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Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi (Novel) #1
Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi (Novel) Vol. 1
In this historical fantasy danmei, a monk with amnesia and two raggedy paper dolls inhabited by a dragon and a ghost embark on a journey to reclaim their former glory. But can they endure each other long enough to find what they seek?Under the pale glow of dawn, Xue Xian--once a mighty dragon, now a handmade paper effigy--is moments away from being exorcised. The worst part? He doesn't see it coming. Spellbound into his form alongside the ever-irritating Jiang Shining--a restless ghost caught up in the dragon's misfortunes--the two must navigate a perilous path to settle long-standing scores.
Enter Xuanmin, an enigmatic monk drawn to the ruins of Jiang Manor by the lingering traces of a sinister curse. Finding two crude paper figures he surmises to be evil spirits, he tosses them into his pouch, taking the dragon and ghost along for the ride. Furious at his new predicament, Xue Xian swears If he must suffer this journey, he'll make sure the aloof monk suffers right alongside him.
Thus begins an unusual pilgrimage, where three unlikely companions--an exiled dragon, a restless ghost, and a monk without a past--must unravel the tangled mysteries of their fates.
Set in ancient China, a ragtag trio seeks to reclaim their former glory in this rollicking Danmei adventure!
Enter Xuanmin, an enigmatic monk drawn to the ruins of Jiang Manor by the lingering traces of a sinister curse. Finding two crude paper figures he surmises to be evil spirits, he tosses them into his pouch, taking the dragon and ghost along for the ride. Furious at his new predicament, Xue Xian swears If he must suffer this journey, he'll make sure the aloof monk suffers right alongside him.
Thus begins an unusual pilgrimage, where three unlikely companions--an exiled dragon, a restless ghost, and a monk without a past--must unravel the tangled mysteries of their fates.
Set in ancient China, a ragtag trio seeks to reclaim their former glory in this rollicking Danmei adventure!
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 23, 2026
I really need to trust my instincts more and stop ignoring them, because this danmei was incredibly good. I hesitated to read it initially because of the bald monk. Yes, I'm someone who judges books by their covers. But my goodness, this story was truly captivating.
The plot, as is often the case, isn't clear from the get-go, since this author doesn't reveal much in the first volume. We know that Xue Xian is searching for his body and aims to recover quickly so he can once again become his magnificent self—a dragon. We also learn that Jiang Shining is waiting for his parents to arrive so he can pass away peacefully. Additionally, we also know that Xuanmin is... well, we don't really know much about him. We know he's a monk or at least pretends to be one, and that he's bald(which is very important to me because it reminds me of the time Feng Xiao was bald)and we know he's an amnesiac, but that's about it.
This volume focuses more on introducing the main characters and the initial story, setting the stage for the characters' development and the cases they need to resolve. It contains two arcs, both of which were amazing. Although it takes some time for the plot to pick up and the pacing is a bit slow, I enjoyed it so much that it didn't bother me. So far, all the places the trio visits are connected to Xue Xian's dragon body.
Xue Xian is absolutely hilarious. His arrogance and pride are boundless(unsurprising, since he's a dragon)and the way he always creates situations where he humiliates himself first is so funny to me. He's also a chatterbox who doesn't know when to shut up. Additionally, he has a habit of bossing everyone around, despite being the member of the trio who needs the most help.
Next, there's the love interest, Xuanmin, who may be pretending to be a monk or might truly be one. Who knows, since he's an amnesiac and we don't get much insight into his thoughts. Xuanmin is stoic and patient(necessary traits to deal with the bratty Xue Xian)yet he's also unintentionally funny.
Finally, there's Jiang Shining, a young man who died three years before the story begins and now exists as a ghost. His family perished in a fire, except for his sister. He's undeniably such a cinnamon roll. He's also amusing because he's a ghost who fears other ghosts.
He's a people pleaser and allows Xue Xian to boss him around without much resistance. Moreover, he's highly knowledgeable about medicine since his family were doctors.
The dynamic between Xue Xian and Xuanmin is filled with bickering. Not a single page goes by without Xue Xian ranting, insulting, or making fun of Xuanmin, who mostly ignores him. This interaction makes their relationship so enjoyable to read, and I can't wait to see how it develops further.
The relationship between Xue Xian and Jiang Shining hasn't been explored much yet, but I can already sense the presence of a found-family trope in their bond.
The romantic relationship in the story is solely between Xue Xian and Xuanmin.
In conclusion, I’m diving straight into volume 2 because I can’t wait for more of the bratty Xue Xian.
The plot, as is often the case, isn't clear from the get-go, since this author doesn't reveal much in the first volume. We know that Xue Xian is searching for his body and aims to recover quickly so he can once again become his magnificent self—a dragon. We also learn that Jiang Shining is waiting for his parents to arrive so he can pass away peacefully. Additionally, we also know that Xuanmin is... well, we don't really know much about him. We know he's a monk or at least pretends to be one, and that he's bald(which is very important to me because it reminds me of the time Feng Xiao was bald)and we know he's an amnesiac, but that's about it.
This volume focuses more on introducing the main characters and the initial story, setting the stage for the characters' development and the cases they need to resolve. It contains two arcs, both of which were amazing. Although it takes some time for the plot to pick up and the pacing is a bit slow, I enjoyed it so much that it didn't bother me. So far, all the places the trio visits are connected to Xue Xian's dragon body.
Xue Xian is absolutely hilarious. His arrogance and pride are boundless(unsurprising, since he's a dragon)and the way he always creates situations where he humiliates himself first is so funny to me. He's also a chatterbox who doesn't know when to shut up. Additionally, he has a habit of bossing everyone around, despite being the member of the trio who needs the most help.
Next, there's the love interest, Xuanmin, who may be pretending to be a monk or might truly be one. Who knows, since he's an amnesiac and we don't get much insight into his thoughts. Xuanmin is stoic and patient(necessary traits to deal with the bratty Xue Xian)yet he's also unintentionally funny.
Finally, there's Jiang Shining, a young man who died three years before the story begins and now exists as a ghost. His family perished in a fire, except for his sister. He's undeniably such a cinnamon roll. He's also amusing because he's a ghost who fears other ghosts.
He's a people pleaser and allows Xue Xian to boss him around without much resistance. Moreover, he's highly knowledgeable about medicine since his family were doctors.
The dynamic between Xue Xian and Xuanmin is filled with bickering. Not a single page goes by without Xue Xian ranting, insulting, or making fun of Xuanmin, who mostly ignores him. This interaction makes their relationship so enjoyable to read, and I can't wait to see how it develops further.
The relationship between Xue Xian and Jiang Shining hasn't been explored much yet, but I can already sense the presence of a found-family trope in their bond.
The romantic relationship in the story is solely between Xue Xian and Xuanmin.
In conclusion, I’m diving straight into volume 2 because I can’t wait for more of the bratty Xue Xian.
September 29, 2025
Books that cured my prejudices against bald people.
November 24, 2025
2nd read: 5 ⭐️
I had so much more fun this time around and the humour is right up my alley.
1st read: 4 ⭐️
Initially, I was very unsure about ‘Copper Coins’, (I did originally DNF a FTL a while back) and it took me a while to get a ‘feel’ for the story. However, after the first 100 pages I was then invested in the characters and the plot.
It was worth giving it a 2nd chance because everyone needs a cheeky dragon MC like Xue Xian in their lives.
For me, this was a good, solid start to a series but not a great one. However, I think it has the potential to be that though so will definitely be picking up volume 2.
I had so much more fun this time around and the humour is right up my alley.
1st read: 4 ⭐️
Initially, I was very unsure about ‘Copper Coins’, (I did originally DNF a FTL a while back) and it took me a while to get a ‘feel’ for the story. However, after the first 100 pages I was then invested in the characters and the plot.
It was worth giving it a 2nd chance because everyone needs a cheeky dragon MC like Xue Xian in their lives.
For me, this was a good, solid start to a series but not a great one. However, I think it has the potential to be that though so will definitely be picking up volume 2.
October 28, 2025
A dragon 🐉, a monk🧑🦲, and a ghost 👻(scared of other ghosts) end up going on a mystery adventure to find some bones (among other things) and collect a few crew members along the way.
MC Xue Xian: an angry lil gremlin dragon, shameless, chaotic, irritable in a cute and goofy way, snarky, always trying to save his dignity, often feels "humiliated" or embarrased because he's a dignified and mighty dragon, paralyzed :(
ML Xuanmin: monk, cold and aloof, has amnesia so he's a little bit of a mystery, patient
What I loved about this novel:
🐉SO FUNNY, the banter had me laughing out loud which I rarely do with books. I don't seek out books with humor but if it's there, I enjoy it. This novel hit the sweet spot with the amount of humor
🐉Smart/stoic/quiet monk x fiesty/mouthy dragon pairing-much like the Wangxian dynamic. XX can be so dumb (like WWX) misinterpreting or explaining away certain things XM does for him. He is also quite the unreliable narrator at times like Mo Ran
🐉Found family. Side characters are just as fun and entertaining as the MC. A scholar/bookworm ghost who is afraid of ghosts, a bratty ill-tempered kid who has a gift, and a talented coward stone mason
🐉Shares a universe with Panguan and Unseen Immortal of Three Hundred Years. While Panguan's focus is puppetry, Copper Coins is Feng shui.
🐉Slow burn. Seeing the shift in their relationship is so satisfying XX
🐉Mu Su Li is quickly moving up my list if trusted authors. I'll be reading Unseen Immortal soon!
Might not be for everybody, but if you want a fun xuanhuan novel with a dragon MC give this a try 🥰
Fairly short and 102 chapters and 1 extra. I loved this official translation so I didn’t change much from my original review 💜
MC Xue Xian: an angry lil gremlin dragon, shameless, chaotic, irritable in a cute and goofy way, snarky, always trying to save his dignity, often feels "humiliated" or embarrased because he's a dignified and mighty dragon, paralyzed :(
ML Xuanmin: monk, cold and aloof, has amnesia so he's a little bit of a mystery, patient
What I loved about this novel:
🐉SO FUNNY, the banter had me laughing out loud which I rarely do with books. I don't seek out books with humor but if it's there, I enjoy it. This novel hit the sweet spot with the amount of humor
🐉Smart/stoic/quiet monk x fiesty/mouthy dragon pairing-much like the Wangxian dynamic. XX can be so dumb (like WWX) misinterpreting or explaining away certain things XM does for him. He is also quite the unreliable narrator at times like Mo Ran
🐉Found family. Side characters are just as fun and entertaining as the MC. A scholar/bookworm ghost who is afraid of ghosts, a bratty ill-tempered kid who has a gift, and a talented coward stone mason
🐉Shares a universe with Panguan and Unseen Immortal of Three Hundred Years. While Panguan's focus is puppetry, Copper Coins is Feng shui.
🐉Slow burn. Seeing the shift in their relationship is so satisfying XX
🐉Mu Su Li is quickly moving up my list if trusted authors. I'll be reading Unseen Immortal soon!
Might not be for everybody, but if you want a fun xuanhuan novel with a dragon MC give this a try 🥰
Fairly short and 102 chapters and 1 extra. I loved this official translation so I didn’t change much from my original review 💜
January 29, 2026
4 'Golden marble' stars
I have kind of mixed feelings about this book. I loved writing, I loved characters, the plot was good, pacing was amazing, there's not a single dull moment, there's constant action, and yet I can't say that anything was especially memorable. But that's ok. I mean, it's not possible for every danmei I read to be obsessivly awesome. And I'm invested enough that I'll certainly read next vol (I already bought it anyway, lol).
Gifs by letthefairyinyoufly
Our protagonist Xue Xian is a a dragon, who had the greatest misfortune of having his body stolen when he was injured. His soul/spirit? survived and he can still transform into a human form but the attack left him with injured spine, therefore even in his other forms he can't use his legs, so he usually just takes the form of a paper man for easier transportation. On top of everything, the people who took his body, not only hide it but did that in parts - horns, bones, and tendons in different locations. Truly a pitifull tragedy. With all his characteristics, he should've been the perfect candidate for immediate addoption among my precious babies but his snarky personality was so annoying sometimes (despite me laughing at his antics) that it took me more than half a book to warm up to him.
The other main lead is a monk named Xuanmin, who possibly has a bounty on his head, who possibly uses some strange tehniques, and who most certainly has amnesia and has no idea what's going on. Oh, and who is obsessed with cleanliness, which greatly irritates Xue Xian. (Seriously, Xue Xian, you can be irritating but others are not allowed to be 🤪)
Their third companion is a ghost Jiang Shiming, who's been dead for three years but doesn't want to cross to the other side untill he discovers the whole truth behind his family massacre. He's an absolute cinnamon roll and I just want to put him in a pocket, so no harm would come to him. (Wait, Xuanmin is already basically doing this. Because half the time when he's not in his ghost form, he looks like a very cute paper doll - yes, he indeed have these pink cheeks, courtesy of Xue Xian 😊) Also, I mustn't forget to mention that he's afraid of other ghosts 🤭
What I didn't expect of this book is that it's gonna be funny. But this uncanny trio is always so funny together that despite them usually finding themselves in the middle of some tragic events, they still usually lighten up the atmosphere - especially Xue Xian, who is so preocupied with his own mistortune that he really doesn't care for other's tragedies.
We have danmei with a lot of romance and danmei with less romance but I can surely say this volume has zero romance. I can feel there defintely is a potential in how these two will get together in the future but so far the most romantic thing that happened can be considered Xuanming finding Xue Xian handsome.
I'm not sure what else to say. I'm curious how all the mysteries will be revealed, and... well... have this Xue Xian as a tiny dragon for the end ☺️
4 'Golden marble' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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I have kind of mixed feelings about this book. I loved writing, I loved characters, the plot was good, pacing was amazing, there's not a single dull moment, there's constant action, and yet I can't say that anything was especially memorable. But that's ok. I mean, it's not possible for every danmei I read to be obsessivly awesome. And I'm invested enough that I'll certainly read next vol (I already bought it anyway, lol).
Gifs by letthefairyinyoufly
Our protagonist Xue Xian is a a dragon, who had the greatest misfortune of having his body stolen when he was injured. His soul/spirit? survived and he can still transform into a human form but the attack left him with injured spine, therefore even in his other forms he can't use his legs, so he usually just takes the form of a paper man for easier transportation. On top of everything, the people who took his body, not only hide it but did that in parts - horns, bones, and tendons in different locations. Truly a pitifull tragedy. With all his characteristics, he should've been the perfect candidate for immediate addoption among my precious babies but his snarky personality was so annoying sometimes (despite me laughing at his antics) that it took me more than half a book to warm up to him.
The other main lead is a monk named Xuanmin, who possibly has a bounty on his head, who possibly uses some strange tehniques, and who most certainly has amnesia and has no idea what's going on. Oh, and who is obsessed with cleanliness, which greatly irritates Xue Xian. (Seriously, Xue Xian, you can be irritating but others are not allowed to be 🤪)
Their third companion is a ghost Jiang Shiming, who's been dead for three years but doesn't want to cross to the other side untill he discovers the whole truth behind his family massacre. He's an absolute cinnamon roll and I just want to put him in a pocket, so no harm would come to him. (Wait, Xuanmin is already basically doing this. Because half the time when he's not in his ghost form, he looks like a very cute paper doll - yes, he indeed have these pink cheeks, courtesy of Xue Xian 😊) Also, I mustn't forget to mention that he's afraid of other ghosts 🤭
What I didn't expect of this book is that it's gonna be funny. But this uncanny trio is always so funny together that despite them usually finding themselves in the middle of some tragic events, they still usually lighten up the atmosphere - especially Xue Xian, who is so preocupied with his own mistortune that he really doesn't care for other's tragedies.
We have danmei with a lot of romance and danmei with less romance but I can surely say this volume has zero romance. I can feel there defintely is a potential in how these two will get together in the future but so far the most romantic thing that happened can be considered Xuanming finding Xue Xian handsome.
Xuanmin looked up, his calm gaze sweeping briefly over Xue Xian. The man on the wall was extraordinarily handsome, like a sword that's been sheathed so it's sharp edges were concealed, but he seemed too thin, and his complexion was even more ashen, thanks to the black robe he wore.
The tactless monk and troublemaking evil spirit stared at each other for a very long time. Finally, the former acceded; he returned to the wall.
[...]
Xuanmin scrtutinized them for a bit, the reached out a grabbed Xue Xian's ankle. Xue Xian jumped startled. Had he any feeling left in his legs, he would have instantly sent Xuanmin flying with a kick.
You dare touch them? Think you can just grab a dragon's claws, huh?! You must have a death wish.
I'm not sure what else to say. I'm curious how all the mysteries will be revealed, and... well... have this Xue Xian as a tiny dragon for the end ☺️
4 'Golden marble' stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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October 5, 2025
ya know i had the lowest expectations picking this up as my only ever experience with musuli was global examination and lets just say it didnt sing and it didnt dance for me in the slightest (it was probably the fan translation thou).
but!
this is surprisingly good. the strongest start to a series ive read in a while. id honestly read this even if it wasnt danmei.
xue xian is the star of the show. whether hes flailing about as a paper doll or rolling around as a pebble, hes stealing the scenes for me like the drama queen he is. hes the type of character to have five meltdowns before breakfast and i'm loving it.
i need more!!
but!
this is surprisingly good. the strongest start to a series ive read in a while. id honestly read this even if it wasnt danmei.
xue xian is the star of the show. whether hes flailing about as a paper doll or rolling around as a pebble, hes stealing the scenes for me like the drama queen he is. hes the type of character to have five meltdowns before breakfast and i'm loving it.
i need more!!
April 28, 2026
It took a lot of willpower for me just to finish this volume. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind slow burns at all and I like them a lot, but most of what's happened here so far didn't really pique my interest as much as I hoped it would. There were definitely funny moments and scenes that could evoke emotion, but they weren't enough to fully pull me in or make me feel deeply invested in everything that was happening.
That said, I honestly enjoyed how Xue Xian is such an absolute brat, especially towards Xuanmin. Their interactions were one of the more entertaining parts of the story for me. There seems to be a special connection between them that's subtly hinted at every now and then, and those small moments were intriguing enough to keep me curious. I also feel like there's a heavy sense of impending angst building in the background. No matter what's currently unfolding, it feels like fate is steadily working behind the scenes just to make sure Xuanmin and Xue Xian cross paths again and again.
One detail that really stuck with me was the "Find them." note that Xuanmin left for himself, especially that the dragon scales he was searching for were similar to Xue Xian’s. It honestly has been itching at my brain ever since. Knowing Mu Su Li’s tendency to write yearning tropes and sacrificial kinds of love between her characters, I can't help but suspect that Xue Xian and Xuanmin's relationship will eventually lean in that direction.
But despite these intriguing hints and moments of emotional buildup, I still feel like it might take me a while to finish this series. The story has its interesting elements, but as of this first volume, it hasn't fully captured my attention yet.
That said, I honestly enjoyed how Xue Xian is such an absolute brat, especially towards Xuanmin. Their interactions were one of the more entertaining parts of the story for me. There seems to be a special connection between them that's subtly hinted at every now and then, and those small moments were intriguing enough to keep me curious. I also feel like there's a heavy sense of impending angst building in the background. No matter what's currently unfolding, it feels like fate is steadily working behind the scenes just to make sure Xuanmin and Xue Xian cross paths again and again.
One detail that really stuck with me was the "Find them." note that Xuanmin left for himself, especially that the dragon scales he was searching for were similar to Xue Xian’s. It honestly has been itching at my brain ever since. Knowing Mu Su Li’s tendency to write yearning tropes and sacrificial kinds of love between her characters, I can't help but suspect that Xue Xian and Xuanmin's relationship will eventually lean in that direction.
But despite these intriguing hints and moments of emotional buildup, I still feel like it might take me a while to finish this series. The story has its interesting elements, but as of this first volume, it hasn't fully captured my attention yet.
September 23, 2026
I’ll admit it: I judged Copper Coins way too quickly. XD
Neither the cover nor the premise pulled me in immediately, but after seeing a steady wave of glowing reviews, I decided to take the plunge.
It took me a little while to settle into the book. The first hundred pages are a deliberate slow burn, laying down threads of lore and mystery while building the foundation for what comes later. I struggled to lock in at first, and the prose took a few chapters to get used to.
The writing is lean, punchy, and understated, trading lengthy worldbuilding for sharp phrasing and rapid-fire momentum. Once I caught the rhythm, though, the story started flowing much more easily.
And that’s when I really began enjoying how effortlessly it moves between witty comedy and windswept fantasy. 🍃✨
The first major arc was where the story truly took off, expanding the slower setup into a much larger fantasy plot and making those earlier details feel far more rewarding in retrospect.
But honestly, a huge part of what kept me entertained was Xue Xian. 😂
The sight of an ancient dragon with the temperament of a celestial sovereign, trapped inside a flimsy paper body, is already hilarious. Add his refusal to surrender even an ounce of his divine dignity, and you get one of the most entertaining aspects of the book. 👑
What I like is that his pride isn’t just funny. He has lost his true form, strength, and freedom, so his dignity is one of the few things he can still hold onto. His insults and demands are hilarious, but they also show how fiercely he resists powerlessness.
I love that the humor never erases the vulnerability. Both sides exist within the same characterization.
His kindness adds another layer too. Xue Xian may complain and posture constantly, but he remembers what others do for him and repays kindness with the same extravagance he applies to everything else. His actions leave a consistent trail of kindness and honor behind him.
As for Xuanmin, I’m still a little unsure about him, not because I dislike him, but because there is still so much I don’t know. And honestly, that makes me curious.
His almost unnerving calm is the perfect contrast to Xue Xian’s constant outrage. Xue Xian responds to humiliation with threats and indignation, while Xuanmin responds with silence, practicality, and an almost immovable calm.
That contrast gives their interactions so much spark. Xue Xian wants his anger acknowledged, while Xuanmin repeatedly refuses to give him the reaction he wants.
And the physical comedy makes it even better. Xue Xian still thinks and speaks like an ancient dragon, yet Xuanmin can simply tuck his paper body into a pouch or press a finger over his mouth when he gets too loud. LOL. 😂
Their chemistry works because neither bends to accommodate the other. Xue Xian is all pride and fury; Xuanmin is restraint and patience. Their personalities constantly clash, but there’s also a sense of balance to their dynamic.
Xue Xian may mentally condemn the “accursed bald donkey,” but Xuanmin treats him with exactly the level of calm that drives him insane. Their friction is a huge part of the fun, while Xuanmin’s restraint gives Xue Xian room to remain difficult, proud, and vulnerable all at once.
By the end, Copper Coins had shattered my initial doubts. The ending leaves me with plenty of questions, but also plenty of reasons to dive into volume 2.
I want to unearth Xuanmin’s secrets.
I want to follow the threads of Xue Xian’s past.
And I want to see where all those little pieces lead.
But I have one non-negotiable demand:
Give me more dragon action. 🐉🔥
Neither the cover nor the premise pulled me in immediately, but after seeing a steady wave of glowing reviews, I decided to take the plunge.
It took me a little while to settle into the book. The first hundred pages are a deliberate slow burn, laying down threads of lore and mystery while building the foundation for what comes later. I struggled to lock in at first, and the prose took a few chapters to get used to.
The writing is lean, punchy, and understated, trading lengthy worldbuilding for sharp phrasing and rapid-fire momentum. Once I caught the rhythm, though, the story started flowing much more easily.
And that’s when I really began enjoying how effortlessly it moves between witty comedy and windswept fantasy. 🍃✨
The first major arc was where the story truly took off, expanding the slower setup into a much larger fantasy plot and making those earlier details feel far more rewarding in retrospect.
But honestly, a huge part of what kept me entertained was Xue Xian. 😂
The sight of an ancient dragon with the temperament of a celestial sovereign, trapped inside a flimsy paper body, is already hilarious. Add his refusal to surrender even an ounce of his divine dignity, and you get one of the most entertaining aspects of the book. 👑
What I like is that his pride isn’t just funny. He has lost his true form, strength, and freedom, so his dignity is one of the few things he can still hold onto. His insults and demands are hilarious, but they also show how fiercely he resists powerlessness.
I love that the humor never erases the vulnerability. Both sides exist within the same characterization.
His kindness adds another layer too. Xue Xian may complain and posture constantly, but he remembers what others do for him and repays kindness with the same extravagance he applies to everything else. His actions leave a consistent trail of kindness and honor behind him.
As for Xuanmin, I’m still a little unsure about him, not because I dislike him, but because there is still so much I don’t know. And honestly, that makes me curious.
His almost unnerving calm is the perfect contrast to Xue Xian’s constant outrage. Xue Xian responds to humiliation with threats and indignation, while Xuanmin responds with silence, practicality, and an almost immovable calm.
That contrast gives their interactions so much spark. Xue Xian wants his anger acknowledged, while Xuanmin repeatedly refuses to give him the reaction he wants.
And the physical comedy makes it even better. Xue Xian still thinks and speaks like an ancient dragon, yet Xuanmin can simply tuck his paper body into a pouch or press a finger over his mouth when he gets too loud. LOL. 😂
Their chemistry works because neither bends to accommodate the other. Xue Xian is all pride and fury; Xuanmin is restraint and patience. Their personalities constantly clash, but there’s also a sense of balance to their dynamic.
Xue Xian may mentally condemn the “accursed bald donkey,” but Xuanmin treats him with exactly the level of calm that drives him insane. Their friction is a huge part of the fun, while Xuanmin’s restraint gives Xue Xian room to remain difficult, proud, and vulnerable all at once.
By the end, Copper Coins had shattered my initial doubts. The ending leaves me with plenty of questions, but also plenty of reasons to dive into volume 2.
I want to unearth Xuanmin’s secrets.
I want to follow the threads of Xue Xian’s past.
And I want to see where all those little pieces lead.
But I have one non-negotiable demand:
Give me more dragon action. 🐉🔥
July 9, 2026
3.5 ☆s
This book has a bit of a slow start and it took a while for me to become truly invested in the story. About the first two thirds of it just felt a bit random to me. There seemed to be a lot going on but none of it really caught my interest all that much. I didn’t feel like the author really gave me enough of a reason to care or provided enough context for why these things mattered before just jumping right in. Everything seemed a bit rushed at the beginning, including the characters. There just wasn’t really enough development or strong character building to make me care about any of them. The one I found most interesting right off the bat was Xue Xian but admittedly that was mostly due to the fact that he is a dragon.
Fortunately, the last third of the book definitely started to pick up more and I finally felt like I got hooked into the story. The characters also started to become more compelling and I found myself a lot more interested in learning about the secrets hidden within their respective pasts. Xue Xian, Xuanmin and even Jiang Shining all seem to have an air of mystery about them that gradually starts to unfold as the story progresses.
The most compelling mystery of all is what exactly happened to Xue Xian that caused him to end up in such a sad state. Separated from his powerful dragon body, he is forced to inhabit a flimsy paper doll as if he were a common wandering spirit. Then there is Xuanmin, a mysterious monk who seems to have a strange form of amnesia which is somehow connected to an odd marking on his neck. Finally, there is Jiang Shining, the timid and kindly ghost of a young physician whose entire family was killed in a suspicious fire. Together, this ragtag group of seeming strangers sets out on a bizarre journey that slowly reveals unexpected connections between the three of them.
Prior to reading this book, I had heard a lot of people say that Copper Coins was very funny. For the most part a lot of the humor in the first half of the book fell a bit flat for me personally. But as the story went on, I became more invested in the characters. As the dynamic between Xue Xian and Xuanmin gradually started to progress a bit, I began to find their interactions far more humorous. Once again, Xue Xian shone as the most compelling character as his mischievous and prideful antics were by far the most entertaining. Combined with Xuanmin’s unruffled and often deadpan responses it became even more funny.
Overall, I wish this book had gotten off to a slightly more compelling start but what it lacked at the beginning was mostly made up for by the final third. I have high hopes that volume two will be considerably better. I’m very interested to find out the answers to the many burning questions left by this first book. I’m also eager to see how the relationship between Xue Xian and Xuanmin progresses and to find out how their pasts might be connected.
This book has a bit of a slow start and it took a while for me to become truly invested in the story. About the first two thirds of it just felt a bit random to me. There seemed to be a lot going on but none of it really caught my interest all that much. I didn’t feel like the author really gave me enough of a reason to care or provided enough context for why these things mattered before just jumping right in. Everything seemed a bit rushed at the beginning, including the characters. There just wasn’t really enough development or strong character building to make me care about any of them. The one I found most interesting right off the bat was Xue Xian but admittedly that was mostly due to the fact that he is a dragon.
Fortunately, the last third of the book definitely started to pick up more and I finally felt like I got hooked into the story. The characters also started to become more compelling and I found myself a lot more interested in learning about the secrets hidden within their respective pasts. Xue Xian, Xuanmin and even Jiang Shining all seem to have an air of mystery about them that gradually starts to unfold as the story progresses.
The most compelling mystery of all is what exactly happened to Xue Xian that caused him to end up in such a sad state. Separated from his powerful dragon body, he is forced to inhabit a flimsy paper doll as if he were a common wandering spirit. Then there is Xuanmin, a mysterious monk who seems to have a strange form of amnesia which is somehow connected to an odd marking on his neck. Finally, there is Jiang Shining, the timid and kindly ghost of a young physician whose entire family was killed in a suspicious fire. Together, this ragtag group of seeming strangers sets out on a bizarre journey that slowly reveals unexpected connections between the three of them.
Prior to reading this book, I had heard a lot of people say that Copper Coins was very funny. For the most part a lot of the humor in the first half of the book fell a bit flat for me personally. But as the story went on, I became more invested in the characters. As the dynamic between Xue Xian and Xuanmin gradually started to progress a bit, I began to find their interactions far more humorous. Once again, Xue Xian shone as the most compelling character as his mischievous and prideful antics were by far the most entertaining. Combined with Xuanmin’s unruffled and often deadpan responses it became even more funny.
Overall, I wish this book had gotten off to a slightly more compelling start but what it lacked at the beginning was mostly made up for by the final third. I have high hopes that volume two will be considerably better. I’m very interested to find out the answers to the many burning questions left by this first book. I’m also eager to see how the relationship between Xue Xian and Xuanmin progresses and to find out how their pasts might be connected.
September 22, 2025
I 🤍 my Bald Donkey
April 11, 2026
Well, I've shifted around my entire danmei reading schedule so I can read book 2 immediately and read book 3 the day it comes out. This was so much fun and I couldn't put it down the entire time I was reading it. Never a single dull moment. Xuanmin is so fascinating and stoic and Xue Xian is the perfect pair for him being all whiny and bratty all the time. Xue Xian is absolutely hilarious. I love super powerful characters who put on a high and mighty routine but are actually kind of pathetic and silly. It makes me chuckle ever time. Jiang Shining did not ASK to be the witness to these two and their wacky adventures, but alas he has been pulled along on this journey by fate. This reminded me a bit of Peerless with the fast action, silly characters, and mystery elements. Overall a super super fun read and I can't wait to dive into book 2 tomorrow!
May 30, 2026
Seriously so fun! The writing is perfect and the mc’s are so interesting. I have no idea how this isn’t more popular; I blame the baldness. Super recommended. (btw this is a comedy. yeahhhh people die and it’s sad or whatever. it’s a comedy, trust me)
April 22, 2026
It took me quite a while to get into the story but once I did I started to enjoy it so much. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
December 26, 2025
This was pretty fun, I like the trio and look forward to more adventures. Xue Xian is a really funny character - he thinks he's super dignified and looks scary, when he's just a paper doll / mini dragon :D
December 31, 2025
I love my dragon boy sm 🥹
September 21, 2025
Ok, I'm gonna be honest here. When the cover for this was 1st revealed, I was flabbergasted by the fact there's a bald ml. And was so not gonna read it. But I was tempted. And damn, that was the best decision of my life. It was hilarious af, though I got a little choked up at the end. Definitely continuing this series.
December 7, 2025
3.5/5☆
September 16, 2025
Copper Coins reminded me of everything I enjoyed about Global Examination and Mu Su Li’s writing. Her plot lines/world building are peak and her characters are unique and memorable. The banter between the leads was fantastic! I usually feel pretty ambivalent towards cocky and arrogant characters but Xue Xian is such a little show stealer it’s unreal and Xuanmin had me dying every time he DID respond to his antics. Also Jiang Shining is adorable.
I finished this book in a day and a half and I haven’t been this excited for a volume two since the start of 2ha and TGCF’s releases. So glad Mu Su Li will finally get the attention she deserves!
I finished this book in a day and a half and I haven’t been this excited for a volume two since the start of 2ha and TGCF’s releases. So glad Mu Su Li will finally get the attention she deserves!
August 1, 2026
it was not bad but everything was so forgettable.
April 26, 2026
I finally got round to the bald man danmei™️!! (first and last bald joke i’ll make)
I was quite excited to read this, especially after loving Mu Su Li’s other series 300 Years of Longing. I almost felt like I was thrown into the deep end, there’s not really much explanation of anything, but I found it easy to like the main characters. As for the plot itself, I heavily preferred the second arc, and it’s where my interest really heightened.
The entire premise is definitely unique, I enjoyed myself, I’ll be reading the next vol immediately.
I was quite excited to read this, especially after loving Mu Su Li’s other series 300 Years of Longing. I almost felt like I was thrown into the deep end, there’s not really much explanation of anything, but I found it easy to like the main characters. As for the plot itself, I heavily preferred the second arc, and it’s where my interest really heightened.
The entire premise is definitely unique, I enjoyed myself, I’ll be reading the next vol immediately.
November 12, 2025
“How capable one was depended on one’s experience. The older one grew, the harder one became to fool.”
I’ve been hearing about this series for a while and finally gave in, avoiding spoilers as best I could. I went in pretty blind—and sleep-deprived, which probably didn’t help. I hadn’t slept in two days when I cracked this open, so there were moments I just couldn’t picture what was happening. I’ll definitely reread it when I’m in a better state of mind, because even through the fog, I could tell there’s something intriguing here. It’s not the kind of book that makes a loud first impression, but it does have a quiet pull that lingers.
The pacing leans slow, with dense dialogue and layered folklore driving most of the action. There’s more ghostly world-building than emotional payoff at this stage, but the characters make up for it. Xue Xian and Xuanmin have a weird, prickly rhythm that’s fun to follow. They’re total opposites—loud vs. silent, chaos vs. calm—and watching them clash (and occasionally click) is one of the book’s biggest hooks. Even when the plot gets murky, the banter and odd tension between them kept me turning pages. It’s more eerie than thrilling, more curious than romantic, but it feels like it’s building toward something.
While I don’t think this is a strong opening volume, it’s clear the author knows exactly what kind of story they’re telling. There’s a lot of emotional detail packed into small moments, and the writing has a sharp edge I really liked. I can see why fans of the original praised it. This feels like one of those books that grows on you slowly—one reread at a time—and I’m holding out hope the next volumes dig in deeper.
Date Read: 2025.11.12
I’ve been hearing about this series for a while and finally gave in, avoiding spoilers as best I could. I went in pretty blind—and sleep-deprived, which probably didn’t help. I hadn’t slept in two days when I cracked this open, so there were moments I just couldn’t picture what was happening. I’ll definitely reread it when I’m in a better state of mind, because even through the fog, I could tell there’s something intriguing here. It’s not the kind of book that makes a loud first impression, but it does have a quiet pull that lingers.
The pacing leans slow, with dense dialogue and layered folklore driving most of the action. There’s more ghostly world-building than emotional payoff at this stage, but the characters make up for it. Xue Xian and Xuanmin have a weird, prickly rhythm that’s fun to follow. They’re total opposites—loud vs. silent, chaos vs. calm—and watching them clash (and occasionally click) is one of the book’s biggest hooks. Even when the plot gets murky, the banter and odd tension between them kept me turning pages. It’s more eerie than thrilling, more curious than romantic, but it feels like it’s building toward something.
While I don’t think this is a strong opening volume, it’s clear the author knows exactly what kind of story they’re telling. There’s a lot of emotional detail packed into small moments, and the writing has a sharp edge I really liked. I can see why fans of the original praised it. This feels like one of those books that grows on you slowly—one reread at a time—and I’m holding out hope the next volumes dig in deeper.
Date Read: 2025.11.12
April 16, 2026
"You're gone, but it's all right. I'll become you and carry you with me."
By now I already own a bunch of Mu Su Li's works across two English language publishers of danmei, but this is the first work of theirs that I actually picked up to read. At first I was hesitant because I did hear about how the romance is fairly light and doesn't really happen until close to the end of the series - and in this volume there is definitely a lot of bantering and bickering and such but nothing that explicitly points to a romance just yet.
But I honestly didn't mind one bit. I found the plot and the mystery surrounding Xuanmin's identity to be very captivating subjects. Yes, it does start a bit slow, and the plot setup in the first arc can seem a little senseless at first. You might wonder to yourself, "Just where is this going?" By the second arc, however, I was already invested in the characters and what they were each hiding.
In particular, I love the juxtaposition of the external mystery of Xue Xian's circumstances and the internal mystery of Xuanmin's amnesia and dissociation. My interpretation of it might be wrong but I did feel like this - aside from their clashing personalities, with Xue Xian as the loud and explicitly prideful one and Xuanmin as the aloof (but no less prideful, I feel?) one - was another manifestation of their almost-but-maybe-not-quite yin and yang natures. Opposites attract, am I right?
If this is how engaging Mu Su Li's series plots usually are, then I'm looking forward to reading more of their works in the future.
By now I already own a bunch of Mu Su Li's works across two English language publishers of danmei, but this is the first work of theirs that I actually picked up to read. At first I was hesitant because I did hear about how the romance is fairly light and doesn't really happen until close to the end of the series - and in this volume there is definitely a lot of bantering and bickering and such but nothing that explicitly points to a romance just yet.
But I honestly didn't mind one bit. I found the plot and the mystery surrounding Xuanmin's identity to be very captivating subjects. Yes, it does start a bit slow, and the plot setup in the first arc can seem a little senseless at first. You might wonder to yourself, "Just where is this going?" By the second arc, however, I was already invested in the characters and what they were each hiding.
In particular, I love the juxtaposition of the external mystery of Xue Xian's circumstances and the internal mystery of Xuanmin's amnesia and dissociation. My interpretation of it might be wrong but I did feel like this - aside from their clashing personalities, with Xue Xian as the loud and explicitly prideful one and Xuanmin as the aloof (but no less prideful, I feel?) one - was another manifestation of their almost-but-maybe-not-quite yin and yang natures. Opposites attract, am I right?
If this is how engaging Mu Su Li's series plots usually are, then I'm looking forward to reading more of their works in the future.
September 14, 2025
i like them bald men
tbr-owned
October 16, 2025Just bought a physical copy of this as a gift for my mom and it'll be arriving today! Yayyyyy!!!!
September 21, 2025
Uuff 3.5 ⭐️, maybe? Not groundbreaking, but still fun.
Mysterious monk with reoccurring memory loss, a dragon finally reunited with his body, and a ghost in paper form travel around to do....something? It's honestly not clear. Xue Xian obviously wanted to find his missing body, but Xuanming? He's carrying Xue Xian and Jiang Shining - our beloved ghost - around in his pocket. Why he's doing what he's doing remains a mystery.
Also ghost boy is just tagging along 😅 (love him though)
There was a plot. I'm just not entirely sure what happened. Something, I guess.
I was definitely entertained and it was not a bad read at all.
Really curious to see what will happen in the next volume!
Mysterious monk with reoccurring memory loss, a dragon finally reunited with his body, and a ghost in paper form travel around to do....something? It's honestly not clear. Xue Xian obviously wanted to find his missing body, but Xuanming? He's carrying Xue Xian and Jiang Shining - our beloved ghost - around in his pocket. Why he's doing what he's doing remains a mystery.
Also ghost boy is just tagging along 😅 (love him though)
There was a plot. I'm just not entirely sure what happened. Something, I guess.
I was definitely entertained and it was not a bad read at all.
Really curious to see what will happen in the next volume!
October 2, 2026
Every single time I pick up a historical novel, I’m reminded that this is truly my genre. Add danmei to it and apparently I have zero self-control. I’m hooked.
Did I understand everything that happened in this book? No.
Was I confused at the beginning? Yes.
Am I still confused after finishing it? Also yes.
But honestly, this felt more like the opening act — introducing everyone, setting up the mystery and basically saying, “Here are all these people. Good luck figuring out what’s going on.” And unfortunately, it worked because now I’m invested.
Lu Shijui though… Why must historical danmei ALWAYS come with emotional damage and death?? That genuinely made me so sad. And Nanqi is only FIFTEEN. Please leave that child alone. I just need everything to go well for him.
And then we have our favourite trio…
What exactly is happening there??? Because I have no clue. I’m just watching them and hoping the next book explains literally anything.
Also, apparently this whole mystery is going to be wrapped up in THREE books?? How?? We have approximately 700 questions and about 4 answers at this point.
Anyway, I’m confused, concerned for multiple fictional people, emotionally attached already and obviously going straight to the next book.
Historical danmei has me exactly where it wants me.
Did I understand everything that happened in this book? No.
Was I confused at the beginning? Yes.
Am I still confused after finishing it? Also yes.
But honestly, this felt more like the opening act — introducing everyone, setting up the mystery and basically saying, “Here are all these people. Good luck figuring out what’s going on.” And unfortunately, it worked because now I’m invested.
Lu Shijui though… Why must historical danmei ALWAYS come with emotional damage and death?? That genuinely made me so sad. And Nanqi is only FIFTEEN. Please leave that child alone. I just need everything to go well for him.
And then we have our favourite trio…
What exactly is happening there??? Because I have no clue. I’m just watching them and hoping the next book explains literally anything.
Also, apparently this whole mystery is going to be wrapped up in THREE books?? How?? We have approximately 700 questions and about 4 answers at this point.
Anyway, I’m confused, concerned for multiple fictional people, emotionally attached already and obviously going straight to the next book.
Historical danmei has me exactly where it wants me.
May 30, 2026
Very interesting start. I really like both Xue Xian and Xuanmin. They're both unintentionally funny, especially Xue Xian. I'm invested in the mystery of Xuanmin's past and Xue Xian's revenge. Definitely reading the next volume!
August 18, 2026
3.75 stars??
September 9, 2025
★★★★ - 3.5/5 stars
August 21, 2026
Hasta ahora me está gustando mucho la historia. Ya tenía rato con esta novela completa, pero no me animaba a leerla.
Lo cierto es que puede sentirse algo lenta y pesada, se toma su tiempo en despegar, pero los personajes lo valen. La inmersión en el mundo también es bastante buena.
Además, la dinámica entre Xue Xian y Xuan Min es súper divertida, son unos protagonistas carismáticos. Ellos dos son lo mejor de la historia sin duda!
Creo que entre más avanzaba más me atrapaba y la disfrutaba así que tengo altas expectativas. Solo espero que las siguientes partes estén a la altura de lo que espero :)
Lo cierto es que puede sentirse algo lenta y pesada, se toma su tiempo en despegar, pero los personajes lo valen. La inmersión en el mundo también es bastante buena.
Además, la dinámica entre Xue Xian y Xuan Min es súper divertida, son unos protagonistas carismáticos. Ellos dos son lo mejor de la historia sin duda!
Creo que entre más avanzaba más me atrapaba y la disfrutaba así que tengo altas expectativas. Solo espero que las siguientes partes estén a la altura de lo que espero :)
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