I would imagine Yang Yang is the modern Pan'An. Can't help comparing the drama with book, I copied the verses from the book, quote "Home and country, how to counterbalance? Love and hate, how to define clearly? Gratitude and revenge, how to repay? Beauty and world, which is more important? In this troubled times, there are many talented men. The chess game on the hilltop is between two people but to rule supreme in the world, only one person is needed!" end quote. This quote was where everything started...it began

Story Line: Score 7/10
Adapted from 2004 book with the same title and the author was Qing LingYue. The drama cherry picked part of story lines, made up new characters combining with original main characters, mix-matched individual for different roles as script-writer put them in randomly, story became less novelty. The most disappointment was Yu WuYuan who originally a kind, eternal godly, calm, heavenly man, the 1st Gentry of the 4, compose intelligent handsome reserve man, whom by the script-writer turned him into Soultaker Sect Leader and calculative mean-spirit Emperor aspired. gave score 7 because of some of my disappointments, but then the drama version of WRtW wasn't bad to watch all together although overwhelmingly full of fillers, the Creative Production Team managed to spoil well written book. The love story between LanXi and XiYun was a slow process, respectful closeness as they knew each other for over 10 years, although LanXi was always admire and love her secretly - he didn't approach her romantically - his love was beautiful and yet very sad. Only on the last chapter of the book, XiYun returned his love after so much misunderstanding, sacrifices and sadness.

Acting/Cast: Score 10/10
Both Yang Yang and Zhao LuSi are perfect for the roles, personality and appearance were matching their characters like on the book, no other actors/actress can play their respective roles/parts better than Yang Yang and Zhao LuSi for Bei Feng Hei Xi/Feng LanXi and Feng XiYun - the characters were likely designed/written just for them two. We felt our heart weak as the gazing look of Hei FengXi and smile wide when sees Bei FengXi grin, because of their amazing acting we're able to understand each other when the emotion they put into the action. There's genuine warm closeness and mutual 'attraction' on their personal level as both comfortable with their hugs/smiles/kisses/glances. Lai Yi was definitely Huang Chao, Zhang Hao Wei was great Yu WuYuan, besides all that every supporting actors did tremendous collaboration as well. The down low was dragging elaborate Bai LangHua (Book: She's a spoil princess from different state who thought highly of herself and love Xu JiuRen - XiYun's general) and all the students & master of TianShuang Sect, plus Queen BaiLi, Feng Chang & Feng Ju were just another fillers in the drama. The fillers were to avoid bloody war scenes and this drama wouldn't be well received because on the book from chapter 20 to 56 nothing but wars and strategies, yet just a love story of two beautiful most-influenced young people. Another disappointing was both LuSi & Yang Yang has stiff neck...like who has the prettiest neck among them.

Music: Score 10/10
The main theme song sang by Liu YuNing. Another multi-talented actor/singer who sang beautifully

Rewatch Value: Score 10/10
Because I've never have enough watching this drama, I rewatched few times over.

Overall: Score 10/10
The end story of episode was disappointing. Totally different from original book, XiYue wasn't her brother unfortunately he was her cousin who died young from sickness. Yu WuYuan wasn't inspired to be an Emperor - he died from his time up naturally - he even showed up congratulating the marriage union of Bai Feng Hei Xi . LanXi didn't have 10 years life span remaining. XiYun didn't get hurt from the canons. Han Pu didn't die, he was safely tuck in the mountain learning his martial art. The ending packed so rush...questioning why the producer thought putting Bai LangHua was more important than other iconic written in the book. Thinking LanXi had only 10 years to live by was other disappointment, true he turned 30 years older with grey hair because of saving XieYun. Honestly, I love the book way much better but I love the collaboration between Yang Yang and Zhao LuSi and I think they're the best asset of all. The impression of the book I was getting LanXi was a remarkable young talented vindictive most calculated man, he was emotionally saved by XiYun who's equally intelligent carefree happy go lucky charming girl, they knew each other for over 10 years with competitive standing between them creating respect, trust, misunderstanding, protectiveness (on LanXi side). He'd secret ambition to became the Emperor, not just a King of Yong State, his aspiration to unite 6 states as he thought he's the best person to lead governing country. He became so vindictive to get to where he wanted to be, to that XiYun despised him. His love to XiYun was inclusive, sadly he kept to himself, or She'd dumbfounded when he hint something. Elegant LanXi was sober; always thinking, careful, be part of XiYun, using manipulation and tactics. I felt sad for LanXi, with his secretive character, his father King of Yong abusive, his brothers competition to the seat of kingdom, he stood alone to face struggles and bear hardest consequences. Bai Feng Xi let him be himself without the strain of being a prince, she challenged his intelligent in charming ways, she's shown him the good side of life.