3.8. - Jianghu Name Da - for some reason the NU page did not have the translated title as the main title, but it means something like "Jianghu is so big/great".
It is a pretty funny (and not very serious) Wuxia novel. Very different from Thousand Autumns. It's not quite what I expected based on the NU summary, but still amusing. The summary makes it seem like Zhu Yanyin (the MC) is part of the Jianghu, but he really is not. He is the second young master of a filthy, filthy rich family, who lost his memories at the beginning of the story and for a while believed that he WAS part of the Jianghu. Alas, his family and servants are very competent and despite him believing it, they made it quite clear that he was not a wild martial artist, but instead a talented scholar. The reason he does get involved in the Jianghu is because the Divine Doctor Jiang is currently preoccupied with another person's treatment and can't just move into the mansion of the Zhu family to treat him.
That other person, Wanren Palace Master Li Sui, is the ML of the story. And it's definitely not love at first sight for either of them. Instead, Zhu Yanyin is pretty much terrified of the palace master after their second meeting (in the first he tries to buy his sword because he thinks it's pretty), and the only reason they every manage to get past these second impression is Li Sui's good friend doctor Jiang. The man, the myth, the legendary doctor! quickly realizes that to both treat Li Sui and get the greatest payout of his life(!!! rich landlord!!!) he needs the two of them to get along. Familarity breeds friendship. xxD
The relationship between the two leads is pretty good, and they both show different sides of their personality to each other and learn to trust. At first, I was kinda worried that Zhu Yanyin would have been set up as a foolish figure (the beginning felt a bit like it) but I was pleasantly surprised that he does show himself to be very competent at multiple points. One of the best parts of the novel to me was how different the two leads thought and solved problems. By the end of the novel, Zhu Yanyin can definitely be considered a chivalrous hero - it would not have turned out as well for everyone without him.
Aside from the two main characters, who I liked a lot, there is also a charming cast of side characters, such as Divine Doctor Jiang, and his love (though she does not know it) Miss Lan, who also happens to be Li Sui's second, as well as Zhu Yanyin's servant boy and steward.
Despite the story taking place during the martial arts alliance to take down the evil demonic cult, it often feels more of a slice of life. The story is well-structured and moments that might seem unimportant often get brought up again, which is always a plus.
There are some issues from my point of view - one of them being one that I am not sure if it's a translation issue or part of the original novel: At times I really can't tell if people say something out loud or if they are just thinking it. It makes some conversations a bit ???? Another part is the flowery language - it is often used humorously, but sometimes I just prefer for things to be a bit more direct.
Oh well, all the same, if you are fine with the writing/translation style this novel is fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.