believing XL is brave for trying and I agree, XL probably needed to hear that after ALL these years! :) But him as a child is SUCH a bean! :) I love him more and more as we go through this story! I’ve always been a fan of flashbacks, so as painful as this one was, it was so interesting to see the backstory and set up for many of these characters! And it has me excited to see how it’s going to impact them in the present…especially little Hua! :) And thank you – I’m hopeful that people won’t spoil or try to offer any hints in the future, but it’s good to know that it’s maybe not confirmed! Yessss, right?! QR’s actions mirroring the past! I love that character moment! And BWX!! So creepy! Ahahaha, him as a “flower girl” is also an incredibly terrifying image! That’s really interesting about the idea that Jiang Cheng is split between Feng Xin and Mu Qing, but seriously, you’re right! I love that! And yessss, this flashback was so hard, seeing our cinnamon bun deity fall so far…but I’m glad we’re going back to the present, even as we get deeper into the story! Thank you so much for the kind words and comment! :) Cheers to TGCF!
Romaniablack
2023-01-27 14:33:49 +0000 UTCIM BACK!!! I was in the UK for the first few weeks of January for a writing retreat, so I wasn’t able to comment on the past reactions. So I’ll start with HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Here’s my brief thoughts from the last few reviews!! Just throughout these chapters of Xie Lian’s past, I keep being reminded of what Hua Cheng says to Xie Lian at the end of the Banyue arc/OVA about how even though it was foolish to say all these naive things, it was still brave. Reading these chapters now makes me realize how much that sentiment must have meant to Xie Lian to hear, how much he really needed to hear those words. Because we now see how complicated the situation and how naive Xie Lian thought he could easily fix things if he tried hard enough because he was a young prince who thought he was invincible because the Heavens favored him. Little soldier Hong Hong is honestly so great. He’s such a bean, trying his best to protect Xie Lian on the battlefield. It’s also very interesting to see the threads of Hua Cheng’s inspirations. From the umbrella to the idea of E’ming, his final form is beginning to take shape. And him shouting at Xie Lian about never forgetting him???? My heartttt Tbh, when I first read this past section of the novel, I wasn’t all that interested in it because I just wanted to get back into the present-day story. I wasn’t a flashback pro yet since TGCF was my first mxtx/danmei I ever read. But now since I’m doing a full reread of the series alongside you and the publications, I’ve come to appreciate this section a lot more than I did the first time around! And it’s amazing how much details I missed/picked up on. I’m making so many connections that I didn’t before, and that’s what I love about TGCF, everything comes full circle. And I could be wrong but I don’t think the whole Hua Cheng is the young nurse who started the brawl thing was ever actually confirmed in the story. Still, I agree, spoilers suck. Don’t ever feel like you’re being annoying repeating it—it’s a valid response! Esp. since TGCF is such a long series, there will be ppl who are impatient and let things slip!! I would hate for your experience to be ruined. Keep on theorizing - they’re so fun to hear!!! I thought was interesting that Lang Ying had strung up Qi Rong on a tree — and Qi Rong in the future goes on to string corpses onto trees. In the present day, it was said he did that to mimic the crimson rain when Hua Cheng destroyed his lair, but it’s so interesting that of all the characters to put in that position, MXTX chose Qi Rong. And you’re right, Qi Rong is so hung up (no pun intended) on the past, even if he himself is not aware of it. Everything he went through in the past mirrors what he’s doing in the present. I never noticed until you pointed it out; that’s so interesting!!! And now A WILD BAI WUXIANG HAS APPEARED!!!! And in the creepiest way possible too!!! He really does scream “I’m here to ruin your life” vibes XDDDD idk why but I keep thinking about that Tuxedo Mask meme where he’s like “looks like my job here is done” - except he’s done so much damage but whisks away as if he was just casually strolling through sprinkling chaos around like a flower girl at a wedding. I kinda love that Jiang Cheng’s character has been split between Mu Qing and Feng Xin. Mu Qing with his cattiness and Feng Xin with his explosive language hahahaha whenever Feng Xin opens his mouth I cackle because he’ll be very civil but dropping all the f-bombs every few words. It’s hilarious. I also love that you get to see more of how they used to be. Although, they’re a little different as gods, you can still see their past selves peeking through. It’s also really funny how their rivalry continues on, even in their godhood. It’s so funny that Xie Lian forces them to say idioms to stop them from fighting. Now, these last set of chapters were just…heavy (I’m just full of puns today lol). It’s always so hard to watch the trainwreck that is Xie Lian’s first downfall—and him holding up the statue, with Qi Rong yelling at him to not let him fall. The fact that it’s both a physical and metaphorical fall. Him trying to hold up his grand statue from falling, whilst also symbolizing his inevitable downfall as a revered god. I’m so excited for you to continue on. We’re getting deeper and deeper into the trenches, and this was only half of Xie Lian’s past!!! There’s still so much story left to discover—plus the present conflict going on as well!!! We’re in for a good time, that’s all I have to say about that 🤭🤭🤭
Kixkay
2023-01-22 00:38:08 +0000 UTCThe angst was DEFINITELY there this set of chapters and ahhh, Hua Cheng's declaration is so beautiful! I loved it! Also, totally agree, after this entire arc, XL DESERVES a darn good cry or at least someone that he process his feelings with -- I hope he gets a chance to have that happen but we shall see, eh? That is so exciting about being on holiday! :D I am thankful for the kind words and comment! Enjoy the time off! :D :D
Romaniablack
2023-01-17 16:39:42 +0000 UTCwow, finally done book 2! So much done and so much left to go. I enjoyed this reaction immensely even though so much of it is so painful...what can I say, I do love some angst. Hong's declaration at the end truly is so beautiful...the promise of a child but gosh darn did he ever stick to it. Also totally agree about the crying thing. Sometimes you really need a good cry and I feel like an 800-year worth cry would be so cathartic...brb going to go watch some sad movies (or read Book 2 again). One bit that breaks my heart is Xie Lian wishing he could be 10 years old and get a hug from his mum...I feel like that's such a relatable thing, when you've grown up and moved away but then something happens in your life and you really just just want a hug from a parent. I feel like Xie Lian definitely deserves one for standing and holding up a massive ass building for DAYS. Goddamn, Xie Lian. So looking forward to next week!!! I'm on holidays so I'm hoping I actually have time to watch soon after you post, because I'm so excited each time. ahhhh
millipop
2023-01-17 13:16:04 +0000 UTC
