Ideally
review should be written only after one has finished reading or watching
whatever one wants to review. However, since it becomes harder for me to actually
finish any dramas/series I watch I’m going to completely abandon this wisdom.
And since my
reading interest has shifted to translated on line wuxia/xianxia stories which
go on and on for hundreds/thousands series it’s more convenient and practical
to write a review as I read. (Just for your information, it takes years for a
series to be fully translated.)
Currently, I’m
reading a number of series but I’m actually addicted to Library of Heaven’s
Path by Heng Sao Tian Ya.
If you want
to know what is so great about Library of Heaven’s Path, I really don’t know what
to say. It’s rather embarrassing to admit that there is really nothing
outstanding about this particular series especially if we want to compare it to
great series by I Eat Tomatoes like Coiling Dragon, Stellar Transformation,
Desolate Era etc.
In fact you
might really hate it once you notice the extremely blatant copy paste formula
that is being used over and over again throughout the series. It’s plain to see
that the writer is only filling in the blanks with different names, locations
and times. All the dialogues and the reactions of every supporting character
are exactly the same. I mean exactly the same. Verbatim.
But, strangely
enough, although I felt like screaming ‘Why are you doing this shameful thing
Mr. Writer?’ I kept on reading and not quitting.
If I have to
give excuses for my lack of taste then I’ll try to justify my addiction to this
shameless series.
First of all
there is no harem in Library of Heaven’s Path. If you’re familiar with
wuxia/xianxia you would know that in this genre if you want to find a non harem
series it is even more difficult than trying to reach the stars. As someone who
is allergic to harem story this Library of Heaven’s Path has automatically
become a precious gem to me.
Secondly, if
you love shameless, thick skin, money grabbing lead, this one is for you.
As a teacher
Zhang Xuan has a rather even temper and quite dedicated. Unfortunately, he is a
scrooge and he couldn’t let those who intentionally step on his toes to go
without paying.
Hence, if you
love face slapping, Library of Heaven’s Path is definitely your thing. It has
major face slapping scenes to make your day.
In case you
love reading about male lead that is equipped with a super cheat tool, you will
love this one. Zhang Xuan’s Library of Heaven’s Path gives him a super power.
Comparing him to other cultivators is like comparing Superman to ordinary
citizen of Earth.
Other people have
to work hard to increase their cultivation. It takes them years and decades to
advance. But for Zhang Xuan it’s as easy as breathing. The only difficulty that
he has to face is paying for things that are needed by his students. And
finding books to fill his Library of Heaven’s Path.
What I find
most interesting in this series is how coherent the story really is despite all
the copy paste things. The build up of Zhang Xuan’s career as a super teacher
is quite clever and entertaining.
Despite
making slapping people left and right his side career, the highlight of the
series is actually Zhang Xuan’s ‘hardship’ in promoting and developing his
students right into the top.
I love seeing
how every time Zhang Xuan the scrooge finally thinks that he has struck it rich,
he ends up realizing that he actually doesn’t even have enough money to buy a mere
pill for one of his students.
I love seeing
the self proclaimed ‘low profile’ Zhang Xuan works hard to earn money to buy
things for his students. Other people work hard to increase their cultivation
but Zhang Xuan works hard to be rich.
Later on as
his own cultivation increases he realises that not only his students, but he
himself needs a lot of money to increase his cultivation and thus he becomes even
more obsess with money.
I like seeing
how he slowly learns how to be a teacher. A real teacher. I also like seeing
how he learns to love his students not because they could bring him some
benefits but because they are his students. I like seeing how he unintentionally
influences the lives of the people around him for the better.
I also like
seeing how he views the ticking bomb inside his body. Yes, he might die, but
not now, so he might as well go on living his life like there is nothing wrong
for the moment.
At this moment
this is my crack, the one that I’m looking forward to reading the most.
