Finally have a little time to watch although I already purchased the DVD set. Not bad at all actually for the first episode. I actually like the fast pace of it so far although there were some nonsense about it. It can’t be helped though since it was only the first episode.
I think everyone could recognize the familiar symbol that has transferred over to this one with the difference of the five colorful pearls surrounding the sides. Anyway, that was supposed to represent the theme of this story, which I won’t say much until they actually mention it. But want to see something else familiar?
Yes, a very familiar scene for ‘Chinese Paladin’ fans, except for the custome. What was even funnier was the main character, Jing Tian, was doing the same thing that Li Xiao Yao was doing when he was on the sword. Dreaming, of course, what else? Then he got woke up and lost his opportunity to make a fortune! So much for it, huh? But don’t worry about the similarity or be mistaken of the situation. This was supposed to be a prequel like I mentioned in my other post, so this was actually 50 years before the first ‘Chinese Paladin’.
What was kind of interesting this time around was there was this commentary person, narrating for us and introducing the characters as they appear. So it was sort of like the game, where they stop to tell you who the characters were – without you having to click into the character, like this one:
So what happened after Jing Tian woke up? A scolding marathon. Poor Mao Mao since he didn’t know that his ‘Lao Da’ was about to make a fortune in just seconds – if he haven’t disturbed the dream. But Jing Tian should know better than that. It was only a dream after all. How could he just meet one of the gods and get his wish of having a great fortune? Or could he really get that wish? Because while he was arguing with Mao Mao and He Bi Ping, a meteor shower began, drawing their attention to the night sky.
After following the myth of spinning around three times to make a wish, He Bi Ping was about to shout out his wish when he realized that Jing Tian was still spinning. When inquired, Jing Tian told them that he wanted as many wishes as he could. Mao Mao continued to spin as well, reassuring Jing Tian that if Jing Tian did not have enough wishes, there would still be some from his own spins. We could see from Mao Mao’s actions that he would be Jing Tian’s loyal friend throughout the story.
Perhaps someone up there wanted to send the guys a message about greed because they took a tumble after spinning around for so long. (No, I lied, they got dizzy from spinning too many times.)
Anyway, after the guys make a wish and laughed among themselves about their possible change of luck, Jing Tian realized a strange red-orangish dot coming their way from the sky. Jumping up from his place, he could see the dot getting bigger and forming into a shot of flame. Reaching out his hand, the object obediently rested on it, changing its form into a jade piece.
Looks familiar? Yes, it was the same jade piece from the first part. It was actually a half of the original piece. It was the same one that the legend told of in the first part with two people who possess two halves were fated to be together. (Or were they?)
So if this half found its way to Jing Tian, then where was the other half? The answer came to them the next day when Jing Tian and Mao Mao were out in the market, browsing several stalls after witnessing a bride’s carriage passed by them.
But the unfortunate event that followed was the powerful force that wanted to pull the two pieces together, reuniting both pieces into one.
The consequence?
Yes, a disaster. (You just have to watch it to see how they ended up there.) This was a very good reason why Jing Tian fled after the jade pieces finally released them from one another. This memorable incident was also the reason why Jing Tian became Xue Jian’s most hated person. (How could she live down the embarrassment of it all, right?)
Another unfortunate incident happened after that because a mysterious character appeared out of nowhere and stole Jing Tian’s jade piece. Not to mention that his luck turned again since he was captured and brought back to the Tang Manor to be killed. However, with his clever words, he managed to stall for time long enough that he was given an opportunity to save Xue Jian – who wanted to commit suicide.
Claiming to help her, Jing Tian did just the opposite. He even took on the role of an adviser, trying to help her find a better way to end her life, telling her that her method was not effective.
Misunderstood of his real intention, he was pulled by back one of the men. However, he was released again to resume his task after explaining the details of his plan. So what was his bright idea in introducing a more effective way?
That was effective all right since she no longer wanted to die after more of his harebrain ideas. So his effort was not wasted after all since he got released from the Tang Manor and returned home while Tang Kun confided with Xue Jian about the secret of the jade pieces.
As fate has it, that was not the last encounter between Jing Tian and Xue Jian. When night fell, Jing Tian was busy trying to think. He suddenly thought of a new way to get rich, waking up Mao Mao and He Bi Ping – who were too sleepy to care for his harebrain ideas. Disappointed, he left them to conjure up another plan again. However, while he was working by oil light, he saw a shadow zooming past his room. Suspecting thief, he dashed into the direction where the shadow disappeared seconds ago with a wooden stick as his weapon. As coincidentally as it was, who else was there to greet him but Xue Jian? (Who just got her hands crushed because Jing Tian had slammed the box shut.)
But Jing Tian had every right to be suspicious of her behaviors, right? Since what would she be doing in the middle of the night, sneaking around? Her explanation? She needed to find the materials and tools to patch up a broken tea lid. He just had to investigate since he was forced to help her patch it up. (But not forgetting to play some tricks on her first.)
So after a few hours (more or less) of recreating the lid, it was ready for the oven. While they were sitting and waiting for the result, a very strange incident occurred, causing Xue Jian to run for cover after threatening Jing Tian not to tell anyone of it.
Wishing to never cross path again, they bumped into each other once more on another night in the woods and not Jing Tian’s place this time around. What were they doing in the middle of the night in the woods then? Apparently, Jing Tian was looking for another meteor shower to save his luck and Xue Jian was searching for medicine to cure her grandfather.
After straightening out the misunderstanding and seeing no conflicts, Jing Tian decided to sit aside and mind his own business – until they both heard a strange noise. What was the cause of the noise then if it was not them trying to scare each other with eerie sounds?
This would be the very first time that Jing Tian and Xue Jian would stand so close to each other – minus that one time when their jade halves were trying to reunite. It could not be helped, right? They were surrounded by some type of demon. Where to run now? No need to worry because who else but Chang Qing appeared out of nowhere and saved them just in time.
And that was the end of episode 1. Stay tune for more next time.
*All images were captured by DTLCT
