In this narrative, the West serves as a lens through which the author critically examines and dissects a stereotypical Murim setting. The main argument posited is that "Warfare is not the strong suit of the Murim." Characters within this context possess formidable martial abilities, but they lack experience in large-scale battles. The story highlights their preference for personal weapons like swords, rather than mass-combat gear like spears, due to their reliance on elite assassination missions rather than confronting entire armies.
The Murim are portrayed as civilian populations and minor regional powers existing in a prolonged era of relative peace. Their choice not to adopt practical battlefield tactics stems from the fear of attracting the imperial government's scrutiny. They prioritize cultivating a select few highly skilled individuals, rather than producing a large number of competent fighters for major confrontations.
Contrastingly, the West is depicted as a relentless war machine, where personal growth and exponential development are limited compared to the typical Wuxia narrative. The yet-to-be-revealed antagonist seems to share a similar mindset, but lacks the practical combat experience and institutional wisdom that the protagonist possesses.
So far, it's been quite enjoyable. The rarity of a European knight or warrior in a Wuxia setting provides a refreshing twist. The protagonist's rapid advancement in magic and martial arts might be a bit unexplained, but I'm hoping for a clearer explanation later. His reliance on prior knowledge, like trying sword-breaking techniques from history, seems more plausible and engaging.
One aspect I appreciate is the immediate portrayal of the main character as recognizing the severity of the situation. However, I found it off-putting when his initial reaction to meeting the female lead was solely about her physical appearance, with no relevance to her character. While physical descriptions are fine, it felt more like an attempt to pique interest rather than develop a genuine connection. Fortunately, he doesn't dwell on her looks constantly, so I hope this remains a minor quirk and doesn't dominate the story.
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The Murim are portrayed as civilian populations and minor regional powers existing in a prolonged era of relative peace. Their choice not to adopt practical battlefield tactics stems from the fear of attracting the imperial government's scrutiny. They prioritize cultivating a select few highly skilled individuals, rather than producing a large number of competent fighters for major confrontations.
Contrastingly, the West is depicted as a relentless war machine, where personal growth and exponential development are limited compared to the typical Wuxia narrative. The yet-to-be-revealed antagonist seems to share a similar mindset, but lacks the practical combat experience and institutional wisdom that the protagonist possesses.
One aspect I appreciate is the immediate portrayal of the main character as recognizing the severity of the situation. However, I found it off-putting when his initial reaction to meeting the female lead was solely about her physical appearance, with no relevance to her character. While physical descriptions are fine, it felt more like an attempt to pique interest rather than develop a genuine connection. Fortunately, he doesn't dwell on her looks constantly, so I hope this remains a minor quirk and doesn't dominate the story.