Chapter 134: Online

After Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry premiered, Zheng Xiao did more than just help share the news—he dug out every TV, tablet, and phone at home to support the show with real action.

“What about Flames of War?” Shao Yao couldn’t help but ask him.

“I still have my dad, my mom, my brother, and my nephew.”

Lu Xu fell silent.

All day long, Tan Qi did nothing but clean the house and tidy up the table until it was spotless, just to prepare for Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry. The last time she had been this efficient was when When I Was 18 was airing.

She preferred watching dramas—they allowed her to take screenshots, find new memes in the bullet comments, and rewatch favorite scenes over and over. Though she had to admit, Lu Xu’s face had a stronger impact on the big screen.

Film directors painstakingly built atmospheres, making characters appear even more refined through cinematic lenses.

But there were just too few of Lu Xu’s movies!

Tan Qi was considering buying a projector so she could lie in bed and watch dramas in bliss.

As expected, Lu Xu gave her motivation—he was her spiritual sustenance!

The moment the clock struck 8, Tan Qi quickly refreshed the homepage of Yunduo Streaming. Sure enough, Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry, which previously had only a lonely trailer, had released its first two episodes.

[I only have one question—why just two episodes a day?]

[Worst-case scenario, can’t the platform just drop all ten thousand episodes at once?]

Tan Qi promptly liked both of these bullet comments.

Although keeping actors mysterious was important, she sincerely hoped Lu Xu would appear on screen as much as possible—it was crucial to her.

As for what kind of drama Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry was, Tan Qi had already figured it out from the trailer.

As a fan, Tan Qi absolutely loved watching Lu Xu play these spirited, confident roles—youthful and handsome. A good-looking actor should play more handsome characters!

Only when Lu Xu’s face appeared on screen did she truly believe that Nie Yunzhang was the famously beautiful man recorded in history.

The opening theme of Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry carried the same style as Son of Heaven, blending orchestral music with grand, soul-stirring melodies. It instantly transported the audience back a thousand years to an era of strength—an era ruled by a wise and powerful emperor, defended by loyal generals who safeguarded the land.

Tan Qi couldn’t help but freeze on the final scene of the intro. In that moment, Nie Yunzhang had reached the end of his life—frail yet impossibly handsome. His gaze alone could make one forget to breathe.

Suppressing the urge to replay the opening theme, Tan Qi started watching the first episode of Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry.

The story began with the infamous palace coup of the Chu Dynasty.

The emperor was incompetent, the crown prince’s position was unstable, and the court had naturally split into two opposing factions.

Although the Nie family was of royal blood, times like these called for caution. The last thing they could afford was to take sides too easily.

Nie Yunzhang, a young member of the Nie family, had been on good terms with the crown prince since childhood. However, his family constantly warned him not to lean too far in his favor.

“If Prince Qi ascends the throne one day, do you think you’ll meet a good end?”

The scene shifted, revealing a young man on screen who responded in a lazy tone, “Relax, Father. Prince Qi won’t make it.”

His eyelids drooped as if he hadn’t fully woken up, his posture was loose and carefree—completely lacking the sharpness expected of an aristocrat. If she had to describe him, he looked like… a monkey.

Yet Tan Qi’s eyes lit up instantly.

Another completely different role!

Every character Lu Xu played brought her a sense of freshness. And this one—Nie Yunzhang’s very first appearance—hit her with an unmistakable wave of youthful energy

Lu Xu’s real age was quite different from Nie Yunzhang’s at his first appearance. For an actor, playing both younger and older roles wasn’t easy. In Tan Qi’s opinion, playing younger was even harder—because the eyes couldn’t lie.

Yet Lu Xu’s gaze held no trace of world-weariness. Paired with his historical costume, he was the very definition of “sharp brows and bright eyes.”

Nie Yunzhang was lively in his youth, but Lu Xu didn’t play him as a fool. Instead, he captured the character’s youthful exuberance with a natural charm. In short—he was absolutely adorable!

Tan Qi had a vague feeling that Lu Xu’s acting was still improving.

[Our puppy finally isn’t playing tragic, brooding roles anymore!]

[Yay, yay!]

[I’m already editing clips—Nie Yunzhang × Qin Zhao! Lu Puppy’s historical drama look is undefeated!]

Fans were more than satisfied with the styling in Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry. It was clear that money had been well spent. Nie Yunzhang’s outfit in the first episode was both exquisite and era-appropriate. To put it bluntly, Lu Xu’s face could make even a burlap sack look good—so with proper styling, he was the ultimate historical drama heartthrob.

The storyline of Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry was just as compelling. Though Nie Yunzhang didn’t have much screen time in the first episode, the palace power struggles were gripping, and the tension peaked when the crown prince was ambushed—an assassination attempt masterfully built up for maximum suspense.

Court officials each had their own hidden agendas. Even the palace servants weren’t merely bystanders—many chose to turn a blind eye and stay silent.

Palace maids, eunuchs, imperial consorts, former ministers, royal relatives—everyone had their own calculations. Even the widely acknowledged incompetent emperor wasn’t as clueless as he seemed.

The more dire the crown prince’s situation became, the more his savior, Nie Yunzhang, felt like a warrior descending from the heavens.

The moment he appeared on screen, the interaction between him and the crown prince sent the bullet comments into a frenzy—a sea of exclamation marks flooded the screen, completely obscuring their faces.

The crown prince’s shock and disbelief, contrasted with Nie Yunzhang’s radiant, sunlit smile, created a moment so powerful that it felt like—

A princess being rescued by her knight in shining armor!

And just like that, the second episode ended.

[??? Can’t you just give us one more episode?]

[Hello? I just got into the zone—hey, hey, hey!]

[I’m extremely disappointed. What harm would one more episode do?]

Liu Chunfeng and Qin Yu had initially estimated that the first two episodes of Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry would pull in around 10,000 in popularity score. The launch was expected to be stronger than Son of Heaven, and their goal was simple—an average popularity score surpassing 10,000.

And then—

That morning, Liu Chunfeng stormed into Qin Yu’s room and woke him up from deep sleep.

As a screenwriter, Qin Yu’s sleep schedule was a complete mess. Even though he and Liu Chunfeng had collaborated multiple times, being rudely awakened still earned Liu a thorough scolding.

But Liu Chunfeng couldn’t hold it in.

Because Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry had debuted with a popularity score of 13,000+!

Since becoming a director, Liu Chunfeng had never worked on a drama with this kind of opening popularity.

It made sense, though—he came from a background in serious dramas. In the past, when the internet wasn’t as widespread, audiences had fewer options. But now, buzzworthy, high-concept dramas were the ones dominating the scene.

“Can it go even higher?” the director asked, unable to hide his excitement.

“Even if it doesn’t, maintaining this level is already amazing.”

After washing his face and brushing his teeth, Qin Yu finally opened his laptop to check the real-time rankings—

At the top of the charts was Phantom Realm, which had already been airing for a week, with a popularity score of 14,000+.

That night’s episode featured the female lead’s first act of revenge—she personally k*lled the immortals who had humiliated her.

The immortals remained ethereal and untouchable in flowing white robes, while Lu Yao, like a vengeful specter, coldly examined their lifeless bodies.

In that moment, she realized—whether mortal or immortal, everyone dies just as pathetically.

That scene alone had drawn in countless new fans, pushing Phantom Realm’s slightly dipping numbers back up again.

Second place on the rankings belonged to Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry.

Flames of War followed in third, with a popularity score of 11,000+.

To viewers, these were just ordinary rankings. But within the drama industry, this was an achievement that hadn’t been seen in a long time.

Three dramas breaking 10,000 in popularity score simultaneously—what did that mean?

In lower-traffic seasons, there might only be one drama surpassing 10,000, or sometimes none at all.

[Are all three of these dramas actually good?]

[Yes! Phantom Realm and Flames of War are both fantastic. Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry has just started, so it’s too early to tell.]

[Hahaha, every night I finish Phantom Realm and then watch Flames of War with my parents. At first, they scoffed at me, but now we’re all hooked on it together.]

[I don’t allow anyone to miss the second episode of Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry! Does no one understand the sheer tension of redemption?]

[Oh, trust me, I get it!]

By now, Phantom Realm’s plot had reached its climax, while Flames of War had also entered its most gripping chapters. Meanwhile, Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry—though not the fastest-paced drama—was fully immersing viewers in the life of a historical legend.

Nie Yunzhang wasn’t just some one-dimensional war hero. He wasn’t the kind of “born warrior” described in the history books.

He felt—he laughed, he grieved, he dreamed, he harbored ambition.

After the third episode, with the crown prince rescued, the counterattack would begin. And Nie Yunzhang would become the sword clearing the path forward.

It was in these moments that his true charm began to shine through.

Nie Yunzhang was far from a simple character.

Born into an aristocratic family, a royal relative, and bonded with the crown prince since youth—his loyalty was real.

His love for his family, the painstaking effort he put into training, and the sacrifices he made—everyone could see it.

The historical records only mentioned Nie Yunzhang in a few brief strokes, but he was clearly a much more vivid and alive character.

[It feels like I’m getting to know Nie Yunzhang all over again.]

[Lives Beyond Death really added so many small details about Nie Yunzhang. They might not all be real, but in my heart, they are.]

[A good brother, a good son, a loyal subject, and at the same time, so full of youthful energy—I absolutely love him!]

After Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry aired, its popularity score for the first few episodes remained steady at 13,000+, with no major fluctuations. The rankings also didn’t change—Phantom Realm stayed in first place, Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry in second, and Flames of War in third.

All three production teams were satisfied—this was already a better-than-expected level of success.

However, because Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry and Phantom Realm were both performing so consistently, fans actually started feeling a bit uneasy.

[I feel anxious that something’s about to happen, but at the same time, I can’t wait for it.]

[LMAO, if a Lu Xu drama airs without some kind of drama happening, I’d find that really strange.]

[It’s too calm… it feels like the calm before the storm.]

[From my years of observation, Lu Xu never starts fights. But his passive defense skills? They’re always maxed out.]

But surprisingly, all three drama teams remained peaceful. The trending searches continued, but each show was just praising itself—no one was making comparisons or picking fights.

This led to discussions across drama forums, Weibo, and fan groups analyzing the situation:

[Is there even a need for drama? All three shows are doing great right now.]

[Honestly, throwing shade wouldn’t be impossible, like what happened with The Empress back then. But in the end, random smear campaigns only give Lu Xu more heat. And if there’s one person who understands that best, it’s Qiao Mengyao.]

[Might as well just focus on watching dramas. There are so many analysis posts about Phantom Realm and Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry—feels like I’ve learned a lot.]

Even though the production teams maintained a “we won’t move unless the enemy moves” attitude, that didn’t stop someone from actively stirring up attention—

After months of preparation, Song of Tears finally secured a spot in the competition category of an international film festival. While it wasn’t one of the Big Three European festivals or the Oscars, it was still classified as an A-list festival.

The production team repeatedly pushed educational posts on trending searches, making sure domestic audiences became aware of this award.

As the lead actor of Song of Tears, Qi Di had already flown overseas to walk the red carpet, flooding the internet with PR articles—

Things like “The only invited foreign actor at XX Film Festival,” or “The only Chinese film in the main competition.”

In short, the message was clear: Song of Tears was absolutely legendary, plus ultra.

However, even while overseas, “XX Best Actor Nominee” Qi Di still kept an eye on the domestic scene.

For example—his latest Weibo post featured a new photo.

In the image, Qi Di sat with a lazy expression, behind him a sweeping night view of a bustling European city. A bouquet of red roses sat beside him, while he focused intently on a screen.

On that screen—was Phantom Realm.

[Binged ten episodes straight—couldn’t stop at all!]

Netizens: “……”

To be fair, plenty of celebrities had expressed their support for Phantom Realm, Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry, and Flames of War since their release.

Supporting a show was totally normal.

The problem was—when the supporter was Qi Di—that was very suspicious.

First of all, as a distinguished movie actor, a rising star of the cinema world, Qi Di had always looked down on television actors.

For example, take Phantom Realm’s lead actress, Qiao Mengyao. As the undisputed Queen of TV Dramas, she still started with supporting roles when transitioning to the film industry. Meanwhile, Qi Di had only ever worked in films since his debut.

Secondly, Qi Di and Lu Xu’s rivalry was infamous in the industry.

Now, with Phantom Realm and Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry as direct competitors, Qi Di was suddenly showing public support for Phantom Realm.

[Oh, this is gonna be good.jpg]

[…Am I the only one who noticed? He claims to have binged ten episodes, but the screen is clearly showing episode four.]

[Bro… you really didn’t have to, bro.]

[Uh-oh, Lu Xu’s about to put a curse on him!]

[HAHAHAHA waiting for the moment he brings out his bicycle.]

[He’s about to do that again.jpg]

And yet—Lu Xu hadn’t even had time to roll out his beloved bike before Phantom Realm’s official account suddenly posted a new update:

[Binged ten episodes straight of Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry—couldn’t stop at all!]

Netizens: “……”

#Cutting It Off At The Source

#Somebody Stop Lu Xu He’s About To Ride His Bike

After Phantom Realm’s official account posted that mentally unstable post, Lives Beyond Death the Chivalry’s official account quickly followed up:

“Binged ten episodes straight of Flames of War—couldn’t stop at all!”

This put all the pressure on Flames of War, and naturally, its official account reciprocated the love by expressing enthusiastic support for Phantom Realm.

Netizens: “…”

[I see. So we, the audience, are just part of your play?]

[What kind of lunatic drama crews are these? Are the shows actually good? I just want to get a taste of the salt level.]

[……?]

In any case, after this whole ridiculous exchange, all three dramas actually gained a bit more traction.

As for Qi Di’s original post?

Phantom Realm’s team didn’t even acknowledge it. Meanwhile, every other celebrity who posted in support of Phantom Realm got a like from the official account—except Qi Di.

Awkward. Very awkward.

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