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sid_guardian2026-02-07 02:49 pm
china_shop) wrote in sid_guardian2026-02-07 02:49 pm
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Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 11, part 1
Hi, and welcome back to the Guardian drama Slo-Mo Rewatch. Watch half an episode a week, at your leisure, and then come and chat about it here in comments. Or you can just jump into the comments without rewatching, of course!
Here are the previous weeks' rewatch posts.
Episode 11, up to 22:22
Summary
In the flashbacks, Sang Zan becomes despotic and nihilistic after Ge Lan's death. Eventually the villagers turns on him, and he laughs bitterly as the Awl activates and empillars him. In the present-day caves, Zhao Yunlan and the Envoy try to free Wang Zheng, and Zhu Jiu appears. Fighty McFight. The pillar is split and Sang Zan comes out to fight when the Envoy is pushed back. Zhu Jiu disintegrates Sang Zan's energy body. Zhao Yunlan shoots Zhu Jiu. The Envoy draws the Awl out of the pillar, and Zhu Jiu flees, thwarted. Wang Zheng kneels to the Envoy, begging him to reconstitute Sang Zan. Meanwhile, outside, Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng are fighting youchu. They go to find the others, and Zhao Yunlan introduces Sang Zan as the new SID archive manager. Back at the hotel, Zhao Yunlan finds Zhu Hong sleeping at the table. She seems disorientated and reacts strangely when Zhao Yunlan asks after Shen Wei. Shen Wei appears upstairs, smiling in apparent relief that Zhao Yunlan et al are back. After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Yunlan smiles back. The SID and the field trip party drink with the village head and Lang-ge. Shen Wei, seeing Zhao Yunlan's growing bodily discomfort, snatches the drink from his hand under the guise of making a toast. After Shen Wei drinks, he falls unconscious. Zhao Yunlan puts him to bed with an IV, stares at him for a while, and then notices the stinky youchu blood smell on his jacket and does the math. The next morning, Shen Wei wakes to a note saying that Zhao Yunlan et al have returned to the city. We get the events of yesterday from Shen Wei's POV -- venturing out, killing youchu, and saving Zhao Yunlan in the caves -- and then Jiajia and Xiao-Quan come in to check on their professor.
Quote
The Envoy: They held tightly to the person dearest to their heart, not abandoning each other whether in life or death.
Detail
I always forget about Sang Zan's energy body being disbursed by Zhu Jiu, maybe because we don't see his reconstitution on screen. I think this second death and resurrection only further emphasises that death isn't a permanent, insurmountable obstacle in the world of the show. ♥
Questions
Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 11?
ZYL: If my loved one was killed by those people, killed by the system that I had built, it's very likely I'd hate these people more than I would hate the former tribe leader.
Envoy: That's right. Even if they're cut into a myriad of pieces, the hatred would be hard to dissolve.
Any theories about what personal experience these two are drawing on when they say this? (Neither of them seem driven by hatred to me.)
How did Da Qing know about energy beings? Do you think Wang Zheng is really sure the Envoy can save Sang Zan, or is it just desperation that drives her to her knees? Does Guo Changcheng feel worse about zapping Zhao Yunlan last episode or Chu Shuzhi in this episode? What does Zhao Yunlan think when he finds Zhu Hong asleep at the hotel and she reacts so strongly to Shen Wei's name? How perfect is the drinking scene? And the putting-to-bed scene? ♥ ♥ ♥ In the flashbacks, how did Shen Wei know Zhao Yunlan was in danger in the caves? Do you have any theories about the power in his note that repelled the youchu?
Did you see any parallels in these scenes with other parts of the drama? If you're familiar with the novel, any thoughts about how the drama adaptation compares, if at all?
(As usual, these are all just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like! You don't have to be keeping up with the rewatch to join in. We'd love to hear your thoughts!)
And here is our schedule -- if you can, please sign up to host a post!
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My notes:
* ZYL and the Envoy repeat their sentiments from the end of ep 10, and I still don't know what resonance this is supposed to have, especially in a show about mercy and second chances. But okay.
* Omg, those executioners don't seem at all interested in taking sides -- they'll strangle anyone! And then Sang Zan embraces nihilism, and the others are like, "We've agreed to enslave you
again." Clearly lessons were not learned! (I do like that the earthquake makes someone go, "The God of the Mountain is appearing!" Superstition!! \o/)* A hundred years pass in the blink of an eye, then Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing find Wang Zheng (≡ Shen Wei's dirt nap, found by the Dixingren Hallows-hunting party, known by multiple names). Wang Zheng has amnesia (≡ when Shen Wei reunites with Zhao Yunlan, Zhao Yunlan doesn't remember him. I think this is part of an amnesia/past lives misdirect, so that the time travel will be a surprise).
* The fact Da Qing recognises Wang Zheng as an energy being suggests she's not the only one. (Where did Da Qing meet the others?!?)
*In the caves, ZYL and the Envoy have a whispered conversation. (I ♥ them conferring in whispers.)
ZYL: How is it?
Envoy: It is completely the same as the information I found.
So I guess we can trust Wang Zheng. The parallels are so strong here that maybe the question raised was really/thematically about Zhao Yunlan in episode 1? Shen Wei wasn't sure if he could trust him then?
* ZYL tries to release Wang Zheng from her dark energy bonds and is flung back into the Envoy's arms. (♥) This is ZYL's first bad encounter with dark energy, right?
* Zhu Jiu is so powerful, matching the Envoy's strength (okay, the Envoy is weakened). I wonder if Zhu Jiu recognises Shen Wei's fighting style. And the trick works! The pillar is broken open!
* Wang Zheng: I waited one hundred years for you... -- obviously a parallel with Shen Wei's 10k years, and just as vague about what constitutes waiting, given she was insubstantial (I presume just a floating energy fuzzball?) and then had amnesia. Still very haunting and sweet.
* Wang Zheng kneeling for Sang Zan ≡ Shen Wei kneeling for Zhao Yunlan's eyesight. <3 (Would the Envoy have saved Sang Zan if she hadn't pleaded and humbled herself? I like to think so.)
* Comic relief! CSZ and GCC versus youchu. GCC zaps CSZ this time, to CSZ's extreme indignation, hee! *loves*
* Sang Zan is reconstituted off-screen. I love how this foreshadows a happy ending for Weilan!! <3 <3 <3
* CSZ either deduces that Zhu Jiu planned all this, or the others figure it out and tell him. I'm not sure which?
* It always bugs me that ZYL offers Sang Zan, a former enslaved person, a position with no salary. (At Trobadora's beta suggestion, I fixed this in one fic
as follows:
* At the hotel, the candle is still burning. Is it an extra-long life candle? I like that Zhao Yunlan knows something is up. He feels Zhu Hong's forehead and specifically asks after Shen Wei. Her reaction confirms something is afoot. But then Shen Wei is so sweet and smiley (and wearing ZYL's jacket!!) on the balcony that Zhao Yunlan can't suspect him. ♥
* In Shen Wei's toast, he says, "these past (few) days" -- how long have they been in the mountains at that point? Maybe there's a time jump between the balcony scene and the drinking scene?
* I already did a scene discussion post about the drinking scene, and practically wrote an essay there. I was going to quote myself here, but it would have been looong. Anyway. I LOVE THIS SCENE SO MUCH!!! (Also, I think this is the first time I've noticed Zhu Hong is asleep at the table in one scene, and Shen Wei falls unconscious at the table in the next. In the first, ZYL wakes her up; in the second ZYL puts him to bed. <3)
* And then Zhao Yunlan puts Shen Wei to bed in a beautiful mirror of Shen Wei putting ZYL to bed in ep 8. Just like Shen Wei got to see behind ZYL's performance then, now ZYL learns more about who Shen Wei is beneath the surface. Also, I think this is part of why we get Shen Wei folding ZYL's clothes in episode 8 -- a direct mirror of ZYL handling the jacket here. (Btw, did we ever talk about Shen Wei folding ZYL's clothes? Is there a platonic explanation for that? In the no-homo reading, is he just a massive neatfreak?) And the IV drip is the medicine (or the breakfast?). <3 <3 <3 This is one of my very favourite scenes in the show. I love that it's wordless, I love the music, I love that ZYL is being caring and soft, and that he's clearly having ALL the feelings about Shen Wei protecting him like this. My headcanon is that this is when he accepts to himself that whatever is going on with Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan is in love with him. <3 <3 <3
* I always notice that when Shen Wei wakes up, the IV has been removed. So ZYL must have stayed and watched over him until it was done, right? aksfd;lakdsjff <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
* The winky face in ZYL's note!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
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I hadn't noticed this! Yes, that's pretty mean! I guess the position is "all found" ...
Shen Wei IS a massive neat freak, but that's not why he folds XYL's clothes!
Sorry I've been so sluggish about commenting. Life!
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What does that mean? (I think it's because he can't just create a paid role on the spot, and he wants to help the two lovers be together, so he offers Sang Zan a role he's obviously unsuited for (doesn't even check literacy first), which is basically just a cover for offering him room and board. But on the surface, it always catches my attention.)
Shen Wei IS a massive neat freak, but that's not why he folds XYL's clothes!
Hee! Fair. :D
Sorry I've been so sluggish about commenting. Life!
No worries at all!! I think we're all under a bit of pressure at the moment. It's always lovely to see you here, whenever you find the time! <3 <3 <3
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Haha, RIGHT????
Sorry I've been so sluggish about commenting. Life!
*hugs* I hope life will let up a bit soon!
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AWWWW! :D
ZYL and the Envoy repeat their sentiments from the end of ep 10, and I still don't know what resonance this is supposed to have, especially in a show about mercy and second chances. But okay.
They're validating his feelings, not his actions, but yeah. I know what you mean.
Clearly lessons were not learned!
Haha, right????
I do like that the earthquake makes someone go, "The God of the Mountain is appearing!" Superstition!! \o/
Yeah, I noticed that too, this time! Great little moment. :D
Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing find Wang Zheng (≡ Shen Wei's dirt nap, found by the Dixingren Hallows-hunting party
Yes! :D
Wang Zheng has amnesia (≡ when Shen Wei reunites with Zhao Yunlan, Zhao Yunlan doesn't remember him
Ooh, great point! And yes, a misdirect and a nod to the novel.
Where did Da Qing meet the others?!?
I think I said this somewhere else in the comments - my current headcanon is that something similar happened before when Ma Gui was creating the Hallows.
I ♥ them conferring in whispers.
Me too! Everything about Zhao Yunlan and the Envoy working together in the caves is just great. :D
The parallels are so strong here that maybe the question raised was really/thematically about Zhao Yunlan in episode 1? Shen Wei wasn't sure if he could trust him then?
I'm not sure what you mean by the parallels, but I was reminded a bit of them questioning Li Qian.
flung back into the Envoy's arms. (♥)
YES! Excellent moment. :D
And I think you're right, this is the first time I can remember that he's personally been attacked with black energy. Though he's been almost caught in an attack before with the Lin Yusen explosion and Mirror Girl's almost-explosion.
I wonder if Zhu Jiu recognises Shen Wei's fighting style.
What do you mean? Zhu Jiu knows Shen Wei is the Envoy.
And the trick works! The pillar is broken open!
Yes! Totally agreed, that was the intention!
just as vague about what constitutes waiting, given she was insubstantial (I presume just a floating energy fuzzball?) and then had amnesia
Yes! She wasn't literally waiting for 100 years, and Shen Wei wasn't literally searching for 10,000 years, but it still counts! ♥
Would the Envoy have saved Sang Zan if she hadn't pleaded and humbled herself? I like to think so.
Yeah, same here - I do think he would have.
Sang Zan is reconstituted off-screen. I love how this foreshadows a happy ending for Weilan!! <3 <3 <3
Yes! I love everything about the Wang Zheng/Sang Zan & Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan parallels, it's so great!
CSZ either deduces that Zhu Jiu planned all this, or the others figure it out and tell him. I'm not sure which?
I think once they knew Zhu Jiu was on the scene, it was pretty obvious something had been planned.
It always bugs me that ZYL offers Sang Zan, a former enslaved person, a position with no salary.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I wrote a bit in my comment below about why I think ZYL does it like that, but still.
In Shen Wei's toast, he says, "these past (few) days" -- how long have they been in the mountains at that point? Maybe there's a time jump between the balcony scene and the drinking scene?
Ooh, good question! My headcanon is this:
Day 1: arrival; Wang Zheng goes into the mountain at night
Day 2: everyone who isn't drugged/asleep goes into the mountain; they don't come out again until nightfall because energy beings
Day 3: everyone's recovering from the drugged sleep; drinking with Lang-ge in the evening
I LOVE THIS SCENE SO MUCH!!!
♥ ♥ ♥
I think this is the first time I've noticed Zhu Hong is asleep at the table in one scene, and Shen Wei falls unconscious at the table in the next. In the first, ZYL wakes her up; in the second ZYL puts him to bed. <3
AHHHH that's amazing, thank you so much for catching this, I love it! :D
And then Zhao Yunlan puts Shen Wei to bed in a beautiful mirror of Shen Wei putting ZYL to bed in ep 8.
YES!!!
Just like Shen Wei got to see behind ZYL's performance then, now ZYL learns more about who Shen Wei is beneath the surface.
This is a fantastic way to put it! ♥ ♥ ♥
Also, I think this is part of why we get Shen Wei folding ZYL's clothes in episode 8 -- a direct mirror of ZYL handling the jacket here.
OHHHHHHHHHH
In the no-homo reading, is he just a massive neatfreak?
LOL, yeah, that seems to be it.
My headcanon is that this is when he accepts to himself that whatever is going on with Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan is in love with him. <3 <3 <3
Oh, lovely!!!!!!!!
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True. (I wonder if those feelings, though, are the reason SW hesitates before reconstituting him. What if he goes on a wild murder rampage?)
I think I said this somewhere else in the comments - my current headcanon is that something similar happened before when Ma Gui was creating the Hallows.
That would make sense, but with DQ's terrible memory, it could just as easily be something more recent. Maybe the Hallows have gone wandering before?
Me too! Everything about Zhao Yunlan and the Envoy working together in the caves is just great. :D
It's so good. I can see why you set a fic there!!
I'm not sure what you mean by the parallels, but I was reminded a bit of them questioning Li Qian.
Just all the similarities between Wang Zheng and Sang Zan, and Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan. It would make sense to me if Shen Wei was doubtful when he first met modern-day ZYL whether he could be completely trusted, given his attitude and behaviour (and given Shen Wei's reunion with Ye Zun in YOHE was not all he might have hoped)?
And I think you're right, this is the first time I can remember that he's personally been attacked with black energy. Though he's been almost caught in an attack before with the Lin Yusen explosion and Mirror Girl's almost-explosion.
True! But I don't think ZYL counts near misses, lol.
What do you mean? Zhu Jiu knows Shen Wei is the Envoy.
Oh, of course he does. I'd forgotten.
Yes! I love everything about the Wang Zheng/Sang Zan & Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan parallels, it's so great!
SO GOOD! <3 <3 <3
I think once they knew Zhu Jiu was on the scene, it was pretty obvious something had been planned.
It was obvious ZJ had a plan, but presumably the plan should have been that ZJ ended up with the Awl? (Or did ZJ just want the Awl out of the mountain, and plan to steal it later on?) Anyway, they can't know how well/badly it went for him.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I wrote a bit in my comment below about why I think ZYL does it like that, but still.
Yeah, I think it totally works in practical terms -- and really, ZYL is the first person who's ever supported their relationship. It just feels off on the face of it.
> In Shen Wei's toast, he says, "these past (few) days" -- how long have they been in the mountains at that point? Maybe there's a time jump between the balcony scene and the drinking scene?
Ooh, good question! My headcanon is this:
Day 1: arrival; Wang Zheng goes into the mountain at night
Day 2: everyone who isn't drugged/asleep goes into the mountain; they don't come out again until nightfall because energy beings
Day 3: everyone's recovering from the drugged sleep; drinking with Lang-ge in the evening
Oh no, now I feel robbed of everything that happens on day 3!!!!! But I feel like if this were the case, Shen Wei would have noticed the youchu blood on the jacket, wouldn't he? So I think it must have only been 2 days, and "these past few days" refers to day 1 and day 2. Idk.
> I think this is the first time I've noticed Zhu Hong is asleep at the table in one scene, and Shen Wei falls unconscious at the table in the next. In the first, ZYL wakes her up; in the second ZYL puts him to bed. <3
AHHHH that's amazing, thank you so much for catching this, I love it! :D
:D :D :D
Also, I think this is part of why we get Shen Wei folding ZYL's clothes in episode 8 -- a direct mirror of ZYL handling the jacket here.
OHHHHHHHHHH
Fwiw, I was thinking more about the jacket. I think it symbolises ZYL's protectiveness? And maybe that's why Shen Wei kept fiddling with the collar in the hypnosis scene -- like, he couldn't quite get it to sit right. And here, ZYL goes to spread his protectiveness over Shen Wei again, and that's what reveals the truth, but he still does it anyway? Idk, it's a bit muddled, but it made sense in my head. :-)
> In the no-homo reading, is he just a massive neatfreak?
LOL, yeah, that seems to be it.
I like it much better as a romantic gesture than a compulsive-cleaning gesture, lol.
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That's a good question, yeah! After all he wasn't present during Sang Zan's previous scenes with Wang Zheng and Zhu Jiu, so he knows very little about what he's like in the present.
but with DQ's terrible memory, it could just as easily be something more recent. Maybe the Hallows have gone wandering before?
Entirely possible! But I think Da Qing probably knows a lot of things without actually remembering where he knows them from, and this would fit.
I can see why you set a fic there!!
:D :D :D
but presumably the plan should have been that ZJ ended up with the Awl? (Or did ZJ just want the Awl out of the mountain, and plan to steal it later on?)
Ooh, good question! I think Zhu Jiu definitely intended to come away with the Awl, but Shen Wei getting it is still better for him than it being stuck in the pillar where he can't get at it at all.
Oh no, now I feel robbed of everything that happens on day 3!!!!!
Maybe space for a missing scene fic some day!
But I feel like if this were the case, Shen Wei would have noticed the youchu blood on the jacket, wouldn't he?
Idk, he had it on when Zhao Yunlan came back to the guesthouse, then took it off some time between then and the drinking scene, and apparently didn't notice it at the time. If he didn't put it on again after taking it off, that would still work.
I like it much better as a romantic gesture than a compulsive-cleaning gesture, lol.
LOL, 1000% agreed!
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And if he did go on a murder rampage, it would be a massive headache for ZYL (to say the least), and SW would have no jurisdiction. I wonder if, off-screen, WZ (and maybe ZYL, too) pledges to take responsibility.
Entirely possible! But I think Da Qing probably knows a lot of things without actually remembering where he knows them from, and this would fit.
That's true. It's all a dim jumble in there. *pets him*
Maybe space for a missing scene fic some day!
Maybe... idk, I like it better if the show doesn't leave out important moments, and I feel like ZYL and SW hanging out at all at that point is an important moment. Otoh, I suppose it's possible that SW and the students spent the entire day in the mountains doing whatever their field trip was for...
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I think SW would act if it came to that, jurisdiction or no, but I like this idea a lot!
I like it better if the show doesn't leave out important moments, and I feel like ZYL and SW hanging out at all at that point is an important moment. Otoh, I suppose it's possible that SW and the students spent the entire day in the mountains doing whatever their field trip was for...
I completely agree that there shouldn't be any important moments in any missing scene! But as you say, just because time passed doesn't mean something happened between them during it. And it would be fun to play with this and maybe finally work out a solid headcanon for the field trip, LOL.
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The Hanga tribe really keep blaming Ge Lan for everything. Even after everything Sang Zan does, they exhume her and plan to burn her, as if that would fix anything. While simultaneously deciding to make Sang Zan a slave again - talk about learning nothing.
("If she hadn't died, our descendants would never live in peace." But killing Ge Lan is ultimately what leads to them not having any descendants any more.)
I really wonder about the Awl ghostifying everyone and imprisoning Sang Zan in the pillar - how much of that comes from Sang Zan's frame of mind, and how much is the Awl's modus operandi? Energy bodies have apparently happened before, since Da Qing knows about them ...
Zhu Jiu accuses Shen Wei of selling out his own people for fame and glory, and while he does have a twisted image of the Envoy, part of that has to come from Ye Zun, right?
Zhu Jiu using the Envoy's black energy attack to crack open the pillar is pretty clever - and I think that was part of his plan from the start. Shen Wei later says that Zhu Jiu used Wang Zheng to lure the SID there, to use the humans' power to get the Awl. But what he actually needed was the Envoy's power, right? Shen Wei doesn't want to tell the SID they've been used as bait for the Envoy. (I don't doubt that Zhao Yunlan has picked up on that, but I wonder if he ever realises that that's part of why Shen Wei keeps thinking for the longest time that some kind of distance between him and the SID would make them safer?)
When Shen Wei reaches out and thinks, "I cannot pass that barrier in my present state," I'm not sure what he means by either "that barrier" or "my present state". Is the second bit about the backlash he suffered last episode from overextending his powers on the surface? And it's not visually clear to me at all, but is some part of the blue light around the pillar meant to represent a barrier that forms as the pillar is broken open?
Zhao Yunlan pulls his gun again - and this time manages to fire it without flashbacks or anything else stopping him.
I love the little moment of Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei looking at each other after Shen Wei pulls the Awl out of the pillar.
One of my favourite bits in this episode is Wang Zheng's line: "I waited for you for 100 years. and could only see you once." For one, it's another of those instances, where things seem to be over, Sang Zan seems lost/dead, but he isn't; a minute later he'll be back, and it's very much not the ending for the two of them. ♥
And also, I love how her words echo Shen Wei's "I searched for you for ten thousand years" - even more closely in Chinese:
SW: 我找了你一万年 - wǒ zhǎole nǐ yī wàn nián
WZ: 我等了你一百年 - wǒ děngle nǐ yī bǎi nián
So the parallel between the two couples is made as explicit as it possibly can be. So much love! ♥ ♥ ♥
(Aside: the Viki c-subs have a typo in Wang Zheng's line, saying 瞪了 "glared at" instead of 等了 "waited", LOL!)
When Wang Zheng asks the Envoy to reconstitute Sang Zan, Shen Wei doesn't immediately answer, and I always wonder what's going on in his head at that moment.
Shen Wei's line. "They held tightly to the person dearest to their heart, not letting go in life or death." ♥ ♥ ♥
(And I love that Zhao Yunlan, realising the Envoy is kind of a romantic, teases him about it until Chu Shuzhi loudly clears his throat. :D)
Btw, in Solo's subs Zhao Yunlan calls the SID a "mature and welcoming environment"; I looked up the phrase he actually uses, and it's 成人之美, which is an idiom meaning:
1. to help or encourage someone accomplish something; to assist
2. (chiefly literary) to magnify other people's virtue; to make good someone's honourable intentions
I think Zhao Yunlan framing making Sang Zan their librarian as "punishment" is trying to let Sang Zan save face, protecting his dignity/pride? Because really, what he's doing is just letting him stay with Wang Zheng at the SID (which is not a place outsiders should easily be let into), without actually expecting to get anything out of it. He doesn't know Sang Zan will make an effort and really make that job work, and he doesn't want to make it seem like he's offering charity. But even though I can totally see what he's intending, the whole thing still sits a bit uncomfortably with me.
The Envoy just quietly vanishing without anyone noticing is hilarious to me, and especially Zhao Yunlan's confused little "Hei ... Hei ... Hei ..."! :D
Zhu Hong reacts very obviously when the hypnosis breaks. (Shen Wei told her to forget about him until Zhao Yunlan returned safely, and he has returned now, so ...) And Zhao Yunlan does take a moment, but he still eventually smiles back at Shen Wei when he appears.
The drinking scene! Zhao Yunlan is so clearly struggling, and Shen Wei notices, of course! And I had forgotten that when Shen Wei grabs the drink, Zhao Yunlan almost tries to take it back, muttering, "since when do you drink -" Did Zhao Yunlan already know Shen Wei doesn't drink alcohol generally, or is it just because he was drinking water until then?
I really love Shen Wei saving Zhao Yunlan from the drinking! Not just from the one drink he grabs, but from the entire rest of it, because with Shen Wei passing out, Zhao Yunlan has the perfect excuse to stop - he has to take care of Shen Wei instead!
(I also love Zhu Hong's very narrow-eyed look as Zhao Yunlan gets up to leave, LOL.)
Shen Wei's shoes are next to his bed, so Zhao Yunlan reciprocated the taking-off-shoes thing, awww! ♥
This reveal is really well-constructed. First we get Zhao Yunlan's realisation and reaction, without any explanation, then we get Shen Wei waking up, and only then do we get the flashbacks explaining what actually happened, and reminding the viewer what the smell means. Great stuff!
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The Hanga tribe really keep blaming Ge Lan for everything. Even after everything Sang Zan does, they exhume her and plan to burn her, as if that would fix anything.
Oh, that's such a great point. POOR GE LAN!!
I really wonder about the Awl ghostifying everyone and imprisoning Sang Zan in the pillar - how much of that comes from Sang Zan's frame of mind, and how much is the Awl's modus operandi? Energy bodies have apparently happened before, since Da Qing knows about them ...
Ye Zun is kind of an energy body at first, isn't he? I wonder if it's the fight-club life force that helps him gain corporeality... Anyway, that makes me think it's the Awl's MO. (I am sometimes disturbed by the fact that both people who were empillared were enslaved people who rose up and overcame their oppressors. /o\ But I don't think Ma Gui would have deliberately created it to punish enslaved people for freeing themselves!! I do have a WIP that addresses this, but... so many WIPs!!)
Zhu Jiu accuses Shen Wei of selling out his own people for fame and glory, and while he does have a twisted image of the Envoy, part of that has to come from Ye Zun, right?
Most of it, I think, given Zhu Jiu used to hero-worship him. Though... knowing that the Envoy lives a comfortable respectable Haixing life must sting a bit.
Shen Wei later says that Zhu Jiu used Wang Zheng to lure the SID there, to use the humans' power to get the Awl. But what he actually needed was the Envoy's power, right? Shen Wei doesn't want to tell the SID they've been used as bait for the Envoy.
Yes, I think so.
(I don't doubt that Zhao Yunlan has picked up on that, but I wonder if he ever realises that that's part of why Shen Wei keeps thinking for the longest time that some kind of distance between him and the SID would make them safer?)
Even if he did think that, he would immediately dismiss it as Shen Wei being unnecessarily over-protective. /ZYL's survival instincts are broken
When Shen Wei reaches out and thinks, "I cannot pass that barrier in my present state," I'm not sure what he means by either "that barrier" or "my present state". Is the second bit about the backlash he suffered last episode from overextending his powers on the surface?
I think it must be. I wonder if the pillar is generating a similar field to the SID's security shield, blocking anyone with dark energy from entering?
Zhao Yunlan pulls his gun again - and this time manages to fire it without flashbacks or anything else stopping him.
Yesss! \o/!!
And also, I love how her words echo Shen Wei's "I searched for you for ten thousand years" - even more closely in Chinese:
SW: 我找了你一万年 - wǒ zhǎole nǐ yī wàn nián
WZ: 我等了你一百年 - wǒ děngle nǐ yī bǎi nián
Oh awesome! Thanks for that. <3
So the parallel between the two couples is made as explicit as it possibly can be. So much love! ♥ ♥ ♥
It's so good! Oh this show!!
(Aside: the Viki c-subs have a typo in Wang Zheng's line, saying 瞪了 "glared at" instead of 等了 "waited", LOL!)
Hahahaha. Awesome!
(And I love that Zhao Yunlan, realising the Envoy is kind of a romantic, teases him about it until Chu Shuzhi loudly clears his throat. :D)
:D :D :D
Btw, in Solo's subs Zhao Yunlan calls the SID a "mature and welcoming environment"; I looked up the phrase he actually uses, and it's 成人之美, which is an idiom meaning:
1. to help or encourage someone accomplish something; to assist
2. (chiefly literary) to magnify other people's virtue; to make good someone's honourable intentions
Ooh, that's awesome. I feel like ZYL being ZYL, he probably means both?
I think Zhao Yunlan framing making Sang Zan their librarian as "punishment" is trying to let Sang Zan save face, protecting his dignity/pride?
Yes, good point!
The Envoy just quietly vanishing without anyone noticing is hilarious to me, and especially Zhao Yunlan's confused little "Hei ... Hei ... Hei ..."! :D
LOL!! :D :D :D
Zhu Hong reacts very obviously when the hypnosis breaks. (Shen Wei told her to forget about him until Zhao Yunlan returned safely, and he has returned now, so ...)
I wonder what would've happened if SW had taken longer to get back (waylaid by more youchu, for example, or having to fight Zhu Jiu some more). What would she have remembered when ZYL woke her?
I really love Shen Wei saving Zhao Yunlan from the drinking! Not just from the one drink he grabs, but from the entire rest of it, because with Shen Wei passing out, Zhao Yunlan has the perfect excuse to stop - he has to take care of Shen Wei instead!
Yes!!!
Shen Wei's shoes are next to his bed, so Zhao Yunlan reciprocated the taking-off-shoes thing, awww! ♥
Awww! I didn't notice that!!
This reveal is really well-constructed. First we get Zhao Yunlan's realisation and reaction, without any explanation, then we get Shen Wei waking up, and only then do we get the flashbacks explaining what actually happened, and reminding the viewer what the smell means. Great stuff!
IT'S AMAZING I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! Thanks for laying it out like that/reminding me how great it is!! :D :D :D
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Ooh, good point, so there's sort-of proof that an energy body could become physical again ...!
I wonder if it's the fight-club life force that helps him gain corporeality...
The fight club life forces that Zhu Jiu collected went into letting Ye Zun escape the pillar, didn't they? And he's only a blue energy ghost then. He doesn't become more corporeal again until much later.
I am sometimes disturbed by the fact that both people who were empillared were enslaved people who rose up and overcame their oppressors.
Yeah, the reason why it's both of them is because parallels, but it really is a bit unfortunate in a way.
I do have a WIP that addresses this, but... so many WIPs!!
Cheering you on for ALLL the WIPs!
Even if he did think that, he would immediately dismiss it as Shen Wei being unnecessarily over-protective. /ZYL's survival instincts are broken
LOLOLOL, you're not wrong!
I wonder if the pillar is generating a similar field to the SID's security shield, blocking anyone with dark energy from entering?
Oooh, I like that! Maybe that's why it's invisible, because the SID shield is too.
It's so good! Oh this show!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! :D
I feel like ZYL being ZYL, he probably means both?
Oh, totally! :D
I wonder what would've happened if SW had taken longer to get back (waylaid by more youchu, for example, or having to fight Zhu Jiu some more). What would she have remembered when ZYL woke her?
I don't think what she remembers is contingent on SW being there; he set the hypnosis so she'll forget the incriminating part. It's only the bit where she won't worry about SW that has an end trigger, presumably because he didn't actually know if she'd wake up before ZYL came back, and he didn't want her to go after him or anything. *g*
Awww! I didn't notice that!!
Something new every time!!! :D
IT'S AMAZING I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! Thanks for laying it out like that/reminding me how great it is!! :D :D :D
YES! :D :D :D
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Maybe you just need to keep adding more energy to work through the process. Idk.
Cheering you on for ALLL the WIPs!
<3 <3 <3
> I wonder if the pillar is generating a similar field to the SID's security shield, blocking anyone with dark energy from entering?
Oooh, I like that! Maybe that's why it's invisible, because the SID shield is too.
And we know the SID shield can keep Ye Zun out, so presumably this one could work on Shen Wei.
> I wonder what would've happened if SW had taken longer to get back (waylaid by more youchu, for example, or having to fight Zhu Jiu some more). What would she have remembered when ZYL woke her?
I don't think what she remembers is contingent on SW being there; he set the hypnosis so she'll forget the incriminating part. It's only the bit where she won't worry about SW that has an end trigger, presumably because he didn't actually know if she'd wake up before ZYL came back, and he didn't want her to go after him or anything. *g*
a) Yeah, I meant more, what would ZYL have surmised if Shen Wei then walked in the front door. Especially after Zhu Hong's reaction to his name.
b) Omg, I'd never framed the reverse-hypnosis as protective! I always thought it was Shen Wei hiding his identity/covering his tracks. I love the idea that he was just making sure she didn't charge into trouble. <3
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Oh, that's a very good question! He'd definitely have concluded SW was up to something.
b) Omg, I'd never framed the reverse-hypnosis as protective! I always thought it was Shen Wei hiding his identity/covering his tracks. I love the idea that he was just making sure she didn't charge into trouble. <3
I think it was both - he's covering his tracks, but he's also protecting her. He doesn't want to get her in trouble!
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b) Do you mean get her in trouble with ZYL for failing in her duty, or let her stumble into trouble with youchu?
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(This show is so forgiving of people sedating/drugging/hypnotising people to protect them! Wang Zheng, Shen Wei, Fourth Uncle... and that's just in the space of a few episodes! /o\ At least Shen Wei drugs himself to protect ZYL. *g*)
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(And LOL, true, there is SO much drugging! *flails*)
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- The text on the pieces of leather used for the execution seems to be the same, just written in a different direction? Except maybe the bottom part of the third character? (And I just checked and they're the same pieces that were used for sentencing Ge Lan, which is obvious.) Which makes sense because it's all for show and there is no actual choice to be made, but in the end I'm not sure if the different direction (and the slightly different character) are actually supposed to make two different messages.
- "The God of the Mountain is appearing". :D :D Now I'm wondering if in Chinese it's the same as the Mountain God in the novel?
- Was Ge Lan just lying on the ground for a hundred years and no one found her until Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing? :P Or did she only get a "body" later? (She was still this glowy cloud when Sang Zan got empillared.)
- Da Qing just knowing all kinds of random things that even Zhao Yunlan doesn't know makes me want an entire spin-off about his adventures for 10k years. :D :D
- More protective Heipaoshi, my beloved! ♡♡♡
- And you can nearly see under his hood for a moment there. :D
- What is Zhu Jiu doing to Sang Zan when he makes him disintegrate, and with what kind of power?
- And then Zhao Yunlan protects Shen Wei right back, and with his gun too, just like he did in YOHE. ♡♡♡♡♡
- Shen Wei is so not okay with having waited for someone for a long-ass time and then losing them right away, aw. (And I never realized that the part where he brought Sang Zan back is not shown!)
- Chu-ge is such a hypocrite, lmao, it's only funny when it's
Zhao Yunlanother people who get accidentally zapped by Xiao Guo. xD- It's fun to hear Zhao Yunlan actually say "Heipaoshi-daren" (vs "Hei-laoge" and such). :D
- CSZ goes "AHEMMM" as the voice of the censorship that needs to stop Zhao Yunlan from talking too much about the Envoy's love interest, lmao. (No, but I really do like how they established his respect for the Envoy, so that he can do this while being 100% in character! Ooooh, could this be one of the reason why they added their connection/backstory to the adaptation? Because CSZ's respect is not a thing in the novel, and obviously novel!Zhao Yunlan teases Shen Wei all the time, Emissary or not. And in the drama Zhao Yunlan can't be too teasing or flirty or on-the-nose because CSZ won't let him, how convenient. xD :D)
- The Envoy's little smile right before he disappears! ♡
- This accidentally paused screencap is kind of a work of art. xD xD
- Drunk Shen Wei, my heartttttttt. ♡♡♡♡♡ (I think only on this watch I realized that his plan was literally to pass out so that they stop drinking because someone
Zhao Yunlanneeds to take care of him? In the novel he drinks Lang-ge under the table on purpose, but I love it so much that the drama gave him alcohol intolerance instead, and even hinted at it a few episodes back - it makes everything so much softer somehow. :D ♡♡♡)- Zhu Hong's epic side-eye. :D :D
- Zhao Yunlan only catches the smell because he's about to cover Shen Wei with the jacket. ♡♡♡
- The smiley winky face on the note!! :D
- The Youchu execution scene is such an obvious novel leftover that doesn't fit with much of the drama worldbuilding, but Shen Wei looks so damn GOOD during it that I don't mind at all, hah. :D :D The Envoy transformation is gorgeous too! ♡♡♡
- I have so many screencaps of Shen Wei's cutest expression ever. :D :D
"Do you have a stand-out favourite scene or quote from the first half of episode 11?"
Definitely drunk Shen Wei. :D :D
"Any theories about what personal experience these two are drawing on when they say this? (Neither of them seem driven by hatred to me.)"
I think Zhao Yunlan is talking about his father, and how he understands him and also blames him at the same time, but I never know what about this story is relatable to Shen Wei.
"How did Da Qing know about energy beings?"
Da Qing must know so many things that aren't common knowledge (anymore) - he may not remember when/where/how he learned it, but I like that the knowledge is still there. :D
"Do you think Wang Zheng is really sure the Envoy can save Sang Zan, or is it just desperation that drives her to her knees?"
Both, I think? She doesn't know what exactly he can do, but it's likely that he can do this. (I want to see this missing scene even more now, lol.)
"Does Guo Changcheng feel worse about zapping Zhao Yunlan last episode or Chu Shuzhi in this episode?"
Idk which one is worse for him, but zapping Chu Shuzhi sounds so much worse to me because no one is on his side. He got thumbs-up for zapping Zhao Yunlan! xD *pokes CSZ for his (very understandable) hypocrisy* :P
"What does Zhao Yunlan think when he finds Zhu Hong asleep at the hotel and she reacts so strongly to Shen Wei's name?"
I feel like his brain is whirring with 50 different thoughts, ranging from 'was I wrong about Shen Wei?' to 'is Shen Wei okay?'
"How perfect is the drinking scene? And the putting-to-bed scene? ♥ ♥ ♥"
SO MUCH! :D ♡♡♡♡♡
I tried to find a specific text post meme on tumblr and I didn't, but I did find a gifset, so:
:D :D :D [source]
"In the flashbacks, how did Shen Wei know Zhao Yunlan was in danger in the caves?"
I always feel like he does have some Zhao-Yunlan-sensing power? Not the same as in the novel where he knows where ZYL is at all times, but something that can let him know that he's in danger.
"Do you have any theories about the power in his note that repelled the youchu?"
Another novel reference. :P But everyone being afraid of the Envoy is obviously a thing in the drama too, so it's probably just that?
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♥ ♥ ♥ Almost there!!!
And here are my unexpectedly screencap-heavy comments. :D
I love your caps and gifs! :D
but in the end I'm not sure if the different direction (and the slightly different character) are actually supposed to make two different messages.
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing too, with Ge Lan's execution.
Though possibly it's meant to be different people's votes, and the pieces with the same text represent a unanimous vote? Idk.
"The God of the Mountain is appearing". :D :D Now I'm wondering if in Chinese it's the same as the Mountain God in the novel?
As in Kunlun, you mean? Yeah, it's 山神 (literally "mountain god") in both cases.
Was Ge Lan just lying on the ground for a hundred years and no one found her until Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing? :P Or did she only get a "body" later? (She was still this glowy cloud when Sang Zan got empillared.)
My understanding was that she was unable to form a body until then, so she was just some sparkles all this time. And probably there were some side effects when she managed to form a body, or possibly some (Hallows-related?) side effects helped her do that, which is also why Zhao Yunalan and Da Qing were even there to look at the place where they found her.?
More protective Heipaoshi, my beloved! ♡♡♡
:D :D :D
And you can nearly see under his hood for a moment there. :D
Ooh, very neat! :D
What is Zhu Jiu doing to Sang Zan when he makes him disintegrate, and with what kind of power?
Pure black energy, disrupting whatever energy is required to maintain coherence?
And then Zhao Yunlan protects Shen Wei right back, and with his gun too, just like he did in YOHE. ♡♡♡♡♡
AWWW! :D
And I never realized that the part where he brought Sang Zan back is not shown!
Hee! I always notice that. I would have loved to have seen it!
Ooooh, could this be one of the reason why they added their connection/backstory to the adaptation? Because CSZ's respect is not a thing in the novel, and obviously novel!Zhao Yunlan teases Shen Wei all the time, Emissary or not. And in the drama Zhao Yunlan can't be too teasing or flirty or on-the-nose because CSZ won't let him, how convenient. xD :
Oooh, that's an excellent thought! It definitely all comes together very neatly, as you say!
his plan was literally to pass out so that they stop drinking because someone Zhao Yunlan needs to take care of him
Yes! I love it so much! Grabbing one bowl of liquor wouldn't help Zhao Yunlan out all that much, given how much they've been drinking, but giving him an excuse to step away altogether definitely does! I love Shen Wei's strategic alcohol coma so much. ♥ ♥ ♥
The Youchu execution scene is such an obvious novel leftover that doesn't fit with much of the drama worldbuilding, but Shen Wei looks so damn GOOD during it that I don't mind at all, hah. :D :D The Envoy transformation is gorgeous too! ♡♡♡
100% agreed on all of this. He looks SO good, and I love the transformation sequence so much! ♥ ♥ ♥
he may not remember when/where/how he learned it, but I like that the knowledge is still there. :D
Yes, same here! It's excellent. :D
Idk which one is worse for him, but zapping Chu Shuzhi sounds so much worse to me because no one is on his side. He got thumbs-up for zapping Zhao Yunlan! xD *pokes CSZ for his (very understandable) hypocrisy* :P
Very good point! I bet it's worse for Xiao-Guo too, because with Zhao Yunlan Lao-Chu's approval mitigates his guilt (and also reassures him that it's not a big deal). *g*
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Ohhh, that could work too, and it could also be just for show. Since the story goes from dethroning the old dictator to Sang Zan turning into the new dictator, I could see them both trying to have some ceremonial 'proof' that they actually speak for the people.
"As in Kunlun, you mean? Yeah, it's 山神 (literally "mountain god") in both cases."
Yesss, and this is so cool, thank you for checking! :D ♡♡♡ I didn't know he got a sneaky mention in the drama. :D :D
"My understanding was that she was unable to form a body until then, so she was just some sparkles all this time. And probably there were some side effects when she managed to form a body, or possibly some (Hallows-related?) side effects helped her do that, which is also why Zhao Yunalan and Da Qing were even there to look at the place where they found her.?"
Ooooh, I love this idea! I didn't think that her getting a body could be the reason why they were there checking things out, but it makes SO MUCH sense! *adopts this explanation*
"Pure black energy, disrupting whatever energy is required to maintain coherence?"
This also makes a lot of sense and I didn't think of that, thanks! :D
"I love Shen Wei's strategic alcohol coma so much. ♥ ♥ ♥"
Asdfghfdjskl;; I LOVE how you phrased this. :D :D :D YESSSS! ♡♡♡
"I bet it's worse for Xiao-Guo too, because with Zhao Yunlan Lao-Chu's approval mitigates his guilt (and also reassures him that it's not a big deal). *g*"
Yeah, I think so too! The only reason why zapping Zhao Yunlan could be worse is because it's the first time he messed up and that's scary, but otoh messing up AGAIN is kinda inherently very bad, and then there's the total lack of reassurance this time, ouch, poor Xiao-Guo. Though I love that when he's crying after this scene, it's not because he just got yelled at, it's because he's having feeling about Wang Zheng and Sang Zan's love story. :D :D
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Yeah, that's what I was thinking!
but it makes SO MUCH sense! *adopts this explanation*
:D :D :D
Asdfghfdjskl;; I LOVE how you phrased this. :D :D :D YESSSS! ♡♡♡
♥ ♥ ♥
Though I love that when he's crying after this scene, it's not because he just got yelled at, it's because he's having feeling about Wang Zheng and Sang Zan's love story. :D :D
Haha, yes, very true! :D
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Oh yes!! <3 <3 <3 (Though now I'm wondering if his pent-up feelings about the zapping contributed to his emotionality, though, otoh, it doesn't seem that OTT for him. *pets him*)
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Ooh, that makes a lot of sense. I like that. (Though I don't know what would have prompted the Hallows to intervene. But that's not unusual. ;-)
I love Shen Wei's strategic alcohol coma so much. ♥ ♥ ♥
Yesss! \o/!!
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Hooray!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
"The God of the Mountain is appearing". :D :D Now I'm wondering if in Chinese it's the same as the Mountain God in the novel?
Ooh, great catch!
Was Ge Lan just lying on the ground for a hundred years and no one found her until Zhao Yunlan and Da Qing? :P Or did she only get a "body" later? (She was still this glowy cloud when Sang Zan got empillared.)
I assumed she was wafting around as a glowy cloud and only managed to be embodied because of the umbrella. But idk. :-)
Da Qing just knowing all kinds of random things that even Zhao Yunlan doesn't know makes me want an entire spin-off about his adventures for 10k years. :D :D
Ha, right?
And then Zhao Yunlan protects Shen Wei right back, and with his gun too, just like he did in YOHE. ♡♡♡♡♡
:D :D :D :D :D :D
Shen Wei is so not okay with having waited for someone for a long-ass time and then losing them right away, aw.
Oooh! Ooooh! This foreshadows the blindness arc, doesn't it??! Good thing ZYL only went blind!
Chu-ge is such a hypocrite, lmao, it's only funny when it's
Zhao Yunlanother people who get accidentally zapped by Xiao Guo. xDHee! I know. I kind of love that for him, though. <3
It's fun to hear Zhao Yunlan actually say "Heipaoshi-daren" (vs "Hei-laoge" and such). :D
Ooh, when is that?
CSZ goes "AHEMMM" as the voice of the censorship that needs to stop Zhao Yunlan from talking too much about the Envoy's love interest, lmao.
HEEEEE!!! :D :D :D
(No, but I really do like how they established his respect for the Envoy, so that he can do this while being 100% in character! Ooooh, could this be one of the reason why they added their connection/backstory to the adaptation? Because CSZ's respect is not a thing in the novel, and obviously novel!Zhao Yunlan teases Shen Wei all the time, Emissary or not. And in the drama Zhao Yunlan can't be too teasing or flirty or on-the-nose because CSZ won't let him, how convenient. xD :D)
I love this theory, especially because CSZ's respect for the Envoy is SO GOOD in its own right!! :DDD
- This accidentally paused screencap is kind of a work of art. xD xD
Ha! That's so cool!
- Drunk Shen Wei, my heartttttttt. ♡♡♡♡♡
Riiiiight!?!?! Greater love hath no man!! :D :D :D
- The Youchu execution scene is such an obvious novel leftover that doesn't fit with much of the drama worldbuilding, but Shen Wei looks so damn GOOD during it that I don't mind at all, hah. :D :D
1000% agreed!! :D :D :D
- I have so many screencaps of Shen Wei's cutest expression ever. :D :D
Heeeee!
I think Zhao Yunlan is talking about his father, and how he understands him and also blames him at the same time, but I never know what about this story is relatable to Shen Wei.
Ooh, great point! Huh. I wonder if he's somehow applied it to Ye Zun... hmm...
I feel like his brain is whirring with 50 different thoughts, ranging from 'was I wrong about Shen Wei?' to 'is Shen Wei okay?'
Oh, yes! I love that!!
> "How perfect is the drinking scene? And the putting-to-bed scene? ♥ ♥ ♥"
SO MUCH! :D ♡♡♡♡♡
SOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! askldfjasdkjf;askljdfa :DDDDDDDDD
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Oooohh, now I'm fascinated by the idea that the umbrella could have helped. :D How would it do that? (I always wonder why they even had the umbrella with them - was it a tool or a coincidence?)
"Oooh! Ooooh! This foreshadows the blindness arc, doesn't it??! Good thing ZYL only went blind!"
OH OUCH, yes! He has these feelings every time Zhao Yunlan is in danger, but the blindness was the closest call, wasn't it?
"Hee! I know. I kind of love that for him, though. <3"
Hahah, it IS very understandable! :D :D
> > It's fun to hear Zhao Yunlan actually say "Heipaoshi-daren" (vs "Hei-laoge" and such). :D
"Ooh, when is that?"
About 12:45. :D ♡♡♡ (I just rewatched it and now I'm very impressed how even during these few seconds he's so obviously flirting his ass off, with the grin and laugh and dramatic gesturing and everything. :D)
"I love this theory, especially because CSZ's respect for the Envoy is SO GOOD in its own right!! :DDD"
Yayyy, and YES, I honestly miss it when they interact with each other in the novel, it's such a good addition! :D
"Riiiiight!?!?! Greater love hath no man!! :D :D :D"
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡!! :D :D :D
"Huh. I wonder if he's somehow applied it to Ye Zun... hmm..."
Yeah, it must be about Ye Zun in some way (at least I can't see how it would be related to Zhao Yunlan | Kunlun? if someone can see that connection, I'd love to hear it! ♡), but so far I can't pinpoint anything more specific. Is it maybe him trying to figure out why Ye Zun hates him? As in, Shen Wei is the person who deserves to be hated in this story? Idk, it doesn't quite follow. (And it doesn't even sound like a novel leftover at all because his self-hatred there is not about something he did, it's about who he is.)
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Haha, RIGHT???? :D :D :D
As in, Shen Wei is the person who deserves to be hated in this story?
I really don't think that fits at all. Possibly it's about Shen Wei's own hate for the rebel leader who kidnapped Ye Zun?
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Possibly, but the "under a system that I myself built" doesn't apply then, and that seems a fairly crucial ingredient?
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Or maybe ZYL confided (in generalities) in Shen Wei during YOHE, and they're both talking about Zhao Xinci -- Shen Wei being vicariously understanding. ;-p
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I also thought about it some more and now I think it could be a novel leftover after all, but related to Shennong (not to Shen Wei's self-hatred) - maybe a red herring that Shen Wei had a hand in Zhao Yunlan
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Ultimately I can't come up with anything that really 100% fits for Shen Wei, though, so my feeling remains that it's more of a hypothetical for him than a reference to something specific.
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I was assuming all she needed was shelter from the sun (because energy beings can't go out in sunlight). But then, I guess she'd have been embodied at night, so that doesn't make any sense. Ignore me! ;-)
(I always wonder why they even had the umbrella with them - was it a tool or a coincidence?)
Makeshift hiking pole? *g*
OH OUCH, yes! He has these feelings every time Zhao Yunlan is in danger, but the blindness was the closest call, wasn't it?
Yes, I think Ye Zun's attack in the park could have ended Zhao Yunlan if he hadn't had the Sundial to protect himself (and Zhu Hong, too). And it still had a huge cost.
About 12:45. :D ♡♡♡ (I just rewatched it and now I'm very impressed how even during these few seconds he's so obviously flirting his ass off, with the grin and laugh and dramatic gesturing and everything. :D)
Ahhhh, thank youuu! And yes, lol, he's so smitten and proud of the outcome of their partnering up! SHAMELESS!! :D
(And it doesn't even sound like a novel leftover at all because his self-hatred there is not about something he did, it's about who he is.)
Yes, very true. Hmm...
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Or it was raining when they set out, so ZYL brought an umbrella?
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Hee, if they knew that they were going to find her (alas, that's not the case), I would love if the umbrella was Lin Jing's special tool that can help energy beings. :D
(And now I'm thinking that glowy cloud!Ge Lan just floating there for a hundred years was one of the reasons why people weren't fond of the caves. xD)
"Ahhhh, thank youuu! And yes, lol, he's so smitten and proud of the outcome of their partnering up! SHAMELESS!! :D"
:D :D :D RIGHT?? :D ♡♡♡
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Hee! Yes, that has to be part of it! (Poor Ge Lan.)
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Hee! If Lin Jing had known, it totally would have been. But yeah.
(And now I'm thinking that glowy cloud!Ge Lan just floating there for a hundred years was one of the reasons why people weren't fond of the caves. xD)
Aww, but she's such a sweet, sparkling glowy cloud. What's not to love?! ;D