This drama is refreshing with its setup. As a male lead drama it isn't centered on romance. It may have bits of it, but it's too early to tell right now. What I can tell is that the action is choreographed well, the story is easy to follow, and the characters I really like so far.

Ever since watching Immortal Samsara I have became hooked to Cheng Yi as an actor. Here I am again hooked. His character is so different than I have previously seen him in. He isn't regal, he isn't perfect and in love.. he is a man with an abundance of regret who has given up his identity to live his life peacefully and respected now as a traveling doctor. I am satisfied that here Cheng Yi is playing a dual sided character, held down by his past but significantly weaker with limits. He was OP before but to an extent that he ended up much weaker. His character is so interesting because of this and his potential talent and strength that unfolds. His character is so tragic, a once talented youth now telling himself that he can live to die without conviction or relationships to hold him back other than his old partner. Slowly it becomes aware he doesn’t want to die, as he calls out for help or tells Duo Bing directly he needs medicine. Without blatantly saying anything it’s crystal clear that he now has people he wants to protect and a hope for the martial arts world. So it’s very tragic to me to see this man who was once so powerful slowly getting closer and closer to death without any hope of living. He doesn’t want to die but accepts it and acts like it’s no problem to him when he really is soft hearted.

I enjoy the whole aspect of traveling and solving mysteries together. Where there are some that take larger spans of episodes to complete than others. This keeps the drama feeling fresh and doesn't get stale because they aren't staying in one place. So that means that it should be a more action oriented and character driven story. The sequence of episodes have mysteries that weave together a fuller narrative. Also.. there is a dog that is seen often

I think this drama will catch attention with it being male-lead. Going past censorship because it is not a romance.. maybe some bromance. Right now there is no ounce of that really. The chemistry is good between who is introduced early on. Duo Bing and Li Lian/ Xiang Yi have that playful banter and wit between the two. I can't say too much about them without spoiling what's happening. What I can say is that the dynamic of master-student is there. Cheng Yi's character is the experiences one while Duo Bing is a fresh faced detective, a young master with servants that follow him. That leaves me interested in his upbringing being fleshed out more, meeting his parents and seeing if he is a disgrace to them or not. There is a lot of room for heartbreak and heart-wrenching moments even without this being a romance.

With each episode I find the bond between Duo Bing and Li Lian all the more touching. That’s the word I chose specifically because whenever the two part I think about all the moments they had together like cracking cases, working off eachother for an unsaid common goal. There is a lot of trust between the two and the fondness Duo Bing has for Li Lian almost feels like some sort of destiny, that Li Lian really can reprise his role as a hero as Xiang Yi and be a true master for Duo Bing. Li Lian convictions hold him back, and he has them for Duo Bing as well, he doesn’t want to hurt him and hold back his future. What is tragic is that Duo Bing sees him as a part of his future in both egos that Li Lian has as his former self and present. Duo Bing has this version of Xiang Yi being perfect and a mighty hero as Li Lian believe that life of his was selfish and the complete opposite of how Duo Bing sees he self proclaimed master. The point in the drama where Duo Bing realizes that his master was infront of him all along and his past and future have been connected the whole time will be just as heartbreaking as it is a relief.

SPOILER//
Now episode 30 comes in. It has been too long for me to see two men earnestly fighting for eachothers lives when they both acknowledged they don’t have to. The thing is at certain points in this episode it is giving me the feeling that The Untamed did.. and that’s a haunting thing. A very good thing.. a wonderful thing. Now I’m putting this here because this is why I pushed the rating to a 10. The moments building up to a payoff of episode 30. It tells me why these two are fighting for eachother, and even though they have their rough patches- they’ve been through too much to let the other die. I love to see Duo Bing fight and be called crazy for it because he will kill for Li Lian, he protects him and nurtured him and man… it’s just great. Duo Bing has been wronged many times by Li Lian and honestly it would be hard to trust him, but he sincerely cares and respects him at this point that it’s no question for him to fight with his life on the line to protect him. It’s kind of giving off a little more than the initial relationship.. not saying anything.. I’m just feeling it. In ANY other context between a man and a woman what happens would be seen as romantic. So I’m saying they are soulmates ok. Like I kid you not Duo Bing gets so protective and Carrie’s Li Lian and yells at his superiors that he will be the one to take care of him, he won’t let anyone touch him, he will kill anyone who touches him… oh my god.. and the mother is an ally.. That sort of writing without saying completely how they feel is so smart, it’s what sends this drama a notch above the others. Honestly I just want Immortality to release and see Chu Wanning be respected and treated so precious in the same way as Duo Bing treats Li Lian.. Li Lian has no friends and Duo Bing is his first and only best friend, they drank wine on a rooftop.. Duo Bing gives up his title and status in the court.. and the guy is so prideful. He lives off his pride but sets it aside no question just to be able to take Li Lian with him. Pure devotion.. it’s a blessing to watch a drama that doesn’t revolve around romance and instead is smart and thoughtful and gets me to feel.


So to me this is a solid drama. It doesn’t have faults I can pick apart. The story is weaves together by mysteries towards smaller goals, larger goals, and then the crux of the show which has yet to reveal itself in the early episodes. It is like nothing is as it seems. I really like how each mystery has plot twists and there are new elements added on that makes it more enriching. So many layers to Xiang Yi and his past and Duo Bing reminding him constantly of who he was not only as a symbol of his once partner in the martial arts world but a older brother figure to him. Duo Bing flips his past on his head by being more youthful and naive than his uncle ( that was Xiang Yi’s partner) so it’s refreshed and he is now more of a younger brother figure to him.. if you can call it that.. I don’t know.

The self loathing Li Lian has compared to Duo Bing’s fresh attitude and then compare that to Fei Sheng’s self righteousness. He is also another main character that isn’t focused on as much as the main pair but has his story unfolding in its own way. He isn’t one dimensional but you can see how other characters see him as such. As a domineering figure, a prescribes without much compassion. But he is a lot more than that.. can’t say much without spoiling his character too much. But his story is a really good and interesting one, I like his character a lot more than I initially thought I would. Duo Bing is a firecracker, he is so funny at times with his honest and blunt reactions. I love that he has no filter and clearly needs guidance.

I can't go without talking about the Lotus Tower, that is Xiang Yi's moving house. It is pretty sick of an idea. It's so cool, his character is just so cool. The action isn't too flashy, same with the acting. It's natural, but also has lots of unnatural things when it comes to the story and seeing things I haven't seen. The setting grounds this drama so it isn’t magical.. but sometimes it feels eery like there are other things at play.

The more I think through this drama the more I can see different aspects that makes this drama excellent. The dynamic between Duo Bing and Li Lian/Xiang Yi especially. That is 10/10 hits all marks.