[A martial arts clan's fiercely powerful heiress vs. a deeply devoted, restrained young prince]
Both leads are powerful | Both have secret identities | Ensemble cast | Passionate adventure | Court intrigue | The fate of the nation | War and romance
[Plot Synopsis]
Eight years ago, the heiress of the Tang clan, the most prestigious martial arts family in the world, had her identity exposed. Her meridians were shattered and her martial arts crippled. After that, the world's martial fortunes declined by ten years, and the Great Jing and Southern Chu stood as equals.
Eight years later, Tang Yiyao returns with her blade. Her journey begins at the sword trials hosted by the Five Great Sword Sects. After learning secrets buried for years, she decides that peace has reigned in the martial world long enough. It's time to stir things up.
If she doesn't, how will she fish in troubled waters and force the mastermind who has always hidden in the shadows to make another move?
Later, every leading disciple of the Five Great Sword Sects suffers defeat.
The Chengying Sword Sect is disgraced.
The Canglan Sword Sect is crippled.
The Hanjiang Sword Sect is reduced to a name in history.
And at Yunlin Temple, one of the world's three great Buddhist temples, the abbot passes away and hundreds of disciples vanish overnight.
Facing the meaningful, unspoken looks of martial heroes from every corner of the realm, as well as the abbot of Shaolin...
Tang Yiyao: “...What?!”
Who the hell beat her to it?!
[Romance Synopsis]
At the sword trials, Tang Yiyao meets the nameless young master, a man famous throughout the land.
Rumor has it that he bears Heaven's Mandate and can decide the fate of the realm's game of chess. He keeps his face hidden under a bamboo hat and is shrouded in mystery.
Yet this very man holds an umbrella over her the first time they meet, and invites her to a meal the next.
Then a life-or-death crisis sends his hat flying, revealing a striking, otherworldly face. Why does he look exactly like the man she loves?
Tang Yiyao comes to her senses and punches him. She only stops trying to settle the score when she fears that the turmoil she caused will sweep her beloved away in its first wave.
Later, the two journey through the martial world together, facing life and death side by side. Only then does she begin to understand what fate is, and what it means to be unable to defy it.
At the very end, she holds her sword to his heart and says, “You can have either the throne and power, or the freedom of the martial world. Pick one!”
Reader's Guide:
1. Childhood friends reunited after a long separation, devoted to each other from beginning to end, with a sweet happy ending.
2. A very long novel with a large ensemble cast and many couples. The romance takes time to develop, so the story is a slow burn. The male lead appears a little later, but you won't have to wait too long.
3. A gradual, steady romance. The story moves from the martial world to the imperial court, with romance and plot unfolding in parallel.
4. High-powered martial arts, but no cultivation or immortals. Everyone is mortal, and even the greatest martial artists can be overwhelmed by an army.
5. Set in an invented dynasty. All worldbuilding serves the plot, with some government systems inspired by the Sui and Tang dynasties.
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Theme: Fate brings us together, and love comes in its time
[Orange Candy] I got it. The emotional line is very tight.