歩天纲 Bù tiān gāng

by Meng Xi Shi

好不容易考上降妖除魔的有关部门，冬至的梦想是，工作与恋爱两手抓，努力追求高冷男神，并谈上一场轰轰烈烈的恋爱。
不过梦想很美好，男神却不是那么好追的。

一列开往春天的火车，是所有一切的开始。
群山孤雪，硝烟散尽。晨光灿烂中，冬至的目光落在龙深背影上。
千言万言，只在一眼。

我愿以此生春秋岁月，献给心中挚爱的你。

阅读指南：
1、又名：《有关部门降妖除魔事件簿》，现代都市玄幻
2、CP：软萌聪明内心戏丰富徒弟受 VS 高冷严厉美貌师父攻，HE。
3、所有内容都是瞎掰，现实如有雷同，那肯定是巧合。

ebook

About the author

Associated Names:
* Meng Xi Shi (English)
* 梦溪石 (Chinese)
* เมิ่งซีสือ (Thai)

Reviews

[yel ᰔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

➺ 4.5/5🌟

I think so far, Bu Tian Gang is my personal favorite among Meng Xi Shi's works that I've read, surpassing even Thousand Autumns, Peerless and The Fourteenth Year of Chenghua (the three novels from her that I absolutely loved). I said personal because I think it's an unpopular opinion among Meng Xi Shi's readers, but this novel just hit me in the right places that her other works weren't able to do. I am aware of all the flaws in this novel, but I still loved this so much regardless. Everything about this novel: plot, the characters, the interactions and the relationship development not only between the MC and ML but also among other side characters. I was so invested in all of it that I wanted to read more, even just them solving simple cases or even their everyday lives.

I've been reading peaceful and slow slice of life novels with the romance either the center of the plot or the dominant part of the story for a few months that I forgot how much I loved reading high stake, plot-driven stories with slow romance. In this case, the romance can be considered as subplot but it's still relevant especially at the latter part of the novel.

I loved the character of the MC so freaking much. He's gentle and calm but very determined and responsible. He's kind but not a saint and he's not hypocritical. He's also level-headed and very reliable, which is an innate part of him, but only tempered along the way. His personality is so rich but not inconsistent. He's self-aware of his shortcomings and he always tries to work from there. I don't think anyone can hate him because he's such a ball of sunshine. And maybe because he's an artist, he has such a wild imagination. I always find that part of him so hilarious. That part of him sticks with him, even in a very tense situation. I personally think he's the highlight of this novel.

For the ML, his identity is a mystery. Most of us suspect that he's not a normal human, what we don't know what he is and the exact reveal wouldn't happen until halfway. I loved that even though he's stoic and reticent most of the time, it's not like he's facial paralysis. He can laugh and even tease the MC. He can also bicker with someone in an elegant and serious manner. He's not a two dimensional character like what the other readers said, just give the novel a chance to show more of him.

The story is very plot-driven, so the character development and relationship development seemed slow in comparison. But if you consider the timeline, the slow development wouldn't seem dragging and it was even perfect that way it progressed. The story is very high stake, with death just waiting in the background. All arcs have many tense moments, action-packed and the plot is complex with many interconnecting elements that are hidden well. I was truly invested in everything from the start.

I rarely read modern supernatural/modern cultivation. I'm not sure why myself but no novel interest me from the synopsis alone. I wouldn't be reading this one as well if not for being written by Meng Xi Shi. Now I think, I would want to try more of this kind of genre in the future. I highly recommend this one.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meng Xi Shi is the author to go to if you want to read about super badass but underdog mc’s. All I have to say about Dong Zhi is that he is very likable and refreshing in the way he actively pursues what he wants. There are no misunderstandings because he doesn’t lie or disguise the truth when things get awkward or difficult. For example, when Long Shen figured out his feelings, he told Long Shen honestly that he was interested. Throughout the entire beginning, he even developed strategies to get closer to Long Shen and was not passive about his affections in the slightest. That same determination was displayed in how he tried joining the Bureau as well and being Long Shen’s apprentice. When he wants something, he won’t give up, and that’s very admirable.

As for Long Shen, his character development was very heartwarming to witness. From the very first meeting on the train, he was expressionless and seemed to be beyond human affairs. It makes sense that he didn’t know of his own affections when he had never felt such emotions before. However, when he did figure it out, he didn’t leave Dong Zhi hanging. He immediately made things right.

Also, the side characters were really well done. Kan Chaosheng, Meika, and Chang Qing’s mini arc was very entertaining, and He Yu was also an easy character to like. He was the one that originally introduced Dong Zhi into the spiritual world, so he will always have a special place in the story. I also really liked Liu Qingbo. Tsunderes own a small corner in my heart, and when he finally calmed down and started a camaraderie with Dong Zhi, it turned out that he was very loyal to those he respected. I wish that more time was spent with Li Han’er because she was also very cool.

All I gotta say is Meng Xi Shi is an author to follow, and I look forward to the publication of Peerless this fall.

[Rebecca]

tried but did not continue when i hit the midway point because i was getting bored.

the summary: the story opens with our main character Dong Zhi, on a train. because of a demon's trickery, he starts seeing very real hallucinations. he's rescued by the other lead, Long Shen, who immediately leaves a very strong impression as a very powerful and mysterious person. he quickly comes to realize there's a whole other world hidden from sight - a world of cultivation, demons, spirits etc. Long Shen and his team are part of a special government task force that deals only with the supernatural so that the ordinary people can live in peace. he makes friends with Long Shen's team (really loved He Nan and Kan Chaotian) and begins to work hard to pass entrance exams to enter the task force and work under Long Shen, whom he has developed hero worship and a huuuuge crush on.

along the way, he begins to 'level up' - he learns cultivation and various other powers (summoning lightning, using talismans...) his personality strengths are shown to us. he is fast on his feet, earnest, clever and a very soft boy and he easily makes allies and impresses many people. it's constantly emphasized how impressive he is because of his background as an ordinary person with no previous aptitude in supernatural matters, which implies that it's his hardworking attitude and really clever thinking that gets him so far. in contrast to Dong Zhi, Long Shen is one of those cool, competent, powerful and taciturn type of personalities who secretly has deeper feelings than you'd expect. i was quite reminded of Cass/Kaoren from The Touchstone Trilogy (ordinary person enters a taskforce of extraordinary and capable people dealing with the supernatural, falls in love with powerful/competent but sweet superior).

his goal has always been to enter the special task force and to become Long Shen's disciple. he achieves both and along the way has many adventures. i particularly liked the many relationships he has with his friends in the task force and the cases that he takes on and resolves by himself! it gets really good at around 40%. it was also quite interesting taking a look at contemporary work relationships in a work setting.

i stopped at about 60% and they had just gotten together and they are still master/disciple; i'm wondering whether they ever become equals? or if the author will keep them as master/disciple as a way to explain away the impossible level of skill and power Long Shen is at, which Dong Zhi might not ever be able to reach because he is, after all, human...? i stopped because the plot was getting really complicated and kind of ironically, i didn't enjoy the relationship interactions as much once they had gotten together.

the bad guys are Japanese onmyoji (阴阳师). at around 60% where i stopped, they were chasing a lead to Myanmar to look for a black witch. i was a bit uncomfortable reading about the villainization of other races/cultures although most mainland authors tend to assume Han Chinese are more superior.

[Ralique · Rating 3 out of 5]

some good quotes on Buddhism/desires at the end/extras (and ch143)