There’s Something Wrong with the Chief: Du Zhu You Bing (Novel) Vol. 2

There’s Something Wrong with the Chief: Du Zhu You Bing (Novel) #2

by Yang Su, Faelicy (Translator)

TWIN PATHS OF POWER AND PERIL

Reeling from the devastating loss of someone close to him, young assassin Xiahou Lian sets off on a perilous journey to find his long-lost brother, who’s hidden away on a remote and forbidding mountain. But what Xiahou Lian encounters at the summit isn’t the reunion he imagined. Instead, he’s thrust into a web of secrets and betrayals more harrowing than anything he’s faced in Qiye Garden.

Within the palace walls, Shen Jue moves like a shadow. Though he wears a mask of obedience while serving as his ruthless godfather’s loyal pawn, Shen Jue is executing a dangerous long game. Discovery could shatter his schemes, however…

When Xiahou Lian and Shen Jue cross paths once more, it’s no longer as allies. Each is navigating deadly enemies—and Xiahou Lian believes those foes might even include Shen Jue.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Historical

404 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Kate♡]

DNF

I was really excited to continue this series, but I was a bit confused starting this book as I assumed it would begin with a decently big time jump. When it didn't, I decided to do some googling and found out that this story is 75% them as children. I am just personally not someone who is interested in reading a story set up like this - especially considering book 1 (which was when they were children the entire time) felt like it could have been a maybe 10 page flashback, hearing it would be TWO more volumes of their past???? no, i'm okay.

I've never been a fan of kid arcs in danmei (looking at you TGCF and Erha... (even though I love them)) and I actively avoid and do not read YA books as I don't enjoy reading about younger characters. I'm sure this might have some good parts later on, but unfortunately I just do not care to read any more.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩸4.9/5🩸

The amount of angst in this volume! Ugh, it was amazing!

I feel like some people aren't fully grasping what’s going on, especially with Xiahou Lian. I've seen some reviews calling him an idiot... which I find harsh. What I read was a character going through immense pain to achieve his goals, but because he was so blinded by those goals, he made some unforeseen mistakes that were out of his control. "Assassins never grow old"—keep that in mind. I love him so much, and I hope others can understand his character more. I can't wait to see what happens!

Shen Jue, my boy, has his own sins and tribulations he needs to face. I do think Xiahou Lian will help, even though he's also on a different path.

I did find the beginning very confusing. It wasn't what I was expecting, as it kept jumping back and forth between the two. I plan to re-read this novel at some point and hope a second pass will make it easier to understand everything. I really enjoyed this! I can't wait to see what’s up ahead for these two!
Happy reading! 🥰

DON'T SPOIL FUTURE VOLUMES IN MY COMMENTS = IMMEDIATE BLOCK

🩸 Spoiler ahead! 🩸

Where do I even begin? The deaths in this volume are what lead to the decisions for revenge.

The amount of tears I shed when Xiahou Pei died! Ugh, my heart! Her character is so complex. One minute she’s telling Xiahou Lian that she regrets him, and the next she’s willing to die if he dies. I truly believe she loved him so, so much, and acted the way she did just so he wouldn't miss her as much when she passed.

Chiyan is MISSING AND LOST!? I don't believe it!! I will not accept this! He deserves so much happiness. It warms my heart that Xiahou Lian gave him those happy experiences outside of the Garden.

I'm so curious as to how Xiahou Lian never died from the Seven-Fifteen! They never revealed it in this volume!! Like, what happened?? Was it the tea he drank with his father before he killed him? I need answers!
Shen Jue broke his promise to Xiahou Pei. He never gave Xiahou Lian the antidote for Seven-Fifteen, but it looks like Xiahou Lian never even needed it!

After killing his father, Xiahou Lian permanently changed his face and has been reunited with Shen Jue. I wish he had told Shen Jue who he really was when his disguise was discovered! Shen Jue still believes he’s dead!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this close to the end of the first arc (at p. 275). If the story had followed Shen Jue more then I probably would have pushed through, but the story follows Xiahou Lian almost exclusively for the entire rest of the first arc in this volume. And Xiahou Lian is an idiot. It's not like I dislike him or anything, but none of the sympathy the author seems to be trying to dredge up for him is possible when he never learns from his mistakes and every disaster he faces is one of his own making because he doesn't use his brain. And it usually ends with someone else getting hurt or killed on his behalf. He shows no growth whatsoever. That recklessness and thoughtlessness is one thing when he's 12, but at 21? In the end, I just got bored of Xiahou Lian and found his storyline tiresome. The few times that Shen Jue shows up on the page is a breath of fresh air.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume doesn't start with a time jump, but Shen Jue and Xiahou Lian are about 21 within the first 1/3 of the book I think. There are two time jumps of a few years eachc, so I think they're about 26 by the end of the volume. The macro plot feels like it progresses at breakneck speed, but the two MC are following separate stories for this volume, which was a little frustrating. I'd be immersed in Shen Jue's story and the POV would jump back to Xiaohou Lian. It disrupted the flow a bit for me. I do like the writing and the story, but the pacing could be a little better.