Reviewed by: STSH Date: 08/16/2017 Summary: Grim and action-packed swashbuckler Plenty of blood, gore and action, in this historical spectacular which, unusually, is *not* set in the Manchu Dynasty, but a little before, when the Ming was in steep decline and quite some disarray. The swordfights are spectacular and there are quite a few of them, and the frequent changes of allegiances and dizzying plot development well hold interest inbetween. Yang Mi stands out, apart from being glorious to behold, as being a romantic lead who does *not* fight, when nearly every other woman here slashes at expert level. Perhaps there is so much going on that this oddity is simply left in place. Reviewer Score: 7