Chapter 234: Released
The films released during this Spring Festival season covered a wide range of genres. The Sovereign Descends the World was a historical film, Dragon Palace was a mythological fantasy, and Robot Creation Manual was a sci-fi film. Every year, there was always a children’s movie in the Spring Festival lineup, along with a family drama and an inspirational film. With such diverse themes, audiences had more choices than ever.
Among these films, Dragon Palace had the highest production cost, with most of the budget spent on sets and special effects. Although Robot Creation Manual also featured special effects, its settings were relatively simple, making it less costly than Dragon Palace.
Currently, The Sovereign Descends the World had the second-highest screening allocation, right after Dragon Palace. There was no doubt that Lu Xu’s name played a significant role in securing this position.
Tan Qi had made plans with her friends to go to the cinema again. Her movie-watching frequency had dropped significantly compared to before, mainly because she couldn’t find companions to go with. Besides, she felt that many recent films were just repeating past works and didn’t interest her much. She preferred to spend her time on other things.
However, since The Sovereign Descends the World was now showing, she was definitely going to watch it.
After buying milk tea, Tan Qi and her friend walked to the cinema, bracing against the gusty wind while chatting about Lu Xu’s look in the new movie.
“Lu Xu can’t play young male leads anymore,” her friend said regretfully.
“He wouldn’t take those roles anyway, right?” Tan Qi glanced at her friend. “I don’t think he’s fixated on doing idol dramas.”
As a fan, Tan Qi didn’t expect Lu Xu to always look stunning in every role. Feather of Youth and Code A77 had already provided plenty of moments for her to admire. Even if Lu Xu didn’t have that striking face, his acting alone was enough to make up for it.
That said, both Tan Qi and her friend loved his look in The Sovereign Descends the World. Every time Lu Xu starred in a new movie, he managed to bring them a completely different experience.
From the previous film, Clay Man, to this one, The Sovereign Descends the World, Lu Xu had once again taken on a completely new role.
When they entered the cinema, Tan Qi noticed that the audience for The Sovereign Descends the World was quite similar to that of Dragon Palace. She had deliberately observed the crowd and saw that many young viewers were also lining up for the earlier screening of Robot Creation Manual. The theater was lively and bustling, with people squeezing through the entrance. But once inside, everything felt much more comfortable.
After settling into her seat, Tan Qi turned her gaze to the screen. Following the advertisements, The Sovereign Descends the World slowly unfolded its grand imperial court scene before her eyes.
Qi Yi was a real historical emperor. Official records praised him as a ruler of both literary and military brilliance, possessing great strategic vision. However, in some literary works and unofficial histories that Tan Qi had read, Qi Yi’s personality was far from admirable.
The film opened with the Empress Dowager’s dream visitation, setting the stage for a series of mysterious cases. The palace, the imperial concubines—one by one, the characters made their entrances.
But everyone knew that Qi Yi was the sole master of this palace.
Imperial concubines perished, and witnesses connected to the cases met their demise one after another. These people had once held power and influence, yet within the darkness of the palace, they were swallowed up like prey to a giant beast, disappearing without a trace.
“Who did it? Who’s the boss?” Tan Qi’s friend whispered in her ear.
Tan Qi gently shook her head.
Based on the trailer, she had thought that Hu Qing, played by Zheng Xiao, was the mastermind. But now, as the plot progressed, she wasn’t so sure anymore. At the very least, Hu Qing didn’t quite have that kind of presence.
What truly held Tan Qi’s attention was Lu Xu.
Despite the escalating mysteries within the palace, Qi Yi remained composed and indifferent. However… when the camera focused on his eyes, even the subtlest glance from him was enough to send a chill down one’s spine.
Although Qi Yi did not personally investigate the cases, he knew how to utilize his ministers. The mysteries still lingered, yet in his presence, all shadows seemed to dissipate.
“Our Majesty is the smartest man under heaven. Don’t underestimate him,” said the chief eunuch, Ding Fu. But no sooner had he finished speaking than he found himself kneeling before Qi Yi like a dog in the imperial hall. The arrogance he had displayed just moments ago had turned into utter humiliation, a stark contrast that was truly eye-opening.
What shocked Tan Qi even more, however, was Lu Xu’s performance.
The actor playing Ding Fu was a seasoned veteran, someone Tan Qi had seen in various roles before. In this scene, he flawlessly portrayed Ding Fu’s shifting expressions—his brazenness, his willingness to gamble everything. If Qi Yi, seated high above, could not suppress Ding Fu’s imposing presence, it would almost seem as if the roles of emperor and eunuch had been reversed.
Yet Qi Yi… whether through his light, almost indifferent words or the occasional glance toward Ding Fu, embodied the very essence of imperial authority.
Had it been anyone else, Ding Fu’s submission might have seemed unwarranted. But before Qi Yi, there was no doubt.
Even a eunuch with immense power, one who held sway over an entire dynasty, could only grovel like a dog before the emperor.
Lu Xu perfectly captured the phrase the emperor’s heart is unfathomable. Even though he was merely acting, his presence alone was enough to instill fear.
The pacing of The Sovereign Descends the World was not particularly fast, yet it never felt dull. The film continuously pushed the plot forward without excessive exposition. Combined with the deliberately crafted air of mystery, Tan Qi felt confident that she had the patience to sit through the entire film.
There had been countless portrayals of emperors in various works, and the role of Qi Yi had been played by different actors before. But to Tan Qi, Lu Xu was undoubtedly the one who came closest to embodying Qi Yi.
Emperors were always solitary figures, but Qi Yi was one of the rare rulers who truly relished his solitude. Power was entirely within his grasp, and the most brilliant minds under heaven served at his command.
When Qi Yi’s gaze swept over someone, an indescribable pressure settled in the air… Viewers who had seen Son of Heaven couldn’t help but marvel at Lu Xu’s commanding performance.
Qin Zhao had been gentle and weak, whereas Qi Yi was even more domineering than Qin Zhao’s own father. Though both were historical roles and both belonged to the imperial family, Qin Zhao and Qi Yi represented two completely opposite extremes.
The story of The Sovereign Descends the World continued to unfold. Despite the many layers of deception, the mystery ultimately revolved around rebellion. These conspirators had attempted to use the Empress Dowager’s so-called dream visitation to shake Qi Yi’s authority. With supporters inside and outside the palace, and with little concrete evidence available, fear spread through the court, leading many to believe in the work of ghosts and spirits.
Rumors circulated among the common people—claims that Qi Yi’s throne was illegitimate, that his rule was tyrannical, and that divine retribution had come upon him.
Yet Qi Yi never wavered for a moment.
When he announced the execution of a rebel leader, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes. “To come up with the idea of a dream visitation… There are indeed clever minds among you. But choosing the Empress Dowager? That was your mistake.”
“This throne may have come easily to me, but even though the late emperor was mild-mannered, protecting my position as crown prince was no simple matter. And the Empress Dowager… she was never the ordinary woman you imagined her to be.”
“If she were to send a dream, it would only be to me.” Qi Yi seemed to recall the Empress Dowager, and a touch of nostalgia crept into his voice. “If she knew I was indulging in leisure within the palace, she’d probably scold me again.”
The rebels’ eyes burned with utter despair—a despair so intense it seemed as though it could ignite into real flames and consume Qi Yi entirely.
But it was a futile hope.
Qi Yi would never fear them.
Then came the twist—Hu Qing was revealed as the mastermind behind the entire conspiracy. The Sovereign Descends the World had spent so much time laying the groundwork, portraying Hu Qing as seemingly harmless. Even though some audience members had suspected his involvement in the palace intrigue, no one had expected that he was the true orchestrator of it all.
Gasps filled the theater as the truth was unveiled. Tan Qi’s friend nudged her in shock. “Wait, what?! This was possible?”
The two of them had considered countless possibilities—was this all part of Qi Yi’s elaborate scheme to lure out the real traitors? They had suspected Qi Yi, suspected Ding Fu, and had scrutinized every minister they could think of. But never had they expected Hu Qing to be the final boss.
Given that this was a collaboration between Lu Xu and Zheng Xiao, the natural assumption had been that Lu Xu would play the villain.
Sitting in the theater, Tan Qi had been prepared to witness an intense showdown between Lu Xu and Zheng Xiao. After all, if Hu Qing was the mastermind, then it only made sense for Lu Xu to go head-to-head with him in a battle of wits and power.
However, the plot took an unexpected turn.
Hu Qing did indeed unravel, his expression contorted with madness. Like countless villains before him, he launched into a long-winded monologue, lamenting the injustices he had suffered and voicing his disdain for the world under Qi Yi’s rule. At any moment, he could have thrown himself into the flames or drawn a blade to take Qi Yi down with him.
But Qi Yi never gave him the chance.
Just like that, Hu Qing was swiftly eliminated—no dramatic villainous breakdown, no grand speech, no last-ditch effort for vengeance.
Weaklings had no right to speak. No matter what grievances Hu Qing had, the strong had no patience to listen.
Tan Qi: “…”
Well. That was certainly… efficient.
Too efficient! Wasn’t Hu Qing supposed to be the final boss?!
However, after watching The Sovereign Descends the World in its entirety, Tan Qi didn’t feel the need to seek justice for Hu Qing. Instead, she thought this plot development actually fit the film’s overall tone.
Throughout the movie, Qi Yi remained the absolute ruler. The weight of imperial authority was something beyond the comprehension of those who had never experienced it firsthand. Even the so-called rebellion orchestrated by Hu Qing was nothing more than a minor disturbance to Qi Yi—hardly worth his attention.
That being said, The Sovereign Descends the World was still a compelling story. Yet, after finishing the film, Tan Qi found herself wondering whether the title truly suited it. The word Sovereign suggested a focus on Qi Yi’s rule over the empire, but the film didn’t delve into how he governed—it simply told the story of a single rebellion.
Upon further reflection, though, she realized that the title was actually quite fitting.
In an era ruled by emperors, even if Qi Yi had relatively few scenes, his influence loomed over the entire kingdom. It reminded her of a palace drama she had watched before—one where the emperor rarely appeared and seemed nearly absent, yet a single offhand remark about his preference for a particular color was enough to send shockwaves through the harem, causing countless people to lose their lives.
There was no point in trying to understand imperial power through a modern lens. If she had lived in that era, Tan Qi thought, she probably wouldn’t have survived even a day.
As for Lu Xu’s performance in The Sovereign Descends the World, Tan Qi could only describe it with one phrase—awe-inspiring fear.
Qi Yi was a ruler who commanded fear, and Lu Xu’s portrayal of him was just as intimidating.
Of course, Lu Xu looked undeniably handsome in the film. Clad in his imperial robes, he exuded regal authority. Now in his thirties, his appearance combined with his maturity made him even more charismatic. Even when dressed in simple court attire, his presence as the Son of Heaven was unmistakable.
However, despite all being period drama roles, Qi Yi left a completely different impression compared to Qin Zhao or Nie Yunzhang. The latter two felt more approachable to audiences, while Qi Yi created an intense sense of distance.
Tan Qi had watched every single one of Lu Xu’s films and dramas, including even his brief cameo roles. Yet, Qi Yi was the character that felt most unfamiliar to her.
It was a role unlike anything Lu Xu had played before. Even when portraying indifference, Qi Yi’s cold demeanor was distinct from Luo Ying’s detachment in Reverse City.
The moment she got home, Tan Qi couldn’t resist writing a review about The Sovereign Descends the World. She refrained from revealing any plot details, choosing instead to focus on the character of Qi Yi.
Although she wasn’t a professional film critic, Tan Qi considered herself a devoted film enthusiast. Having watched countless movies and TV series, she personally believed that Lu Xu had reached a new level in his acting with this film.
While Qi Yi’s age in the movie was roughly the same as Lu Xu’s real age, the character himself was far more mature—far beyond the range of what a typical young actor could portray. Compared to Lu Xu’s previous roles, Qi Yi was the most complex and difficult to embody.
Tan Qi had only intended for her review to be a personal reflection. What she didn’t expect was that, shortly after posting it, the likes and comments started pouring in.
