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sid_guardian2023-04-23 10:07 am
china_shop) wrote in sid_guardian2023-04-23 10:07 am
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GUARDIAN REWATCH – Episode 15
Beginning of episode: Cong Bo snoops through university camera feeds for dirt on Shen Wei
Ending of episode: Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are in Dixing | Zhao Xinci arrives to investigate the SID
Important scenes/developments:
- Cong Bo finds the feed from the hidden cam in Shen Wei's office and sees him use his powers.
- Shen Wei receives a smoke messenger from the Regent saying the Dijun's Register is missing.
- Cong Bo takes his blackmail material to Zhao Yunlan and gives him three days to go public.
- At Zhao Yunlan's flat, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei apologise to each other and make a plan to deal with Cong Bo.
- Cong Bo gets his comeuppance and conversion.
- Zhu Jiu is a) still healing and b) rude to Ya Qing.
- Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei toast their success, Shen Wei explains his power of learning, and Zhao Yunlan gets him to clean the flat (again).
- In the SID lab, Zhao Yunlan contemplates some one-on-one with the Hallows, but Shen Wei interrupts.
- Zhu Hong is drunk and sad.
- The Regent arrives in Dragon City, is creepy at Guo Changcheng and makes his way to the SID.
- Where Chu Shuzhi immediately attacks him.
- The Regent is creepy at everyone else, especially Wang Zheng.
- Shen Wei arrives in full plain-clothes Envoy mode and yells at the Regent for losing the Dijun's Register.
- Zhao Yunlan decides to go to Dixing, despite Shen Wei's best arguments.
- The Xingdu Bureau is sending an inspector, so the SID decide Guo Changcheng should pretend to be Chief Zhao.
- Shen Wei shows Zhao Yunlan the gate to Dixing, and they go through it.
- In the gate, Zhao Yunlan has visions of his parents arguing.
- Zhao Yunlan's first introduction to the streets of Dixing.
- Zhu Jiu and Bao Laosan plan an attack.
- Zhao Xinci arrives to inspect the SID.
Thoughts
- This episode starts with both leads facing problems that spill over to affect the other: Shen Wei is trying and failing to get information from the Regent, and orders the Dijun's Register to be brought to him, not realising that it's missing and the Regent will appeal to the SID for help recovering it. And Zhao Yunlan is being blackmailed with footage of Shen Wei captured via Haixing technology that he himself put in place. These are both problems best solved together, and in particular, if Shen Wei hadn't joined the SID by now, he might not have heard about the Regent's visit and the subsequent field trip to Dixing until it was too late, so phew!
- Shen Wei's fringe is a little weird in the first scene in his office. And is that Xiao Quan?
- Shen Wei has asked the Regent about Zhu Jiu and (presumably) Ye Zun. This is the reply:
Smoke Messenger System: The Regent still can't find out the relationship between Zhu Jiu and that man. We also don't know what use the Hallows are to them. 摄政官大人 暂时查不出 烛九和那位的关系也不知道人类的圣器 对他们有什么作用
Shen Wei: What about the origin of Zhu Jiu, his background and ability type? It's impossible that there is no trace. 那烛九的来历 渊源 能力范畴总不会无迹可寻吧
SMS: He said he was too old to remember clearly.他说年纪太大了 记不清楚事了
Shen Wei: *unimpressed curl of lips* I'll give him three days. 我给他三天的时间
(A couple of lines elided.) I love everything about the smoke messenger -- it's practical and eerie and very cool. - Cong Bo takes his blackmail material to Zhao Yunlan, who responds with, "And have you ever wondered whether your so-called truths are really true or not?" 那你有没有想过你这些所谓的真相究竟是不是事实 -- one of the themes of the show! Also, Zhao Yunlan is totally bluffing here: there's no error or elision in the footage of Shen Wei, but they later manage to use Cong Bo's other mistakes to clear Shen Wei by inference. (Ooh, imagine if Cong Bo had shown up with this a week ago, before the Zheng Yi case!!)
Also also, Zhao Yunlan has changed his hair(!!!!!) (because he's in love). - The apology scene!! *flails like Kermit* Shen Wei isn't wearing his glasses, and I can't get over Zhao Yunlan managing to sprawl on stools, and then sitting on the couch like that. asd;lfkajsdf I've metaed about this before, so I'm just going to include some of that here, updated with my current thinking.
Feel free to skip!
I don't read Zhao Yunlan as at all casual at the beginning. He's trying to read Shen Wei's reaction to see if it's anger or something else. He knows he's fucked up. I think he half-expects Shen Wei to be disappointed in him, maybe even to stalk off like he did after the failed old-books affair, or to want to.
And then Shen Wei apologises (which I always attribute to a cultural expectation of self-criticism), and Zhao Yunlan's own apology is derailed by telling him IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT! Like, he looks like Shen Wei's apology physically hurts him.
When Zhao Yunlan does explain why it's his fault, he seems annoyed/reproachful enough at himself that I think it's easy for Shen Wei to let it go? Shen Wei doesn't say "It's not your fault." He lets Zhao Yunlan's apology stand and shifts the conversation from blame to "we need a solution."
And oh, I love how Zhao Yunlan is being so genuine. There's none of his usual performance or bluster, none of the IN YOUR FACE of the previous episode. He's giving Shen Wei plenty of space to have all the emotion/anger/disappointment-in-him he wants. He doesn't move closer until Shen Wei implies the apologies are over.
And even when Zhao Yunlan starts talking about the solution, he's not being arch and "I'm so smart." They're both being so real! <3 <3 <3 - Cong Bo gets his comeuppance and conversion. I've metaed this before, too.
Again, feel free to skip!
This is from an old email, and I wove it into all your tomorrows, but here's the cleaned-up meta version.
The more I think about it, the more I love the fact that Shen Wei is the one with the phone. Because Cong Bo's threat is in an area Shen Wei has no way of dealing with via his own MO, and Zhao Yunlan gave him a situation-appropriate weapon. Shen Wei is the one who wields it, who decides how and when to show the footage to Cong Bo. He doesn't look to Zhao Yunlan for cues. Zhao Yunlan isn't saving him.
Shen Wei is perfectly capable of dealing with distraught/angry people and potential threats -- and Zhao Yunlan gave him the weapon he needed in this particular instance so he could do what he does. *flails a bit*
(Also, I 100% believe Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are deliberately playing good cop/bad cop, but I don't know how much that's just headcanon on my part. :-)
But what I actually wanted to talk about was during and after Zhao Yunlan makes his "come work with us/make up for your fault" pitch, and it's less pronounced than I remember it being from screencapping, and part of it is the slightest of posture shifts as the danger is averted, but I feel like Shen Wei is also secretly really proud of Zhao Yunlan in that moment. Like, thinking: this is what we do, who we are together -- we stop wrong-doing and (just as importantly) we offer a chance at redemption.
There's so much compassion in it -- and to someone who was threatening them real harm! They could have crushed Cong Bo, but they didn't. This is Shen Wei seeing Zhao Yunlan do the equivalent of letting Zheng Yi and Tan Xiao skip off into the sunset together. - Cong Bo's scoops are a lot like the way the show itself provides more information in retrospect to change the context of things.
- Zhu Jiu is still healing. Ya Qing shows up and says a Yashou is watching her. Does she mean Ying Chun? Ying Chun's spies? And then more bickering. These two! Zhu Jiu is so frustrated and humiliated by his injury. Now he wants revenge on Zhao Yunlan specifically. /o\
- Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan toast their success in water, and I cannot with how they're sitting, how warm and intimate this scene is, and ALL OF IT!!
I feel like ZYL finally drops his performance here and in the apology scene. Like, here, he's still gently teasing, but it's much more genuine and soft, and I think Shen Wei gets that, and that's why he's prepared to relax and reveal things about himself. asdlkfjasdlfkajsdlfkasdfMore recycled meta. Feel free to skip!
I don't think this second request for compensation is a joke -- I think it's another apology. Like, literally a do-over, dressed up as a game. They deal with the Cong Bo stuff, and it's resolved between them (and in general). Then talk about Shen Wei's powers. And then there's a pause while Shen Wei does his "with great power comes great responsibility" inner monologue and Zhao Yunlan looks meditative (and super-hot *ahem*).
And I think Zhao Yunlan is thinking, while he skates his thumb over his teeth, that they've put "Shen Wei being annoyed with him" behind them and the Cong Bo thing behind them, but there's still the unresolved moment of Shen Wei's overt anger at being pressured/cornered into joining the SID. What happened in that moment? Zhao Yunlan doesn't have the full context for it, but he knows he fucked it up. So I think his request for compensation is transparently and deliberately inappropriate, because the point of it is to re-enact that scene and show that he's learning, he's paying attention, he wants to get this right.
(The request is shameless, but it's also a personal request, nothing to do with work, and he's asking Shen Wei to do something that Shen Wei has done before voluntarily. And there's an element of "make yourself at home/make my place comfortable for yourself," even if it is dressed up as "clean up for me." (I really don't think Zhao Yunlan cares at all whether his flat is tidy, so it's not really payment in that sense.))
And Shen Wei playing along with the request is him accepting the apology. At which point Zhao Yunlan does get slightly "I'm going to milk this," but it's only a tiny bit. Their jagged edges are smoothed.
Also, you know, the apartment is really not that messy at that point. There's probably, like, half a dozen pieces of clothing on the floor and the bed is unmade. It's nowhere near the horrific disaster zone of episode 8.
Also also, the bit when Zhao Yunlan is asking about Shen Wei's power and being all interested in Shen Wei and warm and complimentary is so very Kunlun-esque, I can't imagine that doesn't take the sting out of everything else ever, as far as Shen Wei is concerned. And I'm sure Zhao Yunlan's shamelessness and mischievous side is part of what Shen Wei loves about him. So the compensation request might actually feel pretty good from his POV?
That last grin from the couch is totally "You love me because I'm shameless, right?" :D :D :D - Zhao Yunlan in the SID lab, contemplating groping the Hallows even though he recently passed out TWICE from touching the Awl. I really like that he's thought it through, though, and decided the stakes are high enough to justify it. ♥
And then Shen Wei catches him in the act, giving him a scare. (Does Shen Wei physically force him to put the case back? Hee!) (Also, is it just me, or does Shen Wei's outfit here resemble Ye Zun's fake!Shen Wei outfit from ep 34?)
ZYL: But you also told me there is still another powerful dark force hiding behind Zhu Jiu, and he is coveting these Hallows. A war concerning the survival of the world can be triggered anytime. And now, only I can activate the Hallows. What else can we do despite using this silly method to detect the other two Hallows?
可也是你亲口告诉我的呀 在烛九的背后有一个强大的黑暗势力一直在觊觎着圣器随时会引发一场关乎世界存亡的大战而现在 只有我可以触发圣器的共鸣除了用这种笨的方法去探索另外两件圣器 我们还能怎么办
Which is fair, right? And we see Shen Wei realise that this is another cost of his secrets, given Zhao Yunlan's insatiable need to act and protect.
Also, Shen Wei's plan to let Zhu Jiu and co find the other Hallows first is strategically sound so long as the other Hallows don't make the baddies super-powerful and harder to catch! People do die as a result of this strategy. But anyway, Zhao Yunlan accepts it and invites Shen Wei out for dinner instead. (as;ldkfjasd;lkfasfhlkdjsfh at what TOTAL PARTNERS they are, conferring together, and that arm clasp and Shen Wei reminding Zhao Yunlan he doesn't drink. :D :D :D :D :D)
Also also, Zhao Yunlan is transparently still getting his head around Shen Wei's identities. When Shen Wei catches him going for the Hallows, Zhao Yunlan says, "Hei-laoge, as expected, it's impossible to hide anything from you." And when Shen Wei suggests an alternate plan, he says, "Professor, as expected, grasping the whole picture and looking for long-term solutions." :D - Zhu Hong is such a messy drunk, aww. The show might be censored, but she knows the truth. And she's sad enough to want to drink with Xiao Guo a lot. (Is he even drinking?) (How is he so clueless?) Da Qing has empathy.
Zhu Hong drunk dials Zhao Yunlan without dialling. *pets her* - The Regent arrives in Dragon City in Haixing clothes. (Some speculative discussion here about that.) He's almost hit by a delivery truck, literally falls down, but doesn't make a fuss about it. This may be his most likeable moment in the whole show. Changcheng, who's walking along reading "Close Quarter Combat" (yay for dual-language titles!) helps him up. LOL at him telling Changcheng he's as a fit as a fiddle: that's the opposite of what he tells anyone else ever.
GCC: I'm running late.
Regent:
- Ahhhh, Chu Shuzhi loses his cool and grabs the Regent, apparently his mortal enemy, and the Regent is so smug about it.
And then ZYL comes out and yells at Chu Shuzhi, and is all schmoozy with the Regent, and Chu Shuzhi is completely incensed and betrayed. Aww!! But there's a beat before Zhao Yunlan follows the others inside where he's clearly assimilating all this info and not really trusting the Regent. And once inside, he just sits on the couch and observes in a really-not-appropriate-for-a-diplomatic-occasion way. - The Regent is awful, exclaiming at Wang Zheng's prettiness. /o\ Everyone's perplexed and uncomfortable. Zhu Hong explains Dixing's governance to Lin Jing. Zhao Yunlan eats a lollipop and waits for more info. (He has to be taking CSZ's reaction into account, right?)
And what is Xiao Guo thinking? He's physically aligned himself with CSZ, but he must be shocked by the assault. - The moment the Regent mentions the Dijun's Register, Shen Wei arrives and, without missing a beat, demands to know what happened to it. He's so unsurprised I almost wonder if Zhao Yunlan spilled the secret of the Regent's visit over dinner the night before (but I don't really think that).
- Zhao Yunlan cutting off the Regent's reveal! ♥ Shen Wei being pissed off! ♥
Da Qing starting to give CSZ's backstory, and Chu Shuzhi glaring him into silence! ♥ - Zhao Yunlan's office: on the face of it, it's so shocking to see this elder grovelling to seemingly-young Shen Wei. And Zhao Yunlan is watching Shen Wei like a hawk, still figuring him out. (And also, still acting like uncovering Shen Wei's secret identity was a game and Shen Wei cheated by intercepting the Regent's letter.)
Then the Regent actually starts hitting himself, and Zhao Yunlan can't take it anymore and tries to defuse the situation. Shen Wei yells at him, and Zhao Yunlan freezes -- hee! And then loses his composure. And then, not long after, Zhao Yunlan coughs to warn of Da Qing's approach, and Shen Wei instantly understands and switches gears, and I love it. :D :D :D - Da Qing is trying to be discreet, but Zhao Yunlan is weirdly cavalier about the Regent knowing their business. Meanwhile, Shen Wei is sitting in his chair like it's a throne. :D :D :D
ZYL: I'm going to Dixing.
DQ: (to ZYL) Are you crazy?
Regent: (to ZYL) Thank you.
Shen Wei: (to ZYL) You can't go. (He's so Envoy! What must Da Qing be thinking? And what is the Regent making of this charade?)
I'm generally a Zhao Yunlan apologist, but I do think he's being unfair here: Shen Wei warns of danger, and Zhao Yunlan's attitude is basically "I'll be fine because you can take care of me! It's an adventure! (And I really don't want to see my dad!)" But Shen Wei isn't all-powerful. He's assessed it as unsafe, and as it turns out, he's right to be alarmed.
I guess, in Zhao Yunlan's defence, he must figure the Regent wouldn't have invited him it were really dangerous. This is probably just Hanga Caves level dangerous: 7/10, would risk again. - Once Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei and the Regent have gone, we see the SID team unenthusiastically (except for Xiao Guo) cleaning for their inspection.
GCC: Personally, I feel Professor Shen is quite impressive. Not just like a normal professor.
And Lin Jing's reaction, considering and then nodding. Everyone can tell Shen Wei is special. :D - Oh no, the inspector is coming early. I love Da Qing's line, "I thought we could wait for Lao Zhao's return. It's all over now. If this unit is closed down, my dried fish and big treehouse will be gone." 本来还想着等老赵回来这下完蛋了部门没有了小鱼干和大树屋也没有了 So cat! ♥ And then it's Wang Zheng who thinks of using a stand-in, and Chu Shuzhi who volunteers Changcheng. :D
- Shen Wei, the Regent and Zhao Yunlan at the portal.
Zhao Yunlan tactlessly says Shen Wei's vision is uncomfortable. (*facepalm*) Shen Wei thinks something's off, but when Zhao Yunlan says to keep going, he does without hesitation. - The portal vision. Poor Yunlan! :-(
- Zhao Yunlan arrives in Dixing off-balance from the vision and finds the Envoy in Dixing awe-inspiring. (Ya think?!)
I'm intrigued by the office-block-looking windows behind them. Does Dixing have corporations?
Walking through the streets, he assures Shen Wei, "I'm not afraid. I just thought--" and then interrupts himself. (What was he going to say??) He learns for the first time that Dixing is in darkness.
Shen Wei's saying "Fortunately, light is not a necessity for the people who live here" reminded me of the kitchen scene, with him saying, "Fortunately, I'm used to being hurt," but I checked the characters and they're different "fortunately"s.
He explains about Dixing not having time, too, but he doesn't say that's why they need the Hallows back. - Changcheng pretending to be Zhao Yunlan! Hee! I really love that quote: "There's no tension that can't be relieved by a lollipop. If there is, try two." Words to live by, and an insight into all Zhao Yunlan's constant lollipopping!
- This must be Zhao Xinci's first visit to the SID, since only Da Qing seems to know him. He's curt and impatient, and strides into the back. The episode ends with Da Qing whispering the truth to Zhu Hong.
Discussion starters:
- What's your favourite line of dialogue from this episode? Favourite moment or scene? I'm finding it so hard to choose.
- Do you have any thoughts about the nature of the smoke messenger? Is it essentially automated? Is it the dark-energy equivalent of AI? Can it convey objects or just information?
- What does Zhao Yunlan tell the SID, and in particular Lin Jing, about the Cong Bo threat? Something serious enough to justify deleting all his files, but not so terrible that they baulk at his recruitment to the SID. (Fwiw, I once did a poll question about this.)
- When the Regent first arrives in Dragon City, he says, "The cars on the surface are so different." Does he mean there are cars in Dixing, too (or car-like things), or is he comparing them to last time he was in Haixing?
- What's up with the portal visions? Why do they happen? Do they only affect Zhao Yunlan, or is it everyone?
- The palace guard greet the Envoy as a leader. Does Shen Wei command them? To what extent?
- How much of the "missing Register / Zhao Yunlan goes to Dixing" situation did Ye Zun orchestrate? We know Ding Dun was working with Zhu Jiu, and he's the one who stole the book. Did Ye Zun guess Shen Wei would ask for it? Did the Deacon encourage the Regent to turn to the SID for help?
- At the Locust Tree Gate, Zhao Yunlan says, "Huh? You said this is the only passageway, and only you two are allowed to go through freely. So where did those escaped Dixingren come from?" 你说这儿是唯一通道只有你们两个人 可以自由穿梭这一扇门那之前逃逸的那些地星人他们是从哪来的 The Regent replies, "This... Well... This is the question we are trying to answer." 这个这个嘛这也是我们正在调查的问题 But afaicr we never really find out. Do you have any ideas?
- Was Zhao Yunlan actually comfortable balanced on that bar stool, or was it just for show?
Let’s talk about episode 15!
Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!
Links to episode 15 fanworks and meta go here!
- any other episode reactions or related meta
- fanworks, picspams, squee, etc, relating to episode 15 generally or to specific scenes, characters, or events in this episode
Link to your own works and/or others'. Help us build as comprehensive a collection of links as possible!Re: Links to episode 15 fanworks and meta go here!
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan mutual apology scene by
Zhao Yunlan's Mother's Death (eps 15 - 17) by
Focus on the Regent by
My fic and picspam
Picspam of Cong Bo's blackmail visit
The Taking It Slow series:
1. all your tomorrows -- the lead-up to the mutual apology scene, and what came after (including the culmination of the "Shen Wei cleans the flat again" scene); first kiss
2. 180 degrees of you -- a lot of lead-up to the lab scene, where ZYL is about to grope the Hallows and Shen Wei stops him, plus the dinner afterwards
ETA: 3. How the Other Half Lives - Zhao Yunlan's first trip to Dixing, during which he gets a crash course in Envoy. (25,253 words, E-rated)
what we were, who we are -- Shen Wei's POV of going through the gateway to Dixing
Other fic
who you become by
Re: Links to episode 15 fanworks and meta go here!
no subject
It’s so funny to me just how much incriminating behavior Shen Wei exhibits right after Cong Bo gains access to the feed. There’s probably nothing unusual going on in this office on almost any other day. But here he uses a power to shut the door, summons a sword, and receives a smoke messenger in the span of 80 seconds. To round it off, his demeanor changes very obviously between Heipaoshi and Prof. Shen.
I am shocked and appalled at the abysmal cyber security in this episode; I might need to rant a little.
Here’s what I take issue with:
•The SID uses an unsecured camera feed.
•Cong Bo has no measures in place to prevent the hack being traced back to him.
I deduce this from how easily he is traced and from how surprised he reacts. He really thought he can hack the SID and they just won’t do anything about it.
•He keeps incriminating evidence on the same computer he uses for hacking when really there should be nothing on this machine.
I bet he is connected to his home wi-fi too for good measure.
•Cong Bo has no backups of his super-important files.
He should have several, including at least one in offline storage.
It's sad, really.
Cong Bo gets his comeuppance and conversion
What exactly are they showing Cang Bo on the phone to prove the error of his ways? Do we know? The flashbacks read to me as for the viewer rather than in-universe due to the visual effects, and there’s no explanation where they would have gotten that footage. But I don’t know what else they could be showing him either.
Also also, Zhao Yunlan has changed his hair(!!!!!) (because he's in love)
Yeees! I love the Parted Hair of Marriage <3
The Regent arrives in Dragon City, is creepy at Guo Changcheng and makes his way to the SID
What is the regent trying to achieve with his behavior towards Xiao Guo? He seems to gain nothing from messing with him.
Shen Wei is clearly in his Heipaoshi persona as soon as he spots the regent. Interesting that he assigns a greater priority to maintaining authority in front of the regent than to keeping up appearances for the SID.
I guess, in Zhao Yunlan's defence, he must figure the Regent wouldn't have invited him it were really dangerous
Yes I think so too. He probably assumes Shen Wei is being overly cautious. He should have caught on once Shen Wei literally smells the danger at the gate, though.
Zhao Yunlan arrives in Dixing off-balance from the vision and finds the Envoy in Dixing awe-inspiring. (Ya think?!)
Heipaoshi all authoritative and intimidating is so hot. I love his dramatic little gesture to the guards.
The Xingdu Bureau is sending an inspector, so the SID decide Guo Changcheng should pretend to be Chief Zhao
If I understood correctly, Zhao Yunlan leaves hastily to avoid running into his father. But then the others say things like “he’s not back yet, what do we do” like that wasn’t the whole reason he left? At least Da Qing must know this.
And why can’t they just tell Zhao Xinci that the boss is not here right now? It’s a surprise inspection; the bureau can’t expect everyone to be present when they drop by unannounced.
no subject
Haha, great point! I guess that's TV story-telling in motion? Otherwise we'd need a montage of Cong Bo watching the feed for three weeks, slowly gathering evidence, and I'm really glad we didn't get that! *g*
I am shocked and appalled at the abysmal cyber security in this episode; I might need to rant a little.
LOLOL! Everyone is far too trusting, and clearly Cong Bo has never faced the slightest opposition before. It is sad. *g*
What exactly are they showing Cang Bo on the phone to prove the error of his ways? Do we know? The flashbacks read to me as for the viewer rather than in-universe due to the visual effects, and there’s no explanation where they would have gotten that footage. But I don’t know what else they could be showing him either.
I think it must be the flashbacks, but yeah, no idea how that works.
Yeees! I love the Parted Hair of Marriage <3
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
What is the regent trying to achieve with his behavior towards Xiao Guo? He seems to gain nothing from messing with him.
Huh. So true. I hadn't thought of that. Maybe he wants to be underestimated? Perhaps part of his Haixing cover is "confusing passersby"? (And does he know from the start that Xiao Guo is from the SID? He seems to, but how?)
Maybe he plans to gain Xiao Guo's help and trust, thinking it will get Zhao Yunlan on-side, but then Lao Chu's attack kind of undermines that strategy? Except the Regent doesn't seem at all bothered about being assaulted...
Shen Wei is clearly in his Heipaoshi persona as soon as he spots the regent. Interesting that he assigns a greater priority to maintaining authority in front of the regent than to keeping up appearances for the SID.
Another great point! I guess Professor Shen has shown some Envoy-like characteristics before, so it's not that big a jump, but yeah, he is very focused on the Regent, so it's unclear how much he's taking the SID into account there. And then, in the office, he suddenly assumes his professor guise and turns all soft and polite. (I kind of love that, though).
And why can’t they just tell Zhao Xinci that the boss is not here right now? It’s a surprise inspection; the bureau can’t expect everyone to be present when they drop by unannounced.
They had an hours' warning! I guess everyone's supposed to rush back to base and be present and correct? And it's possible from Zhao Xinci's reaction that he expects the SID chief to delegate the fieldwork to his subordinates, or at least keep a closer eye on them. Idk.
no subject
Yes I agree that it's this way to keep the story moving. In-universe it means is Shen Wei is having terrible luck that day XD
And does he know from the start that Xiao Guo is from the SID? He seems to, but how?
He's the type to gather this kind of information in advance, find out who he's dealing with. But no idea where exactly he would get this info.
They had an hours' warning! I guess everyone's supposed to rush back to base and be present and correct? And it's possible from Zhao Xinci's reaction that he expects the SID chief to delegate the fieldwork to his subordinates, or at least keep a closer eye on them. Idk.
Imagine if Zhao Xinci had shown up during the hanga cave arc, he would have found an empty office (and possibly a recent receipt for a sex doll purchase) XD
They don't really have the manpower for Zhao Yunlan to lounge in his office all day - I think Chu Shuzhi is the only official field agent? Also Zhao Yunlan is the only one with a dark energy gun!
Of course it's possible the Xingdu Bureau simply has unreasonable expectations. Those Bureaucrats! XD
no subject
OMG!!!!! What an image. :D :D :D
no subject
LOL! True. And he doesn't even know it until later.
He's the type to gather this kind of information in advance, find out who he's dealing with. But no idea where exactly he would get this info.
He does have bureaucratic contacts in Haixing (he arranges Shen Wei's first cover identity). Or Ye Zun is feeding him info via the Deacon...
Imagine if Zhao Xinci had shown up during the hanga cave arc, he would have found an empty office (and possibly a recent receipt for a sex doll purchase) XD
LOLOL! I presume Zhao Yunlan notified the DoS of the field trip, though -- presumably when he was borrowing the extra car?
But excellent points about the gun and everything. Hm, I think it's that, maybe particularly given they have Dixingren and Yashou on staff, Zhao Yunlan is supposed to be supervising closely, not leaving them to act independently on their own. Maybe that was even a condition of having Chu Shuzhi at the SID. Either way, that seems to be the approach Zhao Xinci takes when the Bao Laosan case starts up?
no subject
Not only that, he actively provokes Chu Shuzhi.
I don't get the Regent's behaviour either.
And it's possible from Zhao Xinci's reaction that he expects the SID chief to delegate the fieldwork to his subordinates, or at least keep a closer eye on them. Idk.
They only have one and a half field agents - and also, we know Zhao Xinci himself was in the field too. Idk.
no subject
Putting himself in a position where Zhao Yunlan is forced to take the Regent's side against Chu Shuzhi. Maybe that's the point? It puts Zhao Yunlan at a disadvantage, too, after he promised the Regent he'd be welcomed.
one and a half field agents
Hee! True facts. *pets Changcheng*
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Oh, good point! Yeah, that sounds very possible.
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Right? Talk about perfect timing! *g*
I am shocked and appalled at the abysmal cyber security in this episode; I might need to rant a little.
Yeah, they're all criminally careless! Honestly, Cong Bo not even having backups is what shocks me the most.
What exactly are they showing Cang Bo on the phone to prove the error of his ways? Do we know? The flashbacks read to me as for the viewer rather than in-universe due to the visual effects, and there’s no explanation where they would have gotten that footage. But I don’t know what else they could be showing him either.
Huh, I always thought it was the flashbacks, though where they could have got such footage I can't imagine. At the very least it has to be something that proves what the flashbacks show ... and I don't see how anything else could do that so quickly.
Interesting that he assigns a greater priority to maintaining authority in front of the regent than to keeping up appearances for the SID.
Right? It's absolutely fascinating!
Heipaoshi all authoritative and intimidating is so hot.
He really, really is! ♥ ♥ ♥
And why can’t they just tell Zhao Xinci that the boss is not here right now? It’s a surprise inspection; the bureau can’t expect everyone to be present when they drop by unannounced.
Yeah, they could at least stall for time - and I don't see how that's riskier than someone actively pretending to be Zhao Yunlan! (Especially someone who doesn't have even a bit of Zhao Yunlan's disreputable look!)
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Right? What a terrible plan. Even if it worked, it could land them in hot water long-term - what if the surprise inspector drops by again in the future and meets the real Zhao Yunlan then?
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Cong Bo discovering the camera feed makes me wonder - has Zhao Yunlan just completely forgotten about it? Did he ever actually watch the feed after installing it? It can't have been on his mind much. (Would he have removed it if he'd remembered? Would he have admitted it to Shen Wei, or gone about it secretly?)
Also, regarding Cong Bo watching the video feed - he's all OMG when he sees Shen Wei use his powers, but it seems like that's more "OMG I actually have this on video" rather than reacting to the powers themselves. I still can't make sense of what actually counts for a big thing with him!
and orders the Dijun's Register to be brought to him, not realising that it's missing and the Regent will appeal to the SID for help recovering it
Or perhaps it wasn't actually missing at this point, but the Regent didn't want Shen Wei to have it, so he arranged for it to disappear! Honestly, I wouldn't put it past him.
if Shen Wei hadn't joined the SID by now, he might not have heard about the Regent's visit and the subsequent field trip to Dixing until it was too late, so phew!
Do you think Zhao Yunlan would have gone if he hadn't had Shen Wei with him? I think a lot of his overconfidence is related to thinking he's untouchable with Shen Wei by his side. (Would he have taken someone else along?)
And is that Xiao Quan?
Looks like him to me! Yay for consistency in minor characters. :D
I love the immediate switch in Shen Wei's facial expression, body language, and behaviour when he notices the smoke messenger approaching! And then after he dismisses the messenger, from one moment to the next he switches back to Professor Shen mannerisms- So impressive! This episode is really excellent for showing off the contrast between his two personas.
Shen Wei has asked the Regent about Zhu Jiu and (presumably) Ye Zun.
Ah! I was wondering who the "relationship between Zhu Jiu and that man" bit was referring to - Cong Bo might have been possible, but Shen Wei seemed pretty confident last episode that they didn't seem likely associates. But it's also a bit strangely phrased if it's referring to Ye Zun, isn't it?
Regarding the smoke messenger, I love the way Shen Wei tells it to speak quickly and it actually speeds up! Very cool. I also love that he apparently asked about the effects of the hallows on humans! ♥
but they later manage to use Cong Bo's other mistakes to clear Shen Wei by inference.
Clear Shen Wei? I thought they just made sure Cong Bo wouldn't make things public by a) deleting the footage from his drive and b) shaking him out of his smug confidence in his "whistleblower" self-justification.
Also also, Zhao Yunlan has changed his hair(!!!!!) (because he's in love).
So much love! And not just because Zhao Yunlan looks so much better with the new hairdo, LOL.
Honestly, most of the time I think this is too soon for them to actually get together (though I've written it, and even incorporated the hairstyle change) - and I think that makes it even better. Because they're not even together yet and the change in their relationship is still such a milestone for Zhao Yunlan, and a commitment, even if the committed romantic relationship is only aspired to. ♥ ♥ ♥
Also, I love the way Zhao Yunlan sits there so tensely, not looking at Cong Bo. And he tries to poke at Cong Bo a few times, looking for a potential avenue of attack, but Cong Bo very definitely has the upper hand here.
The apology scene!! *flails like Kermit* Shen Wei isn't wearing his glasses, and I can't get over Zhao Yunlan managing to sprawl on stools, and then sitting on the couch like that. asd;lfkajsdf
Hee! I love that Shen Wei is without his glasses, and Zhao Yunlan without shoes or socks - they're both in a very informal, private mode. And they're both tense when the scene starts, and it comes out in both their body language in diametrically opposed ways - in how contained Shen Wei sits, how spread-out Zhao Yunlan sits.
I don't read Zhao Yunlan as at all casual at the beginning. He's trying to read Shen Wei's reaction to see if it's anger or something else. He knows he's fucked up. I think he half-expects Shen Wei to be disappointed in him, maybe even to stalk off like he did after the failed old-books affair, or to want to.
Yeah, agreed, all of this!
Shen Wei apologises (which I always attribute to a cultural expectation of self-criticism)
Also agreed!
When Zhao Yunlan does explain why it's his fault, he seems annoyed/reproachful enough at himself that I think it's easy for Shen Wei to let it go? Shen Wei doesn't say "It's not your fault." He lets Zhao Yunlan's apology stand and shifts the conversation from blame to "we need a solution."
Yeah, Shen Wei immediately switches to practicalities - and I think some of that is that he's not interested in apportioning blame and more concerned with resolving the situation quickly. He always prioritises the practical. But Zhao Yunlan taking responsibility and being genuine and serious here definitely makes it easier for him. I think if Zhao Yunlan looked like he wasn't taking this seriously, Shen Wei would definitely be furious.
(Also, neither of them mention Shen Wei's job at the uni, which is definitely toast if this comes out. I wonder if Zhao Yunlan even thinks about it in this moment?)
The more I think about it, the more I love the fact that Shen Wei is the one with the phone. Because Cong Bo's threat is in an area Shen Wei has no way of dealing with via his own MO, and Zhao Yunlan gave him a situation-appropriate weapon. Shen Wei is the one who wields it, who decides how and when to show the footage to Cong Bo. He doesn't look to Zhao Yunlan for cues. Zhao Yunlan isn't saving him.
All of this is so good! I love it so much.
Also, I find it fascinating how Shen Wei talks to Cong Bo - it isn't quite his Professor Shen voice, and isn't quite his Envoy voice either; it's somewhere in the middle.
(Also, I 100% believe Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are deliberately playing good cop/bad cop, but I don't know how much that's just headcanon on my part. :-)
It's my headcanon too!
There's so much compassion in it -- and to someone who was threatening them real harm! They could have crushed Cong Bo, but they didn't. This is Shen Wei seeing Zhao Yunlan do the equivalent of letting Zheng Yi and Tan Xiao skip off into the sunset together.
♥ ♥ ♥
Cong Bo's scoops are a lot like the way the show itself provides more information in retrospect to change the context of things.
Yes! And when Xiao-Guo writes about it in his diary, he basically spells out one of the show's main themes: "The underlying truth of things is not always what we see."
Zhu Jiu is still healing. Ya Qing shows up and says a Yashou is watching her. Does she mean Ying Chun? Ying Chun's spies?
I assumed she meant Ying Chun, yeah.
Zhu Jiu also says "I can't die from a little injury like this" - which emphasizes again that it's a very serious and even potentially fatal injury. Zhu Jiu is really struggling with it!
Another interesting point: Zhu Jiu for some reason is back at the lair where we've previously seen him, which Chu Shuzhi and Shen Wei have also visited. (Presumably Zhu Jiu doesn't know that they know it, and they don't know he's come back ...?)
I feel like ZYL finally drops his performance here and in the apology scene. Like, here, he's still gently teasing, but it's much more genuine and soft, and I think Shen Wei gets that, and that's why he's prepared to relax and reveal things about himself.
Yes to all of that!
I think his request for compensation is transparently and deliberately inappropriate, because the point of it is to re-enact that scene and show that he's learning, he's paying attention, he wants to get this right.
♥ ♥ ♥
Also also, the bit when Zhao Yunlan is asking about Shen Wei's power and being all interested in Shen Wei and warm and complimentary is so very Kunlun-esque, I can't imagine that doesn't take the sting out of everything else ever, as far as Shen Wei is concerned.
Oh, that's a good point! And also, Shen Wei doesn't answer immediately at first, but wants to know why Zhao Yunlan is asking - and the way Zhao Yunlan answers reassures him.
Oh, and given what Shen Wei says here about his powers ("but it's subject to the restrictions of the Guardian Order and of black energy itself, so what strength I can display here is quite limited") makes it very understandable that Zhao Yunlan thinks nothing can endanger him in Dixing if Shen Wei is with him. He's already so powerful in Haixing!
Zhao Yunlan in the SID lab, contemplating groping the Hallows even though he recently passed out TWICE from touching the Awl. I really like that he's thought it through, though, and decided the stakes are high enough to justify it. ♥
Yeah, it makes sense here from his point of view!
And then Shen Wei catches him in the act, giving him a scare. (Does Shen Wei physically force him to put the case back? Hee!)
I love the little jump he does! (And I always thought he put it back on his own, feeling a bit sheepish at having been caught - he knows Shen Wei won't let him touch the Awl, at least not without Zhao Yunlan making a really good case for why he has to first. Which he then tries to do!)
(Also, is it just me, or does Shen Wei's outfit here resemble Ye Zun's fake!Shen Wei outfit from ep 34?)
Just the colours, I think. But yeah, interesting - there's a parallel between the two scenes that I want to look at more closely at some point ...
Also also, Zhao Yunlan is transparently still getting his head around Shen Wei's identities. When Shen Wei catches him going for the Hallows, Zhao Yunlan says, "Hei-laoge, as expected, it's impossible to hide anything from you." And when Shen Wei suggests an alternate plan, he says, "Professor, as expected, grasping the whole picture and looking for long-term solutions." :D
I thought it was a sign of him getting more comfortable with seeing both sides in one person, addressing Shen Wei as Hei-laoge or Professor as the situation/sentiment warrants and easily moving between the two. ♥
Why do you think Zhao Yunlan doesn't tell Shen Wei the guest they're expecting is the Regent? What does he expect Shen Wei's reaction to be?
Zhu Hong is such a messy drunk, aww. The show might be censored, but she knows the truth.
She's so pink in the face, too! How much beer was that? She can hold her liquor pretty well, after all.
Also, I love Da Qing's "nothing's wrong with you, you've got great body temperature"! CATS OMG. :D
LOL at him telling Changcheng he's as a fit as a fiddle: that's the opposite of what he tells anyone else ever.
Haha, right?
Question: the second time they meet, how does that happen? Xiao-Guo is late for work, so he presumably goes as directly as possible, but the Regent meets him from the other side - does he have a teleportation power, or what?
(
The Regent is so weird with Xiao-Guo, messing with him for no reason, making himself look pathetic while also being profoundly creepy with intent. Can he tell this is a SID member? (From the red stamp, maybe?)
If it wasn't Xiao-Guo, I'd also wonder why he wasn't picking up on the Regent clearly being from Dixing, what with talking about being "on the surface" and all!
Ahhhh, Chu Shuzhi loses his cool and grabs the Regent, apparently his mortal enemy, and the Regent is so smug about it.
The Regent even deliberately provokes him first, calling him Xiao-Chu and going "long time no see" at him! Can't blame Lao-Chu for losing it. Springing the Regent on him would be bad at any time! And Zhao Yunlan apparently didn't tell anyone he was coming (why?!) - but then he's also very clearly taken aback by Lao-Chu's reaction. Da Qing later implies he understands why Lao-Chu reacted the way he did, but Zhao Yunlan absolutely didn't see this coming, and is rapidly reassessing. (But will still underestimate the Regent for some time.)
The moment the Regent mentions the Dijun Register, Shen Wei arrives and, without missing a beat, demands to know what happened to it. He's so unsurprised I almost wonder if Zhao Yunlan spilled the secret of the Regent's visit over dinner the night before (but I don't really think that).
Yeah, I'm sure he didn't - if he had, I don't think Shen Wei would have left the Regent to wander around like this.
IMO Shen Wei, seeing the Regent, has just switched immediately not only into Envoy mode, but into "show absolutely no weakness whatsoever in front of this person" mode, which is why he shows no surprise either. (And Zhao Yunlan clearly did not expect any of that either! None of this visit is going how he expected it. Not that I'm very clear on what he did expect, LOL.)
I love how Zhao Yunlan says to the Regent, "let's talk in private," and Shen Wei immediately stalks off towards his office. *g*
Zhao Yunlan's office: on the face of it, it's so shocking to see this elder grovelling to seemingly-young Shen Wei. And Zhao Yunlan is watching Shen Wei like a hawk, still figuring him out.
I love how Shen Wei stands with his back to the Regent and lets him bow and scrape and call himself 属下, giving a very misleading image of the power dynamics. Zhao Yunlan is so uncomfortable with it! He's never seen SW really insist on his authority, and he has no idea of the true dynamics here. He tries to calm things down, and it almost works - but then the Regent admits to "losing" the Dijun Register, and when Zhao Yunlan tries again, this time Shen Wei actually snaps/shouts at him.
Favourite moment! I love the way Zhao Yunlan just has a complete bluescreen moment there. And then he tries to laugh off just how affected he is by that display. (Zhao Yunlan says he shifted from Professor Shen to the Envoy, but that's not what happened in that moment - he's been Envoying all along. It's an excuse, right?)
Quick switch to the rest of the SID: Lin Jing bugging Zhao Yunlan's office funnily isn't connected to his actual spying, or he wouldn't so casually admit to it here, but it does connect Lin Jing with spying in general! *g*
Zhao Yunlan coughs to warn of Da Qing's approach, and Shen Wei instantly understands and switches gears, and I love it. :D :D :D
Oooh! I never noticed before that Zhao Yunlan's cough was because of Da Qing! But I love how Shen Wei switches into Professor Shen mode for a little bit. ♥
I also love how the Regent starts to sit down, then straightens again and waits for Shen Wei to sit first!
Da Qing is trying to be discreet, but Zhao Yunlan is weirdly cavalier about the Regent knowing their business. Meanwhile, Shen Wei is sitting in his chair like it's a throne. :D :D :D
So much love for Shen Wei in this entire scene!
I think Zhao Yunlan is at his wits' end with the weird dynamic between the Envoy and the Regent, and with Shen Wei actually aiming that harsh tone at him, and he takes it out on Da Qing a bit, trying to gain control of things again and going over the top with it.
(Also, I love Da Qing censoring Zhao Xinci's name when Zhao Yunlan glares at him! :D)
[I have once again exceeded the comment post, so, more to come!]
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(He's so Envoy! What must Da Qing be thinking? And what is the Regent making of this charade?)
Right??? Not just his manner, but also him saying he'll go to Dixing alone! (I love how Shen Wei immediately switches into authority mode again when Zhao Yunlan decides to escape to Dixing!)
I wrote Chu Shuzhi POV of the Regent's visit recently, but damn, this rewatch has made me want Da Qing POV so badly!
I'm generally a Zhao Yunlan apologist, but I do think he's being unfair here: Shen Wei warns of danger, and Zhao Yunlan's attitude is basically "I'll be fine because you can take care of me! It's an adventure! (And I really don't want to see my dad!)" But Shen Wei isn't all-powerful. He's assessed it as unsafe, and as it turns out, he's right to be alarmed.
Yeah, I don't think he takes this seriously enough at all. He looks entirely too pleased with himself about avoiding the inspection!
(He underestimates the Regent, for one - and when Shen Wei says that if Zhao Yunlan gets corrupted by black energy, it'll all be over, that must seem like he's just completely overreacting, because Zhao Yunlan of course doesn't know about the time loop, and he has self-worth issues on top of that, so why would Shen Wei ascribe such importance to him?!)
This is probably just Hanga Caves level dangerous: 7/10, would risk again.
LOLOLOL!
And then it's Wang Zheng who thinks of using a stand-in, and Chu Shuzhi who volunteers Changcheng. :D
I never understood why it's so important for Zhao Yunlan to be there - is he not supposed to leave the office, or what? (I mean, if they can't account for where he is, that's a problem, but surely making up a lie about him doing some important work elsewhere would be easier than making Xiao-Guo play pretend?!)
Zhao Yunlan tactlessly says Shen Wei's vision is uncomfortable. (*facepalm*)
I'm not sure if he's calling the black energy vision itself or the vision's darkness uncomfortable, but in either case it's extremely tactless, yes! I think he's a bit overwhelmed and just running his mouth. (Always-smooth fanon ZYL not in evidence! *g*)
I love the way Zhao Yunlan, when Shen Wei says there's something wrong with the smell, adorably scrunches up his nose trying to smell it too!
I also love the little moment after they've arrived when Shen Wei holds Zhao Yunlan's shoulder and without stepping out of the Envoy's formality and distance still manages to help him regain his balance and pull him back into the present moment.
Also, all the subs give 地星人也是人 as "Dixingren are human too" and I hate it every time because nope, "human" is a different word and has very different implications! What he says is "Dixingren are people too". You don't have to be human, or be called human, to matter!
Walking through the streets, he assures Shen Wei, "I'm not afraid. I just thought--" and then interrupts himself. (What was he going to say??)
Yes, I really want to know that too! What was it, and why did he think better of saying it? I don't even have a theory, alas.
Shen Wei's saying "Fortunately, light is not a necessity for the people who live here" reminded me of the kitchen scene, with him saying, "Fortunately, I'm used to being hurt," but I checked the characters and they're different "fortunately"s.
Yeah, and also in this case it may well be meant literally - maybe Dixingren don't suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, and/or don't need sunlight for vitamin D.
He explains about Dixing not having time, too, but he doesn't say that's why they need the Hallows back.
Yeah, good point - he never mentions the darkness being due to the loss of the Hallows!
There was quite a bit of talk on discord about what Dixing not having time might mean. I still think it's the lack of natural rhythms - no day/night, no seasons, no year. And with the effects of black energy powers, people can even age at different rates, and may have very different life expectancies.
This must be Zhao Xinci's first visit to the SID, since only Da Qing seems to know him. He's curt and impatient, and strides into the back. The episode ends with Da Qing whispering the truth to Zhu Hong.
Da Qing's face when he sees Zhao Xinci in the car! *g*
I also find it fascinating how the show frames his arrival, and how it hides who he is - even Da Qing explaining it to Zhu Hong is only an inaudible whisper.
What's your favourite line of dialogue from this episode? Favourite moment or scene? I'm finding it so hard to choose.
Shen Wei snapping at Zhao Yunlan, and Zhao Yunlan bluescreening. DELIGHTFUL. :D
Do you have any thoughts about the nature of the smoke messenger? Is it essentially automated? Is it the dark-energy equivalent of AI? Can it convey objects or just information?
A dark energy chatbot! *g* It being able to convey objects, as "attachments" to a message, would make sense to me, but it's hard to say.
What does Zhao Yunlan tell the SID, and in particular Lin Jing, about the Cong Bo threat? Something serious enough to justify deleting all his files, but not so terrible that they baulk at his recruitment to the SID.
That he's trying to hack/expose the SID, but he's misguided rather than malicious?
When the Regent first arrives in Dragon City, he says, "The cars on the surface are so different." Does he mean there are cars in Dixing, too (or car-like things), or is he comparing them to last time he was in Haixing?
Oh, good question! I have no idea, and the Chinese is no help either. But he says it's been years since he's seen the sun, so he has been on the surface before.
What's up with the portal visions? Why do they happen? Do they only affect Zhao Yunlan, or is it everyone?
I always wonder! But then Zhao Yunlan also doesn't enter the passage normally this time, but seems to be pulled into it somehow - is this another Hallows effect, some kind of interaction between the portals and whatever the Hallows have already done to him?
The palace guard greet the Envoy as a leader. Does Shen Wei command them? To what extent?
He does seem to have authority over them to some degree, but I'm not sure. Something to pay attention to in future Dixing scenes!
(Previously we've only seen Dixing guards when he brought Wu Tian'en and Wu Xiaojun to Dixing, but those ones were working for Ye Zun.)
How much of the "missing Register / Zhao Yunlan goes to Dixing" situation did Ye Zun orchestrate? We know Ding Dun was working with Zhu Jiu, and he's the one who stole the book. Did Ye Zun guess Shen Wei would ask for it? Did the Deacon encourage the Regent to turn to the SID for help?
Like I said above, I was wondering if the Regent wasn't the one who orchestrated its disappearance, trying to undermine Shen Wei ... not knowing how much Ye Zun had his hooks into Ding Dun. The whole plan to bring Zhao Yunlan to Dixing seems to have been the Regent's, though I'm not 100% on what he was hoping to accomplish.
At the Locust Tree Gate, Zhao Yunlan says, "Huh? You said this is the only passageway, and only you two are allowed to go through freely. So where did those escaped Dixingren come from?" (...) But afaicr we never really find out. Do you have any ideas?
When the Regent says they're trying to answer that question, I was wondering if Shen Wei's expression means he has a theory and the Regent is complicit, because I always want to interpret it that way, but it could also just be carefully neutral.
In general, even if only two people are allowed to go through freely, there must be a way to give others permission, so I assume there's some token/key you need in order to pass, which can then be stolen, or its holder(s) recruited to Ye Zun's cause. (The Regent of course would claim there were no missing tokens. *g*)
I put some of my theory about the passage and tokens into a fic: How We Save Each Other, episode 33 fic about escaping from Dixing.
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Poor Shen Wei -- he has more clout with the Regent than with Zhao Yunlan. ;-p
He underestimates the Regent, for one - and when Shen Wei says that if Zhao Yunlan gets corrupted by black energy, it'll all be over, that must seem like he's just completely overreacting, because Zhao Yunlan of course doesn't know about the time loop, and he has self-worth issues on top of that, so why would Shen Wei ascribe such importance to him?!
I'm really unclear what the Regent is planning (looking forward to examining that in coming episodes). I don't think he wishes Zhao Yunlan any ill, and I really don't think he's out-and-out villainous, but he does want to get a political hold over him, and Zhao Yunlan probably guesses that but figures he can handle himself well enough (which he does; he doesn't fall for the An Bai trap and pushes the Regent into it instead). As for dark energy corruption, Zhao Yunlan doesn't have a death wish, but he's seen the Envoy heal people who were all but dead. He's survived the youchu in the Hanga caves. He has his gun and the Envoy at his side. As far as he knows, no one at large in Dixing knows him or has any reason to wish him ill. How badly can things really go?
I never understood why it's so important for Zhao Yunlan to be there - is he not supposed to leave the office, or what?
I think he's supposed to be acting in a supervisory way at all times, not haring around on his own. And to be fair to the higher ups, look what happens when he doesn't supervise! *points to Zhu Hong's scheme to catch the face-stealer, which went horribly wrong* (But yes, the whole thing is poorly thought-out farce. I kinda love it. *g*)
Also, all the subs give 地星人也是人 as "Dixingren are human too" and I hate it every time because nope, "human" is a different word and has very different implications! What he says is "Dixingren are people too". You don't have to be human, or be called human, to matter!
Yes! Agreed! (You should tell
Yeah, and also in this case it may well be meant literally - maybe Dixingren don't suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, and/or don't need sunlight for vitamin D.
I thought it was literal both times, and comforting in neither. Dixingren might not suffer from SAD, but they still enjoy sunlight. We see that! Some of them, like Zhu Jiu, have powers that only work in the light, too.
There was quite a bit of talk on discord about what Dixing not having time might mean.
Thanks for that! It's very interesting to me that there are clocks (so there has historically been regulated, measurable time) and they're currently in stasis. That suggests more than just daily rhythms and stuff to me, even if it's more symbolic than anything else, but of course there must be flow-on effects on daily life.
Oh, and we know the bar had times when it's open and times when it's closed, and presumably there's some way for patrons to tell when to head there... I don't know how to factor that in!
Da Qing's face when he sees Zhao Xinci in the car! *g*
:D :D :D
We have just seen ZXC in ZYL's portal flashback, so maybe sharp-eyed viewers can make the connection, but yeah, they're very much playing it like a big reveal. :D
Shen Wei snapping at Zhao Yunlan, and Zhao Yunlan bluescreening. DELIGHTFUL. :D
Ahhh, great choice!! (For me, I think it has to be something from the post-Cong Bo conversion scene, but I still can't choose. Maybe just Shen Wei saying, "Learning.")
A dark energy chatbot! *g*
Ha, yes. And I don't think it has its own agenda/opinions or can be deceptive (which I like to think is also true of chatbots).
That he's trying to hack/expose the SID, but he's misguided rather than malicious?
That works!
But then Zhao Yunlan also doesn't enter the passage normally this time, but seems to be pulled into it somehow - is this another Hallows effect, some kind of interaction between the portals and whatever the Hallows have already done to him?
Oh, that's a good point. The passage yanks him in. The portals were made by Ma Gui, just like the Hallows, presumably using some of the same technological principles, so that would make some kind of handwavy sense. :-)
In general, even if only two people are allowed to go through freely, there must be a way to give others permission, so I assume there's some token/key you need in order to pass, which can then be stolen, or its holder(s) recruited to Ye Zun's cause. (The Regent of course would claim there were no missing tokens. *g*)
True! After all, we later see Chu Shuzhi go through (with Changcheng in tow), and Zhao Yunlan makes his way down to rescue Shen Wei (with Shen Wei's letter, which might be his token), so there are definitely other ways. But if everyone's coming through this one portal, why doesn't the SID just stake it out and catch them as they arrive??
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I'm unclear about the Regent's plans too, but whatever they are, I don't think he cares one way or another whether anything happens to Zhao Yunlan so long as the plans work out.
And to be fair to the higher ups, look what happens when he doesn't supervise! *points to Zhu Hong's scheme to catch the face-stealer, which went horribly wrong*
Point! *g*
I thought it was literal both times, and comforting in neither.
True, but there's a fundamental difference between "I'm used to being hurt" (bad! very bad!) and "we don't need light" (neutral fact which doesn't change that they deserve to have it anyway). ... I don't remember where I was going with this, sorry. *lost the thread*
Thanks for that! It's very interesting to me that there are clocks (so there has historically been regulated, measurable time) and they're currently in stasis. That suggests more than just daily rhythms and stuff to me, even if it's more symbolic than anything else, but of course there must be flow-on effects on daily life.
Yeah, it has to be mostly symbolic? But it's a really fascinating thing to speculate about. I want to know what all those clocks and gears are for!
Oh, and we know the bar had times when it's open and times when it's closed, and presumably there's some way for patrons to tell when to head there... I don't know how to factor that in!
Maybe the barkeeper announces it on Radio Dixing. :p
The portals were made by Ma Gui, just like the Hallows, presumably using some of the same technological principles, so that would make some kind of handwavy sense. :-)
Yeah, it would make sense to me!
But if everyone's coming through this one portal, why doesn't the SID just stake it out and catch them as they arrive??
Very good question! I've wondered why no one's watching the portal. There has to be a way around it, or the area would presumably be guarded. In my fic I had it as portal powers being able to access the passage directly, bypassing the official gate - which would mean Shen Wei can (though it might use more energy than he wants to, later in canon), Ye Zun presumably can do that for his followers, and other random Dixingren might as well.
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Yeah, I don't think he cares about Zhao Yunlan for Zhao Yunlan's sake, but I think he cares what happens in terms of what it means for himself. He must have some reason for bringing Zhao Yunlan to Dixing, right?
True, but there's a fundamental difference between "I'm used to being hurt" (bad! very bad!) and "we don't need light" (neutral fact which doesn't change that they deserve to have it anyway).
I think that from Shen Wei's POV they're both neutral facts, and from my POV they're both very bad. Maybe that's just me.
Maybe the barkeeper announces it on Radio Dixing. :p
Ha, maybe. (Ha, that would be the least efficient system ever, since it would be ironically time-sensitive. And would all Dixing businesses operate that way?)
In my fic I had it as portal powers being able to access the passage directly, bypassing the official gate - which would mean Shen Wei can (though it might use more energy than he wants to, later in canon), Ye Zun presumably can do that for his followers, and other random Dixingren might as well.
That makes sense! I really like that! (I should re-read your fic, but it's h/c, so I haven't, sorry.)
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Yeah, and maybe this time we'll be able to figure out what that reason actually was?!
I think that from Shen Wei's POV they're both neutral facts, and from my POV they're both very bad. Maybe that's just me.
I don't understand. What's bad about not needing light? How would suffering negative physical effects be better?
Like, humans don't need tasty food. We deserve it, but we can survive just fine without, and that's not a negative thing? It just is.
Ha, maybe. (Ha, that would be the least efficient system ever, since it would be ironically time-sensitive. And would all Dixing businesses operate that way?)
It would be hilarious if they did!
(I should re-read your fic, but it's h/c, so I haven't, sorry.)
No need to reread! I thought you'd liked the fic at the time, but if you didn't, definitely don't.
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Like, humans don't need tasty food. We deserve it, but we can survive just fine without, and that's not a negative thing? It just is.
I read somewhere that people who only have bland food (or only one kind of food) end up having to force themselves to eat. Variety is necessary. Time is necessary.
(I'm sure I did like the fic! I don't remember it very well, and I just saw "h/c" in the tags and went "maybe later." /dork)
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Yeah, I agree with that! It's not reassuring at all. I'm not at all saying that. But I still think "I'm used to being hurt" is even worse.
Going to stop now, I think we're talking in circles. *g*
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All great questions! I think he probably watched a bit at first, but nothing remarkable happened and he started to feel uncomfortable about the invasion of privacy, maybe? And their relationship developed. Plus I suspect he assumed Lin Jing would have arranged the feed to have better security. (Or wait, did Lin Jing have anything to do with it? I can't remember.) And I think what he should have done was disable the camera but left the banner there, but 20-20 hindsight and all that.
he's all OMG when he sees Shen Wei use his powers, but it seems like that's more "OMG I actually have this on video" rather than reacting to the powers themselves.
Yeah, that's how I read it, too.
Or perhaps it wasn't actually missing at this point, but the Regent didn't want Shen Wei to have it, so he arranged for it to disappear! Honestly, I wouldn't put it past him.
My understanding is Ding Dun stole it when the Regent let him out of prison, which must have been before Ding Dun's jaunt to Haixing, right? (I need a timeline of Ding Dun, but I don't care enough to make one. *g*) I don't think the Regent would have arranged for it to disappear -- it's useful for governing, and the Regent wants to keep power (and presumably doesn't want to have to grovel to the Envoy, though in reality he really doesn't seem too bothered by grovelling or to hold a grudge at all -- so weird!).
Do you think Zhao Yunlan would have gone if he hadn't had Shen Wei with him? I think a lot of his overconfidence is related to thinking he's untouchable with Shen Wei by his side.
True, and he has seen Shen Wei basically bring someone back from the dead, so he has reason to have great faith in his powers. (He's absolutely not taking into account that Shen Wei is politically constrained in Dixing -- he can't just throw his weight around and do whatever he wants! As we discover at the start of the next ep.) But I think Zhao Yunlan might have gone anyway, out of curiosity (see Shen Wei's homeland!) and in order to find the Dijun's Register, once he understood what it was and why it was important. Would it be any different from touching the Hallows in hopes of a useful vision? And however untrustworthy the Regent is, surely he doesn't want to cause an interdimensional incident? /ZYL logic
I love the immediate switch in Shen Wei's facial expression, body language, and behaviour when he notices the smoke messenger approaching! And then after he dismisses the messenger, from one moment to the next he switches back to Professor Shen mannerisms- So impressive!
Yes, that's so good! His compartmentalisation is so sharp and distinct. <3
But it's also a bit strangely phrased if it's referring to Ye Zun, isn't it?
Maybe it's a Voldemort thing? Don't say his name? *g*
I also love that he apparently asked about the effects of the hallows on humans! ♥
Ahh, I missed that! The original subs read like he asked what Zhu Jiu might want the Hallows for. (Man, I'm going to have to switch subs, aren't I? *wrestles with change resistance*)
Clear Shen Wei? I thought they just made sure Cong Bo wouldn't make things public by a) deleting the footage from his drive and b) shaking him out of his smug confidence in his "whistleblower" self-justification.
Well, they imply that his investigations aren't reliable, and Cong Bo doesn't resort to "but I'm right about this one!" so I figured they were undermining his confidence in all of them? Idk. Maybe just his confidence that his revelations are making the world any better. News of those layoffs hit really hard, I think.
Honestly, most of the time I think this is too soon for them to actually get together
Get-togethers at this era work fine for me. I think their relationship is always going to be a work in progress because of Shen Wei's many many secrets, and they have limited time. By now, Zhao Yunlan is starting to level up, and the more togetherness, the better! But yeah, it also works great as a gesture of intent. *pets ZYL*
I think if Zhao Yunlan looked like he wasn't taking this seriously, Shen Wei would definitely be furious.
Ohh, yeah, that would be awful. If Zhao Yunlan tried to downplay it -- just no!
(Also, neither of them mention Shen Wei's job at the uni, which is definitely toast if this comes out. I wonder if Zhao Yunlan even thinks about it in this moment?)
Wider concerns, I guess? We know that Zhao Yunlan is, in the back of his mind, worried about another war, and Shen Wei is too.
And when Xiao-Guo writes about it in his diary, he basically spells out one of the show's main themes: "The underlying truth of things is not always what we see."
Yes! That's so great (and especially hilarious from Changcheng, who doesn't always understand what's right in front of him). :D
Good point about Zhu Jiu being back in his lair. Weird!
he knows Shen Wei won't let him touch the Awl, at least not without Zhao Yunlan making a really good case for why he has to first.
Well, Shen Wei will object vigorously and employ all his disapproval to dissuade him. But I don't think Shen Wei actually gets to decide for Zhao Yunlan, you know? Even when he says, "You can't go [to Dixing]!" he backs down from that pretty quickly. Neither of them has jurisdiction over the other.
there's a parallel between the two scenes that I want to look at more closely at some point ...
Ooh, yes please!
I thought it was a sign of him getting more comfortable with seeing both sides in one person, addressing Shen Wei as Hei-laoge or Professor as the situation/sentiment warrants and easily moving between the two. ♥
That makes sense!
Why do you think Zhao Yunlan doesn't tell Shen Wei the guest they're expecting is the Regent? What does he expect Shen Wei's reaction to be?
In my fic draft, I have this: In retrospect, he regretted not looping Shen Wei in beforehand; he’d thought the Envoy and the Regent were, if not friends, at least trusted allies, ruling Dixing together with the Dijun, but this wasn’t the surprise reunion he’d anticipated.
She's so pink in the face, too! How much beer was that? She can hold her liquor pretty well, after all.
People respond differently to different kinds of alcohol. We know she's good at drinking Snake liquor, but maybe human beer not so much?
Also, I love Da Qing's "nothing's wrong with you, you've got great body temperature"! CATS OMG. :D
LOLOLOL! So true! :D :D :D
Question: the second time they meet, how does that happen? Xiao-Guo is late for work, so he presumably goes as directly as possible, but the Regent meets him from the other side - does he have a teleportation power, or what?
Oh, good question! No idea. Maybe the Regent takes a bus (or a bike)? *g* And yeah, I think he must know Xiao Guo is a SID member. Maybe he has a spy at the DoS, or maybe Zhu Jiu or Ya Qing passed info the Ye Zun, who passed it to the Deacon, who handed it on? Surely he did his research before coming topside?
Can't blame Lao-Chu for losing it. Springing the Regent on him would be bad at any time! And Zhao Yunlan apparently didn't tell anyone he was coming (why?!) - but then he's also very clearly taken aback by Lao-Chu's reaction. Da Qing later implies he understands why Lao-Chu reacted the way he did, but Zhao Yunlan absolutely didn't see this coming, and is rapidly reassessing.
Yeah, if even Shen Wei is snapping at the Regent in front of everyone, risking his cover, then we really can't blame Lao Chu for losing his cool! Maybe Zhao Yunlan assumed bygones were bygones, or that Lao Chu's grudge would come out in a more socially/diplomatically acceptable way.
I think Zhao Yunlan is showboating by not giving everyone a heads up. He's curious, but he's also demonstrating his own status. (He can't show off being close with the Envoy yet; this could be the next best thing?) And maybe Da Qing only joins the dots in retrospect? After all, knowing Chu Shuzhi was imprisoned in Dixing isn't the same as knowing he has a personal reason to personally despise the Regent.
I love how Zhao Yunlan says to the Regent, "let's talk in private," and Shen Wei immediately stalks off towards his office. *g*
Haha, yes, and everyone notices. *g*
I love how Shen Wei stands with his back to the Regent and lets him bow and scrape and call himself 属下, giving a very misleading image of the power dynamics. Zhao Yunlan is so uncomfortable with it! He's never seen SW really insist on his authority, and he has no idea of the true dynamics here.
Yes! It's so fraught, and Zhao Yunlan is so far out of his depth. :D :D :D (What's 属下?)
Zhao Yunlan says he shifted from Professor Shen to the Envoy, but that's not what happened in that moment - he's been Envoying all along. It's an excuse, right?
Yes. Hmm, what's it an excuse for, though? Is it that Shen Wei (in general) has never been furious, powerful Envoy at him specifically?
I don't know if this cut is going to work in a comment, but here's a bit more of my fic, from this moment, ahhh, I really need to finish it!
Just for an instant, Shen Wei wasn’t seeing Zhao Yunlan, not any version of him, and in that instant, Zhao Yunlan understood what he hadn’t before: that as long as they’d been working together, the Envoy had been careful with the SID, gentle, sparing them the full force of his power. Now, even this small rebuke felt like getting struck in the face by a lightning bolt, blinding and elemental, and that was with the constraints of the Guardian Token and being in Haixing. What the hell kind of presence did the Envoy have in his native land?
For the first time in months, Zhao Yunlan remembered his father’s warning not to underestimate the Black-Cloaked Envoy, that he was haughty and dangerous. For the first time, Zhao Yunlan felt outmatched.
I also love how the Regent starts to sit down, then straightens again and waits for Shen Wei to sit first!
Ha, yes. That's so good! ♥ ♥ ♥
and he takes it out on Da Qing a bit, trying to gain control of things again and going over the top with it.
Oh, great point! Yes, that interpretation works very well. (And agreed about Da Qing censoring ZXC's name. *g*)
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Yeah, taht makes sense to me!
Plus I suspect he assumed Lin Jing would have arranged the feed to have better security. (Or wait, did Lin Jing have anything to do with it? I can't remember.)
Since he gets Chu Shuzhi to deliver the banner, this is definitely an official SID thing, so Lin Jing naturally would have been involved. Yeah, idk either about the total absence of any security! Whatever Lin Jing is good at, cybersecurity isn't part of it. *g*
My understanding is Ding Dun stole it when the Regent let him out of prison, which must have been before Ding Dun's jaunt to Haixing, right? (I need a timeline of Ding Dun, but I don't care enough to make one. *g*)
I did get started trying to work out a Unified Theory of Ding Dun™ at one point, but got stuck. Some day maybe I'll come back to it. *g* Anyway - the thing is, if he did steal it before, then he left it somewhere, went to Haixing, got himself killed, had his body taken back to Dixing, got himself brought back to lifesomehow, and then went and picked up the Dijun Register again, destroying it only moments before Shen Wei found him.
I don't think the Regent would have arranged for it to disappear -- it's useful for governing, and the Regent wants to keep power
I thought he might have had Ding Dun disappear it, expecting to get it back in secret, but instead Ding Dun ended up destroying it.
Either way, I think we can all agree that Ding Dun is confusing as hell. *g*
(and presumably doesn't want to have to grovel to the Envoy, though in reality he really doesn't seem too bothered by grovelling or to hold a grudge at all -- so weird!)
Yeah, I think "not grovelling" is not one of his priorities at all! He grovels all the time, and he really doesn't have to. (Who was it who theorised that his power was that no one could kill him after he'd grovelled to them? *g*)
True, and he has seen Shen Wei basically bring someone back from the dead, so he has reason to have great faith in his powers. (He's absolutely not taking into account that Shen Wei is politically constrained in Dixing -- he can't just throw his weight around and do whatever he wants! As we discover at the start of the next ep.)
Yeah, all true! He far overestimates the Envoy's political power - he has no clue about Dixing politics. And the Regent is giving him a very false impression here too.
But I think Zhao Yunlan might have gone anyway, out of curiosity (see Shen Wei's homeland!) and in order to find the Dijun's Register, once he understood what it was and why it was important. Would it be any different from touching the Hallows in hopes of a useful vision? And however untrustworthy the Regent is, surely he doesn't want to cause an interdimensional incident? /ZYL logic
Poor Zhao Yunlan and his entirely reasonable yet still wrong logic!
Ahh, I missed that! The original subs read like he asked what Zhu Jiu might want the Hallows for.
The original subs have it as "how useful the holy device is for them". Looking at the Chinese, I'm pretty sure it does mean "what effect the Hallows have on them".
(Man, I'm going to have to switch subs, aren't I? *wrestles with change resistance*)
LOL, this is why I constantly check multiple different subs (original Engsub/Viki/Solo/original Chinese). *g*
Well, they imply that his investigations aren't reliable, and Cong Bo doesn't resort to "but I'm right about this one!" so I figured they were undermining his confidence in all of them? Idk. Maybe just his confidence that his revelations are making the world any better. News of those layoffs hit really hard, I think.
Agreed about shattering his confidence! Zhao Yunlan does say that the info is all true, including what Cong Bo recorded - they're just not the whole picture. So in Shen Wei's case, what's in the video (the use of powers) is also not being denied.
Get-togethers at this era work fine for me. I think their relationship is always going to be a work in progress because of Shen Wei's many many secrets, and they have limited time. By now, Zhao Yunlan is starting to level up, and the more togetherness, the better!
It can work for me, but I need a lot more convincing than I do even a few episodes later. *g* Totally agreed on the work in progress, of course.
I think the earliest I easily buy it is after the Dixing trip.
Well, Shen Wei will object vigorously and employ all his disapproval to dissuade him. But I don't think Shen Wei actually gets to decide for Zhao Yunlan, you know?
Of course not, that's not what I meant. But Shen Wei does physically grab his arm when Zhao Yunlan lifts the Awl's cover, and I think if Zhao Yunlan insisted on continuing with the Awl without explaining his thinking to Shen Wei now that Shen Wei is already here, that would feel so uncharacteristic, Shen Wei would be concerned about outside influence ...
Even when he says, "You can't go [to Dixing]!" he backs down from that pretty quickly. Neither of them has jurisdiction over the other.
In my fic draft, I have this: In retrospect, he regretted not looping Shen Wei in beforehand; he’d thought the Envoy and the Regent were, if not friends, at least trusted allies, ruling Dixing together with the Dijun, but this wasn’t the surprise reunion he’d anticipated.
I love this! ♥
Yeah, if even Shen Wei is snapping at the Regent in front of everyone, risking his cover, then we really can't blame Lao Chu for losing his cool!
Ha, excellent point! (To be fair, Zhao Yunlan had no way of knowing just how infuriating the Regent is.)
I think Zhao Yunlan is showboating by not giving everyone a heads up. He's curious, but he's also demonstrating his own status. (He can't show off being close with the Envoy yet; this could be the next best thing?)
Oh, very interesting interpretation! Yeah, I can see that. And it goes wrong basically from the first moment, LOL. *pets him*
(What's 属下?)
It means subordinate, and is a very deferential/submissive way of referring to yourself. Here it fits in with the grovelling in totally misrepresenting the Regent's status in relation to the Envoy!
Yes. Hmm, what's it an excuse for, though? Is it that Shen Wei (in general) has never been furious, powerful Envoy at him specifically?
Yeah, I think he's covering for the adrenaline shock going with having Shen Wei aim all that Envoy power at him. He's a bit overwhelmed - but not necessarily in a bad way! Actually, it looks to me like he finds it not at all offputting - the opposite, rather. *g* (In other words, Shen Wei is HOT like this! :D)
Just for an instant, Shen Wei wasn’t seeing Zhao Yunlan, not any version of him, and in that instant, Zhao Yunlan understood what he hadn’t before: that as long as they’d been working together, the Envoy had been careful with the SID, gentle, sparing them the full force of his power. Now, even this small rebuke felt like getting struck in the face by a lightning bolt, blinding and elemental, and that was with the constraints of the Guardian Token and being in Haixing. What the hell kind of presence did the Envoy have in his native land?
Very very cool! Yeah, that's such a great point about the contrast between how the Envoy usually interacts with the SID, and how he is here. ♥ ♥ ♥
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That works, though? If Ye Zun (or whoever) just wanted it out of the palace, Ding Dun could have hidden it and then later decided to destroy it before the Regent/Envoy/SID chief found it. The dying-and-being-brought-back is a confusing problem, regardless of everything else, but not something he'd have planned for.
I think the Regent disappearing the Register is too much like him taking a side. It helps Zhu Jiu and Ye Zun, and I think he's staying determinedly neutral, or is even anti-Ye Zun at this stage. YMMV, though!
Either way, I think we can all agree that Ding Dun is confusing as hell. *g*
Ha, yes!
Yeah, I think "not grovelling" is not one of his priorities at all! He grovels all the time, and he really doesn't have to. (Who was it who theorised that his power was that no one could kill him after he'd grovelled to them? *g*)
*tries not to think about humiliation kink* /o\ (It was
he has no clue about Dixing politics. And the Regent is giving him a very false impression here too.
Yeah, that has to be part of it. He thinks the Envoy vastly outranks the Regent, not realising that doesn't hold in Dixing. And the Regent is deliberately giving that impression... to lower Zhao Yunlan's guard?
The original subs have it as "how useful the holy device is for them". Looking at the Chinese, I'm pretty sure it does mean "what effect the Hallows have on them".
Yeah, but there's no indication who the "them" is, so I thought it was Zhu Jiu and (presumably) Ye Zun from the previous line.
LOL, this is why I constantly check multiple different subs (original Engsub/Viki/Solo/original Chinese). *g*
I often do, but you have to know you're missing something to know to look for it, if you know what I mean.
So in Shen Wei's case, what's in the video (the use of powers) is also not being denied.
Good point! Well, then that raises even more questions (for me) about what Cong Bo thinks about Dixing powers...
I love this! ♥
Yay! :D
It means subordinate, and is a very deferential/submissive way of referring to yourself.
Ahh, thank you. *rolls eyes at the Regent*
He's a bit overwhelmed - but not necessarily in a bad way! Actually, it looks to me like he finds it not at all offputting - the opposite, rather. *g* (In other words, Shen Wei is HOT like this! :D)
Ha, you're probably right, but I find that so hard to relate to. ;-p (*does not find getting snapped at a turn-on*)
Yeah, that's such a great point about the contrast between how the Envoy usually interacts with the SID, and how he is here. ♥ ♥ ♥
Yay, so glad that works for you! :D :D
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I mean, it's not impossible, but I just find the sequence of stealing the Dijun Register and then depositing it somewhere, walking away, and picking it up again later to destroy it, very very weird. What changed, that he didn't destroy it before?
(It was teaotter who suggested that, here. :D)
Thanks muchly! *tries to remember this time*
And the Regent is deliberately giving that impression... to lower Zhao Yunlan's guard?
Yeah, very possibly! His behaviour can't be that unusual, or Shen Wei would pick up on him acting weird, but I'm sure he's very deliberate about doing this in front of Zhao Yunlan.
Yeah, but there's no indication who the "them" is, so I thought it was Zhu Jiu and (presumably) Ye Zun from the previous line.
Ah, okay, no, that part is clearly referring to humans in the Chinese as far as I can tell.
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Any number of things: the Regent noticed it was missing and (I'm assuming?) sent the palace guard out looking for it, the Envoy came to Dixing looking for it, Zhao Yunlan came to Dixing looking for it... It makes sense to me not to destroy a potentially valuable/useful item until pushed, you know?
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