Aloha Comics proudly presents Heaven Official's Blessing manhua adapted from the super popular anime based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. The prince had entirely forgotten that it was the eve of the Hungry Ghost Festival when he set out on his journey. On this night, one risks wandering into the Ghost Realm without a chance of returning. Narrowly escaping vengeful spirits, Xie Lian and San Lang make it to Puqi, the Village of Water Chestnuts. But before they can rest or tidy up the shrine, a frantic Taoist arrives with a plea for aid. And so, the heroes embark on yet another perilous adventure, accompanied by two volunteers — Nan Feng and Fu Yao.
“There are plenty of things in the world that cannot simply be explained by love or hate.”
This volume was honestly adorable. A lot of it feels soft and lighthearted, and I kept smiling at the little interactions between Xie Lian and San Lang. Xie Lian still has that quiet personality that naturally pulls attention even though he’s trying to keep a low profile. Even when strange things start happening around him, he stays polite and patient and tries to reason with everyone first. I’ve always liked that about him. There are also a few moments where he gets a little self conscious when San Lang notices the bandages around his neck and ankle, which made their dynamic feel even sweeter. San Lang continues to be one of the most entertaining characters to watch. His teasing keeps their conversations playful, but there are also flashes where he feels a lot more intimidating than the easygoing traveler he pretends to be. Fu Yao and Nan Feng add a completely different energy whenever they appear. Their constant suspicion toward San Lang creates tension in the group, and some of their interactions ended up being unexpectedly funny.
The story slowly shifts from a quiet journey into something darker as the mystery surrounding Banyue Pass starts coming into focus. The hints about travelers disappearing in the desert and the appearance of unnatural creatures give the story a more eerie atmosphere. I enjoy how the series mixes those unsettling moments with humor and character interactions. One thing that did bother me while reading, though, was the translation choice that keeps alternating between the words “ghost” and “demon.” The story clearly refers to the same beings, but the wording switches often enough that it feels inconsistent and a little distracting while reading.
I also have to mention the physical book again because these editions are just beautiful. The cover art is gorgeous, the dust jacket looks great, and the gilded edges make the whole volume feel like a collector’s piece. It’s easily one of the nicest releases on my shelf. While reading, I also kept reminding myself that this version follows the donghua, which is limited by Chinese censorship. Because of that, the relationship between Xie Lian and San Lang comes across more like a bromance. Their chemistry is still very charming, though, and the playful moments between them made this volume a really enjoyable read.
My favorite thing about the manhua is that it adds so much depth to San Lang’s character, especially in the small moments when Xie Lian tries to touch him. San Lang is so special to me because he’s equally charming young guy and bratty jealous twink. The jealousy-off between San Lang and Fu Yao…. I see it.