Guo Jingming’s works have that signature style, and Fangs of Fortune 大梦归离 is no different. This show brings his usual blend of romance with hints of boy’s love, featuring a stunning male cast and equally gorgeous ladies. As expected of Guo Jingming, it’s a highly stylized production full of aesthetic shots and dramatic poses. But there’s one thing he’s known for: sad endings. So, the big question is—who’s still alive by the end of Fangs of Fortune?
A Pact Sealed in Tragedy: Zhao Yuanzhou’s Sacrifice
With protagonist Zhao Yuanzhou, (played by Neo Hou Minghao) who has no wish but to die and even makes a pact with Zhuo Yichen (played by Tian Jiarui) to have the latter kill him, it’s no wonder the ending is exactly that. To save everyone Zhao Yuanzhou sacrifices himself, forcing Zhuo Yichen to deal the killing blow. Out of the group, only Wen Xiao (played by Chen Duling), Zhuo Yichen, and Pei Sijing (played by Cheng Xiao) survive, while everyone else—whether main character, supporting character, or villain—dies. So literally everyone else like Bai Jiu (Lester Lin), Ying Lei (Xu Zhenxuan), and Li Lun (Yan An) all meet their ends. Wen Xiao’s godfather, Lord Fan Ying (Ji Chen), also dies, and even Qing Geng (Ai Mi) sacrifices her inner core.
A Glimmer of Hope in the Extra Episode
That leaves our female lead Wen Xiao, the second lead Zhuo Yichen and Pei Sijing going their separate ways with the latter taking charge of the Demon Catcher Division. Zhuo Yichen vows to find the last trace of Zhao Yuanzhou’s divine consciousness in order to revive him. If you thought episode 34 ended on a sad note, albeit a fitting one considering how everything was resolved at the cost of all the deaths, an extra episode shows the three reunited. At the very final scene, we see a piece of paper, no doubt containing Zhao Yuanzhou’s essence, floating to Zhuo Yichen who smiles. It means his search wasn’t in vain and there’s hope to bring the main protagonist back to life. Some can’t help but joke that Zhao Yuanzhou didn’t even go to his lover Wen Xiao but went to Zhuo Yichen instead, allowing the bromance to live on.
Joni
I am watching this and really liking it. A xianxia that I really like is a rare thing for me. I would have said “I am loving it”, if the 2 females in the group are better at their jobs. Seriously, even that boy playing Bai Jiu can emote better than the 2 ladies. Wen Xiao really irritates me no end in crisis moments, of which there are plenty.