Another absolutely amazing novel from Nian Zhong. I actually don’t mind how it’s reminiscent of 'Stray,' another one of her novels. It’s an adventure martial arts story that includes a small sect following the traces of immortality. The two main characters solve small mysteries and eventually piece together the underlying conspiracy that they realize they are deeply involved in. Unbeknownst to the main characters, their hidden identities play a significant role in their shared past. Here’s the basic premise:
After the legendary demonic leader of the Ling Sect died, he left behind a tomb. This Ghost Tomb recently emerged in the martial world, attracting all sects like moths to a flame. The treasure hidden in the tomb was called the Shirou, a legendary artifact that supposedly granted immortality. Yin Ci, our protagonist, joins Shi Jingzhi, our male lead, in founding his own sect. The two participate in the tomb raid, each wanting the Shirou for different reasons.
Yin Ci is immortal, hundreds of years old. He has drifted around the world, trying to find a way to end his life. After Shi Jingzhi told him about the Shirou, he decided to join the tomb raiding for fun. His internal energy is virtually nonexistent, leading Shi Jingzhi to believe that Yin Ci is weak and helpless. ;)
Spoilers about Yin Ci's past and his immortality. I highly recommend reading the novel!
**Spoiler**
His immortality is ultimately connected to Shi Jingzhi in a complex way. I like to say that they are almost fated to be together. Yin Ci met Shi Jingzhi when he was a child. At the time, Yin Ci was almost losing his sanity, and the young Shi Jingzhi saved him. Though they were separated, Yin Ci still remembers the little boy and affectionately calls him Little Mute.
**Spoiler**
Yin Ci’s immortality is due to a tree. He is part of the tree, thus sharing its lifeforce. He has no internal energy because the strength and illness of one of its branches are spread throughout the tree. His internal energy is comparable to a single droplet of water vaporizing in a fire.
In the beginning, Yin Ci feels detached from the world, embodying the essence of an immortal. His coldness contrasts sharply with his playful Shizun. However, after spending time with Shi Jingzhi, his personality begins to change. The two have similar personalities, leading to great chemistry!
Shi Jingzhi is the playful, foxy Shizun. His identity is shrouded in mystery, and his inexperience combined with his profound internal energy even confuses Yin Ci. Shi Jingzhi has a terminal illness, giving him only one year to live. He decides to bet that year on obtaining the Shirou.
**Spoilers about Shi Jingzhi's special condition and his terminal illness.**
**Spoiler**
Shi Jingzhi is known as a 'Child of Desire.' These individuals were experimental subjects containing immense desire, which often led to insanity or suicide. Most Children of Desire died young, but Shi Jingzhi's obsession was to live. After meeting Yin Ci, his desire gradually shifted to him. ;) The leader of the Ling Sect was also a Child of Desire but killed himself in his 20s. Shi Jingzhi's illness stems from his immense internal energy, which his body cannot contain. His secret identity is that of a prince of the kingdom.
I think the romance fits perfectly into the story. The romance and plot are not separate; rather, the romance is seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The relationship between the two starts off somewhat secretive but becomes more open as their attraction grows. Despite their many secrets, their love is trusting and open. They quickly form a bond where they would do anything for each other.
**Spoiler**
It’s ironic that their lives are literally connected at the end.
The side characters!!!
Holy hell, I loved the side characters. Nian Zhong has a talent for making readers attach to side characters. In Shi Jingzhi's small sect, his only disciple is Yin Ci, but they have two servants.
Yang Qing is a unique individual. He is a descendant of the legendary demonic sect leader, and his blood-red eyes signify this. However, he lacks any evilness, ambition, or drive for power. Yang Qing is actually extremely pure. This contrasts with his childhood friend, Su Si. Su Si’s beauty and talent stem from being a cuckoo’s egg, but he possesses ambition and cunning that Yang Qing does not. They become unwilling servants of Shizun Shi Jingzhi after being rescued by him.
One storyline I particularly loved was the one between the demonic Ling Sect leader, Yan Budu, and the monk Kongshi. It was so heartbreaking that I cried...
**Spoiler**
They were complete opposites—absolute evil versus absolute good. Yet, despite their differences, they shared many interests. Here’s an excerpt:
“It’s useless for you to wait here, and it’s useless to pretend everything is fine. I haven’t had some bullsh*t enlightenment, don’t you understand? I won’t help you. I never intended to save you from the beginning.”
Kongshi remained unmoved, continuing to recite sutras as before.
“You will die here with your corpse exposed in the wilderness, unattended, cursed for a hundred years. You...”
Yan Budu didn’t even blink his eyes. He released his grip on Kongshi’s face and licked his lips. His tone revealed a slight wavering.
“... You’re a monster. Are you truly an emotionless and heartless stone?”
Kongshi halted his silent recitation and casually replied, “I confess, this humble monk enjoys eating apricots. It can be considered a preference shared by some living beings.”
He slowly smiled again, revealing a hint of bitterness in his smile. “So that’s how it is. A whole month, with thoughts and emotions exchanged... It was all in vain. I was the one who went too far.”
He had exposed his true intentions and worked so hard, but in the end, it was all self-indulgence. In the presence of this person, there was no such thing as closeness or distance in human relationships.
“Kongshi, from the beginning, the ‘me’ in your eyes was never really ‘me,’ was it?”
Whether Yan Budu was a three-year-old child or a hundred-year-old elder, whether he had hidden motives or was naturally wicked, he was nothing more than an ordinary stone in this person’s eyes.
From the moment Yan Budu stepped into the cave, Kongshi’s attitude had never changed even a bit, not one bit more or less.
Indeed, equality among all sentient beings!
“People all say that I am the most heartless one. But now it seems that you, Venerable, surpass me in that aspect.”
???????
This spoiler is for me to collect my thoughts, but it spoils the underlying mystery of the entire novel. Don’t read if you plan to read it. (PLEASE DO!)
**Spoiler**
Hundreds of years ago, when Yin Ci was a mortal, the imperial preceptor at the time, He Chang'an, was part of a 'Hanging Tree.' He Chang'an made Yin Ci drink immortal wine, which attached him to the tree. He Chang'an, realizing that Yin Ci was an anomaly as his consciousness didn’t get absorbed into the tree, convinced the emperor to sacrifice Yin Ci. The imperial preceptor beheaded Yin Ci thousands of times to collect his bodies for material. After that, he was buried in an unbreakable coffin. However, a vital piece was stolen from the coffin, allowing Yin Ci the possibility to escape. After tearing off his arm and scraping at the coffin for 80 years, he finally managed to break free. The Imperial Preceptor's lineage passed down the secrets of immortals and the Hanging Tree. They initiated the Hundred-Year project, which aimed to develop a Child of Desire to serve as the physical vessel of the Hanging Tree.
