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Peerless: Wu Shuang (Novel) #3
Peerless: Wu Shuang, Vol. 3
A RACE AGAINST TIMEAfter the long journey to the Western Khaganate, Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao find their diplomatic efforts stymied when they are accused of murdering a Göktürk prince. Thinking on his feet, Cui Buqu requests a single day to crack the case and clear their names. Yet to everyone's surprise, the crafty chief of the Zuoyue Bureau offers himself as hostage, leaving the investigation--and his life--in Feng Xiao's peerlessly beautiful hands.
Now Feng Xiao faces a difficult watch his rival perish in the desert or risk his own life in pursuit of the true killer. Time is running out, and unsettling forces are at work within the Western Khaganate. Yet Feng Xiao can't shake the feeling that Cui Buqu may have one final card to play--one that could reveal the truth before it's too late.
Now Feng Xiao faces a difficult watch his rival perish in the desert or risk his own life in pursuit of the true killer. Time is running out, and unsettling forces are at work within the Western Khaganate. Yet Feng Xiao can't shake the feeling that Cui Buqu may have one final card to play--one that could reveal the truth before it's too late.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2025
52 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Meng Xi Shi
80 books436 followersAssociated Names:
* Meng Xi Shi (English)
* 梦溪石 (Chinese)
* เมิ่งซีสือ (Thai)
* Meng Xi Shi (English)
* 梦溪石 (Chinese)
* เมิ่งซีสือ (Thai)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 1, 2025
I can say with certainty that this volume brought me immense happiness, but I must also admit that the ending left me in tears.
The arcs in this installment were far superior to those in the second volume. Each storyline was captivating, keeping my interest piqued from start to finish without a moment of boredom. I truly commend the author for her remarkable ability to write action scenes; they were crafted so vividly that I could visualize every fight as if I were right there in the midst of the action. Moreover, the intricacies of the political intrigue were woven into the narrative with such skill that it felt like the perfect cherry on top of an already fantastic story.
As always, Feng Xiao remains my favorite character. I have no idea what the author infused into his character, but in my eyes, he can do no wrong. I find it difficult to articulate exactly why I love him so much or why I connected with him so deeply from the very beginning. To me, he is simply perfect. I find it hard to acknowledge his flaws because my admiration for him blinds me to anything negative.
Cui Buqu once again managed to impress me with his brilliant intellect and sharp wit. He was absolutely formidable in the last arc of this volume; at one point, I had to put the book down just to applaud his way with words.
Their relationship continues to be the highlight of this novel and serves as the heart of the story. The dynamic between them, filled with playful banter and undeniable chemistry, is a joy to read. The subtle ways in which they express their care and trust for one another elevate their connection. I especially adore a couple that makes me laugh and effortlessly showcases a partnership where neither feels inferior to the other.
In conclusion, I can confidently say that at the end of the day, I had a fantastic time reading this volume. My love for this series remains strong, and I’m eager to dive into the fourth volume—these cliffhangers are simply too much to bear!
The arcs in this installment were far superior to those in the second volume. Each storyline was captivating, keeping my interest piqued from start to finish without a moment of boredom. I truly commend the author for her remarkable ability to write action scenes; they were crafted so vividly that I could visualize every fight as if I were right there in the midst of the action. Moreover, the intricacies of the political intrigue were woven into the narrative with such skill that it felt like the perfect cherry on top of an already fantastic story.
As always, Feng Xiao remains my favorite character. I have no idea what the author infused into his character, but in my eyes, he can do no wrong. I find it difficult to articulate exactly why I love him so much or why I connected with him so deeply from the very beginning. To me, he is simply perfect. I find it hard to acknowledge his flaws because my admiration for him blinds me to anything negative.
Cui Buqu once again managed to impress me with his brilliant intellect and sharp wit. He was absolutely formidable in the last arc of this volume; at one point, I had to put the book down just to applaud his way with words.
Their relationship continues to be the highlight of this novel and serves as the heart of the story. The dynamic between them, filled with playful banter and undeniable chemistry, is a joy to read. The subtle ways in which they express their care and trust for one another elevate their connection. I especially adore a couple that makes me laugh and effortlessly showcases a partnership where neither feels inferior to the other.
In conclusion, I can confidently say that at the end of the day, I had a fantastic time reading this volume. My love for this series remains strong, and I’m eager to dive into the fourth volume—these cliffhangers are simply too much to bear!
March 23, 2025
cui buqu you would’ve loved free healthcare
February 23, 2025
This is my favorite volume so far. I loved seeing the tiny moments when Feng Xiao begins to realize he’s falling for Cui Buqu. And Cui Buqu! My heart aches for him in this book. As expected from Meng Xi Shi, we get a big twist and it’s going to be torture waiting for the next volume (maybe June 24, 2025?).
I do love a slow burn and Meng Xi Shi does this perfectly. Somehow she makes the smallest touch or phrase carry so much meaning. I’m so glad they were together for the entirety of this novel. The banter continues to be flawless.
Now I really want to re-read Thousand Autumns as we are getting more mentions of familiar names.
“He pressed his forehead to the nape of Feng Xiao’s neck, soaking up his body heat to warm himself, then sighed comfortably.”
Cui Buqu sighed. “Perhaps I might die in the traps without you. But if I bring you along, I expect you’ll push me into them.”
I do love a slow burn and Meng Xi Shi does this perfectly. Somehow she makes the smallest touch or phrase carry so much meaning. I’m so glad they were together for the entirety of this novel. The banter continues to be flawless.
Now I really want to re-read Thousand Autumns as we are getting more mentions of familiar names.
“He pressed his forehead to the nape of Feng Xiao’s neck, soaking up his body heat to warm himself, then sighed comfortably.”
Cui Buqu sighed. “Perhaps I might die in the traps without you. But if I bring you along, I expect you’ll push me into them.”
February 28, 2025
You’d think that after “My foolish A-Qiao, when have I ever been good to you?”, I’d be immune to Meng Xi Shi’s antics. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. I SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING 😭😭😭
August 4, 2025
**This review assumes that you have read the previous books in the series and may contain spoilers for volumes 1 and 2**
I have to say that while I very much enjoyed this book and would still rate it as a 4.5 overall, I did feel like this volume was the most inconsistent thus far. Volume 3 had some of my absolute favorite moments in the entire series, but it also had more parts where the story felt a bit slower and didn’t hold my interest quite as much as previous volumes. In the end, I definitely still felt like the parts that I loved about the book far outweighed the ones that I didn’t, but those slower parts still dragged down the pacing a bit for me. Despite containing some of the best and most exciting scenes in the series so far, this volume took me quite a bit longer to get through than the previous ones, mostly because of the pacing issues that I mentioned.
Once again, the main characters are the shining stars that make this book the enjoyable read that it is. Cui Buqu, in particular, completely steals the show in this volume. He has always been the standout character of the two mains in this series, but after reading this volume I am completely in love with him! He’s such a unique character, especially compared to other danmei that I have personally read. In this book, we finally get to learn more about Cui Buqu’s past. And holy crap! Let me tell you, it is an emotional ride! After seeing where he came from, I appreciate who Cui Buqu is now and how far he has come, both in his personal and professional life, so much more even than I did before. He is the very definition of a self-made man who pulled himself up from rock bottom and climbed all the way to the top despite everything in life going against him. Cui Buqu’s story is equal parts inspiring and heartbreaking. Learning about his backstory was by far the highlight of the book for me, as was seeing him face off against those who had wronged him in the past. By the end of it, I just wanted to give Cui Buqu a huge hug and demand that Feng Xiao treat him right and never allow anyone to hurt him ever again. (*cough* Glares meaningfully at Feng Xiao *cough*)
As for Feng Xiao, he is still a ridiculous peacock of a man who is far too enamored with himself for his own good. As always, this continues to be a great source of amusement which results in quite a few laugh out loud scenes. However, it’s also nice to see that Feng Xiao seems to be getting some character development, even if it is somewhat subtle. I also really enjoyed seeing his growing appreciation and…dare I say feelings for Cui Buqu?
Once again, it is all extremely slow burn, which I personally absolutely love but if you are someone who finds that type of thing frustrating then this might not be the series for you. Honestly, Meng Xi Shi might not be the author for you if that is the case because Thousand Autumns is also very slow burn. For me though, I am absolutely here for the slow but meaningful relationship development that subtly evolves over time. Meng Xi Shi is at her best when it comes to her characters. They are always incredibly well written and complex. She also has a knack for getting you to love characters that have flaws that might otherwise make them incredibly unlikable. I was disappointed that there was far less of my beloved Qiao Xian in this volume, but it was also nice for Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu to get some time alone together.
I’m not going to spoil anything, but the end of this volume had an insane plot twist that practically had me wanting to throw the book across the room in pure shock and rage. Without saying too much, it was very reminiscent of something that happened in Thousand Autumns; something that still causes me to have traumatic flashbacks even months after reading it. Volume 3 ends on an absolutely horrendous cliffhanger that had me grinding my teeth in sheer outrage and anxiety over what would happen next.
Originally, I was planning to hold off on jumping into the next volume so that I could space it out a bit more until the final volume comes out in October. Unfortunately, after the way this volume ended, I don’t think that I’m going to be able to wait that long. I don’t think I can survive for another month or two without knowing what happens with this damn twist! So, it looks like I’ll be plunging straight into volume 4 after this. Everyone, wish me luck!
I have to say that while I very much enjoyed this book and would still rate it as a 4.5 overall, I did feel like this volume was the most inconsistent thus far. Volume 3 had some of my absolute favorite moments in the entire series, but it also had more parts where the story felt a bit slower and didn’t hold my interest quite as much as previous volumes. In the end, I definitely still felt like the parts that I loved about the book far outweighed the ones that I didn’t, but those slower parts still dragged down the pacing a bit for me. Despite containing some of the best and most exciting scenes in the series so far, this volume took me quite a bit longer to get through than the previous ones, mostly because of the pacing issues that I mentioned.
Once again, the main characters are the shining stars that make this book the enjoyable read that it is. Cui Buqu, in particular, completely steals the show in this volume. He has always been the standout character of the two mains in this series, but after reading this volume I am completely in love with him! He’s such a unique character, especially compared to other danmei that I have personally read. In this book, we finally get to learn more about Cui Buqu’s past. And holy crap! Let me tell you, it is an emotional ride! After seeing where he came from, I appreciate who Cui Buqu is now and how far he has come, both in his personal and professional life, so much more even than I did before. He is the very definition of a self-made man who pulled himself up from rock bottom and climbed all the way to the top despite everything in life going against him. Cui Buqu’s story is equal parts inspiring and heartbreaking. Learning about his backstory was by far the highlight of the book for me, as was seeing him face off against those who had wronged him in the past. By the end of it, I just wanted to give Cui Buqu a huge hug and demand that Feng Xiao treat him right and never allow anyone to hurt him ever again. (*cough* Glares meaningfully at Feng Xiao *cough*)
As for Feng Xiao, he is still a ridiculous peacock of a man who is far too enamored with himself for his own good. As always, this continues to be a great source of amusement which results in quite a few laugh out loud scenes. However, it’s also nice to see that Feng Xiao seems to be getting some character development, even if it is somewhat subtle. I also really enjoyed seeing his growing appreciation and…dare I say feelings for Cui Buqu?
Once again, it is all extremely slow burn, which I personally absolutely love but if you are someone who finds that type of thing frustrating then this might not be the series for you. Honestly, Meng Xi Shi might not be the author for you if that is the case because Thousand Autumns is also very slow burn. For me though, I am absolutely here for the slow but meaningful relationship development that subtly evolves over time. Meng Xi Shi is at her best when it comes to her characters. They are always incredibly well written and complex. She also has a knack for getting you to love characters that have flaws that might otherwise make them incredibly unlikable. I was disappointed that there was far less of my beloved Qiao Xian in this volume, but it was also nice for Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu to get some time alone together.
I’m not going to spoil anything, but the end of this volume had an insane plot twist that practically had me wanting to throw the book across the room in pure shock and rage. Without saying too much, it was very reminiscent of something that happened in Thousand Autumns; something that still causes me to have traumatic flashbacks even months after reading it. Volume 3 ends on an absolutely horrendous cliffhanger that had me grinding my teeth in sheer outrage and anxiety over what would happen next.
Originally, I was planning to hold off on jumping into the next volume so that I could space it out a bit more until the final volume comes out in October. Unfortunately, after the way this volume ended, I don’t think that I’m going to be able to wait that long. I don’t think I can survive for another month or two without knowing what happens with this damn twist! So, it looks like I’ll be plunging straight into volume 4 after this. Everyone, wish me luck!
February 28, 2025
5/5☆
”I thought you had no desire to save Cui-xiansheng.” Jinlian regarded him suspiciously.
Feng Xiao smiled. “There’s only one Cui Buqu. If he dies, where would I find anyone half as interesting?”
”I thought you had no desire to save Cui-xiansheng.” Jinlian regarded him suspiciously.
Feng Xiao smiled. “There’s only one Cui Buqu. If he dies, where would I find anyone half as interesting?”
March 2, 2025
4.5⭐️
Maybe I was still reeling from Hui Tian’s fast pace and excitement, but the beginning felt a bit slow to me. Thankfully, my interest quickly picked up as we got a glimpse of where our dear Ququ came from and just how far he’d soared.
On the relationship department, we see hints of admiration blooming in our narcissistic ML’s heart, eventually leading to a crucial realization.
“I may be in a bit of trouble,” he murmured to himself. If, in the future, there came a brilliant opportunity to set up Cui Buqu…would he take it?
But can the heartless Feng Xiao truly change? Their next adventure throws us a shocking twist! This time, the price of victory is steeper than ever. And the suffering—oh my goodness! I don’t know if my heart can take it.
How others see Ququ:
He was Cui Buqu, the only one of his kind in the world. A man capable of carving a path to heaven even when pushed to the edge of a cliff.
How Ququ sees himself:
For as long as he could remember, Cui Buqu had experienced all sorts of ups and downs as he traveled the treacherous road that was his life. He was fated to lose those dear to him; he was a cold and callous man. It was impossible that he could receive such gentleness.
Have some faith, Ququ. I’m sure you’ll get the love you deserve!
Maybe I was still reeling from Hui Tian’s fast pace and excitement, but the beginning felt a bit slow to me. Thankfully, my interest quickly picked up as we got a glimpse of where our dear Ququ came from and just how far he’d soared.
On the relationship department, we see hints of admiration blooming in our narcissistic ML’s heart, eventually leading to a crucial realization.
“I may be in a bit of trouble,” he murmured to himself. If, in the future, there came a brilliant opportunity to set up Cui Buqu…would he take it?
But can the heartless Feng Xiao truly change? Their next adventure throws us a shocking twist! This time, the price of victory is steeper than ever. And the suffering—oh my goodness! I don’t know if my heart can take it.
How others see Ququ:
He was Cui Buqu, the only one of his kind in the world. A man capable of carving a path to heaven even when pushed to the edge of a cliff.
How Ququ sees himself:
For as long as he could remember, Cui Buqu had experienced all sorts of ups and downs as he traveled the treacherous road that was his life. He was fated to lose those dear to him; he was a cold and callous man. It was impossible that he could receive such gentleness.
Have some faith, Ququ. I’m sure you’ll get the love you deserve!
July 28, 2025
Love comes in many guises and sometimes it turns up in the most surprising of places. Meng Xi Shi´s “Peerless” series began with an enemy-to-lovers trope but the romance is so slowburn that it is only really at the end of this third volume that there is any hint of romance. As chiefs of competing investigative bureaus in the imperial city Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao have been clashing with each other since the beginning. Their quarrelling has, however, slowly turned into bickering which in turn has developed into dependency and more.
The plot continues precisely where volume two left off. Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao have travelled to the Western Khaganate in an attempt to help with a diplomatic situation but find themselves accused of murdering Prince Ade, the second son of the Apa Khagan who rules the region. This arc includes hidden identities and subtle plotting, resulting in Feng Xiao saving Cui Buqu by defeating the warrior monk, Yuxiu. This reads as an exciting adventure with Feng Xiao, demonstrating his martial arts but beneath the excitement lies Cui Buqu´s quiet conviction that Feng Xiao will save him, which gives him the confidence to put his life on the line in order to unmask the imposter in the Khaganate. The two are not even friends as such but there is a conviction that they can depend on each other although Feng Xiao does say to Cui Buqu that, “Next time you decide to risk your life with your shenanigans, I´d prefer you let me know in advance” (15%).
Back in the capital they go their separate ways but happen to meet at a lantern festival in Qingli Gardens. It is here that Feng Xiao´s moniker as being “peerless” comes into play since the Princess Lanling has fallen in love with his beauty and has convinced the Emperor that he should arrange their marriage. “His face was breathtakingly handsome, and his gracefully curved eyes sparkled in the twilight, gleaming with the promise of a smile,” (24%). Unsurprisingly, the Princess has no chance of ever marrying him. This is firstly because she is merely dazzled by his physical appearance and not necessarily because of his personality, but more importantly it would seem that she has failed to ask him whether he would want to marry her; she assumes that her status as a princess is enough to entice him. Lastly and more significantly, Feng Xiao is much more fascinated by Cui Buqu since he ends up kissing him a little more deeply and sensually than strictly necessary when they are pretending to be a couple in order to escape the assassin who is trying to kill Cui Buqu in the carriage when they leave Qingli Gardens.
Nevertheless, they end up travelling to Cui Buqu´s hometown in order to deal with a traitor whom the Zuoyue Bureau has discovered is betraying the ruling Sui dynasty. There is the added agenda that Cui Buqu has promised Feng Xiao an antique zither which is owned by the Cui family as well as the story of Cui Buqu´s mother, Mo Yu. His backstory is slowly revealed in heartbreaking detail, explaining his poor health and his dogged personality that pushes him far beyond the limits of his frail health. This part of the story provides a deep understanding of Cui Buqu and weaves in the imperial politics as well as laying the groundwork for the last part of the book. This is cleverly done in a way that makes Cui Buqu a round character and subtly foreshadows the showdown that will end this volume of the series.
The closing section of this volume is focused on events inside the Thirteen Floors of Yunhai. This shadowy organization seems to have been responsible for previous attacks on Cui Buqu and has affected the behaviour of many characters who previously seemed benign and who are now revealed to have had nefarious motivations for being nice earlier on. Since this organization has been embedded into the plot in hitherto unrevealed ways, it seems quite natural that it now shows itself as the main couple´s antagonist. There are, however, multiple layers of betrayal at the end of the book and the cover of the fourth volume of the series gives a clear indication of what happens at the end of the third volume. All hope is not lost and in a fleeting moment of consciousness Cui Buqu thinks that, “He was fated to lose those dear to him; he was a cold and callous man. It was impossible that he could receive such gentleness” (96%). The source of this gentleness is, however, not revealed until the next volume in the series …
The plot continues precisely where volume two left off. Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao have travelled to the Western Khaganate in an attempt to help with a diplomatic situation but find themselves accused of murdering Prince Ade, the second son of the Apa Khagan who rules the region. This arc includes hidden identities and subtle plotting, resulting in Feng Xiao saving Cui Buqu by defeating the warrior monk, Yuxiu. This reads as an exciting adventure with Feng Xiao, demonstrating his martial arts but beneath the excitement lies Cui Buqu´s quiet conviction that Feng Xiao will save him, which gives him the confidence to put his life on the line in order to unmask the imposter in the Khaganate. The two are not even friends as such but there is a conviction that they can depend on each other although Feng Xiao does say to Cui Buqu that, “Next time you decide to risk your life with your shenanigans, I´d prefer you let me know in advance” (15%).
Back in the capital they go their separate ways but happen to meet at a lantern festival in Qingli Gardens. It is here that Feng Xiao´s moniker as being “peerless” comes into play since the Princess Lanling has fallen in love with his beauty and has convinced the Emperor that he should arrange their marriage. “His face was breathtakingly handsome, and his gracefully curved eyes sparkled in the twilight, gleaming with the promise of a smile,” (24%). Unsurprisingly, the Princess has no chance of ever marrying him. This is firstly because she is merely dazzled by his physical appearance and not necessarily because of his personality, but more importantly it would seem that she has failed to ask him whether he would want to marry her; she assumes that her status as a princess is enough to entice him. Lastly and more significantly, Feng Xiao is much more fascinated by Cui Buqu since he ends up kissing him a little more deeply and sensually than strictly necessary when they are pretending to be a couple in order to escape the assassin who is trying to kill Cui Buqu in the carriage when they leave Qingli Gardens.
Nevertheless, they end up travelling to Cui Buqu´s hometown in order to deal with a traitor whom the Zuoyue Bureau has discovered is betraying the ruling Sui dynasty. There is the added agenda that Cui Buqu has promised Feng Xiao an antique zither which is owned by the Cui family as well as the story of Cui Buqu´s mother, Mo Yu. His backstory is slowly revealed in heartbreaking detail, explaining his poor health and his dogged personality that pushes him far beyond the limits of his frail health. This part of the story provides a deep understanding of Cui Buqu and weaves in the imperial politics as well as laying the groundwork for the last part of the book. This is cleverly done in a way that makes Cui Buqu a round character and subtly foreshadows the showdown that will end this volume of the series.
The closing section of this volume is focused on events inside the Thirteen Floors of Yunhai. This shadowy organization seems to have been responsible for previous attacks on Cui Buqu and has affected the behaviour of many characters who previously seemed benign and who are now revealed to have had nefarious motivations for being nice earlier on. Since this organization has been embedded into the plot in hitherto unrevealed ways, it seems quite natural that it now shows itself as the main couple´s antagonist. There are, however, multiple layers of betrayal at the end of the book and the cover of the fourth volume of the series gives a clear indication of what happens at the end of the third volume. All hope is not lost and in a fleeting moment of consciousness Cui Buqu thinks that, “He was fated to lose those dear to him; he was a cold and callous man. It was impossible that he could receive such gentleness” (96%). The source of this gentleness is, however, not revealed until the next volume in the series …
August 7, 2025
first half of the book as a song: No Roots by Alice Merton
second? Crazy frog
these bitches are making me crazy
second? Crazy frog
these bitches are making me crazy
October 19, 2025
things have gone from 0 to 100 real quick. i am so fucking invested now. this book really made things get serious. peak fiction
November 17, 2025
This volume is easily my favorite of the series thus far, and for one reason only: Cui Buqu’s revenge arc.
Absolutely loved getting his backstory and in depth development of what makes him so resilient, the meaning behind his name, and the lengths he’ll go to to deliver justice. And maybe I just love family drama.
Honestly Feng Xiao was kind of just an accessory in this volume. Arm candy for Cui Buqu, if you will. 😂 But hopefully we’ll get more of his character development later on.
I wasn’t crazy shocked by the twist toward the end of the novel (again, it correlates with similar plot points from Thousand Autumns), but the twist definitely has me fully engaged in what’s to unravel next.
Absolutely loved getting his backstory and in depth development of what makes him so resilient, the meaning behind his name, and the lengths he’ll go to to deliver justice. And maybe I just love family drama.
Honestly Feng Xiao was kind of just an accessory in this volume. Arm candy for Cui Buqu, if you will. 😂 But hopefully we’ll get more of his character development later on.
I wasn’t crazy shocked by the twist toward the end of the novel (again, it correlates with similar plot points from Thousand Autumns), but the twist definitely has me fully engaged in what’s to unravel next.
February 23, 2025
This volume is overflowing with drama of all sorts and of course, it ends with a cliffie, too.
February 25, 2025
Cui Buqu is incredible in all ways, and everyone else sucks. Except Qiao Xian, of course. And maybe Feng Xiao, but the jury’s still out on that one.
March 25, 2025
I liked this arc better than the one in vol 2! Was great to finally learn about Cui Buqu's background. Book ended with a cliffhanger, so I need the next volume asap!
May 22, 2025
₊⊹♡ 5 stars ⋆˙⟡
i finished reading this volume at 2 AM, and after THAT ending, i couldn’t fall asleep because of the sheer amount of RAGE running through my body.
i’ve already read thousand autumns by the same author, and since both stories are set in the same universe, i recognized some of the character and location references.
and honestly i thought i was invincible after surviving Yan Wushi for five volumes (kidding, i actually liked his character, but dealing with him was not easy 😭😭😭)
AND THEN Feng Xiao shows up and does (thousand autumns spoiler ahead‼️) the exact same awful thing Yan Wushi did, betraying the person who cared about him.
both with this and with thousand autumns, I was left completely filled with rage.
it hasn’t been officially explained yet whether Feng Xiao is playing double or if he really did betray him for real, but honestly idc i don’t trust him anymore 😗 (joking…)
talking about cui buqu’s backstory, this part seriously made me cry 🥀
Cui Buqu smiled coldly. "Go. Reincarnate well. In your next life"— his voice dropped to a whisper — "don't be my mother."
😭😭😭😭
i finished reading this volume at 2 AM, and after THAT ending, i couldn’t fall asleep because of the sheer amount of RAGE running through my body.
i’ve already read thousand autumns by the same author, and since both stories are set in the same universe, i recognized some of the character and location references.
and honestly i thought i was invincible after surviving Yan Wushi for five volumes (kidding, i actually liked his character, but dealing with him was not easy 😭😭😭)
AND THEN Feng Xiao shows up and does (thousand autumns spoiler ahead‼️) the exact same awful thing Yan Wushi did, betraying the person who cared about him.
both with this and with thousand autumns, I was left completely filled with rage.
it hasn’t been officially explained yet whether Feng Xiao is playing double or if he really did betray him for real, but honestly idc i don’t trust him anymore 😗 (joking…)
talking about cui buqu’s backstory, this part seriously made me cry 🥀
Cui Buqu smiled coldly. "Go. Reincarnate well. In your next life"— his voice dropped to a whisper — "don't be my mother."
😭😭😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2025
WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ENDING ??? HELLO???
November 10, 2025
Cui Buqu goes FULL KNIVES OUT in this book! Also, we get to learn his very tragic backstory. Feng Xiao enters a poetry competition, among other things. This is definitely the most exciting volume in the series so far, full of action, a murder investigation, a plot against the royal family, a treasure hunt, and more. Some of the foreshadowing and seeds planted in the first two books are starting to bare fruit. I really feel this series has just improved and improved in every way since its slightly rocky start in book 1, and I am extremely excited to see how the final two volumes will wrap!
October 23, 2025
This story gets better and better! Loved learning about Cui Buqu’s background and watching him outmaneuver his enemies, his ruthless scheming is so much fun. Feng Xiao on the other hand is pathetically smitten and watching him try to deny it is hilarious. I’m actually forgetting there’s supposed to be any romance in this book, not just because it’s such a slow burn but because the plot’s so engaging! This volume ends on a very tense cliffhanger!
October 29, 2025
“What the heavens wish to do to me is their business; what path I choose to walk is mine. There’s no connection between the two.”
Giving Peerless Vol. 3 a three-star rating feels a little strange because I know in my heart it deserves more. I can’t shake the feeling that external factors might have influenced my experience, so I’d like to revisit it in the future. That said, I have to rate based on how I felt while reading, and honestly, I struggled with this volume more than I expected. Unlike the first two books, where I could follow along just fine, I found myself completely lost at times, even after reviewing my notes. The sequence of events and storytelling didn’t feel as well-executed, making it difficult to keep track of everything.
Despite that, Cui Buqu remains a standout character. His brilliance and sharp mind are on full display—he always notices everything but keeps his knowledge to himself until the perfect moment. I also love the contrast between him and Feng Xiao. Cui Buqu is constantly battered, barely hanging on, while Feng Xiao seems unstoppable, taking down multiple opponents with ease. The dynamic between them is fascinating, with Feng Xiao doing whatever it takes to stay close and Cui Buqu doing whatever he can to keep his distance. It’s also intriguing how even Cui Buqu’s enemies admire him, often lamenting that he wasn’t born with a stronger body.
One of my biggest frustrations is the pacing and structure. New allies and enemies appear, but just as things start to build, the book ends without a full arc being resolved. I wish each volume felt more self-contained rather than leaving major plot threads hanging. Having to wait months for the next set of chapters makes it harder to stay immersed in the story. Even though this volume didn’t quite click for me, I still appreciate the intricate character work and the moments of brilliance scattered throughout. I just hope that when I revisit it, I’ll have a smoother reading experience.
Date Read: 2025.03.11
Re-read: 2025.09.10
Giving Peerless Vol. 3 a three-star rating feels a little strange because I know in my heart it deserves more. I can’t shake the feeling that external factors might have influenced my experience, so I’d like to revisit it in the future. That said, I have to rate based on how I felt while reading, and honestly, I struggled with this volume more than I expected. Unlike the first two books, where I could follow along just fine, I found myself completely lost at times, even after reviewing my notes. The sequence of events and storytelling didn’t feel as well-executed, making it difficult to keep track of everything.
Despite that, Cui Buqu remains a standout character. His brilliance and sharp mind are on full display—he always notices everything but keeps his knowledge to himself until the perfect moment. I also love the contrast between him and Feng Xiao. Cui Buqu is constantly battered, barely hanging on, while Feng Xiao seems unstoppable, taking down multiple opponents with ease. The dynamic between them is fascinating, with Feng Xiao doing whatever it takes to stay close and Cui Buqu doing whatever he can to keep his distance. It’s also intriguing how even Cui Buqu’s enemies admire him, often lamenting that he wasn’t born with a stronger body.
One of my biggest frustrations is the pacing and structure. New allies and enemies appear, but just as things start to build, the book ends without a full arc being resolved. I wish each volume felt more self-contained rather than leaving major plot threads hanging. Having to wait months for the next set of chapters makes it harder to stay immersed in the story. Even though this volume didn’t quite click for me, I still appreciate the intricate character work and the moments of brilliance scattered throughout. I just hope that when I revisit it, I’ll have a smoother reading experience.
Date Read: 2025.03.11
Re-read: 2025.09.10
February 14, 2025
This cliffhanger will haunt me and I won't be able to rest until the release of the next volume
October 5, 2025
Screaming at the twists and turns of this volume. But before we get to the meat of it, another complaint:
The summary at the back was still talking about the Khaganate issue, but the whole thing was wrapped up in 80 pages. This is a 370+ page book. Cui Buqu didn’t emote his heart out about his past just for you to talk about the Khaganate in the summary. I complained about it to my friend and they confirmed my suspicions: those 80 pages were included in vol2. You're really trying to draw this series out, 7S.
So yeah. This novel is actually more about Cui Buqu's past. That summary is really doing this volume a disservice. There's also no need for cliffhangers, man. We're going to buy the whole series anyway. Our main characters haven't even admitted to having feelings yet!!
Back to the actual story: I think MXS did a stellar job giving us a character who has 0 pity for the people who did him harm, but also hasn't given up on his humanity. The bit where (spoiler character) talks about how much Cui Buqu must have suffered, while the family who caused that suffering still talked shit behind his back and how that made her heart hurt... 🥹 Some of these people are fine, actually.
While that bit was more personal and not really too heavy on the mystery aspect, the new 'case' that unfolded after had so many twists I was left reeling.
I don't have a copy of vol4 yet so I wait for it patiently!!
The summary at the back was still talking about the Khaganate issue, but the whole thing was wrapped up in 80 pages. This is a 370+ page book. Cui Buqu didn’t emote his heart out about his past just for you to talk about the Khaganate in the summary. I complained about it to my friend and they confirmed my suspicions: those 80 pages were included in vol2. You're really trying to draw this series out, 7S.
So yeah. This novel is actually more about Cui Buqu's past. That summary is really doing this volume a disservice. There's also no need for cliffhangers, man. We're going to buy the whole series anyway. Our main characters haven't even admitted to having feelings yet!!
Back to the actual story: I think MXS did a stellar job giving us a character who has 0 pity for the people who did him harm, but also hasn't given up on his humanity. The bit where (spoiler character) talks about how much Cui Buqu must have suffered, while the family who caused that suffering still talked shit behind his back and how that made her heart hurt... 🥹 Some of these people are fine, actually.
While that bit was more personal and not really too heavy on the mystery aspect, the new 'case' that unfolded after had so many twists I was left reeling.
I don't have a copy of vol4 yet so I wait for it patiently!!
February 21, 2025
Meng Xi Shi looooves putting her main characters through hell and back at the hands of their love interest. I am sobbing, I need more
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
4.5 / 5: ”They were waiting for me to die.” A meaningful smile curved his lips. “But I’m going to live. Buqu—I won’t go to my death. I’m not going to die. No matter how sick I am, no matter how painful it gets, I will continue breathing.”
my apologies, but all i have the mental capacity to say about this volume is how much i love cui buqu.
nothing new to say here, however, i will say that it’s truly impressive how slow i’ll feel reading all this political intrigue and still being invested nonetheless :D
my apologies, but all i have the mental capacity to say about this volume is how much i love cui buqu.
nothing new to say here, however, i will say that it’s truly impressive how slow i’ll feel reading all this political intrigue and still being invested nonetheless :D
February 22, 2025
The story really gets going in volume 3. It starts at the encampment of the Western Khaganate where Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao had been honoured guests until the second prince was suddenly murdered at the end of the previous volume. Now the men stand accused of the deed. The way out of the situation is to solve the crime themselves. But instead of Cui Buqu doing the investigation, he volunteers to stay as a hostage while Feng Xiao investigates. Only, the latter has no intention of doing so.
Cui Buqu has an ace on his sleeve though, and doesn’t need Feng Xiao—until he does. In the end, the mystery is solved rather fast, and not in any way I thought it would. The men are now free to travel back home where they are hailed as heroes.
Their adventures at end, they continue their separate lives as heads of their rivalling secret service organisations. But Cui Buqu has promised a rare musical instrument for Feng Xiao as a reward for saving his life. It turns out to be in the hands of Cui clan, and the men travel together to fetch it. But the instrument is all but forgotten when Feng Xiao has a chance to learn about Cui Buqu’s past and his connection to Cui clan. It’s an interesting and sad story, but Cui Buqu has a chance to air old grievances and eventually emerge on the top.
But the men haven’t forgotten the mysterious secret organisation that seems to be behind all their troubles. Going after it again leads to a sudden gut-wrenching twist and betrayal the kind that’s familiar from the author’s Thousand Autumns novel. The end is a huge cliffhanger that leaves Cui Buqu in mortal peril. It’ll be an agony to wait for the next volume.
This was maybe the best volume so far. A lot happened and the men really became their own characters. Cui Buqu especially had a chance to shine. There wasn’t much in the way of romance, only brief teasing moments, and after this volume, the road to a happy ending will be long. The secret organisation and its motives remain a bit over the top, but as an adversary, it’s interesting. Side characters from previous volumes didn’t really show up and new ones didn’t take their place. All in all, an entertaining read.
Cui Buqu has an ace on his sleeve though, and doesn’t need Feng Xiao—until he does. In the end, the mystery is solved rather fast, and not in any way I thought it would. The men are now free to travel back home where they are hailed as heroes.
Their adventures at end, they continue their separate lives as heads of their rivalling secret service organisations. But Cui Buqu has promised a rare musical instrument for Feng Xiao as a reward for saving his life. It turns out to be in the hands of Cui clan, and the men travel together to fetch it. But the instrument is all but forgotten when Feng Xiao has a chance to learn about Cui Buqu’s past and his connection to Cui clan. It’s an interesting and sad story, but Cui Buqu has a chance to air old grievances and eventually emerge on the top.
But the men haven’t forgotten the mysterious secret organisation that seems to be behind all their troubles. Going after it again leads to a sudden gut-wrenching twist and betrayal the kind that’s familiar from the author’s Thousand Autumns novel. The end is a huge cliffhanger that leaves Cui Buqu in mortal peril. It’ll be an agony to wait for the next volume.
This was maybe the best volume so far. A lot happened and the men really became their own characters. Cui Buqu especially had a chance to shine. There wasn’t much in the way of romance, only brief teasing moments, and after this volume, the road to a happy ending will be long. The secret organisation and its motives remain a bit over the top, but as an adversary, it’s interesting. Side characters from previous volumes didn’t really show up and new ones didn’t take their place. All in all, an entertaining read.
October 18, 2025
ENHORABUENA HAS SIDO PERFECTO Y HAS SUPERADO MIS EXPECTATIVAS DE UNA FORMA LOCA
el mejor punto de esta novela sin duda es la forma en la que se muestra cómo estos dos viven su inicio de sentir estima hacia el otro de forma distinta. primero tienes a feng xiao que se nota a lejos, que se vuelve cada vez mas loser y pasa de ser del que molesta a cui buqu al que está ahí defendiéndolo cuando lo tratan mal, que quiere saber cada detalle sobre el otro y lo atesora con locura y que se vuelve un tanto infantil cuando se trata de cui buqu. segundo, tienes a cui buqu, más discreto y silencioso, no tan explosivo como feng xiao, pero que se puede palpar su estima al ver cómo cada vez está más relajado y deja ver a feng xiao aspectos de su vida y que esté ahí en momentos difíciles sin oponerse, simplemente se nota que se acostumbra a estar con él a su lado y cuando uno se da cuenta de esto, al ser un proceso lento, te explota en la cara!!
hay un tercer enamoramiento lento aquí y es el del lector, la autora consigue que quien lee caiga con ellos en la historia sin que ni siquiera se de cuenta, un día los estás viendo discutir sin parar y poco a poco acabas viéndolos sufrir dificultades codo a codo, y al igual que cui buqu, te acostumbras a ellos dos, te acomodas a su estilo de relación. (por esto la parte del final te explota en la cara y te hace sentir el contraste con el principio, además de mostrándote de forma directa que cui buqu siente mucho más de lo que muestra)
ESO SIN DECIR LO INCREÍBLEMENTE BUEN PROTAGONISTA QUE ES CUI BUQU SÍ MI AMOR TU PUEDES CONTRA TODO EL MUNDO ERES PERFECTO
el mejor punto de esta novela sin duda es la forma en la que se muestra cómo estos dos viven su inicio de sentir estima hacia el otro de forma distinta. primero tienes a feng xiao que se nota a lejos, que se vuelve cada vez mas loser y pasa de ser del que molesta a cui buqu al que está ahí defendiéndolo cuando lo tratan mal, que quiere saber cada detalle sobre el otro y lo atesora con locura y que se vuelve un tanto infantil cuando se trata de cui buqu. segundo, tienes a cui buqu, más discreto y silencioso, no tan explosivo como feng xiao, pero que se puede palpar su estima al ver cómo cada vez está más relajado y deja ver a feng xiao aspectos de su vida y que esté ahí en momentos difíciles sin oponerse, simplemente se nota que se acostumbra a estar con él a su lado y cuando uno se da cuenta de esto, al ser un proceso lento, te explota en la cara!!
hay un tercer enamoramiento lento aquí y es el del lector, la autora consigue que quien lee caiga con ellos en la historia sin que ni siquiera se de cuenta, un día los estás viendo discutir sin parar y poco a poco acabas viéndolos sufrir dificultades codo a codo, y al igual que cui buqu, te acostumbras a ellos dos, te acomodas a su estilo de relación. (por esto la parte del final te explota en la cara y te hace sentir el contraste con el principio, además de mostrándote de forma directa que cui buqu siente mucho más de lo que muestra)
ESO SIN DECIR LO INCREÍBLEMENTE BUEN PROTAGONISTA QUE ES CUI BUQU SÍ MI AMOR TU PUEDES CONTRA TODO EL MUNDO ERES PERFECTO
March 7, 2025
Best of the series so far, loved it! Can't wait for the next.
March 25, 2025
4.5 stars
While I've enjoyed previous volumes, I've found this series more difficult to connect with emotionally than other danmeis. Thankfully, this volume gave me everything I needed.
The wonderful banter and tension are still here in full force, but we finally get the beginnings of both attraction and affection, from Feng Xiao especially.
We also get Cui Buqu's backstory, and while he's been a great character from the beginning, I officially love him. His history is heartbreaking, but his strength is immeasurable. I need for him to have some peace and love in his life.
Plot-wise, the mysteries throughout are genuinely interesting, and Cui Buqu's flair for dramatic reveals is impressive.
This ends on a massive cliffhanger that is sure to make major advances in both the plot and romance. I ended up having to spoil certain elements for myself to alleviate some anxiety, but all I can say is not everything is as it seems and it's great. I'm very excited for the next volume.
While I've enjoyed previous volumes, I've found this series more difficult to connect with emotionally than other danmeis. Thankfully, this volume gave me everything I needed.
The wonderful banter and tension are still here in full force, but we finally get the beginnings of both attraction and affection, from Feng Xiao especially.
We also get Cui Buqu's backstory, and while he's been a great character from the beginning, I officially love him. His history is heartbreaking, but his strength is immeasurable. I need for him to have some peace and love in his life.
Plot-wise, the mysteries throughout are genuinely interesting, and Cui Buqu's flair for dramatic reveals is impressive.
This ends on a massive cliffhanger that is sure to make major advances in both the plot and romance. I ended up having to spoil certain elements for myself to alleviate some anxiety, but all I can say is not everything is as it seems and it's great. I'm very excited for the next volume.
May 29, 2025
4.6/5 🌟
Okay, this story just keeps getting better and better. It's been a second since I've read this, and from what I remember is that I really like how Fengxiao is just growing head over heals for our cute grumpy Buqu! 🤣
Buqu has just grown on him, that that kiss was genuine 👏🏼. It's not a spoiler if you saw the illiteration on the physical copy.
The ending though being the biggest fkn cliffhanger was insane! It was mean! I can't believe Fengxiao would ever do this. I was pissed, but something is amiss.
Also, the cases for this novel were great! However, why does my baby Buqu have to keep getting hurt! Poison and more blood? When is it going to end! Fengxiao! You're doing a terrible job at being a lover!
But I do appreciate how strong willed Buqu is. He is no pushover. Physically, maybe. But he has one of the strongest minds in all Danmei!
What made my rating lower is the dragging of certain scenes with so much dialogue. It was... Long.
Okay, this story just keeps getting better and better. It's been a second since I've read this, and from what I remember is that I really like how Fengxiao is just growing head over heals for our cute grumpy Buqu! 🤣
Buqu has just grown on him, that that kiss was genuine 👏🏼. It's not a spoiler if you saw the illiteration on the physical copy.
The ending though being the biggest fkn cliffhanger was insane! It was mean! I can't believe Fengxiao would ever do this. I was pissed, but something is amiss.
Also, the cases for this novel were great! However, why does my baby Buqu have to keep getting hurt! Poison and more blood? When is it going to end! Fengxiao! You're doing a terrible job at being a lover!
But I do appreciate how strong willed Buqu is. He is no pushover. Physically, maybe. But he has one of the strongest minds in all Danmei!
What made my rating lower is the dragging of certain scenes with so much dialogue. It was... Long.
March 13, 2025
"I may be in a bit of trouble"
Meng Xi Shi lo ha vuelto a hacer. Yo pensaba que Peerless sería una novela más floja y para pasar el rato pero me está pareciendo casi tan buena como Thousand Autumns que es el danmei con mi ship favorita.
Feng Xiao es terrible pero eso le hace tan buen personaje. Es altanero, arrogante pero un gran maestro de las artes marciales. Y por supuesto, sabe que es guapo. Madre mía si lo sabe.
Y Cui Buqu es mi alter ego. El pobre no sabe de dónde le vienen los trompazos pero decide seguir adelante.
Su nombre significa 'nunca me iré' porque no piensa morir, pese a nacer enfermo y tener todo en su contra. Por favor que alguien le haga un altar.
Y por último Pueden por favor estos dos amarse y dejar de ser lerdos??
Meng Xi Shi lo ha vuelto a hacer. Yo pensaba que Peerless sería una novela más floja y para pasar el rato pero me está pareciendo casi tan buena como Thousand Autumns que es el danmei con mi ship favorita.
Feng Xiao es terrible pero eso le hace tan buen personaje. Es altanero, arrogante pero un gran maestro de las artes marciales. Y por supuesto, sabe que es guapo. Madre mía si lo sabe.
Y Cui Buqu es mi alter ego. El pobre no sabe de dónde le vienen los trompazos pero decide seguir adelante.
Su nombre significa 'nunca me iré' porque no piensa morir, pese a nacer enfermo y tener todo en su contra. Por favor que alguien le haga un altar.
Y por último Pueden por favor estos dos amarse y dejar de ser lerdos??
October 19, 2025
No complaints about this one and therefore full stars. I was hooked from start to finish. It was a joy to learn so much about Cui BuQu and his crazy family. The ending was mostly foreseeable (taking the cover of volume 4 into account) and I’m dying to read on. But I’ll refrain for today as I’m going to read this in one go. So I leave the next volume for tomorrow and the fifth for Tuesday. This was a great rollercoaster ride. Kudos, Meng Xi Shi, all the kudos.
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