WHEN LAST WE LEFT our dignified Xie Lian (who has ascended to heaven three times (and been banished twice)) and the charming San Lang (who pretended to be just a bloke, but could mow down a horde or terrifying ghosts in a heartbeat), who JUST LIKE EACH OTHER, AND JUST LIKE HANGING OUT SOLVING MYSTERIES, OKAY? Xie Lian has finally had to admit that San Lang is almost certainly Hua Cheng, the most fierce and feared ghost in all the realms.

So volume two is where we get to run into some of the consequences of their actions. Solving the last mystery has made them a powerful enemy, and Xie Lian is asked to save a mystery in Hua Cheng's territory. Which leads to a devastating reveal about Xie Lian's past, which Hua Cheng is not going to let lie. Xie Lian also reveals that his method of Cultivation requires chastity, and Hua Cheng maybe has a feeling about that. We get a lot of back story on Xie Lian's mysterious past, and some more Mo Xiang Tong Xiu feels on "What is wrong? What is right? What is black? What is white?"

I am continuing to very much enjoy this series. ( )

Xie Lian, accompanied by Lord Wind Master, is sent to Ghost City by Jun Wu, to look into the whereabouts of a missing heavenly official who put out a distress signal in the area. This puts Xie Lian in Hua Cheng's domain and gives him a chance to finally see Hua Cheng's true form. In the process of protecting another heavenly official, Xie Lian accidentally reveals a dark secret he never intended anyone to learn about.

However, things are not what they seem, and in order to ensure that the truth is revealed, Hua Cheng steps in. After that, we get a lengthy flashback to Xie Lian's younger days, before his first ascension, when he was loved by everyone and rescued a street urchin from falling to his death.

Storywise, this felt more scattered than the first volume - this is very much the next entry in a serial story. For me, it worked because I adored the characters who got the most on-page time. I'll happily read any scene involving Xie Lian and Hua Cheng just spending time together, and this particular volume had some great moments between the two of them - Hua Cheng teaching Xie Lian to roll dice, Hua Cheng gifting Xie Lian a whole armory, Eming being adorable around Xie Lian. Then there was Shi Qingxuan, the Wind Master, who was delightful and a great new friend for Xie Lian.

I had completely forgotten about the accusations against Xie Lian and was initially shocked when he confessed - but of course Xie Lian would never, certainly not for the reason he stated, so I applauded when Hua Cheng stepped in to put things right, even against Xie Lian's wishes. This particular volume introduced Qi Rong, the Night-Touring Green Lantern, who I'd also forgotten a lot about, aside from the fact that he was just plain awful. He easily earned himself the title of "most punchable face in the volume."

I'm never as wild about MXTX's flashback scenes as I am the scenes in the present, although the flashback in this particular volume at least wasn't of the deeply depressing variety (yet). It was interesting seeing how Feng Xin and Mu Qing interacted with Xie Lian back when they were his servants and he was a prince. And of course there was Honghong-er, who might not make quite the same impression on a brand-new reader of this series but who made my heart clench.

I can't remember what comes next in the series, but I'm looking forward to reading it all the same.

Extras:

Character and name guide, glossary, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and two full-color illustrations at the start (one the cover image, and the other completely new).

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) ( )

Another great volume in the series! The art looks gorgeous, and I love rereading this. It's funny and cute and all the little character moments are lovely. It's also fun because a lot of people say that Xie Lian is dumb (including MXTX), but honestly this volume really shows that he's quite intelligent. He just doesn't show it off.

I also love seeing how much Feng Xin and Mu Qing care for Xie Lian, in their own ways. To be fair, that's mostly Feng Xin, though even Mu Qing goes out of his way to help Xie Lian by bringing him medicine when he's hurt. But it is nice to see that they still have their bond.

Hua Cheng being so madly in love with Xie Lian is adorable, and Xie Lian really liking him back is wonderful.

Besides the relationships, I really love this for emphasizing young Xie Lian's belief in doing what's right by people, and how he's kind of anarchistic (though, with a sense of naivete; obviously he appreciates being waited on hand and foot, obeyed, and eating nice things and having easy storage for all his weapons). But his heart's in the right place kind of for a very spoiled rich kid.

The story also continues to show how low an opinion Xie Lian has of himself and his "failures", and how that wars with what little pride he has - and he is proud, in his own way. It's very heart-wrenching, particularly when he focuses on helping others rather than proving his own character. He'd rather do what's right than be loved, which is endearing.

There's also really important conversations to be had about agency, consent, and respect: Xie Lian points out to Hua Cheng, how did knowing the truth help? He didn't want Qianqiu to know the truth for valid reasons. And Hua Cheng just came in and wrecked it without asking first. Of course Xie Lian walks it back because he doesn't want to be burdensome and mean, but it's a really neat thing that Xie Lian points out, especially because Hua Cheng listens and, while well-intentioned, acknowledges his mistake.

There's another moment where Hua Cheng emphasizes how he's different from most of the cast in the story: Hua Cheng doesn't want anything from Xie Lian. (I mean obviously he wants Xie Lian to love him and show him affection and sleep with him, but he doesn't personally believe that's possible and has no intention to force Xie Lian into the relationship, or even really court Xie Lian; he's happy to worship from afar, and just help Xie Lian as much as Xie Lian will allow). His father wants him to be a good leader, his mother wants him to visit, Guoshi, Feng Xin, and Mu Qing want him to act more in accordance with his station, Jun Wu expects a lot, Qi Rong wants his idol/for Xie Lian to suffer, etc. Hua Cheng just wants Xie Lian to do what would make Xie Lian happy, absent what others demand of him. Absent even of what Hua Cheng wants of him. "Just focus on what you want to do," Hua Cheng tells him. Hua Cheng is happy if Xie Lian is happy, and knows that a major root of Xie Lian's unhappiness is his willingness to accept too much responsibility and demands from others, especially without help. And I really love that about their relationship.

They still didn't include IPA in the pronunciation section for some reason, which is still bizarre. I imagine part of it was how finished the manuscript was by the time people knew to point out it was an issue, but honestly that should have been something the people making it caught before sending it out, not the responsibility of reviewers to point out. It's still a problem. It needs to be fixed.

Other than that, the book is another enjoyable entry in the series. Look forward to the rest. ( )

Oh my god??? I loved this book. I think I have just been forcefully YANKED out of a reading slump. Beautifully written and with witty humor—I appreciate the cultural TL notes provided at the bottom of the pages, too. Both an educational and indulgent experience, I suppose.

Get the impression that this series will raise my average rating by a lot. ( )

I didn't expect to finish this book in two sittings.
Many twists and turns for our beloved characters ⊙.☉
Much more depth than I had observed from the donghua. Can't wait to read the remaining 6 volumes when they get released (♡ω♡ ) ~♪ ( )