Mysterious Lotus Casebook: A Stunning Reflection

Also known as: “Shocking! The Greatest Hero Under Heaven Has Gone to Serve as a Hostage in an Enemy Nation!”

Setting: Based on the TV series, with a few details adjusted.

A hundred years ago, Nanyin did not fall. Li Xiangyi’s father is the ruler of Nanyin, his elder brother Li Xiangxian is the crown prince, and Li Xiangyi is the second prince. Since the second prince has yearned for the martial world since childhood, his parents and elder brother dote on him immensely. They send him to Yun Yin Mountain to study under Qi Mushan, where he practices martial arts alongside the little beggar Di Feisheng, whom Qi Mushan picked up at the foot of the mountain. The later events in the martial world follow the TV series. Xiangyi is eventually tricked by his senior brother and poisoned with Bicha poison, then falls into the sea during a battle with Di Feisheng. At that time, Emperor Hengzheng covets Nanyin’s treasures and secret arts and launches a campaign against the kingdom. After Master Wuli saves Li Xiangyi, he hears that Nanyin is on the verge of falling and rushes home to help fight the enemy. But Nanyin is small and weak, and city after city falls. Xiangyi’s father dies leading his troops into battle, and his brother Xiangxian takes the throne in the kingdom’s hour of crisis. To protect Nanyin’s elderly, women, and children, the brothers Xiangyi and Xiangxian decide to surrender and abandon the cities. From then on, Nanyin becomes a vassal state of Daxi, paying tribute in silver, grain, and military supplies every year. The second prince, Li Xiangyi, is sent to Daxi as a hostage...

This story is written in episodic arcs. The timeline shifts depending on the arc, so events may not be written in chronological order.