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Nanchan #2
Nanchan Vol. 2
430 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 14, 2025
Sometimes the people who love you best are the family that you choose and not the family you were given. In the second volume of “Nanchan” by Tang Jiu Qing, Jinglin´s origin story is slowly revealed while still leaving a mystery at the heart of his family. This second volume has a more tightly woven plot compared to volume 1, which is more episodic. The book opens precisely where the last volume ended with Jinglin and Cangji re-living the love and loss of two lovers who were caught up in the affairs of others. Jinglin embodies Qianyu, who is a fox spirit who has fallen in love with a human scholar, whose life Cangji experiences. The copper bell puts them through these illusions so that they can work out who is behind the tragic love story.
The plot in this second volume is still very intricate but there is more cohesion than in the first volume. The copper bell allows Jinglin and Cangji to stay for longer in the illusions, which allows the love story of Qianyu, the spirit fox, and Zuo Qingzhou, the human scholar, to unfold in heart-wrenching detail. When torture fails at making Qingzhou confess, they torture Qianyu, resulting in a false confession, because Qingzhou will say anything to make them stop. When Qingzhou dies, Qianyu says, “I´m staying with you. In this life. And in every one to follow. I´m not going anywhere.” (p. 17). Their love sets the scene for much of the remaining plot and provides the emotional groundwork for the relationship between Jinglin and Cangji to develop.
Their story continues when the King of Hell falls in love of the Qianyu, the fox spirit, when he is waiting for Zuo Qingzhou´s spirit at the River of Forgetfulness. This episode has some comedic elements that lighten the mood, but essentially Qianyu is almost forcibly married to the King, because he is unable to take no for an answer. The situation echoes the cruelty that is on display in much of the series. Good people are denied the lives that they deserve and more powerful people arbitrarily impose their will on others. Sadly, this dynamic is not restricted to fictional danmei worlds, but is at work in political and powerful circles all over the globe. Good people are caught in this net and often pay the ultimate price for the whims of the mighty.
After escaping the illusion of the copper bell, Jinglin and Cangji end up buried beneath a collapsed house, leading to some canoodling which the colourful bird, A-Yi sees and flees in horror. This is a welcome comic relief but also foreshadowing of their relationship. It is also revealed that Lanhai, Jinglin´s brother, has assembled the bell for a reason, which is unrevealed even at the very end of the book. It is, however, intimated that Lanhai is on the track of a traitor in the family and that the bell can help Jinglin discover who it is.
Jinglin´s origin at the Nanchan temple and the story of how he was adopted into the family by Lord Jiutian is slowly revealed. His true nature as a sword spirit is also shown as both a strength and a weakness. His brothers accuse him of having no heart, because Weeping Spring, his sword, is embedded where his heart should be. Jinglin is innocent and inexperienced, but he is not heartless. The irony is that Cangji allows Jinglin to realize that he is more than what his family want him to be; they know this implicitly which is why they bully him.
Cangji also carries an identity that is foreshadowed throughout the series, but never quite revealed to Jinglin. He never lies to Jinglin, but nor does he level with him. There are reasons for his reticence but it does leave an uneasy feeling that there might be a ticking bomb beneath their increased intimacy. He assumes the identity of a merchant called Cao Cang who lodges together with Jinglin at an inn, because they are forced to share a room. Jinglin then completes the dramatic irony by saying that the Dragon of the North is promiscuous when in truth the dragon is nothing but devoted to the love of his life (p. 263).
After a series of adventures in which they save a city from the Sea of Blood, Jinglin and Cangji separate. But not until they have several encounters where they grow closer and Jinglin´s rubbing of Cangji´s abdomen to help relieve him of a stomach ache shows that he is oblivious of his effect on Cangji who originally was simply full after having eaten too many monsters but who is now struggling to keep it together. Cangji knows that they had been properly intimate earlier when Jinglin had been poisoned with an aphrodisiac which would have been deadly if he had not had Cangji. This is at trap placed by Taozhi, Jinglin´s evil brother. Cangji helps Jinglin out in secret, but Jinglin has no memory of the episode so consent is dubious although well-intended.
It is, however, clear that moving forward Cangji is intent that everything happens on Jinglin´s terms. He does not rush anything but he is devoted. He says, “I shall hence be the fish to your lotus.” (301). Jinglin liked the lotus pond at Nanchan temple as a child and Cangji began the series as a carp in Jinglin´s bedroom. So, this metaphorical sentence is the key to their relationship and perhaps the series, too.
The book ends with a reunion between Jinglin, who has been visiting his family, and Cangji who had been dealing with a monster. Cangji now realizes that someone has been poisoning Jinglin with elixirs that were supposed to help his spiritual development. So the people, who should have loved Jinglin the best, have cursed him so he never can experience full and complete love; kisses are allowed but more would trigger the curse. So Cangji takes it slow while making sure that Jinglin understands his devotion by saying, “I am not like your family. You are my inverted scale; you are my life. I live so long as you are alive” (p. 414).
Thematically, the book explores the true nature of love both through Qianyu and Qingzhou´s story and more completely in Cangji´s love for Jinglin and their learning to love each other. The love stories are woven into a world where power is abused and the vulnerable are punished because it suits those in power. There is, however, hope of redemption in the growing affection between the sword spirit and his devoted carp.
Trigger warnings: Torture scene in a prison (p. 10) + dubious consent (p. 267)
The plot in this second volume is still very intricate but there is more cohesion than in the first volume. The copper bell allows Jinglin and Cangji to stay for longer in the illusions, which allows the love story of Qianyu, the spirit fox, and Zuo Qingzhou, the human scholar, to unfold in heart-wrenching detail. When torture fails at making Qingzhou confess, they torture Qianyu, resulting in a false confession, because Qingzhou will say anything to make them stop. When Qingzhou dies, Qianyu says, “I´m staying with you. In this life. And in every one to follow. I´m not going anywhere.” (p. 17). Their love sets the scene for much of the remaining plot and provides the emotional groundwork for the relationship between Jinglin and Cangji to develop.
Their story continues when the King of Hell falls in love of the Qianyu, the fox spirit, when he is waiting for Zuo Qingzhou´s spirit at the River of Forgetfulness. This episode has some comedic elements that lighten the mood, but essentially Qianyu is almost forcibly married to the King, because he is unable to take no for an answer. The situation echoes the cruelty that is on display in much of the series. Good people are denied the lives that they deserve and more powerful people arbitrarily impose their will on others. Sadly, this dynamic is not restricted to fictional danmei worlds, but is at work in political and powerful circles all over the globe. Good people are caught in this net and often pay the ultimate price for the whims of the mighty.
After escaping the illusion of the copper bell, Jinglin and Cangji end up buried beneath a collapsed house, leading to some canoodling which the colourful bird, A-Yi sees and flees in horror. This is a welcome comic relief but also foreshadowing of their relationship. It is also revealed that Lanhai, Jinglin´s brother, has assembled the bell for a reason, which is unrevealed even at the very end of the book. It is, however, intimated that Lanhai is on the track of a traitor in the family and that the bell can help Jinglin discover who it is.
Jinglin´s origin at the Nanchan temple and the story of how he was adopted into the family by Lord Jiutian is slowly revealed. His true nature as a sword spirit is also shown as both a strength and a weakness. His brothers accuse him of having no heart, because Weeping Spring, his sword, is embedded where his heart should be. Jinglin is innocent and inexperienced, but he is not heartless. The irony is that Cangji allows Jinglin to realize that he is more than what his family want him to be; they know this implicitly which is why they bully him.
Cangji also carries an identity that is foreshadowed throughout the series, but never quite revealed to Jinglin. He never lies to Jinglin, but nor does he level with him. There are reasons for his reticence but it does leave an uneasy feeling that there might be a ticking bomb beneath their increased intimacy. He assumes the identity of a merchant called Cao Cang who lodges together with Jinglin at an inn, because they are forced to share a room. Jinglin then completes the dramatic irony by saying that the Dragon of the North is promiscuous when in truth the dragon is nothing but devoted to the love of his life (p. 263).
After a series of adventures in which they save a city from the Sea of Blood, Jinglin and Cangji separate. But not until they have several encounters where they grow closer and Jinglin´s rubbing of Cangji´s abdomen to help relieve him of a stomach ache shows that he is oblivious of his effect on Cangji who originally was simply full after having eaten too many monsters but who is now struggling to keep it together. Cangji knows that they had been properly intimate earlier when Jinglin had been poisoned with an aphrodisiac which would have been deadly if he had not had Cangji. This is at trap placed by Taozhi, Jinglin´s evil brother. Cangji helps Jinglin out in secret, but Jinglin has no memory of the episode so consent is dubious although well-intended.
It is, however, clear that moving forward Cangji is intent that everything happens on Jinglin´s terms. He does not rush anything but he is devoted. He says, “I shall hence be the fish to your lotus.” (301). Jinglin liked the lotus pond at Nanchan temple as a child and Cangji began the series as a carp in Jinglin´s bedroom. So, this metaphorical sentence is the key to their relationship and perhaps the series, too.
The book ends with a reunion between Jinglin, who has been visiting his family, and Cangji who had been dealing with a monster. Cangji now realizes that someone has been poisoning Jinglin with elixirs that were supposed to help his spiritual development. So the people, who should have loved Jinglin the best, have cursed him so he never can experience full and complete love; kisses are allowed but more would trigger the curse. So Cangji takes it slow while making sure that Jinglin understands his devotion by saying, “I am not like your family. You are my inverted scale; you are my life. I live so long as you are alive” (p. 414).
Thematically, the book explores the true nature of love both through Qianyu and Qingzhou´s story and more completely in Cangji´s love for Jinglin and their learning to love each other. The love stories are woven into a world where power is abused and the vulnerable are punished because it suits those in power. There is, however, hope of redemption in the growing affection between the sword spirit and his devoted carp.
Trigger warnings: Torture scene in a prison (p. 10) + dubious consent (p. 267)
July 18, 2025
4.8/5 🌟
I love love love that we’re finally getting a peek into the past between the two protagonists. T97 has such a talent for giving us glimpses and hints, only to let everything bloom in the most unexpected way.
We knew Cangji is a dragon. We knew he and Jinglin had history and were somehow connected—but when the truth is finally revealed, it’s done in the most unexpectedly romantic way ever. You don’t need overly complicated writing or excessive fluff to show the depth of their bond. Through scattered puzzle pieces, slowly but surely, a beautiful picture begins to form. 🥹
I adore the bond Cangji builds with Stonie, and how we finally get to see Jinglin’s true personality: the warmth he hides behind his cold exterior, and the motivations that drive him. He’s shy and sweet, even insecure. 🥺 He’s not weak or meek—he’s fierce, even vicious—but so soft inside. And Cangji sees that. He cherishes him. He teases, but he’s never mean. I love them so much!
This volume also brings a ton of political intrigue and worldbuilding—so good!
I love love love that we’re finally getting a peek into the past between the two protagonists. T97 has such a talent for giving us glimpses and hints, only to let everything bloom in the most unexpected way.
We knew Cangji is a dragon. We knew he and Jinglin had history and were somehow connected—but when the truth is finally revealed, it’s done in the most unexpectedly romantic way ever. You don’t need overly complicated writing or excessive fluff to show the depth of their bond. Through scattered puzzle pieces, slowly but surely, a beautiful picture begins to form. 🥹
I adore the bond Cangji builds with Stonie, and how we finally get to see Jinglin’s true personality: the warmth he hides behind his cold exterior, and the motivations that drive him. He’s shy and sweet, even insecure. 🥺 He’s not weak or meek—he’s fierce, even vicious—but so soft inside. And Cangji sees that. He cherishes him. He teases, but he’s never mean. I love them so much!
This volume also brings a ton of political intrigue and worldbuilding—so good!
August 29, 2025
"if you want him to forget, you might as well let him die".
right now i don't feel like writing a long review but danmei readers please do yourself a favour and read nanchan. truly a marvellous story, words can't explain the way they love and cherish each other and i must mention it's very very different from the other danmei books i've read so far (in the best possible way). t97 certainly has a way with words..simply beautiful.
can't wait to finish this series and i know next few chapters are going to break my heart. ★: 4.5
right now i don't feel like writing a long review but danmei readers please do yourself a favour and read nanchan. truly a marvellous story, words can't explain the way they love and cherish each other and i must mention it's very very different from the other danmei books i've read so far (in the best possible way). t97 certainly has a way with words..simply beautiful.
can't wait to finish this series and i know next few chapters are going to break my heart. ★: 4.5
September 5, 2025
“There’s a man I love...I expected him to be my tribulation, but then I fell under his spell. I yearn to see him in the day, and I yearn to see him at night.”
I’m so shocked that this managed to be even better than the first one, truly.
Besides MXTX series (svsss will always be my favorite along with HOB), this is my new favorite danmei. I’m sad there’s no release date for the third one, I’m already yearning for the couple.
The political intrigue, the slow romance, the build up to the mysteries, the backstory, the chemistry, and even the small moments are all so wonderful. It took me awhile to read volume 2 only because I was so busy. Otherwise, I probably would have finished this in a few days.
I’m so shocked that this managed to be even better than the first one, truly.
Besides MXTX series (svsss will always be my favorite along with HOB), this is my new favorite danmei. I’m sad there’s no release date for the third one, I’m already yearning for the couple.
The political intrigue, the slow romance, the build up to the mysteries, the backstory, the chemistry, and even the small moments are all so wonderful. It took me awhile to read volume 2 only because I was so busy. Otherwise, I probably would have finished this in a few days.
November 3, 2025
“There’s a man I love. A man for whom I’ve fallen, knowing well he would be my undoing. A man for whom my heart yearns, day and night. A man I wish to indulge as much as I wish to ravage. I can’t explain it clearly, but my feelings are such that the moment I met him, I became a monster. I couldn’t help it.”
Nanchan Vol. 2 narrows its focus even more than the first book, locking almost everything onto the two main characters. Their relationship—both in the present and in the past—takes center stage, and while it gives the story a sharp emotional edge, it also means most of the side characters barely get a moment to breathe. Everyone else’s situations are either glossed over or filtered through the lens of what the leads experience. It works if you're already invested in them, but if you were hoping for more ensemble development, it might feel a little lopsided.
This volume kicks off in the present, then takes a hard turn into the past, answering a few things but raising even more. The flashbacks are heavy with context and meaning, especially when it comes to understanding the messier sides of one character in particular. There is dub-con content here, and it’s not just brushed aside—it’s acknowledged both in what happens and in how one of the characters reflects on it later. It’s uncomfortable but deliberate, clearly written to reveal flaws and emotional complexity—not to excuse anything. If you’re sensitive to that kind of material, this is one of those books that comes with a warning.
I’m still second-guessing who to trust, and that uncertainty is part of what’s kept me hooked. Just when I think I’ve figured out who the traitor is, another character does something suspicious and throws me off again. On a lighter note, I can’t end this without shouting out the dust jacket. It’s just as gorgeous as the first one—something about the design makes it feel like I’m reading a Chinese edition, which really adds to the whole vibe. I’m not done with this series yet, but it’s already giving me a lot to think about.
Date Read: 2025.07.11
Nanchan Vol. 2 narrows its focus even more than the first book, locking almost everything onto the two main characters. Their relationship—both in the present and in the past—takes center stage, and while it gives the story a sharp emotional edge, it also means most of the side characters barely get a moment to breathe. Everyone else’s situations are either glossed over or filtered through the lens of what the leads experience. It works if you're already invested in them, but if you were hoping for more ensemble development, it might feel a little lopsided.
This volume kicks off in the present, then takes a hard turn into the past, answering a few things but raising even more. The flashbacks are heavy with context and meaning, especially when it comes to understanding the messier sides of one character in particular. There is dub-con content here, and it’s not just brushed aside—it’s acknowledged both in what happens and in how one of the characters reflects on it later. It’s uncomfortable but deliberate, clearly written to reveal flaws and emotional complexity—not to excuse anything. If you’re sensitive to that kind of material, this is one of those books that comes with a warning.
I’m still second-guessing who to trust, and that uncertainty is part of what’s kept me hooked. Just when I think I’ve figured out who the traitor is, another character does something suspicious and throws me off again. On a lighter note, I can’t end this without shouting out the dust jacket. It’s just as gorgeous as the first one—something about the design makes it feel like I’m reading a Chinese edition, which really adds to the whole vibe. I’m not done with this series yet, but it’s already giving me a lot to think about.
Date Read: 2025.07.11
November 9, 2025
4.25 ★
August 15, 2025
On the positive side, this volume was much better than the previous one. It isn't that slow-paced, and the plot is much more interesting. There were some dull moments near the middle, but for the most part, it was interesting. However, the fight scenes were described in such a boring way. Not always, but most of the time. I like a good fight scene that is described interestingly, but these weren't. For me, they were just plain boring and felt like they were better to be seen than read about.
The characters' speaking style was practically the same or very similar, so it often felt like reading a tale. The side characters were just as interesting as the MCs. I liked reading about them. There were some scenes that felt too episodic, but the writing style was overall okay. The part where Jing Lin and Cang Ji "went back" to the past to get to know more about the relationship between Qianyu and Zuo Qingzhou was executed well and was interesting to read about.
We finally start to get more information about the main characters' past, about what happened, and what led to their current circumstances. Now, as much as it was interesting to read this part of the novel, it also frustrated and angered me, but I kept reading despite this because the plot was interesting. As I said previously, I didn't like Cang Ji at all at the beginning, but he started to become more likeable by the end of the first volume. Well, this changed completely here as he went from likeable to insufferable. At first, I was touched by how he didn't want Jing Lin to forget him and wanted Jing Lin to promise him not to do so. That was really sweet. But then all his shenanigans happened, where he does absolutely everything in his power to make Jing Lin kiss and touch him, just to mention a few. The scene in the brothel when Cang Ji finds an erotic painting and shows it to Jing Lin was funny, but I couldn't decide whether he is really that naive or just pretends to be one to make Jing Lin flustered and embarrassed.
Jing Lin's past just pissed me off, and every time I think about it, it just makes me angry again. I liked the part where Jing Lin brazenly tells everyone that as long as someone commits evil, he will kill them, even if the person is his relative. Of course, his father and brothers find this outrageous, but I agree with him. Just because someone is a relative, we shouldn't condone their evil actions. If only Jing Lin knew what that brother of his that he killed did besides the crimes he knew about, then... It was truly fitting that it was Jing Lin who killed him in the end.
It turns out that everything revolves around Jing Lin as someone from the shadows orchestrates the events to kill him. But as we delve deeper into Jing Lin's past, certain things are uncovered that Jing Lin and Cang Ji can no longer remember in the present. Crucial information about events concerning them. Like the identity of Emperor Cang, which, by the way, wasn't a surprise at all. Or the part, when Cang Ji forces himself on Jing Lin, who was given some toxic aphrodisiac by someone previously on the instruction of Jing Lin's aforementioned brother. Jing Lin is as good as drunk, can barely stand, and instead of taking pity on him, Cang Ji ridicules and harasses him and, in the end, has sex with him. He wasn't the one who drugged him, but still exploits the situation to his own advantage. And if this wasn't bad enough, later Jing Lin does not even remember anything happening that night or even meeting Cang Ji, so when they meet again, Cang Ji is free to lie about anything. And he does. So, they travel together as friends to fight evil, while Cang Ji assumes a fake persona throughout. Luckily, Jing Lin is not that stupid and realizes that Cang Ji is actually a demon, but he still doesn't realize who Cang Ji really is. Though I'm curious how he realized it, because it isn't really addressed and only mentioned vaguely.
Cang Ji's only redeeming feature is that he really does help Jing Lin, saves him many times, sometimes even without Jing Lin realizing how severe his condition is, and seems to care about him very much, even if it is due to his own selfish reasons. But it was still off-putting to read how Cang Ji reminisced about what it would have felt like hearing Jing Lin calling him endearingly during the time they had sex. Ugh. And it only gets worse. When Jing Lin gives a medicine to Cang Ji, who doesn't want to accept it because he feels it's a waste to give it to him, Jing Lin says that "You are worth it." While having no idea what happened between them that night. Please, excuse me while I throw up.
Jing Lin gives the perfect description of Cang Ji: "I heard that he has a harem, and he is also savage, deceitful, and a smooth-talker. What's more, he loves to serve up people as dishes to go with his wine." Well, there's no sign of a harem, but he sure is savage, deceitful and a smooth-talker. He actually did smooth-talk Jing Lin by deceiving him for sure.
As I said, I hated Cang Ji for what he did; it was just so repulsive, but if this wasn't enough, it turned out that it wasn't that simple. It's actually the trope of we-have-to-have-sex-so-you-won't-die. I absolutely hate this because it just feels like a sorry excuse for the ML for his questionable action. To turn him from a sex offender to a saviour. I hate it when an author pulls this trick. And no, I still can't like Cang Ji. Even though he does find out who the culprit is behind Jing Lin getting poisoned, and he really does save Jing Lin later and kills many evil beings, etc. But Jing Lin still has no recollection of the events, and Cang Ji just kept the scratch marks on his back caused by Jing Lin that night as a memento. While failing to realize that such a situation is probably not something to reminisce about. Although, Jing Lin realizes that his spiritual sea has been damaged and was repaired by someone, but he has no idea when or by whom. At least, Cang Ji shows remorse and admits doing something wrong in the past, but he doesn't yet have the courage to tell Jing Lin what he actually did.
Cang Ji slowly learns to cherish Jing Lin for the person he is, and feels bad about lying about what happened that night, and about his real identity. He admits all this to himself, but the moment we would feel a morsel of sympathy for him, he turns around and harasses Jing Lin again. For Jing Lin's own good, of course, to stabilize his condition and to find out the nature of his affliction. Ugh... I had more than enough of this whole harassing-you-to-save-you-but-enjoying-it-on-your-expense-while-doing-so nonsense.
On the whole, the plot was interesting and I'll definitely read the next volume because I want to know how the story ends. But it still amazes me how Cang Ji outright tells Jing Lin: "Don't believe anyone but me. They will all lie to you. But I won't." He sure does have the nerve to say anything he wants.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
Continuing intrigue I found his volume easier to read than the first and my love for the characters growing exponentially with it. I feel like I know where this is all headed but I'm wondering if there's a plot twist in the future. I really enjoyed it so far can't wait for the next one!
June 21, 2025
i swear this story changed me as a human. i started it because i was curious now my whole life is changed
June 8, 2025
★★★★★ - 4.5/5 stars
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