TLDR: Highly recommended for complex characters, great chemistry between the leads, well-acted, well-directed, epic action scenes.

I finished Parts 1 and 2 in 5 days. I was wondering if they would live up to the hype, and I was not disappointed. Part 2 was slightly better than Part 1 for me. I loved everything about it - the epic action scenes, the humor, the angst, and even the sad parts. This was an incredibly well-acted and well-directed series. The leads had incredible chemistry, and the supporting cast did a wonderful job.

Purely good or purely evil characters can often be boring to watch. Imperfect characters on the other hand are more realistic and interesting to me. Niao Niao's Mom, Yuan Yi, is probably one of the more interesting ones to me. Having been manipulated to abandon Niao Niao at birth, she returns to a 15yo that's manipulative, uneducated and stubborn. Frankly, Yuan Yi is at a loss because she has only raised sons and commanded soldiers up to this point. And Niao Niao, having been deprived of family warmth and caring from her grandmother and Second Aunt, was hoping things will be different once she's reunited with her family. She's sorely disappointed. Thankfully, she finds mother figures in Third Aunt and especially in the Empress. And, Niao Niao has her ever-loving father who accepts her for who she is, but is not in charge of her upbringing. I loved their special bond.

Li Bu Yi/Zisheng is an incredibly complex character. He is driven my such a deep purpose that's so ingrained within him, I don't think it can be separated from himself. Usually, each person can say, "I am me. These are my actions. That is my purpose." In Zisheng, these seem to all blend together. Although there's a certain kindness in him, there's also sheer brutality. It was downright scary.